Zanzibar-Tanzania

Mercy Johnson's Wedding pics

The nuptial of Mercy Johnson and husband Prince was shrouded in much controversy amid the emergence of Lovely who was supposedly Prince’s wife. With all the attending issues, the pair finally got married traditionally on Friday August 26th and have followed up with a church service on Saturday August 27th.

Below are pictures from the wedding ceremony:

 

28 August 2011

The wedding was very colorful ably attended by the crème de la crème of the African Movies Industry including Genevieve Nnaji, Emeka Ike, Jim Iyke, Segun Arinze, Keneth Okonkwo, Patience Ozonkwo, Chinedu Ikedieze, Majid Mitchel, Francis Duru, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Mike Ezunronye.

Others present includes Yvonne Nelson, Empress Njamah, Chika Ike, Queen Nwokoye and a host of stars to grace the event.

Check the photos below:

All pics by Linda Ikeji

Thank you Lord Drogba he is alive

Didier Drogba was rushed to hospital on Saturday after an aerial clash with Norwich keeper John Ruddy left him unconscious an hour into Chelsea's 3-1 victory.

Leaping for a cross into the Norwich penalty area, both players had eyes only for the ball when Ruddy inadvertently punched Drogba as the keeper tried to clear.

Aerial duel: Drogba drops, already out cold, after clashing with Ruddy and is then carried off on a stretcher

The striker appeared to be unconscious as he fell, crashing to the turf in front of the Matthew Harding Stand and he did not move as ambulance staff and Chelsea's medical team raced towards him, encouraged by Ruddy's urgent beckoning.
'Didier is a little bit better and showing some signs of recovery,' said manager Andres Villa-Boas immediately after the game.
'I am grateful both to my players, the Norwich players and the medical staff for reacting so quickly to a potentially very dangerous situation. They arrived there in time to bring Didier back to consciousness.

Chinned: Drogba collides with Ruddy

'He was unconscious for quite some time, a couple of minutes, I think. I didn't see the incident up close, but it looked nasty from the bench. It was natural, physical contact, though, the sort that happens in a game, and we know that these things can happen, so we must praise the response of everyone involved.'
Drogba was taken to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington where scans showed no signs of injury and he was later allowed home at his own request.
Ruddy was not to blame but his eventful afternoon also ended prematurely when he was sent off for a professional foul on Ramires, conceding the penalty which saw Chelsea regain the lead.

Worrying moments: Ruddy calls on the medics after his collision Drogba

They went ahead through Jose Bosingwa, only to be hauled back by Grant Holt's acrobatic strike.
After Frank Lampard regained the lead from the spot, Juan Mata scored a debut goal in added time. Norwich boss Paul Lambert was enraged by the 'disrespectful' attitude of Chelsea's fitness coach Jose Mario Rocha when Ruddy was dismissed.
Rocha ran into the technical area to demand that referee Mike Jones show Ruddy a red card, leading to an ugly clash.

Anxious Blues: Drogba receives treatment before being taken to hospital

'You'd better ask the guy with the stopwatch what that was all about,' said Lambert.
'He came hurtling into my technical area, and that's disrespectful. I don't know what he said, I don't speak Portuguese, but if he understands Glaswegian then he'll know what I said.' 

Zara Phillips Wedding.............

When Kate Middleton and Prince William married earlier this year, they delighted the crowds as they shared a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

And while Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall's wedding wasn't quite on the same scale today, the pair still followed in the tradition by giving well-wishers what they were after with a public embrace outside the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.

The pair emerged from the church beaming from ear to ear after becoming husband and wife in a 45-minute ceremony.

Give us a kiss! Newlyweds Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall share a tender embrace outside Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland after getting married

Newlyweds: Zara and Tindall make their way out of the church a married couple

Newlyweds Zara and Tindall then made their way to the nearby Holyrood House for the evening reception.

Zara, 30, had arrived five minutes late for her nuptials, but smiled widely as she made her way into the church.

 

The bride wore a stunning ivory dress by Edinburgh-trained designer Stewart Parvin, which featured a short train, and teamed it with a beautiful silk veil as she made her way in to marry her groom.

Stunning setting: The couple released an official photograph featuring them inside the ruins of Holyrood Abbey

Simple but chic: The ivory dress by Stewart Parvin perfectly suited Zara's athletic frame

So happy: The bride looked ecstatic as she waved to well-wishers after marrying Tindall

The dress had a chevron pleated bodice, ending in inverted pleats on a dropped waist, creating a bell-shaped silhouette, and also included a concealed structured corset as well as silk tulle straps that fell into a V-shape at the back.

Zara accessorised the dress with The Meander Tiara, lent to her by mother Princess Anne.

Following the wedding ceremony, Zara and Tindall posed up for photographers outside the church, kissing to the cheers from the excited well-wishers.

The crowd on Edinburgh's Royal Mile had been waiting hours for the bride to arrive, and spontaneously cheered as her car arrived.

Radiant: Zara is led into Canongate Kirk by her proud father Mark Phillips ahead of the ceremony

Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips stepped out first and walked round the limousine to meet his daughter who was facing the church.

Her elder brother Peter had earlier been stationed at the entrance of the Kirk, greeting guests in his role as usher. His wife Autumn was also in attendance, wearing an eggshell skirt suit.

Zara briefly waved back to the crowd who were still shouting and cheering at her, before the bride and her father were greeted by the Reverend Neil Gardner. and made their way inside.

The old hands and the just weds: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (left) and Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (right)

Family pride: Mother of the bride Princess Anne wore a red pleated skirt and floral jacket (left), while the Queen wore a pink jacket and matching hat over a floral dress

Earlier in the day, rugby player Tindall looked the picture of calm as he arrived at the church for his wedding.

The 32-year-old sportsman looked smart in a black jacket, grey pinstriped trousers, a grey waistcoat, white shirt and grey tie, teamed with an ivory buttonhole flower.

Showing no signs of nerves, Tindall smiled and waved as he posed for photographers before making his way into the venue.

Zara's mother Princess Anne was among the first of the royal family members to arrive, and made her way in wearing a floral jacket, red on-trend pleated skirt with her hair swept up in a chic up 'do.

Stylish sisters: Princess Beatrice went for blue while her younger sister Princess Eugenie opted for a cream and brown number

Prince Charles looked dapper in his grey suit, while Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall opted for a mint-green skirt suit and large headpiece.

His eldest son Prince William, Duke Of Cambridge arrived with his wife Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge, who kept her dress under wraps in a champagne-coloured embroidered coat, which she previously wore to Laura Parker Bowles' and Harry Lopes' wedding in 2006.

The 29-year-old teamed her outfit with her trusty nude heels and a flamboyant hat with floral detail.

A right royal knees up: Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, Countess Of Wessex arrive (left), while the bride's brother Peter Phillips, appeared to be an usher as he greeted guests

Smart: Prince Harry looked dapper in coat and tails (left), while the bride's sister-in-law Autumn Phillips looked chic in an eggshell suit

All present and correct: Prince Charles, the Duchess Of Cornwall, Princes Harry and Willaim and the Duchess of Cambridge all gather at the gates of the Kirk following the wedding

And now to the party: The royal family file out of the church (L-R) Prince Charles; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Harry; Princess Beatrice; Catherine, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince William; Princess Eugenie (just seen) and Prince Andrew

Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice went for a bright outfit in blue embellished skirt and suit jacket, while her sister Princess Eugenie sported an oyster satin fitted jacket with high collar and two chocolate silk-covered buttons.

The jacket had a flared bustle and large oyster bow to the back, lined in chocolate silk. The chocolate silk dress was fitted at the waist with a waistband covered in Swarovski crystals.

She wore a large sinamay silk angled hat in chocolate brown with oyster coloured feathers.

Ready to rumble: Tindall and his bridal party make their way into the church

Classic: The bridesmaids wore cute ivory dresses while maid of honour Dolly Maude looked amazing in her high-necked gown, also made by Parvin

That's something blue sorted: Members of the public check out the Kirk following the wedding service

The bridesmaids wore beautiful ivory dresses, the youngest of the party going for pretty tulle skirts, while the maid of honour wore dove grey.

Taking pride of place at the kirk will be Zara's parents the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, with their spouses Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Sandy Pflueger, respectively, and Tindall's mother Linda and father Phil.

Amongst the Kirk's distinctive pale blue pews, senior members of the royal family will be seated, including the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry.

Stylish: Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly was among the first guests to arrive

Sophisticated: The Saturdays singer Una Healy wore a pretty black and turquoise strapless dress as she attended with her boyfriend, rugby player Ben Foden

The bride and groom were married by the Reverend Neil Gardner in the 17th Century place of worship that is the official kirk of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Queen was the last member of the royal family to arrive before the bride, wearing a smart peach coloured outfit.

Other guests for the nuptials included Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, who cut a stunning appearance in a blush coloured dress, orange hat and matching accessories.

Leggy ladies: (L-R) Natalie Pinkham wore a backless red dress while Kirsty Gallacher (with partner Paul Sampson) opted for a colourful number with nude heels, while Olympic Skeleton racer Amy Williams donned a pretty nude-coloured dress and matching hat

Talking recently about how she knows Tindall, Kelly said: 'I went to school in Wakefield with Mike. Our parents live in the same village and we’ve stayed really good mates.'

The Saturdays singer Una Healy, who knows the couple thanks to her partner, rugby player Ben Foden, donned a strapless black and turquoise dress, which she paired with a cream hat and sky-high heels.

Radio and TV presenter Natalie Pinkham wore a pretty red backless dress with a beige hat, while sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher opted for a colourful number with nude shoes.

Ready to party: England rugby player Jonny Wilkinson (left) and former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and his wife Alice leave after the wedding

Suited and booted: Racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart and his wife Helen (left) and Irish jockey AP McCoy and his wife Chanelle

Rugby faces: (Left to right) Clive Woodward, Austin Healey and Martin Johnson make their way inside

Sports names including Tindall's teammate Ben Youngs, former rugby union coach Clive Woodward, former rugby player Austin Healey and England manager Martin Johnson were also among the guests, with racing driver Jackie Stewart and Irish jockey AP McCoy also putting in an appearance.

The spectacle had a party atmosphere as the crowd waiting opposite the church cheered and clapped whenever a face they recognised walked into the 17th century church.

And when their view of the guest arriving was obscured by the coaches they jokingly shouted at the drivers to back up.

Historical setting: Zara and her father arrive at the 17th century building

Arriving in style? A coach pulls up outside the venue carrying celebrity guests including Kelly (orange hat just seen)

Crowds started to gather on Edinburgh's Royal Mile this morning in anticipation of the nuptials. Around 30 people had camped out overnight to ensure they had a front-row view of the event. Many had brought sleeping bags and deck chairs as they eagerly waited to see the bride and groom.

Police placed barriers all along the street, and the bottom of the Royal Mile had been closed off to traffic.

Throughout the morning more spectators started to filter onto the pavements, hoping to catch a glimpse of members of the royal family as they arrive at the church.

The nearby Palace of Holyroodhouse, the monarch's official Scottish home, is the venue for the wedding reception and likely to stage the evening dinner where best man Iain Balshaw, Tindall's former Gloucester and England team mate, will give his speech.

Ready and waiting: Crowds line the streets outside the venue waiting for a glimpse of the blushing bride

A beautiful day for a wedding: Locals wave flags as they watch and wait for Zara's arrival

Another couple who had planned to wed in the Royal Mile church today had to be persuaded to change venues to allow Mike and Zara to use the kirk

Graphic designer Cherith Harrison and her lifeguard fiance Gregg Walter were asked by royal officials if they would move to another setting and agreed.

The event is a major boost for the Scottish capital already full with tourists who have travelled to the city for its world famous arts festival which starts in a few days.

But royal officials stressed the nuptials are a low-key family affair for close relatives and friends of the couple.

Excitement: Crowds of well-wishers brought their cameras to snap photographs of the royal and celebrity guests on the way to the wedding

Decorations: A worker adjusts the beautiful floral display above the door at Canongate Kirk

Gearing up: Residents in Edinburgh are no doubt looking forward to the big day, with one women wishing the royal couple luck with a banner hung over her balcony

ZARA WILL KEEP HER OWN SURNAME

Zara Phillips is believed to be setting a royal precedent by not taking the surname of the man she is marrying.
Royal brides have always adopted the name of their spouses following the exchange of wedding vows.
Even when they marry commoners, members of the monarchy adopt the moniker of their partners.
Lady Helen Windsor, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, took on the name of her husband Timothy Taylor when the pair married in 1992.
And when Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, wed Daniel Chatto in 1994 she took on his name.
Zara's decision appears to be based on the fact she wants to preserve her sporting persona and her business interests.
The royal is a former equestrian world champion who is known throughout her chosen sport as Zara Phillips.
In 2003 she became the first royal to accept a sponsorship deal with spread betting company Cantor Index.
She has gone on to sign a number of  deals with other businesses which help fund   her sporting interests so she also has to maintain a recognisable name for commercial reasons.
It is not known if at a later date she will adopt a married name like Cherie Blair, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who also known by her maiden name Cherie Booth when working as a lawyer.