Royal
Royal
Duchess Catherine's parents will not be invited to eat Christmas lunch with the British royal family.
Though it has been claimed the duchess, her husband Prince William and their 15-month-old son Prince George will spend the festive season at their Anmer Hall residence in Norfolk, East England so they can be with both their families, royal insiders insist it is "highly unlikely" that Carole and Michael Middleton will be invited to any of the main celebrations of William's relatives at Queen Elizabeth's nearby Sandringham estate.
A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "It is highly unlikely that Kate's family will be invited to the big Christmas lunch, or the famous Boxing Day shoot.
"Perhaps one day they will be invited to the big house for tea, but not for lunch or dinner, and not on Christmas Day."
The insider insisted the decision not to extend an invitation to Carole or Michael is not a personal insult to Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - but was made for practical reasons.
The source explained: "The queen is fond of Kate and doesn't mean to exclude her family - indeed she has broken many of the old rules for them in the past.
"But if all of her children and grandchildren's wives had their families to lunch, there wouldn't be enough room, even at Sandringham House's dining room."
According to the source, the Middleton family are likely to be at the Christmas morning church service at Sandringham but then will return to Anmer Hall for the rest of the day.
Catherine - who is expecting her second child - will then join her relatives, including siblings Pippa and James, for further celebrations later.
Middletons won’t spend Christmas with royals
Duchess Catherine's parents will not be invited to eat Christmas lunch with the British royal family.
Though it has been claimed the duchess, her husband Prince William and their 15-month-old son Prince George will spend the festive season at their Anmer Hall residence in Norfolk, East England so they can be with both their families, royal insiders insist it is "highly unlikely" that Carole and Michael Middleton will be invited to any of the main celebrations of William's relatives at Queen Elizabeth's nearby Sandringham estate.
A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "It is highly unlikely that Kate's family will be invited to the big Christmas lunch, or the famous Boxing Day shoot.
"Perhaps one day they will be invited to the big house for tea, but not for lunch or dinner, and not on Christmas Day."
The insider insisted the decision not to extend an invitation to Carole or Michael is not a personal insult to Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - but was made for practical reasons.
The source explained: "The queen is fond of Kate and doesn't mean to exclude her family - indeed she has broken many of the old rules for them in the past.
"But if all of her children and grandchildren's wives had their families to lunch, there wouldn't be enough room, even at Sandringham House's dining room."
According to the source, the Middleton family are likely to be at the Christmas morning church service at Sandringham but then will return to Anmer Hall for the rest of the day.
Catherine - who is expecting her second child - will then join her relatives, including siblings Pippa and James, for further celebrations later.
Royal
Annoushka Ducas feels "very proud and very honoured" to count Britain's Duchess Catherine as a customer.
The designer's jewellery brand Annoushka is a favourite of the duchess - who was pictured in a pair of the company's 18ct yellow, gold and white pearl drop earrings again last week - and the entrepreneur thinks her famous customer always looks "great" in her pieces.
She said: "[Catherine] looked radiant, elegant and eternally stylish. The pearls are very easy to wear and they look great on her.
"I feel very proud and very honoured to have her as a customer."
As well as the earrings, Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage to Prince William - also owns another pear of pearl earrings and a diamond eternity ring from the brand, and it is believed she bought all three as gifts for herself.
The duchess is a regular visitor to Annoushka's store, but is also sent pieces to try at home before making her purchases.
Annoushka told People magazine: "She pops in unannounced and very quietly looks at what she's after and then goes away again. It's all very low-key.
"She's just so delightful and just very easy to talk to, very easygoing actually."
As well as Catherine, Annoushka - who co-founded Links of London, another jewellery firm the duchess is fond of - counts her mother Carole Middleton and sister Pippa among her customers.
Annoushka Ducas proud to be Duchess Catherine’s favourite
Annoushka Ducas feels "very proud and very honoured" to count Britain's Duchess Catherine as a customer.
The designer's jewellery brand Annoushka is a favourite of the duchess - who was pictured in a pair of the company's 18ct yellow, gold and white pearl drop earrings again last week - and the entrepreneur thinks her famous customer always looks "great" in her pieces.
She said: "[Catherine] looked radiant, elegant and eternally stylish. The pearls are very easy to wear and they look great on her.
"I feel very proud and very honoured to have her as a customer."
As well as the earrings, Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage to Prince William - also owns another pear of pearl earrings and a diamond eternity ring from the brand, and it is believed she bought all three as gifts for herself.
The duchess is a regular visitor to Annoushka's store, but is also sent pieces to try at home before making her purchases.
Annoushka told People magazine: "She pops in unannounced and very quietly looks at what she's after and then goes away again. It's all very low-key.
"She's just so delightful and just very easy to talk to, very easygoing actually."
As well as Catherine, Annoushka - who co-founded Links of London, another jewellery firm the duchess is fond of - counts her mother Carole Middleton and sister Pippa among her customers.
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has poked fun at Mike Tindall's appearance.
The monarch met Irish rugby player Brian O'Driscoll at a formal dinner at Windsor Castle and couldn't resist a joke at the expense of her grandson-in-law, another rugby star who has broken his nose eight times playing the sport.
Brian told Radio 4's 'Today' programme: "Myself and my wife were invited to Windsor Castle for a dinner for the president of Ireland.
"The queen and the president of Ireland were there to meet everyone and greet them into the banquet hall, so I actually ended up being last in the queue and I was introduced as Brian O'Driscoll, ex rugby captain of Ireland.
"And the queen said 'Oh yes, you're retiring soon.' I was shocked at her knowledge. She obviously had someone whispering in her ear.
"She said, 'You look as if you've come out of it relatively unscathed. Your nose looks in better condition than Mike Tindall's does. And I just thought, how unbelievably sharp of her. And I said to her, 'Yes, thankfully it is.' "
Mike - who first broke his nose aged just five in a funfair accident - famously revealed in 2011 his wife Zara Philips' mother Princess Anne had asked whether he would have corrective surgery before they married, but he refused, saying: "It's part of me."
And when his spouse was pregnant with their daughter Mia, now eight months, the sportsman joked he hoped their baby didn't inherit his nose.
He tweeted: "Hopefully he/she won't have my nose."
Queen Elizabeth mocks Mike Tindall
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has poked fun at Mike Tindall's appearance.
The monarch met Irish rugby player Brian O'Driscoll at a formal dinner at Windsor Castle and couldn't resist a joke at the expense of her grandson-in-law, another rugby star who has broken his nose eight times playing the sport.
Brian told Radio 4's 'Today' programme: "Myself and my wife were invited to Windsor Castle for a dinner for the president of Ireland.
"The queen and the president of Ireland were there to meet everyone and greet them into the banquet hall, so I actually ended up being last in the queue and I was introduced as Brian O'Driscoll, ex rugby captain of Ireland.
"And the queen said 'Oh yes, you're retiring soon.' I was shocked at her knowledge. She obviously had someone whispering in her ear.
"She said, 'You look as if you've come out of it relatively unscathed. Your nose looks in better condition than Mike Tindall's does. And I just thought, how unbelievably sharp of her. And I said to her, 'Yes, thankfully it is.' "
Mike - who first broke his nose aged just five in a funfair accident - famously revealed in 2011 his wife Zara Philips' mother Princess Anne had asked whether he would have corrective surgery before they married, but he refused, saying: "It's part of me."
And when his spouse was pregnant with their daughter Mia, now eight months, the sportsman joked he hoped their baby didn't inherit his nose.
He tweeted: "Hopefully he/she won't have my nose."
Royal
Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine are planning to spend Christmas at their country estate.
The couple - who have 15-month-old son Prince George and are expecting their second child together - have previously alternated spending the festive season with their respective families since tying the knot in 2011, but this year they reportedly intend to wake up in Anmer Hall, their 10-bedroom residence on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, East England.
According to an insider, William and Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - have made the decision in order to keep all of their family members happy, as there is enough room for the duchess' relatives to stay, while they will be able to make the short trip to the main Sandringham residence to join the royal family for lunch and to attend church with them.
A source told People magazine: "Anmer makes a lot of sense in that it is just down the road from Sandringham."
And veteran royal author Judy Wade noted: "They could wake up at home, open their stockings and then head to church and join up with the rest of the royal family."
The couple are excited about Christmas because George will take much more of an interest this year.
Judy said: "This year, for the first time, George will be into it all, thrilled with the sparkling tree and unwrapping the presents."
After marrying in 2011, William and Catherine spent their first Christmas as man and wife at Sandringham with the prince's family, before joining the Middletons at the duchess' old home in Bucklebury in 2012.
Last year - their first Christmas as parents - was again spent at the royal residence.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine to have Christmas at home
Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine are planning to spend Christmas at their country estate.
The couple - who have 15-month-old son Prince George and are expecting their second child together - have previously alternated spending the festive season with their respective families since tying the knot in 2011, but this year they reportedly intend to wake up in Anmer Hall, their 10-bedroom residence on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, East England.
According to an insider, William and Catherine - who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage - have made the decision in order to keep all of their family members happy, as there is enough room for the duchess' relatives to stay, while they will be able to make the short trip to the main Sandringham residence to join the royal family for lunch and to attend church with them.
A source told People magazine: "Anmer makes a lot of sense in that it is just down the road from Sandringham."
And veteran royal author Judy Wade noted: "They could wake up at home, open their stockings and then head to church and join up with the rest of the royal family."
The couple are excited about Christmas because George will take much more of an interest this year.
Judy said: "This year, for the first time, George will be into it all, thrilled with the sparkling tree and unwrapping the presents."
After marrying in 2011, William and Catherine spent their first Christmas as man and wife at Sandringham with the prince's family, before joining the Middletons at the duchess' old home in Bucklebury in 2012.
Last year - their first Christmas as parents - was again spent at the royal residence.
Royal
The designer of Britain's Princess Diana's wedding dress has begged Princes William and Harry to put it on permanent display.
The lavish gown - which featured 10,000 pearls and a 25ft train - has been in the possession of the late royal's brother Earl Spencer since her death in a Paris car crash in 1997 but now he has handed it over to her sons, Elizabeth Emanuel has urged her sons to allow the 1981 creation to be viewed by the public.
Elizabeth - who designed the dress with her brother David - said: "I'm hoping and assuming that it will go on display at Kensington Palace, as so many people want to see the dress.
"It's ridiculous that the Diana dress was not in the recent V&A exhibition Wedding Dresses 1775-2104. They had to make do with a video instead."
Earl Spencer handed over the dress - which Diana wore to her 1981 wedding to the princes' father Prince Charles - to William and Harry last month in accordance with his sister's will, who asked for her belongings to be "looked after" by him until both her sons turned 30.
However, a Kensington Palace spokesperson insisted the two royals have not yet made a decision on what to do with the dress.
They said: "The wedding dress and other items that were on display at the Althorp Estate have just been returned to the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
It is too early to say what the long-term plans will be for the wedding dress."
The spokesperson declined to comment on where the dress is currently being stored.
Designer wants Princess Diana dress on display
The designer of Britain's Princess Diana's wedding dress has begged Princes William and Harry to put it on permanent display.
The lavish gown - which featured 10,000 pearls and a 25ft train - has been in the possession of the late royal's brother Earl Spencer since her death in a Paris car crash in 1997 but now he has handed it over to her sons, Elizabeth Emanuel has urged her sons to allow the 1981 creation to be viewed by the public.
Elizabeth - who designed the dress with her brother David - said: "I'm hoping and assuming that it will go on display at Kensington Palace, as so many people want to see the dress.
"It's ridiculous that the Diana dress was not in the recent V&A exhibition Wedding Dresses 1775-2104. They had to make do with a video instead."
Earl Spencer handed over the dress - which Diana wore to her 1981 wedding to the princes' father Prince Charles - to William and Harry last month in accordance with his sister's will, who asked for her belongings to be "looked after" by him until both her sons turned 30.
However, a Kensington Palace spokesperson insisted the two royals have not yet made a decision on what to do with the dress.
They said: "The wedding dress and other items that were on display at the Althorp Estate have just been returned to the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
It is too early to say what the long-term plans will be for the wedding dress."
The spokesperson declined to comment on where the dress is currently being stored.
Royal
London's Science Museum is "honoured" Queen Elizabeth chose the venue to send her first ever tweet.
The 88-year-old monarch made history earlier today (24.10.14) when she sent her first ever message on social networking site Twitter during a visit to the major tourist attraction with her husband Prince Philip, where they were opening the building's new Information Age gallery.
A tweet on the Science Museum's account in response to Elizabeth's message on the official account of the British Monarch read: "@BritishMonarchy We're honoured The Queen chose to open our Information Age gallery by sending her first tweet #smInfoAge #TheQueenTweets (sic)"
Earlier in the day, the queen wrote: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
Following the historic moment, the British Monarchy account confirmed the message had been sent by the royal, writing: "The last tweet was sent personally by The Queen from her official Twitter account @BritishMonarchy #TheQueenTweets"
Shortly before the queen made history with the tweet, museum director Ian Blatchford invited her to aptly mark the opening of the establishment's Information Age gallery by sending the message.
He said: "I mentioned earlier that Queen Victoria took a great interest in the invention of the telephone, and Your Majesty has followed in this tradition of embracing new technology.
"You made the first live Christmas broadcast in 1957 and an event relished by historians took place [on March 26, 1976] when you became the first monarch to send an email, during a visit to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment. May I now invite you to join me so that you may send your first tweet."
The message is said to have been pre-typed on a tablet computer leaving the monarch to simply press the send button.
However, the queen's tweet may not have gone down too well with her grandson Prince Harry after he recently admitted to "quite hating" Twitter for its "invasion of privacy".
Speaking about whether he would use Twitter during the recent Invictus Games, he said: "I would love to get involved and go on social media, and if it was for causes like this I really would.
"The issue for myself and my family, put quite simply, is that it's very hard for me to tweet about the Invictus Games and tweet about something that means a lot to me, whereas I at the same time really quite hate Twitter by the invasion of privacy. I think you all understand what I'm talking about."
The queen is not the only royal to have tweeted as Princess Beatrice (@yorkiebea) has had an account on the social networking account since November 2011, managing to stay under the radar for many months before the account was given the official Twitter 'blue tick' to recognise it is in fact Beatrice's page.
Her mother Sarah Ferguson is also a keen tweeter and has been on Twitter since May 2011 under the handle @SarahTheDuchess.
Science Museum ‘honoured’ by Queen tweet
London's Science Museum is "honoured" Queen Elizabeth chose the venue to send her first ever tweet.
The 88-year-old monarch made history earlier today (24.10.14) when she sent her first ever message on social networking site Twitter during a visit to the major tourist attraction with her husband Prince Philip, where they were opening the building's new Information Age gallery.
A tweet on the Science Museum's account in response to Elizabeth's message on the official account of the British Monarch read: "@BritishMonarchy We're honoured The Queen chose to open our Information Age gallery by sending her first tweet #smInfoAge #TheQueenTweets (sic)"
Earlier in the day, the queen wrote: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
Following the historic moment, the British Monarchy account confirmed the message had been sent by the royal, writing: "The last tweet was sent personally by The Queen from her official Twitter account @BritishMonarchy #TheQueenTweets"
Shortly before the queen made history with the tweet, museum director Ian Blatchford invited her to aptly mark the opening of the establishment's Information Age gallery by sending the message.
He said: "I mentioned earlier that Queen Victoria took a great interest in the invention of the telephone, and Your Majesty has followed in this tradition of embracing new technology.
"You made the first live Christmas broadcast in 1957 and an event relished by historians took place [on March 26, 1976] when you became the first monarch to send an email, during a visit to the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment. May I now invite you to join me so that you may send your first tweet."
The message is said to have been pre-typed on a tablet computer leaving the monarch to simply press the send button.
However, the queen's tweet may not have gone down too well with her grandson Prince Harry after he recently admitted to "quite hating" Twitter for its "invasion of privacy".
Speaking about whether he would use Twitter during the recent Invictus Games, he said: "I would love to get involved and go on social media, and if it was for causes like this I really would.
"The issue for myself and my family, put quite simply, is that it's very hard for me to tweet about the Invictus Games and tweet about something that means a lot to me, whereas I at the same time really quite hate Twitter by the invasion of privacy. I think you all understand what I'm talking about."
The queen is not the only royal to have tweeted as Princess Beatrice (@yorkiebea) has had an account on the social networking account since November 2011, managing to stay under the radar for many months before the account was given the official Twitter 'blue tick' to recognise it is in fact Beatrice's page.
Her mother Sarah Ferguson is also a keen tweeter and has been on Twitter since May 2011 under the handle @SarahTheDuchess.
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth tweeted for the first time today (24.10.14).
The 88-year-old monarch took to the official Twitter account of the British Monarch to write her first ever message on the social networking site while at the Science Museum in London with husband Prince Philip, where they are opening the new Information Age gallery.
She tweeted: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
Following the historic moment, the British Monarchy account revealed the message had in fact been written by the royal herself.
It wrote: "The last tweet was sent personally by The Queen from her official Twitter account @BritishMonarchy #TheQueenTweets"
And just in case nobody believed them, the account then posted a picture of the monarch writing out the tweet on what appeared to be a tablet computer and simply attached the hashtag: "#TheQueenTweets"
The queen's first tweet was retweeted 700 times just 10 minutes after she posted it and hundreds of Twitter users pleaded with her to follow them.
One wrote: "Welcome to Twitter, Your Majesty. Hope this isn't your first and last tweet. Wishing you well. Xxx (sic)
Another posted: "nice to see that Her Majesty is tech savvy.(sic)"
However, some messages were not quite as positive with one user writing: "Welcome to twitter! Abdicate.(sic)"
With the monarch now just one click away from the public, one user even attempted to gauge the monarch's thoughts on 'The X Factor', writing: "hey Liz, who are you loving on X Factor?! (sic)"
Queen Elizabeth tweets for first time
Britain's Queen Elizabeth tweeted for the first time today (24.10.14).
The 88-year-old monarch took to the official Twitter account of the British Monarch to write her first ever message on the social networking site while at the Science Museum in London with husband Prince Philip, where they are opening the new Information Age gallery.
She tweeted: "It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R."
Following the historic moment, the British Monarchy account revealed the message had in fact been written by the royal herself.
It wrote: "The last tweet was sent personally by The Queen from her official Twitter account @BritishMonarchy #TheQueenTweets"
And just in case nobody believed them, the account then posted a picture of the monarch writing out the tweet on what appeared to be a tablet computer and simply attached the hashtag: "#TheQueenTweets"
The queen's first tweet was retweeted 700 times just 10 minutes after she posted it and hundreds of Twitter users pleaded with her to follow them.
One wrote: "Welcome to Twitter, Your Majesty. Hope this isn't your first and last tweet. Wishing you well. Xxx (sic)
Another posted: "nice to see that Her Majesty is tech savvy.(sic)"
However, some messages were not quite as positive with one user writing: "Welcome to twitter! Abdicate.(sic)"
With the monarch now just one click away from the public, one user even attempted to gauge the monarch's thoughts on 'The X Factor', writing: "hey Liz, who are you loving on X Factor?! (sic)"
Royal
Britain's Duchess Catherine "couldn't be more proud" to be a patron of Action on Addiction.
The 32-year-old royal attended the addiction charity's Autumn Gala Evening dinner and reception at L'Anima restaurant in London last night (23.10.14), her third royal engagement is as many days after 11 weeks away from duties, and she praised the organisation in her programme notes.
She wrote: "As I am sure you are aware, the impact of addiction can be extremely damaging for individuals, families and the wider community.
"During the time I have spent with clients and staff I have been privileged to see the phenomenal work which the charity undertakes to improve the lives of those affected by addiction.
"The stories of recovery are remarkable; and Action on Addiction's role in helping people achieve this is truly inspiring.
"[Their] work is simply life changing and I could not be more proud to be their patron."
The pregnant duchess - who has been suffering from severe morning sickness while expecting her and Prince William's second child - looked stunning at the event in a knee-length black dress with sheer panels by Temperley London and was all smiles as she chatted to guests.
One of the guests at the black-tie event was Hans Rausing, who was handed two suspended sentences in August 2012 after admitting preventing the lawful burial of his wife's body following the discovery of her in their London home two months after she died from cocaine abuse.
Hans engaged in conversation with the duchess along with his new wife Julia, who admitted it was "wonderful" speaking to the royal.
She said: "It is wonderful to be here this evening and [was] wonderful to chat to her."
Duchess Catherine’s Action on Addiction pride
Britain's Duchess Catherine "couldn't be more proud" to be a patron of Action on Addiction.
The 32-year-old royal attended the addiction charity's Autumn Gala Evening dinner and reception at L'Anima restaurant in London last night (23.10.14), her third royal engagement is as many days after 11 weeks away from duties, and she praised the organisation in her programme notes.
She wrote: "As I am sure you are aware, the impact of addiction can be extremely damaging for individuals, families and the wider community.
"During the time I have spent with clients and staff I have been privileged to see the phenomenal work which the charity undertakes to improve the lives of those affected by addiction.
"The stories of recovery are remarkable; and Action on Addiction's role in helping people achieve this is truly inspiring.
"[Their] work is simply life changing and I could not be more proud to be their patron."
The pregnant duchess - who has been suffering from severe morning sickness while expecting her and Prince William's second child - looked stunning at the event in a knee-length black dress with sheer panels by Temperley London and was all smiles as she chatted to guests.
One of the guests at the black-tie event was Hans Rausing, who was handed two suspended sentences in August 2012 after admitting preventing the lawful burial of his wife's body following the discovery of her in their London home two months after she died from cocaine abuse.
Hans engaged in conversation with the duchess along with his new wife Julia, who admitted it was "wonderful" speaking to the royal.
She said: "It is wonderful to be here this evening and [was] wonderful to chat to her."