Latest news with #Balmoral
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles Arrives in Scotland Ahead of His Summer Vacation
Each summer, the British royal family decamps to Balmoral for a weeks-long holiday at the castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. King Charles has changed up the tradition slightly, first spending time at the Castle of Mey, his private home in Caithness, northern Scotland, before heading to Balmoral. His summer vacation is right around the corner, because today, the King undertook a series of engagement in Thurso, just around a twenty-minute drive from his home at the Castle of Mey. For the occasion, the King donned a kilt, as he often does when he is in the country. In particular, his kilt featured a Royal Stewart variant tartan pattern, the personal tartan of the British monarch. Also currently in Scotland is U.S. president Donald Trump, who is visiting his two golf courses in the country. The White House is calling Trump's trip a 'working visit' as he met with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen yesterday and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer today. He will not, however, meet with King Charles; Trump is scheduled to return to the UK in September for an official state visit. Per the Telegraph, 'Both the White House and Buckingham Palace agreed that it would be preferable to delay meeting in person until Mr Trump's official state visit in September, when the King will host him in Windsor Castle.' When the BBC asked Trump what he hopes to do on his second state visit to the UK, Trump replied, 'Have a good time and respect King Charles.' You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game Solve the daily Crossword
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
How sleepy Aussie suburbs were jolted to life after the Covid-19 pandemic
Liz Bennett and her partner Bruce Budge have lived in Balmoral for 30 years, having watched the suburb transform from a humble pocket into a thriving post-Covid community. 'When we first moved to Balmoral, it was a fairly sleepy little suburb,' Ms Bennett said. 'A lot of the houses hadn't been built up, and there had been no new developments.' Ms Bennett said in the early days, Balmoral was often best known for its cinema, only growing in popularity when the nearby factories were taken down to make space for new developments. But when people emerged from their homes after the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple started to see the community flourish like they'd never seen before. 'I think it's much stronger now than it's ever been,' she said. 'On the weekend, we walked down Oxford St about 10 o'clock in the morning – and it was just absolutely lovely to see the numbers of people out on the street.' Ms Bennett said she'd seen community infrastructure such as local parks being used and tended to more, including regular soccer games with large crowds occurring as she walked through the neighbourhood. New PropTrack research found Balmoral's median sale price has jumped by 85.9 per cent in the last five years alone: going from $925,000 all the way up to $1.72 million since 2020. This follows a trend across Brisbane where around 300 house or unit markets more than doubled over that same time, with some rising up by an incredible 260 per cent. Now, Ms Bennett and Mr Budge have decided to downsize. The two are selling their home at 55 Barton Pde, Balmoral, with Place Bulimba agents Kasey Drake and Carla Haddan. Ms Drake said her team had seen strong competitive interest in Balmoral since the pandemic, especially with recent development projects in the growing suburb. 'Since July 1st, Carla and I have placed over $21 million under contract across the 4171 postcode,' she said. 'What stands out most is the strong sense of community. We often meet buyers who grew up in Balmoral, and are now returning to raise their own families. That kind of loyalty really speaks to its long-term appeal.' Ms Bennett said while she'd seen more young professionals arriving in the neighbourhood, the camaraderie within the community has always been present. 'It still feels very much like a village; everyone knows [everyone],' she said. 'My Apple watch fell off the street at about 5am on Monday morning. I posted on the Facebook page for the street and was reunited with my watch in about half an hour … we look out for each other.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Plea for ice queen Gillian to break her Salt Path silence: EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE
As the King prepares to head to Scotland for his summer break, my mole reports Prince Andrew is still on the guest list for a Balmoral holiday. Andrew had been feeling chipper when the White House announced Jeffrey Epstein didn't keep a little list of 'clients' and the FBI has closed its investigations. But, with Trump's second thoughts about releasing documents, Andrew's anxiety continues. It hasn't helped that he has received a reminder from the King that events don't allow him to return to royal duty. Is there no redemption for the disgraced duke? Why the delay in elevating Nigel Farage to the Privy Council? Elected to lead a party of five MPs (now down to four) the honour would normally have followed fairly swiftly as with the leaders of Plaid Cymru (four MPs) and the DUP (five). The last dither was when Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader. He got the nod in the end because doing otherwise would risk the King appearing to snub a particular party. With Farage being touted as a potential next PM, the Palace is feeling similarly jittery. Membership carries the right to be briefed on confidential 'Privy Council terms' at times of national importance. You have to turn up of course. Kemi Badenoch missed a briefing about the Afghan data breach in March and so knew nothing about it until last week. Might Trump remember old pal Farage when visiting the King? The US embassy will, as is customary, have the right to suggest names to the state banquet guest list which could see Nigel don the nosebag at Windsor Castle. He didn't make the cut last time and will be hoping for better now he's an MP. And if Farage does get in, will he be seeking Queen Camilla 's guidance about boltholes for a sneaky Woodbine? Muteness from Gillian Anderson, pictured, about her role in The Salt Path, with author Raynor Winn disputing claims it has misleading details about her life. 'Were [Gillian] to break her silence,' writes The Spectator's Alexander Larman, 'it would be a rare chink in the armour of this ice queen, sex therapist and, it would appear, all-round Renaissance woman. Just a tinge of vulnerability... would make the Magnificent Anderson that bit more human, and therefore likeable.' Expressing sympathy for married Andy Byron, 50, forced to resign after he was caught on camera cuddling his company's HR chief Kristin Cabot, 52, at a Coldplay concert, writer Flora Gill remarks: 'Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of refreshing, seeing a man publicly cheat with an age-appropriate woman for once? I know this means the bar is absurdly low, but she's not in her twenties, so that's something.' Her late journalist father, AA Gill, famously left Flora's politician mother Amber Rudd after his affair with South African model and journalist Nicola 'The Blonde' Formby, over a decade his junior. , who famously bit a bat's head off on stage believing it was a rubber toy, later stipulated what he wanted on his gravestone: 'Bats taste like sh*t.'
Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Need an instant update? Wear a silk scarf
Stop scrolling sundresses, put down the palazzos — the quickest way to update any outfit this summer is by adding something you most likely already own: a silk scarf. From Lauren Sánchez Bezos's Hermès square wrapped around her hair à la Sophia Loren the day before her Venice wedding, to Charli XCX draped in Alexander McQueen skull print at Glastonbury, this slightly fusty accessory has taken centre stage in recent weeks. Across social media, there are reels and TikTok tutorials devoted to the perfect tying of them — so that yours, like Lauren's, might survive a trip on a vaporetto, rather than being whipped off by the wind like Bridget Jones's. (The key is to loop the ends round and knot behind your head, rather than under your chin, which gives a more Balmoral aspect.) At Liberty — where silk foulards have long been a stalwart, if not exactly heat-seeking, item — sales are already up 45 per cent on last year. John Lewis has had searches for them increase by 50 per cent in 12 months too. The second-hand resale app Depop links its spike in interest directly to sightings of Alexa Chung and Kylie Jenner wearing theirs. The elite personal shopping and styling platform Threads is calling 2025's a 'Silk Scarf Summer''. They're synonymous with chic already, of course, but usually with the twinset and pearls/Upper East Side variety, which can just as often feel ageing rather than elegant. So just what has happened to make such a must-have of something that looked soon to be obsolete in the era of hoodies and low-key hair? It's the new and easily copied fashion insider tweak of the season, as spotted on Instagram and the beau monde's favourite beaches alike: the waist wrap. You can barely move for vintage silk scarves in Ibiza, where stylists are using their colourful patterns to break up otherwise plain black linen dresses or tops and shorts by folding a silk scarf corner to corner into a triangle, then knotting it loosely around their hips. • The story of the Gucci silk scarf It might sound affected — and admittedly this-old-thing nonchalance is somewhat undermined once everybody starts doing it (see also: winter's woollen neckerchief trend). Yet here is a way to give definition at your waist or hips, while the dangling pointed end adds an illusion of length to your legs too. It's a bit boho, yes, but the thin end of the wedge, quite frankly, and won't necessarily lead to you buying a tasselled poncho next. Plus — and I particularly like it for this reason — doesn't everybody have a little stash of silk scarves (inherited or simply scavenged from the £1 basket in charity shops) that they rarely use but are too pretty to part with? Consider the waist wrap a zeitgeisty oomph to whatever you're wearing, holiday garb or no — Chung's algorithm-boosting version was with a plain T-shirt and jeans. It suggests you've put some effort in but not too much, which is what everyone is looking for at this time of year, whether you've already blasted through your time away, have just set off or are counting the days until the August bank holiday. There are other things to do with your scarf too, though I wonder how universal the Gen Z festival bandana trend really is. As one sceptic said to me at the weekend, 'If you're not beautiful, a bandana just highlights how ordinary your face is,' a statement that, while caustic in its truth, is hard to disagree with. If, however, you're still tempted to try it, position the flat edge of the scarf's triangle along your forehead, then tie the points underneath your hair. Avoid wearing too far back, or the look becomes more Plymouth Brethren than beach babe. • Read more fashion advice and style inspiration from our experts Then there are all the neck ties you can do — though I realise many of you will file this advice under 'stating the obvious'' or even 'egg-sucking tutorial''. I don't want to sound like Pippa Middleton's party book but, yes, you can tie a silk a scarf around your neck this summer to add some interest to plainer tops or shrug around your shoulders when the weather is not quite warm enough. For the former, roll it into a thin sausage from its longest edge to the point, then wrap and tie; I also like wearing mine point forward, like a cowboy, then wrapping and knotting at the front — perfect with a plain black camisole for now, or a jumper and peacoat in the autumn, just like American Vogue's Tonne Goodman. Finally, there is one more option that I feel duty-bound to mention but which I'm not sure will work for many. If any of you attempt to wear your scarf as a strapless (usually bra-less) 'handkerchief'' top, I'm afraid The Times can take no responsibility for what happens after that.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Your Midgesty! King launches own beard grooming products - made from a midge-repellant plant grown on Balmoral
The dreaded Highland midge is no respecter of rank – and not even a thick beard can stop them going after your Royal blood. But now King Charles has launched a product that could help high-born and commoner alike battle the twin scourges of biting insects and untidy facial hair. The Monarch's range of beard grooming products are made from a midge-repellent plant found on the Balmoral estate. The King's 50,000-acre residence in Aberdeenshire is selling the collection of oils, washes and balms, made in collaboration with local beard care firm Hairy Highlander. They have been infused with wild bog myrtle, hand-foraged from the estate grounds. The plant has long been used for centuries by Highlanders to keep midges away. Its leaves and twigs, when crushed and rubbed on the skin, release a fragrant oil that acts as a natural insect repellent. Balmoral Castle and Estate also said that the shrub 'has long been valued in Highland tradition as part of skin-soothing botanical care – especially in harsh, weather-exposed conditions'. The beard care products feature two signature scents. They are Laird – a bright, citrus-spiced blend of pink grapefruit, lemon verbena, and cinnamon leaf – and Chieftain – a grounding mix of Norwegian fir, cedarwood, and patchouli, inspired by Highland forests. For 30ml of the Chieftain Organic Beard Oil the Balmoral online store charges £25 while a 200ml bottle of the Laird Organic Beard Wash costs £32. A 50ml tub of Chieftain Organic Beard Balm is £27. In a statement, Balmoral Castle and Estate describes the products as 'Expertly crafted in the Highlands by Hairy Highlander. Now available as part of the Balmoral Exclusive Collection.' Family firm Hairy Highlander crafts organic grooming products from wild-harvested botanicals and donates 10 per cent of its profits to rewilding northern Scotland, helping restore native habitats and support long-term ecological regeneration. The company said it was 'a real honour to create this bespoke grooming range for Balmoral Castle'. Balmoral estate set up an online shop to sell merchandise last year and other products include a tartan throw priced at almost £1,000. The store features a range of gifts inspired by the Royal residence including socks, dog leads, baby clothing and beanie hats. The centrepiece of the collection is items made using the newly launched Balmoral hunting tartan which was created by leading designer Araminta Birse-Stewart. They include a £962 cashmere tartan throw, a tartan scarf priced at £385 and a shawl made using the fabric which costs £140. Balmoral has been used as a holiday getaway for the Royal Family since the reign of Queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth II passed away there aged 96 in September 2022. The King is due to travel to Balmoral for his traditional summer holiday next month and the estate closes to the public on August 10.
