Latest news with #StJamesPalace
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'My friend the King is so brave', says gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh as he reflects on the monarch's battle with cancer
Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has spoken of his admiration for King Charles for 'battling on' despite the inevitable fatigue caused by his cancer treatment. The veteran broadcaster is a long-standing friend of the monarch, who is still undergoing treatment for an undisclosed cancer which was diagnosed in 2024. In March the King was admitted to hospital with temporary side effects from his cancer treatment but was back at work just 10 days later as he conducted a state visit to Italy in April. Speaking exclusively to The Mail, Mr Titchmarsh said: 'He has had his share of ill health. 'I feel for him hugely, to battle on as he has through that and still be as resolved to make a difference as he is, when he must be incredibly fatigued. He's a man with an enormous sense of goodwill and kindness.' The two men, who are both 76, share a love of gardening and concern for the environment. 'He very kindly calls me a friend,' added Mr Titchmarsh. 'We first met 40 years ago so I've known him for a long time. I designed some gardens for people with mobility issues and he came to open them in 1985 when we were both in our 30s. The pair, who are both 76, first met 40 years ago and now consider each other friends 'He told me he used to listen to me on the radio. You don't imagine the future king would even know who you are. 'But he did, and we've kept in touch all these years.' On Thursday, Mr Titchmarsh was at the King's Foundation Awards ceremony at St James' Palace. The charity, founded by the King in 1990 and based at Dumfries House in Ayrshire, has trained more than 115,000 students in traditional crafts and environmental education. Mr Titchmarsh said: 'The gardens at Dumfries House were a wilderness but King Charles has invigorated the place, helped by local enthusiasm. 'He is a man who gets things done. He genuinely cares about people. 'We both believe in handing on the baton to the next generation, bequeathing skills to them and leaving the place in a fit state. 'He used to be such a voice in the wilderness and people thought he was from left field, but now his views are mainstream.'
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
David Beckham, Gary Oldman and Roger Daltrey knighted in King's Birthday Honours
King Charles III, left speaks to former footballer David Beckham as they attend the inaugural King's Foundation charity awards at St James's Palace in London, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool) Former England football captain David Beckham, Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman and The Who front man Roger Daltrey are among the prominent figures awarded knighthoods in this year's King's Birthday Honours list. Beckham, 50, was recognized for his services to sport and charity. A global soccer icon and former Manchester United midfielder, Beckham has represented England 115 times and clinched league titles across four countries. He was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003 and has since expanded his influence beyond the pitch. He has worked as an ambassador for the worldwide children's charity UNICEF since 2005 and has been an ambassador for the King's Foundation since last year. As a result of his knighthood, his wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, will now be formally styled Lady Beckham. Co-founder and lead singer of legendary British rock band The Who, Daltrey, 81, was honoured for his services to charity. Alongside his storied musical career, Daltrey has served as a patron of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000, spearheading its annual concert series at London's Royal Albert Hall for more than two decades. The Who, formed in London in 1964, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Of the band's four founding members, only Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend are still alive. Oldman, 67, who played Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black in several of the movies in the franchise, was awarded a knighthood for services to drama. In 2018, the Hollywood star won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the film 'Darkest Hour.' Most honours in the UK are awarded twice a year – on the monarch's official birthday in June, and in the New Year. The list is compiled by the government and signed off by King Charles, with nominations reviewed by independent panels across different sectors. The most recent New Year Honours list saw knighthoods conferred on actor Stephen Fry, former England soccer manager Gareth Southgate and London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Charles' VERY celeb-filled ceremony: Royal rubs shoulders with Meryl Streep, David Beckham and Kate Winslet as the stars turn out for the King's Foundation Awards in London
British royalty met showbiz royalty on Thursday as the King rubbed shoulders with celebrities like Meryl Streep and David Beckham at the King's Foundation Awards ceremony. Charles, 76, appeared in excellent spirits as he welcomed stars including Kate Winslet, Stanley Tucci and Sir Rod Stewart 's wife Penny Lancaster to St James's Palace. French chef Raymond Blanc and English gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh were also among the excited guests. Proving to be the perfect host, Charles had American actress Meryl, 75, Titanic star Kate, 49, and footballing legend David, who is tipped for a knighthood in the King's birthday honours list, in fits of giggles as he chatted to the stars in attendance. The annual ceremony - which is celebrating the 35th Anniversary of The King's Foundation this year - is an opportunity to celebrate alumni, students, and ambassadors of the charity. Attended by 200 guests, the awards celebrates the exemplary work of students, teachers, alumni and partners who have contributed to the Foundation's work across a range of sectors including sustainability, traditional heritage skills and environmental education. There are nine awards categories, culminating in The King presenting The King Charles III Harmony Award, a special award given to an individual to recognise their long-term commitment to the mission of The King's Foundation to create a world where people, places and the planet can live in harmony. The event included the premiere of the Harmony Song, composed by Jack Pepper and inspired by His Majesty's philosophy of Harmony. Jack is a member of The King's Foundation 35 under 35 network, which has brought together 35 young people to celebrate the charity's anniversary and encourage a new generation to engage with The King's Foundation's work. Nominees this year include the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation for Community Partnership of the Year, influencer Alice Loxton for Advocate of the Year, milliner Emily Hurst for Emerging Talent and embroidery graduate Beth Somerville for Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heartwarming moment King's Guard horse rewards delighted little girl with a 'kiss' after she makes sweet gesture
This is the heartwarming moment a King's Guard horse rewarded a delighted little girl with a 'kiss' on the forehead after she made a sweet gesture. Footage taken in central London showed the young girl and her mother slowly approach the King's Guard and his horse outside St James' Palace for a picture. The sweet the clip, which racked up over 2.5 million views, was shared on the @royalguards_england21 TikTok account. The girl was seen putting cash into the guard's boot before the horse 'kissed' the top of her head. The horses can be notoriously unpredictable and there are signs clearly stating: 'Beware, horses may kick or bite'. An additional warning to tourists requests that people do not touch the animals. The soldier however appeared to make an exception for the young girl as he ushered his horse to move forward for her. While some people believe that placing money in a King's Guard boot is a gesture to bring good luck, this is not a universally recognised or official practice. Additionally, some view such actions as disrespectful to the guards as they go about their duties, undermining their authority and professionalism, but others claimed the money collected is often donated to military charities. Taking to the comments many questioned why the young girl put money into the guards boot. One person wrote: 'Why do people give the guard money? Just asking.' To which someone replied: 'It goes to charity, it's an old tradition.' Another said: 'I didn't know they could take cash, very cool!' Someone else questioned: 'Now you need to give a tip if you want to take a picture close to the horse without it biting you.' A fourth added: 'Is putting cash in the boot a common thing? Never seen that before.' Meanwhile other gushed over the 'respectful' way the family approached the guard and his horse. Taking to the comments many questioned why the little girl put money into the guards boot Meanwhile other gushed over the 'respectful' way the family approached the guard and his horse One person said: 'Horses know the genuine ones ... Great gesture by the family and the horse appreciated it.' Another added: 'This is how it should be done ask first then show complete respect. Well done young lady.' Someone else added: 'Horses understand the body language and the respect people have! they truly can feel people's emotions and presence!' However it doesn't always go so pleasantly for tourists, as recently two naive visitors were in for a shock reaction from a King's Guard after they attempted to grab the reins of his horse while posing for a photograph. In the first incident, a bearded man wearing a blue waterproof jacket, smiled as he approached the disciplined military animal at Horse Guards Parade in London. But just seconds after touching the leather straps of the reins, the usually silent King's Guard sitting on the horse suddenly screamed out: 'Go away!' A tense look between the two men then followed, with the man - who looked visibly shocked at the outburst - recovering himself to stand back in position and smile for a quick photograph. With the picture taken, the man's smile quickly dropped and he looked back again at the ceremonially-dressed soldier before walking away. In a second incident, a female tourist wearing a grey jumper and trousers attempted the same feat and grabbed at the reigns of the animal while posing for a photograph. This prompts the King's Guard to scream out at the entitled tourist: 'Don't hold the reins!' But after the tourist failed to react to his words, he motioned to the horse to step forward, causing the woman to recoil in fright. Determined still to get her photo, she stood close to the horse but looked tense as the image was taken. This latest episode at the popular tourist destination follows a string of incidents where sightseers have got to close for comfort with the regal animals. The horses - which have signs next to them saying 'Beware, horses may kick or bite. Don't touch the reins. Thank you.' - have been known to bite unfamiliar people when they get too close to them. Earlier this month, a Spanish tourist was scolded by the King's Guard after she repeatedly flapped her umbrella to agitate his horse. The young woman clad in a raincoat was seen turning to laugh with her friends after quickly opening and closing the umbrella in front the animal. After provoking the animal, the King's Guard sitting on the horse then calls the emergency bell several times while trying to calm his horse. He repeatedly strokes the animal and pats their back while he waits for two other guards to appear on foot. The soldier then alerts them of the reckless tourist and after a few moments of identification, the guard walks over to the woman. He then calmly tells her 'we'd appreciate it if you don't flap that in the horses faces'. The sheepish tourist was then told her flapping 'can spark a reaction out of the horses and they're just doing their job'. 'They're nice to look at but please be respectful, they are doing a job,' the guard added.
