Kate and William to take entourage of just SEVEN on tour to Canada and the U.S

By Daily Mail Reporter


-The Duke and Duchess' entourage will include Kate's hairdresser, James Pryce, but no 'dresser'
-William will give a number of speeches and addresses but his wife will not be speaking publicly
-The couple will be in Canada from June 30 to July 8 and will then spend two days in Los Angeles

Scroll down for the Royal Tour itinerary...

On duty: The Duke and Duchess will take just seven members of the royal household with them when they visit Canada and the US at the end of the month


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have an entourage of just seven people for their tour of Canada and the US, St James's Palace said today.

Seven may seem like quite a lot of support for two people. But the entourage includes two press secretaries and a couple of private secretaries to ensure that royal protocol is followed.


Catherine - who is fast becoming a fashion icon - has broken with tradition by asking not asked to be accompanied by a dresser.

But she will be taking her hairdresser, James Pryce, to help style her look for the many engagements on her itinerary.

William and Catherine will fly out to North America with the small group of Royal Household staff to help them during the 11-day trip, which begins at the end of the month.

Royal officials said they have tried to keep the entourage as small as possible while still providing enough support for the Duchess, who will be making her first official overseas trip as a member of the monarchy.


Sunshine state: The Royal couple's Canadian tour will be followed by a three day trip to California this July


Outlining the reason for the US trip, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, their private secretary said: 'The visit will support the interests of the United Kingdom through the prism of the royal couple's interests.

'The Unites States' West Coast is a tremendously important market for British business.

'The Duke and Duchess will support UK technology investment as well as the creative industries through Bafta.

'They will highlight the bond between the US and UK's armed forces, particularly focusing now on the next step of re-integration of service men and women into civilian life once they have finished active service.'

The highlight of the US leg of the visit, details of which were released today, will be a glitzy Bafta black-tie reception where the Duke and Duchess will promote British creative talent from the worlds of film, television and video games.

From the royal couple's household will be Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, whose 10-year-old son, William, was one of the pageboys at the April wedding, Chris Keeley, assistant private secretary, Miguel Head, press secretary, and the Prince of Wales's press secretary, Patrick Harrison.


Sir David Manning, who is an adviser and aide to William and Kate, will be part of the team and a secretary will take up the final place.

But the Duchess will not have a lady-in-waiting, an official female companion, so the private secretaries are likely to take on some of the duties of this role such as collecting gifts or flowers.

Catherine will also be assisted by staff from the official buildings where she is staying.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton said: 'The entourage is designed, whoever it is, according to requirements of the tour and we've just followed that principle really.

'In that, actually having done a pretty careful analysis, we've kept it as tight as we possibly can.

'But we've been minded of the fact (this is) the Duchess's first tour and she needs to be properly supported so she doesn't have to worry about stuff other than core matters.'

During the visit to North America, William will give a number of speeches and addresses but his wife will not be speaking publicly.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton stressed the trip would be a double act, with the Duke and Duchess taking part in engagements together.

He said the Duchess had made 'incredible leaps and bounds' but 'there is a time and a place to introduce yourself to the world of speaking'.

Canadian officials are already gearing up for the visit.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: 'Canadians hold the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in very high esteem and look forward to welcoming them as they embark on their first official Royal Tour as newlyweds.'

He told The Calgary Herald: 'The couple’s decision to visit Canada first is a testament to our country’s close relationship with the Crown and the Royal Family, and an opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions, history, and institutions.'





source:dailymail

Harry the hunk: Young Prince shows off newly toned torso as he takes William on at polo

By Daily Mail Reporter



Looking lean: Prince Harry turns heads at Ascot for a charity polo match on Sunday


Prince Harry showed off his rippling torso as he braved torrential rain yesterday to take on the Duke of Cambridge in a charity polo tournament.

While William has been the centre of attention following his wedding in April, the newly single Harry has clearly been busy working out - turning heads at the Sentebale Polo Cup when he removed his short-sleeved top to reveal a tighter one underneath.

Harry, 26, has always been popular with the ladies but his rumoured split with on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davies has once again placed him top of the eligible Singles list.

Check me out: The Prince gets ready to compete against brother William, left, who he lives with in London

Brotherly love: Harry sensibly put his top back on ahead of the charity game


The royal brothers were deluged by the downpours and buffeted by strong winds as they led their opposing teams in the Sentebale Polo Cup.

The event was due to be held in the sultry setting of Dubai but unrest across the Middle East prompted Harry earlier this year to postpone the annual event - staged to raise funds for his charity Sentebale.

It was relocated to the beautiful setting of Coworth Park near Ascot in Berkshire.

The event raises funds and awareness for the charity that Harry co-founded in 2006 to help disadvantaged youngsters in the Southern African country of Lesotho.

Sibling rivalry: The princes battle it out during the match which raised funds and awareness for the charity that Harry co-founded in 2006 to help disadvantaged youngsters in the Southern African country of Lesotho

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, shows his bald patch in the rain whilst mud-spattered Harry looks on


Skillful: Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, remained focused throughout the game. The three teams played in a round-robin tournament

The prince joined forces with Prince Seeiso from Lesotho to establish Sentebale which has launched a new five-year plan to extend its efforts helping Aids orphans and other vulnerable African youngsters.

Talking about the polo tournament held for the second year Seeiso said: 'The Cup is being staged again to raise the profile of the charity and to increase our network of friends.

'Because what is increasingly important about Sentebale's work is to maintain the levels of funds and finance so whatever programmes we have in place can be properly funded.

'Not just for the next year but to do a proper programme of events for the next two, three years.'

When the event was postponed earlier this year, a St James's Palace spokesman said the third-in-line to the throne felt it was insensitive to stage the Cup in Dubai when there were 'matters of greater priority to focus on in the region'.

During the polo tournament Harry played for Sentebale against William, 28, who turned out for a Tusk Trust team, a conservation charity of which he is royal patron.

A third group of players sponsored by Bin Drai Enterprises - a Dubai-based family office - were the final opponents.

The three teams played in a round-robin tournament with Harry's group of players taking on Tusk Trust in the final match of the day.

When the two brothers met on the polo field there was friendly rivalry with Harry joking with his older sibling when the action on the pitch brought them together.

The invited guests barely left a marquee to watch the sporting spectacle as there was little let up in the wintry conditions.
Tusk Trust won the tournament and William - whose bald patch was exposed by the torrential rain - accepted the trophy on behalf of his team as his brother looked on.

After the polo Harry hosted a fundraising dinner where a charity auction was held to raise funds for his organisation while William left to join his wife Kate at a private royal family function.

After the polo Harry hosted a fundraising dinner where a charity auction was held to raise funds for his organisation while William left to join his wife Kate at a private royal family function

During the polo tournament Harry, 26, played for Sentebale against William, 28, who turned out for a Tusk Trust team, a conservation charity of which he is royal patron


The guests dined on a starter of potted salmon, a main course of cottage pie and a summer pudding for dessert washed down with wine.

Harry summed up the aims of his charity in a speech to guests telling them how his organisation would help a young Lesotho 'herd boy' who, determined to better himself, made great sacrifices in an attempt to become a doctor.

The Prince took William to Lesotho last year to see the work of his organisation and the royals travelled to a remote area of the mountainous country to meet herd boys who work in harsh conditions looking after cattle in attempt to provide money for their families.

Harry told the guests: 'Talk of orphans and vulnerable children seems a million miles away from where we are tonight, in the glorious setting of Coworth Park.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge laughs with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho as the game comes to an end


'But, even now, just talking about this, I have the clearest picture in my mind of a young herd boy called Tholo.

'William and I met him one night last summer when we were in Lesotho together. He was seven-years-old. He had walked on his own through the cold and darkness for five miles.'

Harry told the guests that the boy made the long trek simply to learn to read and write because he wanted to become a doctor and help his people.


source:dailymail

Never-before-seen photograph of Wills and Kate shows their excitement at engagement

By Lydia Warren


Relaxed and looking forward to their big day, the Mario Testino portrait of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as she was then


With wide smiles, they can barely conceal the excitement of their newly-announced engagement.

In this never-before-seen photograph, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appear close and relaxed – thrilled by thoughts of their impending big day.

The photograph, taken by Mario Testino, graces the July cover of Vanity Fair.


It includes further portraits by Testino, such as the iconic picture of Princess Diana in 1997.

The Peruvian photographer took William and Kate’s engagement pictures at St James’ Palace last November.

Though William, Prince Harry and the Prince of Wales have all turned to Testino for pictures to commemorate milestones, the celebrated fashion photographer had never before captured Miss Middleton.

But speaking the Mail On Sunday's Katie Nicholl for the accompany interview in U.S. Vogue, he said he already felt ‘very confident’ she would be an ‘easy sitter’ because of her natural grace.

And last week, speaking at a gala in his honour in New York, the 56-year-old said he understood why he was chosen to take the photographs.

Testino, a close friend of Diana’s, said: ‘I guess it was a way for them to keep William’s mother in the whole process of it.’

Despite the pressure of the shoot, Testino said the Duchess ‘looked fabulous’ and that the couple exuded ‘sheer happiness’.

He added: ‘They are a young couple in love.’

Portraits: Mario Testino (left) took Prince William and the then Kate Milddleton's official engagement picture (right) in 2010


The edition will lift the lid on the couple’s house-hunting and who does the chores around their Anglesey home.

It describes the pair’s giggles as they watched their nuptials back on television, and recounts the moment Michael Middleton realised the relationship was serious – when Prince William arrived at his Berkshire home by helicopter.

It also recalls the rather surprising requests the pair had for their honeymoon suite – including Philadelphia cream cheese and Brussel sprouts.

The July issue of Vanity Fair will be on news-stands on June 3, ahead of the newly-weds’ trip to Canada and California in July.



source:dailymail

It's back to work: Days after two billion watched his wedding, Prince William returns to the day job

By Daily Mail Reporter


Prince William returning to his RAF Valley in Anglesey today, days after his wedding was watched by two billion around the world


A few days ago his every move was watched by an estimated two billion people.

But today it was back to more familiar territory as Prince William returned to work at his RAF base in Anglesey.

Wearing sunglasses he was behind the steering wheel of an Audi seen arriving at the Air and Sea Rescue HQ.

Wearing sunglasses, Prince William drove into the Air and Sea Rescue HQ at RAF Valley


It was thought Prince William and his bride would honeymoon this week until it emerged that the new Duke of Cambridge had to return to work.

Despite his status as second in line to the throne he, like his colleagues, had to apply for leave like his colleagues.

He was given a week off for the wedding but was told that he would have to split any further holiday requests – hence the delayed departure date.

The Mail revealed this week that the couple are due to fly out by private jet in mid-May before being taken by helicopter from the mainland to a tropical retreat.

Two Scotland Yard protection officers checked the destination a fortnight ago to ensure it would give the couple the privacy they crave.

As her son-in-law returned to work, Carole Middleton and daughter Pippa were seen arriving back at their Berkshire home

Prince William had to delay his honeymoon as he was ordered to split his leave requests with colleagues


The Mail is not publishing details of the location, and it is understood that not even Kate is aware of the exact destination.

The Prince is not the only wedding guest who returned to their everyday life just days after the global event of the Royal Wedding.

Five days ago the Queen was the proud grandmother overseeing a wedding watched by two billion people.

But after the bank holiday it was back to the daily routine for the monarch yesterday as she visited Newmarket, Cambridge.


Refreshed: Five days after the wedding the Queen met children at Newmarket Day Centre


source:dailymail

'Last day of freedom': Biker Wills speeds off for final kickabout as single man

By Fay Schlesinger and Richard Simpson


Easy rider: William roars out of Clarence House on his beloved Ducati as he went to spend one of his last nights as a bachelor by playing five-a-side football with the boys


Prince William has already confessed that his knees are ‘tapping quite nervously’ as his wedding day approaches.

But nerves did not stop the 28-year-old jumping on his motorbike to spend one of his last nights as a bachelor by playing five-a-side football with the boys.

During a kick-about in a South London park at 10pm on Tuesday, one of William’s friends was overheard referring to his ‘last day of freedom’.


At one point, a team-mate wearing a baseball cap and blue shirt grabbed his arm and bounced the football off the back of his head while the others laughed and jeered.

A second friend then took over, throwing the ball at William’s growing bald patch.

The prince seemed embarrassed by the spectacle and bowed his head in an attempt to shrug off the attention.

Wearing England shorts, a black shirt and socks in the colour of his favourite team, Aston Villa, he sprinted around the park playing central defence to shouts of ‘William’ and ‘Wills’.

Playing with the boys: William looks exhausted as he's flanked by friends after the kick-about in a South London park. One of William's friends was overheard referring to his 'last day of freedom'


Four royal protection officers stood on the sidelines – and even ran off to collect the ball when it soared over a fence.

The 45-minute kickabout is a regular fixture for William whenever he has time off from working as a search and rescue pilot in Anglesey, North Wales.

If his bride-to-be had grumbled about how a sliding tackle could ruin the wedding by leaving him with grazes or even a broken leg, the prince did not let it affect his evening.

But he decided to forgo the usual trip to a pub in Battersea following the game.

Instead, he returned to St James’s Palace on the black £15,000, 180mph Ducati superbike which is his pride and joy.

Pensive: William looked thoughtful as he played football with a group of friends. Perhaps he was having some last-minute jitters


The prince is often spotted zooming around the country roads of Anglesey with Kate riding pillion.

He even has patriotic knee protectors decorated with the England flag.

But last year his father Prince Charles told of his fears about the dangers of the high-powered machines, which are also popular with Prince Harry.

At a reception in December, Charles said: ‘I always worry about them. It’s about other cars not being able to see you. I’m always telling my sons that.’


source:dailymail

Long may she rain! Slimline Kate Middleton gets into shape as she braves the elements for last engagement ahead of big day

By Daily Mail Reporter


Her royal dryness: Kate Middleton braves the rain on a trip to Darwen, Lancashire today


Like any bride wanting to look her best, Kate Middleton appears to have shed a few pounds ahead of her big day.

Looking more slimline than ever, the future Royal was joined by Prince William on their last official engagement together before the royal wedding, braving the rain to attend the opening of a school in Darwen, Lancashire.

Kate, holding her own oversized black umbrella, opted for a subtle but notable sartorial transformation.

Joining the ranks of predecessors including Diana and Jackie O, she wore a smart navy blue fitted jacket, matching skirt and high heels - a look that cements her status as style queen.


Gone is the floaty, A-line silhouette she has come to favour and its place a streamlined shape suit.

Her hair was styled half up half down amid recent speculation that this could be the look she chooses on her wedding day.

Miss Middleton has yet to invest in the see-through umbrellas used by the Queen, which allow her to be easily seen.

Getting in shape: Kate has lost weight as last-minute nerves kick in ahead of the big day and is certainly thinner than she was back in 2005


Instead Kate carried a very large black one, lifting it higher up so she could be seen by the crowds outside the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy.

The Queen's distinctive Fulton birdcage design umbrellas feature a coloured rim which the company produces in exclusive colours for her so she can match them exactly to her outfit.

Union and St George Cross flags flew outside many shops and pubs in the east Lancashire town of Darwen to greet the couple.

William and Kate arrived at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy on the first leg of their day-long visit to the area as hundreds of well-wishers lined outside in the heavy rain


William and Kate arrived at Darwen Aldridge Community Academy on the first leg of their day-long visit to the area as hundreds of well-wishers lined outside in the heavy rain.

They are expected to be met by crowds of thousands on their second and final engagement at nearby Witton Country Park in Blackburn.

William will officially open the academy where he will also launch an award scheme and later observe a sports display in the park with his fiancee

At the academy in the heart of the town, the couple were welcomed by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Sheila Williams, the chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Graham Burgess, and Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry.

They were then greeted by the principal of the independent non-fee-paying school, Brendan Loughran, and its sponsor Rod Aldridge, former executive chairman of Capita.

William will officially open the academy where he will also launch an award scheme and later observe a sports display in the park with his fiancee


A tour of the academy followed to highlight its focus on entrepreneurial skills which are embedded in its curriculum.

William will launch the SkillForce Prince's Award and give a short address on the scheme and the work of the academy to students, parents, governors and staff.

SkillForce is an education charity which has William as its patron and from summer 2012 it will present the new honour to teenagers who show significant character or make a major contribution to their community.

Hair apparent: Kate's hair was styled half up half down amid recent speculation that this could be the look she chooses on her wedding day


More than 100 accredited newspaper, TV and radio journalists were covering the academy visit including representatives from the United States, Australia, France, Germany and Norway.

Later, William and Miss Middleton will visit Witton Country Park as part of the Prince's role as patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.

The initiative aims to protect permanently 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces across the UK and demonstrate the importance of green spaces for sport.

The couple will meet local civic dignitaries, view sports activities on the athletics field and see youngsters taking part in a football skills session.

Anticipation: Crowds line up outside Darwen Community Academy ahead of the couple's visit


Miss Middleton will also be invited to start a 100 metres race and meet a group of athletes and coaches.

The couple will also see some young people participating in disabled cycling activities.

Recently the pair have met well-wishers in Anglesey in Wales, visited their former university St Andrews in Scotland and flown to Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The Prince, 28, who is based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, in his role as a full-time RAF Search and Rescue Pilot, and Miss Middleton, 29, will marry on April 29.

Their wedding day will be an official public holiday across the UK.

Little princesses: Two young fans hold Union Jacks of the Royal couple


source:dailymail

Nearly 1,000 staff will be used by the BBC to cover William and Kate's wedding

By Paul Revoir


The big day: The BBC are expected to be dedicating up to 1,000 members of staff to cover the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William


The BBC is to dedicate the best part of a thousand staff to covering the Royal Wedding, it has emerged.

The corporation's bill for broadcasting the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton will run into excess of a £1million, with a sizeable chunk of that going on the army of staff it will be using.

Once again it will dwarf the numbers of workers being used by rivals ITV and Sky News who will have a fraction of the staff on the day.


In total there is expected to be 850 BBC workers covering the event, many in London along the route, but also some getting reaction from other locations in the UK. This includes staff for TV, radio and online.

The BBC has defended the numbers claiming that as host broadcaster it will be responsible for beaming images out around the globe and that the wedding is likely to be the most viewed event of the century.

There will be 550 BBC workers covering the actual event, following the route and the ceremony, with Huw Edwards as the corporation's main presenter.

There is expected to be a further 300 news staff who will be providing separate reports from around Britain.

This includes staff from BBC Breakfast, the Today programme and Radio 5 Live.

Commentators: DJ Fearne Cotton and The One Show host Alex Jones will be covering the Royal Wedding


This compares with 437 staff the BBC sent to the 2008 Olympics in BeiJing and the 295 sent to last year's football World Cup in South Africa.

As well as Edwards, Fiona Bruce and Sophie Raworth will be at the heart of the BBC's coverage, which will also see Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton and One Show presenter Alex Jones given presenting roles.

The wedding is expected to be watched by a global audience of two billion.

A BBC spokesman said: 'The Royal Wedding is likely to be the most watched event of the century so far and the BBC is proud to be the host broadcaster.

'Final numbers have yet to be confirmed, but we expect to have 550 people working on the day to bring high quality and distinctive coverage of this special event to a wide audience at home and abroad across TV, Radio and Online.

'In addition BBC News will provide separate reports across the UK and numbers for this are yet to be finalised.'

The venue: Hundreds of BBC staff will be covering the wedding route up to Westminster Abbey


source:dailymail

Not by Royal appointment! Ashtrays, teabags and even fridge freezers... the ghastly tat marking Wills and Kate's big day

By DAILY MAIL

Come on, Granny, get out your needles and start knitting royal dolls - or even your very own miniature corgi, £9.99, ivypress.co.uk


From cufflinks to condoms, no Royal wedding would be complete without a collection of souvenirs even the most ardent royalist would do well to love.

Here the Mail outlines some of the very best (or worse)... and where you can get them.



Throw salt over your shoulder to bring the lovebirds luck with this cruet set, £6.99, ebay.co.uk





Gentlemen, these gold-effect cufflinks, with images of the happy couple, guarantee a classy wedding-day look, £9.99, cuffsncollars.co.uk


If the fawning wedding coverage doesn't satiate your sweet tooth, this fudge will hit the spot, £1.50, ebay.co.uk


The royal couple will want an heir and a spare. For the rest of us, there are souvenir condoms. £5, crownjewelscondoms.com





These teabags put Wills and Kate into hot water, but let's hope their relationship never is, £4.30, donkey-products.com


Stub out your wedding fever altogether with this ashtray, £3.99, gift-flair.co.uk


So dim you need a book to explain the wedding? This is for you... £6, dummies.com


Nail the royal wedding look with these works of art, £6.99, eBay.co.uk


Even the youngest patriots can join the celebrations with this Happyland Royal Wedding set, £15, Early Learning Centre





What cake lover could say no to this sponge creation? Even if it does look nothing like Wills. Or Kate. Price varies, michellesugarart.co.uk





source: dailymail