When Sunday Best Isn't Available

When Michelle Obama arrives in London with her husband, President Obama, she will bring with her that unquestionable sheen of the extremely accomplished that can only make any woman standing next to her look inferior. In the presence of the most interesting First Lady in almost 50 years, the Queen herself may feel a momentary lapse in self-confidence. Having your image and face on stamps and currency cannot compete with the First Toned Arms.

While in the United Kingdom she will also meet with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The woman who famously succeeded Britain's version of Michelle Obama, Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana, the one with the Royal Toned Limbs, the charisma, height and honorary degrees in dentistry that would have been more than a match for Mrs Obama. Alas we can only imagine Diana and Michelle sizing each other up so we're left with Camilla.

How embarassing to have to serve left-overs instead of Cordon Bleu.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday March 29th, 2009 - Is Kate Middleton cashing in on her royal connections?

Kate Middleton has recently fronted a website and brochure for a range of princess themed products sold by her parent's company, Party Pieces. Is Kate Middleton cashing in on her royal connections? Will this jeopardize her relationship with Prince William?

You can listen to the episode here

Articles discussed

News of the World - Kate Cashes in

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No. 123 6 April 2009

Blogs and Websites mentioned

British Royal Wedding

Party Pieces

Tune in to the next Royal Report on Sunday April 5th, 2009 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Is Prince William coasting on his mother's memory? If so, how long can he do so?

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Some things are better left unsaid

In the past I've enjoyed The Spoof website. Sometimes the articles have hit the nail on the head when everyone else was taking royal stories a bit too seriously. But a recent article: Kate Middleton: My Natasha Richardson Copycat Skiing Tragedy Fears - made me think that some things should be off limits, if only for the sake of decency.

Kate Middleton has been knocked around a fair share for her fashion sense, lack of a job and being a commoner. I'm all for reading clever commentary. But when you satirize her using the recent death of beloved stage and screen actress Natasha Richardson, I think you've crossed the line. Her death was a tragic accident, not something to be used as a joke.

Maybe I'm taking this all too seriously. It is supposed to be parody and satire, right?

For some reason I still can't seem to find the punchline.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday March 22, 2009 - Will there be a summer wedding for Prince William and Kate Middleton?

Will there be a summer wedding for Prince William and Kate Middleton? On this episode I will make my predictions. Settling, once and for all, whether they will get married this summer. Only I will reveal the truth! Prepare to be amazed!

You can learn the truth here.

Publications mentioned:

Hello! Canada Weekly No 122 30 March 2009

Blog articles mentioned:

Royal Engagements

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 29, 2009 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Is Kate Middleton cashing in on her royal connections?

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Harry vs Chelsy - Who will lose last?

I love a good game as much as the next person. UNO - count me in. Scrabble, ur..I'll grab my dictionary. Twister - let me do my warm-up stretches first. What I don't like are the kind of emotional games Chelsy and Harry are reportedly playing out since their breakup. He, inviting a pliant Chelsy look-a-like back to Clarence House for a nightcap. She, hanging with a rugged chap who can hunt crocodiles. He, wearing pink nail-polish. She, wearing..well who really cares whether she's wearing nail polish. Tit for tat. These are games high school kids play, not the sign of two people who are meant to be together.

Just divide your Facebook friends down the middle and be done with it.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

An Important Message From Prince William

After reports in previous months about the royals tightening their belts, you'd think they would walk-the-talk. Apparently talk is cheap in Prince William's case as he plans on whisking Kate Middleton away to a £40K ice palace in Klosters. While there he will wine and dine Kate at a five star Michelin rated restaurant, snuggling by the roaring fire in their exclusive chalet no doubt oblivious to the rising unemployment rate of his future subjects.

While good deeds and touching speeches may elicit sympathy, I tend to wonder if William and Harry are coasting on their mother's memory. For someone whose mother introduced him to the other side of life, he seems to have forgotten the lessons. The reality that most people do not live in opulent surroundings with expendable servants attending to their every whim. Maybe it's apt that Prince Charles recently named a baby giant tortoise after Prince William.

Right now both seem to be a little slow.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

The Royal Romance Report for Sunday March 15th, 2009

Which minor royal is engaged to a blue movie actress? Is that Prince Harry with a Chelsy Davy look-alike? Why is Kate Middleton wearing a purple sweater? Better take two aspirins. You don't want to have a headache while listening to this episode.

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada No 121 March 23 2009

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

Top Gear

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 22, 2009 9:00PM EST (North America). The topic will be: Rumours are swirling that a Summer wedding is imminent for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Is this true? I have no idea but I'll discuss it on this episode.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

Marilyn's Royal Blog is 4 years old!

Not only is March 11th the 70th day of the year, but some historic events have occurred too:

In 1708, Queen Anne withheld Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill. The last time in history a monarch vetoes legislation.

In 1810, French Emperor Napoleon I was married by proxy to Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria.

In 1888 The Great Blizzard of 1888 begins

1889 Frederick IX of Denmark is born

1985 Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Soviet Leader

Another momentous occasion occurred on March 11th, 2005 Marilyn's Royal Blog delivered its first post. Who knew that it all started with a dream?

I have nothing funny or clever to add to this post so I thought I'd share links to the most popular posts of all time:

Jewels fit for a Queen

Royal Engagement Rings

Royal Weddings

Royal Wedding Dresses

I have no cake or balloons or delicious appetizers to offer so I will just express my thanks to all of the visitors, people who have commented and sent questions over the years. This blog started as a way to express and share my interest in the subject of royalty but it has become much more than that. It's become a way to connect with other royal watchers, who also might feel misunderstood by others for their passionate interest in all things royal. I'm glad I'm not alone now.

© Marilyn Braun 2009

The Royal Report for Sunday March 8th, 2009 - Is Prince William making the monarchy look bad one drink at a time?

On this episode: A recent report revealed that Prince William would undergo an initiation process involving drinking beer out of a toilet. Is he making the monarchy look bad? Is this the last straw?

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada No. 119 March 9 2009

Articles discussed

British Royal Wedding - Prince Harry in Naked Runway Challenge

Tune in to the next Royal Report on Sunday March 15th, 2009 - 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: The Royal Romance Report - March edition.

© Marilyn Braun 2009