PR-Inside.com Entertainment News

The princess - who is president of the annual festival held in Monte Carlo in January - fearlessly handled the colourful parrot and gushed about the magic of the circus. She said: ‘The circus is very special - it’s in your blood. You have to be open to accept the magic, and have your eyes light up and become a child again.’ The festival was founded by the princess’ father Prince Rainier in 1974 and Stephanie took over as president when her father died in April 2005.
However, the 42-year-old princess had a love of the circus long before she inherited the position of festival president.
She spent a few months in 2002 touring round Europe with Swiss elephant trainer Franco Knie, and was briefly married to Portuguese trapeze artist Adans Peres Lopez in 2003.
The International Circus Festival is in Monte Carlo from January 17 to 27 2008.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The two-year-old prince stepped out with his mother Crown Princess Mary and father Crown Prince Frederik to watch the final beam put in place at the top of the banqueting hall of Amalienborg Palace, which is set to become the family’s Copenhagen residence.
The toddler – who has a seven-month-old sister Princess Isabella - wore a dark-blue navy-style coat as he watched the event, which is known as a topping out ceremony.
Christian, who is second in line to the throne, amused fellow guests with his grown-up behaviour.
A source said: ‘He was really taking his royal duties seriously and was determined to behave like an adult. Everyone found it so sweet.’ The Amalienborg Palace is made up of four separate mansions and has been used by the Danish Royal Family since 1794. The topping out ceremony took place in King Frederik VIII’s former mansion.
King Frederik VIII reigned from 1906 until his death at the age of 69 in 1912, and moved into the palace in 1869.
Prince Christian’s great-grandmother, Queen Ingrid, lived in the mansion until she died in November 2000.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The queen and her husband Prince Philip joined a congregation of hundreds for the 40-minute service at Fleet Street’s St Bride’s Church - regarded as the spiritual home of journalists worldwide - led by the rector Canon David Meara.
The royal couple were present at the original reconsecration ceremony at the Church of England church in December 1957, after the building had been repaired following extensive damage during World War II.
Following yesterday’s service, the royal couple signed the Book of St Brides, before proceeding to a reception at nearby Bridewell Hall.
The Book of St Brides was the creation of the church’s former rector, Reverend Canon John Oates, who wanted to start a memorial to remember those in the journalism industry who have lost their lives.
He said: ‘In this place where the printed word first established itself, we remember all who write what many read and speak where many listen, especially those journalists, cameramen and support staff who have lost their lives in the pursuit of truth and to bring us the news.’ At Bridewell Hall, the queen and prince spent time talking to senior figures in the journalism industry, including veteran journalist John Simpson, who discussed her recent official trip to Uganda with the monarch.
He said: ‘We were talking about her trip and how it has changed over the years. We also talked a bit about Iraq. I told her how bad it is there and what lovely people the Iraqis are. ‘She said she hoped that life gets a bit better for them soon.’

© bangshowbiz.biz

The queen told her 26-year-old granddaughter, ‘You look lovely,’ after pinning the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal on Zara’s lapel.
Zara - dressed in a black double-breasted military frock coat with gold trim and buttons - is the first senior royal to receive such an honour and was presented the medal for her services to equestrianism.
The accomplished sportswoman won gold at the World Equestrian Games in Germany and was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2006.
Zara’s mother Princess Anne, rugby star boyfriend, Mike Tindall, and brother Peter Phillips, who was accompanied by his fiancée, Autumn Kelly, all watched on proudly from the front row as the young royal collected her award.
Zara’s step-father, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, also received an honour at the palace yesterday, being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath’s Military Division.
Dorothy Petticrew - who collected her own MBE for services to community development in Northern Ireland - said Zara seemed relaxed and happy and eagerly chatted to her and the other honourees at the ceremony.
Petticrew said: ‘I asked her how did she feel and she said she was very happy.’ Actor Peter Sallis, who voices the plasticine character Wallace in the ‘Wallace and Gromit’ animation series, ‘Dad’s Army’ star Bill Pertwee, 81, and ‘Inspector Wexford’ actor George Baker, also collected MBEs.
Sallis, 86, who is also famous for playing Norman Clegg in ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, said: ‘Wallace would have thought it was a cracking good show.’

© bangshowbiz.biz

Dodi died almost instantly after the couple’s car crashed in a Paris tunnel on August, 31, 1997, but Diana was still alive following the smash and witnessed him lose his fight for life.
Sebastien Dorzee, the first policeman to arrive at the scene in the Pont d’Alma underpass, described how he heard the princess - who died later in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash - mutter, ‘My God,’ as she watched Dodi dying.
The patrol officer was flagged down by passers-by moments after the couple’s Mercedes crashed into pillar 13 and Dorzee said although Diana was bleeding, she appeared to be in the best shape of all the passengers.
He told the jury at inquest in Diana and Dodi’s death at London’s High Court: ‘The princess had half turned round in relation to her initial position and her head was between the two front seats, facing sideways and she could see her boyfriend just in front of her. ‘She moved, her eyes were open, speaking to me in a foreign language. ‘I think that she said ‘My God’ on seeing her boyfriend dying. ‘At the same time she was rubbing her stomach, she must have been in pain. She turned her head towards the front of the car, saw the driver and I think then she had an even better realisation of what was happening. She became agitated. ‘A few seconds later she looked at me. Then she put her head down again and closed her eyes.’ Diana was pronounced dead at Paris’ Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, while Dodi and driver Henri Paul were pronounced dead at the scene. The princess’ bodyguard, Trevor Rees, was the only survivor but suffered horrific injuries.
Dorzee also criticised the paparazzi at the scene of the crash, describing them as ‘vicious and repellent’ as they repeatedly insulted him and argued with each other. Dorzee tried to take Diana’s pulse below her chin and speak to her as well as he could in English. He added: ‘I maintained this position, all the while trying to get the photographers, who were going at one another and insulting me, out of the way.’

© bangshowbiz.biz

The queen is being accompanied by her son Prince Willem-Alexander, his wife Princess Maxima, and Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen for the trip, the royal family’s first visit to the country in 21 years.
During the tour, the queen will meet India’s President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss ways to strengthen trade and economical ties between the two nations.
The monarch will also attend a meeting with the CEOs of eight top companies to explore new avenues to take ‘trade relations’ into the ‘new era’.
Queen Beatrix is expected to visit The Energy and Research Institute to learn about ecological developments in India.
She will also travel to two villages, Srinivasnagar and Ujivan.
On Saturday (27.10.07), the queen will meet four important Indians - M.S. Swaminathan, Verghese Kurien, K Kasturirangan and N R Narayanamurthy - who have contributed massively to the fields of agriculture, milk production, space programme and information technology.

© bangshowbiz.biz

Motorist Yannick Chenna - who arrived at the scene moments after the car smashed into pillar 13 of Paris’ Pont de l’Alma, killing the princess, her lover Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul - claims he saw Romuald Rat jump off the back of a motorcycle and open the door of the crumpled Mercedes in the early hours of August 31, 1997.
Chenna identified Rat from a line-up at London’s High Court yesterday (23.10.07), despite failing to identify him in a separate line-up by the French police shortly after the Paris crash.
When asked about this, he told the jury: ‘At that time, the police showed me photographs rather quickly, but I am totally convinced today that man is the one who opened the door.’ He said Rat stood out, despite a number of people milling around the wreckage.
American tourist Brian Anderson also gave his account of the fateful evening.
He told the jury he was travelling in a taxi when he saw Diana’s car being chased by three motorbikes and shortly after they disappeared from view into the tunnel he saw a ’significant flash of light’.
Anderson said the French police did not take his claims seriously, only ’sporadically’ writing things down during his interview and never questioning him about the flash of light.
However, it was also revealed that three phone calls from Anderson’s hotel room were made at the same time he claims he was witnessing the moments before the crash.
When asked about this, Anderson said his computer may have dialled automatically to download e-mails.
Dodi’s father, Mohamed Al Fayed, has always maintained the Diana and Dodi were killed by the British establishment as they were about to announce their engagement and the princess was pregnant.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The painting of the young Queen Mother - who died in 2002, aged 101 - by Australian artist James Quinn has not been seen since it was removed from a Scottish art gallery in Arbroath in the early 40s during World War II for safekeeping.
The portrait - which shows the Queen Mother wearing an evening gown and holding a fan - is rumoured to have remained in the Angus area, and local councillor Jim Millar is appealing for its return.
He told the BBC: ‘According to notes it was removed to Hospitalfield House in Arbroath for safekeeping during the war and it remained on insurance lists in Arbroath library into the 70s.
‘Since then several searches have been made throughout the Angus collections but to no avail.
‘Rumours persist that the painting may be in the local area, and if this is the case I would appeal to anyone who has it in their possession to return it for public display.
‘This is a striking work of art and it is a real shame that many people are denied the opportunity to appreciate it.’ The painting is thought to have been donated to the Arbroath Art Gallery in 1936 before being stored in a local arts centre.
The Queen Mother - born Elizabeth Angela Marguerite - was known by her queen consort title, Queen Elizabeth, between 1936 and 1952 when she was the wife of the reigning monarch King George VI.
She became the Queen Mother when her husband died in 1952 and her daughter Elizabeth ascended the throne.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The king - who was admitted to Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital with a weakness down his right side last week - has undergone a regime of active exercise to make the muscles in his right leg stronger.
The king - who was suffering from an inadequate blood flow to the brain - has started eating more food and is now able to walk with the aid of a walker.
The royal physicians are said to be satisfied with his progress.
On Monday (22.10.07), it was revealed the king was steadily improving.
A statement from the Thai Committee of Royal Physicians said: ‘He is now showing a good appetite. He is in good general condition and steadily improving. He was able to eat more yesterday that any point since he was admitted to hospital.’ The king’s daughters Princess Chakri Sirindhorn, 52 and Princess Chulabhorn, 50, visited their father in hospital on Sunday (21.10.07).
The pair were greeted by a throng of well-wishers as they arrived.
The public are so keen to show their support for the revered king that free taxi rides are now being offered for those who want to make the journey to the hospital.
Twelve taxis are taking turns transporting citizens from Sanam Luang in the centre of Bangkok to the hospital all day long.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The 48-year-old royal - who has penned a number of books herself - was among guests including actresses Brooke Shields and Joan Allen, at the third annual Quill Awards at the Jazz at Lincoln Centre.
The Quill Awards are described as ‘the only book awards to pair a populist sensibility with Hollywood-style glitz. They are the first literary prizes to reflect the tastes of all the groups that matter most in publishing— readers, booksellers and librarians.’ The evening featured 19 popular categories, ranging from romance to biography to graphic novels.
Best-selling author Nora Roberts was the big winner of the evening, scooping book of the year for her novel ‘Angels Fall’.
Former US Vice President Al Gore’s book ‘The Assault on Reason’ won the prize in the history/current events/politics category. His daughter Karenna Gore Schiff accepted the award on his behalf.
Although Sarah was not up for any awards herself, the duchess is an accomplished writer.
Her literary career includes two successful series of children’s books - her ‘Budgie the Little Helicopter’ and ‘Little Red’ collections - as well as self-help and dieting books, autobiographical tomes and a work on Britain’s Queen Victoria.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The two princes are preparing themselves for months of emotional turmoil as the inquest into the death of the princess - who was killed alongside her lover Dodi Al Fayed and their driver Henri Paul in a Paris car crash in August 1997 - gets started today (02.10.07).
A source told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: ‘They are aware that the next few months will be painful for them. It is fair to say they have been dreading the inquest.
‘Diana was public property and for six long months aspects of her life will be dragged out in court.’ William, 25, and Harry, 23, will have to live through Diana’s final hours as her every movement in the run-up to the crash is scrutinised and conspiracy theories discussed.
The 11 jury members will have to decide if Diana was murdered or whether her death was the result of a tragic accident, which the princes believe to be the case.
Dodi’s father, Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed, is convinced the princess and his son were murdered by the British establishment, including Diana’s former father-in-law Prince Philip, as they didn’t want the pair to get married.
Al Fayed has been campaigning for years for the inquest to go ahead and is sure the jury will decide on an unlawful killing.
Diana’s former bodyguard, Paul Burrell, is set to be called as a key witness to give evidence at the inquest.
Burrell, who Diana once described as her ‘rock’, will be questioned over his claims Queen Elizabeth warned him there were ‘dark forces’ at work in Britain.
He will also be asked about the note he claims Diana gave him in which she said ex-husband Prince Charles was ‘planning ‘an accident’ in my car’.
Burrell’s spokesman, Steve Dennis, confirmed the ex-butler had been contacted by police.
He said: ‘Paul Burrell is prepared to help the coroner in any way that is needed.’ Lord Stevens’ original inquiry into the fatal accident ruled that driver Henri Paul was drunk behind the wheel and responsible for the crash.

© bangshowbiz.biz

‘Noble Hounds and Dear Companions’ - which features 200 pictures of the royal family and their dogs over the last 150 years - includes a previously unpublished image of the queen aged 10 with her first corgi Dookie.
Author Sophie Gordon - who is the curator of the Royal Photograph Collection -collected the images in her book from Elizabeth’s father King George VI’s family album.
Dookie is believed to have been the dog that started the queen’s love of the small corgi breed.
The queen now has five corgis, Emma, Linnet, Monty, Willow and Holly.
She also has four dorgis - a corgi and dachshund crossbreed - Cider, Berry, Vulcan and Candy, and four cocker spaniels, Bisto, Oxo, Flash, Spick and Span.
The royal family have always had a close connection with their four-legged friends, starting with Queen Victoria’s King Charles spaniel Dash, and Prince Albert’s greyhound Eos.

© bangshowbiz.biz

Norwegian journalist Pal Bang-Hansen claims the princess’ book ‘Fairy Tales from the Earth’s Heart’ (’Eventyr fra jordens hjerte’) is very similar to his father’s tome of translated fictional stories.
Bang-Hansen says the princess has used, and altered, the work translated into Norwegian by his father, Odd Bang-Hansen, in 1959.
He told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet: ‘I know how important it was for him that the translations were pietistic and true to the originals.’ Bang-Hansen also accused the princess of being hypocritical by stealing other people’s material while contesting the fact that her photograph is being used in a book about angels. He added: ‘Martha is a hypocrite. I need to talk with my brother and sister about whether we’ll halt her book. It’s understandable that she wants to stop the book ‘Martha’s Angels’, but not that she at the same time steals from others.’ The princess will be appearing in court today (02.10.07) in connection with her case against ‘Martha’s Angels’.

© bangshowbiz.biz

William, 25, was seen cupping Kate’s face lovingly in his hands as they sat side-by-side at a small table at Kensington’s Italian eatery Locanda Ottoemezzo last Wednesday (26.09.07).
A fellow diner told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper: ‘It was remarkable because there were other people in the restaurant. My only guess is that they were well away from their usual patch and knew nobody would expect to find them their.
‘They were certainly very relaxed and there was no-one else in their party to spoil the atmosphere. The staff didn’t pester them, so I guess the evening worked out.
‘William’s protection officers appeared to be outside the restaurant in a car so it looked like they wanted to be completely alone.’ ‘They certainly appeared to be happy in one another’s company, especially William.’ The loved-up pair ordered limoncellos, the Italian lemon liqueur, to top off their perfect evening.
William and Kate, 25, rekindled their romance in July following a three-month break and their relationship has been going from strength to strength.
It was recently reported that William has confided in his grandmother Queen Elizabeth that he is ready to propose to Kate.
Kate will have her first official meeting with the queen since the couple’s brief split when she visits the royal Scotland residence Balmoral later this month.

© bangshowbiz.biz

Jim Riches, 22, was one of the 227 people summoned to court last week to fill just 11 places on the jury and said the experience was like auditioning for the ITV talent show.
He said: ‘It was a bit like ‘The X factor’. It didn’t seem to me to have been amazingly professional. There was a sense that it was all new territory. There were lots of people there who really wanted to be chosen.
‘Someone said to me that it was going to be the biggest investigation since the Warren Commission on US President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.’ The 11 jurors picked to hear the case will be announced today (02.10.07) as the inquest, which could last up to six months, finally gets underway.
Diana was killed in a Paris car crash in August 1997 along with lover Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul.
Dodi’s father Mohamed Al Fayed arrived at London’s High Court this morning, saying he wanted justice for the princess and his son.
The Harrods boss, who has also insisted the British establishment murdered Diana and Dodi because they were planning to get married, said: ‘I’m a father who lost his son. I have been fighting for 10 years, at last I want to have justice.’ ‘I’m certain of what happened, I know they have been murdered.’ Lord Stevens’ original inquiry into the crash ruled Paul had been drinking heavily and was responsible for the fatal accident.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The royal model has gone on show at London’s Madame Tussauds and stands nearby to a life-sized figure of Camilla’s husband, Britain’s Prince Charles.
The Camilla waxwork - which seems to show a more slender version of the duchess - is dressed in cornflower blue suit specially made for the model by the duchess’ favourite designer Anna Valentine.
The jacket and skirt combination is almost identical to the one Camilla wore to watch horse racing at Royal Ascot in 2005.
Camilla sat for sculptor Stephen Mansfield for an hour at her royal London residence Clarence House.
She also selected her own outfit and accessories, even providing a pair of cream suede LK Bennett shoes and a Philip Treacy clutch bag for the display.
The duchess is yet to see the finished product.
Madame Tussauds denied making a flattering version of the 60-year-old duchess.
A spokesperson for the museum said: ‘The model would have been made to exact measurements when she had the fitting.
‘We never change them, she has just lost weight since she was last seen in the outfit.’ The museum plans to move Camilla’s waxwork to be right beside the figure of Charles, with the models of his sons Princes William and Harry placed next to the couple.
The duchess’ figure currently stands about 15ft from the waxwork of the late Princess Diana, who once described Camilla as the ‘third person’ in her marriage to Charles.
Camilla’s waxwork can be visited in the newly-refurbished Royal Zone between the Sports Section and the Cultural Area.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The 19-year-old princess - who landed the non-speaking role through her mother, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, who is an executive producer on ‘The Young Victoria’ - was dressed in a full white gown with a tight corset top and matching headpiece for her first day of shooting at Lincoln Cathedral.
She told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: ‘It’s been really fun!’ Beatrice - who is the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Queen Victoria - was reportedly ‘desperate’ to be in the film, which documents the queen’s relationship with Prince Albert.
A source close to the princess said: ‘She was desperate to be involved. As one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, she will be carrying her train and things like that.’ Director Jean-Marc Vallée added the princess has been fully co-operative on set, saying: ‘Beatrice was wonderful to direct, and was very patient during what can sometimes be a long and arduous process.’ Beatrice will be acting alongside the film’s stars, Emily Blunt, who will play a young Victoria, and Keira Knightley’s boyfriend, Rupert Friend, who will portray Albert.

© bangshowbiz.biz

The 73-year-old royal had a hip replacement operation in June after falling over in the grounds of his Laeken Palace in Brussels, and doctors are concerned his busy schedule means he has not had time to adequately heal.
The king will therefore be cutting back on his royal engagements, such as opening hospitals and meeting with local officials.
Palace spokesman Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw said: ‘The king is not ill, but he has not had the chance to complete his convalescence since the operation in June. Therefore he will limit himself to political contacts and external relations. His state visit planned in Ireland in October has not been put in doubt.’ The king will now dedicate his time to mediating between politicians representing the Dutch-speaking area of Flanders and the French-speaking region of Walloni, who have been unable to form a coalition government.
The country has been in a state of political crisis since the national elections of June 10.

© bangshowbiz.biz