British Royals

Posts Tagged charity

The Girl Who Inspired Prince Harry’s Charity

Oct 12

Posted by britishroyals in Prince Harry | 2 Comments

Read about the story of a little girl, Keke, who inspired Prince Harry to set up the charity Sentebale and follow his mum’s efforts to help Africa’s forgotten AIDS victims.

Pictured cradling ten-month-old Keke in his arms in 2004, the 19-year-old prince appeared close to tears as he was told of the dreadful ordeal she had suffered.  The baby had been raped and tortured by her stepfather who believed a witch doctor myth that sex with a virgin – however young – would cure him of HIV.

Five years after that emotional first meeting, the Daily Mail has tracked down the little girl who stole his heart and discovered that, sadly, her tragic story has a far from a happy ending.

Three years ago she was handed back to her family by the unit for abused children that had nursed her back to health.  It was hoped she would have a better life with them than in an institution.  Keke was taken to live with her grandmother deep in the Lesotho mountains, a treacherous 11-hour journey away from the capital Maseru by bus and on foot.  Now, she is being raised there with three of her siblings on her grandmother’s pension of 82p a day.

Article: Daily Mail

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Kate in Hello! Magazine

Oct 6

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, Pippa & James Middleton, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge | 2 Comments

Kate Middleton is on the cover of Hello Magazine – October 12, 2009 issue.  It covers the Starlight Charity Event on September 26.  Inside info  highlights:

  • The Art for Starlight project was headed by mothers Rose Astor (a good friend of Wills and Kate) and Maggie Bolger.  They own the private members club Maggie & Rose.
  • Kate secretly joined the committee of 14 to organise the event.
  • There was an afternoon event preceding the evening auction where the children’s artwork were exhibited, with teepees and milkshakes in the garden. Kate was there.
  • Party Pieces provided for bunting & decorations for the afternoon event.
  • Kate and Pippa wore Issa that evening.  Pippa’s dress is worth £1,500.
  • Kate hosted a table for ten while her family hosted a second table.
  • The auction raised £120,000 (100 wishes for sick children).  William says “Its great so much money has been made for such a worthwhile cause.”
  • Carole Middleton won a ski trip auction for £8,000.
  • 11-year-old Sophie Roberts highlighted the show by singing.  She has optic glioma which has severely affected her eyesight.  She was later congratulated by William and given a kiss on the cheek.
  • Kate and William were among the last to leave.  They joined Harry and a group of friends at Raffles after.

Kate’s Style is also featured:

  • Kate wore a Swarovski bracelet.
  • Kate is allergic to nickel.  She can therefore only wear silver and gold metals.
  • Kate likes to keep her hair simple.  She does not do much to it except a little color.

Mag alert: Kate is also the cover of Hello! Canada (right).  The title reads: Kate Middleton – Is She the Next Diana?

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Starlight and Party Pieces

Oct 5

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, Prince William, Prince William & Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge | No Comments

As royal readers know, Kate Middleton’s family business Party Pieces has recently joined forces with Starlight, a charity for terminally ill children. A quick visit to both websites reveal some relevant information about what they really do.

Party Pieces appears to have been involved in Starlight’s Party Programme since Autumn 2008, as revealed in their website.  Last Christmas, they also helped arrange 200 parties for over 10,000 children.
Link: Party Pieces Charity Page

This summer, Starlight’s Party Programme once again celebrated with lots of parties and pantomimes.  “We’ve funded nearly 300% more parties than this time last year. And with the help of our lovely friends at Party Pieces, we’ve delivered over 1,400 goody bags, along with pretty party plates, cups and sparkly star decorations. We are also thrilled to have completed our Starlight party goodies redesign with the help of the clever folk at Party Pieces.”
Link: Starlight’s Summer Party News

Starlight’s Party Programme promises more celebrations for the Christmas season.  Their Starlight hospital/hospice party application names Party Pieces as their sponsor.
Link: Starlight Party Application Forms (in MS Word | in PDF file)

Finally, here’s Starlight’s news page regarding the recent Art for Starlight event on September 26, 2009 at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea.  The night was organized by Maggie & Rose, a private members club for families.  Kate hosted a table for 20 guests, which included Prince William and her whole family.
Link: Art for Starlight’s News Article

Links of Interest:
Starlight Children’s Foundation
Party Pieces

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Kate’s No Fuss Starlight Preparation

Sep 30

Posted by britishroyals in The Duchess of Cambridge | No Comments

Admirers of Kate Middleton’s appearance at a charity auction might like to know how much effort went into it.   The answer is not very much.

Just hours before the weekend’s Starlight Charity Event at the Saatchi Gallery, Kate strode into the nearby Chelsea salon of hairdresser Richard Ward – whose royal clients include Sophie Wessex – sans make-up and sans fuss.

“She sat down to wait like any other customer, leafing through the magazines,’ says a fellow client.  ‘There was no VIP room treatment or diva demands. She had her hair cut, washed and blow-dried by Richard, and asked only for a glass of water to drink. She was in and out in just over an hour. Even in jeans and no make-up she looked fabulous.”

Article: Daily Mail

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Another Faux Pas for Carole Middleton?

Sep 29

Posted by britishroyals in Carole & Mike Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge | No Comments

Columnist Linda Kelsey of The Daily Mail wrote a rather snarky article questioning Carole Middleton’s choice of wardrobe for Saturday’s Starlight Charity event.  Considering that Kate wore a long, gunmetal grey Issa frock alongside her mum’s short, coral one-shoulder dress, some people are suggesting that mother and daughter should have swapped gowns.  Despite Carole’s figure and killer legs, did she commit another faux pas in the eyes of the press?

Article:  Daily Mail

I’m personally tired of the Middleton bullying.  Carole, of all, seems like the easy target.  Along with her gum-chewing incident at William’s Sandhurst Graduation and less-than-appropriate choice of words, she’s been labeled as the desperate social-climber who’d do anything to see her daughter become a princess.  Is she really?  I see nothing but a supportive mother who had the ingenuity and courage to give her family a better life.  From flight attendant to multi-millionaire, she’s uplifted the family status.  Sure, she may not be the perfect mother to the future Queen.  Yes, she uses words like “toilet” and “pleased to meet you.”  And dear me, she crosses her legs in public and sometimes dresses a bit young for her age.  But is she tasteless?  Rude? Chavvy?  I don’t think so.  Has she done anything to hurt the public?  Not at all.  So why insist on finding the littlest bit of imperfection?    How sad that some people find such fulfillment in ridiculing others.

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