Diary of a Royal Insider

Despite what was called a ‘secret engagement’ the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were very visible at a recent event. In fact the event was so ‘in camera’ that the press were out in force ! Catherine looked stunning in a rather racy, floor skimming gown designed by Roland Mouret. The Jimmy Choos topped off a very glamorous look ! On the jewellery front I am particularly buying the tombstone earrings, though figuratively speaking ! Critics say that she wears far too much high street but she is her own woman and is not a ‘clothes horse’ for the fashion pack. She has bigger issues to concentrate on, hard as the ‘fashionistas’ might find that ! As a friend of mine who worked with her said, she knows her own mind as is a calm and astute woman……..who also looks a million dollars !

The event they were attending was a dinner at Claridges for the rather mysterious sounding ‘Thirty Club.’ It is meant to represent the most powerful men and women in media and advertising and while William and Catherine do not work in the industry, they are very heavily featured in the media. It was founded in 1905 for the ‘betterment of advertising’ and meets monthly to discuss relevant issues. The key to entering this august group is through Nigel Bogle of Bartle Bogle Hegarty, the Insider awaits his call !

There have been previous royal speakers such as the Duke of Edinburgh and the Diana, the Princess of Wales.  I understand that William has been asked before and felt that as it was the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and his 30th birthday pending, it was the right time to attend. Apparently the nearer you are to the ‘top table’ during the dinner the more important you are, where would the Insider be seated ! I will make two comments about this seating arrangement, firstly it reminds me of prep school and secondly I hope the future King and Queen of England got a better seat than Mr and Mr G Lineker !

The Queen reading her Speech to Parliament while Philip contemplates another medal………

Another bit of news which may be no more than tittle tattle, concerns Pippa ‘Gangsta’ Middleton. Apparently she is contemplating a move to New York having quit her job at catering firm Table Talk and with the launch of her party-planning guide, Celebrate’. Not surprisingly Paris is now of the agenda!  Perhaps she fancies the dollar more than a title, though one bit of advice for the U.S., don’t go brandishing a gun, it will end in tears !

As you know, for those who read my blog, I have a friend who  runs an esteemed British company, specialising in collectibles. Compton and Woodhouse produced two very collectible figurines to celebrate William and Catherine’s wedding and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. They are both created by noted sculptors and bring the best of British craftsmanship to the fore. For your own memories and generations to come, I would thoroughly recommend acquiring one. They show the very best talent of the now waning skills of the Potteries.

Finished Catherine The Royal Bride Figurine

Queen Elizabeth II Figurine Diamond Jubilee Edition

Until further ‘reportage’ enjoy the weekend !

With the 29th April being the anniversary of William and Catherine the couple have been very busy in the last 48 hours. Perhaps the idea behind this busy schedule is to the give the public / press plenty of access so they will be left alone on this ‘paper’ celebration ! I have reported on their various duties though left out the visit to the HQ of M16 at Vauxhall Cross. The latter was of course omitted for reasons of national security……….

M16 Headquarters where William and Catherine visited, no pictures, very clandestine !

http://www.thelondontraveler.com/2008/05/licence-to-thrill-on-the-trail-of-spies-in-london/

The last glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was them attending a meeting at the Princes’ Charities Forum at the Royal Society. Catherine bravely wore a white ensemble which would have been a great, practical look a year ago but less easy to carry off in this very damp and dank April month. No doubt she cheered up her surroundings !

The photo suggests that this was a business meeting rather than a photo-call opportunity but that wont stop the press !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2136176/Kate-Middleton-demure-white-Royal-couple-attend-Princes-Charities-Forum.html

The forum is a twice-yearly gathering of William, Harry and Catherine’s  charities where ideas are shared and support offered. Though both the young princes have military careers the support for various bodies reflects issues they care about in the UK and abroad. Princes William and Harry set this up in 2009 and Catherine joined  last year after the marriage. Harry was not in attendance due to military commitments but him and his brother are very much of the same opinions and William would have ably represented him.

William and Catherine visiting the homeless charity Centrpoint last year. Princess Diana introduced the young princes to this worthy cause and it became William’s first patronage in 2005

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/201112216833/kate-william-centerpoint/

The Princes’ Charity Forum has three main themes. It looks to help young people who are disadvantaged, sustainable development where models are looked at to balance development and conservation of resources and the natural environment and the welfare of Armed servicemen and women. I have no doubt that the input of the princes and Catherine bring energy, vibrancy and hope to a lot of people. Princess Diana would have been very proud.

Sources tell me that the Duke and Duchess are attending a wedding today (watch out for the fascinator !) and finally celebrating their first wedding anniversary tomorrow with close friends. What ‘paper’ gift will Catherine receive ? Tickets for a special event ? Vouchers for an exclusive brand ? Whatever they do, I am sure they will enjoy a thoroughly deserved celebration !

Tomorrow I will reflect on the first year of royal, married life. Here is a reminder of the THE wedding.

A lovely, informal picture of THE wedding day !

http://www.mywackylifeover40.com/the-royal-wedding-william-and-kate

I will pass on more detail tomorrow but if you would like reminders to keep of this day and other royal occasions, visit www.comptonandwoodhouse.com

Until tomorrow, keep dry !

While William and Catherine having been enjoying some ‘down time’ I have been looking at other aspects of royal life but suddenly the royal duo have made two appearances ! I guess that with the interest in their first anniversary on the Sunday they sort to quench press interest prior to the private celebration on the 29th.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first appearance was on the red carpet at the BFI Southbank where a screening of ‘African Cats’ was held. It was in aid of the Tusk Trust of which William is a patron. He was bringing attention to the plight of animals in Africa where rhino horns and elephant tusks are hunted down while only 10,000 cheetahs and 25,000 lions remain.

http://www.tusk.org/

The wildlife film tells the story on the Kenyan plains where a pride of lions and a family of cheetahs battle for survival. Kenya is very much in the hearts of William and Catherine as they were engaged in this beautiful country.

William protecting Catherine from rain while the Duchess forgoes high street to wear a dazzling Matthew Williamson design, no leopard print in sight !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2135095/Duchess-Cambridge-dazzles-embellished-Matthew-Williamson-dress-charity-premiere.html

So a great evening was had as a good cause was supported and a romantic reminder filled the screen as to the day they became formally committed.

Last night William and Catherine supported a very different cause though with the similar seasonal weather……….rain. Prior to this they met up with remarkable soldiers (a strange term) where the Duke and Duchess cuddled a baby. Immediately the press suggested the couple were keen to have one themselves. Shock and horror that they might contemplate this !

The evening reception was held at the Imperial War Museum where a foundation was launched for the ‘First World War Galleries Centenary’ campaign.

William and Catherine at the Imperial War Museum, does the former look a little tired while Catherine dazzles in Amanda Wakeley and Prada ?

William is patron of the foundation which hopes to raise £35 million for a re-vamp of the iconic museum. The idea is to have this ready by 2014, the centenary of the Great War, a slight oxymoron in its wording ! The serving officer, Flight Lieutenant Wales, gave a speech telling people how the museum is a reminder of the sacrifice that many made while Catherine said she was a great fan of military history……… an interesting fact ! I would love to hear her and the Duke of Edinburgh in deep discussion regarding naval operations in World Wr II !

So a busy two days for the royals but no doubt looking forward to a quiet, private anniversary on Sunday. For those of you who enjoyed THE wedding on the 29th April last year why not acquire a timeless reminder of the day ? Esteemed British collectible business, Compton and Woodhouse had an exclusive Royal Staffordshire figurine made to commemorate this day. Sculpted by renowned artist Carolyn Morton, the piece captures Catherine in all her beauty and finesse on this historic occasion.

Finished Catherine The Royal Bride Figurine

So enjoy the weekend and look out for more comment as the anniversary nears…………..

Since I was young one of my favourite films has been ‘A Man for All Seasons’ written by Robert Bolt and starring Robert Shaw and Sir Philip Scofield. The film depicted the conscience of the Lord Chancellor, Thomas More versus his King, Henry VIII, and his war against the Vatican.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Man_for_All_Seasons_%281966_film%29

You might wonder why I mention it. The film was a sumptuous portrayal of Tudor life in general, in fact by the time Henry VIII  died he had 50 residences, many within London. He used the Thames as a form of transport which the film depicted in all its glory and which we again are going to see during the Queen’s Royal Jubilee. The Thames celebration is promised to be the greatest celebration the water has seen.

The Spirit of Chartwell, a Thames cruiser built in Rotterdam in 2000, transformed into the Queen’s Royal Barge

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2129085/Diamond-Jubilee-2012-Finishing-touches-spectacular-Royal-Barge.html

A the Royal Barge might look on the day of Thames flotilla

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2129085/Diamond-Jubilee-2012-Finishing-touches-spectacular-Royal-Barge.html

This once in a lifetime event will take place on the 3rd June from 2pm- 6pm and will be an amazing spectacle ! Students from the London Arts School are putting finishing touches to the decorations to the Royal Barge which will carry the Queen and Prince Philip ahead of a 1000 strong flotilla.

A student putting the finishing touches to a gold-gilded decoration for the Royal Barge

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2129085/Diamond-Jubilee-2012-Finishing-touches-spectacular-Royal-Barge.html

The barge will be elaborately decked out to be fit for a Queen. There will be lavish red carpets, velvet drapes and two thrones beneath a canopy. Floral displays from the Queen’s own garden will adorn the boat. It will be a truly magnificent sight ! The procession will start from Wandsworth and end at Tower Bridge with a possible 30,000 people following the Queen on water. The route will be divided into 10 sections interspersed with ‘music herald’ barges. I understand that when the Royal Barge passes the M16 building the John Barry, James Bond Theme, will be played, what fun !

The first boat will be the Glorianna, an 88ft Royal Rowbarge, followed by a fleet of paddled vessels including watermen’s cutters, skiffs, American whaleboats and dragon boats. The second section includes craft carrying flags of the Commonwealth nations, realms and the territories. A rather lovely touch will see the churches on route ringing their bells in response to a craft that will be pealing along the Thames. A magnificent display of pageant !

For those who would like an exclusive memory of the Diamond Jubilee please look at the website of esteemed British collectible company, Compton and Woodhouse. They have commissioned a beautiful figurine of Queen Elizabeth II sculpted in bone china by Martin Evans.

www.comptonandwoodhouse-us.com

Queen Elizabeth II Figurine Diamond Jubilee Edition

I read that William and Catherine are due to visit the cinema, I will report on this shortly………..may be an anniversary treat ?

Despite the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge having some ‘down time’ it seems that Catherine is quietly keeping an eye on causes she supports. The next few months will be a very busy period for all royals with the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. So we have seen little of William and Catherine since his return from the Falklands but there was a nice piece regarding the Duchess and her commitment to her causes. This one revolves around her role with the scouts.

Catherine fronting the Scout magazine, has she been measured for a uniform ?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2092773/Kate-Middleton-Scouting-Duchess-Cambridge-latest-cover-girl-movements-magazine.html

Well strictly speaking it is a story revolving around the cubs. The group sent a letter from their base in Newton-le-Willows to Catherine welcoming her to scouting (though it should be noted that she was a brownie herself). As a thank you the ‘dib, dib, dobbers’ were sent a letter from the Duchess’s office with a photo of William and her. It seems that Catherine is having a positive effect on this great movement (the role of Bear Grylls as chief scout must also help) with 549 new scouts joining in Wales, the region seeing the fastest growth of the organisation than anywhere in the UK. To paraphrase a cub motto, she is ‘doing her best!’

Following this theme of the Duchess’s charity work it seems she has been approached to become patron of a cause that was close to Diana, Princess of Wales. It is called Positive View Foundation.

http://positiveviewfoundation.org.uk/

The two great influences in William’s life connected by a charity

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2133161/KATIE-NICHOLL-Snap-Photo-charity-asks-Kate-Dianas-role.html

The charity works with disadvantaged young people and Catherine is being courted to become an ambassador. The organisation encourages young people to take up photography, a subject that she enjoys and she is now considering the idea. I guess her interest allows her insight into what makes a good photo and she probably finds that useful with the worlds lenses in her face !

The charity was started in 1994 by the august group of Andrew Page, Sir David Tang and Lady Foster. Diana was a patron and William took the role for a project in 2010 so Catherine will be fully briefed as to the workings of this good cause. It is rumoured that she may attend the annual gala dinner next year which is held at Christies, may be she can auction a picture she took, the bids would certainly be lively !

I will of course look back at THE wedding which took place nearly a year ago, when I muse on the event in the coming week. I wonder what the couple will do on the first anniversary ? A quiet night in is probably a luxury for them ! Till then and more on the Diamond Jubilee but have a look at this beautiful, royal china piece commissioned by Compton and Woodhouse. It is yours to enjoy in your home as we remember the 60 years of a remarkable woman’s reign.

Queen Elizabeth II Figurine Diamond Jubilee Edition

www.comptonandwoodhouse-us.com

As we are experiencing a very different Spring from last year, it is also a year ago that THE wedding filled the nations psyche ! The press was full of speculation on the dress, the guests, the weather and any detail connected to this historical day. I will reflect more on THE day in the week as the anniversary falls but here is a brief reminder of this wonderful event.

William and Catherine enjoying the warmth of a nation

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/william-and-kate-wedding-live-on-rediff/20110429.htm

Today it is worth noting how well Catherine has done in joining the ‘royal’ firm. If you look at how Princess Diana and the Duchess of York found it hard to adapt, it is a tribute to Catherine and the Royal Family how things have gone so smoothly. For however gently Catherine has been introduced to royal life, she has had to face the daunting prospect that her privacy has all but gone. Ever since the young couple have been together the world has looked upon for every detail to be released in the press, social media and various forums on the Internet. They are the 7th most popular celebrity couple in the USA !

The thing to note about Catherine is in her relationship with William and his with the Palace. They have been together for around 10 years (with the odd hiccup) and are very much a couple of equals who share and support each other. They are happy couple who enjoy being with each other whether in private or public, though you imagine they would but for fate enjoy a private existence. William would also be aware of how difficult his mother found Palace life and made sure the same mistakes were not made. Catherine might be a different person to Diana but the new life style would still be daunting for this calm, strong and determined woman. It is also worth noting that the senior royals have also helped Catherine acclimatise to royal life. When William had his 6 week stint in the Falklands the Duchess of Cambridge accompanied both the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall (no doubt a good ally as someone who married into the ‘firm’) on various official functions.

A lovely picture of the Queen and the next two generations to follow as they enjoy a trip to Fortnum and Mason

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2108587/Kate-Middleton-Queen-Duchess-Cornwall-official-visit-Fortnum–Mason.html

The royal delight in the new bride of William is obvious in how she has easily slipped into royal life. Prince Charles is keen to involve both William and Catherine in his charitable causes as when he succeeds to the throne he will no longer have the time for his cherished causes. He must be happy that he has such a save pair of hands in his son and daughter-in-law for continuing his good work.

The next few days will be busy as THE wedding anniversary nears, no doubt the press will speculate as to what they might do ! If you would like a lovely reminder of the day that you can keep for generations to come, take a look at the website of the esteemed British collectible company, Compton and Woodhouse.

www.comptonandwoodhouse-us.com

Here you will find a beautiful, Royal Staffordshire, commissioned figurine which enhance any room it is placed in.

Finished Catherine The Royal Bride Figurine