The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester Current Events 2: January 2006-

[iceflower]

The Duke of Gloucester has been to South Africa at the beginning of this month:

Here are two pics: South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, is escorted by the Duke of Gloucester, right, after he was admitted to the rank of the Knight of the most venerable Order of St. John at St. George's Cathedral in Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, May, 10, 2007. Mbeki was selected for his high honour points to the pivotal role he has played in transforming people's lives in South Africa and the African continent. (AP Photo/Obed Zilwa)

Pic 1
Pic 2

[iceflower]

The Duke of Gloucester opened a school some days ago,
here's a --> pic and the article together with a video as well:

WINGRAVE welcomed HRH Duke of Gloucester as the MacIntyre School was officially opened last week

[iceflower]

Not only the Queen and Prince Philip have been at the Epson Derby on Saturday,
the Duchess of Gloucester was seen there as well:

The Duchess arriving at the Epsom Derby 02/06/07----> Pic

[iceflower]

The Duchess of Gloucester attends the quarter final match at the tennis tournament of Rolland Garros French Open on June 6, 2007 in Paris France. Ryan/Getty Images -----> Pic

[Avalon]

Didn't have the chance to say it earlier, but thank you very much for all the lovely pictures of the Duchess, Iceflower!
Especially for the Roland Garros one - the Duke and Duchess of Glouster are known for their love of tennis.


And two pictures from the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Afghanistan on June 5, 2007. The Duke was briefed on military operations by members of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment during the visit. His Royal Highness is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment.

The Duke of Gloucester 1 ; The Duke of Gloucester 2

It's wonderful to see that the Duke is regarding his role as Colonel-in-Chief very seriously and is actively interested in the life of its soldiers.

[CasiraghiTrio]

The Duchess in April at the Lawn Tennis Association National tennis centre (Majesty/own collection)
Here she fulfilled a joint engagement with The Queen and presented HM with a deep and impressive curtsy. She also wore a rather interesting headpiece. I'm not sure what it's called. Can it be called a hat? It is like a hybrid of hat and turban. The shade of blue is wonderful on her.
The photo is a two-part: The Duchess on the left, and Lord and Lady Nick Windsor on the right, attending a charity gala in Chelsea.

[lucien]

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester turns 61 today.

[CasiraghiTrio]

This couple are so great, but they are also very lowkey. Even though they undertake royal engagements, they are never seen with the senior royals privately except at horse races. I wish they were more 'in the fold' so to speak. I suppose for weekend and season vacations, they go to Barnwell Manor or a resort overseas, but it would be so cool to see them at Sandringham just one Christmas, or going to Balmoral with the Queen's family in August/September, just once. Of course, if I saw it happen once, I'd want it again!

[CasiraghiTrio]

The Duke of Gloucester is in Essex today, visiting the Copped Hall Trust in Epping and opening a new bldg. for the St John's C of E Primary School at Buckhurst Hill.

The Duchess has been going to the Wimbledon matches this week, on the 3rd of July she was there with the Duke of Kent, and other dignitaries. I imagine one of those days she might have seen Kate Middleton there, even. Not that the Duchess would give much notice to Kate Middleton, but obviously the paparazzi would..

The Duke has been busy this week. He had an engagement on Sunday, in Ulster, to honor the Somme anniversary, so I gather he missed the concert that day. Next day, he traveled to Horsham for visiting Christ's Hospital, which is lucky to have him as President.

Tuesday, he attended the Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park, which the Countess of Wessex opened on Sunday. I think the Countess attended the show all four days.

[iceflower]

Here are two nice portrait pictures of the Duchess and the Duke of Gloucester, I had not seen before

Portrait 1

Portrait 2

[sophie25]

Big eighties hair, yuk!

[Duke of Windsor]

Wow. Big Eighties hair indeed! But they look very regal - does anyone know what the "Star" necklace thing is, that the Duke's wearing in portrait two? It looks heavy!
Patrick.

[sophie25]

It's the insignia of the Order of St. John.

[Avalon]

The Duchess of Gloucester meets veterans Henry Allingham (left) and William Stone (right) at the Not Forgotten Association's annual Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 16 July 2007. Mr Allingham is the oldest surviving British veteran of the First World War at the age of 111, whilst Mr Stone, aged 106, is the last known UK based veteran to have served in both the First and Second World Wars.


Posted with the permission of the copyright holder - "Buckingham Palace Press Office"


The Duke of Gloucester meets serving members of the Armed Forces at the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 16 July 2007.


posted with the permission of the copyright holder - "Buckingham Palace Press Office"

[iceflower]

Thanks a lot for posting the newest pics, Avalon, the Duchess looked fresh and lovely, strong colours
she has chosen for her flower dress , nice for that occasion It's impressing how old these
two gentlemen are, their experiences made them quite strong..

[CasiraghiTrio]

That pic of her meeting Allingham is awesome. Thanks, Avalon! She met him last year too, he was 110 years old, I had no idea he was still alive! hehe, but of course it's good news! I found the full-text speech she delivered three years ago (I don't know where to post it, besides here?)

The Duchess of Gloucester, addressing the Royal Alexandra and Albert School, on Founders Day, 9 May 2004
http://www.raa-school.co.uk/founders_day_2004_hrh.asp

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by Duke of Windsor

Wow. Big Eighties hair indeed! But they look very regal - does anyone know what the "Star" necklace thing is, that the Duke's wearing in portrait two? It looks heavy!
Patrick.

Haha, but even the Duchess's hair in the eighties was quite small compared to many people's! I've always loved the way she styles her hair, so neat and cute. For the Duke, I think his "star" on his cravat or something is his GCVO, and the two orders he wears on the jacket are the Garter and the St John, aren't they?

[sophie25]

He didn't have the Garter when that picture was taken. The cross at his neck is the insignia of Grand Prior of the Order of St. John. The top star is his Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and the lower cross is the other part of the insignia of St. John.

[CasiraghiTrio]

Originally Posted by angela

He didn't have the Garter when that picture was taken. The cross at his neck is the insignia of Grand Prior of the Order of St. John. The top star is his Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and the lower cross is the other part of the insignia of St. John.

Oh yes, you're right, he got the Garter in like 1995 or thereabouts, right? Was it 1998? Anyway, don't worry about answering, as it's easily enough to find on his official bio or good ol' Wiki. At first I thought the cross thing at his neck looked like a Bath order, but actually, he never got that one, did he?
I'm sure the Bath will be his next one, maybe when he turns 70!

[LOSSEAN]

What a wonderful thing to have a Not Forgotten Association and to see another of my favourite Royal Couple the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The beautiful Duchess seems to be having an enjoyable time with the two war veterans. It's really great to see the honour which the senior members of the Royal Family accord these valiant men.