Fergie Gives Media A Flash Of The (Ex) Royal Thigh

It seems that Fergie has learnt absolutely nothing after spending ten years as a member of the Royal family.

The ex-wife of Prince Andrew flashed a vast expanse of thigh at a polo match after the wind blew up the hem of her flimsy black and white patterned summer dress. The Duchess was watching a polo match with daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie and Beatrice's beau, David Clark.

It's well known that all royal ladies had their hems weighted to avoid unsightly glimpses of the royals private body parts. But Fergie never did learn this lesson. On a tour in Australia in 1988 the Duchess's hems of her silk dresses blew up revealing the top of her stockings, also,on the same tour she reveled more bust then she wanted as the dress she wore gaped at the neck.

It's forgivable when the royal is in her late twenties, but as Fergie is fast approaching fifty, well it's not only tasteless but I assume embarrassing to her two daughters!

Come on Fergie. You got hints and tips from the worlds exclusive clothes designers. USE THEM!

Photo: Copyright - BIGPICTURESPHOTO.COM
Taken from the Daily Mail: 31/07/08

HM Has 'No Concerns' Regarding Kate Middleton

The Sunday Express revealed today that HM The Queen has 'no concerns' over Kate Middleton and her employment status.

A royal source said that the Queen harbours no doubts at all about Kate Middleton and in fact Kate works for her parents company, Party Pieces, and has been seen loading and unloading cars with boxes of stock on company property. The source also added the role within her parents company allows her the chance to be with the Prince but is a private role and keeps her out of the daily public eye while William is away with his naval duties.

The Sunday Express report is in direct contrast to the Sunday Mail who has recently claimed that HM The Queen is deeply concerned about Kate Middleton seemily not having a job and the fact that 'Waity Katy' is happy to sit back and wait for William to propose marriage.

Prince's William and Harry Remain Quiet On Saddest Day

Prince's William and Harry made no public statement or any apperances on the eleventh anniversary of their mother, Diana's, death.

No comment from any royal source was forthcoming.

Yummy Piece Of Royal Memorabilia Sold for £1,000

A piece of the wedding cake baked for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding has been sold for £1,000 this week at a sale in Glous.

Moyra Smith, who at the time of the wedding was a cleaner at the Queen Mothers residence, Clarence House was given a slice of the cake form a huge piece sent to the Queen Mother. Mrs Smith carefully wrapped the cake in cling film and stored it in her attic. Her husband put it up for sale thinking it would be a prize piece of someone's collection. Along with the cake is a thank you letter from Charles and Diana for Moyra's contribution to their wedding present and a bottle of beer brewed in 1982 to celebrate the birth of Prince William, Charles and Diana's first son.

Diana: In Memorium: 1st July 1961 - 31st August 1997

In memory of Diana, Princess Of Wales. The People's Princess and Queen of our hearts.


Candle In The Wind '97

Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Loveliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our nation's golden child
And even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you brought us through the years

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned our long before
Your legend ever will

Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
Goodbye England's rose
From a country lost without your soul
Who'll miss the wings of your compassion
More than you'll ever know

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And you footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Can It Really Be Eleven Years?

It was hard enough last year to believe it had been a decade since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a car accident in Paris on a hot, sticky August 1997 night. Last year we had a spectacular concert and moving memorial service to mark her 46th birthday and ten years since her death. Now, we are coming up to the eleventh anniversary of her death, and yet, strangely, somehow it only seems like yesterday.

Today, in Britain the weather is very similar to how it was the day before Diana died. And, the 31st will fall on a Sunday, the same day Diana died. It is amazing how much life changes in eleven years. How different, for instance, the monarchy is since Diana left us. So it's so hard not to think about to this time eleven years ago. And it's very sad to do so.

Quite often I wonder what we have missed out on in eleven years. What photographs we have missed, what video footage we will never see. What clothes would Diana have worn, what paths would she have taken in both her private and public life. What sort of mother would she be to two boy who have now grown into men and who are on the cusp of starting their own families and married life. How would Diana of aged physically, would she of had surgery? We'll sadly never know the answers to these questions.

What with the passing of years and the easing of grief, I fear, that though Diana will never be forgotten, her death is slowly year by year going unrecognised. Last year, being the first decade since her death was different, but it seems to be the rule and not the exception now that it barely gets a mention, outside the world of Diana fans.

Personally, I think about her death on the anniversary every year without fail. But then I think of Diana a lot on the whole. But aside from people like me, the world seems to have forgotten what happened on 31st August 1997. It's very saddening for me, but then that is life. Things move on, and they, unlike Dodi Fayed's Park Lane apartment, they also change. The world doesn't stop still when someone like Diana dies. It continues.

I would like to think that in the past eleven years, if she had survived that she would win the battles that seemed to drive her personal life. Maybe she'd of remarried, settling down with someone who really loved, cherished and protected her.

I would also like to think that she would of remained at the top of her 'profession', that being her work in the charitable field. I cannot of seen Diana being a lady who lunched. She tried that for a short while in the early 1990's and it neither made her happy or fulfilled her. I think Diana really realised that having nothing to do wasn't a option for her, as she was, friend's say, a ball of energy.

As a mother, I imagine her to be fair to her sons. She would, I feel, of allowed them to be themselves. 'Boys will be boys' she would often say to friends in reference to her sons. But, at the same time, she would of reigned them in also, showing them that yes, have fun, but they also have a serious role and a duty to serve their country.

It has been claimed in the year after their divorce, the relationship between Charles and Diana was not just cordial but friendly. Charles still sent her birthday gifts, and would often drop in to see Diana at Kensington Palace, still commenting on her nice long legs. On her desk, ready to be opened on her return to London, was a letter from Charles discussing their youngest son, Prince Harry who was struggling at school with his work. I think their friendship would of developed, not into love, but a working relationship. Diana, though, still held a torch for Charles, delighting even after their divorce, when he wore a particular sweater that she had brought for him. Maybe, they both would of mature and became two fantastic parents to two fantastic boys.

The Diana of 2008 would be a vastly different Diana to the one in 1997. But, even at the point of her death, she was maturing, morphing into a completely different woman. I feel she would of still been self absorbed, it was a characteristic of hers, but I don't think if she were alive today, she'd still be quite so at odds with herself. It is nice to think that the lessons she had learnt through life would of taught her more about herself. She was growing up, experiencing the world behind the guilt Palace gates. And it was changing her for the better, giving her a wider perspective on things.

How Diana would of reacted to the remarriage of Prince Charles to long term love Camilla Parker-Bowles would be a touchy subject as I truly believe Diana never really loved anyone else but Charles. I believe a lot of her public dating and romances were aimed at making him jealous. I think she would of been desperately hurt to see him remarry as she never really got over him at all. But, this subject is any one's guess and I'm sure many would disagree with me.

Diana would always continue to be seen as royal and I think she'd never really loose the title of Princess, even if she had remarried. She was Britain's Princess who was loved around the world. And she continues to be loved.

Many write now not gushing sentimental words, but words of criticism. Many journalists feel it's now 'safe' to tarnish the memory of Diana. Yes, she was not perfect, we know that, but it's quite astounding the rubbish that is printed about her. Paul Burrell her once loyal rock has hinted that he slept with her. People she considered friends such as guitarist Eric Clapton and George Michael both claim she wanted to be their lovers. Ten years ago this type of reporting would of not happened, and if stories had worked their way into print, would of been panned by the very papers they were published in. But, sadly, as Diana is no longer here to defend herself, it seems anything goes.


Diana herself said in her now famous Panorama interview that she wanted to be '......Queen of people's hearts'. On the day of her death the then British Prime Minister, Tony Blair said she 'was the People's Princess and will always remain so'. To me, as one person, she always will be H.R.H The Princess Of Wales, the Queen of People's Hearts and The People's Princess.

She was Britain's princess, and she was my Princess. And nothing will ever change that.

What It's Like To Visit The Royal Palaces.

Within the last few years I've been incredibly lucky to have visited three of the major Royal residences, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace. Also I've visited the grounds of Sandringham and of course Diana's ancestral home, Althorp House, in Northamptonshire.

Initially Buckingham Palace was first opened to help fund the renovation of Windsor Castle after part of it burnt down in a fire. Only a few rooms were open then and numbers were limited, but it seems now that a bigger part of Buckingham Palace is open and you can either pre-book or pay on the gate.

What interested me the most about visiting Buckingham Palace is you can see it from the inside out and the view is very different. Instead of having your nose up against the fence trying to peer inside, you can stand the other way and look out towards the crowds, St James's Park and down the Mall. On the royal wedding videos I have, for instance, you see the newlyweds arriving at the Palace and disappearing through a door and that's it. But when you visit the Palace you can see through that door and see what the Royal's see.

In a strange way, visiting a Royal residence is not unlike visiting a old relative. You get to see the best and worst. In Buckingham Palace I was surprised to see some really truly wonderful furniture that you'd be scared to sit on. And funnily, in the next room you may come across a tatty old chair, it's fabric fraying at the edges. And you realise that chair is worth thousands and yet, could do with a decent clean.

A lot of royal residences are cluttered, with the state apartments (the apartments that are open to the public) having ornaments and other things crammed on every service. In Kensington Palace recently I noticed that some room's had copious amounts of blue and white pottery on every surface, over every fire place and on every table available. I smiled to myself that this indeed, was the wishes of the former residence, Queen Mary and yes, she did clutter her state rooms with china almost everywhere.

There is something magical about visiting a residence. Buckingham Palace has wonderful grounds, and seeing the steps and grass that Charles and Diana walked on when their engagement was announced was excellent. At Windsor Castle you get to see views of some of the finest golf courses in Windsor, at Kensington Palace, on a sunny day, you get wonderful lighting, the red brick palace coming alive in the sunshine.

To walk where your hero's have walked is something else. To see what Diana saw with her own eyes stuns you. On the day Paul and I visited Windsor Castle Prince Edward and Sophie's youngest child, their son, James was being christened. You had a eerie feeling that maybe you were not that far from a royal. Looking out of a window to the grounds, I noticed expensive looking luggage being delivered to a small door. I wondered whose it was. Those moments are priceless.

When you visit these buildings that are hundreds of years old you can't fail to appreciate the history. These buildings were alive and bustling with people hundreds of years before I was born and hopefully will continue to thrive hundreds of years after I've gone. Buckingham Palace was a pensive place. I recall the glorious royal weddings of the 1980's and the now famous appearances on the balcony. But also, you can't help but remember the funeral of Diana, her coffin passing by Buckingham Palace and HM bowing her head in respect. I recall the days after Diana's death, when the row over whether the flag would fly half-mast, people angry with the media and shouting at reporters by the famous iron gates. Those gates alone could tell many a story.

It's nice that HM the Queen has opened up the gates to her residences, giving us the chance to look inside and appreciate our history. Those iconic buildings somehow change from the grey buildings on postcards to a real house where people work and live.

Understandably the palace that moves me the most is Kensington Palace, the residence of my idol, Diana, Princess of Wales. To look through the windows out onto the park and the lake you get to see the views that Diana saw day in, day out. The hustle of staff, the bustle of chauffeurs cleaning cars. Has Diana seen this part of the palace, you ask yourself constantly. Did she have any need to go here, or there. Is that where she parked her car? Was that her private garden? By opening up the doors and allowing us in HM The Queen has given us the chance to ask these questions. To feel close to those we admire.

If ever you have the chance to visit one, or all of these places then do so. You feel royal yourself if even for a few hours. And it gives you a chance for tranquility in an otherwise havoc filled, busy city.

Prince Phillip Says No To A State Funeral

HM's husband, Prince Phillip has refused a state funeral and instead has opted for a private service at St George's Chapel, Windsor and then will be buried at Frogmore alongside Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert.

The Prince's funeral plan, named 'Forth Bridge' says that he has requested his coffin be placed on the same gun carriage as Queen Victoria's coffin.

As a naval man it's claimed that a hymn of his choice is 'For Those On Peril On The Sea'.

Prince Phillip is the longest serving consort.

The Queen is said to want a state funeral for her husband to be held at Westminster Abbey but he has refused opting for a private one instead.

All major Royals have plans drawn up for their funerals. The person involved is involved with the planning of the funeral. The state funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales used the plan for the Queen Mothers funeral which caused distress to the Queen Mother. However, due to the suddenness of Diana's death, there was no other option but to use it.

Anniversary Of Diana's Death: UK TV Schedules

If you are on cable or satellite television the UK Biography channel are showing next weekend the following programmes to remember the anniversary of Diana's death.

1. Diana (Her Biography)
2. Diana: Story Of A Princess (Parts one and two Saturday, three and four on Sunday)
3. Princesses of the World.

Quite a difference from the first and fifth anniversary's where over 100 hours of television was dedicated to the late Princess!

Anne: A Frugal Princess

When Princess Anne recently attended the wedding of a minor royal she, not the bride, turned heads. The Princess had pulled out of her wardrobe the same dress that she wore to brother Charles's wedding to Lady Diana Spencer, TWENTY SEVEN years ago.

The white silk dress, with a pattern of colourful yellow flowers, still fitted the Princess perfectly, showing us that her figure has not changed at all in nearly three decades. The Princess, frugal as ever, also wore the same shoes, same hat, only with a different handbag.

Although the dress is, I have to say, rather vile and outdated for 2o08 (see bottom photo) it was perfectly appropriate for the grand 1981 wedding of Charles and Diana (see top photo).

Royals can't do right. If they wear outfits too often (as Diana did) she was moaned at by press and public for being boring if too much is spent on the wardrobe ( a la Fergie) they get criticised for wasting money. Princess Anne, who often wears evenings gowns even older then the dress she wore to the Gloucester wedding earlier this month, doesn't seem to care about fashion, trends and what the media think of it.

Although I don't like the dress it's brave of Anne to wear it after so many years, and particularly after she had worn it to a very high profile wedding. I like Anne as she is her own person. I have to say I wouldn't mind seeing the suit she wore to Prince Andrew's 1986 wedding to Sarah Ferguson. I think that outfit, a pale lemon silk and lace suit has aged well.

Fingers crossed maybe we will see it again!

Fergie Returns To Balmoral

In August 1992 Sarah, Duchess of York left Balmoral day's earlier then planned. The pictures of her topless, having her toes sucked by lover, Johnny Bryan had been published in The Mirror and she was effectively cast out and never returned again to HM The Queens Scottish retreat.

Yet, she has been photographed back there. Apparently the Duchess was invited to stay for a weekend (while Prince Phillip was away, funnily enough) but had extended her visit. She was there to discuss with The Queen the future royal roles of her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Both Sarah and ex-husband, Prince Andrew, Duke of York are keen for the girls to undertake some sort of public role in the future. Even her relationship with Prince Phillip which was frosty has apparently now thawed

I do hope this isn't the start of a more public Fergie. It's known commonly among my friends that I am by no means a fan of the Duchess. In fact she irritates me and her exclusion from the Royal family made me quite happy. I know that Sarah will always be semi royal because of her daughters but I don't want her to be a public person again in this country. I want her to stay in the USA where she is fully appreciated. I just can't stand her and I don't like her thinking. When she was really popular in the US it was 'America this, America that'. Now that her star is fading a bit, she wants to be back in the UK. Make your mind up Fergie. Ten years ago you criticised Britain as being too cold.

Fergie - go away and stay away. We don't want you back, thank you very much.

HM Still Concerned About Kate Middletons Lack Of Employment

HM The Queen is still hugely concerned about Kate Middleton's unemployed status newspapers have reported this weekend. According to the Daily Mail HM has suggested privately that Kate Middleton should take up some charity work, possibly with children or animals, in order to convince the British public that Ms Middleton is doing more then simply shopping and waiting for beau, Prince William to propose.

In the Daily Mail it is quoted that Kate Middleton has been told of the concerns and that it comes from somebody 'at the very top' of the royal system.

Kate Middleton worked briefly, in a part time status, for TopShop as an accessories buyer but ending that after saying she wanted a career in photography.

In my opinion if Kate Middleton suddenly started doing charity work it would look contrived and not in the slightest, genuine. Girls her age, if they are doing charity work, are usually doing it on a paid basis, not on a volunteer one. I think her best option is to get a job, stick it out until William proposes or till the relationship ends.

Also, according to the paper, a royal engagement will soon be in the offing, with a announcement made just before, or after, Christmas and a tentative wedding date in May. Now this story has been written several times before so I wouldn't at all hold my breath for a royal engagement.

However, I do whole heatedly agree with HM the Queen. With Britain's economy being in such a dire state, with youth unemployment high, and less and less youngsters choosing to go onto university, it's very difficult for the public to swallow more and more pictures of William and Kate on yet another Caribbean holiday, or out late till 3am at their favourite nightspots, barely sober. In years gone by Royals were people to look up to, and who led by example (for instance in the last great UK recession in 1992, Williams mother cancelled a ski-ing holiday as it would not look good that a royal goes to posh Switzerland while the poorest of the country were struggling to keep a roof over their head). Sadly William and Kate do not do this.

Previous Royal Brides have works. Diana, William's mother worked in a Kindergarten and was a childminder to a young American boy, Sarah Ferguson worked in a publishing company and continued to do so after her marriage, Sophie Rhys-Jones worked in the world of PR, and although not something that went naturally hand in hand with Royal life, she continued to run her company for several years. So, working and dating a royal can be done, so it's rather hard to imagine why Kate Middleton isn't doing the same.

But then again, maybe charity work wouldn't' be a bad thing for Kate to undertake. If she does marry William that is what her life, as a future Princess of Wales and Queen of England will consist mostly of. Yes, there will be tours abroad and films premieres but mainly both of these things are tied in with charity work. Some of that charity work will be boring, a lot of the routine will be mundane. Kate must learn how to do this, so perhaps, although it would appear a little convenient to her image to suddenly start doing charity work now, it may be a good idea after all.

Charity work though isn't the wonderful solution. As Diana found out, when entering the royal world it's very hard to find charities to undertake that doesn't step on other people's toes. Diana got involved with children's charities early on in her career, but was always mindful not to upset her sister in law Princess Anne who has famously been patron for 'Save The Children' for decades. Sophie Rhys-Jones, in turn, had to be selective when choosing her charities, as she was asked to be patron to a AIDS charity but turned it down as AIDS was a concern for the late Diana, Princess of Wales. So selecting charities is hard work. You have to appear totally interested in the cause, and you have to be careful what you pick. Diana, for instance, loved ballet and in the early days because patron to a couple of ballet companies. Some in the press tried to hint that the new Princess was only taking on charities she had a deep interest in. Though, at the time, she was so popular that the story died a death very quickly.

I think, at the end of the day, Kate will be involved in charity work in the role of Princess of Wales as I'm sure she and William will marry, though I dont think it will be soon. But she does need to do something other then shop, holiday, socialise. If she doesn't' then she will have to work even harder to build up a positive profile after her marriage. Why not do the groundwork now and make life easier. I'm sure then that stories such as these will stop and Kate can be left in peace.

Fascinating Exhibition At Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, former home of Diana, Princess of Wales and Princess Margaret has on display a fascinating exhibition called 'The Last Debutantes'. It's all about the final debutante season in 1958, and in the exhibition you'll see evening dresses made in Paris, gloves, shoes, handbags and even corsets and suspenders! Also on display there are day dresses that the deb's used to wear when meeting HM The Queen, and their invites to the races and Buckingham Palace garden Parties.

Included in your ticket price is the opportunity to see several dresses once worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, including the famous gown she wore to the White House during the Wales 1985 tour to America in which she famously danced with Saturday Night Fever star, John Travolta. Also, you will get a tour of the State Apartments and free use of an electronic guide so you can learn all about each individual room.

You can also visit the wonderful gift shop and the Orangery, where you are served delicious refreshments such as cream cakes, sandwiches, salads and of course British tea!

The Last Debutantes exhibition runs to 14 June 2009. The Palace, gift shop and Orangery is open 10am to 6pm from March 1st to October 31st and November 1st to February 28th 10am to 7pm. The Palace is closed December 24th to December 26th (inclusive).

Entrance to the gift shop and Orangery is free so if you don't want to pay to get into the exhibition you can still visit the shop and Orangery.

Entry Prices are:

Adult £12.30
Children Under 16 £6.15
Concessions £10.75
Family Ticket £34.00

Strange Photograph Of Diana

There are probably millions and millions of photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales in storage, yet, when new books are published they use the same old tired photographs of her. Even nearly 11 years after her death, we have only seen very few new pictures come to light. However, I stumbled on this one. I'm positive that it was taken before she was even engaged as I don't recall Diana's pageboy hairstyle being this short before. Nor, do I recall her make-up being applied quite so heavily.

I fine this photograph strange and everyone I've shown it too has disliked it. Do you like it?