SOME RECENT ROYAL ACTIVITIES: BRITAIN, NORWAY, THE NETHERLANDS

Here are some photos of some recent royal activities from the royal families of Britain, Norway and the Netherlands.  Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was in Davie, Florida on November 20 for a ribbon cutting ceremony of the Seaman’s Church there.  In the Netherlands,  Princess Maxima attended on November 28, 2011, the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Awards in Amsterdam.  In Britain, also on November 28, 2011, Queen Elizabeth II, along with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, gave a reception for the members of the media in anticipation of next year’s Diamond Jubilee.

Catherine talks to journalists during a reception, November 28, 2011 (photo: Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge at a reception for the media in anticipation of next year's Diamond Jubilee, November 28, 2011 (photo: Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II at a reception for the media, November 28, 2011 (photo: Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Princess Maxima attneds the Prince Bernhard Culture Fund Awards, November 28, 2011 (photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images)

Maxima of the Netherlands attends an award ceremony in Amsterdam, November 28, 2011 (photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images)

Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands in Amsterdam, November 28, 2011 (photo: Michel Porro/Getty Images)

Crown Princess Mette-Marit gives a speech in Florida (photo: Anthony Djuren/Getty Images)

Princess Mette-Marit, daughter-in-law of King Harald of Norway in Davie, Florida (photo: Anthony Djuren/Getty Images)

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway inside the Seaman's Church in Davie, Florida (photo: Anthony Djuren/Getty Images)

Princess Mette-Marit of Norway in Davie, Florida, November 20, 2011 (photo: Anthony Djuren/Getty Images)

CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK AND CROWN PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK CONTINUE THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark are on the last stages of their official visit to Australia.  These past days included a visit by Crown Princess Mary to Pakenham Springs Primary School as well as the launching of a tugboat in Melbourne.  The princess also visited Broken Hill to visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service.  The prince and princess on November 26th, attended a charity dinner for the Alannah and Madeleine Foundation in Melbourne.

Crown Princess Mary in Melbourne (pohto: Getty Images)

LIstening to the national anthems of Australia and Denmark, Melbourne, November 24, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

Crown Princess Mary at a naming ceremony for the tugboat, 'Svitzer Marysville', November 24, 2011 (photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Mary of Denmark at a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill, Australia, November 25, 2011 (photo: Kate Geraghty/Pool/Getty Images)

Mary and Frederik of Denmark at a charity dinner in Melbourne, Australia (photo: Wiliam West/AFP/Getty Images)

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary in Melbourne, Australia, November 26, 2011 (photo: William West/AFP/Getty Images)

PRINCE PHILIP INAUGURATED AS LORD HIGH ADMIRAL

Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II has become honorary commander of the British Navy Wednesday, upon receiving the title of Lord High Admiral.  The Queen held the title for nearly fifty years.  On the Prince’s 90th birthday in June of this year, it was announced that Queen Elizabeth II was set to transfer the title to Prince Philip.  The Duke of Edinburgh had served for years in the Royal Navy prior to marrying the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, rising to the rank of commander.  On November 23, 2011, Prince Philip received the letters patent from the First Sea Lord, Sir Mark Stanhope.

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh (L) observes a ceremony during a visit to the Admiralty Board and Admiralty House, November 23, 2011 in London, England. The Duke of Edinburgh was inaugurated as Lord High Admiral as well as formally receiving the Letters Patent, followed by a lunch given by the First Sea Lord at Admiralty House. (photo: Carl Court-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Queen at the Admiralty Board and Admiralty House (Photo by Carl Court-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II observe a ceremony during a visit to the Admiralty Board and Admiralty House in London, November 23, 2011 (photo: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images)

KING JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL WANGCHUK AND QUEEN JETSUN PEMA OF BHUTAN VISIT THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL IN CLARENCE HOUSE

On November 23, 2011 King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan paid a courtesy visit to the Prince of Wales and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, during a trip to the United Kingdom.  The two royal couples were photographed at Clarence House, the London home of Charles and Camilla.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan arrive to meet the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House in London , November 23, 2011 (photo: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images)

The Queen of Bhutan, the King of Bhutan, the Prince of Wales, and the Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House, London, November 23, 2011 (photo: STEFAN ROUSSEAU/AFP/Getty Images)

CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK AND CROWN PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK CONTINUE THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

In Melbourne, Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary attended a business delegation dinner and were at the corporate culture and cult while Mary attended the Sun Smart 2011 summer campaign lunch at Parliament House.

Mary of Denmark at Parliament House, Melbourne (photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Mary of Denmark at the SunSmart 2011 summer campaign launch at Parliament House, November 24, 2011 (photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary arrive for a business delegation dinner in Melbourne, Australia, November 23, 2011 (photo: William West - Pool/Getty Images)

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark in Melbourne, Australia, November 23, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK AND PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK ON THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark continued their official visit to Australia.  Their first stop was Sydney and from there, the royal couple flew to Canberra, the country’s capital where they they attended a luncheon at Parliament House, visited the Australian War Memorial and the National Portrait Gallery.  Below are some highlights of the visit, photographs are courtesy of Getty Images.

Mary receving flowers in Sydney, Australia, November 21, 2011

Mary at a cooking demonstration in Sydney, November 21, 2011

Disembarking in Canberra

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrive in Canberra, Australia, November 22, 2011

Frederik and Mary on day three of their visit, here at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra in front of a portrait of the crown princess

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra

At the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia, November 22, 2011

CROWN PRINCE FREDERIK AND PRINCESS MARY OF DENMARK ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

As the King and Queen of Bhutan have ended their official state visit to Japan and have flown from Osaka, Japan back to Bhutan, another official royal visit has begun.  This time it is Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark who are on an official visit to Australia, Mary’s native land.  The couple met there in 2000 during the Sydney Olympics.   The last time the couple paid an official visit to the land down under was in 2008.  Frederik and Mary on their first day visited the Sculpture by the Sea exhibit in Sydney’s Bondi Beach where they chatted briefly with the crowds.   They also went to Customs House and  hopped on energy-generating bikes to make themselves smoothies.  Later at the Garden Island naval base, the royal couple attended a reception with guests from the Danish business community.   During a visit to Australia’s Governor General, Quentin Bryce, Frederik and Mary brought out their twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine and posed for photographs.

Looking cool in a wide-brim hat and sunglasses, Mary of Denmark visits her native Australia, November 20, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

Frederik and Mary of Denmark, Sydney, Australia, November 20, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

Mary of Denmark in Sydney, Australia (photo: Brandon Thorne/Getty Images)

Mary at the opening of "Curating Cities: Sydney-Copenhagen" at Customs House, Sydney, November 20, 2011 (photo: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Mary and Frederik with Josephine and Vincent, their twin son and daughter (photo: Pool/Getty Images)

The Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark with their twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine at Admiralty House, Sydney, Australia, November 21, 2011 (photo: Pool/Getty Images)

Governor General of Australia Quentin Bryce and her husband with Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary and the twins, Vincent and Josephine, (photo: Getty Images)

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary at the Hotel Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney (photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Mary of Denmark in her native Australia, November 21, 2011 (photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Crown Prince Frederik in the Commonwealth Bank Building, Darling Quarter, Sydney, Australia (pohto: Pool/Getty Images)

Crwon Prince Frederik of Denmark and Princess Mary at Dolton House (photo: Pool/Getty Images)

Frederik and Mary of Denmark at the Danish Ambassador's Dinner, November 21, 2011 (photo: Pool/Getty Images)

PRINCE ALBERT II AND PRINCESS CHARLENE PRESIDE OVER NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS IN MONACO

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco presided over National Day celebrations in the principality.  Accompanied by Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, Prince Albert’s sisters, the royal couple attended Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.  The royal family appeared on the balcony of the Monaco Palace, acknowledging cheers from the crowds.  Lots of photos below courtesy of Getty Images.

Princess Charlene with her sisters-in-law, Princes Stephanie and Princess Caroline, in the Palace Courtyard, Monaco (photo: Getty Images)

Attending Mass inside the Cathedral for National Day, Monaco, November 19, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

From left to right: Princess Caroline's second son, Pierre Casiraghi; Princess Charlene; Prince Albert; Princess Caroline; and her elder son, Andrea Casiraghi (photo: Getty Images)

Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife, Princess Charlene, November 19, 2011 (photo: Getty Images)

THE KING AND QUEEN OF BHUTAN ON AN OFFICIAL SIX DAY VISIT TO JAPAN – DAY FOUR

On day four, November 19, 2011, of the six day official state visit to Japan, of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema, the royal couple visited Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto, western Japan where they shared a light moment with Chief Priest Raitei Arima.  The background of the Kinkajui temple made for a picturesque scene for photographs.

The King and Queen of Bhutan during their visit to Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto, (photo: AFP PHOTO / Jiji Press/Getty Images)

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Queen Jetsun Pema and Chief Priest Raitei Arima pose for a photograph during the couple's visit to Kinkakuji temple in Kyoto (photo: IJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images)

The King and Queen of Bhutan with parasols in Kyoto, western Japan, November 19, 2011 (photo: JIJI PRESS/AFP/Getty Images)

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema use a wood hammer and chisel to carve part of right knee of a Buddha statue during their visit to the Gallery of Kyoto Traditional Arts and Crafts in Kyoto, November 19, 2011 (photo: AP Photo/Kyodo News)

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS GUILDFORD CATHEDRAL AND SURREY COLLEGE

Queen Elizabeth II visited Guildford Cathedral and Surrey College on Friday, November 18, 2011.  The Queen was at Guildford Cathedral to attend a service of thanksgiving for the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the religious building.   At Surrey college, the Queen was given a tour and spoke with various students and staff at the college.

A smile for the crowds from the Queen at Surrey College (photo: Bauer Griffin)

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh at Surrey College, November 18, 2011 (photo: Bauer Griffin)

The Queen unveils a plaque at Surrey College (photo: Bauer Griffin)

The Queen in a fetching bright red ensemble during her visit to Guildford Cathedral for a service of thanksgiving (photo: Indigo/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II clutching posies given to her during her visit to Guildford Cathedral, November 18, 2011 (photo: Indigo/Getty Images)

The Bentley used by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to visit Guildford Cathedral, November 18, 2011 (photo: Indigo/Getty Images)