European RoyalsThe Netherlands

Who is Princess Irene of the Netherlands?

Born just before the outbreak of the Second World War in the Netherlands, this Dutch Princess received the name Irene for the Greek goddess of peace. Princess Irene of the Netherlands was born on 5 August 1939 as the second daughter of the future Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard. Her eldest sister was the future Queen Beatrix and her two younger sisters are Princesses Margriet and Christina.
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Thailand

Rama X names first Royal consort in almost a century

King Rama X has bestowed the title of Royal Noble Consort – the formal title for the chief concubine – on one of his major-generals. This was the first this title has been bestowed since Thailand ceased to have an absolute monarchy. Chao Khun Phra Prayoon Wong…
Japan

Japanese panel set to discuss possibility of females reigning in own right

The Japanese government has plans to set up a panel by the end of 2019 to discuss how to stabilise the Imperial succession and how to address the shrinking numbers of Imperial family members; this will also include discussion on whether to allow female succession. However, it is unlikely that it will discuss changing the current order of succession. Under the current regulations, Emperor…
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The Netherlands

Dutch royals pose for summer photos

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and their daughters Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane have posed for their annual summer photos. This photocall is part of an agreement that allows the royals’ privacy for the rest of the year. They also pose at their annual winter holiday – usually at Lech in Austria. © RVD Wesley de Wit This is the first…
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Japan

Princess Mako visits Bolivia

Princess Mako of Akishino – a niece of Emperor Naruhito of Japan – continued her first official overseas visit since her uncle’s accession with a visit to Bolivia. Embed from Getty Images Her visit to mark the 120th anniversary of the start of Japanese…
International royalsJapan

Emperor Emeritus Akihito suffers bout of cerebral anaemia due to fatigue

Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan suffered an episode of severe cerebral anaemia last week, the Imperial Household Agency announced on Tuesday. The Emperor Emeritus had been undergoing a regular health check-up when he was unable to continue standing up at one point. The cerebral anaemia is believed to have been the result of fatigue caused by the health check-up. He has since recovered. Both the…
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