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!
Sunday, 24 August 2008
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Although the dress is, I have to say, rather vile and outdated for 2o08 (see bottom photo) it was perfectly appropriate for the grand 1981 wedding of Charles and Diana (see top photo).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.
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.
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.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
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?
Sunday, 6 July 2008
A Very Belated Birthday To The People's Princess
Happy Birthday Diana.
The late Princess would of been 47 on 1st July this year.
We are all thinking of you. You are still in our thoughts and prayers.
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