hellomagazine.com

INTERNATIONAL ROYALS JET IN TO THAILAND

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12 JUNE 2006

In one of the largest gatherings of royals in recent years, kings, queens, princes and sultans from 25 countries have descended on Thailand to help its beloved King Bhumibol celebrate his diamond jubilee.

From Bahrain to Tonga, the guest list reads like a who's who of international royalty. Some of the European names to attend include the Netherlands' charismatic Argentine-born Princess Maxima. Dressed in a wide-brimmed pink hat and matching outfit, she led a long line of elegantly-turned out princesses to arrive in the Thai capital. She was joined by a colourful Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, in an embroidered purple coat and coordinated feather headpiece.

The VIPs are in Bangkok to attend four days of festivities in honour of the world's longest serving monarch, and their exotic welcome began at the airport where Thai Princess Sirindhorn presented them with traditional flower garlands. Making the most of his trip, Prince Albert took time out before the official events began to visit a handicraft centre in Chang Mai. Monaco's head of state looked happy and relaxed despite the recent media attention following the revelation that he has a second love-child.

Moroccan Princess Lalla Salma and King Abdullah of Jordan helped make the celebrations a truly international affair. And the 78-year-old Thai king doesn't take his duties as host lightly. He has prepared a lavish timetable of entertainment for his guests at a cost of $11.6 million. The spectacular highlight is Monday's barge procession when 2,000 naval oarsmen will row down the Chao Phraya river in elaborately carved long-boats.