Britain's Prince George in new Christmas photos

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Britain's Prince George poses in a courtyard at Kensington Palace in London in this one out of three …

 
 

Britain's Prince George poses in a courtyard at Kensington Palace in London in this one out of t …

 

Britain's Prince George poses in a courtyard at Kensington Palace in London in this one out of t …

London (AFP) - Three Christmas photos of a rosy-cheeked Prince George were released by Britain's royal family Saturday, offering a festive glimpse of the future king.

The pictures show 17-month-old George in a courtyard at Kensington Palace, where his parents, Prince William and Kate, have a London apartment.

George is wearing a jumper depicting the soldiers who guard his great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace, complete with red tunics and bearskin hats.

The royal couple guard their child's privacy closely and have requested that the press let him grow up without intrusion.

While George is often photographed during official engagements, royal lawyers sent a legal warning in October to a photographer who was reportedly trying to take pictures of him with his nanny in a London park.

George is due to be joined by a brother or sister in 2015 -- Kate is pregnant with the couple's second child and expected to give birth in April.

She has been suffering from the same acute morning sickness she had while pregnant with George.

However she did accompany Prince William on a whirlwind trip to New York this week, where the couple visited the 9/11 memorial and met music stars Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Princess Diana, that heralded the Upper East Side hotel as a favorite among British royals. Diana stayed for the first time at the Carlyle in 1995, when she made the trip across the Atlantic for the United Cerebral Palsy’s annual dinner.

Diana arriving at The Carlyle during one of her stays.
(Rex Features) 

This was a significant night in Diana’s charitable career — she rubbed shoulders with American political heavyweights Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell, she accepted an award for her humanitarian
activities and delivered a stirring call to action on behalf of the needy.

She revisited the hotel in June 1997, the year that 79 of her most iconic gowns went up for auction at Christie’s.

Many of Diana's iconic dresses were auctioned at Christie's in 1997.
(Rex Features) 

So it seems Prince William has chosen to follow in his mother’s footsteps, electing to stay in the hotel that Diana loved. The young couple will be put up in one of the The Carlyle’s most glamorous rooms – a suite with a view overlooking Central Park.

Some of the best suites in the Carlyle have views overlooking Central Park.
(The Carlyle/Rosewood Hotels) 

Their seven-strong entourage will also be staying at the hotel, with at least one of them — Kate’s hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker — being paid for privately by Kate and William.

One of The Carlyle Suites.
(The Carlyle/Rosewood Hotels) 

As they arrived at the hotel last night, Kate and William were greeted in the lobby by a welcoming party consisting of concierge and hotel staff. In place of the stars and stripes that usually fly proudly over the  entrance, The Carlyle instead raised the Union Jack in honor of the royal guests.

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  We welcome Their #Royal Highnesses The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge by sparkling in red, white & blue. #RoyalVisitUSA

  

  Dec. 8, 2014
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  The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Arrive In New York

  Samir Hussein (WireImage) via Getty Images on Sun Dec 07 2014

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  Royal style: Kate Middleton is wearing a coat from Seraphine Maternity, a brand she has worn a lot of during her pregnancies. The piece was created exclusively for the expectant mother and she accessorized her look with a Stuart Weitzman clutch and black suede booties. Read more about her stylish looks here.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have landed in New York City!

Kate and William, who arrived in New York Sunday night, have a jam-packed schedule for their brief, three-day royal tour, with the hope that the trip will further strengthen the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.

(Getty Images)

It’s an historic trip for the pair, as it’s the first time either of them has visited either New York or Washington D.C., where Prince William will meet with President Obama to discuss illegal wildlife trading — an issue close to his heart.

Of course, all eyes will be on the Duchess who is currently five months pregnant with the second royal baby as the world tries to catch a glimpse of her growing baby bump, but it’s clear the couple do not want her tummy to be the focus of the trip.

"They don't simply want it to be dominated by the Kate factor," according to Robert Jobson, author of "The New Royal Family."

"They're trying to keep William and Kate's program designed carefully so that she doesn't upstage him everywhere he goes, because British and other media seem to be obsessed with what Kate wears and the baby bump.”

This royal tour should provide a sharp contrast to that of William’s parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, who visited the U.S. nearly 30 years ago in 1985 — a trip that culminated in the now iconic images of Diana dancing with John Travolta at the White House.

"They've obviously got a more serious agenda, which is that this is the future king meeting the president of the United States and entering the special relationship," Jobson said.

Royals' agenda

The Duke and Duchess haven’t been to a non-Commonwealth country since their last trip stateside in 2011, when they visited Los Angeles at the end of a 12-day royal tour of the U.S. and Canada.

Today, while Prince William heads down to D.C. with former Foreign Secretary William Hague to meet the President, Kate will remain in NYC to visit the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem with the First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray.

A prominent political figure and published author, the Duchess could learn a lot from McCray about the plight of disadvantaged New York children, as well as what a life of public service is like over the pond.

It’s the first time Kate has flown overseas while pregnant; while she was expecting Prince George, the Duchess didn’t venture any further than Scotland, perhaps due to suffering from acute morning sickness.

The 32-year-old was struck down with hyperemesis gravidarum at the start of this pregnancy too, but has made a speedy recovery and has been keen to perform her royal duties both home and abroad.

(Getty Images)

Unfortunately for fans of HRH Prince George, the royal couple decided to leave the 16-month-old at home with Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

While in the New York, the couple will also catch a basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers where it is rumored they will meet Beyoncé and Jay Z, the other royal couple.

Kate and William will finish off their tour with a benefit dinner for St. Andrew’s University, their old alma mater where they met as undergrads back in 2001.

Prince Harry enjoys F1 day out with Geri Halliwell

23 NOVEMBER 2014

Prince Harry bumped into his long-time friend Geri Halliwell for a second time this week, as the pair attended the Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Just days before, Harry had taken part in the Sentebale Polo Cup, which saw several celebrities including the former Spice Girl watching from the stands.

Harry, 30, was pictured mingling and laughing with his fellow redhead as they watched the action from the Red Bull enclosure.

The Prince, who first met Geri as a child, pointed a knowing finger at the pop star as they chatted and shared a joke.

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Photo: © Getty Images

Prince Harry first met Geri Halliwell when he was ten

Harry cheered and watched as Brit racing driver Lewis Hamilton qualified for Sunday's race, while Geri, who recently got engaged to F1 Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, attended with her fiancé.

Harry and Geri's second meeting of the week came after the singer showed her support for the Prince by attending the Sentebale Polo Cup on Thursday. Harry had taken part in the polo tournament for his African charity Sentebale, and successfully led his team to victory.

The sporty royal was later seated with Geri and Christian at their dinner table following the match, where the trio again looked to be enjoying each other's company.

 

Prince Harry dined with Geri Halliwell and her fiancé Christian Horner earlier in the week

Earlier that day Geri had opened up about her friendship with Harry, explaining her admiration for the royal 12 years her junior.

"I have met Prince Harry a few times," she said. 'I've seen him since he was about 10. I have seen him grow up. It is brilliant what he is doing with his life.

"It's all for a good cause. I think he is a great ambassador for showing people that we care and he's got great spirit and heart. I think he's brilliant."

 

Prince Harry took part in the Sentebale Polo Cup for his charity on Thursday

Harry had the opportunity to meet the Spice Girls for a second time when he was 13, when he travelled to South Africa to see them in concert. Prince Charles' son had dressed in a smart suit for the occasion and had his photograph taken with the five pop stars during a moment he called one of the "best days" of his life.

At the Sentebale fundraising event, Harry described the past ten years since he set up the charity as an "emotional rollercoaster" and added: "If you'd asked me ten years ago how these next ten years would look I wouldn't have predicted we'd be playing polo in Abu Dhabi in the same weekend of the Grand Prix weekend."

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Celebrate 67th Wedding Anniversary: Pictures of Couple Through the Years

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary, with a busy day that included a visit to the Royal Air Force station in Lossiemouth, Scotland.

The Queen, 88, and Philip, 93, arrived in Elgin by train and were greeted by Lieutenant Colonel Grenville Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, and the general public.

One young child handed the Queen a bouquet of flowers as she and her husband smiled for the cameras and made their way to the RAF base.

Philip recently returned from Germany where he presented troops with medals.

The Queen visited the facility, which provides a quick response in the event of unidentified aircrafts in northern airspace, in 2003, reported Hello magazine.

This time around the Queen unveiled a plaque at the newly-built Quick Reaction Alert facility while pilots and their families greeted the royals, and another child handed over a bouquet of flowers. 

Elizabeth and Philip were married on November 20, 1947.

Philip was born in Greece into the Greek and Danish royal families but his family was exiled from Greece when he was young.

This official picture of Princess Elizabeth heir presumptive to the British throne, and her fiance, Lieut, Philip Mountbatten, was made on July 10, 1947 in London. The Princess engagement ring can be seen on her finger. (AP Photo)

Britain’s Princess Elizabeth leaves Westminster Abbey in London, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on November 20, 1947, after their wedding ceremony. (AP photo)

Princess Elizabeth, center, congratulates Moira Shearer, left, a ballerina in the Scots Ballet Artiste, following the latter’s performance at a concert, held in honor of the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh, right, at the Usher Hall, March 1, 1949, Edinburgh, Scotland. The Princess wears a crinoline gown of white satin embroidered with crystals a diamond and necklace. Earlier in the day, the freedom of the city of Edinburgh was conferred on the Duke. (AP Photo)

In this July 18, 1949 photo, Prince Charles, foreground left, the eight-month-old son of Princess Elizabeth of England, left, and his father Philip, poses for a photo, on the Windlesham Moor, their summer residence, in Ascot, England. (AP Photo, File)

With her mother, Queen Elizabeth (right) and her grandmother, Queen Mary, sitting beside her, Princess Elizabeth holds her daughter, Princess Anne, in Buckingham Palace, London on Oct. 21, 1950, when the two-month-old Princess was christened. The infant Princess is the second child of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. (AP Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II wearing black, and a white hat drives in an open carriage from the Golden Gates at Ascot, Racecourse, Berkshire, England in afternoon on June 18, 1952, with the Duke of Edinburgh. On the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting. (AP Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh sit side by side in London’s Odeon Theater on Oct. 31, 1955, where they attended the Royal command film performance. (AP Photo)

Britain’s first family Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles, stands at top of steps of the East Terrace Garden on June 5, 1959 at Windsor castle in England during recent spring walk about the castle grounds. In background is Brunswick tower. (AP Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II poses with President John Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and Prince Philip, June 5, 1961, at Buckingham Palace in London. The Kennedys were guests of the Queen at dinner. (AP Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain walks with her family on April 19,1965 at Frogmore, Windsor, England. During a picture session taken to mark her 39th Birthday. Prince Edward, 1, is in Pram with Prince Andrew, 4, holding on. Prince Philip and their two eldest Children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, the heir apparent, complete the family group. (AP Photo)

The Royal Family posed beside the lake on April 21, 1968 at Frogmore, Windsor, in honor of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II as she turned 42. Left to right: The Duke of Edinburgh (47 in June), Prince Edward, 4, The Queen, Princess Anne (18 in August), Prince Andrew, 8, and the Prince of Walles, 19. (AP Photo)

Queen Elizabeth II of England and her husband Prince Philip of Edinburgh attend a horse race at Longchamp racecourse, outside Paris in May 1972 during their five-day official visit in France. (AFP/Getty Images)

British Queen Elizabeth II (L) and her husband Prince Philip (R) attend Duke Edward of Windsor funerals in Windsor, UK, 05 June 1972. Between them walks the Duchess Wallis of Windsor, the American-born wife for whom the once King Edward VIII gave up the throne. (AFP/Getty Images)

Philip met Elizabeth, his third cousin, in 1934, and they struck up a correspondence about five years later.

After he served in World War III, Philip was granted permission by George VI to marry Elizabeth. They waited until she turned 21, and were wed at Westminster Abbey. BBC radio broadcast the ceremony to some 200 million people around the world.

They have four children together–Princes Charles, Andrew, and Edward and Princess Anne.