Princess Caroline of Monaco: tragedy in a lifetime

At her mother's (princess Grace of Monaco's) funeral
At her husband Stefano Casiraghi's funeral
At her father's (prince Rainier III) funeral

William to move into his first London bachelor pad

His former girlfriend has been enjoying the single life on the London social scene recently, and now Prince William appears to be embracing his new found role as one of Britain's most eligible bachelors. The second-in-line to the throne is to move into London's upmarket apartment building Dolphin Square in Pimlico, setting up home in what will be his first flat as a young singleton.Residents at the swish apartment complex apparently had an idea they were about to get a high profile new neighbour after extra security measures were implemented and new CCTV cameras were installed. Their suspicions were confirmed when an announcement that Wills has signed a lease on a newly refurbished three-bedroom flat appeared in the Dolphin Square newsletter. According to the article, the 24-year-year-old Prince will shortly move into an apartment on the ninth floor, while "members of his police protection team will be located in apartments on either side of his flat".When William becomes a tenant in the exclusive complex he will enjoy a host of upmarket facilities, including a pool, gym, bar, squash courts and even a croquet lawn. There are also hordes of porters to cater for residents' needs. Another advantage is the fact that it is widely known as one of the safest addresses in London, due to the high numbers of senior military and intelligence officers who live there. The news of Wills' move may have royal fans wondering why he has chosen the apartment over a more regal base such as Clarence House. "Dolphin Square is safe, central and anonymous. While he's in the Army William only needs an uncomplicated base in London for short periods," a royal aide tells a British newspaper. "And the real point is that he does not yet want to live in any of the royal palaces where everyone would know exactly what he's up to and who he invites back. He's got a whole lifetime of that."

from HELLO MAGAZINE

Prince Frederik celebrates birthday aboard royal yacht

Decked out in his naval uniform, Denmark's dashing Crown Prince Frederik took to the sea to celebrate his 39th birthday at a special lunch with his wife Crown Princess Mary, son Christian and his one-month old daughter. His choice of vessel - the royal yacht Dannebrog - was particularly appropriate as it celebrates its 75th birthday this year.The family was joined at Copenhagen's Langelinie port by Frederik's mother Queen Margrethe and her husband Prince Henrik, as well as family pet Ziggy, a border collie who is apparently young Prince Christian's biggest fan. The nautical outing marked the first time at sea for the baby princess, who is due to be officially named at a baptism ceremony on July 1. She will no doubt find her sea legs quickly, as both her parents are known for their love of sailing. Stylish in a cream coat, Mary - looking remarkably svelte following the April 21 birth of her daughter - took her little girl aboard in a carry cot, while her husband carried their son in his arms. The pair have always been hands-on-parents and were no doubt keen to share daddy's special day with the children.

Life is a cabaret for Prince Henrik

The Danish prince consort presents roses to a dancer at a Red Cross fundraising cabaret show

Charlene joins Albert for the racing action at Monte Carlo

Their joint appearance at last year's Monaco Grand Prix got royal fans hoping for news of a royal engagement. And this year, Prince Albert of Monaco had his South African girlfriend, Charlene Wittstock by his side again as he attended the premier Formula One event.The pair - who had not been pictured in public for some time until they attended a Monaco football match earlier this month - looked perfectly in tune as they watched the action from the sidelines on Sunday. And after the prince had joined his sister Princess Caroline to present a cup to race winner Fernando Alonso, he and his pretty blonde girlfriend both attended the race gala dinner that evening. The 29-year-old swimming champion has been romantically linked to the prince since she was spotted with him at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Their relationship appears to be going from strength to strength, but royal watchers may have to wait some time yet for them to walk down the aisle. Asked recently by a British newspaper if there were any wedding plans on the horizon, Price Albert replied: "No. Nothing. No plans right now." And it wasn't just royals adding to the excitement at the Monte Carlo race track. Down in the paddock, a host of British stars lined up to meet UK race star Lewis Hamilton, who went on to win second place in the big event. Love, Honour And Obey co-stars Jude Law and Jonny Lee Miller - both classically cool in black leather jackets - were joined by fiery TV chef Gordon Ramsey in the Mercedes garage.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton keen to remain friends after split

Prince William and ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton have reportedly met up twice this week in an effort to stay friends following their split last month.
According to the People newspaper, the pair met at a friend’s house in London then for a meal at a pub near Prince Charles’ home in Highgrove, Gloucestershire.
A source told the newspaper: “It is too early to talk of a reconciliation. But William is determined not to simply abandon Kate. And she acknowledges they have a history that would be a shame to cast aside.”
“[They] agreed over a bottle of wine that they remained very important in each other’s lives. They are still enormously fond of each other.”

Source

Prince Williams and Kate Middleton still have meetings...

PRINCE William and his ex Kate Middleton have had two secret meetings in a bid to stay close friends.
The "peace talks" were at a hideaway pub and the home of a discreet pal.
Ahighly-placed source said: "It is too early to talk of a reconciliation. But William is determined not to simply abandon Kate. And she acknowledges they have a history that would be a shame to cast aside."
The 24-year-old Prince's split with Kate, 25, was revealed six weeks ago. But the source said they got together at the friend's London home and "agreed over a bottle of wine that they remained very important in each other's lives".
They met again for a two-hour meal at a pub near Prince Charles's home in Highgrove, Gloucs. William then went to Highgrove and Kate drove to her parents' home in Berks.
The source said: "They are still enormously fond of each other."

Kate Middleton : she was really cute and royal to my opinion. What do you think?

Tell us your opinion!

Monaco's Pierre gets into strip for kids' charity

Monegasque heart-throb Pierre Casiraghi went into action for charity this week, taking part in a football match at the Luis II stadium. Wearing Monaco's red and white strip, the young royal took to the field to raise money for Amade, a children's foundation established by his grandmother Princess Grace.And the 19-year-old, who is currently romancing socialite Olympia Scarry, had some blueblooded support from the sidelines in the form of his sporty uncle, Prince Albert. Prince Caroline's son made an enthusiastic contribution to the "Star Team For Children", passing and heading the ball to his fellow players with gusto. And when he wasn't making contact with the ball himself he was busy clapping and shouting instructions to his team mates. Their opponents, a group of Formula One drivers, weren't inclined to accept defeat, however.The annual match is traditionally regarded as a limbering up exercise for the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, which kicks off shortly after it, and allows the motoring aces to whet their competitive appetites.

My opinion: he's grown!!!!

Source

Charles reportedly making a bid for 'Queen Camilla'

Since she wed her Prince over two years ago, the Duchess of Cornwall has taken to her royal duties with aplomb and has succeeded in gaining the respect, and gradually the affection of the British people. And now, according to a new documentary, Prince Charles' aides are launching a campaign to recognise the woman he loves as his queen, rather than the previously decided title of Princess Consort, when he ascends to the throne.According to a new Channel 4 programme, Queen Camilla, which airs on May 31, Charles' courtiers are keen to remove all obstacles to her taking the royal title. They are hoping to rally public support by raising her profile and promoting her image as a hard-working member of "the Firm". "It is absolute common knowledge that he wants his wife to be Queen and not Princess Consort. And it is entirely understandable," says one source. When Charles first announced plans to wed Camilla in 2005, questions were raised about the divorced mum-of-two's future. Clarence House, sensitive to public opinion, came up with the compromise of making her Duchess of Cornwall, thereby avoiding the use of the late Princess Diana's former title of Princess of Wales. The understanding was that after Charles' accession to the throne she would be referred to as Princess Consort. However, although a spokesman explained at the time that Camilla would be free to choose which title she preferred - as there's currently no legal statute governing the issue, it's just a question of convention - the constitutional affairs minister pointed out the marriage is not "morganatic". This implies that, as the new King's wife, Camilla would automatically assume the title of Queen, something which could only be prevented by an Act of Parliament. Whatever her future title will be, it seems public opinion on Camilla being recognised as Queen is tipping in her favour. In 1999 an opinion poll revealed the majority of Britons - 76 per cent - were opposed the idea. That figure had fallen to 64 per cent just before their wedding, and dropped even further - to 55 per cent - last year.

Portrait of Princess Catharina-Amalia Carmen Victoria of the Netherlands (great video!)

Princess Maxima's pregnancy 'til Princess Ariana's birth (slideshow with music)

As Kate re-emerges more tanned and confident, a new Middleton girl takes a bow

Amid the clatter of small talk and social niceties, it was a well-meaning attempt to rally a young girl's spirits: "Keep your chin up. Don't let them get you down. You'll be fine."
But when Tara Palmer-Tompkinson delivered these words of wisdom to Kate Middleton at a fashionable book launch, what was striking was not the kindness of the older woman's words but how superfluous they appeared.
For, since splitting from Prince William, Kate Middleton seems to have had very little trouble in keeping either her chin, or her profile, high.

(More under the cut / Source)

Americas Cup Louis Vuitton: HRH Prince Felipe as Desafio Espanol 18th man on disappointing day

In the pre-start the Spaniards opted to leave on the right side, closely marking the New Zealand boat which managed to depart in front of Spain at the last moment. The Spanish boat left on the preferred side but more slowly and at the beginning of the upwind leg the New Zealanders were a length ahead. Soon the Spanish boat turned to the right, a manoeuvre which was responded to by the New Zealanders, who had a greater pressure of wind and had already stretched their lead to two lengths.

More on the source

King Don Juan Carlos has been chosen as the most important Spaniard in History.

(click on the photo for news / source)

Pass on a Royal fee

NICE girls don't kiss and tell. Just look at Kate Middleton. Since her break-up with Prince William, her name has become synonymous with the phrase (hex 18)dignified silence' and in a week that has seen her turn down guest appearances on reality TV shows Hell's Kitchen and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, (hex 18)dignified' really is the operative word.
A sane person could be forgiven for wondering why any girl, not to mention one as classy as Middleton, would be tempted to appear on a programme that not only forces contestants to live in jungle squalor for weeks at a time, but is also single-handedly responsible for unleashing Jordan and Peter Andre onto the world.
Why would Middleton ever want to subject herself to the ritual humiliations and barrage of obscenities that would, no doubt, be hurled her way in the kitchen of super-chef Gordon Ramsey? But that would be overlooking one all- important detail: The Fee.
And this, it seems, is the real testimony to Middleton's mettle, as she was reportedly offered (hex A3) 500,000 per show -- not exactly peanuts for the daughter of an ex-air hostess accused of not being posh enough for the prince. But it seems Kate is not that kind of girl, which is something the Royals could do with.
Indeed, they might well benefit from a few PR lessons from the silent but stylish Middleton, who with each passing day manages to appear far more regal than the Royals themselves.
But that's unlikely to happen now she and Will are no more. And as the Windsors know only too well: you can't buy class.

SOURCE

About Charlotte Casiraghi...

The gorgeous Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Monaco’s Princess Caroline and one of Europe’s most stylish young aristocrats, pairs a shimmery dress and beige fur coat with gold platforms, conforming to one of the season’s most popular looks: metallics. She also carries a silver Tod’s Boomerang bag.

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First royal visit is a knock-out for kids

THE Queen’s cousin dropped in on Droylsden youth centre on Thursday.
But the Duke of Gloucester wasn’t there to spar with young boxers or don his kit for a game of football – as patron of the Federation of Boys Clubs he was visiting as part of its centenary year celebrations.
And the grandson of George V was very impressed with what he saw at the Lewis Road centre.

"I think it’s good publicity for the club especially with us bidding for funding for this new complex," said club leader Alan Bradbury.
"We’re really pleased to have a member of the royal family visiting our club – it’s the first time a royal has been to the club.
"I think the kids were very excited and I thought it was a nice touch that he took time out to speak to them as well. They were all very proud to be able to display their skills in front of a member of the royal family."
The children did a display of boxing and football techniques as His Royal Highness was led around the whole site. He was also shown plans for the club’s proposed £1m state of the art new centre.
Before leaving, he made a speech where he told the children how impressed he had been with their skills and said in Manchester he didn’t expect any less of the city’s footballers!
He said: "It’s been a great pleasure for me to come to Manchester and in particular to come to this youth centre and also to see the plans for your new building which looks most impressive.
"I hope you get the money together and then you will be an even better club."

Source

There are few rulers more burdened with care than Emperor Akihito of Japan

To plenty of his own people as well as to foreigners, there has always been something cosily reassuring about Emperor Akihito of Japan. Like many monarchs, he and Empress Michiko have cultivated a personal style over the years, as practised and familiar in its own way as the British Royal Family’s handbags, corgis and stiff G&Ts.
There are his double-breasted suits and her old-fashioned hats, as smart as they are unfashionable. There is their public demeanour, one of intense solicitousness and earnest courtesy, without a trace of aristocratic hauteur. And then there are the Emperor’s enthusiasms – his love of tennis, of the cello, and, above all, his passion for a small, unglamorous fish called the goby.

Find this entire article here: Source

Brunei : Value Sanctity Of The Family

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office called out to parents to provide clear moral values and play a more concerted role in building closer family ties.
The Crown Prince made the sabda at the opening of this year's Final of the National Adult Level Quran Reading Competition, held last night at the International Convention Centre in Berakas.
"Drug abuse, incest, promiscuity, the breakdown of morality, a lack of discipline and discord in the family institution are some of the social problems which are currently affecting communities, and our country is no exception," His Royal Highness stated as some of the causes of social concern.
"'There is a need for husbands and wives, mothers or fathers, children or family members, to play a concerted role in building happy families," His Royal Highness elaborated further. "Family practices based upon ways of life in accordance with Islamic values, will lead to the types of community required by Islam ... that are not merely focused on worldly demands." The heir to the throne added: "To create a generation of com munities that are pious, rich in culture and that continue the tradition of living in an environment of harmony and tranquility, it is necessary for family members aril all levels of society to discharge Itreir respective roles and responsibilities, whilst also possessing solid caring attitudes."
A lack of faith and deviation from Islam, worldly demands and materialistic quests were also cited as challenges jeopardising the- faith of Muslims, Ills Royal Highness said, warning that "the acts of deviations have already occurred".
"This is why it is important for us to return to the Quran which has the revelations of Allah the Almighty to become our true guidance, source of wisdom and teaching," His Royal Highness said, adding that "by thoroughly embracing the Quran, one will without doubt derive happiness in this world and the hereafter".
'Seven finalists - three women and four men - recited verses from the Quran last night. A total of 92 participants had entered for the competition. The final results will be announced later this evening at the same venue.
The winners will represent the sultanate at the Finals of the International Quran Reading Competition in Malaysia sometime later this year.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

90% SAY NO TO QUEEN CAMILLA

PRINCE Charles faces huge public opposition to Camilla becoming Queen despite a two-year charm offensive, a Daily Express opinion poll revealed last night.
Senior courtiers have admitted that he wants to leave the door open for his second wife to be given the title if the majority of the UK supports it.But our poll of thousands of readers yesterday showed that nine out of 10 people are resolutely opposed to a Queen Camilla.Two years after their wedding, the couple have still failed to win over millions of people who have concerns about swearing allegiance to two divorcees whose adultery ruined the life of Princess Diana. The latest poll comes amid fresh revelations of a secret plan to make Camilla Queen.Charles – who fought successfully for her to be called Her Royal Highness when they married in April 2005 – has had to accept that she does not use the title Princess of Wales. Publicly, his office has said it remains the “intention” that Camilla, now Duchess of Cornwall, will become Princess Consort when he becomes King. But many in the couple’s circle admit that the Prince would like her to become Queen and have urged him to defy public hostility towards his wife.

The Queen inspects the gardens at Chelsea
Sceptics point out that in December 1995 he said it was his intention never to remarry. And in 2000 his private secretary Stephen Lamport repeated the claim, insisting: “There is no intention of remarrying. We keep saying it but it is ignored or dismissed as dissembling.”Alan Berry, co-founder of the Diana Appreciation Society, urged Camilla to make a public commitment about her future. He said: “What Prince Charles wants, Prince Charles usually gets. It is up to Camilla now, if she has any conscience, to reject the idea of becoming Queen.

She was just saying how nice it was that something that’s sustainable could look so beautiful

Alan Titchmarsh quoting the Queen
“It is a pity that the Prince himself does not abdicate since he is equally inappropriate to sit on the British throne. What they did to Diana during her short lifetime is a dreadful indictment of Charles’s lack of moral fibre and Camilla’s ruthless ambition.”
A senior royal aide conceded that whatever the couple’s “intention”, it would be up to the Government to decide what Camilla’s title should be.But he added:“We’re probably looking at another decade at least before he accedes to the throne. We will have to consider what people feel at the time.”

The Prince is banking on the public gradually accepting Camilla, and some opinion polls suggest that support for the marriage has grown. But, as the Daily Express poll shows, there still remains huge opposition among many sections of society.The issue is raised in Queen Camilla, a Channel 4 documentary to be aired on May 31. It will show how Charles’s staff are working to remove all obstacles to the title be given to Camilla. But Clarence House refused to comment on the show until it is aired and even suggested it may not discuss it at all.The Royal Family’s sensitivity over the issue was evident last night when Camilla joined Charles and 15 other members of the family at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.It is one of the rare occasions when the Queen and Camilla attend an engagement together.In the past the royal party splits up and meet at various points but, with the spotlight on the question of succession, their guides ensured the women’s paths never crossed in public.Camilla, who has just returned from a week’s holiday in the Aegean, looked tanned and seemed to shrug off the controversy. Also visiting the exhibition were Prince Philip, Prince Edward, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent.Daily Express gardening columnist Alan Titch­marsh met the Queen at a show garden based on sustainability and said afterwards: “She was just saying how nice it was that something that’s sustainable could look so beautiful.”

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Royals at Sandringham - new photographs

They are pictures that show the Royal Family in a bygone, more relaxed era - like George VI out shooting just months before he died and the Queen Mother as a young mum and her daughters, the now Queen and Princess Margaret. Offering a glimpse into the life of the Royals from Edwardian times until the 1950s at their country retreat, Sandringham, these most unseen images have been tucked away in the private collection of the man who was once King's Lynn's town photographer.But now some of his work as photographer to the Royals are going on public display.They include photographs of George V and Queen Mary, a young Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Princess Margaret and George VI out with his brothers hunting. Percy Goodchild was the town's photographer and it was he the family called on to snap special occasions.And now Dick Goodchild is donating his father's collection of prints and negatives to True's Yard Museum in King's Lynn so they can be seen by more people. Mr Goodchild, 81, had the fortune to be taken to Sandringham to help his dad when he was a teenager. “I fell in love with Margaret when I was about 14 or 15,” he said. “They did not have to be remote in those days. They were amiable. It was a much more relaxed time. “You just drove around to the front of Sandringham House. There was not the formality and certainly no police. There were no security problems. Life was so easy.
Family group - the young princesses with King George and Queen Elizabeth “Queen Elizabeth was wonderful. They were good times. Elizabeth and Margaret were a lovely couple of girls.”Percy started going to the estate with Dick's three sisters to perform small stage production to Queen Mary and George VI. It gave him entry to Sandringham and he was hired by them to take pictures.“In those days there were not cameras around so if the family wanted a picture taken he would go over there and do it,” said Mr Goodchild. “He photographed Queen Mary's tea services and the dogs and hounds. “They would order what they wanted and it was assumed nothing else would happen to them. Father was very precious over the copyright. He never sold any of them to anyone else.” One photograph shows George VI out shooting just months before he died in his sleep at Sandringham in 1952. Another shot shows statuettes and photographs stuck onto plywood so they stood up, made by Percy. He used these to create a scene depicting all the Royal family with a painted backdrop in the window of his shop in King's Lynn High Street, now Clarks shoe shop.In those days Queen Mary would be dropped off at the shop so she could pop in and buy pictures. “He got on particularly well with her,” said Mr Goodchild. “She was a rather imperious old girl. I was rather frightened of her.”
Edward VII with a family group taken between 1908 and 1910 Once Dick had the job of taking videos of events at the Royal estate, but these were always passed on to the family. Percy Goodchild moved to King's Lynn in 1908. He had joined the Territorial Army and was stationed at Holkham before going to France in 1917. After working for a Miss Purdy, he bought the high street shop in 1926 when she emigrated. “It was quite a venture. He became the town's photographer,” said Mr Goodchild. The last days of the Goodchild family's involvement with the Royals were portraits of the Queen and Queen Mother when they attended the West Newton WI meetings in Februarys. But by the 1960s and 1970s it was no longer the intimate affair it had been. Dick had to be smuggled in the back of the hall past hundreds of other press people. Percy died in 1962 and the family business, run by Dick and his brother Jack, closed in about 1980.Joanna Barrett, manager of True's Yard museum, said they were very pleased to get the collection and it was hoped they would be on display, digitally, by the beginning of August. Along with the Royal photographs, there is a plethora of local scenes, including many of Lynn's North End -in all more than 100 photographs.
Any inquiries can be made to the museum on 01553 770459. Percy's photographs depict more than a decade of monarchs. In 1908, when Percy first started work at Sandringham, King Edward VII and his wife, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, were in charge. Edward died in 1910 seeing George V, the first British monarch belonging to the house of Windsor, take the throne with his wife Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. He died in 1936 seeing Edward VIII briefly take the throne before he abdicated and George VI succeeded him in 1937. He reigned with Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at his side until he died in 1952, being succeeded by Queen Elizabeth, our present monarch.

Queen Beatrix exchanges gifts with Slovak dignitaries

May 22 was Queen Beatrix’s second day of her three-day visit to Slovakia.
The Queen was given a bronze statue and several other presents in addition to the state honours from President Ivan Gašparovič.
Queen Beatrix went to Primatial Palace in Bratislava’s old town, where she was welcomed by Bratislava’s Mayor Andrej Ďurkovský, viewed an exhibition of world-famous tapestries and signed the city's "Golden Book".
Ďurkovský presented the queen with a book about tapestries from the Mortlake (England) weaver’s workshop that decorate the Primatial Palace, and an engraving of the city from the 17th century.
With Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ján Kubiš in attendance, the Dutch monarch then met with leaders of non-governmental organizations and spoke with them on the transformation of Slovakia since the fall of communism in 1989.
At the University Library, Queen Beatrix attended a seminar on multilingualism and the status of languages in the EU and was given a book published on the occasion of the re-opening of the library in 2005.
In the afternoon, she went to the Danubiana modern art museum near Čuňovo, where she met with local business leaders.
Later she attended a formal concert held in the Slovak National Theatre’s old hall on Bratislava's Hviezdoslavovo Square.
In the evening, Queen Beatrix, President Gašparovič, First Lady Gašparovičová and a host of other guests were treated to a concert by Dutch piano virtuoso Wibi Soerjadi in the Slovak National Theatre’s old opera hall.
The concert and the following reception were organized by Queen Beatrix in Gašparovič's honour.

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Celebrating the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix

Netherlands Consul General Dirk Jan Kop, right, his wife and Hyogo Vice Gov. Tomio Saito pose for a snapshot during a reception held at the Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel on April 26 to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix.
The consul general has emphasized in his speech that relations between the royal families of both countries have become closer and that friendship between the two countries have been developed through economic and cultural exchanges. His speech was followed by a congratulatory address by Vice Gov. Saito.

Celebrity Jewellery

IN ADDITION to creating jewellery for celebrity clients and fulfilling custom orders of the British royal family, Asprey’s artisan craftsmen have, over the years, fashioned unusual items to pander to their sophisticated clients’ fancies.

Among them are:

1925 – A necklace of five graduated rows of natural pearls mounted in a platinum clasp was commissioned by Queen Mary for her granddaughter Princess Margaret, on the occasion of her 18th birthday.
1930 – Huge teak travelling trunks for each of the Maharajah of Patiala’s five wives. Each blue velvet-lined trunk was filled with solid silver items for bathing and grooming, with the bottles for pouring hot water bearing spouts with tigers’ heads.
1973 – A bespoke chess set was commissioned for Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr’s birthday. Each piece was modelled upon Ringo’s own beringed hands and differentiated by gesture: the bishop’s hand blesses while the rook is a closed fist. Half the set was cast in sterling silver and the rest was gold-plated.
1990 – The ultimate picnic accessory: a trailer in the form of a picnic basket was created for an American client. It contained not only the crockery, cutlery, silverware and glassware but also mahogany furniture for 16 people and a barbecue set.
1997 – The enormous necklace at the core of the plot of the blockbuster film Titanic. The “Coeur de la Mer” necklace commissioned for the film was made of blue quartz. However, for Oscar night, another was made with a 170-carat sapphire and 65 diamonds, and was auctioned off for US$2.2mil (RM6.87mil) at a charity ball.

Dutch Queen Beatrix finishes visit in Košice

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands finished her three-day visit to Slovakia with a trip to Košice on May 23.
The Dutch queen is the third monarch to visit Košice since 1990. She began with a visit to the historical City Hall, where mayor František Knapík presented her with a copy of the city's coat-of-arms, which dates back to 1369 and claims to be the oldest in Europe.
Queen Beatrix also visited the so-called Green School in Družstevná pri Hornáde, which specialises in environmental education.
The queen also visited the Music Conservatory in Košice before flying back home from the Košice airport.

Source

Debate about ecology in Norway

"You should do as much as you can in your own country, because that will strengthen your economy in the long run," Clinton said in an interview with Jan Egeland at the Oslo event hall.
Egeland had asked about one of the key questions being debated in Norway, whether emission cut efforts would have most impact if carried out at home or abroad.
"Norway should prove that it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be an example for the whole world," Clinton said, but emphasized that this must go hand in hand with environmental measures in the third world.
Before giving his lecture in Oslo, which he had also delivered to audiences in Tromsø and Bergen, the former US president had had a lengthy backstage chat with Kofi Annan, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Annan was the lead speaker at Oslo leading auditorium, and he also believes Norway has a special role to play in the global environmental debate.
"You can lead the world on environmental issues," Annan said, drawing forth examples such as the UN commission led by Gro Harlem Brundtland 20 years ago and the current government's recent environmental goals as ways Norway can set the global climate agenda.
While Annan spoke, Clinton met with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and discussed the government's ambitious emission reduction targets. The two agreed to maintain close contact and examine possible cooperative projects between Norwegian authorities and the William J. Clinton Foundation.

Source

Japanese emperor fetes Linnaeus tricentenary in Sweden

Uppsala, Sweden - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were the guests of honour Wednesday at festivities in Sweden marking the 300th birthday of Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who invented the current system of classifying organisms.
The emperor, a marine biologist known for his interest in the goby fish, is an avid fan of Linnaeus and an honorary member of the Linnean Society of London, an academic institute named after the Swede.
In his groundbreaking book Systema Naturae, published in 1735, Linnaeus, also known as Carl von Linne, the name he was given after he was knighted by the Swedish king in 1757, classified the animal, plant and mineral worlds, defining each species by a double name in Latin.
Under this binomial nomenclature, the first name referred to the genus and the second a specific "shorthand" name. It was Linnaeus who coined the term Homo sapiens, a species that he classified among primates.
"He named 8,000 different flora and around 4,000 to 5,000 animals ... most of the vegetable kingdom around us," Carl-Olof Jacobson, a retired zoology professor at Sweden's Uppsala University and chairman of the Swedish Linnaeus Society, told AFP.
Sweden has been celebrating the tricentary since the start of the year, with festivities, exhibits and conferences taking place in the country and around the world and culminating on Wednesday, Linnaeus' 300th birthday.
The main celebrations took place in Uppsala, a small university town north of Stockholm where Linnaeus worked as a professor in the 18th century.
The imperial couple attended a memorial ceremony Wednesday in Uppsala Cathedral, where Linneaus is buried. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia also attended, as did dozens of Linnaeus' descendants and academics, politicians and leaders of business and industry.
Entering the cathedral solemnly, the royals stopped for a moment to pay homage to Linnaeus at his grave, bordered with pale blue pansies and a wreath for the occasion.
Sweden's Bishop Anders Wejryd welcomed the 480 guests, before an organ and choir piece was played.
The head of the Swedish Linnean Society, Carl-Olof Jacobson, honoured the botanist, remembering him as "a great scientist" and comparing his writings to that of another famous Swede author, August Strindberg.
Following the ceremony the emperor and empress, dressed in a pale grey kimono for the occasion, and the Swedish royals led a short procession in glorious sunny weather across the square to Uppsala University for a Linnaeus celebration.
Along the brief walk they greeted schoolchildren dressed as colourful flowers, as hundreds of Uppsala residents lined the streets to get a glimpse of the special guests.
Celebrations then continued at the Uppsala University auditorium, where a specially-commissioned choral and orchestral work by Swedish composer Jan Sandstroem was premiered.
Uppsala University principle Anders Hallberg declared Akihito, 73, an honorary member of the university, and said his visit "lends extraordinary splendour to celebrations of Linnaeus and to Uppsala University."
The day was to wind up with a banquet at Uppsala Castle for more than 400 guests, where typically Swedish foods and drink were to be served, including aquavit, reindeer meat and wild strawberries for dessert.
The imperial couple's trip to Sweden has largely been a visit in Linnaeus footsteps.
On Tuesday, they toured Stockholm's Bergius Botanic Garden, which was created by one of Linnaeus' students and which is home to many of the species he categorised.
They also visited the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which Linnaeus helped found in 1739 and which each year awards the prestigious Nobel Prizes in the fields of chemistry, physics and economics.
The imperial couple will leave Sweden on Thursday for the three Baltic states, before heading to Britain.

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Dutch Queen spends 24 million euros in maintenance last year

Dutch Queen Beatrix spent more than 24 million euros last year for the use of the palaces, cars, horses, vehicles and payment of palace staff, according to the annual report from the Queen's House which was presented to the Dutch Parliament Wednesday.
The Dutch state spent a total of 83.7 million euros on the royal house in 2006, about 30 million euros more than the previous year. The increase is due partly to higher costs for security and maintenance of the palaces.
Beatrix, her son Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima received an allowance of almost 5.7 million euros in 2006, 3.9 million of which went to the queen.
Willem-Alexander received 957,000 euros and Maxima 845,000 euros. The allowance exceeded the budgeted amount by 145,000 euros, the audit chamber concluded.
The audit chamber also wrote that Beatrix did not devote enough attention to providing information on the expenses last year.

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Britain's Prince William's ex-girlfriend Kate Middleton has been promoted

The brunette beauty - who split from the prince last month - has won a junior position in Jigsaw's design department, after just six months of working as an assistant jewellery buyer for the popular high street fashion chain.A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: 'A lot of people have been moved as part of a major shake-up. Now she might even design her own line. That would be exploiting her name, perhaps, but they would make a fortune.'I don't think they would have done this if she's still been with William, because it looks like favouritism.' Kate joined the company in 2006 - a year after completing her History of Art studies at Scotland's St Andrew's University. The 25-year-old met William, 24, during her first year at the university, where the prince was started out studying History of Art but later switched to Geography. Since the couple decided to part ways, Kate has been keen to show the world she is carrying on with her life, and has been pictured on several nights out with girls, shopping and playing tennis.

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Prince Harry will not be allowed to serve

Prince Harry will not be allowed to take up his position in the Royal Family, it was finally announced today. A spokesman for Buckingham Palace told a press conference that Harry's inclusion would represent a 'significantly increased risk' to the future and respectability of the monarchy.
'I have recently returned from the Palace,' revealed an anonymous minor royal, 'and it is not a nice place to be. To add Prince Harry into this complex melting pot of unpredictable behaviour and fighting factions is not wise at this stage. It would put a severe strain on Royal operations if the other members of the family were always having to keep an extra eye out for Harry to make sure he didn't unwittingly wonder into potentially embarrassing situations.'
The 'Royal Formerly Known as Prince Harry' was said to be disappointed at the latest announcement, having previously expressed his desire to fulfil his duties. 'I would be gutted if I had to just sit there, twiddling my thumbs, as my brother and all the rest of the Royal Family carried on opening new buildings and meeting the public' he told the BBC last month. Relatives of those who are currently serving in the Royal Family have reacted angrily to the announcement, claiming that he should not be excused from his responsibilities just because he is likely to become a target for tabloid newspaper reporters.
However other members of the royal family will now be taking on Harry’s duties. On Friday night, Princess Anne is attending the ‘opening of the vodka bottle’ at Bumpers Nite Club, followed by the passing out parade which will take place in the car park behind the wheelie bins.

Successful start to state visit

AMSTERDAM - Queen Beatrix, the first Dutch monarch to visit present-day Slovakia, arrived in Bratislava on Monday.

She met briefly on Monday with President Ivan Gašparoviè and First Lady Silvia Gašparovièová in the Presidential Palace in Bratislava.
The president's spokesman said that the heads of state discussed the EU constitution and healthcare systems in their respective countries.
Queen Beatrix went on to meet with Prime Minister Robert Fico after her visit with the president and his wife.

Queen Beatrix was first invited to Slovakia by President Michal Kováè (1993-98), but was unable to accept because of her busy state agenda, the Slovak Spektator reports.

Queen starts visit to Slovakia

Japanese royals begin European tour

Emperor Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko board a plane in Tokyo to travel to Sweden, the Baltic States and Britain on a ten-day visit

Prince William presents footballing trophy

In his role as patron of the Football Association, the Prince addresses Wembley Stadium ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final. The match was won by Chelsea

Wedding bells for Wills and Kate at cousin's nuptials

When they announced the end of their five-year relationship last month, Prince William and Kate Middleton disappointed royal fans hoping to see the pretty brunette walking down the aisle with her prince. Now it seems the couple will be making a joint trip to church after all, when they attend the nuptials of Kate's cousin.The fashion assistant's former beau is apparently due to accompany her to the July 21 ceremony. "Kate and William will be going to the event together," a friend tells a British newspaper. "The plan for the day was agreed before they split up and William is determined he will still go with Kate. He wants to honour that commitment." Spending the day together shouldn't be awkward for the former couple who, according to the source, "still speak all the time and are on very good terms". And that outing may not be the only future reunion on the cards. According to the Sunday Express the pair intend to enjoy a holiday together at the Prince's cottage on the Balmoral estate in August. News of the continued closeness between the pair is sure to cause speculation among royal watchers about the possibility of a reunion between the pair. Reports of their decision to go their own way had no sooner emerged than friends were revealing that they could well rekindle their romance."There is no doubt that William and Kate were extremely close for a long time and you don't turn something like that off like a dripping tap," a relationship psychologist told the newspaper. "Kate has not let any upset show since her split. If she wants him back, she is going about it perfectly."

Swazi royalty praised for Zwelithini's virgins

ZULU King Zwelithini has praised His Majesty King Mswati III and the entire Swazi Royal family for the role the played in grooming his children and instilling proper values in them.
The Zulu King was addressing hundreds of guests during Umemulo ceremony for his two daughters Princesses Lomkhosi (25) and Bukhosibemvelo (22) held at the KwaKhangela Royal Resident at Kwa-Nongoma over the weekend. He said he was pleased to see his daughters graduating into adulthood whilst they were still virgins and free from problems such as alcohol and drug abuse. The Zulu King attributed the success of his daughters to the values instilled in them by their mother, Princess Mantfombi who is a daughter to King Sobhuza II. “Undlunkulu Princess Mantfombi has been a good role model to my children. This showed that she was also from a family that brought up its children through the culture of respect and a great love for children’’, the King said. Umemulo is the coming of age for a child in a family. According to the Zulu culture when a member of their family attained puberty stage it is a must for the family to declare such by performing certain rituals to qualify her/him to adulthood. It was the same for Lomkhosi and Bukhosibemvelo after their parents realised the two ladies had already attained puberty stage and were ready for marriage. The King declared them ‘Omamgonqo’ (puberty subjects) and were placed into seclusion which lasted for a month during which they received counselling from selected members of the royal family. The girls spent the seclusion period under a make-shift structure called ‘Umgonqo’. The structure is erected by girls’ peers who also join in the month long seclusion camp. When the seclusion period elapses the community is invited to the event where the child celebrates his or her transitional period to motherhood or fatherhood. King Zwelithini and Undlunkulu Princess Mantfombi followed the same culture for their children on Saturday. They showered the two girls with gifts before opening the stage for guests to also give gifts too. His Majesty King Mswati III through Prince Qethuka Dlamini gave each girl some money. This gift was also followed by many from different well-wishers. Whistling sounds and cheers from the audience dominated the arena when Princess Lomkhosi received a Mercedes Benz Compressor from her fiancee Melusi Moyo while Princess Bukhosibemvelo’s fiancee Sipho Nyawo presented her with keys for a house worth E2.5m. The house is situated in Johannesburg. The King wished the girls well as they took a new direction in their lives.

Queen starts visit to Slovakia

AMSTERDAM- Queen Beatrix starts a three-day state visit to new EU member Slovakia today. The monarch's visit is making headlines in the country.
Dutch ambassador Rob Swartbol appeared on the country's most popular breakfast programme on commercial television last week.
ABN Amro, which recently opened a new office in Bratislava, built a tower of orange tulips in a central square in the city. Popular newspapers have been calling the embassy with questions about what crown the queen might be wearing during the visit and who will be cooking for her.
The Netherlands comes with a serious message during the visit however. The visit is not only intended as a sign of mutual friendship, but also to drive home the point that it is important to belong to the European family.

The Slovaks are by no means anti-European, but a strong nationalistic streak has emerged from time to time. The debate on Europe among politicians in the country could be improved, and less polarised, say observers. And the government has tightened its grip in some areas of late, including the energy market and healthcare.
The queen will start her visit in the capital.
According to the statistics, the Netherlands is the largest investor in Slovakia, though only 80 Dutch families reportedly live in the country. Many of them will be on hand to meet the queen on Tuesday.

Imperial Couple leave for Europe

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko left on Monday for a 10-day tour of five European countries.
"I hope that our visits will contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the countries we visit," the Emperor said before boarding a government chartered flight.
The Imperial Couple will attend a ceremony to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of biologist Carl von Linne during their stay in Sweden, then visit the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
In Britain, the Emperor and the Empress are to attend a commemorative ceremony organized by the Linnean Society of London.
This is the first overseas trip for the Imperial Couple since their visit to Southeast Asia in June last year and the 14th since Emperor Akihito's enthronement.
Emperor Akihito is known as a taxonomist of fish. He has discovered seven new types of gobies and published 28 theses on the bulletins of the Ichthyological Society of Japan.
In 1986, the Emperor was elected an honorary member of the Linnean Society of London for his contributions to ichthyology.
Linne is known as the father of taxonomy.
Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ryoji Noyori is serving as chief of the entourage because the Imperial Couple's tour of Europe is of an academic nature. A former prime minister or a former foreign minister usually heads the entourage of the Imperial Couple during their overseas trips.

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The first public appareance of Infanta Sofia (May 4th 2007)

I have tears to my eyes. I hope you understand Spanish: Leonor es preciosa!

Infanta Leonor

Prince Louis and wife Tessy are expecting second child

EL PRÍNCIPE LUIS DE LUXEMBURGO Y SU ESPOSA, TESSY ANTHONY, ESPERAN SU SEGUNDO HIJO

La Familia Real luxemburguesa participó el domingo en las tradicionales festividades con la ocasión de la celebración de la “octava”: la veneración de Nuestra Señora de Luxemburgo. Se trata de un periodo de oración y reflexión que este año comenzó el 29 de abril y que este domingo –el quinto domingo después de Pascua- se cerró solemnemente.Primero, con una misa solemne en la catedral, consagrada a Nuestra Señora de Luxemburgo (Notre Dame du Luxembourg), en la que estuvieron presentes el gran duque Enrique y su mujer la gran duquesa María Teresa. Después, al final de la mañana, con la celebración de una procesión en honor por las calles de la capital en honor a María . En la procesión, en la que participaron miles de Luxemburgueses, la imagen de la Virgen, protectora de Luxemburgo, fue llevada desde la catedral hasta un altar cubierto de flores en la Avenue de la Porte Neuve.Tessy, embaraza y a la últimaCon la excepción del príncipe Sebastián, toda la familia de Enrique y María Teresa participaron en el evento. También, la nuevamente embarazada Tessy de Nassau, la mujer del príncipe Luis, quien en esta rara aparición “oficial” en familia aparecía, entre ellos, como una princesita más vistiendo muy apropiadamente y luciendo un sombrero a la última, al estilo de Mary Donaldson y Máxima de Holanda.La noticia sobre este segundo embarazo no se ha hecho oficial, pero sí ha puesto de nuevo de manifiesto el buen acogimiento que los Grandes duques han dado a su nuera Tessy, que pronto los convertirá en abuelos por segunda vez.Casado desde 1981 con la gran duquesa María Teresa, los Grandes duques celebraban el pasado año la llegada del medio siglo, sus bodas de plata, y su nuevo papel como abuelos de Gabriel. El bebé que nació en marzo de 2006, fue bautizado en abril –aparecía por primera vez en los brazos de una abuela orgullosísima- y asistía, con tan solo seis meses, a la boda de sus padres.

Kate tops society hostesses' wish list

Far from stepping out of the limelight in the wake of her split from Prince William five weeks ago, Kate Middleton is rapidly becoming a glamorous girl about town who tops every party organiser's guest wish list. The Berkshire-born fashion assistant set flashbulbs popping on Thursday night as she arrived, elegant in a patterned satin dress, at one of her and her former beau's favourite London haunts, the nightclub Boujis. If anything, her profile is higher than ever it seems.The single life seems to agree with the pretty 25-year-old, who has been cementing her fashion style now that she's no longer a royal connection. And she's been spotted out and about at a number of high-profile events lately.Earlier in the month she was snapped sipping champagne in the VIP box at The Badminton Horse Trials, and at the start of this week - demure in a cream lace dress - she happily posed for photographers at the launch of a pal's book hosted by Asprey's jewellers. And, although she hardly seems to need them, if Kate is on the look out for any tips about London's party circuit, she could ask her new socialite pal Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, whom she met at the glitzy event. The pair chatted away in the course of the evening, with Tara at one point being overheard offering advice on coping with life in the public eye. "Keep your chin up Kate, don't let them get you down. You will be fine," she said.

by Hello Magazine

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Tom Jones and Diddy to rock for Diana at July tribute concert

The all-star line-up for the Princess of Wales' memorial concert has received a boost with the news that Tom Jones and rapper P Diddy have joined the roster of performers who'll appear at the event. Will Young and Canadian songbird Nelly Furtado have also been added to the bill this week.Tom was a particular favourite of Diana's, who in 1991 was seen leaping to her feet enthusiastically to dance as the wonder from Wales got into one of his famous hip-swivelling routines at the old Wembley Stadium. In recognition of the late Princess' love of ballet and musicals, the show will also include a performance by the English National Ballet and a medley specially devised by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Many of the acts, however, clearly reflect the tastes of her sons, Princes William and Harry, who are organising the gig for July 1 - which would have been their mother's 46th birthday - at the site of the new stadium. Billed as "the best birthday present she ever had", by her children, the concert will also feature Diana's close friend Elton John and younger musicians such as Joss Stone, Lily Allen and Kanye West.

Imperial couple show off gentle grandparenting skills

More often pictured looking poised and regal while fulfilling official duties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan were snapped showing off a warmer, family oriented side as they joined toddlers at a Japanese nursery school on Thursday. Visiting Tokyo's Yakumo kindergarten Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko cheerfully joined in the fun and games and brought a smile to the faces of many of the young charges.But then, with four grandchildren ranging in age from eight months to 16 years old, the royal couple must be more than used to playing with little ones; and it showed in their easy manner.One little boy will have an exciting tale to tell about his day at school after playing with Empress Michiko, who didn't let her elegant suit and handbag get in the way as she gave him a helping hand through some building blocks. Her husband, meanwhile, was busy making friends elsewhere in the nursery, admiring another pupil's carefully put together train track and station.

Dutiful royal wives Sophie and Mathilde on trend for spring

With their stylish blonde bobs and fashion savvy wardrobes, royal mums Sophie Wessex and Princess Mathilde of Belgium were flexing their fashion credentials as they fulfilled official duties in their respective homelands this week.A blue colour palette and animal prints are both set to be key looks for spring/summer and it seems Sophie and her Belgian counterpart are already ahead of the game. Prince Edward's wife was a vision of spring in a tailored pale-blue suit as she visited Winchester charity Homestart, which offers child-raising support to parents. And the 42-year-old seemed in her element as she toured the facility, chatting to couples and their kids. Meanwhile, in Belgium, mum-of-three Princess Mathilde was looking equally chic for a visit to Brussel's Erasme Hospital, for which she worked the safari look in a leopard-print skirt, fresh white shirt and chunky necklace. While there, Prince Philippe's 34-year-old wife, who was opening a new department and being given a demonstration of a brain scanner, was presenteed with a bouquet of seasonal blooms by local schoolchildren.

Kate and sister Pippa steal limelight at book launch

She may no longer be in the running to become Prince William's future queen, but Kate Middleton is still causing a stir on the London social scene. The St Andrews graduate has clearly gained poise and confidence during her time in the royal spotlight and was perfectly at ease under the camera's glare during a book launch at Aspreys jewellers on Monday. Looking immaculately groomed and svelte in an elegant cream lace dress, Kate was accompanied to the soiree by her younger sister Pippa, an Edinburgh University student, to whom she is very close.

The attractive Berkshire-born siblings were attending the launch of historian Simon Sebag Monetfiore's new book Young Stalin. Simon's wife Santa, also a writer, and her sister Tara Palmer-Tomkinson were also at the cocktail event, and both took time to catch up with Kate whom they will have met through their joint royal connections. Santa and Tara's father used to be Prince Charles' ski instructor and Tara in particular crosses paths with William and Harry on the social circuit.
Since her split with the second-in-line to the throne, Kate has been far from reticent about appearing in public and has continued to enjoy visiting her and William's old haunts with friends. And the stylish brunette's confidence can only have increased in recent weeks, as it was revealed she has gained a promotion at the fashion chain where she works. After just six months as an assistant buyer with Jigsaw she's apparently now joined the design department as a junior.

Mexican Panel hopes for Spanish royal visit

Santa Fe's 400th Anniversary Committee is angling for a visit by the Spanish royal couple in 2010 to celebrate the city's founding.
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia last visited Santa Fe in 1987 when the king helped plant a tree in the courtyard of the Palace of the Governors.
Albert Gallegos, the honorary consul of Spain in Santa Fe, told the committee Monday that the main thing he needs before extending the invitation is a solid date.
By September, the committee plans to designate as many as three days in 2010 for the commemoration.
Gallegos said he spoke briefly earlier this year with the Houston-based staff of the Consulate General for Spain about the proposed visit. ``Of course, the first thing they ask is the date,'' he said. ``And, of course, I didn't have any date. So the next thing they tell me is, `Well, we can't really get started with any kind of invitation or even an informal invitation until we have a date or an approximate date.' ''
Gallegos warned that a visit by the Spanish royal couple would involve a large entourage -- not unlike that which accompanied England's Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, earlier this month to sites in the United States.
``They told me that the king does not travel with less than 150 people,'' he said. ``They will be coming in their own personal plane.''
Gallegos said later that the ``enormous'' travel cost would be borne by the Spanish government -- not the city of Santa Fe or the nonprofit committee.
Gallegos chaired the committee that commemorated the 400th anniversary of New Mexico's first Spanish colonists in 1998.
He said when that committee invited the Spanish king and queen to attend the dedication of a statue in Cathedral Park in June 2003, the Spanish vice president came instead.
``The next best thing to the queen and king is, of course, the prince, and that is his official function -- to come to areas to visit on behalf of the government of Spain,'' he said. ``It would probably be more likely that we would get the prince.''
Prince Felipe, also known as the Prince of Asturias, the heir to the Spanish throne, has visited New Mexico several times in recent years.
In 2004, he came to Albuquerque for a groundbreaking for the National Hispanic Cultural Center and to discuss an endowed chair in his name at The University of New Mexico.
He also has served on the board of the United World College near Las Vegas, N.M.
``The prince has a lot of connections here,'' Gallegos said. ``They tell me he's always looking for an opportunity to come to New Mexico.''
He added that Prince Felipe travels with an entourage of only eight to 10.

King Abdullah II warns against peace initiative delay

Jordan's ruler sounded the alarm Friday, telling a gathering of some 1,000 world politicians and businessmen that the absence of peace and prolonged Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories have exacerbated Palestinian suffering.
"There can be no more delay," King Abdullah II warned in a speech, opening the three-day meetings of the Geneva-based World Economic Forum on the shores of the Dead Sea.
The king said that three of every five Palestinians looking for work can't find a job, and that hundreds of thousands are living in misery. "This suffocating situation has brought poverty, malnutrition, frustration and radicalization," Abdullah added.
Abdullah is making a new attempt to revive Mideast peace efforts as he hosts the forum, a gathering overshadowed by deadly Palestinian internal fighting, Kassam rocket-firing into Israel, IAF airstrikes in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing bloodshed in neighboring Iraq.
The king had hoped to host Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at the forum, but Abbas could not attend, caught up in trying to defuse the battles between gunmen from the rival Hamas and his Fatah faction in Gaza. Abdullah had wanted to prod Abbas to take concrete steps back to the negotiating table with Israel, in the same way he pushed Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during talks in Jordan on Tuesday.
Olmert promised to seriously consider an Arab peace plan for ending the conflict. But he also called on Arab leaders to hold direct talks with Israel on the proposal - a nonstarter for most Arab countries, which have not signed peace deals with Israel.
At the Dead Sea gathering Friday, Arab League chief Amr Moussa said both the Palestinians and Israelis were to blame for the violence that has plunged Gaza into chaos.
"It doesn't mean that the Palestinians aren't responsible because they shouldn't have resorted to ... bloodshed," he said. "Compounded with the Israeli occupation and the violence against them and without hope that a state is coming, what do you expect?"
Meanwhile, Abbas aide and chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat said Abdullah "put his finger on the dot" in remarks on the Palestinian suffering. "The situation is dire. It wasn't created overnight. It's desperate," he told The AP as he emerged from a conference room here.
"What is happening in Gaza's streets is the darkest chapter in Palestinian history. It's partly due to the absence of the rule of law, the one authority, the one gun," Erekat said.
In past weeks, Jordan and other US Arab allies have been trying to press the case that quick progress toward reviving the peace process is vital to avert increasing militancy and instability in the Mideast.
They have presented the Arab initiative as an opportunity for a breakthrough. But so far, the proposal has not gotten off the ground, with Israel speaking positively of it but rejecting key provisions, including the call to solve the Palestinian refugee issue. Along with the internal fighting in Gaza, Olmert also faces harsh criticism at home for his leadership during Israel's war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon last summer.
But Abdullah remained hopeful, telling the conference that the Arab plan presented a "historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement." He warned that peace must be "achieved now, this year, before any more generations suffer, before any more destruction takes place."
The king also outlined other regional challenges, including scarce water resources in the mostly arid Mideast.

"If we do not commit the necessary investment to resolve this problem, we will not be fighting for peace, we will be fighting for our lives," he said.
Discussion of ways to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will dominate the agenda of the forum even though high-level politicians from both sides were not attending. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni was scheduled to come, but she canceled her trip to Jordan because of an unspecified domestic commitment, said Israel's Ambassador to Jordan Jacob Rosen. Israel's minister of trade was still set to attend.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki also is set to participate in the conference. On Thursday, Mottaki said Iran and the U.S. would hold talks in Baghdad on Iraq's spiraling security situation on May 28. Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Afghan President Hamid Karzai also were scheduled to attend2.
The conference is the third World Economic Forum in the Middle East hosted by Jordan. Last year, the event took place in Egypt, where it will return next year.

Denmark's First Princess Born into the Royal Family Since 1946

Denmark has a new royal, as the newest member of the royal family came into the world on Saturday, April 21st at a hospital in Copenhagen. Born to the Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, the dark haired little princess was 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 inches long. The big story is that the new addition is the first princess to be born into the royal family since 1946!
The new princess is third in line for the Danish throne, after her father Prince Federik and her older brother Christian. The palace in Copenhagen reported that both the mother and the child are healthy and doing well. The baby's name will not be released until after her baptism, which will probably occur in June before the summer holidays. There is talk that she may be named after her grandmothers, Mary's mother Henrietta and Frederik's mother Margrethe and his grandmother Ingrid. Traditionally Danish royalty have four names. For now she is called "lille pige", translated as "little girl" by her parents, and "baby" by her 18 month old brother Christian. The Crown Princess Mary reported that her "lille pige" is a very good baby, and that her older brother Christian is already showing brotherly love to his new sister.
Mary, who was born Mary Donaldson in Hobart, Tasmania, hinted that there might be more little princes and princesses in the future, but not too soon! Prince Frederik and Princess Mary met in Austrailia during the 2000 Olympics at a bar, and married 4 years later at Copenhagen's Lutheran Cathedral. The happy family had even more reason to celebrate; Queen Margrethe recently celebrated her 67th birthday!
Denmark's royal family is steeped in history, dating all the back to vikings. They are in fact the oldest royal family in Europe, which was brought into existence in the 10th century by a Viking King named Gorm the Old. He and his son brought unity to Denmark, and their successors would one day rule Sweden, England and Norway. The actual empire itself fell apart in 1035 after King Canute's death, but the descendents of this family continue to rule in the beautiful country of Denmark to this day.
Interesting fact: Constantine of Greece (the last king of Greece) married Anne-Marie, who was a Danish Princess, in 1964. She was his third cousin and the sister of Margrethe II, who is the current queen of Denmark.

from Associatedcontent.com