British Royals

Roundup of Royal Week

Aug 15

Posted by britishroyals in Fergie, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | 2 Comments

August is always a slow month on royal news.  The Queen is in Balmoral and the rest of the family are laying low or going on private holidays.  News bits below:

Prince Harry

Last spring, Prince Harry was in the Arctic with a group of injured soldiers, who were completing one of man’s greatest challenges:  a 12-day trek across the ‘Devil’s Dancefloor’. Although Harry did not join them for the full 160-mile journey, he spent 10 days with them – including three days on the ice – sharing the very real dangers. Now a new documentary, Harry’s Arctic Heroes, reveals the bonds the men forged in such a hostile environment. New details emerge of Harry’s frostnip ears, and how he spared the Queen knowledge of the trek in case it upset her.

The documentary “Harry’s Arctic Heroes” will air on BBC One — Part 1 on 23 August, and Part 2 on 30 August — at 9pm.

In other news, Prince Harry has just returned from a week-long holiday in Mallorca with friends the Warrens.  There was no evidence that he met up with rumoured new girlfriend Florence Brudenell-Bruce in Ibiza as previously speculated.  Harry was recently spotted around London — jogging and eating.

William & Kate

Kate on the cover of People magazine - fashion special edition

The newlyweds said to be enjoying some quiet, private time together as William continues his work as a helicopter pilot in Wales.  On August 8, William & Kate were at the SAS headquarters in Herefordshire to receive safety briefings and meet injured soldiers and families of fallen members.  Though a private function, they delighted many people. Someone who met them tweeted this picture.  They are set to return to the SAS HQ soon for kidnap training, just as Prince Charles & Diana once did.

On August, 8, Kate was spotted shopping at Wilkinson (a hardware / family value store) in Wales wearing the same outfit (except the jeans) as the week before at Tesco. (Smart move, Kate!  Now those pap pics won’t sell as much)  Later in the week, an article says she was spotted in Kensington in London buying books.  There’s also some talk about their new home in Kensington Palace — with one report claiming they might move out due to lack of privacy, and another saying Prince Philip is helping them remodel the kitchen.  Seriously, one can’t believe anything they read these days…  William & Kate are also getting SAS kidnap training soon.  And they’re expected at Balmoral for a weekend.

Prince Andrew

Sarah Ferguson

Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall

Zara Phillips retires Toytown. Photo by Richard Gillard

Pippa Middleton

Others:

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Royal Sightings Amidst Summer News Drought

Aug 5

Posted by britishroyals in Florence Brudenell-Bruce, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | No Comments

August is upon us, and as with every summer, most royals take a break from official functions and return to public life in the fall.  The Queen stays at Balmoral.  The younger ones often go somewhere tropical for a holiday.  Also note that with the lack of any distinct royal material, the most imaginative of stories often come out in the summer…

So what are we left with?  A scattering of sightings… (though there’s always some guilt in seeing pictures of them upset over paparazzi shots. So I’ll be linking, but won’t be posting said pictures here).

Prince Harry in Mallorca

Prince Harry in Edinburgh for Zara's wedding

Prince Harry is on holiday! Believed to have arrived on the island Monday or Tuesday, staying in a villa in Port Andratx. The big question is: who’s he with? Royal watchers instantly recognize the Warrens — Jake and Susanna (or as the media refers to as “unknown bikini-clad female) from paparazzi pictures. They’re old friends, and Susanna’s Guy Pelly’s ex. The group has been spotted dining, having drinks, and exploring the coastline on a boat.

So what about Harry’s rumoured girlfriend Florence Brudenell-Bruce?  As of Wednesday, she was photographed in London tending to her plants.  According to Katie Nicholl of the Mail, they’re planning to meet up in Ibiza in the weekend.  We’ll see.  Watch this space…

Pictures: Shirtless Harry in Mallorca
Article: Info on Harry’s alleged activities in Mallorca thus far

William & Kate are back in Anglesey

People were waiting for their Edinburgh exit on Sunday after Zara’s wedding.  But the pair was nowhere to be found.  Why?  Because they left Edinburgh on Monday.  That morning, William & Kate were photographed walking hand-in-hand in Holyrood Park.  They were also wearing matching purple sweaters.  It’s a rare PDA sighting, which delighted many royal-watchers.  However any thrill from the pictures was dampened by the fact that the couple (William, in particular) looked annoyed, prompting speculation that they were harassed / upset by the photographer.  After taking a budget flight (they flew FlyBe!) home that afternoon, Kate’s first stop was Tesco.  Again, she was photographed carrying her grocery bags and pushing the trolley back into the cart return.  Peeping out of one of the bags is a box of Kellogg’s cereals.

Pictures: William & Kate walk hand-in-hand in Holyrood Park (Edinburgh)
Pictures: Kate grocery shopping at Tesco (North Wales)

 

 

Other Royal Tidbits:

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Zara & Mike’s Wedding

Jul 31

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Catherine, Princess Eugenie, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | 1 Comment

 

 

Another glorious day for the Royal Family under beautiful Edinburgh sunshine as Zara Phillips, the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, marries rugby captain Mike Tindall. This year’s second Royal Wedding couldn’t be more different than the global April 29 event, but it was equally beautiful and executed to perfection.

6,000 people lined the streets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile to catch a glimpse of the bride, groom, the royal family and a host of sporting personalities as they came in and out of the Canongate Kirk church. It was a very private wedding, but the UK media did their best in bringing the goods.

Zara wore a romantic full-length ivory silk gown with silk tulle detail, designed by the Queen’s favourite couturier Stewart Parvin. Her blonde hair was swept up, and her head sparkled with diamonds from the Greek Key tiara lent by her mother.

 


The radiant bride and her proud granny 

 


Princesses Beatrice & Eugenie both wore Angela Kelly.  The Duchess of Cambridge, keen not to upstage the bride, recycled almost everything she wore (except the hat).  The champagne brocade coat dress was first seen on her during Laura Parker-Bowles’ wedding back in 2006.  Complete details on Kate’s look on What Kate Wore. 

 


Zara & Mikes official wedding photo 

The happy couple left the Kirk in a Bentley for the 400-yard journey to Holyroodhouse for the reception. For the newlyweds, there will be no immediate honeymoon. Instead, in keeping with their down-to-earth approach, they will go back to work – Zara will head off to the Gatcombe International Horse Trials while her husband will return to training.

Also announced: Zara Phillips is to retain her maiden name for public sporting purposes.

Congratulations to Zara & Mike!

 

 

Articles:

Pictures:   BBC | Day Life | Getty Images | Rex Features |

Videos:

The Day Before the Wedding…

On Friday morning, dressed down Zara & Mike were at Canongate Kirk for a wedding rehearsal. In the afternoon, they hosted a pre-wedding cocktail party aboard the Royal yacht Britannia.  Britannia was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a museum.  The younger royals — William, Kate, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice (who brought boyfriend Dave Clark), and a dateless Prince Harry joined in the celebrations.


A kiss before parting after the wedding rehearsal.  Zara & Mike disembark from the Britannia after their pre-wedding cocktail party 

 


Single file: the young royals headed the Countess of Wessex.  Check out Beatrice’s butterfly belt!  Right: Radiant newlyweds William & Kate were keen not to steal the spotlight from the bride & groom.  And once again, Kate recycled her green DVF dress 

 


Prince Harry was dateless for his cousin’s wedding.  William & Kate — who are known as the Earl & Countess of Strathearn when in Scotland –  arrive for pre-wedding cocktails. 

Article: The day before the wedding (includes pictures)
Pictures: Rex Features | Getty Images
Video: The day before: boarding the Britannia + rehearsal

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While We Wait for Zara’s Wedding…

Jul 28

Posted by britishroyals in Pippa & James Middleton, Prince Andrew, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Zara Phillips & Mike Tindall | No Comments

The next big event in the royal calendar is Zara Phillips’ wedding to rugby fiance Mike Tindall in Edinburgh this July 30. Till then, a splattering of royal tidbits…

Zara & Mike

William & Kate

Prince Harry

Prince Charles & Camilla

The Yorks

Pippa Middleton

Other News:

 

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Kate & the Queen Open Buckingham Palace Summer Exhibit

Jul 22

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Prince Andrew, Prince William, Princess Catherine | 1 Comment

This year’s summer exhibit at Buckingham Palace is extra special.  From 23 July to 3 October, the public can get up close and personal (well, 8 feet away) with the Duchess of Cambridge’s globally-admired wedding dress by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.  For £17.50, you can appreciate the intricate detail on Kate’s dress, and also see the Halo tiara, her bespoke wedding shoes (UK size 5.5), the acorn diamond earrings from her parents and a replica of her bouquet. No glass barriers. A 5-minute video by Sarah Burton about the making of the historical dress is included.

Her Majesty & The Duchess of Cambridge view the royal exhibit

And to everyone’s delight, Kate joined the Queen today to a private viewing of the exhibit ahead of it’s Saturday opening.

According to ITV’s royal reporter Georgina Brewer , it was interesting seeing the pair interacting.  Kate was ultra polite and the Queen was slightly more forthright.  There were lots of interaction between them and seemed to share genuine warmth.  Her Majesty, however, was a little spooked at how they displayed Kate’s dress on a headless mannequin.  She was heard saying “horrible” and “horrid.” “It’s made to look very creepy.”

Kate countered with her own view and said it had a “3D effect.”  “It’s surreal looking at it now… it’s very weird,” she adds.

Also on display is William & Kate’s 8-tier wedding fruit cake by Fiona Cairns.  The top 3 layers were replaced.  The top 2 were kept by the royal couple per tradition (to be served to guests during the christening of their first child).  The 3rd tier was eaten by guests.

Already the exhibit has sold more than double the usual pre-sale tickets, and is expected to break visitor records. More than half a million people are expected to view the exhibit this year and will bring the Palace an additional  £8 million in revenue.  Her Majesty has already delayed her return from Balmoral to allow people more time to visit.  Along with the royal wedding dress, a Royal Fabergé collection is also featured for the summer exhibition.

Kate's royal wedding dress on display at Buckingham Palace

Links from the Royal Collection: Royal Wedding Dress |  Royal Fabergé

More William & Kate Tidbits

Prince Andrew Gives Up Trade Enjoy Role

It was something that was probably just waiting for the right time to announce.

The Duke of York has officially declared that he’s stepping down as Britain’s “special representative” for international trade and investment, after 10 years in the role. Prince Andrew has attracted controversy over the decade. In March he was criticized for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a U.S. financier who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution. He was also criticized for being “rude” with the Wikileaks scandal.

“As the evolution of my role continues apace and in order to reflect the changes I have outlined, I have decided that the label I gave myself when I began this role of Special Representative has served its purpose and is no longer necessary to the work that I do today and, more importantly, in the future.”

Prince Andrew will continue to travel and promote UK trade abroad — but not with his formal title.

Article: CNN

Other Royal News

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