British Royals

Media Spotlight on the Middletons, Fergie

May 19

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, Fergie, Pippa & James Middleton, Princess Catherine | 2 Comments

Just catching up with the post-Royal Wedding craze that has continued to engulf the media…  With Prince William & Princess Catherine — formally known as the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge — away on honeymoon in private Seychelles, the press spotlight continues to shine on the Middletons, particularly Kate’s little sister Pippa (now known as her “Royal Hotness” or “P-Middy”).

And Andrew Morton, who’s currently promoting his book William & Catherine: Their Story , gave an interview saying Kate and Pippa are “very competitive,” and that Kate would be a little bit surprised of Pippa’s new fame.  Moreover, he goes on to say that he thinks Princess Diana would have been jealous of Kate.  Yah, right…

And if you think that’s silly, wait till you see the cover of America’s In Touch Weekly… according to “sources close to Camilla,” William and Kate may not be able to conceive due to problems stemming from her adolescence.  I was totally expecting tabloid trash like this, but couldn’t quite believe they’d emerge only 3 weeks into the marriage.

Prince William & Princess Catherine Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Sarah Ferguson News

She’s not done yet!

Memoir to be launched. On top of her 6-part reality show Finding Sarah airing on Oprah’s network in June, the Duchess of York is writing a “very personal” memoir entitled Finding Sarah: A Duchess’s Journey to Find Herself.  It comes out on June 28.

Interview with Harper’s Bazaar.  Fergie gives an interview, talks about the wedding snub once again, says she’s “the best mom” she knows, praises Prince Andrew and talks a bit about her embroiled scandals.

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The Queen’s State Visit to Ireland

May 18

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke | 2 Comments

DAY 4: Rock of Cashel, the English Market & an impromptu walkabout in Cork

The fourth and final day of the Queen’s visit to Ireland saw her visit the Rock of Cashel near Tipperary and the English Market in Cork.  The finishing touch to the successful trip was a spur of the moment walkabout as 25,000 people lined the streets of Cork. The impromptu meet-and-greet took place despite a massive security operation involving thousands of police and armed soldiers.  Her Majesty undoubtedly charmed the Irish people.

The visit has been declared a triumph both for diplomacy and the monarchy.

Article: Daily Mail
Pictures: Telegraph | Getty Images

DAY 3: Her Majesty’s Passion: Horses!

Shifting down a gear from the ceremony and symbolism of the past 2 days, Queen Elizabeth spent an afternoon in the heartland of Irish horse-racing on Thursday.

Her visit to Ireland’s National Stud, the birthplace of some of the world’s finest thoroughbreds, allowed the queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, to indulge their love of horses and strike a lighter tone on the third day of her four-day visit.

That night, the Queen and the Duke attended a showcase of the Best of Ireland at the Convention Centre, with Westlife, the Chieftains and Riverdance!

Articles: Reuters | Daily Mail
Pictures: Getty Images

DAY 2: Croke Park and a memorable state banquet speech

The second day of the Queen’s four-day visit to Ireland, the first by a British monarch in 100 years, saw Her Majesty visit Croke Park, the scene of a massacre by British troops in 1920.

In the evening, she acknowledged the ‘sad and regrettable’ history between Britain and Ireland in what was arguably one of the most politically significant speeches of her 59-year reign.

Speaking at a state banquet to celebrate her visit to the Irish Republic, the Queen said: “Of course the relationship has not always been straightforward; nor has the record over the centuries been entirely benign. It is a sad and regrettable reality that through our history our islands have experienced more than their fair share of heartache, turbulence and loss. These events have touched many of us personally and are a painful legacy. We can never forget those who have died or been injured and their families. To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy.With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things which we would wish had been done differently or not at all.”

Video: The Queen’s speech in full

Articles: Daily Mail | Telegraph
Day 2 in pictures: Telegraph

Day 1: Bomb threats, President’s welcome, Garden of Remembrance, Trinity College…

The first day of this historic trip saw Her Majesty honour those who died fighting for freedom from British rule. Dressed in symbolic emerald green, the Queen followed in the footsteps of her grandfather King George V, who in 1911 was the last British monarch to visit Ireland.

More than 10,000 officers and soldiers joined 120 Metropolitan royal protection police for the £26million operation. Earlier bomb scares threatened to hamper the visit, but everything went on as planned.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed by Ireland’s President Mary McAleese. They were driven in a bombproof and bulletproof car to Aras an Uachtarain – the official residence of the Irish President. Her Majesty then planted an Irish oak and signed the visitors’ book.

Following dinner, which included roast turbot and ice cream with rhubarb, the Queen moved on to visit the Garden of Remembrance which honours those who died fighting the British for Irish independence. She was later cheered by staff and students as she visited Trinity College – founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592.

In the streets, officers clashed with around 200 protesters. Streets were closed to traffic in Dublin. But ex-Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, who invited the Queen last year, said: “The vast, vast majority of the people of Ireland wanted to see this day come.”

Articles: Daily Mail | The Mirror | Telegraph (with video)
 Video: BBC (Day 1) |
Pictures: BBC | Getty Images | Zimbio

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Ireland Prepares for Queen’s Historic Visit

May 16

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince William, Princess Catherine | No Comments

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh make a historical visit to Ireland

The streets are closed;  police are sweeping the area; the media pack has already arrived… Tomorrow will be a historic day.

The Queen’s four-day visit to Ireland will be first by a British monarch since George V almost 100 years ago. Her visit has been hailed as an “extraordinary moment” in the history between the two countries as unprecedented steps were taken to ensure all runs smoothly. Demonstrations are expected and the government has instituted a huge security operation, targeted dissident republicans and borrowed water cannon from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Naturally, security measures are very, very tight.

Articles: The Guardian | Daily Mail

Prince William & Princess Catherine News:

Behind the scenes at the Royal Wedding. Lovely insider accounts on what went on behind the scenes at the Royal Wedding — from reporters, to Kate’s hairdresser to the royal harpist.

Speculations on Princess Catherine’s future patronages. Over the weekend, people have been reporting 2 potential patronages for the in-demand new princess. One of them is Starlight, a charity that grants terminally ill children wishes. Kate and her family has already been supporting Starlight’s party programme over the years through their business Party Pieces. Another is Wimbledon, which is sorely in need of some glamour. As everyone knows, Kate is a keen tennis player and competed while in school.

No frills Princess Catherine says she doesn’t need a lady-in-waiting. Breaking royal tradition and continuing with her no-fuss tendencies, Kate will try NOT having a lady-in-waiting on her first overseas tour to Canada & California. She and William only plan on bringing an entourage of up to 10 people (the Queen brings 30).

Why William struggled fitting the ring on Kate’s finger. Kate apparently ordered the ring a size too small for fear of it slipping off

Prince William was a real party prince. Tales from childhood parties with a prince

Excerpt from William & Catherine: Their Story.  The latest book written by Andrew Morton, famous for exposing Diana’s unhappiness in a biography.  His new book delves into William & Kate’s relationship – its beginnings, highs and lows, and concludes with their wedding on April 29.

Video: Lady Gaga dedicates song for Will & Kate. The singer rewrote the words to Orange Coloured Sky, made famous by Nat King Cole, and said the track was for “sweet Miss Middleton and Prince William.”

Other News:

Pippa & George Percy. Photo by Bauer Griffin

  • Pippa Middleton in Madrid. The focus on Pippa Middleton, now nicknamed P-Middy (how silly is that?!) or the “Royal Hotness” by the press, continues as she’s followed on a trip to Madrid with university flat mate (some say ex-boyfriend) George Percy – son of the Duke of Northumberland – and some friends. She’s been photographed at the airport, shopping, rowing, in a restaurant, outside a nightclub… Seriously, the press needs to leave her alone!

Daily Mail: Article 1 | Article 2
Pictures: At the airport | Boat Ride | Shopping & clubbing

 

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Kate: From William’s “Slave” to William’s Wife

May 14

Posted by britishroyals in Prince William, Princess Catherine | 7 Comments

Early Romance: William & Kate at St Andrews

Cheeky title. But that’s what’s been recently revealed about the early university days of our current Prince William & Princess Catherine. According to Laura Warshauer, who lived with William and Kate in St Salvator’s Hall at St Andrew’s University during their first year, Kate may have already won William’s affections months before the famous “Aha” moment (March 2002) when she walked down the catwalk in a sheer dress.

In fact, in November 2001, for a charity auction at a Harry Potter-themed party, Prince William paid £200 for Kate to be his “slave” for 24 hours.

“We all got on a big bus to go there and I remember Kate and William dancing together all night. There was a charity auction where you could bid for the person for the day and Will paid £200 for Kate. She was dressed in school uniform and was stood on these stone steps with us all below. No one else was winning Kate that night. They already had that connection.”

“They always had such natural chemistry and it was obvious that Will had his eye on Kate”.

Other stories?

“I remember a college party with Will and Kate very early on during freshman year. A girl went over to Will and wouldn’t leave him alone. She was trying to entice him, and was being relentless. He was being very polite to her, but at the same time, it was obvious he wished she would leave him alone. A group of us were standing around watching all this unfold and wondering how to help Will out of this awkward situation. Suddenly, Kate just walked up to Will in the most natural way and put her arms around him. It gave Will the opportunity to turn to the other girl and say, “I’m sorry, I have a girlfriend,” while gesturing towards Kate. Will then turned to Kate and mouthed in an exaggerated way, “Thank you”. She was the only girl in the room who could have pulled that off so effortlessly.”

Article: Daily Mail

Though she claims she’s NOT cashing in on the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge’s popularity, Laura Warshauer is releasing a song – titled To Will and Kate, Meet Me at Exit 109. Video below. Laura was also interviewed about the royal couple in People magazine’s recent royal wedding collector’s edition.


Other Prince William / Princess Catherine tidbits:

Prince William & Princess Catherine Royal Wedding Souvenirs

Honeymoon food orders. Seems like someone has been spying on the royal couple while they honeymoon in the Seychelles. Word has it that they had brussel sprouts, vintage bubbly, quail eggs, packaged ham, Granny Smith apples and Philadelphia cheese flown into their island paradise. Activities include cozy dinners, kayaking and snorkelling.

What’s Anglesey like? Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir visits William and Kate’s North Wales home, talks to locals about their whereaboouts and describes what the place is like. Apparently, Kate makes meat pies from scratch…

Guy Richie’s friend to entertain Will & Kate in Hollywood? Rumour has it that Steve Tisch, the executive producer of Ritchie’s films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, is to host a party for the couple when they visit California in July.

Other Royal News:

 

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The Queen is the Second Longest Reigning Monarch

May 12

Posted by britishroyals in Fergie, HM The Queen & Duke, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince William, Princess Catherine | 1 Comment

Long to Reign Over Us

Queen Elizabeth II is now officially the 2nd longest reigning monarch in British history, surpassing George III.  Her Majesty has reigned for a total of 59 years and 110 days – or 21,645 days. She now ranks second only to Queen Victoria, who died in 1901 after 63 years and 7 months on the throne.

The Queen, who celebrates her Diamond Jubilee next year, is set to overtake even Victoria’s record in September 2015. She will then be 89.

Still healthy and active, we think and hope she’ll break that record, too. Remember that the Queen Mother lived till the age of 101.

Article: Telegraph
Pictures: Queen Elizabeth II over the years

How did the Queen celebrate?  By engaging in her favourite pastime — horse racing!

She spent the last two days at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, an equestrian event held annually at Windsor Home Park.  And to Her Majesty’s delight, her horse won a few events.

The Queen also toured the events with daughter-in-law Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.  Lovely and rare pictures of them smiling and interacting have been snapped.

Article: Daily Mail
Pictures: The Queen & Camilla, Royal Windsor Horse Show

Also released recently was a wonderful picture of Her Majesty riding with Prince Edward’s children — Lady Louise (a recent bridesmaid at William & Kate’s wedding) and James, Viscount Severn.

Stories about the Royal Wedding just won’t end…

Prince William & Princess Catherine — Duke & Duchess of Cambridge — are on their honeymoon, reportedly in the Seychelles.  No updates or pictures of their whereabouts so far, as Seychelles police vow to protect the royal newlyweds.

Pippa Updates!

Pippa Middleton was spotted leaving Richard Ward’s hair salon a few days ago, quenching the media thirst of photo updates for her.  Here’s another picture from the same day.

With much ado about nothing, the press reports that internet fans are already worried that like her sister, Pippa’s shedding weight, which will endanger losing her famous backside.  The first Pippa Middleton A** Appreciation Day is scheduled for September 9.

And the proof that Pippa has truly gone global?  She’s currently on the cover of People Magazine.  Kate and Pippa are also on the cover of Us Magazine, citing a friendly sisterly rivalry, where they reportedly fight over weird things like “who had the worst headache or period pain.”  Right…

Fergie on Oprah

And I leave you with a video of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, who did an interview with Oprah to promote her upcoming reality segment Finding Sarah.  In it she revealed that she wasn’t invited to the Royal Wedding, and it was “difficult.”


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