Month: July 2016

Pippa Middleton’s New “Title:” What Does It Actually Mean?

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pippa middleton day eleven wimbledon 2011

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Last week, after the dust settled and Pippa Middleton’s engagement to financier James Matthews became old news, the Daily Express revealed that Middleton will one day become “Lady Glen Affric.”

The press had a field day with the news, billing it as a new way for Middleton to try and one-up her older sister, the Duchess of cambridge.  “Two Titles For The Middleton Girls!” was all any media outlet could talk about.

I had absolutely no idea what to make of Middleton’s future title, so I asked royal expert and author Marlene Koenig to clear up the confusion surrounding the future Lady Glen Affric.

What exactly is a lairdship?

Before the Act of Union, when Scotland was an independent kingdom, lairds (15th & 16th century) were property owners holding land separate from the Scottish crown. This allowed them to attend the Scottish Parliament.

By the 17th century, the laird was the chief of a Highland clan.  Continue reading →

William and Kate Watch America’s Cup, Kate Displays Serious Upper Body Strength

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duke cambridge waves duchess cambridges smiles sunglasses boat america's cup

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Rare are the occasions we see a royal partake in manual labor (save for Princes William and Harry).

Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series on the Solent, a straight that separates the Isle of Wight from mainland England.

Catherine is patron of the 1851 Trust, a charity run by sailing champ Sir Ben Ainslie that aims to get youths involved in the sport.

Today, wearing her Land Rover BAR polo, skinny jeans, Kiki McDonough’s “Lauren” gold leaf earrings and Monsoon wedges, Catherine met some of its members in Portsmouth.  Continue reading →

Princess Charlene and Her Glorious Earrings Attend The 68th Annual Red Cross Ball

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princess charlene valentino gown prince albert red cross gala 2016

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Last night, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene arrived at  the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco to officially open this year’s Red Cross Gala, an event that thanks donors for making it possible for the organization to carry out its work.

princess charlene valentino lilac dress arm in arm prince albert red cross gala

VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

Charlene wore the most glorious lilac gown that looked hand-painted (and was no doubt custom-made).

Two different designers- Valentino and Armani Prive – are being credited with the gown, but neither one has confirmed. So…  Continue reading →

Prince George Slowly Poisons Lupo With Ice Cream, According To Some Idiots

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prince george feeds lupo ice cream picnic blanket anmer hall

Matt Porteous/Kensington Palace

Yesterday, Kensington Palace released four adorable photos of Prince George to celebrate his third birthday.

Normally the Duchess of Cambridge is behind the lens, but this time she and Prince William hired photographer Matt Porteous to snap George at Anmer Hall, the family’s home in Norfolk, England.

One photo from the set has the Royal Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals concerned.

Continue reading →

10 Times Prince George Was Disappointed By His Birthday Gifts

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prince george stink face prince william points to something raf fairford

Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Well done.  You’ve cast a dark cloud of doom over the future King George VII.  Is it really that difficult to stick to the registry?

We’ve all witnessed toddlers react poorly to gifts that displease them, whether it’s Christmas or their birthday.

Today, Prince George of Cambridge celebrates his third birthday, although this one is a far more toned-down affair than 2013, when the whole damn world invited itself to the party (present company included).

And here we are, wishing the heir well as he rings in year three with a tea party at Anmer Hall, according to People‘s Simon Perry.

Since making his world debut, Prince George has received several gifts ranging from luxurious to downright odd.

How did His Royal Highness react?

  1. “A horse? Thanks…I guess.  What happened to that plane I wanted?”
prince george stink face prince william polo uniform

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

2. “I was told by Leibovitz that I’d receive a solo portrait as a birthday gift.  Why are the relatives in my shot?”

princess charlotte queen elizabeth lap prince george

Annie Leibovitz via Getty Images

Continue reading →

Pippa Middleton To Inherit Title Thanks To Fiance James Matthews

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pippa middleton competes james matthews ski race norway

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Do you hear that whirring sound?  That would be Carole Middleton spinning around her massive Bucklebury home in glee.

Why?  Because her younger daughter will one day inherit a title, just like her older sister.

Not as grand, no, but still…

PHOTOS: 24 Times Carole Middleton Showed She Was The Winningest Mom In History

Pippa Middleton’s fiance, James Matthews is a self-made man and is doing very well for himself, but his family also happens to enjoy great success the luxury hotel business.

James’ father, David, is Laird of Glen Affric, a 10,000-acre estate in Scotland that serves as a hotel, according to the Daily Express.  Continue reading →

Little Girl Meets Prince Charles, Doesn’t See What All The Fuss Is About

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Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are on a three-day tour of Cornwall and Devon, and today they met the least impressed human in the area.

5-year-old Ella Cameron joined her father, Andy to meet the Prince of Wales (who also holds the title, Duke of Cornwall) at the Royal Navy Lifeboat Institution.

“She was really looking forward to it, mainly because she didn’t have to go to school,” Cameron told the Telegraph.  Continue reading →

Pippa Middleton Confirms Engagement To James Matthews, Looks Giddy As Heck

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Jesal / Tanna / Splash News

Jesal / Tanna / Splash News

Good on ya, Pipps!

Last night, the Daily Mail‘s Richard Kay had it on good authority that Pippa Middleton was engaged to investment firm owner James Matthews.

At around the same time the story was published, Middleton attended a party in support of the British Heart Foundation, hiding her left hand from photographers (though no bauble was visible, it’s likely Middleton was hiding a ring tan).  Continue reading →

The Goring Hotel Has A Gin Garden, And It Looks Glorious

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hepple gin summer cup the goring hotel

Hepple Summer Cup (The Goring Hotel)

Gin is a very British spirit, and one yours truly loves to enjoy as soon as the clock strikes gin o’clock.

Imagine my delight when hotel and travel site Rebecca Recommends showed me  a cocktail from The Goring Hotel’s summer bar.  Which is a gin garden.  With sheep.  And hills of heather and wildflowers.

The Goring is perhaps best known as the hotel where the Duchess of Cambridge, along with her family,  spent her last night as a commoner singleton, before marrying Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29th, 2011.  Continue reading →

The Queen and Prince Philip Visit Prince William At East Anglia Ambulance Base

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prince william hand to face east anglia air ambulance base queen elizabeth II prince philip

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They were there on official business, but it’s always lovely to pop round to visit one’s grandson at his place of work.

Before she meets with outgoing Prime Minister David Cameron at 5pm, the Queen (accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh) opened a new East Anglian Air Ambulance Base at Cambridge Airport today, according to BBC News.

Coincidentally, this is also where Prince William is based as a pilot for the ambulatory service.

prince william points helicopter queen elizabeth prince philip cambridge

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

This is the second time Her Majesty and Prince Philipe have visited the Duke of Cambridge’s place of work.  Continue reading →