Various royals flocked to Stockholm these past two days, to attend events to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations’ Rights of the Child convention.

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A private seminar on the celebration was held at the Royal Palace of Stockholm early on Thursday November 19th, and was attended by a large group of royal women: Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Paola of Belgium, Queen Sofia of Spain, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

The group was joined by Crown Princess Margarita of Romania and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia for a visit to Barncentrum, a children’s centre in Stockholm. The centre provides assaulted and abused children a place where they can come and receive treatment from all the authorities which are involved in such a case (paediatricians, socials workers, therapists, police and prosecutors) in the one place. According to Swedish newspaper DN, the royals were told of a twelve-year-old girl’s story of being abused by her father, and how the centre assisted in the man receiving a ten year jail sentence for his actions.

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On Thursday evening, a jubilee concert was hosted by the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs at Berwald Hall in Stockholm. All the royal visitors attended, as well as King Carl XVI Gustaf, the two Swedish princess’ fiancés (Daniel Westling and Jonas Bergström) and Princess Christina, Mrs Magnuson. Speeches were given by Queen Silvia and Göran Hägglund, Sweden’s Minister for Health and Social Affairs. The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra performed for the event, as well as a dance performance by the Lasse Kühlers Dansskola.

The following day, Friday November 20th, a government conference had been organised and was once again attended with a large royal contingent at the Radisson Blu Royal Park Hotel in Frösundavik. The conference was organised through the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union.

Click here to view the thread at TRF.

JessRulz Belgian Royals, Danish Royals, Dutch Royals, Luxembourg Royals, Norwegian Royals, Spanish Royals, Swedish Royals Children, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Princess Madeleine, Princess Mary, Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Victoria, Queen Beatrix, Queen Paola, Queen Silvia, Queen Sofia, United Nations

On Friday 23rd, the 2009 Prince of Asturias Awards took place at Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Asturias.

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At 18:25, the Prince and Princess of Asturias arrived at theatre to preside over the ceremony. They were accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sofia, who always attends the ceremony, and by HRH Princess Alia of Jordan, a special guest who for the first time attended the event. Both watched the ceremony form the royal box.

The Prince and Princess took their seats at the Presidential table along with the President of the Principality of Asturias, Mr. Vicente Alvarez Areces, and the President of the Prince of Asturias Foundation, Mr. Matias Rodriguez Inciarte. The ceremony started with the playing of the national anthem, played by the City of Oviedo Bagpipe Band. After a brief speech by the President of the Foundation; Ismail Kadaré, José Narro, Margaret Chan and Klaus Wowereit gave thanking speeches.

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A special and emotive one, was Ismail Kadaré speech. “During that glacial age when no-one traveled between my country and Spain, a solitary gentleman crossed the impassable frontier as often as he wished, spurning the world’s laws. You know who I am referring to: Don Quixote,” he said.

The award winners left their seats and walked to the President’s table, to be handed the Award by the Prince. Afterward the Prince gave his speech, considered one of his most important speeches of the year, in which he devoted a few words to this year laureates. HRH also give thanks to “the people of Asturias and to others parts of Spain, and event too many from abroad who accompany us to make this day a great celebration of culture and of concord”. Read more…

Paty Spanish Royals Prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Prince of Asturias Awards, Princess Letizia, Princess of Asturias, Queen Sofia

 The President of the Republic of Lebanon, General Michel Suleiman, and his wife, Wafaa Suleiman, arrived yesterday in Madrid to start a two-day state visit to Spain upon the invitation of Their Majesties, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.

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The Presidential couple was welcomed with state honours by the King and Queen of Spain at Pardo Palace, where they will reside during their stay in Spain. Afterward, a private lunch was hosted by the King and Queen at Zarzuela Palace, which was also attended by the Prince and Princess of Asturias and the Presidential couple’s eldest daughter, Rita Suleiman, and her husband Wissam Baroudi.

That night, the traditional gala dinner took place at the Royal Palace, in honor of the Lebanese President and his wife which was attended by representatives of both governments. President Suleiman and the First Lady were honoured by the Spanish government with the Spanish Order of Isabel de Catolica, while the Spanish Royals were honoured with the Lebanese Order of Merit.

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During his speech at the dinner, King Juan Carlos spoke of the Lebanese president: “Spain always followed closely the evolution of the political Lebanese situation, and has contributed with our best efforts to your country to overcome the challenges and tears of its most recent history. The commitment of Spain to Lebanon is wide and solid.”

Today Queen Sofia and the Lebanese First Lady will visit the Alzheimers Centre of the Queen Sofia Foundation and at night the return reception in honour of the King and Queen of Spain will take place at Pardo Palace.

Tomorrow, the Presidential Couple will leave Spain.

Paty Spanish Royals King Juan Carlos, Lebanon, Orders, President Suleiman, Queen Sofia, State Visit

 Yesterday the Queen of Spain, as Executive Chairman of the Queen Sofia Foundation, attended a work meeting with the Minister of Science and Innovation, Carmen Garmendia, and directors of Instituto Carlos III at Zarzuela Palace.

The main issue of the meeting was to inform the Queen on the Minister’s advances and projects in research of Alzheimer’s disease in Spain, as well as the plans which will allow Spain to join the EU Joint Programming in Research on Alzheimers.

Spain will be a part of the Joint Program in Research Direction Committee together with France, Germany and England. According to the Minister, Spain’s main work will be the research in genetics of Alzheimer’s disease, the design of a unique animal model in Europe, the research in pharmacological interventions and research into medical care and technologies of help to dependence and disability.

On 17 May 1977, the Queen Sofia Foundation was established with a small capital personally provided by H.M. the Queen. Its aims are charitable and cultural, and its nature is non-profit and permanent. These days its bigger project is the Alzheimer Project which faces the consequences of Alzheimer’s disease on patients and their families.

Currently the foundation has completed its Alzheimer Centre, by delivering the finished buildings to the Public Administrations with all the necessary equipment and in full working order.

Paty Spanish Royals Alzheimers Project, Health, Queen Sofia, Queen Sofia Foundation

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 Today, October 12, the Spanish Royal Family celebrated the Spanish National Day. King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, the Prince and Princess of Asturias, Infanta Elena, and the Duke and Duchess of Palma (who are back from Washington for a few days) arrived early in the morning at Plaza de Lima in Madrid where a military parade is taking place.

Prior the event, His Majesty King Juan Carlos left a floral tribute at the Spanish flagpole in memory of soldiers killed aboard. At midday, the entire Royal Family will host a reception for the authorities at the Royal Palace.

For more information and pictures please visit this thread

Paty Spanish Royals Iñaki Urdangarín, Infanta Cristina, Infanta Elena, King Juan Carlos, National Day, Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia, Queen Sofia

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 After her private visit to attend the baptism of Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal’s 5th child, Queen Sofia arrived yesterday at Thessaloniki from Athens, where she was since Monday, to attend the official inauguration of “El Miró de Mallorca” exhibition.

The exhibition, which will run until February 5 2010, is organized by the Teloglio Foundation and Pilar i Joan Miro of Mallorca, and shows more than 400 works made by the Spanish artist during his life on the island.

Yesterday the Queen was back in Athens to visit the New Acropolis Museum which was inaugurated last June. The museum has been recently constructed with Greece and European Union funds (almost 150 million Euros). The beautiful building is made of glass, stainless steel and cement and is located in the southeast of the Acropolis. A truly gem that a high value of archeology as Queen Sofia couldn’t miss.

Paty Spanish Royals Exhibition, Greece, Official Visit, Queen Sofia

 The 121st International Olympic Committee Congress kicked off yesterday, with a luncheon hosted by HM Queen Margrethe II and the Opening Ceremony at the elegant Copenhagen Opera House.

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The day began with an early afternoon lunch at Amalienborg Palace, which was hosted by the Queen for the visiting IOC delegations from Spain, the US, Brazil and Japan. TRH Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended the luncheon and were on hand to greet their VIP guests. And VIP these guests were: TM King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, First Lady Michelle Obama, HE President da Silva of Brazil and HE Yoshiro Mori, the former Prime Minister of Japan.

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It was the first meeting of the American First Lady and the Danish royals, while the Spanish King and Queen greeted Queen Margrethe and her family as old friends would: with hugs and kisses (and a curstey from the Crown Princess). The Brazillian President has also met the royal family before, paying a state visit to Denmark two years ago. A group photo was taken in Christian VII’s Palace before the lunch began.

That evening, the glamour came out to play. The Congress’ Opening Ceremony was held at the Copenhagen Opera House, and was attended by the IOC members (royal members include HRH The Princess Royal and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco), the members of the candidate city delegations and the Danish royal family. Read more…

JessRulz Danish Royals Constantine II, IOC, King Juan Carlos, Margrethe II, Michelle Obama, President da Silva, Prince Frederik, Princess Mary, Queen Sofia

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King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Asturias (the two gentlemen with a new look, btw), hosted Friday night, the traditional farewell dinner with representatives of the Baleares government, at Almudaina Palace. The Royal Family is in the habit of spending summer vacations in Marivent Palace at Mallorca , where they arrived at the beginning of August this year.

Photo from Daylife

As usual the Prince of Asturias participated in the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre Sailing Cup in its 28th edition which ended after six days of races for the seven different classes which took part in the regatta. On August 8 the king and Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia presented the trophies of this 28 Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. The award ceremony took place at Ses Voltes gardens, next to the Cathedral of Palma.

During their vacations we had the opportunity to see Infanta Leonor and Infanta Sofia walking on the streets of Palma de Mallorca. The Prince and Princess wanted to give the appearance of normality in the island after the terrible terrorist attack some days before in the city.

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But this has been also a dynamic vacation for the little infantas as they attended their first rock concert! Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia took them to Jaume Anglada, team-mate of Prince Felipe, charity concert at Palma Club Nautico. Jauma’s performance is a tradition during the sailing competition. He has performed since 1995. But the last one was in aid of Alex Foundation, which competes with a ship called “Alex Rumbo a ti” whose crew is formed of professional competitors and physically disabled people, so maybe Felipe and Letizia thought that it was a good event for Leonor and Sofia to attend.

On August 26 King Juan Carlos met with the Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero; afterward the Queen and the Prime Minister’s wife, Sonsoles Espinosa, joined them in a private dinner.

The, royal family will be back at work this week. On Wednesday the king will meet with Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian National Authority. Among others things the Prince and the Princess of Asturias will attend the opening of the “Parc Científic” of Valencia University.

If you want to know what the Royal Family did during summer, visit this thread.

Paty Spanish Royals King Juan Carlos, Prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Princess Letizia, Princess of Asturias, Queen Sofia, Vacation

 On Friday, July 24, the King and Queen of Spain officially inaugurated the GTC (Gran Telescopio Canarias) or Grantecan, which is consider the most powerful and advanced telescope with which to observe the universe.

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The new “Crown Jewel” is situated at 2,400 meters above sea-level, in one of the top astronomical sites in the Northern Hemisphere: Roque de los Muchachos Observatory (RMO), on La Palma Island, a declared World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and a place where Jose Miguel Rodriguez Espinosa, director of GCT, said it is an “ideal observation point, because it is scarcely populated and scarcely illuminated.”

The telescope is composed of a main mirror consisting of 36 hexagonal glass-ceramic elements, each with a 1.9 metre diagonal which is equivalent to a round mirror 10.4 metres in diameter.  Acording to RMO representatives, the GTC will allow the in-depth study of the nature of Black Holes, as well as the more distant stars and galaxies in the Universe and the first conditions after the Big Bang. It is expected that the telescope would produce important advances in every field of astrophysics. Read more…

Paty Spanish Royals King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, Technology

 Spanish production company Sagrera Audiovisual and television channel Antena 3 will shortly begin filming a miniseries about the lesser-known life moments of Queen Sofia of Spain.

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According to El Mundo newspaper, the casting to choose the actors will take place next month and it is still unknown the name of the actress that will play the role of Queen Sofia. It’s also been reported that the filming will begin in October and so probably the TV movie will broadcast towards the middle of 2010.

The miniseries will be divided in two parts based on the less-known moments of Queen Sofia life. The first one will narrate the relationship between the then Princess Sofia of Greece and Prince Juan Carlos of Spain until their engagement, and the second part will continue with her history from the Prince and Princess’ wedding in Athens in 1962 until the day they become King and Queen of Spain in 1975.

Paty Spanish Royals Biography, Queen Sofia, Television