Latest news with #Britishmonarchy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
British Royal Train Closing After 180-Year Run. Here's Why
The British royal train is nearing its final stop. British monarchs have traveled privately via train since the 1840s. Queen Victoria took things a step further in 1869 when she commissioned two luxury coaches to service the Crown. The tradition has continued up until the present day, but won't be lasting for much longer. Buckingham Palace has announced that the British royal train will be decommissioned by 2027 in order to "secure best value for public money." The royal contract to keep the train running expires in March 2027 and will no longer be renewed. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, in charge of managing the Royal Household's finances, explained the decision as the Crown's attempt to "modernize and adapt to reflect the world of today." 'The royal train, of course, has been part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved," said Chalmers. "But in moving forward we must not be bound by the past." Chalmers added that the move serves as a huge cost-cutting measure. The Sovereign Grant Report, which breaks down the Royal Household's annual finances, noted that the cost to store and maintain the royal train far outweighs its practical usage. The Royal Family would have to make a "significant level of investment" to keep the train operational past 2027. The report also noted that the Royal Family had also purchased two new helicopters that offer more cost-efficient travel versus the royal train. The Royal Travel Appendix on the 2024-25 Sovereign Grant Report details just how costly train travel was compared to other modes of transportation. From April 2024 to March 2025, the Crown used the royal train just twice, costing around $60,000 each trip. The figure makes the monarchy's 55 chartered flights at $14,800 each and 141 helicopter rides at $4,600 each look like an absolute Royal Train Closing After 180-Year Run. Here's Why first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 6, 2025
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
King Charles Delays a Major Royal Authority for Prince William and Princess Kate
As thePrince and Princess of Wales, continue to solidify their roles as the next generation of the British monarchy, one traditional royal authority remains notably absent: the power to grant coveted royal warrants. This delay, set against their rising profiles, has become a point of quiet observation and has led to questions regarding 's timeline for bestowing this long-held privilege. For brands across the globe, receiving a royal warrant is a public stamp of approval by the royal household. It's a tradition steeped in history, allowing businesses to showcase their closeness to the Crown, complete with the right to display the royal arms of their grantor. With around 800 current holders, ranging from artisan cheesemakers to global tech giants, the prestige is undeniable. The power to bestow these warrants rests solely with the head of The Firm, and King Charles has, thus far, kept this authority for William and Kate on hold. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 And so it has become a burning question for royal watchers: why is King Charles taking so long to bestow this powerful endorsement tool upon his son and daughter-in-law? While it was excpected that Waleses would be entrusted as "grantors" soon after Charles became king, the wait continues, sparking curiosity and a touch of bewilderment. Reports suggest that some companies already supplying goods to William and Kate have begun to make tentative inquiries about the process, only to be met with the reality that applications cannot even be considered until the King gives the okay. The delay is particularly intriguing given the immense "soft power" the couple wields. HELLO!'s royal editor, Emily Nash, highlights the untapped potential: "For the brands and companies, having the endorsement of a royal warrant from William and Kate would bring huge kudos as well as a huge boost. We've seen the impact of the 'Kate effect' on fashion over the years, so this official royal seal of approval would be huge for the designers, services and companies the couple favor.' But as the months tick by since those significant state occasions, and with the couple's public profiles growing, the backlog explanation has raised a few eyebrows. Is there a reason for King Charles's delay? The monarchy, after all, is an institution that thrives on tradition. Or could it be, as Prince Harry wrote in his memoir Spare, an envious King Charles is managing the rollout of his heirs' influence, or are there other, more bureaucratic factors at play? Hello! claims the Lord Chamberlain's office, which manages the warrant system, has been occupied with the task of updating existing warrants following the late Queen Elizabeth II's reign and those previously issued by Charles as Prince of Wales. As the Prince and Princess of Wales step further into the royal spotlight, royal watchers and hopeful brands are in a state of eager, and perhaps slightly puzzled, anticipation for the King's ultimate decision.
