Check out what my favorite Royal Watchers have been talking about!

Swedish RF meets Nobel Prize committee

Take a look at what my favorite Royal Watchers have been writing and talking about this week!

• Book review: Dearest Missy (Royal Romania)
• Book review: The Royal W.E. (Princess Palace)
• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden throughout the years in Nobel Prize Ceremonies (Order of Splendor)
• Death of Crown Prince Leka, King Leka of the Albanians (Current Royal News)
• Death of the Dowager Duchess of Hohenberg (Current Royal News)
• The Duchess of Cambridge wears Green Mulberry dress at Buckingham reception (What Kate Wore)
• Extracts from a new biography of the Queen: 'I can see you are sublimely happy with Philip... but don’t forget Papa’ (The Telegraph)
• Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg to attend Nobel Prize ceremony in Sweden (Lux-Arazzi)
• King Albert II, King of the Belgians, ready to swear in new Prime Minister (The Royal Examiner)
• Prince Richard of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg gives an interview (Royal Correspondent)
• Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway's 6th birthday (The Royal Forums)
• Prince William, it's time to pass the gold sticky stars around (Marilyn's Royal Blog)
• Princess Charlene wearing Akris & Louis Vuitton (Royal Fashionistas)
• Princess Christina of Sweden talks about breast cancer and life in general (Sofia's Blog)
• Princess Laurentien presents Toolkits for the Illiterate (Royalty in the News)
• Princess Mabel of Orange controversial gown and wedding (Order of Splendor)
• Queen Margrethe II of Denmark to celebrate 40 years on the throne in January 2012 (The Royal Forums)
• Queen Rania awards Teachers & Principals (Royalty in the News)
• Swedish Royal Family attends a meeting with Nobel Prize committee (Royal Correspondent)
• Thai King leaves hospital to give birthday speech (World of Royalty)

Queen Rania of Jordan on The Employment Challenge at World Economic Forum

[Jordan] Queen Rania continues her work to enhance education in her country

This is the young Queen Rania's most personal causes: enhancing education in Jordan. The Queen returned to share this dream with three new schools in the governorate of Al Mafraq, with the launch of the fourth stage of Madrasati, the initiative of the sovereign which oversees the modernization and improvement of education in schools across the country. A total of 93 schools, 22,000 students and 1,400 teachers in three districts of the province will benefit in this initiative. To date, have been renovated: 300 schools in Amman, Zarqa, Balqaa, Jerash, Ajloun, Madaba, Karak, Ma'an, Aqaba and Tafileh according to official sources.

During her visit to the female secondary school Mafraq, Jordan's Queen, who opted for an Arab-style dress instead of her usual set of Western designer suits, stopped at several sessions of the Madrasati forum in which discussions focused on the education sector development, both in infrastructure and curriculum, and discussed for two days issues such as the roles of teachers and health awareness in schools. Rania of Jordan said in her speech that "the King has always insisted that Mafraq should represent a model in economic development ... and hopefully it will be in the field of education."

The Queen urged all parties involved, including teachers, students and government officials, to maintain open communication channels between them to facilitate and ensure the improvements and progress. She also praised the role of teachers that despite the challenges have managed to use creative methods to inspire and educate their students: "These dedicated teachers are an inspiration to us all." The wife of King Abdullah II concluded by saying that the real value of the initiative lies in the fact that, in addition to restoration and renovation of the physical environment of schools, it provides personalized care and extra curricular needs of schools.

The Hashemite sovereign once again demonstrated her devotion to the children in her other school visits: a mixed primary school "King Abdullah II" and the primary school "Hay Al Iskan." The queen burst into gestures (caresses, encouragement, advice, attention ...) towards the kids during their tour of the classrooms and playgrounds and became interested in the explanations of the authorities on the reforms to be carried out at both sites. Just her nurturing way of being a modern Queen.

Queen Rania sat down with students and teachers at the secondary school for girls in Mafraq celebrating the release of the fourth phase of the initiative with a tasty Madrasati mansaf (a traditional Jordanian dish with lamb and yogurt and served with rice)

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[Jordan] King Abdullah II and Queen Rania receive UNICEF Executive Director

His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday met with UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. The King expressed appreciation of programs being implemented by the UN organization in Jordan and which promote services provided to children as well as the Kingdom's plans and programs in this area.

At the meeting, which was attended by Royal Court Chief Khaled Karaki, Lake hailed efforts made by Jordan to help underprivileged children, adding such efforts will enable more children to receive education and health services. UNICEF has made many accomplishments in the Kingdom in cooperation with concerned authorities such as reducing violence at schools and approving a national strategy to fight violence against children and translate it into administrative policies.

Also on Thursday, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with Lake. The meeting focused on the important role that Her Majesty plays in her capacity as a UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children.

Lake briefed the Queen on UNICEF’s latest programs and progress achieved in providing care to women and children locally and in the region, and in raising awareness about their rights.

"As UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate, Her Majesty has made education, especially for girls, her top priority both in Jordan and around the world," said Lake. "Her Majesty’s unwavering efforts have drawn new global attention to the rights and well-being of children, and UNICEF is deeply grateful for her commitment." The meeting, which was also attended by Shahida Azfar, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa and Dominique Hyde, UNICEF’s Representative in Jordan, included a discussion on the progress achieved on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Jordan.

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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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Queen Rania breaks two-week silence on Twitter

If you are on Twitter and follow Queen Rania, you might have noticed her silence in the past two weeks. These past days have been quite unquiet - to say the least - for her country and neighbors, that are surely living a crucial turning points in their Histories. Many have been asking themselves if the monarchy will survive in Jordan or if a change of government was enough to comply to people's needs.

Today, she tweeted about Egypt, where she studied at the American University of Cairo: 

"Egypt, where I spent my university years. May you be blessed with security & prosperity for all in this new era."

@QueenRania

New family photo for Jordan's royal family - stunning picture of King Abdullah II, Queen Rania and their kin

Aren't they beautiful and stylish? 

(and wasn't King Abdullah's height just a tiny bit photoshopped?)

In order, from left to right: Princess Iman (born on September 27th, 1996), Crown Prince Hussein (born on June 28th, 1994), Queen Rania (born on August 30th, 1970), King Abdullah II (born on January 30th, 1962), little Prince Hashem (born on January 30th, 2005 - same day as his father, just 43 years after) and Princess Salma (born on September 26th, 2000).