I’ve added a link on the right for the official website of Tonga’s monarchy. As you know, Tonga’s King (George) Siaosi Tupou V recently passed away in Hong Kong. He was 63 years old. I discovered the official site while looking up information on the king.
King George Tupou V came to the throne in 2006 after the death of his father, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.
Interestingly, Taufa’ahau Tupou resisted all changes that affected his powers. For 40 years he ruled a monarchy that was borderline absolute. When his son ascended the throne upon his death, the new King Tupou V faced rioters calling for political reforms. The riots became so widespread that they delayed his coronation for two years. In the interim, the king swiftly assembled a framework that established several political reforms. Satisfied, the people cheered the new king’s democratic policies, and he was crowned in a lavish coronation ceremony which echoed those of Europe’s monarchs.
Queen Salote Tupou III was the grandmother of King Tupou V. Salote was a popular figure in her homeland as well as in Britain, where she attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite the rain, Salote smiled and waved in her open-top carriage as a sign of respect to Elizabeth.
The UK Secretary for Education, Right Honorable Michael Gove MP, visited Miami’s public school district to learn how Florida educators improve academic performance in diverse communities. (March 10th)
Malcolm Rogers CBE, director of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, has received an ‘Award of Merit’ from The British Society for his contributions to the British community in the City of Boston.
On Saturday, March 3, the Executive Committee of the British Society, along with British Consul General Phil Budden, presented the award to Mr Rogers. Citing exemplary service to the community of Boston by a British person, The British Society was pleased to make Mr Rogers the inaugural recipient of the award. Boston-based Loomis Sayles opens new office in London
Boston-based Loomis Sayles has opened a new office in central London. The Boston-based firm recently met with Lord Sassoon, Commercial Secretary of the Treasury, and discussed their upcoming operations in London.
Far be it for me to criticize someone attempting to look classy.
Princess Beatrice of York took a lot of flack for her horrid hat (of royal wedding day fame). Needless to say, she’s toned it down a bit since then. Apparently the torrent of criticism over her chapeau faux pas has caused Bea to distrust her own fashion instincts, so she hired a stylist.
Of course, it is not just any stylist. Yes, rather than check out the cute style combos on a site like Polyvore for herself, Bea has hired celebrity stylist Charlie Anderson to put her together. Anderson is the former fashion director for Tatler UK and is said to charge $2,400 per diem for his services.
Royals are supposed to look nice, but $2,400 per day is a little extreme, especially when Beatrice is not planning on making royal duties a priority any time soon. So really, all the she needs to do is have a basic knowledge of color theory and perhaps an assistant to give her a once-over before she leaves the house (and I still strictly maintain that Polyvore is a girl’s best friend).
Relax Bea. We like you for you, don’t feel the need to go over-the-top. Just don’t wear hats that could scare an ox.
It has been alleged that Charlotte Casiraghi is dating French-Moroccan comedian and actor Gad Elmaleh. The pair set tongues wagging when Charlotte was seen with Elmaleh in a posh nightclub back in December 2011. The pair cuddled on a plush sofa and seemed very much an item. Their night out came shortly after Charlotte’s split from her boyfriend of four years, Alex Dellal.
Then in January, Charlotte was photographed leaving Elmaleh’s apartment. The scandal? Elmaleh is 41 years old, twice Charlotte’s age, and he has a son, Noah, from a previous relationship with actress Anne Brochet. His previous companions have included the ballerina Aurélie Dupont and journalist Marie Drucker.
People are worried that Charlotte’s relationship with an older man could end in scandal like her mother’s woeful marriage to older playboy Phillipe Junot. Princess Caroline was a blushing bride at 21, and her new husband was 38. Caroline and Junot divorced only two years after their nuptials at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.
I get the feeling, however, that the older man this time may be real happiness. Gad Elmaleh looks like he is much more cheerful and good-natured, whereas Alex Dellal looked dour and mean.
Who knows how this will play out? It’s just nice to see Charlotte smile.
Prince Harry is putting his best foot forward on his tour in honor of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Harry is currently on a tour of Belize (March 2nd & 3rd), the Bahamas (March 3rd – 5th), and Jamaica (March 5th – 8th) on behalf of The Queen as part of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The ever-popular prince will also be paying a visit to Brazil in support of the UK Government and his own charities from March 9th – 11th.
The solo Diamond Jubilee tour representing the Queen is a first for Harry, who is usually out and about with his brother William or his father, the Prince of Wales.
