Marika86
Heir Apparant, Royal Blogger
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- Aug 7, 2010
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- Villa San Giovanni
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- Italy
A century ago today, the Belgian city of Liège was shaking to the booming of German guns, while its citizens fought desperately to stem a seemly endless flood of soldiers in field grey.
Today, the scene couldn't have been more different as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians and French president François Hollande to pay tribute to the fallen.
Elegant in a cream Alexander McQueen coat and her trusty L.K Bennett 'Sledge' heels, the Duchess wore a Jane Taylor hat that, wreathed with roses, nodded subtly to the occasion.
I was there, but I saw nobody, the public was not allowed to come close and even far !!! I waited more than 2 hours !
Excellent speech by HRH The Duke of Cambridge, reminding us of the real role of the monarchy in modern Europe, which is not "celebrity" or "charity", but rather the ceremonial representation of the State in occasions like that.
I wonder though why the Duke of Cambridge was chosen to represent the Queen instead of the Prince of Wales. Is Prince Charles unavailable ?
The BRF are all out at events across the UK today.
Charles has attended the service in Glasgow Cathedral with the PM.
The only BRF members not doing something official today are Beatrice, Eugenie, Michael, Marie-Christine and Alexandra.
The decision to sent William and Kate - and later today Harry - to Belgium was presumably The Queen's with the heir apparent at the official service in the UK while his wife will attend the service tonight at Westminster Abbey.
The BRF are all out at events across the UK today.
Charles has attended the service in Glasgow Cathedral with the PM.
The only BRF members not doing something official today are Beatrice, Eugenie, Michael, Marie-Christine and Alexandra.
The decision to sent William and Kate - and later today Harry - to Belgium was presumably The Queen's with the heir apparent at the official service in the UK while his wife will attend the service tonight at Westminster Abbey.
I have seen pictures from Getty that shown the Governor General of Commonwealth of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove along with Lady Cosgrove at the Service.Thanks ! I just saw pictures of Prince Charles at the Commonwealth service in Glasgow. Do you know who was in attendance at the service representing the different Commonwealth countries ?
I should know better than to read the absolute trash that the DM commenters come out with, but I just do not get this criticism of Kate for smiling at President Hollande at one point. I watched a bit of the TV coverage and King Felipe was laughing away with the German President (sorry don't know his name), William was also smiling with Mr Hollande, and yet it's only Kate who gets bashed for it. Do people want her to sit with a glum frown on her face all the time?
I should know better than to read the absolute trash that the DM commenters come out with, but I just do not get this criticism of Kate for smiling at President Hollande at one point. I watched a bit of the TV coverage and King Felipe was laughing away with the German President (sorry don't know his name), William was also smiling with Mr Hollande, and yet it's only Kate who gets bashed for it. Do people want her to sit with a glum frown on her face all the time?
Kate has a history of giggling and playing with her hair at solemn events, as long as you get photos like these DM will print them
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/10/article-2497274-19538BE900000578-877_306x438.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/10/article-2497274-19538B6500000578-304_634x359.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/04/article-2715336-203D1EF200000578-418_470x680.jpg
They also were at the same eventKate has a history of giggling and playing with her hair at solemn events, as long as you get photos like these DM will print them
I should know better than to read the absolute trash that the DM commenters come out with, but I just do not get this criticism of Kate for smiling at President Hollande at one point. I watched a bit of the TV coverage and King Felipe was laughing away with the German President (sorry don't know his name), William was also smiling with Mr Hollande, and yet it's only Kate who gets bashed for it. Do people want her to sit with a glum frown on her face all the time?
Kate has a history of giggling and playing with her hair at solemn events, as long as you get photos like these DM will print them
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/10/article-2497274-19538BE900000578-877_306x438.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/11/10/article-2497274-19538B6500000578-304_634x359.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/04/article-2715336-203D1EF200000578-418_470x680.jpg
At no point was she "playing" with her hair. She put her hair over her shoulder. I tuck my hair behind my ear, does that constitute "playing" with it?
I really can't imagine that any of the men and women who are being commemorated today or at the Cenotaph in November died for a future world where facial expressions are proscribed by others.
Oh, and very careful selection of photos, by the way:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012.../images/2011/12/03/1226213/130918-camilla.jpg
http://royalromania.files.wordpress...servesremembrancesundaye1udwyygtjyl.jpg?w=529
I don't remember Camilla or Sophie being criticised for smiling at solemn events in the same way Kate has been.
I should know better than to read the absolute trash that the DM commenters come out with, but I just do not get this criticism of Kate for smiling at President Hollande at one point. I watched a bit of the TV coverage and King Felipe was laughing away with the German President (sorry don't know his name), William was also smiling with Mr Hollande, and yet it's only Kate who gets bashed for it. Do people want her to sit with a glum frown on her face all the time?