Archive for ‘London 2012 Olympic Games’

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July 30, 2012

Royal weekend recap Part III: Zara’s Olympic debut

Zara and her horse High Kingdom. Photo Credit: Reuters.

The granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, 14th in line to the British throne, placed 24th out of 74 riders in the eventing dressage competition, reports the Associated Press. Photo Credit: Reuters.

Zara Phillips was in Greenwich Park Sunday, where she competed in Individual Eventing, on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe.

Riding her horse High Kingdom, Zara Phillips made Britain and the royal family proud on Sunday with her Olympic equestrian debut.

Photo Credit: PA

Zara Phillips- Olympics Day 2 – Equestrian. Photo Credit: PA

“It was incredible, an amazing feeling to be part of the Olympics and to ride for your country and to just be here. The crowd are amazing,” Phillips told media. “It was incredible to be selected, and to be at here at home for the Olympics is an amazing feeling. You try to do your best for the team.”

Photo Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

Zara Phillips- Olympics Day 2 – Equestrian. Photo Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe

Husband of Phillips, Mike Tindall, cheered for his wife in the audience, along with some very special royal supporters.

Proud royal supporters: Prince Phillip and Princess Anne, watched Phillips compete. Photo Credit: AP.

Proud royal supporters: Prince Philip and Princess Anne watched Phillips  compete in her first Olympic Games. Photo Credit: AP.

“Her [Zara's] grandfather, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and her mother, Princess Anne, were in the VIP seats as Phillips put High Kingdom through the paces of a standard dressage test to demonstrate the horse’s obedience,” says AP.

Of the performance, AP reports: “High Kingdom made a mistake toward the beginning of the canter in the first of a maneuver known as the flying change. The horse is supposed to change the sequence of its steps, but High Kingdom didn’t respond immediately to Phillips’ cues.”

Phillips spoke to media of the mistake after the competition, saying: “It was disappointing about his first change, but his other ones were really good. But he coped with all the crowd and is only getting better.”

Photo Credit: AP

Zara Pillips as she leads her horse through the competition. Photo Credit: AP

The Olympic excitement isn’t over for Phillips just yet: on Monday comes the cross-country segment of the competition and, on Tuesday, jumping, says AP.

Photo Credit: PA

Zara Phillips showed off her equestrian skills during the second day of the London Olympic Games. Photo Credit: PA

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July 29, 2012

Royal weekend recap Part II: The Olympic Games opening ceremony

Applause erupted as Queen Elizabeth II arrived at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. The President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge is on the left and Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the back right. Photo Credit: Matt Dunham/AP

Applause erupted as Queen Elizabeth II arrived at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Photo Credit: Matt Dunham/AP

In this photo: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, John Major, Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Princess Anne, Ban Ki Moon, Jacques Rogge, Prince William, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, David Cameron, Samantha Cameron, King Constantine of Greece and wife Anne-Ma. Credit: PacificCoastNews.com

In this photo: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, John Major, Tony Blair, Cherie Blair, Princess Anne, Ban Ki Moon, Jacques Rogge, Prince William, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, David Cameron, Samantha Cameron, King Constantine of Greece and wife Anne-Ma. Credit: PacificCoastNews.com

The Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the Olympic Stadium. Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

The Duke of Cambridge and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the Olympic stadium. Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

Prince Charles and Camilla looked cheery at the Opening Ceremony. Photo Credit : AP

Prince Charles and Camilla looked cheery at the Opening Ceremony. Photo Credit : AP.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo Credit: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe.

The Queen at the Olympic ceremony. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville.

The Queen at the Olympic stadium. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville.

While many influential members of Britain’s royal family were present in the 60,000-strong audience at London’s Olympic stadium on Friday, most would agree it was the Queen who took center stage at Danny Boyle‘s 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony creation: “Isles of Wonder”.

The Queen’s entrance into the Olympic Stadium came directly after her film debut— in which she is picked up from Buckingham Palace via helicopter by famous British spy character icon James Bond (Daniel Craig)— and a likeness of her then parachutes into the event.

“Queen Elizabeth’s virtuoso performance as the ‘Bond girl’ star of the Olympic opening ceremony crowns a majestic 15-year special operation that has recast the monarch as the people’s champion of a cool Britannia,” Reuters (London) points out.

“The central theme of the strategy,” Reuters (London) reports, “has been to undermine the criticism that the monarchy are a stuffy relic of the past by linking them with popular British culture and casting stunts that accentuate the playful side of the royal character.”

The Queen’s entrance raised eyebrows, but not in a negative sense; in fact, people were pleasantly surprised to see Her Majesty’s humorous side emerge.

“The queen was the star of the show – she was bloody wonderful,” said a Scottish soldier serving at the Olympics to Reuters (London). “She was the best bit,” he said. “I think it shows the people another side to her. I think the people love her but since the Jubilee and after this a lot of people see just what a wonderful queen she is.”

Simon Lewis, Communications Secretary to the Queen from 1998 to 2000, also spoke to Reuters, saying: “There was a lightness of touch about what the queen did at the Olympics – it was absolutely right.”

“It was perfectly judged and completely fitting for the occasion. The monarchy in 2012 is the product of a great deal of careful thinking over a long time and some quite sensible, small steps along the way.”

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July 26, 2012

Kate, William, and Harry stress importance of sports at Coach Core project launch

The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry spoke to children today about the importance of sports, at the launch of a new project- Coach Core - which will aim to train the next generation of sports coaches. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Sang Tan

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, spoke to children today at the launch of a new project—Coach Core — which aims to train the next generation of sports coaches. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Sang Tan.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, helped to launch the Coach Core sports project at Bacon’s College in London today, in honor of the London 2012 Olympic Games (which open tomorrow).

Photo Credit: AP

The royal trio had a grand time playing sports with the children and future sports coaches present: Kate, who has  shown off her athletic skills in public before— playing field hockey at London’s Olympic park when she met Team GB— admirably tried her hand at table tennis; the Duke kicked around with dozens of schoolchildren on the football pitch, and in his speech joked that “the expression giraffe on ice springs to mind”; and Prince Harry, famous for his love of sports and children, found himself on a basketball court.

The new initiative, which aims to train 16 to 19-year-olds to become the next generation of sports coaches for schools and communities, is being supported by the The Royal Foundation in partnership with Greenhouse, reports UKPA.

William gave a speech during the visit, in which he highlighted the importance of sports: “Over the next month, the eyes of the world will be on Great Britain,” he said. “For us to hold the Olympic and the Paralympic Games here in London is a great moment for our nation, which itself is steeped in sporting history.”

“Watching me on the football field is never a pretty sight – the expression giraffe on ice springs to mind. However, it is marginally less embarrassing than seeing my brother cheat his way to becoming the fastest man on the planet. Catherine, on the other hand, with a tennis racket or a hockey stick is something to behold and be aware of.”

“But what all three of us have in common is that we love sport. And not just playing it, but for what it does for people young and old. It builds confidence, engenders mutual respect and responsibility, and teaches us about the value of team work. That’s why Catherine, Harry and I are so excited about Coach Core, this brilliant programme developed by the Greenhouse Charity in partnership with our foundation.”

Watch video of the event by the Royal Channel:

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Camilla were in Tottenham, to greet the Olympic torch, before it arrives at Buckingham Palace today.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and Camilla were in Tottenham, to greet the Olympic torch on day 68 of its journey, before it arrives at Buckingham Palace tomorrow. Photo Credit: Getty

Charles and Camilla watched Torchbearer Scott Moorhouse (Paralympic javelin thrower) exchange the Olympic flame with Jay Kamiraz. Photo Credit: Getty.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall watch the Olympic torch arrive in Tottenham

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May 4, 2012

Sir James Bond? Queen to bestow ‘knighthood’ upon famous fictional agent?

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Daniel Craig won the role of James Bond in 2005. Photo Credit: Getty Images

As part of the opening ceremony at the London Olympics the Queen will bestow a long anticipated knighthood upon 007, aka the fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond, reports the British media. And, if the rumors are true, Bond fans around the world could be in for a major treat.

A spokesperson from the Palace has commented, telling press there are a number of Jubilee related film projects taking place at Buckingham Palace; however, according to British press, the palace can’t (or won’t) comment on any specifics.

“The speculation is that the scene will include the Queen giving Bond a mission to open the Games, which he apparently does via a parachute,” reports Macleans.ca.

Daniel Craig, the English actor who plays the famous role in the spy thrillers Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, is keeping silent on the rumor: “According to the papers, I’ve got an invitation, I’ve been, had tea, sat out with the corgis,” he told LBC.

A palace source claims Craig has been filming at Buckingham Palace and spoke to the The London Evening Standard: “Daniel Craig was here in black tie one morning in early April,” said the source. “Judi Dench [who plays M, the head of MI6] was also here, and the talk of the Palace was that Bond was going to be knighted that morning.”

Craig met Queen Elizabeth at the world premiere of “Casino Royale.”Photo Credit: Stephen Hird/Agence France-Presse -- Getty Images

Craig met Queen Elizabeth at the world premiere of “Casino Royale.”Photo Credit: Stephen Hird/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

James Bond Theme from Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace Opening

Casino Royale Opening

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March 30, 2012

Too much blue: Psychologists criticize team GB 2012 Olympic uniforms

"Athlete Holly Avil wears Stella McCartney's team GB uniform." Photo Credit: PA

Photo Credit: Reuters

Photo Credit: adidas

Designer Stella McCartney has been criticized by sports psychologists for not using enough red in her team GB Olympic uniform designs for London 2012, according to the Washington Post.

The Union Jack-inspired outfits have a greater ratio of blue to red on them— a problem, since psychologists say red is the color of victory, according to many scientific studies.

McCartney is now being blamed for the loss of Team GB medals before the games have even begun.

McCartney told  Vogue she designed the uniforms based on what the athletes wanted: “I wanted to ask what matters to them—whether it might psychologically improve their performance to look good, what I needed to do to work around the rules and regulations of each discipline, and all their technical requirements. Some told me, yeah, if I look better it helps. Others said I don’t care how I look as long as I can shave off a second.” If they had any preference for a color, they didn’t say — and they seem satisfied with the look in an Adidas video about the making of the uniforms.

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March 15, 2012

Duchess shows off hockey skills at Olympic Park with Team GB

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo via shesomajor.com

The Duchess of Cambridge, an appointed ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Games, was “very excited” to meet the national hockey team today at the Olympic Park in London; she played during her days at Marlborough College and was ecstatic to pick up a stick and show off her skills with Team GB.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

However, when she saw a crowd had gathered to watch (not surprising), the Duchess said she was nervous because she hadn’t played in a long time: “I was really looking forward to coming here but now I am here and have discovered I have to play I am not feeling so confident,” she told the press. “Oh please don’t tell me I have to do it in front of all these people!” Kate said. “I don’t want anyone to watch! The last time I played was 2005, maybe. It feels like I haven’t held a stick for ten years. This is going to be so embarrassing. My brain thinks I can do all these wonderful things but my body just doesn’t play ball. I was striker so you had to get the timing exactly right, well that was the idea. I played on the left wing. I really enjoyed it and it is great to be here. I haven’t played since I stopped so I am really nervous now.”

The Duchess also spoke of her experience playing in her school days: “I used to play at school and I remember my muscles at the beginning of the season were agony. Do you still get bananas and oranges at half time? I don’t know if that was purely a school thing?” she asked the team.

Kate received from the team a white sleeveless team top with “Cambridge 1” lettered on the back and a polo style shirt for the Duke of Cambridge.

Photo via shesomajor.com

Photo via shesomajor.com

Watch Kate play below. Footage by the ITN:

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March 10, 2012

Prince Harry’s athletic Saturday in Brazil

Saturday, Prince Harry took part in a variety of activities including: the Sport Relief mile, rugby and volleyball. Photo Credits: Getty Images. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge

Saturday, Prince Harry took part in a variety of activities including: the Sport Relief mile, rugby and volleyball. Photo Credits: Getty Images. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge

Photo Credits: AFP. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge.

Photo Credits: AFP. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge.

Prince Harry, now in Brazil, joined in the Sport Relief mile close to Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo beach today. He set the race of hundreds off in fine style with the wave of a Brazilian Flag. The Prince began the race at a jog, next to a blind athlete, but ran a brisk mile in around six-minutes.

In pure Harry style, he crossed the finish line wearing a paper cut-out mask of his brother’s face.

Mask Harry wore of Duke of Cambridge crossing the finish line. Photo Credit: AFP/ Getty Images.

Mask Harry wore of Duke of Cambridge crossing the finish line. Photo Credit: AFP/ Getty Images.

The Prince then taught children how to play tag-rugby and beach volleyball in one of Rio’s hillside slums.

Prince Harry can now add "Coach" Harry to his long list of titles. He had great fun teaching children in Brazil how to play rugby. Photos via JustJared.

Prince Harry can now add "Coach" to his long list of titles! He had great fun teaching children in Brazil how to play rugby. Photos via JustJared. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge.

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt spoke to the media last night about Harry’s trip to Brazil: “Well Prince Harry is worth a thousand politicians,” said Hunt, “as you can see he has extraordinary celebrity pulling power. But also the way he’s approached things here in Brazil, sums up what we’re most proud about with the Royal Family. He’s self effacing, he’s interested, he really engages with people, he joins in – great qualities – and I just think we’re incredibly lucky to have a Royal Family that does such a good job in banging the drum for Britain.”

He added: “We’re never going to have a year like 2012, it’s an extraordinary year for Britain and what we want do is bang the drum for everything we’re proud of. This is the year when we are officially allowed to get out to everyone huge messages about what we’ve achieved as a country, our role in sport, inventing or codifying eight of the world’s top ten sports. The inventions that Britain has made which have shaped the modern world – from the industrial revolution to the world wide web – our incredible culture, the home of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Dickens and so on. So we’ve got this opportunity and this is a year if we bang the drum loud enough we’ve got a chance to create jobs for British people and business for British companies.”

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March 10, 2012

Prince Harry arrives in Brazil to promote GREAT initiative

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: AP / Victor R. Caivano

Photo Credit: AP / Victor R. Caivano

Let’s hope Prince Harry kicked off his trip to Brazil in another pair of his colorful suede shoes—because they aided the him well as he danced his way through Belize, the Bahamas and into Jamaica.

Prince Harry's bright blue suede dancing shoes

Prince Harry's bright blue suede dancing shoes. Photo Credit: Rex Features.

After an event filled week celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the prince has arrived in Brazil to launch the GREAT Initiative; a campaign to promote Britain and forge ties with Brazil ahead of the London 2012 Olympic games. He flew overnight from the Caribbean and was greeted informally at the Rio de Janeiro International Airport on Friday morning, according to the Press Association. He then retired for a majority of the day.

Harry spent Friday evening attending to his royal duties at Rio’s Sugarloaf Mountain. There, he met Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, Rio State Governor Sergio Cabral and the Samba band Uniao da Ilha. At the base of the mountain Harry enjoyed Brazilian festivities— including samba dance and capoeira martial art presentations— according to the British embassy in Brasilia. The Prince then took a cable car to the top of the mountain for an event highlighting British talent, culture and business; he also gave a speech.

” Thank you for a stunning Anglo-Brazilian welcome to your spellbinding city – I’ve got to get this right – this ‘cidade maravilhosa,’ he said. “Over the years, I’ve seen and heard so much about this extraordinary place – in fact, ever since my father told me about a certain dance he once had with a beautiful girl called Pinah. It just seems to have stuck in his mind for some reason.” The latter was a joke, in reference to a rather interesting samba in Rio in 1978 between Prince Charles and Pina de Beija-Flora. He also made a Joke about William: “Everything about Rio makes you want to dance. I’m just so thankful that my brother isn’t here because he might actually do it – and that would not be cool,” he said.

Watch Prince William bust out the ‘dad special’ at the 2007 Princess Diana Concert.

Watch Prince Charles and Pina de Beija-Flora dance the Samba in Rio in 1978.

Harry said he is looking forward to playing tag-rugby and beach volleyball today (Saturday); he will teach children how to play the games in one of Rio’s hillside slums.

Tomorrow, Sunday, the Prince goes to Sao Paulo state where he will take part in a Polo match for charity.

Sunday marks the last day of Prince Harry’s tour.

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March 6, 2012

Prince Harry ‘bolts’ from Usain Bolt and wins ‘race’

Photo Credit: Collin Reid / AP

Photo Credit: John Stillwell / PA

Photo Credit: John Stillwell / PA

Photo Credit: John Stillwell / PA

Photo Credit:Collin Reid / AP

Being a royal certainly has its advantages. Prince Harry had the chance to both meet and “race” against Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt, today in Jamaica.

The two men met at the University of the West Indies stadium, where Bolt trains, in Kingston.

After an exchange of pleasantries the men raced against each other.

So, who is faster? Prince Harry or Usain Bolt?

“The prince got off to a false start and was about 50 meters down the track as Usain Bolt bent over with laughter,” reports the Associated Press.”The Olympic medalist then jogged up to Harry, making one of his signature skyward points for a crowd of onlookers at the University of the West Indies in the Jamaican capital.”

University students waved and cheered with enthusiasm as the two ran.

Well, it might not have been a fair race, but no one was complaining and EVERYONE was having fun.

Photo Credit: Collin Reid / AP

After the race Prince Harry didn’t ‘run off’ so to speak. He stuck around and spoke with Bolt and the crowd. “Bolt used the opportunity to present tokens to the Prince, which included PUMA items along with specially autographed items from his soon-to-be-launched Memorabilia Club,” states Usainbolt.com.

In addition, Bolt’s twitter account has been hopping with notes about Harry:

"Showing Prince Harry how to come out of the blocks...." Says Bolt on Twitter. @usainbolt

"Good Jamaican vibes hanging with the Prince Harry..See you at the Olympics" From Bolt's Twitter @usainbolt

"Welcome to Jamaica Prince Harry," Says Bolt on Twitter. @usainbolt

Watch footage of the race below.

Posted in Breaking News, London 2012 Olympic Games, Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012 coverage, Royal Ruckus | Leave a Comment »

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