Gold Cup day — without the Queen
Updated
Kate Middleton at Cheltenham today without William
The Queen is said to be distinctly unamused by Palace arrangements for her to open Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 today. The reason is that it’s Gold Cup day at Cheltenham, and today’s race is gripping the nation like never before.
Prince William and Kate Middleton at Cheltenham last year
Two great racehorses are set to battle out the finish in what has been called “a race to stop the nation” and compared to a planetary collision. You’d think Captain Kirk was taking on the Klingon Empire.
The two horses in question are Kauto Star and Denman, great champions in their own right who have never met on a racecourse, but who live in adjoining stable boxes and train together every day of the year. The poignancy of it has truly gripped the country, and the Queen, who loves the Sport of Kings, is all set to miss it.
“It’s a muck up,” she is reported to have exclaimed. One can’t help but think that in Henry VIII’s day it would have been done very differently.
So, we will all spend this afternoon chewing our fingers to the quick, while Her Majesty cuts a ribbon and reads a speech at London’s major airport. Mind you, the terminal is a sight to see by all accounts. The main hall alone is the length of four football pitches. But not, alas, as long as Cheltenham racecourse.
The Queen has asked for the race to be recorded. God preserve the servant who mucks up the Palace video machine and records Blue Peter instead.
Last year, we remember Prince William and Kate Middleton at Cheltenham (pictured). Kate wore sensible tweeds and was heavily criticized by the fashion buffs. It was just before their break up and the two scarcely glanced at each other.
Will they be there today? It would be the perfect opportunity for them to be photographed together for the first time since the December visit to the Somerset House ice rink.
William could also provide a running commentary for his grandmother on his mobile phone.
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall at Cheltenham yesterday
Zara Phillips made an appearance at the racecourse yesterday, saying she can’t wait for the today’s Gold Cup. Walking out with boyfriend Mike Tindall, her outfit caused a bit of a stir drawing comparisons with a Tyrolean brass band player.
After hurricane winds the day before had cancelled the event, Zara clearly decided to put practicality before fashion. So it’s oompah to the fashionistas.
It is really great to see Zara and Mike arm in arm at Ascot and I think her outfit is very sensible and stunning. So come on cousin William and Kate enjoy a day at the racing with them so you can report back to grandma.
By Royalist on March 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I hope the person who scheduled the Queen to be at Heathrow today isn’t the same person who messed up the scheduling for the anniversary party last November!
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
The same thought occurred to me, Evelyn. There have been a few “muck ups” since Robin Janvrin left.
Royalist, yes, I hope to see Wills and Kate there. We’re all watching it on Channel 4 right now. No sign of Zara yet.
By John on March 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I’d love to see them there but my guess is that they won’t show. It isn’t part of their new low key regime.
As for the meeting itself, my mother is at home glued to it. Your comment sent me running to the TV to see if they were there. John Francome was giving his words of wisdom, I was all keen on him as a child and he is still sexy!
I can’t believe that the Palace didn’t factor in Cheltenham and the Gold Cup when fixing the Queen’s diary, it just shows how the poor woman is at the mercy of subordinates who really don’t take her as a person into account.
By Eliza on March 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
The same thing happened over the party at The Ritz in December, Eliza, which just happened to coincide with the Queen presiding over the Commonwealth Conference in Uganda. Not good enough, I think.
By John on March 14th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
The Daily Mail online shows pictures of Kate at the Cheltenham races but no sign of William so he is probably back to work. Nice to see a picture of her though looking very stunning as usual!!
By Jackie Mccoy on March 14th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Yes, she looks great and happy.
By Claudius on March 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Yes, I’ve just put up a pic of Kate at Cheltenham today.
By John on March 14th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
It looks like Zara is wearing the same coat as last year, but with different accessories. Not that I’m complaining– I’ve been wearing the same coat for 15 years!
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
I don’t think we will see her at the Wales vs France game tomorrow with William because it’s a offical event but it was nice to see her today. She looked very happ and lite everyone up with her smile. I know everybody there was happy to see her, which is one of the reasons why she had a big smile on her face.
By Claudius on March 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
She did look great and I’m glad she went because she does seem to enjoy it; its part of her year now. I’m sure the atmosphere brings her back. The racing community would leave her alone too so that she wouldn’t be plagued by people coming up to her.
Also, I think it is a good sign that she came because William was said to be raging that she went last year on the Friday so she definitely wouldn’t have gone this year without the royal ok and that suggests that William is happy to raise her profile a bit.
All in all its lookin’ good!
By Eliza on March 14th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I never would have recognized Kate from that picture if John hadn’t put her name underneath. She looks very different from last year. Perhaps she is trying to go incognito. Kate’s hat must be the latest fashion. It’s almost identical to the one Zara Phillips is wearing in her picture.
By Arthur on March 14th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Well, if those hats aren’t the fashion yet, I expect they soon will be.
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I think Kate is very stunning and is always dressed impeccably but when I saw this latest pic of her I didn’t realize who it was for a second. Note to Kate: Put your hands in the air and step away from the eyeliner.
By Mary on March 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
I think Kate looked great. Though her eye make up was certainly very dramatic but it fit the outfit very well. I liked her navy blue coat though I’m not a fan of her favourite pair of velvet black boots. I think a similar hat had also been worn by some actress, hence I guess it’s the “in” look when it comes to hats right now. Though it’s probably a little embarassing for Zara and Kate that they chose similar head wear. It’s a pity that William didn’t go with her. But I think he only attended last year with her and didn’t really look like he was enjoying himself too much. Maybe he’s not a big races fan?
By Isana on March 14th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Today is a workday for William, as he’s with the RAF for another month. Plus he’s off to Wales tomorrow, as patron of Welsh Rugby. But I would guess that the RAF won’t have training during the later part of Holy Week, so perhaps William & Kate will be together over that long weekend.
Does anyone know what the Royal Family’s tradition is for Easter weekend? Are W&K likely to be with his family?
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I understand that the Pete Doherty trilby is all the rage for women. Don’t ask me why. I’m as baffled as you are.
Holy Week in the Anglican tradition doesn’t carry the weight it does in Roman Catholicism, except perhaps for Anglo-Catholics. Christmas is a much more structured occasion for the Royal Family than Easter.
When I lived in Spain, I was amazed at the activity in Holy Week, including processions of the Virgin and lots of services. It’s much more reserved in Britain and almost invisible.
By John on March 14th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Hmmm… Here in the U.S., Holy Week is a big deal among many (most?) Christian denominations. Christmas is a bigger “family” event, but Holy Week and Easter are bigger Church events.
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Checking the Daily Mail again, they’re reporting that Prince Charles will join William & Kate for skiing at Klosters “next week.” Would that mean Easter weekend? I’d expect William might get a few days off from the RAF for the holiday, so that would make sense.
DM also says that Kate’s sister, Pippa, will join them, too.
By Evelyn on March 14th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
It was nice seeing Kate out and about at the Cheltenham races. The article in the DM says that she bet on Denman, and she was cheering her horse on with lots of excitement! If I’m not mistaken Denman won, so I wonder how much Kate bet?
On another note, I’ve seen some photos of Kate on some of the photo websites, and apparently she was there with Several of Prince William’s close friends, including his good friend Tom Van Straubenzee. John, I believe Tom Van Strabenzee is the friend that accompanied William on his New Zealand trip to see the All Blacks in 2005, but please correct me if I’m wrong.
By mapleleaf on March 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
And last but not least, Zara just looks beautiful! She looks happy and glowing. The article in the DM shows one photo where she looks unhappy right after a race completed, I think her horse might’ve lost.
But at any rate, I’m looking forward to reading about the ski trip next week. I think William and Kate are doing very well if her sister is going to accompany them on what is essentially a family trip, if it’s true that Prince Charles will also be joining them in Klosters.
If Harry goes also, this will be the first time in a few years that Prince Charles and his sons have been skiing together at Klosters.
I wonder if the Duchess of Cornwall and Chelsy Davy will join them?
By mapleleaf on March 14th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Somewhere I believe I read that Camilla does not ski or does not enjoy skiing, so she perhaps will not join the merry group at Klosters. I think both Zara and Kate look terrific at Cheltenham and I am sorry that some courtier at the Palace cannot seem to keep the Queen’s schedule straight! A few hundred years ago, heads would roll!
Regarding Holy Week, it is a very important week in the US, for Protestants and Catholics alike. Starting with Palm Sunday, my family and I will attend five church services prior to Easter Sunday Mass, including Mass of the Last Supper, Adoration, Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and Good Friday services in the evening, as well as observing total fast and abstinence on Good Friday.
By Gigi on March 14th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I wonder if Kate chose her striking look for today since it is pretty much a total opposite of what she wore last year, especially knowing how much she was ridiculed for being “dowdy.” I must say, I like it! She looks wonderful!
By Blondie on March 15th, 2008 at 12:26 am
I’ve got you beat, Gigi– I’ll be at 9 worship services in those 8 days of Holy Week.
By Evelyn on March 15th, 2008 at 12:30 am
Yes Mapleleaf, Denman won and won easily in the end, by nearly eight or ten lengths.
And Isana I have to agree with you about the boots, she seems to wear them on every occasion and in every season and they’re not that nice.
By Eliza on March 15th, 2008 at 10:33 am
In terms of Easter in England, the old church (Celtic) followed a different date for it. It was only after the Synod of Whitby in 640, or thereabouts, that the Roman Easter was imposed. The Nonconformist churches developed, psychologically at least, from the old tradition, which remained even longer in Ireland, so Easter has never really recovered.
The Queen will give out the Maundy money on Thursday, however.
By John on March 15th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hello all! John, do you know who it was that accompanied Kate? And, another question. Although, I have always been a great believer that they have been together all along, sometimes it is hard with all the rumors flying around. Would you say her being with his friends, is “proof” that they are together? But then again, last year she went with Zara too - and I think they sat in some Royal box, (or did I make that up?), and now she is “just in the stands”. It seems in this circle, they don’t “just do something”, but there is some meaning due to protocol about everthing. Whewwww!!!! How wordy of a question!!
What say all?
By Madelaine on March 15th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
John, do British children awake on Easter Sunday morning to find a basket from the Easter Bunny filled with chocolates and jelly beans, or is that a tradition peculiar to America?
By Arthur on March 15th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Madeline, Kate went with Thomas van Straubenzee, one of William’s closest friends. She is clearly still very much in the loop. I’ve never ceased to believe that.
Arthur, what sentimental nonsense. Of course not. British children awake to a cold shower and a five-mile run before a breakfast of gruel. You can read it all in Dickens’s Oliver Twist.
By John on March 15th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
John, do we kow if Kate spoke to either Zara or her mother
while they were at the races? Do you know the other two people who were with Kate? I was glad to see that she went. She looked really good. I hope that she and William have a great time skiing.
By kat on March 15th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
“Sentimental nonsense?” I think the Easter Bunny is going to tell Santa Claus to put nothing but coal in John’s stocking next Christmas.
By Arthur on March 15th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
My dear John, if the Church in America can adapt to the formula for where Easter falls each year in the Liturgical Calendar (which is, Easter is the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Equinox), then the Church in England can surely adapt as well! America is an immigrant nation, and many of us are descended from Europeans, after all. Personally, I think it would be wise of the Powers That Be to select a stationary date for Easter and stick to it, as the Church Fathers did for Christmas, but that is just my opinion and the Powers That Be are quite unlikely to be interested in my opinion.
At least, they have never shown such interest, and I am not about to hold my breath in hopes that they do! 
In other news, I remembered to order the ham for Easter dinner, so we can all go on living. (And some of us can go on eating, too!)
By Gigi on March 15th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Kat I don’t know the names of the other people that Kate was with because Tom Van Straubenzee is the only person whose face I recognise, but I saw a photo of Kate standing and conversing with a young woman and another guy in addition to Tom. There are some photos of Kate in the stands with the same woman and Tom V.S. on different photo websites like Getty and Isifa.
I don’t know if Kate spoke with Zara at the races, but I have seen photographs that showed Kate and Zara to be very friendly and warm towards each other at other events. They were very friendly and close at the races last year, too.
By mapleleaf on March 16th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Hello Magazine has a good photo of a smiling Princess Royal, enjoying the Cheltenham Races, a wonderful photo of a very attractive Zara, looking adoringly at her beau, and a lovely photo of Kate, laughing and happy with friends, also at the Cheltenham races. It is a pity that neither the Queen nor Prince William could be there, but the Royal Family was well-represented nonetheless.
By Gigi on March 16th, 2008 at 1:29 am
Thank you for all the wonderful information. I will have to do some looking on the internet with reference to those sights.
Thanks again. Yes, the royal family was represented. I hope that both the Queen and William can be there next year along with everyone else. To change the subject, I am glad that William was there to award the trophy to team Wales. It was a great weekend all around for the RF. Next weekend will be equally as exciting with Easter and the skiing trip.
By kat on March 16th, 2008 at 2:39 am
My dear Arthur, John is just kidding about the Easter baskets. My British penpal assures me that her children and now her grandchildren enjoy beautiful Easter baskets adorned with pastel ribbons and filled with chocolate bunnies and colored eggs, just as children in America do. In fact, somewhere I have a snapshot of my English friend with her young daughters, decked in their Easter finery, in front of their house, holding Easter baskets and about to leave for Easter services at their church in Essex.
By Gigi on March 16th, 2008 at 3:02 am
Happy Birthday, Gigi! Thank you for clarifying the Easter basket issue for me. I’ve been feeling sad all day thinking about those deprived British children, or so I thought. Speaking as a perennial child myself, I still look forward to getting an Easter basket on Easter Sunday morning. It wouldn’t be Easter if I didn’t have a chocolate bunny’s ears to bite off.
By Arthur on March 16th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Gigi, thanks for deciphering my British humour, and a very happy sixth decade to you.
On Easter, we do have very long memories here, although the detail is often lost in the mists of time. I’ve always preferred Easter to Christmas as a festival, but Christmas has a much more solemn feel to it, even though Easter is clearly the bigger occasion religiously.
By John on March 16th, 2008 at 8:56 am
According to Katie Nicholl from the Daily Mail (who I think only a week ago wrote the exact opposite) Wills and Kate are no longer going skiing. Only Charles is going. Has there been any news on the “vacation front”?
By Isana on March 16th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Isana, like everyone else, arrangements can change. Also, Easter is not a good time to go skiing, especially with the mild winters we’re getting.
By John on March 16th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Easter is a curious time to choose for a skiing vacation, even in the Swiss Alps. The slope conditions will be dicey at best. Charles is going to be spending a great deal of money for a ski vacation that may fall far short of the high standards he demands.
By Gigi on March 16th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Arthur, coal is a valuable commodity these days. I’d be delighted.
As for William, Harry, Kate and Chelsy going to Klosters, I imagine they will have received a security briefing after Harry’s deployment. It may be the case it was deemed too risky.
By John on March 16th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I haven’t seen anything that said that they wasn’t going.
By Claudius on March 16th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I don’t think Charles will go to Klosters by himself.
By Claudius on March 16th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Oh I see it. Maybe they will go somewhere else.
By Claudius on March 16th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
The Daily Mail had a lengthy article in which the author detailed a number of negative factors that are breaking down relations in Charles marriage to Camilla. One of the clues the author discusses which he claims points to a breakdown in felicity in the marriage is the fact that Camilla and Charles are taking frequent holidays apart from each other. Perhaps Klosters is one of these, since we know that Camilla does not ski and we also know that Charles adores skiing and especially relishes his annual trips to Klosters. He was said to be quite pouty last year when he cancelled his trip to Klosters in order to reduce his carbon footprint. I do not know how credible this story is, of course, but if it is based on fact, it may provide an interesting and perhaps partial explanation regarding the Klosters trip. John, the point you make about enhanced security being necessary after Prince Harry returned from Afghanistan is a material one. In light of that situation, perhaps it would be dangerous for Charles to go to Klosters at all.
By Gigi on March 17th, 2008 at 12:41 am
The Daily Mail is now reporting that Kate and William will go
skiing. However, they are going to stay at an apartment instead of a the royal suite. Pippa is going also. The Daily Mail is reporting that Jecca Craig will be in the area also. If things are not changed again this should be an interesting trip. There will be family around and a former girlfriend of William’s. Kate and William must be very close and sure of everything to spend this time with friends and family. I hope that they all have a good time and a bright future.
By kat on March 17th, 2008 at 1:38 am
Thanks so much, Arthur and John, for your very kind birthday wishes!
By Gigi on March 17th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Jecca Craig? Blah. I hope that is not true. That will just stir up bad press.
By dally on March 17th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Yesterday’s report that the younger ones may not be going to Klosters was very tenuous. It didn’t actually say they weren’t, it just left it hanging in the air. Clearly the arrangements are changing all the time.
As for Jecca Craig, I believe she in now in a long-term serious relationship with a friend of William and Harry. It says a lot for William that he can maintain friendship with someone he once had a very intense relationship with — a “pretend” marriage, I believe.
I’m sure Kate doesn’t feel threatened by it. They all seem to be a close knit group of friends.
By John on March 17th, 2008 at 11:14 am
It just seems to me that Wm. and Kate have some kind of plan that just keeps them apart so the media will not over run them. Why would anyone even think that Wm. and Kate will NOT get married.
Wouldn’t most females wait out their time for Wm to do whatever he has to do. When you have dated someone as long as she has and with someone with his attributes; she would be crazy to not stay
behind the scene and wait. Who would she even think of dating that
could fill his shoes? The only thing I do not understand is: You never see Kate and Chelsy socializing… Also, Kate is so pretty, why
doesn’t she dress with some color?
By Ann on March 17th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
didnt realize that william and jecca were that close - for some reason i assumed it was more casual - whats a “pretend” marriage - whats that about???
By coni on March 17th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
http://www.justjared.com has pictures of William and Kate in Klosters.
By Isana on March 17th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
thanks for those photos isana - kate looks lovely as usual…what came to mind is that with mud being flung at her for not having a “proper job” how can she when she needs to be flexible for william’s schedule - must be a challenge for her -
By coni on March 17th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Are those old photos? Thanks for providing the link.
By Claudius on March 17th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Looks like the date is new! Exciting!
By dally on March 18th, 2008 at 1:18 am
I am so excited for them. They look really happy. I have to say that in the world of William and Kate- All is right!! The pictures are great.
By kat on March 18th, 2008 at 3:22 am
These pictures are on a very small website and are not being picked up nationally. Their authenticity has yet to be proved to us here. They could be old shots.
By John on March 18th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Some of the pics clearly show Wiliam, Kate and Pippa so I guess they are indeed new since I don’t think Pippa ever accompanied them on a skiing holiday before. But I admit that it’s strange that the press hasn’t picked this story up, yet.
By Isana on March 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Perhaps the press are too busy making hay out of the publication of the details of the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce judgement.
By Gigi on March 18th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
True, Gigi, oodles of news around right now. It takes hours to read the papers these days.
By John on March 19th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’m glad to see the Express and Daily Star having to apologise to Kate and Gerry McCann for pushing hundreds of stories about them being involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.
I never believe anything these papers print unless it’s confirmed by other more believable sources.
By John on March 19th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I am also very pleased about the abject published apology and the payout. It is outrageous and indeed heinous for anyone to print such unfounded accusations about anyone, let alone about anguished parents desperate to find their missing child. John, am I right to suppose that 550,000 pounds sterling is more than one million dollars? I am a bit unsure on the exchange rate.
By Gigi on March 19th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Yes, Gigi, it’s around $1.2 mill. Very well deserved in my view.
By John on March 19th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Double that amount would not be an adequate remedy in my view, but at least it is something. The gutter press simply has to have some controls put on them by someone, for all our sakes.
By Gigi on March 19th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Gigi, the Daily Express group, which includes the Daily Star, has front-paged Diana for 10 years, making money from her memory and fuelling the conspiracy theories, just as it has done with Gerry and Kate.
The owner is a pornography publisher who is close to Mohamed Fayed.
Says it all really, doesn’t it?
By John on March 19th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
By Gigi on March 19th, 2008 at 7:28 pm