Monthly Archives: December 2009
Belgian King Gives Apartments to Homeless Families
The King of the Belgians has opened apartment spaces to give shelter to two homeless families during the cold winter. The apartments are owned by the Royal Trust, a set of properties made available by the sovereign state near the royal castle in Ciergnon Ardennes.
While King Albert II and the rest of the royal family do not own these apartments, but they are part of the royal palaces.
"This is truly the will of the King and the royal family to this provision. I emphasize this strong positive Read more [...]
Liechtenstein Cancels London Art Exhibit
Prince Hans Adam II of Liechtenstein called off a much anticipated art exhibit at London's Royal Academy of Arts Thursday, due to a row over a painting taken hold of in Britain.
The Spanish Renaissance artwork at the center of this dispute, "The Infante Don Diego" by Sanchez Coello, was purchased by the Prince in 2006, but due to the British customs, it has been impounded since 2007. Because this problem has not yet been resolved, Hans Adam pulled out of the exhibition which would have shown Read more [...]
Spanish Royals Release Christmas Photos
Today, Spain's royal family officially released their annual Christmas cards. This year, as every year, those cards include pictures of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia's grandchildren - the children of Infanta Elena, Infanta Cristina and Crown Prince Felipe.
Infanta Elena's two children - Felipe and Victoria - posed for their picture during what looks like the summertime. Both are wearing short sleeved t-shirts and are outdoors. Using summer photos seem to be a theme for Elena. Last year, her Read more [...]
Dutch Royals Give Out Prince Claus Prize
Wednesday night saw the royal family of the Netherlands award the Prince Claus Prize at Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam.. The Prize is in honor of Queen Beatrix's late husband, who died in 2002. It began in 1997, and has a theme every year.
This year's theme was culture and nature, and the winner was Colombian architect Simon Velez, who has been researching on how bamboo can be used as building material. Velez has designed buildings in the United States, Germany and China. In the Netherlands Read more [...]
Norwegian Royals Build Gingerbread House for Christmas
The royal family of Norway released their annual Christmas photos Thursday. As always, they chose an activity to show them enjoying each other's company. This year, that activity was building a gingerbread house.
King Harald V, Queen Sonja, the Crown Princely couple and their children built the house at the royal palace in Oslo. The house was big enough for Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus to walk through. It included gingerbread and cookies with the names of the children Read more [...]
Poll: What was the Biggest Royal News Story of 2009?
Princess Alexandra Joins Monaco’s Royals at Christmas Party
This year, as every year since 1956, the royals of Monaco invited the principality's children to the palace for a Christmas party. Prince Albert II, Princess Stephanie, and Princess Caroline took part in the annual gift giving.
Also at the event was Caroline's youngest daughter, Princess Alexandra of Hannover. Her elder children had participated in the Christmas Tree party when they were little, so now it was Alexandra's turn to go. This year was her first time at the party.
The Monegasque Read more [...]
Victoria & Daniel Launch Foundation
The Swedish royal court announced today that Crown Princess Victoria and her fiance, Daniel Westling, have set up their own wedding foundation, which will combat youth alienation and promote good health.
The Crown Princess couple - as the two are called - have already given 100,000 Swedish kronor to form the foundation's capital. It will be registered sometime soon, and directors will be named around the same time.
According to the royal court, Victoria and Daniel would like anyone wishing Read more [...]
Prince William Gives Moving Speech to Military Heroes
Tuesday evening, British royal brothers, Princes William and Harry, attended the Sun Military Awards to pay tribute to the UK's servicemen and women. The star-studded event was held at the Imperial War Museum, and was hosted by The Sun newspaper.
William told the troops it was "a privilege and an honor" to wear the same uniform as them.
"This country is blessed with its Armed Forces," the future King said in a speech.
"These are not just words. It is the truth. Your unremitting pursuit Read more [...]
Prince Charles Speaks at UN Climate Change Summit
At the U.N. Climate Change summit in Copenhagen, the heir to the British throne urged the world to take better care of the environment, as well as scolded it for exploiting its resources.
"The grim reality is that our planet has reached a point of crisis," Prince Charles said
But he also argued that "just as mankind had the power to push the world to the brink, so too do we have the power to bring it back into balance."
The dedicated environmentalist, who said earlier this year that Read more [...]
