Kate Middleton, Prince William get waxed ahead of anniversary

If you happen by royal couple Kate MIddleton and Prince William looking stiff, it's not that British monarch stuffiness wafting through the room -- they could very well be wax.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, WIll and Kate, have been immortalized by the artists at Madame Tussauds in London, just in time for the couple's one-year wedding anniversary.

At an unveiling ceremony Tuesday in the British capital, folks turned up for a glimpse of the waxen duo, whose real-life counterparts are celebrating 12 months of wedded bliss on April 29. The prince's likeness looks congenial, as always, but the figure of Middleton is striking.

Forget the facial resemblance (almost too good), the Kate replica is a carbon copy down to the blue Issa dress made famous when she wore it to announce her engagement to the late Princess Diana's eldest son in 2010. 

The replicas will be on display through the month and beyond. You can relive their wedded bliss on the Ministry here, and stay tuned for more anniversary shenanigans.  

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-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Likenesses of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, are unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London. Harry Emmel / Associated Press

Kate Middleton surprises wedding dressmakers with thank-you visit

That Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, is pretty crafty when it comes to her gratitude. Especially for the crafty folks who contributed to her iconic wedding dress.

The Duchess paid a secret (and surprise) visit Tuesday to the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace, the group of hands that added the meticulous embroidery to the Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress in which she said "I do" to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge last April.

PHOTOS: Kate's royal wedding dress

"Catherine was keen to express her gratitude in person to the women who worked so hard on her dress. She was very conscious of the pressure that they were under," a friend of Kate's told Britain's Telegraph. 

About 30 of the institution's staffers -- whose handiwork incorporated United Kingdom symbols such as the rose, shamrock, thistle and daffodil into the more than 9-foot train -- reportedly gathered to greet Kate.

The Ministry wonders if the chic staff of the Alexander McQueen salon can expect the same courtesy? We'll keep you posted. 

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Photo: Kate Middleton, left, is accompanied by sister and maid of honor Pippa Middleton as they arrive at Westminster Abbey for her wedding April 29, 2011. Credit: Alastair Grant / Associated Press

Will and Kate get Barbie-dolled up for their wedding anniversary

Ken and Barbie have some serious competition: Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Toy company Mattel has released images of royal couple Will and Kate immortalized as collectible dolls, done up in their garb from last year's royal wedding.

Accurate and adorable, the figures don the royals' much-discussed outfits from the nuptials, including a tiny re-creation of Sarah Burton's lace masterpiece, from the house of Alexander McQueen, that Kate wore down the aisle.

A cool $100 will get you the set (click the photo at left to see it larger), which is being released April 29 to commemorate the first anniversary of that special day.

It's unclear how the life-size royals will ring in their anniversary (perhaps a raunchy female comedy?). As for the wee ones, we envision a play date with G.I. Joe and Skipper. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photos: William and Kate, done up as dolls by Mattel. Credit: Paul Jordan / AFP / Getty Images 

 

Will and Kate light up 'War Horse' London premiere

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his bride, Catherine, stepped out in the London rain to celebrate the premiere of "War Horse" on Sunday.

At a screening on the West End the newlyweds met Hollywood royalty Steven Spielberg and his star, Jeremy Irvine (also a Brit), sharing the same carpet with Joey — the horse that shares top billing with Irvine.

"The fact that they're here to watch my fat face on a cinema screen is bizarre," Irvine said, according to People. "It's such a thrill. And also for their charity. It's a great cause."

PHOTOS: London premiere of 'War Horse'

After the film, the couple hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace in the Queen's Gallery to benefit the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, which works to help returning soldiers adjust to civilian living. 

In floor-length sparkling Alice Temperley gown, Duchess Kate was probably excited for some glamour. On Monday she'll turn 30, with reports indicating she'll enjoy a low-key celebration with friends and family. 

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— Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive to the U.K. premiere of "War Horse" in London. Credit: Facundo Arrizabalaga / EPA.

Prince Philip spending Christmas recovering from heart surgery

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, is recovering from heart surgery this holiday.

On Friday at the expansive eastern England estate of Sandringham, where the royals gather annually for a formal holiday celebration, Philip complained of chest pains. The 90-year-old was taken to Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge.

After what doctors called a "minimally invasive procedure" to mend a blocked coronary artery, official word from Buckingham Palace was that Philip, aka Duke of Edinburgh, enjoyed a good night following the experience.

Bedside visitors to Papworth included his sons, Princes Charles, Edward and Andrew, as well as Her Royal Highness Princess Anne. Camilla Parker Bowles, Charles' wife and Duchess of Cornwall, also reportedly popped by.  

With his hospitalization, the duke is missing the fun at Sandringham, where the schedule includes proper luncheons, a gift exchange and a hunt on the 20,000-acre estate. Perhaps his recovery will excuse him from the weekend's rigorous pace: The royal Christmas can mean up to five costume changes a day for the family.

Kate Middleton, now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, won't be so lucky. 

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-- Matt Donnelly
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Photo: Prince Philip arrives at the April 2011 nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London. Credit: European Pressphoto Agency / Getty Images

  

Duchess Kate preps for first royal Christmas with William, queen

It's a very Duchess Catherine Christmas! Or it will be, as the former Kate Middleton gets ready to spend her first royal holiday with husband Prince William and his family.

Family being Her Majesty the Queen and husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, plus Wills' father Charles, Prince of Wales, with bride Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. And don't forget our quick-footed favorite, Prince Harry. 

Sadly, the Middletons and Kate's sister Pippa won't be on the guest list at storied Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, where the queen has long retreated for her holidays. In-laws are not invited for the festivities.

Among the traditions are a royal hunt, black-tie dinners and even a gift exchange. The demanding schedule requires costume changes and impeccable timing -- or, in other words, the tests will keep coming for Kate.

"It will be a difficult baptism in protocol laced with pitfalls. ... She's first the first outsider since Camilla ... so all eyes will be on her," Robert Jobson, a Ministry-tested royals expert, told Us Weekly.  

If we were Kate, we wouldn't sweat the holidays with her new family. After passing her first royal tour of duty with flying colors, some present-wrapping and figgy pudding with the queen should be a breeze.

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Photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, meets guests during a reception at Buckingham Palace. Credit: Gareth Fuller / WPA Pool / Getty Images

Duchess Kate won't appear on Vogue cover, palace says

The former Kate Middleton -- now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge -- will not play cover girl for American Vogue, despite a report Monday that Prince William's bride was being courted by editor Anna Wintour.

Rumor had it that Wintour was campaigning for the former Kate Middleton as a stateside cover of the fashion mag, leveraging her relationship with longtime Vogue photographer Mario Testino to get it done.

But sadly, "There are no plans for the Duchess to do anything with U.S. Vogue," a palace rep told People magazine. 

The Testino connection would've been a safe bet -- not only a prize steed in Wintour's photography stable, he's a longtime pal of the royal family. His portraits of the late Princess Diana are treasured by many, along with the engagement portraits of Kate and William he shot last year.

Magazine competition over the princess bride has been stiff. The New York Post says British Vogue tried to get her for a wedding edition, which she declined. A collaboration with Wintour would've been her first cooperative editorial spread, save for another Testino shot that landed in the June issue of Vanity Fair.

"There’s nothing trashy or vulgar about her," Wintour has said of Kate's style. "She dresses her age and never looks out of place."

Least of all on the cover of Vogue, we'd say.

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— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, found a traditional white cowboy hat to be in vogue during her July visit to Calgary, Alberta, with husband Prince William. Credit: Phil Noble / Reuters.

<p><a style="display: inline;" href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef015391e8ad04970b-pi"><img class="asset  asset-image at-xid-6a00d8341c630a53ef015391e8ad04970b" style="width: 600px;" title="Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, won't be on U.S. Vogue" src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef015391e8ad04970b-600wi" alt="Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge, won't be on U.S. Vogue" /></a></p>

<p>The former Kate Middleton, now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will not play cover girl for American Vogue, despite a report Monday that Prince William's bride was being courted by editor Anna Wintour.</p>

<p>Rumor had it that Wintour&nbsp;was campaigning for the former Kate Middleton as a stateside cover of the fashion mag, <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/anna_fights_for_kate_cover_MBwF1zRRAYrnFgE1PR1PhM" target="_blank">leveraging</a> her relationship with longtime Vogue photographer Mario Testino to get it done.</p>

<p>But sadly, "There are no plans for the Duchess to do anything with U.S. Vogue," a palace rep <a href="http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20395222_20532087,00.html" target="_blank">told</a> People magazine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Testino connection would've been a safe bet -- not only a prize steed in Wintour's photography stable, he's a longtime pal of the royal family. His portraits of the late Princess Diana are treasured by many, along with the <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/12/royal-engagement-photos-prince-william-kate-middleton.html" target="_blank">engagement portraits</a> of Kate and William he shot last year.</p>

<p>Magazine competition over the princess bride has been stiff. The New York Post says British Vogue tried to get for a wedding edition, which she declined. A collaboration with Wintour would've been her first cooperative editorial spread, save for another Testino shot that <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/05/kate-william-vanity-fair-mario-testino-us-road-trip.html" target="_blank">landed</a> on the June issue of Vanity Fair.</p>

<p>"There’s nothing trashy or vulgar about her," Wintour has <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/09/kate_middleton_expected_to_hav.html" target="_blank">said</a> of Kate's style. "She dresses her age and never looks out of place."</p>

<p>Least of all on the cover of Vogue, we'd say.</p>

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<p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/05/mario-testino-royal-couple-kate-william-photo-talk.html" target="_blank">Mario Testino talks photographing royal couple Kate and William</a></p>

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<p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/01/royal-wedding-prince-william-kate-mario-testino-princess-diana.html" target="_blank">Royal wedding: Mario Testino on Prince William and Kate Middleton, remembering Princess Diana </a></p>

<p>-- Matt Donnelly<br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/mattdonnelly" target="_blank">twitter.com/MattDonnelly</a></p>

<p><em>Photo: &nbsp;</em></p>

William and Catherine visit Birmingham, England, in wake of riots

Prince William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, paid a special visit to victims of recent riots in their home country on Friday.

The couple visited Birmingham in England's county of West Midlands to see residents and business owners affected by the civil unrest that had spread there after starting Aug. 6 in London's Tottenham neighborhood. With three men dead in Birmingham, shops looted and fires damaging personal property, the turn of royal duty was designed for comfort but not publicity; the couple's visit wasn't announced in advance.

Catherine looked sunny but respectful in white and navy with gold brass detail. William walked beside her through the town, occasionally guiding her by the small of her back, both accompanied by Paul Sabapathy, lord lieutenant of the West Midlands. 

"They were very concerned about what the families had gone through and how they were coping with such a tragedy," a police spokeswoman told People.

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Photo: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, tour Birmingham with Paul Sabapathy, lord lieutenant of the West Midlands on Friday. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

How Pippa Middleton's backside appreciation began: exclusive video

Pippa Middleton captured worldwide attention as her sister Kate Middleton's maid of honor in April -- and while she didn't tack on a royal title at the time, she's easily become one of the world's most eligible bachelorettes.

Now TLC is giving Pippa the hourlong treatment with its in-depth "Crazy for Pippa" special. The Ministry has an exclusive clip from the show, highlighting one of Pippa's best assets.

On that fateful April day when Kate emerged from a chauffeured car in her white Alexander McQueen wedding gown, Pippa wasn't far behind, set to carry the bride's train in her own cream-colored McQueen dress -- and the behind-of-honor instantly set off a frenzy.

An appreciation society devoted to Pippa's posterior was created on Facebook by rear-end enthusiast Mike Bandar "before she even got in the church."

"We were all thinking exactly the same thing, that she was absolutely stunning. I posted it on a few of the other pages -- like the Pippa Middleton official public figure page -- and from then it just went mental," Bandar said.

The page has almost 240,000 fans. See the clip below. "Crazy for Pippa" airs at 9 p.m. Tuesday on TLC. 

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Photo: Pippa Middleton at a Wimbledon semifinal match in July. Credit: Clive Mason / Getty Images

Her Royal Highness, Kate, makes international best-dressed list

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has another title under her fashionable belt: She's gained entry into the exclusive "International Best Dressed" set.

The honor, courtesy of Vanity Fair, comes as little surprise: Her personal style has been of global significance (no joke) since the engagement of then-Kate Middleton to longtime beau Wills was announced last November. The common-born brunet proceeded to please critics and the masses alike with a nonstop showing of, like, insane loveliness.

Photos: Vanity Fair's 2011 International Best Dressed

Wearing go-to designers including Issa and Jenny Packham, brilliant pops of color from Diane Von Furstenberg and iconic dresses from Alexander McQueen -- witness her recent "Brits to Watch" look, above far right -- Prince William's wife ranks with world-leading socialites, actresses, tastemakers and others including fellow royal Princess Charlene of Monaco, first ladies Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and actresses Carey Mulligan and Tilda Swinton.

On the manly side, Justin Timberlake and Colin Firth made the list as well.

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Photo credits, from left: Arthur Edwards / Reuters; Chris Jackson / Getty Images; Jae Hong / Associated Press; Mark Large / Getty Images