ROYAL NEWS: DECEMBER 2007

Last updated: January 6th, 2007.

December 1st
Photos were released by the Imperial Household Agency on the occasion of the 6th birthday of Princess Aiko of Japan.
  • Photos (pages 1, 2 and 3)
  • Video

    December 2nd
    Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan gave birth to a baby daughter today. Mother and daughter are doing fine. According to the announcement by the courts of Dubai and Jordan the princess is very happy and enjoys the first moments of motherhood. The baby is the first child of the princess and her husband Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai together. The Emir already has 16 children from other marriages/relationships.

    Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece opened the christmas shopping at Walton Street, Knightsbridge, London.

    December 3rd
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales night security manager François Tendil said that Henri Paul wasn't supposed to drive the car of the princess and Dodi Al Fayed the night they died. Henri Paul was head of security at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Dodi Al Fayed's usual driver Philippe Dorneau remained at the front of the hotel acting as a decoy. The plan was made to evade the paparazzi at the hotel. Mr Dorneau told at the inquest that there had been very much press attention that night. He is sure that the crash wouldn't have happened if the media hadn't been there.

    The car King Edward VIII of Great Britain drove when heading for Downing Street to announce his abdication on 10 December 1936 was sold at auction at Bonhams in London for $ 205.429. The buyer wasn't named. The American built Buick from 1934 was made for the King when being Prince of Wales.

    December 4th
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales former manager at the Ritz Hotel, Thierry Rocher said that driver Henri Paul had a specific status at the hotel and was allowed to drink while on duty, unlike other employees. Yesterday manager François Tendil stressed that Henri Paul didn't appear to be drunk.

    An exhibition at Windsor Castle is to mark the 60th birthday of the Prince of Wales on 14 November 2008. The exhibition will be open from 16 May 2008 to 22 February 2009. It will show private family photographs from the Royal Photograph Collection, photos of major public events in his life and personal effects.

    December 5th
    The Prince of Orange, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and their three daughters will spend Christmas at Princess Maxima's family in Argentina.

    King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand celebrated his 80th birthday today. Celebrations were held in Thailand to mark this event. Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the royal palace in Bangkok to show the King their respect. The King and Queen arrived at the Grand Palace in a motorcade at 10.00 am and waved to the people in the streets. At 10.35am the King, Queen and other members of the royal family appeared at the balcony of the Chakri Throne Hall Building. In front of the Chakri Thone Hall politicians, diplomats, dignitaries, top civil servants and other distinguished guests had were waiting to attend the Royal Blessing ceremony. The King delivered a short speech that was broadcasted live on television. Yesterday he delivered a longer speech. He stressed the need for national unity. He also reassured the people that his health is fine.

    December 6th
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales Claude Roulet, former employee of the Al Fayed family said that he helped Dodi Al Fayed chosing a ring at Alberto Repossi's shop in Paris. He said it was a late decision and that Dodi Al Fayed didn't even look at it and bought the cheapest ring available. He said that Dodi Al Fayed and Princess Diana didn't chose the ring together and disputes that it was an engagement ring. Mohammed Al Fayed told him later on to shut up when he questioned Alberto Repossi's story.

    Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia has sold his guest home in Aspen for $ 36,5 million to Star Mountain 3 LLC, a Florida concern. The house was used to host members of the prince's family. The deal was recorded yesterday. The prince in 2006 put up for sale his Hala Ranch at Aspen, but took it off the market last month.

    Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia has lost his case at the Bundesgerichtshof in Karlsruhe. He had tried to terminate the work of the executor of the will of his late father. The Prince now might have to return paintings and furniture from the Villa Monbijou in Berlin where he lives.

    Israeli archaeologists said yesterday they believe to have uncovered a 2000-year old mansion of Queen Helene of Adiabene just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The uncovered building is the largest ever found in the area and includes storerooms, living quarters and ritual baths.

    December 7th
    It became known that Royal Aide Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davies will appear at the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales next week. He is the Duke of Edinburgh's private secretary. Next week also Princess Diana's stepmother Raine Countess Spencer and her friend Rosa Monkton are expected to give evidence.

    Princess Astrid of Belgium is to quit as chairwoman of the Belgian Red Cross. Her term will come to an end on 31 December 2007. She however intends to carry on supporting the projects and organisations that have received help during her period at the helm of the Belgian Red Cross. She will be open to requests for support from other NGOs that are involved in humanitarian work at home or abroad it said in a statement by the Belgian royal court. The Princess took the opportunity to thank the 25.000 people that do voluntary work for the Belgian Red Cross and said that "the constant selfless efforts by the volunteers have always been a great source of inspiration and encouragement."

    December 9th
    In a statement issued on the occasion of her 44th birthday Crown Princess Masako of Japan says she is grateful that she has been able to increase her official duties in 2007. She said: "Although I feel regret for not been able to fully recover yet, I am grateful that I have been able to extend the scope of activities in the past one year." She said to hope that her daughter Princess Aiko will enthusiastically take a new step as she enters an elementary school next April.

    Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven ran the Honolulu marathon today. He also ran the marathon five years ago. It took him 3 hours and 51 minutes to reach the finish.

    December 10th
    The Swedish royal family attended the Nobel Prize celebrations in Stockholm today. For the first time since 1976 Princess Lilian of Sweden didn't attend the Nobel festivities. The awards ceremony took place at the Stockholm Concert Hall, followed by the banquet at the city hall. The Norwegian royal family earlier on the day attended the Nobel peace prize ceremony at the town hall in Oslo.

    Princess Amalia of the Netherlands started school today in group 1b of the Openbare Bloemcamp School in Wassenaar. She was taken to school this morning by her parents the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima. The princess had already been there for one morning some weeks before to have a look. Only few press was allowed inside the school, and despite requests not to come several photographers were outside the school to take photographs. Princess Amalia turned 4 last Friday. She celebrated her birthday at home.

    King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has chosen his half-brother Prince Meshal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud to lead the 35-member committee that will choose the country's future kings and crown princes. The King announced the appointment during a family gathering in Riyadh on Sunday evening.

    The court of appeal at Kuwait upheld the death sentence against Sheikh Talal, a member of the royal family, for drugs trafficking. A life term against three accomplices was also confirmed.

    Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi died this afternoon aged 73. He was the elder brother of the ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. Funeral prayers will be held tomorrow at King Faisal Mosque, followed by the funeral at Al Jubail cemetery. Sharjah is one of the United Arab Emirates.

    The palace of Emperor Augustus in Rome will partially reopen to the public on 2 March 2008 officials said today. Groups of up to 10 people will be guided through the palace. The palace had been closed since the 1980s because of restoration work. Restoration will continue in other parts of the residence.

    December 11th
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales barman Sebastien Trotte said that driver Henri Paul didn't appear to be drunk. He served him two 4cl measures of Ricard at the Bar Vendome at the Ritz Hotel. Emanuele Gobbo, employee at Repossi jewellers, said that Dodi Al Fayed wanted to buy a ring, but never mentioned the word engagement ring. His boss Alberto Repossi however again stated yesterday that Dodi Al Fayed wanted to buy an engagement ring.

    Petra News Agency today reports that the baby girl of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum of Dubai and Princess Haya Bint Hussein of Jordan was named Aljalila.

    Christian Estrosi, secretary of state for overseas territories of France, will travel to Great Britain to request the return of the remains of Emperor Napoleon III of France and his wife. The couple was buried at St Michael's Abbey in Farnborough, Hampshire, which was founded around 1888 by Empress Eugénie. The couple died in exile. Father Cuthbert, who heads the abbey, is unlikely to agree to the request.

    The annals of the Joseon Kingdom comprising 1,893 books covering 472 years (1392-1863) of history from founder King Taejo to the end of King Cheoljong will be available on the Internet. Internet users can see the Korean translation, original texts in Chinese and original images. The National Institute of Korean History completed the three-years project recently. The online service will open on 12 December.

    December 12th
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales the princess's stepmother Raine Countess Spencer tried to make clear that her stepdaughter had had a difficult life. She described Dodi Al Fayed as charming, sweet and modest and said that the love between Dodi Al Fayed and Princess Diana hadn't merely been a summer romance. She said to be convinced that they were making plans to get married or live together shortly before they died.

    Conservative lawmakers in Japan said that 1-year-old Prince Hisahito should be treated with more reverence as third in line to the throne. One politician said: "We lawmakers are very concerned about how someone who has a very high chance of inheriting the throne will be brought up to become emperor.

    Christie's didn't manage to sell a necklace with pearls and diamonds once belonging to Queen Marie-Antoinette of France. The pearls and diamonds were smuggled for the Queen to Great Britain by the British ambassador's wife Lady Sutherland when she fled the country in 1792. After the Queen's death the pearls and diamonds were made into a necklace. The necklace had been expected to fetch 350.000 to 400.000 pounds.

    December 13th
    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales the jury was shown extracts of letters between Diana Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh. The letters, written between June and September 1992, were presented by the Duke's private secretary Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis. In the letters the Duke said he would do his best to help the Princess and his son the Prince of Wales, but admitted to have no talents as marriage counsellor. The Princess's friend Rosa Monckton said that the allegations by Mohammed Al Fayed that she became friendly with Diana so she could pass on information to MI6 were "absolute fantasy". However she said that someone close to her was involved in the Secret Intelligence Service. Rosa Monckton said that the relationship between the princess and Dodi Al Fayed was just a fling. She also said that the princess had told her that Dodi Al Fayed would buy her a ring that would definitely go on a finger on her right hand and that she wasn't going to get engaged. Rosa Monckton also said that the princess had her period 10 days before her death on a yachting holiday. Two letters were released in the inquest. In a letter dated 6 August 1997 Princess Diana thanks Dodi Al Fayed for the great vacation and for bringing joy in her life.

    December 14th
    Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria, fifth child of Emperor Karl and Empress Zita of Austria, died at Brussels (Belgium) on December 11 it was announced today. He was born on 10 March 1918. In 1950 he married Princess Yolande de Ligne. He is survived by his wife, four children and 20 grandchildren. The funeral will take place at the Kapuzinergruft in Vienna, Austria, on 12 January 2008.

    December 15th
    An HQ version of the Christmas Greetings for 2007 of the Spanish royal couple and the crown princely couple can be downloaded at the website of the Spanish royal family.
  • Christmas photos

    The funeral service for Archduke Carl Ludwig of Austria will be held at the Stephansdom in Vienna, Austria, on 12 January 2008 (4pm). A requiem will be held at the Abbaye de la Cambre at Brussels, Belgium, on 18 January 2008 (11am).

    December 17th
    At 4.20pm today the Countess of Wessex gave birth by caesarean section to a son at Frimley Park NHS Hospital in Surrey. The baby weighs 2800 gramms and is 8th in line to the throne. A name hasn't been chosen yet, but he will receive the title Viscount Severn. The Earl of Wessex was present at birth. A spokeswomen said: "They are thrilled, absolutely thrilled." The Earl of Wessex said later to the press that the birth had been 'a lot calmer than last time' and that the countess was 'doing very well'. He said that his son was 'like most babies, rather small, very cute and very cuddly'. Also the grandparents are said to be delighted with the news. The baby is the 8th grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Countess is expected to stay in hospital for the next few days.

    At the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales it was said that French police investigating the car crash never suggested that the crash was anything else than a tragic accident. Scotland Yard Detective Chief Superintendant Rees said he had repeatedly asked his French colleagues about the possibility of foul play, but they always denied. Lady Annabel Goldsmith told at the inquest that the princess had a wonderful time with Dodi Al-Fayed but that an engagement hadn't been planned.

    In an interview to the tv-channel SVT in connection with her internship at the Swedish delegation to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, in the first half of this month Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden said: "I hope that I too have some freedom of expression. You cannot remain silent regarding all issues, for instance environment issues or the sexual exploitation of children." Victoria also said that preparing to become a queen "is a life-long" process, involving "deeper and broader" studies. She said: "I am pretty glad about that. I am curious and find it easy to interest myself in different matters."

    Crown Princess Himani of Nepal was rushed to the Medicare Heart Centre in Chabahil this evening after complaining about a headache and breathing problems. She was accompanied by two doctors of the royal family. She was released one hour later after having had an ECG and X-ray done. She was told to undergo a thorough check up later on.

    December 18th
    New photos were released of Prince Floris and Princess Aimée van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven and their daughter Magali who was born last October. These are the first photos of them as a family. They were taken by Frank van Beek at the couple's house in Amsterdam.
  • Floris and Aimée

    December 20th
    Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has become the oldest reigning monarch of Great Britain today around 5.00 pm taking into account times of birth and death, Buckingham palace said. She overtook from her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria who died in 1901 at the age of 81 years and 243 days.

    The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their newborn son left hospital today and went home to Bagshot Park. They briefly showed their son to the press and well wishers outside the hospital. A spokeswoman said that the couple hasn't chosen a name yet but were 'narrowing it down'. She also said that the baby was 'the perfect Christmas present'. It is expected they will celebrate Christmas with the rest of the royal family at Sandringham.

    December 21st
    The Earl and Countess of Wessex have named their son James Alexander Philip Theo.

    December 22nd
    The Prince of Orange, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and their three daughters posed for photographers in the garden of the Dutch embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They hope that the Argentinean media leave them alone during their vacation in Princess Maxima's homeland.

    The Norwegian royal court has issued the yearly Christmas photos of the royal family. They were made at Kongsseteren this morning and show the family decorating gingerbread men.
  • Christmas photos 2007

    The Belgian royal court announced that King Albert II of the Belgians will take a month off to fully recover from his hip operation in June 2007. The news doesn't come as a surprise. Due to the political crisis in Belgium the king didn't manage to take the three months rest he needed after the operation. The king swore in a new interim government yesterday.

    December 23rd
    Emperor Akihito of Japan celebrated his 74th birthday today. He and his family appeared at the glass-covered balcony of the palace to greet the 11.000 well-wishers. The Emperor told them: "I thank you for coming to wish me a happy birthday on this cold and rainy day." He also said: "I hope the new year will be a bright and happy one for you." On the occasion of his birthday the Emperor answered some questions by the press on Thursday. He criticised media reports for misinterpreting his comments about the private vacation to the Netherlands of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako in August 2006. He refused to answer any family questions during the press conference.
  • Questions by the press

    December 24th
    In his Christmas speech which was aired today King Albert II of the Belgians has implored Belgium to rise above its political and cultural divisions. He said: "We sometimes have the impression that our relations with foreign countries are better organized and better structured than those within our own country." He said that it was necassary, especially for young people, to know also the languages of the other communities in Belgium.

    In his Christmas speech this evening from La Zarzuela Palace King Juan Carlos I of Spain called for unity in the fight against terrorism and for greater efforts to reach a consensus between political parties.
  • Christmas Speech (in Spanish)

    The government of Nepal has agreed to abolish the monarchy and declare Nepal a republic after the general election in April 2008 and the establishment of a new constituent assembly afterwards. The agreement is part of a deal to persuade Maoist former rebels to rejoin the interim government administration. The agreement was signed by the main political parties of Nepal.

    December 25th
    On the 50th anniversary of her first televised Christmas speech this year's speech of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has been posted on the video website YouTube. The link www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel also features archive and recent footage of the queen and other British royals. In her Christmas speech the Queen this year highlighted the need of vulnerable people in society. She said that people should share responsibility to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. The royal family attended Christmas morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham today. Hundreds of people came to see the royals arriving.

    In her yearly Christmas speech Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands criticised intolerance and increasing individualism. She said that it can't be expected that everyone thinks, does and believes the same thing: "While people were free to practice their own religion and ideology, everyone must obey the same law."

    Also Grand Duke Henri of Luxemburg held a Christmas speech which can be watched here

    In his Christmas speech King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden expressed his concern over the conflicts in the world, but also expressed hope for a better world. He said: "We seem to have trouble living together on this earth." He also said taht we have to find ways to live together with mutual respect for each other's differences." The King also spoke about climate problems: "The rich world must take its responsibility."

    December 27th
    Right wing politician Geert Wilders, leader of the political party PVV, criticised the Christmas speech of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and said it was 'stuffed full of multi-cultural nonsense'. He said that the speech is an attack on his party. He says he is going to submit a motion calling for the role of the Queen in the government to be restricted to ceremonial functions. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said: "Wilders says he wants to defend Dutch interests, but he is destroying that which makes the Netherlands the Netherlands: our royal family, our tolerance and our solidarity with people beyond our borders." Other politicians say the speech was very beautiful and by no means an attack.

    December 28th
    A poll by Discovery Channel among 1004 people reveals that nearly 70% of the British people between 18 and 24 years old are in favour of the monarchy. Only 16% wishes a republic. 81% of them doesn't want Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain to step down. 70% favours Prince William of Wales as the next monarch. 80% thinks that his girlfriend Kate Middleton would be a good addition to the British royal family. Less than half of the people questioned find the Duchess of Cornwall a good ambassador for the royal family. Almost 70% admire the late Diana Princess of Wales more than the Duchess of Cornwall.

    Today also the Nepalese parliament voted for abolishing the monarchy in Nepal. The motion from the government passed with a majority of 270 votes to three, and 56 abstentions or absences.

    Prince Dom Pedro Gastão de Orléans e Bragança, head of the imperial house of Brazil, died on 27 December at his house in Villamanrique de la Condesa, Spain. He was 94 years old. He was a son of Prince Dom Pedro de Orléans e Bragança and his wife Countess Elisabeth Dobrzensky von Dobrzenic. In 1944 he married Princess Maria de la Esperanza de Bourbon-Sicilies who died in 2005. He is survived by his six children and by grandchildren, as well as by his sister Teresa. The funeral service took place today at the Parish church of Santa Maria Magdalena at Villamanrique de la Condesa.

    December 29th
    According to the Royal Household Bureau 84-year-old Princess Galyani Vadhana of Thailand is in a stable condition with occasional fever and fatigue. The hospital staff continues treating and monitoring her. The princess stays at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok. On the occasion of her 84th birthday a website in the Thai language was opened on 21 December. The website shows her biography, work, interests, as well as rare photos.
  • H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra

    Prince Rodrigo d'Arenberg died at Punta del Este, Uruguay, on 27 December 2007. He was cremated in Montevideo today and his ashes will later be buried next to the grave of his mother and adoptive father in France. He is survived by his wife Patricia Della Giovampaola, and by his sister Laetitia, her children and grandchildren. The deceased was a son of Marquis Henri de Belzunce and Marie Thérèse de La Poëze d'Harambure. After his father was killed in action in 1944 his mother remarried to Prince and Duke Eric Engelbert d'Arenberg, who adopted the two children of his wife in 1956. They officially got the name de Belsunce d'Arenberg, but obviously use the title prince(ss) d'Arenberg.

    December 30th
    The Countess of Wessex appeared in public for the first time since the birth of her son James. She attended a church service at St Mary Magdelene Church in Sandringham this morning together with other members of the royal family. She arrived by car together with Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The Countess told well-wishers that she and her son are doing very well. She also told that her daughter Louise loves her new baby brother.

    The new fundamental rules of the royal family of Romania were signed today at noon by former King Michael I of Romania. With the new document all earlier statutes and privileges, styles, titles, rank and rights of dynasts and their descendants are revoked. Also women can now succeed to the throne - males shall take precedence. Princess Margarita is now styled crown princess and is the future head of the family.
  • Fundamental rules of the royal family of Romania


    Royal News: November 2007. Last updated: December 2nd, 2007.