Sunday 23 February 2014

Royal round up, week ending February 22nd 2014

A round up of all the news from Europe's royal houses for the week ending February 22nd 2014...


Sweden


Princess Madeleine of Sweden gave birth to a daughter on February 20th 2014.  The little princess was born in New York at 22:41 local time and her father, Chris O'Neill, revealed at a press conference the following day that she had weighed 3.15 kilos at birth and was 50 centimetres long.  The official announcement of the birth was made by the Marshal of the Realm and the baby's name will be revealed by King Carl XVI Gustaf at a cabinet meeting.  Princess Madeleine and her daughter, who are both reported to be doing well, were visited by the king and Queen Silvia on February 21st after they flew out to America on hearing the news of the arrival of their second grandchild.


Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her husband, Chris O'Neill, became parents of a daughter on February 20th 2014

The king and queen had begun their week in Russia - they had arrived in Sochi to support the Swedish team at the Winter Olympics 2014 on February 14th 2014 and they watched several of their team's athletes competing during their stay which lasted until February 16th 2014.  They also spent time in the Olympic village and were photographed at the Olympic flame.


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden at the Olympic flame in Sochi during their visit which lasted from February 14th to February 16th 2014

On his return to Sweden the king welcomed the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, to the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 17th 2014 for her first visit since her election.  


King Carl XVI Gustaf meets the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 17th 2014

The Swedish prime minister joined his Norwegian counterpart later that day at the Nordic Post Davos Summit in Stockholm which was also attended by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.


Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel at the Post Davos Summit at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm on February 17th 2014

On February 18th 2014, Crown Princess Victoria held a meeting with Wateraid to find out about its latest projects and in particular its work in Africa.  The princess, who met representatives of the charity in Stockholm, has been a patron - along with Prince Daniel - since 2011. The princess also discussed projects in Africa on February 20th 2014 when she met representatives of the Swedish Institute at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.  The institute promotes Sweden around the world and Crown Princess Victoria also heard about this work at her meeting.


Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden meets representatives of the Swedish Institute at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 20th 2014

On February 18th 2014, Prince Daniel visited the offices of entrepreneur and start up organisation, SUP46, in Stockholm.  SUP46 works with budding businesses to encourage networking and provide support to those who want to start their own firms.  On February 20th 2014, Prince Daniel visited the offices of gaming company, King, in Stockholm.  The business has a huge presence on mobile platforms and Facebook.


Prince Daniel during his visit to the offices of SUP46, working to encourage entrepreneurs, on February 18th 2014

Also on February 20th 2014, just hours before she became a grandmother for the second time, Queen Silvia held an audience with Anka Wittenberg, the new President of the World Childhood Foundation, Germany at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.  The foundation, which supports over 1,000 projects linked to helping children around the world, was founded by Queen Silvia who is now its honorary chairman. Princess Madeleine works for the Foundation in New York.


Queen Silvia, probably aware that her youngest daughter was in labour, at a meeting with the president of the World Childhood Foundation at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 20th 2014


The Netherlands


The royal family of the Netherlands also welcomed a new baby this week when the king's cousin, Prince Jaime of Bourbon-Parma, became a father for the first time.  The prince and his wife, Viktoria, welcomed a daughter on February 21st 2014 in Amsterdam.  Princess Zita Clara of Bourbon-Parma was named after the last Empress of Austria, Zita, who was her great-great aunt and her maternal grandmother, Dorottya Klara Bartos.


Jaime of Bourbon Parma and his wife, Viktoria, seen here on their wedding day in October 2013 became parents for the first time on February 21st 2014


On February 17th 2014, the Dutch royal family posed for photographs at the beginning of their winter holidays in Lech, Austria.  King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, along with their three daughters, were joined by Princess Beatrix.  Also there were Prince Constantijn, Princess Laurentien and their children and the widow of Prinee Friso, Mabel, with her two daughters.  The pictures were taken exactly two years to the day since the accident in Lech which left Prince Friso in a coma from which he never recovered and which led to his death in August 2013 at the age of 44.  The family posed together in a muted photocall which mixed happiness at being together with deep sadness in memory of the loss of a loved one.


The king and queen of the Netherlands at the centre of a royal family pose in Lech, Austria on February 17th 2014


Belgium


The royal week began with an official photocall for the whole family to celebrate the engagement of Prince Amadeo and Lili Rosboch on February 16th 2014.  The couple announced their engagement on February 15th 2014. 


The Belgian royal family celebrates the engagement of Prince Amadeo and Lili Rosboch on February 16th 2014

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde completed two official overseas visits this week.  On February 17th 2014, the king and queen arrived in Berlin for their one day visit to Germany.  The royal couple were welcomed by the president of Germany, Joachim Gauck, and his wife and later met the Chancellor, Angela Merkel.  During their one day visit, the king and queen also went to the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin.


King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians in Berlin on February 17th 2014

On February 19th 2014, the king and queen travelled to Rome for a one day state visit to Italy.  They were greeted by the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano, on their arrival at the Palazzo del Quirinale.  Later they visited the Palazzo Giustiniani where they met the President of the Italian Senate, Pietro Grasso, who showed them an original version of the Italian Constitution.


King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are shown an original version of the Italian Constitution during their one day visit to Rome on February 19th 2014

On February 18th 2014, the king and queen were joined by the rest of the royal family at the Church of Our Lady in Laeken for the traditional mass offered in memory of members of the family who have passed away.  The king ended his week with two audiences on February 20th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Brussels.  King Philippe met two deputy prime minister, Servais Verherstraeten and John Crombez, in separate audiences.


Denmark


After finishing their winter holidays in Switzerland, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary had high profile engagements in the week.  The Crown Prince went to Sochi to support the Danish team there and visited the Olympic village as well as cheering his country's athletes on in several events.  Prince Frederik also took part in some ski-ing - outside of the competition.


Crown Prince Frederik with some of the Danish team at the Winter Olympics in Sochi

Crown Princess Mary was in Birkeroed in eastern Denmark on February 19th 2014 for the opening of a conference for young people - the Birkeroed High School Model United Nations Conference.  Students from Denmark, the USA, Germany, the Netherlands and Turkey spent several days debating issues including women's rights in a simulation of a UN summit.


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gives the opening speech at a conference for young people, run along the lines of a real UN summit, in Birkeroed on February 19th 2014


Norway


The King and Queen of Norway were joined by the Crown Prince and Princess and their children at an event on February 16th 2014 to mark the beginning of a year of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution.  The event took place at Eidsvoll where the constitution was signed and the date marked exactly 200 years since the then governor of Norway, Prince Christian Frederik, called a meeting of leading dignitaries who declared that their country was now independent and paved the way for the formation of the Constitution.


King Harald next to his heir, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, with the future queen regnant, Ingrid Alexandra in the foreground as the royal family arrived to begin celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution in Eidsvoll on February 16th 2014

King Harald and Queen Sonja travelled to Sochi on February 17th 2014 to spend five days supporting their country's athletes at the Winter Olympics.


The king and queen of Norway at the Sochi Winter Olympics - they arrived at the Games on February 17th 2014



Spain


The king of Spain held two audiences this week.  On February 17th 2014 he met the president of the Andalucian government, Susana Diaz Pacheco, at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  And on February 18th 2014, again at the Zarzuela, King Juan Carlos met his former sports teacher who looked after his physical education when he was studying in the 1940s.  Fernando Ruiz Garcia was accompanied at the audience by his wife, Milagros Armesto Otones.


King \Juan Carlos of Spain with his former sports teacher, Fernando Ruiz Garcia, at their audience at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on February 18th 2014

On the same day, February 18th 2014, Queen Sofia was in Valencia where she inaugurated an exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the Valencian Institute of Modern Art - known as IVAM - which was founded to trace the progress of art in the 20th century.



Queen Sofia at the IVAM exhibition in Valencia which she inaugurated on February 14th 2014

Prince Felipe began his week by attending the eighth conference on Budgeting, Accounting and Public Control on February 17th 2014 at the Royal Mint in Madrid.  On February 18th 2014, the prince held three audiences at the Pardo Palace in Madrid.  He met a group of colonels and captains in the Spanish Navy following their appointment to take command of different military units.  And the prince then held an audience to mark the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Defense delegations.  Later the same day, Prince Felipe met a group of non-commissioned officers in the Army and Civil Guard who have just been appointed to various military units.


Prince Felipe of Asturias with members of the Defense delegation with whom he held an audience on February 18th 2014 at the Pardo Paalce in Madrid

The following day, February 19th 2014, the Prince and Princess of Asturias paid an unofficial visit to the set of the TV series, Isabel, which is telling the story of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabel of Castile.  The royal couple are said to be big fans of the show and attended filming of one of the biggest scenes of the whole series - the death of Isabel.  They met the cast and crews and heard about the sale of the show to foreign TV stations.


The Prince and Princess of Asturias on the set of 'Isabel' with Michelle Jenner (Isabel) and Rodolfo Sancho (Ferdinand) during their visit to the set of the TV series on February 19th 2014


On February 20th 2014, the Prince and Princess of Asturias attended the opening of the 33rd Contemporary Art Fair, ARCO, at the Juan Carlos I Park in Madrid.


Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia at the opening of ARCO in Madrid on February 20th 2014


On February 21st 2014, Princess Letizia was in Caldes de Malavella in Girona where she attended the second annual conference on entrepreneurial education which aims to help students learn about business and exploring their business ambitions.


Princess Letizia on her arrival at the entrepreneurship and education conference in Girona which she attended on February 21st 2014

The Infanta Elena opened the 22nd International Student and Educational Opportunities Forum in Madrid on February 19th 2014.  The conference provides a forum for education providers to meet.


The Infanta Elena meets students at the education fair she opened in Madrid on February 19th 2014



United Kingdom


The Queen held a reception at Buckingham Palace for representatives from the arts world on February 17th 2014.  The event was co-hosted by the Duchess of Cambridge and celebrated the Queen's sixty years as patron of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.  The Queen and the Duchess, along with Prince Michael of Kent, late watched several special theatre performances at the Palace.  Among those attending were Sir Roger Moore, Helena Bonham Carter, Joan Collins, Lenny Henry, Gemma Arterton and Dame Helen Mirren.


The Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Michael of Kent at the special arts event held at Buckingham Palace on February 17th 2014

Dame Helen had been presented with a special BAFTA the night before at the annual ceremony in London.  The Duke of Cambridge had awarded her the BAFTA fellowship and in his speech told the stars at the ceremony that he should really call Dame Helen 'granny' after her Oscar winning performance as Elizabeth II in 'The Queen'.  


Prince William presents Dame Helen Mirren with the BAFTA Fellowship on February 16th 2014

The prince made more headlines for his appearance at the awards ceremony when Tinie Tempah high fived him in the opening number of the show.  The rapper later revealed he's met William several times and knew that the high five would be OK.


Prince William high fives Tinie Tempah at the BAFTAS on February 16th 2014

On February 18th 2014, the Queen held audiences at Buckingham Palace for those who have just been appointed as Justices of the High Court.  They were also invested as Dames and Knights.  On February 19th 2014, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh held an audience at Buckingham Palace for the Governor General Designate of Australia, Peter Cosgrove, and his wife, Lynne.  Earlier in the day, the couple had been received at Clarence House by the Duchess of Cornwall.


The Duke of Edinburgh meeting Lynne Cosgrove, wife of the Governor General Designate of Australia, at the audience the Queen held for him on February 19th 2014 at Buckingham Palace

The Duchess of Cornwall was acting on behalf of the Prince of Wales who had begun a tour of Saudi Arabia, arriving on February 17th 2014.  He was given a guard of honour before holding private meetings with the Saudi Royal Family.  On February 18th 2014, the prince was in Riyadh where he took part in a traditional sword dance, the Ardah, wearing full traditional robes.  The ceremony was held to mark the Janadriyah Festival in Riyadh.


Prince Charles taking part in the Ardah in Riyadh on February 18th 2014 during his tour of Saudi Arabia

On February 19th 2014, Prince Charles visited Diri'yah to see the reconstruction work going on there - it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 and two British companies are involved in the restoration work on the site which will open to the public in 2015.  The prince also met several local businesswomen who have been given help by his Centennial Fund to set up their firms.  He later took part in a meeting convened by the King Faisal Foundation to address regional issues.


Prince Charles at the meeting of the Faisal Foundation which he attended on February 19th 2014 during his visit to Saudi Arabia

On February 20th 2014, the prince travelled to Qatar where he visited the Arab Museum of Modern Art before taking part in an interfaith dialogue.  In the afternoon, the prince spent some time at the National Heritage Library before meeting the Amir of Qatar.


The Prince of Wales on the first day of his visit to Qatar - February 20th 2014

On February 21st 2014, the Prince of Wales visited the Doha Religious Complex where he visited the St Isaac and St George Greek Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Anglican Church of the Epiphany.  On the same day, the prince travelled to Abu Dhabi where he met the Crown Prince and Prince Charles then went on to Bahrain where he was met by the Crown Prince of Bahrain before a reception from the King of Bahrain at Bustan Palace.


The Prince of Wales meets worshippers at the Doha Religious Centre on February 21st 2014

The Duchess of Cornwall had two engagements in the week.  On February 18th 2014, she was in Wiltshire where she visited the Pound Art Centre in Pound Pill, Corsham.  And on February 19th 2014, the Duchess spent some time at the Trinity Hospice in South London of which she is patron.


The Duchess of Cornwall with a patient at the Trinity House Hospice in south London which she visited on February 19th 2014

The Princess Royal attended the City Food Lecture at the Guildhall in London on February 17th 2014 in her role as Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Butcher and Court Assistant of the Fishmongers' Company.  On February 18th 2014, Princess Anne held an audience at Buckingham Palace and then went on to open the renovated Special Forces Club in London - she is its patron.  On the same day, the princess attended a seminar on learning for mature students in her role as patron of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.  Later that day, the princess was at Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford where she presented the Ockendon International Prize.


The Princess Royal during her visit to Lady Margaret Hall in Oxford on February 18th 2014

The Duke of Kent held an audience at St James' Palace on February 18th 2014 and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester held several audiences at Kensington Palace on the same day.  Earlier in the week, Prince Harry had taken part in a charity day, the Endeavour Fund track day at Goodwood, to raise money for injured service personnel.  The Endeavour Fund was set up by the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.  As part of the event, on February 15th 2014, Prince Harry tried his hand at racing cars at Goodwood as well as sitting in the cockpit of a Spitfire.


Prince Harry races a car at a charity day at Goodwood in West Sussex on February 15th 2014


Monaco


Prince Albert II of Monaco was in Sochi this week as the Winter Olympics continued.  The prince was seen at several events during the competition.  On February 16th 2014, he held a meeting with the President of the International Olympic Committe, Thomas Bach.


Prince Albert of Monaco with the IOC President, Thomas Bach, during their meeting in Sochi on February 16th 2014

The prince was back in Monaco on February 19th 2014 when he held an audience with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.  On February 21st 2014, the prince took part in the last part of a conference about diplomacy in Monaco at the Fairmount Hotel in Monte Carlo.


Prince Albert attends a conference in Monte Carlo on February 21st 2014




No comments:

Post a Comment