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William and Catherine dine with locals

Never in their wildest dreams did volunteer fire fighters Sally Hatcher and her daughter, Bindi, think they would be having lunch in the presence of Britain’s future king and his queen. But as all fairytales go, anything is possible.

Never in their wildest dreams did volunteer fire fighters Sally Hatcher and her daughter, Bindi, think they would be having lunch in the presence of Britain’s future king and his queen. But as all fairytales go, anything is possible.

While this once-in-a-life time experience didn’t come with a castle and glittering gowns, it was still a dream come true for these citizens from Yarramundi.

Sally, 56, and Bindi, 27, were lucky enough to be chosen to dine with the royals at Winmalee Girl Guides Hall, following the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s tour of fire-ravaged communities in the Blue Mountains.

So what does one serve their royal highnesses and guests? The answer: A feast fit for royalty, of course!

From elegant eclairs to dainty sandwiches, William and Catherine enjoyed a delicious lunch put on by the locals, as they chatted with 100-odd members of the Rural Fire Service.

“The food was fantastic,” Bindi told Woman’s Day. “We had a lovely lunch with lots of canapes and drinks. There was chocolate eclairs, sandwiches, tea, coffee and large fruit platters.”

Bindi, who missed out on speaking with Catherine as she mingled on the opposite side of the hall, was fortunate enough to shake William’s hand and share in a brief conversation with the Prince.

“We were talking about the regrowth of the area and how things have grown back so quickly since the fires last year,” Bindi said. “He was amazing to talk to and knew everything – he asked really intelligent questions. It was such an honour to meet them.”

Earlier today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited residents of Winmalee and Yellow Rock – the areas hardest hit by bushfires exactly six months ago.

During their tour, a hand written poem about Australian culture was presented to William and Catherine by four adorable little girls dressed as princesses wearing tiaras and sparkly dresses.

In their poem, Ainslie, Zakis, Alexandra and Sophia Whitting told the royals to try Smith’s chips, Vegemite and hotdogs while they’re are here.

“It’s so amazing to meet a real life prince and princess,” one of the girls told Catherine. While another told the Duchess, she has the cutest baby, to which the she replied “He is very loud.”

While at Scenic World, Catherine was overheard commenting on the beautiful views and said she loved bushwalking and wants to come back and do it again.

The Duke and Duchess also told crowds, they’d enjoyed their holiday so far and were excited to take little Prince George to Taronga Zoo.

“George might scare away the animals because he was so loud,” William joked.

Related video: Sydney welcomes the royals in style

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Prince William and Kate Middleton in the Blue Mountains

Prince William and Catherine are spending the second day of their Australian tour without Prince George in Sydney’s Blue Mountains.
Prince William and Kate Middleton

Prince William and Catherine are spending the second day of their Australian tour without Prince George in Sydney’s Blue Mountains.

Appearing as the modern Royal couple which they have come to be known as, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived via Army helicopter dressed casually and elegantly.

Kate is wearing a navy and white printed cotton wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg and with blue Russell and Bromley cork wedges. William is wearing an open-neck white shirt, navy jacket, blue trousers and brown loafers.

The pair met with residents and Emergency Services personnel affected by the bushfires of October 2013. Following an informal lunch a visit to Winmalee Girl Guides, they are viewing the iconic Three sisters from Echo Point Lookout, Katoomba.

The Royal couple stand against a stunning Australian backdrop. Photo: Media Mode

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose in front of the iconic Three Sisters. Photo: Media Mode

Catherine and William chat with tourism executives and take in the view. Photo: Getty Images

Echo Point teems with media and admirers. Photo: Media Mode

Huge crowds gather at the Katoomba lookout to catch a glimpse of the Royals. Photo: Media Mode

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple arrive to view the Three Sisters. Photo: Media Mode

Kate and Wills look completely relaxed despite the attention. Photo: Getty Images

Prince William peers over the cliff’s edge as they observe abseiling at Narrow Neck Lookout. Photo: Getty Images

The couple walk through the bush to Narrow Neck Lookout. Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple laugh together as their car departs. Photo: Getty Images

Girl Guides in Winmalee have their photo taken with the Royal couple. Photo: Getty Images

The Girl Guides shout “Princess!” instead of “Cheese!” Photo: Getty Images

The crowd cheers as Kate gets hands on with the digging. Photo: Getty Images

Wills gets digging. Photo: Getty Images

Kate and Wills arriving by helicopter. Photo: Media Mode

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge looking relaxed. Photo: Media Mode

Kate wears a navy and white printed cotton wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg. Photo: Media Mode

The modern Duchess wears blue Russell and Bromley cork wedges and carries a small clutch. Photos: Getty Images

Kate meets Winmalee locals. Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple meets with emergency services personnel at Winmalee. Photo: Getty Images

Kate and Wills talk to volunteers about the Blue Mountains bushfires last year. Photo: Getty Images

Kate holds court with emergency services personnel. Photo: Getty Images

Wills has shown a lot of concern for those affected by the bushfires. Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: @QueenVicMirror via Twitter

Prince William ended the day with a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Admiralty House. Photo: Twitter

William arrives at Admiralty House. Photo: Twitter

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Kate and Wills in the Blue Mountains

Prince William and Catherine are spending the second day of their Australian tour without Prince George in Sydney’s Blue Mountains.

Appearing as the modern Royal couple which they have come to be known as, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived via Army helicopter dressed casually and elegantly.

Kate is wearing a navy and white printed cotton wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg and with blue Russell and Bromley cork wedges. William is wearing an open-neck white shirt, navy jacket, blue trousers and brown loafers.

The pair met with residents and Emergency Services personnel affected by the bushfires of October 2013. Following an informal lunch a visit to Winmalee Girl Guides, they are viewing the iconic Three sisters from Echo Point Lookout, Katoomba.

The Royal couple stand against a stunning Australian backdrop. Photo: Media Mode

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose in front of the iconic Three Sisters. Photo: Media Mode

Catherine and William chat with tourism executives and take in the view. Photo: Getty Images

Echo Point teems with media and admirers. Photo: Media Mode

Huge crowds gather at the Katoomba lookout to catch a glimpse of the Royals. Photo: Media Mode

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple arrive to view the Three Sisters. Photo: Media Mode

Kate and Wills look completely relaxed despite the attention. Photo: Getty Images

Prince William peers over the cliff’s edge as they observe abseiling at Narrow Neck Lookout. Photo: Getty Images

The couple walk through the bush to Narrow Neck Lookout. Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple laugh together as their car departs. Photo: Getty Images

Girl Guides in Winmalee have their photo taken with the Royal couple. Photo: Getty Images

The Girl Guides shout “Princess!” instead of “Cheese!” Photo: Getty Images

The crowd cheers as Kate gets hands on with the digging. Photo: Getty Images

Wills gets digging. Photo: Getty Images

Kate and Wills arrive by helicopter. Photo: Media Mode

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look relaxed. Photo: Media Mode

Kate wears a navy and white printed cotton wrap dress by Diane Von Furstenberg. Photo: Media Mode

The modern Duchess wears blue Russell and Bromley cork wedges and carries a small clutch. Photos: Getty Images

Kate meets Winmalee locals. Photo: Getty Images

The Royal couple meets with emergency services personnel at Winmalee. Photo: Getty Images

Kate and Wills talk to volunteers about the Blue Mountains bushfires last year. Photo: Getty Images

Kate holds court with emergency services personnel. Photo: Getty Images

Wills has shown a lot of concern for those affected by the bushfires. Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: Twitter

Photo: @QueenVicMirror via Twitter

William arrives at Admiralty House. Photo: Twitter

Prince William ended the day with a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Admiralty House. Photo: Twitter

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Britney Spears’ trainer reveals the success behind the star’s amazing weight loss

Britney Spears' personal trainer has revealed how the singer has transformed her body in four short weeks.

Britney Spears has transformed her body in just four weeks and her personal trainer, Tony Martinez, has revealed that her weight loss is thanks to a healthy and sustainable approach to eating and exercise.

“She is all about portion size right now,” Martinez has told Life & Style magazine. “And she loves salads, broccoli, asparagus, kale — she likes anything green.” Protein also makes up a large part of her diet.

The mother-of-two eats 1,200 to 1,600 of calories per day, broken up into five or six small meals.

For exercise, she does three to four intense 40-minute workouts a week, including tennis matches, core exercises with a basketball and even climbing fences.

“We never do the same thing, and that’s why she likes it — and it shows in her body,” Martinez says.

“She feels good because her clothes feel different. They are looser on her. I’d rather go that route than push her to weigh a certain amount.”

Classic Britney after she broke onto the world stage in 2001. Photo: FilmMagic

Her fit dancer’s figure on display in the early years. Photos: WireImage

A pregnant Britney in 2006. Photo: Getty Images

Performing at the 2007 MTV Music Awards, Britney was widely panned as being too overweight for her skimpy outfit. Photo: WireImage

Following her pregnancies and a professional black-out period, Britney reappeared prominently in 2011. Photos: Getty Images

She was still struggling with her weight on her Femme Fatale tour in 2011. Photos: Getty Images

Stepping out in 2013 looking like it was 2001. Photos: Getty Images

Looking fabulous as she accepts the Favourite Pop Artist award at the People’s Choice Awards in 2014. Photos: Getty Images

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Mike Baird announced as NSW Premier

Mike Baird.

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian is the deputy leader.

The ascension of the youthful Mr Baird to the state’s top job has come following the sudden resignation yesterday of former Premier, Barry O’Farrell after he misled the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) about the receipt of a bottle of Penfolds Grange.

While reports from inside NSW Parliament indicated that Ms Berejiklian had an edge over Mr Baird as counting of numbers within the state’s Liberal Party last night, it us understood Ms Berejiklian finally decided not to run in the interests of party unity.

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All dressed up to meet the royals

It's a beautiful morning in Winmalee and here at the local Girl Guides hall crowds are gathering to meet some very special royal visitors.
Crowds awaiting the royal arrival in the Blue Mountains.

Right at the front is eight-year-old Ashley Crighton all dressed up in her finest pink party dress carrying a bouquet of pink tulips to present to the Duchess.

“I want to see the princess and baby George” Ashley tells me.

She may not meet Prince George who isn’t scheduled to be accompanying his parents today, but I suspect she’s highly likely to meet Kate.

Her neighbour 11-year-old Ainsley Mann is a dab hand at meeting royalty. She was hugged by Crown Princess Mary when she visited in October very shortly after the worst of the bush fires that devastated this area in NSW’s Blue Mountains hit.

“We put together a poster which showed a photo of Ainslee looking out of our window at home on the burnt house next door and a picture of Princess Mary’s window at her palace in Copenhagen,” Ainslee’s mum Debbie tells me.

“We had visited and looked though her side window to see baby buggies and thought that was really cute. It was a tale of two windows. Princess Mary hugged Ainslee and took the picture with her.”

“It was amazing” adds a beaming Ainslee.

Today’s visit is huge for the community. “It’s important for the world to see firstly how beautiful the Blue Mountains are and then what a great resilient community we have here,” says Debbie.

Lara Roots was in her house when the fires struck last year. “We lost our roof and the fire came right up to the back of the house … I honestly thought I was going to die. It was a stranger who helped me, a guy I’d never met before.”

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Blanchett poses in eyewear campaign

The Oscar winning actress is featured in a series of sexy black and white images for Austrian brand Silhouette.
Cate Blanchett in the new eyewear campaign

The new eyewear campaign, which was shot by Peter Lindbergh, features the 44-year-old in some stunning locations in Hollywood.

In one of the images, Blanchett appears to be lying on a hammock in a figure-hugging long-sleeved dress while wearing the brand’s Titan Minimal Art spectacles.

Blanchett in one of the images for Silhouette. Picture: Silhouette

The Aussie star was awarded her second Oscar last month for her role in Blue Jasmine.

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How to greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

It's a quandary about to be faced by hundreds of Australians across the country – how does one greet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge?
Kate Middleton greeting children in Sydney yesterday.

You’ve queued since dawn, shoved your way to the front of the barrier and finally managed to get face-to-face with the future King and Queen of England – so what do you do next?

Helpfully, the royal family has published an official guide on its website to let you know exactly what to say and how to behave when meeting royalty.

For men, a “neck bow” – that is a bow “from the head only” – is considered polite, whilst women are advised to do a “small curtsy”.

If all that is too much for you, “simply shaking hands in the usual way” is less favoured, but also acceptable.

When it comes to addressing the Duke, don’t even think about calling him Wills or even William – he is Your Royal Highness in the first instance, and subsequently “sir”.

The same goes for the Duchess. She is Your Royal Highness and then “Ma’am” (as in “ham”) – not Catherine and certainly not Kate.

And it’s not just what comes out of your mouth that you have to worry about – your hands (and the rest of your body) needs to behave itself too.

While the strict “no touching” rule that applies to the Queen is not so rigidly adhered to with William and Kate, it would be greatly appreciated if you kept your hands – and your hugs – to yourself.

Here are some general rules for meeting a member of the royal family:

DO rise when they walk into the room.

DON’T make exaggerated displays of deference, like bows from the waist or low, stooping curtsies. A “neck” bow or slight “dainty” curtsy is preferred, unless you are very well practiced in the art of the curtsy, in which case the Queen is said to greatly appreciate the gesture.

DO make eye contact and smile.

DON’T offer your hand to be shaken or attempt to touch the member of the royal family but do shake their hand if they offer it to you. 

DO dress appropriately and conservatively. Men don’t have to wear hats, but it is appreciated. Of course, hats must be removed to greet the royal family member.

DON’T ever refer to a member of the royal family by their first name. Address them as Your Royal Highness in the first instance, and Sir or Ma’am subsequently. 

DON’T ask them any personal questions or about anything controversial such as politics.

DON’T address the royal personage as “you”. Instead, refer to them in the third person, i.e. “Is Your Majesty enjoying the weather?”.

DON’T ever attempt to take a selfie with any royal person.

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Royal tour presents for Prince George

Prince George may be too young to remember his first royal tour, but he will have plenty of souvenirs to remember it by!

Prince George may be too young to remember his first royal tour, but he will have plenty of souvenirs to remember it by!

Prince George may be too young to remember his first royal tour, but he will have plenty of souvenirs to remember it by!

Since starting the tour of New Zealand, the eight-month-old Prince has been gifted a boat, a custom-made bike and a vintage pilot helmet. Not to mention the countless toys and knitted jumpers given to his royal parents to pass on to him from fans.

And the gifts continued yesterday as Catherine and William began the Australian part of their tour. After a welcoming reception at the Sydney Opera House, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were given a mini cricket bat and baggy green cap for George. “How sweet,” William commented when Kate showed it to him.

Later that evening, Prince George was given a giant wombat from Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

See all the pictures of Prince George’s gifts here!

William and Catherine are given a bike for Prince George.

Prince George is presented with a blue bear in New Zealand.

How will they get this home!? William and Catherine are presented with a boat.

Catherine opens a present which contains a vintage pilot helmet for Prince George.

William and Catherine are presented with cricket bats for the whole family!

Prince George’s mini cricket bat and baggy green cap.

Prince George with his giant wombat.

Prince William accepts a knitted blue jumper for Prince George.

Gifts for Prince George are lined up in New Zealnd.

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William to Kate: ‘You look like a banana!’

Like a ray of sunshine, the Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant when she arrived in Sydney yesterday, wearing a Roksanda Ilincic canary yellow dress with white colour-blocking.

Catherine told royal watcher Heather Easton as she arrived at the Sydney Opera House in 2014 that "William said [she] look[ed] like a banana."

Like a ray of sunshine, the Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant when she arrived in Sydney yesterday, wearing a Roksanda Ilincic canary yellow dress with white colour-blocking.

Like a ray of sunshine, the Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant when she arrived in Sydney yesterday, wearing a Roksanda Ilincic canary yellow dress with white colour-blocking. Well at least we thought so!

But it seems a witty Prince William didn’t agree.

Proving to the world yet again that they’re just like any normal couple, the future king made fun of his wife’s choice of fashion and the down-to-earth Duchess simply laughed it off.

“William said I look like a banana,” Catherine told royal watcher Heather Easton as she arrived at the Sydney Opera House.

This isn’t the first time the fun-loving couple, who are known for their cheeky banter, have been caught taking the mickey out of each other since embarking on their royal tour Down Under.

Moments before their royal highnesses went head to head in a yacht race in New Zealand last week, a competitive Catherine had some final words for her husband.

“Take care,” she grinned, to which Prince William replied  “Yeah, see you later”.

We thought Catherine looked flawless when she arrived in Sydney, what do you think?

Prince William thinks Catherine looks like a banana in her yellow dress. What do you think?

Catherine arrived in Sydney wearing a sunny yellow dress by Roksanda Ilincic, a London-based Serbian fashion designer.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are known for their cheeky banter.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant in Sydney.

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