Saturday 8 February 2014

Royal round up, week ending February 8th 2014

A round up of all the news from Europe's royal houses for the week ending February 8th 2014


Spain


The Infanta Cristina, second daughter of King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, appeared in court in Mallorca on February 8th to answer questions linked to investigations into financial irregularities.  The Infanta arrived at court by car and walked the final steps into the court room.  She gave her evidence in a court room dominated by a photograph of her father, Juan Carlos.


Infanta Cristina of Spain arriving at the court in Mallorca where she was questioned on February 8th 2014

The Spanish royal family had maintained a high profile in the week.  King Juan Carlos I, accompanied by Queen Sofia and the Prince and Princess of Asturias, led the reception for the Diplomatic Corps which took place at the Royal Palace in Madrid on February 5th 2014.  The king gave a speech during the event - it was heavily scrutinized after Juan Carlos appeared to have trouble, in parts, reading the speech he gave at the Pascua Militar on January 6th but this event passed smoothly.


King Juan Carlos during his speech at the reception for the Diplomatic Corps on February 5th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Madrid

Earlier in the week, on February 3rd 2014, the king had held an audience with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  On the same day, Queen Sofia visited the offices of the Spanish Postal Service in Madrid where she saw how ordinary and special mail is handled and received a telegram.  


Queen Sofia of Spain signs for a telegram on her visit to the Spanish Postal Services on February 3rd 2014 in Madrid

On February 6th 2014, the queen held an audience at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid with the Spanish representation of the Standing Committee of the Board of UNICEF to hear about their current work and plans for the future.  Later that same day, the queen was at the National Music Auditorium in Madrid for a concert by young musicians in the city.


Queen Sofia of Spain on her arrival at a concert at the National Music Auditorium in Madrid on February 6th 2014

On the same day, the Prince and Princess of Asturias were in Granada where they visited an exhibition at the Alhambra on medieval art and culture in al-Andalus.  They went on to present the Federico Garcia Lorca prize for poetry to the Mexican artist, Eduardo Lizarde.  And they held an audience with representatives from the Granada Press Association.  But it was the photo of Felipe and Letizia with their arms around one another at the Alhambra that grabbed the most attention - the image was captured after weeks of speculation about a possible crisis in their marriage.


The Prince and Princess of Asturias at the Alhambra on February 6th 2014

On February 7th 2014, Prince Felipe traveled to Tunisia for events to mark the adoption of the country's new constitution.  Earlier in the week, the Princess of Asturias had carried out a solo engagement when she attended the third annual Forum Against Cancer held in Madrid on February 4th 2014.


The Princess of Asturias during her speech at the Forum Against Cancer on February 4th 2014 in Madrid

The Infanta Elena was at the celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of the foundation of the International Forum of Women Leaders which was held in Madrid on February 6th 2014.


The Infanta Elena at the event in Madrid marking the tenth anniversary of the International Forum of Women Leaders on February 6th 2014


Monaco



The first photos emerged of the religious wedding of Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo - it took place in Gstaad on February 1st 2014.  The bride wore a dress designed by Valentino and a diamond tiara belonging to Princess Caroline.


Hola and Hello magazines ran the first photos of the religious wedding of Andrea and Tatiana Casiraghi which took place in Gstaad on February 1st 2014

Prince Albert had travelled to Gstaad for the ceremony along with Princess Caroline, Andrea's mother and his siblings.  Princess Charlene was not at the wedding - that afternoon her foundation was involved in a rugby challenge organised to mark the feast of Monaco's patron, Saint Devote.  In the evening the princess attended a major boxing event in Monte Carlo.   


Princess Charlene of Monaco in Monte Carlo  on February 1st 2014

Prince Albert, a member of the International Olympic Committee, was in Sochi in Russia on February 5th for a meeting ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics.  He was joined by his wife at the opening ceremony on February 7th 2014.


Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi in Russia on February 7th 2014

And the first photos of Charlotte Casiraghi with her partner, Gad Elmaleh, and their newborn son appeared in the week.  They were snapped pushing Raphael in his pram in Gstaad after the wedding of Charlotte's brother, Andrea.  


Charlotte Casiraghi and her partner, Gad Elmaleh, are photographed with their son, Raphael, for the first time since his birth in December 2013.  The photos were taken in Gstaad this week.


United Kingdom


The Queen began her official engagements again after her Christmas break - she traditionally stays at Sandringham in Norfolk until the anniversary of her accession, and of her father's death, on February 6th. The Queen's first engagement of 2014 was at Royal Air Force Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk on February 3rd 2014.  Queen Elizabeth II viewed displays and attended a reception.  In the evening, the Duke of Edinburgh attended a dinner for the Rotary Club of King's Lynn of which he is an honorary member and Paul Harris Fellow.  The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had attended a church service in West Newton in Norfolk on February 2nd 2014 where the Queen presented prizes for children's church attendance. Elizabeth II kept the anniversary of her accession privately at Sandringham.


The Queen at RAF Marham in King's Lynn in Norfolk on February 3rd 2014 - it was her first pubic engagement of the year

Prince George was photographed for the first time since his christening when the baby king in waiting and his mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, were pictured changing planes in St Lucia on their way to a holiday in Mustique earlier this year.  On February 8th 2014 it was reported that Prince William, who is still studying at Cambridge University, and Prince Harry had flown to Spain for a private trip to hunt wild boar.  The Duke of Cambridge is due to launch a wildlife campaign on February 9th 2014 and the timing of the visit caused controversy.



The photos of Prince George and the Duchess of Cambridge were published this week in Hello! magazine

The Prince of Wales led news bulletins around the UK on February 4th 2014 when he visited the flood hit county of Somerset to hear complaints from residents about the lack of help they have had since their properties and land were plunged under water at the end of 2013.  The prince expressed sympathy with the plight of those living there and pledged £50,000 from his Prince's Countryside Fund.


Prince Charles in flood hit Somerset which he visited on February 4th 2014

Earlier in the week, on February 3rd 2014, the prince had held an audience with Air Chief Marshall Sir Andrew Pulford at Clarence House and that evening he hosted a dinner and concert at Buckingham Palace in his capacity as patron of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra.  On February 5th 2014, the Prince of Wales visited Tottenham in north London to find out how the area is recovering from the riots that hit London and other parts of England in the summer of 2011.  Its the fourth time the prince has been to Tottenham since the riots and on his visit he met families whose homes had been hit by the violence.  He visited Centre 639 which had been badly damaged in the riots but was fully restored and is now home to budding entrepreneurs.  


The Prince of Wales with Mehmet and Burcin Akbasak who lost their home in the 2011 riots - they have since had twin daughters who seemed keen to meet the prince on his visit to Tottenham on February 5th 2014.

On the same day the prince presented the Prince of Wales' Intelligence Community Awards at St James' Palace and held an audience with representatives from the British Asian Trust.  In the evening he attended a reception for the trust at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  The prince ended his week by holding an investiture at Buckingham Palace on February 7th 2014.


The Prince of Wales with singer, Emeli Sande, at the reception for the British Asian Trust at the Victoria and Albert Museum on February 5th 2014

As the same day her husband was at the British Asian Trust's reception, February 5th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall held a tea for the organisation at Clarence House to celebrate the work of British Asian businesswomen.  That evening, the duchess held a reception at Clarence House for the War Memorials Trust of which she is patron. She had earlier held an audience with the outgoing Chairman of the Trust, John Cluff, and then met his succcessor, Peter McCormick.  The day before, the Duchess of Cornwall had held a lunch at Clarence House to mark the eigthieth anniversary of the Brooke Hospital for Animals, of which she is patron.


The Duchess of Cornwall with some of the entrepreneurs she met at a tea for the British Asian Trust at Clarence House on February 5th 2014

On February 6th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall attended an event to celebrate the achievements of women from New Zealand working in the UK.  It was held at New Zealand House in London on Waitangi Day, the anniversary of the signing of the treaty that laid the foundations for the modern country.  The duchess revealed that she hadn't visited New Zealand until 2012 because of a fear of flying.


The Duchess of Cornwall uses a traditional hongi greeting with Esther Jessop of the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club at an event to mark Waitangi Day on February 6th 2014

The Duke of York held an audience at Buckingham Palace on February 4th 2014.  Later the same day, the duke held a meeting at Lancaster House in London for the British Saudi Business Council and that evening hosted a reception at St James' Palace for the organisation.  On February 5th 2014, the Duke of York carried out several engagements in Kent including unveiling a monument to the Small Arms School Corps in Hythe (he is their Colonel-in-Chief) and holding a lunch for the charity, Kick Start Kent in Maidstone, which aims to get fifty companies to take on an apprentice in the next year.  He also visited East Sussex where he opened the offices of Working Rite in Hastings - the charity offers mentoring to young people looking for work.  In the evening, the duke attended a reception given by the Saudi Arabian ambassador.


The Duke of York at Working Rite in Hastings - he opened their new offices on February 5th 2014

The Earl of Wessex held a meeting at Buckingham Palace on February 3rd 2014 in his role as Vice Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation.   On February 4th 2014, the earl attended a lunch for the Sport and Recreation Alliance at the Goring Hotel in London - he is the alliance's patron.  The Countess of Wessex spent several days in France in her role as patron of the Combined Services Winter Sports Association, arriving on February 4th 2014.  That day the countess watched the finals of the Snowboard Parallel Slalom in Meribel before attending a dinner.  On February 5th 2014, the Countess of Wessex watched the Classic and Alpine Slalom  in Meribel before attending a reception and later a dinner in the resort.  The Princess Royal also spent most of the week abroad as she headed to Russia for a string of engagements.


The Princess Royal at the International College of Economics and Finance, National Research University - Higher School of Economics in Moscow which she visited on February 4th 2014

Princess Anne began her trip with a visit to the International College of Economics and Finance, National Research University - Higher School of Economics in Moscow in her capacity as Chancellor of the University of London on February 4th 2014.  She travelled to Sochi on the same day and attended a reception at Rus Hotel and Spa in the resort.  On February 5th 2014, the Princess Royal attended a meeting of the International Olympic Committee in Sochi and caused controversy by calling for less spectacle in opening ceremonies.  On February 7th 2014, the princess attended the official start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.


The Princess Royal at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi in Russia on February 7th 2014

The Duke of Kent attended a dinner in London on February 3rd for the Royal Institution of Great Britain - he is their president.  The Duke of Gloucester held an audience at Kensington Palace on February 4th 2014 while the Duchess of Gloucester, who is Honorary President of the Lawn Tennis Association, was in Florida to see Great Britain beat the United States in the Davis Cup for the first time since 1935.  


Denmark


Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark was in Sochi this week - as a member of the International Olympic Committee he attended its meeting on February 5th 2014 in the resort ahead of the start of the Winter Games which got under way officially on February 7th 2014.  


Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the IOC meeting in Sochi on February 7th 2014

Crown Princess Mary launched a programme of events to mark the 200th anniversary of the introduction of compulsory education in Denmark on February 3rd 2014.  The princess opened an exhibition called 'Teacher of Life' in Copenhagen as part of the celebrations.


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark starts several months of celebrations commemorating the introduction of compulsory education in Denmark in 1814

On February 4th 2014, the princess presented the Danish Cancer Society Honorary Award at a ceremony in Copenhagen. 


Princess Mary of Denmark presenting the Danish Cancer Society Honorary Award in Copenhagen on February 4th 2014


And on February 6th 2014, the princess presented the EliteForsk awards in Copenhagen.  The research grants have been given to five Danish scientists.  And on the same day, Crown Princess Mary opened an exhibition featuring works bu Van Gogh and Gauguin at Ordrupgaard Museum in Charlottenlund.


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark opening an art exhibition on February 6th 2014

The Crown Princess celebrated her 42nd birthday privately on February 5th 2014.  On February 6th 2014, her sister-in-law, Princess Marie, turned 38 and again the celebrations were private.  Princess Marie and her husband, Prince Joachim, had attended a dinner at the French embassy in Copenhagen on February 5th 2014 held in honour of the philosopher, Bernard Henri-Levy.


Prince Joachim and Princess Marie at the French Embassy in Copenhagen on February 5th 2014

On February 3rd 2014, Prince Joachim attended the opening of an exhibition about motor racing history at the Tekniske Museum in Helsingor with his two sons by his first marriage, Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix.


Belgium


On February 4th 2014, King Philippe of the Belgians visited the Belgian Royal Mint in Brussels to see the first coins bearing his image being struck.  


King Philippe of the Belgians with one of the new coins bearing his image.  The first coins were symbolically struck when he visited the Belgian Royal Mint on February 4th 2014

On February 3rd King Philippe held his regular meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo.  On February 5th 2014, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde held a reception for Belgian heads of diplomatic posts around the world who were in Brussels for contact days.  The event, along with a similar audience on February 3rd hosted by Princess Astrid, took place at the Royal Palace.


The king and queen of the Belgians pose with Belgian diplomats from around the world at the Royal Palace in Brussels on February 5th 2014

Later that day, the king and queen were joined by King Albert II and Queen Paola along with Princess Astrid to mark the 150th anniversary of the Belgian Red Cross at a seminar in Brussels.


King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, King Albert II and Queen Paola along with Princess Astrid at the event marking 150 years of the Belgian Red Cross in Brussels on February 5th 2014

On February 6th 2014 King Philippe and Queen Mathilde paid a one day official visit to Paris where they were greeted by President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace - one of the first big events there since the president split from his long term partner, Valerie Trierweiler.  The royal couple arrived by train and laid a wreath at the statue of King Albert I.  But the main part of their visit was a working lunch at the Elysee Palace with President Hollande and other government officials.  They were joined by the Belgian Prime Minister at the meeting.


President Francois Hollande with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians in Paris on February 6th 2014

On February 1st 2014, Prince Laurent attended the fourth Magritte and Cinema event in Brussels.


The Netherlands

The king of the Netherlands held an audience on February 4th 2014 with the new finance minister at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague before visiting the Foundation for Debt Relief in Maasland in the west of the Netherlands.  On the same day the king was at the Kuntshal in Rotterdam to open an exhibition called 'The Second World War in 100 Objects'.


King Willem-Alexander views one of the 100 objects which tell the story of the Netherlands in World War Two in a new exhibition in Rottedam which he opened on February 4th 2014

Queen Maxima was in New York on February 3rd and 4th 2014 where she visited the United Nations as part of her role as a special advocate of the Secretary-General for inclusive finance linked to development work.


.Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in New York on February 4th 2014

The king and queen travelled to Sochi in Russia on February 7th 2014 for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.  The following day they toured the Olympic site on special bicycles and paid a visit to the Dutch athletes staying at the Olympic village.  They will be at the Games until February 11th 2014.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with the Dutch team at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on February 8th 2014



Sweden


King Carl XVI Gustaf held a special meeting of the cabinet at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on February 7th to receive briefings from different government departments about future plans.  Crown Princess Victoria was also there.  The king holds these special cabinet meetings three or four times a year to keep up to date with what the government is doing.


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria at the special cabinet meeting held at the Royal Palace in Sweden on February 7th 2014

The Crown Princess had spent the first part of the week in Umea as part of a three day visit to the European Capital of Culture with her husband, Prince Daniel, and their daughter, Princess Estelle.  On February 2nd 2014 they ended their visit with a trip to the Anderson Gallery to see some modern art with Princess Estelle stealing the show.


Princess Estelle of Sweden starts her own personal tour of the Anderson Gallery in Umea which she visited with her parents on February 2nd 2014


Prince Daniel was in Gavle, at the university, on February 6th as part of his work with the Prince Daniel Fellowship where he spoke to students about entrepreneurship.  


On February 6th 2014 Prince Daniel visited Gavle to talk to university students about entrepreneurship

Prince Carl Philip started Rally Sweden on February 5th 2014 in Farjestad - the race is in twenty four stages and ends in Karlstad on February 8th 2014.  And on February 7th 2014 he attended the Chef of the Year Awards in Stockholm and took part in the tasting and judging of the competition.  The prince later presented the gold medal to Philip Fasten.


Prince Carl Philip of Sweden presents the Gold Medal at the Chef of the Year competition in Stockholm to winner, Philip Farsten


Norway


King Harald of Norway began his week on February 3rd 2014 with an audience at the Royal Palace in Oslo with the Chief of the Norwegian Army.  On February 4th 2014 the king presented the National Society for Public Health Heart prize at the Norwegian Theatre in Oslo - it is given for research in cardiovascular health and was won this year by Professor Guro Valen.  On February 6th 2014 he held an audience at the Royal Palace with the Norwegian minister for Foreign Affairs - Queen Sonia was also in attendance.  On February 7th, King Harald held an audience with the Norwegian Prime Minister and then a Council of State which Crown Prince Haakon Magnus also attended.  Later in the day the king held an audience with Professor Mads Gilbert who he appointed to the Order of St Olav and then representatives of the Polytechnic Society.  On February 7th, Queen Sonia opened an exhibition about Norwegian artist Christian Krohg in Copenhagen to emphasise the cultural ties that have grown between the two countries since their separation in 1814.  


King Harald at an awards ceremony in Oslo on February 4th 2014

Crown Prince Haakon Magnus attended a seminar on February 5th 2014 as part of an ongoing week of events organised by Blue Cross, an inter denominational organisation working to prevent and treat alcohol and drug addiction problems.  The Crown Prince was in Sanderfjord to take part in a discussion about dignity and care and the importance of transparency when dealing with drug problems.


Prince Haakon Magnus at the Blue Cross seminar on February 5th 2014

Crown Princess Mette-Marit began her week by presenting a prize for research in mental health and drugs to Paul Soren for his work on the importance of expectant mothers taking folic acid. The ceremony took place on February 4th 2014 in Trondheim.


Crown Princess Mette-Marit presenting Paul Soren with his award for research in the field of mental health on February 5th 2014

On the following day the Crown Princess attended the launch of a non fiction magazine, Faktafyk, which will be distributed free of charge to 125,000 school pupils.  Also on February 5th 2014, Princess Mette-Marit opened a photographic exhibition at Oslo City Hall called 'Too Young to Wed' which aims to highlight the fate of young girls around the world forced into marriage.


Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway at the exhibition 'Too Young to Wed' which she opened on February 5th 2014 at Oslo City Hall

And at the end of the week, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was photographed filming publicity and marketing material for the Winter Youth Olympic Games which take place in Lillehammer in 2016.  The prince was snapped filming in Oslo on February 7th 2014.


Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway filming in Oslo as part of his support for Lillehammer 2016 - the Winter Youth Olympic Games

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