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Michelle Obama’s gifts for princess


Michelle Obama gifted an alpaca baby blanket and a rocking chair to Britain's Princess Charlotte.
The US First Lady met with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace earlier this week and came bearing presents for his six-week-old niece, as well as something for her brother, 23-month-old Prince George.
Charlotte's chair was made by Amish craftsmen, while her blanket was similar to one gifted by Michelle and her husband, US President Barack Obama, to George when he was born.
The little boy - Prince William and Duchess' Catherine's eldest child - was also given a gift created by the Amish, a bright red Berlin Flyer P-Wee Wagon.
When George was born, as well as the alpaca blanket, the Obamas also sent him a handmade wooden rocking horse.
The toy animal even came with a tiny polo mallet so George could pretend to take part in his father and uncle's beloved sport.
Michelle met with Harry for tea at Kensington Palace, where they discussed both her Let Girls Learn initiative and the Joining Forces campaign, which aims to give past and current Armed Forces personnel "the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives".

Swedish prince named


Sweden's Princess Madeleine and her husband Christopher O'Neill have named their son Nicolas Paul Gustaf.
The couple - who already have 15-month-old daughter Princess Leonore - welcomed their second child into the world on Monday (15.06.15) afternoon and the princess' father, King Carl Gustaf announced his name at a cabinet meeting yesterday (17.06.15).
The monarch also revealed the new prince has been given the title Duke of Ångermanland, a province in northern Sweden.
The little boy's middle name, Paul, is in honour of his late grandfather, who died in 2004.
Nicolas weighed 3,080g and measured 49cm at birth and press officer Margareta Thorgren said the little boy has "his father's chin".
The prince's older sister met her brother on Tuesday (16.06.15), and their father told reporters the introduction went well.
He added: "Leonore thought he was a doll."
The new arrival will be raised in Chris' native UK as the family are preparing to move to London by the end of 2015.
The couple moved to Stockholm last year from New York, where they first met.
Madeleine - who spent four years living in America and has resided in the UK before - has previously spoken of how much she adores being married to Chris.
She has said: "The sweetest feeling now that we are married is that we really are a team. It really brings a special bond."
The new baby was born just two days after the Swedish royals welcomed another family member, following Prince Carl Philip's wedding to Sofia Hellqvist.

Katherine Jenkins: Queen Elizabeth is funny


Katherine Jenkins thinks Britain's Queen Elizabeth has a "great sense of humour".
The 34-year-old opera singer has performed for the 89-year-old monarch several times and admires her "dedication and energy".
She said: "I've been fortunate enough over the last decade to sing for the queen and meet her a quite a few times.
"I really admire her amazing dedication and energy and think she has a great sense of humour."
Katherine - who is expecting her first child with husband Andrew Levitas - found it very funny when the queen made an unscheduled appearance at a press conference announcing the singer will be performing at the monarch's 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle's Home Park next May as she was on her way to the Windsor Horse Show.
She laughed to Britain's HELLO! magazine: "You should have seen all those royal correspondents - their jaws hit the floor as she strolled past."
The mezzo-soprano previously admitted she was "honoured" to be involved with next year's event.
She posted on Instagram "Honoured to have been asked to perform at Her Majesty The Queens 90th Birthday Celebrations Next May.(sic)"

Queen Elizabeth unveils horse statue


Britain's Queen Elizabeth unveiled a bronze statue at Royal Ascot yesterday (16.06.15).
The 89-year-old monarch smiled as she admired Mark Coreth's bronze sculpture of Frankel - the greatest flatracing horse of all time - at the first day of the annual race meeting.
The sculpture is one of four of the horse, who retired unbeaten in October 2012, which will be situated at significant sites, including the National Museum of Horse Racing at Newmarket, York Racecourse, and Banstead Manor Stud, where Frankel stands as a stallion.
Lady Cecil, the widow of the horse's trainer Sir Henry Cecil was thrilled by the Ascot tribute.
She said: "Ascot played a special part in Frankel's career as five of his 14 wins came at the course. It is fitting that such a magnificent statue will stand at the course to celebrate his achievements.
"Mark Coreth has captured the presence, power and strength of Frankel. I cannot imagine a more fitting or appropriate testament to his talent."
The queen was joined by several members of her family at the first day of the annual event, with their horse-drawn procession seeing the monarch, her husband Prince Philip, son Prince Andrew and grandson Prince Harry taking the second carriage.
In a second carriage was her eldest son Prince Charles, his wife Duchess Camilla, and Andrew's daughter Princess Beatrice.
The queen's daughter Princess Anne also attended along with her children Peter and Zara Phillips and daughter-in-law Autumn.

Queen Elizabeth helped out journalist in need


Britain's Queen Elizabeth once flew a journalist home on her private plane.
The 89-year-old monarch was dismayed to learn John Harrison's wife had gone into labour while he was covering a royal tour of Canada and he would be unable to make it home for the baby's birth, so decided to take action.
According to 'The Wicked Wit Of Queen Elizabeth' by Karen Dolby, she told her staff: "That won't do at all. Let him fly home with me on the royal flight."
John boarded the plane and successfully made it to the birth of his son Paul, and he and his family later received a message of congratulations from the monarch.
In return for the flight home, John was asked not to write about his return journey and happily agreed with the request.
Elsewhere, the book discusses the queen's amusement at meeting members of the public on walkabouts during her official visits.
She is said to have once quipped: "I have to be seen to be believed."
And on one occasion, an escort commander blocked the crowd's view of the royal carriage.
The queen pointed out: "Actually, captain, I think it's me they've come to see."

Swedish prince’s first photo


Sweden's Princess Madeleine has released the first picture of her baby son.
The 33-year-old princess and her husband, financier Christopher O'Neill, welcomed their second child into the world on Monday (15.06.15) afternoon and an official image of the tot has been posted on the Swedish royal family's Facebook page.
The image of the as-yet unnamed little boy sees the baby clad in a grey buttoned outfit with his eyes closed.
The princess has now returned home with her son to Christopher and 15-month-old daughter Princess Leonore.
The image caption translated as: "Princess Madeleine's and Christopher O 'Neill's Son. Princess Madeleine has now left the hospital and is home with the whole family."
The new arrival will be raised in Chris' native UK as the family are preparing to move to London by the end of 2015.
The couple moved to Stockholm last year from New York, where they first met.
Madeleine - who spent four years living in America and has resided in the UK before - has previously spoken of how much she adores being married to Chris.
She has said: "The sweetest feeling now that we are married is that we really are a team. It really brings a special bond."
The new baby was born just two days after the Swedish royals welcomed another family member, following Prince Carl Philip's wedding to Sofia Hellqvist.

Prince Harry meets Michelle Obama


Britain's Prince Harry was "very pleased" to have tea with Michelle Obama yesterday (16.06.15).
The 30-year-old royal received the US First Lady at his Kensington Palace home to discuss both her Let Girls Learn initiative and the Joining Forces campaign, which aims to give past and current Armed Forces personnel "the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives".
Kensington Palace's official Twitter account shared a picture of them together and wrote: "Prince Harry was very pleased to host Mrs Michelle Obama @FLOTUS for tea at Kensington Palace this morning.
"Prince Harry and Mrs Michelle Obama @FLOTUS discussed their shared interest and support for veterans and their families.
"Prince Harry was interested to hear from @FLOTUS about the #LetGirlsLearn initiative to further adolescent girls' education around the world.(sic)"
Meanwhile a post from Michelle's account showed the pair outside of the building alongside the caption: "Tea time at @KensingtonRoyal! The First Lady & Prince Harry sat down to talk #LetGirlsLearn & supporting our #Vets.(sic)"
Harry and Michelle - who is married to US President Barack Obama - previously met at a Mother's Day event for military mothers in America in 2013.
Michelle came to London with her mother Marian Robinson and daughters Sasha, 16, and Malia, 14.
The women will next fly to Italy to meet US armed services families based in Europe and to attend the Milan Expo as part of Michelle's work promoting healthier diets for children.

Bat catcher Queen Elizabeth


Britain's Queen Elizabeth enjoys catching bats.
The 89-year-old royal reportedly uses a butterfly net to snare the creatures from the upper reaches of Windsor Castle but always ensured the nocturnal animals were not harmed once taken outside.
Royal chronicler Brian Hoey is quoted in Karen Dolby's new book 'The Wicked Wit Of Queen Elizabeth' as saying: "In the later afternoon it was quite common to see Her Majesty call for a butterfly net so that she could catch the bats which infest the upper reaches of the castle.
"She would catch them in the net, hand them to me and tell me to let them go outside. She was always very strict about them not being harmed
Meanwhile, the queen's cousin Margaret Rhodes used to enjoy deer stalking with the monarch as a teenager and says the royal could never resist playing jokes on people.
She said: "She would be crawling on her stomach with her nose up to the soles of the stalker's boots, which would be a surprise to the stalker."
And Margaret also noted the queen drives "like a bat out of Hell" and never wears a seatbelt, despite the book claiming her driving style is "combative and assertive"."

Prince William unveils Magna Carta art


Britain's Prince William unveiled a piece of art commemorating 800 years since the Magna Carta was signed yesterday (15.06.15).
The 32-year-old prince was met by artist Hew Locke to view The Jurors, a sculpture which represents the 12 seats of the jury and is inspired by clause 39 of the historic document - which first protected the rights and freedoms of society and established that the king was subject to the law - and listened to speeches from 11 actors before joining them in the 12th chair, then unveiling a commemorative plaque.
Fashion student Naz Ahmed was among those seated on the installation and was delighted to take part.
He said: "It's amazing, it's not everyday you can go and be part of a performance that Prince William attended."
William was then escorted back to the main stage at Runnymede, Surrey, England, to join church and government representatives, and family members including his grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and aunt Princess Anne, for a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the document.
The queen did not give a speech at the event, but she did unveil a plaque at the service - which was held where King John signed the document in 1215 - and wrote in the programme that the Magna Carta's principles were "significant and enduring".
Later in the service, Anne re-dedicated the American Bar Association memorial, which was erected at the site in 1957
Attorney General Philip Hammond MP said: "For those who drafted the US constitution, the significance of Magna Carta was clear.
"We are working with partners in the US and around the world to pursue nations who deny human dignity."
Also during the celebration, Prime Minister David Cameron and Lord Dyson the Master of the Rolls, gave speeches, and the Red Arrows soared over the meadow at 12.15pm.

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