Some of the money will go to UNICEF UK, which is a charity that works worldwide to give underprivileged children access to health care and education.  Another beneficiary, Children in Crisis, helps finance educations for children who would otherwise be doomed to a life of poverty.  So the hat was good for something after all!

Michael was seen this morning mowing the lawn and doing some gardening maintenance, as if he hadn’t been riding around in a Rolls just three days ago.  Pippa, Kate’s sister, may be headed for a new job as Kate’s lady-in-waiting.  The Middletons, who run an online business, have just started advertising for a new employee, prompting speculation that Pippa will be leaving the business soon for an assisting role in her sister’s new hectic life.

The biggest concern is that when Queen Elizabeth dies, she will be leaving a major portion of her nearly half-billion dollar net worth to her eldest grandson, and if he and his wife divorce and there is no prenup in place, a lot of that money could end up in the hands of the Middletons.  There is no word yet on whether William will take the advice and get the agreement drawn up.

David had mentioned a couple of months ago that he’d love to be invited, and there’s no word as to whether or not that little piece of information managed to get back to the palace, but no matter whether or not the message got through, it’s a happy ending for the Beckhams.  So now, of course, everyone will be waiting to see what Victoria decides to wear, and hoping that she doesn’t try to steal the show from the bride.

The news came via a letter from the New England Genealogical Society, in which Ellen was informed that although the relationship between her and the Middletons is distant, it’s there nonetheless.  Ellen, of course, joked about being invited to the wedding, but somehow I don’t see it happening.  Being 15th cousins does not exactly make her and Kate besties.

Kate Middleton made the list, simply for saying yes to a wedding proposal after eight years of stalling.  Yes, fascinating.  Sarah Palin made the list, too, but perhaps it could be argued that she’s fascinating in the same way that a train wreck is.  Jennifer Lopez is also included – seriously?  And of course, there’s Bieber and the cast of Jersey Shore, just to round out the  bewildering choices.  The only person on the list remotely interesting is Betty White, and I might tune in to the Barbara Walters special just to see what White has to say.

As if that weren’t enough, he went on to say that the royal family was full of “broken marriages and philanderers,” and generally expressed distaste for their celebrity.  Just to put the icing on the cake, Broadbent then targeted Prince Charles and Princess Diana, calling them “Big Ears and the Porcelain Doll.”  Was “Porcelain Doll” meant to be an insult?  Whatever the case, the bishop has now apologized for his comments, saying that he realizes he shouldn’t have said those things on the internet.  You think?

The rumors were up, down, and all around – at one point the press said they were on the verge of breaking up – but now they’re finally heading toward the finish line. Prince Charles expressed relief at the announcement, and apparently the wedding is being scheduled for spring or summer of 2011.  It’s going to be huge, you can bet on that.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton and Prince William reportedly share a much-reviled ancestor by the name of Sir Thomas Leighton. Leighton was allegedly governor of Guernsey in the 17th century and a horrible murdering tyrant. According to the Daily Mail, Leighton is Prince William’s 12th generation great-grandfather and Kate Middleton’s 11th generation great-grandfather. That supposedly makes them 12th cousins, once removed.

We doubt anyone will really care a bit that the two share a distant ancestor. After all, back in the day the royal throne was occupied by the offspring of all kinds of incestuous relationships.

We’re sure plenty of folks on the planet are probably married to some kind of cousin and don’t know it. They just don’t have people trolling through their genealogy to find the least little connection they can dig up!

Although, if you look closely, the two do rather kind of look alike a bit… especially in the nose and cheekbones. Hmmmmm.

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Kate and William have been dating for a long 6 years, and their relationship has British bookies hedging bets on the couple’s engagement. Odds for an engagement announcement sometime in 2009 have shortened from 6-4 to 1-2 in the last few weeks, reports Agence France-Presse (AFP). Gotta like those odds, Kate. Hang in there! You know Paris Hilton’s odd’s are like a gazillion-to-one, even though she likes to tell herself they’re much better. Ain’t no way the Queen’s gonna tolerate THAT skank.

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