Britons rejoice! We’re looking forward to a four-day weekend next year to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Ministers and Buckingham Palace will announce the official timetable of events marking the monarch’s 60 years on the throne within the week – with highlights including a nationwide Sunday lunch and a river pageant. Putting back the annual May Bank Holiday to Monday, 4 June, next year, and adding a special Jubilee Bank Holiday on Tuesday, 5 June, gives everyone a 4-day weekend. An announcement confirming the plans is expected on Thursday.
Millions are expected to join the celebrations next year, which will begin on Saturday – 2 June. Ministers hope they will kick start a “feelgood” summer which will climax with the Olympic Games in the capital.
Article: Telegraph
Security Cuts hit the Wessexes
The Earl and Countess of Wessex are to lose their team of six protection officers as part of moves to cut the £100 million cost of Royal security. Prince Edward and Sophie are said to be “very unhappy” about the proposal to strip them of police protection when they are not on official engagements. They plan to dispute the decision.
The Wessexes have six protection officers who work on a rolling rota, which costs the taxpayer an estimated £1.15 million a year. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have also been reported to lose their personal bodyguards to cut costs, although Prince Andrew is trying to contest the decision due to their HRH status.
Article: Daily Mail
Princess Catherine & Fashion
Princess Catherine meets Michelle Obama
So the Duchess of Cambridge reignited a buying frenzy the minute pictures of her and Prince William meeting the Obamas were released. Several articles about this:
- “Duchess of Cambridge effect” sparks international buying frenzy over dress
- Tesco to launch £30 knockoff of Kate’s Reiss Shola dress
- Dazzling Shola dress made from Romanian sweatshop with workers on 99p per hour wage
- The Pauper’s Princess: new princess is the perfect model of royal recessionista
- Kate, queen of shops, boosts Britain’s retailers
- Looking forward to Canada & Hollywood: Kate will need 40 new outfits for first overseas tour
- Kate provokes battle between Army regiments
But despite all this, studies show that Princess Catherine has actually been outpipped by little sister Pippa in the media following her wedding. As she and Prince William found recluse in their honeymoon (they are said to have been photographed but the press has decided NOT to publish any pictures — wonderful!), Pippa has been followed around London and Madrid, and featured in newspapers, TV shows and websites. Pippa has, statistically, become the more popular Middleton. And wondering who made Pippa’s gorgeous green dress at William & Kate’s reception? Meet Alice Temperley.
Harry!
Prince Harry & Princess Eugenie leaving Public nightclub. Pictures: Opticphotos.com
At last, a sighting of Prince Harry. He and cousin Princess Eugenie were spotted leaving Public nightclub. The club is run by good friend Guy Pelly. Harry and Eugenie both left with drinks stains on their clothes. No sign of on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who is reportedly on a road trip around Europe.
Articles: Daily Mail | Telegraph
Pictures: Celebuzz
Then on Saturday night, Prince Harry joined Ronnie Wood and Mischa Barton at a star-studded Champions League cup final after-party at London’s One Marylebone.
The Queen, who wore a festive white coat and fur hat, was joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and the Earl and Countess of Wessex for their annual Christmas church service in Sandringham. The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Harry led the Royal party on foot
