"When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens. Let's continue the winning formula." British actor Stephen Fry praised the idea to promote Brits in Hollywood while fascination with the royal couple was at its height following their April wedding. "Royalty creates a glamour, prestige and luster that trumps anything Hollywood can produce," Fry said.
The impact was exactly what the British royal family sought in the young couple's first official trip overseas, first to Canada and then to California. And as images go, the second day in sunny Southern California for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was just about picture perfect. On a green and glamorous Santa Barbara polo field, William and Kate charmed the deep-pocketed polo set and raised millions of dollars for charity. To top it off, William made good on his promise to win the charity polo match and scored four goals for his team, earning a pair of kisses from Kate. While polo may be an elite sport, William and Kate have tried to make their visit to California anything but stuffy. On their final day Sunday, they will visit a children's art center in the middle of Los Angeles' Skid Row and meet military veterans and their families.
Despite the high wattage celebrity turnout of Saturday night, the duke and duchess have tried to keep the celebrity quotient in check, mindful of how excess might not play well in a Britain beset by austerity measures. The California visit is more about business than pleasure, with most activities centered on charity and trade promotion. Upon arrival Friday, they talked technology investment with a room full of innovators and financiers. While the royal couple won't have contact with large crowds like they did in Canada, they did try to talk to ordinary Angelenos when they got the chance. At the end of the red carpet at the Belasco, they made a beeline to shake hands with a smattering of fans who'd been allowed in to see them up close.
The impact was exactly what the British royal family sought in the young couple's first official trip overseas, first to Canada and then to California. And as images go, the second day in sunny Southern California for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was just about picture perfect. On a green and glamorous Santa Barbara polo field, William and Kate charmed the deep-pocketed polo set and raised millions of dollars for charity. To top it off, William made good on his promise to win the charity polo match and scored four goals for his team, earning a pair of kisses from Kate. While polo may be an elite sport, William and Kate have tried to make their visit to California anything but stuffy. On their final day Sunday, they will visit a children's art center in the middle of Los Angeles' Skid Row and meet military veterans and their families.
Despite the high wattage celebrity turnout of Saturday night, the duke and duchess have tried to keep the celebrity quotient in check, mindful of how excess might not play well in a Britain beset by austerity measures. The California visit is more about business than pleasure, with most activities centered on charity and trade promotion. Upon arrival Friday, they talked technology investment with a room full of innovators and financiers. While the royal couple won't have contact with large crowds like they did in Canada, they did try to talk to ordinary Angelenos when they got the chance. At the end of the red carpet at the Belasco, they made a beeline to shake hands with a smattering of fans who'd been allowed in to see them up close.
