Latest news with #Majesty
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William and Kate Middleton's Subtle But Wildly Sweet PDA Shows Their Strong Bond
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has made a stunning comeback to the public stage with recent back-to-back appearances. From her beautiful springtime ensembles to her ever-present megawatt smile, Kate Middleton has been nothing short of glowing. Her radiance is likely a combination of her continued cancer remission, love for work, and having her guiding light—her husband, Prince William—by her side. William made sure to show his love and support during their most recent outing with some sweet PDA. The Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance at the VE Day 80: A Celebration To Remember concert at Horse Guards Parade in London, England. They joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, for an evening of performances to close off the national celebrations for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The holiday celebrates the end of World War II in Europe. As the couple found their seats, William led his wife by placing a hand on the small of her back while gazing at her with warm eyes. Several times throughout the event, a smiley William and Kate exchanged loving glances. Although royals have historically refrained from public displays of affection, the pair have seemed to embrace PDA as Kate has made her return to the spotlight. 'They are happy for people to see them be touchy-feely,' royal biographer and Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward told People in March. 'They're in a different phase of their life now. William is very protective and very proud of her for coming through this and carrying on with her life.' Royal historian Amanda Foreman echoed this sentiment, telling the outlet, 'There is a sense of protectiveness and partnership. And just in time, frankly—if there was ever a time when the country required stability, this is it. The international stage is so unstable, it is rather extraordinary to see how both have risen to the occasion.' For the May event, Kate looked like a vision in white, recycling a Self-Portrait blazer that she first wore to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The tweed suit jacket featured satin peak labels, a subtle peplum, and a built-in belt. She paired the piece with a pleated skirt with lace trim, nude heels, sheer tights, a black clutch, a four-strand pearl necklace, and matching earrings. As for beauty, she glammed up with rosy makeup and decorated her half-up, half-down 'do with a black velvet bow. William looked dapper beside her in a black suit, matching dress shoes, white button-down shirt, blue tie, and several medals pinned to his lapel. Read the original article on InStyle
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Prince Andrew went back on his word & let tragic Virginia Giuffre down – here's what he MUST do if he wants Royal return
PRINCE Andrew needs to 'step up' and deliver on his promise to support victims of sex abuse, royal insiders said last night. With Virginia Giuffre's sudden death, many feel now is the moment for the Duke of York to take action - and he must act quickly. 3 3 3 And if he is brave enough to come forward and show compassion, to throw himself into charity work, only then can the prince truly achieve the redemption he craves. Virginia, 41, who took her own life in Australia on Friday, was the victim of vile convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his enabler Ghislaine Maxwell. She also accused the Duke of York of sexual abuse, claims he vehemently denies. But she also had the strength to stand up to her abusers, expose unimaginable horrors and give a voice to the victims who suffer at the hands of the rich and powerful. Her sad death does not herald any return for Prince Andrew, as he will never be allowed a front row seat again in the Royal Family. But it does give the Duke of York a chance. He has an opportunity to be the "honourable" man he professes to be. When he paid millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022, the King's brother released a statement saying he "regrets his association with Epstein" and "commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors". Words on his behalf added: "He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims". Yet there has been no such demonstration or seemingly any support. If the Duke, who bravely served in the Falklands War and worked decades for the Royal Family, seeks a route back into public life, then he could find a way forward. And Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine, said the moment is now. Ingrid says Virginia's death is not an escape for Andrew by any means. But it is a chance for redemption. 'Now would be the moment for him to step up and be brave and say something compassionate,' she explains. 'Now is the time for him to honour the promise he made several years ago to help and support victims of sexual abuse. 'In doing so it mustn't look like a publicity stunt, it has to come from the heart, from a place of genuine compassion. 'The fact Virginia Giuffre has taken her own life is tragic, she had a family, she was very wealthy, but she was clearly haunted by the abuse she suffered as a teenager. 'And I'm afraid that if Prince Andrew doesn't step forward to react to her death he will be heavily criticised. 'This is his moment and he needs to grasp it with both hands.' Ingrid, who believes Andrew didn't abuse Virginia, fears that if the Duke doesn't take his chance it will only serve as a further indictment on his character. 'If Andrew thinks Virginia's death draws a line under the whole affair then there's not much hope for him really,' she says. 'If he has half a brain he must show compassion, he must react to Virginia's death, and do it quickly. 'This could be the beginning of his absolution. 'But if there's nothing, the silence will be deafening.' Some insiders say the scandal-hit Duke's travails mean it is impossible and unworkable for him to have any public or private role in charities or organisations fighting sex trafficking. He could turn to his daughter Princess Eugenie, the co-founder of the Anti-Slavery Collective which fights against, among many things, trafficking of women. But one royal insider said Andrew has so far been unwilling to try. Who was Virginia Giuffre? VIRGINIA Roberts - later Virginia Giuffre, 41, was an American-Australian campaigner and a prominent victim of the sex trafficking ring of Jeffrey Epstein. She made claims against Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, as well as Brit socialite Ghislaine Maxwell - Jeffrey Epstein's ex-lover. Giuffre alleged in court documents that she was procured by Maxwell, 63, the daughter of disgraced tycoon Robert Maxwell, as a teenage 'sex slave' for Epstein. She released a manuscript just hours before Epstein's death, which added to more than 2,000 documents of a lawsuit pending against the former financier and his pals. The legal documents were released in a defamation case involving Giuffre, who has claimed in court documents that Prince Andrew slept with her three times. In 2019, Virginia Roberts claimed that she had sex with Prince Andrew in a toilet when she was 17, after a night where he had allegedly been plying her with vodka in a posh London club. On February 15, 2022, it was announced that Prince Andrew settled the lawsuit - sparing him a humiliating court battle. 'The problem is that many people have tried to persuade Andrew to do some kind of charity work as a way forward,' the source said. 'There have been several proposals. But every time it stalls as he shows no willing. ' Now with Virginia's death, Andrew must surely see his chance. Royal expert and author Phil Dampier agrees. He says the Duke needs to step up and throw his energy into charity work. 'Prince Andrew has never delivered on his promise to help victims or sex trafficking which he had made,' he said. 'He needs a road to redemption and what better than working in that field. 'Now is the time' 'His daughter Eugenie is already involved in a charity connected to anti-slavery and perhaps a way in is to support that. 'Andrew's problem is finding a charity that will accept him - I can't see a way back for him to work for the Royal Family. ' But while some say it's not the end of the sorry chapter for Andrew, others believe anything the Duke does would be 'too little too late'. Lawyer Spencer Kuvin, who repped several Jeffrey Epstein victims, said: 'If Prince Andrew was waiting for when he was not under the threat of criminal prosecution, then yes, now is the time,' he explained. 'But unfortunately I think it would be too little, too late. The time to help victims of sex abuse is when they are still alive, to help them process the suffering they have been through. 'I don't believe Prince Andrew will get any redemption at this point, and he shouldn't. 'The time for redemption has gone.' "It is both saddening and not surprising that she ultimately chose to end her life to alleviate her suffering.'
CBC
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Iconic drummer Mike Portnoy says he owes it all to Rush
For 40 years, Mike Portnoy, one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, has been the driving force behind the prog rock band Dream Theater. But for more than a decade, he and the band were split. That all changed last year when Portnoy reunited with the band and they recorded their latest album, Parasomnia. In a Q interview, Portnoy sits down with Tom Power to tell the story of Dream Theater — and that story actually starts with another influential band: Rush. As a kid, Portnoy's biggest heroes were Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, The Who's Keith Moon and Kiss drummer Peter Criss. Then he discovered Rush. WATCH | Mike Portnoy's full interview with Tom Power: "Once I discovered [Neil Peart] and Rush and Genesis and King Crimson and Yes and all that stuff, that turned me upside down and made me become the drummer I am today," he says. While it's clear Portnoy has an immense amount of respect and admiration for all the legendary rock drummers who've come before him, Rush holds a particularly special place in his heart. "You're talking to a Rush fanatic here," he tells Power. "Dream Theater was built and born out of our love for Rush. In fact, the first name of the band before Dream Theater, we were called Majesty. We're at Berklee College of Music, it was '85, and myself, John Petrucci and John Myung, we met out of a mutual love for Rush. And that was the type of band we wanted to be." Portnoy recalls meeting Petrucci and Myung within the first couple weeks of school. "They saw me jamming in a practice room wearing Rush T-shirts and stuff like that, so we knew that that was a common ground for us," he says. Together, they came up with the band name Majesty after sleeping outside at the Berklee Performance Center, waiting in line for tickets to Rush's Power Windows tour. "We were listening to Caress of Steel and the song Bastille Day came on," Portnoy recalls. "We're like, 'Oh man, listen to that! The ending when they go into the half-time thing and the guitar melody … that's so majestic. Hey, that'd be a great name for the band: Majesty!' And that was where the name of the band was born." WATCH | Official video for Dream Theater's Night Terror: Portnoy says he "came in late in the game," discovering Rush in 1981 or 1982, when he was around 14 or 15. "It was just the perfect band at the perfect time for what I needed," he says. "I was ready to really become a better drummer and I wanted to learn more about the drums and develop more as a musician. So Rush's music immediately blew my mind and I became obsessed with them and became obsessed with Neil. "Everything I learned about progressive music — odd time signatures, the giant drum kit, the way to orchestrate drum parts melodically — I got all that from Neil. So once I discovered Neil, it developed me as a drummer and a musician in general. The fact that he was the band's lyricist as well really inspired me. I ended up becoming one of the lyricists in Dream Theater as well."
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
King Charles Reportedly Has No Plans To 'Abdicate' Throne As Prince William Steps Up More Amid Cancer Battle
King Charles is reportedly determined to remain on the throne despite his ongoing battle with cancer. The monarch, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February 2024, has had to cancel several royal engagements due to the illness. Though Prince William has stepped up to take on more royal duties in his father, King Charles' stead, there are no plans for a formal handover of the crown at this time. Since King Charles' cancer diagnosis was made public, speculation has swirled about whether he would abdicate the throne in favor of his heir apparent, Prince William, to focus entirely on his health. These rumors gained traction as Prince William increasingly took on more responsibilities. However, according to royal expert Hillary Fordwich, Charles is committed to remaining King despite his health challenges, and there is full support for his decision. "Prince William and Princess Catherine are not in any way actively seeking an immediate ascension," the expert emphasized after revealing the royal duo were being put through an "accelerated schedule of preparation," per Fox News Digital. Fordwich also noted that other senior royals, including William and Catherine, are "more focused on the best interests of the monarchy's stability and continuity." "[They] are all being content with the gradual transition rather than any immediate decisions. The only definite thing is that an abdication would be a significant departure from all tradition," the royal expert further remarked. Fordwich also linked King Charles' decision to remain on the throne to a desire to avoid a potential "constitutional crisis." She referenced the 1936 abdication of Edward VIII, who stepped down to marry American socialite Wallis Simpson, which caused quite an uproar at the time. According to Fordwich, the royal family is keen to avoid repeating such a scenario, especially during a period already marked by health concerns and public scrutiny over royal scandals. "Given his mother's values, King Charles is most likely to do all he can to continue serving, dedicating himself to duty," the expert further remarked. Another expert, Ingrid Seward, had previously tied Charles' reasons for remaining on the throne amid his cancer battle to him being a "workaholic." "[King Charles] been so conditioned to work that I don't think he functions unless he's working," the Majesty magazine editor-in-chief told Newsweek about the monarch. "When he's not working, he's probably a bit all over the place… He's always working, and it's just not his nature to take an afternoon nap," Seward added. In the meantime, William will continue to take up more roles in his father's stead. However, Charles won't assign more than what is strictly necessary to his heir apparent. "It seems unlikely that the king will want to step back from his duties any more than is strictly necessary," British broadcaster Jonathan Sacerdoti informed Fox News Digital. "Though he had to cancel some engagements recently, it caused very minimal disruption to his otherwise busy schedule. He has always been clear that his work ethic compels him to be as busy as possible." Sacredoti also pointed out that the King intends to follow the same pattern as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who had help from the royal family during her older years but still kept performing much of her royal duties. "The example of his late mother's older years shows that, when needed, the royal family can accommodate sharing the burden, if necessary," the journalist noted about Charles. He added, "But just as Queen Elizabeth II continued to work well into her old age, and even when she was not entirely healthy, I am sure that the king will want to do the same and keep going as much as is possible." In February 2024, the Firm revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer, though the exact nature of the illness was not disclosed. He began his treatment at an undisclosed hospital as an outpatient, meaning he was not required to have any extended stay at the medical facility. Over time, updates have been given about the King's health, including a post last February where he thanked the medical teams' "swift intervention." Last month, he was also briefly hospitalized and forced to postpone engagements after experiencing temporary side effects from the cancer treatments.
Fox News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
King Charles, Queen Camilla's unconventional bedroom arrangement is secret sauce to staying together: expert
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have figured out the secret to a successful marriage, and it may have something to do with where they sleep. "They have known each other since [they were] very young and are great friends. There is no competitive edge between King Charles and Queen Camilla," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "Devoted Queen Camilla totally supports her husband in everything he carries out (although she would like him to slow down work wise slightly)." Chard added, "They have also sussed out the best sleeping arrangements. At Clarence House, they are privileged to have their own bedrooms as well as their shared bedroom." Not only do the couple have separate bedrooms, but they also stay in separate homes for some healthy alone time on occasion, according to royal experts. Chard told Fox News Digital, "They are both independent people. They don't live in each other's pockets, spending a healthy chunk of their time apart in their country homes." She added, "Camilla enjoys time with her many friends and family and Charles values private work and creative time." Royal biographer and Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward said the royal couple actually "spend quite a lot of time apart," with Camilla going to her country home, Ray Hill, in Wiltshire each weekend, according to The Sun. The home "is Camilla's sort of release from royal life, if you like," Seward said. "Before she married Charles, she made a pact with him that she would keep Ray Mill house as her bolthole. She goes every weekend when she can, and she goes during the summer so that she can spend some time with her grandchildren and her children, and it's something that's away from the whole royal world." Seward said that Camilla often doesn't go with the king to his Gloucestershire estate, Highgrove, at all, "unless she and Charles are entertaining together." She said that Camilla escapes to Wiltshire because "she needed somewhere where she could actually relax and just be herself, and slope around in dirty jeans if she wanted to, and not be constantly monitored." Charles, likewise, will often go to Highgrove or Sandringham while she's at Ray Mill, but they spend the week together in London at Clarence House. The royal couple is celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary this week, and they shared photos during their state visit to Italy, looking loved-up during a photo shoot at a villa in Rome. "They have also sussed out the best sleeping arrangements. At Clarence House, they are privileged to have their own bedrooms as well as their shared bedroom." "As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna!" the couple shared on their Royal Family social media account on Monday. Charles and Camilla finally married on April 2, 2005, after decades of forbidden love. "Charles and Camilla's colorful love story began in the '70s, although they didn't tie the knot until 2005," Chard told Fox News Digital. "They are a match made in heaven and are celebrating 20 years of married bliss. However, life wasn't always as peachy." She said Camilla was Charles' first love, but she married British Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 and Charles famously went on to marry Princess Diana in 1981. Their marriage was "complex, fraught, full of trials and tribulations," Chard said. "Trouble started brewing pretty much at the beginning of their marriage, largely due to a third person in their marriage, namely Camilla Parker Bowles." "Scandal ensued," she added. "She was loathed by the general public and named every negative scathing name in the universe. She was known as 'the Rottweiler' to the late Princess Diana. However, even Princess Diana eventually realized that Camilla was the only woman for Charles. She recognized that Camilla was Charles' rock. In a funny way, she made her peace with Camilla as she recognized Camilla brought out the best in Charles." The late Queen Elizabeth II gave her blessing for Charles and Camilla to marry in 2005, which they did in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. Both of Charles' sons, Princes William and Harry, attended their father's wedding. The queen didn't attend the ceremony but she and Prince Philip were at a St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication after the nuptials. "They have come through, and I'm very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves," the queen reportedly said at their wedding reception. The wedding came nearly a decade after Charles' divorce from Diana and her untimely death. Eventually, public sentiment toward Camilla softened. "If a book was released about Charles and Camilla 'from scandal to well-respected monarchs,' sharing tips on their now perfect marriage, the book would fly off the shelves," Chard joked. "Everyone is after a bit of their special gold dust and, as such, it is definitely the hot topic of conversation." She added, "Everyone who comes into contact with Queen Camilla mentions what a lovely, big-hearted, generous person she is. She is a strong, straight-forward character and gets on with things without fuss. She is known for her great conversational skills and has a similar ethos to King Charles. She wants everyone to feel included and part of the bigger picture. At private and public events, she makes sure she engages in a relaxed fashion with as many people as possible and always takes time to wave and smile at the camera." Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams called the relationship a "marriage of two minds." "Over the five decades since they first met in 1970, they have experienced so many highs and lows together, and this last year must surely have been 'brutal,' to use Prince William's descriptive term for a year in which both he and Catherine were diagnosed with cancer," he told Fox News Digital. Fitzwilliams said that "It is commonly accepted that they have both benefited enormously from being of similar age, sharing the same sense of humor, having the same friends and, broadly, a similar outlook on life." Royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the couple's relationship had "navigated a remarkable, highly orchestrated, journey from scandal-plagued beginnings and public loathing to their current roles as appreciated sovereigns." "What they shared, especially in their early years, but what has also endured, are their mutual love of horse country life, rural passions in general with her earthy humor bringing him down to earth," she said. "To this day, they maintain separate residences (Clarence House and Ray Mill) while presenting a united public front. Perhaps this unusual domestic separation has assured their endurance."
