Royal
Royal
Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly hired a new stylist.
The 32-year-old royal - who is also known as Kate Middleton - is said to have been taking fashion advice from Natasha Archer, a personal assistant at Kensington Palace.
The 27-year-old PA - known to Duchess Catherine as "Tash" - is reported to have been helping her royal client to experiment with some sophisticated new looks, steering her towards designers including Alice Temperley and Jenny Packham.
A source told Vanity Fair magazine: "Initially Kate was reluctant as a fashion icon, but now she enjoys it. Tash helps source some of the clothes. She shops a lot for Kate online, and calls in hundreds of dresses for Kate to try on."
And despite Catherine - who has 13-month-old son Prince George with husband Prince William - being pregnant with their second child, Natasha is said to be pushing her to be more adventurous than ever with her wardrobe.
The source added: "She has persuaded Kate to take some more risks. The hemlines are shorter and Kate's really pushing the boat out in the fashion stakes."
Duchess Catherine has a new stylist
Britain's Duchess of Cambridge has reportedly hired a new stylist.
The 32-year-old royal - who is also known as Kate Middleton - is said to have been taking fashion advice from Natasha Archer, a personal assistant at Kensington Palace.
The 27-year-old PA - known to Duchess Catherine as "Tash" - is reported to have been helping her royal client to experiment with some sophisticated new looks, steering her towards designers including Alice Temperley and Jenny Packham.
A source told Vanity Fair magazine: "Initially Kate was reluctant as a fashion icon, but now she enjoys it. Tash helps source some of the clothes. She shops a lot for Kate online, and calls in hundreds of dresses for Kate to try on."
And despite Catherine - who has 13-month-old son Prince George with husband Prince William - being pregnant with their second child, Natasha is said to be pushing her to be more adventurous than ever with her wardrobe.
The source added: "She has persuaded Kate to take some more risks. The hemlines are shorter and Kate's really pushing the boat out in the fashion stakes."
Royal
Britain's Prince William did work experience at Chatsworth House.
The 32-year-old royal is said to have spent a fortnight living and working at the stately home in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands of England, in October 2005, according to Christine Robinson's new book 'Chatsworth: The Housekeeper's Tale'.
She wrote: "He spent a week working around the estate and made sausage rolls and mince pies.
"Then he spent a week at the house, dressed in overalls, drinking tea and eating fish and chips with the rest of the housemen and joiners."
Christine - who has spent over 40 years rising through the ranks to run the mansion - claims the Duke of Cambridge, who now has 13-month-old son Prince George with his wife Duchess Catherine, was not afraid to get his hands dirty.
She explained: "We were staging a ballet in the theatre, but discovered the stage was too short and had to be extended.
"He was carrying planks of wood through the shop dresses in workmen's clothes."
Speaking about guest's confusion as to whether or not it was the Prince carrying out manual labour, she added: "The look on visitors' faces was priceless, most obviously thought to themselves, 'That joiner is the double of Prince William'.
"When two old ladies came straight out and asked him he admitted he really was the heir to the throne.
"He was, of course, charming."
Prince William did work experience at Chatsworth House
Britain's Prince William did work experience at Chatsworth House.
The 32-year-old royal is said to have spent a fortnight living and working at the stately home in Derbyshire, in the East Midlands of England, in October 2005, according to Christine Robinson's new book 'Chatsworth: The Housekeeper's Tale'.
She wrote: "He spent a week working around the estate and made sausage rolls and mince pies.
"Then he spent a week at the house, dressed in overalls, drinking tea and eating fish and chips with the rest of the housemen and joiners."
Christine - who has spent over 40 years rising through the ranks to run the mansion - claims the Duke of Cambridge, who now has 13-month-old son Prince George with his wife Duchess Catherine, was not afraid to get his hands dirty.
She explained: "We were staging a ballet in the theatre, but discovered the stage was too short and had to be extended.
"He was carrying planks of wood through the shop dresses in workmen's clothes."
Speaking about guest's confusion as to whether or not it was the Prince carrying out manual labour, she added: "The look on visitors' faces was priceless, most obviously thought to themselves, 'That joiner is the double of Prince William'.
"When two old ladies came straight out and asked him he admitted he really was the heir to the throne.
"He was, of course, charming."
Royal
The BBC should not reveal whether Britain's Queen Elizabeth buys a TV licence, a tribunal has ruled.
A lengthy legal battle between the corporation and journalist Gordon McIntosh has come to a close after almost two years after an appeal, the Information Commissioner and, finally yesterday (30.10.14), a tribunal all found the station were right to refuse the Freedom of Information request.
The journalist initially wrote to the BBC in December 2012 to ask if the annual £145.50 license fee was paid for televisions at all of the royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, and to ask if they "scrutinise and check in the same way as for residential or commercial premises".
But the BBC rejected the request because the details were exempt as they are "personal data".
This triggered a complaint from Mr. McIntosh, who asked the BBC to review the decision, but this was rejected and referred to the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner upheld the BBC's decision saying there was "a risk individuals could be identified from a full post code", given there are so few residents in the specified addresses.
They also added it was hard to see "how disclosure would meet any specific public interest".
Mr. McIntosh argued the decision and accused the organisation of "negligently overlooking" a matter of public interest, insisting "reliable sources" had told him many staff and non-royal residents at the palaces did not pay for licenses and the public should know if they were not being prosecuted.
At the tribunal today, Judge Anisa Dhanji - who sat on the panel with Michael Jones and Nigel Watson - ruled there was "no evidence" to substantiate the claims, which the BBC denied.
She also dismissed suggestions from the journalist that the that the Information Commissioner had a "vested interest in protecting the royal household".
Queen Elizabeth’s TV license possession to stay secret
The BBC should not reveal whether Britain's Queen Elizabeth buys a TV licence, a tribunal has ruled.
A lengthy legal battle between the corporation and journalist Gordon McIntosh has come to a close after almost two years after an appeal, the Information Commissioner and, finally yesterday (30.10.14), a tribunal all found the station were right to refuse the Freedom of Information request.
The journalist initially wrote to the BBC in December 2012 to ask if the annual £145.50 license fee was paid for televisions at all of the royal palaces, including Buckingham Palace, and to ask if they "scrutinise and check in the same way as for residential or commercial premises".
But the BBC rejected the request because the details were exempt as they are "personal data".
This triggered a complaint from Mr. McIntosh, who asked the BBC to review the decision, but this was rejected and referred to the Information Commissioner.
The Information Commissioner upheld the BBC's decision saying there was "a risk individuals could be identified from a full post code", given there are so few residents in the specified addresses.
They also added it was hard to see "how disclosure would meet any specific public interest".
Mr. McIntosh argued the decision and accused the organisation of "negligently overlooking" a matter of public interest, insisting "reliable sources" had told him many staff and non-royal residents at the palaces did not pay for licenses and the public should know if they were not being prosecuted.
At the tribunal today, Judge Anisa Dhanji - who sat on the panel with Michael Jones and Nigel Watson - ruled there was "no evidence" to substantiate the claims, which the BBC denied.
She also dismissed suggestions from the journalist that the that the Information Commissioner had a "vested interest in protecting the royal household".
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth came face-to-face with millions of pictures of herself yesterday (30.10.14).
The 88-year-old monarch and her husband Prince Philip beamed widely as they toured a stamp factory in Wolverhampton, seeing row after row of stamps adorned with her own likeness.
During their tour of International Security Printers at the city's i54 business park, the couple were shown the printing machines at work before viewing a display of archived stamps and unveiling a plaque marking their visit.
And Philip shared a joke with staff operating an Italian-made Cerutti industrial printer.
Printer Richard Houghton said: "We told them about the machine and where it was from.
"And the duke asked 'Have you learned to speak Italian, or have you taught it to speak English?' "
Later in the day, the queen formally opened a £500 million Jaguar Land Rover engine manufacturing centre at the business park.
The couple toured the site - which will start full production next year - and met with staff members and apprentices, and also looked at vehicles, engines and tools, as well as meeting youngsters involved in educational engineering design schemes.
Aston Business School Professor David Bailey said the engine manufacturing centre was "hugely important" to the company.
He said: "Previously they'd bought in engines from Ford, but by doing it themselves it gives them much greater strategic control over it.
"They can produce engines that they need for different models at different brands at different times, so really important for the company going forward."
Queen Elizabeth visits stamp factory
Britain's Queen Elizabeth came face-to-face with millions of pictures of herself yesterday (30.10.14).
The 88-year-old monarch and her husband Prince Philip beamed widely as they toured a stamp factory in Wolverhampton, seeing row after row of stamps adorned with her own likeness.
During their tour of International Security Printers at the city's i54 business park, the couple were shown the printing machines at work before viewing a display of archived stamps and unveiling a plaque marking their visit.
And Philip shared a joke with staff operating an Italian-made Cerutti industrial printer.
Printer Richard Houghton said: "We told them about the machine and where it was from.
"And the duke asked 'Have you learned to speak Italian, or have you taught it to speak English?' "
Later in the day, the queen formally opened a £500 million Jaguar Land Rover engine manufacturing centre at the business park.
The couple toured the site - which will start full production next year - and met with staff members and apprentices, and also looked at vehicles, engines and tools, as well as meeting youngsters involved in educational engineering design schemes.
Aston Business School Professor David Bailey said the engine manufacturing centre was "hugely important" to the company.
He said: "Previously they'd bought in engines from Ford, but by doing it themselves it gives them much greater strategic control over it.
"They can produce engines that they need for different models at different brands at different times, so really important for the company going forward."
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth's garden will be explored in a new TV series.
The monarch granted gardener Alan Titchmarsh access to Buckingham Palace, and he spent a year exploring the 39-acre estate for 'The Queen's Garden', using aerial photography, time-lapse, thermal imaging and remotely-operated motion-sensitive cameras to capture the annual cycle from every angle.
He also shows the work of palace garden staff, including how they use "arisings", slang for fertiliser from the royal stables, while archive footage will show how the monarch and her sister, the late Princess Margaret played there as children.
ITV will air 'The Queen's Garden' during the festive season and promise a "magical" experience for viewers.
Richard Klein, who commissioned the series for ITV, said: "There is something magical about a garden hidden behind high walls, and no more so than here, at Buckingham Palace.
"Guided by Alan Titchmarsh and the four seasons, 'The Queens Garden' is a delightful and charming exploration of that magical world, with a light dusting of royal history."
The 65-year-old presenter has previously met the 88-year-old monarch on several occasions.
The queen memorably joked with him when she gave him his MBE in 2000, saying: "You've given a lot of ladies a lot of pleasure."
Queen Elizabeth to reveal garden secrets
Britain's Queen Elizabeth's garden will be explored in a new TV series.
The monarch granted gardener Alan Titchmarsh access to Buckingham Palace, and he spent a year exploring the 39-acre estate for 'The Queen's Garden', using aerial photography, time-lapse, thermal imaging and remotely-operated motion-sensitive cameras to capture the annual cycle from every angle.
He also shows the work of palace garden staff, including how they use "arisings", slang for fertiliser from the royal stables, while archive footage will show how the monarch and her sister, the late Princess Margaret played there as children.
ITV will air 'The Queen's Garden' during the festive season and promise a "magical" experience for viewers.
Richard Klein, who commissioned the series for ITV, said: "There is something magical about a garden hidden behind high walls, and no more so than here, at Buckingham Palace.
"Guided by Alan Titchmarsh and the four seasons, 'The Queens Garden' is a delightful and charming exploration of that magical world, with a light dusting of royal history."
The 65-year-old presenter has previously met the 88-year-old monarch on several occasions.
The queen memorably joked with him when she gave him his MBE in 2000, saying: "You've given a lot of ladies a lot of pleasure."
Royal
Britain's Princess Beatrice became a trader for the day yesterday (30.10.14).
The 26-year-old royal - the daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - lent her support to the annual Bloomberg Tradebook Charity Day at the firm's London office to help raise money for her mother's charity Children in Crisis.
Beatrice was guided on the phones by staff members in fancy dress as she took calls and sealed deals with clients.
Bloomberg Tradebook later shared a selection of pictures of the princess and tweeted: "Big thank you to HRH Princess Beatrice for joining @BBGTradebook to support @ChildrenCrisis at #TBKCharityDay (sic)"
And she wasn't the only famous face to take part in the initiative, with presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 'Holby City' actor Alex Macqueen, DJ Sara Cox and 'Game of Thrones' actress Sophie Turner also on the trading floor for the day.
Commissions made from the day's trades would be donated to the charities chosen by the stars.
Children in Crisis - which was founded by Sarah in 1993 and aims to educate young people in some of the world's poorest countries - were extremely thankful for the high-profile fundraising.
Koy Thomson, CEO of Children in Crisis, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Her Royal Highness and Alex Macqueen for helping support the charity in this time of need as we face the very real threat of disease and political instability in some of the countries in which we operate.
"By lending their voices, they are helping us raise funds to continue providing education to children who so desperately want to learn and better their communities."
Princess Beatrice does charity trading
Britain's Princess Beatrice became a trader for the day yesterday (30.10.14).
The 26-year-old royal - the daughter of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson - lent her support to the annual Bloomberg Tradebook Charity Day at the firm's London office to help raise money for her mother's charity Children in Crisis.
Beatrice was guided on the phones by staff members in fancy dress as she took calls and sealed deals with clients.
Bloomberg Tradebook later shared a selection of pictures of the princess and tweeted: "Big thank you to HRH Princess Beatrice for joining @BBGTradebook to support @ChildrenCrisis at #TBKCharityDay (sic)"
And she wasn't the only famous face to take part in the initiative, with presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 'Holby City' actor Alex Macqueen, DJ Sara Cox and 'Game of Thrones' actress Sophie Turner also on the trading floor for the day.
Commissions made from the day's trades would be donated to the charities chosen by the stars.
Children in Crisis - which was founded by Sarah in 1993 and aims to educate young people in some of the world's poorest countries - were extremely thankful for the high-profile fundraising.
Koy Thomson, CEO of Children in Crisis, said: "We are incredibly grateful to Her Royal Highness and Alex Macqueen for helping support the charity in this time of need as we face the very real threat of disease and political instability in some of the countries in which we operate.
"By lending their voices, they are helping us raise funds to continue providing education to children who so desperately want to learn and better their communities."
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles spoke of his "anguish" over the death of his beloved uncle Lord Mountbatten yesterday (30.10.14).
The 65-year-old royal and his wife Duchess Camilla showed their support for Colombia's peace process at the Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Bogota and Charles recalled his own devastation when his uncle was killed in a bomb blast in Ireland in 1979.
He said: "It is an immense tragedy that violence has cast such a long shadow across the whole of this remarkable country for the past five decades. Many of you here today will have experienced unimaginable suffering, and our hearts go out to you as you struggle to come to terms with all that has happened to you and your loved ones.
"I suspect that many of you will probably not know that my own much-loved great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, and members of his family including one of my godsons were murdered in Northern Ireland just over 30 years ago. So I feel I do understand something of the bewildering and soul-destroying anguish that so many of you have had to endure."
Charles spoke as government representatives and members of the FARC revolutionary group have been meeting to try to end conflict between paramilitary organisations, as well as security forces, and said he was hopeful the country will be able to find "a lasting and durable peace".
He added: "It is my earnest hope and prayer that Colombia will soon find a lasting and durable peace. Of course, as we have learnt in the UK from the Northern Ireland peace process, and the Good Friday Agreement, building conditions for peace takes time - and there are pitfalls along the way.
"Great political and moral leadership is required from all parties to the conflict; and from society at large, which must also strongly feel the need for truth, reconciliation and forgiveness.
"As one who has himself experienced the intense despair caused by the consequences of violence, it is my fervent hope that Colombians might find the strength to continue cultivating a commitment to peace and reconciliation in their own hearts. For this must surely be the key to a lasting solution in Colombia."
Prince Charles recalls anguish over Lord Mountbatten’s death
Britain's Prince Charles spoke of his "anguish" over the death of his beloved uncle Lord Mountbatten yesterday (30.10.14).
The 65-year-old royal and his wife Duchess Camilla showed their support for Colombia's peace process at the Peace and Reconciliation Centre in Bogota and Charles recalled his own devastation when his uncle was killed in a bomb blast in Ireland in 1979.
He said: "It is an immense tragedy that violence has cast such a long shadow across the whole of this remarkable country for the past five decades. Many of you here today will have experienced unimaginable suffering, and our hearts go out to you as you struggle to come to terms with all that has happened to you and your loved ones.
"I suspect that many of you will probably not know that my own much-loved great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, and members of his family including one of my godsons were murdered in Northern Ireland just over 30 years ago. So I feel I do understand something of the bewildering and soul-destroying anguish that so many of you have had to endure."
Charles spoke as government representatives and members of the FARC revolutionary group have been meeting to try to end conflict between paramilitary organisations, as well as security forces, and said he was hopeful the country will be able to find "a lasting and durable peace".
He added: "It is my earnest hope and prayer that Colombia will soon find a lasting and durable peace. Of course, as we have learnt in the UK from the Northern Ireland peace process, and the Good Friday Agreement, building conditions for peace takes time - and there are pitfalls along the way.
"Great political and moral leadership is required from all parties to the conflict; and from society at large, which must also strongly feel the need for truth, reconciliation and forgiveness.
"As one who has himself experienced the intense despair caused by the consequences of violence, it is my fervent hope that Colombians might find the strength to continue cultivating a commitment to peace and reconciliation in their own hearts. For this must surely be the key to a lasting solution in Colombia."
Royal
Prince Harry lent his support to the Poppy Appeal in London earlier today (30.10.14) by helping to raise money.
The 30-year-old royal was joined by Barbara Windsor and other entertainment stars to raise support and awareness of the Poppy Appeal, which raises money for servicemen and women past and present.
The Prince was joined on his tour of the capital by 'EastEnders' actress Lacey Turner and singer Joss Stone, in addition to former and serving personnel from all three branches of the military.
Harry made his way across the capital using a London bus, which took him from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market as he promoted The Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day, which raised £1 million in 2013.
And thanks to the presence of 2,500 uniformed personnel, veterans and supporters, the campaign enjoyed its most successful single-day collection of its kind in the country.
The bus was driven by Sir Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London.
The vehicle ultimately made its way to Downing Street, where everyone on-board was greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron, who took the time to talk to them and pose for photographs.
Prince Harry lends his support to the Poppy Appeal
Prince Harry lent his support to the Poppy Appeal in London earlier today (30.10.14) by helping to raise money.
The 30-year-old royal was joined by Barbara Windsor and other entertainment stars to raise support and awareness of the Poppy Appeal, which raises money for servicemen and women past and present.
The Prince was joined on his tour of the capital by 'EastEnders' actress Lacey Turner and singer Joss Stone, in addition to former and serving personnel from all three branches of the military.
Harry made his way across the capital using a London bus, which took him from Covent Garden to Leadenhall Market as he promoted The Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day, which raised £1 million in 2013.
And thanks to the presence of 2,500 uniformed personnel, veterans and supporters, the campaign enjoyed its most successful single-day collection of its kind in the country.
The bus was driven by Sir Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London.
The vehicle ultimately made its way to Downing Street, where everyone on-board was greeted by Prime Minister David Cameron, who took the time to talk to them and pose for photographs.
Royal
Kendra Spears and her husband Prince Rahim are expecting their first child together.
The former model, now known as Princess Salwa Aga Khan, and her spouse - the eldest son of His Highness Aga Khan IV - have announced the happy news that Kendra is pregnant.
The pregnancy was revealed on the official website of the Ismaili Muslim community - Shia Muslims who have pledged allegiance to Aga Khan IV, who is the Imam of the faith and considered to be a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
A statement on the site read: "Expressing his greatest happiness, Mawlana Hazar Imam informed the Jamat today that Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa are expecting their first child. Around the world, Ismailis are gathering in Jamatkhanas to celebrate the happy news.
"Aitmadi Mahmoud Eboo, Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF) has submitted a message of congratulations to Mawlana Hazar Imam and the entire Imamat family, and also conveyed warmest wishes to Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa on this very happy occasion."
Kendra, 26, and Prince Rahim, 43, married in a private Muslim ceremony surrounded by family and close friends in September 2013 in the grounds of Château de Bellerive in Switzerland, which overlooks the shores of Lake Geneva.
Before marrying and becoming a princess, Kendra had enjoyed a successful catwalk career and had modelled for fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.
Kendra Spears and Prince Rahim expecting first child
Kendra Spears and her husband Prince Rahim are expecting their first child together.
The former model, now known as Princess Salwa Aga Khan, and her spouse - the eldest son of His Highness Aga Khan IV - have announced the happy news that Kendra is pregnant.
The pregnancy was revealed on the official website of the Ismaili Muslim community - Shia Muslims who have pledged allegiance to Aga Khan IV, who is the Imam of the faith and considered to be a direct descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
A statement on the site read: "Expressing his greatest happiness, Mawlana Hazar Imam informed the Jamat today that Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa are expecting their first child. Around the world, Ismailis are gathering in Jamatkhanas to celebrate the happy news.
"Aitmadi Mahmoud Eboo, Chairman of the Ismaili Leaders' International Forum (LIF) has submitted a message of congratulations to Mawlana Hazar Imam and the entire Imamat family, and also conveyed warmest wishes to Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa on this very happy occasion."
Kendra, 26, and Prince Rahim, 43, married in a private Muslim ceremony surrounded by family and close friends in September 2013 in the grounds of Château de Bellerive in Switzerland, which overlooks the shores of Lake Geneva.
Before marrying and becoming a princess, Kendra had enjoyed a successful catwalk career and had modelled for fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.