"INGLORIOUS" WINS 2011 QUEEN'S PLATE

Inglorious wins 2011 Queen's Plate

Although I've never been to any  US casinos, I do on the odd occasion visit Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack & Casino, home of North America's most historic race the Queen's Plate, which was run this weekend. Unfortunately, no members of the Royal Family were able to make an appearance like last year's visit from HRH Queen Elizabeth II.  William & Kate originally had been hoped to make an appearance during their Canadian visit, although alas Toronto was left off their itinerary.

Yesterday Inglorious became only the fifth filly in Canadian history to win both the Woodbine Oaks and the Queen's Plate, both the country's most important races for three year-old horses. Sent-off as the third betting choice against her male opponents, clearly her abilities were underestimated by the betting public on the record-setting day of wagering.  The Purse for the Race was $1 million, of which the Winner receives 60%. Victorious 25 year-old Mexican Jockey Luis Contreras receives 10% of that total.  Betting reached a record high with $8.8 million being wagered yesterday at Woodbine.

ELLIE GOULDING PERFORMING FOR WILLIAM & KATE'S PRIVATE RECEPTION

Ellie Goulding in Toronto - March 2011

She was only in Toronto last month performing before a packed House at The Phoenix, but as we speak she’s performing at a private Reception for Wiliam & Kate. It is said that the Royal Couple are huge Fans of Goulding and that they love her Cover of Elton John’s Your Song, which she most definitely will be performing this evening. Goulding is the only Performer said to be confirmed for the Reception.

And did you know I was giving away a signed Goulding Photo? I bet not. Click here to read all about Goulding’s recent Show in Toronto. 

Watch the Video for Goulding’s Version of Your Song below:

ROYAL WEDDING CAKES REVEALED

Royal Wedding Cake by Fiona Cairns

As we all know, the real Star of any Party is the Cake. A Party can be absolutely wonderful but if its Cake is sub-par, I for one always remember that one lacking detail. Wedding Guests at Buckingham Palace watched William cut through his and Kate's eight-tier Wedding Cake with his Sword this evening, a Royal tradition. Choosing and refining the Royal Wedding Cake however, required much thought and planning.

Cakemaker Fiona Cairns began meeting secretly with William and Kate as early as February, testing multiple varieties of Fruitcake until just the right one crossed their palettes. Cairns tells US Weekly, "We've used Catherine's list of the 'language of flowers' which is something that was used in Victorian times to express, in a coded way, emotions that couldn't easily or openly be expressed in words but [could be] conveyed in flowers. So all the flowers have meanings.".  Seen on the Cake are Sweet Williams, Bridal Roses and Ivy.

WILLIAM & KATE WED

Kate & William's First Public Kiss

World, bow to the new Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, William and Kate!  All eyes were glued to monitors and television sets this morning as Kate Middleton and Father Michael left from the Goring Hotel (within walking distance to Buckingham Palace) in London to Westminster Abbey Church where Kate had joined Prince William and exchanged vows. Together by Horse and Carriage, they greeted onlookers who lined the streets, some queuing  for days, as their Wedding Procession made its way from Westminster Abbey Church to Buckingham Palace.

After much speculation to which Designer would be bestowed the great honour of crafting her Dress, alas it was Sarah Burton for the late Alexander McQueen who was enlisted for the daunting assignment. Commentators noted that Grace Kelly was the inspiration behind the Dress, which many praised as being very "today" without the extravagance of too long a train.

Like clockwork at 8:30 AM EST/1:30 BST, the Couple greeted onlookers from their balcony in Buckingham Palace, as the World watched them kiss for the first time since becoming Husband and Wife. And then moments later, they went-in for a second kiss, drawing loud cheers from the Crowd. Picture-perfect.

William and Kate will be doing a cross-Canada Tour this Summer, including a visit to Ottawa Friday, July 1, 2011 on Canada Day.

(Photo credit: NBC)

HRH QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS TORONTO'S ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL ALONG WITH PREMIER DALTON MCGUINTY

As part of HRH Queen Elizabeth II's whirlwind Canadian visit, a stop-off was made this morning at the historic St. James Cathedral in Toronto (King St. x Church St.) where she and husband Philip attended an 11 AM service.

Thousands lined the streets, with some lining up as early as 5 AM to catch a glimpse of the 84 year-old Monarch. Arriving just before 11 AM, HRH had received a welcome round of applause from on-lookers. It is said that to gain a spot at today's service, tickets had to have been purchased well in advance and Photo ID had to have been verified on-site before guests could gain entry. In fact, the only thing differentiating the occasion between the Royal Visit and a Rock Concert was that there was no applause after the Hymns heard from the Church.

Of course, it was virtually impossible to get close to HRH as she did a short walk-around towards Jarvis St. before borading her Town Car to watch The Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack later today. She will be returning to Toronto again Tuesday for a send-off at Queen's Park, site of last night's Cyndi Lauper concert. I will try to get some better shots then. But in the meantime, enjoy these pictures of HRH looking a pixilated Vision in Turquoise and also Premier Dalton McGuinty who attended today's service with his wife Terri. After meeting McGuinty and studying his face up-close I actually think that he looks like Mad Men's Jon Hamm. A little?

Check out some more photos below: