With the royal wedding of William and Kate out of the way, the title for this blog is becoming quickly outdated. But fear not. Royal news from around the world is an ongoing project, so we have created The Royals Watch to continue keeping track of interesting monarchy news, British and otherwise. Please bookmark our new location.
While William and Kate attempt some privacy for their 10-day honeymoon in the Seychelles, a couple of other royals have peeked out from behind their curtains to satisfy the royal watchers.
Above, it's Queen Elizabeth with her two youngest grandchildren, 3-year-old James, Viscount Severn, left, and Lady Louise Windsor, 7. They are the children of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex. The picture, taken on Easter Monday, was released by the royals to highlight this week's Royal Windsor Horse Show.
"The Queen thought it was a particularly lovely photograph and gave her permission for it to be released," said a Buckingham Palace spokesperson.
At right, another grandchild, Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne, posed for Country Life magazine in the UK, just as her mother did 40 years ago. Phillips, 29, is with her labrador dog Storm.
The accomplished equestrian is next up on the British wedding calendar with her marriage to rugby player Mike Tindall on July 30. Don't expect the kind of lavish affair the country experienced April 29. They will be married in a much smaller church in Edinburgh followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Meanwhile, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge are the hidden, but star attractions for the Indian Ocean vacation spot for the rich and famous. The local newspaper's headline on Wednesday morning was "Seychelles in the Honeymoonlight."
"Many of them come on holiday and walk the streets sometimes unnoticed," Antoine Onezeim, the chief executive of the Seychelles broadcasting corporation told AP. "Our approach is to let the visitors enjoy their holidays in our country without any disturbance."
The couple's lavish retreat is reportedly costing $6,600 a night.
"They will be able to fully relax in private and just enjoy each other's company," the Sun in London quoted one source. "There is not a great deal to do there - but that is the point."
The Royal Family sells newspapers, as evidenced by the wedding of William and Kate last week. How much tolerance the Middletons have for the press is being tested.
The Middleton family has had enough.
After a week of seeing some private and sometimes unflattering photographs splashed across the web and newspapers, the newest members to the Royal Family circle have officially complained to the Press Complaints Commission.
The move comes after four newspapers published pictures on the weekend of the Middleton family and Prince William as they swam and sunbathed on a yacht in the Mediterranean in 2006. One photo in News of the World showed Kate Middleton’s sister, Pippa, removing her bikini top under the headline "Oh buoy it's Pippa.” The pictures have been removed from the paper’s website.
"I can confirm that the PCC has now received complaints from representatives of the Middleton family concerning photographs published in the News of the World, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Daily Mirror,” a PCC spokesperson told the BBC. “We will now consider those complaints."
The source of the pictures was Big Pictures Agency in London.
This isn’t the first time the Middletons have gone to the commission. In April, before Kate married Prince William, the family talked to the PCC about “harassment” from photographers, though they did launch any formal action. In that instance, the PCC reminded publications of their obligations to uphold the Editors’ Code of Practice regarding an individual’s “expectation of privacy.
Earlier last week, there were photographs published on some websites of James Middleton partying in various states of undress, as well as pictures of Pippa dancing in a bra with a man in his boxer shorts.
Insiders said the family felt there was a “betrayal” with these photos, since they apparently came from people who knew the Middletons.
This complaint, coming so soon after the royal wedding of William and Kate, is a clear indication that the Middletons are drawing a line in the sand with what they perceive as voyeur journalism by some British papers. It is also a test of the PCC and its ability to mediate the long-standing disputes between the Royal Family and the media without parties resorting to the courts.
The Queen has shown much curiosity when it comes to the world of technology, like at this tour of Research in Motion in Kitchener last year. (Reuters)
Queen Elizabeth may be regarded as old-fashioned in a lot of ways, but she can’t be faulted for falling behind the times technologically.
She already has a few iPods and a BlackBerry, and now it’s reported that she’s ready to take the iPad plunge.
The Sun in London reports that the Queen has ordered the latest Apple tablet after watching princes Harry and William demonstrate its capabilities.
"For a woman of her age, she is very switched on,” a ‘royal insider’ told the Sun. “It was only a matter of time before she asked someone to go and get her one."
Good for her. Just one piece of advise: Remove the white gloves before tackling the intricacies of the touchscreen.
To get her started, we have a few suggestions for apps she may want to download (or have Harry do it for her):
23,000 Great Quotes
With all those walkabouts and audiences, the Queen needs to be a master of small talk. This apps contains the best quotes from all around the world by common people as well as great people and historians.
Castle Runner
As Apple explains it: “You are trapped inside the dark castle that is about to collapse. Are you ready to show off your running skills in the most dangerous escape ever?” This ought to be a snap for Her Highness.
Buckingham Palace
Travel to Buckingham Palace, the home of the kings and queens of England, and one of the most visited places in the world! Scour this famous building and its surroundings for hidden objects, collect items to unlock puzzles, and learn about the palace’s remarkable history. Uncover the mysteries behind Buckingham Palace in this version remastered exclusively for iPad.
High Hats HD
The Queen loves hats, that’s a fact. This little game tests her dexterity as hats fall from the sky and the player needs to catch them on top of his/her head.
Angry Birds
In this popular game app, players use a slingshot to launch birds with the intent of killing all the pigs that have invaded their space. In her mind, the Queen can substitute birds for royals and the pigs for the press. Relieves the pressure. Great fun.
Dog Teaser
The Queen has seven corgies to keep amused and this ought to do the trick, at least for a few minutes. It’s filled with sounds that perk up the ears, like a cat fight, dog whine, fireworks, door bell, squeaky toy. Just press the button and watch ‘em go nuts. A little mean, but a nice diversion from afternoon tea.
Prince William at the controls of the Sea King helicopter used in search and rescue missions.
He’s not quite able to leap tall buildings with a single bound, but for at least a few people stranded on mountaintops in Wales, Prince William is a bit of a superhero.
A retired Hong Kong High Court judge is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack on Lliwedd mountain in Snowdonia last week, just days after the Prince reported back to work as a search and rescue helicopter pilot following his wedding.
The new Duke of Cambridge was part of the crew that came to the aid of the judge, an experienced hiker who became ill while walking with his son.
"As I was being stretchered away from the aircraft I saw one of the pilots on the right-hand side looking at me and I gave him the OK sign with my hand," Barnett, who still sits in the Supreme Court of Brunei, told the BBC.
"He acknowledged me. Whether it was the prince I don't know. I didn't know he was aboard the aircraft until a nurse whispered to me in the emergency department that Prince William was on the helicopter.
"I didn't set out to be rescued by Prince William. I'd planned a nice day on the hills and to have a nice pint of beer in Betws y Coed where we were staying.
"Family and friends are all stunned by who saved me."
The BBC reports that the prince has been involved in at least two other rescues since returning to his RAF Valley squadron in Anglesey last week. One rescue involved a 46-year-old man who dislocated a shoulder following a fall on Tryfan mountain. In another incident, four men were airlifted from a narrow ridge after one suffered vertigo.
“You see all the TV documentaries about the air-sea rescue teams and it all looks hair-raising,” said the judge. “Until it happens to you, you don't appreciate the skill and bravery they show."
The prince and his new bride, Kate, postponed their honeymoon and returned to their home in Anglesey after their April 29 marriage.
To see more of Prince William at work, click HERE.
The Middleton family is getting a hefty dose of old-fashioned tabloid journalism these days, with embarrassing photos of Pippa and James floating around the web as well as 5-year-old pictures of the bikini-clad family on vacation with Prince William.
The Guardian is reporting that the Middletons will "very likely" be contacting the UK's Press Complaints Commission, in particular about the vacation photos which were published on the weekend by the Mail on Sunday.
The freelance photos from show the Middleton family and Prince Wiliam swimming and sunbathing while on a yacht off the island of Ibiza in the Mediterraean. Some of these photos had surfaced before, but obviously others were held in reserve and have been sprung on the world just as the appetite for the new royal couple is soaring.
The heart of the issue revolves around the PPC's code of ethics which states that individuals have "a reasonable expectation of privacy."
The party pictures of Pippa and James in various stages of undress has the Middleton family even more upset, since they obviously came from people who might have been regarded as friends or acquaintances and were sold to U.S. websites.
The Telegraph reports that, under pressure from the family, the images are no longer in circulation, though that doesn't mean much in
the world of the web where downloads are viral.
"The images were withdrawn from the entire market," John Camarillo of Zuma Press told the paper. "They were only on the market for a few days. They got too popular and that's why they were withdrawn."
The paper quotes a family friend as saying the family is furious at this "betrayal" of their privacy.
The Middletons are well aware they are now living in a fishbowl and, in fact, had expressed their apprehension about it in past interviews. Earlier this year, the family had unofficially talked to the PCC about being followed by photographers.
No one has felt that more in the past few weeks than Pippa, Kate's 27-year-old sister and maid of honour. Her model good looks have made her a target for much media attention.
Vivid Entertainment, the U.S.-based adult film company, has gotten into the act by offering her $5 million for "just one explicit scene." Her brother James was also offered $1 million for a separate scene.
The joys of knowing royalty knows no bounds.
Best man Prince Harry and Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the Royal Wedding on April 29, 2011. (Photo by John Stillwell-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Harry needs to step up his hard-partying ways if he wants to keep his title as the Clarence House regular with the greatest number of scandalous photos.
The Middletons really have been stealing his spotlight. First up was the Dutchess of Cambridge's brother James whose semi-nude, French maid outfit wearing photos surfaced online after being siphoned from his Facebook account.
Next up from the Middleton clan was an undated photo of Pippa sans shirt, but avec bra, dancing with a boxer wearing male at what appears to be a party with friends. There is also a second photo of Pippa doing the rounds in a strapless dress that seems to be made of toilet paper -- but we'll put that down to a St. Andrews inspired fashion show.
And how did Harry manage to get into the papers this week? A wiggly worm. Harry, it's time to hand over the tabloid crown.
Number 39 (left), meet Number (right).
The new Duchess of Cambridge may have moved to the top of the Most Popular Royals list, but clearly she has her work cut out for her when tackling the Sexiest Women in the World.
FHM magazine, with a blatantly male bent, has put out its Top 100 list for 2011 and the good news (?) for Kate is that she is on the list for the first time. In fact, she’s No. 39. Sort of a royal-with-a-bullet.
That puts her ahead of the likes of Shakira (43), Eva Longoria (76), Christina Aguilera (86) and Miley Cyrus (89).
Just in case she’s especially competitive, Kate may want to make note of the Top 10, which is led by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the British model and actress who seems to spend a lot of time in Victoria’s Secret shops.
Katy Perry ranks second, followed by Rihanna, Megan Fox and Olivia Wilde.
Funny thing is, Kate is the only royal on the list, unless you count Prince Harry’s mostly-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who clocks in at 96. Just last month, Kate was third on a completely random list of the most beautiful royals.
Of course, FHM’s list was compiled prior to last week’s royal wedding, where Kate’s sister Pippa made a few jaws drop with her look. Betting is she’ll be on next year’s list.
The UK celebrity magazine Grazia has a beautiful picture of the new Duchess of Cambridge. But how much of it is real?
We all know that the new Duchess of Cambridge is thin. But is she as thin as the magazine Grazia would have us believe?
The cover of the glossy celebrity publication this week shows a Kate that appears to have been run through Photoshop.
The website Jezebel took the magazine to task for what it alleges is some air-brushing to take a few pounds off the already-thin bride before moving her image in front of a Union Jack. Kate's torso, too, appears to be longer.
Plus, in the original photo, Kate's hand was extended and perched on the Prince William's hand.
The magazine admitted that in order to get the picture they wanted, they removed William and "adapted" Kate's arm.
However, the magazine also denied shaving anything off the waistline: "No changes whatsoever were made to the image to make the Duchess with the purpose or effect of making her appear slimmer."
After skipping across Canada for 10 days, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will head to California. (Getty Images)
California, here they come.
Prince William and his bride Kate (sorry ... Catherine) will be making a side trip to the U.S. state after they finish their 10-day tour of Canada this summer.
St. James's Palace have announced the couple will be in the land of milk and honey and Arnold Schwarzenegger from July 8-10. It's the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has ever been to the States, although a genealogical study showed she has ancentral connections to the country's first president, George Washington. William has visited the U.S. privately, but this is his first official visit.
Their Canadian visit starts June 30 and includes stops in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec. They will be in Ottawa for the July 1 Canada Day festivities.
It's a good bet they'll be seeing their friends David and Victoria Beckham in California, where the celebrity couple have inhabited a Bel Air mansion since 2007 when Becks signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Meanwhile, the couple is reportedly preparing for a 10-day delayed honeymoon in May on an island in the Indian Ocean. There were reports that William would be sent to the Falkland Islands later this year as part of his helicopter pilot duties with the RAF search and rescue team. However, Clarence House has denied the claims.
The wedding of the year, at least among the bluebloods, happens April 29 when Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey. Follow us as we track the journey to the big day.
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