| Duchess Kate’s Canadian style tour continues: cute or boring? Posted: 03 Jul 2011 08:46 AM PDT 
Above is a photo from the protests outside of an event in Montreal, where Duchess Kate and Prince William were doing some kind of royal visit to a hospital. It's just a reminder, for those of you who think I'm too harsh on Kate - I'm really not that harsh. I do like the girl, but I just think she's ripe for some gentle teasing. I would never stand outside of one of her events with a sign that said "PARASITE" though. Anyway, on to the fashion! For Canada day, Kate wore Reiss, a British designer, and an outfit she had recycled and repurposed. Kate wore this dress, "The Nannette" last year for her engagement portraits by Mario Testino. In those photos, I didn't really notice the odd boob-ruffle, though. It's cute, but I kind of wish the whole ensemble wasn't so matchy-matchy with the red accents. Red maple leaf hat (by Sylvia Fletcher at Lock & Co.), red pumps, red Anya Hindmarch clutch. It's nice seeing Kate more away from her usual blues and whites, though. Red looks nice on her. Also: her maple leaf brooch is the Queen's. 
Next up: Kate in a grey dress (with some kind of bluish-green undertone) by Catherine Walker, a favorite of Princess Diana. The dress is called "The Kensington" - Princess Diana lived at Kensington Palace. This is Kate trying to look solemn, because she and William were visiting the Canadian War Museum. Kate and William also got to plant a tree (an Eastern Hemlock…?) symbolizing their love, and I don't mind telling you, Waity did NOT know what to do with a shovel. She's all "Er… what?" 
 
There were other costume changes and events, but unfortunately, we don't have those photos. If you go here, you can see William in a chef's jacket, though. I have to admit something - I'm surprised that the royal tour so far hasn't gotten more attention. I guess it's because there have been no flubs, major or minor, but I also think it's because neither William nor Kate are really that dynamic? Go on and hate me. While I think Kate is performing her royal duties with grace, the camera often catches her looking like she doesn't really know what she's doing. She's not a "natural" at this, but she's studying, and she's trying, and good for her. I'm not bashing her for putting in the effort - although I will bash her for not paying attention to whatever task is at hand, and instead looking around for the photographers so she can turn her face to them. There are way too many shots of her looking in the complete different direction than everyone else - it's not a coincidence. As for William, he's been in the royal bubble so long, I get the feeling that he's simply incapable of being spontaneous. It makes for a dedicated public servant, but not a terribly watchable one. 
Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.
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| Charlene Wittstock’s Armani wedding gown: gorgeous or unflattering? Posted: 03 Jul 2011 07:49 AM PDT 
Here are some photos from yesterday's church wedding for the now Princess Charlene (formerly Charlene Wittstock) and Prince Albert of Monaco. On Friday, Charlene and Albert had their civil ceremony, so there were already technically married. Yesterday's service was just for the Catholic Church's blessing and stuff (I don't know the technicalities of it, nor do I care). The bride wore Armani, and I HATE it. The skirt and the bodice of the gown isn't terrible at all, but for goodness sake WHY do this neckline on a woman with extremely broad shoulders?!? Armani made Charlene look like a linebacker. Beyond the gown, I think Charlene made a somewhat better show at the church service than at her civil ceremony, where she looked kind of drugged out (tranq'd out). But we now know why she (not so allegedly) tried to bolt - there's probably another illegitimate kid in the mix for Prince Albert: It may have had all the superficial trappings of a fairytale royal wedding, but as Prince Albert of Monaco tied the knot with his reluctant bride yesterday, the scandals surrounding their often tense nuptials took yet another awkward turn. Officials in the Mediterranean enclave chose the day of his glittering wedding to former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock to announce that the Prince would have to take a paternity test for a possible third illegitimate child. A palace aide said that one of 33-year-old Princess Charlene's first duties would therefore be to stand by her husband if there was another public scandal. Albert, 53, already has an illegitimate six-year-old son called Alexandre through a Togolese former air hostess called Nicole Coste, and a 19-year-old daughter called Jazmin with Tamara Rotolo, an American estate agent. Both were kept away from Albert's marriage to avoid 'media exposure', an official inside Monaco's royal palace said. The source added: 'The truth of the rumour is that Albert faces paternity tests following a claim by at least one former lover.' But none of Albert's illegitimate brood will have a claim to the throne, with the official saying: 'Even if a third or even a fourth child is confirmed Albert will not have an official heir until Princess Charlene bears him one.' The tests will go ahead in the next few days, said the source. French magazine Public has attributed two new illegitimate children to Albert. One is said to be 18 months old and the son of an Italian woman who is preparing to tell all. Other magazines have suggested Ms Coste has had a second baby with Prince Albert – an idea that gained credibility last week when the 40-year-old was pictured in Monte Carlo. Ms Coste received a multi-million-pound settlement when a DNA test showed Albert was Alexandre's father, while Ms Rotolo has also been supported financially by him. Lawyers for Prince Albert have said categorically that the rumour he fathered another child is false – but they made similarly fierce denials before genetic tests proved he had fathered the other two children. The source said he hoped yesterday's Roman Catholic ceremony in the Palace courtyard, a day after the uneasy civil service, would 'overshadow' the latest revelations about secret children – although that seems like wishful thinking. There was an audible sigh of relief when bride and groom said 'I do', ten days after Charlene was allegedly intercepted at Nice airport as she tried to flee home to South Africa. She has looked uncomfortable, even sad, in recent appearances while Albert also looked ashen-faced during yesterday's service, despite the apparent glamour of the event. All saw Albert wink at his new bride after she had said 'Oui' when asked by the Archbishop of Monaco, Bernard Barsi, if she wanted to marry him. Wearing an off-the-shoulder Armani dress, the new Princess Charlene’s gown took the designer’s team 2,500 hours to prepare, of which 700 hours was spent on the embroidery alone, using ‘kilometres’ of platinum-coated thread sewn into 130 metres of off-white silk. The gown would have been heavy for the new Princess, as she would have had to carry the weight of 40,000 Swarovski crystals, 20,000 mother of pearl tear drops and 30,000 ’stones in gold shades’. The dress’s crowning glory was the five-metre long train made from 20 metres of silk tulle, which took 100 hours to make. The groom looked smart in a cream summer uniform of Monaco's palace guards, with his sleeves embroidered with oak and olive leave.
[From The Mail] So, Albert probably has another kid, conceived about two and a half years ago, when he was technically WITH Charlene (they've allegedly been dating since 2006). Most people think that this is the little scandal that Charlene learned about last week, and that this is what made her try to do a runner. My opinion? This scandal was merely the straw that broke the camel's back. I think Charlene realized just how terrible all of it was going to be. I know she's a princess now and everything, but I feel really sorry for her. Oh, and here's the dress she wore to the reception - I think it's Armani too. Meh. It's cute, I guess. The neckline is much better. 
More photos from the wedding: 
Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.
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| Cheryl Cole comes out of hiding with a makeover: hideous or cute? Posted: 03 Jul 2011 07:48 AM PDT 
Here are some newish photos of Cheryl Cole from her birthday party this weekend. Cheryl has been "in hiding" for weeks since she got pink-slipped by her supposed friend Simon Cowell, when she got dumped from the American version of The X Factor and replaced with Nicole Scherzinger. Notice anything different? Yes, Cheryl did what too many do after getting publicly dumped - she radically changed her hair. And it is NOT good. Cheryl chopped off her dark, pretty brown hair and lightened it to this gross-looking rusty-blondish-red color that doesn't suit her at all. The cut is fug too. Poor Cheryl. AND she's still wearing way too much makeup. What is wrong with her?!? She could be so attractive, and she just seems intent on making herself look so trashy and budget. If all of that wasn't enough, Cheryl is so depressed that she's spending time with her womanizing, cheeseball ex-husband Ashley too. Gross. Cheryl Cole’s exclusive 28th birthday party was THE place to be seen this weekend – or at least it was for all the guests bar her ex-husband Ashley. For although the Chelsea and England footballer went to great lengths to attend the lavish bash – making a midnight dash from Heathrow to the five-star venue – he was very keen not to be spotted arriving or leaving. His chauffeur-driven car sneaked into the Sanderson Hotel unnoticed via the underground car park – and when it was time to leave in the early hours of yesterday, he concealed himself in the back seat as the Audi A8 whisked him away at high speed. Ashley's four-hour appearance at the party, direct from his holiday in New York, has renewed speculation that he and Cheryl are getting back together, despite his reported infidelity. Last night Miss Cole's publicist confirmed that Ashley had attended the party, but refused to be drawn any further on their relationship. But a source close to the star told The Mail on Sunday: 'It was a small, private party held by Cheryl to celebrate her birthday with those who are really close to her. There were about 20 to 30 guests there. It was just friends and family, and Ashley was invited as well. She was over the moon that he had come because he had only just arrived back from America. The two of them are taking things slowly and it is early days, but Ashley is doing all the right things now. Most of the guests left the party at about 3am but Ashley stayed around for almost an hour longer to spend time with Cheryl. They are getting very close now and she needs someone to rely on.' After sipping on Belvedere vodka, which the event was sponsored by, Cheryl and Ashley are said to have started dancing together by the DJ booth. Ashley's mother Sue and brother Matthew told the News Of The World: 'They are very happy together.' The tabloid also revealed that Cheryl's mother Joan, 51, approached Ashley at the party and led him by hand to her daughter. 'That was Joan's way of giving her seal of approval', an insider told the newspaper. The pair then went to the bar to order more drinks, before Cheryl went home at 2am, leaving Ashley to go back to their former marital home alone. The Girls Aloud singer, humiliatingly dumped from the American version of X Factor just over a month ago, spent an estimated £25,000 to effectively rent out half of the elite hotel for two days to pamper herself and close friends and family. She was in the £1,000-a-night penthouse for three nights, and booked the plush bungalow suite below her for her mother, Joan Callaghan, along with 20 more rooms for other party guests. Sporting her new blonde bob, Cheryl wore a white Sixties-style Stella McCartney chiffon dress and high-heeled sandals to the party, which was the first time she has been seen in public since her exit from the US X Factor. After cutting an extravagant cake, designed to look like a pile of boutique gifts, Cheryl danced and chatted the night away. But her ex-husband's presence is believed to have caused tensions within her family, who are thought to have advised her not to let Ashley back into her life. Miss Cole's mother is said to be furious that he has wormed his way back into her heart. After the party, Ashley, 30, returned to their £5 million former marital home in Godalming, Surrey, where he is currently living. Cheryl reportedly stayed there overnight with him three weeks ago, but it is thought the pair did not spend the night together. A source said: 'Who knows what is going to happen in the future with them? Ashley is a predator, he likes a challenge, and Cheryl is so tired and emotional that she may just give in.'
[From The Mail] I wish I could give Cheryl a style and a life makeover. I would make her dye her hair back to that lovely brunette color, I would make her wash all of that junk off of her face and teach her how to do a "natural" makeup look. I would put her in some cute, low-key outfits that flattered her figure (although, honestly, her clothes aren't the biggest problem). Then I would encourage to spend time with dudes that bear no resemblance in character or disposition to Ashley Cole. She should date a lawyer-type, or a banker, maybe. Isn't she one of the most desired women in Britain? She could do much, much better by simply picking up a random at a bar. 
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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| Maria Shriver officially files for divorce, Arnold’s lawyer hasn’t responded Posted: 03 Jul 2011 07:24 AM PDT 
This one is a no-brainer: Maria Shriver filed for divorce, officially, on Friday. It seemed like she was headed in that direction since Arnold's mistress implosion more than a month ago. Both Maria and Arnold had hired divorce lawyers, and it was assumed that they were already in the process of splitting up their assets. Most of their kids (together) are already adults, or almost adults, so I don't think custody is going to be a huge issue, especially since both Arnold and Maria seem content to stay in California. Previously, sources claimed that Arnold could be paying Maria something like $100 million in a possible divorce settlement - which I think it low-balling it, no pun intended: Maria Shriver is moving on. California’s former first lady filed for divorce from Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, a source confirms, two months after the actor’s public admission that he fathered a child with the couple’s longtime housekeeper. Citing irreconcilable differences, Shriver is seeking shared custody of their minor children, Patrick, 17, and Christopher, 13. The couple also have two daughters, Katherine, 21 and Christina, 19. Shriver is also seeking spousal support from Schwarzenegger and that he pay her attorney fees. Schwarzenegger’s rep Adam Mendelsohn had no comment on the filing. According to a source, one of the reasons Shriver had confronted housekeeper Mildred Baena was because it became more and more apparent over the years that Baena’s son, Joseph, 13, bore a striking resemblance to Schwarzenegger. “While Maria may not have been as angry at Mildred as she was at Arnold, her instinct would be to protect her family,” a source close to the family previously told PEOPLE. “Whatever she did in the aftermath was about taking care of her kids, trying to shield them and trying to minimize the repercussions.” Shriver, 55, most recently attended the Special Olympics in Athens, Greece, accompanied by her four children. It remains to be seen what sort of relationship Schwarzenegger, 63, plans to have with Joseph, although a source says the actor has been providing for the boy for many years. In early May, the couple announced their split as they contemplated the state of their 25-year marriage. “At this time, we are living apart, while we work on the future of our relationship,” the couple said in a statement at the time. “We are continuing to parent our four children together. They are the light and the center of both of our lives.”
[From People] I don't think anybody blames Maria for filing for divorce, right? She gave it a good run, and now she's got time to map out the rest of her life. My guess is that she'll follow in her parents' footsteps and devote herself to charity work. And then, at some point, she'll begin dating, probably some quiet, rich Democratic party fundraiser or lawyer. Her kids will be pretty well adjusted and everything will be fine. As for Arnold… God knows. I think once the divorce is a done deal, we'll be hearing a lot more about his skeezy, sleazy ways. 
Photos courtesy of WENN.
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