Monthly Archives: November 2008
Bishop: Swazi Monarchy Driving People To Despair
A Catholic Bishop has criticized Swaziland's King Mswati III, saying the King's tactics is driving people to despair.
The Church is worried that the monarchy has increasingly marginalized the people, especially since 2005 when it adopted a constitution that ignored the wishes of "a significant portion of the Swazi people," according to Bishop Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu.
"We believe that being marginalized is what led some people to adopt crude and violent methods so as to force change in the country. Read more [...]
Qatari Sheikha Opens Museum of Islamic Art
The tiny country of Qatar inaugurated its new Museum of Islamic Art, meant to showcase how Islam is a religion of tolerance and not of terrorism.
Sheikha Al-Mayassa, daughter of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, was at the opening in Doha. She is the president of Qatar's museum authority.
"We want to show that Islam is a peaceful civilization, which has always called for tolerance and coexistence amongst different peoples," she told journalists.
The gas-rich Gulf state wants Read more [...]
Dutch Royals Welcome Holland’s Santa Claus
The little princesses of Holland were out Saturday to see every young child's dream: Santa Claus, or Sinterklaas as he is known in the Netherlands.
Princesses Amalia, Alexia and Ariane were with their parents, the Crown Princely couple, Willem-Alexander and Maxima, in the town of Wassenaar - a suburb of the Hague - to welcome Saint Nicholas and his servants, who are known as Zwarte Pieten. Amalia and Ariane sat a top of their parents' shoulders, while Alexia sat on top of the shoulders of the Read more [...]
Prince Charles’ Kingship Plans Spark Controversy
The Prince of Wales has many in the UK up in arms after it was announced that once he becomes King - whenever that would be - he will be a monarchy with opinions and will get involved in politics. This is something constitutional monarchs are not supposed to do.
The announcement, made by faithful biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby, explains that "there are discreet moves afoot to redefine the future role of the sovereign so that it would allow King Charles III to speak out on matters of national and Read more [...]
Morocco’s Royal Women Busy Helping Their Country
The wife and sisters of King Mohammed VI were busy these past couple of days. Princesses Lalla Salma, Lalla Meryem and Lalla Amina were all doing their part to either make Morocco a better place or to promote their country.
First with the King's wife, Lalla Salma. She opened a pediatric oncology center in Casablanca on Friday, as part of her cancer association which she is chairperson of. The center targets children and teenagers affected by blood diseases or cancer coming from the different regions Read more [...]
Monaco Royals Celebrate National Day
The princely family of Monaco gathered Thursday, November 19th to observe National Day.
Prince Albert II, his sisters Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, Caroline's husband Prince Ernst of Hanover, and all four of Caroline's children were present for the day's events.
Those events included mass of thanksgiving at the tiny principality's cathedral, appearing on the palace balcony to greet Monaco's citizens, followed by a night at the opera and fireworks at Monaco's harbor.
While National Day Read more [...]
Joachim & Marie Visit Russia
Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark are on a four day tour of Russia this week, to promote cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
They are also in Russia for a photo exhibition of Czarina Maria Fedorovna, the wife of Czar Alexander III and former Princess of Denmark.
The royal couple's first stop was in Ekaterinburg, the city where the last Tsar and his family were executed by Bolsheviks 90 years ago. Princess Marie paid a visit to the Church of the Spilled Blood, which Read more [...]
Princess Madeleine Helps Disadvantaged in South Africa
Princess Madeleine of Sweden is known for her good looks and sense of style. But she is also known for having a big heart for disadvantaged children, and these days she is helping those in South Africa for the charity, World Childhood Foundation.
Founded by her mother, Queen Silvia, in 1983, the charity aims at helping abused, neglected and impoverished children. It also aims at helping their mothers provide for their children.
The Princess met with South Africans living in poverty in Cape Town Read more [...]
Kate and Chelsy Attend Prince Charles’ Private Birthday Bash
Photographers didn't see them, and there is scant hearsay of what went on, but it appears to be true: royal girlfriends Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy were at Prince Charles' Highgrove estate for a private celebration of his 60th birthday.
It was rumored for months that the two ladies were to attend at least one party held for the Prince of Wales. Speculation that Middleton and Davy were to go to the formal party at Buckingham Palace Thursday turned out to be false. But according to eyewitnesses, Read more [...]
Thais Pay Respects To King’s Sister
The people of Thailand said farewell to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's late sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana, who died of abdominal cancer in January at the age of 84.
Tens of thousands lined the streets of old Bangkok, and millions more watched the funeral on TV. Some even performed funeral rites at Buddhist temples that dot Thailand.
"We are here because we love the princess and the king," said Lek Paekhajae, 65, a farmer from Nakorn Sawan, 210 kilometres north of Bangkok. Lek and his wife arrived Read more [...]
