This summer 28 key dresses from the Queen's wardrobe archive go on display at Buckingham Palace. On her first Commonwealth tour alone the Queen took 100 different outfits in 1953. Add all the tours she has made since then and you get an awful lot of dresses.
It was Autumn 1953. The world waits for the first sight of its new leader. After half a century of middle-aged men, the idea of a beautiful young woman ruling over the Commonwealth seems like the stuff of fairy tales. For millions of Australians, Canadians and Indians, Queen Elizabeth II is more than a figurehead; she is the living embodiment of authority, elegance and grace. Stepping out in a series of dazzling dresses, many of them by the legendary couturier Norman Hartnell, the 27-year-old embarks on a six-month tour throughout the Commonwealth countries that will cement her position as ruler of much of the free world.
Since that first tour the Queen has made 170 official visits to Commonwealth countries – they still account for about a third of her foreign travel. Over that time she has used her outfits to craft carefully an image of a world leader. Politics are important, but clothes are crucial, too. Resplendent in satin, shimmering with beadwork, adorned with priceless jewels, the young Queen used her wardrobe to send a message to the world about status, power and her unique place in history.
Starting as a young woman in fairytale ball-gowns, she has moved through the crisp tailoring of the 1960s and into the softer lines of the 1970s, before settling into her present incarnation as a chic senior stateswoman whose style is admired by a younger generation (the model Agyness Deyn has cited her as a style icon). This summer 28 key dresses from the Queen’s wardrobe archive go on display (along with jewellery and millinery) at Buckingham Palace as part of 'Queen and Commonwealth: the Royal Tour’, an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
COLUMBIA — With tiaras on their heads, a trophy in their owners' hands and a gift basket for later, Lola and Rocco received perks galore for being crowned Hound Dog Homecoming queen and king Sunday afternoon.
The crowning ceremony was one of the highlights of the Central Missouri Humane Society fundraiser, which brought Columbia pet lovers together to enjoy an afternoon of carnival events.
The third annual Hound Dog Homecoming included a doggy kissing booth, musical sit, dog paw painting and a duck pond.
Throughout the fundraiser, participants also entered their pets in various contests, including best dressed, biggest shedder, most unique and best trick.
The winner of each contest was determined by local celebrity judges Lauren Whitney from KOMU; Paul Pepper and James Mouser from "Pepper & Friends"; and Amanda Huhman and Libby Burkes, who helped the shelter win the Zootoo contest in April.
The homecoming queen and king contest required more work from the dogs' owners. For this competition, contestants worked from May 1 to this past Friday to raise money for the shelter. Whoever earned the most money would have their dogs deemed queen and king.
Patty Forister, executive director of the Central Missouri Humane Society, said competitors did everything from soliciting on Facebook to using fake smear campaigns against the other dogs in the competition.
All of the homecoming queen and king competitors earned a combined $4,076 for the Humane Society, which doesn’t include the amount the shelter made at Sunday's event. Organizers are still tabulating the final fundraising total.
The first national flag had thirteen stars and thirteen bars. The bars symbolize union - oneness, and the constellation of thirteen stars symbolizes thirteen independent states or metaphysically 13 areas of awareness to be recognized. They are Virginia, Love.....Massachusetts, freedom.....New Hampshire, beauty .....New Jersey, industrious.....New York, growth.....Maryland, abundance.....Rhode Island, freedom.....Connecticut, fundamental order.....Delaware, peace.....North Carolina, strength....South Carolina, positive awareness.....Pennsylvania, from the word commonwealth - well being.....and Georgia, independence...
The tragic death of Michael Jackson has shocked the world, and messages of grief and appreciation have poured in from his family and close friends in Hollywood and around the globe.
"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me," said Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley.
"My heart is overcome with sadness for the devastating loss of my true friend Michael. He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing," Brooke Shields said in a statement.
Madonna also issued a statement, saying: "I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."
"Michael Jackson was my generation's most iconic cultural hero. Courageous, unique and incredibly talented. He'll be missed greatly,"said Russell Simmons, hip-hop entrepreneur and founder of Def-Jam Records.
Al Sharpton said he had spoken to Jackson recently about upcoming concerts planned in Great Britain.
"In my last conversations, including the conversations a couple of months ago when I was teasing him that I was coming to England to see him perform again, he talked about how many people had let him down, but I told him it didn't matter, he never let the fans down," Sharpton said at a news conference.
"For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words," said Quincy Jones, who produced "Thriller." "He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him."
Singer Dionne Warwick said: "Michael was a friend and undoubtedly one of the world's greatest entertainers that I fortunately had the pleasure of working with. ... We have lost an icon in our industry."
Neil Portnow, the president of The Recording Academy, said Jackson's career "transcends musical and cultural genres and his contributions will always keep him in our hearts and memories."
“Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," Portnow said. "He was a true musical icon whose identifiable voice, innovative dance moves, stunning musical versatility and sheer star power carried him from childhood to worldwide acclaim."
Among the fellow musicians morning the loss was R&B singer Ginuwine, who told FOX News that words couldn’t describe how he felt at the news of Jackson’s death.
“When I heard that, I said, that can’t be true," he said. "You almost don’t want to believe it.”
But Hollywood heavyweight – and former Jackson publicist — Michael Levine told FOXNews.com he wasn’t surprised by the devastating news.
"Michael has been on an impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey for years," Levine said. "His talent was unquestionable, but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply can not withstand this level of prolonged stress.''
FOXNews.com also spoke exclusively to Jon Cohen, the former head of Jackson's label "A&R Records" who was still in close contact with and a good friend of the King of Pop.
"We spoke recently and he was in very high spirits. I wasn't aware of any heart problems and he was in good health," Cohen said. "I am in complete shock. He was so excited for the tour, it really would have been a comeback. He was rehearsing and up to the task. Michael was a very knowledgeable man. He was full of life and was such a visionary. More than anything, he loved his children very much."
"From his performances with the Jackson 5 to the premiere of the 'moonwalk' and 'Thriller,' Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
"Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe," Schwarzenegger said.
In New York's Times Square, a low groan went up in the crowd when a screen flashed that Jackson had died, and people began relaying the news to friends by cell phone.
"No joke. King of Pop is no more. Wow," Michael Harris, 36, of New York City, read from a text message a friend sent to his telephone. "It's like when Kennedy was assassinated. I will always remember being in Times Square when Michael Jackson died."
Benjamin Todd Jealous, president of the NAACP, issued a statement, saying: "Michael's example of musical artistry was rooted in the proud tradition of black American music. His career trajectory — from the working-class streets of industrial Gary, Ind., during the post-World War II boom, to the heights of the entertainment industry — is a classic example of black American achievement, and of the American Dream."
Remembering Farrah Fawcett: A Look Back Farrah Fawecett's career in TV commecials, as an episodic guest star on television shows, starring in a highly popular TV series, and films is what I'll be looking back on. Her famous 1970's hairdo inspired a real-life princess.
As anyone who’s seen Miss Congeniality knows, Miss United States isn’t a beauty pageant … it’s a scholarship fund. And for these five women, walking away with the crown (and a hefty chunk of pocket change!) was just the beginning. In honor of today’s MADE, read up on a few high profile ladies who used their pageant success to jump-start their careers! If you followed the 2008 presidential elections, you might remember that Sarah Palin’s got some old pageant gowns gathering dust in her closet. The former Miss Wasilla placed third in the Miss Alaska pageant in 1984, then went on to become Governor of Alaska (and VP nominee, don’tcha know)! Broadcast journalist Diane Sawyer also has the distinction of being a teen pageant queen! The budding newswoman won the America’s Junior Miss crown in 1962, and used the scholarship money to pay for her college education. (We’re betting she aced the interview portion.) Although you probably know her best from her Basic Instinct/ice pick-wielding days, Sharon Stone first emerged as a local beauty queen. The future sexpot was Spring Festival Queen of her hometown and 1976 Miss Crawford County. Oh, and did we mention her IQ’s 154? Before she was the most famous/powerful talk show host in the world (planet? universe??), Oprah Winfrey was queen of the pageant world! The soon-to-be superstar was Miss Fire Prevention in 1971 and Miss Black Tennessee in 1972. And that’s no “secret”. Sure, she’s household name (and Academy Award winner) now … but back in the day, Halle Berry was all about the beauty pageants. This former Miss Ohio (and one-time Bond girl!) was first runner-up to Miss USA in 1986. MTV Remote Control-Source
Finally, Mr. World's new website is live and it was worth the wait! Mr World 2009 to be held in Seoul, Korea - 18th September – 3rd October! Over 2 weeks of competition the men "will take part in a series of events that test their strength, stamina, mental agility and determination to succeed in the face of adversity. Only the very best will make it our Live Stage Final where they will then be judged on their style, performance and star quality. The winner of Mr World will take home a cash prize of $50,000 USD and the opportunity of lucrative contracts. Events that this year’s contestants will participate in will include the Extreme Sports Challenge, where their stamina and physical endurance be pushed to the limit as they have to conquer a well known Korean landmark and the Korean Cooking Challenge, where the men will try their hand at cooking local delicacies. The 2 hour live television broadcast will showcase the beautiful country of Korea, to over 100 countries, highlighting its spectacular scenery, fascinating history and diverse culture as our nations travel the country to face each new challenge." Read more at MrWorld.TV
Beauty Pageants - Bright Lights, Big Business (1994) VHS
Miss Congeniality 2 - Armed and Fabulous (Widescreen Edition) (2005) Sandra Bullock
Miss Congeniality DVD (2000) (Deluxe Edition) Sandra Bullock
Secret World of Beauty Pageants May 15, 2001 VHS
Jewels of the British Crown. Crown jeweler David Thomas leads this breathtaking tour of the world's most famous and celebrated collection of treasures from A&E Channel DVD
The Crown Jewels. Rare color footage of Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation highlights this engrossing look at Britain's richest treasures and the rulers who have worn them from the History Channel DVD
Remembering Farrah Fawcett: A Look Back
