Ella Kay

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Will Secret British Royal Wills Be Unsealed?

  July 27, 2009 at 6:55 pm by

The BBC reports that the question of the legality of sealing of royal wills, which has been raised several times over recent years, is being considered by a panel of judges. The privilege is unique to the royals — normally British wills are a matter of public record. The practice of sealing the wills was brought to public attention by Robert Brown (pictured at right), a man who claims that … Continue reading →

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New British Military Medal Named for Queen Elizabeth

  July 2, 2009 at 4:21 pm by

For the first time since the George Cross in 1940, a new medal of honor for fallen British military men and women will be named for a reigning monarch. The Elizabeth Cross, named for HM The Queen, will be awarded to the families of British military men and women killed in active duty from World War II to the present. Those killed in terrorist attacks will also be eligible for … Continue reading →

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Organic Garden Blossoming at Buckingham Palace

  June 24, 2009 at 3:37 pm by

Back when HM The Queen was still just HRH The Princess Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace sported its own “victory” vegetable garden allotment as a way to economize during the rationing days of the Second World War. Now, following in the footsteps of American First Lady Michelle Obama’s White House garden, a new vegetable patch has been planted at Buckingham Palace. The allotment is located in the “Yard Bed” section of the … Continue reading →

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Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Turns Eighty-Eight

  June 10, 2009 at 1:19 pm by

Happy birthday to HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who turns 88 years old today! Prince Philip was born HRH Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark on the Greek island of Corfu on June 10, 1921. His entrance into the world was rather unusual for a royal prince: he was born on a kitchen table at the Mon-Repos Palace. Not long after his birth, his family fled from Greece … Continue reading →

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Princess Eugenie on Football Charity Outing

  June 3, 2009 at 2:52 pm by

HRH Princess Eugenie of York returned to royal duties after her gap year travels last week, conducting a day of football-themed charitable engagements. Eugenie partnered with Sir David Tang, a family friend, to bring young members of the Hong Kong Down’s Syndrome Association’s Dragon Football Team to Chelsea Football Club’s Stamford Bridge. On the pitch, the young football enthusiasts met with one of England’s most famous players, midfielder Frank Lampard. … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Visit Northern Ireland

  May 11, 2009 at 3:59 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh made a three-day visit to Northern Ireland last week. The royal couple visited many locations during their tour, including the Lisneal College dental room in Londonderry, the Police Rehabilitation and Retaining Trust in Holywood, the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency in Bangor, and the McWilliam Gallery in Bainbridge. The Queen met at Hillsborough Castle with President Mary McAleese of Ireland, spurring … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Marks 250th Anniversary of Kew Gardens

  May 6, 2009 at 6:53 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on May 5 as a part of the gardens’ 250th annivesary celebrations. While at Kew, The Queen planted a Gingko tree, something both she and The Duke have done before. The tree that Prince Philip planted in 1959 still stands, but The Queen’s tree was washed away in 1987. The royal couple also viewed exhibits … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Visit WWII Museum

  May 2, 2009 at 12:30 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited Portsmouth on April 30 to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s D-Day Museum. One of the exhibits that the couple viewed at the museum was an embroidered wall hanging that charts the events of June 6, 1944. The Queen was said to have paid special attention to the section of the embroidery that featured her father, King George VI, … Continue reading →

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Princess Eugenie Makes a Splash in Thailand

  April 15, 2009 at 8:40 am by

HRH Princess Eugenie of York continued her ’round-the-world’ gap year adventure this week in Thailand, where she was caught by paparazzi while palling around with a group of friends on the beach. Eugenie sported a patriotic bikini-style swimsuit — but one that echoed the American flag, not the British Union Jack. Though her bodyguards were not captured in any of the photos, it is certain that they were close by. … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Receives US President at Buckingham Palace

  April 1, 2009 at 5:55 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh had a private meeting on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace with American President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The four met first in front of cameras at the Palace before having tea privately. As a gesture of goodwill, the couples exchanged gifts. The Obamas received a signed photo of The Queen and The Duke in a silver frame, a standard … Continue reading →

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Mexican President Calderón Makes State Visit to Britain

  March 30, 2009 at 3:17 pm by

President Calderón of Mexico, and his wife, Margarita Zavala, have arrived to Buckingham Palace today for a state visit ahead of the upcoming G20 Summit in London. The Queen and Prince Philip greeted their visitors in style with a pomp-filled parade at Horseguards near the Mall. President Calderón’s state visit is the first by a Mexican head of state to Britain in almost 25 years; President Miguel de la Madrid’s … Continue reading →

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Princess Eugenie’s Travel Plans Changed over Security Fears

  March 16, 2009 at 4:51 pm by

HRH Princess Eugenie of York, who is currently taking a gap year after finishing at Marlborough College, has reportedly been forced to scrap plans for a South American trip because of fears for her security. Princess Eugenie, who has a personal royal protection officer, was in Mumbai days before gunmen targeted tourists there in 2008.  Her father, HRH The Duke of York, is apparently worried for his daughter’s continued safety … Continue reading →

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The Duke of Edinburgh Visits Britain’s Oldest Floating Warship

  March 8, 2009 at 7:36 pm by

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh traveled to Hartlepool on March 6 to pay a visit to the HMS Trincomalee, the oldest floating warship in Britain. The Duke is the patron of the ship’s trust. The Duke’s visit was timed to coincide with the opening of a new exhibit on the three-masted ship, “Worlds of Trincomalee.” The HMS Trincomalee was finished in 1817 in Bombay, commissioned in 1812 by the Royal … Continue reading →

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Princess Beatrice Makes Film Debut in “The Young Victoria”

  March 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm by

Sarah, Duchess of York and her two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attend the premiere of The Young Victoria this week, a new film that explores the early romance and marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The Duchess of York is one of the producers of the film, which stars Emily Blunt as Victoria and Rupert Friend as Albert. Princess Beatrice makes her film debut in the movie in … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Opens Hull Interchange

  March 7, 2009 at 12:00 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited Hull on March 5 to unveil a plaque at the new Paragon Interchange in the city. The royal couple arrived in Hull by Royal Train and participated in several events during their visit. They went on a walkabout in the city centre, met members of new Premier League team Hull City FC, and talked with Hull locals who experienced the … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Opens New British Legion Headquarters

  March 2, 2009 at 4:20 pm by

HM The Queen visited south London on Friday, February 27, to open the new headquarters for the Royal British Legion. While at the new location, The Queen met with veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families who have been helped by the Legion. The Royal British Legion is a charitable organization that supplies aid to British military personnel who are serving or have served in branches … Continue reading →

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Princess Eugenie Parties after Memorial Unveiling

  February 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm by

It must have been a very long day Tuesday for HRH Princess Eugenie of York, daughter of HRH The Duke of York, who was snapped leaving trendy London nightclub Boujis at four o’clock on Wednesday morning after attending the unveiling of her great-grandmother’s new memorial earlier the previous day. The young princess apparently didn’t even have time to change her dress, as she was wearing the same polka-dot frock outside … Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth Meets Britain’s Paralympians

  February 25, 2009 at 10:28 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception Wednesday at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the achievements of Great Britain’s paralympic athletes. The British paralympic team took second place in the medal count at last year’s game, just behind the Chinese host team. They earned medals in sports as diverse as dressage and swimming, taking home around thirty gold medals on the whole. Also attending the reception … Continue reading →

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The British Royal Family Assembles To Unveil Queen Mother Memorial

  February 24, 2009 at 5:59 pm by

HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and nearly all of the members of the British royal family turned out on the Mall today to unveil the new memorial statue of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. The statue, which depicts The Queen Mum wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter, was placed just below the memorial statue to her late husband, King George VI. Two bronze … Continue reading →

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The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh Make University Visit

  February 21, 2009 at 8:19 pm by

HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh carried out a royal engagement at the Brentford Campus of Thames Valley University in Hounslow on February 20. The pair was on hand to open a new teaching facility for the university, which is renowned for its music programs and counts famous artists like Freddie Mercury, Pete Townshend, and Jay Kay among its alumni. The new facility will house, among other … Continue reading →

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