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.

In The Spotlight: Catherine's Gynaecologist

Monday 26th January, 2015

source: today.com

In the lead up to the birth of Catherine and William's second baby in April, we look at a key member of the medical team caring for The Duchess.

Alan Farthing is Surgeon-Gynaecologist to the Royal Household who has taken over from Marcus Setchell. Mr Setchell was the due to retire as the Royal Surgeon-Gynaecologist when The Duchess of Cambridge was pregnant with Prince George. He delayed retirement to care for Catherine in her difficult first pregnancy.

Mr Farthing has monitored Catherine throughout the debilitating hyperemesis gravidarum she has again endured.

The severe form of morning sickness was not treated until Catherine was very ill and weak during her early pregnancy with Prince George and this required a hospital stay. 

As her medical team was alert to a recurrence of the condition in subsequent pregnancies, The Duchess was promptly treated with anti-emetics (anti nausea drugs) and fluids at home in Kensington Palace.

Mr Farthing was born in Hampshire in 1963. He trained at St George's Hospital Medical School in London and qualified as a doctor in 1986. Farthing was appointed as consultant gynaecologist at St Mary's Hospital (where William and George were born) in 1997. He is also consultant at Imperial College, London,
Queen Charlotte's Hospital in Shepherd's Bush and The Wellington Hospital, St John's Wood. 

In 2008 he was appointed to assist Mr Setchell and as mentioned above, he has now taken over the role. Mr Farthing also has a private practice in Harley Street and his specialty is gynaecological oncology and also keyhole surgery.



part reference: wikipedia

Cambridges Holiday In Caribbean

Saturday January 24th, 2015

source: mustique-island.com

The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge and son Prince George have flown to the Caribbean to join in the Middleton family's annual winter break.

The family has flown to Mustique to stay in one of the luxury villas on the island which once boasted the late Princess Margaret as a resident. Ironically, the Cambridge's Kensington Palace apartment was also Margaret's home before she died.

Catherine's mother Carole will celebrate her 60th birthday on January 31st but it is not known how long the Cambridges will stay due to William having to study for his air ambulance exams. 

The Middleton clan enjoy a break in the sun every winter and this is the second year that George has taken part. No doubt he will have fun toddling in the sand and practising his swimming skills.

The Duchess is due to give birth to her and William's second child in April. 

Busy Duchess Talks About New Baby

Tuesday 20th January, 2015

Source: Clarence House

The Duchess of Cambridge has had a busy week of engagements in London.


Last Thursday, Catherine officially named the Clore Art Room at Barlby Primary School. This engagement was postponed when she was very ill with extreme morning sickness. So it was lovely that Catherine could now attend in her capacity of Royal Patron of The Art Room. This charity provides therapy for children in the form of art.

On Friday The Duchess visited the Fostering Network offices in Islington, north London to find out more about the work of foster families. 

And yesterday, Catherine undertook three engagements in her local area of Kensington and Chelsea. First the Duchess attended Family Friends which provides mentoring for families and children in need. 

Then it was off to open a rebuilt Kensington Leisure Centre which replaces an ageing facility. It was here that Princes William and Harry had swimming lessons when they were pupils at nearby Wetherby school. Catherine remarked that she hoped son George would have swimming tuition here too. 

Her Royal Highness was presented with a large inflatable duck shaped flotation ring and a swimming bag for George. The Cambridges were also given a family life membership for the leisure centre.

Catherine commented when asked about the new baby ,"It's moving all the time. I can feel it kicking now." She also said she did not yet know the gender of the new Cambridge baby.

Finally, Catherine opened the new Kensington Aldridge Academy which started classes in temporary buildings last September.

Downunder Souvenirs List

Saturday 17th January, 2015

George and his new toy bilby

Young Prince George of Cambridge received many and varied gifts during the Cambridge family tour of Australia and New Zealand last April. But his parents were also given presents for him during their trips to Malta and the United States.


A gift list from the family's tours abroad in 2014 was released by Clarence House this week. 

In Australia and New Zealand, George was the recipient of an enormous toy wombat, a possum skin cloak, sheepskin boots, a surfboard, a skateboard, an Easter egg, a toy bilby, a bicycle, a boat, polo mallet, a cricket bat, numerous books, miscellaneous toys and several sports jerseys.


At a New York fundraiser, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given a mini academic gown from the learning institution where they met- St Andrew's University. No doubt this will be treasured.

These items are just a few of the larger gifts. While most of the smaller offerings are often donated to local charities you can be assured that some of those presents listed above will be kept by the family.

Mrs Mynors Nursery School

Sunday 11th January, 2015

William after his first day

Only time will tell where Prince George and his siblings will be educated. A nursery school close to Kensington Palace is a likely choice but depending upon how much time the Cambridges spend in Norfolk, a local school near Amner Hall may be another option.

William's Early Education 

William's father Prince Charles was first schooled by a governess at Buckingham Palace but Diana broke the mould by sending their boys to a nursery school in West London.

The Princess of Wales was keen to ensure her children were exposed to other children from an early age. Mrs Mynors Nursery School in Chepstow Villas, Notting Hill was chosen and William attended the school for a period of 15 months from 24th September, 1985.

The school had 36 pupils split into either the cygnets, little swans or big swans classes. William being in the youngest group was a cygnet.


Mrs Mynors nursery school was based on the Montessori teaching principles. Diana was familiar with these methods as she was an assistant at another Montessori nursery, The Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico when she met Prince Charles. 

Regardless of which school is chosen, the young Cambridges won't have to worry about being on long waiting lists for place!

Diana at work 1980