A recent article by the Independent is calling Prince William's newest attachment to the Royal Navy "the latest development in a PR initiative that befits a new generation of princes," which got me thinking - with all the money invested in training soldiers, sailors and airmen, is it really necessary to (unofficially) require members of Royal families to participate in the military?

King Juan Carlos of Spain told the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez, to shut up in a session of the 17th Ibero-American summit in Santiago, Chile.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía inaugurated a glass monument outside Antocha station commemorating the victims of the train bombs in Madrid on 11th March 2004.

2006: A Year in Review

2006 was a year of milestones for many Royal families throughout the world. While it would take far too much time to re-cap everything that happened in the world of royalty in 2006, lets review some of the major events and rumors that had royal watchers talking.

Letizia, Princess of Asturias, is expecting a girl. The baby, due in the spring, will be Prince Felipe's Letizia's second child.

In a ceremony held in Madrid, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Director-General, Jacques Diouf said that Queen Sofia demonstrated “commitment to the most exploited people on the planet” and awarded her the Ceres Medal. This award is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and is awarded to distinguished women who have contributed to the fight against hunger.

Members from every royal house in the world attended the celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee of King Rama IX, the King of Thailand.

Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain have paid a state visit to Thailand. They arrived at Bangkok airport where there were received by the King Rama IX and Queen Shirikit and other Thai officials including the Prime Minister, the deputy Prime Minister and the Thai ambassador to Madrid.

The guests at the wedding of the Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz included King Carlos Gustavo of Sweden, Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine of Sweden, King Harald of Norway, Queen Rania and Q

Letizia Ortiz becomes the Princess of Asturias

Letizia Ortiz had commissioned a marble-coloured wedding dress designed by Manuel Pertegaz. Letizia prepared in the Royal Palace, also known as the Palacio de Oriente or the National Palace, right opposite the cathedral.