Meet William the Giant Baby Tortoise
Prince Charles has named a baby giant tortoise after his son, Prince William, reports the Telegraph.
Charles became the young reptile’s godparent along with the Duchess of Cornwall when they visited a tortoise breeding centre on the Galapagos islands.
The honour is something given to all visiting dignitaries but the Prince’s eldest son may not see it as something to be proud of. The heir to the throne said: “I think it will be quite fun if he ever comes here one day to find that there’s a tortoise named after him – I’ll probably get into terrible trouble.”
March 17th, 2009 10:43
Awww. How cute.
No speculating on who the turtle marries.
March 17th, 2009 11:07
So cute and very funny.
March 17th, 2009 12:16
Indeed this is very cute. And funny.
March 17th, 2009 15:03
thanks for the laugh, rosetta
March 18th, 2009 09:57
It’s being said that William will do a TV interview today. I think it will be on BBC children’s show Newsround.
http://tinyurl.com/czh92x
http://www.theroyalist.net/content/view/4468/1/
March 18th, 2009 11:18
Did you guys read what Andrew Morton said about Kate and her relationship with William?
http://tinyurl.com/dmqrs6
This is why I said it is important that we get a chance to know this girl because if we don’t, Kate will always be the misunderstood woman. That’s why I hope that she will let us know alittle more about her and how she deals with the pressure.
March 18th, 2009 11:29
I don’t care for Andrew Morton’s article. This is the second time he has written an article about Kate that I have found to have a snobby,snarky tone. JMO.
March 18th, 2009 11:52
Lisa I just hope this team get William & Kate out there together at some point. I think though, things are on a move and it’s moving fast.
March 18th, 2009 11:53
Rman, I read the Morton piece and I don’t think it is very flattering to her at all. It says nothing different than any other article that KM has taken woman rights back, while Michelle Obama has moved them forward. Personally I wish they would leave politics out of it as I don’t care for the Obama administration and KM and MO are nights and days apart. I think Morton just adds to “Katie Waitey” name callers and that KM is betting all odds on a man who may not ever marry her. What is PW doing, what is his job? I have lost respect for him as I see no reason why he should carry on his relationship w/KM the way he has and I honestly don’t believe that she likes looking like a “social climber” waiting for her prince to marry her. I don’t believe she enjoys the insult her or her family recieves as PW continues to leave her hanging. I am sorry no one can convince me that KM has agreed to wait and endure all this press garbage willingly, as if she and PW planned it this way. If he loved her, truly loved her, he would not like the damage that has been done to her or her families reputation at the cost of being PW girlfriend in waiting. If he loved her he would marry her or let her go. He would not use her for PR and then lock her up in Berks. “Wonderful Prince” PR stunt that is going on looks just like what it is, PR. I think that the way KM is acting and the way PW is treating her is arcane and shameful. No amount of PR deeds he does will change that, he has too.
March 18th, 2009 12:42
takemeaway I have to say Obama is someone who we really needed to help us out of this mess.
I firmly believe that William will marry this girl and they have taken their time with the relationship, which I think is good for them and the Monarchy. Kate goes through a lot and I’m amazed that she is still sane after all this time. People need to give her a chance and I’m sure once she appears by William side more and her voice is heard, peoples attitude will change. We just need to know the real Kate Middleton, we don’t get that in a Daily Mail artical, The Telegraph, or even from these so called royal experts. I would like to see a documentary on William & Kate like what was made for Charles’s 60th Birthday. I would like a camera to follow them around and hear from their own mouths of what they think about the media’s scrutiny and just what are they really like. Because Kate’s identity is lost among the rubbish that is written about her and her family. I just hope this team help us out a bit and give us a chance to see the real Kate Middleton. The Kate Middleton that William feel in love with and why he is still with her after seven years. It’s the truth that I’m searching for not what the tabs write because they really confuse the readers and I don’t think they do Kate any justice.
March 18th, 2009 12:46
Well,the PR machine is sure on the fast track that’s for sure. Not to sound cynical, but it won’t surprise me if they have him kissing babies next. LOL.
March 18th, 2009 13:13
Obviously, Andrew Morton has an ax to gring with the Royals.
Let’s concentrate on the positive. The very important thing is that there seems to be an there seems to be an impending wedding!!!!
March 18th, 2009 13:14
LOL, yeah they are really kicking in Lisa. I wonder how they will reintroduce Kate to the royal scene? At the moment they are kicking out the S&R training and getting down to business with making him into a full-time royal.
March 18th, 2009 13:17
TeaTea, I’m waiting for the Palace to say something about that. Maybe that will be the reintroduction of Kate and they will go from there.
March 18th, 2009 13:40
takemeaway,
I agree with Rman about needing someone to help us out of this mess like Obama.
IMO, a Palin-McCain would have only hidden what is happening right now and by the time the truth was exposed God knows where things would be. You are entitled to believe in a Palin-McCain administration. Obviously, they had supporters and you just happen to be here on BRW. : )
Also, I doubt Morton is an insider and I doubt he knows anymore about the KM and PW relationship than anyone here on BRW. I just don’t see any member of the BRF sharing intimate details with him.
March 18th, 2009 14:02
This Morton article only repeats what others have written before. There is nothing new in it. And it is certainly not flattering, neither for PW nor for KM.
Another slow news week.
March 18th, 2009 15:00
Here is the video of William’s interview.
http://tinyurl.com/dmdpe3
March 18th, 2009 15:45
Rman, Heavens sake, you are so quick of the mark. I came home and saw a clip of that interview and thought to myself, for once I will be able to link this one before, Rman, Lisa and Me. I didn’t know it was also on Sky News. Damn…..The interview by the way was done for Newsround which is broadcast on the CBBC.
As for the interview, it was enjoyable. This is the sought of thing I like to see my future monarch doing.
Can we have some more please.
March 18th, 2009 16:00
Thant was great! Thanks so much for the link. I had tried to watch it earlier but it said it was not viewable in my territory.
That kid was just a gem!
March 18th, 2009 16:24
Hale, lol I’m sorry. Have you guys notice that William is becoming more open now?
March 18th, 2009 16:29
Rman, Yes I did, he looked relaxed. I think this is what he needs to do to get over his aversion to the press. More interviews with children, tv programmes aimed at the young. Light stuff. Followed by more speeches.
Hiding isn’t going to make the media go away, so meet them head on but on your terms. Practice makes perfect.
Or as the SAS say, ‘Train hard, fight easy.’
March 18th, 2009 16:31
Rman, he was amazing in that interview! He was likable, smart,funny and REAL. I have to wonder if CH was holdong him back. The other observation I took away fiom that interview was the iffy-ness of the RAF/S&R training…did anyone else get that impression?
March 18th, 2009 16:41
Rman, I don’t like to delve into my political beliefs on here as I feel BRW is an escape for me and maybe others from all that complicates our world at the moment. I will add that I respect you and your feelings about Pres.Obama after all that is what makes America such a great country, we can disagree w/o fear of punishment, etc., but I don’t think it’s healthly to put all ones hopes and dreams into one person to make it a better world, that is to much for one man/woman to carry, we all have faults. I want my politicians to abide by our Constitution and carry out the laws of the people, keep us safe and defend are nation. The rest I leave to God and prayer. No man is immortal. That’s all I will say on the matter, as I prefer to talk royals, but I admire your determination Rman your a good man. LOL!
March 18th, 2009 16:45
Yeah, it seems like he’s not doing all that well in training. I did notice that. Maybe in another interview, someone can ask him about Kate because I find his openness so interesting. Why do I get the feeling these two are up to something? This year is so different from last year. He has his own PR team , he’s talking about his mother even more and it’s all so new.
March 18th, 2009 16:46
i think ked knew that william wasn’t any longer at the S and R and hasn’t been for weeks.
He has been in London and he has been opening up. Do I think he all of sudden became comfortable and opened up. No. This is planned and I think it will be to soften the blow of him leaving the S and R and going to full time royal duties. The full time royal duties means the pressure to marry kate will be immense. I wonder if he will crack again.
March 18th, 2009 16:47
Gracie I like your post on politics. Very well done.
March 18th, 2009 16:57
Oh Gracie I completely understand you and I would never put all my hopes and dreams into man but over the past eight years our country have suffered badly and our reputation has also suffered. We know Obama can’t do everything and we won’t agree with everything he do but we elected him so he can help us and motivate us to get back on track. It’s going to take some time but we will get better. LOL, but lets not get too political on here.
March 18th, 2009 17:03
waydownsouth, I think it’s all leading to that big wedding day.
March 18th, 2009 17:04
WDS , I agree with your # 25 post. I think the reason why William is out and about is because I think he is getting ready to announce his engagement. Its just instincts.
Rman you rock , what a lovely person ur.
March 18th, 2009 17:05
WDS, thank you as talking politics/religion makes me nervous as people can become very heated. Although, I have to admit I was not pleased when he gave PM Brown DVD’s as a welcoming gift. I thought it rather tacky and not appropriate. I thought it was lovely that Mrs. Brown took gave such thoughtful gifts to their children. Very sweet.
I watched the video Rman provided and PW does come across better when around children. I also thought the questions about his service in the RAF seemed “iffy.” I think Ked was hinting that PW service was not going as planned and perhaps he will be a full-time royal after all. I wonder what caused the U-turn and does this mean there will be an engagement?
March 18th, 2009 17:07
Rman, totally agree and thanks for the video. LOL.
March 18th, 2009 17:15
Do you guys really think all this PR is leading up to the announcement? I am not sure what to think. I change my opinion everyday,lol.
March 18th, 2009 17:15
I too wondered if he was having second thoughts about the SAR. I hope he is, as I truly believe if he was to take up royal duties he could do so much good.
Furthermore, I also believe people like myself who are pro monarchist would be greatly reassured to see a future monarch going about and learning the ropes.
I loved this video so much that I went back and watched it a second time.
March 18th, 2009 17:17
Lisa , lets keep our fingers cross. Maybe they will announce their engagement next week. That video was awesome.
March 18th, 2009 17:19
You guys are welocome.
I don’t know, this year just seems to be different. I highly doubt Kate sitting at home and taking notes from Julie Andrews on how to be royal but something tells me that she is working with this advanced team. I’m just getting a funny feeling here that something is coming. I could be wrong but like I was telling Ked, I just can’t shake this feeling.
March 18th, 2009 17:25
Sometimes I feel like we are caught in a perpetual boy who cried wolf cycle. We think it’s coming, it doesn’t and then the cycle starts all over again. I don’t know what to think anymore. I am confused about his military status and then all this PR, it seems like something is happening but I am not sure what. One thing is for sure, he needed to get out there in front of the camera and show people who he is. It will help tremendously.
March 18th, 2009 17:28
I also found it interesting that William talked about his scar. I have never heard him talk about it. I remember seeing the news when he got it and that was when his parents marriage was going down. Diana & Charles rushed to the hospital and Charles was due to an engagement. After they was told that the operation was a success, Charles left to go to the opera, I think and the press made such a big deal about. They made charles look like he was a cold father.
He is just being more frank now, which is good because when they do that engagement interview, I don’t want him to hold back. I just want to hear all the details, lol.
March 18th, 2009 17:28
i just don’t see how William will be able to cope with the engagement speculation if he does become a full time royal. He has in my opinion jumped quickly to do things, like breaking up with kate – proven by the fact that they got back together in relatively short amount of time. And the SAR decision.
I hope he has thought this through because he will be leaping into the frying pan and he will have to make a decision about Kate pretty quickly if he is out of the SAR. I think the pressing decision situation will come from the media.
I doubt there is a date for a wedding yet, but the date could be moved up dramatically from ‘indefinitely’ in a matter of hours if he decides to leave the SAR
March 18th, 2009 17:32
I know what you mean Lisa, they really like to keep us guessing and on the edge of our seats. It’s like being at the movies, you never know what the next scene will bring.
March 18th, 2009 17:37
waydownsouth, I guess we just have to wait and see what happens. Every week there’s something new but odd.
March 18th, 2009 17:40
Rman,
I loved the video. PW is very handsome and sensitive. He was wonderful with little Alice.
Thanks for posting, I will watch it a second time.
Lisa and Rman,
I too sense a change of some kind and new direction and openess with the media. I have no clue what it all means though.
March 18th, 2009 17:51
None of us knows what goes on behind the scenes, but think about this: When William felt he was under pressure to marry Kate, he dumped her only to have second thoughts and reunite with her. Then the sudden announcement of training with the SAR. Perhaps he felt he was under pressure and joined the SAR to escape, but now he is once more having second thoughts.
Ked implied an intresting thing following the pic of W & K’s lunch date. Ked asked the question where is Kate living? I’m wondering, if Kate is spending more time in London, they are not going to photograph her unless she is with William. In which case what is Kate doing in London? Perhaps she is having coaching on how to be a royal. In which case, I do think there is a possibility here an announcement would come soon.
The other thing I thought of is, I didn’t think there could be an announcement in 2010 during elections, 2012 because of Olympics and I didn’t think there could be a summer one this year because they have left the announcement late. However, we never know how accurate the media are but didn’t they imply if/when William gets married, the wedding may take place at the St George’s chapel, Windsor. So it wouldn’t be a lavish London wedding.
Which brings me back to the French Mags article when they say European Royals have been told to keep there summer dates open. I don’t recall all of European royalty descending on PC’s wedding. Some of them stayed at home and saved on the new outfits. Another reason to think how absurd this article is.
St George’s chapel only holds so many people, and everyone right now has recession on their mind. Which is another reason I don’t believe European Royals would like to be seen jumping on planes and attending lavish weddings. Everyone wants to keep it low key and be seen that they are treating this economic climate with the seriousness it warrants.
(By the way, I read somewhere today that Windsor & Winkleman are planning Sep wedding.)
March 18th, 2009 17:52
Hello! Unfortunately I’m starting to think that PW’s SAR decision was really unexpected. Just like Ked happened to say. PW is a great joker (if that’s true).
March 18th, 2009 17:53
Well I think the Pow and The Duchess are taking a lot more of the QEII and PP role, perhaps Grandma and Pa are well, but not that well to keep on with all the yearly calendar royal duties, thus plans and agendas DO change.
William has always known who he is, and it might just have happened with the lates scare of PP. The Queen is not getting younger by the day, she is lovely, but I wish her to be alive and well to see William at the aisle with Catherine, hopefully.
March 18th, 2009 18:01
I don’t know, I just think something is up but I just don’t know what.
March 18th, 2009 18:02
Hale,while I agree with some of your thoughts, there is no way,IMO, William,as a future King will marry in anyplace smaller then the Abbey or St Pauls. My head spins when I try to figure out what may be going on here. There are many scenarios to consider. One may be that William, as he hinted, is not doing all that well in the RAF and may be being encouraged by both the RAF and his family to cut his loses now and save face.
March 18th, 2009 18:09
I also see William taking on some of Charles’s duties and maybe doing some traveling.
March 18th, 2009 18:19
Now I agree Rman (post #47). That would be so right for the king in waiting. Now with his father, and later with his mate, his loving wife and our princess.
March 18th, 2009 18:26
I also hope PP see’s all that too. It would be a blessing.
March 18th, 2009 18:30
lisa by not doing well do you mean he can’t do the work very well? or is he concentrated on other things so he can’t focus there?
March 18th, 2009 18:40
Well, in that interview,William stated “he” thought he was doing well but his instructors might say otherwise. Not sure what that means but for a program that was promoted as tough,rigerous, he has been away from it alot recently. Did he bite off more then he could chew? Or are these apearences we have seen him on recently just part of the announced 6 weeks of offtime he is scheduled to have? Additionally, I have a hunch the skiing won’t happen this year. The spouse of one of the RPO’s just died after a skiing accident apparently. That along with the tragic accident of Natasha Richardson will probably encourage them to pass this year.
March 18th, 2009 18:40
I don’t think William is not doing well, although I accept his interview came across like that. Remember, William has a self depreciating humour of himself.
Certainly, with PP health scare this year and PC taking on more duties of Q, it makes sense for him to come out of SAR and concentrate on RD’s.
I would be surprised if W did get married in St Pauls, purely because of the memories associated with his mother.
March 18th, 2009 19:31
I don’t know, William & Kate may choose to not be so grand with their wedding. I wonder will they kiss in the church or on the balcony? Edward & Sophie didn’t kiss at all.
March 18th, 2009 19:42
They did not kiss at all? Thats odd.
March 18th, 2009 19:49
Yeah you know I ment after the ceremony.
It’s so heartbreaking to say that Natasha Richardson died today. She was a very talented actress and belonged to a very talented family. My heart goes out to her family.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b104784_natasha_richardson_dead_45.html
March 18th, 2009 20:04
maybe edward had cooties
March 18th, 2009 20:45
Rman, I was so sorry to hear of Natasha’s death. RIP, dear lady.
Hopefully, they will not put a tasteless plaque on the fatal tree as they did on the one at Heavenly which killed the late skier, Sonny Bono, which now reads, “I got you, babe.”
March 18th, 2009 21:06
Alsgal my ass, you crack me up. I do think that they’ll announce their engagement . So many signs leading to it, to ignore. I think that PW has bitten off too much, as far as the SAR. He needs to bite down on Kate, and marry her so we can oogle her baby bump and guess the names of the kids.
March 18th, 2009 21:09
I am also sad to think of the two young children Natasha Richards leaves behind as well as her husband, mother, sister, friends, etc.
It is all so sad!
I watched the PW and Alice video one more time and it is really good.
March 18th, 2009 21:14
So where is Ked now ? flying where ? Ah St. Patricks too. Hope he doesn’t write Ked my what…
Alsgal hope you enjoyed with Al the lawn and chair. Hold on hold on, faith dear. A W&C or K, as you say he better marry one of those letters.
March 18th, 2009 22:19
If Prince William has left the SAR what about that cottage he was going to rent as a cute cottage for him and Kate?
Why not take advice from Julie Andrews on how to be royal? She did better with Anne Hathaway than the Royal Family did with Princess Diana.
How is the turtle dealing with all this turmoil?
March 18th, 2009 22:44
I don’t know, Diana was pretty good at being royal. I just know if Diana was here, she would teach Kate lots of things. I would just like to see some of that young glamour brought back into the royal family.
March 18th, 2009 23:10
i do hope we can all leave politics out of this discussion….
it upsets me tremendously to hear anything negative said about our great U.S. President, Barack Obama….
he inherited this global fiasco, and is handling things beautifully….
most importantly, he acknowledges the dangerous threat of accelerating global climate change and has put excellent people in place to try to reduce carbon emissions
so, let’s keep things on topic, please!
March 19th, 2009 00:10
guess what that is what being president is about ! it is what you do with those circumstances that determine who you are.
I think this messiah like tendancy with Mr, Obama is scary….absolutely scary……
March 19th, 2009 00:38
waydownsouth,
the only ‘tendency’ is your propensity for rudeness
March 19th, 2009 01:35
It was said all along that PW would do some royal duties while in the SAR. So now he’s taken a few days off to do just that. I supposre that’s how it will be as long as he is with the SAR. Doesnt mean that he is quitting, just that is is trying to combine his two jobs. I suppose the other guys in the SAR have a few days off from time to time too. I knoew I have in my job…
March 19th, 2009 01:41
WAY DOWN SOUTH – Unless you are willing to acknowledge the tremendous damage done by Bush and company, don’t be saying things about President Obama who after just 2 months in his office is trying to sort the mess out left by Bush and his corrupt buddies!!
March 19th, 2009 02:24
Here endeth the political discussions thank you.
Please stick to royal matters or talk of turtles…
March 19th, 2009 11:25
It is both amazing and sad that Kate is still waiting for William after 6 years. What is it with PW that he is making her wait like this? Isn’t 6 years more than enough to make up your mind about someone? Kate should have some sense to either leave him or make him realise somehow that she may not be around waiting for him forever. If William marries out of pressure, then things are bound to go downhill, that’s for sure.
March 19th, 2009 11:35
The change in William’s promotion, is all being done to put him on the world stage as a single identity. HRH Prince. William, the young man is being promoted now.
Prince William is going to be established for years as a Royal with his own identity, not connected in any way to anyone else and that includes no connection on the world stage, in serious press to a girlfriend. None of this, is connected to leading to an engagement.
March 19th, 2009 11:40
A, I think it’s all leading to that. They are working on William now but I get the feeling they are working with Kate at the moment.
The AFP is reporting on his interview with Alice but they are still saying that the media is still expecting it to be announced.
http://tinyurl.com/cua2hj
March 19th, 2009 11:41
Personally, I feel that PW is on the right path and has made a few very good media moves in the past few weeks. Keep up the good work Prince William!
As far as marriage and Kate, that part of his life is private as it should be.
March 19th, 2009 11:53
I am really on the fence on this whole PR thing. Part of me really see what A is saying and I agree with it. But then it could go the other way too. Very confusing,really.
Rman,I saw that AFP piece this morning and thought it was interesting that they pointed out that the media is expecting an engagement. Of course that means nothing. The media has been expecting an engagement many times over the last couple of years and as well all know,none has come.
March 19th, 2009 12:11
Clover you are right, that is his private life and I can see that he really cherish it.
Lisa that’s true it’s just speculation but I really do think something is going on behind this speculation. I just wish we will hear something soon but again, I’m being patient.
March 19th, 2009 12:23
Rman,I suppose while William’s PR makeover is being done out in the open,that Kate is being groomed behind the scenes. Anything is possible. it is just so hard to tell. One thing does appear clear,however…Kate will be seen with William or not at all. Not sure how long that condition can exist without putting the relationship on official footing.
March 19th, 2009 12:27
So many have been saying for years and years that they are getting engaged this year, this month, this week.
What a joke.
It is not happening, William is not at that stage in his life for marriage and won’t be for years and years.
The Andrew Morton article makes her look terrible, her image is negative, in most of the British press.
March 19th, 2009 13:02
This part of the blog started with a turtle, than it became very political – and nasty – and now it is back to the old question: will they or won’t they?
March 19th, 2009 14:43
Ked, are you here posting somewhere as I have a slight feeling you are? We are more alike than I think.
March 19th, 2009 14:54
Alsgal18/03/09MA…as always
you really are the best.
Intresting reading the comments. One poster implied that Kate was at fashion week. Which is fantastic.
I really do think it has to do with the fact that when she is not with William she is deemed a private person. Which must be so much better for her. She is living a life.
However, she is in a no win situation as far as forums go. If Kate is seen, the she’s playing up to the cameras, if she’s not seen then she has either split up from W or she has gone into seclusion waiting and waiting.
I’m sure when the engagement is announced, and I’m truly sorry to disapoint you all but I don’t think it will be this year, I do think the StJs will be working overtime to promote her. Then again, the country will be so wrapped up in the wedding they will forget about all the negative articles.
What will all those negative forum members do? I guess the next step would be to compare her to the late Diana and claim Kate is trying to emulate her. It has to be said, it will be a hard act for anyone to follow.
March 19th, 2009 14:56
I still have a huge smile on my face from watching that video. I can’t tell you all how much it meant to me. Purrrre Magic.
Yayyyyy!
March 19th, 2009 15:22
Yeah people are going to compare her to Diana and I think she knows that. I think if she gets that title Princess of Wales, it will be important for her to recreate that role for herself.