Programming: Royal Ascot and Camp

Hey guys, so next week I shall be camping... sigh! Anyways, I WILL be posting Royal Ascot tomorrow- a week's wrap up. So stay tuned!

Royal Books: The Queen's Book of the Red Cross

If there's one royal tidbit of advice I can give, it's to op shop. Who can resist 2 dollar royal biographies, whilst also doing your bit to help charity?

Today, this golden nugget jumped out at me from the dusty shelves. Printed in 1939, this book, sponsored by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was intended to raise funds for the Red Cross during WWII. Fifty British authors and artists featured in the book, which includes a lovely photo of the QM by Cecil Beaton and a poignant handwritten letter by her. I'd buy it just for her fabulous handwriting and SIGNATURE. Gah! It looks too good a letter to have been mass-produced. I'll just keep dreaming'

NOTE: Sorry about the shadows, it's night time here!

The Garter Service and Procession 2012

Get your plumes out, it's Garter Day once again! Founded in 1348, The Most Noble Order of the Garter is the highest order of chivalry in the UK. The annual Garter Service is held at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. A rare occurrence in the 18 century, George VI started its reappearance. The members of the Order meet in the state apartments of Windsor Castle, and then walk down to the chapel for the service. Then the show really starts as the members ride back in carriages back to the castle at its conclusion. 2002 was a notable year for the service, when Queen Beatrix, Queen Margrethe, King Juan Carlos and Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg all took part in the procession, as Knights or Ladies of the Garter.

 The headpiece worn is known as a Tudor Bonnet, and as the namesake suggests, was worn widely during Tudor times. Attached are the famous plumes of white ostrich feather which we now commonly associate with Garter Day. Now here's some miscellaneous photos of the Queen Mother looking adorable at Garter Day:

Okay, back to present day! The majority of the Royal Family were out in force at St. George's Chapel, either in the procession or watching from a platform.

Windsor Castle is my favourite royal setting, and it looked very fairtytale-esque today. You can probably make out the stands above the crowds, which brought a flood of coronation nostalgia back.

The Queen certainly rocked those plumes and trains and those RUBY EARRINGS, and it was wonderful to see Prince Philip back at her side. I like how HM appointed Princess Margaret's grandson, Charles Armstrong-Jones as her First Page of Honour.

I was lovely to see these colour co-ordinated royals all together. Sometimes I wonder what the relationship between the Countess of Wessex and her sister-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall is like? The Duchess of Cambridge seems to have developed a warm bond with Camilla though.

Adorable moments between the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, if it were me I'd burst out in a fit of laughter.

Left to Right: The Princess Royal and Prince Edward, Princess Alexandra and Prince Edward Duke of Kent, The Princess Royal, Sir Timothy Lawrence and The Duchess of Gloucester.

Pictures: The Guardian/The Telegraph/The Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor/Habsburg06 (Flickr)

Random Royal Tidbit: Princess Michael and Her Cats

Princess Michael is certainly an interesting character, exemplified by her official website. She is often referred as "Princess Pushy," and the Queen herself referred to her as "Our Val," and as "a bit too grand" for the Royal Family.

She does have her own .org site, which tends to praise her in every way, displaying her numerous interests, talents and achievements. Princess Michael does lectures and is the author of numerous historical novels. One of her fondest loves is.....cats. An excerpt from one of her interviews shows her fondness of the feline species: "My passion for tigers dates from my childhood, when I discovered The Jungle Book. Kipling’s Shere Khan was my secret best friend and for his sake I haunted my nearest zoo, imagining a bond with these magnificent beasts." So here's some amusing photos of her with an assorted collection of cats.

Pictures: Daily Mail/John Staddort/HRH Princes Michael of Kent/Catholicism Pure and Simple

Random Royal Moment: Lady Louise Windsor

Did anyone else see?! The way she pushed her way through to the front of the balcony? Lady Louise don't need no Earl or Countess of Wessex, oh no. And did anyone see how the Duchess of Cambridge adorably interacted with her cousin-in-law? So cute!

Trooping the Colour 2012

My heart, my heart- the Windsors are back! After the barren balcony for the Jubilee, everyone is back together in for the Queen's Birthday Parade, or as I call it, "Royal Christmas." No open carriages this year, the Queen and Prince Philip rode in the Glass Coach, incase it rained.

A la typical QE style, the Queen recycled the same Angela Kelly outfit she wore to her grandson's wedding, along with the Guard's Badge she wears every year. The Duchess of Cambridge finally wore a brand new outfit, YAY! But I didn't fancy her fascinator, which covered a portion of her eyes! Also, I think Eugenie's carriage might have ran over a fowl on the way out of the palace. Roadkill is a no no.

L to R: The Duchess of Kent, Princess Alexandra of Kent, The Duchess of Gloucester, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (huge freaking veil!)

It was great to see Prince Philip out and about today, but he did look a bit frail. Hopefully he will remain energetic for many years to come. It was lovely to see the balcony packed again, teeming with royals! And of course, a major royal event wouldn't be complete without an obligatory flypast, and the Red Arrows were a delight!

Pictures: Royal News/Daily Mail

The Diamond Jubilee Tour: The Earl and Countess of Wessex's Visit to Gibraltar

In the midst of all the controversy surrounding their visit to 'The Rock,' the Earl and Countess of Wessex have truly shown their glamorous sides and warmth which make them one of my favourite royals. Personally, I don't know what this whole political boom-bah is all about- an overwhelming 99% of Gibraltarians chose to remain a British overseas territory in a recent referendum. So, at the end of the day, it's the people who decide, and they have chosen to stay British. 

I've gotta hand it to her- The Countess of Wessex looked amazing and ultra-glamorous during the visit, rocking those sunglasses! Not sure about those 'trousers' though... I've always admired her human touch, and the fact that she isn't afraid to disregard protocol and kiss oldies and carry babies. 

And my favourite photo:

Pictures: BBC/Daily Telegraph