Friday 29 September 2000

Princess Charlotte - Official Engagements (2015-Present)

Total Number of Engagements - 9
2015 (0)
None

2016 (2)
June 11th
  • Trooping the Colours
September 29th
  • Attended Children's Garden Party at Government House in Victoria, Canada
2017 (2)
June 17th
  • Trooping the Colours
July 21st
  • Visit Airbus in Germany 
2018 (1)
June 9th
  • Trooping the Colours

2019 (2)
May 19th 
  • Visit Back to Nature Garden at Chelsea Flower Show
June 8th 
  • Trooping the Colours
2020 (2)
September 24th 
  • Meet David Attenborough following a screening of "A Life On Our Planet"
December 11th
  • Attend performance of “Pantoland” for key workers, at the London Palladium

Tuesday 19 September 2000

State Opening of Parliament - Sweden 2016 (English Translation)

Mr. President, 
Honorable Members of the Parliament,
Today we have gathered to open a new parliamentary year. You will now continue your important work to move our nation forward. We live in a globalized world. Many events have recently shaken the world, including Sweden. It is clearer more than ever that what happens outside of Sweden also concerns us.
Also, the European Union is a subject to stress. We must continue to believe in cooperation between countries and on a covenant that guarantees peaceful interaction. Sweden has been at peace for over 200 years and is today one of the world's most prosperous countries. This has not always been. Over a hundred years ago, we were a poor country as people left. Over the past 150 years, Sweden has gone from being a country of emigration to a country that many people turn to. Today, we also have thousands of Swedes abroad every year to work or study.
I hope that all Swedes in Sweden and abroad, stand up for our values. Values that belief in human equality, equality between women and men, the belief in a democratic form of government, religion and speech. Sweden has a long tradition of promoting peace, security and human rights in a international context.
Through Sweden's newfound place in the UN Security Council, we now have an opportunity to further make our voice heard in the global context. I hope we will manage this opportunity well. Already this week we will hold a summit in New York on the global refugee situation. An important meeting where Sweden is one of the organizers. Continued development of Sweden means the workplace is constantly renewed through entrepreneurship and innovation. It requires research and development to continue to be world class. And finally, a school and a higher education that puts knowledge and learning first.
Our cultural heritage is the glue that binds us together. It is rich and diverse - created by influences from different countries over many centuries. By meeting with mutual respect, and by listening and learning from each other, so we develop. That is why conversation between people is so important. Ladies and gentlemen, You were elected by the citizens who have the right to vote today. But the choices that you make affect the future of many more. Swedish children and young people depend on you to make wise and long-term decisions. Mr President, With these words I wish you and all the elected representative of the Swedish people, power, courage and wisdom to bring our nation further into a better world for all our people. I hereby declare 2016/2017 Parliamentary Session open.
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State Opening of Parliament - Liechtenstein 2016 (English Translation)


Note: Pensions in Liechtenstein are based on a “three pillar system” (Similar to Germany).

The 1st pillar is a mandatory Government Pension. This is part of their basic social security. All employees and employers pay a percentage of salaries into this system.

The 2nd pillar is a mandatory Corporation Pensions. There is an upper and a lower threshold stipulated by law, but businesses  are free to set contributions anywhere between these thresholds.

The 3rd pillar (not addressed in this speech) is Voluntary Personal Pension. 


Dear Members of Parliament,

In the coming months this Parliament will consider some reform bills that are of great importance for the ongoing protection of our society. The most important being the proposed bill to reform the health insurance and pension laws. The pension reforms relating to the AHV (age and survivors' insurance) - The "pay as you go,"  (Government Pension) is the first pillar of retirement - and the Corporate pension funds, is the second pillar of retirement.

The cost of our social security, particularly our government pension, has gone up significantly in recent years and is among the fastest growing state spending. Because of the ever-increasing labor costs they are also an increasing burden on enterprises and for individuals insured. The recent decision of the Swiss National Bank to disclose the exchange rate of the euro means for our company directly, for our state and social system indirectly an additional challenge.

It is foreseeable that we can only maintain our social systems with radical reforms. Several developments have led to this situation. In the area of healthcare, especially in medical advances, there has been a huge increase in costs. This also has an impact on retirement: We are living longer, but fortunately also staying healthier longer. At the same time we also have fewer children, who can contribute to pensions.

Moreover, there have been may changes in employment: More people no longer a work for the same employer all their life, part-time work is increasing and more and more people work without permanent employment, working for different employers. The latter is a trend that has been increasing, especially in the United States of America with the technological development, and is likely to happen in Liechtenstein more in the future.

The social welfare systems has a very important function in the pension and social equalization in our country. Social welfare systems exist only as long in sociality as they are financially sustainable and provide adequate support, efficiently and accurately. Otherwise, they are anti-social, when other generations have to pay to foot the bill, of those who have lived a great deal on their support. Previous generations have fought hard to introduce the social systems. It is up to us as today's leaders to maintain these valuable achievements for future generations.

The reform of the Health Insurance Act is a difficult undertaking. Already the reform proposed by the last government were heavily slashed during the legislative process, so now another attempt at the reform is necessary. This new reform proposal was very controversial during the committe stage. In light of the developments in healthcare over the past year we observed, it would be problematic to postpone the necessary reforms.

It is certainly right to hear critical voices and even change the committee recommendations to the Health Insurance Act at one point or another. It would be a mistake, this time to water down the original so much that the next parliament must make a further attempt at reforming the Health Insurance Act.

We are in the fortunate position that our pension cuts are small in comparison to international cuts. But the later we react to the changed conditions, the more difficult and expensive it will be. The recent problems with the pension fund of state employees should be a cautionary tale.

The committee's clever proposal to pension reforms seems to be balanced and therefore politically feasible. It is important that it solves the current problems and provides a new system where future problems can be quickly solved.

For the second pillar of pension, the committees should be working on a reform proposal that will come before Parliament sometime this year. The proportion of the second pillar on the assets of the pension insured has become increasingly larger and as a result significant. This is to be meet with broader support and diversification of pensions. Thus, it is also important to prevent a shortage of this second pillar by efficient, suitable regulations.

Today it is possible to pay for retirement with the accumulated savings in Corporate pension. Given the changing conditions and the increasing importance of the Corporate pension, the question arises whether a full capital payment would cause problems in the future.

Should the number of people choosing early lump-sum payment outnumber people choosing payments over time, this would burden the state budget additionally. Perhaps it would be wise to reserve a part of pension for such emergencies and to limit the possibility of lump-sum payment accordingly.

It also seems doubtful that the people with the lump-sum pension funds can choose freely. They are tied to those plans of the company. Longer-term differences in the performance of the pension funds can significantly affect people's retirement savings. Introducing the freedom to choose from various state-approved Corporate pension funds, however, would be a larger undertaking. But a first step would be to give people better information about the success of their pension compared to other.

Since the developments concerning the demographics and working conditions are unlikely to change, we can not neglect to give pensions further thoughts. The amount foreseen for the AHV pension is an important improvement. But we should figure out how we can make changes to the pensions so that regular political interventions is not needed and the pension can better respond to the new developments in the field of labor.

Another area of pensions that needs attention is the care. When maintaining a pension it is, firstly, about how many male and female pensioners will be claiming the pension in the future. On the other hand the costs of care is the fastest growing government spending. These costs are now hidden in different vessels: the care and nursing allowance, the disability allowance, with the health insurance as well as contributions from the state and municipalities to the nursing homes. The cost of care and it's growth is wearing us thin. We must think now about the cost of care, so that we avoid a larger funding problem in the future.

Demographic trends and the changing working conditions are also a challenge for our companies. It would therefore be advantageous if government and corporations work closely together, in order to develop the best long-term solutions for retirement - especially for reconciling care, family and career. So, we would not only find the right answers to these challenges, but at the same time strengthen the attractiveness of Liechtenstein as a business location.

Dear Members of Parliament,

You will in the coming months make important decisions. I wish you much wisdom, courage and God's blessing.


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Wednesday 13 September 2000

Royal Variety Performance - Royal Attendance (1981-Present)


The Royal Variety Performance is an annual variety show to raise money for the Queen Elizabeth's former patronage, the Royal Variety Charity. (The charity was previously called the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.) The event usually takes place in late November and is filmed for a December release on TV.

The Royal Variety Performance is attended each year by a senior member/s of the Royal Family. There are usually 2 or 3 couples, who rotate attending each year.

King Charles III's Reign 

YearCharles & CamillaWilliam & KateOther
2027--
2026--
2025--
2024
Nov 22
--
2023-XCrown Princess Victoria &
Prince Daniel of Sweden
2022
(110th)


Edward & Sophie

Queen Elizabeth II's Reign 
(Note: This chart only shows Royal attendance 1981-Present. The Royals did attend all of the performances before then.)

Note: nbsp;
Spouses did not attend pre-wedding, or post-separation.

Elizabeth
& Philip
Charles
& Camilla
William
& Kate
Other
2020s
2021 x
2020

No Royals in Attendance due to Pandemic Restrictions
*Charles Video Message
2010s
2019 x
2018 Harry & Meghan
2017 x
2016 x
2015 Harry
2014 x
2013
x
2012
(100th)
x
2011 Anne & Tim
2000s
Elizabeth
& Philip
Charles
& Camilla
William
& Kate
Other
2010 x
2009 x
2008 x
2007 x
2006 x
2005 x
2004 Just Charles
2003 x
2002 Just Charles
2001 Just Queen
2000 Just Charles
1990s
1999 Just Queen
1998 Just Charles
1997 x
1996 Just Charles
1995 Just Queen
1994 Just Charles
1993 x
1992 Charles
& Diana

1991 Just Queen
1990 x Queen Mum, Princess Margret
(Part of Queen Mum's 90th Birthday celebrations)
1980s
Elizabeth
& Philip
Charles
& Camilla
William
& Kate
Other
1989 x
1988 Queen Mum, Princess Margret
1987 x
1986

Queen Mum

1985 x
1984
Charles
& Diana
Queen Mum
1983 Just Queen
1982 Queen Mum
1981 Just Queen
Notes: 
2017 - Suspected terror attack in the area delays attack. 

Monday 11 September 2000

Calendar 2015 (August - December)

August:

Royal Birthdays
8th      Princess Beatrice of York
15th    Princess Royal, Anne
19th    Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
26th    Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester 
31st     Queen Rania of Jordan

Major Royal Events
15th    70th anniversary of VJ Day 

September
Royal Birthdays
11th    Queen Paola of Belgium
15th    Prince Harry
15th    Prince Daniel of Sweden
15th    Queen Letitia of Spain

Major Royal Events
4th Sweden - Palace announces Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are expecting their 2nd child. 
9th     Queen Elizabeth II becomes the Longest Reigning British Monarch 
  • (Surpassing Great-Great-GrandMum Queen Victoria's reign of 63 years, 216 days)
11ish Prince Harry returns from Africa conservation work after 3 month away.
15th  Sweden - State Opening of Parliament
15th  Netherlands - Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day)
  • King Willem-Alexander addresses a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives
18th - October 31st  Rugby World Cup

October:

Royal Birthdays
9th      Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
15th    Prince Christian of Denmark
15th    Sarah, Duchess of York
28th    Sophie, Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein
31st     Princess Leonor of Spain

Royal Events
2nd   Norway - Opening of Parliament 
6th    Denmark - Opening of Parliament 
11th  Sweden Prince Nicolas's Christening
12th  Spain - Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day of Spain)
14th  Princes William and Harry BBC1's Big Build Veteran's Special Manchester at 9PM
15th  Sweden - Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia announce they are expecting their 2nd child.
20-23rd China State Visit 
  • 20th Official Welcome and State banquet 
21st  Princes William and Harry BBC1's Big Build Veteran's Special Manchester at 9PM
26th Royal Film Premiere - Spectre
  • TRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend
28th Prince Harry visit to Virginia, & Washington DC, USA 
28- 29th Princess Anne overseas visit to New York City, USA

September 18th - Oct 31st  Rugby World Cup


November 
Opps!! all the events accidentally got deleted when I was try to copy and paste it onto this page. I'm sure we all remember what happened, right?!


December:
Royal Birthdays
6th       Princess Sofia of Sweden
7th       Princess Catharina-Amalia of Netherlands
10th     Princess Gabriella of Monaco
10th     Prince Jacques of Monaco
17th     James, Viscount Severn (Wessex)
23rd    Queen Silvia of Sweden
25th     Princess Alexandra of Kent

Royal Events
Nov 26th - 4th  Prince Harry overseas visit to South Africa and Lesotho  
Noble Prize
  • 10th  Norway -  Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony and Banquet
  • 10th  Sweden -  Nobel Prize Ceremony and Banquet
  • 11th Norway - Nobel Peace Prize Concert
  • 11th  Sweden -  Royal Banquet for the Nobel Laureates at Palace
12th Christmas Cards should be mailed 
17th  Bhutan -  National Day of Bhutan
31st   Denmark - Queen Margrethe announced during New Years speech, Prince Henrik is retiring from active royal duties.