Latest news with #Monarchy
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
King's former gardener reveals hidden tribute to Queen at Balmoral
Located in the Highlands, the Balmoral estate has been the Scottish residence of the royals since the 1800s and is where the family often spend Christmas. A beloved spot by the Queen - who passed away in 2022 - it's also a place King Charles spent much of his childhood. The grounds have been open to the [[pub]]lic since last year but the castle gardens have been newly renovated with a Thistle maze, the Celtic maze garden, as well as a generous array of topiary, trees and shrubbery. READ MORE: I visited Balmoral - and it was well worth the £150 entry fee New Balmoral tartan created at request of King Charles on his birthday Monarchy's income to rise by £45m to more than £130m due to Crown Estate profits And Jack Stooks, who worked as a senior gardener at Highgrove for King Charles for over two decades, has revealed why the designs have such a personal touch. He said: 'Mazes are very special to Charles as he used to love playing in the maze at Sandringham when he was young. His grandmother, the late Queen Mother, used to speak fondly about her memories of him in the maze and how much he loved the topiary. It's likely Charles wanted to bring some of the nostalgia of his childhood back to the Balmoral gardens and make it a place of fun and excitement for future generations. Balmoral was also a very special residence for the Queen, so Charles will want others to enjoy a place that was so special for his mother. It's like a tribute to her. 'Charles has an amazing work ethic and he's very hands on. I remember doing some topiary pieces for him in Scotland with two yew trees that resided in the vegetable garden. I did a drawing and suggested finishing the top with the Prince of Wales feathers. The drawing came back with a handwritten note from Charles that praised the design but suggested swapping the feathers for a cone. He takes the time to consider these things, and it helps that he has a love for gardening and greenery. 'Now Balmoral is open to the public, Charles wants to make the grounds as inviting as possible for everyone. He wants to make it a place that's exciting for future generations too. The grounds are quite bare as it's cold for much of the year, but the topiary in the mazes have an evergreen appeal. Plus, they've included thistle within the topiary as a proud nod to Scotland. Despite being English, Charles knows how important it is to pay tribute to Balmoral's rich history in the Highlands.'
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Noel Gallagher takes pop at royal family
Noel Gallagher has taken a pop at the royal family. The 58-year-old, currently back on the road with Oasis, didn't mince words when addressing his views on the British monarchy during the last the band's homecoming reunion gigs in Manchester on Sunday (20.07.25) evening. He said on stage at Heaton Park before a rendition of Half the World Away: 'This one, for the Royal Family... not that f****** Royal Family! The real Royle Family.' He was referencing how the song is the much-loved title track of The Royle Family sitcom. His remark came during Oasis' closing night of their five-show residency in Manchester, which saw Oasis play to more than 80,000 fans each night. Noel's disdain for the monarchy is not new. In 2022, ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, he told The Matt Morgan Podcast: 'I'm not like anti-royal or anything. I don't hate the Queen or none of them; they were all born into it. '(But) there are other things for people to be interested in… the appeal of the monarchy is dwindling. It's a bit farcical.' Meanwhile, Liam, 52, also used the last of the Manchester shows to comment on a viral social media moment involving Coldplay. He joked: 'This one's for all you love birds… Don't worry, we don't have a camera – it's not a Coldplay moment.' Noel added: 'It's none of our business who you're tingling with, mingling with, and with,' before launching into Slide Away. The remarks referenced a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Boston, where frontman Chris Martin, 47, jokingly identified audience members Andy Byron, 50, and Kristin Cabot, whose intimate embrace sparked speculation and headlines over their reported affair after a clip of the moment went viral. Andy, then CEO of data company Astronomer, has resigned from his role after the footage gained more than 120 million views online. Oasis are next set to perform seven nights at Wembley Stadium. Their last performance at the venue took place on 12 July 2009 during the Dig Out Your Soul tour, weeks before their eventual split in Paris. Reflecting on an earlier 2000 Wembley gig, Noel once said: 'That was the low point in Oasis. It was a horrible two-and-a-half hours on stage. Liam can hang his head in shame. It was dreadful.'
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
New Court of Appeal judges, High Court judges to be sworn in on July 28
PERMATANG PAUH: Eight newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the appointment process had gone through all the necessary stages including the assessment by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), discussions with the Malay Rulers and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 'Many have asked me why it was not announced earlier. I cannot answer arbitrarily because the process of appointing judges involves the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 'It needs to go through discussions with the Rulers and after it is agreed, it will then be brought back to the Agong for consent,' he said in his speech when launching the Bumiputera Master Plan, Tunas MADANI and JKPSB Housing Project here today. He stressed that no judges were removed or dismissed as some parties have portrayed, rather the process of selecting new judges must be done carefully and with full respect for the Constitutional Monarchy system. - Bernama
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Princess Charlene of Monaco declares 'love and support' for husband Prince Albert in emphatic speech at glitzy Red Cross Gala in Monte-Carlo - and vows she's 'always by his side'
Princess Charlene of Monaco offered an emotionally charged show of public support for her husband Prince Albert as he celebrated 20 years on the throne. Taking to the stage at a charity event in Monte-Carlo, the Princess, 47, made an impassioned speech in tribute to her 'dedicated' spouse, 67, in a rare insight into their marriage. Charlene, who shares 10-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella with Albert, was speaking at the 76th annual Monaco Red Cross Gala, held at the stunning Salle des Étoiles, part of the legendary Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) Resort. Addressing a packed room of dignitaries and celebrities, she spoke of her 'support' for her husband and insisted she remains 'by his side' in an emphatic declaration - hitting back at reports speculating about the state of her marriage. She told a packed room: 'Monseigneur! Albert! We love you, we support you and we thank you for being there for all of us.' The glitzy event, a highlight of Monaco's social calendar, welcomed guests including rock icon Billy Idol and Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc. Princess Charlene stunned in a pleated silk-georgette gown by Elie Saab, while her niece Camille Gottlieb paid tribute to Princess Grace in a monochrome ensemble inspired by her grandmother's iconic style. Later, Charlene made a speech, addressing her husband directly. The Princess began by thanking Prince Albert, 67, for his tireless dedication to the Monaco Red Cross, which he has supported for over four decades. 'Thank you for leading this institution over the past 40 years and working tirelessly for its development and influence,' she said. She then turned to the personal significance of the date, marking two decades since Albert's accession to the throne: 'This July 12 marks exactly the twentieth anniversary of your accession. 'Twenty years ago, you took the reins of the Principality, and since that day, you have guided Monaco with wisdom, courage and determination.' Charlene praised her husband's steady presence in international politics, his commitment to environmental causes and his leadership decisions. She described him as a 'value-based force' whose 'wish for unity and serenity for Monaco' had been his guiding principles. The speech concluded with a powerful declaration of support: 'You know that I am always by your side along with the Monegasques. 'We are standing with you, with all our hearts to protect Monaco and its future under your leadership.' Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc poses with his girlfriend Mexican-Italian influencer, Alexandra Saint Mleux at the star-studded soiree The gala was held in support of the Monaco Red Cross, which was established in 1948 to provide assistance to all in need with a politically impartial stance. As the Monegasque premier, Prince Albert now presides over the charity. To raise money for the charity, VIP guests descended on the Salle des Etoiles, which hosted the first 'Red Cross Night' in 1948. They were treated to a raffle and tombola with glamorous prizes, including a first prize dazzling earring and bracelet set by REPOSSI and a second prize Audemars Piguet Watch. The third prize was a classic cream Lady Dior bag, donated by the French fashion house, and fourth was a VIP experience at Art Dubai. Fifth prize was a two night stay at the stunning Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo in a suite overlooking the coastline of the Cote d'Azur, which was donated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Charlene's glowing tribute to her husband is an emphatic show of support after she pulled out of a planned trip to Japan due to 'current events' in the Middle East. The Princess had been due to travel to the country at the end of June for the World Expo 2025 with Prince Albert and their 10-year-old twins. However, a palace statement via Hola! read: 'In light of current events taking place in the Middle East, this has led to the decision that H.S.H. Princess Charlene and the Princely children would not be participating in this trip.' However, 67-year-old Prince Albert still carried out the planned engagements in Japan. Instead of travelling with his immediate family, Albert was joined by his younger sister, Princess Stephanie, and her children, Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb, and her daughter in-law Marie Ducruet. In the statement, Princess Charlene expressed her gratitude: 'H.S.H. Princess Charlene wishes to express her sincere thanks to the teams of the Monaco Pavilion, as well as to the partners and hosts who were to welcome her in Japan, for their understanding and ongoing commitment.' The royal's activities commenced on June 27 with a charity football match titled 'United through Legends' at Panasonic Stadium Suita in Osaka. Elsewhere, Albert attended an official luncheon and enjoy an orchestra concert. While Charlene has kept a low profile in recent months, the family celebrated Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella's Holy Communion in May. The heir to the Monegasque throne - also known as the Marquis of Baux - and his twin sister, both 10, marked the religious ceremony with a series of sweet family portraits shared to the royal household's official Instagram page. The First Holy Communion, also known as the First Eucharist, is one of the most important milestones in the Catholic faith. It is a key step in in a child's faith journey, symbolising their deepening relationship with Jesus and the Church, and it involves receiving the consecrated bread and wine, believed to be the body and blood of Christ. The young royals beamed as they were joined by their parents Prince Albert of Monaco and Princess Charlene at the important ceremony. A translated statement shared to the palace's Instagram page read: 'On this day of First Communion, we extend our most sincere congratulations to Crown Prince James and Princess Gabriella who received this sacrament with faith and compulsion'. It further read that the palace extended its 'heartfelt congratulations' to the prince and princess who 'received this sacrament with faith and reverence'. The prince and princess looked adorable in white floor-length robes and matching gold necklaces.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Harry and Meghan's 'final betrayal' of the Queen: Couple's 'unforgivable' act meant that 'things were never the same again' with the late monarch, sources claim
While relations between Prince Harry and his grandmother were allegedly strained in the run up to his wedding to Meghan Markle, it was a 'final betrayal' almost three years later that changed their relationship forever, sources have claimed. A year after announcing their decision to step down as senior members of the Royal Family, the Sussexes sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a no-holds-barred interview, in which Meghan said 'concerns' had been raised by an unnamed member of the Royal Family about Archie's skin colour before he was born. Now sources have told The Daily Beast, that by attacking the monarchy, their 'betrayal was complete' in the Queen's eyes, while the insinuation of racism which cast suspicion on everyone was 'unforgivable'. The relationship between the late Queen and Harry made headlines again this month after biographer Sally Bedell Smith revealed on her Substack, Royal Extras, that the Queen was profoundly unhappy with Harry and Meghan prior to their wedding. The revelations by Bedell Smith were based on interviews with the queen's cousin, the late Lady Elizabeth Anson. Lady Liza, as she was known to friends, told Bedell Smith that Harry had been 'rude' to his grandmother for 10 minutes during a meeting about his wedding and Meghan refused to disclose details of her dress, leaving the monarch 'saddened'. Now, according to fresh claims from an insider, the relationship was fractured up until the late monarch's death, and was 'never the same again' after the Oprah interview. Speaking to the Beast's The Royalist section, a former courtier said: 'When he and Meghan attacked the institution that she spent her whole life serving in the Oprah interview, that betrayal was complete.' They added that those who knew Harry were 'shocked' by his actions, particularly because his grandather Prince Philip was 'on his deathbed' at the time. The Duke of Edinburgh died on April 9, 2021, 33 days after the interview aired, and the Queen was reportedly 'dismayed' by the allegations of racism levelled at the family in his final days. 'To accuse an unidentified person within the family of racism, thereby casting the shadow of suspicion over everyone, was unforgivable in her eyes,' a former courtier said. 'Things were never the same after that. ... It was a horrific series of betrayals at the end of her life.' In the interview Meghan alleged that an unnamed Royal Family member had expressed 'concerns' about 'how dark' her first child's skin would be when he was born and 'what that would mean or look like'. Oprah asked Meghan: 'They were concerned that if he were too brown, that would be a problem? Are you saying that?'. She responded: 'If that's the assumption you're making, I think that feels like a pretty safe one.' She said the conversations had been with Harry rather than her, and that it would be 'very damaging' to reveal who made the alleged remarks. It prompted a worldwide guessing game about the senior royal who said it and hours later Harry's estranged brother, Prince William, was forced to publicly remark that they were 'very much not a racist family'. The Queen gave a rare statement and said 'the issues raised, particularly that of race, were concerning' but stressed that 'recollections may vary'. Then, in January 2023, in an interview with ITV's Tom Bradby to plug his memoir Spare, Harry made a u-turn. The British broadcaster, a friend of Harry's, raised the 2021 Oprah interview with Meghan and said: 'You accused members of your family of racism.' But Harry snapped back: 'No I didn't. The British press said that. Did Meghan ever mention that they're racist?' The duke then insisted the comments made about his son Archie's skin colour were 'unconscious bias'. Speaking about the Palace reaction to the Oprah interview, royal author Valentine Low wrote in his 2022 book Courtiers: 'The late Queen was adamant that she was going to watch the programme first. 'She was going to watch it with the rest of the population, on ITV on Monday evening.' The interview aired in the US first, and a day later in the UK. The line 'recollections may vary' was proposed to add into the draft statement, which would show that the royals were unwilling to let Harry and Meghan's Oprah narrative become the definitive version. It took until March 9 for a statement to be agreed upon by the family, with the queen having final approval. Royal author Ingrid Seward, who has spent 40 years following The Firm, has claimed that Harry's suffering relationship with his grandmother stemmed from the prince being characterised as 'the joker'. 'When he had something serious to say to her, he had very little idea how to go about it,' she wrote in her book, My Mother and I. She added that Harry allowed the 'Spare' label to 'dominate his life - to the extent that he has now made a career out of it'. In his explosive memoir Harry wrote that William always felt the Queen indulged Harry in his misbehaviour, while he was expected to maintain high standards. This could be seen playing out when the brothers came to loggerheads as the Queen reluctantly accepted that Harry could keep his beard on his wedding day. The royal author wrote: 'When William discovered this he was furious: annoyed that Harry had gone to the Queen, annoyed that she had given her clearance and annoyed at what he saw as Harry's one-upmanship.' This stemmed back to the fact that William had not been allowed to keep his beard at his own wedding. Hosted by Royal Historians Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams, Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things looks at the Royal Family - the secrets, the palace intrigues, and the Crown's bloodiest moments. Listen wherever you get your podcasts now. 'This argument became so heated that at one point William actually ordered Harry to shave, 'as the Heir speaking to the Spare',' wrote Seward. A friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton said: 'The family, of course, all blame Meghan 100 percent. 'As Sally Bedell Smith's column made clear, he ain't the sharpest tool in the box, and they feel he was completely manipulated and that Meghan saw him and realized she could become the most famous person in the world. 'Then the reality of what their boring royal life would be like sunk in, and she decided to ruthlessly milk it for all it was worth. That is their view.' But it was the late Queen who found herself in an 'impossible position' when it came to dealing with Harry's antics. Seward wrote: 'However much she loved Harry - and she did - she couldn't condone the way he was speaking about the institution of the monarchy that she had spent 70 years preserving. 'He chooses to be the victim and wreak vengeance on the slights he thought he had suffered; on his family, on the press and through the courts. 'His row with his brother was one thing - this is not unusual with siblings, when one has all the responsibility and the other is free to have more fun. 'But the anger aimed at the monarchy, the British people, his father and stepmother was totally unnecessary.' The wounded relationship between the Sussexes and the Royal Family is unlikely to heal any time soon. In a fresh dig, the prince spoke to the BBC about losing his legal challenge against the government over his security in May. Harry said there had been 'so many disagreements 'in the family, but the 'only thing that's left' is the row over his security - which he said had 'always been the sticking point'. 'There is no point in continuing to fight anymore, life is precious,' he added. Harry also touched on King Charles' cancer treatment. He said: 'I don't know how much longer my father has - he won't speak to me because of this security stuff but it would be nice to reconcile.' He added 'some members of my family will never forgive me' for writing his memoir Spare, and went on to say: 'It would be nice to have that reconciliation part now.
