Royal gift: Prince George to receive bear book

Britain's Prince George is to receive a book about an air ambulance teddy bear named after his mother and another about a sea-faring bear named for his father.

The 12-month-old prince - whose father Prince William will join the East Anglian Air Ambulance crew later this year - will be one of the first people to receive a collection of stories about Katie the Bear, who was created by Lesley Harrison of Cassop Vale Bears and joins the North Air Ambulance Service on their missions.

Katie - who is named after Duchess Catherine - is the girlfriend of William, another of Lesley's creations who went to sea with HMS Bulwark three years ago and had his escapades turned into a book, 'The Nautical Adventures of William The Bear', to raise money for charity following a brainwave by then-chairman of Durham County Council Dennis Morgan.

And current chairman, Councillor John Robinson, thought a book about Katie was a great way to raise money for charity again.

He said: "I thought it would be a fantastic way to raise funds the Great North Air Ambulance.

"We hope to send a copy of both books to William and Kate for Prince George. I am sure they will love it given the royal family's links to the air ambulance and the names of the bears."

The air ambulance crew love having their furry team member with them.

Paul Burnage, a Great North Air Ambulance Service paramedic, told the Northern Echo newspaper: "Lesley is so talented. Katie is fantastic. She has been all over with us; Newcastle, Cumbria and we hope to take her a little further afield too.

"We made her a uniform, as dresses aren't really suitable in the helicopter."


Duke and Duchess of Cambridge 'content' with countryside
 

Duke and Duchess Cambridge are looking forward to moving into Anmer Hall for at least two years as they prefer the countryside to London.

The royal couple - who currently reside at London's Kensington Palace - are looking forward to moving into Anmer Hall for at least two years while Prince William works with the East Anglian Air Ambulance service.

A source said: "Kate and William are country folk at heart. While their London home will be their base in terms of royal duties, Norfolk is where they want to bring up their family."

Anmer Hall, which is situated on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham Estate, was where William, 31, and his brother Harry, 29, spent a lot of their childhood and the prince hopes his 13-month-old son Prince George will enjoy life in Norfolk as much as he did as a youngster.

The source added to Grazia magazine: "William spent a lot of time in Norfolk growing up and has a proper crew there. All his old friends have young children who will be perfect playmates for Prince George.

"It's very sociable in the area and Catherine really loves the Norfolk lifestyle."

The Norfolk property is currently undergoing the final stages of a two-year £1.5 million renovation and the couple are expected to spend most of this month staying at Wood Farm, a cottage on the estate, overseeing the final works.
 

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