Clue 1: Some posts earned ** because they have already been prepared for what is coming on December 27.
FAQ:
Q: Is this an announcement from the Palace?
A: No. This relates to Gert's Royals.
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Laurates for Physiology or Medicine Ill. Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach |
The 2025 Nobel Laureates will be announced October 6th-15th.
Physiology or MedicineIt is diplomatic protocol for Heads of State to send a message of congratulations to the new Head of State of countries they have close relations with. This is not always done with a public statement; statements are often sent directly to the new head of state. So, we might not see statements from each Monarchy.
Europe
Belgium
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Denmark
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has today carried out a change of throne, and on this occasion Their Majesties the King and Queen have sent their warmest congratulations to His Royal Highness Grand Duke Guillaume and Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Stéphanie.
Liechtenstein
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Monaco
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Netherlands
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Norway
Your Royal Highnesses,
Dear Guillaume and Stéphanie
My family and I send you our warmest congratulations and best wishes as the new Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
You follow in the footsteps of our good friends Henri and Maria Teresa, who have served Luxembourg and its people with great love and duty for 25 years.
Now it is your family, with their sons Prince Charles and Prince François, who will follow your country and people into the future. I am confident that you will carry out your task in an excellent manner.
My family and I greatly appreciate the close ties between us. We hope that you will experience the support and strength you need in your work.
Harald R
Spain
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Sweden
His Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Luxembourg
Palais grand-ducal
LUXEMBOURG
On the occasion of your assuming the high office of Grand Duke of Luxembourg, I extend to you, and to Grand Duchess Stéphanie, my sincere congratulations.
In recent years I have highly valued our cooperation within the World Scout Foundation, in which you have followed in the footsteps of your grandfather, Grand Duke Jean.
As you now succeed your father, Grand Duke Henri, as your nation’s Head of State, I look forward to further deepening the ties between us and between our two countries.
I send my best wishes for the health and happiness of Your Royal Highness and your Family, and for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Luxembourg.
CARL GUSTAF R
Royal Palace, Stockholm
3 October 2025
UK
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Middle East
Bahrain-
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Africa
CambodiaEswatini-
Asia/Oceanic
Bhutan-
Your Royal Highness,
On the auspicious occasion of Your Royal Highness' Accession to the Throne as Grand Duke of Luxembourg, I take great pleasure in extending, on behalf of the people of Thailand, our warmest congratulations and best wishes for your good health and enduring success upon the assumption of Your Royal Highness' duties and responsibilities of state.
The strong bonds of friendship between Thailand and Luxembourg have been constructive and mutually beneficial based on trust and understanding for over sixty years of diplomatic relations. As your gracious reign begins, I firmly believe that our two countries will continue working closely together, building on our past achievements and further strengthening our friendly cooperation, underpinned, of course, by the close affinity between our Royal Families. The path ahead holds great promise for the shared prosperity and mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples.
(M.R.) Maha Vajiralongkorn R.
Tonga
Per Tradition, the Luxembourg Palace has commissioned new painted portraits to mark the change of the reign.
Three artists have been commissioned to create portraits of Grand Duke Guillaume:
2 of the 3 artists have finished their portraits, while the 3rd will be completed later.
In January 2026, the full collection will be unveiled and open at the Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart (MNAHA).
Portrait by Louise Pragnell
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Live Stream
Friday, October 3rd
Sunday, October 5th
Background:
In March 2011, it was made public that Duchess Sarah had accepted £15,000 from convicted sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. Soon after, she gave an interview:
The Monday after the email was leaked, Patronages began to drop Duchess Sarah due to her links with Jeffrey Epstein.
The following is a complete list of foreign royals and dignitaries attending the Accession to the Throne celebrations on October 3rd.
These countries were invited due to their particularly close relationship with Luxembourg.
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany
French Republic
European Institutions
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| 2019 State Visit (During Queen Elizabeth II's reign) |
The State visit of President Donald Trump will take place September 17th-18th. He will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. The State visit was originally scheduled for 17th-19th, but has been shortened by a day.
This is Trump's 2nd State visit to the UK. The first took place in 2019; you can find the schedule for that here.
Day 0 - Tuesday, Sept 16thMr Speaker,
Honorable Members,
Today we gather to begin a new parliamentary year. The decisions made in this chamber affect people's everyday lives and their faith in the future.
Sweden and the world face significant challenges.
The human suffering in Gaza is indescribable. And the conflicts in the Middle East risk having serious consequences for international stability.
In Ukraine, Russian aggression continues to claim lives and threaten the security of Europe. Every day, the people of Ukraine defend not only their own country, but also the freedom we all share.
These wars and conflicts are a reminder that peace, security and respect for human dignity cannot be taken for granted. And how important cooperation across national borders is when international law is threatened and lawlessness risks taking hold. The UN Charter, adopted 80 years ago, is a compelling message about the importance of an international legal order.
[The UN will mark its 80th Anniversary in October. King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia will attend the commemoration at the Headquarters in New York during the week of September 21st.]
We are also facing crucial choices regarding climate change, energy supply, and rapid technological development.
Sweden's voice is needed now more than ever. Through Nordic and European cooperation, and with the strength of our NATO membership, we can be a global force for security and democracy. Together, we have the knowledge, resources and innovative power to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Honorable Members,
In a time when facts are being questioned and democratic values are being pushed back, we need to stand up for an open society. For the right to think, speak, and research freely.
That is precisely why our universities and colleges play a crucial role. They are places for free thinking and critical examination. The independence of research is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is where new knowledge emerges. And with that knowledge, we build a better society, equipped for a changing world.
My hope is that this parliamentary year will be filled with respect, sensitivity, and a long-term perspective.
[A study released in December 2024 found that 4 out of 10 university employees in Sweden report that they have been subject to threats, harassment, or violence.
This study launched a big discussion on Academic Freedom in Sweden. Earlier this year, the Sweden government launched an inquiry into academic freedom at Universities.]
You who are elected to represent the Swedish people have a great responsibility. As Dag Hammarskjöld said:
“Only he deserves power who daily justifies it.”
[Dag Hammarskjöld was a Swedish economist and diplomat who served as the 2nd secretary-general of the UN.]
Every day is a new opportunity to contribute to a better future together.
With these words, I wish you strength, courage and wisdom for the coming parliamentary year.
I hereby declare the 2025/2026 National Assembly open!
On September 9, 2025, Prince Laurent of Belgium confirmed that he is the biological father of 25-year-old Clément Vandenkerckhove. Clement is the son of Iris Vandenkerckhove (AKA Wendy van Wanten) from a relationship in the late 1990s. Clement was born before Prince Laurent met and married his wife, Claire.
Clément Vandenkerckhove:
Official Statement (Translation)
With this message, I acknowledge that I am the biological father of Clément Vandenkerckhove. We have spoken openly and honestly about this over the past few years.
This announcement is based on a sense of understanding and respect for those involved. It is the result of joint consultation.
I ask that you receive this information with the restraint that the nature of this intimate matter requires.
I will not make any further statements or provide further explanations about this.
Laurent von Sachsen-Coburg
Q&A
Note: Belgium's rules about illegitimate children differ from most other Monarchies.
Q1: Is Clément in the Belgium's line of succession?
No. The rules for succession require you to be a legitimate child. (Clément's aunt, Princess Delphine, is also an illegitimate child. She is not in the line of succession.)
Q2: Is Clément now about to use HRH Prince Clément?
Not at this time. Clément has not yet been legally recognized as Prince Laurent's son. But if Clément takes that legal action, he could be.
Belgium's 2015 Royal Decree grants the title and style HRH Prince/ss to all children of the monarch, and all children on sons of the monarch. The decree does not include any language about legitimacy/ born in marriage.
(Other monarchies expressly state in their rules that titles only go to children born/conceived during marriage, and so those illegitimate children would be ineligible to receive a title.)
Q3: Will Clément attend Royal Events like Princess Delphine?
We typically see Princess Delphine at two royal events each year:
Clément's situation is similar but slightly different from Princess Delphine's. Delphine actively fought to be recognized and received legal recognition. Because she is legally recognized (not just publicly recognized), Delphine is legally an HRH Princess. Clément has not yet been legally recognized.
Also, it is important to note that Princess Delphine is the illegitimate child of King Albert, the former Monarch. Whereas Clément is the illegitimate child of a son of the monarch. So, they have slightly different positions.
Timeline of Events
1990s
1990s
2000s
2000
2003
2010s
2020s
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| Duchess of Kent in Brisbine, 1988 Queensland State Archives, CC BY 3.0 AU |
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| During UK State Visit to France 2023 UK in France, OGL 3, via Wikimedia Commons |
The State visit of President Emmanuel Macron will take place July 8th-10th. He will be accompanied by his wife, Brigitte Macron.
Tuesday, July 8thWednesday, July 9th
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| Oslo Police Headquarters I, Chell Hill, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons |
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Royal attendance is not usually announced in advance (except for those attending in an official capacity). But look out for:
President/Patron: Princess Kate (Patron of Wimbledon & LTA) & Duchess of Gloucester (Honorary President of LTA)
Other Royals: Queen Camilla, Duchess Sophie, Prince & Princess Michael of Kent, etc.
Foreign Royals: (varies each year)
Extended Family: Phillips/Tindalls, The Kent & Gloucester's children, Middletons/ Matthews, Camilla's sister, etc.
The Royals almost always sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court. The day's matches in the Centre Court usually begin at 1:30 PM, except during the final weekend when matches begin at 2 PM. We will not see a royal every day. Expect higher attendance during the 2nd week.
