United Kingdom
The christening of the future king of Great Britain, Prince George of Cambridge, took place on October 23rd 2013 at the Chapel Royal, St James' Palace. The prince was baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, at the Lily Font used by the Royal Family since 1841 and normally held in the Tower of London. He received the names George Alexander Louis.
Hid seven godparents were named just hours before the ceremony with Zara Tindall the only one with any royal connections. The official photographs, including an historic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with the three generations of princes that will succeed to her throne, were taken by Jason Bell and released on October 24th 2013. Full details of the royal christening are on a special page.
The first portrait of four generations of British monarchs taken in over 100 years as Queen Elizabeth II is photographed with the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge on October 23rd 2013 at St James' Palace, London
The following day, the Duchess of Cambridge attended an gala dinner at the State Apartments at Kensington Palace in her capacity as Patron of the 100 Women in Hedge Funds' Philanthropic Initiatives and of the charity, Action on Addiction. She told visitors that Prince George had been a very good boy all day for his christening.
The Duchess of Cambridge at a charity event in Kensington Palace on October 24th 2013
The Duke of Cambridge attended a special dinner on October 26th 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Football Association. Prince William, who is President of the Association, earlier this month held the first ever football match to be played at Buckingham Palace as part of the anniversary celebrations.
Prince William during his speech at the dinner to mark the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Football Association in London on October 26th 2013
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the National Theatre in London on October 22nd to marks its 50th anniversary. The Queen and the Duke toured rehearsals and saw some of the backstage work involved in bringing to life the star of War Horse, Joey.
.jpg)
The Queen is introduced to Joey from War Horse by one of the young actors involved during her visit to the National Theatre on London's South Bank on October 22nd 2013
On the evening of October 23rd 2013, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh held a reception at Buckingham Palace for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust. Earlier in the day she had held an audience with the new British ambassador to Saudi Arabia. On October 24th 2013 the Queen received the new ambassadors of Iraq and South Korea.
The Queen is introduced to guests at a reception in Buckingham Palace on October 23rd 2013 by
Sir John Major, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust
Prince Philip held an audience on October 22nd 2013 at Buckingham Palace with representatives of the Duke of Edinburg Award in Canada. On October 24th, the Earl of Wessex who is a Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award attended a dinner for the organization in London. Earlier in the week, the earl held several meetings at Buckingham Palace for charities in which he is involved. And on October 21st, the Earl and Countess of Wessex attended a dinner to mark the 280th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on board HMS Victory in Portsmouth. Earlier that day, the earl had paid his respects at a tribute at the Ambassadors Theatre for the actor, Bryan Forbes, who died in 2013. On October 23rd, the Countess of Wessex was in Bristol where she celebrated the first anniversary of a new facility used by the NSPCC of which she is president. On the same day, she opened Healing Foundation Cleft Gene Bank at Oakfield House in the city before opening a new residential lodge for the Girl Guides in Wedmore in Somerset. That evening she attended a concert at the Cathedral Church of St Peter's in Exeter for the Two Moors Festival, of which she is patron.
The Countess of Wessex in Bristol on October 23rd 2013
The Prince of Wales began the week in Scotland where, on October 21st, he held a reception in Ayrhsire for entrepreneurs and a dinner the same evening for The Prince of Wales Foundation (United States of America). The following day he attended a workshop in his capacity as President of The Prince's Foundation for Building Community before visiting a Morrisons Farm Open Day at Dumfries House. That evening he was back in London where he held a dinner at Clarence House for The Prince's Charities' International Sustainability Unit on Resilience and Low Carbon Development. On the afternoon of October 23rd, the Prince held several audiences including a meeting also attended by the Duchess of Cornwall with Aun San Suu Kyi.
.jpg)
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall meet Aun San Suu Kyi at Clarence House on October 23rd 2013
On October 24th, the prince and the duchess held a reception at St James' Palace for members of the British Indian and British Sri Lankan communities. The couple will visit India and Sri Lanka in November.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall watch a performance by singer-songwriter Navin Kundra at a reception at St James' Palace on October 24th 2013
On that same day the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Poppy Factory in Richmond in Surrey - she is their patron. And on the evening of October 25th, she was at a concert in her capacity as patron of First Trust being held in Marlborough in Wiltshire.
The Duchess of Cornwall helps to make poppies at the Poppy Factory in Richmond ahead of Remembrance Day
The Duke of York held a dinner at St James' Palace on October 21st 2013 for the Royal Blackheath Golf Club of which he is patron. On October 22nd he held several audiences and in the evening handed out the prizes at the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators Trophies and Awards Banquet at the Guildhall in London. On October 24th Prince Andrew opened the Royal Greenwich University Technical College in London with the capital's mayor, Boris Johnson, before holding an audience in his capacity as president of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland. He had a day of engagements in Devon on October 25th when he opened the Education and Resettlement Centre at HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth and visited the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network at Plymouth University. He ended his week in Canada where he attended Trustees' Day at Lakefield College School, Lakefield, Ontario - he is the chair of the Trustees.
.jpg)
The Duke of York at the opening of the Royal Greenwich University Technical College in London on October 24th 2013 with Boris Johnson
The Princess Royal spent the week in Canada where she carried out five days of engagements. She visited medical and engineering projects and laid a wreath at Vimy Gate War Memorial and unveiled the Mercury Memorial Statue, Canadian Forces Base Kingston. Her trip, which started on October 22nd and ended on October 26th, also included several receptions and dinners as well as a meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David Onley.
.jpg)
The Princess Royal on her way to the Vimy Gate War Memorial in Ontario on October 24th 2013
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended a dinner at the Royal Academy of Music on October 22nd 2013. On October 23rd the Duke attended the "Innovation in Practice" Exhibition at the University of Westminster as part of their 175th anniversary celebrations and on October 24th he attended the Worshipful Company of Bowyers' Agincourt Dinner at Tallow Chandlers' Hall in London. The Duke of Kent unveiled the Fusiliers Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas in Staffordshire on October 20th. And on October 22nd he left for a two day trip to Hungary where he carried out several engagements including a meeting with the Hungarian Lifesavers Organisation at Vigadó Placé, Budapest. Princess Alexandra of Kent held a reception for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals at Buckingham Palace on October 22nd 2013 and on October 24th was in Chichester where she visited St. Wilfrid's Hospice and the Prebendal School.
.jpg)
Princess Alexandra of Kent at the reception she hosted at Buckingham Palace for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of which she is patron
Sweden
Queen Silvia was presented this week with a first edition of a book written about her at a conference held to celebrate her achievements in Swedish life. On October 23rd 2013, the queen was at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm to mark the book's publication. One of the speakers, Maud Olofsson, who helped get the book written and published spoke about Queen Silvia's determination to tackle topics that many politicians had shied away from in the past, including human trafficking and child abuse. Queen Silvia also took part in a debate about the importance of raising difficult issues and the importance of leadership.
The Queen also presented the Frimurare Barnhus Foundation scholarships at the Bååtska Palace in Stockholm on October 22nd which are awarded to people working in children's medicine. King Carl XVI Gustaf held a number of audiences during the week including several to receive new ambassadors to Sweden. Four new diplomats were granted audiences at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on October 23rd to present their letters of credentials. The ambassadors from Hungary, Latvia, Austria and Turkey arrived at the palace in carriages from the Royal Mews before being met and escorted into their audiences with the king.
Queen Silvia at the launch of a book written about her and her leadership on October 23nd 2013 in Stockholm
The Queen also presented the Frimurare Barnhus Foundation scholarships at the Bååtska Palace in Stockholm on October 22nd which are awarded to people working in children's medicine. King Carl XVI Gustaf held a number of audiences during the week including several to receive new ambassadors to Sweden. Four new diplomats were granted audiences at the Royal Palace in Stockholm on October 23rd to present their letters of credentials. The ambassadors from Hungary, Latvia, Austria and Turkey arrived at the palace in carriages from the Royal Mews before being met and escorted into their audiences with the king.
The new Hungarian ambassador to Sweden, Lilia Makkay, is met at the Royal Palace ahead of her audience with King Carl XVI Gustaf on October 23rd 2013
The day before, King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria, attended the annual World Child & Youth Forum at the Royal Palace and heard speeches from several experts before officially renaming the organization the Global Child Forum. The meeting, on October 22nd, involved several members of UN organisations dedicated to children. The forum was established in 2009 with the help of the entire Royal Family to share knowledge around the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Its aims include using global resources more effectively to provide better for children.
Queen Silvia unveils the new logo for the Global Child Forum which the royal couple officially renamed on October 22nd 2013
Also on October 22nd 2013, the king presented the new Entrepreneur of the Year awards. The prizes are given to business people who have moved to Sweden from other nations and successfully established companies.
King Carl XVI Gustaf presents the New Entrepreneur of the Year award to Milan Rupertsson who moved to Sweden from Congo in 2010 and set up her own logging business within a year
On October 23rd the king and queen held an audience at the Royal Palace for honorary consols working in Africa. Earlier in the week, the king accompanied by his heiress, attended the annual WWF meeting at the Ulriksdal Palace in Solna, north of Stockholm. The king is the president of the Swedish branch while Crown Princess Victoria is a member. King Carl XVI Gustaf also presented several awards including the Panda Book of the Year to Felix Heintzenberg for Nordic Nights — Animal Life Between Dusk and Dawn.
The king of Sweden presents the Panda Award at the WWF annual meeting in Sweden to Felix Heintzenberg - October 21st 2013
Prince Daniel presented the Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards on October 21st 2013 - the event also included a seminar about getting younger people into business. On October 23rd 2013, he was at Blackeberg Upper Secondary School and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm to talk about the Fellowship that bears his name and which works to encourage more young people into entrepreneurship.
Prince Daniel talking to young people about his own experiences of setting up a business on October 23rd 2013
Princess Madeleine attended a summit on environmental matters in New York called From Farm to Fork. The event, on October 23rd, was organized by the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York. The princess, who is now in her fifth month of pregnancy, later attended a banquet accompanied by her husband, Chris O'Neill.
Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill at an evening banquet in New York on October 23rd 2013
At the end of the week, October 25th 2013, the whole family apart from Madeleine was at the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences' formal meeting in Stockholm. And as breast cancer awareness month drew to a close, Crown Princess Victoria was seen showing her support to the campaign, of which she is a patron this year, with the help of her daughter, Princess Estelle. Along with Prince Daniel, they attended the final of the Stockholm Tennis tournament on October 20th and all three were seen wearing the pink ribbon that symbolizes breast cancer awareness.
Princess Estelle of Sweden with her pink ribbon as she applauds the players at the Stockholm Tennis final on October 20th 2013
Denmark
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary began a four day visit to Australia on October 24th with most events centred around celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House and its Danish design. On their arrival, they met the Governor of New South Wales and posed for photographs at the Opera House before going on a walkabout to meet the thousands who had turned out to see them.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark at the Sydney Opera House at the beginning of their four day tour of the area which began on October 24th 2013
On October 25th they attended an event to help Danish and Australian designers work together more closely before seeing a reading programme for school children and then attending an evening event celebrating the Danish design involved in the Sydney Opera House.
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at the event held in Sydney on October 25th to celebrate the Danish involvement in the design of the city's iconic Opera House which is marking its 40th anniversary
On October 26th they visited the Twin Registry of which Princess Mary is patron. The registry gathers together twins who are interested in helping with medical research that relies on people who are part of a multiple birth. Later on in the day the couple attended the launch of eSMart, a new system which aims to cut down on bullying online among children and adolescents.
The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark with some of the sets of twins they met on October 26th in Australia when they visited the country's Twin Registry
Back in Denmark, Queen Margrethe II held a meeting with the French Prime Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault on his visit to the country on October 21st 2013. Meanwhile, Prince Henrik spent October 24th touring art galleries in North Jutland. He began his afternoon in Aalborg for an exhibition of Normandy painters including Monet and Renoir before moving on to Lemvig to tour the Museum of Religious Art for an exhibition called 'For the Love of Greenland'.
The Queen of Denmark with the Prime Minister of France, Jean-Marc Ayrault, on October 21st 2013 at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen
Spain
The Prince and Princess of Asturias were in Oviedo for much of the week for the annual awards which bear the prince's name. The couple arrived on October 24th and met all the recipients of the different prizes which were started in 1980 before awarding them the insignia which goes with the prize.
The Prince and Princess of Asturias in Oviedo on October 24th 2013 with the winners of this year's Prince of Asturias awards
In the afternoon they held various audiences before attending an evening concert to mark the awards - the event included music by Richard Wagner to mark the 200th anniversary of his death.
The Prince and Princess of Asturias at the Prince Felipe theatre in Oviedo for a concert on October 24th 2013
The actual awards were celebrated on October 25th 2013 in the Campoamor Theare in Oviedo where the prince and princess presented scrolls to the recipients and Prince Felipe gave a speech. Winers this year included the photographer, Annie Liebowitz, and the physicist, Peter Higgs. Queen Sofia was also in attendance.
Queen Sofia with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia in Oviedo on October 25th 2013
The following day, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia were in Teverga in Asturias to present the award for outstanding locality which traditionally marks the end of the prizes and which is given for protecting culture, history or the environment. Teverga was chosen for its work to deal with the end of coal mining in the area and for the way in which people have preserved the natural environment all around them.
Prince Felipe unveils the plaque marking Teverga's prize as Outstanding Area for 2013 at the end of the three day visit he paid to Asturias along with Princess Letizia
The princess had already held several audiences earlier in the week. On October 21st she met members of the Mostoles centre working on children's education and language skills, named after her husband, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. And on the same day she helped mark the 50th anniversary of the magazine, Telva, by welcoming them to the Zarzuela Palace for an audience. And she ended her day of receptions by meeting some representatives from the Federation for People with Parkinson's Disease in Spain.
Princess Letizia with representative from the Spanish Federation for Parkinson's Disease at the Zarzuela Palace on October 21st 2013
Queen Sofia began her week by opening a new warehouse for the Food Banks of Madrid on October 21st 2013 - it has been partly financed by the Foundation which bears the queen's name.
Queen Sofia of Spain speaking to volunteers working with the Food Banks of Madrid on October 21st 2013
The following day she presented an award given by the Foundation for Help against Drug Addiction in a ceremony at the Zarzeula Palace. And on October 23rd 2013, in Madrid, the queen helped unveil ten principles aimed at the business community to help defend the rights of children.
Queen Sofia of Spain watches a message from the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, at the conference in Madrid on children's rights which she attended on October 23rd 2013
King Juan Carlos held several audiences, beginning on October 22nd 2013 at the Zarzuela where he met representatives from the Royal Academies ahead of the opening of their new year. And on October 24th he met the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezouar, at the Zarzuela.
The king of Spain with the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Salaheddine Mezouar, on October 24th 2013 during their audience
Belgium
The King and Queen of the Belgians began their week with an audience with Aun San Suu Kyi at their palace at Laeken - her visit was part of a European tour.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians with Aun San Suu Kyi on her visit to Belgium on October 19th 2013
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde also completed their Joyeuses Entrées in the week. On October 23rd they visited Eupen where they were greeted by around 3000 wellwishers. They took part in a walkaround and met local dignitaries as well as signing guest books.
Queen Mathilde of the Belgians greets some of the wellwishers who turned out to see her and husband, King Philippe, in Eupen on October 23rd 2013
And there were around 10,000 people waiting to greet the king and queen on the last of their Joyeuse Entrée in Bruges. They toured some of the famous canals to greet some of the spectators who had come to see them and enjoyed another of their working lunches before waving from the town hall balcony to end their introductory tour of their country as monarchs.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians during their last Joyeuse Entrée, in Bruges, on October 25th 2013
On October 21st 2013, the king held his regular audience with the prime minister, Elio di Rupo. Later on he met the Ambassador from Thailand, Apichart Chinwanno. And on the following day he held an audience with Rudi Vervoort, president of the regional government of Brussels. His final audience of the week, on October 24th, was with Kris Peeters, president of the government of Flanders. His other main solo engagement this week was on October 22nd 2013 when he attended events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and Arts in Brussels.
King Philippe of the Belgians at the 75th anniversary of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and Arts in Brussels on October 22nd 2013
Princess Astrid began a six day economic mission to Angola and South Africa on October 20th 2013 on behalf of the King. She met politicians, local firms and visited hospitals on the trip.
Princess Astrid on a visit to the Lucrecia Paim Hospital in Luanda on her visit to Angola between October 20th and 26th 2013
Financial and business issues are normally dealt with by the heir to the throne but Princess Elisabeth won't be involved until she comes of age. The princess turned 12 on October 25th and the royal household chose that day to announce that the offices of the Duke of Brabant, the official title of the heir to the throne, will be closed until Elisabeth turns eighteen.
Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, future queen regnant, turned 12 on October 25th 2013
At the end of the week, Prince Laurent and Princess Claire were in Marche-en-Famenne to see a major exhibition dedicated to families - called 1001 families.
Norway
King Harald and Queen Sonia held two receptions on October 21st 2013 in Oslo, the first to mark the renovations at Palace Square which are coming to an end and later that day to present the King's Medal of Merit. There was another ceremony for the Medal of Merit on October 22nd and on October 24th 2013 they held the traditional banquet at the Royal Palace for members of the House of Parliament. The dinner was introduce din 1906 by King Haakon. The Crown Prince, who bears his name, was also in attendance but Crown Princess Mette-Marit was missing after it was announced she will need another 6 to 8 weeks to recover from the condition that has made her unwell for over a month now.
King Harald and Queen Sonia of Norway at the annual dinner for Norway's parliament held at the Royal Palace on October 24th 2013
The king ended his week by going back to his youth when he attended an event to mark the centenary of the Norwegian Wrestling Federation on October 25th 2013. King Harald used to practice the sport. His life as king was at the fore for most of the week though. On October 21st 2013 the kind held an audience with the Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Home Guard and on October 24th with the Minister for Foreign Affairs with the queen also in attendance. On October 25th he was accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon Magnus for his audience with the Prime Minister. The heir to the throne also attended an extraordinary Council of State held by the King on October 25th 2013 as the new Norwegian government took office. But the Crown Prince spent most of the week in Finland on an official visit where he met the President Sauli Niinistö and the Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen. He also visited schools and businesses and attended a lunch to promote Norwegian sea food held at the Savoy Hotel in Helsinki.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway arriving in Helsinki at the start of his two day visit to Finland on October 22nd 2013
On his return to Norway, Crown Prince Haakon attended the opening of a park in memory of the Carl Frederiksens operation to rescue Jewish people in World War Two. The memorial in Oslo commemorates the brave actions which led to at least 1000 lives being saved.
Crown Prince Haakon at the opening of the Oslo park which commemorates the Carl Frederiksens Transport which saved the lives of many Jewish people in World War Two
The Netherlands
The king and queen of the Netherlands were in Greece this week and paid a courtesy visit to the president, Karolos Papoulias, and visited Orange Grove which encourages young people to take up business and entrepreneurship.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima in Orange Grove in Athens where they saw work to help young Dutch and Greek people get into business on October 22nd 2013
On October 25th Princess Margriet opened an exhibition of work by the French artist, Henri Fantin-Latour in Gouda.
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands opening an exhibition in Gouda of work by the French artist, Henri Fantin-Latour on October 25th 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment