Last updated: February 4th, 2006.
January 1st
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was moved to the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague. She will rehabilitate there until the moment she can return home. The doctors are very satisfied about the progress the Queen makes with her recovery from her knee-operation.
King Xolilizwe Sigcau of the Xhosas died yesterday night at the One Military Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, at the age of 79, after suffering a long period of health problems. He was the longest serving Xhosa king and had been on the throne since 1965. President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa visited the King yesterday afternoon before he died. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by the Royal House at Nqadu Great Place in Willowvale. Zolani Mkiva, the Xhosa Royal Council spokesperson, says royal elders are currently meeting at Nqadu to discuss the plans. Mr Mbeki, on behalf of the government and the South African people, conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the king's passing.
King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia left for Beijing today to see his father and mother there. He will return on January 10. Besides visiting his parents the King will also have a medical checkup in Beijing.
January 2nd
Kew Palace in south-west London is to reopen in the spring following £6.6m of conservation work. The palace has been shut in the past ten years. From May, visitors will be able to tour the palace, which is in the grounds of Kew's famous Royal Botanic Gardens. The palace was a royal residence from 1728 to 1818, and in the early 19th Century was the home of King George III and Queen Charlotte. A wax life-cast of George, his waistcoat and shirt, will be among the items on display at the palace when it re-opens. The Kew building has been painstakingly restored, with some of the original paint and wallpaper used in Georgian times being reproduced. The Duchess of Cornwall toured the palace last month to see the restoration work, which has included repairs to the brickwork, gables, parapets, tiles and chimneys. The newly opened palace will show an exhibition of Georgian life, including literature, music, horticulture, architecture and astronomy. The second floor of the palace has never been seen before by the public, and has been hardly altered since it was decorated for the Georgian princesses in the early 19th Century. Queen Victoria first allowed the public to visit Kew Palace in 1899.
The Dutch royal family this year will celebrate Queen's Day on Saturday, April 29, at Zeewolde and Almere in the Province of Flevoland.
Despite of heavy rains about 50.200 well-wishers gathered in front of Tokyo's Imperial Palace on Monday to cheer Japan's Emperor Akihito and his family on occasion of the New Year. It was the smallest amount of well-wishers since Emperor Akihito ascended the throne in 1989. The Emperor appeared on the balcony three times during the morning and four times in the afternoon together with his wife Michiko and other family members, waved to the crowd and wished luck and peace to his nation and the world. Also Crown Princess Masako showed up at the balcony, in total three times. In 2005 it had been only once.
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has joined traditional leaders from the country in paying tribute to Xhosa King Xolilizwe Sigcau. "King Sigcawu will be sadly missed for his leadership and counsel to his people. The president wished the Sigcawu family and the Xhosa people fortitude during this difficult time," said presidential spokesman Murphy Morobe today. He said President Mbeki had visited the king in hospital during his long illness. A memorial service will be held at the Thaba-Tswane military base on Thursday and the funeral date will be announced soon. His successor was not yet chosen.
January 4th
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is very happy to be able to announce that Prince Friso and Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau expect their second child at the end of June 2006.
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands won a legal action on Wednesday against gossip magazine 'Privé' for claiming she struck her children's nanny. A court in Amsterdam ordered 'Privé' to pay the Princess 5000 Euros and to publish a rectification as quickly as possible, or face a 25.000 Euro fine for every week it delays printing the retraction. Privé ran a story in June 2004 in which it claimed Princess Máxima had gone through three nannies. It also said she had struck one of them before the nanny was fired very recently last summer. Privé could not substantiate the claim. However the royal couple has had only one nanny since November 2004. She stated the Princess has never struck her. The woman is the second nanny employed since the birth of Princess Catharina-Amalia, in December 2003. According to sources close to the royal couple the first nanny left the job because the Princess did not agree with her approach to child-minding. The court categorised the article as "thoughtless, very damaging and unprovable". A public figure doesn't have to tolerate every kind of gossip, the presiding judge said.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway had her first day at day care, at Sem Barnehagen in Asker, today. A photo session took place at 11.30 am, also attended by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. The Palace has issued a strict request that the photo session marks the end of media focus on the young princess for the day, and that she should be allowed to play with the other children in peace.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai died this afternoon aged 62 at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Main Beach, Queensland while visiting Australia it was announced. He had arrived in Australia on 28 December. The cause of death wasn't mentioned, but for the later part of his life he was dogged by ill-health and recurrent heart problems. The Sheikh's body is expected to be flown back to Dubai from Brisbane on his private Boeing 747-400 later today. A statement by the United Arab Emirates presidency said; "The United Arab Emirates today lost a historical leader who devoted his life to establishing the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its structure and the welfare of its people." Sheikh Maktoum was also the vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. He was born in 1943 at the Al Maktoum family home in the Shindagha district of Dubai, the eldest of the four sons of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikha Latifa. When Sheikh Rashid suffered a stroke in 1981, Sheikh Maktoum and his brothers Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Mohammed assumed day-to-day control, reporting back regularly to their sick father who died in 1990. Sheikh Maktoum is survived by his widow Sheikha Boushra bint Mohammad Al Maktoum. His daughter Sheikha Hessa is a well-known artist in Dubai. His son Rashid died in a road accident, aged 22, in 2002. The Sheikh's brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum succeeds him as ruler of Dubai. He already mainly ran the daily affairs of Dubai. Forty days of national mourning have been declared.
A collection of 53 poems written by Empress Michiko of Japan will be published in French along with the original Japanese works possibly in late January, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported today. The poems, written in the classical "waka" style, are mainly chosen from "Seoto" (sound of the stream), a collection of the empress's 367 poems written between 1959 when she got married to Emperor Akihito and 1996, according to the paper. This will be the first time that her poetry will appear in French in book form.
January 5th
Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum was buried in Dubai today. His body was wrapped in a white cloth and laid on a wooden stretcher. Thousands of mourners were present, including several Arab leaders. They gathered at the Zabeel mosque in Dubai, for funeral prayers. Among the people who attended were King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Crown Prince of Qatar, Prince Moulay Rashid of Morocco, Sheikh Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah and the Duke of Gloucester.
A memorial service for the late King Xolilizwe Sigcawu of the Xhosas was held at Thaba Tshwane military camp in Tshwane today. About 300 dignitaries attended the event. First Lady Zanele Mbeki, political figures, traditional leaders and cabinet ministers expressed their condolences to the king's two wives and the royal family. Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini also paid tribute in a statement, saying king Sigcau demonstrated illustrious leadership that bore a torch of liberation. King Sigcau is also remembered as a respected leader who fought for the rights of the Xhosa kingdom and for the conservation of Xhosa traditions and values. "He discouraged those people who went with the trend that comes from Europe and said to them, ‘stick to your culture. There is nothing that is valuable that will exceed your culture’," said Zolani Mkhiva, a spokesperson for the Xhosa royal family. The King’s remains will be airlifted to his palace in the Eastern Cape tomorrow where he will be buried next week Saturday.
January 6th
A set of stamps celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is to be issued to mark her 80th birthday on April 21. The Isle of Man Post has produced a collection which includes photographs of the monarch as a child, on her Golden Jubilee tour and with grandson Prince William. The first of four 20p stamps in the set of eight shows the young Princess Elizabeth pictured with her baby sister Princess Margaret alongside their father and mother, then the Duke and Duchess of York, in January 1931. The other 20p stamps use photographs of her in her Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform at the wheel of a truck during the Second World War, in a tiara around the time of her accession in 1952, and with the Duke of Edinburgh and their four children in 1972. One of the 80p stamps shows a close up of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary at Balmoral in 1972. The remaining 80p stamps show the Queen with her Sovereign`s Regalia at Buckingham Palace in 2001, greeting wellwishers waving Union flags during a visit to Aylesbury during her Golden Jubilee year of 2002, and on the balcony of the Palace with Prince William for Trooping The Colour in 2003. The set of stamps, called 80 Years Of Duty And Service, will be released on January 16.
Private letters written by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain to her midwife, Sister Helen Rowe, will be sold by Bonhams in Bath on January 16. Sister Rowe, who died in 1966, attended all four births of the Queen's children. She kept many diary-like letters and treasured mementoes sent to her by members of the royal family, many of which will go under Bonhams' gavel at its Old King Street auction house. The numerous mementoes provide an interesting insight into the private life of the Queen and her children. There are five letters signed by 'Elizabeth R' to 'Rowie' concerning the birth of Prince Andrew, and the adventures of the Queen's older children. In one, the Queen writes: "The children were very excited at the news of the baby, especially Charles, who loves small children." The letters are expected to fetch between £400 and £800. An affectionate letter which Sister Rowe received from the Duke of Edinburgh will also be going under the hammer. In the letter he thanks her for "ably looking after the two Princesses". It is expected to fetch up to £150. Sister Rowe's first royal birth was that of Prince Michael of Kent in 1942. She was later midwife at the births of the children of Princess Alexandra of Kent and the Duchess of Kent, and at the births of the Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Signed photographs of the royal family, including a framed wedding picture of the Queen and Prince Philip are also among the lots, as are Christmas cards from the monarch. A letter by the Queen sent from Clarence House on November 24, 1950, to 'Dear Rowie' is expected to fetch about £500. All the items will be available to view on Friday January 13, Saturday January 14 and on January 16.
In November 2005, a unique exhibition of photographs opened at Kensington Palace, London, that will run through June 2007. Shot by Peruvian photographer Mario Testino over one day, it consists of portraits taken of the late Princess Diana of Wales in 1997 for Vanity Fair. The photos show the princess without make-up, lacquering hair or jewellery. The occasion was Diana's modelling of clothes she had worn to benefit charities, that were to be auctioned by Christie's. Princess Diana later told that the shooting with Testino through a day had been filled with "loud music, laughter and an informal catwalk by the Princess during lunch was one of the happiest in her life". Mario Testino recalls: "When we had edited the pictures and sent them to Diana for her approval she said to me that her sons told her it was the most like her that they had seen her. That was an amazing compliment..." The princess only died two months after the Vanity Fair with the pictures had been published. For Testino the memories of that day are still special: "She looked so happy and fresh and sure of herself. It was just laughter and laughter and laughter and laughter." The pictures now have been published in a book Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace (Taschen), to coincide with the exhibition.
Prince William of Wales has shared his first public kiss with girlfriend Kate Middleton. The Sun and the Daily Mail printed pictures of the couple embracing on the slopes at the Klosters ski resort in Switzerland.
A new Norwegian survey, conducted by research firm InFact for the magazine Se og Hør suggests that Crown Prince Haakon is doing the best job of all the royals. His wife and sister are doing the worst. 52 % of the Norwegians questioned said that Crown Prince Haakon is doing a "very good job." Next in line was King Harald V, with 46,5 % approving of the job he does. Queen Sonja got high marks from 39,5 % of those questioned. Only 28,6 % of those questioned think Crown Princess Mette-Marit is doing a good job, while just 26 % think Princess Märtha Louise is doing a good job. 11 % said Crown Princess Mette-Marit was doing a "very poor job," while 10,1 % think Princess Märtha Louise is doing a similarly poor job. Only 5,1 % thought Crown Prince Haakon did a "very poor job," compared with 7,8 % for his mother Queen Sonja and 6 % for his father King Harald.
The Tainui tribe today issuing a rare public statement confirming persistent rumours Maori queen Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu is suffering a serious health complaint. The 74-year-old Queen is undergoing dialysis treatment since a few weeks for a long-standing illness, but she is not in immediate jeopardy. It wasn't confirmed what conditions had led to dialysis treatment, which cleans a patient's blood when the kidneys begin to fail. The Queen spent a day in Waikato Hospital being assessed but went home for treatment. Waikato District Health Board staff are handling her day-to-day care at her home. Plans are continuing for Dame Te Ata's 40th coronation anniversary in May.
January 7th
The Prince of Wales is planning a televised address to the nation to mark Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain’s 80th birthday this year. The broadcast, expected to be transmitted on BBC and ITV on the eve of his mother’s birthday on Friday, April 21, will pay tribute to her reign. The prince hopes it will quash persistent talk of an uneasy relationship with the Queen, caused largely by his long affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. The couple’s marriage last year has improved the situation and mother and son now regularly have lunch together. “The decision to make the broadcast shows the unhappiness between mother and son is a thing of the past,” said Robert Lacey, the Queen’s biographer. “We are now seeing them work as a partnership . . . the Queen has always seen herself as head of a family business. Whilst Charles’s relationship with Camilla was not resolved, the business was not running smoothly. Now that it has been resolved, all the different aspects of the relationship are working well again.” The prince is said to believe that the birthday tribute should come from a member of the royal family rather than from the prime minister, or other politicians. Officials at Clarence House have confirmed that the broadcast was one of the options being examined. An earlier plan for individual interviews with each of the Queen’s four children appears to have been abandoned. The Duke of York will exhibit some of his photographs of his mother in a public show at Windsor Castle at the time of the royal birthday. His pictures will be displayed alongside those of the late Lord Lichfield and other photographers. Two days before the birthday the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will host a reception and lunch at Buckingham Palace for members of the public who are also celebrating their 80th birthday on April 21. There will be a service of thanksgiving at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, on the Sunday after the birthday and, in mid-June, there will be a national service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, followed by a lunch at the Guildhall given by the lord mayor of London.
Prince William of Wales treated his friends to a £10,000 farewell party before joining the Army. Around 100 close pals attended the bash at the exclusive Kilo bar in London. He hired out the basement bar for the party, which went on until 3am. The prince also paid for his mates to drink champagne and cocktails all night. Wills's girl friend Kate Middleton was among the guests, although she arrived and left separately from the prince. One party-goer said: "The whole thing was very last-minute, so it was very much a relaxed and civilised night. Everyone had a few drinks, but it wasn't as if people were drunk. Kate arrived after Wills and left before him but in between, they were very much together."
January 8th
Accompanied by the Prince of Wales Prince William of Wales arrived at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst today to begin his training as an Army officer. The early part of his training will be particularly challenging. "That's why I put my brother in as a guinea pig first," the prince joked. He will be hoping not to follow too closely the example of Prince Harry, who missed some manoeuvres because he had blisters on his feet. Major Gen Andrew Ritchie, the Academy's commandant, said that he would not be given any preferential treatment: "Although Prince William is the future head of the Armed Forces, he will be treated the same as every other cadet. I am sure his brother will have passed on some tips but the two will have very little contact while here." According to one former Sandhurst instructor, he will "suffer a certain amount of privation". The officer added: "He will be in a mixed platoon with some overseas cadets, teenagers, Cambridge graduates and men who have come up through the ranks." After Prince Harry is commissioned in April, Prince William will have to salute his younger brother Harry and call him "Sir".
Only on December 22, 2005, the royal family of Jamnagar received a letter from Buckingham Palace, acknowledging the former ruler of Jamnagar Shatrushalya Sinh's letter to Queen Elizabeth, condoling the death of Diana Princess of Wales. The letter was written by the personal secretary to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain on October 27, 1997. The letter said: "I am instructed by the Queen to gratefully acknowledge your message condoling the death of Princess of Wales. Her Majesty, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Prince Herry and all the members of the Royal family express their gratefulness for your condolence."
Because of pneumonia Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will have to stay a few more days at the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague. Without the pneumonia she could have gone home today.
Prince Hashem bin Al Hussein of Jordan on Friday became engaged to Princess Fahdah, daughter of Mohammad Bin Ibrahim Bin Salman Abu Niyan at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, it was announced today. The engagement took place in the presence of King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Prince of Riyadh Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. The engagement ceremony was attended by Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein and the Family of Abu Niyan. No photos were issued.
January 9th
Buckingham Palace has announced plans to build a £2 million memorial to the late Queen Mother. Artists, architects and designers from around the world have been invited to submit designs, which will be judged by a panel and the Prince of Wales. The winning design will be placed off The Mall, in London, near the statue of her husband King George VI. Initial designs must be submitted by 31 January, and the memorial is due to be completed by summer 2007. The project will be funded by the sale of a £5 coin marking Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's 80th birthday this year. The brief for the memorial said that designers should take into account the foreign secretary's residence and Carlton House Terrace, which overlook the site. It also mentions that materials should be sympathetic to those existing in the area, including Portland stone, granite, bronze and cast iron. The brief discourages the use of water and "moving parts" so that it will be easy for the Royal Parks to maintain the site. "Planting schemes should similarly be low maintenance in nature," the brief adds.
A £2 million "ring of steel" has been thrown around the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to protect Prince William of Wales and his brother Prince Harry at the academy. The unprecedented security, including Gurkha soldiers and protection officers, was ordered after a reporter walked into the Berkshire centre with a fake bomb soon after Prince Harry enrolled last year.
The Japanese Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, has again criticized a government panel on Imperial succession for rushing to propose that females be allowed to ascend the throne. In an article in the February edition of the monthly Bungei Shunju he suggests that the panel should explore other options, such as reinstating the royal status of Imperial branch families and said there is "no need to immediately" come to a decision. The article, titled "Weight of the emperor's blood -- why I am opposed to a female-line emperor," is set in the format of a dialogue between Prince Tomohito and journalist Yoshiko Sakurai. The prince says in the article that the Imperial household tradition has long been to have males who have emperors on their father's side to reign and emphasizes that "no one could go against the weight of this blood." He says Japanese people have tacit consent and a sense of respect toward this blood line. He expresses concern that the Imperial family will become no different from ordinary families if it allows female monarchs, who would marry commoners. He also suggests the possibility of having a male descendant of one of the Imperial branch families, which were divested of royal status shortly after World War II, be adopted into the Imperial family to maintain the male line.
The public prosecution at the Court of First Instance in Casablanca has announced the opening of an investigation against the Spanish-language Moroccan weekly newspaper Lamaniana for carrying an article regarded as an affront to the royal regime and territorial unity. The Court had ordered a judicial police to conduct research on an article titled Spaniards — Friends of Morocco published in Lamaniana's weekly edition between January 4 and 10. The article contains statements attributed to Spanish personalities that insulted the territorial unity of the country and the royal regime.
January 10th
The home the Duchess of Cornwall used to conduct her affair with the Prince of Wales reportedly costs £2.6 million a year to guard. Since marrying the prince last April she has hardly used the mansion and is thinking of giving it to son Tom and daughter Laura. In the meantime, it is guarded 24 hours a day and there is still a police hut inside the gates. Politicians have demanded to know why British taxpayers are footing the bill for the extreme security measures. A friend of the Duchess says she still uses the home as a getaway when Charles is busy or being "tricky". One said: "She goes there quite often when Charles is doing his own thing. Charles has improved quite a bit but he is still capable of throwing tantrums. Having her own place means she can simply clear off and leave him to cool down."
A commemoration service was being held at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg this evening on the occasion of the first death anniversary of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte. The service was attended by Grand Duke Jean, Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and other members of the family, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, as well as members of the Luxemburg government. The service was led by Monseigneur Fernand Franck, Archbishop of Luxemburg. At the St Michel and St Gudule Cathedral in Brussels a commemoration service was attended by King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians, Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde and Princess Astrid of Belgium.
The two sons of Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium will be able to leave hospital soon, but will continue to stay under medical survey. Although it was stated differently some weeks ago, the couple doesn't wish to be photographed when they leave hospital with the twins. Only afterwards it will be announced that they have left hospital. The princely couple decided that the twins are still too young to defy the media. According to hospital sources both babies are now over 2500 grammes, although one is still weaker than the other.
Queen Silvia of Sweden has been named number one immigrant in Sweden, the Swedish-language quarterly magazine Gringo which is written and produced mainly by second generation immigrants said today. Queen Silvia was asked if she felt Swedish, and said she did. "It is like when you are expecting another child. Your expectations are high and you wonder if there is room enough to love the child as much. When you have the third child it shows that you can love that too, and that is how I feel about Brazil, Germany and Sweden." The Queen was born in Heidelberg, Germany, but spent 10 years with her family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. "The years (1947-1957) in Brazil were very important for me and my development, just like the years in Germany. So all that is carried within you. Now I am in Sweden, I am married to a Swede and our children are born here." Fluent in six languages, the queen speaks Swedish with an accent. She was in her early 30s when she started to learn the language. In addition to Swedish, she speaks German, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Asked to say something about traits in Swedes she dislikes, the queen said that "other cultures are more spontaneous and Swedes are more reserved," but the queen said she did not feel that Swedes were "overbearing, strict or a little boring". Though by definition second generation immigrants, the queen said her three children - Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine - did not feel divided over their nationalities. "They feel Swedish, they were born here," she said.
January 11th
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway have expanded their staff by including journalist Vibeke Hollekim as their protocol adviser. She began working at the beginning of 2006. The couple is gradually building up their own staff of trusted individuals whom they have known over a longer period of time. "I am very pleased about the hiring and the job ahead. My tasks will primarily involve planning the crown couple's official program," Mrs Hollekim told Aftenposten. It is also believed that Hollekim will advise the couple on media affairs and write speeches.
Pro-democracy activists in Swaziland are planning mass action in Swaziland and South Africa against the King Mswati III in February and March 2006, following the December arrest of 14 opposition party members on high treason charges. "We will concentrate on uprising in Swaziland and we will also look into activities to oust the regime and engage with the Southern African Youth Forum," the president of the Swaziland Youth Congress said at a press briefing in Johannesburg today. "We will also rally the international community and the South African government," Alex Langwenya said at the briefing, held together with the People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo). Youth organisations would be called upon to participate in mass action which would take place in Swaziland and South Africa in February and March this year, Langwenya added. "We are aware that Swaziland's economy is highly dependent on South Africa. Any disturbance in SA will assist in putting pressure on King Mswati." He said: "Swaziland is not a democratic country. There is no freedom of the media and its people are oppressed. We will continue to hold mass action rallies until the people of Swaziland are free." Langwenya said King Mswati ran the country as his "own private community with a private army, private police and courts without due consideration of the people's will".
January 12th
Proposals to reform the ancient rules of succession to the British throne, by giving women the same rights as men, were rejected by lawmakers yesterday. Legislators in the House of Lords, Britain's unelected upper chamber, said there was no "groundswell of support" for change. Lord Alfred Dubs put forward plans to overturn the system by which a monarch's eldest son succeeds to the throne, even if he has an older sister. "The monarchy should reflect the values of our society. It cannot do that if succession is based on discrimination against women," he said. "The Queen has demonstrated throughout her reign that women can do the job as well as, and probably better than, men." The Lord Chancellor, Lord Charles Falconer of Thoroton, who is head of the judiciary, said: "It is not right to have gender discrimination, including in the choice of the succession, but there is no groundswell for change. A change would require complex constitutional legislation and consultation with the Commonwealth. We have no plans to embark on such a course."
A pearl-encrusted dress worn by the late Princess Diana of Wales is to go on display at London's Victoria and Albert Museum. The gown, known as the "Elvis dress" due to its rich adornment and high collar, was donated by the US firm Franklin Mint which sold Diana dolls wearing the dress. The firm's owners acquired the dress in 1997 at a fundraising auction. The late princess commissioned the floor-length white, sequinned gown for an unofficial visit to Hong Kong in November 1989. Franklin Mint donated the dress, created by British designer Catherine Walker, to the museum in 2005 and it goes on display on Friday.
In an interview on US TV with Tony Danza the Duchess of York has ruled out getting back together with her former husband the Duke of York, despite the pair remaining "really great friends". Following recent reports the couple are an item again because they went to the wedding of Sir Elton John and David Furnish together last month. She said, "It is everybody's dream, a fairytale that we would get back together. The thing is that I did pick the best looking of the whole lot. And he is a wonderful father and we are really great friends. (But) I'm not going to go back. I don't think they'd have me back, the family, do you?" When Danza suggested Ferguson would "add some spice to the mix" should she remarry into the royal family, she replied, "I think that's why they wouldn't want me."
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has left hospital and is back at Palace Huis ten Bosch. She will have further rehabilitation at home.
Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric of Belgium have left hospital yesterday and are at home with their parents and sister Louise in Tervuren. There is no photo session planned yet, as the babies are still quite fragile.
This week Princess Haya bint al-Hussein of Jordan, who married Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum two years ago, is watching her second dream unfold — that of bringing her sport of international showjumping to her adopted country Dubai. The Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge — dedicated to the memory of her brother-in-law, Sheikh Maktoum, the founder of the Dubai Equestrian Club who died last week, is a significant step in the princess’s ambition to make Dubai as synonymous with showjumping as it is with racing through the Dubai World Cup. Like the latter, it offers the sport’s richest prize fund — $1.25 million over three days. Tomorrow’s Grand Prix, the final event, carries a $250,000 first prize. “It has been an ambition of mine to see a showjumping event of this standard in Dubai,” the princess said. The princess is determined that her adopted countrymen should have the chance to compete at the highest level in her sport. “Young Arab riders must learn first-hand what top sport is all about,” she said. “Having the best in the world competing here could really kick-start showjumping.” The international show was first mooted only in August through a chance meeting at Newmarket between the princess and Simon Brooks-Ward, the organiser of the Olympia Show in London. “She asked if I was free to organise an international horse show for her in Dubai in January,” Brooks-Ward said. Aware that top prize-money, ease of travel and the best footing are essential for a horse show, the princess guaranteed all three. Sponsorship helped with the first. First-class travel — “The biggest factor in how your horse will perform,” she said — came courtesy of Sheikh Mohammed’s private 747, which is normally used for his Godolphin racehorse string. The footing for the main arena was laid by Martin Collins International and shipped in from Britain in 128 containers. While most of the celebrations associated with this week’s festival of Eid al-Adha were cancelled because of the death of Sheikh Maktoum, his brother Sheikh Mohammed gave the horse show his blessing, renaming it the Al Maktoum Memorial Challenge.
Prince Georg Wilhelm of Hannover died in München on January 8 at the age of 90. He was born at Braunschweig on March 25, 1915, as the second son of Ernst August Duke of Braunschweig and Princess Viktoria Luise of Prussia, daughter of Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. He was a brother of Queen Frederica of Greece, and uncle of Prince Ernst August of Hannover, the husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco. Since 2001 he was widower of Princess Sofia of Greece, sister of the Duke of Edinburgh, whom he had married in 1946. He was a first-class educationalist in the tradition of Kurt Hahn and a keen sportsman who carried the torch of Pierre de Coubertin, creator of the new era of the Olympic Movement. In the Second World War Prince Georg Wilhelm served as a major in the 10th Cavalry Regiment, and was then attached to the staff of General Heinz Guderian before being thrown out of the Army in 1942. He went to help his father at Schloss Blankenburg in Thüringen, and was involved in the move of the family art treasures to Schloss Marienburg when the Red Army marched into Thüringen. After the war he studied Law at the University of Göttingen, gaining his doctorate in 1948. That year he became headmaster of Salem School.He created a riding school in Munich, and became chairman of the Outward Bound Mountain School in Austria. In 1962 Prince Georg Wilhelm became President of the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, remaining in position until 1970. He then became a member of the National Olympic Committee in Germany and president of the Bavarian Pentathlon Federation.
The Prince and Princess of Venice expect their second child in the summer it was announced. Princess Clotilde, an actress, had to give up her role in the television series 'Petits meurtres en famille' because of her pregnancy. The couple already has a daughter, Vittoria, who was born in December 2003.
Tens of thousands of people have attended a pro-democracy rally in the southern Nepalese town of Janakpur. They demanded that King Gyanendra of Nepal gives up absolute powers and restores democracy in the country. The rally was the biggest protest against King Gyanendra since he seized direct control of Nepal last February. The demonstration came as the defence ministry said troops had killed 10 Maoist rebels in two separate incidents in Tanahun district, west of Kathmandu. Eyewitnesses said more than 100,000 people attended the Janakpur rally, which was addressed by top opposition leaders.
Assassins killed the new sultan of Maguindanao (Philippines) and wounded his brother in an attack in Sultan Kudarat, police said today. Police said two gunmen riding on a motorcycle shot Sultan Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir late Wednesday outside his house in Sultan Kudarat town. Baraguir was with his relatives riding a van. Sultan Baraguir died of multiple gunshot wounds in the body. Baraguir's brother, Datu Andy, is now being treated at the hospital. Police remain clueless as to the motive for the attack. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said the attack could be related to a family feud or had something to do with Baraguir’s position as sultan of Maguindanao. "There is an ongoing rivalry between sultans, and there is a power struggle among them. Many are claiming to be the real sultans. Family feud could be another motive for the attack," Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesman told. Baraguir, a descendant of Maguindanao Sultan Shariff Muhamman Kabungsuan bin Ali Zainal Abidin, was enthroned in December as the 25th Sultan of Maguindanao, and named as Seri Paduka Sultan Sayyid Hadji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir. The 45-year-old Baraguir was the third son of the late Sultan Muhammad Baraguir and Bai Fatima Andong, whose family roots were traced to three historic Muslim royalties in the southern Philippines. Baraguir was buried Thursday morning as per observance of the Muslim tradition of burying their dead within 24 hours.
January 13th
Sheikh Faisal, the 15-year-old sixth son of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain has been killed in a car accident yesterday evening. The Prince, who seems to have driven the car himself although another article says a bodyguard drove the car, died instantly after he lost control of the car and collided with a bus before it veered off the road and hit a large road sign. Sources said the driver of the bus had changed lanes suddenly as he attempted to make a left turn. The Prince was pronounced dead shortly after he arrived at the BDF Hospital. A statement by the royal court says: "With profound grief, the Royal Court in Bahrain mourns Shaikh Faisal bin Hamad Al Khalifa, son of his Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who passed away on Thursday evening, following a tragic accident. Prayer for the chaste soul of the Late Shaikh will be performed at the Mosque of the Shaikh Issa tomorrow (Friday) and condolences will be received at Al Riffa Palace." This morning funeral prayers were performed for the late Sheikh Faisal at the Shaikh Isa Mosque at Riffa. Thereafter the late Sheikh Faisal was buried at the Riffa cemetery. The King of Bahrain received condolences from among others the Crown Prince of Qatar, Prince Moulay Rashid of Morocco, Prince Salman and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin al-Hussein of Jordan, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Prince Faisal bin Ahmed Al Saud and Prince Megren bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
Emperor Akihito of Japan was so impressed by his visit to Trondheim in May 2005 that he composed a New Year's poem about the "smiling" city and on Thursday read it for all of Japan. Japan's New Year's celebrations end each year with a poem written and read by the emperor. This year's them was 'smile'. During a ceremony at the imperial palace, the emperor's poem about Trondheim was broadcast nationally on live TV. Trondheim mayor Rita Ottervik was proud to learn about the event. "It is just fantastic to be mentioned so explicitly in the annual poem reading. The emperor describes smiling and waving people. I am proud and don't know what to say," Ottervik said. The poem refers to what the imperial couple experienced during a boat trip up the Nidelva river with Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. The poem reads: At Trondheim/Cruising along the canal/From the windows/Of houses are people/Seen smiling and waving hands.
The Japanese Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa yesterday expressed concern about remarks made by Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, criticizing a government panel on imperial succession that proposed allowing females and their descendants to ascend Japan's imperial throne. Haketa told a press conference he "cannot help but be concerned as various remarks have emerged since the beginning of this year," and added, "Frankly, I'm really not sure how to react." Haketa stressed that the issue involving revision of the law should be dealt with by the Cabinet and the Diet. In Japan, imperial family members are currently forbidden to interfere in politics. "It is appropriate that imperial family members refrain from making comments" on the matter, he said. Haketa said he met with Prince Tomohito on January 5 and told him what he thinks, just as he did on a similar occasion last year, but admitted that their ideas differed on some points.
A plan to build a motorway beside the Hill of Tara where ancient Celtic kings were crowned has been challenged in court as campaigners fight to save a monument described by W B Yeats as the "most consecrated spot in Ireland". The Irish government's proposal to build a new commuter route for Dublin through the valley containing the Hill of Tara has infuriated archaeologists, historians and conservationists. The battle yesterday came to the High Court in Dublin. The hearing, which is scheduled to last for five days, is the culmination of a two-year campaign to stop the 30-mile M3 motorway passing less than a mile from the coronation site of around 100 Irish High Kings in Co Meath. According to Pat Wallace, the director of the National Museum of Ireland, the Hill of Tara is one Ireland's most important treasures. Mr Hogan told the court that 38 archaeological sites had been identified along the M3's route. Tara's importance as a religious centre dates from around 4,000 BC. The oldest visible man-made feature is the Mound of the Hostages, which dates from the third millennium BC. It is associated with Cormac Mac Art, the legendary Irish High King. Tara became a pagan spiritual and political centre in the third century AD. It has remained a potent symbol of Ireland's nationhood.
January 14th
Infanta Leonor de Todos los Santos of Spain was christened at 12.30 at the chapel of the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid. The daughter of the Prince and Princess of Asturias was christened by the Archbishop of Madrid Antonio Maria Rouco Varela. He was assisted by military archbishop Francisco Pérez González. The choir of the nuns of Santa Maria del Corazón de Jesús de Galapagar sang. During the ceremony the Prince of Asturias read a part of Ezekiel, verse 24 to 28 of chapter 36. Leonor, dressed in a cream gown, slept through most of the ceremony, only opening her eyes when she was baptised with water from the River Jordan. She didn't cry as the water was poured on her forehead. King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were their granddaughter's godparents. The christening was attended by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, Infanta Elena and Don Jaime de Marichalar with their daughter Victoria Federica, Infanta Cristina and Don Iñaki Urdangarin with their children, Infanta Pilar of Spain, Simoneta Gómez-Acebo y de Borbón and Don José Miguel Fernández Sastrón, Don Juan Gómez Acebo y de Borbón, Don Bruno Gómez-Acebo y de Borbón and Doña Bárbara Cano de la Plaza, Don Beltrán Gómez-Acebo y de Borbón and Doña Laura Ponte Martínez, Don Fernando Gómez-Acebo y de Borbón and Doña Mónica Martín Luque, Infanta Margarita of Spain and Don Carlos Zurita, Don Alfonso Zurita y de Borbón and Doña María Zurita y de Borbón, Princess Alicia de Bourbon, the Duke and Duchess of calabria (Carlos and Anne), King Constantinos II and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece, Princess Alexia of Greece and Don Carlos Morales Quintana, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, Princess Theodora and Princess Irene of Greece, Princess Tatiana Radziwill and Mr John Fruchaud, Don Jesús Ortiz Alvarez and Doña Ana Togores, Doña Paloma Rocasolano, Doña Menchu Álvarez del Valle, Don Francisco Rocasolano Camacho and Doña Enriqueta Rodríguez Cigarredo, Doña Erica Ortiz Rocasolano and Don Antonio Vigo Pérez, Doña Telma Ortiz Rocasolano, Doña Henar Ortiz Álvarez, Doña Claudia González Ortiz, Don Tomás Caparrós Fernández de Aguilar and Doña Marisol Álvarez del Valle, Doña Carmen Ortiz Velasco, Don David Rocasolano Lláser and Doña Patricia Reina Martínez. Also the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, was at the christening with his wife, along with the presidents of Congress and the Senate, the president of the community of Madrid, and the mayor of Spain’s capital city. The medical team who attended Leonor’s birth was also there. After the christening there was a lunch.
Former secretary Sara Goodall, who was sacked from the Prince of Wales's office, was named in the High Court yesterday as the person suspected of passing copies of private journals written by the Prince to the Mail on Sunday. Mrs Goodall worked as a secretary for the Prince of Wales's deputy private secretary at St James's Palace for 12 years. She is accused of copying handwritten journals compiled by the prince while undertaking overseas tours and sent to a select group of friends. It is claimed that she then gave copies, through an intermediary, to The Mail on Sunday. Miss Goodall's identity emerged during unprecedented legal action by the prince against the newspaper. The Prince sued after The Mail on Sunday's publication in November of politically embarrassing extracts from his journal written during the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China. He is claiming breach of copyright and confidentiality in an attempt to prevent the newspaper from publishing further extracts from other journals in their possession. So far there have been two short hearings, and a final hearing is expected next month. But judge Mr Justice Kitchin yesterday gave a ruling that certain documents submitted by the prince's side should remain confidential pending the full hearing in February. These documents include a list of people who were sent the Hong Kong journal. Mrs Goodall has reportedly claimed that she was dismissed from St James's Palace in 2000 after falling foul of the now the Duchess of Cornwall. She is said to have collaborated with author Nicholas Monson on a book called The Palace Diaries, detailing her experiences working for the prince's household, which is due to be published this year. One report claims that she felt "hurt, bewildered and humiliated" when she was dismissed. It stated that she had accompanied the prince on several foreign tours, was a regular at Highgrove, his Gloucestershire estate, and at Birkhall, his home in Scotland, and was made a Member of the Victorian Order for her loyal service. The prince has, so far, taken no legal action against Miss Goodall, concentrating instead on his action against the newspaper.
Auction house Christie's in Amstedam will sell a painting called 'View from a hill one hour outside Khatmandu, Nepal' by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on January 25. The Prince painted it in 1978 and had it in his own possession until 1985 when it became a reward for a prize contest for the World Wildlife Fund. The estimated proceeds are 10.000 Euros.
The monarchs of 29 countries have been invited to attend the 60th anniversary celebrations of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand's accession to the throne in June this year. Among them are the monarchs of Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Tonga, the United Arab Emirates and Great Britain. Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said the foreign monarchs would join the major events in Bangkok marking the Diamond Jubilee on June 12 and 13. "Letters of invitation were signed by the Prime Minister and sent to heads of the governments of those countries in December 2005, asking them to convey the invitation to their head of state," Surakiart said. King Bhumibol is the longest-reigning monarch in the world. He was crowned on May 5, 1950, four years after he actually assumed his kingship. Surakiart said among events lined up to mark the historical event are paying of tribute to the King at Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, exhibition featuring his activities and projects during his reign at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall and a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River. On June 13, the King will host a banquet for the foreign monarchs at the Chakri Throne Hall within the Grand Palace where a representative of the foreign monarchs will give a speech expressing best wishes to King Bhumibol. "The celebrations of his Diamond Jubilee are extraordinary and rare. Many countries are also excited about the celebrations," said Surakiart. He said the event would be televised all over the world, adding that he believed the world would be interested in the major gathering of the 29 monarchs, which would be a rare occasion. The Thai government has embarked on many events throughout the year to celebrate the anniversary.
About 7000 mourners today paid their last respect to the late King Xolilizwe Sigcawu of the Xhosas at Nqadu Great Place near Willowvale during a four-hour funeral which started about 9am, after the king's body was received by the royal family. President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who was accompanied by his mother Epainette Mbeki, praised the king who, he said, "understood only too well the great responsibility that history had thrust upon him. King Xolilizwe was a symbol and a manifestation of the unbreakable thread which connected our people's proud history of independence with the ongoing valiant struggle for freedom." The president said Sigcawu did not relinquish his responsibility to represent his people. "He would neither submit to the extreme pressure of the apartheid government nor would he seek his own fortune at the expense of his people." Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders chairman Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said the king's successor should take Sigcawu's legacy forth and refrain from "worldly things" because he would be leading a nation with a clear and rich history. After the sermon the coffin - draped in the South African flag, the king's royal robes and the king's church uniform - was taken to the royal cemetery within the palace. High-ranking police officers acted as pallbearers and the hearse was led by a police brass band to the graveside. As the coffin was being lowered, a police band member played the last post. The gathering saluted the king with his praise name, A! Xolilizwe.
The state of Johor is abuzz with the marriage of 35-year-old Tunku Bendahara Tunku Abdul Majid Idris Sultan Iskandar, second son of the Sultan of Johor, and 29-year-old former TV3 corporate communications manager Tunku Teh Mazni Tunku Yusuf. The bride is related to Kelantan and Kedah royalty. The wedding is to last over four days and started on January 12 with special prayers at Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar followed by the akad nikah (solemnising of marriage vows) at the same place yesterday. Today the wedding reception was held at the Istana Besar. More than 3000 guests attended. The couple were match-made by their parents six years ago. Unfortunately, the matchmaking process ended dismally. Both were seeing other people and were simply not interested. But last September they met again. He introduced her to his friends as: “This is the lady I was supposed to marry six years ago!” And she fell head over heals in love with him before the night was over. Already the next day he took her to meet his mother Sultanah Zanariah of Johor. She commented that her son seemed happy the couple had met again after so long.” Only four days later the courtship began in earnest. Tunku Bendahara Johor proposed to his bride while driving in Singapore. “I cannot live without you and I want you to be with me forever, so will you marry me?” he asked. This happened only six weeks after meeting each other again.
January 15th
Kuwait mourns his Emir, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah, who died this morning at the age of 79. He was the 13th ruler of a 245-year-old dynasty. He had been ill for several years after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He had reigned since 1977. In line with the constitution, the cabinet immediately named the crown prince, Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, as the new ruler. However also he is in poor health. In accordance with Muslim custom Sheikh Jaber was buried later today. His body, wrapped in the national flag, was placed in a simple grave in a section of the al-Sulaibikhat cemetery reserved for the Royal family following brief funeral prayers. The ceremony was attended by the new Emir, in a wheelchair, and a number of Arab leaders. Thousands of people, some weeping and carrying pictures of Sheikh Jaber, jostled with security forces to pay their respects. The government announced a 40-day period of mourning and said government offices would be closed for three days beginning today.
An anonymous military officer said that military authorities suspect that a Muslim extremist group is responsible for the death of Sultan Sayyid Hajji Datu Amir bin Muhammad Baraguir of Maguindanao last Wednesday. The extremist group had lately been criticized by the Sultan and this could have motivated the group to liquidate Baraguir just outside his residence in Sultan Kudarat. He said that they still have no clear suspects in the case.
January 16th
A painting found in Streatham house could be the only contemporary portrait of the nine-day queen, Queen Jane. It has been assumed she is the only English monarch since 1500 of whom no portrait survives. Experts are now claiming that a painting that hung for years in a house in Streatham, south-west London, is of Lady Jane Grey. The owner inherited the work from his great-grandfather, a collector of 16th-century antiques. Were this a painting of Lady Jane, it would satisfy a centuries-old hunger to know the appearance of the Queen, described at the time as "prettily shaped and graceful" with a "gracious and animated figure". One fine painting, which now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, was once thought to depict her. But now the picture, attributed to the artist Master John, is generally accepted as being of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife. The "new" portrait, which experts have confidently dated to the second half of the 16th century, shows a slender young woman in an opulent gown and jewels, a book held in her left hand. Above her shoulder is a faint inscription reading "Lady Jayne". The costume she wears was in fashion in the early 1550s; Jane was queen in 1553. New research by Libby Sheldon, of the painting analysis unit at University College London, suggests that the inscription "appears to have been put on at the same time as the rest of the paint". That helps eliminate the possibility that the inscription was inserted later, as was common at the time. If it were accepted that the inscription was done at the same time as the painting, the question remains: does the portrait show Lady Jane Grey? A survey by Thomas Woodcock, Norroy and Ulster king of arms at the College of Arms, discovered four possible contemporary "Lady Jaynes". Given the ages and marital status of the other candidates, he believes Lady Jane Grey is the only real candidate.
January 17th
More than a third of Norwegians questioned in a new survey don't like Princess Märtha Louise's using her royal title commercially. The survey, conducted by research firm InFact for magazine Se og Hør, found that 32,3% of those questioned think Princess Märtha Louise's use of her title is problematic. 70,7% thinks she should be allowed to retain her "princess" title.
The Duke of Gloucester is selling his family sporrans to pay death duties. The four sporrans are among more than 1,000 works of art and books being auctioned at Christie's in London next week, in the most significant Royal sale since the Duchess of Windsor's jewels 20 years ago. The Duke hopes to raise £2 million to pay inheritance tax due on the estate of his father, who died in 1974. Death duties were deferred by the Inland Revenue until after the October 2004 death of the late Duke's widow, Princess Alice. The collection of sporrans made in the late 1800s and early 1900s is expected to fetch up to £2,000 when it is auctioned next Thursday, but could raise a lot more because of the Royal links. One of the oldest and most impressive in the collection is an 1888 silver mounted three-tassel fur sporran with inscribed cartouche of a crowned lion, made in Edinburgh in 1888. Another silver-mounted fur sporran with two tassels was made in 1891 by the same firm.
In La Libre Belgique the engagement was announced between Countess Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz, younger sister of Princess Mathilde of Belgium, and Margrave Alfonso Pallavicini, eldest son of the late Margrave Carlo Alessandro Pallavicini and Nob. Avogara Azzoni Avogadro. The bride was born at Uccle on 17 January 1977, the groom at Treviso on 5 July 1964.
January 18th
Princess Madeleine of Sweden is moving to New York to set up home with three of her best friends later this month after having taken her final university exam next week. She will live in a Manhattan flat with girlfriends Veronica Arp, Louise Gottlieb and Louise De Geer. What exactly she'll do there is not yet decided, according to her mentor at the palace, Lena Ramel. "The king and queen are deciding with her and I can't say any more at this stage," she told Expressen. The options are work experience with UNICEF or further studies. "But it's the move itself that's most important for Madeleine," said one of the princess's friends to newspaper Expressen. According to Aftonbladet the princess is looking forward to being a normal girl-about-town in the city.
January 19th
A rehearsal was being held late this morning at Christiansborg Slotkirke in Copenhagen, where the son of the Danish crown princely couple will be christened by bishop Erik Norman Svendsen on Saturday. Then also his name will be revealed. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary arrived together with Mary's sister Jane Stephens, who might become one of the supporters of the child. According to the last reports the baby might get eight supporters. A children's choir will be singing and some members of the Livgardens Musikkorps will play.
Royal sources say that Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is to attend the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst when her grandson Prince Harry of Wales passes out as an officer in April. She is normally represented by another member of the Royal Family or by a senior member of the Armed Forces at the passing-out parade. Prince Harry is expected to tell the Army today which two regiments he is interested in joining when he completes his training. Prince Harry, like every other officer cadet, is required to choose two regiments as his potential military family when he nears the end of the 44-week training at Sandhurst. He is understood to have selected the Household Cavalry and the Welsh Guards. He will also be interviewed in due course by the commanding officer of the Welsh Guards. Either regiment is seen as ideal for the prince: both have ceremonial responsibilities as well as an operational role. Prince Harry will be the first senior Royal to go on frontline duty since the Duke of York, his uncle, flew helicopters in the Falklands War. Prince Harry’s decision will not be announced by Clarence House until next week, defence sources said. Prince Harry has told the Prince of Wales that he wants to fight for his country. Prince Charles has conceded that whatever regiment his son joins it will be sent on peacekeeping duties to troublespots such as Iraq, Afghanistan or Bosnia. A senior royal source said: “Whatever happens, Harry will not be left behind. He has made clear that he wants to go.”
Yesterday Princess Stéphanie of Monaco kicked off Monaco's annual circus festival. She has stepped into her late father's role as president of the event. The Princess said she wanted to make the 30th edition of Monaco's world famous festival a special tribute to her late father Prince Rainier. The 2006 event will therefore feature only artists who have won the prestigious Gold, Silver and Bronze Clowns in previous years. "We had wanted to do this anyway, but it's even more important now as a great gift to my dad," she explained. "The 31st festival will start again as it was before, with the competition, the prizegiving and the jury." "At the first festival I was part of the junior jury," she revealed. "I like all the acts but I always enjoy seeing animal acts in the circus because it's very important. You ask a child what is the circus for him and he always says clowns and animals."
The new Norwegian royal patronage list was released this week, after a comprehensive review of the organizations that members of Norway's royal family support. The royal family has cut its patronage by 30 %, from 91 organizations to 62. King Harald V of Norway has dropped nearly half of the organizations for which he's been a royal patron and now supports 22 groups. Queen Sonja will support 13 organisations, including the Norwegian Opera, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and other groups aimed at promoting Norwegian history and culture. Crown Prince Haakon will have 12 patronage roles in his portfolio and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will have 10. Princess Märtha Louise will no longer be a patron of cultural groups, to avoid more conflicts over her commercial activities as a purveyor of culture herself, and only keeps six patronage roles, all of them health-related. Palace officials won't say, however, why some organizations were dropped and some retained. The patronage roles will last for five years, after which they'll be up for renewal and other groups can apply for royal support.
Kuwaiti ruling al-Sabah family started close door internal consultations yesterday in order to arrange the transfer of the rule in Kuwait in light of the deteriorated health condition of the new ruler of the country Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah. News reports quoted sources as saying that prominent figures in the family held talks during the first three days of eulogy and condolences on the demise of the late Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The same sources said that vaster consultations were held yesterday with the participation of the prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in order to choose a new crown prince, noting that 76-year-old Sheikh Sabah who runs the affairs of the country is the most likely candidate. Constitutionally Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah is the only one who has the right to appoint the crown prince, however, this matter is practically made through consultations among members of al-Sabah family and the Kuwaiti Ummah council has to ratify the appointment of the new crown prince. The ruling family has also to take into account preserving the balance between the two wings of the family (al-Jaber and al-Salem branch) who assume the rotating presidency and sharing it since 85 years. Also the ruling family has to decide whether the two posts of the crown prince and the prime minister should be split or kept them together in the capacity of one person, as was the case until 2003,when the two posts were split for the first time.
January 20th
On the occasion of the 2nd birthday of Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway tomorrow, the Norwegian royal court released three new pictures of the Princess today. The photos were made by Jo Michael.
25-year-old Bethany Usher, female reporter for News of the World, has been arrested at Buckingham Palace on suspicion of falsifying details on a job application, Scotland Yard has said. She was held on Thursday on suspicion of attempting to obtain pecuniary advantage, police said. She was bailed until 9 February. The News of the World said that its reporter had been investigating palace security. The paper described it as a "legitimate journalistic exercise".
The Japanese government will submit a bill this year to allow women to ascend the imperial throne for the first time in centuries, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said today in his speech at this year's opening session of Parliament. He didn't provide details of the bill or when it would be submitted, but he said the proposal would be in line with the findings of the high-level panel, which has recommended letting female heirs on the Chrysanthemum Throne. "In order that the imperial throne be continued into the future in a stable manner, the government will submit a bill to reform the Imperial Household Law," Mr Koizumi said.
The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam has named his newborn grandson YAM Pg Anak Abdul Haseeb bin Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Shahibul Irshad Pg Anak Hj Abdul Rahim it was reported yesterday. The baby was born on January 14 at 5.50pm to the Sultan's daughter Princess Hjh Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah and her husband YAM Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Shahibul Irshad Pg Anak Hj Abdul Rahim. The Royal Family with pleasure thanked all who had conveyed their messages of congratulations and greetings on the birth.
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga is still in New Zealand undergoing medical checks, according to the Matangi Tonga. It is still not clear when he will return, said Sateki 'Ahio, the acting secretary for the Palace office. However, Mr 'Ahio could only say that the King was still undergoing medical checks in New Zealand. He said the king remains in good health.
January 21st
The little son of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark was christened at Christiansborg Church in a cold and snowy Copenhagen this morning. Despite of the bad weather the Norwegian royal guests, including Prince Sverre Magnus, managed to leave Oslo by train instead of airplane yesterday evening and arrived safely in Copenhagen this morning, after having travelled the last part of the travel from Malmö by car. The baby wore the christening robe that was made for the christening of the later King Christian X in 1870. It is made of Brussels lace. Since 1870 the robe was worn by Prince Carl - the later King Haakon VII of Norway -, Prince Harald, Prince Gustav, Princess Louise, Princess Thyra, Princess Dagmar, King Frederik IX, Prince Knud, Queen Margrethe, Princess Benedikte, Princess Anne-Marie, Princess Elisabeth, Count Ingolf, Count Christian af Rosenborg, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim. The baby received the names of Christian Valdemar Henri John. His godmother is Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. His sponsors are: Prince Joachim of Denmark, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Mrs Jane Stephens, Mr Jeppe Handwerk and Mr Hamish Campbell. The baptismal font was made around 1660. Playing were organist Jakob Lorentzen, the Brass Ensemble of the Royal Guards, harpists Helen Davies Mikkelborg and Tine Rehling. Singing were the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir and the Choir of Holmens Church. After the christening a reception was being held at Christiansborg. A traditional Danish buffet including international specialities was served. The music at the reception was played by the Band of the Royal Danish Life Guards. In the evening the crown princely couple invited some 65 guests - family, royals and friends - for a dinner and dance at their home the Kancellihuset next to Fredensborg.
The Amalienborg Museum will display Prince Christian's christening robe, the royal baptismal font and the gold plate with its accompanying ewer and candlesticks from Friday 27 January until Sunday 19 March 2006. The objects will form part of the current exhibition 'The Royal Succession - An Exhibition for children' and will illustrate the continuity of the Royal House.
An opinion poll by the Australian newspaper 'The Australian' today indicates that the Prince of Wales would be a much less popular ruler to Australians than his mother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. The survey by Newspoll found that 46% of the Australians want a republic, 34% wants to keep the monarchy. With the Prince of Wales on the throne 52% would support a republic and 29% a monarchy.
Very unusual, the leading Kuwaiti newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi yesterday called for the abdication of the new Emir, Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Sabah, due to his bad health. Under the constitution the Sheikh must swear an oath in parliament before assuming his duties, but there is open speculation in Kuwait that he is too ill to utter the oath - a single sentence of around 30 words.
January 22nd
Yesterday Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited the house of their daughter Sayako and her husband for the first time since she married last November. The couple lives in a one-bedroom rental apartment two kilometers from the Imperial Palace. They will move to a new apartment in Tokyo in spring. The Emperor and Empress arrived at the couple's residence at about 6:30 p.m. and had dinner.
January 23rd
A new BBC television series is being launched to find a four-course menu which will be presented to Queen Elizabeth II at the City of London lunch on June 15 on the occasion of her 80th birthday. Some 14 of the top chefs of Great Britain will be involved in the Great British Menu series. Each will be given one of seven regions of Great Britain (South West, South East, Midlands and East, North, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and asked to make four innovative dishes from the best local ingredients. A judge will then whittle down the final choices before a public poll will decide on the final menu to be served to the Queen and her guests. The tv-programme will run every Monday to Friday evening for eight weeks from April on BBC Two.
Kuwait National Assembly speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi yesterday evening accepted a request by Emir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah of Kuwait to hold a special session for the oath-taking ceremony of the Emir on Tuesday evening at the Parliament. Mr Al-Khorafi visited Sheikh Saad at Shaab Palace yesterday. On Saturday Sheikh Saad had sent a letter to Mr Al-Khorafi asking him to hold the special session on Sunday. However according to Mr Al-Khorafi there wasn't enough time to hold the session on Sunday. Sheikh Saad was proclaimed Emir last Sunday after the death of his cousin. Another request received by Mr Al-Khorafi today came from the Cabinet, which has concluded that Emir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah is no longer fit, healt-wise, to carry out his constitutional duties.
January 24th
On March 4th at noon Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway will be christened at the chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo by Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme.
The Countess of Wessex is facing a cash crisis after her firm R-JH Public Relations amassed debts of more than £1 million in just 12 months. The firm has no money in the bank and owes almost £1.5 million, according to accounts. The countess has a one-third stake in the firm. The firm's bank loans and overdraft have risen from £75,000 to £450,000 in the past year. Overall, creditors are owed £1,493,462 and the company recorded a loss for the second year running.
In an interview with TT Princess Madeleine of Sweden says that she is no party girl, as the media calls her: "Sure, maybe I used to go out now and then. But in the last three years I've devoted most of my time to studying. The label is still there but I feel I'm a long way away from that period." On Monday Princess Madeleine completed her degree in History of Art, Ethnology and Modern History at Stockholm University. Next in line in her educational programme is an internship at the UN's children's organisation, Unicef, in New York. "I'll be in a department which, among other things, deals with protecting children in war torn countries, children in institutions and sexually abused children," she said. It's possible that she will visit war-affected and otherwise impoverished regions, something she's hoping to see with her own eyes and experience for the first time. She will stay in New York until July and expecting to work hard while she's there. "Then we'll see what happens - maybe more studies, in which case probably international relations," she said. "I have my small plans but they need to grow a little," she said about her plans for the future.
Sheikh Salem Al-Ali and Sheikh Sahab Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah reached an agreement late yesterday night that Emir Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah of Kuwait will abdicate to pave the way for Sheikh Sabah to become the Emir with no need to go through any constitutional procedure, sources say. Sheikh Salem yesterday invited Sheikh Sabah for an urgent meeting at Bida Palace. The contents of the agreement will be announced today at 9.00am. Parliament speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi was later updated on the latest developments. The two special parliamentary sessions that were to be held today are not needed anymore.
The cabinet of Kuwait tonight unanimously nominated Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah as new emir of the country. An official letter with the nomination will be sent to parliament on Wednesday. If confirmed by parliament, Sheikh Sabah, will officially replace ailing emir Sheikh Saad al-Abdulla al-Sabah who was voted out unanimously by parliament on health grounds earlier in the day. By doing so the parliament handed temporary power to the government of Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
The castles of Bran, Peles and Pelisor will be bought back by the Romanian state after they are first returned to their former owners, the Habsburg family and the Romanian royal family respectively, said the Minister of Culture, Adrian Iorgulescu. The state is expected to pay around 50 million euros for the repurchase. mr Iorgulescu said the negotiations first aim to secure the restitution of the castles - Bran to the Habsburg family and the other two to the Romanian royal family- and then to establish the sum that will have to be paid to the owners by the state to be able to keep the castles and use them as museums. Iorgulescu said that the ministry is attempting to negotiate to pay no more than 30 million euros to former King Mihai I of Romania for Peles and Pelisor, a sum that was already been proposed in a law which was rejected last year as unconstitutional. "We want to keep these monuments open for the public. I am convinced that we will reach an arrangement with the royal family so that we do not pay more than we initially agreed to," said Iorgulescu, adding that the state did not oppose the restitution of the castles. The castles were seized by the Romanian state during the communist period.
A Johns Hopkins University archaeological team has unearthed a statue of Queen Ti, one of the most important women in ancient Egypt and wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities announced Monday. The statue, mostly intact, was found under a statue of Amenhotep III in the Karnak Temple in Luxor. Ti was the first queen of Egypt to have her name appear on official acts alongside that of her husband. She was known for her influence in state affairs in the reigns of both her husband (1417-1379 B.C.) and of her son, Akhenaton, (1379-1362 B.C.) during a time of prosperity and power in the 18th dynasty. Ti, of Nubian heritage, is believed to be the grandmother of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
January 25th
Clarence House today announced that on being commissioned as an officer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April Prince Harry of Wales will join the Household Cavalry as a Second Lieutenant. That is if he competes his Officer Cadet training. He would then undergo a period of specialist training with the aim of becoming an Armoured Reconnaissance Troop Leader at the forefront of British Army operations. As Troop Leader, Harry would lead a team of around a dozen soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work in a wide variety of operational settings. Prince Harry based his decision on the variety of roles which the regiment undertakes, including reconnaissance support to airborne forces right through to ceremonial duties. The Prince was also attracted by the regiment’s outstanding operational record in recent decades. Although Prince Harry would initially train for and concentrate on operational duties, as a member of the Household Cavalry he would be able to volunteer for, or be posted to, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in London. However, as an officer, Prince Harry would not perform sentry duties in this capacity.
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is to hire a Gordon Ramsay-style chef to improve lack-lustre cooking in the royal kitchens. Top staff at posh five-star restaurants are being tapped up for the new post of head chef to the monarch. A Buckingham Palace insider said: "We're stressing it's an important role. The food has to be perfect. "We cannot have foreign heads of state turning up to a banquet and finding the food is not up to standard." The new appointment will be in charge of 20 chefs preparing meals for up to 800 guests - as well as the Queen's own private dinners.
A pavement once paced by King Henry VII of England, and his son Henry VIII, at least two of his unfortunate wives, and his daughters Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Mary, has emerged from under a car park at the Royal Hospital in Greenwich, south London. The pavement is part of a royal chapel believed completely destroyed by centuries of later re-building at Greenwich. Although only grubby smears remain of their original smart black and white glazing, the tiles, with a border in an elaborate lozenge pattern, are in remarkably good condition. They mark the site of the altar in the chapel Henry VII built at his palace of Placentia, between 1500 and 1504. Placentia Palace was the birthplace of King Henry VIII of England. He married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and his fourth wife Anne of Cleves in a private apartment above the chapel. "This discovery brings home the reality of the weddings of Henry VIII more directly than any other surviving buildings," David Starkey said. He called it "the absolute heart of the palace" and added: "When Henry was married ... what he saw through the window was the tiled floor and altar that have now been revealed." Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, an expert on Tudor palaces, was equally excited: "This is an astonishing survival."
The deputy speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament, Mishari al-Anjari, said that the parliament will meet on Sunday to elect a new emir, who will almost certainly be Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The oath-taking ceremony would take place shortly after the parliament has voted in open session.
Princess Ubol Ratana of Thailand yesterday released a quarterly magazine To Be Number One in a bid to strenghten her anti-drug campaign among teenagers under the same name. She said the 80-page publication would be a major communication tool among members. "Every (To Be Number One) member owns the magazine," she said. The magazine features teen issues including fashion, hi-tech products and entertainment, as well as the latest news and information regarding the campaign. The Princess and her daughter Khun Ploypailin Jensen appear on the cover of the magazine. The Princess says she will have her own column in the future called 'Talk to the Princess' which allows members to write her and ask questions. The Princess says to believe that communication could solve many teenage problems.
January 26th
After criticism from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation as well the press, the Swedish royal family has decided to sell its shares in the Brazilian forestry company Aracruz. The company is accused by the Society for Nature Conservation of damaging the rain forest and ignoring human rights in Brazil. The royal family has a private investment firm, Gluonen, which primarily invests in funds. In the portfolio there are also a number of other holdings, such as Aracruz. Gluonen is mostly owned by Crown Princess Victoria and her siblings, Prince Carl Phillip and Princess Madeleine. According to Gluonen's managing director and the palace head of finance, Bengt Telland, the holding in Aracruz is worth around 40.000 kronor per shareholder. In a press statement Telland wrote that Gluonen had confidence in Aracruz, which, for the most part, is environmentally approved: "After the information that has come out over the last few days, the decision has nevertheless been taken to sell the holding."
After recent pictures taken during a holiday in Thailand it is rumoured that Princess Caroline of Monaco who turned 49 last week, is pregnant with her fifth child. The Palace in Monaco didn't want to comment on the rumours.
January 27th
The inquiry into the death of Princess Diana of Wales in August 1997 is "far more complex than any of us thought", Lord Stevens, who is in charge of the inquiry has said on GMTV's Sunday programme. He also said it was "right" for Mohammed Al Fayed to raise issues about the deaths of his son and Diana. Lord Stevens was asked by the Royal Coroner two years ago to investigate claims that the crash was not an accident. He said: "It is right to say that some of the issues that have been raised by Mr Fayed have been right to be raised. We are pursing those. It is a far more complex inquiry than any of us thought." He said the investigation was being thorough as it looked "in minute detail" at the issues. "We have only got a small squad doing this and a lot of the issues have been brought up by Mr Fayed and his investigations." The car wreckage was being examined in Great Britain, and there had been co-operation with the French authorities. "We have new witnesses, we are re-examining other witnesses, and, at the end of the day, I think what people want is a thorough investigation going where the evidence takes us, and some of the answers to some of the questions that have been raised in national newspapers and in other parts of the world. That is the job I have been asked to do and that is the job I'll do," Lord Stevens said.
Five silver-mounted fur sporrans made in Edinburgh for the late Duke of Gloucester have sold for £8400 at a London auction. The price was more than four times the pre-sale estimate.
The Xhosa Royal House at Willowvale in the Eastern Cape met this morning to announce the successor to the late King Xolilizwe Sigcau. Prince Zwelonke Sigcawu, son of the late King Xolilizwe Sigcawu, was named as the new king.
January 28th
Princess Madeleine of Sweden has landed in New York for a stay of a few months in which she will work at UNICEF. She travelled together with friend Louisa De Geer. She told journalists she doesn't know New York well yet.
Carol Mircea Hohenzollern, son of King Carol II of Romania and Ioana Lambrino, died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in Chelsea, London, yesterday after a long illness. He was born at Bucarest, 8 January 1920. He married first in 1944 (divorced 1960) Helene Nagavitzine, second in 1960 (divorced 1977) Jeanne Williams, and third in 1984 Antonia Colville. He had two sons: Paul and Alexander. The marriage between the parents of Carol Mircea was not recognised. Until his father's death in 1953 he used the name of Lambrino. His legitimacy was recognised by a court in Paris in 1955. Although he assumed the style and title of His Royal Highness Prince of Romania he was only entitled to the surname of Hohenzollern. A funeral service will be held at the Romanian Orthodox Church in London. It is not clear if his wish to be buried in Romania will be granted.
"We are not in hurry to appoint a new Crown Prince for Kuwait", said head of National Guards Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah. "The process of selecting a new crown prince will be delayed as it cannot be finalized within a short time", he added. He further said “there is no condition that this position should be given to a member of the Al-Salem branch of the Ruling Family. It can be given to any qualified and efficient person from the Al-Sabah Family.” About Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah's abdication he said: “I only wanted to know if Sheikh Saad could continue for a short time as Emir of the country. However, medical reports confirmed the inability of Sheikh Saad, who will retain his dignity to continue.” The man who is carrying out all official duties of the head of state and managing the affairs of Kuwait is Sheikh Sabah. Sheikh Salem said that “even if Sheikh Saad had not abdicated, all the authority would have gone to Sheikh Sabah.” In the meantime lawmakers hailed this week’s assembly vote, which ended a succession crisis, as a triumph for the rule of law in a region dominated by autocratic governments. But they said the new Emir must now put in place a political system that would ensure a smooth transition of power in the future and appoint a prime minister who is not from Al-Sabah family, which has ruled the country for more than two centuries.
January 29th
The Parliament of Kuwait today unanimously voted for 77-year-old Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah as the new emir of Kuwait. The new emir was not present for the 64-0 vote — the first time in Kuwait's history that parliament has had a role in choosing the emir, a matter that has been the business of the ruling family for hundreds of years. Extended applause followed the vote which was attended by about 700 dignitaries and ambassadors. The emir was sworn in later today. He took the oath of office before the assembly, officially assuming the powers and responsibilities of ruler. A standing ovation welcomed Sheikh Sabah when he arrived in parliament on Sunday.
January 30th
It is alleged that a guard in the royal residence raped one of the daughters of King Mswati of Swaziland’s brother. According to media reports the brother’s most trusted aide is accused of raping the 10-year-old girl more than three times. No action has been taken against him to date as he is said to be still employed at the royal residence. This comes just a week after Prince Mbuyisa was sentenced to seven years for the rape of a young girl. There was no immediate comment from the royal residence.
January 31st
In his annual New Year's address King Albert II of the Belgians has warned the government authorities against separatism. He said inequality and the financial transfers between regions may pose a problem, but separatism is no solution. King Albert said separatism was "anachronistic and disastrous" and would damage Brussels' international role and the image of the nation. King Albert also said tensions between the regions can be traced back to a difference in policy and prosperity. He also addressed the "tensions between some immigrant groups and the native population". He also warned against extremism, stressing that anyone who tries to use society's problems to spread racism must realise they are liable to prosecution.
More than 200 treasures from the collection of Empress Catherine II of Russia will be on view at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts from February 2 to May 7. Exhibited are paintings, sculptures, furniture, decorative art objects and the coronation coach. The exhibition could be seen at Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario from October 1, 2005, to January 3.
Royal News: December 2005. Last updated: January 19th, 2006.