Why Kate and William’s Official Photo Points to a Happier Future than Charles and Diana

Happy: William and Kate surrounded by, clockwise bottom right, The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Miss Eliza Lopes, Miss Grace van Cutsem, Lady Louise Windsor, Master Tom Pettifer, Master William Lowther-Pinkerton
The echoes of a Royal wedding from an earlier era are difficult to ignore.
The backdrop is the same: the opulent red-and-gold decor of the grand Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. And the mischievous smiles on the faces of some of the bridesmaids and page boys – and endearingly bewildered expressions on the others – are strikingly similar.
But, 30 years after the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, the official wedding picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton also reflects the differences between the two couples’ relationships.

The 1981 wedding party. From back, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, Diana and Charles, Edward van Cutsem; front: Lord Nicholas Windsor, Clementine Hambro, Catherine Cameron, India Hicks, Sarah-Jane Gaselee and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones
The photograph of Charles and Diana, taken by Patrick Lichfield, seemed to capture a moment of spontaneous informality, with the wedding party collapsing in a fit of giggles. But, as we now know, the warmth was not reflected in the marriage itself.
By contrast, Kate and William’s picture, by photographer Hugo Burnand, appears more formal, despite little Tom Pettifer’s insistence on leaning in as close to the bride as possible.

Full of joy and not a care in the world: William and Kate smile broadly as they stand arm-in-arm in the official wedding album
Despite the organised nature of their shot, they look relaxed, their smiles unforced, and her hand rests on his knee.
Mario Testino may have received praise for his engagement portraits of William and Kate, but their choice of Hugo Burnand to take their official wedding pictures has cemented the latter’s status as the Royal Family’s favourite photographer.
Mr Burnand, 47, has been entrusted with capturing many of the Royals’ most important occasions in recent years, including Prince Charles’s 60th birthday and his marriage to Camilla. He has also won the respect of the Queen and Princes William and Harry after taking their pictures on previous occasions.

The family photo: Front row left to right is Grace van Cutsem, Eliza Lopes, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Louise Windsor, William Lowther-Pinkerton. Back Row left to right is Tom Pettifer, Camilla, Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Michael Middleton, Carole Middleton, James Middleton and Philippa Middleton
 

An Old Harrovian and seasoned society photographer known for his charm and discretion, as well as his talent for portraits, Mr Burnand represents a more traditional choice than Mr Testino, who is famed for his glossy celebrity and fashion photoshoots.
However, Mr Burnand has photographed his share of A-listers, including Bill Clinton, President Mikhail Gorbachev, Baroness Thatcher, Victoria Beckham and Michael Jackson. He was also responsible for taking the pictures at the 1996 wedding of David and Samantha Cameron.
The Royal Wedding commission was a major coup for the London-based father of four, who has worked at Tatler magazine since 1993.
Yesterday, he described it as ‘the gig of the century’, adding: ‘It was amazing, incredible, and there were a couple of moments where I did pinch myself.’
Of the mood in the Throne Room, he said: ‘From where I was, and from their point of view, it was two families coming together and that was the feeling – the sense of family and love going between everyone.’
He described the happy couple as ‘just so nice as individuals and as a pair’, and revealed that Kate, who has worked as a photographer for her parents’ company Party Pieces, had contributed her own ideas for the pictures.
Mr Burnand got to know Prince William when he photographed him on his polo pony and at Windsor Castle as part of the wedding party for his father’s second marriage in 2005.
He shares with the Prince a tragedy in his past: he, too, lost his mother in a car accident. Susan Gordon died in 1964, the year after he was born.
His stepmother Ursy Burnand, whom his father Peter married in 1967, is also a photographer – and was one of his assistants on the Royal Wedding shoot.
Born in Cannes, France, Mr Burnand won his first photography competition at the age of seven, at Cheam School, which was also attended by Prince Philip and Prince Charles.
During his time at Harrow, he became the school’s unofficial photographer, taking portraits of school-leavers.
He did not become a professional photographer until 1991, after a string of jobs including stable hand and insurance broker.

Source: Dailymail

The Royal Wedding Of Prince Charles and Lady Diana 1981

The Royal Wedding Of Prince Charles and Lady Diana 1981 

 

 The Royal Wedding Of Prince Charles and Lady Diana 1981 (photos)

It was 29 years ago today, on July 29, 1981, that the world was captivated by the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. A global media event, it was televised live and watched by hundreds of millions of people. It was a fairytale wedding, one that would later give way to tabloid headlines about infidelity, including Diana’s admission in 1995 of her infidelity in an amazingly vulnerable and powerful interview on the BBC (see video), and taped conversations of Charles in love talk with Camilla Parker Bowles, whom he would later marry. Charles and Diana would separate in 1992 and divorce in 1996. Just one year and three days after the divorce was finalized, Diana would die in an automobile crash in Paris with Dodi Fayed, son of Harrod’s owner Mohamed al-Fayed. The outpouring of grief over death was immediate and wrenching, and it is estimated that some 2.5 billion people around the world watched her funeral.

This photo captures the couple on their return to Buckingham Palace after their wedding, Diana’s smile and innocence captured so well by the photographer.

Al Fayed Defends Michael Jackson's Statue

Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed who is also the owner of an English Premier League football club has revealed the statue of Michael Jackson outside the club's Craven Cottage.

Most of the football fans find Michael Jackson's statue to be silly and irrelevant. The are questioning its relevance. Those who have supported the club for so long find it inappropriate and ridiculous.

Al Fayed, invited Michael Jackson to the club for a game in 1999. However, he remained defiant and said the fans could go to hell if they can't appreciate the statue. He does not understand what to they find so bizarre in Michael Jackson's statue. He said the football fans don't have to believe in the things he believes. They can go to hell, go to Chelsea or go anywhere else.

Al Fayed, is proud to put a statue of his friend Michael Jackson even if some club fans don't like it and find it a useless addition to the club. This is not the first time, he is unveiling statues of loved ones. In 2005, Al Fayed, unveiled bronze statues of Lady Diana and his son Dodi Al Fayed in Harrods store titled 'Innocent Victims'.

The club members and fans are angry that he never consulted them for putting up a statue and they would have opposed it. However, Al Fayed is happy and doesn't care about the fans. He wants to cherish his friends and memories in a way he likes most.

Well, I certainly don't find anything wrong in having a statue of a legendary singer at the club. Relevance being the main question...I think the entire world knows that Al Fayed and Jackson were best friends so what is so wrong if he wants to remember his friend, a famous singer after his death by putting up a statue? People seem so bitter about everything.

Kate Middleton Comparison with Princess Lady Diana

 What bride-to-be wants to compete with her mother-in-law?

In the case of  Kate Middleton, comparisons with the Princess Diana are inevitable and sometimes completely uncanny.The former Lady Diana Spencer was perceived as a bit frumpy when the 19-year-old kindergarten teacher became engaged to heir to the throne Prince Charles in 1981. Once in the royal spotlight, she emerged as the style icon of her time.

Middleton, who just turned 29, has had more time to hone her independence and casually elegant personal style, which includes her habit of shopping her own closet (rather than designer showrooms) for special occasions.

Yet remarkably, the two women seem to have more in common than their mutual affection for Prince William and a poignantly shared diamond-and-sapphire engagement ring.

 Meanwhile, read about the shade of blue-gray nail polish that’s been given a witty name in Middleton’s honor.

And take a peek at the sheer dress Middleton wore when she met Prince William that’s now considered a valuable royal collectible.

Is This The New People’s Princess? How Confident Kate Middleton Compares To “Shy Di”

 Kate is already of tougher sorts. Former newspaper editor Piers Morgan wrote: ‘I’ve rarely seen anyone enjoy the attentions of a camera lens quite like Prince William’s squeeze.’

Indeed, Kate does possess a confidence when on show. She was seemingly unfazed as she entered the Sandhurst parade ground for William’s graduation flanked by his private secretary as everyone but the Queen and the Prince of Wales was already seated.

But her intention to keep the media at bay is clear. Before her engagement Diana invited a newspaper journalist into her flat for a chat and a cup of tea.

Kate is well aware it would be a risky move. She has kept quiet so far and, knowing William’s distrust of the press, will continue to do so unless at official events or photocalls.

She already has her own lawyer – who also represents the Prince of Wales – and he swiftly set about writing to newspaper editors to protest at her harassment and pursued media outlets if he believed her privacy had been breached.

Diana became skilled at using the media for her own agenda, from her interview on Panorama, to the moment she turned up in a striking black cocktail dress on the night Charles admitted infidelity on television.

The cameras were still clicking years later as she lay dying inside a mangled Mercedes in an underpass in Paris.

As Kate prepares to enter the Royal Family, the public will be asking whether she is able to take up Diana’s mantle as their favourite Princess.

Keeping her mouth shut and with a lawyer in tow, Kate is already acting on the hindsight that Diana’s legacy left behind.

Is Kate Middleton Trying Too Hard To Be Princess Diana

 First comes love, then comes marriage…then comes, the transformation into the next Princess Diana? While Kate Middleton and Prince William should be enjoying the post-engagement bliss, with glowing faces and lazy wedding making plans, the Royal family seems to have a different idea. Prince William and Kate Middleton Pose For Engagement Photos

While it may be common practice for a man to pass on a “family ring,” that doesn’t generally mean that the woman follows every step of the groom’s mother from there on out, perhaps it’s different for a Princess-to-be. Recently British paparazzi spotted Middleton with her mother and sister stepping into the famous designer, Bruce Oldfield’s shop. Sure, standard practice for a bride-to-be to look for her wedding dress, but Kate isn’t any bride and walking in Princess Diana’s footsteps isn’t an easy feat.
While Princess Diana happened to favor Oldfield, it seems like Kate is doing her best to please the Royal family and make her debut, as part of their monarchy and be warmly welcomed by the British people.

“It must have been a special appointment because as a general rule Mr. Oldfield does not do front-of-shop work,” a source recently told NY Daily News, special may be an understatement?

Regardless of which designer Kate chooses, we know she’ll look stunning- the real concern here; is the pressure to join the Royal family and match up to their standards too much weight for this uber-in-love couple to handle long term? We shall see…..we’re rooting for you Kate and Prince William. Also, fashion note: you’d look flawless in lace, Kate–perhaps tell Oldfield we said so.

‘Don’t turn Kate into another Diana

 One of the UK’s most avid royal-watchers based in Norfolk has urged journalists not to turn Kate Middleton into “another Princess Diana”.

Pensioner Mary Relph, who lives near the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, also called on The Queen to break with tradition and invite Miss Middleton to spend Christmas with the Royal Family.

Mrs Relph, 76, of Shouldham, Norfolk, regularly presents members of the Royal Family with flowers when they make public appearances in East Anglia.

“It’s wonderful news,” she said. “But I hope they don’t turn her into another Diana. The press really hounded Diana and I wouldn’t like to see that happen again
But Mrs Relph said she hoped Miss Middleton would join the Royal Family in Sandringham at Christmas and attend church on the estate on Christmas Day.

“Normally only family members attend the Christmas Day service at Sandringham,” she added.

“But it would be lovely if they broke with tradition and invited Kate Middleton. People would be thrilled to see her attending the Christmas Day church service with William.”

Incredible Memories Captured

 Cary Grant discussing his script with a poodle

 Charlie Chaplin met Ghandhi in London in 1931

 Don Johnson, Charlie Sheen and Alice Cooper at a Planet Hollywood opening in 1994

Drew Barrymore with a kitty 

Kirk Douglas visiting his son Michael Douglas on the sets of Hail, Hero

Kurt Cobain when he was only two years old. 

Nancy Reagan with Mr. T at a White House Christmas Party in 1983

John Travolta dancing with Princess Diana

 Hulk Hogan sharing a very cute father daughter moment with Brooke Hogan

A young Elton John showing off his shoes :P

Brigitte Bardot and Sean Connery 

Leonard Nimoy making his one and only public appearance as Spock at Pear Blossam Festival in Medford, Oregon in 1967

Celebrities Who Died Too Soon

Marilyn Monroe: Lived up to 36

One of the most beautiful actresses ever, Marilyn Monroe was a rage in the 1950s. She was stunning and embodied innocence. She had a very unsettled childhood. She had a string of unsuccessful marriages and affairs including a rumoured one with charismatic US President John F Kennedy. Her first marriage was with childhood sweetheart Jimmy Dougherty in 1944. When Jimmy was away on assignment with the Merchant Marines, she was accidentally discovered by photographer David Conover and then began her initiation into the glamour world

Divya Bharti: Lived up to 19

She had everything going for her when she died in 1993 after a fall from her 5th floor apartment. Her death remains a mystery. Though many in film circles believe it was a suicide after a fight with husband Sajid Nadiadwalla, police could not come to any concrete conclusion.

James Dean: Lived up to 24

He was only 24 when he died in a high-speed car crash. In a very short span, James Dean, acted in three flicks - Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant. The last two fetched him posthomous Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. A youth icon of his times, such is the charisma of Dean that even today, almost half a century after his death his legacy still endures.

Brittany Murphy: Lived up to 32

Having started her career in Hollywood at the tender age of 14, singer and actress Brittany Murphy acted in a spate of films like Clueless, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Don't Say a Word and Uptown Girls and was also a major in the television scene. Like many other starlets, Murphy too succumbed to wrong intake of prescription drugs

Madhubala: Lived up to 36

The ultimate beauty, Madhubala was to Bollywood what Marilyn Monroe was to Hollywood. Born as Mumtaz Begum Jehan Dehlavi in 1933 to a poor Pathan couple, Madhubala was one of 11 children. By virtue of sheer destiny, when her family relocatede from Delhi to Mumbai, Madhubala began her tryst with films. She was only 14. A so-far inert heart problem all but ended her successful run in 1950. Braving this problem and a very difficult father, she went on with her career for another 10 years. An much-publicised affair with thespian Dilip Kumar did not culminate in marriage leaving her broken-hearted. Marriage to actor Kishore Kumar happened in 1960.

Nafisa Joseph: Lived up to 25

A Miss India contest winner at just 17, Nafisa Joseph went on to host the popular MTV show for 5 years. The well-loved VJ and PETA activist had a great career ahead but unfortunately took a broken engagement with businessman Gautam Khanduja too hard and ended her life by hanging herself at her Mumbai flat.

Princess Diana: Lived up to 36

The most beautiful princess ever, the most photographed woman of her time, Diana's life was a contrast to her beauty. After a Fairy Tale Marriage that never was and a string of failed affairs, Diana's death in a car crash after a hot chase by paparazzi led to many questions being asked about the continued interference by snoopy press reporters in the lives of celebrities.

Heath Ledger: Lived up to 28

The actor best known for his superb roles in films like Brokeback Mountain, Casanova and The Dark Knight in which he essayed the role of The Joker to perfection, Ledger was found dead in his apartment reportedly due to intake of a medley of prescription drugs.

Anna Nicole Smith: Lived up to 37

Anna Nicole Smith aka Vickie Lynn Marshall, shot to fame overnight after her appearance on the Playboy cover in May 1992. Though she went on to became a successful model and TV personality her personal life was not as much alluring. She married first at 17 and later went on to marry tycoon J Howard Marshall who was 63 years older to her. She died at age 37 apparently owing to drug overdose and an overwhelming depression after the death of her 20-year-old son. At the time of her death she was also involved in a court case over Marshall's property.