The Duchess Diary

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The Queen Acts Like Any Other Granny at Zara Tindall’s Christening

Princess Anne Zara Phillips 1981 Christening Windsor Castle The Queen

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…]

Princess Eugenie Toasts Second Wedding Anniversary With Personal Video

Mrs. Jack Brooksbank celebrated two years of wedded bliss (and ten years together) today by sharing an Instagram video of their relationship, which included some behind-the-scenes photos from their wedding day.

Most royal watchers will agree that Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s wedding their second favorite modern royal wedding to watch, right behind William and Kate’s. [Read more…]

Milliner Juliette Botterill Knows How To Make a Hat POP (Just Ask Eug and Bea)

We the People of the United States need to take a page from the mother country and start wearing hats on special occasions.

I’m not talking about gluing toys on a wide-brim hat and taking it to the races.  I’m talking about beautifully crafted objects of art that sit daintily atop one’s head.

One milliner who recently caught my attention does just that.  London-based Juliette Botterill worked for uber-famous designer Philip Treacy before breaking out on her own.

[Read more…]

Here’s to You, Your Majesty! Family Pays Tribute to Queen at Royal Windsor Horse Show

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.

equestrians wave queen elizabeth second 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. 

queen elizabeth smiles royal windsor horse show

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

This past year, one of her horses’ victories earned her a £50 Tesco card, which she was seen holding on to as she chatted with guests.

queen elizabeth II head scarf looks horse royal windsor horse show

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

Tonight’s finale featured a pageant of equestrians and horses, but it was unique in that it celebrated Her Majesty’s milestone birthday.

royal family enjoys final night royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Princess Anne, Zara Tindall (who turned 35 today), Lady Louise Windsor and Prince Edward were part of the festivities paying tribute to the birthday girl ma’am.

princess anne rides horse royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

zara tindall equestrian rides royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

lady louise windsor prince edward ride horses royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Celebrities, including Dame Helen Mirren, Damian Lewis, Downton Abbey‘s Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Kylie Minogue and James Blunt took part in the event, which placed an emphasis on the Queen’s life and the events that shaped her professional life (World War II, ascending the throne at 25).

dame helen mirren speaks royal windsor horse show 2016

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images

Her Majesty arrived at the show in an outfit designed by her personal dresser, Angela Kelly and was greeted with a kiss on both cheeks, as well as on the hand by her son, Prince Charles.

prince charles greets queen elizabeth II royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“I am delighted that we have succeeded in bringing together hundreds of members of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and other long-standing overseas friends to mark this special birthday,” Charles wrote in the event’s program.

It could not be more fitting that a quite different group which also enjoys the Queen’s unfailing interest and support – horses, of myriad breeds and colour – will join the 600, sailors, soldiers, airmen and women who make up this evening’s celebration.”

the royal family royal windsor horse show 2016

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

She looked elated  watching the festivities with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Philip, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, the Duke of Kent, Prince Michael, the King of Bahrain, Lady Sarah Chatto and her sons.

prince charles speaks prince philip royal windsor horse show

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

While the rest of the family covered their ears during the gun and cannon salutes, Her Majesty sat there and watched, unflinching.  Like a boss.

To be fair, Philip is closer to 95 than he is 94, so he gets a pass.  The rest of you, buck up!  This sound is second only to the National Anthem for England.

royal family cover hears royal windsor horse show 2016

Chris Jackson – WPA Pool/Getty Images

queen elizabeth royal family gun salute royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This is the Duchess of Cambridge’s first Royal Windsor Horse Show, and for the occasion she wore a red Zara coat over a cotton-blend white lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana.

kate middleton red coat royal windsor horse show

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Catherine emphasized her up do with chandelier earrings, which are believed to be on loan from the Queen (and a pair she’s worn in the past – specifically to a 2011 BAFTA gala in LA, and again at the Chinese State Dinner in October 2015).

William, Catherine and Harry were spread out across the front row of the royal box, presumably to encourage cameras to photograph the presence of more minor royals and guests, including Prince Donatus, the Landgrave of Hesse, and his wife, the  Landgravine.

kate middleton red zara coat dolce gabbana dress royal windsor horse show

According to the Daily Mail,  Donatus is a great-great-great grandson of Queen Victoria (to which I say, “who isn’t!”).

The next major events celebrating the Queen’s birthday takes place from June 10th-12th, with the Trooping of the Colour being held on June 12th (hopefully both Prince George and Princess Charlotte will make a balcony appearance this year).

PHOTOS: Prince George Attends His Very First Trooping of the Colour

The Trooping of the Colour is recognized as the monarch’s official birthday, regardless of the actual date on which his or her actual birthday falls.

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Royal Wedding Rewind: Kate Middleton Wanted Flowers In Her Hair, Camilla Said No

kate middleton laura parker bowles wedding 2006

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

I have SO many thoughts about this.

First off, this coming Friday marks five years since the royal wedding.

To celebrate the union of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it’s key that we remember moments leading up to and during the greatest live event of our time.

Fans (me) were insatiable when it came to wedding plans for April 29th, 2011.

Who would design Catherine’s dress?  What would her and William’s titles be?  Are there really going to be trees inside Westminster Abbey (my father’s question)?

Reporter Catherine Ostler penned a most intriguing story for the Daily Mail, in which the Duchess of Cornwall was (allegedly) trying  to convince Catherine to wear a tiara for her nuptials.

Camilla Duchess Cornwall Boucheron Tiara State Opening Parliament

Stephen Lock / i-Images

“The latest battleground is that Camilla is said to be desperate to persuade the bride to wear a tiara — even asking friends to intervene on her behalf — because Kate is said to be considering wearing flowers in her hair,” Ostler wrote at the time.

It’s worth pointing out here that few women in this day and age have a justifiable reason to wear a tiara.  A real, historically-rich, priceless tiara that wasn’t purchased in a bridal shop.

And here was Catherine, opting instead for a few flowers to pop in her (albeit gorgeous) hair, a la Fergie at her 1986 nuptials (which looked ridiculous, PS).

You’ll notice that since the wedding, Catherine has only worn a tiara three times; twice to diplomatic receptions (below in 2012), and once to the 2015 Chinese State dinner.

kate middleton tiara diplomatic reception london 2013

Jesal / Tanna / Splash News

“While Charles and Camilla have no wish to be seen as extravagant or out of touch, they believe there is a level of formality and grandeur beneath which a royal wedding must not sink,” Oster wrote.

“To a certain extent, they [William and Catherine] want to have a royal wedding, be like their friends and be ‘of the people’ — something that Camilla would regard as trying to have their royal wedding cake and eating it.”

I side with Camilla on this one.

“Though Kate is not averse to headgear — after all, she single-handedly triggered a renaissance in the feathered headpieces called fascinators — she knows her long, glossy hair competes with her legs as being her stand-out feature,” Ostler continued.  [Read more…]

Mia Tindall Went Off-Script, Randomly 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

The afternoon was described as “happy” and “chaotic,” with the Queen’s grandchildren present to make sure their own kids were smiling for the camera.

‘It was a happy, nice, relaxed afternoon. There was a lovely feeling to it. All the parents were helping to get the shot right – a classic composition, rather like an Old Master but with a modern twist.”

“Taking pictures of children is like herding cats but for that split second, it just worked,” the source said, giving credit to Leibowitz for knowing exactly how to work with kids.

“There was a very definite idea behind the set,” a royal aide explained.

“The Queen wanted a portrait of the youngest members of the family, the other end of the generational spectrum.

“You have the two youngest grandchildren, who are quite a lot younger than the others, and the great-grandchildren.”

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

Tindall is the daughter of the Queen’s oldest granddaughter, equestrian Zara Phillips.

Zara and her older brother, Peter (whose two daughters, Savannah and Isla are in the photo) were not given titles because their mother, the Princess Royal, wanted her children raised as normally as possible. 

Still, it’s clear the Phillips kids and their offspring are able to enjoy the perks of being related to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, who turns 90 today.

Mia proudly held her great-grandmother’s black purse, an accessory more constant than any of the Queen’s beloved hats.

princess charlotte queen elizabeth lap prince george

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Queen held 11-month-old Princess Charlotte in her arms as the future of the House of Windsor surrounded their matriarch, including Prince George (who has a few official shoots under his belt at this point), the Phillips sister, as well as the Queen’s youngest grandchildren, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

The photo was taken by Annie Leibovitz on Easter Monday this year at Windsor Castle, the Queen’s favorite residence.

Leibovitz shot two more photos of the Queen to mark the historic birthday, including one with her only daughter (and Mia’s grandmother), Princess Anne, and another with her ankle-biting corgis.

princess anne poses queen elizabeth birthday

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

queen elizabeth poses corgis 90th birthday

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

Today, the Queen was joined by the Duke of Edinburgh for a walkabout in Windsor, looking resplendent in a spring grass green coat and hat by her dressmaker, Angela Kelly, and unveiled a plague marking “The Queen’s Walkway”

Tonight, the BBC will air a special featuring the royal family and their personal footage to mark Her Majesty’s special day.

 

Also on the agenda for tonight, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall with join Her Majesty and the Duke in lighting a beacon, which will subsequently set off others around the country to mark the historical birthday.

Tomorrow, President Obama will have lunch with Her Majesty at Windsor Castle, and will return to London where he’ll dine with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace.

In Their Element: 11 Delightful Photos of Royals and Animals

It’s a well-known fact that Britain’s royal family would prefer the company of horses and dogs to humans, and several people close to the Queen have said that if she weren’t the sovereign, she’d be living a quiet life in the country.

In February, Prince William was accused of living like a “gentleman country farmer,” since he and the Duchess of Cambridge opt to spend a majority of their family life in Norfolk, 120 miles from London.

Prince Philip once famously said of his daughter, Princess Anne’s love for horses, “if it doesn’t fart or eat hay, then she isn’t interested.” [Read more…]

Princess Margaret: The Court Jeweller Highlights Her Most Captivating Jewelry

Princess Margaret was Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister and the second daughter of King George VI. Her Royal Highness’ presence was arguably as commanding  (and intimidating) as Her Majesty’s. Margaret’s life was filled with flash and excitement, and she ran with a very trendy set of people.  The stories of her jewelry are almost as interesting as the life she led.

I’ve asked my favorite jewelry blogger, The Court Jeweller, to explain the stories behind some of Princess Margaret’s jewelry [Read more…]