Queen Beatrix, Prince Willem-Alexander & Princess Maxima in Middle-East trip to UAE & Oman

This caption stirred a row in the Netherlands, for the fact the Queen and Princess Maxima used veils in a sacred place. No comments.

On January 8th, Queen Beatrix accompanied by Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife, Princess Máxima, and a delegation of business leaders visited the UAE, invited by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was the Queen’s fiftieth state visit since she was crowned in 1980.


On January 10th, the Queen and her entourage traveled on to Oman at the invitation of Sultan Qaboos. A prior state visit, planned in March, was called off in view of the ongoing pro-democracy demonstrations and the violent crackdown by Oman’s authorities. The Dutch parliament cancelled the state visit after two demonstrators died in clashes with Omani security forces in February. Dutch MPs did not want the state visit to be seen as endorsing the regime. In a surprise move, Queen Beatrix travelled to Oman after all, arguing her tip had been downgraded to a private visit.


Sultan Qaboos is Oman’s head of state, prime minister, defence minister, foreign minister and the head of the armed forces. The country has no legal political parties.


The UAE is a federation of seven absolute monarchies. The Federal National Council consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Half are appointed by the emirates’ rulers, and the other half are indirectly elected to serve two-year terms.The first indirect elections took place in 2006.

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Jordan's King Abdullah II has visited the West Bank to hold talks in Ramallah with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

The rare visit came just days ahead of a key summit between the rival Palestinian movements Fatah and Hamas, which are looking to cement a stalled unity deal that has drawn fierce opposition from Israel and Washington.

It was the first time the monarch visited the West Bank's political capital since August 2000, and came just days before the Palestinian leader was due in Cairo to meet exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal.

But officials said little about the reasons behind the high-level visit, which saw the Jordanian monarch flying in by helicopter for a brief stay of little more than two hours.

"This was an important and historic visit with a message of support," Abbas told reporters after the king's departure, without revealing what was discussed.

"We thank the king for his strong support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian cause particularly at this time."

Speaking to reporters as the two leaders held closed-door talks, Nasser Judeh, the Jordanian foreign minister, expressed support for both the Palestinians' UN membership bid and for moves to cement a unity deal between Hamas and Fatah.

"The king has always said that strength comes from unity of the Palestinian front," he said.

"Jordan's goal is to support the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian cause and we will make every effort for the Palestinian cause and the unity of the Palestinian front."

Standing beside him, Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said reconciliation was of the greatest importance.

"For us there is no greater interest than the reconciliation and the end of the division," he said.

Earlier an Abbas adviser Nimr Hammad described the timing of the visit as "very important" and said they would discuss "all the political developments between us and the international community in order reach a common Palestinian-Jordanian understanding on the issues."

Talks had been expected to touch on the Palestinian bid to secure full state membership at the United Nations, and on the forthcoming Hamas-Fatah meeting in Cairo – both of which have met with strong US and Israeli opposition.

Under terms of their unity deal, Fatah and Hamas were to piece together an interim government of politically unaffiliated technocrats who would prepare for presidential and legislative elections within a year.

But the caretaker government was never formed, with the two sides bickering over its composition and over who would take up the role of premier.

However, the two sides appear to have reached some form of agreement which is likely to be made public after they meet in the Egyptian capital later this week, officials say.

King Abdullah paid his first visit to the Palestinian territories in May 1999 just months after being crowned king, meeting the late leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza.

In April 2000, he made his first visit to Ramallah and returned four months later, which was the last time he visited the city.

A senior Israeli official, who said they were not informed of Abdullah's plans, welcomed the West Bank visit.

"We have repeatedly called in the past for Arab leaders to travel to Ramallah in order to strengthen the peace process. Unfortunately, almost none of them have come," he said.

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[The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding] Who is this (stunning) woman?

Her shoes are as amazing as the black sneakers by her side are not.

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Last year, it took me some days to go through Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Nikolaos wedding pictures, so allow me to take a few months with William's. This stunning appearance of a woman is Princess Amira al-Taweel, best known as Princess Ameerah. She is the second wife of Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a nephew of Saudi King Abdallah who is ranked as the world's 13th-richest person by Forbes magazine in 2009.
Fashion-wise, I feel she mixed Princesses Maxima and Letizia's styles at this wedding but just made it even better, more whimsical and do die for. And I thought that Princess Marie's hair at her nephew and niece's christening was flawless, well, Ameerah's just puts flawless in a whole other level.

Emir of Qatar welcomed by King Juan Carlos I as he starts state visit in Spain

The emir of Qatar arrived in Madrid on Monday on a visit to boost economic ties between the oil-rich Gulf state and Spain, which is seeking new investments to shore up its battered economy.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and his wife, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, lunched with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the royal palace of Zarazuela outside Madrid following their arrival.

On Tuesday, he is to hold talks over lunch with Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, after which several agreements will be signed, Spanish media reported.

The three-day visit follows a trip to the tiny Gulf state by Zapatero in March during which he received pledges of some 3.0 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in investments, some of which would go to Spain's ailing savings banks.

Days later, Spanish power giant Iberdrola said that Qatari investment fund Qatar Holding would buy a 6.16 percent stake in the group for 2.2 billion euros. Spain is also interested in investment opportunities for its construction companies raised by Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup, the business daily Cinco Dias reported.

Spain is battling to rein in its massive public deficit and convince nervous markets that it will not require an international bailout similar to that requested by neighbour Portugal this month and granted to Greece and Ireland last year.

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King and Queen of Jordan pay visit to Qatar to talk about present situation in Middle-East and North Africa

King Abdullah of Jordan has said that his country was working in collaboration with Qatar to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Libya.

King Abdullah who was on a brief visit to Qatar yesterday held talks with the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The talks focused on regional and international issues and ways to bolster bilateral relations.

The session was attended by the Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

On the Jordanian side, it was attended by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein and Chief of Royal Hashemite Court Dr Khaled Karaki and Jordanian Ambassador to Qatar Ahmed Jalal Al Mefleh.

The Emir and H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser hosted a luncheon banquet at Al Wajba Palace in honour of King Abdullah and Queen Rania.

The luncheon banquet was also attended by the Heir Apparent.

King Abdullah, in remarks to Al Sharq before his arrival in Qatar said that his talks with the Emir would focus on Arab issues in the context of the current challenges and protests in the Arab world. He also underlined the need for more coordinated efforts to address the challenges.

Asked about relations with Qatar, King Abdullah said, “Surely we will concentrate on ways to strengthen relations with Qatar and other GCC countries for the benefit of our people.”

Commenting on the role of Qatar in Libya, King Abdullah said, “I am following all the developments in Libya and I am interested in the unity of Libya and the safety of its people. What is happening there would have a negative impact on the people, who are in need of help from their Arab brothers.”

“We are aware that Qatar is playing a crucial role since the beginning of the protests to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people. Our policy is to support Qatar in seeking the unity of Libyans. We will carry out our duty to provide more medical and humanitarian aid to the people in Libya,” he added.

“Currently we are providing humanitarian aid through out royal air force in line with the decision of the Arab League and the international community. We will coordinate with Qatar to establish mobile hospitals in Libya equipped with qualified medical staff,” said King Abdullah.

On the stalled peace process, King Abdullah said the developments in the region should not force the Arabs to stop supporting the peace process.

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The Prince and Princess of Asturias, Letizia and Felipe, visited Jordan last week

The identical tumbling brunette hair, delicate features and svelte physiques – the resemblance between Queen Rania of Jordan and Spain's Crown Princess Letizia is remarkable.

The meeting of the two ladies – both considered to be among royalty's most stylish women, was the most anticipated moment of the Spanish princess' trip to Jordan with her husband Crown Prince Felipe.

Commentators often remark on their shared sense of style. Fitting then, that both ladies chose knee-length, sharply tailored outfits in pretty pastel tones. And both chose slingback heels.

Rania was the epitome of chic in a baby blue two piece, with contrasting peach-hued shoes and bag from Prada.

Letizia, meanwhile looked pretty in a pink dress with three-quarter length sleeves and side ruched detail by Spanish designer Felipe Valera.

The women greeted each other warmly with a kiss when they came face to face at the royal palace in Amman. But not before Letizia curtseyed to the Jordanian queen, in line with royal protocol.

Rania and her husband King Abdullah II welcomed the Spanish visitors to the palace, where they hosted an official luncheon in their honour.

Officials and dignitaries joined the group to feast on typical Arabic delicacies such as Mansaf - a traditional Jordanian dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice - and hummus.

Afterwards Rania posted on Twitter: "So pleased 2 welcome Spain's beautiful couple Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia. Ahlan wa Sahlan (Welcome)"

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Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia in Israel

Do you like her style?

[Spain] Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia visit Israel

TRH the Prince and Princess of Asturias started a 24-hour visit to Israel on Monday. The visit included a meeting with President Shimon Peres and marked 25 years since Spain and Israel established diplomatic relations. Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia attended a reception at Tel Aviv University and visited Yad Vashem, the living memorial to the Holocaust in Jerusalem. Monday night the President was holding a state dinner to welcome the couple in the first Spanish visit since 1993. The trip continues Tuesday morning as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will host a working breakfast with the couple before they leave. Following the visit to Israel the Crown Princely couple will travel to Ramallah where they will be the first member of any European royal family to visit Palestine. TRH will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where they will attend a state dinner hosted by TM King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. During their three-day visit to Jordan, they will meet with a number of government officials and members of the Spanish community residing in Jordan, as well as visiting the Martyrs' Memorial and the University of Jordan.

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