Last updated: April 18th, 2010.
March 1st
Although King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden will celebrate his 65th birthday in 2011, 62% of the Swedes think he should remain on the Swedish throne and not abdicate in favour of his daughter Crown Princess Victoria. According to the poll in Dagens Nyheter Victoria however is the most popular member of the royal family. 74% of the Swedes is in favour of the monarchy, while 19% wishes a republic.
Officials of the Egyptian Council of Antiquities said that a 2.5m red granite head of Pharaoh Amenhotep III has been unearthed near Luxor. The head was found in the ruins of the mortuary temple of the pharaoh and is said to be the best preserved example of the face of the pharaoh ever found. The head is part of a statue, most of which was found some years ago. The statue is to be reconstructed.
March 2nd
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has resigned from a government advisory post he only recently accepted. He had taken a seat on an advisory panel formed by Trond Giske, Minister of Business and Trade. Both the minister's request and the acceptance of the Crown Prince are regarded as controversial, because the Norwegian royals are not to involve themselves in politics or advise the government. According to Giske the panel was formed to brainstorm about Norwegians business and economic activities in the coming 15 years. Crown Prince Haakon said he had accepted the post after talking to his father King Harald V of Norway and said he had accepted because: "I want to do a good job for Norway and for Norwegian business. This was supposed to be a positive thing."
March 3rd
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the Prince of Orange received the Dutch Olympic medal winners of Vancouver 2010 at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.
Zahi Hawass, chief of the Egyptian Council of Antiquities revealed today that French archaeologists have found a 4000-year-old pink granite sarcophagus in Saqqara. According to Mr Hawass the queen was identified as Bahnou, one of the queens of the Sixth Dynasty ruling Egypt from 2374 to 2192 BC. It is not sure who the husband of the queen was, either Pharaoh Pepi I, II or maybe even III.
Three princesses are taking part in a BBC show to find love in Chelmsford, Essex, England. The programme "Undercover Princesses" starts on Sunday at BBC 3. The princesses are Xenia Prinzessin von Sachsen, Princess Aaliya Sultana Babi of Balasinor (India) and Princess Nvannungi Sheillah of Buganda. In the series they pretend to be ordinary women with ordinary jobs and try to meet Mr Right.
March 4th
In her doctoral thesis historian Annejet van der Zijl concludes that Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands was more involved in Nazi politics than he admitted during his lifetime. While studying at University in the early 1930s he was a member of the national socialist student fraternity Deutsche Studentenschaft from 1932 to 1934. He also was a member of the Sturmabteilung and the NSDAP-Party itself.
The Sultan of Kelantan has left the Mt Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where he had been admitted on 24 May 2009 for follow-up heart treatment. He was taken to the waiting car outside the hospital in a wheelchair. He was taken to Changi Airport, where he boarded a plane for Kota Baru.
March 5th
The Duchess of Cornwall has become a grandmother for the fifth time. Her son Tom Parker Bowles and his wife Sara had a son, Freddy, on 28 February. Their daughter Lola was born in 2007. The Duchess's daughter Laura has a daughter and two sons.
The Imperial Household Agency reported today that Princess Aiko of Japan has missed several days at the exclusive Gakushuin Primary School in Tokyo because of the "rough behaviour" of some boys from her school, probably at the playground. She arrived home early on Tuesday complaining about a stomachache and expressed deep anxiety. She and several other children had suffered "violent things" from boys in another class, the spokesman for the agency said.
March 6th
A new biography about Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (1911-2004) by historian Annejet van der Zijl concludes that his lifestyle and the myths he created around his own person have "permanently damaged the integrity of the monarchy." The Prince according to Van der Zijl didn't tell the whole truth about his membership of national-socialistic organisations in the early 1930s. Prince Bernhard always denied having had sympathy for the Nazis, but Van der Zijl found his membership card of the German Students Association.
March 8th
The Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet reported today that Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attended a private dinner party in Vedbæk near Copenhagen. Apart from friends, also Rigmor Zobel attended, who was recently sentenced to 14 days in jail and a 20.000 crowns fine because of possession of cocaine. Several experts therefore criticise the decision of the Crown Princess to attend the dinner and call it a serious faux-pas.
The film "The Young Victoria", co-produced by the Duchess of York, won an Oscar in the category Best Costume Design last night. Designer Sandy Powell won her third Oscar in this category.
The Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Aiko of Japan has returned to school today after more than a week absence. Accompanied by her mother she attended a Japanese language class, before going home again.
March 9th
The state court in Hildesheim, Germany, fined Prince Ernst August of Hannover today for 200.000 Euros. He was found guilty of intentionally causing bodily harm to an hotel owner in Kenya some years ago. Earlier the prince had been fined 445.000 Euros, but asked for a retrial to have his sentence reduced. His wife, Princess Caroline of Monaco testified Archaeologists have found the north gate to the outer city of the tomb complex of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shihuangdi. The gate is about 93 metres by 7 metres tall. Historical accounts refer to four gates.
March 11th
Tengku Temenggong Mohammad Fakhry, Prince of Kelantan, has won the defamation suit against his wife Manohara Odelia Pinot and her mother. They were ordered to pay him 1,8 million dollar. The two women failed to file a defence. Last year Manohara Odelia Pinot accused her husband of raping and abusing her. The lawyer of the couple said that they would never pay the compensation. He said they will study the verdict and then file an appeal against the ruling.
March 12th
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden today celebrated her name day. Accompanied by her fiance Daniel Westling and her mother Queen Silvia, she received congratulations and was cheered at the Inner Courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
Svenska Damtidning journalist Åsa Bönnelyche apologised to Queen Silvia of Sweden after spreading rumours about the Queen suffering of Alzheimer's disease on her weblog on Thursday. The Queen and the royal court have officially denied the rumours. The Danish royal court published the programme, the logo and an official birthday portrait in connection with the celebration of the 70th birthday of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark on 16 April. The logo was designed by Paul Bear in cooperation with Wonderful Copenhagen. The portrait was taken by photographer Tina Harden.
The photo agency Rex Features has apologised to Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William of Wales, for invading her privacy. The photos were taken during the Christmas holidays with her family. Kate Middleton was awarded 5000 pounds in damages. On their website Rex Features says: "Although at the time Rex Features did not know that an infringement of privacy had occurred, we now accept that this was the case and that by distributing the photographs we were a party to that invasion of privacy. Accordingly we have agreed to pay compensation to Miss Middleton and have undertaken not to syndicate any further private photographs of her. We apologise to Miss Middleton for what has taken place." A spokesman for Kate Middleton said she will donate the compensation to charity.
During a press conference today Issei Nomura, Grand Master of the household of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan said to feel sorry over the announcement of Princess Aiko's absence from school that attended much more public attention than expected. According to many the announcement lacked discretion. On 5 March the Grand Master said several boys had pushed around other students at Gakushuin Primary School, including Princess Aiko.
March 15th
The Belgian royal court today denied a report that King Albert II is at least a billionaire or even richer. They said the claim is a "fantasy". They said that they had denied a similar report eight years ago. The report by the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad quoted financial expert Thierry Debels, who wrote a book on the wealth of the Belgian royal family.
March 16th
Among documents sold at auction at the Osenat auction house in Fontainebleau, France, on 27 March are fifty letters written by Empress Josephine of France to her husband Emperor Napoleon I. The first letter is from 1782, the last one was sent to Napoleon several weeks before his death. The letters are thought to be sold for up to 20.000 Euros.
March 17th
The Duchess of Cornwall had to cancel a series of engagements during her official trip to Poland with her husband, the Prince of Wales. The couple arrived in Poland on Monday for a three-day visit. The Duchess had to cancel a visit to a national park and a Tatar community in Eastern Poland, but planned alternative engagements in Warsaw. Clarence House declared the Duchess has suffered from a back problem for the last week. The doctor diagnosed her with a trapped nerve. After Poland the couple will visis Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Svetlana Medvedeva, wife of the president of Russia, opened the flower exhibition Keukenhof in Lisse, The Netherlands today. The theme of 2010 is "From Russia with Love". Mrs Medvedeva was accompanied by Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.
March 18th
As of today the Dutch royal house has its own YouTube-channel. The channel contains both historical videos as recent ones. The channel will be updated regularly. The eldest video shows the inauguration of Queen Wilhelmina in 1898. There are also videos of weddings, Prince's Day and Christmas speeches.
The Belgian royal court confirmed today that King Albert II and Queen Paola have accepted an invitation by President Joseph Kabila of Congo to attend the celebrations marking 50 years of independence of the former Belgian colony. The official festivities will take place on 30 June.
A helicopter carrying Queen Sofia of Spain had to make an emergency landing due to technical problems. One of the engines of the Super Puma helicopter lacked power. Although the helicopter can fly on one engine, the pilot didn't want to risk the Queen's safety and made an immediate landing. The Queen was travelling from Toledo to Madrid. She continued her travel by car.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates alone from 11 to 14 April. Crown Princess Mette-Marit cancelled her participation in the visit because of the problem with the vertebrae in her neck.
Prince Mikasa, uncle of Emperor Akihito of Japan, was released from hospital today. He underwent a cataract surgery of his left eye at the St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. He was hospitalized on Tuesday.
The 128-year-old royal Kasubi tombs in Buganda, Uganda, were almost fully destroyed in a fire on Tuesday evening. The grass-thatched mausoleum almost completely burned down. Much of the regalia was saved. The tombs, where four former Buganda kings - Muteesa I, Mwanga Ssamula, Daudi Chwa and Muteesa II - were buried since 1882, were declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 and are a spiritual symbol for the people of Buganda. Riots broke out today because people suspect the tombs were set on fire. When President Yoweri Museveni wanted to visit the site today many people were demonstrating.A few people were killed when the security opened fire. King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda has declared five days of mourning because of the fire. The cause of the fire is being investigated. UNESCO announced that experts from the organisation will soon arrive in Uganda to help the Ugandan government to rebuild the royal tombs.
March 19th
The Prince of Orange has made a three-day surprise visit to the Dutch troops in Afghanistan. It was his fourth visit since 2004. The Dutch mission in Afghanistan will end in June 2010.
The Basmanny Court in Moscow has upheld the ruling to close the case related to the murder of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia and his family. German Lukyanov, lawyer of the Russian imperial family, said: "The court refuses to qualify the decision to close this criminal case as unlawful."
Today Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan issued a statement reacting on the absence of their daughter from school after reportedly encountering rough behaviour by boys in her schoo. They said: "We feel distress at causing peeple to worry about Aiko's absence from Gakushuin Primary School. The school has been studying measures regarding the issue and we hope to find a good solution through discussions."
March 20th
Today the royal court at Jordan announced the engagement between Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan and Sarah Bassam Kabbani in Jeddah. Prince Hashem bin Al Hussein and members of the Al Qabbani family were present, as well as the imam of the royal family Ahmad Hilayel and the chief of the royal court Nasser Lawzy. The prince was previously married to Alia Al Tabaa, whom he divorced in 2008.
Hereditary Prince Johannes zu Schwarzenberg married Diana Orgovanyi-Hanstein this afternoon at the Münster in Neuberg an der Mürz, Austria. The bride was dressed in a modern red dirndl dress. The "yes" sounded clearly at 3.40pm. The temperature in church was just above zero. The wedding was attended by many noble guests.
March 23th
Princess Mako and Princess Kako, daughters of Prince Akishino, have graduated respectively from Gakushuin Girls' Senior High School and Junior High School in Tokyo on Monday. The graduation ceremony was attended by Princess Akishino. Princess Mako will start studying at the College of Liberal Arts of the International Christian University in Tokyo in April. Princess Kako will attend Senior High School.
March 24th
Princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg and her fiancé Alexander Johannsmann expect their first child in July, it was announced today. Nathalie's parents Prince Richard and Princess Benedikte of Denmark are delighted with the news.
The Dutch press reports that Princess Amalia of the Netherlands will be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her godmother Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling on 19 June. Source is mentioned as insiders, but nothing has been announced officially by any of the royal courts.
March 25th
The Prince of Wales has paid a two-day visit to the British troops in Helmand province, Afghanistan. During the visit he said: "I admire deeply the armed forces and support what they are doing whenever I possibly can. I just wanted to come and say thank you, well done."
The police of Copenhagen today announced that the Republican Constitution Movement will be forbidden to demonstrate on Queen Margrethe II of Denmark's birthday, because of security reasons. The movement had announced that they would hold a demonstration when the queen comes out on the balcony of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on 16 April.
Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Nasir bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who is accused of killing his employee in an hotel in London, was refused bail by the Old Bailey in London today. He will have to face trial on 4 October.
Former King Gyanendra of Nepal still believes the monarchy could return in Nepal, he said yesterday in his first television interview since he was deposed two years ago. He said: "Looking at the pages of history of the country, there have been many ups and downs but it is the people's ultimate decision that everyone needs to obey." The former King says that his grab for power in 2005 was a mistake, but that he felt at that moment he needed "to take steps to protect the country and the people." He said: "It was a message that people had given and a lesson that I have learned."
March 26th
Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, a younger brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, is missing after a glider plane crash in Morocco today. The plane crashed in an artificial lake near the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah Dam, south of Rabat. The pilot was rescued. The Sheikh, managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority was 27th on the Forbes list of the world's most powerful people last year.
An unnamed 51-year-old prince from Saudi Arabia was arrested at the Rafiq Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon. The security forces had found cocaine in his possession when they were inspecting passengers travelling to France. He was carrying an estimated 16,3 grams of cocaine. The prince was released on bail after a few hours.
Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana Princess of Wales, is to marry for the third time, probably as early as September. He has become engaged to the widowed Lady Bianca Eliot, who is mother of three children. The couple has been dating for the past 18 months. The Earl first two marriages to Victoria Lockwood and Caroline Freud ended in a divorce.
March 27th
The Duchess of Württemberg celebrated her 70th birthday with a reception for local government, societies and people at Altshausen, Germany. She was accompanied by her husband and most of her children and grandchildren.
March 28th
Eliane Sophia Carolina van Vollenhoven, daughter of Prince Floris and Princess Aimée van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, was christened this afternoon at the chapel of Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn. The service was led by Dr. Anne van der Meiden. The godparents of Eliane are Prince Maurits van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, Princess Carolina de Bourbon de Parme, Hans Söhngen and Ike de Rooij-van Haaren. Eliane was born on 5 July 2009. The christening was attended by most members of the family apart from Princess Amalia and Princess Laurentien.
March 30th
The body of Sheikh Ahmed bin Zayed al-Nayhan, a brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, was found in an artificial lake near Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday morning after a four-day search. The Sheikh's glider had crashed into the lake on Friday. Three days of mourning have been announced beginning on Wednesday. The funeral will be held after the Asr prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Part of the ceiling of the palace of Roman Emperor Nero in Rome has collapsed. The tunnel section of Hadrian's Baths, on top of the House of Gold, collapsed. About 60 square metres were damaged. The House of Gold was closed already for restoration. Heavy rains might have led to the collapse.
March 31st
Former King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia and his wife have returned to Cambodia after having spent seven months in China for medical treatment. The former King was successfully treated for a third bout of cancer. Their son King Norodom Sihamoni accompanied them.
Royal News: February 2010. Last updated: March 7th, 2010.