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Prince Harry ‘always wanted to be a Gurkha’


Britain's Prince Harry has "always wanted to be a Gurkha".
The 30-year-old royal - who is set to quit the army at the end of the month after ten years of service - praised the work of the elite soldiers at celebrations marking two hundred years of Gurkha service with the British Armed Forces and confessed he's disappointed he never got to experience working with them.
Speaking to the founder of the Born Free Foundation, Virginia McKenna - whose husband Bill Travers was in the 9th Gurkhas - he shared: "I always wanted to be a Gurkha, but the opportunity never arose.
"Physically, I bow down to these guys. They are incredible."
The flame-haired royal was also reunited with Sergeant Dipprasad Pun, with whom he served in Afghanistan in 2007, and congratulated him on being awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for single-handedly defeating up to 30 Taliban fighters who attempted to storm his control post in Helmand in 2010.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Pun said of the occasion: "This is a great way to show the younger generation what the Gurkhas have done."
Also in attendance at the bicentenary of Gurkha service celebration, which was held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, was the Queen, her husband the Duke of Edinburgh and her son and Harry's father, Prince Charles.
The Prince of Wales - who is patron of the Gurkha Welfare Trust - said it was right to "recognise and celebrate these remarkable men and their extraordinary service to our country."

Trooping the Colour to be marred by heaps of rubbish?


The annual Trooping the Colour ceremony could be affected by the Royal Parks gardeners strike.
The GMB union - Britain's general trade union - has warned that its members who look after the parks are planning to stage a 48-hour strike in a dispute over pay on Friday (12.06.15) meaning the parade from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back again on Saturday (13.06.15) could be marred by heaps of rubbish.
The Queen is expected to attend the ceremony - which marks her official birthday - but according to a GMB spokesman up to "36 hours' worth of rubbish" may be visible in the parks when the parade begins, unless the strike is called off.
The spokesperson added: "Things won't be as shiny and pristine as they would normally be."
The GMB revealed approximately 50 to 60 of its members work in the Royal Parks doing jobs such as looking after gardens, street cleaning, sweeping and rubbish collection on the roads and pathways through the parks for contractors OCS.
Gary Carter, GMB Organiser for Royal Parks told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "OCS wish to move staff from weekly to monthly pay, but intend to do so in a way which withholds money staff have already earned under current arrangements, leaving staff out of pocket. GMB members in the royal parks have already takeN solid strike action over the issue.
"This dispute can be resolved if management are willing to negotiate, compromise and look at everyone's best interests and not simply their own."
A spokesman for The Royal Parks said: "It is the responsibility of landscape maintenance contractors to ensure continuity of service. We will liaise with OCS to ensure contingency plans are in place to cover key services."

Duke of Edinburgh celebrating 94th birthday


Britain's Duke of Edinburgh is celebrating his 94th birthday today (10.06.15).
Prince Philip - who has been married to Queen Elizabeth II since 1947 - is expected to spend his birthday in private in London but the occasion will be marked with gun salutes from the Tower of London at 1pm.
However, while the royal is believed to have chosen to spend the special day with family, he did step out on the eve of his birthday last night (09.06.15) to attend the Gurkha 200 Pageant in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea with his wife, son Prince Charles and grandson Prince Harry.
The event marked 200 years of Gurkha soldiers working alongside the British Armed Forces.
The Duke and his family, along with a crowd of 1,650 others, watched 300 performers and 100 musicians re-enact battles and illustrate the extraordinary contribution Nepalese soldiers have made to British history.
The show was narrated by 'Absolutely Fabulous' actress Joanna Lumley, whose father was Gurkha officer, and the TV historian Dan Snow.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prince Charles said: "In the 200 years that the Gurkhas have fought for the British Crown they have earned our nation's deepest respect and gratitude."


Zara Phillips launches line of equestrian-inspired jewellery


Zara Phillips is launching her own line of jewellery.
The Olympic equestrian - who is the granddaughter of Britain's Queen Elizabeth - has revealed she's created a range of pieces inspired by her love of horses in collaboration with Australian jewellery designer John Calleija.
Speaking about working with one of her mother, Princess Anne's favourite designers, Zara is reported by the Daily Mail newspaper as saying: "I am no jewellery designer but I have had a great time working on this with Calleija and I hope everyone enjoys the collection as much as we have enjoyed putting it together."
The range includes the Saddle Suite - a line of saddle-shaped rings, earrings and pendants - and the Coronet Suite, which represents the band on a horse's hoof.
It is not yet known how much the jewellery will sell for, however, as each piece is hand-finished in platinum, white, yellow or rose gold and set with white diamonds they're likely to be on the high-end scale.
The 34-year-old royal - who has 16-month-old daughter Mia with her retired rugby star husband Mike Tindall - has previously secured sponsorship deals with Land Rover, Rolex and the clothing company Musto and is believed to earn around £1 million-a-year because of her royal connections.

Prince Harry to miss Princess Charlotte’s christening?


Britain's Prince Harry will reportedly miss his niece's christening.
The 30-year-old royal is being tipped to be named godfather of his brother Prince William's new daughter Princess Charlotte but could be absent from the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on July 5, People magazine reports.
The flame-haired prince - who also missed Charlotte's birth as he was on tour in Australia and New Zealand - is set to embark on a three-month trip of Africa this summer meaning he could miss out on the christening at his grandmother the Queen's Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Harry is set to carry out conservation work in Africa following his upcoming departure from the army at the end of this month.
The prince announced earlier this year that he was leaving the military after a decade of service and revealed he was eager to join one of South Africa's top veterinarians to learn more about saving endangered and at-risk animals.
He said at the time: "For me, it's three months of hard grafting, working with animals. To actually get the chance to embed myself with the top vet in southern Africa, travel with him for three weeks and every job he gets called up to do. That's like my dream."
It's also been reported that he will head to Namibia to help efforts to save the black rhino.

Prince Philip is ‘world’s most experienced plaque unveiler’


Britain's Prince Philip has joked that he's the "world's most experienced plaque unveiler".
The 93-year-old royal - who is married to Queen Elizabeth II - was opening a new arts facility at Richmond Adult Community College in London yesterday (08.06.15) when he poked fun at he and the rest of the royal family's regular task of unveiling plaques.
The Duke of Edinburgh - who celebrates his 94th birthday later this week - supervised lessons in calligraphy, painting and hand massage during his trip.
He also laughed and joked with students before amusing onlookers as he unveiled a plaque marking the college's official opening with theatrical flair.
He said: "Ladies and gentleman, you are now going to see the world's most experiences plaque unveiler."
While Prince Philip's comments may have brought a few laughs, he is in fact no stranger to royal duties as the longest-serving, oldest-ever spouse of a reigning British monarch.
And the royal couldn't help but tell a few more jokes before is visit came to an end as during a conversation with a life-drawing model he quipped that she should go running every evening because she spends all day sitting down, MailOnline reports.
Phillip was also treated to a rendition of two songs from the musical 'West Side Story', as performed by cast members with Down's syndrome, and presented with a glass tile created by one of the tutors.


Prince Harry meets Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett


Britain's Prince Harry met Lady Gaga at a charity gala last night (08.06.15).
The 30-year-old royal was introduced to the 'Poker Face' hitmaker and legendary jazz signer Tony Bennett at a fundraising concert for the children's charity WellChild where the pair were performing music from their collaborative album 'Cheek to Cheek'.
As he thanked her and Tony for supporting the charity for which he is royal patron, Lady Gaga said: "We think you are fantastic."
The flame-haired royal then asked Tony, 88, how he manages to continue performing live at such an age.
Harry said: "I can't believe you have the energy, I don't know how you do it."
Gaga added: "He runs circles around me.
"Wait until we get on stage."
Bennett also spoke to Harry - who met with families who have benefited from WellChild's support on the night as well as staff, nurses and donors - about his late mother, Princess Diana.
Tony said: "Your mum was a good friend of mine.
"I did many benefits with her."
The Prince appeared overjoyed to hear the singer had met his mother on a number of occasions saying, 'That's fantastic'.
When Harry pointed out that it was a shame more WellChild children couldn't be at the Gala at London's Royal Albert Hall, Lady Gaga vowed to come and meet them at a more convenient time.

Queen Elizabeth to pay tribute to Anne Frank


Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will pay tribute to the late Anne Frank during her upcoming visit to Germany.
The 89-year-old monarch is set to travel to the site of the Bergen-Bergen concentration camp with her husband Prince Philip and will pause in front of a memorial stone to Anne - who famously wrote 'The Diary of a Young Girl' during World War II - and her sister Margot, who both died there in March 1945 during the Holocaust.
The royal couple will also meet survivors and liberators of the camp, where approximately 50,000 people died before it was liberated by allied forces towards the end of the Second World War on April 15, 1945.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper that the Queen wants her visit to the camp - where Nazis held thousands of jews as prisoners - to be "personal and reflective".
The tribute will come at the end of a four-day visit to Germany which will take place from June 23 to 26 and marks a rare trip abroad for the Queen and her 94-year-old husband, who speaks German.
Upon arrival in Berlin, the Queen and Prince Philip will be escorted by three fighter planes from the Luftwaffe before receiving a ceremonial welcome at President Gauck's official residence, Bellevue Palace.
Other activities scheduled for their visit include a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel and a state banquet which is also to be attended by the British prime minister David Cameron.
The couple will be residing at the historic Hotel Adlon in the heart of Berlin.

Prince William wishes England good luck in Women’s World Cup


Britain's Prince William has sent a message of good luck to the England team ahead of their first Women's World Cup match.
The 32-year-old royal - who is the president of the Football Association - wished England's womens team good luck before their opening match against France tonight (09.06.15) in the competition being held in Moncton, Canada.
He said: "It gives me great pleasure to wish [coach] Mark Sampson, the England squad and all of the backroom staff the very best of luck for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.
"As president of the FA, I am delighted that women's football has become such a central part of our daily work across the country. The senior England team are the pinnacle of this and I am sure all football fans will join me in hoping they do well over the coming days."
The Duke of Cambridge - who has 23-month-old son Prince George and one-month-old daughter Princess Charlotte with his wife Duchess Catherine - went on to say that he hopes their performance in the event will help to encourage more young girls to get involved in sport.
He added: "Having had the chance to meet the squad and follow their progress in qualifying, I know they are determined to do their very best at the finals. And I believe their involvement will inspire more girls up and down the country to get involved in the game.
"A positive performance in Canada will only further the growth of the women's game."

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