As of this month, Sir Peter Westmacott is Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America. Sir Peter replaces Nigel Sheinwald, Ambassador since October 2007. [Read Sheinwald's departing words]

Westmacott was born in the village of Edington, Somerset in the South West of England in December 1950. He was educated at New College Oxford. He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1972, and has extensive experience abroad with postings in Tehran, Brussels, Ankara, and Paris.

The new ambassador also has royal connections: in 1990, he was made Deputy Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales. Three years later, Westmacott was sent to Washington as a Counsellor. Later postings included Director for the Americas in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Deputy Under Secretary of State.

In 2002, Westmacott was appointed Ambassador to Turkey, where he served until 2006. The following year he was appointed as the Ambassador to France where he served until this month.

Step Off, Buddy: Arizona Mayor Warns Harry To Behave

Ron Henry, mayor of Gila Bend, Arizona, has put Prince Harry on notice: dalliances with our daughters is a no-no.

“It is a very quiet town with a lot of good Christian people. This isn’t a party town,” cautioned Mr. Henry.

It would seem that Prince Harry’s reputation has preceded him. He was last linked with underwear model Florence Brudenell-Bruce, and since his arrival in the U.S., Harry had his fling with a waitress widely publicized.

Image via Wikipedia

UKTI Brings Multiplatform Mobile App Developers to Bay Area

The San Francisco UKTI MultiPlatform Mobile App Developer Mission welcomed 16 companies to San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

Consul General visits Kentucky to highlight trade relationship with the UK

The Consul General’s three-day visit to Kentucky – his first since taking up his posting – included meetings with government officials, trade representatives and executives at Kentucky-based companies

Royal Marines train in Californian desert

For the past week, Royal Marines from 40 Commando have been training at a US Marine Corps facility in the searing heat of the Californian desert.

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt MP visits Boston

The Minister visited Boston from September 25-26, focused on prosperity, security, and the UK-US special relationship.

It has been tremendously exciting to see William and Catherine touring Canada and California.

It is incredibly beneficial to have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as other royals, visit this side of the pond. The United Kingdom is an important nation, not just as an economic and political ally, but also because it is a part of the fabric of life in both Canada and the U.S. I hope that in years to come they will also do an extensive tour of the United States!

As exciting as it has been for all of us, it must be remembered that it was a tour of epic proportions for Prince William and his new bride Catherine, who, despite the intense media glare, has done extremely well! Catherine’s role as a royal has been threatened with the specter of Diana, but nothing sticks. The new Duchess of Cambridge is her own woman, bringing a delightfully confident and genuinely happy air to her new position.

If this tour is any indication of the future of the monarchy, then we can all rest easy.

Here is a look back at the very first royal Cambridge tour:

Canada

June 30

The Duke and Duchess touch down in Ottawa in the Canadian province of Ontario and head to the National War Memorial for wreath-laying. Then it was on to Government House for the official welcome to Canada ceremony.

After a walkabout Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General David Johnston gave speeches welcoming the royal couple. Afterwards they attended a youth barbecue and reception in garden of Government House.

July 1

William and Catherine arrived at the Canadian Museum of Civilization for a citizenship ceremony. They continued to Parliament Hill by landau for Canada Day celebrations.

July 2

After a tree planting at Government House, it was on to the Canadian War Museum for a reception with veterans, war brides and families.

The Cambridges departed Ottawa and arrived at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, continuing on to Sainte-Justine University Children’s Hospital to the meet children and parents. The couple then travel to the Institut de tourisme et d’hotellerie du Quebec for a cooking workshop and reception.

July 3

The Cambridges arrived in Quebec City. They attended a prayer service aboard HMCS Montreal. Afterwards, they visited residents of La Maison Dauphine, a center that helps homeless youths, which was followed by a military ceremony and the 375th-year celebration of the city of Levis.

July 4

William and Catherine visited Province House in Charlottetown. Afterwards there was a Waterbirding demonstration at Dalvay by the Sea. The Duke demonstrated the technique used to make a controlled the descent and landing over water in a Sea King helicopter. Catherine watched proudly and took pictures with her personal camera.

After the demonstration, William and Catherine competed against one another in a Dragon boat race across Dalvay Lake.

After the high-spirited race, the Cambridges took a break at Dalvay by the Sea Resort; there was a presentation to the winning team, the smudging ceremony, and cultural performances.

July 5 & 6

The Cambridges arrived in Yellowknife, located in the Northwest Territories. There they visited Somba K’e Civic Plaza for a prayer drum song and dance. There is a demonstration of Dene games and Arctic sports, then a spot of green-thumb activities as they plant shrubs. After a plaque unveiling, there is a game of street hockey in which the Duke happily participated. His wife cheered him on, excusing herself from the activity due to her high heels.

At the legislative assembly, a session of Youth Parliament was held. The couple attended a reception there before departing by float plane for Blachford Lake.

Upon their arrival at Blachford Lake, they were greeted by federal Defense Minister Peter MacKay, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Brig.-Gen. Guy Hamel of the Canadian Forces’ Joint Task Force North, and members of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. William and Catherine toured the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning and met with students and elders, who offered a tour of their organic gardens. The Cambridges then took a calm canoe ride, much more placid than their Dragonboat race!

Thursday, July 7

At the conclusion of their Yellowknife visit, the Duke and Duchess flew to Calgary where they were greeted in a white-hatting ceremony. That evening, they toured the 21st Century Research and Innovation Centre.

William and Catherine headed to the BMO Centre for a reception hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Soon after the Cambridges ditched their formal duds for casual chic for Calgary’s annual stampede and rodeo. The couple donned their cowboy hats – William’s grandparents did the same when they first visited Canada as a young royal couple – and officially launched the Calgary Stampede Parade.

The Duke and Duchess toured the ENMAX Conservatory/Calgary Zoo and took in environmental preservation displays. William, as patron of the homeless charity Centrepoint, then went with his wife to meet homeless youth privately. The couple then continued on to attend an Alberta government reception. Alberta was named for William’s ancestor – Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise, whose middle name was Alberta.

After a wreath-laying ceremony at Calgary Rotary Challenger Park, William and Catherine returned to the Calgary International Airport to prepare for their departure to Los Angeles.

California

Prince William, the president of BAFTA gave a speech at the gala. The BAFTA event was held to spotlight emerging British talent and to build partnerships between Hollywood and new British actors.

The Duke polished his boots and saddled up to play a charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. The match was held to benefit the American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, while the Catherine distributed the prizes.

William was also on hand to help promote Tusk USA, the American branch of Tusk Trust, of which he is patron.

As the Cambridges wrapped up their tour, the Duke and Duchess paid a visit to Inner-City Arts, an L.A. program that helps disadvantaged and homeless children through art. They continued in their charitable vein and helped put together care packages for military veterans and their families transitioning to civilian life.

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Charles and Camilla Attacked; Questions Asked

A mysterious man was able to sneak through the Palace into the Queen’s bedroom and wake her up; another nearly kidnapped Princess Anne out in the Mall; and someone dressed as Osama bin Laden crashed Prince William’s 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle.

Fears over the royals’ safety have been few and far between, thankfully, but after such blatant security failures, it’s a wonder that the Royal residences and automobiles aren’t locked down White House-style.

In this day and age, it is fair to start wondering – when will security tighten up for the British Royal Family? What is it going to take?

Communication Breakdown

Criticism from security experts is raining down upon officials and personal protection officers since Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were attacked in their car on their way to the Royal Variety Performance.

The mob was so close that a protestor was able to jam a stick through the window of the car – which was either down or broken – and was able to prod the Duchess of Cornwall in the ribs.

In the photos that emerged of the event, both Camilla and Prince Charles were visibly upset and confused. Dozens of people surrounded their limo, smashing a rear window and splashing it on one side with white paint.

Alan Johnson, the former home secretary, has said he was “amazed” that royal protection officers were not
communicating properly prior to the car making its way through the area.

The riot had started because of a vote on the Government’s plan to cut higher education funding. Parents and educators, as well as students, turned out to protest in front of Parliament. Things got out of hand – Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, was arrested for swinging from the Cenotaph on a Union flag. Others vandalized similar monuments, including a statue of Winston Churchill.

We can only hope that security will be vastly improved before Prince William’s wedding this spring. Anarchist groups have already made their intentions to strike during the wedding widely known. If a vehicle containing members of the Royal Family is allowed through a rampaging riot mob, what will happen to an open bridal carriage?

Calling all parents of high school students: what is the most important thing you’d like them to learn in their history class?

I am going to be certified as a history teacher for those grades, so I would love to know your thoughts.

Thank you!

Mandy

While out and about in La Conner, Washington, I stumbled upon a little antique store. I had spotted a familiar photo in the window – it was King George VI with Queen Elizabeth and the little princesses. Intrigued, I went inside.

Due to the close proximity of Canada, the store had many small royal items, several of which were the Illustrated London News. I purchased three: Read more…