Latest news with #Royal
Sunday World
18 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Murtagh and Meade ready to strike in Navan
Local favourites | Nautical Force ready to make waves on local track She ran a cracker on debut at nearby Bellewstown when beaten by half a length by even money hotpot Parkside Lad where she was slightly awkward at the road crossing late on. Picked up for just €8,500 at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales last September, the Starman filly already looks a snip and she sets a fair standard here. There are some very interesting first timers though and the betting market could be the best guide to their prospects while The Right One and Salacious have already shown promise on the racecourse. Johnny Murtagh's NAUTICAL FORCE (2.50) has certainly made waves this season, kicking off with a snug maiden win over ten furlongs on soft ground at Cork. The bookies, both off course and in the betting ring at Mallow, won't forget that race in a hurry as he landed some nice wagers in the process, from 10/1 in the morning trading to 10/3 jolly at the off. Nautical Force then chased home a smart Paddy Twomey winner Arouet on a better surface at Roscommon. Johnny Murtagh saddles Nautical Force in Navan. Photo: Thomas Doolin/Sportsfile. While there was certainly plenty to build on there, an assignment in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot looked pretty ambitious for his next outing particularly considering his relative inexperience for a streetfight like that. But, as so often before, Murtagh knew exactly what he was doing and the Paddy Woods owned gelding ran a blinder. Despite racing a bit too keenly for Ben Coen and having to be switched out when badly squeezed for room approaching the business end, he finished a close fourth to Merchant, who holds an entry for the Group 1 King George back at Ascot later this month. And second home in the red hot contest at the Royal knees-up was Serious Contender who of course then gave stablemate Lambourn a scare when filling the same position in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. Today's four runner affair at Proudstown sees Nautical Force returning to much calmer waters, and he proved at Ascot that, despite winning in the mud at Cork, he is perfectly happy on a fast surface which he will certainly encounter here. When Rock of Cashel made all at the Galway Festival last year for Wayne Lordan, he looked yet another potential star rolling off the Ballydoyle conveyer belt, and indeed he next appeared in the Futurity at The Curragh where he didn't look at all out of place when a respectable last of four to Henri Matisse, Hotazhell and Scorthy Champ. However it's been a gradual decline from there, and he was pacemaker for Delacroix on occasions this season. That Galway victory was his lone success, but Lordan could well repeat the Ballybrit tactics to very good effect here, and Nautical Force would need to be fully recovered from his Ascot exertions to cope. While easy in the market, the Donnacha O'Brien trained Professor Longhair looked a lovely sort when scooting home first time out at Dundalk, but he never landed a blow when taking a big leap in class in the Tetrarch at headquarters where he was last of eight to Officer. He was 33/1 there and is hard to assess, but we'll find out a bit more here. At Sligo today CORNMARKET (4.10) can follow up his recent popular success at the course. Trained on a beach near Ballina by John Cullen it was a particularly welcome victory for John who had to take a break from training for over a year and his 7 lbs. claiming jockey Alan King had good reason to celebrate too as it was his first winner since November 2020! An 8 lbs. hike will make life more difficult for all concerned here but he should still have the edge over another recent course winner Ladiam. Despite having raced 85 times, THE LITTLE YANK (4.45) retains all his appetite for the game and John Ryan's recent Kilbeggan scorer can resume winning ways back over hurdles here having finished third over fences at Tipperary in the meantime.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
King Charles' and Prince Harry's aides ‘meet in secret peace summit as pair may resolve bitter feud'
KING Charles' and Prince Harry's senior aides have reportedly held a secret peace summit together aiming to resolve the bitter royal feud. A private meeting held last week has been hailed as the first step towards a "rapprochement process" between Harry and Meghan and the rest of the Royal Family, sources claim. 6 King Charles' and Prince Harry's senior aides have reportedly held a secret peace summit together in London Credit: Getty 6 Insiders believe the talks are the strongest sign in years that both parties are determined to resolve the bitter Windsor feud Credit: Splash 6 The British monarchy has spent years dealing with the fallout of Prince Harry's decision to marry former actress Meghan Markle Credit: Getty The British monarchy has spent years dealing with the fallout of Prince Harry's decision to marry former actress Meghan Markle after the two hit out at the family and stepped down as senior royals. Harry, the son of Charles, has remained distant ever since he moved to the US alongside the mother to his two young children. His relationship with the King and brother William have both drastically fractured. The Sun even revealed last week how Charles believes Prince Harry is totally "whipped" by Meghan Markle, according to royal expert Esther Krauke. The comments come after Harry said a reconciliation with his family lays in Charles' hands. In his bombshell BBC interview the Duke even said: "I would like to get my father and brother back." It now appears that the father and son are taking the first steps towards a happy reconciliation. Both men's aides held secret peace talks at a London private members' club, according to the Mail on Sunday. At least three representatives from either side were seen speaking at the Royal Over-Seas League which sits just three minutes from Clarence House. It is unclear which side initiated the summit. Insiders do believe the talks are the strongest sign in years that both sides are determined to resolve the bitter Windsor feud. A source said: "There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. "There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about." Harry was represented by his chief communications officer and head of his household in Montecito, California, Meredith Maines. She is said to have flown in from Los Angeles specially for the talks. Liam Maguire, head of the Sussexes' PR team in the UK, was also present. The King was represented by his communications secretary Tobyn Andreae. 6 Harry was represented by his chief communications officer and head of his household in Montecito, California, Meredith Maines 6 Harry has also said he would like to fix his relationship with his brother Prince William Credit: Getty 6 The King with his two sons back in 2007 Credit: AFP
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I'm called Royal Family's secret weapon but emotional role can take its toll'
In a rare interview, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh has opened up about her role within the Royal Family - and the sometimes emotional toll of her hard-hitting work championing women caught up in war The Duchess of Edinburgh has revealed her pride in being able to give her utmost support to the King - and her true feelings about being called the Royal Family's 'secret weapon'. In a rare interview, Sophie also told the Mirror about what it really means to have the Duchess of Edinburgh title - one once held by her beloved mother-in-law, the late Queen - as well as the emotional toll of her hard-hitting work highlighting the plight of women caught up in conflict. This week, the Duchess has been in Bosnia for a three-day trip to mark the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre, where some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were brutally murdered in July 1995 during the Bosnian War. On the visit, she was entrusted to deliver a personal message on behalf of the King to the mothers of Srebrenica, who lost sons in the devastating conflict, comforting them as she listened intently to the stories of their fight for justice. It is all part of her hard-hitting work highlighting the plight of women, including that of the survivors of sexual violence in conflict, which she admits are "not easy subject matters". Over the past two years, she has carved out an at times gritty role travelling to the likes of Iraq, Chad and even Ukraine - mainly to champion women and the role she believes they can play in delivering peace across the world. It all coincides with her being made the Duchess of Edinburgh just over two years ago after her husband Prince Edward became Duke of Edinburgh. In a light-hearted exchange when asked about her previous title of Countess of Wessex, she joked: "I quite liked her." But talking about becoming Duchess of Edinburgh and how she will shape the role, she added: "First of all it was quite large shoes to fill because not as many of the population alive today will remember but the Queen was Duchess of Edinburgh for the first few years when she and my father in law first married. "For me, it was quite an emotional thing to sort of step into her shoes [as being Duchess of Edinburgh], it felt like quite a big moment. 'But of course being practical my role and my husband's role is to support the King as it was to support the Queen and we are fortunate because we are able to not be in front and centre role, so it allows us the flexibility to explore our own interests and then also be available to do things like this where the King asked if I would represent him here, it so happens it also covering an area of interest personally for me too. But yes, we are there to support and that will continue." In recent years, courtiers and charity bosses have hailed Sophie as a dependable figure in the slimmed-down working monarchy - earning her the often-used description of the Royal Family's 'secret weapon'. And revealing her thoughts about that label she explained: "I like to fly under the radar. It's all very well being a secret weapon but if no one knows, maybe it's too secret." However, after a pause, she added: "I suppose I should take it as a backhanded compliment. I don't see myself in a frontline position per se, that said admittedly there are fewer working members of the family these days so I suppose more and more I'm becoming less secretive. I just wonder what they are going to describe me as next!" But when asked what she would like her own description to be, she quickly replied: "I don't know, I am going to leave that for others, it would be very presumptuous for me to suggest something, that could go badly wrong." With her role travelling the world and facing hard-hitting subjects head-on, Sophie admits sometimes it can "take its toll on emotions, that's for sure". But even though the subject matters, such as rape, may not be easy to hear about and the scale of the problems may be too much for just one person such as her to solve alone, the Duchess say it just strengthens her resolve to do as much as she can, especially when it comes to issues facing women. She explained: "I have absolute faith in the women of the world to solve so many issues that we have alongside men of course, we can't do it without. 'But it does seem to be wherever I go it's so often the women on the ground who are the ones that are starting make the difference, who are the ones who are starting to build peace, who are the ones who are going to have to take the resolutions and turn them into actions on the ground. So it is always emotional, of course, it is always emotional, but you have to see through the emotion to find the strength and it is always there. 'When I was in Chad next to the Sudanese border, the Sudanese refugees for everything that they've been through for everything they've witnessed, the women in those camps were incredibly strong, they were supporting each other all they need is opportunity. 'There is always very straightforwardness in what everybody wants. They want shelter they want obviously food, they want water and they want education for their children. And I think it is through education that we can change things. 'It's from bottom up and top down, it always is. But I hope that my activity in this area creates continuity. I always work alongside the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] on the principal things they are focusing on so I'm trying to not go off on a tangent. 'But I hope that I make a difference. It's very hard because sometimes these issues are very overwhelming because of the scale." Sophie spoke to the Mirror after laying a flower at the Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery, just metres from an old battery factory in the town where many sought refuge during the war before the men and boys were picked off by Bosnian Serb forces and killed - with many of them never found. After paying her respects, she met a group of mothers whose sons were killed in the genocide, which is Europe's worst war crime since the Second World War. Describing what she saw as thousands descended on Srebrenica to pay their respects on the 30th anniversary of the massacre, she said: "Outside these walls where we are now there are 8,000 graves. The scale of that is enormous. You look at what is happening in Ukraine, in Sudan, in DRC, these conflicts are huge and the scale is enormous and I'm just one person. "But I think if I can keep banging the drum it perhaps creates traction somewhere. It would be too easy to give up. It does take its toll emotionally. But then I see the strength of the mothers and they are telling me their story, I haven't lived through it, they have. "I can be emotional but that's not going to help them I have to be able to take their message and amplify it and that's what I am here to do."
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kate Middleton's hidden signal at Wimbledon uncovered by body language expert
The Princess of Wales wowed fans at Wimbledon on Saturday as she made a surprise appearance to watch the woman's finals as part of her gradual return to public duties following cancer treatment The Princess of Wales' appearance at the Wimbledon Ladies' Finals this weekend revealed a subtle, deeply personal signal, according to a body language expert. For royal watchers, every public outing since Kate's recovery has been a cause for celebration. Yet Wimbledon, where she serves as royal patron, offered the Princess a chance to step back into the limelight not just as a royal figurehead, but as a genuine fan. As Kate made her way to the royal box, body language expert Judi James noted how her 'signals of genuine delight and a little awe' lit up the moment. Seated next to tennis legends Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, Kate's wide-eyed expression appeared 'spontaneous and authentic' despite the volley of curtseys and formalities around her. But it was her reaction to the crowd that unveiled a hidden signal. As the audience erupted into a standing ovation, Kate responded with a 'shy, low wave' - a gesture that Judi, speaking on behalf of VBET ( says was less about basking in adoration and more about modestly deflecting it. 'The response from the crowd is to roar louder, making Kate giggle,' Judi observed. 'She then performs the very telling micro-gesture of playful modesty, jutting her neck quickly in what looks like a comedy gulp of embarrassment, before flashing a broad smile with her teeth edge-to-edge.' This small but powerful gesture echoed the late Princess Diana 's charm. 'Like Diana, Kate shares a trait of showing modest amusement that she should be the subject of any adulation,' Judi explained. 'It's in stark contrast to the traditional regal acknowledgment - the formal wave that signals 'expectations met' - beloved of other royals like the Queen Mother and the late Queen.' Kate's final wave, accompanied by 'an expression of excited surprise' before she took her seat, encapsulated the warmth and relatability that has made her such a beloved figure in modern royal life. Kate beamed as she stepped out at the finals ahead of watching USA tennis star Amanda Anisimova and Poland's Iga Swiatek battle it out on the court. It's the first time Kate has attended an event since cancelling her appearance at Ascot last month. She was said to be disappointed to miss the famous social and sporting occasion in Berkshire with her husband and the King and Queen. Kate watched on as Iga Swiatek claimed her first ever Wimbledon title as she wiped the floor with Amanda Anisimova. The Pole claiming a 6-0, 6-0 victory on Centre Court - a result that hadn't been seen for 114 years at SW19. Wimbledon is currently on its 13th day of schedule, with the event taking place at the famous All England Lawn Tennis Club. Kate has been a regular at Wimbledon since she married into the Royal Family in 2011 and rarely misses the occasion. After arriving at the iconic venue on Saturday, the Princess spoke with women's wheelchair tennis champion Wang Ziying - only moments after she won her final in straight sets. Kate then had a lengthy chat with eight-year-old Lydia Lowe, who is representing the Dan Maskell Trust and was given the honour of doing the coin toss for the wheelchair final on Court No.1. She also talked with Sophie Kneen, 12, who will do the coin toss for this afternoon's women's final, ball boys and girls, and honorary stewards.
Mint
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
State Banquet in UK: King Charles, Queen Camilla in action for lavish feast of French President Macron, wife
State Banquet in UK: King Charles, Queen Camilla in action for lavish feast of French President Macron, wife | In pics 11 Photos . Updated: 12 Jul 2025, 02:56 PM IST Share Via Catch a glimpse of behind-the-scenes preparations of British royal state banquet for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. The event was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in St George's Hall, Windsor Castle. 1/11King Charles and Queen Camilla can be seen inspecting the grand display and mahogany table at St George's Hall. (Screengrab @The Royal Family | X) 2/11The intricately set banquet table for the big day was prepared over several days, BBC reported. (Screengrab @The Royal Family | X) 3/11Seat with name tag reserved for Queen Camilla can be seen at the Royal banquet table. (Screengrab @The Royal Family | X) 4/11Seat with name tag reserved for French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte can be seen at the Royal banquet table. (Screengrab @The Royal Family | X) 5/11Seat with name tag reserved for King Charles can be seen at the Royal banquet table. (Screengrab @The Royal Family | X) 6/11A captivating view of mahogany table decorations for the State Banquet for President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. (via REUTERS) 7/11A captivating view of mahogany table decorations for the State Banquet for President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. (via REUTERS) 8/11Royal staff making adjustments to table decorations for the State Banquet for President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. (via REUTERS) 9/11Royal staff making adjustments to table decorations for the State Banquet for President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron. (via REUTERS) 10/11Seat with name tag reserved for King Charles can be seen at the elaborate Royal banquet table at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on July 8. (via REUTERS)
