Last modified: 1 January 2021
1 December
Princess Aiko of Japan celebrated her 19th birthday. The Imperial Household agency released several photos and a video. The Princess is currently taking online classes, after entering Gakushuin University in Tokyo this spring, where she is majoring in Japanese language and literature. Aiko hopes the day will come soon when students can return to the campus and study there.
On World AIDS Day Princess Stéphanie of Monaco said in an interview with Monaco’s national TV channel: “People who suffer from AIDS are already isolated, and with Covid-19 the isolation has worsened because of the fear of being infected. They are at risk. They have a second sword of Damocles hanging over their head.”
3 December
The first postal stamp of the new Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, has been launched.
4 December
The Prince of Wales has launched a £150 limited edition scarf with Johnstons of Elgin. The scarf was designed by Amy Powney and was released to mark 10th anniversary of The Campaign For Wool.
Nicholas de Roumanie Medforth-Mills and his wife Alina-Maria posed with their newborn daughter Maria-Alexandra for Point de Vue. See for a photo here.
The French journalist Frédéric de Natal had an interview with Prince Davit Bagrationi of Georgia. An English translation can be found here.
7 December
Prince Christian of Denmark has tested positive for Covid-19. The family was informed about an outbreak at the school of the prince and his siblings. Christian is in isolation in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg, as well as the other members of the Crown Princely family. Other than the Crown Princely family, Prince Christian has not been in contact with other members of the royal family very recently.
Since Summer 2020 Hereditary Prince Donatus zu Schaumburg-Lippe has been cooperating with a Swiss company to fight Covid-19. The company in 2013 launched masks impregnated with a special agent to fight Ebola, and says they could also be used to fight Covid-19. The Prince has moved to Arizona, USA, two months ago in order to advance this technology there with a five-person team of “universal workers”.
8 December
On Sunday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left for a royal train tour to Scotland, Wales and England to pay tribute to the inspiring work of those who have gone above and beyond to support communities across the country. They visited Edinburgh, Cardiff and other places, and ended the tour at Windsor Castle, where they met with Queen Elizabeth II, The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, The Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Zenouska Mowatt, granddaughter of Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, works for Halcyon Days and recorded a video with a festive table dressing masterclass.
Here you can find the brand new Schlossmagazin Bückeburg about the palace of the Princes zu Schaumburg-Lippe and an interview with the new Princess Mahkameh.
9 December
In the Rugby Podcast “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby” Mike Tindall revealed that he and his wife Zara, a daughter of The Princess Royal, are expecting their third child.
One of the best royal engagements of the year. When opening the new facilities at Battersea Old Windsor, called The Duchess of Cornwall Kennels, the Duchess was helped by her rescue dog Beth to unveil a plaque.
Former King Juan Carlos of Spain has paid €678,393.72 to the tax office to settle his debt including interests and surcharges. The payment comes after he and several family members allegedly used credit cards linked to bank accounts of unclear origins. The former King will likely avoid a crimincal cause against him because of this regularization.
The new Point de Vue has an interview with Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, with new photos of their son Prince Charles.
This is this year’s photo for the festive season from the King and Queen of Jordan and their four children.
11 December
The Swedish royal court announced that Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden expect their third child at the end of March or the beginning of April 2021. Sofia is doing fine.
The Danish Crown Princely family has tested negative for Covid-19. Their son, Prince Christian, who tested positive some days ago, will stay in isolation until 14 December.
The Christmas card of the Spanish King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, The Princess of Asturias and Princess Sofia has been released.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attended a special performance of The National Lottery’s Pantoland at The Palladium in London, which was held to thank key workers and their families for their phenomenal efforts this year.
13 December
A happy 3rd Advent from Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden and their sons.
14 December
Archduke Georg of Austria has been appointed as the new Hungarian ambassador in France. He is replacing Count György Károlyi, who was appointed in 2015.
15 December
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco gave an interview to “Hello Monaco” in which she spoke about the Covid-19 crisis, her family, animals, AIDS and much more.
The Sultan of Johor hit one million followers on his official Facebook page.
Prince Philippos of Greece and Nina Flohr surprisingly married civilly at the registrar’s office in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on 12 December. Their fathers former King Constantine II of Greece and Thomas Flohr acted as witnesses. Only the closest family could congratulate the couple afterwards. The religious wedding is to take place later on.
16 December
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden received this year’s Christmas trees for the Royal Palace.
This photo is on the Christmas card of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
During the annual Christmas presents distribution in the Palace courtyard Princess Charlène of Monaco surprised with a new daring haircut.
17 December
Although the National Day of Bhutan mainly could be followed online and on television, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema and their two sons appeared in public at the reduced celebrations . Present were several other members of the royal family, the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan, and other monks. The King held his yearly address from the Punakha Dzong. Normally the celebration is being held at Changlimithang Stadium.
In connection with the recent increase of COVID-19 in Denmark, the royal family’s Christmas and New Year’s plans have been adjusted. Queen Margrethe II will celebrate Christmas Eve at Marselisborg Palace together with the family of Prince Joachim. As planned the Crown Prince Family will celebrate Christmas Eve in Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen. Also the remaining New Year’s levee at Christiansborg Palace on 4 January 2021 is cancelled.
Prince Emmanuel and Princess Eléonore of Belgium have performed during the yearly Christmas Concert in the Royal Palace in Brussels. Emmanuel played on his saxophone, Eléonore played the violin. The family also posed in front of the Christmas tree in the palace, although they didn’t attend the actual concert, which was dedicated to the people that were hit by Covid-19 most.
18 December
Archduchess Zsófia and Archduchess Ildikó of Austria – daughters of Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika – posed for a glamorous photo shoot in the Spanish magazine Hola!
The grandson of King Carol II of Romania, Paul Lambrino, also known as Prince Paul of Romania, has to serve a 40-month sentence in a corruption case, the High Court in Romania has announced on 17 December. When the police came to take him into custody, his wife Lia said he was in Portugal. In 2007 and 2008 he illegaly received large land plots in northern Bucharest and the forest in Snagov. He sold the rights already in 2006 to the Israeli businessman Berry Steinmetz. According to the prosecutors he didn’t have the right to claim the possessions in the first place. Only in January 2012 Paul was officially recognized by the High Court in Romania as a legal heir of King Carol II, based on a Lisbon ruling that allowed him to claim part of the fortune of the Romanian royal family. Several other persons involved in the illegitimate land claim have been sentenced. The damage in the case is estimated to be more than 145 million euros.
20 December
The King and Queen of Sweden wished a happy fourth Advent.
Christmas wishes from Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and their children.
Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg with their son Prince Charles are enjoying their Christmas tree.
The Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, has officially joined TikTok.
The Hereditary Prince Alexander of Mecklenburg has announced his engagement to Turkish born Hande Macit. The couple lives in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
21 December
One of the best royal engagements every year, even now. The Duchess of Cornwall has had a little virtual help from children supported by the Helen & Douglas House Hospice to decorate the Clarence House Christmas tree.
Here you can watch the yearly Swedish documentary “Året med kungafamiljen 2020”.
Also this year the Norwegian royal family had Christmas photos taken.
23 December
Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan celebrated his 87th birthday and as is the Japanese tradition several photos were released.
The Swedish crown princely family visited the Stockholm City Mission. They handed over some gifts and wrapped them for children and young people from vulnerable families.
Christmas wishes from Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark.
The Christmas card of the Grand-Ducal family of Luxembourg.
Prince Constantin de Nassau married his longtime girlfriend Kathryn Mechie civilly in Gibraltar on 22 December. They already have a son, Felix, who was born in February 2018. The bride is from the UK. Constantin is the eldest son of Prince Jean of Luxembourg and his first wife Hélène Vestur.
This is this year’s Christmas card of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Stone of Destiny – also known as the Stone of Scone – in 2024 will finally return to Perthshire, Scotland, and will be placed at the new City Hall museum in Perth. Until 1296 the stone was used in the coronations of the Scottish kings. King Edward I of England seized the stone in that year and had it built into a new throne at Westminster Abbey in London. Four Scottish students managed to remove the stone on Christmas Day 1950 and brought it back to Scotland. It turned up at the high altar of Arbroath Abbey. The stone was officially returned to Scotland in 1996, and it has since been on display at the Crown Room in Edinburgh Castle. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the news and explained that the Stone of Destiny “forms an important part of the story of Scotland”.
Crown Prince Leka and Crown Princess Elia of Albania finally presented their daughter Princess Geraldine.
24 December
The Belgian royals were part of the tv-broadcast “Kerst met 11 miljoen / Noël à 11 millions”.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden read the “Juleevangeliet” (Nativity of Jesus) at the digital Christmas celebration of the Kungliga Hovförsamlingen.
25 December
The royal Christmas speeches:
- King Felipe VI of Spain
- King Philippe of the Belgians
- Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
- King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
- King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
- The Queen’s Christmas broadcast
27 December
Countess Eloise of Orange-Nassau was live on Instagram and answered a few questions.
The year 2020 of the Romanian royal family.
28 December
According to an IPSOS-poll for the tv-program “Nieuwsuur” only 47 percent of the Dutch has (a lot of) confidence in King Willem-Alexander. In April 2020 this was 76 percent. The Dutch are also less satisfied with the performance of the King (67 percent in April, 51 percent in December). More people are dissatisfied than before. In August the King and his wife Queen Máxima let themselves photographed with a restaurant owner in Greece without keeping a distance of 1,5 meters. In October the family travelled to Greece, although the Dutch government had asked the Dutch to stay at home as much as possible.
29 December
The Prince of Wales has spoken to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme – guest edited by author Margaret Atwood – about his passion for the environment. He said that when he raised the issues 50 years ago “no one wanted to know” about it, and when he spoke about plastic pollution he was regarded by some people as “completely dotty”.
The first podcast of Archewell Audio for Spotify has been released. At the very end one can hear the son of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, speak.
Princess Kako of Akishino celebrated her 26th birthday. Several photos were released.
30 December
If you want to know how many engagements the British royals undertook in 2020: my colleague Patricia Treble analyzed the year 2020 of the British royals.
The Association for the Restoration of the Czech Kingdom has raised money to make a copy of the St. Wenceslas Crown for Archduke Karl of Austria, who will celebrate his 60th birthday in January 2021. The crown was made by the Turnov jeweler Jiří Urban.
31 December
New Year’s speeches:
The Luxembourg grand-ducal court ended the year with their long-awaited new website-design. For now it is only available in French, but the other languages are to follow in 2021.
The Queen of Malaysia was the special guest in a livestream by “Masters of Malaysian Cuisine”. Unfortunately pretty hard to follow, as it was on zoom, but it was interesting to hear her speak, see her kitchen and do the cooking. She is quite an accomplished cook herself and has written several cookbooks.
The New Year Honours List of 2020 was published in the London Gazette.