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The Duchess of Cambridge cheered on Andy Murray at Wimbledon


Britain's Duchess of Cambridge watched Andy Murray get knocked out of Wimbledon.
The 32-year-old royal looked visibly upset yesterday (02.07.14) as the 27-year-old tennis star failed to defend his title against Grigor Dimitrov, 23, after beating Novak Djokovic in last year's final.
Duchess Catherine - who was joined by her husband the Duke of Cambridge, 32 - could be seen grimacing in the royal box each time the tennis player - who is seeded fifth in the world - dropped points in straight-sets throughout the quarter-final match, reports The Mirror.
The Duke of Cambridge was also spotted holding his head in his hands at the end of the match as Britain's hopes were dashed for a repeat of last year's win - the first for a men's singles champion in 77-years.
In keeping with tradition, Andy bowed to the royal couple as he made his way off court after insisting that his Bulgarian opponent do the same.
He said: "It used to be a tradition. Now it's changed unless there's royalty in there. I made sure to remind him when we were walking off."
He added about his performance: "I just didn't play well today and he played much better than me from the beginning to the end. That's not going to add up to a good day at the office."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were joined in the royal box by Princess Eugenie, comedian Michael McIntyre and England rugby union coach Stuart Lancaster.

Prince Andrew splits from Monika Jakisic


Prince Andrew has reportedly split from Monika Jakisic.
The 54-year-old Duke of York, who was previously married to Sarah Ferguson, with whom he has daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, recently ended his romance with the Croatian model, 34, after five months of dating.
A source told Us Weekly magazine that the royal, who was forced to deny he was engaged to Monika in March after she posted a picture online of a diamond ring on top of a £600 restaurant bill, is no longer dating the brunette beauty, who was previously linked to George Clooney.
Andrew was spotted with Canadian lingerie model Dara Tomanovich at the Royal Ascot last month, sparking rumours of a new romance.
The royal divorced Sarah in 1996 but they have stayed friends for the benefit of Beatrice, 25, and Eugenie, 24, and are often seen together at events.
Sarah previously said: "From the day we got married to now, we've always upheld the same belief in each other. We are trailblazing on being the happiest divorced couple in the world. It is unusual, but we are unusual."

Chris Martin pens song for Prince Harry’s Invictus Games


Chris Martin is writing a theme song for Britain's Prince Harry's Invictus Games.
The Coldplay frontman is penning an anthem for the 29-year-old royal's international sporting event for wounded service personnel, which is being held in London this September.
The 'Magic' hitmaker will perform the track live in front of an audience of 5,000 gathered on the South Lawn of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 10 September as the four-day event kicks off.
Harry, who served 77 days on the front line in the Afghanistan war, has decided to bring the Games to the UK following an inspirational visit to USA Warrior Games last year.
Over 400 competitors from 14 countries are taking part in a number of sports, including swimming, wheelchair basketball, archery and road cycling.
Mayor Boris Johnson commented: "I am delighted that the first ever Invictus Games will take place on London's newest park and in its world-class sporting venues."
The opening ceremony is being broadcast live on the BBC and is being put together by Kim Gavin, the creative director of the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.
The Invictus Games are supported and organised by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence. Tickets cost £12.85 from www.invictusgames.org

Prince Harry sends support to England Women’s Rugby team


Britain's Prince Harry has sent his support to the England Women's Rugby team.
The 29-year-old royal has offered words of encouragement to the squad and urged others to do the same as they attempt to win the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup tournament which will be held in France this August.
In a video posted on the England Rugby YouTube channel today(02.07.14), Harry said: "I'm calling on you to get behind the team.
"While we can't all be there at the tournament to cheer them on in person we want to send as many good luck messages as we can to let them know we're right behind them.
"Come on England."
England Women's Rugby Captain Katy McLean is grateful to the young royal for the "incredible" message of support and believes it has given her team "a massive lift", reports The Express.
She explained: "It is incredible to know that Prince Harry will be backing us as we head into the Rugby World Cup.
"It's given all the girls in the squad a massive lift and we hope it will encourage lots more people to take an interest in women's rugby and follow our progress in Paris."

Princess Eugenie designs bracelets for charity


Britain's Princess Eugenie has designed a range of bracelets for charity.
The 24-year-old royal has teamed up with jewellery brand Daisy London to design the range with all profits going towards the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital's Redevelopment Appeal.
The bracelets - which are available in gold, rose gold and silver and cost between £50 and £70 - were launched by Eugenie at a a gala fundraising dinner at London's Savoy Hotel on Monday(30.06.114).
Eugenie - who already serves as patron for the RNOH's Redevelopment Appeal - has dedicated herself to raising funds for the hospital since she was treated there for scoliosis - a condition which causes curvature of the spine - at the age of 12.
The benefit auctions manager also opened the Princess Eugenie Unit at the hospital in April this year.
She said at the time: "I am living proof of the ways in which the RNOH can change people's lives. This is why I am so enthusiastic about being Patron of its Redevelopment Appeal and have given my name to its new state-of-the-art family accommodation unit, Princess Eugenie House.
"I am grateful to everyone for their generosity in supporting this wonderful cause."

‘Fatherhood’ portrait of Prince William to be unveiled


A new portrait of Britain's Duke of Cambridge will be unveiled this afternoon(02.07.14).
The painting by welsh artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, entitled 'Fatherhood', was inspired by the birth of the Duke's first son, Prince George, in July last year.
The oil on canvas piece is based on a meeting between Dan and the 32-year-old Duke when he visited the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to view the artist's 'Icon' portrait of the Queen in May 2013.
The painting - which depicts the royal wearing a dark suit and red tie with a poppy in his lapel - will be revealed at the Wales Office in Whitehall later today to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One.
The 33-year-old artist said: "Fatherhood is a portrait about a universal theme: the concerns, hopes and aspirations of a family man.
"On the centenary of the Somme where such horror consumed the lives of over a million people it seems appropriate to support two charities that uphold the memory and acknowledge the legacy of our forefathers."
The portrait will be put up for auction in October as part of the First World War centenary sale at Bonhams. All proceeds will be donated to The Victoria Cross Trust and War Memorials Trust.

Pippa Middleton thinks Prince George is ‘amazing’


Pippa Middleton thinks Britain's Prince George is "amazing".
The 30-year-old party-planner and aunt of the royal heir has described the 11-month-old Prince as "characterful and very funny."
In the second of a two-part interview with 'Today' host Matt Lauer - which aired on Tuesday(02.07.14) - the stunning brunette opened up about her relationship with her baby nephew and admitted he has brought a lot of fun for the whole family.
She said: "He's amazing, a very dear boy. He's brought a lot of pleasure and fun for all of us, the whole family."
The pretty brunette also revealed that her relationship with her sister, Duchess Catherine of Cambridge, hasn't really changed since the 32-year-old became a member of the royal household and the pair have remained very close.
She said: "We do we have a very normal, sisterly relationship. We're very close. And, you know, we support each other and get each other's opinions and things.
"I mean, obviously she has pressures that she's taken on and things. But we spend a lot of time together. We still do a lot together as a family."
Pippa - who hit the headlines worldwide for her pert derriere when she acted as bridesmaid during her sister's wedding to Prince William in April 2011 - also believes it is their close familial bond which has kept them grounded.
She explained: "I think that's really the heart for all of us is having a really close family that we can sort of be normal with each other, treat each other normally. And that's sort of kept us all, you know, affixed to the ground."

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visit the Pope


Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia have visited the Pope.
The newly crowned monarch and his wife visited the head of the catholic church in their first oversees engagement since Felipe was proclaimed King last month, reports Hello magazine.
The royal pair were greeted by the head of the papal household on Friday(27.06.14) and spent the morning with Pope Francis before attending a meeting with the Secretary of the Vatican State, Pietro Parolin, and flying back to Madrid.
It isn't the first time, King Felipe, 46 and Letizia, 41, have met the Catholic leader. The pair were also welcomed at the papal inauguration in March last year, during which the Pope had asked after Felipe's father, Spain's former King Juan Carlos, who was recovering from an operation.
Felipe replied at the time: "He's getting better, little by little."
Meanwhile, Queen Letizia kept her outfit for the meeting in keeping with strict Vatican protocol known as 'Privilege du blanc' which permits female catholic monarchs and the wives of catholic monarchs to wear white in front of the Pope instead of black.
She wore a cream skirt and jacket, paired with a white clutch, nude wedges and pearl drop earrings.
The newly anointed monarch was officially proclaimed king on June 19 this year after his father Juan Carlos ended his reign in a ceremony at Madrid's Royal Palace at midnight.

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