Apologies again folks for the radio silence, school holidays got the better of us over the last month and the podcast is a smidgen late. But when it’s late, you know it’s a bumper episode! We’re chock full of fashion, faux pas, and photographs. All of the best things!
Her Maj and various members of the The Royal Family attended Royal Ascot over the 5 days in early June, which made for stunning viewing. Megs trotted out a remarkably similar outfit to Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, which left Beth a bit cold. “It’s just a belted shirtdress”, she reckons. A bit blah. This was precisely 20 minutes before she *gasp* accidentally turned her back to the queen, despite Harry’s elegant sidestep crabwalk to avoid it. She won’t forget that again! But as I said to Beth, there’s so much Meghan has to remember.
It was also good to see old Phil out and about and enjoying the summer weather.
Georgie Porgie of course turned 5 on July 22, and this banger of a photo was released to mark the occasion. It was taken at Louis’ christening earlier in the month, and is super cute. Five already!
Locals can fill in an application form to be invited to the grounds of Windsor Castle when Jack and Eugenie get married on October 12. If you go, let us know!
Charles and Cam have been everywhere across a couple of royal visits in the last few weeks, including Cornwall (above), and the Isles of Scilly, which made for stunning photography. HOW photogenic is the UK? And in summer! I mean, really.
Meanwhile, it was Camilla’s 71st birthday. I believe there was cake!
Matt Porteous via The Royal Family
Details from the christening have been released, including the music and readings, to add to the INTENSE DISCUSSION the photos and videos elicited around the globe. The tonal outfits! Meghan’s olive number (which we LOVED)! This photo of a smiling cutie pie as a bonus release after the first lot! Sassy Charlotte! No queen! Everybody had An Opinion.
We were also treated to some Wimbledon action, with Jenny Packham, Dolce and Gabbana and Ralph Lauren outfits aplenty. There were big ticks of approval all round for the whole situation. Exceedingly pleasant.
Of course we had to throw back to the royal train in Cheshire engagement, the first where the Queen and Meg were attending together alone. The typewriter cover got a good going-over as you’d expect. What on earth was going on here?!
The family attended the service to mark the Centenary of the Royal Air Force (looking spectacular) and it was a lovely surprise to see Our Cath there, given she is on maternity leave and was not slated to appear. And HOW about Meghan’s bespoke Dior creation! I mean, look at it. Simply stunning.
In among the zillions of other engagements going on, the Queen spent her annual week in Scotland for Holyrood Week.
Each year, she spends a week visiting various regions in Scotland, meeting Scots from all walks of life and hosting thousands at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in recognition of their good work. Known in Scotland as ‘Royal Week’, and to others as ‘Holyrood Week’, these visits celebrate Scottish culture, achievement and community.
During the week, Her Majesty is based at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her official residence in Scotland.
After a week of engagements and celebrations, the Queen attended the Order of the Thistle service at St Giles’ Cathedral. She was joined by The Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and The Princess Royal, as she was for the Order of the Garter earlier back in England. Beth and I are big fans of the PLUMAGE and VELVET and GOLD THINGAMMIES.
Poor Meg was hauled over the coals again for this leg situation, it seems she can do no right when it comes to the general public (who have somehow all become experts in etiquette overnight, never mind they’re all actually incorrect). You do wonder how it went from global fawning to global shred-tearing mere minutes after she’d said “I do”. Bloody hell.
A quick happy birthday to our Will, who turned 36 on June 21.
Ok back to Haz and Megs, who went on a successful trip to Ireland. Their Royal Highnesses attended a summer garden party at the British ambassador’s residence, learnt about Ireland’s culture and heritage, including visiting Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, visited the Famine Memorial, saw “EPIC” – which is the Irish Emigration Museum, and Áras an Uachtaráin, which is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of Ireland. They also visited a Gaelic sports festival at Croke Park, and “DogPatch Labs”, a co-working space for technology start-ups.
Drumpf visited the Queen, to the horror of us all, but she expertly trolled him by offering him nowhere NEAR the pomp and circumstance a visiting head of state would normally be treated to. I mean it wasn’t even a state visit – there was a welcome dinner but not in a royal castle, and no senior royal was even there. Drumpf and Ofdonald had to make do with some distant second cousins.
Trump having actually zero manners and regard for other people made for horrific watching when he and The Queen went to inspect the Guard of Honour and he just trotted off, leaving her behind. It’s kind of funny as her confused and frustrated face pops out around from behind him as she tries to navigate the situation.
It has also been reported that Liz deployed quite strident fashion diplomacy as she spoke volumes with her jewellery throughout the whole visit, effectively giving the president a giant “fuck you” with her brooch collection. Catch the whole thing here. Food for thought!
Haz and Meg also visited the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in this sleeveless trench number that got a no from all of us.
Everyone’s heading off for summer holidays – the Queen has nipped up to Balmoral, the Cambridges have jetted off to Mustique, and it will all be quiet on the royal front for a little while over the next month or two as they take a breather. I expect we’ll see some of them from time to time head up to Scotland to stay with the Queen a bit, as is customary. Good Times! We have covered off a great deal of things in the podcast that should (should) tide you over until next fortnight when we have more news.
If you’re in the area over summer, Buckingham Palace is open to the public for a little look-see, and this year’s exhibition is the Prince and Patron – more than 100 of Prince Charles’s works of art and private photos are on display to celebrate his 70th birthday later in the year. You can check them out here. 19 state rooms of the palace are open for visitors to see for the next 10 weeks, and Clarence House will be next month, also. Until then, you can have a look via the virtual tour available on their website!
I will leave you with this glorious portrait of the cutest 92-year-old ever.
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George is so cute!!!!
Oh how I adore the Royals! Loved this!
Excellent podcast! Thankyou for all of the lovely pics too. I listened on one of my very looong drives and it was as if the two of you were in the car with me!
Ah that’s the best compliment ever! Thanks so much for listening, we’re so glad you love it.