Gracie Jewellery: prince william

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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Duchess of Cornwall

The Duchess of Cornwall was appointed to the highest female rank in the Royal Victorian Order, a personal gift awarded by the Queen in recognition of “personal” service to the monarchy.

The announcement, which came on the Duchess and the Prince of Wales’s seventh wedding anniversary, 9 April, illustrates the Queen’s fondness for her daughter-in-law and will be considered a public endorsement of her important role within the family.

It makes the 64-year-old Duchess a Dame Grand Cross in recognition of her commitment to public duties and sees her join an exclusive group of current recipients.

The award was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to her and is bestowed independently of 10 Downing Street.

The Duchess has taken on a wide range of patronages and travelled extensively overseas on official visits since marrying the Prince of Wales in a civil ceremony in 2005.

Congratulations to the Duchess. Public opinion hasn't given you an easy time of it but you've made the Prince of Wales visibly happy, Princes William and Harry like and have accepted you and obviously the Queen likes you.

Good job you!

The Royal website has more information on the Royal Victorian Order

Getty photos

Friday, July 1, 2011

Happy Canada Day! July 1

Happy 144th Birthday, Canada!
1867-2011

Happy you are spending Canada Day with us!

Officially beginning on July 1, 1867, the Federal Dominion of Canada was formed with the new provinces of Ontario and Quebec (until then together comprising the Province of Canada) along with two other British colonies, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which also became provinces.

This motley group are the guys responsible - known as the Fathers of Confederation. The guy sitting on the step was John A MacDonald, Canada's first prime minister.

Being a British Colony, Canada flew the Union Jack.

Every morning school started with singing God Save the Queen (see she does smile!)

Then the pledge of allegiance:

We pledge allegiance to the flag
And to the Queen and Commonwealth
For Which it Stands

Then we sang the Nation Anthem

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

And then the Lord's Prayer

That was before any of the above started to offend people

Then in 1965 Canada got her own flag!

It was a controverisal issue. Some did not want the Union Jack to go. Some did not like the look of the new flag. The maple leaf was designed by George F. G. Stanley and John Matheson based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. The flag made its first appearance on February 15, 1965. This date is now celebrated annually as National Flag of Canada Day.

Below is a picture of Canadian flags decorating the Veteran graves at the local cemetery. Because of their selfless actions

along with these men (Canadian armed forces in Afghanistan)

I am free to write this post. Godspeed guys!

"The Maple Leaf Forever" is a Canadian song written by Alexander Muir (1830–1906) in 1867

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,
The Maple Leaf forever!
God save our Queen and Heaven bless
The Maple Leaf forever!

Proud to be Canadian, eh!!!!!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Trooping the Colour

The Trooping of Colour took place Saturday in London

The Sovereign's birthday is officially celebrated by the ceremony of Trooping the Colour on a Saturday in June.

This year Trooping the Colour took place on 11 June 2011. The Queen's Colour of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards was trooped.

The tradition of Trooping the Colour:

Although The Queen was born on 21 April, it has long been the tradition to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday publicly on a day in the summer, when good weather is more likely.

Trooping the Colour is carried out by fully trained and operational troops from the Household Division (Foot Guards and Household Cavalry) on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, watched by members of the Royal Family, invited guests and members of the public.

This military ceremony dates back to the early eighteenth century or earlier, when the colours (flags) of the battalion were carried (or 'trooped') down the ranks so that they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers.

This is the first time Prince William took part

The obligatory balcony appearance

Royal duty done, the Duchess of Cambridge goes off to a friend's wedding with sister Pippa

Trooping the Colour is on my bucket list. What's on yours?

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pink Saturday - June 11

Once again, Miss Beverly of How Sweet the Sound is hosting Pink Saturday for all pinkets everywhere.

And she has a special guest! Miss LaVoice from Thoughts from Meme's Corner. Please stop by and visit all the pinkets this week.

I was at a loss trying to think of something pink to share.

The lovely Duchess of Cambridge came to my rescue

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the ARK Anniversay Gala last night in London.

The Duchess wore a beautiful pink sequined Jenny Packham gown
The dress is embellished with Swarovski crystals and she finishes off the look with a dark pink
satin clutch and peep-toe LK Bennett shoes. The dress reportedly cost $5000.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Isn't she lovely?

In their first public outing since returning from their honeymoon, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were seen at the Epsom Derby, a prestigious horse race in which the Queen had a horse running.