Twitter/Rihanna
There are certain items that, if left to our own devices, we would splurge on.
Would we wear these items out in public? Probably not. However, having them and putting them on in the privacy of your own home is reason enough.
I apply that justification to a knock-off of Catherine’s engagement ring, and – if I had the means – to Dolce & Gabbana’s Napa Leather Rhinestone Headphones with Crown ($8,895).
Dolce & Gabbana
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Oh, hell. The Duchess of York/Sarah Ferguson/Fergie is totally ready to make the world fall in love with her again.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ferguson has taken meetings with Kruger Cowne, a talent & rights management agency that works with Bob Geldolf, Joss Stone and Elle MacPherson on everything from sending them on speaking engagements and personal appearances, to helping them to become brand ambassadors.
RELATED STORY: 12 Times Fergie Made Us Roll Our Eyes
On January 14th, Fergie showed off her slim figured in an emerald green gown at the The Lady Garden Gala hosted by Chopard in aid of Silent No More Gynaecological Cancer Fund and Cancer Research UK at Claridge’s Hotel in London.
The Daily Mail reports that Fergie will release Tea and Gratitude with the Duchess, a 128-page book next year about making “the perfect cup of tea” and entertaining.
Before you say “That sounds a lot like Pippa Middleton’s book,” please note that Fergie’s book will feature her “signature sense of humor” and “trademark whimsy” (?).
I’d be more likely to buy something called It Is What It Is: I’m a Hot Mess. Continue reading
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On March 12th, 2015, the Duchess of Cambridge visited Ealing Studios, where the ITV hit, Downton Abbey was filming its sixth and final season.
Joanne Froggatt, who played lady’s maid Anna Bates, recalled meeting Her Royal Highness to Conan O’Brien on January 21st.
Everything was going well, Froggatt explained, until she unwittingly made a remark that could have been interpreted as dirty.
Catherine watched as Froggatt and Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) filmed a scene in Mary’s bedroom.
“She walked in the room and Michelle and I had to carry on this scene, so before we actually said hello we had to act right in front of her,” Froggatt told O’Brien.
“It was a little bit nerve-racking and I got a bit jittery. She came over to say ‘hi’ afterwards and I said, ‘Hello, lovely to meet you.'”
Catherine noted that it was “strange” being in Mary’s bedroom. Continue reading
Facebook/Princess Madeleine
There are certain royal families who demand total privacy when it comes to family photos, but others are more lenient.
The Swedish royal family has a working relationship with their photographers, offering up photos to share with the public more frequently than, for instance, the House of Windsor.
Last night, Princess Madeleine of Sweden took to her official Facebook page to express her frustration over the paparazzi photographing her family vacation in the Maldives.
“Family time, sadly interrupted,” the princess wrote.
“What a pity we weren’t just asked for photos, because here are some sweet ones.”
Madeleine then took control the situation and beat the paps at their own game.
Facebook/Princess Madeleine
The value of whatever photos were taken by the paparazzi has undoubtedly gone down, thanks to Madeleine sharing her own via Facebook. Continue reading
James Whatling/Splash News
Over the weekend, Australia’s New Idea dreamed up a relationship involving Prince Harry and his (very) distant cousin, 19-year-old Princess Maria-Olympia (who simply goes by “Olympia”) of Greece and Denmark.
It was once common practice for royal cousins to marry one another, whether to form alliances or because of love.
Queen Victoria married her first cousin, Prince Albert , while Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are third cousins.
The tabloid is quite certain that love hath blossomed for the new generation of royal blood.
New Idea
“Harry has fallen head over-heels with Maria-Olympia,” a royal insider claims, adding that it was Princess Beatrice who set them up. Continue reading
Ken Goff Rota/GoffPhotos.com
On March 28th, 2007, Annie Leibovitz became the first American to take a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
As her new exhibit, “Women,” opens in London, Leibowitz was asked about her most famous subject and what really happened that day in Buckingham Palace.
Was there “controversy?”
Was the Queen being difficult, as the BBC claimed at the time?
In an excerpt from her 2008 book, Annie at Work, Leibowitz recalled the shoot, which took place ahead of Her Majesty’s US visit to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia.
Continue reading
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Today, veteran actor Alan Rickman, 69, passed away after a battle with cancer.
Rickman starred in countless movies during his career, including Dogma, Die Hard, Harry Potter, Sense and Sensibility, A Little Chaos and Love, Actually.
I found the above photo of Rickman meeting the Queen at a February 2014 reception for the dramatic arts, hosted by Her Majesty (patron of the organization) and the Duchess of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace.
That evening, Rickman was joined by other greats including Helen Mirren, Angela Lansbury and Stephen Fry. Continue reading
Stephen Butler / Splash News
It’s customary for anyone who respects the crown to curtsy or bow to the Queen. For the royals, it’s a form of protocol that is as natural as a hug.
In fact, whenever the Queen’s family greets her, it’s with a kiss on each cheek, followed by a short curtsy or bow of the head.
This, Majesty managing editor Joe Little tells People‘s Simon Perry, only happens the first time a royal sees Her Majesty at an event.
Such was the case for the Duchess of Cambridge on Sunday, when she and Prince William attended the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign at Sandringham. Continue reading
Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
Back in October 2012, Pippa Middleton was spotted on a date with James Matthews, who started his own firm, Eden Rock Capital Management in 2001, and is the older brother of Made in Chelsea‘s Spencer Matthews.
The relationship didn’t last long. Shortly after, Middleton began a three-year relationship with Nico Jackson. The two broke up last October, according to People.
Dominic O’Neill/Boodles Boxing Ball Committee via Getty Images
Middleton and her brother, James spent the New Year holiday at Eden Rock hotel in St. Barts, owned by Spencer and James’s family.
This was Pippa and James’s second visit to the island in four months; Carole and Michael joined them in August. Continue reading
Headlinephoto/Splash News
Today, the Queen and Prince Philip led a service at the Sandringham War Memorial to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, which was led by Winston Churchill and considered a failed battle during the Great War.
Prior to this, the royal family was joined by the Duchess of Cambridge’s family – Carole, Michael, James and Pippa Middleton, who likely spent yesterday celebrating Catherine’s birthday at Anmer Hall.
Catherine wore a tweed blazer and skirt by Michael Kors with her Fairy Tale hat by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock & Co., a repeat from December 27th. Continue reading