Prince Harry and some of his mates board a ferry for Robben Island

Prince Harry’s tour of Africa is almost over. The British prince has been spending time with members of his Blues and Royals regiment. While in Africa, they have helped with various projects at a community school in Lesotho. This project is supported by Sentebale, Prince Harry’s charity dedicated to helping AIDS orphans in Lesotho.

The visit has not been all work for the group, of course. Some of them, including Harry, also found time to try the world’s highest bungee jump, 700 feet from the ground.

The group is scheduled to go back home to Britain later this week. One of their last stops is at the prison cell where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life. The seven foot by eight foot room “sent a shiver” down Harry’s spine. Harry, who has yet to meet Mr. Mandela, has read his autobiography and is an admirer of the former president of South Africa. The visit to Robben Island, a former leper colony, included a talk by a former political prisoner there.

Nelson Mandela recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a concert at Hyde Park, which was attended by Kate Middleton.

story via Telegraph; image used with permission from Newscom

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Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, with Iceland’s President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and his wife Dorrit Moussaieff, on a visit in May 2008

Another princess which I missed on my first list of Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed Women was Princess Mary of Denmark. Princess Mary is one of my favorite royals. In the list, she is Number 16, though I think she should be higher.

Here are a couple more of her recent fashion statements:

top image used with permission from Newscom

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In the complete list, Princess Letizia of Spain is Number 2 among the best-dressed women of the world. She really does deserve to be in this list. Princes Letizia is always impeccably dressed, no matter what the occasion is.

Thanks, Frank, for the heads-up!

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Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium (shown on the right), with her tailored dresses and suits.

Prince Heinrich von Und Zu Furstenberg of Germany, whose personal style is labeled timeless.

Count Manfredi Della Gherardesca, whose favorite clothing purchase of 2008 was a batik-inspired J. Crew jacket.

Rafael Medina, The Duke of Feria, along with his brother Don Luis Medina of Spain.

Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, who favors business attire.

UPDATE:  Also on the list of Best-Dressed Men and Women were Crown Princess Letizia of Spain, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Alexandra of Greece, Monaco’s Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Olga of Greece, Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Britain’s Prince William and Prince Harry, and Viscount David Linley.

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Kate Middleton (center) with two unidentified guests at the wedding of Lady Rose Windsor and George Gilman.

The Vanity Fair article cites the following tidbits about Kate’s fashion faves:

Signature look: Tailored jackets, boots, and Philip Treacy hats. Frequented boutiques: Ralph Lauren and Topshop. Sunglasses: Chanel. Notable 2008 ensemble: Black suit and Philip Treacy hat worn to the Order of the Garter service.

Here’s the outfit that earned the “notable” distinction:

Prince Harry and Kate Middleton at the service conferring the Most Noble Order of the Garter on Prince William at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

images used with permission from Newscom.

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King Juan Carlos skippered the royal yacht Bribon for the event, one of the most popular among the elite international yachting community. His granddaughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia, were in the thick of the action, as were their parents Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

The week was not all play and holiday from King Juan Carlos. He also met with several dignitaries in Mallorca. Among those he hosted were Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and Spain’s own Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.

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* Britain’s Prince Charles to star in TV documentary (via M&C)

* Japan’s Prince Naruhito sees off Japanese Olympians (via Royal Blog)

* Monaco’s Princess Stephanie and Charlene Wittstock at AIDS charity (via Hello)

* The Duchess of Cornwall meets British equestrians before Olympics (via PoW)

* Royal family prepares kingly training plan for Prince William (via Hello)

* Prince Charles invites burlesque dancer to Prince Harry’s birthday (via M&C)

* Queen Elizabeth donates pigeons to Wetherby Young Offenders Institute (via Wetherby News)

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The Prince of Wales was an image of coolness despite the sizzling weather. He wore a cream sports jacket and trousers and the requisite sunglasses at the event at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park. The weather was so warm it prompted three men to strip to their birthday suits, royal audience not withstanding.

After the event, Prince Charles drove away in his car (no driver!).

image used with permission from Newscom

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Prince William and his crew mates on the HMS Iron Duke continue to help clean up the drug route in the Caribbean.

On Saturday, they encountered a speedboat with suspected drug smugglers onboard. The speedboat was disabled by marksmen aboard a Lynx helicopter. The Iron Duke then caught up with it and took the men into custody. Prince William did not fire a shot, but was on the helicopter when the incident happened. His role was to be a lookout while his the shooters took out the speedboat.

Early this month, the Iron Duke was instrumental in orchestrating a drug bust worth millions of dollars.

via BBC

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* Jordan’s Queen Rania takes on stereotypes (via BBC)

* Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito returns from Spanish expo (via Japan Times)

* Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja to attend Olympic ceremony (via M&C)

* Prince William includes tribute to Diana in Garter crest with Spencer shell (via Hello)

* Prince Charles honors Iraq war heroes (via PA)

* Prince Frederik wooed Princess Mary with his cooking skills (via M&C)

* Canadian author meets with Queen for winning Commonwealth Writers Prize (via Canadian Press)

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