GOSSIPS AND NEWS ON THE MAGIC CARPET. GOSSIPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Lady Louise Windsor, born one month prematurely in November, was baptised in a private chapel by the Dean of Windsor Bishop David Conner. The Queen, other members of the royal family and the countess's parents Christopher and Mary Rhys-Jones all attended the ceremony. The baby wore the 163-year-old royal christening robe. The Queen, plus her own children and all her grandchildren have all worn the robe, used for the traditionally private occasions. It was made in 1841, using fine Honiton lace and white satin, for the christening of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal. Society photographer Lord Patrick Lichfield, the Queen's cousin, took official photographs of the baby, her close relatives and godparents. The baby, whose full name is Louise Alice Elizabeth Mary Mountbatten-Windsor, will have five godparents:
Lady Sarah Chatto, daughter of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, and the earl's cousin. Lord Ivor Mountbatten, grandson of Lord Mountbatten of Burma, and also the earl's cousin. Edward and Sophie are godparents to his children, Ella and Alix. Lady Alexandra Etherington, another of the earl's cousins. The countess is godmother to her daughter, Amelia. Francesca Schwarzenbach, a friend of both Edward and Sophie. Rupert Elliott, Cambridge University friend of Edward's - the earl is also godfather to his son, Hector.
Dutch Prince Johan Friso has married Mabel Wisse Smit - and, in so doing, has renounced his claim to the throne. The government refused to approve the union because it said the couple had given "incorrect" information during the prenuptial vetting process. Their engagement met controversy after the press found evidence Ms Wisse Smit had failed to admit the extent of an earlier association with a drug lord. The pair beamed as they walked down the aisle of Delft's Old Church. Norwegian Prince Harald V, US billionaire George Soros, and European royalty were among the 1,400 guests at the wedding. "I wish you a happy wedding, with much privacy," said Mayor Hein von Oorschot earlier, before performing the civil marriage ceremony, according to AP. Commoner wife : When he said "I do", Prince Johan lost his status as third in line to the throne - behind his elder brother Crown Prince Willem Alexander and Willem Alexander's infant daughter Amalia. He retains the title of Prince of Orange-Nassau. His wife will remain a commoner, but their children will be dukes and duchesses. Under Dutch law, royals who aspire to the throne must receive permission from the government and parliament to marry as the cabinet will bear responsibility for their actions.
Taiwan
should ban the latest film by martial arts actor Jackie Chan over
political comments he made, a government member has said. Last month Chan
called Taiwan's recent presidential elections "the biggest joke in the world".
President Chen Shui-bian won the March vote despite opposition allegations
there were voting irregularities. Senior official Parris Chang has called for
Chan's film Around the World in 80 Days to be banned as punishment. "We want
to propose a motion at the legislature to ask the government to ban showings
of Jackie Chan's new movie," Mr Chang, a senior member of the Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) said of the film, which opens on the island in June.
He also said that Chan should be banned from entering the country, and also
called on Taiwanese people to boycott the star's home, Hong Kong.
Continues on the following pages.