What is it with the Windsors?

£7000 on a christening gift! It would have been ridiculous even if it had been an attractive gift. Why couldn't she have given a small gift and donated to charity in George name if she has that much money.

ANA

Nonu!

She will have to do a lot more articles in waitrose magazine , to pay for them !!!!!!!

CSL

Even dismissing the fact that I am not a Royalist penguinpaperback' I just find the whole notion bizarre that one human being would bow/curtesy to another simply because of the family they were born into/married into. But, each to his own

£7,000 for a christening present! Words fail me.

Crikey; either way I hope she's as happy as she appears to be these days. A lot of successful jockeys are very driven and must be very hard to live with, especially when they're constantly having to diet.

I had no idea about any of that merlot, my question about whether Zara was dumped was asked in complete ignorance. I hope Mike Tindall treats her well, she seems a genuinely nice person.

Perhaps it's better to marry a sportsman from a different sport. Someone who understands the discipline needed but who has different interests and pressures.

I think Zara was in an abusive relationship with Richard Johnson. He was quoted as saying he didn't like the prospect of being 'kept on a leash' and they had violent rows.

She's better off with Mike Tindall even if he did let her down badly when they were first married.

Creepy I'm afraid. Makes me think of things the Victorians did when infant mortality was high. nightowl; you're probably right about Richard; anyway he wouldn't have had time to do things like attend christenings when he's riding in the 3.30 at Southwell.

All the headlines about prison - what Charles' aide apparently said was, 'shades of the prison house'. Very well known quote from Wordsworth referring to the start of duty and responsibility after a carefree youth. For heaven's sake!

INMO , they were a bit creepy , afraid not to my taste at all .

Pippa's present - Not exactly a Beatrix Potter mug

I don't understand the doubts about Harry's paternity anymore either, as I've recently seen photos of him in the press looking the image of Charles.

I think Charles looks happier now than he's ever done.

It's ok Jess I don't mind being strange . Someone has to like him. I never think his mum or dad like him much

I like Zara as well Tegan. Did she choose to swap Richard Johnson for Mike Tindall or was she dumped? I think she will make a lovely mum, and her children will have lots of fun.

The horse world is a great leveller and the love of horses bonds people together in a way other sports don't seem to. Although why Zara switched from Richard Johnson to Mike Tindall is beyond me .

Agus, I wouldn't find it demeaning to curtsey to the Queen or any of the Royal family. I would wear my best hat.

You may be in a club of one there nightowl - have you ever considered therapy
gillybob that is so unfair on Beatrice and Eugenie, they are both perfectly attractive young women even if wrongly advised re wedding outfits.
Tegan you would like the horse-mad branch wouldn't you. But Anne and Zara both been relatively normal in a sort of upper class sport mad way haven't they?

I agree, but the speculation and gossip continue in the press and amongst the general public. Not very nice for Harry.

Also his mother did not take up with the speculative father until after her two heirs were safely born.

I don't see why there should be any question about Harry's paternity. You only have to look at a photograph of Diana's brother, to know that he is more of a Spencer than a Windsor.

I love Zara; even more so after she jokingly mentioned he 'dodgy family' in an interview a couple of years back. OMG; made another typo just now; I'm begining to write like that bloke in Allo Allo talks.

I must be in a minority (of one) because I do have a fondness for Charles. Don't know why but I've always felt it. I also like Anne, and Harry more than William. I feel sorry for him having to grow up with all the speculation about his paternity.

I hope I see Charles become king, I am interested in how he will do it. I think the monarchy will die out before William becomes king, but I may not be around long enough to see it.

If Prince Charles things that being king will be like being in a prison perhaps the first thing he should do will be to get rid of all this bowing and curtseying. But someone did tell me years ago that he was very much a one for wanting to be treated correctly [I'm not saying they were telling the truth mind you] and he does seem to be a stickler for tradition. I don't have a fondness for him the way I do for his son but do actually respect his tree hugging ideas.

Iam64 Sorry for being slow on the uptake - I thought you were being serious!