Latest news with #NewYearHonoursList
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
King Charles 'really ill' says Joanna Lumley as she shares health insight
Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has opened up on King Charles' cancer battle as she praised the future monarch for his 'extraordinary' legacy. King Charles has been praised as "exceptionally brave" amid his health battles, after his cancer diagnosis in February last year. Dame Joanna Lumley has gave an insight on the monarch, who she described as being "really ill" in a new interview. The Absolutely Fabulous icon, 79, who is known for being a passionate royalist, heaped praise on Charles. Dame Joanna was honoured with her damehood three years ago by Princess Anne, for her services to drama, entertainment, and charity. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she revealed: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." However Joanna's admiration for the King dates back many years, as she expressed Charles already had made his mark and a lasting legacy long before he took the crown, according to reports in the Mirror. She stated: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" After meeting both Charles and Queen Camilla in person previously, Joanna described the monarch as a "golden, fabulous person". The actress claimed she believed that the media had championed Diana during the royal pair's marriage troubles, observing that "so much mud was flung" at Camilla Parker Bowles, who has now became Queen. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna was awarded an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before claiming her Dame title 27 years later. Dame Joanna expressed that finding out the news through a letter left her in tears, as she reflected on the overwhelming moment she will never forget. The 2022 honours marked the last New Year's awards handed out by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her sad passing nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Giving insight into the late Queen, she commented: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." Joanna published her book A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II back in 2021. She told Jonathan Ross that it included stories from people who had met her throughout her reign, from figures like Winston Churchill to children who gave her flowers on the street. One story came from rock star Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'". Meanwhile, Joanna has also been in the spotlight recently after expressing support for assisted dying, stating she wouldn't want to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Joanna Lumley says King Charles 'really is ill' as she shares rare health battle insight
Joanna Lumley has shared her deep admiration for King Charles and offered a rare insight into how the monarch is handing his health battle after being diagnosed with cancer last year Absolutely Fabulous legend Dame Joanna Lumley, a devoted royalist, has showered King Charles with glowing praise - describing the monarch as being "exceptionally brave". The 79-year-old actress, who received her damehood three years ago, offered the glowing tribute while discussing Charles' ongoing health struggles, following his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." Yet Joanna's deep respect for Charles stretches back decades, as she insisted he had already established an extraordinary legacy well before ascending to the throne. She declared: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" Having encountered both Charles and Queen Camilla personally, Joanna described the latter as a "golden, fabulous person". The veteran performer claimed the press had backed Diana throughout the Royal couple's marital troubles, noting that "so much mud was flung" at the woman then known as Camilla Parker Bowles. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna received an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before securing her Dame title 27 years later. She revealed discovering the news through a letter left her in floods of tears during an unforgettable moment that proved completely overwhelming. The 2022 honours were the final New Year's awards distributed by Queen Elizabeth II before her death nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Offering a glimpse into the late monarch, she remarked: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." In 2021, Joanna released a book titled A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. She explained to Jonathan Ross that it featured stories from individuals who had encountered her throughout her reign - ranging from figures like Winston Churchill to children who presented her with flowers on the street. One tale came from rock legend Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'" Meanwhile, Joanna has also attracted attention recently after voicing support for assisted dying - stating she wouldn't wish to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Joanna Lumley recalls tearful moment she received mystery letter from Buckingham Palace
The actress and campaigner was named a Dame in the New Year's Honours in 2022, the last list to be issued by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her death in September of that year. Joanna Lumley, a devoted royalist and tireless charity supporter, was over the moon when she was appointed an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List. However, when an "official-looking" letter arrived at Joanna 's doorstep seven years later, she was somewhat apprehensive. The Absolutely Fabulous actress confessed to Saga Magazine: "My heart sank because I thought it would say I'd been parking on the wrong side of the street. Then I opened it and was completely overwhelmed. I blubbed." She revealed that the letter, from Buckingham Palace, informed her she was to be made a Dame. Joanna added: "I was terribly moved. I don't think you should be rewarded for charity stuff - you do it because you love to help - but it was a big deal." Joanna remembers that the 2022 awards were the final New Year's Honours bestowed by the late Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen passed away nine months later in September 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee marking her record-breaking 70-year reign. Joanna remarked: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." Joanna has penned a book titled 'A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Our One and Only Queen Elizabeth II on Her Platinum Jubilee', which compiles anecdotes from individuals who had the privilege of meeting the late monarch during her long reign. In conversation with Jonathan Ross, she revealed that these stories were gathered "from all kinds of people from very grand statesmen people like Ban Ki-moon and Khrushchev and Winston Churchill, right down to little kids who saw her passing by in the street and were allowed to go and give their flowers." She highlighted one particular tale from Rob Halford, the lead vocalist of rock band Judas Priest: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed i'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'" Speaking to Saga, Joanna also expressed her immense admiration for the King: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see," she stated. Noting that the King held the title of Prince Of Wales for over 64 years, she emphasised that his cancer diagnosis hasn't hindered him from fulfilling his Royal duties: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. "He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." Joanna noted that during his time as Prince Of Wales, he experienced "a dark, dark time" when the media sided with Princess Diana against him: "So much mud was flung at the new Queen when she was Camilla Parker Bowles, but now she just goes about her job without any rancour. She's a golden, fabulous person."
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Have your say on David Beckham being knighted
David Beckham will finally be knighted next week as part of the King's birthday celebrations after being in line for the honour for more than a decade - and we want to hear your thoughts David Beckham will finally be awarded with a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours list next week after years of public calls - and we want to hear your thoughts on the news. The Manchester United icon will officially become a Sir and join a host of other football legends who have been honoured by the Royal Family, reports The Sun. The former England star, who recently turned 50, serves as an ambassador for The King's Foundation and has continued to make notable donations to charity. He has developed a friendship with the King, who hinted at last month's Chelsea Flower Show that David's honour was finally on its way. Charles asked him: "You got it, didn't you?" Before Beckham replied: "It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind." His wife Victoria will also be known as Lady Beckham. It comes after David was given an OBE by the late Queen Elizabeth for services to football in 2003. Becks, who played 115 times for England, was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 following his role in securing the London 2012 Olympics - but was blocked by the Honours Committee after he became embroiled in a tax avoidance scheme, which he was cleared of four years ago. The now Inter Miami co-owner had been kept waiting in his bid to earn a knighthood, with Beckham narrowly missing out in the New Year Honours List published in December last year, the Sun reports. In 2017, shocking emails from Beckham were leaked, revealing his fury at the New Years honours committee and possibly setting him back in his pursuit of a knighthood. The football star is said to have branded the committee "unappreciative c***s" and added that he "didn't care about being knighted" - though the ex-midfielder has claimed some of the leaked emails had been doctored. The leaked emails claim the former footballer said: "I expected nothing less. It's a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago." He is also reported to have slammed opera star Katherine Jenkins after she was given an OBE. "Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops. F***ing joke." A close friend of Beckham exclusively told The Mirror in 2017: "To be honest, he does feel that he has given so much to his country. And sometimes you say things in private that anyone would say and you don't really mean it. While he was frustrated in those emails, he was over it the moment he sent them. Getting the knighthood is not what his work is about. He doesn't care if he gets a knighthood or not." Get Beckham family updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the Beckhams' 'rift' with Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz 'escalates', the Mirror has launched its very own Celebs WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the iconic British family. We'll send you the latest showbiz breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will 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. Beckham was appointed as an ambassador to HM's charity the King's Foundation, which was seen as an encouraging sign earlier last year. He said at the time: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature." Following the announcement that Beckham will be awarded with a knighthood next week, we want to know if you think the football legend deserves the honour. Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Royal Commonwealth Society Appoints New Chair And Trustees
The Council of the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) has appointed Janet Cooper OBE as Chair to succeed Dr Linda Yueh CBE. Sianne Haldane and Ravi Suchak have been appointed as Trustees. said: 'It has been an immense privilege and pleasure to serve as Executive Chair of this special charity, which has enjoyed extraordinary support from the Society's Patron, His Majesty The King, Vice-Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, and partners from across the Commonwealth. I was deeply honoured to have led impactful programmes which have contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on education, equality, environment and communities, as well as high profile events that have celebrated the work of remarkable people, including young leaders, who make the world a better place. I am pleased that Janet, Sianne and Ravi will join the Council to enable the RCS to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of citizens in the Commonwealth and beyond.' Janet Cooper OBE said: 'It's a great pleasure and privilege to have been appointed to Chair the Royal Commonwealth Society, to build on the terrific work the RCS has been doing for over 150 years as well as look to the future, in a world which is becoming increasingly polarised and in conflict, the work of the RCS provides an opportunity to focus on youth engagement, climate action and equality initiatives across the Commonwealth.' Janet Cooper OBE is an experienced chair, lawyer, entrepreneur and trustee. She is a nonexecutive director of Nurture Group, an independent director of the Cabinet Office, Chair of ProShare and co-founder of the Global Equity Organisation, both non-profit organisations promoting employee share ownership, and Vice Chair of Roehampton University. Janet was one of the first women partners in global law firm, Linklaters and went on to found a multi award winning specialist law firm which was transferred to a trust for the employees in 2020. She was the first woman to chair the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and former trustee and Vice Chair of the UN Women UK. Janet was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to equality, women's empowerment and employee share ownership in the 2017 New Year Honours List and is appointed a Fellow of the University of Roehampton in 2024. Dr Linda Yueh CBE has served as Chair since 2018 and as a member of Council since 2016. Janet Cooper OBE, Sianne Haldane and Ravi Suchak will join the Council on June 1.
