Another unforgettable day as we continue to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
The day started off with concerning news that the Duke of Edinburgh, 91 this week, has been taken to hospital because of a bladder infection. Though precautionary, he’s expected to stay there for a few days and will therefore miss the rest of the Jubilee celebrations. We can remember that the Duke also missed Christmas at Sandringham last year for a heart stenting procedure. But, as the saying goes, the show must go on…
And what a show it was! Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Elton John, Cheryl Cole, Grace Jones, Annie Lenox, Sir Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder were among the artists performing in honour of the Queen.
The highlight? A moving speech by Prince Charles who, in behalf of “Mummy,” thanked the participants and organisers, and said his only regret is that his father couldn’t be there tonight. “If we shout loud enough he might just be able to hear us in hospital,” he said, prompting a loud roar from the crowd and chants of “Philip, Philip.” It was a visibly very emotional moment for the Queen as she tried to contain herself.
Fireworks over Buckingham Palace mark the end of the concert
Prince Charles gave a moving speech as the Queen tried to contain her emotions
William, Kate & Harry enjoying the Jubilee concert. Picture: PA
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In the absence of his father, Prince Charles leads the walk to St Mary Magdalene Church.
Picture: Reuters
It was the largest Royal Christmas for decades as a crowd of 3,000 — three times the size of last year (partly due to better weather and undoubtedly inspired by their latest addition, the Duchess of Cambridge) — gathered at Sandringham this year to greet the Royal Family. All of the family was expected to be there, too — Her Majesty, all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, plus the 2 latest additions – Kate and Mike Tindall. Sadly, on 23 December, the head of the family, the Duke of Edinburgh, had to be rushed to a hospital for an emergency heart stenting after experiencing chest pains. He missed Christmas this year. And for the first time in 55 years, the Queen spent Christmas apart from her husband. The Duke remained in “high spirits,” “anxious to leave”, and insisted that the show must go on.
In an unexpected move, the whole family attended an earlier service on Christmas morning (thought to be fore communion) before heading back, changing clothes, and returning for the formal Christmas service. In the absence of his father, Prince Charles & Camilla led the walk to St Mary Magdalene Church, followed by William, Kate and Harry.
A crowd of 3,000 — 3 times the size of last year — gathered to see William & Kate
Picture: Alan Davidson
The royal newlyweds Zara & Mike Tindall, and William & Kate (dressed down for an earlier service that morning)
Pictures: Getty Images, Ken Goff
After the service, the family received (an unusually large number of) flowers, cards, gifts and well wishes from the crowd. A lot of them, of course, are there to see Kate for the first time. Veteran royal-watcher Mary Relph, said: “I have never seen queues like this on Christmas Day before, I have never seen this amount of people here since Diana was alive. People obviously came to see Kate Middleton. And she was fantastic.“ Journalist Alison Croose agreed: “I have not seen crowds like this since back into the Diana days. It reminded me of the Diana years – when Diana introduced Prince William to the crowds when he was about seven or eight. It was touching. Diana used to have her hand on his back. Now you see William with his hand on Kate’s back. It was really nice.”
Prince Harry, the most eligible royal bachelor, brought cheers when he kissed a girl on the cheek. When her friend asked for a peck too he replied with a grin: “I can’t give you a kiss, I just kissed her.”
After Christmas lunch, all of the Duke’s grandchildren — William, Harry, Beatrice, Eugenie, Peter and Zara — drove to Papworth Hospital to visit him. Her Majesty and their children — Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward — had seen him the day before. And then it’s back to Sandringham to continue with the holiday plans, including the traditional Boxing Day shoot. On with the show without a lot of fuss — just as the Duke would have wanted it.
Update: The Duke of Edinburgh was released from hospital on 27 December. He spent 4 nights in Papworth Hospital.
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After a very happy appearance at the Trooping the Colour parade on Saturday, the royals continue their busy weekend celebrating the Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th birthday on Sunday, and participating in the Order of the Garter ceremony on Monday.
Each year in June a procession and service take place at Windsor Castle for the Order of the Garter. The Order is the senior and oldest British Order of Chivalry, founded by Edward III in 1348. The Queen, as Sovereign of the Order, attends the service along with other members of the Royal family in the Order, including Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward Princess Anne, and latest, Prince William — who all donned their ostrich plume caps and velvet robes.
Royals in attendance today were the spouses: Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex, and the person everyone was waiting to see — the Duchess of Cambridge. Kate wore a dove-grey coat with a matching fascinator. A big smile from his wife reportedly made Prince William blush during the procession. After the service, William and Kate joined Prince Charles and Camilla in a carriage ride back to Windsor Castle.
Article: Daily Mail | Telegraph | People
Pictures: Getty Images | DayLife | Isopix | Rex Features
The Duke of Edinburgh turns 90
The Duke of Edinburgh turned 90 on June 10, but the royal family celebrated his landmark birthday on June 12 with a private church service with up to 750 guests (including some foreign royals) at St George’s Chapel. There was a reception and lunch at Windsor Castle after. Everyone in the family was present, including the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge.
The Rt Rev David Conner, who gave the sermon in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, made the congregation laugh when he told them the Duke “doesn’t like to the praised”. But he went on to insist that despite Philip not wanting to be the topic of conversation, praise was due for the royal has been a tireless supporter of the Queen and more than 800 charities.
Articles: Telegraph
Pictures: Getty Images
Videos: ITN | BBC
William & Kate attend Prince Philip's 90th birthday service
Kate recycles her wardrobe. Once again, focus on the newlyweds, who arrived with Prince Harry. What did the new Princess Catherine wear? Recycled coat. Recycled dress. Recycled shoes. Good on her! She wore the coat in 2009 for a friends wedding, the dress on the day after her wedding, and the shoes from the recent derby. The day before, after the Trooping the Colour parade, she and Pippa attended the wedding of friend Sam Waley-Cohen in another recycled dress.
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Prince Harry & Prince William. Sentebale Polo Cup 2011
After a private reception with the royal family for Prince Philip’s 90th, Princes William & Harry played for opposing teams for the Sentebale Polo Cup. Torrential rain didn’t stop the the brothers. Who won? Prince William’s Tusk Trust team beat Prince Harry’s Sentebale.
After the polo Harry hosted a fundraising dinner where a charity auction was held to raise funds for Sentebale, while William left to join his wife Kate for another private royal family function.
Article: Daily Mail
Pictures: Getty Images
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