Queen Elizabeth broke royal tradition

OHMYGOSSIP — Queen Elizabeth broke royal tradition by having Prince Philip join her in the delivery room when she gave birth to Prince Edward.
The British monarch had read in women’s magazines about fathers being involved in childbirth and wanted to do the same, according to Ingrid Seward in her book, ‘My Husband and I: The Inside Story Of 70 Years Of Royal Marriage’.
She shared: “The Duke of Edinburgh was actually holding his wife’s hand as their youngest was born on March 10, 1964. The Queen, by then aged 37, had asked him to be there; she’d been keenly reading women’s magazines that stressed the importance of involving fathers in childbirth and had become fascinated by the idea. Thus Philip became the first royal father in modern history to witness the arrival of one of his children … Compassion comes from the Queen. And the duty and discipline comes from him Philip.”
And the Queen liked to spend as much time as she could with her children and would let the nanny leave Edward playing on the floor of the study as she went over State papers.
Seward added: “‘Leave him with me, Mabel,’ the Queen would say some mornings to the nanny, and he’d be left with his mother, playing on the floor of her study while she worked at her desk on her State papers.”
When Edward decided to leave the Royal Marines in 1987 after just four months, Philip was “most sympathetic”.
Seward shared: “Philip was in fact the most sympathetic. He understood his son’s decision, which he considered a brave one, and supported him fully. Edward had explained to him that he felt he was never going to be able to fit in as well as he’d hoped. ‘I was always going to have a policeman there,’ he said. ‘I could never go out with the rest of the lads into the town, as everyone knew who I was. I didn’t see the way, really, it was going to work.’ Many in their circle know that each has a personal preference for one son over the others. For the Queen, Andrew will always be her favourite, while for the Duke it is Edward.”

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Prince Charles celebrates birthday privately

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Charles celebrated his 69th birthday privately.
The Prince of Wales turned another year older on Tuesday (14.11.17) but decided to mark the occasion with just his closest family.
However, there were gun salutes held in Green Park and the Tower of London as well at Edinburgh Castle to mark the occasion.
Charles turning 69 means he is now the longest serving heir to the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth, succeeded to the throne in February 1952.
Prince Charles and his wife, Duchess Camilla, recently returned from their tour of Asia.
While addressing guests at the British High Commission on the pair’s visit of India, Charles called his wife his “mehaboobaa”, which means “darling” in Urdu.
Speaking to the audience in New Delhi about the importance of the Commonwealth and its diversity, he said: “I cannot tell you how delighted my mehaboobaa and I are to be back in India, a country that is so very special to us both.
“This diversity is to be celebrated and cherished not only because it is so central to our identities and our sense of belonging, but also, if I may say so, because it offers us the best hope of addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.
“A one-size-fits-all approach to globalisation simply cannot be the answer and will, I am convinced, lead us into a sterile, monocultural homogeneity that creates ever greater problems whilst simultaneously robbing us of the solutions to address them.”
Before their trip to India, the couple also visited Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia and then returned last week ahead of the Remembrance Day service last weekend.

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Queen’s wedding dress is still timeless

OHMYGOSSIP — Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress is still timeless, 70 years after she wore it to tie the knot with Prince Philip.
The gown the British monarch wore on her big day is still considered to be “fresh and beautiful”, despite it being seven decades ago when she wore it to marry the Duke of Edinburgh.
Bridal expert Jenny Swire said: “She looked absolutely beautiful on her wedding day. I can’t imagine that it could have been improved upon. I think it was perfect in every way.
“She looked incredibly regal. She wasn’t Queen yet but she looked like a Queen. She was so young and somehow the dress still looked good on such a young bride. It didn’t age her in any way. It wasn’t too fuddy-duddy or old fashioned.
“Seventy years on, it still looks fresh and timeless and beautiful. I loved her dress.”
Swire particularly loved the embroidery, which was little appliqués of roses, star-shaped flowers and wheat.
She added: “The embroidery was unbelievable – everything stitched by hand – pure couture. It was just incredible. It was stunning.”
Queen Elizabeth was able to take a close look at her dress when it went on show at Buckingham Palace back in 2007 to mark the couple’s diamond wedding anniversary.
Sir Hugh Roberts, director of the Royal Collection at the time, said: “This one is very personal to her and must bring back many extraordinary memories of that day. I think, as with everybody really seeing the dress again, she will have marvelled at the marvellous quality of the embroidery, and the marvellous way the dress was so particularly well suited to that great occasion.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip celebrate their anniversary on November 20.

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Prince William’s fatherhood struggles

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince William struggled with fatherhood.
The 35-year-old royal and his wife Duchess Catherine welcomed their first child, Prince George, four years ago and Catherine has now revealed her husband found it difficult to know what to do at first.
Single father Billy – who has a seven-month-old daughter Violet – met with the Duchess at Hornsey Road Children’s Centre in north London on Tuesday (15.11.17).
Speaking about their meeting, Billy said: “She said he did not know exactly what to do … She was saying William was sort of similar and I just wanted to let her know how Family Action have been there for me and I think they need more support.”
And speaking about his own experiences, he revealed the mother of his child showed up at his doorstep pregnant and said she had already had two children taken away from her.
Billy added: “I was under mental health myself, I was suffering from severe depression and I thought I’m not going to let my daughter go into care, I’m going to step up and do this – I managed to turn myself around. I’ve been doing it from day one at the hospital, fed her her first bottle.”
The Hornsey Road Children’s Centre helps hundreds of children under five in the area.
Volunteer Maggie Sandy added: “We do offer support to dads specifically, I think it’s so important because dads so often get left out in the mix after the birth of a baby, sometimes they get sidelined and their feelings and wishes aren’t gathered.”
One mother, Michelle, bonded with the Duchess – who also has Princess Charlotte, two, and is expecting her third child – over their sons’ mutual love of aircraft.
She said: “She was asking about what Jacob liked and he said he liked aeroplanes and she was asking if he’d seen a Spitfire and we said we liked going to the Science Museum and RAF museum. She was saying how George likes helicopters, she was saying about the top floor of the Science Museum where the helicopters are.”

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Royal Collection Trust commemorate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s anniversary

OHMYGOSSIP — Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary has been marked with an official range of souvenirs.
The couple will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on November 20 and the Royal Collection Trust have honoured this milestone with a series of red and gold commemorative glassware and china, ranging from a Roundel Decoration for £25 and a Loving Cup for £195.
Writing on their website, they shared: “To celebrate the 70th Wedding Anniversary on 20th November 2017 of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Buckingham Palace has commissioned this exclusive commemorative range.
“The design shows an entwined monogram of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, inspired by the elaborate gilded carving of the thrones in the Throne Room, Buckingham Palace, whilst the double knot is a feature of the Garter Throne Room at Windsor Castle.”
The Loving Cup holds 550 ml and is presented in a box. It has a limited edition run of just 250 items whilst the £145 Wedding Anniversary Tray has a run of 500. The £95 pillbox completes the line up of limited edition items and there will be just 750 of these available across the world.
It comes after an entire set of commemorative coins were designed to mark Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary.
The designs from the Royal Mint all feature the standard royal crest and crown coin, which says “70 years of marriage” below the design.
On one of the coins, the Queen’s face is joined by that of her husband, while on another of the designs, the duo are seen riding horses together side-by-side.
Around the edge of the coin, it reads: “Wedded love has joined them in happiness.”

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Judy Murray warns royals of ‘difficult journey’ to tennis stardom

OHMYGOSSIP — Judy Murray has warned Prince William and Duchess Catherine it will be a “very difficult journey” if they want Prince George to become a professional tennis player.
The 58-year-old tennis coach – who is the mother of British tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray – collected her OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace and quipped she was trying to put the 35-year-old royal off from encouraging his son into the sport.
She told reporters: “William was saying about Prince George, Catherine trying to teach Prince George how to play tennis and how I think she had said last week that she wants him to be the next Andy Murray. I’m sure she was joking. I was trying to put them off that – I said it’s a very difficult journey.”
Meanwhile, it was previously revealed that Duchess Catherine was getting tips from Judy Murray on how to encourage Prince George to learn to play tennis when she visited the Lawn Tennis Association last month and she wants to know how best to get her four-year-old son interested in playing the sport and not just “whacking the ball”.
Lawn Tennis Association coach Sam Richardson, who also spoke to the Duchess at the event, said: “She asked what kind of stuff George should be doing [at his age].
“He is interested in tennis but, being four, he just wants to whack the ball. She said she had also spoken to Judy Murray, who advised her to take the racket away and just focus on skills.”

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Meghan Markle to leave Suits

OHMYGOSSIP — Meghan Markle is set to leave ‘Suits’.
The 36-year-old actress – who plays Rachel Zane in the American drama series – is reportedly going to depart the series alongside her co-star Patrick J. Adams after season seven comes to a close.
A source told Us Weekly magazine: “Patrick was always leaving the show. He made his mind up a while ago. Patrick wants to pursue other things and he’s realized his time at Suits has come to an end. They were waiting for Gabriel Macht to sign. He’s going back so there will be a season eight and as of now, nine. It will make it an easy break for Meghan to leave as well.”
And a source had previously revealed the team at ‘Suits’ were already preparing for Meghan’s departure since she started dating Prince Harry.
The insider added: “If Meghan decides not to come back for season eight, the show will still keep going, if everyone else signs on. She isn’t the main cast member on the show, and quite frankly, everyone already thinks she’s not coming back.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Harry has been teaching Meghan how to behave like a royal and mentoring her about the demands surrounding a member of the royal family.
British writer, Katie Nicholl, previously said: “He knows how daunting this will be for Meghan and he’s keen for her to be relaxed in the company of senior royals.
“Harry will have made sure Meghan knew how to address the queen and how to behave in her presence. He calls her ‘Granny,’ but after Meghan had curtsied and called her ‘Your Majesty,’ she would have reverted to ‘ma’am.’ It seems strange to mere mortals, but it is how [Princess] Kate addresses her.”

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Prince Philip takes charge of royal meals

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Philip takes charge of the royal’s food every day.
The 96-year-old royal is a huge foodie and always takes the lead when it comes to deciding what he and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, eat.
According to Ingrid Seward in her book ‘My Husband and I: The Inside Story Of 70 Years Of Royal Marriage’, in the earlier years of their marriage, Prince Philip used to pick what meals they were having each week and reviewed the menus to make sure it was perfect for the Queen, who was out on royal duties a lot of the time.
When he was younger and travelled abroad on royal duties, Philip would bring back recipes from his travels for the royal chefs to have a go at. He wouldn’t hesitate from visiting the kitchen from time to time either to see how it was being prepared and offer tips, having seen it done by the locals on his travels.
He also likes to cook himself too and often cooked breakfast for both himself and the Queen and he would always have his electric frying pan with him wherever he went.
His signature dish was an omelette and when the chefs had gone to bed, Philip was known for enjoying cooking a scrambled egg or even smoked haddock.
Meanwhile, former royal chef Darren McGrady recently gave an insight into how the family dine.
He said: “They would come in for afternoon tea by the log fire in outdoor clothes, and then they’d all change for dinner. They’d come down in dressy ball gowns, and sit at the table – like a ‘Downton Abbey’ dinner. All the fine china was brought out. At the end of the meal, a bagpipe player would walk around the table.”

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Prince Harry thanks British public for ‘normalising’ mental health

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry has thanked the British public for helping to “normalise” mental health.
The flame-haired royal has spoke out to praise the general public and the media for helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health through the backing of the Heads Together campaign.
He said: “In classrooms, in workplaces, around the dinner table, between friends, and even between strangers, people are now really talking about their own wellbeing and how to help those around us. And while just talking doesn’t cure all ills, we are now shattering the silence that was a real barrier to progress.
“We are grateful that so many in the media got behind the Heads Together campaign – you helped make it the success it has been. But the biggest thanks has to go to the British public. You embraced it, you engaged with it and you normalised it.”
Prince Harry is glad that mental health issues are being spoken about now as a result.
Speaking at the Virgin Money Giving Mind Media Awards, he added: “I wanted to come here tonight to say thank you. At the beginning of the year, William, Catherine and I believed that the country was on the cusp of something special. We noticed that after decades of hard work from dedicated campaigners, people seemed ready for a different kind of conversation on mental health.
“Everyone was tired of stigma and scare stories around mental illness. And they were frustrated that it was always being written up in a negative way. They saw that their children were emotionally open in new ways that seemed positive and empowering. Finally, we were all beginning to grasp that mental fitness was an issue worth talking about, for every one of us.”

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Prince William needs ‘toothpicks’ to keep his tired eyes open

OHMYGOSSIP — The Duke of Cambridge has joked he needs “toothpicks” to keep his tired eyes open.
The 35-year-old royal has hinted being a parent to Prince George, four, and Princess Charlotte, two – who he has with his wife Duchess Catherine – can take its toll on him, and often leaves him feeling so sleep-deprived he feels he needs to use a prop to stop his eyelids from shutting.
Speaking at the Wales v Australia rugby match, which took place in Cardiff on Saturday (11.11.17), and has been reported on The Mirror Online, Prince William said: “I do need toothpicks to keep my eyes open because of the kids.”
William and Catherine – who was formerly known as Kate Middleton before she married the royal – are expecting their third child together in April next year, which will no doubt bring even more sleepless nights to the couple.
The duo announced they were expanding their brood in September this year.
A statement issued by Kensington Palace at the time said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2018.”
Though William has hinted parenting can be difficult, Catherine, 35, believes raising a child should be a collaborative effort, and not solely down to the baby’s parents but also the teachers working at a child’s school and other people.
Speaking previously, the brunette beauty said: “As a mother, just getting used to leaving my own child at the school gates, it is clear to me that it takes a whole community to help raise a child. Whether we are school leavers, teachers, support staff or parents we are all in this together.”

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Prince George is ‘very envious’ of his father

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince George is “very envious” of his father Duke of Cambridge for driving a digger.
The 35-year-old royal was getting evil glares from his four-year-old son after he recently visited the Defence National Rehabilitation Centre, near Loughborough, where he got to drive a tractor.
Speaking at a pre-dinner speech at the City Veterans’ Network fundraising gala, which was held at the Imperial War Museum last week and has been reported on the Telegraph Online, Prince William – who also has two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with his wife Duchess Catherine – said: “I have been repeatedly impressed by both the speed and ambitious scale of this endeavour.
“I was present at the end of 2014 when the first building was demolished to make easy for the new construction.
“George was very envious as I got to drive a digger.”
And William believes the site will have the “very best rehabilitation facilities” in comparison to anywhere in the world.
He said: “It will give the brave men and women of our armed forces access to the very best rehabilitation facilities on offer, anywhere in the world. You will all agree with me that they deserve nothing less.”
And William’s oldest son has a fondness of mechanical equipment and planes, and he knows everything about “all the parts”.
Speaking about George’s interests, Pauline Hallett of Ogwen Mountain Rescue previously said: “William used to fly us around when he lived and worked up here and I was telling him about the new helicopters.
“Catherine then said how much George loved them. He knows all the different colours and asks her about all the parts.
“She laughed and said she tells George to ask daddy as she has no idea.”

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Prince Harry buys sweet treats for girlfriend Meghan Markle

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry buys chocolate treats for his girlfriend Meghan Markle.
The 33- year-old royal has been dating the ‘Suits’ star for one year, and it has been reported that during that time he often pops to a shop near Kensington Palace to buy his beau her favourite foods to tuck into, which include Reese’s Pieces, coconut water and curry sauce, the Daily Star Online has reported.
And it is believed the red head has also purchased a pink fluffy toy from the same site to prove his love for his partner.
Though the couple have been together for 12 months there has been growing speculation surrounding their relationship and taking it to the next step and marrying one another.
And it has been reported Harry has been teaching the 36-year-old actress how to behave like a royal and mentoring her about the demands surrounding a member of the royal family.
British writer, Katie Nicholl, previously said: “He knows how daunting this will be for Meghan and he’s keen for her to be relaxed in the company of senior royals.”
Meghan has already met with Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, but prior to their meeting Harry offered Meghan advice on how she should address the British Monarch.
Katie said: “Harry will have made sure Meghan knew how to address the queen and how to behave in her presence.
“He calls her ‘Granny,’ but after Meghan had curtsied and called her ‘Your Majesty,’ she would have reverted to ‘ma’am.’ It seems strange to mere mortals, but it is how [Princess] Kate addresses her.”

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Prince Harry accused of breaking military rules

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry broke military rules at the Remembrance Sunday service.
The 33-year-old royal – who entered into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2005 and was swiftly promoted to lieutenant for the British Army a few years later, which saw him serve in two tours of Afghanistan during his 10 years in the forces – has been accused of going against the military procedure as he sported a beard while wearing the British Army uniform at the memorial ceremony at London’s Cenotaph on Sunday (12.11.17).
And the red head’s failure to be clean shaven and remove the facial hair has upset a serving member in the elite cavalry regiment, who feels “let down” by Harry’s actions, even though he retired from active service two years ago.
The servicemen told the Mirror Online: “Prince Harry is letting us all down. There’s no place for beards in the Queen’s cavalry. He should have shaved it off for such an important day.”
The British Army will only consent to a male keeping his beard in a few specific circumstances, such as if the soldier has a skin complaint, or for religious reasons, while the Special Forces allow men to grow facial hair if they are going behind enemy lines, but it is forbidden when on parade.
However, as Harry – who is currently dating Meghan Markle – is no longing a serving officer, the Ministry of Defence rules state he does not need to comply with all set rules.
Although Harry’s royal duties often require him to sport military attire, there is precedent for a member of the royal family to also don a beard.
And the red head is not the first royal to keep his stubble, as his late great great grandfather, King George V, also had a beard.

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Queen Elizabeth II passes over royal duties to Prince Charles on Remembrance Sunday

OHMYGOSSIP — Queen Elizabeth II passed over royal duties to Prince Charles on Remembrance Sunday (12.11.17).
The 91-year-old monarch usually places the wreath on the Cenotaph at the memorial service, but Her Majesty handed over the duty to her son, the Prince of Wales, for the first time in her almost 70-year reign.
The 68-year-old royal led the tributes at the London service yesterday, which is a role the monarch has directed since 1920, to commemorate those from the British and Commonwealth military units, as well as other servicemen and women, who were involved in the two World Wars.
Charles also laid his own wreath, while the Duke of Edinburgh’s equerry – a Royal officer who attends or assists the members of the royal family – placed an arrangement of poppies on his behalf.
And while Charles laid the wreaths, Queen Elizabeth and her 96-year-old husband observed from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace previously announced a change to the traditional ceremony would take place last month, although a reason was not provided for the shake-up.
The royal family, servicemen and other parties who joined the service held a two minutes silence to remember those who passed away in battle and to honour their contribution.
Charles was accompanied by the British Prime Minister Theresa May, as well as the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Duke of Cambridge and his brother Prince Harry who also put down wreaths at the memorial site, the Telegraph Online has reported.

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Elton John praises Prince Harry’s ‘rare gift’

OHMYGOSSIP — Sir Elton John thinks Prince Harry has a “very rare gift” like his late mother Princess Diana.
The ‘Candle in the Wind’ hitmaker was good pals with the flame-haired royal’s mum – who tragically passed away in a 1997 car crash aged 36 – and believes Harry possesses a similar quality in that he can make people “feel loved” and “feel important”.
Elton said: “People love [Harry]. He’s young and he’s got his mother’s ability to talk to people and make people feel at ease. Make them feel loved. Make them feel important and that’s a wonderful gift to have.
“It’s a very rare gift. He’s inherited it from his mother and he’s using it to good use.”
Harry has followed in his mother’s footsteps of raising awareness of HIV/AIDS, like Elton and his husband David Furnish, who praised the prince’s work.
David said: “[It’s] fantastic because the newest rise in infections is amongst young people. It’s among adolescents.”
Elton, 70, also admitted it was invaluable to have Harry on board because he can connect to the younger generation.
Speaking at his annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala in New York, he added to HELLO! magazine: “[Harry] speaks to young people. I don’t.”
David said: “Prince Harry can connect with them.”
In July, Elton praised Diana for having an “incredible” gift to be able to make people feel at ease.
He said: “She had that incredible ability – which [Harry] kind of inherited – to make people feel at ease and make them feel that everything’s gonna be all right.
“I haven’t experienced many people in my life who have that ability, but she could walk into a room of people and make them feel as if everything was great.”

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Prince Charles calls Camilla ‘darling’

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Charles called his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, “darling” at a public event.
The 68-year-old royal made the affectionate comment, admitting he and his “mehaboobaa” – which means “darling” in Urdu – while addressing guests at the British High Commission on the pair’s visit of India.
Speaking to the audience in New Delhi about the importance of the Commonwealth and its diversity, he said: “I cannot tell you how delighted my mehaboobaa and I are to be back in India, a country that is so very special to us both.
“This diversity is to be celebrated and cherished not only because it is so central to our identities and our sense of belonging, but also, if I may say so, because it offers us the best hope of addressing the most pressing challenges of our time.
“A one-size-fits-all approach to globalisation simply cannot be the answer and will, I am convinced, lead us into a sterile, monocultural homogeneity that creates ever greater problems whilst simultaneously robbing us of the solutions to address them.”
The latest engagement was Charles and Camilla’s last stop on their recent visit of Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and India, before flying home on Thursday night (09.11.17) to be back in time for their Remembrance Day duties over the weekend.
Charles also showed a public display of affection in Singapore when he planted a rare kiss on his wife.
The royal couple both headed to their 11-day visit of Southeast Asia separately and marked their reunion with a sneaky smooch.

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