Last updated: January 31st, 2005.
January 1st
In his New Year's speech King Harald V of Norway centered on the tsunami catastrophe that hit South East Asia as well as many Norwegian families. "It is with horror we have followed the dramatic newscasts of the last few days, covering the catastrophe which has hit in such an incomprehensible way. Also many Norwegians who had looked forward to days of pleasant cacation were torn away by the floodwaters. Many have suffered great pains and sorrow, and I fear that the number of Norwegians who have been injured or have died, will increase. What has happened is incomprehensible, and it says something about how short the distance is between joy and despair, between life and death, between a normal every day and the catastrophe. We, the Royal Family share with you in the pain and the sorrow, and our thoughts go out to both you the next of kin and you who are injured." The King said he was glad to see the great commitment shown by the Norwegian people to help those hit by the floodwaters.
Only 7 million people watched the Christmas speech of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain this year, the lowest viewing figure of recent times. Appealing for tolerance and understanding between religious and cultural groups, the Queen warned that extremists threatened to wreck peace and progress in a multicultural society. She said: "Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others." In her New Year's speech Queen Elizabeth II said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost family or friends, and also with those who still await news of loved ones who are missing. The dreadful events in Asia have shocked us all. No one could fail to be moved by the pictures we have seen of the devastation across the region. As the world comes to terms with the scale of the disaster, I have been impressed by the willingness of people in Britain to give generously in support of the international response, through donations, time, money or help with the relief effort on the ground. To all those people, I send my heartfelt thanks."
Some days ago Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was chosen Dane of the Year for the seventh time. In the past eight years he was beaten only once. Crown Princess Mary ended in third place, Princess Alexandra in 6th place and Queen Margrethe II in ninth place. Gallup questioned 2000 Danes in order of the newspaper Berlingske Tidende.
Newly releases secret papers about the attempt to kidnap the Princess Royal in the Mall in London on 20 March 1974 yesterday revealed that the Princess Royal told a would-be kidnapper it was not 'bloody likely' that she would get out of her car when the man pointed a gun at her and said: "I want you to come with me for a day or two because I want £2 million." The princess told him: "I haven’t got £2 million." The papers reveal that the princess later told: "I nearly lost my temper with him, but I knew that if I did, I should hit him and he would shoot me." Four men were wounded trying to protect the princess. The reaction of the princess is revealed in a secret briefing report for Harold Wilson, the former prime minister. He sent a message to the princess telling her: "You yourself displayed great bravery and presence of mind in facing your assailant."
The Duchess of Calabria gave birth to her second daughter, Maria Chiara Amalia Carola Louise Carmen, at the Clinic Mater Dei in Rome soon after midnight. Maria Chiara weighs 3460 grammes and was one of the three first babies born in Rome, Italy, in 2005. It was a natural birth and the Duke of Calabria was present. Mother and daughter are doing fine.
Princess Maria Theresia von Hohenzollern who died on December 13 was buried at the family vault in Sigmaringen-Hedingen on December 29. She was born at Sigmaringen Castle on 11 October 1922 as one of seven children of Prince Friedrich von Hohenzollern and Princess Margarete of Saxony. She remained unmarried. The Rev. Karlheinz Berger who led the service described the princess as a natural, humane personality who lived her life in Grünwald near München, Germany, far away from the media and the publicity. However she set value on it that she was a princess, a dream all girls dream about. "And she was one from top to toe."
January 2nd
Today 75.000 well-wishers received the annual New Year's greetings of Emperor Akihito of Japan in seven appearances at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. "I am truly pleased to celebrate the New Year with you," the emperor said in a speech from the balcony of the Chowaden Palace. "I wish happiness and peace in our country as well as the whole world." Crown Princess Masako of Japan appeared at the balcony during the first appearance. The event was also attended by Empress Michiko and other members of the imperial family. As each year on Saturday the Imperial Household Agency released poems written in the 'waka' genre by the Emperor and Empress.
The Japanese government is considering sending Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan to South Korea as early as fall 2005, a newspaper reported yesterday. The visit is meant to deepen relations between Japan and South Korea in light of this year's 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties. If the visit is realized, the crown prince will make a statement regarding Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula during the trip, the newspaper said.
58-year-old Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, cousin of Emperor Akihito of Japan, was hospitalized on Saturday for fatigue, the Imperial Household Agency said. He will stay for a few days at a hospital in Tokyo's Minato Ward, the agency said.
January 3rd
As usual the Princess Royal has been the most hardworking British royal in 2004. She made 599 visits, of which 131 overseas. The Duke of York undertook 581 appearances, of which 309 foreign in his capacity as an official trade ambassador for Great Britain. He broke his own record for overseas engagements. The Prince of Wales undertook 478 engagements at home and 94 away. The Duke of Edinburgh had 356 engagements at home and 67 abroad. Queen Elizabeth II attended 387 in Great Britain and 49 abroad. The Earl of Wessex made 431 visits, of which 232 overseas. With this amount he ended up at the bottom of the list of royals. Only his wife, the Countess of Wessex, performed fewer duties than him but she spent part of the year on maternity leave.
January 4th
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has contributed a substantial amount of money for the victims of the tsunami in Asia. After the disaster she also sent telegrammes to the heads of state of the countries that were hit.
Lady Helen Taylor has given birth to her fourth child on December 21. The baby girl's name is Estella, a family spokeswoman said. Lady Helen and her husband Tim Taylor already had two sons Columbus, 10, and eight-year-old Cassius, and a one-year-old daughter Eloise. "Mother and baby are doing well and the Duke and Duchess of Kent are delighted with the arrival of their latest grandchild." it was said. "It’s a good bit of family news after the sad loss of Sir Angus."
January 5th
The funeral service of Sir Angus Ogilvy took place at 12:30pm in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, today. Princess Alexandra had laid a floral tribute of white roses, lilies and heather on top of her husband's coffin. Draped in a Union Flag, the coffin was carried by a bearer party from the Scots Guards, Sir Angus's former regiment, as a piper played the lament, Flowers Of The Forest. A hearse took the coffin to the Frogmore Royal Burial Ground, in Windsor Home Park. The private funeral was attended by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and 31 other members of the royal family. Also Camilla Parker Bowles attended the funeral, as well as former King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece. A wreath of white roses and lilacs, from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, bore the message "In Affectionate Memory". The Prince of Wales and his sons, William and Harry, sent a wreath of white and purple pansies with the message: "For dear Angus with so many affectionate and everlasting grateful memories." Outside the chapel other floral tributes included a wreath from King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. A thanksgiving service is planned.
January 8th
25-year-old Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad ben Jalifa al Thani of Qatar has married Jawaher, daughter of Sheikh Hamad ben Shim al Thani today at Doha. Sheikh Tamim is the fourth son of Sheikh Hamad ben Jalifa al Thani and became a Crown Prince in August 2003 after his brother Sheikh Jasen renounced. Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received congratulations at Al Wajbah Palace. In the evening the marriage contract ceremony was being held at Al Wajbah Palace. Afterwards a dinner banquet was held at the palace. The wedding was among others attended by King Abdullah of Jordan, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah of Bahrain and Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco.
Marie Therese Hug Princess of Prussia died in Weinheim on January 3 at the age of 93. She was born on May 2, 1911, as the eldest daughter of Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia and Princess Agathe von Ratibor und Corvey Princess zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst. In 1932 she married Rudolf Hug (1885-1972) with whom she had eleven children. She is survived by nine children, 20 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was the last member of the Albrecht-Line of the family and with 93 years reached the eldest age in the history of the House Hohenzollern.
January 9th
The health of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg worsened this evening.
January 10th
Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg née Princess of Belgium died at Fischbach Castle this morning at 5:55 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born on October 11, 1927 as the eldest child of the later King Leopold III of the Belgians and Princess Astrid of Sweden. She spent her childhood at Stuyvenberg Castle. At the end of 1940 she entered a boarding school, then from 1942 she continued her education with private teachers. Together with the rest of the family she was deported to Germany in 1944. After the war the family lived in Switzerland for a couple of years where Joséphine-Charlotte continued her studies at the Ecole supérieure in the rue Voltaire in Geneva. Afterwards she followed the lectures on children's psychology at the University of Geneva. In 1953 she married the later Grand Duke Jean of Luxemburg. The couple had five children and 21 grandchildren. She was President of the Luxembourg Youth Red Cross from 1959 to 1970. From 1964 she was President of the Luxembourg Red Cross and since 1990, she headed the Movement of the guides of the Grand Duchy as chief guide. A six-week mourning period was declared. "The death of the Grand Duchess is a great loss for the country and its people," said Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker: "With her husband, Grand Duke Jean, she always made an effort to represent Luxembourg at home and abroad with dignity." The funeral service will be held on Saturday January 15 at 11.30 at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxemburg. Thereafter she will be interred in the family crypte in private.
Upon the death of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg also the Belgian royal court has announced a mourning period until 21 January. People can sign a condolence book at the royal palace in Brussels from 11 to 13 January.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden attended a memorial service at the Town Hall of Stockholm today for the victims of the tsunami catastrophe in Asia. In his speech the king told young survivors of the tsunami to turn to the adults for help. "We adults will listen to you, you who are children and young, to your stories of what you experienced and feel. Show us your drawings, your tears, sorrow and anger. We adults are here to protect and to help you." Referring to the "many children who have lost one or both parents", the king said: "I believe I know what that is like. I myself have been such a child. My father died in a flying accident when I was very small. So I know what it means to grow up without a dad." Archbishop KG Hammar also spoke at the ceremony and told the audience that "our understanding of reality becomes more truthful if we take death into account. Sorrow shows the meaning of love." Prime minister Göran Persson said: "Pain is all around us, in our country and throughout the world. But also consideration is growing and spreading between people and generations and across continents."
In an interview with Dagens Nyheter King Carl XVI Gustaf has criticised the reaction of the Swedish government to the tsunami disaster in Asia. In the interview King Carl XVI Gustaf said that he had waited over 36 hours to be briefed on the tragedy unfolding in Asia. He said: "In certain circumstances it is better to act than to do nothing at all." He told: "We were at my sister's, Princess Christina, on the Boxing Day, as we are every year. And we all stood there in front of the TV and watched. Then we tried to get information from the foreign office... and after a lot of hassle we managed to get hold of cabinet secretary Lars Danielsson on the evening of the 27th." He said that "It's better to ring the ambulance and then send it back if it's not needed. But here in Sweden it's often the case that nobody dares to take responsibility. People are afraid to get things going. I think it is important that people dare to take responsibility. Then you'll certainly be hung out to dry but it's better than passively standing by." In Sweden the interview is regarded as an attack on the government despite the royal press office’s insistence that the king was referring to Sweden in general, and not the government in particular.
January 11th
Today the mortal remains of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg were transferred to a chapelle ardente at the Salle de la Balance at the Grand-Ducal Palace in Luxemburg City. Just after noon the grand ducal family were the first to pay their respects to the Grand Duchess. The chapel will be open to the public on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
At the New Year's reception for representants of the Dutch society at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam Queen Beatrix said in her speech: "Against the background of a terrible distress it seems our problems are non existing. It is almost impossible to simply wish each other a happy new year under these circumstances. These words now sound unreal." She praised the Dutch who have donated money and summoned the people present to offer help.
January 12th
Today, as part of the research project by the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt in which tens of Egyptian mummies will be canned, the mummy of Pharaoh Tutankhamon was scanned. In 15 minutes 1700 images of the mummy were taken. The scientists hope to find out why he died exactly. If all goes as planned, the results will be announced in three weeks. The project's purpose is to provide important information for conservation of the mummies and, at the same time, to study health and disease in ancient Egypt. The project is being led by Dr Hawass. A team of Egyptian scientists operates the CT system.
January 14th
Prince Harry of Wales has been highly criticised after a photograph of the prince in Nazi desert costume and swastika armband taken at a friend's fancy dress birthday party in Wiltshire at the weekend was published in a newspaper. The prince apologised in a statement saying "I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarrassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume and I apologise", but Conservative leader Michael Howard has led calls for a public apology. The lord chancellor however has said there is no need for Prince Harry to make in person a second apology: "He apologised straight away after the mistake became public. I think we should leave it at that." Clarence House said there were no plans for the prince to say more. Meanwhile the prince's aunt the Duchess of York told the BBC's Today show: He's apologised and people have accepted his apology, and let's move on." She said: "It is time for the press to back off. I know what it is like to have very bad press and be continually criticised - it is very tiring and unpleasant."
Marita Ulvskog, secretary of the Swedish party Social Democrats has attacked King Carl XVI Gustaf for his comments on Sweden’s slow reaction to the Asian tsunami. In an interview on Swedish radio, she said that the king had 'crossed a line', and broken the constitutional rule that the monarch shall not get involved in politics. She was however backed by Prime Minister Göran Persson who, when asked about Ulvskog's comments, told reporters that there was no reason to criticize the king, and that he had acted within his rights. As a reaction to Ulvskog Dagens Nyheter today wrote that blaming the king was a sign of desperation.
Proposals have been withdrawn to give female members of the Royal Family the same rights as males. It would also have torn up ancient legislation banning heirs to the throne marrying Roman Catholics. The government refused to back Lord Dubs' Succession to the Crown Bill, saying it was too complex and raised too many constitutional issues. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, agreed the 1701 Act of Settlement, which governs the succession, was discriminatory but added that "for all practical purposes its effects are limited". However the changes proposed by Lord Dubs were a "complex and controversial undertaking raising major constitutional issues", he said. Lord Falconer said there were 22 members of the Royal Family in the line of succession after the Prince of Wales - all of who were eligible to succeed and had been unaffected by the act. "It is not a simple matter that can be tinkered with lightly. While we wish to remove all forms of discrimination... this isn't the proper form," he added. Lord Dubs agreed to withdraw his bill after its second reading in the House of Lords, but urged the government to think again at a later stage. "We cannot forever say we don't want to change things because it is too difficult," he told peers.
January 15th
The funeral service of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte of Luxemburg was held at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxemburg today at 11:30. As the coffin left the Grand Ducal Palace, borne by military pallbearers, trumpeters played a salute, church bells tolled and a 21-gun salute sounded. The coffin was followed by the family and a group of royals. At the entrance of the cathedral Grand Duke Jean awaited the coffin with the mortal remains of his wife. The Cathedral was decorated with white roses: the grand duchess’ favourite flower was the rose and her favourite colour, white. The funeral ceremony was among others attended by King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians, Queen Fabiola of the Belgians, the Duke and Duchess of Brabant, Prince Lorenz and Princess Astrid of Belgium, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Princess Benedikte of Denmark, Countess Ruth af Rosenborg, Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Sonja of Norway, Princess Astrid Mrs Ferner, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, the Duke of York, Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie of Liechtenstein, King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Prince and Princess Akishino, Prince El Hassan and Princess Sarvath of Jordan and Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco. The grand duchess's body was cremated and the ashes interred in the family crypt at the cathedral, during a private service attended by close relatives, at the end of five days of national mourning in the wealthy but tiny country.
January 20th
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden hit back earlier this week at critics who felt that he overstepped the mark with his comments about the Swedish government's handling of the tsunami catastrophe in Asia. In a press conference the King said: "I think the debate is exaggerated and unnecessary when we really ought to be talking about the actual problems we already have. What I said was thinking out loud about what I was feeling and experiencing in that situation." He declined to answer the media's questions about Marita Ulvskog's criticism, saying that she should answer them herself. He revealed that he and Queen Silvia intend to visit Thailand in the near future. "When things have stabilised a little we will visit the Thai king and say thank you for the support which the Thai people have given. There is no official programme yet but we also plan to visit the new consulate in Phuket."
January 21st
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway celebrated her 1st birthday today. Two series of photos were released showing the princess outside in the snow sleighing with her halfbrother Marius. Also her paternal grandparents King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway and her parents Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are on the pictures. The other series shows the princess playing inside of Skaugum, where the family lives. Also a video was released.
Prince Rainier III of Monaco appeared in public again on Thursday. He attended the opening of the Monte Carlo Circus Festival. The crowd honoured him with a huge applause. He was joined by Prince Albert and Princess Stéphanie.
Alfonso de Borbón Medina, son of Don Alfonso de Borbón Pérez del Pulgar and Doña Inés Medina Atienza, died at the Hospital de la Paz in Madrid yesterday after having been involved in a car accident in the early afternoon near Madrid. He leaves behind a wife and a son. The funeral today was among others attended by Queen Sofia, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina, Infanta Margarita and her husband, María Zurita and Simoneta Gómez-Acebo. The deceased was a far cousin. He descended in male line from Infant Enrique (1823-1870), who was a brother of Francisco de Assís, husband of Queen Isabella II of Spain.
Crown Princess Masako of Japan may accompany her husband Crown Prince Naruhito at the opening ceremony for the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games next month in Nagano Prefecture, Imperial Household Agency officials said. It would be the first official trip outside Tokyo for Princess Masako since November 2003, when she attended the opening ceremony for a national sports competition for disabled people held in Shizuoka Prefecture.
A commemoration service for Count Lennart Bernadotte was held at the Stadttheater in Konstanz. Mayor Horst Frank honoured the 'king of the Bodensee' as an 'extraordinary personality' and praised his merits for the town and the region. Count Björn Bernadotte, one of Count Lennart's sons, and medicine noble prize winner Werner Arber held a speech.
January 23rd
Samuel Bernhard Louis van Vollenhoven, son of Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven was christened this morning at the chapel of Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn. The ceremony was led by the Rev. A. van der Meiden. The baby's godparents were his grandmother Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, Mr Diederik de Rooij and Marjolein Sekrève.
January 24th
On Tuesday a panel of 10 people advising Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan will meet for the first time. Topping the agenda is whether to revise the Imperial House Law to allow a female emperor and the children of a female emperor to succeed to the throne. The law, which permits only male heirs in the line of succession, has never been revised since it took effect in 1947. The panel is to produce a report in the fall, and the legislation to revise the law could be submitted to the Diet as early as next year, howeve experts say it could take much longer. Apart from female succession the panel is also likely to discuss whether women in the imperial family should be allowed to set up new branch households after marriage and keep their imperial status. Female members currently lose their special status upon marriage. Recent public polls have shown most people support the idea of a female emperor.
Since the Asian tsunami disaster support for the Swedish monarchy has grown. 80% of the Swedes say they support the royal family.
The Duke of York was highly criticised after a report was published by the Mail on Sunday that the National Audit Office had prepared for Labour MP Ian Davidson. According to the report the Duke of York ran up a £325,000 bill hiring helicopters and planes in 12 months both for official and private trips. Royal aides were reported to have told Sir John Bourne, the Comptroller and Auditor General, that Prince Andrew was reluctant to go by rail because it was too "unreliable". A palace spokesman claimed the criticisms were based on an "unbalanced version" of a letter sent by the NAO to the MP for Glasgow Pollok and a member of the public accounts committee. He said the palace believed the letter should now be published as public money was involved. Mr Davidson last night defended his decision to call for an investigation into the prince's travel expenses. "As far as I am concerned it comes across as viewing the public purse as bottomless and that he has been extravagant and wasteful," he said. "I couldn't think of any example of frugality within the report. It is just that some examples are more extravagant than others." Mr Davidson wants the public accounts committee to consider whether the rules on royal travel need to be tightened. An NAO spokesman said the information passed to Mr Davidson was termed as private correspondence rather than a report because it was not among the NAO's official reports for Parliament.
Scotland Yard is to examine the Mercedes in which Princess Diana died, it was revealed yesterday. The car will be secretly shipped to Great Britain later this year for a forensic and technical examination with the permission of French police. In Great Britain, it will be examined by detectives and police scientists involved in an inquiry into Diana's death. "The British are welcome to have the car but they won't find any clues in it as to what caused the crash," said a French police spokesman.
January 25th
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange, Princess Máxima, Princess Margriet and Pieter van Vollenhoven attended a very emotional commemorative ceremony for the victims of the Tsunami at the Ridderzaal in The Hague. In his speech Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said every Dutch person was forming a symbolic circle around the victims and their families. "Missing someone you love feels like a gaping hole. Whoever misses a loved one has lost part of themselves, perhaps even the most beautiful part." He also said the Dutch people have shown their good side in the past few weeks, and asserted the nation was "standing still" on Tuesday to commemorate personal tragedies. He said houses can be rebuilt, but the sadness and loss of a loved one could not be repaired. Poet Rutger Kopland read his poem, pointing out that people had lived between hope and fear for weeks on end waiting for news of their loved ones. After the ceremony the royals and the Prime Minister offered their condolences to victims and families of the disaster and talked with them.
The Duke of Gloucester has resigned as president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists after being banned from driving for speeding in Cambridgeshire. Institute officials removed the Duke from their membership list when he was given a six- month driving ban by magistrates in Ely in December last year. The Duke was however able to keep the honorary title of president. A spokesman said his resignation had been received by the full IAM council.
January 27th
Around 10.000 people attended the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp Auschwitz in Poland by the Soviet army. Among them were Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, King Albert II of the Belgians, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, the Earl of Wessex and Prince Joachim of Denmark. In a moving ceremony in the freezing cold several survivors and world leaders held a speech. After the speeches, the assembled heads of state or representatives placed candles on the stark granite monument between the ruins of two gas chambers.
January 28th
Although Bhutan has banned smoking nationwide on December 17, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck keeps on smoking. During an hour-long meeting with Indian journalists he explained that you still can smoke in the privacy of your home, but will have to pay 100% sales tax and 100%import duty on the import of cigarettes. Smoking in public places is a 'no-no' as is the sale of tobacco within the country. When it was pointed out that he would now have to pay more for his cigarettes, the King responded that he planned to cut down on the number of cigarettes, although he didn't reveal how many cigarettes he smoked in a day.
36-year-old King Mswati III of Swaziland has chosen his 13th wife at the traditional yearly Incwala harvest ceremony. 17-year-old Xolile Magagula has reportedly travelled to South Africa to undergo an HIV test. When she has passed the test she will be presented to the Swazi public and will be blessed by the Queen Mother. In line with Swazi tradition, the three royal fiancees who have not yet fallen pregnant are not recognised as wives. At 36, King Mswati has 24 children.
January 30th
Queen Rania of Jordan gave birth to her fourth child, a boy called Hashem, at Al Hussein Medical Centre in Amman this evening. Mother and son are both in good health. Hashem is the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandfather and the founder of the Hashemite dynasty to which the Jordanian monarch belongs. A statement of the royal court asked Jordanians to give money to charities rather than sending flowers or publishing expensive congratulation advertisements. On the occasion, King Abdullah ordered assistance and food items to be distributed to needy families around the Kingdom. Today also is the 43th birthday of the baby's father King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The formal engagement of Princess Sayako of Japan and Yoshiki Kuroda is to be held in mid-March in a traditional court ceremony sources familiar with the matter said Saturday. The "Nosai no Gi," or ceremonial exchange of betrothal gifts, is a private court ceremony where an emissary for Kuroda's family would visit the Imperial Palace bearing betrothal gifts including sake, sea bream and silk as well as a list of the gifts.
Princess Fawzia of Egypt died on Thursday at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois in Lausanne, Switzerland, after a long strungle with cancer. She was born in Cairo on 7 April 1940 as the second daughter of King Farouk I of Egypt and his first wife Farida. The princess remained unmarried and last resided at Terriret-Veytaux, Switzerland. She was buried this evening at the royal mosque Rifaii in Cairo after having been repatriated from Geneva. The coffin was among others escorted by her brother King Fuad II of Egypt.
January 31st
King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan presented their son Hashem to the press today.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden will pay a visit to Thailand from 17 to 19 February to thank King Bhumibol and the Thai nation for their help to the Swedish victims during and after the tsunami from December 26.
Royal News: December 2004. Last updated: December 31st, 2004.