British Royals

Archive for Prince Edward & Sophie

Diamond Jubilee: Concert at Buckingham Palace

Jun 5

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Peter & Autumn Phillips, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward & Sophie, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Cambridge, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | 2 Comments

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.

The concert ended with Her Majesty lighting the diamond beacon, joining 4,000 others across the UK to mark her jubilee.  Then, fireworks.  The most amazing display of fireworks over central London you’ll ever see.


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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Kate Spends First Royal Christmas at Sandringham While Duke of Edinburgh Stays in Hospital

Dec 27

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Peter & Autumn Phillips, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward & Sophie, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Cambridge, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | No Comments


The Queen shows a brave face at Sandringham this Christmas as her husband
(pictured this month) continues to recover in hospital. Pictures: PA


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.


It’s the Duchess of Cambridge’s first Christmas at Sandringham — and she was a hit!
Pictures: Alan Davidson, Reuters


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.

The Queen’s Christmas message this year focused on the binding love of family:


Update: The Duke of Edinburgh was released from hospital on 27 December.  He spent 4 nights in Papworth Hospital.

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Royals at Garter Day, Prince Philip’s 90th

Jun 13

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward & Sophie, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, Princess Anne, The Duchess of Cambridge | 4 Comments

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.

Garter Day


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

Prince Philip’s 90th Birthday Celebration

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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William & Harry Play Polo for Charity

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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Trooping the Colour 2011

Jun 11

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward & Sophie, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Wessex Family | 4 Comments

Another glorious day for the Royal Family as they come out to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday with the annual Trooping the Colour parade. The Queen’s actual birthday is April 21, but for decades the event has traditionally taken place on the second Saturday in June.

This year was extra special as Her Majesty turned 85. It was also Prince William’s first trooping parade, having been appointed Colonel of the Irish Guards this year ahead of his wedding. He rode alongside Prince Charles and Princess Anne behind the Queen’s carriage. His new wife, Kate, also participated in her first ceremonial function as a member of the Royal Family. She joined Camilla, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry in a carriage to Horse Guards Parade where hundreds of soldiers paraded in honour of the Queen. Kate wore a dress coat by Alexander McQueen and an elaborate black hat.

The senior royals present were: The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales & the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York & Princess Eugenie, and the Earl & Countess of Wessex with their daughter Lady Louise.

After the parade, in a scene reminiscent of the recent royal wedding, everyone returned to Buckingham Palace and watched a flypast in the balcony. Big cheers for the birthday pair (the Queen, who turned 85, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who turned 90 yesterday), and even bigger cheers for the newlyweds


Also do not miss the video of the Royal Family’s balcony appearance via Sky News (scroll down)

Articles: Daily Mail | Sky News | Telegraph
Pictures: Getty Images | Isopix | BBC | Wenn

After the Trooping the Colour parade, Kate had a quick change of clothes and drove herself to west Berkshire to attend the wedding of good friend Sam Waley-Cohen to Annabel Ballin. Although he denies it, Sam has been credited to help William & Kate get back together after their split in 2007. He was also the mastermind of the charity Roller Disco where Kate was (infamously) pictured falling on her back side. Kate recycled an old dress for the event and was there with sister Pippa. All in attendance was Princess Beatrice with her boyfriend Dave Clark.

Articles: Daily Mail
Pictures: Getty Images
Video: Kate (trying very hard to keep a low profile) & Pippa at Sam Waley-Cohen’s wedding

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William & Kate

Chelsy Davy

For the Harry-watchers, there’s big news.  After a month-long road trip around Europe, Chelsy Davy is back in London!  Wonder if she’ll make an appearance at Sunday’s polo.

Pippa Middleton

The Yorks

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The Queen’s Jubilee… Kate’s Fashion… Security Cuts…

May 29

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Prince Edward & Sophie, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, The Duchess of Cambridge | 5 Comments

Britons rejoice! We’re looking forward to a four-day weekend next year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Ministers and Buckingham Palace will announce the official timetable of events marking the monarch’s 60 years on the throne within the week – with highlights including a nationwide Sunday lunch and a river pageant. Putting back the annual May Bank Holiday to Monday, 4 June, next year, and adding a special Jubilee Bank Holiday on Tuesday, 5 June, gives everyone a 4-day weekend. An announcement confirming the plans is expected on Thursday.

Millions are expected to join the celebrations next year, which will begin on Saturday – 2 June. Ministers hope they will kick start a “feelgood” summer which will climax with the Olympic Games in the capital.

Article: Telegraph

Security Cuts hit the Wessexes

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are to lose their team of six protection officers as part of moves to cut the £100 million cost of Royal security. Prince Edward and Sophie are said to be “very unhappy” about the proposal to strip them of police protection when they are not on official engagements. They plan to dispute the decision.

The Wessexes have six protection officers who work on a rolling rota, which costs the taxpayer an estimated £1.15 million a year.  Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have also been reported to lose their personal bodyguards to cut costs, although Prince Andrew is trying to contest the decision due to their HRH status.

Article: Daily Mail

Princess Catherine & Fashion

Princess Catherine meets Michelle Obama

So the Duchess of Cambridge reignited a buying frenzy the minute pictures of her and Prince William meeting the Obamas were released. Several articles about this:

But despite all this, studies show that Princess Catherine has actually been outpipped by little sister Pippa in the media following her wedding. As she and Prince William found recluse in their honeymoon (they are said to have been photographed but the press has decided NOT to publish any pictures — wonderful!), Pippa has been followed around London and Madrid, and featured in newspapers, TV shows and websites. Pippa has, statistically, become the more popular Middleton. And wondering who made Pippa’s gorgeous green dress at William & Kate’s reception? Meet Alice Temperley.

Harry!

 

Prince Harry & Princess Eugenie leaving Public nightclub. Pictures: Opticphotos.com

At last, a sighting of Prince Harry. He and cousin Princess Eugenie were spotted leaving Public nightclub. The club is run by good friend Guy Pelly. Harry and Eugenie both left with drinks stains on their clothes.  No sign of on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who is reportedly on a road trip around Europe.

Articles: Daily Mail | Telegraph
Pictures: Celebuzz

Then on Saturday night, Prince Harry joined Ronnie Wood and Mischa Barton at a star-studded Champions League cup final after-party at London’s One Marylebone.

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