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  • King Charles not planning visits to riot hotspots as monarch follows late Queen’s lead

    King Charles not planning visits to riot hotspots as monarch follows late Queen’s lead

    King Charles is not currently planning to visit riot hit areas as the monarch follows the late Queen’s example.

    King Charles

    King Charles is not currently planning to visit riot hit areas (Image: Getty)

    King Charles isn’t currently planning visits to riot hit hotspots as the monarch follows the late Queen’s lead in his response.

    Royal sources have said Charles is being kept updated daily about the disorder which has plagued streets in England and Northern Ireland since three girls were fatally stabbed in Southport, Merseyside.

    The Labour Government leads the response to the unrest, with Charles expected as monarch to stay out of politics.

    Anti-monarchy group, Republic, has criticised the lack of response from the King, with its leader, Graham Smith, claiming that when the nation is in crisis, the monarch is “nowhere to be seen”.

    But Charles appears to be following a precedent set by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who didn’t send any messages when rioting erupted in summer 2011.

    The Queen Visits Injured Victims Of The Manchester Arena Bombing

    Queen Elizabeth II visited the injured victims of the Manchester Arena bombing (Image: Getty)

    The Daily Mail’s former royal correspondent, Richard Kay, said the late Queen had been receiving updates about developments at that time.

    He reported that plans were being put in place for an “appropriate” royal response to those riots, which came a few months before Her Late Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    Mr Kay suggested that response would most likely come in the form of a “high-profile” visit by a senior royal to communities affected by the violence.

    Prince William and Princess Kate, then the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited Machan Express Coffee bar in the centre of Birmingham in August, 2011, which was ransacked during rioting in the area.

    After riots in Toxteth in July 1981, Charles visited David Lewis Youth Centre in the same neighbourhood of inner-city Liverpool during a two hour trip a few weeks later.

    Chalres did express grief and concern after the fatal stabbings in Southport, but to date he hasn’t addressed the rioting or anti-immigration protests which have erupted since.

    Prince William and Princess Kate in Birmingham after the 2011 riots

    Prince William and Princess Kate visited Birmingham after the 2011 riots (Image: Getty)

    Historian and author, Sir Anthony Seldon, defended King Charles, telling the BBC now is not the time for the monarch to get involved.

    He told the broadcaster: “The time for the King to speak, if at all, is when everything has calmed down again. The issues that have led to the riots are not going to go away quickly. We need to hear his considered thoughts then about societal harmony.”

    Others have called on the King to speak out now. Historian Kate Williams told Times Radio this is the moment for Charles to talk about multiculturalism, the Commonwealth and commnity cohesion.

    She told the station: “I think that if I were advising him I would suggest making that statement sooner rather than later.”

    Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, said in general, the monarchy does not comment on current political events.

    King Charles, then Prince of Wales, visiting Toxteth in 1981

    King Charles, then Prince of Wales, at David Lewis Youth Centre during a two hour trip to Toxteth (Image: PA Images/PA Archive)

    He wrote on X: “It chiefly acts through its ‘work’, i.e. Charles visited Tottenham several times after the 2011 riots (and was praised for that).”

    Mr Prescott added that in “a slightly different way”, the late Queen visited those injured in the Manchester Arena bombing, describing the bomber as “very wicked”.

    The expert said: “Once the riots have subsided, you might expect members of the Royal Family to visit places affected and perhaps to see them more in multicultural settings.

    “We’ve perhaps already seen this a little more in this reign (not that Elizabeth II didn’t do engagements like this).”

    Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment.

  • Royal expert’s damning six-word verdict on why Harry’s memoir continues to wreak havoc

    Royal expert’s damning six-word verdict on why Harry’s memoir continues to wreak havoc

    The Duke of Sussex sent shockwaves around the world when his explosive memoir was released in 2023.

    Prince Harry in London

    Prince Harry’s relationship with the Royal Family has been strained since the release of his memoir (Image: Getty)

    More than a year after the release of Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare, a royal expert claims the repercussions of Harry’s revelations are still being felt.

    Spare landed on bookshelves in January 2023, just a few months after the demise of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. It became the best-selling book of 2023, and it sold almost half a million copies in the UK in its first week of sale.

    In the pages, he shared personal details of growing up, and his life within the Royal Family, including events on the day the late sovereign passed away.

    Since the release of his book, Harry’s relations with his brother, Prince William and King Charles, have deteriorated, with Harry not making many visits back to the UK to see his family.

    In a damning six-word verdict about why Spare is still discussed today, royal writer, Robert Hardman, said: “He gave away too many secrets.”

    Prince Harry in London

    Spare was crowned the best selling book of 2023 (Image: Getty)

    The royal writer told the Independent that people are still feeling hurt from the contents of the book. He said: “People are still very wounded, particularly Prince William, that these intimate private childhood family moments all spilled out in Harry’s book.

    “It’s not what Harry said, it’s the fact that he said it, and he gave away so many secrets. And he was, effectively, at the time of the Queen’s death, you know, he was taking notes.”

    Prince Harry last visited the UK for the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games at a service held at St Paul’s Cathedral in May, but his father, King Charles, hosted a Buckingham Palace Garden Party the same day and no immediate family members attended the service.

    Speaking about the father and son relationship, Robert said: “There he is, he’s got two sons, one he hardly sees, and two grandchildren he’s barely ever seen, and yes, I think he would like some sort of modus vivendi.

    “Clearly, they can’t return to Royal life, I don’t believe they want to. And, after everything that’s happened, it wouldn’t be feasible.”

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals in 2020 (Image: Getty)

    Meanwhile, royal biographer, Ingrid Seward, suggested to the Mirror that concerns over security may prevent any chances of a family reunion.

    She said: “Harry and Meghan’s security fears could well be a stumbling block to any kind of reunion with the Royal Family. But no doubt they have been invited to Balmoral this summer.”

    Reflecting on the unique family time Balmoral Castle offers, she continued, “As the late Queen discovered, Scotland offers the only quality time a monarch has to devote to family.

    “It would be very sad if Charles was denied the pleasure of seeing his grandchildren just because of Harry’s unfounded security woes.”

    Meanwhile, Princess Kate is expected to join Prince William and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – at the Royal Family’s summer holiday at Balmoral in August.

  • Princess Beatrice’s lavish £1.5m gift from late Queen that Fergie made her give back

    Princess Beatrice’s lavish £1.5m gift from late Queen that Fergie made her give back

    When Princess Beatrice was just nine years old, she was given an expensive and lavish gift by her doting grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

    Princess Beatrice and Queen Elizabeth II at Ascot

    Beatrice and her sister were gifted a Grade II listed property (Image: Getty)

    Princess Beatrice was once gifted an iconic Grade II listed home in Surrey by the late Queen Elizabeth II, but the Princess was not able to live there.

    The beautiful property named Birch Hall was given as a present from the late Queen to both Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie.

    The Surrey-based home was a pad many would dream of and included seven bedrooms, five acres of land, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and even a tennis court.

    The late Queen instructed that the home be bought by trustees on behalf of the Queen, but Fergie ended up declining the offer, as she was reportedly concerned about running costs.

    Instead, the family continued to live together at Sunninghill Park and then Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew moved to Royal Lodge in Windsor where they both currently reside.

    Prince Andrew Sarah Ferguson

    Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew live at Royal Lodge in Windsor (Image: Getty)

    After the rejection of Birch Hall, it was sold in 1999 and estate agents said it was “due to a change of circumstance” as reported by the Sun. It is thought the money from the sale was placed in a trust for Eugenie and Beatrice to use when they were older.

    In 2016, Birch Hall was listed on the market for £4.2million, after being renovated with even more jaw-dropping features than it originally had. Its latest owners added a media and games room, an orangery, and a home gym.

    Andrew Russell from estate agency Strutt and Parker told the Daily Mail: “The owners bought it from the trustees acting for the Queen in 1999. The trustees bought it in 1997 for the princesses and I imagine it was chosen because it’s a pretty house in a popular village and the gardens are a real draw, it’s more like parkland. But they never moved in.”

    Since getting married in 2020, Princess Beatrice, who turns 36 today, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, have lived in a four-bed apartment in St James’s Palace, with two-year-old daughter Sienna and Edoardo’s son, Wolfie.

    The duo purchased a sprawling farmhouse in the Cotswolds for a reported £3.5m, two years ago, which they have been renovating.

    When Birch Hall went up for sale in 2016, the estate agent also explained how it was the “best of north Surrey’s village houses”. He added: “There’s not that many that come on the market. It’s a proper country house with five acres of grounds.

    “The house itself is a very attractive and imposing-looking property. Some of the rooms are really quite dramatic, with high ceilings and full floor-to-ceiling sash windows.”

    “It’s got a swimming pool, tennis court and beautiful specimen trees dating from Victorian times in the garden.”

    He also explained how its owners had renovated: “They reconfigured the staircase and updated the house throughout, moving the kitchen so it overlooks the garden and swimming pool.”

  • Queen Camilla’s very special £210k engagement ring that once belonged to a royal relative

    Queen Camilla’s very special £210k engagement ring that once belonged to a royal relative

    King Charles III gave The Queen a ring that belonged to a beloved family member who he was once very close to.

    King Charles III And Queen Camilla Visit Sandringham Flower Show

    The Queen Consort’s engagement ring cost £210k (Image: Getty)

    Looking for an engagement ring? Perhaps the King could be an inspiration, considering the timeless beauty of a ring he bought for the Queen when they got engaged.

    In February 2005, the royals officially announced their engagement before marrying two months later at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, with Prince William serving as the best man.

    The King clearly had taste, choosing a family heirloom that once belonged to his late grandmother.

    Estimated to be worth £210,000 before gracing the Queen’s ring finger, the platinum piece was prominently worn and photographed in the 1980s by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

    The ring follows the popular trend of a classic emerald cut, favoured by Beyonce, Jaqueline Kennedy and Amal Clooney, and Sophia Richie.

    The seven-stone piece ring is an Art Deco design that features a five-carrot emerald cut, four-claw set diamond at the centre, with three diamond baguettes flanking either side, decreasing in size.

    Its origin is not known but it’s said to have been gifted to the Queen Mother after the birth of Queen Elizabeth II in 1926, effectively making it a royal push present.

    The King was very close to his grandmother as she helped him grow through the pressures of being in the public eye, making it all the more sweet he gifted the jewel to his then wife-to-be.

     

    BRITAIN-POLITICS-ROYALS

    The ring belonged to The Queen Mother (Image: Getty)

    Kate Earlam-Charnley, design director at jewellers Taylor & Heart, said: “The long, clean facets and linear structure of this Art Deco design match her understated yet regal aesthetic in the most complementary way. A style like this is ideal to showcase its flash against the neutral hues favoured by the Queen Consort.”

    It’s not just the Queen Consort with a shiny bit of bling of course, as the King also has his own impressive ring.

    During his coronation on May 6th 2023, King Charles III received “The Wedding Ring of England,”. Since King William IV’s coronation in 1831, every sovereign has worn this signet, which boasts a centre sapphire, with rubies forming the shape of a cross surrounded by 14 diamonds.

  • 11 times Prince Harry was a royal bad boy before Megxit caused him to go ‘nuclear’

    11 times Prince Harry was a royal bad boy before Megxit caused him to go ‘nuclear’

    Prince Harry was known for his ‘bad boy’ moments prior to dating Meghan Markle, here Express.co.uk delves into 11 of them.

    prince harry in his younger days

    Prince Harry is known for his bad boy moments (Image: Getty)

    Although Prince Harry is now settled as a proud husband and doting father of two, he has previously been known for his bad-boy behaviour.

    The royal has had many moments of displaying his cheeky character – much to the delight of royal fans who once dubbed him as their ‘favourite royal’.

    Although he is now known for his criticism of royal life, Harry’s wild behaviour hasn’t just come around since Meghan Markle’s been in the picture – and especially since stepping down as a working royal back in 2020.

    The royal, who is set to celebrate his 40th birthday next month, made the decision to step down from duty alongside his wife Meghan and moved to the US shortly after. The couple now share two children – Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3.

    Here, Express.co.uk looks at 11 moments that show why he was once (maybe still is) dubbed the ‘bad boy’ of the Royal Family.

    Naked in Las Vegas

    Although as the saying goes ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’, this wasn’t exactly the case for the young royal back in the day.

    During a visit to Las Vegas, the bad-boy Prince found this out after he played a game of strip billiards and was photographed by prying paparazzi.

    The photographs of the naked royal then made their way to TMZ, with a partygoer even providing a comment for the publicity.

    Discussing the royal, they said: “There was a pool table and he was playing air guitar with pool sticks. He was screaming out, ‘Somebody get me a glove! I’m going to do a Michael Jackson impression!’”

    Cheating student

    Although he attended the prestigious Eton College, Harry was not always a star pupil.

    His rebellious days date back to his time at Eton, which is where he was reportedly once caught cheating.

    After it was found out, Harry reportedly got pulled into a dramatic hearing about the scandal – with the 39-year-old recalling the incident in his book Spare.

    He wrote: “An art teacher came forward with evidence of cheating, which turned out not to be evidence of cheating. It turned out to be evidence of nothing at all, and I was later cleared by the exam board. But the damage was done. The accusation stuck.”

    24 hours in rehab

    Harry was reportedly previously sent to Featherstone Lodge Rehabilitation Centre in Peckham by the now-King Charles – for one day.

    The ordeal is said to have occurred due to the fact Harry was getting slightly too turnt – with St James’s Palace later giving a short statement to end speculation.

    The Palace said: “This is a serious matter which was resolved within the family, and is now in the past and closed.”

    According to the report, Charles is said to have told aides: “There is no point in hiding the truth. These are the facts – let people make their own judgment.”

    Drinking champagne from a prosthetic leg

    Back in 2014, Dominic West claims that Prince Harry and others celebrated their South Pole trek by drinking champagne out of a prosthetic leg – adding that the royal was instrumental in keeping up the spirits of the team.

    The actor said: “Most of us, Harry included, just went on a two-day bender with the Icelandic truck drivers who had brought some lethal home brew with them.

    “There was a lot of liqueur drunk. We all drank champagne out of Duncan’s favorite prosthetic legs,” referring to Duncan Slater, who lost his legs in Afghanistan in 2009.

    Speaking of the royal, Dominic also said that Harry was always telling “eye-wateringly rude jokes” on the trek to keep spirits high.

    Attempted fight with a photographer

    In 2004, Harry got into a “scuffle” with a group of photographers who were trying to take his picture as he left a nightclub.

    The incident then saw everyone involved get injured – including the royal.

    A spokesperson said: “Prince Harry was hit in the face by a camera as photographers crowded around him as he was getting into a car.

    “In pushing the camera away, it’s understood that a photographer’s lip was cut.”

    READ MORE Meghan and Harry ‘thriving off publicity’ of family feud, expert says

    Kissing his girlfriend in public

    Harry was previously spotted kissing his now-ex girlfriend Chelsy Davy at a concert they attended back in 2007.

    Public displays of affection are a major no-no for the Royal Family – but Harry’s actions broke royal protocol.

    The couple dated between 2005 and 2010, with Chelsy since throwing shade at her past relationship with the royal.

    Speaking of her time dating Harry, she said: “It was so full-on: crazy, and scary, and uncomfortable. I found it very difficult when it was bad. I couldn’t cope.”

    prince harry pictured with brother william

    Prince Harry is no longer a senior royal (Image: GETTY)

    Kiss with a real housewife star

    Real Housewife star Catherine Ommanney once claimed that she had hooked up with Harry back in 2006.

    Speaking of her encounter with the royal, who is now married to Meghan Markle, Catherine told the Daily Mail: “He was holding me off the floor, kissing me. I was absolutely speechless.”

    Discussing Harry, Catherine had nothing but nice words about him. She previously told the Sun that she “hopes Meghan looks after him”, and that she wishes Harry nothing but “happiness and success”.

    She added: “He is a very brave, charismatic, incredibly funny, intelligent and lovely human being.”

    Sneaking into a club – via the fire exit

    Back in 2010, in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi, Harry reportedly took the opportunity to get into a club via the fire exit.

    The young prince was arriving at the Kings Road club Embargo.

    Harry had done this numerous times, with him having previously used the fire exit at the 151 club in King’s Road to avoid photographers.

    Back in 2011, the then-27-year-old was seen making a low key exit from The Arts Club in Mayfair, where he choose to leave by the back door in the early hours of the morning.

    prince harry on william's wedding day

    Prince Harry threw a wild stag party for Prince William in 2011 (Image: GETTY)

    Prince Diddy in the house

    Back in 2007, Harry was pictured hanging out with P Diddy and Kayne West at a concert in honour of the late Princess Diana.

    The rappers had performed at London’s Wembley Stadium as part of a charity concert that Harry and William had organised to honour the 10th anniversary of their mother’s death.

    Wearing an opened shirt, Harry can be seen posing for photographers before his brother joined the trio.

    William’s wild stag party

    Together with 20 others, Harry threw a secret pre-wedding stag do for his brother, Prince William back in 2011.

    The event is said to have cost £2,500 and had been planned by a nightclub owner.

    Following the party, St James’s Palace provided very little details – but did release a short statement to confirm such an event had taken place.

    The statement read: “I can confirm that Prince William’s stag party happened this weekend. It was an entirely private event and we don’t intend to make any further comment.”

    Prince Harry’s beard

    Prince Harry is now known for his beard, but he previously recalled the nerve-wracking moment he asked his late grandmother for permission to keep it for his wedding day.

    In Spare, Harry wrote: “After all the stress of asking Granny for permission to marry Meg, I thought I’d never have the courage to ask her for anything else.

    “And yet I now dared to make another ask: Granny, please, may I, for my wedding, keep my beard? Not a small ask either.”

    Moreover, the 39-year-old acknowledged that wearing a beard on his wedding day was considered a breach of protocol – particularly since he intended to don his Army uniform for the occasion. He wrote: “Beards were forbidden in the British Army”.

  • Princess Eugenie shares rare baby photo of son in personal birthday message to Beatrice

    Princess Eugenie shares rare baby photo of son in personal birthday message to Beatrice

    Princess Beatrice is celebrating her 36th birthday today and her younger sister has shared some sweet pictures to mark the special day.

    princess eugenie's instagram

    Princess Eugenie has shared some pictures on instagram (Image: Princess Eugenie/instagram)

    Princess Eugenie has marked her sister Princess Beatrice’s 36th birthday by sharing some very sweet photos on Instagram.

    The first two show the sisters on holiday, while the last is Beatrice with her nephew. The adorable picture appears to be taken at Easter, as the youngster is sat surrounded by spring daffodils and Beatrice is donning some bunny ears. It’s not clear whether the child is August, Eugenie’s firstborn aged three, or Ernest, aged 14 months.

    Accompanying the images, Eugenie wrote: “Happy birthday dearest Beabea!! What an inspiration you are. You’ve paved the way for your little sissy. Love you xx.”

    Royal fans were delighted by the new pics, with one fan writing: “That last photo – we love an awesome Auntie!”

    Another said: “Happy birthday Beatrice!!!. Love the photos! Thanks for sharing!”

    Another fan commented: “Happy birthday Bea [heart-eyed emoji] [red-heart emoji].”

    A fourth simply wrote: “Best wishes !!!!!!!”

    The eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson was born on at 8.18pm on August 8, 1988 at the Portland Hospital in London – with many fans noticing a weird coincidence in her birth date and time.

    Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: “I’m not superstitious or anything but wow…how many 8’s are linked to her birth,” followed by a mind-blown emoji.

    Eugenie and Beatrice pictured in May 2023

    Eugenie and Beatrice pictured in May 2023 (Image: GET

    Others were quick to comment on the strange coincidence too. One responded: “Is it just me that remembers the reporting that she was induced to be born on 8.8.88 as 8 is lucky in China and they thought it would be extremely good luck? Maybe it’s one of those false memories.”

    Princess Beatrice married to Edoardo Mapelli-Mozzi in 2020, with the late Queen and Prince Philip among the guests.

    The couple now share a daughter named Sienna, who will celebrate their third birthday next month. Beatrice is also a doting stepmother to Edoardo’s eight-year-old son Wolfie.

  • Princess Kate set to miss beloved summer holiday hotspot and George will be disappointed

    Princess Kate set to miss beloved summer holiday hotspot and George will be disappointed

    The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to travel to Balmoral with their three children next week.

    kate and william with their children back in June

    The Waleses will travel to Balmoral next week (Image: GETTY)

    The Princess of Wales is set to miss out on her beloved holiday hotspot this year – and will, instead, head to spend some family time at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland.

    As reported by the Daily Beast, it is thought that the Waleses are unlikely to travel this year to Tresco – a small island off the coast of Cornwall – where they have often spend summer holidays.

    With the publication said to have been told that the family of five will, instead, head to Balmoral either for the opening of the grouse-shooting season on August 12 – or shortly after.

    The Prince and Princess of Wales are known to enjoy soaking up quality time with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, during the school holidays – and this year is no exception.

    Prince William previously revealed that his children wanted to go on holiday to Cornwall this year – and were “jealous” of him visiting there earlier this year

    Back in May, William said that George, Charlotte and Louis were hoping to “come away for a holiday later this year” and were excited to hopefully spend some time at the beach, OK! reported.

    Kate and William are known to be fans of Cornwall and have enjoyed many visits their during their relationship – as well as with their three children.

    As well as it being known a favourite holiday destination for the family, holidaymakers have also recalled witnessing the family of five enjoying some much-needed quality time there over the years.

    Some holidaymakers previously told OK!: “We hardly noticed at first as they seemed [like] a normal family on holiday intent on keeping themselves to themselves.”

    kate and william with their children in 2022

    The family of five typically enjoy spending their summer holidays in Cornwall (Image: PA)

    Speaking of the family’s visit to Balmoral this month, a source previously confirmed with Express.co.uk that Kate and William were keen to prioritise family time.

    The source said: “William and Kate will be joining the Royal Family at Balmoral. It will be a rather low key affair this year where everyone will meet to just relax and unwind.”

    As well as Kate, William and their children, Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence are set to join the King and Queen at the Scottish estate. Zara and Mike Tindall and their three children – Mia, Lena and Lucas – are also reportedly on the guest list.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to not be joining the family in Scotland, and will instead likely remain in the US with their children.

  • Princess Beatrice set for ‘romantic birthday’ celebrations and surprise from key royal

    Princess Beatrice set for ‘romantic birthday’ celebrations and surprise from key royal

    Princess Beatrice turns 36 today and according to an expert, the royal is set to be spoilt rotten.

    Princess Beatrice

    Princess Beatrice is likely going to celebrate her special day privately, says expert (Image: Getty)

    Princess Beatrice is set to be spoilt rotten today as the royal celebrates her 36th birthday, according to a royal expert.

    Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s eldest child will likely celebrate her special day privately with her loved ones but her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, is expected to pull out all the stops for his beloved wife.

    Royal expert Jennie Bond predicted that Beatrice is likely to receive flowers from her husband who could potentially surprise her with a romantic dinner.

    She told OK!: “She’s quite a private person and will probably enjoy a day with her family and friends. August is a great time for a summer party, but it’s also a time when a number of the royal family are on holiday.

    “Beatrice will be happy to celebrate with those around her — her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, her eight-year-old stepson Christopher ‘Wolfie’ and her two-year-old daughter Sienna

    Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and princess beatrice

    Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi is expected to pull out all the stops for his wife (Image: Getty)

    “He’s [Edoardo] quite a romantic, so Beatrice could be expecting a few dozen red roses and a romantic birthday dinner for two after they’ve got Sienna and Wolfie to bed.

    “But they are a highly sociable young couple with a wide circle of friends outside the royal family, so this could be an occasion for a fabulous party in the manor house they own in the Cotswolds.”

    Ms Bond also suggested that the Princess of York could be set for a surprise video call from her cousin, Prince Harry, from across the pond.

    She said: “This generation of young royals have grown up to be close to one another, and Harry was, of course, always a favourite, with his mischievous sense of humour, his sometimes wild antics and general love of having fun.

    Prince Harry on Coronation Day

    Prince Harry is likely to surprise his cousin with a video call, says expert (Image: Getty)

    “Beatrice has been through some difficult times because of her father, Prince Andrew, so they have more in common than simply their royal heritage.

    “I would be surprised if Harry failed to send her birthday greetings.

    “We know Harry wants his children to be aware of and understand their UK roots, so a birthday video call to cousin Beatrice from Harry and his children could definitely be on the cards.”

  • The surprisingly normal way Princess Kate and her family travel to Balmoral each year

    The surprisingly normal way Princess Kate and her family travel to Balmoral each year

    The Princess of Wales goes to Scotland as per royal tradition every year. But her choice of transport might surprise you.

     Princess Of Wales Mark World Mental Health Day - Day 3

    Kate Middleton’s choice of transport will surprise you (Image: Getty)

    Royals, they’re just like us. Kate, the Princess of Wales, particularly has shown she isn’t afraid to travel like the rest of us. The Princess of Wales is reported to set her journey to Balmoral to join the rest of the family in Scotland.

    As per royal tradition, the Princess and Prince William have made the journey every year to Balmoral since they got married. But since Kate’s health diagnosis, there were fears she may not be able to embark on the trip this year.

    But a source told Mail Online the Princess is preparing to travel to the 50,000-acre Scottish Highlands estate. And her choice of travel might surprise you.

    Last year, the Princess, 42, was spotted taking an economy flight to Scotland with two of her children while Prince William travelled with Prince George.

    If she does the same trip again, it will be the longest trip for Kate since her diagnosis. Since then, Kate has balanced her time between their family home in Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, and Anmer Hall, their holiday home in Norfolk.

    BRITAIN-ROYAL-CHILDREN

    Kate was spotted on an economy flight to Scotland last year (Image: Getty)

    Last year, two of Princess Kate’s children, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five, were seen accompanying her as she descended from her flight, according to a TikTok user.

    But even on an economy flight with two young children, Kate kept her poise. The TikToker said: “[Kate] got up halfway through the flight to get her daughter’s iPad.

    “And yes she was stunning, even gave me a smile while looking back at the row behind her to talk to her son.”

    Since starting her preventative chemotherapy, Kate has made two public appearances, travelling to London for Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon’s men’s final in July, both an hour’s drive from Windsor.

    In June, the Princess did reveal she wasn’t “out of the woods” just yet and had “good days and bad days”.

    If she is able to travel to Balmoral to make the annual trip with her family, it will be further reassurance that the Princess is making good progress.

    Heading to Balmoral for the summer is an annual tradition for the royals and the Queen also favoured the holiday ritua

  • Prince Harry and William’s ex-employee reveals what their relationship was really like

    Prince Harry and William’s ex-employee reveals what their relationship was really like

    One former royal employee has shared what Prince Harry and Prince William’s sibling relationship was really like behind closed doors.

    Prince Harry and Prince William pictured together in 2016

    Prince Harry and Prince William pictured together in London in 2016 (Image: GETTY)

    Prince Harry has had a strained relationship with his brother Prince William for many years, but one expert has shared what their relationship was like before their feud began.

    Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the royals for 15 years, got to know William and Harry well during his time in the royal household – as well as their late mother, Princess Diana.

    He revealed that despite the recent strained relationship, the brothers’ would previously bond over their favourite dinner that he would prepare for them as children.

    According to the former chef, William and Harry enjoyed eating Cottage Pie when they visited Kensington Palace – and that they both loved spending time in the kitchen.

    As reported by the Mirror, the former chef explained: “Whether it was to find out what was for lunch, or to just play hide and seek or to just come through and chat.

    Prince Harry and Prince William with Princess Diana

    Prince Harry and Prince William with their late mother, Princess Diana (Image: GETTY)

    “Sometimes they’d want to come through and cook. That was always a worrying experience but it was always fun having the boys in the kitchen.

    “And although it was a royal palace, they were royal children and just like normal children, they were running around the house, having fun.”

    When staying with their late mother at Kensington Palace, Mr McGrady said that the mother of two was keen to allow her sons’ to live as normal of a life as possible – even if that meant eating dinnner in front of the television.

    McGrady also claimed that Diana once pointed out to him just how contrasting her two sons were in personality. The former chef shared that Diana had said: “William’s deep like his father, and Harry’s just an airhead, like me.”

    Although William remains a senior member of the Royal Family, Harry now resides in the US with his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet.