Leggy Kate Middleton at Royal Albert Hall to watch Gary Barlow perform

Leggy night out: Kate looks all dressed up as she arrives at the Royal Albert Hall to watch Gary Barlow perform

By Kirsty Mccormack

Last updated at 10:00 PM on 6th December 2011


She's known for her conservative style but tonight the Duchess of Cambridge dressed for the occasion.

The 29-year-old arrived at the Royal Albert Hall to watch Gary Barlow perform his second solo gig this week and opted for a shorter hemline.

Wearing a new season Zara printed dress and a black Ralph Lauren jacket, Kate looked rather leggy as she stepped out of her car.

Feeling chilly? The Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the Royal Albert Hall wearing a rather short dress

Looking stylish: Kate chose to wear a new season Zara printed dress with a black Ralph Lauren jacket

She teamed her dress with thick waist belt, a pair of black opaque tights and matching heels and carried a small clutch bag.

Kate wore her brunette hair in a loose curl and tried her best to keep it in place as she made her way into the venue.

Windy evening: Kate tried her best to keep her dark hair in place as she made her way up the red carpet

She stopped briefly to acknowledge the crowd with her husband - who was wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt and coloured tie.

The newlyweds were no doubt excited about watching Barlow perform and looking forward to a good night out.

Just the two of us: The newlyweds looked a little bit unsure about what to do when they first got out of the car

Boys in blue: Kate was met by her husband and the Prince of Wales when she got out of her car

Night out together: Prince William and his wife looked in good spirits as they prepared to watch Gary Barlow perform

With the in-laws: Kate and William made their way along the red carpet with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall

Ready for the camera: Once inside the Royal Albert Hall Kate posed for more photographs

They made their way along the red carpet with the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales who had also come to enjoy the concert.

Barlow is performing another gig at the London venue to raise funds for the Prince's Trust and the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Nice to meet you: Gary Barlow spent time with the Royal couple before preparing himself for his solo performance

Height difference: Barlow looked fairly short as he posed with the Royal four

The Prince of Wales wore a similar suit to that of his sons but opted for a matching tie instead, and his wife also dressed up wearing a bronze-coloured pleated skirt with an embroidered velvet jacket and black heels.

The Royals met with Barlow ahead of his performance and then made their way to the Royal box to enjoy the concert.

The singer is on good terms with the Royal family after he was asked to organise an event for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.

Ready for the show: The foursome made their way to the Royal box to watch the gig

The gig will also be a nerve-racking performance for X Factor finalist, Marcus Collins, who has been invited by his mentor to join him on stage.

Earlier today Barlow tweeted a photo of the Liverpudlian rehearsing, saying: '@MarcuscollinsUK sound checking for tonight's performance.'

Different looks: The 29-year-old look rather different tonight (L) compared to how she usually dresses

The post came a few hours after Barlow tweeted: 'For anyone coming to the Albert Hall tonight we have an extra special guest just confirmed.'

Perhaps he was referring to Collins or maybe he's got some other tricks up his sleeve.

Last night the father-of-three was joined by Jason Donovan, Lulu and former X Factor contestant Olly Murs as he entertained the crowd.

Going solo: Gary Barlow performed his first of two gigs at the Royal Albert Hall last night to raise funds for the Prince's Trust

Special guest: Barlow was joined by Olly Murs who sang Shine with him

Speaking to the Evening Standard after his performance, Barlow said: 'I loved it. It's exactly the sort of night that's whetted my appetite for solo work.

'Not to make solo records again... but to do gigs for special occasions like this one for the Prince's Trust.'

The gigs are raising funds so that the Trust can invest £2.5million in helping five areas that were hit the hardest during the August riots in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Ready for round two: Tonight the Take That singer will be joined by his X Factor hopeful Marcus Collins

Kate is a patron for the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry, so is course very involved in the work that it does and no doubt she's looking forward to tonight.

At the Princess Diana Memorial concert at Wembley back in 2007, she was spotted singing along to Take That's hit, Back For Good, as the band performed it.

The song obviously had personal meaning for her as it was just after her and William had reunited following a break from their relationship.

'I loved it': Barlow said that last night's gig had whetted his appetite to perform solo more often

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2070764/Kate-Middleton-arrives-Royal-Albert-Hall-watch-Gary-Barlow-perform.html#ixzz1fnWOpcLD

Xmas Countdown 6.12.11: The £85 bauble that celebrates William and Catherine's first Christmas as married couple

The £85 bauble that celebrates William and Catherine's first Christmas as married couple

By Lauren Paxman

Last updated at 10:25 AM on 6th December 2011


In the run up to the royal wedding, hundreds of tacky Wills and Kate souvenirs flooded the market.

But those who headed straight to Selfridge's to snap up the classy tankards designed by the Prince and bride-to-be themselves, can now complement their collection with a bauble for their Christmas tree.

To celebrate the newlyweds' first Christmas together, Royal Crown Derby has produced an £85 bauble that will be very popular with fans of the young couple who have a bit of money to spare.

Exclusive: The 11cm porcelain oval displays the ornately intertwined initials of Catherine and William. It is hand-finished in 22ct gold and only 1,500 of the baubles will be made

The 11cm porcelain oval displays the ornately intertwined initials of Catherine and William on the front, with the inscription 'Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 29th April 2011.'

It is hand-finished in 22ct gold and only 1,500 of the baubles will be made.

At least one of them is bound to be hanging on the tree at Sandringham - where Catherine and William will be spending Christmas with the Royal family.

The tree accessory was designed by June Branscombe and modelled by John Ablitt. They have also created a similar limited edition Diamond Jubilee bauble celebrating 60 years of the Queen's reign in 2012.

The Duke and Duchess had the final say on the design of their official royal wedding china which was produced in a factory in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

Those tankards and plates were decorated with a pattern of doves, white ribbons and hearts in silver, gold and grey, set against a pale grey striped background.

Celebrating at Sandringham: The Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas with her husband and the royal family in Norfolk

The blue hearts on this bauble are clearly inspired by that design and colour-scheme. But this is a bolder design - with a larger crown above the initials - which reflects William and Catherine's ever-rising profile.

The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company is a privately owned Limited Company.

It employs about 200 people and makes the highest quality English fine bone china at its factory on a four-and-a-half acre site in Derby.

Queen Victoria granted the permission to include the title 'Royal' in the company name in 1890.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2070554/The-85-bauble-celebrates-William-Catherines-Christmas-married-couple.html#ixzz1fkXrrKn1

The most unforgettable dresses of all time

From Pretty Woman and Atonement to The Seven Year Itch, the most unforgettable dresses of all time

By Daisy Dumas

Last updated at 5:42 AM on 6th December 2011


From yard upon yard of blood-red silk silk to strategically placed gold safety-pins, there are some dresses that capture a timeless place in fashion consciousness.

Burned into the collective memory, these dresses are the essences of feminine design, creative genius and natural beauty - brought alive, each and every time, by the piece de resistance - the woman wearing them.

Now, some of the world's favourite, most memorable dresses, have been collected into one fashion lover's bible, 100 Unforgettable Dresses, by fashion editor Hal Rubenstein.

Transformation: Marilyn Vance-Straker's stunning red gown for Julia Roberts' 1990 hit movie, Pretty Woman

Calling upon his not inconsiderable expertise in the industry, Mr Rubenstein, fashion director of InStyle magazine, has chosen a wealth of gowns that encapsulate the last nine decades.

 

Dipping into Hollywood blockbusters, defining Silver Screen moments, red-carpet sashays and even TV sitcoms, he proves that there are some frocks that have serious staying power when it comes to fantasy and design.

Happy Birthday: Marilyn Monroe looked as if she was coated in sparkles when she sang to the President in 1962, and in the Travilla gown for the now-iconic Seven Year Itch marketing shot

The Hollywood rags-to-riches fairytale, Pretty Woman, is perhaps captured best by one dress - the bright red show-stopping gown by Marilyn Vance-Straker, that signals the completion of Julia Roberts' Vivian's transformation from streetwalker to head-turning sophisticate.
The power of that stunning wardrobe choice is part-and-parcel of the story - its classic elegance comes alive in its role in the 1990 box office hit.

Royal weddings: The Duchess of Cambridge in her Alexander McQueen gown earlier this year, and Princess Diana in her 1981 Elizabeth Emanuel gown

Marilyn Monroe's 1962 'happy birthday' gown, by Jean Louis, a flesh-coloured soufflé mesh that was embellished with 2,500 sequins and beads that made her look like she was 'coated in nothing but glitter' could not have been omitted from the tome.
There are, of course, the classics - from the second most marketed screen image of all time, Marilyn Monroe's white, blowing William Travilla Seven Year Itch dress to Coco Chanel's original little black dress.

20 feet and counting: Grace Jones makes a Keith Haring dress her very own in 1987 at a New Year's Eve party

Fit for a princess: Grace Kelly, demure as ever, in an Edith Head cocktail dress for movie, Rear View, in 1954

There is a place for the eccentrically playful style of Grace Jones, whose 1987 New Year's ensemble was a piece of living art.
The Keith Haring gown, worn with a naked, painted torso, extended twenty feet or so, and unfurled as the singer rose on a special hidden lift.
And from one Grace to another, Grace Kelly makes the list several times over, her beauty perhaps best brought alive by the Edith Head cocktail dress as worn in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film, Rear Window.

Carrie Bradshaw: Sarah Jessica-Parker is surrounded by sage green frothiness for a scene in Sex and the City, 2005. The shredded tulle gown is by Donatella Versace

Modern classics, such as Diane Von Furstenberg's wrap dress are casual creations that flatter any form. Or, as the designer herself puts it: 'I'm proudest of two things in my life: my children, and that I've never met a woman who doesn't look good in my dress.'

Diplomatically astute is the white, frothy Jason Wu gown that Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration ball in 2009. She is credited with putting the young designer on the map, while the dress cemented her position as a beacon of style.

That Dress: If ever one dress can be said to be responsible for fame and career, it is Liz Hurley's 1994 Versace safety pin dress, while Julia Roberts wore 1982 Valentino when she won her 2001 Oscar for Erin Brockovich

'Revenge dress': Princess Diana looked a million dollars on the day Prince Charles admitted publicly to his affair, while Cindy Crawford captures the supermodel style of an era in Versace, 1992

Then there are the one-pieces that propelled individuals from the quotidian to the stratospheric. Take Liz Hurley's career-enhancing, asset-adoring safety pin dress, known as That Dress, by Gianni Versace.

Worn in 1994 to the world premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral in London, the black and gold number is never far from editorial spreads even now, 17 years later.

By Geroge, she's got it! Cecil Beaton and Audrey Hepburn both won from their working relationship. Here, the actress wears the costumier-designed Ascot race scene dress for the 1964 production of My Fair Lady

Robbie and Cecilia: 2007's Atonement sees Keira Knightley in stunning emerald, designed by Jacqueline Durran

Princess Diana wore a flesh-baring, overtly sexy and powerful dress on the evening that prince Charles publicly admitted to having an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles. The dress was a message of defiance, or, as Mr Rubenstein puts it: a 'revenge dress.'
There's a whole section dedicated to Audrey Hepburn, her inimitably coy poise lapping up the flattering lines of Givenchy, Cecil Beaton and the sparkling 'metalwork' of Paco Rabanne's disco-ball like dress.

Etherial beauty: Other-worldly Tilda Swinton captivates in Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, 2008, while Michelle Obama marks an historic moment with a Jason Wu gown, propelling the young designer towards fashion stardom

Stylish: 100 Unforgettable Dresses by Hal Rubenstein is published by Harper Design

Within days of Atonement hitting screens in 2007, Kiera Knightley's emerald gown had a posse of admiring fans, its design sexier than any mid-1930s dress would have been. It was a hit with modern audiences far and wide and second-hand copies have been sold for as much as $46,000.

Alexander McQueen's 2006 hologram gown sits alongside Lady Gaga's Armani satellite dress and Valentino's definitive bright red creations are warranted a section to themselves.

Wedding dresses make the cut, too, with the nuptial gowns of Grace Kelly, Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge all featuring.

Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker is pictured, surrounded by ruffled discs, wearing the over-the-top sage green shredded tulle Donatella Versace gown from the series.

What the book really does, though, is confirm what any designer worth his or her mettle has always known: that a dress is rendered unforgettable only because of the woman bringing it alive.

Or, as Versace put it: 'On a hanger, no dress is sexy. It's just fabric on a hanger. My clothes only come alive on the woman who knows how to be sexy in them.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2070449/From-Pretty-Woman-Atonement-The-Seven-Year-Itch-unforgettable-dresses-time.html#ixzz1fk07RKU6

Kate, William and Harry will be given a special role as 'Olympics ambassadors' for 2012

By Sadie Whitelocks

Last updated at 4:49 PM on 1st December 2011


Kate Middleton will join the two Princes as an Olympic ambassador, Palace officials revealed today.

In the run up to the 2012 Games the royal trio will visit teams across the country, meeting with athletes as preparations gather momentum.

This national role will be a first for the Duchess of Cambridge, 29, who is yet to decide which sporting projects to endorse.

By royal appointment: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry have been named official London 2012 ambassadors

Prince William kicked off with a message of support for the Team GB Ambition Programme.

He said: 'Catherine, Harry and I are honoured to be ambassadors for Team GB and Paralympics GB.


'We are hugely looking forward to this incredible sporting competition, but are also looking beyond next summer's Games to the springboard it will provide for future success.'

It is an apt role for Kate, as at school she was proficient in sports including tennis, hockey, swimming, netball and rounders and has since been a member of various rowing teams.

Prince Harry will join his brother as an Olympic ambassador

For the past few months she has been visiting good causes and organisations in the UK, and will be announcing next year which she will support as Patron.

Meanwhile Prince William - also the President of The Football Association - has participated in a wide range of sporting activities over the years including rugby, hockey, football, basketball and cross-country running.

While at St. Andrews University, he also represented the Scottish national universities water polo team in the annual Celtic Nations tournament against Wales and Ireland.

And both Princes share a passion for polo which they play regularly throughout the summer supporting charities including the Tusk Trust, Centrepoint and Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale, which helps orphans in Lesotho.

Andy Hunt, chief executive of the British Olympic Association said: 'It is a great motivation for Team GB that the Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry are supporting their efforts next year and we hope together we can ensure that the whole of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is behind our athletes in their quest for Olympic success.'

Earlier this year, the Tate Movie Project invited Kate to voice a cartoon character as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Makers of the 27 minute film composed and drawn entirely by 16,000 primary school children, revealed her as one of the top celebrity options, but it is not known if she accepted the offer.

The trio's promotional undertaking, which is aimed at encouraging the public to support the sportsmen and women - deepens the monarchy's connections with the Games.

Coming along nicely: The Olympic site in Stratford is fast approaching completion

The Queen is patron of the British Olympic Association (BOA) while the Princess Royal is its president, a member of the International Olympic Committee and also on the London 2012 board.

The Earl of Wessex is patron of the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

And the Queen's granddaughter, Zara Phillips, is a former equestrian world champion who could still be in line to compete at London 2012.

Keen sportsmen: The brothers have maintained a high interest in all sports

She was in the GB eventing line-up for the 2008 Olympics but had to withdraw after her horse, Toytown, with whom she won the European and world titles in 2005 and 2006 respectively, became injured.

It was also announced that the Queen will has approved rooms at St. James's Palace to rented out as party venues to companies with royal warrants.

Tim Hollingsworth, the British Paralympic Association's chief executive, said: 'The Paralympic Games are coming home in 2012 and we want to use this opportunity to raise the profile of Paralympic sport in this country and ensure that the nation takes British Paralympians to their hearts.

'We're sure that the presence of their Royal Highnesses will help us achieve this goal and it will give the athletes a tremendous lift to know that they are going to be supporting them.'

The Olympic Games will take place July 27 to August 12 while the Paralympic Games will run from August 29 to September 9.

The London Olympic Stadium, located in Stratford will be the centrepiece of the event. With capacity for 80,000 spectators it is the third largest stadium in Britain behind Wembley and Twickenham.

Regal Duchess of Cambridge attends her first Remembrance Sunday ceremony as a member of the monarchy

By Pamela Owen

Last updated at 7:07 PM on 13th November 2011


The Duchess of Cambridge attended her first Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph today - giving an almost faultless performance.

The occasion dictated that all royal women from the Queen down wore black - a sombre colour for a sombre occasion.

But there was still plenty of scope for making a fashion statement despite the solemn nature of the annual event which is a public tribute to all Britain's war dead.

Suitable: The Duchess of Cambridge wore a black coat with a matching bowler-style hat which reflected the sombre mood of the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph

Royal women: The Duchess of Cornwall, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Countess of Wessex reflect on the ceremony

Kate was dressed in a black double-breasted coat by Diane von Furstenberg that sported two scarlet poppies - a look that had no significance, it just followed a precedent set by other members of the monarchy.

Her thoughts would have, no doubt, turned to her late grandfather Peter Middleton who trained Canada pilots during the Second World War in Calgary. He died last year, aged 90.

Like the other royal women the Duchess wore a distinctive hat - a small brimmed piece with a large bow by couture milliner Jane Corbett.

With the Duchess of Cornwall on her right and Countess of Wessex on her left she did not look out of place as both her companions sported striking headgear.

Also on the balcony was Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the husband of the Princess Royal.

Protocol dictates that those married into the family, with the exception of the Duke of Edinburgh, watch from a distance.

Solemn occasion: Kate Middleton stands between the Duchess of Cornwall and Countess of Wessex as she attends the Whitehall event for the first time

Camilla had a large brimmed hat that appeared to be covered in black ostrich feathers while Sophie's head apparel was a saucer-style creation worn at an oblique angle.

Kate is experiencing a succession of firsts since her marriage to William in April from her inaugural foreign tour - to Canada - to events like Trooping the Colour, to celebrate the Queen's official birthday.

Today was a time for reflection but during the ceremony Kate and Sophie were seen sharing a joke which had both of them in stitches. The Countess was almost doubled up with laughter as was the Duchess.

The royal pair may have been laughing after Camilla disappeared from view below a balcony at the Foreign and Commonwealth building after she appeared to bend down to pick up something she had dropped.

Some may disapprove of the moment of light relief shared by the royals during the ceremony but Kate was clearly enjoying the occasion which may have been a moment for her to catch up with other members of the royal family.

Close: The two Duchesses share an intimate moment. The pair are said to be very close with Camilla regularly offering advice to Kate

Light-hearted: Sophie and Kate talk between themselves while standing next to the Duchess of Cornwall

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2060993/Regal-Duchess-Cambridge-attends-Remembrance-Sunday-ceremony-member-monarchy.html#ixzz1ddB4eKzp

Pippa Middleton and boyfriend Alex Loudon 'split after blazing rows'

By Lucy Buckland

Last updated at 3:14 PM on 11th November 2011


Pippa Middleton is said to have split from her long term boyfriend ex-cricketer Alex Loudon.

Friends said the 27-year-old Royal bridesmaid and her 31-year-old beau finally called time on their three-year relationship after a string of arguments.

A source told The Sun that Pippa, whose profile sky-rocketed after the Royal Wedding, had sought refuge with her sister after the split.

All smiles: The couple looked closer than ever at The Boodles Boxing Charity Ball in July

The unnamed friend told the paper: 'Pippa tried to get over the split by spending last weekend with Wills and Kate at Balmoral.

'She and Alex split briefly in the summer — but this time it's over. They are barely speaking.'

 

During the couple's brief separation Pippa was spotted in the company of her former boyfriend and close friend, George Percy in Madrid, before reconciling with Loudon.

Happier times: Pippa Middleton and Alex Loudon, pictured here in June, are believed to have split after a string of blazing rows

Still going strong: Pippa Middleton and boyfriend Alex Loudon had dismissed split rumours earlier this year

But friends said this time their separation is for good after a series of rows, one which erupted at an acquaintance's wedding.

It is believed Loudon, a city banker, had found it difficult to deal with Pippa's sudden fame as a sex symbol.

While other friends revealed their relationship started crumbling after the Royal Wedding in April.

High profile: Friends said Pippa's new status as a sex symbol made Alex uncomfortable

A source told the tabloid: 'It was said after the wedding that Alex was jealous of Pippa flirting with Prince Harry. But the truth is she and Harry are just mates.'
In the weeks after her sister got married Pippa's derrière became so popular it was even given its own Facebook page and social networking site Twitter went crazy with people calling the party planner 'Her Royal Hotness', a nickname first used in Royal Wedding reports filed by the Daily Mail's Catherine Ostler.

Sisterly comfort: Pippa is believed to have sought solace with her sister the Duchess of Cambridge (seen here at a wedding in June)

Although the pair's relationship had been known to friends as volatile in recent months it hadn't always been the case with rumours the former England cricketer was apparently preparing to pop the question surfacing just weeks ago.

The 31-year-old had apparently asked one of his friends to look for engagement rings for him, out in the Cotswolds.

And Loudon had reportedly put a lot of thought into how to keep the proposal quiet, although it turns out it any careful preparations may be in vain.

The MailOnline contacted Pippa Middleton for a comment but she was unavailable.

One of the family: The parents of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Michael and Carole Middleton sit with her sister Pippa and boyfriend Alex at Wimbledon earlier this year