Tuesday 31 October 2017

Prince Gabriel of Sweden's Christening

Prince Gabriel of Sweden will be christened on Friday, 1st December. He is the 2nd child of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden & is 6th in line to the Swedish Throne. He will be 3 months old when christened.

The christening will take place at the Royal Chapel at Drottningholm Palace. (His older brother Alexander & cousin's Leonore and Nicolas were  also christened there.)

Swedish public service broadcaster, Sveriges Television, will be broadcasting Prince Gabriel's christening. The Live Coverage starts at 11:30 AM. The Live Stream and Service will both be in Swedish, but don't worry it's not hard to follow. And, of course, a bunch of us will be Live Tweeting the whole thing.


Schedule: 11 AM Stockholm = (10 AM London) (5 AM Toronto/New York) (2 AM San Francisco) (8 PM Sydney)

11 AM Guests start to arrive at Chapel

*Approx 11:30  Live Steam Starts*

12 Christening ceremony

12:45ish Guests leave Chapel

1 PM  King and Queen hold Reception

*Approx 1 PM Live Steam Ends*

(Later: Private Lunch)

Guests:
Immediate Family, Godparents plus spouses, family, friends, representatives from Parliament, the Government and Official Sweden.
In lieu of gifts, the couple have asked for donations to Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's Foundation and Project Playground.

If you are international, donations can also be made to a local children's charity, or to some other cause you support. 

God Parents:
  • Princess Madeleine (Aunt)
  • Sara Hellqvist (Aunt)
  • Oscar Kylberg (Friend of Dad)
  • Carolina Pihl (Friend of Mum)
  • Thomas de Toledo Sommerlath (Extended family on Queen Silvia’s side)
Official Photos:
Official Christening Pictures should be released within a few days of the ceremony.  There will be a few different combinations of photos:
  • Family: Carl Philip, Sofia, Alexander & Gabriel
  • Extended family: Gabriel, Brother, Parents & Grandparents (Both Sets)
  • Godparents: Gabriel, Parents and God Parents
  • etc,

Friday 13 October 2017

King Bhumibol Adulyadej Cremation Ceremonies

King Bhumibol of Thailand passed away last year on October 13th, 2016, at age 88 after a long illness. King Bhumibol was the longest-reigning living monarch at the time.

There will be 5 days of Offical Cremation Ceremonies for King Bhumibol of Thailand, October 25th-29th. The main Cremation Ceremony will take place on October 26th, and will be attended by royals from around the world. (Royals attending Listed at Bottom of Page)
Live Stream w/ Thai Commentary, better picture
Live Stream w/ English Commentary

October 25th
  • Final night vigil service at the Royal Urn and Coffin in the Dusit Maha Phasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace, where the King's body has been Lying-in-State in the Coffin for the past year. 
October 26th
  • The Royal Urn is moved from Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall to the Royal Crematorium.
  • Funeral procession from the Dusit Maha Phasat Throne Hall to the Royal Crematorium at the Sanam Luang Royal Plaza
    • Procession 1 (30 mins)
    • Procession 2 (2 hours)
    • Procession 3 (30 mins)
  • Symbolic royal cremation performed by his son, King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun
  • Festivals to mark the ending of an official mourning period begin (outdoor Khon performances, puppet show, and musical concert)
  • Main Royal Cremation Ceremony
  • Elsewhere:
    • Bhutan: All Day Prayer at Kuenselphodrang 
    • Sweden: The King's coat of arms will be removed from Stockholm Palace, where it was displayed along with the arms of other Knights of the Order of the Seraphim. There will be a parade to Riddarholm Church, where the coat of arms will be hung with the other Knights who have passed. 
October 27th
  • Festivals to mark the ending of an official mourning period end
    • (6 AM)
  • Removal of the Royal Ashes and Relics from the crematorium. 
    • Royal Relics are transferred to Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall in the Grand Palace.  Royal Ashes are transferred to Phra Sri Rattana Chedi in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
    • (8 AM) 
October 28th
  • Royal merit-making ceremony for the Royal Relics
    • (5:30 PM)
October 29th
  • Offering food to monks
    • (10 AM)
  • The Royal Relics are transferred from Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall to be enshrined in the Heavenly Abode in Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall.
    • (10 AM)
  • The Royal Ashes are transferred to be enshrined at two temples, Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Bovoranives.
    • (5:30 PM)
Royals attending:
  • Thailand Royal family
  • Queen Mathilde of Belgium 
  • King Jigme & Queen Jetsun of Bhutan 
    • Attended the Lying-in-State last year
    • Prince Jigme Namgyel accompanied them to Thailand but did not attend the Cremation
  • Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
  • Prince Akishino & Princess Kiko of Japan 
  • King Letsie III & Queen Masenate of  Lesotho
  • Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein 
  • Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg
  • Queen Máxima of Netherlands
  • Crown Prince Haakon of Norway 
  • Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Perak & Tuanku, Raja Permaisuri of Perak (Malaysia)
  • Queen Sofia of Spain 
  • Queen Silvia of Sweden 
  • King Tupou VI & Queen Nanasipau’u of Tonga
    • Attended the Lying-in-State earlier this year
  • Prince Andrew of UK 

Thursday 12 October 2017

Prince Harry's Tour of Denmark (2017)

Prince Harry will make a two-day visit to Copenhagen, Denmark on 25th-26th October. This visit is at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Wednesday 25th (4)
  • Visit Amalienborg Palace and meet with Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
  • Visit KPH Projects, a community for innovative start-ups and small growing businesses, which all have a shared focus to improve society by working with social, cultural or environmental objectives. 
  • Visit the headquarters of GAME, an NGO with a mission to create lasting social change through youth-led street sports and culture. 
  • Attend a reception hosted by the UK Ambassador to Denmark at the famous Tivoli Gardens. 
Thursday 26th (3)
  • Visit the 'One of Us' program at a Danish bakery, where he will meet with volunteers and service users from the program designed to improve attitudes towards mental health. 
  • Visit a project works to rehabilitate wounded soldiers of the Danish Armed Forces.
    • With Prince Joachim & Denmark Invictus Game participates involved in the project
  • Attend conference on 'Making a Difference' at Ørestad Gymnasium (High school), which is part of a global network of changemaker schools, with partners in the UK. 

Wednesday 4 October 2017

Prince William's Official Patronages - Education

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's Education patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

The Foundation of the College of St. George
Vice President (June 2008)

The Foundation of the College of St. George helps to raise funds to maintenance and development of the College of St George. It includes the preservation and maintenance of St George's Chapel, at Windsor castle where the Order of the Garter is held every year. Prince William has been a member of the Order of the Garter since 2008.

A number of Royals hold positions for this Foundation: The Queen is Patron; Prince Charles is President; Anne is also Vice President. All of them are apart of the Order of the Garter as well.

Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund
Joint Patron ( January 2009)

The Charity, Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, was founded in memory of the Princes close friend Henry Van Straubenzee. Who died in a car accident in 2002 at the age of 18. The Henry Van Straubenzee Memorial Fund works to improve and build schools in Uganda.

William is joint patron with Prince Harry.

Back to Prince William's Patronages - Main Page

Prince William's Official Patronages - Youth

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's Youth patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Centrepoint
Patron (September 2005)

Centrepoint was Prince William's very first Patronage. This Charity was especially meaningful to William as it had been one of, his Mother, Diana's patronages from 1992 up until her death. Diana had brought William and Harry along on private visits to the charity. William continued visiting the organization after her death. Prior to becoming Patron of Centrepoint, Prince William did a work experience at the charity. 

Centrepoint is a London based charity that works with homeless people (aged 16–25), to provide housing, support services. Such as Healthcare (physical and mental), education, mentoring, training, employment and teaching life skills.

The Charity also works to influence government policy and create more local and national support for the homeless community.

Skill Force
Patron (February 2009)

Works in schools, drawing on the skills of ex-Forces personnel, to teach life skill courses for disadvantaged young people.

Child Bereavement UK
Patron (March 2009)

Child Bereavement UK is a charity that raises awareness and support families through the bereavement process when a child dies or loses a loved one.

Back to Prince William's Patronages - Main Page

Prince William's Official Patronages - Business

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's Business patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Royal African Society
Patron (December 2016 - Present)

The Royal African Society is an organization that works to promote Africa in business, politics, culture and academia. They also work to foster better understanding and strong relationships between Britain, Africa and the world.

Queen Elizabeth was Patron (1968?-2016).

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Prince William's Official Patronages - Arts

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's  Arts patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
President (February 2010 - Present)

BAFTA is a UK Charity that supports, develops and promotes the "art form of the moving image," this includes films, tv, and video games. BAFTA works both in the UK and internationally to provide mentoring, scholarship, workshops, master classes programs, etc.

BAFTA also holds a number annual awards to celebrate excellence.

Prince Phillip was President (1959-1965) and Princess Anne (1973-2000).

Back to Prince William's Patronages - Main Page

Prince William's Official Patronages - Healthcare

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's  Healthcare patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Royal Marsden Hospital Trust
President (May 2007 - Present)

The Royal Marsden Hospital is a specialist cancer treatment hospital in London. The hospital focuses on cancer diagnosis, treatment, research, and education.

In 2005, Prince William did two days of work experience at the Royal Marsden Hospital. 

Previous Presidents:
  • Princess Diana (1989-1997)
Previous Patrons:
  • Queen Elizabeth II (1952-2022).

Charity #: 1186569 (Association of NHS Charities)
Joint Patron (December 2020 - Present)

NHS CHarities Together is a membership organization representing, supporting, and championing over 140 NHS Charities. NHS Charities Together provides a forum for nationwide fundraising and advocacy campaigns; specialist advice and guidance; bespoke conferences and training opportunities, as well as access to online resources and support.

Prince William has been Joint Patron with Princess Kate since December 2020. 

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Prince William's Official Patronages - Sports

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's Sports patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Football Association

President (May 2006 - Present)
Charity Number: 

The Football Association (FA) is the governing body of English football at both the amateur and professional level. It is the oldest Football Association in the world.

Previous Presidents:
  • Prince Philip (1955–1957)
  • Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (1957–1963)
  • Duke of Kent (1971–2000)
  • Prince Andrew (2000-2006)
Past Patrons:
  • Queen Elizabeth II (?-2022)
Welsh Rugby Union
Vice Royal Patron (February 2007 - December 2016)
Royal Patron (December 2016 - Present)

The Welsh Rugby Union is head of all levels of Rugby in Wales, from community clubs to the national team. In 2007 William took on the role as Vice Royal Patron to support Queen Elizabeth II's work with the Welsh Rugby Union and the 2007 Six Nations Championship.

Past Patrons:
  • Queen Elizabeth II (?-2016)
English Schools’ Swimming Association (ESSA)
Patron (May 2007 - Present)

ESSA plans swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming competitions, as well as set the competition rules. William competed in ESSA water polo competitions while in school at Eton. When studying at St. Andrews University, William played water polo with Scottish Universities.

The charity also promotes teaching swimming in schools.

Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust
Patron (June 2012 - present)

Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust is the official charity of the Welsh Rugby Union. The trust supports injured players at any level throughout Wales & prevents future injuries through research and education.

The Patronage was originally set for 3 years. It was renewed in 2015 for another 3 years. 

British Sub-Aqua Club
President (May 2014 - Present)

The British Sub-Aqua Club promotes the continued development, safety and enjoyment of scuba diving for all ages.

Past Presidents: 
  • Prince Philip (1960-1974)
  • King Charles (1974-2014)
Swim England
Patron (December 2016 - Present)

Swim England is the English national governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, open water and synchronized swimming.

The Organization was previously called The Amateur Swimming Association.

Past Patrons:
  • Queen Elizabeth II (1953-2016).
Royal Household Football Sports and Social Club
President (?- 2017- Present)

A sport and social club for Royal Household Staff.

Patron

Tuesday 3 October 2017

Prince William's Official Patronages - Conservation

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's Conservation patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Tusk Trust
Patron (December 2005 - Present)
Charity Number: 

Tusk Trust is an African conservation charity based in the UK. The Charity has projects in over 18 African countries. The projects focus on conservation, community development, and environmental education.

Fields in Trust
Patron of Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge (2010-2012)
President (June 2013 - Present)
Charity Number: 306070 & SC040357

Fields in Trust seeks to protect and improve playing fields and other recreational spaces in the UK. William was previously patron of one of the organization's programs, "The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge," from 2010-2012.

Queen Elizabeth was Patron of Fields in Trust (1952-2022)

Previous Presidents:
  • King George V (1925-1948)
  • Prince Philip (1948-2013)
United for Wildlife
President (September 2013 - Present)
Charity Number: (Part of the Royal Foundation)

United for Wildlife is a collaboration between The Royal Foundation & 7 influential international conservation organizations (Conservation InternationalFauna & Flora InternationalInternational Union for Conservation of NatureThe Nature ConservancyWildlife Conservation SocietyWWF-UK; and Zoological Society of London.)

United for Wildlife is committed to reducing the demand for illegal wildlife products. The organization works with law enforcement and the private sector to reduce trafficking. Also well as engaging with young people on the topic of conservation. United for Wildlife also strives for better on-site protection for wildlife.

Patron (October 2020 - Present)
Charity Number: 1011102

Fauna & Flora International is the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organization.

Queen Elizabeth was Patron (1950s? -2020).

Patron (October 2020 - Present)
Charity Number: 216652 & SC039193

British Trust for Ornithology is a UK organization dedicated to study of birds in the British Isles. 

Prince Philip was Patron (1980s? -2020).

Prince William's Official Patronages - Armed Forces, Police, Emergency Services, etc.

In an effort to kept things organized this section features only Prince William's  - Armed Forces, Police, Emergency Services, etc patronages.  You can find links to all of his patronages here.

Patron (May 2007- Present)
Charity Number: 1178090

Mountain Rescue provides a land-based search and rescue service in emergency services, inducing incidents in mountain and remote places, but also major incidents such as air crashes, train crashes and floods. Mountain Rescue teams are on call 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, regardless of weather conditions.

Patron (2008 - Present)

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates flypasts (Lancaster, Hurricanes, and Spitfires) to serve as a tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives in WWII and subsequent conflicts.


Imperial War Museum Foundation

Patron (December 2010)

The Imperial War Museum Foundation is a charity that raises funds for new exhibits at the Imperial War Museum in London. The charity was initially set up to fund a new WWI gallery to mark the 100th anniversary of the war. It was opened in 2014. The foundation is currently working to fund a new WWII & Holocaust gallery set to open in 2021.

The Duke of Kent is President of the Imperial War Museum Foundation. 

Thin Red Line Appeal
Patron (October 2016 - Present)

The Thin Line Appeal is a redevelopment appeal for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum. The Museum is raising £4 million as part of the appeal.

Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund 
Patron (January 2017 - Present)

The Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund is a charity set up by the London Metropolitan and City Police Officers to support their children, should the officers die, retire on pension or become incapacitated. The fund supports the children of both serving and former officers, assuming the officers contributed to the Fund while they were serving.

The Fund is one of the oldest Police charities. It was set up in 1870, during a time when welfare was almost non-existent. The fund was created to support the widow and children of officers who had died in the line of duty. The fund was also used to create the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage, which closed in 1937.

Queen Victoria was patron (1872-1901). King Edward VII was patron (1901-1910). King George V was patron (1910-?).

London Air Ambulance
Patron (March 2020-Present)
Patron of 30th Anniversary Campaign (January 2019 - December 2019)

The London Air Ambulance is an organization that provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS),  to serious trauma emergencies in and around London. The service costs approximately £10 million per year to run.

Prince William was patron of the charity's 30th-anniversary campaign in 2019 to raise money for a new facility.

Wales Air Ambulance
Patron (February 2023-Present)
Charity Number: 1083645

The Wales Air Ambulance is an organization that provides Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS),  to serious trauma emergencies in Wales. Wales Air Ambulance operates out of four airbases in Caernarfon, Llanelli, Welshpool and Cardiff. The organization is on standby 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Monday 2 October 2017

Nobel Prize Laureates (2017)

Physiology or Medicine
Awarded to Jeffrey C. Hall (1/3), Michael Rosbash (1/3), and Michael W. Young (1/3), all from the USA, for "their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm."
The Prize is awarded by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute.

Physics
Awarded to Rainer Weiss of Germany (works in USA) (1/2), Barry C. Barish of USA (1/4), and Kip S. Thorne of USA (1/4), for "decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves."
The Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Chemistry
Awarded to Jacques Dubochet of Switzerland (1/3),  Joachim Frank of Germany (working in USA) (1/3), and Richard Henderson of UK (1/3) for "developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution."
 The Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Literature 

Awarded to Kazuo Ishiguro of Japan (lives in UK), "who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world."
The Prize is awarded by the Swedish Institute.

Peace 
Awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons made up of people and organizations from 100+ countries for "its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons."
The Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Economics 

Awarded to Richard H. Thaler of USA, for "his contributions to behavioural economics"
The Prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Back to Nobel Prize - Main Page

Nobel Prize Schedule (2017)

(All times are local Stockholm & Oslo, both GMT+1)
    December 10th Sunday
    December 11th Monday
    • Norway 
    • Sweden 
      • King's Banquet for the Nobel Laureates at Palace (7:30 PM)
        • Private Banquet, but we get photos of the Roayls arriving
    Back to Nobel Prize - Main Page

    Sunday 1 October 2017

    Nobel Prize - Main Page


    Esther Duflo receiving her Nobel Prize in 2019
    © Nobel Media AB. Photo: A. Mahmoud 



    The annual Nobel Prize ceremonies and banquets, in December, are the highlight of the Sweden & Norway Royal Calendar each year.

    The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway each year by the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee in the presence of King Harald V of Norway, and Royal Family.

    While the other Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden by King Carl XVI Gustaf, in the presence of the Royal Family.

    General Info

    Chart of Royal Attendance