The Queen bestows a rare honour on Wootton Bassett

The war in Afghanistan may be controversial, especially when one keeps in mind that the wish of the Afghan delegates of the Loya Jirga to restore the Monarchy was ignored by the Western powers, but the soldiers who fight, are injured or, sadly, die there deserve everyone's respect. Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, UK, has gained fame as its residents stood quietly showing respect for fallen servicemen as their bodies passed through the town.

The BBC reported two days ago:

Wootton Bassett has been officially renamed with the prefix "Royal" in a ceremony in the Wiltshire town.

Thousands of people gathered for the ceremony, during which the Princess Royal presented the Letters Patent on behalf of the Queen.

The move recognises the role the town played during the repatriation of UK military personnel killed in war.

The Princess Royal, accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, at the commemoration event in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Speaking at the ceremony Princess Anne paid tribute to the residents and said the community had come together in a most extraordinary way.

"I am privileged to be allowed to add my thanks to those of Her Majesty the Queen and the whole country for the example you set in responding with dignity and respect to the losses that this country, operational responsibilities have forced upon us," she said.

The Princess Royal and the Mayor of Royal Wootton Bassett, Councillor Paul Heaphy, unveil the Letters Patent at the commemoration event marking the town's new 'Royal' title, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, 16th October 2011.

Earlier the Princess was received by the Lord Lieutenant, John Bush, before touring an exhibition in the town's library and watching a parade through the town's High Street.

The decision to rename it Royal Wootton Bassett was taken by the Queen following a petition from the prime minister.

The last town to be given royal status was Tunbridge Wells in Kent, in 1909.

The first repatriation service took place in Wootton Bassett in April 2007 when the bodies of military personnel began arriving at the nearby RAF base at Lyneham.

Since then thousands of people have turned out to pay their respects to servicemen killed in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The last cortege passed through the town in August, after which RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire became the landing site for planes returning from conflict zones.

The media are getting ready for the Queen's arrival


ABC (7.30)



Film Australia Collection

Itinerary of the Queen of Australia's 16th Tour

CANBERRA:
Wednesday 19th October
PM - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh arrive in Canberra and will be given a Ceremonial Welcome at the Airport.

Thursday 20th October
AM - The Queen will give an Audience for the Governor General.
PM - Will visit the Floriade flower show.

Friday 21st October
AM - The Queen will give an Audience for her Australian Prime Minister and an Audience for the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition.
PM - Will attend a Reception hosted by the Prime Minister at Parliament House

The Duke of Edinburgh:
PM - The Duke of Edinburgh will attend a Duke of Edinburgh Award Reception.

Saturday 22nd October
AM - Presentation of Colours to the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

The Duke of Edinburgh
PM - Will attend a Commonwealth Study Conference reception.

Sunday 23rd October
AM - Will attend Morning Worship at St. John’s Church.
PM - Will attend a Reception and Lunch hosted by the Governor-General.

BRISBANE AWAY DAY
Monday 24th October
AM - Board a river craft, and travel up the Brisbane River to Southbank and after visit the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
PM - Attend a Reception for emergency response personnel and Communities affected by recent floods.
PM - Will attend a post flood Rededication Ceremony of Rainforest and opening of Rain Bank.
PM - Will attend a Lunch with Governor of Queensland and other guests.

CANBERRA
Tuesday 25th October
AM - Will visit the Australian War Memorial and view the Afghanistan Memorial. The Queen will lay a wreath.
Later, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will meet Australian Defence Force Personnel at Orientation Hall.

MELBOURNE AWAY DAY
Wednesday 26th October
AM - Opening of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
PM - Visit to the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria.
PM - Walk through Federation Square and take a journey on board a Melbourne Tram.
PM - Will attend a Reception hosted by the Governor of Victoria at Government House.
PM - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will depart Melbourne
for Perth.

PERTH
Thursday 27th October
AM - Visit to Clontarf Aboriginal College and see sporting facilities.
PM - Will attend a Garden Party at Government House.

Friday 28th October
AM - Will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Lunch for new Heads of Government at Government House.
Evening - Will attend a banquet at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Saturday 29th October
AM - Will visit the Perth community ‘BBQ’ event - “The Big Aussie BBQ”.
Lunchtime - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will depart Australia.

Looking ahead to the Queen's arrival in Australia

Julia Gillard will pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth's reign as an inspiration 'to complete the journey' of women's leadership.

She told The Sunday Age:

'When Her Majesty became Queen in 1952, women in parliamentary and ministerial office were rarities. Only one woman had ever served in federal cabinet and no woman was to hold office as a first minister until Rosemary Follett in 1989.'

Australian actor Jason Donovan: "I've always believed in the Queen as head of state"

The Queen of Australia held a reception ahead of her 11-day day tour Down Under, which begins on 19th October and will see her open a meeting of Commonwealth leaders.

The Queen meets actor, Hugh Jackman, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace before a reception for members of the Australian community living in the UK in advance of the Royal Tour to Australia, London, 13th October 2011.

According to The Daily Telegraph X-Men star Hugh Jackman was asked what reception the Queen will get when she flies to Canberra. He replied:

"They love her there, the only issue I know is she cannot make every city.

"Even the republicans - the ones in Australia who want to see Australia move on - still have great respect and love for the queen. I've never ever heard anyone say anything other.

"I did say 'have a great trip to Australia' and she said 'thank you, I'm excited about it'."

According to The Australian, Jackman expressed an admiration for the royal family which he said is representative of most Australians:

"Even the republicans still have great respect and love for the queen. I've never ever heard anyone say anything other."

Another guest at the royal reception was Australian actor Jason Donovan, who has lived in Britain for almost 20 years, said:

"I'm very proud of my Australian roots, I've always been firm about that. When you're away from home you appreciate it a bit more, that's the special connection I have.

"I have to say I've always believed in the Queen as head of state, I don't know whether there's a better system."

It will surprise no one that none of these quotes could be found in The Age's article. However, Fairfax correspondent Karen Kissane admitted:

Britons delicately inquired of Australians as to the warmth of the welcome the royal couple might receive. They were assured that the republican tide was out at the moment.

For once The Age got it right.

40th Anniversary: Celebrating
2500 Years of Monarchy in Iran

Excerpt from the Iranian newsletter “In the Name of my Father”, October 2008, P.O. Box 16166, Beverly Hills, CA, 90209, USA

"On October 12th, 1971 His Imperial Majesty, Light of Aryan, King of Kings Mohammad Reza Pahlavi celebrated 2500 years of monarchy in Iran, which put Iran on limelight as a nation of power and glory. Iran was no longer subject to humiliation of Russia and England. Iran was an independent nation which was determining its own destiny, and Iran became a significant player in world affair.


"The October 12th is the day that Cyrus the Great founded Iran, and established the first ever empire which accepted the first Universal Declaration of Human Rights written by Cyrus the Great. He proclaimed that all people in dominion of Persian Empire would be protected by Cyrus the Great's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Universal Declaration of Human Rights had codes which were new to anyone in its own time; such as, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, absent of religious persecution and many more rights that people would enjoy in his empire.




"On October 12th, 1971 was the first day of ceremony as His Imperial Majesty, Light of Aryan, King of Kings Mohammad Reza Pahlavi with Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Farah Pahlavi paid homage to King of Kings Cyrus the Great's mausoleum at Pasarguard.


"For next two days dignitaries and head of state of other nations began to arrive at Shiraz's airport and they were greeted with honour and respect by His Imperial Majesty, King of King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi or Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Farah Pahlavi and were ushered to ancient land of Persepolis. ...


"The Imperial Iranian Armed Forces took part in this historical event by wearing ancient military custom of each period and took part in military parade and illustrated power and glory of Iran to everyone. This magnificent military parade was refreshing everyone's mind that Imperial Iranian Armed Forces had 2500 years of history with unblemished record.


"There is a legitimate question to ask that what was purpose of celebrating 2500 years of monarchy tax payers expense? The above image which is taken from Persepolis, it illustrates, people from different part of the world appeared before mighty Persian King of Kings and gave their homage to the Persian. Indeed, this celebration had same motive with its own tone and agendas as dignitaries and head of state of other nations appeared before might King of Kings Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and paid their gratitude to Him for keeping Middle East and world in peace."


Royal and vice-regal guests
1. Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia
2. King Frederik IX of Denmark and Queen Ingrid
3. King Baudouin I and Queen Fabiola of the Belgians
4. King Hussein and Princess Muna of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
5. King Olav V of Norway
6. Emir Isa ibn Salman al-Khalifah of Bahrain
7. King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes
8. Sultan Qaboos of Oman,
9. Prince Abdula Vali Khan and Princess Bilqis Begum of Afghanistan
10. King Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho
11. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tunku Abdul Halim of Malaysia
12. Prince Franz Josef II and Princess Georgina of Liechtenstein
13. Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace of Monaco
14. Grand Duke Jean Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte
15. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
16. Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and Anne, The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom
17. Princess Salimah Aga Khan
18. Crown Prince Carl Gustaf of Sweden
19. Prince Juan Carlos and Princess Sofia of Spain
20. Prince Victor Emmanuel and Princess Marina Doria of Italy
21. Prince Mikasa of Japan
22. Prince Moulay Abdallah and Princess Lamia of Morocco
23. Prince Makhosini of Swaziland
24. Governor-General Roland Michener of Canada
25. Governor-General Paul Hasluck of Australia

Presidents and Prime Ministers
1. President Tito of Yugoslavia
2. President Nikolai Padgorny of the Soviet Union
3. President Franz Jonas of Austria
4. President Todor Zhikov of Bulgaria
5. President Emilio Garrastazu Medici of Brazil
6. President Urho Kekkpnen of Finland
7. President Cevdet Sunay of Turkey
8. President Pal Losonczi of Hungary
9. President Ludvik Svobofa of Czechoslovakia
10. President Yahya Khan of Pakistan
11. President Suleiman Franijieh of Lebanon
12. President Jacobus Johannes Fouche of South Africa
13. President Leopold Sedar Senghor of Senegal
14. President Moktar Ould Daddah of Mauritania
15. President Hubert Maga of Dahomey
16. President Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania
17. Chancellor Willy Brandt of West Germany
18. Prime Minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas of France
19. Prime Minister Kim- Jonq-pil of South Korea
20. Prime Minister Emilio Colombo of Italy
23. Vice President Spiro Agnew of the United States
24. Foreign Minister Rui Patricio of Portugal
25. President Rudolf Gnagi of Switzerland
26. First Lady Imelda Marcos of the Philippines

PS.
In Australia's republican weekly THE BULLETIN Colin Smith wrote on 30th January 1979:

"Despite their many mistakes it is unlikely that history will judge the Pahlavi dynasty too harshly. Both the Shah and his father, Reza Shah, attempted to drag a feudal society into the 20th century by force feeding it in 50 years a crash diet of industrialisation which Europe took 300 years to digest.

"They did not altogether fail. If Iran wins its race to become a democratic, industrialised society by the time the oil runs out at the turn of this century, it will be partly because of the ruthless vision of the Pahlavis."

Today Iran is neither a democratic society not has the oil run out. The country still needs the vision of a Pahlavi: Shahanshah Reza II.

Official Medal to commemorate King Michael of Romania's 90th birthday

For the first time, since he was forced to go into exile in 1947, an official jubilee medal has been struck with the head of King Michael of Romania's (Regele Mihai I) . The present Romanian authorities made this possible to commemorate the Monarch's 90th birthday on 25th October.

The Jubilee Medal was presented to His Majesty on 3rd October at the National Bank of Romania by Mugur Isarescu, Governor of National Bank of Romania.

The Jubilee Medal was launched in collaboration with the National Bank of Romania, to stress the link between sovereignty and currency, according to Article 88 of the Constitution of 1923, and was issued in the name of King. The last two coins bearing His Majesty's image were issued in 1947, with values of 10,000, and 5 lei [before and after stabilization of the currency].


Like coins, His Majesty's Jubilee Medal on the front bears the King's profile and the reverse is the Great Arms of Romania. It is made of unvarnished gold "tombac nepatinat", and was created by Mr. Cristian Ciornei [design] and Vasile Gabor [model].

In another move to celebrate Regele Mihai's landmark birthday, the Romanian Parliament decided to invite the King Michael to attend a formal sitting on his birthday. The decision was taken with 203 votes "for", three votes "against" and 46 abstentions. The abstentions came from the Liberal-Democrats and were meant as a protest against Romanian president Traian Băsescu's insulting remarks on King Michael.

The president is embattled after his plans to reorganize Romanian territory were refused by opposition parties and an ethnic Hungarian party whose support the government needs to survive.

King Michael is one of the few surviving World War II leaders and had good relations with the Jewish community when he was King, nevertheless Traian Băsescu accused the Monarch of being responsible for the Holocaust in Romania, and called him "a Russian lackey".

Ion Caramitru: What did we achieve without monarchy?
Meanwhile famous actor Ion Caramitru believes that King Michael was the only personality capable of restoring morality in the country and speaks about the toxicity of “turncoat communists” and of the former secret police officers who got into business. In an interview with ‘Adevarul,’ the manager of the Bucharest National Theatre says he did not abandon his attitude of social militant, though he stays away from politics today. Caramitru still believes in the political principles of Christian Democracy to restore the monarchy and increase the respect for religion.

“I am sad! For the last 20 years, King Michael I has been in the country… The monarchy could have become perfectly stable during all these years and we could have banished communism forever, by annulling the abdication of 1947, when the King was rudely forced to leave the country. The return to monarchy would have put an end to this fight over the first position in the state, for a president who has discretionary powers. This semi-absolute power could divert the state to other ends, while monarchy secures the first position in the states only in a symbolic manner… Monarchy was the only principle capable of restoring morality in the country. Without it, what did we do? We have the same communists, now turncoats, and the former secret police officers who got into business and obtained revolutionist’s certificates. The infamous people controlling us in the past are doing the same today. The country is dying and everything was stolen,” Ion Caramitru said.

ACM's Twelfth National Conference

This weekend of 8th and 9th October Melbourne hosted the Twelfth National Conference of the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy. This was ACM's 12th such conference since the 1999 referendum. Alone among all of the nineteen groups at the 1998 Constitutional Convention, ACM is the only one - monarchist or republican - which has held a national conference on the issue in each of the following years. None of the others comes even close to this record.

ACM's National Convener David Flint explained the Magic of Monarchy, which brings thousands of people to the social networks on the internet. The ACM website and its Facebook account attract many people looking for more information on the Australian Monarchy. (For details see: Facebook: ACM has 20,000 fans)

South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi sent a video message to the participants of ACM's 12th National Conference.

Gary Morgan, Executive Chairman of Roy Morgan Research Pty. Ltd., had good news for ACM's followers: The latest opinion polls gave the Monarchists a big lead over republicans: 55 percent of the Australians supported the Monarchy while the republicans gathered only 34 percent (see chart 1).


Even the republicans hopes for an unpopular King Charles would not give them a lead. On the question: "If Prince Charles were to be crowned King, in your opinion should Australia remain a Monarchy - or become a republic with an elected president?" 47 percent supported the Monarchy against 45 percent who would still prefer a republic (see chart 2).



Of course these opinion polls are only temporary indicators and should not lead Monarchist to the belief that they have nothing to fear for their preferred form of state. The media will continue their republicanism and The Age's editorial staff is probably already at work to write nasty opinion pieces to welcome the Queen of Australia on her arrival on 19th October. Never let the people make up their own mind. If they want a Monarchy Fairfax Media and News Ltd. must educate them and propagate what they think is right.

The Royal Family's love affair Down Under

The Daily Telegraph published details on The Queen's programme in Australia saying that "Australia, a high-profile member of the Commonwealth, has been a favoured destination for many member of the Royal Family over the past 144 years".

"The first royal tour to the country was made in 1867-68 by Prince Alfred, the Queen Victoria's second son, who later become the Duke of Edinburgh.

"During his visit, it was reported that he was “met with enormous warmth” in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane during a world tour on board HMS Galatea."


Queen Elizabeth has celebrated all aspects of Australian culture and life, visiting many of the country’s major landmarks, attended major sporting events and met thousands of locals.

Dates announced for The Queen's stay in Australia

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

As previously announced, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit Australia this Autumn.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will arrive in Canberra on Wednesday, 19th October before travelling to Perth on Wednesday 26th October for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Additionally, the Royal couple will undertake two “away days” one to Brisbane on Monday 24th October, and one to Melbourne on Wednesday 26th October.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will depart Australia on Saturday 29th October.


Background
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh came to Australia in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002 and 2006.

Find out more about The Queen of Australia

Queensland's Premier Anna Bligh said the visit was "great news" for Queensland, where the deluge of water was followed almost immediately by destructive Cyclone Yasi.

The Queen's grandson Prince William toured disaster-affected communities in Queensland and southern Victoria, which also suffered major flooding, in March.

"I know Prince William's visit really gave people a shot in the arm after the terrible disasters that we had and I'm sure that people will feel the same when they see Queen Elizabeth here," Ms. Bligh said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard also welcomed the monarch's 10-day visit for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth on 28th to 30th October, which will also see her go to Melbourne and Canberra.

"Visits by the Queen are etched into the collective memory of the Australian people," Ms. Gillard said in a statement. "Many Australians can recall Her Majesty's previous visits as landmarks in their own lives."

Who knew first about Crown Prince's visit?


Murdoch and Fairfax newspapers argue with each other. That's nothing new, but it is a kind of ironic, that the two equally fiercely republican papers argue about who first published news about the Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary's visit to Australia. Today The Age claimed the crown for itself.

RUPERT Murdoch's excited minions grabbed the 'exclusive' stamp again and plastered it over a Sunday Herald Sun story about Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik coming to Australia on November 19, the headline saying 'Aussie tour dates revealed'. This column revealed on August 3 that the couple were arriving on November 19 to head the Bright Green Denmark business and trade delegation and show off their twins. Royal bridesmaid Amber Petty is 'massively excited' about the visit. The tabloid said the couple was tipped to attend the Alannah and Madeline Foundation Starry Starry Night ball, a fact also mentioned in this column and in 3AW's Rumour File in July. Not that anyone wants to ruin the 'exclusive' excitement.

Sikkim hit by powerful earthquake


This Sunday Sikkim, a state that is dear to the RadicalRoyalist's heart was hit by an earthquake. A powerful earthquake hit the Sikkim-Nepal border with a magnitude of 6.8 at 6.10 p.m. local time, leaving at least 17 persons dead and more than 100 injured, besides causing extensive damage to buildings and roads.

The epicentre was about 69 km northwest of Sikkim's capital Gangtok, 119 km north-northwest of Siliguri (India) and 272 km east of Kathmandu (Nepal).

Of the deaths, seven occurred in Sikkim, five in Nepal, three in the Darjeeling hills of West Bengal and two in Bihar, according to reports received here.

Among the victims in Sikkim, two died at Singtham in East district, two in Rishi in West district and one at Mangan in North district, Chief Secretary Karma Gyatso said in Gangtok. Two Indian army jawans were killed in north Sikkim, and three army vehicles including one with Indian army personnel were reported missing.

In Sikkim, there were also reports of landslips as it was raining, and power supply was seriously disrupted. Mobile phone services were not functioning and only BSNL lines were working.

In Nepal, three of five deaths occurred outside the British Embassy in Kathmandu when a high brick wall collapsed.

After the earthquake, the Siliguri-Gangtok road has been blocked and 10 Army Engineering columns have been deployed to open it for moving rescue and relief and other engineering equipment to the region.

Jubilee Woods for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

With HRH The Princess Royal as Patron, the Jubilee Woods project is set to create hundreds of new woods, transforming our landscape in a generation and making a real and meaningful difference for many years to come.

Together, communities, schools, companies and landowners will plant a total of 6 million trees, creating hundreds of Jubilee Woods and copses.

What's more, 60 very special Diamond Woods of at least 60 acres will also be planted – each representing a year of Her Majesty's reign.

We hope friends, neighbours and families will come together to plant thousands of individual trees in their gardens or backyards, too – each taking the chance to mark this moment in history in a way that will stay with them forever.

The Woodland Trust can offer landowners help and advice every step of the way.

A living, breathing legacy and the ultimate tribute to Her Majesty, each Diamond Wood will support our best-loved birds and wildlife and feature in a beautiful commemorative booklet, which the Woodland Trust will present to The Queen at the completion of the project.
Sites should ideally be around 60 acres and planting will commence from autumn 2011 until the close of 2012.

Unfortunately this project appeals to British landowners only, however, the idea is fascinating and should be adopted in Australia. This continents needs more trees.

The Queen goes green

As The Daily Telegraph reported The Queen has taken delivery of two giant hydroelectric turbines that will help meet the Royal Family’s attempts to power Windsor Castle using economic sustainable energy.

The 40-tonne Archimedes’ screws were put in place by crane at Romney Weir on the River Thames, just a few miles from her favourite royal residence.

Since August 2008 a hydro power station supplies electricity to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Prince Charles helps to promote Aussie wool

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall opened a new exhibition in central London to showcase wool pieces from some of the world's top designers.

The Wool Modern exhibition at La Galleria on Pall Mall in central London is the highlight of this year's Wool Week, which is part of the Campaign for Wool launched by The Prince in 2010.


The Duchess wore a woollen dress designed by Anna Valentine and actor Colin Firth and his wife, Livia Firth, turned out to show their support for the campaign.

Renowned figures from the fashion and design industries were invited to the exhibition to view the best of wool in carpets, insulation products and fashion pieces. Items from designers Alexander McQueen and Dame Vivienne Westwood took centre stage.

His Royal Highness said: "When you start something like this you wonder if anyone is going to respond at all, so the fact that there has been such a positive response is enormously encouraging.

"When we launched the Campaign for Wool it was in an unbelievably cold barn in January. It did actually require a great deal of wool to survive.

"When we first discussed this campaign it appeared that wool had been forgotten. It was being ignored in favour of fabrics made from non-renewable fossil fuels.

"Wool leaves a lighter footprint on the planet compared to man-made products and when you consider how long it lasts it represents fantastic value."

Royal Wedding in Germany
No need for being jealous anymore, Germans got their own royal wedding yesterday, the third big event of this kind in Europe after the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April and the Monaco wedding in July.

Melbourne’s tabloid newspaper HeraldSun covered the wedding, a stunned public watched in Germany: Germans rediscover royal glamour. The Age was late and had an article on the paper's website on 29th August: Kaiser heir and princess join royal wedding fever.

Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia, head of the Hohenzollern family and great-great-grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II, married Princess Sophie of Isenburg, in the Friedenskirche (Peace Church) in Potsdam.

The House of Windsor was represented by Lord Nicholas Windsor, son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Lady Paola Windsor with their children Albert and Leopold.

Portugal's Dom Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança, and his wife Isabel, Duchess of Bragança, attended the wedding.

Prince El-Hassan bin Talaal of Jordan and Princess Sarvath of Jordan

From Belgium came Prince Laurent, King Albert's son.

King Mihai I of Romania had sent his eldest daughter, Crown Princess Margarita and her husband.

After the ceremony, the couple travelled by a carriage drawn by six horses to Sanssouci Palace for a dinner and ball. Several thousand onlookers lined the streets to see and acclaim the couple.

The public TV station Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) broadcast the wedding in a three hour programme, which was also streamed live on the internet and was viewable even here in Australia.

Watch the German Royal Wedding on the internet
When asked earlier this year, RBB - Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, the public TV-station of Berlin and Brandenburg - were reluctant to broadcast the wedding of HIH Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and HSH Princess Sophie of Isenburg.

A month ago RBB announced it would cover the wedding in Potsdam live from 11 am to 2 pm plus a 40-minute documentary with the day's highlights in the evening. They refused to stream the wedding live on the internet.

This decision has been reversed.

This Saturday the whole world can watch the "German wedding of the year" on the internet. From 19 pm AEST to 22 pm AEST the ceremony should be seen on the RBB's website or on the Hessischen Rundfunk, HR's website (which could provide a better connection).

Loriot has died


Today's top news in Germany has nothing to do with the situation in Libya or the economic downturn, no, it is the death of a man everybody loved: Bernhard Victor von Bülow has died at the age of 87. As his alias name he had chosen Loriot, the French term for the bird of the Bülow family's coat of arms.

Broad sheet papers like the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung or the Süddeutsche Zeitung mourn the death of Vicco von Bülow, whose ancestor played a key role in defeating Napoléon at Waterloo in 1815.


He was a cartoonist, film director, actor and writer who made Germans laugh for decades. Vicco von Bülow, more commonly known as Loriot, has left behind a legacy of humor.

Born on 12th November 1923 into a noble Prussian family, Bernhard Victor Christoph Carl (or just Vicco) von Bülow started his career drawing cartoons with characters that had potatoe noses and depicted the funny side of human frailty and communication problems.

In the early 60s German television asked him to present British and US cartoons, but soon discovered not only his own cartoons but his talent as a comedian. His series of sketches and cartoons became an important part of Germany's cultural consciousness.

He and his amusing characters became such a success that he went on to produce a few full-length movies (Ödipussi and Pappa ante portas). None of them have been screened outside the German-speaking realm, but the BBC has run some of Loriot's sketches and cartoons and received a great response from an English audience.

As he grew older, Loriot even had a humorous perspective on his own age. "You're barely born and you're already 80," is how he commented the feeling he had about entering his 80s.

In answer to the question of what had most influenced his work, Loriot answered in 2007: "I remember that, when I started studying, I was living between a madhouse, a prison and a cemetery. The location alone explains everything, I think."

And this is the RadicalRoyalist's favourite sketch: Two gentlemen in a bath tub:







Loriot is dead - long live Loriot!

Another Royal Wedding - in Tonga

The South Pacific will soon see its own royal wedding. The second in line to the throne of the Kingdom of Tonga is to get married.


Prince 'Ulukalala (26), second in line to the Tongan throne, is courting Hon Sinaitakala Tu'imatamoana Fakafanua (24).

The pair, who are both great-grandchildren of the late Queen Salote, were matched in a Faitohi ceremony held by their families at Ma'ufanga on 28th July.

The Faitohi ceremony is a traditional Tongan courting ritual in which Prince 'Ulukalala officially asked for Hon Sinaitakala's hand in marriage at her residence Siatapu at Ma'ufanga.

Prince 'Ulukalala is the eldest son of Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka and Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho.

Hon. Sinaitakala is the only daughter of Princess 'Ofeina Fakafanua and the late Fakafanua (Tutoatasi).

The King of Tonga, His Majesty Siaosi (George) Tupou V, is a bachelor and has no children.

For more photos of the Faitohi ceremony go to Matangi Tonga online.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit London's riot communities

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall met families whose homes were burnt down, and those from the emergency services who were on the frontline of the London riots on 17th August. They broke off from their holiday in Scotland to show solidarity with urban communities scarred by the violence, arson and looting.


Speaking of the unease still gripping many neighbourhoods, Prince Charles said it was time to deal with the "real causes" rather than the "symptoms" of England's worst civil unrest in decades


On a visit to Tottenham Green Leisure Centre in Tottenham, North London, where an emergency relief effort is under way, Their Royal Highnesses also chatted to volunteers who have been helping those affected get their lives back on track.


During the visit, Their Royal Highnesses met children at the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, where the Salvation Army is also helping to sort through items donated to the centre.


In Hackney Prince Charles met youth ambassadors and volunteers at a centre for The Prince's Trust, the charity he founded in 1976 to help turn around the lives of disadvantaged youngsters. Volunteers from Youth United, an organisation established by The Prince to bring together a number of youth groups including The Scouts Association, Boys Brigade and The Prince’s Trust among others, took to the streets today to help clean up the mess caused as a result of the riots.

"Young people join gangs because it is a cry for help," the heir to the throne said. "There are not enough extra-curricular activities and young people are lacking opportunity. A lot of people are dealing with the symptoms and not looking at the real causes. You can now go out there and motivate others and set an example for young people and show them there is another way. You are the army we have to mobilise."


The Prince has been committed to helping young people for many years, and in 1976 established The Prince's Trust to help change young lives. The Prince's Trust announced it will be providing a £2.5 million investment to communities that have been hardest hit by the riots including Manchester, Birmingham and the London communities of Hackney, Tottenham and Croydon.


In Lambeth, The Prince and The Duchess met those from support services who had been at the frontline of the riots, including police, ambulance and fire services from other boroughs.

Early warnings fom The Prince's Trust
Earlier this year, The Prince’s Trust has warned the UK is developing a "youth underclass". A survey for the Prince's Trust of more than 2,300 people aged 16-24 published on 18th May suggested those from deprived backgrounds were three times more likely to say they will "end up on benefits".

The Prince's Trust blamed an "aspiration gap" between rich and poor. The research revealed what the trust described as the tragedy of young people from poor homes who feel they have no future.

A quarter of those from deprived backgrounds believed they would achieve few or none of their life goals, with a similar proportion expecting to end up on benefits for at least part of their life.

Some 23% from this group thought they were destined for a dead-end job compared to 6% of those from affluent families.

Video

Final preparations for Germany's royal wedding of the year

Very soon Germany will host a royal wedding that might be modest in comparison to the wedding of the Duke and the Duchess of Cambridge on 29th April, but when HIH Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia and HSH Princess Sophie of Isenburg marry in Potsdam on 27th August, several hundred journalists will cover the ceremony and an interested German public will follow the events in Brandenburg very closely.

To satisfy the great interest, the public broadcasting system of Berlin and Brandenburg – RBB – Radio Berlin-Brandenburg – will broadcast live from 11 am to 2 pm. RBB will also show a 40-minutes summary at 8.15 pm on the same day. Viewers all over Germany – and in effect in great parts of Europe - can follow the event via television (either cable or satellite). However, RBB will not be offering live streaming.

For everybody outside Germany who would like to watch the „German wedding of the Year“ (Die Welt) on the internet, there is a chance from 9 pm onwards on 27th August. RBB will offer the evening summary for viewing here for a couple of days.


In July Prince Georg Georg Friedrich and his fiancée, Princess Sophie, attended the wedding in Monaco together.

Prince Georg Friedrich’s father, HRH Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, married in 1975.



The grandfather of Prince Georg Friedrich, HIH Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia, married Grand Duchess Kira of Russia in 1938.



There have not been a lot of great weddings of the German Imperial Family. This underlines the importance on this year's wedding of the head of the Hohenzollern family, it's a once in a generation event. The last great Imperial wedding of the German Empire was in 1913 when Princess Viktoria Luise which was filmed using an early colour system, married Duke Ernst August of Hanover. Together they ascended to the throne of the Duchy of Brunswick.

Thanks to the internet, the RadicalRoyalist should have downloaded RBB's wedding programme by Sunday, 28th August. Anyone in Australia interested in receiving a wedding DVD?

The Swedish Crown Princess Couple is expecting a child

Their Royal Highnesses The Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are happy to announce that The Crown Princess is expecting their first child.

The birth is expected to take place in March of 2012. No changes in the schedule of The Crown Princess´s public engagements are planned during the autumn of 2011.

Swedish tabloids immediately jumped into a frenzy over the the news.


"It is with great joy that I have been informed of the news that the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel are expecting a baby. You have a fantastic experience to look forward to and I want to send my warmest congratulations to you both," wrote Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in a statement.


Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel married on 19th June 2010. Their wedding attracted 500,000 spectators to the streets of Stockholm (according to the TV station RTL: "Selon les premières estimations officieuses, quelque 500.000 curieux seraient descendus dans les rues de Stockholm pour assister aux noces de la future reine de Suède.")

The late Prince Ali Reza's daughter was born seven months after his death

HIH Prince Ali Reza, second son of the late Shahanshah Mohammed Reza of Iran, committed suicide on 4th January 2011 (see the RadicalRoyalist's obituary).

Darius Kadivar, an exiled Iranian Monarchist blogger, reported two days ago:

It has been officially announced that the late Prince Ali Reza has a daughter named Iryana Leila born on July 26th, 2011 to his relationship with fiancee Raha Didevar.

Prince Ali Reza was formally engaged in 2001 to Sarah Tabatabai, but it seems that the relationship ended some time afterwards.

On the website of HIM Shah Reza II this message was published:

On behalf of my family, I wish to inform our compatriots & friends of the birth of Iryana Leila, daughter of our beloved Alireza, on July 26th, 2011.

We know you will join us, out of respect and love for our dearest Alireza, and allow the baby and her mother Ms. Raha Didevar to recover & thrive in peace and privacy.

We continue to be touched and grateful for your love and heartfelt sympathies that have been extended to us, unconditionally, since our loss.

Is this the result of the "Egyptian Spring"?

On a Royalist forum this sentence was posted yesterday:

«Bonjour, je viens d'apprendre que l'impératrice Farah Pahlavi à l'occasion de la date d'anniversaire du décès de son époux le défunt Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi a été interdite de séjour en Egypte par les autorités égyptiennes.»

«I have just learned that the Empress Farah Pahlavi was forbidden by the new Egyptian authorities from visiting the country on the occasion of the anniversary of her husband's, the late Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, death.»

Should this be true it indicates that the Arab spring, that led to the toppling of the longtime dictator Husni Mubarak, is heading in the wrong direction. Should such a step please the Muslim brothers who always opposed His Imperial Majesty - and all Monarchies in the region? Or should it give a signal to Iran that Egypt was trying to appease the Mullah regime?

The Shahanshah’s tomb in Cairo’s Al Rifa’i Mosque.

In any case, not allowing Her Imperial Majesty to pay homage to her late husband's tomb should be seen as an inhumane and dishonest act. And it would certainly not give a reassuring sign to the Western world.


Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi died on 27th July 1980. His last words: “I wait upon Fate, never ceasing to pray for Iran, and for my people. I think only of their suffering.” In Cairo, a grand funeral honoured him. Three million Egyptians followed the procession.