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  • Chirlane McCray Joins Kate Middleton For New York Tour

    Prince William and Kate Middleton are in the US. But while William went off to Washington to talk to President Barack Obama about illegal wildlife trafficking, Kate went to New York to visit a child development center. The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by New York’s First Lady, Chirlane McCray. As the wife of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, McCray has become the talk of the town. The two have even been compared to political power couple Bill and Hilary Clinton. A former political activist, McCray is pretty much on her way to becoming a liberal icon.

    Middleton and McCray posed for photographers during the time they spent together in Harlem. And while Middleton is a celebrity in her own right, McCray is not one to be upstaged. Andrew Nodell, a senior reporter for Closer Weekly, said, “For anyone it’s difficult to stand next to Kate Middleton. She always looks perfect. I think both ladies brought their best to the event.”

    McCray wrote on her blog, #FLONYC, about the encounter with Middleton. She expressed her pleasure at the fact that the Duchess has made mental health one of her signature issues. It is a matter that hits close to home for McCray after her daughter, Chiara, recently opened up about her depression and substance abuse.

    “Sadly, our society continues to portray mental illness as rare and shameful, when in fact it is prevalent and nothing to be embarrassed about,” McCray wrote on her blog. “Researchers estimate that one in four American adults suffers from a mental illness in any given year; depression and anxiety are most common. And our children are not immune – approximately 13 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 15 had a diagnosable mental disorder within the previous year.”

    Prior to meeting de Blasio, McCray worked as a speechwriter for David Dinkins during his term as Mayor of New York.  

  • Prince George Reportedly Being Stalked By Photographer

    According to a statement issued by Kensington Palace, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have pursued legal action against a photographer for allegedly bothering their son, Prince George. The photographer had reportedly been trying to take pictures of Prince George at a central London park while he was out walking with his nanny, which was the last straw for the royal couple.

    According to BBC royal editor Nicholas Witchell, palace officials believe that the behavior of the photographer concerning Prince George was tantamount to “stalking.”

    “There is reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time. The Duke and Duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible,” said Kensington Palace officials.

    The freelance photographer had supposedly been told off by royal protection officers for his behavior on previous occasions over the last five years, said a source close to the royals to the Evening Standard. “Just like any parent, the Duke and Duchess want Prince George to have the freedom to safely experience normal childhood activities, like going to the park and playing with other children, without the threat of harassment or being placed under surveillance,” said the source.

    In the United Kingdom, only sanctioned photos of Prince George have been printed in newspapers, but unauthorized pictures of the royal toddler have appeared abroad, reported the Evening Standard.

    Prince William could be taking steps to protect Prince George from being hounded by paparazzi in the same way his mother, Princess Diana, was pursued. Prince George’s grandmother died in a car crash in 1997 after she sped away from paparazzi who were pursuing her.

  • 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

  • Prince Harry And Queen Attend Day One Of Royal Ascot 2014

    Prince Harry, the Queen, and Prince Philip were among the royals present on the first day of the Royal Ascot 2014.

    The three arrived in a carriage and were greeted by cheers from the crowd. They waved to the watchers as the Royal Procession went around the Berkshire racecourse. Other royals who were present include Prince Andrew the Duke of York, Prince Charles, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

    The Queen wore a baby blue coat with a matching wide-brimmed hat to keep the glare of the sun away. Under her coat, she wore a blue floral-printed dress.

    Prince Harry wore a pale yellow waistcoat with a baby blue tie to match his grandmother’s outfit.

    The Royal Ascot has been an important British event for over 300 years. According to sources, the Queen is an avid supporter of the Royal Ascot. The Queen has owned 22 winning horses, including last year’s Gold Cup winner, Estimate. Estimate will be competing for the Gold Cup again this year.

    More than the race, watchers are also interested in the outfits of those who attend. Women attend the event with fancy dresses and large hats. Men, on the other hand, attend the race wearing their suits and top hats.

    Prince Harry attended the event for the first time. After the parade, he took his seat in the royal box, along with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Edward and Sophie, and Princess Anne.

    On the official program of the Royal Ascot, the Queen wrote, “I have been very fortunate to win as an owner at Royal Ascot, most recently with Estimate in the Gold Cup last year. I would like to thank those of you who were here for the wonderful welcome the filly received after performing so well, and also those who were kind enough to send messages afterwards.”

    The Queen’s horse Musical Comedy will be racing tomorrow, while Estimate will compete for the Gold Cup on Thursday.

    Royal Ascot: The Fashion

    Image via YouTube

  • Chelsy Davy Not Prince Harry’s Only Ex

    Chelsy Davy is no longer the only official ex-girlfriend of Prince Harry. It seems Cressida Bonas joined the ranks this week as well. She and Prince Harry reportedly went their separate ways after speculation had the two practically engaged.

    Chelsy Davy apparently didn’t want to live the life of the royals. In fact, she was once quoted as saying as much.

    “There’s no way we are getting married. It’s not a life for me,” she said following their split back in 2010.

    Davy knew right away that she could never endure the kind of scrutiny Kate Middleton has experienced–both before and since her marriage to Prince William.

    The reasons for Cressida Bonas and the prince’s break up seem to differ according to which rumor or version you choose to believe. Some speculate that Harry was ready to settle down and Bonas was not. Others say she was needy and a bit too eager to tie the knot. Who knows?

    Chelsy Davy is reportedly ready to settle down in the near future with a new man. She is involved in a serious relationship with society jeweler Charles Goode. The two have been spotted vacationing together in Turkey and Chelsy even visited his mother at her home.

    Do you think this is really the end for Prince Harry and Cressida Bonas? Will the celebrity news one day report how she has also moved on with another man or will she find her way back to the prince instead?

    It can’t be an easy life to be part of the royal family–especially when joining as an outside like Kate Middleton did. No matter how forward thinking Kate and William are as compared to royal couples from previous generations, their lives still aren’t really their own.

    Is it possible Cressida Bonas went the way of Chelsy Davy?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • MAC Lipsticks and Lorde Team Up For New Makeup Line

    Just announcing that superstar singer Lorde is teaming up with MAC Cosmetics has provided enough juice for the company to be trending on the internet. The Royals singer is known for her love of deep, dark, goth-like lipstick colors, so the collaboration between Lorde and MAC to create a limited-edition makeup collection that will come out this summer makes perfect sense.

    The Grammy Award winning singer told The Cut that she has used MAC since her early days of dabbling in makeup, “I have loved MAC Cosmetics since I was a little kid. I remember saving up to buy my very first MAC lipstick [Snob] at 14, and it was used by about 20 of my friends! MAC has a very clear aesthetic, that has always felt fashion forward to me. So I was really excited to work with them on these products, which I use pretty much every day and night. I hope you will too.”

    No details have been released by the company regarding the exact look of the limited edition cosmetics line. However, it’s certain that the 17-year-old from New Zealand will bring her vampy stylistic sensibilities to the table when it comes to the design.

    Lorde is currently touring in the United States on the heels of her breakout album Pure Heroine. The album was a smash hit both commercially and critically around the world. It was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 56th Grammy Awards. The single Royals won the Grammy for both Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Lorde’s Bizarre Grammy Performance

    It seems the Grammy’s were a little darker and a tad more odd this year from Katy Perry’s witchy “Dark Horse” performance to Lorde spazzing out while singing the song that made her a hit, “Royals.”

    The performance started out with the lights fading on the musician as clips of her song faded in and out, creating a haunting effect. There was static line of light and sound as the 17-year-old stood in silence. After a deliberate static shock exploded the star ever-so-carefully began singing her song, creating a beautifully exaggerated into that energized the fans the very second her voice filled the air.

    Her left hand swayed in motion with the slowed-down version of her hit song as she let her body pop and fizzle with every move of the music. At first it came off as poetic and offered as a sign of how in touch she was with her own music but as the song continued, it registered as more wacky than musical.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Belewo58nCA

    The audience didn’t seem to have a problem with it, constantly cheering over the haunting rendition of “Royals.”

    While it was clear she was singing over a softer recorded backup track, her vocals were spot on. Lorde proved to be a strong live-performer, beautifully showcasing her wispy yet enchanting voice.

    Lorde took home the Grammy for Best Song of the Year.

    Image Via YouTube

  • Lorde’s ‘Royals’ Rules Hot 100 Week After Week

    Lorde’s “Royals” is totally ruling the Billboard Hot 100 for a third week. Meanwhile, Ylvis’ “The Fox” darts to the Digital Songs top 10 and Justin Bieber and Eminem soar into the Hot 100’s top 20.

    Our friends at Billboard broke down the Hot 100’s top 10 and more below.

    “Royals” crowns the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs chart with 2.8 million on-demand U.S. streams, according to Nielsen BDS (up 1%). The activity helps keep the cut at its No. 3 peak to date on the overall Streaming Songs chart (8 million U.S. streams, up 5%).

    “Royals” tops Digital Songs for a fourth week with 293,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It pushes closer to the Radio Songs chart’s summit, bulleting at No. 2 with an 11% gain to 158 million audience impressions, according to BDS.

    Lorde’s breakthrough single battles against Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball,” which swings 3-2 with top Airplay Gainer honors.

    The former two-week No. 1 rises 10-9 on Radio Songs. After taking a tiny dip to No. 2 last week, “Wrecking Ball” makes a comeback to the top. That victory marks for a fourth week atop Streaming Songs.

    Cyrus’ latest album, “Bangerz” was released Oct. 4.

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Lorde and Miley Cyrus Soar On Charts

    Lorde and Miley Cyrus Soar On Charts

    Everyone is talking buzzing about the 16-year-old New Zealand pop princess, Lorde. “Royals” has been fulfilling it’s namesake, rising to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for a second week.

    Her debut full-length album “Pure Heroine” debuts on the Billboard 200 at No. 3. Needless to say, it’s been a pretty sweet time for the gal and her music.

    But how are the other young divas of pop doing among the charts, like miss Miley? Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” charges into the Radio Songs top 10.

    Check out the song that seems to be jamming out of every stereo and radio station.

    Here’s a rundown of the charts according to our friends over at Billboard.

    “Royals” rises 2-1 on the subscription services-based On-Demand Songs ranking with 2.8 million on-demand U.S. streams, according to Nielsen BDS. The activity helps push the cut 5-3 on the overall Streaming Songs chart (7.6 million U.S. streams, up 24%).

    Lorde: Topping Hot 100 ‘Feels Like Christmas’ / Ask Billboard
    Reader Mailbag: All-Lorde Edition

    “Royals” tops Digital Songs for a third week with 309,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. With its latest frame, the cut passes 2 million in download sales so far (2.16 million). The track also edges closer to the Radio Songs chart’s summit, lifting 4-2 with the survey’s biggest gain (up 12% to 143 million audience impressions, according to BDS).

    “Royals” tops the Hot Rock Songs chart for a sixth week.

    Lorde’s debut hit fends off Katy Perry’s former two-week Hot 100 No. 1 “Roar” for a second week (2-2). The latter track spends a third frame atop Radio Songs (167 million, down 1%), holds at No. 2 on Digital Songs (218,000, down 9%) and slips 4-5 on Streaming Songs (6.2 million, down 2%). “Roar,” meanwhile, extends records on two airplay charts: It holds atop Pop Songs and Adult Pop Songs with the highest weekly plays totals (16,065 and 5,309, respectively) in each list’s history, improving upon last week’s record-setting sums.

  • Lorde Takes No. 1 Spot From Miley Cyrus

    Lorde Takes No. 1 Spot From Miley Cyrus

    New “it girl” in the music world, Lorde, leaps to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her hit, “Royals.” Say bye bye to Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” since it’s no longer holding that hot spot after two weeks.

    Our friends at Billboard dug into the numbers on the new hit song.

    “”Royals” crowns the Hot 100 (3-1) with top Airplay Gainer honors for the first time. It pushes 6-4 on Radio Songs with a 22% lift to 128 million in all-format audience, according to Nielsen BDS. “Royals” remains atop Digital Songs for a second week (294,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan) and gains by 12% on Streaming Songs (to 6.1 million U.S. streams, according to BDS) despite dipping 4-5. The track tops the Hot Rock Songs chart for a fifth week.”

    Check out her hit video here.

    What’s even cooler about Lorde claiming the top spot is her age. The new music icon is only 16-she doesn’t turn 17 for another month! But believe it or not, Stevie Wonder holds the record for the youngest chart topper among solo acts. Wonder was only 13 years old when “Fingertips-Pt 2” claimed the hot no. 1 spot the week of Aug. 10, 1963.

    As far as the ladies are concerned, Little Peggy March was just a mere 15 years-old when “I Will Follow Him” hit the beautiful no. 1 spot on April 27, 1963.

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Fred White Dies: Broadcaster Was 76

    Fred White Dies: Broadcaster Was 76

    Fred White, who was a sports broadcaster for the Royals, has died from complications of melanoma just a day after announcing his retirement. He was 76 years old.

    White had a 40-year career with the Royals, some of which was spent in charge of the Royals Radio Network and as director of Broadcast Services. When he wasn’t broadcasting for the team, he was calling basketball games.

    “Fred White has been synonymous with Royals baseball as long as anybody can remember,” Royals vice president of communications and broadcasting Mike Swanson said when the team announced White’s retirement. “There are so many people in Kansas City who, when they hear a voice, they knew it was Royals baseball, and Fred was that voice along with Denny for so many years. He had a huge influence on my life back in the ’70s, and I’m personally honored that I had a chance to work with him when I came back to town and wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

    White reportedly died while under hospice care. Funeral arrangements are pending.