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Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
King Charles told Conclave author he watched papal selection film
King Charles told Conclave author he watched papal selection film Robert Harris, 68, was formally made a CBE by Charles for services to literature in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday King Charles III and Queen Camilla on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023 (Image: Mark Cuthbert / UK Press via Getty Images ) The author of the hit novel turned Oscar-nominated picture Conclave said the King revealed to him that he has watched the film. Robert Harris, 68, was formally made a CBE by Charles for services to literature in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. Harris said it was "eerie" and "like an out of body experience" to see his 2016 book turned into a film, and then to see the papal selection process which he had researched in so much detail play out in May after the death of Pope Francis. "(It was) very odd, I suppose because I researched it very thoroughly, and really it's the sort of thing that can practically only be done in fiction because you have to have a lot of conjecture," Harris told the PA news agency. "And so it acted as a kind of primer for journalists and for people, so that was very strange. "And then, of course, the extraordinary fact that the new pope watched it on the eve of the conclave." Article continues below Pope Leo's brother John Prevost told NBC News his younger sibling had watched the film before the secret vote. Harris said the King also asked about his new book. "We talked a bit about Conclave, which he has seen," Harris said. "He's been reading my books for years, so it was nice to see him again." The journalist-turned-novelist also joked about how seeing the inside of Buckingham Palace could provide him inspiration for his future books. "There'd have to be some mystery in the throne room, yes, murder in the throne room! It's got possibilities." Harris said it was a "very generous gesture" to receive the honour and he had "never thought about it" before being asked. Author Dame Jacqueline Wilson was made a Dame Grand Cross for her services to the same industry at the ceremony. The 79-year-old former children's laureate is widely known as the creator of Tracy Beaker and has written more than 100 novels. "It feels like a dream," Dame Jacqueline said on receiving the honour. "I'm so pleased, so proud. "I was just totally taken by surprise. To be utterly truthful, I didn't even know this particular honour existed. I'm so proud and so overwhelmed. "If little girl Jacqueline could be told that I'd be standing outside Buckingham Palace with medals and a sash, she would have been astonished." Dame Jacqueline said the King was "jovial" and they laughed about getting her sash on over her "silly hat". "And I did thank him, and particularly also thanked Her Majesty the Queen, because she takes such an interest in children's literature, and that makes all of us writers feel very pleased," she said. Last year, Dame Jacqueline released her first adult novel since the 1970s as she returned to her beloved Girls series. Article continues below The novel, Think Again, was nominated at this year's British Book Awards.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Inside Prince William's plans for cousins Beatrice and Eugenie once he becomes king
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are being 'kept on ice' ahead of Prince William's inevitable ascension to the British throne, The Post is told. As it stands, the sisters — who are 9th and 12th in line to the throne, respectively — are not working members of the Firm. However, experts have long said that the Prince of Wales, 42, could call his cousins into action once he becomes king. Advertisement 5 Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are being 'kept on ice' ahead of Prince William's inevitable ascension to the British throne, The Post understands. UK Press via Getty Images 'They're valuable assets and I'm certain they'll get involved with royal duties when William becomes king,' Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said via GB News. 'I'm sure they would like to do more, and they're waiting in the wings to be asked.' Advertisement Seward last week said she's 'certain' that Beatrice, 36, and Eugenie, 35, will 'get involved with royal duties' once William ascends the throne. 'It makes perfect sense, because he will need them,' Seward told Hello! Magazine. 'I see them as a sort of double act, working together in the same way as married couples do. Two gorgeous Princesses working together as sisters would be very powerful. I think it would be wonderful, and I think it will happen.' 5 The sisters, who are 9th and 12th in line to the throne, respectively, are currently not working members of the Firm. UK Press via Getty Images Advertisement Indeed, palace sources tell The Post that the sisters are 'well aware' of the plans William has in store for them. The future king, who has long championed a leaner monarchy, is reportedly crafting his own blueprint for the next generation of working royals. Experts believe William may be forced to reconsider his plans for a slimmed-down monarchy, given the absence of his estranged brother, Prince Harry. And while Beatrice and Eugenie — whose parents are Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson — aren't working members of the royal family, the duo often steps up in an unofficial capacity when needed. Advertisement 5 Experts have long said that the Prince of Wales, 42, could call his cousins into action once he becomes king. WireImage The pair last month hosted a series of garden parties at Buckingham Palace, shortly before the King's Foundation announced Eugenie as a mentor for its new '35 Under 35' network of changemakers. Beatrice, for her part, joined King Charles and Queen Camilla at an event celebrating the work of Elephant Family in Kew Gardens — a conservation charity founded by Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand. 'I think they would be open to doing more, because they like to give back,' Seward said of the sisters, adding that they are 'being kept on ice.' 5 Palace sources tell The Post that the sisters are 'well aware' of the plans William has in store for them.'They have always been close to William, and the King is very fond of them too,' she continued. 'I see them taking on the sort of role that Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Kent had when they were younger, working very hard doing philanthropic work, but not taking center stage.' Seward added that both Beatrice and Eugenie could be 'much higher profile' than they are currently once William becomes king. 'I think people see them as a couple of really charming young married women who are relatable and aren't entitled,' she explained. 'And I think people feel for them because they've got this family problem, with their father, which is very embarrassing and difficult for them.' Advertisement Royal commentator Richard Eden previously claimed that William is 'starting to see the value' of his cousins and their potential long-term contributions to the monarchy. 'From what I'm hearing, Prince William is starting to see the value of his cousins and what, in the long term, they could give,' Eden wrote in the Daily Mail. 5 Experts believe William may be forced to reconsider his plans for a slimmed-down monarchy, given the absence of his estranged brother, Prince Harry. Samir Hussein/WireImage Advertisement 'They're doing more and more. They're private duties really, in terms of charity work, but I think Prince William and his father are noticing this and appreciating it.' Eden suggested that William could soon be making announcements about the sisters' future roles within the monarchy, adding that it's an 'exciting time' for them.
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Clothing sale will be ‘largest Princess Diana auction ever'
Clothing sale will be 'largest Princess Diana auction ever' Julien's Auctions' Princess Diana's Style And A Royal Collection live sale will take place on Thursday June 26 and will include clothing worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, with the aim of celebrating her style and preserving her legacy (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) ) An auction featuring more than 200 items will be the "largest Princess Diana auction ever", according to its director. Julien's Auctions' Princess Diana's Style And A Royal Collection live sale will take place on Thursday June 26 and will include clothing worn by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, with the aim of celebrating her style and preserving her legacy. Items include a silk floral printed day dress designed by Bellville Sassoon, estimated to fetch between 200,000 and 300,000 US dollars (£148,000 to £222,000), and an embroidered evening gown, designed by Catherine Walker, with the same estimated selling price. Martin Nolan, co-founder of Julien's Auctions, told the PA news agency: "This is the largest Princess Diana auction ever. Diana herself did an auction in 1997 to raise money for charity, sadly two months before we tragically lost Diana. "So now we have over 100 items representing her amazing life and her career, and of course, she's the mum of the future king of England, Prince William, so we have really iconic outfits. "Diana was a style icon, she knew what to wear, when to wear it, what was appropriate, she knew how to send a message by what she was wearing. Article continues below "She was very shy, but she knew by the items of clothing, it became sort of her uniform if you will and, of course, with all the amazing power suits you see behind me, the message she sent. "She knew how to dress when she went on a royal visit to Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates, and when she was going to a hospital, she knew to wear bright colours that sick children would feel that she was likeable, huggable, approachable, and she brought hope wherever she went." Up for auction will be a collection of clothes and artefacts from British royal history, including items that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and other members of the royal family, some dating as far back as the 19th century. Nolan said the market for items relating to Diana had increased thanks to Netflix series The Crown. He said: "The Crown certainly has introduced Diana to a whole new younger generation, and they relate to her and they love her, and they love her style, they love her innocence, they love her sense of fun. "They love her messaging, and they love what she had to live through, the challenges she had to deal with, and she overcame them all, and so it's a success story. "Sad ending, of course, but like the younger generation loved that, and that's why Diana's prices have been impacted so much, and are increasing more and more." Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed a number of items of clothing for Diana, including her wedding dress, said: "When Diana first came to us for all of these dresses, she didn't have a lot of ideas of her own, because fashion wasn't her number one subject "She didn't really take much of an interest in it, and we were very lucky to have been involved with her at the beginning, when she was developing her own style. "And then over the years, you could see her being more and more confident in what she was wearing and knowing her own style, so we were very lucky to have been there in the formative years." Julien's Auctions held a sale of Diana's items last year, billed as the most extensive collection of Diana's personal belongings since 1997. The auction house previously sold one of Diana's gowns for 1.14 million US dollars (£843,000) and a pair of her shoes for 390,000 US dollars (£288,000). Article continues below The live auction will take place at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, California, in the US, on Thursday June 26. A portion of the sale of the Diana items will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Duchess Sophie Steals the Show in Blue Lace Dress—But I Can't Stop Staring at Those Shoes
When it comes to royals with great style, there's no shortage of names that come to mind. Obviously, Kate Middleton is a fashion icon in her own right, Meghan Markle always brings that California-meets-royalty energy and Zara Tindall has a cool, understated elegance. But one royal who definitely deserves more style credit? Duchess Sophie. Her fashion game is consistently strong, and her latest look is proof that she knows exactly what she's doing. On June 2, the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped out for an Afternoon Tea event honoring women of distinction at the Castle Hotel in Windsor and she looked absolutely radiant. She wore a powder blue dress by Aspiga—a sustainable, London-based brand. The dress is called the Victoria Broderie Dress, and it's easy to see why it's one of their best-sellers. It features a flattering drop-tiered skirt, breezy three-quarter sleeves with intricate cut-out floral detailing, a deep V-neck and delicate lace trim. It's made from lightweight cotton, so it's just one of those pieces that manages to be effortless, elegant and comfortable all at once. Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images But let's talk about her shoes—because they were the cherry on top. Sophie paired the look with white espadrille wedges that gave the outfit a relaxed, summery touch. Wedges, especially espadrilles, are definitely a royal staple and Sophie has clearly made them part of her go-to rotation. Earlier this year, she rocked another floral dress with a similar pair of wedges—this time in a grayish tone with a slightly shorter heel and closed toe. Based on her ensemble, it seems Duchess Sophie was utilizing a major royal style move: wearing one striking color head-to-toe. That soft powder blue? Perfection—especially with her blonde hair and blue eyes. So yeah… Duchess Sophie may have just convinced me to finally snag a pair of espadrille wedges. And honestly? No regrets. Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Duchess Sophie Uses Kate Middleton's Go-To Parenting Move in Newly Released Video
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Wales Online
Princess Diana's bodyguard made chilling claim about car crash before his death
Princess Diana's bodyguard made chilling claim about car crash before his death Lee Sansum was one of Princess Diana's bodyguards in the months leading up to her tragic and premature death in a car accident in 1997, and he made a chilling claim about the incident Two of Diana's former bodyguards have claimed her death could have easily been avoided (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) ) Lee Sansum, a former bodyguard who looked after Princess Diana during her last months, has died at 63 from a heart attack at home. A former Royal military police officer, he served for Mohamed Al-Fayed protecting Diana during her romance with his son Dodi Fayed. He was responsible for the safety of Diana and her two sons, Princes William and Harry, as they holidayed in Saint Tropez on Mohammed's luxury superyacht. Sansum had previously spoken highly of Diana, describing her as an "amazing woman". Tragically, only weeks after his service to Diana, her life ended suddenly in a catastrophic car crash, about which Lee had said that had he been on duty, he believed she would have survived. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Princess Diana passed away on 31 August 1997, along with her companion Dodi Fayed, aged 42, and the driver Henri Paul, following a car accident in Paris while fleeing paparazzi in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Henri Paul, who had consumed alcohol, was driving the car at dangerous speeds when he lost control and collided with a pillar. Trevor Rees-Jones, another one of Diana's bodyguards, was the sole survivor of the crash, sustaining severe injuries in the process, reports the Mirror. Lee revealed to The Sun his eerie premonition, "It could have been me in that car," noting a crucial difference might have helped Princess Diana to avoid her tragic fate. Article continues below "We drew straws to see who would be accompanying Trevor that weekend. I pulled a match and it was a long one. When I learned they were not wearing seatbelts in the crash I understood why they didn't survive. That shouldn't have happened. "It was standard practice for the family to wear seatbelts. It was an order sent down from the boss, Dodi's dad Mohamed Fayed. Dodi, in particular, hated wearing seatbelts and I always insisted on it." During her time with him, Diana had affectionately given Lee the moniker "Rambo" Yet he isn't the sole ex-protector to express thoughts on her tragic death at just 36 years of age. Ken Wharfe, who safeguarded Diana from 1987 until 1993, also said that her death might have been preventable. "The one thing that would have saved Diana's life that night would have been if they'd kicked out the chauffeur and for Rees-Jones to have driven," he claimed. Wharfe also suggested that Diana's relationship with Dodi posed challenges for their staff, saying it was hard to recommend a different driver due to Dodi being a "difficult" employer. He said that if Diana had remained under the protection of police security by advisement of the late Queen Elizabeth, the catastrophe might not have occurred. Lee Sansum also spoke highly of Princess Diana, and the feeling was mutual, with Diana even sending him a personal thank-you letter for his diligent work during her holiday with her sons. "William, Harry, and I very much wanted to write and thank you for taking such good care of us in Saint Tropez," Diana wrote in her letter to him. "We realise that our presence, along with that of the media, made your job enormously difficult, and for that we apologise! However, we all had a magical 10 days - which would not have been possible without your invaluable contribution and for that, we all send our warmest possible thanks." The sad news of Lee's passing was shared by his wife Kate in at social media post on Monday: "Since meeting in 1998, Lee Sansum has been my soul mate, hero and most amazing man in my world. So I'm devastated to share that he is no longer with us. He had a fatal heart attack on Saturday morning at home. "His huge presence will be missed around the world as much as it is in our household although his capacity for love, and the life skills he has shared have left a legacy that will never be lost. He's forever loved and will always be with us. I love you more than ever 'My Lovely Lee'." Article continues below
