Latest news with #Sandringham

News.com.au
a day ago
- General
- News.com.au
King Charles faces calling off royal home tradition
King Charles has reportedly come out all guns blazing over his royal estate is running out of pheasants to shoot. The monarch, 76, was said to be livid over a series of blunders that left the game bird numbers dwindling at Sandringham, The Sun reports. Charles even faces calling off his annual Boxing Day shoot — and a long-serving gamekeeper at the Norfolk estate has been given the boot. 'It was a total cock-up. No birds, no bang, just red faces,' a source told The Sun. 'The King wasn't having it.' Insane amount Meghan, Harry pay staff Sandringham is one of the few remaining wild shoots in the country, meaning the game is reared where it is shot. Charles, who backs traditional countryside practices, has been reluctant to release birds from breeders to get numbers up. But maintaining a more eco-friendly wild shoot has proved challenging, leaving pheasant numbers in decline. There are now fears royals will be left twiddling their trigger fingers on Boxing Day as the annual shoot — a firm family favourite — is in doubt. The occasion is seen as a rare chance for family bonding, despite protests from animal rights campaigners who particularly dislike children taking part. The ousted keeper, who ran the estate's game for years, has been shown the door. 'Let's just say he's well and truly plucked off,' the source said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles Is "Livid" and "Devastated" That a Controversial Boxing Day Tradition Might Be Canceled
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. King Charles is reportedly upset that one of his favorite Christmas traditions might be coming to an end. The Royal Family famously spends the holiday season at Sandringham, which recently encountered a security threat on account of unidentified drones. Even though Charles's relatives are likely returning to Sandringham for Christmas in 2025, one important tradition might be canceled, for good. According to The Sun, King Charles has been "livid" as the Sandringham Boxing Day hunt might be called off, as "his royal estate is running out of pheasants to shoot." As reported by the outlet, "a series of blunders" occurred, which "left the game bird numbers dwindling at Sandringham." A source with knowledge of the situation reportedly told the outlet, "No birds, no bang, just red King wasn't having it." Elaborating on the seriousness of the situation, The Sun explained, "[Charles] even faces calling off his annual Boxing Day shoot—and a long-serving gamekeeper at the Norfolk estate has been [fired]." The Royal Family's history of hunting is well documented. It has long been speculated that Prince George will go hunting with his father, Prince William, as a rite of passage. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton reportedly "put her foot down" when it came to her kids—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis— taking part in the Royal Family's "blooding" tradition. Prince Harry wrote about the gruesome tradition in his memoir Spare, sharing his experience of being taken hunting in Balmoral when he turned 15. In his visceral account, Harry alleged that his hunting guide took the "blooding" tradition too far, and pushed the young royal's head inside an animal carcass. "I was shocked by his insane strength," Harry wrote in Spare, via Hello! magazine. "And by the infernal smell. My breakfast jumped up from my stomach." As for why the Royal Family continues to partake in their annual Boxing Day hunt, The Sun wrote, "The occasion is seen as a rare chance for family bonding, despite protests from animal rights campaigners who particularly dislike children taking part."


Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
King Charles beams as he waves at royal fans on the way to church in Sandringham
King Charles was seen smiling and waving at royal fans this morning as he made his way to church in Sandringham. The monarch, 76, was being driven to St Mary Magdalene Church for the Sunday morning service when he made the warm gesture. Pictured in the backseat of a blue vehicle, Charles, who is often accompanied at church by Queen Camilla, 77, appeared to be attending the service alone today. The King looked typically smart in a suit and tie as he waved and beamed at those gathered nearby. The royal couple last week visited Ottawa, Canada, where Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February of last year, addressed the country's parliament. In the speech, delivered from a throne made of wood from a Windsor oak, the King declared the nation 'strong and free'. Charles, who was introduced to Parliament as The King of Canada, spoke of his 'deep pride and pleasure' at witnessing 'Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope'. Charles's appearance this morning comes after The Mail on Sunday reported that Prince Harry, 40, sought advice from Princess Diana's brother about changing his family name to Spencer. Sources said the Duke of Sussex actively explored ways to assume his mother's surname – a move that would have involved ditching Mountbatten-Windsor, used by his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It is understood he discussed the issue with Earl Spencer – whose family seat is Althorp in Northamptonshire – during a rare visit to Britain, but was told that the legal hurdles were insurmountable. 'They had a very amicable conversation and Spencer advised him against taking such a step,' said a friend of Harry. Nevertheless, the fact that he consulted the Earl over the issue – a proposal that would dismay his brother and father – is a vivid expression of the toxic rift with his family. Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname available to descendants of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It combines the Royal Family 's name of Windsor and the Duke of Edinburgh 's adopted surname. On their birth certificates, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children are Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Royal author Tom Bower has claimed that 'Meghan decided her real object in life was to be Diana'. If the name change had succeeded, Meghan's daughter, who is believed to have met the King only once, would have become Lilibet Diana Spencer, a more fulsome tribute to Harry's late mother. The move would be particularly hurtful to King Charles, who cherishes the Mountbatten name just as his father did. A mentor to Prince Philip, the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was also a strong influence on his great-nephew, the future King Charles. Philip adopted the Mountbatten name when he became a naturalised British subject and renounced his Greek and Danish royal title in 1947. The Queen and Philip decided in 1960 that they would like their own direct descendants to be known as Mountbatten-Windsor. According to the Government, you do not have to follow a legal process to start using a new name, but it suggests on its official website using a 'deed poll' to apply for or to change official documents such as a passport or driving licence. Names and titles are a highly sensitive subject for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. They were given their Sussex titles by Queen Elizabeth on the day of their wedding in 2018. Meghan recently insisted her surname is Sussex, correcting a guest on her Netflix cookery and lifestyle programme. In episode two of With Love, Meghan, which was released in March, the 43-year-old former actress was joined by comedienne Mindy Kaling. Meghan told her: 'It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle' – you know I'm Sussex now.' As Ms Kaling looked confused, the duchess, who has visited the county of Sussex only once, continued: 'You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'. 'I didn't know how meaningful it would be to me but it just means so much to go 'This is OUR family name. Our little family name.' ' The Sussexes used the title princess for their daughter, Lilibet, for the first time after her christening in California was announced in 2023. A spokesman for the couple said: 'The children's titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.' The children were subsequently officially named as prince and princess on the Royal Family's official website. Archie, now aged six, and Lilibet, who turns four on Wednesday, were named as the Prince and Princess of Sussex on the line of succession page of the official Royal Family website. They are sixth and seventh in line to the throne. Previously they were listed as Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor. The rules governing the titles of royal children were set out by George V – Queen Elizabeth's grandfather – in 1917. Archie and Lilibet were not prince and princess at birth, because they were not grandchildren of the monarch, but they gained the right to these titles when King Charles acceded to the throne. During the Sussexes' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan suggested to the American chat-show host that Archie had been denied his birthright of the title 'prince' by the Palace and that the decision went against protocol. She spoke of her shock at being told he would not get police protection because he did not have a title, and suggested that the decision was taken because of his mixed race. 'It's not their right to take away,' Meghan said. Asked by Ms Winfrey, 'Do you think it's because of his race?', the duchess replied: 'In those months when I was pregnant, all around this same time, so we [had] the conversation of he won't be given security, he's not going to be given a title. And, also, concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born.' At the time the claims caused shock and bewilderment at Buckingham Palace, with the late Queen subsequently publishing a statement including the memorable phrase, 'some recollections may vary'.


The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
King Charles ‘livid' as Sandringham is running out of pheasants to shoot and faces calling off annual Boxing Day shoot
THE King has come out all guns blazing — because his royal estate is running out of pheasants to shoot. Charles, 76, was said to be livid over a series of blunders that left the game bird numbers dwindling at Sandringham. 5 He even faces calling off his annual Boxing Day shoot — and a long-serving gamekeeper at the Norfolk estate has been given the boot. A source said: 'It was a total cock-up. No birds, no bang, just red faces. "The King wasn't having it.' Sandringham is one of the few remaining wild shoots in the country, meaning the game is reared where it is shot. The King, who backs traditional countryside practices, has been reluctant to release birds from breeders to get numbers up. But maintaining a more eco-friendly wild shoot has proved challenging, leaving pheasant numbers in decline. There are now fears royals will be left twiddling their trigger fingers on Boxing Day as the annual shoot — a firm family favourite — is in doubt. The occasion is seen as a rare chance for family bonding, despite protests from animal rights campaigners who particularly dislike children taking part. The ousted keeper, who ran the estate's game for years, has been shown the door. Our source said: 'Let's just say he's well and truly plucked off.' King Charles lands in Canada for landmark state visit Buckingham Palace declined to comment. 5 5 5

News.com.au
26-05-2025
- News.com.au
King Charles turns royal retreat into $13k-a-week holiday home
King Charles has turned a royal retreat at Sandringham into a posh £6,300 ($A13,000)-a-week holiday home open to all. According to The Sun, the British monarch refurbished the three-bed Victorian house The Folly. Once the love-nest of Edward VII and his mistress Lillie Langtry, the property is said to feature royal artefacts, to be fitted out 'to the highest standard' and blending 'timeless heritage with refined, contemporary comfort', can sleep up to six. Located on the private woodland of the estate in Norfolk, holiday-makers can now follow in the footsteps of royalty by staying in the retreat. Visitors willing to fork out £6,300 ($A13,000) a week — the going rate in the school holidays — can go up the fairytale-like turret to look out over the estate. Downstairs, guests can walk through French doors from the drawing room onto the lawn, or get dinner ready in the kitchen — complete with a butler sink. Agency Oliver's Travels, which is marketing the house, states: 'With input from the Sandringham team, The Folly honours its romantic past while embracing modern comfort. 'Period features — stone hearths, arched entryways, hand-finished doors — have been lovingly preserved. 'Throughout the house, royal artefacts from the private collection add depth and authenticity.' Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.