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Wednesday night saw Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco arrive in Toronto, Canada to inaugurate an exhibition dedicated to Albert’s late mother, Princess Grace.
 Click here to see more photos of their arrival The exhibit, called “Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess” is located at the Toronto International Film Festival Lightbox, and it features her personal correspondence, famous fashions, films and lots of memorabilia.
“She would have been deeply touched, I think, by the tribute that is paid to her,” Prince Albert II said, adding audiences will be able “to discover my mother beyond Princess Grace’s legendary image.”
“Of course you see the glamour, her incredible sense of style and taste, but you also discover some of her personal correspondence, some of the artifacts, some of the objects that were part of her everyday life,” the Prince told CBC News Wednesday evening.
“I think it’s a great insight into the great personality that she was, the incredible generosity of her heart and spirit.”
Albert and Charlene toured the exhibit before going to a cocktail reception which had photos and videos of the Hollywood actress turned European royal projected on some of the walls. Another wall showed the magazine covers Grace made.
Also at the exhibit is a replica of Grace’s legendary wedding dress, worn during her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III. The original is too delicate to travel, and is housed in Philadelphia where she was born.
Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess is part of a worldwide tour that has stopped in London and Moscow. Toronto is only place North America could see the exhibit. It will run until January 22nd. After that, it will go to Australia.
Sources: CBC, Globe and Mail
Friday saw the nine day official visit to Canada wind down for Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. It can be said that the tour was wildly successful as seen by the large crowds gathering to see the royal couple.
 Click for more pics at Zimbio! After conquering (figuratively) Ottawa, Quebec and Prince Edward Island, William and Catherine headed northwes to Yellowknife, in the Northwestern Territories. Although Yellowknife is a remote location and has a small population, the royals once again saw large crowds, about five feet deep.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were treated to native dances by the indigenous people of the area, or First Nations as Canadians call them. They also received a demonstration of street hockey. Despite being dressed in a suit and shiny shoes, Prince William took a try with the hockey stick with the locals. His wife was the one who dropped the hockey ball, but declined to play. Catherine told Gloria Francis, age 16, “I would have taken a shot if I wasn’t in heels,” gesturing to her designer shoes. After the game, the couple got red jerseys with “Cambridge” written across the back.
Afterward, William and Catherine paid a visit to a youth parliament in Yellowknife before flying to the edge of the tundra to have a campfire visit with more local youths.
Later, in what many in the British press called a “second honeymoon”, William surprised his wife with an evening spent on a secluded island with no one but themselves to absorb the Canadian wilderness and what they have seen and experienced during their tour.
Wednesday was supposed to be a day off for the Duke and Duchess, but they chose to go to Slave Lake in Alberta, where they took a look at the town 80% devastated by wildfires back in May. They visited local families and emergency personnel including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
 See more pics of Catherine and Diamond here Later in the day, the couple flew to Calgary. It was there that perhaps the defining moment of the whole Canadian tour occurred. Upon arriving at Calgary airport, the Duke and Duchess were greeted by 6 year old Diamond Marshall. Diamond, who has Stage 4 cancer, ran excitedly towards the royals and handed Catherine a bouquet of flowers. Little Diamond’s one wish was to meet a princess, and the one she met – in a way, Catherine can be considered to be a princess – gave her a big hug, sparking comparisons to the late Princess Diana.
Also at the airport, William and Catherine were given custom-made Smithbilt white cowboy hats since they have entered Canada’s cowboy country. Some royal watchers were disappointed that the two didn’t put on the hats right there.
But they did wear their gifts later in the evening at the BMO Centre for the Stampede rodeo wearing western style clothes – button down shirts, jeans, large belts and boots. The couple enjoyed a rodeo that included a child riding a sheep. Later, they ate dinner with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
 See more photos here at Zimbio! On Friday, the last for the couple in the Great White North, they were once again in Calgary, this time taking part in the Stampede’s massive parade. Part of the parade included 850 horses, bands and floats, cowboys and clowns, and local First Nation people in traditional regalia riding beaded horses.
About 300,000 people gathered to see William and Catherine, but many were disappointed that they didn’t get a good glimpse of them. Some complained that the vehicle carrying the royals rolled by too quickly. They expected the Prince and his wife to be in an open air carriage.
Additionally, the couple had a rude interruption when a woman broke through the crowd to come rushing up to the car and attempted to throw presents at the car window. No one was harmed.
Thus completed William and Catherine’s nine day tour of Canada. It was indeed a success, especially for new royal Catherine. She handled the long and demanding tour as though she was doing such appearances all her life. Clearly, the Duchess has adjusted to royal life perfectly.
Her Royal Highness will demonstrate more of her adjustment when William and Catherine head to Los Angeles, California later on Friday to spend three days in the city. They will be promoting British charities, businesses and entertainment as they rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty.
Sources: Calgary Herald, Toronto Sun, USA Today,
On Thursday, Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, began their nine day official visit to Canada. The tour is their first foreign one since their April 29th wedding. The media greatly anticipated this visit as hundreds of journalists and photographers gathered in the Great White North to capture the newlyweds every move. Luckily, the media – as well as Canadians and royal watchers worldwide – were not disappointed.
 Click here for more photos from Zimbio! The couple landed midday in Ottawa, the capital, where they were greeted by Governor-General David Johnston. Crowds cheered for the two as they made their way to Rideau Hall for the official welcoming ceremony. There, Prince William gave a short speech, saying “We have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time. And before we were married, we had a longing to come here together.” William also spoke in French at one point, delighting the people of Canada, but he admitted it “will improve as we go on.”
Later, the couple laid a wreath at a war memorial, met with veterans and then did a walk about with the crowds. Going to opposite sides, William and Catherine shook hands and spoke to the excited people, some of whom were more excited to see the newest member of the British royal family.
In the evening, the Prince and the Duchess attended a BBQ with Canadian youth in the garden of Rideau Hall.
Next day, July 1st, was Canada Day. Still in Ottawa, the couple took part in the country’s national day festivities, arriving to Parliament Hill in a horse drawn carriage. They observed a 21 gun salute before sitting down for the event. There, William gave another speech, both in English and French. He spoke of his wife’s connections to Canada.
“She heard about Canada not from her parents, but from her grandfather, a wonderful man who passed away last year,” William said. “[He] held this country dear to his heart, for he trained in Alberta as a young pilot during the Second World War.”
 Click here to see more on Zimbio! Calling the event “a day of unity,” William said, “Catherine and I especially are so thrilled and excited by the prospect of the next eight days of being part of the Canadian family. It will be an adventure that we’ll never forget.”
Tens of thousands of Canadians gathered at Parliament Hill to see the couple, some of whom said are visibly in love.
“Every time you see them in pictures or on TV they have that look between them and it will be amazing to see that up close,” Tammy LeClerc said. “They have that special bond. They have something.”
After the event, Their Royal Highnesses went to a citizenship ceremony, where they honored new Canadian citizens. In the evening, the couple attended a concert followed by a fireworks special in honor of Canada Day.
Day three came and the royals started their day still in Ottawa. For their schedule, they were due for a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall. The couple took turns tossing shovel fulls of soil for the base of a hemlock tree, which is meant to symbolize William and Catherine’s love and marriage. Hemlock trees can last for 800 years.
 Click here for more photos on Daylife! After the ceremony, William paused in front of another tree, once planted by his mother, the late Princess Diana. July 1st would’ve been her 50th birthday, and William once said in an interview that he thinks of her almost everyday.
The couple then stopped by the Canadian War Museum to meet with veterans and their British wives. It was there Catherine reportedly spoke of her fears for her husband whenever he does his search and rescue missions back in U.K.
Later in the day, the royals flew to Montreal, Quebec – a province home to many anti-monarchists. When the Prince and his wife arrived at the Sainte-Justine hospital, dozens of protesters demonstrated against their visit. “Parasite go home,” the protesters shouted, along with chants of “French Quebec,” “We will never bend, Willy go home” and “down with the monarchy”.
Although in numbers they were overwhelmed by well-wishers, the protesters drowned out them out by beating on buckets. William and Catherine however, carried on unfazed.
In the evening, the duo took their turn at Quebecois cooking and donned chef outfits at the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie du Quebec.
The next day, Sunday, they traveled to Quebec City where they encountered more protests. Police blocked the anti-monarchists two blocks away from City Hall, where Prince William attended a ceremony to honor and inspect the Royal 22e Regiment, the most famous French-speaking unit in the Canadian military.
“You, the Quebecois et Quebecoise, have such vitality and a remarkable pride. We are simply delighted to be here,” he said in a speech entirely in French. “Thank you for your patience with my accent, and I hope that we will have the chance to get to know each other over the years to come. Until the next time. See you soon.”
 Click here for more photos on Zimbio! Then William and Catherine did a walkabout with the 200 well-wishers, undeterred by the nearby protesters. Afterward came a visit to Maison Dauphine, a drop in center for homeless and young people in Quebec.
Later in Sunday, they flew to Prince Edward Island, a place the Duchess of Cambridge was eager to see. The Island is the setting for the L.M. Montgomery books, Anne of Green Gables and Catherine read them as a child. Part of her and William’s agenda was to visit the actors of a musical theater based on the books in Charlottetown.
Monday saw the couple still on PEI, where William piloted pilot and landed a helicopter on the water for the first time. William personally requested the training exercise to be a part of his visit.
In the afternoon, the newlyweds took part in a competitive – yet fun – dragon boat racing with the Canadian national team. Before the race began, William gave his wife a loving hug but was insistent on winning the race. “There’s no chivalry in sport,” he said.
And win it he did! The Prince’s team won, but with the Duchess’ boat closely behind. The national team complemented the royals on their paddling skills.
For the remainder of their tour, William and Catherine will visit Yellowknife and Calgary.
They will leave for a brief stop in California on July 8th.
Sources: Globe and Mail, People, AFP, AP, Toronto Star, Telegraph
 Chris Jackson/Getty Images/FILE Despite increasing indifference towards the monarchy, Canada will release stamps to commemorate the nuptials between Prince William and Catherine Middleton.
Mary Traversy, senior vice president of transaction mail at Canada Post, announced Friday that the stamps will be available May 2nd, just days after the couple tie the knot on April 29th at Westminster Abbey.
Traversy also said that the “country’s stamps are a reflection of who we are as a nation and the royal wedding is one of those rare occasions that will touch many people.”
It is being speculated that the rest of the Commonwealth – such as Australia and New Zealand – would follow suit, even though those countries are also seeing indifference towards the British monarchy and the royal wedding itself.
In addition, it is rumored that in July, William and Catherine would make a two week visit to Canada, even though the official story is the couple will go live on William’s RAF base in Wales after returning from their honeymoon.
Source: AP
On Tuesday, Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria was on hand to give out the annual Junior World Water Prize during Stockholm’s World Water Week. Usually the Crown Princess is the one who gives out the award, and this year she did not fail to dazzle everyone.
 Photo: Business Wire The Swedish press went mad with Victoria’s long earrings, tight hair bun but most of all, her lilac dress. Designed by the label Greta, it should her slim, fit body nicely. Some publications such as Svensk Damtidining noted how over the past year, Victoria’s fashion sense has blossomed into something “prettier, hotter and cooler. She has developed a personal style and ensure that feels classic yet updated and trendy. And of course it is partly her love for Daniel that made her so radiantly beautiful but it is not the answer.”
But there was more to Tuesday night than what the Crown Princess wore. For two Canadian teens, it was a big night for them as they took home prize money and sculptures in honor of their science experiment regarding styrofoam cleaning up polystyrene waste.
Alexandre Allard and Danny Luong of Quebec City, who are both 19, say they were inspired after reading a report about how polystyrene breaking down in the ocean can release toxic molecules. The two then came up with a technique that uses bacteria to break down the foam plastic used in many disposable cups, fast-food containers and packing materials. They went on to experiment their find at a local dump, collected soil in areas where there was a lot of polystyrene, and learned that bacteria could break down plastic into carbon dioxide.
Allard and Luong won $5,000 and are planning to further conduct tests and experiments to see if their findings could clean up styrofoam waste.
Source: Svensk Damtidining, CBC
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.
 John Stillwell-Pool/Getty Images 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.
Sources: AFP, AP
 One week into the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and royalty has been just about everywhere. They’ve been cheering on their country men and women as they compete in the various sporting competitions, but mostly anonymously. Meaning, many ordinary people probably did not know there was royalty in their midst as they watched the events.
Earlier this week, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon was photographed watching the downhill skiing and at the women’s biathlon. He likely went unnoticed with his dark sunglasses.
 Also watching the biathlon was Denmark’s Crown Princely couple, Frederik and Mary. They also were at the downhill skiing event. As an IOC member, Frederik took part in the medal ceremony for the Men’s Biathlon 10 km Sprint at Whistler Medal Plaza.
Later, he and Mary were photographed watching one of the hockey games.
Another royal taking part in a medal ceremony was Prince Albert II of
 REUTERS/Lyle Stafford Monaco. A five-time Winter Olympian in the bobsledding as well as an IOC member, the Prince awarded the medal winners of the the Alpine skiing Men’s Super-G event at the Whistler Medal Plaza.
Royalty come and go at these Games, some of them arriving halfway through. Those that did were Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and their son Prince Carl Philip. The Swedish royals came on Thursday, just in time to watch the women’s round robin curling event. They watched as Sweden beat China 6 – 4.
As the 2010 Winter Olympics get under way this evening, you might want to keep an eye out for some royals attending the Games.
Here’s the list:
King Harald V, Queen Sonja and Crown Prince Haakon – Norway
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary – Denmark
Princess Anne – United Kingdom
Infanta Pilar – Spain
King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Prince Carl Philip – Sweden
Prince Albert II – Monaco
Constantine and Anne-Marie – Greece
Crown Prince Willem-Alexander, Crown Princess Maxima and daughters – Netherlands
There has been some controversy over Willem-Alexander taking his three young daughters to the Olympics. In the Netherlands, parents are allowed to take their children out of school due to the Dutch Compulsory Education Law, which has school principals give students 10 extra free days a year, without consulting the Ministry of Education. It is up to the principals to decide if there is any specific reason to grant the free days and if the students would not be behind in their lessons.
News of the princesses spending time at the Olympics did not go well with the Dutch public. Some say it is unfair that the three girls – Catharina-Amalia, Alexia and Ariane – get days off easily while other students do not. Some also see this as Willem-Alexander taking advantage of his position as the future King, which he is starting to gain a reputation as. The Crown Prince already is not seen in a good light after he sued the Associated Press and began building a vacati0n resort in Mozambique, both last year.
In other news, Jordan’s Prince Feisal was elected as a member to the International Olympic Committee during a meeting the day before the official opening ceremonies. He joins half-sister Princess Haya as one of the many royals who are IOC members.
As the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall wrapped their 10-day official visit of Canada, it was clear quite a few did not want them around. Demonstrations against Charles and Camilla derailed some of their Montreal engagements, and throughout the entire tour, crowds were noticably smaller compared to previous royal visits.
 REUTERS/Chris Wattie After touring British Columbia, the couple headed back to Ottawa on Monday. They finally met with Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, and Governor-General, Michaelle Jean.
It was Harper who gave gifts to Prince Charles for his sons, William and Harry. The presents were two red sweaters and caps worn by Inuit Rangers, since the two Princes are honorary members of the Arctic Guard.
“I hope they fit,” joked Prince Charles, according to the AFP.
“One-size fits all,” said Harper’s wife Laureen.
Later in the day, the couple traveled east to Quebec, Canada’s French speaking province, for Prince Charles to participate in a ceremony to unveil new colors for a regiment. It was then he and Camilla ran into rallies that arose even before they arrived. About 200 demonstrators gathered outside a Montreal regiment, chanting “Majesty, go home!” and blocked the entrance. Some of them through eggs at the soldiers, and there were a few arrests.
 REUTERS/Christinne Muschi This caused the couple’s arrival to be delayed, and when they finally did arrive, they had to be escorted through the back entrance. This, instead of having a welcoming ceremony at the front entrance.
The protests were organized by the Quebecois Network of Resistance, a small group calling for Quebec’s secession from Canada.
After the regiment ceremony, Charles and Camilla flew back to Ottawa, where they observed Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day as it is called in Canada. Wearing a full military uniform, Charles, who is colonel-in-chief for three regiments, laid a wreath with the Governor General at the National War Memorial. The Prince even met with some veterans and military families.
 REUTERS/Chris Wattie In an interview, Prince Charles said this about the veterans: “How much we owe them. An enormous debt of gratitude for the incredible service and duty that they perform on our behalf in some of the most difficult and impossible conditions you could imagine. And I certainly don’t take for granted what they do, because it is quite remarkable how many people are prepared to give such service.”
The next day, Thursday, their last engagement in Canada was planting an oak tree at Rideau Hall. They then boarded a plane, and headed home.
For the most part, it has been a ho-hum tour of the Great White North. There were a flood of reports of small crowds, unlike Charles’ last two Canadian vists in 1992 and 1998. But then again, he had Princess Diana with him in 1992, and his sons were the main attraction in the latter year. One does wonder if the indifference expressed this time around will determine the British monarchy’s future with Canada.
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