Posts tagged ‘London’

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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 29, 2012

Royal weekend recap Part I: A pre-Olympic royal reception

The Queen welcomed foreign dignitaries to Buckingham Palace reception before attending the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games

The Queen welcomed foreign dignitaries to a Buckingham Palace reception before attending the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. Photo Credit: PA

Before the Olympic Games kicked off on Friday (July 27), with a spectacular opening ceremony, prominent members of Britain’s Royal Family gathered in the Buckingham Palace ballroom to welcome around 190 special guests with a glamorous reception, say reports.

Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe

Kate warmly welcomed Michelle Obama (who she has met once before) to the reception at Buckingham Palace before the Olympic opening ceremony . Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

Prince Harry was on hand to chat with the President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia. Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Prince Harry was on hand to chat with the President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba and his wife Sylvia. Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Princess Beatrice (R) had conversation with the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Babanov (L) and Rita Birbaeva. Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Princess Beatrice (R) had conversation with the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Omurbek Babanov (L) and Rita Birbaeva. Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images.

Visitors to the palace— including presidents, prime ministers and princes— were welcomed with royal conversation and canapes, reports the Telegraph.

On offer were Quail’s eggs with celery salt, smoked duck with melon, white cheese with caramelised nuts, smoked salmon on blinis, and miniature vegetarian Cornish pasties, according to the Telegraph.

The Queen said a few words to her guests about the Games: “Over recent months many in these islands have watched with growing excitement the journey of the Olympic torch around the United Kingdom, “ she told onlookers. “As the torch has passed through villages and towns it has drawn people together in families and communities. To me the spirit of togetherness is a most important part of the Olympic ideal, and the British people can be proud of the part they have played in keeping the spirit alive.”

She added: “In all our national Olympic teams there is so much of which we can be proud; groups of young men and women dedicated to excellence and achievement across numerous sporting disciplines.”

Among others, those present at the event included: America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama; Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault; Italian President Giorgio Napolitano; Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller; Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev; German President Joachim Gauck; Queen Margrethe II of Denmark; Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon; and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Members of the British royal family in attendance included: the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh; Prince Harry; the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall; The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; the Duke of York; Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie; the Earl and Countess of Wessex; the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence.

Watch videos from YouTube below.

telegraphtv:The Queen welcomes world leaders to London 2012 Olympics

 

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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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July 15, 2012

Down to earth Prince: Harry finds shelter from London rain in a rickshaw

Photo Credits: Jesal Parshotam/ Ikon Pictures

Taking shelter from the rainy night after dining, the Prince and his friends Jack Mann and Arthur Landon didn’t hesitate to jump into a rickshaw, with one of Harry’s protection officers following just behind in another conveyance. Photo Credits: Jesal Parshotam/ Ikon Pictures

After dining at the Mexican restaurant La Bodega Negra in Soho on Friday night, Prince Harry proved he doesn’t need a fancy cab or even a horse drawn carriage to get about town in style; a pedal-powered rickshaw will do just fine for the down to earth third in line to the throne, especially on a rainy night in London.

“Harry just made a beeline for the tuk-tuk when he came out of the restaurant with his mates,” a source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper.

“The rickshaw driver looked a bit shocked to have the third in line to the throne in the back.”

“But they all seemed to be having a good laugh about it.”

The group spent the rest of the night partying at Le Salon Bar, reports the Daily Mail.

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June 27, 2012

Hats rented by Kate Middleton sold at auction

Hats worn by Kate Middleton shown at Kerry Taylor Auctions. Image via Telegraph video footage.

Hats worn by Kate Middleton shown at Kerry Taylor Auctions. Image via Telegraph video footage.

The Duchess wore an elaborate black and white creation by Philip Somerville for a Knight of the Garter ceremony back in 2008. It too was auctioned off yesterday, but for £3,224. Photo via Zimbio.

The Duchess wore an elaborate black and white creation by Philip Somerville for a Knight of the Garter ceremony back in 2008; it was auctioned off yesterday for £3,224. Photo Credit: PA

A black Aurora hat worn by Kate to the 2010 wedding of Harry Meade was auctioned off for £3,720. Photo Credit: PA

Two hats rented and worn to engagements with Prince William (now the Duke of Cambridge) by the former Kate Middleton have sold at auction for three times their guide price, say reports.

An anonymous American bidder snatched up the pieces of fashion history at the Passion for Fashion auction in London yesterday, reports The Belfast Telegraph.

The now Duchess of Cambridge rented the items for an estimated £100 each at Get Ahead Hats in Reading, says The Daily Telegraph.

The hats were expected to sell at auction for £1,000-£1,500 a piece, but they fetched much more than that: the Philip Somerville hat brought in £3,224 and the Aurora hat went for £3,720.

Rental receipts, and diary entries showing Kate’s appointments at Get Ahead Hats, were auctioned off as well.

Events took place at the very same auction house (Kerry Taylor Auctions) that sold the famous see-though dress Kate wore in a St. Andrews University Fashion show; the frock is said to have piqued William’s interest in Kate.

The above dress, worn by the former Kate Middleton at a St.Andrews University fashion show in 2002, was auctioned off for £78,000 at Kerry Taylor Auctions in 2011. Photo Credit: M Neilson / Getty Images file

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June 21, 2012

Happy Birthday! The Duke of Cambridge turns 30

The Duke of Cambridge, pictured on June 6, 2012 at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Port Lympne, southern England; William is feeding a black rhino called Zawadi. Photo Credit: Chris Jackson/Pool / AP

The Duke of Cambridge, above, turns 30 today. Picture taken at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park in Port Lympne, southern England. William feeds a black rhino called Zawadi. Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Duke of Cambridge. Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Duke of Cambridge celebrates his 30th birthday today and stands to inherit an estimated 10 million pounds from a trust set up by his mother, Princess Diana.

Despite the extra income, officials say there won’t be any significant changes to William’s lifestyle.

A royal aide has confirmed the latter notion to the Daily Telegraph:

“Whatever the financial position might be, you will see no obvious change of lifestyle over the coming weeks or months,” said the aide.

“There has been speculation about the Duke and Duchess having a house built but there are no plans for that at all.”

“If the Duke decides next year to continue his Search and Rescue career he might well have to move to another base, away from Anglesey, so the idea of a new house just isn’t on the radar at the moment.”

How did the Duke celebrate his special day? Predictably. Low-key and with close friends and family.

A spokesman for the Duke told The Telegraph: “He will spend some of his birthday at Highgrove, where he has been based this week, then whatever he does at the weekend will be low-key and private.”

Prince William spent his birthday at Highgrove, his father's country estate, which he visited as a boy. Photo Credit: AP PHOTO/TIM GRAHAM PICTURE LIBRARY

The Duke spent his birthday at Highgrove (pictured above), his father’s country estate, which he visited as a boy with his mother (Princess Diana), father (Charles) and brother (Harry). Photo Credit: AP PHOTO/TIM GRAHAM PICTURE LIBRARY

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May 17, 2012

Details released regarding Jubilee Pageant on River Thames

Harry, William and Kate; Charles and Camilla; the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen.The Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell: "A state-of-the-art cruise boat, specially designed to evoke the opulence of ancient royal maritime traditions," explains the Daily Telegraph.Photo Credit: PA.

Riding the Royal Barge, the Spirit of Chartwell, will be the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Harry; Charles and Camilla; Prince Philip and the Queen. About the ship: “A state-of-the-art cruise boat, specially designed to evoke the opulence of ancient royal maritime traditions,” explains the Daily Telegraph. Photo Credit: PA.

In two weeks and three days the River Thames will host around 1,000 vessels for the upcoming Jubilee Pageant, an elaborate event on a legendary river to celebrate the Queen’s 60 year reign.

It will be the biggest flotilla London has witnessed in 350 years, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, told the Telegraph as details of the Jubilee bank holiday weekend were revealed:

“We will be igniting the excitement of a summer like no other,” Johnson added. “This incredible aquatic pageant will be a kind of Dunkirk, except more successful and more cheerful. There’s going to be skiffs and wherries and schooners and sampans and dhows and dragon boats and just about every kind of vessel you can imagine.”

Information released recently includes what boats the royals will travel on. Below, listed, the boats senior royals will travel on. Click here to view descriptions of the full Royal Squadron and other participating vessels:

On the vessel Havengore: the Duke of York, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie; the Earl and Countess of Wessex; the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Photo via flickr.com

On the RNLI Diamond Jubilee: The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. RNLI photo donated by Tony Rive to eastbournernli.org.uk

On the Trinity House No 1 Boat: The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Photo via thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

On the Trinity House No 1: The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. Photo via thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

Photo Credit:thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

Photo Credit: thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

Photo Credit: thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

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May 9, 2012

The Duke of Cambridge speaks to Thirty Club as he approaches 30th birthday

The Duke and Duchess looked Glamorous as they arrived at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Tuesday. Photo Credit: Enigma via the Sun.

For nine years, the Duke has been asked to speak at one of Britain’s “most exclusive” and “elitist” dining clubs: The Thirty Club at Claridge’s in London. However, it is this year, as William hits two major life milestones (his 30th birthday and first year anniversary of marriage) that he has followed in both his mother’s and grandfather’s footsteps by speaking to the prestigious crowd said to be comprised of leading executives in the advertising and media industries.

An aide told The Express: “You can’t go around making speeches to these types of people when you’re in your 20s but he’ll be doing more of this sort of thing now he’s that bit older.”

“He thought it right to accept the invitation as he has a personal landmark coming up and it’s a landmark year for the Royal Family.”

Tweets from the evening via Mark Stewart Twitter account (@regaleyes).

Click Here to watch video by ITV of the Duke and Duchess arriving at the event.

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April 29, 2012

Prince Harry: His fling with Saturday’s Mollie King

Saturday's singer Mollie King broke the number one rule of dating a royal: she wasn't discreet enough. And now Harry is putting space between them. Photo Credit: WEEN.com Collage work by Elspeth Lodge.

Mollie King (R) readying herself for a royal role? She poses for the cameras while dressed like the Duchess of Cambridge (L). It is clear that Kate takes a much more relaxed approach to the Paparazzi, while Mollie revels in the publicity and poses for the cameras.

Mollie King (L) readying herself for a royal role? She poses for the cameras while dressed like the Duchess of Cambridge (R). It is clear that Kate takes a much more relaxed approach to the Paparazzi, while Mollie revels in the publicity and poses for the cameras. Photo of Duchess via yournextdress.com; Photo of Mollie King via XPOSUREPHOTOS.com

Physically, Harry's two latest flings, Mollie King (L) and Florence Brudenell-Bruce (R), resemble the Prince's ex, Chelsy Davy (in the middle of the photo). But, there is one problem for the Prince: neither 'is' Chelsy. Photo Credits: King photo via topnews.in; Chelsy Davy photo via Express.co.uk; Brudenell-Bruce Photo via unrealitytv.co.uk.

Physically, Harry's two latest flings, Mollie King (L) and Florence Brudenell-Bruce (R), resemble the Prince's ex, Chelsy Davy (in the middle of the photo). But, there is one problem for the Prince: neither 'is' Chelsy. Photo Credits: King photo via topnews.in; Chelsy Davy photo via Express.co.uk; Brudenell-Bruce Photo via unrealitytv.co.uk. Collage work by Elspeth Lodge.

I should comment upon Saturday’s singer Mollie King— or rather explain why I haven’t reported about her and Prince Harry‘s rumored relationship.

Well, it seems to me that King is Harry’s stereotypical fling…

  • Harry picks out a girl that looks a bit similar to Chelsy Davy: tall, thin and blonde (think of his last brief relationship, Florence Brudenell-Bruce). Mollie fits right in with this description.

    Florence Brudenell-Bruce's career as a model skyrocketed because of publicity she received while dating prince Harry. And she's still reveling in the afterglow. vogue.co.uk

    Florence Brudenell-Bruce's career as a model skyrocketed because of publicity she received while dating Prince Harry. And she's still reveling in the afterglow. Photo Credit: vogue.co.uk

  • The Prince then has his fun with the girl— until she gets a bit too excited by the publicity that goes with dating a Prince. Both Florence and Mollie started having major success at work because of their associations with Harry, and neither one was shy with the paparazzi. In addition, Brudenell-Bruce and King had friends who were talking to the media…a big problem.

    Mollie King is always ready to smile for the cameras. Photo Credit: XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM

  • After a girl breaks the rules, this is the perfect time for Harry to put space between them… exactly as he did with both Brudenell-Bruce, and, now, according to various sources, King.

While Harry will need a girlfriend who can deal with the spotlight, he CLEARLY doesn’t want one who craves it, judging from his past relationships.

Chelsy Davy is the perfect example of a girl who doesn’t crave the spotlight. In effect, she was able to have a long relationship with the Prince.

Chelsy Davy was never a fan of the spotlight when dating Prince Harry. Photo Credit: BarcroftMedia

Chelsy Davy was never a fan of the spotlight when dating Prince Harry. Photo Credit: Barcroft Media

As Harry prepares for deployment to Afghanistan and carries out a host of charitable royal duties, it isn’t likely we’ll see a serious girlfriend anytime soon, but rather a series of these ‘King’ and ‘Brudenell-Bruce’ style flings—unless, of course, Chelsy Davy suddenly decides she wants Harry back: “Harry’s texting ten girls at the moment, including his ex, Chelsy,” reports a source to the The Daily Mail. “—Mollie is one of them. Harry likes discreet girls and Mollie seems to be enjoying the publicity a bit too much.”

Last week, King famously took to her Twitter account to announce the status of her relationship with the Prince. And, even though it was to say that she and the Harry were not in a relationship, you can rest assured that just the mention of his name by her (on her own social site) was dynamite to any future they might have had together.

Tweet by Molly King. Photo via Mollie King's Twitter account @MollieTheSats

Tweet by Molly King. Photo via Mollie King's Twitter account @MollieTheSats

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April 26, 2012

Duke and Duchess show off parenting skills at London reception

William holds three-week-old baby Hugo, the son of Vic Vicary, a Warrant Officer Second Class with the Rifles. Photo Credit: The Daily Mirror

Could the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge be getting ready for parental duties of their own?

The royal duo willingly doted over the baby of British soldier Vic Vicary today, at a reception held at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London; it was an event held to honor a group of soldiers who recreated the Scott-Amundsen race to the South Pole, raising funds for the British Legion.

So, who exactly was the adorable newborn dressed in the Superman romper suit? “Hugo Eric Scott,” according to The Daily Telegraph.”His name features tributes to both Mr Vicary’s father who died in March and the famous British polar explorer.”

Photo Credit: The Daily Mirror

The Duke of Cambridge plays with baby Hugo. Photo Credit: The Daily Mirror.

The Duke of Cambridge plays with baby Hugo. Photo Credit: The Daily Mirror.

It seems Kate couldn't resist cute baby Hugo either! Photo Credit: The Daily Mirror.

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