British Royals

William & Kate to Spend Christmas Apart

Dec 24

Posted by britishroyals in Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | 3 Comments

Prince William will miss out on seeing his fiancée Kate Middleton on Christmas Day because he has volunteered to be on duty at his RAF search and rescue base, St James’s Palace has confirmed.

The Prince will also miss out on the Royal family’s traditional Christmas get-together at Sandringham.

He will spend both Christmas Day and Boxing Day on call at RAF Valley in Anglesey, raising the possibility that he might not make it to the Queen’s Norfolk home at all during the festive break if there is further bad weather.

Kate Middleton is expected to spend Christmas Day with her family — as she always have done in the past.

I guess the media will have to wait for next year to get any pictures of the new golden couple attending church at Christmas in Sandringham and greeting the crowds. So the question is, will Zara’s fiance Mike Tindall be there?

Article: The Telegraph

Would You Buy this Commemorative Coin?

William & Kate's Engagement Coin from the Royal Mint

Are those even William and Kate?

A special commemorative coin, released by the Royal Mint to mark Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement, has been heavily criticised for not resembling the royal couple at all– particularly Kate’s image. The engraving on the £5 coin is based on a photograph taken of the couple at a polo match a few years ago. The design was approved by Prince William and the Queen.

In a clumsy attempt at flattery, Kate’s upper lip appears to have been plumped beyond recognition. She’s given a broad neck, bags under her eyes, and generally looks much older. William’s image isn’t much better. They tactfully cropped his balding head, but gave him a large Adam’s apple. Some critics say he looks like Al Gore.

Ingrid Seward, editor in chief at Majesty Magazine, says: “This coin is of historical importance, to get it so wrong seems ridiculous.”

Articles: Daily Mail | Sky News (with video)

For the souvenir enthusiast, there’s the Official Royal Wedding China from the Royal Collection.  Want something cute?  Early Learning Centre is due to release a Royal Wedding Set with tiny toys of William, Kate, the Queen & Duke plus a corgi starting February.  And of course, there are plenty of lovely unofficial wedding souvenirs to be found online.

And let the bridal comparisons begin (quite silly, really…)

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About Zara Phillips, the Other Royal Bride

Dec 22

Posted by britishroyals in Prince William, Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | 2 Comments

We are ecstatic of the prospect of two royal weddings next year.  In the wake of Prince William & Kate Middleton’s April 29 nuptials, Zara Phillips — William’s cousin — announced her engagement to rugby player Mike Tindall yesterday.  So for those who don’t follow the royal family closely, who’s Zara?

Mike Tindall & Zara Phillips

Princess Anne’s daughter is a world-renowned equestrian, a former Eventing World Champion who won the World Championship in Aachen and BBC Sports’ 2006 Personality of the Year.  For the royal family, she was a bit of a wild child in her early twenties — sporting a tongue ring and a stormy if not violent relationship with jockey Richard Johnson.  Her current fiance Mike Tindall is said to have “tamed” the wild royal.  Moreover, Zara has always been a fun, down-to-earth and genuine breath of fresh air in the Royal Family.

Boys, Bikinis and Pratfalls. The Daily Mail compiled a collection of photographs of Zara — from her childhood days,  gap year rendezvous, eye-catching outfits, tongue piercings… to Eventing World Champion, MBE and soon to be Mrs. Tindall.  Read the article here.

The Hunk who tamed a very Wild Royal. How “gentle giant” Mike Tindall — nicknamed “The Fridge” for his size — tamed the formerly tempestuous Zara by being the “calm, reassuring, normal bloke who is marrying her for who she is, and not what she is.”  Read the article here.

Video: The Telegraph

Prince Harry Joins Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie in a night out in London

The trio celebrated at the launch of friend Guy Pelly’s new Public nightclub on the Kings Road. They stayed until the early hours of the morning where they emerged looking like they had enjoyed a good night.

Much focus is given on Princess Eugenie’s daringly short scarlet dress. Beatrice wore a rather more conservative black tulip skirt and matching coat, while Harry opted for a very casual look of grey jumper and jeans.

Article & Pictures: Daily Mail

Christopher Andersen, author of William and Kate: A Royal Love Story, is making his rounds in US talk shows promoting his book, and revealing some “details” about William and Kate’s courtship, including their 2007 breakup.  He claims Prince Charles advised William to break up with her.  He claims Carole Middleton had Kate enroll in University of St. Andrews to go after William.  In short, sounds like a rehash of old tabloids.  And the fact that he’s insisting the Queen will give the throne up to pave the way for King Charles makes him lose credibility in my eyes.  Video from CNN below.



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Inside Story: William & Kate Meeting Teenage Cancer Survivors

Dec 21

Posted by britishroyals in Prince William, Princess Catherine | 3 Comments

Kate Middleton in her first official royal appearance

Prince William and Kate Middleton made their first public appearance after announcing their engagement last Saturday by attending the Thursford Christmas Spectacular to support Teenage Cancer Trust.

We’ve seen them walk side by side toward the event. But the press wasn’t allowed inside. So what happened there?

Teenage Cancer Trust has released pictures and an article on meeting Prince William & Kate. Significantly, we see a relaxed Kate Middleton on what was her first official engagement.

Seven former young cancer patients from Norfolk and Hertfordshire met the couple — Rosie Van Raalte, Charlotte Loader, Bethany Skipper, Kirsty Tindal, Adam Brown, Henry O’Lone and Lucy Smith.

“They took a genuine interest in what I’d been through and the operation I had. The conversation flowed really well and they made me feel relaxed as I was really nervous before I saw them. Once I started talking I relaxed and even forgot that I was talking to a Prince!”

“The Prince asked me what age I was when I was first diagnosed and what my ongoing treatment is like. They were both very pleasant and nice to talk to.”

“We spoke about my treatment and how much Teenage Cancer Trust had helped me. They were both very friendly, relaxed and down to earth and I enjoyed meeting them”.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said of the meeting: “We feel incredibly privileged that both Prince William and Miss Middleton gave up their valuable time and lent their support to Teenage Cancer Trust’s fundraising appeal.”

This unique fundraising event raised an impressive £35,000.

Larger Pictures of William & Kate: Picture 1 | Picture 2 | Picture 3
Article: Teenage Cancer Trust | Press Association

Temperley London – Kate’s New Designer of Choice

Every time Kate Middleton steps out with a new outfit, the media scrambles to find out what, where and how to find it.  For the Christmas Charity gala, Kate wore  are cream and black silk chiffon ‘Titan’ dress by British designer Alice Temperley.

“The dress has a very flattering cut,” a spokesperson for the designer told PEOPLE, adding, “I’m not sure where she got it. She must have bought it.”

Temperley, who is known for her elegant, feminine designs, has three stand alone boutiques in London, L.A. and N.Y.C., but fashionistas won’t be able to buy into this look of Kate’s: the £895 ($1393) dress, from the Temperley London’s fall 2009 collection, has completely sold out.

Article: People

As opposed to getting new designer clothing, Kate Middleton has been going to her closet to pull out old clothes for her appearances.   Her engagement photo outfits from Reiss and Whistles, and this new dress from Temperley are all from previous seasons and cannot be purchased.  However the clothing companies plan to re-release some of the clothes due to popular demand.  For a montage of her style choices thus far, read this article: Kate Middleton Shops in her Own Closet.

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A Double Royal Wedding as Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall Announce Their Engagement

Dec 21

Posted by britishroyals in Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | No Comments

Glorious news!!! We wait years for a royal wedding, now looks like 2011 will bring us two…

Congratulations to Mike & Zara!

Buckingham Palace has announced that Zara Phillips, the 29-year-old daughter of Princess Anne and her former husband Captain Mark Phillips, is to marry her long-term partner, the England rugby union international Mike Tindall. No further details have so far been announced.

Mike popped the question at their home in Gloucestershire on Monday.  The pair informed their families shortly after she accepted his proposal.  The ring is described as a single solitaire diamond with pavé set diamonds on a split shank, set on a platinum band. No designer or store has been revealed for the jewelry.

In a short statement issued by a sports marketing company that represents the couple, Zara said: “I was really shocked when Mike proposed but I am very happy.”

Tindall was also ecstatic: “I am delighted that Zara has agreed to marry me. We are both very excited about the next stage of our lives together.”

A Palace spokeswoman said: “The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are delighted with the news. They got engaged… at the couple’s home in Gloucestershire and a date has yet to be set.”

Mike & Zara today: meeting the press outside their home for an engagement photo

Zara Phillips is 12th in line to the throne and the Queen’s eldest granddaughter. She is best known as an equestrian rider and is a former eventing world champion. She is a trained equine physiotherapist and was the BBC sports personality of the year in 2006, but missed both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic games after her horse, Toytown, developed an injury on each occasion. Her mother, the Princess Royal, was sports personality of the year in 1971 for her own riding achievements.

Yorkshire-born Mike Tindall, known as Fridge, plays outside centre for Gloucester and has 62 caps for England.

Phillips and Tindall, 32, have been partners for seven years and live together in a house on her mother’s Gloucestershire estate.

The palace announcement comes five weeks after the announcement of Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton.

Article: The Guardian | Press Association
Pictures of Mike and Zara through the years:  Hello Mag | (BBC)

Official Royal Wedding China Now on Sale

Dec 20

Posted by britishroyals in Prince William, Princess Catherine | No Comments

An official range of royal wedding china to mark the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has gone on sale. The three pieces – a tankard, plate and pill box – by the Royal Collection have been personally approved by the prince and his fiancee.

Handcrafted in English fine bone china and featuring 22-carat gold, each item has been decorated with the couple’s entwined initials. The prince’s coronet appears above the letters – W in gold and C in silver – and written in a circle are the words – “To celebrate the marriage of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton 29th April 2011″. Doves, white ribbons, and hearts in silver, gold and grey, set against a pale-grey striped background, decorate the whole range.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Collection said: “The Royal Collection has been working on the design since around the time of the engagement – it’s a very fast moving process.”

Article: The Telegraph
Buy from The Royal Collection: William & Kate’s Official Commemorative China


The video below, from America’s Today Show, captures the lovely design in detail. Also included in the video is an interview of Christopher Anderson, who recently published the book William and Kate: A Royal Love Story.


What?  No picture? Despite the pretty design of the official wedding memorabilia, many people are lamenting the fact that they do not include a picture of the couple.

One memorabilia specialist said: “Collectors aren’t interested in anything with no portrait. It’s not about quality and beauty, anyone in their right mind would prefer something with Kate and Wills on.  I’m sure they’ll shift enough of them but in a couple of years these plates and mugs will be sold on eBay for a fraction of the price.  People will end up not caring about them because they look pretty dull.”

Article: The Sun

For those who want pictures of William and Kate on their souvenirs, there are still plenty unofficial ones to be found all around Britain and online.

“Ghastly place” Stoke-on-Trent making the souvenirs

The Royal Family is to cash in on Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding by producing a range of official china souvenirs made in a city insulted by Prince Philip.  Whether it is the Queen’s way of apologising to outraged citizens of Stoke-on-Trent for the outspoken comments of her husband is debatable, but it may soothe them that their city is making the only royal wedding souvenirs personally approved by the happy couple.

In September, the inhabitants of the Potteries were up in arms after Tony Blair revealed in his memoirs that Philip had given his forthright opinions of the place at a Buckingham Palace reception for Labour MPs, including the member for Stoke-on-Trent North since 1987.

“It was going fine until Prince Philip wandered up to Joan Walley, a very sincere leftish feminist MP,” wrote Mr Blair, who revealed that when Philip asked which area she represented and she told him Stoke-on-Trent, the Prince replied: “Ghastly place, isn’t it?”

Stung by the insult, city leaders have tried so far in vain to persuade Philip to return to the Potteries to see if they can persuade him of its beauty.  Now, however, they can at least share in the mini-boom that the royal wedding is creating for Britain’s souvenir industry.

Article: The Express

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