THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE WILL VISIT THE ISLE OF MAN

Wednesday 6th June, 2018

The Duke of Cambridge will visit the Isle of Man on Wednesday 6th June. His Royal Highness will meet support staff and volunteers at The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy 2018, attend a reception for guests from across the island, and visit the Joey Dunlop Foundation.

The Isle of Man TT Races is an annual Motorcycle race meeting that takes place on the Isle of Man in June. It first ran in 1907 and is one of the oldest continuous motorsport events in the world. His Royal Highness will arrive at the TT Grandstand and watch the final stages of the TT Supersport Race 2 before attending a reception in the Government House Tent. Guests will include representatives from across the Isle of Man, including TT staff and volunteers, civic dignitaries and local businesses.

The meeting features nine races including a Superbike Race (for modified 1000cc bikes), the TT Zero for electric bikes, a Lightweight Race (featuring SuperTwin bikes) and two Sidecar Races. Wednesday’s Races, subject to weather, will feature the second Supersport TT Race, the TT Zero Race and the Lightweight TT Race. The Races are run in a time trial format on closed public roads, with riders competing around the TT Mountain Course circuit which is 37¾ miles long. The Duke will view a number of races before meeting race officials and support staff and volunteers involved in the running of the event.

The Duke will continue on to the Joey Dunlop Foundation. Established in 2001, the charity creates specialist accommodation for visitors to the Isle of Man with a disability. Braddan Bridge House, located in Douglas, the island’s capital, consists of apartments which accommodate the needs of all guests. The charity is named after William Joseph ‘Joey’ Dunlop, the popular world champion motorcycle racer. His Royal Highness will meet staff and guests staying in the accommodation and hear how they support guests with disabilities throughout the year.

The Queen, accompanied by The Prince of Wales, will open The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries

Westminster Abbey

Friday 8th June 2018

Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will open The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, Westminster Abbey.

On arrival The Queen will be greeted by the Dean of Westminster Abbey, The Very Reverend Dr. John Hall. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will proceed to the Diamond Jubilee Galleries where they will meet a group of those involved in the restoration, including the Clerk of the Works and Surveyor of the Fabric.

Following a short ceremony, conducted by The Dean, The Queen and The Prince will undertake a tour of the Galleries. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will view historical artefacts from the Abbey’s collection, including a restored Sir Christopher Wren model, an original 13th century altarpiece from King Henry III’s church and King Henry VII’s funeral effigy.

The Queen and The Prince will attend a brief reception for construction workers, supporters and Abbey staff involved in the project. Her Majesty will unveil a plaque before departing.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries will open to the public on 11th June 2018. The new galleries are set more than 16 metres above the Abbey’s floor in the medieval Triforium, an area that has never been open to the public before. Displaying 300 treasures from the Abbey’s Collection, many for the first time, the new galleries will reflect the Abbey’s thousand year history.

The Triforium has been transformed by London-based architecture practise, McInnes Usher
McKnight Architects. MUMA have designed a new addition that will allow the public to
deepen their understanding of a Royal church which has been at the centre of the nation for centuries.

Visitors will reach the Galleries through a new tower, housing a staircase and a lift. Named
the Weston Tower, this is the first major addition to the Abbey church since 1745. The
Galleries tell the story of Westminster Abbey in four themes: Building Westminster Abbey;
Worship and Daily Life; Westminster Abbey and the Monarchy; and The Abbey and National
memory.

The Prince of Wales visited The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries in 2016 to see the
restoration work in progress. During the visit His Royal Highness also unveiled the
foundation stone in the Weston Tower.

Princess Diana letter on turning 30 to go under the hammer

Diana on turning 30—”I want a medal when I finally make it please!”

A Princess Diana handwritten letter will be auctioned By Boston-based RR Auction.

The one-page letter signed “Diana, x,” on Kensington Palace letterhead, dated July 2, 1990. 
Letter to Bruce and Anita, in full: “What a wonderful Jersey I have been given & how really touched I am to be remembered for entering my 30th year — I want a medal when I finally make it please! It was typical of you both to spoil me with one lovely Jersey — is this a new line as I haven’t seen this before, or am I just very behind with the times?! However, this comes with much love & endless thanks for helping to make Sunday a positively happy one.” The letter is believed to have been sent to British fashion designer Bruce Oldfield who began making couture clothes for Diana in the 1980’s, and Anita Richardson his business partner.

“Princess Diana’s handwriting had a beautiful flourish, and her letters — a caring and loving tone,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. “I think it was her open and engaging quality that made her so relatable.”

“It is also longstanding royal protocol not to give autograph’s, so it will be interesting to see what content from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, appears in the near future.”

Among other items to be featured are several holiday cards including a holiday card embossed with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms.

The Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction from RR Auction began on May 18 and will conclude on June 13.   More details can be found online at www.rrauction.com.

#387 – Princess Diana

Diana on turning 30—”I want a medal when I finally make it please!”

#390 – Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Christmas card embossed with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 12 x 8 open, featuring an affixed color photo of Diana and Charles posing outside with their two young sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To you both, from Diana and” and “Charles.” An uncommon example given that Charles typically added the inscription.

#393 – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip

Royal Christmas and New Year’s card from 1952, with a gilt-embossed crown on the front, measuring 13.5 x 8.5 open, featuring a charming photo of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip posing with their two young children, signed in fountain pen, “Elizabeth R” and “Philip.”

#388 – Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Wonderful 1989 Christmas card embossed on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 16 x 6 open, featuring an affixed color photo of the royal couple posing with their two young sons on a wooden fence, signed in fountain pen, “from, Charles and,” and in black ink, “Diana.” In fine to very fine condition. Accompanied by a silk-bound hardcover copy of Earl Spencer’s Tribute to Diana Princess of Wales, published by Althorp in 1997, signed and inscribed on an introductory page in blue ink, “To Jean, Charles Spencer.” Includes the original Althorp presentation box.

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE AND THE DUKE OF SUSSEX TO PLAY IN

CHARITABLE POLO MATCHES THIS SUMMER

Starting today with The Duke of Cambridge playing in the Jerudong Trophy at Cirencester
Park Polo Club, both His Royal Highness and The Duke of Sussex will play in a series of
polo matches once again this summer to raise funds and awareness for the charities they
support as Patrons.

Their Royal Highnesses have taken part in polo fixtures in support of their charities since
2007 and have continued each year since, raising over £11 million for charitable causes to
date.

Throughout the summer, Their Royal Highnesses will raise funds for the following charities:

• Centrepoint
• Child Bereavement UK
• English Schools Swimming Association
• Fields in Trust
• Heads Together
• Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund
• The Household Cavalry Operational Casualties Fund
• Irish Guards Appeal
• Map Action
• Mountain Rescue England and Wales
• The Royal Marsden
• RFU Injured Players Foundation
• Sentebale
• Skillforce
• Tusk
• WellChild
• Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

Coat of Arms

A Coat of Arms has been created for The Duchess of Sussex. The design of the Arms was agreed and approved by Her Majesty The Queen and Mr. Thomas Woodcock (Garter King of Arms and Senior Herald in England), who is based at the College of Arms in London.

Her Royal Highness worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create a Coat of Arms that was both personal and representative.

The blue background of the shield represents the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, while the two golden rays across the shield are symbolic of the sunshine of The Duchess’s home state. The three quills represent communication and the power of words.

Beneath the shield on the grass sits a collection of golden poppies, California’s state flower, and wintersweet, which grows at Kensington Palace.

It is customary for Supporters of the shield to be assigned to Members of the Royal Family, and for wives of Members of the Royal Family to have one of their husband’s Supporters and one relating to themselves. The Supporter relating to The Duchess of Sussex is a songbird with wings elevated as if flying and an open beak, which with the quill represents the power of communication.

A Coronet has also been assigned to The Duchess of Sussex. It is the Coronet laid down by a Royal Warrant of 1917 for the sons and daughters of the Heir Apparent. It is composed of two crosses patée, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.

The arms of a married woman are shown with those of her husband and the technical term is that they are impaled, meaning placed side by side in the same shield.

Mr. Thomas Woodcock, Garter King of Arms said: “The Duchess of Sussex took a great interest in the design. Good heraldic design is nearly always simple and the Arms of The Duchess of Sussex stand well beside the historic beauty of the quartered British Royal Arms. Heraldry as a means of identification has flourished in Europe for almost nine hundred years and is associated with both individual people and great corporate bodies such as Cities, Universities and for instance the Livery Companies in the City of London. “

THE WEDDING OF TRH THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX

The Official Photographs

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs from their wedding day.

The images were taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at Windsor Castle, following the carriage procession.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said:

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations of their wedding on Saturday. They feel so lucky to have been able to share their day with all those gathered in Windsor and also all those who watched the wedding on television across the UK, Commonwealth, and around the world.

“Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits taken by Alexi Lubomirski and are happy to be able to share them today. They would also like to say thank you for all of the generous messages of support they have received.”

Alexi Lubomirski said:

“It has been an incredible honour and privilege to document The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s inspiring journey of love, hope and family; from the engagement photos, all the way through to the official wedding and family portraits on Saturday. This has been a beautiful chapter in my career and life, that I will happily never forget.”

Photograph One: The Duke and Duchess are pictured in The Green Drawing Room, Windsor Castle, with (left-to-right):

Back row: Master Jasper Dyer, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Ms. Doria Ragland, His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge

Middle row: Master Brian Mulroney, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty The Queen, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte, His Royal Highness Prince George, Miss Rylan Litt, Master John Mulroney

Front row: Miss Ivy Mulroney, Miss Florence van Cutsem, Miss Zalie Warren, Miss Remi Litt

Photograph Two: The Duke and Duchess are pictured in Green Drawing Room, Windsor Castle with (left-to-right):

Back row: Master Brian Mulroney, Miss Remi Litt, Miss Rylan Litt, Master Jasper Dyer, His Royal Highness Prince George, Miss Ivy Mulroney, Master John Mulroney

Front row: Miss Zalie Warren, Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte, Miss Florence van Cutsem

Photograph Three: The Duke and Duchess are pictured together on the East Terrace, Windsor Castle.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order the Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.

THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

Lunchtime Reception

Her Majesty The Queen is giving a Lunchtime Reception at St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle for around 600 guests drawn from the Wedding Service congregation.

Guests will be served a selection of canapés, including:

• Scottish Langoustines wrapped in Smoked Salmon with Citrus Crème Fraiche
• Grilled English Asparagus wrapped in Cumbrian Ham
• Garden Pea Panna Cotta with Quail Eggs and Lemon Verbena
• Heritage Tomato and Basil Tartare with Balsamic Pearls
• Poached Free Range Chicken bound in a Lightly Spiced Yoghurt with Roasted Apricot
• Croquette of Confit Windsor Lamb, Roasted Vegetables and Shallot Jam
• Warm Asparagus Spears with Mozzarella and Sun-Blush Tomatoes

Guests will also be served a selection of bowl food, including:

• Fricassee of Free Range Chicken with Morel Mushrooms and Young Leeks
• Pea and Mint Risotto with Pea Shoots, Truffle Oil and Parmesan Crisps
• Ten Hour Slow Roasted Windsor Pork Belly with Apple Compote and Crackling

Sweet canapés will also be served, including:

• Champagne and Pistachio Macaroons
• Orange Crème Brûlée Tartlets
• Miniature Rhubarb Crumble Tartlets

The wedding cake will also be served at the Reception. Designed by Claire Ptak, the wedding cake features elderflower syrup made at The Queen’s residence in Sandringham from the estate’s own elderflower trees, as well as a light sponge cake uniquely formulated for the couple. A filling made from Amalfi lemon curd and elderflower buttercream ties all the elements together. The cake is decorated with Swiss meringue buttercream and 150 fresh flowers, mainly British and in season, including peonies and roses.

To drink, guests will be served Pol Roger Brut Réserve Non Vintage Champagne, and a selection of wines. A range of soft drinks will also be served, including an apple and elderflower mocktail, made with the same elderflower syrup as used in the wedding cake, and Sandringham Cox’s apple juice.

The Reception will include the cutting of the wedding cake and speeches from The Prince of Wales and Prince Harry. The Duke of Cambridge, who is the Best Man, will act as compere for the Reception.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order the Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.

THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

The Wedding Dress, Bridesmaids’ Dresses and Page Boys’ Uniforms

The Wedding Dress: Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy

Ms. Meghan Markle’s wedding dress has been designed by the acclaimed British designer, Clare Waight Keller. Ms. Waight Keller last year became the first female Artistic Director at the historic French fashion house Givenchy.

After meeting Ms. Waight Keller in early 2018, Ms. Markle chose to work with her for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour. Ms. Markle also wanted to highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses – Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy.

Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller worked closely together on the design. The dress epitomises a timeless minimal elegance referencing the codes of the iconic House of Givenchy and showcasing the expert craftsmanship of its world-renowned Parisian couture atelier founded in 1952.

The Design

True to the heritage of the house, the pure lines of the dress are achieved using six meticulously placed seams. The focus of the dress is the graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises the slender sculpted waist. The lines of the dress extend towards the back where the train flows in soft round folds cushioned by an underskirt in triple silk organza. The slim three-quarter sleeves add a note of refined modernity.

The Fabric

Following extensive research by Ms. Waight Keller in fabric mills throughout Europe, an exclusive double bonded silk cady was developed. Perfect for the round sculptural look required, the silk cady has a soft matt lustre whilst the bonding process and pure white colour chosen by Ms. Markle and Ms. Waight Keller bring a fresh modernity to the dress.

The Veil

Ms. Markle expressed the wish of having all 53 countries of the Commonwealth with her on her journey through the ceremony. Ms. Waight Keller designed a veil representing the distinctive flora of each Commonwealth country united in one spectacular floral composition.

The Commonwealth family of nations – of which Her Majesty The Queen is Head –will be a central part of Prince Harry’s and Ms. Markle’s official work following His Royal Highness’s appointment as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. Ms. Markle wanted to express her gratitude for the opportunity to support the work of the Commonwealth by incorporating references to its members into the design of her wedding dress.

Significant time was spent researching the flora of each Commonwealth country and much care was taken by Ms. Waight Keller to ensure that every flower is unique.

The veil is five meters long and made from silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers in silk threads and organza.

Each flower was worked flat, in three dimensions to create a unique and delicate design. The workers spent hundreds of hours meticulously sewing and washing their hands every thirty minutes to keep the tulle and threads pristine.

In addition to the flora of the Commonwealth, Ms. Markle also selected two personal favourites:

Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox), which grows in the grounds of Kensington Palace in front of Nottingham Cottage, and the California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) the State flower from Ms. Markle’s place of birth, California.

Symmetrically placed at the very front of the veil, crops of wheat are delicately embroidered and blend into the flora, to symbolise love and charity.

A selection of flora distinctive from every state member of the Commonwealth is listed below:

Jewellery

The veil is held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, lent to Ms. Markle by The Queen. The diamond bandeau is English and was made in 1932, with the centre brooch dating from 1893.

The bandeau, which is made of diamonds and platinum, is formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant diamonds. The centre is set with a detachable brooch of ten brilliant diamonds.

The diamond bandeau was made for Queen Mary and specifically designed to accommodate the centre brooch. This brooch was given as a present to the then Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York. The bandeau and the brooch were bequeathed by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953.

The Bride is wearing earrings and bracelet made by Cartier.

Wedding Shoes

The wedding shoes are based on a Givenchy refined pointed couture design made of a silk duchess satin.

The Bride’s Bouquet

Prince Harry handpicked several flowers yesterday from their private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa Craddock.

The spring blooms include Forget-Me-Nots which were Diana, Princess of Wales’ favourite flower. The couple specifically chose them to be included in Ms. Markle’s bouquet to honour the memory of the late Princess on this special day.

The Bride’s bouquet is a petite design, pulled together in a gentle, ethereal, relaxed style with delicate blooms also including scented sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine and astrantia, and sprigs of myrtle all bound with a naturally dyed, raw silk ribbon.

The myrtle sprigs are from stems planted at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.

The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today.

The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858.

Bridal Hair and Make-Up

Ms. Markle’s hair was styled by Serge Normant, with make-up by long-time friend and make-up artist Daniel Martin.

Bridesmaids’ Dresses

Clare Waight Keller designed the six young Bridesmaids’ dresses in the Givenchy Haute Couture Atelier in Paris.

The dresses were designed to have the same timeless purity as Ms. Markle’s dress.

Each dress is sculpted in Ivory silk Radzimir, and is high-waisted with short puff sleeves and hand finished with a double silk ribbon detail tied at the back in a bow. The Bridesmaids’ dresses include pockets and pleated skirts to create a relaxed and luxurious silhouette.

The Bridesmaids are wearing white leather Aquazurra shoes; each pair is monogrammed with the Bridesmaids initials, and the wedding date. The shoes are a gift from Ms. Markle to the young ladies as a keepsake of the special day.

Bridesmaids’ Flowers

The bridesmaids each have flower crowns selected by Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, which have been designed by florist Philippa Craddock.

The Bridesmaids’ flowers replicate the flowers used in the bridal bouquet.

Page Boys’ Uniforms

The four Pages are wearing a miniature version of the Blues and Royals frockcoat. The uniform draws its insignia from the Blues and Royals, which is an old Regiment of The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Both are also wearing Blues and Royals frockcoats for the Wedding Day.

The frockcoats are made from blue doeskin, single-breasted in style with a stand-up collar and completed with figured braiding of Regimental pattern. The figured braiding has been scaled down for the Pages, as otherwise it would have gone above their shoulders.

As a special memento, each Page has their initials embroidered in gold on their shoulder straps. The Pages are not wearing hats or white waist belts for practical reasons.

Their leg garments are made from blue/black wool barathea with three-quarter scarlet stripes fastened with a leather strap.

The uniforms were cut and made by the tailors Dege & Skinner in Savile Row.

Mother of the Bride’s Dress

Ms. Ragland wears a custom dress and day coat designed by creative directors of Oscar de la Renta, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim.

Ms. Ragland’s shoes are designed by Edgardo Osorio of Aquazurra, and her custom hat was designed exclusively for her by British milliner Stephen Jones, O.B.E., whom Ms. Markle has worked closely with since moving to the UK.

Stephen Jones was also commissioned by Ms. Markle to create custom hats for several of her closest friends.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order the Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.

THE WEDDING OF HRH PRINCE HENRY OF WALES AND MS. MEGHAN MARKLE

AN UPDATE

Members of The Royal Family Outfit Details

Her Majesty The Queen

Her Majesty The Queen is wearing a delicately flared dress in lime, lemon, purple and grey printed silk. The coat is an edge to edge coat with a frogging fastening in lime silk tweed. Both are by Stuart Parvin.

Her Majesty is wearing an Angela Kelly hat, using the same lime silk tweed with sinamay adorned across the crown with handmade lace crystals and pearls made by Lucy Price.

Her brooch is The Richmond Diamond Brooch with pearl drop.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is wearing a morning coat tailored by Anderson & Sheppard with a shirt by Turnbull & Asser. The Prince of Wales is wearing shoes by Crockett & Jones. He will wear a buttonhole from Highgrove.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is wearing an ice pink silk marocain asymmetrical coat dress from designer Anna Valentine.

The Duchess of Cornwall will wear an ice pink feathered Philip Treacy hat.

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge will be wearing a primrose yellow wool silk tailored coat by Alexander McQueen.

The Duchess of Cambridge is wearing a hat designed by Philip Treacy and shoes by Jimmy Choo.

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex will be wearing an outfit designed by Suzannah. The outfit consists of a grey duchess satin skirt and embroidered grey top.

The Countess of Wessex will be wearing a Jane Taylor hat.

Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York

Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice of York is wearing a bespoke Roksanda Viola dress in hand dyed teal silk organza.

Princess Beatrice is wearing a hat designed by Stephen Jones and shoes by Gianvito Rossi.

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York

Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York is wearing a bespoke dress designed by Gainsbourg.

Princess Eugenie is wearing a hat designed by Fiona Graham and shoes by Valentino.

For everything you need to know about the Royal Event of the year, our Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 1 is now available and you can also pre-order the Royal Wedding Exclusive Collectors’ Edition Part 2, which will be available shortly after the Royal Wedding itself.