British Royals

Archive for The Middleton Family

All articles related to Kate Middleton’s family — parents Michael and Carole, sister Pippa and brother James.

Royal Wedding Countdown: 10 Days to Go

Apr 19

Posted by britishroyals in Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Middleton Family | No Comments

Only 10 days to go till Prince William & Kate Middleton tie the knot in what will surely be a massive historical event.

The Middleton Coat of Arms

St. James’s Palace announced three important bits of updates today:

(1) The Middleton Coat of Arms Unveiled: The three acorns represent Mike & Carole Middleton’s three children (Kate, Pippa & James). Acorns represent West Berkshire, where they grew up. Additionally, oak is a long-established symbol of both ‘England’ and ‘Strength.’

The gold chevron, which sits at the centre of the design, represents Carole Middleton, whose maiden name is Goldsmith. The two thinner chevrons represent hills and mountains and  outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together.

After her marriage, Kate Middleton will place her father’s Arms beside those of her husband in what is known as an impaled Coat of Arms. This will require a Royal Warrant from The Queen.

(2) Official Souvenir Wedding Programme. An official programme of the Royal Wedding will be published and sold by Explorer Scouts and Cadets for £2 per copy at various London locations. It will include the full Order of Service, a personal message of thanks from Prince William and Kate, and a never-before-seen photo of the couple taken by photographer Mario Testino.

The Programme will also be available to download for free from the Official Royal Wedding website from 24 hours before the wedding.

(3) Online Coverage of the Royal Wedding.  How exciting!  A range of online platforms (Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr) are set to share the Royal Wedding to the world.

  • Broadcast footage of the Royal Wedding will be streamed live via The Royal Channel in YouTube accompanied by a live blog put together by St. James’s Palace.
  • Clarence House will tweet live updates on the day
  • The British Monarchy’s Facebook page will be updated hourly.  A Facebook ‘event’ has been added, and a ‘Stories’ app will be launched a week before the wedding, enabling the public to share their plans and experiences come wedding day.
  • The British Monarchy’s Flickr account will also release additional photos in the coming days
  • A Video Wedding Book has been launched. It invites anyone to upload their own video of congratulations to the happy couple
  • And of course, everything is tied up nicely by the Official Royal Wedding website, which will provide updates regularly, releasing invaluable details as the day comes — such as Kate’s mysterious wedding gown.

Read more about the Royal Wedding’s online presence.


St. James’s Palace also says that William & Kate are fully in charge of every detail of their wedding.  A spokesman said: “There are a few minor tweaks still happening to the service at the Abbey but pretty much everything has now been decided. The couple has really thoroughly enjoyed the process of creating their big day. The couple has been very much in charge of their day. They have been responsible for every detail, from smallest detail of the canapés that will be eaten at the reception to the venue and the carriages. No decision has been taken that hasn’t been passed by them and that they haven’t offered an opinion about.”

Other William & Kate News:

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Prince William: The People’s Prince

Mar 20

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge | 1 Comment

Day 2 of Prince William’s “disaster tour” of Australia

(Click here for Day 1) (Click here for New Zealand Tour)

Prince William continued to win hearts and bring smiles as he continued his tour of Queensland and later Brisbane, visiting flood-ravaged areas.

Articles

William wears an Akubra hat, Australia

Pictures: Zimbio (Day 2)

Royal Wedding News:

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The Rise of the Middletons

Mar 4

Posted by britishroyals in Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Middleton Family | 3 Comments

Four generations ago, Kate Middleton’s ancestors on her mum’s side were coal miners.  When her great-grandfather left coal country some 90 years ago, who would have thought a great-granddaughter from such humble roots would become England’s future Queen?  Below is an interview of one of Kate’s relatives who still lives in northeast England.

Article: Associated Press


William & Kate News:

From Kate’s humble origins to her future home…  Spotlight on Anglesey, and how business and tourism have boomed since William & Kate’s royal visit.  At the same time, Kate’s hometown of Bucklebury in Berkshire is preparing a grand party for their favourite daughter.  On April 29, villagers will celebrate the Royal wedding with Morris dancing, a hog roast and duck racing!

For the evening reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Prince Charles, the Sun reports that dance-worthy tracks are being prepared, and they include Abba, of which Kate is a fan.  And for William, there’s Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran and Culture Club.

And Harry is said to be preparing his best man speech, where he plans to rib William about their flying careers and his balding spot.  The married couple determined to make the evening reception a less formal event.  From the noon banquet hosted by the Queen, they’ll drive to St. James’ Palace to change into less formal attires before heading back to Buckingham Palace for the evening ball.

Article: The Sun

Photo: The Royal Mint

Charles & Camilla News:

Other Royal News:

On a side note, the official Royal Wedding website has received 200,000 visits within 8 hours of launch and almost 2 million page hits after over a day.

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Obamas to Make State Visit to UK

Feb 18

Posted by britishroyals in Chelsy Davy, HM The Queen & Duke, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Cambridge | 2 Comments

It will be a very, very busy spring and summer season for the Palace! The Royal Wedding on April 29, the Queen’s visit to Ireland in May 15, and the US state visit in May 24-26.  Then in June-July, it’s on to Her Majesty and Prince Philip’s landmark birthday celebrations, William & Kate’s first overseas tour and Zara Phillip’s wedding.

US President Barack Obama will make a state visit to the United Kingdom May 24-26, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney announced Thursday. The trip would be Obama’s first European state visit, illustrating “the strength of the special relationship between our two countries, and of the United States’ enduring commitment to its European and NATO allies and partners.”

Obama “is obviously honored by the invitation” that was offered by Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Obama, his wife Michelle and their two daughters will spend the three-day visit as Her Majesty’s guests at Buckingham Palace.

Now, does this mean the Obamas are NOT invited to Prince William & Kate Middleton’s April 29 wedding?  The proximity of the state visit seems to suggest so.

Article: Daily Mail

Before the US state visit, the Queen is expected to make a 3-day visit to Ireland starting May 15, which will make her the first monarch to visit in a century. Source: Daily Mail

Chelsy Davy, Pippa & James Middleton, Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie and the entire royal gang on charity night out

Picture by Mark Stewart // Isopix

Chelsy’s New York stint was short-lived.  Now she’s back in the UK and back within the royal fold!  This will strengthen speculation that she is, indeed, also back with Prince Harry.

The royal group enjoyed a Eyes Wide Shut Valentine Masquerade charity party in Guy Pelly’s club Public in London.  Among the attendees: Chelsy Davy (who arrived with chum Olivia Perry), Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie (dropped off by mum Fergie), Kate Middleton’s siblings Pippa & James, newly engaged Holly Branson, Guy Pelly, Tom van Straubenzee, Jamie Murray-Wells, Tom & Victoria Inskip, Prince William’s rumoured exes Olivia Hunt, Jecca Craig & Rose Farquhar, Astrid Harbord and Jake Warren.  In short, the same royal set that we expect to see at the Abbey on April 29!

Article: Daily Mail
Pictures: Isopix | Rex Features | Popsugar
More Pictures: Zimbio: Chelsy, Beatrice, Eugenie | Pippa, James & Holly

William & Kate News:

The Royal Wedding invitations are on their way! Royal correspondents are saying a parcel was sent yesterday, and more are expected to hit the post today.  So watch your mailboxes :)   Desperate for an invite?  A Mexican teenager is on a hunger strike until she gets one!  Speaking of which, WHERE’S MINE?

Other Royal News:

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Royal Wedding: Prince Harry for Best Man; Pippa for Maid of Honour

Feb 14

Posted by britishroyals in Chelsy Davy, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge | 4 Comments

St. James’ Palace announced today the official list of Prince William & Kate Middleton’s bridal party. No surprises.

Best Man: Prince Harry
Maid of Honour: Pippa Middleton

Bridesmaids:

  • The Lady Louise Windsor (Aged 7 – daughter of The Earl and Countess of Wessex)
  • The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones (Aged 8 – daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley)
  • Miss Grace van Cutsem (Aged 3 – daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh van Cutsem)
  • Miss Eliza Lopes (Aged 3 – daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lopes)

Page boys:

  • Master William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton (Aged 10 – son of Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton)
  • Master Tom Pettifer (Aged 8 – son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pettifer )

Miss Grace van Cutsem and Master Tom Pettifer are godchildren of Prince William.  Details about the Bridesmaids’ dresses and the Page Boys’ uniforms will be made available on the Wedding Day.  I think it’s a lovely touch that the page boys are sons of Prince William’s staff (private secretary Jamie and former nanny Tiggy Legg-Bourke Pettifer).  And poor Pippa will have a handful to manage!

Press Release: Clarence House
Article: Daily Mail

Future Official Royal Duties for William and Kate:

  • On Thursday, February 24, the couple will attend a naming ceremony and service of dedication of the Hereford Endeavour lifeboat at Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station on Anglesey, where RAF rescue helicopter pilot William is based.
  • On Friday, February 25, the couple will return to Fife to launch St Andrews University’s 600th Anniversary programme. Prince William is also to take on the role of patron of St Andrews University’s 600th Anniversary appeal.  More details about their visit to St. Andrews.

Lovely to see them going back to the place where everything first started.


The Plot for Queen Camilla

Richard Kay, Princess Diana’s friend and the writer who last week wrote about Kate and Camilla’s lunch date, has this telling article about how, slowly, the Palace is considering the idea of Camilla becoming Queen.

During the time of her marriage to Prince Charles, the Palace has suggested that when the time comes, she wouldn’t be Queen, but instead Princess Consort.  This was to appease the public, who largely blamed her for Diana’s miserable life.

Now, as she gains increasing public acceptance, even affection, Camilla is looking more and more likely to be Queen.  We already know Prince Charles wants her to.  Recently, both Charles and Camilla have not denied it when asked on the spot.

After all, no one once believed that Camilla would live with Prince Charles.  Or that they would marry.  Time has been the Duchess of Cornwall’s constant ally.

Read the Article: Daily Mail

Other Royal News:

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