Tuesday 24 May 2016

Royal Tour of Northern Ireland and Ireland - May 23 - 25th


This tour came as a surprise Monday Morning! It is unusually for Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla to not announce tours ahead of time, but we do see this with other royals from time to time.

9 Joint + 7 Charles Solo + 2 Camilla Solo = 18 Total Engagements 


Monday 23rd - Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Charles - Visited the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology at Queen's University
    • Unveiled Plaque 
  • Charles - Visited Hillsborough Castle, County Down

Tuesday 24th - Northern Ireland
  • Charles - Received Mrs Arlene Foster the First Minister of Northern Ireland
  • Charles - Received Mr Martin McGuinness the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland 
  • Charles - Toured PORTICO Arts & Heritage Centre in Portaferry.
    • Met architects and craftsmen involved in the restoration project
    • Unveiled plaque
  • Joint - Tour Ulster Carpets
    • Meet representatives from the Prince's Campaign for Wool initiative
  • Joint - Visit Yellow Door Deli 
    • Meet with Local Northern Irish producer'
  • Camilla - Visit Armagh Cider Company
    • Tour Orchard and production line
  • Charles - Tour the Museum of Orange Heritage in Loughgall 
    • Meet representatives from the Orange Order
    • Unveil Plaque
    • Meet families of the Victims privately in garden
      • Plant tree in remembrance  
  • Joint - Host a musical evening at Hillsborough Castle
    • Performances by 
      • DIT Harp Ensemble from the Dublin Conservatory of Music & Drama
      • The Belfast Opera
      • The 'Folk & Trad' group of The Royal Irish Regiment
      • Tim McGarry
    • Reception after for performers and guests

Wednesday 25th - Ireland
  • Joint - Visit Donegal Castle
    • Walked thru town
  • Joint - Visit Michael McGettigan and Sons, Craft Butchers
  • Joint - Visit Magee's, a local company which has been producing tweed in Donegal for 150 years
  • Joint - Attended a Civic Reception at Letterkenny Institute of Technology
  • Charles - Rededicated the Derek Hill Building
    • Viewed exhibitions from the CoLab Incubation Centre 
    • Give Speech
  • Camilla - Visit Local School
  • Joint - Visit Glebe House and Gallery
  • Joint - Visit Glenveagh Castle and National Park
    • Tour the gardens 
    • Meet children who have been learning about the Park's conservation work 

Tuesday 17 May 2016

Wimbledon - Main Page

The Championships, Wimbledon is an annual tennis tournament held at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London. It is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is considered to be the most prestigious tennis tournament.

The Tournament is graced each year by members of the British and Foreign Royal Families.
Who is invited to the Royal Box?
The Royal Box has 74 seats. No tickets for the Royal Box are sold, admittance is by Invitation Only. Invitations are decided by the Chairman of the All England Club, Ian Hewittwith suggestions from All England Club, the Lawn Tennis Association and other people & organizations involved with the tournament. 

Mostly the people invited are:
  • British or Foreign Royals
  • Heads of Government
  • People involved in Tennis
    • Athletes & their family members
    • Coaches
    • Sport Commentators
    • Tennis Charities
    • etc.
  • People connected to Wimbledon's commercial partners
  • British Armed Forces
  • etc.
Those seated in the Royal Box are invited to the Clubhouse for lunch, tea and drinks at the end of each day of the tournament.

While we do see extended members of the Royal Family in the Royal box, most are usually invited only once per tournament. And will sit elsewhere if they attend other days. 

Patronages:
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club 
All England Club is the tennis club where the Wimbledon is held every year. It is located in Wimbledon, London in England.

Patron: Princess Kate (since 2017)

The Lawn Tennis Association 
The Lawn Tennis Association is the governing body of tennis in Britain. LTA works to promote tennis by supporting clubs, coaches, tournaments, etc., developing tennis programs, and creating initiatives to get more people to play Tennis.

Patron: Princess Kate (since 2017)
Honorary President: Duchess of Gloucester (1990's?)

Monday 16 May 2016

Prince Oscar Christening - May 27th


Prince Oscar of Sweden will being christened on Friday, 27th May. He is the 2nd child of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel and is 3rd in line to the Swedish Throne. He will be almost 4 months old when christened.

The christening will take place at the Royal Chapel (Slottskyrkan) at the Royal Palace of Stockholm.

Swedish public service broadcaster, Sveriges Television, will broadcasting Prince Oscar's christening. The Live Coverage starts at 11.30 AM. The Live Stream and Service will both be in Swedish, but don't worry it's not hard to follow and, of course, a bunch of us will be Live Tweeting the whole thing.

**Live Stream Link**

Schedule: 11 AM Stockholm = (10 AM London) (5 AM Toronto/New York) (2 AM San Francisco) (8 PM Sydney)

11.00 AM Guests arrive at Chapel

*11.30  Live Steam Starts*

12.00 Christening ceremony

12.40 Guests leave Chapel

1.00 PM  King and Queen hold Reception

*1.00  Live Steam Ends*

(Later: Private Lunch)

Guests:
Immediate Family, Godparents plus spouses, representatives from Parliament, the Government and Official Sweden.
  • Swedish Royals
    • King Carl Gustaf & Queen Silvia
    • Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel
      • Princess Estelle
    • Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia
    • Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neil
      • Princess Leonore and Prince Nicolas
  • Foreign Royals
    • Crown Prince Frederik and Cornw Princess Mary of Denmark
    • Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit of Norway
Full Guest list can be found here

In Lieu of gifts the couple has asked for donations to the Crown Princess Couple's Foundation, which supports Children and Young people, with a focus on social isolation and health. 

If you are international,  donations can also be made to a local children's charity, or to a some other cause you support. 

God Parents:
Official Photos:
Official Christening Pictures should be released with in a few days of the ceremony.  There will be a few different combinations of photos:
  • Family: Victoria, Daniel, Estelle & Oscar. 
  • Extended family: Oscar, Parents & Grandparents (Both Sets)
  • Godparents: Oscar, Parents and God Parents
Dress:
Prince Oscar will be christened in the same dress worn by Victoria, Carl Philip, Madeleine, Estelle, Leonore & Nicolas at their christenings.


Christening Guests will be in Morning Dress.

You will see the member of the royal family wear their Family Order. Prince Nicolas will be given the Royal Order of the Seraphim during his christening.


Royals at Wimbledon - 2016


The Royals almost always sit in the Royal Box at Centre Court. The day's matches in the Centre Court usually begin at 1 PM.

Monday 27th June
  • Duke of Kent
  • Princess Michael of Kent
Also in the Royal Box:
  • Pippa & James Middleton (Duchess Kate's siblings)
Tuesday 28th 
  • Duchess of Gloucester
    • Also attend the National British Tennis Awards at the Club
Also attended, but not in the Royal Box:
  • Meghan Markle (Prince Harry's Future Girlfriend)
Wednesday 29th 
  • No Royal Attendance
Thursday 30th 
  • Duke of Kent
  • Duchess Camilla
    • Annabel Elliot (Sister) 
  • Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
Also in the Royal Box:
  • Carole and Michael Middleton (Duchess Kate's Parents)
Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd
  • No Royal Attendance
Monday 4th
  • Duke of Kent
Also attended, but not in the Royal Box:
  • Pippa Middleton (Duchess Kate's Sister)
  • Meghan Markle (Prince Harry's Future Girlfriend)
Tuesday 5th
  • No Royal attendance 
Wednesday 6th
  • Duke of Kent
    • His son and daughter-in-law, the Earl and Countess of St Andrews
  • Prince Michael of Kent
Also attended, but not in the Royal Box:
  • Zara & Mike Tindall
  • Michael, Carole & Pippa Middleton (Duchess Kate's Family)
Thursday 7th  - Quarter Finals
  • Duchess Catherine
  • Countess Sophie
Friday 8th  - Semi Finals
  • Duchess of Gloucester
  • Prince Andrew
  • Princess Michael of Kent
Saturday 9th - Finals
  • Duke of Kent
    • His son and daughter-in-law, Lord and Lady Nicolas Windsor
Also attended, but not in the Royal Box:
  • Pippa & James Middleton (Duchess Kate's Family)
Sunday 10th - Finals
  • Duke of Kent
    • His daughter and son-in-law, Lady Hellen Taylor and Tim Taylor
  • Duchess of Gloucester
  • Prince William & Duchess Catherine
  • Prince & Princess Michael of Kent
    • Their son and daughter-in-law, Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor
  • Princess Alexandra
  • Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia 

Saturday 7 May 2016

2016 British Garden Parties

There will be a total of 9 Garden Parties this year. Which include the Queen's 3 Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, 1 at Palace of Holyrood, and 5 held by various royals for their patronages.

May

Sunday 7th 
  • Royal Yeomanry Garden Party 
    • Hosted by Princess Alexandra (Royal Honorary Colonel)
    • Attending: Alexandra
Tuesday 10th 
  • Queen's Garden Party
    • Hosted by Queen
    • Attending: Queen, Philip, Sophie, Andrew, Alexandra, Duke and Duchess of Gloucester 
Thursday 12th 
  • Barnardo's 150th anniversary Garden Party
    • Hosted by Camilla (Patron)
    • Attending: Camilla, Alexandra, Duchess of Gloucester
Monday 16th 
  • Duke of Edinburgh Award's 60th Anniversary Garden Party 
    • Hosted by Philip,
    • Attending: Philip, Edward, Sophie
Tuesday 17th
  • The Prince's Trust 40th anniversary Garden Party
    • Hosted by Charles (Founder/ President)
    • Attending: Charles
Thursday 19th 
  • Queen's Garden Party
    • Attending: Queen, Philip, Charles, Camilla, Anne, Alexandra, Duke of Kent
Tuesday 24th 
  • Queen's Garden Party
    • Hosted by Queen
    • Attending: Queen, Philip, William, Catherine, Beatrice, Eugenie, Duke of Gloucester, Duchess of Gloucester,  Duke of Kent
Tuesday 26th: 
    • The Not Forgotten Association Garden Party
      • Hosted by Prince Andrew
      • Attending: Andrew, Beatrice, Eugenie
    June
    (None)

    July
    Tuesday 5th 
    • Queen's Holyrood Week Garden Party
      • Hosted by Queen
      • Attending: Queen, Philip, Edward, Anne

    Monday 2 May 2016

    The Set of "Bring it" Invictus Orlando Videos

    USA

    UK

    Canada
    (English)
    (French)
    Australia

    Netherlands
    ("I support the Dutch! BOOOOM!")


    Other Participating Countries: Afghanistan, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan & New Zealand

    Sunday 1 May 2016

    May Q&A (2016)

    As Always, Post your Royal Questions & I will get to them as soon as possible. 

    FYI: We are now on Facebook and and Instagram, be sure to follow us!

    Did you know if you go to the "Calendar" Tab and click on past months you can look at Past Q&As!
    You can check out Last Year's May Q&A here

    Question 1: Do you think that Will & Kate will have anymore children? 

    Answer: I don't think one can say yes or no with any certainty. We known for sure that the Cambridges wanted kids, they "needed" to have at least two (a heir and a spare) and it's would be nice to have at least one boy and one girl.

    Since they have all that, it is hard to say if they are going to have more. I think there are a number of things we need to consider:
    1. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG)
      • Catherine being badly sick with HG, would definitely be a reason to stop after 2 kids. However it didn't seem to be too bad. Kate was only hospitalized once, with the first pregnancy. She did cancel a bunch of engagements during the early part of both pregnancies, but was able to return to engagements latter on. She even was able to travel overseas with her 2nd pregnancy. 
      • Both Babies arrived perfectly healthy, Full-Term, with no complications. And the fact that Catherine was able to walk out of the hospital a few hours after giving birth, clearly illustrates that everything was going well. 
    2. Two Children Rule?
      • There is this theory going around that Prince Philip has said that people should only have two children, so we can keep the population under control. And that the Royal Family is following this rule. 
      • Yes, all 4 of his children only have two children, but 3 of those were unhappy marriages that ended in divorce. Andrew and Sarah separated too soon after Princess Eugenie was born for a 3rd child to ever be a option. Mark Philips did have a third child while he was married to Anne, but it was with someone else. 
      • With Sophie and Edward, there were some complications with Lady Louise, as well as a failed pregnancy. Sophie and Edward were also both in their 40's by the time James was born, so a 3rd baby wasn't really a option either.   
      • I don't think the Cambridges are going to feel pressured to have only two kids, but they aren't going to full pressured to have more either. 
    3. Private Time to Raise their Children
      • The Cambridges intend to be very hands on and raise their children as normal and away from the publics eye as possible. So I think it is pretty safe to say they are going to have all their children before they have to make that switch into being Full-Time royals. 
      • I think they have learned from past generations that it is a struggle balancing family and royal duties. 
      • Being a Full-time royals, means William gives up his helicopter job, they move to London more full time and the both will take on many more royal duties. This will also mean a lot less of a private life, for both them and their children. I predict the switch to full-time royals will happen sometime before Charles becomes King (Which should happen in the next decade). In fact William has already said it is likely he will leave his helicopter job when his contract runs out, next year. 

    As I said I don't think we can say anything for certain, but I'm definitely hoping for a third, and think there is a strong possibility. But what every happens will happen in the next few years, they won't wait too long.  

    Question 2: Who do you think Prince George looks more like? What about Princess Charlotte?

    Answer: George and Charlotte definitely have their mother's cheeks. But I think they both look like both parents. As long as they have the Middleton Hair I'm happy.

    Question 3: How many engagemants has Kate done in 2016 so far ?

    Answer: As of May 3rd, Catherine has done 43 engagements (16 + Royal Tour of India & Bhutan). You can view her full list of engagements here.

    William has done 53 (26 + Royal Tour of India & Bhutan) so far this year.

    Harry has done 44 (26 + Royal Tour of Nepal).

    The Queen has done 87.

    Camilla has done 75 (38 + Royal Tour of Western Balkans)


    Question 4: Did Prince Andrew attend the 90th Birthday Celebration at Windsor? I didn't see him. 

    Answer: Yes, he did. He was sitting in the first row, off on the end. So he wasn't in to many pics. 



    Question 5: Was Rebecca Deacon at the Garden Party Today? 

    Answer: Yes. Rebecca is in Black/Dark Blue to Kate's right, talking to the women in Grey dress and man in Grey top-hat.




    Question 6: Do you know if there is any address to write to the Spencer family?? 

    Answer: By the Spencer family do you mean Princess Diana's brother? For the most part Diana's other family mostly just live private lives. I wasn't able to find anything about sending mail to Charles Spencer directly. But he does live at the family estate, Althorp, which is partially a museum/ tourist attraction. So you could write there:

    Althorp
    Northampton NN7 4HQ
    United Kingdom