In a three-part series, we are taking a look back at some of the most memorable events of the royal year. This series will focus on the royals of mainland Europe and elsewhere, while a separate series will feature the year of the British Royal Family. Take a look below at 2017, from January through April.
January:
The Swedish Royal Family kicked off the new year by releasing a new family portrait that had been taken over the summer while at Solliden Palace.
The Danish Royal Family attended the annual New Year’s Levees at Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg.
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New photos were also released in celebration of the sixth birthday of Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine – the twins of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
Crown Princess Mary, through her namesake foundation The Mary Foundation, launched a new anti-bullying campaign: Anti Bulli.
Queen Rania of Jordan met women from the Sayyidat Nashmiyyat Group as part of her efforts to raise awareness of social media and online platforms in promoting positive change in communities and engendering greater social equality and opportunities.
While one couple celebrated their golden anniversary, another announced their intent to divorce. After ten years of marriage, Prince Louis and Princess Tessy of Luxembourg announced their separation on 18 January.
Princess Birgitta of Sweden turned 80, and the Swedish Royal Court released an image of her with her three sisters: Princess Margaret, Princess Désirée and Princess Christina, as well as her brother, King Carl XVI Gustaf.
Princess Athena of Denmark also turned five, and the Royal Danish House released three images of the young royal taken by her mother, Princess Marie.
February:
The Crown Princess Family of Sweden released two new pictures on the third of the month.
Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck – son of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (aka The Dragon King) and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan – turned one on 5 February. He featured on the month’s calendar for Yellow Bhutan.
New photos were released ahead of Princess Astrid’s 85th birthday. Astrid is the older sister of King Harald of Norway.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium addressed the conference ‘Children and Armed Conflict’ at the Egmont Palace in Brussels.
Infanta Cristina of Spain was acquitted of corruption.
Cousins Princess Leonore and Princess Estelle of Sweden celebrated their birthdays just days apart. Leonore turned three, while Estelle turned five.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain hosted the President of Argentina and his wife on a state visit.
The Dutch Royal Family also hosted their annual winter photo session Lech, Austria.
March:
Prince Oscar celebrated his first birthday on 2 March.
It was announced that Princess Christina of Sweden would undergo a stem cell transplant to treat leukaemia.
It was revealed that King Salman of Saudi Arabia travelled with 506 tonnes of luggage on a tour of Asia.
Princess Charlene of Monaco attended the Special Olympics – World Winter Games in Austria. She walked in the Opening Ceremony.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway met female entrepreneurs who “supply solar lamps, highly absorbent feed sheets and other solutions to the United Nations work in crisis areas,” according to the Royal Court.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain attended a memorial concert for all those killed in terror attacks over the years.
Queen Rania of Jordan was awarded the ‘Global Trailblazer’ Award.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway defeated Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark in a skiing competition.
It was also announced that Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden were expecting their second child.
For the first three years of Princess Leonore of Sweden’s life, there was much debate on whether or not she held dual citizenship of Sweden and the United States. The Royal Court confirmed exclusively to Royal Central that she does indeed carry both.
April:
Prince Felix of Denmark was confirmed into the Church of Denmark.
King and Queen of Jordan travelled to the United States and met President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
New images were released ahead of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg’s 62nd birthday.
Prince Alexander of Sweden celebrated his first birthday just a month after it was announced that he was going to be a big brother.
Several kidnapped Qatari royals released after 18 months.
New photos of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands were released for his birthday.
The Dutch Royal Family also launched their official Instagram account on King’s Day.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden also celebrated his birthday at the end of the month.