In a continuation of our series of the memorable moments of 2016 in the European royal houses, we have events from June through August below.
June:
The month of June saw Sweden’s National Day and the King and Queen travel to Bhutan, Queen Máxima opened the Innovation Hub of Singularity University, the Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg celebrating National Day, Queen Letizia joining First Lady Michelle Obama for the Let Girls Learn Initiative, and much more from the European royal families.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands opened the Innovation Hub of Singularity University on 2 June in Eindhoven.
Her Majesty opening the first physical location of Singularity University outside the United Stated on the 2nd of June 2016 in Eindhoven. Photo: Sebastiaan her Burg (CC BY 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons
The 6th of June is the National Day of Sweden where the Royal Family takes part. As with tradition since Princess Estelle’s birth, the Crown Princess Couple released new photographs of four-year-old Estelle and her baby brother, Prince Oscar. One of the four images released featured both young royals with their mother, Crown Princess Victoria. Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, and Prince Alexander had the honour of opening the Royal Palace for the summer season.
Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar. Photo: Kate Gabor/Kungahuset.se
On 8 June, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco addressed the high-level meeting at the United Nations in New York on HIV/AIDS. Her Serene Highness is a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador.
Princess Stéphanie in her capacity as Personal Representative of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco addresses the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS
Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the political declarations on HIV/AIDS. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
The same day King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia began their 4-day visit to Bhutan.
King Carl XVI Gustaf made his 80th outgoing state visit since his coronation in 1973 to visit the kingdom of Bhutan along with Queen Silvia, the pair landed on Wednesday at the invitation of the Bhutanese royal couple Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer / Kungahuset.se
On 15 June, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the Royal Palace in Brussels.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Decoration ceremony with Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas
On 30 June, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama visited Spain, where Queen Letizia joined her in the Let Girls Learn Initiative.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
July:
In July, Queen Mathilde of Belgium spoke at the UN regarding human rights, the Dutch Royal Family held their annual summer photocall, Princess Tessy of Luxembourg attended the 21st International AIDS Conference in South Africa, and the Spanish royals hosted US President Barack Obama.
On the 8th of July, the Dutch Royal Family held their annual summer photocall. Queen Máxima’s attendance was unsure due to her suffering a concussion from a 1 July fall, but when the day came, she was there with her constant bubbly personality.
Dutch Royal Family at their annual summer photocall in Wassenaar on 8 July 2016. Photo Credit: RVD, Patrick van Katijk
President Barack Obama met King Felipe of Spain on the 9th and 10th of the month at the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Force Base and Royal Palace in Madrid. This was President Obama’s first official visit to the country, but it was cut short due to the tragedy that had unfolded in Dallas, Texas.
© Casa de S.M. el Rey
The 11th and 12th of July saw Queen Mathilde of Belgium in New York City on a working visit to the United Nations where she spoke on human rights.
High-level thematic debate entitled UN@70 human rights at the centre of the global agenda. UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
From 18 – 20 of the month, Princess Tessy of Luxembourg attended the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. Prince Harry also attended the conference.
21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016), Durban, South Africa. Photo shows: Women, Girls and HIV Investigator’s Prize. Presented by Princess Tessy of Luxembourg. Photo©International AIDS Society/Marcus Rose
August:
August had various royals travelling to Rio de Janiero, Brazil for the Olympic Games held from 5 August to 21 August, new photos of Prince Alexander of Sweden were released ahead of his christening, Crown Princess Mary travelled to Denmark with the Mary Foundation, and Queen Máxima was in Indonesia as part of her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance.
The 2016 Summer Olympic Games were held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil from 5 – 21 August. Various royals travelled to the South American country to cheer on their country’s athletes.
RIO DE JANEIRO – King Willem – Alexander and Queen Maxima at the golden race of Dorian van Rysselberghe during the Olympic Games in Rio. Photo: ROYAL IMAGES ROBIN UTRECHT
The 5th of August came with an announcement from the Norwegian Royal Court that Princess Märtha Louise and husband, Ari Behn were divorcing. They agreed to share custody of their three daughters.
Princess Märtha Louise and Ari Behn in 2013. Photo: Frankie Fouganthin (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons
On 23 August, the Swedish Royal Court released two new images of Prince Alexander ahead of his 9 September christening.
HRH Prince Carl Philip, HRH Princess Sofia and HRH Prince Alexander in August 2016. Photo: Kate Gabor, The Royal Court, Sweden.
The 29 – 30 August had Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in Nuuk, Greenland, as part of her work with her namesake foundation, The Mary Foundation.
Crown Princess Mary in Greenland on behalf of the Mary Foundation. Photo: Malik Brøns, The Mary Foundation
From the 30 August through the 1 September, Queen Máxima was in Indonesia as part of her role as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance. She was there to speak on financial inclusion at the Indonesia Fintech Festival and Conference.
Queen Máxima speaking at the conference in Jakarta on 30 August. Photo: UNSGSA/Oktobernardi Salam
