British Royals Websites, Links, Videos & Podcasts

thissal · Jun 17, 2003

http://www.geocities.com/jesusib/QueenVictoria.html

This is a great site in case some of you haven't already seen it. It's history with pictures of each of Queen Victoria's children and grandchildren. They included heads of state of not only Great Britain, but Germany, Greece, Romania, Russia, Norway, Spain and a crown princess for Sweden. With Great grandchildren, that list also includes Denmark and Sweden. I hadn't realized Queen Victoria's influence was quite so pervasive.

It was also touching how hard Queen Victoria tried to keep some of her children in Great Britain. Although she did play favorites, she did seem to have love and concern for all her children and grandchildren.

thissal · Jun 17, 2003

From the above link is an excerpt about Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward, eldest child of Bertie, the Prince of Wales (future Edward VII) and his wife Alexandra of Denmark. It's about the Jack the Ripper mystery:

Prince Eddy have been linked in different ways to the murders committed in the second half of the year 1888 in Whitechapel, in the East End of London. Between August and November, 1888, five prostitutes were savagely murdered and disemboweled in Whitechapel; these women were Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Kelly. and the killer signed as Jack the Ripper. It was said that Prnce Eddy was Jack the Ripper; a witnness who saw Mary Kelly with her killer described the man as look alike Eddy. It is quite impossible the Prince had comitted the murders since he was in Scotland in the nights when two of the victims were killed.
Another incredible but not impossible theory was presented by Stephen Knight in his book "Jack the Ripper, the final solution". Knight tells the story of a man named Joseph Sickert who claimed to be Prince Eddy's grandson. Sickert says that inspite Eddy's weak character and lack on interests, his mother, Princess Alexandra, tried to interest him in arts by putting him under the protection of a famous painter named Walter Sickert, who would be Joseph's father. In 1888, the painter introduced Eddy to Annie Elizabeth Crook, a girl who worked in a tobacco shop at Cleveland Street. Eddy and Annie felt in love and got secretly married in St. Saviour's Chapel, having only one witness besides Sickert, a certain Mary Kelly, a friend of Annie who also worked in the tobaco shop. Annie soon became pregnant and gave birth to a girl, Alice Margaret, in April 1885. The certain Mary Kelly was paid by Sickert to be Alice Margaret's nanny.
The rumor of Eddy's affair arrived to the ears of the Prince's grandmother, Queen Victoria, and her Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury. They both want the affair brought to en end and uncover Eddy's participation. By those days the Royal Family's prestige was not on its best times because of the Prince of Wales' scandalous life and the Monarchy was quite unpopular. Salisbury feared that another scandal on the Royal family would caused the end of the Monarchy in England. So a raid was organized on Cleveland Street and Pirnce Eddy was taken away from Annie's room and put under severe vigilance and Annie was taken to an insane assylum, where she died in 1920. All these was watched by Sickert from his studio on that same street. The only one who escaped was Mary Kelly who took the girl with her. Later on Alice Margaret fall on Sickert hands. Mary Kelly became a prostitute and together with a group of friends to whom she had told the secret, tried to blackmail Salisbury about Eddy's affaire. Salisbury had to silence the prostitutes in someway. The man selected for the mission was Sir William Gull, a physician who had previously performed discreet abortions in the bedchambers of Windsor, and who was also a Francmasonic. Other two men were involved: Sir Robert Anderson, Assistant Comissioner of the Metropolitan Police and also a Francmasonic, and John Netley, Eddy's coachman who had many times conducted the Prince to see Annie. If Sickert's story was true, these men comitted the murders and created the myth of Jack the Ripper.
Eddy's supposed daughter, Alice Margaret, became Walter Sickert's mistress and she beared him a son, Joseph Sickert, and died in 1950. There is no evidence to confirm this exceptional story except Joseph Sickert's testimony.

Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale "Eddy"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1968: Princess Marina laid to rest

1968: Princess Marina laid to rest
Senior members of the Royal Family have attended the funeral of Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent.
Princess Marina, 61, died on Tuesday from an inoperable brain tumour, only hours after it had been revealed that she was seriously ill.

The royal mourners at the service at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle were led by the Queen, Princess Marina's niece by marriage.

Other members of the Royal Family at the service included the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

They sat next to Princess Marina's children in the front pew.

Behind them sat the Duke of Windsor, the former Edward VIII, who had flown from his home in France.

Foreign royalty was also represented at the service - Princess Marina was a member of the now-deposed Greek royal family.

Widowed young

At the time of her marriage to Prince George, the Duke of Kent, in 1934 the princess was one of a long line of foreign princesses to marry into the British royal family.

She became engaged to Prince George - a distant cousin - in 1934 during a summer spent with her sister, Princess Olga of Yugoslavia.

However, she was widowed at a young age when Prince George was killed in an air accident as he flew to inspect troops in Iceland in 1942.

But Princess Marina continued to be a popular member of the royal family, involved with many charities and carrying out royal duties.

The princess' coffin was carried into the chapel by eight officers from the three regiments of which she was Colonel-in-Chief.

The service was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Arthur Ramsey.

Also officiating was Archimandrite Gregory Theodorus of the Greek Orthodox Church, the religion into which Princess Marina was born.

In Context
Princess Marina was laid to rest in the vault of St George's Chapel alongside her husband, Prince George.
She had been born into the Greek royal family in Athens in December 1906.

Her mother was a member of the Russian royal family, the Grand Duchess Helen Vladimirovna.

But when she was 11 the Greek royal family was deposed and forced into exile.

Princess Marina's children are Edward, the present Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent.

The princess' name lives on in her granddaughter, Marina Ogilvy, the youngest child of Princess Alexandra.

see the video

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1950: Princess gives birth to second child

The heir to the throne, Princess Elizabeth, has given birth to a daughter at Clarence House in London.
Details of the baby's arrival have been posted on the gates of Clarence House, on a board outside the Home Office in Whitehall and at Mansion House in the City.

The baby weighed exactly 6lb (2.7kg) at birth. She was delivered at 1150. Mother and baby are said to be doing well.

The Queen was seen arriving at Clarence House about five minutes before the baby was born. She returned later in the day for a second visit, lasting about two hours.

Royal salute

The Princess gave birth to her son, Prince Charles, almost two years ago. He was born at Buckingham Palace - since then the Princess has moved with her family to Clarence House.

The Duke of Edinburgh toasted the new Princess's health in champagne with his staff.

He then telephoned Balmoral Castle where the King was shooting on the moors. A special messenger was despatched to find him and give him the good news.

The Duke's mother, Princess Andrew of Greece, received the news at Kensington Palace where she is staying with the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven, the Duke's grandmother.

The Royal Salute was fired at 1530 in Hyde Park by the King's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery. According to tradition, the case of the first round fired will be engraved and sent to Princess Elizabeth.

Messages of congratulation have begun to pour into Clarence House. They have come from all parts of Britain and the Commonwealth and many countries overseas.

It was night time when the news reached Australia. In theatres, cinemas and nightclubs people stood and cheered as the announcement was given on the stage or flashed on the screen.

In the United States, radio announcers broke into programmes to give news of the birth. Afternoon newspapers in New York splashed the news across the front pages, displacing news from Korea.

In Context
On 29 August 1950, the name of the new princess was announced: Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise. Her official title was Princess Anne of Edinburgh.
She took her middle names from relatives: Elizabeth was after her mother and grandmother, Alice was the name of Princess Andrew of Greece - the Duke of Edinburgh's mother, Louise was the name of the eldest daughter of King Edward VII - her great-great grandfather.

The Westminster Registrar went to Clarence House to complete the birth certificate. After the Duke had signed the document, he was given his daughter's identity card, a ration book and bottles of cod-liver oil and orange juice.

Princess Elizabeth's diary of public engagements for the autumn was cut back. After the birth of Princess Anne, her first official duty was planned for 19 October at the Royal College of Music.

Just 18 months after Anne's birth, King George VI died and Elizabeth became Queen.

see the video here

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1964: Royal baby for Leap Year Day

The Queen's cousin, Princess Alexandra, has given birth to a son at her home in Surrey.
The baby, who was more than a week overdue, is believed to be the first-ever royal baby to be born on 29 February.

He follows in the footsteps of his mother in arriving on a significant date - Princess Alexandra, 27, was born on Christmas Day.

The princess' husband, Angus Ogilvy, 35, was present at the birth in the couple's home, Thatched House Lodge in Richmond Park.

He telephoned the Queen shortly after his son was born at 1215GMT.

Princess Alexandra's mother, Princess Marina, was also at Thatched House Lodge when the baby was born.

She later told staff the child "looked just like his father".

A cable breaking the news of the birth was later sent to Mr Ogilvy's parents, the Earl and Countess of Airlie, who are at present sailing from South Africa to England.

'Master Ogilvy'

The Ogilvy baby was one of several royal babies due within months of each other.

The 9lb 6oz boy will be unique among them in having no title.

Master Ogilvy is currently 13th in line to the throne but will soon be displaced to 16th.

The Queen gives birth to her fourth child next month and Princess Margaret has her second in April.

The Duchess of Kent, Princess Alexandra's sister-in-law, is also expecting a baby later in the spring.

Princess Alexandra's nursing training and experience with babies at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children is expected to come in handy with her newborn.

However, she is expected to employ a nanny.

In Context
The Ogilvy baby was named James Robert Bruce and christened in the chapel at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen's fourth child was her third son, Prince Edward.

Princess Margaret had a daughter, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones.

The Duchess of Kent's baby - her second - was a girl, Lady Helen Windsor.

James Ogilvy was joined by a sister - Marina - in 1966.

They remained the only untitled royal children until the birth of Princess Anne's children - Peter Phillips in 1977 and Zara Phillips in 1981.

Princess Alexandra's husband, Angus Ogilvy, was knighted in 1989.

Princess Alexandra is a patron or president of numerous organisations, many of which reflect her interest in medical and welfare issues.

here is the video
The people of Kirriemuir - home of Angus Ogilvy's parents - celebrate the birth (mute footage)

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1997: Princess Diana dies in Paris crash

Diana, Princess of Wales, has died after a car crash in Paris.
She was taken to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning where surgeons tried for two hours to save her life but she died at 0300 BST.

In a statement Buckingham Palace said the Queen and the Prince of Wales were "deeply shocked and distressed".

Prince Charles broke the news of their mother's death to Princes William and Harry at Balmoral Castle in Scotland where the royal family had been spending the summer.

The accident happened after the princess left the Ritz Hotel in the French capital with her companion, Dodi Al Fayed - son of Harrods owner, Mohammed Al Fayed.

Criminal investigation

Dodi Al Fayed and the vehicle's driver were also killed in the collision in a tunnel under the Place de l'Alma in the centre of the city.

The princess' Mercedes car was apparently being pursued at high speed by photographers on motorbikes when it hit a pillar and smashed into a wall.

Mr Al Fayed and the chauffeur died at the scene but the princess and her bodyguard were cut from the wreckage and rushed to hospital.

The French authorities have begun a criminal investigation and are questioning seven photographers.

Tributes to the princess have been pouring in from around the world.

Speaking from his home in South Africa, the princess' brother, Lord Charles Spencer, said his sister had been "unique".

While it was not the time for recriminations there was no doubt the press had played a part in her death, the earl added.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered at the princess' London home, Kensington Palace and many have laid flowers at the gates.

In Context
Only Princess Diana's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, survived the crash.
Blood tests showed the driver, Henri Paul, had taken both drugs and a large amount of alcohol before the accident.

The royal family was criticised for its reserve during a time when there was an unprecedented national outpouring of grief.

Around one million people lined the streets to see the princess' funeral cortege as it made its way to Westminster Abbey in early September.

No charges were ever brought against the paparazzi who had been pursuing the princess' car.

But the behaviour of the press came under close scrutiny and the code governing the British media was tightened in December 1997.

video 1
The BBC's Neil Bennett: "Flowers started arriving in the early hours"

video 2
The BBC's Kevin Connolly: "There's no doubt this investigation will be particularly painstaking"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1997: Princess Diana sparks landmines row

Princess Diana has angered government ministers after calling for an international ban on landmines.
Her comments - made during a visit to Angola to see for herself some of the victims of landmines - are being seen as out of step with government policy.

The Junior Defence Minister, Earl Howe, has described the princess as a "loose cannon", ill-informed on the issue of anti-personnel landmines.

I think we should be applauding what she's doing

Shadow defence spokesman, David Clark

Although he is now seeking to distance himself from the criticism, other Conservative backbenchers have been more outspoken.

Peter Viggers, Tory member of the defence select committee, said: "We all know landmines and other weapons are vicious and nasty. The question is how best to negotiate so they are not used in future.

"The government's policy on this has been an extremely careful one and the statements made by the Princess of Wales have not been in line with that policy."

The government is involved in international negotiations for a worldwide ban on landmines, but in the meantime the army is still using them.

The princess has insisted the row over her comments is a distraction and all she was trying to do was help.

She is in Angola as a guest of the International Red Cross, which has been pressing for a landmine ban.

Labour has welcomed the intervention by the princess. It is backing calls for an international moratorium on the use of anti-personnel mines.

Shadow defence spokesman, David Clark, said: "I think we should all welcome the fact she has gone to Angola and she has tried to warn the world of the dangers of these terrible weapons. I think we should be applauding what she's doing."

video 1
Lance Price "The Princess has been clearly moved by what she's seen"

video 2
Jennie Bond reports on the Princess of Wales' speech in Luanda, Angola

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1995: 'Divorce': Queen to Charles and Diana

The Queen has urged the Prince and Princess of Wales to seek "an early divorce".
Buckingham Palace said the Queen called for an end to the marriage in a letter to each of them earlier this week.

It is understood the prince has replied in agreement with his mother but the princess has yet to respond, according to a Palace spokesman.

"After considering the present situation the Queen wrote to both the prince and princess earlier this week and gave them her view, supported by the Duke of Edinburgh, that an early divorce is desirable," the spokesman said.

"The Prince of Wales also takes this view and has made this known to the Princess of Wales since the letter.

"The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will continue to do all they can to help and support the Prince and Princess of Wales, and most particularly their children, in this difficult period."

Discussions

The Queen's action comes just weeks after the princess's interview on Panorama which sparked a national debate on the future of the monarchy.

In it she said she did not want a divorce and claimed there were "three people" in their marriage because of Charles' friendship with Camilla Parker Bowles.

Diana was also repeatedly critical of her husband's ability to become king, his family, and their advisers and also admitted committing adultery herself.

Constitutional experts have said divorce would mean the Princess of Wales could never become queen.

The prime minister and senior Privy Councillors have backed the Queen's decision after prolonged private talks over the last two weeks.

Buckingham Palace's announcement followed discussions between the Queen and the Prime Minister.

Mr Major, who announced the couple's original separation in the Commons in 1992, will make a further statement to MPs once divorce proceedings are under way.

In Context
The "fairytale" marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales ended with a "decree nisi" on 28 August 1996.
It was a far cry from their lavish wedding at St Paul's Cathedral 15 years earlier, witnessed by a television audience of millions.

As part of the divorce settlement Diana was stripped of her royal title - HRH - and instead became known as Diana, Princess of Wales.

It is understood she was awarded a £17m lump sum and £350,000 a year to run her private office, while Diana and Charles agreed to share custody of their sons.

Almost exactly a year later Diana died in a car crash with her companion Dodi Fayed in Paris.

video

The BBC's Joshua Rosenberg: "Divorce is a simple enough procedure these days"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1993: Diana sues over gym photos

Lawyers acting for the Princess of Wales have started legal action over secretly-taken pictures of her exercising which were published last week by a national newspaper.
Writs have been issued against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the gym where Princess Diana was photographed and the gym's owner.

The writs seek a permanent ban on the publication of the pictures which show the princess clad in a leotard and cycling shorts.

They also demand that all copies and negatives should be handed over to the princess' solicitor.

The photos, taken by gym owner Bryce Taylor, were first published in the Sunday Mirror and then again in yesterday's Daily Mirror.

Princess Diana has already won a High Court injunction against Mr Taylor and MGN banning further publication of the pictures.

She also wants to prevent the sale and publication of them outside of the UK, which could potentially earn New Zealand-born Mr Taylor hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The judge ordered him to provide detail of all agreements relating to the photographs and identify everyone to whom they had been passed.

They have already been published in other countries.

Holland's biggest daily, De Telegraaf, ran one of the pictures on its front page.

In the US, a tabloid newspaper group has bought the American rights to the pictures for £25,000.

After publishing the pictures the Mirror felt the backlash of widespread public outrage and some large companies withdrew their advertising.

But a defiant spokesman for the company claimed sales of yesterday's paper and the Sunday Mirror had both risen by more than 100,000.

Princess Diana's decision marks a new approach by the royal family, which has traditionally resisted using the law to hit back.

She could become the first member of the royal family to testify in a courtroom since 1891 when the then Prince of Wales gave evidence for a friend in a libel action.

In Context
After hostile public reaction and a drop in sales, MGN apologised to Princess Diana shortly after publishing the photographs.
In June 1994 the Princess settled her action against the gym, LA Fitness, when the company issued an apology.

But Bryce Taylor refused to give up his personal profits and the case seemed set to go to court.

In February 1995 lawyers eventually came to a settlement, less than a week before the case was due to start.

The settlement was never publicly disclosed but it was believed that MGN paid Princess Diana's legal costs of about £1m and about £200,000 to charities of her choice.

Mr Taylor apologised to the princess and gave up the £300,000 he had made from selling the pictures.

However, there were strong hints that a member of the royal family helped fund a large payment to Mr Taylor in return for his settling out of court.

video
The BBC's Nick Higham: " You can't sue for invasion of privacy under English law"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1992: Princess Royal remarries

Princess Anne today became Mrs Timothy Laurence after a small family wedding in Scotland.
The 42-year-old arrived at Crathie church near Balmoral Castle accompanied by her father Prince Philip, and her daughter and bridesmaid 11-year-old Zara.

Before a small family congregation she and the groom, Commander Laurence, 37, exchanged vows to stay together "until God shall separate us by death."

Well wishers

Anne, dressed in a simple white suit with white blossoms in her hair, and Mr Laurence, in a Royal Navy uniform, emerged from the church to cheers from about 500 well wishers.

The newlyweds are expected to join the rest of the royal family for a short celebration at Craigowan Lodge on the Balmoral estate.

Among the guests were the Queen, the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret and Anne's son from her first marriage Peter, 15.

Anne married Mark Phillips in 1973 at Westminster Abbey and they divorced this year.

But this, the first marriage for her groom whom she met during a tour of duty on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Turbulent Royal year

In 1986, he was appointed an equerry to the Queen.

Their relationship became known in April 1989 when letters from the Commander were stolen from Anne's briefcase and given to newspapers.

Four months later Anne announced her separation from Mark Phillips.

It is hoped Anne's wedding celebrations will end a turbulent year for the Royal Family.

It was announced this week Prince Charles and the Princess of Wales have separated and Diana chose not to attend today's ceremony.

The Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, also separated from his wife the Duchess of York this year.

Both brothers accompanied Prince Edward at today's ceremony.

The palace would not reveal if there are any plans for a honeymoon.

In Context
Rumours Princess Anne and Commander Laurence were leading separate lives surfaced in 2001 but received no comment from the Royal Family.
Princess Anne's no fuss approach to royal duties has won her much admiration as the hardest working royal - with 655 engagements in her diary in 2001 - but also criticism for being too severe.

She was criticised at Christmas 2000 for apparently berating a well wisher in her seventies who had waited to greet the royal family as they completed a traditional celebration at St Mary Magdalen church on the Sandringham Estate.

The princess apparently took a basket handmade by the woman and said: "What a ridiculous thing to do."

video
The BBC's Jennie Bond: "The area has been sealed off and swept for explosives"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1989: Royal couple to separate

Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips are to separate, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
A statement issued by the palace at 1200 said they were to part on "terms agreed between them".

There were no plans for divorce, the statement continued.

The Queen who has been kept informed of developments is said to have been "saddened" by the decision but understanding.

The couple have been married for nearly 16 years but there has been speculation over the state of their marriage for some time.

In recent years they have spent much of their time apart.

The decision to separate is said to have been made before the furore surrounding the theft of letters to the princess from the Queen's equerry, Commander Timothy Laurence.

Commander Laurence was today making no comment at his home in Winchester, Hampshire, in the south of England.

Princess Anne, 39, is currently in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean attending the annual meeting of the International Olympic Committee.

On her return to Britain, the princess will remain at Gatcombe Park, the marital home in Gloucestershire with children, Peter and Zara.

Captain Phillips will have full access to the children and continue to manage the estate at Gatcombe Park - a gift to the couple from the Queen.

He will also continue to have his stables there and run the successful horse trials staged on the estate.

In Context
Princess Anne and Mark Phillips were only the second royal couple to part in the 20th century.
The first was the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret and her husband, Lord Snowdon.

Princess Anne and Mark Phillips divorced in 1992.

The princess married Commander Timothy Laurence later the same year.

Captain Mark Phillips remarried in 1997 and had a daughter, with his new wife, a former Olympic horse rider.

The baby, Stephanie, was Captain Phillips' third daughter - he fathered an illegitimate child during his marriage to Princess Anne.

video
Jennie Bond: "The Queen's thoughts will have been with her daughter"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1982: Princess Diana gives birth to boy

Diana, Princess of Wales, has given birth to a boy sixteen hours after checking in to St Mary's Hospital, in London.
The boy, who has been named William, was born at 21:03 BST, weighing 7lb 1½oz.

He is second in line to the British throne after his father the Prince of Wales, who accompanied Princess Diana to the hospital at 0500BST this morning and stayed with her throughout the day.

Outside the hospital crowds had gathered to wait for news of the birth, with some saying they would wait through the night if necessary. Flowers arrived all day long and were taken into the hospital.

Thousands also gathered outside Buckingham Palace, where the birth was formally announced.

'Delighted'

The Queen had continued with her scheduled programme, inspecting an RAF regiment on their 40th anniversary at Wittering in Cambridgeshire.

A Palace official said she had looked "absolutely delighted" on hearing that the Princess had gone into labour.

The Princess went into labour earlier than expected, but only by a few days.

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St George's Hospital Medical School in London, Geoffrey Chamberlain, told BBC News the long labour period should not present cause for concern.

He said: "Just over half of women expecting their first baby deliver inside 12 hours but another fifth go onto about 18 hours, and another fifth go even longer.

"There is nothing abnormal with a labour going into 24 hours."

The Queen's own surgeon gynaecologist, George Pinker, who has looked after the Princess throughout her pregnancy, was in charge of the delivery.

In Context
Prince William was the first heir to the British throne to be born in a hospital.
His brother, Prince Harry, was born on 15 September 1984.

Aged eight, William was sent to school in Wokingham, Berkshire, and at 13, he went to Eton, where he gained 12 GCSEs and excelled at a variety of sports.

After attaining A-Levels at grades A, B and C, he began a History of Art degree at Scotland's oldest university, St Andrews.

The prince has had to endure the break up of his parents' marriage and the sudden death of his mother in August 1997.

video
News report: "Diana was determined to keep up her public appearances"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

http://news.bbc.co.uk

1977: Princess Anne gives birth to Master Phillips

Princess Anne has given birth to a boy - the first royal baby to be born a commoner for more than 500 years.
Both baby and mother are said to be in good health.

Princess Anne was driven to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London at 0400 on Tuesday by her husband, Captain Mark Phillips.

He was with the princess when their son was born less than six hours later at 1046 in the hospital's maternity unit.

The royal gynaecologist, George Pinker, was also at the birth.

But fortunately for the princess the tradition requiring a government minister to witness royal births was ended before the birth of Prince Charles.

The name of the child, who weighed 71b 9oz, has not yet been announced.

Shortly afterwards the princess telephoned her mother with the news and Captain Phillips rang his parents in Great Somerford in Wiltshire where the church bells were rung in celebration.

Official announcements of the birth were posted on the railings of Buckingham Palace and the Home Office in Whitehall.

A 41-gun salute was fired at the Tower of London to welcome the baby, who is fifth in line to the throne.

He was born plain Master Phillips because, in spite of being the Queen's daughter, Princess Anne possesses no hereditary title.

Both the princess and her husband are said to have rejected an offer from the Queen of titles which would have enabled their children to be born into the peerage.

The Queen was among the first to visit her daughter and new grandson in a private wing of the hospital.

She smiled broadly and waved to a crowd of about 200 people as she arrived.

Speaking to reporters as he left after visiting his wife and new son, Captain Phillips said he was "relieved it's all over and very pleased".

On being asked what his son was like Captain Phillips replied: "About the same as any other baby I should think".

In Context
The baby was named Peter Mark Andrew Phillips.
He was joined by a sister - Zara Anne Elizabeth - in 1981.

They are the Queen's only untitled grandchildren.

Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips divorced in 1992.

The princess married Commander Timothy Laurence - who once served as an equerry to the Queen - later the same year.

Captain Phillips remarried in 1997 and had a daughter, with his new wife, a former Olympic horse rider.

The baby, Stephanie, was Captain Phillips' third daughter - he fathered an illegitimate child during his marriage to Princess Anne.

video
Larry Harris: "The baby will be plain Master Phillips

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

1974: Kidnap attempt on Princess Anne

Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips have escaped an apparent kidnap attempt in which four people were wounded.
The royal couple were returning to Buckingham Palace along Pall Mall when their chauffer-driven Rolls-Royce was forced to halt by another car which blocked their route.

A man appeared from a light coloured vehicle and fired six shots, all of which it is said were not directed at the royal couple, but left four people in hospital.

Undergoing surgery

The Princess' private detective Inspector James Beaton fired at the man before he was wounded and the chauffer Alex Callender, one of the Queen's senior drivers, was also injured.

They have both now been taken to Westminster Hospital were they are understood to be undergoing surgery.

A police officer who heard the shots and attended was hit in the stomach and a man passing in a taxi was also wounded.

Rowena Brassey, the Princess's Lady-in-waiting, was also present when the man jumped out and opened fire before trying to jump into the Princess' vehicle.

A police officer chased the man and brought him to the ground before arresting him.

The Princess is said to be shocked but not injured in any way.

The couple had been returning to Buckingham Palace from a charity film screening in the City.

The incident raises concerns as to how the precise whereabouts of two members of the Royal Family would be known to a member of the public.

The man has been charged and taken into custody for questioning and is expected to appear before magistrates tomorrow.

Police say it is too early to determine if the man was working alone or part of an organisation but they said it did not appear to be politically motivated.

The Queen and Prince Philip are currently on a state visit to Indonesia but have been informed of the attack.

In Context
It soon emerged the shooting was an attempted kidnap on Princess Anne to hold her to ransom when a letter penned by the assailant addressed to Queen Elizabeth was found demanding £3m for her release.
Ian Ball, 26, was prosecuted for the attempted murder of the princess's detective, and various offences under the Offences Against the Person Act.

Ball was sentenced to life imprisonment and placed in a mental hospital.

His attempt to kidnap Princess Anne remains the closest attempt anyone has made on abducting a member of the Royal Family.

videoThe BBC's Don Anderson: "The site examination isn't yet complete"

Josefine · Jul 25, 2003

1988: Prince Andrew becomes a father

The Duke and Duchess of York have announced the birth of their first child.
Prince Andrew's wife gave birth to a daughter at approximately 2000 BST at the Portland Hospital in central London.

The as-yet-unnamed baby, whose title is the Princess of York, weighed 6lb 12 oz.

Celebrations began as soon as details of the birth were posted on the gates of Buckingham Palace in keeping with tradition.

An impromptu street party was held outside the hospital held by crowds waiting for news.

The baby is the Queen's fifth grandchild and fifth in line to the throne.

In Context
The birth of the Princess of York was met by 41-gun salutes at Hyde Park and Tower Green.
The princess was not named for a few days - bookmakers were taking bets at odds of 3-1 on Victoria or Annabel, 4-1 on Elizabeth and 8-1 on Georgina or Georgiana.

The child was finally named Beatrice Elizabeth Mary.

On 23 March 1990 Princess Beatrice gained a sister when Princess Eugenie Victoria Helena was born, also at the Portland Hospital.

video
Triona Holden: "The smile said it all"

Josefine · Sep 4, 2003

HRH Prince Charles. Website

British Royal Family Official Website

mybags · Oct 28, 2003

Official Website of Prince Michael of Kent

http://www.princemichael.org.uk/

laskaris · Jan 16, 2004

Visit http://clubs.pathfinder.gr/greekcanadianclub

Claire · Jan 26, 2004

Here is a site for the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Louise.

http://housewessex.tollfreepage.com

Martine · Apr 12, 2004

Here's my site on Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie !!! Hope you all like it!

http://eb.teamhighgrove.com

Alexandria · Apr 12, 2004

Originally posted by Martine@Apr 12th, 2004 - 2:17 pm
Here's my site on Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie !!! Hope you all like it!

http://eb.teamhighgrove.com

Thanks for sharing the link to your site, Martine. It is a wonderful and very current site on the York sisters and well worth a look at.

Martine · Apr 12, 2004

Originally posted by Alexandria+Apr 12th, 2004 - 1:28 pm--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Alexandria @ Apr 12th, 2004 - 1:28 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Martine@Apr 12th, 2004 - 2:17 pm
Here's my site on Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie !!! Hope you all like it!

http://eb.teamhighgrove.com

Thanks for sharing the link to your site, Martine. It is a wonderful and very current site on the York sisters and well worth a look at. [/b][/quote]
thanks :flower:

georgegareth · Apr 18, 2004

Just to let you all know that I've been running a Yahoo fan group about Princess Anne, for the purpose of gathering together all of the best pictures of the lovely Princess Royal in one place.

You can find the Group here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/princess-anne

Feel free to join and add any photos you may have. As you'll see, we have a lot.

Georgia · May 19, 2004

I know I've asked before (I just can't find the forum I asked!) but Corbis doesn't seem to work for me. Do you have to register and if so does it cost money?

glossypinky · Jul 21, 2004

micas · Jul 21, 2004

Simply amaizing :clap:

Thousand kiss :winkiss:

sara1981 · Jul 21, 2004

glossypinky,

which new article and video? its same old article and video? but i wanted know?

Sara Boyce

theroyalchef · Aug 11, 2004

www.theroyalchef.com

Hi,
Just wanted to share with you my new website. Hope you like it.

Darren McGrady,
former personal Chef to Diana, Princess of Wales and H.M. the Queen

www.theroyalchef.com

YangPoW · Aug 12, 2004

could u give some videos that can be downloaded?
just because can't open these

marina18 · Aug 13, 2004

just try a couple of times, it will work if you keep trying!
Marina

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