Royal
Royal
Britain's Princess Royal will visit Wiltshire next month to present the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The 63-year-old Royal is expected to pay a visit to the small town of Devizes in the west of England to attend the headquarters of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, where she will present the foundation with their honour - which was awarded to them in last year's Queen's Birthday Honours List - on April 7.
Chairman of the trust, Rob Dean, told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: "She will meet about 50 of our volunteers and staff members but there will be a lot more of them at the Wharf to welcome her.
"We are absolutely delighted that she is coming to present the award in person. It means a lot to us."
During the trip, Princess Anne - who is Queen Elizabeth's only daughter - will also enjoy a short narrowboat trip prior to her meeting at the trust, which will then be followed by her official opening of the new Bronze Age galleries at the Wiltshire Museum.
The Princess will then complete her tour of the town with a reception in the town hall for the local, and one of the longest running branches, of the Save the Children charity for which she is President.
The short trip will not be Anne's first visit to Devizes however, as she presented the keynote address at a conference for carers in 2007 and prior to that inaugurated a housing estate on the grounds of a former hospital and visited Canon's House children's home in 1999.
Princess Anne to visit Wiltshire
Britain's Princess Royal will visit Wiltshire next month to present the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The 63-year-old Royal is expected to pay a visit to the small town of Devizes in the west of England to attend the headquarters of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, where she will present the foundation with their honour - which was awarded to them in last year's Queen's Birthday Honours List - on April 7.
Chairman of the trust, Rob Dean, told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: "She will meet about 50 of our volunteers and staff members but there will be a lot more of them at the Wharf to welcome her.
"We are absolutely delighted that she is coming to present the award in person. It means a lot to us."
During the trip, Princess Anne - who is Queen Elizabeth's only daughter - will also enjoy a short narrowboat trip prior to her meeting at the trust, which will then be followed by her official opening of the new Bronze Age galleries at the Wiltshire Museum.
The Princess will then complete her tour of the town with a reception in the town hall for the local, and one of the longest running branches, of the Save the Children charity for which she is President.
The short trip will not be Anne's first visit to Devizes however, as she presented the keynote address at a conference for carers in 2007 and prior to that inaugurated a housing estate on the grounds of a former hospital and visited Canon's House children's home in 1999.
Royal
Buckingham Palace have denied rumours that Britain's Prince Andrew is engaged to Monika Jakisic.
The 54-year-old Duke of York and the Croatian model were spotted enjoying a night out at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge last week and rumours of an engagement began when the 34-year-old beauty posted a photo of a diamond ring on the internet, but a spokesman for the Prince has now denied the reports.
The statement said: "I can confirm the Duke of York is not engaged to Monika Jakisic."
The stunning model - who has previously been linked to 'The Monuments Men' actor George Clooney - had uploaded an image of a dazzling ring on top of a £600 restaurant bill to Twitter, with the caption: "♯thisishowitis (sic)."
The evening at the Yacht Club was not the first time the pair have been romantically linked however, as they fuelled rumours of a romance when they were seen celebrating the prince's birthday at Cecconi's restaurant in Mayfair and again at The Arts Club in London's West End two days later.
Prince Andrew - who is the third child of Queen Elizabeth - divorced Sarah Ferguson, with whom he has daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, in 1996 after 10 years of marriage.
Buckingham Palace deny Prince Andrew’s engagement
Buckingham Palace have denied rumours that Britain's Prince Andrew is engaged to Monika Jakisic.
The 54-year-old Duke of York and the Croatian model were spotted enjoying a night out at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge last week and rumours of an engagement began when the 34-year-old beauty posted a photo of a diamond ring on the internet, but a spokesman for the Prince has now denied the reports.
The statement said: "I can confirm the Duke of York is not engaged to Monika Jakisic."
The stunning model - who has previously been linked to 'The Monuments Men' actor George Clooney - had uploaded an image of a dazzling ring on top of a £600 restaurant bill to Twitter, with the caption: "♯thisishowitis (sic)."
The evening at the Yacht Club was not the first time the pair have been romantically linked however, as they fuelled rumours of a romance when they were seen celebrating the prince's birthday at Cecconi's restaurant in Mayfair and again at The Arts Club in London's West End two days later.
Prince Andrew - who is the third child of Queen Elizabeth - divorced Sarah Ferguson, with whom he has daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, in 1996 after 10 years of marriage.
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas increased speculation that they're to become engaged at the rugby match between England and Wales yesterday (09.03.14).
The 29-year-old Royal and his girlfriend of over 18 months were seen together in public for the second time in three days as they watched England's 29-18 victory over Wales at Twickenham Stadium, just two days after the pair were spotted kissing at the launch of the We Day UK young people's charity event at Wembley Arena on Friday (07.03.14).
The couple, who usually avoid being photographed together, have now fuelled rumours that they are close to becoming engaged.
Cressida - who is a 24-year-old dance graduate from Leeds University - was first introduced to Harry by his cousin, Princess Eugenie and has now reportedly been given a security pass to Kensington Palace in London, where Harry lives.
The prince's only other long-term relationship - with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy - ended in 2009 when the blonde beauty decided she couldn't cope with the pressure of being attached to a member of the Royal family, and Harry has since been more determined to prevent his relationships from being scrutinised in the public eye.
Speaking previously about finding his future wife, he said: "I'm not so much searching for someone to fulfil the role, but obviously, you know, finding someone that would be willing to take it on."
Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas fuel engagement rumours
Britain's Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas increased speculation that they're to become engaged at the rugby match between England and Wales yesterday (09.03.14).
The 29-year-old Royal and his girlfriend of over 18 months were seen together in public for the second time in three days as they watched England's 29-18 victory over Wales at Twickenham Stadium, just two days after the pair were spotted kissing at the launch of the We Day UK young people's charity event at Wembley Arena on Friday (07.03.14).
The couple, who usually avoid being photographed together, have now fuelled rumours that they are close to becoming engaged.
Cressida - who is a 24-year-old dance graduate from Leeds University - was first introduced to Harry by his cousin, Princess Eugenie and has now reportedly been given a security pass to Kensington Palace in London, where Harry lives.
The prince's only other long-term relationship - with ex-girlfriend Chelsy Davy - ended in 2009 when the blonde beauty decided she couldn't cope with the pressure of being attached to a member of the Royal family, and Harry has since been more determined to prevent his relationships from being scrutinised in the public eye.
Speaking previously about finding his future wife, he said: "I'm not so much searching for someone to fulfil the role, but obviously, you know, finding someone that would be willing to take it on."
Royal
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has praised member nations as a "powerful influence of good" in her Commonwealth Day message.
The 87-year-old monarch's pre-recorded message - which will form part of the annual Observance of Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon (10.03.14) - stresses the importance of the Commonwealth nations working together to achieve common goals.
She said: "Affinities of history and inheritance from the past are strong, yet we are bound together by a sense that the Commonwealth is a powerful influence of good for the future.
"People of all ages from different cultures are weaving an ever-growing network of links which connect us in our diversity and our common purpose. It is this unity that is expressed in this year's theme: Team Commonwealth."
The queen - who is the head of the Commonwealth - also spoke about the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow this summer, but continued to stress the importance of the member nations supporting each other.
She added: "Experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes very different viewpoints.
"But we are committed to the same goals. Together we offer each other encouragement and draw strength from this mutual support."
During the service at Westminster Abbey, celebrations will include music and readings and an address by schoolgirl campaigner Malala Yousafzaj followed by a performance from BRIT Award nominee Laura Mvula.
The queen will unfurl a banner as part of the Fly A Flag For The Commonwealth initiative, where hundreds of flags will be flown across the United Kingdom today (10.03.14).
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth praises Commonwealth nations
Britain's Queen Elizabeth has praised member nations as a "powerful influence of good" in her Commonwealth Day message.
The 87-year-old monarch's pre-recorded message - which will form part of the annual Observance of Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey this afternoon (10.03.14) - stresses the importance of the Commonwealth nations working together to achieve common goals.
She said: "Affinities of history and inheritance from the past are strong, yet we are bound together by a sense that the Commonwealth is a powerful influence of good for the future.
"People of all ages from different cultures are weaving an ever-growing network of links which connect us in our diversity and our common purpose. It is this unity that is expressed in this year's theme: Team Commonwealth."
The queen - who is the head of the Commonwealth - also spoke about the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow this summer, but continued to stress the importance of the member nations supporting each other.
She added: "Experiences of life differ widely throughout the Commonwealth, and we each make contributions from sometimes very different viewpoints.
"But we are committed to the same goals. Together we offer each other encouragement and draw strength from this mutual support."
During the service at Westminster Abbey, celebrations will include music and readings and an address by schoolgirl campaigner Malala Yousafzaj followed by a performance from BRIT Award nominee Laura Mvula.
The queen will unfurl a banner as part of the Fly A Flag For The Commonwealth initiative, where hundreds of flags will be flown across the United Kingdom today (10.03.14).
Royal
The Duchess of Cambridge is unhappy with the £1 million revamp of Kensington Palace.
The 32-year-old royal is reportedly disappointed with the "horrible" décor inside 20-bedroom apartment and is keen to change the colour scheme, despite already having spent the staggering some of cash.
Catherine, who gave birth to Prince George last July, is thought to have hired help in the form of a flamboyant interior designer but has changed her mind on the colour scheme she chose while pregnant.
A source told the Mail Online:"She tried to do the revamp cheaply with the builders who did the kitchen, and she got Dulux paints to match the Farrow & Ball colour palette to save money. But she wasn't happy with the result, and one room came out with a horrible, unexpected purple tinge. She's blaming it on her hormones before the birth."
According to the newspaper, Ben Pentreath has been tasked with brightening up the royal residence which Catherine and Prince William moved into in October.
Ben - who insiders compare to Prince Diana's interior designer Nicky Halsam - had studied at Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture before working on Prince Charles' Poundbury model village in Dorset.
Duchess of Cambridge unhappy with palace decor
The Duchess of Cambridge is unhappy with the £1 million revamp of Kensington Palace.
The 32-year-old royal is reportedly disappointed with the "horrible" décor inside 20-bedroom apartment and is keen to change the colour scheme, despite already having spent the staggering some of cash.
Catherine, who gave birth to Prince George last July, is thought to have hired help in the form of a flamboyant interior designer but has changed her mind on the colour scheme she chose while pregnant.
A source told the Mail Online:"She tried to do the revamp cheaply with the builders who did the kitchen, and she got Dulux paints to match the Farrow & Ball colour palette to save money. But she wasn't happy with the result, and one room came out with a horrible, unexpected purple tinge. She's blaming it on her hormones before the birth."
According to the newspaper, Ben Pentreath has been tasked with brightening up the royal residence which Catherine and Prince William moved into in October.
Ben - who insiders compare to Prince Diana's interior designer Nicky Halsam - had studied at Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture before working on Prince Charles' Poundbury model village in Dorset.
Royal
Queen Elizabeth's cousin Katharine Bowes Lyon has died.
Miss Bowes Lyon, the mentally handicapped niece of the late British Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, died aged 87 last month (23.03.14), although her family decided not to announce her death.
Katharine and her sister Nerissa, who was also mentally handicapped and died in 1986, were the subject of a controversial documentary entitled 'The Queen's Hidden Cousins', which was broadcast on Channel 4 two years ago.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, the title suggested the Royal family had behaved uncaringly towards the sisters and Lady Elizabeth Anson, the queen's cousin, revealed the programme had "hurt" the 87-year-old monarch.
Lady Elizabeth slammed the programmed, calling it"an intrusion of privacy" and accused TV bosses of "capitalising on the royal connection and ignoring the facts, as the sisters have always been looked after by that family".
She said Katherine, who was the daughter of the late John and Fenella Bowes Lyon, was happy in a care home that was suited to her needs and had "regular visitors."
A private funeral has been held for Katharine and a Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment on her death.
Queen Elizaebth’s handicapped cousin dies
Queen Elizabeth's cousin Katharine Bowes Lyon has died.
Miss Bowes Lyon, the mentally handicapped niece of the late British Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, died aged 87 last month (23.03.14), although her family decided not to announce her death.
Katharine and her sister Nerissa, who was also mentally handicapped and died in 1986, were the subject of a controversial documentary entitled 'The Queen's Hidden Cousins', which was broadcast on Channel 4 two years ago.
According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, the title suggested the Royal family had behaved uncaringly towards the sisters and Lady Elizabeth Anson, the queen's cousin, revealed the programme had "hurt" the 87-year-old monarch.
Lady Elizabeth slammed the programmed, calling it"an intrusion of privacy" and accused TV bosses of "capitalising on the royal connection and ignoring the facts, as the sisters have always been looked after by that family".
She said Katherine, who was the daughter of the late John and Fenella Bowes Lyon, was happy in a care home that was suited to her needs and had "regular visitors."
A private funeral has been held for Katharine and a Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment on her death.
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry gave a motivational speech at We Day UK today (07.03.14).
The 29-year-old royal was cheered by crowds at the event, which promotes global youth empowerment, at London's Wembley Arena and joked: "For those expecting Harry Styles, I apologise and, no, I'm not going to sing."
Harry went on to say: "Every single one of you here today has done something amazing to be here. You may not feel like it, but I assure you that collectively your actions can and will shape the course of our future. We all share this planet together so we must help and inspire others to do the same. Our generation has the greatest opportunity out of any in our history to create change."
He added: "Some people think isn't cool to help others, personally, I think it's the coolest thing in the world!"
The prince was supported by his girlfriend Cressida, 25, for the first time at an official event, who went along with her half-sister Isabella Calthorpe and brother-in-law Sam Branson.
She was photographed alone in her usual low-key attire, wearing a black coat, skinny jeans and white trainers.
Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend Dave Clark were also among the high profile guests at We Day, which has helped to raise more than £22m since 2007.
About 12,000 young Brits listened to the prince and many other speakers and performers from a diverse range of backgrounds, including education activist Malala Yousafzai, former US Vice President Al Gore, Jennifer Hudson, Dizzee Rascal, Ellie Goulding and Birdy, among others.
Harry is very committed to his charity work, setting up Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, to provide schooling, healthcare and food for deprived children in Africa.
The charity has proved a success and he is now planning to expand it into more of the surrounding countries.
To find out more about We Day UK, visit weday.com/uk.
Prince Harry and Cressida attend We Day
Britain's Prince Harry gave a motivational speech at We Day UK today (07.03.14).
The 29-year-old royal was cheered by crowds at the event, which promotes global youth empowerment, at London's Wembley Arena and joked: "For those expecting Harry Styles, I apologise and, no, I'm not going to sing."
Harry went on to say: "Every single one of you here today has done something amazing to be here. You may not feel like it, but I assure you that collectively your actions can and will shape the course of our future. We all share this planet together so we must help and inspire others to do the same. Our generation has the greatest opportunity out of any in our history to create change."
He added: "Some people think isn't cool to help others, personally, I think it's the coolest thing in the world!"
The prince was supported by his girlfriend Cressida, 25, for the first time at an official event, who went along with her half-sister Isabella Calthorpe and brother-in-law Sam Branson.
She was photographed alone in her usual low-key attire, wearing a black coat, skinny jeans and white trainers.
Princess Beatrice and her boyfriend Dave Clark were also among the high profile guests at We Day, which has helped to raise more than £22m since 2007.
About 12,000 young Brits listened to the prince and many other speakers and performers from a diverse range of backgrounds, including education activist Malala Yousafzai, former US Vice President Al Gore, Jennifer Hudson, Dizzee Rascal, Ellie Goulding and Birdy, among others.
Harry is very committed to his charity work, setting up Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, to provide schooling, healthcare and food for deprived children in Africa.
The charity has proved a success and he is now planning to expand it into more of the surrounding countries.
To find out more about We Day UK, visit weday.com/uk.