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Tag: Prince Charles

  • Prince Harry On His Meaningful Trip To Nepal, In the Footsteps Of Princess Diana

    Prince Harry On His Meaningful Trip To Nepal, In the Footsteps Of Princess Diana

    Prince Harry has had a meaningful trip to Nepal, where he follows in the footsteps of his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as his father, Prince Charles.

    On Saturday, the prince arrived in the nation’s capital, Kathmandu, to kick off his five-day visit, where he spoke of the country’s impact on the world and his family before meeting with several homeless families who were displaced by devastating earthquakes last year.

    “I’m sure you hear this all the time, but your country holds a special place in the imagination for so many people,” he said at the government reception in Kathmandu, according to CNN. “I pay my respects to those who perished and hope to do what I can to shine a spotlight on the resilience of the Nepali people.”

    Prince Harry mentioned Princess Diana‘s trip to the Himalayan country in 1993, shortly after her separation from Prince Charles.

    “I am honored and excited to be here,” he told the Nepali people, according to The Telegraph. “Many members of my family have visited Nepal, including my father and my mother, who were both warmly welcomed.”

    Harry noted that his visit with the Gurkhas brigade, with whom he served in the British Army.

    “For me, this trip is also personal,” said Prince Harry. “I am so grateful that I will have the opportunity to pay tribute to some of Nepal’s most famous ambassadors, the Gurkhas, admired the world over for their fearsome bravery and courage but also for their humility and kindness.”

    On Sunday, Prince Harry visited Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an ancient royal palace and temples that were damaged by the April 2015 earthquake. During that visit, he learned how to use traditional tools to restore wood carvings.

    He also visited the Golden Temple and a nearby campsite that shelters approximately 250 homeless people — a quarter of them children.

  • Prince Charles Ends Tours of Balkans By Encouraging Reconciliation In the Region

    Prince Charles Ends Tours of Balkans By Encouraging Reconciliation In the Region

    Prince Charles ended his tour of the Balkans by encouraging families who lost loved ones during the Balkans War.

    The six-day visit to Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo by the Price of Wales and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was meant to bring healing and reconciliation between the countries in the region, according to the Associated Press.

    At the couple’s final stop of the tour at Prizren, where he was hosted by the Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Serbian Orthodox Church of St George, and the Roman Catholic Church of our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Prince Charles was greeted by a throng of people, including children excitedly waving flags and clapping.

    “I listened this morning to some of the families who has lost their loved ones – missing persons. I know there are so many still in this country,” Prince Charles told the crowd.

    “They asked me if I could help, I wish I could do more. It seems to me there is so much unnecessary death and destruction around the world.

    “We see it all the time now in the Middle East. It is utterly heart-breaking. It is utterly pointless. Yet now we have an ideal opportunity to rebuild bridges.”

    “I understand the appalling agonies, the dreadful experiences, the pain but in order for countries which have been through such utter horror to recover, that has to be part of the building the new foundation,” said Prince Charles.

    “I pray that those courageous people that cross the bridge to the other side win the day in the end.

    “So I pray that as a result of meetings like this and all the marvellous work that’s being done by so many courageous people, Kosovo will have a really special future.

    “I’m so proud my country, the United Kingdom, has been able to play a small part in the renewal of Kosovo.”

    Before visiting Prizren, Charles and Camilla met with relatives of some of the 1,668 people who have been missing since the country’s conflict in 1999.

    Charles was awarded the Order for Peace, Democracy and Humanism when he met with representatives from the Red Cross and the EU who are aiding Kosovo in its attempts to identify victims and investigate mass graves.

    The gold medallion and certificate were presented to Charles for his “life long contribution to supporting peace harmony and better understanding between people in Kosovo and beyond.”

    “Thank you very much – I shall treasure it,” Prince Charles said of the honor.

  • Prince Charles Talks Climate Change, “Cataclysm Of Events”

    Prince Charles Talks Climate Change, “Cataclysm Of Events”

    Prince Charles had a huge weekend, relatively speaking of course.

    Late last week, the Queen repeatedly seemed to indicate that Prince Charles was the clear successor to the throne.

    Prince Charles shouldn’t be taking over right away, but with the Queen turning 90 and Prince Philip at 95, it’s likely that thought is turning to the future.

    During a three-day summit in Malta, the Queen addressed the 53 nations of the Commonwealth and made several indications that she expects the crown to be Prince Charles’.

    The Queen lauded Prince Charles’ “boundless energy and commitment” to the Commonwealth.

    She also said, “Nor could I wish to have been better supported and represented in the Commonwealth than by the Prince of Wales who continues to give so much to it with great distinction.”

    Prince Charles also experienced two firsts: sharing the stage with the Queen at the opening ceremony and being invited behind closed doors to address an executive session of the summit.

    It seems Prince Charles’ reign could have a lot to do with the environment and climate change. During a video message for a global gathering in Edinburgh, he made his feelings about climate change clear.

    Prince Charles exhorted the delegates present to “run the global bank that we call our planet in a responsible and competent manner” and to “act now before it is too late.”

    He also said, “We are facing what can only be described as a cataclysm of events which pose a real threat to our survival.”

    What do you think of the Queens sudden interest in clarifying her wishes for the crown to pass to Prince Charles?

  • Princess Charlotte Meets Great-Grandmother, Queen Elizabeth

    Princess Charlotte–daughter of Kate Middleton and Prince William–met her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, on Tuesday.

    People magazine reports that although Queen Elizabeth wasn’t at the hospital when Princess Charlotte was born on Saturday, she dressed up in a hot pink ensemble in honor of the royal birth, during an engagement.

    Princess Charlotte has had a rather large procession of visitors since her birth. Grandparents Michael and Carole Middleton visited this weekend, as did Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, arrived at the same time her mother visited.

    Following Princess Charlotte’s visit with Queen Elizabeth, it is expected that Kate Middleton and Prince William–along with the new princess and her brother, Prince George–will head to their country home. The 10-bedroom mansion is located 110 miles north of London.

    On Tuesday afternoon, Prince Charlotte’s birth was officially recorded.

    Do you expect that Queen Elizabeth was excited to meet her great-granddaughter, Princess Charlotte? She is no doubt pleased that the baby girl shares her name. Princess Charlotte’s full name is, of course, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

  • Royal Baby Name Announced: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

    The royal baby name has been announced. The new little princess is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, as announced by Kensington Palace on Monday.

    Kate Middleton gave birth to her and Prince William’s baby girl on Saturday. Their precious bundle of joy weighed in at an impressive eight pounds and three ounces.

    Speculation about the royal baby name ran rampant–even weeks before she was born. Both Charlotte and Diana were among the strong contenders in most publications. Charlotte was one of the early favorites for the royal baby’s name, mentioned alongside Alice, Victoria, and Alexandra

    “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana,” the statement from Kensington Palace reads. “The baby will be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.”

    Us Weekly reports that when asked the meaning behind the royal baby name, a Kensington Palace rep replied, “We’ll let the names speak for themselves.”

    Elizabeth, of course, is no doubt a nod to Prince William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth. And Diana is in memory of his late mother, Princess Diana. Charlotte could be a nod to Prince Charles. French in origin, George IV named his only child Charlotte, but she died in childbirth at the age of 21. George III’s wife was Queen Charlotte.

    What do you think of the royal baby name Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen? Charlotte Elizabeth Diana is certainly among the prettier names to come out of the royal family for many years–definitely trumping Beatrice and Eugenie by far.

    Welcome to the world, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. You certainly have a lovely name.

  • Carole Middleton and daughter, Pippa Middleton, Meet Little Princess (What IS Her Name?)

    Carole Middleton and daughter Pippa Middleton met the new little princess on Sunday, even before Prince Charles and Camilla.

    They reportedly now know the name of the little princess, however, the rest of the world is waiting impatiently for the announcement of her name.

    It’s not unexpected that Kate Middleton’s own mother would quickly make that first visit to meet her new little granddaughter.

    Dressed in a lovely spring blouse, Carole Middleton, who is said to be one “happy granny,” drove into Kensington Palace around 11:30 a.m. local time on Sunday morning in a black Range Rover with her 31-year-old daughter, Pippa Middleton.

    A bit later, Prince Charles, 66, arrived at the palace with Camilla, 67, to meet his granddaughter for the first time.

    The name of the beautiful, little princess is still unknown and it is presumed the announcement will come once Queen Elizabeth has met her great-granddaughter and learned her name first-hand.

    Other visitors to arrive after Carole Middleton include Carole’s husband, Michael Middleton, and close friends of Kate and William, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who is a godmother to Prince George, and her husband.

    It is not clear when Queen Elizabeth II will meet the new princess, although reports claim it will come later on Sunday. She was reportedly spotted in Sandringham on Sunday and was seen wearing pink at a royal event in Yorkshire on Saturday.

    Any guesses on the new princess’ name?

  • Carole Middleton, ‘Happy Granny,’ Meets Royal Baby Ahead of Prince Charles

    Carole Middleton is said to be a ‘happy granny.’. And well she should be. Not many grannies can boast not just one, but two royal babies as their grandchildren. Carole Middleton even beat Prince Charles at meeting the new royal baby, who was born on Saturday to Kate Middleton and Prince William. The new baby, of course, joins big brother, Prince George.

    It was Saturday afternoon when Carole Middleton was spotted driving through Bucklebury, where she and her family live. She opted to forgo the crazy crowds in London, celebrating the birth of the royal baby outside of the hospital where she was born. Instead, Carole joined daughter Pippa Middleton, traveling to visit Kate, Will, and the new little princess on Sunday instead.

    “She looked absolutely radiant. I have never seen her looking so happy,” a source tells People magazine of Carole Middleton as she drove through Bucklebury Saturday. “She was on her own and looked absolutely wonderful. As happy as a bean. She is one very happy granny.”

    Both Carole Middleton and daughter Pippa were spotted inside a black Range Rover, driving into Kensington Palace on Sunday. Prince Charles and wife Camilla, visited a short time later, followed by Carole Middleton’s husband, Michael Middleton. At one point the new royal baby had all four grandparents in the room at the same time.

    How do you suppose Kate Middleton is taking to all of these visits? After all, she’s the one who just gave birth to the royal baby? Even though she appeared radiant when first stepping outside of the London hospital where the princess was born, she has to be exhausted.

    Queen Elizabeth has yet to meet the new princess. Sources say she may visit later on Sunday.

  • Duchess of Cambridge: Kate Middleton Makes Final Public Appearance Before Baby Arrives

    The Duchess of Cambridge, also known as Kate Middleton, made her last public appearance this week, before the arrival of her and Prince William’s second baby next month. She and the prince took a tour of the Stephen Lawrence Centre, a place for community learning and social research, in South London. She wore the same bright pink Mulberry coat she wore during her trip to New York City late last year.

    According to a report from E! News, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were accompanied by Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon during her visit.

    Before the couple left the tour, they signed a guest book, and Kate Middleton was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also visited a charity called XLP, known for their work with disadvantaged young people. Prince William and Kate Middleton toured the facilities and watched an arts showcase presentation.

    After this outing, the Duchess of Cambridge will all but disappear from the public eye until their second child–no one knows yet whether Kate is having a boy or a girl–arrives during the ‘mid-to-end’ of April. The new baby will be fourth in line to the British throne after Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince George. Poor Prince Harry gets bumped down to fifth in line to the throne.

    Do you think the birth of this second child for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be any less anticipated because he or she won’t rank as high as Prince George with regard to the British throne? Or will Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family be just as excited, knowing they’ll have yet another heir?

  • Prince Charles Urges Constituents To Reconnect With Farming

    To celebrate his 66th birthday, Prince Charles wrote a foreword for Country Life magazine, in which he described his worries on the future of the countryside and urged people to value it or risk losing it.

    “People in the UK are now four or more generations removed from anyone who actually worked on the land – and it frequently shows in their attitudes,” wrote Prince Charles. “The rich, natural tapestry that is the countryside we value so highly does not just happen by itself. But that delicately woven tapestry is facing unprecedented challenges.”

    Last year, Prince Charles reportedly guest-edited for the magazine as a way of celebrating his 65th birthday. The monarch turns 66 on Friday, November 14. “We are delighted that the prince agreed to mark his 66th birthday by writing a powerful leader on the importance of preserving the countryside and its way of life,” said Mark Hedges, editor of Country Life.

    Post by Charles,Prince of Wales.
    “The prince has a deep understanding and connection with every aspect of people working and living in rural Britain, from highlighting the hardship facing hill farmers who, last year, earned on average £8,000 to the 60,000 new entrants needed in the UK farming sector to secure its future, to the importance of preserving village schools, pubs and shops at the heart of country communities,” added Hedges. Unlike his more conservative mother, Prince Charles has been outspoken on topics such as the environment, being the owner of the successful organic farm Duchy Home Farm. He runs several organic groups besides the Countryside Fund, which gives support to farmers and tackles issues such as rural isolation and the decline of communities. Prince Charles in his piece emphasized the importance of the farmer “as food producer, at the front and centre of the picture.” “It would not only be a folly to lose agricultural land, it would be equally foolish to use it in ways that are not environmentally sustainable in the long term,” wrote Prince Charles.

  • Prince Charles Honors Late Actress and Philanthropist Lynda Bellingham

    Prince Charles paid tribute Thursday to late actress and philanthropist Lynda Bellingham, saying she will be “hugely missed.”

    The British royal praised the late star, who died on Oct. 18 at the age of 66 after losing her battle against colon cancer, for being a wonderful ambassador for his charity PRIME (Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise) and a “marvelous actress.”

    The 65-year-old Prince Charles referred to Bellingham during a speech to delegates at the launch of his new PRIME initiative in London on Thursday.

    “Before referring to the work of PRIME, I did just want to pay, if I may, a special tribute to Lynda Bellingham, who was, as many of you know, a wonderful ambassador for PRIME.

    “Personally I was greatly saddened to learn that she had passed away. As you know, she was not only a marvellous actress but also someone who worked tirelessly for others.

    “So she really will be hugely missed.”

    The Faith in the Future star was slated to attend the launch of the campaign before her cancer spread to her lungs and liver.

    The campaign was launched to encourage employers to give jobs to more than 1.1 million people over the age of 50 and who want to work again.

    Following his tribute to Bellingham, Prince Charles called for employers to hire more people aged 50 and over, describing the “missing million” as a “valuable asset.”

    “For what it’s worth, to me one key fact revealed by this research is that employing older people does not mean younger people are crowded out of the labor market,” he said.

    “The number of jobs in the economy is not set. There is room to employ younger people and older people in a mix of skills and experience that creates better business.

    “This research makes it clear that older workers are not a burden but a valuable asset.”

  • Princess Diana’s 1981 Wedding Dress and Other Effects Will Be Handed Over to Her Sons on Harry’s 30th Birthday

    It’s hard to believe for some of us, but it has been 33 years since Princess Diana married Prince Charles in the 1981 wedding celebrated around the world.

    The beautiful dress worn by the princess will soon be returned to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

    According to The Telegraph, Diana’s will stipulated that her brother, Earl Spencer, serve as custodian of the David and Elizabeth Emanuel-designed dress until Harry‘s 30th birthday. Harry will celebrate that milestone birthday on Sept. 15.

    The dress — made of multiple layers of silk, accented with thousands of pearls and featuring a 25-foot train — has been traveling the world as part of an exhibition called Diana: A Celebration in the years following her tragic 1997 death.

    The dress is just one of the many objects heading back to Diana’s sons. Other items include 28 other dresses that belonged to Diana, two diamond tiaras, “other priceless family jewels,” and family paintings.

    Perhaps the “boys” are thrilled with the return of Diana‘s dresses and tiaras, but they will likely be even more excited for the return of photos, letters, and home movies that will be returned along with the other objects.

    Harry will be receiving another gift for his 30th birthday — his inheritance worth $16.5 million. And like his brother did two years ago when he turned 30, Harry’s inheritance will be placed in a trust.

    Sounds like it’s going to be an exceptional birthday celebration for both princes.

  • Princess Diana Exposé to be Published by Former Aide

    July 29 marked the 33rd anniversary of Princess Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles. Although the couple’s marriage would eventually crumble following the revelation of Charles’s affair with Camilla Bowles-Parker, the royal duo is perhaps one of the most famous couples of all time. And, despite his past actions, it is still quite apparent that Prince Charles never lost his love for Princess Diana, as exhibited by his latest fury concerning the upcoming release of an exposé by the Queen’s former Press Secretary, Dickie Arbiter.

    Arbiter joined the staff of the Royal Palace in 1988 and was a member until 2000. During his twelve years of service, Arbiter was privy to all the intimate and confidential details of the royal family. Arbiter became Prince Charles’s confidant while he was struggling with his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles, and was close enough with the Queen that the two even did the dishes together at one point in time. It was this close relationship with the Queen which gave Arbiter access to such secret information such as the Queen’s opinions on other Prime Ministers and world leaders throughout her reign.

    Royal Palace sources have commented on the publishing of the book, stating:

    Charles is furious. This man was a trusted friend…He is raking over the breakdown of the marriage and the Prince has been asking aides Why do we have to go through this all again? It is just a case of a man who he thought was a friend and who could be trusted cashing in on the misery of that time. It is disloyal… Arbiter has been told that he does not have official permission to write this book and a legal team has reviewed all his old contracts in a bid to try and find a way to stop it.

    While Palace sources state Arbiter is legally bound to not publish the book due to the Official Secrets Act he signed upon becoming an employee of the Royal Palace, Arbiter and his legal team believe that the publishing of On Duty With the Queen does not violate any contractual obligations Arbiter may have: “It is an autobiography – it is about my life. There aren’t any revelations… I left a note at the palace telling them I was doing it. I am not breaching anything.”

    On Duty With the Queen certainly promises to be insightful and entertaining due to Arbiter’s position within the Royal Family, but Prince Charles and the Queen cannot help feeling betrayed, especially due to comments once made by Arbiter himself: “Everyone who writes a book is just cashing in. Frankly there is nothing more to write on Diana.”

    With the publishing of his book, Arbiter can join the leagues of hypocrites everywhere, as he expects to cash-in a cool £250,000 for his memoirs. On Duty With the Queen is set to be released on October 1, 2014.

    Image via Twitter

  • Duchess Of Cornwall Attends Miners Memorial With Prince Charles

    The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended the Welsh National Miners Memorial in Senghenydd to pay tribute to miners who lost their lives in a coalmine disaster in 1913.

    In 1913, an explosion at the Universal Colliery in Senghenydd killed a rescuer and 439 miners. The incident is considered the biggest disaster in the area. Last year, a national memorial was unveiled to mark the 100-year anniversary of the accident.

    Roy Noble, who is the patron of the village’s heritage committee, welcomed Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Charles laid down a wreath at the foot of the monument. The couple was shown the tiles around the memorial, which listed the names of all those who perished during the unfortunate incident. They browsed through the names as the choir sang “Senghenydd.”

    Post by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    Post by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    One of those in attendance was Viv Pitten, a 70-year-old man who resided at the top of the valley. He said that although the explosion happened more than 100 years ago, it is still raw for people his age. Prince Charles also went around the village’s Heritage Museum where he paid his respects to the miners who died. “My wife and I have so enjoyed this opportunity to meet you all and if I may say so to have a chance to pay our respects at the memorial,” he said. Charles and Camilla also took time to greet the crowds. They accepted flowers given to them by schoolchildren who were there.
    Post by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    Hilary Barbrook, 74, said that she lost two grandfathers in the 1913 explosion. One of her grandfathers was found 15 months after the disaster when part of the mine was reopened. Her grandfather was recognized from a ring that he wore. The Prince and the Duchess spent five days touring Wales. The Duchess attended the 50th anniversary of Britain in Bloom and Prince Charles toured the 15th century farmhouse, which is being restored.
    Post by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
    Images via Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall, Facebook

  • Princess Diana: Death Dossier Released to Public

    Princess Diana died in a tragic car crash almost seventeen years ago, but her death dossier which contained key information detailing the events that followed the crash, was just released to the public during the past few days. After five months of Freedom of Information requests on behalf of the Sunday People, U.K. Home Secretary Theresa May finally gave her approval for the information to be released.

    The dossier was typewritten on three sheets of paper and featured 65 deletions. The list of names that did appear in the log had all been in the public domain since Diana’s death, and included the Prince of Wales, Diana’s sisters Sarah and Jane and France’s then President Jacques Chirac. Officials says the other names were deleted to ensure the privacy of those individuals. These deletions are fueling even more speculation that a cover up about what really happened to Princess Diana is still ongoing–something Mohamed Al Fayed, whose son Dodi Fayed also died in the crash with Diana, has believed since the time of the crash.

    “This is not an accident,” he said in the early hours of August 31,1997, when he learned of the deaths of his son and Princess Diana. “It is a plot, an assassination.”

    In 2008, an inquest into Diana’s death was informed that MI5 and MI6 agents had been operating at the British embassy in Paris when Diana died in the horrific car crash. A six-month inquest determined they died due to the gross negligence of Diana’s driver, Henri Paul, who was speeding away from the paparazzi and was drunk at the time. Mohamed Al Fayed has long believed that the deaths were engineered by members of the royal family and agents of the British state because they wanted to prevent Princess Diana from marrying a Muslim.

    The death dossier doesn’t contain anything of interest whatsoever. It details the transfer of Princess Diana’s body from a resuscitation area in the hospital emergency room to a private room. It tells of authorities informing the proper people, including the royal family, that Diana had been killed. French President Jacques Chirac and his wife both paid their respects at the hospital. Arrangements were made for Prince Charles to be transported to the hospital and view the body as well.

    Even nearly seventeen years after her death there seem to be two trains of thought regarding the death of Princess Diana. One says she died in a tragic accident as her driver and good friend sped away from the relentless paparazzi. The second theory indicates she was murdered. The recently released death dossier doesn’t lend itself specifically to either theory and in fact doesn’t provide much information about the accident. However, those deletions from the three sheets of paper that comprise the death dossier do raise some questions and the omission of people’s names lends itself to the murder theory more so than to the accidental death theory. What other reason might there be for those 65 deletions?

    What do you think happened to Princess Diana? Were you among those who watched television late into the night that fateful Labor Day Weekend (in the U.S.) and heard the tragic news that the ‘People’s Princess’ had died?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Prince George: New Photo Released of Royal Baby

    Prince George has commanded the world’s attention and he’s only 8 and 1/2 months old. The royal baby appears–along with parents Kate Middleton and Prince William–in a new family portrait, and he very clearly steals the show.

    The photo, released by Kensington Palace this weekend, shows Kate, William and little Prince George, in their apartment at Kensington Palace. It was taken about two weeks ago by photographer Jason Bell who also too Prince George’s christening photos. The new photo was released in advance to mark the family’s trip to Australia and New Zealand next week. Prince William was just George’s age when he made the same trip 31 years ago with his parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

    “This is about the coming out of Prince George. It’s the first time we’re going to see him internationally,” royal editor and author Robert Jobson said during an interview with ABC News.

    “I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a repeat of him crawling around like Prince William did in Australia because it is really all about him on this trip,” Jobson said. “This is really the first time we”ll get a good look since the christening.”

    The family trip will be fashioned to William and Kate’s interests, although there will be formal events for the couple to attend. A new nanny, as mentioned in the video clip above, was recently hired by the royals and has flown down under ahead of the royal family. She will care for Prince George when his parent’s hands are tied.

    Many people have speculated that a new little prince or princess might be on the way for Kate and William, but he set them straight a couple of weeks ago. He mentioned that Prince George was crawling, however “one was enough at the moment.”

    It will be interesting to see how long that remains the case. Do you expect Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge will provide Prince George with a new brother or sister in the near future? In the meantime, their first baby is beyond adorable in the family’s new formal portrait.

    Image via YouTube

  • Prince Charles Takes Part In Saudi Sword Dance

    Prince Charles Takes Part In Saudi Sword Dance

    The Prince of Wales showed the Saudi Royal family his dance moves when he took part in the time-honored sword dance called the “Ardah” during his three-day tour of the Middle East. Dressed in traditional Arab clothing called a “thobe”, Prince Charles enthusiastically performed the dance along with other male members of the Saudi Royals to commemorate the warrior tradition of the Shammar Tribe. In modern Saudi culture, the all-male performance features hundreds of young and old Saudi males dancing, singing, and brandishing swords.

    This traditional ceremony takes place every year during the Janadriyah Festival, a 17-day event that celebrates Saudi culture and heritage. The Ardah, however, is also performed in other events such as weddings and national holidays. The dance symbolizes the importance of the warrior in the establishment of the Saudi kingdom. It is believed to have originated from the nomadic warriors’ practice of chanting with their swords to boost their courage or celebrate victory.

    The 65-year old British monarch is also due to visit Qatar after his Saudi trip. He has visited the two nations twice this year already, and his trip to Saudi Arabia marks his tenth since he first arrived in the country officially 28 years ago. Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, who is the former head of the Saudi Intelligence Service, served as Prince Charles’ host. Abdulaziz was also appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister by King Abdullah last year.

    According to the Associated Press, Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming Prince Charles’ plans of meeting King Abdullah before heading off to his two-day visit to Qatar. Before the Prince’s arrival to Saudi Arabia, the British Ambassador Jon Jenkins said that Prince Charles intended to initiate discussions on reconciliation in the Middle Eastern region. The Prince of Wales has close ties to the Saudi Royal family. He was their guest of honor on his previous visit, which the Prince took as an opportunity to get to know the country better.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Prince Charles Dances With Swords

    Prince Charles Dances With Swords

    Prince Charles is currently taking a tour of the Middle East, most recently stopping in Saudi Arabia.

    On Tuesday, while in the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Prince Charles wore traditional dress and joined members of the royal family of Saudi Arabia in the Ardah. The Ardah, commonly known as the sword dance, was performed as part of the 17-day Janadriya culture festival at Der’iya.

    The Ardah is commonly performed at weddings and other events. Hundreds of Saudi Arabian men and boys get in formation and dance and sing with swords in hand.

    Prince Charles’ host, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, was named Second Deputy Prime Minister last year by King Abdullah. Abdulaziz was also the former head of the Saudi intelligence service.

    While some people liked that Prince Charles performed the sword dance with members of the Saudi royal family…

    …many disapproved of his actions.

    These photos and videos of Prince Charles participating in the sword dance has many human rights groups, most notably Amnesty International, wanting him to discuss the abuse of human rights during meetings with key officials. One human rights group said Prince Charles “should be under no illusions that outside of the palatial royal residences of Riyadh and Doha, the human rights situation in both countries is desperately bad.”

    Prince Charles’ trip of the Middle East will continue to Qatar.

    Image via YouTube.

  • Prince William & Prince Charles Make Wildlife Plea

    Prince William and Prince Charles have teamed up to publicize the devastating effects of the illegal wildlife trade in a video they released today, in an effort to stop the trade and killing of the world’s wildlife species.

    The duo’s plea included urging people to show their support for organizations working to stop the exchange of illegal wildlife around the world.

    “We have come together, as father and son, to lend our voices to the growing global effort to combat the illegal wildlife trade,” the 65-year-old royal says in the approximately 9-minute clip. “A trade that has reached such unprecedented levels of killing and related violence that it now poses a grave threat not only to the survival of some of the world’s most treasured species, but also to economic and political stability in many areas around the world.”

    They explain, in some detail, how endangered species are killed in astonishingly high numbers, and reveal the political and economic effects of the illegal wildlife trade.

    “Despite the terrible crisis that we now face, we both continue to be optimistic that the tide can be reversed,” Prince William continued, “We have to be the generation that stopped the illegal wildlife trade, and secured the future of these magnificent animals, and their habitats, for if we fail, it will be too late.”

    The father-son duo are following through with their message in action as well, as William will be attending the United for Wildlife Symposium at the Zoological Society London, and a reception at the Natural History Museum, on Wednesday, which is hosted by the U.K. government on the Illegal Wildlife Trade.

    Then on Thursday, they both are showing their support and participation in attending the London Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade, where leaders from across the globe will meet to discuss a more permanent solution to protecting the world’s endangered species.

    William, 31, says in the video, “Despite the terrible crisis that we now face, we both continue to be optimistic that the tide can be reversed.”

    The video ends with the two royals saying the phrase “Let’s unite for wildlife!” in several different languages.

    Image via World Wildlife Fund

  • Helen Mirren ‘Twerks’ While Accepting Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Award

    Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren showed off a little bit of her bum-shaking skills on Thursday at Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals Award Ceremony.

    The ceremony is put together by one of the nation’s oldest drama companies, which presents annual awards to actors who have made a profound impression in the entertainment industry.

    Casting members asked the 68-year-old actress to twerk, so she did just that.

    Although she seemed quite embarrassed, but yet humored by her own actions, she happily received her Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman Of The Year award.

    In her acceptance speech, she mentioned how a honorary duty that was presented to her by Prince Charles for the Samsung Celebrate Success ceremony, was nothing compared to the award she received from Hasty Pudding Theatricals. (image)

    “…And I was made a dame of the British Empire,” she said. “I had to go to Buckingham Palace and uh, I was honored by actually not her royal highness, by Prince Charles. Didn’t come anywhere close to this.”

    Following the ceremony, Mirren sported her gold medal and joined the costumed troupe outside for some parade-fun.

    As an entertainer, Mirren has accomplished some of the greatest achievements within her acting career. For instance, her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” won her an Oscar in 2006. That movie role alone also made her the recipient of 29 major awards.

    Surprisingly, one ‘a-lister’ that Mirren particularly likes is none other than the ‘Queen B’ herself. No, not Queen Elizabeth but Beyoncé, who also gave a little ‘butt action’ during her Grammy performance on Sunday 26.

    “I think she’s quite extraordinary,” she told People.com, as she remember seeing the singer during a live performance. “She had this incredible sense of concentration and energy and preparation. I was very impressed by that. Standing in the wings watching her was this explosion of energy. Quite spectacular.”

    As far as twerking goes, she’s not too fond of her skills.

    “I’ve tried in my bedroom in private in front of the mirror, very unsuccessfully,” she said. “Absolutely humiliating to have to do it in public in front of a whole load of people.”

    Mirren may just be ‘cooler’ than we think, especially since her awful attempt at twerking! Although she seems to be quite conservative, she also appears to be an outgoing woman.

    “The Tempest” actress was once quoted saying:

    “Actors are rogues and vagabonds. Or they ought to be. I can’t stand it when they behave like solicitors from Penge. I’m a would-be rebel. The good girl who’d like to be a bad one.”

    Images via Youtube

  • Prince William to Study at Cambridge University in 2014

    Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is returning to school. Kensington Palace made the announcement on Monday.

    According to the official press release, William will begin a 10-week program in agricultural management in early January. The course is described as an “executive education [program] of seminars, lectures and meetings” and is organized by the Cambridge Program for Sustainability Leadership.

    According to the press release, the course was “designed to help provide The Duke with an understanding of contemporary issues affecting agricultural business and rural communities in the United Kingdom.”

    The course could very well be Prince William’s first step in learning to manage the vast wealth and resources of the Duchy of Cornwall, which he will inherit from his father, Prince Charles when he becomes king.

    The Duchy of Cornwall consists of 53,154 hectacres of land in 24 counties. That’s over 130,000 acres. Nearly half the land is in Devon, with other holdings in counties such as Cornwall, Dorset, Herefordshire, Norfolk, Somerset, and Wales.

    The land held by the Duchy ranges from agricultural to residential to commercial properties. In addition, the Duchy has a portfolio of financial investments.

    According to the Duchy’s annual report, it had income of 19.1 million pounds – roughly $31.5 million – for the year ending March 31, 2013.

    Income from the Duchy currently funds the public, private, and charitable activities of Prince Charles and his family.

    Prince William has a bit of spare time to dedicate to learning to manage the sizable estate he’ll one day inherit after having stepped down from his career in the Armed Forces in September.

    The press release assures the British public that the Duke and his bride, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, will continue to support the Queen and the royal family through official engagements both at home and abroad.

    It also promises that William is carefully considering just how he’ll serve the public, and that an announcement will be made “in due course.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons