New Zealand Woman’s Weekly 1721

It was a glittering event when leading members of Europe’s royal families came together at the Royal Palace in Oslo to celebrate the joint 80th birthdays of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. The gala dinner was the perfect opportunity for the hosts and their distinguished guests to bring their favourite tiaras out of storage and add a bit of spit and polish to their royal insignias. Making sure she stood out, Queen Sonja accessorised her lime-green gown with a distinctive red sash adorned with the Norwegian order of St Olav, as did King Harald. Another standout was the Countess of Wessex (52), who was accompanied by Icelandic president Gudni Johannesson (48). Sophie complemented her sweeping emerald dress with a sash decorated with the Royal Victorian Order, which she…

It was a glittering event when leading members of Europe’s royal families came together at the Royal Palace in Oslo to celebrate the joint 80th birthdays of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. The gala dinner was the perfect opportunity for the hosts and their distinguished guests to bring their favourite tiaras out of storage and add a bit of spit and polish to their royal insignias. Making sure she stood out, Queen Sonja accessorised her lime-green gown with a distinctive red sash adorned with the Norwegian order of St Olav, as did King Harald. Another standout was the Countess of Wessex (52), who was accompanied by Icelandic president Gudni Johannesson (48). Sophie complemented her sweeping emerald dress with a sash decorated with the Royal Victorian Order, which she was awarded after 10…

When you work at the Weekly for a while, it’s inevitable you’ll become a huge fan of the royal family . Before I started here, my attitude toward “The Firm” was ho-hum. Sure, I knew everyone’s names, the fact the Queen lived at Buckingham Palace and that Fergie behaved a bit oddly in the ‘90s, but in the ensuing years, I’ve become gripped with every celebration, scandal and milestone experienced by the Windsors. Is there as such an example of elegance, class and pragmatism as the Queen? No! Is there a more adorable royal than Princess Charlotte? Surely not! Is there a bigger catch than Prince Harry? Heck, no! (Meghan, you lucky , lucky woman.) So it was with bated breath that I waited for the palace’s big announcement last…

When you work at the Weekly for a while, it’s inevitable you’ll become a huge fan of the royal family . Before I started here, my attitude toward “The Firm” was ho-hum. Sure, I knew everyone’s names, the fact the Queen lived at Buckingham Palace and that Fergie behaved a bit oddly in the ‘90s, but in the ensuing years, I’ve become gripped with every celebration, scandal and milestone experienced by the Windsors. Is there as such an example of elegance, class and pragmatism as the Queen? No! Is there a more adorable royal than Princess Charlotte? Surely not! Is there a bigger catch than Prince Harry? Heck, no! (Meghan, you lucky , lucky woman.) So it was with bated breath that I waited for the palace’s big announcement last week, dreading…

‘I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim’ It’s the end of an era for the royal family. The announcement that Prince Philip is retiring later this year will mean big changes in his life, which, now that he’s about to turn 96, are long overdue. But with Philip putting his feet up at long last, there will be repercussions for the rest of the family, from the Queen down – and for her three sons in particular. Her Majesty, who has given Philip her full support, will no longer have her “rock” by her side, or three paces behind her, as she has on so many official engagements for 69 years they have been married. In…

‘I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim’ It’s the end of an era for the royal family. The announcement that Prince Philip is retiring later this year will mean big changes in his life, which, now that he’s about to turn 96, are long overdue. But with Philip putting his feet up at long last, there will be repercussions for the rest of the family, from the Queen down – and for her three sons in particular. Her Majesty, who has given Philip her full support, will no longer have her “rock” by her side, or three paces behind her, as she has on so many official engagements for 69 years they have been married. In a speech she…