This Is Basically An Advertisement

It's been a boring couple of weeks, royal-ly speaking. No one has died, no one has gotten engaged (Well, no one royal anyway. I'll get back to this), the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant, but we've known about that for a while now, so it isn't really news.

It has been confirmed, though, that the royal baby is due in April, which is the same month as I was born in, so hopefully, HOPEFULLY, Baby Cambridge No. 2 will share a birthday with me. *fingers crossed*

During this drought of royal news, I have been keeping myself otherwise occupied. You'd think that means that I actually did something useful with my life for once, like studied or cleaned up the disarray that is my desk, but no. I wrote a blog series about the lives of Georgian Queens (Also, I watched all 100 episodes of the Lizzie Bennett Diaries).

So, the wives of Georgian Kings. It's something that I'm actually quite proud of, and I'm pretty sure that's the only reason I was granted the title of Senior Reporter, so go and check that out, if you want. Links:

Sophia Dorothea of Celle, the consort (well....) of King George I.

Caroline of Ansbach, Queen to King George II.

Caroline of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen to King George III. Incidentally, while I was writing this, I realised that I'd been spelling Mecklenburg-Strelitz wrong all this while. M-E-C-K-L-E-N-B-U-R-G S-T-R-E-L-I-T-Z.

Caroline of Brunswick, the mother of King George IV's daughter.

Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen to King William IV. I still don't know how to spell Saxe-Meiningen. I have to constantly copy and paste it from Wikipedia.

~

In other news, Benedict Cumberbatch is engaged to Sophie I've-never-heard-of-her-before Hunter (Based on the time-stamp, it may seem odd that I know this, but I'm not actually writing this on the date that it says, I'm writing it much later). I was most upset about this, as my friends will testify, but not so much because he was actually engaged, but more so because I didn't even know that he had a girlfriend. I didn't think celebrities could do that - have a relationship without every single person on the Internet knowing. Because if they can, it means that Prince Harry could get engaged tomorrow, without so much as a sign.

I don't think I'd be able to survive that.

~

I really don't have anything to do until the next royal baby arrives, but I do have a stack of books that I have yet to sink my teeth into. I've completely abandoned the 100 Book Challenge - there is no way I'm going to be able to read sixty books in the next two months - but I don't see why I can't make it to at least 52 books.

And when I read books, I type some nonsense about them on my blog. So on Sunday (the next post, because you really don't know when I'm typing this), after much delay, I will post my review of The Captive Queen, and then the Red Queen after that. I've also got Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, so if I ever tear myself away from YouTube and read, I'll review those as well.

It could be a while.

N

Random Book Review : Katherine

This post is riddled with spoilers, so stop right here if you have an issue with that.

Over the past three weeks, I've been reading Katherine on the train to and from college. I used to get a lot of weird glances from middle aged women who would look at the words "love story" on the cover and immediately think of the most obscene things. Contrary to what they may think, this is not a completely salacious story (Although, it is also not entirely child appropriate either. There are some themes which may be a bit grown up, such as adultery, and the thing that adultery involves, so I would recommend that you not read this until you are older than... 13? Use your discretion). It is good, historical fiction, which I am now going to massacre in this thing that I call a book review.

Katherine is an old book, about an even older time. I'm not entirely sure if I came up with that myself or if I paraphrased it from Philippa Gregory's foreword (probably the latter), but it holds true. Set in the 14th century, during the reign of Kings Edward III and Richard II, the book revolves around Katherine Swynford, long time mistress of the Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt. Katherine and John's children were the Beauforts, the ancestors of King Henry VII. 

The story goes like such: Katherine meets the Duke of Lancaster while she is a part of the retinue of the Duchess of Lancaster, Blanche. When Blanche dies, the Duke's servant poisons Katherine's husband, Hugh Swynford, so that she can enter into a relationship with the Duke without it being adulterous (there is no historical evidence of this, but it seems to be the generally accepted sequence of events). Unfortunately, the Duke is already betrothed to Constanza of Castile, who he plans to use to get the thrones of Castile and Leon for himself. But the pair start a relationship anyway, and they have four children together. When Constanza dies, John and Katherine get married, their children are legitimized, and everyone is happy until John's own death some three years later. Well, as happy as they can be while tyrannical King Richard is seizing lands and killing nobles. 

~

One of the main subplots of the story revolves around Blanche Swynford, Katherine's eldest daughter from her first marriage. Blanche was in the Savoy Palace when it burned down during the Peasant's Revolt of 1381, and it was presumed by everyone that she was dead. Katherine was, obviously, mightily upset. She thought that her daughter had been killed as a punishment for her (Katherine's) adultery, and so she severed all ties with the Duke, and went off on a pilgrimage to Walsingham.

The entire time that this was happening, I kept expecting that, as a reward for her suffering and penance, Katherine would be reunited with her daughter, and go back to the Duke, and that everything would go back to the way it was. Which it didn't. And I resigned myself to the fact, because, after all, this is a story based in history, and if Blanche Swynford died in the Savoy that day, Blanche Swynford died in the Savoy that day. I even Googled her, and though there's not a lot of information about Blanche Swynford, after a lot of reading, I was able to put her death down to sometime between 1375 and 1385, which fits with the story's timeline.

So imagine my surprise when Blanche Swynford returned! Many, many years after she was presumed dead at the Savoy, after John and Katherine's wedding, she shows up their palace dressed as a nun, and the book ends with mother and daughter being reunited at last. A most satisfactory conclusion to a story that already ended happily, I must say, although I really doubt its veracity.

~

I apologise for ruining so much of the plot, if you brazenly ignored the first sentence of this post. Although, I supposed there is a tiny chance that, even though you thought you didn't want to read the book initially, you want to now. 

And I would strongly recommend that you do read Katherine. It can get a bit dry at times, especially when Katherine and the Duke of Lancaster are apart, and on a couple of occasions, the characters take it upon themselves to speak in French, so do keep some sort of translator handy.

But if you enjoy historical fiction, here is one about the Plantagenet dynasty at its finest. Anya Seton's writing is both extremely well researched, and also very true to the its historical setting. And, like every good bit of historical fiction, Katherine made me want to go online and read everything that I could about that period in history. 

From the book, I learned (1) who Alice Perrers was, (2) that Geoffrey Chaucer was married to Katherine Swynford's sister Philippa, and (3) that the Beauforts were named after Beaufort Castle (I had always wondered where they got their name from). Also some other things, that I can't think of off the top of my head. 

And I think that is the mark of good historical fiction - though it may not be completely historically accurate itself (come on, do you really think Blanche Swynford jumped into the Thames from the top floor of a flaming tower?), it intrigues you and it makes you learn. Somehow. 

~

Also, do you remember Sunaina, my friend who gave me The White Queen for my birthday? Again, big thanks to her for spotting Katherine in a pile of books and thinking that I might like it. She has a really keen eye for good reads; you can check out some of her book reviews here.

N

You're Not Normal!

Last week's royal hullabaloo was over the fact that the paparazzi have been taking unsolicited pictures of Prince George as he plays in the park with his nanny (And pairing said pictures with hilarious headlines like "Prince George has a ball". Because he's playing with a ball). Now, I'm not going to encourage you to view these pictures by posting a link, because they were taken without William and Kate's consent, but I will give you a bit of friendly advice: If you want to read funny things about Prince George, that may be slightly mean, but are written with love, Suri's Burn Book is one of my favourites. Also Buzzfeed.

Anyway, back to the photographs issue. Apparently, some photographers are stalking little George, to the extent that they know his daily routine and regular hangout spots. Now if that is really happening, then it's very wrong. He's a baby. He doesn't realise what's happening, so he's not fair game. So, if that's happening, it's perfectly normal for the Cambridges threatening to take legal action.

But if there's no actual stalking - if it's just people who happen to be in Hyde Park, taking pictures of that famous baby which they recognise from all the papers - then I personally feel that William and Kate are being a bit silly. And that's not just because I like looking at pictures of Prince George playing in the grass.

This is just an extension of Prince William's constant whinging about wanting to be normal. And though I love William and Kate just as much, or maybe more, than the next person, their constant I-just-want-to-lead-a-normal-life-ing is often quite annoying.

As Darren McGrady said: 

@MPearon They Royal Family AREN'T normal. We BOW and CURTSEY to them. They can't and DON'T have on and off buttons
— The Royal Chef (@DarrenMcGrady) October 2, 2014

If I've said it once before, I've said it a hundred times - the only reason the royals are so fascinating to us common folk is because they're part of a family that, for a thousand years, has been more privileged and more powerful than anyone else. Also because even though Kate Cambridge's clothes sometimes cost north of £1,000, she's always wearing a new outfit. Normal people can't afford to do that.

A lot of people criticise the Duke and Duchess of Camridge for being "lazy", and for not carrying out as many engagements as, say, the Earl and Countess of Wessex or the Princess Royal, and for randomly going off on holidays to Mustique. But I don't think that they are affecting the Royal Family as much by doing that as they are by going around and proclaiming themselves to be, just normal. Because if I want a normal person to look up to, I know plenty. I only know one Duchess of Cambridge.

~

All week long I've been watching behind the scenes and interviews with the cast and crew of The White Queen, for some reason, and I've grown very fond of Edward IV. This is because, and only because, of sheer brilliance on the part of the casting directors. I've always personally thought of King Edward as a bit idiotic and shortsighted, even. Great military leader and tactician he may have been, but he married a power hungry and selfish... well, you know, and his entire dynasty was in shambles within two years of his death. And yet I am willing to overlook those things, which may or may not have anything to do with the fact that Max Irons, who plays him, looks like this:

This is great news from the perspective of another Yorkist ruler....

God save Richard, England’s royal king! #TheHollowCrown pic.twitter.com/CzSaiDMOyJ
— BBC Two (@BBCTwo) October 1, 2014

RICHARD III !!!

Because you cannot hate Benedict Cumberbatch on a horse. No matter how many nephews he murders (Remember, this picture was released by the BBC ahead of the next season of The Hollow Crown. The show is based on William Shakespeare's plays, so you can be sure that Richard/Benedict had something to do with the death of the Princes in the Tower).

~

Anyway, do you remember my attempts at book reviewing a few months ago - I reviewed a few books from Philippa Gregory's The Cousins' War series? Well, it's coming back! Next week, I'm going to review Alison Weir's The Captive Queen, about Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the week after that I'm going to write about Anya Seton's Katherine, about Katherine Swynford.

If I ever finish it, that is.

N

Prince William and His iPhone

Obviously, the biggest news of last week was the Scottish Referendum. Scotland voted "NO", which means that they won't become an independent nation, and they'll still be a part of the United Kingdom, and the Union Jack will be the same, and the Queen will still be the Queen of Scotland as well, and everything will just go back to the way it was.

So what was the point of getting Bob Hale on the One Show?

Another thing that happened last week was that Prince Harry, future fifth in line to the throne, turned 30. Happy 30 years and one week birthday, Your Highness!

To mark the occasion, The Mirror put together a list of thirty of his best quotes over the years. I personally found it rather touching, especially the parts where Harry speaks about his mother's death. Click on this sentence to read it.

Speaking of Prince Harry and that particular article from The Mirror, The Invictus Games is another thing that happened. Harry was the one who spearheaded the entire event, and it was a spectacular success. I didn't watch it, of course, because I don't like to watch sports, but I did read about it and see the pictures on Twitter. Some are of the opinion that the Games are the finest thing that Harry will ever achieve. Perhaps, but I think that Harry will be able to do a lot more for his country. More than William anyway. I want to draw a comparison to erstwhile royals, but the only ones I can think of is the Black Prince (Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King Edward III) and the Duke of Lancaster (John of Gaunt, the third son of the same King), and that is just an awful comparison, because Edward died young, and his son Richard (King Richard II) was just an awful King, and the Cousins War and everything.

No. I'll just stop at saying that Prince Harry will be a good son, a good brother, a good uncle and a good Prince. (Though never a King. Sorry, Harry)

Anyway, I digress. Apart from Prince Harry, Princes Charles and William were also at the Invictus Games (but not Kate, because she's feeling poorly, and not George, because he's a baby. But here are some sweet pictures of him in the park with his nanny). This is a photograph taken of them:

Look at what Prince William is holding!

His iPhone!

If you have been a loyal reader of my blog (Haha, as if!), you might remember a post I wrote almost exactly a year ago, about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's first engagement since Prince George's birth, in which I commented on Prince William owning an iPhone. And here is a picture of the famed gadget. I see William hasn't stopped letting people know he has an iPhone. 

Prince William has an iPhone! (But I don't)(Well, I'm also not in line to the throne of England)

iPhone owning Prince William was also in Malta this weekend in place of wife, Catherine. I felt a little bad for him; he knew that the people were expecting a pretty Duchess, not a balding Duke, and so he kept apologising for being there. Well, better him than no one, people of Malta!

He also promised to come back with Catherine and George someday. And the new baby, I would think! Or has everyone but me forgotten about him/her?

Oh, and by the way, as far as baby gender and names go, my bet is on a boy called James. So, if you read an announcement in March or April or May saying that the Duchess of Cambridge has been safely delivered of a boy, and then another one a few days later saying something something Prince James of Cambridge, remember, you saw it here first.

N

I Still Love You, Prince George

If you haven't read about this on Twitter already, you are a twit:

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their second child
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) September 8, 2014

Understandably, I am very, very, VERY excited. Unfortunately, I have already used up my quota of exclamation marks for the day rest of my life on Facebook, and Twitter, and individually messaging my friends, so there shall be none in this post.

ROYAL BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I was wrong. Turns out I have an infinite quota of exclamation marks as far as royal babies are concerned.

Okay. Now that that is out of my system, here are some facts:
1. The reason we all know about Kate's pregnancy was because she was supposed to go to Oxford today (I wrote a about that. If you still care after all this baby excitement, you can read it by clicking on this sentence), but she had to cancel because, once again, she is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum, that form of morning sickness that betrayed her the previous time as well.
2. This is the second baby for William and Kate. A "spare" to the throne, so to speak. Although, if all goes badly (which is, if Prince George dies without issue, or if this new baby turns out to be evil and steals the throne from George's children along the lines of Richard III), he/she might be King/Queen. Although, I probably won't be alive to see it, so it doesn't bother me.
3. #RoyalBaby and #DuchessOfCambridge are already trending on Twitter. At the time of my typing this, it has been about four minutes since the news broke.
4. The Duchess of Cambridge was supposed to make her first solo visit overseas this month, to Malta. She probably won't go now. The people of Malta must be pretty annoyed. And yet overjoyed, because royal baby!
5. The difference in ages between Prince George and the new baby will be similar to the difference between the ages of Kate and Pippa Middleton (who celebrated her birthday two days ago).

And speaking of Prince George, let's come to what this post is actually about; Will I still love Prince George when there is a new baby?

Obviously, yes. Look at that face:

And yet, poor Prince George. Here is a baby at the pinnacle of cuteness, ignorantly learning how to walk and play ball, unaware that #RoyalBaby, which for the last two years has been mainly associated with him, is trending on Twitter, this time NOT associated with him, but with his prospective younger sibling.

Prince George being adorable on the cover of Woman's Day

Hopefully, them both being older siblings themselves, William and Kate will understand George's importance as an heir, directly in line to the throne, and give him his due attention and media coverage. Though, I don't think George would care.

Well, of course he wouldn't care, he's a baby! For fun, he bangs wooden spoons against Tupperware boxes and sings!

George's favourite game is banging a wooden spoon against a Tupperware box and singing loudly!
— Joanne (@royaltykate) September 2, 2014

The one who I'm really feeling sorry for over here is me. And every other royal watcher, I think. We haven't had enough time to enjoy JUST Prince George's cuteness. But I'm determined to shower that baby, who I don't know and who has no effect on my life whatsoever, with as much attention as I can for the next seven or so months (Read: I will relentlessly favourite every single tweet on my feed that has the words 'Prince' or 'George' in it). And then I will have to divide it between him and his younger brother/sister.

Another person who I feel a twinge of sympathy for is Prince Harry. It's all very fun to read the jokes about him being pushed to 5th in line to the throne, which I'm sure he doesn't mind either, but this baby announcement is coming at quite an unfortunate time for him. In just two days, the Invictus Games are going to start. These Games are Harry's baby - he's worked so hard at organising and promoting and just generally getting this event to happen, and now no one is going to care. Even though they can't really do anything about the royal baby (there will be no pictures, and, honestly, nothing will be different), it's bigger news than the Invictus Games. Big enough to steal the spotlight completely. Also, it's his birthday next week. The big 3-0. Not that it matters, not when his brother and sister-in-law are going to have a baby!

But, despite my sympathies for Harry and George (and me), ROYAL BABY! I hope it's a girl.

(I'm never going to be able to focus on my own life, ever ever again.)

Click here to read the complete Press Release, as issued by Clarence House.

N

Prince George: This Came In The Mail

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I don't really know what to do with it now. If you have any suggestions, please tell me.

N

Prince George : Baby In Action (Also a little bit about me)

No posts about Prince George for the last two days.. I was planning to do a thing where I asked people to write a little bit about George, but then I realised that because I spend so much time following this little Prince vicariously through my Twitter feed, I have hardly any friends IRL, and couldn't find anyone to write something.

I was also a little bit busy with Royal Central. If you don't know, Martin, the Editor-In-Chief, is leaving at the end of this week, so I've been writing a little bit more than I normally do, to pick up the slack and also leave him with a favourable last impression of me. And with that, and college, I really have very few hours left in the day. I mostly while those away watching Horrible Histories online - it's fast becoming one of my favourite things to watch. And I like to sing the songs to myself.

But never fear. Here is a post to kick off the weekend (for those of you who, like me, have to work on Saturdays too) or just to have a nice Saturday night. Or any day, really, because these are adorable.

Here is a collection of my favourite Prince George videos:

And this little one of baby Prince William, just because I love watching it:

There's just something about watching George in action. In pictures, he comes across as a very together young man, who know that he's being photographed and just doesn't care (or maybe that's just my perception) but in videos, he is was he is: just a little baby.

Who will someday be the head of 16 Commonwealth Nations! Well, still a baby.

Happy watching!

N