Queen Zara and the Windsor Weather Girls
Royal cousins Zara, Beatrice and Eugenie unite for William
It was Team Windsor this week, as a band of very glamorous Weather Girls dazzled in the damp, as they came out in force at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party.
And their undisputed queen was Our Fair Lady, Zara Tindall, who looked glorious in her Laura Green London white shirt dress, £1,500 and Eliza Doolittle-esque pink straw hat. She also employed a canny trick for her pretty pink suede Emmy London shoes, £495, adding plastic heel protectors for the soggy lawn.
“I’m so sorry for you guys,” she said to attendees, huddled under brollies. “Everyone’s going to get home and be so ill, you’re so cold.”
Zara was at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday, which was hosted by Prince William, on behalf of the King. She was joined by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who also looked marvellous in pink and white Beulah London and Ulla Johnson dresses, respectively.
“Come rain or shine, I was delighted to support my family yesterday to meet some special individuals at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities and the country,” Eugenie posted on Instagram. And the feeling was mutual, as most commentators were delighted to see the pair appearing for their family and hoped to see them take up more duties, while Catherine continues to recuperate.
They were all there, supporting Prince William, who, it’s reported, invited them, along with Peter Phillips and Mike Tindall. It was great to see the cousins – who all get along really well – turn out in force to show their support for William. We hope to see more of it, in the future.
George and William win our hearts at FA Cup Final
Manchester United may have lifted the historic FA Cup with a 2-1 win over their hometown rivals Manchester City, but it was Prince George in his mini-me suit and tie who won our hearts.
Making a surprise appearance at London’s Wembley Stadium for Saturday’s FA Cup Final, the ten year old joined his dad in the Royal Box to watch the game. The two football-loving royals, who are big Aston Villa fans, looked delighted to meet the players after the game. In fact, George beamed when he met Jack Grealish, former Villa and now City player. As the Football Association President, William handed out the medals and the trophy, while a confident George shook hands with players and managers from both sides.
With a UK general election announced for 4 July, this will be one of the few official engagements carried out by members of the Royal Family during the election campaign. In a statement last week Buckingham Palace said: “The Royal Family will - in accordance with normal procedure - postpone engagements that may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign. Their Majesties send their sincere apologies to any of those who may be affected as a result.”
It’s Catherine, but not as you know her
First, we had the King’s fiery portrait, now it’s Catherine’s turn, as this week, Tatler magazine launched its latest issue, with a painting of the Princess of Wales as its cover by artist Hannah Uzor. It’s fair to say the reaction was not positive, as The Telegraph art critic labelled it, “intolerably bad”.
Kerry wrote an opinion piece about it for The Sunday Telegraph. According to Tatler, it’s “a portrait of strength and dignity”. According to the online comments, it’s “so awful, it’s disrespectful.”
As for our opinion? Admittedly Uzor – who painted it from Catherine’s video message about her cancer diagnosis - doesn’t seem to have quite captured the princess’ face. Without her formal gown and insignia, you’d have no idea who she was. But it’s the artist’s vision, after all.
Charles crowned ‘King of Compost’
The King and Queen visited the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, where keen gardener Charles was very amused to be called “King of the Compost’, and Camilla revealed she was a Bridgerton fan.
At the No Adults Allowed Garden, co-designed by London’s Sullivan Primary schoolchildren, Charles was given his ‘King of the Compost’ badge. “Quite right!” he laughed, while beekeeping Camilla was given a “Queen of Bees’ badge.
“Are you trying to grow vegetables?” Charles asked some of the children. “There’s nothing more fun than eating something you have grown. You should try it. It makes such a difference. It tastes so different.”
Camilla also toured a Bridgerton-inspired garden, revealing she was a fan of the Netflix blockbuster, saying: “I watched the first lot.”
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent joined Their Majesties, as well as Camilla’s daughter, Laura Lopes with her husband Harry, Camilla’s sister, Annabel Elliot, and the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Taking over from the late Queen, Charles’ patronage of The Royal Horticultural Society was announced recently.
Fergie fires off at Cannes
The indomitable Duchess of York had quite the week at the Cannes Film Festival, During one of her appearances, Sarah gave both barrels to an unruly audience at the AmFAR Gala, while helping to auction a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Can’t say we blame her, either.
The video, posted by guest and model Heidi KIum, shows the Duchess telling the crowd off and berating them about climate change. Struggling to be heard over the noise, she told them to “stop, stop, stop” and insisted they be “quiet”.
Sarah said: “Did you see I removed the microphone, because all of you are saying ‘I want to go, because where is the next party? What are we meant to be doing next?’ But what I want to say is why are we here? What is the future and why are we not making our planet better for the youth of tomorrow,”
Other guests at the gala held at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d’Antibes, near Cannes, included Demi Moore and Cher. Sarah did successfully auction off Chris Levine’s image of late Queen, raising £404,892 towards AIDS research.
Happy 1st Birthday, Ernest!
We love a royal baby and the youngest one (so far), Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank will be celebrating his first birthday this Thursday. Ernie is the second son of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank and has a big brother, August (Augie to his nearest and dearest).