Monthly Archives: October 2011
Cambodia Celebrates 20 Years Since Former King’s Return
It was a celebratory Sunday for Cambodians as they marked 20 years since their beloved former King returned from exile 20 years ago.
Norodom Sihanouk, who turned 89 Monday, spoke to tens of thousands of Cambodians from the palace in Phnom Penh, vowing to stay in the country despite his failing health.
“I have the great honor to inform our lovely compatriots that from now on, despite still having health problems and needing routine checkups by my Chinese medical team, I and my wife, the Read more [...]
Princess Marie Gives Out Literature Prize
This past Wednesday saw Princess Marie of Denmark hand out the Prix Littéraire des Ambassadeurs at the French Embassy in Copenhagen. The award focuses on the country's writers who also write in French.
This year's recipient was Danish writer Klaus Rifbjerg, who has written over 170 books, novels and essays.
Marie has been patron of the prize since 2009, after taking over from her father in law, Henrik the Prince Consort. Sounds fitting, since the Princess is French born just like Prince Read more [...]
Dutch Royals’ Trip to the Caribbean
The Dutch Caribbean will be getting the royal treatment for ten days. Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Princess Maxima are on tour of the islands that are constituent countries of the Netherlands. They include Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the former Dutch Antilles. The royal trio began their visit Thursday in Aruba.
Arriving in Oranjestad, the Dutch royals were greeted by Prime Minister Mike Eman. There was a private dinner hosted by Governor Fredis Refunjol before the Read more [...]
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Helps Burundi’s Young Delinquents
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg opened a photo exhibit Friday, along with representatives from a charity in Burundi, a country located in eastern Africa. This exhibition is not just about art; it is about the plight of Burundi's children who are imprisoned for years over minor acts.
"Often children end up 12 or 13 years behind bars because they have stolen a goat or a flat iron," Maria Teresa told reporters.
Once released, those children are left to fend for themselves in a poor Read more [...]
Commonwealth Agrees to Equal Primogeniture
During Friday's Commonwealth of Nations summit in Perth, Australia, it was unanimously agreed to give girls equal rights to the British throne. This changes centuries where boys were given preference over their sisters.
This ruling means that when William and Catherine have a first born daughter, she'll be the next heir to the monarchy, even if she has a younger brother.
At the same time, monarchs can marry those of the Roman Catholic faith, though they must remain members of the Church Read more [...]
Former Cambodian King Returns Home
The former King of Cambodia returned to his country Thursday after receiving medical treatment in Beijing for the past three months.
Norodom Sihanouk struggled down the stairs from the plane in Phnom Penh. Behind him was his wife, Monineath Sihanouk, and their son, Cambodia's current King Norodom Sihamoni.
Sihanouk was greeted by Prime Minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian officials once he reached the bottom of the stairs. He held his hands up, which were pressed together, to all those Read more [...]
Prince Nayef Named Saudi Arabia’s Heir
The Saudi royal court announced Thursday that its interior minister, Prince Nayef, was named as the heir to the monarchy.
Nayef was appointed by King Abdullah bin Abdulziz al Saud after the monarch met with the Allegiance Council, which was set up in 2006 to make succession issues less complicated.
This news comes as no surprise since it was widely believed Nayef would become first in line after the death of Crown Prince Sultan last Saturday.
However, some progressives in the oil rich Read more [...]
Catherine Makes First Solo Engagement
On Wednesday night, the Duchess of Cambridge did her first solo engagement at a charity reception at Clarence House. Catherine was stepping in for her father-in-law, Prince Charles, who had to fly to Saudi Arabia to offer his condolences over the death of Crown Prince Sultan.
Dressed in a pale blue gown, Catherine mingled with the 30 members of the Kind Direct charity during the dinner. The charity was set up by the Prince of Wales in 1996 and it redistributes surplus goods from manufacturers Read more [...]
Romania Celebrates Former King’s 90th Birthday
Tuesday was an historic day for Romania, as its former King gave a speech at its Parliament for the first time since 1947 as part of the celebrations of his 90th birthday.
King Mihai, the last surviving World War II leader, was forced to abdicate by a Soviet backed regime and lived in exile for most of the 20th century. He returned to the country several times in the 1990s and now lives in Bucharest.
Frail, but dignified, the ex-King encouraged Romanians to have faith in democracy.
"All Read more [...]
Funeral of Crown Prince Sultan
At the Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque in Riyadh Tuesday, male members of the Saudi royal family, plus Arab and Muslim leaders from around the world, said good-bye to Crown Prince Sultan, who died in the United States Saturday.
The remains of the late heir was draped in his brown cloak as it was carried through the mosque before prayers were said.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, Sultan's brother, was present, though he was wheelchair bound and wore a surgical mask over his face. Many wonder Read more [...]
