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How to get the royal treatment from head to toe!

How to get the royal treatment from head to toe!

Woman’s Day beauty editor Mary Zavaglia hits London to find out how you can get Kate Middleton’s princess bride look with royal insider tips.

London was abuzz with royal fever, with specially themed high teas, wedding cocktails and lots of talk of how Kate will look on her special day. I couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of it all myself. I felt very privileged to have secured interviews with London’s beauty royalty.

With an uber-chic vibe and a designer-clad clientele sporting a signature shine, it’s no wonder Kate Middleton has made Richard Ward’s salon her hairdresser of choice. We checked it out and got the latest tips on cut, colour and blow-dry.

Stylist and colour specialist Mario Charalambous says, “We recommend an in-depth consultation free of charge to assess your hair colour and any style changes before your first appointment.”

Expert tip:“The most important feature of your hair will be how healthy and shiny it looks on the day,” Richard says. “Using a weekly treatment will ensure that your colour will stay rich and your locks will have a brilliant shine.”

Maggie Hunt is the woman British royalty call upon when they want memorable make-up looks. Maggie created the look for the famous official engagement photograph of the late Princess of Wales taken by Lord Snowdon, featured on British stamps and in the press worldwide. Maggie gives us her tips on how to glow on your wedding day.

“I like to always bring out my brides natural beauty and play up her best feature. Everyone is so individual so I take care to create a unique look for all my brides. It’s not a standard look. However a palette of neutral eye shades and peaches, pinks and corals all work well together and compliment most complexions.”

Expert tip: “Wedding make-up should always be soft and pretty but most importantly it should make the bride feel beautiful,” Maggie says. “I would like to think that whoever does Kate’s wedding make-up will keep it natural and regal — It would be a shame to change it. She is such a natural beauty that you really just need to accentuate that beauty.”

Maggie Hunt is frequently asked to create looks for celebrities such as Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz and Meryl Streep.

It’s easy to get a peaches and cream complexion with the experts at London’s Chuan Spa where ancient Chinese therapies and modern deluxe treatments leave you glowing from head to toe. Here are their expert tips on how to get the perfect bridal complexion.

The most important step is the initial consultation. “This is when we will decide exactly what the six-month program will be,” says Katie Henry, director of Chaun Spa. “The first two or three visits should be targeting problematic areas and deep cleansing — ridding the skin of impurities and targeting blemishes, dehydration and breakouts. We also will recommend an at-home skincare routine.”

Expert tip: “Don’t be a blushing bride — plan ahead and be a radiant one!” advises Katie Henry, Director of Chuan Spa.

Known as “The Brows” of the beauty industry, with a client list that includes Elle Macpherson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Meg Ryan, Vaishaly reigns supreme when it comes to eyebrow shaping.

“Before I give my clients a new brow look I spend some time looking at their facial expressions so I can assess what shape would best suit them. There are hundreds of different shapes that you can achieve to give a woman an instant eye lift and make her look 10 years younger,” Vaishaly says.

Expert tip: “Stop plucking!” Vaishaly says. “This breaks the hairs, causing the appearance of black dots under the skin causing a shadow. I prefer threading as it takes hairs out from the root.”

Sienna Miller, Emily Blunt, and Jemma Kidd have all had their nails filed to perfection by nail pro Trish Lomax. Here are her tips on prepping for your wedding day.

“The minute the engagement ring goes on, nails should be looking like individual jewels — filed, buffed and painted in rich, creamy shades,” Trish says.

Expert tip: “Once your dress is picked, start trialling different nail hues with an expert,” Trish says. “I also recommend regular manicures, and if you’re on a budget a good technician will show you how to maintain your nails at home.”

“It’s all about the bouquet when it comes to choosing your wedding fragrance,” says Yardley managing director Quentin Higham. “It is important for aromas to complement each other, so matching the fragrance to the flowers is ideal.”

Expert tip: “Some fragrances have qualities that can be beneficial for brides on their stressful wedding day,” he says. ” Lily of the valley provides a sense of security, while peonies are known for their calming and relaxing qualities. Roses, on the other hand, are uplifting — perfect for keeping brides positive and happy on their wedding day.”

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Prince William: My mum taught me how to love

Prince William: My mum taught me how to love

Prince William will strongly sense his mother’s presence when he stands at the altar with Kate.

His mother’s voice, her guiding presence, her very spirit, will be at the forefront of Prince William’s mind as he stands at the altar of Westminster Abbey waiting for his beautiful Kate.

As two billion people witness the prince on his special day, so many will turn their thoughts to the woman who lovingly moulded his entire world – his precious mum, Princess Diana.

“I wanted to make sure my mother did not miss out on today and the excitement that we are going to spend the rest of our lives together,” William said as he prepared for his wedding.

William, 28, won’t be alone in his thoughts. Those joining him in the Abbey, and indeed, the millions who have watched images of his parents’ wedding replayed in the lead-up to the big day, will spare a thought for a mother who is not there to celebrate her son’s momentous occasion. She was his world, the hands-on mum who famously said, “I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.”

As it turned out, William was lost without her. But even in his most anguished moments after her death in 1997, he remembered the one thing she promised would bring him happiness – love.

“If you find someone you love in your life,” she told him, in one of their many mother/son chats, “then hang onto that love”.

You can see he has taken heed of those words, by the way he tenderly holds his Kate.

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Britian prepares for royal wedding fever!

Britian prepares for royal wedding fever!

William and Kate’s big day will run like clockwork.

As Prince William and Kate Middleton nervously hide from view in the lead-up to the wedding of the century, London has gone into overdrive, ensuring this is one show where nothing will be left to chance.

By the time the radiant bride places a foot on the steps of Westminster Abbey and walks up the aisle to become a princess, the world will have seen a magnificent spectacle.

Wherever you look, the grand old city is being spruced up to make sure it will gleam royally on Friday. For example, at Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s horses are being groomed for the big parade, while the gleaming 1902 State Landau carriage that will transport the newlyweds from the Abbey back to the palace has been oiled and polished like never before.

Meanwhile, over at Westminster Abbey, its stone and timbers have been polished and the famous black-and-white marble floor tiles are sparkling. And as the cleaners apply elbow grease to the cavernous cathedral, The Choir of Westminster Abbey has been singing up a storm at gruelling rehearsals.

Royal wedding fever is indeed spreading, and the excitement in London is palpable!

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Maroon 5 return to rock Australia!

Maroon 5 return to rock Australia!

Following the immense popularity of their third album Hands All Over, three-time Grammy award-winners Maroon 5 chat to Woman’s Day about their success and their upcoming Aussie tour.

“I just love Australia!” exclaims the band’s keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, 32. “I love the people, the ocean, the surfing, the accents and the general laid back attitude.”

The Los-Angeles quintet skyrocketed to fame with their 2002 debut album Songs About Jane, which reached #2 on the ARIA Album Chart.

After a second platinum album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long and numerous Grammy, MTV Video Music and Billboard Music Awards, Maroon 5 released their third studio album.

“We recorded Hands All Over in 2009 and 2010 in Switzerland with a producer named Mutt Lange [Robert John “Mutt” Lange who has produced albums for AC/DC, Nickelback and Shania Twain] and we lived at his house on the shore of Lake Geneva and we had a blast,” Jesse beams.

The album debuted at #2 in the U.S. Billboard Album Chart and sat sweetly in the Top 10 ARIA Albums upon its September release.

“My favourite song off the album is Just a Feeling,” Jesse reveals. “I just remember that one was something that came alive really beautifully in the studio in an unexpected way and it is always good when music is surprising to you.

“It is a rare thing for music to be really magical and pure and spontaneous.”

Maroon 5 will be joined on tour by Grammy nominated artist Sara Bareilles and Australia’s very own Ry Cuming, who released his self-titled debut earlier this year.

And as their world tour kicks off, Jesse has one last message Maroon 5’s fans down under.

“I love you guys more than any other country in the world!” Jesse gushes, adding, “I don’t know if it’s just a weird premonition or what but I have always had this feeling that I was going to marry somebody from Australia.”

Thursday 5 May, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

Friday 6 May, Acer Arena, Sydney.

Saturday 7 May, Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Tickets for all shows can be purchased at Ticketek .

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The royal wedding guest list

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Mates: Prince William and David Beckham

When Prince Charles and Princess Diana wed in 1981 they invited 3500 guests, But on April 29, Prince William and Kate Middleton will exchange vows in front of a much smaller guest list of 1600.

The pair decided to keep the long list of Europe’s royalty and dignitaries short, inviting only those they have a personal connection to, and extended an invitation to a few lucky celebrities as well.

First on the list is Sir Elton John, who initially said he wasn’t expecting an invitation.

“I think because of my relationship with Princess Diana, people automatically think I’m going to be invited,” he told Reuters.

“I’m not invited to the wedding. I would not expect to be invited to the wedding.”

But it seems his relationship with Diana is exactly what scored him an invite. Next to his name on the guest list, the official royal wedding website states “he performed at the funeral of the late Diana, Princess of Wales”.

The Beckhams join Sir Elton on the guest list due in part to their connection to Prince William through England’s 2018 FIFA World Cup bid. Madonna’s ex-husband Guy Ritchie is listed as a friend of William and Kate and Rowan Atkinson is listed as a close friend of Prince William.

There are a handful of Aussies on the guest list, including Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Governor-General Quentin Bryce and swimmer Ian Thorpe.

Ian and William became good mates following William’s visit to Australia in 2010. He has since supported Ian’s charitable organisation, Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth, which focuses on improving health and education for children.

One-hundred lucky members of the public will also be chosen at random to attend the event.

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A right royal obsession!

With the royal wedding upon us, every one has a little royals fever, but not as much as Janet Williams. She boasts one of the biggest royal memorabilia collections.

Is that really Charles and Camilla?

Driving down the quiet streets of Woonona, on the outskirts of Wollongong south of Sydney, there’s a house that causes you to jam on the brakes.

It’s one of those totally unexpected sights guaranteed to stop you dead in your tracks.

First you notice the regal flags flying in full splendour, then the Beefeaters. Then there’s the busby-wearing Grenadier soldiers stoically guarding the double lock-up garage with the same fervour they normally reserve for the Crown Jewels.

But it’s the dishevelled woman in jodhpurs seated next to a docile looking, big-eared chap who grins knowingly from beneath a tweed cap that causes you to do the biggest double take.

For some strange reason, Prince Charles and Camilla are sitting in the front yard of this normal-looking house in this very normal suburban Aussie street.

“And that’s just the front yard – wait ’til you see what lurks inside,” laughs Janet Williams, who describes herself as “Janet the mad collector lady of all things related to the British Royal Family”.

Janet’s passion for collecting royal memorabilia began back in 1954 when, as a wide-eyed, five-year-old schoolgirl, she saw the Queen in person when HRH visited Janet’s hometown, Bulli.

“It was like a movie star coming to visit,” Janet says, recalling the recently crowned Elizabeth doing a circuit of Slacky Flat, the town’s sports ground.

“We chased after her black car, waving flags and cheering, all around Slacky Flat. It was very exciting. We then went down to Bulli station where the royal train was waiting to take her back to Sydney. I’ve even got the royal train timetable from the visit.

“My collecting started from that time. Mum had bought me and my two brothers commemorative royal tour mugs from Nock & Kirby and that became the starting point of my collection.”

The simple mugs may have been the starting point but, as Janet’s somewhat bemused husband, Phillip (yes he has the same name as the Queen’s spouse) will tell you, “The bloody collection has no end.”

Indeed, Janet’s insatiable collecting has turned their “normal” suburban home into a fascinating museum that now goes by the name of Janet’s Royalty Rooms.

You half expect a quaint display case with a few tacky commemorative plates, a flag and the odd tea towel. Nothing prepares you for what awaits inside Janet and Phillip’s house.

First you are greeted by a towering mannequin of QEII, resplendent in royal regalia, a corgi nipping at her feet. Once you’ve bowed or curtsied you are free to tour the royalty rooms.

“I don’t think there’s a better museum anywhere in the world to tell you the truth,” Janet says proudly. “I’ve been to a lot of museums and the wrong people are running them.

“Philip and I usually liven up our visitors with a couple of jokes. We want people to enjoy themselves. I don’t want people to think they’re coming here to see something starchy. You go to a museum and everyone goes ‘Shoosh, Sh, Sh!’ I don’t want that. I want people to be laughing and carrying on.

“That’s what happens here. By the time people have come through and are back on the coach, they’re happy and they want to give me a big kiss and a cuddle.”

Gleaned from markets, antique shops, junk shops, donations, eBay and travels to far-flung places, Janet’s collection features over 10,000 pieces, including rare china and antiques dating back to Queen Victoria in 1887. It’s a lively, often fun-poking mix of the exquisite teamed with the downright tacky.

“That’s the beauty of collecting royalty,” she laughs. “It’s Royal Doulton meets Franklin Mint! But I take my collecting very seriously, every piece is colour-coded and recorded.”

As you make your way around, there are scenes designed to give you a jolt. Turn a corner and there, seated at Janet’s dining table, The Queen is enjoying high tea and sherry with Charles and Princess Di. In Janet’s bizarre world, Charles, Diana and Camilla are all living under the one roof.”

Venture near the lounge and there’s the Queen sitting on the couch with a cup of cocoa.

And of course, Janet’s toilet is called the Throne Room, and it literally is, with a velvet trimmed throne now encasing the loo, and a sign reminding you to Royal Flush.

But it’s the last room that makes you gasp. It’s the Diana memorial room.

Here, Elton John’s Goodbye England’s Rose is in constant rotation, so much so you want to wring his neck by the end of it! But the room brings Diana to life, with photos of her in happier times, when she was laughing, vibrant, alive. You can’t help but feel her spirit dwells here.

“You know I do believe she’s here,” Janet says. “Some days if I’m feeling a bit flat I come in here and stare at that photo of her when she visited the Taj Mahal. She knew her marriage was over, and there she was alone at the most romantic place in the world. I stare into her sad eyes and I feel she’s telling me to ‘keep going, you’ll get there’.”

And keep going she does. Her amazing collection is spotless, and if something is chipped it’s no longer in the collection.

A trip to Janet’s finishes up with a sumptuous high tea with the Queen, with sandwiches and cakes made by Janet, and tea served in fine China.

“I have republicans coming here and saying, ‘I refuse to come in.’ And I say, ‘Don’t be stupid. You don’t have to look, but you definitely have to come in and have a cup of tea with me.’ By the time they leave, they’re laughing and have had a great time. It’s about fun, it’s not about being a royalist.”

Janet’s big dream?

“I’d love it if the Queen dropped by for a visit, or any of the Royals. The Queen Mum was my favourite, but I’d love to meet the Queen. I think I’ve got more memorabilia on her family than she would. Besides, I’ve won her more fans than anyone. It’s the least she could do.”

One gets the feeling Her Majesty would be amused.

Janet’s Royalty Rooms are open for viewing by appointment only Monday-Friday. Contact Janet on (02) 4284 9935.

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Children ‘inherit’ parents’ emotional eating habits

Children 'inherit' parents' emotional eating habits

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A study has found children could be inheriting emotional eating patterns from their parents.

Emotional eating was defined in the International Journal of Eating Disorders as “eating in response to a range of negative emotions … or to cope with a negative effect”. It occurs even if we aren’t hungry. In adults, emotional eating is associated with a higher body mass index (BMI).

In pictures: Ten things not to say to kids

British researchers recently explored emotional eating in a group of children and their parents. To monitor emotional responses, they induced a negative emotion by asking the children to complete a puzzle with a missing piece. They concluded that children of parents who rated themselves as emotional eaters ate more kilojoules from chocolate when exposed to a negative emotion.

These findings suggest that if parents use foods for emotional regulation, their children are more likely to do the same and as a result have a higher consumption of sweet or fatty foods. So what can we do to set a positive example for our children?

Have a healthy attitude to food

It’s fine to reach for chocolate from time to time (remember, dark is best) — but just keep it to small amounts and try not to emphasise consumption either.

Have meals together as often as possible

Research suggests that family meals play an important role in promoting healthy dietary intake in children, especially as they get older. Research has shown teenagers who eat meals with their family consume more fruit and vegetables, are less inclined to have extreme weight control behaviours, have better psychological health and less risk of obesity.

Related: Buy tickets to the Good Food & Wine show

Limit junk food

Children need to know that foods with a low nutritional content are not “every day” foods. So items like soft drink, chips, pastries, lollies, cakes and biscuits are “sometimes” foods and should only be consumed on special occasions. It’s all about balance. Be careful with this strategy however, because being too restrictive can make a “sometimes” food even more desirable.

Lead by example

By enjoying lots of healthy foods (fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, low-fat dairy, soy, nuts, seeds and legumes) ourselves, we can teach our children how to put good food into their growing bodies and that they’ll feel all the better for it.

This information is provided by the Sanitarium Nutrition Service.

Your say: Do you think the way your parents ate influenced you?

Video: Eat your way to longer life

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Friend reveals William and Kate’s early romance

Friend reveals William and Kate's early romance

© The Middleton family 2011

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Some of the details of the early days of Prince William’s relationship with Kate Middleton have been revealed by a university friend of the couple.

The 28-year-old prince met Kate when they were both students at Scotland’s St Andrews University in 2001.

In pictures: Kate Middleton’s family photos

Fellow student Julian Knight lived on the same street at William and Kate and attended many of the same lectures. He was one of the first people to see the couple holding hands and he said he knew things were getting serious long before anyone else did.

“We knew ages before,” Julian told CNN. “In fact, it became quite amusing because we were obviously in the circle of people who knew they were together and we were just wondering when the press were going to catch on.”

Julian said William attracted very little press attention in those days and he thinks that’s why his relationship with Kate blossomed into what it is today.

“I think one of the main reasons why they were able to be together was because they were in the same hall of residence and then they lived together,” Julian said.

“Initially, they had time to get to know each other as friends — but without prying eyes — they were just a part of a group of eight people.

“So, they were always spending time together, going down to Anstruther to go banana boating or playing golf or going for a walk. They were able to get to know each other as friends without anyone going, ‘Ooh, what’s going on there?'”

Julian was even there on the night of the infamous fashion show, which saw Kate strutting down the catwalk in a see-through dress. He says everyone fell a little bit in love with Kate that night, and is sure William was no exception.

“I remember that specific night very well,” he said. “She wasn’t what you would call a risqué girl. She was a pretty safe bet; quite conservative in the way she dressed and the way she acted. And here she was not wearing that much, looking amazing.

“I think everyone did think, ‘Wow, she looks great. She looks amazing. She’s beautiful.’ And I think [Prince William] probably looked to her and was pretty impressed as well.”

Related: Prince William, the ‘normal’ royal

William and Kate are due to wed at London’s Westminster Abbey next week.

The Weekly will be tweeting live from London on April 29. Follow @AWW_London and @WomensWeeklyMag for the latest news and gossip.

Your say: Do you think William and Kate’s friends should keep gossip about the couple’s private life to themselves?

Video: America’s royal wedding fever

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Queen Elizabeth turns 85

Queen Elizabeth turns 85

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Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 85th birthday today.

The British monarch is expected to mark the occasion privately, as public celebrations for her birthday are held annually on a Saturday in June.

Londoners will be reminded of her actual birthday however, when several guns are sounded at midday. A 41-gun salute will be given in Hyde Park, a 21-gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.

In pictures: The most incredible royal wedding dresses

The queen is also expected to go on a short “walkabout” to greet well-wishers in the streets surrounding Windsor Castle, as she did on her 80th birthday in 2006.

Official celebrations to mark the British monarch’s birthday are traditionally held on a weekend in June because the weather is more likely to be pleasant, making the customary Trooping of the Colour parade more enjoyable to attend.

Your say: Do you have a birthday message for the queen?

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Zara-mania hits Sydney

Dress from Zara's Autumn/Winter 2011 collection

Dress from Zara's Autumn/Winter 2011 collection

Sydneysiders beware. Fashionistas venturing into the CBD today should be armed with protective padding, comfortable footwear, plenty of fluids to keep up stamina, and of course — the trusty credit card.

Zara has landed and if the crowds at last night’s frenzied launch party and VIP shopping night were anything to go by, the hype isn’t going to simmer down any time soon.

In pictures: This season’s hot colour – white

En route to the fashion powerhouse’s Westfield Sydney store opening, open to the public today, The Weekly’s staff discussions hinted at purchases of maybe one or two special pieces.

Like many shoppers that night and many more to come, I was overwhelmed by the range, quality, and sheer volume of stock hanging from rails and racks that filled the store’s enormous space.

A week’s pay on the credit card, no doubt aided by a glass of champagne down the hatch, and I had unwittingly become the proud owner of not “one or two” but six pieces from Zara’s autumn-winter collection.

On the chilly walk home I threw on my chunky knit patch sleeve jumper and knew it would be the last time there was only one piece from Australia’s newest fast fashion line being paraded down an inner city street.

Sydney’s shopping scene, soon to be mirrored in Melbourne as Zara makes its landing in Bourke St Mall, will be transformed as shoppers clamber for the brand’s signature basics and affordable trend pieces.

Among the crowds of media folk and enthusiastic competition winners was former David Jones boss Mark McInnes who is now heading up retail group Premier Investments (Dotti, Portmans, Just Jeans) no doubt checking out the competition.

Australian brands under McInnes’ umbrella and competitors like Witchery and Country Road should be shaking in their (slightly more highly priced) boots.

Zara’s merchandising was phenomenal and the range on display was all incredibly eye-catching with the quality exceeding expectations of even the brand’s most loyal followers.

Related: Zara fever hits Sydney

What will be interesting is whether Zara can continue to amaze with new stock being dropped every fortnight, and the overall impact the introduction of the world-famous brand and retail model will have on Australia’s fashion and retail industry.

Your say: Do you think other retailers will have to drop their prices now that such a formidable competitor has entered the marketplace?

Video: Zara hits Australia

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