Thursday, June 17, 2010

Swedish Royal Wedding fever

Postcards commemorating the upcoming marriage of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and her fiance Daniel Westling are on display in a shop in front of the Stockholm Cathedral is in Gamla Stan, or the Old Town district of Stockholm June 16, 2010. Victoria and Westling will be married on June 19, 2010. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch (SWEDEN - Tags: ROYALS)Commemorative china? Check.

Official stamps? Check

Monograms unveiled? Check

Royal Barge Vasaorden on standby? Check

Only two more sleeps to go until the Swedish royal wedding and I'm about as passibly excited as I never thought I would be for a non-British royal wedding. Despite this, on Saturday June 19th I will allow myself to live vicariously through news reports about Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's marriage to Daniel Westling. That extraordinarily photogenic couple who beat Prince William and Kate Middleton to the altar. Damn their non-receding hairlines, glorious bone-structure and progressive succession laws.

Members of various royal families and illustrious public figures will converge on Stockholm ready to take part in history; the first royal wedding of a female heir to the Swedish throne. Pint-sized future monarchs: HRH Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, HRH Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway and HRH Prince Christian of Denmark will be amongst the young attendants on hand to upstage the bride and groom. Royal wedding traditions will be upheld, the bride will look stunning and it is certain to be a memorable occasion for royal watchers.

The ceremony is set to begin at 3:30PM in Stockholm (about 9:30AM in Canada) and I will attempt to simultaneously cover it both on this blog and as a guest writer at The Royal Representative.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Prince William supports the Republican movement


Photo: Rex features

Male Royal Consorts

Crown Princess Victorias 32nd birthday celebration at Borgholm on the island of Oland in Brorgholm, Sweden on July 14, 2009. The Crown Princess is wearing a traditional costume. Picture shows: Crown Princess Victorias fiance Daniel Westling. Photo by Stefan Lindblom/Stella Pictures/ABACAPRESS.COM Photo via Newscom I rarely blog about non-British royals but in honor of the upcoming marriage of Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to Daniel Westling, I thought it would be appropriate to give a brief history of male royal consorts. Their destiny is to walk two paces behind, living in the shadow of their reigning wives. The future Prince Daniel is in good company.

Prince Albert, Prince Consort

1854:  Prince Albert (1819 - 1861) husband of Queen Victoria.  (Photo by John Jabez Edwin Mayall/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Arguably the most famous Prince Consort in history, he his the only consort of a Queen Regnant to hold the title. He was a first cousin of Queen Victoria. They married in February 1840 and he was a devoted hisband until his death in 1861. Victoria mourned him for the rest of her life, imortalizing him in countless statues and landmarks.



Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth II, as Princess Elizabeth, and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh, styled Prince Philip in 1957, on their wedding day. She became queen on her father King George VI's death in 1952.   (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Currently the longest serving royal consort in history. The husband of
Queen Elizabeth II, he was born in 1921 on a dining room table in Villa Mon Repos on the Greek island of Corfu. He was known as Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark until his engagement to Princess Elizabeth in 1947. He became a naturalized British subject in the same year, giving up his royal titles to become plain Ltn. Philip Mountbatten. Upon his marriage he became HRH Duke of Edinburgh and in 1957 he was given the title Prince of the United Kingdom. In 2007, The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary - the first for any British monarch in history.

Prince Claus of the Netherlands
10th March 1966:  Wedding of Crown Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands to West-German diplomat, Herr Claus von Amsberg in Amsterdam.  (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images) The late consort of Queen Beatrix was a controversial choice for the Crown Princess. He was German and a former Hitler Youth Member. 60,000 Dutch signed a petition against the marriage and the Jewish community boycotted the celebration. They were married on March 10, 1966. On the day of the ceremony there were several attempts at sabotage, Dutch TV crews had an important cable cut. Protestors lined the route with smoke bombs. He gradually won over the Dutch public and was a popular member of the royal family when he died in 2002.

Prince Henrik of Denmark

CAIX, FRANCE - AUGUST 08:  Prince Henrik of Denmark poses during the annual holiday photocall on August 8, 2008 in Caix, France.  (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)The consort of Queen Margarethe II of Denmark. Henri Marie Jean André de
Laborde de Monpezat was born in 1934. He married the heir presumptive to the Danish throne, Crown Princess Margarethe, in 1967. Prior to his marriage he was a French diplomat. Raised as a Catholic he converted to Protestantism. At the time of his marriage his name was 'Danicised' to Prince Henrik.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The things Prince William and Prince Harry do for England

Think being royal is a glamorous job? Fabulous wealth, jewels, palaces, and minions catering to your every need?

Throw in an 8-ft python and that golden page in the history books doesn't seem so appealing anymore, does it?

Kate, take note.
GABORONE, BOTSWANA - JUNE 15: Prince Harry and Prince William (R) hold an African rock python during a visit to Mokolodi Education Centre on June 1, 2010 in Maun, Botswana. The Princes are on a six day joint trip to Africa to visit charities they support across Botswana, Lesotho and finally South Africa. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Saturday, June 05, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday June 6, 2010 - The Blogs Royal

Who are the ubiquitous royal additions to any style icon list? Is Kate Middleton wearing a wedding dress in Star magazine? How has the royal blogsphere changed in the last few years?

Find out on this episode

Publications mentioned

Royal Report

Star Magazine (June 2010) - William & Kate's $40 Million Wedding of the Century

Hello! Canada Weekly No 175 7 June 2010

Hello! Canada - Celebrating 100 years of Style icons

From My Royal Collection

Royalty in Vogue by Josephine Ross

Link to Sarah Ferguson's interview with Oprah Winfrey

Sarah Ferguson Speaks Out about the headline-making undercover video

The Blogs Royal featured on this episode

Royalty with Ella Kay

Princess Palace

Sophia's Royalty

The Royal Universe

Royalty in the News

British Royals

The Cross of Laeken

Lux-arrazzi

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday June 13, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: William and Kate Middleton - A Celebration of their love

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, June 04, 2010

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Engagement?

According to a recent blog post by Tina Brown, today was supposed to be the day that William and Kate finally announced their engagement to the world. Right now I'm picturing Prince William kicking back and relaxing while the media goes into overdrive and people like me blog about it. Maybe Prince William is reading the papers and going online, texting Kate to see who can locate the silliest headline first.

As I write this post it is currently 6:47PM in London. I don't know about over there but that's quitting time in North America. The time that people go home to their families and have dinner. However, the day is not over in the UK and there's still time to spare. So we wait until 11:59PM and a last minute reprieve to put us out of our misery.Yes, William's people are just waiting to spring the news on all of us when we least suspect it. Here in Canada it could be cause for a celebration for more reason than one - a Friday, an engagement announcement and warm sunny weather! Boo Yeah!

While we wait, reporters twitter about Tina Brown's credibility. People bought her revelation hook, line-and-sinker and that's when the dissection started: other reporters jealously questioned her sources and thoroughly checked William's and the Queen's diaries for available time to make the announcement. Some wondered if she'd made the prediction to increase traffic to her site. Then there were fears, what if she might actually be  *gasp* right! Well, according to one reporter: 'Tina Brown's reputation is riding on her prediction."  Today, self-satisfied and commenting: "it was never going to happen today."  Like the Duchess of York, is Tina Brown throwing herself at the mercy of friends and  'leaving anguished messages' on their answering machines too?

While it's true that the changes of an engagement announcement on Friday are unlikely, it isn't 12:00AM in the UK just yet.

To quote Prince William, we just have to ''wait and see".

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Royal Focus: Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York's wedding dress

When asked about her wedding dress in 1986, Sarah Ferguson said "there will never be a dress to match it." And to date she has been correct. 

Her dress was designed by Lindka Cierach and was made from heavy ivory duchess satin, which was manufactured at Britain's only silk farm, Lullingstone near Sherborne in Dorset.The fabric was chosen because, according to Sarah 'it is the creamiest material in the world. It never creases. It is as smooth as glass and hangs beautifully.'

The champagne color of the dress flattered the bride's hair and skin tone. The design had a renaissance silhouette and the fitted, boned bodice had a dropped waist coming into a point at the front and a lower 'V' at the back. The neckline was gently curved and edged with pearls. The sleeves were full, coming into a simple pearl-edged point just below the elbow. 

The skirt was flat in front, widening on the sides and full at the back. The 17 1/2 foot train flowed from beneath a fan shaped bow and the underskirt was bordered by a silk scalloped lace flounce billowing out the heavy sheen of the satin skirt. The designer's hallmark - heavy beading - was most strikingly evident on the train and was based on Sarah's Coat-of-Arms.  Worked in seed pearls and diamante, the train was embroidered with thistles, bees and hearts and in a nod to Prince Andrew's naval career, anchors, and waves. Rising in a scale at the bottom of the train, a heraldic 'A' led into a double 'S'.  The pure silk tulle veil had scalloped edging and was embroidered with true lover's knots and shimmered with sequins. The total number of bugle beads, sequins, crystals pearls and stones on the wedding dress amounted to 155,000.

The satin shoes were designed by Manolo Blahnik and beaded with bees and ribbons in pearls and diamonds. She wore a necklace of cultured pearls intertwined with 18 carat gold and a diamond pearl pendant. She wore a headdress off fresh flowers - roses, lily petals , gardenias (Andrew's favorite flower) and lilies-of-the-valley. At the end of the ceremony the headdress was removed to reveal a diamond tiara, symbolic of her metamorphosis from commoner to royal. As Sarah recalled 'I had stepped up as the country girl; I would walk back as a princess.'

In her hands Sarah carried an "S' shaped spray of cream lilies, palest yellow roses, gardenias, lilies of the valley and the traditional sprig of myrtle.  

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday May 30, 2010 - Can Fergie bounce back?

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York was recently caught in a video sting by an undercover News of the World reporter offering access to Prince Andrew in exchange for money. With a history of mishaps, can she bounce back from this one?

Listen to the episode to find out

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 174 Spring 2010

Hello! Canada Weekly No 149 9 November 2010

My Story by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

News of the World Video mentioned

Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson in cash for access scandal

Blogs and websites mentioned

World of Royalty Website

World of Royalty Blog

Royal News Blog

The Ceremonial Funeral of Lord Louis Mountbatten of Burma

From My Royal Collection

The Royal Way of Death (History & Politics) by Olivia Bland

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday June 6, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic to be determined

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Why Prince Andrew should forgive Fergie

Prince Andrew must, no doubt, be aware of the story of his ex-wife having been caught in a sting by a journalist from the News of the World. We can only imagine the 'apoleptic rage' he keeps hidden behind the royal reserve while attending engagements. To his credit he ignored questions by reporters, thereby not engaging in a public mud slinging match. One well chosen syllable of which would have been enough to destroy her reputation for good.

Fergie, who was in the US to accept an award will be returning to the UK soon. The Daily Mail predicts there will be a showdown, where she will be called to account to her ex-husband for her latest gaffe.  Fergie, in her 'fragile mental state,', according to the Express, is 'throwing herself at the mercy of friends.' "Desperate and in a bad place' she has taken to leaving 'anguished messages' on a friend's answering machine.  Oh the melodrama!

Prince Andrew of all people must be aware of the predicament Fergie is in. After all, didn't his family help place her there by shafting her in the divorce settlement? Leaving her with little more than £15,000 and the remnants of a royal title. Who can blame her for trading off on what she has? Isn't he doing the same? Were it not for his title, would he be in the same position he is now?

The Prince is also well aware of how the media has treated members of his family. This is not the first run in with News of the World, and it probably won't be the last. Hopefully the Duchess will be wiser the next time but given her track record I doubt it. Placing the blame solely on Fergie and permanently faulting her for being naive would make them both look bad.

Let's also not forget that she is the mother of his children. The princesses must be caught in the middle, their loyalties divided. Beatrice and Eugenie must know their mother and the position she's in better than most, yet at the same time realizing that a price shouldn't be put on their royal heritage. I've always gotten the impression that Andrew and Sarah, sharing living arrangements and holidays, as the 'happiest divorced couple in the world' who, in Andrew's words, are 'divorced to each other, but not from each other' must share a special bond that the rest of us find hard to comprehend. A bond which survives even through her previous gaffes, some which have been more humiliating to him than being offered up for £500,000.

My money is on them weathering this storm too. After all of these years and after all they have been through, they must be fairly familiar with the following quote: 'to err is human, to forgive is divine.'

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Can Fergie bounce back?

Fergie.

Fergie, Fergie, Fergie (insert dramatic sigh here).

What have you done this time? Just when we thought you were on the road to royal redemption, breaking scones with the royal family at tea time and cozily living with your ex-husband as, what you call yourselves: "the happiest divorced couple in the world." You get caught in a video sting by an undercover reporter for News of the World. I hate when that happens.

My first reaction to your video? Holy c**p!

Second reaction to your video? She's done it again!

How, I wondered, could you still be so naive after all of these years?

Yes, you were shafted by the royal family in the divorce settlement. Yes, you have had to make your own way in the world. Having a title didn't hurt you. But your royal connections seemed to be off limits. Watching this video they obviously are not. Yet you are not the first person connected to the royal family to be captured making unflattered revealtions - Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Princess Michael of Kent to name but two. If anything, you're in good company.

You have apologized for your "serious lapse in judgement."  As the royals supposedly react to these things, the Queen herself must be 'incandescent with rage', Charles must be 'knashing his teeth' and the scandal is said to have shaken the royals. Then there are the rest of us who may be bemused, shocked, or indifferent. It is incredibly unfortunate, especially for some of us who had held out hope that when the Queen goes to that great palace in the sky, that you two might once again be reunited on commmemorative china. Like waiting for William and Kate to get married, we all have unrealistic dreams.

Reports of your financial difficulties are nothing new. You have denied them in the past but there is no denying it now. It must be a desperate situation for you to offer up the Duke of York to the higest bidder. While the deal you were trying to broker is shocking, it is your naivety that is painful to watch. Your appearance in the video, smoking, looking stressed and hunched over was pathetic for a woman circa 1986 who joined the royal family with such 'breath of fresh air' potential.

It's hard to say how this will affect your future with your business and your credibilty. I feel sad that for all of the progress you have made with the royal family you might be back to square one. Not to mention how your daughters must feel being caught in the middle. But you have bounced back before and you have proven that you are a survivor when others have chosen to count you out. And in that respect I'm not worried about you - for now.

This too shall pass...until the next time...

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, May 15, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday May 16, 2010 - A Celebration of Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy's love

On this episode I "celebrate" the love of Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy.

You can listen to my celebration here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 173 17 May 2010

PEOPLE: THE ROYALS - THEIR LIVES, LOVES AND SECRETS - 2010 version

People - The Royals, Their Lives, Loves and Secrets 2006 version

Blogs mentioned

The Royal Representative

From my Royal Collection

Happy and Glorious: Six Reigns of Royal Photography

There will be no show next week due to the Victoria Day weekend. Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 30, 2010 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic to be determined

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, May 08, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday May 9th, 2010 - The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II - Part Three

What was the 1970s like for the Queen fashion wise? Will Harry marry Chelsy? What event shook the monarchy to its core?

Listen to this episode to find out.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 172 10 May 2010

From a Clear Blue Sky: Surviving the Mountbatten Bomb by Timothy Knatchbull

Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer

Blog Posts mentioned

Royal Profile - Marcus Adams

From My Royal Collection

My Young Friends: The Queen's Young Family by Valerie Garner & Jayne Fincher

Resources used to research this episode

The Queen: 50 Years - A Celebration by Ronald Allison

Elizabeth: Fifty Glorious Years by Jennie Bond

Sixty Glorious Years: Elizabeth II by Christopher Warwick

Jubilee: A Celebration of 50 Years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Tim Graham

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 16th, 2010 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy - A Celebration of their love

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, May 07, 2010

Royal Focus: Swedish Cameo Tiara

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - JUNE 19: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends her wedding banquet at the Royal Palace on June 19, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)On her wedding day, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will continue a Bernadotte royal wedding tradition by wearing the Cameo tiara, one of the oldest jewels in the Swedish royal family's collection . UPDATE: Victoria wears the tiara at left



The tiara was made for Empress Josephine, first wife of Napoleon I, by the French Crown Jeweller Marie-Etienne Nitot in Paris in 1811. The gold and seed pearl tiara is set with seven portrait cameos.  The centre oval depicts Venus and cupid. On either side is a portrait of a man and on the other side a portait of a woman, both facing the centre cameo. The hardstone cameos are believed to have been supplied by the jeweller to the Empress Josephine in 1809. Napolean himself was fascinated by cameos and the diadem is an example of the revival of the antique style popular in France in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.


In 1823 the diadem became part of the dowry of Josephine of Leuchtenberg, who received it from her grandmother and namesake, Empress Josephine, upon her marriage to the future King of Sweden, Oscar I. She is wearing it in the portrait at right.

Carl Gustav  XVI Weds
After the death of Queen Josefina of Sweden in 1876, her jewelry collection was divided up and the cameo diadem was bequethed to King Oscar II of Sweden who gave it to his wife, nee Princess Sophie of Nassau. Queen Sophie gave the cameo diadem to her youngest son, Eugene, who in turn gave it to Princess Sibylla, mother of King Carl XVI. She lent the tiara to her daughter Princess Birgitta who wore the tiara as her bridal crown for her wedding with Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern in 1961.Thus starting a tradition.  It has since been worn by royal brides Princess DĂ©sirĂ©e in 1964 and Queen Silvia, pictured on her wedding day in 1976.
© Marilyn Braun 2010

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

The Swedish-British Royal connection

Like most European royal houses, Sweden has links to the British royal family. In this case through three of Queen Victoria's children. They are related by blood through Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, and Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. The third connection is via marriage through Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria. The present King Carl XVI Gustaf is the son of two of her great-grandchildren. His daughter, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is, twice-over, a great-great-great grandchild of Queen Victoria.

The current King's paternal grandmother was Princess Margaret of Connaught, the daughter of Arthur, Duke of Connaught, third son of Queen Victoria. She was born in 1882 and known to her family as 'Daisy'. She married Prince Gustaf Adolf, the future King Gustaf VI Adolf, in 1905 and they had five children, the eldest, Prince Gustaf Adolf, father of the present King, was born in 1906. Daisy did not live to become Queen of Sweden, having died suddenly in 1920. She is also, incidently, through her daughter Ingrid, the grandmother of the current Queen Margarethe of Denmark.


The King's mother, Princess Sibylla, was the granddaughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, fourth son of Victoria. She was born in 1908 and her father, Prince Charles Edward, was the posthumus son of Prince Leopold and upon his birth became Duke of Albany. She married her second cousin,  Prince Gustaf Adolf in 1932 and they had five children, the youngest, the current king, born in 1946. Like her late-mother in law, Princess Margaret, she would never become Queen. Her husband died in a plane crash in 1947, leaving their infant son as second in line to the throne. She died in 1972.

When Crown Princess Margaret of Sweden died in 1920, Prince Gustav Adolf remarried in 1923 to Lady Louise Mountbatten  granddaughter of Princess Alice, second daughter of Queen Victoria. They did not have any children and became King Gustaf VI Adolf and Queen Louise in 1950. She died in 1965 and her husband reigned until 1973. Upon his death, his grandson, King Carl XVI Gustaf, succeeded.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

And I turn towards Sweden..

I'm having a serious case of royal watching envy as Sweden prepares for the wedding of their Crown Princess. All of the romance, the preparation, the speculation that the British royal family should be experiencing if only Prince William would get off his regal tush and propose to Kate Middleton. Or if he already has proposed then tell the world about it already!

Sweden has what the British royals do not - a happy ending.

I've lamented the lack of royal news, it's depressing to think that the last wedding happened in 2008 and wasn't really a royal wedding at all. Sure the trappings were there, the royal pedigree was unquestioned. But when the groom, Peter Philips, was born he was plain Master Peter Philips. As a grandchild in the female line, he and his sister Zara were the first children of a royal to be born commoners in over 500 years.

William and Kate's wedding would undoubtably be a royal wedding. In fact it would be the royal wedding. As his father's first wedding and his grandmother, the Queen's had been before that. The wedding of a direct heir to the throne captures the imagination. After all there is a lot at stake. Not only would Kate become the newest Princess, she would be expected to secure the line, and eventually take her place beside William on the throne. Heady stuff but Kate has had eight years to consider it. And William has had just as much time to consider it as well. Unlike his father who was reportedly bullied into marrying Lady Diana Spencer, William is in a position where he can take his time to make the right decision. When he will let us know is anyones guess.

Sweden had a similar wait for their Crown Princess. She reportedly began dating Daniel Westling in 2002 and their engagement was announced in February 2009. I admit that until recently I didn't pay much attention to what went on in the Swedish royal family other than to note how exceptionally photogenic they are. Now on June 19th they will take their place on the royal watching centre stage - The beautiful princess and her handsome prince-to-be. Not only a glamorous and regal event but a historic one too. The Crown Princess's marriage will be the first wedding of a female successor to the throne in the history of Swedish monarchs. It will also be the largest event ever covered in Stockholm.

And all I can do is watch and sigh enviously...

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, May 02, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday May 2, 2010 - The Life and Times of Elizabeth II - Part Two

What was the Queen up to in the 1940s, 50s and 60s?

Listen to this episode to find out

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 171 3 May 2010

People Magazine May 3, 2010

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

YouTube The Queen's 21st birthday speech

From My Royal Collection

Royal Encounters by Paul Ratcliffe

Resources used to research this episode

The Queen: 50 Years - A Celebration by Ronald Allison

Queen and Country: The Fifty-Year Reign of Elizabeth II by William Shawcross

Elizabeth: Fifty Glorious Years by Jennie Bond

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

The topic will be: Part Three of a look back at the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, April 25, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday April 25, 2010 - The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II

On this episode: In honor of The Queen's 84th birthday, a look back at her life and times - Part One.

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 170 26 April 2010

From My Royal Collection

Settling Down by James Whitaker

Websites mentioned

World of Royalty

Resources used to research this episode

The Official Site of the British Monarchy

The Little Princesses: The Story of the Queen's Childhood by her Nanny, Marion Crawford

Royal Children by Nicholas Courtney

Queen Elizabeth II: A Birthday Souvenir Album (Royal Collection)

Princess to Queen by Catrine Clay

Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage by Gyles Brandreth

Her Majesty The Queen by Hugh Montgomery Massingberd

The Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth II by Ben Pimlott

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday May 2, 2010 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: The Life and Times of Queen Elizabeth II - Part Two

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, April 17, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday April 18, 2010 - Royal Weddings

Royal weddings have been held in many different venues. Traditionally they are held at Westminster Abbey. Should Prince William and Kate Middleton get married, where is their royal wedding likely to be held?

Find out on this episode!

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 169 19 April 2010

From My Royal Collection

Theirs is the Kingdom: The Wealth of British Royal Family by Andrew Morton

Resources used to research this episode

Two Centuries of Royal Weddings by Christofer Warwick

Britain's Royal Brides by Josy Argy and Wendy Riches

Weddings in Westminster Abbey

Weddings in St George's Chapel Windsor

Tune in LIVE to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 25, 2010 at 9:00PM EST

The topic will be: In honor of the Queen's 84th birthday on April 21, 2010. A look back at her life and times.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, April 09, 2010

Royal blogging halcyon days

Today is Charles and Camilla's 5th wedding anniversary. And people thought it would never happen.

While Camilla might be out with a broken leg this anniversary brings back fond memories for me. I'd started this blog less than a month before the wedding and it was an inspiring and prolific time for me as a royal blogger. I couldn't get enough of writing about Charles and Camilla and some of my earliest posts were about royal weddings. I wasn't sure what direction I wanted this blog to take. Would it be informative? Would it be satire? Why limit myself to being anything specific. Just blog and see where it leads me. Truth be told I've always preferred writing satire. It's just my natural inclination to see the royal world that way.

In the last five years, few royal events have been as interesting. No one thought Charles and Camilla's marriage would ever happen. But then no one could have predicted that Charles and Diana could ever divorce or she would die in such a tragic and violent way. I was happy for them but I also saw lots of material in the event and I was sad when the furor died down. What would I blog about now? It's not as if their relationship had any potential for conflict. They were dedicated to each other, but while enviable, didn't make for good material.

There was the Diana inquest but very little material in that. When Camilla was scheduled to attend the Diana Memorial the uproar inspired some articles but none in the way that Charles and Camilla's wedding did. We haven't had a lot of major royal news since then. Yes, Peter Phillips married a Canadian who was also *gasp* a Catholic. Yes, Prince Harry went to Afghanistan and is dating Chelsy Davy. Yes, Prince Philip says continues to say what's on his mind, even if it isn't politically correct. I wouldn't expect anything less from him.

We've had some close calls with William and Kate. Intense speculation on their relationship. They broke up in April 2007 and then got back together. Engagement updates come in waves, some predictable, some completely surprising, like the recent revelation of a June 3rd or 4th engagement announcement. Will this be a false call yet again? It's enough to make anyone give up hope of it ever happening, until the next rumour flares up again.

An engagement between William and Kate would be big news. Mecca for royal watchers who have followed the couple's relationship. Will it be as prolific and inspiring time for blogging? Maybe, but it won't be the same as the first time I started in March 2005.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Thursday, April 08, 2010

An Open Letter to Prince William and Kate Middleton

Dear William and Kate,

Or should I call you 'Sir' and 'Ma'am'? My apologies for the informality but after all of this time I feel as though I know both of you. We've heard about your vacations, the places you like to party, and we know more than enough about Kate's fashions to want to take her shopping.

We've accompanied you on the journey of your relationship, shared your highs and lows. As you may note, many of us were completely devastated by the news of your break up in April 2007 and were relieved when it was reported that you were both together again. Thus reassuring us that we hadn't wasted time speculating.

But enough is enough. We're tired of waiting and the coy 'wait and see' from you, William. Please put us out of our misery so that we may begin speculating on where you will get married and what wedding dress you, Kate, will wear. Your wedding is guaranteed to bring joy to many royal watchers. Not to mention the schaudenfreude for the Kate-haters who doubted your true love. That is, if they haven't jumped off a cliff in despair by that point.

Kate, I don't know how you have continued to have the patience. People have torn you and your family apart but yet you've never breathed a word about your relationship. You deserve a happy ending. And so do we.

Reports say that June 3rd or 4th is the day of the big announcement. This, William, would fit in with your comments about waiting until you are 28 or 30 to get married as you will turn 28 on June 21st. Your grandmother is said to have 300 bottles of vintage champagne on ice. Could this be for the big announcement? We can only hope so. Because we've waited long enough.

Right Kate?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Is Tina Brown just as clueless as the rest of us?

Just when I'd give up all hope of an engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton, Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles, throws us a bone by claiming that June 3rd and 4th have been mysteriously blocked out in the Queen's calendar. Brown, having been a friend of Diana's, knows something we don't. Maybe she got an exclusive from the ghost of Diana.

This tidbit has set the media and blogsphere on fire. Engagement predictions are nothing new and after so many years of dating, they're taken more seriously in the absence of any solid news. Raising hope in those rooting for the couple and striking fear into those who are not. But there's hope for the naysayers. These reports forget the fact that the Queen is supposed to be away on those two days and William will be unavailable for the obligatory engagement day photos. Or that engagement announcements are not traditionally announced in June. But William and Kate could be bucking the royal trend on this part. It was inevitable that some royal couple would come along and blaze a trail, why not them? It's not as if they have to worry about the availability of venues or their favorite photographer.

Other media royal watchers have been quick to downplay Tina Brown's revealations, possibly out of jealousy. No one can be completely certain but the evidence is weak. Other than Buckingham Palace purchasing 300 bottles of champagne and Party Pieces expanding their line to include wedding favors, there's little to go by and Clarence House isn't talking. Right now these are just guesses, but oneday someone might get lucky and won't they look prescient when that happens?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Thursday, April 01, 2010

Kate Middleton speaks, but what is she really saying?

Earlier this week the Party Pieces website published an interview with Kate Middleton where she discussed fond memories from her childhood. Party Pieces is, incidently, a company that her family runs so it was no big scoop for them. The interview was removed not long after but when it was picked up by the media and other royal blogs it spread like wildfire with opinions ranging from it being charming to pure Middleton propoganda.

Although this has been touted as her first 'interview' Kate made no great revelations. It was not so much the answers as what they revealed about her. Up to this point we've only 'known' Kate as the girlfriend of Prince William. Other than a brief comment she made on a video while visiting a marketing seminar, we had never heard her speak for herself.  In the absence of any concrete proof, people have projected their views, in some cases, making her far more diabolical and manipulative than she might be in real life.

It's hard to see her as diabolical when she reveals her favorite food is jelly and her favorite outfit was a pair of clown dungarees. And that's quite possibly the intent, although I'm certain Kate could find better uses of her time than to answer back to her detractors. It doesn't hurt her parent's company. You can't buy the amount of publicity Party Pieces received by putting the interview out there. If no one knew about the company beforehand, they certainly do now.

The interview itself doesn't hurt Kate either. It is a way for her to get herself out there and the royal family cannot say anything about it. Speaking to the media has jettisoned many a previous royal girlfriend but she doesn't mention the royal family or even Prince William. Unlike Diana's infamous Panorama interview, this one is hardly likely to come back to haunt her.

Using the media to advantage is nothing new to the royal family. Diana elevated it to an art form, starting with her image even before her engagement. The demure behavior and posing with small children gave a pleasant impression, even if she looked nothing like Princess material. The only thing missing from Kate's interview was if she'd been pictured holding a small child while answering. She has clearly taken a page out of Diana's play-book.

Kate's interview is no longer posted on the Party Pieces online magazine, The Party Times. It's difficult to understand the reason why that is but there's a lot of speculation. Regardless, it stayed up long enough to hit the mark.

However you want to define it.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Are we becoming one with the royals?

Princess Anne waiting in line for a brew? Or taking the train? Whats next? The Queen will be using the stairs? Or Prince Charles will be squeezing his own toothpaste?

These actions alone prove that we are becoming one with the royals. At the end of the day we all need refreshments and to get from point A to point B. What we imbibe and how we travel to our destination isn't as important as when the royals do it. These mundane actions take on a special, magical, outerworldly glow. As if the mode of transport runs more efficiently, or the beer tastes better, or the stairs are less steep once the royals proceed forward.

Who knew that Princess Anne could get thirsty? Or that the Queen can still walk up stairs? We Canadian's aren't normally as solicitous with our own aged family members so consider Nova Scotia's concern for Her Majesty as a compliment. Yes, the Queen can walk up stairs, or downstairs, or sit or stand, or do any of the other myriad things mortals do. Did you know she even sneezes? (Spoiler alert! As do many of her family members).

We drink therefore we must be like the royals. We take the same form of transport therefore we must be like them too. At this rate,they will not have come down to us, we will have caught up to them. Ultimately, they envy and want to be like us! Otherwise, why would they make all of these person of the people moves?

Why, every day, every action you take. Right now. You, are acting like a royal. Reading? They do it too. Snacking? They get hungry as well. Watching TV? Where do you think they learn to be like us? You'd almost think we were one and the same except for the titles part.

It's a burden living an extraordinary life in ordinary circumstances. No matter how many books they may read or movies they watch, the royals can never truly appreciate our experience. Day in and day out the waking, showering, eating, working, playing and sleeping. They will never understand because we make it look effortless.

But when they try to act like us it's not a big deal.

Really, it isn't.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 28, 2010 - The End of Hope Episode

Royal engagements are traditionally announced at the beginning of the year. With March almost at a close and no royal engagement for Prince William and Kate Middleton. A Salute to the End of Hope for a 2010 engagement.

You can listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 167 29 March 2010

From My Royal Collection

The Royals by Caroline Latham & Jeannie Sakol

Blogs mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday April 11, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Crown Jewels

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 21, 2010 - Is Kate Middleton a public figure?

Kate Middleton, girlfriend of Prince William, recently won a settlement from the REX photo agency for photos taken of her that invaded her privacy. Does Kate have a right to privacy? By dating Prince William, has she become a public figure?

Listen to the episode here

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 166 22 March 2010

Snowdon: The Biography by Anne De Courcy

From My Royal Collection

The British Royal Family - Great Front Pages

Blogs mentioned

British Royal Wedding

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 28, 2010 at 9:00PM EST North America.

The topic will be: With royal engagements traditionally announced early in the year, the month of March is drawing to a close with no engagement announcement. On this episode: A salute to the end of hope for a 2010 engagement.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Royal Review: Diana Style by Colin McDowell

I must have at least a dozen books about Diana's fashions. One dating from as early as 1985 to this one. A dearth of these books came out after the princess died in 1997 when people tried to make sense of her legacy or cash in on the timing.

In the decade or so since her death, Diana Style by Colin McDowell is one of many books commemorating her life. This one looks at Diana from a fashion perspective.Ultimately these types of book reveal nothing new, but they're still enjoyable to look at.

One thing that it most remarked about Diana was her personal appearance. Although she tried to downplay this when it came to promoting serious causes, it was an undeniable fact. She used the clothes she wore to communicate. Whether it was velvet for a visit to a school for the blind, red to convey confidence, length to respect cultural differences, or a dress with embroidered falcons to compliment the ruling house of Saudi Arabia. Her fashion choices were deliberate and flawlessly executed.

This book discusses the evolution of her style from the infamous black dress she wore to her first evening engagement prior to her marriage. To the equally infamous black revenge dress, she wore on the night that Prince Charles admitted he had committed adultery. These dresses, worn respectively in 1981 and 1994 act as bookends to her royal life. But the story does not end there, as it evolves even further to cover her fashions up to her death.

At the time of her death I believe that Diana was just coming into her own, fashion wise. Gone were the pie crust collars, veiled hats, head-to-toe outfit colors, and lacquered hair. In its place, figure flattering Versace dresses, simpler make-up and more natural looking hair. While I loved the simplicity of her later dresses, towards the end of her life, I found her face looked hard and high maintenance. Gone was the romantic, youthful freshness of her early married life. Even if some of her outfits have not stood the test of time, I still prefer the early Diana.

This book is a manual of a royal woman discovering herself and her style. It freeze frames Diana's fashions throughout her career, the good and the bad, from head to toe. While we'll never know just how Diana's fashions would have evolved, this is a good reminder of a royal style icon in the making

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 14, 2010 - Royal Jewels

They're shiny, they're priceless, they're an object of fascination. On this episode I discuss Royal Jewels.

Listen to the episode here

Films mentioned

Royal Journey (1951)

Canada at the Coronation

From my royal collection

All about the royal family - An illustrated guide compiled and researched by Pheobe Hichens

Blog Posts mentioned

Royal Engagements

Jewels fit for a Queen

Resources used to research this episode

The Queen's Jewels - The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II - by Leslie Field

The Royal Jewels by Suzy Menkes

Tiaras a History of Spendor by Geoffrey C Munn

Queens Jewels by Vincent Meylan

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 21, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Is Kate Middleton a public figure?

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, March 07, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday March 7, 2010 - Royal Fashions

What do King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, King Edward VIII, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana have in common? They set fashion trends.

Find out about these leaders of royal fashion by listening to this episode

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 164 8 March 2010

Majesty Magazine January 2010 Vol 31 No 1

From my royal collection

Royal Style Wars - The trend setting fashion feud between the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York by Lesley Ebbetts

Resources used to research this episode

Diana The Fashion Princess Davina Hanmer & Tim Graham

Royalty in Vogue by Josephine Ross

The Princess of Wales Fashion Handbook by Sue James

Princess Diana's Maternity Fashion and Nursery Handbook by Sue James

A Family Album by The Duke of Windsor

Diana Style by Colin McDowell

The Windsor Style by Suzy Menkes

Tune in live to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 14, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America)

The topic will be: Royal Jewels

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 28, 2010 - Royal Love Stories: Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend

She was the Princess Diana of her day, he was a dashing divorced war veteran. When they fell in love, Princess Margaret would be made to choose between her royal title and lifestyle and the man she loved -Peter Townsend. This is their story.

Listen to their story here.

Publications discussed

Hello! Canada Weekly No 163 1 March 2010

From My Royal Collection

Dinner at Buckingham Palace by Charles Oliver

Blogs mentioned

World of Royalty Blog

Resources used to research this episode

The Little Princesses by Marion Crawford

Time and Chance: An autobiography by Peter Townsend

Royal Sisters by Anne Edwards

Princess Margaret: A Biography by Theo Aronson

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday March 7th, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Royal Fashions - The good, the bad, and everything in between!

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 21, 2010 - Royal Love Stories: Edward and Wallis

Argubly the most tragic and romantic of royal love stories. He was the most dashing public figure of his day. She was a twice married American born out of wedlock. He gave up his throne for her and changed the course of royal history.

Listen to their story here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 162 22 February 2010

Film mentioned

The Duchess

From my royal collection

Rock and Royalty by Gianni Versace

Resources used to research this episode

King Edward VIII by Philip Ziegler

The Windsor Years  by Lord Kinross

Edward VIII The Road to Abdication by Frances Donaldson

The Heart has its reasons by The Duchess of Windsor

A King's Story The Memoirs of H.R.H. The Duke of Windsor

The Secret Life of The Duchess of Windsor by Charles  Higham

Wallis & Edward Letters 1931-1937 - The intimate correspondence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor by Michael Bloch

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday February 28, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: She was the Princess Diana of her day, he was a dashing divorced war veteran. When they fell in love, Princess Margaret would be made to choose between her royal title and lifestyle and the man she loved - Peter Townsend. This is their story.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, February 19, 2010

Prince William's Hairy Situation

King Edward VII enjoyed a good meal and was called 'tum tum'. Prince Charles has his ears. Diana had her nose - when anyone decided to notice. Now Prince William has his hair - computer generated on the cover of Hello! in this case.

It's not secret that William has a bald spot, like his father. Royal reporters, with nothing better to report on other than his relationship with Kate and his resemblance to his mother, will pick on the regal thinning bean. It's a good way to take the royal golden boy down a notch. Until his early twenties, William had everything going for him. The standard bearer for Diana's memory, he could do no wrong.

And then he had the nerve to get older.

As a child he bore a striking resemblance to his maternal grandfather - Earl Spencer - and like his brother, as he gets older he becomes less Windsor and more Spencer. Not necessarily a bad thing. With the exception of Prince Philip, the royals do not age well. Case in point - Look at a picture of Prince 'Randy Andy' Andrew in his heyday and one taken now. I rest my case.

But in this day and age anything can be changed with the click of a button. Size 0 models can be made to look even thinner, Joan Collins can be made to look like she's 40 something (she's 77), William can be given a full head of hair. Could Tiger Wood's reputation be next? If not, he could be made to look better trying to salvage it.

Like the rest of us mere mortals, William obviously has a vain-streak. It's only natural, as a public figure, to want to appear in the best light. If he wants his hair electronically enhanced then I say go for it! However, if he wanted all of us to ignore the issue then he's gone about it the wrong way. Like a mole on someone's face. When they try to hide it then you notice it more.

Maybe William could try to make amends to all of those men who get toupees and hair transplants. Start a charity? Become a patron of a pre-existing one? Camp out at a hair salon amongst over priced products to highlight the issue? Lamblast Hello! like Kate Winslet did a few years ago when the UK edition of GQ shaved a few inches off her waist?

If this is supposed to be the 'real' Prince William, maybe it's time for him to stand up and embrace reality. Or maybe it's time for the media to give it a rest.

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Sunday, February 14, 2010

The Royal Report for Sunday February 14, 2010 - Bertie and Elizabeth - A Love Story

He was the reluctant King. When he proposed, she turned him down three times! This is their love story.

Listen to the episode here.

Publications mentioned

Hello! Canada Weekly No 161 15 February 2010

From My Royal Collection

Princess Diana's Maternity Fashion & Nursery Handbook

Resources used to research this episode

Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Hugo Vickers

The Queen Mother by Hugo Vickers

The Last Great Edwardian Lady  by Ingrid Seward

Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother - The Official Biography by William Shawcross

George VI by Sarah Bradford

Five Gold Rings A Royal Wedding Souvenir Album

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth by Frances Donaldson

Tune in to the next episode of The Royal Report on Sunday February 21, 2010 at 9:00PM EST (North America).

The topic will be: Wallis and Edward - A Love Story

© Marilyn Braun 2010

Friday, February 05, 2010

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Question: Does Prince Charles own a yacht?

I read a news article that said prince charles and camilla rented a yacht to travel thru the caribbean some time ago but also read an article that said president bill clinton was on ' prince charles yacht in 1992 for Rio conference on enviromental protection '. so I was wondering if he owns a yacht or just rents one from time to time?

As far as I'm aware, Prince Charles does not own a yacht. The Royal Family did, at one point, have the use of the Royal Yacht Britannia to entertain dignitaries over the years including Sir Winston Churchill, Rajiv Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. This yacht was decommissioned in 1997.

Prince Charles has chartered or been lent the use of a yacht in the past. In 1991 he was loaned the Alexandros by Greek shipping magnate John Latsis. This was for a reported 'second honeymoon' with his then wife, Diana Princess of Wales. He also used the yacht in 2002 for a cruise with Camilla Parker Bowles. In 2008 he chartered one of the most expensive private yachts, the £50 million, 245ft Leander from car parks tycoon Sir Donald Gosling for an official tour of the Carribean Islands. The first time since the Royal Yacht Britannia was scrapped in 1997 that a member of the Royal Family has hired a private vessel for an official overseas visit.

According to Clarence House, the Prince of Wales chartered the yacht not for reasons of comfort but but to minimize his carbon footprint. If you're going to be environmentally friendly, might as well do it in style.

© Marilyn Braun 2010