BROOCH THE BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA SELLS FOR £11,400

A GOLD, ENAMEL AND GARNET BODICE BROOCH FROM 1830 THAT BELONGED TO QUEEN VICTORIA MADE FOURTEEN TIMES ITS PRE-SALE ESTIMATE AT BONHAMS JEWELRY SALE THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE. WITH A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF £600–800, THE BROOCH SOLD FOR £11,400. THE FINELY DETAILED BROOCH IS EMBELLISHED WITH GREEN AND RED ENAMEL, SET WITH CABOCHON GARNETS THAT SUSPEND AN ELONGATED DROP OF A SIMILAR DESIGN. THE BROOCH ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO VICTORIA, DUCHESS OF KENT, WHO ON HER DEATH IN 1861 LEFT HER JEWELRY TO HER DAUGHTER, QUEEN VICTORIA. QUEEN VICTORIA SUBSEQUENTLY GAVE THE BROOCH TO HER THIRD DAUGHTER HELENA, PRINCESS CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, AS A PRESENT ON HER 24th BIRTHDAY IN 1870. THE REVERSE OF THE BROOCH HAS A SIMPLE, YET VERY PERSONAL ENGRAVING: 'BELONGED TO DEAR GRANDMAMMA V. FROM MAMA V.R. TO HELENA 25th MAY 1870'. ALTHOUGH PRINCESS HELENA MARRIED THE GERMAN PRINCE CHRISTIAN OF SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN IN 1866, THEY REMAINED IN BRITAIN CLOSE TO THE QUEEN, WHO LIKED TO HAVE HER DAUGHTERS NEARBY. HELENA WAS CONSIDERED THE MOST ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, CARRYING OUT AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAM OF ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS. SHE WAS ALSO A COMMITTED PATRON OF CHARITIES, AND WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE RED CROSS. SHE WAS ALSO THE ORIGINAL PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK, AND PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL BRITISH NURSES' ASSOCIATION.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY UNVEILS PORTRAIT OF PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY

A PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PORTRAIT OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY BY FERGUS GREER AND A PORTRAIT OF TRACEY EMIN BY DAVID BAILEY WILL FORM PART OF A NEW GALLERY DISPLAY HIGHLIGHTING THE PHOTOGRAPHS RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, LONDON. EIGHTEEN BY TWELVE: RECENT PHOTOGRAPHIC ACQUISITIONS FROM 7.FEBRUARY IN ROOM 41a WILL SHOW EIGHTEEN PRINTS BY TWELVE CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHERS, ALL ON DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE GALLERY. EVERY YEAR THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY ACQUIRES A DIVERSE SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS WHICH OFFER A VISUAL REFLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY BRITISH LIFE AND CULTURE. THE SITTERS IN THIS DISPLAY INCLUDE RECENT PORTRAITS OF POPULAR SCIENTIST BRIAN COX, POET CHRISTOPHER REID, ACTORS BENEDICT CUMBERPATCH, ANDY SERKIS AND MACKENZIE CROOK AND SINGER SONGWRITER K T TUNSTALL. THE DISPLAY WILL ALSO INCLUDE COMEDIENNE CATHERINE TATE, CONTEMPORARY SINGER M I A, POET LAUREATE CAROL ANN DUFFY, NEWSPAPER EXECUTIVE REBEKAH WADE, COMEDIAN RONNIE CORBETT, ARTIST FRANK AUERBACH, AND FILM DIRECTOR TERENCE DAVIES. SEEN IN THE DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IS AN INFORMAL DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF PRINCES WILLIAM AND HARRY TAKEN AT THE COMMANDANTS HOUSE AT THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY, SANDHURST. PHOTOGRAPHER FERGUS GREER WAS COMMISSIONED BY CLARENCE HOUSE TO TAKE THE PORTRAIT IN DECEMBER 2006 IN PREPARATION FOR THE CONCERT FOR DIANA IN 2007, BUT THE PHOTOGRAPH WAS NOT PUBLISHED. THE PORTRAIT IS ONLY THE SECOND DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF THE TWO PRINCES TO ENTER THE GALLERY'S COLLECTION, THE FIRST A FORMAL COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT BY ARTIST NICKY PHILLIPS WAS UNVEILED IN 2010. THE PHOTOGRAPHS COLLECTION CONSISTS OF MORE THAN 20,000 ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES DATING FROM THE 1840s TO THE PRESENT DAY. FOUNDED IN 1856, THE AIM OF THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY IS TO COLLECT PORTRAITS OF FAMOUS EN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE MADE AND ARE MAKING BRITISH HISTORY AND CULTURE.

OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE FOR PRINCE WILLIAM AND CATHERINE MIDDLETON

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM OF WALES AND MISS CATHERINE MIDDLETON HAVE APPROVED THE ROYAL COLLECTION'S RANGE OF CHINA COMMISSIONED TO COMMEMORATE THEIR ROYAL FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE ON 29.APRIL.2011. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING RANGE INCLUDES A TANKARD (£35), EIGHT-INCH PLATE (£40) AND PILL BOX (£25) IN ENGLISH FINE BONE CHINA. EACH PIECE BEARS THE COUPLE'S ENTWINED INITIALS IN GOLD AND SILVER SURMOUNTED BY THE CORONET OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE WEDDING DATE. THE RANGE IS DECORATED WITH A PATTERN OF DOVES, WHITE RIBBONS AND HEARTS IN SILVER, GOLD AND GREY, SET AGAINST A PALE-GRAY STRIPED BACKGROUND. INSIDE THE TANKARD ARE ROWS OF TINY HEARTS AND TWO SILVER DOVES HOLDING A GOLD WEDDING RING. THE ROYAL WEDDING CHINA IS HANDMADE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ROYAL COLLECTION IN STOKE-ON-TRENT USING METHODS THAT HAVE REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER 250 YEARS. EACH ITEM IS INDIVIDUALLY DECORATED AND THEN EMBELLISHED WITH SEVERAL LAYERS OF BURNISHED GOLD AND PLATINUM BEFORE A FINAL LAYER OF GILDING IN 22 CARAT GOLD IS APPLIED BY HAND. ALL PIECES COME IN A PRESENTATION BOX AND ARE WRAPPED IN WHITE TISSUE-PAPER PRINTED WITH DESIGNS INSPIRED BY THE WALL HANGINGS IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE OFFICIAL ROYAL WEDDING COMMEMORATIVE RANGE CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE, AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION SHOPS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, WINDSOR CASTLE AND THE PALACE OF HOLLYROODHOUSE, AND WILL ALSO BE SOLD AT BALMORAL, HIGHGROVE AND SANDRINGHAM. ALL PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF THE ROYAL WEDDING RANGE ARE DEDICATED TO THE ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST, A REGISTERED CHARITY. THE AIMS OF THE TRUST ARE THE CARE AND CONSERVATION OF THE ROYAL COLLECTION AND THE PROMOTION OF PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT THROUGH EXHIBITION, PUBLICATION, LOANS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE SHOWS RECORD BREAKING SUMMER SEASON

A RECORD-BREAKING 413,000 VISITORS PASSED THROUGH THE DOORS OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE DURING THIS YEAR'S SUMMER OPENING. ATTENDANCE WAS THE HIGHEST IN 16 YEARS AND THE SECOND HIGHEST SINCE BUCKINGHAM PALACE FIRST OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 1993 (420,000 VISITORS WERE RECORDED IN 1994). TO TOP A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR, BUCKINGHAM PALACE WAS AWARDED 'BEST UK ATTRACTION' AT BOTH THE GROUP TRAVEL AWARDS AND THE GROUP LEISURE AWARDS. MANY WHO HAD VISITED BUCKINGHAM PALACE IN PREVIOUS SEASONS RETURNED THIS SUMMER TO SEE THE SPECIAL EXHIBITION, THE QUEEN'S YEAR, WHICH CHARTED THE SPECTACLE AND VARIETY OF THE QUEEN'S WORK. THE PALACE'S NEW GARDEN CAFE PROVED TO BE AN EQUAL DRAW. OVER THE EIGHT WEEKS OF THE SUMMER OPENING, IT SERVED 46,000 CUPS OF TEA; PROFITEROLES AND VANILLA MILLE FEUILLE WERE AMONG VISITORS' FAVORITE TREATS. FURTHERMORE, OWING TO POPULAR DEMAND, THE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED VICTORIA & ALBERT: ART & LOVE EXHIBITION AT THE QUEEN'S GALLERY, BUCKINGHAM PALACE HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 5.DECEMBER.2010. IT BRINGS TOGETHER OVER 400 WORKS OF ART COLLECTED BY THE ROYAL COUPLE, MANY EXCHANGED AS GIFTS TO MARK SPECIAL OCCASIONS. THANKS TO THE EXHIBITION, ATTENDANCE AT THE QUEEN'S GALLERY HAS RISEN BY 19% THIS YEAR, INCLUDING A RECORDED NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME VISITORS.

NEW BOOK FROM THE ROYAL COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS THE QUEEN'S DOLLS' HOUSE

THE QUEEN'S DOLLS' HOUSE AT WINDSOR CASTLE IS THE LARGEST, MOST BEAUTIFUL AND MOST FAMOUS DOLLS' HOUSE IN THE WORLD. IN A CHARMING NEW PUBLICATION, THE WELL-KNOWN BROADCASTER AND ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN LUCINDA LAMBTON GUIDES THE READER ON AN IMAGINATIVE TOUR OF THE MOST MAGICAL OF RESIDENCES, A PERFECT REPLICA IN MINIATURE OF AN ARISTOCRATIC HOME. BUILT FOR QUEEN MARY BY THE LEADING BRITISH ARCHITECT SIR EDWIN LUTYENS BETWEEN 1921 AND 1924, IT INCLUDES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OVER 1,500 OF THE FINEST ARTISTS, CRAFTSMEN AND MANUFACTURERS OF THE EARLY 20th CENTURY. FROM THE LIFE BELOW STAIRS TO THE HIGH-SOCIETY SETTING OF THE SALOON AND DINING ROOM, A LIBRARY BURSTING WITH ORIGINAL WORKS BY THE TOP LITERARY NAMES OF THE DAY, A FULLY STOCKED WINE CELLAR AND A GARDEN CREATED BY GERTRUDE JEKYLL, RUNNING HOT AND COLD WATER AND WORKING LIFTS. THE IDEA FOR A DOLLS' HOUSE CAME FROM PRINCESS MARIE LOUISE, QUEEN VICTORIA'S GRANDDAUGHTER, AS A GIFT TO QUEEN MARY IN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HER STEADFAST PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE FIRST WORLD WAR. IT QUICKLY ASSUMED A NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AS A FLAGSHIP ENDEAVOR FOR BRITISH INNOVATION AND AS A SYMBOL OF BRITAIN'S POST-WAR RENEWAL. LUTYENS' VISION WAS TO CAPTURE LIFE IN A ROYAL RESIDENCE IN ALL ITS DETAIL, DESIGNING THE HOUSE TO THE IMPERIAL SCALE OF ONE INCH TO ONE FOOT, IT IS 1.52 METRES HIGH, 2.59 METRES DEEP AND WEIGHS 4.5 TONS. LEADING MANUFACTURERS, INDUSTRIALISTS AND ARTISTS, MANY STILL HOUSEHOLD NAMES TODAY, WERE EAGER TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNIQUE PROJECT. TO COMPLETE LUTYENS' IMPRESSIVE WINE CELLAR, BERRY BROS OF ST JAMES, LONDON, CONTRIBUTED OVER 1,200 THIMBLEFULS OF THE FINEST CHAMPAGNES, WINES, SPIRITS AND BEERS TO FILL EACH TINY BOTTLE. SOME 200 AUTHORS, INCLUDING RUDYARD KIPLING, THOMAS HARDY AND AA MILNE, PRODUCED ORIGINAL HAND-WRITTEN WORKS FOR THE LIBRARY, SIR ARTHUR DOYLE CREATED A SHERLOCK HOLMES STORY, 'HOW WATSON LEARNED THE TRICK', ESPECIALLY FOR THE DOLLS' HOUSE. ROYAL GUN MAKERS, JAMES PURDEY & SONS, DONATED WORKING REPLICAS OF KING GEORGE V's GUNS, COMPLETE WITH LEATHER CASE AND MAGAZINE OF 100 TINY CARTRIDGES. IN THE GARAGE A DAIMLER LIMOUSINE, ROLLS ROYCE AND A 1923 SILVER GHOST SEVEN-SEATER LIMOUSINE LANDAULET BOAST THE SUPREMACY OF BRITISH MOTOR MANUFACTURING IN THE 1920s. THROUGHOUT THE DOLLS' HOUSE THERE ARE REMINDERS THAT IT IS JUST NOT ANY RESIDENCE. IN THE SALON TWO SILVER-GILT THRONES MEASURING AN INCH HIGH SIT SIDE-BY-SIDE; THE DINING ROOM IS DECORATED WITH SILVER WALL SCONES, MINIATURE REPLICAS OF THOSE AT WINDSOR CASTLE; A COLLECTION OF RED AND GREEN LEATHER DISPATCH BOXES, EACH EMBOSSED WITH THE ROYAL CIPHER AND 'THE KING', ADD ROYAL GRAVITAS TO THE LIBRARY. THE DOMESTIC QUARTERS AND THE ROOMS BELOW STAIRS WERE GIVEN AS MUCH ATTENTION AS THE GRAND ROOMS ABOVE. IN THE KITCHEN, 2,500 TINY SECTIONS OF OAK RECREATE A WOOD-BLOCK FLOOR, A COPPER KETTLE MADE OUT OF A KING GEORGE V PENNY, WITH THE KING'S HEAD ON IT BASE, SITS ON THE STOVE, AND THREE IVORY MICE IN A HUMANE MOUSE TRAP ARE FOREVER UNDER THE GAZE OF A CERAMIC CAT. EVERY DETAIL OF DOMESTIC LIFE IS INCLUDED, FROM LAVATORY PAPER, LUX FLAKES AND SUNLIGHT SOAP, TO A TIN OF COLEMAN'S MUSTARD AND A BOTTLE OF LEA AND PERRINS WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE. IN THE LIVING QUARTERS, CHAMBER POTS CAN BE SEEN UNDER EVERY BED, TROUSER PRESSES AWAIT USE IN THE MEN'S BEDROOMS AND READING MATERIAL IS ON HAND FOR THE SERVANTS. IN A LETTER OF THANKS TO ALL THOSE INVOLVED, QUEEN MARY DESCRIBED THE DOLLS' HOUSE AS 'THE MOST PERFECT PRESENT THAT ANYONE COULD RECEIVE'. THE LETTER IS REPRODUCED IN THE BOOK ALONGSIDE CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE ROYAL ARCHIVES BETWEEN THE QUEEN AND LUTYENS, AND CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND MANUFACTURERS. IN 1924 THE DOLLS' HOUSE WENT ON DISPLAY AT WEMBLY PARK AS PART OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION OF ARTS AND MANUFACTURING, WHERE IT WAS VIEWED BY 1,617,556 PEOPLE. FOR THE FIRST TIME THE PUBLIC WERE ABLE TO SEE INTO THE HEART OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD, GAINING AN UNPARALLELED VIEW OF THE INTIMATE ASPECTS OF FAMILY LIFE AND BRINGING THEM CLOSER TO THE ROYAL FAMILY THAN EVER BEFORE. THE FOLLOWING YEAR THE DOLLS' HOUSE WAS PUT ON PERMANENT DISPLAY AT WINDSOR CASTLE, IN A ROOM SPECIALLY DESIGNED BY LUTYENS, WHERE IT REMAINS TO THIS DAY.

PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL ENJOT ECO-FESTIVAL

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL WERE LEFT SPEECHLESS AND IN TEARS BY THE SIGHT, AND SOUND, OF A 'CAT ORGAN'. THEY CAME ACROSS THE UNUSUAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DURING A VISIT TO AN AMBITIOUS ECO-FESTIVAL STAGED IN LONDON BUT WERE UNPREPARED FOR THE LEVELS OF LAUGHTER IT INDUCED. THE PRINCE OFTEN ENJOYS A JOKE WHEN HE MEETS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC BUT WAS LEFT LAUGHING UNCONTROLLABLY BY THE PERFORMANCE BY SOUND SCULPTOR HENRY DAGG. THE MUSICIAN PLAYED FOR THE ROYAL COUPLE AS THEY TOURED CHARLES' 12 DAY ECO-GARDEN PARTY STAGED ON THE GROUNDS OF THREE ADJOINING HISTORIC HOUSES; CLARENCE, LANCASTER AND MARLBOROUGH. AT FIRST DAGG EVOKED LAUGHTER FROM CHARLES AND CAMILLA WITH THE RENDITION OF A NIGHTINGALE SANG IN BERKELEY SQUARE PLAYED ON A SAW WITH A BOW. BUT FOR THE ENCORE HE BROUGHT OUT HIS 'CAT ORGAN', CONSISTING OF A ROW OF 16 SQUEAKY TOY CATS, AND PLAYED SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW, THE TUNE MADE FAMOUS BY JUDY GARLAND. THE PRINCE WAS LEFT RED-CHEEKED, IN A FIT OF GIGGLES AND WIPING AWAY TEARS AS THE MUSICIAN, DRESSED IN A BOW TIE AND WAISTCOAT, SQUEAKED THE ANIMALS. DAGG WAS UNFAZED ABOUT THE REACTION TO THE SOUND HE DESCRIBED AS A 'CAT-COPHONY' AND SAID: 'IT'S NICE TO MAKE PRINCE CHARLES GIGGLE A BIT.' THE DUCHESS FOUND SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT WHEN PERFORMERS FROM THE HIT BBC SHOW STRICTLY COME DANCING, A FAVORITE WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY, TOOK TO AN UNUSUAL STAGE. CAMILLA SCRE DALLERUP AND IAN WHITE DANCE JIVE ON A SUSTAINABLE DANCE FLOOR WHERE GENERATORS IN THE FLOOR TURNED THEIR MOVEMENTS INTO ELECTRICITY TO POWER LEDs BELOW THEIR FEET. THE DUCHESS, WHO BROKE HER LEFT ANKLE EARLIER THIS YEAR, DECLINED AN OFFER TO DANCE. WAITE SAID: 'I WAS HOPING TO DANCE WITH TWO CAMILLAS BUT SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BECAUSE OF HER ANKLE.' THE COUPLE SPENT AROUND TWO HOURS TOURING THE CARIOUS EXHIBITS AND STALLS AND EVEN FOUND TIME TO TRY A HAND AT SEWING WHEN THEY HELPED TO MAKE BAGS FROM RECYCLED CLOTH. PRINCE CHARLES DONATED CURTAIN MATERIAL FROM HIS LONDON HOME, CLARENCE HOUSE, AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE TO MORSBAGS ORGANIZATION WHICH RUNS THE SCHEME.

PRINCE OF WALES URGES VOGUE READERS TO RECYCLE CLOTHES

THE PRINCE OF WALES HAS URGED READERS OF VOGUE TO WEAR MORE RECYCLED CLOTHES AND NATURAL FABRICS TO REDUCE WASTE AND CONSERVE THE WORLD'S RESOURCES. IN AN ARTICLE FOR THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE FASHION MAGAZINE, ALSO PUBLISHED ONLINE, HE SPEAKS ABOUT HIS PASSION FOR 'REUSING AND REPAINTING' AND PRAISED THE TREND FOR 'VINTAGE' CLOTHES 'BECAUSE THEY SAVE SCARCE RESOURCES AND AVOID WASTE'. HE CITED WOOL AS AN EXAMPLE OF A NATURAL MATERIAL AND PLEDGED TO CAMPAIGN TO PERSUADE CONSUMERS TO CHOOSE IT OVER 'ARTIFICIAL FIBERS MADE FROM OIL DERIVATIVES'. HE WROTE: 'ON THE WHOLE, THE OLDER SOME THINGS ARE, THE MORE COMFORTABLE AND FAMILIAR THEY BECOME; THEY CAN EVEN ADAPT TO LOOK NEW IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT. FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE HAS BEEN IMAGINATIVE ENOUGH TO MAKE SETS OF CUFF LINKS OUT THE PREVIOUS ENGINE FROM MY 40 YEAR OLD ASTON MARTIN AND TO SELL THEM IN AID OF MY TRUST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. I EVEN HAVE A PAIR OF SHOES MADE FROM THE BALES OF LEATHER SALVAGED FROM AND 18th CENTURY WRECK OFF THE SOUTHWEST OF BRITAIN. THEY ARE TOTALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE AND WILL SEE ME OUT.' THE PRINCE IS FREQUENTLY SEEN IN A WINTER COAT, MODELED ON ONE OWNED BY HIS GREAT UNCLE, KING EDWARD VIII, FOR 23 YEARS. IT WAS MADE FOR HIM BY LES BERGQUIST, A TAILOR AT THE SAVILE ROW FIRM ANDERSON & SHEPPARD. IN THE ARTICLE, THE PRINCE SPOKE OF HIS START INITIATIVE, WHICH HE HAS SET UP TO SHOW THE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO 'TREAD MORE LIGHTLY ON OUR PLANET'. WHERE BETTER FOR VOGUE READERS TO START THAN WITH WHAT THEY WEAR?', HE WROTE. 'LEADING DESIGNERS ARE ALREADY PRODUCING CLOTHES THAT ARE APPEALING, GENUINELY DESIRABLE, AND, MOST IMPORTANT, DON'T HARM THE ENVIRONMENT. THOSE WHO DESIGN THESE FINE THINGS AND THOSE WHO WEAR THEM CAN MAKE A HUGE, POSITIVE, AND LONG-LASTING IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. NOT SO LONG AGO, WEARING OLD OR SECOND HAND CLOTHES TENDED TO BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO MANY, YET NOW 'VINTAGE' OUTFITS ARE ON THE RED CARPETS ALL OVER THE WORLD', HE ADDED.

PRINCE PHILIP REVEALS TALENT FOR PAINTING

SHE HAS SAT FOR MANY AN ARTIST AND HER IMAGE HAS BEEN CAPTURED ON CANVAS COUNTLESS TIMES. BUT RARELY HAS THE QUEEN BEEN CAPTURED IN QUITE SO INFORMAL A POSE. SITTING AS A BEAUTIFULLY-LAID TABLE, READING A PAPER, WITH A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD AND A POT OF MARMALADE IN FRONT OF HER, SHE INDULGES IN A LEISURELY BREAKFAST. WHO, MAY YOU ASK, HAS HAD SUCH INTIMATE ACCESS TO THE MONARCH AT HER BREAKFAST TABLE? HER HUSBAND OF COURSE, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE DUKE IS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS, BUT LESS WELL KNOWN IS HIS OWN TALENT FOR APPLYING OILS TO CANVAS. HE PAINTED THE IMAGE, ENTITLED THE QUEEN AT BREAKFAST, WINDSOR CASTLE, BACK IN 1965, AND IT HAS BEEN PART OF HIS PRIVATE COLLECTION EVER SINCE. NOW IT FEATURES AS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING IMAGES IN A NEW BOOK, THE ROYAL PORTRAIT IMAGE AND IMPACT, TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL COLLECTIONS. THE PAINTING OFFERS AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE OF THE QUEEN OFF DUTY, A SECOND PLACE SETTING AT HER SIDE PRESUMABLY THE ARTISTS'. THE TABLE IS COVERED WITH A CRISP WHITE TABLECLOTH, THE PLATES, CUPS AND SAUCERS ARE WHITE CHINA. PRINCE PHILIP HIMSELF AGREED TO ALLOW THE ROYAL COLLECTION TO USE THE IMPRESSIONISTIC STUDY IN THE NEW BOOK. AUTHOR JENNIFER SCOTT, ASSISTANT CURATOR OF PAINTINGS AT THE ROYAL COLLECTION, SAID SHE WAS DELIGHTED WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE PAINTING AS SHE RESEARCHED THE BOOK. 'I THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE DON'T KNOWN THAT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PAINTS, IT'S QUITE A PRIVATE PURSUIT. I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD PAINTING, IT'S GOT A REAL QUALITY TO IT, IT SEEMS SUCH A PRIVATE MOMENT, THE QUEEN SITTING HAVING BREAKFAST, SHE COULD BE ANYBODY.'

MOHAMED FAYED ADMITS TO BURNING ROYAL WARRANTS

MOHAMED FAYED, THE FORMER OWNER OF HARRODS, HAS RECENTLY DISCLOSED THAT HE BURNED THE ROYAL WARRANTS AFTER THEY WERE REMOVED FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE LONDON DEPARTMENT STORE. THE EGYPTIAN TYCOON, WHO STEPS DOWN AS HONORARY CHAIRMAN OF HARRODS IN NOVEMBER AFTER SELLING THE COMPANY TO THE QATARI ROYAL FAMILY FOR £1.5 BILLION, CLAIMED THAT THE WARRANTS HAD PUT A 'CURSE' ON THE STORE. IN A LETTER TO THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, HE WROTE: 'I ORDERED THEIR REMOVAL. LATER, I HAD THEM BURNED. THEY WERE A CURSE AND BUSINESS TRIPLED FOLLOWING THEIR REMOVAL.' THE WARRANTS, FROM THE QUEEN; THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH; THE LATE QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER; AND THE PRINCE OF WALES, WERE TAKEN DOWN IN 2000. THEY HAD BEEN DISPLAYED SINCE THE LATE QUEEN MOTHER FIRST GAVE HER APPROVAL IN 1938. THE DUKE HAD WRITTEN TO THE BUSINESSMAN FIVE MONTHS EARLIER TO INFORM HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT BE RENEWING HIS WARRANT AFTER 40 YEARS BECAUSE HE NO LONGER PATRONIZED THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE SHOP. HE HAD BEEN ACCUSED BY FAYED IN COURT OF MASTERMINDING THE DEATHS OF THE TYCOON'S SON DODI AND DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, IN A CAR CRASH IN 1997. IN HIS LETTER, FAYED, ALSO CALLS FOR THE STORE'S NEW OWNERS, WHO ENJOY CLOSE LINKS TO THE BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY, TO RETAIN THE TWO MEMORIALS THAT HE ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF HIS SON AND THE LATE PRINCESS. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL NEWS SOURCES THE QATARIS ARE CONSIDERING THEIR REMOVAL. 'UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS COUNTRY GIVES THE PRINCESS THE THANKS AND DEVOTION SHE DESERVES IN THE FORM OF FITTING PUBLIC MEMORIAL, THIS STATUE, INNOCENT VICTIMS, SHOULD REMAIN TO REMIND THE WORLD OF WHAT WAS LOST WHEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE, ON THE BRINK OF HAPPINESS TOGETHER, WERE KILLED', HE WROTE. THE OUTSPOKEN TYCOON DID NOT SAY WHETHER HE HAD BEEN GIVEN ANY REASSURANCES BY THE QATARIS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BRONZE STATUE, WHICH WAS ERECTED IN 2005 AND DEPICTS THE PAIR RAISING THEIR HANDS TO A SEAGULL. HE CLAIMS, HOWEVER: 'I BELIEVE THE NEW OWNERS OF HARRODS REGARD IT WITH THE SAME REVERENCE AS THE THOUSANDS WHO VISIT IT EVERY WEEK.' A SECOND MEMORIAL, WHICH WAS UNVEILED IN 1998, CONSISTS OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PAIR BEHIND A PYRAMID-SHAPED DISPLAY THAT HOLDS A WINE GLASS STILL SMUDGED WITH LIPSTICK FROM THE PRINCESS'S LAST DINNER, AS WELL AS A RING FAYED'S SON PURCHASED FOR HER THE DAY BEFORE THEY DIED DURING A VISIT TO PARIS. HELEN BOWMAN, OF ENGLISH HERITAGE, SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HARRODS WAS IN A LISTED BUILDING, THE MEMORIALS COULD BE LEGALLY REMOVED. SHE SAID: 'THESE ARE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES, AND, AS MUCH, WERE NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC MERIT. WE APPRECIATE, HOWEVER, THAT THERE MAY BE AFFECTION FOR THEM.'

QUEEN VICTORIA'S GIFT TO JOHN BROWN SELLS FOR £23,400

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FROM QUEEN VICTORIA TO HER FAVORITE PERSONAL SERVANT, JOHN BROWN, SOLD FOR £23,400 AT BONHAMS SCOTTISH SALE IN EDINBURGH. A SILVER MOUNTED CLARET JUG, ENGRAVED 'V.R. TO J.B/VICTORIA 1872', WHICH REMAINED IN BROWN'S FAMILY UNTIL ACQUIRED BY THE CURRENT OWNER IN THE 1960s, SOLD FOR £14,300. IT HAD BEEN ESTIMATED AT £4,000 – 6,000. A TEAPOT ENGRAVED 'FROM VICTORIA R/CHRISTMAS 1876' AND MONOGRAMMED 'J.B.', WHICH WAS ESTIMATED FOR £5,000 – 7,000, SOLD FOR £9000. TWO VERY PERSONAL TRIBUTES TO BROWN PRODUCED AFTER HIS DEATH IN 1883 ALSO SOLD FOR WELL OVER THEIR ESTIMATES. A PRESENTATION MEMORIAL LOCKET CONTAINING AN ENAMELED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT OF JOHN BROWN AND A LOCK OF HIS HAIR INSCRIBED ON THE FRONT 'DEAR JOHN/27 MARCH 1883' AND ON THE REVERSE 'FROM V.R.I.' MADE £13,200. A MEMORIAL STICKPIN WITH AN ENAMELED PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT AND THE ENGRAVING 'UNCLE JOHN/27 MARCH/FROM V.R.I.' PRESENTED BY THE QUEEN TO ONE OF BROWN'S NEPHEWS FETCHED £4,560. A GOLD MEMORIAL STICKPIN OF BROWN DESIGNED FOR HER HIGHLAND SERVANTS AND COTTAGERS TO BE WORN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH, MADE £2,880. AND FINALLY, A PAINTED PORCELAIN PLAQUE OF ONE OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA'S FAVORITE DOGS, FERN, PRESENTED TO BROWN BY HER MAJESTY WAS SOLD FOR £10,560.

WINDSOR CASTLE TO HAVE VICTORIAN THEME FOR CHRISTMAS

SPECIAL DISPLAYS AND ACTIVITIES AT WINDSOR CASTLE TAKE ON A VICTORIAN THEME FROM 10.DECEMBER UNTIL 5.JANUARY.2011. TO CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD, THE TABLE IN THE CASTLE'S MAGNIFICENT STATE DINING ROOM WILL BE DRESSED WITH PIECES FROM THE MINTON 'VICTORIA' DESERT SERVICE. THE SERVICE WAS PURCHASED BY QUEEN VICTORIA AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, THEREAFTER TAKING THE MONARCH'S NAME. IT ATTRACTED MUCH ATTENTION AT THE TIME AND WAS DESCRIBED BY THE INFLUENTIAL ART JOURNAL AS BEING OF 'EXCEEDING BEAUTY'. PORCELAIN CUSTARD CUPS, BONBON DISHES AND A CENTERPIECE DECORATED WITH SEASONAL IMAGES WILL BE DISPLAYED ALONGSIDE GLITTERING SILVER-GILT CANDLESTICKS AND FESTIVE FRUIT AND FLOWERS. THE STATE DINING ROOM IS AT THE HEART OF THE CASTLE'S SEMI-STATE APARTMENTS, CREATED FOR GEORGE IV IN THE 1820s AS THE KING'S SUITE OF PRIVATE ROOMS. TODAY IT IS USED BY THE QUEEN FOR ENTERTAINING, IN PARTICULAR DURING ROYAL ASCOT WEEK AND AT 'DINE AND SLEEP' PARTIES DURING EASTER COURT AT WINDSOR. CHRISTMAS TREES FROM THE WINDSOR GREAT PARK WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE CASTLE FROM 6.DECEMBER. WINDSOR IS CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRADITION OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, AND PRINCE ALBERT, CONSORT OF QUEEN VICTORIA, IS CREDITED WITH POPULARIZING TREE DECORATION. FESTIVE DECORATIONS, INCLUDING BAUBLES IN THE SHAPE OF A CROWN, CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE CASTLE'S SHOPS ALONG WITH A HOST OF OTHER UNIQUE ROYAL COLLECTION GIFTS.

PRINCE OF WALES'S CURTAINS TO BE MADE INTO CARRIER BAGS

THE PRINCE OF WALES IS GOING TO RECYCLE HIS OLD CURTAINS INTO UNIQUE CARRIER BAGS AS PART OF A NEW CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY. VISITORS TO A 12 DAY LONG GARDEN PARTY BEING STAGED ON THE MALL IN LONDON IN SEPTEMBER WILL BE ABLE TO SEW THEIR OWN MORSBAGS OUT OF CURTAINS WHICH UNTIL RECENTLY HUNG IN CLARENCE HOUSE. THE PRINCE REGARDS THE MORSBAGS, NAMED AFTER ITS FOUNDER, CLAIRE MORSMAN, AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY EVERYONE CAN REDUCE WASTE. MORSBAGS, LARGE, SQUARE SHOPPING BAGS CARRIED OVER THE SHOULDER, ARE MADE BY VOLUNTEERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND GIVEN AWAY TO THE PUBLIC TO HELP REDUCE THE MILLIONS OF PLASTIC CARRIER BAGS USED EVERY DAY. THE GARDEN PARTY IN THE GROUNDS OF CLARENCE HOUSE, WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WILL BE USED TO FORMALLY LAUNCH THE PRINCE'S START INITIATIVE, WHICH AIMS TO ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE LIVING. IT WILL FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OF EXHIBITS GIVING IDEAS ON HOW EVERYONE CAN CUT DOWN ON WASTE AND CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES AT HOME, IN THE GARDEN AND AT WORK. THE PRINCE SAID: 'THIS FESTIVAL AIMS TO GIVE ALL AGES A FUN DAY OUT, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, VIA THE MANY IMAGINATIVE EXHIBITS, DEMONSTRATING THE SMALL STEPS THAT CAN, AND ARE, BEING TAKEN BY ALL OF US INTERESTED IN BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.' IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE GARDENS OF CLARENCE HOUSE HAVE BEEN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND WILL ALSO FEATURE THE GARDENS OF THE NEIGHBORING LANCASTER HOUSE, PART OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE, AND MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, THE HOME OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT. THE GARDEN PARTY, WHICH RUNS FROM 8-19.SEPTEMBER, WILL ALSO INCLUDE MUSIC CONCERTS, DEBATES, COMEDY AND FASHION SHOWS.

SOTHEBY'S TO SELL DUCHESS OF WINDOR'S JEWELRY

JEWELS BOUGHT BY BRITAIN'S KING EDWARD VIII FOR HIS AMERICAN WIFE WALLIS SIMPSON ARE EXPECTED TO FETCH UP TO £3 MILLION AT AUCTION IN NOVEMBER, SOTHEBY'S SAID THURSDAY. THE KING, WHO RENOUNCED HIS CLAIM TO TE BRITISH THRONE IN 1936 TO MARRY THE DIVORCEE, SHOWERED HER WITH STUNNING ONE OF A KIND GIFTS OF JEWELRY THROUGHOUT THEIR COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. MANY OF THE 'MAGICAL JEWELS' HONOR EVENTS IN THE COUPLES' LIVES AND ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE AS BOTH WORKS OF ART AND HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, SAID SOTHEBY'S JEWELRY EXPERT DAVID BENNETT. 'THEY DOCUMENT ONE OF THE GREATEST LOVE AFFAIRS', HE TOLD REUTERS, ADDING THAT IT WAS HARD TO SAY HOW MUCH THE JEWELRY'S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE ADDED TO ITS VALUE. AFTER EDWARD'S ABDICATION, THE COUPLE WERE GIVEN THE TITLES OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF WINDSOR AND LEFT BRITAIN, LIVING ABROAD FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. ONE OF THE PIECES, A CARTIER BRACELET WITH JEWELED CROSSES. COMMEMORATES A SERIES OF EVENTS IN SIMPSON'S LIFE, INCLUDING AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON THE KING AND HER OWN APPENDECTOMY. THE 20 LOTS, RANGING FROM A CARTIER PANTHER BRACELET TO DIAMOND-ENCRUSTED CUFFLINKS, ARE ONLY A FRACTION OF TE ORIGINAL 'JEWELS OF THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR' COLLECTION, WHICH SOLD SOON AFTER SIMPSON'S DEATH IN 1986. STILL THE MOST VALUABLE SINGLE-OWNER SALE EVER, THE COLLECTION SOLD FOR £31 MILLION, MORE THAN SEVEN TIMES THE PRE-SALE ESTIMATE. 'WITH JEWELRY SALES GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, THESE PIECES SHOULD DO VERY WELL ALSO', BENNETT SAID. SOTHEBY'S EXPECTS STRONG INTEREST FROM BUYERS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA. THE SELECTION, WHICH INCLUDES SILVERWARE AND ROYAL MEDALS, WILL BE EXHIBITED AROUND THE WORLD BEFORE THE AUCTION IN LONDON ON 30.NOVEMBER.

PRINCE CHARLES PAID TRIBUTE TO FROMELLES SOLDIERS

PRINCE CHARLES PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FORGOTTEN MEN OF FROMELLES. THE LAST OF 250 BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS FOUND IN A MASS GRAVE NEAR THE FIRST WORLD WAR BATTLEFIELD OF FROMELLES HAS BEEN REBURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS IN NORTHERN FRANCE. THE PRINCE OF WALES JOINED DESCENDANTS OF SOLDIERS AS A COFFIN BEARING THE REMAINS OF THE UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER WERE TAKEN TO THE NEW CEMETERY ON A MILITARY WAGON DRAWN BY HORSES FROM THE KING'S TROOP ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY. HE SAID: 'I AM PROFOUNDLY HUMBLED BY THE OUTSTANDING BRAVERY OF THESE MEN, WHO FOUGHT SO VALIANTLY.' THE DISCOVERY OF THE SOLDIERS' REMAINS BY A HISTORIAN TWO YEARS AGO LED TO THE BIGGEST SINGLE EXCAVATION SINCE THE FIRST WORLD WAR. DNA SPECIALISTS IDENTIFIED 205 OF THE BODIES AS AUSTRALIAN, 96 OF THEM BY NAME. THREE WERE IDENTIFIED AS BRITISH, ALTHOUGH THEIR FULL IDENTITIES HAD NOT YET BEEN DISCOVERED, AND A FURTHER 45 REMAIN UNKNOWN. TESTS DISCLOSED THAT MOST OF THE SOLDIERS WERE TEENAGERS, SOME OF WHOM LIED ABOUT THEIR AGE WHEN THEY SIGNED UP. ANOTHER 249 SOLDIERS FROM FROMELLES SITE WERE BURIED IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY IN CEREMONIES AT THE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY IN THE VILLAGE, WHICH IS THE FIRST TO BE BUILT SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR. MANY OF THE BRITONS WERE THOUGHT TO HAVE COME FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENTS. FROMELLES WAS THE SCENE OF A POORLY PLANNED AND FUTILE BATTLE ON 19.JULY.1916. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE 400 YARDS OF GROUND, 5,553 AUSTRALIANS AND 1,547 BRITISH SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN A 'LATTICE OF DEATH' OF GERMAN CROSSFIRE. THE BATTLE IS LITTLE KNOWN IN BRITAIN BECAUSE IT TOOK PLACE AT THE SAME TIME AS THE NEARBY BATTLE OF SOMME, FROM WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DIVERT GERMAN TROOPS.

THE QUEEN IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME

PRINCESS ANNE'S SON PETER PHILLIPS AND HIS WIFE AUTUMN ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD IN DECEMBER, BUCKINGHAM PALACE RECENTLY CONFIRMED. THE QUEEN IS SAID TO BE OVERJOYED AFTER LEARNING THAT SHE IS TO BECOME A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. PHILLIPS AND HIS CANADIAN-BORN WIFE SAID IN A STATEMENT: 'PETER AND AUTUMN PHILIPS ARE DELIGHTED TO CONFIRM THEY ARE EXPECTING A BABY IN DECEMBER. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AS WELL AS AUTUMN'S FAMILY HAVE BEEN INFORMED AND ARE DELIGHTED WITH THE NEWS.' ALTHOUGH HE IS 11th TO THE THRONE, PHILLIPS DOES NOT HAVE A ROYAL TITLE AS HIS MOTHER DECLINED TO GIVE HER CHILDREN THE HRH TITLE AT BIRTH. AUTUMN WAS BORN AND BROUGHT UP A ROMAN CATHOLIC BUT RENOUNCED HER FAITH SHORTLY BEFORE THEIR WEDDING IN MAY 2008, SO HER HUSBAND TO BE DID NOT HAVE TO GIVE UP HIS CLAIM TO THE THRONE. THE COUPLE ARE LIVING IN HONG KONG WHERE PHILLIPS WORKS IN THE SPONSORSHIP DIVISION OF THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THEY WILL RETURN TO THE UK FOR THE BIRTH. THEIR DECISION TO ACCEPT £500,000 FROM HELLO! MAGAZINE FOR EXCLUSIVE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR WEDDING CEREMONY, FEATURING THE QUEEN, PRINCE CHARLES, AND PRINCE HARRY, CAUSED CONTROVERSY TWO YEARS AGO. SEVERAL SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY EXPRESSED THEIR DISPLEASURE AND BUCKINGHAM PALACE LATER MADE CLEAR THAT IT REGARDED THE SALE AS A SERIOUS ERROR OF JUDGMENT. THE QUEEN HERSELF ALLOWED THE COUPLE TO USE FROGMORE HOUSE AT WINDSOR FOR THE RECEPTION FOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE COUPLE HAVE SINCE MADE AMENDS, HOWEVER, AND HAVE BEN INVITED TO JOIN THE ROYAL FAMILY FOR THEIR RECENT CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS AT SANDRINGHAM.

CHRISTIE'S SELLS SPENCER OBJECTS IN 'CLEAROUT SALE'

A PAINTING BY FLEMISH MASTER PETER PAUL RUBENS, PUT UP FOR AUCTION BY THE ARISTOCRATIC FAMILY OF THE LATE PRINCESS DIANA AS PART OF A 'CLEAROUT SALE', SOLD ON TUESDAY FOR £9 MILLION. THE STUNNING ARTWORK 'A COMMANDER BEING ARMED FOR BATTLE', WAS PAINTED IN 1613 OR 1614, AND CHRISTIE'S, WHICH SOLD THE WORK AS PART OF ITS OLD MASTERS AUCTION IN LONDON, DESCRIBED IT AS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RUBENS STILL IN PRIVATE HANDS. THE BEARDED MAN GAZING TOWARD THE VIEWER HAS BEEN NAMED BY SOME EXPERTS AS EMPEROR CHARLES V AND CHRISTIE'S HAD VALUED THE PAINTING AT £8-12 MILLION. THE PAINTING HAS BEEN AT THE LATE PRINCESS'S ANCESTRAL HOME ALTHROP FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS, AND WAS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED AS THE 'SCHOOL OF RUBENS' IN AN 1802 INVENTORY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A RUBENS ORIGINAL BY LEASING SCHOLARS. ANOTHER WORK BY RUBENS, 'THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS', SOLD FOR £49.5 MILLION AT SOTHEBY'S IN LONDON IN 2002, A WORLD RECORD FOR AN OLD MASTER. ALSO SOLD BY DIANA'S BROTHER EARL SPENCER AT THE AUCTION WAS 'KING DAVID' BY BAROQUE ARTIST IL GUERCINO, WHICH SOLD FOR £5.2 MILLION. A PORTRAIT OF GEORG PENCZ, DATED BETWEEN 1500 AND 1550, SOLD FOR £5.6 MILLION. OVERALL THE AUCTION RAISED £42.3 MILLION VERSUS FORECASTS OF £36.9-55.8 MILLION, AND WAS DESCRIBED BY CHRISTIE'S AS 'SOLID'.

PRINCE CHARLES LAUNCHES NEW CHARITY FUND

THE PRINCE OF WALES IS TO LAUNCH A NEW FUND TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF BRITAIN'S HARD-PRESSED RURAL COMMUNITIES. THE SENIOR ROYAL HAS OBTAINED WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FROM BIG PRODUCERS AND RETAILERS, INCLUDING WAITROSE, TO SET UP THE PRINCE'S COUNTRYSIDE FUND. THE INITIATIVE, WHICH IS PRINCE CHARLES'S OWN BRAINCHILD, WILL GIVE A MUCH-NEEDED LIFELINE TO SOME OF BRITAIN'S MOST VULNERABLE FARMERS AND SMALL COMMUNITIES. THE PRINCE HAS SPOKEN EXCLUSIVELY ABOUT HIS MOTIVATION FOR SETTING UP THE NEW FUND, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO RAISE MILLIONS FOR DEPRESSED RURAL AREAS OVER THE COMING YEARS. 'I HAVE FELT FOR A LONG TIME THERE IS A PARTICULAR NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE SMALLER FAMILY FARMER, IN PARTICULAR, WAS ABLE TO SURVIVE IN THE FUTURE', HE SAID. THE PRINCE BELIEVES THAT THE FOOT AND MOUTH OUTBREAK IN 2001 AND OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE HAD A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THE COUNTRYSIDE. HE SAID: 'IT IS TERRIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FUND WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO DRAW ON IN THE EVENT OF THESE EMERGENCIES AND ALSO (IN) THE COUNTRYSIDE GENERALLY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES THERE IS A GREAT DEAL MORE HARDSHIP THAN PEOPLE REALIZE. IT LOOKS WONDERFUL BUT IT ISN'T ALWAYS LIKE THAT.' THE PRINCE MADE HIS COMMENTS TO COUNTRYFILE, THE BBC ONE PROGRAM. THE NEW FUND WILL BE FORMALLY LAUNCHED ON 22.JULY. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT AROUND A DOZEN LEADING FIGURES FROM THE RETAIL AND PRODUCTION WORLDS WILL SERVE ON A BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE NEW FUND AND THAT MANY COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY PLEDGED MONEY TO THE PRINCE'S NEW FUND WHICH MEANS IT WILL HAVE A 'STARTING POT' OF £1 MILLION.

ROYAL FAMILY OFFERED FREE RADON TESTS FOR BALMORAL

THE ROYAL FAMILY HAVE BEEN OFFERED FREE TEST TO CHECK WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO CANCER-CAUSING RADON GAS AT BALMORAL. THE QUEEN'S DEESIDE HOME IS IN AN AREA EXPOSED TO POTENTIALLY HARMFUL LEVELS OF THE GAS. SHE IS AMONG 3,000 RESIDENTS IN PARTS OF ABERDEENSHIRE TO BE OFFERED THE FREE TESTS. THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF HOMES AFFECTED ARE IN ABERDEENSHIRE, FOLLOWED BY THE HIGHLANDS, ORKNEY AND THE BORDERS. AND A RISK MAP SHOWS THAT THE BALMORAL ESTATE IS IN AN AREA WHERE THE PERCENTAGE OF HOMES AT OR ABOVE THE ACTION LEVEL IS BETWEEN 10 AND 30, THE SECOND HIGHEST CATEGORY. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY SAID BALMORAL WAS IN THE AREA OF PROPERTIES TO BE OFFERED THE FREE TESTS, BUT DECLINED TO SAY ON CONFIDENTIALITY GROUNDS IF IT HAD ACCEPTED THE OFFER. BUT SO FAR ONE IN THREE HOMES THAT RECEIVED THE OFFER HAVE ACCEPTED. RADON IS THE SECOND-BIGGEST CAUSE OF LUNG CANCER, RESPONSIBLE FOR 1,000-2,000 DEATHS IN THE UK ANNUALLY, COMPARED WITH ABOUT 30,000 DEATHS FROM SMOKING. THE TESTING KITS CONTAIN TWO SMALL CIRCULAR MONITORS WHICH ARE PLACED IN A LIVING ROOM AND BEDROOM FOR THREE MONTHS BEFORE BEING RETURNED TO HPA FOR ANALYSIS. THE RESULTS WILL BE ISSUED IN WRITING, WITH ADVISE TO REDUCE THE HEALTH RISK, IF NECESSARY.

PRINCE HARRY THROWS FIRST BALL AT NEW YORK METS GAME

PRINCE HARRY OVERCAME A CASE OF NERVES AND TENSION TO THROW THE FIRST PITCH TO START A NEW YORK METS BASEBALL GAME, AND WAS WILDLY CHEERED BY THE HOME CROWD. WHEN ASKED HOW HE FELT BEFORE MAKING HIS WAY TO THE PITCHER'S MOUND THE YOUNG PRINCE REPLIED 'DON'T ASK', THEN JOKED 'CAN I HAVE A PRACTICE FIRST?', POINTING TOWARDS HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY JAMIE LOWTHER-PINKERTON HE SAID: 'HE WANTS TO BAT AGAINST ME.' THE PRINCE APPEARED A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE TO THROW THE BALL TO THE CATCHER AT THE NEW YORK METS' CITI FIELD STADIUM. BUT HE RECEIVED A RAPTUROUS WELCOME FROM THE NEAR CAPACITY AUDIENCE OF AROUND 40,000 PEOPLE WHO APPLAUDED AND CHEERED AS THE PRINCE WAS INTRODUCED. HE POINTED AT THE METS CATCHER ROD BARAJAS AS IF TO WARN HIM ABOUT THE THUNDERBOLT ABOUT TO COME HIS WAY. HARRY WAS WEARING THE LOCAL TEAM'S BLUE BASEBALL CAP AND T-SHIRT SUPPORTING THE WALKING WITH THE WOUNDED EXPEDITION. THE FUNDRAISING TREK, WHICH HAS HARRY AS ITS PATRON, WILL TAKE A GROUP OF INJURED BRITISH SERVICEMEN ON A GRUELING TREK TO THE NORTH POLE NEXT YEAR. THE YOUNG ROYAL WOUND UP HIS RIGHT HAND TO DELIVER THE BALL TO BARAJAS, WHO WAS STANDING JUST BEHIND HOME PLATE, AND AS HE LET GO THE PITCH SLAMMED INTO BARAJAS' GLOVE AND THE CROWD CHEERED WILDLY. THE PRINCE TOOK HIS CAP OFF AND WIPED HIS BROW IN RELIEF RUNNING DOWN THE MOUND TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE CATCHER.

PRINCE HARRY BEGINS NEW YORK TOUR

PRINCE HARRY HAS RECENTLY BEGUN A THREE-DAY TRIP TO NEW YORK IN SUPPORT OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN WAR VETERANS. THE YOUNG ROYAL WILL USE THE VISIT AS A FACT0FINDING MISSION TO SEE IF CHARITIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC THAT HELP RETURNING WOUNDED SERVICEMEN MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER. HARRY, WHO SERVED IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2007-08 FOR TEN WEEKS, WILL MEET WOUNDED SOLDERS, YOUNG ARMY CADETS AND SUPPORTERS OF AMERICA'S INJURED SERVICEMEN OVER THE COMING DAYS. THE PRINCE WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE VEUVE CLICQUOT POLO CLASSIC ON SUNDAY, WHICH WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SENTEBALE, THE US BRANCH OF THE CHARITY HE C0-FOUNDED. DURING THE THREE-DAY VISIT HARRY WILL BE JOINED BY TWO YOUNG BRITISH OFFICERS WHO WERE WOUNDED ON OPERATIONS BUT HAVE SINCE WORKED TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR FELLOW INJURED SERVICEMEN IN THE UK. THE PRINCE, A TRAINEE APACHE HELICOPTER PILOT WITH THE ARMY AIR CORPS, WILL JOIN CADETS FROM THE FAMOUS US MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT ON THE FIRING RANGE AND CHAT WITH THE STUDENTS. HARRY WILL ALSO VISIT THE INTREPID SEA AIR SPACE MUSEUM WHERE HE WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION IN SUPPORT OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN VETERANS. THE ROYAL'S PRIVATE SECRETARY, JAMIE LOWTHER-PINKERTON, SAID: 'AS PRINCE HARRY KNOWS VERY WELL FOR HIMSELF, US AND BRITISH SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN FIGHT TOGETHER DAILY ON THE FRONTLINES IN AFGHANISTAN. TRAGICALLY, ALL TOO OFTEN, THEY ARE ALSO WOUNDED TOGETHER, AND THEIR IMMEDIATE TREATMENT IN THEATER IS VERY OFTEN UNDERTAKEN USING SHARED RESOURCES. BUT THEIR CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER NORMALLY CEASES WHEN THEY ARE GET BACK TO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES FOR THE LONG MONTHS AND YEARS OF REHABILITATION.' HE ADDED: 'PRINCE HARRY WANTS TO EXPLORE WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE TO STRENGTHEN AND WIDEN THE TRANSATLANTIC PEER GROUP, TO HELP, THROUGH THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES, AND BASIC CAMARADERIE, THE WOUNDED SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN OF BOTH COUNTRIES TO REGAIN CONFIDENCE AND SET THEMSELVES ON THE PATH TO RECOVERY AND A FULL AND SATISFYING FUTURE.'