Cutest couple in the world - Will and Kate pics of 2012 (SOCIALITE LIFE)

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge have a laugh at Bacon's College on July 26, 2012 in London, England. The Duke and Duchess, along with Prince Harry launched the 'Coach Core' Programme, a partnership between their Foundation and Greenhouse. (Photo by Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Duchess has a good giggle before Prince William throws a foam javelin s part of a children's sports event. The couple, along with Queen Elizabeth, visited Vernon Park during a Diamond Jubilee visit to Nottingham on June 13, 2012 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Phil Noble - WPA Pool/Getty Images).

The Duke and Duchess surprised everyone by showing off a little PDA during Britain's victory at the Velodrome on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

William and Catherine take a moment to tour the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore on September 13th, 2012.

The Duchess affectionately puts her hand on William's knee during a swimming event at the London Olympics on August 3rd, 2012.

William was no doubt relieved to have his wife discharge from King Edward VII hospital in London. He drove the Duchess from her parents Berkshire home after she complained of severe morning sickness.

READ MORE: http://socialitelife.com/photos/will-and-kates-cutest-photos-of-2012/london-olympics-swimming-4-040812

Kenneth Branagh recalls the opening ceremony of London 2012 27 July: the actor relives working with Danny Boyle to help create the dazzling opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics (GUARDIAN)

"I have never learned a part more thoroughly": Kenneth Branagh performs at the opening ceremony. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

I was in Liverpool on a location scout for the film Jack Ryan when I got the call. Danny Boyle rang me and explained that they'd had a great tragedy – Mark Rylance's daughter had passed away and he was pulling out of his role in the opening ceremony. He asked if I would take over. I was standing on a street corner and I was so shocked at Mark's news that I didn't really take in the second part.

A couple of days later I went to see Danny at the Olympic Stadium. It was three weeks before the ceremony and the place was packed with thousands of people all doing things impressively. Danny seemed to know everybody's first name – it was like taking a walk with the Pied Piper. We climbed on to the hill that I'd eventually be doing my piece from. It was quite a lot to take in. Danny said, "You'll be here in the person of Isambard Kingdom Brunel performing Shakespeare to the accompaniment of Elgar," and I said, "God, that's a lot of Great Britons all at once." I asked him where the prompter or autocue would be and he said, "Oh, no we won't have one of those." I have never learned a part more thoroughly in my entire professional career. The notion of screwing up in front of a billion people concentrated the mind very strongly.

On the opening night the energy was incredible and hard to resist. There was a temporary structure built as our dressing rooms and all the children involved were on the top floor. They were so wild with excitement the building was shaking. I remember being in my dressing room with the Arctic Monkeys rehearsing "Come Together" for the 5,000th time next door, and on the other side of the partition, Rowan Atkinson and Simon Rattle were discussing, in minute detail, how to be funny in two minutes and 11 seconds. Across the way Danny Boyle was talking JK Rowling off the ledge because it was her first time performing in public. As for me, I was just trying to keep my head straight and going through my lines: "Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises…"


READ MORE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2012/dec/23/kenneth-branagh-danny-boyle-olympics