Calling all Royal watchers!  Yesterday, Kate Midldleton and Prince William, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, celebrated their second wedding anniversary.  As those of us who watch the couple expected, they celebrated the day in low-key fashion.  Kate, who supports children's hospices, visited the Naomi House Children's Hospice.  Since her marriage, Kate has given few official speeches solo, but yesterday, with the kickoff of Children's Hospice Week, the campaign released a video that stars the Duchess!  (See video below.)   

I found an interesting (jaw-dropping, actually) image of the Royal couple.  Huffington Post wondered what the royal couple will look like as they age, and asked researcher/artist Nickolay Lamm and Nikolett Meresz to create images of how the two will look a few years down the road.  The image the two created is amazing!  (Time will tell if it's accurate.) 

See image of aged Kate and William HERE

(Read the Huffington Post article about the image HERE)


VIDEO: The Duchess of Cambridge kicks off Children's Hospice Week

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We’ve all had them: fancy bottles or packages of UK products with labels bearing a British coat of arms.  Yardley soap.  HP Sauce.  Twining tea.  When we buy the items, we know they're good.  High quality.  But what, exactly, does that coat of arms mean?

Goods bearing an official coat of arms mean that the company or individual that manufactures the product is a “Royal Warrant Holder.”  Only the Queen; her husband, Prince Philip; and her son Prince Charles are allowed to grant “Royal Warrants of Appointment.”  They grant the warrants to companies or trades-people who supply the Royal Family with superior goods and services. 

The Royal Family began issuing Royal Warrants in medieval times to small craftsmen.  Today, the warrants are still given to those in crafts and trades, but they may range from traditional craftspeople to multinational corporations—to those producing goods ranging from foodstuffs to automobiles to handbags . . . or to those providing services such as cleaning, or moving and storage.  The warrants are not, however, intended for professions, the media, government departments, or “places of refreshment or entertainment,” such as restaurants, pubs, music venues, or theaters.  About 880 warrant holders currently exist—including a few non-UK holders.  Royal Warrant holders do not supply the Royal Family with free goods.  The family pays for the goods; the warrant is simply a stamp of approval.

<- The Queen's favorite handbag: the "Launer Royale," made by Launder London, a Royal Warrant holder.

Companies receiving Royal Warrants may display the coat of arms on their goods (they don’t have to, but many do—if feasible), or they may show the image on their company letterhead or display the graphic on their website.  Warrants are granted only to suppliers who have provided the Royal Family with goods for at least five years, and the warrants are renewed every five years—thought they may be revoked at any time.  Some warrants have been held for many decades or even a century.

Currently, the Queen has granted 686 Royal Warrants; Prince Philip has granted 159; and Prince Charles has granted 37.  The Warrants the Queen Mother had issued automatically expired five years after her death.

List of some Royal Warrant holders you may recognize:

Alden & Blackwell (books)

A & F Pears Ltd (soap)

Angostura Ltd (bitters)

Aston Martin (motor vehicles)

Asprey (jewelry)

Austin Reed (clothing)

A. Fulton Company Ltd (umbrellas)

J. Barbour & Sons Ltd (waterproof outerwear)

Bacardi-Martini Ltd (Martini vermouth)

Bendicks (chocolates)

Bentley Motors Ltd (motor vehicles)

Bluebird Buses Ltd (buses, trucks)

Bollinger S.A. (champagne)

Burberry (clothing)

Carlsberg UK Limited (ale and lager)

Cadbury (chocolates, confectionery)

Castrol (motor oils)

Clarins (UK) Ltd (cosmetics)

Coca-Cola International Sales Limited (soft drinks)

Colmans of Norwich (mustard)

Cooper's of Oxford (marmalade and jams)

Crabtree & Evelyn  (toiletries)

Elizabeth Arden Ltd (cosmetics)

Ettinger (leather goods)

Farlows of Pall Mall (clothing, shooting accessories)

Ford Motor Company (motor vehicles)

Fortnum and Mason (groceries)

GH Mumm et Cie (champagne)

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (toothpaste)

Heinz (food)

Holt Renfrew (furrier; Canadian department store)

HP Foods (HP Sauces)

Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd  (Glengoyne whiskies)

John Broadwood and Sons (pianos)

Kinloch Anderson (kilts, Highland dress)

Kelloggs (cereal)

LEOENGEL ( handmade  jewelry)

Land Rover (motor vehicles)

Laphroaig (single malt Scotch whisky)

Launer London (leather goods)

Laurent-Perrier (champagne)

Lea & Perrins (Worcestershire sauce)

Lock & Co.  (hatters)

Loake Shoemakers (shoes)

Louis Roederer (champagne)

Lyle's Golden Syrup (treacle)

Martini & Rossi (Martini vermouth)

McIlhenny Co (Tabasco sauce)

McVitie's  (biscuits)

Nairobi Coffee & Tea Co Ltd (coffee)

Pringle of Scotland (clothing)

R E Tricker (shoes)

R G Hardie & Co (bagpipes)

Royal Brierley Crystal (24% Lead Crystal)

Samsung Electronics (electronics)

Sandeman (sherry)

Schweppes Holdings Ltd (Schweppes & Rose's soft drinks)

Sharwood's  (chutney, oriental spices, curry powder)

Shepherd Neame (cherry brandy)

Shield Pest Control UK Ltd ( pest control)

Spink (auctioneers)

Staples Beds (bedsteads, bedding)

Taylors of Harrogate (tea, coffee merchants)

Tanqueray (gin)

The Wren Press

Thomas Hine & Co. — suppliers of cognac

Twinings (tea and coffee merchants)

Turnbull & Asser (clothing)

Trickers (shoes)

Waitrose (grocer)

Walkers (shortbread, oatcakes)

Wartski (jewelers)

Weetabix Ltd (cereal)

Wilkin & Sons (jams, preserves)

William Crawford & Sons (cookies)

William Sanderson & Son (Scotch whisky)

Xerox Ltd (photocopy equipment)

Yardley of London (toiletries)

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Dear Anglophiles: If you have a day of leisure on your hands, you may want to watch these illuminating BBC videos, which cover the entirety of British history.  (Providing an overview of British history is no mean feat, right?!) 

The 28 videos, each about 9 minutes long, total approximately 4.5 hours.  You can watch Part 1 below; to find the remaining videos, click "Playlist" at the bottom of the video's screen to pull up the menu.

So make a pot of tea, hunker down in a comfy chair, and enjoy the show, my friends.  No quizzes or exams on these history lessons!

*****************************************************************************************************************

With the approach of summer, many Anglophiles are heading across the pond.  If your trip will be your first to the UK, you may be curious about "British ways."  If you're hoping to mind your manners when you visit but are unsure just what, exactly, the British perceive as "polite," the following guidelines will help you:

• CELL PHONES.  Just as in America, conducting a loud cell phone conversation in public is the height of rudeness.  A loud conversation in Britain may be even more offensive than in the States because the British are generally more reserved than we are.

• FAMILIARITY.   Americans often show great familiarity with strangers, engaging in back slapping, patting of the arm, and hugging.  The British do not appreciate these familiarities.  When you greet someone, a handshake and smile are sufficient.   

• HATS.  In public, indoors, women may leave their hat on, men remove theirs. 
  

• KISSING.  As in the States, greeting someone you know well with a light peck on the cheek is fine but practiced more in larger cities than elsewhere.  Either one kiss (right cheek) or two (right, left) is the norm.  Do not greet strangers or people you do not know well with a kiss.

• PLEASE/THANK YOU.  Using these niceties is a must.  You can’t overuse them.

• QUEUING.  Politely join a British queue without elbowing others to get ahead of them.  And don’t think you’re going to slyly slip in front of others by being nonchalant—it won’t work.  (I’m looking at you, fellow New Yorkers.)  If we try any of these stunts, the British will glare and abruptly point us to the back of the line. 
  

• SELF-DEPRECIATION.  The British use self-depreciation all the time.  If you accept it as such, you’ll likely offend those using it.  E.g., if a Brit says, “Oh, I’m not much of a gardener,” he does not mean that he’s a poor gardener.  In fact, he may be saying that he’s an excellent gardener.  So don’t start pumping him up, trying to make him feel better—he’ll be offended you think he has no gardening skills.  This national trait of the British can be difficult for us boastful Americans to internalize.  But even here in American, someone “tooting their own horn” can be a turnoff . . . but in Britain, the offense is graver.

• SORRY.  The British say “sorry” wherever something untoward happens (e.g., when people inadvertently bump, spill a drink, etc.).  The British say “sorry” whether the incident is their fault or not—and it is not an admission of guilt.  Whether you triggered the mishap or not, you, too, are expected to say that you’re sorry.  Not doing so will be considered very rude, indeed.

• SPEECH.  Americans are often viewed as being loud, not just by the British but by many others in the world, too.  Please, let's tone it down, fellow Americans.  Unless someone seems to be struggling to hear us, there’s no need to speak loudly.
  

• TABOO TOPICS.  Politics: Truly, it's best to avoid this topic.  Britain has sharp political divides just like we do between conservatives and liberals, so don't assume that any Brit you may be speaking to sees the world as you do.  And don't assume that because the U.S. and British governments have a history of working together that the people of Britain feel boundless adoration toward the U.S.  (If only!)  Really, the best advice I can give Americans visiting Britain is to simply shut thy trap about politics.  Religion:  The British are far less inclined than some Americans are to talk about religion in casual conversation.  And just like in the States, a conversation about religion can go sour when others hold beliefs different from our own.  In Britain (or anywhere else on the planet, I dare say), avoid talking about religion unless your mind is a vessel wanting to fill itself with the wisdom of other cultures.  Money: In America, some may ask “How much did that cost?” or exclaim, “I paid (x-amount) for these!” but such talk about money while in Britain will be less well received.  The British will view such bragging and ostentatious displays of wealth as vulgar.  Safe topics: The weather, the traffic, or general, noncontroversial news.    

• TIPPING.  10 – 15% is customary in restaurants, hair salons, and taxis.  Check your restaurant bill to see if gratuity has already been added.  Tip doormen and bellboys who help with your luggage a pound or two per suitcase—and leave a few pounds upon checkout for the chambermaid.   

• TITLES.  Not all title holders in Britain use their titles in social settings, so play it by ear.  If the situation is very informal and the person is introduced to you by his or her first name, than using the first name is fine.  If the event is more formal, the use of “Lady” and/or “Lord” may be in order.  Americans are often squeamish with using such designations, but if you want to appear polite, do so.

• TOILET.  If you’re in public when nature calls, ask for directions to the “loo.”  “Loo” or “Ladies”/”Gents” are the common, polite terms used in Britain for what we call a “bathroom” or “restroom” in the States.  “Toilet” is more international and may be used too, but it sounds (just like here in the States) a bit more course.  Also note: If you use a hotel or restaurant loo with an attendant present, a small tip is expected.

In the video below, British etiquette expert William Hanson give suggestions to those visiting the UK.

In the video below, study-abroad students discuss the stereotypes of Americans.  A great reality check!

A bit of humor in this video!  Stephen Colbert turns the tables and shows at least one American's stereotype about the British.  (Aside: New York Anglophiles, you will undoubtedly recognize where this video was shot.  At Tea & Sympathy in the West Village, of course!)

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Dear Anglophiles: Here's the perfect sweepstakes to enter for those of you who enjoy luxury . . . . (Does that exclude anyone?)  Startle and Forbes Travel Guide sponsor this package of pampering.  If I don't win, I hope one of you do!

Startle and Forbes Travel Guide
present the
ROYAL TREATMENT SWEEPSTAKES

EnterHERE
(Sweepstakes closes: 9 a.m., May 31, 2013)


GRAND PRIZE:  A 4-day, 3-night trip for two to London, which includes air transportation from New York City to London; a 3-night stay at the luxurious Savoy Hotel with a one-bedroom suite; and chauffeured car service to and from the London airport.

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Dear Anglophiles: Yesterday, April 23rd, was the anniversary date of William Shakespeare's death.  He died 397 years ago at the age of 52. 

Interestingly, Shakespeare's birthday is typically celebrated on April 23rd too, though the exact date of his birth is unclear.  What is known is that he was baptized on April 26, 1564.

To commemorate Shakespeare, I offer the tools below which will allow readers to sound just like the bard himself! 

LIST OF SHAKESPEARE'S INSULT
(Use with caution around family, friends, and social-networking sites!)

• More of your conversation would infect my brain.
• They have a plentiful lack of wit.
  

• Away!  Thou'rt poison to my blood.

• Thou hast the most unsavoury similes.

• O thou vile one!

• The tartness of his face sours ripe grapes.

• Your abilities are too infant-like for doing much alone.

• I do desire we may be better strangers.

• Such antics do not amount to a man.

• Hag of all despite!

• He is white-livered and red-faced.
• Hang him, swaggering rascal!
• Away, you mouldy rogue, away!
  

Still can't get enough?  Then here's your own, personal SHAKESPEARE INSULTER.  Just click and get degraded by a pro!

Shakespeare Insulter

Next up . . . The song below, performed by the fabulously cool Q Brothers, teaches us via hip-hop how to speak Shakespearean English!

Hip-Hop Birthday Anthem by The Q Brothers for "Talk Like Shakespeare Day"

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Dear Anglophiles: This fabulous sweepstakes closes in one week--be sure to enter!

MASTERPIECE CLASSIC SWEEPSTAKES 

ENTER HERE  (Scroll to middle of page)

Sweepstake closes: April 30, 2013
May enter daily

PRIZE: A 5-day, 4-night trip for two to London that includes airfare and accommodations at London's Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel with daily breakfast.... and the following:

• A VIP tour of Highclere Castle (the setting for Downton Abbey) given by Lord Carnarvon and afternoon tea with Lady Carnarvon, author of Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey.

• A VIP tour of Kensington Palace that includes lunch.  (Kensington Palace is the royal residence located in the Kensington area of London; also the official London residence for Prince William and Duchess Kate.)

• Afternoon tea at a London's Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel with Jessica Fellowes, author of The Chronicles of Downton Abbey, The World of Downton Abbey, and Mud and the City: Dos and Dont’s for Townies in the Country.
• Behind-the-scenes tour of the high-end department store Selfridges & Co. (The upcoming Masterpiece program Mr. Selfridge is about Harry Gordon Selfridge, the store's founder.)

It’s April 23rd: Happy St. George’s Day, my English Anglophile friends!

If you’re an American who’s clueless about St. George’s Day, think: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Helen Keller Day.  You know—one of those "non-holiday holidays." 

St. George, the patron saint of England (and numerous other countries around the world), was born in Turkey, became a Roman soldier, killed a dragon, saved a princess, and later got beheaded for refusing to denounce Christianity.  Thus his status as "Christian martyr" and propensity for being snatched up as a patron saint. 

The English used to celebrate St. George’s Day.  In the 1500s through 1800s, the day was a big deal, but the Edwardians got bored with it.  Nowadays in England, one will hear the occasional "Happy St. George’s Day!" while out and about.  In pubs, the lads (if they’re aware of the day at all) may buy one another a round of ale and toast the day.  BBC will dedicate some programming to it.  Newspaper articles will talk about how few people celebrate the day.  But beyond these things, not much else happens.

In recent years, England has experienced a growing movement to make St. George’s Day a public holiday.  A recent poll—albeit with a small sampling of only 3,600 English adults—showed that 73% support the idea of a public holiday.  (Some argue that people merely want another day off work.) 

Despite these efforts to amp up St. George’s Day, the effort still sputters and stalls.  One reason may be that extreme nationalism in England is not viewed by everyone as a good thing.  Some feel that the English flag represents a far-right type of chauvinism and racism often associated with organizations such as the English Defense League and the British National Party and with football hooligans.  (Akin to how some in the U.S. feel about the Confederate flag.)  Yet others claim that the English, being Protestant for five centuries, pay little attention to saints, so ratcheting up St. George’s Day is a bit forced. 

Those who do actually celebrate the day may do so by wearing a red rose in their lapel or wearing an article of clothing depicting the St. George’s Cross.  Or they may fly the St. George’s Cross flag and/or serve traditional British food.  Those hoping to make St. George’s Day a public holiday argue that it would be a perfect time to showcase English music, art, theater, and other such English creativeness.   

We’ll have to wait and see if St. George’s Day ever gets loft, but meanwhile, I’d like to wish everyone a happy day--of the St. George variety or otherwise!

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Few foods are more pleasant with your afternoon tea than homemade crumpets.   "Homemade crumpets?!" you gasp.  No fear, my Anglophile friends!  Below you will find a simple recipe for this quintessentially British griddle cake.

Some of you may not be familiar with crumpets.  They're first cousin to an English muffin, but more moist and dense.  They also have deeper holes (i.e., "nooks and crannies") than English muffins, which is part of their charm.  When you slather the crumpet with butter, the butter seeps into the holes, making the crumpet taste all the more decadent!  Cap the buttery crumpet with your favorite jam, and you will know heaven on earth.

CRUMPET RECIPE

Note: You will need crumpet/English muffin rings for this recipe.  If you don’t own any, you can buy them from Amazon on the link below.  Alternatively, you can use small tuna tins by simply removing the tops and bottoms of the tins—or use round cookie cutters, if they’re not too shallow.

INGEDIENTS

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 ½ teaspoons instant yeast

• 1 cup lukewarm milk (do not boil)

• 1 ½ cups lukewarm water

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter

• 1 ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon sugar

  DIRECTIONS

1. Put all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat for 2 minutes, until smooth.  (Will be a bit thicker than pancake batter.)
2. Cover bowl with cloth and set in warm room.  Let rise for about 1 hour, until puffy and bubbly.
3. Lightly grease a griddle or frying pan and preheat to “medium” hot.  (I.e., Cooler than one used to cook pancakes.)
4. Grease crumpet rings well and place rings on griddle or skillet.
5. Spoon batter into crumpet rings until rings are about half full.
6. Cook batter 4 or 5 minutes, until tops are set and filled with holes.  (The tops should be dry and the batter fairly firm.  *See photo above. )
   
7. Lift off the crumpet rings and flip crumpets.  (Bottoms should be moderately browned when turned.) 
8. Continue cooking crumpet for 1 or 2 minutes.  When done, centers should be firm; tops should be spongy and only very lightly browned.  
9. Remove from skillet and drench with butter--then top with jam.

Enjoy!

Purchase English Muffin rings HERE
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Britain's high tourist season is just around the corner, and I know many of you are planning your trip now--some of you being first timers to the UK and others being old-timers.  Both groups--at least those leaving from the US--have this in common: They'll probably book a ticket to London.  Indeed, London may be the sole destination for many.

If you're planning a London trip (or merely dreaming of one!), MailOnline has given us a list of top London websites.  After perusing hundreds, MailOnline proclaimed these as best:

• VISIT LONDON  Great for first timers.  Offers sections on Things to Do, Where to Stay, Discover London, and general advice in its Traveller Information section.

• LONDONIST  A hipper version of Visit London with information about books, film, arts, theatre, and London on the cheap.

• TFL (TRANSPORTATION FOR LONDON)  Provides great information about the London subway system (tickets, maps, Oyster cards, etc.) as well as info about other forms of transportation, such as walking, taxis, buses, trams, and boats.

• TIME OUT LONDON  The bible for all that is hip and cool in London.  A must-see if you're young or young at heart.

• JUST OPENED LONDON  Informs readers about newly opened restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, shops, and cultural events.

• DIAMOND GEEZER  A treasure trove of interesting and useful information about London, written from a first-person point of view.

• HIDDEN LONDON  Focuses on obscure London attractions, curiosities, and locations.  Perfect for those wanting to get off the beaten track or for old-timers whose tolerance for tourist attractions has waned.

• THEATRE MONKEY  Gives the lowdown on London theaters and music venues (what's playing, locations, how to get to the venues, etc.) as well as info about discounted tickets.

• LONDON REVIEW OF BREAKFASTS  Anything you wish to know about eating breakfast in London, you'll probably find here.  Includes wonderfully written essays and a guide to eateries in the various sections of London.

I would like to offer readers several more useful websites, all of which provide the same general, useful information that Visit London does but focus on the various regions of the UK:

• VISIT BRITAIN 
  
• VISIT ENGLAND
• VISIT SCOTLAND
• VISIT WALES
• DISCOVER NORTHERN IRELAND
  

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