ROYAL NEWS: JANUARY 2010

Last updated: January 31st, 2010.

January 1st
The Princess Royal has been the busiest member of the British royal family in 2009. She undertook 554 engagements. She is closely followed by the Prince of Wales who undertook 540 engagements, and the Duke of York who had 490 appointments. Queen Elizabeth II undertook 375 engagement, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh 350. The Earl of Wessex is listed with 327 engagements, and his wife with 168. The Duchess of Cornwall undertook 240 visits. With 27 engagements in 2009 Prince William of Wales beat his brother Prince Harry who had 15.

King Harald V of Norway in his New Year speech spoke about the financial and the climate crisis, intolerance and the excess of consumption. He said among others: "'Berlin Walls' may be found everywhere. Walls of irreconcilable hate and mistrust contribute to war and conflicts in many places in the world. Inequality and injustice are also helping to build walls and create divisions." He also said: "I want to send a special greeting to the yes-people among us, and all the heroes who spend their lives for others."

Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark hosted the first New Year's reception for the government, representatives of the official Denmark and the court at Christian VII's palace, Amalienborg, Copenhagen today. Also Crown prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie attended. In her 38th New Year speech that was broadcasted yesterday, Queen Margrethe of course talked about the economical crisis, that also hit Denmark. But she said that it is also good for people to slow down a bit, and find time in life for their beloved ones.

PPE Pictures

In his statement issued on the occasion of the New Year Emperor Akihito of Japan expressed his sympathy with the people who are affected by the recession in Japan. He said: "Last year, many people faced hardships due to the continuing severe economic conditions, and my heart goes out to them.In this new year that we are greeting, I hope that everyone will help one another and support each other to overcome the challenges they are facing." Also the yearly waka poems by members of the imperial family were issued.

Waka Poems

January 2nd
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan today held a New Year's reception for members of the imperial family and leaders of the government at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. In the afternoon also ambassadors and proxies were received. About 79.300 people gathered to see the imperial family on the balcony of the imperial palace. No less than five greeting sessions were held. The Emperor shortly spoke to them and said: "I hope this year will be a good year for each of you. I wish for the happiness of the people and peace in the world at the beginning of the year."

January 3rd
A spokesman for St James's Palace said to the Sunday Telegraph newspaper that Prince William "will not be a 'shadow king' – the possibility is not even being considered. Over the next few years, Prince William will be concentrating primarily on a military career while also slightly increasing his [charity] patronages and the other interests that he pursues." The spokesman also said that Prince William " wants the spotlight to fall on his father as much as possible. Prince William does not want to be put in a position before his time – before he is ready."

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra Sultan Ismail Petra, Prince of Kelantan (Malaysia) has taken the "yamin istizhar" oath today at the Syariah High Court in Kota Baru. The oath completes the court ruling of 13 December which orders the prince's wife Manohara Odelio Pinot to return to her husband within 14 days and return money to him within 30 days.

January 4th
The engagement was announced between Alexander Johannsmann and Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg. The groom-to-be is 32 years old and lives in Gütersloh near Bielefeld, Germany. Alexander Johannsmann was a German show jumper and is now a trainer and works for his uncle's company specialised in transporting horses.

The Swedish royal court today said that Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her fiance Daniel Westling have visited the Swedish-Finnish forces at Camp Northern Lights in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan on 3 and 4 January. The Crown Princess told the forces: "Meeting you on site has been a very rewarding experience and I'm extremely impressed by the work that is being carried out."

January 5th
The Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure received another threatening letter aimed at Queen Fabiola of the Belgians. The black-and-white postcards contains a drawing of a coffin and says that she has only 7 months left.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said today that workers will get an extra bank holiday in 2012 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. He said that the jubilee will be a truly historic occasion. The second May bank holiday will be moved to June 4 to coincide with the Queen's official birthday. June 4 will also be a public holday.

January 6th
New pictures of Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde and their children Elisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Eléonore were released. They were taken at the end of 2009.

New Pictures

The first double portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales was unveiled in the National Portrait Gallery in London. The painting by Nicky Philipps shows both princes in their uniform in the library at Clarence House. The princes posted for the painter five times starting in August 2008. She told about them: "They were apprehensive to begin with, but they went along with everything. They were good company and very helpful. The pose was instinctive on their part, which I liked." She hopes to have captured some of the brotherly banter.

January 11th
The Criminal Court of Al Ain yesterday cleared Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nayhan of Abu Dhabi of all charges. They said he "cannot be held accountable for his actions because he was drugged" by his former associates. He had been charged with rape and torture of an Afghan citizen, and is clearly shown on video. The two former associates were ordered to pay a temporary compensation of 10.000 dirhams to the Afghan, and were sentenced to five years in jail each in absentia for their role in the torture.

Paul of Romania, grandson of King Carol of Romania, and his 60-year-old wife Lia had a son today. Carol Ferdinand was born at the Maternity Regina Maria in Bucharest, Romania. He weighed 2200 gramms. He was born a bit premature, but mother and son are doing very well. He will be christened in the Orthodox church. They hope that he can grow up in Romania.

January 12th
Last week Prince Tomohito of Mikasa was admitted to the Imperial Household Hospital in Tokyo again. The prince was hospitalised for the fifth time since June 2009 for alcoholism treatment, the Imperial Household Agency said.

January 13th
The visual profile, wedding symbols and colour scheme of the wedding between Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June 2010 were presented today. The visual profile consists of a pattern which originates from the Drottningholm Palace, and the pattern was created in 1846 when the palace was renovated. The colour scheme symbolises the Swedish, royal and beautiful early summer time. White is a wedding symbol. The Swedish early summer garden will provide a basis also for floral arrangements. The wedding signature includes the joint monogram of the couple. The wedding church is closed to the public at the moment as it undergoes a massive renovation.

Wedding scheme

In a retrial against Prince Ernst August of Hannover his wife Princess Caroline of Monaco testified. The Prince is being charged of causing serious bodily harm to Josef Brunlehner, the owner of a hotel on Lamu Island, Kenia, in 2000. Princess Caroline said that her husband "got angry" with Mr Brunlehner and slapped him twice in the face with an open hand during their argument. Caroline said: "I would say it was not very strong. It was more symbolic." In the first trial the court ruled that the prince hit Brunlehner with a metal ring he was wearing, but the princess says her husband never wears rings, not even his wedding ring. The prince wasn't present when his wife testified. Last week he was photographed while on holiday in Thailand with an unknown woman.

January 14th
Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William of Wales, has instructed the royal lawyers Harbottle & Lewis to take legal action after photographs of her playing tennis at Restormel Manor in Cornwall on Christmas day appeared in German magazines. The lawyers issued a warning to the photographer and to the photo agencies Rex Features and Ikon. Clarence House said: "I would say it was not very strong. It was more symbolic."

Richard Manley, father of Countess Alexandra of Frederiksborg, died in hospital in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday evening aged 85. His wife Christa, and his three daughters were at his side. There will be a private funeral. The parents of Countess Alexandra, former wife of Prince Joachim of Denmark, lived in Denmark for some years and only moved to Vienna in 2008.

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy has revealed that he had a passionate affair with model Kate Moss eight years ago. The relationship lasted for about eight months, the prince said. At the moment he is preparing to take place in the 60th San Remo festival from 16-20 February. He and tenor Luca Canonici will sing the song "Italia amore mio", that is written by the prince himself.

Fürst Alfred-Ernst zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg died in Kreuzwertheim, Germany, yesterday. He was 85 years old. His wife Ruth Erika died in October 2009. He succeeded his father as head of the family in 1980.

January 15th
Prince William of Wales today was awarded his wings as a fully-fledged helicopter pilot by his father the Prince of Wales at the RAF Shawbury in Shropshire. Also the Duchess of Cornwall and Kate Middleton, Prince William's girlfriend were present. In December he completed the 12-month advanced helicopter flying training course. Late in January, after his return from his official visit to New Zealand and Australia, the Prince will start a Search and Rescue Conversion Course at RAF Valley in Anglesey in Wales where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters.

The Prince of Orange fell today while skating on the icerink of The Hague and disclocated his shoulder. He was able to push it back into place himself. In the hospital it turned out that he has a little fracture in his left shoulder. The shoulder needs a few weeks rest, and the prince will have to wear a sling.

Prince Carl Philip doesn't want to confirm nor deny rumours in the Swedish press that he is currently dating the Swedish reality TV show star and model Sofia Hellqvist.

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia today has filed a suit with the Basmanny Court in Moscow. She asks to reverse the decision to close the investigation into the murder of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and his family. The case was closed early 2009 after the Prosecutor-General had ruled that too much time had elapsed since the crime and because the ones who were responsible for the murder had died. Head of the chancellery of the Russian imperial house, Alexander Zakatov, said that the case has to be reopened, because several questions about the murder and the remains should be resolved.

January 17th
Prince William of Wales has arrived at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand this morning for a three-day official visit to the country. In the afternoon he visited Eden Park to look at the work to prepare the park for the Rugby World Cup. He also set sail on one of the American Cup yachts of New Zealand in Auckland Harbour. In the evening he enjoyed an informal "hangi" at the Government House. He is to open the new Supreme Court building in Wellington on Monday. There he will also lay a wreath at the National War Moemorial, attend a barbecue at Premier House and visit the Wellington Children's Hospital. He will leave for Australia on Tuesday. The Prince told the press today: "I just love seeing everyone and seeing more of New Zealand." He also said he feels that he has a lot to live up to to reach the standards his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has set on her international tours.

January 20th
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has appointed her daughter-in-law, The Countess of Wessex, a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

January 21st
Eight new pictures were released on the occasion of the 6th birthday of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.

New Pictures

At the end of his five-day tour of New Zealand and Australia Prince William of Wales held a speech today at Melbourne's Government House. He said that visiting Australia was the "realisation of a dream". He said that the British royal family is very fond of Australia, and told about some of their experiences. The trip to Australia was mainly meant to allow William to get to know its people.

January 22nd
A series of official wedding souvenirs created for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June has been presented at Formex in Stockholm. The Swedish royal court has approved these souvenirs. Part of the revenues are going to the Wedding Foundation of the Crown Princely Couple.

January 23rd
Iskandar Ismail, Sultan of Johor, died yesterday evening at the Puteri Specialist hospital at 7.15pm aged 77. He was born on 8 April 1932 and became Sultan of Johor in 1981. He was chosen King of Malaysia from 1984 to 1989. The burial took place this afternoon at the Mahmoodiah Royal Mausoleum. The Sultan is survived by his wife Sultanah Zanariah Almarhum Tunku Ahmad and by ten children. The Sultan's eldest son Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Iskandar was proclaimed as the new Sultan on Saturday morning. He pledged to rule with fairness, justice and compassion. He had already been appointed as regent two hours before the death of his father.

January 25th
A new opinion poll shows that the three-day tour through Australia of Prince William of Wales has led to a surge in support for the British monarchy in Australia. A pollby the Sunday Telegraph shows 44% of the people are in favour of a republic, 27% are for a monarchy, and 29% doesn't have an opinion. In recent years up to 59% of the Australians favoured a republic.

The mummified corpse of King Le Du Tong of Vietnam, who died in 1731, was reburied today. Since he was accidentally dug up by farmers at Bai Trach village in 1958, the body had been preserved at the Vietnam Museum of History in Hanoi. The red-lacquer inner coffin trimmed with gold, where he was buried in, was only opened in 1964. It turned out that the king was buried with 83 items including a pillow and clothes. The new coffin, that resembles the old one, was covered with a red cloth decorated with dragons. More than 20 royal robes were buried with him at Bai Trach village. The mausoleum complex covers 5.000 square metres.

Adoptive Prince Frederic von Anhalt announced today he will run for governor of California. He is to run as an independent candidate. He thinks California needs something new. To be able to appear on the ballot, he has to collect 10.000 signatures by the end of June.

January 26th
Three daughters of the late Prince Dhirendra of Nepal, Puja, Seetashma and Dilasha, have been summoned to appear before a judge in a dispute over the estate of their father. The Kathmandu district court ordered yesterday that the princesses have to have their statements recorded. Jaya Shah Pandey, a woman who says she married the father of the princesses in 1987, claims a share of his estate now. Prince Dhirendra renounced his royal title and privileges in 1988 after having separated from his first wife, whom he never divorced. Pandey says she and Dhirendra have a daughter together, Shreya Shah, who is also entitled to a share of the estate of her father.

January 27th
Aduka Taruna, a 28-year-old blogger from Malaysia, was arrested on Monday for insulting the late Sultan of Johor on his blog. The magistrate today ruled he will remain in custody for another three days to assist the police with their investigations into the case.

Crown Prince Kardam of Bulgaria was admitted to the provincial hospital of Conxo, Spain, on Saturday with high fever and respiratory problems.

January 28th
Like her parents King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden in 1976, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling will have a special wedding concert on the night before their wedding, on 18 June 2010. Wedding guests and members of Parliament will be invited. Stefan Forsberg, manager of the Konserthus in Stockholm said the artists will remain a secret. The performers will be a mixture of pop artists, musical artists and classical artists.


Royal News: December 2009. Last updated: January 3rd, 2010.