174From the desk of Jordan Montgomery, Twitter: JrdnMRoyalCorresp
Royal Correspondent, Associated Press
XX November 2011
The royal Mitzi – Prince Ken's Barbie is Canadian
Prince Ken has a new reason to smile. Six months after we learned Prince Ken's relationship with Lady Henrietta de Duras was in tatters, the Prince is in love once more – with a commoner.
Rumours of a new redheaded love have been circulating for some time. We can now name his new amour as 22-year-old Canadian NYU student Rilla Blythe.
We are only just learning about the Prince's new love interest. Originally from Toronto, she has been living in New York for several years, apparently working as a nanny and a waitress before enrolling in economics at NYU. With flaming red hair, and long legs we can see why she caught the Prince's eye! Miss Blythe seems to have a keen fashion sense, and a love of young children as the photo (right) of her with a young charge shows.
At present, it is not known how they met.
Little is known of her family or background. Rilla seems to a shortened version of her middle name Marilla, her full name being Bertha Marilla Blythe.
The palace is yet to comment.
Collectors Corner
xxx November 2011
Mitzi doll sales spike
Collectors have reported a spike in sales of Mitzi dolls in the last month. The collectors site Kovels, describes Mitzi Doll's as "Ideal's substitute for Mattel's Barbie doll. The Christmas toy to get in 1960 was the Barbie doll, introduced by Mattel in 1959. Stores could not order enough stock to fill orders. So Montgomery Ward asked Ideal Toy Co. to make a substitute that resembled Barbie. The dolls were sold in December 1960 and marked with the maker's name and the Roman numerals for the year. It sold for $1.27. Mitzi was sold again in 1961, then was discontinued. Many dresses and outfits were available that fit Mitzi." The recent spike has focused on red-haired dolls only.