Archive for the ‘Prince Charles’ Category

The Trademarking of Kate Middleton

Friday, April 12th, 2013 by mfn

Last week, the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry had applied for the rights to trademark Kate Middleton’s name to be used on a range of charity goods, namely ‘clothing, footwear and headgear’.

I was unaware that the Royal Foundation in question had raised an additional £4,170,000 million pounds since the Duchess of Cambridge had joined the Royal Family. (It had raised just over £600,000 prior to her coming into the ‘firm’.)

The Duchess of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge

This foundation helps to promote the welfare of those serving in the Armed Forces, as well as supporting charities working with disadvantaged children and providing conservation of natural resources.

While it did strike me that this may have been done to stop people from using her name illegally, (which was later confirmed by St James’ Palace) with the combination of her skills learned at her parents Party Pieces online business and the experience of the Prince of Wales with running the Duchy of Cornwell (he has doubled its capital value in the last 7 years) through the sale of organic items under the Duchy Originals label such as meat, biscuits, hand lotion, milk ….. All the while promoting the benefits of organic food and farming.

Duchy Originals Shortbread

Duchy Originals Shortbread - they are divine, promise .....

Lemon Curd - yes please!

Lemon Curd - yes please!

Sandringham strawberry icecream - I haven't tried this, but ok, I will ...

Sandringham strawberry icecream - I haven't tried this, but ok, I shall ...

And also Highgrove Shop which it would appear sells the equivalent of a department store - clothes & accessories, stationery, hampers, food and beverages, bath & body, garden, crockery collections ….. I dare say, if there is something you need, you could find it there!

The Rose Gardeners Trug

The Rose Gardener's Trug

Beetroot and radish tea towel set

Beetroot and radish tea towel set

Set of 3 Lavender Soaps

Set of 3 Lavender Soaps

Prince of Wales Earl Grey Tea Caddy

Prince of Wales Earl Grey Tea Caddy

I think British charities might be on quite the winning streak.

Last year, the Prince of Wales donated over £100 million to his chosen charities via The Prince of Wales Trust, let alone the funds he helped raise by attending other functions, benefits and the like.

I think the British Monarchy is in more than suitable hands moving into the future and that the trademarking of Kate Middleton’s name was an exceptionally savvy move.

Old and new traditions

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 by mfn

When Catherine Middleton married Prince William, she continued with the tradition started by Queen Victoria on her wedding day, by carrying a sprig of myrtle in her bouquet.

Following her marriage, Queen Victoria proceeded to plant this sprig of myrtle in her private garden.  Since then, all royal brides have carried a sprig of myrtle from Queen Victoria’s myrtle tree, in their bouquets, which is then duly planted in their gardens. Isn’t that so sweet?

catherine-middleton-bouquet

Catherine also followed a tradition started by the Queen Mother, who left her bouquet at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, in memory of her younger brother Fergus, who was killed on the Western Front.

(A Royal official graciously dashed back to the Abbey and placed the bouquet on the Grave, on Catherine’s behalf, after the official photographs were complete.)

Catherine's bouquet Grave of the Unknown Warrior

In addition to these traditions, it would appear that Prince Charles has helped Prince William and Catherine start a new tradition of their own.

The trees which were in the Abbey (which I can’t say enough good things about - so simple, elegant, so divine!) were from Prince Charles garden at Highgrove.

After the ceremony, the trees were removed from the Abbey and are to be placed in the gardens of Prince William and Catherine’s new home.

I love that despite this wedding being a formal state occasion, so many touching traditions were incorporated, which I would imagine, would have made the day feel much more like an intimate family affair.

Trees in Westminster Abbey at Royal wedding

Trees in Westminster Abbey Catherine Middleton