Latest news with #QueenElizabeth
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Gifts fit for a King! The astonishing presents given to the Royal Family are revealed – from a £340,000 Rolls-Royce for Charles and platinum and diamond brooches for Elizabeth II – but they're not all glamorous
What do you give the family who has everything? Well, in the case of the late Queen Elizabeth, at least two platinum and diamond brooches to celebrate her landmark 2022 jubilee. And for her new heir, King Charles? How about a Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, which starts at a mere £340,000? Those are some of the more eye-popping items included in the royal 'gift lists' released by Buckingham Palace yesterday, albeit amid hundreds of far more mundane items like baseball caps, socks, books and a model of a slurry tanker. Royal aides have been obliged to keep a log of every item given to senior royals in the course of their duties since the 1990s, following a string of scandals over the disposal- and even selling-on for profit - of often expensive offerings. Details of the gift lists are normally given out annually but have been delayed in recent years by the pandemic, followed by a series of 'extraordinary' events including the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee and death in 2022, followed by the King's accession, coronation and cancer diagnosis. However they have now been issued for the years 2020-2023 and make for fascinating reading. Many of the hundreds of entries are from well-wishers and members of the public offering inexpensive but heartfelt gifts on public walkabouts or official visits - ranging from bottles of whisky and gin, to jars of honey and wooly hats. Poignantly, they even go back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth who would have no doubt been delighted to receive six dog jackets of varying sizes from the Australia Royal Air Force to mark its centenary in 2021. More unusually that year she also received a NASA face mask - although it may still have been useful towards the latter stages of the pandemic - and gifts of a Tiffany sterling silver box and a floral brooch from President Biden over tea at Windsor Castle. The following year - 2022 - was her historic Platinum Jubilee when, understandably, well-wishers great and small were keen to pass on their regards for the 70 years in the throne. There were personalised pony blankets from the President of Switzerland, as well as diamond and platinum brooches from the Goldsmiths' Company and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Even President Xi Jinping of China felt sufficiently moved to send her an array of gifts including a wine vessel enshrined with Chinese motifs representing royalty and good fortune. One also has to wonder whether Her Late Majesty ever got round to drinking her 'Coronation Street gin', handed to her during a tour of the famous TV street. It should be noted that very few of these items would be considered her personal property. Instead they go into the Royal Collection, the unparalleled collection of historic and often priceless arts, antiques and artefacts held in trust by the sovereign on behalf of the nation. They cannot be sold, profited from or disposed of. One of the most eye-catching entries included in the list is the Rolls Royce Cullinan II car given to him by his good friend and fellow ruler, the King of Bahrain (the two pictured together November 11, 2024) The following year marked King Charles' coronation and again the gifts flooded in - there are more than 260 entries for that year alone. The most eye-catching undoubtedly is the Rolls Royce Cullinan II car given to him by his good friend and fellow ruler, the King of Bahrain. It is important, again, to note that this is not considered the King's personal property and, palace aides confirm, has gone into the 'Royal Fleet', housed at the Royal Mews in London. It will be used on official occasions. Appropriately given the King's love of horticulture and farming there were several dozen trees, plants and bushes from various well-wishers, which would have been planted on the royal estates. Indeed, the King and Queen belatedly planted one, a tree from the King of Sweden, in the grounds at Windsor just last month. He and the Queen also received 'his and her fragrances' from J Floris Ltd, plus matching walking boots personalised with their respective royal cyphers from the President of Hungry - an absolutely genius gift, it has to be said. Buckingham Palace would never be so crass to calculate the value of any particular item and some are classed rather coyly to minimise speculation such as the 'gentleman's wristwatch' received from the President of the Republic of Korea. It's fair to say it is unlikely to be Ratner's. Princess Anne received some corkers including a model of a 'slurry tanker' and five mouth-guards, along with lots of rugby balls, tartan, edible goods - and 51 acorns. The then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - William and Catherine - received a snorkel set, wetsuit, pair of diving fins and a swimming cap on their official tour of the Caribbean in 2022, along with a model boat which they proudly posed aside in the Bahamas. They have also received, over the last few years, hundreds of gifts for their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, including cuddly toys, t-shirts, rugby shirts and books. According to internal guidelines, members of the Royal Family are permitted to accept any gifts they are given in the course of royal duties. Indeed when it comes to fellow heads of state or official ambassadors, the giving and receiving of gifts is an important part of official protocol. They are not considered the personal property of the member of the Royal Family who receives them but may be held by the sovereign in right of the crown or designated in due course as part of the Royal Collection, the rules state. It is understood that there are huge stores of these treasures at both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle According to internal guidelines, members of the Royal Family are permitted to accept any gifts they are given in the course of royal duties but items like flowers are often donated to local hospitals, hospices and care homes. Royals can eat any food given, while perishable gifts with a value of less than £150 can be given to charity or staff. Some items such flowers are regularly donated to local hospitals, hospices and care homes. Sources told the Mail on Thursday that the existing 2003 guidelines are likely to be updated in the near future in a bid to encourage sustainability. This may include allowing smaller, inexpensive unofficial gifts to be donated to worthy causes, where appropriate.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Amid 51st state taunts, King's popularity in Canada grows
King Charles is enjoying a popularity boost and there is considerably more support for maintaining Canada's ties to the Crown now than when he assumed the throne, according to public opinion polls released this week around his two-day visit to deliver a historic throne speech. After the long-reigning and hugely popular Queen Elizabeth died in 2022, there was talk across the Commonwealth realms, including in Canada, about whether it was time to do away with the Crown and embrace republicanism. The U.K.-based Lord Ashcroft firm released a poll ahead of Charles's coronation showing particularly dire levels of support for the monarchy in Canada, finding this country ranked close to last among the 15 countries that have the King as their head of state. At the time, just 23 per cent of the 2,020 Canadian respondents surveyed as part of that poll said they would vote to keep the Crown if there was a referendum, Lord Ashcroft found. The picture has changed dramatically in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's 51st state taunts and sovereignty threats, which has prompted a revival of national pride and newfound affinity for Canadian institutions and symbols, polls suggest. Also, some people here have gotten to know Charles better and they like what they see, pollsters say. Polling firm Pollara surveyed some 3,400 Canadians between May 20 and 24 and found Charles's popularity in Canada has risen substantially since the last time the firm polled on the issue in 2022, with the number of people holding a positive view of the sovereign up some seven percentage points to 44 per cent and those with a negative view down 10 points to 23 per cent. That growth in personal popularity has fuelled support for Canada remaining a constitutional monarchy, Pollara found, with more respondents saying they want the country to keep the Crown (45 per cent) compared to the number who say they want it gone (39 per cent) — a reversal from the last poll the firm did when a plurality of people reported they want to cut ties. In an interview with CBC News, Dan Arnold, the chief strategy officer at Pollara, said there has been a "statistically significant" increase in support for Charles and maintaining the Crown in Canada. "Canadians are feeling better about the Crown and I would speculate that's probably because they're looking for a little bit of stability in a world that feels unstable right now. And there's nothing more stable than an institution that's been around for multiple centuries," Arnold said. "This is, to some extent, seen as an institution that gives us something in this fight with Trump." He noted that while his numbers still aren't as high as his mother's were, "we see a clear increase in terms of the people who feel good about him and a sharp decline in his negatives." Arnold says Charles's performance as King is part of the reason why. "Charles came to power at a time when there was a lot of controversy around him — anybody who's watched The Crown or followed the news for the last 30 years knows all about that — and he's been able to put some of that behind him or at least tamp it down a bit during his time on the throne," Arnold said, adding Charles's cancer battle may also have prompted some sympathy. An Ipsos poll, also released this week, found 66 per cent of the 1,000 people it surveyed in May say Canada's relationship with the monarchy is useful because it sets us apart from our neighbours to the south who live in a presidential republic — up from 54 per cent who said the same in April 2023. Sixty-five per cent of the Ipsos respondents said the monarchy is an important part of Canada's heritage, up from 58 per cent two years ago. There's also been a drop in respondents who say Canada should cut ties to the Crown, falling from a high of 60 per cent in January 2020 to 46 per cent now — a result roughly in line with what Pollara found. And it's not just polls that suggest Charles is enjoying a better standing in Canada — the monarch drew sizeable crowds throughout Ottawa on his tour with Queen Camilla this week. The turnout was stronger than what greeted him on his 2022 visit, when he came as the Prince of Wales. Thousands of cheering spectators snaked through the parliamentary precinct to catch a glimpse of Charles in the royal landau ahead of his speech, a warm reception that appeared to prompt some emotion from the sovereign. "Royals don't normally 'do' emotion, at least they do their very best to hide whatever feeling they have. But for some reason, King Charles seemed unable to do that on this occasion at the end of a short, but highly significant, visit," British broadcaster ITV noted in its coverage of the speech. "It was the warmest of welcomes and the fondest of returns to a nation and a people we love," Charles and Camilla themselves said in a joint statement released after their visit. John Fraser, the founding president of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada, said he doesn't pay much attention to polls — support for the monarchy can go up and down depending on what's going on in the news. But Fraser said it is evident that more people are rallying around the Crown now than they were just a few years ago. "Mr. Chrétien was on to something when he said we should give the Order of Canada to Trump," Fraser said in an interview referring to the former prime minister's quip, adding that the Trump factor has breathed new life into many Canadian institutions, not just the monarchy. "The president may well have given the Crown in Canada a leg up," he said. WATCH | Charles on the True North 'strong and free': 'The true north is, indeed, strong and free,' says King Charles in throne speech 3 days ago Duration 1:32 King Charles received a long round of applause on Tuesday in the Senate as he cited Canada's national anthem, saying the song reminds us, 'the true north is, indeed, strong and free.' Charles's Canadian sovereignty talk in the throne speech this week — and his pledge that the country is "indeed" the True North "strong and free" — also likely gave the Crown's standing a boost, Fraser said, especially among people who were clamouring to see the head of state say something as the country faces Trump's annexationist musings. "I thought he handled himself impeccably," he said. "This throne speech really cemented Charles's role in Canada," added Robert Finch, the chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada. "I've always said the real threat against the monarchy isn't republicanism per se but apathy. Well, after this week, there's a real sense of renewed interest in this institution." He said republicans were counting on an unpopular King Charles to sever Canada's ties to the monarchy. "I just don't think that's going to present itself now," Finch said. "There are certain moments in history that can make or break something and I think this particular tour, in some part due to the timing and the Trump factor, helped make King Charles's position in Canada secure and for that I'm very grateful." Still, some chafed at the idea of Charles taking a stand for Canada in the face of Trump.
CBC
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Flashback: A taste of American pie
A taste of American pie Singer/songwriter Don McLean 2 days ago Duration 1:33 A music hall in Prince Edward Island has pioneered a genre that uses "pop songs as a vehicle for historical storytelling," freelancer Hillary LeBlanc wrote for CBC Arts last week. Co-owner Mike Ross calls the format a "docu-concert." Ross and company are about to debut a work that delves into Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and LeBlanc says their first docu-concert included "a line-by-line breakdown" of the 1971 Don McLean song American Pie. When he was a guest on the CBC concert series Sounds Good in 1976, McLean ended the show with a performance of that song. In an interview during the program, McLean said most of his work had "some root in my own experience." A part of our heritage Queen Elizabeth drops puck at hockey game in 2002 2 days ago Duration 0:29 There were two days of "pomp and ceremony" across Ottawa fora visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla this week, according to CBC News. Among his other duties, Charles launched a street hockey demonstration with a "ceremonial puck drop." When visiting Canada in 2002, Queen Elizabeth appeared to be pleased to drop the puck at a National Hockey League match in Vancouver. Wayne Gretzky, who had recently retired from playing in the NHL, was there beside her. "Every country's different and we grew up in this one with the Royal Family as part of our heritage," said Gretzky in reply to an American reporter's question at a press conference after the ceremony, according to a Globe and Mail account. Into the twilight zone Role-playing group brings fantasy to life in 1985 2 days ago Duration 3:41 The Fantasy Field Trip Society in Halifax shows a CBC reporter a campaign in live-action role playing. A British man wore a Super Mario costume while running a marathon in Copenhagen this month. According to Canadian Running magazine, he set a Guinness World Record "for the fastest marathon dressed as a video game character." In 1985, a Halifax group calling itself the Fantasy Field Trip Society also put on costumes to evoke fictional figures. A CBC crew followed members through a live-action role-playing scenario drawn from a science fiction novel as a games master (who doubled as a wizard) sent them to "the twilight realm" to seek a magic sword. "It's a lot of fun to get dressed up and see what your imagination will let you do," said a participant, whose role as a 'fire and ice sister' was to confuse the seekers. She said her day job was as a clerk for the federal government. A bigger boat fleet Clothing-optional beach at Hanlan's Point officially approved in Toronto 2 days ago Duration 2:03 In a debate with a few dissenters, Toronto's city council agrees to make clothing optional on a city beach that must be reached by ferry. Aired May 12, 1999 with reporter Adam Vaughan. Toronto city council has approved the purchase of two new electric ferries, said a report last week from CBC News. In 1999, CBC reporter Adam Vaughan said the city might need extra boats after a vote to make a Toronto Island beach clothing-optional. Ice dream The Minnesota Frost have beaten the Ottawa Charge to win the Professional Women's Hockey League championship, reports the Associated Press. Back in 1987, CBC reported on what it said was the first international women's international hockey tournament. Out with outports Resettlement in Newfoundland: is it good for the people? 56 years ago Duration 23:29 When Take 30 goes to Newfoundland to ask former Placentia Bay outport residents if the move to Arnold's Cove was a good one, the responses vary widely. Last week CBC News reported on the town of Tilt Cove, N.L., whose four residents will soon be relocating to a town on the same coastline. In 1969, the CBC show Take 30 examined outport resettlement in the province, calling it "migration on a vast scale." The bird is the word Starting later this year, new episodes of Sesame Street and "select past episodes" will run on Netflix in addition to PBS, the Associated Press has reported. There was a familiar feathered face out of context in 1985 when Big Bird was on CBC's Midday.
NHK
4 days ago
- Business
- NHK
British King Charles gives speech to open Canada's parliament as head of state
Britain's King Charles has opened Canada's new session of parliament as the country's head of state, saying the government will protect Canadians and their sovereign rights "from wherever challenges may come at home or abroad." His speech follows repeated claims from US President Donald Trump that Canada should become the 51st US state. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the king to open the new parliament in his first visit since his coronation. The king was greeted by a 21-gun salute as he arrived at the parliament building in the capital Ottawa on Tuesday. In his speech, the king said, "The Crown has for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada. It also represents stability and continuity from the past to the present." He said Canada now faces a critical moment in which the government is determined to protect values such as democracy and the rule of law. The speech noted that the government is prioritizing the economy and security. Carney said the king's visit "clearly underscores the sovereignty of our country." Canada's public broadcaster CBC said this was the first address to parliament by a British monarch since Queen Elizabeth's in 1977.
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
5 key messages in King Charles's speech from the throne
Social Sharing King Charles began and concluded the throne speech in Ottawa on Tuesday with references to his mother Queen Elizabeth's longstanding relationship with this country, while highlighting the challenges Canada faces from its southern neighbour and how the Liberal government plans to address them. The speech, which was written by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government but presented by the Sovereign, is normally a routine affair in Canada. But after the annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in recent months, it took on an added political significance. The King's presence in the Senate, by itself, reminded the White House that Canada is not an American state in waiting, with an identical form of government. It highlighted Canada's distinct identity, culture, history and traditions of governance. The content of the speech, meanwhile, attempted to show that Canada is prepared to carve out its place in the Trump era. Here are five key moments from the throne speech. The Queen and Canada The speech started with Charles harking back to when Queen Elizabeth was the first monarch to read a Canadian throne speech nearly 70 years ago. "When my dear late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, opened a new Canadian Parliament in 1957, the Second World War remained a fresh, painful memory," the King read Tuesday. "The Cold War was intensifying. Freedom and democracy were under threat. Canada was emerging as a growing economic power and a force for peace in the world." Watch | Charles reflects on his mother: King Charles reflects on his mother and a changing world 3 hours ago Duration 1:06 Painting a picture of contrast between the U.S. and Canada, Charles noted that the monarchy has "for so long been a symbol of unity for Canada," saying that the Crown "represents stability and continuity from the past to the present." Once again referencing his mother, Charles said she believed that "no nation could live unto itself." "It is a source of great pride that, in the following decades, Canada has continued to set an example to the world in her conduct and values, as a force for good," he said. Threats to economy, democracy While referencing the challenges Canada has overcome since Elizabeth's 1957 visit, Charles said new hurdles were now presenting themselves. "Today, Canada faces another critical moment," The King said. "Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear, and ones which the government is determined to protect." "The system of open global trade that, while not perfect, has helped to deliver prosperity for Canadians for decades, is changing," The King added. "Canada's relationships with partners are also changing." Watch | Canada is 'strong and free': 'The true north is, indeed, strong and free,' says King Charles in throne speech 2 hours ago Duration 1:32 King Charles received a long round of applause on Tuesday in the Senate as he cited Canada's national anthem, saying the song reminds us, 'the true north is, indeed, strong and free.' Trump's recent suggestions that Canada should join the U.S. — and that he is willing to wage economic war to make that happen — inspired Charles's trip to Canada. One of the last lines in the speech was clearly a reference to Trump's comments. "As the anthem reminds us: The True North is indeed strong and free," he said, garnering widespread applause. Ready to lead on trade, defence As the U.S. continues to threaten Canada's economic health and future with tariffs, the speech affirmed Carney's campaign promises that he would forge deeper trading relationships with nations that value free trade. "Canada is ready to build a coalition of nations that share these values — that believe in international co-operation and the free exchange of goods, services and ideas," Charles said. "In this new, rapidly evolving world, Canada will lead the way. This will be demonstrated as early as June, when Canada chairs the G7 summit." The speech noted that Canada and the U.S. "have begun defining a new economic and security relationship" and that Canada is committed to rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. It said Canada "will boost Canada's military industry by participating in the 'ReArm Europe' plan, thereby contributing, with European partners, to transatlantic security." Nods to Indigenous and Quebec culture The U.S. president often refers to the border with Canada as an "artificial line" that divides people who are similar enough to be as American as Canadian. The speech pushed back against that narrative, noting that "The French language and Quebec culture are at the heart of Canadian identity. They defined the country that Canadians and I love so much." The speech goes on to say that the Liberal government is committed to protecting Canadian culture by supporting CBC/Radio-Canada. The King also made a point in his opening to acknowledge Indigenous people in Canada as a founding people of the modern state. "It is my great hope that in each of your communities, and collectively as a country, a path is found toward truth and reconciliation, in both word and deed," he said. Hitting a number of campaign promises The speech from the throne usually flags the policies a government will prioritize in the coming session of Parliament and this speech from the throne was no different in that regard. Carney's election platform promises that made it into the speech included: Cutting income taxes, development fees and the GST on homes under $1 million. Introducing legislation to eliminate federal barriers to internal trade by Canada Day. Reducing natural resource project approval time from five years to two. Boosting housing by supporting prefabricated modular home construction. Increasing security at the border with additional staff and powers. Reforming the bail system to target repeat offenders. Creating new national parks and protecting marine areas. Limiting immigration and temporary foreign workers to rebalance the immigration system. WATCH | King Charles's full speech: FULL SPEECH | King Charles delivers speech from the throne 2 hours ago Duration 28:24 King Charles, speaking from the Senate chamber on Tuesday, delivered a speech from the throne that acknowledged the worry that comes with a 'drastically changing world' — including a changing relationship between Canada and the U.S. But the speech also looked forward, pointing to government plans to increase affordability, take on major projects and build a strong economy that 'serves everyone.'
