The big day was a week ago, but for the brands Kate wore, celebrations are only just beginning

By LIZ JONES

Sell out: Demand has surged for bridal dresses like the Alexander McQueen gowns Kate wore


All eyes have swivelled to the new Duchess of Cambridge to take up the baton and help our fashion industry limp out of the recession.

Becoming the unofficial style ambassador is the best job Kate can be doing for our morale and the economy.

But every brand (and they were all British) involved in the wedding, in however small a way, has seen sales go through the roof.

By far the biggest surge in orders has come from the U.S. We can expect these to increase when Kate goes there on her first official tour in the summer.


In demand: The perfumee Kate wore was Illuminum's White Gardenia Petals


THE FRAGRANCE
On her wedding day, Kate wore White Gardenia Petals from Illuminum, created by British ‘nose’ Michael Boadi.

The clean, fresh scent has a note of coconut bursting into ylang ylang, lily of the valley and jasmine, with amber wood as the base note.

Demand is so high there is a waiting list of customers longing to smell like the royal bride.

White Gardenia Petals costs £70 and is available exclusively from roullierwhite.com

THE EARRINGS
While Kate’s tiara was made by Cartier and borrowed from the Queen, her stunning earrings were a gift from her parents.

The diamond-set oak leaves with a pear diamond drop and pave-set diamond acorn were inspired by the new Middleton coat of arms.


Unavailable: Robinson Pelham won't be making anymore earrings like the Duchess', despite requests


BRIDESMAID DRESSES
Having designed children’s wear for 30 years, Marlborough-based Nicki Macfarlane is renowned for her exquisite outfits for bridesmaids and pageboys. She made the four young bridesmaids’ dresses: ballerina length, box-pleated ivory silk satin gazar, layered over organza, wild silk and petticoats.

They were handmade in Wiltshire and Kent, given an English lace trim and embroidered with the child’s name.



Pretty: The young bridesmaids, pictured with Maid of Honour Pippa Middleton in an Alexander McQueen design, wore handmade dresses by Nicki Macfarlane while their shoes were by the Rainbow Club


BRIDESMAID SHOES
Rainbow Club, based in Exeter, has been designing, making and hand-dyeing wedding shoes since the mid-Eighties.

Kate’s bridesmaids wore classic Mary Janes in satin, embellished with a Swarovski crystal buckle. Sales manager Richard Coles says: ‘We’ve been run off our feet, with people calling from all over Europe and the U.S.’

Why did Kate choose this little firm of 30 employees?

‘For the quality. We guarantee we will dye a shoe to match the exact colour of the dress. The Royal Wedding shoes were a special shade of ivory.’

Children’s bridesmaid shoes start at £30, rainbowclub.co.uk


THE HATS

Vivien Sheriff is a milliner who has her atelier in a decidedly unglamorous farm building in Wiltshire.

She made the famous fascinator worn by Kate on her first royal engagement in February, and was commissioned by 53 guests to make bespoke pieces.

Every piece is handmade by a team of six. An elaborate headpiece can cost up to £1,000. Since the wedding, online sales have doubled.


Best foot forward: Kate stepped into married life wearing LKBennett wedges


'The Kate': The shoes have been re-issued in her name

COURT SHOE WEDGES

The day after the wedding, Kate teamed a wintry blue Zara dress with a cropped black blazer and LK Bennett Greta wedges, £150. This prompted the chain to reissue the style, renaming it the Kate. It will be available in June, but already has a waiting list.

The Kate effect has meant sales of all wedges have soared at Topshop, Hobbs and even Christian Louboutin.

source: dailymail

Was a 3am balcony leap the reason Prince Harry looked a tad under par at the Abbey?

By CHARLOTTE GRIFFITHS

Best foot forward: Prince Harry arrives at Westminster Abbey... but is said to have hurt his ankle eight hours earlier after leaping from the Goring Hotel veranda


As he stood at his brother’s side in Westminster Abbey waiting for the bride to arrive, Prince Harry drew more than a few questioning glances.

Despite his smart military uniform, the young Royal appeared a little jaded, with his hair askew and a definite look of someone who had not had enough sleep.

Now a possible answer to the question of why Harry seemed a touch under par on Royal Wedding day has emerged.


Unusual exit: How Harry is said to have left the Goring Hotel hours before his appearance as best man at his brother's wedding


Sources have revealed that the best man was out socialising until 3am – eight hours before the wedding.

And he is said to have left the party venue with an athletic leap from a balcony which saw him land awkwardly on one ankle.

The scene of the raucous goings-on was The Goring, the hotel which the Middleton family had taken over in the days before the wedding on Friday, April 29.

On the Thursday evening, a group of the young Royal circle had congregated in a bar there and were enjoying themselves heartily.

The festivities came to an end only at 3am when a young copper-haired reveller casually jumped off a veranda balcony, landing with a clumsy thump on a lawn 6ft below – to roars of laughter from his friends.


Proud moment: Prince Harry accompanies his big brother down the aisle for the wedding


According to sources, that reveller was the athletic Harry, whose looming day of duty had not stopped him sharing a few drinks with friends.

An onlooker said: ‘Harry was with Pippa Middleton and Chelsy Davy among other friends for some pre-wedding drinks.

'He was the life and soul of the party until the early hours.

‘People were surprised to see him there so late before one of the biggest wedding days of the decade, and even more surprised when he jumped off the balcony – and landed with a thump.

'He had struggled to climb up the railings to get into position, so when he jumped over the edge he did so rather unsteadily and landed awkwardly next to a flower bed.

‘He flinched for just a moment before he stood up, rubbing his ankle. Then he looked up, smiled and waved to a roar of cheers before disappearing on to the lawn where there was a secret exit.

‘People were laughing and joking that his fall could have seen him walking through Westminster Abbey the following morning with a broken leg. At one point it was thought he’d twisted his ankle.

A spokesman said: ‘Prince Harry had a private dinner with his brother, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. What he did after that is a private matter.’


source :dailymail

Forget Kate! The dressmakers working overtime on copycat gowns for brides-to-be...

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

The Pippa effect: Many women in the U.S. are demanding copies of the maid-of-honour's dress from the Royal Wedding, rather than the bride's


Bridesmaids' dresses are typically unattractive creations in saccharine peach or mint green. But Pippa Middleton's slinky white gown for her sister's wedding last week was such a knockout, fashion houses are working overtime to get copies in store.

While many had already been planning to replicate the new Duchess of Cambridge's bridal gown, designers admit they didn't anticipate the success of the maid-of-honour's.

Now several companies are responding to demand from brides-to-be, keen to channel 27-year-old Pippa's look for their own big day.


Meeting demand: Dan Rentillo, design director at David's Bridal, will be ordering as many copies of Pippa's dress as he will of Catherine's


Design director Dan Rentillo told the New York Times: 'There was really no anticipation about Pippa’s dress. I can’t think of one where there was such a fuss over the bridesmaid’s dress.'

Andrew Hops, vice president for JS Collections, added: 'She wore it so well, so we said, "We’ll do that dress right away."'


Unexpected trend: Mr Rentillo said that he couldn't think of a time when so much fuss was made over the bridesmaid's dress


Sketch in time: All three companies already have samples made up, and expect to get dresses on sale within six to eight weeks


source: dailymail

Revealed: How Prince William ensured he kept his cool on the big day... thanks to his tailor

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Specially made: Prince William's wedding outfit was customised from a heat-absorbent material to prevent him passing out in the Abbey


Prince's wedding outfit was made of special heat-absorbing material so he didn't faint at the Abbey


Prince William had his wedding uniform made of special heat-absorbing material, to prevent him passing out at Westminster Abbey.

And his brother Harry had a tiny Velcro compartment sewn into his wedding uniform to keep the ring safe.

Tailor Russell Kashket, who was responsible for making 2,000 royal wedding uniforms, has spoken for the first time since a confidentiality agreement lapsed after the nuptials.


Hands-on approach: The Prince worked closely with the tailors to get the look he wanted for the wedding


More than 350 members of the Kashket military tailoring staff in north London made the outfits, which also included the drum majors' gold state coats, Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment dress, and uniforms for all five Footguards regiments.

'It was difficult to make it all without anyone knowing what it was for,' Mr Kashket said. "We had to use a pseudonym.'

Prince William met with Mr Kashket several times to discuss the design. 'He was very concerned about the heat because he knew all the cameras and lights would make it very hot in the Abbey,' Mr Kashket said.

'We worked together to get the look he wanted while using material to absorb the heat and make sure he didn't pass out in front of two billion people across the world.'


Cunning: Prince Harry kept the ring in this secret compartment sewn into his wedding uniform


Marlon Kashket said: 'The prince has an excellent physique so he really did justice to our tailoring skill. We had a last-minute rush when the palace asked us if we could incorporate some device that would hold the ring.'

Ceremonial military garments such as these do not have pockets and there was concern that, if Prince Harry waved to the crowd on his way to the Abbey, then the ring might be lost.

'To solve the problem we decided to sew a tiny secret compartment into the scarlet cuff sealed with Velcro. This kept Catherine's ring safe.'



Smart: The wedding ring remained safe as Prince Harry - also in military uniform - walked Pippa Middleton up the aisle at Westminster Abbey

source: dailymail

How Kate and William' Royal Wedding compares with Charles and Diana's big day

By LAUREN PAXMAN

Leaving the church: Princess Diana and the Princess of Wales looked away from each other as they left St Paul's, the new Duke and Duchess couldn't take their eyes off each other


As Kate Middleton walked up the seemingly endless aisle at Westminster Abbey in her stunning white dress and 2.7 metre train, millions will have remembered another young bride making a very similar journey 30 years ago.

Princess Diana's wedding to Prince Charles also gripped the nation, and many will have recognised similarities in everything from the red carpets the brides walked down to the way the couples waved to their supporters from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

But there were also some notable differences.


Similarities: Diana and her father Earl Spencer (left), and Kate and her father Michael Middleton looked remarkably similar as they walked towards the altar


Tell-tale signs perhaps showed that there was trouble ahead for Diana and Charles, while Kate and William clearly proved they are meant for each other.

As Charles and Diana left St Paul's Cathedral, they both looked away from each other and towards their crowds of supporters.

In contrast, the newly wed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge could not keep their eyes off each other as they stepped out of Westminster Abbey.

The similarities definitely outweighed the differences though and it was touching to see that William and Kate had looked to his parents' wedding for inspiration.


Paternal pride: Both fathers looked proud and composed as they led their daughters up the aisle


The bridesmaids at both weddings were dressed in white, wearing crowns of flowers in their hair.

Both fathers looked proud and composed as they led their daughters up the aisle and both couples smiled as they took their first strolls as man and wife back towards the doors of their respective churches.

Diana and Kate's dresses were very, very different - Diana's Eighties number looks very dated - but both featured nipped in waists that showed off the brides' svelte figures, and both women wore impressive tiaras.


Newly-weds: Diana kept her veil on at the alter, but Kate took her veil off almost as soon as she joined her husband


Man and wife: Diana's longer train meant that there was more distance between the couple and their bridesmaids than at William and Kate's wedding - but otherwise, the similarities were startling


Kate looked much more at ease as she led her husband's hand while they walked out of the Abbey. Diana, on the other hand, had her arm limply linked through Charles'.

The photographs of the balcony scenes at Buckingham Palace look as similar as those from the wedding ceremonies.

But when you compare the scenes, telling differences emerge.


Crowd pleaser: Diana leans in for a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace


And again: Last Friday, the initiative came from Prince William, with him suggesting both the first and second balcony kisses


Diana clearly leaned in towards Charles when she kissed him in front of crowds of fans.

But last Friday, the initiative came from Prince William, with him suggesting both the first and second kisses - and his wife happily obliging.

As the couple stepped back into the palace they gave a wave to the crowds that was almost identical to the one William's parents gave 30 years before them. Only the newlyweds were standing much closer together the second time around.


Royal wave: Kate and William stood much closer together than Charles and Diana as they gave one last wave to the crowds below them


Perhaps the starkest example of the differences between the two couples, though is in their official engagement photos.

Both the brides to be wore blue - to match the same ring they wore on their wedding ring finger. But Charles and Diana looked much more uneasy than William and Kate who were both grinning for the cameras.


Engagement photo: Both the brides to be wore blue - and the same ring - but Charles and Diana looked much more uneasy than William and Kate


Some similarities between the two wedding were just a result of both couples following age-old traditions. Both wedding cakes, for example, were white, tiered and very elaborate.

But Prince William said as soon as he got engaged that he would find ways to make it feel like his mother was by his side at his wedding - and taking inspiration from the ceremony she chose was a very touching tribute.



Majestic cakes: Both couples had beautiful white tiered wedding cakes that were elaborately decorated

source: dailymail

Did they REALLY whittle down Kate's waist?

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Photoshop fail? It has been suggested that Kate's waist looks to have been slimmed down on this week's Grazia cover, pictured here alongside the original photograph. The Duke was also removed from the shot


Less than a week after the Royal Wedding, a glossy magazine has done the unthinkable and put the Duchess of Cambridge on its cover with what appears to be a slimmed-down waistline.

On the cover of this week's Grazia, Kate's waist appears to be much narrower than it should be in relation to her hips.

The photo, which appears to have been doctored from the original shot in which Kate was holding onto William's arm, clearly shows a discrepancy between the line of Kate's corset and the fabric of her Alexander McQueen skirt, giving the effect of having inches shaved off her middle.

It hardly seems necessary. Miss Middleton had already lost a great deal of weight ahead of her big day - with some indeed suggesting she had gone too far.

So was this a deliberate attempt to whittle down Kate waist - or was it simply a photoshop blunder?


Thin: Already svelte, Kate slimmed dramatically ahead of her wedding day


The photograph has reignited debate over what are said to be magazine editors' impossible aspirations for the female form, with some online commentators saying they believe the airbrushing act was no accident.

'We are not blind. Of course they made her slimmer. And she is already tiny,' says Lale.

Emily from Hampshire agrees: 'you can tell that picture has been airbrushed.'

Tammy replies: 'Yeah very sad. You could tell she'd slimmed down (from her already slim frame) before the wedding, and it wasn't ENOUGH. it'll never be enough.'

Website Jezebel pointed out the alleged alteration on their website, claiming that Grazia's designers had 'taken the liberty of slicing of slicing at the princess's already narrowed waist'.

The site alleged that Grazia's art department also looked to have elongated Kate's torso, using guide lines to show where the two photos differed.

'Even on your wedding day, met with near-universal praise for your look, apparently you could use a little slim-down help from the art department,' Jezebel wrote of Kate.

A photoshop expert said the effect could have been accidental: 'It appears that Grazia have tried to clone Kate Middleton’s left arm and replace it over the right one which was previously holding on to Prince William as they left the Abbey.

'In trying to replace her arm, it appears they have unintentionally tampered with her waistline.

He added, however, that any changes on such an iconic photo were ill-advised.
'On a photo that was likely to get as much attention worldwide as this one of Kate, it was unwise to alter it at all.'


source: dailymail

Waitrose-y Katie goes down the aisle again - at the supermarket

By FAY SCHLESINGER

Down the aisle again: Kate stops to chat with a supermarket worker as she shops at Waitrose in Anglesey


She is the newest and most glamorous member of the royal family, and one of the best-known women in the world.

But a dressed-down Duchess of Cambridge was happy to do the weekly shop mingling with other shoppers like any other housewife.

In a loose-fitting green poncho and white V-neck sweatshirt worn with skinny jeans and ballet pumps, Kate Middleton pushed a trolley among dozens of shoppers in Waitrose on the island of Anglesey, in North Wales.


Doing the weekly shop, Duchess? Kate joins the rest of the supermarket shoppers by grabbing a trolley


A week after her wedding to Prince William, onlookers said she had a spring in her step as she filled several carrier bags and loaded them into the boot of her Audi A3.

She smiled at locals as well as the newspaper photographer as she ‘skipped’ across the car park to return her empty trolley before driving back to the remote farmhouse that she shares with her new husband.

For anyone who has remained oblivious to months of build-up to their wedding, the only clues to Kate’s royal status were three police bodyguards, a back-up car and the jewellery on her wedding finger.

Tucked behind her sapphire engagement ring was the plain Welsh gold band that marked her transformation from a commoner into Her Royal Highness on Friday - and will eventually guarantee her a seat on the throne.


No ordinary RAF wife: Appearing to skip while pushing her trolley, down-to-earth Kate looks as though she just might take off on the wheeled device


Around the wrist of her other hand, she appeared to be wearing an elastic hair band, though this afternoon she let her blow-dried locks hang loose.

Kate, 29, is likely to have been preparing a special dinner for her new husband, who returned yesterday morning from a busy 24-hour shift as a search and rescue pilot.

One onlooker said: ‘It looked like she was stocking up on the basics, but she also bought a few special items, so perhaps she was preparing their first romantic meal as a married couple.

‘She loaded all the shopping into her car on her own, then skipped as she ran the trolley back to the park. She looked very happy and was smiling at people.

‘Most people didn’t even spot who it was, despite her being probably the most famous person in the world at the moment.’


Happy shopper: The new Duchess of Cambridge looks relaxed at the supermarket with her protection officer


It is the first time Kate has been out and about in public since she and William departed for a weekend break on Saturday, the day after marrying at Westminster Abbey in front of an estimated television audience of two billion.

It was only after the couple flew off in the Queen’s helicopter that St James’s Palace revealed their surprise decision to forgo an immediate honeymoon.

They spent the bank holiday weekend at a secret location in the UK and are expected to take an extended break at a later date.

William’s first day back at work – and away from his new wife – was a busy one.


What a difference a week makes: Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, on her wedding day last Friday to Prince William


The 28-year-old, who has chosen to keep the working name Flight Lieutenant William Wales despite his new Duke of Cambridge title, arrived at his RAF Valley base wearing spectacles on Wednesday morning and was soon involved in two emergencies.

In the first, his Sea King chopper was sent to rescue a 70-year-old man who suffered a heart attack while on Lliwedd, a mountain in Snowdonia National Park, and was airlifted to hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Soon after, the prince and his three fellow crew members collected four policemen who were stuck on Snowdon because one of them suffered vertigo as they made their way down from the peak.


Cool customer: Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, mingled with shoppers at a branch of Waitrose in Anglesey


The men, thought to be off-duty West Midlands Police officers in their 20s, were transported from the Crib-y-Ddysgyl ridge to the base of Wales’s highest mountain, a spokesman for Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said.

An RAF Valley source confirmed that William co-piloted the chopper during the rescues. He added: ‘Sometimes you can sit there for three days and nothing happens. Other days, people get into trouble. We tend to be busier on a weekend when people think they are Bear Grylls.’

The prince is close to his 27 colleagues from C Flight 22, and invited them to the wedding with their wives and girlfriends. Kate has already started befriending them and is planning to join them for evenings out in the sleepy North Wales countryside.

With no domestic workers at home, Kate is also likely to spend her time taking care of the housework and preparing meals for her husband, who has previously admitted to being a novice in the kitchen.

As this paper revealed last year, she will not take on full-time solo royal duties for some time, as William ‘shows her the ropes’ and eases her into the new role. He will be stationed on Anglesey until at least 2013.

The couple have modelled their first years as newlyweds on the Queen and Prince Philip, who spent two years on the Mediterranean island of Malta where Philip was a member of the Royal Navy from 1949 to 1951.

source: dailymail

Days after two billion watched his wedding, Prince William returns to the day job

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Prince William returning to his RAF Valley in Anglesey today, days after his wedding was watched by two billion around the world


A few days ago his every move was watched by an estimated two billion people.

But today it was back to more familiar territory as Prince William returned to work at his RAF base in Anglesey.

Wearing sunglasses he was behind the steering wheel of an Audi seen arriving at the Air and Sea Rescue HQ.


Wearing sunglasses, Prince William drove into the Air and Sea Rescue HQ at RAF Valley


It was thought Prince William and his bride would honeymoon this week until it emerged that the new Duke of Cambridge had to return to work.

Despite his status as second in line to the throne he, like his colleagues, had to apply for leave like his colleagues.

He was given a week off for the wedding but was told that he would have to split any further holiday requests – hence the delayed departure date.

The Mail revealed this week that the couple are due to fly out by private jet in mid-May before being taken by helicopter from the mainland to a tropical retreat.

Two Scotland Yard protection officers checked the destination a fortnight ago to ensure it would give the couple the privacy they crave.


As her son-in-law returned to work, Carole Middleton and daughter Pippa were seen arriving back at their Berkshire home


Prince William had to delay his honeymoon as he was ordered to split his leave requests with colleagues


The Mail is not publishing details of the location, and it is understood that not even Kate is aware of the exact destination.

The Prince is not the only wedding guest who returned to their everyday life just days after the global event of the Royal Wedding.

Five days ago the Queen was the proud grandmother overseeing a wedding watched by two billion people.

But after the bank holiday it was back to the daily routine for the monarch yesterday as she visited Newmarket, Cambridge.


Refreshed: Five days after the wedding the Queen met children at Newmarket Day Centre

source: dailymail

Secrets of the royal snaps - a £1 worm!

By RICHARD KAY

Happy occasion: The Royal portrait with Eliza and her wiggly friend at the front, second from left


As Royal Family wedding portraits go, it was reassuringly traditional. But there was an unexpected guest in the line-up — and it kept the Duchess of Cornwall’s granddaughter Eliza Lopes smiling for the camera.

In her hand was a £1 ‘wiggly worm’ which Camilla revealed yesterday had been bought by her stepson Prince Harry especially for the occasion.

Yesterday, the Duchess revealed that she had been ‘terribly worried’ that three-year-old Eliza and the other bridesmaids might find the event overwhelming.


Happy occasion: The Royal portrait with Eliza and her wiggly friend at the front, second from left


When Eliza, whose mother Laura Lopes is Camilla’s daughter, looked scared at the roar of the crowd on the carriage ride from Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace, best man Harry quickly pulled it out of his pocket to make the youngster laugh.

The trick worked so well that Eliza refused to hand the toy back and insisted on hanging on to it for the official wedding photographs, taken by society snapper Hugo Burnand.

The photographs were sent around the world — but no one has spotted the toy until now.

‘Did you see the wiggly worm? That was the funniest thing. I can’t believe no one has spotted it,’ Camilla said yesterday.

‘I was so worried about Eliza. She is such a lovely little thing and looked so gorgeous in her dress but it was a very big occasion for a child of her age.


source: dailymail

On the scent of every detail... the Duchess of Cambridge wore on her wedding day

By JENNIFER MADISON

Flower power: According to fragrance bloggers, Catherine was wearing the White Gardenia Petals fragrance by Illuminum on her wedding day


When the new Duchess of Cambridge walked down the aisle on April 29, the best-kept secret in fashion was finally revealed.

But while the world cooed over her Alexander McQueen gown, the perfume industry's noses were buzzing about what scent Catherine chose for her big day.

According to fragrance bloggers, Prince William's bride was wearing White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum, a little-known British brand.


Delicate: The scent has notes of coconut, jasmine and amber wood


A description on the company website describes the £70 scent as 'fragrant as a vase of white flowers quivering in the breeze by an open window, this is a delicate and nuanced scent.'

It continues: 'The top note of coconut evokes a seaside location, while heart notes of muguet, ylang ylang and jasmine breeze bring a trio of white flowers into play.

'Amber wood underscores this capricious and light bouquet.'

They were a huge hit with Mr Boadi's former clients - Michelle Obama purchased three scents in 2009 - and the Illuminum brand followed shortly after.

The company is unsurprisingly thrilled by word that Catherine wore their product.
Illuminum spokesman Michael Donovan told BaseNotes.com: 'I am so proud!'


source: dailymail

The Disappearing Duchess: I’m going to be a housewife

By REBECCA ENGLISH

Just wed: Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, wants to savour being an ordinary RAF wife to her new husband Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge


The new Duchess of Cambridge will not become a full-time working royal for up to two years – because she wants to concentrate on being a housewife.

Despite a surge of public interest in the Royal Family following Friday’s wedding, Kate is refusing to conduct any public engagements without her husband for the foreseeable future.

There are only two or three joint events pencilled in over the next couple of months and aides admit the new bride intends to spend most of her time with her husband on Anglesey.


Commitments: Aides insist Kate 'will not be idle' and say that when William is on duty she will be 'pursuing other interests'


Well-placed sources have told the Mail that Kate wants to model herself on the Duchess of Cornwall, who insisted on only a ‘supporting role’ following her 2005 marriage to Prince Charles.

The new duchess has told friends she wants to enjoy life for as long as she can as an ‘ordinary RAF wife’ in the rented farmhouse the couple share in North Wales.

Her approach has the support of her husband who is keen not to throw Kate into the ‘bear-pit’ of public life and has cautioned aides to keep her commitments to a minimum.


Approval: Kate is said to have the support of the Queen who, as a newly-wed, lived in Malta for two years when Prince Philip was based there with the Navy


The only definite dates in her diary following her return from honeymoon are watching Prince William play in a couple of polo matches and key-note events next month including Trooping The Colour and the Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th birthday.

There are no plans for her to attend Royal Ascot with the Queen or join the rest of the royals at this summer’s palace garden parties.

‘She will, in time, become associated with her own charities but this won’t happen immediately as she wants to explore the fields that interest her first.’

Kate is said to have the support of the Queen who, as a newly-wed, lived in Malta for two years when Prince Philip was based there with the Navy. The monarch considers it one of her happiest periods.

‘Catherine wants to enjoy her time with William as an RAF wife,’ said a friend. ‘It’s so rare that someone in her position gets the chance to live as a normal wife and she intends to make the most of it.’

source: dailymail

Prince Harry's wedding day secret revealed

By REBECCA ENGLISH

Lord of the ring: Prince Harry walks sister of the bride and maid of honour Philippa Middleton down the aisle in Westminster Abbey


Prince Harry was so scared of dropping Kate Middleton’s wedding ring that he had a secret pocket built into his uniform to carry it, MailOnline can reveal.

While most best men carry the ring in their trouser or jacket pocket, Harry’s Blues and Royals military outfit was so tight fitting that the tailor, Kashket and Partners, was unable to incorporate one into the design.

So with the prince’s help, the firm came up with the idea of a special gold embroidered cuff which could be attached to Harry's jacket. Sewn inside was a secret compartment in which the precious Welsh gold ring could be kept safe.


Cunning: Prince Harry's secret cuff pocket, made by Kashket and Partners


Harry’s cuff was made from a heavyweight Melton wool fabric embroidered with a two per cent pure gold wire.

A spokesman said: 'The team were asked to design a small pocket to keep Kate’s ring safe, particularly during the journey from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey, as Harry has no pocket in his military trousers.


Can you spot it? Prince Harry's secret pocket meant he could remain cool and calm about producing the ring in front of two billion TV viewers


'Harry, aware that he would be waving to the crowds, feared he may drop the ring and wanted a secret compartment.

'The brothers wanted the day to run smoothly and decided this would be the best option.

'We were happy to oblige.'

A royal source added: ‘Prince Harry was terrified that he would arrived at the Abbey and find out that he had dropped the ring on the way. His brother was always ribbing him about it.'

Kashket also made Prince William’s Irish Guards uniform for the big day as well as the page boy outfits.


Near the knuckle: The moment Prince William slid the ring onto Kate's finger, with a bit of wriggling

source: dailymail