The Duchess Diary

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William And Kate Take India: Day One

prince william tuxedo kate middleton blue jenny packham dress

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

You would think that as a (mediocre) writer, I’d be able to articulate my feelings about the Duchess of Cambridge’s outfits for day one of the royal tour.

But I can’t.  To borrow a bunch of phrases from the Kardashians/Rachel Zoe/Millenials, I legit CANNOT.

Catherine blew royal fans away with her three sartorial choices today, all a nod to either Indian designers or the country’s vibrant culture.

kate middleton alexander mcqueen dress prince william suit taj hotel

STR/AFP/Getty Images)

When William and Catherine landed on a British Airways flight, they attended a memorial for victims of the 2008 bombing at the Taj Palace Hotel.

For this occasion, Catherine chose a maroon patterned peplum suit from Alexander McQueen’s pre-fall 2016 collection, according to What Kate Wore.

I think many of Catherine’s fans will be glad to see her change-up the footwear, switching her from tried-and-true LK Bennett “Sledge” heels to the brand’s “Fern” stilettos, where feature a more triangular toe. [Read more…]

The World Stands With Brussels After Terrorist Attacks

Lyon, France Court Lights Up Belgian Colors Tribute Victims 2016 Terrorist Attack

JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images

This morning, ISIS suicide bombers detonated two devices inside Brussels’ Zaventem airport, and another at a metro station.  According to ABC News, one x-ray from an injured victim showed a nail that punctured a lung, leading authorities to believe that the bombs contained nails and screws.

The total number of people killed at press time is at least 31, forcing the country to go on the highest terror alert possible, as well as declare three days of mourning for the dead.

The acts, said Prime Minister Charles Michel, were “blind, violent and cowardly.” [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…]

A Diary of One’s Royal Stay In Palm Springs

Since becoming a California resident, Palm Springs has been a place of refuge for yours truly.  Some say the desert is a healing, peaceful place.  Even if you’re not into that holistic language (in the words of Avery Jessup, “hippie nonsense”) Palms Springs is SUPER.

Last weekend, The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism invited me to take a look at the royal family’s history with Sunnylands, the estate of Ambassador Walter and Leonore Annenberg (more on that in a separate post).

mountains golf river palm springs

Visit Palm Springs

I stayed at the newly renovated Colt’s Lodge, a boutique hotel co- owned by interior designer Jon Nelson and theater veteran Frank Young.  Each of the spacious 11 rooms on the property has a different theme, personally designed by Nelson.

Colt's Lodge Fountain

Colt’s Lodge Facebook

You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but once you step through a glorious entrance and on to the property, you’re immediately transported into a lush oasis featuring sky-high palm trees, flowers, desert plants, sculptures and a gorgeous fountain that I tried very hard not to jump into (there’s a crystal-clear pool in which to do such a thing).  [Read more…]

Australia Gives Prince Harry The Best Farewell Ever

There is no better way to bid adieu to a country than to be proposed to, as was the case with Prince Harry today in Australia.  After his month-long attachment to the Australian Defense Force wrapped up, Harry greeted throngs of people outside the famous Sydney Opera House today.

“All it’s done is made me not want to finish my military career,” Harry, who announced back in March that he’d be leaving the army, said of his time with the ADF.   “I’ve been so well looked after.”

Prince Harry Smiles Greets Crowds Sydney Opera House

Pepito/Splash News

[Read more…]