Sunday 29 June 2014

Royal round up, week ending June 28th 2014

A round up of all the news from Europe's royal houses, for the week ending June 28th 2014...


Sweden


Prince Carl Philip of Sweden announced his engagement to Sofia Hellqvist on June 27th 2014.  The surprise event was confirmed by the Marshal of the Realm and the couple appeared before the press soon afterwards.  


Prince Carl Philip and his fiancee, Sofia Hellqvist, share a kiss at their engagement press conference following the surprise announcement on June 27th 2014

The King and Queen of Sweden later joined the couple to talk to the press before posing for official photos inside the Drottningholm Palace and then enjoying a small reception to mark the event.


King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia with Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist in an official photo marking the royal engagement announced on June 27th 2014

The engagement was announced on the same day that the husband of Princess Madeleine, Chris O'Neill, celebrated his fortieth birthday.


Chris O'Neill with his baby daughter, Princess Leonore.  He turned 40 on June 27th 2014

Earlier in the week, Queen Silvia had visited Washington DC where she gave a speech at the World Conference of Fifth Birthday and Beyond - an organisation working against child poverty with the aim of ensuring that all children celebrate their fifth birthday and enjoy life beyond that.  On the same day, June 25th 2014, the queen visited a shelter called Safe Shores which provides help for children who have been sexually abused.  On June 26th 2014, Queen Silvia took part in a lunch seminar on childhood at the House of Sweden in Washington.


Queen Silvia of Sweden in Washington on June 25th 2014



United Kingdom


The Queen carried out a series of engagements in Northern Ireland between June 23rd and June 25th 2014.  Her visit started at Heathrow Airport where she officially opened Terminal 2.


The Queen arrives at Terminal 2, Heathrow Airport on June 23rd 2014 for its official opening

On arrival in Northern Ireland, the Queen held audiences at Hillsborough Castle with the First Minister, Peter Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, as well as with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Teresa Villiers.  Prince Philip held a reception for winners of the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Northern Ireland at HIllsborough Castle on the same day.


The Queen with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Teresa Villiers, during their audience on June 23rd 2014 at Hillsborough Castle, County Down

On the first full day of engagements, June 24th 2014, the Queen visited the set of Game of Thrones at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast where she was presented with a miniature Iron Throne.


The Queen visits the set of Game of Thrones in Belfast on June 24th 2014

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh then toured the renovated Crumlin Road Gaol which for years was the scene of hearings related to the Troubles but which is now a tourist attraction.


The Queen with the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, and the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, at the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast on June 24th 2014

The royal couple then moved on to St George's Market in Belfast where they met stall holders and customers before a lunch in their honour at Belfast City Hall.


The Queen is seen visiting a stall at St George's Market in Belfast on June 24th 2014

The royal couple then attended a lunch at Belfast City Hall where the Queen gave a speech before they returned to Hillsbourgh Castle, her official residence in Northern Ireland.


The Queen arrives at Belfast City Hall on June 24th 2014

That afternoon, the Queen and Prince Philip hosted a garden party at Hillsborough Castle, County Down - the monarch's official residence in Northern Ireland.


The Queen plants a tree at Hillsborough Castle during a garden party on June 24th 2014

On the final day of her visit to Northern Ireland, June 25th 2014, the Queen welcomed the TV show Antiques Roadshow to Hillsborough Castle ahead of filming.  The TV experts talked to the monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh about several items and the Queen revealed she was a big fan of the show.


The Queen with experts from Antiques Roadshow at Hillsborough Castle on June 25th 2014

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh then went to Coleraine for an event commemorating World War One.  They laid a wreath at the memorial in the town square before going on a walkabout and attending a civic reception.  The royal couple then left Northern Ireland.  On the same evening, the Duke of Edinburgh attended a dinner to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill College, Cambridge.


The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh lay a wreath in Coleraine on June 25th 2014

On June 26th 2014, the Queen received the new High Commissioner for Australia, Alexander Downer, and his wife at an audience at Buckingham Palace.  Later the same day, the Queen accompanied by the Duke of York gave a garden party at Buckingham Palace for the 'Not Forgotten' Association.


The Queen at the garden party for the Not Forgotten Association at Buckingham Palace on June 25th 2014

On June 28th 2014, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh attended a Solemn Drumhead Service of Remembrance at the Royal Hospital Chelsea for reservists in World War One.  The ceremony took place on the 100th anniversary of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie - the event which led to the start of World War One.  


The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at a service commemorating reservists who served in World War One.  It took place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on June 28th 2014

The Prince of Wales began his week by hosting a reception at Clarence House on June 23rd 2014 for the medical staff of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and that evening hosted a dinner for the Prince of Wales' Charitable Foundation at Windsor Castle.  On June 24th 2014, the prince was in Staffordshire where he carried out engagements at Etruria Industrial Museum and Middleport Pottery - a restored Victorian factory which will now be a tourist attraction.


The Prince of Wales receives a teapot during his visit to Middleport Pottery in Staffordshire on June 24th 2014

On the same evening, the prince attended a dinner at White's in London accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall.  The following day, June 25th 2014, Prince Charles attended the United Nation Seminar on Disaster Resilience in the Private Sector followed by a Capital Markets Resilience Meeting - both in London.  The prince held an audience with Wanjira Mathai of the Green Belt Movement International that afternoon.  On June 26th 2014, the prince held a meeting at Clarence House of the Prince's Teaching Institute of which he is president.  He then held a series of audiences at his official residence in the afternoon before hosting a reception for the organisation, Combat Stress, of which he is patron at St James' Palace that evening.


Prince Charles during his visit to Staffordshire on June 24th 2014

The Duchess of Cornwall opened the Welcome Building at Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury, Gloucestershire on June 23rd 2014 and then opened the renovated headquarters of Wiltshire County Council in Trowbridge.  That evening, the duchess opened an exhibition of portraits by British paints, Catherine Goodman, at the National Portrait Gallery in London.


Local paper, the Gazette and Herald, had several of their photos of the Duchess of Cornwall in Wiltshire retweeted by the Westonbirt Arboretum on June 23rd 2014

On June 24th 2014, the Duchess of Cornwall visited the 'Voices of the Desert' exhibition in central London - she is patron of the Desert Rats 7th Armoured Division Thetford Forest Memorial Association.  The division has served in many countries, including Afghanistan, and the exhibition marks the return of British troops from Afghanistan.


The Duchess of Cornwall at the Voices of the Desert exhibition on June 24th 2014

The Duchess of Cornwall attended Wimbledon on June 25th 2014 where she met some of the players as well as those organising the tournament and the ball boys and ball girls.


The Duchess of Cornwall at Wimbledon on June 25th 2014

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception for their charity, the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, at the Orangery in Kensington Palace, London on June 23rd 2014.  Prince Harry arrived in Brazil on the same day for a four day visit.  His first engagement was a visit to the Rede Sarah Hospital in Brasilia which treats patients with neurological conditions with a range of therapies including sports.  In the evening, Prince Harry attended the World Cup Group match between Brazil and Cameroon.


Prince Harry watches wheelchair dance therapy for young patients at the Rede Sarah Hospital in Brasilia on the first day of his visit to Brazil, June 23rd 2014

On June 24th 2014, Prince Harry visited Minas Tenis Club in Belo Horizonte which will be the base for Team GB during the 2016 Olympics.  In the evening, the prince watched England's last group stage match in the World Cup - the team were already out of the competition before the game started and drew 0-0 with Costa Rica.


Prince Harry hands out medals to swimmers at the Minas Tenis Club in Belo Horizonte in Brazil which he visited on June 24th 2014

On June 25th 2014, Prince Harry met communities in the Atlantic Rainforest to hear about work to preserve the forest.  He also planted a tree as part of restoration work.


Prince Harry plants a tree during his visit to part of the Atlantic Rainforest on June 25th 2014

Later the same day, the prince visited a project in Sao Paolo called Acer, set up by Jonathan Hannay to help underprivileged children.  The prince admitted he came close to crying after meeting a grandmother who was bringing up her two granddaughters after the death of the their mother and spoke of how their situation had reminded him of the loss of his own mother when he was 12.  Prince Harry went on to join in a football match at the project.  In the evening, the prince attended the Queen's Birthday Party at the British Consulate-General in Sao Paolo.


Prince Harry plays football during his visit to the Acer project in Brazil on June 25th 2014

On June June 26th 2014, Prince Harry visited Cracolandia in Sao Paolo where he heard about a new project designed to help drug addicts in the area.  The initiative offers rehabilitation by providing a bed in a hostel, meals and a paid job as a street cleaner as well as the chance to take educational courses.


Prince Harry meets some of those taking part in a new initiative in Sao Paolo on June 25th 2014

Later the same day, Prince Harry visited the Ayrton Senna Institute in Sao Paolo which was set up six months after the racing driver's death in 1994.  It aims to fight social exclusion by using education.


Prince Harry signs a helmet during his visit to the Ayrton Senna Institute in Sao Paolo watched by the racing driver's sister, Viviane, on June 26th 2014


The Duke of York presented the Awards for the Peer to Peer Challenge on June 23rd 2014 at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.  The duke held an audience later that day before attending a reception, in the evening, for the Summer Ball at the Royal Academy of Arts.  


Prince Andrew talking to the winners of the Peer to Peer Awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 23rd 2014

On June 24th 2014, Prince Andrew attended the semi finals of the Duke of York New Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Liverpool and went on to attend a lunch for Entrepreneurs in the North West of England at St George's Hall in Liverpool.  In the afternoon, the Duke of York visited the University of Liverpool and in the evening, the duke was at a Royal Society Advisory Board Dinner in London.  


The Duke of York meets some of the semi finalists for the Entrepreneur Award which he organises.  The event took place in Liverpool on June 24th 2014

On June 25th 2014, the Duke of York attended the TeenTech National Final in central London and in the afternoon, he was in east London where he visited the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Awards programme in Hackney.  In the evening, the duke held a reception at Buckingham Palace for the Wikimedia Foundation.


The Duke of York in Hackney on June 25th 2014

On June 26th, the Duke of York joined the Queen at a garden party at Buckingham Palace for the Not Forgotten Association.  In the evening, he attended the Financial Times Summer Party in London.


The Duke of York speaks with veterans at the garden party for the Not Forgotten Association at Buckingham Palace on June 26th 2014

The Earl of Wessex attended a garden party on June 21st 2014 in Enfield, Middlesex in his capacity as Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.  In the evening, the earl attended a Gala Charity Concert near Oxted for the Orpheus Centre Trust of which he is patron.  The trust is a performing arts centre for children with disabilities.  On June 23rd 2014, the Earl of Wessex held receptions at St James' Palace for young people who have achieved the gold standard in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards - the earl is a Trustee of the awards.  


Dragon's Den star, Deborah Meaden, attended the Gold Award presentation that the Earl of Wessex hosted on June 23rd and tweeted about how inspirational she found it

In the afternoon, he chaired a board meeting of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Foundation and in the evening, accompanied by the Countess of Wessex, he gave a dinner at Buckingham Palace for the Wessex Youth Trust.  On June 24th 2014, the Earl of Wessex was in Norfolk where he attended a dinner for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association of which he is President.  On June 25th 2014, the earl attended the Royal Norfolk Show in Norwich.


The Earl of Wessex at the Royal Norfolk Show on June 25th 2014

On June 27th 2014, the Earl and Countess of Wessex spent the day in Hampshire.  In the morning, the countess officially opened Lifelab at Southampton General Hospital before visiting Titchfield where she saw the building which will be the base for a breast cancer support charity called The Haven Wessex.


The Countess of Wessex at the opening of Lifelab at Southampton General Hospital on June 27th 2014

The Countess of Wessex then visited the organisers of the New Forest Agricultural Show which will take place next month.  The Earl of Wessex, meanwhile, had spent the morning on an engagement at the Minstead Training Trust which provides training opportunities for adults with learning disabilities.  Prince Edward also visited the Associated British Ports at Southampton and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Command Centre which is based in Portsmouth.  In the afternoon, the royal couple visited the Wessex Dance Academy in Winchester before an engagement at Winchester Cathedral.



Prince Edward plants a tree to mark his 50th birthday earlier this year during a visit to Minstead Training Trust on June 27th 2014

The Countess of Wessex visited the offices of one of her charities, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, in London on June 23rd.  Later the same day, the countess held an audience at Buckingham Palace and chaired a Charities Forum.  


The Countess of Wessex at the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in London on June 23rd 2014

On June 24th 2014, the Countess of Wessex was in Fareham in Hampshire for the final of the Countess of Wessex Cup.  The annual event is contested by 5 Rifles, of which the countess is Royal Colonel; RAF Wittering of which she is Honorary Air Commodore and HMS Daring - she is their sponsor.  The cup was won this year by RAF Wittering.  On June 25th 2014, the Countess of Wessex opened the restored Royal Kitchen Garden at Hampton Court Palace.


The Countess of Wessex opens the Royal Kitchen Garden at Hampton Court Palace on June 25th 2014

In the afternoon, the countess held a 100th birthday party for the Brownies at Buckingham Palace - she is President of Girl Guiding.  Her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was also at the party.  On June 26th 2014, the Countess of Wessex hosted a dinner at Frogmore House, Windsor to mark the thirtieth anniversary of Tomorrow's People.


The Countess of Wessex with Brownies, including her daughter Lady Louise Windsor, at the 100th birthday party she hosted at Buckingham Palace for the Brownies on June 25th 2014

The Princess Royal attended the Royal Marines Freedom of the City Parade at Exeter Guildhal on June 21st 2014.  On June 24th 2014, the princess attended a Summer Tea Party in London for Save the Children, of which she is president.  Princess Anne was in Harwich, Essex on June 25th when she attended the quincentenary church service of Trinity House at St Nicholas' Church in the town and went on to open the organisation's Operational and Planning Centre.  



The Harwich Standard reports the visit of Princess Anne to the town on June 25th 2014

That afternoon, the princess chaired a Council Meeting at the Royal Thames Yacht Club for the Royal Yachting Association of which she is president.  In the evening, Princess Anne presented the Supplemental Royal Charter on board HQS Wellington in London in her role as past master and honorary member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.  On June 26th 2014, the Princess Royal visited HM Naval Base Portsmouth and went on to open an exhibition at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.  Later the same day, the princess attended a reception for the museum followed by a dinner on board HMS Victory.



Luxembourg


The royal family of Luxembourg marked the country's national day on June 23rd 2014.  The celebrations began the day before when the Grand Duke and Duchess visited Rosport and the Hereditary Duke and Duchess visited Esch sur Alzette where they laid a wreath at the war memorial.


The Hereditary Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg lay a wreath on the eve of their country's National Day - June 22nd 2014

The royal family later attended a torch parade with fireworks on the eve of the National Day.


The Royal Family of Luxembourg at the celebrations in the main square on the eve of National Day 2014

On the morning of June 23rd 2014, the Grand Duke and Duchess along with the Hereditary Duke and Duchess and Princes Felix, Louis and Sebastien attended a ceremony marking the day where the Grand Duke and leading politicians made speeches.  They then went on to the military parade that marks the National Day.


The Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg with the heir to the throne, Guillaume, and his wife, Stephanie, at the military parade on the National Day, June 23rd 2014

The royal family then attended a Te Deum at the cathedral.  In the evening, the Grand Duke and Duchess and the Hereditary Duke and Duchess were joined by Prince Louis and Prince  at a gala dinner at the Royal Palace.


The Royal Family of Luxembourg at the Gala Dinner held to mark the country's National Day on June 23rd 2014

The Hereditary Duke and Duchess, Guillaume and Stephanie, released a new set of official photos in the week.


One of the official photos of Guillaume and Stephanie of Luxembourg released in the week


The Netherlands


On June 24th 2014, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima began a two day visit to Poland.  On their arrival in Warsaw they were given an official welcome by the President of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, and his wife, Anna Komorowska.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima arrive in Poland on June 24th 2014

The royal couple inspected a guard of honour and held an audience with the president and his wife before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  They then had a working lunch with government representatives before visiting the Polish Parliament.


The King and Queen of the Netherlands at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Warsaw during their State Visit to Poland - June 24th 2014

In the afternoon, the king and queen visited the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising.  They then visited the Maczek Monument to meet veterans from the operation to liberate the southern Netherlands from the Nazis which was led by the Polish Armoured Division under General Maczek.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the Maczek Memorial on June 24th 2014

In the evening, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were guests at a State Banquet given in their honour.


King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands gives a speech at the State Dinner held in honour of the Dutch Royal Visit to Poland - June 24th 2014

On June 25th 2014, King Willem-Alexander gave a speech at a Dutch-Polish Business Seminar before he and Queen Maxima attended a CEO roundtable meeting about co-operation between companies in the two countries.  The royal couple then met representatives of the Dutch community in Poland before hosting a piano concert and a networking lunch.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima meet businesses on June 25th 2014 

The King and Queen of the Netherlands visited Poznan on the afternoon of June 25th 2014 where they saw the CLIP Terminal which has had a direct link with the port of Rotterdam for the last two years.  The monarchs then met representatives from Dutch and Polish transport organisations before ending their visit with a tour of businesses linked to horticulture, food and farming.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the CLIP Terminal in Poznan on the final day of their tour of Poland, June 25th 2014

Earlier in the week, on June 23rd 2014, King Willem-Alexander had presided over celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Council of Nobility which took place in the Hall of the Knights in The Hague.  The king was also presented with the first copy of the special book ‘Weapon Registry of the Dutch Nobility’.


Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands receives the first copy of a new book at a presentation in The Hague on June 23rd 2014

On June 26th 2014, the King of the Netherlands held a farewell audience at Eikenhorst with the outgoing ambassador from Albania.  Later the same day, he was joined by Queen Maxima to present certificates to eighteen organisations taking part in the Orange Fund Growth Programme.  The companies have come up with business ideas and the next stage of the programme, lasting two years, will see them put those plans into action.


King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima with the organisations who have successfully completed a year of the Orange Fund Growth Programme at a presentation on June 26th 2014

On June 27th 2014, the king was in The Hague for the reopening of the Maurithuis after a two year programme of refurbishment.  On June 28th 2014, King Willem-Alexander led events in The Hague for Veterans' Day, an annual event held in honour of the 100,000 veterans of armed conflict in the Netherlands.  


King Willem-Alexander at Veterans Day in The Hague on June 28th 2014

Queen Maxima made a speech about the importance of financial independence for women at a conference in Eindhoven on June 23rd 2014.  She also spent time with women from the local area talking about their financial independence and ambitions.


Queen Maxima of the Netherlands making a speech on June 23rd 2014

Princess Beatrix attended the opening of the European Polio Congress which took place in Amsterdam on June 25th 2014.  On June 28th 2014, the princess was in Utrecht for celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Dutch Bible which ensured that people could have access to a bible in their own language.


Princess Beatrix at the European Polio Congress on June 25th 2014


Princess Margriet visited a holiday camp in De Veenhoop on June 24th 2014 to see some of the specialist work it carries out to provide sailing breaks for 10 - 16 year old children with cancer.  And on June 28th 2014, she attended the end of season show in Arnhem for ballet company, Introdans, which aims to bring the art to as wide an audience as possible.  



Belgium


The King and Queen of the Belgians began their week in Brazil where they attended the group two stage match on June 22nd 2014 which saw their country's team beat Russia.  The king later posed for selfies with several of the players.  Queen Mathilde, however, confused two of the team's star players and ended up congratulating the wrong man on scoring a goal.


King Philippe of the Belgians poses for a selfie with his country's football team after their World Cup win over Russia on June 22nd 2014

On his return to Belgium, the king held a series of audiences on June 26th 2014 at the Royal Palace in Brussels following the presentation of plans to try and form a coalition government in the country. A further round of investigations into forming a government will now take place. The day before, June 25th 2014, Queen Mathilde had organised a working lunch at Laeken on the subject of 'Education for All' and later the same day she presented the 2014 Prize for the Fight Against Poverty.


Denmark


On June 25th 2014, the entire royal family attended a gala concert in Copenhagen held as part of the meeting in the city of Denmark's Honorary Consuls.  Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik led the family at the event which took place at the city's Royal Theatre.


Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik of Denmark arriving at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen on June 25th 2014

On June 27th 2014, Queen Margrethe attended the Anniversary Parade of the Royal Guard and presented the Queen's Clock to the best guardsman of the year.


Queen Margrethe arriving at the Anniversary Parade of the Royal Guard on June 27th 2014

On June 23rd 2014, the prince handed over the Lions Prize to two organisations - the Danish Association for the Blind and the Heart Association for Children.  They both received large grants to help with future projects at a ceremony at the Fredensborg Palace.  On June 26th 2014, Prince Henrik presented the annual Danish Europa Nostra Prize for conservation at a ceremony in Copenhagen. Prince Joachim was also in attendance.


Prince Henrik presenting the Lions Prize at a ceremony on June 23rd 2014

On June 22nd 2014, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended the annual Reumert theatre awards which took place at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. Earlier in the day, the prince had completed a triathlon.


The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark on their arrival at the Reumert Awards on June 22nd 2014

Later in the week, the couple were at Wimbledon where they watched several matches from the Royal Box on Centre Court on June 26th 2014.


Frederik and Mary of Denmark at Wimbledon on June 26th 2014




Spain


On June 27th 2014, it was announced that charges of money laundering and tax evasion against the Infanta Cristina were being formalised - however, an appeal against that decision has now been launched.


The Infanta Cristina arrives at court earlier this year when she was questioned - a judge announced this week that charges against her would be formalised but an appeal has been launched

King Felipe VI held a series of audiences at the Zarzuela Palace on June 23rd 2014 with political representatives including the President of the Congress of Deputies, the President of the Senate, the President of the Constitutional Tribunal and the President of the Supreme Tribunal.  


King Felipe VI with Jesus Maria Posada Moreno during their audience at the Zarzuela Palace on June 23rd 2014

On June 24th 2014, King Felipe and Queen Letizia held a reception at the Pardo Palace in Madrid for representatives from Social Solidarity organisations.


King Felipe and Queen Letizia meet guests at a reception on June 24th 2014

The King and Queen of Spain were at the Royal Palace in Madrid on June 25th 2014 for the presentation of the Armed Forces.  Felipe VI inspected the guard of honour, saluted the flag of Spain and made a speech.


Felipe VI during his speech at the Royal Palace on June 26th 2014

Later the same day, the royal couple were in Girona for the presentation of the Prince of Girona prizes.  The title of Princess of Girona now belongs to their daughter, Leonor, but as she is just eight her parents will be carrying out the work associated with the foundation for the forseeable future.


The King and Queen of Spain present the Prince of Girona Award for Arts and Letters to Hugo Fontela Rodriguez at a ceremony on June 26th 2014

On June 27th 2014, the king held a meeting with the presidents and directors of the Royal Academies in Spain at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid.  Later the same day, Felipe VI held an audience with the deputy prime minster, Maria Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, also at the Zarzuela.


King Felipe and Maria Soraya Saenz de Santamaria during their audience on June 27th 2014

Queen Letizia attended the official opening of a major exhibition on El Greco at the Prado Museum in Madrid on June 23rd 2014.


Queen Letizia of Spain on her arrival at the Prado Museum on June 23rd 2014



Monaco


Prince Albert spoke to Hello magazine this week about the surprise announcement of Princess Charlene's pregnancy earlier this year.  He told the publication that they were very excited about the news and being as careful as possible as the pregnancy progresses.  Later in the week, the prince appeared on his own to watch the celebrations for the feast of St John on June 24th 2014 - Princess Charlene has been low profile since the announcement of her pregnancy.


Prince Albert II of Monaco at the celebrations for the Feast of St John on June 24th 2014

On June 26th 2014, Prince Albert was in Nairobi, Kenya for the launch of the UN's first Environment Conference.  On June 28th 2014, the prince handed out the prizes at the equestrian event taking place in Monaco - he was accompanied by his niece, Charlotte Casiraghi.


Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlotte Casiraghi on June 28th 2014


Norway


The Norwegian Royal Family had no official engagements in the week.