The Duchess Diary

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The Fascinating Reason Why Kate Curtsied To The Queen

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.

prince william bows kate middleton curtsies queen elizabeth westminster abbey royal wedding

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…]

Happy Birthday Kate Middleton: 10 Times She Won The Game of Life

kate middleton funny face abseiling towers residential outdoor education center

Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Splash News

A relatively long time ago in a land not-so-far away (Home Counties. Lovely area), a commoner named Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Fast-forward 34 years, andh ere we are, thanks to a clever mother and the kind of self-confidence people would trade their first-borns for.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s wasn’t necessarily a rags-to-riches tale, but it’s hard to imagine that her ancestors were poverty-stricken coal miners. [Read more…]

Kate Middleton to Royal Gift Shop: Don’t Sell Replicas of My Ring

Kate Middleton Alexander McQueen Dress Wimbledon

i-Images

I’ll admit to buying a knock-off of THE engagement ring.

The one with the 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in 18-carat white gold.

The late Princess of Wales selected the ring – made by Garrard – from a tray of jewels when Prince Charles proposed in 1981.

The Wales boys kept the ring, among other pieces, after their mother’s death in 1997, and William chose to give it to his fiance, Catherine Middleton in October 2010.  [Read more…]

The Goring Hotel: Kate Middleton’s Visit Topped Our 2015 List

kate middleton pregnant shakes hands inside goring hotel

Facebook/The Goring

It was the place where Catherine Middleton spent her last night both as a commoner and as a single woman.

Just before 11am on April 29th, 2011, Middleton exited The Goring Hotel through a long white tent and into the Queen’s 1977 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI.

 

From there, she and her father made the journey to Westminster Abbey, where the girl from Bucklebury would marry the second-in-line to the British throne.  [Read more…]

Will and a Michael Kors-Clad Kate attend Sunday Church Service

kate middleton smiles sylvia fletcher lock & co hat st mary magdalene church

James Whatling/Splash News and Pictures

Apologies for the delay in putting up stories about the Windsors from this weekend.  I was soaked in equal parts Amaretto and Mexican dip.

There were few opportunities for a chat on Christmas Day, as the rain came down upon royal well-wishers outside the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk.  William and Catherine (in a Sportmax coat) did not stop to greet people as they have in the past.

On Sunday, however, the Cambridges felt it was time for a do-over.  So, they and the rest of the royal family gathered together and walked to service together.  [Read more…]

William and Kate Celebrate Christmas With The Royals

prince william kate middleton prince charles christmas day service 2015

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Happy Christmas!

Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined the royal family for Christmas Service at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Catherine wore a green belted coat with a festive hat, Aquatalia “Rhumba” boots and Kiki McDonough drop earrings, though to be a Christmas gift from William in 2011.  [Read more…]

Holiday Throwback: Will and Kate Go Christmas Caroling

prince william kate middleton white temperley london dress christmas spectacular 2010

Splash News

It was their first joint engagement since announcing plans to wed on November 16th, 2010.  Prince William and the former Kate Middleton, in black court shoes, a Temperley London dress and a black blazer, attended The Christmas Spectacular In Aid Of Teenager Cancer Trust At The Thursford Collection in Norfolk.

The December 18th engagement was just a half hour away from their current home, Anmer Hall.

The Daily Mail covered the event, noticing that Catherine made sure “not to overshadow the Prince. [Read more…]

10 Times Kate Middleton Nailed The “Mom Fringe”

kate middleton bangs range rover crathie kirk

Jesal / Tanna / Splash New

In 7th grade I asked a stylist to give me the “Rachel” cut,  AND MY MOM ACTUALLY ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN.

So when I read that the Duchess of Cambridge reportedly isn’t too “keen” on her bangs, I empathized.

According to The Sun, Catherine told friends that she’s not feeling the “mum fringe” celeb stylist Richard Ward created.

“I was a bit unsure about it,” Catherine allegedly admitted.  “I call it my mum fringe.”

Word has it that the Queen has made “gentle suggestions” regarding Catherine’s hair ever since seeing her “glamour girl hair do” at Wimbledon. [Read more…]