Royals attend UN General Assembly – UNGA Day 1

Royals from around the world attend the first day of the 81st UN General Assembly. Who is attending, and what is bringing them to New York City this week? 

Welcome to your royal coverage of the UN General Assembly in New York City. The Royal News Organisation will bring you a daily recap of the previous day’s events in the Big Apple, from solemn remembrances at the 9/11 Memorial to high-level diplomatic meetings between heads of state and world leaders.

“UN Week” is in full swing, with the first day of high-level meetings and discussions underway, as royals from across the globe attend various sessions and panels. We take a look at what Monday held for some and what to expect in the coming days of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held under the theme of “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”

• Queen Mathilde

Queen Mathilde of the Belgians is always one of the most active participants in UN Week, not only representing Belgium but also serving as Advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG Advocate) since 2016. On Monday, the Queen visited the United Nations building in New York. Her Majesty held various audiences, including with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and President of the UNGA81 Khaliur Rahman.

Photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Queen Mathilde also attended several speaking events on Monday which covered, among other topics, the protection of aid workers and the importance of women’s participation in peacekeeping roles.

“Since when do we no longer prioritise human dignity above all else? War has rules. Human life and human dignity must be protected.” — Queen Mathilde

• King Mswati III

King Mswati III of Eswatini (former Swaziland) did not appear to have any events on Monday but ‘safely’ arrived in New York City on Sunday with expected engagements throughout the week.

• King Abdullah II

King Abdullah II of Jordan is attending the UNGA81 this week in his capacity as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s head of state. The King is being accompanied by Queen Rania and Crown Prince Al Hussein on the visit to New York. On Monday, King Abdullah held various high-level meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Al Hussein met with Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah of Kuwait, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and EU President António Costa.

• Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah

Photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah of Kuwait is leading the diplomatic delegations attending this week’s UNGA81 on behalf of Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. On Monday, the Crown Prince held various meetings, including with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye at the Turkish House.

• Hereditary Prince Alois

Photo: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein is attending this week’s UNGA81 on behalf of Prince Hans-Adam II, who remains the Principality’s head of state. The Hereditary Prince, who also acts as regent, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday. The two discussed regional and international peace and security situations of mutual concern, as well as global challenges. They also touched on cooperation between the United Nations and Liechtenstein and the implementation of the UN80 Initiative.

• Grand Duke Guillaume V

Photo: UN Photo/Ariana Lindquist

Grand Duke Guillaume V of Luxembourg is attending his first UNGA as the Grand Duchy’s head of state. The Grand Duke is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Xavier Bettel.

On Monday, Grand Duke Guillaume visited the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. The Grand Duke paid his respects by laying a wreath at the Survivor Tree. In October 2001, workers discovered a severely damaged Callery pear tree within the rubble at Ground Zero; they carefully removed it and placed it in the care of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. After its recovery, the tree was returned to the National Memorial in 2010.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is the nation’s principal institution to honour the victims, preserve the history, and explore the complex impact of both 9/11 as well as the World Trade Center Bombing of February 1993.

In the coming days, world leaders will come together to discuss issues facing humanity and, hopefully, find solutions to some of the globe’s biggest problems. According to the UN, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the United Nations.

Comprised of all 193 Members of the United Nations, the UNGA provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. It also plays a central role in standard-setting and the codification of international law.