Latest news with #monarch
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
What really happened when Harry asked for consent to marry Meghan? How the Duke was 'floored' by the Queen's 'cryptic' response... and why others warned the American actress was 'engineering' love
She was the late Queen's closest confidante and she likely knew how the monarch really felt about everyone she met. Lady Elizabeth Anson, a great-niece of the Queen Mother and a goddaughter of King George VI, would speak to the Queen every week on the telephone and details from these chats have recently revealed by journalist and royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith on her.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Royal Mail! Charles' visit for Holocaust survivor's 100th
An increasing number of people receive a birthday card from the monarch to celebrate reaching the age of 100, but not many can boast that they had it delivered personally by King Charles. That is, however, what happened on Tuesday. I can disclose. The King made a secret visit to a house in north London to present a card to Anita Lasker-Wallfisch. She is a cellist whose life has been truly remarkable. She is the last remaining survivor of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz. At the age of 19, she was interviewed by the BBC on 15 April 1945, the day of the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen death camp where she had been transferred six months earlier. Interviewed in German, the language she grew up speaking, she said: 'First, I would like to say a few words about Auschwitz. The few who have survived are afraid that the world will not believe what happened there.' A Buckingham Palace spokesman declines to comment. However, a royal source tells me: 'His Majesty made a private and personal meeting visit to Mrs Lasker-Wallfisch's home to wish her a happy 100th birthday and deliver a centenarian card in person. He stayed for about half an hour. 'Her story of suffering and survival is clearly one of the most haunting and inspiring of the Holocaust, and in this anniversary year of the liberation of the camps, His Majesty was keen to demonstrate his support and friendship. 'The King has known Anita for more than 50 years, not least through the English Chamber Orchestra [of which she was a co-founder]. Indeed, a portrait of her hangs in the East Wing of Buckingham Palace, which was commissioned by the King when he was Prince of Wales as part of his Seven Portraits: Surviving the Holocaust project.' A Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment. Klass acts are honoured for charity work They won over audiences while shooting to fame on talent contests, and now Myleene Klass and Leona Lewis have received a royal seal of approval. The pair were honoured by the King at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. Leona, 40, was given an OBE for services to music and charity. And Myleene, 47, an ambassador for pregnancy charity Tommy's, got an MBE for raising awareness of women's health and miscarriage, after losing four babies. The former Hear'Say singer reveals: 'The string quartet played a classical version of the Carpenters' I'm On Top of the World as I walked up... and Charles pinned my medal on.' Bad school run for Sir John Madejski He's nurtured innumerable enterprises, from a Galapagos Islands hotel to Reading Football Club – which he took to the Premier League. So Sir John Madejski could be forgiven for thinking the numbers don't quite stack up in the 'consultation' threatening to erase his name from the Reading school to which he gave £3million in 2008. Conducted by the Greenshaw Learning Trust, the process has caused dismay among Sir John's friends, as I disclosed last month. And new figures show why. Just 160 replied – 53 of whom wanted the name unchanged. The rest went to three other options, one being 'Hartland High' – the mooted new name. But the trust declines to comment on the overall £100,000 cost that, I'm told, the proposed name change will involve – or say how many votes 'Hartland High' received. Sophie cooks a real kitchen nightmare It's fortunate that Sophie Turner's boyfriend Peregrine 'Perry' Pearson, Viscount Cowdray's son and heir, can afford a chef. For the Game of Thrones star admits cooking is not her forte. 'I'm a cheap date,' says the actress, 29. 'I have the palate of a five-year-old. I'm not a very good cook.' Asked what she would serve at a dinner party, she says: 'I would do jacket potato with beans and cheese for my guests, but... I don't invite them over – I go to theirs.' Very wise when Perry's family home is Cowdray Park, the 16,000-acre West Sussex estate. Bob Geldof and Sir Brian May enjoyed an affectionate reunion at London's Shaftesbury Theatre this weekend when attending Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical. But the singer, 73, takes issue with suggestions Queen's slot was the moment donations started flowing in 40 years ago. He says: '[David] Bowie brought the house down. That was the key moment.' Asked if he'd like his martini shaken or stirred in his James Bond debut, Casino Royale, Daniel Craig snapped: 'Do I look like I give a damn?' Now the actor's half-brother hopes for more positive responses from his customers. Harry Craig, 34, has, I hear, set up a wine consultancy firm, Cork N Talk. 'There'll be private tastings where you book me,' he tells me. 'I come to your house, you and your friends, we decide on the theme... or I'll have a public, ticketed event.' Fleur sees Meghan as simply The Best She has caused no end of issues for the Royal Family, but the Duchess of Sussex has seemingly helped the monarchy. That's the view of Strictly star Fleur East, who's performing the lead role in Tina, the Tina Turner musical, in London's West End. 'When Meghan married Harry we all thought, ' Wow, this is major',' she tells me. 'I'll never forget the ceremony and seeing the black priest in St George's Chapel and the gospel choir. 'For me, it was a huge moment for the Royal Family.' Fleur, 37, who performed in this year's VE Day celebrations, says: 'It's great that Meghan is there as a brown princess.'
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Hundreds greet Nepal's ex-king on his birthday as support for the ousted monarch grows
KATHMANDU, Nepal — Hundreds of supporters of Nepal's former king lined up outside his residence to greet him on his 74th birthday Monday as support for the ousted monarch grows in the Himalayan nation. Gyanendra Shah, who makes very few public appearances, allowed his supporters inside his house for three hours.
Finextra
03-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
The Bank of England crowdsources ieas for new banknote design
The Bank of England is asking the public to give their views on what theme they would like to see represented in the design of the next series of banknotes. 0 Our banknotes have showcased notable historical figures since 1970, when William Shakespeare became the first person other than the monarch to feature on a Bank of England banknote. There are many ways to represent the UK on our banknotes. The consultation gives people the opportunity to express their views on what theme they would like us to feature on the next series of our banknotes. The six potential themes we have identified include: notable historical figures architecture and landmarks arts, culture and sport noteworthy events in history innovation nature The public can also suggest other themes for the Bank to consider. Victoria Cleland, the Bank of England's Chief Cashier, said: 'Banknotes are more than just an important means of payment - they serve as a symbolic representation of our collective national identity and an opportunity to celebrate the UK. I am really keen to hear what themes the public would like to see represented on the next series of notes.' The next series of banknotes will feature a portrait of the monarch, regardless of the selected theme(s). Banknotes are complex and it is a detailed, multi-year process to design, test and print them, to ensure they are high-quality, resilient and accessible. Depending on which theme is selected, we may seek further feedback from the public on the specific images that could be used to show the chosen theme. We will keep the public updated, including announcing the final note designs in due course. Notes to editors The consultation closes at 11.59pm on 31 July 2025. We are seeking responses in particular from UK residents and British citizens living abroad. They can be submitted via an online form on the Bank's website or by post. Examples for images depicting the six potential themes included in the consultation paper include: notable historical figures: This theme, which is used on our current series, could be depicted by portraits of specific historical figures who have made an important contribution to UK society and culture. We will not represent living people on our banknotes, with the exception of the monarch. architecture and landmarks: This theme could be depicted by images of iconic buildings and other places, such as castles, bridges or heritage sites across the UK. arts, culture and sport: This theme could be depicted by images of the arts, music, literature, customs, food, film, television or sport which define the UK. noteworthy events in history: This theme could be depicted by images of important events and movements which have shaped the UK. innovation: This theme could be depicted by images of important advancements, technologies, discoveries or ideas developed in the UK. nature: This theme could be depicted by images of native plants, animals, or natural landscapes such as rivers, lakes, mountains or coastal scenes from around the UK. 3. The first of the current G Series notes was the £5 issued in September 2016. This was followed by the £10 in September 2017, the £20 in February 2020 and the £50 note in June 2021. 4. While cash use has declined over the past decade, it is still the preferred payment method for around one in five people and used by many more. The Bank is committed to providing cash for those who wish to use it. 5. WeTransfer link to graphic for the consultation Opens in a new window, which may be a useful visual resource.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Bank of England asks for public's help to design new banknotes
The Bank of England has launched a public consultation to determine the themes for its next series of banknotes, known as the "H" series. The consultation proposes six potential themes: notable historical figures, architecture and landmarks, arts/culture/sport, noteworthy events in history, innovation, and nature. The public is invited to submit their preferences and suggest alternative themes via an online form or post, with the consultation closing on 31 July. The Bank aims for the new series to reflect the diverse facets of the UK's heritage and future. The next series of banknotes will continue to feature a portrait of the reigning monarch, and no other living individuals will be depicted.
