Royal News 2010

Last modified: 7 January 2011

Archived royal news from my old website for the year 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.

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.

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.

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.

February 1st

The Prince of Orange will attend the 122. session of the International Olympic Committee in Vancouver, Canada from 9 to 12 February. He will afterwards attend the Olympic Winter Games there. He will be accompanied by his wife Princess Máxima. Also their daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane will sometimes attend with their parents.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark posed with their children Christian and Isabella during their skiing holidays at Verbier, Switzerland, today. Princess Isabella wasn’t very happy about the photocall, as she was a little bit ill. Pictures BT

Prince Nikolaos of Greece and his fiancée Tatiana Blatnik met members of the Greek and international press in a press conference at the Yacht Club of Greece in Athens, Greece, this early afternoon. Also former King Constantine II and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, Nikolaos’ parents, were present. The couple said they hope to get married on 24 August 2010, but that the date is not sure yet. Their engagement was made known on 28 December 2009. Tatiana Elinka Blatnik was born in 1980 in Venezuela as daughter of Ladislav Vladimir Blatnik and Marie-Blanche Bierlein. Her maternal grandmother was COuntess Elinka von Einsiedel. Tatiana grew up in Switzerland. She has three (half-)siblings: Boris, Igor and Anouchka Blatnik, and a step-brother, Attilio Brillembourg, son of her stepfather Attilio Brillembourg. Tatiana graduated from Georgetown University (sociology) in 2003 and currently works for the PR of fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg. Pictures

February 2nd

King Albert II of the Belgians had to cancel several engagements this week. The royal court announced today the king is ill. It is expected he will be back at work next week.

The fire-brigade was called to the Grand-Ducal Palace in Luxemburg today. In the basement of the palace a dryer had caught fire. The fire-brigade quickly put out the flames quickly and only the dryer and a washing machine were slightly damaged. Nobody was hurt.

Emperor Akihito has also cancelled his appointments for this week, including a trip to Hayame. He wasn’t feeling well this morning, the Imperial Household Agency reported today. He has a cold and has problems sleeping.

Prince Tomihito of Mikasa has been admitted to the Kyoundo Hospital in Tokyo today. The Imperial Household Agency reported he is treated for an irregular heartbeat.

February 3rd

Archduchess Regina of Austria née Princess von Sachsen-Meiningen died at 8.40 this morning at her home Villa Austria in Pöcking am Starnberger See, Germany, aged 85. She died surrounded by her family. She already had heart problems for a longer time. The Archduchess married in 1951 Archduke Otto of Austria, last Crown Prince of Austria. The couple had five daughters and two sons. She is survived by her children and by her grandchildren and great-grandchild(ren).

Crown Prince Kardam of Bulgaria has left the provincial hospital Conxo (Santiago de Compostela) last week. He was admitted to the hospital with a kidney infection, high fever and respiratory problems. He continues to recover, his wife Miriam said.

Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe will be the only athlete competing for Mexico at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. The veteran skier competed also in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994.

February 4th

The Swedish royal court today denied reports in the Swedish media that Daniel Westling, the fiance of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, suffered a serious infection a few days ago. The infection was said to be caused by his weakened immunity system after his kidney transplant operation in May 2009. The royal court added that Daniel Westling is feeling absolutely fine at the moment.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has been put on sick leave for the next three weeks. Therefore she won’t accompany her husband Crown Prince Haakon to the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. The Crown Princess suffers from abrasion damage to the neck vertebrae.

Count Christian af Rosenborg, a cousin of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, said that he is doing well after 33 times radiation treatment for throat cancer. He has been cured now and has personally called the Queen to tell her the good news. He was diagnosed with throat cancer some months ago.

February 5th

The doctors of the Imperial Household said today that the recovery of Crown Princess Masako of Japan has progressed greatly. Her condition however comes in waves. She is suffering from a stress-related adjustment disorder, and since beginning treatment five and a half years ago, she has improved incomparably. The doctors added that much more time is still needed before she can increase the level of her activities. They hope she can slowly return to a more public life style.

February 6th

Since this morning people are able to say goodbye to Archduchess Regina of Austria. Until Monday evening she is lying in repose at the old Parish Church St. Ulrich in Pöcking am Starnberger See, Germany. Members of the family, Tiroler marksmen and Ladies of the Sternkreuzorden will keep vigil. About 200 members of the imperial family of Austria, as well as other royals and nobles, are expected to attend the funeral service at the Parish Church St. Pius in Pöcking on Tuesday morning. The service will be led by the diocese Bishop of Augsburg, Walter Mixa. The funeral itself will take place in private on Wednesday at the Veste Heldburg near Bad Colberg, Südthüringen, Germany, in the new family vault of the family. The holy mass there will be celebrated by Gregor Henckel-Donnersmarck, abbot of the cisterzienser abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz, Austria.

February 8th

With a private service the imperial family of Austria and its employees have said goodbye to Archduchess Regina of Austria. Her seven children and other descendants almost completely attended. A spokesperson of the family said it wasn’t certain yet whether Regina’s husband Archduke Otto would attend the funeral tomorrow. He is very weakened after the death of his wife. He said goodbye to his wife during the private service today.

All Austrian political parties could imagine to abolish the law that forbid the former imperial family of Austria to become a candidate for the elections of the president of Austria. Most parties think that the exclusion of the Habsburgs doesn’t fit in these modern times anymore.

February 9th

The website of the Spanish royal family announced that the Court Decree dissolving the marriage, by common consent, of Infanta Elena of Spain and Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada, was recorded at the Civil Register of the Royal Family on 21 January 2010. The biography of Jaime de Marichalar y Sáenz de Tejada has been removed from the royal website.

The funeral service of Archduchess Regina of Austria took place this morning at the Parish Church St. Pius in Pöcking am Starnberger See, Austria. Her husband Archduke Otto didn’t attend because of health problems. More than 400 people attended the service. Bishop Walter Mixa of Augsburg said in his speech: “She was the heart of her family. She had a noble character, was modest and motherly.” During the service all seven children said a prayer. Also a letter of condolence from Pope Benedict XVI was read. A grandson of the deceased, Count Philipp von Neipperg, was master of ceremony and received all guests. Among the guests were among others, apart from many members of the family, the Duke of Bragança, Duke of Bavaria, Fürst Alexander zu Schaumburg-Lippe, Duke Friedrich von Württemberg, Margravinne Valerie von Baden, Lady Nicholas Windsor, Prince Alexander of Saxony, and Prince Heinrich XIV Reuss. According to the funeral reports Archduchess Regina will only temporary be buried at Veste Heldburg. When her husband dies they will be buried together at the Kaisergruft in Vienna, Austria.

18-Year-old Prince Alexis zu Windisch-Graetz died this evening at hospital in Caserta, Italy, as the result of injuries he suffered in a car accident early on Friday morning. “Alex” had been driving home to Sant’Angelo d’Alife after spending the evening with friends. The family has decided to donate his organs. He will be buried in the family vault at the Vatican next to his grandparents. The accident happened at the same road where his grandfather died in an accident in 1976. Alexis is survived by his parents Prince Hugo zu Windisch-Graetz and his wife Sophie née Archduchess of Austria and by his siblings Maximiliano and Larissa.

February 10th

The website of the Swedish royal family has been redesigned.

February 11th

Frederik VIII’s Palace will be open for the public from 27 February to 30 May 2010. The palace in Copenhagen is one of the four palaces that form Amalienborg, has been undergoing renovation during the past five years. In the future it will serve as the private residence of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and will be used for administrative and official functions. The public will be able to view the results of the renovation, the elegant interior and the works of art commissioned especially for the palace. The public will be able to visit the ground floor and the first floor, which are the two main floors of the palace, and which will be used for official functions in the future. The palace will be unfurnished during the opening.

February 12th

On 5 February the Duke of York alledgedly struck a uniformed police officer. The Duke drove his 4×4 car into Buckingham Palace as the policeman was trying to move two Japanese tourists out of the way of the car. The officer sustained minor injuries to his arm and complained to his superiors about the accident. Scotland Yard confirms the accident is being investigated.

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Wintergames in Vancouver, Canada, was attended by several royals. Among the guests were Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, Prince Albert II of Monaco with his girlfriend Charlene Wittstock, Infanta Pilar of Spain, the Princess Royal, former King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece.

On the final day of the session of the International Olympic Committee in Vancouver, Canada, six new members of the Committee were elected. Among them was Prince Faisal of Jordan, whose half-sister Princess Haya is already an IOC member. 80 votes were in favour of his membership, 13 against.

February 13th

The Prince of Orange, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and their three daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane attended the 5000 meter speed skating race for men at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. They saw Dutchman Sven Kramer winning the gold. A few pictures

February 14th

In a television interview on Sky News on the occasion of his 50th birthday on 19 February the Duke of York said that he had learned lessons from his failed marriage. He said: “However uncomfortable and disappointing divorce is, we never, ever lost sight of the fact that we had two wonderful children (…) But actually that co-parenting we undertook has given us the foundation on which to build a sound friendship that has lasted as long as it has. So we have always looked after the children together.” His daughter, Princess Beatrice, called him the “best single dad”. She also said that “it would be nice for him not to be single”. However she added that her parents, who divorced in 1996, are still the “best of friends”. Princess Eugenie called her parents “the best divorced couple in the world”. On the occasion of the Duke’s 50th birthday there will be a reception at Buckingham Palace on 25 February, for which 200 people are invited.

Princess Esmeralda of Belgium received the Belgian press at home in England. The occasion was the knighthood her husband Sir Salvador Moncada received from Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

February 16th

Late December 2009 the remains of 16 bodies were found in a mass grave at the SS Peter and Paul Fortress in St Petersburg, Russia. It hasn’t been determined whether the remains are male or female. Also personal objects, bullet shells, gold items, clothing and buttons were found. Extensive forensic examinations will be conducted to find out to whom the remains belong. Experts believe the remains of the Russian Grand Dukes Paul Alexandrovich, Dmitry Konstantinovich, Georgy and Nikolai Mikhailovich, who were executed at the fortress in January 1919, might be among the newly found remains. Their remains were never found. However it is impossible to know at this stage, archaeologists say.

A court in Potsdam, Germany, has rejected the demand of Prince Friedrich zu Solms-Baruth for the return of thousands of acres of land to the family.

February 17th

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling visited the Swedish Post Office Stamp Printing Works in Kista, Sweden. They saw the process of creating their first own stamp from photograph to stamp. The Post will present the special edition of the couple’s wedding stamp on 13 May.

February 18th

In January Daniel Westling, the fiance of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, has started to learn more about the organisation of the Swedish royal court under supervision of the vice-master of ceremonies Brigadier General Jan-Eric Warren. He will among others learn about the ceremonies and cultural heritage in connection with the history of the monarchy. He will visit various departments within the organisation. He will also study political science, and the work of the parliament and the government, both national and local, Swedish history and activities related to the cultural life of Sweden. The programm will last one and a half year.

February 19th

Prince William of Wales has posed for pictures to raise funsd for the homeless charity Crisis. Prince William and the formerly homeless Jeff Hubbard, supervised by professional photographer Rankin, had to photograph each other. The pictures will become a part of the A Positive View exhibition at Somerset House in London from 10 March to 5 April. Prince William is the patron of the charity. A spokesman at St James’s Palace said: “The final portraits are pieces of artwork overseen by Rankin. Studio lighting and work on colour contrasts in the prints have all contributed to the particular look of the portraits. The Prince is very pleased with the final results, particularly since they have been commissioned in order to help homeless men and women, which is an issue incredibly close to his heart.”

Archaeologists said today they have located the exact site of the Battle of Bosworth and the spot where King Richard III of England died on 22 August 1485. They found badges of supporters of both King Richard III and King Henry VII, sword mounts, coins and 28 cannonballs in fields straddling Fen Lane in Upton, Leicestershire. It took five years to locate the site using metal detectors.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden arrived in Vancouver, Canada, to attend the Olympic Winter Games and support the Swedish teams until 28 February. King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway will arrive in Vancouver tomorrow and will also stay until the end of the Games. Crown Prince Haakon attended the Olympic Games from 12 to 17 February.

33-year-old Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasir bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia has been charged with murdering his aide Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz in a suite at the Landmark Hotel at Marylebone, London, and with one count of grievous bodily harm. The aide was found at the hotel on Monday evening and died of strangulation and head injuries. He allegedly suffered an earlier attack two weeks before the murder, but the attack wasn’t reported to the police. The prince appeared before the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court today. He is to appear at the Old Bailey on 28 May. The Prince was in London for a four-week sightseeing trip.

February 20th

Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy ended in second place at the 60th Music Festival of San Remo, according to the Italian press thanks to controversial voting by the public by telephone. The prince sang the song “Italia amore mio” together with Pupo.

The Supreme Council of Antiquities presented the results of DNA-tests on the remains of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun at the Egypt Museum in Cairo. The team lead by Zahi Hawass studied 11 mummies. They conclude that Tutankhamun was probably the child of pharaoh Akhenaten and his sister, and therefore suffered from genetic disorders. He had a club foot and probably suffered from Köhler disease II. Hawass revealed that the tests showed that Tutankhamun had very severe malaria. He broke his leg before his death, and that in combination to the malaria might have caused his death.

February 22nd

King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has left today for Beijing China. He will visit his parents former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia and his wife who are resting in Beijing. He will also have a medical checkup. He is expected to pay official visits to France and Czechia afterwards.

February 23rd

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands accepted the resignation of the Dutch cabinet today, after two days of consultations with politicians. She had to return from her skiing holidays in Lech, Austria. The cabinet collapsed on Friday night over a row to extend their troop deployments to Afghanistan.

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan celebrated his 50th birthday today. In a statement he said: “On the one hand, I am astonished that I am already 50, on the other, I have so much more to devote to my self-improvement that it feels like it’s only just the beginning.” He said also that the Imperial court has changed with the times: “I would like to look to the past lessons learned in order to mold the future of the Imperial family.” He said he has been discussing various issues with his younger brother Prince Akishino. He told that his daughter Princess Aiko is enjoying school and is learning poetry, Chinese characters and the multiplication tables.

February 24th

Grand Duke Georgi Mikhailovich, son of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, said today that his family wants a re-examination of the remains that were found near Yekaterinburg in the 1990s and are thought to be of Tsar Nikolai II and his family. He said: “Unfortunately, there is too much confusion in this case and some serious errors were made when the Yekaterinburg remains were being identified. Many of the facts uncovered suggest that the Commission was staging a political show for a date, rather than working to establish the truth.”

February 25th

The Romanian ministry of culture and national patrimony has extended the leasing contract for Peles Castle with three years following negotiations with representatives of the Romanian royal house. The royal family last week declared that they don’t plan to sell the castle, and that in case of a sale the Romanian state will have priority.

February 27th

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand left the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok this evening for about four hours to manage some official royal affairs at the Chitralada Palace. He left the hospital in a wheelchair. The King has been in hospital since 19 September 2009.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, King of Malaysia, returned to Malaysia after a month absence. He underwent advanced physiotherapy at the medical Park St Hubertus in Bad Wiessee, Germany, since 26 January. He had knee surgery in München, Germany, on 30 November 2009. The king is said to be in fine condition and in a statement expressed his appreciation to all who had prayed for his well-being.

February 28th

The Moroccan royal court released a new picture on the occasion of the 3rd birthday of Princess Lalla Khadija, daughter of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and his wife Princess Lalla Salma.

March 1st

Although King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden will celebrate his 65th birthday in 2011, 62% of the Swedes think he should remain on the Swedish throne and not abdicate in favour of his daughter Crown Princess Victoria. According to the poll in Dagens Nyheter Victoria however is the most popular member of the royal family. 74% of the Swedes is in favour of the monarchy, while 19% wishes a republic.

Officials of the Egyptian Council of Antiquities said that a 2.5m red granite head of Pharaoh Amenhotep III has been unearthed near Luxor. The head was found in the ruins of the mortuary temple of the pharaoh and is said to be the best preserved example of the face of the pharaoh ever found. The head is part of a statue, most of which was found some years ago. The statue is to be reconstructed.

March 2nd

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has resigned from a government advisory post he only recently accepted. He had taken a seat on an advisory panel formed by Trond Giske, Minister of Business and Trade. Both the minister’s request and the acceptance of the Crown Prince are regarded as controversial, because the Norwegian royals are not to involve themselves in politics or advise the government. According to Giske the panel was formed to brainstorm about Norwegians business and economic activities in the coming 15 years. Crown Prince Haakon said he had accepted the post after talking to his father King Harald V of Norway and said he had accepted because: “I want to do a good job for Norway and for Norwegian business. This was supposed to be a positive thing.”

March 3rd

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the Prince of Orange received the Dutch Olympic medal winners of Vancouver 2010 at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. Pictures by PPE

Zahi Hawass, chief of the Egyptian Council of Antiquities revealed today that French archaeologists have found a 4000-year-old pink granite sarcophagus in Saqqara. According to Mr Hawass the queen was identified as Bahnou, one of the queens of the Sixth Dynasty ruling Egypt from 2374 to 2192 BC. It is not sure who the husband of the queen was, either Pharaoh Pepi I, II or maybe even III.

Three princesses are taking part in a BBC show to find love in Chelmsford, Essex, England. The programme “Undercover Princesses” starts on Sunday at BBC 3. The princesses are Xenia Prinzessin von Sachsen, Princess Aaliya Sultana Babi of Balasinor (India) and Princess Nvannungi Sheillah of Buganda. In the series they pretend to be ordinary women with ordinary jobs and try to meet Mr Right.

March 4th

In her doctoral thesis historian Annejet van der Zijl concludes that Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands was more involved in Nazi politics than he admitted during his lifetime. While studying at University in the early 1930s he was a member of the national socialist student fraternity Deutsche Studentenschaft from 1932 to 1934. He also was a member of the Sturmabteilung and the NSDAP-Party itself.

The Sultan of Kelantan has left the Mt Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where he had been admitted on 24 May 2009 for follow-up heart treatment. He was taken to the waiting car outside the hospital in a wheelchair. He was taken to Changi Airport, where he boarded a plane for Kota Baru.

March 5th

The Duchess of Cornwall has become a grandmother for the fifth time. Her son Tom Parker Bowles and his wife Sara had a son, Freddy, on 28 February. Their daughter Lola was born in 2007. The Duchess’s daughter Laura has a daughter and two sons.

The Imperial Household Agency reported today that Princess Aiko of Japan has missed several days at the exclusive Gakushuin Primary School in Tokyo because of the “rough behaviour” of some boys from her school, probably at the playground. She arrived home early on Tuesday complaining about a stomachache and expressed deep anxiety. She and several other children had suffered “violent things” from boys in another class, the spokesman for the agency said.

March 6th

A new biography about Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (1911-2004) by historian Annejet van der Zijl concludes that his lifestyle and the myths he created around his own person have “permanently damaged the integrity of the monarchy.” The Prince according to Van der Zijl didn’t tell the whole truth about his membership of national-socialistic organisations in the early 1930s. Prince Bernhard always denied having had sympathy for the Nazis, but Van der Zijl found his membership card of the German Students Association.

March 8th

The Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet reported today that Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attended a private dinner party in Vedbæk near Copenhagen. Apart from friends, also Rigmor Zobel attended, who was recently sentenced to 14 days in jail and a 20.000 crowns fine because of possession of cocaine. Several experts therefore criticise the decision of the Crown Princess to attend the dinner and call it a serious faux-pas.

The film “The Young Victoria”, co-produced by the Duchess of York, won an Oscar in the category Best Costume Design last night. Designer Sandy Powell won her third Oscar in this category.

The Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Aiko of Japan has returned to school today after more than a week absence. Accompanied by her mother she attended a Japanese language class, before going home again.

March 9th

The state court in Hildesheim, Germany, fined Prince Ernst August of Hannover today for 200.000 Euros. He was found guilty of intentionally causing bodily harm to an hotel owner in Kenya some years ago. Earlier the prince had been fined 445.000 Euros, but asked for a retrial to have his sentence reduced. His wife, Princess Caroline of Monaco testified Archaeologists have found the north gate to the outer city of the tomb complex of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuangdi. The gate is about 93 metres long and 7 metres high. Historical accounts refer to four gates.

March 11th

Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry, Prince of Kelantan, has won the defamation suit against his wife Manohara Odelia Pinot and her mother. They were ordered to pay him 1,8 million dollar. The two women failed to file a defence. Last year Manohara Odelia Pinot accused her husband of raping and abusing her. The lawyer of the couple said that they would never pay the compensation. He said they will study the verdict and then file an appeal against the ruling.

March 12th

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden today celebrated her name day. Accompanied by her fiance Daniel Westling and her mother Queen Silvia, she received congratulations and was cheered at the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Photos by Royal Press Europe

Svenska Damtidning journalist Åsa Bönnelyche apologised to Queen Silvia of Sweden after spreading rumours about the Queen suffering of Alzheimer’s disease on her weblog on Thursday. The Queen and the royal court have officially denied the rumours.

The Danish royal court published the programme, the logo and an official birthday portrait in connection with the celebration of the 70th birthday of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on 16 April. The logo was designed by Paul Bear in cooperation with Wonderful Copenhagen. The portrait was taken by photographer Tina Harden.

The photo agency Rex Features has apologised to Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William of Wales, for invading her privacy. The photos were taken during the Christmas holidays with her family. Kate Middleton was awarded 5000 pounds in damages. On their website Rex Features says: “Although at the time Rex Features did not know that an infringement of privacy had occurred, we now accept that this was the case and that by distributing the photographs we were a party to that invasion of privacy. Accordingly we have agreed to pay compensation to Miss Middleton and have undertaken not to syndicate any further private photographs of her. We apologise to Miss Middleton for what has taken place.” A spokesman for Kate Middleton said she will donate the compensation to charity.

During a press conference today Issei Nomura, Grand Master of the household of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan said to feel sorry over the announcement of Princess Aiko’s absence from school that attended much more public attention than expected. According to many the announcement lacked discretion. On 5 March the Grand Master said several boys had pushed around other students at Gakushuin Primary School, including Princess Aiko.

March 15th

The Belgian royal court today denied a report that King Albert II is at least a billionaire or even richer. They said the claim is a “fantasy”. They said that they had denied a similar report eight years ago. The report by the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad quoted financial expert Thierry Debels, who wrote a book on the wealth of the Belgian royal family.

March 16th

Among documents sold at auction at the Osenat auction house in Fontainebleau, France, on 27 March are fifty letters written by Empress Josephine of France to her husband Emperor Napoleon I. The first letter is from 1782, the last one was sent to Napoleon several weeks before his death. The letters are thought to be sold for up to 20.000 Euros.

March 17th

The Duchess of Cornwall had to cancel a series of engagements during her official trip to Poland with her husband, the Prince of Wales. The couple arrived in Poland on Monday for a three-day visit. The Duchess had to cancel a visit to a national park and a Tatar community in Eastern Poland, but planned alternative engagements in Warsaw. Clarence House declared the Duchess has suffered from a back problem for the last week. The doctor diagnosed her with a trapped nerve. After Poland the couple will visis Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Svetlana Medvedeva, wife of the president of Russia, opened the flower exhibition Keukenhof in Lisse, The Netherlands today. The theme of 2010 is “From Russia with Love”. Mrs Medvedeva was accompanied by Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

March 18th

As of today the Dutch royal house has its own YouTube-channel. The channel contains both historical videos as recent ones. The channel will be updated regularly. The eldest video shows the inauguration of Queen Wilhelmina in 1898. There are also videos of weddings, Prince’s Day and Christmas speeches.

The Belgian royal court confirmed today that King Albert II and Queen Paola have accepted an invitation by President Joseph Kabila of Congo to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of independence of the former Belgian colony. The official festivities will take place on 30 June.

A helicopter carrying Queen Sofia of Spain had to make an emergency landing due to technical problems. One of the engines of the Super Puma helicopter lacked power. Although the helicopter can fly on one engine, the pilot didn’t want to risk the Queen’s safety and made an immediate landing. The Queen was travelling from Toledo to Madrid. She continued her travel by car.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates alone from 11 to 14 April. Crown Princess Mette-Marit cancelled her participation in the visit because of the problem with the vertebrae in her neck.

Prince Mikasa, uncle of Emperor Akihito of Japan, was released from hospital today. He underwent a cataract surgery of his left eye at the St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo. He was hospitalized on Tuesday.

The 128-year-old royal Kasubi tombs in Buganda, Uganda, were almost fully destroyed in a fire on Tuesday evening. The grass-thatched mausoleum almost completely burned down. Much of the regalia was saved. The tombs, where four former Buganda kings – Muteesa I, Mwanga Ssamula, Daudi Chwa and Muteesa II – were buried since 1882, were declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 and are a spiritual symbol for the people of Buganda. Riots broke out today because people suspect the tombs were set on fire. When President Yoweri Museveni wanted to visit the site today many people were demonstrating.A few people were killed when the security opened fire. King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda has declared five days of mourning because of the fire. The cause of the fire is being investigated. UNESCO announced that experts from the organisation will soon arrive in Uganda to help the Ugandan government to rebuild the royal tombs.

March 19th

The Prince of Orange has made a three-day surprise visit to the Dutch troops in Afghanistan. It was his fourth visit since 2004. The Dutch mission in Afghanistan will end in June 2010.

The Basmanny Court in Moscow has upheld the ruling to close the case related to the murder of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia and his family. German Lukyanov, lawyer of the Russian imperial family, said: “The court refuses to qualify the decision to close this criminal case as unlawful.”

Today Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan issued a statement reacting on the absence of their daughter from school after reportedly encountering rough behaviour by boys in her schoo. They said: “We feel distress at causing peeple to worry about Aiko’s absence from Gakushuin Primary School. The school has been studying measures regarding the issue and we hope to find a good solution through discussions.”

March 20th

Today the royal court at Jordan announced the engagement between Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Sarah Bassam Kabbani in Jeddah. Prince Hashem bin Al Hussein and members of the Al Qabbani family were present, as well as the imam of the royal family Ahmad Hilayel and the chief of the royal court Nasser Lawzy. The prince was previously married to Alia Al Tabaa, whom he divorced in 2008.

Hereditary Prince Johannes zu Schwarzenberg married Diana Orgovanyi-Hanstein this afternoon at the Münster in Neuberg an der Mürz, Austria. The bride was dressed in a modern red dirndl dress. The “yes” sounded clearly at 3.40pm. The temperature in church was just above zero. The wedding was attended by many noble guests. Kleine Zeitung: Picture Gallery

March 23th

Princess Mako and Princess Kako, daughters of Prince Akishino, have graduated respectively from Gakushuin Girls’ Senior High School and Junior High School in Tokyo on Monday. The graduation ceremony was attended by Princess Akishino. Princess Mako will start studying at the College of Liberal Arts of the International Christian University in Tokyo in April. Princess Kako will attend Senior High School.

March 24th

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her fiancé Alexander Johannsmann expect their first child in July, it was announced today. Nathalie’s parents Prince Richard and Princess Benedikte of Denmark are delighted with the news.

The Dutch press reports that Princess Amalia of the Netherlands will be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her godmother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June. Source is mentioned as insiders, but nothing has been announced officially by any of the royal courts.

March 25th

The Prince of Wales has paid a two-day visit to the British troops in Helmand province, Afghanistan. During the visit he said: “I admire deeply the armed forces and support what they are doing whenever I possibly can. I just wanted to come and say thank you, well done.”

The police of Copenhagen today announced that the Republican Constitution Movement will be forbidden to demonstrate on Queen Margrethe II of Denmark’s birthday, because of security reasons. The movement had announced that they would hold a demonstration when the queen comes out on the balcony of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on 16 April.

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasir bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who is accused of killing his employee in an hotel in London, was refused bail by the Old Bailey in London today. He will have to face trial on 4 October.

Former King Gyanendra of Nepal still believes the monarchy could return in Nepal, he said yesterday in his first television interview since he was deposed two years ago. He said: “Looking at the pages of history of the country, there have been many ups and downs but it is the people’s ultimate decision that everyone needs to obey.” The former King says that his grab for power in 2005 was a mistake, but that he felt at that moment he needed “to take steps to protect the country and the people.” He said: “It was a message that people had given and a lesson that I have learned.”

March 26th

Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, a younger brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, is missing after a glider plane crash in Morocco today. The plane crashed in an artificial lake near the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah Dam, south of Rabat. The pilot was rescued. The Sheikh, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority was 27th on the Forbes list of the world’s most powerful people last year.

An unnamed 51-year-old prince from Saudi Arabia was arrested at the Rafiq Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. The security forces had found cocaine in his possession when they were inspecting passengers travelling to France. He was carrying an estimated 16,3 grams of cocaine. The prince was released on bail after a few hours.

Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana Princess of Wales, is to marry for the third time, probably as early as September. He has become engaged to the widowed Lady Bianca Eliot, who is mother of three children. The couple has been dating for the past 18 months. The Earl first two marriages to Victoria Lockwood and Caroline Freud ended in a divorce.

March 27th

The Duchess of Württemberg celebrated her 70th birthday with a reception for local government, societies and people at Altshausen, Germany. She was accompanied by her husband and most of her children and grandchildren. Photo gallery

March 28th

Eliane Sophia Carolina van Vollenhoven, daughter of Prince Floris and Princess Aimée van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, was christened this afternoon at the chapel of Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn. The service was led by Dr. Anne van der Meiden. The godparents of Eliane are Prince Maurits van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme, Hans Söhngen and Ike de Rooij-van Haaren. Eliane was born on 5 July 2009. The christening was attended by most members of the family apart from Princess Amalia and Princess Laurentien. Photos: Marianne van Dam

March 30th

The body of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, a brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, was found in an artificial lake near Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday morning after a four-day search. The Sheikh’s glider had crashed into the lake on Friday. Three days of mourning have been announced beginning on Wednesday. The funeral will be held after the Asr prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Part of the ceiling of the palace of Roman Emperor Nero in Rome has collapsed. The tunnel section of Hadrian’s Baths, on top of the House of Gold, collapsed. About 60 square metres were damaged. The House of Gold was closed already for restoration. Heavy rains might have led to the collapse.

March 31st

Former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia and his wife have returned to Cambodia after having spent seven months in China for medical treatment. The former King was successfully treated for a third bout of cancer. Their son King Norodom Sihamoni accompanied them.

April 1st

As of today Nicholas Michael de Roumanie Medforth-Mills, son of Princess Elena of Romania, has become Prince of Romania. He celebrated his 25th birthday today and according to the succession law of 30 December 2007 he now is His Royal Highness Prince Nicholas (Nicolae) of Romania. The new prince is studying in England and celebrates his birthday there. The royal family will celebrate the event in June in Bucharest.

A man from Uganda, identified as Musoke, turned himself in to the police on Tuesday and claimed he set fire to the Kasubi tombs near Kampala, which were ravaged by fire on 16 March. The police said on Wednesday: “He said he was possessed by the holy spirit and that there was an evil spirit in those tombs that was causing Uganda… problems.” The police is not sure whether the story is credible and is making further investigations.

April 2nd

Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, attended the entrance ceremony at the International Christian University in Tokyo today. She will study at the College of Liberal Arts, where classes will start on 12 April. She told the press: “I am mixed with joy and tension.”

April 4th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain attended the traditional Easter Sunday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. She was accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, as well as the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal.

The Spanish royal family attended the traditional Easter Sunday service at Palma de Mallorca. Stealing the show were the little princesses Leonor and Sofia, both dressed in pink. Photos Royal Portraits

April 6th

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasir bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia lost a challenge at High Court in London, Great Britain. He had protested after having been refused bail by a judge on 25 March. He is accused of murdering his aide at an hotel in London in February.

April 8th

The Duchess of Cornwall tumbled during a walk in Scotland yesterday. She had an X-ray today, which showed she has a twisted fracture of the fibula. The Duchess is now wearing a plaster cast and will be for six weeks. She has been advised not to put any weight on her leg. The Duchess doesn’t intend to cancel any engagements.

April 9th

Princess Aiko of Japan started third grade at Gakushuin Primary School in Tokyo today. She attended a brief session for her grade after the opening ceremony. She was accompanied by her mother Crown Princess Masako of Japan.

Prince Hisahito of Japan attended an entrance ceremony at Ochanomizu University’s kindergarten in Tokyo today. The little prince, looking cute in his school uniform, was accompanied by his parents Prince and Princess Akishino. The parents choose for this kindergarten in the hope it will provide him with more opportunities to interact with other children of his age.

April 10th

A poll by the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten shows that 42,6% of the participants in the poll want Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to remain on the throne, while 45,6% wish her to abdicate in favour of Crown Prince Frederik. Of these 45,6% 23,5% wishes the Queen to announce her abdication in connection with her 70th birthday, while the rest wants her to abdicate only when she turns 80.

After a plane crash in Smolensk, Russia, this morning, in which President Lech Kaczynski of Poland and many others died, Count Bronislaw Komorowski, Marshall of the Sejm, has become the acting president of Poland. He is to call for a presidential election within fourteen days. The count is a relative of countess Anne Udekem d’Acoz née countess Komorowska, the mother of Princess Mathilde of Belgium.

April 12th

Early this morning burglars broke into Orlik Castle, Czechia, property of the princely family of Schwarzenberg. They stole a dozen items, mainly cutting and stabbing weapons and uniforms, worth about one million Czechian Crowns.

April 13th

Three days of 70th birthday celebrations of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark started today with a festive evening for “official Denmark” at Christiansborg Palace. The event was attended by Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, Princess Benedikte and Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein- Berleburg. About 375 guests were invited. Celebrations will continue in two days. Photos: Royal Press EuropePhotos: B.T.

Queen Silvia of Sweden said today about the upcoming wedding of her youngest daughter Princess Madeleine and Jonas Bergström: “Unfortunately, there will be no wedding this year. It goes without saying that there is a lot going on right now… I think that Madeleine has the right to a quiet time at her own wedding.” She later said also: “I have to say that I have read some newspapers and want to say that Princess Madeleine is fine and everything is OK.”

30 Lots are being put up for sale on 8 June by designers David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The items will be auctioned by Kerry Taylor Auctions in London. Among the items for sale are several clothes of the late Diana Princess of Wales, like a gown she wore for her first official appearance as fiancée of the Prince of Wales, and a blouse she wore for her engagement portrait. The auction will also include original sketches of the princess’s wedding dress and the ivory tulle petticoat she wore to her wedding dress rehearsal in July 1981.

April 14th

The Swedish royal court today launched the wedding website of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. The big wedding celebrations will start with a private dinner on Thursday 17 June hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden at Drottningholm Palace. On Friday 18 June there will be a government reception at the Stockholm City Hall, and a concert at the Stockholm Concert Hall. The wedding on Saturday 19 June will take place at Stockholm Cathedral at 3.30pm. The ceremony will be followed by a cortège and journey by Royal Barge “Vasaorden”. A wedding banquet will be hosted by the King and Queen afterwards at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling have established the Crown Princess Couple’s Wedding Foundation to mark the occasion of their wedding. The foundation is to promote good health and combat exclusion among children and young people in Sweden. The Royal Wedding 19 June 2010

Princess Marie von und zu Liechtenstein celebrated her 70th birthday today. The Princess was born in 1940 in Prague, Czechia, as daughter of Count Ferdinand Carl Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau and his wife Henriette. She married Prince Hans Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein in 1967. The couple has four children. A reception was held at Vaduz Castle today. A mass will be held on Sunday at the cathedral of Vaduz. Vaterland: Photo gallery

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands today opened an interesting exhibition at the railway museum in Utrecht, by arriving herself in her royal train, which she afterwards left at the exhibition. “Royal Class, vorstelijk reizen!” for the first time in history shows royal trains from all over Europe in one exhibition. It gives a unique view on the luxurious way of travelling of the European royalty from the 19th century until today. Apart from Dutch royal trains also royal trains from Great Britain, Belgium, Portugal, Austria, Bavaria, Denmark and Russia are on display.

Lord Kalaniuvalu, son of Princess Mele Siu’ilkutapu of Tonga and the late Kalaniuvalu Foto fili, was buried this afternoon at the ancient royal tombs Paepae ‘o Tele’a in Lapaha. He was mourned by family and friends including King George Tupou V of Tonga. Lord Kalaniuvalu suddenly died in Auckland, New Zealand, on 4 April. The 37-year-old Lord had been married since early January.

April 15th

On the occasion of the 70th birthday of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark tomorrow a gala-evening was held today at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, with a programme containing classical music, opera and ballet. Among the guests were the Danish royal family, Prince Gustav zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Carina Axelsson, Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Alexander Johannsmann, King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Princess Alexia of Greece, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden (arriving late), Crown Princess Victoria of sweden and Daniel Westling, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Photos: B.T.Photos: PPE Agency

Because of the volcano ashes from Iceland in the air some guests had to cancel their attendance at the birthday of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The Swedish and Norwegian royals decided to travel to Denmark by car. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima decided to take the train. Therefore the royal train, just taken to the exhibition “Royal Class” on Wednesday by Queen Beatrix, had to be asked back from the railway museum for some days and was coupled to the City Night Line to Copenhagen. The train was due to arrive in Copenhagen on Friday morning. Photos Dutch royal leave: Royal Portraits

The Swedish Royal Court released some official pictures of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling to the press in connection to their upcoming wedding. The pictures taken by Paul Hansen show the couple in evening dress. The Crown Princess wears a stylish white-black dress.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, his girlfriend Charlene Wittstock, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex attended the opening of an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London tonight. The exhibition “Grace Kelly Style: Fashion for a Hollywood Princess” is dedicated to the gowns worn by Princess Grace of Monaco as actress, bride and princess.

Prince William of Wales is to be posted to the Royal Air Force Valley in Anglesey, Wales, if he successfully completes his Search and Rescue pilot training. He has been posted there already since late January 2010 as part of his training course. The Prince undertook a Sea King ground-school course at RNAS Culdrose in March and April, which ended last week. The training course, Sea King Operational Conversion Unit Course, is due to end in September.

Prince William of Wales attended the auction “A Positive View 2010” for the homeless aid charity Crisis at Christie’s in London today. A double portrait which Prince William and former homeless photographer Jeff Hubbard took of each other some time ago was sold for £24,000. 115 art works, including portraits by wellknown photographers, were sold at auction.

April 16th

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark celebrated her 70th birthday today. In the morning she was woken up by the guests who stayed at Fredensborg Palace with traditional birthday songs. The Queen and Prince Henrik received the tributes from the open window. Their grandchildren Prince Christian and Princess Isabella enthusiastically waved with Danish flags. At noon the Danish royal family appeared on the balcony of Amalienborg in Copenhagen, waved and cheered by thousands of people. Afterwards the Queen and her husband made a carriage ride through the centre of Copenhagen to the townhall, where they attended a reception and lunch. In the evening a dinner and ball took place at Fredensborg Palace. Apart from the guests from Thursday also Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg attended. DR special: Dronning Margrethe bliver 70Photos Balcony: Royal Press EuropePhotos Evening: Royal Press Europe

Hereditary Prince Christian zu Fürstenberg has become engaged to Jeanette Catherine Griesel. He proposed to her on Easter Sunday. It is not clear when the wedding will take place. Because of the extensive preparations the wedding might only take place in Spring 2011.

April 17th

Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV was crowned today in a traditional ceremony as King of Toro at the royal palace in Fort Portal, Toro (Uganda), following his 18th birthday yesterday. The celebrations this weekend are among others attended by King Mswati III of Swaziland. Festivities started yesterday with a church service, a traditional lunch and a party in which he said goodbye to childhood. On Sunday the “Omukama Omurugo” ceremony will take place in which the king assumes judicial powers of cultural disputes related to the royal family. There will be a royal luncheon afterwards. In 1995 the then 3-year-old king succeeded the throne when his father Patrick Olimi Kaboyo II died. He was crowned back then, but until now Toro was reigned by regents, and was crowned again now he has reached adulthood. The king will start studying in September, and has to choose a regent to run the kingdom when he is abroad.

Princess Ira von Fürstenberg celebrated her 70th birthday with a party hosted at the white palace in Belgrade, Serbia, by Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia and Yugoslavia. The party was attended by royals and celebrities from all over the world. Because of the volcano ashes from Iceland in the air not all guests were able to attend. Yesterday evening there was already a dinner party at the royal palace in Belgrade. The princess will celebrate her actual birthday on Sunday.

April 18th

Several royals who were to attend the state funeral president Lech Kaczynski of Poland and his wife Maria, had to cancel because of the volcano ashes from Iceland in the air, because of which the airplanes don’t fly. Among the people cancelled were King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, King Harald V of Norway, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the Prince of Wales, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, as well as the Prince of Orange. The presidential couple died in a plane crash a week ago.

Prince Abdullah bin Miteb of Saudi Arabia has been critizised for appearing in a television advertisement for Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), the second-biggest mobile operator in Saudi Arabia. The Prince is a grandson of the King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. He is a professional jockey who is since one year sponsored by Etihad Etisalat. The advertisement shows him caring for his horse and riding it over a fence that is on fire.

April 21st

The Danish royal court released two new black-white pictures of Princess Isabella today, on the occasion of her third birthday. The pictures by Franne Voight show the little princess alone and with her elder brother Prince Christian.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain celebrated her 84th birthday quietly at Windsor Castle together with the Duke of Edinburgh. Previously unpublished pictures of the Queen as a baby have been released yesterday. They will form part of the exhibition “Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer”, that will be on show at Windsor Castle from Saturday to 6 February 2011. The 56 pictures include some that were taken of the Queen when her parents were on a six-month tour of Australia and New Zealand.

April 22nd

The Danish royal court has released the annual report of the Danish royal house today, that for example gives an insight into the royal happenings, certain themes, the court as a working place.

Princess Irene of the Netherlands presented her new book “Leven in verbinding” (Live in connection). The book is based on conversations between the princess and ecologist and philosopher Matthijs Schouten about being a human. The conversations about questions about personal development and broad social themes like leadership and durability.

April 23rd

The Duke of Edinburgh has suffered a bruised ankle while driving a carriage at the Windsor estate. The ponies ran away and the carriage hit a tree stump. The Duke didn’t need hospital treatment, and has been out and about as normal in the afternoon. The female groom of the carriage was treated in hospital for an elbow injury.

April 24th

The Swedish royal court today announced that Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her fiance Jonas Bergström have decided to go separate ways after mature consideration. They have come to the conclusion that that is the best for them to move forward with seperate lives. They have asked the media to show respect and consideration for this decision, as they both need peace and quiet in these difficult times. The news comes after weeks of media speculations about a separation and rumours about a very short affair of Jonas Bergström with a Norwegian woman last year. Extreme media coverage will not make the situation easier for the couple, the court said. No further statement will be made.

Prince Philippe of Belgium celebrated his birthday – he became 50 on 15 April – with a huge party at Laken Castle today. Invited were about 200 friends and colleagues. On the guestlist of the private party were the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxemburg with other members of their family, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Cristina of Spain, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, the Duke of Bragança.

April 25th

Today Princess Beatrice of York became the first royal to complete the London Marathon. She finished in five hours and 13 minutes. Together with 33 others she was part of an interlinked group, linked two by two with bungee cords. By finishing they set a new Guinness world record. They were raising money for the charity Children in Crisis. Beatrice’s mother, the Duchess of York, said to be very proud of her daughter and aims to take part in the marathon of 2011 herself.

Sakaeko Sugimoto, the grandmother of Princess Akishino of Japan, died of kidney failure today, aged 94. The princess will take 30 days of mourning.

Hereditary Prince Carl Friedrich zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg died in a car crash during the VLN long-distance championships at the Nürburgring, Germany. In lap 22 his car collided with two other cars and barrel-rolled. The rear of his Aston Martin was damaged upon the impact into the Armco barrier, and caught fire. The Prince couldn’t free himself and died of smoke intoxication. The 43-year-old prince is survived by his wife and four young children.

April 26th

Three new pictures of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were issued on the occasion of her 30th jubilee as Queen. The pictures were taken earlier this month at Palace Huis ten Bosch by Vincent Mentzel.

King Albert II of the Belgians has accepted the resignation of the Belgian government today. Negotiations led by deputy premier Didier Reynders failed after several days. New elections will be held as soon as possible.

In a public address to his people King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand today said to some newly-appointed judges: “In the country, there might be people who neglect their duties, but you can set an example that there are those who perform their duties strictly and honestly. Working honestly will boost the country’s progress and serve as an example for citizens, for civil servants and other people. It will help the country to live in peace and contentment.” Thailand is a country in crisis right now, and many people are against the present government.

April 27th

The Danish royal court issued several new pictures of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie, taken by Steen Brogaard.

The Russian president Dimitri Medvedev and his wife Svetlana paid a state visit to Norway on 26 and 27 April. They were received with an official military ceremony in front of the Royal Palace in Oslo. After lunch a wreath was laid at the monument for the death of World War II. The guests also visited an exhibition about Russian prisoners of war in Norway. Afterwards Queen Sonja and Svetlana Medvedeva visited the Vigelandspark and the National Gallery. In the evening there was a state banquet at the Royal Palace. Today the Akershus fortress was visited, and there a lunch was held at the end of the visit. Programme and pictures

April 28th

The Russian president Dimitri Medvedev and his wife Svetlana paid a state visit to Denmark on 27 and 28 April 2010. The purpose of the state visit was to strengthen Danish- Russian relations. The visit was focused on dialogue, environment and closer Danish-Russian business relations. The Danish royal family received the presidential couple on 27 April at the airport. In the evening there was a state banquet at Fredensborg Palace. A full programme on 28 April included a Russian-Danish Business Conference, meetings with the Prime Minister and Danish investors in Russia. Svetlana Medvedeva toured Rosenborg Palace accompanied by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. In the early evening the presidential couple hosted a reception at Restaurant Nimb and a Russian ballet performance at Tivoli Concert Hall.

April 29th

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, accompanied by many members of her family, unveiled a monument for the seven spectators who were killed in the Queen’s Day attack in 2009. The monument near the scene of the accident is a box full of balloons symbolizing vulnerability, festivities and mourning. Seven balloons are white and represent the victims. After a minute of silence relatives of the victims and royals laid a white rose next to the monument. Several royals also had to wipe away their tears during the ceremony. The place was heavily secured to avoid any trouble. Pictures by Royal Press Europe

Prince Harry of Wales has successfully completed his Army Pilots Course at Middle Wallop. The graduation ceremony will take place on 7 May, when the Prince of Wales will present his son his Provisional Wings. Prince Hary will continue his training to become a full operational Army Air Corps pilot.

April 30th

Mixed feelings on this year’s Queen’s Day in the Netherlands, which marked the 30th anniversary of the reigh of Queen Beatrix. The Queen and her family travelled to Wemeldinge and Middelburg for the festivities, where the security was thighter than the previous years. After a careful start the royals started to feel more comfortable. Both Wemeldinge and Middelburg had done their utmost best to present a programme full of tradition, sports, music and dance. Wemeldinge attracted less people than expected, due to the rain. It became dry when the royal family reached Middelburg. Queen Beatrix thanked everybody at the end of the programme saying: “You have given us and the country back our Queen’s Day.” The royals appeared quite relieved at the end of the visit, happy that this time nothing bad had happened. Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène didn’t attend the Queen’s Day celebrations to be able to attend the funeral service of their good friend Hereditary Prince Carl Friedrich zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg. Pictures by Royal Press EuropePictures by PPE

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden celebrated his 64th birthday today. As usual he appeared at the outer courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm, where he was cheered by the people. There was music and a military exercise. The King was presented with many flowers and drawings by children. Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling were watching from the balcony, later on accompanied by the King and Prince Carl Philip. Pictures by Royal Press Europe

The Swedish press today published the government’s list of people invited for the concert on 18 June 2010 on the occasion of the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling. The list is very likely not the final list, but only the list of people who have been invited.

According to a poll commissioned by the Swedish Republican Association more and more Swedes want to see the monarchy abolished. They want an elected head of state. Only 58% of the people questioned were in favour of the monarchy, while 28% wishes to abolish the monarchy. 44% would live to have a democratically elected head of state, 39% is in favour of an inherited position.

According to the Imperial Household Agency Princess Aiko of Japan has begun attending school almost daily. She however still attends a limited number of classes, and is accompanied by her mother Crown Princess Masako, upon advice from a doctor at the crown princely household. She also studies at the palace. An agency official said: “She is doing her best with support from her parents and has been warmly accepted by her classmates.” The 8-year-old princess has stayed away from school since early March because she was shocked by the “rough behaviour” of some boys in her class.

The Thai police have arrested and charged a 37-year-old man for insulting the royal family of Thailand on Facebook. Officials say more than 6200 websites have been removed since 2007 for insulting the Thai royal family.

About 500 people, among them many royals and nobles, attended the funeral service of Hereditary Prince Carl Friedrich zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg at the catholic parish church “zur heiligen Dreifaltigkeit” in Kleinheubach, Germany. After the service the guests were received at the Löwenstein Castle. The burial itself took place at the family vault at the Monastry Engelberg in Grossheubach in the early evening. Among the guests were members of the families Habsburg, Prussia, Württemberg, Baden, Oldenburg, Oettingen-Wallerstein, Thurn und Taxis, Hannover, Hohenlohe, Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, Wied, Leiningen. Also Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg attended, as well as Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven. Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven arrived late in the afternoon to attend the funeral.

May 4th

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands had to be escorted to safety this evening during the two -minute silence on Remembrance Day. A sudden yell in the crowd at the end of the two minutes caused panic. People were fleeing the scene thinking of an attack. 63 people were injured. A 39-year-old man with a history of drug offences and violent crimes was arrested quickly. The memorial service at the Dam square in Amsterdam continued after a few minutes.

The Danish royal court published new pictures of Prince Henrik, son of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, on the occasion of his 1st birthday.

The Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure received a fourth threatening letter for Queen Fabiola of Belgium on Monday. Other letters were received in May and July 2009, and a postcard in January 2010. They are likely all written by the same person.

Zahi Hawass, Chief of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, said today that archaeologists have discovered a headles granite statue of a pharaoh of the Ptolemaic-era. The pharaoh hasn’t been identified, but Mr Hawass said t might be Ptolemy IV. The statue is 135 cm high and 55 cm wide. It was found at the temple of Taposiris Magna near Alexandria.

May 5th

Photographer Dany Virgili made the new series of portraits of the Prince and Princess of Asturias. Spanish media wonders whether the pictures of Prince Felipe have been changed by using photo-manipulation software. On the pictures the prince is wearing different uniforms, but his face is similar on all pictures. Both the royal palace and the photographer have denied the claims.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand left the Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok temporarily to pay a visit to the Grand Palace on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his coronation. He presided a ceremony marking the coronation. The King returned to the hospital in the early afternoon.

May 7th

Princess Madeleine of Sweden has cancelled her attendance at the Sweden Week in Seattle, USA, this weekend. She will be replaced by Crown Princess Victoria. The Royal Palace said that Princess Madeleine has decided to take a time out from official engagements up to 30 May. Spokeswoman Nina Eldh said: “She needs personal time and peace and quiet. Madeleine is not feeling too good.” She recently separated from her fiancé Jonas Bergström.

Prince Harry of Wales received his provisional wings from his father, the Prince of Wales, at the Army Air Corps Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop today. He was awarded the Peter Adams Trophy for the best tactical ability during the operational training phase. It was also announced the prince is to train on the Apache Attack Helicopter. The Army Air Corps commanders think that his skills and flying abilities suit the Apache helicopter best. the Prince is delighted, because of the formidable operation role of the helicopter. He said: “I think it will be one of the biggest challenges in my life so far.” He will begin the Apache training course in July at Middle Wallop, where he will remain for about eight months. Afterwards he will join one of the Apache regiments for further training.

The lawyers of Sultan Tengku Ismail Petra of Kelantan say the sultan has been under heavy guard at the Kubang Kerian Hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia, since Tuesday. The Sultan and his third son, Tengku Muhammad Fakhry, were driving by car to the airport on Tuesday evening to travel to Singapore for further medical treatment. They however were stopped by armed men close to the royal palace. Tengku Muhammad Fakhry says his father wanted to return to the palace, but that was prevented. The eldest son of the Sultan, Tengku Mohammad Faris, has been regent since May 2009, but is disputing this position with a younger brother since September 2009.

May 8th

King Juan Carlos of Spain underwent surgery at the Clínica Planas in Barcelona successfully today to remove a growth on his lung. Doctors said the growth didn’t show any signs of malignancy and that they have ruled out that it could be lung cancer. The doctors said the growth was discovered during medical tests in late April. The royal palace said: “The medical team considered it necessary to analyze morphological changes in a calcification on his Majesty’s right lung,which had been observed in previous years.” Doctors say the king should be able to leave hospital in three or four days. He can return to non-physical activities in about two weeks.

May 9th

The Spanish royal court said today that King Juan Carlos of Spain “had a perfect night, progress continues to be very good”, after his lung surgery yesterday. He started a liquid diet yesterday and is to begin respiratory physiotherapy today. Both Queen Sofia and Infanta Elena visited the King this morning.

Drizzle, the favourite 10-year-old pony of Prince Harry of Wales, died of a heart attack shortly after the Prince had been riding the pony in a charity polo match at Coworth Park in Ascot, England. Also the Prince of Wales and Prince William of Wales have been riding the pony in the past.

The Sultan of Kelantan was discharged from hospital today, escorted by his wife and personal physician. A group of his lawyers filed an unprecedented writ of habeas corpus at the Special Court on Friday to free the Sultan and allow him the medical treatment he wishes himself. Several family members claimed that they hadn’t been allowed to visit the Sultan in hospital. The police of Kelantan denies that they have acted violently against them. They said the Sultan’s eldest son, Tengku Muhammad Faris, had only allowed five people to visit the Sultan, apart from the hospital staff. Others could only visit with his consent.

May 10th

The new stamps and coins to commemorate the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June have been unveiled. The three stamps show the Crown Princess alone, the couple together, and the couple’s monogram. They will go on sale on Thursday. The Riksbank will issue two coins showing a portrait of the bridal couple, their names and the wedding date.

Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales will visit Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa together from 14 to 19 June 2010. The visit shows the Prince’s joint interests in supporting disadvantages young people and sustainable development. It will allow them to show the charities’ work to one another. South Africa is being visited on behalf of the Football Association, of which Prince William is President. The visits to Botswana and Lesotho are on behalf of the Tusk Trust and Sentebale organisations.

May 11th

The doctors at the Clínica Planas in Barcelona said today King Juan Carlos of Spain is doing fine after surgery on Saturday. There is no need to stay in hospital anymore. The king left hospital today and thanked doctors and nurses for their good treatment. He also praised the Spanish public health care system. He will gradually resume his normal activities in the coming weeks.

The opening of the newly renovated Frederik VIII’s Palace of Amalienborg in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been extended to 8 August 2010. Already more than 200.000 visitors visited the palace in the first two months.

The Royal Palace in Oslo is to receive a new roof next year. The state budget of the Norwegian government reveals that the estimated costs are 112 million Norwegian Crowns. The roof over the main part of the palace wasn’t renovated during the major renovation of the palace in the 1990s. Reportedly the old roof has been leaking.

May 12th

The Japanese police has arrested a 26-year-old unemployed man on Saturday for allegedly posting an online treat to kill Princess Aiko of Japan by smashing her head with a hammer. It is reported the man told the police he only wanted to test reactions of others online and hadn’t thought he would be arrested.

The City Court of Moscow has ruled that the case over the murder of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia and his family was closed illegally. They have granted an appeal by Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna or Russia. The case files now will be sent back to the lower court, and a second hearing by a different panel of judges has been ordered. The Basmanny Court at Moscow rejected the case on 19 March.

May 13th

In an interview with radio SR Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden says that marriage and starting a family will be fantastic. She said: “We are very impatient but a bit stressed too, a bit nervous.” Victoria added: “Every single wedding couple probably has a bit of the same feeling of panic.” She thinks the support she and Daniel Westling received from the Swedes has been heart-warming. Victoria also said she feels completely satisfied nowadays with the balance between herself and her role as Crown Princess. She said: Today I think it is great fun, you really learn a lot.” She considers it as her absolute mission in life to serve Sweden and its people.

May 15th

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was ‘kidnapped’ by her friends yesterday for her hen party in the Stockholm Archipelago, which is expected to last two days. The stag party of her fiancé Daniel Westling took part last weekend.

May 17th

The National Day was celebrated in Norway today. In the early morning Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children Marius Høiby Borg, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus appeared at the main gate of the Skaugum Estate to greet the children from local schools. Later in the morning King Harald V, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to watch the children’s parade in front of the palace. From the windows of the palace also Princess Märtha Louise, her husband Ari Behn and their three daughters, as well as Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner had a look at the parade. Pictures Skaugum: PPEPictures Palace: Royal Press Europe

Archduke Rudolph of Austria died at Brussels, Belgium, on 15 May. He was born at Prangins, Switzerland, on 5 September 1919 as sixth child of Emperor Karl and Empress Zita of Austria. He married 1953 Countess Xenia Tschernyschev-Besobrasow, who died in 1968, and married 1971 Princess Anna Gabriele von Wrede. He is survived by four of his five children, and by fifteen grandchildren. He is also survived by his elder brothers Otto and Felix. The funeral service will take place at the église Notre-Dame du Sablon at Brussels, Belgium, on 29 May.

The Royal Court of Albania announced the engagement of Prince Leka of the Albanians and Elia Zaharia on 10 May. A press meeting will take place at the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris, France, on 16 June.

May 18th

In an interview to the Swedish tv-channel TV4 Daniel Westling spoke about his kidney transplant one year ago. He said that he had been born with a kidney defect, which is not hereditary, but didn’t realize it until he was 16 and received x-rays after suffering a football injury. Doctors advised him two years ago that he should have a kidney transplant. He says he now feels better than ever. He hopes to be able to support Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden in her role and would like to focus on health and youth issues. Crown Princess Victoria told in the interview: “Daniel is a person with a wonderful sense of humor and energy. We laugh a lot and have a lot of fun together – I hope you agree.” Daniel said about Victoria: “The Crown Princess is a wonderful warm person. There are not enough superlatives to describe her.”

The BBC has apologised “unreservedly” after radio DJ Danny Kelly had joked during his live broadcast “Queen Elizabeth II has now died”. Just before he had started playing the national anthem. After an interruption by the producer of the radio show Danny Kelly clarified that he had been referring to a Facebook friend by the name of “Queen Elizabeth II”, who had vanished from the list of friends. BBC says there was no intention to offend, but although it was corrected on-air immediately, the BBC says the remark was inappropriate. The BBC takes the comment very seriously and says that action is being taken.

May 19th

Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway is to attend Jansløkka school in Asker near Oslo after the Summer. The 6-year-old princess will start school on 19 August. The principal of the school, Else Johansen, said that they think it is very nice that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have decided to send their children to the local school.

May 20th

Archbishop Anders Wejryd of Sweden, who is to conduct the marriage of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June, has publicly disapproved the decision of the Crown Princess to walk down the aisle with her father King Carl XVI Gustaf on her side. He said: “Being given away is a new phenomenon which occasionally occurs in the Church of Sweden. I usually advise against it, as our marriage ceremony is so clear on the subject of the spouses’ equality. The couple know where I stand on this matter.” Nina Eldh, spokeswoman for the Swedish royal court has underlined that the decision was taken by the bride.

May 21st

King Juan Carlos of Spain left the privat Planas clinic in Barcelona today where he had been recovering from his surgery on 8 May. He had moved to the privat clinic after having been discharged from hospital in Barcelona on 11 May. He is set to resume his official duties now.

May 22nd

In an interview in the Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet today Daniel Westling said to be nervous ahead of his wedding to crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on 19 June. He told: “When the big day come around I guess I’ll be standing there with both butterflies in my stomach and trembling knees.” He says that his biggest task as consort of the Crown Princess will be to support his wife. The couple, he said, would love to have children: “In 10 years time, I hope we will have created a family.” He said he hopes they will have a number of children “although that is not the kind of thing one can really predetermine.” He said he grew up in a gender-equal family, and thinks for him it is not a problem to walk some steps behind his wife and keep his self-esteem intact. In the interview the couple stresses that the wedding ceremony will also be a private event, and that the media will only be permitted in the space behind them in church. Crown Princess Victoria said: “Daniel and I need to have a space for just us, that is just ours. I will not say ‘yes’ to the television cameras or the congregation. My ‘yes’ will only be directed at Daniel.”

Carol Ferdinand of Romania was christened today at the Domchurch of Bucharest, Romania, today. He was born as son of Paul and Lia of Romania His godparent was the president of Romania, Traian Basescu. Pictures of the christeningVideo of the christening

May 23rd

The Duchess of York was filmed last Tuesday night taking $40.000 cash payment from an undercover reporter of the newspaper News of the World, who posed as a businessman, the newspaper claims. The newspaper accuses the Duchess of plotting to sell access to her former husband the Duke of York for £500.000. The Duchess is said to have promised to introduce reporters to the Duke of York and claimed that the Duke would help fix lucrative deals. The Duchess is said to have demanded a cut of all profits. According to the newspaper the Duke of York was unaware of the deal.

May 24th

The official guestlist for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June remains a secret so far. During an information briefing at the royal palace today the Swedish Royal Court says they are expecting about 30 overnight guests at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Wedding coordinator Håkan Pettersson said that the couple wants the celebrations to represent “timeless tradition with a personal touch”. Senior preacher to the royal household, Lars-Göran Lönnermark, said that it wasn’t confirmed yet that Crown Princess Victoria will be given away by her father. However he said that if the couple breaks with the Swedish tradition to enter the church together, it would “symbolize the fact that the heir to the throne must have the permission of the king and the government in order to marry.” About 1000 Swedish press representants and 500 foreign ones have applied for accreditation for the wedding. Among the foreign media are 141 Germans, 60 Norwegians, 46 Fins, 35 British, 35 Spaniards, 31 French and 19 Japanese.

Buckingham Palace said the Duke of York didn’t know anything about his ex-wife’s meetings in which she allegedly offered a reporter of the newspaper News of the World access to the Duke for cash. The Palace says the Duke is a UK trade envoy with “complete and absolute propriety and integrity”. In a statement the Duchess of York said, she was “sincerely sorry” and admitted that her financial situation is quite “stressfull” at the moment. She said: “I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused. It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgement and I am very sorry that this has happened.” She also said her former husband didn’t know about it.

Count Christian Bernadotte af Wisborg married civilly Christine Stoltmann on Saturday on the Island of Mainau, Southern Germany. Only the closest family atttended. The religious wedding was to take place on 14 August, but has been postponed. A new date is not known yet. The couple expect their first child in August.

Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan married Sarah Bassam Kabbani at the Zahran Palace in Amman, Jordan, today. The wedding was among others attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Princess Muna, Prince Omar, Princess Basma, Princess Zein, Princess Alia, Prince Hamzah, Princess Rym and Princess Iman of Jordan, as well as by other members of the family and of the Kabbani family. The new princess is a Lebanese national and graduated from the American University in Cairo, Egypt, in 2000 with a bachelor degree in journalism and mass communications.

Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna of Russia died aged 95. After Father Andrew, rector of the Russian Orthodox Church in Madrid, had visited her on Sunday, her condition deteriorated and she was taken to the Hospital La Paz, Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain, where she died at 11.55pm on Sunday. Her daughter Grand Duchess Maria was by her side. She will be buried next to her husband Grand Duke Vladimir at the St Peter and St Paul Fortress in St Petersburg. Grand Duchess Leonida was born as Princess Leonida Bagration-Moukhransky at Tbilisi, Georgia, on 23 September 1914. In 1934 she first married Sumner Moore Kirby, but divorced him in 1937. They had a daughter, Helena. In 1948 she married Grand Duke Vladimir of Russia, who died in 1992. The couple had one daughter Maria. Grand Duchess Leonida is survived by her two daughters and her grandson Grand Duke Georgy.

May 25th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain revealed the legislative programme of the new British coalition government during the state opening of parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh she drove from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster and back.

The Swedish Royal Court has confirmed that King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden will lead his daughter Crown Princess Victoria to the altar on 19 June. Spokeswoman Nina Eldh said it is the family’s wish, and added: “This is a state ceremonial event with great symbolism, not an ordinary marriage. It is Sweden’s king who is escorting the heir to the throne to the altar.” According to Mrs Eldh it is a family tradition and she says there are no church regulations on how to walk to the altar.

May 26th

Princess Madeleine of Sweden has cancelled all her appointments until the wedding of her sister Crown Princess Victoria. Nina Eldh, spokeswoman of the Swedish royal court, said that the princess needs some private time. Madeleine broke off her engagement with Jonas Bergström some weeks ago.

A memorial service Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna of Russia was held in Madrid yesterday. The service was attended by family and friends, including her daughter Grand Duchess Maria, and officials of the Russian embassy in Spain. The funeral will take place at the St Peter and st Paul Fortress in St Petersburg, Russia, on 3 June. The coffin with the body of the Grand Duchess will arrive in St Petersburg on 2 June, where the public can pay their last respect. Metropolitan of St Petersburg and Ladoga Vladimir will lead the funeral service the next day.

May 27th

Anette Wallner, a spokeswoman of the Swedish royal court said that the title of Daniel Westling, the fiancé of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is being discussed. Upon the engagement it was announced that he will be known as Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland. Mrs Wallner says that nothing has been decided yet about the rank of Royal Highness, which would be a personal gift of the King. The final decision will be made known on Sunday.

Prince Nikolaus von und zu Liechtenstein has asked for a retirement after 14 years as ambassador of Liechtenstein at the Kingdom of Belgium and the European Union in Brussels. He will however be available to the government of Liechtenstein as parttime advisor and for single tasks. In the summer he will be replaced by Kurt Jäger.

May 28th

Luís Alfonso de Borbón y Martinez, Duke d’Anjou, and his wife Maria Margarita Vargas y Santaella had twin sons this morning at 9.33am at a hospital in New York City, USA. The eldest of the sons is called Luis (Louis), was 51 cm tall and weighed 3340 gramms. The second born son is called Alfonso (Alphonse), was 52 cm tall and weighed 3710 gramms. They have respectively received the titles Duke de Bourgogne and Duke de Berry. They were born by caesarian section and mother and children are doing fine. The boys already have a sister, Eugenia, who was born in 2007.

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasir bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia appeared at the High Court in London today. There he denied that he killed his aide Bandar Abdullah Abdulaziz at the Landmark Hotel in London on 15 February. He also says he didn’t cause his aide bodily harm two weeks earlier. He is to face trial at the Old Bailey on 4 October.

The civil marriage of Alexander Johannsmann and Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg took place in private yesterday at the orangery of Berleburg Castle. Only the closest family attended. The religious wedding is planned for 2011. The couple has decided they will both keep their own name. The couple expect their first child in July and will live at Berleburg Castle.

May 29th

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and her son Marius, as well as Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn, attended the finals of the Eurovision Songcontest 2010 in Oslo. During the Flash Mob Dance by Madcon, in the break between the singers and the results, the Crown Princess and her children were shown dancing at home. Flash Mob video (royals at 6.18)

The funeral service for Archduke Rudolph of Austria took place at the Église Notre-Dame du Sablon in Brussels, Belgium, this afternoon. The funeral service was attended by his wife Anna Gabrielle, his children Maria-Anna, Carl Peter, Simeon and Catharina with their partners and children. His funeral will take place at the Loreto Chapel in Muri, Switzerland, on 4 June. A mass will be celebrated at the Stephansdom in Vienna, Austria on 12 June, and at the Augustinerkirche in Vienna on 14 June. The last service is being led by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Among today’s guests were many members of the Austrian Imperial family, as well as Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg, Queen Fabiola of the Belgians, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz of Belgium Archduke and Archduchess of Austria, Princess Lea of Belgium, Prince Guillaume of Luxemburg as well as among others members of the royal families of Liechtenstein, Bavaria, Württemberg, France, Brazil and Bourbon-Two Sicilies. The deceased’s youngest daughter Catharina expects her third son in about two weeks time. Pictures Marianne van Dam

The political party TOP09 led by former minister of foreign affairs Fürst Karl zu Schwarzenberg became the third biggest party (16,7%) in the elections in Czechia on Saturday, behind the Social Democrats (22,1%) and the Civic Democrat Party (20,2%). Schwarzenberg declared: “I am hugely pleased with the Czech people.” It is not clear yet which parties will form the new Czech government yet.

May 30th

The banns of marriage between Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling were published this morning in the Royal Chapel, followed by a reception at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Next to the couple King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden attended, as well as the groom’s parents Olle and Ewa Westling, and his sister Anna Westling Blom. The service was led by Bertil Reimer and Lars-Göran Lönnermark. Pastor Erland Ros led the pre-prayers. Two more receptions will be held on 1 and 3 June at the Royal Palace. During today’s reception the couple received the joint gift of the Riksdag and the Government of Sweden. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and speaker of the Riksdag Per Westerberg prsented the couple a total of 200 settings of five different types of glasses designed by Professor Erika Lagerbielke and handmade by Orrefors in Småland, Sweden. Lysning (banns of marriage) Lysning reception

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has decided his future son-in-law Daniel Westling will become Prince of Sweden and a member of the royal house, which means he will also receive the rank of Royal Highness. He will also become Duke of Västergötland, as his wife is titled Duchess of Västergötland.

May 31st

In an hour-long interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is to be aired on Tuesday, the Duchess of York admits she had been drinking and was “in the gutter” when she was filmed while offering a reporter of the newspaper News of the World access to the Duke of York for cash. She hadn’t seen the video yet, until it was shown to her by Oprah Winfrey.

June 1st

Two pre-wedding receptions (Lysnings) for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling were held today at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The couple received several organisations, who presented them with a variety of gifts. Morning LysningAfternoon Lysning

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands arrived in Oslo for her three-day state visit to Norway. She officially arrived with the Dutch marine frigate Hr. Ms. Tromp in the harbour of Oslo, where she was welcomed with 126 salutes. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway picked her up by royal sloop. On the quay she was greeted by King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette- Marit of Norway, and by Norwegian and Dutch schoolchildren. After a lunch at the royal palace Queen Beatrix laid a wreath at the national monument and visited the chairman of the Norwegian parliament. In the evening a state banquet was being held at the royal palace. PPE Pictures

Former King Constantine II of Greece celebrated his 70th birthday with a huge party at the house of his son Crown Prince Pavlos in London, Great Britain. Among the guests were members of the Greek royal family, as well as Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, Queen Sofia of Spain, the Prince of Asturias, Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra of Kent, Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein- Berleburg. Pictures Getty Images

Prince Radu of Romania, husband of Crown Princess Margarita, celebrated his 50th birthday with two days of celebrations on 26 and 27 May. On 26 May there was a performance at the National Opera Theater in Bucharest, and a dinner with 500 guests at the Elisabeta Palace. On 27 May there was a karate demonstration at the British School in Bucharest, followed by a visit to the Monastery Comana. The celebrations were closed with a jubilee evening at the Elisabeta Palace. Pictures (four pages, see right on top)

The island of Mainau confirmed Countess Diana Bernadotte is expecting her second child in August. In 2004 the countess had a daughter, Paulina Marie, with her husband Bernd Grawe, whom she separated in 2007. The name of the father of the new baby wasn’t revealed.

June 3rd

The last of the three pre-wedding (lysning) reception of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her fiancé Daniel Westling was held at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. In the morning the couple received several organisations and societies. In the afternoon they met diplomats. Third lysning

Marshall of the Court Elisabeth Palmstierna has confirmed that Princess Lilian of Sweden is suffering of Alzheimer’s disease. She added that the Princess “doesn’t feel particularly well. Lilian is very tired. She is old and frail”. The widow of Prince Bertil of Sweden will not attend the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. Princess Lilian is being cared for at her home in Djurgården, Stockholm.

The Swedish television channel TV4 today broadcasted the last part of the series “Familjen Bernadotte”, about the royal family of Sweden.

Al Qaida has threatened to kidnap members of the royal family of Saudi Arabia after Haylah al-Qassir, a female operative of Al Qaida, was arrested by the Saudi army.

Grand Duchess Leonida of Russia was buried next to her husband at the St Peter and St Paul Fortress in St Petersburg today. The funeral service was among others attended by Grand Duchess Maria of Russia and Grand Duke Georgi of Russia. Her body arrived in Russia yesterday. After the service the coffin, covered with the flag of the Russian Federation and with the state standard of Imperial Russia, was carried into the family’s mausoleum. Pictures (click at link under picture)

June 4th

The Imperial Household Agency has asked the publisher Shinchosha to apologise. The weekly magazine “Shukan Shincho”, published by the company, wrote that the agency had suggested to the school of Princess Aiko of Japan to add medication to the school meals to calm down unruly boys. The agency says the story is “baseless and malicious”. Archduke Rudolph of Austria was buried today in the family vault at the Loreto Chapel in Muri, Switzerland.

June 5th

Prince Johann-Georg zu Ysenburg und Büdingen married Stefanie Bittner at Glücksburg Castle today. The civil wedding took place yesterday. The couple’s daughter Anna Carolina, was born in January, and was christened today. The couple and their guests enjoyed the sunny weather. After the ceremony the couple made a carriage ride.

June 6th

For the first time Daniel Westling, soon husband of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, attended the national day celebrations. However Princess Madeleine was absent this year. The royal family celebrated at Skansen in Stockholm, and went there by carriage. Afterwards a reception was held at the Royal Palace. The day ended with a tattoo at Logården. The Royal Palace as usually held an open house today. This year’s theme was the 200th anniversary of Jean Baptiste Bernadotte as heir to the Swedish throne. In his traditional speech King Carl XVI Gustaf said: “This summer there will be a very important event in the history of our family – our eldest daughter marries. The queen and I feel an enormous amount of happiness at this time.” Traditional National Day celebrations at Skansen

June 7th

The Prince of Wales will take three days off at the beginning of next week on doctor’s advice. A spokesman for Clarence House said: “The Prince has been suffering from a persistent chest infection for over a month and doctors have advised him to find a number of consecutive days in which to have a complete rest.” The Prince decided not to take a break this week, because of the many important engagements. The Prince is scheduled to return to work on 17 June.

The Swedish royal court is not very happy with a feed on Twitter called “Kungliga Hovstaterna”, where official messages are mixed with other comments on the Swedish royal family. Spokeswoman Nina Eldh said: “We do not have a Twitter feed, we are looking at alternatives to close unwanted Twitter pages.”

The reconstruction of the royal palace in Berlin will be delayed by three yers. The German government unveiled a huge budget cut today. Hermann Parzinger, the president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation said in a statement: “I regret very much that today’s Cabinet decision will lead to a considerable delay in the realization of the most significant cultural project in Germany.” The government was to bay a 440 million euros share in the project. The building of the palace might now only start in 2014 instead of in 2011.

June 8th

The Duke of Edinburgh underwent a minor operation on his left hand in an unknown hospital, where he was a day patient, on Monday. He had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Buckingham Palace stated: “The Duke of Edinburgh has reduced his engagements to help the recovery of his hand.”

The Museo de la Moda in Chile has bought a black taffeta dress of the late Diana Princess of Wales at auction in London for £192.000. The princess wore the dress for her first official engagement with her then fiancé the Prince of Wales in 1981. The dress designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel had been kept in a plastic bag in their garage since 1981.

The written English translation of the wedding interview of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling can be found online. The wedding interview

June 9th

About 70% of the Swedes think Daniel Westling will do a good job as prince of Sweden. Only 3% thinks that he will do a poor job. Furthermore a new book by genealogist Björn Engström is released today, showing that Daniel is descending from both Swedish and Finnish aristocracy – he is a descendant of the Svinhufvud family. According to Engström there were four members of parliament among his ancestors in the 16th and 17th century.

June 12th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain marked her 84th official birthday at the Trooping the Colour parade on Horse Guards Parade in London. Dressed in lilac she was joined by the Duke of Edinburg, the Prince of Wales and other members of the family she watched more than 1400 soldiers parading. After the Queen took the salute, the family went back to Buckingham Palace. There they watched a 30-aircraft strong RAF flypast from the balcony.

The Swedish royal court announced that Princess Madeleine will return to Sweden, and is very happy to attend the wedding of her sister Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling on 19 June. She thanks for all the support and kindness she has recieved after her break up with her fiancé Jonas Bergström. Princess Madeleine will go back abroad after the Summer and take part in a project at the office of the World Childhood Foundation.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visited Germany on invitation of federal chancellor Angela Merkel. The couple visited Stralsund today and were greeted by a children’s choir. They also visited the St. Nikolai Church. Afterwards they travelled to Binz where they had lunch and made a walk. In Sassnitz they made a short trip by boat.

The civil wedding of Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme and Annemarie Gualthérie van Weezel took place in private today at the town hall of Wijk bij Duurstede, the Netherlands. They were wed by mayor Guus Swillens. Only the closest family attended.

June 14th

Prince Harry of Wales arrived in Botswana for a six-day joint tour together with his brother Prince William of Wales, who will arrive tomorrow. The brothers will visit Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa. At the end of their tour they will visit the World Cup match between England and Algeria.

During a ceremony at the Elisabeta Palace in Bukarest, Romania, King Michael of Romania officially attributed the title of Prince of Romania and the predicate His Royal Highness to his grandson Nicholas (Nicolae). He also received the royal order Nihil Sine Deo. Pictures

June 15th

The coat of arms and monogram of Daniel Westling after his marriage to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden on Saturday have been unveiled. The coat of arms and monogram were drawn by the National Archives’ heraldic artist Vladimir A Sagerlund and were designed by State Herald Henrik Klackenberg, working closely with Daniel Westling. Daniel Westling’s coat of arms and monogram

Princess Mako of Japan is to study English at the University College in Dublin, Ireland, between 4 July and 15 August, the Imperial Household Agency announced. The princess is a freshman at the International Christian University in Tokyo. The course is a part of the English education programm of her university.

The cabinet of Thailand has approved the creation of the Bureau of Prevention and Eradication of Computer Crime today. The main task of the bureau is to protect the monarchy.

June 16th

The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam announced today that he has divorced his second wife Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim after a marriage of five years. The couple has a son and a daughter together. The Sultan has revoked all her royal titles.

According to sources close to the royal family a succession war is taking place in Ras al-Khaimah, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. The state has been led by 92-year-old Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed al-Qassimi since 1948. His health condition however is critical. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al-Qassimi is the present crown prince, but is challenged by his halfbrother Sheikh Khaled bin Saqr al-Qassimi, who was the crown prince until 2003.

June 19th

The wedding of Daniel Westling and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden took place at the Storkyrkan in Stockholm. News agencies AFP, AP and Reuters declined today to cover the wedding, due to restrictions by Swedish public television SVT on images of the marriage. They say SVT asked far too much money for their photos and videos of the wedding. SVT however argues their prices were standard.

Sheikh Basel Salem al-Sabah of Kuwait died on Thursday night at his palace, aged 52. He was a grandson of Emir Sheikh Sabah Salem al-Sahab of Kuwait. It is reported he was shot several times by his uncle Sheikh Faisal Abdullah al-Sabah, who was arrested by the police. Sheikh Basel was buried today at the cemetery in Sulaibekhat. Security agencies have started an investigation into the incident.

June 22nd

The Royal Trustees on Civil List expenditure and funding released a report today about the official expenses of the household of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. Chancellor George Osborne said today that the amount of money the Queen gets to run her household will be frozen at £7.9m for the coming year. The Queen has agreed.

Princess Eugenie of York has started a six-week internship at the auction house Christie’s today. She studies art history at Newcastle University. She is said to have undertaken the internship to experience the art world first-hand.

June 23rd

Prince Albert II of Monaco announced his engagement to Charlene Wittstock today. A wedding date wasn’t announced yet. Charlene Lynette Wittstock was born at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on 25 January 1978. She has the South African nationality. Before moving to Monaco some years ago, she was a youth worker. She was also a swimmer, and was part of the South African team for the Olympic Summer Games in 2000.

Luxemburg celebrated its national day today with a Te Deum at the cathedral and a military parade. A reception was being held at the Grand-Ducal Palace in the evening. Yesterday evening Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visited the town of Diekirch, while Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume visited Esch-sur-Alzette. The whole family, except for Prince Felix, attended the traditional fireworks in Luxemburg City in the late evening.

Prince William of Wales was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society today during a service which marked the 350th anniversary of the Royal Society. The service was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Duke Of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family.

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, head of state of Samoa, was taken to New Zealand on Monday night for medical treatment. A source says it is because of his heart condition.

June 24th

In an interview at the newspaper Nice Matin Prince Albert II of Monaco said today that he will marry Charlene Wittstock in the Summer of 2011. He said in the interview to hope that the people of Monaco will welcome his bride with kindness. In the newspaper The Star Charlene’s father Michael Wittstock said he spoke to Prince Albert on Tuesday afternoon: “He phoned me so I could give him the blessing to put the ring on her finger.” Mr Wittstock says the prince is a “nice chap”, and said the family was excited about the engagement.

For the first time since 1977 Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain attended the All England Tennis Championships at Wimbledon. She saw the match between Andy Murray and Jarkko Nieminen. The Queen was accompanied by the Duke of Kent.

In an interview given during the joint tour of Africa of Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales, Prince Harry says he still thinks of his mother the late Diana Princess of Wales every day. He said: “Every day, I know I do and I’m sure William does as well, whatever we do, wherever we are and whoever we’re with, I particularly always wonder what she’d think, what she’d be doing if she was with us now. That’s what keeps us going every day – that thought of what would she be like if she was around today.” Prince William said: “We’d like to think she’s proud of us.”

Danish archaeologists say they have unearthed remains of the 10th century wooden residence of King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark near Jelling, Denmark. So far four buildings from his time have been discovered at the site.

Prince Mikasa, uncle of Emperor Akihito of Japan, left the St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo today. He had underwent a cataract surgery for his right eye on Wednesday.

German scientists at the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg say that Pharaoh Tutankhamen of Egypt didn’t die of malaria. Closer study of the foot bones of his mummy showed the genetic blood disorder sickle cell disease, the institute announced on Wednesday.

June 25th

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden are spending their honeymoon in French Polynesia, the Swedish newspaper Expressen revealed. The couple arrived in a private jet owned by family friend Bertil Hult. They left the wedding party early on Sunday morning. In an interview in the newspaper the couple says their wedding was “unbelievable”. They said to have been impressed by the huge support of the public. Prince Daniel thought it was unbelievable that half a million of people came out into the streets of Stockholm to celebrate their wedding.

June 27th

A preliminary hearing was held at Rome, in front of Judge Marina Finiti, over charges of participating in a conspiracy to get permissions for gambling machines from the state agency by using bribery and forgery. Among the six man charged is Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy. The additional charges were dropped earlier this year. The judge will decide on 14 July whether the prosecutor’s case is strong enough to start a trial.

June 28th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh have arrived in Canada today for a visit to celebrate the centenary of the Canadian Navy and to mark Canada day. The couple will visit Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Toronto. On 6 July they will travel to New York, where the Queen will visit the United Nations.

June 29th

Clarence House accounts show that the private income of the Prince of Wales has increased by more than 4% in the last financial year. However his taxpayer funding was almost halved, because the prince spent less money on overseas travel. Less money was spent on the costs of receptions andalso the travel costs of the staff were cut. The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall undertook 755 engagements in the United Kingdom and abroad. The Prince’s expenditure also includes the budgets of Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales.

Memorabilian of Emperor Napoleon I of France have fetched 140.000 New Zealand dollars at auction by Art+Object auction house in Wellington it was said on Wednesday. The items were sold by descendants of Denzil Ibbetson, who was the commissionary officer on St. Helena during Napoleon’s exile on the island. His son emigrated to New Zealand in 1864. A lithograph and watercolor sketch of Napoleon on his death bed was sold for NZ$ 21.000. A lock of hair Ibbetson cut from the Emperor’s head after his death fetched NZ$ 19.000. Among the items sold was also Ibbetson’s diary.

June 30th

King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians arrived in Congo on Monday to take part in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of independence from Belgium. The royal couple was received by President Joseph Kabila of Congo. On Tuesday they visited several companies connected with Belgium. In the evening they attended a state banquet with several other foreign guests including the King and Queen of Swaziland. Today the independency was officially celebrated with a military parade. The visit was controversial because of the human rights record of Congo.

Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Counsil of Antiquities announced today that his archaeological team have found a tunnel in the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I in the Valley of the Kings. The 174 metres long tunnel has been completely excavated now. The work started in November 2007. They uncovered a staircase and found another staircase after the first descending passage. There the tunnel ends. Hawass said to believe that they started building the tomb during the lifetime of Pharaoh Seti I, and that it was tried to construct a secret tomb inside the tomb. However work might have stopped when the pharaoh died.

July 1st

In red-white lady’s suit Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, marked Canada Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. For the 143rd anniversary of the country she arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, while thousands of people watched.

July 3rd

The engagement was celebrated between Prince Rashid bin El Hassan of Jordan and Zeina Shaban. He is the only son of Prince El Hassan bin Talal, uncle of King Abdullah II of Jordan, and his wife Princess Sarvath. The bride-to-be is a daughter of Mohammed Abdullah Shaban. The ceremony was among others attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan, and members of the royal and the Shaban family.

July 5th

The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and their daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane had their summer photosession in the garden of their house, villa De Eikenhorst, in Wassenaar this morning. It was clear that also the princely family is very much interested in the World Cup football in South Africa right now. The children played with their balls, and Amalia showed how good she can play the vuvuzela. Pictures PPENOS videos

The financial reports 2009-2010 of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain were published today. The support for the head of state was reduced by more than £3 million to £38,2 million, a decrease in real terms of 12,2%. Reason for the cut was a reduction in commercial charter flights and a refund of lease rentals from the sale of the royal helicopter, which was replaced last year. This means that the Treasury contributed the equivalent of just 62 pence per inhabitant of Great Britain to enable the Queen to carry out her duties as head of state.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden had their premarital agreement submitted to Solna District Court it was revealed today. The agreement was signed by the couple on 7 June 2010. According to the statement, everything that the couple owned before the marriage and everything that they subsequently inherit, receive as gifts or earnings through work while they are married would remain separate property in the event of a divorce. Also all proceeds of the private property will remain seperate. If the couple would divorce only their jointly purchased furniture and household items would be divided.

Count Bronislaw Komorowski has been declared the winner of the Polish presidential elections today for a five-year term. The Polish people hope for free market reforms, bringing down debts and cut welfare spending. The new president is a member of a Polish countal family, of which also the mother of Princess Mathilde of Belgium is a member.

July 6th

Queen Elizabeth II has travelled to New York at the end of her tour through Canada. She addressed the UN-Assembly. She was welcomed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. In her speech the Queen said she had witnessed great change since her last address to the UN in 1957, “Much of it for the better” she added. Furthermore she laid a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center, destroyed on 11 September 2001. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh afterwards talked to dignitaries and family of victims. She told the widow of one of th firefighters that she had never seen anything so shocking in her life. The Queen also opened a British Garden of Rememberance in honour of the 67 victims from Great Britain.

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended the semi-final of the World Cup football in Cape Town, South Africa, this evening. They saw the Dutch football team winning from Uruguay with 3-2. Queen Sofia of Spain will attend tomorrow’s semi-final between Spain and Germany.

July 7th

Forbes published its list of the wealthiest monarchs in the world today. For the third year in a row King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand is the richest royal in the world. His fortune remained stable at $30 billion. He is followed by the Sultan of Brunei whose fortune is $20 billion. Third on the list is King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia with a fortune of $18 billion.

Countess Camilla Holstein-Ledreborg died of cancer on 4 July aged 51. She was the fifth of seven daughters of Count Knud Holstein-Ledreborg and his wife Marie-Gabrielle née Princess of Luxemburg. She married in 1986 Baron Eric de Bertouch-Lehn, whom she divorced in 1995, and had two sons, Nicolas and Philip.

July 8th

Peter and Autumn Phillips said in a statement today that they are delighted to confirm that they are expecting a baby in December. The baby will be the first grandchild of the Princess Royal and her former husband Mark Phillips, and the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh. The statement further says that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh have been informed, as well as Autumn’s family, and that they are all delighted by the news. The couple married in May 2008 and is currently living in Hong Kong.

The yearly photosession of Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium with their children Elisabeth, Gabriel, Emmanuel and Eleonore took place today at De Pierlapont farm in Loppem, Belgium. They made a walk, had lunch outside, helped feeding the animals, went horse riding and took part in a cooking lesson. Belga Gallery 1Belga Gallery 2

July 9th

Archaeologists from the National Museum of Denmark have discovered the remains of the castle of the Danish king Erik Menved on the island of Samsø, Denmark. The king reigned from 1287 to 1319. The castle was build around 1290 and abandoned by the king’s men after the death of King Erik.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan received coach Takeshi Okada, two senior players of the Japanese football team and Motoaki Inukai, president of the Japan Football Association at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo today. The Imperial couple told to be proud of the team. They also confided they had watched almost all matches of the Japanese team during the World Cup in South Africa, even when they were at night.

The District Court in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, has ruled that former King Simeon II of Bulgaria and his sister Maria Luisa are not the owners of the former royal residence Krichim.

Earl Spencer has raised £21.076.288 in a three-day auction at Christie’s in London. The Spencer family sold off items including paintings, porcelain, furniture and carriages to raise £20 million to help with restoration work on the family estate of Althorp. Sold were among others a painting by Peter Paul Rubens for £9 million. The painting is called “A commander being armed for battle” and is thought to depict Roman Emperor Charles V. The buyer remains anonymous. A painting by Guercino showing “King David” fetched £5,2 million.

July 10th

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands are being criticized in the Netherlands for spending part of their vacation in Mozambique. the Dutch ambassador to South Africa said on television on Thursday the couple was in Mozambique, in between the semi-final and the final of the World Cup football in South Africa. Some months ago the princely couple announced their intention to sell their villa in Mozambique as soon as it was completed. The villa is not ready yet, despite of claims by the Dutch press that the couple is spending time in the villa. The Government Information Service says that the couple used the time in Mozambique to attend a builder’s meeting and an inspection of the villa.

July 11th

The World Cup finals between The Netherlands and Spain, in Johannesburg, South Africa, today was attended by several royals. Queen Sofia of Spain, the Prince and Princess of Asturias came to support Spain. The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven supported the Netherlands. Spain won in the extra time with 1-0. On the guestlist were also Nelson Mandela, Prince Albert II of Monaco and his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar, as well as King Mswati III of Swaziland.

July 12th

The Spanish team, that won the World Cup football in South Africa on Sunday, were received at the Royal Palace in Madrid today by King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, the Prince and Princess of Asturias and their daughters Leonor and Sofía, as well as by Infanta Elena. The little infantas wore Spanish football shirts. They were very proud to meet their heros, and Infanta Leonor even was allowed to hold the World Cup trophy. Pictures PPE

Pauline Ducruet, the 16-year-old daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, represented Monaco in the European Junior Swimming and Diving Championships in Helsinki, Finland, in the past days. Pauline took up diving four years ago. She finished 22nd in a field of 24th in the three metres competition and finished 19th in the one metre section.

In an interview with France 2 today Prince Albert II of Monaco said he and his fiancée Charlene Wittstock intend to establish a home and have children soon after their marriage in the Summer of 2011.

July 13th

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands received the Dutch national football team at Noordeinde Palace in the early afternoon. The team lost the World Cup final on Sunday, but were received in the Netherlands like heros. After their royal visit, the team travelled to Amsterdam where about 700.000 people cheered them. Pictures: Royal Portraits

July 14th

Despite of the absence of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden herself and her husband Prince Daniel of Sweden Victoria Day was celebrated at the Swedish island of Öland. About 400 people had gathered outside the royal summer residence Solliden. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden led the festivities in presence of Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. Pictures: Royal Portraits

A man who was accused of insulting the Sultan of Perak in February 2009 has been freed by the Sessions Court yesterday. The man had allegedly posted an offending remark on a website that was linked to the official website of the Sultan. He was released without his defence being called.

July 15th

Prince Radu of Romania has won a court case against the royal magazine Royalty at High Court in London. The Prince has accepted a pubic apology, as well as “substantial” damaged. The defendants have also agreed to pay the legal costs of the prince. The magazine wrote in September 2004 an article called “Scandal in Romania as Princess Margarita’s husband is branded as an imposter”. In the article it was claimed that the prince dishonestly claimed the title “Prince von Hohenzollern-veringen”. He also was accused of using his title for monetary gain. It was also written he had been an officer in the Romanian Securitate secret police under the regime of Ceausescu. After six years Royalty magazine has acepted that the statements in the article were “wholly untrue”.

July 17th

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia celebrated his 65th birthday in private with his family in Greece. Birthday video

July 19th

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway spent several days in Vienna, Austria, to attend part of the XVIII International AIDS Conference. On Saturday she participated in a pre- conference meeting, where 40 young and more established leaders discussed further efforts to combat AIDS. On Saturday evening she attended a banquet at the Austrian Parliament and a reception for the Norwegian participants of the conference. The Crown Princess on Sunday attended the official opening of the conference. Before leaving Vienna on Monday she opened the Youth Pavilion, a networking space for young people involved in the fight against AIDS. Since 2006 the Crown Princess is Special Representative for UNAIDS.

July 20th

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway celebrated his 37th birthday today in private. In connection to the birthday the Crown Prince, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their children Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus posed for the press at Dvergsøya near Kristiansand. Also the dog, Milly Kakao, posed. Kongehuset picturesNRK: Video

July 21st

The Belgian royal family attended the National Day celebrations today. King Albert II, Queen Paola, Queen Fabiola, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde attended the Te Deum at the cathedral of Brussels. Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz attended a Te Deum in Hasselt, while Prince Laurent and Princess Claire travelled to Arlon. In the afternoon they all attended the military parade in front of the Royal Palace in Brussels. The security measures on National Day were higher than ever. Reasons were ongoing death threats against Queen Fabiola. The first threat was received in May 2009, the last one early July according to the Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure. National Day happily passed without incidents. Pictures Royal Press Europe

Former King Simeon II of Bulgaria hasn’t decided yet whether he will sue the Bulgarian state in the European Court of Human Rights over suspended property rights. The former king received back property between 2001 and 2005. There is doubt that this decision was lawfully. The Bulgarian parliament voted to freeze the rights on grounds of information that the former monarch received more land than his family actually owned before the end of the monarchy.

July 22nd

The princely court announced that the civil marriage of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock will take place at the princely palace in Monaco on Friday 8 July 2011. The religious wedding will take place the day afterwards, 9 July 2011.

New pictures were released on the occasion of the 8th birthday of Prince Felix of Denmark. They were taken by Steen Brogaard. PPE: Prince Felix

Twenty pieces of jewelry made by French jewellers Cartier for the Duchess of Windsor will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London on 30 November. The auction is set to make more than £4million. The most expensive pieces are a flamingo brooch and a panther bracelet. Both are expected to fetch between £1million and £1.5million.

July 24th

For the first time since she entered her third year at Gakushuin Primary School in Tokyo, Princess Aiko of Japan has walked home from school alone yesterday, the Imperial Household Agency said. She was brought to school with her mother by car for the last day before the Summer vacation. She didn’t attend the end-of-semester ceremony, but attended a homeroom class. While Aiko walked home, her mother had a meeting with the principal of the school. Aiko missed 12 days of school because of a cold and other reasons in the first semester of the third year. On the other days she arrived often late at school and left school after attending three or four classes.

July 25th

The British royal court has opened an account on Flickr. The account will contain more than 600 photographs of the royal family at work and play since the second half of the 19th century, including some rare pictures. The account is a collaboration between Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and St James’s Palace.

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her husband Alexander Johannsmann had a son at 6.45pm on 24 July at a hospital in Bad Berleburg. Mother and son are doing fine, and the father was present at birth. The baby is yet unnamed according to the Danish royal court. He is the third grandchild of Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Princess Benedikte of Denmark.

Countess Ruth af Rosenborg died this afternoon. Alice Ruth Nielsen was born at Frederiksberg on 8 October 1924 as daughter of Kai Nielsen and Edith Fischer. She married in 1949 count Flemming af Rosenborg who died in 2002. The couple had children: Axel, Birger, Carl Johan and Désirée. Countess Ruth is also survived by ten grandchildren.

July 26th

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway are to give up the organic farming business at their property at Skaugum. Their fourty cows were all sold at auction over the weekend. A palace spokeswoman said the crown princely couple will try to lease out their land.

July 28th

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway showed up barefoot at the annual St Olav festival in Trondheim after two days of walking along the historic pilgrims’ trail. During a public discussion with Pastor Per Arne Dahl at the Nidaros Cathedral the princess talked about faith, hope and love. She mentioned that the hike gave her an opportunity to “reflect over life”. About her husband Crown Prince Haakon, who was sitting in the audience, Mette-Marit said that he is “a person who is so unusually giving” and added he “has an ability to see people with respect”.

Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, launched her first clothes collection, an equestrian-wear range for Musto. She designed and modelled the collection herself, but prefers to be called an “athlete” rather than a “princess or a model”. Zara doesn’t plan to extend her design skills and says she only made a few changes to the existing clothes by Musto. The ZP 176 Collection refers to the number given to Zara when she first represented Great Britain as a horse rider.

July 29th

The yearly photo session of the Danish royal family at Graasten Castle took place today. PPE Pictures

Prince Mahlaba, a brother of King Mswati III of Swaziland, has threatened journalist with death during the public forum Smart Partnership National Dialogue on 21 July. The Prince said: “Journalists who continue to write bad things about the country will die.” He also accused them of “earn their living by writing lies.” The SA National Editors’ Forum today have called on the King and the government to repudiate the view of the prince. If that doesn’t happen, they threaten to report the death threat to the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and the United Nations.

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her newborn son Konstantin Gustav Heinrich Richard left the Helios-Klinik in Bad Berleburg yesterday. Konstantin was born at the clinic at 6.33pm on Saturday. He was 58 cm tall and weighed 3700 gramms. Nathalie and her husband Alexander Johannsmann are very happy with their son and are looking forward to enjoy their son in the coming days together. According to doctors the princess should be able to ride horses again in ten days. Her first equestrian tournament would be in Copenhagen on 21 August. She hopes to take part in the World Championships in Kentucky at the end of September, for which she is already qualified.

July 30th

The 62nd Red Cross Ball was held at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo today. The ball was attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock and his sister Princess Stephanie of Monaco. PPE Pictures

The South African government says that six of its thirteen traditional monarchies will no longer be recognised. They will end as soon as the current ruler dies and their successors will be recognised as lower-ranking traditional leaders. Some of the monarchies were created by the apartheid government to divide the people, says a six-year study by the Nhlapo Commission of the government. According to President Jacob Zuma the move will correct “the wrongs of the past”. The seven remaining monarchs are King Goodwill Zwelithini of the AmaZulu, King Zwelonke Sigcawu of the AmaXhosa, King Buyelekhaya Zwelibanzi Dalindyebo of the Abathembu, King Zanozuko Sigcawu of the AmaMpondo and Victor Thulare Sikhukhune of the Bapedi ba Maroteng. In two other monarchies the current monarch will be deposed. Mpondombini Sigcawu of the Amamapondo Ase Qawukeni in Eastern Cape will be replaced by Zanozuko Sigcawu, and in Limpopo Kenneth Sekhukhune will be replaced by Victor Thulare. Five of the dissolved monarchies are Batlokwa ba Mota (King Lekunutu Cavandish Mota), Bakwena baMopeli (King Thokwane Mopeli), AmaRharhabe (King Bangilizwe Maxhobayakhawuleza Sandile), Amampondo ase-Nyandeni (King Ndamase kaNdamase) and Ndzundza Mabhoko (King Mbusi Mahlangu). The King of AbaThembu base-Rhode already died recently and will not be replaced. The leaders have said they will challenge the decision in court.

July 31st

Don Alvaro de Orleans-Borbon was injured in a motorcycle accident yesterday afternoon at the highway TF-5, Spain. He collided with a car and suffered head injuries and less severe policontusions. He was taken by ambulance to the Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria.

August 1st

28-year-old Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis underwent surgery at hospital in Regensburg, Germany, last Friday. Hours before she wrote in her column in the newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” that doctors had found “something in the bones in the sinus”, that had to be removed. The operation went well and she is recovering now. The Princess had a tumor removed a few years ago.

August 2nd

Yesterday the Princely Palace of Monaco announced that the dates of the wedding of Reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock have changed. The civil wedding will take place in Monaco on Saturday 2 July 2011. The religious wedding will take place in Monaco on Sunday 3 July 2011. Reason for this change is a meeting of the International Olympic Committee, which is to be held from 5 to 9 July 2011 in Durban, South Africa. The couple wants the presence of the Olympic family at their wedding. Prince Albert also wants his wife’s first trip abroad to be to South Africa, which is her homeland.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden arrived back home yesterday evening after a six-week honeymoon. The private jet they were travelling with left from Bedford, Boston, USA. They first spent some time n the South Pacific, before heading for the the USA. They among others visited New York.

August 3rd

Newspapers report that 22-year-old Inkosikati LaDube, 12th wife of King Mswati III of Swaziland, has been placed under house arrest at her mother-in-law’s home. She was allegedly caught by the police at the Royal Villas Hotel near Swaziland’s capital, Mbabane, with her married lover Ndumiso Mamba, minister of justice of Swaziland and a good friend of King Mswati III. The minister was jailed on the king’s orders. The King and his 12th wife have a three children together. LaDube denies the allegiations and says she is at her own palace and isn’t under house arrest. The king will return to Swaziland on Wednesday.

August 4th

The Spanish royal family have arrived at Mallorca last week for the annual Summer holidays. The Prince of Asturias and King Harald V of Norway are competing in the Copa del Rey yachting competition. Yesterday the Princess of Asturias was photographed together with her daughters Leonor and Sofía. Today they posed for the press together with the Prince of Asturias. Royal Portraits: 3 August

August 5th

On Monday three intruders broke into the grounds of Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, the home of the Duke of York, the police said today. A 43-year-old man was arrested. He is suspected of conspiracy to commit theft. The Duke, who inherited the lodge from his grandmother The Queen Mother, and his family were in Scotland at the time. Nothing was stolen.

The Duke of Parma has been admitted to hospital in Barcelona, Spain, on 2 August. He was threated there for prostate cancer in 2008. In a statement issued on the same day the Duke says that his fate is now in the hands of God, and that he is surrounded by his family and confidants. He explicitely mentions his eldest son Carlos as the future head of the family.

August 6th

The Danish Royal Court announced today that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark expect twins. They are expected to be born at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen in January 2011. The couple already has two children: Christian and Isabella.

The funeral service of Countess Ruth af Rosenborg took place today at Skovshoved Church. Among the mourners were Queen Margrethe II Denmark, Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway. PPE Pictures

Thieves have broke into the Chinese Pavilion in the gardens of the Drottningholm Palace on Thursday night. A police spokesman says it was a full-scale break in and an aggravated theft that took place just after security guards had made their rounds. They think it was a contract job. Guards arrived at the scene six minutes after the alarm went off, but the thieves had already left. Police arrived 14 minutes after the alarm went off. An unknown number of “old, beautiful Chinese objects” have been stolen, and according to the police it might not even be possible to put a value on these objects. Police is investigating an abandoned motor bike found in the nearby waterfront. The thieves might have left via the water in a boat.

Ndumiso Mamba, minister of justice of Swaziland, has resigned following allegiations that he is having an affair with Inkosikati LaDube, 12th wife of King Mswati III of Swaziland. He has agreed to step down so the allegiations could be investigated, prime minister Sibusiso Dlamini said in a statement.

August 7th

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her husband Alexander Johannsmann proudly presented their son at Berleburg Castle. The boy, who will be christened Konstantin Gustav Heinrich Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg-Johannsmann, will have the German and Danish nationality.

August 8th

The Sunday Telegraph reported that the debts of the Duchess of York have risen to almost £5 million. According to the newspaper at least one financial advisor to Buckingham Palace has recommended the Duchess a voluntary bankruptcy. The debts are both personal and business ones in Great Britain and the USA. A spokesman of the Duchess today said that the situation is being managed. All her personal debts are said to have been paid off. Some of the business debts are disputed, the spokesman said. Everything is being done to avoid bankruptcy.

August 9th

Prosecutors at the National Anti-Corrupt Unit in Sweden have received three complaints about the wedding gift of Bertil Hult to Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden. He lent the couple his private jet, yacht and house in Colorado for their honeymoon. One of the complaints say that the gift could be considered bribery as Crown Princess Victoria has officially attended several events hosted by Hults companies and charities. A spokesperson of the Royal Palace said the honeymoon was a private trip, and said that it was a present from an old friend of the family.

According to the Danish Palace and Properties Agency the newly-renovated Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen, attracted 479.624 visitors since its opening in February. The palace closed its doors on 8 August. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark are scheduled to move into the palace next month. But before they can move in, the agency said, some craftsmen have to do some work to the palace again. Some floors and walls have suffered from the many visitors.

August 11th

In a radio address on the occasion of her 78th birthday Queen Sirikit of Thailand said that the health of her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has “substantially improved”. The King has been in hospital in Bangkok since 19 September 2009. The Queen said: “Now his health has substantially improved but doctors still ask him to continue doing physical therapy so that he can move around with strength first before leaving the hospital.”

Count Christian Bernadotte and his wife Christine had their first child . Maximilian Benedikt was born on 10 August at 11.44am in Konstanz, Germany. He is 44 cm tall and weighed 2260 gramms.

Sharjah, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, mourns the death of Sheikha Maryam bint Ghanem bin Salim Al Shamsi, who passed away this afternoon aged 95. She was the mother of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The Sheikha was laid to rest at Al Jubail cemetery after prayers at the Ahmed ibn Hanbal mosque. A seven-day state of official mourning was declared.

August 13th

Hereditary Prince Maximilian and Hereditary Marissa zu Bentheim-Tecklenburg had their fourt child, Carl-Emil Maximilian Moritz-Casimir Arnold on 10 August at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus (hospital) in Lippstadt, Germany. He was 53 cm tall and weighed 3395 gramms. Mother and son left hospital today and Carl-Emil was presented to the press at the castle in Rheda-Wiedenbrück. His siblings Moritz, Louise and Amalia are very happy with their new brother.

August 14th

Princess Mako of Japan is flying back to Japan today after having attended a six-week summer programme at the Applied Language Centre at the University College of Dublin, Ireland. The princess attended workshops in English language, 20th-century Irish literature, drama and Irish history. She and her classmates also visited Glendalough, Newgrange, Dingle, Killarney and Belfast.

August 15th

The Princess Royal celebrated her 60th birthday today. On the occasion of the birthday two new official photographs were issued. They were taken by John Swannell. BBC made a documentary about her life and times, which was broadcasted both on 12 and 15 August.

A rainy Staatsfeiertag (national day) was celebrated today in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. After the traditional mass near the castle of Vaduz, there was a reception in the garden. Reigning Prince Hans Adam and his wife Marie, Hereditary Prince Alois and his wife Sophie and their three sons – their daughter seems to be absent – attended the celebrations. Hereditary Prince Alois held the traditional speech.

Two years after his terrible car accident his mother, former Queen Margarita, announced Crown Prince Kardam of Bulgaria will be transferred from Galicia to his home in Madrid on 1 September. She however said his condition remains very serious and that he is still unable to communicate with his relatives. The house in Madrid has been adapted to his situation.

August 16th

In a statement the Saudi Royal Court on Monday announced that Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia underwent a successfull spine surgery in the USA. The Prince, a brother of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, says he is enjoying good health. After recuperating he will return to Saudi Arabia. He has been the governor of the Riyadh region since 1962.

August 17th

Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia said today that Australia should become a republic after the death or abdication of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. She however added that Australia has a deep affection for Queen Elizabeth.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, today at 11am. She is expected to stay with her sister Jane Stephens in Hobart. On Saturday it is thought she will attend the 40th birthday party of her good friend Amber Petty in Adelaide. Media have been warned they face fines or jail according to new Tasmanian laws if they don’t respect the crown princess’s privacy.

Preparations for the wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik on 25 August are in full swing. Confirmed guests are Queen Margrethe II, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark. Also coming are Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme and Annemarie Gualthérie van Weezel have postponed their religious wedding, which was to take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 28 August. Reason is the very bad health of the groom’s father, the Duke of Parma. The Duke is in hospital in Barcelona since 2 August and his situation is said to be “very critical”. A new date isn’t known yet, but it is the wish of the Duke the marriage will take place in 2010. The couple married civilly on 12 June.

August 18th

According to a new book by author Tom Buk-Swientys, to be released later this month, King Christian IX of Denmark was prepared to offer Denmark to King Wilhelm I of Prussia in July 1864 to be able to keep the south Jutland regions of Schleswig and Holstein within Denmark. The author was allowed to research the private archives of the king with permission of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark.

The Duke of Parma and Piacenza, Prince Carlos Hugo de Bourbon de Parme, died at 8.00am in a hospital at Barcelona, Spain, aged 80. He died of cancer. His remains will be transfered to the “Koepel van Fagel” near Noordeinde Palace in The Hague, The Netherlands, on Friday. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will pay for the costs of the flight by Dutch government airplane. Afterwards he will be taken to Parma, Italy, where he will be buried in the family vault at the Basilica Magistrale Constantiniana della Steccata. A memorial service will take place later on in Madrid, Spain. A register for condolences will be placed later on at the family website. The Duke was born in Paris on 8 April 1930 as son of Prince Xavier de Bourbon de Parme, Duke of Parma and Piacenza and his wife Marie-Madeleine de Bourbon-Busset. In 1964 he married Princess Irene of the Netherlands, whom he divorced in 1981. The couple had four children: Carlos (* 1970), Margarita and Jaime (* 1972) and Carolina (* 1974). He furthermore had one granddaughter, Julia (* 2008), as well as an unrecognised grandson, Hugo (* 1997). King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Prince of Asturias sent telegramms to the family.

The Princes’ Foundation for the Advancement of Religious and National Consensus has gone to court to claim the ancestral lands of the Russian Rurik dynasty back, especially the Kremlin in Moscow. The foundation was founded in May 2009 by Valery Kubarev, who is a descendant of the Rurik dynasty. The Arbitrarion Court in Moscow said on Monday the case will be heard on 18 October.

August 19th

In the early afternoon Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway started her first school day at Jansløkka School in Asker. She was accompanied by her parents Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, her grandfather King Harald V of Norway and her grandmother Marit Tjessem. Ingrid Alexandra’s teacher will be Margrethe Setså Jensen. There are 21 other children in her class. Kongehuset: video and picturesRoyal Portraits Pictures

The Swedish royal court has published a list of the items stolen at the Kina Slott (Chinese pavilion) at Drottningholm on 6 August.

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa has been admitted to an hospital in Tokyo for treatment of his irregular heartbeat. The prince is a cousin of Emperor Akihito of Japan.

Countess Diana Bernadotte af Wisborg had her second child, a son, on 17 August at 3.13pm. The boy is called Eric Hagen Lennart, was 49 cm tall and weighed 3100 gramms. The name of the father remains unknown. By her former husband Bernd Grawe Countess Diana had a daughter, Paulina Marie, who is now six years old.

A requiem was held at the Tantario de Sant Gervasi in Barcelona on the occasion of the death of the Duke of Parma this evening. The coffin of the Duke was covered with the Spanish flag and the red Carlist beret of Prince Xavier, father of the deceased. The service was attended by the four children of the deceased, his daughter-in-law Princess Annemarie, and his three unmarried sisters, and almost 300 guests. After the service the new Duke of Parma, Prince Carlos, said that his father will be buried in a Benedictine habit and with the beret of his father in his hands. Memorial services will be held in September in Madrid and Tarragona, and in Barcelona in October.

August 20th

Anti-corruption prosecutors in Sweden have decided that Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden weren’t wrong in accepting free use during their honeymoon of the private jet, yacht and house of Swedish businessman Bertil Hult. In a written statement Chief Prosecutor Gunnar Stetler said today: “The Crown Princess has inherited her position and it would therefore not seem relevant to compare her duties to those of someone who had been elected or appointed to carry them out. There is no reason to believe that a crime subject to public prosecution has been committed. An investigation will therefore not be commenced.” There will be no investigation either into the conduct of Bertil Hult.

Prince Salman bin Abdelaziz of Saudi Arabia was discharged from a hospital in the USA, where he underwent spine surgery.

Former minister of justice of Swaziland, Ndumiso Mamba, is reported to have been rearrested to prevent him leaving Swaziland after he had transfering his money to a foreign bank. He is said to have been caught in bed with the 12th wife of King Mswati III of Swaziland. The news has been denied by the Swazi authorities.

The remains of the Duke of Parma were transferred from Spain to the Netherlands today. The coffin arrived at Palace Noordeinde on Friday afternoon. At the Koepel van Fagel in the garden of the palace family and friends can say goodbye to the Duke. The children and children-in-law of the Duke were accompanied by their aunt Princess Marie-Thérèse de Bourbon de Parme, Princess Irene of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands with her three sons and daughters-in-law, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven with their sons Maurits, Bernhard and Floris and their wifes, as well as by Princess Christina of the Netherlands. Around the coffin in the Koepel van Fagel were wreaths of his ex-wife and children with families, Queen Beatrix and her family, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain and Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and her family. On the coffin is a cushion with the Order of the Golden Fleece. In front of the coffin are the Grand Cross of the House Order of Orange, and the own order of the Dukes of Parma. On Monday the remains of the Duke will be transfered to Piacenza, where people can say goodbye on Tuesday at the S.Maria di Campagna church. On Thursday people can say goodbye in Parma.

August 21st

The Swedish royal family celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Bernadotte Dynasty in Örebro. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine arrived for lunch at Stjernsunds Slott in Askersund. They also attended a service in the Nicolai Church and visited two exhibitions about the Bernadottes at the Örebro läns museum. It was the first official engagement of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel since their wedding on 19 June. French Marshal Jean-Baptiste was chosen the Swedish heir to the throne on 21 August 2010 and took the name Karl Johan. He reigned Sweden from 1818 to 1844 as King Karl XIV Johan. PPE Pictures

August 22nd

The Dutch royal family was present at Sail Amsterdam in the past days. As patron of the event the Prince of Orange sailed in the SAIL-IN on the Clipper Stad Amsterdam on 19 August. Yesterday he took his wife Princess Máxima and the three daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane with him on the royal yacht De Groene Draeck. Today the Prince took off the parade of the fleet, accompanied by Queen Beatrix and Princess Máxima.

Christmas present from Queen Victoria to her personal servant John Brown sold for £23.400 at auction at Bonhams in Edinburgh on Thursday. A silver mounted claret jug engraved with “To J.B/Victoria 1872” sold for £14.300. An engraved teapot, a Christmas gift from 1876, was sold for £9.000. Also on sale were two personal tributes to John Brown, produced after his death in 1883, and some other items.

August 23rd

Pauline Ducruet, the eldest daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco, competeted at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore yesterday. She reached a tenth place in the preliminary rounds of the diving competition, and made it to the finals. She was cheered by her parents, her halfsister Camille, and her uncle reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco.

August 24th

On the occasion of tomorrow’s wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik a cocktail reception was held today at the Poseidonion Grace Hotel at Spetses Island, Greece. Getty Images: wedding rehearsalGetty Images: reception

August 25th

Prince Nikolaos of Greece married Tatiana Blatnik on the island of Spetses, Greece, this evening. Tatiana Blatnik arrived at the church of Aghios Nikolaos in a horse-drawn carriage together with her stepfather Attilio Brillembourg. She wore a dress in white lace designed by Angel Sánchez, a designer from Venezuela, with a long veil, held a tiara she lent from her mother-in-law Queen Anne-Marie. The groom arrived by boat from a nearby island. The Greek Orthodox service was led by Efraim, bishop of Hydra, Spetses, Aigina, Ermionida and Trizinia. The bride recently converted. The groom was attended by Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Boris Blatnik and Naso Thanopoulos. After the wedding ceremony a reception was held above Garifalo beach. The wedding was attended by the parents of the groom, his siblings Crown Prince Pavlos with his wife Marie-Chantal and children, Princess Alexia with her husband and children, Princess Theodora and Prince Philippos. The mother, stepfather and siblings of the bride also attended. Among the about 350 wedding guests were Queen Sofia of Spain, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Elena of Spain, Infanta Cristina of Spain and Iñaki Urdangarín, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Princess Irene of Greece, Empress Farah Pahlavi, Crown Prince Alexander and Prince Peter of Serbia. Pictures Royal PortraitsBBC Video

August 26th

The Basmanny Court in Moscow, Russia, has ordered prosecutors to reopen the investigation into the murder of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia and his family. The main investigative unit of the prosecutor general had said earlier this year that they had closed the investigation because too much time had elapsed since the murder and because everybody who was involved had surely died. The Basmanny Court however says that a ruling by the Supreme Court in which the state was blamed for the killings, made the death of the killers irrelevant.

August 27th

Ana Batis, mother of Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, passed away in Athens, Greece, last night. She had been seriously ill for over two months. The private funeral will be held in Athens. She is survived by her husband Robert Batis, her daughters Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia and Betty Roumeliotis, as well as by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

August 28th

Prince Nikolai of Denmark today celebrated his 11th birthday. Several nice pictures were issued by the Danish royal court. PPE Pictures

The Duke of Parma was buried in the family crypt at the Basilica Magistrale Santa Maria della Steccata in Parma today. The mass was celebrated by the bishops of Parma, Piacenza and Fidenza and the former bishop of Rotterdam, Monseigneur Philippe Bär. The Dutch royal family was represented by the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, Prince Maurits, Prince Bernhard, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita, Prince Floris and Princess Aimée. Also Princess Irene of the Netherlands, former wife of the deceased, attended. Among the other guests were Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Archduchess Monika of Austria, Archduke Martin of Austria-Este, Fürst Löwenstein and Fürst Isenburg. After the mass the eldest son of the deceased, Prince Carlos, was installed as the new Grand Master of the Constantinian Order of Saint George and as Duke of Parma. Pictures Royal Press EuropeRoyal Blog video

August 29th

King Albert II of the Belgians this weekend commemorated the death of his mother Queen Astrid for 75 years in a car-accident at Küssnacht, Switzerland. On Saturday he attended a mass in the Queen Astrid Chapel in Briquemont, Belgium. On Sunday he headed for Küssnacht, where he laid a wreath on the place where the accident happened. He also attended a mass at the Astrid Chapel there.

August 31st

Prince Tomohito of Mikasa left hospital today. He was admitted to the hospital in Tokyo earlier this month. He underwent treatment for an irregular heartbeat.

September 1st

Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium took their children back to the Sint Jan Berchmansschool today for their first school day of the year. Princess Laetitia Maria of Belgium was taken to school by her nanny, as her parents were in England, where her elder sister Luisa Maria attends school this year. Pictures Royal Portraits

September 4th

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended Breda Hippique today. To the surprise of everyone she had taken her granddaughters Princess Amalia and Princess Ariane with her. The family enjoyed the horse event very much. Pictures Royal Press Europe

September 6th

Luis (Louis) and Alfonso (Alphonse), the twin sons of Luis Alfonso de Borbón, Duke of Anjou and his wife Maria Margarita were christened yesterday at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican in a private ceremony. The location was chosen because of the bad health of the paternal great-grandmother of the children, who lives in Rome. The godparents of Luis were Arancha Martínez-Bordíu and Francisco D’Agostino. The godparents of Alfonso were Amparo Corell de Trenor baroness de Alacuas and Lorenzo Perales.

Princess Aiko of Japan didn’t attend the opening ceremony of the second semester at Gakushuin Primary School today. While the ceremony was held she and her mother Crown Princess Masako waited in a classroom. The 8-year-old princess did attend part of her classes, but left halfway the morning with her mother.

Prince Hisahito of Japan celebrated his fourth birthday today. The only grandson of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attends the kindergarten linked with Ochanomizu University in Tokyo. The little prince likes to ride on his bicycle with training weels. On the occasion of his birthday Hisahito and his mother Princess Kiko visited the imperial couple at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

September 8th

The religious wedding of Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme, Duke of Parma, and Annemarie Gualthérie van Weezel will take place on 20 November 2010 in Brussels, Belgium, the family officially announced today. The civil marriage took place on 12 June. The religious wedding was to take place on 28 August, but had to be postponed when the father of the groom died on 18 August. It was his wish that the wedding would take place in 2010.

September 9th

On invitation of President Aníbal António Cavaco Silva Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg paid a state visit to Portugal from 7 to 9 September. The couple visited Lissabon, Cascais and Coimbra.

The Imperial Household Agency said yesterday that Empress Michiko of Japan will be treated with medication for a cough-variant asthma for two or three months. Doctors try to prevent that the coughing develops in bronchial asthma. She will continue carrying out official duties.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has pardoned the Jordanian student Hatim al-Shuli, who had been arrested for insulting the monarch. Charges of lese majeste against the student and 18 other people were also cancelled on orders of the King. They were arrested on 25 July and charged with lese majeste and causing national strife over a poem that criticised the King. Al-Shuli denied having written the poem.

September 10th

On the occasion of Princess (Fürstin) Marie of Liechtenstein’s name day on September 12th, she received about 336 schoolchildren from Eschen-Nendeln at the garden of Vaduz Castle today. The children sang a song about the four seasons, and told a story about a king, who had forgotten time. At the end of the reception the children received sweets and were allowed to have a look in the castle.

September 11th

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands visited the 50th fruit pageant in Tiel, The Netherlands. Unannounced they also brought their daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane with them. The little princesses especially enjoyed the children’s parade, waved and danced on the music. They were also presented apples. Pictures: Royal Press Europe

Comte Axel de Chavagnac married Duchess Tatjana von Oldenburg at the chapel of the castle church of Eutin Castle today. The oecumenical wedding service was led by the Revd. Horst Dreyer and chaplain Oliver Meik. Among the guests were Lady Nicholas Windsor with her youngest son, Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and Count Konstantin von Schönborn.

September 13th

In an interview in the newspaper Stavanger Aftenbladet Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has said that “it’s not difficult to come in contact with the dead, in the same way with angels. We can also make contact whenever we want, when we want to.” Especially bishops and religious experts in Norway, but also politicians, think that the princes’s claims are not good for the image of the Norwegian royal family.

After a year full of succession quarrels 41-year-old Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra has been declared the 29th Sultan of Kelantan today just after noon during a ceremony at the Istana Balai Besar. He was appointed the new successor of his father, Sultan Ismail Petra, who has been ill for quite some time. The new sultan was already the regent. Kelantan is one of the Malaysian sultanates.

September 14th

A fire has destroyed the wooden church that was built on the site near Yekaterinburg where the remains of Tsar Nikolaj II of Russia and his family were found. The firefighters managed to stop the fire spreading to other parts of the Ganina Yama monastery, that was founded in 2000.

September 15th

The Zarzuela Palace announced that the household budget of the Spanish royal family will be reduced in 2011. Exact figures wil become known later this month, but the budget might be reduced with 9%. The budget of the royal palace for 2010, 8,9 million euros, was already frozen at the level of 2009.

Infanta Sofía of Spain started her first schoolday today at the Santa Maria de Los Rosales college in Madrid. She was joined by her parents and her elder sister Leonor. PPE Pictures

September 16th

The French newspaper Nice-Matin says that reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco told journalists during a reception at the palace on Wednesday evening that the civil wedding of him and Charlene Wittstock will take place at the princely palace on Friday 1 July 2011. The religious wedding is said to take place on Saturday 2 July 2011 in the open air at the square in front of the palace. This way they want to host as many guests as possible. The mentioned dates, if not a mistake of the newspaper, would however mean another change in wedding dates. According to the latest palace information the wedding is to take place on Saturday 2 July 2011 and Sunday 3 July 2011.

Fürst Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern died at his country house near Sigmaringen, Germany, early this morning, aged 86. The funeral will take place at the Hedinger Church in Sigmaringen on 23 September 2010. After the service he will be buried in a niche in the cloister of the church. Books of condolences can be signed at the Wilhelmsbau in Sigmaringen on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday the public can say goodbye at the church. The Fürst was born at Umkirch Castle on 3 February 1924 as son of Fürst Friedrich von Hohenzollern, whom he succeeded in 1965, and Princess Margarethe of Saxony. He married in 1951 Princess Margarita von Leiningen, who died in 1996. They had three children: Karl Friedrich, Albrecht and Ferdinand, who survive him, as well as nine grandchildren.

Hereditary Prince Christian zu Fürstenberg married civilly Jeannette Griesel in the garden of Donaueschingen Castle, Germany. Witness for the groom was his brother Prince Antonius. Only close family attended the wedding. After the reception the couple rode through Donaueschingen in a carriage in the hippic festival parade. Video and picture galleries

September 17th

Prince William of Wales graduated today from his Search and Rescue training course at the Royal Air Force Valley in Anglesey, Wales. Flight Lieutenant Wales will be presented with a graduation certificate and SAR Force badge by the Group Captain at RAF Valley along with six fellow students. The Prince will also receive his Squadron badge from the Officer Commanding 22 Squadron. He will stay in Anglesey and join C Flight of Number 22 Squadron as a fully qualified and fully operational Search and Rescue pilot flying the Sea King helicopter. He will begin his operational service as co-pilot as part of a four-person crew.

Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark paid a visit to Brazil, starting on 12 September. They were in São Paulo, Curitibia, Rio de Janeiro, Manus and Amazonas. They visited several companies and UNESCO projects. Princess Marie told the press that their son Prince Henrik unfortunately took his first steps at home in Denmark when they were on the plane to Brazil. Happily the nanny sent the parents a video.

The wedding banquet of Prince Faisal bin Hussein of Jordan and Sara Kabbani was held yesterday evening at the Aqaba palace. The contract of marriage was already signed on 24 May. Among the guests were King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan.

September 18th

Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia celebrate his 25th anniversary this weekend with family and friends at the royal palace in Belgrade. On the programme were two gala dinners and a visit to Belgrade and the two royal palaces in the city. Among the guests are family members and friends, including King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, King Simeon and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, King Michael of Romania, Crown Princess Margarita and Prince Radu of Romania, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxemburg, Prince Philipp and Princess Isabelle of Liechtenstein, Princess Désirée baroness Silfverschiöld and baron Niclas Silfverschiöld. Official pictures

Prince Hubertus zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg married baroness Iris von Dörnberg at the Walpurgis Church in Alsfeld, Germany, today. The civil wedding took place at Alsfeld on Friday. Among the guests were members of the families Habsburg, Oettingen-Wallerstein, Ysenburg und Büdingen, Kuefstein as well as Lady Nicholas Windsor with her two sons.

September 19th

Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana Princess of Wales, and his fiancée Lady Bianca Eliot have split up. They were to get married later this month. His lawyers said: “We can confirm Earl Spencer and Lady Eliot are no longer engaged, and that they remain good friends despite the end of their engagement some time ago.” The couple had been together for about two years.

September 20th

A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was unveiled this evening at the National Portrait Gallery in London. On the new portrait she wears a lightblue dress and the diamond necklace and earrings she wore for her Coronation. The portrait was made by artist Isobel Peachey. It will go on display on the new Cunard cruise ship Queen Elizabeth, that will be named by the Queen on 11 October.

Within the coming years Prince Floris and Princess Aimée van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven and their daughters will move to a house at the estate De Horsten near Wassenaar, The Netherlands. Also Tjalling ten Cate has bought a house there together with his mother-in-law Princess Irene of the Netherlands. He will move there with his wife Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme and daughter Julia. Both houses need to be renovated first, and are located near Villa De Eikenhorst where the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and their three daughters live.

September 21st

A 29-year-old man was arrested by the police, because he threw a heavy glass candle holder at the Golden Coach during its journey from Palace Noordeinde to the Ridderzaal (knight’s hall) in The Hague, The Netherlands. The carriage carried Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands to the opening of the parliamentary year (Prinsjesdag). The family continued their journey. After the Queen delivered her speech to the throne Queen Beatrix, the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven appeared on the balcony of Palace Noordeinde, cheered by thousands of people. Royal Portraits: Prinsjesdag

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and their children Christian and Isabella attended the opening ceremony of the newly restored Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen.

September 24th

President of the Montenegran parliament, Mr Ranko Krivokapic has declared in the Montenegranmedia that he wants to start a direct mediation process with Crown Prince Nicolas Petrovitch Njegosh of Montenegro. He wants to try to solve disagreements on the question of the status of the descendants of the House Petrovic Njegosh. On 29 July the Montenegran government adopted a 13-article normative draft law on their status. Proposed was to return to Crown Prince Nicolas a full and entire place in the societal landscape, nationally and internationally, as the guardian of the dynastic tradition and customs of the Nation.

September 25th

The Dutch royal family has opened its own Twitter account today. The Royal Family will use Twitter to inform of its activities in the Netherlands and abroad. They will also draw attention to new information added to the Royal Family’s website and announce new videos uploaded on the family’s YouTube channel.

September 26th

Catherine Walker, one of the favourite fashion designers of the late Diana Princess of Wales, died of cancer on Thursday, aged 65. The Princess was burried in a black dress designed by Catherine Walker. Catherine Walker also designed the wedding dress of Lady Helen Taylor.

The Tongan royal residence at Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand, is up for sale at real estate agency Bayleys. Both the agency and the Tongan government refuse to comment.

September 27th

The royal palace in Amman announced today that Queen Rania of Jordan underwent successfull treatment for an irregular heart beat in a hospital in New York. The palace said: “The procedure is a catheterisation through a vein to the heart. It is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms, or premature ventricular contractions, which is a common condition.” They said that Queen Rania is doing well, and will stay in hospital for two nights. She is expected to fly back to Jordan later this week.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, has lead the team of the United Arab Emirates to the team gold in the 160 kilometers endurance event during the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA. The other team members were Dubai’s crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum and Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the silver medal in the individual competition, while his son Sheikh Hamdan won the bronze medal on Sunday.

September 28th

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden arrived in France on Sunday for their first official foreign trip together. They are to retrace the footsteps of the French marshall Jean Baptiste Bernardotte, who in 1818 became King Karl XIV Johan of Sweden. On Sunday they attended a reception at the Swedish Institute in Paris. On Monday they toured the Domaine de la Grange at Savigny-le-Temple, south of Paris, and a chocolate factory in Sceaux. They travelled to Bernadotte’s place of birth, Pau, on Tuesday. In the evening they met with President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris. Royal Portraits: Paris on MondayRoyal Court: Visit to Pau

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark paid an official visit to the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. They visited the towns of Stralsund and Schwerin on Monday. Rostock, Warnemünde and Güstrow were visited today. The couple was cheered everywhere. PPE: SchwerinPPE: Güstrow

September 29th

When Crown Prince Haakon of Norway held a speech about the importance of renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions at Lillestrøm, his chauffeur left the motor of his car running for as long as 90 minutes. The Norwegian Royal Palace apologised for the incident on Tuesday.

September 30th

According to the Spanish royal court King Juan Carlos of Spain is totally recovered from the lung surgery he underwent last May. According to the court he doesn’t need any more revisions. In the last months he has slowly taken up his duties again.

King Abdullah II of Jordan greeted his wife Queen Rania at the airport of Amman today. She was treated for abnormal heart rhythms at a hospital in New York a few days ago. On her Twitter page she thanked everybody for their messages yesterday. She furthermore said: A few more days for recovery and hopefully my heart will be beating even more forcefully for those I serve and love.

Crown Princess Sarah of Brunei received her bachelor of arts in public policy and administration yesterday at the university of Brunei Darussalam from her father-in-law the Sultan of Brunei. She also received a silver medal and the Book prize, for scoring the highest grades in her course.

Today Muhammad V, the new Sultan of Kelantan, Malasyia, has stripped his younger brother Tengku Muhammad Pakhry Petra of his royal title “Tengku Temenggong” and two royal awards immediately.

October 1st

Queen Sirikit of Thailand was admitted to the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok late last night. Her husband King Bhumibol Adulyadej, himself hospitalised since September 2009, visited his wife on Friday evening. Her condition remains unknown.

Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of Louis, Earl Mountbatten of Burma has signed up to write her memoirs. The rights of the memoirs have been bought by publisher Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

October 2nd

King Harald V of Norway opened the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) today. The King read the speech from the throne, that present the main features of the political plans of the government for the coming year. The ceremony was also attended by Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon.

An Egyptian team of archaeologists have unearthed the upper part of a granite double statue of Pharaoh Amenhotep III at Kom El-Hittan, in the west bank of Luxor. The statue is said to depict the pharaoh seated on a throne, accompanied by the God Amun.

October 3rd

Queen Sirikit of Thailand was discharged from hospital today. According to a statement by the Royal Household Bureau on Saturday Queen Sirikit of Thailand was admitted to hospital on Thursday evening with symptoms of an irregular heart beat. The Bureau says that a team of royal physicians treated her with high frequency radio waves. The Queen’s heart beat returned to normal in the night from Friday to Saturday.

Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg competed at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA, this week. She and her horse Digby ended up in 7th place at the dressage Grand Prix Freestyle and the Grand Prix Special. The Danish team ended in 5th place.

Prince Albert von Thurn und Taxis and his racing partner Peter Kox managed to secure their victory at the ADAC GT Masters today. With one more car race to go, they can’t be beaten anymore.

October 4th

Cultural heritage officials in Shaanxi Province, China, said today, that a grand palace museum incorporating the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang (221-206 BC) and his terracotta army will open to visitors on Friday. The terracotta army museum has been open since 1979, however the 200 hectares park built on the ruins of the mausoleum will be open for the first time.

October 5th

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden opened the Swedish parliament (Riksdag) today with a speech. In the speech he refered to the 200th annivesrary of the Riksdag in 1810, in which Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was chosen the Crown Prince of Sweden. He also refered to the marriage of his daughter Crown Princess Victoria to Prince Daniel. Royalcourt.se: Opening of parliament

Today also the Danish Parliament (Folketing) was opened again. The opening was attended by Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim, Princess Marie and Princess Benedikte. Pictures PPE

Prince William of Wales took part in his first rescue mission on Saturday. He was the co-pilot on the four-man crew that flew out to pick up a crewman on an offshore gas rig and fly him to the helicopter landing site, from where the man was transfered to hospital by ambulance. Clarence House reported: “He is pleased finally to be able to contribute to the life-saving work of the Search and Rescue Force.”

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono cancelled his state visit to The Netherlands shortly before he was to board the airplane. The decision comes after the Moluccan government-in- exile, with seat in the Netherlands, demanded the arrest of the president for alleged human rights violations. It would have been the first state visit to the Netherlands in fourty years by an Indonesian president. Until 1949 the country was a colony of the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially invited the president four years ago.

Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud of Saudi Arabia was on trial at the Old Bailey in London today. He has admitted manslaughter, but has denied he murdered his servant Bandar Abdulaziz at the Landmark Hotel in London on 15 February. The Prince also says he didn’t cause grievous bodily harm with intent. The court was told the beating of the servant had a sexual element. The prince denies he was in a gay relationship with the victim.

A riding whip of Empress Elisabeth “Sisi” of Austria fetched € 37.000 at auction at Slane Castle in Co Meath, Ireland today. The whip, decorated with a silver band bearing the imperial crest of Austria, was presented to Captain Robert Fowler, master of the Meath Hunt, in 1879. At that point the Empress was visiting Co Meath. The family only discovered the whip in the attic a few months ago and put it up for auction.

October 7th

The Olympic Park Legacy Company said today that the Olympic Park of London, that will be used for the Olympic Games of 2012, will be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park after the games. The name will take effet as soon as the park reopens to the public in 2013. The change has been approved by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, as well as by the International Olympic Committeee and the British Olympic Association.

October 8th

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is to become a member of the Foundation Board of the Young Global Leaders. He has been an active member since 2005, and his term ended this year. YGL is a public interest, not-for-profit and independent organization of young global leaders from culture, faith, politics, business, academia, media and society at large.

The Imperial Household Agency announced today that they are promoting a project to digitalize about 30.000 old photographs. Most of the pictures were taken during the Meiji period (1868-1912). Emperor Meiji is the great-grandfather of the present Emperor Akihito. Many of the pictures show landscapes, taken during provincial visits by the emperor. The agency plans to release the digitalized pictures to the public through the internet.

Today former Crown Princess Himani of Nepal presented her own non-profit charitable organisation pledged to social service. The Himani Trust was inaugurated today by former King Gyanendra of Nepal. The seven-member board includes the Crown Princess, Princess Prerana Shah, and Sheetashma Shah, Pooja Shah and Dilasha Rana, who are the daughters of the late Prince Dhirendra. The trust will work in the areas of welfare of children, youth, women and the elderly, and will also focus on health, education, employement and developmental work.

October 9th

The Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands visited the island Curacao today. They attended the very last meeting of the states of the Dutch Antillen Islands and the ceremony of abolition of the islands as of 10 October 2010. Like the Antillen island Aruba, the islands Curacao and Sint Maarten will become independent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba become part of the Dutch state. The princely couple took the opportunity to visit two projects of their Oranje Fonds and opened an art exhibition.

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand underwent a thyroid gland operation at the Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on Friday night. She had been admitted to the hospital last Sunday. She is recuperating well, the Bureau of the Royal Household said.

October 10th

Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg visited the Expo 2010 at Shanghai, China, today. Of course he visited the Luxemburg pavilion, but he also visited the pavilions of Vietnam, Thailand, Norway and Angola. He also participated in the start of the Luxemburg trade mission to China.

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand has left the Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital today after a successful thyroid gland surgery. According to her medical team, her condition has returned to normal without complications. The princess returned to the Siriraj Hospital, where her father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej receives treatment since 19 September 2009.

Former Queen Mother Ratna Rajya Devi Shah, widow of King Mahendra of Nepal, was admitted to hospital. On Sunday she underwent surgery of one of her legs at the Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. Family members visited her there.

October 12th

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Iñaki Urdangarín attended the military parade on the occasion of national day in Madrid. At the start of the parade a tribute was paid to the military and security personnel who died in the line of duty over the past year. The King and prime minister placed a wreath to pay hommage to them in presence of relatives.

Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan has announced his nomination for the position of vice president of the FIFA as a representative for Asia. He is currently the president of the Jordan Football Association.

October 13th

Princess Beatrice of York was driving her BMW on Monday when it was sandwiched between a bus and a tourist coach at Hyde Park Corner. A police bodyguard was sitting beside her in the car. The BMW suffered damage to the driver’s side. Nobody was injured according to Scotland Yard.

Princess Caroline of Monaco has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights today. She wants to stop photos of her being published in German magazines without her consent. The German magazines Frau im Spiegel and Frau Aktuell published pictures of her and her husband Prince Ernst August von Hannover on holiday in Sankt Moritz, Switzerland, in the period 2002-2004. The magazines’ lawyers say that Princess Caroline is an heir to the Monegasque throne, and therefore a public figure. They say the pictures could have contributed to a public debate about the health of the princess’s father Prince Rainier III and the future of the principality of Monaco. Princess Caroline’s lawyer Matthias Prinz says the magazines don’t respect her privacy. A ruling is expected in a few months time. A German court in 2008 ruled that the pictures were a “subject of general interest”.

October 14th

From 11 to 14 October Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden paid a visit to China. The couple however already arrived one day earlier and paid a visit to the Great Wall where they romantically posed for the press. On Monday the couple visited the Summer Palace of the Chinese Emperors in Beijing. Crown Princess Victoria also opened the exhibition “Swedish Fashion-Exploring a New Identity” at the Swedish Institute in Beijing. On 12 October they continued their trip at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The crown princess couple visited the Swedish pavilion, as well as other pavilions. They also attended the opening of a forum on health and healthcare issues and the exhibition “Virtual Autopsy Table”.

The newest book by the Prince of Wales, Harmony, will be published by the commercial imprint Blue Door. The book, which is accompanied by a film, was written together with Tony Juniper and Ian Skelly. In the book the Prince of Wales gives his personal view on how people can live sustainability to protect the long-term future of our planet.

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has cancelled the Christmas party for the 600 members of the Royal Household in December. The Queen usually pays for the party at Buckingham Palace every two years. Reason for the decision are the difficult circumstances facing the country. A spokesperson said: ” It was decided it was appropriate for the Royal Household to show restraint.”

Four months after the elections Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands could finally receive the new Dutch government at Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.

October 15th

On the occasion of the fifth birthday of Prince Christian of Denmark today, several nice black and white pictures were released. They were taken by photographer Franne Voigt.

Princess Marie of Denmark will have a new lady-in-waiting and private secretary starting on 1 November. Marianne Engel will be replaced by Britt Siesbye.

October 18th

Today at 2pm Tengku Muhammad Fa-iz Petra ibin Sultan Ismail Petra was appointed the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan and heir to the throne of Kelantan with immediate effect. He was presented the letter of appointment in a ceremony at the Istana Negeri in Kubang Kerian. The new Crown Prince was born at Istana Kota Lama on 20 June 1974 as second of four children of the former Sultan. He is the younger brother of the present Sultan of Kelantan, Muhammad V.

October 19th

In a Sky 1 documentary about his visit to Botswana earlier this year, Prince William of Wales says that is heart is in the Army. He declaired that he remains determined to fight on the frontline in Afghanistan, following the footsteps of his brother Prince Harry. He said: “There are some slightly valid arguments as to why not, but many of them are hyped up as to why I couldn’t go. I still have hope and faith and a real determination to go out there.”

A selection of wedding gifts received by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden on the occasion of their wedding on 19 June were going on display in the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace in Stockholm today. The exhibition will be open to the public until 30 December 2010.

The Belgian royal court has denied rumours that King Albert II had plans to abdicate in December and hand over the throne to his eldest son Prince Philippe.

The new palace “Istana Negara” of the King of Malaysia is to cost 258 million dollars, Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor told the Parliament on Monday. The palace that is being built on a hilltop at Kuala Lumpur is expected to be completed on 30 June 2011. The current residence of the king is a colonial mansion.

Two members of the royal family of Kuwait have been called by prosecutors in the country for questioning in connection with a mob attack on Scope TV, a private television station. The TV-station is accusing Sheikh Faisal al-Malik al-Sabah and his brother of being among the crowd that stormed the offices of the station on Sunday armed with knives and pistols. The people were angry about a talk show on Saturday in which some members of the royal family had been insulted. According to the lawyer of the two princess Sheikh Faisal was only there to calm the crowd. His brother wasn’t involved, the lawyer says.

October 20th

British Chancellor George Osborne announced that from 2013 the system of grants and Civil List funding of the British royal family will be replaced by an all-in-one payment called the Sovereigh Support Grant. That Grant will be entirely funded from the Crown Estate. The spending of the Royal Household will be cut by 14%, which means that the costs of royal travel and the upkeep of the royal palaces will be reduced. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was consulted during the negotiations.

Buckingham Palace has had its best summer opening in more than 15 years. The palace welcomed 413.000 visitors during its eight-week opening.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden attended the celebrations in Helsingborg to mark the fact that today it was 200 years ago that Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte arrived in Sweden. The new heir to the Swedish throne arrived at Helsingborg on 20 October 1810. The Swedish royal family first travelled to Helsingør in Denmark where they met with Queen Margrethe II and Princess Benedikte of Denmark. It was there that Jean Baptiste Bernadotte converted to Lutheranism and took the boat to Helsingborg, Sweden. Like Jean Baptiste Bernadotte the Danish and Swedish royals took the boat to Helsingborg to continue the celebrations. Also Countess Gunilla Bernadotte was present. In his speech in Helsingborg King Carl XVI Gustaf said: “Helsingborg, where Karl Johan first stepped ashore, has become an important place to the Bernadottes. King Oscar II and Queen Sofia built their summer residence Sofiero here in the mid-1860s.” The royals opened a Bernadotte exhibition and attended a commemorative banquet.

Empress Michiko of Japan celebrated her 76th birthday today. On that occasion she answered some media questions yesterday. The Empress said: “I myself have been blessed with relatively good health, but in the last few years I feel I have become a lot slower at doing things. I also often experience symptoms that seem to be caused by ageing, such as not being able to find what I am looking for. I find these incidents amusing at times, but I also feel a bit helpless.” She also expressed her concern about the Crown Princely family: “As the Crown Prince’s family is now experiencing difficulties related to health and schooling, all of us in the family are watching over them with concern.”.

Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud of Saudi Arabia was jailed for at least 20 years today for murdering his servant Bandar Abdulaziz in the Landmark Hotel in London on 15 February 2010. Yesterday the jury found him guilty of murder and of causing grievous bodily harm.

October 22nd

Queen Editha of Saxony née Princess Eadgyth of Wessex was reburied today at the cathedral of Magdeburg, Germany. Her remains have been placed in a new titanium coffin. Her coffin was discovered under the floor of the lutheran church in Magdeburg for two years. Tests on the bones and teeth have confirmed her identity. Only about 40 bones were left in the coffin according to scientists. From her skull almost nothing is left. Eadgyth (910-946) was a granddaughter of King Alfred the Great of Wessex and married King Otto the Great of Saxony.

October 23rd

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel from 21 to 23 October visited their Duchy Västergötland. They visited several towns and villages.

Princess Haya bint al Hussein of Jordan, wife of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai, has announced that she plans to stand for a second term as president of the Federation Equestre Internationale. She presented several new ideas. She said: “It has been a great privilege to serve as President of the FEI for the past four years, and I would be honoured to have the opportunity to consolidate the gains and the progress we have made in a second and final term.”

Prince Sixte-Henri de Bourbon de Parme and a defence group of the Palace of Versailles, France, have protested against an exhibition at the palace of the Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami. The exhibition opened on 14 September. The prince is in defence of respecting the chateau and its ancestors. In 2008 Prince Charles-Emmanuel de Bourbon de Parme lost his request to bann an exhibition of US artist Jeff Koons.

October 24th

In the spring archaeologists of the University of Oslo can begin to excavate the site of the estate of Harald the Ruthless, a Norwegian viking king who ruled from 1045 to 1066 and half-brother of Saint Olav. The foundations were found at Avaldsnes in the Summer of 2006 after years of searching. The excavation plans are approved by the Central Office of Historic Monuments now.

Duchess Beatrix von Oldenburg married Sven von Storch yesterday in an oecumenical service in the chapel of the Castle in Eutin, Germany. A wedding reception took place at the castle afterwards. The civil wedding took place in the castle on Friday. The wedding was attended by members of both families.

October 25th

Princess Irmingard of Bavaria died on Saturday at Leutstetten Castle, Germany, aged 87. The private funeral is to take place at Andechs Monastery on Friday, followed by the burial in the family cemetery. A memorial service will take place at the Theatiner Church in München on 4 November 2010. She was born on 29 May 1923 as daughter of Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria and his second wife Princess Antonia of Luxemburg. She was married to her cousin Prince Ludwig of Bavaria who died two years ago. The couple had one son, Luitpold, who is married and has five children.

October 27th

Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, died at Ras Al Khaimah at dawn this morning. Sources say he was either born in 1918 or 1920 as son of Sheikh Mohammad bin Salim Al Qasimi. Funeral prayers will be held today at Ras Al Khaimah Eid Musalla. Seven days of mourning have been announced. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. He was the eldest monarch in the world and ruled the emirate already since 12 February 1948. His son Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi was appointed the new ruler today.

October 31st

In an interview with Tatler magazine Charlene Wittstock, fiancée of reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, has admitted she has only made two friends since she moved to Monaco. She said: “The people I mixed with in Monaco didn’t relate to my South African mentality or humour. Of course I’ve been subject to jealousy, but that comes with the territory. Although I have met some wonderful people since I’ve been living in Monaco, I regard them all as acquaintances. I only have two people I consider friends here.” She also confessed not knowing much about fashion when she started to appear with Prince Albert in public.

Prince Philip of Serbia and his girlfriend Lucy Attwood ran the Athens Marathon 2010 today on the 2500th anniversary of the battle of Marathon. They participated in the marathon to raise funds and sponsors for Lifeline Hellas Humanitarian Organization, whose patron is Crown Princess Katherine, to help children with disabilities in Greece and Serbia.

November 2nd

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel paid a two-day official visit to Finland. The couple were received by President Tarja Halonen and Dr Pentti Arajärvi and in the evening attended a dinner at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Yesterday the couple visited Lahti, today the day was spent in Helsinki.

A survey by Economic and Sociological Analysis Political says that 57% of the Spanish people is in favour of the parliamentary monarchy Spain is today. 26% prefers a republic, and 6% a presidency. 84% of the Spanish people thinks that the succession to the throne is guaranteed at the moment, while 8% thinks the monarchy will end after the death of King Juan Carlos. 41% thinks that the king is important for the functioning of the democracy, while 22% thinks his role is even very important. 33% thinks his role is not very important or not important at all.

November 3rd

Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her co-writer Elisabeth Samnøy presented the Dutch version of their book about angels, “Ontdek je beschermengel” (Meet your Guardian Angel), at Schiphol Plaza today. In the coming days they will also present the book in Belgium. Royal Portraits: Princess Märtha Louise at Schiphol

November 4th

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway have announced they will take a two-month break from official duties. From late November to January the couple and their three children will make an “educational trip”. The children will follow an educational programme from afar. Crown Prince Haakon said: “We want to be together as a family, and use time as a family. We want to show our children a bit of the world, that there are many different cultures and many ways of living.” It is not clear where the family will travel. Crown Prince Haakon said: “We hope we can experience exciting things together.” He added that his parents are positively inclined to the trip.

A new biography on King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden causes controversy in Sweden. The book “Carl XVI Gustaf-Den motvillige monarken” (The reluctant monarch) among others tells about many private parties at Club Power, run by a gangster, in the early 1990s. It also says that the King had a love affair with singer Camilla Henemark in the late 1990s with the knowledge of Queen Silvia. The book is written by authors Thomas Sjöberg, Tove Meyer and Deanne Rauscher. According to a survey by SVT television only about 25% of the Swedes think that journalists have the right to dig up scandals in the private life of the king, while 50% thinks it is not right to do so. In a press conference following the annual elk hunt King Carl XVI Gustaf said today that he had read some newspaper articles about the book, however he said: “The book came to us quite late yesterday afternoon and I have not had time to read it yet. I can not review a book that I have not yet read. I have seen a number of the headlines that have not been so nice. I have spoken to my family and the Queen. We will turn the page and go on now because as I understand it, this is about things that happened a long time ago.”

November 5th

Princess Haya bint Hussein of Jordan was re-elected as president of the Federation Equestre Internationale today, during the general assembly of the FEI in Taipei. She won with 90 votes of a total of 124 valid ballots. Princess Haya said: “Thank you so much for your confidence and trust. I promise that I won’t let you down.”

The upper part of a red granite double statue of Pharaoh Amenhotep III of Egypt with the falcon-headed sun god Re-Horakhti was found today during a routine excavation on the north western side of his funeral temple in Luxor.

November 8th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has officially joined the social networking site Facebook this morning. The official Facebook-page for the British Monarchy will only contain official news and engagements. It will also feature images, videos and speeches. The Monarchy already had a Flickr account as well as a Twitter-site and a YouTube channel. The creation of the Facebook page is a collaboration between Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and the Royal Collection. Already more than 40.000 people “liked” the Facebook site in the first hour of its existence.

November 9th

Former King Simeon of Bulgaria and his sister Princess Maria Luisa are trying to recover nearly 1500 decares of agricultural land near the royal palace of Vrana. At the end of 2009 the Bulgarian parliament froze the rights of the family to lands in the Rila mountains, saying the family had been granted more land than the family had actually once owned. The family is now trying to overturn the ban. Three witnesses were heard in court in Sofia today. The next hearing is scheduled for 26 April 2011.

November 10th

King Harald V of Norway has put his sailboat Fram XVI up for sale at Farr Yacht Sales in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. The boat was built in New Zealand in 2006. The asking price is 500.000 Euro.

A British couple has appeared in court in New York today. They are being accused of stealing £4.3 million from Prince Jefri Bolkiah, brother of the Sultan of Brunei. They are said to have bought property for themselves in California and New York with money of the prince. The couple worked for the prince between 2004 and 2006, and had been given authority over several companies and the prince’s legal affairs. The couple, both lawyers, are counter-suing the prince for £7.4 million, as they say he didn’t pay them what they were owed when they were fired.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York wants to return 19 items found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun to Egypt in June 2011. The museum said in a statement: “These objects were never meant to have left Egypt, and therefore should rightfully belong to the government of Egypt.” The chief archaeologist of Egypt, Mr Zahi Hawass, says it is a “wonderful gesture”.

November 12th

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended the arrival of St Nicholas and his black knights at Scheveningen today. St Nicholas eve will be celebrated with gifts on December 5th. Royal Portraits: Arrival of St. Nicholas

In an interview in the Swedish newspaper Expressen Camilla Henemark, former singer of the pop group Army of Lovers and alleged mistress of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in the 1990s, has said she and the king “played and had fun”. She however distances herself from her description as “courtesan” in the book. She says the king is a “funny” person. She says she granted the interview to end the “wild speculation”about her life and move on.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has been advised by his doctors to take rest as part of his therapy. The royal court said: “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is suffering from back problems which doctors diagnosed as a herniated disc.”

Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah of Brunei withdraws from the Asian Games today. The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Guangzhou cancelled his room reservation, because the hotel was for members of the Olympic Council of Asia only. The Crown Prince was due to take part in the billiards competition. According to the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council he has withdrawn because of “inconsistent treatment” from the Olympic Council of Asia and the organising committee of Guangzhou, China.

November 14th

Prince William of Wales has marked Rememberance Day today by visiting the British troops fighting at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He laid a wreath to pay homage to British and Commonwealth sailors, soldiers and airmen who have fallen in battle.

November 15th

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden have officially moved into the Haga Palace in Solna, Stockholm, today. According to Annika Sönnerberg, spokesperson of the royal court, the couple “have been looking forward to this for a long time”.

The King’s Feast was celebrated in Belgium with a Te Deum in the morning at the cathedral of Brussels. In the afternoon a government celebration took place in the Paleis der Natie. Royal Press Europe: King’s Feast

November 16th

The Twitter page of Clarence House announced that: “The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton.” The couple became engaged during a private holiday in Kenya in October and will marry in London in the Spring or Summer of 2011. The couple has dated for eight years. Prince William asked Kate’s father for permission to marry his daughter. William’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and other close family members have been informed. The Queen is said to be “absolutely delighted for them both.” After the marriage the couple will live in North Wales, where Prince William serves with the Royal Air Force.”

Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton appeared at St James’s Palace for their first official photocall together. Kate Middleton wore a blue dress and was given the sapphire and diamond engagement ring of William’s mother the late Diana Princess of Wales. William said: “It’s very special to me. As Kate’s very special to me now, it was right to put the two together.” He said it was his way “of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today and the excitement”. Kate Middleton says that joining the royal family was a “daunting prospect. Hopefully I’ll take it in my stride.” Prince William said the time was right for an engagement, and that they are both very happy. BBC: Press conferenceBBC: Interview with the coupleBritish Monarchy Flickr: Engagement photocall

Prince Joachim of Belgium has started his military education at the Centrum voor Basisopleiding en Scholing Zuid in Aarlen, Belgium. In the first half of 2011 he will also follow an education as watchman on the bridge at the nautical school of the marine in Brugge.

November 17th

For the second successive year the Belgian royal family, except for King Albert, sees its apanages cut down. In 2011 Queen Fabiola, Prince Philippe, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent will receive just over 1,4% less money from the government than in 2010.

November 18th

In an interview with Le Figaro newspaper reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco says that his fiancée Charlene Wittstock plans to launch into humanitarian work after their wedding next year.

November 19th

In her first interview after breaking off her engagement to Jonas Bergström, Princess Madeleine of Sweden told the newspaper Dagens Industri: “What I went through was very private, and that everything was so out there made it a very difficult period in my life.” She says she had already thought of moving to New York, but decided to take the step after she split up with her fiance. She now works for the World Childhood Foundation in New York. She said her sister Crown Princess Victoria has helped her through the break-up.

National day was celebrated in Monaco. For the first time also Charlene Wittstock, fiancée of reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, was present. Pictures: Royal Portraits

November 20th

According to two polls by ICM and YouGov show that the majority of the Brits think Prince William of Wales and his fiancée Kate Middleton should be the next king and queen of Great Britain, instead of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. People think that the Prince of Wales is too old to modernise the monarchy.

Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme, Duke of Parma, married Annemarie Gualthérie van Weezel at the Abbaye de la Cambre in Brussels-Elsene this afternoon. The bride, who upon arrival was accompanied by her father Hans Gualthérie van Weezel, wore an ivory coloured dress of satin duchesse by the Belgian-Dutch fashion house Upsylon (Jacques Devos and Pamela Hoffmann). The veil was designed by the Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, and made of durable paper painted with flower motives. She wore a diademe from the jewelry collection of the Dutch royal family. The bride’s witnesses were Constance Mensink-Gualthérie van Weezel and Katerina Polykarpou-Karanasiou, the groom’s witnesses were Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands and Count Jean-Charles Ullens de Schooten. The ceremony was led by Monseigneur Philippe Bär, former bishop of Rotterdam. Among the guests was the whole royal family of the Netherlands, as well as Prince Lorenz of Belgium Archduke of Austria-Este, Prince Jean and Princess Diane of Luxemburg and the Duke of Bragança. After the wedding a reception took place at the Château de la Hulpe. NOS: VideoPictures: Royal PortraitsPictures: Royal Press EuropePictures of the ceremony: PPE Agency

After the wedding it was announced that the groom’s sister Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme and her husband Tjalling ten Cate expect their second child in the Spring of 2011. Their daughter Julia was born in 2008.

November 22nd

The Duke of Edinburgh is to scale back his official duties when he turns 90 on 10 June 2011. He will gradually wind down his commitments because of his age, Buckingham Palace said. He is currently involved with more than 800 organisations.

King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia left for the USA today. He will receive a complete medical check-up and a follow-up treatment. The Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia yesterday reassured the Saudi people that the king is in good health. As already announced the king sufferes from an herniatic disc and problems with his blood circulation. His doctors have advised him to visit a medical center in the USA, specialized in the spinal column. Crown Prince Sultan ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia was appointed as regent. He only returned from a special vacation in Morocco on Sunday.

Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, who was jailed for life last month for murdering his servant, has been ordered to pay the prosecution costs of £63,763 in a brief hearing at the court. The costs have to be paid by 17 January 2011. The prince also has to pay his own legal fees. His total costs are likely more than £100,000.

November 23rd

It was officially announced today that the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on 29 April 2011. The private secretary of Prince William, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said: “They’re on cloud nine like any other newly engaged couple and they’re now getting stuck into organising their wedding. They are completely over the moon – I’ve never seen two happier people which is fabulous.” Westminster Abbey was chosen as wedding location, because of “its staggering beauty, its 1000 years of royal history and its relative intimacy despite its size”. The chosen date is the day the Feast of St Catherine is celebrated. Prime Minister David Cameron confirmed that the day, a Friday, will be a public holiday. The wedding costs will be paid by the royal family and the Middleton family, except for associated costs such as security and police. The family wants the day to become an enjoyable event for the whole country.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and their children Marius, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus have started their educational trip abroad. They will take a two-month break from official duties and return to Norway at the end of January 2011.

Apparently the controversial biography about King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden doesn’t have much influence on the popularity of the Swedish monarchy. According to a poll by the newspaper Expressen 69% of the Swedes is in favour of a monarchy. In April 63% of the people interviewed were in favour of the monarchy.

November 24th

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia underwent a successful back surgery today at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, USA. During the operation a blood cloth was extracted, the slipped disc was corrected and the injured vertebrae was stabilized.

November 25th

Although there is a huge interest in European royalty in Germany, 67% of the people in Germany say they don’t want to see their own imperial family returned on the German throne, according to a poll by Stern magazine. Germany was an empire until November 1918.

November 26th

About 1000 letters, 150 postcards, 250 photos, 400 telegrams and 12 imperial launch menus of the Russian imperial family will be auctioned at the Hotel des Ventes in Geneva, Switzerland, on 6 December. The letters were written by Czar Nikolai II’s siblings George, Xenia, Mikhail and Olga to their private Swiss tutor Ferdinand Thormeyer between 1881 and 1959. The documents are being sold by Thormeyers descendants.

Nine robbers armed with hacksaws have been arrested for robbing the tombs of Emperor Qin Shihuang of China. The coffins were damaged and relics taken from the tombs. Officials discovered a 30 meter tunnel leading into the Emperor’s mausoleum. The robbery was already discovered last month.

November 27th

According to a poll by Synovate 51% of the Swedes want to see King Carl XVI Gustaf remain on the throne. About one third of the Swedes want Crown Princess Victoria become Queen of Sweden. 70% of the Swedes are in favour of the monarchy.

November 28th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain paid a state visit to Oman and the United Arab Emirates. She and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening. During the visit they were accompanied by the Duke of York. In Abu Dhabi they met with President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and vice-president Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum. The royal couple arrived in Oman on Thursday evening and were officially received on Friday by Sultan Qaboos.

November 29th

A nice picture of Grand Duke Jean of Luxemburg together with his eldest son Grand Duke Henri and his daughter-in-law Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was issued by the Luxemburg Grand- Ducal court on the occasion of the 90th birthday of Grand Duke Jean on 5 January 2011. On that day a concert will be held in honour of Grand Duke Jean, which will be attended by all his children and grandchildren.

November 30th

In an interview on the occasion of his 45th birthday Prince Akishino said that he and his elder brother Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan have talked several times together about the future of the imperial family, and hopes they will continue talking about it. Birthday pictures

A portrait of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands by Andy Warhol was sold for 422.000 Euros at auction at Christie’s in Amsterdam. The portrait was part of a series known as the Reigning Queens, and painted in 1985. The portrait was sold to the Triton Foundation. It will go on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

December 1st

The RVD announced that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her three sisters will auction off thousands of family pieces left to them by their mother Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. The items will include paintings, glassware and furniture from the Soestdijk Palace. The auction will take place at Sotheby’s in Amsterdam on 14, 15, 16 and 17 March 2011. Half of the proceeds go to the Red Cross, in which Queen Juliana was involved for many years. The other half of the proceeds go to four good causes chosen by the four sisters: Princess Beatrix Fund (Queen Beatrix), Natuurcollege (Princess Irene), Red Cross (Princess Margriet) and Stichting Vrienden van het Princess Christina Concours (Princess Christina).

20 pieces of jewellery owned by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were sold at auction at Sotheby’s in London yesterday. The sale raised a total of £7,975,550. The most expensive object was a Cartier-designed onyx and diamond panther bracelet, which was sold for £4,521,250. A Cartier flamingo clip was sold for £1,721,250.

The Swedish tv-channel TV4 is broadcasting a two-part documentary about the Nazi past of Walter Sommerlath, father of Queen Silvia of Sweden. The programm Kalla fakta says that her father grew rich by producing armaments in a factory stolen from the Jews, Wechsler & Hennig, starting in 1939 after having returned to Germany. When his daughter married King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden Walter Sommerlath denied ever having been a member of the Nazi party, but an investigation showed he had joined the party on 1 December 1934, when he was living in Brazil. Earlier this year Queen Silvia said in a TV documentary that her father hadn’t been politically active and that his factory, which he didn’t take over from Jews, produced toy trains and hair dryers as well as parts for gas masks for civilians. The Queen’s brother Ralf Sommerlath said that his sister is “terribly upset”. He says the documentary “lies and slanders”. In a statement issued by the court it says that “The Queen regrets the fact that her father joined the Swedish National Socialist Party [should be NSDAP, which was German not Swedish] in 1934. The Queen only learnt of his membership of the party in her adult years, and never had the opportunity to discuss this with her father.”

Princess Aiko of Japan celebrated her 9th birthday today. According to the Royal Household Agency she has enjoyed swimming in the sea and mountain climbing, as well as cycling this summer. At home she is busy singing, playing the piano and violin. She also practices calligraphy. She has an interest in global geography and likes reading illustrated animal encyclopedias. She has a dog called Yuri and two stray cats. Birthday pictures

December 2nd

Colonel Walter Percy Gardiner died early on Wednesday at his home in Amman, Jordan, aged 95. He would have celebrated his 96th birthday on 12 December 2010. He will be buried next to his wife née Doris Sutton today in a Jordan Valley farm. Walter Percy Gardiner was the father of Princess Muna of Jordan, mother of King Abdullah II of Jordan. King Abdullah returned from Oman to be able to attend the funeral. The royal court will observe a week of mourning. A condolence book can be signed at the royal court on Friday.

December 3rd

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and their children were spotted in Jodhpur, India, yesterday. They arrived for a three-day visit. Afterwards they will travel to Udaipur, according to The Times of India.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden paid a visit to the exhibition of their wedding gifts at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The exhibition can be visited until 30 December. Royalcourt. se: Exhibition visit

King Abdullah bin Adulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia underwent a successful surgical operation today at New York to stabilize a number of vertebrae in his spinal cord and complete the surgery he underwent a week ago. The King will soon start physical therapy.

December 5th

On the occasion of his 83rd birthday King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has left the hospital in Bangkok, he is staying in since September 2009, for a few hours. He held a speach that was televised across the country. He said that the people in Thailand should “do our duties for the country’s benefit”. He said that those who act carelessly will “bring damage to themselves and to the nation”.

December 6th

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the new ruler of Ras Al Khaimah – one of the United Arab Emirates – has appointed his son Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi as the new crown prince.

The Russian arbitration court in Moscow has ruled that Valery Kubarev doesn’t have the right to take over several palaces and towers of the Kremlin. The man claims to be a descendant of Tsar Ivan the Terrible of Russia. The court says that he didn’t prove that his rights were infringed. Kubarev says he will appeal, take the case to the Supreme Court and if necessary to the European Court of Human Rights.

December 7th

A collection of correspondence, photographs and drawings by the siblings of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia to their private tutor Mr Ferdinand Thormeyer sold for in total 390.000 Swiss francs at auction at Hôtel des Ventes auctioneers in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday. Most popular by the buyers were letters written by Grand Duke Mikhail.

December 8th

Sotheby’s in London sold a collection of 40 unpublished letters by Mary Queen of Scots for £349,250 yesterday. Four of the letters were signed by her cousins Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain.

The 71-year-old German violinist Dieter Stanzelzeit has filed a lawsuit in Romania saying he is the son of former King Michael of Romania. The king might be called to court in April to take the test. According to Mr Stanzelzeit the former king married a British woman, which he says he can proof with Romanian intelligence documents from 1939, 1951 and 1978.

December 8th

According to a report by American diplomats leaked via WikiLeaks the Moroccan royal family uses its holding companies to “coerce and solicit bribes” in the real estate sector. More documents about royals can be found at WikiLeaks. In a cable from the US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is written about a Halloween party in Jeddah in 2009, attended by several princes, with alcohol, drugs and sex – although most of it is officially forbidden in Saudi Arabia. The director of political affairs of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Amitav Banerji, in a confidential US embassy cable, sais that the Prince of Wales doesn’t command the same respect as his mother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. He also says that there is no rule that the British monarch should be the head of the Commonwealth. In a leaked document the Duke of York is said to have surprised the US ambassador to Kyrgyzstan with foul language during a business brunch. The Duke made indiscreet remarks, including criticism of the USA and France, and was not impressed by a Serious Fraud Office Investigation into allegiations of bribery surrounding BAE Systems.

December 9th

The Rolls Royce in which the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were driving to a Royal Variety performance at the Palladium in London was attacked by student protesters at Regent Street. The car was hit by paint and a window was cracked. The couple were unharmed and arrived safely at the performance. The students are protesting against the huge rise of tuition fees.

In a written interview on the occasion of her 47th birthday Crown Princess Masako of Japan says to be happy that her daughter Princess Aiko enjoys school again and spends more time at school and with her friends. Her medical team said today that she continues receiving treatment for a stress-related illness and is steadily recovering, although she remains unstable.

December 10th

King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway attended the ceremony to mark the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize 2010 in Oslo. The prize was awarded to Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiabo, who wasn’t present as he is in confinement. He was presented by an empty chair. The royal couple in the evening attended the traditional Nobel Banquet at the Grand Hotel in Oslo.

King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden attended the ceremony to mark the awarding of the Nobel Prizes at the Konserthuset in Stockholm. Afterwards a banquet took place in the town hall. Nobel Prize 2010

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden hosted a traditional dinnet at the Royal Palace in Stockholm for the Nobel Prize winners of 2010. The dinner was also attended by Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip. Nobel Prize Dinner 2010

King Tuheitia of the Maoris has been accused of swearing at his own people at a meeting at Waikare Marae in Te Kauwhata on Saturday. The king was questioned about the spending of the executive board of his people. Tiwai Iti, sister of an Maori activist said the king was swearing several times.

December 11th

Two official portrait photographs of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton were released today to mark their engagement. The photographs were taken on 25 November in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace in London by Mario Testino.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and their children Christian and Isabella attended the premiere of the ballet “A Tivoli Dream” at Copenhagen. The ballet was written and arranged by Queen Margrethe and her friend Susanne Heering.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh of Cambodia returned to politics today two years after quitting. He was re-instated as president of the Nationalist Party, that was renamed the Norodom Ranariddh Party. He wishes to re-unite royalists ahead of the 2012 local elections and the 2013 general elections.

December 13th

Former Crown Prince Paras Shah of Nepal has admitted that he fired his gun into the air outside a restaurant on Saturday. He got into an arguement with guests at the Tiger Tops resort in the Chitwan national park about his role and the monarchy. The two guests were quite negative and Paras Shah says he thought they insulted him and his country. So he fired one bullet in the air after his wife and son and guests had left the restaurant. Nobody has formally complained.

December 14th

Security around the Prince of Wales seems to have become more tightened after his car was attacked in a student protest last week. During a visit today he was escorted by a stronger police presence than normal.

For the first time a report was released in Denmark that shows the costs of the monarchy. The Danish royal family costed the Danish state 342,2 million crowns in 2009. 97,6 million crowns were contributed by the state itself, while 244,6 million crowns were paid by the various ministries. Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he doubts that a republic will be less expensive than a monarchy.

French scientists say they have found the missing head of King Henri IV of France, exactly 400 years after his murder. His head was lost after revolutionists raided the Saint- Denis Basilica where he was buried in 1793. French journalist Stephane Gabet traced the king’s skull to the home of a pensioner. As a DNA test wasn’t possible, an anthropologist did a facial composite.The head will be reburied after a national funeral service at the Saint-Denis Basilica in 2011.

A satellite building of the Palace of Versailles, the Hotel du Grand Controle, is to be transformed into a luxury hotel. The building used to be the traditional home of the treasurers of the palace. The 23-bedroom hotel is to be opened late 2011. Some of the rooms will have a view onto the palace’s greenhouse.

December 15th

The IOC are seeking clarification from Monaco after Robert Eringer, an American who claims to have been an employee of Prince Albert II, said there was evidence that the prince had received gifts from president Vladimir Putin of Russia before and after the vote in 2007 to host the Winter Olympic Games of 2014 in Sochi. The Prince is a member of the IOC. The Prince and Mr Eringer have been in legal action against each other since late 2009. The princely palace has denied the allegiations and says that it “categorically denies the false allegiations”. Two British attorneys have won a court case in New York against Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam. The court awarded more than $10,1 million to Thomas Derbyshire and Faith Zaman Derbyshire, while the prince only got $54.000. The prince had accused the couple of stealing from him, while the couple says they were authorised by him. They sued him after he had fired them in 2006.

December 16th

The Christmas cards of the Spanish royal family have been put online again.

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and their children posed in their new home at the Amalienborg palace in Copenhagen. The photos are being published in the January 2011 edition of Vogue Germany, which will be in the shops this week.

Former Crown Prince Paras Shah of Nepal was arrested on Tuesday after a shooting at an exclusive resort earlier this month. He was charged with disturbing the peace. He was released after he deposited 10,000 rupees as bail. He has to present himself to the district administration office on 3 March 2011.

December 17th

The official wedding DVD of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden was published by SVT. The DVD covers the whole church wedding, and summaries of the carriage ride, the sailing at the royal bark, the tribute and the dinner and ball in the evening.

December 18th

Tonight Catherine Middleton accompanied her fiancé Prince William of Wales to the Christmas charity Spectacular in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. It was the couple’s first official appearance together in public. They enjoyed the performances and afterwards met with a group of young cancer patients from across East Anglia.

December 19th

The Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and their daughters Amalia, Alexia and Ariane posed in the garden of the residence of the governor of Neuquen, in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, today at the start of their Christmas holidays. The family will spend Christmas with the family of Princess Máxima. Royal Portraits: Photo Session Villa La Angostura

Princess Christina, Mrs Magnuson, the youngest sister of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, has been diagnosed with breast cancer this year. She underwent treatment at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm this Summer and Autumn, she revealed in an interview with Aftonbladet today. She had surgery three times.

On Saturday Prince Harry of Wales was presented with the “Golden heart” award at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany, as a recognition of his humanitarian work. Today he laid a wreath at the memorial for those who were killed trying to escape across the Berlin Wall, and also visited the memorial to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

December 21st

The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips were pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Zara to Michael James (Mike) Tindall. He was born at Otley, Yorkshire, as son of Phillip Tindall and Linda Shepherd. Several engagement pictures were taken later today at their home in Gloucestershire. Zara’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh are said to be delighted. Mike Tindall proposed to Zara on Monday at their home in Gloucestershire. Zara said: “I was really shocked when Mike proposed, but I am very happy”. No wedding date has been set yet. In a statement Mike Tindall says: “I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together.”

Countess Célia von Bismarck died in hospital in Genève, Switzerland, on 17 December aged 39. She was born in Genève on 19 October 1971 as daughter of Michel and Romy Demaurex. She was diagnosed with skin cancer and metastases only eight weeks before her death. She was married to Hereditary Count Carl-Eduard von Bismarck between 1997 and 2004. The funeral will be private. A musical hommage will take place at the temple de Saint-Gervais at Genève on 15 January 2011.

December 22nd

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and their children have sent their Christmas greetings from the state of Sikkim in northeastern India. Several photos and a video were released. The family has been travelling since the end of November. It turns out they first travelled to Istanbul (Turkey), then to Amman (Jordan), and from there to the city of Jodhpur in the state of Rajasthan, India, and the region of Dzongu in Sikkim.

The civil marriage of reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock will take place on Friday 1 July 2011, at 5pm, at the throne room in the Princely Palace in Monaco. They will be wed by Mr Philippe Narmino, director of the Services Judiciaires and president of the council of state. The religious marriage will take place on Saturday 2 July 2011, at 5pm, at the court of honour of the Princely Palace in Monaco, and will be celebrated by Monseigneur Barsi. The gates of the palace will be opened for 4000 people. The wedding will be shown on big screens. Both days will be holiday days in Monaco.

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand is recovering at Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok after undergoing surgery. She broke her left thigh bone during a fall on Monday when she was about to give a lecture at Kasetsart University. The bone was successfully reset, and there were no complications. She has been advised to stay in hospital for further treatment and physical therapy. Princess Soamsawali of Thailand was also admitted to the same hospital on Tuesday, and is being treated for pneumonia.

On Tuesday evening King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has left the New York hospital where he had back surgery last month. He will spent some time at his New York residence to recover.

December 23rd

No officers will face disciplinary action after the attack on the car of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall on 10 December, Scotland Yard said today. Home Secretary Theresa May says that she and Assistant Commissioner John Yates from the Met do agree that lessons can and should be learnt from the incident, in particular around key processes and better support structures in a public order environment.

The Norwegian royal family will not publish traditional Christmas photographs this year, because the crown princely family is travelling abroad.

Emperor Akihito of Japan celebrated his 77th birthday today. He appeared on the balcony of the imperial palace in Tokyo, together with family members, and was greeted by thousands of well-wishers. At a news conference on Monday the emperor said that he has hearing problems, and urges visitors to talk to him in a louder voice. He also said that he hopes that there will be further understanding of the needs of the elderly. Birthday press conference

December 24th

In his Christmas message King Juan Carlos of Spain urges the Spaniard to press ahead with needed reforms to revive the economy. He said that the unemployed are an “inescapable priority”, and said that “without adequate growth we will not create jobs”. He added: “And to grow as we need to, we must continue and tackle together the necessary reforms, as well as meet our budget and deficit commitments.”

King Albert II of the Belgians in his Christmas speech refered to the political crisis in Belgien, because the country has already been without a government for 194 days. He said: “It seems to me that this country has begun to forget the art of compromise these last years. We should have the courage to be artisansof peace.” He also refered to the successfull Belgian presidency of the European Union in 2010.

In his Christmas speech Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg asked for more solidarity and public spirit. In times of crisis everybody has the responsibility to maintain the social peace. He asked to remember people who suffer because of poverty, unemployment and social exclusion.

December 25th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain delivered her Christmas message from the chapel at Hampton Court Palace, which was the place where in 1604 King James I of England convened the conference that led to the first authorised English version of the bible. That bible celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2011. The Queen it is still important to build communities and create harmony, and said one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games. Christmas speech 2010

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in her Christmas speech asked people to show solidarity with others in society. She thinks people should try to find a balance between “us” and “them”, as otherwise it could lead to fear and suspicion. Together problems should be solved. Every individual should feel safe in society. She said that the danger exists that what we have in common is ignored while differences and contrasts are exaggerated. She said that it is important that we should treat others the way we’d like them to treat us.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden focused on the environment in his annual Christmas speech. He said: “If the Earth was an apple, so life on Earth for humans, animals and plants is as fragile as the dew on the apple peel that can be so easily wiped away with a sleeve.” he also thanked the Swedes for their support for the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Text and audio: Christmas speech

December 26th

Animal rights campaigners have criticized Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duchess of Cornwall for wearing fur hats when they attended the church service in Sandringham on Christmas Day. The Queen also had a matching coat trim. Experts claim the hats were made from real fur from different types of fox. The hat worn by the Duchess of Cornwall was made by designer milliner Philip Treacy, who used a piece of fur which had belonged to the mother of the Duchess.

In his Christmas message former King Michael of Romania said in this time of economic crisis he is “saddened by all the suffering mothers, old and ill people must endure”.

Konstantin Gustav Heinrich Richard, son of Alexander Johannsmann and Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, was christenedin the chapel of berleburg Castle today by the Rev. Claudia Latzel-Binder. His godparents were Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (not present), Prince Gustav zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and Ann-Kathrin Johannsmann.

December 27th

The Swedish TV-channel SVT broadcasted “Bakom kulisserna-Det kungliga bröllopet” today, a nice special about the wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel on 19 June. The special includes footage behind the scenes.

Prince Alexander zu Schaumburg-Lippe was condemned to pay a 300 euro fine and lost his drivers licence for a month. He was caught driving 131 kilometers an hour, where only 100 kilometers an hour was allowed.

December 28th

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was ranked as the sixth most admired woman in a poll carried out by USA Today-Gallup.

December 29th

The apanages of the Belgian royal family will not be reduced in 2011. They will receive the same amount of government money as in 2010. The reason is that Belgium still doesn’t have a new government, and the interim government only has restricted authority.

December 30th

Autumn Phillips gave birth to a daughter yesterday at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The baby weighed 8lbs 8oz. The father, Peter Phillips, was present at birth. The baby is the couple’s first child and also the first great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. She will be twelfth in line to the throne. The great-grandparents and grandparents have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand was released from the Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok. She had surgery to reset a broken left thigh bone on 20 December. She will now recuperate at Siriraj Hospital.

December 31st

In an article for Danas Crown Prince Alexander II of Serbia says that he firmly believes in the benefits of constitutional monarchy in serbia, as the country needs stability, unity and continuity.