Biggest Royal News of 2011


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Minus the William-Kate wedding, which is undeniably the biggest royal newsmaker of 2011, two royal weddings, a pregnancy, a birth, a funeral, an uprising, and a scandal round up list of the other royal news that shaped the world of monarchies this year. Despite the many tragedies that struck the world, it's still a pretty good year for crowned heads, dashing princes, and glittering princesses. Here are the biggest royal news that kept royals in the limelight.

Prince Albert-Charlene Wittstock Nuptials

Photo Source: http://www.zimbio.com

Prince Albert II, 55, reigning sovereign of Monaco and son of dashing Prince Rainier III and Hollywood queen Grace Kelly (both deceased) finally tied the knot with Charlene Wittstock, 33, in a two-day wedding ceremony, held last July 1-2.

“Residents of the principality on the Riviera swarmed the plaza outside the palace where the ceremony took place, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds during the first of two days of royal wedding events,” reports ABC News.


“Aside from France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and the kings and queens of Sweden and Belgium, the crowd included fashion designers, models, sportsmen, more minor royals and senior officials from the tiny principality,” reports The Telegraph. 


Philippe Narmino, who conducted the civil ceremony July 1, spoke to The Guardian of the "joy" of celebrating the union, but some of those watching on big screens outside spoke of an atmosphere of sadness and an absence of signs of affection.



Crown Princess Mary Gives Birth to Twins

Photo Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark gave birth to twins, “at 10:40 a.m. and weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces. The girl arrived 26 minutes later and weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces,” reports AOL News. Crown Prince Frederick was with Princess Mary during the delivery. 


"It's a miracle. It's two small hearts to keep an eye on,” reports The Telegraph.


The twins are now fourth and fifth in line to the Danish throne, after their eldest brother Prince Christian, five, and elder sister Isabella, three.

The twins were baptized Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, respectively.

CBS News reported that the births touched off widespread celebrations in Denmark, where the newborns are fourth and fifth in line to the throne after their father and older siblings, and in Australia, which they are expected to visit before year's end.



Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Announces Pregnancy


Aug. 18, 2011, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden announced her pregnancy, told the press relations of the royal family of Sweden Annika Sonnenberg.

“Sonnenberg further told that the Royal Family is full of joy about the news and that the Crown Princess is well,” according to Experts Column.


“The child is reportedly due in March of 2012, but the Princess will not make any alterations to her travel schedule until early next year. We may think of the life of a princess as mostly filled with idle luxury, but there's actually a lot of state visits, fundraisers and speaking engagements involved,”reports Cinemablend.



Crown Prince Sultan Dies

Photo Source, http://newshopper.sulekha.com

A Sad year for the Saudi Royal Family on the death of Crown Prince Sultan last Oct. 23, 2011.

“The crown prince was King Abdullah's half-brother and first in line to the Saudi throne. He was also minister of defence and aviation,” reports BBC.


“He was in his eighties and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. He is thought to have died at a New York hospital.”

"It is with deep sorrow and grief that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdel Azizi Al Saud mourns the loss of his brother and Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Sultan Abdel Aziz Al Saud," the palace said in a statement.



King Jigme Wangchuk of Bhutan Marries


His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, King of Bhutan, married the love of his life, Jetsun Pema. The king rules the relatively unknown Himalayan state of Bhutan, in a relatively lowprofile wedding, unusual to the common, glittery, and paparazzi-filled weddings, like that of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge early this year.


The King was 31 while his bride was ten years younger. The ceremony was held in an elaborate, traditional way practiced in Bhutan since it was founded in the 16th century, amidst monks, cheering locals, and curious media, although no foreign royalty or dignitary was around to grace the event.


Inaki Urdangarin, Duke of Palma's Alleged Corruption Scandalous


In November 2011, Inaki Urdangarín, Duke of Palma was accused of diverting public funds for his own profit through the Noos institute in the 'Palma Arena' case.

The Duke is the wife of Infanta Cristina, youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain.

It is believed that Urdarangin had persuaded different Spanish public, regional administrations make an agreements with his company, the Noos Institute, a registered a not-for-profit organization, for both works that were never done, and works that were dramatically over-budgeted up to €5,800,000 from public Administrations.


The Anticorruption bureau confirmed in Dec. 2011 that Urdangarin had been sending important sums of public money to tax havens in Belize and the UK. At the height of the scandal, King Juan Carlos announced that the Duke of Palma was not going to participate in any official Royal Family activity for the foreseeable future, as a result of the Instituto Noos scandal.

The Duke of Palma is subpoenaed to appear on 6 February 2012, before a judge over the allegations of corruption. He now faces a lawsuit together with 14 other defendants, including Jaume Matas, former premier of the Balearics.


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