The Duchess Diary

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Archives for March 2016

Monaco’s Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques: Their Cutest Photos

prince albert princess charlene twins pique nique monegasque

PLS Pool/Getty Images

On December 10th, 2014, Princess Gabriella of Monaco, Countess of Carladès was born at the Princess Grace Hospital, named after her paternal grandmother.

Two minutes later, her brother, Jacques did the ole’ “leapfrog” and  became the Hereditary Prince of Monaco, and will one day inherit the throne from his father, Prince Albert II.

Because to primogeniture (which was done away with in other royal households like Sweden and Great Britain), Jacques outranks Gabriella by virtue of being a male, despite her being older.

Enough with the technicalities.  Let’s coo over baby photos!  [Read more…]

Prince Harry Hopes To Find Love In America

prince harry watches sunrise nepal

Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images

At least according to Life & Style.

For those of you who overspent on Rent The Runway and fashioned grandma’s costume jewelry into a passable tiara, I’m afraid I have some bad news.

Despite a report that he’s moving to America in order to “find his princess,” I’m afraid Prince Harry will remain a UK citizen. [Read more…]

Prince George and Princess Charlotte Play a Very Special Role in The Queen’s 90th Birthday

kate middleton prince william pose children prince george princess charlotte norfolk home

Kensington Palace/Chris Jelf

He is the heir, and she, the spare.  So it’s only fitting that Prince George and his little sister, Princess Charlotte take part in the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s (or “Gan Gan” as George calls her) 90th birthday.

The Sun‘s Emily Andrews reports that the two children of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posed alongside the monarch for photographer Annie Leibowitz, who also worked with Her Majesty in 2007. [Read more…]

Did Anyone Watch ITV’s “Our Queen at Ninety” Documentary?

Last night, the highly-anticipated ITV documentary on Her Majesty aired in the UK, and now international audiences are able to watch it in full. Well, whoever can find it, I guess.

Members of the royal family spoke affectionately about the Queen, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and her oldest grandchild, Peter Phillips.

Ashley Gething, the documentary’s director and producer, reflected on her latest project for the Telegraph.  [Read more…]

Crown Princess Victoria Cuddles Son Prince Oscar In Darling New Photo

crown princess victoria holds infant son prince oscar swedish royal family

Kate Gabor/The Royal Court, Sweden

With his head tucked safely under mummy’s chin, Prince Oscar Carl Olof of Sweden posed for his second official photo.

The Swedish Royal Palace released a new image of Oscar and his mother, Crown Princess Victoria.  The little prince, born March 2nd, is Victoria’s second child with husband, Prince Daniel.  He has an older sister, Estelle, who will one day rule the country.

“We would like to convey our sincere gratitude for all the kind greetings and congratulations we have received in connection with Princess Estelle’s birthday and the birth of Prince Oscar,” Victoria and Daniel wrote on the palace’s site.  [Read more…]

“Bridget Jones’s Baby”: Watch The First Trailer

First off, let me just say “Hurrah!” for the third installment of my favorite franchise (more so the books, because the movie version  Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge of Reason was slightly crap.  Love the first film, though).

Second, the movie doesn’t appear to follow the same storyline as Helen Fieldings’ book, Bridget’s Jones: Mad About The Boy.  This may well be because of Mark Darcy’s fate in the book would have deterred audiences from seeing a movie version. [Read more…]

The World Stands With Brussels After Terrorist Attacks

Lyon, France Court Lights Up Belgian Colors Tribute Victims 2016 Terrorist Attack

JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images

This morning, ISIS suicide bombers detonated two devices inside Brussels’ Zaventem airport, and another at a metro station.  According to ABC News, one x-ray from an injured victim showed a nail that punctured a lung, leading authorities to believe that the bombs contained nails and screws.

The total number of people killed at press time is at least 31, forcing the country to go on the highest terror alert possible, as well as declare three days of mourning for the dead.

The acts, said Prime Minister Charles Michel, were “blind, violent and cowardly.” [Read more…]

How Pippa Middleton May Have Helped Big Sister Kate Impress The Queen

pippa middleton holds kate middleton train westminster abbey royal wedding

Michael Murdock / Splash News

Back in 2012, it was widely reported that the Duchess of Cambridge was into making jams and giving them out as gifts.

In fact, royal reporter Katie Nicholl specified that Catherine “started making homemade pots of fruit jam” while William worked as a search-and-rescue pilot for the RAF in Wales.

“She gave strawberry jam and plum preserves out as Christmas pres­ents” in 2011, Nicholls reported.

Catherine more or less confirmed this during a teaser for the upcoming ITV documentary, The Queen at 90. [Read more…]

Beatrice Borromeo Wears The He*k Out of Giambattista Valli at Bal de la Rose

beatrice borromeo giambattista valli ball de la rose

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

I love me a poofy, dramatic ball gown, so mine eyes were so pleased when Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi wore a Giambattista Valli to the 2016 Bal de la Rose.

Tatler‘s Annabel Rivkin put it perfectly:

“What’s the point of a ballgown unless it’s pouffy?  There is no point.  Not really.  Because an evening dress becomes one only with an element of fantasy.  That, and a distinct lack of versatility.  It will have to earn its keep in one star-spangled  night  because it must be so memorable that you can’t wear it again for 20 years.

Grace Kelly founded the ball in 1954 to benefit young artists.

[Read more…]

Kate Middleton: The Queen Gave Me “Gentle Guidance” As a New Royal

Prince George Speaks Queen Elizabeth II St Mary Magdalene Church

Matt Dunham/WPA-Pool

ITV’s long-awaited documentary, The Queen at 90 will air in the UK on March 27th.  Previews for the Robert Hardman-helmed special show fantastic clips featuring the Duchess of Cambridge in her first ever interview.

Catherine spoke fondly of her grandmother-in-law, revealing that her son, Prince George has a special name for The Queen.

“George is only two and a half and he calls her Gan-Gan,” Catherine, in a blue Rebecca Taylor outfit, said.

“She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows her love for the family.”  [Read more…]