Stuff's top 10 lifestyle stories

This year wedding fever swept the globe. The fairytale came to life when Prince William wed Kate Middleton - now Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge - on April 29 in a glittering ceremony.

Two billion viewers worldwide were swept up in the royal magic, making this Life & Style's most viewed story of the year.

The royal wedding also launched Kate's sister Pippa Middleton into the limelight after she wore "that" bridesmaid's dress. In fact, Pippa's curvaceous derriere was one of the most-searched subjects on the internet this year.

Image via WikipediaMonaco also hosted a royal wedding in July, when Prince Albert II married South African former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

And while Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall's wedding wasn't quite on the same scale, the queen's granddaughter wed her own Prince Charming in July.

Here are the ten most popular Life & Style stories of 2011.

1. WILLS AND KATE

It should come as no surprise that Stuff readers devoured anything to do with Prince William and his wife Catherine this year.

Prince Harry's best man speech for the "Dude and Duchess" tops the list as the most-read Life & Style story of 2011.

The Prince donned a fez and had some 300 close friends and family in stitches at the wedding reception at Buckingam Palace.

Prince William's James Bond moment, when he drove a vintage Aston Martin convertible after the wedding reception, and his tribute to his mother, Princess Diana, were also click magnets.

And people wanted to read anything to do with the beautiful Duchess of Cambridge, from her similarities to William's mother to her secret scar from a childhood operation.

2. PIPPA MIDDLETON

The royal wedding also introduced Kate's little sister, Pippa Middleton, to the world stage.

From her love life to what she was wearing to her relationship with Prince Harry, millions couldn't stop reading about "the other people's princess".

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3. MONACO WEDDING

One Royal Wedding that didn't end in happily ever after was that of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco. The couple made headlines for all the wrong reasons: he faced a third paternity suit while she allegedly ran away several times only to be dragged back with financial inducements.

They reportedly spent their honeymoon in separate hotels 16 kilometres apart and left early so Prince Albert could undergo DNA tests to counter claims by at least one woman that he had fathered his third illegitimate child.

4. MIRANDA KERR'S WELLINGTON SHOOT

Stuff readers were keen to check out Miranda Kerr's New Zealand photo shoot.

The supermodel sizzled in a series of shots taken by her husband Orlando Bloom on Wellington's Miramar Peninsula. The couple were in town in October for filming of The Hobbit.

5. WHY I WORE NO PANTS ON TV

High-waisted knickers would be confined to the bedroom for most woman, but not for Stuff blogger Bronwyn Williams.She donned a pair on TV to prove that Paris Fashion Week had gone a step too far.

6. NEWSWEEK'S DIANA AT 50 COVER

The front cover of Newsweek featuring a computer-generated picture of Princess Diana at age 50 sparked outrage around the world, with one writer calling it "beyond tacky".

The magazine speculated that, had she lived to see 50, Diana would have twice remarried, used Botox, and been slightly jealous of daughter-in-law Kate Middleton.

7. NEW ZEALAND'S NEXT TOP MODEL

Showing she's not above school balls, New Zealand's Next Top Model winner Danielle Hayes went back to high school with her cousin Joel Claydon.

The 19-year-old is now based in Sydney, and is signed with modelling agency Chic.

8. PARALYSED BRIDE

A tragic accident didn't stop a bride from marrying the man of her dreams.

A year after she was paralysed in poolside horseplay at her bachelorette party, Rachelle Friedman finally make it down the aisle with her partner, who had been waiting to exchange vows with her since the accident.

The bridesmaid who changed her life by shoving her into the shallow end of the pool was also at the wedding. Friedman, a Beatles fan from North Carolina, got a tattoo on her neck after the wedding with the words "let it be".

"It symbolises that I'm at peace with it," she said.

9. ZARA PHILLIPS

Eager to avoid the fuss of her cousin William's wedding, world champion eventer Zara Phillips and rugby star Mike Tindall had a low-key ceremony in a small Edinburgh church.

The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, Prince William and Catherine were amongst the guests. One advantage of your granny being the Queen - the reception was at Holyroodhouse, the monarch's official residence in Scotland.

The England player later embarrassed his bride during the Rugby World Cup when he was seen embracing a woman later revealed to be ex-girlfriend Jessica Palmer.

10. WIFE SUES OVER LACK OF WEDDING BLISS

Rounding out the top ten, a wedding story with a twist.

A 51-year-old Frenchman was sued by his ex-wife for not having sex with her enough during their 21 years of marriage.

The couple were granted divorce in Nice, southern France, two years ago. The 47-year-old women later took the matter back to court to seek 10,000 euros (NZ$17,000) in damages for the inactive sex life.

The woman was successful under France's civil code, which states that a married couple must share a communal life.

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Number 3: The Royal Wedding

The whole world watched the wedding — and is still watching every move, fashion and otherwise, of Kate Middleton, who became the Duchess of Cambridge in tying the knot with Prince William. Every outfit she wears is scrutinized and when replicas hit the high street, they’re instant sellouts. Has a style icon been born?

The jury’s still out on whether her fashion persona can live up to the likes of Diana or Jackie. Her style is chic but understated. While she’s made no major faux pas so far, nor has she ventured into the vulgar, she hasn’t exactly pushed the envelope, either. In choosing Alexander McQueen for her wedding gown, she catapulted the house into nearly “household-name” status. Kate mixes it up when it comes to her fashion choices, wearing high street labels like Reiss, Zara, LK Bennett and Whistles, while for designer, she’s worn McQueen, Erdem, Diane von Furstenberg, Amanda Wakeley, Jenny Packham, Issa and Roksanda Ilincic. She picks lots of strong solids, more or less conservative silhouettes, and seems to be on a one-woman quest to bring back hosiery.
Image via WikipediaWith the eyes of an estimated 2.5 billion around the world trained on the nuptial festivities, the dress in question made its first appearance when the bride stepped out of the Rolls-Royce at Westminster Abbey. Middleton surprised with her choice of a label known for its beautiful yet directional designs. But designer Sarah Burton’s vision trod an appropriately elegant line. She created a corseted dress with a cinched waist and full skirts in ivory and white satin, with modest, long lace sleeves and a high lace collar, worn with an ivory tulle veil.

Clarence House said Middleton chose McQueen “for the beauty of its craftsmanship.”

“Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterizes Alexander McQueen’s work,” the palace said. And in a nod to England’s heritage, Burton had worked with London’s Royal School of Needlework to create the delicate lace that adorned the dress’ bodice, sleeves and skirts. The designer — who had endeavored to keep her work on the dress a secret — also created the slinky, figure-skimming white bridesmaid’s dress that Kate’s sister, Pippa Middleton, wore as maid of honor.

Just as fascinating were the getups that the 600 guests chose for their trip to Westminster Abbey. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie took an adventurous turn with their Philip Treacy headpieces, which took on something of a life of their own, with Internet spoofs likening Beatrice’s hat to everything from an octopus to a pretzel. But Beatrice saw the funny side, and wound up auctioning the hat on eBay to raise money for children’s charities, fetching about $126,000.

Aside from Kate and William’s ceremony, 2011 proved to be a major year for weddings, royal and otherwise. In July, Prince Albert of Monaco married Charlene Wittstock, who walked down the aisle in Monaco in a Swarovski-studded Giorgio Armani silk gown, complete with a 65-foot train.

Later in the summer, Kate Moss got hitched to musician Jamie Hince in a laid-back, quintessentially English ceremony in the Cotswolds, for which the bride wore a custom John Galliano bias-cut gown, inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald. Fittingly for a supermodel, Moss managed another two outfit changes on the night — Stella McCartney designed an oyster silk chiffon dress for the model’s first dance with Hince, and a gold beaded minidress for the evening party, which stretched into the early hours.

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• I Now Pronounce You Glam: Kate Middleton is 2011's Top Bride! (mystyle.com)
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• Best of 2011: What Was Your Favorite Royal Wedding Moment? (popsugar.com)
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The Year That Was: Famous Royal Weddings of 2011 [PHOTOS]

As we reflect back on the year 2011, glimpses of some of the most famous royal weddings ought to sweep across our memories. From Britain’s royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton that appeared to herald the season of royal weddings to Bhutan’s royal wedding of the “Will and Kate” of the Himalayan kingdom, here are the top pictures of royal weddings that happened in 2011:

1. UK Royal Wedding: Prince William

Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, walk up the aisle after their wedding ceremony in Westminster Abbey, in central London on April 29. Photo: REUTERS

Prince William and Kate Middleton inaugurated the year of royal weddings as they walked the aisle to be pronounced husband and wife at London’s Westminster Abbey on April 29. The royal couple turned their courtship of nearly a decade into marriage, bringing cheer across the world. The ceremony was watched online by 72 million viewers, earning the title for "Most Live Streams for a Single Event" from Guinness World Records.

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2. Monaco Royal Wedding

Prince Albert II of Monaco reaches out for Princess Charlene's hand during their wedding ceremony at the Palace in Monaco on July 2. Photo: REUTERS/Bruno Bebert/Pool

Britain’s royal wedding was followed by the wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene on July 2. Princess Grace’s son, Prince Albert II, married Princess Charlene, a former Olympic Games swimmer for South Africa, in a lavish ceremony at the Palace in Monaco.

3. UK Royal Wedding: Zara Phillips

Britain's Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, poses for a photograph with her husband, England rugby captain Mike Tindall, after their marriage at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland July 3. Photo: REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Britain's Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, married England rugby captain Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30.

4. German Royal Wedding

Prince Georg Frederich of Prussia and Princess Sophie von Isenburg pose after their wedding ceremony in Potsdam, Germany, on Aug. 27. Photo: REUTERS

Prince Georg Frederich of Prussia and Princess Sophie von Isenburg got married at the Church of Peace on the grounds of Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Germany, on Aug. 27. The 35-year-old head of the House of Hohenzollern and great-great-grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm II married Princess Sophie, 33, in a civil ceremony.

5. Bhutanese Royal Wedding

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck kisses Queen Jetsun Pema in front of thousands of well-wishers gathered for the third day of their wedding ceremony at the Changlimithang stadium in Bhutan's capital of Thimphu on Oct. 15. Photo: REUTERS

Bhutan's fifth “Dragon King,” Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, married his longtime girlfriend, Jetsun Pema, in Bhutan's ancient capital of Punakha on Oct. 13. Wangchuck, often called "Prince Charming" because of his Elvis Presley looks, married a commoner. The couple has been dubbed the "Will and Kate" of the Himalayan kingdom.

6. Indonesian Royal Wedding

Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo Yudanegara, center right, and his wife, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Bendara, center left, walk to their horse-drawn carriage after their wedding in Yogyakarta on Oct. 18. Photo: REUTERS/Beawiharta Beawiharta

Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Bendara, the youngest daughter of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, monarch of the historic Yogyakarta Sultanate in Indonesia, married Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo Yudanegara at the palace in Yogyakarta, Java, on Oct. 18.

7. Spanish Royal Wedding

Spain's Duchess of Alba Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva and her husband, Alfonso Diez, walk to the entrance of Las Duenas Palace after their wedding in Seville on Oct. 5. Photo: REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

Spain's 85-year-old Duchess of Alba, Maria del Rosario Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, married civil servant Alfonso Diez at Sevilla's Palacio de las Duenas on Oct. 5.

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Tale of two iconic princesses

When England’s Prince William married Kate Middleton in appropriately regal rites months ago, over a billion viewers worldwide empathetically thrilled to their attendant rush of ravishing royal romance.
But, it now turns out that the royal rush isn’t over – far from it. Because elsewhere in Europe another royal wedding has just taken place, with the Principality of Monaco’s Prince Albert pledging his troth to another “commoner” bride, Charlene Wittstock.
The much more modest event was seen by fewer viewers, but they still gave the event due importance, because the prince’s mother, Princess Grace, like Prince William’s celebrated mother, Princess Diana, was an iconic personage in her own right.
Similarities
Now that coincidental circumstances have “superimposed” recollections of Princess Diana and Princess Grace psychically together for the first time, their lives turn out to have had more striking similarities and congruencies than previously perceived.
Diana wasn’t a big Hollywood star like Grace Kelly before she became Princess Grace, but she became equally celebrated for her beauty, which emanated from within. Both princesses were deeply involved in charitable endeavors, and were admired worldwide for their innate goodness and selflessness.
Many celebrated beauties are so wrapped up in themselves that they can’t think of others. But Grace and Diana were able to avoid that trap with an inspiring clarity of purpose and value – which is why they are loved and cherished to this day, many years after their deaths, while other famous beauties have gone the way of all flesh – and flash.
Affinity
The mention of their deaths reveals another affinity that Diana and Grace have with each other: They both died in sudden and most untimely car accidents. Thus, in both instances, their fabled lives were snuffed out in an instant – which indubitably added to the pain so many people felt – a psychic sadness that is palpable to this day.

Given such iconic resonances, it’s likely that both Prince William and Prince Albert had a hard time choosing their own brides – after all, Grace and Diana are the hardest possible acts to follow!
To his credit, William didn’t look for his mother’s junior version, but Kate’s spirit is similar to Diana’s, as verified and vivified by the zest with which she has launched into her own charitable endeavors.
Choice
But, Prince Albert’s choice is another story entirely: His bride, Charlene, is a blonde beauty very much like his mother. An achiever in her own right as a former swimmer in the Olympics, Charlene has more obviously subsumed her personality to suit Grace’s ethereal ethos.
In terms of “projection,” in fact, she looks like Albert ordered her from Central Casting – (“Get me my mother’s most perfect clone, please!”) – and Central Casting delivered.
Let’s hope that, a few years from now, Charlene doesn’t act against type, and cracks the perfect veneer and mystique that has made her embody Princess Grace so perfectly for the delectation of a new generation of viewers.

Prince Albert, bride go EV in topless Royal Wedding Lexus

After Prince Albert II of Monaco, 53, tied the knot today with former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, 33, he and the newly minted Princess toured their tiny realm in an interesting, one-off, topless Lexus hybrid.


In a product-placement coup, Lexus provided the Prince with a custom, bubble-top LS 600h L Landaulet hybrid for the event attended by royalty, heads of state and a glut of celebrities. (A landaulet is a convertible from the driver back.).

The official Royal Wedding cruiser was, according to Lexus, one of seven LS 600h L hybrid flagships provided the Royal Family as the exclusive green fleet for the wedding at the Grimaldi dynasty's Italian Renaissance palace in Monaco.

If the Prince gets to keep it, he could put it in his museum, one of the world's notable car museums housing a collection started by his father, the late Prince Rainier III, who was married to Hollywood star Grace Kelly.


CAPTIONBy Lexus
The Lexus LS 600h L has an EV mode that lets it operate on the electric motor alone, without the 5.0 liter V-8 kicking in. Lexus said the green Prince and his bride's official post-ceremony parade through streets of Monaco -- where its Grand Prix also runs -- will be "not less than 85%" on electric power alone.

Said Andy Pfeiffenberger, VP of Lexus Europe. "Our commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility at Lexus matches well with His Serene Highness' keen interest in promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.'

It's a good thing Monaco is small, though. The EV mode is low-speed only and has a range, according to spec, of about a half-mile, unless Lexus swapped out the standard battery pack behind the rear seat for one with more juice.

Lexus said nothing about that, but provided details of the car's meticulous conversion:

While sunshine let the couple leave the top off, the limo has a one-piece removable transparent top that covers everything from the front row back. A French supplier of canopies for helicopters and jet fights made the polycarbonate, which is a single shell a bit more than a quarter-inch thick and weighing less than 58 pounds.

The conversion was done by Belgian coachbuilders Carat Duchatelet, working with Lexus engineers based in Brussels. It took over 2000 hours to complete.
(500 hours LESS, says the Associated Press, than it took to make the bride's Giorgio Armani gown with 88 yards of silk and 40,000 Swarovski crystals. )

"We have 40 years experience in making armoured and extended vehicles for Heads of State, Royal Families and VIPs around the world'," Benoit Ceulemans, an executive of the coachbuilder said in a statement. 'However ... it is the first time we are publicly associated to such a prestigious project and memorable event.'

The fundamental objective with the conversion, says Lexus, was to retain the quality and drivability of its LS 600h L base. It says the conversion began with extensive computer-aided design. Then the car was completely dismantled, stripping out some 20,000 mechanical and electronic parts and interior features and upholstery.

To maintain chassis stiffness and torsional rigidity, the convertible was given lightweight body reinforcement using carbon fiber and Kevlar honeycomb structures. Since carbon fiber requires high-temp curing and Lexus says these pieces "were literally 'cooked' onto the bare chassis in a specially prepared oven."

The car was then painted Midnight Blue with eco-friendly water-based paint and re-assembled in two weeks by 10 people with Lexus engineers over their shoulders.