The Steadfast Consort

My friend Thomas Moore Sr., also known as The Anglophile, has the full text of a good piece from the Daily Mail about Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen's husband of 63 years. The article precedes the broadcast of an interview, Prince Philip at 90 (which will be shown on ITV1 at 8pm on Tuesday, May 24). Interviewer Alan Titchmarsh, spoke with the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle last week in anticipation of his birthday, June 10.

Reported highlights from the interview include the Duke's admission that it was difficult to leave behind naval career when his wife became Queen but he was determined to be dutiful if his role as consort. It cannot have been easy. 

"Well, I mean, how long is a piece of string? I don’t know how difficult it was, it was naturally disappointing. I had just been promoted to commander and the fact was that the most interesting part of my naval career was just starting. But then equally, if I stopped and thought about it, being married to the Queen, it seemed to me my first duty was to serve her in the best way I could."

And serve Queen and Country he has, despite the ups and downs faced in any life, even the most privileged. The Duke has been criticized extensively in his life and perhaps not all unfairly. During the interview, Alan Titchmarsh asks the Duke whether there is anything in his life that he would have done differently,

"Well yes, I would rather have not made the mistakes I did make, but I'm not telling you what they were."

Instead we will consider the Duke of Edinburgh as we should all like to be considered, for the best of his deeds.

Still the Biggest Star

While P-Middy may be the girl of the moment, fashionista Hilary Alexander reminds us that Her Majesty Elizabeth II is more than simply Queen of the Realm. She is, at age 85, still setting fashion trends.

"Launer London has seen a 60 per cent increase in sales of more traditional styles since The Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey carrying a cream leather handbag hand-made by the luxury heritage brand and royal warrant holder... The Royal Wedding, the handbag's first public appearance, has generated a wave of must-have envy amongst younger customers. In sharp contrast to Launer's appeal amongst the 50-plus establishment; 20 per cent of the sales increase has been caused by stylish women in the 35-50 age bracket."

We hope Pippa's increased celebrity doesn't turn her pretty head and offer this gentle reminder, the brightest and longest-burning stars shine from within. 

Diana's Real Legacy

Writer A.N. Wilson takes apart the new "documentary" film, Unlawful Killing. Here are some highlights:

"Of course, a documentary film that said Princess Diana died as a result of a tragic accident is not going to be as exciting as one that repeats the old conspiracy theory that she was murdered as a cover-up by the so-called Establishment.  The film overlooks the fact that British taxpayers spent £12 million in 2008 because Dodi’s father Mohamed Fayed refused to accept the verdict of two inquests. After 250 witnesses had been called, not a shred of evidence was presented that made anyone believe the deaths were anything other than an accident."

 

"In the film, Haseler makes the ridiculous claim that no judge would tell the truth about the death of Diana because judges have all sworn oaths of loyalty to the Queen. Let me repeat: the French police and a French coroner — who had not sworn oaths of loyalty to the Queen — concluded that the reason for Diana and Dodi Fayed’s deaths was simple: Henri Paul, their chauffeur, was blind drunk. This verdict was repeated by two British inquests. The cases were heard by coroners and not by judges who had somehow sworn to a royal cover-up."

"The true legacy of Diana is not to be found in comments she made when she was in the desperate state of misery that marital collapse brings to any of us who have undergone it. No, her real legacy, as she would have always been the first to say, is ‘her boys’, two delightful young men whom the British public have taken to their heart."

Go here for the full article.

Country Living

Horses are wonderful animals. I love them and I love to ride. There's a particular feeling one can only have on a horse and it is a supremely good thing. This photograph of the Queen with her grandchildren, shows that good feeling very well. Don't they look happy? So sweet.

James, Viscount Severn, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Lady Louise Windsor 

Speaking of  favorite royals - Zara Phillips is currently featured on the "girls in pearls" page of Country Life. 

Wonderfully  accomplished and independent, Zara has eschewed pearls for a fleece jacket from her ZP176 line of Musto clothing. The handsome fellow next to the bride-to-be is her dog, Storm. He looks very noble, doesn't he?

You can read more here and here.

Off and Away

According to the Daily Mail, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have left for their honeymoon (maybe) on a remote island in the Seychelles (perhaps).

They report the prince leaving Anglesey in Wales followed by a police car piled with luggage and that he has taken two weeks leave from his job as a search and rescue pilot.  "We are not confirming and we are not commenting on speculation on where they may be going on their private honeymoon, we are just confirming that they have gone," said a spokesman from St. James Palace.

When they return the prince will be going to the Falkland Islands for ten weeks of additional flight training without his new wife, "Partners are banned from joining those serving in the South Atlantic, so Kate is unable to travel with William to the remote post." 


I hope they have the private honeymoon they are hoping for - bon voyage, be safe.

New Film, Old Story - Update

The Daily Mail has published an article with more information about the film, Unlawful Killing. The film is set to screen this Friday, May 13, in Cannes.


This whole thing is dreadfully misguided.  

Similar But Not the Same

While we're on the subject of coincidence (please see the previous post) - there's this poor lass, Clare Cushman. Clare is up in arms because "Waity Katie stole [her] dress!". Really? Really.

At least this explains how of the Duchess of Cambridge kept the highly prized details of her wedding gown top secret: she cleverly sought out and copied an off-the-rack dress from Kleinfeld's Bridal shop in Brooklyn, NY, bought in 1991, on sale. Yes, that sounds highly likely, doesn't it? 

As I mentioned to Mr. Fizz when he sent me this item, both women also have brown hair. And Clare's husband and Prince William are both men... Perhaps we've found the topic for Keith Allen's next film- Unlawful Copy.