Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Commonwealth reactions to royal wedding

30 April 2011 Last updated at 14:38 GMT Hundreds of millions of people are said to have watched the marriage of Prince William and the newly anointed Duchess of Cambridge. But how did it go down in those Commonwealth countries?

With huge crowds lining the streets of London, and street parties across the UK, there was little doubt that much of the British public wanted to celebrate royal wedding day.

And with American news presenters swamping the streets around Westminster Abbey in the run up to the occasion, it came as little surprise to fine out the wedding was avidly watched in the US too.

But the British monarchy's influence stretches around the world. Prince William's grandmother is head of state of 16 Commonwealth countries.

So, were they watching as keenly as the British and Americans? Four correspondents from four very different corners of the world found out.

India's mixed response to the royal wedding was not surprising. Until about midday on Friday, most Indians appeared not be interested in the wedding. But as the day wore on and the news channels beamed wall-to-wall coverage, some - mostly homemakers glued to their TV sets on a working day afternoon - warmed to the occasion.

A vendor brings news of the wedding to the people of Allahabad, India Anyone interested: India's enthusiasm was late in coming

Big - and wasteful - weddings have a constituency in India. The big-wedding film is a Bollywood staple.

Some of the Indian papers put the ceremony on their front pages on Saturday morning, with the popular picture of the royal kiss variously described as a "liplock" or a moment in which the "lips don't lie".

The mass circulation Times of India offered a considered take in its front-page headline: "A much needed-kiss of life in times of recession." It described the wedding as one of "carefully austere pomp" and even drew parallels between the event and Princess Elizabeth's wedding in 1947 after Britain had lost India.

"And the couple puckered up not once but twice on the Palace balcony, underlining the belief that in a time of economic doom and increasing geopolitical irrelevance, a wedding and the meeting of lips may be the kiss of life," the paper signed off with a flourish.

One top news TV anchor had a piece of advice to the royals. "Next time," he tweeted, "the British royals should outsource the wedding to us. They could do with a little bit of song and dance."

The time difference being what it was, many Canadians watched the pageantry from London in their pyjamas, although some brave souls still ventured out to public events and private get-togethers.

People watch the Royal wedding at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia Small hours: On the west coast the ceremony started at 3am

On the west coast, the most time zone-challenged region of the country, hundreds of hardy enthusiasts put the British back into British Columbia by heading out to the posh Empress Hotel in the provincial capital Victoria, a city long associated with all things royal, to collectively enjoy the TV coverage.

But in the true spirit of Canadian egalitarianism, the style ranged from posh frocks and a sea of bobbing fascinators, to pink pyjamas and fuzzy slippers.

Similarly good-natured events were held at hotels, pubs and residences across the country. Royal revellers at an event in Edmonton were treated to a police pipe band and opera singers belting out both the Canadian and British national anthems. By contrast, the Duke of Kent pub in Toronto managed to lure in the bleary-eyed with merely the promise of a slap-up breakfast and the confident assertion that it was "as close as you can get without buying them a gift".

Others threw private or workplace bashes, often with the slightly irreverent atmosphere of an Oscar party.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was among those viewing the event perched on a sofa in front of the telly, instead of from inside Westminster Abbey. He found himself having to turn down the planet's most sought-after invitation, to continue the more plodding task of campaigning in the country's election, with the vote just days away on Monday 2 May.

But the gushing media coverage may not have been an entirely accurate gauge of Canadian enthusiasm for the proceedings. Some surveys have suggested that there was more interest in the final days of the federal election than seeing William and Kate tying the knot.

Prince William and Kate Middleton The couple became engaged while on holiday in Kenya

Local TV stations in the country disrupted regular programming to broadcast the wedding between Prince William and Princess Catherine.

The fact that William became engaged to the then Kate Middleton here in Kenya, seven months ago, was not lost on Kenyans. This was a fact that came up many times when Kenyans were asked about the significance of this wedding.

It didn't stop there. A trip down memory lane to 1952 was quickly mentioned, when Princess Elizabeth who was visiting the country then, was informed of her father's death. This is the country where she became Queen.

Fast forward almost 60 years and Kenyans were keen to witness the wedding ceremony of another royal couple who will remember Kenya for playing a part in ushering them into the global limelight.

Kenya has a tiny but dedicated share of royal watchers and Friday was a day for them to come out of the closest.

Tourism officials had also milked the publicity that the engagement, and thus the marriage, has brought on Kenya. It was no coincidence that the first TV advert during a number of commercial breaks on the local channel was one selling the country as a destination for that romantic safari, where dreams can come true.

This is not a country that tends to stand on ceremony, and for many the royal wedding became an excuse for an irreverent night in the pub spent watching it all unfold on television - television coverage that on one network featured ribald commentary from Dame Edna Everage.

A man and woman dressed as Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II wave from inside an English cab in Sydney An irreverent take: Australians combined celebrations with normal Friday night fun

The fact that all but one of the networks screened the wedding is also worthy of note. Friday night is footy night, and the rugby league or Aussie rules is normally sacrosanct.

At the bar that I started out in, in Sydney, which was decorated with Union flags and portraits of the royal couple, a bride hurled bouquets of flowers into the air, and the women that caught them were rewarded with free glasses of champagne. Monarchists, republicans and celebrity-watchers all joined in the fun.

However, not everyone was watching. Many didn't give two hoots.

But the Australian hoopla surrounding the wedding served as a reminder that for all the ethnic and demographic changes that have overtaken this country over the past 50 years, along with its reorientation towards Asia, the historical and sentimental link with Britain remains one of the single biggest keys to understanding modern-day Australia.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Royal wedding: Official photographs

30 April 2011 Last updated at 15:02 GMT

Photos of William and Kate's wedding day

News photos from around the world this week

Crowds gather on the eve of the royal wedding

Powerful storms in southern states

Readers' pictures on the theme of concrete

Photos from around the world on 25 April

Easter Sunday around the world

Photos from around the world 21 April

A selection of his photographs

The last pictures taken in Libya


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wedding figures top 24m in the UK

30 April 2011 Last updated at 13:28 GMT The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled down the Mall after leaving Westminster Abbey More than 24m viewers in the UK watched the royal wedding on the BBC and ITV, industry body Barb estimates.

The BBC said a peak figure of 20m - a 70% share - tuned into the corporation's coverage at the end of the service in Westminster Abbey.

More than 34 million viewers watched at least part of the BBC's TV royal wedding coverage, it added. These figures include live iPlayer viewings.

Radio figures and US TV data will be released later.

Top 10

Deputy director general Mark Byford, who led the BBC's coverage, said: "We are delighted with the audience... and our programming.

"We are pleased that so many people celebrated the royal wedding with the BBC's coverage across TV, radio and online."

The BBC peak audience figure is based on estimated overnight figures.

It includes those watching BBC One, BBC One HD, the BBC News Channel and iPlayer.

According to provisional figures, there were more than 9m users of the BBC News website overall on Friday.

Police estimate a million people lined the wedding procession route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace on Friday.

The estimated figures for the BBC and ITV put the wedding in the all-time top 10 most-watched programmes, although more people watched the 1966 World Cup Final (32.3m) and Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 (32.1m).

The wedding between the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 attracted 28.4m viewers.

Those watching the other terrestrial channels on Friday - BBC Two, Channel 4 and Five - made up only 1% of the television audience as the wedding service began.

Sky News said it had a peak of 661,000 viewers at 1100GMT, the start of the wedding ceremony, with about one million people using its website.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Bunting out for wedding parties

29 April 2011 Last updated at 14:00 Wells-next-the-sea in Norfolk Hundreds turned out on the streets of Wells-next-the-sea in Norfolk People across the UK have put out bunting and marked the royal wedding with more than 5,000 street parties.

St Andrews, the Fife town where Prince William and Kate Middleton met, hosted a breakfast for 1,500 people.

And David Cameron is holding a party in Downing Street, where cupcakes baked by his wife Samantha will be served.

The scenes have been replicated in streets, squares, pubs and churches across the UK, including the bride's home village of Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Fancy dress

A wedding breakfast was held in the hamlet of Chapel Row where the Middletons live, and Bucklebury Farm Park is staging a day of celebrations culminating in a proms-style fanfare.

The wedding was broadcast live on big screens in cities and towns, including in Southampton where people were encouraged to dress in patriotic red, white and blue.

Several thousand people turned out, including Michaela Coutakis, 45, who said: "We came today because it's an important national occasion.

"We're not royalists but it's bringing the country together and it's quite exciting really. We will remember this when we're old and grey and we can say we came down to the square to watch Kate and William get married."

Hundreds of revellers held a fancy dress party on the restored £39m Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Pier owner Kerry Michael, said: "It is buzzing here. The atmosphere is electric. The first people got here at around 6am for a champagne breakfast. By nine there were hundreds here."

In Cornwall, which has strong ties with the Prince of Wales, there were 30 applications for road closures so festivities could be held.

Gloucester Cathedral is showing the wedding on a giant screen, and parties are planned in the city and nearby Cheltenham.

A mass picnic is happening along the High Street of Alcester, in Warwickshire.

In Tetbury - the closest town to Highgrove House, the family home of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall - people are also enjoying picnics

In Eastbourne, East Sussex, hundreds turned up around a huge screen in Princes Park.

There were 16 street parties held in Edinburgh, including one in Broughton Street for 250 guests.

In Leeds, where Kate Middleton's father Michael was born, celebrations are taking place across the city, and York is staging a fancy dress competition and high tea.

A number of street parties are going on in Sheffield, with the focus in the city centre at Devonshire Green.

People in Hull are also joining the celebrations, with six street-party applications approved in the city, contrary to reports a few weeks ago saying no-one had applied.

People attending breakfast in St Andrews A breakfast was held in St Andrews where Prince William met Kate Middleton

The Marple Bridge Association in Cheshire, meanwhile, has been planning its town centre party since Christmas, and has sold 800 tickets.

Almost 250 street parties are being held across Wales, with Cardiff leading the way with more than 50.

On Anglesey, where the couple will live, about 2,000 people watched the Bunting out for wedding parties ceremony on a giant TV screen at the island's agricultural showground.

Whilst in Londonderry, fans have dressed in full wedding attire for royal breakfasts in community centres. Events have also taken place in Belfast, Newtownards, and Templepatrick.

In London, big screens have also been erected in Hyde Park where a crowd of thousands cheered as William and Kate exchanged their vows.

Several hundred people gathered in Manchester city centre as the wedding was shown on a big screen.

Elaine Lowe, 22, who came with a group of friends, said: "The rain has held off, the sun is out, and we are all having a great day.

"Kate looks stunning and her wedding dress is fabulous. What's not to like about today?"

In Scotland, visitors at royal residence Balmoral Castle watched the ceremony on six big screens.

People in Hyde Park The event in Hyde Park in central London attracted several thousand

Hundreds brought picnics and drank champagne as they sat on the lawn outside. The royal couple have enjoyed several breaks at Prince of Wales' home on the estate.

Meanwhile, the breakfast event in St Andrews was televised worldwide.

Elsewhere in the town, John Montgomery, 44, from the Tayport area, said: "St Andrews feels responsible for all of this.

"The atmosphere's fantastic here. It's amazing really for a small Scottish town to have two billion people around the world watching it."

But in Edinburgh, republican demonstrations were in the Royal Mile, and a large unofficial party in Glasgow has been criticised by the local council.

Two parties have also planned in Bristol for those who want to avoid wedding fever; Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire is staging a "Not The Royal Wedding Party" event, and campaign group Republic hosted a "Not the Royal Wedding" street party in central London.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Thousands celebrate royal wedding

29 April 2011 Last updated at 12:26 Prince William and Kate Middleton Prince William and Kate Middleton exchange vows at Westminster Abbey Thousands of people across Northern Ireland are holding parties to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen made Prince William the Baron Carrickfergus ahead of the ceremony on Friday morning.

The barony of County Antrim's oldest town has been extinct since 1883.

Following their exchange of vows, the couple's main titles are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Thousands of people have greeted the happy couple as they passed through London on a horse-drawn carriage following their marriage.

Prince William, who is colonel of the Irish Guards, wore the regiment's red tunic during the ceremony.

Representing Northern Ireland at the service were the First Minister Peter Robinson and the assembly speaker William Hay.

Carrickfergus is on the north shore of Belfast Lough, about 10 miles from Belfast. Carrickfergus Castle dates from about 1180 and is one of the best preserved castles in Ireland.

The mayor of the town said he was delighted the prince had been given the title and that he hoped he would visit in the near future.

People across Northern Ireland are decorating their houses and streets with bunting and holding street parties to mark the occasion.

Hundreds of people are attending festivities in a number of towns and villages, including Belfast, Londonderry, Newtownards, and Templepatrick.

A number of well-wishers gathered in St Columb's Cathedral in Londonderry to watch the ceremony on a big screen.

Fountain estate celebrations A crowd of well-wishers gathered in the Fountain estate in Londonderry

Londonderry woman Maisie Crawford has decked out her home with union flags.

"Diana would be so proud of William today," she said.

"He's a great young man marrying a beautiful young girl."

Jacqueline Dorrian from Carrickfergus said she had decided to arrange a party a fortnight ago as a way to bring neighbours together.

"I went round the doors first to see who was interested and everybody said they were," she said.

"Everybody chipped in and everybody's come out to put up the bunting and do the face painting for the kids.

"It's good for the community and the whole area to get everyone together on a day like this."

Part of the bride's dress was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in County Monaghan in the 1820s.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

VIDEO: Queen arrives for grandson's wedding

29 April 2011 Last updated at 11:10 Help

View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Scots turn out for royal wedding

29 April 2011 Last updated at 13:33 St Andrews St Andrews was hosting one of the biggest wedding celebrations in Scotland Events have been taking place across Scotland to celebrate the royal wedding.

St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met, hosted a breakfast and party for about 2,000 people.

Balmoral Castle visitors were watching the wedding on big screens.

However, a protest group of about 60 gathered in Edinburgh, and an unofficial party in Glasgow has been criticised by the local council.

In St Andrews, a bagpipe procession formally kicked off the event for ticket-holders at the free party at St Salvator's Quadrangle.

Local firms and organisations came forward over recent weeks and months to offer their support to the event, which was showing the wedding on a big screen.

John Montgomery, 44, from the Tayport area, came to St Andrews because his daughter was among those performing in the quadrangle, alongside her primary school classmates.

"I think St Andrews feels responsible for all of this," he joked. "The atmosphere's fantastic here. It's amazing really for a small Scottish town to have two billion people around the world watching it."

St Andrews student Ronnie Guthrie, 20, from Perth, arrived for the party at 0730 BST.

He told BBC Scotland: "I came to the party because I wanted to show off my Britishness. I have been awake since 5.30 with excitement, I just couldn't sleep.

"I didn't get a ticket in the ballot for the party, so I had to come two hours before my friends.

"I wanted to come because this is the biggest thing in my life, until the next coronation. It feels great to be in St Andrews, I'm a royalist."

Daniel Pycock, 19, from London, said: "I came because I'm a proud royalist. There are not many moments that you're allowed to celebrate and show your national pride and patriotism.

"I have been up all night writing an essay so I just stayed up.

Demonstrations in Edinburgh Monarchists challenged a republican demonstration in Edinburgh city centre

"I plan to make a day of it with my friends - the atmosphere at first was lethargic because it was fairly cold but it's now warmed up, the sun is out and everyone is very excited. It's a great day."

After their marriage, the royal couple will be known the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, linking the newly-weds to Perthshire, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus.

Far fewer official street parties have been organised in Scotland than in England, with 16 taking place in Edinburgh, seven in East Lothian and four in the Borders.

There is just one road closure in Glasgow for a street party. And in a number of areas, including North Ayrshire and West Lothian, there have been no official parties registered.

'No feelgood factor'

Shetland and Highland councils have not given their employees the day off.

Highland Council said it would have cost £350,000 to provide cover for frontline employees, such as social workers.

Continue reading the main story Jamie McIvor Local government correspondent, BBC Scotland

The number of official street parties taking place may give a misleading impression that there is a low level of public interest in celebrating the royal wedding.

They only include those street parties which have required council permission.

They take no account of, for instance, celebrations in church halls, pubs, community centres or even large private gardens.

A spokesperson said: "The council has made so many cuts already. We urge our staff to think about their position and how lucky they are to have a job with the council.

"I know people will be disappointed, but the decision was made for the very best of reasons."

However, more than 40 schools in the Highlands, involving more than 4,000 pupils and teachers, will take part in events such as mock weddings, feasts, quizzes, and arts and crafts.

Dundee Trades Union Council (TUC) is holding its annual Mayday march and rally. They said that the royal wedding provided "no feelgood factor" for those facing cuts in jobs, services and benefits.

About 400 were watching the wedding on a big screen in Festival Square in Edinburgh.

A group of about 60 republican demonstrators gathered outside St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile but police would not allow them to march as they had not applied for a licence.

The protesters were challenged by a group of about 20 pro-monarchy demonstrators the wedding and police kept the two sides apart.

'Romantic story'

Glasgow City Council issued a warning for royal party-goers to stay away from Kelvingrove Park after an unofficial "alternative" royal wedding celebration was organised through Facebook and other websites.

More than 10,000 people used the social networking site to say they planned to attend the event and by 1400 BST there were several thousand people there.

Train operator East Coast said there had been a 50% increase in train bookings between Edinburgh and London for the day before the wedding.

Shop in St Andrews Celebrations were taking place across Scotland as the world's attention falls on the wedding

One woman, who was travelling down to London for the day from Scotland, said: "I've grown up with Wills and Harry in the news and now he's got his lucky lady. It's a lovely romantic story as much as anything else."

First Minister Alex Salmond instructed that the Royal Standard of Scotland be flown from St Andrew's House, the headquarters of the Scottish government in Edinburgh.

Mr Salmond, who attended the wedding with his wife Moira, said: "This is a great day of celebration and it is wonderful that the Queen has bestowed the Scottish title of Earl and Countess of Strathearn on the royal couple.

"The Royal Standard of Scotland is flying from St Andrew's House in Edinburgh in honour of this special day.

"I wish the royal couple my warmest wishes for a long and very happy married life together."

Businesses across Scotland were attempting to throw some fun into the proceedings.

John G Renicks butchers in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway, made red, white and blue sausages.

While Scottish brewers BrewDog made a "royal virility performance" beer, containing herbal Viagra.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

VIDEO: Beckhams among wedding guests

29 April 2011 Last updated at 12:29 Help

View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Wedding watch

22 April 2011 Last updated at 12:16 GMT Brigitt Hauck By Brigitt Hauck BBC News With the big day nearing for Prince William and Kate Middleton, the internet is abuzz with royal wedding stories. As a confessed wedding obsessive, I'll be keeping up with what's being talked about. This week's round-up includes a royal bed, a lack of princess envy and lunch with the Queen.

There's only one week left until the highly-anticipated wedding of Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton and, for those that have a royal crush, there might still be a shred of hope to cosy up to the duo.

The night before the nuptials, 28 April, may be the one and only time to get into bed with the future king and queen.

Guests of the budget hotel firm Premier Inn can request special sheets with the images of Kate and Will printed on them, says Metro.

"Special new 'royal wedding bedding' allows couples to get beneath the sheets and treat themselves like royalty. The life-size images printed on the bedding feature the now-famous blue Issa dress Kate wore on the day the couple announced their engagement last November. Chances are Kate will not be requesting her bed be made up in such a way when enjoying her last night of single life at the more up-market Goring Hotel in Belgravia. But guests staying at Premier Inn hotels across the capital can ask for the royal-lovers covers on the night of 28 April - should they really want to wake up looking like the elite."

Despite the royal wedding craze, a survey reveals most women would rather not be the future princess, says the love and relationship website Your Tango.

"From a young age, fairy tales and animated Disney movies have trained little girls that being a princess is the key to happiness. So, naturally, one would expect that Kate Middleton would be the source of jealousy among women across the globe. Not so, according to a poll by YouGov (via Yahoo.com). The survey indicated that despite Kate's wealth, good looks, and imminent royal wedding on April 29, a whopping 86 per cent of British women do not envy Kate in the slightest. Most women wouldn't want to trade places with the future princess because they fear she won't be able to retain a normal lifestyle."

Not surprising perhaps, considering the press speculate about even the most private of matters.

Daily Mail

Prince William took Kate on a special visit to his mother's burial site, says the Daily Mail.

"Prince William has taken Kate Middleton on an emotional visit to his mother's grave just days before the couple is married. The prince held hands with his fiancee as they walked slowly to the island where Princess Diana was laid to rest. The couple was sombre as they laid flowers at the island tomb on the 14,000-acre Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire. It is understood that the prince wanted to share his big day with his late mother as he knew how much it would have meant to her."

The Australian

While the couple paid their respects, the bride-to-be's parents were in Windsor to meet the Queen for the first time, says the Australian.

"When it first emerged in January that the Queen had not met Mrs Middleton and did not intend to do so before the wedding, the seeming snub was taken as symptomatic of the apparent lack of welcome extended by the Royal Family to outsiders joining them by marriage. The lunch went some way to correct that impression. The meeting did not come a moment too soon. Even though Prince William has been dating Miss Middleton for more than eight years, it was the first time that her parents had met the Queen. Mike and Carole Middleton drove to Windsor Castle, where, for an hour and a half, they enjoyed what was described as a 'very convivial' lunch with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh."

Well, it must have been a lovely lunch because the wedding is still on. Isn't it?


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

VIDEO: Media preparations for royal wedding

19 April 2011 Last updated at 03:30 GMT Help

View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Wedding watch

8 April 2011 Last updated at 17:54 GMT Brigitt Hauck By Brigitt Hauck BBC News With the big day nearing for Prince William and Kate Middleton, the internet is abuzz with royal wedding stories. As a confessed wedding obsessive, I'll be keeping up with what's being talked about. This week's round-up includes shacking up with another prince, a summer camp for future princesses and smokes under pressure.

Three isn't a crowd for Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton.

After the 29 April nuptials, the duo plan to move in with the groom's brother Prince Harry, says the Telegraph.

Telegraph

"After they return from honeymoon, the royal couple is initially expected to move into a suite of rooms in Clarence House, while they decide where to live more permanently. It means they will share their first married home with Prince Harry who lives there when he is in London. The two brothers are very close and Kate is also said to have a great relationship with her future brother-in-law."

Though the living situation may be less than ideal for newlyweds, it seems like every female has her heart set on becoming the next Kate Middleton.

And now some parents are giving their daughters the chance to learn how to become a princess at a summer camp held in London, says the Daily Mail.

Mail

"While the American import of summer camps is normally associated with outdoor games and campfires, the Princess Prep course is an altogether different affair. The camp will offer classes in table manners and how to perform the perfect curtsey as well as horse riding, introducing people and how to deal with awkward social moments. During the camp the girls will learn how to present themselves to the Queen and will visit different palaces each day."

And what sort of treats would one indulge these little princesses with?

The William and Catherine Pez dispenser, perhaps? Remember those tiny rectangular sweets? It goes without saying that this does not fall into the category of official merchandise, although the price tag would surpass that of many sets of fine bone china and love spoons.

eBay headline

The tops of the dispensers have been hand crafted, and this limited edition set of one is being sold on a well-known internet auction site, with the proceeds going to a children's charity. The sales schtick is clearly aimed at those who have made a habit of collecting these sweet dispensers:

"For collectors of the much-loved PEZ sweet-dispensers, as well as for fans of William and Kate, this is a unique opportunity to own a wholly original collector's item. To guarantee uniqueness and authenticity, the dispensers will be branded and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from PEZ. "

But with the price, after nine days, running at £6,600 this is one confectionery offer that is probably only afforable to real royal princesses.

One Staffordshire ceramic maker has released a commemorative mug celebrating her indifference towards the royal wedding, says trade magazine Tableware International.

TableWare International

"The mug which features the slogan 'I couldn't care less about the Royal Wedding' is the latest design from former Staffordshire student Camila Prada. The design came from Camila's increasing frustration at the media coverage surrounding the event, which is set to bring London to a standstill at the end of this month."

The designer tells Tableware International that the anti-royalist mug is not a jab at the couple:

"It's really not a personal thing against the actual people themselves like Kate Middleton or Prince William - it's more of a commentary on the hype the media create."

Does the designer have to say that, since she's making a pretty penny off of a wedding she doesn't care about?


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Canada coins mark royal wedding

6 April 2011 Last updated at 22:38 GMT A composite image of the two coins The mint plans to release more royal coins ahead of the couple's visit to Canada in the summer The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled collectors' coins to mark the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

A 20 Canadian dollar silver coin, which will cost about $105 (US$109; £67), has a sapphire-coloured crystal inlay, to symbolise the bride's engagement ring.

And a 25-cent coin features a colour portrait of the couple.

Mint chief executive Ian Bennett called the wedding later this month "a priceless opportunity to celebrate Canada's pride in royal tradition".

The coins "will give Canadians, royal watchers and collectors everywhere exceptional keepsakes by which to remember this historic event", he said in a statement.

The coins will be sold at Mint shops in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver, online, and elsewhere.

The couple are to marry on 29 April and plan to travel to Canada two months later, on their first official overseas trip as a married couple.

They will visit Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and the capital, Ottawa.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Rugby star O'Driscoll to go to royal wedding

24 February 2011 Last updated at 09:51 GMT Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman Brian O'Driscoll and his wife Amy Huberman married last year Irish rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll and his actress wife Amy Huberman have been invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Writing on his blog, the former British and Irish Lions skipper said it was an honour to be asked but did not say whether he would attend.

A total of 1,900 guests have been invited to the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 29 April.

O'Driscoll is acknowledged as one of the most talented players in the world.

He made his debut for Ireland in 1999 and has scored 42 tries for his country.

He has toured with the British and Irish Lions three times, captaining the side in New Zealand in 2005.

St James's Palace has not officially released the names of invitees to the wedding but more than half are family and friends.

Not all the guests at the service will go on to a Buckingham Palace reception.

O'Driscoll is expected to be one of a number of sports stars attending, with David Beckham and his wife Victoria reported to be among the invited guests.

The 32-year-old Leinster centre married Ms Huberman in a highly publicised wedding last year.

Given his popularity in his native country, some correspondents described the nuptials as Ireland's own version of a Royal wedding.


View the original article here


This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.