RIGA 's Riga could be graced twice by royalty this year, as both the queen of the Netherlands and Great Britain might visit the Latvian capital, the daily Diena reported last week.
Citing unofficial diplomatic sources, the newspaper said the British monarch's visit could take place in the second half of the year.
A week later, the daily newspaper Lietuvos Rytas reported that Elizabeth II was expected to visit Lithuania in October, while sources in Estonia said that she might visited that country as well.
According to Lietuvos Rytas, the President's Office has received confirmation of a royal visit on Oct. 17 - 18.
The president's foreign policy adviser, Edminas Bagdonas, verified the information, though he declined to reveal further details.
Under protocol, monarchs are not invited but plan their own routes and inform receiving countries about scheduled trips.
For Riga, Queen Elizabeth II's visit would be a special gesture from Great Britain, since her son Prince Charles has been to the Latvian capital twice.
Princes Charles and Andrew of the royal family have already visited Lithuania.
Before Queen Elizabeth II visits Riga, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is expected to spend three-days in the city this May, Diena reported. The Dutch Royal Orchestra, led by Mariss Jansons, a conductor of Latvian descent, is scheduled to perform at the Latvian National Opera during Queen Beatrix's visit.
Other royalty 's King of Belgium Albert II with his wife Paola 's should be in Lithuania on March 20-22.
