United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II met Pope Francis I in a private audience at the Vatican. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent around twenty minutes talking to the pope in his study at the Casa Santa Marta. It was an informal audience and the Queen wore a lilac suit and hat rather than the black evening dress and veil that she had used in her past visits to the Vatican.
The Queen and the Pope during their meeting at the Vatican on April 3rd 2014
The Queen and the Pope exchanged gifts with Elizabeth II presenting Francis I with a hamper of goods from the royal estate and a signed photograph. The Pope gave the Queen a copy of a document signed by Edward the Confessor, England's only royal saint, and an orb of lapis lazuli topped with a silver cross of St Edward the Confessor for Prince George.
The gift of Pope Francis I to George of Cambridge
The audience was part of a one day visit to Italy. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had arrived in Rome that morning and gone on to an official welcome by President Giorgio Napolitano at the Palazzo del Quirinale.
Elizabeth II and President Napolitano at the Palazzo del Quirinale on April 3rd 2014
The Queen, Europe's second youngest head of state, posed for photographs with the oldest head of state on the continent before they, along with the Duke of Edinburgh and Clio Napolitano, enjoyed lunch in a room with a 360 degrees view of Rome.
The formal photo call for Queen Elizabeth II and President Napolitano during the royal visit on April 3rd 2014
Earlier in the week the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Duke of Cambridge, visited Brigidine School Windsor where the Queen unveiled a Diamond Jubilee state of the Windsor Greys. On April 1st 2014, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip gave a dinner party at Windsor Castle at which the Earl and Countess of Wessex were also present.
The Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Cambridge admire the statue of the Windsor Greys which the Queen has just unveiled on a visit to Windsor on March 31st 2014
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Northern Ireland in the week. They arrived on April 1st 2014 and went to Enniskillen in County Fermanagh where they visited Enniskillen Castle and later Florence Court which is owned by the National Trust of which the prince is patron. In the evening the couple held a reception at Hillsborough Castle in County Down.
The Duchess of Cornwall meets schoolchildren on the first day of her visit to Northern Ireland - April 1st 2014
On April 2nd 2014 the Prince of Wales held an Historic Royal Palaces meeting at Hillsborough Castle and later, also at Hillsborough, a meeting of The Prince's Foundation for Building Community. Prince Charles held an investiture on behalf of the Queen before being joined by the Duchess of Cornwall for a visit to 2 Mercian Regiment at Holywood Barracks in County Down. The prince then went on to meet 5 Regiment Army Air Corps at Aldergrove in County Antrim while the duchess met finalists of the Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom competition at the Courthouse, Hillsborough.
The Prince of Wales signs the guest book at Florence Court during his visit on April 1st 2014
On April 3rd 2014, the Prince of Wales arrived in a black cab for a service for the Hackney Cab Drivers in London. He tipped the cabbie ten pounds at the end of his journey.
The Prince of Wales got a black cab to a service for taxi drivers in London on April 3rd 2014
On the same day, the prince held a meeting at Clarence House for The Prince's Regeneration Trust and after holding several audiences he and the Duchess of Cornwall gave a dinner for the Turquoise Mountain Trust of which Prince Charles is patron. The duchess had held a reception earlier in the day at Clarence House for the Royal Bath and West Society of which she is patron. On April 4th 2014, the Prince of Wales held an investiture on behalf of the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Gloria Barnwell receives the OBE from Prince Charles for her services to the community in Gorton, Manchester at an investiture at Buckingham Palace on April 4th 2014
Prince Harry got to play on the swings on April 4th 2014 when he joined the Mayor of London to re-open the Queen Elizabeth Park in Stratford, east London, which played host to the Olympic Games in 2012. The park is now open to the public who can use many of the facilities built for the games. Harry tried out a rope bridge, some new bikes and the swings as he helped re-launch the park.
Prince Harry tries out one of the bikes provided by BikeWorks UK, a charity using cycling to overcome social problems, as he opened the Olympic Park in London on April 4th 2014
On April 2nd 2014, the Duke of York made history when he became the first royal to take and tweet a selfie at a palace. The picture trended on many media outlets.
The Duke of York takes a selfie at St James Palace on April 2nd 2014
The prince was hosting Pitch at the Palace, an event offering twelve businesses the chance to pitch for funding and support in front of a room of entrepreneurs with three prizes being given out at the end.
The Duke of York during Pitch at the Palace on April 2nd 2014
Earlier the same day, the Duke of York had held an audience at Buckingham Palace. The duke spent much of his week at the palace. On March 31st 2014, he held an audience there with the President of Tanzania who was visiting the United Kingdom. On the same day, Prince Andrew launched the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award at Buckingham Palace and then held a dinner there later for the UK Space Industry. On April 1st 2014, the prince held several audiences at the palace as well as a meeting for the Institute of Physics. In the evening he attended the rededication of HMS President at St Katherine's Way in London.
The Duke of York is joined by Will.I.Am to launch the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award at Buckingham Palace on March 31st 2014
The Earl of Wessex held several meetings at Buckingham Palace through the week for the Duke of Edinburgh Award of which he is a Trustee. On April 1st 2014, the earl attended a Business Breakfast for the Awards at The Savoy in London. On the same day he was present, in the City of London, at the Spring Court and Lunch of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners of which he is Master. On April 2nd 2014, the Earl of Wessex travelled to Bath where he chaired a Court Meeting and attended the Foiuders Day Lecture at the University of Bath - he is its Chancellor. In the evening he attended the university's Founders Dinner. On April 3rd 2014, Prince Edward visited the Sports Training Village at the University of Bath in his role as both Chancellor and as patron of the British Paralympic Association.
The Earl of Wessex speaks to students at the University of Bath on April 2nd 2014
The Countess of Wessex visited Cornwall on March 31st 2014 where she firstly spent some time at Lynher Dairies Cheese Company on Ponsanooth before moving on to the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge where she held the President's Party for the Royal Cornwall Show which takes place at the grounds in the summer. The countess is president of the show for 2014.
The Countess of Wessex is presented with Cornish daffodils and clotted cream by Michael Williams as she held the President's Party in Wadebridge ahead of the Royal Cornwall Show which will take place this summer
The Princess Royal sparked debate in the week when she told the BBC's Countryfile programme that she thought the most humane way of controlling badgers in the wild was to gas them. The princess has an estate in Gloucestershire where the government has piloted a controversial badger cull which supporters claim will help eradicate TB in cattle. Opponents say there is no link between badgers and TB in cattle. The princess also said there were too many horses in Britain. The programme is broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 6th April 2014.
The Princess Royal speaking to the BBC's Countryfile programme - her comments made news when she talked about gassing badgers as a humane way of culling
At the beginning of the week, Princess Anne was in Oxford where she attended the Conference Study in her role as President of the Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences. On March 31st, the princess was in East Sussex where she attended a Charity Race Day at Plumpton Racecourse in her role as President of Racing Welfare. Princess Anne later attended a fundraising dinner in London for the Woolf Institute of which she is patron.
The Princess Royal at Plumpton Racecourse on April 1st 2014
The Princess Royal began April 1st 2014 with an audience at Buckingham Palace with the Northern Lighthouse Board - she is their patron. The princess then went on to a Gangs Conference in London held by another of her charities, Catch22. In the afternoon, Princess Anne was at a Skills Symposium in London organised by the City and Guilds Institute of which she is President before going on to visit Youth Programmes run by St John Ambulance at Hackney in east London. In the evening, the princess held a dinner at St James' Palace for RedR United Kingdom of which she is President. On April 3rd 2014, the Princess Royal was at Aintree where she attended 50th anniversary celebrations for the Injured Jockeys Fund of which she is patron as well as spending some time watching the races run on day one of the Aintree Grand National Festival. Princess Anne, who is the President of World Horse Welfare, went on to visit the Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool. And on April 5th 2014, the princess returned to Aintree for the Grand National - a horse owned by her son-in-law, Mke Tindall, went into the race as one of the favourites but ended up finishing seventh.
The Princess Royal at Aintree Racecourse on Day One of the Grand National Festival on April 3rd 2014
Sweden
The King and Queen of Sweden visited the World Heritage Site of Visby on the island of Gotland on March 29th where they toured the city before having lunch with its governor. In the afternoon they saw a production of the musical 'Swedish Villagers - the Sky Our Roof Earth Our Floor'. In February 2014, the Swedish king granted his second granddaughter, Princess Leonore, the title of Duchess of Gotland.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia meet the cast of Swedish Villagers, the musical they saw during their visit to Visby in Gotland on March 29th 2014
On April 1st 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf visited Halland in south west Sweden where he visited Mostorps Farm and its shop and heard about the growth in farm shops in the area. He went on to a lunch before opening the Herting Rapids which will help fish migrate and breed. He had heard about the Rapids' role in sustainability in the area at an earlier meeting. The last engagement of the day was a tour of the area.
King Carl XVI Gustaf is given a tour of Falkenberg during his visit to Halland on April 1st 2014
On April 2nd 2014, the king spent the day touring parts of Stockholm to hear how the capital of Sweden is preparing for the population expansion that is predicted over the coming decade. He heard from planners and viewed projects to provide new housing as well as improve quality of life by upgrading the road and rail infrastructure.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Swedn visits a construction project providing new student accommodation on his day tour of Stockholm on April 2nd 2014
On April 3rd 2014, the King of Sweden presented the annual Swedish Quality Award which recognises work by organisations to provide a good quality of life. This year's winners were Happy Hudik School in Hudiksvall in eastern Sweden.
King Carl XVI Gustaf presenting the Quality Award to Anita Westerberg and Lena Lingman, the founders of the Happy Hudik School which won this year's prize
On March 31st 2014, Queen Silvia held a meeting of her organisation, Queen Silvia's Foundation: Care About the Children at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The foundation provides grants to Swedish and international organisations which help disadvantaged children.
Queen Silvia of Sweden at the meeting she held on March 31st 2014 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visited the Employment Offices in Solna, just outside Stockholm, on April 1st 2014 to hear about ongoing work and to meet some of the people using the services to find work.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel visiting the Employment Office in Solna on April 1st 2014
Prince Daniel had already visited Solna earlier in the week. On March 31st 2014, he spent some time at the Centre for Molecular Medicine at the Karolinska University Hospital learning about their work.
Prince Daniel learns about the work going on at the Centre for Molecular Medicine in Solna during his visit on March 31st 2014
Prince Carl Philip presented the White Guide Junior Award for best school restaurant at a ceremony in Stockholm on March 31st 2014. The winners were Fridaskolan in Molnlycke near Gothenberg.
Prince Carl Philip with the winners of school restaurant of the year - he presented the prize on March 31st 2014
At the end of the week, April 4th, the Swedish monarchs began a two day tour of the Netherlands to mark 400 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. After a formal reception in Amsterdam, King Carl XVI Gustaf and King Willem-Alexander attended a seminar on economic opportunities for their countries while Queen Silvia and Queen Maxima visited a complex of homes for people with dementia.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia with their hosts, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, on a walking tour of Amsterdam on April 4th 2014
The two kings and two queens also enjoyed a walking tour of Amsterdam and in the evening of April 4th 2014 they were joined by Princess Beatrix for a state banquet.
A royal photocall during ahead of the state banquet that marked the visit of the King and Queen of Sweden to the Netherlands. It was held on April 4th 2014
On April 5th 2014, the King and Queen of Sweden with the King and Queen of the Netherlands visited the Riksmuseum in Amsterdam where they saw art from Sweden as well as Dutch works. A new book about the relationship between their two countries was also presented. The visit finished with the royals viewing the document signed in 1614 which established diplomatic relations between Sweden and the Netherlands. To end their trip, the King and Queen of Sweden visited the oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum in Haarlem, which focuses on science and art.
A final photo for friends - King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia pose with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the Rijksmuseum on the second day of their visit to the Netherlands, April 5th 2014
The Netherlands
The week that ended with a visit from the Swedish monarchs had begun for the King of the Netherlands with a series of receptions and audiences. On March 31st 2014, King Willem-Alexander received the President of Botswana, Pierre Nkurunziza, at an audience at the Eikenhorst in Wassenaar.On April 1st 2014, the Dutch king, with the queen, began a series of receptions for members of parliament which also took place on April 3rd. On April 2nd 2014, King Willem-Alexander received the letters of credentials of the new ambassadors of Spain and Iran at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. Later the same day, the king opened the new Centre for Innovation: The Gallery at the Knowledge Park Twente in Enschede. It provides facilities for knowledge intensive companies.
On April 4th 2014, King Willem-Alexander held an audience with the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.
On April 2nd 2014, Queen Maxima launched a new lifeboat at a ceremony in IJmuiden in the north of the Netherlands. The new boat, the Nh1816, is owned by the Royal Dutch Rescue Organisation.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visits an interactive exhibition in the lobby of the Centre for Innovation: The Gallery which he opened on April 2nd 2014
On April 4th 2014, King Willem-Alexander held an audience with the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague.
King Willem-Alexander meets Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leone, at the Noordeinde Palace on April 4th 2014
On April 2nd 2014, Queen Maxima launched a new lifeboat at a ceremony in IJmuiden in the north of the Netherlands. The new boat, the Nh1816, is owned by the Royal Dutch Rescue Organisation.
Queen Maxima of the Nethelands launches a lifeboat on April 2nd 2014
Belgium
The King and Queen of the Belgians hosted the President of China, Xi Jinping, and his wife Peng Liyuan, on a state visit on March 30th 2014. The visit began with an official welcome at the Royal Palace in Brussels where the king presented the President with the Order of Leopold.
The King and Queen of the Belgians welcome the President of China and his wife on a three day state visit which began on March 30th 2014
Later that day, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde accompanied the President and First Lady to the Pairi Daiza Animal Park near Brussels where they saw two pandas loaned to Belgium by China. Hao Hao and Xing Hui arrived in February 2014. The king and the President also unveiled a statue to officially open the panda house at the park.
The King of the Belgians and the President of China open the panda house at the Pairi Daiza Animal Park on March 30th 2014
On March 31st 2014, President Xi Jinping met the Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio di Rupo, and Peng Liyuan accompanied Queen Mathilde to the MIM Museum in Brussels for a demonstration of music and musical instruments.
Queen Mathilde and Peng Liyuan during their visit to the MIM Museum on March 31st 2014
Later that day, the king and queen held a state banquet for the President and his wife at the Chateau de Laeken.
The King and Queen of the Belgians with the President and First Lady of China before the state banquet held at Laeken on March 31st 2014
On April 1st 2014, the royal couple accompanied their guests to Ghent where they visited car maker, Volvo.
The monarchs and their guests at the Volvo factory in Gent on April 1st 2014
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde along with Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan then moved to Bruges where the President of China made a speech at the College of Europe.
The King and Queen of the Belgians waiting to greet the President of China and his wife as they arrive in Bruges on April 1st 2014
The visit ended with an official farewell ceremony in Bruges before the President of China and his wife left for the airport.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde with Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan at the end of the state visit in Bruges on April 1st 2014
On their return to Brussels, the king and queen headed to the Chateau de Laeken where they gave a dinner on the evening of April 1st 2014 for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, and his wife, Yoo Soon-taek.
The King and Queen of the Belgians at the Chateau de Laeken on April 1st 2014 where they held a dinner for the Secretary General of the United Nations and his wife
On April 3rd 2014, the king and queen held a reception at the Royal Palace in Brussels for the delegations attending the Africa-EU Summit taking place in the Belgian capital. The theme of the summit was 'investing in people for prosperity and peace'.
King Philippe at the reception for delegations to the Africa-EU Summit which he and Queen Mathilde hosted on April 3rd 2014 at the Royal Palace in Brussels
King Philippe also held several audiences throughout the week at the Royal Palace in Brussels. On March 31st he held his regular meeting with Belgian Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo, and on April 2nd 2014 the king was present for the swearing in of several legal officials - the Belgian Justice Minister, Annemie Turtelboom was also in attendance. On April 4th 2014, the Belgian King held an audience with representatives of the traders and artisans of the Abattoir Quarter in Anderlecht who presented him with an Easter lamb. In the week it was also confirmed that Prince Laurent had left intensive care where he had been treated for several days for pneumonia. His parents and sister, Astrid, were seen visiting him in hospital.
Princess Astrid and King Albert II of the Belgians are seen during their visit to Prince Laurent in hospital - the prince left intensive care in the week
Denmark
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark held a press conference on April 4th 2014 ahead of her state visit to China later this year. Earlier in the week it had been announced that the queen has become the patron of the European Capital of Culture in Aarhus project - the city takes the title in 2017.
Queen Margrethe II during her press conference given on April 4th 2014 ahead of her state visit to China later this year
The programme of events to mark Prince Henrik's 80th birthday in June 2014 was also announced and will include an exhibition about the prince at the Frederiksborg Palace in Copenhagen as well as a gala performance and a prize giving of awards from the Prince Consort's Foundation.
Prince Henrik with Queen Margrethe - there will be a range of events to mark his 80th birthday this summer
Crown Prince Frederik started the IAAF Al-Bank World Half Marathon on March 29th 2014 in front of the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark starting the half marathon in Copenhagen on March 29th 2014
Crown Princess Mary made a two day visit to Estonia, starting on April 1st 2014. The princess' first engagement was at a kindergarten in the capital, Tallinn, which has been using No Bullying tools for four years.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at a kindergarten in Tallinn where she heard about anti bullying projects that have been used since 2010
Princess Mary went on to open the Danish King's Garden in Tallinn, alongside the city's mayor. It has been partly funded by Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik's Fund and which symbolises bilateral relations between Denmark and Estonia.
Crown Princess Mary opens the Danish King's Garden in Tallinn on April 1st 2014
The princess then visited a photographic exhibition about the renovation of Frederik VIII's Palace which is being held in part of the City Museum in Tallinn and later was given a reception at the city's Town Hall. In the evening, the Crown Princess met the President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik, and his wife, Evelin Ilves, at their official residence.
Princess Mary of Denmark signs the visitor's book as she meet the President of Estonia and his wife on April 1st 2014
On April 2nd 2014, the princess attended a No Bullying conference in Tallinn where she gave a speech and heard about projects to stop bullying in Estonian schools.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark speaking at a No Bullying conference in Tallinn on April 2nd 2014
The princess went on to a Danish-Estonian seminar on sustainable fashion before going to the Danish Embassy in Tallinn where the ambassador hosted a lunch in her honour. In the afternoon Crown Princess Mary visited another school which uses No Bullying projects and then spent some time at the Estonian Children's Literature Centre. Her last engagement was a concert and reception for the Danish community in Estonia at the famous Blackhead's House in Tallinn.
Crown Princess Mary at the Estonian Children's Literature Centre on April 2nd 2014
On April 3rd 2014, Crown Princess Mary opened new housing for veterans. The YMCA Soldiers' Home in Hovelte will provide accommodation for soldiers who need extra support. The princess if patron of the YMCA Soldiers' Mission.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark opening the YMCA Soldiers' Home on April 3rd 2014
Prince Frederik and Princess Mary were joined by the eldest children, Prince Christian and Princess Isabella, on the Directions Day in Rudeskov. The annual day features 43 events around Denmark all centred on orienteering.
Prince Frederik, Prince Christian, Princess Mary and Princess Isabella at the end of Directions Day on April 5th 2014
On April 2nd 2014, Princess Marie took part in a run for World Autism Day. The princess is patron of the National Association for Autism and helped organise the national event 'Run for adults with Autism'.
Princess Marie of Denmark on the run she took part in on World Autism Day on April 2nd 2014
Monaco
Princess Charlene also marked World Autism Day by illuminating the Prince's Palace in Monaco the colour of the autism campaign - blue. The princess, along with Prince Albert, flicked the switch which flooded the building blue on World Autism Day, April 2nd 2014.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco at the event to illuminate the Prince's Palace blue to mark World Autism Day on April 2nd 2014
On March 30th 2014, the royal couple gave out diplomas from the Monaco Red Cross at an awards ceremony at the Prince Rainier III auditorium.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene at the Red Cross event they attended on March 30th 2014
On April 4th 2014, Prince Albert was accompanied by Princess Caroline and her eldest son, Andrea Casiraghi, at the premiere of a film about Albert I of Monaco. The great grandfather of Albert II and Caroline was a keen cinematographer who made many films of ocean life and many of the images have been restored and are the subject of the new film which was screened at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco.
Albert II leads Monaco's royal family at a screening of a film about Albert I on April 4th 2014
Norway
On March 31st 2014, King Harald presented the Thor Heyerdahl International Environment Prize at a ceremony in Oslo. It was awarded to Rolls Royce for its work in reducing emissions from ships in a project called 'Environmental Ship'.
King Harald of Norway presents the Thor Heyerdahl International Environment Prize on March 31st 2014
On April 2nd 2014, King Harald was at the Technical Museum in Oslo where he opened a new exhibition called 'THINGS: Technology and Democracy' which showcases technologies which have become important in modern Norway.
King Harald opens the THINGS exhibition in Oslo on April 2nd 2014
The king held a series of audiences throughout the week at the Royal Palace in Oslo. On April 3rd, accompanied by Queen Sonja, he met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and later, without the queen, he received the letters of credentials from the new ambassadors of Montenegro, Kosovo and Cyprus. On April 4th 2014, King Harald held an audience with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, and held a Council of State - Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was also present at both meetings. The king ended his week by attending the government's celebrations of the achievements of Norwegian athletes at the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games which took place in Sochi in February 2014. Queen Sonja held an audience at the Royal Palace on April 3rd 2014 for representatives of Norwegian ballet and opera. Later the same day, the queen began a two day visit to the Red Cross Nordic United World College - Queen Sonja is one of its patrons. On the first day of her trip she ate with the students in the canteen before visiting the student village and attending a cultural show. On April 5th, Queen Sonja laid a foundation stone for the new Visitors' Centre.
Queen Sonja of Norway at the UWC Red Cross Nordic during her visit on April 4th and 5th 2014
On April 1st 2014, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus was rescued from cold waters when he took part in a Life Company exercise off the east coast of Norway. The planned rescue involved the prince putting on a special survival suit and jump into the waters before a line was attached to him and he was rescued. It was part of a day of preparation for the Life Company which has 46 boats covering waters around Norway.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus jumps into waters off the east coast of Norway to be rescued as part of preparation exercises for the Life Company - he visited their operations on April 1st 2014
On April 2nd 2014, Prince Haakon Magnus attended another Dignity Day, this time at Thor Heyerdahl School in Larvik. And on April 3rd 2014, the prince was in Oslo for a conference on outreach social work. Outreach Work 2014 was organised by the Oslo Welfare Authority and focused on the services provided for at risk youth groups.
Crown Prince Haakon Magnus speaks at an conference on social work which took place in Oslo on April 3rd 2014
On April 1st 2014, Crown Princess Mette-Marit began a two day journey on a 'literature train' which journeyed through different parts of Norway to encourage people to enjoy books and reading on a more regular basis.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit posted this photo of herself on the Literature Train Instagram account to mark her journey through Norway
The train was equipped with a book cafe and a library trolley as well as a selection of the Crown Princess' favourite books. As the train made its ways between stops, the Crown Princess shared her thoughts on reading and some of her favourite books via social media and gave an exclusive Twitter interview before the event began. The train stopped in Fauske, Rognan, Mo i Rana, Mosjoen, Snasa and Steinkjer on its two day trip with the Crown Princess giving readings at each station.
The whole royal family gave their support to the literature train project with this photo being posted on the Crown Princess' Twitter account as the journey came to an end
Spain
The King and Queen of Spain and the Prince and Princess of Asturias attended the funeral of former Spanish Prime Minister, Adolfo Suarez, which took place at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid on March 31st 2014. The Infanta Elena was unable to attend as she was at a funeral service in Madrid for her former mother-in-law, the dowager Countess of Ripalda, who died in March 2014.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia during the funeral for Adolfo Suarez on March 31st 2014
On April 1st 2014, King Juan Carlos presented the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit to Spanish Paralympic swimmer, Teresa Perales, who attended the ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace with her family. Queen Sofia, Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia and the Infanta Elena were also present.
The Spanish Royal Family at a reception for Teresa Perales at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid
Later the same day, at the Royal Palace in Madrid, the royal family watched as King Juan Carlos presented the Collar of the Insignia of the Golden Fleece - the Toison d'Or - to the former Secretary General of the Ibero-American Conference, Enrique V Iglesias. It is the highest honour that the king can bestow.
King Juan Carlos presents Enrique Iglesias with the Toison d'Or at a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Madrid on April 1st 2014
On April 2nd 2014, the king held an audience with Enrique V. Iglesias and with his successor as Secretary General of the Ibero-American Conference, Rebeca Grynspan, at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. On April 3rd 2014, the king held an audience with the Municipal Corporation of the city of La Union in Murcia at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
The King of Spain with the Mayor of La Union, Murcia - Francisco Bernabe - at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on April 3rd 2014
Queen Sofia presented several awards which bear her name and which recognise achievement in the fields of improving life for people with disabilities at a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid on April 1st 2014.
Queen Sofia of Spain at the Disability Awards ceremony which took place at the Zarzuela Palace on April 1st 2014
Queen Sofia oversaw the Solemn of the Guard at the Royal Palace in Madrid on April 2nd - the ceremony takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. The queen watched the events from the balcony of the Throne Room before meeting some of the guards.
Queen Sofia of Spain at the ceremony of the Solemn Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace in Madrid on April 3rd 2014
The Queen of Spain visited the Donana Nature Reserve at Almonte in Huelva on April 3rd 2014 and spent several hours walking through its grounds and hearing about the projects going on there. The Reserve is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Queen Sofia watching some of the wildlife on the Donana Nature Reserve which she visited on
April 3rd 2014
The queen ended her week by attending a concert on April 5th 2014 at the National Auditorium in Madrid which was given by the Arab Diplomatic Ladies Association to raise funds for children in vulnerable situations in Syria.
Queen Sofia with some of the organisers of the concert she attended in Madrid on April 5th 2014
The Prince and Princess of Asturias opened the International Exhibition of Food and Drink in Barcelona on March 31st 2014. Around 3,800 companies are taking part and 140,000 visitors were expected in the four days the event ran.
The Prince and Princess of Asturias at one of the stands at the food and drink exhibition which they opened on March 31st 2014
Prince Felipe attended an exercise being carried out by the Military Emergency Unit on April 1st 2014. The exercise, in Bunol, is to test the unit's ability to respond to a large earthquake. The prince heard about the exercise before seeing some of the work going on.
Prince Felipe sees some of the work on an exercise to test the abilities of the Military Emergency Unit to deal with an earthquake - the exercise took place in Bunol on April 1st 2014
The prince ended his week by closing the first European Forum for Industry and Entrepreneurship which had been taking place in Zaragoza. The prince gave a speech at the event on April 2nd 2014. The Princess of Asturias had given a speech the night before when she presented the 2014 Awards for Children's Literature at a ceremony in Madrid. In her speech the princess spoke of how reading was a way to be happy before presenting the prizes.
The Princess of Asturias giving a speech at the Children's Literature Awards in Madrid on April 1st 2014
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