Last updated: December 23rd, 2001.
December 1st
Crown Princess Masako of Japan gave birth to a baby girl at 2:43 p.m. local time at the Hospital of the Imperial Household in Tokyo. The news of the birth was immediately conveyed to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko by the emperor's grand chamberlain. The baby is 49,6 cm tall and weighs 3.102 kg. According to the Imperial Household Agency, both mother and baby were in good condition. Crown Prince Naruhito said that he was relieved and happy that both mother and child are healthy and from now on, he and his wife would like to pray for the happiness of the child and watch over her. The baby is the third granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. She hasn't been named yet. Imperial tradition says that Emperor Akihito will name any children of his eldest son and heir. She will also get a formal name chosen by the Emperor. Both names will be formally announced one week after birth. The birth itself will be followed by a series of elaborate rituals to wish the baby a healthy life. Hours after the event, the Emperor - via a messenger - presented to the newborn a specially commissioned protective ceremonial samurai sword with a crimson case lined with white silk and embossed with the imperial seal. He noticed that she will also get a hakama, a ceremonial skirt that was once part of traditional court dress for women. After she will be released from hospital in one or two weeks time the baby girl will occupy a room formerly used by Princess Sayako, sister of the crown prince. The Western-style room, located on the first floor of the Crown Prince's Palace, underwent a major renovation in August. Under the present Japanese law, only males are allowed to assume the throne. The last reigning empress was Gosakuramachi, who ascended in 1762. The lack of male heirs prompted some people to call for a revision of the law so that women can also be in line to the throne. About 60 anti-imperialists on Saturday demonstrated in Tokyo against the celebrations over the birth, but most people were very happy for the couple that they had finally got a child. Following the joyous news an estimated 20,000 people flocked to the palace on Saturday evening to see entertainers, sports stars and other celebrities welcome the latest addition to the royal family.
Jorge Zorreguieta, the father of Máxima, knew about the disappearances during the Videla regime in Argentina, at least that can be concluded from a book of correspondent Jan Thielen "Zorreguieta. A biographical Sketch". The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad published some extracts of the book today. Thielen has spoken with Jorge Zorreguieta regularly over the past 1,5 years. In the book Jorge Zorreguieta is quoted saying: "I am not crazy. If I now would admit I knew about it, I would make myself an accomplice." The book further tells that the Prince of Orange understands the past of his future father-in-law. Zorreguieta has spoken with the prince about the history of Argentina.
December 3rd
Emperor Akihito of Japan and his wife, Empress Michiko, visited their youngest granddaughter in hospital yesterday. The Emperor said that the baby seemed very healthy and that they are very glad. Since yesterday thousands of Japanese entered the palace grounds to sign their names at long tables adorned with cloths of red, blue, green and white embroidered with gold thread. At least 5,000 people took part in a lantern-light parade beginning from the palace on Sunday evening.
December 4th
Four Swedish teenagers have been convicted of high treason for throwing a cream cake at king Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. They threw the cake in his face during a royal visit to Varberg a few months ago. The boys were all fined after being found guilty in the first Swedish treason case in modern times. The teenagers said their attack was a protest against the Swedish monarchy. The pie-thrower was fined 100 days' wages and his accomplices were each fined 80 days' wages. In this case one wage was set to 30 Swedish crowns.
In an interview on the occasion of her newest exhibition 32-year-old Delphine Boël admitted she is the illegitimate daughter of King Albert II of the Belgians. She said: "He has said it himself, didn't he? Yes, so I am a daughter of King Albert II."
December 6th
The Countess of Wessex was was rushed from her home at Bagshot Park, Surrey, to the King Edward VII Hospital in London by air ambulance after feeling unwell overnight. She underwent a two-and-a-half hour emergency operation following the discovery of an ectopic pregnancy and the surgeons had to remove the foetus from her fallopian tube. Doctors said if the condition had continued undiagnosed, it could have been life-threatening. Her condition was described as comfortable following the operation. The Earl of Wessex was at her bedside after the lengthy operation. During the operation he had been to Buckingham Palace to inform his family about it.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway attended the tree-lighting ceremony at Trafalgar Square in London, Great Britain. Thousands of people filled the streets to catch a glimpse of the Crown Princess as she lit the tree. She also held a speech in english. The people of Norway have annually donated a tree to London since 1947.
A court at Springe, Germany, has sentenced Prince Ernst August of Hannover to eight months' probation and fined for attacking and insulting a German photographer and beating the owner of a hotel in Kenya. The Prince had appealed against earlier fines totalling about $ 1.500.000 for a series of offences. The court added the probation sentence, finding him guilty of dangerous bodily harm for kicking the photographer in the rear, but it reduced the fines to about $ 250.000 and ordered him to pay part of it to the victim, Sabine Brauer, whom he also insulted during the attack in the Austrian city of Salzburg in August, 1999. The judge said he had decided to suspend the prison sentence because the prince had not misbehaved since insulting colleagues of the photographer at Germany's Bild newspaper by telephone last June. Prince Ernst August himself didn't show up at court.
December 7th
The name of the baby girl of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan was made known today. The baby was ritually bathed in a cedar tub by a lady-in-waiting while auspicious texts, written in classic Chinese literary style and wishing the baby good health and fortune, were read aloud by a male courtier and two male courtiers in ancient robes mimicked shooting traditional Japanese long-bows to ward off evil spirits. After the naming ceremony the name was brought by an imperial messenger to the palace of Crown Prince Naruhito and made public. Then the baby's birth and name were formally announced at three Shinto shrines on the imperial palace grounds. Finally, the baby's name and title were announced to the Imperial Household Agency, which manages the royal family's affairs. They announced that the princess's name will be Aiko, which means 'Child of Love'. "The crown prince and princess virtually decided on the name," an Imperial Household Agency official said. "The emperor then officially presented the name to the couple." She will be titled Princess Toshi, which means 'She who respects others'. The names, written on traditional Japanese "washi" paper by the Emperor himself, were presented to Crown Prince Naruhito and later placed by Princess Aiko's pillow in the hospital inside the palace grounds were she was born on Saturday.
Prince Edward has spoken of his trauma over his wife's ectopic pregnancy. He said Sophie is as well as can be expected, but is still in some discomfort. He told reporters that as her pain reduces, so the relief increases. "It was a traumatic experience. We are delighted it's now been sorted out." He added the events of the last 24 hours had been one of the most painful things which could ever happen. He also thanked well wishers. Later today from her hospital bed the Countess of Wessex spoke of her sadness at her ectopic pregnancy. But she remains optimistic they can still start a family. "I'm obviously very sad - but it was just not meant to be," she said, "but there will be other chances." She also thanked members of the public and the media for their sympathy.
December 8th
Crown Princess Masako and her daughter Princess Aiko left hospital for their royal residence. The Crown Princess holding the baby in her arms, with Crown Prince Naruhito at her side, emerged at the hospital entrance to bid farewell to doctors and nurses lined up there. Princess Aiko was asleep in her mother's arms wrapped in a white blanket. They travelled from the hospital to their own palace, just 15 minutes away. Princess Aiko rested in an infant car seat placed between her parents on the back seat of the limousine. The crown princely couple opened the windows of the car to smile and wave at the thousands of people along the route.
December 9th
At 15:00 Princess Elisabeth of Belgium was baptised in the chapel of Ciergnon Castle. The private ceremony was led by Cardinal Godfried Danneels and was only attended by family members. Among them godfather Amedeo, eldest son of Princess Astrid of Belgium, and godmother Countess Hélène d'Udekem d'Acoz. 14 Members of the "Scala" children's choir sang 6 songs a capella during the baptism in the three national languages of Belgium and in Latin. All songs, except for the lullaby "Kindlein mein, schlaf doch ein", were religious songs: "Canticorum Jubilo" (Georg Friedrich Händel), "Rorate Caeli" (Gregorian song), "Cantate Domino" (Dietrich Buxtehude), "Maria, die zoude naar Bethlehem gaan" and "Magnificat" (Pascal Krebs). The castle is one of the favourite countryside residences of the royal family in the Ardennes.
December 10th
Andrée van Es, former chairwoman of a republican political party, is one of the advisers of Máxima Zorreguieta. She advices her about the cultural and social life in the Netherlands. The Government Information Service says that in a democracy it should be possible that a republican guides the future wife of a crown prince. "This way the introduction becomes as large as possible."
Prince Johan Friso, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands and several of their cousins with wives, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium attended a dinner at La Hulpe Castle near Brussels one week ago. Officially the host of the dinner were a former Dutch minister and his wife, but the Prince of Orange and his fiancée Máxima Zorreguieta welcomed the guests together with them. Also Máxima's parents, brothers and sisters attended the dinner. Among the 80 invitées there were several members of the Royal Household also.
Princess Aiko of Japan was registered in the imperial family registry today. The princess's name Aiko, and the names of her father and mother, as well as the time, date and place of her birth were registered at the Imperial Household Agency's Archives and Mausolea Department, located in the Imperial Palace grounds.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Lilian attended the presentation of the Nobel Prizes in Stockholm. King Harald V of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Märtha Louise attended the presentation of the Nobel Prize for peace to Kofi Annan and the United Nations at the City Hall in Oslo.
The Countess of Wessex has left hospital with Prince Edward shortly after noon. She said she is feeling "much better".
December 11th
At the Palace at the Dam Square in Amsterdam Prince Claus of the Netherlands presented the yearly $ 100.000 prize of the Prince Claus Foundation to the Rotterdam Summer Carnival and to Peter Minshall from Trinidad who designes carnival processions. The ceremony was also attended by Queen Beatrix, the Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta. Prince Claus had problems in formulating his sentences. He said: "I hope that next year you will hear a more intellectual speech. Not something you'll cry about, but something you'll laugh about." Later on the Governmental Information Service announced that the prince has difficulty with his sight and will undergo an operation soon.
December 12th
Tuanka Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, sultan of the smallest of the nine states of Malaysia, was voted the new King of Malaysia today after a meeting of the nine sultans of the states of Malaysia that was held behind closed doors at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur. He will be king for the next five years. He is the successor of King Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah who died in November. Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu state was chosen as deputy king. An official swearing-in ceremony is to take place on Thursday, followed by an inauguration pageant in the coming months. Each of the state rulers takes a turn on the throne for five years, however each sultan is allowed to be king only once. The king's role is largely ceremonial in Malaysia, and the power to govern resides with the federal Parliament and the prime minister.
December 13th
This morning at 9:00 the Norwegian court announced the engagement of Princess Märtha Louise with Ari Behn. In the afternoon a press conference followed at the royal palace in Oslo and it was announced the wedding will take place in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on May 24, 2002. Ari's parents and siblings were invited to the palace this afternoon. The engagement rings with lilies and hearts were designed by Ari Behns maternal grandfather and artist Andreas Solberg. While Ari Behn declared he thought Märtha Louise was the most sexy woman of Norway already long before he met her, Märtha Louise said it was only love at third sight. Ari and Märtha Louise said they would like to live in the country side not too far from Oslo and have a few children. Märtha Louise said the only negative thing about Ari is that he has absolutely no technical skills. It is not thought that Ari Behn will become a prince. Ari said when he asked Märtha Louise to marry him on Thursday morning at Kongsseteren he went down on his knees and gave her white lilies. Märtha Louise and Ari were introduced to each other by Ari's mother, who had met Märtha Louise during a course. Only nine months ago the relationship became known to the public. Ari Behn accompanied Märtha Louise to the birthday party of Crown Princess Mette-Marit in August, and was also present at the religious wedding of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit one week later. He was also taking part in Princess Märtha's 30th birthday celebrations in September. Over the past two weeks Princess Märtha Louise accompanied her mother to a clinic in Switzerland while Ari Behn left for Pakistan to make a documentary about Afghanistan natives living in the border area. He came back on Monday, while Princess Märtha Louise came home on Sunday. Ari Mikael Behn was born on September 30, 1972 in Aarhus, Denmark, as the eldest son of Olav Bjørshol and Marianne Rafaela Solberg Behn. His parents are divorced now and both have a new partner. He has one younger sister, Anja, and a younger brother, Espen. Ari has lived in Denmark, England, Northern Norway (and Moss in the south) and Ghana, and now lives in Majorstua, Oslo. He is a writer (in 1999 his book 'Trist som faen' was published), journalist and tv-producer. He is fond of travelling, sports and culture.
A new inquiry by the Dutch royal tv-programme "Van Koninklijken Huize" says Máxima is the most popular female member of the royal family. She got 38% of the votes. Queen Beatrix came in second place with 15% and third was Princess Juliana with 14%. From the male members Prince Claus got 45% while the Prince of Orange only got 19% of the votes. In third place it was Prince Bernhard with 15%. 73% of the people questioned said they prefer the monarchy above a republic, while only 13% voted for a republic. 72% said they weren't tired of Máxima yet, despite of the Máximania in the Netherlands at the moment. 77% of the Dutch wouldn't mind if one of the Dutch princes or princesses was homosexual.
The struggle of succession between the descendants of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany got a juridical ending. The court of justice in Stuttgart decided Prince Georg Friedrich is the legitimate heir and is also the legal heir of Hechingen Castle and property in Bremen, Lower Saxony and Berlin (Villa Monbijou), and several pieces of art. In his will his grandfather Prince Louis Ferdinand had appointed him heir in favour of his father's elder brothers (who married morganatically), who didn't agree with this decision. According to the laws of the family a prince has to marry equally, which means he has to marry into another royal/princely family or a family that is regarded as equal.
Yesterday a special birthday celebration took place at Kensington Palace to mark the forthcoming 100th birthday of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. She will celebrate her 100th birthday on December 25th. Many members of the Royal Family attended the celebration, including Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Prince of Wales and Princess Margaret. They watched a special military parade by the King's Own Scottish Borderers, of whom Princess Alice has been Colonel-in-Chief for more than 60 years. A few years ago Princess Alice has withdrawn from public life.
December 14th
On a press conference at Zarzuela Palace the Prince of Asturias announced the end of his relationship with Norwegian model Eva Sannum. He said they had decided to end their relationship "freely, with mutual accord and jointly". He stressed that the decision had not been made due to pressure reported have been put on them by King Juan Carlos or the government. He said the romance had ended "for strictly personal and particular reasons" and that "each one will follow their own path in life." He said that Miss Sannum was "cared for, admired, and respected" by him and that he hoped their friendship would continue. He said: "We have received the support and understanding of both families over the past year". "The relationship simply did not prosper and that's all there is to it," he said. "There is no other reading of this." Over the past months there had been intensive discussions about whether he should be allowed to marry her or not. However in the past few weeks they were not seen together anymore which led to speculations the relationship had ended.
December 15th
Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana Princess of Wales, married Caroline Freud née Hutton today at a quiet family ceremony at his Althorp home. A civil ceremony at 4 o'clock was followed by a blessing at 7 o'clock in the family chapel. The service was conducted by a close family friend. Members of the Eton College choir kindly sung the anthem "Lullay my Liking" and traditional Christmas carols. Just 80 guests were invited to the wedding. Neither Prince William nor Prince Harry turned out for their uncle’s second wedding. The Earl's four children from his first marriage attended as well as the bride's two sons from her first marriage. The bride wore a full-length red gown and stunning colett diamonds once owned by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. Following the brief service the couple and their guests sat down amidst red roses and ivy in the estate’s Picture Gallery for dinner. The menu was provided by the Northamptonshire Estate and the wines came from South Africa.
Alina Lebedeva, the girl who slapped the Prince of Wales across the cheek with a carnation some weeks ago, has been told she will not be going to prison. A spokesman for the Latvian prosecutor general's office said they had dropped charges of assault and hooliganism against her. They said she had apologised to the Prince and was a good student. However, she could still be prosecuted as a minor. Sanctions she could face include being sent to a special reform school or doing work in the community.
December 16th
Today Alois Konstantin Prince zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg celebrated his 60th birthday. The day started with a mass in the chapel of Kleinheubach Castle and later on a concert took place in the Marble Hall. Yesterday the Prince, who is married to Princess Anastasia of Prussia, received hundreds of guests, among them many royals and nobles. Among them were King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark, Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Pieter van Vollenhoven, the Duke and Duchess of Bragança, Princess Eilika zu Leiningen and Princess Benita zu Schaumburg-Lippe. After going out hunting in the afternoon, a banquet was held at the Marble Hall in the evening.
December 20th
41-year-old Princess Buniah al-Saud, a niece of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, was arrested on Tuesday and spent a night in the Orange County Jail charged with beating her Indonesian maid, Memet Ismiyati, and pushing her down a flight of stairs. She was also charged yesterday with theft and with dealing in stolen property. Investigators said she stole $ 6000 worth of electronics equipment and furniture from her former chauffeur, Mohammed el-Biyadi. She had given the property to a neighbour and written a contract to sell it. All the property was returned to Mr el-Biyadi, who had receipts showing the items were his. She was freed on a $ 50.000 bond and told to surrender her passport and to not have any contact with the maid. The princess has been living in Orlando while studying English. Her lawyer, Bud Bennington, said during the hearing she would return to Washington. Princess Buniah could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted of felony battery. She faces an additional 10 years in prison for the theft and stolen property charges. Police contacted the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington after Princess Buniah told them she had diplomatic immunity and embassy officials backed her claim.
December 22nd
The Beurs van Berlage where the Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta will celebrate their civil weddding ceremony will be accessible on February 3rd, 2002, so that the people can see the hall, with all decorations and all chairs like the day before. It is not known if the Nieuwe Kerk, where the religious ceremony will take place, will also been accessible.
On January 1st, 2002, King Albert II of the Belgians will get a female deputy cabinet-chief, 36-year-old Chantal Cooreman. She works already at the cabinet of the king for several years.
In a radio interview Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, the head of the English Catholic Church, has said that the constitution should change in the near future so members of the British Royal Family can marry Catholics. He said politicians should look at the issue because it was 'rather odd' anomaly. "A member of the Royal Family can marry probably anybody, except for Roman Catholics", he said.
December 23rd
Yesterday night Don Jaime de Marichalar Duke of Lugo was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Gregorio Marañon Hospital, accompanied by his wife Infanta Elena of Spain, after suffering a reduction in blood supply to the brain (ischemia) while he was exercising. He felt ill while he was working out on a stationary bicycle at a gym. Doctors performed several tests and are keeping the duke under observation to determine the best treatment. He is connected to a respirator and is close monitored. Today doctors said he was in serious but stable condition and that he is suffering "paralysis of the left side of the body." The evolution of the brain injury will be defined within 48 to 72 hours. Queen Sofia of Spain and Infanta Cristina came to the hospital early on Sunday, and so did three of the five Marichalar bothers.
December 25th
Princess Alice, dowager Duchess of Gloucester, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's aunt, celebrated her 100th birthday today and joins the Queen Mother as the Royal Family's second centenarian ever. As is traditional she got a congratulatory telegram from the Queen.
Burglars broke into the villa of Prince Laurent of Belgium in Tervuren near Brussels this evening, ransacking the place and making off with watches and jewelry. "They took everything" Prince Laurent was quoted: "I don't have anything left. My whole house is torn up. They broke everything." The prince was reportedly visiting a sick friend in hospital when the burglars forced their way into the house. A Royal Palace spokesman said it was the first time that a royal residence had been burgled. A spokesman for the local public prosecutor's office in charge of the investigation said the burglars might not have known the prince lived there. "It was a break-in like any other".
December 26th
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has fractured two ribs after suffering a fall at Marselisborg Palace. A spokesperson reports the injury is not serious and will require just a few days’ bed rest. After the fall, Queen Margrethe II was rushed to hospital where x-rays revealed a fracture in two ribs on her left side. A palace spokesperson confirmed that she will go on with her traditional annual speech as scheduled on New Year’s Day. She also plans to attend other upcoming official engagements on her calendar.
December 27th
In Budapest Archduke Georg of Austria and his wife Eilika announced that they expect their second child in June 2002. They already have a daughter, Zsófia, who was born in January 2001.
December 28th
Don Jaime de Marichalar Duke of Lugo left the intensive care unit of the hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid. According to the doctors his health makes good progress but they can't tell if he will recover completely. They say he has a 75% chance of recovery from the brain ischaemia. They say they are still trying to determine what caused the attack and say the Duke will undergo further tests in an effort to determine the cause. Today the Duke has made exercises of passive rehabilitation in his bed before leaving the intensive care unit, but later he could go down to the gym, where he began with the active rehabilitation. He still is partially paralysized on his left side. For reasons of security four rooms in a section of the hospital have been made available for him.
December 29th
Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven, chairwoman of the Dutch Chamber, says in an interview in the newspaper De Telegraaf today that it is about time that the royal house will be modernised. She says that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands should get more space to express her own opinions and declares that for example ministers should no longer be responsible for the Christmas speech of the Queen. Also the person who forms the Cabinet should no longer be appointed by the Queen. She also said that Máxima Zorreguieta's parents should be able to see the wedding of their daughter on television in The Netherlands.
December 30th
Most people believe the privileges enjoyed by the British Royal Family should be curbed, a survey by the Observer newspaper suggests. Some 57% think the £ 8,9m annual Civil List should be reduced to £ 5m or less. Also 69% of the 3692 people quizzed said younger royals ought to be allowed to set up their own businesses, though without any money from taxpayers. 82% said the monarch should pay inheritance tax.
At the Royal Palace in Brussels Belgium has handed over the chairmanship of the European Union to Spain in presence of King Albert II of the Belgians, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Prince Philippe Duke of Brabant.
The Queen Mother had been forced to miss church again this morning. The Queen Mother has not attended any of the Christmas services at Sandringham this year, being absent already with Christmas itself. Today the Prince of Wales told members of the public outside the church the Queen Mother was suffering from a chill. Royal watchers said it was the first time they could remember the Queen Mother not attending any of the traditional Christmas church services on the royal family's estate in Sandringham. Canon George Hall, rector of Sandringham, mentioned the Queen Mother in his prayers during the service today. He also mentioned Princess Margaret - who has also not attended church over Christmas. On Christmas Day the Countess of Wessex, had made her first public appearance since she lost her unborn baby.
December 31st
Queen Elizabeth II is inviting people born on February 6, 1952 - Accession Day - to special Golden Jubilee garden parties. Those people could attend one of the two garden parties the Queen is hosting in London and Edinburgh. Some 3000 British citizens are thought to have been born on that day and up to 3500 places are being made available. Applicants must send copies of their birth certificate to local Lord Lieutenants' offices by February 15, 2002.
Queen Elizabeth I has won the title of Britain's greatest ever monarch. She topped a poll of more than 10.000 people by BBC Radio 4's Today programme with 31% of the votes, 4% ahead of the present Queen Elizabeth II. Medieval monarch Alfred the Great, finished third with 26% of the votes. King Henry II finished fourth with 9%. Queen Victoria was last with 7%. Oliver Cromwell, who toppled the monarchy in the seventeenth century, received a large number of nominations but was deemed ineligible to make the final shortlist of five because he was never King.
Royal News: November 2001. Last updated: December 1st, 2001.