Prince Harry Continues on Trek to North Pole

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Britain's Prince Harry, gestures, during training for the Walking with the Wounded expedition, on the island of Spitsbergen, situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, Thursday March 31, 2011. The third in line to the British throne will train for three days before accompanying the team on the first five days of their four-week expedition. AP Photo

Life with Jeeves

State Harness Cleaner David Oates cleans the Round Buckle, part of the State Harness, at the Royal Mews in central London, Monday, March 21, 2011. The harness will be used on the royal carriage at the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday April 29, 2011. AP Photo

Prince Harry Continues Trek to The North Pole (for Charity)

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SPITSBERGEN, NORWAY - MARCH 29: Prince Harry skis with the Walking with the Wounded team, who have gathered on the island of Spitsbergen - situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole - for their last days of preparation before setting off to the North Pole by foot on March 29, 2011 in Spitsbergen, Norway. Getty Images

British Jewellery Expert Speaks about Kate Middleton's Wedding Day Finery - hellomagazine.com

Join hellomagazine.com’s correspondent Scott Wimsett at Garrard – the world’s oldest jewellers - as he meets with jewellery expert Carol Woolton to get some tips for the bride-to-be.

He also discusses the engagement ring, why tiaras can give you a headache, and wedding band styles appropriate for a modern day Princess. Click link to be directed to post, or watch the video!


British jewellery expert speaks about Kate Middleton's wedding day finery - hellomagazine.com

CNN Gets An Inside Look at The Royal Reception

A painting of Queen Alexandra, wife of Edward VII, by Francois Flameng, is seen in the White Drawing Room, which will be used during the wedding reception of Prince William and Kate Middleton, at Buckingham Palace in London March 25, 2011. Staff at Buckingham Palace have lifted the lid on preparations for Prince William's wedding next month, giving an insight into what guests can expect and the amount of work they have put in to make the event a success. Picture taken March 25, 2011. Reuters Pictures

Prince Harry on the Cover of GQ - Promoting His Charity

In this handout photo released by Conde Nast on Monday, March 28, 2011, Britain's Prince Harry on the cover of GQ magazine. The special edition front page shows the 26-year-old wearing kit for the Walking With The Wounded charity, of which he is patron. The Prince will trek to the North Pole with three wounded soldiers as part of his role as patron. AP Photo

The Best Man (Prince Harry) is Off to The North Pole!!!

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Britain's Prince Harry, second left, joins the Walking with the Wounded team, on the island of Spitsbergen, situated between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole, Tuesday, March 29, 2011. Palace officials say that the 26-year-old royal is accompanying a group of wounded soldiers on their 200 mile (320 kilometre) trek, an attention grabbing stunt aimed at raising money for a veterans' charity. The Walking With The Wounded group hopes to raise 2 million pounds ($3.2 million) to help other injured military personnel find work and peace of mind. AP Photo

Commemorative Stamps To Be Available April 21st

A set of commemorative stamps, to celebrate the wedding of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, is seen in this photograph received in London on March 28, 2011. The stamps, which feature photographs of the couple by Mario Testino, will be available from April 21. Reuters Pictures

A British Tradition: Street Parties Celebrating the Royal Wedding

 LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Samantha Cameron, wife of Prime Minister David Cameron sits with Adam Giles, 10 during a visit to the Save the Children charity headquarters on March 11, 2011 in London, England. Mrs Cameron has been appointed as an ambassador to Save the Children and she will be supporting the No Child Born to Die campaign. Getty Images

Courtesy: The DailyMail.com.  The Prime Minister's wife will be hosting a street party celebrating the Royal Wedding as is the tradition. DailyMail has the scoop:

Samantha Cameron will be among the millions of Britons holding a street party to celebrate the royal wedding.

The Prime Minister and his wife have applied for a licence to host a party in Downing Street on Friday, April 29.

Although Mr and Mrs Cameron have been invited to the royal nuptials at Westminster Abbey and then to a lunchtime reception at Buckingham Palace, they will return to Downing Street in the afternoon for the bash.

It is not known who the Camerons will invite on the day, although given the Prime Minister’s commitment to the Big Society there could be a charity theme to the event.

Westminster City Council confirmed it had received an application for a royal wedding street party from the Camerons.

Read the full post from the DailyMail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370455/Samantha-Cameron-host-Royal-Wedding-party-Downing-Street.html

Party and Pastry for the Royal Pair - The Today Show

The Royal Wedding Will Have TWO Cakes!!!

Cake designer Fiona Cairns looks at a Victorian recipe book in Fleckney, England Thursday, March 24, 2011. Cairns has been commissioned by Prince William and Kate Middleton to create a multi-tiered traditional fruit cake lavishly decorated with a floral theme for their wedding. AP Photo

Here is the scoop on the Royal Wedding Cake. It will be two cakes. One cake is Prince William's favorite, the other will be a multi-tiered fruit cake. Kate has been instrumental in designing the cake. From TheMail.com

Courtesy: TheMail.com

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been keeping an eye on costs ahead of their wedding– but they are sparing no expense when it comes to the cake.

The couple, who both have a sweet tooth, have chosen to have two cakes served at their wedding breakfast following their marriage at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

One will be William’s favourite chocolate biscuit cake, which is made from a special recipe involving Rich Tea biscuits and dark chocolate and is set in the freezer rather than baked in an oven.

Buckingham Palace has sent the recipe to chefs at McVitie’s, who will make an outsized version including 1,700 biscuits and nearly 40lb of chocolate.

The couple have also asked Leicestershire-based cake-designer Fiona Cairns to make a multi-tiered fruit wedding cake which will be decorated with fresh fruit and flowers.

Kate has been instrumental in creating the cake. It is thought it will incorporate the couple’s cipher, which will be released on the wedding day and is expected to be their entwined initials.

Kate has chosen pale colours for the cake and apparently wants a floral theme featuring the ¬symbols of the four nations: an English rose, a ¬Scottish thistle, a Welsh daffodil and an Irish ¬shamrock.

Read More from the DailyMail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1370364/Two-cakes-Kate-Multi-tiered-fruit-cake-Williams-favourite--Rich-Tea-biscuits-dark-chocolate--please.html

The Royal Wedding Will Be a Boom For London's Businesses

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 24: An exterior view of Harrods department store in Knightsbridge on March 24, 2011 in London, England. Harrods has over one million square feet of retail space, spread over 330 departments. The world famous store was sold to Qatar Holdings in May 2010 for 1.5 billion GBP. Millions of tourists are expected to visit London for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2011 and the Olympic Games in 2012. Getty Images

Charities Close to Home Win the Support of William & Kate

Charities Close to Home Win the Support of William & Kate: "

Over 20 ‘little known’ charities will benefit from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding list guest fund.

The Royal Couple have selected a wide range of charitable causes, many of which have not received Royal support in the past. They have requested that wedding guests and well-wishers donate rather than spend money on a gift.

The majority of the charities chosen are for causes in the UK. Many focus on the youth sector, including Peace Players Belfast, which is a small charity that brings young people from Protestant and Catholic communities together over a game of basketball. William and Kate visited the organisation when they were in Northern Ireland earlier this month.

Service charities also feature strongly and include Combat for Stress and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. Three overseas charities have been selected, including the New Zealand Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

The Wedding List Gift Fund

• Peace Players


• Ocean Youth Trust


• Greenhouse Schools


• Oily Cart


• Dance United


• Into University


• Venture Trust


• Beat Bullying


• Keyfund


• A National Voice Association for Children’s Palliative Care


• Youth Access Community Foundation in Wales


• Community Foundation in Scotland


• Community Foundation in Berkshire


• Combat Stress


• Cruse Bereavement Care for Children of Forces’ Families


• Household Cavalry Benevolent Fund


• Irish Guards Appeal


• Army Widows Association


• Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund


• ZSL Earthwatch


• The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary


• New Zealand Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal


• Royal Flying Doctor Service Australia

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Royal Duties for The Queen

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shovels earth onto a newly-planted Queen Elizabeth rose bush during a visit to the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, in east London, on March 24, 2011. The Royal Foundation of St Katharine is one of the oldest religious foundations in Great Britain. It was founded in 1147 by Queen Matilda, as a hospital for the poor and patronage of The Foundation has been reserved unto the Queens of England ever since. Getty Images

Camilla: Kate's A Lovely Girl!!!

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive for a visit to Goldsmiths Hall on February 23, 2011 in London, England. Getty Images

Courtesy: USAToday

"Kate's a lovely girl," Camilla, 63, said Wednesday during a visit to Covent Garden Academy of Flowers in London, reports The Express. "We're very lucky. I'm very much looking forward to the wedding."

Camilla, who has been spotted out twice with Kate (at a restaurant and the ballet), also spoke about the role her granddaughter, Eliza Lopes, will play as a bridesmaid in the April 29 event. "She's only 3, and it will be quite nerve-wracking for a little one. But she will enjoy it."

Click link for full post from USAToday.com
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/03/camilla-on-the-royal-wedding-kates-a-lovely-girl/1

It's All About the Dress!!!

Royal Wedding: The wedding Procession Route Through Historic London - hellomagazine.com

HelloMagazine gives us a glimpse of what the route is that Prince William and Kate Middleton will be taking on their big day.  Courtesy HelloMagazine.com.

Not since the 1981 nuptials of Prince Charles and Diana has there been such wedding excitement in Britain. And a crowd of over one million is expected to gather along the procession route on April 29. 

Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history. It has been the coronation church since 1066 and it is the final resting place of 17 monarchs




One of the most iconic buildings in the world, the House of Parliament was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1834

The Horse Guard Parade is the site of the annual Trooping of the Colour celebration which commemorates the monarch's official birthday

A wide tree-lined road, The Mall runs from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch

Built between 1531 and 1536, St. James' Palace was the home of the kings and queens of England for over 300 years.  Since the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837 however, the monarchs have actually lived just down the mall at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace serves as both the royal home as well as the administrative headquarters of the monarch.
Click link for full post from HelloMagazine.com



Royal Wedding: The wedding procession route through historic London - hellomagazine.com

From Commoner to Queen - The "Royal Commoners" - hellomagazine.com

Royals all over the world have been finding love with partners not born into privilege. In these modern times, a down-to-earth personality and a person who has lived a full and normal life holds more allure than one with a fancy title.

Courtesy: HelloMagazine.com. Click link for full post from HelloMagazine.

Other people like Kate Middleton who have become royalty though not being born into privilege - hellomagazine.com

Commemoratives: The Official Royal Wedding China

Official Royal Wedding commemorative china is displayed at the Queen�s Gallery shop on Buckingham Palace Road, in central London March 22, 2011. The china has been produced to mark the forthcoming wedding between Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photograph taken on March 22, 2011. Reuters Pictures

The Royal Transport for The Big Wedding

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Carriage restorer, Dave Evans, cleans the side lanterns on the Glass Coach at the Royal Mews in central London, Monday March 21, 2011. The coach, which was built in 1881, and is traditionally used by Royal brides to travel on their wedding day, will be used to carry Prince William and Kate Middleton in the event of bad weather on their wedding day on Friday, April 29, 2011. Should the weather be good on the day then the 1902 State Landau carriage will be used instead. AP Photo

Prosecute Lowry, O'Brien & Dunne!

Dail Éireann (Irish parliament) should ask for criminal proceedings to be brought against Michael Lowry, Denis O'Brien and Ben Dunne for corrupting the Irish political system & undermining democracy in this republic.
Fair play for Judge Moriarity for saying in plain English how Lowry and O'Brien used money to feather their own nests.
But if legislative action is not taken against these men, the taxpayers funding of the decade-old Moriarty Tribunal & its findings was and is a waste of time.

When the 'Bloody Sunday Tribunal' issued its findings, Prime Minister David Cameron made a statement to the British Parliament and apologised for the wrongs of the British Army. Taoiseach Enda Kenny should do likewise and issue a public statement in the Dail within the next few days & apologises for the damage done to Irish democracy by self-serving greedy politicians in Fianna Fail, Fine Gael & other parties who took monies from wealthy business men in return for land re-zoning, issuing of state contracts etc. These parasites need to be kick out of politics and put in jail. Plus there needs to be immediate legislation brought in to ban political donations from businesses, which has contaminated Irish politics since the 1960s when Charles Haughey set up the old boys network known as 'Taca' to fund raise for Fianna Fail.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0322/breaking17.html

Royal Wedding Transport Revealed Including The Rolls Royce Which Will Bear Kate Middleton to Westminster Abbey - hellomagazine.com

Transportation for the Royal Wedding will break tradition. Kate Middleton will arrive in the Royal - Royals Royce. But will leave the Church in a Royal Carriage as Princess Catherine.


From: HelloMagazine.com

Given to the Queen on her Silver Jubilee in 1977, the luxury car will have a starring role, conveying Kate Middleton to Westminster Abbey on her way to become Princess Catherine.

The vehicle has a raised roof, which will allow crowds a view of the bride in all her finery.

After becoming man and wife, Kate and Prince William will return in the 1902 State Landau, used by his parents following their marriage in 1981.

 Click link for full post from HelloMagazine.com
 
Royal wedding transport revealed including the Rolls Royce which will bear Kate Middleton to Westminster Abbey - hellomagazine.com

William and Kate - The Movie (Trailer)

Actress Camilla Luddington portrays Kate Middleton as she stars in the Lifetime Original Movie "William & Kate" in this undated publicity photograph. The film premieres in the U.S. on April 18, 2011 on Lifetime Television. Reuters Pictures

Here Comes Hollywood!!!

Picture of Lady Diana, Princess of Wales with Prince Charles of Wales at their wedding at St Paul Cathedral in London in this file photo dated 29 July 1981. Lady Diana and her lover, the Egyptian millionaire businessman Dodi al-Fayed died after a midnight car crash in Paris 31 August. At far (R) Earl Spencer, father of Lady Diana. Getty Images

What is sure to be one of the most watched events of the year -- nobody covers a Royal Wedding better than Hollywood. And you can be sure they will be there in full force!!!!

Hollywood LOVES Royalty!!!!

In this Wednesday, March 9, 2011 photo, a commemorative plate and a copy of the engagement ring, memorabilia made for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Church's china shop in Northampton, England. Church's, a 152-year old china and ornament seller that specialises in memorabilia, has plenty of reason to celebrate the upcoming royal nuptials as its cash register chimes with the wedding bells. AP Photo

Prince William Tours Australia

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A woman waits to greet Britain's Prince William while a picture of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, can be seen, at Kerang, 300km (187 miles) north of Melbourne March 21, 2011. Prince William visited flood-affected northwest Victoria on the last leg of his trip to disaster areas in Australia and New Zealand. Reuters Pictures

Stepping Back in Time: Diana's Party

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 06: Princess Diana Worn Fuchsia Pink Evening Dress by Victor Edelsteinis is displayed at the Gotta Have It!'s Rock & Roll Pop Culture Auction Press Preview at the Gotta Have It! Getty Images

Queen's Confidant Angela Kelly to Dress her Majesty for the Royal Wedding - hellomagazine.com

Who will the Queen be wearing?  HelloMagazine.com has the answer. From HelloMagazine:

While Kate Middleton is keeping the designer of her dress a secret there is no mystery surrounding the Queen's outfit for the royal wedding.

Her Majesty's Liverpudlian aide and close confidant Angela Kelly has dressed the monarch for years, and the nuptials of her grandson Prince William will be no exception.

Click link for full post:

Queen's confidant Angela Kelly to dress her majesty for the royal wedding - hellomagazine.com

Tour the Lovely Isle Where William and Kate Call Home

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Kate Middleton, fiancee to Britain's Prince William is seen as they visit Trearddur Bay Lifeboat Station on the island of Anglesey, Wales, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011. Several hundred people cheered as Prince William and fiancee Kate Middleton made a rare public appearance Thursday to dedicate a new lifeboat. They plan to marry April 29 at Westminster Abbey. AP Photo

Banquet for a Future King - hellomagazine.com

Courtesy: HelloMagazine.com. -- They got the opinion of Great British Menu winner Niall McKenna, executive chef at Belfast’s fantastic James St South restaurant --

What would you cook for William and Kate's wedding day?
"I would devise a menu which would be a modern take on some of our Great British dishes like as asparagus with quail's egg dressing; for the fish course I might go for poached halibut with watercress and for the main course some lamb with new potatoes and butter braised leeks.

"For the dessert I would serve my Great British Menu dessert! If I could I would include a cheese course showcasing some of the best regional cheeses.

"Although the dishes sound simple the taste and flavours would be sensational and the presentation would be clean and simple and perfectly suited to a wedding breakfast."Click link for full post from HelloMagazine.com

An expert's opinion on what Kate Middleton and Prince William might serve at their wedding - hellomagazine.com

The Today Show Visits Westminister Abbey

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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - MARCH 08: Kate Middleton arrives at City Hall on March 8, 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Royal Couple are visiting Northern Ireland as part of a tour of the country that a couple of weeks ago took them to St Andrews University in Scotland and Anglesey in North Wales to launch a lifeboat. This day-long trip to Ireland has been kept top secret due to security issues. They will marry on the 29th April at Westminster Abbey in a much anticipated ceremony. Getty Images

Meredith Vieira visits Westminster Abbey to get an inside look at the royal wedding preparations, including a walk down the aisle of the historic cathedral.

Prince William Visits New Zealand's Earthquake City

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Britain's Prince William inspects the earthquake damage at the Christchurch Cathedral March 17, 2011. Prince William is visiting New Zealand until March 19. Reuters Pictures

Cover Girl!!! On the Cover of Hello Magazine

Royal Wedding: VIP HELLO! fan Kate checks out royal wedding coverage in her favourite magazine - hellomagazine.com

Among the hundreds of thousands flicking through the pages each week there is one very special fan - the current edition's covergirl, and princess-to-be, Kate Middleton herself.

The elegant brunette buys it every week, and it's one of her favourite glossies - reveals the proprietor of the local shop that she frequents with her mum when back home in Bucklebury, Berkshire. Click link for full post from HelloMagazine.com

Royal Wedding: VIP HELLO! fan Kate checks out royal wedding coverage in her favourite magazine - hellomagazine.com

St. Patrick & St. Patrick's Day - Not Irish After All!!

Great swathes of the world turn green on March 17th as people anywhere that have some ancestral roots to theEmerald Isle nosily celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the great festival of the Irish.

Yet, as with St. Patrick himself, so many of the traditions associated with our national holiday owe their existence to people and places far beyond our green shamrock shores.

Click here to find out more about this startling revelation from one of my previous and hopefully very interesting articles!

For instance....

Famous Ballad 'Dirty Old Town' - Not an Irish Song!

Dirty Old Town is a song synonymous with Irish Pub Ballads, with most people believing that its title refers to Dublin.

Actually, it was written by Ewan MacColl, an Englishman of Scottish ancestry, about the grimy old industrial town of Salford near Manchester!

Click here to hear Pogues' brilliant version of Dirty Old Town.

Ireland's Forty Shades of Green - Invented by an American Rock 'n' Roller!

Forty Shades of Green has all the hallmarks of a story penned by an Irish emigrant fondly reminiscing about memories of the lover, the landscapes and the people that he left behind in rural Ireland.
In fact it was written by the Man in Black- Johnny Cash, the legendary American Rock 'n' Roll & Country star. Though every line in the song feels like part of an authentic television documentary on Ireland as it would have looked in 1961 when it was written, Johnny had at that stage never set foot on the 'old sod'!

So I have nothing but admiration for the man who could write such beautiful emotional lyrics about a country that he had yet to visit. Who cares if it is sentimental. As an emigrant myself in times gone past, I can empathise with the feelings expressed.
Johnny obviously listened avidly to tales of Ireland from emigrants living in the United States.

Click here to hear a fine version song by his daughter Rosanne Cash