Latest news with #St.David'sDay
Spectator
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Why Northern Ireland hates Paddington
Soaring crime and a growing air of discontent means that few Brits are happy about the state of their nation. There is one man, however, who seems to enjoy this deteriorating country quite a lot: the Ambassador of Japan to the Court of St. James's, Hiroshi Suzuki. Paddington's values have very little to do with what Britishness means in Northern Ireland Suzuki's cheery social media posts, in which he extols the virtues of the United Kingdom as seen through the eyes of an ardent Anglophile, are wildly popular. From sharing photographs of himself drinking ale in the Turf Tavern in Oxford, to making an origami daffodil to promote St. David's Day, the Ambassador seems to be thoroughly happy with life in Britain. Suzuki has one quirk, however, which would make him an antagonist in World War Twee: everywhere he visits, he brings a little Paddington Bear toy with him. Much has been written in these pages and elsewhere on the cult of Paddington, about how this fictional bear has been co-opted by the great and the good as a symbol of Britain's values in our pro-globalisation post-historical society. Paddington is kind and unfailingly polite, has a dry, witty humour, respects traditional institutions, and enjoys marmalade sandwiches. He is also an illegal immigrant, arrived in Britain by way of boat, who was recently given a passport by the Home Office. All of this, naturally, makes him appeal greatly to the lanyard class of progressives. This week, Suzuki visited Northern Ireland, along with Paddington, to carry out his ambassadorial duties and do a little sightseeing. He shared a photograph of the ruins of Dunluce Castle on the northern coast and commented on its 'beautiful scenery'. Over a quarter of a million people saw his post. It was not long before the Paddington toy was whipped out for a photograph, and people gushed over the perceived Britishness of it all. However, Paddington's values – those of a left-wing media class distilled and dumbed down through various layers of appeal-to-children – have very little to do with what Britishness means in Northern Ireland. All of the aforementioned mannerisms and beliefs that are espoused through Paddington about what it means to be British in the twenty-first century have no cultural capital in Northern Ireland. Here, as the reader will no doubt be aware, British Nationalism is vocal, unapologetic, militant, and right-wing. It does not appease, nor does it keep quiet about the problems it faces. Those here who identify as British are proud of their history, culture, and traditions. In many areas of Northern Ireland, especially at this time of year, there are countless marching bands parading through bunting-clad streets. Historical reenactments of events in British history take place, commemorating acts which built the nation. Bonfires constructed in the national colours are topped with icons depicting people perceived to be enemies of Britain, typically Irish flags and images of Irish Nationalist politicians, but more recently controversial sculptures of small boat immigrants. For many in Northern Ireland, this is their British identity: as they see it, they are sticking up for the honour and integrity of the nation that defended them so vehemently against Irish nationalist terror during the Troubles. This is the kind of Britishness that would make Paddington choke on his marmalade sandwich. Yet, like it or not, it is what British nationalism looks like to people here. Indeed, Paddington is not at all representative of what it means to be British in the twenty-first century. He may accurately represent the views of the liberal democrat-voting, FBPE-in-Twitter-bio-having, middle-aged middle-managers who appear to be running this country behind the scenes. He does not, however, speak for the vast majority of Britons who believe that current levels of immigration are too high. In Northern Ireland, only a third of people who self-describe as British believe that immigrants are good for the economy and culture. Paddington doesn't speak for them. Suzuki's love of Britain is infectious. There's no doubt, too, that he is doing a better job than any tourist board in promoting the virtues of the UK. But please, for the sake of places that aren't London: he should leave Paddington at home.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Inside Charles' entirely sustainable home that took him nearly 40 years to find
King Charles has held an impressive property portfolio over the years, and one home in particular is likely close to his heart, given its eco-friendly and sustainable credentials, things that are known to be crucial for the monarch Before King Charles took the throne in 2022, he was Prince of Wales - and the person to hold the title for the longest in British history. During his tenure as Prince of Wales, he took his role incredibly seriously - even spending time at the University of Aberystwyth as a young man learning Welsh so he could speak it at his investiture. Charles showed his dedication to Welsh culture throughout his time as heir-in-waiting, including reinstating the traditional role of Official Harpist. He also spent a week every year visiting and touring the country around St. David's Day, when he would stay in an eco-friendly and sustainable home he purchased back in 2007, which he is reported to have spent 40 years hunting for. The King's eco-credentials, which have seen him following in his father, Prince Philip's, footsteps of championing environmentalism, are second to none. This was even the case back when environmental concerns were barely a blip on the public radar, resulting in Charles being initially derided for his perceived quirkiness at times. Llwynywermod Estate on the outskirts of Myddfai was purchased by Charles through the Duchy of Cornwall in 2007 for £1.2 million, and the estate is pretty impressive. Made up of a main farmhouse, three cottages - that you can actually rent for your very own holiday - and a Grade II listed barn, all of which are surrounded by a whopping 192 acres of pristine Welsh countryside, offering visitors some seriously stunning views. Charles is reported to have spent 40 years looking for the perfect place to call home in Wales, and Llwynywermod definitely fits the bill when it comes to the sustainability criteria. According to MyLondon, it's heated using an "eco-friendly wood-chip boiler" and a clever rainwater collection system is used to "propagate its central vegetable garden" - there are said to be several vegetable and flower patches throughout the stunning gardens. Tradition meets minimalism in the interior design of the main Llwynywermod farmhouse—rustic dark wood furniture that matches the property's character features perfectly offsets the historic stone windows. Open fireplaces, a rich patterned rug in earth tones, tapestries, and ceramics create a warm and cosy effect in the countryside retreat. Welsh-designed furniture is said to fill the house, and alongside beautifully crafted wooden chandeliers, it's no surprise that King Charles has regularly spent so much time in this rural idyll. Charles is said to have overseen much of the work done to Llwynywermod, which is located near the Brecon Beacons, himself, making sure that the home was made as sustainable as possible. He is reported to have even sourced local Welsh slate and lime plaster for the building materials, some of which were reused, and hired local labourers to complete the building works. The King once referred to the home as a "godsend" but admitted that he felt he had bought it "40 years too late." "Rather, 40 years too late, probably. But it's been a wonderful opportunity, at last, to have somewhere in Wales. I come whenever I can... I've always felt that it's an important part of holding this particular title. "It took me years to establish somewhere, it wasn't through want of trying, but it was difficult to find the right place. "I used to go to different other houses which was very kind of people to lend them for a week or something, but it wasn't the same thing obviously until finally we found this, which has been a Godsend really," Charles previously explained in 2021. These days, the property is technically owned by Prince William, because it was purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall, which William inherited when Charles took the throne. Charles paid rent to his son for the use of the property since becoming King - but in June 2023 it was reported that a move William made left his father pretty "miffed". William informed his father he intended to rent out the main farmhouse as a holiday house too - the other cottages were already available for short-term holiday lets when Charles was away - so the King would have to remove his personal effects. It was reported at the time, "The King was quite miffed, but that was the deal. It means he can continue to stay there, but he will pay rent to the Duchy, and the rest of the time it will be rented out. The King has agreed to pay for the topiary upkeep as he doesn't want to see all the good work in the grounds go to waste.' However, despite Llwynywermod now belonging to William as part of the Duchy of Cornwall - Charles still has his pick of privately owned properties to stay in throughout the UK, including his beloved home of Highgrove House in Gloucestershire and the Castle of Mey in Scotland which was left to him by his grandmother the Queen Mother.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kensington Palace Just Posted a Gorgeous Photo of Kate Middleton Alone and an Emotional Video of Prince William
Just this past weekend, Kate Middleton released a brand-new video (in a major break from tradition) to honor Mother Nature on the U.K.'s Mother's Day. But that wasn't the only social media post to get royal fans buzzing. This morning, Kensington Palace's Instagram account released its March Rewind, a social media review of the past month, and it's quite clear that the royals have been busy. With surprising and striking looks at Princess Catherine, 43, and her husband, Prince William, 42, the March Rewind was one for the books. Here, a few highlights from their Instagram Stories. Instagram / princeandprincessofwales The first slide showed a video of Prince William like we've never seen him before from St. David's Day at the start of the month. This was followed up by a striking image of the prince from his visit to the Royal Berkshire Hospital on March 5. But perhaps the first image that truly caught my eye featured both the prince and princess on Commonwealth Day. Instagram / princeandprincessofwales The notable image shows Princess Catherine in her recycled red coat dress by Catherine Walker. If you'll recall the event from earlier this month, there was not only a major shift in Catherine's body language, but she and her hubby showed off some serious PDA as well. Also included in the March Rewind roundup was a gorgeous pic of the princess enjoying a pint alone for St. Patrick's Day. Instagram / princeandprincessofwales But besides drinking on St. Patty's Day, Kate also resumed her royal duty as Colonel of the Irish Guards—a role passed onto her by King Charles and Prince William following his accession to the throne in September 2022—for the first time since 2023. She took the salute and inspected the front rank before raising a pint of Guinness at the Wellington Barracks in London. We also got a look at Prince William's trip to Aberdeen. Earlier this month, Kensington Palace shared an emotional video from the outing along with the Instagram caption, "An inspiring day in Aberdeen yesterday seeing all the work being done by Homewards and their partners in the area to support those in the city with lived experience of homelessness." Things were rounded out with the aforementioned Mother's Day video from Princess Catherine. The vid originally came with a personally signed message from the princess that read, "Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary. This Mother's Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognise how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves, but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life. C." Instagram / princeandprincessofwales Naturally, things ended with a "thank you" slide from the Palace. Now let's see if the royal couple can top themselves in April... Buckingham Palace Issues Rare Statement on King Charles' Health Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
King Charles & Queen Camilla Step Out for Latest Outing (& I Noticed a Hidden Meaning In the Monarch's Outfit)
Members of the British royal family love wearing jewelry that holds a special meaning. That's why King Charles's latest accessory caught my attention. Today, the king and his wife, Queen Camilla, stepped out for an official visit to Northern Ireland, where they visited a gallery, participated in a whiskey tasting and met well-wishers. Ben Birchall/I immediately noticed that King Charles was given a daffodil pin when he arrived. The boutonnière made me do a double take because daffodils are the national flower of Wales. They have been used to symbolize the country since the 19th-century because they bloom in early March, which coincides with St. David's Day. But this blossom holds even more significance. While I can't say for certain why it was chosen for the outing—especially since King Charles was in Northern Ireland, not Wales—there's a good chance it carries a deeper meaning. Daffodils symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, and they're also a powerful emblem of cancer support, making them a particularly poignant choice for the monarch. Samir Hussein/WireImage Last year, Buckingham Palace released a statement announcing that King Charles was undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. The statement read, 'During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.' Not to mention that the king's daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, is also in remission from her own cancer treatment. I love this subtle symbolism. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Subscribe here. I Was So Distracted by Kate Middleton's Body Language That I Almost Missed Her Near-Wardrobe Malfunction
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Middleton Is 'Feeling Closer to 100 Percent' One Year After Publicly Announcing Cancer Diagnosis
It has been nearly one year to the day since Kate Middleton announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer, and she's exceeding expectations as she continues her royal return. Following major abdominal surgery in January 2024, the Princess of Wales announced last March 22 that she had been diagnosed with cancer, detected after the surgery. Kate was largely away from public life for most of 2024 save for a handful of appearances, and announced on September 9 that her chemotherapy treatment had ended before revealing on January 14 of this year that she was in remission. (Shockingly, her father-in-law King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer following a January procedure; his treatment continues. Neither Kate nor Charles' types or stages of cancer have ever been publicly disclosed.) Now into 2025, Kate is more and more returning to royal duty, and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People that 'She has been very good at managing expectations, and it's wise for her to downplay it a bit because when she does more than people anticipated, it has a greater impact.' 'It's evident that she is feeling closer to 100 percent than one would have thought at this stage,' Bedell Smith added. Kate has undertaken several royal engagements already in 2025, both solo and with husband Prince William. The couple visited Wales last month ahead of St. David's Day, and over the weekend attended a Six Nations rugby match, where the pair—married for nearly 14 years—cheered for opposing teams. On Monday, Kate stepped out without William to attend the Irish Guards' St. Patrick's Day parade as the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief. 'She's making her outings more meaningful in a way that had never been done before,' royal historian Amanda Foreman told People. 'And she's ahead of the curve—creating the meaningful moment rather than the Instagrammable moment.' 'She is the MVP of the royal family, and no one knew when she was going to come back,' Foreman added. Though Kate is in remission, one can't go through a health scare like the Princess of Wales did in 2024 and not be changed. One year on from telling the world about her diagnosis—timed so that it would be in the best interest of kids Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—royal biographer Ingrid Seward said that 'It takes time to feel comfortable and do things your way without always worrying.' Bethan Holt, who is fashion director at The Telegraph, told People of the Princess of Wales, 'She has an inner steel about what she wants and a drive that will be reflected in what she does and what she wears,' and Foreman added, 'She is staying on message and is projecting this very mature image, a restrained elegance.' Read the original article on InStyle
