ROYAL NEWS: JANUARY 2012

Last updated: January 29th, 2012.

January 1st
A chearful Duke of Edinburgh attended the New Year's Day church service at Sandringham this morning, making his first public appearance after his hearth surgery. Also Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Earl and Countess of Wessex attended.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrated the New Year in a huge 'kata'-tent in the back garden of the Middleton family in Berkshire, Great Britain. The tent is a traditional tent used by Sami people in Lapland.

After the natural disasters of 2011 Emperor Akihito of Japan wishes his people a good and peaceful year. As usual at the end of the year also the Waka Poems of the Emperor and Empress Michiko were published. In the early afternoon however the south of Japan was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
  • New Year's message of Emperor Akihito (with video and photos)
  • Waka Poems


    • Reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco held his New Year's speech yesterday. He of course refered to his wedding to Charlene Wittstock in July, and said the year had been exceptional for them. He said: "My memoriy still resounds with the joy we shared."
  • Palais.mc: New Year's message


    • In his New Year's speech King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand wished his people to be protected and to enjoy happiness and success in 2012. He also refered to the recent flood disaster in his country and said that people should always be prepared for such trouble carefully. He said that people with duties should do their best to complete the work that has to be done after the disaster as soon as possible.

    January 2nd
    Human remains were discovered by a dog walker in woodland in Anmer, a village on the eastern edge of the Sandringham Estate yesterday afternoon. The police are investigating and think it is a murder case. The British royal family spent Christmas and New Year in the west of the Sandringham Estate and had attended the New Year's Day church service nearby earlier on Sunday. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has been informed about the discovery.

    January 3rd
    The 30 million Norwegian Crowns King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway receive as a present from the government on the occasion of their 75th birthdays this year will be used to finance a series of six exhibitions. The exhibitions will show royal treasures collected over the years. The first exhibition will start at the Kunstindustrimuseum in Oslo on 16 February. The exhibition will show items from 100 years of royal travels, including carriages, suitcases, uniforms and gifts.

    Witnesses who have testified in the corruption investigation of Iñaki Urdangarín, the son-in-law of King Juan Carlos of Spain, say they have signed contracts with him because of his royal position. Some people said they felt obligated to give money to his institute Noos, because it was him who asked for money, although they were not sure what the money was to be used for.

    January 4th
    The Duchess of Cambridge has accepted four honorary positions. She has become the patron of Action on Addiction, the royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, the royal patron of The Royal Art Room and the patron of the National Portrait Gallery in London. Furthermore she is to become a volunteer in the Scout Association.

    The Norfolk police said today that the body found at the Sandringham Estate on New Year's Day is that of a young woman between 15 and 23. The identity of the woman has not been established yet. The body had been on the site for a period estimated to be between a month and up to four months.

    In an interview to the Danish newspaper Politiken Queen Margrethe II of Denmark said she has no plans to abdicate in favour of her eldest son Crown Prince Frederik. She said being a Queen is an assignment you have for life.

    January 6th
    Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has returned home today after a successful minor surgery in Paris. He spent some time in Paris to recover.

    January 7th
    Buckingham Palace has given details of the gifts the Royal Family has received in 2011. The list shows that the Countess of Wessex received a "suite of jewels" from the King and from the prime minister of Bahrain during a one-day visit to the country in December 2011. The countess is being criticised by British politicians for accepting the gift from a regime which has been accused of abusing human rights. Gifts are not the personal property of the royal family, but usually become part of the Royal Collection. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said today that the hugely valuable jewels have been accepted as an official gift and that the royal family will not give them back.

    The Emir of Dubai announced on Twitter this morning that he and his wife Princess Haya of Jordan have become the parents of a baby boy. He tweeted: "Princess Haya and I were blessed with a baby boy ... We named him Zayed".

    January 8th
    The Danish royal court has released a series of photos on the occasion of the first birthday of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, the youngest children of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The photos were taken by Franne Voigt.
  • Kongehuset.dk: Pictures


    • The body of the young woman that was found on the Sandringham Estate on New Year's Day has been identified as Alisa Dmitrijeva, a 17-year-old girl from Latvia. She was last seen on 31 August 2011. She likely didn't die of natural causes.

    January 9th
    King Albert II of the Belgians has issued a statement in which he says that the apanages of the members of the Belgian royal family will be frozen. His own civil list has been fixed in the Constitution and can't be frozen. However as in 2009 he has decided to pay a part of the restoration works of the royal domains himself both in 2012 and 2013. The statement comes after the household costs of the new government had been revealed at the end of last week. The household showed higher apanages for the royal family as was agreed by the government earlier.

    The engagement of Albert Brenninkmeijer and Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme was announced today by the secretariat of her family. The wedding will take place in 2012. The bride-to-be was born in 1974 as daughter of the late Duke of Parma and Princess Irene of the Netherlands. The groom was born at Paris on 16 May 1974 as son of Alphons Brenninkmeijer and his wife Cécile née Duwaer. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and has an MBA of the University of Oxford. He currently works for C&A in France, the family business of the Brenninkmeijers.

    January 10th
    The celebration of the 40th jubilee on the throne of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has started with a meeting and a reception at the Folketing, Danish parliament, today. In the afternoon Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik posed for pictures before the Queen held a press conference at Amalienborg.
  • Kongehuset.dk: Folketing
  • Kongehuset.dk: Press meeting (photos)
  • Kongehuset.dk: Press meeting (video)
  • Royal Press Europe: Danish royals at the Folketing


    • The list of gifts received by the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on official overseas tours in 2011 has been published.
  • Gift lists


    • Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.
  • Koninklijkhuis.nl: picture


    • January 11th
    The Danish royal court has unveiled a new portrait of Queen Margrethe II, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian of Denmark in connection with an exhibition at the National Historical Museum at Frederiksborg on the occasion of the 40th throne jubilee of the Queen. It was painted by Niels Strøbek.
  • Kongehuset.dk: Pictures


    • On the occasion of the 40th jubilee to the throne of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark two exhibitions were opened today. Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Christian attended the opening of the exhibition "Regent for 40 Years – Queen Margrethe 1972-2012" at The National History Museum at Frederiksborg Palace. Afterwards Queen Margrethe II, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Prince Joachim, attended the opening of the exhibition "Royal Gala" at the Amalienborg Museum in Copenhagen, which shows gala gowns of the Queen from the 1960s to today.
  • Kongehuset.dk: Frederiksborg
  • Kongehuset.dk: Amalienborg
  • Royal Press Europe: Danish royals at Frederiksborg


    • January 12th
    Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands ended a three-day state visit to Oman. The two days before they had been on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates, which was the 50th state visit of Queen Beatrix. Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders criticised the Queen for wearing a head scarf on the first day (and the last day) of her state visits while visiting a mosque. The Queen however said at the end of her visit that she said it was logical to her to respect the customs in a country you visit. She said it is nonsense to see a headscarf as a symbol of the oppression of women.

    Turkey is planning to prosecute the Duchess of York. In 2008 she visited an orphanage in Ankara and secretly filmed children for a television documentary of ITV Tonight. She is being accused of breaking the law and violating the privacy of five children. If convicted she would face a maximum term of 22 years in prison. A spokesperson for the Duchess says she has fully co-operated with the authorities in both Great Britain and Turkey on the issue. The Duchess herself, who wore a disguise while filming, said she is apolitical and just went there as a mother.

    Reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco has been named the new patron of the World Olympians Association. He was named by the newly elected president of the association, Joel Bouzou. The decision was approved unanimously by the board and IOC head Jacques Rogge. The Prince took place in five Olympic Winter Games.

    The independent Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand has called the Thai government for an amendment of the law governing lese majeste offences. Now anyone who insults the king, queen, heir of regent faces up to 15 years in prison for each single insult. The commission however thinks that a combined term shouldn't exceed seven years.

    Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Basmah Bani Ahmad signed their wedding contract today. Members of the family, including King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan, attended the ceremony. Afterwards a luncheon was being held at the Basman Palace.

    January 14th
    The actual celebrations on the occasion of the 40th jubilee on the throne of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark started today. In the morning the family laid a wreath at the graves of King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid, the parents of the Queen, just outside Roskilde cathedral. In the early afternoon Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik rode in a coach from Amalienborg to the city hall of Copenhagen, where a reception was held. In the evening the Danish royal family and their guests, including King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, attended a gala performance at the DR's Concert Hall in Copenhagen. Music, opera and ballet from the past four decades was presented. Between the two parts of the performance there was a supper in the foyer.
  • Kongehuset.dk: Wreath laying ceremony at Roskilde
  • Kongehuset.dk: carriage ride
  • Royal Portraits: City hall, Copenhagen
  • Royal Portraits: Concert Hall, Copenhagen
  • Dutch Photo Press: Royals attend 40th jubilee of Queen Margrethe day 1


    • CNN showed an interview with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on the occasion of the celebrations of her 40th year on the throne. The documentary also shows nice footage. Another interview was broadcasted by the BBC.
  • CNN: Danish queen reflects on 40-year reign
  • BBC: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark marks 40 years on the throne


    • January 15th
    The celebrations on the occasion of the 40th jubilee on the throne of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark continued with a state council at Christiansborg, attended by the Queen and Crown Prince Frederik. The government and the Folketing presented their gifts. At noon the guards at Amalienborg changed and the royal family stepped out on the balcony. Also the highly pregnant Princess Marie of Denmark was present. After the balcony scene Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary hosted a luncheon for foreign guest and family. In the afternoon a religious service was being held in the palace church of Christiansborg. The celebrations were concluded with a gala banquet at Christiansborg for Danish officials, foreign guests and family. Today also Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway joined.
  • Kongehuset.dk: State Council
  • Royal Portraits: balcony Amalienborg, Copenhagen
  • Royal Portraits: Christiansborg Palace Chapel, Copenhagen
  • Royal Portraits: Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen
  • Dutch Photo Press: Royals attend 40th jubilee of Queen Margrethe day 2


    • January 16th
    Suggestions that the British people should fund a new royal yacht for Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain upon the occasion of her 60th throne jubilee have been backed by the British government.

    The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands have sold their holiday villa in Mozambique on 11 January to Machangulo SA, which runs the development at Machangulo where the villa is located.

    According to the palace King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand has been treated with antibiotics after having been diagnosed with diverticulitis. This condition can cause stomach pain.

    January 17th
    The Duke of Edinburgh has resumed his official duties this evening. HE attended a dinner at Cambridge University together with among others reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco. The Duke underwent heart surgery on 23 December.

    The secret police of Norway is investigating a YouTube video in which among others Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is being threated because of the military involvement of Norway in Afghanistan.

    January 18th
    The organizers of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Festival said that a seven-mile flotilla of 1000 ships will sail down the River Thames on 3 June. The flotilla will include a royal barge, historical boats, vessels, kayaks, music and even a floating bell tower.

    The British law firm Harbottle and Lewis has sent letters to around a half a dozen photo agencies that sell paparazzi pictures of Pippa Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge. In the letter it is written on her behalf that Pippa Middleton feels "serious distress and anxiety" by the photographers that wait outside her home and office day and night. If the photographers don't stop harrassing her, she will seek an injunction.

    Also Alain Toucas, the lawyer of Charlotte Casiraghi, has filed a complaint against media coverage of her private life. She is not only followed during public duties, but also in private night and day. Her lawyer said: "It's a daily hell, these pursuits on motorbikes and cars are moral damage and also represent a risk of actual physical damage. It's also putting others in danger."

    January 19th
    Prince Harry of Wales is to travel to Brazil from 9 to 11 March. He will accompany Foreign Secretary William Hague. The trip is organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Prince Harry is to support the launch of the GREATc caompaign designed to foster links between Great Britain and Brazil in this Olympic and Diamond Jubilee year. It is Prince Harry's first trip as an unofficial trade envoy for Great Britain.

    Although he recently promised never to leave his country again, former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia has left for Beijing, China, to undergo medical tests. He was accompanied by his wife and his son King Norodom Sihamoni. It is not clear how long the former king will stay away. His medical needs made it impossible to keep the promise to stay in his country, his personal secretary said.

    January 20th
    Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has opened her personal Twitter account.
  • Twitter: @CrownPrincessMM


    • January 21st
    On the occasion of the 8th birthday of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway new pictures were released.
  • Kongehuset.no: Princess Ingrid Alexandra 8 years old


    • Princess Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane of the Netherlands made one of their rare public appearances today. With their parents the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands they unofficially attended Jumping Amsterdam and enjoyed the horses.
  • Royal Portraits: Jumping Amsterdam
  • Royal Press Europe: Jumping Amsterdam


    • January 22nd
    Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain have given her consent to a series of street parties on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee on 3 June. The Eden Project tourist attraction in Cornwall, that organises the Big Lunch Project since 2009, received a letter from the Queen. In it she said to be "delighted" by the plan to help people to hold Big Jubilee Lunches across Great Britain. She hopes that people will have a "most memorable and enjoyable event".

    January 23rd
    A Japanese man was arrested in the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo early on Sunday morning. He had been swimming across the moat of the palace and must then have climbed a six meters stone wall. The man was only wearing his underwear. He stated to the police he had only wanted to see the emperor and doesn't seem to have any other motive.

    January 24th
    After three boys Prince Joachim of Denmark has become the father of a little baby princess. Princess Marie gave birth to a girl at 8.27am at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. She had been admitted to hospital only four hours earlier. She was 49 cm tall and weighed 2930 gramms. Mother and daughter are doing fine. 21 Salutes were fired at noon at Kronborg Slot in Helsingør. A proud Prince Joachim, who attended the birth, appeared in front of the press later in the morning. He said that he is very happy that he can now tell he also has a daughter. Of course also the three brothers of the princess, Nikolai, Felix and Henrik, visited their sister. Also Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik visited.

    The celebrations to mark the 300th birthday of King Friedrich the Great of Prussia have started on today. Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and other people gathered at his grave near the Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Germany. A rememberance concert was held at the concert hall at the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin this evening.

    January 25th
    The Duchess of Cornwall has launched a competition by British Food Fortnight during a visit to a school in Swindon, Great Britain. With the competition the British royal family wish to encourage schoolchildren from 10 to 15 years old in the country to come up with ideas for food to be served at Buckingham Palace on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal Chef Mark Flanagan will prepare the canapes, which will be served by the children of the top four winning schools at a reception at the palace in presence of the Queen and the Duchess.

    January 26th
    The Norfolk Police revealed today that Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has taken an active interest in the murder inquiry into the murder of the 17-year-old Latvian student Alisa Dmitrijeva, whose body was found at the Sandringham Estate on New Year's Day. She was also shocked and saddened by the murder.

    January 27th
    Princess Marie of Denmark and her newborn daughter have left the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. They were accompanied by Prince Joachim. In the hall of the hospital and outside press and well-wishers were waiting to catch a glimpse of the little princess. According to the parents their daughter is growing and eating well.
  • Royal Portraits: Princess Marie leaves hospital


    • January 28th
    The Duke and Duchess de Vendôme had their second child today. Princess Antoinette d'Orléans was born early this morning at Vienna, Austria. Her brother Gaston was born on 19 November 2009.

    January 29th
    According to a spokesperson for Clarence House the Prince of Wales is "likely to be making a personal tribute to Her Majesty for the Diamond Jubilee". Options are still open how he will do it. It might be a traditional camera tribute or something more extensive.

    Tongan politicians worry about the biological effects of intermarriage in the Tongan royal family. The marriages of family members are usually arranged and have to be approved by the King. They have tried to keep marriages within the family, although the family is quite small. Furthermore the politicians are worried about the costs of the coming marriage of Prince 'Ulukalala and his cousin Sinaitakala Fakafanua in May.


    Royal News: December 2011. Last updated: January 1st, 2012.