Aimone and Olga Exchange Wedding Vows

Prince Aimone of Savoy and Princess Olga of Greece officialized their marriage this month. The civil marriage vows were exchanged at the Italian Embassy in Moscow on September 16th whilst the religious wedding ceremony was performed on the Isle of Patmos on September 27th. The Patriarchal Exarch of Patmos, Archimandrite Andipas Nikitaras, officiated over the nupitials.

For royal watchers, it has been a long wait since the couple announced their engagement in May, 2005. Photos from the September 27th wedding ceremony can be viewed here.

Princess Máxima Addresses VI National Conference in Moscow

As a member of the United Nations Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands attended the VI National Conference “Microfinance in Russia: Building an All-Inclusive Financial System” in Moscow yesterday. The conference encompassed the goal to “promote the role of microfinance in improving access to financial services in Russia, fostering better standards of living and regional development through consolidating the efforts of all market participants and facilitating their dialogue with government.”

Some highlights from her address are below:

"Ladies and gentlemen, as an economist and former banker myself, I am convinced that a sound financial sector is an essential part of the development process. By now, research has convincingly shown that financial development and improving access to finance not only accelerates economic growth, but also reduces poverty and income inequality."

"Access to a wide variety of financial services and products, such as loans, savings, insurance products and remittances can be a powerful tool to generate income, build capital and protect people against risk. However, world financial systems are not inclusive today: well over two billion people do not have access to basic financial services."

Princess Máxima's entire speech from the VI National Conference in Moscow can be read here.

Prince Joachim Promotes Danish Industry in Russia

From September 12th to September 16th, Prince Joachim of Denmark was promoting the Danish industry in Russia. He was invited by the Kremlin Zoria Foundation and various Danish companies. Some of the places Joachim visited included the Rigla Pharmacy, Bang & Olufsen Company and a BROEN Production Ltd. factory. He observed the work of several Danish pharmaceutical companies at the Danish Health Care Exhibition and attended a presentation of Christmas trees by the Danish Association of Christmas tree Farmers.

For a cultural experience, the prince toured the Dmitry Zhilinsky Exhibition at the State Tretyakov Gallery which featured portraits of the Royal Danish court.

Diplomatically, the prince was guest of honour at a Moscow Military Tattoo in Red Square on September 14th.

Prince Joachim closed his visit to Russia with a lunch at the Hotel Kolomna hosted by Kolomna District Administration Head Nikolai Ottyasov.