Camilla to return to duty after illness as Kate channels Diana with powerful message

Camilla to return to duty after illness as Kate channels Diana with powerful message
Princess of Wales shares behind-the-scenes glimpse of Christmas carol concert

The Queen is set to return to her official duties, after having stepped away for several weeks due to a chest infection.

Camilla will attend the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Madame Macron next week to celebrate Franco-British literary talent and the special connections between the two countries.

The scheduled appearance comes after she was forced to cancel a number of engagements, including the Rememberance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Royal Variety Performance.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales has channeled Princess Diana as she delivered a powerful message urging the public to not “judge or criticise” those suffering from addiction.

As the Princess of Wales, Diana was renowned for her work to tackle stigmas among the most vulnerable in society, a sentiment echoed by Kate ahead of Addiction Awareness Week.

In a written message, the princess highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own”.

Kate is patron of the Forward Trust, an addiction charity, and her involvement in the awareness week comes a few months after the princess announced she was returning to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.

Anne Boleyn musical coming to former Queen’s childhood home

One of the most dramatic tales in royal history is set to come to come to stage as a musical next year.

As one of the most divisive and well known historical figures, Anne Boleyn’s marriage to Henry VIII changed the course of history as we know it.

Now, her legacy will be played out on stage as a musical next year at none other than her own childhood home, Hever Castle.

Steeped in history, Hever Castle was originally built in 1383 as a medieval defensive castle with a gatehouse and walled bailey, it was transformed in the 15th and 16th centuries by the Boleyn family, who added a Tudor residence within its walls.

Anne Boleyn the Musical will play in a specially constructed 1,800 seat outdoor auditorium in the grounds of the castle from 2 – 30 August 2025, and will tell the captivating story of Anne Boleyn at the very place where her journey began.

(Daniel Watson photography)
Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 16:01

Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will bring a new series to Netflix in December, revealing the “grit behind the glamour” in the high-stakes world of polo.

The five-part series will debut globally on December 10, following elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

A trailer for the series titled Polo, executive produced by Harry and Meghan, was released on Thursday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the “fast-paced and glamorous world of polo”.

In a statement, Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.

“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”

It has been produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions, having previously released three documentaries with Netflix as part of a multimillion-pound deal with the streaming giant.

Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 15:28

Kate’s touching tribute to teen photographer with rare cancer who died aged 17 – ICYMI

The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their sadness at the death of teenage photographer Liz Hatton, saying it was “an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman”.

The 17-year-old, who died on Wednesday, pursued a photography bucket list after being diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer at the start of the year.

Liz, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, hit the headlines when she was pictured being hugged by Kate at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.

William and Kate, who herself was treated for cancer this year, said in a personal message shared on their Kensington Palace social media accounts: “We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away.

“It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.”

The message was signed “W & C”.

(Getty/Kensington Palace )
Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 15:01

Multi-million pound cost of King Charles’ coronation revealed

The cost of King Charles’ coronation has been revealed, with government accounts showing that £72 million in taxpayer money was spent on the event.

An annual report from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that it spent £50.3 million on the coronation. This was alongside the £21.7 million in policing costs for the royal event.

The coronation took place on 6 May 2023, marking the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Around 18 million viewers tuned in to watch the ceremony on the BBC – fewer than the 28 million that watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Read the full article here:

Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 14:29

Kate invites child survivors of Southport attack to her carol concert

The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing to her annual Christmas carol concert.

Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has invited child survivors of the attack to her festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6, Kensington Palace has confirmed.

It comes after the princess made a surprise visit with her husband William to meet the bereaved families of the victims in Southport last month.

The royal couple met privately with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, as well as the children’s dance teacher.

At the Southport Community Centre they met emergency responders involved in the attack and heard about their experiences.

The princess has set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced in what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year.

Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 14:02

Prince Harry’s latest High Court claim could go to trial, judge says

Prince Harry’s latest legal claim against the publishers of the Daily Mail could go to trial, a High Court judge has said.

The Duke of Sussex has accused the publisher of allegedly commissioning unlawful activities, including hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, recording private phone conversations “blagging” private records, and even burglaries to order.

At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday High Court judge Mr Justice Nicklin said that it was important to progress the case to an eventual trial.

Read the full article here:

Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 13:29

Earl Spencer gushes over new partner

Earl Spencer has gushed over his new partner, “brilliant archaologist” and Nordic Person of the Year, Dr Cat Jarman.

The brother of the late Princess Diana met Professor Jarman, who is also the co-host of a podcast he produces, on his own family estate in 2021, as she searched for the remains of an ancient Roman villa for a Channel 4 documentary.

“I’m too old for hearts and flowers stuff, but the best way to describe it is that with Cat, I can be myself,” Earl Spencer told MailOnline.

“She knows who I am. Who I really am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. And she brings out the best in me.”

(@charles.earl.spencer/instagram)
Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 13:01

Pictured: Royal estates transform into winter wonderlands

Royal Collection Trust staff add the finishing touches to a Christmas tree in St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Royal Collection Trust staff add the finishing touches to a Christmas tree in St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle (Andrew Matthews/PA) (PA Wire)
People make a wish during Luminate Sandringham, at the Sandringham Estate winter light trail
People make a wish during Luminate Sandringham, at the Sandringham Estate winter light trail (Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Staff at Highgrove Gardens dress huge nurtcrackers on the Terrace
Staff at Highgrove Gardens dress huge nurtcrackers on the Terrace (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 12:29

Prince Louis revealed to have a passion for the drums

The Prince of Wales joked that Prince Louis’ drumming practice has left him taking drastic action.

William told celebrity musicians about his son’s musical aspirations have as he thanked them for supporting a wildlife charity.

He told the group about his youngest son, who is renowned for his cheeky personality that: “My youngest is learning the drums, that’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears.”

William went on to say “I’m interested in different eras of music” and “music is such an important part of my life”.

(PA Archive)
Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 12:01

Kremlin critic says ‘struggle just beginning’ as he is knighted

A staunch Kremlin critic described as “Putin’s number one enemy” said the “struggle is just beginning” as he was knighted at Buckingham Palace.

Sir William “Bill” Browder was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours after years of lobbying governments to introduce sanctions against human rights violators and kleptocrats.

His company Hermitage Capital Management was once the largest foreign investor in Russia.

The British-American financier and activist was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday for “services to human rights, anti-corruption, and international affairs”.

Sir Bill began his campaign work in 2009 following the death of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow jail after exposing a tax fraud involving Russian officials.

Speaking after the ceremony, he said: “This is an award to recognise the fight that I’ve waged for 15 years for human rights and for justice after the murder of my lawyer Sergei Magnistky in Russian custody.

Athena Stavrou29 November 2024 11:35

Source: independent.co.uk