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Dutch Royal Couple visits tomb of Luther

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands marked the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation by Martin Luther by visiting the 'Schlosskirche' (Palace Church) in Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

According to tradition it was at the door of this All Saints Church that Martin Luther put his 95 theses opposing the Catholic Church's sale of indulgences. That was the starting point of the Church Reformation, and brought about the protestant churches.

The Netherlands were influenced by Luther, although it was John Calvin who had a stronger and lasting effect on its culture, religion, history and tradition, King Willem-Alexander said after the visit. The Dutch Royal Couple are on a four day working visit to the German states of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark visited the same Church in October and presented an altar cloth she had made and designed herself. One week later the Church was visited by King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden during their State Visit to Germany.

© RB Hans Jacobs

Gråsten awaits arrival of Q. Margrethe

Forget sunny weather and pleasant temperatures. Gråsten and southern Denmark were having none of that on the eve of the arrival of Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik for their annual summer stay at Gråsten Castle. Instead Thursday evening saw low temperatures, gusty winds and quite a few showers.

A weather man across the border in Germany - only a few kilometres away - quipped that it would be quite pleasant if this was April weather. But it is supposed to clear up over the weekend. Maybe not in time for the annual photo shoot, but at least before the parade on Sunday.

The Danish royals have been coming to Gråsten almost every summer since 1936, when then Crown Prince Frederik and his Swedish born wife Crown Princess Ingrid started the tradition. The Danish government had given them use of the castle which, given its location near the German border in a part of Denmark which had just rejoined the nation, held great significance for all Danes.

After her mother's death in 2000 Queen Margrethe has kept up the tradition of bringing the family together in Gråsten and eldest son Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary have started a tradition of their own, by coming here ahead of the Queen's arrival and spending time as a family.

© RB Hans Jacobs

'Dancing Queen' Silvia honored in Aachen

Swedish Queen Silvia officially opened the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in the German imperial city of Aachen, accompanied by King Carl Gustaf and Danish Princess Benedikte.

Some 41,000 spectators saw and heard the queen on Wednesday evening deliver her opening speech in her native German. She was interrupted several times by a warm applause from the stands. “I know the public here in Aachen is very special”, the queen remarked.

Sweden is this year's partner country for the great equestrian event, often described as the 'Wimbledon of the equestrian sport'. Sweden put on a great show during the opening ceremony, which was not hampered by the rain at the start which forced the royal couple, which arrived in an open carriage specially brought over from the Royal Mews in Stockholm, to shelter under a giant umbrella.

There was an unexpected tribute to King and Queen too. As ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' was played during the opening show, reference was made to the song's origins – it was first played for the wedding of Carl Gustaf and Silvia in June 1976 – and to the royal couple 40^th wedding anniversary only a few weeks ago. The crowd again burst out in a thunderous applause, and Queen Silvia and King Carl Gustaf acknowledged the tribute by standing up and waving, with the queen squeezing her husband's hand afterwards.

During the week long Festival special attention will be given not only to Sweden but also to Queen Silvia's World Childhood Foundation – much to the queen's pleasure.

© RB

Queen Sofia commemorates her parents

The Greek Royal Family this weekend commemorated the death of King Paul (March 6, 1964) and his wife Queen Frederika (February 6, 1981). The family gathered at Tatoi, the royal burial place next to the former royal summer palace outside Athens.

Tatoi was forcibly requisitioned in 1973 and has never been returned to the royal family, although the Greek government had to pay some compensation. The palace is at present not used.

King Constantine, who had difficulty walking, attended the ceremony for his parents accompanied by his sisters Queen Sofia of Spain and Princess Irene. His wife Queen Anne-Marie and sons Princes Pavlos (Paul) and Nikolaos (Nicholas) were present as well and placed wreaths on the tomb stones of the former royal couple.   

Constantine was only 23 years old when he succeeded to the Greek throne upon the death of his father who was 63 years when he passed away after a reign of 17 years. Constantine who later in 1964 wed Danish Princess Anne-Marie,occupied the throne only for three years. He fled the country after he failed to dislodge the Greek junta, which had taken power in 1967. The Greeks voted to abolish the monarchy several years later.

The Royal Family was only able to travel freely to Greece again since the Olympic Games in 2004. King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie have since moved back to Greece and sold their home in London.

© RB; Illustrations: YouTube screenshot & Facebook ΒΑΣΙΛΟΦΡΟΝΕΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ

Margriet and her sons to skate 10 km

Members of the extended Dutch Royal Family are showing their athletic prowess in the second edition of the 'Holland 100'. It is a charity event to raise money for serious research into the nature and treatment of lymphoma and to raise awareness of this cancer. Participants will cycle for 90 kilometers and speed skate for 10 kilometers.

The 'Holland 100' is organised by Lymph&Co, an organisation co-founded by Prince Bernhard, who suffered from lymphoma. Many members of his family take part, including his mother Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. “I am Bernhard's mother and I support this wholeheartedly. I will skate at least 10 km. Just as last year !! And you can donate money for each additional kilometer”, she said while already raising 3000 euros.

Prince Bernhard's youngest brother Prince Floris has been the most active and succesful fundraiser. With some friends he has already reached 82 percent of the set goal of 100,000 euros. “Impressive fundraising. Really amazing!!", Bernhard said of his brother's efforts. Other members who are involved are Bernhard's wife Princess Annette and his elder brother Prince Maurits.

© RB Hans Jacobs; Photos by © RB Hans Jacobs

Long to reign over us: Queen Elizabeth II keeps Jamaica and Barbados (for now)

Queen Elizabeth can breath a sigh of relief. Chances are by the end of this year she is still Queen of Jamaica and Queen of Barbados. It looks like both independent Caribbean island states will not carry out their plans to abolish the monarchy and exchange it for a republic.

In both countries the Labour Party has been less than enthusiastic about the proposal, famously questioning in Jamaica's case “how [a Jamaican] Queen would help end poverty.” Jamaica on Thursday welcomed a new Prime Minister, Labour-leader Andrew Holness who asked that pointed question four years earlier when then Prime Minister Potia Simpon-Miller was preparing the Caribbean nation for a switch to a republican form of government.

“I am the biggest fan of Queen Elizabeth. She is a wonderful woman and I have a lot of love and respect for her, but it is after 50 years of independence time we settle our own affairs”, she said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Holness though has different priorities. “The priority of this government is to grow the economy and create meaningful jobs,” he said in his inauguration speech in Kingston. “In so doing we will more rapidly and sustainably reduce debt.”

The new Prime Minister had also a different view of what form of republic Jamaica should become – one with a ceremonial president or an executive president. Simpson-Miller and her People's National Party supported the former option, Holness and Labour the latter: a ceremonial president with limited powers.

Simpson-Miller, who lost her position by the narrowest of margins (JLP 32 seats, PNP 31) never carried out her desired reform, also because she did not have the required two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament, which means Jamaica will remain one of Her Majesty's realms for the foreseeable future.

BARBADOS

Barbados looks to be the same story. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart announced last year March that he envisioned his country becoming a republic before the 50th anniversary of independence on November 30, 2016. “Decolonization has to be finished, and a republican form comes with it”, he told his party's faithful.

With only eight months left till Independence Day Mr Stuart still has not followed up on his plans, as Barbados Today pointed out in an article in January: 'And whither Mr Stuart’s republic plan?'

The paper questioned the Prime Minister's silence: “There are many Barbadians, we are quite sure, who were expecting Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to update the nation on his republic plan when he addressed the launch of an almost year-long celebration of the island’s 50th Independence anniversary.

That he did not was obviously a disappointment.” Adding: Given his silence and the fact that there are just 11 months remaining to the 50th Independence anniversary on November 30, a pertinent question does arise. Is the plan still on, or is it off?

The paper continued: “Stuart’s announcement almost a year ago was a statement of intention. However, effecting the change requires the support of a two-thirds parliamentary majority which the incumbent DLP does not have.

The support of the Opposition, therefore, would be necessary. If such support is not forthcoming from the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) which has made it clear there are more pressing issues to be addressed, the plan is effectively stalled.”

Which means Barbados too will remain one of Her Majesty's realms for the foreseeable future. A fitting birthday present for a Queen 'long to reign over us'.

© RB Hans Jacobs

Romania: King is in a state of increased physical weakness and receives continuous treatment

The Romanian Royal House released a medical bulletin Friday giving details about the health of King Mihai. Crown Princess Margareta, as custodian of the Crown, gave thanks for the outpour of sympathy and support the Royal Family received since the announcement of the King's grave illness earlier this week.

'His Majesty King Michael I is hospitalized for five days now, in a medical clinic in Lausanne. For reasons of respect for the suffering of His Majesty the clinic's name will not be made public', the statement from the Court read. 'The King is in a state of increased physical weakness and receives continuous treatment. His condition is, so far, stationary and doctors believe that the current condition presents relative stability.'

Queen Anne is in a private residence in Switzerland and was informed by Crown Princess Margareta about the hospitalization of her husband. The Queen, 92, is in a stable health condition and is undergoing treatment for ailments related to her advanced age. Margareta and her husband Prince Radu visit the King and Queen every day, according to the bulletin. 

The other Romanian princesses are scheduled to travel to Switzerland in the coming days to see their parents. ' They are in daily contact with the family and are watching with sadness and hope the developments in the health of their father', the Court said.

Crown Princess Margareta thanked 'all those who had the generosity to send messages of encouragement to King Mihai and Queen Anna. The Royal Family is moved by the depth of people's feelings towards the King and the Crown and the decency and respect with which the media covered the sad event'.

© RB Hans Jacobs; Photo by © Casa Regala

Romania: 'The King always thought of his country, now country has duty to think about its King'

The announcement that King Mihai shall permanently withdraw from public life, came as a shock in Romania, where the former monarch is still revered by many and is seen as a symbol of dignity and resistance. No wonder that political leaders and (former) presidents scrambled to respond to the news coming from Switzerland, where the Crown Council had gathered to assist the ailing King.

LATEST: Romania: King is in a state of increased physical weakness and receives continuous treatment

Among the first to a reaction was former Prince Nicolae (Nicholas), who last year was stripped of his title by his grandfather King Mihai. The behavior of the Prince had been less than exemplary and the King decided that his grandson should no longer be in line of succession, however theoretical that might be. Romania abolished the monarchy in 1947 when the communists ousted Mihai (Michael in the West) and there has never been an attempt at restoration.

“The King always thought of his country, especially during hisn years of exile. Now the country has a duty to think about its King”, the former Prince Nicolae wrote in a touching tribute to his grandfather. “Good health, Your Majesty!" he added.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis honored the King in his message: "We received with great concern the news of the deterioration of health of His Majesty King Mihai. I want the King to have the strength to overcome these difficult moments and I express my hope that the royal family will remain the focus of hope and solidarity in our society. It is important, especially in these difficult moments, that we do not forget the example of courage and dedication that His Majesty the King has given to the nation since 1927. "

Patriarch Daniel, head of the Romanian Orthodox-church also mentioned the service of the King, who famously took Romania in 1944 from the side of Hitler-Germany to the Allied camp, to Romania. "I learned with great concern of the worsening health of His Majesty King Mihai of Romania, the symbol of the history of the Romanian people and national dignity”, the patriarch wrote in a message in which he urged the nation to "say a prayer" to heaven “for the King to get well.”

Remarkable was the message of former President Ion Iliescu. He was the first post-communist president, but is perhaps best know for his objection in the 90's to the return of the King and his family to Romania. Iliescu now said he was deeply concerned about the King's health. He said Mihai had been “an example of balance” and had “contributed to a climate of normality” in the country.

Conspicuously absent from all the public declarations was former President Traian Basescu, who during his term in office had shown little respect for the King and who had boycotted the special session of the Romanian parliament in 2011 in which the 90-year old King Mihai was honored. “Romania does not have a King”, Basescu said.

© RB Hans Jacobs and Marius Cirtiu

Names Oscar Carl Olof have royal history

The names of the newly born Swedish Prince Oscar Carl Olof, which were announced by King Carl XVI Gustaf in a special Royal Council in the Royal Palace, have a long royal history. 

Sweden had two kings named Oscar. Oscar II (1829-1907) was the last Swedish King who was also King of neighboring Norway. His father was Oscar I and between both of them reigned his Karl XV, who was married to the Dutch Princess Louise, a granddaughter of King William I.

Karl or Carl - but the newly born prince is called Carl with C - is the name of until now sixteen kings, including the present monarch and grandfather of the newest addition to the royal family. Except that the 15th Karl wrote his name with a K and the sixteenth Carl is with a C, or fully Carl XVI Gustaf. As can be seen, the Swedes  keep count through the first part of the name, instead of opting for an Carl Gustaf II.

* The Swedish Royal Family during the Act of Thanksgiving in the Royal Chapel

King Carl XVI Gustaf also hoped that the count would continue into the next generation. He gave his son the name Carl Philip, in the expectation that one day he would reign as King Carl XVII Philip. At the time of his birth in 1979 boys still had  precedence over girls in the line of succession, but the writing was already on the palace wall that this would change. Despite objections from the King, the Swedish Constitution was changed retro-actively and Prince Carl Philip lost his position as Crown Prince to his elder sister Victoria. 

* The parents of Prince Daniel (on the left) with Princess Cristina and her husband.

Olof, the third name for the new prince is primarily in honor of his grandfather on father's side, Olle Westling. But there was in distant Swedish history a King Olof, nicknamed 'Skötkonung - the tax king. This king lived around the year 1000, and is mainly known because he had the first Swedish coins minted.

© RB Hans Jacobs; Source: Kings and Rulers of Sweden; Photos by © Monarchy Press Europe

Alexia staying in hospital in Austria

Dutch Princess Alexia, 10, is still in hospital in Austria. She was taken to the Landeskrankenhaus in Feldkirch on Saturday after a fall while skiing in the Funpark in Oberlech on the last day of the family winter holidays. Princess Alexia broke her upper right leg and underwent surgery right away. The surgery went well the Royal House said Saturday.

* Princess Alexia in Lech (green helmet), with views of Feldkirch.

Queen Máxima accompanied her daughter in the helicopter to the hospital, while King Willem-Alexander followed by car. From Lech am Voralberg to Feldkirch is 60 kilometres. Although the Government Information Service (RVD) will not disclose who is staying with Alexia, it is generally assumed Queen Máxima stayed behind to support her. The princess had to start school again Monday, as did her siblings Amalia and Ariane.

© RB