Royals of Europe's Calendar of Activities for this week are in full swing with foreign visits, gala dinners, garden parties, and surprise appearance of The Queen. Since turning 96 this year, every public appearance of Her Majesty surprises the royalists. 😍
1. National Day in Norway - Finally, after two years (due to the pandemic), Norway was able to celebrate its National Day in a traditional way on May 17, 2022.
It's a public holiday in Norway observed every 17th of May to commemorate the Norwegian constitution signing on May 17, 1814, one of the oldest written constitutions in the world that's still existed today.
During the National Day, Norwegian dressed up in their traditional costumes, called bunads. It's a fun celebration in Norway where adults and children graced the streets waving flags, attending festivities, and wearing colorful costumes.
2. State Visit in Sweden - King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and Queen Silvia received the Finnish President, Sauli Niinisto, and his wife, First Lady Jenni Haukio.
The state visit aims to promote the good relations between Finland and Sweden, and foster international understanding.
The Swedish royal family also hosted a state banquet in honor of the Finnish president and members of the Finnish delegations.
3. State Visit in Spain- King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia received Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the Kingdom of Qatar, and his first wife, Sheikha Jawaher Bint Suhaim Al Thani at the Palacio Real de Madrid.
The reigning Emir of Qatar (born on January 3, 1980) has three wives but usually, the one who will accompany him on a state visit is his first wife whom he married in 2005.
Qatar is one of the fewest monarchies in the world where the constitution remained Absolute - the monarch carries power both in the state and government.
The Spanish King and Queen hosted a gala dinner in honor of the Qatari royals but Queen Letizia did not wear a tiara because the Qatari royals never wear a tiara during a foreign visit.
4. Royal Visit to Canada - The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall began their official visit to Canada to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
However, without amending Canada's constitution, the Prince of Wales will automatically become their Head of State once he will succeed his mother. And it is unclear how they would prevent his accession to the throne.
5. The Blue Climate Summit in French Polynesia- Pierre Casiraghi, 8th in line to the Monegasque throne, represented his uncle, Prince Albert II of Monaco, at The Blue Climate Summit on the beautiful island of French Polynesia. He was welcomed by the French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch.
French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific with Papeete as its capital.
6. Trooping the Color's Preparation - The Duke of Cambridge presented the new battalion colors to the 1st Battalion of the Irish Guards, where he is the Colonel-in-Chief since 2011. The significant ceremony was held at the quadrangle of Windsor Castle where the Queen currently resided.
The Duke of Cambridge will troop his Regiment in the coming Trooping the Colors parade, June 2, 2022, to mark the Queen's official birthday.
The Irish Guards is one of the Foot Guards Regiments of the British Army, and one of the two Irish infantry in the British Army and was formed in 1900 during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Prince William wore the Irish Guards uniform during his wedding in 2011.
7. Queen's Birthday - Queen Maxima of The Netherlands celebrated her 51st birthday on May 17, 2022. She was born Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti on May 17, 1971 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Queen Maxima is the first Dutch Queen Consort in more than 100 years since Princess Emma Waldeck-Pyrmont, the wife of King William III of The Netherlands, in the 19th century.
8. Royal Garden Party - The Queen's second Garden Party was held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
9. The Queen visited Paddington station. Accompanied by her youngest son, Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, visited Paddington station in London ahead of the opening of the new line named in honor of her, the Elizabeth line.
The Queen has not conducted any public engagement since then, just sending members of her family to attend on her behalf. However, she continues to carry her duties through virtual appearances at her sitting room in Windsor castle.
10. Princess Benedikte visited Sylt - Queen Margrethe II's younger sister, Princess Benedikte, visited the German island of Sylt located in the northern part of Germany.
During her visit, Princess Benedikte met the island's Danish and Frisian minorities and heard about their culture and history, especially the island's historical association to the Danish royal houses. Sylt pioneered the green transition and digitalization in Germany.
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