Most members of the House of Windsor gathered at or near the Cenotaph to mark Remembrance Sunday, the day Britons reflect on those who died fighting for their country.
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Queen Elizabeth II led the memorial with members of the government, including Prime Minister David Cameron and other politicians, plus religious and military leaders.
In addition, more than 7,000 former soldiers marched past the Cenotaph along with 60 war widows.
After the march, at 11am local time, there was a two minute silence as the Big Ben chimed.
To end the silence, artillery fire echoed around the area. Buglers of the Royal Marines played the melody of The Last Post – which often signals the end of a soldier’s day.
Then Her Majesty laid a poppy wreath at the memorial, followed by her husband, Prince Philip.
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The rest of the royals who laid wreaths did so according to seniority: Charles, William, Andrew, Edward, Anne, and the Duke of Kent.
Watching from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth building were the two Duchesses, Camilla and Catherine, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex and wife of Prince Edward, and also Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of Princess Anne.
The way it goes in the family is that since those were not born royal, they cannot lay wreaths during Remembrance Sunday. They can lay memorial wreaths during other events such as state visits, just not at the Cenotaph.
Prince Harry was the one senior royal not in the country today. Instead, he attended his Army Air Corps’ remembrance service parade in Arizona, where he is training as a Apache helicopter pilot.
This year marks the 90th year since the Royal British Legion began holding Remembrance Sunday ceremonies.
The heir to the British throne arrived in Tanzania Monday to begin his four day visit to the East African country. With him is Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, who has never been there. Prince Charles’ last official visit to Tanzania was back in 1984.
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The couple started the day at the State House in Dar es Salaam, where dozens of schoolgirls greeted them by cheering and waving British and Tanzanian flags. President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Salma Kikwete also greeted the two. After receiving military honors and posing for the media, Prince Charles and President Kikwete held talks inside.
After that meeting, Charles and Camilla visited the charity workshop, Wonder Workshop, which makes jewelry out of scrap metal, glass and wood. It also employs 33 people suffering from polio. Their Royal Highnesses decided to give jewelry making a try.
The Duchess asked 28-year-old Neema Mohamedy, who was sitting beside her: “Are you going to show me what to do? I’m not normally very good at this.”
A couple of times Prince Charles struggled with the tiny beads he was given and Camilla offered her glasses. He refused them, only to be given smaller beads. “That’s not fair!” he jokingly complained.
Also during their visit to Wonder Workshop, Charles and Camilla got a look at an alligator made of scrap metal.
During their four day visit, the couple will go to Arusha, in the north of Tanzania and the semi-autonomous republic of Zanzibar, which is an island of the coast of the country.
The main reason the Prince and the Duchess are in Tanzania is to mark its 50th anniversary from Great Britain.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are currently on a five day visit to South Africa. They are to highlight both social and environmental issues during their trip.
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The couple arrived in Johannesburg on Wednesday, but their itinerary began the next day with a visit to Walter Sisulu Square, or Freedom Square, in Kliptown, Soweto. There, they were welcomed by the Soweto Gospel Choir, with 24 singers and a drummer, singing songs by Miriam Makeba. Also, local children gathered to see the royals.
“It was so cool, I liked that. It’s so long I want to see the Prince,” said Boniswa Msibi, an 18-year-old Soweto high school student who shook hands with Prince Charles. “We’re so happy that they’re coming into Soweto to see us and are not afraid of us.”
Charles and Camilla met with models who showcased traditional Zulu clothes. At one point, the Duchess was given a Zulu hat by Nthabiseng Dibakoane, a local businesswoman who specializes in hand-made bags, hats, shoes and ethnic dresses. Camilla – and the media – were delighted that she tried on the hat.
The Duchess tried to pay Dibakoane for it, but she insisted Camilla keep the hat for free.
The couple then went to the monument to the Freedom Charter, which began the fight against white-minority rule by declaring: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white.”
Afterward, Charles went to Pretoria to discuss the environment with business leaders while Camilla visited a women’s shelter. The pair reunited later on to meet with Graca Machel, the wife of Nelson Mandela. She showed them his personal archives at Mandela’s foundation in Johannesburg.
Mandela did not meet with the royals because he is reportedly not seeing visitors.
In the evening, Charles and Camilla had dinner with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and his partner Gugu Mtshall.
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On Friday, the two were faced with a dark chapter in British and Zulu history when they went to Ulundi, site of the last battle of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu War.
They met with Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini at his Ondini Palace in the KwaZulu-Natal province where they reflected on the war.
Our relationship hasn’t always been entirely smooth but it has always been characterised by deep admiration and respect,” said Charles in his speech. “Our meeting is but the latest in a long line and brings our relationship into the 21st century.”
“Our great nation, the Zulus, and the British share a very rich history that is both good and not so good,” Zwelithini said in his speech. “Our meeting today marks a new beginning between our nations, an era of mutual respect and cooperation.”
Both the Prince and the King exchanged gifts – Charles gave Zwelithini a silver cup, similar to the one Queen Victoria gave Cetshwayo, the Zulu King the British forced into exile after destroying his palace and ending his people’s independence. Zwelithini in turn gave Charles a portrait of Cetshwayo.
Later Friday, the Prince and the Duchess went to a game reserve to see how black rhinoceros is being protected. Charles spotted one at the reserve but Camilla did not. The black rhino is an elusive, endangered animal.
Sources: AFP, Press Association, South Africa.info,
On Wednesday, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall, visited the neighborhoods of London that witnessed the riots that tore apart the country nearly two weeks ago. They saw firsthand the damage caused by fires and looting, and met with the people who either lost their homes or business due to the riots.
View photos of Charles & Camilla in Tottenham here
At the Tottenham Green Leisure Centre in North London, Charles and Camilla spoke to the emergency crews that responded to the riot fires, and those who were affected by them. One of the people they met with were Barbara Bereda-Malik, 45, and her husband Omar Malik, 47. Their apartment was above a carpet store before the building burned down.
Speaking of meeting Charles, Mrs Bereda-Malik said: “It was really nice to see him and see they’re concerned about our situation.
“He asked about how we were coping.”
While the royals were visiting London, it was announced that the Prince’s Trust will donate £2.5 million to the areas hardest hit by the riots, including the city of Birmingham, and three London neighborhoods – Tottenham, Croydon, and Hackney.
Prince Charles’ youngest son, Prince Harry, did his part to meet with the riot victims on Friday. He went to Salford near Manchester to meet with the firefighters and police officers who were often attacked. Harry told them that he saw the videos of the attacks on YouTube and asked the cops and firemen how they coped.
Click here to see Prince Harry in Salford
“Harry looked shocked when I told him that most of the unit received some sort of injury. At one point, it was clear they were intent on killing somebody. There was nothing we could do but climb back into our vans and retreat,” said Andy Sheridan.
The emergency crews were pleased that Prince Harry took time to visit them.
“I did not expect royalty to come into my life but it felt like I had met Harry before,” said Ismail Patel, who’s business was destroyed. “He was just a normal person and seemed to genuinely care about what would happen to my business and the consequences for my family. Despite the level of damage, our insurance only covers £25,000.”
Gemma Lloyd, 16, admitted that the Prince was “brave” for walking down the damaged precinct.
There is no word whether newlyweds Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will take their time to meet with other riot victims.
The United States’ President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama began their state visit to the U.K., which is still glowing from its royal wedding nearly a month ago. The House of Windsor was ready to welcome the couple with the grandeur the royals are so well known for.
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The Obamas arrived last night due to the Icelandic volcanic ash causing air traffic problems. This morning, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, greeted them at the home of the American ambassador. From there, Mr. and Mrs. Obama went to Buckingham Palace where they were welcomed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
This was the second time the Obamas met the royal couple. The first time was in April 2009, during a G20 meeting in London. That was when Michelle Obama famously put her arm around the Queen.
The highlight for the Obamas had to be meeting the newlywed couple, Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. The two had just returned from their 10 day honeymoon in Seychelles, and this was their first official engagement after their historic wedding last month.
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Catherine chatted with Michelle while William spoke to the President. The four discussed the wedding and the Cambridges’ visit to California in July. Catherine handled her first royal engagement with perfect ease, as though she was born to be a royal.
Later in the evening, Queen Elizabeth II hosted a state dinner, in which about 170 guests attended. They included other members of the House of Windsor, such as Princess Anne, and ambassadors, business leaders, leading academics, prominent nobility and even celebrities from both sides of the Atlantic.
Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson were present, as was Tim Burton, Kevin Spacey and Helena Bonham-Carter – who won rave reviewed for portraying the Queen’s mother in the Oscar winning film “The King’s Speech” this year.
As for the Queen’s speech ( ), she said, “We are here to celebrate the tried, tested and – yes – special relationship between our two countries.”
There was a mishap when President Obama gave his speech. He was quoting Shakespeare when the band began to play “God Save the Queen”. Other than that, this first day of their British state visit was memorable for Barack and Michelle Obama.
The preparations are done, the rehearsals are complete, and Prince William and Catherine Middleton said their farewells to each other before they see each other again tomorrow at their epic wedding at Westminster Abbey.
While Wednesday was reported to be the final rehearsal at the medieval venue, the truth is that one was final for Prince William. Catherine, on the other hand, had one last run through this morning at the Abbey with soon-to-be brother-in-law Prince Harry and a few of her bridal party.
Afterward, she and Harry rode through the streets of London with the people who are already camped out for their spot along the procession route cheering for her.
Catherine went to Clarence House where she and William said their final good-byes until tomorrow. Then Catherine rode to Goring Hotel, where her family is staying for the night. Looking happy and every bit the princess, she waved to the crowds gathered outside the hotel. That is where the bride will leave for her wedding tomorrow.
To make sure no one sees what her much anticipated wedding dress will look like, a large canopy has been placed over the entrance of Goring Hotel so Catherine could enter the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI transporting her to the Abbey. Then when she steps out, the world will finally see what the bride’s dress will look like.
Also today, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, made a surprise visit to those camped out along The Mall. She told them, “We’re all ready for tomorrow – its wonderful and all very exciting!”
“There’s a great atmosphere out here and it’s so nice to meet people and see how the celebrations are getting underway.”
Today, the wedding program was unveiled, featuring the songs to be sung and admitting that no, Catherine will not vow to obey her husband.
The program also had a message from the bride and groom, telling the world a deep heart thank you for their support during the days leading up to the wedding.
Whatever happens tomorrow, it is sure to be a loving, romantic occasion.
I know its early, but…three cheers for William and Catherine!
UPDATE: Hours before his nuptials, Prince William made an impromptu walkabout to greet the crowds waiting along the procession route. The Prince shook hands and posed for pictures. Supposedly, he said he was concerned about the crowd camping out overnight.
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Morocco Monday, the final leg of their three nation tour to promote British business. This visit comes as Morocco is facing political changes amidst the protests sweeping across the Arab world. Although the climate has been mild compared to other countries, Morocco is still at a crossroads.
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Upon meeting with the British royals, Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi called the changes a “peaceful revolution”.
He said: “This is a very big event for Morocco, for the King to have invited the Prince, and it will reaffirm the historic relationship between the two countries.”
Charles and Camilla were greeted in Rabat by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother to King Mohammed VI. When they sat down for formal talks, they were served milk, a tradition in Morocco for its “sweet and pure intentions”.
Later, the couple paid a solemn visit to the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. Prince Charles removed his shoes and the Duchess donned a head scarf as they paused in front of the final resting places of the last two Kings. The Prince even laid a wreath there.
Some British newspapers raised an eyebrow over Charles’ gesture. They said it was an ironic move since King Hassan II was considered to be “tyrannical” and yet his son, Mohammed VI, is making changes in politics and human rights.
Fouad Abdelmoumni, an economist and pro-democracy campaigner, suggested the timing of the Prince’s visit to Hassan II’s tomb was far from ideal.
He said: “Some people would think that it’s not the best time for him to do this kind of thing, and not the best place to visit.”
However, most Moroccans are aware that Prince Charles is on a diplomatic visit. There’s been some concern that the visit will be marred by protests, but so far, nothing serious.
Charles and Camilla ended their first day in the country by dining with King Mohammed VI and his family at Palais Dar Salam in Rabat.
After three days in neighboring Portugal, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, flew east to Spain for the second stop on their three nation tour to promote British business. The couple arrived in Madrid, but went to Pardo Palace in its outskirts to be greeted by their hosts, the Prince and Princess of Asturias – Felipe and Letizia.
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The Spanish couple met with Charles and Camilla at the start of an opening ceremony that included a color guard. Prince Charles seemed enamored by Princess Letizia, and kissed her hand upon meeting her – much to the delight of everyone watching.
After the ceremony, the Prince and the Duchess met with about 300 volunteers who help British residents in Spain at a reception at the home of Britain’s ambassador to Spain, Giles Paxman.
“Although it is impossible for the royal couple to meet everybody, their presence is a tribute to each and every person who helps our British residents,” Paxman said in a statement.
About one million Britons reside in Spain during the year, or just part of it.
Tonight, Felipe and Letizia will host a dinner in honor of their British guests. Tomorrow, Charles and Camilla will lunch with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. The Prince of Wales is expected to make speeches during both meals as part of a toast.
Later in the week, the couple will travel to Seville and also go to a private estate in Granada to spend a few days before heading to Morocco, the last leg of their tour.
This is Prince Charles’ tenth visit to Spain, but Camilla’s first official trip.
Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, began their official visit to Portugal Monday. It is the start of a three nation tour that will also take them to Spain and Morocco. The 10 day long visits are part of promoting British business.
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It was a rainy day in Lisbon when the couple were greeted by President Anibal Cavaco Silva at the Belem Presidential Palace. Official held umbrellas over the heads of the Prince of Wales and Silva as the national anthems of Britain and Portugal played during the welcoming ceremony.
Next came the press photos and the signing of the Book of Honor. Afterward, the President and the Prince held a half hour talk while Camilla and the Portuguese First Lady, Dr Maria Cavaco Silva, took a tour of a horse-drawn carriage museum.
Also part of their agenda, Charles and Camilla visited the monument of the tomb of poet and Portuguese national hero Luis Vaz de Camoes. They laid a wreath there, much to the surprise of onlookers. The couple also visited an English-language school and met with the students.
The royals are in Portugal during a time of crisis. Last week, its prime minister – Jose Socrates – quit and the country is facing financial struggles similar to Ireland and Greece.
Charles and Camilla will remain in Portugal for three days before moving on to Spain.
Sources: The Press Association, Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Wow, was this a big year for royalty! From weddings and engagements to engagements being called off, plus so many other stories, royalty was happening in 2010!
Choose which was the biggest story in the royalty world below:
), she said, “We are here to celebrate the tried, tested and – yes – special relationship between our two countries.”
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