ROYAL NEWS: NOVEMBER 2007

Last updated: December 2nd, 2007.

November 1st
The court of justice in Amsterdam ruled today that the paedophile association Martijn has to remove the photographs of Princess Amalia of the Netherlands and Anna and Lucas van Lippe-Biesterfeld van Vollenhoven completely from their website. Publishing the photos was a breach of the portrait rigths and an intrusion of the private life of members of the royal family. The judge took into account the nature of the website. Martijn will be fined € 5000 every time photos of children of the royal family are again placed on their website.

Coroner Lord Justice Scott Baker has contacted the Ministry of Justice to try to put pressure on the French. He wants that the French paparazzi involved in the deathly crash of Diana Princess of Wales give evidence at the inquest into the princess's death. So far the paparazzi have refused.

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan has been appointed the honorary president of the UN Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation for a term lasting until 2010. The advisory board is chaired by the Prince of Orange.

November 3rd
At Make a Difference Day the Dutch royals again took part to promote voluntary work. Queen Beatrix and Princess Margriet helped out in the teahouse at De Groote Modderkolk in Loenen where people with a mental handicap work. The Queen helped baking an apple pie, while Princess Margriet helped out in the kitchen. Princess Maxima visited a hospital in Gouda, Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien did work in a center for asylum seekers in Alkmaar. Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène helped at the LaLuz Foundation in Amsterdam, Pieter van Vollenhoven took part in a rescue-team exercise in Hoek van Holland and Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Princess Anita helped at the night centre for the homeless in Utrecht.

At the Museum of Contemporary History in Moscow the exhibition Russian First Ladies in the 20th century was opened. The exhibition displays clothes, jewelry, photographs and furniture related to the women who were married to leaders at the Kremlin. The exhibition starts with Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna, wife of Tsar Nikolai II of Russia, and ends with Ljudmila Putina, wife of the current president of Russia. The exhibition is shown until 10 March.

November 4th
Prince Lorenz and Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archdukes of Austria-Este ran the marathon of New York today. It took Prince Amedeo 3:48;18 to reach the finish, Prince Lorenz 4:39;27.

The mummy of pharaoh Tutankhamon has gone on display today at his tomb in Luxor, Egypt. His remains were for the occasion moved to a climate-controlled glass box. It is the first time he is shown. Only his face can be seen, while the rest of the mummy is covered in linen.

November 5th
King Juan Carlos II and Queen Sofia of Spain visited the Spanish enclave Ceuta in Morocco today. Tomorrow the couple will visit the other Spanish enclave Melilla. It is the first visit ever to the enclaves in the 32-year reign of the King. Inhabitants of Ceuta flagged, but 1000 Moroccans protested against the visit on the other side of the border. Moroccan authorities have described the visit as regrettable. Morocco wants the two enclaves back. The enclaves came under Spanish control about 500 years ago, but are also claimed by Morocco.

A parliament session that lasted for almost 600 hours and was stretched over 25 days has finally ended. However the parties didn't agree to the proposal of the government to modify their demands. The proposal suggested to start the process for declaring Nepal a republic immediately and to announce a fresh date for the election. That means that Nepal still remains a monarchy.

November 6th
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain opened the Parliament today. The Queen read the government plans for 2008.

During the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales accident expert Tony Read said that driver Henri Paul was over-reacting when trying to avoid a mystery white car. He said also that the princess and Dodi Al-Fayed might have survived the crash if they had been wearing seatbelts. Members of the jury also saw fragments of the car in which they died. In the meantime the High Court in London was told that the paparazzi who chased the car will definitely not be forced to testify.

Pope Benedict XVI has received King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia today. He is the first monarch of Saudi Arabia to visit the Vatican. The Pope and the King discussed ideas on the Middle East and the need to find a fair solution to the conflicts in the region. The Pope also raised the issue of Christians living in Saudi Arabia. The King offered the Pope a gold sword encrusted with precious stones, and received a 16th-century engraving of the Vatican.

In Wallis and New Caledonia ceremonies have been held to mark the end of the period of six months mourning for the late King, who died in May. A new king hasn't been chosen yet and it is unclear when a new king will be elected.

November 7th
The Danish royal house has announced that it will auction off several unused carriages. Several of them haven't been used in decades. The auction will take place at the Royal Mews at Christiansborg in Copenhagen on 24 November 2007. Proceeds from the sale will be used to fund maintenance of the regularly used carriages. The carriages are auctioned off via Auktionshuset.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand left hospital this morning loudly cheered by crownds outside. He was accompanied by Queen Sirikit and Princess Ubol Ratana. According to the Royal Household Bureau the king can now walk without help for short distances. He has been told to continue exercises to fully strengthen his muscles. Via the Royal Household Bureau the King thanked all the Thai people, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, expatriates, priests and monks who have wished him well.

Funds to rebuild the royal palace in Berlin have been approved. The German parliament budget committee voted late today. The amount of money to be spent on the project will be € 552 million. The federal government will provide € 440 milion, € 80 million is to come from private donations and € from the Berlin state administration. Building is due to begin in 2010. The palace is to become a cultural centre.

November 8th
The Supreme Court in Russia has rejected an appeal by monarchists to rehabilitate Tsar Nikolai II of Russia and his family. They say: "The tsar's family were not victims of political repression and their rights were not violated." It was said they were never formally sentenced and they were premeditated murdered (with political motive). Lawyer German Lukyanov says his clients will appeal to the Presidium of the Supreme Court and if necessary to the European Court of Human Rights.

November 9th
The Sultan of Brunei Darussalam has won a case at the Privy Council today against his brother Prince Jefri. Prince Jefri was ordered to hand over two hotels, three houses, diamonds, paintings and cash worth £3 billion. Prince Jefri says he will keep on fighting.

Prince Sisowath Thomico of Cambodia has been expelled from the Funcinpec party. Recently he criticized the leadership of the party and opposed its principles.

November 11th
During a summit of leaders from Latin America, Spain and Portugal King Juan Carlos of Spain told President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela to 'shut up'. Mr Chavez called former Spanish prime minister José Maria Aznar a fascist because he backed the war in Iraq. During the response by present Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero Mr Chavez repeatedly tried to interrupt, after which the King turned into his direction and told him: "Why don't you shut up?".

Chelsy Davy is said to have told friends that she is having a 'trial separation' from Prince Harry of Wales. The couple has been together since 2004. Friends say they still care for each other, but are going seperate ways for the moment. According to a palace aid the relationship is over and the prince will be carrying on his army carreer and Chelsy Davy her studies in Leeds.

November 12th
A watch of Empress Joséphine of France has been sold at Christie's in Geneva, Switzerland for 1,3 million dollars today. The watch was made in 1800 in gold and enamel and set with diamonds.

Airbus SAS has announced today that Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia has bought an Airbus A380. That is the biggest passenger plane in the world. It is a double-decker jet with 557 square metres and options for private bedrooms, movie theatre and a gym with jacuzzi. The prince already owns a Boeing 747-100.

November 13th
The Spanish royal court has announced that Infanta Elena of Spain and her husband Jaime de Marichalar have separated after 12 years of marriage. The decision for a temporary separation has been taken by mutual agreement.

Two Spanish cartoonists have been fined 3000 euros each for their cartoon which was placed at the front page of El Jueves magazine in July.

November 15th
The Belgian royal family celebrated King's Day. Traditionally the King and the Queen didn't attend, but all of their children with partners and Queen Fabiola did. In the morning there was a Te Deum at the cathedral in Brussels. Upon arrival of the royal family members of the far-right student association NSV shouted anti-Belgian slogans. Several of them were arrested.In the afternoon a ceremony took place at the Federal Parliament in Brussels.

The Duchess of York launched a new series of children's books entitled Helping Hands. The books will serve as advice about social and personal issues for children like separation, going to hospital, a new brother or sister, first school day. The books are exclusively sold by Lloydspharmacy.

November 16th
The marriage between Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly will take place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor in May 2008.

November 17th
The engagement was announced between Lady Rose Windsor, youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and George Gilman. They have been a couple already for a few years. George Gilman is a son of Peter and Gillian Gilman.

November 18th
On the occasion of the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh 60 facts about the marriage were revealed by Buckingham Palace. The couple will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Tuesday when flying to Malta for a short holiday. Buckingham Palace also released a photo of the couple taken at Broadlands. The setting and position is the same as on a picture taken during their honeymoon in 1947. Queen Elizabeth also wears the same brooch and necklace.

Sixty facts about a royal marriage

The Prince of Wales tonight hosted a family dinner at Clarence House in London on the occasion of the 60th wedding anniversary of his parents Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh. 25 Royals attended. The dinner was Eggs Drumkilbo with lobster - a set mousse - roast partridge, with roast potatoes, braised cabbage and bread sauce - vanilla, raspberry and chocolate layered ice-cream cake with a compote of red berries. The white orchids on the table were inspired by the contents of the Queen's bouquet on her wedding day.

Fürst Siegfried zu Castell-Rüdenhausen died at Rüdenhausen castle on Friday evening 16 November surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old and died as result of a fall three weeks earlier. Fürst Siegfried was a son of Casimir Fürst zu Castell-Rüdenhausen and his wife Mechtild née Countess von Bentinck. In 1946 he married Countess Irene zu Solms-Laubach who died in November 2006. The couple had eight children. The funeral will take place at Rüdenhausen on 24 November. He will be buried in the family vault.

November 19th
On the occasion of the 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and the Duke of Edinburgh a special 50-minute service of thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey in London. The service was attended by about 2000 people including more than 30 members of the royal family, politicians, about 500 members of Royal Household staff, around 20 members of the public present who all married on 20 November 1947 also. The service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Prince William of Wales gave a reading, while Dame Judi Dench read a specially commissioned poem by Andrew Motion.

November 20th
Two judges at the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales have decided that documentary evidence from paparazzi can't be admitted without cross examination at the inquest. Earlier the coroner had decided that the statements of the paparazzi could be heard at the inquest altought the photographers refuse to show up themselves.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and her sister Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will celebrate their 70th respectively 65th birthday with a festive concert at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam on Friday 1 February 2008. Family and friends will be able to enjoy a performance with dance and music by students of the conservatoriums and stage-arteducations in the Netherlands.

November 21st
The marriage between Prince Joachim of Denmark and Marie Cavallier will take place at the church of Møgeltønder, Denmark, on Saturday 24 May 2008. The ceremony will be led by Biship Erik Norman Svendsen. A private wedding banquet will take place at Schackenborg castle after the ceremony.

Queen Beatrix has said to be unhappy about a new book about her ancestors Kings Willem I, II and III of the Netherlands and thinks their use of documents is very selective. A spokesman of the Government Information Service said that the fact that the authors were given permission to use documents from the Royal Archives doesn't mean that the Queen thinks that the picture painted by the book does justice to the kings or their service to the Netherlands. The book was written by Dorine Hermans and Daniela Hooghiemstra.

During the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales her former private secretary Michael Gibbons - who had been working for her since 1996 - said that the princess clearly believed her phone calls were being tapped in the months before her death. He also said he had noticed disapproval within the royal household about princess Diana's lovers. He named Major James Hewitt, rugby player Will Carling, James Gilbey, Barry Mannakee and Oliver Hoare.

The court of justice in Amsterdam has decided that Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme doesn't have to pay alimentation to her former husband Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn. The princess earns too little money and lives from a loan of her mother Princess Irene of the Netherlands.

The Prince of Naples and the Prince of Venice want € 260.000.000 from the Italian state as a compensation for the years of exile. They also want confiscated property returned, including the Quirinale Palace, Villa Ada-Savoia and Villa Margherita, as well as jewellery held in the vaults of the Bank of Italy. The prince of Venice said to a tv-channel: "We have asked our lawyers to contact the Italian government to examine the problem. It is well known that from 1948 on Italy went against the Convention on Human Rights." The family calls the exile a violation of the Savoys' human rights based on the ban on inhuman and degrading punishment by the European Convention on Human Rights. A seven-page letter was sent to Prime Minister Romano Prodi and President Giorgio Napolitano last month, but no answer was received yet.

November 22nd
The Prince of Venice today said that he and his family are going to move from Switzerland to Italy in January 2008.

November 24th
Archduke Otto of Austria celebrated his 95th birthday with a party for about 150 guests from royalty, nobility and society at the Künstlerhaus in München, Germany. Host of the evening was his daughter Gabriela. Tomorrow a birthday mass will take place at the Liebfrauendom in München. The pictures made known that grandson Count Philipp von Neipperg is engaged to Paula Wolff, whose mother is a Countess von Meran. Archduke Otto's actual birthday was 20 November, which he celebrated at Banja Luka and Sarajevo, Bosnia. Already on Monday a mass was celebrated by Cardinal Schönborn at the Stephansdom in Vienna, Austria. Afterwards the Archduke was received in the Hofburg in Vienna by president Fischer.

November 25th
The 700-year old coronation chair, also known as St Edward's chair, at Westminster Abbey has been damaged by the central heating. This was disclosed in the December issue of The Art Newspaper. According to officials they have already conducted one set of repairs three years agobecause the paint gilding was lifted away from the wood. Abbey authorities have installed humidity monitors. Almost all monarchs since King Edward II in 1308 were crowned in the chair.

November 26th
Dr Robert Chapman, who carried out the post-mortem on Diana Princess of Wales, told at the inquest into her death that her womb and ovaries didn't show any signs of a pregnancy. She also didn't drink alcohol in the hours before her death. Lord Justice Scott Baker has lost the appeal he lodged at the High Court on Friday to have the written testimony from paparazzi involved in the case read in front of the jury.

November 27th
Princess Claire of Belgium had surgery because of appendicitis on Sunday in a hospital in Brussels. The operation went well and she will be able to return home at the end of the week.

Delphine Boël, illegitimate daughter of King Albert of the Belgians, and her partner Jim O'Hare expect their second child. Delphine Boël is almost four months pregnant. The couple already has a daughter, Josephine.

The corruption case against the Duke of Savoy has been dropped because of lack of proof by a judge in Rome, his lawyer Sergio Calvetti said today. However he is still under investigation in the city of Potenza.

November 28th
Zara Phillips was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace today. She is the first member to recieve an MBE. The MBE was handed over to her by her grandmother Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, who kissed her on both cheeks when she accepted the award. Zara was accompanied by the Princess Royal, stepfather Timothy Laurence, her boyfriend Mike Tindall, her brother Peter Phillips and his fiancée Autumn Kelly. Zara Phillips was being honoured for her service to equestianism. Timothy Laurence himself also received an award and became a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division).

A spokesperson from Mainau has announced the separation of Bernd Grawe and Gräfin Diana Bernadotte. The decision to separate was taken in mutual agreement. The couple married in September 2003. They will keep the care of their daughter Paulina Marie together. Diana has left the couple's house in Litzelstetten and she and her daughter live with her mother at Mainau at the moment.

November 29th
During the inquest into the death of Diana Princess of Wales president of the Paris Ritz Hotel Franz Klein said that the princess and Dodi Al Fayed planned to get married and wanted to live in Paris. He said that Dodi Al Fayed informed him about it in a phonecall in August 1997. He didn't mention the princess by name tough.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan received the humanitarian Bambi Award in a ceremony at Berlin, Germany for her tireless work in advocating child welfare and promoting women's issues.

Correspondence between the Russian imperial family and the Tolstoy family has been sold at auction at Drouot in Paris, France. Several letters were written from Jekaterinenburg by Tsarina Alexandra and her daughters shortly before they were executed. The letters were saved in a private collection and have never been published.


Royal News: October 2007. Last updated: October 31st, 2007.