Duchess Kate gives first public speech
LONDON, March 19 (UPI) -- Duchess of Cambridge Kate extolled the virtues of teamwork at a London children's hospice in her first public speech as a member of the royal family Monday.
Prince William's bride of nearly a year wore an electric blue dress and black heels when she spoke at the opening of the East Anglia Children's Hospice, People.com said.
"I am only sorry that William can't be here today. He would love it here," she told the crowd of about 600 people in a speech she penned herself. "A view of his -- that I share -- is that through teamwork, so much can be achieved. What you have all achieved is extraordinary."
People.com said she recalled having a "preconceived idea as to what to expect" when she first visited the charity's hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire.
"Far from being a clinical depressing place for sick children, it was a home. Most importantly, it was a family home, a happy place of stability, support and care. It was a place of fun," she said.
"The feelings you inspire -- feelings of love and of hope -- offer a chance to families to live a life they never thought could be possible."
Prince William is a military helicopter pilot who is serving in the Falkland Islands.
Paltrow denies she had ghostwriter for cookbook
NEW YORK, March 19 (UPI) -- Actress Gwyneth Paltrow took to Twitter to deny a New York Times report saying she used a ghostwriter for her cookbook "My Father's Daughter."
The Times last week ran an article called "I Was a Cookbook Ghostwriter," featuring a picture of the cover of Paltrow's cookbook with a caption that said, "Gwyneth Paltrow's ghostwriter is Julia Turshen."
The newspaper reported Turshen is "writing a second cookbook with Gwyneth Paltrow after their collaboration on 'My Father's Daughter.'"
But Paltrow objected to the article, caption and use of photo in a weekend tweet.
"Love The New York Times dining section but this week's facts need checking. No ghostwriter on my cookbook, I wrote every word myself," the actress said in an online message Saturday.
Tia Carrere gets the boot on 'Apprentice'
NEW YORK, March 19 (UPI) -- Actress and singer Tia Carrere was fired on the latest edition of "The Celebrity Apprentice" in New York.
Carrere was eliminated from the business-themed competition series after the team she led lost its challenge in Sunday night's episode.
Still competing this season are comedian Arsenio Hall, rocker Dee Snider, one-time "Incredible Hulk" star Lou Ferrigno, magician/comedian Penn Jillette, "American Chopper" star Paul Teutul Sr., pop singer Debbie Gibson, comedienne Lisa Lampanelli, former Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, singer and actress Aubrey O'Day, actress and model Patricia Velasquez and "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice.
Already eliminated from the show are radio host Adam Carolla, "Star Trek" actor George Takei, IndyCar icon Michael Andretti, author Victoria Gotti and supermodel Cheryl Tiegs.
The last person standing will receive a $250,000 check to be given to a designated charity.
Danai Gurira lands 'Walking Dead' role
NEW YORK, March 19 (UPI) -- U.S. cable network AMC has cast actress Danai Gurira in the role of Michonne in its zombie drama series "The Walking Dead."
Sunday night's Season 2 finale first featured the iconic character, who will be an important part of the series in Season 3, the network said.
Michonne, a fan favorite from Robert Kirkman's comic-book series, is described as "a mysterious woman armed with a sword," AMC said in a news release.
Gurira has appeared on TV's "Treme" and "Lie to Me."
