Last updated: July 6th, 2006.
June 1st
Prince Albert II of Monaco has admitted that he fathered a second illegitimate child, his lawyer Thierry Lacoste said in an interview published in the newspaper Le Figaro on Thursday. "The prince officially recognises the paternity that was legally established several weeks ago," he said. He said Prince Albert had initially wanted to protect 14-year-old Jazmin Grace Rotolo's identity until she was an adult. "But for a few weeks now, the paparazzi have been circling ... and the situation was becoming unbearable for her," said Mr Lacoste. Mr Lacoste further said: "For the time being, Jazmin Grace will pursue her studies in the United States, but she will always have the option to come to the principality to spend a few days or to live." Jazmin Grace Grimaldi (or Rotolo) was born at Desert Hospital, Palm Springs, California, on 4 March 1992. Her mother is Tamara Jean Rotolo, with whom Prince Albert had a short affair when she was on holiday in Monaco in the Summer of 1991. She currently attends the 8th grade at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in Palm Springs, where she will graduate this month.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark had surgery on her knee this morning at Århus Kommunehospital. The operation was carried out by consultant & knee surgeon Anders Odgaard from the orthopedics department assisted by Frank Madsen. The operation went as planned. It is thought the Queen can leave hospital in a week and will stay at Fredensborg afterwards. She will not be able to carry out her engagements in the coming months and will be replaced by Prince Henrik and Crown Prince Frederik.
In his capacity as the President of the Football Association Prince William of Wales visited a training session of the British national football team at Manchester United's Carrington training ground and said he would be cheering them on during the World Cup later this month. Clarence House said it was a "private visit" for the prince to meet players. The prince will travel to Germany to support England in their opening World Cup game against Paraguay.
A car carrying King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden hit a 18-year-old woman while driving the royal couple through Istanbul on Thursday. The woman fell to the ground but did not appear to be injured. She was taken to hospital for a check-up. The woman was crossing a street as the royal convoy was passing on its way back from a visit to the Topkapi Palace. The king and queen did not get out of the car after the incident and security officials escorting them took care of the woman. Royal spokeswoman Ann-Christin Jernberg told The Local that the woman had "suddenly walked right out and touched the car. But she was not injured and was able to continue on to her job. It's really no big deal, and the King is also fine, according to my information." The royal couple was on its second day of a three-day long state visit to Turkey. On Wednesday, they visited historic sites in the western province of Izmir, including the ancient city of Ephesus, which houses the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world.
The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and his wife YTM Azrinaz Mazhar binti Hakim Mazhar had a son today at 12.43am. A 21-cannon salute was fired at the vicinity of the Istana Nurul Iman. It is YTM Azrinaz Mazhar binti Hakim Mazhar's first child. The Sultan already had four sons and five daughters.
Sheikha Fawziyah Salim al-Muhammad Al Sabah, the first woman from the royal family to be a candidate at an election, says she has decided to withdraw her nomination as a candidate in the upcoming Kuwaiti parliamentarian elections following a request from the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The Minister of the Royal Court conveyed the request to here, that she should give other Kuwaitis the opportunity to participate.
Twenty-six letters by French writer and philosopher Voltaire to Empress Catherine II the Great of Russia have sold at auction at Sotheby's in Paris for €583.200, more than double the price expected. The letters were bought by a Russian art dealer for a mystery buyer. "The letters contain texts completely unknown to researchers," Khochinsky told the paper. "They have been published nowhere." The letters will be returned to Russia.
June 2nd
At the Hay literary festival Princess Michael of Kent has revealed the secret of keeping a royal marriage alive - separate bathrooms and bedrooms. She told people that she "got my prince and married him". She said her mother gave her good advice when she married Prince Michael. "My mother when I married said you must have separate bathrooms and separate bedrooms. That was the only sure way of keeping a marriage alive because it was an invitation as opposed to just being there and that makes it more romantic. I have been together with my husband for 33 years. Romance can still be there if you don't see each other brushing your teeth. There's something very nasty about brushing your teeth and then all that flossing." Her new historic work, Cupid and the King is to be published on 5 June and details the roles of five royal paramours, including Nell Gwynne and Madame de Pompadour. She revealed that she was now looking at writing a novel set in 15th Century France, around the period of Joan of Arc. "I'm having to make a novel because I can't find enough out about my heroine, who was murdered," said the princess. She said she had consulted a medium who had given her clues about what the fate of her heroine had been.
Empress Michiko of Japan will take a rest from her official duties for the next couple of days after catching a cold, the Imperial Household Agency said. A press conference by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, scheduled for today prior to their visit to Southeast Asia, has been postponed. However, the Imperial Couple will leave for their tour next Thursday as scheduled, agency officials said.
Archaeologists believe they have stumbled across the mummified remains of the widow of Pharaoh Tutankhamon buried 3000 years ago. In a mysterious shaft only 16 feet from Tutankhamon's burial ground, US archaeologists from Memphis University led by Dr Otto Schaden found seven coffins stacked closely together and ringed by 28 clay jars, each decorated with a beautiful face mask. They believe one they have not yet been able to open may contain the remains of Queen Ankhesenpaaten. Ankhesenpaaten's link to the tomb was further underlined when a coffin seal was found with part of her name on it. "I think there is a 70 per cent chance that Ankhesenpaaten's mummy is in that last coffin," Egyptian antiquities head Dr Mansour Boraik said. "If she is, it will be a major find because very little is known about her." A child-sized coffin – one of five so far raised – contained a small gilded ornamental sarcophagus of a quality that was usually buried only with royalty.
June 3rd
Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands has given birth to a daughter this afternoon at 17.06 at the Bronovo Hospital in The Hague. The baby weighs 3030 grammes and is 48 centimeters tall. 'It is a wonderful baby', according to the very happy parents. The sixth grandchild of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will be called Leonore. Her full name is Leonore Marie Irene Enrica Gravin van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkvrouw van Amsberg. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien have let known to donate eventual gifts on the occasion of the birth of their daughter to the Stichting Kico in Veldhoven.
A garter worn by King Charles I of Great Britain on the day of his execution in 1649 has been bought by a private collector for £4,400. It was sold at Shapes Auctioneers in Edinburgh. The King was said to have removed the garter ribbon before laying his head on the block on specially constructed scaffolding at Whitehall. Auctioneer Paul Howard said: "There was a lot of interest in the item, with bids made over the telephone and by people in the auction house. A number of museums had also expressed an interest."
June 4th
The News of the World today says in the £2 million official report into the Paris crash—headed by Lord Stevens that is to be published later this year the jeweller who claimed Harrods heir Dodi al-Fayed had bought an engagement ring for Diana Princess of Wales now confesses it didn't exist. New forensic techniques which show the exact hormone levels in the princess's blood have proved once and for all that the princess was not having a baby. The crash happened because the limousine was going too fast with a drunk Henri Paul - who was over the drink-drive limit - at the wheel. MI6 and MI5 files show no evidence they were involved in Diana's death, and both Diana and Dodi would have survived had they worn seatbelts. The report finds Mr Paul was in the pay of the French Secret Service, but there was no conspiracy.
June 5th
Princess Theodora of Greece received her Bachelor's of Arts from Brown University Rhode Island on May 28th. She attained her BA in Drama and Performing Arts after having attended Northeastern University, Boston for two years and completing the four-year course at Brown University. King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie, Princess Alexia, Prince Nikolaos and Prince Philippos attended the graduation ceremony. Princess Theodora wants to continue her studies in Drama and Performing Arts in the following academic year.
Four-day-old Abdul Wakeel, son of the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and his second wife Azrinaz Mazhar Hakim, was presented to photographers at the Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan today. The baby's full names will be Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Wakeel ibni Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah.
Prince Mbuyisa of Swaziland who is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping his 10-year-old niece, has applied for bail at the High Court. He wants bail pending his appeal. He was convicted early this year and is serving his sentence at Matsapha Maximum Prison.
June 6th
Auction house Christie's has withdrawn from sale a manuscript purportedly recording King Louis XV1 of France's last words before his beheading at the guillotine in 1793. The document attributed to Charles Henri Sanson, the chief executioner of Paris during the French revolution, is described as the "most authoritative contemporary account" of the king's execution on January 21, 1793. It was to have been sold at auction on Wednesday. "We had additional information regarding the (manuscript's) provenance and we thought the best thing to do was to withdraw it in order to investigate further," a spokesman at Christie's said. According to Christie's, the manuscript is believed to have passed through several generations of a private European family before resurfacing.
June 7th
Infanta Leonor of Spain was presented by her parents to the religious icon of the Virgin of Atocha at the Virgin of Atocha Basilica in Madrid today. It is a traditional royal ceremony that dates back hundreds of years. The tradition dates back to 1643, when Felipe VI declared Our Lady of Atocha the family's official protector.
Prince Constantijn of the Netherlands gave notice of the birth of his daughter Leonore at the Old Townhall of The Hague this morning. As witnesses Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, father of Princess Laurentien, were present. The Royal House also released the first picture of Countess Leonore, made by Prince Constantijn himself.
Today members of the Nepalese House of Representatives unanimously supported proposals to remove important powers from King Gyanendra, who will effectively become a ceremonial monarch. The long standing provision of "King in Parliament," adopted by the constitution of Nepal in 1990, will be formally swept away when the House of Representatives meets again on June 10.
June 8th
On Wednesday evening Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was discharged from the Aarhus City Hospital where she received an artificial left knee last week, the palace said Thursday. In the coming weeks, she will stay at Fredensborg Castle to continue a rehabilitation program. "The queen is doing fine," chamberlain Ove Ullerup said in a statement. "It is expected that the queen will gradually carry out some ... visits and attend some events during the summer."
In Thailand three days of solemn religious services to honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th year on the throne have begun, followed next week by celebrations with royalty from 25 nations. The services will take place in a throne hall at the Grand Palace. The king, the world's longest-reigning monarch, and his family will pay homage to deceased members of the royal family in a private ceremony to be broadcast live around the country. Religious services will run through Saturday. Royals from around the world arrive at the weekend for more celebrations Monday and Tuesday, including fireworks and a parade of carved and gilded barges through the capital on the Chao Phraya River.
June 9th
Princess Anita and Prince Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, Van Vollenhoven expect their first child in November.
June 10th
Prince Philipp von Hessen married Laetitia Bechtolf in a religious ceremony at the chapel in Gut Panker in the late afternoon. The wedding was attended by about 350 guests among them Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Benedikte of Denmark and Prince Richard zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg with their children and grandchildren, Prince Ernst August of Hannover and his wife née Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess Maria Pia of Savoy and Prince Michel de Bourbon de Parme, Duchess Marie-Alix, Prince Christoph and Princess Elisabeth von Schleswig-Holstein. After the wedding a reception was held in the garden of Panker Castle, followed by dinner and party. The civil wedding took place in Hamburg on May 5. A 'Polterabend' was being held at the Hessenstein near Gut Panker on Friday evening.
The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 85th birthday today privately at Windsor Castle. A 41-gun salute was fired in Hyde Park by the King's Troop in the Duke's honour. Public celebrations of the Duke's personal milestone will take place next week. On June 15, the Massed Bands of the Royal Marines will perform a Beating Retreat on London's Horse Guards Parade in honour of the Duke and he will take the salute. Earlier on the same day, the Duke will join the Queen at a national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral to mark her official 80th birthday.
Buddhist monks blessed King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand as part of religious celebrations to mark the 60th year on the throne of the world's longest-reigning monarch. The ancient ritual, held in Bangkok's gilded Grand Palace, was broadcast to millions of adoring subjects nationwide as royalty from 25 countries started arriving in Thailand ahead of next week's lavish anniversary festivities.In the private ritual, which ended three days of religious services, 99 saffron-robed Buddhist monks chanted prayers in the ancient Pali language, in the palace's Amarin Winitchai throne hall. The king lit candles to pay his respects to the Buddha. The ceremony was attended by Queen Sirikit, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and senior government and military leaders in white uniforms. The monks also blessed lustral water for the royal regalia -- including the crown, inlaid with gold and studded with nine precious gemstones, the royal sword, cane and fan. White-robed Brahmin priests then performed rituals reserved for the Thai royalty to the sound of a traditional orchestra of xylophones and drums. This evening at 8.30pm a tableau of hi-tech fireworks is launched from ships anchored in the Chao Phraya river between the Phra Buddhayodfah and Phra Pinkhao Bridges, and will set the capital's night skies aglow with dazzling colours, sounds and pageantry. The public is invited to see the fireworks display free of charge along both banks of the river.
June 11th
Part of the proceeds from the sale of treasures belonging to the late Princess Margaret of Great Britain will go to charity after her sister Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain intervened to prevent another scandal over royal gifts. The Queen asked Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto, Princess Margaret's children, to make a clear distinction between goods their mother had received in an "official" role and those that had been personal gifts from family and friends. Jewellery and other valuables to belonging Princess Margaret will be auctioned in London on Tuesday and Wednesday by Christie's. The 800 items are expected to fetch up to £5 million. According to senior royal sources, the Queen is determined to prevent embarrassing accusations that members of the Royal family have "cashed in" on gifts when they were given to the recipient as a representative of the state. He said: "It is up to Princess Margaret's beneficiaries what they do with her estate. However, the Queen made it clear from early on that, if there were any items given to Princess Margaret in an official capacity, then any proceeds should go to charity." Lady Sarah Chatto and Lord Linley say the sale is to pay off inheritance taxes. It is understood that Lord Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto agreed with the Queen's concerns and have said that the Stroke Association, and other charities, should benefit from the proceeds of 47 items of jewellery and valuables, worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Major Bruce Shand, father of the Duchess of Cornwall died at the age of 89 at his home in Dorset on Sunday morning with his family around him, Clarence House said. The Duchess of Cornwall was said to be "absolutely devastated", a Clarence House spokesman said. "He had been unwell for sometime and his family was with him when he died at his home in Dorset. Arrangements are being made for a private family funeral and we ask the media to respect the family's privacy. Prince Charles was extremely fond of the major and is very upset at the news." The Duchess of Cornwall has cancelled her engagements for a week, and is unlikely to attend further birthday celebrations for her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, on Thursday. Major Shand had a distinguished military career before becoming a wine merchant and huntsman.
Evidence by former royal butler Paul Burrell is being examined by detectives investigating the death of Diana Princess of Wales. Scotland Yard has confirmed it has spoken to Burrell to learn about life with the late princess. Mr Burrell made headlines a few years ago when he released a letter to a newspaper purporting to be from Diana, claiming a senior royal was plotting to kill her in a car crash. Last night, a spokesman for Burrell said he had been quizzed by Scotland Yard and confirmed that the letter was now in the hands of senior detectives. The princess' former bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, who survived the accident, is also said to have been quizzed.
Nepal's Parliament has stripped King Gyanendra of his veto power over the legislature, the latest measure to curtail his authority after he was forced to give up absolute rule, officials said today. The new law, endorsed by legislators yesterday, scraps the king's right to reject bills and laws passed by Parliament, according to a Parliament notice published today. Lawmakers also will no longer need to seek the approval of the king before signing a bill into law, it said. “The concept of king in Parliament has been abolished through law,” said Ram Baran Yadav, a legislator of the Nepali Congress, the country's largest party. “We are now free to criticize the king and the royal family members in Parliament,” said Laxmi Shakya, a lawmaker from the Communist Party of Nepal.
Celebrations have been going on all weekend in honor of Kamehameha, the first king of Hawaii. All honor his contribution to Hawaiian culture and the legacy he left behind. He united the Hawaiian islands in 1810. It was a formal ceremony at the King Kamehameha statue; one that's been held for over 100 years.
June 12th
New photos of Countess Leonore van Oranje-Nassau, jonkvrouw van Amsberg, her parents, sister, brother and grandmother Queen Beatrix were released by the royal house.
According to the royal court's annual report that was released today the royal family of Sweden spent nearly 12 million kronor on travel and official entertaining in 2005. In total 95.6 million kronor was spent on the royals in 2005. Most of the money went to the upkeep of the royal castles and palaces, which are largely run as museums. The remainder went towards official and personal costs of the royal family. The report also detailed the royals' public engagements, highlighting their efforts following the South Asian tsunami and the storms that devastated large parts of southern Sweden in 2005. During 2005 King Carl XVI Gustaf has met 23 foreign ambassadors, held three banquets as well as various gala dinners and lunches in addition to the Nobel Prize banquet.
Emil Gustaf, son of Philipp Haug and Countess Bettina Bernadotte af Wisborg was christened on Sunday at the Church of Mainau. The godparents were Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Countess Birgitta Bernadotte af Wisborg and Claudius Haug.
An emperor, six kings and members of almost every reigning royal family in the world were in Bangkok yesterday to fete King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, the world's longest reigning monarch. One by one the monarchs and dignitaries entered the Ananda Samakhom throne hall in the Thai capital, and under its immense dome bowed or shook hands with their host. The spectacular highlight of today's programme was the barge procession in which 2000 naval oarsmen rowed down the Chao Phraya river in elaborately carved long-boats. It was only the 14th time that the centuries-old ritual has taken place. The Thai king and queen presided over the ceremony which was also attended by their royals guests
The New Zealand Herald reported today that the New Zealand Government was recently asked to provide a plane to take ailing King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga back to Tonga, amid rumors he was about to die, but the request was withdrawn. The newspaper said rumors have again that the king has been perilously ill. The king who suffers from heart problems, has been receiving long-term medical care in Auckland, New Zealand. But the manager of the king's Epsom estate, Sitafooti Aho, said the king, who was staying in the Epsom enclave, was fine.
June 13th
The Christie's auction of jewellery and artefacts owned by the late Princess Margaret of Great Britain so far raised almost £10m. According to Christie's earlier differences among the family of Princess Margaret were resolved and all 800 items went up for auction. A Faberge clock was sold for double its estimate at £1.1m. The princess's wedding tiara, the Poltimore Tiara, was sold for £926,400. An art deco pearl and diamond necklace, worn by Princess Margaret when photographed by Cecil Beaton for her 19th and 21st birthday portraits, sold for £276,800. A ring made from three rubies and diamonds fetched £299,200. A cultured pearl jabot pin, designed as a butterfly, had an estimated price of up to £60 but was sold for £6,000. A wrist watch by Cartier, which was a gift to a 20-year-old Margaret from the Queen Mother, then Queen Elizabeth, made £57,600 and had a guide price of £2,000-£3,000. A Russian gold mounted enamelled cigarette holder by Faberge, which came in its original case had an estimated price of up to £2,000 but fetched £209,600. A gilt hedgehog brooch valued at just £50 sold for £5,760. The auction had been expected to raise £3m but almost all the items sold for many times their estimated value.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxemburg has received the Path to Peace Award in New York. She was recognised for "her tireless contribution to humanitarian causes." In her address touching on micro-credits, the Grand Duchess said: "It is essential to meet with human beings who not only give something to others, but who give themselves to others."
King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit, together with all other members of the Royal Thai Family, hosted a state banquet tonight for their royal guests at Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall within the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The menu of the banquet, prepared by the chef of the world's famous and luxurious Oriental Hotel here, was selected by Queen Sirikit with about half of materials coming from Royal-initiated projects. The King delivered a speech in which he expressed his gratefulness to all the royalty who came to join the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in honour of him. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam, who is the most senior Monarch among the visiting Royal guests, gave a speech on behalf of the attending royals offering felicitations to the king. Before the state banquet the royals separately paid their private visits to significant places in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Three men in Brunei Darussalam have been sentenced to a year in prison for sending cell phone video clips that were considered seditious and insulting to the royal family, police said. The men recently pleaded guilty in court to a charge of carrying out activities with "the seditious intention of bringing into derogation the status and position of the royal family, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of two years and a fine. They were each sentenced to a year in prison, the statement said, warning the public "not to be involved in such activities as this could lead to more serious consequences."
June 14th
Jewellery and artefacts owned by the late Princess Margaret of Great Britain have sold for more than £13.5 million at auction at Christie's in London. A Peitro Annigoni painting of Margaret, who died in 2002, sold for £680,000 today. It is thought either one or both of the Princess's children - Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto - joined bidders in trying to win the artwork. During Wednesday's sale, artefacts like a Disney breakfast set, fine porcelain and wedding gifts went under the hammer, making just over £4m.
The Danish Gossip magazine Kig Ind reports that the relationship between Princess Alexandra of Denmark and cameraman Martin Jorgensen is over. He moved out of her house last week. Her ex-husband Prince Joachim of Denmark is still dating Marie Cavallier.
Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has ruled out abolishing the monarchy during the country's transitional period. He said removing the monarchy could lead to a serious political crisis, and the issue should be left to the constituent assembly to decide.
June 15th
Today formal celebrations marked Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain's 80th birthday. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by 42 members of the royal family, attended a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury praised the Queen in his sermon, saying a "common loyalty to the monarch" had helped keep the country together. Afterwards the Queen and Duke made a short walkabout in St Paul's Churchyard before attending a lunch at Mansion House at which the Queen gave a speech. She credited comic Groucho Marx in her speech saying: "Anyone can get old; all you have to do is to live long enough". She also told: "There are in my view many other anniversaries this year which are more deserving of celebration. I hope you will permit me to single out two for mention: the 50th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and the 30th Anniversary of The Prince's Trust. Both organisations in their different ways have changed - and continue to change - countless people's lives for the better." She went on to thank the many thousands of people from the UK and all over the world sent her letters and cards. Top chefs had competed in a BBC programme to create the lunch menu for The Queen and the 350 guests. The menu existed of smoked salmon with blinis, woodland sorrel and wild cress, pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail, loin of roe venison with potato cake, roast roots, creamed cabbage and game gravy and custard tart with nutmeg. In the evening, the Massed Bands of The Royal Marines performed a Beating Retreat on Horse Guards in celebration of the Duke of Edinburgh's 85th birthday.
June 16th
Major Bruce Shand, father of the Duchess of Cornwall, was buried today. The funeral service was being held at Holy Trinity Church, Stourpaine, Dorset. The service was attended by the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince of Wales and Princes William and Harry of Wales, as well as the family of the Duchess. After the service the mourners followed the hearse for the brief journey to Major Shand's house where a wake took place. A Clarence House spokesman said Major Shand's body would be cremated in a private ceremony.
RJH, the PR firm partly owned by the Countess of Wessex has folded. The company has closed its phone lines and office in Mayfair in London and it is thought that the 26 staff are looking for other employment. The company, which is one third owned by the countess, had debts of a reported £1.5m.
Prince Victor Emanuele of Savoy has been arrested as part of an investigation into corruption and prostitution by magistrates based in Potenza, Italy. He was held in Lecco. Italian reports say he is being questioned on allegations of corruption and forgery. Investigators reportedly suspect the prince of having contacts with the Mafia, and playing some role in the hiring of prostitutes for the clients of a casino in Campione D'Italia. The family has vigorously denied the allegations.
June 17th
Tens of thousands of people lined the Mall, in Central London, today to catch a glimpse of the pomp and pageantry of Trooping the Colour. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh rode in Queen Victoria's 1842 phaeton carriage from Buckingham Palace along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade. Prince Charles, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent all followed the Queen's carriage on horseback. The Queen inspected the troops before rejoining her husband on a dais to watch the ceremony which included a marching band. Most of the royal family were in attendance at the celebrations, apart from the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William of Wales. Four of the five Foot Guards regiments of the Household Division - the Welsh Guards, Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards and the Coldstream Guards - were on parade. The Massed Bands and the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry performed an array of rousing tunes. Ninety solders from the Coldstream Guards, Welsh Guards carried out the Feu de Joie rifle salute. The cascade of blank gunshots was common in the 18th and 19th centuries to mark a military victory or birthday, but it was thought to be the first time it had been performed in the current Queen's presence during her reign. See: in pictures: Trooping the Colour
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera claims that Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy paid money for the election campaign of Bulgaria's former Prime Minister, his cousin Simeon Saxe-Coburg. They say Simeon Saxe-Coburg promised to arrange for the Italian prince and entrepreneur Pierpaolo Cerani to win a public tender in Bulgaria. A wiretap on Cerani reportedly revealed that Saxe-Coburg pledged to them the tender for building a medical complex in Bulgaria.
June 18th
Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau gave birth to her second daughter at 4.12am in London. The baby weighed 3700 grammes. Her full names will be Joanna Zaria Nicoline Milou. She will be called Zaria. "With mother and child it goes phantastic", a very happy Prince Friso said.
June 19th
A service for the Most Noble Order of the Garter was held in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, today. The Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex were formally installed to the highest British order of chivalry at the service. Among those attending the service was the Duchess of York.
Lawyer German Lukyanov, representing the Russian Imperial House in exile, said the Tverskoi District Court on May 25 made a ruling that ignored the request of Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna, the head of the Russian Imperial House, to recognize Russia's last monarch as a victim of the Bolshevik repression and clear him of all political charges. "I have asked the Tverskoi District Court to pass a follow-up judgment on a suit filed by Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna," he said. A new hearing is set for June 26.
June 20th
The Luxemburg newspaper Tageblatt today reports that Prince Louis of Luxemburg and his girlfriend Tessy Antony expressed the wish to get married and that preparations have already started. The Grand-Ducal Court denied the rumours and say no decision has been made yet.
Princess Stephanie of Monaco is to record a new song. The number 'L'or de nos vies' will be released on August 28. The proceeds of the single go to the organisation Figh Aids Monaco. The song was being written and composed by the French Group Kyo. Stéphanie will get vocal support of Patrick Bruel, Corneille and Bénabar. Also Emma Daumas, Roch Voisine and Tété lend their voice.
Talking to Nova TV, an Italian investigator in the case said that so far only Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy and his associate Cerani are being probed for that telephone conversation. He said the mentioning of any other name in it is subject to further investigation and could not mean anything by default. Simeon Saxe-Coburg is not on the list of names investigated by the Italian prosecution into alleged graft practices, Nova TV channel reported as quoting own sources. Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy is due at a preliminary hearing tomorrow. In a statement Simeon Saxe-Coburg, leader of the National Movement Simeon II, explained his view-point on the scandal and involvement of his name in it. He denied that the party got any money from the Italian businessman Pierpaolo Cerani but admitted that he had talks with him for construction of children’s hospital in Bulgaria although he denied talks for the privatization of BTC. According to Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha there were circles in Bulgaria that speculate on this topic. He said that they wanted to announce the nominee of their party for president over the next few days but now this will be postponed for later.
June 22nd
A moving ceremonial service in Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim was the climax of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the coronation of King Haakon VII of Norway at the cathedral. Present were seventeen of the 26 descendants of King Haakon and Queen Maud: three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren, including King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. "For a hundred years the people and royal family have journeyed together, through good and bad times. Our journey will continue, into an unknown future," Bishop Finn Wagle said during his opening remarks at the service. "When Prince Carl came to Norway in 1905, it was a call - a call from the people. The people's call was understood as a historic call when the royal house was established on ancient royal grounds. Now it has grown one hundred new years and forged firm bonds between the royal family and the people," Bishop Wagle said in his sermon. On Monday the royal family started a compact version of King Haakon's coronation tour of 1906.
The House of Hohenzollern mourns Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia who died at Mallorca on 19 June at the age of 87. He was born at 13 March 1919 in Klein Glienicke as son of Prince Friedrich Sigismund of Prussia and Princess Marie Luise zu Schaumburg-Lippe. He was married twice: in 1961 to Lady Hermione Stuart (1925-1969) and from 1974 to 1978 to Adelheid von Bockum gen. Dolffs. He had no issue. The funeral took place at the family cemetery in the castle park Glienicke in Berlin.
June 23rd
The Imperial Household Agency today announced that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has invited Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan and their daughter Princess Aiko for a private visit of a couple of weeks to the Netherlands. The family will stay in the Netherlands in August. The father of Crown Princess Masako works in the Netherlands.
June 24th
The RTL programme Place Royale tonight were allowed to show a 5-minute video of Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric, the twin sons of Prince Laurent and Princess Claire who were born in Decembre 2005. It was the first time they were shown to the public.
June 25th
For one day the garden of Buckingham palace became a living, breathing treasury of tales. Children's favourite literary characters were there like Postman Pat, the Big Friendly Giant, Winnie-the-Pooh and Paddington Bear. 1000 British children between four and fourteen were selected by ballot to attend the Children's Literature Party at the Palace in celebration of the Queen's 80th birthday, and each took with him a friend and an adult. They were joined by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as the Countess of Wessex. A pantomime was performed by a star cast headed by Jonathan Ross. There were performances by among others Kelly Osbourne, Jerry Hall and Patsy Kensit and even the cast of Harry Potter and writer J.K. Rowling appeared. Queen Elizabeth II told her guests: "We have been reminded that this magic of our childhood, the characters, the stories, the imagination of it all is an enduring and essential part of our culture. I hope that this event will encourage you and many other children who have been watching this show on TV to read some of the wonderful books from which the characters come and to discover the pleasure of reading."
Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy was placed under house arrest at the flat of a friend in Parioli, Rome, on Saturday after giving prosecutors a partial confession. He has made no confessions, but has actively cooperated to the authorities, one of his lawyers Julia Bongiorno said. She said a thorough check into the prince's words showed that Vittorio Emanuele is willing to help the prosecution do its job. In his testimonies in front of the Italian prosecution Prince Vittorio Emanuele has pointed out that although he has not given money to former King Simeon of Bulgaria, but that it was his partner Italian businessman Pierpaolo Cerani. Despite protests from public figures transcripts of the wiretapped conversations have been published extensively in the Italian press. Asked why he appeared “obsessed” with sex for payment, the princee replied: “Because I am a sex maniac.” He asked investigators not to tell his wife “because I have been happily married for 45 years. It’s just that I am a hunter, and from time to time I like to shoot.” Princess Marina of Savoy today said that she was standing by her husband, “as I have always done in difficult times”.
June 26th
Clarence House published the third Annual Review from the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s Household today. The review is a summary of their work during 2005-2006. The couple undertook nearly 200 public engagements together in the first year of their marriage, including two major overseas tours.
Queen Sirikit of Thailand underwent an eye operation in a private eye clinic in Bangkok. She had surgery for a small rupture of the retina of her right eye, and also was treated for a cataract in the same eye. The announcement of the Bureau of the Royal Household said the problem with the retina was detected during a routine medical exam. She was advised by doctors to take six weeks rest to recuperate, the palace said.
June 27th
Prince Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy has distanced himself from his father Vittorio Emanuele who was arrested on suspicion of providing prostitutes and illegal slot machines to a casino. "I do not agree with everything my father has done," the prince told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. "Each one of us is different. That happens between parents and children, it's normal. But I am not here to judge my father. I must think of his health and hope this affair ends quickly."
June 28th
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the rest of the royal family cost the British taxpayer £37.4m in the last financial year, her financial public accounts reveal. The cost, equivalent to 62p per person in the UK, rose 4.2% over the previous year, accountants said. The increase was partly blamed on extra security vetting undertaken at Buckingham Palace. Freedom of information inquiries and the cost of a number of long-haul overseas visits by members of the Royal Family, also contributed to the rise. Travel costs increased by 10% to £5.5 million. Keeper of the Privy Purse Alan Reid said that more money was needed to maintain the royal palaces. "If we're going to maintain historic buildings that we're responsible for, we will need more money. We will putting more pressure on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport." Windsor's mausoleum - burial place of Queen Victoria - needs restoring.
The first child of Hereditary Prince Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn and his wife Priscilla was christened at the chapel of Sayn Castle on 24 June. He received the name Ludwig (Ludovico Carlo Maria Rudolf Sebastiano Alexander).
The new Point de Vue reports that the civil wedding of Alexandre de Sambucy de Sorgue, son of Princess Chantal of France, and Anne-Cécile Berteau took place at Paris on 17 June 2006. The religious wedding will take place on 8 July at the Abbey of Montmajour near Arles. The groom's sister Kildine is engaged to Antoine Stevenson and will get married at the end of the summer. Princess claude of France married Enrico Gandolfi near Milan, Italy, on 14 JUne 2006. And Prince Aimone of Savoy-Aosta Duke of Apulia, and Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark appartently have chosen for a private wedding at the end of the summer.
June 29th
The Public Account Committee of the Nepali House of Representatives today directed the government to submit property details of King Gyanendra of Nepal and the members of the royal family to the committee. They asked the office of Prime Minister Girija Rasa Koirala and Cabinet and the Ministry of Finance to produce the details of the property of the king and the royal family within 15 days. The committee members said that it should make public the property details after it gets them from the authorities.
Archaeologists expecting to find a mummy during their excavation of a burial chamber in Luxor, Egypt, have instead discovered a garland of flowers. The 3000-year-old garland is the first to be discovered. It was found in the last of seven coffins which archaeologists had hoped would contain the mummies of royal queens or even Tutankhamun's mother. The chief curator of Cairo's Egyptian Museum said the surprise find was "even better" than discovering a mummy as it is very rare. Experts say ancient Egyptian royals often wore garlands entwined with gold strips around their shoulders in both life and death.
June 30th
Prince Laurent of Belgium has offered photos of his twin sons Prince Nicolas and Prince Aymeric for sale to magazines and newspapers via a photo agency. He asks 15.000 Euro for them, VTM said yesterday evening. He says to do it to protect his children. The royal palace says they don't know anything about the sale. Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has asked Prince Laurent to withdrawn the photos.
Royal News: May 2006. Last updated: June 5th, 2006.