Last updated: January 19, 2006.
December 1st
Princess Laurentien and Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands expect their third child in the course of June 2006. They already have a daughter, Eloise, and a son, Claus-Casimir.
Prince Albert II of Monaco has won a legal battle against the magazine Paris Match after they revealed he was father to an illegitimate son. A French court at Versailles ordered the magazine's publishers Hachette Filipacchi to pay 50,000 euros in damages to the Prince on 24 November. The court also ordered HF to publish the case outcome in red letters across a white band, covering a third of the publication's front cover. The decision confirmed a lower court ruling of June 29 against the publishers, claiming their article about the prince's private life had violated French privacy laws and breached the prince's legal rights over ownership and distribution of photographer of his son Alexandre and the child's mother Nicole Coste.
December 2nd
During an archaeological study at Westminster Abbey, London, the site of the original grave of King Edward the Confessor of England, who died in 1066, has been discovered in a forgotten, underground chamber. The site of the original grave has remained a mystery since his body was moved twice in the 12th and 13th centuries, finally being laid to rest at the tiered shrine at the altar of Westminster Abbey. It was known that Edward III, who was born in 1003, was buried beneath the sacrarium floor, but no one had been able to locate his original tomb until now. Archaeologists stumbled across the forgotten chambers while using the radar to investigate the construction of the Abbey's Cosmati mosaic pavement, dating back to 1268, in front of the High Altar. The current team identified other tombs under the shrine, in an area of the Abbey never before surveyed and on which no known records exist. It also revealed a series of royal tombs dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, including a line of what appear to be diminutive graves, possibly for children. Warwick Rodwell, the Abbey's consultant archaeologist, called it an "extraordinary discovery" which was of "unparalleled" historical interest.
The Duchess of Cornwall has made her debute on the royal christimas greeting of her and the Prince of Wales. The holiday greeting shows the official wedding photo of the Duchess and the Prince of Wales together with their four children. In keeping with royal tradition, the couple have chosen to highlight a family event to mark the festive season, and this design clearly commemorates the most momentous change to both their personal lives.
Two Celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the coronation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand were held separately by the government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) at Sanam Luang yesterday, paralyzing traffic for hours. Sanam Luang was turned into a sea of yellow T-shirts, flags, marigolds and placards bearing the specially inaugurated emblem to commemorate the occasion. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra presided over the government’s festivities. Before the government’s celebrations began, more than 50,000 monks gave prayers for the monarchy. Governor Apirak Kosayodhin kicked off the BMA-celebrations by leading some 500 city officials in giving alms to 170 monks, after which he opened an exhibition to showcase various district achievements that were inspired by the King’s past speeches. At the end of the afternoon more than 80,000 city officials and temporary staff, all clad in yellow T-shirts with “self sufficiency” emblazoned across the front, joined Apirak in pledging allegiance to the King and vowed to work honestly for the benefit of the country. The government event ended with a candle-lit vigil and a grand fireworks display. A grand ceremony to celebrate the anniversary of the King's ascession to the throne will take place on 12-13 June 2006, which will be organised for foreign monarchs and dignitaries. The ruling monarchs of 29 countries around the world have been invited to the special celebrations. King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's longest-reigning monarch. He became the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty in June 1946.
Archduchess Regina of Austria was admitted to hospital in Nancy after suffering a stroke on Friday. She was fully conscious when aid arrived at the Hotel de la Reine where she was staying. She had accompanied her husband, Archduke Otto, to a colloquium held in Nancy.
An education board in Japan’s Nara Prefecture said Thursday it has discovered a luxurious tomb most likely that of a king from the ancient Baekje kingdom from Korea who went into exile in the island country. The tomb is in the ancient Kazumayama burial grounds, often referred to as "the kings' ravine," which house many royal tombs including Takamatsuzuka. It is a stone chamber built with flagstone-like bricks in the Baekje style, and judging from the earthenware excavated from it is likely to have built in 660-670 B.C., the Asukamura Education Board said. Kunihiko Kawakami, a professor of archeology at Kobe Yamate University, said, "It’s highly likely the tomb is that of the Baekje king Changseong, who fled to Japan with his father Seongwang in 631 and died in 674." Father and son were unable to return because of Baekje's fall in 660.
December 3rd
Crown Princess Mette-Marit gave to a son on Saturday morning at 10.45am at the Rikshospitalet in Oslo. She had arrived at hospital around 8.00am. The birth went quite quick. A press release from the royal palace says that all is well with mother and child. The child is third in line to the throne. In the afternoon at 15.00 Crown Prince Haakon held a press conference and told he was just as moved by the occasion as the first time. He told that the new prince was slightly larger than average. "We have had a son, and mother and child are fine," the Crown Prince said. He cut the umbilical cord himself. The little prince is 52 centimeters long and weighs 3944 grams. He said that they haven't chosen a name for their son yet. Due to strict official protocol and the logistic problems of a weekend, the name of Norway's new prince will not be made public until Monday. On Monday at 9.00am an extraordinary Cabinet meeting will be held at the palace, and the Prime Minister will make the announcement according to protocol. Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her newborn son left hospital at 15.40.
King Gyanendra of Nepal returned to Kathmandu from overseas yesterday to be greeted by the largest republican demonstration since he seized absolute power in a coup in February. The royal motorcade was stoned as it sped through the city to collect him from the airport after a three-week tour. The car in which Crown Prince Paras was travelling was hit by stones and a senior policeman had his hand broken when a stone flew through an open car window. Later the monarch drove to his palace through streets lined by silent, disapproving crowds. Republicans manhandled a group of red-robed Buddhist monks who had arrived to greet the king. The King is in an increasingly isolated position at home and abroad. Two weeks ago the democratic opposition, including the CPN-UML, reached an agreement with Maoist rebels which offered an end to the Maoist insurgency. Peace talks with Maoist rebels in 2001 and 2003 failed and the king has appointed a cabinet and taken the armed forces under his control. The media has been restricted and critics detained.
December 4th
The Norwegian royal court released several photos of the newborn prince taken by both his parents. The birth was greeted with a 21-gun salute at 1pm today from the canons at Oslo's Akershus Castle and Fortress, and at fortresses elsewhere in Norway.
The Japanese government plans to include the official title of a reigning empress's husband in its bill to allow a female on the throne, government officials said on Saturday. Of Japan's few reigning empresses through history, none was married while on the throne. After setting up a preparatory office last Thursday at the Cabinet Secretariat to draft the bill to revise the Imperial House Law, the government is planning to decide on the issue by around March, the officials said. The panel did not decide on the issue of what to call the husband of a female monarch on the grounds none of the panel members specialize in Japanese literature, according to a panel member.
December 5th
In an extraordinary State Council at the royal palace in Oslo King Harald V of Norway announced that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in agreement with the King, have decided to name their newborn son Sverre Magnus. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced the name of the prince outside the palace after the State Council. He said the name has "long and good traditions in Norway," and also reflects the names of family members on both his parents' sides. Prince Sverre Magnus will not be a Royal Highness, nor will his birthday become an official flag-day. There also won't be any salutes from the Marine on the occasion of his birthday in the future.
A survey on Imperial succession showed today that 71,9 % of respondents support allowing the male-line Imperial tradition to be broken, saying the child of a female monarch should be able to become an emperor or reigning empress. Only 16,1 % want to see a continuation of the tradition of passing down the throne only to heirs who have emperors on their father's side, which experts say has been in place for more than 2,000 years. The survey also showed that 75,3 % are in favor of female monarchs.
An attorney for Grand Duchess Maria of Russia has sent documents demanding the rehabilitation of Tsar Nikolai II and his family to the Prosecutor General’s Office at Moscow. If a court acknowledges her evidence, Nicholas II and his family members will be considered victims of political repressions. However, the head of the House of the Romanovs’ office, Alexandra Zakatova, said today that the offspring would not make any property claims against the Russian government.
December 7th
Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands celebrated her second birthday in Argentina on the last day of her mother Princess Máxima's visit to the country where she was born. As a surprise the photographers were able to shoot some beautiful pictures of Princess Máxima and her daughters Amalia and Alexia outside the Dutch embassy in Buenos Aires. Amalia loved all the attention and put her arms in the air when the photographers sung 'Happy Birthday' for her. During her press conference today Princess Máxima said that she was very much impressed by the enormous warmth she received during her visit. She looks back at the year of the microcredit 2005 with satisfaction and said to have had lots of fun in her work this year. She'd like to continue the work in the future, but doesn't know how yet. On the question how she can do this work as member of the Dutch royal family she answered that "in our Dutch family we are used to use our talents." Amalia's birthday was celebrated with the Argentinean family. Princess Máxima told she wants to show Princess Alexia to her brothers and sister, and of course also Amalia has grown a lot. Princess Máxima said she has had little time for the children in the past days and will make it good in the coming days. The Prince of Orange is expected in Argentina tomorrow.
December 8th
The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry are all to take part in a live ITV1 television event at the Tower of London to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Prince's Trust in May 2006. The show centres on a music concert at the Tower in May to mark three decades of Prince Charles's youth charity. During the show, the three princes will give a joint interview to presenters Ant and Dec, the first time they have been interviewed together. The public will be able to obtain tickets for Prince's Trust 30th Live through a number of ways, including a text ballot, while television viewers will be asked to pledge money by telephone to the charity, which helps disadvantaged young people in Britain. A spokesman for The Prince's Trust said: "We're approaching lots of people but no acts have been confirmed." In a statement, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly said: "As ambassadors for The Prince's Trust, we are really excited to be presenting this live event. We enjoyed interviewing the Prince of Wales four years ago and we're thrilled to have the opportunity to interview him again, this time with William and Harry."
December 9th
Two teenage boys managed to get inside an enclosed courtyard in Windsor Castle after a late-night drinking binge, a youth court at Maidenhead heard yesterday. The pair scaled two walls, a steep embankment, a shrubbery and a long flight of steps before staggering over a barrier into a courtyard near St George's Chapel in the early hours of October 30. After setting off an alarm the pair were seen on a thermal imaging camera making their way up the 100 Steps which lead to the Dean's garden and courtyard. After one was filmed clinging on to a moving CCTV camera, grinning into the lens, the pair were eventually detained under the Terrorism Act and questioned. While one was cautioned, the youth who was filmed hanging on to the CCTV camera was charged with trespass and obstructing the police's security efforts and given a six-months referral order by magistrates at the court. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was warned that he could have found himself facing an armed response and a magistrate described his drinking toll as "unbelievable". The court heard that between them the two boys had put away two beers, followed by another pint of beer, a double vodka red bull, a further vodka red bull, a sambuca, two bottles of Smirnoff Ice, two to three further vodka red bulls and two more bottles of Smirnoff Ice. The Queen was not in residence on the night in question and the pair reached the opposite end of the castle from the royal apartments. One of the boys was told that under his referral order he would be assigned to a Youth Offending Panel who would organise activities to prevent him re-offending.
Prince William of Wales hitched a lift home in a fighter jet to pick up a pair of boots at a cost of £20,000. He jumped in an RAF Hawk for the 250-mile, 25-minute trip to save himself the five-hour journey by road. Royal aides said he needed to go home to collect his Army boots after arriving at an RAF base for secret training without them. Military officials are furious at the waste of public money and insisted the cash should only be used for combat exercises and not to ferry around forgetful young princes. The Prince drove to Sandhurst army college in Surrey yesterday to pick up his military footwear. Clarence House said he needs to wear in the boots before he starts officer training in January. A source added: "He had to obtain the correct boots. He could not buy them on Anglesey because they are issued by the college. It is a long way from Wales to Sandhurst. I suppose he thought it was too far to take a taxi." Prince William has been given secret flying lessons by the RAF since he arrived at Valley on Sunday. He is said to have asked the commanding officer for the lift. A source added: "The RAF are pleased to have William training with them. They had no problem at all with giving him a lift. He enjoyed every minute of it." Prince William, who hopes to become a helicopter pilot, has been on two missions in Hawks and was allowed to take the controls. Royal aides say officially he is doing work experience with a mountain rescue team. But he has spent almost all his time at Valley in different sorts of aircraft.
In a statement on the occasion of her 42nd birthday Crown Princess Masako of Japan said she is recovering from stress-induced illness and has begun appearing at public events. "I am gradually getting better and have begun attending public events little by little," Crown Princess Masako said in her statement. She also expressed her gratitude to the Emperor, the Empress, Crown Prince Naruhito and the public for supporting her in her efforts to recover from stress-induced adjustment disorder. Her daughter Princess Aiko will enter Gakushuin Kindergarten in the spring of 2006. "In no time at all, Aiko has turned four. I feel very emotional at the idea that next year she will already enter kindergarten." She said: "I feel her growth when I see humor and thoughtfulness in her behavior and words." She also hoped that Princess Sayako will enjoy a happy life in her marriage to Yoshiki Kuroda. "She (Princess Sayako) has extended me help in a variety of ways since I entered the Imperial Family. I am now deeply grateful to her kindness," Crown Princess Masako said. Imperial Household Agency officials said that Crown Princess Masako has met with visiting foreign dignitaries at Togu Palace in Tokyo and received lectures by Foreign Ministry officials. She also inspected the Aichi Exposition in July. Her doctors also issued a statement that the crown princess is on the path to recovery. The doctors said, however, that her disorder has not completely gone away due to the "chronic stress" she had been suffering. They said her stress had been "beyond the imagination" of the doctors. "It is desirable for the princess not to hastily return to her official duties but gradually to do so," the statement said. As to signs of her recovery, the doctors noted that she was attending functions again and taking less medication. Still, they said that stress could easily affect Masako's health. The doctors also called on the office of the Crown Prince's Household to consider ways to enable the princess to take on new kinds of official duties as well as life-long projects in which she could use the knowledge and expertise she gained prior to her marriage. They noted that her current disorder was likely triggered by resuming official duties soon after giving birth to Princess Aiko four years ago. The doctors noted a need to devise ways to allow Masako to balance child care and official duties.
Archduchess Regina of Austria was released from hospital in Nancy, France, yesterday. She said she was doing very well. She was accompanied by her husband and three daughters. They left by airplane to Bavaria, where they live.
December 10th
Prince Emmanuel of Belgium was christened in a private ceremony today at the end of the morning at Ciergnon Castle. He was dressed in a long satin gown with a lace overlay. His godparents were Countess Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg. During the ceremony, which was led by Cardinal Gottfried Danneels, Queen Paola read from the bible and Queen Fabiola held a rememberance moment with quotations by the late King Baudouin about the family. The Choir Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino sang. The ceremony was attended by family and friends, among others King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, Prince Lorenz of Belgium Archduke of Austria with daughter Luisa Maria, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg, Princess Sibilla of Luxemburg, Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, Count Patrick and Countess Anne d'Udekem d'Acoz.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and other members of the royal family took part in Make a Difference Day yesterday and today by doing voluntary work. Queen Beatrix spent several hours this morning helping out in a live and care centre in Amersfoort. Also this morning Prince Constantijn, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita were present at a football match for disabled people. Princess Laurentien this afternoon packed food-parcels in Lelystad. Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette assisted at Mappa Mondo in Wezep and in the evening Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène served food to families of asylum seekers at the Happietaria in Groningen. Also in the evening Pieter van Vollenhoven appeared in the Make a Difference Day tv-broadcasting. Already yesterday Prince Floris and Princess Aimée took part in an action of the Voluntary Police in Maastricht.
The wedding of Archduke Konrad of Austria, youngest son of Archduke Heinrich and Archduchess Ludmilla of Austria, and Ashmita Goswami took place this morning at the Catholic Parish in Anif, Austria. A luncheon followed at the Hotel Schloßwirth.
December 11th
The Prince of Wales has been questioned by a former head of the Metropolitan Police over the death of his former wife, Princess Diana, it has been confirmed. The Sunday Times says Lord Stevens and the Prince of Wales met for several hours last week at Clarence House. It reports that the Prince was asked about events leading up to the death of Princess Diana. Lord Stevens is studying suggestions the crash was not an accident. A Clarence House spokeswoman said: "The Prince of Wales has recently met with Lord Stevens as part of his ongoing inquiry."
After over a year of inviting couples to hold their wedding receptions at Balmoral, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's home in the Highlands, only one couple has bothered. And Balmoral admits it has no other bookings. The residence has been thrown open to wedding receptions, corporate events and other celebrations as part of the Queen's plans to maximise her income from her holiday retreat. The decision was taken because the monarch wants to generate more money from Scottish weddings in the winter months when visitor numbers are down. Balmoral was particularly keen to cash in on the Highland weddings business. But factor Peter Ord has revealed that the only non-royal wedding reception at Balmoral was for the daughter of a member of staff. He said: "The only wedding was involving a local girl. Business functions have also been slow. We do not have many booked, in fact less than last year. I don't know the reason why?" Couples cannot marry on the estate as it has no licence to perform weddings. However, the Balmoral website points out that there are churches in Ballater, Crathie and Braemar, and two registrar's offices in the area. If ordinary brides and grooms want a royal setting for their celebrations, Balmoral is offering exclusive access to the Queen's Buildings, effectively the estate's 30-year-old shop and 120-seat restaurant, about 200 yards from the castle.
The Countess of Wessex has outraged animal rights campaigners by killing pheasants during a Royal shooting party yesterday. She and her husband were staying with friends at the Royal retreat Wood Farm on Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's estate in Sandringham, Norfolk. The Countess wore ear muffs to protect her from the noise of the gun. The Earl of Wessex also took part in the shoot. An onlooker said: "She was knocking birds out of the sky and went out to pick up some of the ones she killed." Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, accused the Countess of being "despicably cruel".
Using radar equipment along a northeast corner of the Aliiolani Hale building, military specialists Saturday quickly located a time capsule buried more than a century ago by King Kamehameha V of Hawaii. until now the capsule's exact location was unknown. "We found it within the first 10 minutes we were here," said Larry Conyers, a University of Denver professor. "It never happens like this," he said. The capsule was left undisturbed. Digging it up would destroy the building above, which is also a historic treasure, experts said. They located the capsule so it could be protected during future renovations or natural disasters. The small casket was buried Feb. 19, 1872 more than two decades before the kingdom was annexed by the United States during a celebration where Kamehameha V laid the cornerstone of the Aliiolani Hale. It contains photos of royal families, Hawaiian postage stamps, the Hawaiian Kingdom constitution, 21 Hawaiian and foreign coins, 11 different local newspapers, a calendar and books, such as a Hawaiian language dictionary.
December 13th
In the morning it was reported in the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that Princess Claire of Belgium had to rest in bed for the rest of her pregnancy. However she didn't have to take rest very long. In the evening it was announced that she had given birth to two boys at the Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc at Brussels. The first prince was born at 18.54, weighs 1980 grammes and is 44 centimeters tall. The second prince was born at 18.55, weighs 2210 grammes and is 45,5 centimeters tall. The names will be announced later. The twins were born early, as they were only expected in January. Princess Claire gave birth by caesarian section. King Albert II and Queen Paola visited their new grandchildren this evening.
December 14th
Prince Laurent of Belgium spent the night at hospital with his wife Princess Claire, their daughter Louise and his mother-in-law Nicole Coombs. When leaving hospital this morning he said to the press that he was very happy, but that his work goes on. He hadn't seen his sons yet today. He could tell that his sons will have to spend three to six weeks in the incubator.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has to miss her own New Year's reception on January 10 at Palace Noordeinde in The Hague. The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima will now host the event. At the end of the year the Queen will be operated on her knee.
December 15th
The names of the newborn Belgian royal twins were announced today. The eldest will be called Nicolas Casimir Marie, the youngest Aymeric Auguste Marie. During a press conference this afternoon Prince Laurent of Belgium said both mother and sons were doing fine. He said that the babies had arrived so quickly that he and Princess Claire needed some more time to think about the names of their children. He liked the name Casimir, although Claire didn't, and Marie was chosen because the Prince admires the mother of Jesus Christ a lot. The name Auguste is, like Nicolas, a name that appears in the families of the couple. Claire's parents are called Nicholas and Nicole. It is not known yet if the twins are identical or not. The godparents are not known yet, but the Prince said that they will be people who will inspire the life of the children, and will help them to respect all languages, cultures, religions and colours. Princess Claire will be able to leave hospital early next week. Prince Laurent said tht Princess Louise will be there when her little brothers can leave hospital, and that there won't be photos of the twins as long as they are in the incubator.
King Harald v of Norway has decided to reduce his workload, and may have made his last state visit to remote destinations. After a series of major operations in recent years, he has opted not to take on any highly demanding duties abroad in 2006, newspaper VG reports. A planned state visit to India next autumn is reportedly already cancelled for King Harald, and it is most likely that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will go in his place. "I have been informed that the King has decided that he will no longer take the most exhausting journeys. I think this is very sensible," said Halfdan Ihlen, the king's personal physician. Ihlen has previous advised King Harald to scale down his official program and relax more often.
December 16th
Zara Phillips, daughter of the Princess Royal, was named Event Rider of the Year at the London International Horse Show yesterday. In September Zara had triumphed at the European Championships, taking two golds on her mount Toytown. As she was handed the heavy silver trophy Zara said about her performance. "I have never been so wet in my life", but added that the support of the crowd during the competition in Oxfordshire was fantastic and helped her confidence enormously. On Wednesday evening Zara had been at a gala, where she was picked as the Sunday Times' Sportswoman of the Year, an honour voted for by the public.
Prince Harry of Wales has marched for the first time in the 149th Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, now tthat he is in his second term. There are three such parades a year, at the college. Today's proceedings involved 475 cadets. Around half of them were "passing out" and receiving their commissions into the Army, having completed their officer training course. On January 8 he will be joined at the Academy by his elder brother Prince William, Clarence House has announced. Prince Dasho Khamsum Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan successfully completed the Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst today. Queen Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck of Bhutan attended the parade.
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, her son Prince Floris and her daughters-in-law Princesses Marilène, Annette, Anita and Aimée visited the exhibition 'Brides of Het Loo' at Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn. At the exhibition their wedding dresses are on display. They also opened the annual Christmas presentation 'Christmas at Palace Het Loo'.
December 17th
With a government dinner at the Knight's Hall in The Hague hosted by Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende the silver jubilee year of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands came to an end. The dinner was attended by the Queen, the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien, as well as Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven. Among the guests were all ministers from cabinets since 1980, ministers of state, Prime Ministers and Governors of the Dutch Antilles and Aruba since 1980, as well as the chairmen of the First and Second Chamber. All together about 130 people were invited. From the government the Queen received an art work of Wouter van Baalen. In her speech Queen Beatrix she can't imagine herself a better conclusion of her jubilee year as the dinner that was offered to her and her family this evening, as she met again governmental people with whom she had gone through a lot in the past 25 years.
A royal security review has been launched after the location of the London flat of Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William of Wales, was revealed in the German magazine Das Neue. The magazines showed photographs of the home with a red arrow pinpointing the flat in which the couple spend evenings together. Senior protection sources have described the publication as "grossly irresponsible". Prince William has not returned to the flat since the privacy breach was discovered. The magazine also published a picture of the couple getting into a car outside after a night together. A senior police source said: "To do this is just irresponsible. Everything has to be reviewed in light of this." Prince William is understood to be furious over the intrusion.
The late King Olav V of Norway has been voted Norwegian of the Century by viewers of NRK TV. Public was being invited to nominate candidates for the election. Eligible were all Norwegians who had lived between 1905 and 2005, the first 100 years of Norwegian modern day independence. Six hundred persons were nominated. This was in the process first reduced to 50 candidates, the public then by sending in their votes narrowed this down to 10 candidates for the semifinals, and finally to five candidates for the Saturday finals. The very populat late King Olav V received 41 % of the more than 400.000 votes given.
December 18th
Countess Luana van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkvrouw van Amsberg was christened at Palace Huis ten Bosch today. The service according to the rites of the Amsterdamse Studentenekklesia was led by Huub Oosterhuis, a godo friend of the parents of Luana, Prince Friso and Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau. He red a part of the book Jesaiah: "Look then, I want to make a new heaven and a new earth and on what was before will not be thought anymore, it will not appear in any heart anymore.". Also a part of the gospel of Luke was read: "And it happened that all people were christened, when also Jesus was christened, when he stood there to pray, that heaven would open and the Holy Spirit, in bodily stature, as a dove, would come down to him. And a voice came from heaven: You are my son, my much loved, I am pleased with you." The christening song was from Bernard Huijbers. Luana will not be registered with any church community. The parents want to let Luana make her own decision, but will raise her in the spirit of their own Christian belief. Her godparents were Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands, Eveline Wisse Smit, Sophie Baroness von der Recke and Emma Bonino. The christening gown was a design by Viktor & Rolf, who also designed the wedding dress of Princess Mabel. Among the guests were the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien with their children, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven, Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène with their two eldest children, Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette with their children, Prince Floris and Princess Aimée.
King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan has said he will step down when the country will hold its first national democratic elections in 2008. He would be succeeded as leader of the country by his son, the crown prince. He said he would begin handing over responsibility to 25-year-old Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck immediately. "I would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008," the 50-year-old told the crowd gathered in Trashiyangtse. The king, who has ruled for 33 years, gave up absolute power in 1998. He currently rules in conjunction with the government, an assembly and a royal advisory council.
December 19th
Copying the Prince of Wales's private journals was a "blatant, outrageous and wrongful interference", a High Court judge was told yesterday. The prince of Wales is trying to stop the Mail on Sunday publishing more material from the journals which have already revealed unflattering comments by the prince on the handover of Hong Kong to China. Hugh Tomlinson, QC, representing the prince, told Mr Justice Kitchin that the prince was trying to stop any further disclosure about the journals and their contents before a main hearing in February 2006. Legal action was launched last month after the Mail on Sunday published extracts from the prince's private commentary on the Hong Kong handover in 1997 in which he described Chinese diplomats as "appalling old waxworks". The prince called his 3,000-word journal The Handover of Hong Kong - or The Great Chinese Takeaway. Mr Tomlinson said the prince was claiming the Mail on Sunday article was a breach of confidence and infringement of his copyright and he sought the return of the copied journals. The Mail on Sunday has already given undertakings not to publish more details before the main hearing next year. The prince has sent loyal courtiers his private journals for 20 years. An insider says: "There is a clear suggestion that he no longer trusts his friends. Prince Charles does not want to offend these people and has not singled out any one of them as untrustworthy. But he feels very betrayed, misunderstood and criticised at every turn." The prince believes the documents were leaked by a former member of his staff. The Prince's private secretary, Sir Michael Peat, has been in touch with members of the prince's inner circle to ask for photocopies of his journals to be returned.
Television artist Rolf Harris has unveiled his portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain at Buckingham Palace. The portrait, commissioned to mark the monarch's 80th birthday next year, is said to be an "impressionistic", rather than a "photographic", representation. "I'm not making any claims that this is the greatest painting in the world," said Harris. "I've done the best I can." The story of the painting will be shown in a BBC documentary on New Year's Day. "I was really thrilled with the impressionistic look, especially the hands," Mr Harris added. "I really like the way you get the blueness of the veins coming through the skin." Mr Harris had two sittings with the Queen over the summer. The portrait took him two months to complete. "I would get dressed and switch on the lights and start painting, night after night, sometimes painting for three hours, working on the little details." The Queen last viewed the portrait following the second sitting and remarked that it looked "very friendly". Mr Harris aimed to capture the Queen's "obvious charm and friendly quality". "I wanted to avoid the formal sort of portrait with all the jewellery and pomp and splendour," he said. "I wanted to capture the lady as she is with all her humour and reality." He added that the Queen appeared to enjoy the sittings: "I'm only too happy to be sitting absolutely motionless, doing nothing," she told him. The portrait will go on display to public at The Queen's Gallery in London from Tuesday.
Countess Feodora af Rosenborg and her husband Eric Patte have split up after seven years relationship. They married on July 31, 2004 at Copenhagen. Divorce papers have been filled in. The couple remain friends.
Swaziland has been shocked by the theft of King Mswati III's leopard-skin cape. The "umdada" cape went missing about three weeks ago, as the king prepared for the "Incwala" kingship ceremony that tests his fitness to reign. The Swazi Observer newspaper reported that the costume was found in the possession of a royal adviser. It says that the adviser said he had bought it from one of the king's valets. Prince Masitsela, the king's brother, said that ancestral spirits would deal with the thieves. "Anyone who came in contact with the costume is in for a shock," said the prince. "In the history of the Swazis, anyone who touches anything belonging to the king, be it a trouser or anything that he wears, angers the gods who will cast a spell on him."
December 20th
A new survey conducted by Norwegian Social Science Data Services at the University of Bergen, shows a major decline in the popularity of Norway's royal family. The survey showed that only 13 % of young people questioned said they were fond of the royals. That's down from 30 % in 1991. The survey reveals the opinions of Norwegian youth, and was taken in connection with the national school elections last September. The results were published Tuesday in the national newspaper Vårt Land.
Versailles Palace today unveiled the fruit of more than a year of dusting, polishing and patching up to return its Hall of Mirrors to a semblance of its 17th-century splendor. The section was closed to the public for 18 months as part of a $14.4 million facelift. "This is harmony rediscovered," said Frederic Didier, the architect behind the project. "You really feel the unity between the walls and vaulted ceiling _ between the marble that kept its brilliance and the paintings that had faded." Restoration of the hall's other section, which remained open to visitors during the work, is to begin in February and will last until 2007.
December 21st
At the end of the year Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will receive a new left knee in an operation at the Haga Hospital, location Rode Kruis in The Hague. Afterwards she will spent some time at the Bronovo Hospital for rehabilitatin. It is expected the recovery will take more than two months. The Queen hopes to return to work completely afterwards.
December 22nd
This morning Prince Laurent of Belgium registered his sons at the townhall of Woluwé-Saint-Lambert in Brussels. He said that his wife and children are doing well and that he hopes that his sons will be able to leave hospital in three weeks. When she acted as a witness for Prince Laurent gynaecologist Corinne Hubinont said that twins Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric will remain in hospital until mid-January. Hubinont signed the birth register together with Viscount Etienne Davignon. The third witness was Count Cédric du Monceau de Bergendal, and the fourth naval captain Georges Vanlerberghe. As a gift from the municipal council, Mayor Georges Désir gave Prince Laurent of Belgium two rocking horses in the form of a cow.
The whole building of the Farmer’s Palace in Peterhof, or Petrodvorets, was almost completely enveloped in fire today, over an area of 500 square meters. Firefighters have so far been unable to extinguish the fire. The Farmer’s Palace was first built as a one-storey farm in 1830 with one of the pavilions for Tsarevich Alexander, the son of Tsar Nicholas I. In 1859, it was rebuilt and became a two-storey residence for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. The palace was seriously damaged during World War II. Recently, it had been undergoing restoration.
Speculation has arisen over the health of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga after a report that he has been rushed to New Zealand for medical reasons. Since December 19 Tonga's Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata had been running the country as Prince Regent "until the king returns". "The King of Tonga left Tonga to go to New Zealand ... for medical reasons in what appeared to be a hasty departure," a newspaper reported. The trip was unexpected since the king had only recently returned to Tonga from New Zealand and had been expected to be at home over Christmas and the New Year. Sateki 'Ahio, the acting secretary for the palace office, told the newspaper that he was not sure if the king would stay in Auckland or return to Tonga for Christmas.
December 24th
The Prince of Wales has reportedly considered using the name George when he becomes King. He has discussed ditching the title Charles III because of associations with some of the bloodiest periods in the monarchy's history, the Times says. But Clarence House said that a choice would not be made until the coronation and the report was "idle speculation". A senior Royal official quoted in the Times said there had been an assumption the Prince would keep the name Charles. The Prince of Wales was christened Charles Philip Arthur George. Former Buckingham Palace press spokesman Dickie Arbiter said by using the name George, Charles would be paying tribute to the both his grandparents. "It would not just be a tribute to his grandfather, but a sort of loving memory to his late grandmother, whom he absolutely adored," Mr Arbiter told BBC Radio Five Live.
Count Christiaan and Countess Willemijn van Rechteren-Limpurg had their second son, Florian Nicolaas Erik, at Amsterdam on 20 December. Their first son is called Alexander.
December 25th
The youngest generation of the royal family of Norway stole the show in the past two days. The Christmas Eve church service at Asker Church was attended by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, as well as their children Marius, Ingrid Alexandra and even three-week-old Sverre Magnus. They were accompanied by the Crown Princess's mother, brother Espen and his partner Renate Jonassen with their baby son. Today the service at Holmenkollen Chapel near Oslo was attended by King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn with daughter Maud Angelica and by Princess Kristine Bernadotte. On December 19 already the traditional family Christmas photos were published, taken at the Royal Palace. Only Ari Behn doesn't appear on the pictures, as he was ill.
The British royal family was greeted by more than 2000 of flower-bearing well-wishers when they attended the Christmas church service this morning at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham. The Duchess of Cornwall clearly enjoyed her first church service with the family and needed help carrying the many bouquets presented to her. She, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales, Peter Phillips and Princess Eugenie made the 500 yard walk from Sandringham House to the church. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain arrived separately by car accompanied by the Countess of Wessex and Princess Beatrice. The service, conducted by the rector of Sandringham, the Rev Jonathan Rivierie, was held in private, though it emerged that the duchess had been mentioned by name during the traditional prayers for the Royal Family. Prayers were also said to the victims of the London bombings in July and the Asian tsunami last Christmas.
In her annual pre-recorded Christmas speech from the Chapel at Buckingham Palace Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain praised the "quite remarkable" humanitarian responses to natural disasters and terrorist acts in 2005. She recalled events from the Asian tsunami to Hurricane Katrina and the 7 July London bombings and highlighted the efforts by people of all faiths. "This world is not always an easy or a safe place to live in, but it is the only place we have," she said. "This Christmas my thoughts are especially with those everywhere who are grieving the loss of loved ones during what for so many has been such a terrible year." She referred to the events to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, saying the "need for selflessness and generosity in the face of hardship is nothing new". She said the last year "I believe also that it has shown us all how our faith - whatever our religion - can inspire us to work together in friendship and peace for the sake of our own and future generations."
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden's traditional Christmas speech was dominated by the natural catastrophes of 2005, but at the same time, the king pointed out that the misery and chaos was not without glimmers of hope. "One year has passed, but we will never forget the catastrophe which happened on the other side of the world on Christmas Day and which came to affect our country so badly," said the king. "But my wish is that all you who find it so hard will be able to feel hope in an existence which is now unbearable, an existence which could also offer happiness and harmony." Finally, he encouraged everybody to reach out and offer a helping hand to those in need. "We can all, one by one, light a candle in the darkness," said the king.
Yesterday evening King Juan Carlos I of Spain in his Christmas speech called on the Spanish people to show ‘consensus and moderation’ in times of tension and to defend the Constitution. He said that an end to terrorism continued to be the priority objective. He called on the Spanish people to ‘overcome our differences, look to the future, and work day by day to make Spain the modern just and solidarity thinking country which we can all be proud of’.
From Palace Huis ten Bosch near The Hague Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands reminded people to be thankful for the good in life during her Christmas speech. "We live in a time when what we lack is constantly emphasized. Thankfulness begins with the recognition that there is a lot that is good," She said at the end of her silver jubilee year. She had been received everywhere with cordiality during her jubilee year for which she was indebted. Her office made her aware of how important the support of others was to carry out her duties. She also thanked her late husband, Prince Claus, for all that he had done for and meant to the Netherlands. She included her sons and other members of the royal family in this thank you, saying that "With the strong support from my family I can fulfil my duties." Tensions between different groups in the population threatened the cohesion of society even in the Netherlands, the Queen said.
December 27th
Clarence House yesterday issued a denial of claims that the Prince of Wales has held private discussions with "trusted friends" about the possibility of reigning as George VII rather than risk the negative connotations attached to the name King Charles. Officially the Prince's office said yesterday: "No decision has been made and it will be made at the time."
Princess Ubol Ratana of Thailand, who lost her son in the tsunami at Christmas 2005, presided over the final tsunami memorial ceremony in Phang-Nga, organised by the Thai government, yesterday evening. The event started with inter-faith memorial services comprising Buddhist, Christian, Islam, Sikh and Hindu religions. A video with the song Winds of Hope was played showing the events of the day. After two poems, read by a British girl and a Thai boy, the Princess held her speech. She shared her painful experience, and gave moral support to victims' families and encouraged them to move on. Then the lighting of candles was marked with a final minute of silence and 5,000 beautiful lanterns floated up into the sky ending the final moments of a memorable day of memorial ceremonies.
December 28th
A row between Tonga’s Prince Regent, Prince Ulukalala Lavaka Ata and the widowed daughter-in-law of the King, Lady Alaileula Tuku'aho has forced her to leave the island kingdom, Matangi Tonga reported. Lady Alaileula is the widow of the late Lord Ma’atu, the King’s second son who died suddenly in February last year. She described her departure from Tonga on December 20 as the “end of that chapter of my life.” She returned to Apia, Samoa, where she comes from originally, with Hon. 'Etani Tuku'aho, the youngest of her four children. She said she did not want to comment on the events surrounding her hasty departure. “I don't really want to talk about what happened - I have left Tonga and that is the end of that chapter of my life,” she told the Tongan online news service. Sources close to the Tongan Royal family in Nuku'alofa confirmed the row between the two resulted from the killing of a King’s cow on the royal estate.
December 29th
Television newsreader Anna Lindmarker from Sweden has made an official complaint against her own channel, TV4, after it was said in the satirical panel game Parlementet on 25th September she was the mistress of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. Panelists were invited to comment on "the unfaithful king", following the naming in Solo magazine of three of the King's supposed mistresses. In the complaint to the Broadcasting Commission, the channel is accused of violating Mrs Lindmarker's private life, of not observing its duty to provide accurate information. According to Lindmarker's lawyer Percy Bratt, the programme breached the conditions of its licence. "The accusations in the programme about Anna Lindmarker's sexual relations with the king have been given currency by being repeated again and again," Bratt wrote in his complaint. The newsreader's bosses at TV4 say they support their news anchorwoman's decision to file a complaint.
December 30th
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands arrived in hospital this afternoon accompanied by her sons the Prince of Orange and Prince constantijn. The operation on her left knee took place this afternoon. The 1 1/2 hour operation went well.
December 31st
Children was the main theme in this year's New Year's speech of King Harald V of Norway that was broadcasted tonight. He also recalled reflections made during his own hospitalization earlier this year. "Lying there in a hospital bed, one looks at life in a different light, and what is really meaningful becomes even more important. Not least one understands how imporant family and friends are. For me, to be a grandfather and see new grandchildren borne into the family has enriched my life", the King said. "On this New Year's Eve it is the coming generation which is on my mind. A small child carries within it the future. That it why it is important that that it be given the opportunity to develop in a secure environment. Children need to be recognized and to develop faith in themselves." He continued: "Children are unfortunately easy to trade with, because thay are helpless, trusting and seek protection. This is part of the slave trade of our times, and a threat to all positive values in our international society." He also recalled the Tsunami disaster in from Christmas 2005 and the catastrophes which followed.
Royal News: November 2005. Last updated: January 15th, 2006.