Saturday, April 30, 2011

Royal Wedding

SSSHH...! The sound of London celebrating the Royal Wedding gets a bit too much for one bridesmaid

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:04 PM on 29th April 2011

Ssshhh: Bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem covers her ears during the fly past watched by millions

Being invited to the wedding of the decade would make most people beside themselves with excitement, but for the youngsters chosen to accompany Kate Middleton down the aisle it was a dream come true.
As the world watched, the six children who made up the bride's troupe of bridesmaids and pageboys were the epitome of good behaviour and composure - for the most part at least.
The noise of millions clapping and cheering outside Buckingham Palace got too much for the new Duke of Cambridge's three-year-old goddaughter Grace Van Cutsem who covered her ears to escape the racket when she joined the happy couple on the balcony.
And her displeasure at the noise was all too apparent from the look on her face. Even as Kate bent down to comfort her as the flypast approached, she repeated the gesture.
However, during the service all assumed the look of solemnity befitting the event and appeared to be concentrating hard on their jobs.
While none of them flinched at the attention, three-year-old Eliza Lopes, the Duchess of Cornwall's granddaughter, clutched her floral head-dress constantly, apparently concerned it might slip off.

Pipe down: Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, but it's all too much for bridemaid Grace van Cutsem, left, who has to cover her ears from all the cheering
The others, William's seven-year-old cousin Lady Louise Windsor and his second cousin Margarita Armstrong-Jones, eight, Billy Lowther-Pinkerton, 10, the son of William's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, and the prince's godson, Tom Pettifer, eight, also appeared stern as they played the role they had rehearsed only yesterday at Westminster Abbey.
Despite their young ages, all six children seemed to appreciate the importance of the ceremony, frowning seriously as they stopped behind the bride when she reached the altar.

More...

Only once the ceremony was over and they were on their way out of the church did the infants appear to relax a little - realising, perhaps, that they had performed their duties with aplomb.
The elder children even allowed themselves to smile a little as they left the abbey - although Eliza still fiddled with her head-dress.

Are you looking at me? Grace van Cutsem looks in awe at the crowds as she travels with Pippa Middleton to Westminster Abbey

Not sure: Bridesmaid Eliza Lopes, the granddaughter of the Duchess of Cornwall, waves tentatively at the crowds

As the newlyweds climbed into their waiting carriage, Tom broke into a broad grin, gazing about in joyous wonder at the scene.
And when the happy couple entered Buckingham Palace with the children behind them, the little boy, still smiling, could hardly take his eyes off them.
Only once they took to the balcony of the palace, where Prince William kissed his bride, did one or two of the infants become overwhelmed.
For the most part though they won the hearts of the adoring public as they waved and smiled.
Speaking near the abbey, April Brown, 45, from Chievely in Berkshire, said: 'They all looked so cute. I noticed that with one of the tiny bridesmaids, her mum brought her forward to join the procession.'
Lesley Hill, 44, from St Helen's, said: 'I thought the page boys and flower girls were very cute and their outfits were beautiful.

Responsibility: Grace van Cutsem, three and Eliza Lopes, three, hold on to Pippa Middleton as they enter Westminster Abbey

Responsibility: Grace van Cutsem and Eliza Lopes hold on to Pippa Middleton as they enter Westminster Abbey - but Eliza's hair piece is bothering her

In we go: Pippa Middleton guides the bridesmaids into Westminster Abbey - but Eliza's hair piece is still not right

The children looked 'so beautiful', Doris Narty, 74, from Ghana, gushed. 'Their quality was superb. Everything was perfection.'
Indeed the bridesmaids' hand-made dresses were the stuff of every little girl's dreams.
Ivory with ballerina-length pleated skirts, puff sleeves and gold sashes tied in a bow, they were created by bespoke childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane, whose daughter Charlotte Macfarlane helped make them at their homes in Wiltshire and Kent.

Hello up there: Pageboy Tom Petiffer glances as he waits with bridesmaids and his fellow pageboy inside Westminster Abbey before the ceremony

The younger bridesmaids wore ivy and lily-of-the-valley hair wreaths, inspired by the head-dress worn by Kate's mother Carole Middleton at her wedding in 1981.

As a special memento, each of the four girls have had their name and the date of the wedding hand-embroidered on to the lining of their dresses.
Echoing Kate's dress, they were made using the same fabrics.
The full, box pleated skirt was used to add a sculptural quality, with the layering of ivory over white satin gazar adding depth of colour.
The dresses were hand-finished with delicate English Cluny lace, visible under the skirts, and four layers of net underskirt.
The puff sleeves and neckline were trimmed with the same English lace as the bride's underskirt, while the backs were finished with the same button detail.

Wave: Prince Harry talks to page boy Tom Pettifer as he waves to the crowds with bridesmaid Eliza Lopes, right, as they make their way to Buckingham Palace

Where are we going? Pippa Middleton keeps watch over the bridesmaids on the return to Buckingham Palace

Don't look so worried - you did a good job! William Lowther-Pinkerton looks a little concerned on the journey back to the Palace with Pippa Middleton
The sashes were made of pale gold wild silk, tucked at the front and tied at the back in a sumptuous bow, St James's Palace said.
On their feet the girls wore classic Mary Jane style satin shoes with a Swarovski crystal buckle, made by Devon-based Rainbow Club.
The bridesmaids' bouquets by Shane Connolly used flowers from the bride's bouquet, including lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth.

All smiles: Philippa Middleton, sister of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Maid of Honour on the way back to Buckingham Palace

Ready for the reception: Bridesmaids and page boys arrive at Buckingham Palace after the wedding ceremony of Britain's Prince William and Catherine

Too small to see over the balcony: The Prince of Wales holds the Duchess of Cornwall's granddaughter Eliza Lopes so she can see the cheering crowds, alongside with Carole Middleton

Their waist-length capes, also by Nicki Macfarlane, were made from ivory Yorkshire wool, edged in fine English lace and tied at the front in the same satin gazar as the dresses.
Mrs Macfarlane professed herself 'thrilled and honoured' at being asked to design the dresses.
'I couldn't be more proud to have been part of this wonderful day,' she said.
The page boys were dressed in the Regency-style red tunic of a Foot Guards officer.
The look, which dates from the 1820s, draws its insignia from the Irish Guards.

credits from http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Fanatic of Royal Family

No royal wedding, Mexican teen again blocked in UK

Associated Press
First Posted 09:24:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: William and Catherine, People, Wedding

MEXICO CITY—Estibalis Chavez staged a hunger strike and flew twice to London in her quest to see Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot.
But there was no fairy tale ending Friday for the Mexican teenager, whose widely publicized desperate quest drew both sympathy and scorn from her countrymen.
Chavez, 19, said British immigration officials in London turned her away at the airport Thursday, saying she didn't have enough money for a safe place to stay for her trip. Officials gave a similar reason for deporting her when she first tried to enter Britain on April 22.
"They didn't let me enter because they thought I was crazy," Chavez told The Associated Press by telephone Friday from Spain.
Chavez staged a hunger strike outside the British Embassy in Mexico City for 16 days in a failed bid to wrangle an invitation to the wedding. She was ultimately rejected outside the embassy with a letter from a representative of Prince William.
Although many Mexicans mocked Chavez, one man, lobbyist Octavio Fitch Lazo, was moved by her determination and paid for her first plane ticket to London.
Chavez has said her fascination with Britain's royals dates back to her childhood. Her father, Pedro Chavez, told her that her mother, who died giving birth to Chavez, adored the late Princess Diana, Prince William's mother.
The teenager said she caught parts of the wedding on television but couldn't bear to watch the whole thing.
She said she now regrets her drastic bid for an invite.
"I made myself seem crazy," Chavez said. "If I hadn't gone on the hunger strike, maybe I could have entered England."

via inquirer.net

Pope John Paul's Beatification

Timetable for John Paul II's beatification

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 18:15:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: Religions, People, Churches (organisations)

VATICAN CITY—Late pope John Paul II will be declared "blessed" -- one step from sainthood in the Catholic Church -- at a solemn mass in St Peter'sbasilica on Sunday that will celebrate his extraordinary life.
Here are some of the key dates and times for the beatification:
Friday: Pope John Paul II's coffin is exhumed from its resting place in a crypt under Saint Peter's basilica, signalling the start of the beatification proceedings as thousands of pilgrims crowd into central Rome.
Saturday: French nun Marie Simon-Pierre, whose unexplained healing was the miracle that qualified John Paul for beatification, is set to speak at a prayer vigil starting at 1800 GMT in the ancient Circus Maximus arena in front of more than 100,000 people.
Sunday: Pope Benedict XVI will declare his predecessor John Paul II "blessed" at a ritual-filled beatification mass in Saint Peter's basilica that puts the former pontiff one step away from full sainthood in the Catholic Church.
0330 GMT: Vatican authorities will begin to allow access to Saint Peter's Square for the ceremony. A total of around 500,000 people are expected.
0700 GMT: One of John Paul's favourite prayers in honor of the Virgin Mary is recited and sung in different languages in Saint Peter's Square.
0800 GMT: The official ceremony, which the Vatican has said will be "very simple", begins in Saint Peter's with 87 international delegations present.
Shortly after the start of the mass, Benedict XVI will pronounce a special prayer in which he will declare John Paul as one of the "blessed".
With these words, a giant image of the newly honored John Paul II will be unfurled over the facade of Saint Peter's basilica.
1030 GMT: Benedict will pay his respects in front of John Paul's coffin. Crowds of pilgrims are then expected to begin filing past the coffin and a relic -- a phial containing John Paul's blood -- will be exposed for veneration.
Monday: A mass of thanksgiving in Saint Peter's Square will be led by Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone. John Paul's coffin will then be laid to rest inside the basilica near Michelangelo's famous Pieta.

viainquirer.net

Pippa Middleton

Kate's sister Pippa becomes surprise Internet hit

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 16:10:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: Internet, People, William and Catherine, Imperial and Royal Matters, Wedding

LONDON—It may have been Kate Middleton's big day -- but her sister and maid of honor Pippa turned almost as many heads on Friday attracting a flood of praise on the Internet.
As soon as she stepped out of a Rolls-Royce for the royal wedding at Westminster Abbey wearing a figure-hugging white dress with a plunging neckline, web surfers rushed to heap compliments on the 27-year-old.
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan led the way, writing on microblogging site Twitter: "Tell you what!!! Pippa is fit..."
"Is Pippa Middleton England's most eligible bachelorette now?" tweeted Sarah Weaver, commented another Twitter user.
Some even thought she outshone Kate at her wedding to Prince William, which was watched by an estimated two billion TV viewers around the world and drew at least one million well-wishers onto the streets of London.
"Kate Middleton and Pippa Middleton are gorgeous. Pippa I'm afraid takes the biscuit," said @ellaTheStrokes on Twitter.
Would-be suitors looked set to be disappointed, however -- Pippa is reportedly dating England cricketer Alex Loudon.
Pippa's dress was ivory and white satin, similar in detail to her 29-year-old sister's wedding gown.
The two sisters' dresses were created by Sarah Burtonat Alexander McQueen and both outfits were praised by fashion experts and the public alike.
Pippa, who shares a flat with her brother in the upmarket London district of Chelsea, works for her parents' party goods business, Party Pieces.

Royal Wedding Dress of Princess Katherine

‘Dress absolutely magical, put together by bluebirds’

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 04:11:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: Fashion, William and Catherine, Celebrities

LONDON—Kate Middleton wore a stunning but simple ivory dress created by Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton to marry Prince William on Friday, topped off with a tiara on loan from new grandmother-in-law Queen Elizabeth.
As a smiling Kate entered Westminster Abbey to meet William, officials confirmed speculation that Burton had made her dress. They had previously refused to give even the slightest detail about it.
“Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work,” officials said in a statement.
“Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.”
They said the dress made with ivory and white satin gazar, with a train measuring 2.7 meters (8.8 feet) and lace sleeves, “epitomizes timeless British craftsmanship.”
‘Absolutely magical’
“Fashionistas” across the world had been engulfed in months of fevered speculation over who would get the career-defining job of designing one of the most talked-about outfits of the decade.
The dress featured a hand-made lace applique over an ivory-colored bodice and skirt.
Inspired by the Middleton’s new coat of arms, Kate’s earrings included diamond oak leaves and pear-shaped diamond acorns.
“The dress is absolutely magical—it looks like it’s been put together by bluebirds,” said Angela Buttolph, editor of fashion magazine Grazia’s website.
“It is the perfect Disney princess dress for what has been the ultimate Walt Disney fairytale, from the red-jacketed prince charming to the enchanted forest in the abbey and her looking this radiant maiden.”
No to snoopers
The identity of the designer and details of the dress were kept a closely guarded secret by St. James’ Palace throughout the buildup to Middleton’s wedding to Britain’s Prince William.
A special marquee was erected outside the entrance to Middleton’s London hotel to prevent anyone getting an early glimpse of the dress before she stepped out of her car outside the abbey.
The crowd outside Westminster Abbey were bowled over by the dress—and the bride.
“It was exactly what I was expecting from her—simple and beautiful,” said pensioner Sarah Jones. “She is a beautiful bride.”
Newspapers and websites around the world have run several “scoops” identifying the designer, but none were ever confirmed.
Names put forward in articles and blog postings have included Burton, Bruce Oldfield and Sophie Cranston of the Libelula label.
Different from Diana’s
The fashion world had taken a close interest in 29-year-old Middleton’s clothes choices in recent months, with industry insiders predicting that she could have a huge influence on high street sales.
“The fashion industry is now officially besotted with Kate Middleton and everyone in the office is in tears,” Grazia’s Buttolph said.
Endless comparisons have been made between Middleton and William’s late mother Princess Diana, astyle icon by the time of her death in 1997 aged 36.
Middleton’s dress differed radically from that of Diana at her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, a frilly, flouncy cream number designed by Elizabeth Emanuel which reflected the times in which it appeared.
More assured
Before Friday’s wedding, Emanuel told Reuters that Middleton was older and more assured in terms of fashion than the shy 20-year-old Diana, and so was likely to know better what she wanted for the big day.
“With Diana, she was very young, when we were introduced to her and fashion was not one of her big interests so she didn’t really have her own sense of style,” Emanuel said.
“But Kate Middleton does. She’s worked in fashion. She knows what suits her.”
Burton took over as creative director at the label after McQueen committed suicide in February 2010. She had previously worked side by side with him for 14 years.
The 36-year-old graduate of Central Saint Martin’s had long been tipped as the wedding dress designer.
A double
A woman wearing a studded leather belt doubled through the loops of her jeans, in a fashion identical to the one favored by Burton, was photographed on Thursday evening slipping into the Goring Hotel, where Kate was staying.
Her head was hidden under a huge fur hat in an attempt to avoid identification.
The dress is expected to spawn a thousand reproductions.
Emanuel is still being asked to make copies of Diana’s fairytale wedding gown, an ivory silk taffeta frock with a 7.6-meter (25-foot) long train.
“Exactly as it happened in 1981, there are going to be people watching as she walks down the aisle with their sketch pads, with the machinists and pattern cutters all ready and waiting. By the next morning, you’ll see copies in the high street,” Emanuel said. Reuters, AFP

Royal Newlywed Couple

Royal newlyweds leave for secret honeymoon

By Guy Jackson
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 18:56:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: Imperial and Royal Matters, Celebrities

LONDON—(UPDATE) Prince William and his bride left for their honeymoon on Saturday, heading to a secret destination having partied through the night following their wedding watched around the world.
The couple departed Buckingham Palace by helicopter for an undisclosed location and have made it clear they want the media to respect their privacy during their honeymoon.
The Duchess of Cambridge, as Kate is now officially known, wore a belted short blue dress, with a cropped black jacket and black wedge heels, while the prince was dressed in an open-necked white shirt, dark blazer and beige chinos.
The smiling couple held hands as they strolled through the palace grounds, then shook hands with royal staff before leaving.
The pageantry of their wedding service gave way to a night of dinner and dancing for the royal couple and 300 guests, who partied until 3:00 am.
The secrecy surrounding the couple's honeymoon destination has led to intense speculation.
All that is known is that William has taken two weeks' leave from his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.
William, the second-in-line to the throne, has a deep love of Africa and he proposed to Kate in Kenya last year, so that has been mooted as a possible honeymoon spot.
Jordan has also been touted as a possibility and would have nostalgic appeal for Kate as her family lived in the kingdom for two years when she was a child.
But given the current upheaval in the Middle East, it might be considered a compromised choice.
A secluded Caribbean island would allow the couple to escape the prying eyes of the media.
Bequia and Necker Island all have the benefit of being easily secured, and Kate's wealthy entrepreneur parents are frequent visitors to the ultra-exclusive Mustique.
Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, has also emerged as a contender.
Whatever the choice, the honeymoon is set to be the first test of the married couple's relationship with the famously voracious British press.
William is believed to be determined that after they shared their wedding with the world and an estimated one million people on the streets of London, he wants to have some private time with his new wife.
He is known to still blame the media for the death of his mother Diana, princess of Wales, killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 as she was being pursued by photographers.
The royal family is thought to be prepared to take legal action to prevent any media outlet attempting to disrupt the honeymoon.
Following the wedding of Diana and Prince Charles in 1981, they spent the first stage of their honeymoon in England, staying at the home of the groom's great-uncle, before embarking on the royal yacht Britannia, visiting Gibraltar before cruising to Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, the Greek islands and Egypt.
But Britannia -- which solved the headache of royal security for holidays -- was decommissioned in 1997.
The wedding was watched by an estimated worldwide television audience of two billion. The BBC, the official broadcaster, said almost 25 million people watched in Britain alone, according to early estimates.
More details of the wedding service in Westminster Abbey emerged in Saturday's newspapers.
With the help of lipreaders, they reported that as Kate walked up the aisle William's best man and brother, Prince Harry, turned to him at the altar and said: "Wait till you see the dress".
The new duchess told a photographer that the couple had a "great day".
The ivory satin and lace wedding gown by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, featuring a hand-embroidered veil and lace sleeves, received unanimous praise in Saturday's media.
"The House of McQueen and the future Queen surpassed all expectations," said The Times' fashion correspondent.
Harry was said to be the driving force behind Friday's evening party at Buckingham Palace, featuring a disco and a live performance from pop starlet Ellie Goulding in what royal sources said was a chance for the younger royals to let their hair down.

via inquirer.net

Princess Katherine

Kate now known as Duchess of Cambridge

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 05:20:00 04/30/2011

Filed Under: William and Catherine, Imperial and Royal Matters

LONDON—Prince William was made the Duke of Cambridge and Kate Middleton the Duchess of Cambridge on their wedding day Friday.
“The queen has today been pleased to confer a dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus,” Buckingham Palace said.
“Prince William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.”
It is traditional for royal grooms to receive at least one title on their wedding day, and their brides take them on by default.
As well as being a duchess, Kate will also technically be Princess William of Wales, adopting her husband’s name.
She will not officially be Princess Catherine because she was not born a princess in her own right, although she is likely to be known as this in the media, as William’s late mother was known as Princess Diana.
The Duke of Cambridge has been a royal title since the reign of Charles II, and links William to the eastern English city where his father Prince Charles went to university.
The last Duke of Cambridge was Prince George, a famous military figure who was born in 1819, the grandson of George III and the only son of Prince Adolphus Frederick, the 1st Duke of Cambridge.
George married an actress for love but the union was never recognized by the monarch. His mother, German-born Princess Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa of Hesse-Cassel, was therefore the last to hold the title Duchess of Cambridge

via inquirer.net