Today, finally, "Waity Katie" will walk into Westminster Abbey through one door as a commoner and exit through another as the future Queen Catherine - reverting to her full Christian name.

A true fairytale for the millions of little girls - and big girls - watching worldwide, Kate will also be given a new title. As she’s not of royal blood, protocol dictates she cannot be called HRH Princess Catherine Princess of Wales. So today, the Queen will announce Kate’s official title - suspected to be HRH Princess Catherine of Wales. In fact, only Camilla is entitled to be called HRH Princess of Wales. However, she requested she be known as the Duchess of Cornwall. This was to avoid associations with her husband’s first wife - the beloved HRH Princess Diana of Wales. Who had to drop HRH from her title following her divorce, but was officially known as Princess Diana of Wales and recognised as such by royalty and the public. In line with royal protool, the Queen will also gift Prince William with a new title today. Rumoured to be something Scottish - as he met his future wife when they both attended St Andrew’s University in Fife.

The fact both Prince William and Kate Middleton have known each other for over a decade bodes well for this royal marriage. Rather than the few chaperoned private dates and organised public commitments of his parents prior to their ill-fated marriage, William and Kate have lived together for some time. As a result, they’ve weathered break-ups and trials and seem to have moved on from the first flush of love to something far deeper - that only time can bring. Kate certainly seems more prepared for royal life than Diana ever was. While Kate may not have had a noble upbringing, she has - over time - adapted to royal protocol and learned the ins and outs, ups and downs of The Firm she’ll be joining. It seems this is one royal bride entering the House of Windsor with her eyes wide open.

I personally wish both Prince William and his bride all the very best and have great hopes for the revival of this flagging monarchy. While a nation’s independence indicates progression, there is certainly something special about the traditions of monarchies -  which in recent years the United Kingdom has battled to hold onto. Certainly the influence Diana had on both her sons has left them with a natural ability to reach out to their subjects. Something they demonstrated just last night when they enthusiastically greeted the thousands of well-wishers outside their father’s residence  - Clarence House. Never has the royal family of the United Kingdom seemed so "real". And suddenly, since the fun antics and empathy for charitable causes of both Diana and Fergie once long ago breathed fresh air into the palace walls. It seems the Windsors - and indeed all of the United Kingdom - have much to celebrate.

I know of an Aussie mum-of-two - based in Singapore - who has travelled to the UK on her own, to stay across from Buckingham Palace and be part of all the action. Melissa is sooo excited about her trip and I hope she’s having a great time! But there are many other ways you can join in the fun:

• Gather with friends to watch the royal wedding live, with a flute of bubbles and a cucumber sandwich, from 3pm on April 29 (ceremony coverage from 6pm) on Starhub. BBC Entertainment (521), BBC Knowledge (407), BBC World News (701) and TLC (427).
• Visit The Britsh Club Royal Celebration Open Day on Sunday May 1 from 10am to 5pm. Enjoy fun activities for all the family - face painting, a magician and nail art, plus a relaxing day at this historic club, tours of the grounds, discounts on Club membership and free refreshments.
• Stay in a castle on your next trip to the UKand experience the royal treatment for yourself. Try Ruthin Castle and - my personal favourite - Thornbury Castle, where my Prince Alan first romanced me!

Image: Prince William & Kate Middleton, photographed by Princess Diana’s favourite photographer Mario Testino

STEVE DOUGLAS highlights the pros and cons of an interest-only loan repayment model.

 

Q Is it wise to opt for “interest-only” repayments on my Australian property loan?

I LOVE Easter. Of course that may have a lot to do with the Easter eggs I typically devour in a chocoholic frenzy… that’s if the Easter Bunny remembers to visit our household. Strangely he often leaves something for my husband, but I can be forgotten :-(

A few obvious exclaimations about the Easter Bunny’s impending arrival somehow seems to help jog his memory of my address - and I certainly hope he doesn’t forget me THIS year!

Of course growing up in Australia, a lot of the fun surrounding Easter was a result of attempting to design the winning creation at my primary school’s Easter Bonnet Parade. Then I’d attend the Royal Easter Show in the Sydney showgrounds, first with my family and later as a teen with my friends - always eager to explore the animal pavilion, go on the rides and spend my saved-up pocket money on the showbags I’d been researching for weeks. A HUGE highlight was the Easter Egg hunt throughout our house and garden on Easter Sunday, followed by a rousing church service and family lunch afterwards. If you’re yet to make plans, we’ve found two fun Easter Sunday brunches at The Fullerton and Singapore Marriott Hotel all the family are sure to enjoy. The littlies get to have fun with games and egg hunts, while the oldies make fun of their own with bubbles and delicious bites.

This Easter I’ll be in Phuket staying at my absolute favourite resort - Mom Tri’s Villa Royale - on stunning Kata Noi beach. Gosh I hope the Easter Bunny knows where to find me…

I don’t know if I’m experiencing more frustration at the moment because I often struggle with finding something appropriate to wear for work. Something which can also accommodate my ever-growing bump and isn’t black Or, if it’s my raging hormones which are making EVERYTHING and EVERYONE drive me a bit nuts at the moment, severely testing my patience. I know those I work and live with are feeling it . And I’m sorry, but tough luck. Right now, I have no time for nonsense!

From the Singapore-centric nightmare of always having to wipe other people’s business off the loo seat before I can pee (for the 50th time in a day). To having to slam on my brakes to avoid the idiot drivers who come to a dead-stop at the last nanosecond in front of the ERP gantry (to save 50 cents just before the fee-change), I’m a bit prone to losing my cool these days. I try not to yell - for the sake of my unborn child getting scared and stressed - but a few choice words have been flying from my mouth thick and fast of late.

The ONE thing making my life a tad bit easier right now is finding the right maternity wear - but it’s been a slow and painful process. In Singapore, quality maternity wear at a reasonable price is a struggle. Styles are either hideous or the wrong cut for westerners. Or, the right items are just ridiculously expensive. I’ve bought a few essentials at over the $250 mark - and wanted to cry each time I opened my wallet. But looking good makes you feel great - there’s no doubt about it. So I figure the investment is worth it.

Honeycombers - a fab blog/website offering cool finds - released a checklist of maternity go-to stores in Singapore today. And it’s a great read - check it out here. One place they left off the list is Mothers en Vogue at Centrepoint - where I purchased the dress I’m wearing here (see left). Most MEV items range from $30-$120, so you don’t feel like you’re handing over your lifesavings for something you’ll only wear a few months. Plus, their maternity dresses have built-in nursing panels. So at least I know I’ll be able to breastfeed my little boy - if I’m able to - discreetly, getting even more wear out of my purchases. Also, all their clothing is made of bamboo and natural, cotton fibres. Once you’ve warn bamboo clothing and underwear I swear you will never go back - it is the most awesome, breathable, comfy fabric, I love it!

I’ve also bought some work trousers and leggings which are proving to be useful from EGG Maternity at VivoCity. And I’ll be heading back there soon to buy some tops once the longish ones I already own won’t stretch any further. But the work trousers and tops I love the most I ordered online from the US from A Pea in a Pod and you can also find great buys at Motherhood Maternity in the USA. With the US exchange rate the way it is, prices are totally reasonable - even when you add on the shipping cost. I’m also planning a few choice purchases from Isabella Oliver in the UK (who Honeycombers have also mentioned) and thankfully the UK pound is also low at present. Another option is to hire a dress for special occasions from Maternity Exchange in Marina Square - there’s no point spending loads on a glam maternity dress for a wedding or a ball if you’ll never wear it again. In fact, you can also hire casual wear and more there. Because remember, what you can fit into at five months pregnant and eight months up the duff is VERY different. They also sell a wide range of casual, office and going-out wear. 

Dressing a bump is tricky, but if you get it right you can feel wonderful. And for the most part I’ve found when it’s obvious I’m pregnant, people are kinder to me. They hold the lift open for me, let me get onto the escalator first, or even jump the queue at Cold Storage. Today, the guys at Starbucks even offered to carry my lunch tray (consisting of a plain bagel and cup of tea - acid reflux is a bitch) to the table. I declined. But I’m just over halfway through this 40-week journey (whoever came up with 9 months is surely joking), so give me a few weeks and I might be asking them to carry my handbag as well!

If you haven’t seen this hilarious YouTube clip make sure you take a look by clicking here or on the pic.

I’ve just been stung yet again by buying tickets via An Airline That Roars to Phuket over Easter - okay true we got a reasonable deal, but once we added in the taxes, baggage charge (only cabin baggage is free these days), seat selection and I’m pretty sure there was a credit card surcharge in there too. We may as well have flown commercial rather than budget, if only for availability. Still, we’re on a flight and that’s the main thing.

Let me know what you think of the clip!

Don’t forget to check out The Finder E-News for quick links to the following articles and competitions!

• Meet the actors behind the masks - Simba and Nala of The Lion King revealed
• Tips and resources for healthy living for all the family
• Property tips for both buyers and renters from Michael Schmitt (Singapore) and Steve Douglas (Australia)
• Events not to miss: new fair at Dempsey, plus a rock ‘n’ roll show sure to get you up dancing
• Peaceful respite in the Himalayas, KL and Sydney travel deals, best airfares and more online, plus Bali specials
• 6 unusual ways to beat stress: laughing clubs, pryamid meditation, fish pedicures and more!
• WIN pairs of tickets worth $240 to see buddy vs the killer rock ‘n’ roll theatre musical
• $2,000 of Power Plate fitness passes to give away

Click this image for more