Condoleezza Rice plays for the Queen
Outgoing American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, often described as a concert-level pianist, played a farewell recital for the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Condoleezza Rice entertains the Queen at the Palace
She was accompanied by Louise Miliband, the wife of Foreign Secretary David Miliband, herself a violinist with the London Symphony Orchestra. They played Brahms with three other LSO members.
The Secretary of State apparently expressed a wish to play for the Queen before leaving office at the end of the Bush administration. She was invited to use the Monarch’s music room at the Palace.
Afterwards, the Queen presented Miss Rice with an audio recording of the recital as a gift.
Here’s a link to a short video of the occasion:
I think Obama picked her to go to the UN next…not 100% on that though
By Julie on December 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
No, Susan Rice (no relation) will be UN Ambassador.
By Evelyn on December 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Now here is a lady of substance, the US must be very proud. I hope Mr Obama will take advantage of her skills and experience. Such an inteligent, elegant woman!
By Cristina on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Ah, I stand corrected. I just saw an article that said “Rice” and ran with it. My apologies.
Cristina…not sure who you mean but Condi Rice is pretty amazing in many ways.
By Julie on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:57 pm
wonder if hilary clinton can play any musical instruments???
By coni on December 4th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Condi Rice is a class act, a beautifully mannered, extremely cultured and highly educated young lady who is incredibly accomplished. She has raised levels across the board at the State Department and every other place she has served in any capacity. I am very pleased that the Queen invited Condi Rice to play for her at the Palace. I sincerely doubt that we shall see Condi’s like again.
By Gigi on December 4th, 2008 at 2:33 am
On other news… Hello! says that Princes William and Harry have accepted honorary memberships in the Turf Club, a private gentlemen’s establishment.
I wonder if this is has been done to give the princes a chance to socialize without being in the public’s eye through the press. Of course, with current plans for both to be away in military training, how often could they spend time there?
John, what can you tell us about the Turf Club? Is it exclusively for men, so that the princes girlfriends would not be able to accompany them?
By Evelyn on December 6th, 2008 at 4:32 am
Evelyn, it’s in Carlton House Terrace, one of the swankiest addresses in London — the Conservative Party’s Carlton Club is near there.
It’s probably by invitation only, with a hopefuls’waiting list of 20 years or more. I’m not really up to scratch on it, as London is not my scene these days.
By John on December 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thanks for the info, John. The “20 year wait” leads me to believe that a royal staff member may have inquired whether an invitation might be offered to the princes. It isn’t like the club is hurting for members.
By Evelyn on December 6th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Julie, I am thinking along the lines of what Gigi said. Ms Rice has never failed to impress me or indeed, anyone of my acquaintance. I watched a documentary on her some time ago and was enthralled by her interview and history. Over time she has impressed me as being a woman of substance. She doesn’t seem to just talk the talk, but also walks the walk (if you get my meaning).
By Cristina on December 7th, 2008 at 3:00 am
I do and agree completely!
By Julie on December 7th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Has anyone read the Telegraph article “Kate Middleton’s ‘vulnerable’ mother speaks out for first time”
By Me on December 7th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I’m wondering about the Middletons myself. Suddenly we see Pippa and her mother speaking when they have keenly avoided such seemingly innocuous behavior all this time. Is this an indication that they suddenly feel free to be themselves because a) its really truly over between PW and KM OR b) its finally formally settled between PW and KM and a surprise in on the horizon? Either way they do seem to be emerging some recently which is an extreme change. On the other hand there is the opposite puzzle with Kate herself who has been mysteriously submerged.
By Claudia on December 7th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
There is another article page 15 Daily Star Weekend “Randy X-Mas plan for Wills”, he will be spending Christmas in Sandringham and has asked the Queen for permission to use a lodge with Kate.
By Me on December 7th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Thanks, Me. Here’s the link to the Mandrake piece: LINK
Carole Middleton says she really doesn’t want all the publicity, which is hurting her business, and her other two children.
Could Kate herself have decided to pull out of the relationship on the grounds it was going nowhere and harming her family?
It certainly sounds like there’s a lot of deep grumbling going on the Middleton household.
By John on December 7th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Don’t believe The Star, Me. It’s totally unreliable.
By John on December 7th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I agree that the change (i.e., Middleton family members speaking out) sounds like a pull-out to me….
By Amity on December 8th, 2008 at 4:11 am
I think the relationship has been over for a little while now. No sightings, only rumours of being together to smooth over wobbles. Now her Mother talks to the press after 5 years, so what is the meaning of this?
I read on a forum that the current Duke Of Wellington made statements to the media similiar to Carole’s and his daughter Jane’s romance with Charles came to an end not soon after that. When the split became known all the press was interested in was the fact the Duke spoke and not the failed relationship of his daughter with Charles.
By Belinda on December 8th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Yes, in a nutshell, Belinda.
By John on December 8th, 2008 at 10:50 am
If Prince William and Kate are over, why doesn’t the media say so?
By Mikado-watcher on December 8th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Because neither party has confirmed yet, I suppose. If it really has happened I kinda feel sorry for William, lol. The Middletons have had to put up with a lot on their own, as has Kate personally with the press (with little visible support from other quarters) as a middle-class family thoroughly unused to such things. For Kate herself the relationship has not exactly ended with her public image at any kind of enviable peak. Other women (and their families) will be doubly cautious to link herself with William unless they manage to make an especially strong emotional connection, nevermind the uncomfortable parallel with another 30+ years old royal post-military career on the hunt for some young miss to sweep off her feet.
Well! The best of luck to both of them. One can’t predict how such relationships turn out at the start and I trust that they both did their best. Better to break up now than have a royal divorce.
I liked all the press on the Rice recital. I’m a pianist myself but one of my favourite moments was when one of the royal pets bustled in to see what all the excitement was about
.
By Imani on December 8th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
The Royal Corgis appear to have the run of the palace, whichever palace the Queen is currently occupying.
They are said to be well-disciplined by the Queen, but like all much-loved pets, they have their little ways.
Regarding Kate and Prince William, I admit that things do look a bit odd just now. We shall just have to wait and see. If I sound less stressed about this matter, it is because I finished decorating our house and tree for Christmas, an achievement which always fills me with a calming sense of serenity.
That feeling will dissipate swiftly if I do not soon get my Christmas cards written and mailed, my gifts purchased and wrapped and my holiday cakes and cookies baked. Onward!
By Gigi on December 8th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Gigi, you are very well ordered. We sent our Christmas cards over a week ago but have done nothing else.
Actually, I feel like escaping to a rugged part of Cornwall this year, whatever the weather. Santa will have a job finding us.
By John on December 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Gigi, Arthur emailed me a little while ago, but I’ve not heard since. If he/she has anything to say, I’m sure we’ll hear of it.
What I would like Santa to bring is some real Royal news. It’s so thin on the ground now that I’ve been looking at historical anecdotes to spin out. At least in Cornwall I’ll have the sea and the rocks to contemplate. It will be interesting to see if Kate does turn up at Sandringham on Boxing Day.
And, yes, I will be taking my laptop and BlackBerry with me, so I won’t be out of touch for any Gala Teas to which I’m invited.
By John on December 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
My dear John, I envy you for having sent your cards already. I started mine last evening and have a long way to go to complete them. On another topic entirely, has anyone heard from our dear Arthur? I have not seen a comment posted by him recently. Arthur, wherever are you?
John, if you do go to Cornwall ( a location of which I have a dreamily romantic view because of the movies “Rebecca” and “My Cousin Rachel,”) do try to make yourself available for RA Gala Christmas Tea, and RA Gala New Year’s Tea, both of which we shall be serving at the appropriate times later on this month. I do beg that all of our dear RA clan spend some time considering what items they would like to see on the tea table during our holiday gala teas, as I am, as ever, open to suggestions and requests, even mandates!
As for Santa Claus finding you in Cornwall, John, I assure you that he can find anyone, anywhere. What a clever, resourceful fellow he is, and quite industrious! An example to us all, in many ways.
By Gigi on December 9th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Chelsy is the news.
By Me on December 9th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
An interesting concept John has with regards to the possibility of Kate having finally decided to pull out because of the harm it is causing her family. If Kate has no clear indication that the relationship is going anywhere, it is indeed a wise move. After all her family has stuck by her through thick and thin. Time Kate made a move to protect them. If she has made this decision I confess that it is one that I would have great respect for. This must be devastating for her and her family however. Very sad business.
As for Chelsy…GO GIRL!!! She may be wild, but she is strong and focused (not to mention gorgeous!). I think this one will not deviate from a “carry on” attitude with regards to her career (good for her!). I expect she has learnt a good deal from Kate’s experience and will hopefully manage her situation more carefully.
By Cristina on December 10th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Absolutely, Cristina. I was sorting out a load of old newspapers recently and I came across a Mail on Sunday from earlier in the year. It had a huge spread with pictures of James Middleton (Kate’s brother) dressed up as a French maid and generally messing around in a tipsy state at a party. That kind of publicity would not have been helpful given that he was in the process of setting up a new business.
Carole Middleton’s recent outspoken interview against press intrusion was probably a disguised part-explanation of Kate’s withdrawal from the world — and William.
By John on December 10th, 2008 at 10:45 am