Spain
Spain got a new king in the week when Felipe VI succeeded his father, Juan Carlos I, in two emotional days of events.
Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias and the Infanta Sofia wave to the crowds from the balcony of the Royal Palace following his proclamation as King of Spain on June 19th 2014
Juan Carlos signed the law which brought about his abdication at a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid on the late afternoon of June 18th 2014. After signing away his throne, Juan Carlos hugged his son and then symbolically placed him in the king's chair before the royal family stood for Spain's national anthem.
The passing of power between father and son - Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI after the abdication law was signed on June 18th 2014
Felipe VI became king as the law took effect at the stroke of midnight on June 19th 2014 and a few hours later, his father presented him with the sash which is worn by the head of Spain's Armed Forces. King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their two daughters then went by car to the Spanish Parliament where, after inspecting the guard of honour, the new monarch swore an oath of loyalty.
King Felipe VI of Spain prepares to take his oath of loyalty
The new king then gave his first speech as monarch. He told those listening how proud he was of Spain and spoke of his hope that his fellow citizens would be proud of him as king. After a military parade, Felipe VI was driven in an open car through the streets of Madrid - he stood to greet those who had turned out to cheer him. Then the new royal family, with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, appeared on the balcony of the Royal Palace before King Felipe and Queen Letizia hosted a reception for 2,000 people inside.
King Felipe VI and his consort, Queen Letizia, prepare to greet the crowds celebrating his proclamation as monarch on June 19th 2014
On June 20th 2014, the new king held his first audience as monarch with the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. There was much attention, at that point, at the photos Felipe VI had chosen for his office - on his desk, an image of him with his two daughters and a photo with his wife. On the shelves, a photo of his father with a personal message written beneath it and a picture of Felipe as a young man with Juan Carlos. There was also an image of his father and mother together.
Felipe VI with the Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, in their first audience - June 20th 2014
On June 21st 2014, the new king and queen carried out their first public engagement since the proclamation when they met victims of terrorism and their families at the Zurbano Palace in Madrid. The royal couple met representatives of several associations representing those who have been affected by terrorism and took part in a moment of silence where they bowed their heads to remember those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia taking part in a moment of reflection in memory of those who have lost their lives in terrorist attacks in Spain - June 21st 2014
There were only two other engagements for Spain's royals in this historic week. On June 18th 2014, just hours before his father abdicated in his favour, the still Prince Felipe attended a meeting of the board of the Royal Elcano Institute of International and Strategic Studies in Madrid. On June 15th 2014, Queen Sofia made her last solo appearance before the abdication when she attended a performance of the opera, 'The Force of Destiny'. And on June 17th 2014, in the last hours of their reign, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia hosted a lunch for the political authorities in Spain at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia with their guests at a lunch for the political authorities in Spain. The last engagement of their reign took place in Madrid on June 17th 2014
United Kingdom
Prince William celebrated his 32nd birthday on June 21st 2014. The day was kept privately and there were no official photos to mark the occasion.
William, Duke of Cambridge turned 32 on June 21st 2014
On June 14th 2014, the Queen took part in Trooping the Colour marking her official birthday. Elizabeth II reviewed the troops at Horseguard's Parade in London before the Queen's Colour of the 1st Batallion Grenadier Guards was trooped. Many other members of the Royal Family attended the event - the Duke of Edinburgh was with the Queen on the dais while the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Royal took part in the event on horseback. The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry were among members of the Royal Family who watched the event from a building over looking the parade ground. Later, the Queen was joined by many members of her family for an appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
The Queen leads the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 14th 2014 after the annual Trooping of the Colour
On June 16th 2014, the Queen led the annual Chapter of the Order of the Garter in a ceremony at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The Queen took part in the parade of members of the Order along with the other royal members - the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
The Queen and the Prince of Wales at the parade of the Order of the Garter on June 16th 2014 in Windsor
Other members of the Royal Family, including the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex were present to watch the parade.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie, Countess of Wessex watch the Queen lead the Order of the Garter parade in Windsor on June 16th 2014
On June 17th 2014, the Queen welcomed the Prime Minister of China to Windsor Castle and held an audience with Li Keqiang at the start of his visit to the United Kingdom.
The Queen with the Prime Minister of China, Li Keqiang, on June 17th 2014
The Queen attended Ascot Races on June 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st and saw her horse, Estimate, narrowly miss out on a second, consecutive Gold Cup win. Other members of the Royal Family, including the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry also attended the races.
The Queen and Prince Harry are seen arriving at Ascot Races
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall held a dinner at Buckingham Palace on June 18th 2014 for the Prince of Wales Foundation (USA). On June 18th 2014, the Duchess of Cambridge visited Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire to open the newly renovated buildings and visitor's centre. The duchess was shown some of the code breaking equipment use in the Second World War and tried some of it out. It had been revealed earlier that day that her paternal grandmother, Valerie Glassbarrow, had worked at Bletchley Park during the war.
The Duchess of Cambridge tries out some of the code breaking equipment at Bletchley Park during her visit on June 18th 2014
The Duke of York opened a new swimming pool at Bishopsgate School in Surrey on June 17th 2014 and later attended a dinner at the Natural History Mueum in London for the China-Britain Business Council. On June 18th 2014, Prince Andrew attended a reception for the Omani British Friendship Association at the Anglo-Omani Society in London.
The Duke of York at the China Britain Business Leaders' Summit he attended on June 17th 2014 in London
Princess Beatrice of York visited the Isle of Wight on June 16th 2014 where she spent some time at Osborne House as well as carrying out engagements at Carisbrooke Castle and at The Priory School on the island.
Princess Beatrice at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight - the princess carried out a day of engagements on the island on June 16th 2014
On June 17th 2014, Princess Beatrice of York visited the University Academy Holbeach in Lincolnshire where she met students and teachers. On the same day, the princess re-opened the Charles Read Academy in Lincolnshire.
Princess Beatrice at the University Academy Holbeach on June 17th 2014
The Princess Royal at the second day of Ascot Races on June 18th 2014
Denmark
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik undertook their regular summer cruises this week. The annual visits see them spend time in several different parts of Denmark and this year's cruise began with a stop in Aalborg on June 18th 2014.
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark in Aalborg on June 18th 2014 as part of their summer cruises
The couple carried out several engagements in each place where their cruise stopped - on June 19th 2014 they were in Odense where they visited the Town Hall.
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark in Odense on June 19th 2014
The final stop of their summer cruises this week was in Marstal where they visited several locations linked to the area's maritime history before taking a ride through some of its ancient streets in golf carts to be able tog greet as many people as possible.
Queen Margrethe II is driven through Marstal during her visit on June 20th 2014
Earlier in the week, Prince Henrik had overseen the sailing competition which bears his name - the Prince Henrik Silver Cup. On June 15th 2014, the Prince Consort and the Crown Prince had launched this year's competition and attended a dinner to mark the event at Marselisborg Yacht Club.
Prince Henrik and Prince Frederik of Denmark at the dinner marking the start of the Prince Henrik Silver Trophy on June 15th 2014 at Marselisborg Yacht Club
Crown Prince Frederik took part on one day of the competition which ran from June 16th to June 18th - the contest has been held since 1988.
Prince Henik of Denmark during the yacht competition which bears his name on June 16th 2014
On June 17th 2014, Crown Prince Frederik was in Copenhagen for the final of the Schools Olympics. The prince started several of the races and competitions - schools from across Denmark take part in their own Olympics with the winners of regional titles taking part in the grand final.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark at the final of the Schools Olympics on June 17th 2014
On June 14th 2014, Crown Princess Mary attended an event in Copenhagen organised jointly by her Mary Foundation and Save the Children. The event was part of anti bullying campaign and involved races for children with the Crown Princess handing out medals at the end.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gives out medals during the anti bullying event her Foundation helped organise on June 14th 2014
Later in the week, June 17th 2014, Crown Princess Mary took her two eldest children, Prince Christian and Princess Isabella, to the One Direction concert in Copenhagen.
Mary at the One Direction concert in Copenhagen on June 17th 2014
Sweden
On June 15th 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria attended the inauguration of the new Archbishop of Uppsala. Antje Jackelen is the first woman to hold the position - Uppsala has been an archbishopric since 1164.
The King and Queen of Sweden with the Crown Princess at the inauguration of the new Archbishop of Uppsala, Antje Jackelen, seen with her predecessor, Anders Wejryd on June 15th 2014
The Crown Princess and her husband, Prince Daniel, paid a two day visit to Iceland in the week. The royal couple arrived there on June 18th 2014 where they were given an official welcome by the country's president, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel with the President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimmson, and his wife, Dorrit Moussalef, at the start of their two day visit to the country - June 18th 2014
The royal couple then visited the Harpa conference centre in Reykjavik before attending a lunch at the Nordic Centre where they met representatives of Icelandic and Swedish companies.
The Crown Princess of Sweden meets wellwishers outside Nordic House during her visit to Iceland on June 18th 2014
In the afternoon, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited a geothermal power plant at Hellisheidi before visiting a leading global company in orthapaedic surgery, Ossur. The couple's day ended with a dinner given for them by the President of Iceland and his wife.
During their visit to Ossur, the royal couple met 13 year old Milmar Snaer Orvarsson, who uses a prosthetic limb after losing part of one of his legs to bone cancer
The second day of their official visit began with the royal couple joining the President of Iceland and his wife on a whale watching tour off the coast of Husavik in the north of the country.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel during their whale watching trip in Iceland on June 19th 2014
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel then visited the fishing village at Husavik before the Prime Minister of Iceland hosted a lunch for them at a local restaurant.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are greeted by wellwishers in Husavik on June 19th 2014
In the afternoon, the princess and her husband saw more work linked to geothermal activity in Namaskara before they visited Akureyri to see the local university. Their visit ended with a dinner hosted in their honour by the Swedish ambassador to Iceland.
Crown Princess Victoria watches geothermal activity in Namaskara, Iceland on day two of her official visit to the country
Earlier in the week, Prince Daniel had awarded the annual Heart-Lung Foundation grant. The event, on June 16th 2014, saw the prize being given to Isabel Goncalves and Jan Nilsson from Lund University. Prince Daniel is the Honorary Chairman of the Heart-Lung Foundation.
Prince Daniel with the recipients of the Heart-Lung Foundation grant on June 16th 2014
Netherlands
On June 18th 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were in Porto Alegre in Brazil to watch the Netherlands take on Australia in the World Cup group stages. The royal couple saw their team win 3-2 and qualify for the knockout stages.
The King and Queen of the Netherlands celebrating after their country's footballers guaranteed their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup being played in Brazil
Earlier in the week, on June 15th 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima along with their three daughters - the Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane - had watched the men's final of the Hockey World Cup being played at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague. They saw their men's team lose 6-1 to Australia in the final but the princesses posed for a photo with the women's team who had beaten Australia 2-0 to claim the title on June 14th 2014.
Amalia, the Princess of Orange and her sisters, Alexia and Ariane, posing with the Dutch women's hockey team in a photo taken by their father, King Willem-Alexander
On June 16th 2014, King Willem-Alexander hosted delegates to the ninth annual EUROSAI conference at an audience at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. The organisation brings together top audit institutions from around Europe. On June 17th 2014, in The Hague, the King of the Netherlands opened an exhibition of sculptures by French artists which is open through the summer. On Juen 20th 2014, the king opened a special exhibition at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam which brings together Civic Guard paintings for the first time in decades.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands tries out an interactive display at the new exhibition of paintings he opened at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on June 20th 2014
Queen Maxima spent two days in New York on June 16th and June 17th 2014 as part of her role as a Special Advocate of the UN Secretary General for inclusive finance. On June 20th 2014, the queen was at a conference in The Hague as part of her work with the UN - she gave a speech at the Authority for Consumers and Markets meeting which was looking at consumer protection.
Queen Maxima giving a speech in The Hague on June 20th 2014
On June 14th 2014, Princess Beatrix along with her sister, Princess Margriet, attended a special parade marking the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Princess Beatrix and Princess Margriet attended a special parade marking the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on June 14th 2014
On June 17th 2014, Princess Beatrix presented the annual Silver Carnation awards at a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The carnations are given out every year to people who have made a big contribution to their communities through their voluntary and unpaid work - they were started by the father of Princess Beatraix, Prince Bernhard, in 1950.
Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands at the Silver Carnation Awards at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on June 17th 2014
On June 17th 2014, Princess Margriet opened the newly renovated Sophia Rehabilitation Centre in The Hague.
Princess Margriet with some of the children using the Sophia Rehabilitation Centre in The Hague on June 17th 2014
Belgium
The King and Queen of the Belgians travelled to Brazil at the end of the week, arriving there on June 21st 2014 ahead of their country's next group stage match against Russia on June 22nd 2014. On June 21st 2014, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde had attended an event marking the 94th anniversary of the visit of King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth to Brazil. The royal couple were present as a street in Rio de Janeiro was named after Elisabeth.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde see the newly named Queen Elisabeth Avenue in Rio de Janeiro on June 21st 2014
Later the same day, the king and queen attended an event involving Belgian companies that will help in the preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde during their visit to Rio de Janeiro on June 21st 2014 where they heard about work being done by Belgian companies for the Olympics in 2016
Queen Mathilde also visited SOS Villages in Rio de Janeiro as well as hearing about a campaign to help restore the eyesight of children who can't afford proper medical care.
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians during her visit to SOS Villages in Brazil on June 21st 2014
The king had watched the first Belgian group match of World Cup 2014 in Brussels where he had met representatives of companies who had been involved in preparations for the tournament. The delegates then watched the game on a big screen and the king was seen celebrating as his country's team beat Algeria 2-1 on June 17th 2014.
King Philippe of the Belgians celebrates as his team takes the lead in their 2-1 win over Algeria on June 17th 2014
Earlier the same day, Princess Claire had tweeted a photo of her husband and children ready for the match and showing their support for the Red Devils.
Prince Laurent with his children - Louise, Aymeric and Nicholas - showing their support for the Belgian football team ahead of their first World Cup 2014 group stage match on June 17th 2014
The king's other engagements for the week were a series of audiences at the Royal Palace in Brussels. On June 16th 2014, he held his regular meeting with Belgium's Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo, and then both men were present as the new Secretary of State for Social Services, Philippe Courard, was sworn in. On June 17th 2014, King Philippe held an audience with Bart de Wever who presented a report on how a government in Belgium could be formed quickly and an extension into his investigation - until June 25th 2014 - was also confirmed at the meeting. On June 18th 2014, and in the presence of the Belgian Prime Minster, the new Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister, John Crombez, was sworn in. On June 19th 2014, Prince Laurent carried out his first public engagement since his illness earlier this year when he went to the William Lenox Neurological Hospital Centre in Ottignies to help hand out Kiwanis dolls - rag dolls given to young patients to help show them what their medical treatment will involve.
Prince Laurent helping hand out Kiwanis dolls on Jun 19th 2014
Norway
King Harad V inspected the guard on the morning of June 20th 2014 at Huseby Camp in Oslo with Crown Prince Haakon Magnus also present. The annual ceremony also includes the presentation of awards to soldiers who have had outstanding years.
King Harald of Norway at the Inspection of the Guard on June 20th 2014
Queen Sonja was in northern Norway on June 21st 2014 to open the 50th annual Festival in Harstad. The Norwegian queen made a speech in which she quoted poetry and told those listening that she felt as if she had come home.
Queen Sonja of Norway at the opening of the festival in Harstad on June 21st 2014
On June 15th 2014, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus attended an evening of dance and music at the Norwegian Opera and Ballet to mark the 150th anniversary of the organisation, Veritas, which manages the technical condition of merchant ships in Norway. On June 16th 2014, the prince attended the opening ceremony of the World Congress of Constitutional Law being held in Oslo. Later the same day, Prince Haakon Magnus joined his wife and children for a friendly football match at Skaugum between Rua Unified whose members have learning disabilites and Team Norway which was made up of the royals. Man of the match was Pal Bernsten of Roa who scored four of their five goals.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit watches her son, Sverre, at a friendly football match they took part in on June 16th 2014
On Juen 18th 2014, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus visited the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate. On June 19th and 20th, Crown Princess Mette-Marit ran a library at the Queen's Park Gazebo using books that she collected from donors on her literature tour by train earlier in 2014. The library was open to all and encouraged visitors to try reading something different.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway at the gazebo where she held her library on June 19th and 20th 2014
Luxembourg
Luxemourg got a new princess this week when Princess Claire gave birth to a daughter on June 15th 2014. Claire, and her husband Prince Felix, presented their daughter to the world the following day in official photos. Princess Amalia Gabriella Maria Theresa is third in the line of succession.
Princess Amalia of Luxembourg - seen with her parents, Claire and Felix - was born on June 15th 2014
Monaco
Princess Charlene of Monaco made her first public appearances since the annoncement of her pregnancy at the end of May 2014. On June 14th 2014, she attended the official re-opening of the Princess Grace Rose Garden along with Prince Albert and Princess Caroline.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the official re-opening of the Princess Grace Rose Garden on June 14th 2014
On June 20th 2014, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene opened the new building of the Monaco Yacht Club in Monte Carlo. Princess Caroline was also in attendance.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco during their visit to the Yacht Club of Monaco on June 20th 2014
In the week, Prince Albert II was in Washington where he gave a speech at a conference called 'Our Ocean' organised by the US State Department. The prince was invited to the event by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.
No comments:
Post a Comment