THE Queen broke a long-standing tradition when she welcomed Kate Middleton into the Balmoral fold for the first time.
The Duchess of Cambridge first visited the monarch's Balmoral estate before she married William in 2009 – long before her position as a future senior royal.
But the Mirror reports Her Maj “went out of her way” to make Kate feel welcome, as she gave her permission to take pictures at the dramatic landscape, knowing her love for photography.
Writing in her book Kate: The Future Queen, royal author Kate Nicholls said of the occasion: "Until now, the Queen had met Kate only fleetingly at the wedding of Peter and Autumn Philips, but she went out of her way to make her feel welcome, giving her permission to take pictures at Balmoral.”
She added: “As a woman who has lived her entire life in the public eye, the Queen rarely lets her guard down, and very few, apart from her family and closest friends, get to see the real Elizabeth."
Her Majesty, 96, traditionally greets well-wishers at the gates of Balmoral Castle to mark the start of her annual Scottish holiday.
She would usually inspect a Guard of Honour from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland – but this year the event remained private.
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- Joseph Gamp
Sharon Osborne claims Sussexes are 'totally lost'
Appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Sharon Osborne gave her view of the Sussexes.
Despite having a reality show centred around her family, Osborne stated to Piers “all families have their problems. No one wants to know about it.”
She went on to say that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “want more than just their freedom. They want to be two very important people.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Prince Charles asked to go for a beer during Commonwealth
The Prince of Wales was asked by someone in the crowd if he would be going for a beer.
Daniel Walker called out to the prince: “Charles, Charles, are you going to go for a beer?”
Prince Charles responded, “Where?” which had the crowd laughing.
Later, Walker spoke of his encounter: “I walked around and I could see his security guard wanted to speak to me.
“I introduced myself and he said if you hang out here you can chat to him. I waited around five minutes and Prince Charles came over and asked me what I did and shook my hand.
“He said ‘good luck with your ventures’. It’s changed my view of Prince Charles. I thought the Royal Family was stuck up. I am all about laughs and jokes. My mates thought I was lying.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Kate’s sister to inherit a title too
The Middleton sisters are known to be very close.
Though Pippa is not a member of the royal family, the socialite is married to a Scottish Laird.
The 38-year-old mother of three will inherit the title of Lady Affric upon the death of her father-in-law, as her husband Matthew inherits the title of Laird Affric.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Kate helped a boy she thought was lost at Commonwealth
A journalist talked about the surprising interaction between his son and the Duchess of Cambridge.
A Times employee, Matthew Syed, was working at the Commonwealth.
The Sports column writer was on his way to watch the Tennis, an event in which he won gold decades earlier, when he went to use the toilet on the first class carriage.
As his son waited outside the vestibule, Kate saw Ted alone and began speaking to him.
Syed recalled hearing the conversation in his column: “Are you here alone?” said the woman, to which Ted replied: “No, my dad is in there.”
As they said goodbye to the duchess, Syed asked his son: “Did you realise who that was, son?”
“No idea but she was really nice.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
The Queen will continue to do less
The monarch has cancelled her welcome event to Balmoral.
The event takes place each year when she heads to Balmoral for her Summer break, but this year, due to reduced mobility, the 96-year-old has instead opted for a private event on the estate.
As her health declines, according to The Economist, Prince Charles will begin to matter more as his reign becomes imminent.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Parker-Bowles part of Windsor-Spencer memorable day
It’s known that Prince Charles and his now-wife Camilla had an affair while the prince was married the first time.
Prince Charles was married the late-Princess Diana, during which he was having an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The latter attended their wedding, a memory Princess Diana held: “I knew she was in there, of course. I looked for her. So walking down the aisle, I spotted Camilla, pale grey, veiled pillbox hat, saw it all, her son Tom standing on a chair. To this day, you know—vivid memory.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Kate helped a boy she thought was lost at Commonwealth
A journalist talked about the surprising interaction between his son and the Duchess of Cambridge.
A Times employee, Matthew Syed, was working at the Commonwealth.
The Sports column writer was on his way to watch the Tennis, an event in which he won gold decades earlier, when he went to use the toilet on the first class carriage.
As his son waited outside the vestibule, Kate saw Ted alone and began speaking to him.
Syed recalled hearing the conversation in his column: “Are you here alone?” said the woman, to which Ted replied: “No, my dad is in there.”
As they said goodbye to the duchess, Syed asked his son: “Did you realise who that was, son?”
“No idea but she was really nice.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Parker-Bowles part of Windsor-Spencer memorable day
It’s known that Prince Charles and his now-wife Camilla had an affair while the prince was married the first time.
Prince Charles was married the late-Princess Diana, during which he was having an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The latter attended their wedding, a memory Princess Diana held: “I knew she was in there, of course. I looked for her. So walking down the aisle, I spotted Camilla, pale grey, veiled pillbox hat, saw it all, her son Tom standing on a chair. To this day, you know—vivid memory.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Camilla and Charles affair more ‘icky’ than once thought
Princess Diana made clear she was aware of Camilla and Charles’s affair.
New commentary accompanying a footage of the royal wedding has been shared and hasn’t aged well.
During a programme about Princess Diana, the commentary, described by Marie Claire as “icky”, at the time showed Camilla’s ex-husband, as the journalist said: “the escort, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Parker Bowles.
“Charles and Lady Diana stayed with him and his wife Camilla in Wiltshire on two occasions at the end of the year. So they’re among friends as they ride along the Mall.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Princess Dianna encourages baby William to walk
A new clip has emerged showing the young princess helping her son.
The clip is from 1983 when Prince William was just 10 months old and shows the young mother encouraging her eldest son to walk.
The video is thought to have been shot in New Zealand during the princess’s first overseas tour. She and Prince Charles toured Australia and New Zealand for 40 days with Prince William.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Harry and William relationship ‘in dire circumstance’
A royal author suggests the pair need great help to fix their relationship.
It’s known that Harry and William had a strained relationship when the former got married as their wives, Meghan and Kate, had some conflict. But that was exacerbated by the interview Harry and Meghan did with Oprah in 2020.
Now, Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story has suggested they need great help to get their relationship back on track.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, he said: “I very much doubt they will be reconciled. There is a lot of wishful thinking about this.
“The closest parallel is George VI and Edward VIII.
“George VI adored his brother, like Harry adored William, they were inseparable, but then he abdicated, moved abroad and the relationship was never the same again.
“William and Harry are in a similar situation.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
William – symbol of privileged aristocracy?
The duke of Cambridge was reportedly booed in a pub in Sheffield.
The 40-year-old, second in line to the throne, was present during the Lionesses win against Germany to take the European Championship title.
When the prince appeared on the screen, people in a pub in Sheffield proceeded to boo at him.
Jack Royston, speaking about the incident on The Royal Report podcast. said to Kristen Meinzer: “I was messaging with one of the people who was in the pub at the time who said basically it was an anti-establishment feeling and that Prince William basically is seen as a symbol of the establishment.
“So this is the second time in several months that this has happened to William, posing a question for William: how seriously does he have to take this?
“Is this going to be a big recurring problem for him or can he just shrug it off?
“The particular fan that I spoke to said “we’re going through a cost of living crisis, people are struggling to pay their bills”…and they kind of saw William as a privileged aristocrat who doesn’t have the problems that they have.”
- Louis Allwood
Harry and William relationship ‘in dire circumstance’
A royal author suggests the pair need great help to fix their relationship.
It’s known that Harry and William had a strained relationship when the former got married as their wives, Meghan and Kate, had some conflict. But that was exacerbated by the interview Harry and Meghan did with Oprah in 2020.
Now, Andrew Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story has suggested they need great help to get their relationship back on track.
Speaking to the Daily Beast, he said: “I very much doubt they will be reconciled. There is a lot of wishful thinking about this.
“The closest parallel is George VI and Edward VIII.
“George VI adored his brother, like Harry adored William, they were inseparable, but then he abdicated, moved abroad and the relationship was never the same again.
“William and Harry are in a similar situation.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan hit with backlash
American conservative commentator Candace Owens discussed the Duchess of Sussex’s royal racism claims.
Speaking to commentator Matt Walsh, Ms Owens said: “This is a Hollywood star going into a country that loves its traditions and then accusing them of being fundamentally racist.
“It’s the height of ignorance to me to have this D-list actress that nobody knew go over there.
“I think we’re just tired of the race narrative here in America and it’s just obnoxious that we’ve sent this girl to start the same thing overseas.”
- Louis Allwood
‘Harry and William remember their childhood with great fondness’
Prince Harry remembers fondly the years from his childhood the Princess of Wales’s former bodyguard Ken Wharfe said.
In a comment written for the Hello! magazine, Mr Wharfe said: “Harry and William remember their childhood with great fondness and appear to be drawing on the experiences Diana gave them to shape the upbringing of their own children.”
He added: “They enjoy bucket-and-spade family fun on the beaches in Norfolk – while Harry and Meghan have been spotted taking Archie and the family dog for walks on the beach near their home in California.”
- Louis Allwood
Will and Kate ready to quit ‘glorious prison’ of Kensington Palace, expert claims
William and Kate are making the move to Windsor this summer, and in turn, leaving their days at Kensington Palace behind them.
While they will surely be sad to go, a royals expert has claimed that this new beginning will be a welcome one for the pair.
Royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, Ingrid Seward, explains: “I think Wills and Kate need space to bring up their children. Kensington Palace is a glorious prison for kids – they want to be able to play football without being watched from behind the gates.
“I think Windsor will be perfect for them, as they will have lots of freedom and they can all be at school together.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan to pass on £410k heirlooms to daughter
Harry has given Meghan jewellery that once belonged to his mother.
It's thought that the jewellery will be given to Lilibet when she's of age.
According to jewellery experts at Steven Stone, the value of the items are thought to be worth over £410k and will likely increase in value over time.
Some of the items included are Meghan's Cartier bracelet worn on her wedding day and thought to be £150k, and an Asprey aquamarine ring given to Meghan by Harry worn by Princess Diana only twice.
- Louis Allwood
Kate Middleton sends heartfelt note to 6-year-old girl
KATE Middleton made a little girl’s day by writing a letter to her after she invited Prince George to her birthday party.
The young girl had asked several months ago if the nine-year-old royal would be able to come to her sixth birthday celebrations.
While Kate and the rest of the royal family receive a large volume of fan mail, the palace personally replied to the young girl.
According to the Express, the sweet royal note read: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked me to thank you for your letter, in which you invite Prince George to your 6th Birthday party.
“I am sorry that it took so long to reply.
“Their Royal Highnesses were extremely grateful for your kind invitation.
“Having given careful consideration to the possibilities, however, I very much regret that Their Royal Highnesses reluctantly feel they have to decline.
"Nevertheless, I hope that you enjoyed your birthday.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were immensely touched that you should take the trouble to write as you did to their son, Prince George.
"It really was most thoughtful of you and Their Royal Highnesses have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and best wishes.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Prince Charles asked to go for a beer during Commonwealth
The Prince of Wales was asked by someone in the crowd if he would be going for a beer.
Daniel Walker called out to the prince: "Charles, Charles, are you going to go for a beer?"
Prince Charles responded, "Where?" which had the crowd laughing.
Later, Walker spoke of his encounter: "I walked around and I could see his security guard wanted to speak to me.
"I introduced myself and he said if you hang out here you can chat to him. I waited around five minutes and Prince Charles came over and asked me what I did and shook my hand.
"He said ‘good luck with your ventures’. It’s changed my view of Prince Charles. I thought the Royal Family was stuck up. I am all about laughs and jokes. My mates thought I was lying."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Kate's sister to inherit a title too
The Middleton sisters are known to be very close.
Though Pippa is not a member of the royal family, the socialite is married to a Scottish Laird.
The 38-year-old mother of three will inherit the title of Lady Affric upon the death of her father-in-law, as her husband Matthew inherits the title of Laird Affric.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Kate helped a boy she thought was lost at Commonwealth
A journalist talked about the surprising interaction between his son and the Duchess of Cambridge.
A Times employee, Matthew Syed, was working at the Commonwealth.
The Sports column writer was on his way to watch the Tennis, an event in which he won gold decades earlier, when he went to use the toilet on the first class carriage.
As his son waited outside the vestibule, Kate saw Ted alone and began speaking to him.
Syed recalled hearing the conversation in his column: "Are you here alone?" said the woman, to which Ted replied: "No, my dad is in there."
As they said goodbye to the duchess, Syed asked his son: "Did you realise who that was, son?"
"No idea but she was really nice."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
The Queen said Beatrice's name was too 'yuppie'
It's normal for royals to check in with the Queen when naming a new child.
Via an informal chat, the parents would let the Queen know the name and typically she'd be happy with it.
However, when Prince Andrew and his then-wife, Sarah Ferguson told the Queen about their first-born's name, the Queen deemed it too "yuppie".
Now named Beatrice Elizabeth Mary with the two middle names named for her grandmother and great-grandmother respectively, Beatrice was originally to be called Annabel.
Due to the Queen's dislike of the name, it took two weeks before the young princess's name was announced.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
The Queen will continue to do less
The monarch has cancelled her welcome event to Balmoral.
The event takes place each year when she heads to Balmoral for her Summer break, but this year, due to reduced mobility, the 96-year-old has instead opted for a private event on the estate.
As her health declines, according to The Economist, Prince Charles will begin to matter more as his reign becomes imminent.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Camilla and Charles affair more 'icky' than once thought
Princess Diana made clear she was aware of Camilla and Charles's affair.
New commentary accompanying a footage of the royal wedding has been shared and hasn't aged well.
During a programme about Princess Diana, the commentary, described by Marie Claire as "icky", at the time showed Camilla's ex-husband, as the journalist said: "the escort, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Parker Bowles.
"Charles and Lady Diana stayed with him and his wife Camilla in Wiltshire on two occasions at the end of the year. So they're among friends as they ride along the Mall."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Parker-Bowles part of Windsor-Spencer memorable day
It's known that Prince Charles and his now-wife Camilla had an affair while the prince was married the first time.
Prince Charles was married the late-Princess Diana, during which he was having an affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.
The latter attended their wedding, a memory Princess Diana held: "I knew she was in there, of course. I looked for her. So walking down the aisle, I spotted Camilla, pale grey, veiled pillbox hat, saw it all, her son Tom standing on a chair. To this day, you know—vivid memory."
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