Palace has 'meltdown' over leaked Charles funeral plans
Until the Queen Mother died at the shockingly premature age of 101-years-old, she was hailed as the embodiment of a uniquely British gin-laced, buck-up-chaps Blitz spirit.
She epitomised 'keeping calm and carrying on', even in the face of dive bombing jerries and Châteauneuf-du-Pape served with fish.
I'm betting that this week she would not be amused by the goings on inside Buckingham Palace after 'desperate royals' recently 'went to war' over someone inside the Palace whispering the 'most sensitive of royal secrets' to the press.
X
Learn More
SUBSCRIBER ONLY
And she would not be amused by the fact that the Palace is now battling leaks on multiple fronts after closely guarded details about not only the 'change of reign' but also about the King seemingly entering peace talks with a certain rudderless, isolated Californian duke.
If Nelson had run this sort of far from watertight operation at Trafalgar, the Brits would be singing The Marseillaise at Villa Park today.
This all started when the staunchly monarchist, Union Jack-waving Telegraph published an extraordinary scoop last month – the top, top, top secret details of King Charles' funeral planning.
Codenamed Operation London Bridge, there's reportedly a several-hundred page playbook for what happens after Charles dies. Picture: Dylan Martinez –Codenamed Operation London Bridge (as all sovereigns' are) the reportedly several-hundred page Bible-like playbook for what happens after Charles dies will see eco elements at his funeral (recyclable fascinators maybe?), a reduced mourning period and the real clanger – the return of self-exiled, one-time TV producer Prince Harry to royal front ranks.
This will mean in the first days and weeks of King William V's reign will see his long estranged brother, his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lili, dramatically return to the UK and, temporarily at least, resume their place in the royal family.
Now, let's be clear. The Telegraph piece makes pains to point out that 'There is no suggestion that the King's reign will not continue for many more years.'
King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the State Banquet at Windsor Castle. Picture:(In fact, one of Charles' closest aides reportedly told the royal rota that His Majesty 'is living with cancer, continuing with treatment … and doing extremely well on it'.)
The truth is, Their Majesties' funeral plans are something that are started decades in advance. The late Queen's was probably onto its third draft when colour TV was invented.
Understandable then that even after the Telegraph got hold of Charles' Bridge planning, outwardly the Palace appeared sanguine, the only line in the story coming from them saw them 'caution against speculation'.
You know what they say about appearances.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their kids on a visit to Disneyland. Picture: Meghan Markle/Instagram
Prince Harry reads to son Archie. Picture: Instagram/Meghan
Now it has been claimed that this was far from the full picture; that behind the scenes, Charles' staffers were allegedly, and this is the technical term, having kittens over the leak.
The revelation of His Majesty's funeral blueprint saw one of the King's top aides have a 'meltdown', according to a Daily Beast exclusive, before they launched 'a huge censorship operation to 'contain the spill'', which sounds like the sort of mucky mop up effort required after an oil tanker craters and takes out half the penguin population of the Puget Sound.
Cor blimeby gov'nor.
In fact this episode, the Beast's Tom Lachem writes, lays bare the 'iron fist in a velvet glove' of Palace operations.
King Charles pictured on July 15, 2025 in London. Picture: Aaron Chown -The whole thing sounds less genteel sorts in a lesser drawing room writing charity press releases while listening to Brahms on the wireless and more North Korean Ministry of Information.
The storm broke in late June when the Telegraph ran the piece entitled 'Prince Harry and Meghan at heart of King's funeral plans'. The Sussexes', deputy royal editor Victoria Ward reported, are at 'the heart of [the King's] funeral plans' and Charles 'is adamant that his youngest son take his rightful place at the centre of his family' when the sad day comes.
This will see the duke 'walk side-by-side with his brother, by then the King … through the streets of central London' and both Harry and Meghan 'will be invited to … play a prominent role alongside the most senior royals during the funeral service.'
Harry and Meghan 'will be invited to … play a prominent role alongside the most senior royals during the funeral service'. Picture: Ben Stansall –Given that the distance between Harry and the King probably can only be measured in light years – emotionally, psychologically, metaphysically – this was all astonishing stuff, concrete plans to bring the Sussexes in from the cold, even if temporarily. (Hard to see the new King William doing much fraternal forgiving or handing back of the Frogmore keys.)
Making the Telegraph's bombshell all even more incredible – the Beast says the leaked Bridge details had 'originated from within Buckingham Palace's planning operation.'
(Chatham House rulz okay?)
Enter this story's star player, Tobyn Andreae, the King and Queen Camilla's communications
head, who has dragged from the Palace shadows over the last and found his mug all over the Daily Mail.
Andreae 'was very, very, unhappy' and 'multiple sources' told the Beast that Andreae 'had a meltdown' over the report.
No other British outlets reported on the King's plans to bring the Sussexes back into the royal family, even if temporarily. Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP
After the Telegraph story came out, 'courtiers began an extraordinary operation,' the Beast reports, to try and stop all the other UK newspapers also covering the leaked Bridge revelations.
As the Beast points out, this appears to have worked. No other British outlets reported on the King's plans to bring the Sussexes back into the royal family, even if temporarily.
Then, a couple of weeks later, came Andreae's starring moment, finding his face splashed all over the Daily Mail. Somehow the paper managed to have a paparazzo in place to record a 'peace summit' involving the spin doctor and two of the Sussexes' top aides, including their communications head and head of household Meredith Maines. Even though the trio just had 'casual drinks,' per the Mail, this meeting was the biggest step towards patching things up between London and Montecito that we have seen in years. What next? The formal exchange of gift baskets?
King Charles with his son Prince Harry in 2019. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Between the Bridge details being fed to the media and, you'd have to guess, someone tipping off the Mail (the Sussexes were reportedly 'frustrated' over the secret meeting being made public), Andreae is really not having a crash hot time of it right now.
Lips would seem to be decidedly loose right now and all this manoeuvring and planning being splashed all over the internet and the media can hardly be welcomed by the 'iron fisted' Palace now can it? At this rate someone will be blabbing about Queen Camilla's regular Nandos order tout suite.
Let me leave you with the most useful but wonderful bit of royal trivia I have ever picked up.
If The Marseillaise had ended up as the British national anthem then, handily, the Queen Mother could reportedly play it on the mouth organ.
Simply brilliant.
Daniela Elser is a writer, editor and commentator with more than 15 years' experience working with a number of Australia's leading media titles.
Originally published as Palace's 'meltdown' over leaked Charles funeral plans
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Good craic, banter and beer – oh, and rugby – draw Lions fans to Melbourne game
For many fans, the Lions' first Australian tour in 12 years is the catalyst to sight-see and reunite with relatives. Joining Watkins at the MCG will be his uncle Kevin Adams, cousin Kevin Lloyd and godson Morgan Lloyd, 15, who are visiting from Wales. It will be the first holiday since Christmas for Watkins, who, as a publican, works seven days a week. The quartet will reserve extra cheers for the Lions' only Welsh player, Jac Morgan. They won't need much persuasion to gather with fellow spectators and sing the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers). 'Crowd singing is part of our Welsh heritage,' said Watkins, who pointed to a YouTube clip of a stirring mass rendition of the anthem before a 2013 Wales versus England match in Cardiff. Saturday's MCG match against the Wallabies and this Tuesday's game against a First Nations and Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium are the Lions' first matches in Melbourne since 2013. Lions matches during this tour are being aired live on Channel 9 (Nine is the owner of this masthead). The Lions team, which was first formed in 1888, includes top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2001, its name was changed from the British Lions to the British and Irish Lions. It 'doesn't roll off the tongue' says Irish-born fan Dave Dillon, but he says the team is usually just called 'Lions'. Dillon, from Wellington in New Zealand, will go to the MCG match with three of his brothers — Barry, from Kildare in Ireland, and Liam and Neil, now of Cape Cod, in the US. 'The games are great, but I'm looking forward to going for a pint with my brothers, and hanging out,' Dave said. Dillon says there's nothing like watching the best players, in an electric atmosphere at a big match. 'The craic and the banter is brilliant,' he said. 'Everybody's having a laugh, you're singing songs, you're making fun of each other,' Dillon says. 'It's always good-humoured.' Rebecca Grice, a Lions fan visiting from Lincolnshire, England, is going to the MCG test with her friend Georgia King, a Wallabies supporter from Sydney. They've been close since being pen pals as 11 years olds, 20 years ago. Grice, who played rugby union for nine years, and who supports Leicester Tigers, recently converted King, and King's four-year-old son, to the sport. 'Her enthusiasm is very contagious,' King said. 'Rebecca knows every player. She can answer every question.' Grice is a big fan of Lions player Ollie Chessum, who is from Lincolnshire, like her. On July 5, Grice, King and King's nan, Jill Wilkinson, watched the NSW Waratahs rugby union team play the Lions at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. 'The atmosphere was so great. I loved it,' said King. Earlier that day, in Sydney's George Street, Grice spotted Chessum and four other Lions players, and rushed up to take a selfie with them. 'It was very exciting,' Grice says. 'But I was so nervous and all I could think to say to them was: 'Are you having a good day off?' And they were playing that night! I'm mortified by that! 'One day I hope I'll meet them again and actually have a conversation with them.' While Grice has travelled to Paris, Wales, Ireland and Twickenham in England to watch England play, she will watch her first live Lions match at the MCG. King and Grice along with King's husband and father-in-law will drive to Melbourne from Sydney, and stay with King's relatives. On Saturday, they will get to the MCG early to 'soak in the atmosphere', Grice said. 'I'm so excited.' Lions games are held every four years in different countries. 'And that's what makes this so special. It's an occasion that brings everyone together, to experience something that you might never get to experience again.' King says Grice has been raving about the event for years.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Good craic, banter and beer – oh, and rugby – draw Lions fans to Melbourne game
For many fans, the Lions' first Australian tour in 12 years is the catalyst to sight-see and reunite with relatives. Joining Watkins at the MCG will be his uncle Kevin Adams, cousin Kevin Lloyd and godson Morgan Lloyd, 15, who are visiting from Wales. It will be the first holiday since Christmas for Watkins, who, as a publican, works seven days a week. The quartet will reserve extra cheers for the Lions' only Welsh player, Jac Morgan. They won't need much persuasion to gather with fellow spectators and sing the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers). 'Crowd singing is part of our Welsh heritage,' said Watkins, who pointed to a YouTube clip of a stirring mass rendition of the anthem before a 2013 Wales versus England match in Cardiff. Saturday's MCG match against the Wallabies and this Tuesday's game against a First Nations and Pasifika team at Marvel Stadium are the Lions' first matches in Melbourne since 2013. Lions matches during this tour are being aired live on Channel 9 (Nine is the owner of this masthead). The Lions team, which was first formed in 1888, includes top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In 2001, its name was changed from the British Lions to the British and Irish Lions. It 'doesn't roll off the tongue' says Irish-born fan Dave Dillon, but he says the team is usually just called 'Lions'. Dillon, from Wellington in New Zealand, will go to the MCG match with three of his brothers — Barry, from Kildare in Ireland, and Liam and Neil, now of Cape Cod, in the US. 'The games are great, but I'm looking forward to going for a pint with my brothers, and hanging out,' Dave said. Dillon says there's nothing like watching the best players, in an electric atmosphere at a big match. 'The craic and the banter is brilliant,' he said. 'Everybody's having a laugh, you're singing songs, you're making fun of each other,' Dillon says. 'It's always good-humoured.' Rebecca Grice, a Lions fan visiting from Lincolnshire, England, is going to the MCG test with her friend Georgia King, a Wallabies supporter from Sydney. They've been close since being pen pals as 11 years olds, 20 years ago. Grice, who played rugby union for nine years, and who supports Leicester Tigers, recently converted King, and King's four-year-old son, to the sport. 'Her enthusiasm is very contagious,' King said. 'Rebecca knows every player. She can answer every question.' Grice is a big fan of Lions player Ollie Chessum, who is from Lincolnshire, like her. On July 5, Grice, King and King's nan, Jill Wilkinson, watched the NSW Waratahs rugby union team play the Lions at Sydney's Allianz Stadium. 'The atmosphere was so great. I loved it,' said King. Earlier that day, in Sydney's George Street, Grice spotted Chessum and four other Lions players, and rushed up to take a selfie with them. 'It was very exciting,' Grice says. 'But I was so nervous and all I could think to say to them was: 'Are you having a good day off?' And they were playing that night! I'm mortified by that! 'One day I hope I'll meet them again and actually have a conversation with them.' While Grice has travelled to Paris, Wales, Ireland and Twickenham in England to watch England play, she will watch her first live Lions match at the MCG. King and Grice along with King's husband and father-in-law will drive to Melbourne from Sydney, and stay with King's relatives. On Saturday, they will get to the MCG early to 'soak in the atmosphere', Grice said. 'I'm so excited.' Lions games are held every four years in different countries. 'And that's what makes this so special. It's an occasion that brings everyone together, to experience something that you might never get to experience again.' King says Grice has been raving about the event for years.
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
Secret weapon to keep Oasis brothers on track revealed
A new book details the rise, fall and resurrection of the British rock band. Promoters have enlisted a secret weapon to keep Oasis brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher from knuckling on during their reunion tour. The ultra-fiery, musically gifted pair have embarked on the much-anticipated world tour, but speculation has been rife since dates were confirmed about how long it would be before the two fell out. As insurance against any issues that may derail the string of gigs the Gallaghers' 81-year-old mum, Peggy, has stepped into keep a watchful eye over her sons and douse any summering tensions that may arise. The Daily Mail reports that Peggy is reportedly keeping Liam,, 52, and Noel, 58, in check as part of a 'military style operation' when they are not on stage. After a violent end to their last tour culminated in a back stage fight in Paris in 2009, Noel quit the band, before the pair engaged in a public war of words for over a decade. Insiders have stated that Liam is enjoying having his mum on tour and she helps 'keep his head down' to stay in the 'best mindset'. One of the biggest moments on the tour is just around the corner as Oasis will take to the stage at Wembley next week, with Peggy's eldest son Paul, 59, performing a DJ set as a warm-up for the main event.. Peggy will be in the wings, and according to The Sun 'Liam is incredibly close to Peggy and has loved spending time with her during the tour. [She] has always stayed out of their disagreements and just wants the best for her sons.' There is still a lingering animosity between the band's frontmen, which has brought significant challenges for tour organisers. Separate dressing rooms are required, and the brothers use separate transport to and from events to avoid another flare-up and a potential 'PR and financial nightmare'. A source told The Mirror: 'They will not be in each other's pockets and effectively be separate entities that come together for necessary promotional work and the gigs. Other than that, they will be apart for much of this reunion. 'Rehearsals will be the first time that they will be together for a significant amount of time working again. The atmosphere is sure to be electric, but also a little edgy.' In 2019, Peggy pleaded with her youngest son, Liam, to bury the hatchet with his brother the following year, and has continually urged her sons to put aside their differences. Earlier this month Liam and Noel's estranged father made the headlines when he was captured on video saying his sons 'don't know f***ing music'. Thomas Augustin Gallagher, who they blame for an abusive upbringing and alleged violence toward their mother, has no contact with his sons.
