Happy Hannukkah, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our Royal Correspondents to our faithful readers. This would have been posted just before the fat man did his chimney run, and indeed Alinya was ready to post, but McFishie had houseguests to clean for pre-Christmas, house guest to entertain during Christmas (which, it has to be said, was lots of fun) and a husband on the brink of death (aka a head cold) to nurse in the days after. I hope you've all managed to enjoy some of the peace and rejuvenation of the season ready for whatever 2020 brings. For me, a massive thank you to Kslchen for allowing me to continue to be part of this world and Alinya who in addition to be an amazing inspiration has been a wonderful friend to partner with on Royal Correspondent.
From the desk of Abigail Morse, Twitter: Morse_Code
The Isis,
XX August, 2013
Royally Capped and Gowned
It's that time of year again. Graduation is upon us, made more than usually crowded this year by tourists and press wanting a glimpse of celebrity-couple Prince Ken and Rilla Blythe.
Keeping up our long history of outstanding journalism, The Isis's photographer snagged a few photos just for you.
[Picture spread: Dr Anne Shirley Blythe being received by King Owen, King Owen meeting Dr G. Blythe for presumed first time; Rilla Blythe crossing the graduation stage at the Sheldonian; Prince Ken receiving his degree.]
As pictured, both Miss Blythe's parents and King Owen were in attendance. Not pictured but also present was Queen Leslie, though it is unclear if she, too, met with Rilla's family.
Rilla Blythe graduates with a Msc in Sociology, and Prince Ken with an MPP. We have received no statement on their future plans but wish them all the best going forward from Oxford. Gaudeamus Igitur!
From the desk of Jordan Montgommery, Twitter: JrdnMRoyalCorresp
The Daily Mail,
XX August, 2013
A Cannuk may look at a King
[Pictured: King Owen shaking hands with Drs Anne and Gilbert Blythe.]
It seems, having finally obtained her degree, Cinderilla may not need it after all. Pictured above, the paupers and the king finally meet, brought together ostensibly by their offsprings' graduation. But is that the whole story?
Wedding bells may ring?
Could it be that wedding bells are once again ringing, this time for Ken and his Mitzi? Surely nothing less would cause King Owen to condescend to greet such ordinary persons as a neurosurgeon and his wife? If so, all we can say is that we hope it goes better for Ken's Colonial than it did for her hapless sister!
Royally favoured?
But if it's true and a wedding is in the offing, one has to wonder just how the Shirley-Blythes feel about shelling out all that money on an Oxford degree for a daughter more interested in royal progeny than academia. Money doesn't grow on trees, after all, and Oxford doesn't come cheaply bought. Unless of course, you're in bed with a Prince, in which case anything might well go, but if so we demand a financial review of the royal budget! Though frankly, it hardly seems worth the effort on the palace's part, given Cinderilla hardly distinguished herself with a First Class marks. (We wouldn't like to speculate about her…shall we say…extracurricular activities.) What's worse, it's a waste of a perfectly good academic place on a wannabe-royal.
And while Oxbridge might have a grand tradition of catering to its posh favourites, it does seem a bit much that it should make such a faff over the Prince's paramour of the moment, a redheaded knock-off Barbie that isn't even British. It's a poor state of affairs indeed when the sacred halls of Oriel College are reduced to rejecting hard-working locals in favour of Ken's phony fancy-woman. Let's just hope she really does make up in the bedroom for her short-comings in the classroom!
Pip's Blog: A Vision in Style Twitter: Pip-AVIS
August 2013
It's GRAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDUAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTIOOOOOOOOON! This week I graduated from my fashion degree. Thanks to this blog I've already received some offers I'm considering, so I was able to relaaaax and enjoy the experience. It also gave me some time to think about who else is graduating this year.
Rilla Blythe, the fashion savvy Canadian who captured the heart of a PK while living here in New York has finished her Master of Science at Oxford University. I thought I'd write about what she wore to graduation, but it was sooooooooooo boring. Well, not totally boring – her shoes were a totally cute pair of patent leather wedges, no doubt all the better for tackling all those cobbles in Oxford but they were black, as was the rest of the outfit. At first I was worried that England had robbed Rilla of her love of colour. Seeing that everyone else was wearing the same lack of colour, however, I did some investigation and discovered there are rules in Oxford about what you can wear to graduation. The summarised version of which is it has to be boring.
Just as well they don't apply to the parents. Did you see what her Mum was wearing? I love when a woman knows how to dress and Mrs Blythe does. Her dress was a gorgeous shimmery teal. Dark enough to be subdued and understated with a subtle leaf pattern, but the outline in silver caught the light and transformed the whole outfit into something more. She also knows a thing or two about fabric, the wrap jersey dress skimmed her figure letting us know that this is a woman who has never lost her girlie shape. The outfit was finished with a pair of wedge heels that could have been a twin with Rilla's – no doubt she was warned by her daughter about the Oxford cobbles.
If I'm talking about Rilla's parents I should mention her father's suit as well. That man knows how to wear one. A classic modern cut he manages to effortlessly look right at home meeting King Owen.
It just goes to show that whether you're graduating in the fashion of your choice, forced to confirm to a rule about what not to wear, or a parent cheering your daughter (or son) on, if you wear something that's comfortable for your environment, with a classic cut, you'll always look effortlessly stylish and ready to meet a King.
More of my post-graduation plans soon!
From the desk of Angus Montcrief, Twitter: AMArchCorresp
The Evening Times
XX, August 2013
Three Royal Graduations
This month King Owen and Queen Leslie have attended the graduations of all three of their children.
Two weeks ago, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Sports Science from Bristol's Hartpury College. The photos of the day capture Her Royal Highness laughing and looking at home with her peers at the ceremony at Gloucester Cathedral. It seems she has found a niche where she is happy and comfortable, one that we hope will continue as she pursues a career in professional equestrianism.
Last week, King Owen attended His Royal Highness the Duke of Kendal's graduation from the University of Edinburgh with a Master of Arts in Architectural Design. Both the King and the Duke wore traditional Scottish Kilts for the ceremony, as did most of the graduating class. This is more a pause than and end for the Duke who plans on continuing his education with a Master of Science in Advances in Sustainable Design.
As important as these events were, however, they were overshadowed by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wale's graduation from Oxford's Oriel College with a Masters in Public Policy. I could write about the King's evident price as his son received his award, or speculate how the Prince of Wales will use his new qualifications, but all of England is waiting to see if the Prince will announce his engagement to the Canadian Rilla Blythe now that they both have both completed their Masters qualifications. It is known that His Royal Highness is about to embark on a tour of India. What's not known is if his live-in-girlfriend will accompany him. The timing of his proposal is also not known, though it is generally accepted that an announcement is imminent. The public meeting of Miss Blythe's parents and King Owen was generally seen as a pre-cursor to the couples betrothal.
Heat Magazine
XXX August 2013
Sizzling Summer Romances
While the national excited awaits the announcement of an engagement between His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Canadian Rilla Blythe, royal watchers have been captivated by the romance of her parents.
That's right, her parents.
While public displays of affection by parents are usually considered cringeworthy, the obvious love her parents feel for each other has captured the hearts of the nation as we all let out a collective awwww.
Rilla's parents, who were in Oxford for her Masters of Science graduation were captured by photographers holding hands (right), staring lovingly at each other (centre), and sharing special moments with the exchange of kisses (right). Our favourite though was the moment Dr Gilbert Blythe picked up his wife and twirled her around. We're not sure what was cuter, the way she drapped her arms around his neck, or the obvious joy encapsulated by her laughter as they shared the moment.
Rilla was captured rolling her eyes at her parents, indicating that such displays are not unusual where these two are concerned.
Right now the public are happy to bask in this lovely couple's obvious shared joy, but not for long. Bookmakers are taking bets on when the royal engagement will be announced, with mid September currently at 10/1 odds. A Royal Wedding by Christmas and a baby announcement by Spring 2014 are at 50/1 odds. If the Prince and his Canadian are half as amorous as her parents appear to be that may not be as farfetched an idea as it was first thought!
Andrew Rosemont, Royal Correspndent. Twitter Rosemont_Sun
The Sun
XX August 2013
King Owen Signals Royal Wedding
(Photo of King Owen being greeted by Dr and Dr Blythe)
King Owen's public acknowledgement of the Doctors Blythe, Rilla Blythe's parents is seen a precursor to a Royal Wedding Announcement.
The King attended graduations for all of his children in recent weeks. It was only, however at the graduation of his eldest son His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales that the King did a public walkabout. While he took the time to acknowledge the waiting public he singled out both Rilla Blythe and her parents, who she introduced him to, perhaps for the first time.
This public introduction is being seen as the strongest indication yet that a Royal Wedding is imminent. The King has long been acknowledged to an expert at working the press, and he would have known the significance such a public acknowledgement would have. Acknowledging Rilla Blythe publicly lends credibility to the Prince and the Canadian's relationship, banishing Tatty and Toppy who were formerly speculated to be rivals for the Prince's affections to the role of 'ex'. Extending this greeting to her parents, however, signifies that this relationship is much more serious than previously believed. It's a public acknowledgement that the King fully supports his son's choice, and leaves the way open for the Prince of Wales to 'pop the question'.
One has to wonder what the Canadian herself would think of such a question. Initially she was seen as a gold digger, dating the Prince for the money and position such an association would bring. Now that she has a Masters from Oxford, however, the world is her oyster. Would she be happy to settle for a life of public service or would she prefer to take her degrees and make her own mark on the world. Through the connections she's made through her education and relationship with the Prince of Wales there is almost nothing that she couldn't do.
And is the Prince ready to settle down? He's come close before most recently with Lady Henrietta de Duras. Could it be that the Canadian has what it takes to satisify a Prince's passions?
And what of the public. Are we ready for Rilla, Princess of Wales and perhaps one day Queen Rilla, or even Queen Bertha if she reverts to her full birth name? Royal spin doctors have been testing the public reaction to Rilla Blythe for some months now and it seems that while she was a first seen to be quite shallow, public opinion is swaying in her direction.
The Prince is due to tour India later this summer. Its thought this will be a test of their relationship to see how they cope with being apart. If all goes well, it is expected that he will bring back an Indian diamond with which to propose. The former colony will, no doubt, be disappointed not to have the engagement announced before the visit, and it is expected that the Prince will return with his Princess-in-waiting shortly after their engagement is announced.