Monthly Archives: July 2011
Norweigan Royals Attend Memorial Services and Meet the Injured
As Norway continues to mourn the 93 people who were killed in the dual attacks on Friday by a far right zealot, its royal family has been reaching out and grieving along with the rest of the country. Sunday saw the adult members attend church services in memory of those who died and were injured.
Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja, along with their daughter Princess Martha Louise and her husband Ari Behn, went to Oslo Cathedral at 11am local time for the "mass of grief and hope" Read more [...]
Norwegian Royals Comfort and Mourn With Nation
A day after the worst attacks in Norway since World War II, its royal family came out to comfort and mourn with the people.The once placid country is reeling after a bomb attack in downtown Oslo and a shooting of a youth political summer camp on the nearby island of Utøya. About 92 people were killed and the number is expected to rise. The suspect behind the dual attacks is said to be a far-right extremist.
Late last night, King Harald V made a televised speech saying, "Freedom is more powerful Read more [...]
King Harald V Speaks to Nation Following Terror Attacks
On a day few Norwegians would ever forget, King Harald V took to the airwaves late in the night to address his people following the explosion in downtown Oslo and the shootings of youths on the island of Utøya, west of the capital.
"Today we have witnessed horrific acts both in Oslo and Utøya. Our thoughts go naturally to the survivors and the relatives. I would like to thank all those who have helped to rescue people out of this situation," said the visibly upset King.
"In such a horrible Read more [...]
Wedding of Prince Rashid and Zeina Shaban
The cousin of the King of Jordan got married Friday in a ceremony attended by Arab and European royals alike. Prince Rashid Al Hassan, the son of King Abdullah II's uncle, 31 year old Prince El Hassan, married Zeina Shabban, age 23 and a former athlete. The couple got engaged about a year ago.
The ceremony took place at Basman Palace in the presence of the King, Queen Rania, Prince El Hassan and his wife, Princess Sarvath, plus the bride's extended family.
Royals in attendance were King Read more [...]
Belgian Royals Mark National Day – Without a Government
National Day is often meant to be a time to celebrate patriotism, but for Belgians, this year saw it be more somber since the day also marked 400 days without a government.
Belgium's monarch, King Albert II, has been demanding recently for the feuding politicians to do something to form a government in order to save the country from splitting into two. His speech on Wednesday night covered that issue.
"On this national day, I would have liked to enjoy with you the swearing in of a new Read more [...]
Belgian King Not Granting Titles Again
For the second consecutive year, King Albert II will not bestow aristocratic titles to anyone because of the inability for Belgium's political groups to form a government. The country has gone for over a year without it, and the King is more than frustrated.
In a rare statement earlier this month, His Majesty said that "given the gravity of the political situation, the King wishes that each of the country's political leaders take a few days of reflection to measure the consequences of the Read more [...]
Swazi Queen Pleads to be Rescued from House Arrest
A year since she supposedly was caught in bed with a former justice minister of her husband's, Nothando Dube is pleading to be set free from house arrest and the emotional abuse that came with it. Dube, who was King Mswati III of Swaziland's 12th wife, spoke to a South African newspaper about her troubles.
"My side of the story was not heard. Ever since that scandal happened, we haven't been talking with this man that I married. Things have been bad and now they are worse. I really, really Read more [...]
Princess Stephanie Goes Solo for AIDS Gala
While her brother and new sister-in-law are on their honeymoon, Princess Stephanie of Monaco had to attend the Fight AIDS Monaco Summer Gala on Wednesday alone.
That didn't seem to bother her at all. The Princess treated this year's gala like any other, as she met with those who work to battle the disease in the tiny principality during the event, held at the Monte Carlo Sporting Club. She also met with the pop group Supertramp who were performing that night.
Before the group did their Read more [...]
Last Habsburg Heir Laid to Rest
Vienna came to a stand still on Saturday as it witnessed the funeral of the last Austro-Hungarian emperor's heir, Otto Habsburg, who died at the age of 98 in Poecking, southern Germany, on July 4. Thousands of Austrians turned up to watch as the Habsburg family, Austrian leaders, European royals and heads of state attend the funeral that seemed to bring back the days of when Austria was a monarchy.
The ceremonies for Otto's funeral started earlier this week, where his body was taken across Read more [...]
Happy 34th Birthday to Crown Princess Victoria!
July 14th marked the future Queen of Sweden's 34th birthday, and for the first time since 2009, she was present to celebrate her special day. Last year, Crown Princess Victoria was on her honeymoon following her June wedding to the now Prince Daniel.
The two made an appearance on the island of Öland, where the Swedish royals spend their summers, to meet and greet the locals who gathered to wish their next monarch a happy birthday.
It was quite rainy out, and Victoria and Daniel had to Read more [...]
