William and Kate to Open a Children's Cancer Center

Prince William and wife Kate Middleton (that's the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to us common folks) announced today that they will open a children's cancer center at the Royal Marsden Hospital. Princess Di was the former president of the London hospital, and Prince William was appointed to the position in 2007.

Wills and Kate have reportedly been quietly researching various charitable organizations in an effort to decide which cause is most near and dear to them. The royal couple will visit the center on September 29, where they will meet staff and patients and take a tour of the facility.

Kate seems to have plans for other major charitable endeavors as well. "The Duchess is using the next few months to get to get to know a number of charitable and other causes better, so she can make well-informed decisions about her future role," a palace spokesman said in a statement.

In a world filled with daily Lohan shenanigans and celebs who take themselves way too seriously, it's great to see this classy couple using their influence to help make the world a better place.

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Kate Middleton Dazzles At First Military Event as Duchess

Kate Middleton has been duchess for almost two months now, and she has yet to disappoint. She's beautiful and charming and practically perfect in every way! Today was no different when she turned on the charm with her hubby Prince William to honor the Irish Guards in London on Armed Forces Day.

As usual, the new duchess was dressed perfectly for the occasion. She wore a blue coat dress with matching shoes, and a stylish fascinator (she could give Princess Beatrice a few tips in the hat department) and flashed her giant smile as she met with servicemen and the families of fallen guardsmen today.

Kate was said to have spent twice the amount of scheduled time talking with the guardsmen, and was happy to participate in an event so "close to her husband's heart," said a royal aide.

This was Will's first event as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish guards, an honor he received in February, and the couple took the time to speak personally to each of the 60 members today.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Meet with the Obamas!

President Obama and Michelle might not have been invited to the royal wedding, but they've earned themselves an even more intimate affair with the famed couple. During a two day trip to England, the presidential couple and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a nice four-way chat in the Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

Kate looked extra-slim in a nude Reiss dress as she chatted with an animated, pastel-adorned Michelle Obama. Maybe she's taking some cues from the thrifty shopping First Lady. The fitted dress retails for $340, which in the royal world equals pennies!

For their short visit in England, Michelle and President Obama are being treated like royalty by the Queen herself. In a rare gesture, Queen Elizabeth invited the couple to stay in the 6-room suite at Buckingham Palace where Kate and William spent their wedding night. But an unnamed palace aide says they will not be sleeping in the same bed. Phew...we were so worried.

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Prince William and Kate Middleton Return from 10-Day Honeymoon in Paradise

Alas, Prince William and Kate Middleton are back in the real world after spending their 10-day honeymoon in the exotic island nation of Seychelles. 

William and Kate "thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special 10 days," a statement released by the palace read (via People.com). 

"Memorable" probably only begins to describe it. The newlyweds were treated like royalty (er, even more so than usual...) after being helicoptered to a private island where they were put up in a secluded, oceanfront villa for their stay. Few details about the exact accommodations have been released, but we're sure their trip was straight out of a fairytale, kind of like their wedding.

Now that these two are back in London, Prince William will return to work as a search and rescue helicopter pilot while Kate presumably gets used to being a duchess and prepares for some big royal shindigs. Queen Elizabeth's 85th birthday celebration is in June, as is Prince Philip's 90th birthday party. 

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Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown Designer

Forget Project Runway, this is the fiercest fashion designer competition in years...Who will be the chosen designer for the most anticipated Royal wedding in decades?

Why so much global interest?  Kate Middleton is attractive, has a distinct style and was one of us...(Fashion industry professional).  We know she has a more educated sense of fashion than the average socialite, so whatever her choice is, it will be one not made lightly.

It was speculated that Ms. Middleton would choose British Royal favorite, Bruce Oldfield.  However, with her background and democratic taste, she could surprise everyone... Women's Wear Daily just ran a great spread of International designers and their interpretation of what Kate should wear. 

I'm posting my favorite sketches just because I love fashion illustration...

The Red Carpet ringers:  Vera Wang, Monique Lhuiller, Badgley Mischka...

The New Guard:  Doori Chung, Chris Benz, Prabal Gurung, Jason Wu...

The Italians: Alberta Feretti, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni...

The Couturiers:  Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld, Nina Ricci...

Sketches via WWD

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