The Story Behind the News

A slightly different approach to this week's update, you'll see why next week. And some more guest correspondents. Thanks so much to Oz Diva and DW.618 for their contribution to our press coverage.

Daily Mail, London

Rachel English Twitter: RachelE_DailyMail

XXX February 2012

Royal Romance Hots Up

Rumours of Prince Ken's budding romance with Lady Hilda Brodrick, granddaughter of the Viscount Dunsford, may have some substance to them. Two weeks ago Prince Ken was photographed with Lady Hilda at the annual Dunsford Gallery Gala, that raises money for Great Ormand Street Children's Hospital. Now, this reporter has heard that two days ago Prince Ken attended dinner at the home of Lady Hilda's cousin, Mrs Francis Lloyd. While we don't know if Lady Hilda was in attendance, it would be a likely cover to enable them to meet again. It seems that the rumours of his romance with the Canadian, Rilla Blythe were either incorrect, or that relationship is well and truly over. As Miss Blythe is still facing potential charges for her alleged immigration fraud, the Palace will no doubt be glad that Prince Ken is putting romantic roots down in more suitable ground.

Jordan Montgomery's Twitter Feed

AT JrdnMRoyalCorreps: Canadian wannabe party girl out of the picture. London newspapers report new romance for Prince Ken

AT AVIS-Pip: at JrdnMRoyalCorresp can't you ever say anything nice? #teamrilla

AT JrdnMRoyalCorresp: at AVIS-Pip Told you she would wouldn't last #wannabeprincess

AT AVIS-Pip: at JrdnMRoyalCorreps and that's a good reason for vilifying someone's character? #teamrilla

AT JrdnMRoyalCorresp: at AVIS-Pip what's with the #teamrilla, not even Prince Ken cares about her anymore #HRHmoveson

AT JrdnMRoyalCorresp: at AVIS-Pip Or do you fancy her yourself? #collegeexperimentation

(several slanderous comments about Pip removed by AP's social media manager)

AT AVIS-Pip: Really? What are you, 5?

Heat Magazine ^

Readers Comments

XXX February 2012

Dear Sirs,

I read with growing dismay as you maligned red heads in general and Miss Rilla Blythe in particular.

A list of medieval superstitions is hardly proof that Miss Blythe may prove to be a problem for Prince Kenneth. I hope you are not implying that our impending king will be led astray by Miss Blythe that does not say much about him either.

The list of marvellous red heads is long and distinguished, Adele, Rick Astley, Lucille Ball, Boris Becker, Boudicca to name just a few.

Your scurrilous magazine is no more than scaremongering no doubt to sell more magazines, rather than writing ethical journalistic articles. I am beyond disgusted.

Miss Blythe has done nothing more than fall in love with Prince Kenneth, ie the most eligible bachelor in the Commonwealth, and who can blame her? I for one wish them well.

Yours very sincerely

Rachel Lynde (Mrs)

At the desk of Jordan Montgomery

Associated Press

XX February 2012

Jordon Montgomery started at the email he'd received from the Human Resources department. 'Internal Investigation, Subject to disciplinary action if claims found to be true'. Jordan didn't know how his personal diary had come to be printed. Yes, the tone wasn't what he'd normally print (it hadn't been meant for anyone's eyes but his), but he stood by his overall opinion. This Rilla Blythe was a strumpet intent on ruining the Royal family. He scanned the office, wondering which of his colleagues were being this. It had to be someone with access to ensure it avoided the necessary approvals to be sent live. Someone was sabotaging him. For what, the Royal Correspondent job? He knew people laughed at him for covering the royals. Said he'd taken this as he couldn't do serious journalism after his time covering the first Iraq war. But this job took serious diplomacy skills. Skills he'd honed for years working as a military attaché. He knew he'd be cleared, that wasn't what was concerning him. It was the 'intermediary actions pending outcome' that rankled. All stories had to have an additional layer of approval until he was cleared. And his latest submission had just been rejected. 'not to the standard of AP' the email read. He had sat through a meeting where his boss had described his recent work as 'substandard' he'd even said 'you're better than this trash, you know you are'. The humiliation built up with the suggestion of a different angle Perhaps report on the more positive aspects of the story. How about interviewing that fashion blogger, Pip Gordon and getting her views? You owe her an apology for your twitter rant – you really shouldn't tweet after drinking. A suggestion he'd planned to ignore…until his boss arranged the meeting for them to go together. Sighing he finished his coffee, and stood up. He couldn't even be trusted to interview a college blogger alone. He'd fallen very far.

Letter to the Editor^^

New York Times

XX February 2012

Dear Editor

I live in one the walk-ups in the same road as Rilla Blythe (I won't say which one, I don't want retaliation from the press). I have to live and function with the inconvenience of hordes of paparazzi on the sidewalk, blocking the entrance, making life very inconvenient. Their presence is intrusive and annoying, so much so we've created a private Facebook group just to check when it's safe to leave our homes (hint: it's never safe, they're always there). I have to clean up the snow on my sidewalk. I have to clean up after my dog on the sidewalk. Yet these "journalists" are permitted to create a hazard. Every time I walk past the cameras start flashing, until they realize I'm not Rilla. Their presence is intrusive and annoying. They make me want to scream "Get lost!" (In fact, I have been known to tell them loudly and clearly to get out of my way.) So I can FULLY understand why Rilla finally lost her temper at them. Rilla 1, paparazzi 0.

This invasion of Rilla's privacy (and by extension, my privacy) needs to stop! I don't care if she's dating the Pope, the President, or the Prince. The press needs to back up and get away from the door I'm trying to use!

Yours sincerely,

(Name withheld)

A Vision In Style Blog

XXX February 2012

That's it for my series on the 1920s New York Fashion, an era I find fascinating. I wanted to end today's blog, however, by sharing with you my latest project. For my final assignment before spring break, we've been challenged to produce an item of clothing that captures the spirit of the times in which we live by reflecting current affairs. I've decided to go with a simple scoop necked t-shirt – classic design, always looks good with jeans, can be worn anywhere, with a slogan that captures how I feel. I've chosen to make these available in a range of colors, but my favorite is the pink.

I had the pleasure of meeting some of the editorial team from Associated Press last week. You may have seen on twitter we had a bit of a misunderstanding, and it was lovely to get together with the Royal Correspondent, Jordan Montgomery and Editor in Chief Albert Einstein (that's really his name!). They told me what was happening at AP, I told them about my Fashion Degree and we smoothed things out. And they got really excited about my end of term project, as you'll see from the photo on the right. Al agreed that the t-shirt design is really pertinent for today's cultural references. . These are available for sale on my blog. All proceeds go to New York Children's Charities.

(photo right shows Pip wearing a pink t-shirt, Al on the right in a white t-shirt smiling broadly, and Jordan on the left in a yellow t-shirt looking very uncomfortable. Across each t-shirt in sequined letters it reads #teamRilla)

At the desk of Jordan Montgomery

Associated Press

XX February 2012

It had been a long time since he'd felt this low. Pip Gordan had been vivacious, witty and had totally captivated his editor. Jordan looked at email she'd sent him with a link to her blog and the photo of himself with Pip and Al, smiling, wearing #teamrilla t-shirts. It made his skin crawl.

He looked at his phone. They wanted him. Should he? Technically it was a breach of policy and he was already in enough trouble, but if they agreed to withhold his name, no one would know. And AP had declined the story. He heard a snicker from the coffee machine and assumed (wrongly) that it was about him. He looked at his phone one more time and pressed 'send'. This needed to go live.

^Thanks to the talented OzDiva for her contribution

^^ Thanks to DW.618 for joining in the fun and contributing a letter