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  • Duchess of Cambridge Expecting Second Child?

    Is the Duchess of Cambridge expecting her second child? Hubby Prince William rather alluded to a second pregnancy while chatting with Cynthia Read–a former Brit who emigrated to New Zealand a few years ago. Read knitted a merino wool shawl for Prince George which was New Zealand’s official gift to the baby when he was born eight months ago.

    “You might have to make another one soon!” several accounts report Prince William as saying to Read.

    Cynthia Read believed the prince was serious when he made the comment.

    The notion became a bit more questionable when Prince William and Kate Middleton visited a nearby vineyard. Some reports indicate she only indulged in a very few sips while others say she was actually drinking the wine.

    Central Otago Pinot Noir Ltd. chairwoman Lucie Lawrence, who escorted the Duchess of Cambridge at Amisfield Winery, said Kate had “six or seven” tastes.

    “She was drinking it. She really enjoyed drinking the Pinot Noir,” Lawrence said.

    Later in the day Kate joined William on a wild jet boat ride on the Shotover River, where they raced through shallow water at speeds of up to 53 miles per hour. The duchess likely wouldn’t have taken part in such a wild ride if she was with child–would she?

    The duke and duchess enjoyed many formal events in New Zealand this past week, including the unveiling of a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth.

    Prince William and Kate Middleton also engaged in some solo activities while in New Zealand. She paid a visit to the children and families at a local hospice, as depicted in the video clip above. The hospice houses both terminally ill children and adults, and the families grieving their imminent passings. Prince William toured the local Pacific Aerospace plant.

    Is it possible that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their second child? Prince George is already 8 months old, and they likely won’t want to raise him as an only child.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Kate Middleton Effect’ Boosts U.K. Clothing Sales

    The “Kate Middleton Effect” (or “Kate Effect” for short) is an oft used term by the media to describe the effect that Kate Middleton has on the world around her, most specifically the fashion industry. While the term may have seemed a bit hyperbolic at first, recently revealed data shows that the “Kate Effect” is more powerful than anyone could have imagined.

    The “Kate Effect” truly began on a quaint day in April 2011 when she married current Prince of England and Duke of Cambridge, William. Since that day, women across the world have been clamoring to get their hands on the latest fashion worn by the newly minted Princess of England and Duchess of Cambridge.

    Early speculation pegged the “Kate Effect” as a multi-billion dollar boon to the economy of the United Kingdom, with many news outlets reporting that the “Kate Effect” had boosted the U.K. economy by $1 billion, with other estimates going as high as $2 billion.

    After a recent financial report released by British maternity clothing line Seraphine, however, that contribution of the “Kate Effect” is no longer speculation.

    Profits for Seraphine quadrupled this past year after the Princess decided to release the first photographs of her newborn child while wearing one of the company’s fuchsia dresses.

    For 2013, Seraphine posted a £1.1m profit before taxes, up from a £0.25m profit in 2012. Seraphine also saw a 60 percent increase in turnover.

    Chelsey Oliver, the creative director of Seraphine, contributed the majority of the gain to the Princess, stating, “We were the only specialist maternity retailers that were seen to be dressing her during her pregnancy, which put us on the map. The fuchsia Jolene dress was the really big cherry on the cake but we benefited from the overall message about who we were to the Duchess of Cambridge.”

    Oliver went on to explain that the main reason Kate had such influence on Seraphine sales was due to her down-to-earth appeal: “She was wearing a maternity brand post pregnancy and she was saying to the world, ‘I’m a real woman, I’m not jumping back into tiny fitted clothes’. On top of her looking great, her message was such a good one.”

    While the “Kate Effect” has certainly spurred business in the United Kingdom, it has also had an adverse effect toward certain high-end businesses. In 2012, Kate Middleton knock-off products cost jewelers nearly $10 million.

    Image via YouTube

  • 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

  • Kate Middleton and Prince William Hire A Super Nanny

    Kate Middleton and Prince William were reportedly on a recent hunt to find a nanny to care for Prince George. A new report claims they’ve found one. The royal couple has reportedly hired a 30-something super nanny from Spain, and she is said to have ample experience working with “high flying families.”

    The new nanny has been hired just weeks prior to Kate and William’s royal tour of New Zealand and Australia. She’s already on the job, too, as she was spotted–accompanied by a security guard–walking the little prince in his carriage in Hyde Park while Kate and William enjoyed a brief getaway in the Maldives.

    “She has worked with other prominent high-society families in the past,” a royal source said during a recent interview. “It was from there that the Cambridges heard of her and hired her.”

    “She is not married and doesn’t have a boyfriend as her life is totally dedicated to the family she is working with,” the source continued. “She is known for being totally professional – married to the job.”

    It has to be extremely hard to hire a nanny in the “normal world.” Leaving one’s most precious assets in the care of another human being about whom you rely on references to assess is tough. When the little charge in question is a prince, all sorts of added security measures and background checks weigh in to the process. It clearly involves way more than just Kate Middleton and Prince William sipping tea with a few candidates while discussing child care experience.

    And just imagine what it must be like for this thus far unnamed Spanish super nanny–suddenly thrust into the spotlight, caring for a prince.

    “Every now and then the nanny stopped to check on the baby and make sure he was wrapped up warm in the chilly weather,” a source said of the nanny and the prince. “There was a personal protection officer with her as they walked, with more following them and there were police cars patrolling the park.”

    This definitely isn’t your average nannying position.

    The new nanny has reportedly now traveled with additional staff ahead of the New Zealand and Australia tour, where she will care for Prince George while Kate Middleton and Prince William go about their royal duties.

    There a definitely some major perks to this nannying gig, but ones that come with an incredible–perhaps even overwhelming–responsibility. It will be interesting to see what Kate and William think of their new hire at the end of the royal tour.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Cressida Bonas Makes First Official Public Appearance With Prince Harry

    Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry have appeared together officially for the first time ever. Even though everyone knows the two have seen each other quite regularly for a while now, this was the first time the prince has brought Cressida to an official event. The two attended a benefit event for Free the Children. Harry spoke for the organization that aims to engage and empower young people to work together in an effort to erase poverty at ‘We Day for the U.K.’

    Prince Harry admitted to being nervous before the event, as Cressida supported him with her presence.

    “If you were expecting Harry Styles, I apologize. And no, I’m not going to sing,” he joked as he began his speech.

    Both Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas dressed casually at the event, wearing jeans and sneakers. The two made separate entrances at ‘We Day in the U.K.’ They reunited a short time later and sat together when Harry wasn’t speaking.

    In royal terms, this likely means that Cressida and Harry are moving one step closer to becoming engaged. The young princes don’t bring girlfriends to official events unless there is a high likelihood of something very official in their futures. Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas dined together at The Ivy earlier in the week. They ate with her brother-in-law Sam Branson at the esteemed restaurant.

    Might there be another royal wedding in the future? Do you expect it could rival that of Kate Middleton and Prince William’s? That event garnered huge interest from people all around the globe–not to mention it was Pippa Middletin’s (Kate Middleton’s sister) international debut. From the time the world got a glimpse of her beautiful behind, people talked about her almost as much as they talked about the bride.

    Note to Cressida Bonas: be very careful about who you choose to stand up for you. They must not one-up your derriere.

    Cressida and Harry have hung around each other long enough now that surely more than a friendship has grown between the two. It shouldn’t surprise many people if an engagement is announced in the coming months.

    Image via YouTube

  • Kate Middleton Supposedly Pregnant with Second Child

    Well, it looks like Her Royal Majesty will soon welcome yet another great-grandchild into Buckingham Palace, or so sources say.

    Kate Middleton and Prince William are reportedly to be pregnant with baby number two.

    According to the Inqiuistr, Star Magazine reported in December that Middleton was already three months long. The headline on the front cover of the magazine’s January 6 issue declared: “It’s Official: Kate’s Pregnant Again!”

    The featured article revealed how the royal couple announced the news to their family and friends. Apparently, Prince William publicly shared the news during a Christmas party at the palace.

    What’s even more astounding is that sources said if she were to have a girl, her plan was to pass down a name that would surely honor her husband’s royal name.

    What may that be you ask?

    DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

    DIANA. Yes, after Prince William and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

    However, the report’s claims are in doubt because no one has yet to confirm the rumors to be true.

    Now nearly two months later, Globe Magazine is more than certain that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her second child.

    In its recent February 24 print edition, an inside source told Globe Magazine, “Kate is pretty far along —- far enough to know that she’s having a girl.”

    She has supposedly already sought Queen Elizabeth II’s approval for the baby’s name.

    Until either Middleton or Prince William verifies the pregnancy, the couple still has some parenting moments to enjoy with their first child Prince George.

    According to Star Magazine, Kate’s first pregnancy experience wasn’t too thrilling. She was hospitalized for dehydration and had severe morning sickness in her first trimester with Prince George. Fortunately, this pregnancy is reportedly running its course pretty smoothly.

    Although Middleton has previously expressed how she wants to have three children within five years, this pregnancy would be sooner than originally planned. Meaning, Middleton would have conceived two months after popping out baby Prince George.

    In December, Celeb Dirty Laundry  placed this preconceived notion into a deeper perspective:

    “If Kate is really three months pregnant then she conceived when her son was only 2 months old and most new moms are too sleep deprived to even consider having another baby so close- or to contend with a pregnancy while carrying around an infant! Plus Kate is rumored to have gone through a few months of postpartum depression which would make the likelihood of a planned pregnancy even less logical.”

    With that said, do you believe the pregnancy rumors are true?

    Image via YouTube

  • Jackie Chan Makes a Royal Blunder and Tackles Illegal Wildlife Trade

    Many people know Jackie Chan for his comedic role in Rush Hour. Even more people know him for his martial arts skills, but few are aware of Chan’s active role in preserving wildlife.

    Chan, as a spokesman for the wildlife charity Wildaid, is passionate about animal rights. So passionate that he refuses to eat food that uses endangered animals in its ingredients. Chan recalled that ten years ago, while in China, the government brought him soup containing shark fin. He told them to “put it away.”

    Last week Chan attended a conference on behalf of Wildaid. At a reception following the Illegal Wildlife Trade conference in London, he made a slight blunder by mixing up Prince Harry and Prince William. Chan congratulated Prince William on his recent trek to the South Pole. Chan told The Times newspaper that William responded by saying, “No, that was my brother.” Chan quickly countered by saying, “I’m sorry.’ But they look almost same, huh?” The two men shared a laugh, shook hands, and then continued on their way.

    William and Harry attended the event to support their father, Prince Charles, who gave a speech at the event. In his speech he urged actions be taken to stop illegal trade of animal products, because of its threat to wildlife, and to the people that protect it.

    While in London, Chan also spoke to a reporter at CNN about why he’s so passionate about animal rights. He disclosed a memory of using animal products for healing remedies when he got hurt. However, he later discovered there were no real healing powers to these products. It was all a myth.

    Chan now speaks against people who sell these products illegally. He tells people to stop buying them because Chan feels it destroys the earth. He even appears in a documentary called Tools of the Trade, which highlights the illegal trade of wildlife products.

    Chan told the CNN reporter that by destroying animals, we’re destroying ourselves.

    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

  • Zara Phillips: It’s A Girl, Queen Elizabeth’s 4th Great-Grandchild

    Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, and her husband Mike Tindall welcomed their baby girl into the world on Friday. Until the baby was born, they had no idea if they were having a boy or a girl. This is the fourth great-grandchild for the queen, and will definitely provide a playmate for Prince George–son of Kate Middleton and Prince William.

    What a difference royal rank makes. Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall both arrived at and left the hospital following the birth of their daughter–whose name has yet to be announced–without any of the fanfare that surrounded Kate Middleton and Prince William when Prince George was born.

    Zara Phillips is an accomplished equestrian. She competed in and won a silver medal in the 2012 Olympics. She is the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips. Zara was named by her cousin Prince William as one of baby Prince George’s godmothers during his christening ceremony back in October.

    Zara and Mike’s baby is only 16th in line to the British throne, so it’s a bit unlikely that she will ever be queen, however it will definitely be an interesting and no doubt privileged life growing up as a royal.

    It will be interesting to see if Zara employs the aid of a nanny for raising their baby girl–something Kate Middleton and Prince William have vehemently opposed–at least not on a full time basis. Will Zara Phillips follow her cousin and his wife in their determined ways of gently defying how the royals have lived their lives for centuries?

    And how long do you suppose it might be before Zara is back in the saddle again–riding her beloved horses in the equestrian ring? She will no doubt one day train her daughter to love horses, too.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Kate Middleton Talks 32nd Birthday Festivities

    Kate Middleton turned 32 on January 9th and had her family over for a cozy birthday dinner at Kensington Palace. So why did the princess have her birthday dinner at home and not out in a fancy restaurant? She and Prince William thought it would be far easier and more enjoyable for the birthday girl to not take their son, Prince George, out to a restaurant.

    That’s actually rather refreshing to hear. Certainly Prince William and Kate Middleton could afford the finest of nannies with whom to leave their baby boy. Instead they chose to stay at home with him–and made it sound like the nanny option wasn’t even a mere consideration.

    Kate didn’t prepare her own birthday meal, but instead asked their housekeeper, Antonella Fresolone (yes, the royal couple does have a housekeeper on staff), to whip up one of her Italian specialty dishes for the celebration. Kate Middleton’s parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, were in attendance at the gathering, as was her sister Pippa Middleton, and her brother James Middleton.

    An insider claims this gathering was far more in tune with the kind of events Kate and William enjoy best. Being with their family–and especially their little Prince George–is far more important to them then going out to fancy places. Plus by staying home, the entire family avoids the annoyance of the paparazzi and the constant clicking of their cameras.

    It will certainly be interesting to see as Kate Middleton and Prince William get older, and perhaps add even more children to their family, if their feelings about going out stay the same. Might the day eventually come when Kate gives in to the notion of having a nanny?

    Regardless of that future decision, Kate received birthday wishes from all over the world. Being a member of the royal family definitely isn’t a bad way to spend one’s 32nd birthday.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry Dine in Style?

    Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry were spotted dining in a Kensington burger joint this week, despite rumors of a split. Seemingly enjoying one another’s company at Byron Hamburgers–a fast food joint not far from Harry’s apartment–the two chowed down on the restaurant’s casual fare. This definitely wasn’t dining fit for a king–or a prince, as the case may be, but sources say the two were “having a good time.”

    Rumors of Cressy and Harry’s split came as a result of spending most of December apart. Prince Harry was working at the South Pole and she was doing whatever young attractive Brits do in the Caribbean for most of the month. The two reunited, however, and she was set to attend an informal New Years Eve gathering hosted by Queen Elizabeth. Sources speculated that Prince Harry might propose to Cressida Bonas at the event, but that likely didn’t take place, as rumors on that topic have remained silent.

    A few months back when Harry was supposedly preparing to become engaged to Cressida Bonas, an unidentified source told the media that “talk of Harry and Cressida getting married could not be further from the truth,” and that while the prince “is incredibly fond of Cressida and loves her company,” he “has commitments and plans in other areas of his life that could be jeopardized by settling down.”

    Settling down seemed to be the furthest thing from Cressida Bonas and Prince Harry’s minds as they enjoyed their burgers in Kensington earlier this week. Perhaps the two are simply dating and the month apart meant nothing more than exactly what it was–a case of work and obligations taking them to different parts of the world. If and when Prince Harry decides to settle down, Cressida Bonas may in fact be the one. However the royals don’t seem to care right now. All eyes are on Kate Middleton and Prince William and their beautiful baby boy, Prince George. Harry might even like it this way. When the attention is on Will and Kate, there’s a bit less on him. And that means he has a while longer to behave simply as Prince Harry–wild, spontaneous and definitely not attached.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ellie Goulding Praises Prince William and Kate Middleton

    It has been quite a while since the Royal Couple has been in the spotlight, especially since their new-born son George has been baptized; however, in a recent interview with Ellie Goulding, the Royal Couple has been praised highly.

    Ellie Goulding, the 27-year-old UK singer and songwriter, known for her top hit songs “Lights” and “Anything Could Happen,” recently told Marie Claire Magazine what it was like participating in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding. Goulding performed a cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” at the reception of the Royal Couple’s wedding.

    Goulding told Marie Claire that she knew about her role in the wedding far in advance, but did not tell anyone. Goulding’s reaction was:

    “In the weeks before, everyone I know was talking about the wedding, and I was sat like [puts knuckles in her mouth], trying not to say anything, I kept it to myself for so long – but no one would have believed me anyway.”

    Goulding also discussed the Royal Couple as well as the wedding itself, stating “They’re just a really awesome couple, lovely people, so I understand why people are fascinated by them.” During the Royal Couple’s wedding, Goulding was able to interact with the couple and stated that she spoke with the Duchess of Cambridge “quite a bit” throughout the reception.

    Marie Claire also recently published Nine Moments That Put Ellie Goulding On The Map. One of the moments included within the Marie Claire article was her involvement with Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. Other moments include: the John Lewis advert, her roller-coaster love life, performing at “Chime For Change,” and her “Children In Need” single.

    Goulding concluded her remarks about the Royal Couple’s wedding by stating “It was a really beautiful night — but then, I haven’t been to many weddings.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • 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

  • Bon Jovi Invited Prince William Onstage…And He Went

    Bon Jovi was invited to the Winter Whites Gala this year, which benefits the charity Centrepoint (an organization that helps homeless young people). He attended along with Taylor Swift and they both took the stage in the first concert ever performed at the event, but that wasn’t the only first: JBJ invited Prince William up to help him sing “Livin’ On A Prayer”, and he TOTALLY DID.

    Bon Jovi was, of course, not fazed at all by meeting Prince Will, as he’s already tight with the rest of the royal fam.

    “I met his father and I met his grandfather. He’s still a young kid to me, but a nice young kid,” he said. “The baby’s next, its all good.”

    Swift was a little more excited, saying that she chatted with Will for a bit and that he was “really funny”.

    “I’m absolutely excited. I don’t think I’ve ever played at a palace before so it is really wonderful. It’s really wondrous, I think they’ve done an amazing job of putting this together,” she said.

    Luckily, the entire performance was caught on video and uploaded to YouTube for the rest of us lowly normal people to enjoy.

  • Kensington Palace Makeover: Details of Kate Middleton’s Renovation

    Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, thought her official London residence at Kensington Palace needed a little updating before her young family could move in, and she took a hands-on role in the renovation.

    The process took 18 months to complete, and cost over £1 million. That’s roughly $1.6 million. Kate used her mother’s favorite interior designer, and – as she is known to do when making fashion selections – mixed pricey furniture and decor with less expensive pieces, such as faux fur throws from a London department store. She reportedly purchased the throws for a mere $129.

    Of course, Kate had access to the royal collection of antiques when decorating her new digs. And in keeping with royal standards, the apartment boasts its share of impressive pieces, such as antique Corinthian lamps dating back to the 19th century and a Persian rug that is reportedly worth $50,000.

    Apartment 1A is one of 12 apartments at the back of the famed Kensington Palace. It consists of 20 rooms spanning four floors. The apartment was most recently the residence of Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s sister, who died in 2002.

    The apartment now features modern amenities such as WiFi and central air, in addition to two nurseries, three kitchens, and a panic room.

    The royal government’s website refers to Kensington Palace as a working Royal residence. The Palace holds great historical significance as a favored residence of the British monarchy until King George II’s death in 1760.

    Today it holds the offices and private residences of several members of the royal family, including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and William’s younger brother Prince Harry.

    Prince William will be raising his son Prince George in the same building in which he and his brother grew up. In 1981, two apartments were combined to form the London residence of his newly married parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. Princess Diana lived at Kensington Palace until her death in 1997.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Royal Family Proud: Prince George Baptized

    We’ve all watched the love story of Prince William and Kate Middleton. We’ve been there for the engagement, royal wedding and birth of their beautiful baby boy, Prince George. Now, we get to celebrate with the royal family and their friends as they christen the 3-month-old baby Prince.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRIf-sBCBzw

    It was a perfectly cheery day for such a special event for the royal family. The special occasion took place at the Chapel Royal in St. James’ Palace on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will preside over the service.

    George’s special day was made complete when he was baptized in the Lily Font using water from the River Jordan. Queen This special spot has been used at every royal christening since 1841. The Prince was very well-behaved and happy in his proud dad’s arms.

    Following the 45-minute service, Prince George’s grandparents hosted a private tea in the Clarence House. The guests of the christening will receive a piece of history within the christening cake. The cake is taken from a tier of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding cake.

    This marks the second time the royal parents have given the public a glimpse of the handsome bundle of joy since they unveiled his first official portraits in August.

    The royal parents have chosen Jason Bell as the official photographer for their son’s christening. The pictures will be revealed tomorrow on Thursday, Oct. 24.

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Royal Baby: He has a Name! In Fact, He has a Few!

    The news is out of Kensington Palace that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have officially named their son George Alexander Louis. His formal title will be His Royal Highness, Prince George, of Cambridge.

    (image)

    Little Prince George was visited at Kensington Palace by his great-grandmother the Queen and Prince Harry; presumably, the adults were discussing his name. His first outing was a visit to his maternal grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton.

    The notorious English betting scene had ‘George’ listed among the highly favored names for the new royal at 5-1 odds. While ‘James’ (2-1) was of course the main running favorite, other examples of names offered by bookies across England included ‘George’ (5-1), ‘Henry’ (5-1), ‘Phillip’ (10-1), and Arthur’ (16-1). Due to the fantastically famous English sense of humor, long shot names included ‘Ethelred’ (200-1) and Elvis (1000-1).

    I can understand seeing Elvis, since he was arguably the ‘King’ of rock and roll, but Ethelred? National Geographic notes ‘Ethelred’ is a classic Anglo-Saxon name held by no less than seven kings, most recently held by an unfortunate infant king named Ethelred the Unready who apparently lost bowel control in the midst of a baptismal pool. Hundreds of thousands of Great British Pounds have been exchanged since the news broke, with whomever had bet on ‘Ethelred’ paying up big time.

    In the English culture, an heir’s name is highly significant. A monarch’s name often became a cultural anachronism used to describe the era in which he or she ruled, such as Queen Victoria and her iconic Victorian era.

    The frenzy over the new baby royal’s name extended way beyond gambling as mothers in the U.K. found themselves abstaining from choosing their own children’s names in anticipation of the big announcement. Perhaps now in the wake of the global media frenzy following the birth of the newest member of the English Royal Family, at least some individual moms in Britain can finally feel comfortable naming their children… after a royal baby.

  • Royal Baby Gets A Name And It’s Really Prince-Like

    The royal baby was debuted to the world yesterday, and now Duchess Kate Middleton and Prince William have announced his name: George Alexander Louis. George will be known as the Prince of Cambridge, the first person to hold that title in 100 years.

    Little George was a little later than expected, throwing the media into a frenzy as they waited outside the hospital where Kate gave birth for days. The proud parents emerged on Tuesday to show off the newborn, who was wrapped in a little white blanket. Prince William spoke to the press about their plans for the immediate future, saying he and Kate want to spend as much time in privacy as they can, getting to know their son.

    “He’s got a good pair of lungs on him,” said William. “He’s a big boy, he’s quite heavy. We’re still working on a name so we’ll have that as soon as we can. I’ll remind him of his tardiness when he’s a bit older. Hopefully, the hospital and you guys can all get back to normal now. And we can look after him. He’s got her looks, thankfully.”

    The 8 lb., 6 oz. boy was born on Monday afternoon and welcomed several visitors soon after, including both sets of his grandparents, his uncle Harry, and the Queen herself. As for the hundreds of well-wishers gathered around outside for a glimpse of the royal family, they were satisfied yesterday to see the proud parents debut their bundle of joy after months of breathless anticipation.

    “It was so exciting. It was fantastic,” said witness Eliza Wells. “The crowd erupted, because everyone’s been waiting so long for it.”

    Image: ABC News

  • Royal Baby Sighting! Kate And Will Show Off Prince

    At last, Duchess Kate and Prince Will have debuted the royal baby to the throngs of fans and members of the media.

    Kate went over her expected due date, leaving paparazzi in a frenzy to figure out when they would get a glimpse of her going into the hospital. Dozens of photographers were camped out outside St. Mary’s for days, waiting for something to happen and creating a media circus. The royal couple were all too aware of the insanity their new arrival was drawing, and released a statement thanking the hospital staff.

    “We would like to thank the staff at the Lindo Wing and the whole hospital for the tremendous care the three of us have received. We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone – staff, patients and visitors – for their understanding during this time.”

    Prince William spoke to the press outside the hospital when he and Kate brought the baby out, saying he looks like his mother.

    “He’s got a good pair of lungs on him,” said William. “He’s a big boy, he’s quite heavy. We’re still working on a name so we’ll have that as soon as we can. I’ll remind him of his tardiness when he’s a bit older. Hopefully, the hospital and you guys can all get back to normal now. And we can look after him. He’s got her looks, thankfully.”

    The royal baby will be known as the Prince of Cambridge, the first person to hold that title in over a century.

  • Royal Baby: The Duchess of Cambridge Goes Into Labor

    It’s the moment the world has been anxiously waiting for: at approximately 6:00AM BST, or 1:00AM on the eastern seaboard in the United States, Catherine and the Duke of Cambridge arrived at St Mary’s Hospital in west London, the BBC reports. Following their arrival, a crowd surged in anticipation.

    Although an official due date was never formally announced, speculation suggested a July birthday for the newest addition to the English royal family. The BBC’s royal correspondent, Peter Hunt, had thought the duchess was a week past her due date, and his tweets along with the hashtag ‘#royalbaby’ have supplied information as well as well-wishes from those all over the world who are expectantly awaiting the arrival of the royal newborn, who will be the Queen’s third great-grandchild and third in line for the English throne.

    After marrying Prince William in April 2011, the royal couple had announced their first child in December following Kate’s hospitalization for a case of morning sickness. The Duchess went on maternity leave in June. For those interested in even more moment-to-moment updates on the royal baby, the Guardian will be live-blogging the story.

  • Royal Baby Due Date: Kate Middleton Could Give Birth By End Of The Week

    The royal baby due date has been a hot topic among royal family fans since Kate Middleton and Prince Williams announced last year that they were expecting. Now it seems that we could see a new prince or princess by the end of this week.

    Camilla, wife of Prince Charles, revealed this week that Middleton should be giving birth by the end of this week. During a visit to a children’s hospital, she said that she hopes “by the end of the week he or she will be there.” The he or she being referred to is of course the royal baby that everybody is just dying to see.

    Middleton’s and Prince William’s child has been the subject of intense speculation for the past few months as the due date draws ever closer. In May, many speculated that the baby would arrive on July 13 – the date of the Queen’s Coronation Festival. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

    Missing the previously rumored due date isn’t going to deter the press though. There were reports last week that the press has crowded around St. Mary’s Hospital for any news on Middleton and the baby. The royal family will of course be the first to know when Middleton goes into labor, but the press is competing to see who among them will be the first to report it.

    Beyond that, we now just have to play the waiting game. Middleton is obviously due to deliver any time now, but the baby could prove that it already has some royal learnings by showing up fashionably late. The royal family probably wants to get it over with sooner rather than later though so they can finally relax just a little bit. Well, that is until the little prince or princess becomes the focus of attention for all of Great Britain and fans of the royal family the world over.

    [h/t: Mirror News]