Tuesday 10 September 2019

King Carl Gustaf's Speech at 2019 State Opening of Parliament - English Translation

Clarification or explanation added by Gert's Royals is in Italics. 

Mr President,
Honorable Members.

Thirty years ago, I stood here, in Parliament's plenary hall to officially open the 1989/90 session of Parliament.

It was on October 3, 1989, and we still did not know what would happen just over a month later:

The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 became the culmination of a development that fundamentally changed Europe and the world.

It was a time of relaxation between the world's superpowers. And of closer European cooperation.

At the time, the Swedish political agenda included the defense's focus and scope, Sweden's future energy supply and environmental problems (such as soil acidification, greenhouse effect and the impact on the ozone layer).

Today, three decades later, developments have progressed in many respects. But in other areas, the challenges have rather grown.

Mr President, Honorable Members.

Parliamentary documents will tell future generations about our work. About our ideals and values. About our challenges - and our ability to meet them.

A hundred years ago, the Swedish Parliament made a number of decisive decisions, which together led to equal and universal suffrage. [2019 is the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Sweden.]

The anniversary reminds us of the importance of thinking and acting long term, for the good of our country.

Sweden's future is not only shaped in this chamber, but by developments around the world. But the decisions made here affect everyone in our country. And often for generations to come. They are threads in the fabric that make up our future.

How do we create safety, security and community for everyone living here?

How do we ensure that Sweden is at the forefront of research and development?

How do we build a sustainable future for future generations?

These are big and difficult issues that the citizens have elected you to handle.

I wish you, elected representatives for the people of Sweden, power, courage, and wisdom in your important work.

I hereby declare the 2019/2020 parliament session opened.

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Monday 2 September 2019

BGC Charity Day

Each year on September 11th, or Monday after, BGC Partners holds a charity trading day to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 Attack. Royals, politicians, celebrities, sports stars, etc. are invited to participate in trading, and 100% of the day's revenues are donated to charity. The event is held in London, New York, Paris & other BGC locations around the world.

Almost every year, a member of the Royal Family attend, raising money for their patronages. The event should not be confused with the ICAP's annual Charity Day in December.
(Location is London unless otherwise mentioned)
King Charles II's Reign

YearRoyalPatronage Notes
2020s
2029
(25th)
-- -
2028-- -
2027-- -
2026-- -
2025-- -
2024
(20th)
-- -
2023-- -
2022-- -

Queen Elizabeth II's Reign
YearRoyalPatronage Notes
2020s
2021-- -
2020--Virtual Trading Day due
to Covid Pandemic
2010s
2019
(15th)
Prince HarryInvictus Games Foundation 
2018Countess Sophie Brainwave
Sarah Duchess of YorkChildren in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)

2017Countess SophieDystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association
Brainwave

Sarah Duchess of YorkChildren in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)
2016Countess Sophie-Canceled
Princess Beatrice
Sarah Duchess of York
Children in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)
In New York
Mike TindallMatt Hampton Foundation 
2015Duchess CamillaElephant Family Canceled due to Illness
Countess SophieNational Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Mencap

Princess Beatrice
Princess Eugenie
Sarah Duchess of York
Children in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)
In New York
2014
(10th)
Princess BeatriceChildren in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)
In London

Princess Eugenie
Sarah Duchess of York
In New York

2013Prince William Skillforce
Prince HarryWellChild -
(Meghan Markle)One Hope Many Homes In New York
2012Princess Beatrice
Sarah Duchess of York
Children in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)

2011Prince Harry Sentebale
Princess Beatrice
Princess Eugenie
Sarah Duchess of York
Children in Crisis
(Now apart of Street Child UK)
In New York
Princess Michael of Kent-
2010Princess Michael of Kent-
2000s
2009
(5th)
--
2008Prince CharlesThe Princes Trust
Zara Phillips-
2007--
2006Princess AnneSave the Children UK
Zara Phillips (& Mike Tindall)-
2005
(1st)
Zara Phillips-
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Sunday 1 September 2019

Sussex 2019 Autumn Tour - South Africa, Malawi, Angola & Botswana

Prince Harry & Duchess Meghan will go on an official tour, September 23rd-October 2nd, with their son Archie. The family will visit South Africa together. Then, Prince Harry will travel solo to Malawi, Angola, &  Botswana, while Meghan & Archie stay in South Africa.

Joint Engagements (13)
Harry Solo (18)
Meghan Solo (6)

Total: 
Harry (31)
Meghan (19)

Sept 23rd - Cape Town, South Africa
  • (Arrive Privately)
  • Both - Meet with the British High Commissioner to the Republic of South Africa at his official Residence in Cape Town 
  • Both - Visit a workshop that teaches children about their rights, self-awareness and safety
  • Both -Visit the District Six Museum to learn about their work reuniting people relocated during the apartheid
  • Both - Cooking Class at Homecoming Centre
Sept 24th- Cape Town, South Africa
  • Both - Visit Waves for Change at Monwabisi beach
    • Meet with the Lunchbox Fund
    • Meet with Dr. Thomas Maes, who is leading the Commonwealth litter program
  • H - Visit Seal Island with Capetown marine unit to learn about their work to combat poaching
  • Both - Visit the Bo Kaap Area to mark Heritage Day
  • Both - Visit Auwal Mosque to meet with representatives of different faith groups
    • Visit local residents in their home for tea
  • Both - Reception at British High Commissioner's residence
    • Give Speech
Sept 25th- Capetown, South Africa
  • Both -  Meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu & his wife at their legacy foundation
    • With Archie
  • M - Visit Woodstock Exchange to meet with female entrepreneurs and investors working in technology
  • M - Visit Mothers2Mothers
  • (H - Travel to Botswana)
Sept 26th - H in Botswana & Angola/ M in South Africa
  • H - Visit Chobe Forest Tree Reserve
    • Dedicate an area to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy
  • H - Visit Sentebale Project focusing on improving the mental health of children affected by HIV
  • H - Received a briefing on human and wildlife conflict from Botswana Defence Force Patrol
  • (H - Travel to Angola)
  • H - Receive briefing from Halo Trust 
  • H - Attended a screening of the National Geographic film, Into the Okavango
  • M - Private "Women in Public Service" Breakfast at High Commission
Sept 27th - Dirico, & Huambo Angola
  • H - Visit a working Halo Trust de-mining field outside Dirico
  • H - Visit Queen's Commonwealth Canopy Project
  • H - Meet with Governor Joana Lina, who was the official host for Princess Diana's 1997 visit
    • Visit the location where Princess visited
    • Meet with de-mining representatives
  • H - Visit Huambo Orthopeadic Centre
    • Re-name the facility in honor of Princess Diana, who visited in 1997
    • Give Speech
  • H- Attend Reception at British Ambassador's residence
    • Give Speech
Sept 28th - Luanda, Angola
  • H - Audience with President Lourenço and First Lady Lourenço at the Presidential Palace
  • H - Visit Maternity Hospital Lucrécia Paim to see "Born Free to Shine" Project with First Lady Lourenço 
  • (Travel to Malawi)
Sept 29th - Lilongwe, Malawi
  • H - Visit Nalikule College of Education working with the Campain for Female Education
    • Duchess Meghan skyped in
  • H - Audience with President Peter Mutharika
  • H - Respection hosted British High Commissioners 
    • Give Speech
Sept 30th - Malawi
  • H - Visit Liwonde National Park
    • Pay tribute to Guardsman Mathew Talbot
    • Receive briefing
    • Dedicate park and adjoining Mangochi forest to Queen Commonwealth Canopy
    • Attended Africa Parks Dinner
  • M - Visit Victoria Yards
Oct 1st - H in Malawi/ H & M  in South Africa
  • H - Visit Mauwa Health Centre to see their Pharmacy in a box and Youth Reproductive Health Outreach Program. 
  • (H - Travel to South Africa)
  • M - Attend Roundtable discussion with the Association of Commonwealth Universities in Johannesburg
  • M - Visit a gender-based violence education club at a local school and met representatives from ActionAid South Africa and the Teddybear's Clinic.
Oct 2nd - South Africa
  • Both - Meet with youth entrepreneurs and view skills initiatives addressing the rise in unemployment 
  • Both - Meet Graça Machel, widow of the late President Mandela
  • Both - Attend UK-South Africa Business Reception 
  • Both - Audience with President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife
  • (Depart privately for the UK)
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