Last updated: November 6th, 2004.
October 2nd
In an interview with the newspaper De Telegraaf two police officers say that the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands have just escaped an attack on their wedding day. On February 2, 2002, a man was arrested who carried a fake bomb in his rugsack. He stood along the route of the carriage ride. One of the police officers says that the prevention of the attack was one of his biggest successes: "He carried a rugsack in which we discovered a fake bomb. It looked uncannily real, with threads and an accu. Imagine what could have happened if that thing had been thrown in front of the carriage."
October 3rd
Pope John Paul II today beatified among others Emperor Karl I of Austria. In an open-air ceremony at Saint Peter's Square in Rome which was attended by 30.000 people the Pope praised the Emperor as "a friend of peace. In his eyes, the war was something abominable" and hailed him as a model of "political responsibility". One of the prelates helping the Pope celebrating the beatification was Cardinal Christoph Schönborn from Vienna. The audience included some 700 descendants of the Habsburg dynasty. Among the royal guests were Archduke Otto and Archduchess Regina of Austria, Archduke Karl and Archduchess Francesca of Austria with their three children, Archduke Georg and Archduchess Eilika of Austria, Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este and his wife Princess Astrid of Belgium with their four eldest children, Archduke Carl-Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria with their children, Queen Fabiola of Belgium, Prince Hans Adam II and Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxemburg with their youngest son Jean, the Duke of Parma with his children Prince Carlos and Princess Carolina, Prince Vittorio Emanuele and Princess Marina of Savoy, the Duke and Duchess of Bragança, Duke Friedrich of Württemberg, Prince Kubrat and Princess Carla of Bulgaria, the Duke in Bavaria, Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, Prince Michael of Baden and many more. Emperor Karl's anniversary will be celebrated on October 21.
October 4th
Royal documents, containing some of the clothing secrets of European kings and queens, have been found after it was thought they had been lost forever. Ten missing pages from an order book from the Pryce Jones firm, understood to have supplied Queen Victoria with underwear, have been discovered in a crate full of loose paperwork by Powys council's archives' unit which has been cataloguing the business records. The ten pages don't say anything about Queen Victoria's underwear, but give details from other European royal families as well as records from the royal palace, Sandringham.
October 6th
Jorge Zorreguieta, father of Princess Máxima of the Netherlands, has been summoned to appear as a witness before an Argentinean federal court in connection with a kidnapping and disappearance in the period he was serving as a state secretary during the military regime of Videla. It is presumed he can suply information about the kidnapping. Marta Sierra, employee of the National Institute for Agriculture Technology that fell under Zorreguieta's jurisdiction, disappeared in 1976. Her family has never received answers from the authorities about what happened to her and Sierra's sons have re-opened the case with a judge involved in investigating human rights abuses committed during the Videla regime. They now want Zorreguieta and other officials to give evidence in court about their role in the disappearance.
The Federal Court has awarded 76.000 Euro smart-money to Princess Alexandra of Hannover for the publishing of paparazzi-pictures. In name of their 5-year-old daughter of Prince Ernst August and Princess Caroline had lodged a complaint against the many published photos in 1999 and 2000 in the German magazines 'Die Aktuelle' and 'Die Zwei'.
Archaeologists who have unearthed the site of the palace of Genghis Khan believe that the long-sought tomb of the 13th century Mongolian warrior is nearby. A Japanese and Mongolian research team found the palace complex on a steppe in Mongolia. The group is not aiming specifically to find the grave, but finding it would help uncover the secrets of Genghis Khan's power it was said.
October 7th
The Danish Prime Minister proposed a bill today regarding the future apanage of Princess Alexandra of Denmark and an adjustment of Prince Joachim of Denmark's apanage. Princess Alexandra will receive 1.526.000 crowns a year and will enjoy tax and VAT exemption as long as she doesn't remarry, but if she wants to live abroad, she can only keep the appanage with special permission from the Parliament. If she remarries, she will cease being a member of the Royal House. Prince Joachim's apanage will be reduced to 1.612.000 crowns. It is mentioned that the separation of the prince and princess was granted on 22 September 2004.
The autobiography of Princess Marie-Christine of Belgium will be published next Tuesday. It is called 'La Brisure' (The Break). It is said that in the book the princess is very negative about her mother, Princess Lilian. She says she has been living in a hell. She also describes that she was raped by a cousin when she was 18, but when she told her mother, her mother chose the side of the cousin and even punished Marie-Christine. During several years Marie-Christine received money from her half-brother King Baudouin of the Belgians.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, her husband Ari Behn and their daughter Maud Angelica moved to New York City today. A meeting with the press is to take place on Monday in Central Park. The family will spend Christmas in Norway and will also come home to Oslo in good time for the arrival of their second child, which is due in mid-April.
King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia has announced his abdication due to poor health and old age in a letter read to the National Assembly by one of his sons, Prince Norodom Ranariddh who is chairman of the assembly. The statement asked the country to form a nine-member throne council - as set in Cambodian law - to consider the next monarch, as Cambodia is not a hereditary monarchy. Prince Norodom Ranariddh said: "I hope this is not a permanent abdication." Another statement issued later today by Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Prime Minister Hun Sen proposed Prince Norodom Sihamoni to be the new monarch. Sihamoni is Cambodia's representative to the UNESCO. Senate President Chea Sim has been chosen as interim head of state.
October 8th
The Government Information Service has invited the four Dutch gossip-magazines to make appointments about respecting the privacy of the members of the Royal House, especially Princess Catharina-Amalia. The magazines are positive about the meeting, that is to take place next month.
Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, has quit his law studies, as they don't interest him as much anymore as before. He'd like to do something in film financing after having worked for a film production company last Summer.
The Aga Khan and his wife Begum Inaara have filed for divorce. The couple maried in 1998 and have a four-year-old son. They have been separated for over a year. A spokesman for the Begum said: "The Begum considers the separation and divorce proceedings to be private matters and will be making no comment."
October 10th
Count Claus-Casimir Bernhard Marius Max van Oranje-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg was christened this morning at the chapel at Palace Het Loo in Apeldoorn. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien arrived around 10:30 with their two children. Among the guests were Queen Beatrix, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima with Princess Catharina-Amalia, Prince Friso and Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau, Princess Irene of the Netherlands, Prince Maurits and Princess Marilène with their children, Prince Bernhard and Princess Annette with their children, Prince Pieter-Christiaan and Prince Floris with their girlfriends, Prince Guillaume and Princess Sibilla of Luxemburg with their youngest son Jean. The service was led by Ds C.A. ter Linden. Godparents of the baby were the Prince of Orange, Prince Maurits van Oranje-Nassau, van Vollenhoven, Mr Ed P. Spanjaard and Countess Tatjana Razumovsky von Wigstein. Lectures were read by Prince Friso and Marius Brinkhorst. The introduction to the christening was read by Princess Máxima. After the christening a reception took place at Palace Het Loo.
King Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia has confirmed he is determined to abdicate and in a letter posted on his website he says he is too ill to continue. His son Prince Ranariddh has travelled to Beijing, where the king is receiving medical treatment, to ask him to reconsider. Prime Minister Hun Sen says that the deadline for picking a new monarch is 14 October. On Friday, Cambodia approved a law on how to choose a new monarch which the senate and constitutional council still have to pass and which allows a nine-member Throne Council to elect Sihanouk's heir. According to the new law, the council must meet within seven days to elect a successor if the king "dies, retires or abdicates". "The hope that the king will retake his post as the king appears to be lost," Hun Sen said. King Norodom Sihanouk however insists that he will not return until his successor is named.
Last night the Aga Khan confirmed that he has filed for divorce in France already four months ago. A statement released by his secretariat in Gouvieux, France, said the couple separated more than 18 months ago and currently live apart.
October 11th
The Danish royal court announced that Crown Princess Mary of Denmark underwent a gall-stone operation yesterday at Gentofte Amtssygehus. The operation was planned after a gall-stone attack. Crown Prince Frederik was at the hospital during the operation. The Crown Princess is back home again and will be on sick-leave for one or two weeks.
Clarence House has rejected claims that Prince Harry of Wales has cheated at his A-level exams. They say: "These are unfounded allegations by a disaffected teacher in the context of her dispute with the school. A full investigation into these allegations was held by the relevant exam board which found no evidence to support the claims." Sarah Forsyth, a former teacher at Eton College, has claimed that the prince cheated in his AS level coursework and that she was asked by a senior master to help the prince compile the coursework. She is facing an industrial tribune this week over her claims she was unfairly dismissed from Eton. A spokesman for Eton College said: "We believe these allegations to be absurd."
Last weekend Prince Amedeo of Belgium Archduke of Austria-Este celebrated his 18th birthday with a big party. His real birthday was already in February, but he postponed his party. On Friday evening there was a dinner at the Astoria Hotel in Brussels. On Saturday he and his guests went to the Ardennes for a sportive day and in the evening there was a dance at the royal domain of Stuyvenberg. On Sunday a brunch was held at Stuyvenberg. Among the guests were Princess Beatrice of York and Pierre Casiraghi.
Princess Prerana of Nepal, daughter of King Gyanendra, has given birth to her first child, a son, at the Military Hospital Birendra at Chhauni near Kathmandu on Sunday. The baby is yet to be named. The baby's father is Kumar Raj Bahadur Singh, who married the Princess in January 2003. Also the king's son Prince Paras and Princess Himani expect another child this year.
October 12th
The Princess Diana of Wales Memorial fountain is being closed again, this time because the surrounding grass hsa been turned into a swamp by water-splashing visitors. The fountain will shut for an unspecified period in the next few weeks so the turf can be replanted. The fountain's architect, Kathryn Gustafson now has acknowledged the fountain has design flaws. She hadn't expected so many people to flock to the memorial. She said: "I feel we made a mistake letting people walk in the water. I apologize for that. I thought people would picnic near the memorial, walk by and run their hands through the water, think about their lives, think about Diana." Gustafson says she hopes criticism of the fountain will subside and the fence will eventually be removed. "We just need time to solve the problems," she said.
During a meeting with the press at Central Park in New York City Princess Märtha Louise of Norway and her husband Ari Behn said to look forward to life in the city and hope to be left pretty much alone during their stay. "It will be so nice to just be us three alone for awhile," said the princess. "It's important for us to have some peace. I'm pregnant and Ari will write." Ari Behn says he's always wanted to live in New York. It's not easy to get residence and working permission in the US, but royalty falls in under diplomatic privilege. They will return to Norway in March, because Princess Martha Louise wants to give birth to their second child back in Oslo. They'll decide over the summer whether they'll return for another year in New York. "We'll take it as it comes, but we've always thought of New York as a two-year project," said Ari Behn. The couple has rented an apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side. "The apartment is fine, Maud Angelica has her bedroom, we have ours and there's also a living room, kitchen and bathroom," Ari Behn said.
October 13th
Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands is suffering from shortness of breath and is regularly visiting the hospital for observation, the Government Information Service confirmed today. They however say there is no reason to worry as it is not extraordinary that a 93-year-old is suffering from shortness of breath.
October 14th
51-year-old Prince Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia has been elected the new monarch of Cambodia the throne council said today in a statement issued after an historical meeting at the Royal Palace. Sihamoni is a former classical ballet dancer, choreographer and cinematographer who was most recently Cambodia's ambassador to UNESCO. He has lived abroad for most of his life. At the moment he is in Beijing with his parents. Former King Norodom Sihanouk and the new King Norodom Sihamoni are expected to return to Cambodia on October 20 and a coronation is being planned for October 29.
Doubts have been risen about King Olav V of Norway's biological father after the publication of the second volume of the history of King Haakon and Queen Maud by Tor Bomann-Larsen. The book indicates that King Haakon's royal physician Sir Francis Laking could be King Olav's real father. The book says that the then Prince Carl of Denmark (who became King Haakon of Norway in 1905) was on a two-month tour of Denmark around the time of the conception and that Princess Maud had a secret hospital stay in the care of doctor Sir Francis Laking roughly nine months before King Olav was born. The book contains a photograph of Laking's son Guy Francis Laking who bears a striking resemblance to the adult King Olav. Bomann-Larsen also raises the possibility that Laking's son was a possible sperm donor for Queen Maud, and that Olav was the result of artificial insemination. However the author does not draw any final conclusions. In a statement King Harald V of Norway says he has no information to indicate that King Olav wasn't King Haakon's son. The press release says also: "Each author is fully entitled to present his interpretation of history. This also applies, of course, to Tor Bomann-Larsen's biography of King Haakon and Queen Maud."
At an employment tribunal Miss Sarah Forsyth, who claims that Prince Harry of Wales cheated towards his A-level, said today she has prove she has been asked to work on the prince's project at Eton. She taped the Prince allegedly saying of the AS-level piece: "..tiny, tiny bit...I did about a sentence of it". Eton says the tape is inaudible in parts and the whole issue is irrelevant to the unfair dismissal case. The college's own transcript of the tape is different to Miss Forsyth's and the Royal Family say it has been edited and it is difficult to make out what the prince is talking about. The tribunal continues.
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands is among the 10 well-known Dutch that are nominated as 'Dom Bontje' by the Bont voor Dieren (Fur for animals). The nominated persons wear fur or have said stupid things about it. The winner will become known in December.
October 15th
Today a bailiff placed an advertisement in the newspaper Trouw on behalf of Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme requesting a divorce from her husband Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn, "of unknown address or residence in or outside of the Netherlands". He was given until 21 January to react to the filing. Such an advertisement is legally required if the other party has no fixed address or an unknown address. However Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn's lawyer says the princess had phoned her husband earlier this week and that she knows his postal address.
The new King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia said today that he has accepted the throne with trepidation. He used his first (written) message to his people to apologise for the lack of experience he brings to the job. "I am afraid that I cannot fulfil this great duty well because of my lack of experience." He added that he would have the benefit of advice from his father. "I solemnly promise that I am neutral to all politicians, political parties and will follow the great policy of my father, the father of independence, national unity and conciliation," King Sihamoni said. "My parents said they will show me how best to respect, love and serve our religion and people." King Sihamoni said he was open to ideas from all Cambodians: "Please, give me ideas so that I can improve my work every day, month and year to serve the interests of our nation, people and monks."
The Duchess of York is to appear nude but for some Cartier jewels and a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes for charity. She is among several famous faces who will be appearing in the pages of Four Inches - a book being produced by the exclusive jewellery and shoe designers in aid of the Elton John Aids Foundation. Her spokeswoman said: "The Duchess is absolutely taking part in this case. It is a fundraiser for the Elton John Aids Foundation." The photos will be taken by fashion photographer Pamela Hanson. Publisher Scriptum Editions said the book is still being shot. The book is not expected until the spring.
Countess Camilla af Rosenborg and her husband Mikael Rosanes expect their third child in April/May.
October 16th
Edwin de Roy van Zuydewijn said ysterday by phone in the tv-programme Barend & Van Dorp that he will come back to the Netherlands next week to talk to his wife about their divorce. He says to be at home in France. Before he left for France one week ago Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme asked him to sign divorce papers, but he wanted to wait a while with it because he had to go to France. He also says to consider writing a book in which he tells about his fight with the dutch royal family.
October 19th
Princess Takamatsu, an aunt of Emperor Akihito of Japan, underwent surgery at St Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo on Monday night to prepare for dialysis. She is in stable condition the Imperial Household Agency said.
October 20th
Princess Máxima of the Netherlands was appointed as a member of the Council of State, the Dutch government's most important advisory body. Today she was officially welcomed into the council in a special meeting. She arrived at the Binnenhof in The Hague together with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. In her word of welcome the Queen said: "You hae learnd to know the Netherlands - and the Netherlands also you. You have worked hard and developed a good feeling for what happens and lives in the Kingdom." The Queen also said: "So you can get insight in the questions of this time, deepen your knowledge and get valuable experience. I expect that you will also experience it like this and therefore I am very happy to have granted you a seat in the Council of State." Vice-president Herman Tjeenk Willink presented Princess Máxima with a copy of the Dutch Constitution. In her own speech Princess Máxima said that she finds it a privilege to get a seat and she thinks that her place in the Council is important for a good fulfilment of her task as wife of the future king and mother of Princess Catharina-Amalia. Princess Máxima will be able to attend meetings and participate in council discussions, but she doesn't hold voting rights.
King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and his father the former King Norodom Sihanouk arrived in Cambodia today. They were met at the airport by political leaders. Thousands of flag-waving school children lined the streets from the airport to the palace. In order to honour the departing monarch, the Cambodian government has declared that from now on King Norodom Sihanouk will be known as His Royal Majesty Norodom Sihanouk, Greatest Hero King, the Great Royal Father of National Independence, Territorial Integrity and Unity.
In a statement issued on the occasion of her 70th birthday Empress Michiko of Japan says about her daughter-in-law Crown Princess Masako: "When a member of a family is suffering, it is a source of sadness for everyone in the family. It's not only I, but all the members of our family who wish for the crown princess' recovery and want to be of help to her." She also said: "I sincerely hope that the two Princesses, Masako and Kiko, will spend long years as members of the Imperial Family, and will be able to see not only the things that I have done, but also the many things that I have not been able to do, so that they will continue to add more to the Imperial Family, fulfilling what I have been unable to accomplish." She also said: "During all the years since [she married Emperor Akihito], the sense of heavy responsibility has stayed with me all the time that I should not disgrace the Imperial Family, with its long history, who accepted me, an ordinary citizen, as crown princess."
October 21st
The government of Romania is to offer former King Michael of Romania 30.000.000 Euros in compensation for historic property seized by the communist regime in 1948 it was announced today. They will also offer the former King to use Peles Castle for special occasions. A smaller building on the grounds known as "The Knights' House" will be returned to his ownership. The settlement is aimed to bring to an end a long-running dispute between the government and the former monarch. This is the best possible solution," said Adrian Vasiliu, the lawyer for the Royal House of Romania. "If this law is approved by parliament, Peles Castle will finally belong to the state legally." But he also added: "This compensation amounts to far less than the actual value of the property confiscated by the communists."
Prince Harry of Wales was hit in the face with a camera in a scuffle outside Nightclub Pangaea in London early today. Clarence House said: "Prince Harry was hit in the face by a camera as photographers crowded around him as he was getting into a car. In pushing the camera away, it's understood that a photographer's lip was cut." Paparazzi photographer Chris Uncle says however: "Prince Harry looked like he was inside the car and we were all still taking pictures. Then suddenly he burst out the car and lunged towards me as I was still taking pictures. He lashed out and then deliberately pushed my camera into my face." The photographer claimed that royal bodyguards dragged the prince away.
46-year-old Countess Maya von Schönburg-Glauchau gave birth to a daughter on Wednesday morning at 8:30. The baby is called Maria Carlotta Beatrice and weighs 3,5 kilogrammes. The delivery went well and both mother and daughter are doing fine. The father of the baby is Stefan Hipp. However the parents are not married.
October 22nd
The remains of Empress Maria Fyodorovna will be buried in St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral in St. Petersburg on September 26, 2006, in keeping with an ordinance issued by President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin press service reported on Friday. The ordinance also approved a list of members of the working group for organizing the transfer of her remains from Denmark. Culture and Mass Media Minister Alexander Sokolov was appointed head of the group.
Crown Prince Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan officially assumed the title of Chhoetse Penlop yesterday. The Crown Prince received the Dhar and Seal of the Chhoetse Penlop from His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo in the Throne Room of the Tashichhodzong in a ceremony attended by the royal family in the morning. This was followed by the traditional Tendrel ceremony in the kuenrey of the Tashichhodzong which was performed by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and attended by members of the royal family, the council of ministers, senior government officials, dignitaries and members of the international community. The Zhugdrel Phuensum Tshogpa ceremony was performed in the altar room of the palace. Yesterday afternoon and today thousands of people came to the palace to pay their respect to the Chhoetse Penlop. The traditional ceremonies and celebrations of the Chhoetse Penlop will continue in Trongsa on October 31 and November 1. The traditional investiture ceremony will be conducted in the Zimchung Nang (inner sanctum) of the Trongsa Dzong where the first and second Kings resided, on October 31 and the celebrations will be held the following day. As Chhoetse Penlop the Crown Prince is formally installed as the heir to the Golden Throne. The event is of great significance not only in the life of the Crown Prince but also to the people of Bhutan as the continuity of the Monarchy, the strength and the unifying force of the Bhutanese people, is assured.
October 23rd
Countess Marie Gabrielle von Waldburg-Zeil und Trauchburg married Count Bernard de Monseignat at the Parish Church of Zeil Castle today. The wedding was led by Bishop Gebhard Fürst. After the wedding a reception took place in a tent in the castle park. The couple will live in Monaco, where the groom resides.
In the tv-programme Barend & Van Dorp the lawyer of Princess Margarita de Bourbon de Parme said yesterday that the Princess will end her fight against the Dutch state.
October 24th
Princess Caroline of Monaco, accompanied by her husband Prince Ernst August of Hannover, arrives in Manila, Philippines, today for a three-day working visit to 12 shelters for street children in Makati City under the auspices of the Virlanie Foundation. The foundation is part of Amade, which was established by the late Princess Grace of Monaco in 1963. Princess Caroline is president of Amade. The visit also included a courtesy call to President Arroyo. The couple will also attend a fundraising gala at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.
October 26th
Prince Rainier III of Monaco was admitted to hospital today with a lung infection. He is expected to stay a few days in hospital.
The Duke of Edinburgh commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava in the Ukraine yesterday. He wore sunglasses to conceal a heavy bruising. A palace spokesman explained: "He slipped in the bath and caught the side of his eye with his thumb which caused some discolouration." The accident happened at the suite of the Oreanda Hotel in Yalta where he was staying.
October 27th
The Government Information Service today announced that Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands is short of breath since his return from Porto Ercole in the beginning of September. A check-up at the Academical Hospital of the Universitair Medisch Centrum in Utrecht showed fluid in the chest-cavity. Today the prince was visited by his doctors at Palace Soestdijk who gave him the results of medical tests and told what could be done. The prince will soon undergo a policlinical treatment for it. The coming time the prince will somwhat restrict his engagements.
October 29th
In name of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands the Government Information Service announced today that the Queen is very pleased to announce that Princess Mabel is pregnant. The first child of Princess Mabel and Prince Friso van Oranje-Nassau is expected at the end of April 2005. The child will carry the title Count(ess) van Oranje-Nassau, jonkheer/Miss van Amsberg with the family name 'Van Oranje-Nassau van Amsberg'.
King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia took over the throne today from his father after the coronation rituals had started already yesterday. Early today he paid respects to past kings and divine spirits guarding the throne. Then he underwent a ritual bathing ceremony in which monks and his parents poured water from the Kulen mountains on their son to wash away his impurities, and increase his prestige and power. Later today he was sworn in in an elaborate two-hour ceremony. Shaded by a large parasol, Sihamoni was carried through the royal palace's gardens into the Throne Hall on a golden chair accompanied by palace guards and musicians. He was dressed in a white blazer, red sash and deep blue sarong pants. Fifty-two Buddhist monks - one for each year of the new king's life according to the traditional Cambodian zodiac - chanted blessings for about 40 minutes. "I swear to follow the constitution and all the laws of the kingdom of Cambodia and to carry out my duties for the prosperity of the nation and the people," he read from a scroll, in front of an audience of hundreds of top government officials, religious leaders, monks, royalty and diplomats. The new king repeated his oath to serve the country and its people three times while bowing before the golden-hued throne. He received his regalia as priests blew conch shells. "I am extremely touched to have the opportunity to devote my physical and mental strength and intelligence to serve the nation and the people, and to continue the tradition and glorious achievements of my father," King Sihamoni later told a few hundred dignitaries in the throne room. The ceremony was attended by the King's brother Prince Ranariddh, however not by his father King Norodom Sihanouk. King Norodom Sihamoni called today "the most auspicious day in the history of Cambodia and history of my life" and said he had "greatly been honored as king succeeding our heroic father, who is the father of the nation." The day was closed with fireworks. The coronation rituals will conclude tomorrow morning.
Countess Bettina Bernadotte and Philipp Haug married religiously at the castle church at Mainau today. The bride wore a pink silk-jacket and a long white skirt stitched with pearls. When they came outside four chimney-sweepers congratulated them as is the tradition at Mainau. 190 Family members and friends were invited. The civil wedding already took place in Sweden in August.
October 30th
Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, died quietly in her sleep at Kensington Palace late on Friday night surrounded by her immediate family. The Princess was 102 years old and thus was the oldest British royal in history. She was born as Lady Alice Christabel Montagu-Douglas-Scott, daughter of the 7th Earl of Buccleauch and 9th Duke of Queensberry and Lady Margaret Bridgeman, in London on December 25, 1901. She spent her childhood between the family's houses: Boughton and Bowhill as well as Drumlanrig. As an adult she spent several months in Kenya and also spent time in India. She made a brief and illegal excursion to Afghanistan disguised in an Afghan coat and cap. In the spring of 1935, summoned home because of her father's failing health, she met again Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester, third son of King George V of Great Britain. On November 6, 1935 she married him. Among the bridesmaids were the later Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret. During the Second World War Princess Alice worked with the Red Cross and the Order of St John. She was a trained member of the Voluntary Aid Detachment, was deputy to the Queen as Commandant in Chief of the Nursing Corps and Divisions of the St John Ambulance Brigade, and was closely involved in the Women's Voluntary Service for Civil Defence. She was commissioned in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in 1940, becoming its head in 1943. She held the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the WRAF. She held honorary appointments and ranks in the armed services, including Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Hussars, the King's Own Scottish Borderers and the Royal Corps of Transport. After two miscarriages the couple had two sons: William (1941-1972) and Richard (1944). The Duke of Gloucester died in 1974. Since 1995 the princess, who had lived at Branwell Manor since 1938, moved to Kensington Palace to be with her son Richard, his wife and three children. In the past ten years she hardly appeared in public anymore. Her body is to remain in a private chapel at Kensington Palace while funeral arragements are being made.
The Imperial Household Agency said today that Crown Prince Masako has expressed displeasure over a recent wave of media reports saying she had apparently received a rebuke from her mother-in-law, Empress Michiko. Newspapers reported that the Empress's message issued on the occasion of her 70th birthday was meant as a rebuke to Crown Princess Masako.
At the imperial family's annual autumn garden party on Thursday Emperor Akihito of Japan has said to school board member Kunio Yonegawa that no one should be forced to face the Japanese flag and sing the national anthem. Mr Yonegawa had told the emperor that he was trying to make all Japanese students raise the flag and sing the anthem, on which the Emperor replied: "It is desirable that it not be compulsory." The conversation was aired on Japanese television. Since 1945 tacit taboos have prevented outward displays of patriotism and stifled debate. Last year, however, the Tokyo metropolitan government ordered teachers and students to sing the anthem at graduation. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda on Friday said that Akihito's comments were consistent with government policy and that palace officials had argued he was merely stating the obvious rather than voicing an opinion about policy. "We think this explanation poses no particular problem," Hosoda said. "We think the emperor made his remark with full understanding of his position as a symbol and this does not violate our constitution, which stipulates the emperor has not any power over affairs of the state."
October 30th
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will appear in the December issue of Vogue Australia. Last month the magazine made a fashion shoot with her and also with Crown Prince Frederik at Amalienborg in Copenhagen. She wears clothes by several fashion designers among them Hugo Boss and Danish Malene Birger.
Royal News: September 2004. Last updated: October 22nd, 2004.