RARE KING EDWARD VII RIFLE TO BE AUCTIONED IN APRIL

A RIFLE BELONGING TO EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, BEFORE HE BECAME KING EDWARD VII WILL BE OFFERED BY GAVIN GARDINER (IN ASSOCIATION WITH SOTHEBY'S) IS A SALE OF FINE MODERN AND VINTAGE SPORTING GUNS AND RIFLES ON 20.APRIL, AT SOTHEBY'S NEW BOND STREET LOCATION. MADE BY FAMOUS LONDON GUNMAKER JAMES PURDEY & SONS, THIS HAMMER RIFLE WAS BUILT IN 1873 FOR THE PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII 1901-1911) AND WAS USED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO INDIA AND USED DURING THE PRINCE'S VISIT IN 1876. RECORDS STATE THAT HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT PLACED AN ORDER WITH PURDEY'S FOR A NUMBER OF RIFLES TO BE PRESENTED AS GIFTS DURING THE VISIT, HOWEVER THIS WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN EXAMPLE AND IS ESTIMATED AT £7,000-9,000. COMMENTING ON THE AUCTION, GAVIN GARDINER SAID: 'I AM DELIGHTED TO BE OFFERING SUCH A HISTORIC RIFLE AT MY FORTHCOMING AUCTION. BUILT IN 1873 FOR EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES, THE RIFLE WAS GIVEN TO ONE OF HIS FAITHFUL HUSSARS FOLLOWING HIS RECORD TIGER SHOOT ON HIS STATE VISIT TO INDIA IN 1876. UNLIKE MANY OTHER RIFLES PRESENTED ON THIS VISIT AS GIFTS, THIS PARTICULAR RIFLE WAS THE PRINCE'S OWN, THAT HE USED TO GOOD EFFECT, AND WAS GIVEN IN REWARD TO FAITHFUL SERVICE TO A MEMBER OF HIS OWN REGIMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTHS SPORT. IT IS RARE THAT SUCH IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC ITEMS APPEAR AT AUCTION, AND I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE DISCOVERED THIS PIECE.' GAVIN GARDINER IS THE ONLY SPECIALIST FIREARMS AUCTIONEER HOLDING HIS AUCTIONS IN THE HEART OF LONDON'S WEST END, WHERE HE HOLDS TWO SALES EACH YEAR AS WELL AS HIS PRESTIGIOUS SALE AT THE GLENEAGLES HOTEL, SCOTLAND IN AUGUST.

EUROPA GALLERY PRESENTS 'A CENTURY OF OLYMPIC POSTER'

'A CENTURY OF OLYMPIC POSTER', WHICH FEATURES MORE THAN 100 POSTERS CHARTING THE HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES, WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE EUROPA GALLERY IN SUTTON'S CENTRAL LIBRARY DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. DRAWN FROM THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM'S INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED COLLECTION OF POSTERS, THE EXHIBITION INCLUDES MANY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES, MOST OF WHICH ARE DISPLAYED TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE FREE EXHIBITION, WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DISPLAYED IN BEIJING AND WILL BE MOVING ON TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL VENUES, WILL ALSO FEATURE OLYMPIC MEMORABILIA, INCLUDING THE OLYMPIC TORCH FROM THE 1948 GAMES IN LONDON. IT IS BEING HELD TO COINCIDE WITH THE BUILD UP TO LONDON 2012. HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE THE PIONEERING OFFICIAL OLYMPIC POSTER PRODUCED FOR THE 1912 STOCKHOLM OLYMPICS, AND IMPORTANT WORKS BY DAVID HOCKNEY, R B KITAJ, ANDY WARHOL AND VICTOR VASARELY. ALSO FEATURED IS FRANZ WURBEL'S DESIGN FOR THE BERLIN OLYMPICS IN 1936, WHERE JESSE OWENS WON FOUR GOLD MEDALS AND A SOVIET ERA DESIGN FOR THE 1980 MOSCOW GAMES. AS WELL AS THE DESIGNS FOR THE SUMMER GAMES, THERE WILL BE WINTER OLYMPIC POSTERS AND PROTEST POSTERS AND DESIGNS USED BY CITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR BIDS TO HOST THE GAMES. THE POSTERS' BROAD POPULAR APPEAL AND ABILITY TO RELAY MESSAGES THROUGH EYE-CATCHING AND MEMORABLE IMAGERY MEANS THAT MANY OF THEM ARE NOW PRIZED SOUVENIRS OR COLLECTIBLE WORKS OF ART AND DESIGN.

HERMES TALARIS SADDLE

HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED ITS NEW TALARIS SADDLE AS PART OF THEIR EQUESTRIAN ACCESSORY COLLECTION. THE TALARIS SADDLE IS DESIGNED TO RESEMBLE A NORMAL SADDLE BUT WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE IS THE INTERIOR THAT TOOK HERMES ENGINEERS NEARLY THREE YEARS TO PERFECT. THE TALARIS HAS BEEN CAREFULLY ENGINEERED TO OFFER THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF COMFORT NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN A SADDLE. THE WEIGHT OF THE SADDLE IS ONE POINT FIVE KILOS LESS THAN WHAT A NORMAL SADDLE WEIGHS, METAL AND WOOD HAVE BEEN PLACED WITH CARBON AND TITANIUM TO MAKE IT LIGHTER AND MORE DURABLE. THE HERMES TALARIS SADDLE CAN BE ADJUSTED TO FIT ANY RIDER AND HORSE AND IS AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

WORLD CUP FINAL VICTORY BALL SELLS FOR $74,000

THE BALL USED IN SPAIN'S WORLD CUP FINAL VICTORY OVER THE NETHERLANDS HAS RECENTLY FETCHED ALMOST $74,000 IN A CHARITY AUCTION ON EBAY. THE FAMOUS JABULANI BALL WAS SOLD FOR THE '46664' HIV/AIDS CHARITY, NAMED AFTER NELSON MANDELA'S PRISONER NUMBER WHEN HE WAS HELD AT ROBBEN ISLAND. THE CALLS USED DURING THE WORLD CUP WERE CRITIQUED FOR THEIR UNPREDICTABILITY AND WERE NICKNAMED 'SUPERMARKET BALLS'. THE GOLD VERSION USED IN THE FINAL WAS NAMED 'JO' BULANI' BECAUSE THE GAME WAS PLAYED IN JOHANNESBURG, KNOWN COLLOQUIALLY AS JO'BURG. A TOTAL OF 133 BIDS FROM 55 PARTICIPANTS CAME IN FOR THE BALL. IT EVENTUALLY WENT TO A GROUP OF SPANISH FANS.

THE QUEEN VISITS THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES IN TORONTO

RECENTLY THE QUEEN SHOWED HER SOCIAL GRACES WHEN CANADIAN RACECOURSE OWNER COMMITTED AN ETIQUETTE FAUX PAS BY PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER. IF SHE WAS TAKEN ABACK BY THE REPEATED FAUX PAS BY HER CANADIAN ADMIRERS, HER MAJESTY WAS TOO DIGNIFIED TO SHOW IT. THE QUEEN ENDURED THE SMALL SERIES OF ROYAL PROTOCOL WHILE ATTENDING A PRESTIGIOUS HORSE RACE ON HER STATE VISIT TO CANADA. THEY BEGAN WHEN DAVID WILMOT, CHAIRMAN OF THE GROUP THAT OWNS THE RACECOURSE, BROUGHT HIS HAND CLOSE TO THE SMALL OF THE QUEEN'S BACK WHEN MEETING HER AHEAD OF THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES IN TORONTO. WHEN THE ROYAL MET DOM ROMEO, THE OWNER OF THE WINING HORSE, AFTER THE COMPETITION HE APPEARED TO PUT HIS ARM AROUND HER IN THE UNUSUAL SWELTERING HEAT. IT WAS THEN THE TURN OF THE WINNING JOCKEY TO TRY TO MAKE UP FOR HIS COLLEAGUES' GAFFES, BY EXECUTING TWO BACK-BREAKING BOWS. BRAZILIAN-BORN EURICO ROSA DA SILVA SWOOPED SO LOW IN FRONT OF THE MONARCH THAT HIS HEAD WAS LEVEL WITH HIS WAIST. WHEN THE DIMINUTIVE RIDER STEPPED FORWARD TO SHAKE THE ROYAL'S HAND, AGAIN OUT OF KEEPING WITH ETIQUETTE, HE BENT OVER AGAIN. IT IS USUALLY CONSIDERED A BREACH OF PROTOCOL TO TOUCH THE QUEEN. BUT THE AVID HORSE RACING ENTHUSIAST APPEARED UNCONCERNED. LAST YEAR AMERICAN FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA PUT HER ARM AROUND THE SOVEREIGN AND RUBBED HER SHOULDER DURING A DRINKS RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. THE MOVE RAISED EYEBROWS, BUT THE QUEEN RECIPROCATED FOR A FEW MOMENTS. YESTERDAY WAS THE QUEEN'S FORTH VISIT TO THE QUEEN'S PLATE STAKES, WHICH IS CANADA'S OLDEST THOROUGHBRED COMPETITION. THE FIRST WAS IN 1959, ON ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY, AND SHE RETURNED IN 1973 AND 1997. THE QUEEN'S NINE-DAY TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA CULMINATES WITH A VISIT TO GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK, WHERE THE TWIN TOWERS ONCE STOOD, AND THE QUEEN'S FIRST SPEECH BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE 1957.

QUEEN'S PONY WINNS BEST IN ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

THE QUEEN MAY BE NOTED FOR HER LOVE OF HORSES AND HORSE RACING, BUT NOW SHE HAS NOTCHED UP HER FIRST SCOTTISH WINNER FOR SOME TIME WITH A PONY. IT MAY BE A FAR CRY FROM THE RACES AT ROYAL ASCOT, BUT THE MONARCH HAS HAD HER FIRST WIN AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW FOR MANY YEARS, IT HAS RECENTLY EMERGED. BALMORAL MANDARIN, A YEARLING HIGHLAND PONY COLT, WON ITS CLASS AND THEN WENT ON TO WIN THE BREED'S RESERVE MALE CHAMPIONSHIP. THE HOME-BRED COLT, BY ULLEAM OF CROILA AND OUT OF MISTY MORN OF TURNHILL, IS ONE OF 35 PONIES THE QUEEN KEEPS AT BALMORAL ON ROYAL DEESIDE. SYLVIA ORMISTON RE-ESTABLISHED THE BALMORAL STUD THREE YEARS AGO. HER HUSBAND, CAMERON, IS STOCK MANAGER AT THE ESTATE AND HAS ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SHOW SUCCESS WITH THE HIGHLAND CATTLE THE QUEEN KEEPS AT BALMORAL TOO. ORMISTON SAID: 'I'VE BEEN SPEAKING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE HERE AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WOULD BE QUITE A FEW YEARS SINCE THE QUEEN LAST HAD A SERIOUS WIN AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND. THIS HAS BEEN MY FIRST OUTING TO THE HIGHLAND WITH PONIES FROM BALMORAL.' THE QUEEN, A SKILLED HORSEWOMAN, TAKES A CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IN THE HIGHLAND PONY BREED. SHE IS PATRON OF THE HIGHLAND PONY SOCIETY.

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 WILLIAM COACHES SOCCER AT A FOOTBALL STADIUM IN BOTSWANA

PRINCE WILLIAM WAS INVITED TO BLOW A 3ft TRUMPET CALLED A VUVUZELA BY 11 YEAR OLD REBAONE BADUBI, AND AGREED TO 'GIVE IT A GO' AFTER WARNING THAT 'I CAN'T BLOW IT'. HE COULD ONLY MANAGE TO PRODUCE A STRAINED VIBRATO NOTE BEFORE LAUGHING AND SAYING: 'THERE YOU GO, I'VE EMBARRASSED MYSELF AGAIN'. THE PRINCE WAS AT THE MUAN STADIUM IN THE NORTH OF BOTSWANA TO TAKE PART IN COACHING FOR CONSERVATION, A PROJECT THAT USES SOCCER TO TEACH LOCAL SCHOOLCHILDREN ABOUT WILDLIFE. HE PLAYED THE PART OF A WILD DOG AS CHILDREN WERE ENCOURAGED TO MIMIC THE BEHAVIOR OF PREDATORS AND PREY IN A FOOTBALL GAME, BEFORE KEEPING GOAL AS CHILDREN TRIED TO BEAT HIM FROM THE PENALTY SPOT. HE SAVED FOUR SHOTS AND LET IN FIVE, SAYING 'NO CHANCE' AND 'BE NICE' AS CHILDREN FIRED BALLS PAST HIM. BUT HE APPEARED TO BE UPSTAGED BY THE AMERICAN SINGER JOE JONAS, OF THE JONAS BROTHERS, WHO DREW SCREAMS FROM THE CROWD AS HE PLAYED AN IMPROMPTU CONCERT BEFORE THE PRINCE'S ARRIVAL. JONAS WHO IS IN BOTSWANA TO PROMOTE HIS FAMILY'S CHANGE FOR THE CHILDREN CHARITY, SAID AFTER MEETING THE PRINCE: 'THE FACT THAT WE CAN BE HERE TOGETHER AND WORK WITH THE KIDS IS AMAZING. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE HAD BEEN UP TO THESE PAST FEW WEEKS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME GOOD WORLD CUP GAMES.' THE YOUNG PRINCE SPENT ABOUT AN HOUR TAKING PART IN THE COACHING SESSIONS, WHICH ARE SUPPORTED BY THE TUSK TRUST, OF WHICH HE IS PATRON, TOGETHER WITH LUCAS RADABE, THE FORMER LEEDS UNITED CAPTAIN AND SOUTH AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL. PRINCE WILLIAM WAS NOT JOINED BY PRINCE HARRY, WITH WHOM HE IS CARRYING OUT HIS FIRST JOINT ROYAL TOUR, BECAUSE HARRY WAS ENROUTE TO LESOTHO TO VISIT PROJECTS BEING SUPPORTED BY HIS CHARITY SENTEBALE. PRINCE WILLIAM WILL JOIN HIS BROTHER BEFORE FLYING OFF TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR ENGLAND'S MATCH AGAINST ALGERIA ON FRIDAY.

$2.5 MILLION SOCCER BALL

JUST IN TIME FOR THE 2010 FOOTBALL WORLD CUP, SA JEWELERS HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED A UNIQUE $2.5 MILLION SOCCER BALL. WEIGHING IN AT AROUND 2.2 KILOGRAMS, THE SHIMANSKY SOCCER BALL IS MADE FROM 6,620 WHITE AND 2,640 BLACK BRILLIANT CUT SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMONDS, GIVING A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 3,500 CARATS. 'IT TOOK ABOUT THREE MONTHS FROM CONCEPTION OF DESIGN TO MANUFACTURE OF THE FIRST CRYSTAL SOCCER BALL', SAYS MICHELE MEYER. MARKETING MANAGER FOR SHIMANSKY. SHE ADDED: 'THIS HAS NOT BEEN DONE BEFORE. IT IS TOTALLY YAIR SHIMANSKY'S IDEA TO GET ENTHUSIASM FOR THE WORLD CUP AND DO SOMETHING FROM A JEWELER'S PERSPECTIVE TO COMMEMORATE THE EVENT IN SA. IF YOU SEE THE REPLICA IT IS QUITE MESMERIZING, YOU CAN STAND AND WATCH IT FOREVER.' SHIMANSKY IS CURRENTLY IN TALKS WITH A EUROPEAN SOCCER CLUB ABOUT SELLING THE BEJEWELED SOCCER BALL TO THEM AS A 2010 COMMEMORATIVE DISPLAY PIECE FOR THEIR CLUB. APART FROM THEIR STUNNING CREATION, SHIMANSKY IS ALSO OFFERING EXACT REPLICAS MADE IN CRYSTAL ALONG WITH A UNISEX WORLD CUP DOME RING OF 9.3 CARATS OF DIAMONDS AND A PAIR OF SILVER SOCCER BOOT CUFF-LINKS.

LOUIS VUITTON UNVEILS FIFA WORLD CUP TRAVEL CASE

AHEAD OF 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA, WHICH KICKS OFF ON 11.JUNE, LOUIS VUITTON TODAY UNVEILED THE TRAVEL CASE IT HAS CREATED TO HOLD FOOTBALL'S GREATEST PRIZE, THE FIFA WORLD CUP TROPHY. COMMISSIONED BY FIFA, THE SPECIAL ORDER CASE, HANDMADE BY A SINGLE MASTER CRAFTSMAN IN LOUIS VUITTON'S HISTORIC ASNIERES WORKSHOP NEAR PARIS, HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CELEBRATED TROPHY, WHICH MEASURES 36cm IN HEIGHT AND WEIGHS 6.175kg AND IS MADE IF SOLID 18 CARAT YELLOW GOLD WITH A BASE OF SEMI-PRECIOUS MALACHITE. COVERED IN LOUIS VUITTON'S ICONIC MONOGRAM CANVAS, THE TRAVEL CASE IS FITTED WITH THE COMPANY'S SIGNATURE BRASS LOCK AND CORNERS, AND HAS A DARK BROWN LINING THAT COMPLEMENTS THE TROPHY'S RICH GOLD. THE CASE OPENS AT THE FRONT AND AT THE TOP TO ALLOW THE TROPHY TO BE REMOVED EASILY WHEN, AT THE FINAL ON 11.JULY IN JOHANNESBURG, WATCHED BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE, IT WILL BE PRESENTED.

QUEEN ELIZABETH WILL MISS THIS YEAR'S COMMONWEALTH GAMES

THE QUEEN WILL MISS THIS YEAR'S COMMONWEALTH GAMES, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ENGLAND WON THE WORLD'S CUP. SOURCES AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE SAY THAT IT'S DUE TO THE HEAVY WORKLOAD AND THE PRINCE CHARLES WILL REPRESENT THE ROYAL FAMILY IN INDIA. THE MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM THE MONARCH TO THE ATHLETES WILL BE READ OUT. IT IS THOUGHT TO BE TE FIRST TIME SINCE 1966, THE YEARS OF ENGLAND'S ONLY FOOTBALLING WORLD CUP TRIUMPH, THAT THE QUEEN WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ANY PART OF TE EVENT. THE PALACE SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT THE QUEEN HAD A FULL SCHEDULE OF APPOINTMENTS DURING THE AUTUMN WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE A STATE VISIT TO DELHI IN OCTOBER. HE SAID: 'IT IS CORRECT TO SAY THAT THE QUEEN WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES THIS YEAR. THE SHEER VOLUME OF ENGAGEMENTS THIS AUTUMN, COUPLED WITH OTHER OVERSEAS VISITS, MEANS SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND.' THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION IN DELHI INSISTED IT WAS 'DELIGHTED' THAT PRINCE CHARLES WOULD REPRESENT HER MAJESTY AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON 3.OCTOBER. THE QUEEN DESCRIBED THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES AS A 'GREAT SPORTING CELEBRATION' DURING HER SPEECH TO OPEN THE PREVIOUS GAMES IN MELBOURNE IN 2006. SHE SAID: 'THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR UNIQUE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS A TANGIBLE EXAMPLE OF THE VALUE OF THE PARTNERSHIP OF PEOPLES.' MEANWHILE, THE ENGLAND TEAM'S ANTHEM FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT IS SET TO CHANGE AFTER A NATIONAL POLL FOUND JERUSALEM WAS NOW THE MOST POPULAR CHOICE. ATHLETES HAVE STOOD TO ATTENTION FOR THE STIRRING LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS SINCE IT REPLACED GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. BUT JERUSALEM, TAKEN FROM A WILLIAM BLAKE POEM, ATTRACTED 53% OF THE VOTE IN A YOUGOV SURVEY.ENGLAND'S WORLD 1500mm SILVER MEDALIST LISA DOBRISKEY SAID: 'IT IS A VERY POWERFUL PIECE OF MUSIC THAT IS CAPABLE OF EVOKING DEEP FEELINGS OF PRIDE AND PATRIOTISM. WE HOPE IT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOUNDS OF SUCCESS THIS SUMMER.' LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY GARNERED 35% OF VOTES WHILE GOD SAVE THE QUEEN WAS PREFERRED BY JUST 12% OF THOSE TAKING PART IN THE POLL. HOWEVER, THE TRADITIONAL GOD SAVE THE QUEEN WILL BE PLAYED BEFORE EACH OF ENGLAND'S MATCHES AT NEXT MONTH'S FOOTBALL WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA.

PRINCE CHARLES TRIES HIS HAND AT FISHING

THE PRINCE OF WALES RECENTLY TRIED HIS HAND AT FISHING DURING A DAY-LONG VISIT TO TEESSDALE. THE PRINCE CAST A ROD BELONGING TO THE 'GET HOOKED ON FISHING' GROUP AT HEMLINGTON LAKE, MIDDLESBROUGH. UNFORTUNATELY LADY LUCK WAS NOT WITH THE PRINCE, WHO IS A WELL-KNOWN FLY FISHERMAN, AS HE DID NOT CATCH ANYTHING. HIS IMPROMPTU SPOT OF FISHING WAS PART OF A VISIT TO THE LAKE TO SEE THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT TO REGENERATE MIDDLESBROUGH'S BECKS, AS PART OF THE CLEAN BECKS CAMPAIGN. THE PRINCE MET YOUNG ANGLERS, SCHOOLCHILDREN, ARTISTS WHO HAVE DESIGNED WORK ON THE LAKESIDE, AND MEMBERS OF THE FRIENDS OF HEMLINGTON LAKE GROUP. HE UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OCCASION OF HIS VISIT. HE TOLD THOSE GATHERED: 'I JUST WANT TO SAY WHAT A REAL JOY IT IS TO VISIT HERE TODAY. I DO CONGRATULATE ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SO HEAVILY INVOLVED HERE AS IT IS MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY LIVING HERE. JEREMY GARSIDE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE TEES VALLEY WILDLIFE TRUST SAID: 'IT WAS FANTASTIC TO RECEIVE A VISIT FROM PRINCE CHARLES AS PATRON OF THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS. THE MIDDLESBROUGH BECKS ARE A VALUABLE HAVEN FOR WILDLIFE AND A HUGE ASSET FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN. THE PRINCE'S VISIT RECOGNIZED THERE EFFORTS THAT ARE BEING MADE TO SECURE THESE AREAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.' THE CLEAN BECKS CAMPAIGN WAS SET UP BY THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IN 2006 AND HAS BEEN RUN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL, TEES CALLEY WILDLIFE TRUST AND MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB.

QUEEN ELIZABETH'S HORSE WINS TROPHY AT ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW

QUEEN ELIZABETH IS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF SOME OF THE MOST GLITTERING AND DAZZLING THINGS MONEY AND PRESTIGE CAN ACQUIRE. BUT WHEN SHE WAS PRESENTED A SILVER TROPHY SHE COULD ONLY LOOK DOWN AT IT WITH DISBELIEF. THE QUEEN APPEARED TO BE LOST FOR WORDS WHEN GIVEN THE CUP, AWARDED TO ONE OF HER STEEDS IN THE ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW. HER BELOVED STARDUST III, RIDDEN BY KATIE JERRAM, WON THE LADIES SIDE-SADDLE CLASS AT THE FAMOUS EQUESTRIAN EVENT. THE MONARCH SHARED THE VICTORIOUS MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG JOCKEY, WHO LOOKED OVER THE TROPHY AS IF TO REASSURE HER MAJESTY THAT IT WAS INDEED FOR REAL. THE QUEEN WAS DRESSED UNASSUMINGLY IN A KHAKI GREEN TRENCH COAT, AND A VINTAGE HERMES SILK SCARF WRAPPED AROUND HER HEAD. HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 1943 FOR FIVE DAYS IN MAY OR JUNE IN WINDSOR HOME PARK, THE ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF THE QUEEN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE QUEEN IS AN AVID HORSE RIDER HERSELF AND HAS WON THE SINGLE PRIVATE DRIVING EVENT ON HER PONY HANS. PRINCE PHILIP IS ALSO KNOWN TO REGULARLY COMPETE IN THE CARRIAGE RIDING RACES.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY TO VISIT SOUTHERN AFRICA

PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE ADDING THEIR WEIGHT TO ENGLAND'S BID TO HOST THE 2018 WORLD CUP BY TRAVELING TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT. WILLIAM, THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, AND HARRY WILL TAKE THEIR FIRST EVER JOINT OFFICIAL OVERSEAS TOUR IN ORDER TO BACK THE FA'S PLANS TO STAGE THE EVENT IN EIGHT YEARS' TIME. WILLIAM AND HARRY WILL TAKE TO THE STANDS AT CAPE TOWN'S GREEN POINT STADIUM WHEN ENGLAND PLAYS ALGERIA IN THEIR SECOND GROUP STAGE MATCH IN JUNE AND THEY WILL ALSO JOIN FIFA EXECUTIVES AT A RECEPTION. IT IS HOPED THAT THE ROYAL WILL BE ABLE TO MEET ENGLAND MANAGER FABIO CAPELLO'S TEAM IF IT DOES NOT DISRUPT THEIR PREPARATIONS. LORD TRIESMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE 2018 BID, SAID: 'WE'RE EXTREMELY HONORED THAT PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE SUPPORTING ENGLAND'S BID TO HOST THE FIFA WORLD CUP WHILE IN SOUTH AFRICA. AS PRESIDENT OF THE FA, PRINCE WILLIAM IS A FIRM ADVOCATE OF THE BID AND WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT BOTH HE AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE SUPPORTING US DURING THE SUMMER.' THE TRIP IS PART OF A SHORT TOUR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE TRIPS TO BOTSWANA AND LESOTHO, TWO NATIONS WHERE THE PRINCES HAVE CHARITY INTERESTS. IN BOTSWANA, THEY WILL SEE THE WORK OF THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION THE TUSK TRUST, WHICH HAS WILLIAM AS ITS PATRON, WHILE IN LESOTHO THE CHARITY SENTEBALE, WHICH HARRY CO-FOUNDED, WILL SHOW OFF PROJECTS HELPING VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ORPHANS. THE ROYALS WILL VISIT SOUTHERN AFRICA FROM 14-19.JUNE.

PRINCE HARRY'S PONY DIES AT POLO MATCH

PRINCE HARRY'S FAVORITE PONY COLLAPSED AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK AFTER HE HAD BEEN RIDING THE ANIMAL AT A POLO MATCH. THE PRINCE WAS SAID TO BE 'VERY UPSET' AT THE DEATH OF DRIZZLE, A 10 YEAR OLD BROWN AND WHITE MARE ALSO RIDDEN BY PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. HE TOOK THE ANIMAL OFF THE PITCH BEFORE THE END OF THE GAME BECAUSE HE NOTICED SHE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY. MINUTES LATER DRIZZLE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND DIED. A SENIOR PALACE OFFICIAL TOLD THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: 'WILLIAM AND HARRY ARE VERY, VERY UPSET, HARRY WAS IN TEARS.' THE PONY DIED AT A CHARITY MATCH AT COWORTH PARK IN ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, BETWEEN A TEAM IN WHICH BOTH THE PRINCES WERE PLAYING, AND ONE FIELDED BY THE SPONSOR AUDI. DRIZZLE WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF POLO PONIES STABLED CLOSE TO THE PRINCE OF WALES'S HIGHGROVE ESTATE NEAR TETBURY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. THE PRINCE OF WALES HIMSELF USED TO RIDE HER UNTIL HE GAVE UP COMPETITIVE POLO IN 2005. THE EVENT WAS TO RAISE AWARENESS THE FOUNDATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY.

LOUIS VUITTON TO CREATE TRAVEL CASE FOR WORLD CUP TROPHY

LOUIS VUITTON HAS RECENTLY BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CREATE A NEW TRAVEL CASE FOR THE ICONIC 18 CARAT WORLD CUP TROPHY BEFORE IT IS PRESENTED TO THE WINNING TEAM IN SOUTH AFRICA IN JULY. THE 32cm HIGH, 6,175g TROPHY IS CURRENTLY HOUSED IN AN AGE WORN AND BATTERED ALUMINUM CASE, BUT AFTER FIFA ASKED LOUIS VUITTON IF IT COULD COME UP WITH SOMETHING MORE SUITABLE, THE FRENCH LUXURY HOUSE WAS HAPPY TO OBLIGE. 'WHEN YOU HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WORLD YOU HOPE SHE WILL WEAR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DRESS', SAYS JEROME VALCKE, SECRETARY GENERAL OF FIFA. 'THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE.' THE SPECIAL CASE IS BEING HAND-MADE BY ONE OF LOUIS VUITTON'S SKILLED CRAFTSMAN FROM ITS ASNIERES WORKSHOP NEAR PARIS, ITS PRICE IS A CLOSELY GUARDED SECRET. EACH YEAR, THE WORKSHOP PRODUCES OVER 400 UNIQUE CUSTOM PIECES FOR CLIENTS. THE LUXURY BRAND WILL NOT BE SPONSORING ANY WORLD CUP TEAM, AND WHY SHOULD IT WHEN IT'S GOT THE ULTIMATE TROPHY. IN IT'S NEW ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN LOUIS VUITTON FEATURES FOOTBALL LEGENDS ZIDANE, MARADONA AND PELE PLAYING TABLE FOOTBALL TOGETHER. ACCORDING TO FIFA, THE CUP WILL BE BROUGHT INTO THE STADIUM INSIDE ITS TRUNK AND LIFTED OUT BY A LOUIS VUITTON AMBASSADOR IN FRONT OF ONE BILLION TELEVISION VIEWERS.

DUKE OF YORK OPENS SILVERSTONE TRACK

THE DUKE OF YORK EMERGED FROM THE TWO-SEATER, 600hp CAR, AFTER BEING CHAUFFEURED AROUND SILVERSTONE TRACK BY EX-FORMULA ONE CHAMPION DAMON HILL, TO SAY IT WAS LIKE BEING IN THE BACK SEAT OF A TORNADO FIGHTER JET AT LOW LEVEL OVER THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS. THE PRINCE WAS GUEST OF HONOR AS THE CIRCUIT UNVEILED A £5 MILLION NEW TRACK LAYOUT, THE FIRST PHASE OF A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT WILL EVENTUALLY COST JUST UNDER £40 MILLION. HE WAS ALSO WELCOMED TO THE CIRCUIT BY ANOTHER EX-FORMULA ONE CHAMPION, JACKIE STEWART. AFTER CUTTING A RIBBON AND UNVEILING A PLAQUE, THE PRINCE WAS THEN GIVEN A HIGH-SPEED TASTE OF THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE VENUE. IN A RACE SUIT AND BOOTS, HE WAS STRAPPED INTO THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN BY THE 1996 WORLD CHAMPION. AFTER FOUR LAPS OF THE 3.66-MILE CIRCUIT, THAT NOW INCLUDES A NEW INNER SECTION OF SIX CORNERS DESIGNED FOR OVERTAKING, ANDREW SAID: 'IT WAS QUITE AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE.' THE PRINCE SAID HE WAS KEEN TO ENSURE THE INDUSTRY THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS AROUND SILVERSTONE CONTINUES TO THRIVE AND GROW. 'IT'S ABOUT ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY TO TAKE PLACE HERE, BUT ALSO ABOUT EDUCATION', HE ADDED.

PRINCESS BEATRICE BECOMES FIRST ROYAL TO COMPLETE LONDON MARATHON

PRINCESS BEATRICE HAS BECOME THE FIRST ROYAL TO COMPLETE THE LONDON MARATHON AS MORE THAN 35,000 RUNNERS BRAVED HEAVY DOWNPOURS TO CONTEST THE ANNUAL RACE. THE 21 YEAR OLD PRINCESS AND HER AMERICAN BOYFRIEND DAVID CLARK WERE PART OF A 'HUMAN CATERPILLAR' OF 34 PEOPLE WHO RAN THE LENGTH OF THE 26.2 MILE COURSE TIED TOGETHER WITH BUNGEE CORDS. THE CHARITY TEAM, WHICH ALSO INCLUDED ENTREPRENEUR SIR RICHARD BRANSON'S TWO CHILDREN SAM AND HOLLY, COMPLETED THE COURSE IN FIVE HOURS, 13 MINUTES AND FOUR SECONDS, SETTING A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR MOST PEOPLE TO FINISH A MARATHON WHILE TIED TOGETHER. THE PRINCESS, WHO DONNED A LIME GREEN TUTU OVER HER RUNNING GEAR, WAS CONGRATULATED AT THE FINISHING LINE BY HER PARENTS THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK, WHO WATCHED THE RACE TOGETHER. PRINCESS BEATRICE, WHO IS A STUDENT AT GOLDSMITHS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, WAS RUNNING TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHILDREN IN CRISIS.

DESIGN UNVEILED FOR LONDON'S OLYMPIC GAMES VISITOR ATTRACTION

THE MAYOR OF LONDON BORIS JOHNSON AND LAKSHMI MITTAL, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF ARCELORMITTAL, UNVEILED THE ARTIST AND DESIGN CHOSEN TO CREATE A SPECTACULAR NEW VISITOR ATTRACTION IN THE OLYMPIC PARK. AWARD WINNING LONDON-BASED ARTIST ANISH KAPOOR HAS BEEN GIVEN THE COMMISSION OF A LIFETIME TO DESIGN THE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC ATTRACTION. THE STUNNING ARTWORK, TO BE ENTITLED 'THE ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT', WILL ENSURE THE PARK REMAINS AN UNRIVALED VISITOR DESTINATION FOLLOWING THE 2012 GAMES, PROVIDING THE KEY OLYMPIC LEGACY THE MAYOR OF LONDON ENVISAGED FOR THE EAST END. THE BREATHTAKING SCULPTURE, THOUGHT TO BE THE TALLEST IN THE UK, WILL CONSIST OF A CONTINUOUS LOOPING LATTICE OF TUBULAR STEEL. STANDING AT A GIGANTIC 115m, IT WILL BE 22m TALLER THAN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IN NEW YORK AND OFFER UNPARALLELED VIEWS OF THE ENTIRE 250 ACRES OF THE OLYMPIC PARK AND LONDON'S SKYLINE FROM A SPECIAL VIEWING PLATFORM. VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A TRIP UP THE STRUCTURE IN A HUGE LIFT AND WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF WALKING DOWN THE SPIRALING STAIRCASE. THE ATTRACTION WILL STAND IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE OLYMPIC PARK BETWEEN THE STADIUM AND AQUATICS CENTER AND WILL OPEN IN TIME FOR THE 2012 GAMES. AFTER COMPLETION, THE OLYMPIC PARK LEGACY COMPANY WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP AND RUN THE VISITOR ATTRACTION.

LADY SARAH MCCORQUODALE TO BECOME MASTER OF TEH BELVOIR HUNT

LADY SARAH MCCORQUODALE, SISTER OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, IS DUE TO BECAME MASTER OF THE HUNT. UNLIKE HER NEPHEW PRINCE WILLIAM, LADY SARAH IS FREE TO CONTINUE ENJOYING FOXHUNTING. WHEN THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT BANNED FOX HUNTING, THE PRINCE OF WALES AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER RIDE TO HOUNDS. THERE IS NO SUCH RESTRICTION ON PRINCE WILLIAM'S AUNT LADY SARAH, WHO WILL BECOME A MASTER OF THE BELVOIR HUNT. 'LADY SARAH WILL BECOME A MASTER OF THE HUNT IN MAY', SAYS NINA CAMM, THE SECRETARY OF THE BELVOIR HUNT SUPPORTER'S CLUB. 'SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HUNT FOR MANY YEARS. THERE WAS ALWAYS MUCH SPECULATION ABOUT WHETHER LADY SARAH'S SISTER DIANA, WAS A SUPPORTER OR AN OPPONENT OF HUNTING. ALTHOUGH SHE RODE TO HOUNDS AS A YOUNG GIRL, IT WAS CLAIMED THAT SHE FROWNED UPON THE SPORT IN LATER LIFE. HOWEVER, PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY REGULARLY RODE TO HOUNDS. WILLIAM CONTINUED HUNTING UNTIL ONE MONTH BEFORE THE BAN CAME INTO EFFECT IN 2005 AND FOXHUNTING IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN HIS FAVORITE SPORT. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE PRINCESS ROYAL CARRIED ON HUNTING UNTIL 2004. THE PREVIOUS YEAR, PRINCE CHARLES REPORTEDLY TOLD A PRIVATE GATHERING: 'IF THE LABOUR GOVERNMENT EVER GETS ROUND TO BANNING FOX HUNTING, I MIGHT AS WELL LEAVE THIS COUNTRY AND SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE SKIING.' THE HUNTING ACT HAS RESULTED IN ONLY A HANDFUL OF PROSECUTIONS. IT STILL ALLOWS THE HUNTING OF A FOX'S SCENT WITH DOGS, BUT NOT THE KILLING OF THE ANIMAL. LADY SARAH IS CURRENTLY THE HIGH SHERIFF OF LINCOLNSHIRE, THE UNPAID ENFORCER OF THE QUEEN'S WRIT IN THE COUNTRY. DAVID CAMERON SAYS HE WILL HOLD A FREE VOTE IN PARLIAMENT ON WHETHER TO LIFT THE 2005 LAW IF THE CONSERVATIVES WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION.