Latest news with #PrincessAlexandra
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
King marks 400 years of the Queen's Chapel at service with royal fanfare
The King has marked the 400th anniversary of the Queen's Chapel with a royal service. Horns rang out as His Majesty entered the chapel, a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, on Wednesday evening. He took his seat beside Princess Alexandra for the 40-minute service – attended by around 200 people. It featured music by the Gentlemen and Children of His Majesty's Chapel Royal Choir, accompanied by the Duchess of Edinburgh's String Orchestra and the State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry Band. The service reflected the chapel's early role as a place of worship for European courtiers. After the celebration, the King viewed a newly commissioned piece of altar plate – the His Majesty King Charles III Ciboria – the first addition to the chapel's silverware since 1688. Made by St Ives silversmith Tim Lukes, the ceremonial cup includes the image of the Green Man, a symbol used during the King's Coronation. Outside huge crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the King whilst police held up traffic. Later, inside Friary Court, His Majesty shared a laugh with children from the Chapel Royal Choir. He could be heard asking the youngsters: 'You've been practicing already, have you?' Built in 1625, the Queen's Chapel was originally intended for the wedding of the future Charles I to Spanish princess Maria Anna.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Royal reveals shock autism diagnosis at the age of 30
Flora Vesterberg, the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II 's cousin, Princess Alexandra, has revealed she has been diagnosed with autism at the age of 30. The royal, who is 62nd in line to the throne, opened up about the recent diagnosis in a deeply intimate essay published in British Vogue on Sunday, calling it 'unexpectedly empowering'. She detailed her struggles battling 'the challenges of neurodiversity' during her formative years, and said the diagnosis has brought 'a sense of relief as well as validation'. An art historian and broadcaster, the royal ancestor mostly steers clear of publicity, but is sometimes spotted joining for events in the society circle calendar, including the Chelsea Flower Show, where she was pictured this year with Lady Amelia Windsor. Reflecting on her diagnosis during Autism Awareness Month, she hoped to 'contribute to a shift in statistics', referencing the figure stating that 80 per cent of autistic women remain undiagnosed by the age of 18. 'Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with autism. I've struggled quietly with the challenges of my neurodiversity since childhood, but am now also able to perceive its strengths,' she wrote. She told of having received her diagnosis from Dr Dimitrios Paschos, a consultant psychiatrist and Honorary Research Fellow at King's College London, ahead of beginning her PhD at The Courtauld Institute of Art. Undergoing multiple psychiatric evaluations over the course of a week earlier this year, Flora was left feeling both relieved and 'unsettled' by the final diagnosis. The royal, who works closely with heritage brands like Tiffany & Co. and Piaget, said it had also impacted the way she approached her job. She cited diagnostics for people with autism, notably women, who often 'camouflage' by mimicking 'social norms', habits she said she can relate to. Nevertheless, her symptoms don't prevent her from carrying out her work, explaining that she is able to 'speak eloquently at engagements'. Indeed, the diagnosis has helped her discover new ways to prepare to 'over-stimulating environments'. She said she hoped her opening up about the diagnosis would help contribute to changing the statistic, and that fewer autistic women would be 'hiding in plain sight'. Though not a senior royal, Flora is most definitely part of the elite family circle. For Trooping the Colour 2023, King Charles invited six members of the extended Royal Family to enjoy the flypast from a second balcony situated in the inner quadrangle of Buckingham Palace. One of these guests was Flora, who stood alongside her husband, Swedish financier Timothy Vesterberg, and Lady Gabriella Kingston. The thrice great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, has an impressive set of academic accolades under her belt. She holds a master's degree from The Courtauld Institute of Art, where she recently joined the Campaign Board, a circle of prominent philanthropists and advisors tasked with raising £50million for the transformation of the Somerset House campus. Additionally, she co-chairs the Young Patrons' Circle of the Victoria and Albert Museum, demonstrating her commitment to education. Specialising in modern and contemporary art, Flora lectures at esteemed institutions, including Sotheby's Institute of Art, and brings a distinctive sense of style to her public appearances. Whether delivering a lecture or appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony, Flora proudly represents British designers, from Self-Portrait - a favourite of Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie - to The Deck. In 2020, Flora's royal lineage was underscored by her marriage to Timothy Vesterberg at The Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, the very venue where Queen Victoria wed Prince Albert in 1840. Exactly one year later, the couple staged a more public marriage blessing at the chapel, with a host of royals in attendance. Flora's father, James, is the son of Princess Alexandra and Sir Angus Ogilvy. Born in Edinburgh, she and her younger brother, Alexander, grew up in a 1780s country house on the east coast of Scotland. Flora attended the co-educational Rugby School in Warwickshire, studying English, French and Fine Art at A-level, before graduating with a degree in Art History from the University of Bristol.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Baby joy for the royal family as they announce a princess is pregnant
The Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg has revealed her 'delighted' after announcing that she is expecting a second child. The royal, 34, married Nicolas Bagory in 2023 at Luxembourg Town Hall, before they went on to welcome their first child last May, a daughter named Victorie. Now, the couple have revealed that their family is about to grow even larger after revealing that Princess Alexandra is pregnant. The loved-up pair released a statement via the institution's official Instagram page on Thursday evening. It read: 'Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are delighted to announce that Princess Alexandra and Mr. Nicolas Bagory are expecting their second child. 'The Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, and members of both families share in the joy of their children.' The family also unveiled the timeline of the birth and said that the new infant is expected to be born in the autumn season. In 2011, the Luxembourg Succession Rules were revised to allow women in the line of succession - which added Princess Alexandra along with her future children. The social media post soon racked much excitement for royal fans who commented their best wishes to Alexandra and Nicolas. One wrote: 'Sincere congratulations to the happy parents.' Another penned: 'Congratulations to Princess Alexandra and Mr Bagory,' while many others wished the happy couple congratulations. Alexandra is the daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg. As well as being an active working royal, Princess Alexandra - who is sixth in line to the throne - also works as a professional linguist. Meanwhile, Nicolas, who grew up in Brittany, France, works on social and cultural projects in Paris, where he is based. Up until her 20th birthday, Princess Alexandra was excluded from the line of succession until 2011, when Grand Duke Henri adopted Absolute Primogeniture, meaning that all his descendants could be in line for the throne, regardless of gender. She was nine when her father ascended the throne in 2000 after her grandfather abdicated in his favour. According to her online biography, Alexandra speaks four languages fluently, including Luxembourgian, English, French and Spanish. She can also hold her own in German and Italian. Throughout her studies - which she pursued in the US, France and Ireland - the Luxembourg royal expressed a keen interest in international relations and conflict. She even interned for the United Nations in New York when Luxembourg was one of its non-permanent members. She dedicates her time to volunteering with refugee associations and loves sports, being a keen skier, dancer and tennis player. It comes after Grand Duchess Maria Teresa revealed the reason behind her husband Grand Duke Henri's shock decision to abdicate the Luxembourg throne. The monarch, 70, made the announcement in December during what will now be considered his last ever annual Christmas broadcast, bringing his 24-year reign to an end. His son, Prince Guillaume, 43, will officially take the throne from October - and has already assumed many of his father's duties in recent months. He will be the second European monarch to step down in recent years. In January 2024, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decoded to give up the throne after 52 years, with her son Frederik taking over as King. In an exclusive interview given to HELLO! Magazine at her impressive home in Berg Castle, the Grand Duchess has revealed the real reasons behind the change in plan. She said that, unlike other monarchies, abdication is a tradition in the Luxembourg royal family. "It's a family tradition that goes back to Henri's grandmother, Grand Duchess Charlotte,' the Duchess explained. 'Then his father Jean did the same. What is special and doesn't exist in other monarchies is the transition period we have, which makes things smoother.' In 2000, Grand Duke Henri took to the throne when his father, Grand Duke Jean abdicated. Duchess Maria Teresa added: 'So the abdication isn't something radical. After reigning for 25 years, at our age and with such a well-prepared heir, we're able to pass on the baton and enjoy some rest.' She said that there will be a one-year transition period as the reins are handed over, with the Grand Duke remaining as head of state but delegating some of his powers. In October, the royal couple will retire to the Fischbach Estate to make way for their heirs, Prince Guillaume and Princess Stephanie. The Duchess herself, who has been married to the Duke for 44 years, grew up in Cuba but was forced to flee due to the Castro revolution in 1959. The couple share five children: Guillaume, Felix, Louis, Alexandra and Sebastien. Unlike other monarchies, Luxembourg is helmed by a Grand Duke, rather than a king or queen. The current house is Nassau-Weilburg, dating back to a family pact in 1783. During the broadcast in December, the outgoing Grand Duke said he was 'proud' to have served his country for a quarter of a century. He said: 'It has been a period during which Luxembourg has undergone great changes, and I am proud to have been able to, together with the Grand Duchess, walk this path with you.' While explaining that 'the Grand Duke is above political parties and does not interfere in political debates,' he said, 'nothing prevents me from speaking out when the fundamental interests of the country and its citizens are at stake.' He continued: 'This is what I have strived to do over the past 25 years, paying particular attention from the outset to the diversity of our population, the need for coexistence, and sustainability in all areas of our society, so that we can leave our children a healthier country.' Henri had hinted at stepping down in June this year when he announced his son would become Lieutenant-Representant. After the announcement, the Grand Duke appeared very moved and kissed his son whilst the room applauded. According to the official Palace website, 'designation of the Lieutenant-Representative traditionally occurs in the process of change of reign'. 'This is the beginning of a next chapter for our monarchy,' Luxembourg's Prime Minister Luc Frieden told local media at the time. While the move over the summer on the country's National Day came as a shock to the public, Frieden said it had been mulled behind closed doors for a while. 'We have been talking about it for some time, and I think that on the national holiday it was the right moment, because the Grand Duke is the symbol of our nation,' he said. Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign. Following his birthday last year, he admitted that he 'intends to retire at some point' in an interview with French publication La Libre. 'All this is planned in family consultation. I find that it is very important to give young people a perspective.' 'There are plans, it will happen,' the Grand Duke continued. Last year, Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. In a statement revealing the news, the former Danish monarch said: 'I have decided that now is the right time. 'The 14th January 2024 - 52 years after I followed my beloved father - I will step back as the Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son the Crown Prince Frederik.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'We need £70m to maintain Harlow's hospital,' says chief executive
The boss of one of Essex's main NHS hospitals has said it needed "an additional £70m over the next 10 years" to maintain "key services that are deteriorating".Thom Lafferty, chief executive of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow said there was "an urgent need" for emergency capital is due to have a new hospital built from 2032 and it is expected to take another five years before it is ready to receive Department of Health and Social Care said "we have put the New Hospital Programme on a sustainable and realistic footing". The BBC was given access to Princess Alexandra to see how the 70-year-old estate and its buildings a warm, sunny day in May, A&E was full. The four resuscitation bays were full all morning. There were patients waiting on trollies in the corridor. Phillip Clarke needed paramedics to help his grandson get him off the floor after he had had a fall. The 71-year-old from Harlow is matter-of-fact about waiting on a trolley in a corridor: "It's one of them things you've got to do. It's just my arthritis killing me".There are works under way to open more bays next to the emergency Princess Alexandra received emergency capital funding, money would go to maternity services which Mr Lafferty said was "really struggling"."We had maternity theatres closed a couple of weeks that severely impacted our operational services. The basics like even maternity toilets have been out of use a lot because of a historic drainage issue," he said. Walking through the corridors of the emergency department, the hospital's chief operating officer Stephanie Lawton said the size of the hospital was having an impact."Our space is really constrained. It was built many years ago for a smaller population; the population has grown and increased the demand on our services," she said. "Our number of cubicles hasn't really changed over many years but yet our volume of patients has increased." The A&E was designed for 250 patients a day but often more than 450 come through the doors at Princess Alexandra. About 60% of patients come from Essex and 40% from Hertfordshire. There are parts of the hospital no longer in use. Hardev Sagoo, who maintains the 70-year-old hospital estate, said: "There are at least two operating theatres that have been out of action for a number of years because we don't have the funds to bring them up to standard."In the bowels of the hospital there are three sewage leaks a week where a lot of the pipe work and electrics date back to the 1960s. Mr Sagoo said the hospital's "life has expired". Plans for the new Princess Alexandra Hospital include single rooms with en suites. Presently, on Fleming Ward there are two bathrooms for 27 patients."It's a bit difficult when you want to go to the loo because there aren't many toilets," said Helen Puckett, 68, from is likely to be in hospital for about month to have a valve replaced in her heart."There's a shower that is freezing old. There is a shower that is nice and warm, but obviously everyone wants to get in there," she hospital said its existing funding and income comprises:a £50m annual "core allocation" for its "business as usual" capital programme£450m revenue this year from the NHS to treat patientsMr Lafferty said the extra £70m would "make sure our hospital services are functional".A DHSC spokesperson said "over £1bn has been set aside to make inroads into the backlog of critical maintenance and repairs, safety and upgrades across the NHS estate". The government said "hospitals including Princess Alexandra will receive funding when necessary" but did not comment on the specific request for £70m. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
05-05-2025
- Wales Online
The jaw-dropping hiking and biking trails around the UK's tallest dam you've probably never heard of
The jaw-dropping hiking and biking trails around the UK's tallest dam you've probably never heard of The rugged Welsh routes will even take you past an I'm A Celebrity landmark Located in the wilds of Carmarthenshire, Llyn Brianne Reservoir is one of Wales' best-kept secrets (Image: Getty ) Located in the wilds of Carmarthenshire, Llyn Brianne Reservoir is one of Wales' best-kept secrets. You might not realise it, but this dramatic stone-built dam is the tallest in the UK, soaring 91 metres (300 ft) above the River Tywi. Holding a staggering 64 million cubic metres of water at nearly 300 metres (990 ft) above sea level is an impressive engineering feat. But it's not just for show; this lesser-known scenic spot is brilliant for hiking, biking, and sweeping views. Expect a towering spillway, forest trails, and big skies, a real adventure spot without the crowds. Here's what you need to know. The main way to access the dam and surrounding routes is by car, as it's a scenic 11-mile drive from the market town of Llandovery through a rugged river landscape. This scenic dam regulates the River Tywi in the Cambrian Mountains and is believed to be the tallest of its type in Europe and the highest in Britain. A hydroelectric power station was also added 25 years after the dam was completed. Construction began in October 1968, and the dam was constructed from crushed rock, larger rock and clay, with all of the natural materials having been obtained in the local area. Article continues below In October 1972, the first water was released into the river and on the 15th May 1973, Princess Alexandra officially opened the scheme. Today, visitors can hike, bike around the dam and reservoir, or picnic at the viewing points and capture fantastic photos of the water racing down the spillway. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Hiking and Biking around the Llyn Brianne Reservoir Llyn Brianne Dam and Reservoir (Image: Dafydd Wyn Morgan ) If you want a big biking adventure, then the Llyn Brianne route offers 58 miles of challenging cycling through wild Welsh landscapes that are sparsely populated. There are remote single-track mountain lanes around the reservoir, and you can bike or hike in short sections. Pick up cakes and snacks from La Patisserie (Image: Portia Jones ) If you are attempting the entire route, the starting point is the charming market town of Llandovery. Before you start your epic biking adventure, you can pick up a selection of picnic items from La Patisserie in the centre of Llandovery. Here you can grab fresh bread, pies and sweet treats for a swish picnic by the dam. Fancy a big breakfast? The West End Café is an institution in Llandovery. It is nothing super fancy; it has just big portions, friendly service, and plenty of bikers and walkers swapping tips over massive fry-ups. The Llyn Brianne route offers 58 miles of challenging cycling through wild Welsh landscapes (Image: Dafydd Wyn Morgan ) Once you've filled up, head north on quieter roads from the start and into the upper Towy Valley, tracing the route of the winding river as it heads upstream. Although the peaceful roads are hilly from the beginning, the first 10km is frankly easy compared to what comes later, and it is after the town of Rhandirmwyn. Shortly after, the gradient becomes more constant, gaining height as the road climbs towards the Llyn Brianne reservoir and dam. It's worth biking up to see the dam and slipway in all its splendour and to stop for a rest and grab something to eat. Be aware that there is little in the way of facilities on this biking route, so you'll need to bring everything with you. Take a moment to watch the overflowing stream of water tumble downhill on the slipway, and take a few snaps to document your adventure. This area of Wales is very wild and sparsely populated (Image: Portia Jones ) This area of Wales is very wild and sparsely populated, with just a handful of farms and houses between Rhandirmwyn and the next town of Tregaron. A few features along the route include Britain's most remote red phone box, featured in the I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here! Promo when the series was filmed in Wales. In the 40-second teaser, presenters Ant and Dec stumble across this iconic red phone box while lost in the Welsh countryside. A few features along the route include Britain's most remote red phone box, featured in the I'm A Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here! Promo when the series was filmed in Wales. (Image: Portia Jones ) You can also visit Soar-y-Mynydd Chapel on this biking route, the most isolated chapel in Wales. It's an understated, whitewashed church built in 1822 to serve a hugely scattered congregation of farmers. Strolling around this spiritual area, you might imagine the chapel was long abandoned, but guest preachers actually come from all over Wales to conduct services in Welsh. You can also visit Soar-y-Mynydd Chapel on this biking route, the most isolated chapel in Wales. (Image: Portia Jones ) From Tregaron, the route heads West and tracks another Welsh river, the Teifi, one of the longest rivers in Wales. The road that tracks the river is undulating and is an easier ride than the roads that came before. As you cycle on, you'll make your way towards the town of Pumpsaint and then continue to Llandovery, the endpoint of this loop trail. Llyn Brianne Dam and Reservoir routes The impressive spillway (Image: Portia Jones ) One of the most challenging routes in the area is a 15-mile circular trail around the dam and reservoir that you can follow on the All Trails app. It's a big stomp around the three-hundred-metre-long reservoir, which provides water to a large part of South Wales, including Swansea, Neath, and the western edges of Cardiff. This undulating route takes an average of seven and a half hours as you trek on a long loop through the forests and fields around the reservoir. It is a fairly long day out, so bringing snacks and water is essential. The 6.5-mile Llyn Brianne and Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve Circular is a shorter walk along the banks of Llyn Brianne in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains, leading you around the hills and through the RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas. You'll walk a mix of tracks and quiet roads heading toward the Gwenffrwd-Dinas Nature Reserve, a beautiful alder and oak woodland that is carpeted in bluebells in spring and rich in wildlife and birdlife. Article continues below
