Let's talk royals
It was a scene that surely delighted the royal crowds: a smiling monarch being driven around the Chelsea Flower earlier today show in a “golf buggy.” Her Majesty has been patron of The Royal Horticultural Society, which puts on the magnificent show, since 1952.
The new wheels have been rolled out (ha!) as part of a broader effort for her comfort, according to Buckingham Palace, and one thinks they’re quite spiffy. [Read more…]
YouTube/ThamesTV
Sometimes you stumble upon some royal gems on YouTube, like I did a few years back when I found video of Zara Tindall’s (née Phillips) christening. It took place at Windsor Castle in July 1981, just two days before her uncle, Prince Charles, married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
If Charles was nervous about his impending nuptials (or dreading them, as the public is now aware), you wouldn’t know it. The doting uncle kissed his niece’s head as the Queen held her proudly before parents, godparents (Prince Andrew, the Countess of Lichfield; Helen, Lady Stewart, Andrew Parker Bowles and Hugh Thomas) and grandparents sat for official photos. [Read more…]
Even rulers have moments when all they want to do is kick back with a libation, turn on his or her favorite TV program, and space out.
So, Her Majesty can be forgiven for looking less than thrilled on occasion.
You try ruling through 60+ years of hot mess after hot mess and tell me those eyes don’t glaze over from time to time!
Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images
1.”Welp, good Show. Where’s my gin?” [Read more…]
The royal family gathered on the grounds of Windsor Castle this evening to toast the Queen, who turned 90 on April 21st. Tonight’s celebration was particularly special, as it marked the end of the Queen’s favorite occasion — the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
A lover of horses since she was young, the Queen attends the show (held over the course of a few days in her backyard) dressed down in a long skirt, vest and head scarf. [Read more…]
Twitter/Kensington Royal
This might be the cutest video you watch all day (aside from the royal wedding).
Prince Harry enlisted the Queen’s help in promoting next month’s Invictus Games in Orlando.
Ever the good sport, Her Majesty was game for making a short video that also starred President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, who popped over to William and Catherine’s apartment in Kensington Palace for dinner last week.
The video shows Harry and his grandmother going over a pamphlet about the upcoming games, when he gets a text from FLOTUS (her ringtone is aptly set to “Hail To The Chief”).
“It’s from Michelle,” Harry said, opening up a video made by Michelle, Barack and a few members of the armed forces. [Read more…]
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…]
It’s customary for anyone who respects the crown to curtsy or bow to the Queen. For the royals, it’s a form of protocol that is as natural as a hug.
In fact, whenever the Queen’s family greets her, it’s with a kiss on each cheek, followed by a short curtsy or bow of the head.
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
This, Majesty managing editor Joe Little tells People‘s Simon Perry, only happens the first time a royal sees Her Majesty at an event.
Such was the case for the Duchess of Cambridge on Sunday, when she and Prince William attended the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign at Sandringham. [Read more…]
YouTube/The British Monarchy
Sitting at a desk in the 18th Century Room inside Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty gave her annual Christmas broadcast, a tradition started by her grandfather, George V at the family’s Sandringham home in 1932.
Family portraits including Princess Charlotte’s christening and Prince Charles’ wedding photo are on display in the background as Her Majesty spoke of the year that has past, and what lies ahead.
“I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice,” the Queen, who will turn 90 on April 21st, said. [Read more…]
No matter the year, it’s always a good time to look back at some of Her Majesty’s happiest moments.
James Whatling / Splash News
1. Her Majesty receives the “red box” every day, save for Christmas and Easter, to read over classified government documents. No one, not even Prince Philip, is privy to the contents inside the box.
Mary McCartney/Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II/WPA-Pool/Splash News
Lewis Whyld-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Today, September 9th, is a very significant day for Her Majesty, who – at 5:30pm local time – will officially surpass her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
The Telegraph clocks Victoria’s reign at “23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes” or 63 years and seven months. Save for an engagement (the Queen will visit Edinburgh, Midlothian and Tweedbank for the Scottish Borders Railway opening celebrations), Elizabeth II will mark September 9th privately at Balmoral, according to reports.
The Daily Mail‘s Sebastian Shakespeare claims that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will join Her Majesty on September 9th for a “private dinner.” [Read more…]