Latest news with #CeremonyoftheKeys
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
King Charles Gets the Keys to the Castle in Lancaster — and Keeps Up the Pace amid Cancer Treatment
King Charles greets crowds during a visit to Lancaster Castle in northwest England The 76-year-old monarch is carrying out a day of engagements amid ongoing cancer treatment He's set to lead the royal family at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, riding in a carriage instead of on horsebackKing Charles arrived at Lancaster Castle on June 9 to take part in a historic ceremony as he prepares to lead the family at the Trooping the Colour parade on June 14. The monarch, 76, was warmly welcomed by schoolchildren, well-wishers and a military band serenade as he arrived for a day packed with official engagements in northwest England. At the historic castle, Charles took part in the Ceremony of the Keys, a tradition dating back to 1851 under Queen Victoria. Notably, in 2015, his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, was presented with the keys in a similar ceremony at the site. The King has been keeping an active timetable of duties despite his ongoing cancer treatment. The visit comes amid a period for the royal family. On June 14, Charles will lead the family at the annual Trooping the Colour parade. The monarch will ride in a carriage, rather than on horseback, for the second year in a row, Buckingham Palace confirmed to PEOPLE. Senior royals will also gather for the Order of the Garter service on June 16. The King, who completed a two-day visit to Canada with Camilla in late May, is undergoing regular cancer treatment that is enabling him to continue with his duties. After the end of that visit, in which he opened the Canadian parliament, aides said, "The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it, and that's what he does." 'Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him," the aide added at the time. "As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. That's exactly what he is doing." Monday's visit is part of celebrations honoring the county that gives its name to the Duchy of Lancaster. Since 1399, the Duchy — covering over 41,000 acres across Cheshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Southern Yorkshire, and more — has been a private estate held by the reigning monarch. (It parallels the Duchy of Cornwall, which supports Prince William's work and lifestyle as heir to the throne.) Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Inside the castle grounds, Charles met local businesses showcasing regional specialties such as farmhouse cheeses, breed-specific wool yarns supporting the British wool industry and handcrafted furniture. Charles met businesses like and view displays showcasing their work in the region, including a farmhouse cheeses company, and an enterprise that makes breed-specific yarns that help to support the British wool industry and a furniture maker. Later, at a reception, the King connected with volunteers and staff from across the county, including representatives from Escape 2 Make, an organization offering creative workshops to support young people facing life's pressures. He also spoke with members of St John's Hospice, the Lancaster Literature Festival and a local World War II veteran. Read the original article on People

South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrives for the Ceremony of the Keys during his visit Lancaster Castle (Temilade Adelaja/PA) Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'

Western Telegraph
8 hours ago
- General
- Western Telegraph
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrives for the Ceremony of the Keys during his visit Lancaster Castle (Temilade Adelaja/PA) Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'


Glasgow Times
8 hours ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrives for the Ceremony of the Keys during his visit Lancaster Castle (Temilade Adelaja/PA) Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'


STV News
16-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Royal Navy to guard Edinburgh Castle for first time
Sailors from across the Royal Navy say it is a 'privilege and honour' to guard Edinburgh Castle for the first time in history. The sailors are guarding the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from Friday until May 22 as Lady Elish Angiolini is welcomed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It marks the first occasion where the Navy has carried out such a task, with sailors in full uniform ahead of a senior service march for the arrival parade on Friday to welcome Lady Angiolini into the city at the Ceremony of the Keys. LPhot Stuart Dickson/Royal Navy The Royal Navy performed a dress rehearsal of the guard of honour. The duty is normally carried out by the British Army. Warrant Officer 1 Glynn 'Moffs' Moffat, the Royal Navy's state ceremonial training officer, said: 'It is a tremendous privilege and honour for the Royal Navy to be granted the unique opportunity, for the first time in history, to mount the ceremonial guard at both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 'These men and women, having so proudly represented the Royal Navy during the VE Day commemorations, now carry that same sense of duty and pride into the heart of Edinburgh. 'This historic moment follows a remarkable period in which the Royal Navy took centre stage as the lead service at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – another proud chapter in our enduring relationship with the city and its traditions. 'As someone who served aboard HMS Edinburgh and had the honour of marching her ship's company up the Royal Mile when we were granted the Freedom of the City in 2013, it's incredibly special to return under such historic circumstances. It truly feels like coming home.' The sailors have been rehearsing their routine alongside their colleagues in the Army, with drill instructors from both regiments at Redford Barracks ensuring they are up to scratch. A rehearsal took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday, before a full dress rehearsal for the inspecting officer of His Majesty's Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce, on Thursday. The officer passed the guard of honour fit for duties. Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be in attendance for the royal salute. He said: 'The General Assembly week is an important fixture in the Scottish calendar, and I'm delighted that this year the Royal Navy is able to provide the ceremonial support, from the Ceremony of the Keys to the individual guard mounts at the palace and Edinburgh Castle. 'It's a privilege to be in attendance for Lady Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner as she inspects the Guard of Honour and meets our young sailors. 'For some this will be their first time in Edinburgh, for others a welcome return to the city. 'This is an opportunity for the Royal Navy to showcase its ceremonial skill and precision to the people of Scotland, who will not be disappointed.' The appointment of Lady Angiolini, a practising Roman Catholic, is a reflection of the historic declaration of friendship between the Kirk and the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Lord High Commissioner is the King's personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country