Prince Harry Beats Robert

Prince Harry Beats Robert

Question: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester as king?

Why didn't Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester become king when George VI died? By everything that I know, as the next male in succession, George V's third son should have become king after the first abdicated and the second died.

The type of succession that you are referring to is called agnatic primogeniture. Inheritance according to the seniority of birth amongst the of sons of a monarch.

King George V had five sons. Prince Edward (future King Edward VIII), Prince Albert (future King George VI), Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Prince George, Duke of Kent and Prince John, who died as a child. After King George V's death, in 1936 and King Edward VIII's abdication in 1937, the next son came to the throne as King George VI. In 1937, at the start of King George VI's reign, the first four places in the line of succession were occupied by Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Prince George, Duke of Kent.

The succession to the British throne is by male preference primogeniture. Males have precedence over females, however if there is a female she is not excluded. Because of this, King George VI's elder daughter, Princess Elizabeth became the sovereign and not Prince Henry. If the King died without children, then Prince Henry would have become king in 1952 because he was next in line. If this had occurred then after King Henry IX's death in 1974, his son, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester would be king, possibly reigning as King Richard IV.

It is interesting to note that had King Edward VIII not abdicated and not had children, the succession would likely look as it does today. The only difference is that the present Queen would have come to the throne upon the death of her uncle in 1972 instead of 1952 when her father died.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Is Prince William's hair destroying the monarchy?

The monarchy is facing its biggest crisis to date and they're powerless to do anything to prevent it. They didn't see it coming. Who would have thought it could ever happen? It started about five years ago, slowly chipping away at the the very foundation the monarchy prides itself on.

Its good looks.

Everything they hold sacred as the arbiters of style is at risk. Thank goodness for Kate Middleton. Her long, glossy locks will shore up the ranks. But for now the royals are in trouble. A recent poll showed that Britons want Charles as king instead of William. No wonder. Charles has more hair than William. Coincidence? I think not.

Who is ultimately to blame for William's hair? Diana's father, Earl Spencer was balding therefore it must be her fault. She has obviously done more damage to the monarchy than first thought. Luckily Prince Harry inherited genes from his father otherwise there would be no hope left for the monarchy as we know it. Enter the republican movement at stage right.

The media is already asking tough questions on whether Prince William is losing his appeal. Where's a celebrity scandal when you need it? Isn't there a disaster in another country? No, this is just too big an issue. We cannot ignore reality even if the royal family wants us to. If only there was a big event with lots of pagentry to distract us from the inevitable. So we can celebrate while we still have reason to.

On his wedding day, all eyes will be on Prince William. After all, he is the future of the monarchy. Billions of people watching the gradual demise of the royal family. This could get depressing. Let's hope William's uniform comes with a hat.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Note: This article is meant to be satirical. I think Prince William looks perfectly fine. :) Kate Middleton is a lucky woman who obviously loves him and her opinion is the only one that counts in this respect.

Exhibit D: Prince Harry

Exhibit D: Prince Harry

Royal Party Boy Prince Harry

Royal party boy Prince Harry

Question: Will Kate Middleton become Princess Catherine?

When Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz married Prince Michael of Kent, she became Princess Michael of Kent. When Kate Middleton marries Prince William, she will be known as Princess Catherine, not Princess William. Why is this?

When Kate Middleton marries Prince William she will not become Princess Catherine. She may be known as Princess Kate or Princess Catherine but this will not be her formal title. Diana, Princess of Wales was known as Princess Diana but this was not correct.

In calling her Princess William, you are right. Her formal title will be HRH Princess William of Wales. Like Princess Michael, Kate will take her title from her husband. She will not be a princess in her own right - like Princess Beatrice or Princess Anne. She is a princess by virtue of her marriage only. This is the reason that Marie-Christine is known as Princess Michael of Kent and not as Princess Marie-Christine of Kent.

The Queen could take the step of creating Kate a princess in her own right, but it's not likely - never say never though! Should she do this then I presume Marie Christine and Sophie, Prince Edward's wife, would want the same designation as well.

However, if Prince William is granted a dukedom upon his marriage then Kate will be known as HRH Catherine, Duchess of Clarence (or another available dukedom). If Prince William does not receive a dukedom (and there are reports that say he doesn't want one) then Kate will be known as HRH Princess William of Wales. In time, when William becomes king, she will be known as Queen Catherine.

Although this title is correct, Princess William sounds odd to peoples ears, which is probably the reason why people will call her Princess Kate/Catherine. Let's hope he accepts a dukedom!

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

EXCLUSIVE: New Prince Harry

EXCLUSIVE: New Prince Harry

Prince Harry

Prince Harry

Kate & Pippa: Sisters on the Rise

Seven hundred years before, Kate and Pippa Middleton became the focus of rampant media attention, another set of sisters were earning notoriety. When Katherine Swynford began an affair with a royal prince, she became the most infamous woman of the fourteenth century. Meanwhile, her sister, Philippa married the most famous writer of the age and turned him into a man who openly despised marriage.

Born into a semi-noble family in Hainault, the young sisters got their big break when their father secured places for them in the household of Philippa of Hainault, who had become the queen of King Edward III.

Queen Philippa’s was a warm and affectionate mother to her 13 children. Her loving kindness extended to the other youngsters in her care, including the children of noble English families and the little Roët girls, who officially acted as companions to the royal daughters. Katherine and Philippa, who were only about five and six, were probably orphaned about this time, and very reliant on the benevolence of the royal family.

Judging by the gifts they received, both girls seem to have been well-liked and they grew up in a secure environment, surrounded by colorful figures and familiar with the royal princes who were to become the most celebrated knights of the age: Prince Edward and Prince John, better known to history as the Black Prince and the Duke of Lancaster. As sons of the queen, the princes would have known Katherine and Philippa and the two girls might have admired them the way little girls admire boy bands today, but the princes would have been out of their reach: everyone knew that royal youngsters married for political reasons.

So, even if the dashing princes thrilled their little hearts, Katherine and Philippa realized that they could not reach so high above their station. Still, it must have been exciting when the handsome John had a not-so-secret tryst with one of the ladies or when Edward decided to marry his slightly scandalous royal cousin Joan of Kent, a beautiful lady with a bit of a past.

In those days, noble and royal girls were often married as soon as they reached puberty. This seems to be true for the Roët sisters, whose royal guardian provided each of them with husbands who were also in service to the royal family. Katherine married Sir Hugh Swynford, a knight with land in Lincolnshire, while Philippa married a man from a merchant family, a man who is perhaps the most famous Englishman of his day, Geoffrey Chaucer.

Katherine and Hugh set up life together, staying mostly at their house of Kettlethorpe when not called away for royal duties. At about the same time, Katherine was reassigned from the queen’s household to the serve the queen’s newest daughter-in-law, the fabulously rich and beautiful Blanche of Lancaster. The two teenage girls were already very familiar with each other because Blanche also had grown up under the queen’s supervision, but there was a tremendous difference in their stations. Blanche was a descendant of King Henry III and, perhaps more importantly, she and her sister were co-heiresses to the Duchy of Lancaster, by far the wealthiest collection of estates in England. The man who married her would automatically become Duke of Lancaster and the most powerful man in the kingdom after the king and the Prince of Wales.

Fortunately for Blanche, however, she seems to have made a match that defied all of the conventions of the day. Hers was a love match. Of course, that wasn’t the basis of the marriage. Her royal guardians married her to their son, Prince John. That the couple clearly adored each other was just a fringe benefit. They quickly started a family and young Katherine was assigned to act as governess to their daughters. It was a role she would fulfill for more than 20 years.

Katherine and Philippa also started families of their own. Now serving in separate households, they seem to have maintained their closeness over the years and their children were apparently lifelong friends, not only with each other but with the growing brood of Lancastrian children. In fact, Katherine and Philippa, probably with help from their royal patrons, each pledged a daughter to the Barking Abbey, a venue generally reserved for only the highest born ladies.

By the time the sisters were in their early 20s, Katherine’s life had taken a dramatic turn. The beloved Blanche had died from plague leaving more than just her husband grief-stricken. Philippa’s husband, Geoffrey Chaucer, penned his first famous poem, “The Book of the Duchess," in homage to her and in tribute to her mourning husband, John Duke of Lancaster. Despite his sincere grief, as a royal prince, John still had obligations to fulfill and soon was preparing to embark on a second marriage for purely political ends. This time, his heiress wife would bring him something even more alluring than a duchy; this wife would make him King of Castile.

Besides losing her royal lady, Katherine also lost her husband around the same time. Sir Hugh, who had accompanied John of Gaunt to fight the king’s battles on the continent became ill and died. The king and the duke both assured that Katherine and her children would be provided for, as long as she didn’t remarry without their permission.

Then, something unexpected happened: John recovered enough from his grief of losing his first love, Blanche, and fell in love with Katherine. His new wife, Constance of Castile, was truly a political partner, but there was no romance between them. They did their “duty” to produce heirs for the contested throne of Castile—John had to try to wrest back from Constance’s usurping uncle. It soon became scandalously clear that the powerful duke had given his heart to Katherine, who was initially assigned to Constance’s household.

By the time, she began having John’s children, Katherine was back as governess to John’s daughters by Blanche, an arrangement that may have been more agreeable to Constance since her stepdaughters had a separate household from her. With each new child, all surnamed Beaufort after one of John’s French estates, the duke showered Katherine with gifts of land and patrimony that would guarantee them income and wealth even if something should happen to him. Although he was often away serving the English crown in France or fighting to gain the Castilian one in Spain, John seems to have spent as much time as he could with Katherine. Contemporary chroniclers were horrified, calling her the “unspeakable concubine” and a “witch and a whore.”

Through it all, Katherine continued to manage the estates entrusted to her for the benefit of both her Swynford children and her growing Beaufort brood and she maintained her responsibilities as royal governess, earning the trust and admiration of her lover’s children. Having grown up with the royal family, Katherine also seems to have been a favorite with all of the royals—except perhaps her lover’s wife.

During the years of their affair, however, the political situation had become untenable. The Black Prince had died and then the king, leaving John’s young nephew with the crown. Many were concerned that the powerful duke intended to seize control from the young king, others were angry over his taxation policies as a regent, still others did not like his support of religious reformer John Wyclif, and, still others, were vocally opposed to his flagrant infidelity. In 1381, during the Peasants’ Revolt, all of those negative feelings boiled over and the duke was targeted at many of his estates across the country. His servants were attacked and his beautiful Savoy Palace in London was burnt to the ground. He and his family and Katherine survived by fleeing north and going into hiding, but the experience had a profound impact on the deeply religious man. He publicly repented of his sinful relationship with Katherine and was reconciled with his wife.

In the meantime, the Chaucer marriage does not seem to have worked out brilliantly. They were largely living apart, Philippa seems to have moved in with her sister, while Geoffrey bounced in and out of favor as the tides of the Duke of Lancaster rose and fell and rose again. Although apart, it appears that they still maintained some semblance of a marriage since it was he who went twice a year to pick up her royal paycheck. Nevertheless, Geoffrey somewhere picked up a dislike for the married state as evidenced by his writing. After her death sometime in the mid-1380s, he wrote that he would never “fall in the trap of wedding again.”

On the continent, things were not going well for John and Constance. They married one of their daughters to the Portuguese king and, once it became clear that they would never reclaim the Castilian crown, they married their other daughter to the Castilian king’s son. Without the Spanish dream to keep them together, they drifted apart again, and John was in France when Constance died in England in 1394.

John’s true heart quickly re-emerged. Within two years, he petitioned the Pope not only to allow him to marry Katherine but also to legitimize their four grown children. The Pope complied with the powerful duke’s request. Even the king, often at odds with his uncle but deeply fond of Katherine, officially legitimized their children.

Marriage went a long way to redeeming the tattered reputation of such a notorious whore. As the new Duchess of Lancaster, Katherine enjoyed a world of wealth and privilege in a way she never had before. All of her children made advantageous marriages or excellent careers in the church. Most impressively, she and John remained completely devoted to each other until his death in 1399. After he died, the king seized all of his estates which led John and Blanche’s son to overthrow the king and crown himself King Henry III. Through all of the political turmoil, Katherine led a quiet existence. Her Beaufort descendants became stalwart Lancastrians in the ensuing Wars of the Roses. Through them, King Henry VII would claim his place in the House of Lancaster.

Despite all of her infamous notoriety, the greatest tribute to her may be that her stepson, Henry IV, officially referred to her as “the King’s mother.”

For more about Katherine and Philippa:


Also, you may wish to read:

Prince Harry Quiz

You may submit your answers using the comments button or e-mail them to cherylandersonbrown@gmail.com.

The second son of the Prince of Wales and his late wife, Diana, has attracted a lot of media attention throughout his life. Recent headlines include qualifying as an Apache pilot, serving as his brother's best man at the upcoming royal wedding and making a trek to the North Pole for charity. This quiz is designed to find out how much you know about this young man who will likely never be king.

1. What is his full name?

2. What is the name and purpose of the charity he founded with another royal prince and who is his princely partner?

3. Where did he attend university?

4. After the breakdown of his parents' marriage, some people alleged that Prince Charles was not his father. Who did these people claim was his real father?

5. Harry has attracted negative media attention in the past. Identify at least one of the controversies attached to him.

View Answers

Glorious Bastards Answers

Many royals have enjoyed 'a bit of stuff' on the side, sometimes resulting in illegitimate children. Even some of today's royal men have confirmed that they have fathered children out of wedlock. For this quiz, our Royal Experts were asked to answer, "Who's the daddy?"

1. James Duke of Monmouth

Monmouth is the eldest and probably the most famous of King Charles II's numerous illegitimate children. The son of Lucy Walter, he was born in The Netherlands a few months after his father became king. He was well-liked by his father, who gave him several titles and a rich wife. However, when Monmouth and others claimed that his parents had been married and that he therefore was the rightful heir, the king officially proclaimed that he had not married Lucy. After the king's death, the Protestant Monmouth reasserted this claim and led a rebellion against his Catholic uncle King James II, who had him executed. Sarah Duchess of York is one of Monmouth's many descendants.

2. Robert Earl of Gloucester
Another eldest and most famous illegitimate son, Gloucester was the son of Henry II of England. When the sinking of the White Ship left Henry without a legitimate male heir, the popular and powerful Gloucester might have sought the throne for himself--only two generations had expired since another bastard seized the English throne (see below). Instead, he became a diehard supporter of his royal half-sister Empress Matilda in her war against their usurping cousin King Stephen. He died before Matilda's son succeeded Stephen, but Gloucester's granddaughter Isabella later married Matilda's grandson King John, uniting the legitimate and illegitimate lines, but their marriage was later annulled because they were too closely related.

3. Alexandre Coste
Perhaps the most recent royal bastards, Alexandre is the seven-year-old son of the reigning Prince Albert II of Monaco, who has also acknowledged that he is the natural father of an American teenager named Jazmin Grimaldi. Alexandre's lives on a French estate provided by his father for him and his mother, Nicole Coste a Togolese airline hostess. With Albert planning to marry Charlene Wittstock this summer, he may have legitimate children to succeed him. If not, he has the option of adopting Alexandre or Jazmin and making them his heir; a solution adopted by his great-grandfather, Prince Louis II whose only child was illegitimate. This is unlikely, however, as Albert has confirmed his sister Princess Caroline and her children as his heirs if he has no legitimate children.

4. Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond
Richmond was living proof that King Henry VIII was capable of fathering boys, which perhaps helped seal the fate of his many son-less wives. Born not long after his royal half-sister Mary, the future Bloody Mary, the boy was acknowledged by the king: not only does his surname mean "king's son" but his title Duke of Richmond was derived from the family of the king's father, Henry VII. After Henry's second wife failed to have a son, Parliament was preparing an act that could have lead to making Richmond the king's royal heir. However, the 17-year-old boy became ill and died that same summer. A year later, Henry's third wife finally gave him a legitimate son, Edward VI, who outlived his royal father but who, like his bastard half-brother, died as a teenager.

5. William the Conqueror

In an age when might equalled right, William the Conqueror, did not let his bastardy stand in his way. As a child, William the Bastard, as he was known during his lifetime, was selected to succeed his father Robert as Duke of Normandy. Supported by powerful lords, he was able to maintain this position into adulthood. Later, he convinced the childless English king to name him his heir and then used his military prowess to defeat the English earl, Harold Godwinson, whom the king named heir upon his deathbed. In less than a year, William had firmly established himself as King of England. His legacy lives on in the daily life of today's royal family for it was William who first constructed Windsor Castle nearly a millenium ago.

6. The Fitzclarences
Before becoming the "Sailor King", William IV was the very virile Duke of Clarence, who showed great loyalty to one woman, actress Dorothy Jordan. They lived together for more than 20 years and produced 10 children, all of whom lived to adulthood. By the time, William made a royal marriage, Dorothy had died, but his royal wife accepted the lively Fitzclarences, even though she had no living children of her own. The oldest Fitzclarence was made Earl of Munster, a title that passed down through six generations until the 7th Earl died without male heirs in 2000.

7. Enrique II of Castile
Better known as Henry of Trastamara, Enrique was the son of Alfonso XI. He seized the throne from his royal half-brother, Pedro the Cruel, and had him beheaded. He spent much of his reign fighting John Duke of Lancaster who married Pedro's daughter Constance and claimed the Castilian throne through her. When they couldn't beat Enrique, John and Constance married their daughter to his son. Both the royal lines of Aragon and Castile were descended from Enrique. Although his brother was called "The Cruel," it was actually Henry who started the official policy of persecuting Jews that evolved into The Inquisition.

8. William Longespee

An acknowledged son of King Henry II of England. When Henry's royal sons rebelled against him, Longespee remained loyal and was the only one of his numerous children to be with him when he died. Nevertheless, he continued his loyal service to the throne, first to his half-brother Richard the Lionheart who married him to the Countess of Salisbury and later to another half-brother King John, who faced many baronial revolts. Longespee finally broke ranks with John after Magna Carta but again supported the throne when John's son succeeded him as Henry III.

9. Gustav Gustavsson
As the natural son King Gustav Adolphus of Sweden, he was ennobled with the surname af Vasaborg. Much like Robert Earl of Gloucester, Gustav was a royal bastard who supported his royal half-sister. Unlike Gloucester, however, Gustav didn't have to fight for Queen Christina to maintain her throne (although she later gave it up). In recognition of his loyal service, she made him Count of Nystad and later named him Governor of Estonia. Gustav married and had children.

10. The Beauforts
Soon after John Duke of Lancaster married Constance of Castile (see above), he began an affair with one of the noblewomen who had served in the household of his mother and of his first wife Blanche. Katherine Swynford was the widowed sister-in-law of Geoffrey Chaucer, but it was her affair with John that made her notorious. She was labeled a great whore, but the relationship seems to have been a great love match. Four of their children lived to adulthood and were always acknowledged, not only by their father, but by the entire royal family, including their royal half-siblings. Given the surname Beaufort after one of their father's French holdings, they were initially barred from royal inheritances. After Constance died, however, their parents married and first the pope and then the king legitimized them in their adulthood. When their royal half-brother seized the throne as Henry IV, they supported him. Their descendants were loyal Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses and it was through one of ther granddaughters, Margaret Beaufort, that her son, the future Henry VII claimed royal descent although he claimed the throne by right of conquest and married a daughter of the House of York. So the Beauforts helped start the wars and helped end them.

Prince Harry Photo Pic

Prince Harry photo pic

The Royal Report for Sunday March 27, 2011 - Can Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage be successful?

With the well documented marital history of the House of Windsor, does Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage have a chance of being successful?

Also on this episode: Did a Walmart cashier actually come up with the topic for this episode? Do Britons actually want Charles to be king instead of William? Will Kate bring down the monarchy if she doesn't vow to obey William?

Find out on this episode:

Does Prince William & Kate Middleton's marriage have a chance of being successful?

Publications discussed:

Hello! Canada Weekly No 211 28 March 2011 - Hottest Royal Bachelors Issue

Vanity Fair - April 2011 - Meet the Parents by Katie Nicholl

From My Royal Collection

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke & Duchess of York by Christopher Warwick and Valerie Garner

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 3, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: A look at Royal Marriages that have lasted an endured

 © Marilyn Braun 2011

Prince Harry Plays In USA

Prince Harry plays in USA

Will someone please think of the royal cherubs?

I probably shouldn't say this. Reading anti-royal wedding articles makes my blood boil. But today I realized that I have a choice not to read them. Easy right? You'd think the people complaining about the wedding would stop reading the coverage too. They, like myself have an excuse to continue torturing ourselves. In my case it's motivated by milking  writing timely articles about the royal wedding.

But then, like the naysayers, I've also thought. Why should I stop reading? We want to continue being martyrs so we can complain about it, then that's our prerogative. It's unfortunate that some of the naysayers have larger forums than I do to complain, but I feel that I should do my part to defend the honor of those who DO care about the royal wedding.

Think about it. Every time a naysayer justifies their disinterest, an innocent royal cherub cancels their Royalty/Majesty/Hello! magazine subscription. No doubt they feel alone, misunderstood, maybe they've never told a soul about their interest in the royal family. Makes you want to cry doesn't it? They may start to hide their collection of royal wedding books. Ultimately they may resort to heading out under cover of darkness to buy the latest royal wedding commemorative book-a-zine. Tragic.

So precious royal cherubs of all ages. You are not alone in your interest in the royal wedding. Despite what the polls say, there are others who want to watch it too. The naysayers may complain louder but they're probably protesting too much for their own good. Deep down inside, behind all the grumpy negativity, there's a royal cherub waiting to come out. When they do, make sure you give them a hug to welcome them to the dark side. Maybe buy them a tacky souvenir. If anyone deserves it, it's them.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Prince Harry Definitely

prince harry definitely

Royal Review: The Royal Wedding For Dummies

Reading Tweets related to the release of The Royal Wedding For Dummies you'll discover the following:

'Really, REALLY?'

'For REAL?'

'The DO have a 'for dummies' for everything, don't they?'

'Explains a lot about the person who bought it'

Ouch! If only I'd seen this tweet before I ordered the book. But then again I wouldn't be reviewing it for you, now would I?

Continue scoffing in 140 characters as much as you like. An open mind is a horrible thing to waste. I personally love Dummies guides - and I'm not ashamed to admit it. They're fun, informative and they take on subjects with humor without being condescending. I even own the Dummies and Idiots guides to the British Monarchy. Personally, I don't recommend the Idiots guide, it's a bit too low-brow for my tastes.

Back to this book. While reading, I asked myself, What isn't The Royal Wedding for Dummies? Obviously it's about the royal wedding but you can find lots of other useful information between its covers. For instance, you can use it as a party-planner, a cookbook, a travel agent, a London tour guide, and a friend scouting out prime locations to watch the wedding procession. It includes invaluable etiquette and housekeeping tips. The book includes a fabulous list of helpful websites and it is educational to boot! Not only that, it's about a subject dear to my heart - British royalty. That alone sold me on it.

A good thing about this book, like any of the Dummies guides, is you can read the parts you're interested in. My only criticism would be that as it's about Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, it will lose its timeliness once the event is over. Though you could apply the tips on London, the recipes and continue using the quiz questions, it just isn't the same. Don't let that deter you though. When the next royal wedding occurs, you'll be primed and ready, with party fare fit for a king...err..well...the spare anyways.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Royal cocktails, anyone?

Prince William and Kate Middleton's upcoming wedding has given many people a reason to mark the occasion in their own way. One way to celebrate is to throw a royal wedding themed party. And what is a party without cocktails?

Event Expert Colin Cowie has created a signature cocktail called the Regal CV. Doesn't it taste better when someone famous comes up with it?

According to the press release for it:

The Regal CV Cocktail is characterized by elegance and simplicity and is truly fit for toasting the future king and queen of England on their wedding day!

Sounds yummy, right? See? This blog is not only informative, it can make you thirsty too.

So now you're wondering, Marilyn, how do I make this delicious concoction to impress my friends? I'm glad you asked!

You will need;

2 oz Chambord Flavored Vodka
¾ oz simple syrup
3 slices of cucumber (skin on)
3 fresh raspberries
½ oz fresh lemon juice

Muddle the raspberries, cucumber, and simple syrup. Add to a shaker with lemon juice and Chambord Flavored Vodka. Add ice and shake vigorously. Double stain into a martini glass or a large coupe glass and garnish.

Garnish option 1: Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a fresh raspberry.

Garnish option 2: Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Serve to friends with a faux British accent and the best plastic tiara you can find.

If you make the cocktail, let me know how it turns out!

Thanks to Melissa Tavss from The Baddish Group for the heads up.

For more information on Chambord Flavored Vodka visit: http://www.chambordoline.com/

Royal Review: Royal Wedding Commemorative Issues

What is it about significant occasions that inspires commemorative issues? A genuine desire to share good news? Making money off of our interest in good news? Who knows? Unsurprisingly, the engagement of William and Kate has led to competition to release a commemorative issue marking the occasion. But there is a misnomer in each of these 'royal wedding' commemorative; their wedding has yet to take place. It would then be more accurate to say that these book-a-zines (neither book nor magazine) mark the couple's engagement instead. Though each of them use the same photography and cover all of the bases in documenting their courtship, some of them are better than others. Which one(s) do you add to your collection? Which one(s) are worthy of your hard earned dollars? Let's take a look.

LIFE The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

112 Pages

When it comes to putting together commemorative issues, LIFE does them rather well. There is a certain quality inherent in the brand and this one is no exception. At 112 pages, it is the longest of the issues and the most beautifully done. There is no sensationalism and minimal comparisons of Diana and Kate. The focus is on the couple. As it should be. It delves into the history of the Windsor's, touching on the scandals and Prince William's life without becoming maudlin or going overboard. In Kate's biography, it does not elevate her to Cinderella status in the Middleton family history. This issue includes some charming and rare photographs of Kate as a child and a nice section on royal weddings of the past.

USA Today a Royal Wedding Special Commemorative Edition (Catherine Middleton and Prince William)
 97 pages 

From the moment I read the sentence 'William gave Kate his mother's ruby and diamond encrusted engagement ring' my opinion of this magazine went downhill. A compilation of USA Today articles by various journalists, this may explain the discrepancy in one article referring to the ring as a ruby and others correctly as a sapphire. Unlike the others, on the cover it correctly refers to Kate as Catherine.This was obviously compiled right after the engagement announcement because they had no details about the location of the wedding or the date. Because of this it feels incomplete.

From the Editors of Us - Will & Kate - The Royal wedding
84 pages

Similar to LIFE, the editors of Us have put together a quality issue that is meant to last, right down to using the same cover photograph. That is where the comparisons end. The focus here is on the trappings of royalty and the glamour: fabulous vacations, nights on the town, polo, Kate's fashions, royal residences, wedding secrets and wedding dress sketches from designers who don't have a shot at it. Also included a 12 page obligatory nod to Charles and Diana's wedding. Including a pull-out of Diana arriving at St Paul's as her train is unfurled. Maybe Part 2 - set to be released on May 6 - will be more interesting.

Daily Mirror Magazine (Will And Kate -A Royal love Story)
83 pages

One of the appeals of this issue is that it charts the couple from their earliest public appearances through Mirror headlines. If anything, the sensational headlines give an idea of the interest and frenzy surrounding their courtship, which is something the other issues don't do. This issue is mainly comprised of photographs, with facts about Kate and a 2003 interview from William to mark his 21st birthday. Otherwise there is little substance.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Kate Middleton's First Baby

Along with learning royal protocol, taking on public duties and finding her way around a variety of palatial royal homes, Kate Middleton has one more task that she will certainly be under a lot of pressure to fulfill. She will be expected to be “fruitful and multiply.” This is one area where living up to comparisons to her late mother-in-law, Diana Princess of Wales, is likely to be challenging: Diana gave birth to Prince William less than 11 months after her wedding.

More recent royal brides don’t produce so quickly. This may be partly by personal choice indicating a desire common among modern women to focus on the marital relationship or the career change (“princesshood”) before jumping into the additional responsibilities of motherhood. Or, it may be due to natural selection. Today’s royal ladies are much older than Diana at marriage and the older a woman is, on average, the more difficult it may be for her to conceive naturally. According to researchers at the University of Edinburgh and at Kate’s alma mater, the University of St. Andrews, only 25% of women her age get pregnant within the first year of “trying” and 9% still don’t get pregnant within four years.

Among recent royal brides, Crown Princess Masako of Japan has had the most challenging fertility issues. She was the same age as Kate, 29, when she married Crown Prince Naruhito in 1993. Under extreme pressure to produce a male heir, she suffered one publicly announced miscarriage in 1999 and finally gave birth to her only child, Princess Aiko, eight and a half years after the wedding. Since women are not able to ascend the Japanese throne, Masako’s personal struggles were also the topic of much public debate that was only resolved when her husband’s sister-in-law Princess Kiko gave birth to a son in 2006, nearly 12 years after having the last of her two daughters. Little Prince Hisahito’s was delivered prematurely by caesarean section because Kiko suffered from placenta praevia, a life-threatening complication that is more prevalent among mothers under 20 or over 30.

Masako’s fertility struggles almost certainly contributed to her ongoing mental/emotional health problems, which have been officially described as deriving from an adjustment disorder. Since shortly after Aiko’s birth, she has remained largely out of the limelight indicating that whatever emotional disturbance she is suffering may have been directly aggravated by postpartum depression and/or the imperial disappointment in the birth of a daughter. In 2007, she may have been further stressed by the publication of an unauthorized biography that allegedly laid bare her troubles and asserted that she had used in vitro fertilization to conceive Aiko. The Imperial Household issued a public letter denouncing the book but did not deny any of its assertions. Interestingly, it is entirely possible that Princess Kiko may also have used some sort of reproductive assistance to have Hisahito. Now 47, Masako is extremely unlikely to have any more children.

Closer to home, Sophie Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince William’s uncle Prince Edward also struggled with fertility. Thirty-four at the time of her wedding, Sophie suffered an ectopic pregnancy which was terminated in order to save her life. Four and a half years into the marriage, Sophie was in her third trimester when she had a placental abruption, another life-threatening risk for older mothers. Her daughter, The Lady Louise Windsor, was delivered by caesarean and the baby was quickly transferred to a special neonatal hospital for two weeks. Sophie also spent an extended period in the hospital and was unable to see her baby during that time. The suddenness of the premature, emergency delivery also meant that Edward was not at the birth. It was another four years until the birth of their second child, also by caesarean.

Fortunately, the future queens in Europe have not had such heart-breaking fertility problems. However, the constant baby bump watch currently being endured by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, who married just nine months ago, demonstrates that the media and public still expect pregnancies immediately after a royal wedding.

Here is a rundown of the current crown princesses and their pregnancies:

- Mary Crown Princess of Denmark was 32 when she married. The first of her four children was born 17 months later.

- Letizia The Princess of the Asturias was 32 when she married. The first of her two children was born 17 months later.

- Princess Mathilde The Duchess of Brabant was 26 when she married. The first of her four children was born 22 months later.

- Maxima The Princess of Orange was 30 when she married. The first of her three children was born 22 months later.

- Mette-Marit Crown Princess of Norway was 28 when she married. The first of her two royal children was born 29 months later. She had another child from a previous relationship when she was 23.

- Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden married shortly before her 33rd birthday. Now nine months into the marriage, no pregnancy has been announced.

So, if these royal contemporaries are any indication, it is likely that William and Kate would not be welcoming a little one until 2013 or later. Hopefully, if Kate and William do have problems conceiving, the media and the public will be sympathetic and supportive and Kate won’t suffer anything like the anxiety still being experienced by Masako

Glorious Bastards

Many royals have enjoyed 'a bit of stuff' on the side, sometimes resulting in illegitimate children. Even some of today's royal men have confirmed that they have fathered children out of wedlock. For this quiz, identify the royal father of the following people. Submit your answers via the comments button or e-mail them to cherylandersonbrown@gmail.com

1. James Duke of Monmouth

2. Robert Earl of Gloucester

3. Alexandre Coste

4. Henry Fitzroy Duke of Richmond

5. William the Conqueror

6. The Fitzclarences

7. Enrique II of Castile

8. William Longespee

9. Gustav Gustavsson

10. The Beauforts

View answers

British Royal Wedding Answers

Thanks to Certified Royal Expert, Robyn H., for writing this quiz!

1. This special and rare material has been included in royal wedding rings since 1923, and William and Kate may likely follow in the tradition. What is this material?
The material is Welsh gold, which has come from the Clogau and Gwynfynydd gold mines. (Since this is Welsh, spelling does not count.)

2. Since the Royal Family has been mum so far on what royal peerage William will receive (if any), many different ideas on what his new bride will be called have all been batted around. Why are the following title suggestions incorrect?
a. Princess Catherine of Wales Kate will not hold the title of Princess in her own right, and therefore cannot put the title before her first name.
b. Catherine, Princess of Wales First of all, William is not The Prince of Wales yet, and therefore Kate cannot be "Princess of Wales." Secondly, this is the form of title used for women who have divorced their titled husbands. Notable women with this style and title are Diana, Princess of Wales and Sarah, Duchess of York. So Kate could only be "Catherine, Princess of Wales" if she divorced William after Charles had become King and invested William as The Prince of Wales. For the record, Kate's official title will be Princess William of Wales unless the Queen gives William another title (Duke/Earl of Someplace), in which case she'll be Duchess or Countess of Someplace.

3. Kate's engagement has thrown her family into the spotlight, especially her younger sister Pippa, who will be maid of honor. Apart from best man Prince Harry, just who are these people in the wedding party?
Bridesmaids:
a. The Lady Louise Windsor - daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and thus William's cousin
b. The Honourable Margarita Armstrong-Jones - daughter of the Queen's nephew Viscount Linley, and thus William's second cousin
c. Grace van Cutsem - William's goddaughter
d. Eliza Lopes - Camilla's granddaughter

Page boys:
e. Billy Lowther-Pinkerton - son of William's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
f. Tom Pettifer - William's godson

4. Part of the royal hullabaloo surrounding the wedding have been calls for William to pass over his father and succeed his grandmother as King. Apart from nullifying the work of a man who has trained to rule for nearly his entire life, why will this not happen?
Simply because the British constitution does not allow it. The Queen does not have the power to choose who inherits the throne (nor do the British people, for that matter). The only ways that William could skip over Charles would be if Charles were to predecease both William and the Queen, marry a Roman Catholic, or abdicate. Furthermore, under the Statute of Westminster 1931, changes to the Constitution regarding succession (e.g., allowing eldest children to succeed, regardless of gender) require the consent of every nation in the Commonwealth.

5. Where are the official sources to get British Royal Wedding information?
Information (such as it is; with six weeks to go, many of the details are still under wraps) can be obtained by following The Prince of Wales' official Twitter account (@ClarenceHouse) or by visiting the official British Royal Wedding website.

The Royal Report for Sunday March 20th, 2011 - Royal Focus: Buckingham Palace

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, Buckingham Palace is the Queen's official London residence. Did you know that the palace has 775 rooms? Or that it has its own cinema, post office and chapel? Come behind the gates and learn more about Buckingham palace on this episode.

You can listen to the episode here:

Royal Focus: Buckingham Palace

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 210 21 March 2011

Website mentioned

The Official site for The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

From My Royal Collection

Buckingham Palace The Palace And Its Royal Residents In Photgraphs

Resources used to research this episode

The Official Website of the British Monarchy - Royal Residences - Buckingham Palace

The Royal Encyclopedia

Buckingham Palace: The Place and the People

Inside Buckingham Palace/the Private World of the Royal Family

Crown and Country: A Personal Guide to Royal London

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 27, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: With the well documented marital history of the House of Windsor, does Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage stand a chance of being successful?

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Take these royal wedding souvenirs and....

Royal Weddings and souvenirs. They go hand in hand. It seems you can't have one without the other. I'm not referring to the Charles and Diana wedding or Edward VIII's Coronation-that-never-was commemorative. No, I'm referring to items to mark Prince William and Kate Middleton's upcoming wedding on April 29th, 2011. What? You haven't marked your calendars yet?

Buying royal wedding souvenirs is like signing a book of condolence. It's a way to feel involved in the occasion without actually being involved. And there's nothing like an official, overpriced tankard that declares to those around you: 'I intend to get up at some unholy hour to watch the wedding'. You've made a commitment that your relatives might question. But the tankard means you're serious. It is now your ticket to a good seat in front of the TV.

If you choose not to buy an official item, it's understandable. They're expensive and the selection is not as great.  Non-official items are coming out of the woodwork as William and Kate's love inspires people to celebrate it in a variety of tacky ways. Would William and Kate approve royal wedding condoms? Luckily someone else did that. You may not need Royal Wedding sick bags but your neighbor might. How about a mug with Prince Harry and Catherine Middleton instead? Indeed, there's something for everyone. To find the more creative items, you only have to look in the right place. I'll bet you thought I was kidding, right?

It's unfortunate that some collect these items in the hope that they will increase in value. In reality, it's unlikely. On a future episode of The Antiques Road Show, these tasteless relics may garner nothing more than a curiosity about the generation that bought them.

Right now we should wonder the same thing.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

William & Kate: Bad wedding gifts are a rite of passage

After a few months of speculation, William and Kate have now confirmed that in lieu of wedding gifts they would like donations to be made to charities of their choice through a special website. Which is all wonderful and good. But for those of us who like receiving gifts, extremely insufferable at the same time.

10 years ago a friend of mine was planning a housewarming party of sorts for me. I suggested that instead of receiving any gifts for my new home, like candles, picture frames or oven mitts, that guests could bring an item to donate to a food bank (yes, though I like gifts I can also be altruistic too). Though she liked idea she replied: 'let your friends be your friends.' Meaning, let them give the way they want to give. So I received said candles and picture frames and oven mitts with gratitude.

Setting up a website for donations to charity solves the problem of 'what do you give to the couple who have everything?' William and Kate are in a unique position in that if they don't already own an item - like a blender - they can afford to buy it. This could possibly be a pre-emptive strike against those who would criticize them when there are so many less fortunate without a blender of their own.  And let's face it, those are the types of gifts that people give, whether it's practical or not. In 1947 Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) received a sewing machine as a wedding gift. An thoughtful item which she would have had no use for personally. But isn't it the thought that counts?

Giving money is easy and it requires no thought. Despite the good intentions behind the request, money is impersonal. Allow people to express their goodwill in their own way. Even if it means receiving a thousand tea cozies. They make great wedding gifts for others.

So if Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden wants to re-gift that bread maker she received as a wedding gift from you? Accept it with gratitude.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Are Prince William & Kate Middleton doomed?

Today, as I was buying yet another commemorative royal wedding issue, the clerk looked at William and Kate on the cover and asked, "how long do you think they'll last?"

She couldn't have been more than 19 years old. A mere babe when the War of the Wales' was at its height and possibly too young to understand the impact of Diana's death a few years later. But then I realized something. If a Walmart cashier can be so cynical, then what chance does William and Kate's marriage have if we're all timing when it will end?

William and Kate's relationship is no great love story for the ages. There was no public moments of being swept away, no fantasy, no star-crossed longing. Just a compatible couple taking a pragmatic approach towards the future.  This is not the stuff that fairy tales are made of. And no amount of commemorative issues about their 'love story' changes that.

Despite their inherent idealism, happy endings are boring. They elicit envy and jealousy that warrant tearing them apart to see if they're genuine. If it isn't, then so much better. Drama is entertaining when it doesn't belong to us. Would you watch a reality show where everyone got along?

So go ahead, set your timers. My money is on their marriage lasting.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

If Kate Middleton is the future of the monarchy, why are we so focused on the past?

Ah yet another article putting pressure on Kate to be the perfect future princess. It's easy to see why she would be considered to be the last great hope for the royal family. Her youth, photogenic face, style and newness are all assets that the family sorely lacks.

The family may have bona fide royal princesses like Beatrice and Eugenie. They may have Zara Philips with her eclectic style. But Kate is different, unlike them she is destined to be a future Queen. Despite their royal blood, they will move down the royal food chain the moment Kate officially becomes Catherine.

Can Kate save the monarchy? Can she produce photogenic children who do not stir up trouble? Can she and William have a happy marriage? Unless we try to predict it now, we'll find out in the decades to come.

In the meantime, all we have is the past to compare the present to. Keeping an open mind and allowing Kate to make mistakes will be unheard of. The royal marriage scorecard has too many blotches on it. And we can't forget that, now can we?

We invested hope in Diana and Fergie because they were expected to save the monarchy too. They experienced the same pressures of living up to our collective expectations. Looking at them and what they went through, will Kate let us down too? She may be a completely different person but the untenable position we'll put her in will be the same.

Kate is not taking a different road from her predecessors because that would be uncomfortable for us. Heaven forbid we give her the chance. Kate may be the future of the monarchy but with each step forward she will be expected to heal the wounds of the past.

Going forward we wouldn't want it any other way.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

British Royal Wedding Quiz

If you want to try this quiz, written by Robyn E.C.R.E., you can use the comments button to submit your answers or e-mail them to cherylandersonbrown@gmail.com.


As the days count down to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, it seems like everybody and their brother is offering some sort of news update. However, while the most basic information is widely available (Westminster Abbey, April 29th, and so on), a lot of the correct royal details seem to be hidden amongst rampant speculation and rumors. Certified Royal Experts can fill in where these professionals are missing the mark.

1. This special and rare material has been included in royal wedding rings since 1923, and William and Kate may likely follow in the tradition. What is this material?

2. Since the Royal Family has been mum so far on what royal peerage William will receive (if any), many different ideas on what his new bride will be called have all been batted around. Why are the following title suggestions incorrect?
a. Princess Catherine of Wales
b. Catherine, Princess of Wales

3. Kate's engagement has thrown her family into the spotlight, especially her younger sister Pippa, who will be maid of honor. Apart from best man Prince Harry, just who are these people in the wedding party?

Bridesmaids:
a. The Lady Louise Windsor
b. The Honourable Margarita Armstrong-Jones
c. Grace van Cutsem
d. Eliza Lopes

Page boys:
e. Billy Lowther-Pinkerton
f. Tom Pettifer

4. Part of the royal hullabaloo surrounding the wedding have been calls for William to pass over his father and succeed his grandmother as King. Apart from nullifying the work of a man who has trained to rule for nearly his entire life, why will this not happen?

5. Where are the official sources to get British Royal Wedding information?

View the answers.

British Royal Residences Answers

1. Which of the Queen's homes was built by her great-great grandfather to remind him of his homeland?

The Queen's home in Scotland, Balmoral Castle, was built by Prince Albert, German-born consort of Queen Victoria. The couple visited Scotland shortly after their marriage and decided that they wanted to make a home there. However, they preferred to find something more rural than the existing royal Scottish palaces. When they purchased the Balmoral Estate near Aberdeen, Prince Albert oversaw the design and construction of new castle there, drawing upon his boyhood home, Schloss Rosenau in Coburg, for inspiration. Balmoral is a private home and is owned directly by the Queen. The royal family usually spends its summer holiday there, hunting and fishing. Victoria and Albert also bought the neighboring estate of Birkhall, which eventually became the home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and is now used by the Prince of Wales.

2. Which of the Queen's homes was actually known as "The Queen's House"?
King George III purchased a London home for his bride, Queen Charlotte, from the Duke of Buckingham. Initially a private home for the Queen, it did not become the monarch's official royal residence in London until 75 years later when their granddaughter Queen Victoria ascended the throne. Before that, the official residence was St. James's Palace (and today, ambassadors are still appointed to the "Court of St. James.") Buckingham Palace is part of the Crown Estate and is held in trust by the reigning monarch. The palace has been greatly expanded over the years and it was bombed during World War II while the King and Queen were in residence. Currently, it is the official home of the Queen, Prince Philip, and Prince Edward and his family. Since 1993, Buckingham Palace has been open to the public during the late summer, while the Queen is at Balmoral in Scotland.

Another former royal residence was also called The Queen's House. Located in Greenwich and built by the famous architect Inigo Jones by James I for his wife Anne of Denmark, it was not completed before her death. Construction halted for a decade until Charles I decided to complete it for his wife Henrietta Maria of France. For the last two centuries, it has not been used as a royal residence. Today, it is used as a museum and for special events.

3. Which royal residence did the last Prince of Wales call "The Aunt Heap"?
Asthmatic King William III purchased Kensington Palace four centuries ago to get away from the coal fire smoke in London. Since the mid-18th century, the palace has been divided into used by members of the extended royal family, loyal retainers, and others selected by the monarch. It was the childhood home of the future Queen Victoria. In recent decades, it was the home of Princess Margaret, Princess Alice, and Diana Princess of Wales. It still houses the Queen's cousins, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of Gloucester, and Prince Michael of Kent and their families. The other side of the palace is open for tours and you can even use some of the spaces for your own special event.

4. As one of his first acts as king, Edward VIII re-set the clocks at which royal home?

Another private home of the Queen, the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk was purchased by Queen Victoria for use as a country house by her heir, the future King Edward VII. An avid hunter, Edward ordered all of the clocks set half an hour later to make the daylight last longer for the hunters. It continued into the reign of George V, but was abolished by Edward VIII. Today, the royal family spends New Year's at Sandringham and the Queen remains in residence there until February. The house is open to the public from April to October. On another note, Diana Princess of Wales was born in Park House on the Sandringham Estate; her father was an equerry to the Queen.

5. Many royal homes have stained glass, but only one has windows depicting fire fighters. Which is it?

Following a fire that destroyed several important areas of Windsor Castle, a massive restoration was undertaken. As a thank you to the fire brigades who helped save the ancient structure, a stained glass window representing them was installed. Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence still in use by the Queen. Its first edifice was built by William the Conqueror a millenium ago. The Queen grew up at Windsor, first at Royal Lodge (now the home of The Duke of York and his daughters) before her father's accession and then in the castle itself during World War II. She has continued to use Windsor as her weekend home throughout her reign. In 1917, King George V derived his family's new surname from the castle, and it is really considered a family home by the royals and both Prince Charles and Prince Edward were married nearby. Nevertheless, Windsor Castle is also open to the public.

BONUS: Which is your favorite royal residence and why?

Elizabeth Loman: "Honestly, my favourite Royal Residence is Windsor Castle because of the history associated with it. WC is the oldest occupied Castle in the world. It was built by our "first" Monarch William the Conquerer & now nearly 50 rulers later its still relevant. Also, Windsor Castle seems to be much more of a "home" than other Royal Residences. Buckingham Palace is for business. Sandringham and Balmoral are for holidays. The Queen & Prince Philip are at WC nearly every weekend while in London."

Yvonne Strong: "Windsor Castle. That building just incorporates and radiates history. It seems like the solid beating heart of England."

Robyn H.: "Actually, my favorite royal residence is the Tower of London. It comes from my love of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, since that is where they died are are buried. Of the currently-occupied residences, Buckingham Palace is my favorite - it's so beautiful, and to me, it's one of the locations that just *is* London to me."

Marlene Koenig Eilers: "Favorite royal castle …two, actually … Hampton Court and Leeds Castle, built by Edward I, and with great connections to Alexandria and Fairfax county."

Christina Croft: "My favourite royal residence is Osborne House which is, to me, the most beautiful place on earth! It encapsulates beautiful Prince Albert’s character so perfectly. It is a real family home – the children’s little gardens around the Swiss Cottage, the toy fort and the bathing machine; the nurseries and Vicky and Bertie’s childhood museum - and it also captures Prince Albert’s sense of the aesthetic. The view across the Solent reminded him of the Bay of Naples, and so the house is built in a beautiful Italianate style. The corridors are filled with the most beautiful works of art (including the erotic images and statues that he and Queen Victoria often sent to each other as gifts) and the gardens also house tombstones and statues of beloved animals. I don’t know anywhere else on earth quite like Osborne. No wonder Queen Victoria loved it so much when it is the very epitome of the heart of ‘beloved Albert’. Even though QV died there, it isn’t a gloomy place at all – on the contrary, it feels alive and vibrant and filled with happy memories and happy children."

Cheryl Anderson Brown: "I would have to say Windsor Castle because it the most historic, it is architecturally magnificent, and, despite being so ancient and so grand, at the very heart of it, it really is a home."

Anonymous: "My favourite royal residence is probably Balmoral Castle. My family comes from Aberdeenshire, which Balmoral is in. Once when I visited Balmoral with my grandmother, she started crying because they were playing a piano piece her mother used to sing to her. The castle is completely lovely, what with the beautiful gardens and the incredible masonry."

The Royal Wedding Report for Sunday March 13, 2011

Which royal could become the next star in a reasonably priced car? Should Kate get a nose job? Want to join the royal wedding tat army?

Find out on this episode:

The Royal Wedding Report - March edition

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada Weekly No 209 14 March 2011

Entertainment Weekly #1144 March 4, 2011

Majesty Magazine Vol 32 No 2

People Magazine March 7, 2011

From My Royal Collection

Making of a Queen by Linda Doeser

Television show mentioned

Top Gear UK

Blogs and Websites mentioned

Royal Wedding Tat

The Alternative Royal Wedding Invite

Million Wishes Wedding

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 20, 2011 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Royal Focus: Buckingham Palace

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Kate Middleton, say goodbye to your self-image

It was inevitable. Since the engagement Kate Middleton's self-image has become fair game for the public.

Regardless of how much pride she takes in it, her self-image may become extinct now that she's about to become a public figure.  It takes a strong woman to hang on to it. In the face of ruthless criticism about her appearance, it would be understandable if she forgoed her instincts and started playing to the crowds. How to please them otherwise?

Case in point. Recent appearances have led to concerns about her weight and how much thinner she's become. In the run-up to the wedding she can't be blamed for wanting to look her best in front of a billion people. But now she's too thin and we've all become Jewish mothers, at the ready to nag her about it. But let her gain a pound after the wedding and we'll all become diet experts tut-tutting about how she's letting herself go. Or maybe she'll be pregnant and we'll move on to her maintaining a healthy weight until the Royal babe arrives. She'll then be expected to look model thin as she departs the hospital. Woe betide her if she isn't.

A few weeks back, Liz Jones from the Daily Mail wrote an article which dissected Kate from head to toe. Some agreed with her assessment, some didn't. If she turned that intense spotlight on your appearance, would you be able to withstand it? I know I wouldn't.

The obsessive focus on Diana's appearance should act as a parable and a warning of what can happen to a woman in the public eye. Yet despite her eating disorder (or maybe even because of it) Diana was seen as a fashion icon. Her self image became wrapped up in attempting to exceed our expectations of her. Like Diana, Kate will be expected to be the perfect image of a princess, wife, mother and future queen. Dressing the part but not letting on about the reality of being the new royal superstar.

At 29 Kate is older and wiser than Diana when she married into the royal family. Many people see this as an advantage but with the enormous scrutiny her role brings, if Kate hangs on to her self-image it will be a miracle. Unfortunately it won't be because of us.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Why being a royal wedding naysayer might be good for your health

As I wrote a few days ago in my scintillating article 7 Reasons Why I don't care about people who don't care about the royal wedding, I shared my reasons for not caring. I still don't care but who am I to lose an opportunity for blog material? Like them, I felt compelled to offer my unsolicited opinion.

But then I realized the naysayers might actually be on to something.

Like them, I find writing about my feelings to be cathartic. There's nothing as satisfying as getting your viewpoint out there. Some try to do it with a touch of humor and some do it out of anger. It's healthy to get those feelings out, and wonderfully safe to do when hiding behind a pseudonym.

In the face of good news they swim against the current. And it takes guts to do this. The naysayers march to their own drummer until they find a band to join them. Railing against the positive they let their true feelings be known. And good for them! A difference of opinion is what makes the world go round. Even if it brings other people down. Weddings and Baby showers must be fun for them.

They may not care about the royal wedding but instead of turning the dial, they justify why they won't. Continuing to watch, read and comment on something that irritates them. They're obviously not quitters and stand by their principles. Even so, despite claims to the contrary,  they too will be watching the wedding. Because even if there are more important things to focus on there is no escaping the coverage. And why should they run and hide? It's good to know what's going on in the world. How else will they make informed comments about why they don't like Kate's wedding dress?

The naysayers live their truth. If anyone deserves a medal, it's them.

© Marilyn Braun 2011

Royal Review: Royal Wedding Apps

If you're like me, you're counting down the days until the royal wedding either with anticipation to see Kate's dress or because you're tired of hearing about all of it.

Way back in the good old days you could use a calendar, crossing off the days until the big event. Or if you have a prodigious memory, you could mentally calculate how many days were left until the wedding. Unlike previous royal events, now you no longer have to cross it off or make a mental note, you can track it electronically via various countdown timers on websites. But even that can be inconvienient, having to search for the site and waiting for it to load. Which is why there are royal wedding apps you can download.

Not counting the apps for the movie Royal Wedding, on iTunes there are 13 apps dedicated to counting down William and Kate's nuptials. Some of them are very useful, some are cute and some really do nothing other than countdown. My personal preference is for apps that do more than just show numbers, otherwise it's boring. I want to learn something new to patriotic music. You may be different, in which case the simpler apps might do the trick. Note that most of the apps I'm reviewing are the free ones that are available on iTunes. I've already purchased the one I think is the most useful. Decide for yourself with the following apps

Wee Mee Royal Wedding App

Open the app and you will see a cute cartoon image of William - with a realistic hairline- and Kate - holding a clock (why does she do all of the heavy lifting?), this app counts down the days, hours, minutes, seconds and sleeps to the big day. If you really want to get detailed, it will show you the time left just in seconds! While the app runs it plays a jazzy, lounge lizard sounding wedding march, occasionally bursting into wild applause. Unfortunately you can't shut this music off so choose where you open the app otherwise you may annoy the people around you. This app has a feature that lets you tell your friends via Tweet, Email and Facebook status, just how long it is until the royal wedding. And that's about it. It's cute. If you want the basics then this is the one to go with.


Neon Play Royal Wedding app

Start up the app and you see a picture of the happy couple at their engagement photo-call. This app has majestic music which you can, thankfully, turn off. Unlike the Wee Mee app it doesn't have a countdown timer. But if you want to read a biography of William or have Kate's family tree at your fingertips, then this is the app for you.  There are sections on the wedding dress - with photos of Bruce Oldfield, information on where William proposed, the wedding venue, their potential titles, and miscellaneous facts - did you know that William and Kate will share a wedding anniversary with Adolf Hitler?

Royal Wedding Countdown Lite

Out of all of the apps listed here, I would say that this is the worst one in terms of aesthetics. While it does countdown and offer quotes, the font is so difficult to read on the white background that  it isn't very useful. I have the free version, but you can upgrade for $0.99. Can't imagine it getting any better.

Royal Wedding Pa?rs - Press Association


Tired of looking at bad fonts and facts you've read over and over? Want to have some fun? Why not download this game instead. Royal Wedding Pa?rs is just like the game Concentration, with royal wedding photos. Match up the photos before the timer runs out and you can put your name on the high score list. You can select the level of difficulty, from very easy to hard. With each matched photo a camera shutter sound effect plays, which can get very annoying. Luckily you can turn this off. Doesn't offer a countdown timer but a fun diversion.


Hello! Magazine Royal Wedding

Jumping on the bandwagon in style, is Hello! with their own royal wedding app. Like the game and the Neon Play app, it does not have a countdown timer either. Instead you can scroll through the sections on the ring, personal photos of the couple growing up, a section for gifts, information on past royal weddings, it's like having a portable issue of Hello! At first it looks as though the app is comprised solely of photos until you double click on the images and a fact related to the photo shows up. This isn't particularly intuitive, which is the only criticism I have about the app. It is only available as a free app for a limited time go grab it while you can.

Alarm Royale

I must say that I'm rather biased when it comes to this app. It's the first one I found out about and the only one I paid for. And it is well worth the $0.99. Not only does this app offer facts, it also works as an alarm clock, though you need to keep the app running in order for it to work. You can wake up to a variety of sounds - God Save The Queen, Land of Hope and Glory, Jerusalem, Rule Britannia, Church Bells and the Wedding March. Unless you have your itouch on a docking station with speakers the music isn't very loud. When the alarm goes off, a fanfare plays as the red curtain background parts, revealing a Union Jack and the days left until the wedding. For wallpaper you have your choice of backgrounds - Royal Crest, Couple at Home and Couple at Palace. The app offers a variety of facts, which you can change by shaking your itouch. Out of all of these apps, Alarm Royale is the best one. My only complaint is that after the wedding I won't be able to use it.

All of these apps are available through iTunes. If you download any of them, let me know which one is your favorite!



© Marilyn Braun 2011