Author: quyen3

  • Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell urged to resign over sex abuse scandal

    Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell urged to resign over sex abuse scandal

    The Archbishop of York is facing calls to resign over a sex abuse scandal, just weeks before he takes charge of the Church of England.

    Stephen Cottrell apologised for not acting sooner in the case of disgraced priest David Tudor. As Bishop of Chelmsford from 2010 to 2020, Mr Cottrell has been criticised for letting Tudor stay in post despite several accusations of sexual misconduct.

    Tudor was eventually suspended in 2019 and banned for life in October after he admitted sex abuse allegations against two girls dating back to the 1980s. The Bishop of Newcastle, the Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, called for Mr Cottrell to quit.

    A photo of David Tudor
    Tudor was suspended in 2019 and banned for life after admitting to sex abuse in the 1980s
    She said: “I think that it completely undermines his credibility. How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution? So yes, I do think that he should consider his position.”

    Mr Cottrell claimed that it was not possible to remove Tudor from office until fresh complaints were made against him in 2019. He added: “I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited. It is extremely disappointing that this story is being reported as if it was an abuser being ignored or protected.

    “Nothing could be further from the truth. And to present it this way only re-traumatises already hurt people.” At least seven women say they were abused by Tudor, who worked for the Church of England for 46 years.

    He was convicted of indecent assault in 1988, but the verdict was quashed because the judge misdirected the jury. In 1989, he was banned by the Church for five years for sexual misconduct. Then-Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey agreed he could come back under supervision in 1993.

    From January 2008, Tudor had been working under a safeguarding agreement preventing him from being alone with children or entering schools.

    In 2012, Tudor paid one victim £10,000 without admitting liability. Seven years later, the Church paid another victim a six-figure sum.

    Mr Cottrell will lead the Church from January 6 until a replacement for Justin Welby as Archbishop of Canterbury is chosen. Mr Welby quit last month over a separate abuse scandal.

  • Every region in England to get a mayor with powers on housing and transport, vows Angela Rayner

    Every region in England to get a mayor with powers on housing and transport, vows Angela Rayner

    Angela Rayner has said she wants a mayor in every region in England under the biggest shake-up of local government in decades.

    Regional mayors will be handed more powers over housing, transport, education and employment under the plans – with greater freedom to decide how taxpayers’ cash is spent.

    Small district councils could be abolished in areas with two tiers of local authority, ending a complicated patchwork of local government. The first “mega-councils” are due to be in place by April 2027 – and town halls that drag their feet could be ordered to merge by ministers.

    The devolution white paper, published on Monday, will ensure regional powers are “no longer agreed at the whim of a minister in Whitehall,” Ms Rayner said.

    Ms Rayner said: “I want to see the whole of England have mayors. It’s about working with them. I know some areas, it’s going to take them a bit longer to get there and we will work with them. Because I want to have a council of mayors in England that will really be able to drive the growth in their local areas.”

    The massive shake-up could mean some local elections due to take place in May 2025 are postponed. Ms Rayner said any delays to local polls “wouldn’t be for longer than a couple of months, a year”.

    She said: “We’re asking people to come forward as quickly as possible, and if they’re near enough to a deal and they say: ‘Well, you know, we just need a few more months, and then we can put that system in place’.

    It comes as part of efforts to take power out of Whitehall and to unblock planning so the Government can deliver on its promise to build 1.5million homes by the end of this Parliament.

    Critics warned the plans could trample all over local democracy. Cllr Hannah Dalton, vice chair of the District Council Network, said: “We’re concerned that any creation of mega councils will prove the opposite of devolution, taking powers away from local communities, depriving tens of millions of people of genuinely localised decision making and representation.”

    Council areas which would be impacted by the changes are expected to receive letters from the Government in the new year.

  • UK spies ‘to share most discreet work with Norway’ in new pact to stop Putin agents

    UK spies ‘to share most discreet work with Norway’ in new pact to stop Putin agents

    British spies are to share its “most discreet and sensitive work” with Norway to counter a worrying threat from Russia, it is reported.

    A deal is understood to have been agreed between the UK’s National Authority for Counter-Eavesdropping and the Norwegian National Security Authority, with Sir Keir Starmer “seized by the threat” posed by Vladimir Putin ’s security services.

    The two agencies will reportedly share methods of countering covert listening devices planted by hostile states like Russia, with greater cooperation due to the threat from spying. It comes with the Prime Minister also speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force conference in Estonia with other Baltic states and he is set to visit British troops serving on Russia’s border.

    The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security.

    And before that summit he attended a meeting to discuss intelligence and security at Haakonsvern Naval Base, Norway’s Navy HQ, reported The Sun. It was there that Sir Keir was informed of the “sophisticated subsea threats to energy, critical national infrastructure, and domestic security”.

    And a source close to the PM said he was “seized by the threat posed by Russia and is focused on protecting the UK and our allies from Putin’s reckless actions”. The new reported deal between the British and Norwegian intelligence agencies will include the sharing of some of the UK’s “most discreet and sensitive work” said a source.

    Due to its proximity to Russia, British defence activity has tripled in Norway over the past few years with more than 5,000 troops training and exercising in the country. While, in Estonia, Sir Keir, was also asked what else could be done to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, and he said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.”

    He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that NATO is put in the strongest position as well.

    “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas.

    “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made.

    “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London. Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Mirror has contacted the MoD for comment.

  • Meghan Markle tells of miscarriage ‘pain and grief’

    Meghan Markle tells of miscarriage ‘pain and grief’


     

    The Duchess of Sussex has revealed she had a miscarriage in July, writing in an article of feeling “an almost unbearable grief”.

    “I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” Meghan said in a piece for the New York Times.

    She went on to describe how she watched “my husband’s heart break as he tried to hold the shattered pieces of mine”.

    Meghan wrote that “loss and pain have plagued every one of us in 2020”.The 39-year-old shared her experience to urge people to “commit to asking others, ‘are you OK?’” over the Thanksgiving holiday in the US.

     

    A source close to the duchess confirmed to the BBC that the duchess is currently in good health and the couple wanted to talk about what happened in July, having come to appreciate how common miscarriage is.

    A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “It’s a deeply personal matter we would not comment on.”

    The duchess and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, moved to California to live away from the media spotlight, after stepping back as senior royals in January.

    Their first child, Archie, was born on 6 May 2019.
    Getty Images Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor at a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa on 25 September 2019The duke and duchess visited southern Africa in 2019 with their son Archie
    The duchess began her article by describing a “sharp cramp” she felt while looking after Archie.

    “I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right,” she wrote.

    “Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband’s hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears.

    “Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we’d heal.”

    Meghan made it clear from the first event that she spoke at as Harry’s bride-to-be that she wanted women’s voices and women’s experiences to be heard more clearly.

    Now she has written of her loss, and her heartbreak. She has set it in the context of a year of breathtaking turbulence. And she has made a plea for tolerance and compassion.

    She weaves in the struggles of so many with Covid-19, the battles over truth and lies in our divided age, the killing of black Americans by the police.

    And on an experience that so many women have lived through, she has made her grief a way of bringing miscarriage closer to the everyday conversation.
    line
    The duchess continued: “Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few.

    “In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage.

    “Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning.

    “Some have bravely shared their stories; they have opened the door, knowing that when one person speaks truth, it gives license for all of us to do the same.”

    The duchess also referenced a TV interview in which she was asked by a journalist if she was ok, during her tour of South Africa last year.

    She said she was asked the question during a time in which she was “trying to keep a brave face in the very public eye”.

    “I answered him honestly, not knowing that what I said would resonate with so many – new moms and older ones, and anyone who had, in their own way, been silently suffering,” she said.

    The duchess is the second member of the Royal Family to open up about having a miscarriage.

    In 2018 the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall spoke about suffering two miscarriages before having her second child.

    The duchess’s miscarriage happened at a time when she was involved in legal action against the Mail on Sunday over the publication of a letter she wrote to her father. Last month she was granted a postponement of her privacy trial until autumn next year.

    ‘Breaking down stigma’

    An estimated one in four pregnancies ends in a miscarriage, according to the charity Tommy’s.

    Tommy’s midwife Sophie King said talking about baby loss in pregnancy is “a real taboo in society” so “mothers like Meghan sharing their stories is a vital step in breaking down that stigma and shame”.

    She said the duchess’s “honesty and openness” sends a “powerful message to anyone who loses a baby: this may feel incredibly lonely, but you are not alone”.

    Clea Harmer, chief executive of stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, said it was a “sad reality” there was a stigma surrounding pregnancy loss and baby death, which “leaves many parents feeling isolated”.

    “The isolation we have all felt this year has made it even more difficult for parents whose baby has died during the Covid-19 pandemic and has brought back painful emotions for all those who have lost precious loved ones,” she said.

    Dr Christine Ekechi, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said it was “important” that any stigma or shame surrounding this issue was removed.

    “Sadly, early miscarriages are very common and they can be a devastating loss for parents and their families,” she said.

    And Alice Weeden, from charity the Miscarriage Association, told the BBC: “When somebody, particularly in the public eye, talks about it openly, it’s helpful for other people to know that they are not alone.”

    There are around 250,000 miscarriages every year in the UK alone, the majority occurring within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

    It is a shockingly common experience, often dealt with privately at home or swiftly in hospitals.

    Many parents carry their grief silently and can feel society expects them to “get back to normal life” too soon.

    But charities and scientists say much more needs to be done to acknowledge the longer-term effects of pregnancy loss.

  • Eugenie and Her Husband Decline Meghan Markle’s Christmas Invitation

    Eugenie and Her Husband Decline Meghan Markle’s Christmas Invitation


     

    Why Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Said No to Harry and Meghan’s Montecito Christmas

    Twinkling lights strung across Montecito’s palm trees, the scent of mulled wine wafting through the air, and two royal couples sharing holiday cheer under the California sun. Sounds idyllic, right? But sometimes, reality doesn’t match the fantasy.

    This year, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, made headlines when they politely declined Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s invitation to spend Christmas at their Montecito home. What prompted this decision? Was it the allure of a cozy family Christmas in the UK, the challenge of distance, or perhaps something more subtle brewing beneath the surface of royal relations? Let’s unpack this intriguing story layer by layer.Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry have always shared a close bond that dates back to their childhood. As cousins, they’ve been famously described as allies amidst royal tensions. Meghan Markle even mentioned that Eugenie was one of the first royals who truly welcomed her into Harry’s world.

     

    But familial relationships can be complex—especially when royal expectations, public scrutiny, and transatlantic distances are added to the mix. Could declining this invitation mark a subtle shift in their dynamic?

    Rhetorical Question: Have you ever felt torn between different sides of your family, each pulling you in different directions during the holidays?

    Harry and Meghan’s Montecito mansion has become synonymous with high-profile gatherings, blending Hollywood star power with royal charm. A Christmas celebration at their home likely promised luxurious settings, a delicious feast, and plenty of memorable moments.

    For Eugenie and Jack, however, Christmas might mean something simpler. As parents to young August, they might prefer a quieter, more intimate environment for their son. Spending the holiday under the media spotlight—inevitable when you’re with Harry and Meghan—may not align with their priorities.

    Relatable Question: If you had to choose, would you opt for a glamorous gathering or a cozy family Christmas?

    Let’s not forget the delicate web of royal relationships. Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties and their candid interviews about the royal family have stirred tensions.

    While Eugenie has been supportive of Harry, her loyalty to the larger royal family might also come into play. Declining the invitation could have been a diplomatic choice, aimed at avoiding the appearance of taking sides. After all, the Windsors are masters of silent statements.

    Curiosity Spark: Could Eugenie’s decision have been influenced by quiet advice from the palace—or was it simply a matter of practicality?

    Logistics matter. Flying to California for a sun-soaked Christmas isn’t a short trip—especially with a toddler in tow. For Eugenie and Jack, the idea of traveling halfway around the world may have seemed less appealing than celebrating closer to home.

    Whether at the Royal Lodge with her parents, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, or in the comfort of their own space, staying in the UK might have been the simpler choice.

    Relatable Moment: Haven’t we all looked at travel plans and thought, “Maybe next year”?

    From Harry and Meghan’s point of view, Eugenie’s decision might have felt personal. Christmas is a time for loved ones, and this could have been a rare opportunity to strengthen their bond.

    However, given Harry and Meghan’s penchant for shaking up traditions, they likely understand the appeal of a quiet family Christmas. This incident may simply reflect differing priorities rather than a deeper rift.

    If this story teaches us anything, it’s the art of navigating holiday plans. Balancing personal desires, family expectations, and practical considerations is tricky for everyone—royal or not.

    For Eugenie and Jack, the decision to decline Harry and Meghan’s invitation seems rooted in practicality rather than a desire to offend.

    Takeaway Tip: When navigating holiday plans, prioritize your well-being and communicate your choices with grace and tact.

  • Prince William gives update on Christmas Day plans as Prince Andrew ‘spy’ row deepens

    Prince William gives update on Christmas Day plans as Prince Andrew ‘spy’ row deepens

    Prince William has made a candid admission about the royal family’s upcoming Christmas plans – as rumours over Prince Andrew’s attendance continue to swirl.

    The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are preparing to celebrate the holiday with King Charles and the majority of the royal family at Sandringham. And William offered a rare glimpse inside their 25 December plans during a visit with soldiers and their families in Bulford, Wiltshire, admitting that, with just days to go until the big day, he’s not prepared.

    “Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready,” he said during a friendly chat with soldiers from the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment. Sgt. Sam Murray, who has served with the regiment for 20 years, spoke to William as his son Carson Heighway, drew his portrait.

    “He asked what my children wanted for Christmas,” Sgt Murray said. “He said he is not organised himself.” Leah St Clair-Lewis, meanwhile, shared that William spoke about “what he was up to for Christmas and enjoying walks with his dogs at Sandringham”.

    “He said there will be 45 of them under one roof for Christmas,” she added. “He didn’t say whether that was just for one day or over the Christmas period. They must need a very long table!”

    He reportedly said at the event: “It won’t be quiet, it will be noisy”. The huge family gathering will see the majority of royals head to Norfolk to celebrate with the King. It’s an especially poignant Christmas following both Princess Kate and King Charles’s cancer battles this year.

    But while the Sandringham estate will be filled with extended royal family members, there will be some notable absences. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not received an invitation to this year’s celebration, according to reports – and there is now also a question mark over Prince Andrew’s attendance.

    According to the Telegraph, the timing of the scandal poses a “conundrum” for the King, who had expected to be joined by the Duke and the wider Royal family at this week’s private Christmas lunch, as well as at the traditional church service at Sandringham on Christmas Day.

    As a result of the ongoing furore, Prince Andrew “should do the decent thing” and opt not to join the royal family at Christmas events to save the King’s blushes, royal insiders told the publication. The monarch is understood to be reluctant to “ban” Andrew from the festivities on December 25 himself, but is concerned that the Duke of York’s presence as the royals walk to church will resurface the Chinese spy row.

    Royal expert Rebecca English wrote in the Daily Mail: “He (King Charles) is desperately hoping the Duke of York will ‘do the decent thing’ and ‘recuse’ himself from joining them at Sandringham to spare the rest of the Royal Family further embarrassment.

    “He is, at the end of the day, his blood brother: he can’t divorce him, or indeed prevent him from seeing other family members… As it stands, I am told, Andrew is due to join the rest of the family in Norfolk next week for the festive gathering… Engulfed in yet another furore of his own making, pressure is being placed on the duke to ‘see sense’.”

  • After 20 Years of Silence, Princess Diana’s Bodyguard Reveals the Truth: “I Was Threatened by King Charles for Years, the Terrifying Reality Is…”

    After 20 Years of Silence, Princess Diana’s Bodyguard Reveals the Truth: “I Was Threatened by King Charles for Years, the Terrifying Reality Is…”

    Breaking News: After 20 Years of Silence, Princess Diana’s Bodyguard Reveals the Truth: “I Was Threatened by King Charles for Years, the Terrifying Reality Is…”

    After more than two decades of silence, Princess Diana’s former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, has broken his silence and revealed shocking new details about his time serving the late princess and the tensions within the British royal family. In a bombshell interview, Wharfe disclosed that he had been threatened by King Charles (then Prince Charles) for years, with the threats impacting not only his job but also his personal safety.

    Wharfe revealed that throughout his years of service to Princess Diana, he witnessed escalating tension between her and other members of the royal family, particularly with Prince Charles. According to Wharfe, he was instructed to keep secrets about private meetings and internal family matters, and on several occasions, he was warned that revealing the truth would have severe consequences. In fact, he claims that King Charles personally threatened to damage his career if he didn’t comply with royal demands.

    These explosive revelations cast a new light on the complicated dynamics between Princess Diana and the royal family, sparking questions about the true nature of their relationships. Wharfe also described how Diana increasingly felt isolated by the royal family, amplifying her fears for her safety and the future of her children.

    The disclosure of these details raises even more concerns about what really transpired behind closed doors within the British monarchy and the secrecy that surrounded Diana’s life. Wharfe stressed that, after all these years, he felt compelled to speak out in order to set the record straight, even though he knew it would likely spark controversy and debate.

    This revelation marks a turning point in the ongoing story of Princess Diana, offering new insights into her troubled relationship with the royal family. It could also reshape the public’s understanding of events that occurred over two decades ago, shedding light on the hidden truths that have remained largely unknown until now. As the world reacts, the monarchy’s carefully guarded image may now face even more scrutiny.

  • At the age of 75, King Charles has just hinted at the reason why Princess Diana’s coffin was never opened: the truth is…

    At the age of 75, King Charles has just hinted at the reason why Princess Diana’s coffin was never opened: the truth is…

    Breaking News: King Charles Reveals Why Princess Diana’s Coffin Was Never Opened

    At the age of 75, King Charles has finally revealed the long-held secret behind why Princess Diana’s coffin was never opened after her tragic death. In an exclusive and highly anticipated statement, the King has shed light on one of the most enduring mysteries surrounding the aftermath of Diana’s death in 1997.

     

    For years, many have speculated about the contents of Diana’s coffin, wondering if the official story of her death was the whole truth. The decision to seal the coffin and not allow anyone to view her body fueled endless rumors and conspiracy theories. Now, King Charles has revealed that the decision was made for a deeply personal and sensitive reason—one that, according to him, was intended to protect both Diana’s legacy and the royal family’s reputation.

    In his candid remarks, King Charles stated, “The reason Diana’s coffin was never opened was to preserve her dignity and respect her final wishes.” He explained that, despite the intense public interest and media frenzy surrounding her death, it was important to honor Diana’s privacy and the wishes she had expressed during her final years. The King emphasized that Diana had always been a private person, despite her public role, and that this decision was made with the utmost care and consideration.

    King Charles also hinted at the emotional toll the family had suffered, acknowledging the complex relationship between Diana and the royal family. “Diana was loved by millions, but there were also painful moments in her life that she kept to herself,” he said. “Her death was an incredibly difficult time for all of us, and opening her coffin would have added to the pain.”

    This revelation has sent shockwaves through the media and the public, reigniting interest in the circumstances surrounding Princess Diana’s death and her complex relationship with the royal family. King Charles’s statement serves as a reminder of the immense pressure and scrutiny the royal family faces, even in the wake of tragedy.

    As the world reflects on this new information, many are left to wonder if the King’s words will finally put an end to the speculation, or if more questions will arise about the secrets still buried in the past. One thing is certain: Princess Diana’s legacy will continue to captivate the world for years to come.

     

     

     

  • Meghan Markle breaks cover to celebrate baby news as she beams with close pals

    Meghan Markle breaks cover to celebrate baby news as she beams with close pals

    Meghan Markle has been spotted beaming in a pink dress as she celebrates sweet baby news.

    The Duchess of Sussex was seen in a snap posted to Instagram by close pal Kelly Zajfen at the baby shower of another friend Samantha Stone. In the picture Meghan can be seen celebrating with the mum-to-be wearing a pale pink fitted dress, matching the party’s dress code of pink themed, as the imminent arrival is believed to be a girl.

    It is the first time Meghan has been seen since last week when she attended a gala in aid of pal Tyler Perry without husband Prince Harry, who was thousands of miles away at an event in New York. In the snap, Meghan appears alone, with no sign of Harry.Mum-to-be Samantha is the chief membership officer of swanky members club Soho House. Joining them for the sweet snap was Markus Anderson, the global membership director of Soho House and known to be a close pal of Meghan’s as well as pal Kelly, who posted the snap on Instagram.

    She wrote: “I love a theme. Wear Pink she said! Celebrating our sweet baby girl coming oh so soon! Adore you @samanthamstone and can’t wait to meet baby Stone. She’s a lucky little girl to have a mama like you. Love, Auntie Kelly.”

    Meghan is no stranger to baby showers after holding her own lavish bash back in 2019 just before son Prince Archie, who is now five, was born. She spent five days in New York City with pals Serena Williams and Amal Clooney. American television presenter Gayle King secured a place on the very selective guest list and revealed details about the special event.

    Meghan with Tyler Perry at a glitzy bash last week
    Meghan with Tyler Perry at a glitzy bash last week 
    Image:
    Variety via Getty Images)
    Gayle said: “I hope she won’t mind me sharing this because I’ve never seen anything like this at a baby shower. They did flower decorations, they had flower arranging, they brought in somebody to explain how to arrange flowers. We all each made an individual vase and then Meghan got in touch with an organisation I’ve never heard of, Repeat Roses, and all of those were donated to different charities.

  • Prince William reveals secret Christmas Sandringham tradition he loves doing every year

    Prince William reveals secret Christmas Sandringham tradition he loves doing every year

    Each year, the Royal Family gather at Sandringham where they all celebrate Christmas together in style.

    The public gets a glimpse of their festivities when they all attend the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church and take part in a walkabout, but most of their celebrations take place behind closed doors. There are certain traditions of the royal Christmas known to the public, like the fact that for the past two centuries, they’ve exchanged gifts for each other on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day and opt for jokey presents instead of something lavish.

    However, much of how the House of Windsor spends the special day is a pretty well-kept secret. Prince William has however revealed one of his favourite aspects of his family’s festivities during a recent engagement – and it’s something they do every year.

    During a visit with the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment – of which he is Colonel-in-Chief – in Bulford, Wiltshire, William took part in a festive party and chatted away with his fellow partygoers, when he admitted that going on a long walk with the dogs is always a highlight of his family’s holiday.

    According to Hello magazine, Leah St Clair-Lewis from WRVS Services Welfare, a charity that provides welfare to members of the British Army, William spoke of their love of dogs. She explained: ‘We spoke about what he was up to for Christmas and enjoying walks with his dogs at Sandringham.”

    The Royal Family are all big animal lovers, and are also known to enjoy spending time together engaged in outdoor pursuits like walks, horse riding, and shooting – so it’s no surprise that when they all get together they get out into the great outdoors and give their four-legged friends some exercise.

    Leah also admitted to the journalists present that William had told her things can be a bit hectic when the House of Windsor gets together for Christmas because there are simply so many people in attendance. “He said there will be 45 of them under one roof for Christmas. He didn’t say whether that was just for one day or over the Christmas period.” “They must need a very long table,” Leah joked.

    During Queen Elizabeth’s reign, all four of her children – and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren – would come together at Sandringham, but now King Charles is head of the family, this now includes his two step-children through Queen Camilla : Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes, and their children.

    Over the years, many dogs will have been there too – with the late Queen known to have an assortment of beloved corgis close by at almost all times. William and Kate have a black cocker spaniel called Orla – with their old family dog Lupo, passing away in 2020.

    Queen Camilla’s beloved dog Beth – a Jack Russell terrier she rescued from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home – also recently passed away, and it’s likely the “much-loved companion” of the Queen will be well missed over the festive season as the royals take their dogs for a walk together.