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He won't call himself a duke anymore, but that is not enough for many of Prince Andrew's critics. Buckingham Palace and the British government were under pressure on Monday to formally strip Prince Andrew of his princely title and sumptuous home after new revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. After discussions with his elder brother King Charles III, Andrew agreed on Friday to stop using titles including Duke of York. It was the latest effort to insulate the monarchy from years of tawdry headlines about Andrew's suspicious business deals, inappropriate behaviour and controversial friendships. But he still technically holds the title of duke, bestowed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. And as the son of a monarch, he remains a prince. Andrew's statement relinquishing some of his royal titles came after emails emerged showing he had remained in contact with Epstein longer than he previously admitted, and days before publication of a ...
King Charles III is preparing to visit Australia and Samoa in October, an itinerary that will span 12 time zones and test the monarch's stamina as he recovers from cancer treatment. The trip, announced on Sunday by Buckingham Palace, marks a watershed moment for the 75-year-old king, who has been slowly returning to public duties after taking a break following his cancer diagnosis in early February. The decision to undertake such a long journey will be seen as a sign of Charles' recovery, even though the program in Australia will be limited. The visit to Australia will be a critical moment for the king as he tries to shore up support for the monarchy at home and abroad. The trip will mark the first time since he ascended the throne that Charles will visit one of the 14 countries outside the United Kingdom where the British monarch remains head of state, a link that is a source of pride for some but an unwelcome reminder of Britain's colonial dominance for others. While he will ...
King Charles III has been diagnosed with a form of cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace says. The palace says the cancer is not related to the king's recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. It did not say what form of cancer the 75-year-old monarch has. It said Charles remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
King Charles III's coronation is a chance to unite people with the history and pageantry of the monarchy, but those traditions are also full of potential controversies as he tries to show that the monarchy still has a role to play in modern Britain. The new king has already recognized these challenges by adjusting the coronation festivities to the realities of today. This coronation will be shorter and more inclusive than his mother's in 1953. Faith leaders from outside the Church of England will take an active role in the ceremony for the first time. And people from all four nations of the United Kingdom, as well as the Commonwealth, will take part. Here are five artifacts that will play a central role in Saturday's events. THE CORONATION CHAIR AND STONE OF SCONE King Charles III will sit atop more than 1,500 years of Irish, Scottish and English history when he is crowned Saturday at Westminster Abbey. The crown will be placed on Charles' head as he sits in the Coronation Chair
The arrest of a man at the gates of Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday evening is not being treated as terror-related, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday. UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, meanwhile, stressed that he is very proud of the police response to the incident, which came just days before King Charles and Queen Camilla will be departing the palace gates for their grand Coronation ceremony, procession towards Westminster Abbey. Buckingham Palace said that neither the King nor the Queen were at the palace at the time of the incident. The suspect, whose actions are being referenced by police sources as an isolated mental health incident, remains under arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon after he is believed to have hurled shotgun cartridges onto the palace grounds. A suspicious bag in his possession was subjected to a controlled explosion by specialist Met Police officers as a precautionary measure. The government is mounting "a huge securit
A man was arrested at the gates of Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday evening as he threw suspected shotgun cartridges into the palace grounds, Scotland Yard said. The incident, just four days before the Coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, involved Metropolitan Police specialist officers conducting a controlled explosion "as a precaution". The suspect at the scene remains under arrest on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and cordons were put in place after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag. "Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody," said Joseph McDonald, Chief Superintendent of the Met Police. "There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public. Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing," he said. The force said roads that were closed in the wake of the incident have largely reopened and the major
Renewed allegations of racism at Buckingham Palace threatened to overshadow Prince William's trip to the United States after campaigners said the palace needed to acknowledge a wider problem that goes beyond one member of staff. The controversy erupted Wednesday when a Black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse said a senior member of the royal household interrogated her about her origins during a reception at the palace for people working to end violence against women. Coverage of the issue filled British media on Thursday, clouding a much-anticipated visit the prince hoped will highlight his environmental credentials and show that the monarchy is still relevant in a multi-cultural world. Shortly after the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived in Boston for a three-day visit, a royal spokesman said racism has no place in our society and noted that the household member involved had resigned and apologized for the hurt caused.'' But Mandu Reid, who witnessed the exchange, said she
The coronation of Britain's King Charles III will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6 next year, Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday. The 73-year-old monarch, who acceded to the throne on the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II last month, will be officially bestowed with his crown and royal paraphernalia at the coronation ceremony to be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The palace said the King will be crowned alongside his wife, Queen Consort Camilla. The coronation will reflect the monarch's role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry, the palace said. During the coronation ceremony, the sovereign is anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury. After receiving the orb and sceptres, the Archbishop places St Edward's Crown on the Sovereign's head. Traditionally, the coronation is a solemn religious service, together with an occasion for celebration and pageantry. The cerem
The chimes of the Big Ben fell silent and hymns rang out as the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II was carried into Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of Britain's longest-serving monarch on Monday. Her son and heir King Charles III followed the coffin in solemn procession, accompanied by his sons Princes William and Harry and siblings Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward. William's children, nine-year-old Prince George and seven-year-old Princess Charlotte were among the youngest members of the royal family who walked between their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales. In the congregation of around 2,000 guests made up of world leaders, royalty from the UK and overseas and community leaders, India was represented by President Droupadi Murmu. The funeral service is being led by the Dean of Westminster and will include many personal touches of the late monarch, who was also the head of the Church of England. Queen Elizabeth II, 96, died peacefully at her Scottish residen
The coffin of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is Lying-in-State at Westminster Hall after its final journey from Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday. King Charles III and his sons, Princes William and Harry, joined a sombre procession as the coffin of the late monarch left her official London residence to be conveyed to the historic hall in the Houses of Parliament complex to lie in state until the state funeral at Westminster Abbey nearby on Monday. Members of the public began filing past at 5pm local time and will have until 6.30am on the day of the funeral, by which time several thousands are expected to have queued for hours to pay their respects to the Queen. At 2.22 pm local time on Wednesday, the coffin placed on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery began its ceremonial procession of under two kilometres to the Palace of Westminster. The Queen's heir, Charles, and her grandchildren William and Harry walked side by