Royal
Royal
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watched the Irish Guards perform their St. Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday (17.03.15) - but the duchess had some trouble with a dog that was part of the event.
The British royal couple went to the regiment's barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, South East England, to witness the annual tradition and during the event Duchess Catherine upheld the 144-year-old royal tradition of presenting shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen.
However, when Catherine - who is eight months pregnant with the couple's second child - had to tie a shamrock onto the collar of regimental mascot Domhnall, a three-year-old Irish wolfhound, she couldn't do it.
After Catherine made several failed attempts to attach it, Quartermaster, Major Paul Fagin took over and tied the sprig onto Domhnall's collar but as the mutt walked away with his handler the shamrock fell off.
Afterwards Catherine, 33, said with a laugh: "It didn't stay on very long."
Domhnall had prepared for his meeting with the royal - formerly known as Kate Middleton - with a breakfast of tea and toast and the pooch had been promised a pint of Guinness later in the day which celebrates Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Prince William presented a Little Hero medal - an honour created for the children of service personnel who served in Afghanistan - to six-year-old Alex Rowland, whose father Staff Sergeant Craig Rowland served there last year with the Irish Guards.
In return the second-in-line to the British throne was presented with a bib for his unborn baby and some crayons for his 19-month-old son Prince George by young Alex.
William, 32, is Colonel of the Irish Guards Regiment and wore an Irish Guards frock coat and ceremonial sword for the day.
Catherine was dressed in a brown Catherine Walker coat and Lock & Co hat and a gold shamrock brooch given to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by the Irish Guards.
Two hundred soldiers from the First Battalion Irish Guards marched onto the Parade Square their Mons Barracks base to mark the special day.
After the ceremony was over, William and Kate met with families and the soldiers in an erected marquee and the prince enjoyed a pint of Guinness, while Kate refreshed herself with a glass of water.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Irish Guards
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watched the Irish Guards perform their St. Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday (17.03.15) - but the duchess had some trouble with a dog that was part of the event.
The British royal couple went to the regiment's barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire, South East England, to witness the annual tradition and during the event Duchess Catherine upheld the 144-year-old royal tradition of presenting shamrocks to the officers and guardsmen.
However, when Catherine - who is eight months pregnant with the couple's second child - had to tie a shamrock onto the collar of regimental mascot Domhnall, a three-year-old Irish wolfhound, she couldn't do it.
After Catherine made several failed attempts to attach it, Quartermaster, Major Paul Fagin took over and tied the sprig onto Domhnall's collar but as the mutt walked away with his handler the shamrock fell off.
Afterwards Catherine, 33, said with a laugh: "It didn't stay on very long."
Domhnall had prepared for his meeting with the royal - formerly known as Kate Middleton - with a breakfast of tea and toast and the pooch had been promised a pint of Guinness later in the day which celebrates Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Prince William presented a Little Hero medal - an honour created for the children of service personnel who served in Afghanistan - to six-year-old Alex Rowland, whose father Staff Sergeant Craig Rowland served there last year with the Irish Guards.
In return the second-in-line to the British throne was presented with a bib for his unborn baby and some crayons for his 19-month-old son Prince George by young Alex.
William, 32, is Colonel of the Irish Guards Regiment and wore an Irish Guards frock coat and ceremonial sword for the day.
Catherine was dressed in a brown Catherine Walker coat and Lock & Co hat and a gold shamrock brooch given to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by the Irish Guards.
Two hundred soldiers from the First Battalion Irish Guards marched onto the Parade Square their Mons Barracks base to mark the special day.
After the ceremony was over, William and Kate met with families and the soldiers in an erected marquee and the prince enjoyed a pint of Guinness, while Kate refreshed herself with a glass of water.
Royal
Prince Harry has been praised for being an outstanding soldier by General Sir Nicholas Carter following his announcement he is leaving the army this summer.
Sir Nicholas, Chief of the General Staff, has paid tribute to the British royal describing him as a skilled and ultra professional officer who never wanted to be treated differently from his colleagues, despite being the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a statement, the officer said: "Captain Harry Wales, as he is known affectionately in the army, has achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier. He has been at the forefront throughout his service. He has insisted on being treated the same as his peers. His first deployment with his regiment, The Household Cavalry, to Helmand in 2008 was as a Forward Air Controller. This was a job that demanded skill, judgement and professionalism. Qualities he showed still further when he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps. This led to his second tour in Helmand as an Apache helicopter pilot, where once again he was at the forefront of the operation, selflessly supporting those on the ground."
Sir Nicholas reserved his biggest praise for Harry's work with wounded service personnel and the active role he played in creating the Invictus Games, the sporting event for injured military men and women.
He added: "It is probably (Harry's) work during the past two years, which has brought him the most pleasure and fulfilment - the highlight being the extraordinary Invictus Games last year ... He has raised their profile through the care he has shown them and they admire him hugely ... We wish him the very best for the future, we thank him for his service, and we look forward to his continuing involvement with his regiments and with our wounded."
Harry's final assignment for the army will see him join the Australian Defence Force for four weeks in April in May. He will spend time in Darwin, Perth and Sydney to "gain an appreciation of the Australian Army's domestic operating environment and capabilities".
Prince Harry praised by General Sir Nicholas Carter
Prince Harry has been praised for being an outstanding soldier by General Sir Nicholas Carter following his announcement he is leaving the army this summer.
Sir Nicholas, Chief of the General Staff, has paid tribute to the British royal describing him as a skilled and ultra professional officer who never wanted to be treated differently from his colleagues, despite being the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a statement, the officer said: "Captain Harry Wales, as he is known affectionately in the army, has achieved much in his 10 years as a soldier. He has been at the forefront throughout his service. He has insisted on being treated the same as his peers. His first deployment with his regiment, The Household Cavalry, to Helmand in 2008 was as a Forward Air Controller. This was a job that demanded skill, judgement and professionalism. Qualities he showed still further when he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps. This led to his second tour in Helmand as an Apache helicopter pilot, where once again he was at the forefront of the operation, selflessly supporting those on the ground."
Sir Nicholas reserved his biggest praise for Harry's work with wounded service personnel and the active role he played in creating the Invictus Games, the sporting event for injured military men and women.
He added: "It is probably (Harry's) work during the past two years, which has brought him the most pleasure and fulfilment - the highlight being the extraordinary Invictus Games last year ... He has raised their profile through the care he has shown them and they admire him hugely ... We wish him the very best for the future, we thank him for his service, and we look forward to his continuing involvement with his regiments and with our wounded."
Harry's final assignment for the army will see him join the Australian Defence Force for four weeks in April in May. He will spend time in Darwin, Perth and Sydney to "gain an appreciation of the Australian Army's domestic operating environment and capabilities".
Royal
Prince Harry will carry out voluntary work in Africa for his first post-army role.
The 30-year-old British royal announced today (17.03.15) he will leave the army in June following a decade of service, which saw him complete two tours of Afghanistan.
Kensington Palace has now revealed he will fly to sub-Sahara Africa in the summer and spend several weeks working with charity projects.
A spokesman said: "Prince Harry will spend a period of summer carrying out a programme of voluntary work alongside field-based conservation experts in Africa. He will focus his time learning how local communities in sub-Saharan Africa are working to protect and conserve their natural resources and wildlife."
In September, Harry will return to the UK where he continue his work with the Personal Recovery Unit in London to help rehabilitate injured service men and women.
The Kensington Palace spokesman added: "In Autumn, Prince Harry will return to work in a voluntary capacity with the Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme, while actively considering other longer term employment opportunities.
"Prince Harry will continue to support Case Officers at London District's Personal Recovery Unit, working with both those who are administering and receiving physical and mental care within the London District area. This will enable him to continue developing his knowledge of the entire recovery process, placing him in an informed position to further support wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women into the future."
Harry has been widely praised in all quarters for the major role he played in creating the Invictus Games, a sporting event which wounded military personnel can compete in.
Kensington Palace also confirmed that Harry will continue to support the work of Queen Elizabeth and the royal family and will be carrying out numerous duties in the future.
Prince Harry heading to Africa after the army
Prince Harry will carry out voluntary work in Africa for his first post-army role.
The 30-year-old British royal announced today (17.03.15) he will leave the army in June following a decade of service, which saw him complete two tours of Afghanistan.
Kensington Palace has now revealed he will fly to sub-Sahara Africa in the summer and spend several weeks working with charity projects.
A spokesman said: "Prince Harry will spend a period of summer carrying out a programme of voluntary work alongside field-based conservation experts in Africa. He will focus his time learning how local communities in sub-Saharan Africa are working to protect and conserve their natural resources and wildlife."
In September, Harry will return to the UK where he continue his work with the Personal Recovery Unit in London to help rehabilitate injured service men and women.
The Kensington Palace spokesman added: "In Autumn, Prince Harry will return to work in a voluntary capacity with the Ministry of Defence's Recovery Capability Programme, while actively considering other longer term employment opportunities.
"Prince Harry will continue to support Case Officers at London District's Personal Recovery Unit, working with both those who are administering and receiving physical and mental care within the London District area. This will enable him to continue developing his knowledge of the entire recovery process, placing him in an informed position to further support wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women into the future."
Harry has been widely praised in all quarters for the major role he played in creating the Invictus Games, a sporting event which wounded military personnel can compete in.
Kensington Palace also confirmed that Harry will continue to support the work of Queen Elizabeth and the royal family and will be carrying out numerous duties in the future.
Royal
A flurry of bets have been placed on Duchess Catherine having her baby in March.
The British royal - formerly known as Kate Middleton - is believed to be due to give birth to her and husband Prince William's second child in March, but following the betting pattern bookmake Paddy Power have decided to cut the odds.
The odds for a March baby were 6/1 but have now been changed to 9/2.
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: "If our punters are anything to go by then Kate could be dropping the most talked about No 2 in history in just a matter of weeks."
It seems there are a lot of royal mad punters out there as wagers have been placed on a variety of bets, with the majority going on what the sex of William and Kate's next child will be.
Most gamblers believe the couple - who are already parents to 19-month-old Prince George - are having a girl with 80 percent of gender bets being placed on a pink baby.
Paddy Power are also taking bets on baby names with the odds on Elizabeth - after William's grandmother Queen Eliizabeth - at 6/2 followed by Charlotte at 9/2.
Philip - the same name as William's grandfather Prince Philip - is the favourite for a boy's name at 12/1 while at 100/1 you can go for monikers like Nigel, Boris and Camilla.
The bookmaker are also accepting wagers on what the baby will weigh. Prince George entered the world at 8lb 6oz when he was born in July 2013, and Paddy Power are offering odds of 11/8 that his sibling will weigh-in between 7lbs and 8lbs 15oz or 8/1 that the baby will weigh in at 10lbs or more.
And as anticipation builds about the newest addition to the royal family, bets are now being taken on the colour of Kate's post baby attire with blue and pink both topping the market at 4/1, while a more sombre black look is at 10/1 and brown the unlikely outfit choice at 20/1.
Big bets placed on March baby for Duchess Catherine
A flurry of bets have been placed on Duchess Catherine having her baby in March.
The British royal - formerly known as Kate Middleton - is believed to be due to give birth to her and husband Prince William's second child in March, but following the betting pattern bookmake Paddy Power have decided to cut the odds.
The odds for a March baby were 6/1 but have now been changed to 9/2.
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: "If our punters are anything to go by then Kate could be dropping the most talked about No 2 in history in just a matter of weeks."
It seems there are a lot of royal mad punters out there as wagers have been placed on a variety of bets, with the majority going on what the sex of William and Kate's next child will be.
Most gamblers believe the couple - who are already parents to 19-month-old Prince George - are having a girl with 80 percent of gender bets being placed on a pink baby.
Paddy Power are also taking bets on baby names with the odds on Elizabeth - after William's grandmother Queen Eliizabeth - at 6/2 followed by Charlotte at 9/2.
Philip - the same name as William's grandfather Prince Philip - is the favourite for a boy's name at 12/1 while at 100/1 you can go for monikers like Nigel, Boris and Camilla.
The bookmaker are also accepting wagers on what the baby will weigh. Prince George entered the world at 8lb 6oz when he was born in July 2013, and Paddy Power are offering odds of 11/8 that his sibling will weigh-in between 7lbs and 8lbs 15oz or 8/1 that the baby will weigh in at 10lbs or more.
And as anticipation builds about the newest addition to the royal family, bets are now being taken on the colour of Kate's post baby attire with blue and pink both topping the market at 4/1, while a more sombre black look is at 10/1 and brown the unlikely outfit choice at 20/1.
Royal
Prince Harry has announced he is leaving the army after 10 years of service.
The British royal - Queen Elizabeth's grandson and currently fourth-in-line to the throne - will cease being a military man in June after completing a four-week assignment with the Australian Defence Force.
In a statement released today (17.03.15), Harry said: "After a decade of service, moving on from the army has been a really tough decision. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process.
"From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan - the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I will always be hugely grateful.
"Inevitably most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career. Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life."
After completing his officer training at Sandhurst military college, the prince - known as Captain Harry Wales in the army - undertook his first tour of Afghanistan in late 2007 before qualifying as an Apache attack helicopter pilot. Harry then completed a second tour of Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot between September 2012 and January 2013.
He then stepped away from front line service to take on an office job last year.
Once he has left the army, Harry is expected to take on more charity work and royal duties and is also believed to be considering utilising his helicopter pilot skills for one of the emergency services just like his brother Prince William, 32.
William - who is second-in-line to the throne after his father Prince Charles - served as an officer in the army and as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot and he will begin work as an air ambulance pilot with East Anglia Air Service in the summer.
Harry will also continue his work with injured military service personnel and will be heavily involved with the Invictus Games, the sporting event he created last year for wounded servicemen and women. It is expected to take place again in 2016.
Speaking about his future, Harry said: "I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities ... so while I am finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it."
Prince Harry to leave the British Army
Prince Harry has announced he is leaving the army after 10 years of service.
The British royal - Queen Elizabeth's grandson and currently fourth-in-line to the throne - will cease being a military man in June after completing a four-week assignment with the Australian Defence Force.
In a statement released today (17.03.15), Harry said: "After a decade of service, moving on from the army has been a really tough decision. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do some very challenging jobs and have met many fantastic people in the process.
"From learning the hard way to stay onside with my Colour Sergeant at Sandhurst, to the incredible people I served with during two tours in Afghanistan - the experiences I have had over the last 10 years will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I will always be hugely grateful.
"Inevitably most good things come to an end and I am at a crossroads in my military career. Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life."
After completing his officer training at Sandhurst military college, the prince - known as Captain Harry Wales in the army - undertook his first tour of Afghanistan in late 2007 before qualifying as an Apache attack helicopter pilot. Harry then completed a second tour of Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot between September 2012 and January 2013.
He then stepped away from front line service to take on an office job last year.
Once he has left the army, Harry is expected to take on more charity work and royal duties and is also believed to be considering utilising his helicopter pilot skills for one of the emergency services just like his brother Prince William, 32.
William - who is second-in-line to the throne after his father Prince Charles - served as an officer in the army and as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot and he will begin work as an air ambulance pilot with East Anglia Air Service in the summer.
Harry will also continue his work with injured military service personnel and will be heavily involved with the Invictus Games, the sporting event he created last year for wounded servicemen and women. It is expected to take place again in 2016.
Speaking about his future, Harry said: "I am considering the options for the future and I am really excited about the possibilities ... so while I am finishing one part of my life, I am getting straight into a new chapter. I am really looking forward to it."
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry paid tribute to a late soldier with a "beautiful" letter.
Cheryl Routlege lost her son Corporal Liam Riley in 2010 when he was hit by a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in 2010.
The family and the Prince had yet to meet in person after he penned the letter - where he called the Corporal a "legend" - but they finally got the chance after they both attended a reception at the Guildhall, London.
During their exchange, he asked the family: "How did you find me down here?"
Before adding: "It is very good to meet you at last. When I said Liam was a legend, I meant it."
Prince Harry and the late Liam had gotten to know each other whilst training together for three months in Canada in 2007 and whilst nothing could bring back her son, Cheryl felt the Prince's words were a "huge comfort" to all the family.
She said: "I just wanted to be able to thank him for what he said about Liam. His words were a huge comfort to us all at a very difficult time.
"Harry said that, although they had no known each other for long, some three months or so, he knew instantly that Liam was 'a legend' and what a great bloke he was...
"He talked to me about the pain he felt after his own mother died and how he came to terms with his grief.
"It was a beautiful letter, written from the heart, and something that touched me and brought me enormous comfort at the time. It is something I will always treasure."
Britain’s Prince Harry pays tribute to late soldier
Britain's Prince Harry paid tribute to a late soldier with a "beautiful" letter.
Cheryl Routlege lost her son Corporal Liam Riley in 2010 when he was hit by a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan with the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment in 2010.
The family and the Prince had yet to meet in person after he penned the letter - where he called the Corporal a "legend" - but they finally got the chance after they both attended a reception at the Guildhall, London.
During their exchange, he asked the family: "How did you find me down here?"
Before adding: "It is very good to meet you at last. When I said Liam was a legend, I meant it."
Prince Harry and the late Liam had gotten to know each other whilst training together for three months in Canada in 2007 and whilst nothing could bring back her son, Cheryl felt the Prince's words were a "huge comfort" to all the family.
She said: "I just wanted to be able to thank him for what he said about Liam. His words were a huge comfort to us all at a very difficult time.
"Harry said that, although they had no known each other for long, some three months or so, he knew instantly that Liam was 'a legend' and what a great bloke he was...
"He talked to me about the pain he felt after his own mother died and how he came to terms with his grief.
"It was a beautiful letter, written from the heart, and something that touched me and brought me enormous comfort at the time. It is something I will always treasure."
Royal
Pippa Middleton hasn't been offered a contract to be a correspondent for 'Today' after auditioning for the US TV show.
The 31-year-old socialite - the sister of Duchess Catherine, the wife of Britain's Prince William - had filmed a test segment for the programme last November, reporting from a hoedown dance in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and if it went well she was set to become a reporter.
Although NBC bosses were unimpressed with her report from the hoedown, they are still keen to have her as part of the show or even another project but are now trying to come up with a new role for her.
Suggested roles include using Pippa for sports or lifestyle segments, utilising her background in party planning.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "NBC executives very much like Pippa, but they want to find the role most appropriate for her. The last thing NBC News needs right now is another Chelsea Clinton, a correspondent with a large salary, high profile and no particular purpose ... Talks are still ongoing with Pippa's team, but they have recently slowed down."
Pippa was first considered for a correspondent position on 'Today' after she gave an interview with Matt Lauer last June which proved very popular with viewers.
Due to her connections to the British royal family through her sister Catherine - previously known as Kate Middleton - Pippa is not allowed to comment on them and in particular her sibling and William's life together.
Pippa Middleton not offered Today deal
Pippa Middleton hasn't been offered a contract to be a correspondent for 'Today' after auditioning for the US TV show.
The 31-year-old socialite - the sister of Duchess Catherine, the wife of Britain's Prince William - had filmed a test segment for the programme last November, reporting from a hoedown dance in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and if it went well she was set to become a reporter.
Although NBC bosses were unimpressed with her report from the hoedown, they are still keen to have her as part of the show or even another project but are now trying to come up with a new role for her.
Suggested roles include using Pippa for sports or lifestyle segments, utilising her background in party planning.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "NBC executives very much like Pippa, but they want to find the role most appropriate for her. The last thing NBC News needs right now is another Chelsea Clinton, a correspondent with a large salary, high profile and no particular purpose ... Talks are still ongoing with Pippa's team, but they have recently slowed down."
Pippa was first considered for a correspondent position on 'Today' after she gave an interview with Matt Lauer last June which proved very popular with viewers.
Due to her connections to the British royal family through her sister Catherine - previously known as Kate Middleton - Pippa is not allowed to comment on them and in particular her sibling and William's life together.