Let's talk royals
In 1996, the Princess of Wales joined her friend, fellow Brit and Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis at the Met Costume Institute Gala honoring Christian Dior, of which Tilberis served the co-chair.
Diana wore a midnight blue dress from creative director John Galliano’s first collection with the house, paired with blue “double cluster” drop sapphire earrings surrounded by diamonds, according to Diana’s Jewels, as well as a matching choker. [Read more…]
Jennifer Mitchell/Splash News
Everyone remembers where they were when it happened.
On August 31st, 1997, the Princess of Wales was killed when the car she was driven in crashed into a pole in Paris’ Pont de l’Alma tunnel.
No one could believe it, and everyone’s hearts broke for Diana’s two boys, Princes William and Harry. [Read more…]
Stephen Lock / i-Images, Jack Taylor / i-Images
I asked royal commentator and former resident of Kensington Palace, Victoria Arbiter to give her thoughts on the newest Cambridge’s name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
“William and Kate’s decision to name their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana has largely been met with worldwide praise,” Arbiter told me via email. “With a long royal history it is a traditional name that offers the continuity the monarchy is famed for, while also paying tribute to both families. Charlotte, the feminization of Charles, is also Pippa Middleton‘s middle name.”
Historical references: “George III was married to a Charlotte. They met on their wedding day and enjoyed a very happy marriage, complete with 15 children. George III bought Buckingham House for his wife, which, today, is the site of Buckingham Palace. Queen Charlotte is the monarchy’s longest serving consort after Prince Philip.” [Read more…]
Splash News
As expected, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released the name of their 8 lb., 3 oz. daughter, born on May 2nd at 8:34am BST.
Kensington Palace released the name first via email to members of the media, followed by a tweet from their official account.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) May 4, 2015
London-based Dave Benett has been photographing celebrities and royalty since the eighties. While he initially stuck to news and sports when he started his career in the 1970s, Benett moved on to the highly entertaining world of the London party scene.
Benett told HELLO! that reps laid out the ground rules before giving him the go-head to snap their clients. “They said, ‘You have eight seconds to photograph them’, and that’s what we did. And they’re giggling and laughing and having a great time.”
His secret? [Read more…]
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
She was only seven years old when her aunt died in that infamous Paris car crash, but Lady Kitty Spencer only recalls distant memories of Diana, Princess of Wales. They are, however “happy memories,” according to the Daily Express.
When it was suggested that Kitty bears a striking resemblance to her late aunt, the South Africa-raised aristocrat was flattered.
THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
Dickie Arbiter handled press for both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and the Prince and Princess of Wales for a number of years, including the House of Windsor’s most turbulent decade.
Back in 2011, I spoke to Arbiter’s daughter, royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter, about her father’s job with the royal family. Dickie was working for Leading Britain’s Conversation when opportunity came knocking.
When Prince Harry turns 30 on September 15th, he will not only inherit £10 million from his late mother’s estate, but also over 150 of her possessions, to be shared with his older brother, the Duke of Cambridge. [Read more…]