December 30, 2004. Japan officially confirmed the engagement of Princess Sayako to Yoshiki Kuroda.
Hello! article
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden expressed his sorrow at the Asian tsunami disaster.
The Local article
December 29, 2004. Poomi Jensen (1983-2004), grandson of the King of Thailand
Los Angeles Times article
Queen Elizabeth II is making a substantial donation to the tsunami relief fund.
Scotsman article
A Moroccan magazine has taken the unprecedented step of publishing details of King Mohammed VI's salary.
BBC News article
Prince William enjoyed a day of hunting at Sandringham.
Hello! article
Crown Prince Willem and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands are expecting their second child.
Hello! article
Thailand's tearful Princess Ubolratana mourned the death of her son.
Bangkok Post article
December 28, 2004. Britain's younger royals were prominent participants in Sandringham's Christmas celebrations.
Hello! article
The King and Queen of Malaysia visited tsunami victims.
Bernama article
The King of Thailand donated $769,000 to help tidal wave victims.
Khaleej Times article
Sir Angus Ogilvy (1928-2004)
New York Times obituary
December 27, 2004. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf praised his daughter Crown Princess Victoria in his annual Christmas message.
The Local article
The Duchess of York warned of the dangers of childhood obesity and also expressed her admiration for the Queen and the monarchy.
BBC News article
A grandson of King Bhumibol Adulyadej was among those killed when giant waves smashed into Thailand.
Channel News Asia article
Japan will begin official consideration of allowing female succession to the throne.
Channel News Asia article
Despite the griping of cranky republicans, none of Britain's political parties are interested in debating the existence of the monarchy.
BBC News article
Sir Angus Ogilvy (1928-2004)
Telegraph article and obituary
Times article and obituary
Scotsman article and obituary
Guardian article and obituary
Independent obituary
Zara Phillips would not comment on rumors that she is engaged to boyfriend Mike Tindall.
Telegraph article
December 26, 2004. Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, expressed her condolences to the victims of today's massive earthquake in Asia.
Yahoo! News article
Sir Angus Ogilvy, husband of Princess Alexandra of Kent, died at 76.
BBC News article
No action will be taken against Prince Harry regarding his scuffle with a photographer outside a London nightclub.
BBC News article
Hundreds attended the funeral of Princess Kikuko in Tokyo.
Channel News Asia article
Many Spaniards are wondering when the Prince and Princess of Asturias will become expectant parents.
Sunday Times article
Courtiers and the Church of England have reportedly begun to prepare for the coronation of King Charles III.
Sunday Times article
More on the Queen's Christmas message:
Telegraph articles
Sunday Times article
Observer article
December 25, 2004. In her annual Christmas message, Queen Elizabeth II appealed for understanding between Britain's various cultural and religious groups.
BBC News articles
Britain's royal family celebrated Christmas at Sandringham.
BBC News pictures
The Queen sent a special message of support to British troops serving in Iraq.
BBC News article
December 24, 2004. The Greek government allowed King Constantine to visit the former royal palace in Athens.
Ekathimerini article
Count Lennart Bernadotte (1909-2004)
The Scotsman obituary
New photos reflect the Norwegian royal family's joy at Princess Ingrid Alexandra's first Christmas.
Hello! article
Emperor Akihito's birthday message was interpreted as the clearest sign yet of a rift in the Japanese Imperial Family.
Telegraph article
The Duke of Gloucester's speeding conviction requires his supension from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, of which he ironically is president.
Telegraph article
December 23, 2004. The Duke of Gloucester has been banned from driving for six months for speeding.
BBC News article
Emperor Akihito, 71 today, expressed his regret over recent controversy concerning his daughter-in-law Crown Princess Masako.
BBC News article
Hello! article
Count Lennart Bernadotte of Wisborg (1909-2004)
The Local obituary
The Herald obituary
December 22, 2004. Count Lennart Bernadotte (formerly HRH Prince Lennart of Sweden) died yesterday at 95 in Germany.
Yahoo! News article
Scandinavian Royals Message Board post
King Gyanendra's impending visit to India has generated much discussiion in Nepal.
BBC News article
This year is the former Letizia Ortiz's first Christmas as a member of the Spanish royal family.
Hello! article
Princess Kikuko of Japan (1911-2004)
Telegraph obituary
December 21, 2004. Irish preservationists oppose plans to build a highway close to an ancient seat of kings.
BBC News article
Historian David Starkey is awed by the magnificent collections acquired by King Henry VIII.
Telegraph article
Europe's new princesses continue to attract attention with their style and elegance.
International Herald Tribune article
The Prince and Princess of Asturias visited Belgrade.
Hello! article
Princess Caroline hosted the Nijinsky Awards in Monte Carlo.
Hello! article
December 18, 2004. Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia and Montenegro is devoted to her adopted country.
Bhma Life interview
Princess Kikuko of Japan died at 92, delaying the announcement of her great-niece Princess Sayako's engagement.
BBC News article
The Prince of Wales and Christian leaders hope to convince Muslims to abandon their traditional advocacy of the death penalty for apostates.
Telegraph article
December 17, 2004. The Newark Museum's Nicholas and Alexandra exhibit helps Americans relate to the Romanovs.
BigNews Network article
Adventurous Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark is planning a dog sled expeditioin in Greenland.
Sydney Morning Herald article
The Belgian royal family gathered for the annual Christmas concert.
Hello! article
Like all subjects of elderly monarchs, Monegasques are beginning to contemplate the future after Prince Rainier III.
Washington Times article
Virginia's Prince William County hopes to include today's Prince William in its 275th birthday celebrations.
Washington Post article
Princess Sayako of Japan will lose her royal status when she marries.
Washington Post article
December 16, 2004. King Gyanendra of Nepal is a powerful but modern monarch.
Times of India interview
The children of ailing Prince Rainier III distributed Christmas gifts to Monegasque children.
Hello! article
December 15, 2004. Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia bought back a porcelain company which formerly belonged to the Hohenzollerns.
Expatica article
A newly published letter from 1883 reveals the depth of Queen Victoria's feelings for John Brown.
Telegraph article
Shortly before his death, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands admitted having fathered two illegitimate children.
Telegraph article
December 14, 2004. Japan's Emperor Akihito invited Prime Minister and former King Simeon of Bulgaria for tea.
Novinite article
December 13, 2004. Documents from the English Civil War going on display at the British Library show how disasters were perceived as consequences of disrupting the natural order by abolishing the monarchy in 1649.
BBC News article
King Mswati III of Swaziland, known for his lavish lifestyle, bought a spectacular luxury car.
BBC News article
The Dutch royal family bid an emotional farewell to Prince Bernhard on Saturday.
Hello! article
Dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth on her visit to France in 1938 are to go on display with other royal artifacts at Buckingham Palace.
Telegraph article
More on Labour's royal estate investigation plans:
Telegraph article
December 12, 2004. Labour MPs plan to investigate the finances of the royal estates.
BBC News article
The Swedish royal family are suing a German magazine publisher over fabricated stories.
Telegraph article
December 11, 2004. The Prince of Wales's 2004 Christmas card shows him relaxing with his sons at Highgrove.
BBC News article
The Netherlands buried Prince Bernhard, his coffin accompanied into the crypt by his four daughters.
BBC News pictures
DW-World article
Many English girls presumably envy Prince Harry's South African girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
Telegraph articles
December 10, 2004. The Dutch royal family finalized preparations for the funeral of Prince Bernhard.
Expatica article
Prince Dimitry Romanov will accompany the remains of Empress Maria Fyodorovna (1847-1928) from Denmark to Russia.
St. Petersburg Times article
The Newark Museum's Nicholas and Alexandra exhibit focuses on the last tsar's qualities as a family man.
VOA News article
December 9, 2004. Princess Cristina of Spain, 39, is expecting her fourth child.
Scotsman article
Crown Princess Masako of Japan, 41 today, said she is getting better.
Hello! article
A Labour peer advocates reforming Britain's royal succession law to end male primogeniture.
Independent article
Guardian article
Scotsman article
December 8, 2004. The Russian Orthodox Church announced that Japanese researchers had confirmed its doubts about the authenticity of remains buried as those of Tsar Nicholas II.
Herald Sun article
Scotsman article
Young leftists in Nepal protested against the monarchy.
Team India article
December 6, 2004. Chelsy Davy spoke for the first time about her romance with Prince Harry.
Hello! article
The royal family and people of the Netherlands continue to mourn Prince Bernhard.
Hello! article
The Scotsman obituary
Single Japanese women are encouraged by 35-year-old Princess Sayako's upcoming marriage.
New York Times article
Many Thais have less confidence in Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn than in his revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer article
December 5, 2004. Queen Elizabeth II expressed her concern over the future of the Black Watch regiment.
Sunday Times article
The Netherlands' late Prince Bernhard was a remarkably influential prince consort during the reign of his wife Queen Juliana.
Expatica article
December 4, 2004. A new TV "reality series" follows the life of "Princess Ann Claire" (Anahita Pahlbod), grandniece of the last Shah of Iran.
E!: Love is in the Heir
The Royal Ark: The Pahlavi Dynasty
In an interview not published until after his death, Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands spoke candidly of his role in the 1976 Lockheed scandal.
Telegraph article and obituary
December 3, 2004. Most Japanese support changing the constitution to allow Princess Aiko to inherit the throne.
Guardian article
Drawings by Princess Marie of Greece (1876-1940) are going on display at Chicago's Hellenic Museum.
Chicago Sun-Times article
Contemplating his famous collateral ancestor, Corsican politician Charles Napoleon prefers the general to the emperor.
New Jersey Star-Ledger article
A Russian expert announced that the skeleton buried in 1998 is not that of Tsar Nicholas II.
Pravda article
Princess Märtha Louise honored U.S.-Norwegian ties in Washington.
Washington Times article
Prince Bernhard will be buried in his beloved air force uniform.
Expatica article
Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands (1911-2004)
Times obituary
Independent obituary
Guardian obituary
December 2, 2004. HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands died at 93 in Utrecht.
New York Times obituary
Charlotte Observer article
BBC News article and obituary
Scotsman article
Guardian article
The Louvre has restored Louis XIV's magnificent Apollo Gallery.
International Herald Tribune article
Two hundred years after Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, France is still divided on his legacy.
BBC News article
News24 article
Crown Prince Philippe of Belgium denounced Flemish separatists.
Telegraph article
A Bahraini princess has split from her American marine husband.
Telegraph article
Princess Aiko of Japan turned three yesterday amid speculation as to whether she will be allowed to inherit the throne.
Japan Times article
December 1, 2004. Bahraini princess Meriam al-Khalifa and former US Marine Jason Johnson are to divorce.
BBC News article
The Prince of Wales commissioned composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett to write a musical tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
Hello! article
A radical Welsh politician was disciplined for her disrespectful reference to the Queen.
BBC News article
King Jigme Singye Wangchuk is supervising the development of a new constitution for Bhutan.
BBC News article
A new National Archives exhibit sheds light on the personality of the paperwork-hating King Henry VIII.
BBC News Magazine article
King Abdullah's dismissal of Prince Hamzah as Crown Prince is expected to pave the way for his son Prince Hussein to succeed to the Jordanian throne.
Khaleej Times article
Prince Harry will enter Sandhurst in May instead of January due to the same knee injury that caused him to cut short his trip to Argentina.
Hello! article
Telegraph article