Princess’ ‘toilet seat’ hat sells for US$131,000

Princess Beatrice arrives at Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London in this April 29, 2011 file photo. The hat worn by Princess Beatrice – widely described as looking like a ‘toilet seat’ – sold for US$131,000 on eBay

The much-mocked hat worn by Princess Beatrice to Britain’s royal wedding last month – widely described as looking like a toilet seat – sold for US$131,000 (RM400,925) on eBay, charities which will benefit from the sale said.

The money will be equally split between UNICEF and Children in Crisis, which posted the auction results on their websites.

William and Kate to honeymoon in Seychelles

Prince William and his wife Kate will honeymoon at a luxury villa on an island in the Seychelles, according to yesterday’s Daily Mail newspaper.

The newly-weds (picture) delayed their honeymoon, but will jet out later this month to spend ten days at a US$6,700 (RM19,925) a night retreat in the Indian Ocean archipelago, the British paper reported.

The 28-year-old prince’s protection officers reportedly visited the top-secret location to assess its suitability and were satisfied that the isolated resort would offer the required privacy.

Prince William to return to work before honeymoon

Prince William will resume his job as a helicopter pilot next week before going on a honeymoon abroad with his new wife, royal officials said today.

The prince (picture) and 29-year-old Kate Middleton, who dated for nearly a decade, married in London’s Westminster Abbey yesterday in a ceremony that captivated the world.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen not to depart for a honeymoon immediately,” St James’s Palace said in a statement, referring to the couple by their new titles bestowed by Queen Elizabeth.

“The locations of both their private weekend before The Duke returns to work and their future honeymoon, which will be overseas, will not be disclosed in advance,” it said, adding that the couple will spend the weekend in Britain, although not at their Welsh home.

Earlier today, the newlyweds flew out of Buckingham Palace by helicopter.

Beatrice is the star of royal red carpet in white tulle and sequins at the Queen's pre-wedding gala dinner

Princess Beatrice stole the show last night at a dinner that was held for royals from across Europe and the Middle East.

The daughter of Prince Andrew and the Duchess of York looked stunning in her white and silver sheath dress covered with sequins and tulle fishtail as she arrived at the Queen's gala dinner last night.

She was with her sister, Eugenie, who turned up at the event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge in a dress thought to be designed by Vivienne Westwood.

Princess Beatrice looked stunning as she arrived at the pre-wedding dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge, central London

 Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, left, and Queen Sofia of Spain

 Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, left, and Prince Felipe of Asturias

 Prince Charles went along to the hotel but left before dinner so that he could eat with Princes William and Harry

 Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and the Duke of Vastergotland, left, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece

 Britain's Princess Alexandra, left, and Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

 Grand Duke and Duchess Henri and Teresa of Luxembourg, left, and Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Wessex

 One's here now: The Queen was fashionably late in a long lilac dress with silver swirls

Queen fusses about every detail of wedding bash says royal cousin charged with planning party

The run-up to any big event is tiring for any party planner, so it is little wonder that Lady Elizabeth Anson is fortifying herself with extremely strong tea as she gears up for tomorrow’s royal wedding.

The flame-haired 69-year-old is an adviser for the wedding and tells us that her cousin the Queen has been very hands on with the wedding arrangements.

‘People might think she wouldn’t have time to worry about menus and tastings and how things look, but she is the most meticulous hostess,’ says Anson, in a cut-glass English accent.

‘She is really interested in what people are going to eat or when they are going to get drinks and making sure that they not waiting too long.’

 The wedding brings back many memories of that of Prince Charles to Princess Diana - it did not last, but it was a fairytale occasion Cousins: Lady Elizabeth Anson, left, is preparing herself by drinking strong tea and, she says, the Queen has been very hands on with arranging the wedding

 Lady Anson says she hopes the public and press don't try and compare Kate to Princess Diana

 The crowds will turn out in force tomorrow to see the newly weds appear on the balcony after their trip from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace

One's throne a party: After the wedding the Throne Room will host the party of the century with some of the most high-profile people in the world

Britain withdraws Syria’s royal wedding invitation

Armed police officers patrol outside The Goring hotel in London April 28, 2011. Kate Middleton and her family will stay at the hotel Thursday, before her wedding to Britain’s Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29.


Armed police officers patrol outside The Goring hotel in London April 28, 2011. Kate Middleton and her family will stay at the hotel Thursday, before her wedding to Britain’s Prince William at Westminster Abbey on April 29.


Britain has withdrawn the royal wedding invitation to Syria, with the support of Buckingham Palace, after a violent crackdown against pro-democracy supporters, a Foreign Office spokesman said today.

The invitation was rescinded on the eve of Friday’s wedding between Prince William, the second-in-line to the British throne, and his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, following criticism from opposition politicians and human rights groups.

“You may not want to see the pictures of repression in Syria at the same time as the picture of the Syrian ambassador happily being greeted at the wedding,” Human Rights Watch senior legal adviser Clive Baldwin said.

William and Kate ‘deeply touched’ by well-wishers

Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton said they were deeply touched by the outpouring of affection sparked by their wedding which will take place tomorrow amid pomp and pageantry in Westminster Abbey.

Their message of thanks to well-wishers worldwide came as details were released today of the wedding service that will combine the ancient traditions of the monarchy with a sense of modernity to reflect the times.

William goes on a final walkabout as a single man as he greets his fans on the eve of his wedding

* There's no room left near the Abbey for people wanting to get the first glimpse of the married couple
* Camilla went out to meet people waiting outside Clarence House earlier in the day

Prince William delighted thousands of well-wishers in The Mall last night as he staged an impromptu walkabout.

Joined by his brother Harry, the beaming prince stunned die-hard fans when he appeared from Clarence House at about 8.30pm to thank them for their support.

A few burst into tears and a sea of hands rose up, desperate for the chance to shake hands with the prince and to wish him luck before the big day.

 Union Flag and George Cross flag bunting hangs outside the Lamb and Flag pub in central London

 Tornado GR4 aircraft take off from RAF Coningsby station in Lincolnshire for a fly-past rehearsal

 Typhoon (top and bottom) and Tornado GR4 (left and right) aircraft rehearse their fly-past for the Royal wedding

 Carnival: Campers set up trellis tables and passed round sandwiches to get through the cold night

Cold time: The royal watchers had camped out all night in a bid to get the best spot to see the event

Suitably attired: One supporter sports a suit made from pictures of the Royal family while, right,  one wonders if this fan already wearing a ring on that finger - there'll still be one unmarried Prince in town after tomorrow's festivities

 Royal watchers wearing tiaras talk amongst the tents outside the entrance the historic church

Nice lie in: A man sleeps in his open tent covered in a Union Flag duvet

Royal fever: People camping in tents opposite Westminster Abbey have assured themselves a good

 Tired of the wedding festivities already? Two boys catch up on sleep on the pavement outside Westminster Abbey

 Best man: Prince Harry joined his brother on the stroll near Clarence House

 The happy prince: Prince William greets well-wishers along The Mall ahead of his wedding

 Focus on the groom: William is captured on camera by a well-wisher

casual stroll: Prince Harry greets some fans - and William looked relaxed as he cracked jokes with the crowd

 Meet and Greet: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall stepped out to meet people on the Mall on the eve of the wedding

 Oh, what a knight: Colin Bickers walked 55 miles from his home town of Worthing in his full suit of armor for the wedding - raising money for charity along the way