[Monaco] Princess Charlene visiting a school (Charles III college) before Christmas

She was wearing Tory Burch flats - love that brand, they are so comfortable!

Love the detail on the coat!

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[Qatar] Sheikha Moza pledges more support to UNESCO

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Unesco’s Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education, has pledged to increase her support to Unesco’s core education activities as a direct response to the financial difficulties faced by the organisation.

Sheikha Moza is particularly concerned that the decision of some member states to withhold contributions will have serious and adverse consequences on Unesco’s core programmes and mark setbacks for sustainable development and peace, at a time when international cooperation is critical for achieving quality universal education, a statement posted on the Unesco website said.

Sheikha Moza has called upon all partners to join her in this initiative given the challenges ahead, four years short of the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and following the commitment made by the Heads of States at the Millennium Development Goal Summit in New York in 2010.

Sheikha Moza has stated that the financial difficulties faced by the organisation stands to affect all its core programmes.

“This marks a very strong sign of Her Highness’ deep commitment to education for all, which is the foundation for building more peaceful and sustainable societies.

“Unesco will put every effort into ensuring that this support translates into opening educational opportunities for the most marginalised, improving the quality of education systems in least developed countries, and forging new partnerships,” said Unesco’s Director-General Irina Bokova.

This emergency initiative will support the programme and budget adopted by the 36th General Conference, in particular the reinforcement of leadership for Education for All, through advocacy, partnership and monitoring, with a special emphasis on girls and women.

Concerted attention will be placed on the least developed countries, which are furthest away from reaching the Education for All goals.

The modalities for this important initiative will be worked out in the next few weeks with all the speed and urgency required to minimise the possible negative impact to Unesco core programme adopted by the 36th General Conference of Member States.

Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who is also the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s special advocate for Millennium Development Goal 2 on primary education, has provided long time support to Unesco’s activities, notably for literacy, curriculum development, teacher education and rehabilitation of higher education in Iraq, emergency support to education in Gaza, and support to the publication of the Education under Attack series.

Director-General Irina Bokova expressed her gratitude to Her Highness for her positive and timely support to Unesco.

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Excitement as young European royals begin school

The first day of school is a big occasion in every child's life and it normally comes with tears and tantrums.

Even for parents, the experience can be difficult and nerve-racking.

But the young members of the Scandinavian and Belgian royal families arrived for their first day of school with big grins.

Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark's son, the second-in-line to the throne, Christian was all enthusiasm ahead of the big day.

“I’m looking forward to it!,” the five-year-old told reporters outside Amalienborg Palace.

He'll be the first member of the clan to attend a public school, his father and uncle, Prince Joachim attended private colleges.

As do his cousins, Nikolai, 12, and Felix, nine, Joachim's children with his ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg (below right). Like any mum, Mary had mixed emotions, admitting: “(I'm) frightened and at the time it was something I was looking forward to so much.”

It was also a special occasion for Mary's Norwegian counterpart Mette-Marit when her son with Crown Prince Haakon, Sverre Magnus, had his first day (above left).

His elder sister Ingrid attends the same school and Marius, Mette-Marit's boy, from a previous relationship was also a pupil.

Queen Sonja, known for playing an active role in her grandchildren's life, didn't want to miss the big event and also escorted the five-year-old to meet his new friends.

Meanwhile, in Belgium, the future king and queen, beamed with happiness as they took their brood to begin classes.

Crown Prince Philippe and his wife Mathilde were accompanying their four, color-coordinated children to Sint Jan Berghmans College.

Gabriel, Emmanuel, Elisabeth and Eleonore each carried their own rucksacks and politely shook hands with their teachers.

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Spotted: Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias visiting the Residencia de Estudiantes in Madrid*

There are days like today when I look at Felipe and I see his maternal uncle, King Constantine of Greece. Do you agree?

And whatever Doña Letizia did with her hair, I am liking it.
*thanks to Alex for comments for change in the comment box!

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[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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[Norway] [VIDEO] Crown Princess Mette-Marit attending Harvard University

Crown Princess Mette-Marit completed a course in International Management and Public Policy at the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University. The course - which ran over two weeks - occurred under the spectrum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) as Crown Princess joined in 2010. YGL is a network that originates from the World Economic Forum. In this video, the Crown Princess talks about the course and shares some of his reflections. It is very refreshing to see her as a student, having an almost normal and anonymous life.

[The Netherlands] First day of school for 4-year old Dutch princess Ariane

It was a bittersweet moment for the Dutch Crown couple this monday: their baby daughter, princess Ariane just turned 4. And as the Dutch law orders, she started school, attending the same one as her older sisters, Catharina-Amalia and Alexia.

Doesn't she have the sweetest eyes?

[The Netherlands] Crown Princess Maxima graduating with young students in Amsterdam

[Denmark] Princess Mary steps out to help students learn Danish

Having mastered Danish herself in record speed and without a noticeable accent, Crown Princess Mary must've been full of advice for students of the Learn Danish project in Odense, Denmark. Stepping out in an elegant violet maternity top with black trousers and turtleneck which showed off her growing baby bump, the pregnant mum drew crowds who came to see the popular princess as she supported those studying the Scandinavian language.

from Hellomagazine.com