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
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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

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

Will and Kate's firstborn could now be queen, if they had a girl

A princess did not magically materialize when Kate Middleton got married -- she left Westminster Abbey as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge -- but she and Prince William could now deliver a firstborn Queen Willandkate thanks to changes to the rules of succession in the British monarchy.

Might not even matter that future grandpa Prince Charles, currently first in line for the throne, has revealed he's descended from Dracula. 

Meeting in Australia, leaders of the 16 Commonwealth nations that recognize the monarchy as their head of state on Friday agreed to change centuries-old succession rules, the Los Angeles Times' World Now reports, meaning the deal is done except for the legal part: The passing of legislation revising the 1701 Act of Settlement, 1689 Bill of Rights and Royal Marriages Act of 1772.

Lawmakers brought up the idea of making changes -- the desire is nothing new -- ahead of the royal wedding in April.

Current succession rules give a younger brother, and even that younger brother's younger brothers, dibs on the throne before a firstborn sister got a shot. Can't see really see Kate (who this week pulled off her first solo act as an official member of the royal family) explaining that lack of girl power to little Miss Willandkate.

Also new: Any of those imaginary siblings could marry a Catholic and keep the crown -- take that, Madonna. Now, a monarch still can't be a Catholic, and far as the whole "Should there even be a monarchy" question, well, that's a decision for another day.

Legislation will be introduced by the U.K. in its next session of Parliament, the BBC reported, with New Zealand heading a task force that would coordinate a rollout of the changes through the other realms.

"The idea that a younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter simply because he’s a man, or that a future monarch can marry someone of any faith except a Catholic -- this way of thinking is at odds with the modern countries that we’ve all become," British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a speech at the summit, held in Perth.

And about that Dracula thing? In an interview for an upcoming TV show about preserving forests in Romania’s Transylvania region, Charles reveals "the genealogy reveals I'm descended from Vlad the Impaler, so I do have a bit of a stake in the country."

Ba-dump-bump.

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Prince Harry's here! Prince Harry's here! (Here being, um, Southern California)

— Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Photo:  Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, meets guests at a private dinner for charity Wednesday at Clarence House in London. Credit: Paul Burns / Clarence House / Reuters

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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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>

<p><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/08/obama-fundraiser-harvey-weinstein-gwyneth-paltrow-anna-wintour.html" target="_blank">Obama rubs fundraising elbows with Harvey Weinstein, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anna Wintour</a></p>

<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

'Glee 3D' premiere: What the cast did during summer 'vacation'

Can the world handle "Glee" in 3D? Ready or not, the premiere of "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" hit Westwood on Saturday. And no matter who'll be graduating this year, there was nearly perfect attendance on the red carpet ahead of the movie's opening Friday.

Turning out with show creator Ryan Murphy on Saturday were, in no particular order, Ashley Fink, Dot Jones, Chord Overstreet, Jenna Ushkowitz, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Lea Michele, Josh Sussman, Jayma Mays, Heather Morris, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Mark Salling, Kevin McHale, Dianna Agron and Darren Criss.

Photos: 'Glee: The 3D Concert Movie' premiere

Add to that one Naya Rivera, who was a burst of purple fashion goodness in a Rue du Mail dress and Walter Steiger pumps.

Matthew Morrison, a.k.a. Mr. Shuester, played hooky — but maybe his touring as the opening act for NKOTBSB makes it an excused absence? Also no Gwyneth Paltrow, so forget her.

Also spotted on the red carpet outside the Regency: Alexa Vega of "Spy Kids 4," Kiernan Shipka of "Mad Men," Sarah Drew of "Grey's Anatomy," Loretta Devine of "State of Georgia," Hailee Steinfeld of "True Grit" and Rebecca Black of "Friday" infamy.

The documentary follows the gang on the "Glee Live! In Concert!" tour, which ran from May through mid-June in the U.S., with shows in England and Ireland in late June and early July.

"It's like we went around the world," Shum Jr. told the Hollywood Reporter, saying that returning to the plain-old "Glee" after touring and movie-making would "take a little bit of adjusting, but I think we'll feel like we're at home when we get back on set."

So which songs from the "Glee" cover ouvre does the gang deliver in the flick? Take a deep breath, 'cause there are a lot of them: "Don't Stop Believin'," "Dog Days Are Over," "Sing, "I'm a Slave for You," "Fat Bottomed Girls," "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "Ain't No Way," "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)," "Born This Way," "Firework," "Teenage Dream," "Silly Love Songs," "Raise Your Glass," "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy," "Lucky," "River Deep, Mountain High," "Forget You," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Jessie's Girl," "Valerie," "Loser Like Me," "Safety Dance" and "Somebody to Love."

Can't name all the original artists without a cheat sheet? Wow, you're so completely not a Gleek. Hint: The King of Pop, the Queen of Soul and pop princess Britney Spears all made the cut.

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Photo: Naya Rivera at the world premiere of "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" in Westwood on Aug. 6. Credit: Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images.

William and Kate fly economy home from Zara Phillips' wedding

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, isn't kidding about relating to regular folks: She and Prince William flew a discount commercial airline home from Zara Phillips' royal wedding, leaving her open to the possibilities of fitting a fascinator into an overhead compartment.

Phillips, William's cousin and 13th in line for the throne, married England's rugby captain Mike Tindall on Saturday in Edinburgh, Scotland, drawing the likes of Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Phillip and Prince Harry, to name a few.

Photos: Fabulous royal wedding hats

Yet when the titled bunch went packing, Will and Kate headed straight for the airport alongside other normal types who were booked on Flybe, a discount airline that averages about $80 for a one-way journey.

Passengers were "shocked" to see the famous couple on board, the Daily Mail said. They were traveling with a security staff but unable to upgrade to first class, as the jet service does not offer a VIP section — though "economy plus" comes with snacks and drinks.

Harry took a cue from his brother and sister-in-law, flying round-trip to the weekend wedding on EasyJet, which asked him an extra $20 to check his military-issue weekend bag.

Harry headed directly home to London, while the duke and duchess flew to Manchester (their home in Anglesey is about two hours from the Manchester airport).

Are you impressed with the practical travel? Tell us in comments. 

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Photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with Prince William at the wedding of Zara Phillips and English rugby captain Mike Tindall in Edinburgh, Scotland. Credit: Getty Images.

From Kate to Catherine: Dignity and smiles 'in the eye of the storm'

The former Kate Middleton, recently minted as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, seems to be adapting to royal life splendidly with husband Prince William -- and we got some insight from royal watcher Cat Deeley on what makes her such a natural.

"She's absolutely within the eye of the storm and at no moment has she got a foot wrong," Deeley told us Tuesday at Miu Miu's celebration of the short film "Muta" in Beverly Hills.

While looking beautiful and radiating "dignity and decorum" go a long way in making the normal girl worthy of her title, Deeley said Catherine has a secret weapon: "Above and beyond anything else -- she's so easy with her smiles. It's connecting with another human being."

The duchess' Canadian tour, capped with a whirlwind weekend in California, went a long way in proving she's capable of her duties and, most importantly, of reaching beyond them to fulfill her and William's promise of modernizing the monarchy.

Also, said Deely, "she just has great jewelry."

Agreed. 

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Photo: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, works on a clay turtle project with students during a visit to the Inner-City Arts campus in downtown L.A. on July 10. Credit: Mike Nelson / Reuters