Thursday 11 September 2014

Royal news, September 10th 2014

Prince Harry officially opened the Invictus Games, for injured service men and women, at a ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth II site in Stratford.


Prince Harry opens the Invictus Games in London

The prince was supported at the event by the Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.  His official opening speech was introduced, by video, by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama.



The prince looked visibly moved as he ended his speech and his brother was the first to congratulate him as he returned to his seat.  Earlier in the day, the prince had attended rehearsals for the opening ceremony and had also made a surprise appearance at a welcome reception for the Canadian team taking part in the Invictus Games.


Prince Harry at the rehearsals for the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games
(photo @ClarenceHouse Twitter)

The Duke of York had earlier attended a Board meeting of the Outward Bound Trust and paid a visit to HMS Gannet in South Ayrshire.  The Countess of Wessex opened The Sanctuary at Thames Hospice in Windsor.  The countess later attended an Islamic Fashion Show, followed by a dinner, at Windsor Castle for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award of which she is a patron.  The Princess Royal attended several events in Lancashire in her role as patron of the Carers Trust and in the evening she took part in celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the North West branch of Save the Children - she is the charity's patron.


The Countess of Wessex at the Thames Hospice in Windsor
(photo @ThamesHospCare Twitter)

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark continued her two day tour of Berlin with a visit to the Neues Musuem in the city.  She then walked around and through the Brandenberg Gate on a tour with the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.


Queen Margrethe with Klaus Wowereit at the Brandenberg Gate
(photo kongehuset.dk)

The queen later went on to visit Potsdam and its famous castle, just outside Berlin as her two day tour came to an end.


Queen Margrethe of Denmark leaves Potsdam at the end of her two days in Berlin
(kongehuset.dk)

Crown Prince Frederik joined his father, Prince Henrik, and his brother, Prince Joachim, at an event held by the Royal Shooting Society followed by lunch.  Prince Frederik later attended the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in London - Denmark is one of thirteen teams taking part in the event.



Crown Princess Mary attended the opening of the Mental Health Foundation Conference in Copenhagen which was looking at the issue of improving inclusion in society for young people with mental health issues.  Later, the princess chaired the annual general meeting of her Mary Foundation at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen where she outlined the events of the past year and talked about future plans.


Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at the meeting of her foundation
(photo kungahuset.dk)

The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway continued their three day tour of Nordland in the north of the country.  They arrived on the royal yacht in Vaeroy where they were given an official reception before finding out more about the fishing trade in the area.  They also visited a local nursing home and the old church in Vaeroy.


Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at a nursing home in Vaeroy
(photo kongehuset.no)

They later took a trip on a fishing boat to learn more about the business which is important to the local economy.  And they posted a selfie with two fishermen, Tommy and Eldar, on their official Twitter feed.


A selfie at sea for the future monarchs of Norway
(photo @Kronsprinsparet Twitter)

The day ended in A in Moskenes where, as well as having to don rainmacs to protect themselves from the very wet weather, they toured the village and tried some of the local food before hearing about some of the cultural events going on there and learning more about plans for tourism in the area.  The royal couple held a reception on the Royal Yacht in the evening for some of those who have helped plan and organise the three day tour.


Royalty in the rain - Haakon and Mette-Marit pose for photos at the end of the second day of their tour on the royal yacht
(photo kongehuset.no)

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attended a seminar in Stockholm on the future sustainability of the Baltic Sea.


Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends a seminar about the Baltic Sea
(kungahuset.se)

King Felipe presided over the official opening of the Judicial Year in Spain in a ceremony at the Supreme Court at the Palace of |Justice in Madrid.


King Felipe VI at the opening of the judicial year in Spain 
(casareal.es)

King Juan Carlos attended the World Cup Basketball match between Spain and France which was played in Madrid and which saw the home side lose, 52-65, and exit the competition.


King Juan Carlos with former basketball stars, Fernando Romay and Jorge Garajosa
(casareal.es)

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received the letters of credentials of the new ambassadors of Albania, Switzerland and New Zealand at ceremonies at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. Queen Maxima visited the Volkel Air Base in North Brabant where she heard about life at the base. Princess Beatrix received a special edition of a new book marking the 50th anniversary of the Alouette helicopter at an event at the Noordeinde Palace.


Princess Beatrix at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on September 10th 2014
(photo koninklijkhuis.nl)

Queen Mathilde of the Belgians visited vzw Borgerstein in Antwerp which is marking forty years of providing care for older people and people with disabilities.  The queen looked at projects that focus in particular on what the person being cared for really needs.

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