Royal News February 2022

Last modified: 13 March 2022

1 February

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Oranje Fonds the patrons of the charity, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima gave an interview. The Foundation was a present of the Dutch people for the couple when they got married on 2 February 2002.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of flying a drone over the Drottningholm Palace near Stockholm, the residence of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. A police spokesman said the man is suspected of violating the law on the protection of sensitive places.

Crown Prince Leka, Crown Princess Elia and their daughter Princess Geraldine of Albania unveiled a statue of Queen Geraldine in Tirana.

The Family Division of the High Court in London has ordered that if Anthony Bailey doesn’t pay one million Pound Stirling to his ex-wife Princess Marie-Therese von Hohenberg, he will be arrested and imprisoned for 12 months when returning to the UK. The couple divorced in April 2018. At the time he claimed to be unemployed and without money, but it seems he is living at his Villa Aurore in Sintra, Portugal and still enjoys a comfortable lifestyle. The couple has a son. Andrew Bailey was also ordered to pay over £ 8,000 of his ex-wife’s legal costs for two hearings.

Genealogy researchers from the University of Strathclyde have found a unique genetic marker called FTB15831 in male line descendants of the Bruce of Clackmannan family. This family is related to Robert The Bruce, King of Scots, who ruled Scotland from 1306 to 1329, so it is well possible that the king shared this marker. The scientists say that that anyone living today who tests positive for the marker is descended from the same family as Robert The Bruce. Although the exact relationship between the Bruce of Clackmannan family and Robert The Bruce rmains uncertain, documents indicate that it was very close.

2 February

The Dutch streaming service Videoland has announced that they will stream a drama series about the life of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, based on the book “Máxima Zorreguieta: Motherland” by Marcia Luyten. The series is to be produced by Millstreet Films. It will be one of the most expensive drama series ever made in the Netherlands and is planned to be broadcasted in 2023.

It is reported that photo sessions of the Dutch royal family will no longer automatically take place immediately before the holidays of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima and their three daughters. Thus far there were two yearly photo sessions in February and in July. The aim is to still have two photo sessions a year, followed by a press interview, but they will in principle take place at times when all family members can be present.

Together with her youngest children Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine Crown Princess Mary of Denmark visited Copenhagen Zoo and broke ground for “Mary’s Australian Garden” on the occasion of her 50th birthday. Mary also opened a new knowledge center at the University of Copenhagen that has been named the Crown Princess Mary Center – solving problems through research and partnerships.

The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita of Japan received their covid-booster on 1 February at home. Prince Hitachi, Princess Hanako and Princess Takamado received the booster at the Imperial Household Agency Hospital today.

A letter written to Mary, Queen of Scots to the French ambassador in England in July 1568 with an appeal to allow the safe passage of George Douglas, a Scottish nobleman, to France has sold for £32,500 at auction at the auction house Lyon and Turnbull. She hoped that if Douglas managed to reach the French king, he could ask on her behalf to help secure her freedom. She had escaped from Lochleven Castle, Perthsire, two months earlier. The letter was written in French and signed “Votre bien bonne amye, Marie”.

3 February

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, her husband Crown Prince Frederik and her children Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine have attended the opening of the special exhibition “HRH Crown Princess Mary 1972 – 2022” at the Museum of National History at Frederiksborg Palace in Hillerød. A new portrait of the Crown Princess painted by Jesús Herrera Martínez was unveiled.

The Countess of Evreux has confirmed that her son Prince Charles-Philippe, Duke of Anjou, and his wife Diana Alvares Pereira de Melo, Duchess of Cadaval, have decided to separate and give themselves some time. Charles-Philippe rents an apartment near the family home and picks up his daughter daily to take her to school.

4 February

In a live stream hosted by the mental health company BetterUp The Duke of Sussex has admitted that he has “experienced burnout” and was “literally getting to the very end of everything that I had, any fuel or any steam in the engine just like I was burning the candle at both ends”. Harry has become the platform’s chief impact officer in March 2021.

Photo & copyright: Hasse Nielsen / Kongehuset

5 February

New photos have been released on the occasion of the 50th birthday of Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. Family photos and a portrait.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde ended their four-day-visit to the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. In Oman they visited the cities of Muscat and Duqm, and attended the opening of the new harbour of Duqm. They were received by the Sultan and his wife. After a short stop in Abu Dhabi the royal couple visited the Expo 2020 in Dubai and enjoyed the Belgian pavillion “The Green Arch”. They had to stay a day longer, as the two pilots of their plane were involved in a car accident in Abu Dhabi and were ordered to take an extra day rest.

6 February

The United Kingdom remembers that Queen Elizabeth II became Queen of the country 70 years ago. She herself spent the day privately at Sandringham, where her father King George VI died. The jubilee will be celebrated in Spring. In a statement the Queen surprisingly stated that it is her sincere wish that her daughter-in-law Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, will be known as Queen Consort when the Prince of Wales becomes King after her death. She stated also: “When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes king, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.” A new photo of the Queen working at Sandringham was released. Also the Prince of Wales issued a statement to mark the historical day.

Crown Princess Mary and her family attended the birthday show “Mary 50 – we celebrate Denmark’s Crown Princess” by tv-channel TV2 at the Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal at Copenhagen International Airport.

In an interview with the Sudpresse-newspapers Prince Laurent and Princess Claire of Belgium talked about their daughter Princess Louise, who turned 18 today. She celebrated with friends on Saturday and on Sunday she celebrated at home with her family with a culinary trip around the world, which included sushi, Indian dishes and Louises favorite dessert: Sachertorte. Talking about their daughter Laurent and Claire say that she is very good in listening to people, is social and outgoing, and furthermore likes to bring people together.

8 February

A man, who entered the Royal Mews in London climbing over a fence with an eight-inch blade and drugs in his bag at night in May 2021 appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The Deputy District Judge handed him a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and told the man to behave himself, so that he won’t have to go to prison.

The 50th jubilee o fthe accession to the throne of Queen Margrethe of Denmark will be celebrated by the amusement park Tivoli, Copenhagen, with activities for guests and a ballet gala in the Concert Hall on 21 May 2022. Also an exhibition featuring selected ballet costumes designed by the Queen will open on that day.

Former Crown Prince Hamzah of Jordan and his wife Princess Basma had their sixth child, a second son called Mohammad, today. Hamzah also has a daughter from his first marriage.

Corinna Larsen (Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn), the former mistress of King Juan Carlos of Spain, is said to shoot a trailer for her book, and for her film.

9 February

The Norwegian royal court has confirmed that King Harald V of Norway has recovered from his cold and will start working again.

However Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday evening. She is displaying only mild symptoms and is isolating in her palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen. Her winter holiday in Norway is cancelled.

This morning also King Felipe VI of Spain was tested positive for Covid-19. He had mild symptoms since yesterday evening. He will go in isolation for seven days and continue working from home. His wife Queen Letizia and his daughter Infanta Sofia tested negative.

Princess Eugenie, Mrs Brooksbank shared several family photos on the occasion of the 1st birthday of her son August Brooksbank.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that 38-year-old Princess Yoko of Mikasa (Japan) is infected with Covid-19. She complained of a sore throat on Monday. She was first admitted to a hospital inside the Imperial Palace. Her sister Princess Akiko was also tested, because she had been in contact with her sister a few days earlier, but tested negative. Today Princess Yoko was transfered to the University of Tokyo Hospital with moderate pneumonia. It is unclear how she was infected.

10 February

The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time and is self-isolating. He had to cancel several appointments. He first contracted the illness in March 2020.

It was announced that the state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to Greece, on invitation of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, will take place from Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 March 2022. They will spend the first two days in Athens, while the last day will be spent on the island of Lesbos.

The Danish design house Georg Jensen has presented its new jewellery collection, designed by Jacqueline Rabun. Among the people modelling the pieces is Prince Felix of Denmark.

In a pre-recorded video message for the first Earthshot Innovation Showcase at the Expo 2020 in Dubai Queen Rania of Jordan has called on the global community to recognize the pressing need for a united and resilient front in the face of environmental crisis, pinning hopes on bold initiatives, human ingenuity and concerted action to repair our planet. The event was attended by the Duke of Cambridge, who visited the Expo 2020 on the occasion of the British Day. Queen Rania is a member of the Earthshot Prize Council.

11 February

On 3 May 2022 Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will go aboard the Royal Yacht Dannebrog for a special sailing season. The yacht celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and since has served as the official and private residence of three monarchs. There will be two summer cruises: from 1 to 4 June, and from 29 August to 1 September.

Before returning to Monaco Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco has spoken to Monaco Life about the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, that he attended. He said that the opening ceremony was beautiful, but that he was mainly impressed by the quality of the materials used for the facilities and the attention to detail, and the sustainability.

In an interview with the Daily Mail Alix Mountbatten has spoken openly about the way she, at the age of 15, found out that her father Lord Ivar Mountbatten was bi-sexual. She also speaks about her relationship with her father, mother and their new partners.

12 February

Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner, the surviving sister of King Harald V of Norway, has celebrated her 90th birthday today. A photo was published, and the Princess could also be congratulated online.

13 February

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark has left isolation after having had a mild form of Covid-19.

14 February

After her husband also the Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for Covid-19.

In the new RTBF-documentary about her life, “Paola, côté jardin: les confidences d’une Reine” (Paola Garden Side: The Confidences of a Queen), Queen Paola of Belgium speaks quite openly about her life. Themes include her meeting with the later King Albert II, how he proposed, the problems in their marriage and the mistakes that they made, also as parents, and how they got back together. Her husband, children, daughters-in-law and several grandchildren participated.

Here is the official trailer of Bridgerton 2. The successful Netflix series will continue on 25 March.

15 February

The Duke of York has settled a US civil case against him, brought up by Virginia Giuffre. She claims that the Duke has sexually assaulted him three times when she was 17. The Duke has denied. In a letter filed to the US district court it is stated that the Duke and Virginia Giuffre have reached an out-of-court settlement. The Duke will pay her an undisclosed sum. He will make a “substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights”. It is not clear where the money will come from, and it is thought to be several millions of dollars.

The remains of Queen Farida of Egypt, the first wife of King Farouk I, were moved from the Imam El Shafei cemetery in Cairo to the nearby El Rifa’i Mosque on Monday. A small ceremony was held, attended by two of her grandchildren. The ancestral tomb of her own family at the cemetery is to be demolished to make way for a new development project, the grand-nephew of the Queen, Mr Seif Allah Zulficar said. Although the family didn’t manage to save the tomb, the government agreed that the remains of the Queen would be moved to the Mosque, where also her three daughters Ferial, Fawzia and Fadia and mother members of the royal dynasty are buried. The family hopes that an epitaph bearing her name can be placed over her new tomb. It is not clear yet what will happen with the remains of the other 70 members of the Zulfiqar family buried at the cemetery.

16 February

The Metropolitan Police will investigate claims that the The Prince’s Foundation, of which the Prince of Wales is the president, has offered honours or British citizenship to a Saudi citizen on the basis of donation to the Prince’s charities. Clarence House has stated that Prince Charles has no knowledge of this. British media reported in September 2021 that his former valet Michael Fawcett allegedly offered the Saudi citizen help to secure an honour. Fawcett resigned from his position as chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation in November 2021.

The Belgian royal court announced that King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo from 6 to 10 March. They were invited by the president of the former Belgian colony, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo already late 2019.

King Felipe VI of Spain still tested positive for Covid-19 despite of feeling quite well. He will have to isolate a few more days.

Camilla von Lattorff, the 16-year-old daughter of Philipp von Lattorff and Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein, takes part in a training camp of the Liechtenstein national soccer team in Tenero, Switzerland.

Princess Yoko of Mikasa (Japan) has been discharged from hospital. She was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on 9 February with moderate pneumonia, fever and a sore throat.

15-Year-old Prince Hisahito of Akishino has been admitted to the Senior High School at Otsuka, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo. He is the first member of the Japanese imperial family after World War II not to enroll at a high school not affliliated with Gakushuin University. He will start in April 2022, after having finished the third year at the Ochanomizu University Junior High School, where the Senior High School is for girls only. Hisahito took an entrance exam on Sunday and passed it.

17 February

The yearly memorial service for the deceased members of the Belgian royal family this year was attended by King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Albert, Queen Paola, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire, as well as Princess Léa, Princess Delphine and her husband James O’Hare. It was the first time Delphine and her father King Albert II appeared in public together.

Another positive Covid-19 case today: Princess Benedikte of Denmark. She only displays mild symptoms and is residing in Amalienborg.

Residents of the United Kingdom aged over 18 have the chance to win a ticket to the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. One can apply here until 2 May 2022.

Prince Hisahito of Akishino (Japan) has been accoused of plagiarism. In March 2021 he received an honorabel mention at the 12th children’s nonfiction literature award of the city of Kita-Kyushu for an essey about his trip to the Ogasawara Islands with his mother. A weekly magazine and other media reported that some parts of his essay closely resembled unreferenced material. The Imperial Household Agency said in a reaction that “its description in a reference list was inadequate”.

18 February

Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco has told the newspaper Monaco-Matin that his wife Princess Charlène is doing much better. He hopes that she will be able to come home soon.

Lawyers for The Duke of Sussex have attended a first hearing at High Court in a row over whether the Duke and his family can have police security when he visits the United Kingdom, which he still calls his home. He has lived abroad since November 2019. He says he wants to pay for the security himself. According to his lawyers he and his family want to come back to visit family and friends and support his charities, but at the moment he doesn’t feel safe visiting. It is reported his car was chased by photographers when he left an event during his visit in June and July 2021. Since he left the country he was placed in an “exceptional category” by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) and protection depends on the specific circumstances of a visit. Robert Palmer QC, for the home secretary has stated that offering to pay for the protection of the police is irrelevant because personal protective security by the police “is not available on a privately financed basis”.

19 February

In a statement Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden have denied widespread media rumours about an impending divorce. They state: “Normally we do not comment on rumours and speculation. However, in order to protect our family, we wish to make it clear, once and for all, that the rumours now being spread are completely unfounded.”

20 February

King Felipe VI of Spain finally tested negative for Covid-19. He will be able to leave his isolation and return to work.

The 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for Covid-19. She is only said to experience mild symptoms.

Princess Madeleine of Sweden congratulated her daughter Princess Leonore with her 8th birthday on social media.

21 February

The Princess of Orange has been spotted in a hotel in Lech, Austria, on crutches. The Dutch royal house hasn’t made known what happened.

On the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations from 2 to 5 June a giant slide will be installed at the Tower of London as part of a floral display with 20 million flowers. The “Superbloom” display will fill the moat around the tower and the slide will for the first time in its history allow visitors inside the moat.

The Royal Hashemite Court has issued a statement on recent media reports about the bank accounts of King Abdullah II of Jordan. They point out the articles contain inaccuracies, outdated and misleading information.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has published a photo of her with Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed of Dubai in Paris, France. In a statement to Sky News Latifa speaks about her positive meeting with Bachelet and it is stated that “Latifa would like to make clear that she is living as she wishes, that she is travelling as she wishes, that she is perfectly well and that she would like the media to allow her to live in peace”.

22 February

Surprisingly Prince Louis of Luxembourg and his fiancée Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue have announced in an interview with the French magazine Point de Vue that they have split up. They will remain friends. As reason fundamental differences of opinion about their ambitions in life: their ideas about a family and being parents.

The Armani wrap dress that the Duchess of Sussex wore during her tv-interview with Oprah Winfrey will go on display in the Fashion Museum Bath, United Kingdom. The dress was chosen as Dress of the Year by the editor-in-chief of Dazed magazine, Ibrahim Kamara, and its art director Gareth Wrighton.

Kei Komuro, the husband of former Princess Mako of Japan, has taken his New York State Bar Exam for the second time. He failed the exam last summer.

23 February

Princess Estelle of Sweden celebrated her 10th birthday. The royal palace released several pictures.

The Duchess of Cambridge has spent two days in Denmark to learn about the world-leading approach to early childhood development in the country. She also was received in audience by Queen Margrethe II and Crown Princess Mary. Crown Princess Mary also privately had lunch with Catherine and with her visited a crisis centre to inform her about the work of her Mary Foundation.

The Duke of Sussex has launched another legal action against the Associated Newspapers Limited in the High Court in London. It is unclear why he is suing them again.

In his 62nd birthday interview Emperor Naruhito of Japan has called on people in his country to keep “a fire of hope” burning in their hearts and support each other in the face of challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. He also thanked healt care workers for their work and sent condolences to people who suffered a loss. He also said he hopes that his niece former Princess Mako will “lead a happy life”, but feels sorry for “causing concern to many people”. He also said he will continue to support his wife Empress Masako, who for many years has battled a stress-induced illness. He hopes his daughter Princess Aiko will cherish and fulfill her duties. Also photos and a video were released.

According to a poll by The Mainichi Newspapers Co. and the Social Survey Research Center of Saitama University about 76 % of the 1,315 respondents have no problem with imperial succession by a woman. Only 10 % wants to keep the present male-only succession.

24 February

On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee Year of Queen Elizabeth II members of the British royal family will undertake a series of royal tours in the Spring of 2022. From 19 to 26 March The Duke and The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will tour the Republic of Ireland from 23 to 25 March. The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence will pay Papua New Guinea a visit from 11 to 13 April 2022. The Earl and The Countess of Wessex from 22 to 28 April will tour Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The ticket ballot for the Platinum Party at the Palace on 4 June 2022 has been opened. To apply you have to be a UK resident and over 18. People can apply for a ticket until 23 March 2022.

In the radio programme Woman’s Hour the Duchess of Cornwall talked about her work with domestic violence and her hopes for a world free from violence against women. She has also said it will be a “great honour” to become Queen Consort and believes the position will help her to further highlight the causes she supports.

25 February

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in the morning of 24 February also worries the royals. The monarchs are being kept informed about the situation and the activities of the armies of their countries, as well as about the measures taken by their governments. King Felipe VI of Spain has taken part in a meeting of the National Security Council and has cancelled several appointments. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has shortened his vacation and returned to Norway with Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Other royal houses published statements or talked to the media. There was also a statement from the Russian Imperial House.

The Dutch royals have started their one-week skiing holidays in Lech, Austria. For the first time in years there will not be a photo session, as the family is incomplete.

The former Luxembourg ambassador Paul Dühr has been appointed as the new Marshal of the Court. He will start his job on 20 April 2022. He is the successor of Yuriko Backes, who quit her job early January to become the new finance minister of Luxembourg.

The newsportal Hollywood Unlocked had to apologize after writing “exclusively” on Tuesday that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away. The say that their CEO was contacted on Tuesday by a source, who attended the wedding of Edward Enninfull, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, who claimedthat he had witnessed a call in which the news about her death was confirmed to a high-profile attendee. While the news of Hollywood Unlocked is incorrect, the Queen, because of Covid-19, has postponed virtual engagements on Tuesday and Friday. She is continuing with light duties.

The Duchess of Cornwall now also has a The Reading Room website.

Princess Charlène of Monaco has turned into a manga character. She appears in volume 6 in the Blitz manga by author Cédric Biscay.

26 February

The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex have received the President’s Award in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service at the NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, USA. In his speech Harry mentioned the situation in Ukraine: “We would like to acknowledge the people of Ukraine, who urgently need our continued support as a global community.:”

King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan have received the 2022 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity during a ceremony at the Founders Memorial in Abu Dhabi. They received the award for their efforts to promote human fraternity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence.

28 February

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians have cancelled their planned official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo from 6 to 10 March because of the war in Ukraine. The royal couple had planned to visit Congo at the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi.

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