18 JUNE 2008

Hello! Magazine Online

The Queen's granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were firmly in the spotlight on the first day of Royal Ascot as they joined fellow royals in donning hats to watch one of the country's premier racing events.

Both draw attention in eye-catching creations by milliner-to-the stars Philip Treacy, with Beatrice matching her monochrome design to a black and white Alexander McQueen ensemble. Eugenie, meanwhile, was cutting it fine according to the new dress code which specifies all skirts should be no more than two inches above the knee, with her cream Collette Dinnigan dress accessorised with an electric blue jacket and titfer in the same shade.

The girls' cousin Zara Phillips also turned to the Irish maestro for her pretty asymmetrical straw number, which, along with her high-waisted black Ralph Lauren skirt and cream blouse drew praise from fashion pundits. And Sophie, Countess of Wessex was equally smart in an eye-catching green creation decorated with a pale rose and feather detailing .

Onlookers cheered as the Windsor family arrived in horse-drawn carriages up the course's straight mile in the traditional manner. Leading the way in the first carriage was the British sovereign - who'd teamed her minimalist vine design outfit with a simple pale peach hat with black edging - and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Following behind were Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, chic in a mint green suit and matching feathered affair.

Prince Harry leads memorial tribute to soldiers killed in Afghanistan - as four more comrades are killed in action

June 18, 2008

From: Daily Mail

Prince Harry today marched in a memorial parade to troops who fell during his tour of Afghanistan - on the day that four more British soldiers were killed in the country.
The 23-year-old Household Cavalry officer joined 200 servicemen and women on Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile ahead of a service at the city's St Giles' Cathedral.
But it came as news emerged of the deaths of four British troops, including the first woman soldier, in a blast east of Lashkar Gah.

Today's event was held to pay tribute to the 24 British, Danish, American and Czech servicemen who lost their lives during the deployment of the 52 Infantry Brigade in Helmand Province from October to April.

Harry was among the 200 soldiers, sailors and airmen representing their units in the colourful parade through the centre of Edinburgh's Old Town.

The troops, led by a dozen-strong pipe band, were applauded by the hundreds of onlookers who made their way down to the cathedral from the start at Johnston Terrace.
There were shouts of "Well done" as the soldiers passed by.

Harry wore his khaki service dress and a navy cap with a red trim.
The troops went on to join families of those killed or wounded at the memorial service, along with UK Defence Secretary Des Browne and his Danish counterpart, Soren Gade.
The latest deaths occurred at about 3.40pm local time yesterday when the four soldiers' vehicle was caught in an explosion

Three of the troops were killed in the blast, while the fourth was pronounced dead on arrival at Camp Bastion, the Ministry of Defence said.

It is understood that the woman was serving with the Army's Intelligence Corps.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his 'deepest condolences' to the families of the four soldiers.

The Prince spent 10 weeks on the frontline before being flown home in February amid fears for his safety when his deployment was reported in foreign media.
Around 7,500 soldiers were deployed under 52 Brigade command on Operation Herrick 7.

The Brigade, whose headquarters are at Edinburgh Castle, handed over to 16 Air Assault on April 10.

Harry's involvement was kept secret by the UK media to prevent details reaching the Taliban and endangering him and his comrades.

He was removed after news was leaked on a US website