News and Views From An American Royalist.
In honor of the wedding on April 29th, I present to you A History of Royal Weddings from the BBC. Thanks to Simon Delafond from the BBC’s history department.
William’s great-grandparents, Prince Albert and Elizabeth Bowes Lyon (26th April 1923)
William’s grandparents, Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, RN (20th November 1947):
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Archives of the Princely Palace of Monaco
Star-studded events are always fun and glamorous, but they’re even more fun when they are for a good cause.
Montblanc, known for their sophisticated, high quality writing instruments, has teamed up with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA to benefit the arts. The annual Montblanc Cocktail Event, traditionally held the night before the Oscars, christened the exciting charity partnership with the PGF-USA. It was co-hosted with The Weinstein Company at Soho House in West Hollywood.
The Princess Grace Foundation-USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the recognition of emerging talent in the realm of theatre, dance, and film by awarding grants in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships through the Princess Grace Awards program.
Though Grace Kelly stepped out of the world of acting to become Monaco’s princess, she remained devoted to the arts. The Foundation reflects this devotion and lifelong commitment to helping emerging artists realize their potential.
Montblanc is particularly proud to be teamed with the Foundation this year, as 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of Grace’s silver screen debut. As part of the celebration, Montblanc has designed a unique collection paying tribute to Princess Grace to be launched internationally on September 8, 2011 in Monte Carlo.
Montblanc is reinforcing its commitment to supporting young people around the world through providing access to education to help them to fulfill their potential. In 2009, Montblanc raised over 4 million USD for UNICEF through its global “Signature for Good” initiative to fight illiteracy. The following year, Montblanc announced its support of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus to coincide with the 70th Anniversary of John Lennon’s birth. This program has encouraged young people all across the US to benefit from access to music education and recording sessions.
So cheers to a great new partnership! I wish both Montblanc and the Princess Grace Foundation success in their endeavors.
* For more about Montblanc: http://www.montblanc.com
* For more about the Princess Grace Foundation: http://www.pgfusa.org
CASTING ROYAL WEDDING FANS FOR TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Can you name William and Kate’s favorite London nightclub?
Do you run a blog that reports every detail of the royal wedding planning?
Did you grow up with a Princess Diana-obsessed mother?
Do you dream of marrying into the royal family?
If so, you may fit the bill for a major American cable network, currently seeking the country’s most obsessed royal wedding fans. We’re looking for outrageous, outgoing characters who can’t get enough Wills and Kate! Candidates must be American and willing to travel. To apply, please email royalweddingcasting@gmail.com and a producer will send you an application.
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The Telegraph
Henry Dimbleby My menu for William and Kate’s wedding
Benedict Brogan A wedding made in heaven for David Cameron
Cristina Odone Royal wedding: Prince William was right to wait
Harry Mount Kate Middleton makes for perfect wife material
The Daily Mail:
Prince William and Kate Middleton are engaged and will marry in 2011
The Royal romance that captivated a nation: How Wills and Kate kept us guessing for eight long years
Is this the new People’s Princess? How confident Kate Middleton compares to ‘Shy Di’
The Guardian:
Will and Kate: are you heartbroken? (poll)
In pictures: Kate Middleton and Prince William
Prince William and Kate Middleton announce their engagement today after weeks of speculation
“Queen tried to use state poverty fund to heat Buckingham Palace“. This makes her sound like the Sheriff of Nottingham, taking the last gold coin from the old man with a broken foot.
I highly doubt the Queen would do something like this. Her Majesty doesn’t strike me as cruel, and she certainly isn’t stupid by any means. Even if ‘advised’ by a palace flunky, could she not dismiss the advice?
I think something is rotten, and it isn’t the Queen’s doing. Just what is going on with her advisers and other palace officials?
Read more about the situation here.
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The King’s Speech: Fact and Focus
Image via Wikipedia
I loved The King’s Speech. It is a movie that shows the softer, human side of the monarchy. Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter do an outstanding job in their respective roles as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, an opinion reinforced by the numerous Oscar nods and BAFTA nominations. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has also given her personal seal of approval after a private screening of the film.
The King’s Speech brings King George VI back to life again. He died so young (age 52) that generations of people grew up not knowing much about him. Now he returns to us in a glimpse of his world as “Bertie”, a simple man who transforms from a nervous prince into a noble king.
We all remember Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She waved graciously from underneath her wonderfully colorful hats, continually amazing us that she could still wear heels, even into her nineties. The Queen seemed infinite, the very embodiment of monarchy itself – continuity, elegance, and stability.
Elizabeth was also known for her steely resolve as Duchess of York and as a wartime queen. Bertie’s pain is evident as he struggles for words in both public and private life, and as the second son of a king, he is forced to constantly go against his grain and make speech after speech. Elizabeth is determined to help her husband overcome his impediment and shine a favorable light on the monarchy, and sets about finding a speech therapist.
The brilliant Geoffrey Rush shines as that therapist, an unconventional Australian named Lionel Logue. He was a boon to the shy Bertie. Both Elizabeth and Logue stood by him as he transitioned from Duke of York to King George VI and helped contain the worst of his anxieties in public speaking.
The Critics
It is a wonderfully told, historically accurate story. Some critics, like Christopher Hitchens, think otherwise. Hitchens has written a review of the movie in Slate.com to express his irritation.
Hitchens’ main point of contention seems to be that the film is glossing over facts such as the German appeasement and Winston Churchill’s initial support of Edward VIII. Hitchens is not incorrect, but The King’s Speech is not the movie in which to broach these topics. Had this been a biographical movie on the entire life and reign of King George VI, then the absence of such facts would indeed be a major oversight. In the meantime, The King’s Speech is just that: it’s about the King’s speech.
Other historic events and facts can be dealt with in a bio-pic, for which we will probably not have long to wait. With successes like The Queen, The Young Victoria, and now The King’s Speech, royal life is a hot topic and is thankfully being presented in a responsible, serious manner.
God Save The King, and God Save The Queen!