Sunday, September 15, 2024

A Second Son for The Princess of Wales



Embed from Getty Images
 September 14, 1984

Today, the Princess of Wales was "safely delivered" at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington.  The birth took place in the private Lindo Wing.   The Princess was in labor for nine hours and gave birth at 4:30 p.m.

The infant prince weighed 6lbs 14 oz.  The Prince of Wales was present for the birth.

The baby's name - Henry Charles Albert David - was announced the next day by Buckingham Palace.  The official release also noted he would be known as Harry.

The Prince of Wales spent three hours with his wife and infant son before returning to Kensington Palace.  When Charles exited the hospital, he told the press: "The baby is fine!  My wife is even better."  
He also told the crowd the delivery had been "much quicker than last time."

Prince William, now the big brother, was born on June 21, 1982.    

The Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Harry left St. Mary's at 2:30 p.m., 22 hours after the Princess had given birth.   Earlier in the day, the Prince of Wales brought Prince William to meet his new brother.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images 

 Prince Harry's baptism in the Church of England took place on December 21, 1984.  He was dressed in the family's lace christening gown first worn in 1840 by Queen Victoria's eldest child, Princess Victoria.
His godparents were HRH Prince Andrew, Lady Sarah Armstrong Jones, Celia Vestsey, Gerald Ward, Carolyn Bartholomew, and artist Bryan Organ. 

  Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images 

 Harry's engagement to American actress Rachel Meghan Markle was announced on November 27, 2017.

  Embed from Getty Images 

 They married in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.   The morning of Harry's wedding,  Queen Elizabeth created her grandson Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel.

  Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

On January 13, 2020, Buckingham Palace released a statement about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family. My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives. It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK. These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”

Their last day as working royals was on March 31, 2020.  

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.  

Prince Harry celebrates his 40th birthday today.   He told the BBC:  "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40. Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world".












 

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Day 10 June 17 Windsor and Order the Garter



After a quick breakfast in the condo, I headed out for Windsor.  The view is the Thames as the condo is located by the river.

The bus stop for Clapham Junction is across the street.  A 5-minute ride to the station.  I purchased a return ticket and headed to the platform.   Much to my delight, a Costa Coffee stand is on the platform.  

Yes, I will have a vanilla latte.   While I wait for the train, I message my friend to say I will meet her by the Victoria Statue.

Windsor has two stations:  Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside  I usually go to Windsor from Paddington, which means changing at Slough for Windsor & Eton Central,  across the street from the Castle.  This time I arrived at Windsor & Eton Riverside, by the Thames, and a short walk up High Street to the Castle.

I planned to arrive early to browse a few shops and take photographs by the river.



A beautiful morning by the Thames
This made me giggle as I have these two rubber ducks
HH Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein (1867-1900), a grandson of Queen Victoria.  His mother was Princess Helena
This amused me.  Five Guys' headquarters is in Alexandria, VA

I was already sitting on the bench when my friend Katrina arrived.  We headed straight for the Garter line, where our tickets were checked.  It was now about 8:30.  One settled in the line, I went off to buy food for lunch.  Much to my disappointment the local Smith's (on High Street) does not sell sandwiches.   I walked to Peascod to Marks & Spencer, where I bought a sandwich, fruit, crisps and water.   

Ran into photographer Paul Ratliffe again -- we were next to each other outside BP for the balcony appearance at the Trooping
Looks like the Crooked House may be getting a new tenant after several years of being closed
At noon we were let into the castle to get to our spots.  Time to sit down, enjoy the company, the view and lunch
I bought a chocolate heaven ice cream cone.
Thrilled to meet Lauren Parkinson, who is known to many royal enthusiasts as Parkyprincess on Instagram
The indomitable Ken Stone
Acclaimed biographer Hugo Vickers
The Earl of Ulster, Lady Davinia Windsor, and Lady Rose Gilman,  children of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.   The Duchess was installed as a Royal Lady of the Garter
The young boy is Rufus Gilman
Rufus and Lyla Gilman and Lady Cosima Windsor

HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh and Sir Timothy Laurence arrive
The Duchess sees the Gloucester family  and motions them to join her 
Lord Ulster is standing next to Lady Blair, wife of former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair,  who is a Knight of the Garter 
Alistair Bruce looks right at me
Andrew Lloyd Webber (right), now Lord Lloyd Webber, was installed as a Knight of the Garter
Lady Mary Peters and Baroness Amos.   Lady Mary won the Gold Medal in the Pentathlon at the 1972
 Summer Olympics
TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH the Princess Royal and HRH The Princess of Wales

TM The King and Queen
Right at my camera




So happy to finally meet Lauren.



Katrina and her friends were in another section so we met up outside the Castle and walked down High Street to the King & Castle pub for dinner and a cold beer!!!!!!

And then it off to the train station and back to Battersea.  Tomorrow Duke's Lane.