Morocco's love overwhelms Shah Rukh Khan

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan is no new to witnessing an enormous crowd wherever he goes but a recent visit to Marrakech, Morocco left the actor overwhelmed after seeing the number of people who had gathered to catch a glimpse of him. The 47-year-old attended the 12th Marrakech International Film Festival, where he was bestowed with the Medal of Honor by the Prince of Morocco. More than 50,000 gathered outside the venue as soon as they came to know that SRK would be walking down the red carpet for the film festival. People were standing till wee hours, under heavy security and extreme cold weather just to catch a glimpse of the 'King Khan'. The "Dilwale Dhulania Le Jayenge" star was touched by the sight and left his security at the red carpet just to jump up on the podium and wave at the people present there. The security men didn't realise when SRK left them and stood on the podium to send flying kisses to all. "I went to Marrakech Film Festival because of the people there and their constant love I have got in all these years. I went there to tell them that I love them too and I am blessed to receive their love. "The sight of that crowd at Jemaa el-Fna was very overwhelming. They waited to cheer me on, how could I not spend a little time with them. That's the least I could have done," Shah Rukh said. The crowd sang 'You Are My Chammak Challo' track from "Ra One" in chorus and SRK obliged them with the trademark steps of the song. Source: Screen-India, Image: flickr.com

Read More........ → August 22, 2014

Lonely hearts get lessons in love

Lonely hearts get lessons in love.[File photo]

Ruan Qi, 43, is a professional dating consultant who makes a living teaching men how to woo women. "That pair of pants is much better. Remember, never show up with shorts if it's your first date," says the life coach to his 20-something student Zhang Weidong. Zhang paid 4,980 yuan ($811) for Ruan's three-day course including theory and practical classes to learn how to pick up, and chat up, girls. Zhang, a factory worker from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, came to Shanghai on the weekend especially for the costly training. "The tuition is as much as one month's salary," says Zhang. "It was painful to spend so much money on this but I think it's worth the money as I'm learning lifelong skills." With only a primary school education, Zhang refers to himself as "diaosi" which refers to a specific group of young men from humble backgrounds who do not have well-paid jobs or good looks. Zhang says he's not good at "dealing with girls". "I'm too shy to talk to any of them and the tricks I learned from the Internet aren't working in reality, things such as telling the girl I can read palms to tell her fortune in order to hold her hands," he says. Ruan says Zhang is typical of his students. "They call themselves ‘diaosi' in a self-deprecating manner to distinguish themselves from young men who are born into decent families — the ‘tall, rich, handsome' wouldn't come to me for help in the first place," says Ruan, a Beijing native who graduated with a degree in psychology from China's top college, Peking University. Ruan says about 95 percent of his students are male and the majority of them are "otaku" (indoors men) with jobs in the IT industry and an average age of 27. Zhang Sanqiang, 27, falls into this category. He was Ruan's student three months ago. Even though Zhang is currently single, he says he got a girlfriend immediately after taking the "pick up girls" class. "There's no course called ‘how to communicate with girls' at school and for those of us whose working environment is packed with men we have no chances to get to know women. Ruan's class is extremely practical. He helped me avoid some silly mistakes like, never buddy up with the girl you like too much and don't invade her private space," says Zhang Sanqiang, who works at an information technology company in Shanghai. Spending his weekdays teaching classes via Internet and weekends traveling between China's biggest cities including Shanghai and Guangzhou, for private classes, Ruan's business is booming. He started teaching his pick-up techniques in Beijing in 2008, after his post on "how to pick up girls" received thousands of replies online. "Guys that couldn't find a girlfriend think what I said works. They tried to approach me via the Internet and they tried to call me — it was only natural to start the private consulting business," says Ruan, adding he works on his own, and has no desire to grow the business. His class has been divided into two parts — theoretical and practical. "I'd bring students to places such as a popular shopping mall or university campus to practice ‘gut'," he says. The idea of "gut practicing" is simple — to get as many numbers as possible from women in the mall or campus. But before that, get some basic knowledge of a woman's way of thinking. Advice from a personal stylist is also necessary. A retired male model from South Korea is working with Ruan as the image consultant in Beijing to help his students. For an extra 1,000 yuan, he can design your hairstyle and take you shopping for two sets of clothes including shoes. Of course, the client has to pay the bill for the clothes. Source: China.org.cn

Read More........ → December 28, 2013

Berlusconi introduces his new First Lady – Francesca, 27

IT SEEMS that Silvio Berlusconi is back in the game in more ways than one. As the perma-tanned 76-year-old embarks on an unlikely bid to become prime minister of Italy for a fourth time, he has a new squeeze in tow who, at 27 years old, is almost 50 years his junior. Rumours that Berlusconi had been dating former TV showgirl Francesca Pascale were confirmed first by one his own MPs, Daniela Santanche, and then, according to The Times, in a "small item on page five of the Berlusconi family's newspaper, Il Giornale". Robert Fox: Don't write off the Demon king, Pascale, who was a pro-Berlusconi councillor in Naples and even founded a group called "Silvio We Will Miss You" when he was ousted from office in 2006, has been linked to Berlusconi since 2010, although they first met in 2004, when she was still a teenager. In 2011 her Smart car was spotted outside Berlusconi's Rome palazzo after his government collapsed. She has also been pictured alongside the former prime minister at AC Milan football matches. He owns the team. The Times also reports that Pascale and Berlusconi were spotted having dinner with his daughter, Marina, on Sunday night. At 46, Marina is old enough to be Pascale's mother. According to The Daily Telegraph, Pascale claims her life revolves around three things - her family, politics, and Signor Berlusconi."[She] is said to be jealous of the other women in his inner circle, including Mara Carfagna, a glamour model whom he appointed equal opportunities minister in his last government.” In the Italian media, Pascale has already been dubbed the country's new 'First Lady', even if her boyfriend is out of power currently. La Repubblica described Pascale as "enterprising" and "careerist" but others have queried her motives. "She, like all the others, was in search of success on TV and is now mysteriously in love with politics," sniffed blogger Elide Messineo. Meanwhile another former Berlusconi squeeze, teenage belly-dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known as Ruby the Heart Stealer, is back in the news after she missed a court date in Milan. Berlusconi is on trial for allegedly paying Roby for sex when she was underage. Her lawyer said she was in Mexico. Source: The Week UK

Read More........ → December 18, 2012

Rodin ballet goes to Paris

A St. Petersburg theater company, led by Boris Eifman, has been invited to Paris to produce a ballet dedicated to the great French sculptor Auguste Rodin and his beloved disciple Camille Claudel.

The ballet of the same name, to premiere in March, has already won rave reviews in Moscow, St. Petersburg and New York City. Darrel Wood of the authoritative NYC Dance Stuff magazine hails Rodin as “one of the best ballets of the 21st century.”  TASS, Live Riga, Source:  Voice of Russia

Read More........ → December 16, 2012

Want to do justice to Princess Diana role: Naomi Watts

Actress Naomi Watts wants to do the justice to the character of late Princess Diana in a new biopic 'Diana' about the royal's life. The 44-year-old blonde actress portrays the royal, who died in a Paris car crash in August 1997, in forthcoming movie 'Diana' and she says it was important she told her story in a truthful way, reported Showbiz spy. "It's very difficult to play someone who had such a deep impact and left such a lasting memory on the public. Our memory of her is still very fresh and you have to be respectful of that. It's also more complicated and sensitive when you take into account her two sons. But I want to do her justice and tell her story truthfully," she said. Although Watts is expecting to get criticised for her portrayal of the much-loved princess, she says it was a role she could not turn down. "There's a side that's terrified that my portrayal might not please the public which still has such vivid memories of her. But it's the kind of challenge I felt I couldn't refuse. You know that people will complain that you don't look enough like her, that you're not tall enough, all those things."Source: Screen-india

Read More........ → November 23, 2012

Republicans and Democrats – quotes from politicians

“He [Mitt Romney] demonstrated a lack of sophistication about what’s going on in the world, his rapid change in his positions. Look, being president requires a clear vision and a steady hand. That’s exactly what President Obama demonstrated tonight and it’s exactly what governor Romney demonstrated was lacking.”

Vice President Joe Biden, October 23.2012, Time,2:34–2:53, Making comments after the final Presidential Debate “We had a severe outbreak last night. It was, it was at least, at least ‘stage 3 Romnesia’ .If you

can’t seem to remember the policies on your website or the promises that you’ve been making over the 6 years that you’ve been running for president, if you can’t even remember what you said last week –don’t worry, Obamacare covers pre-existing conditions. We can fix you up. We can cure this disease.” President Barack Obama, October 23.2012, Time—0:08—0:48, On the campaign trail at a post-debate rally

“America's going to come back. And for that to happen, we're going to have to have a president who can work across the aisle. I was in a state where my legislature was 87 percent Democrat. I learned how to get along on the other side of the aisle. We've got to do that in Washington. Washington is broken. I know what it takes to get this country back. And we'll work with good Democrats and good Republicans to do that.” Mitt Romney, October 22.2012, Time—1:34:26—1:34:51, At the third presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida

“Governor Romney, I'm glad that you recognize that al-Qaida's a threat because a few months ago when you were asked, what's the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia — not al-Qaida, you said Russia. And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years.” President Barack Obama, October 22.2012, Time—0:00—0:18, At the third presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida

“Here’s our commitment to you, we’re offering you this choice, so you can decide what kind of country you want to have and we are not going to duck these tough issues. We’re not going to kick the can down the road, we’re going to lead. And we’re not going to spend the next 4 years blaming others, we’re going to take responsibility and fix this mess in Washington.” Paul Ryan, October 21.2012, Time—0:58—1:18, On the campaign trail in Colorado Springs, Colorado

“And — and so we — we took a concerted effort to go out and find women who had backgrounds that could be qualified to become members of our cabinet. I went to a number of women's groups and said, can you help us find folks? And I brought us whole binders full of — of women. I was proud of the fact that after I staffed my cabinet and my senior staff that the University of New York in Albany did a survey of all 50 states and concluded that mine had more women in senior leadership positions than any other state in America.” Mitt Romney, October 16.2012, Time— 0:38:01—0:38:30, The Second Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York

Song parodies on Obama and Romney:

“This is one of the things I love about Barack. He’s so used to having strong women in his life um you know he, it’s odd I tell him that this is somehow you know god keeping his testosterone in check because really he is surrounded by women. You know he grew up with a single mom, his grandmother was the you know true head of household, he married me, he’s got Malia and Sasha who do not mince their words and he's sustained himself through a life of strong women.” Michelle Obama, October 8.2012, Time—2:16—2:48 Interview with Cynthia McFadden on Nightline from ABC News

“I had a different reaction to that first debate than a lot of people did. I mean I thought, I thought – wow here’s old moderate Mitt, where’ve you been boy, I’ve missed you all these last few years. But I was paying attention these past 2 years and it was like one of these Bain Capital deals, you know where he is the closer. So, he shows up, doesn’t really know much about the deal and says, tell me what I’m supposed to say to close.” Bill Clinton, October 9.2012, Time—0:00—0:37, Opinion about the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney

“We want everybody to succeed. We want to get people out of poverty, in the middle class, on to lives of self-sufficiency. We believe in opportunity and upward mobility. That's what we're going to push for in a Romney administration.” Paul Ryan, October 11.2012, Time—26:35—26:45, Vice Presidential Debate: “My friend [Paul Ryan] says that 30 percent of the American people are takers. They — Romney points out, 47 percent of the people won't take responsibility. He's talking about my mother and father. And he's talking about the places I grew up in, my neighbors in Scranton and Claymont.” Joe Biden, October 11.2012, Time—1:27:55—1:28:10, Vice Presidential Debate.

Barack Obama talking to ABC news, post debate: “Governor Romney went to a lot of trouble to try to hide what his positions are because he knows that those ideas have been rejected, they won’t work. And if he’s made an honest presentation about what he’s proposed, he will lose because the American people are not going to go back there.” Barack Obama, October 10.2012, Time—0:48—1:03, Commercial about why Mitt Romney is the right choice for Americans "My plan will create 12 million new jobs over the next 4 years, helping lift families out of poverty and strengthening the middle class.” Mitt Romney, September 27. 2012, Time—0:40—0:49

Speech at a celebrity-led fundraiser in Los Angeles: “We’ve got some work to do, we’ve got an election to win, everything we fought for in 2008 is on the line here in 2012. And I need your help to finish what we started.”, Barack Obama, October 7.2012, Time—0:58—1:12

On the campaign trail in Denver Colorado, talking about his first presidential debate with Mitt Romney: “When I got onto the stage, I met this very spirited fellow who claimed to be Mitt Romney. But it couldn’t have been Mitt Romney because the real Mitt Romney has been running around the country for the last year promising 5 trillion dollars in tax cuts to favor the wealthy. The fellow on stage last night said he didn’t know anything about that.” Barack Obama, October 4.2012, Time—0:16—0:48

When you have a fire in an aircraft, there’s no place to go exactly. And you can’t find any oxygen from outside the aircraft to get in the aircraft cause the windows don’t open. I don’t know why they don’t do that, but it’s a real problem. Michelle Obama, September 4. 2012, Time – 9:32-9:52, The Democratic National

Convention “What I find so offensive about his tax plan, is by raising taxes on small business as he does, he will kill jobs. And right now, what America needs, as much as anything else, is more jobs. More jobs—more take home pay, that’s the whole focus of my campaign.” Mitt Romney, October 4.2012, Post Debate Interview, Time—14:50—15:07, “Last night, the American people got to see the guy I know, a decisive, optimistic, confident leader, a person with a plan to create jobs and grow the economy. That’s what the country saw. So, they now know they have a very clear choice. Growth-opportunity or stagnation-dependency.” , Paul Ryan, October 4.2012, Post Debate Interview, Time—5:14-5:31

“We may not be able to match our opponents dollar for dollar, but I know we can outmatch them door to door because of folks like you.” Joe Biden, October 3.2012, Post Debate Remarks, Time –3:23-3:31, “Governor Romney laid out a fundamentally different philosophy. He called for a tax plan that would mean massive cuts for the wealthy, but he refused to explain how he could possibly pay for them without raising taxes on middle class families. Instead he just denied how big these tax cuts were.” Joe Biden, October 3.2012, Post Debate Remarks, Time –1:18-1:35

“The not following good, sanitary procedure, giving abortions to women who are not actually pregnant, cheating on taxes, all these kinds of things, the misuse of anesthetics so that people die or almost die.“ Todd Akin, October 2.2012, U.S. House, Time—1:42 – 1:5, “Governor Romney has a perspective that says if we cut taxes, skewed towards the wealthy, and roll back regulations that we'll be better off. I've got a different view. I think we've got to invest in education and training.” Barack Obama, October 3.2012, Time—3:53- 4:07, Presidential Debate from the University of Denver: “Under the president's policies, middle-income Americans have been buried. They're — they're just being crushed. Middle-income Americans have seen their income come down by $4,300. This is a — this is a tax in and of itself.” Mitt Romney, October 3.2012, Time—10:02- 10:15, Presidential Debate from the University of Denver:

“It’s especially tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi because it is a city that he helped to save, at the height of the Libyan revolution.”Barack Obama, September 12. 2012, Time—3:40-3:49

“I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions.” Mitt Romney, Sep.12.2012, Time-2:02-2:11

“The situation in Libya has been kind of iffy to begin with.” Republican Todd Akin, Sep 12.2012, Time - 0:56- 0:59

“Now, I won't pretend the path I'm offering is quick or easy. I never have. You didn't elect me to tell you what you wanted to hear. You elected me to tell you the truth.”Obama, September 6.2012, Time—8:38- 8:51

And on every issue, the choice you face won't just be between two candidates or two parties. It will be a choice between two different paths for America, a choice between two fundamentally different visions for the future. Obama, September 6. 2012, Time -- 4:21- 4:35, “When Barack and I — when Barack and I were growing up, there was an implicit understanding in America that if you took responsibility, you'd get a fair shot at a better life.” Biden, September 6.2012, Time—9:21- 9:36, Joe Biden at the Democratic National 

Convention And by the way if someone gets an advanced degree, I want them to stay here, so I'd staple a green card to their diploma. Romney, September 17. 2012, Time - 17:41-17:47, I have a plan, and my Plan for a Stronger Middle Class will create 12 million jobs by the end of my first term. And it will raise take home pay. Romney, September 17. 2012, Time – 4:13-4:23, The number of people on food stamps has risen by almost 15 million since President Obama took office. (Mitt Romney at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Speech), Romney, September 17.2012, Time- 2:26-2:33, 

Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........ → November 01, 2012

Won't get another Amitabh Bachchan in next 100 years

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is turning 70 on October 11 and film director R Balki, who has delivered hits like 'Cheeni Kum' and national award winning 'Paa' with Big B, describes the Bollywood legend as a once in a lifetime actor. Balki also feels that Indian cinema is living a special moment with the veteran actor. "He is once in a lifetime actor and the best way to respect and be friendly.. and love him would be to continue adoring him," Balki said. The ad filmmaker feels that such a multi-talented actor is a rarity. "He is an icon. We are fortunate enough to be living in an era where people like him are there. And I don't think one will get to see another Amitabh Bachchan in the next 100 years. I don't think it can happen," Balki added. "Besides his talent, hard work the personality and his acting skills is a difficult combination to get all together. It is a special moment in Bollywood in which we are living. He is the heritage monument of India," he said. But there are certain things that Balki dislikes in the 69-year-old actor. "The dislike part is he does not drink and smoke, so I can't smoke in front of him. I like everything about him – the way he conducts himself, his wit and humour, his genuinety, his intelligence and his commitment and love for acting," he said. After working with him in several ads and three films, Balki feels its always an honour to work with an actor of his stature. Balki directed Bachchan and Tabu in 'Cheeni Kum' (2007) where a 34-year-old falls in love with a sixty-plus man. While 'Paa' (2009) saw the senior playing the role of a child suffering from progeria. Also, in wife Gauri Shinde's directorial debut film, 'English Vinglish', Bachchan is seen in a cameo role. Balki was the co-producer of this film. "I think it is an honour to work with him. As long as he is ok and doing films with me I am privileged. He is an absolute amazing actor. I don't think so there are any filmmakers who don't want to work with him," Balki said. "He does provide his inputs, suggestions. But he will never force his point of view," he added. Balki is working on another project which will star Bachchan. "I would not do a film with him if it does not suit him. Fortunately, the ideas that we have worked upon till now were for him.. There is another idea that I have for him and I think he will be best for that (film)," he said. He is the biggest motivating force in filmmaking. The moment I have an idea I tell him and if he likes it he agrees. I did not have to convince him, he got convinced by the subject of the films that we have worked on till date," he added. Big B is one such actor who has a huge fan following not only among the older generation but also the younger lot. And Balki is no different from anyone and he admits that he is the biggest fan of the great actor. "I am his huge fan and that is the biggest relation I think I can have with him. I think it would be presumptuous to call him a friend, I would be over exaggerating, I think it would be like disrespecting him," he said. And now that Bachchan is turning a year older on October 11, Balki feels the actor is still like a 40-year-old. "He is bull shitting about his age... For me he is just 40-year-old. He is lying. I think his energy is superb. He does not look or behave like a 70-year-old man, he is so cool," he said.Source: Screen India

Read More........ → October 25, 2012

Taj Mahal replica to be built in Dubai

A $1bn (£621m) project to build a replica of the Taj Mahal has been unveiled in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. The Taj Arabia complex would be much bigger than the original monument to love and include a 300-room hotel, shops and commercial buildings, developer Arun Mehra said. It would be ready by 2014 and be known as the "New City of Love", he said. The complex will also house other structures such as the Eiffel Tower, Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. The Taj Mahal, which is situated in the northern Indian town of Agra, is a Unesco World Heritage site. It was completed more than 350 years ago by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a shrine for his wife Mumtaz and took more than 20 years to build. The white marble mausoleum, situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, is sometimes known as a teardrop on the cheek of time. The Taj Arabia complex will be built around the Taj Mahal which is a "symbol of love and will include various facilities to encapsulate the beauty of life, love and romance mixed with the long established Mughal architecture", Mr Mehra, who is the chairman of Link Global Group, told the Press Trust of India. The developers say they hope that the Taj Arabia will become a new wedding destination and attract couples to it. An earlier plan to build the complex was shelved when the company was hit by the global economic downturn. Source: SAM Daily Times

Read More........ → October 05, 2012

When in Rome

My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it What character do you play in To Rome with Love? My character is of a hooker who makes prostitution seem like a desirable profession. She is very professional, she looks at this job with dignity, and she wants to be the best at it. She is convinced she is helping people, and is really necessary for society.  How would you describe the film? To Rome with Love is described as “a story about a number of people in Italy, some American, some Italian, some residents, some visitors, and the romances and adventures and predicaments they get into. How was it working with Woody Allen again? How did he approach you with the film? It was easier this time because I knew Woody, so I wasn’t so nervous because of all the stories you hear about him. He is peculiar and unique and different, but it is really a blessing to spend time with him, He is one of the funniest people in the world. Everyday he does something that surprises you, and that you will remember forever. What do you have to say of him as a director? Allen’s known for only giving his actors the basic info on the story and then just letting them run with it. He gives all this freedom, which is very liberating. He lets actors add their own flavour to the character. As I said, he is peculiar; you just ask him something and expect some answers that you could never think of. Mostly he avoids talking to his actors on the sets. How would you compare this outing with your earlier Vicky Cristina Barcelona? Maria Elena is a mad character more often seen in easy dresses, bare foot and fringed huge bags, more of a bohemian style. She is a restless character and has to create some chaos wherever she is. Whereas Anna is a well dressed, tucked in from head to toe, who thinks she is helping the society through prostitution. Anna is street smart, whereas Maria was mad and innocent. How do you normally approach your characters? I read my character with a neutral mind and try to think and visualise how the character could be better portrayed. What are the kind of scripts that catch your attention almost immediately? Scripts that have some meat or a role that convinces me. Would you say Hollywood films are now gaining precedence over European cinema comprising, French, Spanish, Italian, among others? And if it is, is it co-opting the local stories? I guess both are going hand in hand. English speaking people have now gone beyond Hollywood and the French, Spanish, Italians are taking interest in Hollywood. Is it difficult traversing Europe and America juggling your professional assignments? No,I always did one thing at a time and now I have different priorities so now may be just one or two movies a year will reduce the amount of travelling. What’s coming up next? My upcoming films are The Counselor (2013), I’m So Excited (2013), Twice Born (2012) are going to be released.  Have you worked in any of Hollywood’s magnificent animation films? What is your opinion of them? I have not yet worked in magnificent animation films but am looking forward to it, if I get an opportunity. Well, it’s really fun working in such projects, as maximum people like animated films especially children. It’s getting recognition because it’s entertainment for whole family so it’s really wonderful to be associated with it. Source: Screen India

Read More........ → September 19, 2012

Love fantasy kicks off 15th SIFF

Jury members (from left to right) Chinese-American producer Terrence Chang, American actress Heather Graham, French director Jean Jacques Annaud, Iranian director Rakhshan Banietemad, Chinese actress Lee Bingbing and Chinese director Zhang Yang meet the press on Saturday in Shanghai. [Pang Li/China.org.cn]

A fantasy extravaganza inspired by a Chinese ghost story opened the 15th edition of Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) on Saturday following a star-studded red carpet session and an extravagant opening gala. "Painted Skin: The Resurrection" is a sequel to the 2008 blockbuster "The Painted Skin" which was

Read More........ → June 17, 2012

Indians’ love for luxury e-shopping on the rise

As Fashion United: shopping on the net gains ground in India, e-commerce platforms are cashing in on the wave. Even luxury brands such as Jimmy Choo and Roberto Cavalli, are looking at it as a big opportunity. A study done by digital measurement firm comScore Inc had revealed some time back that in November, 27.2 million people in India aged 15 or above accessed an online store, 18 per cent more than in the previous year. Although a bulk of the traffic went to discount sites, entrepreneurs, impressed with the value and volume of

Read More........ → June 08, 2012

From “Princess” Diana to “Duchess Kate”: The Incorrect Way of Referring to a Royal Consort

The late Princess of Wales was popularly but incorrectly called Princess Diana.

Royal Splendor: Royal consorts have been victims of incorrect references made by the press. Many times over, I have heard people say “Princess Diana” in reference to Diana, Princess of Wales, first wife of Prince Charles and mother to princes William and Harry. Months after her wedding, Catherine Middleton, who assumed her husband's title Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, has been victim of the press' display of disrespect and lack of knowledge on how to correctly address a royal consort. The same is the case with the Countess of Wessex, wife of Prince Edward, who is sometimes wrongly called by the press as “Sophie Wessex.”  To come to full understanding of what is the proper way to address a royal consort, here is a little lecture for those who find this topic a bit difficult to understand. Royal Consorts Married to Blood Royals with Substantive Titles Substantive title is a title of nobility or royalty that an individual holds which he either acquires by grant or by inheritance. Usually, heirs apparent are known for their substantive titles, as with the case of Prince Charles, who is known for his substantive title Prince of Wales, and Crown

The British press loves to call the Duchess of Cambridge "Duchess Kate,"or worse, only "Kate."

Prince Felipe of Spain, the Prince of Asturias. The British monarchy also assigns substantive titles to the younger sons of the sovereign, which are usually inherited by their elder sons. The younger sons of Queen Elizabeth also hold substantive titles. Prince Andrew is the Duke of York, while Prince Edward is the Earl of Wessex. The same is applied to the queen's male-line cousins. Prince Edward, being the elder son of Prince George, inherited the title Duke of Kent, meanwhile, Prince Richard, as the sole surviving son, assumed his father Prince Henry's title, as the Duke of Gloucester. Now, let us go to the titles of their wives. The late Princess of Wales was born Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of the 8th Earl Spencer, a member of the British nobility. Because she wasn't born a royal, she was not entitled to carry the title “Princess” before her name. Thus, calling her “Princess” Diana is totally incorrect. The rightful reference to

The Countess of Wessex is sometimes called "Countess" Sophie Wessex.

her should be Diana, Princess of Wales, or the Princess of Wales. In 1996, the Prince and Princess of Wales divorced but Diana was allowed to continue using her title, although her style as Royal Highness ceased, being no longer a member of the British Royal Family. She died in 1997, and the title lay vacant. In 2006, the Prince of Wales married Camilla Parker-Bowles. Technically, she should have every inch of right to assume the title Princess of Wales, being the legal wife of the prince, but to avoid confusion and in respect to Diana, who still enjoyed the love and admiration of the Britons. Thus, she assumed her husband's second title, which is Duchess of Cornwall. Worldwide, she is popular as Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, although in Scotland, she is referred as the Duchess of Rothesay, because the prince's official Scottish title is the Duke of Rothesay. Moving forward to Prince William's wife, Cathering Middleton officially assumed the title Duchess of Cambridge upon their April wedding. As such, she should be officially referred to as either Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, or the Duchess of Cambridge, not as “Duchess” Catherine, as what most British tabloids call her. Her complete title and style is Her Royal Highness the Princess

The Baroness Marie-Christine Von Reibnitz is popularly known as Princess Michael of Kent after she wedded Prince Michael, a royal prince who doesn't hold a substantive title.

William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus. The same is true with Sophie, Countess of Wessex. She isn't “Countess” Sophie Wessex, but the Countess of Wessex, her complete title and style being Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, Viscountess Severn. Royal Consorts of Princes with Territorial Suffix By Virtue of their Parent's Title Prince Harry (official known as Prince Henry of Wales), Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York, Prince Michael of Kent, and Princess Alexandra of Kent fall under this category. These blood royals are usually younger sons or the daughters of a royal prince who happens to be the younger sons of sovereign who carries a substantive title. Prince Harry uses the territorial suffix “of Wales” by virtue of Prince Charles being the Prince of Wales. The same is true with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, daughters of the Duke of York, and the Queen's cousins, Prince Michael and Princess Alexandra of Kent, the younger son and the daughter of King George V's youngest son, Prince George, Duke of Kent. In the case that bride weds a royal prince with territorial suffix, she assumes her husband's name and title. This is the case of Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz who is popularly known as the Princess Michael of Kent, after her wedding to Prince Michael. Source: Royal Splendor

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