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 September through December.
September:
Princess Mako’s engagement was officially announced by the Imperial House of Japan.
The name of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia’s second son was announced as Prince Gabriel Carl Walther, Duke of Darlana. An image was later released taken by his father.
Prince Sébastien of Luxembourg has joined the Luxembourg Army.
Prince Albert was presented the Stroud Award for Freshwater Excellence in Delaware.
Prince Henrik of Denmark was diagnosed with dementia.
Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia officially opened the SINERGY 2017 Conference.
Crown Princess Mary of Denmark’s namesake foundation, The Mary Foundation, celebrated its ten year anniversary.
Princess Marie of Denmark, as the patron, attended AIDS-Fondet’s fundraiser.
Princess Astrid unveiled a bust of grandfather, King Haakon, in London.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg visited the European Central Bank (ECB).
Queen Rania of Jordan presented Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the Global Citizen Award in New York.
Dutch King and Queen attended Prinsjesdag, the State Opening of Parliament.
Princess Salma of Jordan turned 17 while her sister, Princess Iman turned 21 just a day apart.
In a historic move, King Salman of Saudi Arabia issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time in the kingdom. They were the last country to ban women from driving.
Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg hosted the 14th gathering of German-speaking heads of state and their spouses.
Queen Letizia presided over the opening of the 2017/2018 Vocational Training Course at Secondary Education Institute Second of Chomón.
October:
New photos were released of Queen Máxima and her daughters.
The King of Bhutan featured in the October calendar from Yellow Bhutan.
King Felipe VI of Spain delivered an extraordinary address to the nation, in which he criticised Catalonian separatists and vows “to defend the unity” of Spain.
The King of Saudi Arabia was left stranded when his golden escalator stopped working while he was disembarking his plane.
King and Queen of Norway, alongside the Crown Prince, attended the state opening of parliament.
The first set of family photos of newborn Prince Gabriel of Sweden with his parents, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia, and older brother, Prince Alexander were released.
The Norwegian Royal Court released images of the Crown Prince Family surfing ahead of Norway hosting the European Championship of Surfing.
The Spanish Royal Family celebrated Spain’s national day.
Prince Philip of Serbia married Danica Marinkovic.
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway broke her leg after falling off her horse.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway unveiled two new sculptures in Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Sculpture Park.
Royals from all over the world attended the royal cremation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (or Rama IX) of Thailand.
Queen Rania of Jordan visited Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
King Harald of Norway conducted a visit to the two villages of Rælingen and Enebakk.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden took part in her third walk throughout Sweden.
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco becomes godmother of….an elephant.
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein joined Twitter.
Princess Marie and children with autism spend the afternoon in Tivoli Park.
November:
The first official solo photograph of Leonor, Princess of Asturias was released.
Crown Princess Mary unveiled 2017 Danish Christmas stamp.
Ten Saudi princes were detained by an anti-corruption body.
Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau received the World Without AIDS Award.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium travelled on a state visit to India.
It was announced that King Michael of Romania’s “general state of health has worsened considerably.”
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visited Ethiopia.
Princess Charlene apologised to the families of the victims of shark attacks. In the middle of the month, she also shared several candid snaps of her twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, on Instagram.
Queen Rania of Jordan travelled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to speak at the Misk Global Forum (MGF).
King Philippe travelled to an elementary school, “as a father, not as King” to read to children.
Crown Princess Mary hosted the annual Christmas reception for the Mary Foundation.
December:
Prince Gabriel of Sweden was christened on the first day of the month in the Royal Chapel of Drottningholm Palace.
On 5 December, King Michael of Romania died in Geneva. His funeral service was held on 16 December, and he was buried later that day.
The Norwegian and Swedish royals attend the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo and other Nobel prizes in Stockholm.
The Spanish Royal Family released their Christmas card.
The Grand Ducal Court of Luxembourg released new official photos of the Grand Duke and Duchess.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attended traditional St. Lucia celebrations.
Crown Princess Victoria and her two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar accepted the Christmas trees at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
The Crown Princess Family of Sweden released their traditional Christmas video.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco revealed their 2017 Christmas card.
Many of the European monarchs delivered their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day speeches. You can read about their addresses by clicking on their names: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Felipe of Spain, King Philippe of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Elizabeth II.