King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour following an apparent snub from Australian officials ahead of his arrival on Friday.
The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla.
This rare honour was given the go-ahead by the New South Wales government at an estimated cost of around £50,000.
As the couple prepares to kick off their nine-day visit Down Under on Friday, every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21, reports suggest.
The Princess of Wales, meanwhile, has shared a touching message to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week on social media.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace channels, she shared a picture of a candle and a heartfelt message offering her “love, strength and hope” to those affected by baby loss.
“Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss,” she wrote.
“Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected. #WaveofLight C”
Key Points
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King Charles to be given rare honour to mark arrival in Australia
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Princess of Wales sends ‘love, strength and hope’ to those affected by baby loss
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King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘snubbed’ by Australian leaders ahead of tour
King Charles to be given rare honour to mark arrival in Australia
09:59 , Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour as he kicks off his nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa on Friday.
The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla.
This tribute was given the go-ahead by the New South Wales government at an estimated cost of around £50,000.
King Charles last visited Australia in 2018, when he opened the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Princess of Wales sends ‘love, strength and hope’ to those affected by baby loss
08:39 , Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales has sent a message offering “love, strength and hope” to those affected by baby loss for Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account yesterday (15 October), Kate, 42, shared a picture of a candle and wrote: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss.
“Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected. #WaveofLight C”
In pictures: Princess of Wales’ surprise appearance to meet Southport victim’s with Prince William
06:00 , Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales has ramped up her return to public duties by making a surprise joint appearance with Prince William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport attacks.
Marking their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment, the couple privately met the families in Merseyside last week.
The Princess, 42, is said to have attended because she wanted to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” the couple later said in a joint statement.
Meghan Markle a ‘warm and considerate’ person to work with
03:00 , Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex has been praised as a “warm and considerate” person to work with by her former bodyguard.
Steve Davies, who worked for the duchess in Toronto during the early part of her relationship with Prince Harry, told InTouch magazine: “My wife and I got invited to the wedding, that’s how close we became,” he said. “I would work with her again, not a problem at all. She was a good person to work for, and she still is a good person.”
“[Meghan] gets a bad rap for being a not very good person to work with, that she was this evil person in the Royal Family.
“The staff at Buckingham Palace [said they] couldn’t stand working for her,” he said before adding: “[But] nobody had a bad word to say about her [in Toronto].
“Even with the pressure that she was under, she was warm and considerate all the time.”
Earl Spencer reveals new relationship after marriage breakdown
Tuesday 15 October 2024 21:00 , Emma Guinness
Earl Spencer has revealed that he is in a new relationship with a “brilliant” archaeologist months after announcing his third marriage had come to an end.
Announcing the news, he explained that they had met when Cat Jarman came to dig up a lost Roman villa on the Earl’s land.
The pair subsequently began a popular history podcast with Reverend Richard Coles called The Rabbit Hole Detectives.
The late Princess Diana’s brother told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Cat Jarman, who is my partner now actually. She’s a brilliant archaeologist.
“It sounds like an Alan Partridge title, but she is Nordic Person of 2024, which is usually handed out to someone like Sven-Goran Eriksson or a composer to be Nordic Person of the Year.”
Earl Spencer was most recently married to Karen Gordon between 2011 and September of this year.
Prince William reveals how Diana inspired new homelessness documentary
Tuesday 15 October 2024 18:00 , Emma Guinness
Prince William has revealed how the late Princess Diana inspired his new ITV documentary about homelessness.
Explaining his motivations for making the show, which follows the launch and first year of his Homewards project, the heir to the throne, 42, said: “I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness.”
The documentary is set to explain how homelessness can potentially be ended in modern Britain.
The release date for Prince William: We Can End Homelessness has yet to be announced.
The Prince’s Trust formally changes its name
Tuesday 15 October 2024 17:00 , Emma Guinness
King Charles’s longstanding youth charity, the Prince’s Trust, has formally changed its name to the King’s Trust today.
The charity’s chair, Alison Brittain, described the change as heralding a new, “exciting” chapter for the charity, which was established almost 50 years ago in 1976 when Charles was still the Prince of Wales.
She added: “As the King’s Trust continues to work for young people in the UK and around the world, we are as committed to supporting young people to build the skills and confidence they need for work and ultimately a brighter future.”
The change was marked by a new logo featuring a white crown in front of a red background. The charity’s name was also changed on official channels.
Kate and William’s crucial parenting motto revealed during community football visit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 15:30 , Emma Guinness
Prince William has revealed a key parenting principle embraced by himself and Kate Middleton – never returning home empty-handed.
He made the revelation while on a visit to a football event held by the NFL Foundation in London this morning, where he was gifted a football for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
William said: “That’s very kind. Never go home empty-handed, that’s a crucial motto of being a parent.
“They will love that.
“We’re going to do some practice together, let’s see how many windows I can smash.”
Prince William raises awareness of UK’s NFL Foundation
Tuesday 15 October 2024 15:00 , Emma Guinness
The Prince of Wales has shown young people today that they do not need to live stateside to enjoy American football in the UK.
William, 42, did so by attending an event held by the NFL Foundation, which provides inclusive access to the sport to young people aged 12 to 20.
He even had a go at being a quarterback himself and was praised for his impressive throw in a non-contact version of the sport.
The official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account wrote: “@NFLFLAG is fast-paced, inclusive, and designed to inspire and engage young people, developing their confidence and supporting them to reach their full potential.”
Prince William attends NFL event and shows off ‘unbelievable arm’
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:27 , Emma Guinness
Prince William has today shown off his “unbelievable arm” as he tried his hand at American football at an NFL event supporting deprived young people in the UK.
Youngsters shouted “what a throw” when the heir to the throne, 42, showed off his skills at the event at Kennington Park hockey pitch, south London, this morning.
Reacting to William’s role as a quarterback in the non-contact version of American football, Phoebe Schecter, GB women’s flag football captain, said: “Honestly, Prince William was great – his arm strength is unbelievable, when he let that first ball rip I couldn’t believe it.
“Honestly I think if we had better receivers around we would have had multiple touchdowns happening, but his ability to take control of the offence, going into a completely unfamiliar territory really, calling the cadence, receiving the ball, doing a hand-off at one point, making those tactical decisions – it was phenomenal.”
The event was hosted by the NFL Foundation UK, which gives young people aged 12 to 20 opportunities to try out the sport.
King Charles reveals key life skills everyone should have
Tuesday 15 October 2024 13:00 , Emma Guinness
King Charles has revealed the two “fundamental” skills he believes everyone should learn to lead a more sustainable life – sewing and hemming.
The monarch, 75, has a longstanding passion for environmental protection and said that being able to sew and hem can help to dramatically reduce an individual’s clothing waste.
His comments came while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the King’s Foundation’s textile programme.
Director of education, Jacqueline Farrell, said the monarch is “passionate” about sustainable approaches in the clothing and fashion industries and this underpins every programme they offer.
Ms Farrell told The Telegraph: “At the heart of our teaching, His Majesty is keen that participants are equipped with fundamental skills that preserve the life of our clothes, such as simply being able to sew on a button, or being able to alter and hem garments.”
King Charles to ‘pause’ cancer treatment at the end of this week
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:30 , Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to temporarily “pause” his ongoing cancer treatment as he travels to Australia and Samoa later this week.
The monarch, 75, has been battling an undisclosed form of the disease since earlier this year and is said to be bringing two doctors with him on the trip as a precautionary measure.
According to reports, he will resume treatment after the 11-day trip.
The monarch is said to be having a rest day on the visit to give him a break from his packed schedule too. There will also be no evening engagements.
Meghan Markle’s former bodyguard reveals ‘huge lesson’ he learned from her
Tuesday 15 October 2024 12:00 , Emma Guinness
Meghan Markle’s former bodyguard has opened up about working for the Duchess of Sussex, revealing that she was “a good person to work for”.
Steve Davies, who worked for the duchess in Toronto during the early part of her relationship with Prince Harry, told InTouch magazine: “My wife and I got invited to the wedding, that’s how close we became,” he said. “I would work with her again, not a problem at all. She was a good person to work for, and she still is a good person.”
He added: “I saw her, from working at the studio to working with charities to working with dog walkers and cleaners.
“There’s one huge lesson I learned from her: It’s give respect to get respect.”
Anti-monarchy group welcomes Charles and Camilla for ‘farewell tour’
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:30 , Emma Guinness
An Australian anti-monarchy group has welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla’s impending visit to the country but claimed that it should be their “farewell tour”.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) said the visit, which begins on Friday (18 October), will give the British royal family the “chance to wave goodbye to royal reign”.
Esther Anatolitis, co-chairwoman of the ARM, said on Twitter/X: “Welcome to Monarchy The Farewell Oz Tour.
“It’s time to wave goodbye to royal reign. This week’s visit is a valuable opportunity for us to ask that question we’ve been asking for many years, why does Australia still have a King?
“Does it make sense that our head of state inherits the role by birthright and isn’t here for Australians full time?
“By all means, let’s welcome Charles and Camilla to Australia, but let’s see this as the last visit of a sitting monarch. Makes a lot of sense.”
Duchess of York celebrates 64th birthday
Tuesday 15 October 2024 11:00 , Emma Guinness
The Duchess of York is celebrating her 65th birthday today.
Sarah Ferguson joined the royal family when she married Prince Andrew in 1986. While the pair later divorced, she still lives with her ex-husband at the Royal Lodge.
After recently recovering from breast and skin cancer, she has been using her platform to raise awareness of the disease.
King Charles marks the end of the International Investment Summit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:30 , Emma Guinness
King Charles marked the end of the International Investment Summit in London yesterday by meeting with investors and leading names in British business.
The event, which took place at St Paul’s Cathedral, was attended by around 300 guests, many of whom had a chance to personally meet and speak to the monarch.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of economic growth at the event, telling attendees that it is “vital if we’re to steer our way through a great period of insecurity and change and on to calmer water”.
King Charles’s youth charity to formally change its name
Tuesday 15 October 2024 10:00 , Emma Guinness
King Charles’s longstanding youth charity, the Prince’s Trust, is set to formally change its name to the King’s Trust today.
The charity’s chair, Alison Brittain, described the change as heralding a new, “exciting” chapter for the charity, which was established almost 50 years ago in 1976 when Charles was still the Prince of Wales.
She added: “As the King’s Trust continues to work for young people in the UK and around the world, we are as committed to supporting young people to build the skills and confidence they need for work and ultimately a brighter future.”
The change was marked by a new logo featuring a white crown in front of a red background.
ITV teases Prince William’s new homelessness documentary
Tuesday 15 October 2024 09:30 , Emma Guinness
Prince William’s upcoming documentary that showcases his belief that homelessness can be eradicated has been teased by ITV.
Alongside a trailer for the documentary, the channel wrote on Twitter/X: “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness Coming Soon to @ITV and @ITVX.
“An exclusive ITV1 documentary which follows the launch and first year of @HomewardsUK and its work to demonstrate that it’s possible to end homelessness.”
Zara Tindall’s husband opens up about marrying into royal family
Tuesday 15 October 2024 08:57 , Emma Guinness
Zara Tindall’s husband has opened up about his experience of marrying into the royal family and described it as a “pretty easy” process.
Mike Tindall, 45, made the revelation in his new book, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby, where he said the process was “simple”.
“Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal Family was pretty easy for me,” he wrote. “They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple really.”
Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 07:00 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-royalist activists are selling “farewell tour” merchandise ahead of King Charles’ visit to Australia this week.
Charles and Camilla are set to kick off the first royal visit to the country in over a decade on Friday – but their anticipated arrival has sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the royal’s “farewell tour” as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.
Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.
A T-shirt, featuring the royal trio in aviator sunglasses, is retailing for 34 AUD on the campaign group’s website, finished with the description: “Alright legends the stage is set… Let’s wave goodbye to royal reign! Grab this killer t-shirt to support the campaign and help take the republic movement to the main stage.”
Royal aide reveals late Queen was a ‘gutsy’ driver who left passengers with white-knuckles
Tuesday 15 October 2024 06:00 , Athena Stavrou
One of Queen Elizabeth’s most trusted aides has revealed the late monarch was a “gutsy” driver who loved speed behind the wheel.
In her first interview about her 18 years as one of the royal’s most trusted confidantes, former communications secretary Samantha Cohen recalled spending summers with the Queen at her Scottish estate Balmoral.
She told The Sunday Times: “She loved hosting everybody for summer, allocating the rooms and checking them herself.”
The aide said her children, who would stay with her in a lodge near the castle for the summer, would often look up at breakfast and see the Queen riding by on her horse.
She also revealed the monarch had a taste for speed behind the wheel as she drove around the remote Scottish estate.
“She was gutsy,” Ms Cohen said. “She would drive her cars fast around Balmoral.”
Prince George’s culinary ambitions revealed
Tuesday 15 October 2024 04:00 , Athena Stavrou
Prince George has declared he’d like to run a pizza parlour before becoming King, it has been claimed.
The young royal – who is third in line to the throne – reportedly shared his culinary ambitions whilst on a trip to a cafe in Norfolk.
The owner of Wiveton Hall, a 17th-century Jacobean mansion, told the Mail Online that the prince expressed his enthusiasm when he was shown the wood-fired pizza oven on the estate.
He reportedly said: “That’s what I want to do when I grow up!”
King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘snubbed’ by Australian leaders ahead of tour
Tuesday 15 October 2024 02:00 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles and Queen Camilla are facing a humiliating snub by leading Australian politicians, as they gear up to begin their tour of the country this week.
As the couple prepare to kick off their nine day visit down under on Friday, every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21.
Charles is set to deliver a speech at the event to recognise Australians for their achievements in the arts, culture, sports and health.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan is the latest representative to snub the invitation, whilst other politicians have given excuses such as “schedule clashes” and “election campaign duties”.
Watch: James Middleton shares how sister Kate helped him with depression in first TV interview
Tuesday 15 October 2024 00:01 , Athena Stavrou
Campaigners demand ‘full disclosure’ of gifts to King Charles and royals
Tuesday 15 October 2024 16:12 , Emma Guinness
Campaigners have called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However, it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2020.
Recent delays in sharing details of presents received by royals have been attributed to a challenging few years for the family, including the pandemic, the change of reign and high-profile state occasions such as the coronation, The Independent understands.
Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Tuesday 15 October 2024 09:04 , Emma Guinness
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s premium event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
Watch the full event here. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Royal family share behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace refurbishment
Tuesday 15 October 2024 16:48 , Emma Guinness
The royal family has shared a behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace as a 780-strong team undertake a £360 million refurbishment of the historic building.
As part of the palace’s reservicing programme, work is taking place in the basement, replacing old electrical cabling with brand new cables under the floors and throughout the historic building.
In a new video, released by the royal family on Tuesday (8 October), workers can be seen pulling some of the 25,000 metres of cable through the basement.
The vast amount is equivalent to the weight of 12 elephants and runs the length of 250 football pitches.
Meghan Markle tells teenagers she’s ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’
Monday 14 October 2024 22:00 , Emma Guinness
Meghan Markle candidly spoke to teenagers about her experiences with being bullied online at a recent event.
On October 2, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, visited the Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, which is the “preeminent girls’ leadership organization equipping girls to reach their full potential,” according to the company’s official website. Her appearance came to help the organization with a digital wellness program, Social Media U, which has received financial support from Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archwell Foundation.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Larissa May, the co-founder of #HalfTheStory – an advocacy group that’s working with Girl Inc. – shared how Meghan spoke to children about her personal experiences with online bullying.
“We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” May said.
Read the full story here:
Meghan Markle tells teenagers she’s ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’
Duchess of Edinburgh: ‘Human catastrophe’ in Sudan and Chad cannot be ignored
Monday 14 October 2024 20:00 , Athena Stavrou
More attention is needed on the “desperate” humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the Duchess of Edinburgh said on a visit to the neighbouring country of Chad.
Speaking at a reception on Saturday, the first day of her three-day visit to Africa, Sophie said she hoped to “shine a light” on the situation at the border, where hundreds of refugees are crossing every day to escape the civil war in Sudan.
She said: “Whilst the world and its attention is being focused very much on other conflicts around the world, the humanitarian crisis being faced by the people of Sudan, which is landing on Chad’s shores, cannot be ignored.
“So I’m here to try and help continue to shine a light on what needs to be done, on the work that is being done, but to ask for more to be done.”
The duchess, who spent a day in Adre, at the border with Sudan, thanked the people of Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, for the support they are offering to refugees.
She added: “Really, my job here this next couple of days is to learn more about the issues and to see for myself at the border what is happening so that I may take that message back to the United Kingdom and in my travels more widely to try to create more focus, more attention on the situation that is happening here in Chad as a result of what’s happening in Sudan.”
What is the situation in Chad and Sudan where Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting?
Monday 14 October 2024 18:30 , Athena Stavrou
The Duchess of Edinburgh has travelled to Chad in central Africa to raise awareness of the situation in the neighbouring country of Sudan. She visited Adre, on the border of the two countries, where hundreds of refugees are crossing daily to flee conflict.
Here is a look at what is happening in the region:
Civil war broke out in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
As well as the violence, those living in the country are facing extreme shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
According to the UN refugee agency, Sudan is the world’s largest hunger crisis, with over half of the country’s population – nearly 26 million people – facing high levels of acute hunger.
Since the start of the conflict, 870,000 refugees and returnees have crossed the border from Sudan into Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world.
The border crossing in Adre, which reopened to aid in August, sees hundreds of people cross every day.
More than 220,000 people are living in refugee camps in Adre, mostly women and children.
The war in Sudan is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls, including through conflict-related sexual violence.
The UN estimates 6.7 million people are at risk of gender-based violence in Sudan. The Duchess of Edinburgh said during her discussions with women, she was told of “devastating” experiences and of rape being used in exchange for food or water.
Sophie moved to tears after meeting refugees in Chad fleeing civil war in Sudan
Monday 14 October 2024 17:30 , Athena Stavrou
The Duchess of Edinburgh was moved to tears after she met refugees fleeing to Chad to escape the civil war in Sudan and heard their “devastating” experiences of sexual violence.
Sophie became the first member of the royal family to make an official visit to the central African country when she spent three days there, including one at the border with Sudan, before leaving on Monday afternoon.
At a hospital centre in Adre, near the border, the duchess hugged five survivors of conflict-related sexual violence after hearing what they had been through.
Sophie, 59, was in tears as she spoke to the media following the private meeting.
She said: “People are having to exchange food and water for sex, for rape. That is violence that is being enacted through conflict. It is being used as a bargaining tool.
“These women have no option but to leave. And, even then, they’re lucky if some of them can get away because some of the villages and towns that they come from they can’t even leave their houses any more. If they leave their houses they get killed.”
She added: “What they do to the children is… I can’t even use the words.”
One of the women who Sophie met said afterwards she had fled the city of Geneina, in the west Darfur region of Sudan, after thousands of people were killed in a matter of days.
The woman said her family had been threatened with death and rape if they left their home, while her teenage son and brothers were among men who were rounded up and taken away.
She described seeing bodies piled up in the street “like a wall”.
Royal gift list row: Republic’s statement in full
Monday 14 October 2024 16:08 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has called for “full disclosure” of gifts handed to King Charles and other royals after annual lists have not been published for four years.
Responding to the news, first reported in the Observer, Republic’s Graham Smith said: “If politicians are being lambasted for failing to declare gifts, the same should apply to the royals.
“It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government. And we need to know if official gifts are being handed over to the state or surreptitiously kept for personal use.
“Charles and senior royals have access to government papers, can have secretive meetings with ministers and the prime minister and they have leverage to pressure government to do favours for them and their friends. So it’s vital we know what gifts they’re receiving.
“The royals have form when it comes to blurring the lines between what’s theirs to keep and what’s an official gift. So full disclosure is needed on what’s been received and where those gifts are now.
“There’s usually a good reason why billionaires and Saudi businessmen give gifts, because something is expected in return. So we need full disclosure, not just of royal gifts but also royal lobbying.
“If we demand high standards from politicians, we must demand those same standards from the royals.”
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
King Charles to take two doctors on overseas trip
Monday 14 October 2024 15:25 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles is reported to be bringing two doctors with him on his upcoming trip to Australia and Samoa.
While the monarch, 75, will “pause” his cancer treatment during the visit, the presence of the medical professionals will allow him to continue to be monitored closely, a palace source said according to The Times.
Hugo Vickers, historian and author, added: “I’m sure that the medical team has been consulted and will look after the King and make sure that he doesn’t overwork, as we know he has a propensity to do. I’m sure he wouldn’t be undertaking the trip unless he was fit enough to do it.”
Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
Monday 14 October 2024 15:00 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-royalist activists are selling “farewell tour” merchandise ahead of King Charles’ visit to Australia this week.
Charles and Camilla are set to kick off the first royal visit to the country in over a decade on Friday – but their anticipated arrival has sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the royal’s “farewell tour” as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.
Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.
A T-shirt, featuring the royal trio in aviator sunglasses, is retailing for 34 AUD on the campaign group’s website, finished with the description: “Alright legends the stage is set… Let’s wave goodbye to royal reign! Grab this killer t-shirt to support the campaign and help take the republic movement to the main stage.”
William makes plea for new Jason Bourne film during Bafta visit
Monday 14 October 2024 14:15 , Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has pleaded with director Paul Greengrass to make a new Jason Bourne film as he celebrated young creatives in the film, television and gaming industries.
William clasped his hands together and told the film-maker “another Bourne, another Bourne” when he visited Bafta’s offices in central London last week to meet students benefiting from a Bafta bursary in his name.
Greengrass is also a champion of Bafta’s bursary which funds practical support such as buying equipment or paying for driving lessons to enable workers to get to a film set.
After meeting William, the director said about making a new instalment of the Bourne franchise: “Not for me, they need somebody younger, I’ve done my bit. But I hope they get somebody great and young to do it, I think they’re in the process.”
Greengrass directed the second film in the series, The Bourne Supremacy in 2004, The Bourne Ultimatum three years later and Jason Bourne in 2016, the final film in the franchise starring Matt Damon in the lead role.
What are royal gift lists?
Monday 14 October 2024 13:51 , Athena Stavrou
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However, it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2019.
It included a 24 carat gold-plated horse comb from President Borut Pahor of the Republic of Slovenia and three gifts the late Queen Elizabeth II received from Donald Trump during his presidential visit.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, has insisted: “It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government.”
Under rules reviewed in 2003, gifts received during official duties such as state banquets or royal tours are classed as an official gifts. Those given by someone a royal knows in a personal capacity are considered private.
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
King to host Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace – recap
Monday 14 October 2024 13:25 , Athena Stavrou
The Emir of Qatar is to pay a state visit to the UK hosted by the King, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Charles and the Queen will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, to London on December 3.
They can expect to be feted with a traditional ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade and a grand state banquet at Buckingham Palace during the two-day incoming state visit.
Charles has visited Qatar eight times as the Prince of Wales and met the Emir at the Cop28 summit in Dubai in December. The Qatari leader and Sheikha Jawaher also attended the King’s coronation in Westminster Abbey, and the late Queen’s funeral.
The Qatari royal family is one of the richest in the world, with a reported fortune running into the billions.
Sheikh Tamim, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from the Sandhurst military academy. He set up Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2005, which owns the French football team Paris Saint-Germain.
Qatar – one of the richest Gulf states – is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war and the ruling Emir is likely to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks at Downing Street during his stay.
Dine like a King in Charles’ favourite room at Scottish mansion
Monday 14 October 2024 12:50 , Athena Stavrou
Want to dine like a King? Diners are going to be given the chance to experience an 18th century feast in the King’s favourite room at Dumfries House.
Charles takes most of his evening meals in the Pink Dining Room while staying at the Scottish stately home in Ayrshire.
Now his charity, The King’s Foundation, is offering a new private dining experience, allowing members of the public the opportunity to enjoy a three-course meal, authentic to the 1700s and served by a traditional butler, in the royal chamber.
Guests will eat at the King’s table – but not in the presence of the monarch – beneath the 35kg Murano glass floral chandelier, which was painstakingly reassembled after being found in the basement in more than 100 pieces nearly 20 years ago.
Menus will be based on 18th century dishes, such as poached salmon, fish soup, and manchet bread for starters, followed by roasted venison and beef, parmentier potatoes and a juniper sauce, and lemon and pistachio syllabub, bread and butter pudding, and apple and almond trifle for dessert.
Watch: Behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team tackle renovation
Monday 14 October 2024 12:10 , Athena Stavrou
Sir Trevor McDonald says Prince Phillip’s driving was ‘slightly mad’
Monday 14 October 2024 11:43 , Athena Stavrou
Sir Trevor McDonald has recalled how Prince Phillip’s driving as “slightly mad” when he was given a tour around Sandringham years ago.
The veteran broadcaster described his car journey with the then Duke of Edinburgh whilst filming the 2008 documentary The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Phillip.
“I am not allowed to say this publicly, but I thought his driving was slightly mad,” he told Cheltenham Literary Festival.
“I remember he was extraordinarily generous in giving me his time like this. But he put me in this super duper thing we are driving around, it was around Sandringham so there was nothing in his way and he would stop to wave to people who worked there and so on.
“But then we drove into a puddle of mud and he went ‘how did this bloody thing get here, why can’t I get this out’, and I thought I mustn’t say ‘because you just put it in there’.”
Monday 14 October 2024 11:20 , Athena Stavrou
As the King gears up to begin his nine-day tour of Australia this week, his arrival is expected to be met with a wave of both support and opposition.
Every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend his royal reception in Canberra during the trip, and anti-royalist groups have launched a campaign dubbing the trip a royal “farewell tour”.
The republican movement calls for an end to the monarchy’s role in modern Australia – but what is the royal family’s connection to the country?
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with the King acting as its head of state. However, the monarch does not have a role in the day-to-day running of Australia and appoints the governor-general, who is their representative, on the advice of the prime minister.
The Australian Constitution gives certain powers to the governor general to act on behalf of the King, such as giving Royal Assent to laws passed in parliament.
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