And Baby makes three

photo's by Michael Middleton - a'ka the proud Grandfather.

I just couldn't resist - and in case you haven't seen the newly released photo's of little Prince George with his adoring parents. I love that the first photo's released were taken by Prince George's Grandfather, Michael Middleton. It speaks volumes about the traditions that William and Catherine plan to inject into their new family life.

William sits with his arms wrapped around Kate and their dog Lupo, while the Middleton family dog lays in behind them rather unimpressed.

Photo by Michael Middleton

What a cute family. They look relaxed and comfortable in the new role as parents and not at all worn out from the demands of a new baby. William shared in a recent interview that he changed the first 'nappy' and had every midwife staring at him - no pressure.

Royal Expectations

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The paparazzi is not as secretive as the statue of a photographer above. 

It is reported that the Duchess of Cambridge has moved to her parents home in Bucklebury, Berkshire for the weekend to get relief from the overwhelming temperatures at her Nottingham Cottage {which does not have the modern amenity of air conditioning}. Having delivered my first child in the heat of July I can sympathize with all mom's-in-waiting right now.

When you are at full bloom waiting for baby to make a decision on when he/she will to make their arrival, the constant question-announcement to you is 'No baby yet?!'. Any woman at this point in her pregnancy will agree it makes you want to go into hiding ...... anywhere. For Kate the volume is magnified by the world watching.

Prince William gets an early glimpse of the fascination behind the lens. getty images

The organized camping of photographers at St. Mary's Hospital in London began at the beginning of July in anticipation of the royal baby and hopefully the efforts will keep the craziness of paparazzi at bay.

Four parking bays have been roped off directly across from the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's to accommodate select accredited photographers who are permitted a 'spot'. The area is divided into taped out squares identifying the journalist group who is allowed to occupy the space, ladders of various heights are positioned to create a bleacher aspect and equal opportunity.

via o-Paparazzi

No matter who it is facing a sea of lenses and light bulbs, and no matter how 'set-up' for control the situation - it is daunting. Hundreds of people shouting your name over and over........ as if you didn't know they were there. Working the red carpet at film festival in Toronto taught me just how quickly a crowd can grow wild and out of control.

So what does a motley crew like this do in their little taped down square for the days leading up to the 'moment' shot?

Passing the idle hours has included taking pictures of each other taping down the 'spot', playing pranks by selling off someone's ladder, and placing their bets. Like many others in London the guessing game has it's numbers attached to it. I'm pretty sure that the safest bet is that the Royal Baby will not be named Pocohontas {500/1 in favour}.

The royal baby will be given the title HRH Prince or HRH Princess - and will be referred to this way in formal announcements. William and Catherine have three choices for a surname for their children, Mountbatten-Windsor {the Queen and Prince Phillips surname}, Wales {which William goes by}, or Cambridge {the given title to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge}.

While waiting for the new Prince or Princess to make an appearance snuggled in the arms of the Duke and Duchess, there is plenty of time to read a good book. Shhh! Don't Wake the Royal Baby! by Martha Mumford is a sentiment that I'm sure the new parents would willing to convey to the throngs of people outside the hospital.

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Local shops have experienced what is sure to be just the start of the royal baby gift and souvenir shopping frenzy. 
Getting in on the act of royal baby products is soon-to-be-first-time-Grandfather Prince Charles. Handmade leather baby shoes are being sold at the Highgrove shop with proceeds being donated to Prince Charles Charitable Foundation.

I have to admit - these are pretty darn cute!

Not to be outdone by visiting Auntie or Uncle in the gift giving department - Beauty and the Bib has created a special line for the royal occasion.

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In addition to the 'cute' get in on the act type of gifts, there is an enormous share of so-tacky-I-can't-sell-it-at-a-garage-sale type of merchandise......... like this....

via - available in pink or blue

Apparently the sick bags have sold for those who experience too much celebration of various royal events and for those who cannot stomach anymore {at lydialeith.com}. Kate has demonstrated both her sense of humour and solid footing during stressful times, but the sick bag just may come in handy as she deals with the craziness around the birth of her child.

I thought I'd share an image of Kate as a young child, a picture I hadn't seen before. Here Kate is with her sister Pippa and father Michael {in Amman, Jordan where they lived for three years}, both girls have blond hair. Part of the betting game is the colour of hair the royal baby will have, this image would make me sway my bet.
One thing is for sure, both William and Kate have vivacious smiles and their child will likely have the wide dimple grin they both do.

credit: Middleton Family/ Clarence House. Getty Images

Sending wishes for a safe and healthy delivery.

Royal Maternity Style

 "Each and every day my heart is filled with the joy of being GRAND".

{these are words on a photo frame I own}

Michael and Carole Middleton are about to discover that there is nothing more special than becoming Grandparents. The Middleton's had the inside scoop on the upcoming delivery date of the royal baby who will be born to their Daughter and Son-in-law this July. Although Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their first child this July, an expected date of delivery was not announced. I'm going to place my bet on July 7th {my Son's birthday), although I think that most everyone can admit it would be special if the newest little royal was born July 1st on Diana's birthday. 

It was 31 years ago this past July that the world watched as Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. I watched the televised wedding ceremony in the very early hours of the morning when I was up to feed my Son, who was only three weeks old at the time. Carole Middleton would have been three months pregnant with Kate at the time of the royal wedding, I'm sure she never imagined the life for the baby she carried then.

And life is about to get even more grand .............

Princess Elizabeth - 1933

Headlines around the globe are filled with speculation on Kate and William's official due date, Kate's impending baby bump and the royal maternity style she will wear.
With the first trimester completed the Duchess has not needed to change her fashion style. The second trimester will bring Kate into the weeks of late winter and early spring when jackets will still be needed and will conceal much of her blossoming body. But it is the third trimester when warm weather begins that Kate's full maternity style will be revealed.

I was pregnant with my first child just before Lady Diana was expecting William, and thankfully so much has changed in maternity wear since then. Like Diana, I wore smocked styled dresses. The trends at the time included peter pan collars and puff sleeves - yesh.

Remember these famous images of Diana......... those smock style dresses in polka dots. In the early eighties is was all about comfortable clothes that flowed over your baby bump..... until the wind blew against the fabric and it clung to you like a wet tissue. How many women felt like they were wearing a tent?

Maternity wear now offers styles that celebrate the impending arrival by showing off the baby bump with clingy fabrics that reveal a Mom's growing curves. My prediction is that Kate will be modest in her choices for maternity wear and conservative at times to meet the needs of the royal duties. Expect to see a fun and playful side of this Mom-to-be as well.

Here are a few pics of maternity fashions for Kate..........

Like Beyonce, Kate could step out in style during the second trimester with maternity jeans, top and full blazer........ the scarf gives a level of comfort concealing the bump.

Stylish jeans with a belly band for support are a fashion MUST for Moms-to-be. These are from Queen Mum Maternity Wear.

Belted cape from Ingrid and Isabel is great for layering in the spring.

Sleeveless sheath dress from Isabel and Ingrid - belted in the second trimester and un-belted in the last trimester.

Olian Maternity offers colourful and stylish dresses fit for a Duchess.

This black jersey dress worn by Reese Witherspoon would look great on Kate.

A draped front dress from Isabel and Ingrid brings added comfort to the front.

Dress by Queen Mum maternity is in a stylish pattern and colour.

Tiffany Rose Maternity - soft taupe dress is simple and elegant.

This taupe dress is accented with soft lace and a satin ribbon {Tiffany Rose}.

Princess Marie of Denmark stepped out in stylish maternity fashions that I think are reflective of Kate's royal duties style. {source: lilly lemontree blogspot}

The casual everyday styles that Kate does well, can be easily achieved in maternity wear from a few select design labels. 

Queen Mum {how appropriate} has a select line that is stylish and youthful.

Jeans, jersey striped top and blazer from Queen Mum.

Colourful and fun maternity fashions by Queen Mum.

It is reported that Kate is easy practicing Pilates during her pregnancy. Motherhood Maternity offers stylish exercise wear for Moms-to-be.

When the heat of the early summer arrives Kate will appreciate the flow of a maxi dress {by Ingrid and Isabel}.

This easy styling that Reese Witherspoon wore in the third trimester is a good look for the Duchess.

Princess ? or Prince ? - How much fun would it be to see Kate step out in this top by Queen Mum.

Kate & William visit Singapore

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in the South Pacific as representatives of the Queen for the Jubilee celebrations. As always, all eyes are on the young royals and in particular on Kate. What the Duchess wore - her shoes, her handbag, her hairstyle. We are obsessed with Kate and it's understandable, she has a classic elegance and beauty.

Theirs is a love story that the world wants to read about.

The media is constantly querying her appearance suggesting that Kate is pregnant. They flip from one side of the coin saying she is too thin, to the other pointing out a possible baby bump. Don't we all have great 'skinny' pictures of ourselves and a few pictures that make us cry out 'I look so fat'. It is all about the angle of the shot and our posture.

The Duke and Duchess arrived in Singapore and went straight from their flight to begin the personal appearances. The temperatures and humidity is almost unbearable, with reports of local residents fainting while waiting to see the royal procession.

The media rolled with speculations that Kate was expecting because she drank water at a reception rather than wine. Seasoned travelers know that increasing your consumption of water while flying helps to keep you hydrated and eases the jet lag conditions. Imagine stepping off a thirteen hour flight with a seven hour time difference to immediately greet crowds of people. Add the overwhelming temperatures and a humidity level of 70%, I know I would seem a bit weary.

 

 I applaud Demi Lovato for voicing her opinion on the 'media's consistent need to fuel the pregnancy rumours' {read it here}. Miss Lovato makes the valid point that this is why men and women {in particular} have body image issues. 

Below is a picture that fueled speculation with comments about Kate's 'expanding waistline' {seriously ?}. Any woman who has worn pantyhose in ultra hot weather will attest that the number one feeling is bloating - the waistband is binding your midsection and your body is screaming to take the hose off.
Even William, who mentioned during the state dinner that 'the jet lag is the hardest', looked a bit uncomfortable at times with the overwhelming humidity.

I encourage the media to forget about a potential 'baby announcement', if and when it happens the world will know at the same time with a news release from the palace.

The Queen couldn't have better representatives for her jubilee celebrations than William and Catherine.  At times I have to remind myself how young they are, their level of maturity and poise is well beyond their age. From the emotional presentation of the orchid named in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, to touring memorial gardens and glittering at a state dinner; the young royals shine. 

Here are some pictures of the happy couple as they tour the South Pacific.

Touring the memorial gardens.

 

Signing the guest registry.

The Duchess of Cambridge wearing a gown from the house of Alexander McQueen .

Taking a bit of the heat off

Apparently the Duchess of Cambridge is teaching her Brother-in-law Prince Harry, how to cook. The pair, who have a strong Brotherly-Sisterly relationship are working together in the kitchen to advance Harry's culinary talents beyond the microwave.

Lesson One: Wear a chef's coat and pants in order to keep the heat off.

Royal Olympic Style

Before I share the latest images of fashions that the Duchess of Cambridge wore to the Olympic events, I want to start with this picture of the Queen at the Olympic Park. As the lens looks over the Queen's shoulder, she is shown experiencing a more pensive moment as she absorbs the massive undertaking of the Olympic events and reflects back on the history.

At a reception prior to the opening ceremonies the Queen said:
"This is the third London Olympiad. My great-Grandfather opened the 1908 games in White City; my Father opened the 1948 games in Wembley Stadium, and later this evening I will take pleasure in opening the 2012 Olympic Games at Stratford, in the east of London".

Reflecting Pool                                            source martin rickett/getty

The Queen took the world on by storm in her mock portrayal as a Bond Girl for the opening ceremony and has shown the world that she does have spunk. She thought her cameo appearance was 'a bit of a laugh', and we had to agree.

The Royal family has been involved in the opening events and was especially proud today when the Queen's Granddaughter, Zara Phillips made her equestrian debut on her horse High Kingdom. It's all a good reason to smile.


Now on to some of the Olympic Styles sported by Catherine........

Prince Harry, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed the Olympic flame onto the grounds at Buckingham Palace. The Royal trio wore Team Great Britain shirts, but it was once again Kate who put the best fashion foot forward.

William, Kate and Harry wear the Great Britain Olympic shirts. Kate sports her look with royal-blue coloured jeans from ZARA and Stuart Weitzman Corkswoon Wedges.

Looking great leaving as well as arriving is never a problem for Kate.

During a visit to St Beacons College for the Coach Core program, which is a partnership program with The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry; Prince William explained the athletic expertise of the trio:

" Watching me on the football field is never a pretty site.... the expression giraffe on ice springs to mind. However it is marginally less embarrassing than seeing my Brother cheat his way to becoming the fastest man on the planet"

{in reference to Prince Harry's false start sprint against Olympia Usain Bolt during a visit to Jamaica}

And with pride William spoke about his wife's sporting talent:

"Catherine on the other hand, with a tennis racket or hockey stick, is something to behold and be aware of."

Kate wore these red skinny jeans and grey hoodie to play with the Great Britain Women's Olympic Hockey team during media scrim last March. She paired the jeans with heels, a classic navy blazer and the official GB Olympic scarf proving once again that she knows how to extend her wardrobe.

The scarf at only $15 was already a sure fire seller, but the Kate style-train would make grabbing the Olympic scarf enormously popular.

When the Royal trio visited St Beacons College Kate wore a Hobbs Check Wessix dress in soft grey and cream which proved comfortable enough to play ping-pong in. She kicked off her Pied a Terre Imperia wedges to participate with the karate team.

At the reception for the opening ceremonies the Duchess wore an ice blue coat ensemble by Christopher Kane. Simple lines fitted well to her slender figure in an elegant shade that brought a defined sophistication. Kate looked stunning - again!

The Duchess in a Christopher Kane design.

I couldn't locate a full body image to show the hem and her shoes; but I love the lines of the jacket, the flat pocket placket and simple belt.

...... and William looking handsome !

Kate's blue topaz and diamond earrings by KiKi McDonough sparkle with a nod to the Olympic ring.

Wishing all the extraordinary athletes the best of show in their categories.