Last updated: January 2nd, 2007.
December 3rd
The wreckage of the car in which Diana Princess of Wales died is set to go on sale for pounds £1 million. French owner Jean Francois Musa believes there are numerous firms which would want the wreckage. The Mercedes limousine is currently in a police pound in south east London after detectives working on the enquiry into the crash. Mr Musa has begun a legal battle to get the limousine shipped back to France. Mr Musa said: "Now I want to sell it. We've been told a lot of people would pay a fortune for the wreck. We have never had any firm inquiries about it, but people have spoken to me about how much it could be worth."
Followers of King Gyanendra of Nepal have started a campaign to save the crown. They say the country can't do without the monarchy. Led by the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, former ministers and government officials are trying to persuade people that the future governments should have a role for the monarch, if not as a constitutional king, then at least as a ceremonial ruler. The royalists are blaming 'foreign forces', mainly India, for 'conspiring' to destabilise the 238-year-old monarchy. They say the crown is more essential for Nepal now than it was in the past.
December 4th
A Cartier ruby and sapphire brooch given to Wallis Simpson by King Edward VIII at the start of their affair will be auctioned at Bonhams in London on 7 December. The piece which bears their first name initials, WE, was commissioned in 1934 by the then Prince of Wales. It is expected to fetch £35,000. Another gift, a Cartier cuff bangle, is thought to sell for £30,000.
Italian archaeologists have unearthed imperial insignia that belonged to Emperor Maxentius under Palatine Hill near the Colosseum in Rome. They were buried for safekeeping after he was defeated by his Christian rival Constantine. The items include three lances and four javelins, an imperial sceptre with a carved flower and a globe, and a number of glass spheres, believed to be a symbolic representation of the earth. The items, inside wooden boxes and wrapped in linen and silk, were found in the ground of a sanctuary last year and have since been restored and analysed.
December 5th
A soiree to mark the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was held tonight at the Ritz Hotel. More than 300 people attended the soiree, which was hosted in five reception rooms at the hotel and included a five-course meal. And by staying until the small hours of the morning, the Queen firmly extinguished any remaining doubts about her return to form. Among the guests were the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Peter Phillips with girlfriend Autumn Kelly, Lady Sarah Chatto, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alexandra, Lady Helen Taylor, Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Prince Nikolaos of Greece. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall didn't attend because they were hosting a fundraising gala dinner at Windsor Castle.
Princess Sophie von Hohenberg, great granddaughter of Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand of Austria, has filed for the restitution of Konopiste Castle near Benesov, Bohemia, at the district court in Benesov last week. She also claims the castle collections and further extensive properties of the former estate. The property was expropriated with other Habsburg property between 1918 and 1938 so the restitution law wouldn't not apply to it. However the Crown Prince didn't marry equally and his descendants didn't have succession rights. It could therefore be that according to certain legal analyses that the confiscation of the property should not have applied to the Hohenberg family.
December 7th
Lady Butler-Sloss, the coroner in charge of the Princess Diana of Wales inquest has decided to hold a preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on 8 and 9 January in public, rather than in private. She was said to have been persuaded to change her mind because of public interest in the case. A full inquest will be held at a later date.
A Cartier bracelet given by the Duke of Windsor to Wallis Simpson fetched 81,600 pounds at Bonhams auctioneers in London today, over three times its pre-sale estimate. The inscription on the bangle says "For a Happier New Year, Nassau 1-1-41, WE". The bracelet was bought by a telephone bidder from New York. A ruby and sapphire brooch fetched 36,000 pounds.
With the help of her mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, 2-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra lit the Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square in London today. The ceremony was further attended by Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit's son Marius.
December 8th
The Dutch magazine HP De Tijd contains a nice interview with Alicia de Bielefeld, illegitimate daughter of Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. She reveals she has cancer, receives chemotherapy and will undergo two operations later on. "If I have his genes I will survive the cancer," she said. The interview reveals she has been in touch with her father all her life, although she only heard that he was the husband of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and a prince when she was 17. She has visited him in Italy and at Soestdijk palace regularly. She is not in touch with her mother anymore saying her mother is a very difficult woman. She only saw her halfsisters once, apart from Princess Christina and the other illegitimate child Alexia Grinda, but met Queen Juliana several times. Alicia says to miss his father very much and said goodbye to him shortly after his death, although she didn't attend the funeral. She hasn't seen a penny of the inheritance yet.
The Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet reports today that the security around the members of the Norwegian royal family, especially the women, has been tightened after fears that mentally unstable persons may attack them. At least 14 persons are believed to be obsessed with Princess Märtha Louise. The police doesn't want to comment on the story.
Ari Behn, the husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, has declared he votes for the Labour Party. He declared so in a birthday toast to Minister of Culture Trond Giske, a member of the party and a good friend of Ari Behn, three weeks ago. As the royal family is supposed to stay politcally neutral this is quite controversial. Ari Behn, claims his Labour Party leanings shouldn't cause any controversy because he's only married into the royal family, and has no royal title himself.
King Gyanendra and Crown Prince Paras of Nepal have been forced to pay taxes on customs duties on imported goods this week. The customs office at the Tribhuvan International Airport charged a total of 130,893 rupees as duty and tax to release 50 torches and a hunting trophy. A customs official said, "This is the first time in the history of the country that tax and other charges have been slapped on goods imported for the king and royal family members." Lok Darshan Regmi, the head of the airport customs department said: "Palace officials took away the parcel after paying the amount Wednesday. We imposed the tax according to the law."
December 9th
Zara Phillips, daughter of the Princess Royal, today appeared in an advertisement for Land Rover in the Mail on Sunday. She poses in a Roberto Cavalli dress spattered in mud. The headline reads "Beautifully Poised'. The photo was taken by Mary McCartney at Templeton Estate in Roehampton, Surrey, three weeks ago. She is the first British royal in direct line to the Throne ever to appear in an advertisement. Buckingham Palace said to be surprised but said: "She doesn't carry out official duties. How she runs her career is her own affair." The campaign is an extension of Land Rover's support for three-day eventing and Zara Phillips as world champion. Land Rover said: "This is part of our long-standing support for her. We will be doing another ad with her next year that sees her in action as a three-day eventer."
Crown Princess Masako of Japan celebrated her 43rd birthday today. In a prepared statement she said that life with her daughter, Princess Aiko, has been a "pleasure." The Imperial Household Agency, quoting doctors, said: "It is very meaningful for her health that Crown Princess Masako has engaged in child-rearing." The Crown Princess also said that since autumn 2005 she has attended 25 lectures at the United Nations University in Tokyo and thinks it was "a meaningful opportunity to think about issues facing our society."
December 10th
Zara Phillips has been named 2006 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, 35 years after her mother, the Princess Royal, received the same honour. She got one third of the public votes. She collected the award at the NEC in Birmingham today. She won the public vote ahead of golfer Darren Clarke and gymnast Beth Tweddle. "For two members of the same family to win the award for the first time is very special," Zara Phillips said. "My mum said when she won it no-one else was in the running! In the build-up to it, I didn't think it would be a big thing for me. I was thinking 'I'd rather have my world gold medal than the Sports Personality of The Year award. But when it actually came around to the night, and I was up there on the stage, it was unbelievable when you looked at all the top sporting people in the room."
December 12th
Two weeks ago it became known that Prince Laurent of Belgium has been named in a fraud case that is due to be heard in Hasselt on January 8. One of the chief suspects in the case is the prince's former advisor Noël Vaessen The Belgian Navy has been defrauded and a part of the money, 175,000 euros, is said to have been used to carry out work at the Prince's home in Tervuren in the 1990s. In an interview with the newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws today Mr Vaessen said that this happened with the full knowledge of the Prince. He also said the prince was "obsessed" with spending money and buying fast cars. "He tries to get money from everything and anybody because he always is short of money. There is no limit to his spending on luxury goods. He could hardly buy food for himself at the end of the month." Today Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt confirmed a probe was under way and that the government is demanding the repayment of funds to the military budget.
Prince William and Prince Harry of Wales have announced that they are organising a concert to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of their mother Diana Princess of Wales at Wembley Stadium on 1 July, when she would have turned 46. Among the performers are Sir Elton John, Duran Duran, Joss Stone, Bryan Ferry, Pharrell Williams, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the English National Ballet. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning. Prince William said: "We both wanted to put our stamp on it. We want it to represent exactly what our mother would have wanted. So therefore the church service alone isn't enough. We wanted to have this big concert full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness, which I know she would have wanted. And on her birthday as well, it's got to be the best birthday present she ever had." Proceeds from the concert will go to a number of charities that were supported by the princess during her life, and to two of the princes' own charities, Centrepoint and Sentebale. A memorial service will also be held in London on 31 August, the actual anniversary of the Princess's death at a venue to be confirmed. The service will be attended by the senior royals, including the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Prince of Orange has been appointed chairman of the UN committee on water and sanitary provisions, on invitation of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan. "It is an acknowledgement of my activities," the prince said on Tuesday. From Wednesday to Friday the Prince will preside the seventh meeting of the committee.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin 12th King of Malaysia today ended his five-year term as head of state and left for Perlis state. A grand ceremony was held at Parliament Square to bid farewell to the royal couple. People lined the streets and waved national flags when the royal couple were departing for the International Airport of Kuala Lumpur. Dignitaries of the Perlis and Kedah states will greet the royal couple upon arrival at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kedah state. More than 15,000 people of Perlis will be at the Kedah-Perlis border to welcome their return.
Alexandra Galitzine Armour died at her Lake Forest home on 5 December 2006 aged 101. Princess Alexandra Galitzine was born on 7 May 1905 as daughter of Prince Paul Galitzine and Princess Alexandra Mestchersky. She married first Prince Rostislav Alexandrovitch Romanov in 1928, with whom she had one son. In 1954 she married Lester Armour, who died in 1970.
December 13th
Tickets for the "Concert for Diana" which went on sale this morning have already sold out. On the official website http://www.concertfordiana.com a message was posted saying more tickets will be released in the New Year.
Photos and video of the Christmas preparations of the Norwegian crown princely couple were released today.
Nico Kogevinas, Husband of Countess Madeleine Bernadotte, died at Genève, Switzerland, on 4 December. He was born at Corfu, Greece, on 16 September 1918 as son of Linos Kogevinas and Yolanda Politis. He is survived by his wife, his son Linos (from his first marriage to Margarita Skaramanga) with family, and his daughter Désirée. The funeral took place on 8 December at the Russian Orthodox Church at Genève.
Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu was sworn in at the royal palace in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia's 13th king today in a traditional ceremony filled with pomp and pageantry. After taking his oath of office and signing the investiture letter he was proclaimed as the new king. The ceremony ended with prayers of blessings. Earlier, the King and Queen Nur Zahirah were given a 21-gun salute in a welcome at the Parliament after inspecting an honor guard and meeting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other Cabinet ministers. The King will be formally installed next year in a grander affair that includes other ceremonial rituals and traditions. The date has not been set. The King's 8-year-old son Tengku Muhammad Ismail was appointed as regent of Terengganu and will lead the state in the absence of his father for the next five years. A three-member advisory council has been set up to help the young prince carry out his duties.
Sheikha Maitha Mohammed Rashed al-Maktoum, the 26-year-old daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai, today lost the final in the over-60 kilogram class in karate at the Asian Games in Doha and won the silver medal. She was watched by her father to whom she dedicated her victory. "My father is my first teacher," she said, adding that: "The most important lesson I learnt from my father was to accept defeat. This made me proud of the silver medal although I lost the gold."
December 14th
An official UK police inquiry by Lord Stevens into the Paris car crash which killed Princess Diana of Wales and Dodi Al Fayed has found no evidence the couple were murdered. The 832 pages report was released after a three year investigation. Lord Stevens said the 1997 crash was a "tragic accident". The inquiry report said chauffeur Henri Paul, who also died, was speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit. "There was no conspiracy to murder any of the occupants of that car," Lord Stevens said. The evidence suggests Princess Diana was not engaged or about to get engaged and scientific tests showed she was not pregnant. Lord Stevens said: "I very much hope that all the work we have done and the publication of this report will help to bring some closure to all who continue to mourn the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, Dodi Al Fayed and Henri Paul." Clarence House said that Princes William and Harry hope the "conclusive findings" of the report will end speculation surrounding their mother's death. A spokesman for Mr Al Fayed's father said he does not accept the findings as questions remain "unanswered". Mohamed Al Fayed said the money spent on the Stevens inquiry was a total waste.
Archduke Dominic of Austria has offered to sell Bran Castle, which he received back in May, to the local government at Brasov, Romania. Brasov County Council received the proposal this week, spokeswoman Mihaela Chicomban said. "I don't think the owners have taken the offer to sell the castle to the real estate market worldwide."
December 15th
Prince William of Wales graduated from the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst today. The Sovereign's parade was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall as well as Williams girlfriend Kate Middleton. Prince William acted as a marker during the parade to ensure the cadets marched in a straight line. Queen Elizabeth II inspected the cadets and stopping briefly in front of her grandson to say a few words. In her speech the Queen said that a "great deal" was expected of the graduated cadets and "you must be courageous, yet selfless, leaders yet carers, confident yet considerate and you must be all these things in some of the most challenging environments around the world." The prince and his girlfriend Kate Middleton are expected to attend the Sandhurst Ball together. Prince William will officially be awarded the title of 2nd Lieutenant at midnight. The prince has chosen to join the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals. He will now spend four months at Bovington Camp in Dorset, training to become a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit.
The fourth Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, handed over his responsibilities as monarch and head of state to 26-year-old Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who will assume the full responsibilities of head of state as the fifth Druk Gyalpo. In a kasho issued on December 9 the King said: “The time has now come for me to hand over my responsibilities to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. I am confident that a very bright future lies ahead for Bhutan with the leadership of a new King and a democratic system of government that is best suited for our country as enshrined under the Constitution. I have every confidence that there will be unprecedented progress and prosperity for our nation in the reign of our fifth King.” The transition was formally announced yesterday late during a council meeting of ministers. King Jigme Singye Wangchuch said that Bhutan couldn't hope for a better time for this important transition as the country enjoys peace and stability, and its security and sovereignty is ensured. He said to be confident that his son is fully capable of carrying out his responsibilities. The King had already said he was going to abdicate in the near future during the national day celebrations in 2005.
December 16th
This morning the Asian Games medal winners of the United Arab Emirates were welcomed at Dubai International Airport. Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai, won the individual medal in endurance with his horse Magic Glenn. The United Arab Emirates also won the team gold in endurance with in the team Sheikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his brothers Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mayed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. "This is history being written as this is the first time that one family has won so many medals at an international competition," said Ebrahim Abdul Malek, the secretary general of the UAE National Olympic Committee. A delighted Sheikh Rashid said: "I am so proud to win the gold medal. Of course it is no surprise that myself and the other UAE riders achieved all these results in the sport because we are the best. It takes a lot of orientation and effort, but the support of my father is the key point in our success."
December 20th
The Norwegian royal family released the annual family photos for Christmas taken this afternoon at the red drawing-room in the Royal Palace in Oslo. Ari Behn is promoting his new book and had to miss the photosession. The royal couple and the crown princely couple will celebrate Christmas together at Kongsseteren. They have also invited Princess Kristine Bernadotte. Princess Märtha Louise and her family will celebrate Christmas with her family-in-law at Lommedalen.
Irene Fürstin zu Castell-Rüdenhausen née Countess zu Solms-Laubach died at Rüdenhausen Castle on 16 December after a long and serious illness. She will be buried in the family vault in Rüdenhausen on December 23. She is survived by her husband Fürst Siegfried, eight children and 18 grandchildren.
December 21st
Today the first picture of Emma van Vollenhoven, daughter of Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, was released. The photo was taken at the house of Anita's parents.
Baron Carl Silfverschiöld, son of Princess Désirée of Sweden, and his wife Maria had a daughter on December 13. She was born at the Danderyd Hospital near Stockholm. They haven't decided about her name yet.
The newspaper Mail on Sunday has lost ists appeal against a ruling over its publication of the private diaries of the Prince of Wales. Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips said that the information published was private. "As heir to the throne, Prince Charles is an important public figure. In respect of such persons, the public takes an interest in information about them that is relatively trivial. For this reason, public disclosure of such information can be particularly intrusive."
December 22nd
The Princess Diana of Wales memorial concert at the Wembley Stadium on July 1 will be broadcasted live on BBC1 and BBC Radio 2. The event will also be shown online.
Hana Al Jader, wife of Prince Mohamed Bin Turki Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, was sentenced yesterday in the USA. She was sentenced to two years of probation of which the first six months must be served in home confinement. After the home confinement she will be deported to Saudi Arabia. She also is to pay $206,000 in restitution to three of her former domestic servants, pay a $40,000 fine, and perform 100 hours of community service. In September Hana Al Jader pleaded guilty to two counts of visa fraud for lying on immigration forms, and two counts of harboring an alien for keeping the two women at her house though she knew their visas had expired.
December 23rd
In a speech marking his 73rd birthday Emperor Akihito of Japan said that the practice of mourning Japan's war dead can help younger generations better understand the past. He said he hoped facts about World War II would be correctly conveyed so the suffering his generation experienced would never be repeated.
December 24th
In his Christmas speech broadcasted today King Albert II of Belgium said no Belgian is above the law: "Lately, there has been talk of abuse of public services and funds (...) No one is above the law and justice authorities must be able to do their job completely independently." He also said that it is "only reasonable" that those who profit pay compensation. Although he didn't mention the name of his son Prince Laurent it is thought that the King was also talking about him.
In his Christmas speech tonight broadcasted from the Zarzuela Palace King Juan Carlos of Spain called for consensus between the political parties and the institutions to reach an end to terrorism. He said now was the time to redouble efforts in that direction, from a point of mutual respect with sincere and responsible dialogue, and always with full respect for the Spanish constitution. Further he noted Spain's continuing economic growth and said he hopes to see more and better employment, social welfare, heath cover and access to housing. He thanked the Armed Forces for their peace keeping missions and the protection of human rights, as well as the Spanish volunteers working across the world.
Scientists of the universities of Granada and Alcala de Henares and the pathological unit of a Barcelona clinic have conducted preliminary forensic tests on the mummified body of prince Sancho of Castilia, who died in 1370 at the age of 7. They found that the prince may have died of a lung infection after chronic exposure to smoke likely to have come from a fireplace. Historians always suspected the little boy was murdered by his uncle Enrique who wanted to inherit the throne of Castilia. The investigation is not finished yet. The team also wants to make a three-dimensional reconstruction of the prince's face.
December 25th
The British royal family traditionally attended the Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. Queen Elizabeth II and the Countess of Wessex arrived by car while other members walked to church from nearby Sandringham House. The Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, the 4-year-old granddaughter of the late Princess Margaret of Great Britain stole the show swinging from the hands of Prince William and Peter Phillips. She also helped Queen Elizabeth II collecting flowers from children after the service.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's annual Christmas speech was filmed at Southwark Cathedral while she was helping with a nativity collage made by children. The Queen said in her speech: "The pressures of modern life sometimes seem to be weakening the links which have traditionally kept us together as families and communities. As children grow up and develop their own sense of confidence and independence in the ever-changing technological environment, there is always the danger of a real divide opening up between young and old, based on unfamiliarity, ignorance or misunderstanding. It is worth bearing in mind that all of our faith communities encourage the bridging of that divide. The wisdom and experience of the great religions point to the need to nurture and guide the young, and to encourage respect for the elderly." The speech was available as a podcast for the first time this year. The Queen also sent a separate radio message to the armed services and their families yesterday morning.
The themes of the Christmas address Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were freedom of expression and tolerance. The broadcast was watched by some 1,2 million people. She said that the freedom of expression is the base of each democracy. She also said that freedom of religion doesn't mean that people who believe are allowed to hurt or to call for hate. Tolerance starts with the understanding that someone's truth never can be the truth for everyone.
December 26th
In his Christmas Speech King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden has called for increased efforts for the integration of immigrants and refugees in Sweden. He said that all are welcome in the country.
December 27th
The royal family of Tonag will end the 100-night mourning period for the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV at midnight on Thursday. Early on Friday morning a gift-giving ceremony will take place. The 40 royal undertakers, who were banned from using their hands during the period, will then be allowed to go home in an ancient ritual called Pongipongi Tuku. At the ceremony Tongans traditionally present food, pigs and kava to the new monarch. This time there will be a slight difference as King George Tupou V has asked to give the gifts to his mother, Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, at her residence Matahiva showing his willingness to redefine Tonga's near-feudal monarchy, a palace official said.
December 28th
Royal author Brian Hoey is to publish a book about Zara Phillips, the 25-year-old granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, in the summer of 2007. It is not yet known if Zara will be interviewed by Hoey for the book.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has summoned Prince Norodom Ranariddh of Cambodia to answer allegiations that he cheated on his former party, the Funcinpec Party during a hearing on January 5. Last week the court charged the Prince with abuse of confidence after Funcinpec filed a lawsuit to accuse him of selling the headquarters' real estate without the party's permission and pocketing $ 3.6 million from the sale. The prince dismisses the allegiations.
December 30th
Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, is the first royal to receive an award in the New Year's Honours List. She has been handed an MBE for services to equestrianism. The MBE will be handed over by her grandmother at Buckingham Palace. Her nomination was put forward by the sporting honours sub-committee, who approved the award after asking for advice of the royal household. Desmond de Silva, husband of Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia, has become a Knight Bachelor. Until June he was Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
December 31st
In his New Year's speech King Harald V of Norway spoke about human dignity and the unease some people have facing the year 2007. He said: "In our welfare society it is easy to seek the extraordinary, and always compare one's life to everybody else's. Then the chance is that one will be disappointed. Maybe we should rather regard the ordinary, everyday life as "the good life. For many, the possibility for living an ordinary, normal life is just a distant dream. This is a great challenge for us all. A civilized and humane society is tested on how one cares for the weakest." He further thanked the Norwegian military forces and people working for humanitarian and religious relief organizations.
In her New Year's speech Queen Margrethe II of Denmark referred to the uproar over the newspaper cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in a Danish newspaper last January stressing the importance of embracing immigrants and making improved efforts to understand their cultural differences. "To suddenly become the object of uproar and anger is not something we are used to or expect. Here in Denmark, we want for things to run smoothly, and for problems — if they arise — to solve themselves. We think that what seems natural to us must also seem so to everyone else. It's just not that simple. We are starting to realize that we ourselves must understand and make an effort to explain what values our society is based on." She further said: "The past year has probably taught us a lot, not least about ourselves. We now know better what it is we stand for."
King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia returned to his country in the late afternoon after a series of visits abroad. He was away since November.
Royal News: November 2006. Last updated: December 6th, 2006.