BY GREGORY KATZ

The Associated Press

LONDON — Here come the grandkids, marrying up a storm.

After a quiet two-year stretch on the family wedding front, Queen Elizabeth II can look forward to the nuptials of grandson Prince William, set to marry Kate Middleton in April, and granddaughter Zara Phillips, who this week announced her engagement to rugby star Mike Tindall.

The two young royals, though friends, are as diff erent as their engagement pictures: Prince William and Middleton, both 28, released retouched photos taken by master lensman Mario Testino, while Phillips, 29, and Tindall, 32, chose casual outdoor shots of them wearing jeans.

William is world famous, a heartthrob, formerly the most eligible man in England if not the world. Phillips has carefully cultivated a “Zara Who?” persona, which seemed to spring naturally from her mother, Princess Anne, who decided early on that her two children would not use any royal titles.

The lack of royal formality has not hindered Phillips, who has become a master equestrian in her own right, winning several titles and earning a BBC sports person-ality of the year award for her horsemanship.

She has not announced the time and place of her wedding — etiquette suggests she will not schedule it close to William’s big day on April 29 — and her wedding is likely to be a much smaller, more informal event.

“Zara Phillips doesn’t use the royal title, and that was refl ected in the low-key way they announced their engagement, with no special photograph, no special hairdo, very laid back, so already the tone of their wedding is very diff erent

than Kate and William’s,” said Deborah Joseph, editor of Brides magazine. “They will have more freedom to do what they want, they won’t have to adhere to protocol.”

She said Phillips will not have to be as cautious as Middleton in her wedding choices because Middleton is marrying into the royal family and will have to make a good impression.

“Kate can’t put a foot out of place, but Zara doesn’t need to worry as much, she’s grown up with it, the queen’s her grandma,” said Joseph. “Zara’s very quirky, and quite rebellious — remember she once had her tongue pierced. Kate’s the opposite, much more classic and safe.”

The queen has eight grandchildren. The oldest, Peter Phillips, 33, married Canadian Autumn Kelly in 2008. His younger sister Zara is now engaged, as is Prince William. Red-haired Prince Harry, 26, is single, as are Prince Andrew’s two daughters, Princess Beatrice, 22, and Princess Eugenie, 20. Prince Edward has two young children: Lady Louise, 7, and 3-year-old James, whose title is Viscount Severn.

Having two members of the same family get married during a short period of time can sometimes lead to tensions and rivalry. And it’s not easy to compete when your cousin’s wedding ceremony is expected to be televised live around the world.

Wedding planner Mark Niemierko said he advises clients in similar situations to let several months or more elapse.

“You don’t want it anywhere close to the other person’s date,” he said. “In Zara’s case, I would go to autumn — wait the whole summer, it’s kind of nice to let the dust settle, so you and

your friends can be excited about it. You want to have some time.”

He also would urge her to choose a country wedding in contrast to William’s gathering at London’s Westminster Abbey.

“If your cousin is doing it in London, maybe do it outside of London,” he said. “You don’t want to be drawing comparisons, you want to avoid that at all cost. Zara doesn’t have to conform.”

But in one case — the dress — Niemierko says Phillips should not try to anticipate what kind of gown Middleton will wear.

“The less you know about the other person’s dress, the better,” he said. “If Zara fi nds the designer who is her style, she should pick it.”

Same grandma, different styles for Zara, William

AP fi le photo

Britain’s Prince William and his fi ancée Kate Middleton are seen at St. James’s Palace in London on Nov. 16, after they announced their engagement. Kate and Zara are likely to be very different brides, if their engagement announcements are any indication.

AP photo

Zara Phillips, right, and her fi ancé Mike Tindall, after announcing their engagement, in Gloucestershire, England, Tuesday. Prince William and Kate Middleton will soon have company on the royal wedding calendar. Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday that Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest granddaughter, is engaged. Phillips, an accomplished equestrian, said she was shocked but “very happy” that her rugby-playing boyfriend Mike Tindall had proposed.

McClatchy News Service

PHILADELPHIA — This winter’s crush on velvet — think sumptu-ous shrunken blazers, soft leggings, and fl oor-length gowns — is more than just a cure for the cold. The popularity of the plush pile is a sign that luxury is on the cusp of a comeback.

And the ancient fabric’s timing couldn’t be better. Just like sequins, satin, and fur, nothing says holiday like a velvet dress. This year, however, the smooth-move textile is enjoying a modern twist.

“I started seeing people come in October looking for velvet,” said Mary K. Dougherty, who this season stocked three styles of velvet Nicole Miller cocktail dresses in her two Philadel-phia boutiques. All but a few have sold. “Customers wanted something to feel special in. For so long now, they’ve been hiding their wealth, but velvet is a fabric that can be opulent regardless of whether it’s Nicole Miller or H&M.”

Velvet is even getting a style stamp of approval from Hollywood. In early Novem-ber, “Harry Potter” star Emma Watson was lauded for the one-shoulder, over-the-knee frock she wore to the “Deathly Hallows” premiere. And last week, Angelina Jolie showed up on the red carpet of Brad Pitt’s “Megamind” Paris premiere in a velvet pantsuit.

In addition to Nicole Miller, whose frocks include a stunning chocolate drop-waist dress with a cowl neck, runway favorites Dolce & Gabbana, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren, and Donna Karan all featured velvet in their fall 2010 collections. Among the Fashion Week showstoppers: Donna Karan’s cobalt blue three-quarter-length velvet

coat and Nanette Lepore’s unforgettable fl oor-length velvet gowns in ruby, copper, mustard, and olive green tones. Betsey

Johnson mixed velvet into her satin minis. Macy’s and J. Crew are featur-ing velvet blazers

for women, while Kenneth Cole is the go-to place

for your guy’s soft formal jacket. At

Bloomingdale’s, cocktail dresses by L.K. Bennett are trimmed in velvet, and Theory has

velvet suits. (Wait until tuxedo-loving pop sensation Janelle Monae gets ahold of these.)

Even Juicy Couture is in on the popular plush-ness. The sportswear label is selling a gown that’s velvet’s short-pile cousin — velveteen.

(Makes no diff erence to us, as long as it says touch me.)

So how to wear it and not look like Santa’s lost elf? Most important, keep the velvet minimal — no more than one full-on velvet piece per outfi t. Let your velvet dress — mini or maxi — be the focal point, but wear opaque tights of the same hue for an of-the-moment monochromatic look. Grab a sparkling clutch, and you’ll turn heads at your holiday party.

Next, don’t be afraid to mix textures. A velvet blouse looks great with dark denim skinny jeans and a cardigan. Velvet blazers are chic with fl at-front wool pin-striped pants. Feeling extra festive? Look for satin trim. Shiny blouses with velvet fl oral appliques are deliciously stylish.

Finally, while velvet leggings are cute, they are not for the fashion novice. (For instance, do not pair them with an oversize sweater. Yuck.) For a safe bet, go with a starched white tuxedo shirt with a cardigan or tailored jacket. Finish the look with suede over-the-knee boots.

Velvet is very merry this holiday season

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