Belgium
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde made two introductory visits to other European courts this week. On April 29th 2014, the monarchs were welcomed by King Carl XVI Gutstaf and Queen Silvia on a trip to Sweden.
The King and Queen of the Belgians are welcomed by the King and Queen of Sweden and their family during their one day trip to Stockholm on April 29th 2014
After their welcome, the royal couple had lunch with their hosts as well as Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel and Prince Carl Philip. In the afternoon, they met the Prime Minister of Sweden and the Speaker of Parliament. King Philippe is the grandson of Princess Astrid of Sweden. On the evening of April 329th, he and Queen Mathilde were guests at the court of Astrid's nephew, Harald V of Norway, who was accompanied by Queen Sonia as he welcomed the Belgian monarchs.
Queen Sonja of Norway greets King Philippe of the Belgians as he and Queen Mathilde arrived in Oslo on the evening of April 29th 2014
On April 30th 2014, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visited the Norwegian Parliament and met the President of the Storting before holding an audience with the Prime Minster of Norway.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde meet Norway's Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, on April 30th 2014
They went on to visit the Norsk Folkemuseum where they again met King Harald and Queen Sonja and the four monarchs later went to the Royal Palace in Oslo where they were joined by Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Astrid for a lunch.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde with their hosts, Harald and Sonja of Norway, and other members of the Norwegian Royal Family ahead of a lunch at the Royal Palace in Oslo on April 30th 2014
Earlier in the week, King Philippe had started the 100th running of the Liege Bastogne Liege cycle race. He got the cyclists under way on April 27th 2014.
King Philippe of the Belgians at the start of the 100th Liege Bastogne cycle race on April 27th 2014
The king held two audiences on April 28th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Firstly he had his regular meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio di Rupo, and he then received Delphine Persoon who had just won the lightweight world boxing title for the fourth time.
King Philippe with boxing champion, Delphine Persoon, on April 28th 2014
On April 27th 2014, King Albert and Queen Paola attended the canonisation Mass for Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII at the Vatican.
King Albert and Queen Paola of the Belgians at the Vatican on April 27th 2014 for the canonisation of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII
Spain
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were also at the canonisation mass at the Vatican, having arrived in Rome on April 26th 2014.
The King and Queen of Spain with Pope Francis at the canonisation of John Paul II and John XXIII
On April 28th 2014, the Spanish monarchs held a private audience with Pope Francis at his apartments in the Vatican. They spent almost an hour in private conversation and exchanged gifts.
King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Pope Francis I at their audience on April 28th 2014
The royal couple returned to Spain immediately afterwards and later the same day both were present to witness the new Agriculture Minister, Isabel Garcia Tejerina, take her official oath in a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia watch Isabel Garcia Tejerina take her oath as new Agriculture Minister on April 28th 2014
On April 29th 2014, King Juan Carlos travelled to Oman for a three day visit. On his arrival, he was welcomed officially at the the Museum of Muscat by the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos Bin Said, the Vice Prime Minister of Oman and several government ministers. The king then attended a meeting between delegations from Oman and Spain. In the evening, King Juan Carlos attended a dinner given in his honour by the Sultan of Oman at the Royal Palace.
King Juan Carlos of Spain with the Sultan on Oman at the Royal Palace in Oman on April 29th 2014
On April 30th 2014, the Spanish king was at the Duqm Special Economic Zone before making a speech at a business meeting and then attending the signing of co-operation agreements between Spain and Oman. King Juan Carlos had a series of audiences with politicians and dignitaries later in the day.
King Juan Carlos of Spain makes a speech at a business meeting on day two of his three day visit to Oman - April 30th 2014
On May 1st 2014, King Juan Carlos visited the headquarters of the Central Bank of Oman where he saw an exhibition of old bank notes and coins. The king then travelled to Bahrain for a two day visit and he was given an official welcome by the King of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The King of Spain and the King of Bahrain then attended a meeting with the country's authorities at the Palace of Gudaibiya before seeing several co-operation agreements between the two countries being signed. There was then an official lunch given in honour of King Juan Carlos. Later the same day, the King of Spain attended a business meeting. His official visit ended on May 2nd 2014.
King Juan Carlos with the King of Bahrain on May 1st 2014
On April 29th 2014, Queen Sofia travelled to the United Kingdom where she as greeted by the Spanish Ambassador to the UK. The queen spent the day in Oxford where she was guest of honour at a lunch given to mark the 700th anniversary of Exeter College. Queen Sofia made a speech in which she emphasised the importance of studying Spanish.
Queen Sofia of Spain makes a speech at a lunch held to mark the 700th anniversary of the foundation of Exeter College, Oxford on April 29th 2014
The queen also attended a symposium organised by the Department of Spanish at the University of Oxford and attended a performance of choral music in the chapel of Exeter College, Oxford.
Queen Sofia of Spain is given a tour of Exeter College, Oxford during her visit on April 29th 2014
On April 30th 2014, Queen Sofia was in London where she opened the library which will bear her name at the Cervantes Institute. The building will house more than 35,000 books on Spanish language and culture.
Queen Sofia of Spain opens the library named after her at the Cervantes Inistitute in London on April 30th 2014
On May 2nd 2014, Queen Sofia was in Palma, Mallorca where she was presented with the Marcial Sanchez Barcaiztegui prize in recognition of her services to the sport of sailing.
Queen Sofia of Spain is given a prize in recognition of her services to sailing at a ceremony in Palma, Mallorca on May 2nd 2014
On April 29th 2014, the Prince of Asturias chaired the meeting of the Scientific Council of the Elcano Royal Institute of International and Strategic Studies which took place in Madrid.
Prince Felipe at the meeting he chaired in Madrid on April 29th 2014
On April 28th 2014, Princess Letizia was at the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality where she attended a working meeting focusing on nutrition and the strategy on healthy eating, exercise and tackling obesity which was set up in 2005.
The Princess of Asturias at meeting on healthy eating and nutrition which took place at the Ministry of Health in Madrid on April 28th 2014
On April 30th 2014, the princess visited the Maria Moliner school in Madrid as part of her work with a project about rare illnesses that is running in colleges around school. The programme aims to help children understand rare conditions and the way they can affect young people's lives.
The Princess of Asturias at the Maria Moliner School in Madrid on April 30th 2014
On May 2nd 2014, the Prince and Princess of Asturias were accompanied by their two daughters, Leonor and Sofia, on an official public engagement for the first time. The family attended a ceremony at the San Javier Air Base in Murcia to mark the 25th anniversary of the graduation of the officer class of which Prince Felipe was a part.
The Prince and Princess of Asturias with their daughters at San Javier Air Base on May 2nd 2014
The two Infantas watched their father take part in the ceremony before joining others to watch an air display.
The Infantas Leonor and Sofia of Spain carried out their first public engagement on May 2nd 2014
Norway
The King and Queen of Norway hosted the King and Queen of the Belgians on an official introductory visit on April 29th and April 30th 2014.
King Harald of Norway and King Philippe of the Belgians in Oslo on April 30th 2014
On April 29th 2014, just before the arrival of the Belgian monarchs, the King and Queen of Norway had held a meeting with the Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities at the Royal Palace in Oslo. On April 28th 2014, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus held one of his regular Dignity Days, this time at Nord-Gudbrandsdal Upper Secondary School in Otta in central Norway.
Sweden
King Carl XVI Gustaf celebrated his 68th birthday on April 30th 2014. The king, accompanied by Prince Carl Philip, attended a ceremony in the Courtyard of the Royal Palace in Stockholm where several pieces of music were played to mark his birthday.
The King of Sweden and his son, Prince Carl Philip, at the ceremony held at the Royal Palace on April 30th 2014 to mark the king's 68th birthday
The king then met some of the wellwishers who had come along with cards and presents before appearing on the balcony with Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Princess Estelle and Prince Carl Philip.
Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Estelle and Prince Daniel on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Stockholm for the birthday celebrations of King Carl XVI Gustaf on April 30th 2014
The day before, April 29th 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia had officially welcomed the King and Queen of the Belgians to Stockholm as they made an introductory visit to Sweden.
King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the start of the introductory visit by the Belgian monarchs to Sweden on April 29th 2014
The king and queen had begun their week by attending a performance of Emigrants at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm on April 27th 2014. The play tells the story of those who left Sweden to live in America in the 19th century.
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia with drama manager, Marie-Louise Ekman, at a performance of Emigrants at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm on April 27th 2014
On April 29th 2014, King Carl XVI Gustaf held two farewell audiences for departing ambassadors. The king received the ambassadors from Chile and Ukraine at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
King Carl XVI Gustaf at the farewell audience for the outgoing ambassador of Chile, Horacio del Valle, on April 29th 2014
On April 28th 2014, the Queen of Sweden attended the Silvia's Inspiration event in Stockholm, which is held annually. The evening encourages inspiration among those working with people with dementia.
Queen Silvia of Sweden at the Silvia Inspiration event in Stockholm on April 29th 2014
Prince Daniel visited the headquarters of automation technology firm, ABB, in Vasteras in central Sweden on April 28th 2014. The prince saw several demonstrations of the company's work and heard about future projects.
Prince Daniel of Sweden during his visit to ABB on April 28 2014
United Kingdom
Prince Harry split from his girlfriend of two years, Cressida Bonas, during the week with rumours of their separation confirmed on April 30th 2014. The couple had been seen at several events in the past months leading to speculation that they were about to announce their engagement.
Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas in March 2014 - their split was confirmed on April 30th 2014
The prince flew to Memphis with his brother, Prince William, on May 1st 2014 where they were seen touring Graceland with their cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, before heading to the wedding of their close friend, Guy Pelly.
Prince Willliam and Prince Harry at Graceland on May 2nd 2014
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were in Dorset on May 1st 2014 to attend the funeral of her brother, Mark Shand, who died suddenly in New York in April 2014 after falling and hitting his head.
The Prince of Wales helps his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, as they leave the church in Dorset where the funeral of her brother, Mark Shand, had been held on May 1st 2014
On April 28th 2014, the Queen held a Council of State at Buckingham Palace. On the same day, Elizabeth II held an audience with the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. On April 29th 2014, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent the day in Wales. They began their tour in Narberth where they visited an equine recovery centre before spending some time at a bottled water company where they toured the facilities and heard about future projects.
The Queen at Cotts Equine Veterinary Hospital in Pembrokeshire on April 29th 2014
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had lunch at Haverfordwest Castle before visiting the Pembroke Dockyard Chapel where Elizabeth II unveiled a a curved timeline wall with the help of local schoolchildren. The Queen also opened the Dockyard Chapel as the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh then toured the new centre.
The Queen unveils a curved timeline wall at Pembroke Dockyard on April 29th 2014
On April 30th 2014, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Ystrad Mynach where they visited International Greetings UK in the company of the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones. The Queen opened the company's new facilities after she and the Duke of Edinburgh were given a tour of the company.
The Queen during her visit to Wales on April 30th 2014
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh later visited the United World College of the Atlantic in Llantwit Major where they heard a performace from an a capella choir as well as meeting students and staff.
The Queen during her visit to Wales on April 30th 2014
On April 28th 2014, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Royal Air Force Defence Radar Musuem in Norwich - he is Marshal of the RAF. On April 29th 2014, during the visit he made to Haverfordwest with the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh spent some time at Puffin Produce Limited to see their work.
Prince Philip during his visit to Puffin Produce in Haverfordwest on April 29th 2014
The Prince of Wales, using his Scottish title of Duke of Rothesay, visited Ballater Caravan Park in Aberdeenshire on April 28th 2014 to meet some of the people living there and to hear about how the community has been working to improve the tourist spot.
The Duke of Rothesay visiting Ballater Caravan Park on April 28th 2014
The Duke of York held a series of audiences at Buckingham Palace on May 1st for some of the charities and organisations of which he is patron including the Outward Bound Trust. In the evening, Prince Andrew attended a reception for the Cumberland Cup at the Royal Thames Yacht Club. On April 28th 2014, the Earl of Wessex held several meetings for some of the charities with which he is involved and also held a lunch at Mansion House in the City of London for the Commonwealth Games Foundation of which he is patron. On April 29th 2014, the Earl of Wessex held a reception at St James Palace for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Standard winners before visiting the offices, in London, of Paralympic GB of which he is patron.
The Earl of Wessex at the offices of Paralympic GB in London on April 29th 2014
On April 30th 2014, Prince Edward attended the Prince Philip Trust Race Day at Ascot - he is the chairman of their trustees. On May 1st 2014, the Earl and Countess of Wessex visited Wiltshire where they spent some time at Stonehenge and saw the new Visitors' Centre.
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The Earl and Countess of Wessex at Stonehenge on May 1st 2014
The royal couple then attended the rededication of the Airman's Cross near Amesbury and later opened the Wessex Gallery at Salisbury Museum. The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the Parish Church of St Thomas and St Edmund in Salisbury before carrying out separate engagements. The earl, as Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, visited St Edmund's School in Salibury while the countess, President of Girlguiding, spent some time at Wiltshire South Guide Centre in Brewick St James. In the evening, the couple attended the Royal Wessex Yeomanry Employer Engagement reception and later the Royal Wiltshire Yeomnary Dinner in Salisbury.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex at Salisbury Museum on May 1st 2014
On May 2nd 2014, the couple continued their tour of Wessex with a visit to Weymouth Fire Station. The couple then went on to visit Milton Abbey.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex during their visit to Milton Abbey on May 2nd 2014
On April 29th 2014, the Countess of Wessex had visited Staffordshire where she opened the new service centre of the NSPCC in Newcastle-under-Lyme - she is the charity's president. Later the same day, the countess opened 'the Story of JCB' at JCB headquarters in Rocester. The last engagement of the day was to open the Autism Centre in Chesterfield, Derbyshire - the Countess of Wessex is Patron of the National Autistic Society.
The Countess of Wessex at the opening of the new service centre for the NSPCC on April 29th 2014
The Princess Royal received the Prime Minsiter of Japan at Buckingham Palace on May 1st 2014. Later the same day, Princess Anne held an investiture on behalf of the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The Princess Royal with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, at their audience at Buckingham Palace on May 1st 2014
Denmark
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik continued their tour of China and travelled by high speed rail to Nanjing on April 26th 2014 ahead of a day of engagements in the city the following day. On April 27th 2014, the queen and her consort attended the opening of a conference on sustainable urbanisation before visiting the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark, in blue, during her visit to the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre on April 27th 2014
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik went on to visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and then travelled to Jiaxing where the queen unveiled the foundation stone for Lego's new factory there.
Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Prince Henrik at the new Lego factory in Jiaxing on April 27 2014
On the last day of their tour, April 28th 2014, the royal couple attended a seminar on Investment and Innovation with Prince Henrik making the main speech.
Prince Henrik of Denmark makes the keynote speech at an investment conference in China on April 28th 2014
The queen visited an exhibition about Danish design before the couple held a press conference to mark the end of the tour at their hotel.
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik at the press conference which marked the end of their state visit to China on April 28th 2014
On their return to Denmark, the queen and prince went to Fredensborg where they took part in the traditional reception of torchlight in the castle courtyard. Every year, when the royal couple first take up residence in Fredensborg, there is a torchlight procession from the station to the castle where Queen Margrethe receives the torchlight and makes a speech.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik at Fredensborg on April 30 2014
Earlier the same day, the Prince Consort had received the first potatoes at a ceremony at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.
Prince Henrik receives the first potatoes at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen on April 30th 2014
On April 27th 2014, Crown Princess Mary made a speech at a conference in Nyborg held by Amnesty International and titled 'My Body, My Rights'.
Crown Princess Mary in Nyborg for the Amnesty International Conference she attended on April 27th 2014
On April 28th 2014, Crown Princess Mary helped launch the annual 'Save a Mother's Life on Mother's Day' campaign at an event at the Danish Design Centre in Copenhagen. The campaign focuses on maternal health and mortality and culminates on Mother's Day in Denmark - this year it falls on May 11th.
Crown Princess Mary makes a speech at the maternal health event she attended on April 28th 2014
The princess presented the Brain Trust Prize, an award for scientists, on May 1st at a ceremony held in Copenhagen.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrives at the Brain Trust Prize on May 1st 2014
Princess Benedikte marked her 70th birthday on April 29th 2014 with the princess and her sisters, Queen Margrethe and Queen Anne Marie, posing for a photograph.
Benedikte, Anne Marie and Margrethe of Denmark pose for a photo to mark Benedikte's 70th birthday - April 29th 2014
Queen Margrethe II awarded her younger sister the Medal of the Order of Danneborg on her birthday in recognition of her service to Denmark. The royal family enjoyed several celebrations including a lunch on May 2nd 2014 at the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen and a family banquet at Berleburg on her actual birthday of April 29th 2014.
Princess Benedikte with her family at Berleburg on April 29th 2014 - her 70th birthday
Monaco
On April 30th 2014, Prince Albert was in Aubagne for a service of commemoration for the Battle of Camaron which was fought by the Foreign Legion in 1863.
Prince Albert of Monaco at the service of commemoration for the Battle of Camaron which he attended in Aubagne on April 30th 2014
Princess Charlene was in Los Angeles this week and on April 29th 2014 she was presented with the Champion of Children Award by the actress, Reese Witherspoon.
Princess Charlene of Monaco at the lunch in Los Angeles where she was presented with the Champion of Children Award
The royal family of the Netherlands had no official engagements during the week.
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