Prince William and Catherine

[Guest Fabiola]

Kate wears second Sarah Burton dress for evening party

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

LONDON — Kate Middleton changed into a strapless white satin gazar evening dress by designer Sarah Burton for the evening party at Buckingham Palace following her wedding Friday, royal officials said.

Kate changed out of the stunning dress she wore for the wedding ceremony, also designed by Burton of the Alexander McQueen fashion house, and put on the evening gown which had a circle skirt and diamante embroidered detail round the waist.

St James's Palace revealed details of the garment as Kate and Prince William left Clarence House, the official residence of William's father Prince Charles, to head to the palace.

"I am glad the weather held off. We had a great day," Kate said as she headed to the evening do with William, who was dressed in a black dinner jacket and bow tie.

Looking happy and relaxed, the newlyweds were accompanied by Charles, who is hosting the evening party, and his wife Camilla.

Kate's dress for the wedding ceremony earlier at Westminster Abbey was of ivory satin and lace, and her face was covered lightly with a hand-embroidered veil held in place by a tiara borrowed from the queen.

Burton, the 36-year-old creative director of the fashion house created by the British designer who committed suicide last year, had long been tipped for the commission, but palace officials had remained tight-lipped right up until the moment Kate stepped out of the car.

About 300 of the couple's closest family and friends have been invited to the black-tie evening party, which is expected to stretch into the early hours and reportedly has an informal theme including a disco.

Queen Elizabeth II has left the palace and headed for a private weekend elsewhere in Britain to let the younger generation celebrate.

Prince Harry, William's younger brother and best man, is due to give a hotly anticipated speech to guests before the newlyweds spend their first night as a married couple together at the palace.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gCYK8Mymp4ITBOYeqFoxzmyKqvDA?docId=CNG.613f6ac884f079ed97d36f6c79ef1eb5.361

[Guest Fabiola]

Fiona Cairns, stands next to the wedding cake that she and her team made for Prince William and his

wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge

[Guest Fabiola]

Understated, elegant and perfectly judged: an haute-couture dream

The dress

By Susannah Frankel, Fashion Editor

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Even before Kate Middleton – now the Duchess of Cambridge – stepped out in her bridal gown, designed by Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, it was dubbed "the dress of the century". It was certainly among the most perfectly judged.

Featuring an ivory silk Chantilly lace-appliquéd bodice, sweeping silk gazar skirts, a high lace collar and long, narrow, lace sleeves, and with a train measuring a relatively restrained eight feet long, it was, at first sight, the height of understatement, whispering of Austerity Britain and, quite touchingly, Queen Elizabeth II's own Norman Hartnell-designed wedding garb. Make no mistake, however, this was the finest haute couture.

Clarence House said that Middleton chose the house of McQueen "for the beauty of its craftsmanship" and that, above all else, was there in spades. The lace – which also finished the bride's slippers – came courtesy of London's Royal School of Needlework. The four emblems of the United Kingdom – the rose, the thistle, the daffodil and the shamrock – were all incorporated. Embellishing flowers were cut from more English and French lace and the dress itself was constructed to resemble an opening bloom.

The seamstresses responsible for creating it washed their hands every 30 minutes, by all accounts, and changed their needles on a three-hourly basis to ensure they remained sharp.

"It was such an incredible honour to be asked," said Burton, who was filmed smoothing the bride's train as she left for Westminster Abbey and again upon her arrival. "The dress represents the best of British craftsmanship and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework with a modern structure and design, we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day."

That the bride-to-be herself had input into the design in question was clear – anyone expecting anything even remotely radical or overpowering would have been disappointed. Instead, this was a sensitive collaboration between client and couturier and, although touches of excellence were everywhere to be seen, they never came at the expense of ease of movement and elegance, achieved by discreet draping and folding and underpinnings that were quite obviously as complex as they were light.

The bride's fine silk tulle veil was lovely in its simplicity; it was held in place by the Queen's diamond "halo" tiara, made in 1936 by Cartier. The shield-shaped bouquet comprised lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth, sweet William and myrtle, the herb of love – picked at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, where Queen Victoria herself planted a sprig from her own wedding posy.

Manchester-born Burton, 36, has had quite a year. Only months after Alexander McQueen himself died, she succeeded him as the artistic force behind his label. News first broke that she might be responsible for the design of Middleton's dress in March, but was repeatedly denied.

"It's been the experience of a lifetime working with Catherine Middleton to create her wedding dress," Burton said. "I have enjoyed every minute of it."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/understated-elegant-and-perfectly-judged-an-hautecouture-dream-2276830.html

[Guest Fabiola]

Queen wins cheers in yellow matching outfit

AFP

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Queen Elizabeth II arrived at her grandson Prince William's wedding Friday to Kate Middleton to huge cheers and applause from the waiting crowds, looking radiant in a yellow wool dress.

The 85-year-old monarch arrived at Westminster Abbey in a single crepe wool primrose dress with hand-sown beading at the neck in the shape of sunrays, and a double crepe wool tailored primrose coat designed by Angela Kelly.

She matched the outfit with a crepe hat with hand-made silk roses and apricot coloured leaves, and wore Queen Mary's True Lover's Knot diamond brooch pinned to her coat.

Kate's mother Carole Middleton meanwhile wore a knee-length sky blue wool crepe coat dress by the late Catherine Walker, the favourite designer of William's late mother, Diana.

It had matching satin piping and passementerie - elaborate trimmings - at the waist and cuff. Underneath, she wore a sky blue silk day dress, also by Catherine Walker, with short pleated sleaves and pleated pockets.

Carole Middleton's hat was by Jane Corbett, who hails from her home county of Berkshire, west of London.

William's stepmother Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, wore an outfit by Anna Valentine, who made her dress when she married Prince Charles in 2005.

She wore a champagne silk dress and a hand-embroidered duck-egg blue and champagne coat, with a Philip Treacy hat, shoes by Jimmy Choo, and a clutch bag by Anna Valentine.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/queen-wins-cheers-in-yellow-matching-outfit-2276719.html

[Guest Fabiola]

Relaxed and regal photographs mark joyous union

Flashing a radiant smile by her new husband's side, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge looks blissfully happy, just hours after marrying her Prince.

In official photos released by Clarence House, the bride and groom pose for a traditional wedding album by Hugo Burnand.

The three images include a shot of the happy couple arm in arm, taken in Buckingham Palace's throne room.

In one the newlyweds appear with their young attendants – four bridesmaids and two page boys – who lightened the atmosphere at the formal shoot.

Another one shows them with their delighted parents and siblings.

http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/prince-william-and-kate-middleton/20110430677/official-photos-released/1/

[Guest Fabiola]

Pageboy steals the wedding spotlight

Star staff

Published On Fri, 29 Apr 2011

Young Tom Pettifer definitely wasn’t camera shy.

The 8-year-old — Prince William’s godson — stole the spotlight after the ceremony as he mugged for the media and crowds.

Tom — referred to as “Master Tom Pettifer” in the official royal wedding program — is the son of William’s former nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

She cared for William and Harry in the 1990s, and remains close to the two.

Legge-Bourke, now married and known as Tiggy Pettifer, attended the wedding with her husband Charles.

Pettifer managed to grab the eyes of royal watchers at numerous moments: pressed against the glass window of his official car on the way to the abbey so he could wave to the crowds, bursting out laughing as he approached the church (gaining smirks from his page boy and bridesmaid companions), and again soaking up the ovations from the public as he rose in his carriage on the way to Buckingham Palace to wave to well-wishers screaming out for William and Kate. He also seemed to take the crowds applause when the newlywed couple kissed as a mass appeal for more of his loveliness — pointing and waving to the crowds below as they roared.

Prince William’s other page boy, and Pettifer’s balcony companion, was 10-year-old William Lowther-Pinkerton, son of Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who is William and Harry's private secretary.

The couple also had four bridesmaids; 7-year-old Lady Louise Windsor, daughter of The Earl and Countess of Wessex, 8-year-old Hon. Margarita Armstong-Jones, daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley, 3-year-old Eliza Lopes, the granddaughter of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Harry Lopes, and 3-year-old Grace van Cutsem, Williams goddaughter and the daughter of Lady Rose Astor and Hugh van Cutsem.

Although not so comfortable with the roaring crowds, bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem succeeded in implanting herself in the minds of the viewing public with her bewildered open-mouthed wave as she drove to the abbey, before clutching the wreathe of flowers on her head and holding it in place as she marched down the aisle clasping the hand of Pippa Middleton and keeping in step with Eliza Lopes.

The bridesmaids’ dresses were designed by Nicki Macfarlane to echo the bride’s dress, including the lace and button details, and handmade by Macfarlane and her daughter, said Clarence House. Made of layered ivory and white satin gazar, the dresses featured puff sleeves and a ballerina-length, full, box-pleated skirt finished with English Cluny lace and four layers of net underskirt. The sashes are pale gold wild silk, tied at the back in a bow. The bridesmaids wore satin Mary Jane-style shoes finished with a Swarovski crystal buckle.

Their flowers, designed and made by Shane Connolly, replicated the bride’s bouquet and incorporated lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The hair wreaths worn by the younger bridesmaids were inspired by the headdress worn by the bride’s mother, Carol Middleton, at her wedding in 1981.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/royalfamily/royalwedding/article/982665--page-boy-steals-the-wedding-spotlight

Somebody's grumpy on the Buckingham Palace balcony: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, kiss as grumpy bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem, left, looks at

the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Hello up there: Pageboy Tom Petiffer glances as he waits with bridesmaids and his fellow pageboy

inside Westminster Abbey before the ceremony

Kate and William's picture appears formal, despite little Tom Pettifer's insistence on leaning in

as close to the bride as possible.

[Guest Snap]

I love that grumpy little girl I saw her glaring at Prince Harry on the carriage, lol!

[Guest motherducker]

I didn't watch the wedding, but Kate looks absolutely gorgeous!

haha, that Pageboy, Tom Pettifer is so adorable. That last picture! D'aww .

[Guest Fabiola]

Amazing little Grace steals the show

Sunday Herald Sun May 01, 2011 12:00AM

THE most anticipated moment of the royal wedding was almost foiled - ever so adorably - by a three-year-old.

As billions around the world watched, bridesmaid Grace Van Cutsem covered her ears and pulled an endearingly sour face at the very same moment William and Kate sealed their marriage with the first long-awaited balcony kiss.

The noise of millions clapping and cheering outside Buckingham Palace got too much for the new Duke of Cambridge's goddaughter who covered her ears to escape the racket.

Even as Kate bent down to comfort her as the flypast approached, she repeated the gesture.

The toddler, who was one of four bridesmaids, is the daughter of Hugh van Cutsem and Lady Rose Astor, the great-great-great-granddaughter of William Waldorf Astor, a New York-born lawyer and politician who later became a member of the British aristocracy.

Grace is a seasoned bridesmaid, having played the same role in February for Lady Katie Percy, the 28-year-old daughter of the Duke of Northumberland. And her uncle, Edward Van Cutsem, was a pageboy at Prince Charles and Diana Spencer's wedding in 1981.

Grace's day started on a happier note when she rode to Westminster Abbey with maid of honour Pippa Middleton.

Things began to turn sour for little Grace as the newlyweds were leaving the church - a tired and grumpier looking bridesmaid peeking from behind William.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-reports/amazing-little-grace-steals-the-show/story-fn888sz0-1226047638736

Royal wedding: So excited as they set off to start their new life

30 APRIL 2011

Still on a high after the incredible excitement of their unforgettable day, the newly created Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left Buckingham Palace.

Hands tightly clasped, the newlyweds made their way across the Palace's manicured lawn, where a helicopter was waiting to whisk them off to a secret location.

It had been expected that they'd leave immediately for their honeymoon but Clarence House said that Prince William planned to return to duty as a Search and Rescue pilot next week.

The honeymoon, which will be somewhere overseas, is being postponed for the time being.

Kate, who looked remarkably fresh-faced despite staying up partying late into the night, was wearing a pretty summer frock in lavender.

Presumably, the ensemble had been bought on a last minute shopping spree before the wedding when she bought lots of bikinis, pointing to a sunny destination when they do get away.

It's been suggested that the groom had Jordan in mind.

Although, the Caribbean island of Mustique, one of the Middleton family's favourite holiday spots or Africa, where he proposed are also possibilities.

http://royalweddings.hellomagazine.com/prince-william-and-kate-middleton/20110430676/royal-wedding-prince-william-kate-middleton-honeymoon/1/

[Guest nana544]

What a beautiful wedding !!! That little girl glaring everywhere is so cute too, although she does look evil a bit.

[Guest Fabiola]

Prince William's Title Becomes Duke Of Cambridge, Kate Named 'Duchess'

First Posted: 04/29/11 01:56 PM ET Updated: 04/29/11 01:56 PM ET

Queen Elizabeth II bestowed new titles upon Prince William and Kate Middleton just prior to their royal wedding today: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

And that's not all. William also becomes Earl of Strathearn and Baron of Carrickfergus, making Kate a countess and baroness as well.

There had been local speculation in the days leading up to the wedding that the city of Cambridge would be involved in the new titles, typically reserved for younger members of the royal family.

The Guardian notes that Prince William is the 10th royal family member to be named an earl, marquess or duke of Cambridge, but the monarchy's relationship with the city has been rocky in the past:

Relations between Cambridge and the monarchy have been about as stable as the average royal marriage (present company excluded, of course). In the Reformation and in the British revolutions of the 17th century, Oxford was always seen as the loyal university, Cambridge as the stroppy one. There were puritans in both universities, of course, but Cambridge puritans always seemed the noisier and more offensive and in Emmanuel College, Cambridge developed a veritable factory for the production of preachers intent on poking Stuart kings in the eye.

The last time a Duke of Cambridge was instated was 1801 (Prince Adolphus and his son Prince George held the title). It was first created in the 17th century.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/29/prince-william-title-duke-of-cambridge_n_855578.html

[Guest Fabiola]

stylishly dressed

Lady Gabriella Windsor

Lady Helen Taylor

Sophie Winkleman

Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe

Joss Stone

[Guest Fabiola]

Prince Harry: Chillin' with Pippa and Chelsy

Posted Friday April 29, 2011 2:45 PM GMT

His brother Prince William may have been the man of the hour today, but Prince Harry definitely had plenty of female attention as well.

The crimson-haired Royal entertained his longtime on/off girlfriend Chelsy Davy during the massive wedding festivities in London, England.

But Harry also had another gorgeous woman to attend to- bride Kate Middleton’s beautiful sister/maid of honor Pippa.

Of course the media would love to see something spark up between Harry and Pippa, though it seems unlikely since Chelsy appears to have Harry’s heart.

http://celebrity-gossip.net/prince-harry/prince-harry-chillin-pippa-and-chelsy-501431

[Guest biscuit.]

^

is it me or Chelsy looks lke a pig?

[TVBuddy]

nothing draws my attention away from the beautiful late Princess Diana

[Guest toGETherONE]

^ I concur to what you've said.

[Guest Fabiola]

William the worrier: Even on his wedding day, Prince watches out for his little bridesmaid

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 8:45 AM on 1st May 2011

It may have been the most important day of his life - but Prince William showed even at his wedding his caring and attentive nature didn't slip.

During the balcony appearance with his new bride, he was well aware that the momentous occasion and roar of thousands of fans was proving a bit much for one little bridesmaid, Grace van Cutsem - who clapped her hands over her ears.

The newlyweds were accompanied on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace by their families, bridesmaids and page boys to greet crowds who had crammed on to The Mall to catch a glimpse of their first public kiss. The moment was beamed around the world to two billion people.

Attentive: Prince William comments on the antics of bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem

Once back inside the palace, the Prince was caught on camera commenting to Kate, Prince Charles and Camilla: 'Did you see how terrified Grace looked?

'Grace, she was like with her hands on her ears.'

He then mimics the gesture she had adopted on the balcony where the wedding party also watched an RAF flypast.

Three-year-old Grace is William’s god-daughter and the son of Rose Astor and Hugh Van Cutsem, a friend of William and Harry.

Cheers: Bridesmaid Grace van Cutsem covers her ears as the crowd roars with delight for William and

Kate's first public kiss

Her uncle Nicholas van Cutsem, a major with the Household Cavalry, commanded the mounted soldiers who accompanied William and Kate's carriage back to the Palace from Westminster Abbey.

She may, too, have been grimacing about the soppy sweet nothings being whispered just over her left shoulder.

A lip reader’s analysis showed that, following their first kiss, William touchingly told his new bride ‘I love you’ before going in for a second crowd-thrilling embrace.

‘Let’s give them another one. l love you. One more kiss, one more kiss, okay,’ he said.

After the final kiss he gently mocked the enthusiasm of the cheering hordes, saying: ‘Come on! Come on! More! More! More!’

Page boy Tom Pettifer, eight, is another one of William’s god-children and the son of his former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

Another bridesmaid was William’s cousin Lady Louise Windsor, seven, Prince Edward’s daughter. She has rarely been photographed before because she has exotropia, a condition which causes a divergent squint.

Family affair: William and Kate discuss their balcony appearance with Camilla and Charles

The Hon Margarita Armstrong-Jones, eight, William’s second cousin, may be more used to the spotlight.

The daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley came into the public eye in 2006, when William swung her into the air as they walked to church on Christmas Day.

William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton, ten, is the son of Prince William and Prince Harry’s private secretary since 2005, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.

During the service the young members of the wedding party did the bride and bridegroom proud. All assumed the look of solemnity befitting the event and appeared to be concentrating hard on their jobs.

While none of them flinched at the attention, three-year-old Eliza Lopes clutched her floral head-dress constantly, apparently concerned it might slip off.

Despite their young ages, all six children seemed to appreciate the importance of the ceremony, frowning seriously as they stopped behind the bride when she reached the altar.

The bridesmaids' hand-made dresses were the stuff of every little girl's dreams.

Ivory with ballerina-length pleated skirts, puff sleeves and gold sashes tied in a bow, they were created by bespoke childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane, whose daughter Charlotte Macfarlane helped make them at their homes in Wiltshire and Kent.

The page boys were dressed in the Regency-style red tunic of a Foot Guards officer. The look, which dates from the 1820s, draws its insignia from the Irish Guards.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1382172/William-worrier-Even-wedding-day-Prince-watches-little-bridesmaid.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[Guest Snap]

^ Yeah, I thought it was adorable how Kate kept on bending down and tried to comfort the little girl And Chelsy... *sigh* I hope she's not the one that Prince Harry marries...

[Guest Fabiola]

How to Meet Your Own Prince: 7 Golden Rules Revealed by Study of Royal Romances

LONDON, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Seven-step Strategy is Based on Badoo.com Global Study of 107 Romances Since 1945

Kate Middleton's met her prince. Want to meet your own?

Well, forget kissing frogs and start thinking strategically. That means attending university (ideally, Cambridge), playing sport (ideally, tennis), getting the right job (media or showbusiness) and targeting the right countries (Scandinavia or Monaco).

In short, follow the "Seven Golden Rules" for meeting a prince, compiled by social networking site Badoo.com (http://www.badoo.com), after analyzing 107 royal romances worldwide since 1945.

"Until now, the only known strategy for meeting a prince has been to kiss lots of frogs", says Lloyd Price, Marketing Director of Badoo, the world's largest social networking site for meeting new people. "We've produced the first practical strategy based on analysis of historical data."

To Catch A Prince: Badoo's "Seven Golden Rules"

1. Think Global - Nearly Half Of Princes Marry Foreigners

2. Target Europe - Ideally, Monaco or Scandinavia

3. Get Educated - University Is The New Royal Marriage Market

4. Get On Your Party Shoes - Princes Like To Party

5. Think Sporty - Best Of All, Play Tennis

6. Get A Job - Ideally, In Media or Showbusiness

7. Fame Helps - Boost Your Odds By Being Famous First

You don't have to be royal yourself to make Badoo's rules work. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of the women who romanced European princes in Badoo's study were commoners, like Kate Middleton; and 63% were foreigners.

So, one Badoo rule states: "Target Europe". European princes are the most likely to marry both commoners and foreigners. Best of all, target Monaco or Scandinavia.

Another rule: "Get Educated - University Is The New Royal Marriage Market". Not just did Kate meet William at Scotland's St Andrew's University but 10% of Badoo's women met their princes as students. Best, target Cambridge, the only university to produce more than one royal romance.

Parties are also good for meeting princes; the more you attend the better. Best are parties given by mutual friends.

Sport is another good way to meet your prince. But some sports, like polo or, best, tennis - are better bets than others, like snooker or darts.

Finally, get going. There are more princes out there than you think. The princes in Badoo's study came from 30 countries, 33 royal families and four continents. At least one must be right for you.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-to-meet-your-own-prince-7-golden-rules-revealed-by-study-of-royal-romances-121140709.html

Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz (newscaster on national TV)

Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson

Prince Williem-Alexander and Maxima Zorreguieta

Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit

Prince Joachim and Alexandra Manley

Prince Joachim and Marie Chevallier

King Carl XVI Gustav and Silvia Sommerlath

Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly

King Baudouin and Fabiola de Mora y Aragón

Prince Albert and Paola Ruffo di Calabria

Prince Laurent and Claire Coombs

Prince Philippe and Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz

[Guest Fabiola]

The World's Most Eligible Princes!

Prince Harry

One of the more popular bachelors is William's younger brother Prince Harry of England. The royal has been off and on with Chelsy Davy for a few years, but they reportedly split over the summer. Prince Harry, 26, has been labeled by the media in the past as the bad boy of the royal family.

Prince Carl Philip

Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, 31, has been deemed quite the playboy. According to London Daily Mail, he was romancing model Sofia Hellqvist in April, but has claimed that he's still on the market.

Prince Amedeo

If you like a strong man, Prince Amedeo of Belgium and Archduke of Austria-Este, 24, may be the one for you. He completed his military service and is now a reserve officer in the Belgian Army.

Prince Philippos

Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark, 24, was voted one of the Hottest Young Royales in 2008 by Forbes magazine. According to reports, he's still searching for that special someone to bring into the royal family.

http://www.etonline.com/gallery/featured/103201_The_World_s_Most_Eligible_Princes_and_Princesses/index.html