THE QUEEN made a triumphant return to royal duties this weekend after marking 70 years on the throne – and has returned to Windsor Castle from Sandringham.
Last week Her Majesty declared that it was her "heartfelt desire" that the Duchess of Cornwall be known as Queen Consort once Prince Charles becomes King.
But after celebrating the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne at the weekend, she will now be returning to normal duties, a Buckingham Palace source said this week.
According to the Mail, a source said the monarch will continue to pick up duties, but will pace herself having been advised to take it easy by her doctors.
The source said: "‘It is about pacing her diary and ensuring there is flexibility.
"People are very mindful of the fact that at the age of 95, some days you wake up with aches and pains that you didn’t have the day before."
The Palace also confirmed the queen, who spent the occasion at her Sandringham residence in east England, had now returned to her Windsor Castle home where she will resume her official duties.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news and updates…
- Louis Allwood
Queen is in ‘reflective’ mood
Dickie Arbiter said this year's anniversary of the 95-year-old Monarch's accession is the first celebration of it's kind that Philip hasn't been around for.
He stressed that while the Duke of Edinburgh may not have been present at previous Jubilees, "his presence was felt".
Instead, the Queen will get through it in a "reflective mood", remembering the "only two men she adored and loved" – Philip and her father King George VI.
Sunday's Accession Day marked 70 years since the king died and his daughter – aged just 25 – became Queen of a nation still recovering from the upheavals of the Second World War.
Dickie told the Sun: "You don't celebrate the death of your father.
"But at the same time, you recognise that people do want to celebrate the achievement – and they will be celebrating that achievement in June."
He said the loss of Prince Philip in April 2021 makes the celebration more sombre than it has been in years gone by.
- Louis Allwood
Andrew may face court over his £15m mansion
The Duke of York sold the luxury property for £15million in 2007 to Kazakh tycoon Timur Kulibayev — in a deal shrouded in controversy, however he now faces being dragged into another court case over allegations his mansion was bought by the billionaire to launder millions in dirty cash.
His lawyers say the report is false, as law enforcement agencies conducted a three-year probe into the sale of Sunninghill Park, with no further action taken.
Its contested report said he had been “engaged in transactions to embezzle several hundred million dollars from the sale of Kazakh state-owned assets”.
That was then laundered “through Europe-based bank accounts and property purchases, including Sunninghill Park”.
Mr Tiku is also accused of helping Mr Kulibayev launder around £450million in other enterprises.
Mr Tiku’s lawyers say the allegations had all been investigated by Swiss and Kazakh law enforcement, and no charges were brought.
They also accuse the cyber security firm of wrongfully processing his personal data.
Mr Tiku, reported to have a net worth of £1.63billion, is demanding damages of £50,000.
- Joseph Gamp
Charles discusses Welsh football team's World Cup chances with Ian Rush
The Prince of Wales and former Liverpool football player Ian Rush spoke about the Welsh football team's chances in the World Cup as they met in the museum's Egyptian Gallery.
Greeting Rush, Charles said: "Didn't you used to play?"
The Welsh sportsman laughed and replied "yes".
Charles then asked how Liverpool were doing and whether Wales' team would qualify in the World Cup.
"They have a chance," Rush said.
NINTCHDBPICT000710680341Credit: PA
- Joseph Gamp
Charles praises British Asian Trust for raising £20m during pandemic
Prince Charles today praised the "truly remarkable achievement" of the BAT, which raised £20 million in four major fundraising campaigns during the pandemic.
"It is fair, I think, to say that it has been when truly tested that the trust has shown its most outstanding qualities of resilience and commitment to helping people across south Asia," Charles said during a reception at the British Museum on Wednesday evening.
"The future of south Asia truly depends on the children and young people of the region.
"I am really so proud that there are so many of us with numerous intimate and family connections to south Asia who want to support them as they rebuild their lives in the face of this ghastly pandemic."
- Joseph Gamp
Charles praises British Asian organisation
In a speech to the trust's supporters and ambassadors, Charles spoke about the "devastating impact" the pandemic has had on south Asia.
Using his pet name for Camilla, which means "darling" or "beloved" in Urdu, he said: "I cannot quite believe it is almost two years to the day that both my Mehabooba and myself were able to be with all of you to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust.
"Since then, across the globe, there has been terrible loss of life from this dreadful pandemic and we have especially seen the devastating impact throughout south Asia."
- Joseph Gamp
Prince of Wales praises British-Asian organisation helping disadvantaged communities
The Prince of Wales has praised the "resilience and commitment" of a British Asian organisation working to help disadvantaged communities during the coronavirus pandemic.
Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a reception at the British Museum on Wednesday evening to celebrate the work of the British Asian Trust (BAT), which he founded in 2007 to work to reduce poverty in south Asia.
They were joined by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Priti Patel and former Liverpool footballer Ian Rush.
- Joseph Gamp
Kate branded ‘talentless copycat’ by Meghan fans
Following Kate Middleton’s planned appearance on CBeebies Bedtime Story, she has been branded a “talentless copycat” by Sussex fans.
Meghan Markle released a children’s picture book in June 2021 called The Bench, after originally writing a poem for Harry’s first Father’s Day from Archie.
In September 2021, Meghan then went on to read her book to schoolchildren in Harlem, New York following her and Harry’s three day trip to the Big Apple.
Now, Sussex fans have slammed Kate’s plans to read a book to children on TC, with one fan on Twitter saying: “Meghan reads to children, so copy Kate does the same.”
Another said: “Meghan’s copycat. But talentless.”
- Joseph Gamp
Charles & Camilla make first public engagement together since honour
Charles and Camilla greeted supporters and ambassadors of the British Asian Trust at the British Museum's Egyptian Gallery.
The duchess thanked ambassadors Neev Spencer and Ritula Shah as they congratulated her after the Queen's announcement that she would become Queen Consort.
Hitan Mehta, executive director of the trust, told the PA news agency it was "amazing" to be able to host the royal couple at the reception after it was not held last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: "It is amazing to be able to bring the whole community together with His Royal Highness to celebrate the work that we have done."
Credit: EPA - Joseph Gamp
Camilla and Kate – two future Queens in waiting – show they are fit for the job
TWO ladies in waiting to one day become Queen were doing their royal duty to perfection yesterday.
The Duchess of Cornwall was out visiting excited school -children before calling on a domestic abuse charity.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge took part in a cookery lesson with toddlers as she visited a parental support project.
Camilla, 74, was greeted by flagwaving children on her first public appearance since winning Her Majesty's backing to become "Queen Camilla". Britain's future Queen Consort looked delighted by the reception she received at Roundhill Primary School, in Bath, Somerset.
The visit came just days after the Queen signalled her support for Camilla's future role when Prince Charles finally takes the throne.
Looking regal in a winter coat and elegant navy and emerald tartan skirt, Camilla planted a silver birch tree as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative and unveiled a plaque to mark her visit. She also dropped in on pupils during a maths lesson but admitted the subject was not her favourite.
And she watched a performance of We Are Proud of Our School ? a new song the children learned for her visit.
Camilla told the pupils: "I loved listening to you. I loved seeing your library and watching you do your numeracy ? I didn't understand a word of it.
"One day I hope I shall be back again when I'm even older than I am now and to see that tree looking a bit bigger." Camilla's trip was organised in her role as patron of St John's Foundation. The Bath-based charity works with schools to support disadvantaged children.
- Joseph Gamp
Piers Morgan paid tribute to Queen
PIERS Morgan paid a glowing tribute to the Queen as she marked 70 years on the throne on Sunday.
Broadcaster Piers, 56, hailed Her Majesty, 95, as the “greatest of all time” and praised her leadership on her Platinum Jubilee.
He wrote on Instagram: “The 🐐. Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on becoming the first British Monarch to reign for 70 years.
“What a magnificent rock of wise, calm, strong & empathetic leadership she has been for this country through good times and bad.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
- Joseph Gamp
Spotify stepping in to help
Bosses at Spotify are stepping in to help Harry and Meghan deliver the goods.
They are recruiting new in-house staff to work with Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Audio for a show that features “the voices of high profile women.”
The jobs are being offered to applicants on short six-month contracts based in Los Angeles.
Harry and Meghan’s only podcast effort so far has been a 35-minute ‘holiday special’ in December 2020, featuring celebrity pals such as Elton John and James Corden.
Fans have been questioning when their so-called “full-scale launch” of episodes would be coming.
With only one show under their belts, the streaming platform has so far paid the couple £500,000 for each minute.
- Joseph Gamp
Royal news round up
- Last year, a Palace insider claimed in an interview with New Idea that Anne would never see Camilla as Queen and the thought “riled” her.
- Residents that live on ‘Prince Andrew Drive’ in Telford, Shropshire, have grown furious and are now demanding that their street name is changed following the allegations against Prince Andrew.
- The one item the Queen must travel with according to royal protocol is a black mourning outfit so they do not look ill-prepared and can mark their respect from the minute the news is broken.
The order of events for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee
The festivities will take place in the form of events spread across the year, culminating in a four-day bank holiday from June 2-5, 2022.
Here's the order of events for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee:
- The Platinum Pudding competition
- The Queen’s Birthday Parade
- The Queen’s Birthday Parade
- Service of Thanksgiving
- The Derby at Epsom Downs
- Platinum Party at the Palace
- The Big Jubilee Lunch
- The Platinum Jubilee Pageant
- The Queen’s Green Canopy
- Royal Collection Trust
- The Queen’s Private Estates
- The Platinum Jubilee Celebration
Read the article in full here.
Pupils' delight at meeting future queen as Camilla makes public appearance
The Duchess of Cornwall has delighted school pupils who were thrilled to meet the woman who will one day be Queen, on her first outing as a future Queen Consort.
Camilla was undertaking her first public engagement since the Queen, in her historic Platinum Jubilee message, backed her daughter-in-law to be crowned.
The duchess, who will be known as Queen Camilla alongside the Prince of Wales when he becomes king, toured Roundhill Primary School in Bath on Tuesday.
It was the first time the 74-year-old duchess had been out and about on royal duty since the Queen's major intervention.
Eleven-year-old Lillian Abulrub and nine-year-old Wren Taylor-Loder joined the duchess as she bedded in a new tree for the Queen's Green Canopy initiative.
Lillian said: "It was really exciting, because she's going to be the Queen, so it was great. She was really nice.
Cameron Kalani gets suspended sentenced for trespassing last May
Cameron Kalani, 44, was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months yesterday after pleading guilty to trespassing on a protected site, possession of a bladed article and possession of a wrap of cocaine.
He scaled the fence into the Royal Mews in the early hours of May 10 last year and was caught with an 8in (20cm) kitchen knife and cocaine in his bag when he was arrested after climbing back on to Buckingham Palace Road.
Kalani said he had travelled to London from his home in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, while in a state of psychosis in a bid "to be arrested".
- Joseph Gamp
American tourist fined for jumping Buckingham Palace fence
A US tourist has been slapped with a £200 fine after he admitted to trespassing on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
On December 10 last year Joseph Huang Kang jumped over the fence into the Royal Mews – which houses the royal family's horses.
The 24-year-old ignored staff who challenged him and ran off before being found in the toilets.
Kang, from Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to trespassing on a protected site at Westminister Magistrates Court
His lawyer, Lucy Watson, said that at the time of the offence he was suffering from an "unspecified psychosis disorder".
"No harm was caused, he did not enter the palace, he had no intention to enter the palace, there was no damage caused," she said.
Ms Watson told the court that US national Kang had arrived in the UK on December 1, staying in Heathrow Airport for days because his debit cards had been cancelled.
His parents booked him a flight home but Kang began suffering from psychosis before he boarded the plane, she said.
- Louis Allwood
Royal round up
- Residents that live on ‘Prince Andrew Drive’ in Telford, Shropshire, have grown furious and are now demanding that their street name is changed following the allegations against Prince Andrew.
- The one item the Queen must travel with according to royal protocol is a black mourning outfit so they do not look ill-prepared and can mark their respect from the minute the news is broken.
- Last year, a Palace insider claimed in an interview with New Idea that Anne would never see Camilla as Queen and the thought “riled” her.
Palace intruder escapes jail
Cameron Kalani, an armed intruder who scaled a Buckingham Palace fence has escaped jail.
He entered the Royal Mews – which houses the royal family's horses – with an eight-inch blade in the early hours of May 10 last year.
He was arrested after climbing back into Buckingham Palace Road with the kitchen knife and drugs in his bag.
Kalani pleaded guilty to trespassing on a protected site, possession of a bladed article and possession of a wrap of cocaine.
But he was spared being thrown behind bars, instead being handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
William and Camilla's relationship over the years
Royal Biographer Penny Junor revealed in her book, Prince William: Born to be King, that a palace source told her: "I think the relationship between them all is warm now but if I'm honest, it wasn't then. I think they found it hard.
"To be fair to Camilla, she never tried to be mummy but she was the 'other woman' and she was there and taking daddy's time."
It's believed that William's relationship with his stepmum and indeed his dad Charles has not been the easiest over the years.
Meanwhile, a source told the Daily Mail : "There were huge family rows in the early stages of Charles and Camilla's marriage as everyone found their feet. William didn't have the best relationship with his father back then."
“I really need a gin and tonic”
Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, said she needed an alcoholic drink after meeting Prince William for the first time, according to reports.
When the Duchess met the Prince he was just 16 and in July 1998 the Irish Times reported the pair spoke when William unexpectedly dropped by St Jmaes' Palace, where Charles lived at the time.
The report alleged that Camilla said "I really need a gin and tonic” after her 30-minute chat.
William reportedly refused to meet Camilla for some time after his mother’s tragic death.
Charles is believed to have respected this decision, and did not try to push anything.
Queen received congratulations from unexpected relative
Despite the Sussexes silence, Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas Markle, sent best wishes to The Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
Thomas Markle, 77, wished the monarch "good health and good will" as she marked her 70-year reign on Sunday.
But his estranged daughter, 40, and Prince Harry, 37, failed to make any public gesture. Thomas told The Sun: "I'd like to congratulate Her Majesty on her jubilee and wish her good health and good will for many years to come."
- Louis Allwood
Kate had the idea of 'Heads Together'
The Royals not long ago launched a mental health project, 'Heads Together' but it has been revealed that Kate Middleton was the mastermind behind the project according to a journalist.
The charity was launched by the trio, The Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry.
As told in the documentary Kate: Our Queen in waiting, Emily Andrews, a journalist and broadcaster said: “It was her idea to set up Heads Together, the mental health initiative, that she, William, and Harry launched.
"We all assumed that it was Harry or William’s idea.”
The initiative was launched after Kate saw husband William and Prince Harry were focusing on mental health – but individually.
- Louis Allwood
Kate got 'critical' permission from the Queen to shake up Royal tradition
Royal expert, Bidisha Mamata, appeared on Channel 5's documentary "Kate, Our Queen in Waiting" and discussed the Duchess of Cambridge's "hands-on" approach to the Royal Family.
She revealed how her approach went at odds with what is expected from members of the Royal family.
Bidisha remarked she was a "dedicated" and "affectionate" mother who took on roles that many other royals would get staff to do.
History academic Dr Chandrika Kaul added she was given the "backing of the Royal Family" to be a more involved mother.
She explained: "Kate is a dedicated, hands-on, very affectionate mother.
"I think she has made it clear through her behaviour that being a mother is her main priority.
"She's providing a warmth as a parent that isn't always present in the Royal Family."
- Louis Allwood
Harry and Meghan plan to boost image
A former royal correspondent has claimed that Meghan and Harry are going to make a big change having kept a low profile in California.
He said the world would see “more of them in the community”.
Mr Mineards told The Evening Standard: “I can understand them locking down during the pandemic, as many people have, to keep their kids safe but I think as we come out of this crisis we’ll be seeing more of them in the community.
“Harry’s been out on his bicycle and walking his adopted Labrador on Miramar Beach and she’s been out shopping in both the upper village and lower village and they seem to be very, very happy as far as I can see.”
The Sussexes are also reported to have built up a friendship with a number of Hollywood satrs including Zendaya and Tom Holland.
It has also been reported that Archie and Lilibet has been having play dates with Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's 16-month old daughter.
- Louis Allwood
Palace insider claimed Anne was 'riled' at the thought of Queen Camilla
In an address marking her Accession Day, Her Majesty, 95, said it was her “sincere wish” that the Duchess of Cornwall will be known as Queen Consort.
While the Queen has made it clear that the Duchess has her full support, other royal may not be too pleased.
Last year, a Palace insider claimed in an interview with New Idea that Anne would never see Camilla as Queen and the thought "riled" her.
The insider also claimed that Anne "wields a lot of power” and that other members of the Royal Family may back her.
They claimed: "Rumours that Charles may walk back on his promise that Camilla would not be queen has riled Anne to no end, and she’s told both Charles and Camilla as much.
“Anne has made it plain that Camilla will never be a true queen in the eyes of the British subjects.
"Anne wields a lot of power and has a lot of respect in that family, so you will find that the Wessexes, and maybe even the Cambridges, will back her on this.
"Charles and Camilla will face a lot of pushback."
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