The waitress Vs Cameron: Prime Minister on holiday asks for three coffees... and cafe worker tells him 'I'm busy, get them yourself'

By Nick Pisa


He prides himself on his 'common touch' when it comes to politics but even David Cameron might think being asked to muck in at a local cafe is going a bit far.

The Prime Minister, who is on holiday in Tuscany with his family, ordered a round of coffees at a village cafe - and was told to get them himself.

Cameron had asked the waitress, 27-year-old Francesca Ariani, if she would bring the drinks to a table outside where he was sitting with wife Samantha and a Downing Street aide.

Do it yourself, Dave: David Cameron and wife Samantha enjoy their coffees at a cafe in Montevarchi, Italy - after he was told by a waitress to get the drinks himself


She snapped that she was too busy, leaving the PM to do the job of delivering the cappuccinos to the terrace of the Dolcenero bar in Montevarchi.

Miss Ariani said: 'I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t know it was the British Prime Minister. I’m so sorry if I appeared rude - I didn’t mean to be. It’s just that I was on my own and really busy.

'He asked for two cappuccinos and an espresso and said he would be at a table outside but I just said he would have to take them out himself because I was behind the bar.'

It seems that the Prime Minister was left less than impressed with the service.

Bitter taste? David Cameron takes a gulp of the cappuccino on the terrace of a cafe in Montevarchi after Francesca Ariani (right) refused him table service


The waitress added: ’I made them for him and he waited and then took them outside with his wife. He was there for about five minutes and then left - he paid with a 50 euro note but didn’t leave a tip.

'I suppose that was fair enough as I hadn’t taken them to the table but still he could have left the odd coins.'

The Camerons are on holiday at a £10,000-a-week villa with two other families. They arrived on Saturday, landing at nearby Florence Airport on a British Airways flight from London City Airport having travelled in business class.

The 15-bedroom villa is on the Petrolo wine estate and is close to the village of Bucine where Sting and wife Trudie Styler have a home.

A smaller house on the estate has been taken over by Cameron's security team.

The villa features in Jamie Oliver's cookbook, Jamie's Italy.

The chef is a close friend of Petrolo’s owner Luca Sanjust and visits every year with a team of his students.

Mr Sanjust said: 'They are just enjoying themselves by the pool. They have played tennis and are spending time relaxing.'

The 300-year-old property has a private garden, swimming pool and tennis court.

There is also a billiards room, lake, working vineyard and olive groves.

The PM is paying his family's £5,800 share of the bill for the two-week stay out of his own pocket.

During his brief visit to Montevarchi on the first morning of his trip, Cameron was presented with the town's coat of arms by Mayor Francesco Grasso.

Mr Grasso also suggested a couple of tourist attractions to the PM including several museums and churches, along with a Prada outlet store on the outskirts of the town.

Maybe it was something to do with his dress sense that led to the Italian mayor's suggestion.

During the public walkabout in the Italian village, Cameron opted for a rather bizarre off-duty look of crumpled shirt in navy, a pair of black trousers and his creased black work brogues - minus the socks.

Italian getaway: David and Samantha Cameron are on holiday in Tuscany with their children and two other families

Luxury: The villa in Tuscany where the Camerons are enjoying a two-week break


source:dailymail

Heavy night, Mike? Tindall is still in his morning suit the morning after as he emerges with his new wife Zara

By Pamela Owen


Get much sleep? Mike Tindall is seen arriving at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, wearing the same clothes he wore yesterday. Zara Phillips looked radiant in a pair of white jeans and a beige top


He's known for his love of enjoying a good party and it looks as though Mike Tindall had the time of his life after marrying Zara Phillips.

The England rugby star wore the same grey trousers and blue collared shirt he did the day before and looked as though he hadn't slept a wink.

Zara, who arrived separately from her husband, looked radiant in white jeans, flip flops and a beige sleeveless top.

Heavy night? Tindall picks his teeth as he stands next to a policeman outside Holyroodhouse


The couple have been determined to keep their wedding a private family occasion, but the crowds have been equally determined to share in their happiness during the first Royal wedding to be held in Scotland in 20 years.

Many frantically waved Union Jacks and the Scottish Saltire as the couple emerged from the ceremony shortly before 4pm yesterday, filling the air with cheers. Some, clearly touched by the splendour of the occasion, dabbed their eyes.

Zara dazzled the crowds in her full-length ivory silk gown with silk tulle detail, designed by the Queen’s favourite couturier Stewart Parvin.

The one-time Royal rebel, who proudly sported a tongue ring, looked every inch the traditional bride and this was her chance to be a princess for a day.

Her blonde hair was pulled back into an elegant chgnon and she wore a sparkling diamond tiara lent by her mother, she looked effortlessly beautiful.

Happy couple: Tindall in his suit when he married the Queen's granddaughter, Zara, in Edinburgh yesterday


Zara,30, was accompanied to the church by her proud father Captain Mark Phillips after earlier leaving in a Bentley from the Palace of Holyroodhouse several hundred yards down the Royal Mile.

The 45-minute ceremony was conducted by Canongate's resident Minister Reverend neil Gardner. A choir of 15 boys and girls from Zara's old Scottish boarding school sang during the ceremony.

The happy couple then left the Kirk in a Bentley for the 400-yard journey to Holyroodhouse for the reception.

A grand marquee was erected in a piazza of the palace and loud whoops and cheers could be heard from behind the palace walls.

Prince Harry also looked slightly worse for wear in a scruffy blue top and jeans and Princess Eugenie takes home a flower arrangement


Dinner had a Scottish theme and included lobster and crayfish cocktail, Scottish venison with dauphinois potatoes and chocolate fondant with strawberries.

The party was organised by Peregrine Armstrong Jones of party planners Bentley.

The Queen and Prince Philip left by helicopter and were taken to Balmoral Castle to begin their summer holiday.

Prince Charles and the Duchess or Cornwall are thought to have left before them and headed for the Caslte of Mey.

The newlyweds will not immediately head off on honeymoon as Zara will go to the Gatcombe International Horse Trials while her husband will return to training.

The bride's brother Peter Phillips with his wife Autumn and their daughter Savannah after the celebrations

Mother of the bride: The Princess Royal leaves Holyroodhouse the day after her daughter married Mike Tindall and, right, Princess Beatrice with her father Prince Andrew


source:dailymail

Zara's something borrowed... great-grandmother's tiara

By Daily Mail Reporter


Zara kept up the wedding tradition of having something borrowed by earing a spectacular diamond tiara that has been passed down through four generations of the Royal Family - and was last worn by her mother two months ago.

The bride's short silk veil was set off by the Meander tiara, once owned by Prince Philip's mother and loaned to Zara by Princess Anne, who wore it in May for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace to welcome President Obama and his wife Michele.

The tiara is based around a classical Greek 'key pattern' design and boasts a magnificent cut diamond at its centre, which is set off by a laurel wreath pattern picked out in diamonds with honeysuckle motifs on either side.

Royal gift: Princess Alice's tiara, worn by Princess Anne and her daughter Zara on her wedding day


The silver headpiece made its way into the Windsor family in 1947 when it was given as a wedding gift to the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, from her mother-in-law, Princess Alice of Batternberg.

Its Greek style was inspired by her marriage to Prince Andrew of Greece, the father of the present Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen never wore the tiara in public and it was next seen on Princess Anne, who was given the tiara by her mother in 1972.

The Princess Royal, now 61 and famous for recycling her outfits for high-profile occasions, wore the tiara during her engagement to her first husband, Zara's father Captain Mark Phillips, and has been pictured sporting it at least four times, notably in 2000 for an official portrait to mark her 50th birthday.

Romantic: Veil and tiara complement Zara's sleek blonde hair


source:dailymail

All aboard! Kate joins the party on the Royal Yacht Britannia on the eve of another big wedding... as Zara and Mike enjoy one last kiss

By Deborah Arthurs, Emily Allen, Rebecca English and Rebecca Evans


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stole the show last night as they boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia for a pre-wedding cocktail party ahead of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall's wedding.

They were among scores of guests invited on board the vessel for drinks ahead of the couple's big day today.

The newlyweds looked a picture of happiness as they mingled with guests and family members - including Prince Harry and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Zara and England Rugby star Mike did not hold back expressing their clear affection for each other, posing for one last kiss in front of well-wishers following their wedding rehearsal at Edinburgh's Canonbury Kirk yesterday.

Happy: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laugh as they leave the Royal Yacht Britannia following a pre-wedding cocktail party hosted by Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall

Zara Phillips laughs as she enjoys a cocktail party on board the Royal Yacht Britannia with fiancé Mike Tindall

Zara flashes some leg as she negotiates the steps on board the yacht before being guided down by fiancé Mike Tindall who looked smart in a blue suit and cream tie


Zara, who arrived at the rehearsal wearing flip-flops, jeans and a hoodie, swiftly transformed herself in a £500 tie-dye silk dress from the U.S. label Alice and Olivia for the evening celebration - although it did reveal a white mark where he bikini top had been.

Once on board the yacht, she was spotted laughing and joking with friends - many of whom were rugby player friends of her fiancé.

The couple were also joined by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Zara's brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn - and of course the bride's mother Princess Anne and her father Captain Mark Phillips.

Guests were photographed in dinner suits and evening suits sipping pink champagne as the sun set over Edinburgh.

Princess Beatrice looked stunning in a purple dress and belt, while Princess Eugenie opted for a red number.

All aboard: Prince William and Kate, with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice in red and purple with the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and Bea's boyfriend Dave Clark (centre)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make their way off the yacht with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Prince Harry and the Countess of Wessex

All smiles: The Royals leave the yacht with the girls gripping the bannister as they made their way down the steps

The Duchess of Cambridge looked striking in a bright green dress which she teamed with black heels.

The yacht, permanently moored in the historic port of Leith, served the Queen for 44 years - although she did not attend the festivities.

During that time Britannia carried the monarch and the Royal Family on 968 official voyages, from the remotest of the South Seas to the deepest divides of Antarctica.

Zara's parents honeymooned on the ship, cruising the West Indies in 1973.

During the pre-wedding rehearsal Zara - the Queen's eldest granddaughter - was joined by Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips, and his second wife, Sandy Pflueger, and Zara's brother Peter Phillips.

Earlier, the bride had spent the day putting her own final touches in place.

She spent the afternoon with sister-in-law Autumn Phillips at The Balmoral hotel where she is staying in Edinburgh's city centre ahead of the wedding ceremony.

The event was the second night of drinking for many guests who had arrived in the Scottish city on Thursday, partying at the city's Tigerlily Hotel.

When the bar closed, the group headed downstairs to the hotel club, Lulu, where they declined VIP treatment and mingled with other revellers.

Spokesman David Johnston said: ‘They said they’d be perfectly happy just to have a couple of tables and were happy mixing with the rest of the crowd.’

The group drank Veuve Clicquot champagne and caipirinha cocktails as well as Grey Goose vodka with coke, lemonade, soda and Red Bull, and happily posed for pictures with other revellers.

They left at 2.45am. By 11am, 30-year-old Zara was back on the bubbly in the Bollinger Bar of the city’s £500-a-night Balmoral Hotel.

Party time: Zara looked elegant in a stunning £500 tie-dye one-shouldered dress from U.S. label Alice + Olivia as she supped on a glass of pink champagne

Mingling: Zara is hugged by a friend as friends and family enjoy drinks in the sunshine

Princess Anne laughs with motor racing legend Jackie Stewart whilst Prince Harry catches up with his brother Prince William and his new sister-in-law

Affectionate: Zara Phillips rests her arm on her fiancé's shoulder and then around his waist whilst the couple mingle with guests ahead of their big day today


Unlike the other royal bride, Kate Middleton, who spent her last day as a single woman enjoying a formal lunch at Clarence House with her family, Zara was knocking back £95-a-bottle Laurent Perrier Brut Rose champagne with her mates and ordering rounds of sarnies.

Accompanied by, among others, her sister-in-law Autumn Phillips, Sky sports presenter Di Dougherty and television presenter Natalie Pinkham, an old flame of Prince Harry, she spent three hours in the bar and left not long before her wedding rehearsal.

Asked by her friends if she was going to take it easy on the day before her wedding, she laughed and exclaimed ‘no!’ Zara described herself as being ‘nervous but excited and happy’ and revealed that she and Tindall had been texting each other throughout the day.

Looking noticeably thinner courtesy of an intensive pre-wedding health kick, she chatted openly about her final plans for the big day.

Asked about her hair, she said ‘nobody would be bothered’ about it but asked some of her friends to help her get ready on the day.

She revealed how the reception, which will be held courtesy of the Queen at Holyroodhouse Palace, would last until 2am and each table setting had a mini-cake placed next to it for each of her 300 guests to take home as a ‘favour’.

Rehearsing all the important bits: Zara and husband to be Mike Tindall share a kiss in front of the crowds at their wedding rehearsal

All smiles: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall looked happy as they arrived at Canongate Kirk for their wedding rehearsal ahead of their wedding ceremony

Support: Crowds of well-wishers gathered to cheer the couple as they emerged from their chauffeur-driven Jaguar


When Autumn married Zara's brother Peter in a lavish ceremony three years ago, Zara played the role of bridesmaid, wearing a strapless, green Vera Wang gown for the occasion.

While little is known as yet of the details of the nuptials, it is likely that Zara will have asked Autumn to return the favour.

The couple will exchange their vows in Edinburgh's Canongate Kirk in front of their families and friends in a private ceremony.

The reception will be held a stone's throw from the church, in the palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish home of the Queen, who has offered the use of Holyrood house to her granddaughter as a wedding gift.

Lothian and Borders Police have been working with the palace and the city council to ensure the smooth running of the wedding.

Superintendent Ivor Marshall, the commander responsible for security arrangements, said the event is expected to attract significant public interest, despite being a private affair.

Dressed down: Zara and Mike Tindall leave the church after their wedding rehearsal - Zara opting for jeans a hoodie


He said the church's location, near the Scottish Parliament on the busy tourist hub of the Royal Mile presented unique challenges. While some roads will be closed, businesses will remain open.

He added: 'The police planning unit is well versed in assisting in the organisation of high-profile and large-scale events in Edinburgh, including the recent Royal Week, the Papal visit last year and the festival.

Therefore we will be drawing on that experience to keep policing costs to a minimum and ensure it's an enjoyable day for the couple, their guests and the public.'

Officers have surrounded the kirk since yesterday and barriers line the Royal Mile in anticipation of the crowds.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will join Zara's parents, the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, at the wedding.

Standing on ceremony: Police guard the gates of Canongate Kirk as preparations are made for Mike and Zara's wedding


Anne's second marriage to Timothy Laurence was the last Scottish royal wedding, taking place in 1992 at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral.

Also believed to be attending are the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, or the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay as they are known in Scotland; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Harry; and the Duke of York and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Tindall is likely to have invited some of England's best-known rugby players who are colleagues and friends.

The event, in contrast to the recent wedding of William and Kate, will be private, and the doors will be closed to the media and public.

The wedding may be small in comparison to the scale of the last royal wedding, which was watched by an audience of 2billion internationally, but it has nonetheless been welcomed by Scotland's tourism bosses.

Mike Cantlay, who chairs tourism agency VisitScotland, said: 'The wedding represents an absolutely wonderful showcase, not only for Edinburgh but for the whole of Scotland.

'The Royal Family and Scotland have enjoyed a relationship for hundreds of years, and tourism has become a natural partner.

Latest visitor figures from VisitScotland for the Holyrood House, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Glamis Castle and Balmoral Castle suggest a surge of interest in the Royal Family.



source:dailymail

Zara? He'd be happy if she worked as a Tesco checkout girl, says Mike Tindall's mum ahead of wedding

-Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall set to wed this Saturday in Edinburgh

By Rebecca English and Rebecca Evans


The mother of England rugby star Mike Tindall has said her son is so in love that he wouldn't mind if his royal fiancée 'worked at a Tesco checkout'.

Proud Linda Tindall described Princess Anne's daughter Zara Phillips, who is 13th in line to the throne, as 'a lovely girl' and 'perfect' for her boy.

With just two days to go before the couple's long-awaited wedding, the down-to-earth Yorkshirewoman said of the Queen's grand-daughter: 'He has a lovely girl, Zara is perfect for Mike.

Happily in love: Zara Phillips and her fiance Mike Tindall at their Gloucestershire home, after they announced their engagement


'When we met Zara we noticed she is just so nice and ordinary.

'Many-a-time Mike has said if she worked at Tesco at the checkout it would not matter, it's about her and the sort of person she is.'

Social worker Linda and her husband, Phil, live in a modest but immaculate detached house in the village of Crigglestone near Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Mike's father was forced to quit his job as a bank official four years ago after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He hated retirement, however, and now works as the finance officer at Wakefield's New Hall prison.

Unlike the family of Kate Middleton, who refused to publicly speak about their daughter's wedding to Prince William in April, outside of a brief statement, Mrs Tindall was happy to chat yesterday ahead of her son's wedding on Saturday in Edinburgh.

The England captain has been dating world champion equestrian Zara, 30, for seven years and the couple currently share an £800,000 townhouse together in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

'We're looking forward to it, of course. We're very pleased they've finally decided to get married,' Mrs Tindall, 63, said.

'We have not met the Queen before but we've obviously met her parents. [Princess] Anne and Mark [Phillips, her ex-husband] were most welcoming and kind.

'We have met Princes William and Harry because they are fans of rugby. They sometimes come to parties that Mike's had, like his 30th birthday. They're very down to earth. But we haven't met any of the other Royal Family.

'We have always followed Mike's career and when he started to see Zara we started supporting her career too.

'In the closed season if he was going to support her in a three-day event, we would often go down to support her as well.

'We were at Aachen when she won the World Championships and have seen her lose and win the World Title.'

Mrs Tindall said that although the pair come from very different backgrounds, they share a stable upbringing which will bode well for their future.

The mother-of-two said: 'I think the stability and security has given Mike very strong family values, something I think we share with Zara's family.

'Mike's has now grown up into a well-balanced, thoughtful and caring young man. He has a lovely girl, Zara is perfect for Mike.'

High security: Police stand at the gates of Canongate Kirk as preparations are made for Mike and Zara's wedding. The Queen's granddaughter will marry the England rugby star this Saturday

Lots to do: A police officer stands outside Canongate Kirk, while a workman carries in the base for a floral feature. Zara has chosen a white and cream colour scheme for the wedding


As mother of the groom, Mrs Tindall said she had not been terribly involved in the wedding arrangements, although she and her husband have contributed to the cost of the big day, and were looking forward to it tremendously.

'On his side it's mostly rugby players. And on her side, apart from the family, it's mostly showjumpers and equestrian eventers,' she revealed.

'We've got to know a lot of them by now - he's been playing rugby for a long time, and they've been seeing each other for eight years, so we've had lots of time to get to know them all.

'Apart from that I can't tell you anything about the arrangements, because we haven't really been involved. I really don't know an awful lot about it.

'We haven't seen as much of them recently as we normally would - Phil's slipped a disc in his back doing the gardening so we haven't been down to see them.

'And they haven't been up because Mike's training with England and Zara has been trying to get her horse through trials.

'So we haven't seen them for quite a while - but we'll see them on Saturday, God willing.'

Hard work: Workers bring more plants and display bases into the chapel. The 17th century church will be transformed into a woodland fairytale setting fit for a Royal Wedding


For both families, Saturday's ceremony will represent their second big wedding of the year.

Mike's brother Ian married his fiancée in May, only weeks after Zara's cousin Prince William was wed at Westminster Abbey.

Linda said: 'Ian only got married 10 weeks ago, so we'll have had two quite different experiences this summer.

'With Ian's we were a bit more involved with the organising than we have been this time.

'We're looking forward to the wedding, I think it's going to be really special.
'I don't want it too hot. But it would be nice if it wasn't a wash-out.'

Luxury: Workers decorate the inside of Canongate Kirk with bases for floral displays. The chapel has been decked out with white roses and beech tree branches to create a scented display of foliage and flora


As she spoke it was pouring in Scotland but fortunately the weather forecast is for sunny spells on Saturday.

And staff were busy preparing for the big day despite the inclement conditions, transforming the 17th century church where Zara and Mike will marry into a woodland fairytale fit for a royal wedding yesterday.

Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh has been decked out with more than 400 white roses and hundreds of beech tree branches to create a scented display of foliage and flora.

Under heavy police guard, florists transported dozens of white stocks, white carnations and white stargazer lilies into the chapel, along with small box trees and ivy.

The flowers and branches will be displayed in four large tiered wire stands and four plastic grey-coloured Grecian urns.

The use of trees is similar to the 'living avenue' of English maple and hornbeam trees created inside Westminster Abbey for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Zara has also opted for a similar colour scheme to the Abbey, which was bedecked with swathes of cream and white flowers.

Vigilant: A police officer patrols the aisle of the chapel as workmen make sure that everything is in place for the happy day this Saturday. Police were also checking around Holyroodhouse, the Queen's Scottish residence


Meanwhile, police continued to carry out vigilant security checks around the church and Holyroodhouse Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland and the venue for her grand-daughter's reception.

Officers are conducting regular security sweeps of drain and manhole covers around the Royal Mile, along with the fleet of seven Jaguars – six black and one white - which will be used to transport the Royal party the short distance from the palace to the church.

The Mail can also reveal that Mike will spend just a matter of hours with his new bride before returning to Surrey to train with the England ruby team on Sunday night.

Sources close to the team have revealed that he is due back at the team hotel, Pennyhill Park near Bagshot, ready to start training first thing on Monday morning.

The team have a World Cup warm-up match against Wales at Twickenham on August 6.

Said a source: 'Mike has suffered from injuries this year and is fighting tooth and nail for his place in the team. He can't afford to miss a minute of his training if he is to prove himself fit and will be back with us on Sunday night.

'It sounds a little harsh making him leave his new wife so soon, but fortunately Zara is a professional sportswoman and understands the score.'


source:dailymail

Diana's diamonds: William gives Kate his mother's favourite earrings

By Daily Mail Reporter


Prince William has given a pair of his mother's earrings to new wife Kate.

The Duchess of Cambridge wore the diamond and sapphire gems during the couple's official visit to Canada and America.

Kate, 29, had Diana's heavy studs remodelled into drop earrings and wore them for the first time when she watched Andy Murray from the Royal Box at Wimbledon last month.

Favourite: Kate wore the remodelled earrings on tour in Canada and Diana was regularly spotted wearing the jewellery


The earrings were thought to be among Diana's most precious jewels and she was spotted wearing them at dozens of events during the 1980s and 1990s.

A courtier told the Sunday Mirror: 'Now they're married William wanted her to have some of his mother's favourite pieces.'

It is not the first time the Duchess' style has been compared with the late Princess Diana's.

Comparisons: From the Duchess' wedding day commentators were already comparing the couple to Princess Diana and Prince Charles

Kate wore a similar outfit to that of Princess Diana when she visited Canada by donning a maple leaf hat.

Both sported red hats with white dresses during their official visits but Princess Diana made a slightly bolder statement by wearing a matching red scarf.

Crowds across the globe were eager to make comparisons as Diana and Charles made a similar tour in 1983.

The People's Princess: Diana devoted her time to charity work..

And Kate was seen to be equally interested in speaking to people on the official Canada tour, doing impromptu walkabouts


Princess Diana was the main attraction with thousands of people waved flags and shouted the slogan 'We Want Di'.

And Prince William's new wife was also a real crowd pleaser and her wardrobe had been one of the main topics of discussion.

The couple are currently deciding on a permanent London base, and are tipped to take Apartment 1a in Kensington Palace, a lavish 19-room suite that was once the home of the late Princess Margaret.

It was reported the couple also considered Apartments 8 and 9, the former marital home of Charles and Diana where William grew up, but Kate is said to have been uncomfortable with the idea.

'They have been to look around Margaret's apartment and like it very much,' said a source.


source:dailymail

Not your average two-bed cottage... William and Kate get 'starter home' in Kensington Palace grounds

By Katie Nicholl


It is the sort of starter home any newlywed couple might move into - a cosy two-bedroom cottage with a couple of snug reception rooms and small yard.

The only difference is that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first marital home is in Kensington Palace... and is only a temporary base before the couple decide on much more majestic London accommodation.

The Royal couple last week moved into Nottingham Cottage, or Nott Cott as insiders call it, which was previously occupied by Princess Diana's sister Lady Jane Fellowes and her husband Sir Robert Fellowes, the Queen's former secretary.

'It's a very sweet cottage,' says a source.

'Kate has been overseeing a refurb there, but they haven't done much to it, really - it's just a lick of paint to freshen the place up.

'They will use the cottage at weekends when they are in London.

'Although it's not huge it's their own space and they are delighted with it.'

The only downside for green-fingered Kate, 29, is the lack of a garden.

William and Kate -- or WillCat as they have been dubbed since their visit to Hollywood earlier this month -- rent a farmhouse near the Prince's search-and-rescue base in Anglesey, and until recently shared living quarters with Prince Harry at Clarence House.

The Royal couple will use the cottage when they come up to London at weekends


They are currently deciding on a permanent London base, and are tipped to take Apartment 1a in Kensington Palace, a lavish 19-room suite that was once the home of the late Princess Margaret.

The couple reportedly also considered Apartments 8 and 9, the former marital home of Charles and Diana where William grew up, but Kate is said to have been uncomfortable with the idea.

'They have been to look around Margaret's apartment and like it very much,' said a source.

William spent his early childhood at Kensington Palace before his parents' marital problems


'It has plenty of space but they plan to get rid of the turquoise paint on the walls.'

Apartment 1a, which is packed with priceless antiques, currently belongs to the Historic Royal Palaces which uses the space for exhibitions and offices. It has been open to the public since 2004.

If William and Kate decide to make the residence their home, it will have to be returned to the Royal Household.

A spokesman for the couple confirmed that Princess Margaret's former home is 'one of the options' being considered for their London home.

Kensington Palace, where the couple have moved into new accommodation


source:dailymail

Zara to hold pre-wedding Britannia bash on former Royal yacht

By Mail On Sunday Reporter


The Royal Family and Britannia are to be reunited for next weekend’s wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall.

The couple, who are marrying at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh on Saturday, are finalising plans for a spectacular private bash on the former Royal Yacht the previous evening.

Guests will include members of the Royal Family and some of England rugby captain Mr Tindall’s team-mates.

Wedding: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips are getting married on Saturday

Britannia was decommissioned in 1997, but will host the Royal Family once again on Friday night


Britannia, decommissioned in 1997, was used by Zara’s now-divorced parents, the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, for their 1973 honeymoon.

These days the vessel is berthed at Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith and billed as Scotland’s top visitor attraction.

Glamorous: Top sportswoman Zara is looking forward to her 'special' party on Britannia


It will be closed to the public all day on Friday in advance of the party – despite it being the middle of the tourist season.

A source confirmed: ‘Zara and Mike thought it would be rather special to throw a party on Britannia.

'It will be a private affair and a chance for those nearest and dearest to the happy couple to come together ahead of the wedding.’

Church: The couple will marry at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, whose Royal associations stretch back centuries


source:dailymail

Pippa at 13: The 'tough' sports star with a winning smile

By JO MACFARLANE

Gifted: Pippa Middleton was the star of the school's netball team

Fresh-faced and long-limbed,a young Pippa Middleton smiles proudly for the camera in the green kit of her school netball team.

The 13-year-old, already a star on the sports field, according to her former teachers at St Andrew's School in Berkshire – is shown sitting alongside her team-mates as they giggle and pose for the photograph.

Another previously unseen shot reveals the Duchess of Cambridge's sister in her smart school uniform, relaxing with friends in her housemaster's flat.


Sociable: Pippa, centre, and friends in their housemaster's flat


With her shoulder-length hair already tied in what looks like an early version of Kate's wedding demi-chignon, she looks like any other carefree schoolgirl .

The pictures were taken by Kevin Allford, who was housemaster to Pippa and Kate at the £13,000-a-year preparatory school in the Nineties.

Mr Allford, who now lives in Carmarthen, said: 'Pippa was like her sister and did everything at 100mph. They both loved sport, but Pippa was particularly talented.


SPORTY: Pippa, far right, with the school netball team


'She always smiled and was forever winning medals and trophies. The reason everyone thinks she's got a wonderful figure is because of the amount of time she's spent playing sport in her lifetime. With Pippa, it was hours and hours a day.'

Pippa, now 27, is two years younger than Kate, who had already left the school when these photo-graphs were taken.

The sisters were sent to the all-girls school as day pupils when they were eight. They stayed at St Andrew's until they were 13, ¬boarding for their final two years.



Runner: At 27, Pippa is still sporty and ran a triathlon last month


The girls were both known for their bright personalities and sporting talent but they did differ, according to Mr Allford.

'Pippa was tough, not like Catherine. She never seemed anything other than bright and ¬bubbly. If she fell down, she picked herself up and just got on with it.

'She knew exactly who she was and was a delight. There were never arguments with the other girls, never a piece of lost kit or grumbling.'


source: dailymail