The Duchess Diary

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Lupo Photobombs Princess Charlotte’s Birthday Shoot

Today, Kensington Palace released four new photos of Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana ahead of her May 2nd birthday, on which she turns one.

The sparette was photographed by her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, posing regally at her family’s Anmer Hall home.

princess charlotte chair anmer hall

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

The Princess had two outfit changes for the shoot – a pink carding and dress with matching tights, then a cream cardigan with a blue dress and matching tights; both sets were topped off with a tiny bow in the appropriate color. [Read more…]

Prince George Bids Obama Goodnight, Thanks Him For Popping By Kensington Palace

Tonight, Nanny Maria allowed the President of the United States of America to have an audience with Prince George of Cambridge.

Though it was past her charge’s bedtime, Maria granted Mr. President 20 minutes with the heir to the British throne (Cameron usually gets zero).

And so, pleasantries were exchanged.  Prince George thanked Obama for the rocking horse he and Michelle sent over when he was born, even mounting it to show how much joy he gets out of the stationary object.

prince george robe talks kate middleton kensington palace

Twitter/Kensington Palace

[Read more…]

Mia Tindall Went Off-Script, Grabbed Queen’s Handbag For Photo

Prince George may have stolen the show yesterday, but today it was Princess Anne’s granddaughter, Mia Tindall, who had everyone asking, “Who’s the toddler holding Her Majesty’s purse?”

Annie Leibovitz shot a photo of the Queen with two of her youngest grandchildren – Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn – and five great-grandchildren.

While Princess Charlotte sat on the monarch’s lap, 2-year-old Tindall looked quite pleased with herself as she held great-granny’s $1400 Launer purse.

A royal source present at the shoot told the Daily Mail that Tindall’s move was unscripted.

“The moment with Mia was completely spontaneous, it was not staged at all. She just picked up her great-granny’s handbag and that was it,” the source said.

queen elizabeth poses great-grandchildren grandchildren buckingham palace

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

[Read more…]

The Queen Turns 90, Makes Great-Grandkid Mia Tindall Useful In Adorable Photo

The whole point of having children, and then grandchildren (followed by great-grandchildren), is to force them to do sensible things, like carrying heavy packages, and holding your purse during a very important photoshoot.

This is what Her Majesty had Mia Tindall, 2, do for what could be the year’s most famous photo (it’s tied for first with this gem).

“One is doing the Lord’s work. Plus, I was told there’s gum in here.”

Mia Tindall Holds Queen's Purse

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

[Read more…]

Prince George: Mine Is the Greatest Stamp You Will Ever Own

You know what? We believe him.

Yesterday, the Royal Mail released  special edition stamps to commemorate Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

prince charles prince george prince william queen elizabeth special stamp royal family

Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail/Getty Images

Prince George joined his living predecessors for an historic photoshoot, one that sees the future king standing atop durable foam stacks whilst holding his father’s hand.

Brilliant. [Read more…]

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 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…]

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…]

Prince Oscar: Swedish Royals Share Darling Photo of Newborn

prince oscar newborn swedish royal family

Facebook/Kungahuset

Today is cute royal kids day, it seems (one is not complaining).

First, Kensington Palace released family photos of the Cambridges, then this little nugget posed for/slept through his first photocall.

Sweden’s Prince Oscar (born on March 2nd) snoozed as the cameras snapped away at Haga Palace, where the baby prince lives with his older sister, Princess Estelle and parents, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel.

The Daily Mail confirmed with the Swedish court that Victoria took the photo of her son, much like the Duchess of Cambridge did when Princess Charlotte was born. [Read more…]

Will and Kate Share Family Photos From Alps Ski Trip

prince william kate middleton prince george princess charlotte french alps family photo

John Stillwell/WPA-Pool

Cheeeeeeese.

You have to hand it to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for pulling off a fantastic photo op just as the media was finished tearing Prince William apart.

Many have accused the Duke of being “workshy,” and shirking his royal responsibilities in favor of spending time with his family at their Norfolk, England home.

“No one really wants to admit it openly, but it was the talk of Sandringham over Christmas that he does nothing,” a source told the Sun‘s Emily Andrews last month. [Read more…]