Last week was busy for the royals in terms of appearances and news, which culminated in a moving ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance Sunday
Her Majesty leads the nation in commemorating the war dead. Pictures by Reuters
The Foreign Office balcony with the Duchess of Cornwall,
the Duchess of Cambridge, & the Countess of Wessex
Photo by Getty Images
Video Coverage in its entirety: (3 parts)
Articles:
- BBC: Queen leads tributes at Cenotaph
- Mirror: Kate at Whitehall as Queen leads nation in honoring the fallen
- Daily Mail: Queen leads tributes to fallen heroes on Remembrance Sunday
- Daily Mail: Duchess of Cambridge attends first Remembrance Sunday as member of the royal family
Pictures: Getty Images | Zimbio
William & Kate Appearances
In between this month’s appearance in Copenhagen with the Danish royals for Unicef and Remembrance Sunday, we saw the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge in 2 events: (1) a black tie gala for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal, and (2) a meeting with The Prince’s Charities.
National Memorial Arboretum Appeal
Kate wears a grecian gown for the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal dinner
William & Kate attended a black-tie reception in aid of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal at St James’s Palace. The Duke launched the appeal, which aims to raise £12 million to develop the Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, into a world-renowned centre for remembrance
- Video of William’s speech with footage of William & Kate mingling with guests
- Article: Kate dazzles in Grecian gown at St James’s Palace dinner
The Prince’s Charities Forum
The following day, the Cambridges attended The Prince’s Charities Forum at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly. It is the first time Kate has attended the forum. It gathers every 2 years.
Prince William to be Posted in the Falklands
We knew it was coming next year, and now it’s confirmed. The Ministry of Defence announced that the Duke of Cambridge will complete a routine deployment as a RAF search and rescue co-pilot in the Falklands for 6 weeks on February to March 2012. This will help him obtain his goal of captaincy by next year. (Article)
The announcement as ruffled feathers in Argentina ahead of next year’s 30th anniversary of the war over the Falklands. (Article)
Kate will not be able to join him for this posting. However the newlyweds are slated to spend Christmas with the royals at Sandringham (another first for Kate) and celebrate her 30th birthday on January 9. William will also be back in time for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in June 2012.
Pippa Middleton & Alex Loudon Broke Up
Pippa & Alex kissing after the Boodles Boxing Ball last October
It’s true. Kate’s little sister is back on the market! Pippa has reportedly split from financier boyfriend of one & a half years Alex after weeks of blazing rows, including a recent public one during a friend’s wedding. (Original article from The Sun)
The papers are having a field day playing the who-dumped-who game. Most say it’s a matter of quiet Alex not being able to handle Pippa’s sudden fame after she’s thrown into the international spotlight following her sister’s wedding. The Daily Mail even wrote a rather snarky article saying Alex’s very discreet parents thought Pippa “sweet” but “not wife material” (I take this article with a grain of salt, as those really in the know would never talk to the press). On top of that, there are rumblings of a 3rd party in the relationship (Pippa’s side). (Article)
Either way, Pippa is said to be finding comfort from Will & Kate. She joined Will, Kate and her parents at Birkhall last weekend, where Kate was said to have been practicing her hunting skills in preparation for Sandringham. And last weekend, word has it that Pippa joined old pal (ex-boyfriend) George Percy on a shooting party in Northumberland.
What’s next from this frenzy? Without a doubt more Pippa-Harry nonsense…
Mike Tindall Sacked from England Rugby Team & Fined £25k for “Serious Misconduct”
It’s a devastating end to the new royal’s career. Mike Tindall, who married Zara Phillips in July, has been embroiled in a controversy over the World Cup last September when he was seen flirting & kissing a girl in a bar. Later reports say the blonde was an ex-girlfriend, and that Mike had gone on to a second bar with the same girl. Zara flew to NZ a few days later, and all seemed forgiven
However, after a Rugby Football Union investigation of the said night, Mike was slapped with a heavy fine and kicked out of Elite Player Squad. This will very likely mean the end of his career. Mike is said to be trying to appeal the fine.
Article: Telegraph
For video summaries of the latest news from last week, here are reports from US morning shows:
- Video: Today Shows report
- Video: Early Show with Victoria Arbiter, separating fact from fiction (Falklands, Pippa, pregnancy rumours)
As Prince William buckles down to get flight hours needed for RAF captaincy, Kate has started spending plenty of her time training to be a royal. The Palace said that they have issued a program that will strengthen the Duchess’ knowledge on the arts, media and the government. Personal sessions with experts are being conducted in St James’s Palace and on site. One sighting was a visit to London’s National Portrait Gallery to understand how it is run. Kate has also been researching on which charities she plans to support by meeting with organizers and visiting on site. However, it is unlikely that any patronages will be announced until the new year. On the evening of the Royal Marsden visit, William, Kate & Harry hosted a reception at St James’s Palace for the staff and donors of The Foundation of Prince William & Prince Harry (they’re still working on a name to encompass Kate).
