A right royal day

In recent times, there's not been a day like it.  Every royal household in Europe has been taking part in major events around the continent today.  Everywhere you looked, there was another king, queen, prince or princess out and about.  It's been a right royal day.

Elizabeth II, Margrethe II, Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Philippe of the Belgians in a photo taken in France on June 6th 2014 to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day 

Five monarchs were in Normandy to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day with four of them posing in a group image of heads of state taken to mark the day.  There were also four consorts - Prince Henrik, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Maxima and Queen Mathilde - and one heir to the throne, Prince Charles, who was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also attended commemorations in Normandy.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge arriving at Bayeux Cathedral on June 6th 2014

In Sweden, the country's National Day meant a string of public appearances by the royals all started off with some new official photos of Princess Estelle, in national costume.

Princess Estelle of Sweden in a new official photo released to mark her country's national day, June 6th

The Royal Palace is thrown open to mark the day with a member of the reigning family doing the honours and throwing open the door.  And although she didn't really do much except sleep through it, this year the honour belonged to Princess Leonore who snuggled in her mother's arms while Madeleine and her husband, Chris O'Neill, invited people in to see their royal home.

Madeleine, Chris and Leonore open the palace doors on National Day in Sweden 2014

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Sivlia travelled to Ange province to join events there while Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel went to a citizenship ceremony in Solna where 73 people received Swedish nationality.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden with Prince Daniel on June 6th 2014

In the evening, the whole Royal Family took part in a traditional ceremony held at Skansgem before hosting a reception for the government and parliament.

The Swedish Royal Family on National Day 2014

In Spain, where the shockwaves from the surprise abdication announcement of King Juan Carlos I are still settling, the man and woman about to become Europe's newest monarchs were both out and about with Prince Felipe at the opening of a networking meeting for small and medium size business and Princess Letizia at the first annual fashion awards.

Princess Letizia at fashion awards in Madrid on June 6th 2014

And just when it looked like the royal presence on this right royal day was quietening down, the Queen arrived back in Paris for a state dinner given in her honour by President Hollande as part of her State Visit to France.

The Queen and Francois Hollande at the State Dinner given in honour of the State Visit of Elizabeth II in Paris on June 6th 2014

And after a whole twenty four hours off, this weekend promises even more royal events as Spain's present monarchs and soon to be monarchs attend Armed Forces Day on Sunday while the Swedish Royal Family gathers for the christening of Princess Leonore on the same day.  A right royal day to start a right royal weekend.