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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth dines with Women’s Insitute


Britain's Queen Elizabeth was "very happy" as she attended the Women's Institute in Norfolk.
The 89-year-old royal attends the event annually during her holiday to her Sandringham estate in East Anglia and this year, she chatted with attendees about family and gardening.
Jackie Cartledge, who sat with the Queen during the meal, said: "She was very happy. She loves coming. She talks about all sorts of things - families and gardening, all sorts of things.
"She likes to hear everyone's views. She makes you feel very at ease which is lovely. She will be back next year. Definitely."
During the meal, the Queen was given a birthday cake as well as a gift of a tree and a plague to celebrate her milestone birthday later this year.
Yvonne Browne, vice-president of the Institute's Norfolk group, told PEOPLE magazine: "We've bought her a sweet chestnut tree and a plaque for it. We presented her the plaque and a photograph of the tree.
"We had a little bit of a joke because when she went to the Albert Hall in London last year [for the Institute's 100th birthday] she had difficulty cutting the cake. I said to her, 'I hope you can cut this, Ma'am.' And the knife went in easily so that was good!"

Britain’s Prince William hates Twitter


Britain's Prince William dislikes Twitter.
The 33-year-old royal isn't a fan of the social media site, according to actress Megan Mullally, who met the Prince during a trip to the United Kingdom.
Speaking on CONAN, she said: "First of all, he's an amazing athlete. He's tall, he's cute, I don't care that he's losing his hair. It doesn't matter.
"He said that he didn't like Twitter because he thinks it is mean. They're watching 'Game of Thrones.'"
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly keen to have a "constructive dialogue" with Twitter and Facebook bosses in order to stop cyberbullying.
A royal aide said: "Their role as parents is definitely shaping their perceptions on the issues. As parents themselves they want to speak out and see what more can be done for young people who are victims of cyberbullying and all forms of bullying."
The royal couple have always been strong supporters of stamping out bullying as a result of stigma surrounding mental health.
In a statement released previously, the mother-of-two said: "I feel strongly that young people and parents need to know that they can ask for help.
"Just as with physical health, we need to act early to provide support when a child is faced with emotional difficulties."

Britain’s Prince Charles to visit Western Balkans


Britain's Prince Charles is set to visit the Western Balkans in March this year.
The 67-year-old royal will be accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on the trip where he is planning to visit Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
The Prince of Wales has visited the area many times before but it will be the Duchess' first official visit to the countries.
Meanwhile, Duchess Camilla previously couldn't help but gush about how proud she is to be married to Charles.
Interviewed on 'When Ant and Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' about how she felt following a visit to a Prince's Trust workshop, she said: "I left with a huge lump in my throat. I'm really proud to be married to somebody who aged 27 had the vision to put it together.
"It was an incredible idea then, and he was very young then to think of it, to think of these very disadvantaged young people who'd literally been through hell and back. And to find a way to give them a second chance in life.
"He just has that energy. If we are passionate about something, you can do it. He care so much bout these young people. He does have incredible energy ... He loves it, you can't do something unless you love it."

Britain’s Princess Charlotte tops list of ‘people who really matter’


Britain's Princess Charlotte has topped Tatler magazine's list of 'people who really matter'.
The eight-month-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge beat her parents and brother Prince George, two, to top the list.
In the accompanying article, they wrote: "Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana made a spectacular entrance into the public eye with an appearance on the steps of St Mary's Hospital just hours after her mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, went into labour.
"The gorgeous little bundle of joy has already won us over even though we know very little about her yet, other than the important fact that she is fourth in line to the throne."
Duchess Catherine placed second whilst Prince William was named third in the list.
Queen Elizabeth came in at a surprising fifth place but was praised for her impersonation skills and "wicked sense of humour".
The magazine added: "Still, at 89 she likes to put her feet up as much as the next person; her perfect night in is Eggs Drumkilbo on her lap in front of the cricket highlights.
"A brilliant impersonator, she has a wicked sense of humour, and nothing tickles her more than a ceremonial mishap. After all these years, she finds the National Anthem grating."

Britain’s Countess of Wessex remembers late Lord Montagu


Britain's Sophie, Countess of Wessex spent her 51st birthday paying tribute to the late Lord Edward Montagu.
The wife of Prince Edward was spotted at the memorial service for the third Baron of Montagu of Beaulieu at St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey yesterday (20.01.15).
At the service, she was seen speaking to Ralph Montagu, who will inherit his father's title as Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, the Mail Online reports.
A statement released at the time of the Lord's death read: "'It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu. He died peacefully at his home on August 31 2015, aged 88, after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Fiona, his son and heir Ralph, 54, daughter Mary, 51, and second son Jonathan, 39.
"In accordance with his wishes, the estate and visitor attractions are continuing to operate as usual. An estate funeral will be held at Beaulieu, followed by a memorial service at St Margaret's, Westminster for his friends in London and further afield. The dates of these are to be advised."

Buckingham Palace welcomes virtual schoolchildren


Buckingham Palace is set to virtually welcome thousands of school children through its doors.
The London abode belonging to Britain's Queen Elizabeth has become the first landmark in the United Kingdom to become part of a virtual reality project, Google Expeditions Pioneer programme, which aims to let schools take their pupils on previously impossible field trips.
Jemima Rellie, director of content and audiences at the Royal Collection Trust, told the Guardian newspaper: "The more we found out, the more excited we got ... Virtual reality is really something. It's a gamechanger. It is entirely different.
"It is the most physically immersive experience you can get without actually being at the palace. It's not going to replace a visit, but if you are unable to get to the palace, it is the best alternative out there."
The tour works by using a special app on a smartphone and a cardboard stereoscopic viewer.
Jessica Holland, who is a part of the programme, added: "Teachers really wanted a way to inspire and engage their students and bring the outside world into the classroom, so we have used that as our guiding principle to create Expeditions.
"If we look across Google we have Classroom, products for education, which has grown to over 10 million users in a year. We have Google Cardboard, which is this virtual reality platform, and all this amazing 360-degree imagery from Google Earth."

Monaco’s Pauline Ducruet has ‘circus bug’


Princess Stéphanie of Monaco's daughter has picked up the "circus bug" from her.
The 50-year-old royal attended the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival in Monaco with her 21-year-old daughter Pauline Ducruet, who is keen to following in her mother's footsteps with support for the circus.
A source said: "Pauline loves the circus and says she doesn't understand people who don't. She loves it for the variety of the shows themselves, the commitment, the passion of the performers."
The New Generation Festival - which sees young circus acts compete against each other - was reportedly organised for Pauline to "learn the ropes".
The source continued to PEOPLE magazine: "[The New Generation Festival] was organised partly to let Pauline learn the ropes. It was her choice but there's great complicity between Stephanie and Pauline. They share a lot - like friends do.
"Watch them at the performances. They sit and talk non-stop to one another. They keep a running commentary up on acts, critiquing tricks. If you watch them closely, the even laugh at the same gags. The Grimaldis [Monaco's royal family] are a circus family. It's in their genes."

Britain’s Princess Anne meets penguins


Britain's Princess Anne met with penguins during her tour of South Georgia.
The 65-year-old royal is currently visiting the British Overseas Territory where she came face to face with the creatures.
A tweet from the monarchy's official account captioned a photograph of the Princess Royal walking amongst the birds: "A Regal day for wildlife in South Georgia as King Penguins meet The Princess Royal! (sic)"
Whilst the country's government wrote on their account on the micro blogging site: "#Biodiversity abound and #penguins galore as The Princess Royal visits Gold Harbour #SouthGeorgia (sic)"
During her visit to the territory, which is in the middle of Atlantic Ocean, south east of South America, the Princess met with staff at the South Georgia Heritage Trust, which aims to protect the stunning landscape and heritage of the area whilst scientists discussed with the daughter of Queen Elizabeth about sustainability in the region.
A tweet from the government's account read: "The Princess Royal meets @SGHTcharitysite staff at the #SouthGeorgia museum ...
"Scientists talk to The Princess Royal about how their research contributes #sustainable #SGFisheries (sic)"
Earlier this week, Princess Anne opened the new Post Office on the island.

Britain’s Prince Charles’ estate’s legal battle


Britain's Prince Charles is battling to keep his private estate from being a public authority.
Legal representatives for the 67-year-old royal's Duchy of Cornwall estate are appealing the decision, which allows environmental data about their onsite oyster farm to be made public after campaigner Michael Bruton claimed the farm is causing environmental damage to the local area.
According to the Mail Online, Thomas de la Mare QC, who is representing the heir to the throne's estate, said: "It is not a natural or legal personality. The Duchy is in fact shorthand for the land owned by the Duke, subject to restrictions contained in a charter.
"None of the relevant powers are the powers of the Duchy, as opposed to the Duke. None of the relevant powers in question, save perhaps the ceremonial aspects, are concerned with service of public interest. There is no separate legal personality for the Duchy. Any claim that it does have such separate legal personality may present consequences outside this litigation."
Michael Bruton has been campaigning for the information to be released since 2008 but it was rejected by the Duchy estate at the time because they claimed the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) did not consider them to be a public authority.

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