Here are some new photos of Prince Harry and London Mayor Boris Johnson in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this morning. They were debuting the “newly refurbished” park with some school children, and as we know by now, when Harry gets around children, wonderful things happen. From the photos, I would say that the kids are making fun of his ginger hair, and that they did something to Harry that resulted in him sticking his tongue out. Adorable.
Also, Harry’s schedule just got a bit heavier, and it’s good news for Brazilians. Harry will be traveling to Estonia and Italy in May, and then in June he’ll be making trips to Brazil and Chile. Coincidentally, the FIFA World Cup begins mid-June. Coincidence?! I think it’s cute that the royal schedulers let him have that one. “Sure, Harry, you can go to the World Cup. Alright.”
Meanwhile, it’s doubtful that Cressida Bonas will join him on these official state trips. She’s not his official fiancee or anything, although The Daily Mail’s sources claim it could be happening sooner than we think. The Mail’s Sebastian Shakespeare (is that his real name?) reports:
Soon after Cressida Bonas attended her first official engagement with Prince Harry, shadowy ‘royal sources’ were quick to dampen expectations that it signaled an engagement announcement. However, I hear that the couple’s relationship has taken a more serious turn.
‘There is a family gathering to discuss an engagement,’ claims a member of Cressida’s large extended clan. ‘The announcement will be sooner than many people think.’
One of the 25-year-old dancer’s close friends tells me: ‘Harry and Cressida will be married. It is all going ahead. It is just a matter of time.’
The daughter of aristocratic Sixties model Lady Mary Gaye Curzon and businessman Jeffrey Bonas was photographed cuddling up to Harry last month at the WE Day UK youth event at Wembley Arena, where he gave the keynote speech. While the couple have been secretive in the past, arriving separately at parties, this time they were happy to be photographed cuddling and displaying open signs of affection. The next day, she accompanied him to Twickenham to watch England play rugby.
A source at Balmoral told me recently that the Prince was planning to take Cressida to the Queen’s Scottish retreat this summer. It would be her first visit and likely to involve a meeting with Her Majesty. ‘It is the talk of the estate,’ I was told. Visits to the Queen’s 49,000-acre home in the Highlands are a rite of passage for any royal bride-to-be. Kate Middleton and her parents were invited to join Prince William on a private shooting party at Balmoral in October 2010. William and Kate’s engagement was announced the following month.
Last October, Cressida was reported to have overcome her fears about marrying into the Royal Family.
‘Cressie is going to marry Harry,’ one of her friends told a broadsheet newspaper. ‘Harry never stops talking about marriage and children, and she’s now got used to the idea. The wedding is likely to take place next year.’
I don’t know what to think about this. I mean, I’ve never bought this idea that Cressida is just so fragile and young and she has such mixed feelings about marrying royalty. I think that, like Kate Middleton, Cressida saw her opening and tried to play it smart. And for Cressy, playing it smart meant playing hard to get. But make no mistake, she wants the ring and I think her family wants her to get the ring too. But is Cressy’s family up to Middleton-level shenanigans with the press to “pressure” Harry into proposing? Because that’s what this story sounds like. It sounds like Cressida’s friends and family are exerting a little public pressure so Harry knows what’s “expected” of him THIS YEAR.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.
I always thought that the royals would run like hell in the opposite direction if people went to the press. Surprising Harry isn’t; so maybe he really is smitten!
Unless it’s just completely made up. Which is not unheard of.
I’ll laugh if they break up within the next year.
Is your new job wonderful? Are you fully oriented and settled in?
Thanks for asking, Snarky. Going well; but I haven’t been able to get over here near as much!
As you were.
yes! how is your new job??? Confess: your new job is — helping Kate pack!!
Thanks, Liberty. LOL. I wish I was helping Kate pack! Assuming that means I’d get to try stuff on.
I read that piece last night and I’m trying decide if it’s more press BS or real. DM sometimes has an inside track on the BRF but his name doesn’t ring any bells. AND this doesn’t jive with what her brother said a few months ago. So I don’t know…
Royal fiancées usually do don’t any overseas engagements. They generally keep those engagements light and close to home.
Well someone is definitely pushing for an engagement, just not sure who.
That’s assuming any of these reports are true!
Lol. My guess is it was Harry — he’s more at the age than she is. But it’s strictly a guess.
True, at first I believed it and now, not so much.
Seabass Shakespeare is the one pushing for the engagement, so that he will be able to purchase all the wedding memorabilia with Harry’s face plastered upon it.
In all seriousness, I really do think this ridiculous Shakespeare character is the one pushing for the engagement. It would give him some proof of inside-royal-gossip and possibly stop the world from commenting on his ridiculous name and ridiculous claims.
I think the entire press core is itching for a Royal wedding. Harry was SMART to keep this under wraps for long.
Totally agree with your assessment of this Sebastian Shakespeare. Is his name a nom de plume? Sounds like it to me, but I don’t know.
I don’t dismiss the Daily Mail’s royal reporting, mostly because Katie Nicholl really was right all along, and she had sources deep in the Middleton family (I suspect that Kate and Carole spoke to her directly at times). If any paper is going to get a tip-off about the royals, I suspect it will be the Mail.
Agreed.
But who’s this doofus??? Lol
**ETA**
And I never had the impression that Cressida was pushing for an engagement. Her brother clearly said otherwise.
Everyone also forgets that Nichols and Harry are personal friends. They met at a rooftop charity gala and she and both princes hit it off very well. People only associate her with the Mids which isn’t totally accurate.
But I do know that Nichols’ isn’t perfect with her scoops — no one is.
I didn’t know the boys liked her. Got more info on that my Dear Snark?
Lady
I will try to dig up something more substantial but I remember the circumstances under which they met. Also that Natalie Imbruglia is a mutual friend (who was also once *very* close to Harry.
I believe once a journo has good sources and is known for scoops they slip in a few opinion/conjecture pieces because no one will doubt it.
I did not realize that, I only started paying attention to the royals after the wedding, about the time I started visiting here. Before that, I knew very little about them.
Katie Nicholl was an entertainment writer for the Sunday Mail when she met Harry in April 2003. They were at Kensington Rooftop Gardens in London and Harry spotted Nicholl and asked her to join him and his other guests in the VIP section. She was surprised at how charming, outgoing and “normal” he was as he drank vodka and Red Bulls and chatted with everyone. They got along very well and later Harry introduced her to William at a polo match. The rest, as they say, is history.
The fact that Nicholl resembles actress Terri Hatcher may have had something with Harry’s initial interest, imo, but I also think the Princes found the thought of their very own press mouthpiece quite irresistable. Either way the relationship flourished.
OMG. Are those giraffes on his tie???
Adorable!
OMG! it totally is! Looks like they’re eating fruit or something in the pattern. Way to go Harry for having some fun with the suit when going to a park to see kids.
Oh my god. I love it.
And here’s how you interact with kids!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2596797/Still-reeling-zip-wire-incident-Boris-Mayor-takes-backseat-Prince-Harry-pay-visit-new-Olympic-Park.html
He’s so lovely around children. It just seems to come naturally to him. That’s what makes him sexy to me.
He is so adorable with the little people. You can tell he really is enjoying himself.
He’s a fairly handsome guy on his own sometimes, but he is NEVER better looking than when he is around children.
I don’t know if anyone is pressuring anyone, but when you decide to get serious with someone who happens to be a Prince, don’t you kind of make the decision if you can handle it pretty early? At least you should.
what a natural. he;s seems really engaged and having fun. very cool.
I don’t think she can handle being a royal. She just seems too, I don’t know, flighty? to live in the royal fish bowl. Is she even the one pushing for this or is it friends and family? I’m probably wrong, but I could see a marriage between her and Harry going down in flames after a few years. That might be fun gossip-wise, but it’s not good for the people involved.
I’m starting to get a unfortunate vibe from them as well.
Aw. I imagine her showing off the ring while wearing a daisy crown she made herself and sitting in Eddie Redmayne’s lap and some royal minder tells her no, no, you are with the ginger prince and she is all: throws back head with big bohemian laugh and “oh my gawd! pardons! oh! absolutely! yes! red, ginger, yaaas where, of course frightfully sorry, yes this very minute but can I have a picture first please? and can you grab that bag of pears and gummies of mine right there, you are lovely! Oh I adore Prince Redknob too I do! Oh I should text him!”
Gummies!
*sighs contentedly*
I know! Gummies! mmmmmm….
I hope that she is as lovely as she looks. She and Harry could be fun – that would be something…(!) I bet that she would even know how to employ stylists and dressers.
Harry! A reminder that we rarely see Will and Kate doing stuff like this. Oh yeah, there was that one time that Kate allowed a sick child to hug her, and everyone launched to their feet to cheer her selflessness. (HA!) Heck, I’m becoming more and more interested to see how “the Windsors” turn out. I mean, right now, Harry is the royal to “beat” — will Palace PR successfully turn it around for W&K? Will Harry eff up? Will Charles eff up? Time will tell….
This is the BRF. Someone will f up, to be sure. We just don’t know who’s next at bat or who will knock it out of the ballpark.
I think it’s Andrew’s turn.
*splutters coffee* This!
I feel like we need Howard Cosell giving a royal play-by-play. “Up Now, we have Harry in the lead; smiling, hugging children. OH! But wait, Charles is doing some conservation stuff, trying to pull up from behind. Kate and Wills will have to speed up if they stand any chance….”
Yes! Compost Charlie is in the lead! compost Charlie is ahead by – wait…wait! What’s this?? WillKat are pulling up close! But what is that they’re pushing? It’s…yes! Yes it’s a baby carriage!!
Compost Charlie. LOL! We’ll just have to wait and see if baby carriage trumps grumbles over 80K dress! I’m taking bets…
Suze wins the internet today!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2597308/The-bombshell-court-document-claims-Prince-Andrew-knew-billionaire-friends-abuse-age-girls.html
The BBC report of the park’s event with Prince Harry has a short video.
Shouldn’t Baldtop be going to the World Cup? Isn’t he president of the FA?
Oh Dear Sixer, he might *whispers* get his hands dirty. No no, can’t have that.
President of the doing F— All, perhaps.
BAhahahahaha! Liberty:
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/5s.gif
Liberty,
Sodding layabouts!!
HRH The Princess Royal
I know people like to crap on the Middletons, but I don’t remember this many leaks from their family. Kind of shocking. Cressida’s brother seems to talk to the media every other day.
Maybe they feel more confident due to their aristocratic standing in society, but it’s still a little unseemly.
I agree Talie, it does seem a bit shocking that these stories seem to be coming from Cressie and her family. As you say, Kate’s family never said an engagement or marriage was eminent. Diana knew how to make small talk and jokes with the press while she was dating Charles, but never made the misstep to say anything more. Charles had a way of dropping girlfriends that said too much. And Sophie in her 5 year courtship with Edward never put a story forward like this either.
With Cressie’s PR help, I’m baffled how these stories are coming out and I think they are not playing this game correctly. If they want to keep her name in the press, just let her be photographed, that’s it, nothing more.
I don’t “crap” on the Middletons. At all, really. I find Carole Middleton to be a brilliant character and Michael Middleton pretty inoffensive.
But the lead up to WillKate’s nuptials was very different from this. For one thing it was a slow unfolding, over ten years, and any press leaks were diffused by time.
That said, who knows what will happen with Harry? It’s still an open field, as far as I can see.
You must have blacked out the Uncle Gary episodes.
My personal favorite is the one where he gave a direct, in-person interview announcing Kate and William had vacationed together at his Maison de Bang Bang.
The Middleton family leaked PLENTY. They leaked any royal invitation they received. They leaked when William would come join them at their house or for holidays. We knew everything through their leaks… When Kate and William were together… When they went through a rough patch… When they broke up… When they got back together… Literally. Everything.
Time heals all things and erases everything else.
You’d have to be new to the royal watching scene if you think the Middletons haven’t leaked like a sieve for a decade. The Middletons have had Katie Nicholl and Niraj Tanna on speed-dial for years. Potentially William has too. Use them when they want, toss them aside (as they seem to be doing to Tanna) when they’re of no further use to you.
I agree. I don’t believe the Kate’s immediate family were leaking that kind of info to the press. I think the Uncle Gary stuff was his own doing and you can’t just write off your family so I think all his nonsense was dealt with internally with their press office. Sometimes in a family you have someone who’s going to say what they want to say. He didn’t really give out anything too personal did he?
I think before Kate married William the family would talk about all the great invitations and break up and make ups and eventually word of mouth spreads, but I don’t think they’d go directly to the press. That’s probably what happens now. Imagine being in-laws to the most famous family in Britain…you wouldn’t ever talk about that with your friends? People talk, things get leaked.
I like to think that everything like this is made up because Harry is too clever to be pressured into marriage like that. I really like him, he seems to be a great guy and I always hope that great guys have also a decent taste in women…
And yes, I know I’m delusional and all that..
[I want to hope this about Harry too)
Me three.
me four
I believe the reports of an engagement announcement this year because Harry has been openly yearning for his own kids and family for years. I think he’ll make an amazing father.
I just hope he’s able to stay loyal to his bride long term…
For the most part, royals aren’t into fidelity, or the aristocracy for that matter. Of course things can change *eyeroll*
Still hoping for the longshot of Harry and Chelsy Davy together. Maybe a royal elopement? That would rock!!
Nope. They’re so senior prom.
Haha, I love Harry & Chelsy together, but that is a good way to put it, Dame S.
oh Dame!! 🙁
I think Harry should lock that down. If he passes on Cressy at his prime marrying age, he might end up in a palace arrangement with someone a lot less fun.
Naw, the Palace won’t bother. He’d probably stay single or find a Sophie in his mid to late 30’s.
Oooh Lifetime Movie: *”Finding Sophie”*
“Disappointed-in-love kind-hearted bachelor spare heir steps away from the bright lights and big chalets and tries a humble village match-making service to find the princess of his dreams, with unexpected results! Starring…..
LOL ladyslippers. Harry isn’t the spare any more, but I can’t believe the palace is willing to risk a playboy scenario during a time in which their relatability is in constant question. Harry needs Cressie more than she needs him, imho.
harry doesnt need drama. the royal family will not survive if williams or harrys marriages turn into drama fests like andrew and charles did. on this one cressie needs him to sustain herself. the anstrouther gough calthorpe money isnt cressidas.
But the palace doesn’t orchestrate that kind of stuff. He’s able to pick and choose his wife. They only step in if she’s unsuitable like Koo Stark was (reportedly the love of Andrew’s life).
Saw that article last night and rolled my eyes. It’s so obviously pushing for a wedding, when these two are probably no where near ready to marry.
I feel like this is definitely a leak from her camp. Cressida’s actions seem to be disconnected from her sources’ (and brother’s) words. She’s supposedly very passionate about dance (enough to continue an advanced program), and hesitant about marrying into the Royal family. Yet, her interest in dance is completely disregarded for Harry. That leads me to believe that this “hesitance” is not just fake, but that she is campaigning hard for the ring. Pulling the “Kate” and getting a convenient “job” that leaves her schedule open to jetting off on a whim with her prince. The only difference between Cressida and Kate, is that Cressie played the hard-to-get card.
Or the press is just lying.
While the press could be lying about an imminent engagement, her actions are still disjointed from what we’ve been led to believe. If we go by facts, her brother did state she was hesitant about her relationship with Harry and taking it slow, but yet she’s put off her career in dance (whether it be on stage or behind the scenes). IMO, if someone was truly cautious about a relationship, their plans don’t just suddenly change because of said relationship.
But we honestly don’t know much about her career at all. We’ve heard rumours and that’s it. What if she injured herself and can’t dance anymore? What if she hasn’t changed her plans at all as we’ve heard she wants to get into acting too? What if she wants to own her own theatre or dance company and going into PR is part of her long term goals? I’m throwing out random questions here but there’s a thousands reasons beyond she wants to get married for those decisions.
Again, we hear a lot of conjecture but have very few facts.
@LadySlippers – I’m glad you’re giving her the benefit of the doubt, but something tells me she’s just not that… complex. Perhaps it’s the scrunchies 😉 I’m sure this is just cynicism on my part. Reading the internet blogs you start to realize how much of a chess game PR is and I don’t put her family above that, especially b/c of their connections. Also, if she had injured herself, I have no doubt we would have heard.
HH,
I honestly try and give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
My cynicism is firmly placed with and on the press. There are a few good reporters and/organsations left but almost every news organisation has gone into tabloid type news in order to increase sales. A Royal wedding is just a cash cow to them, nothing more, nothing less.
Harry with kids is the best! That’s all.
Still in wait n see mode for the rest.
Those Harry photos make me all tingly and giddy! *sigh*. I want to marry him and have ginger babies… I’m sure my hubby would be just fine with that!😋
I highly doubt Cressida’s camp is leaking THIS much stuff, and call BS on most of this recent story. Really… suddenly there is ‘pressure’ to ‘shame’ Harry into proposing? So, they are no longer working the supposed ‘hesitant, but coming around’ angle? I just don’t buy it. I’m sure there is a certain amount of PR spin by her people, but I just don’t think she’s been trying to snag herself a prince all along. Yes, I’m still giving her the benefit of the doubt. I also think Harry does want to marry her.
If Cressida’s family really had some sort of meeting about an engagement, I think it probably means an engagement is on the horizon, but not BECAUSE of the meeting or any other pressure. If there is serious talk of an engagement, it’s a very unique situation that will bring attention to all of the family members. It makes sense that they would get together and talk about how they will handle it. JMO though.
I agree.
If she was spinning stuff (à la Diana or Charles’ Operation PB) we’d get a more consistent story. This is so scrambled it’s almost dumb.
ladyslippers from reading this blog i have noticed you seem to know alot about the royals and that set. what im wondering is and if you know anything about cressidas family being kinda like americas hiltons. im asking because the only thing i can find on cressida is at social parties like new stores opening, brothers dj sets, stuff for virgin of course but i cant find anything with substance. thank you
I want to see happy-dappy with those too…good time fun that will leave me smiling. Not so much ‘Waiting on Kate’ for anything of significance…(other than her new richness as a royal). I can just see Kate given a list of what she is supposed to care about.
Has anyone here ever met the Cressie or known someone who has? I would like to think she is a sweet hippie type blessed to be born into a wealthy and seemingly functional family but I am a hopeless romantic.
Cressida definitely has pr and her family is angling in on Harry. Harry isn’t ready to marry and is taking it slow but it’s clear about the behind the scenes wrangling coming from her clan. The family is not very functional if many failed marriages and unions counts as functional at all. He does like her but is being a normal guy about these things. He thinks with his head and he rarely let’s her off her leash. Her family has problems with this sometimes but for right now he is in the drivers seat and they know it so they will behave as much as allowed to. Much of it is press making things up but this family does leak and does have relationships with journalists that pass on info.