If The Crown Fits: Stunning Royal Women

 March 01, 2019 

Kate Middleton may have made headlines as the hottest commoner to become a member of England’s royal family, but all over the world there are other beautiful crowned women who go largely unacknowledged. Style, poise and impeccable taste in fashion set these ladies apart — jewels or no jewels on their heads.

Others on this list are known for exactly the opposite of Kate’s class and elegance… some of these royal women have indulged in pretty salacious behavior! Just because Kate might be more famous doesn’t mean she’s the most scandalous or controversial.

Sirivannavari Of Thailand

Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand was ranked among the 20 hottest royals by Forbes in 2009. Raised in the UK with her mother, she now resides in Thailand with her father and grandfather, the King. At 30 years old, she is an arts and sports enthusiast who is an active participant in the world of high fashion.

Jennifer Lawrence engaged to art gallery director

Oscar winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, one of the most popular film stars in the world, is engaged to her boyfriend, an art gallery director, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

Her future husband is Cooke Maroney, 34, her representative confirmed to People Magazine, the publication reported on its website.

Lawrence 28, was spotted wearing a "massive ring" and enjoying what appeared to be a celebratory dinner with Maroney at a French restaurant in New York City recently, according to Page Six, which reports on celebrities.

She won the Oscar as best actress for her role in the 2012 romantic comedy “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Also known for her role as the heroine archer Katniss Everdene in the blockbuster “Hunger Games” film series, Lawrence has been nominated for three other Oscars for her roles in “Winter’s Bone,” “American Hustle” and “Joy.”

Maroney is an art gallery director at the Gladestone Gallery in New York, USA Today reported.

Neither her manager or a spokesperson with her public relations firm were immediately available for comment early Wednesday. Telephone calls to Maroney's art gallery were not immediately returned.

No date for the nuptials have been announced.

Oscars without a host?

Hollywood's biggest night -- the Oscars -- is set to take place next month without a host for the first time in 30 years, after comedian Kevin Hart pulled out of the gig and no suitable replacement was found.

Though organisers have yet to confirm the plans, entertainment insiders say the show's producers are forging ahead with preparations for the 91st Academy Awards on 24 February with no emcee.

If all goes ahead, it would be the first ceremony without a host since the 1989 gala -- one widely seen as one of the most embarrassing ever, featuring an infamous duet between actor Rob Lowe and... Snow White.

As gala organisers struggle to overcome a steady decline in viewership, many say the failure to find a host is actually good news.

"It's a blessing in disguise," Tim Gray, awards editor at entertainment magazine Variety, told AFP.

"People have been saying for years that the format -- the same since 1953 -- needs to change and they're trying to cut down on running time. So personally, I think it's a great idea not to have a host."

Hart, who is currently starring opposite Bryan Cranston in "The Upside," was named to host the Oscars in early December.

But the backlash was swift -- homophobic tweets he made several years ago reemerged, prompting an outcry on social media, and he withdrew just a few days later.

"I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's (sic)....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists," he tweeted.

"I sincerely apologise to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

'Thankless job'
So why can't the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences find someone else?

The previous two shows have been hosted by late night funnyman Jimmy Kimmel. Comedian Chris Rock emceed in 2005 and 2016 and TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres hosted in 2007 and 2014.

All have apparently indicated they weren't interested in the gig this year.

"I think a lot of people, especially when it comes to hosting the Oscars ... think nowadays it's not worth accepting (to host) because of the scrutiny," Gray said.

"It's kind of a thankless job," he added.

"A lot of hosts have said it's a difficult job because you walk into that room, there are 3,000 people, and all they want to know is who won in each category."

In recent years, several hosts were raked over the coals. Actor Neil Patrick Harris got rumbled over his 2015 effort and said he would never do it again. James Franco and Anne Hathaway were a dud in 2011.

The Academy declined several requests by AFP for comment on the hosting situation or the show's possible format.

But according to several trade magazines, organisers are considering having multiple A-listers -- probably actors -- introduce various segments and the award presenters.

"The Academy awards regularly had multiple hosts in the 1970s and 1980s and the telecast worked very well," said Dave Karger, a special correspondent for IMDb (the Internet Movie Database).

"So if this year's producers are able to book big stars to perform in skits and present the prizes, I don't think the show will suffer at all."

Gray said the big challenge will be how to make the show entertaining -- both to those attending and for people watching on television -- while sticking to the promise of a three-hour telecast.

"I think the hostless situation is going to force them to come up with something imaginative," he said.

"And the fact that the show is going to be different could keep the energy going."