You read that headline right – the youngest son of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana is going to do a reality show. No, it won’t be about charity or the military. Instead, it would be a talent search. Prince Harry is teaming up with DJ Goldie to search for 12 youngsters between the ages of 17 and 24 with for a new BBC 2 series, Goldie’s Band – By Royal Appointment.
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DJ Goldie, who is a drum and bass DJ, will search the UK for musically talented youths and the finale will take place in October at Buckingham Palace – yes, the Buckingham Palace – with Harry being the guest of honor. The winner of the talent search will be revealed then.
Contestants would range from classical musicians to R&B aspiring artists.
The Prince and the DJ met last year at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. There, Harry quoted some of the DJ’s lyrics, which set off the unlikely friendship.
Speaking about the venture, one royal aide said: “Harry is a fan of reality TV, but what is particularly good about this one is that its about mentoring and encouragement – nobody gets voted off or laughed at, so its not nasty at all.”
“Harry believes music can be a way for young people who haven’t had the best of starts to get a new chance.”
This isn’t the first time the British royal family has taken part in a television show, entertainment-wise. In the 1980s, Princess Anne and her brothers Princes Andrew and Edward took part in The Royal Knockabout. Many saw the program as degrading to the royal family.
Julia Gillard, the Prime Minister of Australia, wants her country to be a republic after Queen Elizabeth II dies.
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While she does admit that Australians have a deep affection for the Queen, Gillard says it won’t last for long.
“What I would like to see as prime minister is that we work our way through to an agreement on a model for the republic,” she said during an election campaign stop in Queensland
“I think the appropriate time for this nation to move to be a republic is when we see the monarch change.
“Obviously I’m hoping for Queen Elizabeth that she lives a long and happy life, and having watched her mother I think there’s every chance that she will.”
In other words, when Prince Charles becomes King, it is possible Australia – and other Commonwealth states – will get rid of him as their Head of State and become republics, completely breaking away from the United Kingdom.
Australia once held a referendum in 1999, but that failed.
Gillard’s opponent in Saturday’s election is Tony Abbott, an ardent monarchist. He sees no reason to change the status quo.
“I think that our existing constitutional arrangements have worked well in the past and I see no reason whatsoever why they can’t continue to work well in the future,” Abbott told the National Press Club.
“So while there may very well be further episodes of republicanism in this country, I am far from certain that at least in our lifetimes that there’s likely to be any significant change.”
The only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60th birthday Sunday, and she made it clear she has no intention of slowing down.
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“Will I slow down? Look around at my family. It is unlikely,” Princess Anne said in a recent interview with the BBC.
“Look around at the members of my family who are considerably older than me and tell me whether you think they have set an example which suggests that I might. Some of it is in the genes.”
Princess Anne is known for being the hardest working of the Queen’s children by being patron to about 200 of charities and doing hundreds of engagements each year. In 2009, she carried out 600 appearances.
Although she is officially known as the Princess Royal, Anne is famous for her no-nonsense personality. Rather than looking glamorous at her official events, the Princess is known for being down-to-earth in appearance. She also gave her children, Peter, 33, and Zara, 29, as normal of an upbringing as possible in which they do not have royal titles. They are simply known as Peter and Zara Philips.
“Her advice generally about life has been invaluable. Whenever we may have got slightly above our station she’d be the first one to bring us back down to earth fairly hard,” Peter told the BBC.
Zara added: “I would like to be as good a mother as she has been to us.”
Princess Anne is also a keen equestrian, having competed in the 1976 Olympics and is a member of the International Olympic Committee. Her daughter is following in her horse riding footsteps by aiming for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Anne married Lieutenant Mark Philips in 1973 but divorced in him 19 years later. She is now married to naval captain now Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence.
There will be no fanfare for the Princess’ milestone birthday. Instead, she is expected to celebrate it with Laurence at home.
But in December, Princess Anne has something to look forward to: she will become a grandmother when son Peter’s wife, Autumn, gives birth to their first child.
The eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is set to be a father. Peter Philips, the son of Princess Anne, and his wife, Autumn, are expecting their first child together, due in December.
This would make the Queen a great-grandmother and her only daughter, Anne a grandmother!
The couple married at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in the spring of 2008. They met in Canada, where Autumn was born and raised, at a sporting event.
Before marrying Peter, Autumn converted to the Church of England to insure her husband’s stance in the succession line. According to law, members of the royal family lose a chance at the throne when they marry Catholics.
Peter and his younger sister, Zara, are 11th and 12th in line to the throne. However, neither of them have royal titles. Princess Anne insisted that her children not be given them because she wanted them to have normal lives.
In her first trip to the Big Apple in over 30 years, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II visited the site of the 9/11 attacks and gave an historic speech at the United Nations. The visit to New York lasted only one day, following a nine day trip to Canada.
AP Photo/Mary Altaffer
In the morning, Her Majesty was at the U.N. headquarters where she was to make her first speech there since 1957 – four years after she was crowned Queen. She mentioned that as she opened her speech.
“Since then, I have travelled widely and met many leaders, ambassadors and statesmen from around the world. I address you today as Queen of sixteen United Nations Member States and as Head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries,” the Queen said.
“I have also witnessed great change, much of it for the better, particularly in science and technology, and in social attitudes. Remarkably, many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives – although all these have played a part – but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.
“For the United Nations, these subtle yet significant changes in people’s approach to leadership and power might have foreshadowed failure and demise. Instead, the United Nations has grown and prospered by responding and adapting to these shifts. But also, many important things have not changed. The aims and values which inspired the United Nations Charter endure: to promote international peace, security and justice; to relieve and remove the blight of hunger, poverty and disease; and to protect the rights and liberties of every citizen.”
Queen Elizabeth went on to congratulate the U.N. for its development since 1957, pointing out its numerous overseas operations and humanitarian actions.
But she also talked about the struggles in the present day, such as terrorism and climate change.
As she wrapped her speech, the Queen spoke about her hopes for the United Nations’ future.
“When people in fifty-three years from now look back on us, they will doubtless view many of our practices as old-fashioned. But it is my hope that, when judged by future generations, our sincerity, our willingness to take a lead, and our determination to do the right thing, will stand the test of time.
AP Photo/Fred R. Conrad, Pool
“In my lifetime, the United Nations has moved from being a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for common good. That of itself has been a signal achievement. But we are not gathered here to reminisce. In tomorrow’s world, we must all work together as hard as ever if we are truly to be United Nations.”
Afterwards, the Queen met with the Security Council and several U.N. diplomats.
Then, Her Majesty went to Ground Zero to lay a wreath in memory of those who died nearly 9 years ago in the terrorist attacks. She also met with the victims’ families and the rescue workers who responded first to the attacks.
At the end of her day, and in the sweltering New York heat, Queen Elizabeth went to the British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square, dedicated to the 67 British victims of 9/11, to officially open it.
With that, the Queen’s whirlwind visit to New York City was over. She flew back to Britain where she and her husband, Prince Philip, will rest from the Canadian and New York tours.
Some wondered if this would’ve been one of the 84 year-old monarch’s last overseas visits. There have been rumors of her cutting back on her duties. But recently it was revealed the Queen and Prince Philip will go the Middle East for official visits in the fall.
This past Thursday was Canada Day, a time when Canadians celebrate their country’s birth. For its 143rd year, its monarch, British Queen Elizabeth II was on hand to deliver a speech at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, one that moved even the staunchest of republicans.
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Dressed in a red dress that blended in with the screen behind her, the Queen gave a short speech right after Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke.
“Today we celebrate the history of Canada…Thank you for inviting Prince Philip and me to join you all on this special day,” she said, referring to her husband.
“I have watched with you in admiration as Canada has grown and matured while remaining true to its history, its distinctive character, and its values. This nation has dedicated itself to being a caring home for its own, a sanctuary for others, and an example to the world.”
“At home, Canadians have many reasons for optimism, even in trying times. The recent success of the Vancouver Olympics was about more than just the thrill of a gold medal for Canada’s hockey team. As well as renewing a sense of common purpose within this country, the Olympics showed to others something of the extraordinary warmth and enthusiasm of the people as Canada welcomed participants and audiences from around the globe.”
“I wish you all the very happiest Canada Day. God bless you all and God bless Canada.”
During her speech, Queen Elizabeth even spoke in French, Canada’s other official language.
For Canada Day, the Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed entertainment from several acts such as the Barenaked Ladies, Isabelle Boulay and Marjo, and traditional bagpipers. Quebecois singer Isabelle Boulet sang “God Save the Queen.”
Thousands had turned out to see the Queen of both the UK and Canada give her speech. Reports say it was one of the largest turnouts for Canada Day in recent memory. That, despite nearly half of Canadians saying they want to abolish the monarchy and permanently separate from Britain.
But it appears that the 84 year-old figurehead Queen still has the ability to influence people’s minds.
Sources: British Monarchy, British Royal Family Examiner
British monarch Queen Elizabeth II began her nine day visit to Canada Monday. She arrived in the eastern portion of the country, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This trip is part of the centennial anniversary of the Canadian navy, and it marks her 22nd official tour of the Great White North.
Photo by Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images
“It is very good to be home,” Her Majesty told the hundreds of Canadians who withstood the rainy day to welcome her. “As Queen of Canada for nearly six decades, my pride in this country remains undimmed.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed the Queen, telling her, “We are honored that you have given so generously of your time.”
A welcoming ceremony included an inspection of the honor guard.
Afterward, the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, went to a native Canadian – of First Nations as they are called – event. There, she met with Micmac tribal leaders and took a look at a wigwam, or traditional teepee.
Queen Elizabeth will make her way westward during her nine days in Canada. On Thursday, Canada Day, she will make a speech at Parliament in Ottawa. She will also tour a high-tech company in Toronto and a horse race in Winnipeg.
While many Canadians are indifferent to the royal family, many respect the octogenarian Queen – with the exception of most people in Quebec, a place the Queen will be skipping on her tour. Last year when her son and heir, Prince Charles, paid a visit to a province, he was met with rowdy demonstrations protesting the monarchy.
In addition to Canada, Queen Elizabeth will be stopping by New York City on July 6th, where she would visit Ground Zero and make an historic speech at the United Nations.
During his second day in New York City, Prince Harry got a chance to taste of New Yorker’s love of baseball. He threw the first pitch at a Mets game between the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field stadium, where large crowds turned up to get a glimpse of British royalty.
Wearing a blue Mets cap and a white T-shirt with “walking with the wounded” written on the front, the 25 year-old Prince shyly walked up to the pitcher’s mount, took a couple of stretches and then threw the ball to Rod Barajas. According to a New York Times blog, the pitch was “high, but it appeared to have good velocity and crossed the plate.” The crowd roared with approval at Harry’s first attempt at baseball.
It was R.A. Dickey, the Mets knuckleballer, who helped Harry for five minutes with his pitch. Dickey said he did well with it.
The Mets team even gave the Prince his own jersey – it has the number 22 and “Wales” on the back.
Earlier on Saturday, Prince Harry had paid a visit to the UNICEF Emergency Operation Center where he saw how the organization provides children with emergency supplies during crises. The supplies included a “School in a Box” which gives educational needs for children caught
AP Photo/Lucas Jackson, Pool
up in such crises as the Haitian earthquake earlier this year.
Tomorrow, Sunday morning, Harry will walk with war veterans in Central Park. In the afternoon, he will get involved in another sporting event, one he is most familiar with and that is a polo game on Governor’s Island in New York Harbor.
Britain’s Prince Harry is in New York City this weekend, a little over a year after his first visit to the Big Apple. He is there to promote stronger links between the American and British military plus once again play polo on Governor’s Island to benefit his charity, Sentebale.
AP Photo/Emmanuel Dunand, Pool
Upon arriving in the city, Harry went north to West Point military school where he trained with its cadets on a firing range exercise. Dressed in British camouflage, the Prince and the cadets fired guns at pop-up silhouette targets from about 50 to 300 meters away. Col. Casey Haskins was impressed.
“He clearly knows what he’s doing,” Haskins said. “He clearly knows how to shoot. He clearly knows how to move.”
“Given the stress of all this and never having done this before, he did quite well.”
Prince Harry did not talk to the reporters who were at West Point, but the cadets that were with him did.
“He seems like a really down-to-earth guy,” said Cadet Kristen Griest.
When he wasn’t shooting with the students, Harry chatted with them about his experiences in Afghanistan, where he fought for 10 weeks in early 2008. He also compared West Point to his military school, Sandhurst.
At the end of his stay at West Point, the Prince was presented with a ceremonial saber.
Photo by Lucas Jackson-Pool/Getty Images
Then it was back to New York via helicopter, which took the third in line to the British throne to the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum. Harry admitted in a speech that he felt tempted to pinch himself due to being on deck of the historic ship.
In his speech, Harry said American and British forces “have fought shoulder to shoulder for a hundred years to safeguard the ideals and values our countries share.”
“We in Britain can learn from the American culture of charity, and from the great pioneering work in the fields of care, prosthetics and rehabilitation of your universities, hospitals and other organizations,” he said. “In turn, I hope we can offer some inspiring examples of our own.”
After his speech, the Prince chatted with U.S. Marine veteran Aaron Mankin, who lost fingers and suffered burns to his face in combat.
On Saturday, Prince Harry will throw the first ball in a Mets game and take part in a UNICEF event. Sunday will see him walk in wounded war veterans in a Central Park road race. He will end off his New York trip by playing in the third annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on Governor’s Island.
After touring much of southern Africa, and watching England play Algeria during the FIFA World Cup (it was tied 1-1), Prince Harry made a final stop on his tour of the continent in Mozambique. Like his mother, the late Princess Diana, did in 1997, the Prince visited a landmine field to get an idea of what it is like to clear such a field. He also met with those injured from stepping on the weapons.
AP Photo/HALO Trust, Fiona Willoughby
As part of his visit, Harry watched a team clear a minefield and was taught to do the technique himself. The Prince denoted a couple of landmines under supervision of experts.
The HALO Trust was guiding Harry during his visit, as they did for his mother 13 years ago.
HALO Trust chief executive Guy Willoughby said: “HALO is delighted that Prince Harry has come out to support us in this quest to clear Mozambique of mines – a task we could complete in the next four years.
“By being with us in the field, and even personally destroying mines, he has learned something of the dirty, boring, dangerous work that Halo’s 7,700 staff undertake day-in, day-out in the world’s most mine-impacted countries.”
HALO (Hazardous Areas Life-Support Organization) has already cleared over 100,000 mines in northern Mozambique. They were laid in the ground first by the Portuguese in the 70s and later during the civil war.
After learning how to denote a mine, Harry went to meet with those who stepped on the mines and were maimed for life. One Mozambican was a 14 year old boy named Delisso, who lost part of his leg while herding goats. This boy’s case highlighted not only the dangers of landmines to people but to crops and livestock as well. Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest countries and with landmines in the way, how could it develop its economy?
When Princess Diana was shown minefields in Angola in 1997, she sparked outcries. Some felt she was getting involved with politics as she campaigned to ban landmines. The late Princess simply said she was not a political figure and her interests were purely humanitarian.
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