Prince Edward's Official Photograph on his 50th Birthday

The Earl and Countess of Wessex with their two kids. Image: BBC

Here's Prince Edward and family's photograph released during his 50th birthday. The image was taken in the dining room of Bagshot Park, their home in Surrey, by Millie Pilkington, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's private wedding photographer.

Emperor Akihito's Speech Commemorating the Third Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

Emperor Akihito. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Here is Emperor Akihito's speech in commemoration of the Third Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake last March 10. 

As we commemorate the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, together with the people gathered here today, I would like to again offer my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the disaster and their bereaved families.

The huge earthquake and tsunami that struck eastern Japan three years ago today left more than twenty thousand people dead or missing. Many people are still living under difficult conditions whether they are in the afflicted regions or in the places where they evacuated to. The nuclear power plant accident caused by the disaster is making some regions still off-limits because of radioactive contamination, forcing many people to leave the places where they used to live. It pains me greatly to think that so many people do not yet know when they can go back to their own homes.

In the past three years, people in the afflicted regions, still living under severe conditions, have overcome numerous difficulties with a strong sense of solidarity and made great efforts towards reconstruction. I am also heartened to see that many people, both at home and abroad, continue to support these efforts in various ways.

My thoughts go out to the afflicted people who must still be experiencing various hardships. In order to ensure that they can live in good health, and that they can live without losing hope, it is important that everyone's hearts be with the afflicted for many years to come. It is my hope that people will never forget this disaster and hand down the lessons we learned to future generations, and foster a proper attitude towards disaster prevention, with the aim of making our country a safer place.

Together with the people gathered here today, I would like to express my hope that days of peace and quiet will return as soon as possible to the afflicted regions. In closing, I offer once again my most sincere condolences to all those who lost their lives in the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Sweden's Royal Family Now on YouTube

Crown Princess Victoria with her father, King Carl XVI. Image: kungahuset.se

Do you want to get updates about the Swedish Royal Family's official duties, relive historic moments, visit the royal palaces and get an insight into the work of the Royal Court? Follow them on Youtube! Visit http://www.youtube.com/kungahuset.

The Queen's Commonwealth Day Message

Commonwealth Day in London. Image: FlickR

Here is Her Majesty's message delivered during the Commonwealth Day, March 10, 2014:

In July this year, the opening of the 20th Commonwealth Games will be marked by the arrival in Glasgow of the baton that started its journey from Buckingham Palace five months ago.

Many of us are following closely the news of the baton relay as it passes through the 70 countries and territories whose teams will gather for the Games. The images bring vividly to life what we mean by the Commonwealth family: it is wonderful to see the warmth, shared endeavour and goodwill as the baton is passed through the hands of many thousands of people.

Affinities of history and inheritance from the past are strong, yet we are bound together by a sense that the Commonwealth is a powerful influence of good for the future. People of all ages from different cultures are weaving an ever-growing network of links which connect us in our diversity and our common purpose. It is this unity that is expressed in this year's theme: 'Team Commonwealth'.

While national teams will be concentrating on the competition in August, Team Commonwealth will have a longer focus, working together to achieve a more enduring success.

Experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes very different viewpoints. But we are committed to the same goals. Together we offer each other encouragement and draw strength from this mutual support.

The understanding that we belong together, and are able, through teamwork, to achieve far more than we could do alone, has always been at the heart of our approach. For all of us this is now captured in the Commonwealth Charter which sets out the values and principles which guide and motivate us.

This year, more children and young people are participating in Commonwealth Day celebrations. Advances in technology enable us to reach a greater number of young people in schools, on-line using the 'Commonwealth Class' initiative, and through events in local communities where the Commonwealth flag is being raised.

I am delighted that in this, the year of 'Team Commonwealth', we will be working to build a brighter, united future in which every one of us can play a part and share in its rewards.

  Source: British Royal Family's Official website

Queen Mathilde at 41

We are one with Queen Mathilde and the rest of the Belgian Royal Family in celebrating the 41st birthday of Queen Mathilde. She is the consort of King Philippe. Queen Mathilde was born January 20, 1973. In honor of Queen Mathilde, we've scouted Pinterest for some of the most wonderful images of Her Majesty.

 @f-ge-ZZZaagd

@Danielle Belisle

@The Huffington Post

@tiarafan

Royal Events this Week - January 19-25, 2014

Check out this week's royal events that you should never miss!

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands

January 19 - Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, daughter of Queen Juliana, celebrates her 71st birthday.

The Countess of Wessex

January 20 - Sophie, Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates her 49th birthday.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium

January 20 - Queen Mathilde of Belgium celebrates her 41st birthday. She was born Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz.

Infant Princess Ingrid Alexandra with her father.

January 21 - Princess Ingrid Alexandra, daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette Marit celebrates her 10th birthday.

Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess of Hanover

January 23 - Princess Caroline of Monaco, Princess of Hanover, celebrates her 57th birthday. She is the sister and heiress presumptive of her brother, Prince Albert II.

Princess Charlene of Monaco

January 25 - Princess Charlene, wife of Prince Albert II of Monaco, turns 36. She was born Charlene Lynette Wittstock in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. 

Clarence House’s Communication Team merges with Buckingham Palace’s; Prince Charles ready to wield greater power over Royal Family

Prince Charles. Image: Getty Images

Prince Charles takes a step further towards kingship as his 10-man communications team, which takes care of his public image, will merge with that of Buckingham Palace’s.

It is expected that one of the Prince’s top man will soon take the helm of the entire Royal family’s PR. This is the first time since the reign of King George VI that only one team runs the monarchy's press relations.

This also means more power for the Prince of Wales and a profound message to everyone that Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh are starting to transfer their mounting workload to the younger generations. More of this from Telegraph online.