Posts tagged ‘Olympic’

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July 31, 2012

Zara makes country proud in cross-country phase of equestrian eventing

Photo Credit: Murray Sanders/ The Daily Mail

Zara Phillips and her horse High Kingdom made their country proud Monday at the Olympic Games. Photo Credit: Murray Sanders/ The Daily Mail

Photo Credit: AFP/ Getty Images

Phillips led High Kingdom to a nearly flawless round in the cross-country phase of the eventing competition. After, she told media: “I am so happy. He [High Kingdom] is such a dude. He lost a front shoe, so he really stepped up. He was awesome – the course was very suitable for him.” Photo Credit: AFP/ Getty Images

Photo Credit: PA

Zara and High Kingdom during the cross-country competition at Greenwich Park. Photo Credit: PA

Much of the royal family arrived at Greenwich Park Monday to witness the Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Phillips, deliver an almost flawless Olympic performance in the cross-country phase of the equestrian eventing.

Cambridge, LOCOG Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Photo Credit: PA

Part of Zara’s royal support team: the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of Cambridge, LOCOG Chairman Lord Sebastian Coe, Prince Harry, and Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Photo Credit: PA

The Duchess of Cambridge (R) and the Duchess of Cornwall (L) intently watched the eventing. Photo Credit: AP

The Duchess of Cambridge (R) and the Duchess of Cornwall (L) intently watched the eventing. Photo Credit: AP

Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie were all smiles as they watched their cousin compete. Photo Credit: PA

Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie were all smiles as they watched their cousin compete. Photo Credit: PA

A happy and relaxed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive prepared to face the sun with their shades. Photo Credit: PA

A happy and relaxed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were prepared to face the sun with their shades. Photo Credit: PA

With a host of royals in attendance to cheer Phillips on—including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess Royal— and some fantastic riding taking place, it’s no surprise that there was much excitement among the crowd of onlookers.

AFP/ Getty Images

Zara and High Kingdom. Photo Credit: AFP/ Getty Images

The atmosphere was described as “electric” by the riders, according to the Guardian, which chronicles the scene at Greenwich Park in thrilling detail: “Think Ryder Cup,” says the publication. “and add the high-pitched screams of 10,000 horse-mad teenage girls, and you get some idea of the atmosphere at a sun-drenched Greenwich Park on Monday. All the riders – except the dozen or so who ended up on the floor – described it as electric, and for three members of the British team it was a day of dreams.”

Phillips’s “perfectly timed clear cross-country round” places Great Britain in position for a silver medal heading into the show jumping competition tomorrow (Tuesday), reports the Telegraph.

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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 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 19, 2012

Radiant in blue: Duchess helps launch Olympics exhibition

The Duchess at the National Portrait Gallery in central London. Photo via heart.co.uk.

The Duchess at the National Portrait Gallery in central London. Photo via heart.co.uk.

The Duchess of Cambridge dazzled in a dress of her signature color (blue) on Thursday at the launch of a new Olympic themed exhibition, “The Road to 2012: Aiming High,” at the National Portrait Gallery.
The Duchess of Cambridge and the Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

The Duchess of Cambridge was directed around the Gallery by Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Sandy Nairne. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

The Duchess speaking to photographer Nadav Kandar and 100-year-old portrait sitter Diana Gould. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

The Duchess spoke to photographer Nadav Kandar and 100-year-old portrait sitter Diana Gould. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

Kate, a patron of the Gallery, and an ambassador for Team GB and Paralympics GB, joined a select few to see images of some Olympic athletes hoping for medals this year, and of essential figures working behind the scenes to make the games happen.

The Duchess even came face to face with a photograph of herself, taken earlier this year when she played field hockey with team GB at London's Olympic Park. Photo via Reuters event video.

The Duchess even came face to face with a photograph of herself, taken earlier this year when she played field hockey with team GB at London’s Olympic Park. Photo via Reuters event video.

The Duchess views the portrait of herself by Jillian Edelstein. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

The Duchess views the portrait of herself by Jillian Edelstein. Photo Credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe.

Sandy Nairne, the gallery’s director, said of Road to 2012 to media: “It celebrates exceptional British sportspeople and some of the crucial figures working behind the scenes – whether they be coaches and managers or soil engineers, architects or the producers of the key ceremonies.”

“It features outstanding photographic portraits that convey the determination, skill and mental prowess of those working at the highest level of international sport.”

The exhibition is the last of three installments, of a three-year project showcasing Olympic and Paralympic athletes, reports the Telegraph.

Below, a video of today’s event by Reuters:

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May 12, 2012

‘Our Greatest Team Rises’: Royal couple celebrate Olympic athletes at Royal Albert Hall

A picture perfect couple, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge helped celebrate Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Friday evening at Royal Albert Hall. Photo Credit: John Nguyen

A picture perfect couple; The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge helped celebrate Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Friday evening at Royal Albert Hall. Photo Credit: John Nguyen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Royal Albert Hall. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

The Duke and Duchess arriving at Royal Albert Hall for the nights events. Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both Ambassadors of the upcoming 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, helped to celebrate Team GB‘s athletes during a gala event on Wednesday evening at Royal Albert Hall.

Wearing a stunning teal Jenny Packham dress, with her dashing Duke in black and white, the Duchess and her husband were picture perfect when greeted as honorary guests by Lord Moynihan, chairman of the British Olympic Association. 

During a pre-dinner reception, Wills and Kate met other Team GB ambassadors Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Lewis. They also met former Olympic gold medal winners, according to The Daily Mail.

The event titled “Our Greatest Team Rises” included performances by Take That singer Gary Barlow, Will Young,  Alfie Boe and Britain’s Got Talent winners Spelbound.

According to The Telegraph: “Presenter Davina McCall and comic John Bishop were hosting the event, with a menu created by Michelin-starred chef Simon Hulstone.”

Click Here to watch BBC’s James Pearce report from the event.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo Credit: PA

Inside Royal Albert Hall during the event. Photo tweeted by Team GB. @TeamGB

Inside Royal Albert Hall during the event. Photo tweeted by Team GB. @TeamGB

Below, watch Prince William Joke about his Olympic ambitions  during a speech he delivered:

 

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