There’s a new book coming out later this summer about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but don’t expect anything juicy. It was written by royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand and, according to Deadline, it includes an interview the Sussexes gave before they left the U.K. earlier this year. The book, which promises to dispel rumors about the couple and reveal “unknown details about their life together,” reportedly has their blessing. [Read more…]
Why Harry and Meghan’s Latest Statement is Getting on People’s Nerves
On Friday, the couple posted an update on their official website letting fans know what their plans are once they officially leave the House of Windsor this spring. After reading it once, I thought to myself, “These bullet points sound a little bitter, but maybe I’m overreacting.” So I read it again. Then I read it to a friend who doesn’t follow royalty but is intrigued by Harry and Meghan’s break-up with the royal family. She, too, found it to be defensive and a little whiny. [Read more…]
Meghan Markle’s Friends are Psyched She’s Getting Her Happily Ever After
Earlier today royal fans and fairweather observers alike woke up to news that Prince Harry and his girlfriend of of 16 month, Meghan Markle, were engaged. The couple held a photocall at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden before sitting down with the BBC’s Mishal Husain.
Markle, who until recently starred on USA Network’s “Suits,” has moved into Nottingham cottage, Harry’s two-bedroom abode at Kensington Palace. It was there that Harry proposed one evening while she was making them a roast chicken. [Read more…]
All The Terribly British Things That Happened Today at Royal Ascot
It’s one of the most famous races in the world, and nothing was going to keep patrons from attending what is arguably the most British activity ever – Royal Ascot.
Also known as watching horses race while drinking champagne and wearing fancy hats.
Day one saw a downpour of UK proportions come down upon racegoers, who were decked out in their Ascot finest. [Read more…]
Prince Harry: When Will He Be Appointed To The Order of the Garter?
In 2008, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton giggled as Prince William joined the procession of the Most Noble Order of the Garter at Windsor Castle.
What Harry and Catherine found so funny on that day in June was William’s uniform – a velvet robe and plumed hat that made him look a bit like a Shakespeare character.
Those two dopes (I use that term endearingly) failed to recognize that the Most Noble Order of the Garter is Britain’s oldest Order of Chivalry, and it only includes 24 members, plus the Sovereign.
Today, I wondered when (or perhaps even if) Harry would be invited into the order, which was started in 1348 by King Edward III.
James Whatling/Splash News
In 2015, Harry was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), gifted by the Queen to people who have served her or the Monarchy in a personal way.
Even better, only “granny” (the Sovereign) is able to appoint such positions.
Still, he is not yet a member of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, which includes his older brother, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne and Prince Edward.
Peter Nicholls/WPA Pool/Getty Images
I asked Twitter and awaited answers.
The Sun‘s royal reporter, Emily Andrews had some good insight, noting that a royal’s presence at a state banquet was an indication that he or she was moving up in the ranks:
@TheDuchessDiary he hasn’t been to a state banquet (the Spanish wd have been his first)so few more years yet. Wd he want to wear the robes?!
— Emily Andrews (@byEmilyAndrews) June 13, 2016
My spirit animals at Go Fug Yourself shared another possible theory:
@TheDuchessDiary the commentariat at GFY seemed to think QE2 might wait until after he’s married. – J
— Heather & Jessica (@fuggirls) June 13, 2016
More insight from my royal Tweep friends, most of whom believe it won’t happen until after Charles ascends the throne.
@TheDuchessDiary His father’s Coronation Honours list.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@royalmusing @TheDuchessDiary @courtjeweller William got his very early because he would be 1000th Knight.
— Cepe Smith (@CepeSmith) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @TheDuchessDiary I think if the “slimmed-down” monarchy idea holds, we could see a focus on W&H + their wives, Garter and all.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@TheDuchessDiary @CepeSmith @courtjeweller younger sons tend to wait, let alone younger grandsons
— Marlene Koenig (@royalmusing) June 13, 2016
@TheDuchessDiary Perhaps when he marries?
— Protocol Expert (@operamaven) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @TheDuchessDiary If tradition holds, Camilla will get the Garter before the coronation, not in the Coronation Honours List.
— Ella Kay (@courtjeweller) June 13, 2016
@courtjeweller @TheDuchessDiary But Camilla, as his Queen, will be first on her own
— Cepe Smith (@CepeSmith) June 13, 2016
@CepeSmith @courtjeweller @TheDuchessDiary Camilla will rank higher than Harry, & she will be 1st Lady of land. She will be C’s 1st royal
— Marlene Koenig (@royalmusing) June 13, 2016
Truth be told, I would love to see the Queen appoint Harry, since she’s witnessed the good work he’s done with charities and as a soldier in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.
You Can’t Take Prince Harry Anywhere (JK You Totally Can, And Should)
As the rest of the audience sat quietly (I think) in the rows of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Prince Harry made the Duchess of Cambridge giggle.
And it was great.
One thing to know about the royal family is that they love when things go wrong at formal events. [Read more…]
Prince Harry Cheers On Service Dogs at Invictus Games, Universe Swoons
Many of the competitors at the Invictus Games have service dogs, trained to aide emotionally or physically depending on their owners needs.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus
Watch This Incredibly Moving Video From The Invictus Games
As a royal watcher, it gives me great pleasure to see the Invictus Games enjoy so much success in its second year.
It was just three years ago when Prince Harry visited the Warrior Games in Colorado, which served as his inspiration for an international show of strength, bravery and sportsmanship.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Invictus Games
The Invictus Games have given the participants a sense of pride and confidence in themselves after suffering horrific injuries while serving their countries.
On May 11th, Harry present Sergeant Elizabeth Marks with a gold medal for winning the 100-meter freestyle,
Marks, handed it back to Harry, asking him to give it Papworth Hospital in England in thanks for saving her life in 2014.
Prior to the first Invictus Games in September of that year, Marks developed a lung condition that forced doctors to put her in a medically induced coma.
“I landed in London and became very ill very rapidly, I was in hospital in London and went into respiratory distress syndrome, they shipped a team down from Papworth who put me on to ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation] life support and that ultimately saved my life,” Marks told reporters at the games on Wednesday.
Alex Menendez/ Getty Images for Invictus Games
“So I gave Prince Harry one of my medals and hope it will find its way back to Papworth.
“They absolutely saved my life and I can’t thank the UK enough for having that kind of medical support and taking such good care of me.”
The 25-year-old Arizona native has been in the military since she was 17, and suffered a hip injury in 2010 that left her with no feeling in her left leg.
Fortunately, Marks is still serves.
Related Story: Michelle Obama Teases Harry About Prince George
Chris Jackson – WPA Pool /Getty Images for Invictus
It’s been fantastic to watch both the athletes and Harry immerse themselves 100% in the games, and I can’t wait for next year when the cinnamon prince (Vanity Fair’s nickname, not mine) takes the runaway hit to Toronto.
Chris Jackson -Pool/Getty Images for Invictus
Below is a brief video from Kensington Palace beautifully capturing the sprit of the games. I encourage to watch it and dare you not to get a bit choked up.
As we count down to the closing ceremony let’s take a moment to reflect on what these games have all been about…https://t.co/ry4KFVTiAK
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 12, 2016
The Closing Ceremonies will take place tonight in Walt Disney World, with performances by Rascal Flatts, Flo Rida, Rachel Platten, Phillip Phillips, Jordan Smith and Vetted.
“The Closing Ceremony will be an inspiring event that honors the Invictus spirit and recognizes our competitors,” Ken Fisher, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Invictus Games Orlando 2016, said in a statement last month.
“Stacked with incredible musical performances by internationally-renowned singers and songwriters, heartening stories of courage and triumph from servicemen and women, the ceremony will truly be the event of a lifetime.”
What was your favorite moment from this year’s Invictus Games?
Prince George Asks Uncle Harry Why He Was “So Quiet” Around Obamas
Michelle Obama has become America’s latest national treasure, for she has divulged secrets of the royal family that her predecessors would have shrugged off as non-newsworthy soundbites.
The First Lady and Prince Harry gave a join interview to Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts from Orlando, Florida, where the second annual Invictus Games are underway.
Roberts inquired about the Obamas’ April 22nd dinner with Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kensington Palace, an evening that saw Prince George stay up past his bedtime in the name of socializing.
So, Roberts asked, does George always look so put-together before retiring for the night?
Prince Harry Cleverly Promotes Invictus Games, The Queen Is Amused
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.
“Hey, Prince Harry. Remember when you told us to bring it at the Invictus Games?” Michelle asked.
PHOTOS: Prince George Meets President Barack Obama. In His Jammies.
“Careful what you wish for,” Barack said as a soldier in the back mimicked a mic drop.
“Boom.”
Her Majesty found the whole thing rather silly.
“Oh, really” she said with a smile.
Harry then looked at the camera and dropped his own mic.
“Boom.”
Kensington Palace shared the video on Twitter, with a special note from Harry.
“Unfortunately for you @FLOTUS and @POTUS I wasn’t alone when you sent me that video ? – H.”
The Invictus Games will take place May 8th-12th in Orlando, Florida.
Unfortunately for you @FLOTUS and @POTUS I wasn’t alone when you sent me that video ? – H.https://t.co/sjfSQvkzb6
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 29, 2016
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