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Britain's Princess Anne is to become an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
The 64-year-old royal joins female golfers Dame Laura Davies, Renee Powell, Belle Robertson, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs in accepting invitations to become the first honorary members of the Scottish club, five months after they agreed to admit women for the first time in their 260-year history.
George Macgregor, captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, said: "It is an honour and a privilege for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to welcome these remarkable women as honorary members.
"The Princess Royal enjoys a strong bond with Scotland and has shown great energy and commitment to developing sport through her work in the Olympic movement.
"This is an historic day for the club and we could not be more proud also to welcome women who have distinguished themselves in golf over many years and have been great players and champions.
"They are extremely worthy additions to our roll of honorary members and will become ambassadors for the club as they have been for the sport of golf throughout their careers."
Before a vote in September, women could play on the course but were not allowed in the clubhouse and had no significant part in the R&A, the sport's rulemaking arm.
Princess Anne gets golf membership
Britain's Princess Anne is to become an honorary member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
The 64-year-old royal joins female golfers Dame Laura Davies, Renee Powell, Belle Robertson, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs in accepting invitations to become the first honorary members of the Scottish club, five months after they agreed to admit women for the first time in their 260-year history.
George Macgregor, captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, said: "It is an honour and a privilege for the Royal and Ancient Golf Club to welcome these remarkable women as honorary members.
"The Princess Royal enjoys a strong bond with Scotland and has shown great energy and commitment to developing sport through her work in the Olympic movement.
"This is an historic day for the club and we could not be more proud also to welcome women who have distinguished themselves in golf over many years and have been great players and champions.
"They are extremely worthy additions to our roll of honorary members and will become ambassadors for the club as they have been for the sport of golf throughout their careers."
Before a vote in September, women could play on the course but were not allowed in the clubhouse and had no significant part in the R&A, the sport's rulemaking arm.
Royal

Britain's Prince Charles is believed to have spoken to Saudi Arabia's King Salman about the fate of Raif Badawi.
The 66-year-old royal met the new monarch yesterday (10.02.15) and had been urged to discuss the plight of the blogger - who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam" - by human rights campaigners during the visit.
Charles raised the issue during the meeting, but what was said during the private talk has not been revealed.
A source told Sky News: "It is understood the issue was raised by the prince during his meeting with King Salman.
"The reaction from the King was not unfriendly."
Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK director, has said any "diplomatic intercession" by the prince could help secure the man's freedom.
During his visit to Riyadh, Charles also met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muqrin and senior government officials.
The visit to Saudi Arabia was the third stop on his Middle East tour, which has already seen him go to Jordan and Kuwait.
He will also travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the six-day visit draws to a close.
Prince Charles discusses jailed blogger
Britain's Prince Charles is believed to have spoken to Saudi Arabia's King Salman about the fate of Raif Badawi.
The 66-year-old royal met the new monarch yesterday (10.02.15) and had been urged to discuss the plight of the blogger - who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam" - by human rights campaigners during the visit.
Charles raised the issue during the meeting, but what was said during the private talk has not been revealed.
A source told Sky News: "It is understood the issue was raised by the prince during his meeting with King Salman.
"The reaction from the King was not unfriendly."
Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK director, has said any "diplomatic intercession" by the prince could help secure the man's freedom.
During his visit to Riyadh, Charles also met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muqrin and senior government officials.
The visit to Saudi Arabia was the third stop on his Middle East tour, which has already seen him go to Jordan and Kuwait.
He will also travel to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the six-day visit draws to a close.
Royal

Britain's Duchess Catherine made a private visit to a children's hospital school yesterday (10.02.15).
The 32-year-old royal - who is six months pregnant with hers and Prince William's second child - spent around 90 minutes meeting staff and youngsters at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School in Beckenham, Kent, South East England, a facility which looks after patients aged 4-19 with mental health problems.
Catherine - who also has an 18-month-old son Prince George - arranged to visit the facility in her role as patron of Place2Be, which offers school-based mental health support, after meeting headteacher and educational psychologist Dr. John Ivens speak at the charity's conference on children's mental health last June.
A royal spokesperson said: "The Duchess of Cambridge this afternoon visited the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School, Beckenham.
"This visit was arranged through Place2Be, of which HRH is Royal Patron, after learning about their work during the Place 2 Reflect conference last year to further develop her knowledge of the sector."
Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - became patron of Place2Be in 2013 and is closely involved with its attempts to provide early intervention for children before problems escalate.
Duchess Catherine’s private engagement
Britain's Duchess Catherine made a private visit to a children's hospital school yesterday (10.02.15).
The 32-year-old royal - who is six months pregnant with hers and Prince William's second child - spent around 90 minutes meeting staff and youngsters at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School in Beckenham, Kent, South East England, a facility which looks after patients aged 4-19 with mental health problems.
Catherine - who also has an 18-month-old son Prince George - arranged to visit the facility in her role as patron of Place2Be, which offers school-based mental health support, after meeting headteacher and educational psychologist Dr. John Ivens speak at the charity's conference on children's mental health last June.
A royal spokesperson said: "The Duchess of Cambridge this afternoon visited the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School, Beckenham.
"This visit was arranged through Place2Be, of which HRH is Royal Patron, after learning about their work during the Place 2 Reflect conference last year to further develop her knowledge of the sector."
Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - became patron of Place2Be in 2013 and is closely involved with its attempts to provide early intervention for children before problems escalate.
Royal

Pippa Middleton was among the crowd wowed by classical singing sensation Natalie Coyle at a British Heart Foundation event last night (10.02.15).
The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge - known as Kate Middleton before her marriage to Prince William - and their brother James Middleton took in the 27-year-old blonde's stunning performance in front of 370 guests at the BHF's Roll Out The Red Ball at the Park Lane Hotel in central London.
Natalie stunned the star-studded audience, which also included James' girlfriend Donna Air, actress Michelle Keegan, athlete Louise Hazel, entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and singer Mollie King, who hosted the event, with five classical tracks including 'O Mio Babbino Caro', 'Laschia Ch'io Pianga' and 'I Could've Danced All Night'.
Following the performance, the stunner admitted she was "honoured" to be able to perform at the spectacle for such a great cause.
She said: "I was so delighted and excited to be involved with the BHF again.
"It was an honour to open the evening singing classical pieces which my opera-singing grandfather loved - he died of a heart attack before I was born.
"It's amazing to hear about the impact the work of this charity has on people's lives."
Following Natalie's scintillating singing, comedian Simon Evans took to the stage to entertain the crowd, who enjoyed a Champagne reception and a three course meal before splashing their cash in a live auction to raise money for the charity.
Natalie Coyle wows Pippa Middleton at BHF event
Pippa Middleton was among the crowd wowed by classical singing sensation Natalie Coyle at a British Heart Foundation event last night (10.02.15).
The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge - known as Kate Middleton before her marriage to Prince William - and their brother James Middleton took in the 27-year-old blonde's stunning performance in front of 370 guests at the BHF's Roll Out The Red Ball at the Park Lane Hotel in central London.
Natalie stunned the star-studded audience, which also included James' girlfriend Donna Air, actress Michelle Keegan, athlete Louise Hazel, entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne and singer Mollie King, who hosted the event, with five classical tracks including 'O Mio Babbino Caro', 'Laschia Ch'io Pianga' and 'I Could've Danced All Night'.
Following the performance, the stunner admitted she was "honoured" to be able to perform at the spectacle for such a great cause.
She said: "I was so delighted and excited to be involved with the BHF again.
"It was an honour to open the evening singing classical pieces which my opera-singing grandfather loved - he died of a heart attack before I was born.
"It's amazing to hear about the impact the work of this charity has on people's lives."
Following Natalie's scintillating singing, comedian Simon Evans took to the stage to entertain the crowd, who enjoyed a Champagne reception and a three course meal before splashing their cash in a live auction to raise money for the charity.
Royal

Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine are throwing a party for their builders.
The royal couple - who are expecting their second child and have an 18-month-old son Prince George - are delighted with the work done on their Anmer Hall residence at Sandringham, Norfolk, East England, so are planning a thank you celebration for the craftsmen and tradesmen who contributed to the £1.5 million makeover, The Sun newspaper reports.
Among the work done to the Georgian property is a new roof, a tree-lined driveway, a garden room and a nursery for the couple's children.
While the couple are pleased with the renovations, it was recently revealed they had upset neighbours by making "bling" changes to a weathervane - which was in the shape of a ship and bore a St George Cross flag - on their roof.
Former blacksmith Neville Manley, 55, who renovated the weathervane around 20 years ago but was not involved in the recent renovation, said: "I think it has been painted black and gold for the bling effect.
"It is not original and it has spoiled it in my opinion.
"Maybe the flag was taken down for political reasons.
"It is ridiculous in my view. I find it a bit annoying that they would do that, but there you go.
"The flag was part of the original structure of the vane and it should have been kept.
"When we restored it, we put back all the masts and rigging and tried to keep it as original as possible. We took it right back to the original colors and painted it as it was previously.
"I was asked specifically to not spoil the originality of it.
"There were a lot of dents which we knocked out and it looked like it may have fallen off the roof at some point because it was so badly damaged."
Prince William to throw party for builders
Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine are throwing a party for their builders.
The royal couple - who are expecting their second child and have an 18-month-old son Prince George - are delighted with the work done on their Anmer Hall residence at Sandringham, Norfolk, East England, so are planning a thank you celebration for the craftsmen and tradesmen who contributed to the £1.5 million makeover, The Sun newspaper reports.
Among the work done to the Georgian property is a new roof, a tree-lined driveway, a garden room and a nursery for the couple's children.
While the couple are pleased with the renovations, it was recently revealed they had upset neighbours by making "bling" changes to a weathervane - which was in the shape of a ship and bore a St George Cross flag - on their roof.
Former blacksmith Neville Manley, 55, who renovated the weathervane around 20 years ago but was not involved in the recent renovation, said: "I think it has been painted black and gold for the bling effect.
"It is not original and it has spoiled it in my opinion.
"Maybe the flag was taken down for political reasons.
"It is ridiculous in my view. I find it a bit annoying that they would do that, but there you go.
"The flag was part of the original structure of the vane and it should have been kept.
"When we restored it, we put back all the masts and rigging and tried to keep it as original as possible. We took it right back to the original colors and painted it as it was previously.
"I was asked specifically to not spoil the originality of it.
"There were a lot of dents which we knocked out and it looked like it may have fallen off the roof at some point because it was so badly damaged."
Royal

Monaco's Prince Albert is writing a movie.
The 56-year-old prince is working with production company Aldamisa on 'Royal Ice', a true story of Albert's struggles to assemble Monaco's first bobsleigh team in 1986, despite the disapproval of his father Prince Ranier, then-ruler of the principality.
Albert - who competed in five Olympic games in two-man and four-man bobsleigh between 1988 to 2002 - said: "It's a very unique and personal story."
Aldamisa co-chairman Sergei Bespalov added in a statement: "This is the first royal fairy tale which tells the true story of a sitting monarch, where the human drive for achievement becomes a battle with one's own limits, amplified by the constraints of royal duties."
'Royal Ice' will be based on a story by Albert and Mark Thomas, another member of the original team, who is writing the adapted screenplay.
Casting is currently underway and it is expected to start production in November.
Bespalov will produce the movie alongside Thomas, Alexey Petrukhin, John Bernard and Oleg Boyko.
Alexander Zanzer will serve as an executive producer and diplomatic consultant.
Prince Albert making a movie
Monaco's Prince Albert is writing a movie.
The 56-year-old prince is working with production company Aldamisa on 'Royal Ice', a true story of Albert's struggles to assemble Monaco's first bobsleigh team in 1986, despite the disapproval of his father Prince Ranier, then-ruler of the principality.
Albert - who competed in five Olympic games in two-man and four-man bobsleigh between 1988 to 2002 - said: "It's a very unique and personal story."
Aldamisa co-chairman Sergei Bespalov added in a statement: "This is the first royal fairy tale which tells the true story of a sitting monarch, where the human drive for achievement becomes a battle with one's own limits, amplified by the constraints of royal duties."
'Royal Ice' will be based on a story by Albert and Mark Thomas, another member of the original team, who is writing the adapted screenplay.
Casting is currently underway and it is expected to start production in November.
Bespalov will produce the movie alongside Thomas, Alexey Petrukhin, John Bernard and Oleg Boyko.
Alexander Zanzer will serve as an executive producer and diplomatic consultant.
Royal

Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla will attend the royal and world premiere of 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' next week.
The royal couple will meet the cast of the forthcoming sequel - which stars Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Richard Gere and Dev Patel - before the screening at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 17 February and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) are "honoured" to have the pair there.
Barry Jenkins, president of CBTF, a charity which supports those working behind the scenes in film and TV, said: "We are honoured and deeply grateful to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for attending The CTBF Royal Film Performance once again and for continuing the long legacy of support which The CTBF has received from The Royal Family."
Prior to the screening of the movie, a number of stars of the movie, director John Madden, writer Ol Parker and producer Graham Broadbent will appear on stage following The CTBF Loyal Address given by David Suchet.
'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - the follow-up to the 2012 box office hit - will be released in the UK and Ireland on 26 February 2015, and in the US on 6 March 2015.
Charles and Camilla to attend premiere
Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla will attend the royal and world premiere of 'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' next week.
The royal couple will meet the cast of the forthcoming sequel - which stars Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Richard Gere and Dev Patel - before the screening at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 17 February and the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF) are "honoured" to have the pair there.
Barry Jenkins, president of CBTF, a charity which supports those working behind the scenes in film and TV, said: "We are honoured and deeply grateful to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for attending The CTBF Royal Film Performance once again and for continuing the long legacy of support which The CTBF has received from The Royal Family."
Prior to the screening of the movie, a number of stars of the movie, director John Madden, writer Ol Parker and producer Graham Broadbent will appear on stage following The CTBF Loyal Address given by David Suchet.
'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' - the follow-up to the 2012 box office hit - will be released in the UK and Ireland on 26 February 2015, and in the US on 6 March 2015.
Royal

Reese Witherspoon disappointed her mother by not meeting any members of the royal family at a pre-BAFTAs party on Saturday (07.02.15).
The 'Wild' actress attended a bash at royal residence Kensington Palace - the home of BAFTA president Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine, who was formerly known as Kate Middleton - but didn't meet Queen Elizabeth or any of her relatives.
Reese said: "My mother kept texting me, 'Did you meet the Queen? Was Kate there? No, Mum, I don't think they're coming to the BAFTA pre-party.' "
While she didn't get to see the royals, the 38-year-old actress - who has children Ava, 15, and Deacon, 11, from her marriage to Ryan Phillippe, and son Tennessee, two, with husband Jim Toth - was enamoured by the palace.
She told the BBC: "It was amazing, just beautiful, the art was gorgeous, the architecture, the ceilings, everything. I was overwhelmed by beauty."
Reese has previously met Catherine and William - who have a 17-month-old son, Prince George, and are expecting their second child - during the couple's North American tour in 2011 and it was previously claimed she stayed in touch with the duchess afterwards and even offered advice during her first pregnancy.
A source previously said: "They have developed a very strong bond.
"Kate knows Reese would never reveal anything about their talks and Reese knows what it's like to live in the spotlight. They have a lot in common.
"Kate talks to Reese about all of her questions and concerns. She has become kind of an older sister Kate can confide in."
Reese Witherspoon didn’t meet royals
Reese Witherspoon disappointed her mother by not meeting any members of the royal family at a pre-BAFTAs party on Saturday (07.02.15).
The 'Wild' actress attended a bash at royal residence Kensington Palace - the home of BAFTA president Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine, who was formerly known as Kate Middleton - but didn't meet Queen Elizabeth or any of her relatives.
Reese said: "My mother kept texting me, 'Did you meet the Queen? Was Kate there? No, Mum, I don't think they're coming to the BAFTA pre-party.' "
While she didn't get to see the royals, the 38-year-old actress - who has children Ava, 15, and Deacon, 11, from her marriage to Ryan Phillippe, and son Tennessee, two, with husband Jim Toth - was enamoured by the palace.
She told the BBC: "It was amazing, just beautiful, the art was gorgeous, the architecture, the ceilings, everything. I was overwhelmed by beauty."
Reese has previously met Catherine and William - who have a 17-month-old son, Prince George, and are expecting their second child - during the couple's North American tour in 2011 and it was previously claimed she stayed in touch with the duchess afterwards and even offered advice during her first pregnancy.
A source previously said: "They have developed a very strong bond.
"Kate knows Reese would never reveal anything about their talks and Reese knows what it's like to live in the spotlight. They have a lot in common.
"Kate talks to Reese about all of her questions and concerns. She has become kind of an older sister Kate can confide in."
Royal

Britain's Prince Charles has praised his "remarkable" parents.
The 66-year-old royal has arrived in Kuwait after visiting Jordan and chatted to the Emir of Kuwait, 85, about the health of his parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Via an interpreter, he said his 88-year-old mother was in "remarkable form, thank you very much, and my father too".
Charles - who was met at the airport by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf - added to the Emir: "I was telling the Crown Prince [my father] will be 94 in June, inshallah [God willing].
"He's got very good eyesight and very good hearing and still goes out shooting."
Later in the day, Charles inspected HMS Dauntless, a British warship moored at Kuwait City which has been providing air defence for vessels carrying out bombing in Syria.
On his departure from Jordan, the prince - who will arrive in Saudi Arabia today (10.02.15) - was given a ceremonial guard and a red carpet at Marka airport, where he bordered a chartered plane.
During his visit to Jordan, Charles held talks with King Abdullah and International Development Secretary Justine Greening, as well as meeting with the monarch's religious adviser, Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad.
And the prince also spoke with Christian refugees who fled persecution in Iraq.
He told them : "This is what I think must be the worst of horrors - when all the people you lived with, side by side, and have always been friendly [with], suddenly totally change."
Prince Charles praises ‘remarkable’ parents
Britain's Prince Charles has praised his "remarkable" parents.
The 66-year-old royal has arrived in Kuwait after visiting Jordan and chatted to the Emir of Kuwait, 85, about the health of his parents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
Via an interpreter, he said his 88-year-old mother was in "remarkable form, thank you very much, and my father too".
Charles - who was met at the airport by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf - added to the Emir: "I was telling the Crown Prince [my father] will be 94 in June, inshallah [God willing].
"He's got very good eyesight and very good hearing and still goes out shooting."
Later in the day, Charles inspected HMS Dauntless, a British warship moored at Kuwait City which has been providing air defence for vessels carrying out bombing in Syria.
On his departure from Jordan, the prince - who will arrive in Saudi Arabia today (10.02.15) - was given a ceremonial guard and a red carpet at Marka airport, where he bordered a chartered plane.
During his visit to Jordan, Charles held talks with King Abdullah and International Development Secretary Justine Greening, as well as meeting with the monarch's religious adviser, Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad.
And the prince also spoke with Christian refugees who fled persecution in Iraq.
He told them : "This is what I think must be the worst of horrors - when all the people you lived with, side by side, and have always been friendly [with], suddenly totally change."
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