Royal News Roundup

Beginning in the Land of the Rising Sun, HM the Emperor gave a special address on the occasion of the memorial service to commemorate the second anniversary of the “Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11. His Majesty expressed his “deepest condolences” to the bereaved families of those lost and had words of appreciation for the Self-Defense Forces, police, fire department, Japan Coat Guard, central and local governments and the volunteers who helped in responding to the crisis. His Majesty emphasized the importance of regular evacuation drills and using the experience gained by the disaster to make things safer for everyone before assuring the people of the afflicted regions, “that our hearts are with them, and together with the people gathered here today, express our hope that days of peace and quiet will return as soon as possible”. The earthquake also featured in the keynote address by HIH Crown Prince Naruhito at the UN Special Thematic Session on Water and Disasters. Elsewhere, farther to the south, former Nepalese Crown Prince Paras, still in hospital in Bangkok, is said to be “out of danger” and likely to be moved out of the Intensive Care Unit shortly. And, on the opposite shore of the Pacific, the Sultan of Brunei was in the United States where he met with President Obama. The President joked that the U.S. economy could be strengthened if the Sultan (worth an estimated $20 billion) would “do some shopping” while in the country.

In the Middle East, HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, meeting with TM King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. A school and children’s museum were on the itinerary for the royals to visit but what was most odd was the UK papers that tried to somehow work the Duchess of Cambridge into every royal-related story headline by saying that she and Queen Rania looked alike. I don’t see it myself. They are both thin, have long brown hair and are very attractive -but they really don’t resemble each other at all. Anyway, after visiting Jordan the royal couple will be moving on to stops in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Meanwhile, Saudi Princess Maha Al-Sudairi (ex-wife of the former Saudi Crown Prince) has been at the center of controversy in Paris where she reportedly accumulated $2 million worth of bills that have not been paid. When pressed, the Princess reportedly invoked diplomatic immunity and refused to hire a lawyer. It remains to be seen if the companies involved will ever see their money but those who spoke to ABC News did not seem optimistic.

And in Europe, you might have heard, the State of Vatican City was given a new monarch. His Eminence Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina was elected to the See of Peter, taking the name “Francis” in honor of St Francis of Assisi, making him the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. There were many messages of congratulations to the new Pontiff and European royals are making plans to attend the “inaugural mass” for the new Pope. Among those who have said they will be attending are the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, the King and Queen of the Belgians, the Prince and Princess of the Asturias and the Prince and Princess of Orange. The Duke of Gloucester will represent Queen Elizabeth II and though I have not heard them mentioned, it would seem odd if someone from the officially Catholic monarchies of Liechtenstein and Monaco were not present. In other news, Queen Elizabeth II has had to cut back her schedule further due to lingering tummy troubles, missing out on some of the Commonwealth Day festivities. Elsewhere, the Royal Family of Sweden welcomed the President of Turkey to their country but it was a sad week for the Swedish monarchy as it was announced that Princess Lilian passed away on Sunday, March 10, at the age of 97. Our sympathies go out to the Swedish Royal Family on such a sad occasion. Also, for those interested in disputed successions, in a rare interview on the subject of the anniversary of the start of the Romanov reign over Russia, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow has said that the Church recognizes HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna and her son as the legitimate leaders of the Romanov dynasty today.