Prince William & Kate's Last Name: Mountbatten-Windsor

Now that Prince William and Kate Middleton are married, some are wondering their last name.


Like other descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, William's surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, and it will be Kate's too by marriage.


As explained by the official British royal website, the Queen's descendants carry the name Mountbatten, as well as the royal surname Windsor, to reflect her husband Prince Philip's surname.


The royal website explains further that the surnames are not always used, only when they are formally needed, such as the case of marriage.


While Prince William will be recorded as a Mountbatten-Windsor in the marriage registry today, he may choose a new name at a later point, specifically if and when he becomes king. As explained here, "Since a royal proclamation is not binding on succeeding rulers, King William could decide to add a name or two."


Prince William and Kate, who will go by the name of Catherine, also inherited the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon their marriage today.
source: special

Prince William & Kate's Last Name: Mountbatten-Windsor

Now that Prince William and Kate Middleton are married, some are wondering their last name.


Like other descendants of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, William's surname is Mountbatten-Windsor, and it will be Kate's too by marriage.


As explained by the official British royal website, the Queen's descendants carry the name Mountbatten, as well as the royal surname Windsor, to reflect her husband Prince Philip's surname.


The royal website explains further that the surnames are not always used, only when they are formally needed, such as the case of marriage.


While Prince William will be recorded as a Mountbatten-Windsor in the marriage registry today, he may choose a new name at a later point, specifically if and when he becomes king. As explained here, "Since a royal proclamation is not binding on succeeding rulers, King William could decide to add a name or two."


Prince William and Kate, who will go by the name of Catherine, also inherited the titles Duke and Duchess of Cambridge upon their marriage today.
source: special

Prince William, Kate leave palace in helicopter

Prince William and his new wife flew out of Buckingham Palace Saturday after tying the knot in a dazzling display blending centuries-old royal tradition with the private moments of any young couple.

But they did not fly off to their honeymoon, the couple has decided to stay in Britain this weekend, palace officials said Saturday.

William, who married Middleton on Friday in an opulent ceremony at Westminster Abbey, plans to return to military duty as a Royal Air Force helicopter rescue pilot in Wales at the end of this weekend, which includes a Monday holiday, officials said.

Lives Saved by A Cellphone
Saved by my cellphone
Mobile phones are good for more than just texting, chatting and playing addictive games. You never know when you might need to place a call from the bottom of a tree well, like James Drummond recently did. Get his story and more examples of lifesaving cells.

Beckhams wedding style 

Victoria and David Beckham and Sir Elton John have turned out for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.Footballer David and his Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer wife, and music legend Elton were among 1,900 guests invited to the Westminster Abbey service.

Victoria earlier spoke of her delight at the occasion, writing on Twitter: “London looks beautiful!!! We are so proud to be British!”

There were squeals of joy from the crowd when the Beckhams arrived at the abbey. David wore a Ralph Lauren morning suit with the OBE he received in 2003 pinned to the right lapel, and had his hair slicked back with a parting on the left side.

His wife, who is pregnant with their fourth child, wore a dark blue dress she designed herself, accessorised with a hat by celebrated milliner Philip Treacy.

Victoria’s arrival got an immediate response from celebrity royal watchers on Twitter, with X Factor judge Dannii Minogue tweeting: “Loving @victoriabeckam in elegant navy with pillbox hat.”

Sir Elton drew some of the biggest cheers as he arrived for the ceremony. He did not show off his usual flamboyant style as both he and his partner David Furnish were dressed in black morning coats and grey trousers.

Ben Fogle, TV presenter and friend of William, waved to the cheering crowd and did an interview with a TV crew outside the abbey.

He later tweeted after the ceremony: “Beautiful service. Very moving. On a double decker bus from the Abbey to the Palace. Had to show a bank statement to security to get on.”
Source: shropshirestar

William and Kate postpone honeymoon
Prince William and Kate delay foreign honeymoon as Prince William returns to work next week after bank holiday break in Britain.
Prince William and his new wife Kate Middleton have decided not to depart for their honeymoon immediately and have instead opted to spend the weekend in the UK, St James's Palace announced today.


It had been thought that the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would take two weeks off for the traditional post royal wedding break.


But it appears they want some private time in familiar surroundings after one of the most important days in their life saw their marriage celebrated by the nation and beyond.
They will probably travel to the Queen's Balmoral Estate in Scotland, which will afford them privacy and stunning countryside in which to unwind.

Mitch Daniels will sign bill to defund Planned Parenthood

Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels announced late Friday afternoon that he will sign a controversial bill to defund Planned Parenthood.

"I supported this bill from the outset, and the recent addition of language guarding against the spending of tax dollars to support abortions creates no reason to alter my position," he said in a statement.

7 Skin-Care Myths Busted!
The Myth: Using more of a product will make it work faster.
The Truth: "In most cases, heaping on a skin-care product is only going to land you in the dermatologist's office faster,"; says Kenneth Beer, a dermatologist in Palm Beach, Florida. "Anything that contains an active ingredient will irritate your skin if you overdo it." The most common active ones are vitamin C, retinol, and alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic), which work to smooth the skin and soften lines, and beta-hydroxy acids (like salicylic) and benzoyl peroxide, which clear breakouts. If you're using something that contains these ingredients, apply just enough to barely cover the area you're treating. If you're using a retinol cream, for example, a pea-size dab will do the trick.

The Myth: Everyone needs to use a toner.
The Truth: "Ninety percent of people using toners shouldn't be," says Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "In most cases, they strip the skin of the oil it needs to stay soft." Just cleansing is enough to remove surface dirt and oils.

But what about that dark stuff you see on the cotton ball after you cleanse? It's not dirt. It's healthy oils that darken when exposed to air. So who should use a toner? Only people with very oily or acne-prone skin. If this is you, look for one with alcohol and salicylic acid to fight breakouts.

Strange Toys
If you like these strange toys, you can make them yourself.Enough to take some parts of the plush toys, and then connect them together.And more interestingly, that the price of such toys in one online store comes to $ 70.

royal wedding traffic record
The 29 April wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton sent a record flood of traffic to streaming video sites on Friday.

Beckhams wedding style
Victoria and David Beckham and Sir Elton John have turned out for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

April news quiz
April news quiz. The tornadoes that struck several southern states and left hundreds dead, and the royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William are the biggest news stories of April, but there are many others. See if you remember the details. Police suspect a possible serial killer targeting prostitutes on which New York island, after finding the remains of at least nine people there since December 2010?

Famous May birthdays
Famous May birthdays
A country singer, Oscar winner, all-star athlete and groundbreaking politician are just a few of the famous folks who were born in May. To celebrate, we’re revealing some fun facts about them.


April deaths 2011

April in memoriam
In April we said farewell to many beloved figures, including a supercentenarian, a writing trailblazer and a modern rock star.

Celebrity mug shots
Celebrity mug shots. Caught without makeup and lighting teams, celebrities pose for mug shots at vulnerable moments. Among the latest celebrity arrests are an action star and a quirky viral video singer; check out theirs and other memorable booking photos.

April 2011 product recalls
April recalls
This month, products in your lunchbox, nursery and garage may have been recalled. Find out which goods didn't make the grade in April.

Famous adoptions
Famous adoptions
Actress Mariska Hargitay's recent adoption news has put celebrity adoption stories back in the headlines. From Brad and Angelina to America's Sweetheart, check out the many celebrities who have heeded the call.

Celebrity kids who followed in their parents’ footsteps
In their parents’ footsteps
Today is Take Your Child to Work Day. In celebration, let's take a look at some famous offspring following the same career paths as their parents.

Kate Middleton: Third most beautiful royal in history
Kate Middleton is officially one of the "beautiful people." Her place was confirmed by a poll on the dating website BeautifulPeople.com, which surveyed no less than 127,000 responders to judge the prettiness of the princesses.

The princess bride, who becomes British royalty when she marries Prince William, came in a notable third out of the 10 most beautiful royals in history. She placed ahead of her future husband's mother, the late Diana, princess of Wales, who ranked fourth.

Kate’s plan to wear hair down draws ire

Kate Middleton is at risk of alienating female members of the royal family if she breaks with tradition and wears her hair down when she marries Prince William, multiple sources told Yahoo! on Tuesday.

Royal brides have historically kept their hair neatly bound instead of flowing down their shoulders, but according to her personal stylist, Kate is expected to stick with her usual look at Westminster Abbey.

Yet that move may not meet with the approval of several influential royals, after long-haired brides like the queen's daughter Princess Anne, Viscountess Linley, and Lady Sarah Chatto all put their hair up.

"It is a strange custom and you wouldn't think it should matter," a source close to the royal family told Yahoo! "But there is a strong feeling, especially among the older royals, that things should be done a certain way. This is one of those things and it will be quite a bold move if [Kate] goes against it."

A second source believed that the theory against leaving the hair down was so that "she does not hog all the spotlight, which is faintly ridiculous given that the bride is supposed to be the center of attention."

But with the eyes of the world due to be upon her, it looks likely that Kate will stick with her decision to go with the look that she feels suits her best.

Before she heads to Westminster Abbey on Friday morning, Kate will have her hair tended to by the staff of salon owner Richard Ward, led by chief stylist James Pryce.

"It will 100 percent be down and flowy," Ward told the Daily Telegraph. "Every bride's hair should reflect their look throughout the year. Kate is such a natural girl, so no stuffy do-ups for her."

Meet William and Kate’s matchmaker
Huge teams of workers and planners are laboring around the clock to make sure the big day goes off without a hitch, but if it was not for Waley-Cohen, a 28-year-old horse racing jockey, the marriage wouldn't be happening at all.

Waley-Cohen turned royal matchmaker in 2007 when, after Prince William and Kate Middleton had been split up for several months, he invited both of them to a party he organized at his wealthy family's 400-year-old mansion in Oxfordshire.

At the time it appeared as though the break-up would be permanent. However, William and Kate, who had scarcely seen each other since their split, spent hours locked in conversation and rekindled all of their old feelings.



Weeks later they were photographed together on a yacht sharing a trip to the Seychelles and it soon emerged that the romance was very much back on.

Waley-Cohen downplayed his role in the royal reconciliation to Yahoo!.

"I don't know for sure if I had anything to do with it," he said with a smile at a recent horse racing event. "They have both been friends of mine for a long time and they make a fantastic couple ... Wherever it happened, I like to think they got back together of their own accord and we are all delighted that they did."

However, a royal source told Yahoo! on Monday that Waley-Cohen's party was a "significant moment" in the couple's relationship. "It set the foundation for the reunion, most certainly," the source said.

While the original split caused much heartache for both William and Kate, they now agree that it was the correct decision and one which helped them gain perspective.

"I wasn't particularly happy about it," said Kate during the pair's engagement interview. "But it made me stronger as a person, and it was a chance to learn some things about myself. It was a chance to center myself."

Kate’s see-through dress sold at auction
Kate Middleton's style has been a big subject of intense interest lately. One look that only she could pull off is a see-through dress she wore at a charity fashion show in 2002 -- it was auctioned off on Thursday. The winning bid: $125,871. Wearing a dress that won over a prince: priceless.


Here's the story. Back in 2002 at St. Andrew's University, Middleton agreed to model a student-made outfit for charity. The "dress" was a piece of sheer black silk that was intended to be a sheer skirt. The fashionista-in-training wore it hiked up as a strapless cover-up, though it didn't cover much up.


Prince William, also a student at St. Andrew's and a pal of Kate's, had a front-row seat at the college fashion show. This is the moment that is widely believed to be the instant that his fashionable friend -- suddenly seen from every angle -- was viewed in a more romantic light by the royal spectator.
The see-through shift went up for auction at Kerry Taylor Auction -- and was initially valued to go for £10,000. The jumper was in good company: Two dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, were at the same auction. We assume they're not see-through.

stars other talents
Stars’ hidden talents
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will make her small screen acting debut with a guest role on an upcoming episode of NBC’s “30 Rock,” but Rice is no stranger to performing. Find out her hidden talent and check out other multitalented stars.

Weirdest inventions

Ever wish you could test your blood pressure while walking and measuring the amount of radiation in the air? Look no more, because the Super Smart Boot, as well as what could be the world's fastest shrimp peeler, was recently unveiled at the International Invention Exhibition. Check out these other weird inventions -- they just might solve some of the world's problems.

Top Natural Wonders for Kids
Yellowstone National Park
Will your children remember family vacations when they are grownups? Travel experts Pauline Frommer and Beth Harpaz contribute to our list of destinations that will make a big impression on the little ones, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Grand Canyon.

Going to Yellowstone, located mostly in Wyoming, is like going on safari. “I can think of few vacation destinations with as much variety for families,” said Pauline Frommer, Bing Travel contributor and creator of the Pauline Frommer guidebooks. Frommer’s daughter loved Yellowstone’s volcanic landscape, bubbling mud pits and unpredictable geysers. She enjoyed getting stuck in a “traffic jam” of bison, hearing wolves howling in the distance, encountering moose and finding huge animal scat right outside the tent in the morning. “It’s an amazing place to take your kids,” Frommer said.

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef off Queensland, Australia, is so large that it can be seen from space. It’s 1,260 miles long and home to thousands of separate reefs. It also lives large in the imagination. “My older son visited at age 13 on a youth trip,” said Beth Harpaz, Associated Press travel editor. “Four years later, he’s still talking about it, and there is no other snorkeling experience that can compare, according to him. He said it was like swimming in an aquarium.”
The Continental Divide
While the concept of the Continental Divide might be a big yawn to kids, the scenery won’t be. The line that separates watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from the river system that drains into the Atlantic or Arctic oceans is a great place to see gorgeous mountain scenery. Take the kids and check out the peaks of the U.S. and Canadian Rockies, including this scenic overlook in Banff National Park.

The Continental Divide
While the concept of the Continental Divide might be a big yawn to kids, the scenery won’t be. The line that separates watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from the river system that drains into the Atlantic or Arctic oceans is a great place to see gorgeous mountain scenery. Take the kids and check out the peaks of the U.S. and Canadian Rockies, including this scenic overlook in Banff National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state can keep the kids entertained all year long. In winter, the Paradise Visitor Center beckons with copious amounts of snow for sledding, snowshoeing or snowball fights. In summer, kids can easily catch sight of elk, deer, and whistling marmots . Some trails are accessible for strollers and small children, including Trail of the Shadows, Grove of the Patriarchs, and Emmons Vista
Grand Canyon National Park
This 277-mile-long Arizona canyon simply dazzles both adults and children. “When we were there the spring before last, all my 10-year-old wanted to do was take pictures,” said Pauline Frommer, Bing Travel contributor and creator of the Pauline Frommer guidebooks. “She was simply awestruck by the beauty of the place and wanted to capture it to show her friends.” Frommer’s two daughters loved hiking into the canyon and were proud of their bravery and stamina, climbing downward for an hour and then up for 1.5 hours. “They didn't have a single squabble that entire hike, which for a nearly 3-hour period is unusual for the two of them.”

Wild Horses of Assateague Island
The wild horses of Assateague Island National Seashore, located off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, are descendants of domesticated animals brought to the island more than 300 years ago. “It’s one of the loveliest, most accessible wildlife areas you can take your kids to,” said Beth Harpaz, Associated Press travel editor. “It’s crowded in summer but warm enough to hike and very empty in late winter, spring and fall. The horses are there year-round, so it’s a good winter or spring vacation drive-to trip. The horses are easy to spot, the trails are flat loop trails and easy enough for little kids.”
Samburu National Reserve
The Samburu National Reserve in Kenya is home to all three big cats — lions, cheetahs and leopards. It was one of the two areas in which conservationists George and Joy Adamson raised Elsa the Lioness, made famous in the book and movie “Born Free.” Families can also thrill to sightings of elephants, buffalos, hippos and giraffes.

Pack Creek, Admiralty Island, Alaska
Admiralty Island is home to about 1,600 brown bears, the highest density of these creatures in North America. The Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area allows visitors to view them from a safe distance. If you’re taking a cruise to Alaska, this trip is often available as a shore excursion. You’ll take a floatplane into the wilds for viewings of bears, bald eagles — and possibly humpback whales.

The Redwood Forests
The Redwood national and state parks boast the tallest tree species on Earth, aka Sequoia sempervirens, in addition to Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, and the northern spotted owl. Beth Harpaz, Associated Press travel editor, took her family there recently. “My younger son loved it — trees so tall you can hardly see the tops.” Her whole family held hands and tried to encircle a redwood but still couldn’t get their arms around it.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Gutsy teenagers in particular will enjoy the volcanic action in Hawaii. “That's because the best time to see the lava is at sunset,” said Pauline Frommer, Bing Travel contributor. “After the sun has set, you often have to hike a long way over the uneven volcanic rock to see the light show. That takes some courage.” The fumes and jagged hardened lava, however, may be a little too dangerous for smaller children, she cautions.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Children ages 12 and older who would like to crawl around inside a cave have a rare opportunity to do so at Carlsbad Caverns. They can sign up for the Spider Cave Tour that leaves from the underground lunchroom. Participants hike a half mile down Garden Grove Canyon to get to the cave, where excessive crawling and climbing ensue. Highlights of this tour include the Mace Room, Medusa Room and Cactus Spring, as well as a stunning variety of cave formations and dirty cave crawls.
Dinosaur National Monument
What kid wouldn’t squeal with delight at the prospect of discovering real dinosaur bones? Dinosaur National Monument, about a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 5 1/2 hours from Denver, has numerous family-friendly hiking trails that are less than a mile long. Be sure to hit the half-mile Fossil Discovery Trail, reachable via a shuttle from the temporary visitor center. A few large dinosaur fossil bones stick out from the cliff along this trail.
The Galapagos Islands
Animal-loving kids are sure to love the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. It was here that Charles Darwin studied the many species that are unique to the islands and found the inspiration for his theory of evolution by natural selection, which resulted in the famous “Origin of Species.” Families will encounter tame and curious sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies.
Humpback Whales in Hawaii
The waters around the main Hawaiian Islands are one of the world's most important North Pacific humpback whale habitats, and the only place in U.S. coastal waters where humpbacks reproduce. As many as 10,000 humpback whales visit Hawaiian waters every year from about November through May, with the peak season being January to March. Whale-watching tours are available, but these creatures are so big you can sometimes spot them breaching the water as you sit on your hotel balcony.
The Matterhorn, Switzerland
Zermatt is a car-free village at the base of the Matterhorn, so families can feel safe and comfortable strolling around town or mountain biking in quiet splendor. The area has lots of activities for kids, including Fun Forest Park. It has a variety of trails for all ages, including a kids’ trail for ages 4 to 7, which has seven child-friendly zip lines and 31 bridges.
The Amazon Rainforest
Want to teach your children about biodiversity? Consider a visit to the Amazon Rainforest. It encompasses 1.7 billion acres and stretches across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The Amazon has the world’s richest diversity of birds, freshwater fish and butterflies, and is home to jaguars, pink dolphins, howler monkeys, southern two-toed sloths, poison dart frogs and scarlet macaws.
Komodo National Park, Indonesia
What child wouldn’t want to see a real-life dragon? Komodo National Park, on the volcanic islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar in Indonesia, offers the opportunity to see the world’s largest species of lizard. The population of around 5,700 Komodo dragons exists nowhere else in the world. Komodo dragons are dangerous indeed and will attack humans, so you’ll need to exercise the utmost caution. You’ll be required to hire a local guide, and you’ll want to stick to that person like glue.
Uluru Rock
The large sandstone formation of Uluru (commonly known as Ayers Rock) rises 1,142 feet from the Australian desert. This iconic monolith is one of the largest in the world, with a circumference of 6 miles.
The Bay of Fundy
Wedged between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, the Bay of Fundy has one of the highest vertical tidal ranges in the world. The water here can fluctuate 55.8 feet between high and low tides. “Watching the tidal changes here is a stupendous experience for all ages,” said Associated Press travel editor Beth Harpaz. “In not too many other places do you actually get to witness a phenomenon as it happens.”
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, on the border between New York and Ontario, Canada, is the best of both worlds for families. It’s one of the world’s great natural wonders, but more importantly for children, the periphery sports a delightfully tacky, permanent carnival. Kids will eat up the Maid of the Mist tour and all of the hokey "museums"  and elaborate mini-golf courses on the Canadian side of the falls.

British Royal Family
Could Kate Middleton ever be queen? What are the odds of HRH Zanouska Mowatt? Take a peek at the royal succession to see who's in line for the British throne.

















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