One is opposed to discrimination: the Queen will sign a charter supporting gender equality and other rights.
The charter includes affirmations on democracy, human rights, international peace and security. It also contains a commitment to “gender equality” and “women’s empowerment”. This is seen as a step forward for gay rights, a huge deal considering that several of the Queen’s Commonwealth nations disapprove of – and strongly punish – homosexuality.
“Women’s empowerment” refers to the endorsement of new legislation ending discrimination against women in the line of succession to the British throne. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last year, the Queen made the move to allow her female heirs equal access to the throne. If the first child for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is a daughter, that child cannot be supplanted by a younger brother.
Without getting dragged into political activism over gay rights, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that “the Queen, as in all matters, is apolitical but is signing the document in her capacity as head of the Commonwealth.”
Related articles
- Queen set to sign new charter backing equal rights for women and gay people (independent.co.uk)
- Queen Elizabeth II to sign rights charter (rappler.com)
January 4: The Duchess of Cambridge announces the first charities she will support. They include The Art Room, The National Portrait Gallery, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice, and Action on Addiction.
June – Official Jubilee Celebrations
Where it all started: 
High-falutin’ fashionista has words for Anne
She’s been known for a few strong opinions of her own, but Britain’s Princess Anne is at the other end of the totem now.
Fashion designer Denise L’Estrange-Corbet took the opportunity to comment on the Princess’ fashion sense during Her Royal Highness’ low-profile visit to New Zealand. Anne was a guest of honor at an event held for New Zealand’s branch of Save the Children, of which the princess has been patron of for over 35 years.
The New Zealand Herald heaped catty scorn on Anne’s outfit, while the paper’s diarist also took a shot at her height! Then Ms. L’Estrange-Corbet delivered the coup de grace:
“She was as boring as ******* bat ****, is what she was,” she reportedly told the newspaper. “The world’s hairdressers at your beck and call and your hair looks like a cottage loaf! And personality minus! No wonder Diana left them all for dead”.
Not spending thousands of pounds a day on an outfit and her hair is probably what endears most of us to Princess Anne. Her straightforward approach and get-down-to-business style is what makes the princess all the more respectable.
My respect for The New Zealand Herald has dropped considerably. Grousing about someone’s hair and height is the epitome of adolescence.
Telegraph – NZ Designer Calls Princess Anne ‘Boring’