"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.

WILLIAM & KATE ON JULY ISSUE OF "VANITY FAIR"

William & Kate on July 2011 issue of Vanity Fair

William & Kate cover July's issue of Vanity Fair with a Photo Shoot by Mario Testino, who shot those iconic Photos of Diana shortly before her passing in 1997 for the Magazine. Katie Nicholl discusses the new era ahead with England's future potential King and Queen, scoping out the scene at Buckingham Palace on the day of their Wedding. Click here to read more.

Meanwhile, it is said that for the Newlyweds' upcoming Canada vat the end of the month will have them accompanied only by a seven-person Entourage including Press Secretaries and a Hairdresser.  Is that enough?  Have William & Kate under-estimated their own popularity here?  Hmm.

(Photo credit: Mario Testino/Vanity Fair)

THE 2011 MET GALA - RED CARPET VICTRESSES

One of my favourite events of the year to creep is the the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art's Costume Institute Gala and the Ladies came out in full force again this year.  The Gala this year features the Exhibition, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, honouring the late Designer whose Successor Sarah Burton has had Fashionistas in a fury uniformly with Kate Middleton's Grace Kelly-inspired Wedding Dress.

Jennifer Hudson flaunted that new Body in Oscar de la Renta.  Jennifer Lopez stunned in Gucci.  Blake Lively shocked in Chanel.  Dakota Fanning was cute in Valentino. Salma Hayek was flawless in Alexander McQueen.  Madonna was demure in Stella McCartney. Both Sofia Vergara and Renée Zellweger were perfection in Carolina Herrera.

Visit Zimbio for all the Photos.

(Photo credit: Zimbio/Getty Images)

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)