Latest news with #tattoo
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The Queen finds my royal tattoos hilarious, says superfan
The Queen saw the funny side when a superfan pulled up his shorts to show her a tattoo of a royal cypher on his leg. The Queen, 78, laughed as Phil Smith, from Northampton, told her that his latest royal inking – of Their Majesties' joint cypher – had 'bloody hurt'. The 61-year-old's latest tattoo, at the top of his left thigh, joins three other cyphers – the symbol of the late Queen Elizabeth II's reign, as well as the King and Camilla's individual symbols, on the same leg. The Queen also took the opportunity to reveal that one of her police protection officers also has a tattoo of the couple's joint royal cypher. The interaction took place during Their Majesties' annual visit to the Sandringham Flower Show, which marked their final large-scale joint public engagement before the summer holidays. Mr Smith waited at the front of the crowd to meet the Queen, whom he has been writing to since before her marriage to Charles in 2005. Speaking after their meeting, he said: 'I just think she's fabulous and have got to know her a bit. We just hit it off. 'I love the royal family and she in particular has got a good sense of humour. She frequently responds.' He added: 'I waited to see her to show her my latest [tattoo] and she laughed…She asked how long it [the latest one] took and I told her about two and a half hours. But I told her this one bloody hurt. She just finds it hilarious. 'She pulled her police officer's sleeve and said 'look, it's catching on!'' The Royal couple's annual visit to the flower show, held in the grounds of the Norfolk royal residence, saw them touring stands and meeting hundreds of well-wishers. They arrived in a special door-less carriage, once used by Queen Victoria, and were presented with flowers while a choir and band from Springwood High School sang the National Anthem. The King looked delighted to be back after he was forced to skip the event – which attracts around 20,000 visitors annually – last year because of his ongoing cancer treatment. Their first stop was at Peter Beales Roses, where Camilla sympathised with fellow avid gardeners about recent heatwave spells wreaking havoc on plants. 'Oh the weather, everything is wilting!' she exclaimed. Asked later on whether she liked growing her own vegetables at her beloved Wiltshire home Raymill, she said enthusiastically: 'Yes, I do enjoy it. I'm very proud of my veg. 'It's the best therapy in the world. We haven't had any rain, though, [even though] it's been raining here. I've never done so much watering in my life.' She also gave an update on her latest Battersea rescue puppy, Moley, who did not accompany her last week for a visit to the dogs and cats rescue charity in London. 'I'm sorry we couldn't bring Moley to the engagement last week,' Camilla said, adding: 'She's very naughty, I think I only have one shoe left.' The couple also popped into stalls run by the Cat's Protection League, St John's Ambulance and Medical Detection Dogs, of which the Queen is patron. The King was then given a guard of honour by the local Air Cadets before the couple headed back to Sandringham House in their carriage, smiling and waving to onlookers.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Liverpool star reveals new tattoo in tribute to team-mate Diogo Jota - with heartfelt four-word message
Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas has revealed a new tattoo in honour of his late team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash earlier this month. The footballer and his brother, Andre Silva, died when their car crashed in the early hours in northern Spain on July 3. A series of tributes have been paid in the weeks since, including Liverpool's decision to retire Jota's No 20 at all levels, following consultation with his widow and his family. Tsimikas has made his own personal tribute, with the Liverpool defender having a new tattoo on his left hand. The tattoo reads 'Wish you were here', with the message accompanied by Jota's No 20. An image of Tsimikas' new tattoo has emerge online, but it had also been visible when the Greek defender played in Liverpool's pre-season match against Preston. The match at Deepdale took place on July 13, just 10 days on from Jota's tragic death. A minute's silence was held prior to kick-off, while club anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was sung. Preston's club captain Benjamin Whiteman carried a wreath which he placed in front of the away end and players from both teams wore black armbands, while digital tributes were shown on screens around the ground. A black and white image of Jota holding the Premier League trophy featured on the cover of a 16-page commemorative matchday programme at Deepdale.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla is left in stitches as royal fan shows her his tattoo as she attends Sandringham Flower Show with King Charles
Queen Camilla saw the funny side as she met a royal fan who has had her royal cypher tattooed on his leg - and revealed that one of her police officers also has one too. King Charles and the Queen were today attending Sandringham Flower Show, held in the grounds of the Norfolk royal residence, where they marvelled at exhibits, toured stands and met hundreds of well-wishers in their final large-scale joint public engagement before they begin their summer holidays. Phil Smith, 61, from Northampton pulled up his shorts to show Her Majesty his latest royal inking, telling her that it had 'bloody hurt', prompting her to laugh uproariously. She then turned to her one of her police protection officers and said 'look, he's got one too'. Mr Smith said afterwards that he had been writing to Camilla since before her marriage to the King as he thought 'she was great' and that she frequently responded. He has a total of four large tattoos along the outer side of his left leg, starting with Queen Elizabeth's royal cypher and including both Charles and Camilla's individual ones. His latest - situated on the top of his thigh - is of their joint royal cypher and took about an hour and a half to do. He waited at the front of the crowd at the Sandringham Flower Show to show the Queen. Wearing a black shirt, large cross, denim shorts and sliders, Mr Smith said after their meeting: 'I just think she's fabulous and have got to know her a bit. We just hit it off. 'I love the royal family and she in particular has got a good sense of humour. She frequently responds. 'I waited to see her to show her my latest [tattoo] and she laughed. She said one of her security men has also had it done too.' He said he thought it was of their joint royal cypher and the police officer was there with her that day. He added: 'Honestly, she's just great. We exchange letters. She knew who I was. She asked how long it [the latest one] took and I told her about two and a half hours. 'But I told her this one bloody hurt. She just finds it hilarious. 'She pulled her police officer's sleeve and said 'look, it's catching on!' Elsewhere today, Camilla appeared in great spirits as she petted a dog and admired the arrangements on display. She looked elegant in a smart patterned dress from Fiona Clare with blue and white detailing, adding a bag from Rixo and her gold disc pendant necklace. She and Charles also took part in a walkabout, greeting members of the public who had eagerly gathered in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the royals. The event attracts around 20,000 visitors each year. Their Majesties arrived in Queen Victoria's Victoria - a special doorless carriage - to be greeted by committee members and presented with flowers by Isabelle Franklin, seven, who won the 2023 Under 11's Cup and her brother, Jack, who won last year's 11-15 age group. A choir and band from Springwood High School also sang the National Anthem. Looking well and relaxed in a smart suit alongside his wife, elegant in a black and white flower print dress, Charles, 76, looked delighted to be there again after being forced to miss last year's event due to his cancer treatment. Many in the crowds commented on how delighted they were to see him back. The King asked one young winner about what she had won her cup for, telling her: 'I must say it's very impressive. And at least you've now had some rain.' The couple first stopped off at Peter Beales Roses, where they were both presented with beautiful blooms by Olivia Bell, ten, and Camilla sympathised about the recent warm weather being a horror for keen gardeners like themselves. 'Oh the weather, everything is wilting!' she exclaimed. 'At least it [the rain] has come at the right time.' As the couple walked up and down one of the tents, examining the fruits, vegetables and flowers on display, Camilla, 77, walked up to have a look at the baked goods and cakes entrants. 'Do you remember last time when we had the pie that looked like the King,' she said. 'Let's see what they have this year.' After seeing a display of dog-themed cakes, she also chatted happily about her new Battersea rescue puppy, Moley, who didn't accompany her last week on a visit to the famous dogs and cats rescue centre in London. 'I'm sorry we couldn't bring Moley to the engagement last week,' she said. Asked whether it has just been too hot, she replied: 'Well yes, and she's very naughty. I think I only have one shoe left.' 'Those are the best ones. I think it's called character,' she was told and smiled. Asked whether she liked growing her own vegetables at Raymill, her Wiltshire home, she said enthusiastically: 'Yes, I do enjoy it. I'm very proud of my veg. It's the best therapy in the world. We haven't had any rain, though, [even though] it's been raining here. I've never done so much watering in my life.' Unfortunately for the Queen Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban for Wiltshire yesterday [July 22] with immediate effect. She also got the giggles as she admired some of the miniature gardens on display as she chatted with the head judges. 'Those ones down there are fabulous,' she said. 'Ah, well we couldn't award [prizes] to those as they haven't enough plants and greenery in them,' she was told. 'Good job I'm not judging then,' the Queen chuckled. She also seemed delighted when told by another judge that her ' husband has just been telling us how good you are at flower arranging'. 'Well, I do enjoy it,' she said. 'I like to do all the flowers in the house.' Outside huge crowds clapping, and occasionally giving three cheers for the king, had gathered to greet them. 'I'm so proud of you,' said one well-wisher to him. Another gave him flowers with a big card on saying his name. 'For me? Oh thank you,' the king said, delighted. Another told him: 'Lovely to see you back here.' Lewis Kirkby handed the King a card and told him: 'It's an invitation to our wedding. Do come!' Accompanied by his fiancé, Lisa Moore, he said afterwards that they were getting married in Kent on July 31. 'You've got to at least ask,' he explained. In the Sandringham Women's Institute Tent, of which Camilla is president, the couple bought handfuls of delicious-looking cakes including ginger, Victoria sponge and lemon drizzle. The couple also popped into stalls run by the Cat's Protection League, St John's Ambulance and Medical Detection Dogs, of which the Queen is Patron. She was given a toy Labrador while her husband affectionately stroked two real ones - Bobbin and Misty. The King was given a guard of honour by the local Air Cadets and also wandered over to chat to Irene Lane after she shouted out how good it was to see him back there. 'He said it's good to be back,' she beamed. The couple then headed back to Sandringham House in their carriage, smiling and waving to onlookers.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
I got my first tattoo at 67. Here's what I learned as a geriatric tattoo virgin
Social Sharing This is a First Person column by Lynn A. Farquhar, who lives in Greater Madawaska, Ont. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ. In 1974, when I was an insufferable 16-year-old, I told my mother that I'd decided to get a tattoo of a rose. I was planning, I said, to have it placed on my breast. To be honest, it was never a plan. Rather, it was an opening shot in the ongoing battle of wills between my mother and me. The threat of a tattoo was an in-your-face reminder that I had the autonomy to make terrible decisions I could regret and she would feel helpless to stop. To her credit, my mother didn't react with the histrionics I'd been hoping for. In fact, she didn't even look up from the crossword puzzle in her lap. From her armchair, speaking with perfect sangfroid, she said, "Rose tattoo on your breast? As you grow older, it's going to become a long-stemmed rose." It would be almost 50 years before I'd tentatively return to the idea of getting a tattoo. The inspiration came from my daughter, who had begun to accumulate a small gallery on her skin. Her first two tattoos were amateur pieces, discreetly placed on her ankle and back. I couldn't hide my dismay when I saw them, which, come to think of it, was probably the desired effect. Despite my whim to get a tattoo at age 16, I felt differently when it came to my daughter. To my eyes, she was perfect. To my eyes, her tattoos were like graffiti, impulsively thrown up against a pristine wall. Her next two tattoos were applied in parlours by artists. The quality of the designs and line work was impressive. The one on my daughter's hip especially caught my attention. When I asked her why she'd chosen to put it there, she replied, "It's a part of my body I've disliked. The tattoo makes it beautiful to me." WATCH | How the tattoo industry is changing: Tattoo artists aim to make industry more inclusive 3 years ago The emotional logic of this statement stuck. I could relate to feeling disgust for a certain part of my own body. For me, it was my right leg. From the time of my first pregnancy, at age 24, my calf had been blemished by spider veins: damaged blood vessels that lurk just beneath the skin. Although harmless, they can be as distressing as any other dermatological condition, such as acne. My spider veins took on the form of blue and red amoebae, expansive webs or dense bruises. Over the years, I spent many hundreds of dollars on sclerotherapy, playing a game of whack-a-mole with the culprit veins. A physician would inject them with an irritant that made them disappear. But no sooner would they fade than another batch would spring to vibrant life nearby. Eventually, they were joined by a thick varicose vein, which twisted down the inside of my leg like a sea serpent. In despair, and now in my 60s, I consulted surgeons. It occurred to me that perhaps having the varicose vein removed would be the equivalent of slaying a monster and her evil spawn. The first surgeon I spoke with encouraged this fantasy. He offered — for a fee of nearly $7,000 — to go in wielding a scalpel. The second surgeon, to his credit, gave me a reality check: no matter what I did, new spider veins would continue to appear. Having fought the losing battle for decades, I knew his prognosis was likely correct. It was then that I contacted a woman in Hamilton whose tattoo work struck me as being exceptional. She agreed to cover the calf on my right leg, where my skin had come to resemble the spider-like terrain of Mars. Her work would take approximately four hours. I booked the date and steeled myself. As my daughter drove me to the location, I felt much the way I had en route to the oral defence of my doctoral dissertation: dizzy, giddy and filled with nervous dread. I also felt a bit embarrassed. At 67, with inkless skin and grey hair tucked behind my hearing aids, I'd stand out as a geriatric tattoo virgin. I had no hope of blending in with the other clients. At the end of my long tattoo session, my daughter reported that people in the waiting room had referred to me as a "badass." As an introverted, apple-pie baking, bookish academic, I find this designation puzzling. Am I truly a badass? Far from it. Vain? Certainly. Peculiar? Well, maybe a little quirky. More accurately, I think I could be described as someone who quietly flips the bird at ageist stereotypes. When I look at my embellished leg, I see proof that growing old isn't a predictable paint-by-numbers template. Rather, it's an inviting blank canvas. When I look at my embellished leg, I also see something lovely — something that I chose — instead of a stretch of erratically marred skin. Before I went into the tattoo parlour, my daughter had warned me that tattoos are addictive. I'd laughed this off. Surely my ink would be a one-and-done event. But even before the end of my session, face down on the table, I was planning my next tattoo. Perhaps I can get a cross on my wrist or a Canadian flag on my shoulder. Or maybe, in commemoration of the true badass — my unflappable mother — I'll finally get that rose.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Prince Harry sends letter to tattoo artist thanking him for his 'generosity' and 'skilful dodging of press questions' after going to New York parlour to film clip for Invictus Games
The Duke of Sussex thanked an American tattoo artist for his 'skilful dodging' of 'press questions' regarding his visit last year. Prince Harry, 40, took to East Side Ink in New York to film a sketch in which he appeared to be given a tattoo by American music star Jelly Roll, as part of the build-up to the Invictus Games in Canada. In the footage, thought to have been filmed in September last year, the Montecito-based father of two squealed as he sat in a chair and received a fake tattoo from the country musician. Now, East Side Ink owner Josh Lord has shared the personal letter that he received from Harry following his visit. The letter, shared via Instagram, read, 'Thank you so much for your generosity in offering us your space at East Side Ink for filming - it was incredibly kind, and I really enjoyed meeting you and learning more about the history of your shop. 'I also appreciated your artful handling of press questions regarding my visit, it means a lot and I was rather impressed by your skilful dodging! Well done. They'll be in shock when they see the final cut.' He concluded, 'Grateful for your partnership and support in service of the Invictus community. If you'd like to come to Vancouver in February, we'd love to have you!' Josh shared the letter alongside two photographs with Harry from his visit on Sunday, and added in the caption, 'Lord, Prince, and Jelly plus @ and @farmhandtattoo for @weareinvictusgames. 'Also my royal thank you letter named me as the skilful dodger, which is a pretty good nickname, really.' The light-hearted clip started with Prince Harry in the Lower East Side tattoo parlour with Jelly Roll. An excited Jelly Roll told the Duke: 'Do you know I could not believe it when they called me and told me Prince Harry wanted to get a tattoo today, and he wanted me to give him his first tattoo?' But a shocked Harry is quick to reply: 'No, no, no, why are you wearing a glove?', to which the singing star says: 'We're giving you a tattoo about the Invictus Games.' 'No, I came here to ask you to do the Invictus Games,' explained a surprised Harry. 'There's no tattoo in this. I can't get a tattoo.' But Jelly Roll is quick to come to a deal, saying: 'I'll play the Invictus Games. You just let me give you your first tattoo.' Eventually Harry is convinced and replies: 'Alright, screw it. Let's go! Let's do it. Where do you want it?' 'We got to go for the neck,' insisted the singer in the amusing clip. But the royal suggested: 'The neck? I was thinking like my lower back or my a***.' 'No, nobody wants to see your a***, Harry,' Jelly Roll is quick to fire back, adding: 'This is for the world. I'm thinking like, here, let me just show you.' The singer then 'tattoos' the Invictus Games logo onto the prince, as well his own name, to which a shocked Harry said: 'You put your name on my neck... are you serious? Oh s***.' Shared on X by the tournament's account, the caption for the video read: 'The most... inking of a deal in Invictus Games history. 'Watch when Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex meets @JellyRoll615 at East Side Ink Tattoo. Don't miss this duo reuniting in Vancouver #IG25 Closing Ceremony Feb 16. Get tickets before they sell out.' The tattoo parlour is renowned among celebrity circles, with the likes of 'Avengers' stars Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner all previously getting matching ink there. East Side Ink, which opened in 1992, describes itself as one of the oldest tattoo parlours in New York City. When it opened, the shop 'catered exclusively to bikers and hard-core body-art aficionados'. However, today it boasts of tattooing everyone from, 'neighbourhood punks to Oscar-Winning celebrities'. 'On any given day, you might find your favourite actor or musician getting tattooed right next to neighbourhood regulars,' the website states. The American tattoo artist said 'skilful dodger' was a 'pretty good nickname' in the post's caption The shop was listed as one of New York City's best tattoo parlours on Time Out's list for 2024. It comes after the love child of King Albert II of Belgium said she feels 'very sorry' for the Duke of Sussex. Princess Delphine, the result of an 18-year affair between the former monarch, 90, who abdicated in 2013, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 83, commented on the British Royal Family in a new podcast episode. Talking in the It's Reigning Man with host Daniel Rosney, the 57-year-old said she follows Prince Harry's circumstances in the news because of her admiration for Princess Diana. 'Lady Diana was a part of my life when I was in England,' Delphine, who previously lived in London but has since relocated to Brussels, said, adding, 'She was just sunshine, in the news especially.' Delphine claimed that Diana's sudden death was complicated for Harry to process, and that speculation over his life since he left for Montecito with his former actress wife, Meghan Markle, counts as 'bullying'. Speaking in the podcast, Delphine said, 'I feel very sorry for Harry, because I think that was traumatic for him. 'I think Harry has suffered so much,' she said, continuing, 'He was traumatised, and it's coming out now. She added, 'I understand the guy. He's just traumatised, and so he's doing these things and everyone is just bullying him but not thinking about his trauma, and I just find it terrible.' For decades, the former King distanced himself from Princess Delphine and her mother to preserve his marriage. After Princess Delphine was born in 1968, the King initially remained in frequent contact with his child and her mother. But when Delphine reached her 16th birthday, the King began to distance himself. In 2013, the same year King Albert abdicated the throne due to health reasons and was succeeded by his son King Philippe, Princess Delphine launched a legal bid to be officially recognised as Albert's daughter - which she won in October 2020. Now Delphine has the right to bear the royal name de Saxe-Cobourg and is formally recognised as a member of the Belgian royal family as are her two children Princess Joséphine of Belgium and Prince Oscar of Belgium who she shares with partner James O'Hare. Speaking to Tatler in 2023, the princess, who is an artist, revealed her father's rejection when she was young still hurts, but added she doesn't blame him and holds no ill-will towards him. She argued that royal life is 'isolating' and she believed her father had been badly advised at the time. However, she said, 'You don't just have a child and kick it.' Reflecting on her seven-year legal battle, Delphine said the action she brought was not about money or status but 'principles'. Delphine has started attending royal engagements and said her relationship with her father has healed after years of bitterness.
