Posts tagged ‘William’

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

May 29, 2012

Queen to make Duke of Cambridge a Knight of the Order of the Thistle

The breast star of the Order: "...consists of a silver saltire with a pointed ray between each of the arms of the cross. At the centre is a gold medallion contained in an enamelled representation of the thistle, surrounded by a green border bearing the Order's motto." Photo and description from the official website of the British Monarchy.

The breast star of the Order: “…consists of a silver saltire with a pointed ray between each of the arms of the cross. At the centre is a gold medallion contained in an enamelled representation of the thistle, surrounded by a green border bearing the Order’s motto.” Photo and description from the official website of the British Monarchy.

In honor of The Duke of Cambridge’s upcoming 30th birthday, the Queen will make William a Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle; it is Scotland’s highest award of chivalry granted by the Queen, second only to the UK’s Order of the Garter.

“The Order honours Scottish men and women who have held public office or who have contributed in a particular way to national life,”says the official website of the British Monarchy.

It is unknown exactly when the Order came to be, however, legend dictates that it began in 809 when King Achaius made an alliance with the Emperor Charlemagne.

Facts about the Order as stated on the official website of the British Monarchy:

Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (No one harms me with impunity)

Chapel: Thistle Chapel, St. Giles’ Cathedral

Ranks: Knight or Lady

Post-nominals: KT or LT

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.

May 6, 2012

Duke to make life altering career decision at end of 2012

Prince William will decide on his future career— in or out of the military— come the end of 2012. Photo Credit: princeofwales.gov.uk

William will be forced to make a monumental career decision between the RAF and his royal duties come the end of 2012, confirms an aide of the Duke of Cambridge to British media sources.

In his final verdict, The Duke will take into account the time his royal duties, family duties, and charity work will consume in the coming years.

William has a number career options moving forward, according to The Daily Mail:

  1. He could continue his work in the RAF Valley or relocate to another RAF base for a second three-year stint of duty.
  2.  He could take another post in the armed forces and, therefore, create more time for royal duties and his wife.
  3.  finally, he could give up the military life altogether, to focus on his charity and royal and family duties.

One source spoke to the Daily Mail:

Search and rescue has given the Prince an exciting job without putting him on the front line – but he is bound to a shift timetable. There are advantages of him transferring to the Army – one being that he would likely be able to take on more official duties.

William is thinking deep and hard about his future, adds the source. He loves the service, but there are other things to take into account. He and Catherine have a future and a family to plan and he will be expected to take on more official engagements.

May 4, 2012

William and Kate awake in traditional Suffolk coaching inn on first anniversary

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge awoke in a delightful country inn on Sunday, marking their first anniversary of marriage. They attended the wedding of some close friends before arriving at the inn. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge awoke in a delightful country inn on Sunday, marking their first anniversary of marriage. They attended the wedding of some close friends before arriving at the inn. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

So, where did the Duke and Duchess awake on their first anniversary?

According to various sources, the royal couple arrived at a traditional Suffolk coaching inn, The Westleton Crown, around 1am on Sunday morning. All of the rooms were rented out for the wedding guests of William and Kate’s close friends Hannah Gillingham (an old school friend of Kate’s) and  Robert Carter, according to The Telegraph.

The royal couple arrived at the inn after attending the wedding and slept in The Swan room (around £165 a night).

In the morning, Will and Kate ate a traditional buffet breakfast with their friends, before traveling back to their cottage in North Wales.

Photo of the inn via westletoncrown.co.uk

Photo of the inn via westletoncrown.co.uk

Pictures of some rooms inside the inn where Wills and Kate awoke on their first anniversary of marriage.

Pictures of some rooms inside the inn where Wills and Kate awoke on their first anniversary of marriage.

The inn’s General manager, Gareth Clarke, spoke to The Telegraph about the visit:

We were made aware that some special guests were arriving, but we didn’t know just how special,” he said. “It was a lovely family occasion with a relaxed atmosphere and they were both seemed really happy to be in a comfortable environment with friends. William and Kate pitched up at about 1am and enjoyed a drink at the bar before retiring to the Swan room for the night. They both ate a cooked breakfast of bacon and eggs before they left in the morning. They’re the first royalty we’ve had staying with us. It’s not every day you welcome the second in line to the throne.

Another member of the staff recounted observations of the Duke and Duchess’s visit to the The Telegraph as well:

I saw them when they came down for breakfast. They were chatting with everyone and having a catch-up.

From what I hear, everybody at the wedding really enjoyed themselves. William and Kate were very friendly and wanted to be treated just like everyone else – they weren’t hiding away. They were getting involved and including themselves in the party. They arrived quite late but had a glass of champagne. We didn’t really see very much of them, because they went up to their room, but they had a buffet breakfast with the group. When they left, they said thank you for having them and said they had enjoyed their stay.

It's been one year since the lavish fairytale royal wedding that dazzled the public. One year later the couple are still in the spotlight. Photo via Defence Images' .

One year since the lavish fairytale royal wedding that dazzled the world and the couple are still going strong and in the spotlight. Photo via Defence Images’ and flickr.com .

April 28, 2012

Duchess jests of Prince Harry’s Marathon prank at reception

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo Credit: Tim Whitby/Getty Images Europe

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Photo Credit: Tim Whitby/Getty Images Europe

At the London Marathon last week Prince Harry joked that he never seems to be able to find a space in the race, but that William and Kate will run it next year.

The Duchess of Cambridge was clearly ready to tackle questions about her brother-in-law’s jesting commentary to the media, when she attended not just one but two receptions on Thursday.

Kate had the perfect response planned when the topic was brought up by John Ions, Chief Executive of Lionstrust, at Goldsmith’s Hall: “I think William’s going to have to do something to get him back,” Kate told him, People reports. “I’m more of a short distance runner. My sister’s more of a longer-distance runner.”

The Duke and Duchess have made a number of public appearances this week, leading up to a quiet celebration of their first anniversary on Sunday in Scotland. Sadly, it has just been discovered that the water at Birkhall has been contaminated and the royal couple will drink bottled water throughout their stay, reports the Express.

April 25, 2012

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge support Tusk Trust at ‘African Cats’ premiere

The Duke and Duchess arrive at the premiere of 'African Cats' in London. Photo Credit: Bauer Griffin

The Duke and Duchess arrive at the premiere of 'African Cats' in London. Photo Credit:Bauer Griffin

Photo Credit:Alan Davidson/ The Picture Librar

Photo Credit:Alan Davidson/ The Picture Librar

Photo Credit: Wire Image

Photo Credit: Wire Image

Photo Credit: Splash

The Duke and Duchess leave after attending the premiere of 'African Cats'. Photo Credit: FameFlynet Pictures

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are back from skiing in the French Alps and have stepped onto the red carpet tonight to support a charitable cause.

The premiere of Disney‘s African Cats at BFI Southbank in London will benefit Tusk Trust— an animal conservation charity of which William is a Patron.

The audience at the film was comprised of around 100 children, all from Charities that the William, Kate, and Prince Harry favor.

The royal couple are to celebrate their first anniversary of marriage on Sunday. And, while William and Kate plan to celebrate the occasion in private, there will be plenty of chances to see them in the coming days; they are scheduled to appear at several upcoming events.

Below, a video from ITN of the Duke and Duchess walking the red carpet at the ‘African Cats’ premiere. 

Below, a video of the premiere from BBC News.

Below, a video of the premiere from News of the Globe.

March 28, 2012

Separation impossible: Prince Harry and William both move into Kensington Palace

Princes William and Harry.Photo Credit:Getty

Princes William and Harry. Photo Credit:Getty Images

Prince Harry has finally left Clarence House where his father lives and followed his brother, William, and the Duchess of Cambridge to the newly refurbished Kensington Palace. The Princes are like two peas in a pod, they adore each other and don’t want to be separated.

The two men have always been key sources of support for each other, as proven recently on Harry’s official royal trip to the Caribbean; William was always on hand to offer advice to his younger brother over the phone, even though he was serving the RAF in the Falklands.

An anonymous royal source told CNN: “Prince Harry and Prince William are a double act for the rest of their lives. They are very loyal and trust each other. Loyalty is key. Harry is very respectful towards William.” This is not the first time the Princes have occupied Kensington Palace— they lived there with Princess Diana when they were young.

The Duke and Duchess will occupy a renovated suite of rooms in Kensington come 2013, but for now they live on the Palace grounds, in Nottingham Cottage, and Prince Harry is in an apartment nearby. Harry is expected to take over the cottage once William and Katemove into their suite. But, before then, Harry is expected to go to Afghanistan for a second round of military service as an Apache pilot.

Kensington Palace. Photo and graphics via the Daily Mail

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