Royal news – live: Harry to skip Hugh Grosvenor wedding to avoid William as he celebrates with Meghan in LA
The Duke of Sussex is set to swerve the Duke of Westminster’s wedding next month to avoid clashing with his brother the Prince of Wales, who is serving as an usher.
Hugh Grosvenor, 33, will marry 31-year-old Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on 7 June in a 400-strong guestlist celebration.
One of Britain’s youngest billionaires, Grosvenor is a godfather to Harry’s first-born child, Archie, who turned five earlier this month.
However, according to recent reports, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be attending the ceremony in a bid to avoid royal tensions overshadowing the day.
The King, who is Grosvenor’s godfather, and the Princess of Wales are also not expected to attend the wedding as they continue their respective cancer treatments.
Meanwhile, the Sussexes have celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary together in LA just days after returning from Nigeria to promote the Invictus Games in Africa. The pair as said to have exchanged gifts made of iron, as is tradition.
They were also spotted celebrating at a luxury steakhouse in Montecito with friends, where a bottle of wine can set diners back as much as $1,402.
Key Points
Harry and Meghan celebrate anniversary at luxury LA restaurant
Prince Harry and Meghan Meghan Markle’s wedding anniversary goes unacknowledged
Harry to miss Archie’s godfather’s wedding
King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Chelsea Flower Show today
King to mark D-Day anniversary in France in first overseas trip since cancer diagnosis
Prince Laurent: ‘Belgium’s Prince Harry’ set to quit royal family for dream life abroad
20:00 , Barney Davis
Prince Harry’s departure from the royal family changed the face of the British monarchy forever – but he is not the only royal black sheep to turn his back on palace life.
In Belgium, 60-year-old former playboy Prince Laurent has similarly established himself as an outsider in his own clan – much in the way that a young Harry did during his own turbulent formative years.
Laurent was affectionally known in the corridors of The Palace of Laeken as the “Playboy prince” before his marriage to Claire Coombs in 2003, while he courted further controversy with his spending and alleged entrepreneurial work.
Read the full article here:
Prince Laurent: ‘Belgium’s Prince Harry’ to quit royal family for dream life abroad
Earl Spencer celebrates 60th birthday today
19:30 , Emma Guinness
The Earl Spencer is celebrating his 60th birthday today after recently showing his support for Prince Harry at the Invictus Games thanksgiving ceremony.
Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother, alongside other members of the Spencer family turned up at the event in a show of support after none of Harry’s immediate family attended.
The Earl has remained close to Harry despite consistently frosty relations with King Charles following Princess Diana’s death.
King Charles takes on two of Queen Elizabeth’s patronages
18:30 , Emma Guinness
King Charles has taken on two of Queen Elizabeth’s civil service patronages, continuing an almost 140-year-old tradition.
The Monarch, 75, is now the patron of the Charity for Civil Servants and patron of the Civil Service Club, which provide support to current, former and retired civil servants in need.
News of the King’s appointment was met with delight by their chief executive Graham Hooper.
“We are extremely proud and honoured that his majesty has chosen to continue the tradition started by Queen Victoria when she became our inaugural patron in 1886,” he said.
“His patronage of the charity recognises the vital work civil servants do day in day out in service of the country.”
King and Queen arrive to preview Chelsea Flower Show
17:55 , Barney Davis
King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Chelsea Flower Show ahead of its official opening tomorrow.
Alongside the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, they will tour the displays in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
The couple are also set to visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s “no adults allowed” garden, which aims to highlight the importance of giving children access to the natural world.
Their visit comes after King Charles was recently named the patron of The Royal Horticultural Society.
King Charles set to break tradition at this year’s Trooping the Colour
17:30 , Emma Guinness
King Charles will reportedly ride in a carriage at this year’s Trooping the Colour and not on horseback as is tradition, it has been reported.
This comes amid a tumultuous year for the Monarch, 75, who was diagnosed with cancer following a routine procedure to treat an enlarged prostate.
A source told The Telegraph that a carriage will be the “most likely” option to avoid any risk to the King’s health, as he is still battling the disease.
The event will take place on 15 June, the King’s official birthday.
Lady Amelia Windsor visits Chelsea Flower Show ahead of floral debut
16:30 , Emma Guinness
Lady Amelia Windsor has attended the Chelsea Flower Show today ahead of its public opening tomorrow.
The royal, 28, is participating in this year’s event with a wildflower pot. She is 43rd in line to the British throne.
“So excited and honoured to be a very small part of the team for Kent Wildflower Seeds’s first garden at the Chelsea Flower Show,” she wrote on Instagram.
She is not the only member of the family in attendance today, and King Charles and Queen Camilla are also set to make an apperance alongside the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Kate Middleton hints at return to duty following cancer diagnosis
15:00 , Emma Guinness
Kate Middleton has shared her first project update since stepping back from her duties in January to work on her health.
Taking to Twitter (X), the Princess of Wales, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, shared a video showcasing the challenges British farmers can face with their mental health.
The Kensington Royal account, which represents Kate and Prince William, wrote: “This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we’ve brought together the inspirational Sam Stables from We Are Farming Minds and the brilliant Farmer Will for a very special film.
“Spending a day together on Sam’s farm in Hereford they chatted about mental health in the farming community, finding support and the Duchy of Cornwall’s Mental Health Strategy.”
The full film is available to watch on YouTube.
Harry and Meghan enjoy date night for wedding anniversary
13:57 , Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were spotted celebrating with friends at a Los Angeles steakhouse on their anniversary weekend.
The couple, who recently returned to the US from an unofficial tour of Nigeria, married six years ago on 19 May at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
According to reports, they were seen out on Saturday with their friends Brian and Tracey Robbins at Lucky’s in Montecito.
The restaurant features a range of dishes which vary in price up to $175 for a porterhouse steak and a staggering $1,402 for a bottle of wine.
Harry and Meghan have seemingly struck up a close friendship with the Paramount CEO and his designer wife in recent years and the foursome even travelled to Jamaica in January for the premier of the Bob Marley biopic One Love.
King Charles now richer than his late mother Queen Elizabeth
13:33 , Emma Guinness
King Charles officially has a higher net worth than his later mother Queen Elizabeth, the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List has revealed.
The current Monarch is worth £610 million, which is significantly more than the £370 million the Queen had in 2022 before her death.
The King’s wealth can, in part, be credited to his mother though as she left him an investment portfolio worth almost £120 million.
Prince Harry slammed by musician Don McLean
10:30 , Emma Guinness
Don McLean has hit out at Prince Harry for his less-than-flattering description of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate in his memoir Spare.
The American musician, 78, told the Daily Mail that the sixth in line to the throne, 39, should not “criticise America when you’re living here as our guest.”
In the 2023 memoir, which details Harry’s life in the royal family, he describes the mansion once occupied by the King of Rock and Roll as “dark” and “claustrophobic.”
“I walked around saying ‘the King lived here, you say? Really?’” Harry wrote. “I stood in one tiny room with loud furniture and shag carpet and thought ‘the King’s interior designer must’ve been on acid.’”
Anne Robinson dating Queen Camilla’s ex-husband
10:00 , Emma Guinness
Anne Robinson has confirmed that she is in a relationship with Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
The TV host, 79, who is best known for her role on The Weakest Link, made the revelation bluntly last week after rumours began to circulate that she and Parker Bowles, 84, were an item.
When asked if they were dating, she told Saga magazine: “Yes. Full stop. Mind your own business.”
Parker Bowles was previously married to the now-Queen between 1973 and 1995 and the pair share two children together.
King Charles to visit Chelsea Flower Show today
09:30 , Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to visit the Chelsea Flower Show today (20 May) ahead of its opening tomorrow.
The Monarch, 75, alongside the Queen Consort will visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s “no adults allowed” garden.
Co-designed by schoolchildren, the garden was created to highlight how important nature is for children and any adults who visit the exhibit must pledge to plant a tree.
The garden, unlike other exhibits, is not being judged.
Harry and Meghan’s wedding anniversary goes unacknowledged by royal family
09:16 , Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle yesterday celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary.
The sixth in line to the throne, 39, tied the knot with the former actress, 42, on 19 May, 2018 at a lavish ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Citing press intrusion and a desire to live a more independent life, the couple later stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to California.
The anniversary of the event was not acknowledged by any official royal social media accounts.
This follows increased tensions between the couple and the royal family, which most recently saw Prince Harry snubbed twice on his recent visit to the UK.
The first snub came in the form of his father refusing to meet him on his brief trip to his home country and the second came when it was announced that Prince William was soon to be made the colonel-in-chief of his old military regiment, the Army Air Corps.
Artist reveals why new King Charles portrait is so red
09:04 , Emma Guinness
The artist behind the new portrait of King Charles has revealed why it is so red.
Jonathan Yeo’s painting of the Monarch received a mixed reaction from online commentators after it was unveiled last Tuesday (14 May), with some claiming that the red background made it look like the King was “in Hell.”
The King’s face is the only part of the portrait that is depicted in what would be considered a lifelike fashion and the rest of the image, including his red Welsh Guards uniform, is painted against a red backdrop.
“No matter what you do with a picture, no matter how obvious you think the story you’re telling is, someone’s going to read something else into it,” the artist told The Sunday Times.
“I thought the red will really distract [from the red in the uniform],” Yeo explained.
“That may also have had psychological backing, because I had a heart attack [in March 2023] when I was painting this,” he says. “But certainly none of that I was conscious of – it was just: I like this colour.”
Charity set up by Queen announces second series of reading podcast
03:00 , Joe Middleton
A charity established by the Queen has announced a second series of its podcast featuring guests including Neil Gaiman and Richard E Grant.
The Queen’s Reading Room was formed from a book club set up by Camilla in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic to celebrate the power and benefits of reading.
Across nine episodes, guests will speak to charity CEO and host Vicki Perrin about their relationship with reading. Other guests will include comedian Mel Giedroyc and novelist Kate Mosse.
The weekly series will begin on Monday, May 20.
The first series of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley, and comedian David Baddiel and was listened to in 158 countries.
Ms Perrin said: “We were astounded by the response to the first season of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast.
“It is clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners globally, enabling them to connect and fall in love with books.
“I hope that this second season of the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to go on new literary adventures and help those wishing they loved books a little more, to discover the true joy of reading.”
What are the King’s plans for D-Day in France?
02:00 , Joe Middleton
The King, Queen and Prince of Wales will attend commemorative events in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D- Day, Buckingham Palace has said.
Charles and Camilla will be at the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s (RBL) event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer on June 6, and William will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, on the same date.
The prince will then attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, later that day alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world.
The Princess of Wales is not expected to travel to France.
William to be usher at Duke of Westminster’s wedding, report says
01:00 , Joe Middleton
The Prince of Wales is to be an usher at the wedding of his close friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, next month, reports suggest.
The 33-year-old aristocrat and businessman will marry Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral on June 7.
William will be among the groom’s party at the 400-person ceremony but his younger brother the Duke of Sussex will not attend, the Sunday Times reported.
The Princess of Wales, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is not expected to attend.
The Duke of Westminster is a godson of the King and godfather to William’s son, Prince George.
He is also godfather to Harry’s five-year-old son Prince Archie, but reports emerged in December suggesting Harry and his wife Meghan were not on the guest list for their wedding.
‘It’s about emotion and connection’: King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
Monday 20 May 2024 00:01 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles has granted a portrait photographer with a Royal Warrant for the first time.
Hugo Burnand told The Independent that he aims to give the public a true sense of who the royals really are through his official portraits.
Palace insiders said he is grateful to have been “trusted and supported” enough to take official photographs of the family at their milestone occasions and now to be granted this official seal of approval.
Read the full article here:
King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
What are the King’s plans for D-Day in France?
Sunday 19 May 2024 23:00 , Athena Stavrou
The King, Queen and Prince of Wales will attend commemorative events in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D- Day, Buckingham Palace has said.
Charles and Camilla will be at the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s (RBL) event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer on June 6, and William will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, on the same date.
The prince will then attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, later that day alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world.
The Princess of Wales is not expected to travel to France.
Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over past drug use
Sunday 19 May 2024 22:00 , Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry may hold a rare United States visa reserved for heads of state and royal family members, a lawyer has suggested – amid questions over how the Duke of Sussex’s past admission of drug use sits in relation to America’s tight immigration rules.
The royal – who lives in California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children – is currently the subject of a legal battle brought by the right-wing Heritage Group to demand that the US Department of Homeland Security release his immigration file.
Former US president Donald Trump and ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley, are among those who have recently commented on the speculation ignited by Harry’s discussion of his past use of illicit drugs in his January 2023 autobiography Spare.
Read the full article here:
Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over drug use
Duke of Westminster leads Britain’s young rich list with £10bn fortune weeks before he is set to marry
Sunday 19 May 2024 21:00 , Athena Stavrou
The seventh Duke of Westminster – once dubbed one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors – is officially the richest man in the UK under 40.
According to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, Hugh Grosvenor, 33, has a net worth of £10.127 billion – a substantial increase from the £9.878 billion he had in 2023.
However, he is soon set to lose his bachelor status when he ties the knot in the society wedding of the year next month.
The Duke of Sussex will not attend the wedding of his close friend, the Duke of Westminster, next month, despite the groom being the godfather of his son, Archie.
Prince William on the other hand is to be an usher.
Anne Robinson confirms relationship with Queen Camilla’s ex-husband
Sunday 19 May 2024 20:00 , Athena Stavrou
TV presenter Anne Robinson has confirmed that she is in a relationship with the Queen’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
Unconfirmed reports at the end of last year suggested that the host, 79, who is best known for her former stint on the quiz showWeakest Link, and the retired cavalry officer, 84, were dating.
Robinson confirmed those rumours in an interview with Saga magazine, saying: “Yes. Full stop. Mind your own business.”
Artist reveals why his portrait of the King is so red
Sunday 19 May 2024 19:00 , Athena Stavrou
The artist who painted the King’s latest portrait has revealed why the artwork is so red.
The painting by Jonathan Yeo, which was unveiled by the monarch at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards against a red backdrop.
The unusual portrait has divided opinion amongst royal fans and social media users, with some saying the large swathes of red made them “uncomfortable” and that it looked like the monarch was “in hell”.
As for why he chose to use so much red in the portrait, the 53-year-old said he wanted it to tone and distract from the King’s brightly coloured uniform.
“I thought the red will really distract,” he told the paper, adding that his solution was to instead cover the whole painting in crimson.
“That may also have had psychological backing, because I had a heart attack [in March 2023] when I was painting this,” he says. “But certainly none of that I was conscious of – it was just: I like this colour.”
Harry to miss Duke of Westminster’s wedding while William attends as usher
Sunday 19 May 2024 17:57 , Athena Stavrou
The Duke of Sussex will not attend the wedding of his close friend, the Duke of Westminster, next month, despite the groom being the godfather of his son, Archie.
Hugh Grosvenor, 33, will marry 31-year-old Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral on 7 June.
Considered one of Britain’s richest men, Grosvenor will welcome the Prince of Wales as part of the groom’s party.
However, according to recent reports, Prince Harry will not be attending the ceremony in a bid to avoid royal tensions overshadowing the day.
Read the full story here:
Harry to miss Duke of Westminster’s wedding while William attends as usher
William to be usher at Duke of Westminster’s wedding, report says
Sunday 19 May 2024 15:40 , Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales is to be an usher at the wedding of his close friend Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, next month, reports suggest.
The 33-year-old aristocrat and businessman will marry Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral on June 7.
William will be among the groom’s party at the 400-person ceremony but his younger brother the Duke of Sussex will not attend, the Sunday Times reported.
The Princess of Wales, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is not expected to attend.
The Duke of Westminster is a godson of the King and godfather to William’s son, Prince George.
He is also godfather to Harry’s five-year-old son Prince Archie, but reports emerged in December suggesting Harry and his wife Meghan were not on the guest list for their wedding.
Charity set up by Queen announces second series of reading podcast
Sunday 19 May 2024 14:45 , Athena Stavrou
A charity established by the Queen has announced a second series of its podcast featuring guests including Neil Gaiman and Richard E Grant.
The Queen’s Reading Room was formed from a book club set up by Camilla in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic to celebrate the power and benefits of reading.
Across nine episodes, guests will speak to charity CEO and host Vicki Perrin about their relationship with reading. Other guests will include comedian Mel Giedroyc and novelist Kate Mosse.
The weekly series will begin on Monday, May 20.
The first series of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast featured Rebus author Sir Ian Rankin, actress Dame Joanna Lumley, and comedian David Baddiel and was listened to in 158 countries.
Ms Perrin said: “We were astounded by the response to the first season of The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast.
“It is clear that the podcast reached and resonated with listeners globally, enabling them to connect and fall in love with books.
“I hope that this second season of the podcast will continue to inspire listeners to go on new literary adventures and help those wishing they loved books a little more, to discover the true joy of reading.”
King to visit first children’s garden at upcoming Chelsea Flower Show
Sunday 19 May 2024 12:46 , Athena Stavrou
Children are taking centre stage at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, which is being billed as “one of the greenest” in years with a focus on sustainability and the climate crisis.
The King and Queen, and celebrities will get the first glimpse of this year’s event run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in London on Monday, before the world famous show opens to the public on Tuesday.
But it is children who are getting a special role at Chelsea this year, with a “no adults allowed” garden co-designed by a group of primary school pupils and the chance to judge the show gardens as junior judges for the first time.
Charles will visit the show’s first garden to be designed by children, where adults who want to see it must pledge to plant a tree to help the environment, donate to the RHS school gardening campaign, or find a flower that starts with the first letter of their name.
What are the King’s plans for D-Day in France?
Sunday 19 May 2024 10:16 , Athena Stavrou
The King, Queen and Prince of Wales will attend commemorative events in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Buckingham Palace has said.
Charles and Camilla will be at the Ministry of Defence and Royal British Legion’s (RBL) event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer on June 6, and William will attend the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, on the same date.
The prince will then attend the international commemorative ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint Laurent sur Mer, later that day alongside 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world.
The Princess of Wales is not expected to travel to France.
Defence chiefs order urgent review to find enough aircraft for D-day anniversary
Sunday 19 May 2024 08:00 , Shahana Yasmin
Defence chiefs are scrambling to secure more planes for a parachute drop to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day as crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have left the RAF’s transport fleet stretched.
Hundreds of paratroopers were expected to jump into Normandy, as an homage to the actions of their predecessors in the Second World War. However, a severe shortage of planes has led to these plans being scaled back.
The Mail on Sunday reported that only one plane was left for the Parachute Regiment to use, but sources believe at least one more can be made available.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has ordered an urgent review.
Paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team will jump from an RAF A400M and the Red Devils Parachute Display Team will also jump into Normandy.
ICYMI: Queen Camilla promises to buy no more clothes with real fur
Sunday 19 May 2024 07:30 , Shahana Yasmin
Queen Camilla has promised she will not be buying any new real fur clothes or products.
Buckingham Palace made the revelation in a letter to Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), where it was said that the Queen, 76, “will not procure any new fur garments”.
“This comes with the Queen’s warmest wishes,” the palace added.
The news went down a storm with the animal rights organisation which said staff would be celebrating the Queen with “a glass of the finest claret”.
“It’s right and proper for the British monarchy to reflect British values by recognising that fur has no place in our society,” managing director Ingrid Newkirk said.
Death of Queen so soon after Prince Philip made it 'far more emotional', says Duke of Edinburgh
Sunday 19 May 2024 06:35 , Shahana Yasmin
Prince Edward, when he was at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland yesterday, described the support he received from royal chaplains following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth II died in September 2022 at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, a mere 17 months after Prince Philip died in April 2021.
Andrew said that the deaths being so close made his mother’s passing “far more emotional”.
“For my own part, I just want to pay personal tribute to the chaplains of the Chapels Royal and especially those here in Scotland,” he said.
“There have been moments recently where I have been lucky to have sensed God’s care and love.”
“And who could forget the scenes that followed the passing of my mother?”
“The outpouring of emotions, the demonstration of respect, love and grief was overwhelming and a privilege to experience and behold.”
‘It’s about emotion and connection’: King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
Sunday 19 May 2024 06:00 , Alexander Butler
King Charles has granted a portrait photographer with a Royal Warrant for the first time.
Hugo Burnand told The Independent that he aims to give the public a true sense of who the royals really are through his official portraits.
Palace insiders said he is grateful to have been “trusted and supported” enough to take official photographs of the family at their milestone occasions and now to be granted this official seal of approval.
Read the full article here:
King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
Duke of Westminster leads Britain’s young rich list with £10bn fortune weeks before he is set to marry
Sunday 19 May 2024 05:00 , Alexander Butler
The seventh Duke of Westminster – once dubbed one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors – is officially the richest man in the UK under 40.
According to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, Hugh Grosvenor, 33, has a net worth of £10.127 billion – a substantial increase from the £9.878 billion he had in 2023.
However, he is soon set to lose his bachelor status when he ties the knot in the society wedding of the year next month.
Read the full article here:
‘Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ who owns half of Mayfair reveals shock next move
Watch: King Charles tells Maya Jama his thoughts on Love Island
Sunday 19 May 2024 04:00 , Alexander Butler
King Charles tells Maya Jama his thoughts on Love Island
Meghan Markle reveals the ‘best souvenir’ from her and Prince Harry’s tour of Nigeria
Sunday 19 May 2024 03:00 , Alexander Butler
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed the “best souvenir” she received on her three-day tour of Nigeria alongside Prince Harry.
Prince Harry, 42, made the comments during the unofficial tour in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The couple were invited to the country by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff – marking their first overseas tour since stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
Read the full article here:
Meghan Markle reveals the ‘best souvenir’ from her and Prince Harry’s tour of Nigeria
Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over past drug use
Sunday 19 May 2024 02:00 , Alexander Butler
Prince Harry may hold a rare United States visa reserved for heads of state and royal family members, a lawyer has suggested – amid questions over how the Duke of Sussex’s past admission of drug use sits in relation to America’s tight immigration rules.
The royal – who lives in California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children – is currently the subject of a legal battle brought by the right-wing Heritage Group to demand that the US Department of Homeland Security release his immigration file.
Former US president Donald Trump and ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley, are among those who have recently commented on the speculation ignited by Harry’s discussion of his past use of illicit drugs in his January 2023 autobiography Spare.
Read the full article here:
Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over drug use
‘Uncomfortable’ and ‘innovative’: King Charles’s first portrait draws mixed reactions online
Sunday 19 May 2024 01:00 , Alexander Butler
King Charles’ first official portrait as King has been met with mixed reactions from the public.
The abstract painting by Jonathan Yeo was unveiled by the monarch at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to show the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards against a red backdrop.
It went down a storm with Queen Camilla, who is reported to have looked at the portrait and said: “Yes, you’ve got him.”
Read more here:
‘Uncomfortable’: King Charles’s first portrait draws mixed reactions online
Unseen photographs of royal family go on display at new Buckingham Palace exhibition
Sunday 19 May 2024 00:01 , Alexander Butler
Previously unseen photographs of the royal family will go on display as part of a major new exhibition at Buckingham Palace setting out one hundred years’ of notable portraits of the monarchy.
The oldest-surviving colour photographic print of a royal family member and an image marking Princess Kate’s 40th birthday are among those set to be displayed in the new exhibition.
Due to open at Buckingham Palace on Friday, Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at the King’s Gallery will also contain works by the likes of Dorothy Wilding, Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey, Andy Warhol and Rankin.
Read the full article here:
Unseen photographs of royal family go on display at Buckingham Palace exhibition
Anne Robinson confirms relationship with Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowle
Saturday 18 May 2024 23:00 , Alexander Butler
TV presenter Anne Robinson has confirmed that she is in a relationship with the Queen’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
Unconfirmed reports at the end of last year suggested that the host, 79, who is best known for her former stint on the quiz showWeakest Link, and the retired cavalry officer, 84, were dating.
Robinson confirmed those rumours in an interview with Saga magazine, saying: “Yes. Full stop. Mind your own business.”
Read the full article here:
Anne Robinson confirms she is dating Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles
Anne ‘asked pertinent questions’ about women in WW2 navy, says veteran
Saturday 18 May 2024 22:00 , Tara Cobham
The Princess Royal “asked pertinent questions” at a Buckingham Palace garden party about the work of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS), a Second World War veteran said.
The event on Friday was attended by 2,000 beneficiaries of The Not Forgotten Association which provides entertainment, leisure and recreation for ex-servicemen and women and serving personnel with disabilities, illness or injuries.
Anne has been the patron of the charity, which supported more than 12,000 individuals last year, since 2000.
Rosie Shead reports:
Anne ‘asked pertinent questions’ about women in WW2 navy, says veteran
Recap: Meghan reveals the ‘best souvenir’ from her and Harry’s tour of Nigeria
Saturday 18 May 2024 21:00 , Tara Cobham
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed the “best souvenir” she received on her three-day tour of Nigeria alongside Prince Harry.
Prince Harry, 42, made the comments during the unofficial tour in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The couple were invited to the country by Nigeria’s chief of defence staff – marking their first overseas tour since stepping down as senior royals in 2020.
Emma Guinness reports:
Meghan Markle reveals the ‘best souvenir’ from her and Prince Harry’s tour of Nigeria
Recap: Watch as twin who saved sister from crocodile attack calls making King’s gallantry list ‘silver lining’
Saturday 18 May 2024 20:00 , Tara Cobham
Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over past drug use
Saturday 18 May 2024 19:00 , Tara Cobham
Prince Harry may hold a rare United States visa reserved for heads of state and royal family members, a lawyer has suggested – amid questions over how the Duke of Sussex’s past admission of drug use sits in relation to America’s tight immigration rules.
The royal – who lives in California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children – is currently the subject of a legal battle brought by the right-wing Heritage Group to demand that the US Department of Homeland Security release his immigration file.
Former US president Donald Trump and ambassador to the UK, Jane Hartley, are among those who have recently commented on the speculation ignited by Harry’s discussion of his past use of illicit drugs in his January 2023 autobiography Spare.
Andy Gregory reports:
Prince Harry could be on rare royal US visa, expert says amid questions over drug use
Recap: Watch as Maya Jama asks baffled King if he watches Love Island
Saturday 18 May 2024 18:00 , Tara Cobham
King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
Saturday 18 May 2024 17:00 , Tara Cobham
King Charles has granted a portrait photographer with a Royal Warrant for the first time.
Hugo Burnand told The Independent that he aims to give the public a true sense of who the royals really are through his official portraits.
Palace insiders said he is grateful to have been “trusted and supported” enough to take official photographs of the family at their milestone occasions and now to be granted this official seal of approval.
Emma Guinness reports:
King Charles snaps up Hugo Burnand as first official photographer
Recap: Watch as King reveals new cancer side effect during visit with William
Saturday 18 May 2024 16:00 , Tara Cobham
King set to attend Trooping the Colour in carriage not on horesback this year
Saturday 18 May 2024 15:28 , Tara Cobham
The King is set to attend the Trooping the Colour parade in a horse-drawn carriage rather than on horseback this year.
Charles saddled up for the ceremony last year for the first time since the late Queen did so in 1986. However, the black mare Noble appeared to struggle with the event.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told The Times that “forthcoming engagements will be adapted where necessary” as the 75-year-old monarch continues his cancer treatment.
A royal source said: “The King is most likely to be taking part in Trooping via carriage this year but a final decision is yet to be made.”
Anne Robinson confirms relationship with Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles
Saturday 18 May 2024 14:00 , Tara Cobham
TV presenter Anne Robinson has confirmed that she is in a relationship with the Queen’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles.
Unconfirmed reports at the end of last year suggested that the host, 79, who is best known for her former stint on the quiz showWeakest Link, and the retired cavalry officer, 84, were dating.
Robinson confirmed those rumours in an interview with Saga magazine, saying: “Yes. Full stop. Mind your own business.”
Ellie Muir reports:
Anne Robinson confirms she is dating Queen Camilla’s ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles
Duke of Edinburgh says mother’s death made ‘far more emotional’ by father’s passing
Saturday 18 May 2024 13:26 , Tara Cobham
The Duke of Edinburgh has said the death of his mother was made “far more emotional” by his father’s passing just the previous year.
Addressing the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday, Prince Edward spoke of how the joint losses of Prince Philip in April 2021 and the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 impacted the royal family.
The Duke of Edinburgh, flanked by First Minister John Swinney and Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said he was “really touched and comforted” by how chaplains helped the royal family “behind closed doors and away from the public gaze and the scrutiny”.
“I know it’s part of the job description, so perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised, yet it not’s necessarily what they did, it’s how they did it,” he said.
“Here were centuries of tradition, of rituals long practised, of prayer, of care and of comfort.”
Outpouring of support after mother’s death was ‘overwhelming', says Edward
Saturday 18 May 2024 12:30 , Tara Cobham
The Duke of Edinburgh has said the outpouring of support following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, was “overwhelming”.
Edward deputised for the King as Lord High Commissioner at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday, where he welcomed the newly elected Moderator, Reverend Dr Shaw James Paterson.
As he addressed the Edinburgh assembly, the duke spoke of the support he received following the death of his mother from royal chaplains.
The late monarch passed away in September 2022 at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, bringing an end to a 70-year reign and sparking tributes and memorials across the country, including in Scotland’s capital.
“For my own part, I just want to pay personal tribute to the chaplains of the Chapels Royal and especially those here in Scotland,” he said.
“There have been moments recently where I have been lucky to have sensed God’s care and love.
“And who could forget the scenes that followed the passing of my mother?
“The outpouring of emotions, the demonstration of respect, love and grief was overwhelming and a privilege to experience and behold.
“I think I can speak for my whole family when I say we will remain forever grateful for that support.”
Unseen photographs of royal family go on display at new Buckingham Palace exhibition
Saturday 18 May 2024 11:14 , Tara Cobham
Previously unseen photographs of the royal family are on display as part of a major new exhibition at Buckingham Palace setting out one hundred years’ of notable portraits of the monarchy.
The oldest surviving colour photographic print of a royal family member and an image marking Princess Kate’s 40th birthday are among those displayed in the new exhibition that opened on Friday.
Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography at the King’s Gallery also contains works by the likes of Dorothy Wilding, Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey, Andy Warhol and Rankin.
Andy Gregory reports:
Unseen photographs of royal family go on display at Buckingham Palace exhibition
Duke of Westminster reveals surprising next move
Saturday 18 May 2024 10:33 , Tara Cobham
The seventh Duke of Westminster – once dubbed one of Britain’s most eligible bachelors – is officially the richest man in the UK under 40.
According to the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, Hugh Grosvenor, 33, has a net worth of £10.127 billion – a substantial increase from the £9.878 billion he had in 2023.
However, he is soon set to lose his bachelor status when he ties the knot in the society wedding of the year next month.
Emma Guinness reports:
‘Britain’s most eligible bachelor’ who owns half of Mayfair reveals shock next move
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh take part in Ceremony of the Keys
Saturday 18 May 2024 09:00 , Tara Cobham
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh took part in a special Church of Scotland service during a visit to Edinburgh.
The Ceremony of the Keys was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday, to mark the start of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
The guard of honour, Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland marched during the ceremony.
Chief Constable of Police Scotland, Jo Farrell also attended, and journalist, TV correspondent and British Army reservist Major-General Alastair Bruce.
During the Ceremony of the Keys the Lord High Commissioner, in this case the Duke of Edinburgh, as the King’s representative, receives the keys from the Lord Provost.
He was previously Lord High Commissioner in 2014, as Earl of Wessex, and represented his mother, the late Queen.
The Lord High Commissioner is the sovereign’s personal representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and is appointed by the sovereign to attend proceedings on his behalf.
The Duke, who was granted the title previously held by his father on his 59th birthday last year, will make the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly and carry out a number of official functions throughout the week.
