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.

princess beatrice princess eugenie wear juliette botterill hats easter sunday 2016

Leon Neal – WPA Pool/Getty Images

[Read more…]

Throwback Bang, Bang! Camilla Takes Aim At Crown Princess Mary During 2012 Set Visit

This. Is. A. GAS.

In March 2012, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall undertook a Diamond Jubilee tour of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

duchess cornwall laugh pulls gun crown princess mary denmark the killing set

Julian Parker-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Since Camilla was a huge of fan of the Danish version of The Killing, a special set trip was scheduled for her final day in Copenhagen.

duchess cornwall points gun sofie grabol the kiling

Julian Parker-WPA Pool/Getty Images

“It was me all along!” Camilla joked as she pointed actress Sofie Grabol’s prop gun.

duchess of cornwall points gun crown princess mary laughs

Julian Parker-WPA Pool/Getty Images

“I’m an addict,” Camilla said of the show, according to the Daily Mail‘s Rebecca English.  “I’m so excited by this.”

camilla duchess cornwall pulls gun jokes with crown princess mary the killing set

Julian Parker-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Series creator Soren Sveistrup was chuffed about his UK fan based.

“Royalty is not the kind of audience you would expect. Prince Charles told me that it was Camilla who introduced him to The Killing,” Sveistrup said.

sofie grabol presents camilla sweater the killing set

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

“He said it was one of the only things they could agree on seeing together.”

Later that year, royal reporter Katie Nicholl revealed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also fans of the series, bingeing on it “in a marathon session.”

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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. [Read more…]

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)? [Read more…]

Mia Tindall Went Off-Script, 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

[Read more…]

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

[Read more…]

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…]