Prince William felt Princess Diana’s presence at her funeral

OHMYGOSSIP — The Duke of Cambridge felt his late mother Princess Diana walking “beside” him at her funeral procession.
The 35-year-old lost his parent in 1997 when he was only 15 years old, and Prince William has admitted when he and his younger brother Prince Harry held the coffin he could feel his mother’s presence helping him get through.
Speaking in a BBC One documentary titled ‘Diana, 7 Days’, William said: “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
“I felt like she was almost walking along beside us, to get us through it.”
And William – who has four-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with his wife the Duchess of Catherine – has revealed he can remember the sadness that hit every guest at Diana’s funeral, which he noticed when he shook people’s wet hands from where they wiped away their tears.
He explained: “I remember people’s hands were wet because of the tears that they’d just wiped away.”
The programme will air on August 27 to mark the 20th anniversary since Diana passed away, which William and Harry decided to go ahead with because they felt they had let their mother down.
Speaking previously, William said: “Part of the reason why Harry and I want to do this is because we feel we owe it to her. I think an element of it is feeling like we let her down when we were younger.
“We couldn’t protect her. We feel we at least owe her 20 years on to stand up for her name and remind everybody of the character and person that she was. Do our duties as sons in protecting her.”

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Prince Charles and Prince William attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the first time

OHMYGOSSIP — The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge attended the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo for the first ever time on Wednesday (16.07.17).
The 68-year-old royal – who is also known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland – and his 35-year-old son enjoyed the festivities at the annual music festival this week, which recognised 2017 as being the Year of the Royal Navy, and this comes prior to the official naming of the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier that will take place later this year.
And according to BBC News, the pair observed a performance carried out by over one thousand people from all corners of the world at Edinburgh castle.
The entertainment included 250 pipers and drummers, a string of performances from five UK military bands, as well as a Japanese act.
The duo were offered a swig of whiskey prior to the main event, and met with guests with whom they greeted and took photos with afterwards.
And, prior to the Tattoo, Prince Charles and Prince William observed a pre performance shorter in length, which took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
During this earlier demonstration the acts displayed their talents in front of the royals, who spoke with them after their performance.
Charles and William’s venture is around half way through the 68th annual festival, which lasts for the entire month of August.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a popular event as crowds of over 220,000 people swarm to the site to witness the string of performances.

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Royals banned from autographs

OHMYGOSSIP — Duchess Catherine and her fellow royals are banned from signing autographs.
The Duchess of Cambridge is not allowed to put her signature down on paper for any fans for fear of them being copied or forged, and it would be a breach of royal protocol.
According to the Daily Express newspaper, Catherine’s likely response to any requests for autographs would be: “I am Sorry, they don’t allow me to do that.”
Nowadays, a royal signature could fetch thousands on online auction sites.
But Prince Charles did break with royal protocol back in 2010 when he met Tony and Meg Hendy, victims of the devastating floods in Cornwall, south west England.
The Prince of Wales asked if there was anything he could do to help them and Meg replied: “Can I be really cheeky please sir and can I have your autograph for my young son Tom? I’m not sure if you do autographs but it would make his day?”
Charles then attained a piece of paper from one of his security and wrote “CHARLES 2010” on the note.
He also said sorry for his “shaky writing”, and blamed it on the fact he “never writes standing up”.

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Prince William preferred over Prince Charles for king in new poll

OHMYGOSSIP — Almost two thirds of British people don’t want Prince Charles to become king, according to a new poll.
An ICM Unlimited vote for general interest publication Prospect magazine found 62 per cent would prefer either Prince William or neither of the royal pair to take over the throne when Queen Elizabeth, 91, hangs up her crown.
Only 38 per cent of those polled voted for Charles, 68, taking on the role of king should his mother abdicate or pass away.
But William, 35, attracted 46 per cent of the vote, and there was a minority 16 per cent who didn’t back the father or son duo at all.
What’s more, over a fifth (21 per cent) admitted they would think about the monarchy more negatively if Charles was announced as king, in contrast to seven per cent who would be pleased with the news.
But 69 per cent admitted Charles being king wouldn’t change their immediate opinions about the monarchy.
Martin Boon, director at ICM Unlimited, said: “Obviously nobody can really know how Charles will actually perform as king just yet.
“What these figures indicate, however, is that the country may not be in a forgiving mood if there were to be any serious slips –
he starts without the huge legacy of goodwill that his mother has built up over the decades.”
But it was recently said Charles is not “longing” to be king.
A source said: “The Prince of Wales does not sit there every day looking longingly at Buckingham Palace, wanting to be king.
“He’s demonstrably made a role for himself as heir to the throne and is acutely aware that this role is coming but he’s not willing it forward because to do so would involve the demise of his own mother.
“It’s certainly not a case of: The only way I can do good work is when I’m king because he’s been doing good work for years.”

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Meghan Markle’s Julia Roberts inspiration

OHMYGOSSIP — Meghan Markle was inspired to get into acting by Julia Roberts.
The ‘Suits’ star, who is dating Prince Harry, has picked her 10 most inspirational women, and admits she received the “best compliment of all time” when someone compared her to the ‘Pretty Woman’ actress during her younger years.
Meghan told Glamour magazine: “She was the first person I saw onscreen and thought, ‘That looks like so much fun; I wanna do that.’
“When I was younger, someone once told me, ‘You kind of look like Julia Roberts in profile.’ It was the best compliment of all time.”
Meghan – who was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, – has yet to dabble in the music industry, but counts singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell as one of her life inspirations.
She added: “I travel so much for work, press, and life that anytime I land back at LAX, Joni Mitchell’s ‘California’ plays in my head.
“It’s become this anthem of happiness for me whenever I’m feeling homesick.”
The 36-year-old star also included her mother, yoga instructor Doria Ragland, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, primatologist Dian Fossey, and character Rosie the Riveter, who featured on prominent posters during the Second World War, on her list.
She told the publication: “Growing up, I had a poster in my room of Rosie flexing her biceps.
“When I was in grade school, I saw this sexist commercial for dish soap. With Rosie’s ‘We can do it!’ mantra in mind, I wrote a letter to Procter & Gamble, Hillary Clinton, and Nick News anchor Linda Ellerbee, who sent a camera crew to meet me. Guess what? They changed the commercial.”

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Princess Anne turns 67

OHMYGOSSIP — Princess Anne celebrated her birthday yesterday (15.08.17).
The Princess Royal turned 67 on Tuesday and her milestone was recognised by her elder brother Prince Charles with a post on the official Clarence House Twitter account, which makes announcements on behalf of the Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The tweet read: “Today we’re wishing The Princess Royal a Happy Birthday.”
What’s more, the message was accompanied by a throwback picture of both Anne and Charles – whose parents are Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip – sitting on the grass at Windsor Castle back in 1954.
The caption added: “The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal enjoy a Spring day at Windsor, 1954.”
Anne has had an eventful life as a royal, attending many engagements, and she was once the victim of a kidnap attempt in March 1974.
Anne’s car was forced to pull over as she and then-husband Mark Phillips were heading back to Buckingham Palace following a charity event.
Her security guard was shot when trying to take on assailant Ian Ball who grabbed hold of her but upon his demands to get out of the car, she replied: “Not bloody likely.”
A ransom note demanding £2 million and handcuffs were later found in the back of his car and he was detained under the Mental Health Act.
She is known for her equestrian talents and was the first British royal to compete at an Olympic Games when she was a member of the eventing team at Montreal in 1976.
Speaking about her love of horses, her father Philip once said: “If it doesn’t fart or eat hay, she isn’t interested.”

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Royal Mint designer spent week sketching Queen Elizabeth

OHMYGOSSIP — A Royal Mint designer spent one week sketching Queen Elizabeth for her latest coin portrait.
Jody Clark, 36, poured hours and hours into the drawing to ensure it was spot on, and his original design and initials have since appeared on every coin minted since 2015.
He said: “I got to dress her up in what I thought would work best.
“So, I researched what she wears and when she wears it and decided to go for the crown she generally wears to state openings and state visits, as I thought that was quite appropriate.
“It took me about a week to sketch the design and put it on the computer, and another week and a bit for the 3D model.”
But before the 91-year-old monarch gave her approval to his first effort, the Royal Mint asked him to draw the royal without her necklace on.
He said: “I agreed with taking the necklace off – it makes for a neater design, and I had the option to add my initials, so I said yes, I wanted that.”
Jody admits he didn’t quite appreciate “what a big thing” it would be seeing his sketch of the queen on recent coins, but his friends and family often give him gentle comic reminders.
Speaking to BBC Wales, he added: “I got an email through from the Royal Office which just said ‘Design H has been approved’, so I think that means she liked it.
“I returned from paternity leave the day before the design was unveiled in London, so it was pretty intense coming back to that.
“To this day, I don’t introduce myself as the man who designed the Queen’s head, although my friends or family normally jump in and say it now to embarrass me.”

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The late Princess Diana hailed as a ‘very motherly figure’

OHMYGOSSIP — The late Princess Diana has been hailed as a “very motherly figure”.
The blonde beauty tragically passed away in 1997, but five years prior the royal visited Lalapet Government High School in Hyderabad, India, where she met with Avanti Reddy, who was only four years old at the time.
Avanti is now 28 years old and has reflected on her meeting with Diana, because she has admitted the star has left a lasting impression on her.
Speaking to the Mail Online about the moment, Avanti said: “I was the youngest girl there. We performed a tribal Lambadi dance.
“Diana saw me sitting on the ground, picked me up and took me back to stage and put me on her knee.
“She asked me what my name was, so I told her and which my school was and class. I had a cold so she wiped my nose with her own handkerchief.
“She kept me with her the whole time then as she was going said, ‘I don’t want to leave you’.
“She was a very motherly figure, I can remember that.”
And Avanti has revealed Diana – who has sons Prince William and Harry – asked her to be her daughter for the day.
Avanti explained: “She said ‘I don’t have a daughter, so today you are my daughter’.”
And the former director of the school, Pronoti Suhasini Kavoori, believes Avanti was “very bold” and confident when the pair met.
The 60-year-old said: “Avanti was very bold – she was not conscious of who was watching. When I saw her dance so confidently, I knew that she should be at the front.
“Diana came down from the stage and spent time with the children. Then she said she was taking the girl [Avanti] back to the UK, carried her to the stage and sat her on her lap.”

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Prince Harry helped Laura Wright overcome her mental health battle

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry has been hailed as the person who helped Laura Wright overcome her mental health issue.
The 32-year-old royal has opened up about his struggle in coping with the loss of his mother Princess Diana in 1997, which saw him launch a number of projects, including the Heads Together campaign and the Invictus Games to encourage those battling with their own problems to overcome them and speak out.
And soprano singer Laura Wright – who is believed to be Harry’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite musician – has thanked the red head for setting up the organisation, which has helped her speak to people about her feelings without feeling any “shame” in divulging everything about her past.
Speaking to the Mail Online, the 27-year-old said: “My involvement with Harry and the Invictus Games has made me feel able to talk to people who I didn’t think I’d be able to talk to. There’s no shame in a story.”
The brunette beauty has revealed after embarking on a career in the music industry at an early age she was advised to “lose weight”, which caused her to have an eating disorder.
She explained: “I got signed when I was 15 and I really struggled. People in the industry told me to lose weight.
‘That really affected me. I had puppy fat, so I hadn’t grown into my body. I used to barely eat anything and I’d be like, ‘Why do I feel really faint?’ It was because I wasn’t eating.
“Sometimes I’m still not balanced. Sometimes I’ll have a really big cry and I’ll feel really angry, and sometimes I feel really amazing.
“I used to shut myself away from the world when I felt down. When you’re on stage and everyone’s clapping and then you come off and it’s silent, it’s a really weird contrast.”

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Duchess Catherine’s wedding dress is one of the most expensive dresses in the world

OHMYGOSSIP — The Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress is reportedly one of the most expensive dresses in the world.
The brunette beauty married the Duke of Cambridge in 2011, and the lace Alexander McQueen gown, which cost £250,000, makes it one of the priciest garments that has ever been created, Getty images has revealed.
As well as Duchess Catherine’s iconic dress, her husband Prince William’s late mother Princess Diana’s marital gown is also one of the most coveted and expensive pieces as well.
However, the two royals are not the only one to have adorned a dress worth a mouth-dropping sum, as Nicole Kidman has also made the cut after she wore a creation by John Galliano for the Oscars in 1997, which the ‘Australia’ actress reportedly spent $2 million on.
But the ‘Big Little Lies’ star is not the only actress to be recognised for her style, as the late Audrey Hepburn’s style has also worn some iconic items.
The British actress and style icon – who tragically died in 1993 – adorned a black Givenchy dress in her memorable film ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’.
The luxury item was later sold for just under $1 million when it went on sale.
However, it is the late Marilyn Monroe’s signature white dress, which she wore in ‘The Seven Year Itch’ in 1955 that has taken the number one post as the most expensive item.
The blonde-haired beauty’s garment was ranked at the top of the list, as it was sold for almost $6 million at an auction six years ago.

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Prince William felt like an earthquake had smashed through his life when Diana died

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince William felt like an earthquake had smashed through his life when his mother died.
The 35-year-old royal was 15 years old when he lost Princess Diana in 1997, and the Duke of Cambridge has admitted there is “nothing like it in the world” than losing his parent.
Speaking about the loss in the documentary ‘Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy’, he said: “There’s nothing like it in the world. There really isn’t. It’s like an earthquake has just run through the house and through your life and everything. Your mind is completely split.”
And William – who has four-year-old son Prince George and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge – has admitted it took a long time for reality to sink in.
He added: “And it took me a while for it to actually sink in.”
But William has “slowly” tried to “rebuild” his life over the past 20 years and talk about his grief to help him come to terms with the situation.
He explained: “The family came together and Harry and I tried to talk as best we could about it. But being so small at that age, it was very difficult to communicate or understand your feelings.It’s very complicated.
“Slowly, you try and rebuild your life, and you try and understand what’s happened.”
William has revealed the thought of his late mother and what she would have wanted for her brood has helped him to cope.
He said: “I kept saying to myself that, you know, my mother would not want me to be upset. She’d not want me to be down. She’d not want me to be like this. I kept myself busy as well–which is good and bad sometimes–but allows you to kind of get through that initial shock phase.”

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Meghan Markle used to watch the late Princess Diana’s wedding on repeat

OHMYGOSSIP — Meghan Markle reportedly watched the late Princess Diana’s wedding on repeat when she was younger.
The ‘Suits’ star is believed to have watched the moment her boyfriend Prince Harry’s mother – who tragically died in 1997 – tied the knot with the Prince of Wales in 1981 with her friend on numerous occasions when she was a child.
Speaking about the brunette beauty and her childhood habits, her school friend Suzy’s mother, Sonia Ardakani, told the Daily Star Online: “I videoed Diana’s wedding back in 1981, and I would watch it with Suzy and Meghan all those years later.”
Sonia has revealed the 36-year-old actress did not only admire Diana because of her “glamorous” style and beauty, but because she was inspired by her humanitarian work.
Sonia continued: “The girls didn’t just think she was glamorous. They were impressed by her humanitarian work and they started following her example.”
Meghan and her 32-year-old beau have set tongues wagging they will take their romance to the next step and will be tying the knot.
Although the couple have not confirmed any details, Meghan already has the support of Mike Tindall, who is married to Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, as he believes she will “do absolutely fine” as a member of the Royal Family.
Speaking previously, he said: “It’s obviously nerve-racking.
“But she has been under enough scrutiny and pressure in her day-to-day life so I’m sure she will get through it. She will be fine.
“As long as they are both happy that’s all that you can ask for.
She’ll do absolutely fine.”

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Princess Diana book pulled

OHMYGOSSIP — A book revealing “the inside story” into Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayed’s relationship has been pulled.
Mohamed Al Fayed is said to have had a hand in putting a stop to the publication of the tome, ‘Diana And Dodi: The Truth’, which was written by Michael Cole, who works as the businessman’s spokesman.
Marketed as “the inside story of what really happened”, the book had attracted a number of pre-orders ahead of its planned release on August 31, the 20th anniversary of the tragic 1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi were killed.
According to the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Michael said: “Knowing how acutely the family continues to feel the loss of Dodi and the Princess, I have now decided that the best and most appropriate thing I could do to honour the memory of Diana and Dodi would be to continue to share the Fayed family’s grief, borne in silent dignity for the past 20 years.”
It is not known exactly why the book has been pulled as Al Fayed was thought to have been “aware and supportive” of its publication at one point.
What’s more, he is even thought to have expressed an interest in ordering some copies.
Publisher Biteback told the publication that the businessman had “an abrupt change of mind” and sent a legal letter via his solicitors, despite Michael already saying he wouldn’t publish the book.
Last week, priest Father Frank Gelli claimed Diana once asked him if he would marry her and Dodi, and he believes she may have been seeking Christian approval to marry the 42-year-old Muslim man.
He said: “As we spoke her telephone rang. It was obviously Dodi. Her eyes lit up. As she was leaving she asked me if I would be able to perform the service when she got married. Her love was obvious.”

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Queen Elizabeth allows Abba party at Windsor Castle

OHMYGOSSIP — Queen Elizabeth allowed 500 Windsor Castle staff and their pals to put on an Abba tribute party.
The 91-year-old monarch – who is currently on holiday in her Scottish residence of Balmoral – is said to have given the green light to the bash at her royal residence in Berkshire, south east England, for which staff and their friends paid £12.50 each.
A Royal source told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: “There are staff events for those who work here. I am sure there will be similar events in the future.”
The event was put on by the Windsor Castle Cinema Club, which was set up by the royal staff to show films at the historic venue.
At their latest bash, an Abba tribute band played followed by the screening of hit musical movie ‘Mamma Mia!’, which features several of the group’s songs and is named after one of their massive tunes.
Royal staff are said to have put the names of their guests down on a list to be checked by security, and attendees admitted the event went off with great success.
Erika Baker, 48, a tanning salon owner from Windsor, told the publication: “Members of the Royal Household were allowed to buy tickets for themselves and guests.
“It meant lots of ordinary people from Windsor could come in for the night.
“Everybody was very well behaved, and once you were inside you were encouraged to really let your hair down and dance and sing.”
A Palace spokesman said: “We would not comment as this was a private event.”
In May, the queen was said to be considering a move to Windsor Castle later this year while an extensive refurbishment is carried out at Buckingham Palace.
A royal butler said at the time: “What is in the pipeline is Buckingham Palace has got to get a refurb. I think what we will do is use that – not as an excuse – but a reason for the queen to move to Windsor. It will be after her summer break at Balmoral Estate – when she comes back in October – that’s when it could happen. That’s if does happen this year though. If it does it will be then.”

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Prince Harry sends note to Ant McPartlin

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince Harry sent Ant McPartlin a handwritten letter thanking him for speaking out about mental health.
The flame-haired royal – who spearheads the Heads Together campaign alongside his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Duchess Catherine – penned a note to the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ co-host after he opened up about his battle with depression after going into rehab.
The TV presenter said: “I woke up this morning, getting ready to come here, and was given an envelope.
“It was a handwritten note from Harry sending all of his best wishes on behalf of him, William and Catherine and telling me well done for speaking out.
“Obviously he leads the Heads Together charity, so it’s something he encourages.
“I wish I’d spoken out a lot earlier. But what a great time to get that letter. Brilliant. Thanks, Haz.”
Ant has left rehab after a two-month stint, and recently told fans about his prescription drug addiction, admitting it could’ve killed him.
He said: “I was at the point where anything – prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs – I would take.
“And take them with alcohol, which is ridiculous. The doctors told me, ‘You could have killed yourself.’  ”
Harry isn’t the only big-name to have helped Ant along the way as Sir Elton John – who was pals with Harry and William’s late mother Princess Diana – left a message of support for him.
Ant added to The Sun newspaper: “It’s quite funny having Elton on the answer machine. I’m saving that one.”
William recently admitted his, Harry and Catherine’s major aim is to wipe out the taboo surrounding mental health.
He said: “Smashing the taboo is our biggest aim.
“We can’t go anywhere much until that’s done. People can’t access services till they feel less ashamed so we must tackle the taboo the stigma, for goodness sake, this is the 21st century.
“I’ve been really shocked how many people live in fear and in silence because of mental illness. I just don’t understand it.
“I know I come across as quite reserved and shy, I don’t always have my emotions brewing, but behind closed doors I think about the issues, I get very passionate about things.”

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Mike Tindall: Meghan Markle will be ‘fine’ in Royal Family

OHMYGOSSIP — Mike Tindall thinks Meghan Markle will “do absolutely fine” as a member of the Royal Family.
The former England rugby player, who is married to Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips, admitted it is “nerve-racking” becoming a part of the British royals, but he doesn’t expect Prince Harry’s girlfriend to have any issues “as long as they are both happy”.
He said: “It comes with a lot of history and the family that it is. It’s obviously nerve-racking.
“But she has been under enough scrutiny and pressure in her day-to-day life so I’m sure she will get through it. She will be fine.
“As long as they are both happy that’s all that you can ask for. She’ll do absolutely fine.”
Mike admitted he and Zara are yet to meet the 36-year-old actress, who stars in ‘Suits’, but he is looking forward to finding out some of the US TV show’s spoilers when he does come face-to-face with the raven-haired star.
He added to the Sunday People newspaper: “We haven’t met yet. It will be nice to meet her.
“I’m obviously a big ‘Suits’ fan.
“It’s a very good show. I will definitely try and get the inside scoop on it.”
Mike recently admitted he is hoping a chat with Meghan could to land him a cameo on ‘Suits’.
He said: “I’m excited as I’m a massive fan of ‘Suits’ so I want to pick her brain more on that than ­anything else.
“A cameo in ‘Suits’ is one thing I would ­definitely do, I could be a door bouncer or something. I’ll have to ask Meghan if she can get me in.”

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