Royal News Links (12-29-08)

I hope you enjoy this roundup of the recent press mentions of the royals from all over the world. There’s lots going on!

The British Royals

* The Royal Family: Preview of the year 2009 - “Andrew Pierce predicts a Royal engagement, holiday cost-cutting, an audience with Barack Obama and a higher public profile for the Duchess of Cornwall.” (Telegraph)

* Person of the year? I nominate the Queen - “The Queen’s instinct for grabbing a hammer, spotting a nail and then proceeding to hit it on the head remains strong.” (Telegraph)

* Queen’s credit crunch crackdown on New Year honours for city figures - “The Queen has endorsed a crackdown on honours for bankers and leading City figures because of their role in causing the economic crisis.” (Daily Mail)

* Prince Charles to the rescue of Britain’s heritage – “Frustrated by what he sees as the Government’s neglect of Britain’s heritage, the Prince of Wales is dramatically to expand the activities of his charity, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust.” (Telegraph)

* Princes take extra leave for a bond of brothers - “Princes William and Harry are extending their Christmas holiday to enjoy each other’s company – and fit in a brotherly bonding break – before their military careers send them on different paths for the next six months.” (Daily Mail)

* Prince Charles beats sons… at arm wrestling - “Prince Charles has put his sons to shame - beating both at arm wrestling.” (People)

* Taming of the Royal Wild Child Zara - “She was at her eye-catching best at the Royal Family’s Christmas church service this week but Zara Phillips today is a far cry from the tongue stud-wearing rebel of old - thanks to the rugby star she may merry next year…” (Daily Express)

* Just what one always wanted: Ice hockey pucks, pencils, canoe paddles… the Queen’s list of baffling presents - “If you are wondering what to do with all those unwanted socks or ill-fitting jumpers you were given for Christmas, spare a thought for the Queen.” (Daily Mail)

* Prince slashes his B&B prices - “Charles and Camilla have slashed prices at their £3million estate in Carmarthenshire, Wales.” (The Sun)

* Prince Charles writes letter to every injured soldier in Afghanistan and Iraq - “Each of the personal notes thanks troops for their roles in the war zone and spells out the debt of gratitude that Britain owes them.” (Mirror)

Queen Elizabeth arrives at Sandringham church with Sofie, the Countess of Wessex, on Christmas Day 2008. image: Newscom

* Crowds throng church to see Royals - “More than 2,000 people braved the cold to see 10 members of the Royal Family attend church.” (Press Association)

* Queen gags royal household staff - “The Queen has banned staff from revealing details of their work in a bid to prevent further embarrassing leaks of the goings on in the royal household…” (Sydney Morning Herald)

Other European Royals

* Prince in bid to be Italy’s new Strictly dance king - “The heir to Italy’s former royal family has agreed to take part in a local version of Strictly Come Dancing, leaving monarchists aghast.” (Times Online)

* Belgium king asks parliament president to take over government - “King Albert asked the parliament president Sunday to take the reins of the government that quit last week after a scandal over the botched bailout of the Fortis bank.” (Star-Telegram)

Asia and the Middle East

* Ailing emperor mirrors Japan’s sharp decline - “With an ailing emperor and a nationalist prime minister whose approval ratings are down to about 20% as the country faces a deep recession, it is a bleak winter for Japanese conservatives.” (Times Online)

* Bush, Saudi King talk amid Israel-Gaza bloodshed - “Saudi King Abdullah told US President George W. Bush by telephone on Saturday that major countries must take action to halt Israel’s attacks on Gaza…” (Yahoo! News)

* Jordan king urges Israel to end Gaza offensive - “Jordan’s King Abdullah condemned Israeli raids on Gaza that killed at least 225 people on Saturday, saying they would only inflame regional tensions.” (Reuters Africa)

* Abbas meets Jordan’s King over Israeli offensive - “Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has held emergency talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman.” (EuroNews)