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These Two Weeks in Princesses

Weddings and funerals and memorials. These past two weeks have been filled with joyous and somber gatherings, but some princesses still managed to snatch some vacation time.


AUGUST 14

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko bow as they offer prayers before an altar during a memorial service for those who died in World War Two during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the war at Budokan Hall in Tokyo August 15, 2010.  REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: ANNIVERSARY POLITICS ROYALS)

Empress Michiko and Emperoro Akihito of Japan attended a memorial ceremony honoring those who died in World War II on the 65th anniversary of World War II. The emperor's father, Hirohito, was a young emperor during the war and was still considered to be a living god. The imperial family is still highly honored but not "revered" in the same way.


AUGUST 18

Jordan's King Abdullah laughs with his wife Queen Rania as they watch the Royal Military Tattoo at Edinburgh castle, Scotland August 18, 2010. The royal couple's visit to the Tattoo, which runs for three weeks in August on Edinburgh Castle's esplanade and is celebrating its diamond anniversary having first been staged in 1950, marks the first occasion a sovereign from the Middle East has attended. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT ROYALS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Do you like my hat? Oh yes, Your Majesty! King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan were all giggles during a visit to Scotland for the 50th anniversary of the Royal Military Tattoo. Living in the Middle East, the king and queen are used to seeing men in longer "skirts" and probably were amused by all the knobby knees under those kilts.


AUGUST 21

OREBRO, SWEDEN - AUGUST 21: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Princess Victoria of Sweden, Prince Daniel of Sweden, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Princess Madeleine of Sweden attends the bicentennial anniversary of the Parliament session of 1810 in Orebro at Orebro Castle on August 21, 2010 in Orebro, Sweden. (Photo by Torsten Laursen/Getty Images)

Having returned from their honeymoon and dodged bribery accusations for getting it paid for by a rich businessman, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel (in the center) joined King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine for the bicentennial celebration of Sweden's parliament. Carl Philip has been taking heat for dating a reality star who is apparently allergic to wearing clothes and Princess Madeleine has been spending more and more time in the U.S. since her ex-fiancee allegedly cheated on her.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Princess Mary of Denmark arrives at her friend and bridesmaid, Amber Petty's 40th birthday celebration at The Promethian on August 21, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Princess Mary is in Adelaide visiting longtime friend and bridesmaid Amber Petty, who's celebrating her 40th birthday. She also spent time with family and friends in Hobart, who she hasn't seen since her last Tasmanian visit in 2008. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

On a "solo" holiday Down Under, Australian-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark is still showing no sign that she is actually a "trio" at the moment since she is due to deliver twins in about five months. She keeps tricking the watching photographers by wearing loose blouses but this ensemble and the skinny jeans she's been wearing around Australia show no sign of baby bumps.


AUGUST 23

Pauline Ducruet, the daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco competes in the youth women's 3m springboard preliminary round at the Youth Olympic Games 2010 in Singapore on August 23, 2010. Pauline qualified for the final round to be held on August 23. Photo by Frederic Nebinger/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Pauline Ducruet flipped out in Singapore where she was competing in the 2010 Youth Olympics. The 16-year-old daughter of Princess Stephanie of Monaco is a hopeful for the 2012 London Olympics.


AUGUST 24

DUNGENESS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Princess Beatrice watches as Richard Branson prepares to Kite Surf across the English Channel on August 24, 2010 in Dungeness, England. Richard Branson is making the attempt to become the oldest person to Kite-surf across the English Channel to celebrate his 60th birthday. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Princess Beatrice of York got a bit windswept on the English coast where she was watching billionaire Richard Branson unsuccessfully attempt to kite-surf across the English Channel for his 60th birthday. Bea is dating Branson protege Dave Clark.
SPETSES, GREECE - AUGUST 24: (L-R) I aki Urdangarin, Infanta Cristina, Infanta Elena of Spain, Crown Princess Letizia of Spain and Crown Prince Felipe attend a pre-wedding reception at the Poseidon Hotel on August 24, 2010 in Spetses, Greece.The small greek Island, three hours from Athens, is gearing up for the Royal Wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik on Wednesday. Royals from all over Europe and the world are expected to attend the ceremony.Prince Nikolaos is the second son of King Constantine and Queen Anne-Marie while Tatiana is an events planner for Diane Von Furstenburg in London. Many of the VIP guests are expected to stay in the Poseidon Hotel in the town centre. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The entire Spanish royal family invaded Greece for the wedding celebrations of Prince Nikolaos, whose father King Constantine II is the brother of Queen Sofia of Greece. Apparently, however, Infanta Cristina did not get the notice that they were all supposed to wear white pants to the party! She looks lovely nevertheless standing next to her handsome husband Inaki, sister Elena, sister-in-law Letizia and brother Felipe.


AUGUST 25

SPETSES, GREECE - AUGUST 25: Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Princess Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark (Tatiana Blatnik) kiss after getting married at the Cathedral of Ayios Nikolaos (St. Nicholas) on August 25, 2010 in Spetses, Greece. Representatives from Europe s royal families will join the many guests who have travelled to the island to attend the wedding of Prince Nikolaos of Greece, the second son of King Constantine of Greece and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece and Tatiana Blatnik an events planner for Diane Von Furstenburg in London. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

A flower-draped carriage was just one fantasy moment for Europe's new fairytale princess and her Prince Charming, as the 29-year-old Tatiana Blatnik married 40-year-old Prince Nikolaos of Greece and Denmark on a lovely Greek island surrounded by friends and family who just happen to include most of the crowned heads of Europe.


AUGUST 26

HELSINGBORG, SWEDEN - AUGUST 26: Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Haakon of Norway commemorate Folke Bernadotte's lifesaving 'White Buses' mission at Ramlosa Brunnspark on August 26, 2010 in Helsingborg, Sweden (Photo by Torsten Laursen/Getty Images)

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was a vision in strawberry pink as she and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway led the 65th anniversary commemoration of their common cousin Folke Bernadotte's "White Buses" mission, which rescued more than 30,000 people from German concentration camps.


AUGUST 27

The King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the opening ceremony for the Chinese terracotta army at East Asian Museum and the most recent archaeological findings will be exhibited in Stockholm during the fall of 2010. The exhibition will be unique since it will be displayed in a spectacular environment and feature several new unique findings from other similar gravesite. This is the second time for the Terracotta soldiers to visit Sweden. The first visit took place in 1984. Photo by Lars Hoglund/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

You'll never get this soldier to blink! King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia of Sweden came face-to-face with some Chinese warriors who have been on sentry duty since the death of the first Chinese emperor. No two of the 8000 terracotta soldiers are the same. They were all part of a huge mausoleum still being excavated in China.

Britain's Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (L) walks with HMS Astute's Commanding Officer Andy Coles as they arrive for the commissioning ceremony of the Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute at the Clyde Naval Base near Glasgow, Scotland August 27, 2010.  REUTERS/David Moir   (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT MILITARY SOCIETY PROFILE)

Meanwhile, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was looking very "queenly" in this smart cream ensemble: Giant feathery hat? Check. Large brooch? Check. Gloves? Check. Handbag with no money in it? Check. Sensible shoes? Check.


AUGUST 28

Crown Prince Haakon with his children Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Mette's sonMarius attends the Anniversary screening of the Norwegian movie masterpiece Flaaklypa at Klingenberg Cinema in Oslo, Norway, on August 28, 2010. Photo by Glenn Svendsen/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

A day out with dad. Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway slipped out to the movies with dad, Crown Prince Haakon, and her brothers Marius and Sverre Magnus on Saturday.

Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima, arrive at the Santa Maria della Steccata church for the burial of Duke Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma in Parma August 28, 2010. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo(ITALY - Tags: ROYALS OBITUARY)

Things were not as cheerful in sunny Parma, as Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Crown Princess Maxima joined the mourners for the funeral of Prince Carlos Hugo of Bourbon-Parma, who died at the age of 80. One of many pretenders to the French throne, Carlos Hugo was married to Willem Alexander's aunt, Princes Irene of the Netherlands for 17 years before they divorced. Irene had to elope with the prince and give up her claim to the Dutch throne because of her groom's Catholicism and his controversial claim to the French throne. Despite that controversy and the divorce, his body laid in state at The Hague in the Netherlands before being transported to Italy for internment.

The Royal Report for Sunday August 29, 2010 - A Tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales

August 31st will mark the 13th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. On this episode a tribute to her life and legacy.

You can listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada No 185 30 August 2010

From My Royal Collection

Diana: The Portrait: Anniversary by Rosallind Coward

Resources used to research this episode

The Queen - DVD

Diana: A Celebration - Official Guidebook

Macleans magazine - Diana, her life and legacy Commemorative edition - September 1997

Macleans Magazine - Forever Diana - September 15, 1997

Newsweek - Farewell, Diana - September 15, 1997

Royalty Magaazine - September 1997

Majesty Magazine Commemorative Issue - September 1997

Time - Commeorative Issue September 15, 1997

Time - Special Report: Death of a Princess - September 8, 1997

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday September 5, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

TThe topic will be: In a special one hour episode, an Interview with Jerramy Fine, author of the memoir, Someday My Prince Will Come: True Adventures of a Wannabe Princess
Listen to that episode for your chance to win a copy of her book.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Royal Focus: Royal Warrants

The next time you enjoy some Twinning tea or Johnnie Walker you may want to take a close look at the package. You may have seen this particular image before and not known what it means.

Since the Middle Ages, tradesmen and companies that have provided a service or goods to the Sovereign have received formal recognition through a Royal Warrant. Originally this patronage took the form of 'royal charters' granted collectively to various guilds in trades and crafts, which later became known as livery companies.

The first on record was given by Henry II in 1155 to the Weavers Company. Over the centuries, the relationship evolved between the Crown and individual tradesmen and was formalized through 'royal warrants'.  Currently, only three members of the royal family grant royal warrants - The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales. When she was alive, the Queen Mother also granted warrants, which were kept valid until 2007 - five years after her death. They are granted to companies that have provided services to the royal family for a minimum of five years. Upon issue, the royal warrant allows the grantee or company to use 'By Royal Appointment' and display the royal coat of arms on their products such as stationery, advertisements and other printed material, in his or her premises and on delivery vehicles.

BALLATER, UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 07:  The Royal Warrant is seen on the wall outside Chalmers Bakery in Balleter on September 7, 2008 in Ballater, Scotland. Royal Warrants of Appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal personages. The warrant enables the supplier to advertise the fact that they supply to the royal family, so lending prestige to the supplier. Shops and business in the town of Balleter have historically supplied the Balmoral Estate and display their warrants with pride. The Balmoral Estate is in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and is the private residence of The Queen. Beloved by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle has remained a favourite residence for The Queen and her family during the summer holiday period in August and September. The Castle is located on the large Balmoral Estate, a working estate which aims to protect the environment while contributing to the local economy.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)Royal warrants are initially granted for five years after which point they come up for review. Should the goods or service reduce in quality or the supply of the product is insufficient to the Royal Household, a royal warrant will not be renewed. The warrants may be cancelled at any time or automatically come up for review should the holder die, leaves the business or if the company goes bankrupt or is sold. Some companies have a record of royal warrants over a 100 years. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales can grant only one warrant to any individual business, however, there are some companies that hold all three.

Royal warrants are granted for a number of products and services, including dry-cleaners to fishmongers, agricultural machinery to computer software.  There are currently approximately 800 Royal warrant holders, holding over 1,100 Royal warrants between them (some have more than one Royal warrant).

The Royal Report for Sunday August 22, 2010 - The Princess Royal at 60

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal celebrated her 60th birthday on August 15th. The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, she is considered to be the hardest working royal yet her causes get little attention. On this episode I look back at her life and highlight this misunderstood royal.

Listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada August 23, 2010 No 184

Star Magazine August 23, 2010 issue - Cover story William & Kate Royal Romance in Ruins

OK! Magazine weekly August 23, 2010 - Cover Story The William & Kate Wedding Tell-All!

From My Royal Collection

Riding Through My Life HRH The Princess Royal with Ivor Herbert

Resources used for this episode

The Official Website of the British Monarchy - The Princess Royal

The Princess Royal by John Parker

Princess Anne;: A royal girl of our time by Anne Matheson and Reginald Davis

Anne: The Working Princess by Paul James

Anne and Mark - Text by Judith Campbell, Photographs by Srdja Djukanovic

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday August 29, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: August 31, 2010 will mark the 13th anniversary of the death  of Diana, Princess of Wales. On this episode, a tribute to the late princess.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Children in the Wedding

Amidst the pageantry of a royal wedding, a small group of children almost always takes center stage after the bride and groom. This troupe of tiny attendants takes the place of adult bridesmaids and groomsmen. For more about this tradition, view my guest blog at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel Blog.

Here's a look at children at royal weddings from the past.

2010

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 19: Page Boys Ian De Geer, Prince Christian, flower girls Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Vera Blom and Leopold Sommerlath attend the wedding ceremony between Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Daniel Westling at Stockholm Cathedral on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Torsten Laursen/Getty Images)

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden included several of her royal godchildren and young relatives in her Stockholm wedding. The boys were dressed in sailor suits while the girls's dresses reflected the simple, clean lines of Victoria's gown. The youngsters included(from left to right) were Prince Christian of Denmark, Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, her cousins Leopold Sommerlath and Ian de Geer, the groom's nieces Vera and Hedwig Blom, and Princess Catharina Amalia of the Netherlands, along with three other girls.

2005

NOORDWIJK, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 27:  The bridesmaid's children arrive prior to the church wedding of Prince Pieter Christiaan and Anita van Eijk at 'Jeroenskerk' Church on August 27 2005 in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. The prince has not asked the Parliament's permission, therefore he will be excluded from the succession to the throne. (Photo by Michel Porro/Getty Images)

When the Dutch Queen's nephew Prince Pieter Christiann married Anita van Eijk, the little ones in their party were dressed in pale yellow with light green trim. The girls were the classic smocked dress of generations of little girls, but the ruffles on the boys' shirts echoed a more distant past.

2003

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - APRIL 12:  Flower girls leave after attending the wedding ceremony of Belgium's Princess Claire Coombs and Belgium's Prince Laurent at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula April 12, 2003 in Brussels, Belgium.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Claire Coombs decided to have only three girls and no boys at her marriage to Prince Laurent, youngest son of the King of Belgium. The lovely lasses were simple white dresses with pale sashes and wreathes of flowers on their heads. They were (from left) family friend Clothilde de Meulenaere, Claire's niece Emma Grant and Prince Laurent's niece Princess Luisa Maria.

1981

29th July 1981:  A family group In the throne room of Buckingham Palace after the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, and Princess Diana (1961 - 1997).  Back row, left to right : Edward Vancutsen, Lord Nicholas Windsor, Sarah Jane Gaselee, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince Andrew and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. Front row, left to right : Catherine Cameron, India Hicks and Clementine Hambro.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Most people still think of the wedding of Charles Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer when they think of royal weddings, even thought it was nearly 30 years ago. Charles' brothers, Prince Andrew in his naval uniform and Prince Edward in a gray morning suit acted as his 'supporters.' The younger boys, in suits inspired by military uniforms, were blonde-haired royal cousin Lord Nicholas Windsor and friend of the family Edward van Cutsem. The girls ranged from four-year-old Clementine Hambro, a great-granddaughter of Winston Churchill to 16-year-old royal cousin Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret. The other girls were family friends Catherine Cameron and Sarah Jane Gaselee as well as the now famous designer India Hicks, a cousin of the prince on his father's side. The girls' puffy dresses in ivory satin were designed by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel to match Diana's iconic fairytale princess gown.

1975

circa 1975:  Princess Margaret's children, Viscount David Linley and his sister, Sarah Armstrong-Jones, among the pageboys and bridesmaids at a society wedding.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Here's Lady Sarah Armstong-Jones (now Chatto) several years earlier in a society wedding where her big brother, David Viscount Linley (center), wore a red kilt.

1960

Princess Margaret and  her new husband Antony Armstrong Jones pose for a picture with their bridesmaids at Buckingham Palace, 6th May 1960. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

At Sarah and David's mother's wedding, Princess Margaret choose her niece Princess Anne (who celebrates her sixtieth birthday this week) as her chief bridesmaid. Anne, then 10 years old, is standing on the bride's right. All eight young bridesmaids wore long white dresses with elaborate floral headbands.

1947

20th November 1947:  Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (right) and members of the immediate and extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace after their wedding.  (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Princess (now Queen) Elizabeth selected more mature bridesmaids when she married the Duke of Edinburgh. Among them was her beautiful 16-year-old sister Princess Margaret (on the groom's right) and the youngest bridesmaid was 10-year-old Princess Alexandra of Kent. The two kilt-clad pageboys were royal cousins Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Michael of Kent, both about five years old.

1893

1893:  The wedding at Buckingham Palace of the Duke of York, later King George V (1865 - 1936) and Princess Mary of Teck (1867 - 1953). From left to right (back) - Princess Alexandra of Edinburgh, Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess Victoria of Edinburgh, the Duke of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, and Princess Maud of Wales. Original Publication: From left to right (front) - Princess Alice of Battenberg, Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh, Princess Margaret of Connaught, the Duchess of York, Princess Victoria of Battenberg, Princess Victoria Patricia of Connaught.  (Photo by W. & D. Downey/Getty Images)

Jumping back a couple of generations to the wedding of the Elizabeth and Margaret's grandparents, the future King George V and Queen Mary, the 10 young bridesmaids were all princesses--sisters and cousins of the groom. They included the future Queen Maud of Norway (standing on the far right) and the Duke of Edinburgh's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg (seated on the far left).

This Week in Princesses

Many princesses were still scarce as their summer vacations continued, but a few did manage to make appearances both public and private in view of the cameras.

AUGUST 7, 2010

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain attending the 29th Copa del Rey Mapfre Audi Sailing Cup Awards Celebration at Ses Voltes Cultural Center in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on August 7, 2010. Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Queen Sofia of Spain, who spent all of last week at the Copa del Rey sailing competition, wrapped up the event by helping the Rey, King Juan Carlos, present the prizes on Saturday.

Britain's Prince Charles steps over a rope as he walks in the main arena during the Mey Highland Games in Caithness, northern Scotland August 7, 2010. Prince Charles, who holds the title of 'Chieftain' for the games, is attending the annual event which takes place near to the Castle of Mey, official home of the Queen Mother in Caithness. REUTERS/David Moir (BRITAIN - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT ROYALS)

Alright, Prince Charles is not a princes, but you must admit he wore a daring hemline at the Mey Highland Games in Scotland.


AUGUST 8, 2010

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, accompanied by Princess Letizia greet US first Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha, at Maribel's palace in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on August 08, 2010. Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Three queens (and one King) of style were pictured together when U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama spent some time with KKIng Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and Princess Letizia during her girls-only Spanish vacation with daughter Sasha and an old friend. The visit sparked some controversy for being too expensive and glitzy for the president's wife until it was revealed that she had agreed to accompany her friend because she couldn't be there when her friend's father died early this year. Who can resist the adorable Sasha?


AUGUST 10, 2010

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The always colorful Queen Margrethe II took a little boat ride with her pregnant daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Mary. The expected twins will be grandchild number six and seven for the queen and her husband, Prince Henrik.


AUGUST 12, 2010

H.M. Queen Sof a of Spain in company of her two daughters, Elena and Cristina and husband Inaki Urdangarin, walking along the streets of Palma with grandsons in Palma de Mallorca, Spain on August 12, 2010. They visited some shops and ate ice creams ... surrounded by a big crowd of local people and tourists who were overstocking the streets! Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

If you were out shopping in Palma de Mallorca, you might have noticed a large family group visiting the shops and snacking on ice cream. Queen Sofia of Spain took her daughters, Infantas Elena (seen here) and Cristina and their kids out for the day. Sofia's two older granddaughters were with them: Elena's dark-haired Victoria Federica and Cristina's blonde-haired Irene.

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attending the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair in Copenhagen, Denmark on August 12, 2010. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Photographers desperately seeking pictures of Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's baby bump found some satisfaction from the low-belted blouse she wore to the Copenhagen International Fashion Fair.

The Princess Anne during a visit to the Army Foundation College near Harrogate, where she took the salute at the Intake 23 Graduation Parade in Harrogate, UK on August 12, 2010. Photo by John Giles/PA Photos/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

In chilly ole England, the Princess Royal looked sunny as she reviewed the graduation parade at the Army Foundation College. She will be 60 on August 15.

Keep calm in the face of Prince William and Kate Middleton engagement rumors

I would advise everyone to stay calm and remain seated. Resist the urge to go to your nearest store and buy the latest issue of OK magazine with William and Kate on the cover. Slowly take your hand away from your purse/wallet. Ignore your Google alerts about an upcoming announcement in November and don't read too much into Kate's no-show at Gatcombe Park, where William demonstrated his prowess by taking photos with his phone.

These stories are just red-herrings because there is no real news about William and Kate (Oh, where is Tina Brown when I need her to illustrate my point?). We can be forgiven for jumping to conclusions, scoffing at these stories while reading every word. After all, what else is there to do?

But as you resist, you become stronger. Capable of reading between the lines of William and Kate stories.  For instance:

1) William and Kate photographed together in actual close physical contact/appearing together at a significant event (Read: They're still together. Phew!)

2)  William and Kate in close proximity looking serious. (Read: Not a good sign, but at least they're in the same frame)

3) Kate smiling enigmatically on the cover of Hello! (Read: Hello! is grasping at straws). There could be any number of reasons why Kate is smiling. It's a facial expression she'll have to lose when she marries into the royal family.

4) William or Kate photographed in separate situations - he at Gatcombe Park, she carrying mysterious rolls of paper while looking determined. (Read: Going about their lives as separate individuals. Or Kate has diagrams of Gatcombe Park to infiltrate the event. She failed.)

5) The cover of OK/Star Magazine showing pictures of William and Kate, with the headlines 'A Wedding Just Like Diana's!' or 'William & Kate's $40 Million Wedding of the Century!'    (Read: Nuff said!)

6) Stories about Kate working. (Read: Don't insult our intelligence)

7) Kate pregnant with William's baby (Read: Don't start knitting just yet)

8) Kate cheating on William (Read: Well, can you really blame her?)

9) William and Kate are related (Read: No worries. Keeping it in the family is a royal family tradition)

10) Specific predictions for engagement announcements and wedding dates (Read: Someone is using the Magic 8 ball again)

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Is Letizia expecting?

While there has certainly been no announcement of a third pregnancy for the future King and Queen of Spain, purely coincidental evidence leads me to believe that Letizia Princess of the Asturias may be adding to her family. This is based entirely on the fact that Crown Princess Mary of Denmark latest pregnancy was announced last week. The royal lives of Mary and Letizia have run on parallel courses since the very beginning, with Mary trotting ahead of Letizia in all family milestones by only a week or so each time.

ENGAGEMENT: 24 days difference

The much-anticipated engagement of Mary Donaldson and Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark was announced on 8 October 2003 while the engagement of Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano took the world by surprise on 1 November.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - OCTOBER 8:  Mary Elizabeth Donaldson (L) and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark show their engagement ring to the media during a press conference at Fredensborg Castle October 8, 2003 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The pair announced their engagement, with the wedding set for May 14, 2004.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 6:  Crown Prince Felipe of Spain and Letizia Ortiz pose during an official engagement ceremony at the garden of El Pardo Palace November 6, 2003 at Palacio del Pardo in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)


WEDDING: 8 days difference

The Danish crown couple marched to the altar on 14 May 2004, but still made it to the church on time to see their Spanish counterparts get married on 22 May.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - MAY 14:  Danish Crown Prince Frederik kisses his bride Miss Mary Elizabeth Donaldson as they marry in Copenhagen Cathedral May 14, 2004 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The romance began in 2000 when Mary Donaldson met the heir to one of Europe's oldest monarchies over drinks at the Sydney Olympics, where he was with the Danish sailing team.  (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 22: Spanish Crown Prince Felipe de Bourbon and his bride, princess Letizia Ortiz leave the  Almudena cathedral after their wedding ceremony May 22, 2004 in Madrid. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)


FIRST CHILD: 16 days difference

Mary and Fredrik welcomed the first addition to their family, the future King Christian, on 15 October 2005, while Letizia and Felipe's firstborn, Infanta Leonor, was born on 31 October, amidst speculation about whether Spain would change the laws regarding succession so that she, as a female, might be able to become queen. (The laws, incidentally, have still not changed.)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - OCTOBER 18:  Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary Donaldson pose with their new baby son as they leave Copenhagen University Hospital on October 18, 2005 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The new crown prince was born at 1:57 am on October 14, weighing 3500g, and measuring 51cm.  (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, and his wife Princess Letizia and new baby daughter Leonor leave the Ruber International clinic on November 7, 2005 in Madrid, Spain. Princess Letizia gave birth to the Infanta Leonor several weeks early by Caesarean section on October 31, 2005. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)


SECOND CHILD: 8 days difference

The Danes were thrilled by the arrival of the first Danish princess of her generation with the birth of Princess Isabella to Mary and Fredrik on 21 April 2007 while Spain celebrated another little infanta on 29 April to Letizia and Felipe, who named her in honor of her grandmother Queen Sofia.
COPENHAGEN - APRIL 23:  Princess Mary of Denmark and Prince Frederick of Denmark leave Copenhagen University Hospital with their newly born daughter and Prince Christian of Denmark on April 23, 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo by Niels Henrick/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04:  Crown Prince Felipe of Spain, wife Princes Letizia and daugthers Princess Leonor (R) and Princess Sofia leave the Ruber Clinic on May 04, 2007 in Madrid  (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)


NEW BABIES?

The Danish court announced last week that Crown Princess Mary is not only pregnant, but expecting twins in January 2011. This certainly ups the ante for Princess Letizia. Judging by her latest photos, it doesn't look like she's entered the baby stakes again yet. But, in order to stay competitive, she must not only conceive quickly but doubly! (Incidentally, Mary is also just seven months older than Letizia and Fredrik is four months younger than Felipe.)
Princess Letizia of Spain arriving at the Royal Nautical Club, for the fifth day of the 29th edition of the Sailing King's Cup (Copa del Rey) on Mallorca Island, Spain, on August 6, 2010. Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom
King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, accompanied by Princess Letizia greet US first Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha, at Maribel's palace in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on August 08, 2010. Photo by Almagro/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom

Royal Focus: Princess Diana's Wedding Dress


PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 1: Princess Diana's wedding gown is displayed at a preview of the traveling 'Diana: A Celebration' exhibit at the National Constitution Center on October 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibit, not shown in the U.S. since 2007, opens tomorrow and continues through December 31.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)When people attempt to describe the wedding dress of Diana, Princess of Wales, the words voluminous, iconic, meringue, fairy-tale tend to be used. But it's difficult to put into words the impact of it both on fashion and on the memory of those who watched Diana alight from the carriage, as if a 'butterfly emerging from a chrysalis'. Unlike any royal wedding dress before or since Diana's will always be in a league of its own.

The Prince and Princess of Wales leave St Paul's Cathedral after their wedding, 29th July 1981. She wears a wedding dress by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel and the Spencer family tiara. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)The dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, took four months to make and was made of ivory pure silk taffeta. The bodice was fitted and boned with a wide frill around the curved neckline. It has embroidered lace panels on the front and back. The sleeves are full and gathered into a taffeta frill at the elbow with lace flounce underneath. The skirt of the dress as full, worn over a crinoline petticoat consisting of many layers of ivory tulle and trimmed around the waist and hem with embroidered lace.

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 1:  Princess Diana's wedding gown is displayed at a preview of the traveling 'Diana: A Celebration' exhibit at the National Constitution Center on October 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibit, not shown in the U.S. since 2007, opens tomorrow and continues through December 31.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)The train, trimmed with lace, was 25-feet long - the longest to date.
The veil, measuring 11 1/2 foot by 40 foot, was hand-embroidered with 10,000 3mm mother-of-pearl sequins. Diana wore the Spencer family tiara for something borrowed. The something old was a piece of lace from Queen Mary, and for something blue, the Emanuel's hand-sewed a little blue bow into the back of the dress. The couple also added a tiny,golden horse-shoe made of 18-carat Welsh gold, studded with diamonds, sewn into the back of the label of the dress.


PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 1:  Princess Diana's wedding slippers are displayed at a preview of the traveling 'Diana: A Celebration' exhibit at the National Constitution Center on October 1, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibit, not shown in the U.S. since 2007, opens tomorrow and continues through December 31.  (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)Diana carried a large, cascading bouquet. On her feet Diana wore slippers by Clive Shilton. Trimmed with lace from the dress, and made of silk duchess satin, dyed to match the color of the dress, the shoes had 542 mother-of-pearl sequins on each pair, each knotted by hand. The fluted heel was made of bits of leather and wood and the soles were hand-painted with the letters "C" and "D" entwined with a heart.

© Marilyn Braun 2010
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