Posted in Duchess of York, Prince Andrew, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Royal Family on December 18th, 2007
Prince Andrew has decided on a very homely Christmas card this year which includes all members of his less than nuclear family.
Eugenie, Andrew and Beatrice on the York’s Christmas card
But where, you might ask, is Mum? Actually, the Duchess took the photo, so modestly remains hidden. Hey, there is a ten second timer on most cameras these days!
And as if one pic was not enough, there’s another on the back.
And still no Fergie. I never knew she was so shy and retiring.
Posted in Balmoral, Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, Royal Family, The Queen on December 6th, 2007
Is this where Zara Phillips gets her ability to jump over obstacles on horseback?
The Queen and Prince Charles helping Princess Anne into Balmoral
She certainly looks the part of a future Olympic sportswoman. A very young Princess Anne is shown being helped to climb into a window at Balmoral by the Queen and a youthful Prince Charles.
Nowadays, of course, such “shocking” behaviour would fall foul of the European Union’s “health and safety” rules. And she hasn’t even got a hard hat on!
Children do need adventure and real learning experiences. Both youngsters grew up to be fearless horse riders.
Methinks the Queen was a much better mother than she’s often given credit for.
This is one of the pictures released by the Palace in advance of Prince Charles’s 60th birthday next November.
Posted in Army, Camilla, Clarence House, Duchess of Cornwall, Monarchy, Royal Family on December 4th, 2007
Another side of the Duchess of Cornwall is beginning to emerge. Not the usual publicity-seeking, politically “correct” nonsense practised by the current Government, but a much more serious and traditional concern.
Richard Kay pens this in today’s Daily Mail :
Ever since she became Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion, The Rifles, the Duchess of Cornwall has taken a close personal interest in the welfare of the 650 men who have just returned from a gruelling tour of Iraq.
She has, I can reveal, sent a handwritten letter to every wounded soldier — and there have been 62 of them — as well as a £50 bottle of whisky or a hamper of food. Camilla has also written to the families of the battalion’s 11 dead soldiers — not just to the widows but the fiancees of unmarried riflemen.
Some relatives have even been invited to her home for tea. This remarkable insight into a very private side of the Duchess has been revealed by the servicemen themselves, who have spoken of her unstinting support.
“She’s so busy yet finds time to hand write all those letters to our wounded and families,” says one soldier.
People often mistake “low key” for “doing nothing” or lazy, but sometimes it’s just the old-fashioned way of doing a lot … quietly.
Posted in Hen Harriers, Prince Harry, Royal Family, Sandringham, Sherlock Holmes on November 7th, 2007
It’s a case that would tax the powers of the great Sherlock Holmes.
Consider : there are two dead on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England. Three “witnesses” report an alleged murder in broad daylight, with a prominent member of the Royal Family nearby at the time. No bodies are found despite extensive searches by the police.
A Royal personage of note is implicated, together with two others accompanying him : a Van Cutsem and a gamekeeper. Observers claim to hear shooting in the area before the Royal party arrives.
The dead are said to be two rare hen harriers, distinctive birds of prey with only 20 pairings left in England.
The Royal personage is revealed as Prince Harry. He is questioned by police, along with the rest of his party. All three deny involvement.
Now the Crown Prosecution Service says there is no evidence that a crime has been committed and has dropped the case.
Prince Harry has been vindicated but may feel his honour has been impugned by these baseless allegations.
Elementary, my dear Watson, it’s time for Sherlock to step in.
