Prince Harry
Harry went to the rugby match between England and Wales this weekend, as Head Person in Charge: Royals Division of the Rugby Thingie. That is absolutely his official title. This photo is very...appealing.
Prince Harry
I have made up for this year's Lack of Harry thus far by downloading, like, A LOT of Harry for today. YOU'RE WELCOME.
Prince Harry
"What? FOR ME? But I couldn't possi -- okay, I'll take it. This will look great hanging over my bed."
Prince Harry Attends MapAction Briefing Ahead Of Nepal Tour
Interestingly, all of a sudden, KP is giving us photos of people preparing for things, like Harry here, prepping for his Nepal trip. That sounds vaguely snarky, and I don't really mean it that way. I DO think this is a direct reaction to criticisms that he and Wills and Kate don't work enough -- it says, quite neatly, "we do a lot of work that you don't see AND HERE IS SOME OF IT." -- but I also think it's a smart reaction, and this sort of thing is interesting. Obviously, you can't take a photo of Wills, like, typing an email every morning to prove that he's not lolling around in short shorts having Kate drop peeled grapes into his mouth while they both listen to Hamilton over and over again or something, but I think it's sharp to do shoots like this now and then. Also this one involved a LOT of forearms.
Prince Harry Attends MapAction Briefing Ahead Of Nepal Tour
Mmm. Mmmm hmm. Nepal. Sounds fascinating. Tell me more. (I'm terrible. Here's Informative Caption: "Prince Harry attends a briefing by MapAction to learn more about the charity's response to the recent Nepal earthquakes." That's important for real.)
Prince Harry Attends MapAction Briefing Ahead Of Nepal Tour
In terms of further actual facts, I am happy to tell you that Harry's in Nepal from March 19-March 23rd, and I will obviously be bringing you all the deets. (While you have your calendar out, W&K are in India and Bhutan from April 10-16th. I hope to God Kate is knee-deep in Naeem Khan now, trying to figure out what to wear.) Also: more forearms. I can only hope that the heat in India will require MUCH FOREARMS.
Prince Harry and the Choir
We got A LOT of really good late-breaking photos from the Monday Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey, and I could not resist bringing them to you. How great is this photo? OF COURSE Harry goes over and starts chatting up the schoolkids. (Wills and Kate talked to the kids too, but I had to put a cap on downloading SOMEWHERE. I have a photo budget that I am going to want to blow on photos of India, after all.)
The Royal Family Attends The Commonwealth Observance Day Service
HIDEOUS! (Oh, I'm so pleased. I was worried that after Downton ended, I wouldn't have nearly as many opportunities to sarcastically dub something hideous. I have to say, every time I see something like Wabbey, I am amazed by the human brain. How did they even DO THIS? No real machinery, the way we know it. No computers. I know it took forever, but it's just astonishing to me. Other things I love about Westminster Abbey include, as I mentioned in last week's comments section, how many people are passively-aggressively buried next to people they were known to really, really hate. Mary I next to Elizabeth I? THEY HATE EACH OTHER SO MUCH YOU GUYS. I could sincerely spend HOURS looking at where people are buried.)
The Royal Family Attends The Commonwealth Observance Day Service
Speaking of people who obviously hate each other. (Poor Harry back there. Stuck talking to Prince Andrew while these two make heart-eyes at each other.)
The Royal Family Attends The Commonwealth Observance Day Service
I can't remember if I've ever seen this event from this angle. Harry is such a manspreader. (If you're wondering where Chaz and Camz are, Wills and Kate have recently overthrown them. By which I mean, they're on a trip to Serbia and Croatia and Montenegro, which is coming up soon for your viewing pleasure.)
Wills and Kate
This photo amused me. SOMEONE is being an adorable scamp.
The Duke Of Cambridge And Lord Hague Visit London Gateway
Per Informative Caption: "The Duke of Cambridge and Lord Hague visit London Gateway.... The visit is to highlight an agreement that has been reached to crack down on global wildlife trafficking routes with the transport sector." William actually did A TON of stuff this week; in addition to all the events in this round-up, he did a bunch of investitures for the Queen, an event of which I unfortunately don't get interior photos. There was a LONG moment here where I thought this suit on him might be actually BLACK?!?!?!!? But I think it's a super, super dark navy. Right?
The Duke Of Cambridge And William Hague Visit London Gateway
Additionally, I believe I called this. What other headgear can he wear? Let's see. Let's have him and Harry get in the pool and race Great Britain's swim team ahead of the Rio Olympics. Speedos and swim caps required.
Prince William
Informative Caption says, "the signing of a new declaration at Buckingham Palace committing the leaders of the global transportation industry to major steps to fight criminal wildlife trafficking has been hailed by The Duke of Cambridge as 'a game changer in the race against extinction.' " Good for him. Now he needs to come out against hunting, period, and we'll be in business. (I actually am not wholly anti-hunting in certain circumstances; like, say, if you live in Montana and you are eating the deer you kill, although I personally wouldn't be interested in doing it myself. I DO think that his holding onto certain aspects of the posh hunting culture -- presumably because he enjoys going out and shooting grouse or whatever -- is undermining his actually very admirable work here. [PS: I would like to please ask that if we discuss this, that everyone be cool, please -- I know it's a hot button issue. Thanks!])
Wills Visits the Irish Guards
I always find this uniform quite dashing. I hope he at least wore it home, so Kate could enjoy it. If I were her, I would demand this.
Wills Visits the Irish Guards
This is, of course, regimental mascot Irish Hound Domhnall, who I presume is named after Gleeson. I'm always a big fan of a well-dressed hound.
Wills Visits the Irish Guards
These moments always make for very striking photos.
Kate Opens EACH Charity Shops
I really feel that every time a royal officially opens anything, the scissors need to be LARGER and MORE WHIMSICAL than this! (As ever, our friends at What Kate Wore have the deets on this event; in short, Kate's opening a bunch of charity shops which benefit EACH, the East Anglia Children's Hospital, which has long been under her patronage.)
Kate Opens EACH Charity Shops
I enjoy that the dress under her trusty M for Missoni coat is the one she wore when she and Wills left Buck House to go on their honeymoon. Between that, and the fact that she (allegedly) wore a dress on Monday that we last saw her in before they were even married, we are getting some DEEP DIVES from old Middleton this week.
Kate Opens EACH Charity Shops
This hat is actually really cute on her. BUY IT, KATE.
Liz and Phil Attend A Reception For The High Commissioners' Banquet
Speaking of striking! I suppose this IS how one should welcome one's queen when she's popping by for dinner.
Liz and Phil Attend A Reception For The High Commissioners' Banquet
Ahem: "Lord Mayor of the City of London, Jeffrey Mountevans, makes a presentation to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during a reception for the High Commissioners' Banquet to mark Commonwealth Week at the Guildhall." The queen looks lovely in royal purple -- and Prince Phillip is dashing in his tux -- but I mostly want everyone to move so I can look at those stained glass windows! That building is like 900 years old!! LET ME SEE THE WINDOWS.
Liz and Phil Attend A Reception For The High Commissioners' Banquet
"Thanks for dinner or whatever. This gold desk set is FANTASTIC! Love, Elizabeth."
THE LIONS!
I love this for so many reasons. Here, QE2 "officially opens the Land of the Lions exhibit at London Zoo." I enjoy her jaunty hat, but mostly I love the symbolism of having the Queen open the Lion exhibit, given the iconographic symbolism of the lion to England. (And, of course, her mother was a Lyon, which is one of the reasons we made the ruling family in The Royal We the Lyons.)
The Queen of the Jungle
Two queens in one shot here. FYI, "the enclosure will be opened by the Queen and is modeled on the village Sasan Gir in Gujarat, India, where lions and villagers live side by side. It is five times the size of the previous enclosure and facilitates for a breeding group of endangered Asiatic lions, of which only several hundred remain in the wild." I assume...there are no villagers in this one? (Although maybe in her old age, QE2 would like to return to a time when, if irked, she could throw courtiers to the lions.)
Audience with the Queen
Per Informative Caption: "Queen Elizabeth II receives the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Lois Mitchell, and her husband, His Honour Mr Douglas Mitchell." This is for all you Fug Nationals in Alberta! Your Lt.Gov. managed to coordinate this VERY well. I, of course, just enlarged the photo to look at the pictures on these tables. There's definitely a shot from Wills' and Kate's engagement shot with Testino, and I think a variety of old pictures of Phil, back when he was young and super dashing. I assume that whenever her Majesty welcomes her visitors, she picks one and asks, "WASN'T MY HUSBAND A HOTTIE? Anyway, sit down."
The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Croatia
Drinking in Croatia: The Camilla Parker Bowles Story.
The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Croatia
Snacking in Croatia: The Camilla Parker Bowles Story.
Camilla in Croatia
Hat-Shopping in Croatia: The Camilla Parker Bowles Story. (That is sincerely a traditional Croatian hat, which I believe was a gift. It's fantastic and also I hope she wears it to Trooping of the Colour this year.)
The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Croatia
I am delighted that this week's Royals Round-Up has not one, but TWO amazing cathedrals. This is the Osijek Co-Cathedral, it is quite gorgeous, and per Wikipedia, "this is the tallest building in Croatia outside of Zagreb."
Chaz and Camz go to Serbia
Per Informative Caption, "Prince Charles meets with Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and Princess Katherine of Serbia at the White Palace." The White Palace ALSO looks beautiful. The Royal Family of Serbia is, if I understand correctly, not technically an actual thing -- there is not currently recognized crown of Serbia. Wikipedia tells me that Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic "was the last heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and is the current claimant to the abolished throne of Serbia." He also grew up in Great Britain -- he was literally born at Claridges and christened at Westminster Abbey --and QE2 is his godmother, and his sons are in the line of succession for the British throne, so these two are probably old friends. I assume Chaz swans in and sighs, "HOW UNFORTUNATE you don't HAVE a monarchy here. I HAVE ONE." Wiki also tells me that Alex does a lot of humanitarian work and worked against Slobodan Milošević, and is now trying to talk everyone in Serbia into re-establishing the monarchy. THAT IS ALL INTERESTING. Learning!
Katherine is his second wife. They BOTH have kids from their previous marriages. I bet all of the people at this event had a ton to talk about, honestly.
Chaz and Cams in Serbia
This is a BEE HIVE!
Chaz and Cams in Serbia
I feel like Camilla would be very happy with a life that would allow her to wear this outfit every now and then. (I think it's beautiful. My Uncle visited Yugoslavia -- it was Yugoslavia when he was there -- and brought me back a doll in a traditional outfit very much like this one and I LOVED her.)
Chaz and Cams Visit Serbia
"I'm on a boat!"
Chaz and Camz Visit Serbia
"I'm so sick of planting trees, everyone. Let's just pat this dirt down and go get a drink."
Chaz and Cams Visit Serbia
"MUCH BETTER."
Chaz and Cams Visit Montenegro
And then over to Montenegro. I like to imagine that they're both thinking, "AT LAST. Something to liven up those endless weekend at Balmoral."
Zara at the Cheltenham Festival
Meanwhile, back in England, Zara is off to the races. And, you guys she is looking REALLY GOOD! This is lovely.
Zara at the Cheltenham Festival
THIS is lovely!
Zara at the Cheltenham Festival
And THIS is lovely! THREE FOR THREE from Zara. I don't know if that's ever happened. (Although that hat is legitimately dangerous to others.)
Princess Anne at the Cheltenham Festival
Has she EVER looked more like a Lady Detective? She literally has binoculars in her bag. I know. I saw a photo of her using them.
Autumn and Peter Phillips
This is Anne's son and daughter-in-law, and their outfits make me laugh. They sort of look like two bounders in town to cheat posh dumbos out of their inheritances.
Max and W-A
OH MY GOD MAXIMA.
Queen Maxima
Their trip to France thus concluded, she's back to business as usual in the Netherlands. (AKA, waving in a noteworthy hat.)
Queen Mathilde
This top! It's rather SAUCY for Mathilde. I approve.
Royals Do Local Weather
Speaking of saucy. "The hottest club in Brussels is MARINARA. It. Has. Everything!"
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia Visit Puerto Rico
These two made a super quick jaunt to Puerto Rico, and Letizia looks VERY elegant, no?
Spanish Royals Receives Portugal President
I wasn't kidding when I said that trip to Puerto Rico was FAST -- a Fug National on the ground reported that it was shrouded in a bit more secrecy and was more difficult for the press to cover than usual for them, which is interesting. I wonder if they're trying to keep their lives a bit on the DL, given that they're also in a bit of a political mess. Regardless: This dress on Letizia is lovely.
Prince Leka and Elia Zaharia
And finally! I've never even heard of these two but guess what? They're getting married! Prince Leka is Albanian -- his father is apparently, "the pretender to the Albanian throne," and this Royals Round-Up has a LOT of pretenders to non-existent thrones/guys trying to talk their country of origin into re-establishing their monarchies. From what I can tell from the internet, he is more handsome than this photo would lead you to believe. Wiki also informs me that he and Elia here have actually been engaged since 2010 (!!) and they've just actually popped out to note that they've finally set a date (October 8th, 2016). I feel like...there's a story there. (She's an actress, or, possibly, "an actress.") (Also via Wiki, this is very snarky, toward his Aussie mother: "Australian authorities refused to recognise her as a queen but, in a compromise when Andrew Peacock was foreign minister, issued a passport in the name of 'Susan Cullen Ward, known as Queen Susan.' Can't you just hear the air quotes? "Queen Susan" and Leka's father sort of lived all over the place -- given that Albania has had a lot of upheaval and they're not technically a monarchy -- including with King Juan Carlos of Spain, until Spain kicked them out for having a secret arms cache. Which they needed because apparently they almost got kidnapped fleeing Spain, after which it seems Leka's father spent a lot of time trying to talk Albania into having a monarchy again and Albania was like, "we're busy right now." It sounds EXHAUSTING to be the Pretender to a Throne. And that is why these two live in Paris.