… came the yell as cameras snapped away at the distraught Royal. This time it was Prince Harry, but reminiscent of Princess Diana on a skiing holiday with her boys in Austria. History repeating itself yet again. The paparazzi –“chancers” as they are called by the real press, with digital cameras and the lure of easy money for that one photo of a celebrity in distress.

It would be easy to dismiss the latest Royal brush with the press as “spoilt Harry, the spare to the heir” but you really have to witness the distress these “parasites” cause. I have seen first hand Princess Diana run into her apartment, slam the door and just burst into tears. “Paparazzi” just “playing with her” for that one picture that has “for my pension fund” written all over it. Laying in wait for her, sometimes for hours, not for a happy smiley photo – they are ten a penny, but one of her crying – oh how much that will sell for. But to set the scene you had to first make her cry, abuse her verbally, shout, swear, anything you can, you don’t have long. Place things in front of her car so she can’t drive away – she will have to get out of the car and move them – a second chance – more abuse, more swearing – at last she’s cracked – snap, snap, snap.

So, unlike many who read of Harry’s brush with the paparazzi (I won’t call them press) I actually felt for him. Had his mother been around she would have too, but she died when he was just 12. “Don’t let them get you down” she would have told him, followed by “you should have hit him harder” knowing her. “. “Irrepressibly mischievous, daring and sometimes foolhardy” the press labeled him this week. Sounds like his mother’s son to me then, that’s what they said about her too. “I have to be there for him Darren” she once said “They” will take care of William. Sadly she can’t be … but is there a member of his family that he could look to as a role model ?

To much media attention… or should that be TOO much media attention? The official Princess Diana exhibit opened in Florida, on display until May of next year. It’s unveiling even attracting media from around the country. Cynical of me I know, but it can only be the fact that a real live “Earl” was going to be there – in this case the Princess’s brother Earl Spencer – his 15 minutes of fame being his eulogy at his sisters funeral.

It can’t have been the exhibit that they flocked to cover for their viewers, the TV stations and newspapers wouldn’t have settled for just “second best” for their viewers/readers. Instead, they would have turned their attention to a little town called Carthage in Missouri, to a place called Precious Moments Inspirational Park with the motto “loving, caring and sharing” (who does that remind you of?) Here for over a year now and only until the end of December they would have found the most incredible exhibit “A Date with Diana” an exhibit containing over 2000 pieces of British Royal memorabilia valued at over $4 million.

The exhibit is run by “The Pink Ribbons Crusade” a breast cancer charity based in Austin. Unlike the “official” charity it doesn’t have an “Earl” to bring media attention, but it does have someone – in the name of Suzanne King – who actually cared about Princess Diana. Unlike the “official” charity it doesn’t have “the” wedding dress, but it does have SIX of the Princess’s dresses she sold at auction and unlike the “official” charity Pink Ribbons Crusade donates every penny to promoting breast cancer awareness (one of the Princess’s causes) and is not there to make a profit.

With not having an “Earl” to promote the exhibit you may not have heard much about it, but if you find yourself looking for something to do between now and Christmas you could do a lot worse than heading for Carthage Missouri. I am sure once you have seen it you will agree that the “official” site is not always the “best” For more information go to www.pinkribbonscrusade.com …See you there!

My last cooking classes in 2004 will be November 13 and 14 at Market Street in Colleyville and McKinney. I have enjoyed so much meeting all of the people that came along to my classes. Some even came several times!!! Thank you all for supporting me, for listening to me waffle on about my time with the Royal Family and promoting the Pink Ribbons Crusade.

I hope that you have found at least ONE recipe of mine that you do like and make at home. There will be many more on offer next year including the six that come with the November “Celebrate the Holidays with the Royalchef” class. I hope to teach you how to create a dessert table that rivals any top hotel in the country with a display of Chocolate Yule log, Traditional Christmas Cake, Sherry Trifle, Cinnamon Apple Strudel, Crème Brulee Cheesecake with an Apricot compote, Coconut Tarts and Chocolate Truffles.

It being my last classes of the year I also want to take this opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart the people that make me look good at these demonstrations. The people that work tirelessly behind the scenes during preparation and then fade to the back for me to take the glory. Debbie Meyer, the best cooking school manager anyone could have. Thank you for finding me and supporting me. To Liz, Arlie, Judy, Gina and Deb and all of the helpers at each class… I couldn’t do it without ALL of you. THANK YOU!

For those of you that can’t make my November classes “Happy Holidays” to you, have a great Christmas and see you next year. If you are still not sure what to ask for from Santa Claus for Christmas then have a look here - www.jbprince.com . This is the site that I get all of my “gadgets, toys and tools” from.

… Thank you to everyone that paid $150 a head to have me cook for you and share stories about my time with the Royal Family… I warned you that I could talk for hours about them. (Smiles).

The money we raised from the event goes to Our Children’s Center at Irving towards the purchase of equipment, the provision of financial aid to needy families, and the enhancement of the facility. Thank you to Julie Esstman and Keith and Mel Robinson for making it all possible.

Thanks again for looking at my site. If you enjoy it then please tell your friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time......