French claimant to the throne endorses Nicolas Sarkozy

Last week La Nouvelle Action royaliste asked its supporters to vote for François Holland (Parti Socialiste) in next Sunday's run-off elections.

Yesterday Prince Henri, Comte de Paris, claimant to the French throne, came out in support of the incumbent candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy (UMP - Union pour un Mouvement Populaire).

Via his twitter account Prince Henri wrote:

Dans un tweet posté vers 13 heures, le Comte de Paris déclare « En ces temps troublés autant qu’opaques la France a besoin d’un capitaine compétent parce qu’expérimenté pour redevenir une France forte. »

Addendum 15h20 : « LES CAPETIENS ONT CONSTRUIT UNE FRANCE FORTE. ELLE DOIT LE RESTER », confirme-t-il sur Twitter.

(At 1 pm yesterday - 30th April - Le Comte de Paris has declared: « In these troubled times France needs a competent head, experienced enough to make France strong again. »

Added later at 3.20 pm: « The Capetiens - members of the French dynasty since Hugues Capet was elected and crowned King of France in 987 - built a strong France. She must remain that. »

« La France forte » is of course Nicolas Sarkozy's election slogan. By using this slogan twice in his tweets, Le Comte de Paris.

The Royalists supporting Prince Henri are enthusiastic about his declaration:

En vrai Prince de son époque, c'est via son compte Twitter que le chef de la maison royale de France, Monseigneur le comte de Paris vient publiquement d'apporter son soutien à Nicolas Sarkozy pour le vote du 6 Mai prochain.

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Greeks will not be allowed to vote for a Monarchist Party

A total of 32 parties, coalitions and individual candidates will contest the general election on 6th May, following their approval by the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) on Thursday.

The court banned four parties from taking part: National Hope, PAME in GESEEP [Π.Α.Μ.Ε. στο Γ.Ε.Σ.Ε.ΕΠ.], the Friends of Man, and Citizens Assembly-(Direct) Democracy in Practice.

It is understood that National Hope (ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΕΛΠΙΔΑ) was prohibited under the electoral law from participating as it is a Monarchist Party.

Less of a problem were strange parties like these:

Communist Party of Greece (Marxist-Leninist)-Marxist-Leninist Communist Party of Greece (KKE (m-l)-ML KKE), 

Anticapitalist Left Cooperation for the Overthrow (Antarsya), 

Organisation of Communist Internationalists of Greece (OKDE), 

Workers Revolutionary Party (EEK Trokskyists), Sabetai Matsas

Organisation for the Reconstruction of the Communist Party of Greece (OAKKE).

from: neoskosmos

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French Royalists ask supporters to vote for François Hollande

"The directing committee of the Nouvelle Action Royalist (NAR) is happy about the big turn-out of the French in the first round of the presidential election. It welcomes the massive rejection of Nicolas Sarkozy to which the NAR contributed by asking the French  people to vote for Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, who in difficult circumstances has received an honourable result [644,043 votes or 1,79%]. It regrets the success Marine Le Pen achieved by exploiting the betrayel of de Gaulle’s legacy by the classic right, the abandonment of the popular classes by a cast of Socialist managers and and the ravages of ultra-liberalism.

"For the second round of the presidential elections the directing committee of the Nouvelle Action Royalist asked to transform Nicolas Sarkozy’s setback into a final defeat."

 
Voter François Hollande

Le Comité directeur de la Nouvelle Action royaliste se réjouit de la très forte participation des Français au premier tour de l’élection présidentielle. Il se félicite du rejet massif de Nicolas Sarkozy, auquel la NAR a participé en appelant à voter pour Nicolas Dupont-Aignan qui a obtenu, dans des conditions difficiles, un premier résultat très honorable. Il constate avec regret le succès remporté par Marine Le Pen qui exploite la trahison du gaullisme par la droite classique, l’abandon des classes populaires par la caste des gestionnaires socialistes et les ravages de l’ultra-libéralisme.

Pour le second tour de l’élection présidentielle, le Comité directeur de la Nouvelle Action royaliste appelle à transformer le revers de Nicolas Sarkozy en une défaite définitive. Tout au long de ce quinquennat, la Nouvelle Action royaliste a dénoncé l’instauration d’une autocratie brouillonne dénaturant la fonction présidentielle, le durcissement de la guerre sociale menée par l’oligarchie, la destruction méthodique de l’administration centrale, le mépris de l’autorité judiciaire, la xénophobie d’État, la corruption du milieu dirigeant et, sur le plan international, le retour dans l’Otan, l’enlisement sanglant en Afghanistan et l’alignement sur l’Allemagne qui est inscrit dans la lettre des nouveaux traités conçus à Berlin.

Livrée à la concurrence effrénée et déloyale que permet le libre échange, prise dans le carcan monétaire, exposée à la violence de la déflation, la France a été engagée par Nicolas Sarkozy dans un processus à tel point désastreux qu’il est impossible de prendre pour le second tour une position de neutralité. Les critiques que la Nouvelle Action royaliste a adressées au Parti socialiste ont toujours été sévères : elle n’a jamais accepté le tournant de la rigueur de 1983, le ralliement à l’ultra-libéralisme, la dérive oligarchique, les illusions européistes et la croyance en l’euro. Mais il s’agit de choisir le 6 mai un président de la République, non un Premier ministre, sans oublier que l’orientation du nouveau gouvernement sera fonction des résultats obtenus par les différents partis lors des élections législatives.

Quant au choix du président, tel qu’il est défini par l’article 5 de la Constitution, nous avons la certitude que François Hollande saura redonner à la fonction présidentielle la dignité qu’elle a perdue et qu’il retrouvera, dans les négociations internationales, le langage et le comportement d’un chef d’État. Et nous sommes persuadés que le nouveau président, chef des Armées, veillera au retrait rapide et ordonné des troupes françaises positionnées en Afghanistan. Telles sont les raisons décisives qui nous conduisent à appeler les militants et les sympathisants de la Nouvelle Action royaliste à apporter leurs voix à François Hollande.

Cet appel doit être entendu comme un message d’espérance quant aux révolutions que la France peut accomplir à la faveur de l’élection présidentielle et des élections législatives. La crise de l’euro s’aggrave. Elle a pris un tour tragique en Grèce et la logique déflationniste conduira tous les pays qui l’acceptent à la violence sociale et à l’extrémisme politique. Des solutions nouvelles devront être trouvées, avec le soutien du peuple français. Ouverte par François Hollande, la perspective de la renégociation du pacte budgétaire européen et du Mécanisme Européen de Stabilité donne à la France la possibilité de mettre radicalement en question la politique dictée par l’Allemagne, la recherche inepte de l’équilibre budgétaire et les décisions de la Banque centrale européenne.

Nous espérons que le nouveau président de la République ne cherchera pas à obtenir une simple déclaration sur la croissance mais engagera la négociation avec nos partenaires européens après avoir soumis à référendum le traité signé mais pas encore ratifié. Nous espérons que le peuple français confirmera le refus qu’il avait exprimé en 2005 et qui a été ignoré au mépris de la démocratie. Nous attendons de ce choc salutaire une redéfinition de la politique française, selon les objectifs généraux de l’indépendance nationale, de la justice sociale et du développement économique qui nous permettront de retrouver le sens de notre histoire.

LE COMITÉ DIRECTEUR DE LA NOUVELLE ACTION ROYALISTE

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Beginning of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Australia

At St John's Anglican Church, Toorak, Melbourne, a service to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and the Feast Day of St George the Martyr, patron saint of Engalnd, was held on Sunday 22nd April 2012.

The Governor of Victoria, H.E.  Alex Chernov AC QC, and Mrs Chernov attended the St George’s Day Service at St John’s Toorak for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen.

The church service in Victoria took place one day after Her Majesty's 86th birthday.
 

(By coincidence, this is the 500th posting on this blog. Quite apprepriate for a message announcing Her Majesty's Diamon Jubilee celebrations in Australia.)

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His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan

Before the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, 18th April 2012



In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate,

Mr President,

Distinguished Members of the European Parliament,

Thank you, and thank you all, for your warm welcome. The ties between Jordan and Europe are anchored in rock. It is more than our mutual interest in the prosperity and security of our multi-region neighbourhood. It is our shared belief in the kind of neighbourhood it should be -- the kind of neighbourhood our people deserve: rich in human dignity and freedom ... powered by opportunity and progress ... and secured by peace.

It is to talk about our neighbourhood and future that I join you today.

My friends,

A long Spring is unfolding in the Arab World. It will not be over in a season; not even in a year. Our societies are facing the challenge of moving from protests to programs, from criticism to national strategies. Different countries will take different paths. In some countries, debate and consensus are in the air. Elsewhere, we are seeing the winds of division and reaction, bringing instability, violence and a region-wide cost. There are outside actors that seek to take advantage of discord. The risks and uncertainties are real.

But I speak for millions when I say: the Arab World is awake. And positive change is on the move.

The signs were already there for those who wanted to see them. For a decade or more, people across the region had been raising questions ... nurturing aspirations ... seeking meaningful reform ... and empowering civil society, especially women and our digitally-connected, globally-aware youth.

Events added to the urgency. Global crises in finance, food and energy seriously hurt our economies. Arab families who sacrificed to educate their children have seen their sons and daughters leave school, prepared for jobs that simply are not there. Today my region faces the highest youth unemployment of any region. Some have called it a 'generation in waiting. It is 100 million strong; the largest youth cohort in our history.

I know that youth concerns are important here in Europe as well. Our regions have different demographics, but in one statistic they are the same: today's young people are 100 percent of our future. We cannot afford to let a single young citizen wait in vain.

This reality drives Jordan's approach to the Arab Spring. We have embraced it as an opportunity to push past roadblocks that have slowed reform in the past. Last year, we took immediate steps to engage in a national dialogue to build consensus on concrete actions. An early focus has been the Constitution -- the foundation of our political system. Last September, after recommendations by a national committee, one-third of the entire document was amended. New Constitutional provisions widen representation, strengthen political parties, protect civil rights and freedoms, and enhance separation of powers. Other milestones include new laws on political parties and municipal and national elections; as well as legislation for the new Constitutional court and independent elections commission. Our next tests will be municipal and parliamentary elections. As guarantor of the political reform process, I have urged both government and parliament to keep to the agreed timeline, and finalise the remaining legislation as quickly as possible, without sacrificing the inclusive nature of our process.

Only we, all Jordanians, can build Jordan's future. And we must do so in such a way that our country remains a secure, safe haven -- in spite of a region getting more turbulent around us; in spite of economic threats; in spite of neighbouring crises. This path demands consensus-based reform, based on structural, comprehensive change -- political, legal, economic, and social -- respecting the rights and freedoms of all our citizens. In the process, Jordan can set a regional model of peaceful political evolution and democratisation.

I am confident that 2012 will be a year of key political reform in Jordan. Among the most important steps is building the robust political party life that parliamentary government requires. We know that it is not one election, but the next and the next and all those that follow, which show that a system is working.

We greatly value the EU's recognition of our reform path. Just two months ago, the new EU-Jordan Task Force met in Amman to discuss key programmes that will support our reform priorities -- democratic institutions, civil society, job creation, local economic development, humanitarian assistance, and more. Next month marks ten years since our Association Agreement went into force, opening markets and job opportunities on both sides. I hope these opportunities, now strengthened by our “advanced status” partnership, will further blossom in the years ahead.

Jordan has pursued its domestic goals despite regional conflict. But my friends -- peace must come if our region is to thrive and be secure. We cannot afford one more 'generation in waiting' for a Palestinian state.

Ten years ago, the Arab States spoke with a united voice on behalf of a just peace. We made the decision to look forward, not back; to seek agreement; and to offer acceptance. The Arab Peace Initiative has been recognised by every major friend of peace in the world, including the EU and other members of the Quartet. We need Israel to engage.

The Arab Peace Initiative is based on the only possible solution: two states, side by side, in dignity and self-determination -- a sovereign, viable and independent Palestine, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital – collective peace and security guarantees for Israel -- and a final settlement, in accordance with U.N. resolutions, and the agreed resolution of all final status issues. This initiative went even beyond offering Israel peace and normal relations with all its Arab neighbours. The entire Muslim world endorsed it. What has been on the table for the past 10 years is a 57-state solution.

Some political elements point to the changes in the Arab World, and tell the Israeli people that negotiations can wait. There is no time to wait. The Arab Spring is rooted in a profound call for human respect. No affront is felt more deeply than the Israeli occupation. The longer Palestinian suffering endures, the longer settlement-building continues, the greater the frustrations, dangers, and unknowns. If we cross the line where the two-state solution is no longer possible, Israel will be further than ever from real security. It would take decades, even generations, for peace to regain the initiative.

Jordan sees an effective peace process as a moral duty and a strategic interest, and we continue to pursue results. This year, in Amman, we succeeded in getting negotiators back to the table several times. We would not have been able to do so, without the magnificent work of European diplomacy ... energising contacts, mobilising support, keeping up the pressure for peace … and, most important, keeping hope alive. Indeed, over the past two years, the European Union has been an invaluable friend to those, on both sides, working for peace in the Middle East.

The exploratory talks in Amman were baby steps, giving the parties an opportunity to resume bilateral contacts. Now the process needs a quantum leap forward -- and EU partnership is vital. The EU has taken a principled stand for a just, two-state solution, and against the illegal settlement building that is obstructing progress. You understand the global risks of continued conflict and the global benefits of peace. And you hold tremendous credibility for your experience in building democratic institutions, security, and trust. I hope you can bring all this to bear in the days ahead.

My friends,

Many peoples, one neighbourhood ... and one future. This is the challenge for Europe and the Middle East ... and it is our strength.

Together, we face immense issues -- economic, political, peace. The solutions are complex and the path forward difficult.

But together, we have the will and wisdom to reach the goals we seek. And together, we can succeed.

Thank you very much.

----------------------------------------------------------------

During His Majesty's European visit, HRH Crown Prince Hussein was sworn-in as regent of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

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65 years ago: King Christian X is dead - Long live King Frederik IX

At the beginning of this year, the Danish people celebrated the 40th anniversary of Queen Margrethe II as Queen of Denmark.


However, there is another significant anniversary to be commemorated. To this day 65 years ago the present Queen’s grandfather, King Christian X, died and her father ascended the Danish throne as King Frederik IX.

King Christian X and Queen Alexandrine.

King Christian (*26th September 1870) was not only King of Denmark from 1912 to 1947, but was also the only official King of Iceland (1918 – 1944). During the German occupation King Christian X remained in Denmark and became to the Danish people a visible symbol of the national cause.

Iceland’s Act of Union with Denmark recognized the island as a fully sovereign state united with Denmark under a common king on 1st December 1918. The Kingdom of Iceland established its own flag and asked that Denmark represent its foreign affairs and defense interests.
King Christian's Icelandic Royal Standard 1920.

On 18th June 1936 King Christian X of Denmark and of Iceland, arrived in Reykjavik on board the royal yacht Dannebrog with Queen Alexandrine, and their younger son, Prince Knud and his wife, Princess Caroline Mathilde. It was a holiday for the Reykjavik's 33,000 residents. Virtually every resident was at the harbor when the Dannebrog dropped anchor. The King addressed his subjects in Icelandic. The official delegation of reception was headed by Iceland's Prime Minister, Herman Jonasson, 35, who might have been the world's youngest Prime Minister at that time. During the US occupation of Iceland the union between the two countries was declared dissolved and a republic was proclaimed.

On 20th April 1947, King Christian X died, and his eldest son, Crown Prince Frederick (*11th March 1899 - +14th January 1972), succeeded to the throne.


He was proclaimed King Frederik IX from the balcony of Christiansborg Palace by Prime Minister Knud Kristensen. He remained Denmark’s popular King until his death on 14th January 1972.

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95th birthday of HM Queen Frederica of the Hellenes

The Greek Queen Frederica was born on 18th April 1917 as daughter of Duke Ernest Augustus III of Brunswick and his wife, Duchess Victoria Luise, née Princess of Prussia, the only daughter of German Emperor Wilhelm II and Empress Augusta Viktoria. As daughter of the head of the House of Hanover, she was Princess Frederica of Hanover, Great Britain and Ireland, and also Duchess Frederica of Brunswick-Lüneburg. As a descendant of King George III of the United Kingdom, she was, at birth, 34th in the line of succession to the British throne.


HRH Crown Prince Paul of Greece proposed to her during the summer of 1936, while he was in Berlin attending the 1936 Summer Olympics. Prince Paul was the son of King Constantine I of Greece and Queen Sophie, sister of Kaiser Wilhelm II. Their engagement was announced officially on 28th September 1937. They married in Athens on 9th January 1938. With her marriage Frederica used the title Hereditary Princess (Greek: Πριγκήπισσα Διαδόχου, Prinkēpissa Diadókhou, literally "Princess of the Heir") of Greece, her husband being heir presumptive to his elder brother, King George II of the Hellenes.


During the early part of their marriage, they resided at Villa Psychiko in the suburbs of Athens. Ten months after their marriage, their first child, Princess Sophia (the future Queen Sofia of Spain), was born on 2nd November 1938. On 2nd June 1940, their son and heir, Prince Constantine (the future King Constantine II), was born.

On 28th October 1940 Mussolini's troops attacked Greece, but were defeated by the Royal Greek Army. In April 1941 Hitler came to Mussolini’s rescue and invaded Greece. Crown Princess Frederica and her infant children were evacuated on a British warplane to Crete, where they were repeatedly strafed by the Luftwaffe. Several weeks later, Crete fell, and the Royal Family escaped to Cairo. From there, Crown Prince Paul accompanied King George to London, where a government-in-exile was formed. Crown Princess Frederica and the children spent the next two and a half years in South Africa, where a third child, Princess Irene, was born in 1942.


After the war, the Allies oversaw a plebiscite, and in September 1946, the Royal Family returned to Athens. On 1st September 1946 the Greek people decided by referendum on the Monarchy, which won 69 percent of the vote. King George II returned to the throne for a third time.


On 1st April 1947, King George II died suddenly and Frederica's husband ascended the Greek throne as King Paul I. Civil war was raging with the Communist guerrillas in the North, and that spring the Truman Doctrine had been launched to prevent Greece and Turkey from coming under Communist control. The King and Queen toured Northern Greece under severe security to try to appeal for loyalty in the summer of 1947.



During the civil war, Queen Frederica set the Queen's Camps or Child-cities (translation of: Παιδο(υ)πόλεις / Paidopoleis or Paidupoleis) a network of 53 camps around Greece where she would gather mostly orphans and children of poor families. These camps provided much needed shelter, food, and education to these children.


The Greek Civil War ended in August, 1949. The Sovereigns took this opportunity to strengthen the monarchy. But Queen Frederica has been described as "inherently undemocratic". The reason why the Queen became an often hated figure was because she was involved in Greek politics. However this involvement was often undertaken out of necessity. A closer analysis of Queen Frederica’s actions indicate that she was motivated by a desire to promote democracy and ultimately ensure that the Greek Monarchy became an institution that was above politics.


On 6th March 1964, King Paul died of cancer, and her son ascended the throne as King Constantine II. Queen Frederica assumed the title of queen dowager but continued to serve in the role of Queen. When King Constantine married Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark later that year on 18th September, Queen Frederica stepped back from the majority of her public royal duties in favor of the new Queen. She remained a target for vicious attacks. In response she renounced her apanage and retired to the countryside where she lived an almost reclusive life. However, she continued to attend Royal events that were family-oriented, such as the baptisms of her grandchildren in both Spain and Greece.


After King Constantine’s counter-coup to restore democracy failed on 13th December 1967, Queen Frederica left the country with the King, Queen Anne-Marie, the King’s two year old daughter Princess Alexia, Crown Prince Pavlos, the King’s sister, Princess Irene and Prime Minister Kollias.


Queen Frederica died during a surgery in Madrid on 6th February 1981. Her funeral on 12th February 1981 in the garden of the Royal Estate Tatoi was attended by a multitude of reigning and deposed royalty. This was testament to the high esteem that the late Queen was still held in royal circles. Unfortunately Queen Frederica’s status as an important twentieth century historical figure progressively diminished following her son’s exile and the repudiation of the monarchy in 1974. When King Constantine II and his family were allowed to return to briefly attend Queen Frederica’s funeral at Tatoi, the King’s return was brief and His Majesty was not even allowed to stay overnight. At Athens Airport the King and his family were greeted by cheers from Monarchists behind a wire fence. Poignantly, many of the assembled Monarchists were vexed to the point of crying that their King was not allowed to go over and meet with them.

In February 2006 the Royal Family commemorated the late Queen Frederica at Tatoi.

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Spanish republicans propagate the re-use of the guillotine

To commemorate the proclamation of the 2nd republic on 14th April 1931, Spanish republicans have launched a campaign to revive their dead cause. The Izquierda Unida issued posters that state "Nuestros recortes serán con guillotina" (“Our cuts will be done with the guillotine”).

The Izquierda Unida, United Left (iu) consists mainly of the former Communist Party (PCE). Originally the Carlist Party was also a founding member of the iu but they parted ways in 1987. In 2012 the iu holds 11 out of 350 seats in the Spanish Parliament and none of 264 seats in the Spanish senate.

Spanish Monarchists counter the republican campaign by using the Communist motto and denouncing it:

NO to terror!

NO to assassination!

NO to dictatorship!

NO to the republic!

Long live the King!

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Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee stamps

Minisheet

First Day Cover

60 cent stamps

$2.35 stamps

Australia Post issued the stamps on 3rd April 2012. Details see here.

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