Summer Royal Roundup August 5
The Queen clears her diary
An inside source is saying that the Queen has cleared her diary of engagements for the holiday season at Balmoral in case Prime Minister Gordon Brown falls on his sword and resigns from office.
Such is his plight — poll ratings dropping like a brick, conspirators plotting against him from all sections of his party — that the Queen reportedly feels she should be prepared for any eventuality. It’s the convention that a Prime Minister resigns directly before the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
A courtier is quoted as saying, “The Queen is spending most of the summer at Balmoral but we aren’t putting any visits to far-flung tropical islands in her diary. If Brown comes a cropper, she must be able to get to Buckingham Palace sharpish.”
The source does not mention the PM’s annual pilgrimage to Balmoral when the Sovereign entertains her chief minister and spouse while being briefed on all the latest Westminster gossip.
According to various reports, on these occasions the Royal Family serve their guests and even clear away the dishes themselves after dinner. Cherie Blair was said to be speechless when this happened to her.
Perhaps that’s why the Queen does it.
Is Kate Middleton receiving free designer dresses?
A weekend newspaper report suggested that Kate Middleton was being gifted free or heavily-discounted outfits from the Brazilian couturier, Issa.
The haul included the astonishing coral pink number (pictured) that she wore to the Boodles Ball, on which we commented fulsomely here at Royal Anecdotes. The implication of the piece was that Kate may be using her Royal connections to obtain freebies.
However, the designer herself said that Kate is a “private client” and that was all there was to it.
I don’t know how these things work so can’t really make much sense of it. It may be that the designer “lent” her a dress or two for a big occasion because of her patronage in the past.
Kate’s signature “look” seems to come from this talented designer. But she must beware of any hint of free-loading. Once that hits the headlines, the public and press will never let go and every transaction she makes will be examined for the slightest discount or favouritism. The Duchess of York is a salutary example — and I won’t even mention the Blairs.
Judging by the style this Brazilian lady has given Kate, would I be amiss in suggesting she might be perfect to design her wedding dress?
But for Kate’s sake it should be paid for in full … plus a generous tip!
Are Royals infiltrating politics?
We know that some senior politicians, especially in the Labour Party, secretly covert the Crown. Their attitude is, “why should they get all the glory while we do all the work?”
But are the Royals hitting back — in the best traditions of Tudor skulduggery?
It seems the new Mayor of London, former Tory Minister, Boris Johnson, is a direct descendant of King George II and a distant cousin to the Queen. Having displaced Red Ken Livingstone in the May elections, Boris is perfectly placed to turn City Hall into a minor Royal Palace.
The revelation comes in that excellent BBC programme, Who Do You Think You Are?, which examines famous people’s family trees.
Amusingly, the show was held back during the election in case it dented Boris’s man-of-the-people image. As an Old Etonian with the poshest accent on record, that might have been water off a coot’s back.
And if you think that’s a one-off, think again. Conservative leader and the next Prime Minister after a general election, David Cameron, is a direct descendant of King William IV. The Royals are on the march.
Of course, the Labour Party could hit back by encouraging some of its young bloods to marry into Royalty.
Watch out Beatrice and Eugenie!
The Boris edition of Who Do You Think You Are? will be shown on BBC1 on August 20.
I don’t put much stock into anything Katie Nicholl has to say about Kate. Whatever happened to Kate finding a career because the Queen demanded it? Funny how the designer actually refutes the entire story but Ms. Nicholl goes ahead with her always reliable unnamed sources anyway.
By lizzy on August 5th, 2008 at 11:54 am
It is not uncommon for designers to “lend” (read “give”) clothes to customers who make them look spectacular in public. Kate is a walking full-color fashion-mag spread for the label. The pages of Vogue could do no better. Issa should be paying Kate for the service, not the other way around!
Of course, the living billboard is typically a film star, not the future Queen of England. As such, anything she is given should be worn once or twice, then donated to charity.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Thanks, Dan. It sounds a dangerous practise to me, though. The press is merciless on the Royal Family over freebies of any kind.
By John on August 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Of course, we would not want to see Kate’s donated garments going to auction, a là Queen Victoria’s unmentionables!
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
But she is not ‘Royal Family’ at present. I do not understand the need for people to comment on what is a private arrangement between KM and Issa (or any other clothing designer).
I don’t think it matters whether the person wearing the dress is a film star or just someone’s girlfriend - they are photographed, people see the outfit, the designer gains more coverage.
By Rachel on August 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Diana receieved tons of make-up and skincare, most of which she gave to her staff. I bet she was given a dress or two also.
By dagga on August 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
That would be really nice Dan, later on Kate donating the Issa clothes to charity.
By Me on August 5th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Well, Rachel, “just someone’s girlfriend” may be photographed in a dress, but unless she’s a film star or a future Queen, no one’s likely to care who she is, what’s she’s wearing, or splash her photos in magazines and websites around the world.
As for “the need for people to comment”? Um, that is what we’re all doing here. Welcome to the Age of (and the site of choice for) Commentary.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Kate glows with the fire of a thousand suns in those Issa dresses — I think the term “stunning” is not overstating the look, style and level of distinctiion she manages to achieve. Whilst I’m sure she wouldn’t want to be compared to William late mother, I think it’s fair to say she is doing a pretty darn good job stylewise. To paraphrase Stevie Wonder, “Issan’t she lovely?”
By alsgal on August 5th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I meant, it doesn’t matter who you are, if your photo is featured in newspapers then designers often enter into a relationship with you where they lend you clothes for public events. It happens all the time: ergo I do not think it is something newsworthy.
By Rachel on August 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
One thing’s for sure, I bet Issa is inundated with clients right now.
By John on August 5th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
It is interesting that we don’t see pictures of her and William on the beaches and boats of Mustique. Is the island so totally off limits to photographers?
Not that I advocate their privacy being invaded. But the fact that they succeed in maintaining it is newsworthy.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Dan, Mustique is known as a safe resort, free from prying eyes. The clientelle is so rich they have no reason to sell on phone pics of famous guests.
By John on August 5th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
perhaps that is why Mustique is their favourite destination for their hols?
By Rachel on August 5th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
No doubt. Perhaps they confiscate cameras at the dock. But it’s still surprising that Hello! hasn’t planted a well-dressed peeping imposter in the midst.
Some of us hope the age of paparazzi is coming to an end, hounded to extinction by the blunt instrument of Britney Spears. How many train wrecks can one world bear to witness?
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Kate does, indeed, look stunning in the Issa label clothes, and while she is still Kate Middleton, I have no problem with her accepting clothes from the label, because that is a standard in the high fashion industry. A dress designer who wants to move to the very top of the heap and garner market share gives dresses to the super stars of the moment, and Kate is definitely the super star of the moment. Kate is doing far more for Issa because she is photographed in every outfit she wears and the photos are everywhere! When Kate and Prince William wed, as John correctly states, Kate must pay for her clothing and not accept these loans or gifts. Others have done so (Jackie Kennedy comes to mind), but the wife of the man who will be king must not. This is England, after all, and it really won’t do. As for Issa being the chosen label for Kate’s bridal gown, I think it would be a solid selection, and I agree with John that the gown must be paid for in full. As for tips, I do not believe that one tips a dress designer. They fall into the same category as the owner of an establishment, I believe.
By Gigi on August 5th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I agree Gigi that if, KM becomes Queen then she should pay for her own clothes, although I still think it is a private arrangement. Although it is a standard arrangement as I said above, we still don’t know whether or not KM pays for the garments.
Would Issa be able to use the Royal Warrant if they continue to dress KM if she does become Queen?
By Rachel on August 5th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Currently only the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prince of Wales can issue a Royal Warrant. It will be interesting to see when that privilege is extended to William.
The recipient of a Warrant must have been a supplier for 5 years. They are typically, although not exclusively, British companies.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
yes, but presumably once William is King he will have the privilege extended to him. And I was actually joking about Issa gaining Royal Warrant status…
By Rachel on August 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Going back to the original point, I doubt Kate is taking freebies. Just last week she refused a free first-class upgrade on a plane. That sounds like someone being very mindful of her dos and don’ts.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Gigi, are your hatches battened? Edouard is headed in your direction.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I wonder why Ms. Issa Helayel is referred to as a “Brazilian” desginer. (The DM goes so far as to suggest, in one of its spectacularly inaccurate and deliberately misleading headlines, that the clothes actually come from Brazil.) She lives and works in London and that’s where her shop and studio are. To me, that makes her a British designer.
As far as “the dress” goes, I agree that, were she to marry Prince William, it would be politic to choose a British designer. I nominate John Galliano or Alexander McQueen. I’d like to see her do something cutting edge. But probably a little too costly.
By Ursula on August 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Thanks, Dan, our hatches are, indeed, battened! We are expecting Edouard to hit here this afternoon, and we hope that he leaves at least 3-6 inches of water with us before he blows off in another direction. It is eerily quiet here–no chirping birds, no deer resting in the thick grass of our side yard. Everyone has their animals inside. I just scooped up our neighbors’ cat (who came to our house to eat lunch and was napping afterwards on one of our cushioned porch chairs) and took him home where his owners gratefully took him in the house. I haven’t heard a dog barking for at least an hour, and there are dogs living all over our street. Something is about to happen.
By Gigi on August 5th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I agree with most people, I personally don’t feel it’s wrong for Kate to accept free clothes from Issa. It’s the type of deal where everyone involves wins. However, I would think that for Kate’s own self preservation she wouldn’t do this. As John mentioned in the post, the Duchess of York is a fine example of why you shouldn’t do it. I must say I think choosing to wear Issa is great. The clothes look great on her and are always appropriate.
By Fiona on August 5th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
In Kate’s case, wearing Issa is win-win all around whereas Fergie wearing Yves St. Laurent was perhaps a win for Freebie, but a loss to dear departed Yves and quite frankly, an embarrassment to the French people. This is only my opinion, as I prefer my Royals to look slightly hungry and well-groomed, something Fergie will never be able to achieve except perhaps when she is at least thirty days post rigor mortis.
I would think the British people would find it delightful if Kate chose a British designer for The Dress, as well as the shoes and accessories.
With delight and anticipation, I am simply wondering now which venue they will pick and which tiara she will wear — the Boucheron Tiara has “Royal Bride” written all over it and would announce in a very big way that Kate has indeed entered the family. Personally, I found the York and Wessex new wedding tiaras a bit modest, and catty comments about using a Party Pieces plastic tiara aside, I don’t believe Kate has a family tiara to wear, although perhaps on her father’s well-to-do side from Leeds, they can come up with something?
By alsgal on August 5th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
If Lady Rose Windsor can borrow a tiara once owned by Queen Mary for her wedding, the future Princess of Wales will do at least as well. One presumes it will be different from the one Diana was lent, but then again, there’s no denying one’s mother-in-law.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Then again, a little research tells me that Diana wore the Spencer family tiara. Is it traditional that the Bride’s gear comes from her family exclusively?
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Continuing this chat I’m having with myself…
Sophie wore a tiara borrowed from the Queen’s personal collection on her way to becoming the Countess of Wessex. So it can happen, although it probably should not be a piece of Royal significance, i.e., one of the trinkets Queen Mary snatched up from Royal Houses all over Europe that were liquidating assets between the wars.
By Dan on August 5th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
“one of the trinkets Queen Mary snatched up from Royal Houses all over Europe that were liquidating assets between the wars.”
One of the many reasons I adore Queen Mary. There shall never be another like again, she knew what being Royal was all about.
By Ash on August 5th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Alsgal, you are too funny.
But I do agree with you.
As for The Dress, I’m afraid I’m the last person to ask.
By John on August 5th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Gads, I intended no slight against Queen Mary. There’s a reason they still name ships after her. There is no better example for a future Queen whose husband is the King. Yes, we all adored the Queen Mother, but she learned it at the knee of the Supreme Mother-in-Law.
I see our present Queen in such a role, one generation removed. I hope she and Kate can forge a bond.
By Dan on August 6th, 2008 at 2:10 am
John, The Press Association announced that William & Harry will go to the next James Bond Film Premiere on October 29th. It will benefit two charities Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion.
http://tinyurl.com/6×7uuh
By Claudius on August 6th, 2008 at 4:43 am
I hope William brings Kate to the premiere, but unless the engagement is official by then, I doubt it.
By Mikado-watcher on August 6th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Thanks, Claudius. I may do something on that tomorrow — unless an engagement is announced, of course, when all hell will break loose and we’ll have to keep hosing down the servers.
By John on August 6th, 2008 at 9:51 am
What is the big deal if Issa every once in a while gifts Kate with a new dress such as her birthday? The fact that Issa herself said Kate is a private client tells me that Kate pays for her clothing.
Diana herself was given gifts from designers on special occaisions, In the last year of her life Jaques Azaquery I hope I spelled that right made a dress for her birthday and she was a faithful and private client and it was said that Diana always paid for her clothes.
By Trudie on August 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Contrary to the report’s implication, Kate does not dress in clothes obtained for free from designers. We know because
1.) She wears off-the rack, inexpensive clothes - think the Top Shop dress from her birthday 18 months ago
2.) She wears off the rack expensive clothes - think the black sequined mini-dress from last summer
3.) She repeats her clothes a lot - think the black suit she wore William’s Order of the Garter ceremony, which she also wore a year earlier to a gallery opening.
As we can see with our own eyes by looking at photos, Kate does not dress in couture freebies.
That said, designers, such as Issa, always add in free stuff with a purchase. Very much like a “gift with purchase” at the Estee Lauder counter. So, Kate probably received a thing or two.
By Alicia on August 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Excellent assessment, Alicia, I believe you have hit the nail squarely on the head! That makes perfect sense.
By Gigi on August 6th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I agree with Alicia too. I also think that it is just another unjustified attack on Kate by a jealous hack who wishes she could look good like Kate and have William.
By Trudie on August 7th, 2008 at 3:36 am
I’m sure that’s not true, Trudie. The article was clearly researched and checked, it just tried too hard to find an angle.
I also agree with Alicia, although I don’t know much about fashion. I have read that Kate buys a lot from the High Street.
By John on August 7th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I think anything that leaves Cherie Blair speechless has much to recommend itself.
By Robert on August 8th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Robert, I will drink to that sentiment with anything that’s poured!
By Gigi on August 10th, 2008 at 4:26 am