The Royal & The Clueless - Episode 18

On the last episode of The Royal and The Clueless, Kate Middleton and her smouldering co-worker Enrique went shopping in the hopes of getting Prince William's attention. Kate, left behind on William's tour of New Zealand and Australia, follows the coverage intently, especially after William makes a telling remark. Kate rushes over to Enrique with the newspaper in hand.

Kate: Look Enrique, William accepted gifts for me from the crowd! And when one woman asked him whether he would be getting married soon he said 'Wait and See'! Oh, let's go shopping for a wedding dress!

Delighted, Kate twirls around and looks off into the dreamy distance as Enrique continues reading.

Enrique: Wait. A day later William was asked what he wanted for lunch and he said 'wait and see'.

Kate: Well, he's always been somewhat indecisive. But he still said 'wait and see' for marriage plans...

Enrique: You mean he can't even decide what he wants for lunch?

Kate: Yes, sometimes it's best not to give William too many choices. He tends to get overwhelmed. One time, we went out to a club and he couldn't decide what he wanted to drink. We didn't get out of there until 2:00AM.

Enrique: And you actually want to marry this guy?

Kate looks anxious, her brow furrowed and her lips forming a pout.

Kate: He has to make up his mind at some point..this can't go on forever...can it?

Enrique gets up and goes to Kate, holding her close.

Enrique: You deserve better, Kate. Run away with me, you know you want to.

Just then Prince William comes to Kate's home bearing gifts he was given on his tour. He sees Kate in Enrique's clutches.

William: Kate!

Kate: William!

Enrique: Kate!

Kate looks at William and then at Enrique, then back at William.

Will Kate be forced to choose between William and Enrique? Will Enrique be written out for making things too complicated...

Enrique: Hey....

Wait and see on the next episode of The Royal & The Clueless

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Question: The Queen's Personal Flag

Last week on television I caught a brief glimpse of old footage of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, under the balcony was a large banner with Royal Insignia. The banner was blue and it had various insignia, mostly round, and it looked like the banner was in embroidery and goldwork. Do you know anything about this banner?

It sounds like you're referring to the Personal Flag of Queen Elizabeth II. This particular flag was created in 1960, It was flown for the first time on the BOAC Britannia in which she landed at Delhi airport on January 21, 1961. The personal flag consists of the initial 'E' ensigned with the Royal crown, surrounded by a chaplet of roses. The design is in gold (or yellow) on a blue field and the flag is fringed with gold (or yellow).

The Queen has standards for her various realms. The Royal Standard, which is flown whenever she is in residence at one of her Royal palaces, her car on official journeys and her aircraft - when on the ground. The Royal standard represents not only the Sovereign but also the United Kingdom. Her personal flag is meant to symbolize her as an individual instead of associating her with her role as sovereign of any commonwealth realm.  This is personal to her alone and cannot be flown by any other individual. Her personal flag is flown from any building, ship, car or aircraft in which she is staying or travelling.

Although it is not a 'Head of Commonwealth' flag, it has become The Queen's personal Commonwealth flag. A number of Commonwealth countries have adopted their own version of the flag, incorporated to include the country's arms, to be flown as a personal flag when the Queen is visiting their country. Canada's version is at right. It is also flown in non-monarchial Commonwealth countries that have not adopted a personal flag specifically for the Queen.

The design has been adapted - for instance, during her Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002, a version appeared as a banner on Buckingham Palace (see below). In this case it incorporated the Commonwealth symbol and circles with symbols from her various realms. A fine tribute from the Head of the Commonwealth.




© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Romance Report - Sunday January 24, 2010

On this episode: Which royal family is having more fun than the British one? What does the Queen taste like in jellybean form? Can the Monaco royals escape the Grimaldi curse?

Listen to this episode to find out.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada weekly No 158 25 January 2010

Royal Confinements by Jack Dewhurst

Blogs mentioned

The Royal Twist

There will be no show next week. The Royal Report will return on Sunday February 7th, 2010 9:00PM EST - Topic to be determined.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Question: Prince William's Cloak

During his recent tour of New Zealand, Prince William was photographed wearing a cloak with feathers. Can you tell me the significance of it?

The cloak that Prince William is wearing is made from kiwi feathers called a korowai. It is also referred to as a kahu kiwi - the most prestigious form of kahu huruhuru (feather cloak). Kiwi's are the national symbol of New Zealand and the feathers are particularly important to the Maori, who traditionally believe that they are under the protection of the Tane Mahuta, god of the forest. The feathers are used for ceremonial cloaks, which denote status, identifying the owner as a chief or someone of great prestige and position. It is a gift granted only to people of high rank and is highly prized as a family and personal heirloom. Some believe that the cloak becomes empowered by the mana (status) of its owner and the mana increases when it is worn.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday January 17, 2010 - Could 2010 be William and Kate's year?

Is there a succession crisis on the horizon? What unusual souvenir request did Prince William receive? Did Barbara Cartland really write a book about Royal weddings?

Listen to the episode to find out.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 157 18 January 2010

Romantic Royal Marriages by Barbara Cartland

Documents mentioned

Official site of the Prince of Wales - List of gifts given to TRH Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during overseas tours during 2009

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday January 24, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: The Royal Romance Report - January 2010 edition

© Marilyn Braun 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday January 10, 2010 - Kate Middleton vs Chelsy Davy

Will Prince Charles ever be king? How old was Prince William when he first went to Australia? Can Prince Harry's crown jewels save the monarchy? Who are Kate Middleton and Chelsy Davy?

Listen to the episode to find out!

Publications mentioned:

Hello! Canada Special Holiday Edition - Best of the Decade No 156 11 January 2010

The Queen's Jewels - The personal collection of Elizabeth II - by Leslie Field

Blogs mentioned

British Royal Wedding

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday January 17, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Will 2010 be William and Kate's year?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Royal Wedding Months

While researching a recent episode of my show, The Royal Report, I noticed that I haven't written a blog post about the months that royal weddings have been held on. Since Queen Victoria's time, June and July seems to be the most popular months to hold them.

January

Princess Victoria, Princess Royal & Prince Frederick William of Prussia - January 25,1858

George, The Earl of St Andrews & Sylvana Tomaselli - January 9, 1988

Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburg & Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia - January 23, 1874

February

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert - February 10, 1840

Princess Mary, Princess Royal and Viscount Lascelles - February 28, 1922

Princess Patricia of Connaught & The Hon. Alexander Ramsay - February 27, 1919

March

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra - March 10, 1863

Princess Louise and Marquess of Lorne - March 21, 1871

Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught & Princess Margurite of Prussia - March 13, 1879

April

Princess Alexandra of Kent & Angus Ogilvy - April 24, 1963

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother - April 26, 1923

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles - April 9, 2005

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany & Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont - April 27, 1882

May

Peter Philips and Autumn Kelly - May 17, 2008

Princess Margaret & Antony Armstrong Jones - May 6, 1960

June

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Katherine Worsley - June 8, 1961

Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys Jones - June 19, 1999

Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson - June 3, 1937

Prince Richard and Birgitte van Deurs - June 8, 1972

Prince Michael of Kent & Marie-Christine von Reibnitz - June 30, 1978

Alexander, Earl of Ulster & Claire Booth - June 22, 2002

July

Princess Alice & Prince Louise of Hesse and by Rhine - July 1, 1862

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer - July 29, 1981

Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson - July 23, 1986

King George V and Queen Mary - July 6, 1893

Lady Sarah Armstrong Jones & Daniel Chatto - July 14, 1994

Lady Helen Windsor & Tim Taylor - July 18, 1992

Princess Beatrice & Prince Henry of Battenburg - July 23, 1885

Lady Davina Windsor & Gary Lewis - July 31, 2004

Lady Rose Windsor & George Gilman - July 19, 2008

August

There have been no notable royal weddings in this month

September

There have been no notable royal weddings in this month

October

Princess Alice of Battenburg & Prince Andrew of Greece - October 6, 1903

David Linley & Serena Stanhope - October 8, 1993

Lord Nicholas Windsor & Paola Doimi de Lupis Frankopan October 19, 2006 (Civil Ceremony)

November

The Queen and Prince Philip - November 20, 1947

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester & Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas Scott - November 6, 1935

Prince George, Duke of Kent & Princess Marina of Greece - November 29, 1934

Princess Anne and Mark Philips - November 14, 1973

Lord Nicholas Windsor & Paola Doimi di Delupis de Frankopan - November 4, 2006 (Religious Ceremony)

December

Princess Anne, The Princess Royal & Timothy Laurence - December 12, 1992


© Marilyn Braun 2009