Latest news with #Firm
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
King Charles signs off on historic first for key royal to mark 'remarkable service'
The Princess Royal has been given a huge honour to celebrate her "remarkable lifetime of service" to the Firm as she approaches her 75th birthday next month Princess Anne has been honoured ahead of her 75th birthday with a commemorative coin released by the Royal Mint to celebrate her "remarkable lifetime of service" to the Firm. The first ever official UK coin to honour the Princess Royal has been dubbed the "Anne-iversary £5 coin", and has been personally approved by the Princess. The coin features a portrait of King Charles ' sister wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara with her hair swept up in her signature style. The design is framed with the inscription 'The Princess Royal – Celebrating 75 Years – Duty and Devotion' in tribute to Anne's unwavering dedication to her royal duties over the decades. Often known as the hardest working member of the royal family, Anne will celebrate her 75th birthday on August 15, and has requested that her milestone birthday only be publicly marked by a charity forum she hosted at Buckingham Palace in June. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'For the first time in British numismatic history, we are honoured to celebrate the Princess Royal on an official UK coin. 'Her Royal Highness's unwavering commitment to public service, charitable work, and support of His Majesty's armed forces over seven and a half decades makes her truly deserving of this tribute.' To the right of the princess's portrait is a depiction of her official coat of arms, and on the obverse is the King, who gave the creation its final sign-off in honour of his sister. The portrait of Anne's head is based on a photograph of the princess taken by John Swannell, a Royal Photographic Society fellow, and shows her staring directly at the camera. The designer of the commemorative coin Thomas T Docherty said the portrait reflected the princess's 'strength of character' and 'understated elegance', as he said: 'I wanted to capture Her Royal Highness's remarkable legacy and dedication to public service. The portrait reflects her strength of character and unwavering commitment to duty.' He added: 'It was really by observing Princess Anne and looking at the role she plays within not only her family but the nation and the Commonwealth that formed inspiration for the design of the coin. She has, I would say, a kind of understated elegance and strength.' The art deco-style diamond and aquamarine Cartier tiara Anne is wearing was a wedding anniversary present from King George VI to his wife Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, who went on to give it as a wedding gift to her granddaughter Anne in 1973. The princess is also wearing an aquamarine pendant and matching earrings, both believed to have been made using stones from the tiara when Anne had it remodelled in the 1990s. The commemorative coin is available to purchase from the Royal Mint's website on July 18, costing £17.50 for the brilliant uncirculated edition. Other versions of the £5 coin are also available, with a silver proof priced at £110, a silver proof piedfort costing £208, and gold proof for £4,110. In recent years, The Royal Mint has honoured several notable royal birthdays with commemorative UK coins, including Queen Elizabeth II's 95th birthday, King Charles III's 70th and 75th birthdays as well as Prince William's 40th birthday.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle suffer jab from Oprah Winfrey over controversial surname
Oprah Winfrey has made a playful jab at her friends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a podcast appearance, poking fun at their tongue-twister surname Oprah Winfrey has taken a playful jab at her friends and neighbours Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a podcast appearance, mocking their tongue-twister surname. While appearing on Kelly Ripa's Let's Talk Off Camera podcast, Oprah recalled a sweet story about the Sussexes from earlier this year. During the candid chat, the podcast host asked Oprah if she would enjoy receiving baby chicks as a gift, and she retorted: "I'd run them straight over to the Sussexes" while mispronouncing the royal surname. Oprah then playfully repeated "the Sussexes" while slurring the S sounds together and laughing once again for good measure. Oprah, who lives close by to the royal couple, recalled rushing over to the Sussexes house on Easter to help them relocate a family of baby ducks that had settled in their garden. Oprah recounted the wholesome: "I got a call from Harry, Prince Harry, on Easter Saturday. Sorry to bother you, O, but we have a duck problem here." She retold the story of how Harry insisted he wanted to bring the lost ducks over to Oprah's house, saying: "Our pond is a stream, we don't have a pond, so can we bring the ducks over to your pond?" Oprah agreed to help but asked Harry to wait because her best friend Gayle King's grandchildren were coming to visit, but Harry insisted they be moved to safety immediately, as she continued: "I said, 'Wait until I can get the kids to come down to the pond so they can see you put the ducks in the pond.' And he goes, "No, we're coming right away, we're coming over!"' The TV host then describes how Oprah, Harry and Meghan, together tried to chase and collect the mother duck who had "fled" and escaped into the garden. Oprah has a long history with the Sussexes, famously interviewing them in 2021 after they quit royal life in 2020 and relocated to California. The tell-all interview revealed a series of bombshell allegations against the royal family. After the famous interview, Oprah spoke with her friend Gayle King and admitted: "I didn't set out to do a 'bombshell' interview – I set out to do an interview, have a conversation that will allow them to tell their story." Oprah was invited to Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018 where she first tried to get an interview with Meghan, but was unable to go through with it due to strict royal protocols. The 2021 interview, which was the first major conversation with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle since they quit their royal duties, received mixed reactions online from royal fans, with many condemning the Sussexes for their allegations against the Firm.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Princess Beatrice has forgotten royal title that didn't come from the King
When Princess Beatrice tied the knot with Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a ceremony at Windsor Castle exactly five years ago, she inherited an unusual royal title that didn't come from the late Queen Elizabeth When Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a scalded-back ceremony at Windsor Castle five years ago today, she inherited an unusual royal title that didn't come from the late Queen Elizabeth. Beatrice has been known by her official royal title ever since she was born, also being granted HRH status as a grandchild of the late Queen. Beatrice currently sits ninth in line to the throne behind her father Prince Andrew, but as well as her royal titles handed down from the Firm, she came into a new and uncommon title that many forget about when referencing the Princess. The new title was given to Beatrice on her wedding day, on July 17 2020, when she tied the knot with Edoardo, a millionaire property developer and Italian count. The small family-only ceremony took place at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, with a Buckingham Palace stating that the event went ahead 'with kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen.' Due to Edo's status as a count, Beatrice became a countess on the day of their wedding, in addition to her other royal title. It also means that their daughters Sienna, who turns four in September, and Athena, who was born in January, also have the title of nobile donna. Speaking to the Daily Mail before their wedding, Edo's father, Count Alessandro Mapelli Mozzi, said: "Edoardo is the only male descendent taking the family into the next generation. He is a count, his wife will be a countess automatically and any of their children will be counts or nobile donna." In 2023, Edoardo reflected on his wedding day on Instagram, sharing some previously unseen photos from their big day, including one of Beatrice's hand as she clasps her flowers and shows off her wedding ring as well as another of her bouquet. In a gushing message that accompanies the photos, he wrote: "Happy wedding anniversary to the most beautiful wife in the world. I am so grateful for every moment we have shared, every challenge we have overcome, and every dream we have pursued together. I love you more than words can say, and I can't wait to celebrate many more anniversaries with you." At the nuptials three years ago, not only did the late Queen allow Beatrice to wear a stunning ivory dress from her collection for her big day, she also lent her a beautiful tiara that she wore on her own wedding day. The beautiful headpiece is called the Queen Mary Fringe and it consists of diamonds given to Queen Mary by Queen Victoria. Beatrice wore it proudly while she tied the knot and teamed it with another item the Queen had previously worn - the dress. The Peau De Soie taffeta gown was originally created around 60 years ago by designer Norman Hartnell. The low-key nuptials were attended by only 20 guests, after their original wedding plans were abandoned and scaled down due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions at the time. One of Beatrice's friends told The Sun: "They were obviously very keen for the Queen to come so the wedding had to happen before she goes up to Balmoral so this was a great opportunity. So many guests were disappointed not to make the big day but understood the reason for it. "They are just like a normal family and had to make sacrifices like many others have up and down the country and looking forward to having a wonderful celebration when the time is right."
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Exhausted' Queen Elizabeth's six-word retort when Harry and Meghan quit
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a step back from royal life in 2020 and relocated to California, the late Queen Elizabeth had one devastating comment about the emancipation When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a step back from the R oyal Family as senior working members of the Firm in 2020 and relocated to California, it sent shockwaves across the world. One person who was arguably most impacted by the decision was the late Queen Elizabeth, who worked to hold the remaining royals together during the tumultuous time. While putting on a brave face during public engagements, the late Queen was heartbroken behind closed doors over her grandson's decision to leave the UK and the family for good. One royal author has claimed that the late monarch was 'exhausted' by the situation, which was informally dubbed 'Megxit'. Royal expert Katie Nicholl's book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown claims that Her Majesty 'didn't want to think about it' when being pressed for her thoughts about the emancipation. In the book, it was claimed that an insider - who spoke about the late Queen's reaction to Harry and Meghan leaving the Firm - said: "She (the late Queen) was very hurt and told me, 'I don't know, I don't care.' The source said she added, "I don't want to think about it anymore." Despite being understandably upset over the situation, Queen Elizabeth did her best to maintain some kind of a relationship with her grandson, even when they relocated to the other side of the world. It has long been claimed that the late Queen would often call Harry and Meghan, and speak to their children Archie and Lilibet over video call. It is also believed that despite the strained relationships, Queen Elizabeth would still send gifts to her great-grandchildren, as she famously sent Archie a waffle maker so Meghan could make him his favourite waffles for breakfast. While the late Queen didn't often see Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after they left the UK, the royal family was able to spend some quality time together when the Sussexes returned to England for the monarch's Platinum Jubilee in 2022: just three months before Queen Elizabeth passed away. It is widely believed that during the Jubilee celebrations was the only time the Queen met Harry and Meghan's daughter Lilibet, who is named after the late monarch's childhood nickname. While Queen Elizabeth did spend some time with her great-grandchildren, she was still upset over not seeing them more regularly, and expressed her sadness over them not attending a sleepover weekend at Balmoral Castle. Katie Nicholl said in the book: "It was a source of sadness to the Queen that she got to see so little of Archie and Lilibet and that Harry and Meghan were not able to join her for a weekend at Balmoral in August when the Queen used to host a 'sleepover' for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren."
Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
King Charles finally 'open to ending Harry feud' after peace summit but only on one condition
King Charles and Prince Harry's relationship is believed to finally be on the mend following a private peace summit held with their senior aides which is said to be a 'significant' step in reuniting the pair King Charles would be open to a royal reunion with Prince Harry if he finally scaled back on his public attacks against the Firm and stopped the "endless" interviews, according to insiders. It comes as the pair's senior aides reportedly held a secret peace summit which is said to be a "significant" step in reuniting the estranged father and son. Sources not say the "rapprochement process" could heal years of broken relations within the Royal Family but only if the Duke of Sussex stops agreeing to "endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication". However, it's believed that Harry's broken relationship with his older brother William may be harder to fix after his memoir Spare revealed the two had a physical fight over the duke's relationship with his wife Meghan Markle. The Mail on Sunday today reported talks were held at a London private members' club that champions international friendship, and whose patron is the monarch. It comes as the strongest sign yet of the agreement of both parties to resolve their bitter feud which has now spanned on over the course of five years, the Mirror reports. A royal source told the Mirror: "The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and as he has done in the past is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow such an occasion. "It's not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting their roles, but of course this is a significant moment. "Senior members of the family have in the past said to Harry that he must both stop his attacks on the family as well as giving endless rounds of broadcast interviews as his only way of communication. "If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the Duke of Sussex, then there may be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "As for his relationship with his brother, that is a different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair." Both Harry and Charles' aides held discussions at a London private members' club, according to the Mail on Sunday. At least three representatives from either side were seen speaking at the royal Over-Seas League which sits just three minutes from Clarence House. It is not known which side initiated the summit. The Duke of Sussex was represented by his chief communications officer and head of his household in Montecito, California, Meredith Maines who is said said to have flown in from Los Angeles specially for the talks. Liam Maguire, head of the Sussexes' PR team in the UK, was also present. King Charles was represented by his communications secretary Tobyn Andreae. The details of the secret conversation have remained private with Ms Maines jetting back to the US as soon as the meeting ended. The monarchy has spent years dealing with the aftermath of Harry and Meghan's decision to quit the Royal Family in 2002 after the two hit out at the Firm with public attacks and left their royal duties behind. Most recently, Harry did an interview with the BBC in May and said he "would love a reconciliation" with his family but confessed that the King "won't speak to me because of this security stuff". Harry was referring to the removal of his police security detail in the UK which he branded an "old-fashioned establishment stitch-up" as he hinted that his father could have resolved the situation. In the bombshell interview, the duke even said: "I would like to get my father and brother back." However, Harry's 2023 memoir Spare was said to be the final straw for the Prince of Wales as it made many shocking accusations against not just William but also his wife Kate and the rest of the senior members of the Firm.
