Latest news with #HilaryFordwich
Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘It's a sin': UK citizens struggle in housing crisis as migrants enjoy four-star hotels
Strelmark President and founder Hilary Fordwich discusses the rise in protests occurring outside of migrant hotels across the UK. 'It's a sin that the British taxpayer is paying for this,' Ms Fordwich told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'I'll tell you what is even worse is now the government has seen all the protests outside these migrant hotels … what they're doing is they are offering landlords five-year contracts, more money than they'd ever make and paying for all repairs and improvements to their property. 'Meanwhile, the British taxpayer, the British citizen can't find accommodation, there's a housing shortage … that is despicable.'
Sky News AU
16 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
Australians are more afraid of Trump's tariffs than Chinese military threat
Strelmark President and Founder Hilary Fordwich discusses recent reports in Australia which show people are more afraid of US President Donald Trump's tariffs than they are of the Chinese military threat. 'It's probably the same in Australia as it is in the US, that it depends on what people are watching,' Ms Fordwich told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'Probably there are a lot of Australians who are just watching your mainstream media … but they are getting a perspective, and they are being fed information which is everything negative about Trump. 'You could do with a prime minister who is doing as much for Australia and puts Australia first as we have in President Trump.'
Fox News
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Prince Andrew scores victory over King Charles in Royal Lodge battle: report
Prince Andrew achieved a quiet victory. King Charles III has given up on trying to evict the disgraced Duke of York from his palatial Royal Lodge home, the U.K.'s Express reported. According to the outlet, the monarch's younger sibling "has won the row" and will be staying put despite efforts to relocate him to a smaller property. Buckingham Palace previously told Fox News Digital that they don't answer for Andrew, 65, as he's no longer a working royal. British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital she's not entirely convinced that Andrew is out of the woods. "This is a limited pyrrhic win, as he's certainly not reclaiming any stature either in public or within his own family," she explained. "His remaining in Royal Lodge is merely due to his legal rights derived from the original binding 75-year lease agreement from 2003 with the Crown Estate rather than anything favorable to Andrew's redemption." Fordwich pointed out that Royal Lodge requires "immense annual upkeep" that reportedly costs several million dollars a year. Andrew stepped back as a senior royal following his controversial friendship with late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Working or not, Andrew will need to find a way to foot the bill. "Public scrutiny of royal spending is intense," said Fordwich. "It will further destroy his relationship with both his family and the public as he is an entitled embarrassment to both." "In 2028, this issue may well be revisited," Fordwich warned. "The Crown Estate will then have new grounds to review or revoke the lease due to property maintenance disputes. In the interim, he must fund the estate's costly repairs, all of its upkeep and his security." The U.K.'s Daily Mail previously reported that Andrew had been tending to the gardens of Royal Lodge to pinch pennies. The 30-room mansion is reportedly surrounded by shrubbery and woodland. Other reports claimed that the king, 76, ordered precious artifacts to be removed from Andrew's home, due to maintenance and security concerns. Us Weekly also reported that the sprawling 19th-century property is faced with dampness issues, as well as "wear and tear" that is ravaging the building. It noted that "cracks are becoming worse on the brickwork," and there is peeling paint, along with plaster falling off. These days, the Express reported that Andrew has been "all smiles" knowing that he could officially stay. "It is undoubtedly the case that King Charles would have wished him to downsize," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. "But, he has a 75-year lease and, so long as he fulfilled its provisions, he could not be evicted." Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Andrew will still need to prove that he can find a way to manage the costly repairs that Royal Lodge requires. "Andrew has to ensure that the Royal Lodge is being preserved from a current state of near collapse," Turner claimed, adding that this "will be looked at very closely." Andrew has lived at Royal Lodge since 2004. He currently resides there with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. According to reports, he has spent over $9 million on repairs and renovations over the years and $1 million to take it over. His annual rent is a reported $337,000. But despite Charles's concerns, reports claimed that Andrew presented his brother with a lease document which confirmed that he was legally entitled to stay at Royal Lodge. The Sunday Times reported that the king did not renew the contract for Andrew's private security team. The monarch had been paying for Andrew's security after the prince lost his police protection in 2022. The security team is said to cost the king nearly $4 million annually. At the time, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told Fox News Digital that the palace would not comment on "security matters." While Andrew will remain at Royal Lodge, Fordwich stressed that this doesn't mean he'll return to public life. "The only time he's been seen at any family functions publicly was earlier this year in Windsor at Easter Sunday services and the Garter Day lunch," she said. "He was conspicuously absent this year from [everything else]." "Regarding his finances, his family continues to be concerned as to where, in desperation for new income sources, he is securing funding," Fordwich claimed. "In the past, his ill-judged business associations haven't exactly been proper, reflecting poorly upon the monarchy." Charles and Andrew were said to be feuding over Royal Lodge, which is located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, since 2019. While Charles urged Andrew to downsize and move to the smaller Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former U.K. home, the prince successfully dug his heels in. Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday's editor-at-large, reported in November that the monarch was unexpectedly extending a generous olive branch to his brother and paying his rent. It's believed that's what their late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, would have wanted. For years, it has been said that Andrew was her favorite son. The king was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February of last year. Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of "My Mother and I," agreed with Griffiths' scoop. WATCH: KING CHARLES SECRETLY PAYING PRINCE ANDREW'S RENT, AUTHOR CLAIMS "There's absolutely no doubt that Charles is the one who is providing the money for Andrew, because the [late] queen wouldn't have left Andrew bereft," Seward previously explained to Fox News Digital. "She would've made a provision for him, and maybe that provision came through his elder brother as monarch," she shared. "When the king dies or the queen dies, the money goes to the next monarch. Everything goes to the next monarch. So, she either would have made provisions for Andrew before she died, or she would've made provisions through Charles." "I believe that Charles is helping him," Seward continued. "I don't see who else would. I'm sure [Andrew's ex-wife] Fergie would help him. I know Fergie does very well with her books, but I [can't] imagine she would make enough to run Royal Lodge on her own." "I certainly think that the only person who could really be doing this is either monies from the queen or monies from the king," she said. Griffiths also claimed that someone at a "glamorous – and usually ultra-discreet – dinner table" told her that "Charles has paid for it all." "The king has cleared it. It's all done," the source claimed. The palace insider, "who's been a guest at Royal Lodge in years gone by," claimed that not only did Charles handle the finances, but none of the funds came from taxpayer money. The Sunday Times previously reported that Andrew had raised enough money to stay in Royal Lodge. According to the outlet, the prince's funds were approved by the Keeper of the Privy Purse as coming from "legitimate sources." Andrew's only known steady income source is a Royal Navy pension. "The Duke of York, or Prince Andrew as we like to call him, always lived in a palace," said Seward. "He lived in Buckingham Palace, and then his home was Royal Lodge, which is a very grand home – and he doesn't want to leave it." "I think King Charles... said to him, 'Andrew, it would be so much better if you moved out of Royal Lodge and moved into Frogmore Cottage... because it's been modernized inside. It's been beautifully done up. It's easy to run. It's not expensive to run. And you're within the security of the Windsor Castle compound, so it's not going to cost millions in security.' But Andrew said, 'No, I want to stay here.'" Seward stressed that rigorous upkeep – and plenty of funds – are required to keep the royal property in tip-top shape. "It's not just a little house in the middle of nowhere," said Seward. "It is huge and therefore needs a lot of upkeep. But I think that there's no way he and Charles would've had a row about it, because Charles isn't like that." "He wouldn't have said, 'You've got to get out,'" Seward insisted. "He would've suggested why it would be easier to get out. And Andrew said, 'No, I want to stay.' So, Charles said, 'Fine, but I'm going to have to remove this very expensive security, and we'll need to find an alternative.'" "The Crown Estate would've loved to get Andrew out of Royal Lodge, because they could rent the whole thing," said Seward. "It needs to be seen as making money. And as long as Andrew lives in Royal Lodge, that's preventing them from making as much as they could. It's just too bad that he is the late queen's second son." "[But] I don't think the future holds anything for Prince Andrew," Seward added.
Fox News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
King Charles shatters 100 year-old royal tradition to usher in modern monarchy: experts
After more than 100 years, King Charles is changing the rules at Buckingham Palace. For the first time, players on the royal family's outdoor tennis court no longer have to follow the strict "almost entirely white" dress code, The Sunday Times reported. According to the outlet, the 76-year-old has relaxed the protocol, making tennis whites now "preferred" but "not essential" for players, including members of the royal family, household staff and their guests. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment. Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, told Fox News Digital that the king has been determined to modernize the monarchy, making it fresh and relevant for today's public. "King Charles is a very progressive-thinking man," said Felton Spence. "He has been his entire life, always looking forward and trying to build for the future. He has made it his mission to reshape a monarchy fit for the purpose today and tomorrow, while keeping the cultural relevancy that grounds the institution. These initiatives are good news and should be celebrated." British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that it's one of many changes the busy king has been making. She pointed out that Buckingham Palace announced on July 3 that the Royal Train, whose history dates back to Queen Victoria, would end 156 years of service. The palace shared it's too costly to operate and would require a significant upgrade to accommodate more advanced rail systems. "The Royal Train is no longer," said Fordwich. "Other changes have included lowering the temperature of the palace swimming pool to reduce energy consumption and other updates to palace amenities." "King Charles has previously broken many royal customs, including changes to ceremonial duties, the public displays of affection, and, in general, many public engagement styles," she shared. "His direct engagement in political lobbying has not been well received and has been most ill-advised." The dress code upgrade is significant for the king, who is known for his formal wear. According to the outlet, Charles is rarely seen in jeans or sneakers. However, he wanted his staff and guests, in particular, to "feel less restricted by protocol." "While the end of the all-white tennis dress code at Buckingham Palace might seem somewhat minor, it's a significant and rather symbolic step by King Charles to modernize the monarchy, making royal life more approachable and less bound by rigid traditions," Fordwich explained. Fordwich noted that the fashion rule was originally put in place when the court was built in 1919 during King George V's reign. According to the Royal Collection Trust, it's recognized as "London's most exclusive tennis court." The Sunday Times noted that it's located in "a shady area of the palace's 40-acre garden." "It has always been a hallmark of royal sporting etiquette," Fordwich shared. "Players, including royals, staff and guests, may not wear colored clothing... It's so sad to see yet another tradition abandoned." It's noted that for Charles's ancestors, sweat was considered unsightly, and colorful clothing showed it off more than white ensembles. Felton Spence noted that we can expect the king to continue bending the rules. "Protocol are simply unofficial rules adopted through tradition. They started somewhere," she said. Royal commentator Amanda Matta also told Fox News Digital that Charles's latest move may have been a quiet one, but its message was loud and clear. "It might seem like a minor change, but in royal circles, even a small dress code modification says a lot," Matta explained. "By easing up on the all-white rule for tennis at Buckingham Palace, King Charles is continuing his quiet push to modernize the monarchy. This modernization will not be through big pronouncements, but with subtle shifts." "The all-white rule dates back to Victorian ideas about formality and appearance, and changing it shows that Charles is willing to let go of traditions that feel outdated," she shared. "It's also a practical move. This isn't Wimbledon, after all, and the court is used by family, guests, and even palace staff, so relaxing the rules makes sense. I'm expecting (and excited for) more of these small tweaks throughout Charles' reign!" Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that Charles isn't the only one looking to dust off the monarchy's rigid rules. Kate Middleton made her fashion first by wearing Christian Dior on July 8 for the start of the French state visit. According to the outlet, the 43-year-old's style choice was aimed at showing sartorial diplomacy. Her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, was known to be a muse for the French fashion brand. "There have been many arguments recently allegedly about fashion styles," said Turner. "It is known that as soon as she is seen in a new outfit, it is sold out in minutes. Such is the demand to emulate her." Royal photographer Chris Jackson, author of "Charles III: A King and His Queen," previously told Fox News Digital that Charles's personal style has always shared important messages about his prized causes. "He's got this beautiful Aston Martin that runs on biofuel, which is surplus wine and cheese whey, which is pretty incredible," Jackson said. "He's obviously very passionate about the environment, [and] he's got this beautiful car, a DB6 Volante Aston Martin, that's environmentally friendly." The king, who has been a longtime advocate of sustainable living, bought the car in 1970. He converted it to run on biofuels, which use ethanol created from cheese-making whey and wine. He loaned his beloved vehicle to his son Prince William, who used it to drive Kate from their nuptials in 2011. WATCH: KING CHARLES' ASTON MARTIN, WHICH RUNS ON 'WINE AND CHEESE,' PAYS HOMAGE TO JAMES BOND: ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHER The king's cousin, Lord Snowdon, once joked, "How does [the former] Prince Charles drive his Aston Martin? Caerphilly." Daily Mail reporter Robert Hardman, author of "The Making of a King," also previously told Fox News Digital that Charles is known for sharing "coded messages" by using his ties. "His favorite has a little T-Rex motif on it," said Hardman. "I thought, 'That's a bit odd. I keep seeing this tie with a dinosaur on it… Of course, his cipher says, C. Rex, Charles Rex. So, I think he's having a little joke about being king with his tie. But he's in a good place. He's a happy monarch."
Sky News AU
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination is ‘well deserved'
Strelmark President and founder Hilary Fordwich discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominating US President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, describing it as 'well deserved'. 'Actually, there are many who say, and I tend to agree, that he should have received it when he initiated the Abraham Accords during his first administration,' Ms Fordwich told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'I think this is better late than never, I would say. 'Definitely, he's done more for peace in the Middle East than any president that I can think of in any of our lifetimes.'
