ROYAL NEWS: JULY 2003

Last updated: August 3rd, 2003.

July 1st
The chief inspector commanding Windsor Castle's security, has been replaced from his job to a new post within the Metropolitan Police after the security problems at the 21st birthday party of Prince William of Wales. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "This should not be seen as pre-judging the outcome of the disciplinary inquiry and is by mutual consent." Paul Seery has become the new chief inspector at Windsor Castle.

July 2nd
On the day of the 100-year anniversary of the birth of the late King Olav V of Norway, his great-granddaughter Maud Angelica Behn, daughter of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Ari Behn, was christened at the chapel of the Royal Palace in Oslo at 10:30 this morning. The christening was attended by more than 200 guests, among them most members of the Norwegian royal family. The service was led by the Bishop of Oslo, Gunnar Stålsett. King Harald carried his first grandchild to the font. Maud Angelica's sponsors were Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, who was not present because she is heavily pregnant herself, Marianne Ulrichsen, Anja Sabrina Bjørshol, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Trond Giske (Labour Party politician) and Kåre Conradi (actor). The Bishop said: "Blessed is the enduring one, said Jesus. Being enduring is more than being patient, it is more than tolerance. Enduring means waiting for something good. It means bearing resistance". The Christening dress worn by Maud Angelica was sewn in 1920 for her great-great-grandmother, Princess Ingeborg, and has been used for the christening of her descendants. All of King Olav V's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren wore Princess Ingeborg's dress at their christenings. Christening gifts included a collection of Norwegian fairy tales from the government, a silver mug from the City of Oslo, a necklace from the supreme court and two silver candlesticks from the parliament. In the late afternoon the almost complete Norwegian royal family - only Ragnhild Lorentzen was not present - attended a commemoration service for King Olav V at the Akershus Castle, where Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik held a speech for 300 guests. Thereafter the family also led a wreath at the King Olav V monument at Hankøsund. At the end of the day there was a private family dinner on board of the royal yacht Norge.

The court of justice at The Hague decided that Princess Máxima has to pay 25% of the costs Gerrit Jan van der Bent asked for as payment for the damage after a traffic accident near Palace Huis ten Bosch in October 2001. Mr Van der Bent broke his leg and wasn't able to work for several month. He was ordered to pay the remaining 75% of the costs himself. Mr Van der Bent drove on a road for local traffic only and was driving too fast, while he didn't wear his seat belt. However Princess Máxima should have given way to Mr Van der Bent as she came from an exit road.

July 3rd
Yesterday Najeeb "Jeeb" Halaby, father of Queen Noor of Jordan, died of congestive heart failure at his home in McLean, Virginia, USA, at the age of 87. He had been a foreign affairs adviser to the Pentagon and then a deputy assistant secretary of defense from 1948 to 1952. In 1961 he was named administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration. He became a senior vice-president of Pan American World Airways in 1965, became its president in 1968, chief executive in 1969 and chairman in 1970. He was forced to resign in 1972 when the board blamed him for the worsening financial crisis at PanAm. He afterwards ran an international law practice and headed a company that provided aviation technology to Arab countries. Najeeb Halaby was born in Dallas on November 19, 1915 and had a Lebanese-Syrian father, Najeeb Elias Halaby, and a Texan mother, Laura Wilkins. Najeeb Halaby in 1946 married Doris Carlquist, whom he divorced in 1977. He married Jane Coates in 1980, who died in 1996. In 1997 he married Libby Cater. He is survived by his third wife and his three children from his first marriage, Queen Noor of Jordan, Christian and Alexa, as well as ten grandchildren.

Reports of the complaint-commission of the Amsterdam-Amstelland police show that in at least five cases the police has acted wrongly against demonstrators during the wedding of the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands on February 2, 2002. Among others a student who shouted 'booh' was arrested and imprisoned for five hours. Also a board with the text 'Alex and Máxima lots of happiness in the Republic Holland' was removed unjust. The inquiry into seven other complaints has not been finished yet.

Princess Máxima of the Netherlands has become a member of a committee that is going to stimulate the participation of women from foreign origine in the Dutch society.

'To Kidnap A Princess' is the name of a drama-documentary that has has been commissioned by ITV controller of drama Nick Elliot. It expected to air later this year. The drama-documentary tells the story of the attempt of Ian Ball to kidnap the Princess Royal and her husband Mark Phillips almost 30 years ago. The attempt took place in The Mall, in the centre of London, when the princess and her husband were driving to Buckingham Palace after a charity film show. Bodyguard Inspector James Beaton was wounded when Mr Ball shot at him. Mr Ball opened the back door of the car and tried to pull the princess out, but Mark Phillips hung on to her and managed to shut the door. During the attempt also a second policeman and two passers-by were hurt. After Mr Ball was overpowered a ransom note addressed to the Queen was found in which the kidnapper demanded £3 million in used £5 notes. The film makers say the programme will tell an extraordinary tale of obsession. A spokeswoman said: "Featuring a combination of dramatised scenes and personal testimony from key witnesses, the film goes inside the mind of the troubled loner to tell how the fate of the British Royal Family was almost transformed in the space of 10 minutes on The Mall." Jenna Renshaw will play the Princess Royal and Russell Mabey the would-be abductor.

Two ancient mausoleums from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were named World Heritage sites at a session of the World Heritage Committee of the UNESCO in Paris. At the 'Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in Nanjing the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, and his Empress were buried. Also the group of imperial mausoleums outside Beijing where 13 Ming emperors and 23 empresses from the 15th to the 17th century were buried was placed on the list. The two groups of tombs are seen as a showcase of funeral architecture and culture of that period in China. With the two imperial tombs added to the list today, the list contains five Chinese imperial tombs.

July 4th
At the 66th birthday of Queen Sonja, the Norwegian royal court announced that Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit expect their first child together. The baby is due to be born on January 22, 2004. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who already has a son from a previous relationship, is said to be healthy and a normal pregnancy is expected. In the next few months there might be some changes in her official programme. Crown Prince Haakon himself made the news known this morning while leading a weekly meeting with the Norwegian Cabinet. The baby will become second in line to the throne behind Crown Prince Haakon.

A man driving a minicar attempted to ram a motorcade carrying Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko this morning around 7:10 at the National Route 38 in the city of Furano. A police motorcycle escort however managed to block the car's path. The imperial car was damaged in the right front when the minicar hit one of the motorcycles that was knocked over and struck the car. The driver of the car, Osamu Koizumi, was immediately arrested and charged with obstructing public duties. He was slightly injured. The Imperial couple was unharmed and it took them three minutes to change cars and to drive further to Nakafurano where they visited a lavender garden. In Tokyo, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called for security measures for the Emperor to be reviewed thoroughly to prevent similar incidents. A spokesman of the imperial palace said: "We are examining what has happened at this stage and any change, if necessary, will be decided later."

The Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands have summoned the weekly Privé. Recently the magazine has published lots of photos of the interior and exterior of Villa De Eikenhorst, the princely couple's new home in Wassenaar. The couple says that with the publication the magazine has acted in a serious and inadmissible way against them. They have experienced the publication as a serious encroach upon their privacy. The couple has started a lawsuit at the court in Amsterdam. They demand that the making, publishing and further exploitation of the photos will be declared illegal, and they also demand that Privé tells who made the photographs.

July 5th
The Countess of Paris, born at Eu Castle on 13 August 1911 as Princess Isabelle de Orléans e Bragança, died this morning in a Paris hospital with her children by her side. She had been in hospital since June 26. Since 1999 she was the widow of the Cout of Paris, pretender to the French throne, whom she married in 1931. The couple had eleven children, of which two sons have died, 40 grandchildren (of which one deceased) and 53 great-grandchildren. Five other great-grandchildren were expected during the coming months, while two grand-daughters are about to get married. During the last few decades the Countess of Paris wrote several historical books about members of her family, while she also wrote her memoirs. The Countess of Paris will be buried at the Royal Chapel in Dreux on July 11 at 16:00. See the tribute by Ademar.

In the French newspaper Le Figaro it is announced that today Countess Katharina von und zu Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg marries Ludovic Allès at the San Stefano Chapel in Campoli, Mercatale, Italy. Countess Katharina was born in 1963 and is the second child of Count Ferdinand and his first wife Tanja Star Busmann.

July 9th
Writer and broadcaster William Shawcross will write the official biography of the late Queen Mother. He was chosen by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain herself from a shortlist of top writers, among others selected by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. Mr Shawcross will have access to the Queen Mother's personal papers and will be able to interview senior members of the Royal Family. The writer said: "It is a great privilege and a great responsibility to be invited by the Queen to write the biography of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. She was a remarkable woman whose life both spanned and reflected the 20th century. he Queen Mother had wide interests and great enthusiasms, and she always remained in touch with the momentous changes in the country. She was loved and respected by all generations. Her life tells the story of Britain over the last hundred years."

July 10th
Prince Carl Bernadotte was buried at the royal cemetery at the Haga park near Stockholm, after a private funeral service at the church in Danderyd during which singer Sven-Bertil Taube sang 'Så skimrande var aldri havet' and priest Bo Wallin held a speech. The coffin was covered with the Swedish flag. After the burial a reception was held at Waldemarsudde. Next to the Prince's widow Princess Kristine, his daughter Madeleine with her husband Nicolas Kogevinas and her children with partners, the whole Norwegian royal family was present, as well as King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Count Carl Johan Bernadotte, Queen Paola of Belgium, Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein (representing her mother Grand-Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxemburg) and Countess Ruth of Rosenborg. In total 130 people said goodbye to the prince.

The office of Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, Prince of Venice and Piedmont, has announced the prince will marry French actress Clotilde Courau soon. Clotilde Courau was born in Levallois-Perret near Paris on 3 April 1969. She won the Romy Schneider Prize in 2000, and has played in several films.

Since Monday the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands have officially moved to Villa De Eikenhorst at the estate De Horsten in Wassenaar. They have registered themselves at the municipality today. The house at the Noordeinde in The Hague where they lived so far, will stay their office.

Also Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme has broken with her sollicitors Mr Nicolai and Mr Pen. In a fax she has thanked them for their service, but said she will no longer make use of their services. Her husband already broke with the sollicitors some weeks ago.

July 11th
The Countess of Paris was buried at the royal chapel in Dreux, where also her husband was buried four years ago. At the entrance of the chapel among others wreaths of King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians, King Simeon and Queen Margarita of Bulgaria, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain had been placed. The funeral service was led by Mgr Bernard-Nicolas Aubertin, bishop of Chartres and was attended by almost the whole French royal family, as well as Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, Infanta Cristina of Spain with her husband Iñaki Urdangarín, Infanta Pilar of Spain, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxemburg, Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Teresa de Orléans e Bragança, Princess Stella de Orléans e Bragança, Princess Luiza de Orleáns e Bragança, Princess Maria Gabriela de Orléans e Bragança, Duke de Bragança, Archduchess Regina of Austria, Queen Anne of Romania, Prince Alexandre and Princess Barbara of Yugoslavia, Empress Farah of Iran, Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy, the Duke of Aosta, Princess Alix Napoléon, Princess Beatrice of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Prince Casimir and Princess Maria Christina of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Bavaria, Grand Duke Georgi of Russia, Prince Michael and Princess Marina of Greece, Duchess Marguerite of Württemberg, Duchess Rixa von Oldenburg, Archduchess Margarita of Austria-Este, Archduke Martin of Austria-Este, Duke of Parma, Princess Cécile de Bourbon de Parme, Princess Chantal de Bourbon de Parme, Prince Charles Emmanuel and Princess Constance de Bourbon de Parme, Prince Remy de Bourbon de Parme, Prince Charles-Henri de Lobkowicz, Prince Pierre and Princess Silvia d'Arenberg and Elisabeth d'Udekem d'Acoz.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy says the date of his wedding to Clotilde Courau is not known yet, but the wedding for sure will take place in Italy. The couple met three years ago, first became friends, then intime friends, and then lovers. It was also revealed that Clotilde Courea is four months pregnant, which is the reason that they will get married now.

After a cash crisis The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund has frozen all its grants to beneficiaries and has been forced to approach other charities in a bid to keep its own projects going. Since 2000 the fund is embroiled in a legal battle with a souvenir fund in the USA, the Franklin Mint, which has been making products carrying images of the late Princess. They lost a battle in June 2000 and got a £4 million legal bill. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund tries to protect the Princess's memory from commercial exploitation, they say. In November 2002 the Franklin Mint launched a counter suit of $25 million against the fund for malicious prosecution. Some 500 jobs are under threat. Some 120 charities benefit from the fund. The fund said: "This position has put the trustees and former trustees of the fund into the most painful legal and moral dilemma, as to whether to continue grants or retain all such money in the fund until the legal position is clearer. It has now been established, in fact, the fund is legally obliged to freeze not only new grants but payment of existing grants. The fund is determined to find other ways of honouring existing grants commitments to over 120 organisations and has launched a rescue plan. Trustees are now entering into urgent negotiations with various grant-giving organisations to discuss different ways of providing for its beneficiaries. It is also exploring all possible avenues that could unblock the logjam in its own funds."

Marvel Comics has removed Diana Princess of Wales and all references to the British royal family from its forthcoming X-Statix monthly comics. They had planned to introduce the late Princess as hero in a team of super-powered mutants in a five-series storyline called 'Di Another Day'. Her character would have been involved in a satirical look at fame and pop culture.

July 12th
Fürst Carl von Wrede and Countess Katalin Bethlen von Bethlen married at the St Mathias Church in Budapest, Hungary, today. 220 guests, among them many royals, attended the wedding.

Anna-Maria Morales y Grecia, daughter of Princess Alexia of Greece and her husband Carlos Morales Quintana, will be baptised at Spetses Island, Greece, on July 19.

A photographer and a reporter of the Haagsche Courant have been arrested near De Horsten estate, where the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands live since this week, and were held at the police station for one hour. They on purpose offended against the forbidding to photograph around the estate. The newspapers says that forbidding to photograph curtails the practising of their profession and stands in the way of freely getting news. The newspaper respects the privacy of the Dutch Royal House, but say that forbidding to photograph from a public road is going too far. At other palaces of the family it is allowed to photograph from the road.

Stadsherstel Amsterdam has threatened to start a lawsuit against Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn, husband of Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme. He rents a building from the Stadsherstel Amsterdam, but doesn't follow the rules and sublets the house. Stadsherstel Amsterdam has summoned Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn to end the subleting.

Robert Edward Peter Gascoyne-Cecil, the 6th Marquess of Salisbury died yesterday at the age of 86. He was born on October 24, 1916. He was educated at Eton, then joined the Grenadier Guards and fought with them in World War II also taking part in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. After the war he studied farming and estate management and afterwards ran his great estates at Hatfield and Cranborne, Dorset. He was married to Mollie Wyndham-Quin, and got six sons and a daughter. Two sons predeceased their father. The new Marquess is the eldest son, Viscount Cranborne.

July 13th
Today Princess Johanna zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg, daughter of Prince Felix and Princess Elisabeth née Countess von Meran, married Baron Robert Prosper Heeremann von Zuydtwyck at the Wallfahrtskirche in Dieburg, Germany. At 11:00 the marriage was conducted by Johannes zu Eltz together with Benedictine Abbot Franziskus Heeremann (an uncle of the groom), Father Martin Löwenstein and Priest Lorenz Eckstein. The marriage was attended by some 450 guests. The civil marriage had taken place already earlier in the week in Meerbusch. On Friday evening the bridal soiree was held at the Habitzheim Estate.

July 14th
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden traditionally celebrated her birthday at the family's summer residence of Solliden at the island of Öland. Surrounded by her family she received the greetings of thousands of Swedes who had gathered at Solliden to wish her a happy 26th birthday.

A huge birthday celebration of the Bavarian royal family with around 2600 guests was celebrated today at Nymphenburg Castle in München, Germany. Duke Franz von Bayern celebrated his 70th birthday today. In June Prince Ludwig celebrated his 90th birthday, while his wife Princess Irmingard celebrated her 80th birthday last May. And in June also Prince Leopold celebrated his 60th birthday. Among the guests many prominent Bavarians, like Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber. The guests were greeted by flourish of the Bavarian hunt. An impressive trooping the colours came in procession to the castle after a salute of 39 mortar shots by the Münchener Mortar Regiment to hand over their birthday wishes to the Duke and his family. The friends of the Schützenkompanie Tegernsee finished the procession with a salute before it ended with the anthem of Bavaria. After the trooping the colour Duke Franz invited all guests for a meal in two marquees in the garden. Among the guests were Dr Otto von Habsburg, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis as well as members of the royal and noble families of Oettingen-Oettingen und Oettingen-Spielberg, Fürstenberg, Liechtenstein, Prussia, Saxony and Hannover. Report and Photos.

Comedian Aaron Barschak, who breached security at Prince William of Wales's 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle will face no further action Scotland Yard says. They follow the advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. He was initially released on police bail.

July 16th
The private secretary of Princess Benedikte of Denmark released a press announcement telling that the princess's husband Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg has had cancer surgery at hospital in Germany, for the first time in March and again on July 3. He was first treated for skincancer and the second time for left groin cancer. He left hospital on July 11. He has now started the first of four sessions of chemotherapy.

The Dutch Association of Journalists and the Dutch Society of Editor-in-Chiefs have lodged a legal action against the Council of Wassenaar to protest against the recent ban on photographing around the estate of the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands. On June 30 the Council, on request of the Dutch royal family, decided that the house may not longer be photographed from the public roads around the estate to protect the privacy of the couple. The court hearing will take place on 28 July in a court in The Hague.

In a television documentary to be broadcasted on July 24 by Channel 4 James Hewitt, the former lover of Diana Princess of Wales, boasted that she was good in bed. At one point in the documentary he also tells some people: "They're doing it (the programme) about me because I'm a complete s*** and we're trying to make me less of a s***." and he added: "And it's not working!" He also claims the Prince of Wales knew about their relationship: "I think he would have been told by the security forces and other people who make it their duty to know what other people are doing." He also says the Prince of Wales should be "grateful" for the affair as "I think he would probably be grateful someone was looking after his wife when he was sh****** Camilla Parker Bowles, don't you?" Mr Hewitt was followed by a film crew during his attempt to sell the princess's love letters to him for £10 million.

July 17th
Princess Stephanie of Monaco has posed almost nude for photos that will be auctioned off to raise money for her new Aids foundation. She is only covered by a giant red ribbon. She agreed to the photos after German artist Peter Klasen suggested it would be a good way to raise money. She told the French magazine Oh La! that the idea had "moved" and "flattered" her. The photos will be turned into a 14-page feature in the magazine before the original prints are auctioned off on October 10 in Monaco. The proceeds will be donated to the foundation she recently founded with her brother Prince Albert.

Today the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg agreed to hear a complaint by Princess Caroline of Monaco claiming German authorities failed to protect her from paparazzi photographers. She claims a 1999 German court ruling allowing publication of unauthorized pictures infringed on her right to a private and family life, as enshrined in the European human rights convention. The complaint is lodged under the name Princess Caroline von Hannover and a hearing is scheduled for November 6.

July 18th
For the first time Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis opened a festival at her castle St. Emmeram in Regensburg, the fulfilling of a childhood's dream. On the programme was the musical history tragedy 'Die Bernauerin' of Carl Orff, that tells the tragic love story between a girl from Augsburg and the Bavarian Duke Albrecht in the 14th century. At the end the young woman, said to be a witch, was drowned in the Donau. Princess Gloria as well as her daughter Maria Theresia played a role in the play. The Thurn und Taxis Schlossfestspiele will end on July 27. On the programme are among others the opera 'The Nightingale' and the musical 'Evita'. Around 30.000 visitors are expected.

July 19th
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended the huge 85th birthday celebrations for former South African president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela today. 1 600 guests were given red carpet treatment as they arrived at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg tonight for a gala dinner. Among the many guests were also president Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US president Bill Clinton with his wife Hilary and daughter Chelsea, rock star Bono, model Naomi Campbell, actor Robert de Niro, singer Barbra Streisand and talk-show host Oprah Winfrey. The evening celebrations started with 85 children, led by South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singing "Happy Birthday" for Mandela as he entered the room. Retired Anglican archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu delivered a blessing before dinner was served. An 82-piece orchestra and a host of dancers provided entertainment. The guests were served a traditional spicy Cape Malay lentil soup, Cajun spiced chicken, malva pudding and the consummate panacea for those with a sweet tooth koeksisters — an Afrikaans traditional pastry oozing with sugar. Mandela left the party shortly before 23:00, but not before dancing to traditional African music with Tutu, and Clinton's wife Hillary. Even Queen Beatrix joined the other guests for the "Madiba jive" as Yvonne Chaka Chaka and U2's Bono let rip with a huge happy birthday song and dance. The dinner followed tens of thousands of tributes. Many world leaders sent formal messages of congratulation, while ordinary South Africans sent more than 15.000 calls and more than 22.000 short message greetings. The festivities had already started on Friday and will be finished on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday Nelson Mandela had attended the funeral of his daughter-in-law, Zondi, in Soweto.

At the church of Mettlach, Germany, Princess Cynthia zu Solms-Hohensolms-Lich married Count Richard von Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee. After the wedding a reception took place in the Saareck-Park.

Anna-Maria Morales y Grecia was christened by Bishop Efraim at the Pantanassos Monastery at the Peloponessos. Next to the closest family, the christening was attended by Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Irene of Greece, Princess Victoria of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and her fiancée Markos Nomikos.

155 members and descendants of the Bavarian royal family gathered this morning at Schloss Nymphenburg for a family party to celebrate in private the 70th birthday of Duke Franz, the 80th birthday of Princess Irmingard, the 90th birthday of Prince Ludwig and the 60th birthday of Prince Leopold. The day began with a mass in the chapel of St Maria Magdalena led by Cardinal Wetter, Archbishop of München-Freising. Present were among others Queen Fabiola of Belgium and Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg.

July 20th
The celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Albert II of the Belgians started today with a classical concert in the Egmont Palace in Brussels. In the early afternoon a roller parade with 600 people including Prince Laurent of Belgium left from the Jubelpark to the centre of Brussels, like 1100 cyclists including Prince Philippe of Belgium from the Hertogsstraat and 20.000 motor-cyclists from the Heizel where King Albert II himself gave the starting shot. Between 16:00 and 18:00 a garden party took place in and around Laeken Castle for which 880 citizens were invited including some 10-year-old children. The day was closed by the traditional concert of laureats of the Queen Elisabeth Contest at the Palace of Schone Kunsten in Brussels and a huge public ball at the Vossen Square with an orchestra and well-known Belgian artists.

In a speech on the occasion of National Day, King Albert II of the Belgians paid homage to his brother King Baudouin who suddenly died almost 10 years ago: "On this National Holiday I would like to remind you of some of the values he incorporated in such a remarkable way, and to refer to some themes which he cared about very much. This is a great opportunity to pay homage to him, to express our heartfelt gratitude to Queen Fabiola, who stood beside him for thirty years and to express the wish that the aim of my brother may continue to inspire us."

Today Crown Prince Haakon of Norway celebrated his 30th birthday at the family's summer house Mågerø at the island of Tjøme. He gave a small birthday lunch for which around 50 family members and friends had been invited. Among them Queen Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise, Ari Behn, Maud Angelica Behn, Marius Borg Høiby, Marit Tjessem and Rolf Berntsen. King Harald V was sailing in Spain and didn't attend. In the evening Crown Princess Mette-Marit surprised him with tickets for an outdoor concert by Norwegian jazz star Jan Garbarek in Tønsberg. In a birthday interview Crown Prince Haakon said that he and his wife would have liked "to make a bit more out of the day", but they had too many other things to do. "We'll see whether there can't be some sort of celebration of our 30th birthdays some time next year." He also told they "have many plans" for the future, both here and overseas, among other things in close cooperation with the Foreign Ministry." He said he's happy, looks forward to move back into his childhood home in suburban Asker, west of Oslo, and "lay the foundation for the rest of our lives." They are very much looking forward to the baby and hope that the child can have a childhood as normal as possible.

Yesterday James Hewitt, former lover of Diana Princess of Wales, offered to hand her love letters to him all over to the Prince of Wales. He claims he doesn't want a penny for them from the Prince but said he expects to be asked for them in a "civilized and respectful way". "Were I to be invited by the prince for tea and given the opportunity to discuss this matter in a reasoned way, I would of course be willing to respond," Hewitt said. "I might add that so far, no one has made any attempt to show me such consideration." Until such a call comes he will continue accepting offers from private buyers.

July 21st
The anniversary of King Albert II of the Belgian's 10th year as King and the Belgian National Day were celebrated today. In the morning members of the family attended traditional Te Deum celebrations all over Belgium. King Albert II, Queen Paola and Queen Fabiola attended the service in the St Michel and St Gudule Cathedral in Brussels and afterwards took the time to speak with wellwishers. Prince Philippe went to the Saint-Aubain Cathedral in Namur, Prince Laurent and Prince Claire to the Saint-Nicolas Church in Eupen and Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz attended the The Deum in the St. Salvator Church in Bruges. The traditional military parade drew record crowds to Brussels. The only notable absence was the military tank parade, cancelled due to a massive pothole in the rue de la Loi. The highlight of the day was an open-air evening concert with lots of Flemish and Walloon artists like Khadja Nin, Zap Mama, Sandra Kim, Toots Thielemans and Will Tura. Some 35,000 people filled the streets around the Palais de Justice. At the end performers sang Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday in unison. At the end of the concert also tennisplayers Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne will congratulate the king. The entire Royal family was present at the concert. King Albert II and Queen Paola climbed the stage to thank performers and spectators in French and Flemish. The day ended with a spectacular fireworks display in central Brussels attended by some 100,000 spectators. Photo gallery.

July 22nd
A teenager has interrupted Queen Elizabeth II's summer garden party today at Buckingham Palace. The 17-year-old ran on the grass about 100 yards in front of the Queen and for a while pulled down his trousers and boxer shorts. A Beefeater in ceremonial costume managed to tackle the boy under loud applause of other guests. The boy was not arrested, but spoken to by the police and later escorted out of the Palace grounds.

July 23rd
The teenager who pulled down his trousers and boxer shorts at Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's summer garden party at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday is extremely embarrassed by his actions and is writing a letter of apology to the Queen. His father apologised in a statement issued through Buckingham Palace. "He regarded it as an honour to attend the Royal garden party," the father said. "He is extremely embarrassed by the incident and regrets any discourtesy I would like to apologise for the ill-considered actions of my son." A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "We understand that the father of the young man involved in this streaking incident has apologised. We also understand that the young man concerned is writing a letter of apology to the Queen. We regard the matter as now closed."

The wedding of Duchess Fleur von Württemberg and Count Moritz von Goëss on August 9 at Altshausen will be broadcasted live on the local German channel SWR from 10:15 to 12:30. The civil wedding will take place on August 8th, at 11:00 at Schloss Altshausen.

July 24th
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London has removed the wax figures of the Princess Royal, Duke of York, the Earl and Countess of Wessex. It is the first time in 200 years the royal section has left out immediate family members. Still on display are Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. Madame Tussauds' however plans to retain the Queen Mother and Diana Princess of Wales and plans to feature the very popular Prince William in the near future. The move is part of a drive to make the waxworks less "worthy but dull". Recently visitors were asked who they wanted to see and there was not much interest in members of the royal family.

July 26th
Surprisingly the Prince of Wales was accompanied by Camilla Parker Bowles during a private visit to Salzburg, Austria today, on the occasion of the Salzburger Festspiele. They arrived together in the afternoon by airplane. They attended a reception with President Thomas Klestil at the Grossen Festspielhaus. At 17:00 the couple attended a performance of the Requiem of Hector Berlioz. Afterwards a gala dinner at the home of Austrian billionaire Donald Kahn followed. Tomorrow they are planning to visit the première of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera 'The abduction from the Seraglio'. Photos.

Also Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg arrived in Salzburg in the afternoon. They had an official lunch with President Thomas Klestil at Schloss Hellbrunn. Like the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles they attended the performance of the Requiem of Hector Berlioz, they met each other before the concert in the VIP-lounge. Tomorrow they will attend a service at the Dom in Salzburg and afterwards will tour the city. After a visit to the birth house of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart they will visit the première of Mozart's opera 'The abduction from the Seraglio' in the evening. They will leave for Luxembourg again on Monday.

July 29th
On August 1, 2003, Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands will start a parttime job as advisor Europe-communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. The job will be for two years. The prince will advise the state secretary of foreign affairs about the formation and execution of the communication-strategy concerning European co-operation. In the centre will be the enlargement of the concern of the Dutch citizen with the European co-operation. The work will partly be in the token of the European precidency The Netherlands will hold in the second half of 2004. Prince Constantijn has ended his job as a strategic policy advisor at Booz Allen and Hamilton in London.

During his holiday Prince William of Wales has been whitewater rafting on the River Nile in Uganda and enjoyed the beautiful scenery along the river. He and 11 other people, including his bodyguards, camped at Eden Rock Resort Bujagali.

July 31st
10 years after the sudden death of King Baudouin of the Belgians his family attended a commemorative service at the St Michiel and St Gudule Cathedral in Brussels. The service was also attended by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and other politicians. During the service Cardinal Godfried Danneels read a message of Pope John Paul II saying "May his [King Baudouin's] life of service, rooted in a profound relation with God and founded on essential values encourage the Belgian people to follow in his footsteps to build an ever more just and fraternal society, in respect of the dignity of persons". After the service the Belgian royal family paid a visit to the royal crypt at Laeken Church, which was open to the public for the duration of the day. The King's widow Queen Fabiola published an open letter about her husband in the Belgian press today in his honour to mark the tenth anniversary of his death and to thank the Beglians who want to keep the memory of King Baudouin alive. The letter started with 'King Baudouin, King of my heart'. Queen Fabiola says that many couldn't learn to know his real nature, partly because the discretion he always kept. By publishing her letter Queen Fabiola wants to share the image of him she carries in her heart. "The love of my husband was an endless source of happiness for all who surrounded him and also for himself. He let me drink this source and also now I draw from it every hour of my life. He could burst out in hearty laughing each moment and that changed spontaneous in an almost constant smile we never got enough of." Queen Fabiola also wrote about the difficult moments in the life of the late king, like when he had to succeed his father at a very young age, unprepared. He said then: "I have no strenght for tomorrow, but only for today. I have to learn to go through the present moment." But also the bloody fights between Belgians and Congolese people in Belgian Congo, while he always remembered his first wonderful visit to Congo as a king. Queen Fabiola continued: "I am aware of the fact that I might speak to easy. That is why I even more admired the generous and attentive listening comprehension of my husband, both within the own family circle as in the execution of his function. He was always prepared to efface himself away for others. All who came to told him about their pain, especially the poorest and them who were hurt by life, he approached with insight and silent sympathy." Queen Fabiola also told he was always eager to learn more about being a human and the reason of existence of each human being. "This openess of heart and spirit he carried in him by nature, was the key to his inexhaustible ability to remain surprised, and because of that he could tast the real values and the beauty of life. He owned the unspoilt freshness of a child, which protected him against pride." The letter says that King Baudouin and King Albert 'had an exceptional affection and respect for each other'. Queen Fabiola said: "Thanks to him I still learn every day the value of patience and I realise that each human being is a gift for the other." and "To me he remains a unique gift, today, tomorrow and for eternal."


Royal News: June 2003. Last updated: July 1st, 2003.