KINGS OF MOROCCO AND JORDAN AND SULTAN OF OMAN CONDEMN MUMBAI ATTACKS

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has condemned the terrorist attacks on India’s financial capital city of Mumbai, which left over 125 people dead and hundreds wounded, describing them as "heinous crimes", according to a condolence message sent to Indian President Pratibha Patil. "The Moroccan kingdom strongly condemns these abominable crimes and all appalling terrorist acts which violate the security and lives of innocent citizens," the Moroccan King wrote in the message, which was circulated by the state-owned news agency, MAP. The King said the attacks "are totally against all religious teachings, the universal principles and the democratic ideals shared by our two friendly peoples". Moroccan monarch expressed the confidence that the Indian people, who are eager for peace and enjoy a democratic tradition, would overcome their latest ordeal. "These barbaric attacks are strengthening the resolve of your great country to stem this horrible scourge,’’ he said.

The Kingdom of Jordan on Thursday condemned the outrageous terror attacks that rocked Mumbai. In a cable of condolences to Indian President Pratibha Patil, Jordanian Monarch Abdullah II strongly decried the attacks as "terrorist cowardly acts." King Abdullah II reaffirmed support of his country to India at this hard times, noting that "the terrorist acts have nothing to do with the noble values of humanitarianism." "Terrorism poses a grave threat to the international security and peace. It is unjustifiable and unacceptable whatever its causes and motives might be," the monarch pointed out. He voiced solidarity of the Jordanian people and government with the Indian nation.


His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman has sent a cable of condolences to Pratibha Patil, President of India, on the victims of the attacks in Mumbai. His Majesty expressed his deep condolences to her, the kin of the bereaved and the friendly people of India. An official spokesman at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Sultanate’s condemnation of the series of bombings and solidarity with the Indian government and the friendly people of India against such criminal and vicious acts of terrorism.

Why I am a monarchist (7) (8)

Damir Medvešek

I, too, am pro monarchy! I’m a Croat, and I was in the war against Serbia, but in my opinion that war was plain stupidity, on account of which our two countries now have a problem. Our politicians act as if it is possible to live without each other, but we just can’t. Terrible!

I would say it like this: monarchy is simply more agreeable to me. And why is it mentioned as an alternative at all? What republic? Looking from here, from Croatia, I most naturally see Serbia as a monarchy!



John Bilkerton

I admit I am a bit of a traditionalist, but I really do think it’s in Britain’s interests to keep its royal family. Now, I don’t go all bleary-eyed when I see the queen on television. I don’t even write “the queen” with a capital ‘q’ like many people do. What’s more, I think some members of the royal family have made fools of themselves. But I do think a nation needs a rallying point, and obviously a nation needs a head of state. The queen, or king, is, in my opinion, the best rallying-point we could possibly have, for the simple reason that she or he is above politics. We all know they are neutral. They never vote. They never say one political choice is better than another. They simply mind their own business, and do what they are supposed to do. Well, not Prince Charles of course – he is always telling us his views on architecture and genetically modified food and heaven knows what else, but the wretched man has to occupy his mind with something, hasn’t he? But the queen never steps out of turn. She knows she has no political power and she respects that.

The very thought of an elected president horrifies me. There are far too many elections already for a start. Secondly, I do not see how an elected president could possibly inspire the same degree of loyalty that the queen inspires. When the queen visits some small town in some out-of-the-way place, the people stand for hours waiting to get a good view of her, and to see her monarchical smile! As I said, I’m not much of a one for that sort of thing, but I respect those who feel that way.

The queen inspires …well, the only word I can think of is “love”. Yes, the people love her. So, let’s keep the monarchy and all the traditions that go with it. Modern life is often colourless and most of the celebrities of our day are a pretty weird lot: pop stars, film stars and overpaid sports stars. They do all sorts of stupid things. The queen, on the other hand, sails through the storms of life with a serenity and gentility that fills me with admiration.

Mentor Foundation Royal Gala

Princess Madeleine of Sweden attended the Mentor Foundation Royal Gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on Thursday.

The Mentor Foundation is an international non-government not for profit organisation with a focus on the prevention of drug misuse and the promotion of health and well-being of young people. Mentor aims to support the effective use of resources (human, financial and intellectual) to achieve its goals. Mentor's focus is to "help the helpers", by identifying the most promising and excellent practices for drug misuse prevention and by disseminating this experience and knowledge internationally.

The Mentor Foundation's Board of Trustees is drawn from a wide range of distinguished individuals from many countries, including members of royal families and celebrities. All of them are committed to Mentor's Mission Statement and are united by a deep concern for young people threatened by substance abuse, playing active roles in supporting Mentor's activities and contributing significant time and personal funds to the Foundation.

President of The Mentor Foundation is HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Honorary Trustees are HM Queen Noor of Jordan, TRH The Grand Duke Henry and Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg, HRH Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia.

Synaxis of St Archangel Michael

Michael (Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל‎, Micha'el or Mîkhā'ēl; Greek: Μιχαήλ, Mikhaíl; Latin: Michael or Míchaël; Arabic: ميخائيل‎, Mikhā'īl) is an archangel, one of the principal angels in Christian and Islamic tradition. He is viewed as the field commander of the Army of God.

St Michael is the special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament and is guardian of the Church; it was thus not unusual for the angel to be revered by the military orders of knights during the Middle Ages. He is the supreme enemy of Satan and the fallen angels.

In the Roman Catholic and the Lutheran calendar of saints, his feast day, once widely known as Michaelmas, is celebrated September 29 and was one of the four quarter days on which accounts were settled and, in England, when terms began in universities. In the Eastern Orthodox Church his principal feast day is November 21, Synaxis of St Archangel Michael, when he is honored along with the rest of the "Bodiless Powers of Heaven" as their Supreme Commander.

St Michael is the patron saint of Messrs. Andreja and Borko Komnenovic, prominent Serbian monarchists and dear friends of mine. Happy Patron Saint's Day, sons!

Prince Charles celebrated the 60th birthday

Royals from around the globe gathered at Buckingham Palace to mark the 60th birthday of Britain’s Prince Charles. Queen Elizabeth II hosted a concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra and a dinner for her eldest son, who turned sixty on Friday.

Charles' sons William and Harry addressed the 450 guests, describing Charles as an inspiration - but also poked fun at their aging father, joking that an electric stair lift would be installed at his country home in Gloucestershire, to mark his birthday. Charles' wife Camilla is throwing a more private bash on Saturday at the prince's rural estate, complete with a performance by sexagenarian rocker Rod Stewart.

Since it was a private function, no guest list was provided. But royaltywatchers and photographers at the rainy gates of the palace spotted most of Charles’ royal colleagues in the stream of cars arriving at Buckingham Palace.

Some of the guest were:

• Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium
• Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
• Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands
• Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
• Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia
• Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain
• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

Other royal guests included:

• King Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa of Bahrain
• King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes.
• Queen Sonja of Norway
• King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden

FIRST 5 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN DSL COVERAGE ARE MONARCHIES!

According to IDATE (Institut de l'Audiovisuel et des Télécommunications en Europe, www.idate.fr). Founded in 1977, it is one of Europe’s foremost market analysis and consulting firms, whose mission is to provide assistance in strategic decision-making for its clients in the Telecom, Internet and Media industries.

European countries DSL* coverage at the end of 2006

Bhutan crowns young king to guide young democracy

With mediaeval tradition and Buddhist spirituality, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck a 28-year-old charismatic batchelor with an Oxford education assumed the Raven Crown of Bhutan, to guide the world's newest democracy as it emerges into the modern world.

As the chief abbot chanted sacred sutras to grant him wisdom, compassi- on and vision, the new King was given the red and black silk crown by his own 52-year-old father, who imposed democracy on Bhutan and then abdicated two years ago.

Dressed in a red and gold gho – the knee-length gown all Bhutanese men wear – he then sat cross-legged on the ornate Golden Throne, looking solemn but allowing himself one fleeting smile, as offerings were made to the new king and the gods.

This handsome young man, who also studied in the United States and India, embodies the changes sweeping the conservative Himalayan kingdom – a young country, a young democracy, with an eye on the outside world but one foot firmly planted in its past.

The crown, embroider- ed with images of white skulls and topped with a blue raven's head, represents Bhutan's supreme warrior deity and a monarchy that united this country 100 years ago and remains enormously popular.

Freed from the burden of government that his father bore, Wangchuck remains an important symbol of national unity and stability in a country of just 635,000 people undergoing a sometimes traumatic and divisive transition to the modern world.

„His Majesty the King will always play a very important role as a moral force in our country,“ said Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley, elected in the country's first elections last March.

„The king will be the force that will ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of democracy in our country.“

The day-long ceremony took place in the massive white-walled dzong, both fortress and monastery, in the capital Thimphu. Monks stood on the roofs blowing on their long horns, clashing cymbals and beating drums at significant moments.

Thousands of people lined up outside to pay tribute to their new king, and each was given the chance to give him a ceremonial white scarf in the afternoon. Two more days of national celebration will follow.

At dawn, three vividly painted tapestries were unveiled inside the dzong, each four-storeys high, depicting Buddha and the gurus who brought his religion to Bhutan.

As the morning sun rose higher in the clear blue sky, the king arrived, led by a procession of red-robed monks, courtesans carrying colourful banners, immaculately dressed officials and soldiers in round helmets carrying swords and black shields.

The watching crowd included close ally India's ceremonial President Pratibha Patil, its most powerful politician Sonia Gandhi, and her two children Priyanka and Rahul – the Gandhis have long been close family friends of the Bhutanese royals.

Barefoot dancers pranced and twirled in ancient costumes, banging small drums, performing „The Dance of the Heroes“ before the ceremony began in the Supreme Chamber of the Golden Throne.

Five decades ago, Bhutan was a feudal, mediaeval place with no roads, proper schools or hospitals and scarcely any contact with the outside world. Today education and healthcare are free and life expectancy has risen to 66 years from less than 40.

For most Bhutanese, credit goes to the outgoing monarch, the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who saw that his tiny country, perched precariously between India and China, had to be stronger to survive in a dangerous neighbourhood.

He was also the architect of Bhutan's widely admired national philosophy, Gross National Happiness, the idea that spiritual and mental well-being matter as much as money, that material gain should not come at the expense of the environment or culture.

The charming new king, with swept-back black hair and sideburns, has already won the hearts and minds of his subjects. He mingles freely with crowds and is enormously popular with the younger generation.

With drugs use, unemployment and crime all rising, and a more rebellious younger generation emerging, Bhutan's modernisation is not without its growing pains.

But the celebrations will help the country come together as a nation after a sometimes divisive general election, analysts say.