Empress Masako's Archival Moments to Celebrate Her 59th Birthday

Empress Masako celebrated her fifty-ninth birthday on December 9th.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia Attend Celebration for the 175th Anniversary of the Círculo del Liceo

Sixtieth Wedding Anniversary Celebrations for King Michael I and Queen Ana of Romania

Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to accomplish the feat of celebrating her sixtieth wedding anniversary to the Duke of Edinburgh on November 14, 2007, but on June 10, 2008 the British monarch was no longer the only one. Former King Michael I and Queen Ana of Romania marked their auspicious occasion with three days of celebration this week. Besides several private events, the royal couple attended a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum. As tribute to the milestone, a volume written by their eldest daughter Princess Margareta and her husband Prince Radu entitled “Nunta de Diamant” was released at the National History Museum of Romania.

Initially, it was at the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey that Michael and Ana first met. Queen Ana recalled how she was quite taken by Michael dressed in his military uniform. Evidently, the attraction was mutual because he proposed to her a week after their first meeting. The couple married at Tatoi in Greece in 1948. They have five daughters: Margareta, Elena, Irina, Sofia and Maria.

On a personal note, my husband Michael and I celebrate our eighth wedding anniversary next week. Incidentally, my husband proposed to me three weeks after we first met and so I raise a toast to those whose marriages have even surpassed the first year and many more hereafter.

Below is the list of royal attendees to the Diamond Wedding celebration of King Michael I and Queen Ana of Romania on June 10, 2008.

HM Queen Sofía of Spain
HM King Simeon of Bulgaria
HM Queen Margarita of Bulgaria
HM King Constantine II of Greece
HM Queen Anne-Marie of Greece
ASIR Prince Lorenz of Belgium
ASIR Archduke Karl of Austria
HRH Prince Alexander II of Serbia and Yugoslavia
HRH Princess Katherine of Serbia and Yugoslavia
HRH Morritz, Landgrave of Hesse
HRH Prince Maximilian II of Baden
ASIR Markgraffin of Baden
HRH Duarte Pio, Ducele of Branganza
HRH Prince Amedeo of Savoia, Duke of Aosta
HRH Princess Silvia of Savoia, Duchess of Aosta
ASIR Archduke Christian of Austria
ASIR Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria
HRH Prince Ludwig of Baden
HRH Princess Marianne of Baden
HRH Prince Philippe de Bourbon-Parma
HRH Princess Annette de Bourbon-Parma
Lorraine HRH Princess of Bourbon-Parma
Countess Marie Holstein-Ledreborg
SSA Prince Charles of Thurn und Taxis
SSA Veronica Princess of Thurn und Taxis
Dr. John Fruchaud
SSA Princess Tatiana Radziwill, Mrs. John Fruchaud

For more information on the Romanian Royal Family, visit the official website.

Photos: Monarchy of Romania, REUTERS

Queen Fabiola Gathers Belgian Royals for Her 80th Birthday

The Belgian Royal Family gathered at the Castle of Laeken Tuesday afternoon to celebrate Queen Fabiola’s eightieth birthday. She had her party a week early; the queen does not turn eighty until June 11th. Princess Mathilde was in attendance along with seven-week-old Princess Eléonore, who also carries the name Fabiola amongst her five names. Doña Fabiola Fernanda Maria de las Victorias Antonia Adelaïda de Mora y Aragón was born on June 11, 1928 in Madrid. She married King Baudouin on December 15, 1960. She was thirty-two years old. King Baudouin passed away July 31, 1993. They were married thirty-two years.

Trained as a nurse, the queen has focused on issues such as dyslexia and mental health. She has also devoted time to initiatives that help the disadvantage in the Belgian population and Third World countries. Amongst her talents, the queen speaks fluent Spanish, French, Dutch, English, German and Italian.Photos: REUTERS

30th Birthday Bash for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

What does the crown princess of Sweden receive for her 30th birthday on July 14th? Well, much to her delight, Crown Princess Victoria was the recipient of a lion tamarin and a flat screen television. The endangered animal resides at Skansen zoo and a plaque mentions the royal connection. As for the flat screen tv, it will be used in her office at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. Amongst her many other gifts, she accepted a donation from Täby Racecourse which was deposited into the Crown Princess Victoria fund.

Other events for the birthday milestone included a family service at the royal palace; a salute fired from Skeppsholmen and a demonstration from the military guard of honour. The festivities concluded in Öland.

In a recent interview, the princess stated that she felt "more secure and calm" than she did a few years ago. This is the second time that her birthday has sparked a major celebration. The last time was for her 18th birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates 400th Jubilee of the English Reformed Church

The Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II visited the Netherlands this week to celebrate the 400th jubilee of the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof in Amsterdam. The British monarch was greeted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Rotterdam Airport. Beside participating in the 400th jubilee celebration, Elizabeth toured the Amsterdam Historical Museum and the International Court of Justice in The Haag.
Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the International Court of Justice can be read here.For more information on the Begijnhof in Amsterdam, visit the official website.

Photos: ANP, REUTERS