The Malaysian Insider :: Features
The Malaysian Insider :: Features |
| William and Kate expected to dazzle in Hollywood Posted: 07 Jul 2011 07:35 AM PDT  Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attend a session of Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife, Canada on July 5, 2011. — Reuters pic In a town stuffed with A-list stars, William and Kate already shine the brightest and their three-day trip to Los Angeles has sent celebrity media into a frenzy. "We have never had a royal couple that have so much celebrity as these two. American girls are obsessed with Kate Middleton — what she wears, what she does and the fact she was an ordinary girl who managed to bag a prince," said Melissa Bromley, West Coast bureau chief of Us Weekly magazine. Searches on Yahoo! for the royal newlyweds are up 354 per cent this week, fueled by their much photographed first overseas visit to Canada, the online search engine said. But with Britain in the middle of an austerity drive, William and Kate will keep a lid on the celebrity side of the US visit while elevating the charity work. "If they came to Hollywood and had dinner with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise and hung out with David and Victoria Beckham and then went shoe shopping, that is definitely something they would be criticised for," Bromley told Reuters. That royal restraint, however, hasn't stopped Los Angeles entertainment news outlets from airing special royal features three days ahead of their arrival tomorrow in Los Angeles. And the California tourist board capitalised on the visit to run promotions for the state's castles, and other tourist attractions, that are "fit for a king." Polo on the coast The new Duchess of Cambridge may be making her debut on the world stage, and her first ever visit to the United States. But veteran British royal watcher Andrew Morton, says Kate has taken to her new role "like a swan to water." "However nervous she may feel, she disguises it. In Hollywood it will be interesting to see how this fresh-faced English rose compares against the Botox and the breast implants," said Morton, publisher of The Morton Report (www.themortonreport.com) Morton sees the California trip primarily as "a chance for William and Catherine to pass around the begging bowl for their charities." In contrast to the flag-waving crowds and walkabouts in Canada, a Saturday charity polo match in the coastal town of Santa Barbara is expected to be the best chance for royal fans in California to get a look at the pair. "There will be far more closed events. I suspect Angelenos will have very little opportunity to mingle with the royals unless they have paid a hefty check," said Morton, author of "Catherine and William: Their Story." The only star-heavy event in a schedule that includes a visit to a Los Angeles kids' inner city arts project in the gritty Skid Row district, a meeting with military families and a new media trade panel, is a black tie, US$25,000 (RM75,000) per table dinner organised by the British Academy for Film and Television (BAFTA) of which William is president. The BAFTA gala on Saturday will bring 42 young, British, emerging actors, directors, writers and videogame designers together with Hollywood studio executives. "The goal is not to meet celebrities. The goal is to connect young British talent with Hollywood decision-makers," the couple's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said when the event was announced. But organizers say there will also be a celebrity red carpet on the night and the guest list featuring "hot young things to (Hollywood) legends." Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman are reported to be among those with an invitation. That is music to the ears of American celebrity magazines. "A picture of Brad (Pitt), Angelina (Jolie), William and Kate having dinner together would be my dream celebrity scenario — a perfect juncture between royalty and celebrity," said Bromley. — Reuters Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Lavish luxury for royal newlyweds at S.Africa’s Oyster Box Posted: 07 Jul 2011 01:26 AM PDT  The entrance of the Oyster Box hotel on July 4, 2011 in Durban is abuzz with preparations for the arrival of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco ahead of the dinner to be hosted on 7 July 2011, following their recent wedding. — AFP pic The Oyster Box, one of South Africa's most lavish hotels, will host a reception for Prince Albert II of Monaco and his new bride, Charlene Wittstock, as they visit the eastern port city of Durban this week. The royal newlyweds, who are in town for a meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) — of which Albert is a member — will be throwing a party at the seaside hotel for 400 guests tonight. The hotel, which opened in 1947, is famous as one of Africa's most opulent destinations. It has hosted princes William and Harry, supermodel Naomi Campbell and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, among other notables and celebrities. Located in the resort town of Umhlanga, just north of Durban, it prides itself on its "colonial charm", a historic lighthouse and oyster beds just offshore that supply the hotel's renowned Oyster Bar. Joanne Hayes, chief of public relations for the hotel, said it's an obvious choice for an event like the royal reception. "We're thrilled. It's a great honour. But as far as we're concerned, when you see the Oyster Box, there is no other choice really," she told AFP. The Oyster Box was built in 1869 and originally served as a navigational beacon before being converted to a hotel. It recently underwent a two-year renovation, reopening in 2009. The new owners, the Red Carnation luxury hotel group, sought to blend new furnishings and technology with the original decor of the 1940s and 50s, when the old hotel was in its heyday. Today the hotel has 86 "individually appointed" rooms and suites, including eight garden villas that each having their own plunge pool. The crown jewel is the 450-square-metre (4,840-square-foot) presidential suite — a two-level room served by private lift, with a private swimming pool, private study and marble his-and-hers bathrooms. South African media have reported that the couple are staying in the suite, but the hotel is tightlipped about its guests. The Oyster Box boasts six restaurants overseen by executive chef Kevin Joseph, who trained at Michelin-starred establishments in London. It also has an all-white ballroom adorned with crystal Venetian chandeliers, an infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and a 24-seat movie theater that can be booked for private screenings with dinner and popcorn. The royal reception is expected to spill into the various venues of the hotel, which will be reserved exclusively for invitees that night. The hotel is keeping details of the function under wraps, but Joseph says he is planning a menu that is "seasonal, with a South African touch". Police and security are expected to set up a cordon around the property. "This is a private function," said general manager Wayne Coetzer. "We will do all we can to ensure that the couple and their guests are able to enjoy the renowned Oyster Box hospitality to the fullest." — AFP-Relaxnews Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Features To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan