Kensington Palace

Monday 23rd February, 2015

1A covered in scaffolding. Copyright: Blog Author

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have lived at Kensington Palace since 2011. 

Shortly after their marraige, the couple moved into Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of the Palace. This was a perfect base for the newly weds as it was a secure, private but still intimate London base. At this time Catherine and William were spending most of their time in Angelsey, Wales where The Duke was based as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. 

Plans were made for William and Catherine to eventually move into Kensington Palace's Apartment 1A which was previously the home of the late Princess Margaret. The Princess passed away in 2002. 

1A needed an extensive renovation (see photo above which shows apartment on left covered whilst asbestos removed in April 2013) to replace plumbing, wiring, removal of asbestos and new modern kitchens installed. The apartment was finally finished in October 2013, a few months after Prince George was born. 

Prince George Outside Apartment 1A

 
 Apartments 8 & 9

Diana's Sitting Room

Princes William and Harry spent most of their formative years in the Palace's apartments 8 &  9. After their marraige in 1981, The Prince and Princess of Wales had these apartments combined to provide a large family home.  It was ready just a month before William was born.

Prince William and his brother spent their early years at Kensington Palace during the week and the country home Highrove House in Tetbury, Gloucestershire on weekends. 

Dudley Poplack was in charge of interior decoration for both Kensington Palace and Highgrove House.  

Diana's eldest sister Lady Jane Fellowes also lived at the Palace in a grace and favour home. Lady Jane's husband, Sir (now Lord) Robert Fellowes was equerry to Her Majesty The Queen. 

Jane and Diana's children are of similar ages so the young princes had easy access to their cousins.

William & Harry's Nursery

Diana continued to live at Kensington Palace until her death in 1997. The Princess' coffin was at the Palace the night before her funeral. The gun carriage carrying the Princess left Kensington Palace for the long journey to Westminster Abbey via Buckingham Palace.

After her death, Apartments 8 & 9 were emptied and  once again separated. It is believed that one apartment is being used by William, Catherine & Harry for official use. 

Prince Harry has indicated he would like to live at Kensington Palace  when he needs a family home. But the future home he prefers is currently being used by either a member of the extended royal family or a servant with a grace and favour lease.

Entrance to State Apartments. Copyright: Blog Author

Is Baby Cambridge Due Sooner Than First Thought?

Thursday 19th February, 2015

Baby Cambridge may in fact be due earlier than first thought. 

It was believed that Catherine was around six weeks pregnant when Kensington Palace was announced in early September that she was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum i.e. severe morning sickness. Later the palace confirmed the baby was due in April.

source:Clarence House

According to The Sunday Times Paul Cummins (who created the Tower of London Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red exhibit) has said Catherine was suffering hyperemesis gravidarum on 5th August when she and Princes William and Harry toured the installation. 

"Kate was not going to come as, though it had not been announced, she was already pregnant and suffering," Paul told The Sunday Times. "But she insisted. It was her last public outing for a while."

If this is the case then the baby may be due in early April which is only about seven weeks away.

Prince George has not been seen in public of late except for photos of the Cambridge family boarding an aircraft to fly home from their Caribbean holiday. Young George who is now 20 months old was in his pyjamas and carried by his mum whilst dad carried the cabin bags. Not much different from any young family- except for the bodyguards!

source:express.co.uk

Countdown To Baby Cambridge!

Monday 9th February, 2015

Prince George with Catherine and William

With the new Baby Cambridge due "sometime" in April, the countdown to the birth has begun. 

As with big brother George, the new baby will be born at The Lindo Wing, St Mary's Hospital in Paddington.

The Lindo Wing (est. 1937) is a private facility within the greater St Mary's Hospital. Here patients enjoy a more bespoke experience and have their own consultant-led care but if needs be, access to the teaching hospital expertise and neonatal unit is available. 

Other royal babies to be born here: 

• Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's children Lord Frederick (1979) and Lady Gabriella Windsor (1981)
• Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips son Peter (1977) and daughter Zara (1981)
• The Prince and Princess of Wales' sons Princes William (1982) and Harry (1984)

Fees for the hospital birth range from GBP 5215.00 for a normal delivery (first 24 hours) up to GBP 6745.00 for a caesarean section. 

Additional nights are GBP 945.00 (superior), GBP 1155.00 (deluxe) and prices for suites are available upon request. 

New parents are offered Champagne to toast their baby's arrival. Rooms include internet, ensuite bathrooms, fridge, a fully-reclining chair for Dad to stay overnight as well as support from specialist midwives and maternity nurses.

The only problem for Catherine and William will be the noise of well wishers and media outside the hospital! 

Leaving The Lindo with Prince Harry

Diana and Charles Leaving The Lindo with Prince William

In The Spotlight: Rachel Riley

Tuesday 2nd February, 2015

Sydney: Rachel Riley tshirt

Rachel Riley is a luxury children's fashion label from the U.K.

Prince George has been seen in Rachel Riley shorts, cardigans and t-shirts on a number of occasions, most notably throughout the Cambridges' Australia and New Zealand tour in 2014.

The brand is named after the designer of the same name who founded the label in 1994 as a mail order company. Rachel's first store opened soon after in Knightsbridge, London. Rachel Riley website and retail outlets in both the U.K. and U.S.A. have been added to meet demand.

The clothing is aimed at newborns through to 14 years of age but has also added a ladies range. 

Vintage inspired fabrics, hand smocking and embroidery make for  beautiful garments. Four ranges of clothing and accessories are released each year. Handmade leather party slippers are made in Rachel Riley's own traditional workshop in France.

New Zealand: Rachel Riley smocked dungarees

Having browsed the website myself, I am certain that we will see The Duchess of Cambridge snapping up more Rachel Riley designs for her children in the future.

Canberra: Rachel Riley moss stitch cardigan

Cambridges Looking For Maternity Nurse

Monday 2nd February, 2015

Baby George leaving hospital

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are looking for a full time maternity nurse to help care for their new baby due in April. 

After George's birth in 2013 the couple chose to care for him themselves with help from the Middleton family. After a few months William's old nanny Jessie Webb was brought in on an ad hoc basis. Then last March a full time nanny Maria Teresa Borrallo was hired in the lead up to the Cambridge's tour of Australia and New Zealand. 

With William about to start working as an air ambulance pilot and Catherine keen to return to royal duties the couple recognises the need for extra help this time. 

According to the Mail on Sunday newspaper, aides have approached Norland Nannies ( where Ms Borrallo trained) and Royal Nannies to find their new employee. A maternity nurse helps care for both mother and baby in the weeks after the birth.