A forthcoming Coronation later this year, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s new role, Emperor Akihito’s abdication news, State Opening of Parliament in Britain, and Koningsdag (King’s Day).

Thai Coronation

King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s forthcoming coronation will take place later this year.

Watch this space for more details …

Norwegian Literature Ambassador

Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who has organised the annual Literature trains in Norway, has a new role promoting Norwegian Literature.

Visit http://www.buchmesse.de/en/fbf/ to find out more about the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Emperor Akihito’s Abdication Update

A final report has been submitted to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Find out in this week’s show, what happens next …

State Opening of Parliament

The State Opening of Parliament in Great Britain is scheduled for Monday, 19 June, but not with all the usual pomp and pageantry.

Her Majesty delivers the #QueensSpeech during the State Opening of @UKParliament, in the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster in London. Photo courtesy of Press Association

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on May 18, 2016 at 7:13am PDT

We explain why in this week’s show.

A closeup of The Imperial State Crown – which was originally made for Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1838. It incorporates many gemstones, including the diamond known as the Second Star of Africa, the Black Prince’s Ruby, the Stuart Sapphire, St Edward’s Sapphire and Queen Elizabeth’s Pearls.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) on May 18, 2016 at 2:43am PDT

King Willem-Alexander’s 50th Birthday

Celebrations for King Willem-Alexander’s 50th birthday kicked off in Tilburg for Koningsdag (King’s Day) on 27 April 2017.

“In de trein op weg naar Tilburg, wensen we iedereen een mooie #Koningsdag toe!” – WA #Koningsdag #verjaardag #abraham #WA50 #gefeliciteerd #kroonjaar #Koning #Koningin

A post shared by Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) on Apr 27, 2017 at 1:17am PDT

King Willem-Alexander was presented with a chocolate bust of himself during the festivities!

De koning heeft zijn eigen chocoladehoofd gesigneerd. #koningsdag pic.twitter.com/HCZetRRE3C

— Jeroen Schmale (@jerschmale) April 27, 2017

The Dutch Royal Family attended a concert as part of the festivities.

Afsluitende optredens van o.a. Guus Meeuwis, @KennyB_Music en @GersPardoel #Koningsdag #WA50 pic.twitter.com/LVkKP2Q98C

— Koninklijk Huis (@koninklijkhuis) 27 April 2017

Visit the Netherlands Tourism – Tilburg for more information.

Hashtag: #Koningsdag #WA50