The Royal Correspondent

On January 8, 2012, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the U.K. film première of Steven Spielberg’s WWI drama, War Horse, held at Odeon Leicester Square in London. Also in attendance were Jeremy Irvine, Miranda Richardson, Celine Buckens, Steven Spielberg, and 600 serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families, as well as beneficiaries of military charities.

Adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s novel the film chronicles the unique bond between a dude named Albert and his loyal horse, Joey:

As Albert tames and trains, Joey, they are forcefully parted.  The film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets-British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter-before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.

Any way, despite the rain every one looked fabulous as they strolled the red carpet and seemed to have had a wonderful time… until the movie was over.  I have no doubt the people watching the film cried their eyes out.  If you haven’t seen War Horse, well, be prepared to cry.  If you had a hard time watching the film Bambi — especially the scene where Bambi’s Mom died — well you might have a hard time watching War Horse.

To watch a video as well as to view photos please click the links below:

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Source: Variety and Press Association

Photo courtesy of Daylife/Gavan

After months of speculation regarding which partonages the Duchess of Cambridge would take on the long-awaited news was finally announced by Clarence House.

CNN’s Max Foster has all the details so click the link below to watch his video news report.  

Duchess Reveals Charities She’ll Support

On December 19, 2011, T.R.H.s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with H.R.H. Prince Harry of Wales attended the Sun Military Awards held at the Imperial War Museum in London, England.

The purpose of the event was to honor British troops.  Prior to the ceremony the royal trio mingled with servicemen and women during a reception.  The awards ceremony, also known as the Millies or Night of Heroes, was also attended by David Beckham, accompanied by sons Brooklyn and Romeo, plus others including Gordon Ramsay, Jimmy Carr, and Frank Lampard and his girlfriend Christine Bleakley.

Prince Harry, who recently returned from America where he was undertaking the final phases of his Apache helicopter training, described the members of the armed forces assembled as “…inspirational role models to all young Britons…”

In a speech to guests at the event he also spoke of his own military career:

I am a young Army officer, a serving soldier. Like my brother, I share many of the same hopes, the same aspirations to go on operations, and the same fears as all those who serve our Queen and country.

By an accident of birth, though, it falls to 564673 Captain Wales humbly to express – on behalf of my comrades-in-arms and people up and down the country – the admiration we feel for the extraordinary men and women we honour here tonight.

It’s often said of our armed forces that they are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Well, I don’t entirely buy that. Ordinary people don’t run out under withering enemy rocket and heavy machine gun fire to rescue a wounded comrade.

Ordinary people don’t brave monsoon conditions dangling on a winch line to rescue 13 people, each in turn.

To view photos please click here.

Source: Press Association

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/A.Edwards

On November 10, 2011, T.R.H.s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a gala dinner at St. James’s Palace in London, England for the charity, National Memorial Arboretum Appeal.

The National Memorial Arboretum Appeal was launched in April 2009 by its Patron, The Duke of Cambridge, to develop the Arboretum into a world-renowned centre for Remembrance and to ensure that there are necessary facilities for the 300,000 visiting families, servicemen and women, veterans and members of the public each year.

To view photos please click the links below:

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Source and photo courtesy of: Daylife/WPA/Pool

On November 2, 2011, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their first overseas humanitarian trip when they visited the UNICEF Aid Depot in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The royal duo were accompanied by T.R.H.s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark when they toured the facility and to help pack food as well as medical supplies that would help over 13 million starving people in drought ridden East Africa. During their visit the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also had a private lunch at the crown princely couple’s home, Frederik’s VIII Slot, where they probably had a fabulous time.

To watch videos as well as to view a myriad of photos please click the links below:

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If you would like to help those in East Africa please visit the official website for UNICEF here.  Or, please visit EastAfricaCrisis.org.

Video Report from UNICEF

Source: AFP

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/J. Mitchell

Finally!  On October 26, 2011, H.R.H. The Duchess of Cambridge attended a private dinner for the charity, In Kind Direct, held at Clarence House… this was her first “solo” engagement that many royal watchers have waited for.  According to the official website for In Kind Direct the Duchess:

…stepped in for The Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales was unable to attend owing to a trip to Saudi Arabia to present his condolences to the Saudi Arabian Royal Family following the death of The Crown Prince. source

To learn more about this charity please click here.  To view photos please click here.  

In case you are wondering who designed her dress… I have no idea.  Don’t care.  The event is more important than her outfit, in my opinion.

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/Reuters/Clarence House/P. Burns

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in Sutton, Surrey this afternoon to open a new children’s cancer center at the Royal Marsden Hospital.  To watch a video from today’s event as well as to read an article please click here.  To view photos please click here. 

Photo courtesy of: Daylife/K.Wigglesworth/AFP

Here is the documentary, Kate & William: Romance & the Royals, with your host the epic historian, Dr. David Starkey.

• Part One 
• Part Two 

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were recently seen walking hand and hand through Holyrood Park in Scotland looking content as well as relaxed.  To view photos please Click here.  

Meanwhile, the American magazine, US, spotted the Duchess shopping at her local super market in North Wales this afternoon.  Click here to view a gallery of photos.

On July 22, 2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Cambridge previewed the exhibit, The Royal Wedding Dress: A Story of Great British Design, in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

Besides the Duchess’s wedding dress being the main focal point of the exhibit, other items on display include the bride’s bouquet, shoes, earrings, veil, and the glorious Cartier Halo tiara which was loaned to the Duchess by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To watch a video please click the link here.  To purchase tickets and to view some of the items please click here.  To view photos please click the link here. 

Photos courtesy of: Daylife/Reuters/John Stillwell/Pool