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Tongan Royals Attend Memorial for Ferry Victims

  September 7, 2009 at 3:25 am by

Following some criticism of the Tongan King’s absence from the island kingdom, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka has called for closure in a speech at a memorial service for those who died when the ferry the Princess Ashika sank. During his speech he emphasised that whilst they had gathered to remember those who were lost, they must also celebrate the lives saved. Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka called for the people of … Continue reading →

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Tongan King’s Foreign Trip after Ferry Tragedy

  August 13, 2009 at 4:39 am by

There has been criticism in the New Zealand media of the Tongan King’s trip to Scotland recently. The criticism has arisen as Tonga has recently suffered the tragic sinking of a ferry, with many people perishing. At least 149 people were on board, with 54 survivors having being found, and 2 bodies. The number dead is unconfirmed. The ferry was in a questionable condition at the time, and for many … Continue reading →

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The Origins of the Tongan Monarchy

  July 21, 2009 at 2:22 am by

The Tongan monarchy is reported to have held the most power in the 13th century. By the next century, there were three royal lines in Tonga. This arose when the King retained his spiritual authority, but delegated all other power to his brother; this happened again later with the second royal line, creating the third. Day-to-day ruling was carried out by Tu’i Ha’atakalaua and Tu’i Kanokupolu lines; it was the … Continue reading →

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Prime Minister Key Visits Tonga, Meets with King

  July 10, 2009 at 9:31 am by

On July 7 New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key began a series of official visits to Tonga, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands. During the visit, Key will meet with all four Prime Ministers; he will also meet King George Tupou V of Tonga. The visits will last until July 10. The meeting (in fact meetings, plural) with the King took place on the 7th, the first being an audience … Continue reading →

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Knighthood for Sir Don McKinnon

  July 10, 2009 at 9:20 am by

HM Queen Elizabeth II today knighted former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his 2000-2008 (two terms) “outstanding” service as Secretary-General. Today is Commonwealth Day, a fitting day for his knighting. Sir Don McKinnon was also New Zealand’s longest serving Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is also a member … Continue reading →

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Calls To Extend Public Access to Buckingham Palace: Update

  June 27, 2009 at 7:48 pm by

Early this month we wrote about a proposal to open Buckingham Palace to the public beyond the two months it is currently open, in a bid to raise funds for urgent repairs needed, the bill running to the many millions of pounds. The Telegraph is now reporting that this proposal (by MPs) has been turned down because the palace is a place of work for the royal family, who use … Continue reading →

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Senior Royals Miss Inaugural Armed Forces Day

  June 26, 2009 at 3:35 am by

There will be no ‘senior royals’ attending the inaugural Armed Forces Day in Kent, according to the British media. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend the event, and one Buckingham Palace spokesman has referred to the couple as ‘senior royals’, although this does not seem to match the call from the public. The palace official pointed out the Duke and Duchess’s multiple visits to the Middle East, including … Continue reading →

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The Richest Royals

  June 23, 2009 at 10:15 pm by

Forbes has recently released their annual list of the world’s 15 richest royals. Emphasised in the article was the impact of the credit crunch, real estate values plumeting and stock market difficulties with Forbes stating all in all the global recession has led to the royals listed loosing a total of $22 billion, 17% of the total wealth listed last year. More specifically, they state that whilst two of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Brunei, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Oman, Other Royals, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Thailand, The United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spanish State Visit to New Zealand: Day 2

  June 23, 2009 at 9:56 pm by

Today has been the second and final day of the State Visit of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. Today there were two ceremonies for the royal visitors, who spent the day in the capital city, Wellington. The first was a wreath laying at National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Warrior; His Majesty laid a wreath. This was followed by a welcome ceremony at parliament, which … Continue reading →

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Spanish State Visit to New Zealand: Day 1

  June 22, 2009 at 1:16 am by

Their Majesties King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain today began a brief state visit to New Zealand. They arrived late Sunday evening (local time) in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city; this after a brief stop-over in Singapore en route from Spain. The royal couple is in New Zealand with a high-powered business delegation, including Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and the Secretary of State for Trade Silvia … Continue reading →

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Prince Edward in British Columbia for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

  June 7, 2009 at 8:02 pm by

Prince Edward is in Canada this week, paying a brief visit with the primary purpose of handing out Duke of Edinburgh awards. The Prince attended a private dinner on Wednesday night at the Vancouver Art Gallery, before heading to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel on Thursday for the first award ceremony. Here he presented 76 DoE awards, and spent nearly an hour talking with the recipients and their families. Edward also … Continue reading →

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Prince Charles To Attend D-Day Ceremony in France

  June 3, 2009 at 5:50 pm by

There has been a circus surrounding the preparations for the D-Day 65th anniversary this weekend, as no member of the British Royal Family was invited; and the situation has received media coverage globally. The anniversary will be attended by Presidents Sarkozy and Obama, but questions were raised when no member of the British Royal Family was announced as attending. The royal household initially stated that no royal was attending as … Continue reading →

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Calls To Extend Public Access to Buckingham Palace

  June 2, 2009 at 8:42 pm by

Buckingham Palace is to many an emblem of the British Monarchy. According to reports however, it is also a palace in need of some serious renovations. It is argued that the palace should open its doors to the public more often to fund the repairs and renovations. In total, renovations needed for the royal estate (not just Buckingham Palace) are expected to amount to £32 million, more than double the … Continue reading →

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“Sculpture by the Sea” Exhibition to Open in Denmark

  May 31, 2009 at 4:38 am by

Twelve years ago the “Sculpture by the Sea” exhibition began on the shores of Bondi Beach in Australia, it then expanded to Perth’s shores in 2004. This year for the first time, it will also run in Denmark. The exhibition will open outside of Australia for the first time in a little under a week, when it opens in Århus, Denmark on June 5 and will run until the 28th … Continue reading →

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New Zealand Artist’s Work Featured in the Highgrove Florilegium

  May 30, 2009 at 8:03 pm by

The Highgrove Florilegium was first produced in 2008 and this year a New Zealander’s work is to be included in the second volume. Susan Worthington is quick to emphasise that she is not a botanist, but that her water colour paintings are botanically correct. Less than 200 copies of the latest volume of the Highgrove Florilegium are to be printed, and will fetch a remarkable price tag – that of … Continue reading →

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Old photo of a young Princess Elizabeth comes to light

  May 27, 2009 at 2:14 pm by

A photograph taken in 1935 was found by chance by a museum curator, in a box of old photographs. The subject of the photograph is the then Princess Elizabeth, now Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was sitting for a scupture commissioned by her parents, King George V and Queen Elizabeth (at the time Duke and Duchess of York). The picture was taken along with the sculpture of the nine … Continue reading →

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Buckingham Palace Security under Review after Breach

  May 27, 2009 at 9:43 am by

The security of Buckingham Palace has been questioned following the revelation that several media personnel have been able to gain access to the palace. One journalist was even employed by the Palace a few years ago, while another two are reputed to have gained entry to the palace in return for a £1,000 bribe. The latter journalists toured the royal family’s fleet of cars, including those personally used by HM … Continue reading →

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Will Queen Elizabeth II Attend the 2010 Winter Olympics?

  May 26, 2009 at 9:35 pm by

It has been confirmed that HM Queen Elizabeth II has been invited to attend the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as a guest of honour. As yet, there has been no official response to the invitation, however, if it is accepted, it is some sources suggest that HM would open the Olympic Games on February 12 2010. This is far from certain however, with other reports stating that while HM … Continue reading →

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Te Puea Hèrangi, A Māori Princess

  May 22, 2009 at 1:05 pm by

Te Puea Hèrangi was born the granddaughter of the second Māori King, Tawhiao, in 1883. Te Puea is recognised as having been a famous and influential leader for Māori, with many great achievements throughout her life. One of the most notable occasions where she was a rallying point for Māori people was during World War I, when she objected to conscription. Te Puea made her farm available to those escaping … Continue reading →

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Danish Fashion for the Greek State Visit – Day 2

  May 21, 2009 at 9:17 pm by

On the second day of the Greek state visit, Crown Princess Mary wore a mainly yellow dress. It also featured brown spots and some blue and brown detailing at the hemline, and has a built-in belt. The princess teamed the dress with a dark grey jacket and turquoise/blue jewellery. Dark coloured peep-toe pumps completed the look. Later that day, the royal family attended a dinner and concert where Queen Margrethe … Continue reading →

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