Latest news with #CedarofLebanon
L'Orient-Le Jour
5 days ago
- General
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to victims of port explosion
On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the deadly Aug. 4, 2020, explosion, a prayer vigil was held Sunday evening in Beirut. The ceremony included the blessing of olive trees planted in memory of the victims and featured a message from Pope Leo XIV, read aloud to those in attendance. In his message, the pontiff expressed his 'compassion to all whose hearts are wounded,' including those 'grieving the loss of loved ones,' as well as those who were 'injured or lost everything as a result of this disaster.' In a reflection on death and hope, Leo XIV recalled Christ's words to Martha following the death of her brother Lazarus: 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.' The pope urged the faithful to 'look toward heaven,' drawing on the image of the Cedar of Lebanon, 'symbol of your country.' 'I implore the merciful Father to welcome, beside him, in his house of rest, of light, and of peace, all those who lost their lives,' he said, adding that 'beloved and suffering Lebanon remains at the heart of my prayers.' He entrusted 'every Lebanese to the protection and maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, as well as Saint Charbel and the other Lebanese saints,' and concluded by granting his apostolic blessing 'as a sign of comfort.' Speaking at the vigil, the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, noted that 'the Lebanese and the families of the victims are still searching for truth and justice, which above all must prevail.' He said, 'A bit of hope is being reborn, because the investigation is progressing, even though it still faces conflicting interests,' but added, 'There is still much to be done.' On Aug. 4, 2020, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history devastated entire neighborhoods of the Lebanese capital, killing 235 people and injuring 6,500. The blast was caused by a fire in a warehouse where tons of ammonium nitrate — a chemical used in fertilizer — were stored without safety precautions, despite repeated warnings to senior officials. On Monday, President Joseph Aoun reiterated that the Lebanese state is 'committed to revealing the whole truth, no matter the obstacles or the high positions involved.'
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
See the lavish gifts the British royals have received since 2020, including a $450,000 Rolls-Royce and a signed 'Charles 3' soccer shirt from Paris Saint-Germain
Buckingham Palace has published lists of the gifts the royal family received between 2020 and 2023. Among the most eye-catching gifts was a luxury Rolls-Royce from the King of Bahrain. King Charles III also received a "Charles 3" soccer shirt signed by players from Paris Saint-Germain FC. Buckingham Palace has published lists of gifts received by the royal family between 2020 and 2023. The official register, which was published on Friday, shows the royals have received some particularly expensive gifts over the last few years. One of the standout presents — a Rolls-Royce car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa — was gifted to King Charles III for his coronation in 2023. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II costs around $450,000, according to Autotrader, and it will reportedly be used for official occasions. The luxury vehicle, along with all the other gifts, is not considered to be personal property and cannot be sold or exchanged. The royals also do not pay tax on official gifts. Other eye-catching gifts presented to Charles in 2023 included a leather folder from former President Joe Biden containing letters between the late Queen Elizabeth II and former President Dwight Eisenhower inviting him to the UK, a "Charles 3" soccer shirt signed by players from the French Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain, and a ceremonial sword from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Elsewhere, the lists showed that in the final years before her death in 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth was gifted dog jackets from the Royal Australian Air Force, a Cedar of Lebanon tree from the late Pope Francis, and an engraved Tiffany sterling silver box from Biden. You can check out the full lists for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 here. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do not appear on the lists, having stepped back from their duties as working royals in 2020. The publication of the lists comes after it was reported last year that the royals had failed to publish details of official gifts for the past four years. Guidelines have been in place governing the royals' acceptance and use of gifts since 1995. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
See the lavish gifts the British royals have received since 2020, including a $450,000 Rolls-Royce and a signed 'Charles 3' soccer shirt from Paris Saint-Germain
Buckingham Palace has published lists of gifts received by the royal family between 2020 and 2023. The official register, which was published on Friday, shows the royals have received some particularly expensive gifts over the last few years. One of the standout presents — a Rolls-Royce car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa — was gifted to King Charles III for his coronation in 2023. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II costs around $450,000, according to Autotrader, and it will reportedly be used for official occasions. The luxury vehicle, along with all the other gifts, is not considered to be personal property and cannot be sold or exchanged. The royals also do not pay tax on official gifts. Other eye-catching gifts presented to Charles in 2023 included a leather folder from former President Joe Biden containing letters between the late Queen Elizabeth II and former President Dwight Eisenhower inviting him to the UK, a "Charles 3" soccer shirt signed by players from the French Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain, and a ceremonial sword from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Elsewhere, the lists showed that in the final years before her death in 2022, the late Queen Elizabeth was gifted dog jackets from the Royal Australian Air Force, a Cedar of Lebanon tree from the late Pope Francis, and an engraved Tiffany sterling silver box from Biden. You can check out the full lists for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 here. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle do not appear on the lists, having stepped back from their duties as working royals in 2020. The publication of the lists comes after it was reported last year that the royals had failed to publish details of official gifts for the past four years. Guidelines have been in place governing the royals' acceptance and use of gifts since 1995.
Metro
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Full list of the lavish presents Royals have received since 2020
Buckingham Palace has released a list of gifts to the royals in recent years, ranging from a Rolls-Royce and a feather crown to a stuffed camel. A new list outlines official gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent between 2020 to 2023. The gifts, which range from a set of toiletries to bottles of alcohol and pairs of cufflinks, came from heads of state, their patronages and other organisations with which they have a relationship. In May 2023, the King received a Coronation gift in the form of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II motor car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The car isn't for personal use, but only for official purposes such as state occasions. He also received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. As a Coronation gift, the then-president of the United States, Joe Biden, and then-first lady, Dr Jill Biden, gave Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower inviting him to the United Kingdom, with a photograph of the visit. Charles also received a tea set from Smythson of Bond Street and a cutlery set from the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Teodoro Lopez Locsin Jr. In 2021, the late Queen received a set of gifts connected to one of the nation's favourite television programmes. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, the Queen received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a selection of themed gifts. They included a book entitled 60 Years of Coronation Street and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. She also received gifts from President Biden and the First Lady – an engraved, specially commissioned Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch – during tea at Windsor Castle. In 2022, the year of her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen received a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis as part of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative. Back in 2020, the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge each received a toiletries set from the president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins during an official visit to the Republic of Ireland. During that trip, they also each received GAA club jerseys as well as a bottle of whiskey and two whiskey tumblers. In 2022, the couple, by now known as the Prince and Princess of Wales, received snorkelling gear during a royal tour of the Caribbean. They each received a snorkel set, a wetsuit, a pair of diving fins and a swimming cap. Meanwhile, William and Kate's children also received gifts – a record of a soft toy camel, received by William in Dubai in 2022 on behalf of Prince Louis, was mentioned. Official gifts can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals do not pay tax on them. More Trending They can eat any food they are given, and perishable official gifts with a value of less than £150 can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation. The rules on official presents were tightened following the Peat Inquiry in 2003 into the sale of royal gifts and the running of St James's Palace. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: King Charles's subtle dig at Donald Trump over threat to annex Canada MORE: Yet another celebrity discovers they're related to a king 9 years after Danny Dyer MORE: Meghan Markle gives rare glimpse of Lilibet while wearing beekeeping suits
The Advertiser
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
King Charles given Rolls-Royce by Bahrain
A Rolls-Royce and a feather crown were among the official gifts given to British King Charles during the first year of his reign. Buckingham Palace has released records listing the official gifts received by members of the royal family from 2020 to 2023. The lists outline the official gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other family members. The gifts, which range from a set of toiletries to bottles of alcohol and pairs of cufflinks, came from heads of state, patronages and official engagements. In May 2023, the King received a coronation gift in the form of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II motor car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Also in May, Charles received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. A month earlier, the King received two gold Blue Peter badges, one each for himself and Camilla, from the children's television show presenters during a visit to Liverpool. As a coronation gift, the then-president of the United States, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, gave Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower inviting him to the United Kingdom, with a photograph of the visit. Meanwhile, in 2021 the late Queen received a set of gifts connected to one of the nation's favourite television programmes. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, the Queen received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. She also received gifts from President Biden, an engraved, specially commissioned Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch, during tea at Windsor Castle. In 2022, the year of her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen received a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis as part of her green canopy initiative. In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, received snorkelling gear during a royal tour of the Caribbean. They each received a snorkel set, a wetsuit, a pair of diving fins and a swimming cap. William and Kate were accused of harking back to colonial days during the visit to Jamaica after the pair shook hands with crowds behind a wire mesh fence and rode in the back of a Land Rover, just like Queen Elizabeth did 60 years ago. Demonstrators accused them of benefiting from the "blood, tears and sweat" of slaves, while in the Bahamas they were urged to acknowledge the British economy was "built on the backs" of past Bahamians and to pay reparations. Official gifts can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals do not pay tax on them. They can eat any food they are given and perishable official gifts with a value of less than £150 ($A314) can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation. The rules on official presents were tightened following the Peat Inquiry in 2003 into the sale of royal gifts and the running of St James's Palace. Charles' then-most trusted aide, his former valet Michael Fawcett faced allegations of selling unwanted royal gifts and pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct. A Rolls-Royce and a feather crown were among the official gifts given to British King Charles during the first year of his reign. Buckingham Palace has released records listing the official gifts received by members of the royal family from 2020 to 2023. The lists outline the official gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other family members. The gifts, which range from a set of toiletries to bottles of alcohol and pairs of cufflinks, came from heads of state, patronages and official engagements. In May 2023, the King received a coronation gift in the form of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II motor car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Also in May, Charles received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. A month earlier, the King received two gold Blue Peter badges, one each for himself and Camilla, from the children's television show presenters during a visit to Liverpool. As a coronation gift, the then-president of the United States, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, gave Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower inviting him to the United Kingdom, with a photograph of the visit. Meanwhile, in 2021 the late Queen received a set of gifts connected to one of the nation's favourite television programmes. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, the Queen received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. She also received gifts from President Biden, an engraved, specially commissioned Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch, during tea at Windsor Castle. In 2022, the year of her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen received a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis as part of her green canopy initiative. In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, received snorkelling gear during a royal tour of the Caribbean. They each received a snorkel set, a wetsuit, a pair of diving fins and a swimming cap. William and Kate were accused of harking back to colonial days during the visit to Jamaica after the pair shook hands with crowds behind a wire mesh fence and rode in the back of a Land Rover, just like Queen Elizabeth did 60 years ago. Demonstrators accused them of benefiting from the "blood, tears and sweat" of slaves, while in the Bahamas they were urged to acknowledge the British economy was "built on the backs" of past Bahamians and to pay reparations. Official gifts can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals do not pay tax on them. They can eat any food they are given and perishable official gifts with a value of less than £150 ($A314) can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation. The rules on official presents were tightened following the Peat Inquiry in 2003 into the sale of royal gifts and the running of St James's Palace. Charles' then-most trusted aide, his former valet Michael Fawcett faced allegations of selling unwanted royal gifts and pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct. A Rolls-Royce and a feather crown were among the official gifts given to British King Charles during the first year of his reign. Buckingham Palace has released records listing the official gifts received by members of the royal family from 2020 to 2023. The lists outline the official gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other family members. The gifts, which range from a set of toiletries to bottles of alcohol and pairs of cufflinks, came from heads of state, patronages and official engagements. In May 2023, the King received a coronation gift in the form of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II motor car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Also in May, Charles received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. A month earlier, the King received two gold Blue Peter badges, one each for himself and Camilla, from the children's television show presenters during a visit to Liverpool. As a coronation gift, the then-president of the United States, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, gave Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower inviting him to the United Kingdom, with a photograph of the visit. Meanwhile, in 2021 the late Queen received a set of gifts connected to one of the nation's favourite television programmes. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, the Queen received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. She also received gifts from President Biden, an engraved, specially commissioned Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch, during tea at Windsor Castle. In 2022, the year of her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen received a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis as part of her green canopy initiative. In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, received snorkelling gear during a royal tour of the Caribbean. They each received a snorkel set, a wetsuit, a pair of diving fins and a swimming cap. William and Kate were accused of harking back to colonial days during the visit to Jamaica after the pair shook hands with crowds behind a wire mesh fence and rode in the back of a Land Rover, just like Queen Elizabeth did 60 years ago. Demonstrators accused them of benefiting from the "blood, tears and sweat" of slaves, while in the Bahamas they were urged to acknowledge the British economy was "built on the backs" of past Bahamians and to pay reparations. Official gifts can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals do not pay tax on them. They can eat any food they are given and perishable official gifts with a value of less than £150 ($A314) can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation. The rules on official presents were tightened following the Peat Inquiry in 2003 into the sale of royal gifts and the running of St James's Palace. Charles' then-most trusted aide, his former valet Michael Fawcett faced allegations of selling unwanted royal gifts and pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct. A Rolls-Royce and a feather crown were among the official gifts given to British King Charles during the first year of his reign. Buckingham Palace has released records listing the official gifts received by members of the royal family from 2020 to 2023. The lists outline the official gifts presented to Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles, Queen Camilla and other family members. The gifts, which range from a set of toiletries to bottles of alcohol and pairs of cufflinks, came from heads of state, patronages and official engagements. In May 2023, the King received a coronation gift in the form of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II motor car from the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Also in May, Charles received a feather crown, two beaded chest pieces and two carved staffs from Amazonian Indigenous leaders Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai and Atossa Soltani. A month earlier, the King received two gold Blue Peter badges, one each for himself and Camilla, from the children's television show presenters during a visit to Liverpool. As a coronation gift, the then-president of the United States, Joe Biden, and his wife, Jill, gave Charles a leather folder containing printed letters between Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower inviting him to the United Kingdom, with a photograph of the visit. Meanwhile, in 2021 the late Queen received a set of gifts connected to one of the nation's favourite television programmes. During a visit to the Coronation Street set in Greater Manchester, the Queen received a cobble from the original set in a presentation case, two gin glasses with Manchester skyline silhouette design and a bottle of Coronation Street gin. She also received gifts from President Biden, an engraved, specially commissioned Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch, during tea at Windsor Castle. In 2022, the year of her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen received a Cedar of Lebanon tree from Pope Francis as part of her green canopy initiative. In 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, received snorkelling gear during a royal tour of the Caribbean. They each received a snorkel set, a wetsuit, a pair of diving fins and a swimming cap. William and Kate were accused of harking back to colonial days during the visit to Jamaica after the pair shook hands with crowds behind a wire mesh fence and rode in the back of a Land Rover, just like Queen Elizabeth did 60 years ago. Demonstrators accused them of benefiting from the "blood, tears and sweat" of slaves, while in the Bahamas they were urged to acknowledge the British economy was "built on the backs" of past Bahamians and to pay reparations. Official gifts can be worn and used, but are not considered the royals' personal property. The royals do not pay tax on them. They can eat any food they are given and perishable official gifts with a value of less than £150 ($A314) can be given to charity or staff. Gifts cannot be sold or exchanged and eventually become part of the Royal Collection, which is held in trust for successors and the nation. The rules on official presents were tightened following the Peat Inquiry in 2003 into the sale of royal gifts and the running of St James's Palace. Charles' then-most trusted aide, his former valet Michael Fawcett faced allegations of selling unwanted royal gifts and pocketing a percentage of the proceeds, but was cleared by an internal inquiry of any financial misconduct.
