Seems like only yesterday, dear: The Queen and Duchess of Cambridge relive glorious royal wedding day with private viewing of THAT dress

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Admiration: The Queen talks with the Duchess of Cambridge as they view the wedding dress the Duchess wore during her April marriage to Prince William

The Queen today enjoyed a private viewing of the Duchess of Cambridge’s stunning wedding gown with Kate ahead of a public showing of the dress at Buckingham Palace.

More than half a million people are expected to view the dress as part of the Palace’s annual summer exhibition this year, but her Majesty was give her own tour by the Duchess.

The pair chatted as they admired the £250,000 Alexander McQueen dress which had the world enthralled when Kate married Prince William in April.


Viewing: The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Buckingham Palace with Her Majesty, The Queen, to see the wedding dress and cake before both go on public display


Amid the pomp and splendour of a truly unforgettable day, The Dress was undoubtedly the star of the show.

But the ghost-like appearance of the headless mannequin used to exhibit the gown prompted her to describe it as 'horrible' during a private tour with Kate of a new Buckingham Palace exhibition.

The Queen and the Duchess were given a sneak preview of the exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow.


One is spooked: The Queen was heard to describe the headless mannequin as 'horrible'


The monarch led the way and, with her hands clasped behind her back, strode into the Ballroom and stopped about 10 feet from the dress with Kate standing beside her.

As the pair chatted, the pitch of the Queen's voice raised and she said 'horrible' and then 'horrid'.

It appeared the mannequin's lack of a head may have perturbed the Queen, who added: 'It's made to look very creepy.'

Kate countered with her own view and said it had a '3D effect'.


Exhibition: The monarch, her hands clasped behind her back, led the way as she and Kate toured the displays in Buckingham Palace


And just like the most gracious stars, the Duchess of Cambridge’s stunning wedding gown is returning for an encore.

Those of us who admired it from the comfort of our sofas at home, can now see the Alexander McQueen dress right up close – if we can get our hands on what is rapidly becoming the hottest ticket in town.

The dress is to take pride of place at Buckingham Palace’s annual summer exhibition this year, ensuring we can bask in the afterglow of Kate and William’s wedding day just that little bit longer.


Style queen: The Duchess of Cambridge exuded elegance and poise as she walked around Buckingham Palace today


Fit for a Duchess: Kate Middleton's stunning wedding gown is going on display at the weekend, alongside other items from the big day

source: dailymail

It's a hard life: Tamara Ecclestone gets helicopter to shops from daddy's yacht in Monaco whilst on holiday with Petra

By JODY THOMPSON

Clunk click: Tamara Ecclestone straps herself in to get a lift in a helicopter from the yacht where she's staying in Monaco to the shore

Billionaire heiress Tamara Ecclestone took relaxation to a sky-high new level on holiday yesterday - she saved her legs from a tiring walk to the designer stores by getting a HELICOPTER to nip to the shops.

Tamara caught a Heli Air Monaco flight whilst relaxing with her sister Petra on their Formula 1 boss father's luxury yacht moored off the coast of Monaco.

At least the previously bikini-clad Tamara covered up - a bit at least - for her spot of retail therapy, pulling on a pair of tiny denim cut-off shorts, pink vest and cuffed sandals.


Up and away: The heiress can afford to avoid public transport or a dodgy dinghy to go shopping


However, while most mere mortals put up with a canvas beach bag that smells vaguely of mouldy towels on our summer hols, Tam was proudly sporting an expensive cream designer handbag.

Perhaps she was popping out on her own to buy a last-minute minute wedding present for her sister, who's walking down the aisle in a few weeks.

They've been joined by their boyfriends on their summer break and have been hard at work deepening their already teak-coloured tans on deck.


Back on dry land: Tamara may have been taking advantage of Monaco's designer stores to buy a last-minute wedding gift for sister Petra


Earlier, Tamara was seen basking in a tiny silver and white tie-sided bikini, while Petra had plumped for a top piece with a pale blue top and multi-coloured bottoms.

At one point, they both grabbed bottles of water from the on-board ice bucket, having worked up a thirst while sat round the on-deck pool on the boat, called Force One.

Petra is making sure that her tan is in ship shape for her wedding next month - and it appears that Tamara may be following in her younger sister's lead.


Luxury stay: The pair are staying on their Formula 1 boss father's superyacht


She appeared to be accessorising her swimsuit with a earlier in the week with a huge sparkler on her ring finger.

Younger sibling Petra, 22, is engaged to her beau of four years businessman James Stunt and the pair are walking down the aisle in a few weeks.

Tamara, 27, is currently dating Omar Khyami a 37-year-old stockbroker.


Love boat: The sisters are holidaying in Monaco with their respective partners


Bride-to-be at sea: Petra is topping up her already deep tan ahead of her wedding next month to businessman James Stunt

source: dailymail

It's a hard life: Tamara Ecclestone gets helicopter to shops from daddy's yacht in Monaco whilst on holiday with Petra

By JODY THOMPSON

Clunk click: Tamara Ecclestone straps herself in to get a lift in a helicopter from the yacht where she's staying in Monaco to the shore

Billionaire heiress Tamara Ecclestone took relaxation to a sky-high new level on holiday yesterday - she saved her legs from a tiring walk to the designer stores by getting a HELICOPTER to nip to the shops.

Tamara caught a Heli Air Monaco flight whilst relaxing with her sister Petra on their Formula 1 boss father's luxury yacht moored off the coast of Monaco.

At least the previously bikini-clad Tamara covered up - a bit at least - for her spot of retail therapy, pulling on a pair of tiny denim cut-off shorts, pink vest and cuffed sandals.


Up and away: The heiress can afford to avoid public transport or a dodgy dinghy to go shopping


However, while most mere mortals put up with a canvas beach bag that smells vaguely of mouldy towels on our summer hols, Tam was proudly sporting an expensive cream designer handbag.

Perhaps she was popping out on her own to buy a last-minute minute wedding present for her sister, who's walking down the aisle in a few weeks.

They've been joined by their boyfriends on their summer break and have been hard at work deepening their already teak-coloured tans on deck.


Back on dry land: Tamara may have been taking advantage of Monaco's designer stores to buy a last-minute wedding gift for sister Petra


Earlier, Tamara was seen basking in a tiny silver and white tie-sided bikini, while Petra had plumped for a top piece with a pale blue top and multi-coloured bottoms.

At one point, they both grabbed bottles of water from the on-board ice bucket, having worked up a thirst while sat round the on-deck pool on the boat, called Force One.

Petra is making sure that her tan is in ship shape for her wedding next month - and it appears that Tamara may be following in her younger sister's lead.


Luxury stay: The pair are staying on their Formula 1 boss father's superyacht


She appeared to be accessorising her swimsuit with a earlier in the week with a huge sparkler on her ring finger.

Younger sibling Petra, 22, is engaged to her beau of four years businessman James Stunt and the pair are walking down the aisle in a few weeks.

Tamara, 27, is currently dating Omar Khyami a 37-year-old stockbroker.


Love boat: The sisters are holidaying in Monaco with their respective partners


Bride-to-be at sea: Petra is topping up her already deep tan ahead of her wedding next month to businessman James Stunt

source: dailymail

Ready for its encore: Kate's wedding gown we all fell in love with goes on display

By REBECCA ENGLISH and TAMARA COHEN

Showstopper: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, wearing the dress in all its glory, emerge from Westminster Abbey on their wedding day

Amid the pomp and splendour of a truly unforgettable day, The Dress was undoubtedly the star of the show.

And just like the most gracious stars, the Duchess of Cambridge’s stunning wedding gown is returning for an encore.

Those of us who admired it from the comfort of our sofas at home, can now see the £250,000 Alexander McQueen dress right up close – if we can get our hands on what is rapidly becoming the hottest ticket in town.


Fit for a Duchess: Kate Middleton's stunning wedding gown is going on display at the weekend, alongside other items from the big day


The dress is to take pride of place at Buckingham Palace’s annual summer exhibition this year, ensuring we can bask in the afterglow of Kate and William’s wedding day just that little bit longer.

While most brides carefully wrap their bridal gowns in tissue paper and store them away with their memories, Kate’s will be shared with the nation all over again.


Beauty in the detail: 58 gazar buttons run from the collar to the waist on the gown, while Kate's veil is made of soft ivory silk tulle and stitched with flowers


In fact visitors can relive every joyful moment of the day, with everything from the Duchess’s veil to her shoes and even the royal wedding cake on display.

Record demand means advance ticket sales are more than double on last year’s summer opening, with 600,000 people paying £17.50 per ticket to troop through the doors over the next ten weeks.

That would comfortably beat the palace’s previous highest attendance of 420,000 in 1994.

Here, the Daily Mail, which was offered an exclusive tour yesterday, can reveal the treasures in store for the first visitors this Saturday.


Something borrowed: This 1936 Cartier tiara was loaned to Kate by Queen and contains 1,000 glittering diamonds


Icing on the cake: The top three layers of the cake are replicas, with two saved for the couple's first child's Christening, as tradition dictates


The first cut: The mark made by the couple using a ceremonial sword is clearly visible on the bottom tier of the cake


Twinkle toes: The duchess's hand-stitched shoes were designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and are size five-and-a-half


Bouquet of memories: A silk replica of Kate's flowers include sweet william, myrtle, lily of the valley and hyacinth


Little acorns: The Duchess's diamond earrings were a present from her parents for the wedding, and bare acorns as a nod to her family's new coat of arms


Spectacular: Pippa Middleton carries the train of her sister's gown, which was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen and described as being sized 'small' by the exhibition's curator


However, look closely among the sugary flowers on the bottom tier and you can see the mark left by the ceremonial sword the couple used to cut it – an unbroken link to a magical day.

The Royal Wedding Dress: A Story of Great British Design runs until October 3 at Buckingham Palace. Tickets are priced at £17.50 and can be obtained from www.royalcollection.org.uk or 0207 766 7300.

source: dailymail

SPOILER ALERT: THIRD gay character in Albert Square, as Ben Mitchell reveals sexuality

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Coming out: Joshua Pascoe, who plays Ben Mitchell, will be the third gay member of the soap

As Coronation Street comes under fire for broadcasting too many gay plotlines, EastEnders introduces its third gay character to Walford.

At just 15-years-old, teenager Ben Mitchell will reveal his true sexuality, devastating his masculine father Phil in the process.

Actor Joshua Pascoe, who is the fourth actor to play the part of Ben, joins couple Syed Masood and Christian Clarke as 'the only gays in the village'

An EastEnders source told The Mirror: 'Since the day Ben returned to Walford, he’s been a bit of a disappointment for Phil.

'With his love of dancing and musicals, Ben was not cast from the same tough guy mould as his father.

'It’s ironic that Phil’s efforts to turn his son into a mini version of himself backfire spectacularly when he encourages Ben to go boxing with Duncan.'



Homosexual characters: Syed and Christian will empathise with Ben


The insider added: 'But no one could anticipate the chain of events this will spark around Walford as Ben tries to keep his sexuality secret from his father.
'Poor Ben is terrified of Phil’s reaction but the truth will come out, sooner or later.'

The controversial storyline sees Ben and Duncan's relationship blossom when Ben takes a risk by planting a kiss on his friend.
He is stunned when Duncan returns his affections, rather than pushing him away in disgust.

But when Patrick Trueman spots them, Ben is terrified the shopkeeper will tell his father and heads to his mini-mart to intimidate him.

The situation goes from bad to worse when terrified Patrick calls the police, leaving Phil fuming and demanding an apology.

Loyal Patrick refuses to say sorry, but does keeps the truth about Ben.

Fellow EastEnders Syed Masood and Christian Clarke, played by Marc Elliott and John Partridge, caused controversy during a recent scene that saw them lying in bed together, apparently naked beneath the sheets.

Over 100 viewers complained, saying the intimacy was 'inappropriate'.
But the BBC hit back, saying the show has a duty to reflect 'real life'.


source: dailymail