Duchess Kate Middleton passes out shamrocks to Irish Guards

Kate Middleton, now known as the Duchess of Cambridge, paid a special St. Patrick’s Day visit to the Irish Guards on Saturday. Continuing a tradition started by Prince William’s great-grandmother, the Queen Mother, Kate passed out shamrock sprigs to the guard’s 1st Battalion.

The duchess, wasn't about to get pinched for not wearing green; she wore a green Emilia Wickstead coat dress for her first solo military engagement. Accessories included brown suede heels, a hat by Lock and Co. and one very special addition: a gold shamrock brooch owned by the guard and previously worn by the Queen Mother.

The responsibility of the annual visit, which takes place in Aldershot, Hampshire, was passed along to Princess Anne 10 years ago after the Queen Mother’s passing, reports USA Today, and now the honor goes to Kate.

PHOTOS: St. Patrick's Day Irish-American classics

The guards weren’t the only ones to get a shamrock from the princess. Mascot Conmael, a wolfhound, was also front and center at the festivities.

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Photo: Kate Middleton. Credit: Paul Vicente / Getty Images

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

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

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.

Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall marry; queen, William, Kate attend

Zara Phillips, the statuesque blond cousin of Prince William and eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is the latest royal to marry.

Phillips wed Mike Tindall, captain of England's rugby team, on Saturday in Edinburgh, Scotland. Guests at the private ceremony included Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip; Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Harry, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Photos: Zara Phillips weds Mike Tindall

The modest ceremony took place at Canongate Kirk, against the lush green of Scotland's countryside. Hundreds of locals came to celebrate the couple as the newlyweds departed the service to a chorus of bagpipes.

The reception will be held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the queen's residence and site of many childhood visits from the often publicity-shy Phillips.

The bride's dress, designed by Stewart Parvin, was finished off with Jimmy Choo shoes and a Greek Key tiara on loan from Princess Anne, mother of the bride. Phillips does not have a royal title.

William and Catherine caused quite a stir to revelers along Edinburgh's Royal Mile, a famous stretch of cobblestone, as they departed the service in a car with Harry. Kate wore a beige day coat, which she'd worn previously in 2006, and a matching fascinator with floral detail.

Prince Harry introduced Zara and Mike in 2003 at a World Cup celebration in Australia. Tindall proposed to Philips, who is 13th in line for the throne, with a platinum ring decked out with pave diamonds.

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-- MattDonnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Top photo: Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips walk down the aisle as man and wife on July 30, 2011, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Credit: Reuters

Bottom photo: Prince Charles, left; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Harry; Princess Beatrice; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince William and Prince Andrew leave Canongate Kirk after the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall. Credit: Dylan Martinez / Reuters

Zara Phillips, queen's granddaughter, preps to marry Mike Tindall

This post has been corrected. See the note below for details.

Zara Phillips comes to the rescue of those starving for another bite of royal wedding cake: The woman 13th in line to the throne was prepping Friday to marry Mike Tindall in a private ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Saturday.

This wedding won't be a lavish feast for royal watchers, however. "It's a private family wedding," said a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman. "We're not giving out any details."

Photos: Getting ready for the Phillips-Tindall wedding

That said, here are some details. They'll say their vows at Canongate Kirk, the parish church of Edinburgh Castle, with a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the queen's official residence in Scotland. Phillips and Tindall, as well as Princess Anne, were photographed Friday leaving the church after their rehearsal. Zara had also been spotted earlier in the week getting a rare-for-her spa treatment, and some business-as-usual exercise.

That's a bit different than the wedding seen round the world in April -- that of Prince Charles' son Prince William to Kate Middleton, now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Being closer to the front of the line for the throne does have its implications, among them a million people hanging around in the streets for your big day.

Phillips, 30, the daughter of Princess Anne and her first husband Mark Phillips, has long been considered one of the most down-to-earth members of the royal family. The successful equestrian has no royal title. Tindall, 32, plays rugby.

According to the Daily Mail, guests are expected to include Queen Elizabeth II and most of the royal family -- the Tindall family hasn't yet met the queen -- and many sports figures, including a former England rugby player as best man.

[For the record, July 30, 2011: The post originally said Phillips was 12th in line for the throne. She is 13th; Savannah Phillips, daughter of Peter Phillips, who is Zara's older brother, became 12th in line when she was born on Dec. 29, 2010.]

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-- Christie D'Zurilla
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Reuters contributed to this report.

Photo: Britain's Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, and England rugby captain Mike Tindall leave Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, after their wedding rehearsal Friday. Credit: Russell Cheyne / Reuters

Kate Middleton's wedding dress debuts at Buckingham Palace

The dress worn by Kate Middleton when she married Prince William back in April is going on display at Buckingham Palace. And one of the privileges of royalty? The newly minted Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Queen Elizabeth II got to tour the setup Friday, a day before it opens to the public.

"Horrid, isn't it? Horrid and dreadful!" the 85-year-old queen reportedly joked to the 29-year-old granddaughter-in-law.

Visitors will be able to get within 8 feet of the dress seen 'round the world, which is presented, unprotected, on a raised platform in the palace ballroom where state banquets are held. Unlike tours of the White House, which are first-come, first-served and free of charge, the Buckingham Palace tour runs just shy of $30. No worries, apparently: Advance ticket sales are way up over last year.

Photos: Kate Middleton's wedding dress in action at Westminster Abbey

"What is so astounding ... is just how much thought and extraordinary work and craftsmanship and skill went into it," said Caroline de Guitaut, curator of decorative arts at the Royal Collection. She noted that the royal couple had been striving for modesty, despite the elaborate nature of the wedding.

"There is a sense of modesty in this dress," she said. "I think it will stand the test of time, definitely."

Above the dress is the original veil and Cartier tiara worn by the bride, featuring about 900 diamonds and lent to her for the occasion by the queen. Kate's wedding shoes, earrings and a silk replica of her bouquet are also part of the show.

The almost 650,000 expected visitors can stop for visual dessert as well: The couple's ornate wedding cake is on show in a glass cabinet in the state dining room, complete with a deep cut where they plunged in the knife.

Photos: The royal wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William

In a video made to accompany the exhibition, Alexander McQueen designer Sarah Burton shares many secrets of the dress (a hidden bustle, weighted panels to help it perform on its trip down the Westminster Abbey aisle) while staying mum about the cost, as well as the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge's measurements.

Except for one, revealed not by Burton but by a stamp on an item itself.

Those who wondered whether that "glass slipper" would've fit them after the ball now know: Catherine was wearing a size 5.5 shoe.

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Reuters contributed to this report.

-- Christie D'Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville

Top photo: The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and featuring a 9-foot train, can be seen at Buckingham Palace during the annual summer opening. Credit: Lewis Whyld / Getty Images

Bottom photos: Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, get a preview of the royal wedding exhibit in Buckingham Palace Friday. Credits: John Stillwell / Reuters

Monaco royal wedding: Prince Albert II marries Charlene Wittstock

There's a new Princess of Monaco: Prince Albert's South African bride Charlene Wittstock, who on Friday married the reigning prince in a civil ceremony that was part of a larger itinerary of royal events.

The bride, 33, wore Chanel palazzo pants and a jacket while the groom, 53, donned a dark suit and white tie to exchange vows in front of Philippe Narmino, president of Monaco's Council of State.  "I declare you united by the bonds of marriage," Narmino said, officially making Wittstock "Her Serene Highness."

Princess Stephanie and Princess Caroline, Albert's sisters, were among those in the audience in the throne room. Only 80 family members, friends and dignitaries witnessed the 20-minute ceremony, according to the Daily Telegraph. After the ceremony, the newlyweds appeared at a palace window, waved at the cheering crowd and kissed each other shyly, sparking another round of cheers.

"Vive le Monaco, thank you and happy celebrating," the prince told the crowd, his bride at his side.

The ceremony Friday at the palace was far from the spectacle that surrounded the April wedding of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. However, on Saturday, the newest royal couple will hold an elaborate Catholic wedding ceremony with 3,500 guests in the palace courtyard and a star-studded wedding gala to follow.

The festivities started with a non-royal treat on Thursday night: a free concert by the Eagles. Then about 5,000 of Monaco's 7,618 citizens and their guests -- many decked out in suits and fancy dresses in the hot sun -- followed the ceremony Friday on oversized screens set up on a square in front of the palace. Post-ceremony cocktails on the square were to follow, leading into a concert by French composer Jean Michel Jarre and a laser light show.

You just have to love Monaco, right? Something about the French Riviera ...

The guest list for Saturday's festivities includes the kings of Spain, Sweden, Lesotho and Belgium, the presidents of France, Iceland, Ireland, Lebanon, Malta, Germany and Hungary, France's richest man, celebrated opera singers, top models and race car drivers, with three-time triple-starred Michelin chef Alain Ducasse preparing a three-course meal.

The bride, a swimmer in the 2000 Sydney Olympics who was born in Zimbabwe but raised in South Africa, met Prince Albert at a swimming competition in 2000. Albert has been an International Olympic Committee member since 1985 and competed in five Winter Olympics as part of Monaco's bobsled team.

Grace Kelly, the previous princess, died in 1982 in a car accident. She and Prince Rainier III, Albert's father, married in 1956 and had three children together. Prince Albert has admitted fathering two children out of wedlock. Rainier died in 2005 at age 81 after being treated for heart, kidney and breathing problems.

Earlier in the week, palace officials denied a French tabloid report that Wittstock had tried to leave from nearby Nice airport on a one-way flight to South Africa, and had required intense convincing by the prince and his entourage to stay.

"The sole intention of these rumors is to seriously damage the image of the Sovereign, as a result of damaging that of Miss Wittstock, and bear down on this happy event," the palace said in a statement.

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Photo: Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock are officially married in a civil ceremony on Friday in Monaco's royal throne room. Credit: Eric Mathon / Princely Palace Monaco / EPA

 

William and Catherine, duke and duchess of Cambridge, head to the races at the Epsom Derby

It's off to the races for royal couple William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Will and Kate made a public showing at the Derby Festival, a prestigious U.K. horse race where William's grandmother the Queen had a trusty steed in competition. 

At Epsom Downs Racecourse, in a suburb southwest of London, the newlyweds caused a stir, with Will in traditional top hat and tails. Kate opted for a cream-colored outfit with a metallic woven fascinator headpiece. 

Prince Harry kept the pair company in the royal box, looking upon their grandmother's horse Carlton House. Though Carlton House came in third place, the group was all smiles, including their cousins, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

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Left photo: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Catherine attend the Derby Festival at Epsom Downs outside of London. Credit: Steve Parsons / Associated Press

Right photo: Catherine chats with Princess Eugenie. Credit: Adrian Dennis / Getty Images 

Royal couple Kate and William reveal U.S. plans -- but how should one address them?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show no signs of slowing in popularity since their April wedding, and a few new details are available on the exploits of hot young royals Kate and William.

For starters, a new Mario Testino photograph is in the mix, landing on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. The new issue claims that William is so popular in his homeland at the moment -- so utterly relatable -- that he's being referred to as the "Dude of Cambridge." 

Though his subjects may have fun with Will's official title, the cover story reveals something important about the way his bride Kate (a.k.a. Catherine) is to be addressed: The report says the late Diana Spencer's son still wishes to be called Prince William. This would make his bride Princess Catherine. 

Many royal enthusiasts were disappointed that the pair were given the titles of Duke and Duchess on their wedding day, but it looks as though Kate is a princess bride after all -- and one who'd better pack her sunscreen, as she'll make her first U.S. visit  with her husband in July. 

After an official visit to Canada, the pair will arrive in California on July 8. But don't expect any Robertson Boulevard shopping stints with Victoria Beckham.

"The couple view this as a working visit, not as an opportunity for them to meet celebrities," a palace source told People magazine, adding that they will focus on the promotion of Britain through "the prism of their own interests."

A full American itinerary is to be released in June.

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Photo: Prince William and Princess Catherine, as he would have us call them, on Vanity Fair's cover. Credit: Mario Testino