Way back in the dark months of Duchess Kate’s first trimester, when she was apparently barfing her guts out, her press office kept on scheduling seemingly random events in the hopes that all would be well soon. Kate’s people ended up canceling several events at the last minute, never sending a surrogate. During that time period, the press office announced that Will and Kate would try to do a glitzy, glamorous tour of New York City in late November. It was something to look forward to, something to aim for, because we know Kate loves galas and balls (and buttons). Well, now People Mag is saying Prince George might make the trip too!
Is Prince George coming to the Big Apple? When PEOPLE reported last month that Prince William was planning a trip to New York City, there was merely a possibility that his pregnant wife Kate would be joining him.
That is now an increasing likelihood. And, it’s even being suggested by the U.K.’s Mail on Sunday that the couple may bring their son George along for the December trip. However, palace officials have not confirmed any of this and point to the fact that the trip has not yet been formally announced.
“Any overseas visit will be announced in the usual manner in due course,” a palace spokesman says.
When news of William’s trip was first reported, Kate was still suffering from severe pregnancy sickness. But because she had missed many engagements, including a short tour to Malta, there was a feeling that she might go with her husband to New York, as palace sources were keeping an “open mind” about her involvement.
“It had been thought that it might be just for him but then she missed Malta. If she is able to go and support him and show her support for an overseas trip, then it might be on,” a royal source has told PEOPLE.
Following her flight to Scotland last month and helicopter rides back and forth to Wales Saturday, it’s clear Kate is able to travel much more easily. And though Kate has bounced back with her public royal duties, she still gets tired – William revealed she was feeling a little “under the weather” on Saturday, when they were at the rugby international.
Usually, Will and Kate’s office can’t announce stuff fast enough, so it’s a little weird that they haven’t confirmed this trip yet. Thanksgiving falls on the 27th this year, so I really hope they aren’t going to be in New York in that media/holiday dead zone. Crap, they’re going to make me work on Thanksgiving, aren’t they?! They’re going to bribe me with photos of Prince George punching a turkey in the gobbler. Then George will pour gravy on his mother’s sausage curls and cut his eyes at Bill de Blasio. Yes, George will have a great time in New York! The Statue of Liberty better watch her ass.
Photos courtesy of PCN and WENN.
You know, now that I know Kate is wearing an anemone and not a poppy, I cannot unsee it. 😢
FYI: poppies have an all black center and are easily confused with red anemones.
http://www.dianasjewels.net/broochescatherine.htm
Same here!
•GracePM•
Glad it’s not just me! Lol
@LS – I’m glad you pointed that out. Something about the pin looked “off” to me, but I didn’t bother researching it. Reading the convo below about the pin being a gift makes it a lot better.
•HH•
I wasn’t so pleased yesterday (very unlike me) and had to remember that a veteran or veterans wife gave it to her while they were in Australia. Kate has good intentions but I still think she should have worn a poppy. The symbolism here is just too important to let ‘close enough’ slide. Totally my opinion.
(It was a gift. It was a gift. Look for the positive. It was a gift)
LS, the anemone pin has a bright gold center and separated trapezoid petals. Poppy pins are distinctive, with overlapping and more rounded petals, and all-black centers. It was nice of her to wear a gifted pin, but somebody should have done their research.
•notasugarhere•
I looked and honestly, you’ve given the most concise description of differences! Most sites I found just stated the two flowers are often confused which isn’t helpful to me. Lol.
And why would someone research it if she was initially told (as I read it and as you stated) that is was a replication of an anemone brooch originally made by Fabergé? That part confuses me. On a brighter note, I still give her major props for wearing a gift presented to her on tour. The givers must be over the moon.
I guess I’ll give her a pass due to the gifter, but I honestly think ALL OF THEM should wear poppies from the range sold by the British Legion.
•Sixer•
Good point. Although a girl is/was making ones that were full of glitter (cute!). I’d wear that in a heartbeat.
Didn’t famous people start getting in trouble a few years ago, when new higher-end poppy pins started coming out? The protest was you should buy and wear a new paper poppy every year because those are made by vets and sales benefit Veterans services. The new ones – no guarantees that the money goes to vets unless they’re the British Legion pins.
@ notsugar – yes, they did.
@ LS – From the British perspective, the British Legion are the originators of the poppy appeal that coincides with Remembrance Day. As notsugar says, the paper ones are assembled by vets and the proceeds go to the Legion. It’s always been the main veteran charity in the UK and it does really great work – for the old, for the disabled, for widows, etc. They have a network of social clubs up and down the country so that older veterans don’t get isolated. You’d be hard put to find a working class Brit who hadn’t been to a British Legion club! It’s their main (only) fundraising drive for the year.
I happen to wear a white poppy but if I were to wear a red one, I wouldn’t dream of wearing a non-Legion one, you know?
Here’s the non-paper range: http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/charity-jewellery.html
They also have umbrellas which are fun. I think Sophie Wessex has been spotted with one of these.
http://www.poppyshop.org.uk/accessories/umbrellas.html
•Sixer•
•notasugarhere•
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) used to make (very very small) poppies as well for fund raising purposes so I totally understand what and why you are stating your only wear a British Legion one. The hard part is ours were SO small — you’d never be able to see it. The heads of the flower were smaller than our smallest coin. I’d bet they were no bigger than a 1/2 inch.
Update: It appears they are bigger now! 😊
http://www.vfw.org/Community/Buddy-Poppy/
Exactly, LS. And here, the poppy for Remembrance Day is absolutely synonymous with the British Legion so those who wear other poppies (not including the white ones for peace or the purple ones for service animals) really are being disrespecful, I think. Better not to wear one.
•Sixer•
Similarly, the poppy here in the US used to be tied very closely to the VFW. Veterans (specifically VFW as opposed to the American Legion) would be everywhere (malls, grocery stores, etc.) selling them. The problem, as I see it, when we changed Remembrance Day to Veterans Day the poppy became less important as it was so closely associated with WWI. I wish we had followed other countries suit and ‘opened up’ RD to include all armed forces related deaths.
And thank you ladies for the links. You have some nice poppies (including clothing) memorabilia. Very nice. I might have to order something.
Info on both the American Legion and the VFW.
http://blog.uspatriottactical.com/join-american-legion-vfw/
Likewise, it’s interesting to know that you guys went another way, LS.
It can be quite difficult to explain how powerful Remembrance Day is in the UK. Even though it is tied in to all servicemen in all conflicts, the spectre of WWI and the industrial death during it, pulls in even the people (like me) who don’t buy into militarism and aren’t particularly nationalistic. We do take it incredibly seriously.
UGH! My phone keeps freezing and I’m losing my comments. 😡
Sorry.
•Sixer•
The sad part is Veterans Day does not pack the same emotional punch as RD — and it should. But I think untethering it from a significant point in history changed its tone, and not for the better. Plus, I think we’ve over commercialised all our holidays — federal or otherwise — that has further compounded the issue. On top of all that, so few people actually know a veteran which creates even a bigger disconnect than even commercialising it does (or they are so entertwined that one cannot be separated from another).
Even active duty veterans themselves often don’t feel connected to the day. It’s become just another day off. Sad, huh?
Whether you agree or disagree with the military matters little, honouring veterans that put something bigger than themselves on the line, should be sacred anywhere.
LadyS, Notasugar, Sixer
Definitely agree about annually buying the real, paper British Legion ones. Luxe versions do miss a lot of the point.
HMQ and the seniors all wear the same paper ones as the rest of us, and that’s a good guide.
(I imagine Kate is aghast, if she’s aware of the gaffe now)
•Chris2•
If you go and look at the links — there are numerous non-paper poppies that are still supporting the British Legion. Heck, they even have gold cufflinks! 😊
LadyS
Thanks 🙂
I did want to ask you, though rather belatedly, why the royal chaps, especially DofE, are not wearing their medals as they approach the Cenotaph? ( no TV, only pics on here to go by)
It was only when scrutinising the poppies (!) yesterday that this hit me. I assume it’s a gesture of deference to the fallen, but I had thought the attending servicemen all wore theirs….(couldn’t ascertain either way)
(Pardon my habit of dragging unrelated royal stuff into specific threads)
Thanks if you get a moment. 🙂
•Chris2•
My guess is all the Royals wear their medals on their uniform, as usual, but we just don’t see it. They cover their uniforms and thus their metals, with overcoats, because of the weather. I am fairly certain no medal or ribbon is attached to outerwear.
LadySlippers: Sometimes the comments that you make about the US really surprise me. I understand that the British mark Remembrance Day with poppies; but America has some fine programs also available on the tellie for Veterans Day which are quite moving. Did you watch the ceremony at Arlington cemetery, marked with a wreath that the President (or vice-president) lays. There are also many other remembrances in states and communities. I’m surprised that you do not see the great empathy shown to our servicemen and women who perished in war.
My first husband was also military. It was great fun for me because we lived on the east (New York) and west coast (the Presidio), as well as Korea and Germany. I call it a wonderful education and I am moved by the sacrifices made; more than moved actually.
LadyS…or Singer?!
Thanks so much for bothering with my dumb question….Blimey, I should have copped on to the explanation myself. Of course, the coat/weather makes perfect sense. Duuh!
🙂
The middletons, and siblings have no sense of service to country – Waity no sense of duty, history to the monarchy.
Leading into Remembrance weekend-padded bum sister was all over the papers from luggage news to what not.
Waity interested lies in showing up with celebrities – not interested in giving back to the people or of royal duties. I doubt she was sick, more like the docs put her in bed and fed her through IVs to ensure the baby secure. She sure was back more healthier and fed for someone suppose to be sick and fainting.
“The Statue of Liberty better watch her ass” hahaha. George will find you, and he will defeat you.
Hahaha
On the contrary, George better watch his a$$; nobody messes with Lady Liberty!
Waity celeb doolittle wanted to be in NY so P Will schedule will leave her there while he take care of serious charity work and royal duties (way above Waity’s head). Why is she even going – except Jecca will be there, Prince Will should be traveling with Peince Harry.
Thank you HM PC, PGTips will remain at KP with loving nanny Maria and away from those middletons and buckleberry.
Am I the only one who thinks George looks like his Grandfather Middleton? He is one cute baby!
•BeckyR•
He does look a lot like him and you certainly aren’t the first to mention it. 😊
Yes! He looks like his grandfather’s mini me.
Nope you aren’t the only one.
But the Windsor genes are supposed to kick in later in life, ie William. Time will tell.
Yes, he looks very Goldsmith Middleton right now……if you don’t believe me go look at the Daily Mail Baby Photo of Uncle Gary as a baby….amazing how much he and George look similar as babies…..
She looks so unbelievably old.
Tanning, smoking and poor nutrition… Not surprised she looks 40.
Don’t insult those of us that are over 40, please. …
Does she really smoke? I have never seen her smoke. I know Harry smokes.
Harry quit when we was training for the South Pole I read somewhere. Wonder if he’s still off them.
•Maria•
•bluhare•
Supposedly Harry quit for the trip to the South Pole (but a fellow teammate talked about smoking with him on the trip so I don’t know how true that is).
But William, Kate, and I believe both York princesses are known smokers. Whether they still are is up for debate (Eug I think was recently papped smoking).
Photos of KM at the airport on the way to France showed her smoking, as well as some of the balcony photos, yes? Beatrice doesn’t smoke (or drink alcohol).
•notasugarhere•
I knew Bea, like her father, didn’t drink. But I thought she smoked too. Huh.
Anyhoo, Kate was papped smoking in the topless pics while in France. But that was (I think) the last time we saw her smoke. It’s possible she and William quit to get pregnant with George.
LadySlippers
Here and there some random twitter spotters make note of Kate carrying cigarettes when a pocket or purse is opened. I think she’s far more secretive on when and where she lights up though.
I bet she does quit for pregnancy, but takes it back up after.
I looked for the old photos of Kate sitting in a cab outside of one of her Chelsea club haunts. In it she had her purse in her lap open and you could see her cigarette carton in it. I can’t find it anymore.
I thought it was my imagination, but she does look at least ten years older than her age.
All I can think about is how many streets will be blocked off and how congested it will be in NYC if they come during the holiday shopping season.
I’m with you there, Luca. New York is a madhouse this time of year during the holidays with its constant gridlock alerts, and this will not help at all.
She looks exhausted
•Megan•
The pics on Lainey show her much perkier. At least I think so! Lol
It must be from all of that hard work……….oh, wait………
Jules. Don’t be like that. Surely even u become exhausted, confused, physically ill and overwhelmed by endless shopping, along with wardrobe decisions & fittings and strategic maneuvers to dodge work & then public scrutiny & detection when not at work.
My God, for crying out loud, have some sympathy & compassion!! 😜 What is the world coming to?
I don’t understand bringing PGTips for a three-day trip, especially during the chaos of NYC during the winter holidays (and cold and flu season). Show him off in the U.S. while they hide him away at home and threaten photographers for pictures of him in the UK.
Will we get staged off-duty shots of KM playing with him by the Alice in Wonderland statue in Central Park as a nod to her graduation thesis? Or by the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center? You know there will be a pap game involved. Welcome the photographers in a country where you cannot control them. Anger the press at home and tempt them into breaking your made-up laws.
It’s all about the photo-ops. No one cares about William and Kate the Least Interesting Couple in the World.
If Prince George goes to NY several Internet news and gossips sites may Crash…..
He’s such a cutie, loads of personality.
Jules
By golly I think you’ve cracked it!
Didn’t we learn here yesterday that Aniston and The Guylined Hipster are The World’s Most Tedious Couple…..from Jennifer herself?
Obviously this is a counter-move by the Cambridges of Sighs, to stake their claim to the title, right in the (semi) home of their rivals.
Clash of the Titans innit.
•notasugarhere•
I’m a Minnesotan so the cold wouldn’t bother me and he’s old enough that it isn’t likely to bother him much. But a 3-day trip that includes 2 transatlantic flights with an older infant, on the other hand, would bother me quite a bit. Long flights are hard on adults and tough for young children, so unless they stayed a few days longer, I’m not sure the interruption to his schedule is worth it (especially if he’s a baby that needs routine, if he’s more relaxed about schedules than…maybe…but I’d still lean towards a no).
Do you really think they’d miss the chance to show him off to the US???
I completely agree with you NAS. After all the no-shows in their own country, it feels like they will be just using the publicity to polish their image. Maybe I’m cynical, but it seems so obvious. If they spent those same numbers of hours doing goodwill in their own country, I would be more likely to embrace them as representatives of the UK here in New York City. They should come in the spring. IMO
Speaking of photos of George, Bucklebury Farms (where Kate was papped with George & Carole) reportedly just posted a new rule forbidding visitors to take photos of other people’s kids. BF is adamant the new rule is not specifically for George nor is it in response to the recent pap photos of him there. BF’s back pedaling insults my intelligence. They would have been better off not responding to the criticism.
What it hints at is 1) the amount of time Kate Middleton and PGTips spend in Bucklebury (is William shown in any of the photos?) and 2) how often she took PGTips there while she was “too sick to work.”
Sounds like George has become a shield. When with George it becomes a crime to photograph who he’s with. It’s a backdoor to restrict pics showing Kate doing things she’s said to not be doing.
This poor baby. He’s become a pawn to protect his parents from the press’s and citizens rights of observation.
He’s a tool for goodwill at this point. Bring George. Show off his bruiser personality to distract from the obvious.
FLORC, that was brilliant. Some insist William is doing this as a time-traveling attempt to save Diana, but I don’t buy that. He has always hated the press. From the time he was a little kid he battled with Diana about them. Multiple reporters and RPOs are on record saying it.
He’s punishing the press now for his own childhood, for what he thinks they did to him — not for what he thinks they did to his mother. His mother was the one who tried to teach him to accept dealing with the press. Maybe he resents her for her failure (in his eyes) to protect him? Or did he recognize that Diana was using the press and public outings with W&H to make their father look bad? Here is William, repeating his mother’s actions and using PGTips as a pawn in the press game.
It’s called deflection. They don’t have anything shiny they can wave at the camera to razzle-dazzle us so they bring baby for public consumption & to call it a family trip. Plus, don’t u travel with your family? Wouldn’t u bring hubby/lover/significant other on a business trip to someplace like New York? Yhey r sightseeing or in the hotel room while u r at your conference or working? Yep. Cause they r just like u/us NotASugar. And don’t u forget it—cause they will😄😄😄😊
how long will this NY-trip be? Does someone know?
A young child on such a long flight just for a weekend trip… not a good idea. If it is a longer tour ok, but if they only make 2-3 days they shouldn´t stress the boy.
•Dany•
I *think* we were told 3 days.
The trip is only 3 days? Seems more like a holiday to me. And of course they will fit as little as possible into the trip. And I dont see any mention of charities they will be plugging on the trip, meetings with the Pres, other politicians, state dinners
•PHAKS1•
Sometimes, they don’t make the schedule available until shortly before they leave as they are often still working on the details of the schedule right up until they leave (except for state visits which this is not). So it’s very unfair to characterise it in any fashion when we know nothing.
A holiday? Of course not! Because when we all think of NYC, we think of charities and poor people and helping the less fortunate. Definitely not shopping or sight-seeing or glitzy shows or celebrities or high fashion. God bless them and their dedication to work……..
What exactly is the point of this trip? The charity is UK-based. They could have their function in London. This just seems like a front to go to NYC for a few days.
•Mia•
Most organisations and charities have sister organisations elsewhere. Plus, they could be fundraising, going to charities with similar goals than the ones they support etc..
There is a lot they can do abroad which helps the disadvantaged all around. All royals do this.
Yes, many royals take on international roles — after first putting in their time serving the people and charities of their home country. When W&K show little interest in anything in the UK, it does set them up for even more criticism for stunts like this. W&K have done precious little for their UK charities, why not focus on charity at home? I’ll bet Centrepoint could use some money around the holidays.
Does this save the wildlife push need to be done now and in the US? Why start a new wildlife charity when he is already royal patron of Tusk Trust for Jecca? Why not take on the UK patronage for World Wildlife Fund to honor Prince Philip’s legacy/decades of work with WWF?
The last time they tried to do a fund-raiser in the US (the polo thing related to the Hollywood jaunt) it didn’t turn out well. From what I remember, nobody knows where the money went and the royals have severed ties with the person who set up the charity polo match.
•notasugarhere•
But IF they are willing to work — why beat them down to do it? I mean, isn’t it a bit hypocritical to complain they don’t work enough and still complain when they do???? I’m just looking for balance here.
They aren’t willing to work. They want a paid vacation to the States. From what I’ve gleamed from here & Royal Dish, this isn’t an established charity. This is a meeting for this UK-based charity. A meeting that could have just as easily been undertaken in London. If they just wanted to come here, I’d respect them more for being honest than inventing some ridiculous reason for coming.
•Mia•
To be fair, there aren’t a lot of details out so it is likely that they’ll make the trip more than just one meeting.
What are the odds the schedule starts counting thanking greeters at airports events/meetings?
Maybe Kim,Kanye and North can fly to NYC for a play date with the Royals
LMAO
Please, don’t give them any ideas! Can you image…..
Maybe they’ll meet Princess Madeliene of Sweden there? She lives in NYC.
They failed to recognized (or ignored) Prince Daniel of Sweden at an Olympics event. The posters on here are more likely to recognize Maddie and Chris than W&K are. I’m also doubting they’ll take the opportunity to meet up with Eugenie while in NYC.
I thought the trip was scheduled for December not November. I highly doubt they’ll be touring stuff on Thanksgiving, there’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and they’ll be more people than usual in the city which would seem to be a safety risk with the royals in the city at the same time. Most things are going to be closed and I’m sure the organizers of the trip are aware of the holiday. Plus I really can’t see Kate joining the masses to go shopping on Black Friday. I think they’d rather avoid that holiday mania and come in early December.
•Amy•
Good catch as I thought it was December too but didn’t pay attention to the dates above! Lol
Prince George punching a turkey in the gobbler …
HAHAAHHAAHHA can’t wait to see the pics of that 🙂
I’d pay to see him pouring gravy on the sausage curls! Hahaha
I hope they bring him. He’ such a character.
Snazzy
That made me laugh so much!
I do love this ‘pugilist princeling’ image…..it’s so far from the clichéd Little Lord Fauntleroy we might have anticipated.
🙂
They can’t just show up to nyc. The nyc police and govt have to be involved to clear streets. I’m surprised they don’t have a date yet, or maybe they’re still working out the details with local officials.
There’s no big UN meeting, so if they come it’ll be just to visit NYC and force some events to look like they had a reason to go. .. and it also gets their event numbers up in the court circular… They’re already pretty low this year so November means needing to bump it up before Christmas break.
Karen
Is this what happens? Blimey, it’s not as though they’re Heads of State or representing HMQ for an august ceremony. That’s no way to win support, disrupting traffic and so on.
You’d think the British Ambassador’d just meet them at JFK and drive them to the Embassy with no fuss. Sure they have a security presence for events, but more than that seems uncalled for.
Ugh. They’re making it sound like it’s such a chore for her to go to NYC. Like it’s such a big sacrifice and burden on her part and that she’s such an altruist for ‘trying’ to go. Oh please. So far, she’s been going to galas, football games, and next, the theater. Then she’s going to be such a “keen” worker that she’s going to push herself to go to NYC like she’d be doing something really beneficial and great for everybody else.
Do we have to dumb down the world, really?
The article I read said she’s always wanted to go and is looking forward to it.
@bluhare – In her years before her engagement, she had all that time and freedom to travel anywhere her mommy and daddy’s money could get her, but she never did, except to Mustique. She spent her ‘waity’ years doing basically nothing but waiting to marry a rich man, especially William.
Now she says she’s always wanted to go? Why didn’t she go when she was single and she had loads of opportunities to do it without strict limitations that comes with the schedule of a Royal trip? Loads of stores in NYC, just saying…
I guess her ‘always wanted to go’ is part of the PR shtick and she couldn’t leave before because she might have lost out on her ‘big prize.’
I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to go to the top of the Empire State Building, but haven’t got there, so if I get the opportunity you can bet I’ll go. And it’s not like I haven’t had the time either. Something else always came up. But if you’ve taken advantage of every opportunity that’s come your way, more power to you.
I don’t think she works enough either, but wanting to see NYC isn’t the worst thing in the world. But if this was arranged just so they could get a trip to NYC on someone else’s dime that’s another story.
I bet she really wants to go. I also bet she really didn’t feel like it was a priority during the dating years.
Bluhare
I wonder if someone is picking up the bill for this trip/accomodations.
Their RPOs funded by UK taxpayers (how many, 8-10 if they bring PGTips?), additional security paid by US taxpayers, extra costs to the hotel to have more staf on hand that week paid out of the hotel’s budget, “travel and accommodations” taken out of the operating budget for the new wildlife charity as “business expenses”?
Oh dear, I hope all the peasants and undesireables in New York don’t make the Royals uncomfortable
Question for NYers: Did they ever close down the FAO Shwartz store?
I can imagine George going George-zilla in there. 😉
I think I read once MJackson had the store to himself, but it may have been after midnight?
so will Auntie Special Correspondent will be covering the royal visit?
can’t wait for George to tweet helpful advise, Be A Successful Toddler Traveler in 5 Easy Steps #pgtips
Bwah! Her first scoop for the Today show.
Mia
She’ll be a jaw-dropping correspondent……eh.
“If you are going on a journey, (or even a drive!) save petrol by choosing a closer destination”
I honestly don’t recall if that was a Private Eye sooof or one of her thoughtful tips, it’s so very typical!
@lower-case deb – Oh that’s good. That would be funny. But I doubt the Palace would let Pippa anywhere near W&K. If NBC or ABC thinks they have an ‘in’ to the Roayls, they’d be sorely mistaken, imo.
Why are they even going to NY? Is it a vacation?
William–if you’re trying to pass this off as “work” please keep in mind that the US is not in the Commonwealth…
Prince George wants the Colonies another George lost for Britain. I KNEW IT!!!!!
More George! More George! What an edible little pudgy monkey!
Let’s just hope that George won’t eat his drumstick with a knife and fork as Mayor de Blasio did with his pizza. The mayor can’t live that one down with New Yorkers.
He should do the full Henry VIII, and chuck it backwards over his shoulder once he’s gnawed it!
I feel bad for George – they’re going to drag the poor kid around just for the positive press, all because Mommy wants a free trip to NYC to go shopping.
Let George hang out more with his Uncle Harry – those are pics I’d love to see.
When will we get those pics?! They should have come out already.
A snarky thought. Maybe williamwon’t let Harry be seen with George as only he and Kate are allowed to use George as a goodwill pawn?
‘She’s always wanted to go to New York.’ Funnily enough she was meant to go to NYC in late 2009 or early 2010 – as a photographer’s assistant! But it seems like she wasted the opportunity. Why oh why? Check out Kaiser’s Celebitchy article from August 24 2009!
I think she did go. Spent a day with Testino’s assistant & came back. That was the extent of her commitment.