5 royal headlines from January 2016

January 2016 is making its way into the past but its left us plenty of royal headlines and moments that will write their way into the history books.  As the first month of the new year comes to an end, it's time to look back at the stories that will endure. Here are 5 royal headlines from January 2016

King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway marked 25 years on the throne on January 17th 2016 with a winter games celebration, a church service and a special concert as well as family and formal gala celebrations. It was a truly happy day and tributes for the royal couple poured in across Norway and beyond. 

Infanta Cristina of Spain became the first member of her royal family to face trial on criminal charges when she walked into court in Mallorca on January 11th to face allegations of tax evasion. Along with 17 other defendants, including her husband Inaki Urdangarin, she sat in the stark courtroom as the trial linked to the Noos case began. Cristina, sister of King Felipe VI and daughter of Juan Carlos I, denies the charges. If found guilty she could go to prison.

(photo @ElPais Twitter)

Prince Henrik of Denmark made a big public appearance on January 1st as he attended the traditional New Year gala just hours after his wife had announced his retirement. Queen Margrethe II ended her New Year's Eve speech by revealing her husband is to scale back his official appearances and the following day the royal couple attended the New Year reception together with Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie. 

Prince Charles has sometimes been accused of being too stuffy but as January got underway he showed a more relaxed side as a programme about his work with the Prince's Trust was broadcast. The show, which featured footage from a whole year when he showed Ant and Dec his work with the charity, captured Charles singing and telling jokes and also featured interviews with his sons, William and Harry, in which they revealed some of Charles' embarrassing dad moments. The ITV1 programme, broadcast on January 3rd.

(photo ITV1 screen shot)

In Sweden, January was all about excitement for the future as royal baby bumps took centre stage. The Royal House confirmed that Crown Princess Victoria will take on her last public engagement on February 10th before resting ahead of the birth of her second baby, due in March. Meanwhile, her sister-in-law, Princess Sofia, is getting ready for her first baby which is expected in April. The New Year is under way and there are lots more royal headlines still to come.