Tuesday, September 24, 2024

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Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge £8 million flight


Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew to Scotland in an £8 million plane last week.
The royal couple were lent the private jet by the Duke of Westminster Gerald Grosvenor to travel with their children, George, two, and four-month-old daughter Charlotte to the Highlands to see Britain's Queen Elizabeth.
The family were seen hopping off the eight-seater aircraft, which usually costs £12,000-a-day to hire, at Aberdeen airport on the evening of the Queen's celebratory dinner in honour of her becoming the longest reigning monarch.
An onlooker told the Daily Express newspaper: "There were three cars waiting on the Tarmac for them as they landed."
The insider added: William and Kate got in one car with Prince George and then Charlotte, who was carried in a car seat, went in another car with the nanny."
This is the second time Prince George has taken a flight in the plush jet as he also travelled in it to see his great-grandfather Prince Philip in Scotland in September 2013.
Meanwhile, Catherine, 33 - formerly known as Kate Middleton before she married William in 2011 - will return to her royal duties this week after four months maternity leave.

Queen Elizabeth’s royal reign inspired mints


Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been honoured by Benedicks with new limited edition 'Elizabethan Mints'.
The monarch reached the milestone as the longest-serving royal on Wednesday (09.09.15) and now the food company has launched the after dinner mint to mark the occasion.
Storck UK Sales Director Andy Mutton commented: "We are really excited to be introducing a limited edition Bendicks mint to celebrate such a great year for the Royal Family. After the birth of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and the 25th anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, there are still many celebrations to come which will be supported with the launch of our Elizabethan Mints.
"The limited edition variant is also a perfect Christmas gift for any Royalist or the most discerning of chocolate connoisseurs as well as those celebrating special events themselves."
The sales personnel believes with the royal attachment it will increase "interest" in their after dinner mints.
He added: "Bendicks is the number one premium after dinner mint and with the introduction of the Elizabethan Mints, we are confident that our new launch will create heightened interest in the after dinner mint sector and drive category value."

Simon Cowell told to turn music down by royals


Simon Cowell was told to turn down music by the royal family at Syco's summer party at The Orangery at Kensington Palace.
The 55-year-old music mogul was holding a bash for his record company Syco on Wednesday night (09.09.15) and was told off for waking up Britain's Prince William and Catherine the Duchess of Cornwall's young children, Prince George, 2, and four-month-old Princess Charlotte.
A source at Simon's record label Syco told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The Orangery is very close to the royal bedrooms and by the time the party started Charlotte would have been going to bed or asleep.
"In music rehearsals in the afternoon a royal official was there with equipment to make sure noise didn't exceed 50 decibels around the palace.
"'Britain's Got Talent' finalists Jack Pack were told they were too loud and had to turn their mics down for their performance on the night. Later in the party a swing band were moved inside at 9pm to perform, as there was a fear they could wake baby Charlotte."
The 'X Factor' judge didn't want to upset the royal family who he "loves" so he did as they wished and lowered the level of the music.
The insider added: "Simon loves his music loud normally but he loves the royal family more and was happy to change his party plans to keep Wills and Kate happy."

Royal fan sends Queen Elizabeth £50


Britain's Queen Elizabeth II returned a £50 note and wrote a letter thanking a royal fan for the gift.
David Vaz penned a message to the monarch along with money to treat herself to something as a token of being the longest-reigning royal, and was shocked when her majesty sent the cash back with a letter of appreciation and explained that royals are not allowed to accept presents of a "financial nature".
The letter from David to the queen read: "Dear Madam,
"I understand that you are about to make history as the longest reigning Monarch ever.
"Ever since I was a little boy you have been the reigning Queen of England. I am so pleased you have had such a long and successful reign and hope you will continue for many years to come."
He continued: "Please accept this small gift in the hope you may treat yourself to your favourite cup of tea or something else that you like on this momentous occasion.
"I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant."
And the queen's response written by her Lady-in-Waiting read: "Dear Mr Vaz, The Queen wishes me to thank you for your message in advance of the forthcoming splendid milestone in Her Majesty's reign.
"Although unable to reply to you personally, The Queen was most touched by your gift of fifty pounds.
"However as Her Majesty cannot accept presents of a financial nature I am returning the note to you with this letter and I am to tell you that you kind gesture is greatly appreciated."
Lady Elton added: "The Queen has been deeply moved by the affection and support shown to her throughout her Majesty's long reign and letters such as yours give The Queen much pleasure.
"Thank you, once again, for writing as you did.
"Yours sincerely, The Lady Elton, Lady-in-Waiting."
The minicab employee from Romford, Essex thinks the queen needs "more appreciation".
He told ITV news: "She has served our country so well all these years and given up her whole life. She deserves some appreciation."

Queen Elizabeth to honour Duchess Catherine

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will honour the Duchess of Cambridge with the Royal Family Order. Catherine will reportedly receive the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a female member of the royal family. The garment is usually given to female ...

Duchess Camilla struck with gastroenteritis


Britain's Duchess of Cornwall had to cancel a royal engagement after becoming ill with gastroenteritis.
Camilla was due to make a visit to Portsmouth, England yesterday (10.09.15) to present awards to Royal Navy medics who were marking the end of Operation GRITROCK - the UK's involvement in the Ebola threat - but was forced to pull out as she was struck with the illness caused by a bacterial infection that inflames the stomach and intestines.
Clarence House released a statement regarding the duchess' health: "The Duchess of Cornwall has been forced to withdraw from an engagement in Portsmouth this morning due to a bout of gastroenteritis.
"Her Royal Highness is very disappointed that she will be unable to present medals and take the salute to mark the completion of Operation GRITROCK, the UK's support to the global Ebola threat. "
The Royal Navy's The First Sea Lord took over from the royal's duties and read the speech the Duchess had intended on giving.
The statement continued: "The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, who was due to present medals alongside The Duchess, will continue the event and read the Duchess' speech."
The 68 year old is expected to attend another engagement in London today (11.09.15) however, it's unlikely she will be well enough to make it.

Royal Mint celebrate Queen’s reign with coin


British artist Quentin Devine used 1,952 pence pieces to make a Royal Mint coin to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's reign.
Quentin was commissioned by the coin makers to design a unique souvenir portrait to celebrate Elizabeth II becoming the longest reigning monarch on Wednesday (09.09.15) and was "very pleased" to be given the task.
He said: "I was very pleased to be asked to produce this piece. I had made coin art in the past, but not to this scale."
He was first asked to use as many coins as he could but decided it would be more appropriate and more significant to have 1,952 because it is the year she was crowned Queen of England.
He told getSurrey.co.uk: "Initially I was asked to use many more coins but after I made a few calculations I recommended using 1,952 to represent the year she became Queen and to keep the artwork more manageable and the Royal Mint liked the idea."
The creative process itself took less than a week, three layers of paint and most the time was spent glueing the money onto wood.
He said: "It took me just under a week to make.
"I had to cut the wood to size, then give it three coats of paint, which gave me time to plan.
"Copper coins come in a variety of colours and I had to work out how many of each tone I would need.
"It took about three-and-a-half days to glue the coins down. It was a slow process, as I had to be very precise."
The artist was really "pleased" with how it turned out and felt proud when Royal Mint said they were "delighted" with his craftwork.
He added: "I'm so pleased at how it turned out and it was an honour to work with such an established organisation.
"The Royal Mint actually told me they were delighted with the final 'masterpiece'."
The special coin will be displayed at the Royal Mint's new visitor centre in Llantrisant South Wales, which is opening in 2016.

Prince Harry mucks in on African expedition


Britain's Prince Harry was "normal" helping to fix tires and lending a hand to sedate a lion on his African adventure.
The 30-year-old royal was all hands on deck as he had an encounter with a lion during in his three-month expedition and even helped Save The Rhino Trust repair broken tires.
Simson Uri-Khob the CEO of the charity which helps endangered animals, told PEOPLE magazine: "The lion was sedated and he just jumped right in and helped.
"He is like an African man. He likes to be out there, sleeping under the stars knowing that he is close to dangerous animals.
"He helped with everything, from fixing a tire to cooking the food to packing up.
"He even helped to take a punctured tire off the vehicle and attach a new one. He jumped into everything we did."
Simson also praised the prince for being and "amazing person", just acting like everyone else in their team and for not expecting any kind of "special treatment".
He added: "If you didn't know who he was, you would have just thought he was an African boy moving around with us. He is very ordinary. Sometimes you have people who can be like, 'Don't say this to me because I am very important.' But not him. Harry was just like, 'Come on, let's go!'
"There was no special treatment at all. He wanted to be just like everyone else in the team. He is an amazing person."
Harry is expected to return to the UK on on September 15, his 31st birthday.

Queen Elizabeth serves tea at Women’s Institute


Britain's Queen Elizabeth II helps with tea duties when she visits the Women's Institue at Sandringham.
Her Majesty has visited the WI at Sandringham, where she is an honorary president every year since 1943 and now members have given an insight into her trips recalling her tea making and joining in with the singing of 'Jerusalem'.
Marilyn Jones a WI member, said of the Queen: "She pours the tea, she makes sure it's as you like it and she will offer the cakes round and then we'll respectfully offer them back.
"It's just ladies having tea together."
Another member also told of how the Queen was "over the moon" when she told her she had been expanding her technological skills by using video messaging service Skype to chat with her granddaughter Zara who is in Australia.
Rene Whittaker told the Daily Express newspaper: "She suddenly put her hands up and says 'I've been Skyping'.
"I looked at her and she said 'I've been Skyping Zara in Australia'. She was over the moon."
The news comes as the queen went on royal duties to Scotland to open the new Borders Line Railway yesterday (09.09.15) as she broke the record as the longest-reigning monarch, beating her great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

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