Queen lightens load with shorter working week: “As she approaches her 80th birthday the Queen has eased her heavy schedule of engagements by switching to a three-day week. Her new agenda runs from Monday lunchtime to Thursday at midday, when she’ll be driven to Windsor Castle for a long weekend.

According to reports in The Sun newspaper the move is designed to allow her to continue performing her duties as Head of State, while taking into account her age. In the past she has impressed royal watchers with her tremendous stamina, such as 2003′s official visit to Nigeria, when she kept up a punishing schedule despite the heat.

The previous year was also an extremely busy one for both the monarch and her husband – with the Queen taking on 545 engagements and Prince Philip even more, with an extra 33 filling out his diary.

Senior royal sources were keen to stress that Queen Elizabeth is not effectively preparing to ‘retire’ or to hand over the throne to Prince Charles. The new timetable, said an aide, was not a sign of fraility but simply ‘common sense’ and ‘self preservation’.

Her official spokesman referred to ‘flexibility’ in the soon-to-be octagenarian’s agenda, adding: ‘Her programme will continue to be organised in accordance with her age and commitments.’”

Carnival fun for Philippe and Mathilde: “Crown Prince Philippe cut a formidable figure last week when he donned military fatigues while visiting a NATO base. Belgium’s future king was on rather more light-hearted form at the weekend, however, as he and his wife Mathilde joined in the fun at a local street party in Lanaken, Belgium.

At one point the father-of-three, who was in the picturesque town for its annual children’s carnival, hid his face behind a metal-effect mask and was later snapped wearing a traditional hat with golden tassles.

He wasn’t the only person turning heads at the colourful event, as many of the locals had donned long golden robes and velvet cloaks. Every year people all over France and Belgium celebrate Carnival by dressing up in vibrant costumes and striking hats and masks in a tradition that goes back centuries.

The festival has its origins in the Christian custom of giving up something for Lent. Also known as Mardi Gras, the annual event is staged to mark the beginning of a 40-day period of abstinence. And although the most famous parades are the ones staged in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro, the people of Belgium are also dab hands at creating a spectacle for the yearly celebration.”

Historic Royal Palaces – fantastic!

I’m trying to find a picture of the investiture sword used by Her Majesty. Someone asked me about it, and while I have information about it on the site, I have no photograph.

If anyone knows how to obtain a photo of this sword, please let me know and I can post it here and in http://mandysroyalty.org/Honors.html

The book you want to read is by Marion Crawford, a.k.a Crawfie, the one-time governess of Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret.

Her book about the children and royal life – entitled “The Little Princesses” came out in 1950. It was unheard of at that time for staff to write about the personal lives of the Royal Family. But Crawford, thought to be under pressure from her new husband to cash in on her royal connections, published the book and had it serialized in women’s magazines.

The Queen Mother, at that time Queen to King George VI, was incensed at the betrayal of personal trust and banished Crawford.

This remarkable book has just been obtained by yours truly, in its original first edition 1950′s glory. It even contains a small pamphlet inside, thought to be from Book of the Month Club, reviewing the memoir.

You can get the new version (foreword by Jennie Bond) at Amazon.com – [Click Here]

Royal Investitures

A report in last weekend’s Sunday Mirror newspaper indicated that the Prince of Wales’ eldest son, Prince William, is expected to propose to his girlfriend.

Talk of a protection officer for the pretty 24-year-old Kate Middleton – a step usually only undertaken after an engagement is announced – has further fuelled speculation among royal watchers.

Discuss the news at the forum: The Royal Representative!

I personally feel that it is still too early to tell. Who knows what could happen over Valentine’s Day, but I still think we should not expect such a move from Prince William just yet.