The Queen is set to obtain a BlackBerry mobile device so she can e-mail her staff, her family, and even surf the internet in between engagements. I certainly hope Ma’am makes a stop at MandysRoyalty.org and says hello!

(hellomagazine.com)

She has been dead for a decade, but people still try to cash in on the fame of Diana, Princess of Wales. Books, “previously undiscovered” items, and many other things regarding Diana are flooding the market. The late Princess is especially prominent in the media in this tenth year since her passing, and her presence will be extremely prominent at the end of summer when the time of her accident occurred.

It figures. Paul Burrell and an assortment of mystics, “friends”, and associates certainly did their dirty jobs at getting famous at Diana’s expense. Her brother, Earl Spencer, occasionally chooses to chat about his sister at this time of year, too, though he doesn’t really have anything substantial or new to say.

If you thought all that was tacky, wait for this: the princess is now being thrown in with the prostitutes.

“Great,” think William and Harry. “Even more good news for us to read.”

An exhibition in Oxford, by artist Stella Vine, is to include paintings showing Princess Diana’s crash and the faces of the five prostitutes murdered in Ipswich last year. What a wonderful combination.

Next we have “Our blond obsession, from Di to Paris” by Megan Daum in the LA Times.

Diana may have been more dignified, more naturally beautiful and less heavy handed with the peroxide, but she’s also the one who paved the way to fame for Hilton and future generations of the under-talented and overexposed.

Diana and Paris, separated at birth. This is what the late Princess’ icon status has become. The thing that is truly sad is that on any other plane of existence, this would be considered coming down in the world. Being the society that we are, however, this will make Diana last forever. No criticism, exposé, scandal, or even death will ever diminish her popularity.

Sorry Harry and Wills; society has accepted your mother in to its collective bosom and are keeping her there, along with all its trash. What a sad way to go.

I’ve just seen Snapple’s new commercial for its latest product – Earl Grey iced tea. I have to say that this particular commercial is brilliant. Congratulations to Snapple on a funny and tasteful (no pun intended) advertisement.

Rule Britannia!

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, has officially become Britain’s 52nd Prime Minister. Brown was asked by the Queen at Buckingham Palace to form a new Government. [ MORE]

At Mandy’s British Royalty, I do not allow advertising unless it is a strictly royal/historical theme. It cannot be of a violent or sexual nature, either.

I care deeply about the welfare of children, and so this message goes out to all parents whose children are home – possibly alone – for the summer vacation from school. The media always tells you to simply monitor what your kids are watching, however the same media needs to take responsibility for what they show on TV.

They do not.

I’ve noticed the surge in violent and/or provocative programming during early afternoon and evening, tv shows and commercials that should be on no earlier than 9pm! Don’t tell me that’s not on purpose, because people know full well that kids are going to be watching. It’s disgraceful.

If this seems a very serious message, it’s because I am vigilant over the protection of children, who are being exposed to way too much these days. I’m sure you all know this, however. Many parents struggle daily to maintain their child’s innocence and good behavior amongst the chaos of our society. To you I say, “Thank you”.

* Mandy *

Don’t use Verizon for your DSL service. They are painfully slow (128k when it should be 768k) and will not accept any responsibility for it. They blame you and your computer.

How is someone supposed to do any work on a service this sad?