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Kate Middleton stars at the Boxing Ball

Posted in Boodles Boxing Ball, Chelsy Davy, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, Prince William, Royal Engagment on June 9th, 2008
By John - leave a comment!

Kate Middleton Although she didn’t raise a fist in anger all evening, Kate Middleton was the undoubted star of the Boodles Boxing Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Outshining all others — even the glamorous Chelsy Davy, sultry in blue — Kate stood out among a distinguished audience comprising members of the Royal Family and other guests, who were there to support their favourite amateur boxers raise money for charity.

Attending on the arm of Prince William, one newspaper even referred to Kate and her boyfriend as “the Royal couple”. What does it know that we don’t?

Prince Harry and Chelsy sat at another table. Both couples hit the dancefloor to conclude the evening.

88 Responses to “Kate Middleton stars at the Boxing Ball”

  1. I’m so excited that PW and CM were there together and that we got to see so many great photos. It was nice to see both couples there looking happy. I think the DM article was tacky describing Kate’s dress being cut down to her navel. If that was true she would have an incredibly high one. The commenters on the DM article are mostly snarky and nasty. Most refer to her lack of job and calculated actions. Since I am not British, maybe I am mistaken, but I thought a large role of the royal family is to be seen at events, including charitable ones. If that is true, then how would her presence there be viewed as a party girl activity. I think CM should secretly go and photograph images that support PH’s Sentibale (is that correct spelling?) charity to show she can do work for charity without being in the limelight. Just my two cents :)

    By dally on June 9th, 2008 at 2:00 pm

  2. Dally
    I think a lot of the individuals who comment on the DM are young girls who are jealous of Kate. You will find this at a lot of websites, endless nasty, scathing comments about someone who they don’t even know. She has been stuck for a couple of years career wise because if she does get a job she becomes an instant paparazzi target. They know when and where to follow her each day. The people who she works with may or may not be able to be trusted, her phone line would probably be tapped and stories leaked to the press. If she starts her own business they she could be accused of cashing in on her Royal connections and so on and so forth. At the moment it is believed that she is working for her parents company in Buckleberry until William proposes and she can take centre stage.
    It’s a tough life for her and I certainly wouldn’t want to be living it.

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm

  3. Oh and Kate and Chelsy did look fantastic. DM will always try and make a controversial statement! It sells newspapers! Clearly Kate’s dress was elegant and John is right she was the star of the the night as usual!! :)

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 9th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

  4. good to see Chelsy finally included in this group - she seemed to be a bit in the background before…perhaps this speaks to the level of the relationship..

    By coni on June 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

  5. CM rarely takes a bad picture. Even wincing, she looks great, and that dress is spectacular. The fashion world will love her like they loved Diana. (Mind you, I’m not comparing them!)

    Interesting idea about a photo project for her in Africa with Sentabale. But again, she’d be accused of exploiting her Royal connections to land a job.

    By Dan on June 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

  6. Sorry, the correct spelling appears to be Sentebale.

    By Dan on June 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm

  7. I agree with all of you–Catherine looked simply exquisite in that pink gown, which was NOT, I repeat NOT cut down to the navel, I don’t care what the Daily Mail says or thinks. What hyperbole! It was a joy to see the photographs of Catherine and Prince William enjoying themselves at the Boodles Boxing Ball, and also to see Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy, looking gorgeous in that bleu gown.

    By Gigi on June 9th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

  8. Oh good grief, I meant “blue” of course. My typos will be the end of us all!

    By Gigi on June 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

  9. Hello!

    I was just wondering if anyone had an inkling as to how/why royal engagements are announced? Esp. considering the possibility of multiple engagements around the same time. How do they determine who will go first, second and so on? Considering that Zara may be next and everyone (well almost) is rooting for PW/CM and PH/CD, how can the logistics be worked out without waiting 20,000 years?

    Thanks!

    By Anne on June 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm

  10. Anne I seem to remember John mentioning before that A Royal engagement is announced by a piece of paper being left on the gate of Buckingham palace. The news media are alerted with an embargo until 4:00PM and it is usually on a Friday. I have absolutely no idea who makes the decision on which order the weddings will take place in?

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 9th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  11. I believe the old Victorian tradition is oldest to youngest sibling within a family and rank trumps age. John, am I right about that?

    By Gigi on June 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

  12. If you’re right, Gigi, then Zara’s engagement would not be a hindrance to Prince William’s announcement. Hopefully next summer– and I’m hoping it won’t be the same week as a work trip that is already on my calendar! :)

    By Evelyn on June 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pm

  13. evelyn - certainly pass along your work trip and am sure they’llbe happy to work around it :)

    By coni on June 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

  14. Yes both royal couples looked totally amazing and very much in love with each other. John is righ, when that Paper is put up on the gates of Buckingham Palace, everybody will go crazy. For some reason I feel that sometime this year a paper will be mounted up on the gates. I read those comments on The Daily Mail and I just know that little young girls must have said those things. By the looks on William & Catherine faces, we all can tell that all is well.

    By Rman on June 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

  15. That’s true, Jackie, but in this age of mass communication I think they may have dropped the sheet of paper of the gates now. :)

    Gigi, the old age tradition is probably roughly followed still, but if Harry wanted to marry quickly, I’m sure no-one would stand in his way.

    By John on June 10th, 2008 at 10:16 am

  16. Incidentally, it seems Beatrice and Eugenie will travel in one of the Royal carriages at Royal Ascot next week. No word of William and Harry — they may have military duties to fulfil.

    That wouldn’t stop Kate and Chelsy doing their double act though as guests of the Queen. Now that would cause a splash.

    By John on June 10th, 2008 at 10:19 am

  17. Have William and Harry attended Ascot in the past?

    By Isana on June 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

  18. That wouldn’t stop Kate and Chelsy doing their double act though as guests of the Queen. Now that would cause a splash.

    I hope Kate’s and Chelsy’s double act doesn’t include using their brollies to poke other guests in the bum! ;)

    By Arthur on June 10th, 2008 at 1:11 pm

  19. Isana, they may have gone with one of their parents as children, but they haven’t attended as adults in the Queen’s carriage parade. I can’t imagine Kate and Chelsy staying away though, especially on Ladies’ Day.

    By John on June 10th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

  20. Arthur, Kate and Chelsy are far more grown-up than the silly duo of Fergie and Diana. Decorum, puulease! ;)

    By John on June 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

  21. Has anyone read the hello article where Zara apparently stated that she was NOT engaged? Link is below http://tiny.cc/wJnRp. So maybe we don’t have to worry about an engagement clash after all?

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 10th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

  22. Thanks for the answer, Arthur that’s what I thought. I don’t think Chelsy and Kate will be attending together without their “men” though. Kate seems to be interested in horse races since she’s been to Cheltenham the last couple of years, but she never attended Ascot as far as I know unless she’s been hiding under a giant hat and noone recognised her. ;-) And Chelsy doesn’t seem to be interested at all. So I cannot imagine that they would start joining Ascot now, maybe after an engagement but not before.

    Good to see that Zara apparently put that engagement story straight. Why could William not have issued a similar statement last year? Might have safed him and Kate a lot of problems.

    Looks like William had two engagements today relating to submarines. He becomes the patron of an appeal to save Britain’s last WWII submarine. He also opened a memorial dedicated to submariners who have died defending the UK. Unfortunately I haven’t seen any pictures of either event yet.

    By Isana on June 10th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  23. Isana, if Zara and Mike have agreed to announce an engagement after the Olympics with a wedding in May, it’s true they are not officially engaged. I think that’s all Zara is saying. It doesn’t mean the facts are not true though.

    By John on June 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

  24. I agree, John. Also, she has been asked by her Father, Captain Mark Phillips, to focus solely on her training for the Olympics until the competition is over, and she is trying to fulfill that request. Concentration is difficult enough but will be well ‘nigh impossible if the press keeps sticking a microphone in her face and pestering her with incessant queries regarding an engagement. Captain Mark Phillips is the most accomplished equestrian ever, in my lifetime, to have been associated with the Royal Family and naturally he wishes his daughter, Zara, to eclipse him. She does well to heed his excellent advice.

    By Gigi on June 10th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

  25. Hopefully Mike listened to his future father-in-law and will not formally propose until after the Olympics. That would be the ideal time.

    By Grandma828 on June 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm

  26. The BBC is now reporting that Zara has pulled out of the Olympics due to an injury to her horse.

    By Dan on June 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

  27. Just getting that news, Dan. That will clear the decks for a wedding this year and leave next year open for “the big one”. :)

    By John on June 11th, 2008 at 2:13 pm

  28. I’m so sad for Zara, she was really looking forward to this.

    By Claudius on June 11th, 2008 at 2:28 pm

  29. Agreed, Claudius. How serious an injury? I hope Toytown is going to be ok. :(

    By Gigi on June 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm

  30. I couldn’t find anything about Zara on the BBC site, but Hello has two photos and a brief story. There is no mention of the nature of the injury to Toytown, however. I must say that I feel that Zara is taking this very well and her most excellent reaction is in the best tradition of the true equestrian, who considers the horse first, last and always.

    By Gigi on June 11th, 2008 at 3:35 pm

  31. There is also an article on the DM website showing Chelsy looking a little worse for wear :)

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 11th, 2008 at 3:39 pm

  32. Has anyone heard anything about Kate and William? I just saw under google-Kate middleton signed a friend that they have split. That is the only place that I have seen it. Does anyone have any information on it? Thanks.

    By kat on June 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm

  33. Kat I can’t see anything posted to do with a split. Are you sure it’s not an old article relating to last years split? Also what website was it posted on there are a lot of crazy things out there written about them.

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 11th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

  34. I can’t find anything, either. It seems pretty unlikely to me, frankly.

    By Gigi on June 11th, 2008 at 8:48 pm

  35. There are articles on Zara not going to Beijing on both BBC and DM.

    How soon might a Phillips-Tindall wedding be arranged? Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec?

    After that, Prince William would be the next oldest grandchild. :)

    By Evelyn on June 11th, 2008 at 8:51 pm

  36. Yes that is very very unlikely. We all know that they are doing just fine so you may have seen an artical from last years break up Kat.

    By Claudius on June 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm

  37. Thanks everyone, It was under hot leader celb blog. The headlines dated today was about their split. I guess it was trying yo get you to read the articles. I am relieved to hear that they are ok.

    By kat on June 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

  38. Hey John

    I’m interested to hear what your take will be on what the outlook is for with the current ‘hot topic’ Royal Relatioinships for the next 6 months given that Zara is now out of the olympics. Although you said the decks are cleared what is the likelyhood of an announcement being made for a Tindall/Phillips wedding? Does this increase at all the chances of an announcement being made in August for PW and Kate? This is a very exciting time for RA regulars!! A lot could start to happen!!

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 11th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

  39. Yes I know and I don’t know if I should tap dance or what, lol.
    I just feel so sorry for Zara, she had prepared so much for this and now her favorite horse is hurt. But I’m sure she will be alright and I hope her horse is alright too. Here is a new artical on The Order of the Garter ceremony and it shows what William will look like on Monday. I hope Catherine attends because it’s an important day for him.

    http://tinyurl.com/5lnaaf

    By Rman on June 12th, 2008 at 1:54 am

  40. Jackie, Zara’s pullout throws all calculations out of the window. Mike is in New Zealand with the England rugby team right now, but Zara will have a crater-sized hole in her schedule and may well wish to fill it her wedding.

    William and Kate go their own way, as usual. ;)

    By John on June 12th, 2008 at 8:50 am

  41. I too feel very sorry for Zara that she has had to pull out of the Olympics.
    I’m sure Toytown is fine its just that he would have be at optimum fitness to compete and I think he has had some long standing injury which hasn’t righted itself. If i remember correctly there was always a concern about Toytowns fitness because he is getting on and Zara had been looking for another animal and just couldn’t find one with as much talent.
    I have to agree with John, Kate looked stunning and was the star of the show.
    I thought Chelsy looked well too and they both have brought serious glamour to the RF.
    I doubt if they will be in the Royal procession for Ascot though, the Queen wouldn’t invite them unless they were engaged and why go if you are not in the royal box.

    By Eliza on June 12th, 2008 at 10:12 am

  42. John What happened to my last post here? it seems to have disappeared.

    I am so disappointed for Zara AGAIN poor Toytown !!! I happen to love this horse as much as Zara he is such a beauty. Unfortunatly he was the horse she was registered to ride and as he has to pull out that means the rider too under the rules. She has four years till the next and I hope her and Mike become engaged and married he seems like a huge support to her.

    Now on to Kate the topic here. I have found out the dress is by Issa and she purchased it at Harrods according to the article I read it has become a favorite label. I think the coral pink she chose and the cut looked young, fresh and elegant I can just imagine her in a wedding dress with her style as long as she looses the boots. That said I have seen alot more Kate bashing since these pic emerged. For all the Kate Bashers I just have one thing to say She is not Waity Kaitie Camilla never worked a day in her life and all she did was wait and plot for Charles now those same people who deride Kate sing the praises of Camilla who still does little in the way of engagements. I also think when she marries William she will help him overcome his uncomfortableness at public speaking and engagements. What an asset she will be.!!!!!

    By Trudie on June 12th, 2008 at 10:30 am

  43. Eliza and Trudie, I agree, Kate is certainly going to be an asset to William in his future life. She appears calm, dignified and without the need to parade as a celebrity — which is vital for a senior person in the Monarchy.

    Trudie, your comment appeared twice, once in the mod panel and again on the site. When it was snuffed in moderation, it seems to have taken the post down too.

    The problem is, we have so many Kate-bashers and spam merchants trying to get on that we’ve developed a very complicated spam filter. Sometimes, alas, it goes wrong. My apologies. If you can remember what was in the comment, please put it up again.

    By John on June 12th, 2008 at 10:50 am

  44. OK John Here it is. You were incorrect about Ascot. William shared a carriage with Camilla the year before last. Harry has not been seen since he was a child when he and William shared a carriage with Diana and the QM.

    As for the Kate bashers they should crawl back under the rocks from which they came.

    By Trudie on June 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am

  45. Trudie are you sure about William being at Ascot? I have had a look and I can’t seem to find any photos. I know that he shared a carriage with Camilla at the Trooping of the Colours, are you think of that?

    By Ash on June 12th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

  46. Is this comment’s page a advertisement for the Daily Mail?
    Almost everyone who leaves a comment mentions it.

    By wheat smith on June 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm

  47. thanks john for keeping those “types” off the site. while i appreciate the various opinions we have no room for “bashing” of any kind - very uncivilized…

    with zara being off the olympic team perhaps an official engagement is not to far off…

    By coni on June 12th, 2008 at 4:02 pm

  48. well I had a look on the England Rugby team’s website if I read it correctly (which I may not have) they have two matches in New Zealand which would keep Mike in New Zealand up until the 21st June. I could be totally off the mark but for some reason I just don’t feel as if she is going to do anything this year. That will probably come back to bite me but who knows!

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 12th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

  49. You may be right John I could be mistaken I’m going to see if I can find the pic I’m thinking of. If I’m wrong apologies.

    By Trudie on June 13th, 2008 at 1:12 am

  50. John, very interesting article about the sudden decision of Elizabeth Buchanon to leave the service of Charles just as she was poised to become the first woman ever to be private secretary to the PoW. The article I read (DM) seems to attribute this startling development to Camilla’s jealousy over Ms. Buchanon’s extraordinary access to Charles. What do you say to all this? If true, this would seem to indicate that Camilla and Charles are not quite as serene a couple as we were lead to believe.

    By Gigi on June 13th, 2008 at 8:15 am

  51. Gigi, Clarence House has a different take on it : LINK

    Her father died and she needs to look after the family organic farm in Sussex. So, take your pick. :)

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 8:44 am

  52. Wheat Smith, the Daily Mail provides the best serious coverage of the Royal scene. It also has a vibrant website, so a lot of our readers go there.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 8:46 am

  53. Of course CH has a different take on it. This also makes sense in relation to Sarah Goodall. It seems that Cammy called Diana that ridiculous creature for her jealously with good reason and now look who appears to also be a jealous ridiculous creature.

    BTW John I have enlisted the help of a poster who has a vast knowledge of William I hope she responds. I also looked and could not find the picture of William and Cammy in the carriage.

    By Trudie on June 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am

  54. John you are correct. I enlisted the help of maple leaf and she emailed me photos and it was Trooping the Color. I may have confused them since they are at about the same time. But I thought only HM and PP rode in a carriage for the Trooping Ceremony. HMMMMMMMMM

    By Trudie on June 13th, 2008 at 11:00 am

  55. Well, Trudie, just as I don’t necessarily believe all the fawning stuff that’s written about the Royal Family, nor do I necessarily believe all the bad stuff either. ;)

    Off topic : We’re all on tenterhooks here waiting for the result of the Irish referendum on the European constitution — right now it looks as if it will be a No!

    If that’s so, there’ll be a lot of Guinness drunk by Englishmen in pubs across the nation tonight.

    Our own traitor government reneged on a promised vote because they knew we would vote it down by a hefty margin.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am

  56. Well it’s Trooping the Colour tomorrow, so we’ll see what happens then.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 11:04 am

  57. Please keep us posted on both.

    By Trudie on June 13th, 2008 at 11:31 am

  58. Does anyone know if Kate will be at the Garter ceremony to see William become a a knight of the Garter?

    By Belinda on June 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

  59. Belinda, Kate was at the Wings ceremony and the Windsor wedding, so logically she should be at the Garter ceremony on Monday, especially as it’s William’s big day — his first major honour.

    I would expect her to be there, but have no confirmation of it right now.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

  60. John, I knew you would be pleased about the No vote winning! I have to say that I am not so pleased.
    As indicated in our debate on the subject on a prevous post I am a committed European and it annoys me beyond belief that a band which includes Sinn Fein have succeeded in using an economy in trouble and a grossly ineffective yes campaign to persuade people to vote No.
    Even if I wasn’t a committed yes voter I would never vote with Sinn Fein, I have just heard Mary Lou MacDonald lecturing a long standing Fianna Fail politician on the democratic process. I think the irony of that should be lost on no one.
    So John, while in England the Eurosceptic is middle England in Ireland the NO vote is a mixture of people feeling the pinch as the Celtic tiger whimpers and a party who feel that they can hold Europe to ransom as they have done to Britain and Ireland in the past.

    By Eliza on June 13th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

  61. Eliza, I imagined you’d be feeling bruised. ;) But over here around 90pc of people in private mini-referenda around the country wanted a vote. At least Ireland had one, and your result joins those of France and the Netherland in rejecting the treaty.

    The politicians want this, but the people don’t. That’s clear. So who wins? The people will always have the last word in a general election.

    Like many other politicians, Brian Cowen admits he hasn’t read the document. Why would anyone sign a contract they hadn’t read?

    The reason it’s so unreadable, of course, is that it hides much of its force in the small print and annexes. Like the fact that it will take 90pc of our law-making powers, thus abolishing the Mother of Parliaments — and the Irish one.

    Anyway, thank you Ireland for kicking this out. I kiss the Blarney stone (virtually, of course), and will raise a glass or two of Jamieson’s tonight. Green is now my favourite colour. :)

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

  62. Well, you may be cheering but I have been talking to a number of people I work with and they are very smart people and they are as upset as I am, in fact one said that he was embarrassed by the decision.
    The EU has done an enormous amount for Ireland, the investments have been huge, they changed the infra structure from ‘The Quiet Man’ era to the Celtic Tiger and now that it is time for us to give back we baulk.
    And again I and everybody I know do not appreciate being lectured to by Sinn Fein.
    And to be frank the idea that all the Eurosceptics across Europe are jumping for joy does not fill me with glee.
    Also you have to understand that Ireland is pro Europe the No vote was strong because of internal dissatisfaction not because we are against Europe.
    The UK has an economy that can survive in splendid isolation we do not. So what is good for you is decidedly not good for Ireland.

    By Eliza on June 13th, 2008 at 2:30 pm

  63. Eliza, the reason for Ireland’s economic success is not due to German grants, which certainly played some small part but could easily be squandered on political agendas. It was due to the lowering of corporation tax to (I believe) 12pc or so, half that of Britain and well below the European average. That attracted lots of businesses into Ireland.

    The new constitution, however, condemns so-called tax competition among states, so it wouldn’t be long before Ireland had to reverse its most successful economic advantage leading to an exodus of major businesses.

    Also the high euro is crucifying the Irish economy while denying it the interest rate changes that would protect it. The housing sector is particularly badly hit, as with the Club Med countries.

    Personally, I don’t believe the euro can stand the strain and will break before long.

    The Irish people have made a very shrewd decision about their economy.

    In terms of social issues, Irish values would be shredded by the new powers the Commission would have been given.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

  64. Eliza I am with you, I can not believe that the No vote has won - the thing that makes me mad however is that the people I have talked with today that voted no did so because they didn’t understand the treaty, the referendum commission really failed in its job. I have had someone tell me that they were against the death penalty so of course they voted no, another said they didn’t want same sex marriage in the country, another because they are against abortion, I honestly didn’t know if I should laugh or cry listening to them. I really hope that they have learned from this and next time do a better job of informing the people. And if Sinn Fein actually see the no vote as a show of support for them from the people, well then their utter stupidly might just cheer me up a little.

    By Ash on June 13th, 2008 at 3:24 pm

  65. Yes of course the halving of corporation tax was a huge benefit,, as was the well educated work force, to foreign investment much of it American but without infrastructure no multinational would have come because one couldn’t travel.

    The roads before the EU investment couldn’t have facilitated corps. And not only roads much of the public building was more than part financed by the EU.

    You may mock German grants but then again as Monty Python said ‘What did the Romans ever do for us??!!!’

    Yes there are difficulties with the EU and corporation tax but it is easier to negotiate these matters from inside that from outside - as is now the case. Any goodwill we had will be eroded by this vote. We have always got great concessions from Brussels because our politicians have been able to use the Irish charm and guile- not anymore.

    The housing sector is suffering because they were greedy and built too many houses, houses prices were grossly inflated in the same way they were in the UK in the late eighties which caused negative equity then and it could do the same here.

    In actual fact it is not the high euro which is killing us but the weak dollar.

    You don’t know our electorate if you think they voted NO because they think we would be better out of Europe. I can almost guarantee you that the normal voters who said NO know that we have to be within Europe to survive but they were just annoyed at the government for various matters and the Yes campaign was less than uselss.

    The NO campaigners were impressive and had a lot of money to spend, where did the money come from - robbed banks (literally) and/or disgruntled NO people from across Europe.

    As for Ireland’s social values, they have been eroded by prosperty not by Europe.

    By Eliza on June 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

  66. Ash, you are so right, the Yes campaign should have answered all the queries and the concerns of people instead of which they basically said you know wjat you have to do- vote yes - so just get on with it. Nobody likes being taken for granted.
    I know John, doesn’t get our point of view but it is cringe.
    It would be different if we wanted out of Europe but we don’t.

    By Eliza on June 13th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

  67. Eliza and Ash, the weak dollar has been caused by the FED cutting interest rates to the bone to stave off recession. The problems with the Irish economy are mainly due to the ECB keeping rates high because of traditional German fears of inflation. If Ireland had control of its rates, the outcome would be better.

    Giving up control of your economy and laws is to surrender your country to another. The EU under Lisbon would be a legal entity for the first time — i.e. a country in its own right. The Irish people have smacked that in the face, thank God.

    I accept your dislike of Sinn Fein, but they are a patriotic party after all. And “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” … temporarily. :)

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

  68. cant imagine why kate wouldnt be at the garter ceremony. also, on this elizabeth buchanon situation…what do we make of it…if we are to believe the DM…i find camilla’s reaction “interesting”

    By coni on June 13th, 2008 at 4:07 pm

  69. I agree with you, John. I am very glad Ireland voted no, because to vote yes would have compelled Ireland to surrender her own destiny and decision-making powers to others who perhaps do not have Ireland’s best interests at heart. It is unfortunate the many did not understand the treaty and therefore perhaps did not make an informed vote, and it is unfortunate that Sinn Fein reared it’s ugly head and attempted to wield undue influence (not for the first time), but the EU Treaty remains a bad idea for Ireland and for the UK, in my opinion. America will surrender her sovereign powers when hell freezes over. I hope Ireland and the UK continue to assert their sovereignity. Only Irish-elected officials can make the best decisions for Ireland because the land is also their heart’s blood. I realize that the Irish side of my family left the Emerald Isle in the 1850s, but I still have cousins living there and thus maintain very deep interests in the wellfare of Ireland and the Irish.

    By Gigi on June 13th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

  70. “I accept your dislike of Sinn Fein, but they are a patriotic party after all”

    Not my type of patriotism I’m afraid LOL

    Coni - I think that with Kate out of public view lately the DM they are having to find other ways to attract readers. Usually any article portraying Camilla in a bad light is well received by some so when there is little to write about Kate the Camilla stories come out. If you want my opinion on the article, do I think Camilla is capable of being jealous - of course she is, it a very normal human emotion. Do I think that she is an insecure woman who would have someone fired because of jealousy - no. Do I think that Charles would be interested in another woman enough to cause Camilla to be jealous - no. The man went against the majority of the country to marry her, one of the things that I will never doubt is Charles’s love for Camilla and I don’t think she will ever doubt it either.

    By Ash on June 13th, 2008 at 4:41 pm

  71. Gigi, after seeing a picture of Ms. Buchanan walking with Prince Charles, I can understand why Camilla wanted her gone. Diana was attractive, but considered “thick as a plank,” so Camilla never felt threatened. Ms. Buchanan, on the otherhand, is attractive and intelligent. That’s a lethal combination, even for Camilla!

    By Arthur on June 13th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

  72. Gigi, I can only speak for myself on this — plus about 70-80pc of the British electorate :) — and we are delighted about the Irish result because it does what we would have done had not the cowardly Gordon Brown disallowed our vote.

    The new Franco-German Empire, developing in Europe, will be the cause of the European wars of the 21st century. It’s authoritarian and centralist to a degree that can’t be tolerated by the Common Law countries like America and Britain — at least by their people.

    Parliament has totally let us down and we should now look for something other than Parliamentary sovereignty, which under Blair and Brown has been a substitute for democracy and turned us into an elective dictatorship.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 4:52 pm

  73. John,
    Don’t know what Sinn Fein has to do with Kate’s stunning pink dress at the Boodle’s Boxing Ball but here goes my opinion:

    Kate is right for Wills as long as Wills thinks Kate is right for him and for goodness sakes, job, schmob, she’ll be working for the rest of her life once she leaves the Abbey.

    Let them be young and in love, let her search for own way, not what the hateful, jealous young posters declare she must do.

    I am sure she will do what is expected of her once she is married, just as Camilla has shown remarkable gumption taking on Royal Life at the not so tender age that she did.

    By alsgal on June 13th, 2008 at 5:18 pm

  74. Well John you may of not got a referendum on Europe but how would you like one on the Royal Family:

    “The United Nations has said that the UK must consider whether they should keep the Royal Family.”
    http://preview.tinyurl.com/686mjn

    By Ash on June 13th, 2008 at 5:37 pm

  75. Ash, look at the people making this claim : the Sri Lankan envoy, Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Syria, described as the Human rights commission. :)

    Umm, doesn’t Saudia Arabia have a Monarchy? Hasn’t Cuba had an effective dynasty since 1959? Same with Syria.

    Trust me, this will not ruffle any feathers here in Britain. It just emphasizes my point that we should scrap the UN, which is a hotbed of international Marxism and corruption.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 5:44 pm

  76. John pardon me from joining this heated debate but Germany is far from being a centralist state. It’s a federal Republic like the US. And the European system is so much based on compromise that it’s paralysed most of the time. I understand that the Brits hate the EU with a passion but why did you join the “club” then? Undoubtedly because of the economic perks. I find it hypocritical to want to profit from the ecomomic advantages the union and the common market offer and complain about the political price one pays for it. You can’t have you cake and it. If you want out of the union you should have been in favour of the new treaty since it (for the first time) includes a termination clause. That would have been the chance for the UK to opt out if you honestly believe that nation stands a chance on its own in a globalized world competing with the likes of the US and China.
    To accuse Germany and or France of starting any wars given the current US-UK led war debacle in Iraq is simply incomprehensible to me.

    By Isana on June 13th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

  77. Isana, the political elites of Europe are trying to ram an authoritarian system down the throats of the people of Europe. Whenever they’ve had a vote, they have rejected it. That’s democracy.

    Ninety percent of Britons wanted a referendum on the EU constitution. Blair and Brown refused, showing they have joined the European elite lock stock and barrel. Now the people of Ireland have killed it.

    And, yes, if I had my way, the UK would withdraw from the EU. I value our freedoms far too much to trust them to the politburo of Brussels.

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 6:02 pm

  78. Oh come now John, surely you don’t think that Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Syria have anything other than your best interests at heart LOL

    I have to say I think the whole thing is one of the most bizarre I have read in a long time. The world is truly getting crazier.

    By Ash on June 13th, 2008 at 6:14 pm

  79. I agree that the people should be allowed to have their say about a new treaty. Certainly if the government had promised to hold an election on the matter. But if you want a more democratic Europe (which I’m very much in favour of) you should support the new treaty which will strengthen the position of the EP and reduce the number of members of the Commission. That would at least be a step in the right direction.
    I find politicians complaining about the vote now and thinking about repeating it (probably until they get the “right” result) very arrogant and undemocratic. If they feel they need to have that treaty, they need to convince their people of that with good arguments. If they can’t maybe that treaty isn’t as good as they think it is. Obviously many people are very critical of the EU because they find the whole system hard to understand and intransparent. Complicated treaties on more than 200 pages don’t make it any better to understand either. Yet keeping the status quo won’t help at all. So it’s really a no win situation right now.

    By Isana on June 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm

  80. Ash, you put your finger on the problem. Too many supranational bodies telling us what to do.

    Out with them all, I say. :)

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 6:17 pm

  81. Our apologies for all the political stuff on the site today, but some important events happened affecting Ireland, Britain and Europe and it’s hard to ignore them.

    Normal service is now resumed. :)

    Well done Ireland. ;)

    By John on June 13th, 2008 at 7:04 pm

  82. I know this is a royal site so this is my last comment on the Lisbon Treaty but I have to voice my agreement with everything Isana said; one of the main points of the treaty was to strengthen the European parliament so that the process was more democratic.
    I also have to agree wholeheartedly with Ash’s comment about Sinn Fein’s patriotism not being her type of patriotism.
    Back to the matters at hand, bets on who gets engaged first?

    By Eliza on June 13th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

  83. Eliza that’s still a tough one, although PW and Kate appear to be closer than ever they could possibly drag this whole thing out until 2009 when he begun life as a full time Royal. I think as John has pointed out before this would be a mistake. The amount of anti-Kate articles I read daily complaining about her lack of career, waiting around for William, holidaying WAG is on the increase. We definitely want a princess/future queen who is loved and or at least held in high self-esteem by the people. It would be awful if Kate was disliked as much as I feel that Camillia is. On the other hand they could both be happy with the status quo. Zara and Mike could announce and engagement first but who knows????

    By Jackie Mccoy on June 13th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

  84. Do you guys know why The Trooping The Colour is not shown over here in America? I would really love to see it.

    By Rman on June 13th, 2008 at 11:20 pm

  85. Rman, it’s an annual event so is not counted as “news”.

    I’m just watching it now. I’ll put up a post later. William and Harry arrived in a coach with Camilla.

    By John on June 14th, 2008 at 10:09 am

  86. I wonder why the young Princes did not participate mounted on horseback. John, do you have any idea?

    By Gigi on June 14th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

  87. I am sure you are right, John, but I disagree with the reasoning of the networks regarding this. Christmas Midnight Mass at Saint Peter’s is an annual event, too, but it is always televised around the world and here in America. To whom do we apply to request that Trooping the Color be shown here in America? I shall be glad to compose the letter. I am 60 years old and have never yet seen Trooping the Color! I am feeling culturally deprived of my much-needed enrichment. :)

    By Gigi on June 14th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

  88. Gigi, I would apply to the program controller of BBC America. Failing that you may just get it on the iPlayer at bbc.co.uk.

    By John on June 15th, 2008 at 9:50 am

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