Princess Antoinette of Monaco's Funeral – 24 March 2011

The remains of Princess Antoinette of Monaco can be visited by the public today and tomorrow. A book of condolences is available for signing at the Cour d'honneur of the Princely Palace.

The funeral will take place on Thursday at 10am at the Cathedral of Monaco. The burial will take place in private at the Chapelle de la Paix, where the remains of Princess Antoinette's husband, John Gilpin, and those of Stefano Casiraghi (husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco) repose in eternal peace.

©Getty Images

Crown Prince Alexander Signs Japanese Condolence Book

Accompanied by his wife, Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia signed the book of condolences at the Japanese Embassy, Belgrade.

THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES SIGN BOOK OF CONDOLENCES AT THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN 

Belgrade, 18 March 2011 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine signed today the book of condolences at the Embassy of Japan, in honour of the victims of earthquake and huge tsunami that struck the country on March 11. Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki, ambassador of Japan to Serbia. 

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine wrote: “We are deeply touched by the terrific misfortune that struck the people and the Empire of Japan. 

To all the people of Japan, to the government of His Imperial Majesty, we extend our condolences, our support and our confidence that the nation of Japan will, as many times before, overcome this tragedy.”

 http://www.royalfamily.org/statements/state-det/state-2368_eng.html

William and Catherine: The Wedding Carriages

The Wedding Carriages

22nd March 2011

The 1902 State Landau was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902

At the end of their wedding service at Westminster Abbey, Prince William and Miss Middleton will travel in the 1902 State Landau along the Processional Route to Buckingham Palace. In the event of severely wet weather, the couple will travel in The Glass Coach.

There will be five horse-drawn carriages in the Carriage Procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. The first carriage will be the 1902 State Landau or Glass Coach carrying the Bride and the Bridegroom. The second and third carriages will be Ascot Landaus carrying the Best Man, Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids. The fourth carriage will be a Semi-State Landau carrying The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The fifth carriage will be a Semi-State Landau carrying The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Mr and Mrs Middleton.

The 1902 State Landau, the Glass Coach, the Ascot and Semi-State Landaus are housed at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace.

The 1902 State Landau was specifically built for King Edward VII in 1902 and was intended to be used at his Coronation. It is the carriage in most general use at the Royal Mews and is usually used by The Queen to meet Foreign Heads of State when they arrive on State Visits to Britain. The Prince of Wales travelled to St Paul’s Cathedral in the 1902 State Landau for his wedding in 1981, returning in it with The Princess of Wales after the service. The Duke and Duchess of York also used it for their return to Buckingham Palace at their wedding in 1986.

The Glass Coach was built in 1881 and was purchased for use at King George V’s Coronation in 1911. The Glass Coach has carried previous Royal brides to their weddings – Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, Princess Alexandra in 1963, Princess Anne in 1973, Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and Miss Sarah Ferguson in 1986. It has also carried the bride and bridegroom from the church, as it did when Princess Elizabeth married The Duke of Edinburgh and again when Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips.

There are five Ascot Landaus in the Royal Mews. These carriages are always used for The Queen’s procession up the course at the Royal Ascot Race meeting and also for other visits of an official nature.

There are five Semi State Landaus in service. They have been used for The Queen’s coronation visit to Edinburgh, the Investiture of The Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle, The Queen’s silver Jubilee visits to Glasgow and Cardiff, and on State Visits following the 1902 State Landau. They are also used to transport new High Commissioners of Republics within the Commonwealth when they are received by The Queen.

http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/March/22/The-Wedding-Carriages

Prince William completes his tour meeting those affected by natural disasters in New Zealand and Australia

21st March 2011

Prince William returned home today after meeting those affected by natural disasters in New Zealand and Australia.

He has come to the end of a five-day trip on behalf of The Queen - after visiting earthquake-hit Christchurch, towns ravaged by Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland, and flood-hit areas in South Queensland and Victoria.

Prince William has won hearts everywhere he has visited, hearing tales from those who have suffered at the hands of the natural disasters affecting the region.

He was said to have been "incredibly moved" by what he saw and the stories he heard.
"But everywhere he's gone he has seen a lot of resilience and good humour," a spokesperson for St. James’s Palace said.

"He's very pleased and honoured to have been able to come and meet so many people in some quite hard-to-reach communities."

The spokesperson said Prince William had enjoyed the tour but "he hasn't come here to enjoy himself - he's come to do a job".

"He's been very touched and humbled by what he's seen because these communities have lost everything and the way they have stuck together and looked after one another is genuinely a lesson to all of us."

The tour has been filled with emotional moments, such as a meeting with the family of 13-year-old Jordan Rice, who died, along with his mother in Toowoomba, Queensland, after telling rescuers to save his brother.

But there were some moments of light relief. After a quick introduction to Australian Rules Football from Jim Stynes, Irish-born President of the Melbourne Football Club, Prince William jumped at the chance to kick a ball at the waiting photographers.

"You do realise you are giving me the ultimate - kicking this as hard as I can at you guys is the ultimate," he joked.

"Are you ready because someone's going to get hurt?"

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/prince_william_completes_his_tour_meeting_those_affected_by__943726904.html

No Japanese Presence at the English Royal Wedding

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan informed Buckingham Palace that he will not be attending the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton. The decision was take as a sign of solidarity with the victims of the deadly tsunami.

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan.

America's Obsession with the Royal Wedding

Thirty years ago this July, Lady Diana Spencer, dressed in a pale-ivory taffeta gown of pearls and crinoline with a 25-foot train, traveled from Buckingham Palace to St. Paul's Cathedral to marry Charles, Prince of Wales. At the time, it was the biggest live television event in history, watched by 750 million viewers world-wide.

Compared with the crowd their son is expecting April 29, that's nothing.

Very little will have changed about the ceremony itself—the pomp and circumstance hasn't evolved much in centuries—but there will be profound changes in how the proceedings will be recorded and consumed.

©AFP/Getty Images

 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703899704576204443433487336.html?KEYWORDS=prince+william

Prince William gives a speech during a memorial service in Christchurch, New Zealand

Prince William gives a speech during a memorial service in Christchurch, New Zealand

18th March 2011

Prince William today urged the earthquake-stricken city of Christchurch to "be strong".

In a speech to tens of thousands of people at a memorial service in the city, The Prince told the crowd they were an "inspiration to all people".

Prince William is on a tour of disaster-stricken areas of New Zealand and Australia on behalf of The Queen.

He has seen firsthand the damage to the centre of Christchurch, which was hit by an earthquake in February and also met rescue workers and volunteers.

After a visit to the town of Sumner, which was badly hit by the quake, The Prince attended the National Christchurch Memorial Service in the city.

While some feared people would stay away, the city's Hagley Park was packed with tens of thousands of well-wishers.

At the start of the service the crowd watched a 14-minute video showing the damage caused by the earthquake.

Stages set up in the park were decorated with flowers meant for the Ellerslie International Flower Show, due to happen in Christchurch in March, which was cancelled after the quake.

Prince William, who donned a Korowai - a traditional Maori feathered cloak - was welcomed by Henare Rakiihia Tau, from the Ngai Tuahuriri sub-tribe, who in a speech to the gathered crowd, told William to "nibble at the apple and be fruitful".

In his own address, Prince William said he was conveying his own message, as
well as one from his grandmother.

Referring to a message sent from The Queen to the people of New York after the events of September 11th, he said: "My grandmother once said that grief is the price we pay for love.

"Here, today, we love, and we grieve.

"We honour the lives and memories of all those who did not survive the earthquake - New Zealanders, and those from many countries around the world who came to this city as visitors, or to make it their home.

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the families, wherever they may
be."

The Prince told the crowd it was hard for them to "grasp the degree of admiration - indeed, awe", with which they were regarded by the rest of the world.

He also told the people they could appreciate more than anyone else the "full horror" of what was unfolding in Japan.

He said: "Courage and understated determination have always been the hallmark of New Zealanders, of Cantabrians. "These things the world has long known.

"But to see them so starkly demonstrated over these terrible, painful months has been humbling.

"Put simply, you are an inspiration to all people. I count myself enormously privileged to be here to tell you that.

"In the last two days, I have heard tales of great tragedy - but also of extraordinary bravery and selfless courage.

"Throughout, one phrase unites them all. With The Queen's heartfelt good wishes, and those of The Prince of Wales and other members of my family, I say it to you now: 'Kia kaha.' Be strong."

The Prince's address was greeted with applause from the crowd, some of whom were sporting T-shirts reading: "Kia kaha".

Earlier in the day, William was greeted by thousands of well wishers as he visited Sumner, taking time to hear their own personal stories from the February quake.

The seaside town was badly hit by the quake - the most obvious sign of the damage is a huge boulder that fell from the cliff, narrowly missing the Returned Services Association (RSA) building.

Three people are believed to have died in the picturesque town, with many houses left uninhabitable.

But the Royal visit sparked excitement in the town today, lifting the mood of many who struggled with the after-effects of the quake.

The Prince met firefighters who helped in the aftermath of the quake, including Chief Fire Officer Alan Kerr, who said: "It's a great lift, there were people walking around with long faces and all of a sudden there's this big boost."

Marnie Kent, 43, a team leader of the Conservation Volunteers, presented The Prince with a painting of two birds.

She said: "It was a token to say thank you for coming all this way and picking up our spirits.

"I am very passionate about my paintings, I don't give them away, I don't even sell them.

"I could not think of anyone better to have the painting."

http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/prince_william_gives_a_speech_during_a_memorial_service_in_c_1756573000.html

The Royals Attending the Royal Wedding in London

So 1,900 of those gilded, gold-stamped royal wedding invitations were sent out last week. While heads of state such as President Obama and President Sarkozy reportedly did not receive one, plenty of others heads -- crowned heads that is -- did. The Prince of Wales' office announced that over 40 members of foreign royal families are on the guest list, although as I've said before, the palace does not customarily release the names of individual invitees.

Of course, as with protocol, foreign royals were first given a heads-up in the form of a save-the-date-fax from the Queen back in January (with the embossed invitations arriving afterwards), and several have already confirmed that they will be attending. So we know that King Constantine, the former king of Greece and William's godfather, will be at the wedding along with Queen Anne-Marie and their eldest son Crown Prince Pavlos. Invitations are extended to the spouses as well (even though it's not mentioned) so expect to see Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Pavlos' American heiress wife to make an elegant appearance at the Abbey. The former King Michael of Romania and members of his family have also confirmed their attendance back in January.

rown Prince Alexander II of Serbia, who's the Queen's godson, and his wife Crown Princess Katharine sent their RSVP via their official website. The prince is no stranger to London, having been born in Claridge's hotel when his family left German-occupied Yugoslavia in 1941, and went into exile in London. Some Yugoslavian dirt was placed underneath the bed when Alexander was born in 1945 so he would technically be born on Yugoslavian soil, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared suite 212 (the room where he was born) at Claridge's to be Yugoslavian territory.

The bulk of the foreign royals invited are from reigning families such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and so on. Queen Elizabeth is close to the other two reigning queens of Europe -- Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and they are certain to be invited. I've heard that Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark have indicated that they would like to attend. The Australian-born Mary, who made Vanity Fair's best-dressed list in 2010, has just given birth to twins last month and no doubt will be getting in shape for the April 29 nuptials.

Queen Sofia of Spain (the sister of King Constantine of Greece) will likely be there as well. Even though they were invited, she and King Juan Carlos did not attend Charles and Diana's wedding in 1981 due to the political furor over the couple starting their honeymoon on the royal yacht from Gibraltar -- a British dependency territory that is disputed by Spain. This time around, William and Catherine will most likely be spending part of their honeymoon on Richard Branson's private Necker Island, so there won't be such diplomatic concerns.

Royal and style watchers are keen to see if Letizia, the Princess of Asturias, who is always one of the best-dressed at royal weddings, and her handsome husband Prince Felipe will be going to London as part of the Spanish contingency. Likewise, it isn't confirmed yet if another heir to the throne, Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his popular wife Princess Maxima will be attending, although I suspect that they will be there. I've had the pleasure of meeting the lovely and down-to-earth Maxima at Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's wedding last year, and I can tell you she can light up any room with her infectious warmth and friendly manner.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/yvonne-yorke/royal-wedding-guest-list_b_825739.html

Book by Mountbatten Bomb Survivor Wins Award

MULLAGHMORE IN Co Sligo would always be a special place for him, his wife and their five children despite the murder of his grandfather Lord Louis Mountbatten, Timothy Knatchbull said last night.

The survivor of the bombing was in Belfast to receive the Christopher Ewart-Biggs literary award for 2011. Mr Knatchbull won the £5,000 (€5,800) prize for his book Out of a Clear Blue Sky: Surviving the Mountbatten Bomb.

Writer Guy Hibbert and director Oliver Hirschbiegel won an award for their film F ive Minutes of Heaven , a drama starring Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt about an encounter between a former loyalist killer and the brother of a victim he murdered 33 years earlier.

The prizes recognise works that promote peace and reconciliation in Ireland and are in memory of Sir Christopher Ewart-Biggs, the British ambassador to Ireland who, with civil servant Judith Cooke, was murdered by the IRA in Dublin in 1976.

Mr Knatchbull in his memoir recalls the 1979 IRA bombing of Lord Mountbatten’s Shadow V boat in Mullaghmore. The 79-year-old earl died in the attack as did Mr Knatchbull’s 14-year-old identical twin brother Nicholas and 15-year-old Paul Maxwell from Enniskillen. Mr Knatchbull’s grandmother Lady Brabourne died the following day in hospital.

Mr Knatchbull said winning the award was “a wonderful surprise” and he was delighted to be able to attend last night’s ceremony. “The fact that it aims to promote peace and understanding and reconciliation is just a wonderful set of objectives. I will treasure this prize because it means more than any other prize I could imagine,” he said.

©Colm Lenaghan

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0311/1224291885302.html

+ Fürst Paul von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny (1930-2011)

PAUL Franz von Assisi Georg Ghislain Edmund Maria Alexander, Fürst von Quadt zu Wykradt und Isny passed away on 16 March.

At Berg am Starnberger See, he married (civil) on 1 September 1955 Princess Charlotte of Bavaria, a daughter of Duke Albrecht (1905-1996). The couple's religious wedding took place two days later at Schloß  Nymphenburg.


Fürst Paul and his wife had four children and several grandchildren. All survive him.