German lawyers accuse 27 people of planning a violent takeover because of their extreme right-wing views.
The suspects are accused of being part of a group called Reichsbürger, which is not well-known.
The group’s members didn’t like the government and the democratic constitution, according to the accusation.
Most of them are friends of Heinrich XIII Prince Reuss, a leader in the Reichsbürger movement from a noble family.
The prosecutors have accused 27 people of trying to remove Germany’s democratic government.
Plans were made for a coup to start in summer 2021.
The plan was to take control by attacking Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, with a small group of armed people. The attack will start when we get a signal, like if Queen Elizabeth II dies.
The people who were accused of planning the coup had already decided how their new government would work.
Prince Reuss was going to be the leader of the country. When he started his job, he would talk with the countries that won World War II to make a peace agreement. Prince Reuss attempted to talk to Russian government officials to get their help with the coup, say the prosecutors.
Birgit Malsack-Winkemann, who was a member of a far-right political party, was going to be appointed as the justice minister. Prosecutors said she allowed other people involved in the plan to enter the parliamentary buildings.
It is said that the people who wanted to rebel tried to convince soldiers and police to join them.
The group made lists of people they didn’t like. Members knew that their plans would cause people to die, according to the charges.
The people had to promise not to tell anyone about what happened. People who broke the law would have been killed for betraying their country.
The people who were thought to be planning something had a lot of guns and bullets – about 380 guns and 148,000 bullets.
Some people were arrested by the police in December.
Germany’s internal intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, says that there are around 23,000 people who support the Reichsbürger movement in the country.
To commemorate the first anniversary of his mother’s passing, King Charles III has shared a heartfelt message along with a cherished photograph of Queen Elizabeth II.
In the message, the King said he recalled the late queen’s “devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.
The selected photograph by King Charles III features a youthful Queen Elizabeth II, aged 42, during an official portrait session in 1968.
Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 in Balmoral Castle on September 8th last year. This sad event occurred only a few months after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, commemorating her remarkable 70-year reign.
In his brief tribute, scheduled for release this Friday, King Charles expresses his gratitude to the nation for the unwavering “love and support” extended to him and Queen Camilla during their initial year as reigning monarchs.
“In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” the King said.
“I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
The accompanying written message, which accompanies the audio recording, bears the signature “Charles R.”
In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us.
I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during… pic.twitter.com/NfM6LDWTA0
This formal and previously unreleased color photograph was captured by Cecil Beaton on the 16th of October in 1968. It portrays the late Queen in a sidelong stance, radiantly smiling in her Garter robes, adorned with the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara—an exquisite piece composed of 15 intertwined diamond circles.
Throughout the summer, King Charles III has resided at both his Birkhall residence and the Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
In the morning of Friday, the King and Queen Camilla will attend Crathie Kirk church, located nearby, for a private memorial prayer service.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales, currently visiting west Wales, will pay tribute to the late Queen’s life with a small, intimate service at St. Davids Cathedral.
In his own message, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the scale of the late queen’s service “only seems greater” a year after her death.
“Her devotion to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth only seems deeper,” he said.
“And our gratitude for such an extraordinary life of duty and dedication only continues to grow.”
Mr Sunak said he treasured his memories of meeting the late queen in which he was struck by her “wisdom, her incredible warmth and grace”, as well as her “sharp wit”.
“People across the UK – whether they had the good fortune to meet Her late Majesty or not – will be reflecting today on what she meant to them and the example she set for us all,” he added.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the queues to see the late queen lying in state showed she had “always enjoyed a special bond with her people”.
“It was a relationship built from her understanding that service of this great nation is the thread that unites sovereign and subject,” he said.
“So, as we reflect on her legacy again today, let us embrace that spirit of public service as our guide towards a better future.”
In honor of the anniversary of King Charles’s ascension to the throne, cannon salutes will resound at noon on Friday, echoing through Hyde Park and the Tower of London.
Furthermore, at 13:00 BST, the bells of Westminster Abbey will chime in commemoration of this significant occasion.
Separately, the Duke of Sussex has been paying his own heartfelt tribute to the late queen, stating, “she watches over all of us.” During his speech at the WellChild Awards ceremony in London on Thursday, he shared how he had been compelled to miss last year’s event due to his journey to Balmoral after his grandmother’s sudden illness.
In the early 1970s, as Uganda was undergoing significant political changes, an extraordinary correspondence took place between the late Queen Elizabeth II and the notorious Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin.
This article delves into the details of their interaction, shedding light on the nature of diplomatic relations and the political climate of the time.
The rise of Idi Amin
Idi Amin, born in 1925, began his career in the British Colonial Army and steadily rose through the ranks before seizing power in a military coup in 1971. His regime, which lasted from 1971 to 1979, was characterized by widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and ethnic persecution. It is estimated that during his rule, Amin was responsible for the deaths of up to 500,000 people, many of whom were targeted for their political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds.
The Queen’s initial correspondence with Idi Amin
In January 1972, Idi Amin sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth II, inviting her to attend the celebrations marking the tenth anniversary of Ugandan independence in October of that year. The letter expressed Amin’s admiration for the Queen and his desire to strengthen ties between their two countries.
In response, the Queen sent a polite but non-committal letter, expressing her gratitude for the invitation but regretting that her existing commitments would prevent her from attending the event. The Queen signed off her letter with the customary phrase, “I am your good friend, Elizabeth R.”
This initial correspondence between the Queen and the Ugandan dictator took place before the full extent of Amin’s atrocities had come to light, and it is unlikely that the Queen was aware of the true nature of his regime at the time.
The evolving relationship between the Queen and Idi Amin
As the year progressed, news of the atrocities committed by Amin’s regime began to circulate, and the international community became increasingly aware of the brutal nature of his rule. This included theQueen, who was reportedly horrified by the reports of widespread human rights abuses in Uganda.
In August 1972, Amin ordered the expulsion of Uganda’s Asian community, which comprised a significant proportion of the country’s business and professional class. Many of the expelled Asians held British passports, and the crisis strained relations between the United Kingdom and Uganda.
The Queen’s reluctance to send a message to Uganda
In light of these events, the Queen was reportedly hesitant to send a message to Uganda for its Independence Day celebrations in October 1972. However, she was advised by the Foreign Office that a failure to do so might prompt Amin to take retaliatory measures against British citizens living in Uganda.
In the end, the Queen sent a brief message, expressing her good wishes to the people of Uganda but making no mention of Amin himself. This was seen as a diplomatic move to protect British interests without endorsing the Ugandan dictator.
The impact of the Queen’s correspondence on Idi Amin
It is unclear what impact the Queen’s correspondence had on Idi Amin. Some sources suggest that he was initially thrilled by the attention from the British monarch, but his opinion of her may have soured after she declined his invitation and sent only a subdued message for Uganda’s Independence Day.
In any case, Amin’s regime continued its brutal course, and the relationship between the United Kingdom and Uganda remained tense throughout his rule.
The fall of Idi Amin and the aftermath
Idi Amin’s regime finally came to an end in 1979 when he was overthrown by Tanzanian forces and Ugandan exiles. He fled to Libya and later to Saudi Arabia, where he lived in exile until his death in 2003.
In the years following Amin’s rule, Uganda has made significant strides in rebuilding its political and economic systems, and relations with the United Kingdom have gradually improved. However, the legacy of Amin’s brutal regime continues to cast a shadow over the country’s history.
Lessons from the Queen’s correspondence with Idi Amin
The correspondence between the Queen and Idi Amin offers important insights into the complexities of diplomacy and the challenges faced by world leaders in navigating relationships with controversial figures.
It serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned gestures can sometimes be misconstrued or exploited for political gain, and that maintaining a balance between upholding moral principles and protecting national interests can be a difficult and delicate task.
The role of the monarchy in diplomacy
The British monarchy has long played a role in diplomacy, both formal and informal. While the Queen’s correspondence with Idi Amin is an example of a more formal diplomatic exchange, there are countless instances of the royal family engaging in less formal diplomacy.
For example, through personal relationships, charitable work, and cultural exchanges, the British royals have often served as goodwill ambassadors and helped to promote understanding and cooperation between nations.
The balance of power in diplomatic relationships
The Queen’s interactions with Idi Amin also highlight the delicate balance of power that often exists in diplomatic relationships. While the Queen was undoubtedly a figure of great influence and international prestige, her ability to directly affect the actions of a foreign leader like Amin was limited.
This underscores the importance of international cooperation and multilateral efforts to address issues such as human rights abuses and political repression, as no single nation or individual can effectively tackle such challenges alone.
The correspondence between the late Queen Elizabeth II and Idi Amin serves as a fascinating case study in the complexities of diplomacy and the challenges faced by world leaders in navigating relationships with controversial figures.
Queen Elizabeth II and Idi Amin
While the Queen’s initial engagement with Amin may have been well-intentioned, the subsequent revelations of his brutal regime and the impact on British citizens in Uganda forced her to adopt a more cautious and measured approach.
Ultimately, the Queen’s interactions with Amin serve as a reminder of the delicate balance of power in diplomatic relationships and the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
Newly released FBI documents reveal that Queen Elizabeth II was potentially at risk of assassination during her visit to the United States in 1983.
The files, released after the Queen’s passing last year, shed light on the concerns of the FBI, which played a role in ensuring the monarch’s safety during her trips, particularly regarding threats from the IRA.
The threat of assassination was reported to a police officer based in San Francisco.
The documents state that the officer, a regular visitor to an Irish pub in the city, alerted federal agents about a phone call he received from an individual he had encountered at the establishment.
The officer said the man told him he was seeking revenge for his daughter who “had been killed in Northern Ireland by a rubber bullet”.
The threat came on 4 February 1983 – about a month ahead of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip’s visit to California.
“He was going to attempt to harm Queen Elizabeth and would do this either by dropping some object off the Golden Gate Bridge onto the Royal Yacht Britannia when it sails underneath, or would attempt to kill Queen Elizabeth when she visited Yosemite National Park,” the document says.
In response to the threat, the Secret Service had planned to “close the walkways on the Golden Gate Bridge as the yacht nears”. It is unclear what measures were taken at Yosemite, but the visit went ahead. No details of arrests were published by the FBI.
The 102-page cache was uploaded to the Vault, the FBI’s information website, on Monday, following a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by US media outlets.
Image caption,Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip spoke with National Park rangers during the visit to Yosemite
The recently released FBI documents highlight the fact that several of Queen Elizabeth II’s state visits to the United States, including her trip to the West Coast in 1983, took place during a period of heightened tensions related to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. During America’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the late Queen visited New York City.
According to the files, a pilot was summoned for flying a small plane over Battery Park with a sign that read “England, Get out of Ireland.” This incident occurred during one of the Queen’s visits.
The documents also reveal the FBI’s continued vigilance regarding perceived threats to the late Queen. The assassination of her second cousin, Lord Mountbatten, in 1979 off the coast of County Sligo, Republic of Ireland, in an IRA bombing, further underscored the potential risks.
Overall, the released files shed light on the FBI’s dedication to ensuring the safety of Queen Elizabeth II during her visits to the United States, especially considering the context of the Troubles and the ongoing IRA threats.
Ahead of a personal visit by the late Queen to Kentucky in 1989, an internal FBI memo read “the possibility of threats against the British Monarchy is ever-present from the Irish Republican Army (IRA)”.
It continued that “Boston and New York are requested to remain alert for any threats against Queen Elizabeth II on the part of IRA members and immediately furnish same to Louisville,” in Kentucky.
The late Queen, who owned racehorses, is known to have visited Kentucky several times during her life to enjoy the state’s equestrian highlights, including the Kentucky Derby.
On a state visit in 1991, the late Queen was scheduled to see a Baltimore Orioles baseball game with President George H Bush.
The FBI warned the Secret Service that “Irish groups” were planning protests at the stadium and “an Irish group had reserved a large block of grandstand tickets” to the game.
The bureau told NBC News there might be “additional records” that exist besides the ones released this week, but it did not set out a timetable for their publication.
The bond between the Ashanti and British kingdoms dates centuries back and has in recent years been butressed by visits by monarchs on both sides.
The most recent visit is of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s official invitation to the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023.
The Asantehene attended the event along with his wife Lady Julia, with the couple praised for turning up at the event in Kente as compared to the western-themed dressing of other African monarchs present.
King Charles officially took over from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 after seven decades on the throne.
Her coronation in 1953 was witnessed by guests from across the world including one from Asanteman.
Even though the Asantehene at the time was Otumfuo Prempeh II, he delegated Wankyihene at the time, Nana Kusi Apea I, as his representative to the coronation event.
Who was the Wankyihene?
WANKYI NANA KUSI APEA, the fearless fighter.
In 1953, during the coronation of the then Queen Elizabeth II, the Asantehene Otumfuo Prempeh II delegated Wankyihene, Nana Kusi Apea I, as his representative to the coronation event.
Nana Apea I was enstooled in 1949, and a brother to Dr. Kofi Busia. In 1976, the military government created a Decree SMCD 64 to oust Nana Apea from office.
Nana remained unfazed and continued to serve Asanteman.
Wankyi is part of Asanteman, and supplies the elephant skin on which the Golden Stool rests.
As millions of people across the world watched, Camilla was crowned Queen.
After Queen Elizabeth II passed away, she assumed the role of Consort to support her husband King Charles III’s rule.
Over the course of more than 50 years, she transitioned from romantic involvement to mistress to finally wife of the King, and the trip culminated with her being formally crowned as the country’s Queen.
In a ceremony today, Camilla was crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, which has been reset with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds.
It is the first time in almost three centuries that an existing crown will be worn, as opposed to a new piece.
Camilla was also anointed in public by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a break with tradition.
The Dean of Westminster poured oil from the ampulla into the coronation spoon, and held the spoon for the Archbishop of Canterbury.
As she was anointed the Archbishop said: ‘Be your head anointed with holy oil.
‘Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness; hear our prayer this day for thy servant Camilla, whom in thy name, and with all devotion, we consecrate our Queen.
Camilla was also anointed in public by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in a break with tradition
‘Make her strong in faith and love, defend her on every side, and guide her in truth and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
This morning, the official royal website was updated to refer to Camilla as ‘the Queen’ as opposed to the Queen consort.
The coronation ceremony began at 11am, inside Westminster Abbey, and was held by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
At 12pm, King Charles was crowned with the St Edward’s Crown in a lavish ceremony.
He wore crimson robes as he arrived at Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation for the past nine centuries.
It is tradition for the monarch to wear the solid gold St Edward’s Crown – often dubbed the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels – at the moment of coronation.
Only invited guests were able to watch the ceremony in person with footage broadcast to big screens and television across the world.
While Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was three hours long, the coronation of King Charles is due to last until 1pm.
Up and down the UK, big screens have been placed in public parks so people can gather to watch today’s events unfold.
There are dozens of screenings taking place in every corner of England, but only two each in Wales and Scotland.
Both of the Welsh locations are in Cardiff – at the capital’s castle and its bay – while the Scottish events will take place at Glasgow Cathedral and Edinburgh’s Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens.
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, there’s capacity for 15,000 people to watch the ceremony in public across nine locations.
Those travelling across the country on public transport today will be reminded to ‘mind the gap’ by the King himself.
Charles and Camilla have recorded an announcement which is being played between Friday and Monday at every railway station across the UK and all London Underground stations, industry body the Rail Delivery Group said.
In the message, the King begins by telling passengers: ‘My wife and I wish you and your families a wonderful coronation weekend.’
Camilla then says: ‘Wherever you are travelling, we hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.’
The message concludes with Charles adding: ‘And remember, please mind the gap.’
Charles and Camilla, the future king and queen, have departed Buckingham Palace and are making their way to Westminster Abbey, where they will be installed.
Their majesties departed the palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach for the brief trip across London, guarded by The Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry.
The King and Camilla turned out of the Palace and walked down the Mall to the cheers of the crowd.
Royal fans had been waiting for days to see the King and despite the rain that started to fall as the couple headed down the Mall didn’t let it dampen their spirits.
The Diamond Jubilee state coach is the most modern of the royal carriages and has electric windows and air conditioning.
The coach was originally meant to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 80th birthday, but its construction was delayed.
The King dressed in a velvet robe, complete with gold lace looked on nervously as he went past thousands of fans dressed in red, white and blue (Picture: Getty)Queen Camilla wore a fantastic white jacket with gold embellishing as she embodied the lavish sentiments of the coronation in her attire (Picture: PA)The King waved to the crowds as he headed down the Mall (Picture: REUTERS)Huge crowds have been waiting patiently for days to get the best spot of the coronation (Picture: Sky News)A light bit of rain didn’t let spirits down (Picture: Sky News)The carriage was pulled by six horses as it left Buckingham Palace (Picture: Sky News)The King looked on nervously in the moments before the biggest moment of his life (Picture: Sky)
Coronation of King Charles III latest
The air-conditioned carriage will be the setting for the King and Camilla as they make their trip towards Westminster Abbey (Picture: REUTERS)The King and Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace earlier this morning (Picture: REUTERS)
Instead, it was made to mark 60 years of her reign in 2012. The coach is more than 16 feet (five metres) long and weighs more than three tons, needing six horses to pull it.
The King’s Guard turned out the forecourt and gave a Royal Salute as The King, The Queen Consort and other Members of the Royal family also left the palace.
The trip is less than a mile, and the route will be filled with pomp and grandeur.
The 33-minute journey to Westminster Abbey began with the tri-service Guard of Honour outside Buckingham Palace’s gates giving a royal salute, as the King and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Coach first emerged, and the national anthem was played by a military band.
Huge Union flags and others from Commonwealth nations flew from poles in The Mall and Charles and Camilla’s route was lined by guardsmen in their distinctive red tunics and bearskins.
The Sovereign’s Escort was led by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment band, 48 horses and musicians with two drum horses Atlas and Apollo leading the way, playing eight marches along the route.
Following were four divisions from the Household Cavalry with the King’s coach in the middle – two from the Blues and Royals taking the lead and Life Guards behind the carriage with the farriers carrying their axes at the rear.
Crowds had been building up in the capital since dawn with the streets around the procession route – The Mall, Admiralty Arch, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall and Parliament Square – thronged with people.
Earlier, the King and Queen made their first appearance of coronation day when they travelled the short distance from their Clarence House home for final preparations at Buckingham Palace.
Princess Anne defends idea of working royals upholding the monarchy
King Charles III became king immediately after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away in September at her remote Balmoral residence. He was legally proclaimed the next monarch of Britain in the days that followed, and his coronation is finally here after months of laborious planning.
Charles, who has held the throne for 70 years, will be formally crowned on May 6 in a beautiful and profoundly spiritual event. Thousands of people will assemble at Westminster Abbey and the nearby streets in the heart of London to witness a magnificent show of British pomp.
There’s a lot of speculation floating around, and some elements are still being fine-tuned, but if it’s official, we’ve got you covered. Here’s CNN’s essential guide to the celebrations – we’ll keep updating it to ensure you stay in the know.
What is a coronation?
Charles’ accession took place when the Queen died. It was, as expected, a deeply somber period when the nation came together to bid farewell to its longest-reigning sovereign. Eight months on, the coronation will feel very different. This is a moment of public celebration of the new King. It will be a fabulously over-the-top spectacle attended by dignitaries from around the world and watched by billions.
The word “coronation” is derived from the Latin word “corona” meaning a crown. But it’s so much more than literally placing the crown on the sovereign’s head. It’s a symbolic coming together of the monarchy, church and state for a religious ritual during which the monarch makes vows to both God and country.
Buckingham Palace has said it “will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.”
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment begins coronation rehearsals at Buckingham Palace and The Mall.Vuk Valcic/Alamy Stock Photo
How can I watch the service?
If you’ve been checking your mailbox and an invitation has yet to drop in, not to worry. The ceremony itself is set to begin at 11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET) on May 6, with CNN’s special TV coverage of the King’s coronation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (5 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET). Alternatively, join us here on CNN.com for live coverage throughout the day.
How long will the ceremony be?
Charles’ coronation will beshorter than his mother’s seven decades ago. Back then, the ceremony – which was the first live royal event to be televised – ran for more than three hours.
This time, the Anglican service will be two hours with “representation from other faiths to reflect the diversity of modern Britain,” according to Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, whose family has been responsible for orchestrating state occasions since 1482.Coronations have stayed largely the same for more than 1,000 years and organizers are leaning on that structure, so there’s quite a lot to get through.
The spot where King Charles will be crowned inside Westminster AbbeyDan Kitwood/Getty Images
What happens during the coronation service?
Right, so let’s get down to the specifics. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will conduct the ceremony. The core elements of the service are the recognition, oath, anointing, investiture and crowning, followed by enthronement and homage. The recognition is when the sovereign stands in the theater of the abbey and presents him- or herself to the people. After taking the coronation oath – which is a vow to rule according to law, exercise justice with mercy, and maintain the Church of England – the monarch is anointed with holy oil by the archbishop.
This moment is considered the most sacred part of the service and wasn’t televised in 1953. Ahead of Charles’ big day, Archbishop Welby has explained why we won’t see the King either, writing in the official souvenir program that the moment is “a symbol of being commissioned by the people for a special task for which God’s help is needed.” He added: “It is a moment when The King is set apart for service: service of the people of this country, and service of God.”
This is what you can expect to see at King Charles III’s coronation
The next part is the investiture, when the sovereign is dressed in sacred coronation robes and presented with the symbols of the monarchy: the orb, coronation ring, scepters and others. Toward the end of the ceremony, St. Edward’s Crown is placed atop the monarch’s head before he or she takes the throne. Traditionally, princes and peers then make their way to the sovereign to pay their respects in what is known as homage. This time though, it’s thought that only Prince William will kneel before the King. Meanwhile, the peers have been replaced by the public who have been invited to swear allegiance to Charles if they wish.
Lambeth Palace, which is the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, designed the service – which is rooted in 1,000 years of tradition – in consultation with the King and the UK government, which weighed in on constitutional elements.
Which crown will King Charles use?
The service features quite a few pieces of sacred coronation regalia, but let’s talk crowns. We’ve already mentioned St. Edward’s Crown. It’s considered the centerpiece because it’s used at the exact moment of crowning. It was made for Charles II in 1661 following the restoration of the monarchy the year before. Its medieval predecessor – which was melted down in 1649 – was believed to date back to the 11th-century English king, Edward the Confessor.
It is not an exact replica of the earlier design but follows the original in featuring four crosses pattée, four fleurs-de-lis and two arches. Made of solid gold, it’s adorned with 444 precious stones – including rubies, amethysts, sapphires and other gems – and is fitted with a purple velvet cap and ermine band. Historically, it was supposed to remain at Westminster Abbey, so a second crown was created for the sovereign to wear out of the abbey.
St. Edward’s Crown is considered the centerpiece of the coronation because it’s used at the exact moment of crowning.Jack Hill/Pool/Reuters
That second crown is the Imperial State Crown, which many will be more familiar with as it’s often used for ceremonial occasions like the State Opening of Parliament. It features a dazzling 2,868 diamonds, including the massive Cullinan II. It was made in 1937 and is a near-replica of Queen Victoria’s earlier Imperial State Crown. The arches in its design were meant to demonstrate that England was not subject to any other earthly power.
Once the spiritual elements of the service are over, King Charles and Camilla will head to St. Edward’s Chapel, a stone shrine at the heart of the abbey, where the King will put on the Imperial State Crown in preparation for the return to Buckingham Palace.
What will King Charles wear for the ceremony?
The King will be reusing several historical garments worn by previous monarchs at past coronations during the Saturday service in the “interests of sustainability and efficiency,” according to Buckingham Palace.
“His Majesty will reuse vestments which featured in the Coronation Services of King George IV in 1821, King George V in 1911, King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, including the Colobium Sindonis, the Supertunica, the Imperial Mantle, the Coronation Sword Belt and the Coronation Glove,” the palace outlined.
The Coronation Vestments, comprising of the Supertunica (left) and the Imperial Mantle (right), to be worn by the King during his coronation.Victoria Jones/Getty Images
“Although it is customary for the Supertunica and the Imperial Mantle to be reused, His Majesty will also reuse the Colobium Sindonis, Coronation Sword Belt and Coronation Glove worn by his grandfather King George VI, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency,” the palace explained.
Will there be a procession?
This is a royal celebration – of course there’s a procession! In fact, there will be two through the streets of the British capital. One will take the King to be crowned, and after the service there’ll be a larger parade back to Buckingham Palace, where the monarch and members of the royal family will make a balcony appearance and watch a flypast of 60 aircraft. The six-minute flyover will include the famous Red Arrows, modern F-35s and Typhoons, and the Battle of Britain memorial flight.
The route itself is significantly shorter than the Queen’s five-mile journey to Westminster Abbey back in 1953. Ahead of the service, King Charles will leave Buckingham Palace and head down the Mall in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, accompanied by the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry. The procession will pass through Admiralty Arch before turning on to Whitehall and traveling along Parliament Street and on to the abbey. It will return using the same 1.3-mile route, with the monarch traveling this time in the Gold State Coach.
London’s Metropolitan Police Service has said more than 29,000 officers will be deployed in the week leading up to the coronation and over the rest of the holiday weekend.
The security operation – known as Operation Golden Orb – will be one of the largest the Met has led, the force said Wednesday.
“On Coronation Day we will have the largest one-day mobilization of officers seen in decades with just over 11,500 officers on duty,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said. “We want Londoners and visitors coming to the city to enjoy this historic and momentous occasion safely and securely.”
How is King Charles making the ceremony more inclusive?
There’s been a lot of speculation over how the King intends to make his coronation more inclusive while reflecting his vision of the future monarchy. We’ll have to wait and see, but one early indication was announced Friday when Buckingham Palace revealed that faith leaders would lead the first processions into Westminster Abbey.
They’ll be followed by representatives from each of the 15 realms where the King is head of state. Flagbearers of each nation will be accompanied by the governors general and prime ministers. This is the first time non-Protestant faith leaders have been given a role in a coronation.
How much will the coronation cost?
Well, we’re not quite sure… yet. Buckingham Palace said Tuesday that details will be shared in due course. Its comments came after questions were raised over how much was being spent on the state event during a national cost-of-living crisis.
“I’ve seen a number of different estimated figures floating around, some more fanciful than others. The true figures will be shared in due course where expenditure relates to the Sovereign Grant or Government costs,” a palace spokesperson said in a statement.
‘It’s not a good look.’ As cost of living crisis bites, some Brits are questioning spending money on glitzy coronation
The statement went on to say that great state occasions, such as the Queen’s funeral, tend to generate more money than is spent holding such events, attracting huge global interest which boosts the national economy.
“Aside from the expenditure estimates you may have seen, it has also been reported that somewhere between one and several billions are expected to flow into the economy as a result of this Coronation,” the spokesperson continued.
Beer, bunting and biscuit tins: What the coronation means for the UK economy
“It’s not for me to say how accurate those figures are but certainly the theory pertains that the celebrations are an enormous economic boost to the nation – and just as importantly, with 100 heads of State coming to Britain for the event, it’s a fantastic opportunity for networking, for Government, and for engaging the interest from those nations with everything that Britain has to offer.”
The statement concluded by assuring the British public that the planning of the King’s coronation was mindful of the “economic challenge” the country was facing, prompting organizers to look for ways to efficiently produce the event, such as “reusing many ceremonial elements, rather than commissioning new ones.”
Will Camilla be crowned Queen?
Yes. But unlike the three most recent queen consorts – Alexandra, who was Edward VII’s wife; George V’s wife, Mary; and Elizabeth, wife of George VI – Camilla is not having a crown made specially for her coronation. Instead, she’s opted to wear Queen Mary’s Crown. Back when she paid for the silver crown in 1911, Queen Mary’s intention was for it to serve as the permanent crown of future consorts.
The palace has said Camilla’s choice was “in the interests of sustainability and efficiency” but that she was making some “minor changes and additions.” Specifically, she wants to honor her late mother-in-law by resetting the crown with some diamonds – the Cullinan III, IV and V – from the Queen’s personal collection.
Will Prince Harry and Meghan fly back?
The Duke of Sussex has confirmed his attendance at his father’s big day. However, he’ll be going solo. The palace confirmed in April that his wife, Meghan, will be staying in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It is understood Meghan opted to forgo the celebrations as the day coincides with Archie’s 4th birthday.
The Duke of Sussex has confirmed his attendance at his father’s big day, but his wife, Meghan, will be staying in California with their two children.Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
What about Prince Andrew?
As a member of the royal family, Prince Andrew is expected to attend his brother’s coronation. But as he’s no longer a working royal, he won’t have any formal roles on the day.
Who else has been invited?
Around 2,300 people were sent invitations to the service at Westminster Abbey. While the palace doesn’t release a detailed guest list, it has confirmed that the congregation will be made up of members of the royal family, as well as international representatives from 203 countries, alongside community and charity volunteers.
Coronation organizer Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk said: “For the first time, approximately 100 Heads of State from around the world will attend, together with representatives from the Realms and the Commonwealth and our government, the Lords and the Commons, local heroes and British Empire medalists and many other individuals who have contributed so much to Britain and the wider world today.”
US first lady Jill Biden will lead the American delegation.Leah Millis/Reuters
US first lady Jill Biden will lead the American delegation. You can also expect to see a number of royals from around the world make their way to London.
Additionally, 400 young people from charities selected by the King and Queen have been invited to watch the service from nearby St. Margaret’s Church, while military veterans, healthcare workers and charity representatives have been given spaces to watch on the processional route and in special stands put up along the Mall and near Buckingham Palace.
How will it be different from Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation?
We’ve already mentioned that both the processional route and service will be shorter. Another difference is the number of guests. Back in ’53, so swollen was the guest list that temporary structures had to be erected within the abbey to accommodate the more than 8,000 people invited.
Specific to the service itself, it will lean on tradition but also be full of firsts, according to Lambeth Palace organizers. Some of the changes to the ancient Christian ceremony – the theme of which is “called to serve” – include the King praying aloud, participation of religious leaders from other faiths, involvement of female clergy and the incorporation of other languages spoken in the British Isles.
Additionally, the traditional homage of peers has been replaced with a “homage of the people.” This tweak will see the public invited to join “a chorus of millions of voices enabled for the first time in history to participate in this solemn and joyful moment.”
Surrounded by peers and churchmen, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II sits on the throne in Westminister Abbey on June 2, 1953.AP
A Lambeth Palace spokesperson said the new homage was “an opportunity for those who wish to be given voice within the service, and for those at home to have a chance to be an extension of the abbey congregation.” The spokesperson added that the change was “very much an invitation, rather than an expectation or request.”
“We live in a wonderfully diverse society with many different perspectives and beliefs – which this coronation celebrates – and therefore it’s quite right that people decide for themselves how they wish to relate to this moment,” the spokesperson added.
What else is happening over the celebratory weekend?
On May 7, the day after the coronation, thousands of events are expected to take place across the country as part of the “Coronation Big Lunch,” while Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Take That will headline the “Coronation Concert” at Windsor Castle in the evening.
“The Coronation Big Lunch helps you bring the celebration right into your own street or back yard,” said Peter Stewart, chief purpose officer at the event’s organizing body, the Eden Project.
“Sharing friendship, food and fun together gives people more than just a good time – people feel less lonely, make friends and go on to get more involved with their community,” he added in a statement.
Lionel Richie, (pictured), Katy Perry and Take That will headline the “Coronation Concert” at Windsor Castle on Sunday evening.Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
The concert will be attended by an audience of volunteers from the King and Queen’s charity affiliations as well as several thousand members of the public selected through a national ballot held by the BBC. However, some royal fans have slammed Ticketmaster over its handling of the ticketing for May 7.
Ten locations around Britain will also be lit up with light displays, lasers and drones that evening.
The final day of the long weekend will see Britons enjoying a hopefully sunny bank holiday Monday, with the public encouraged to volunteer in their communities.
74-year-old, King Charles III, who will be installed on Saturday, was the oldest royal to ascend the throne in a1,000-year-old lineage when he replaced his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her death in September. The late Queen ruled ruled for 70 years.
Charles does not enjoy the same support as his widely admired mother, but his public approval ratings are generally positive. An opinion poll last week showed many more people hold favourable views of him than negative although there is also a wide segment expressing indifference.
Republican sentiment – which was almost entirely absent publicly during Elizabeth’s reign – has become visible with eggs thrown at the king and his wife, Camilla, on one trip and small groups of protesters voicing opposition at others.
Buckingham Palace has supported research into the monarchy’s links to slavery as calls grow for apologies and reparations, not least from some of the 14 Commonwealth realms, where Charlesis also king.
The Guardian newspaper has run a series of articles raising questions about the opaque nature of the wealth and finances of the institution and the royal family, an issue that resonates at a time when Britons are facing a cost of living crisis.
A 7-year-old Charles sits with his mother and younger sister, Princess Anne, as they watch the final match of the Smith’s lawn polo cup in Windsor, England, on June 23, 1956. [File: AP]
In this July 27, 1958, photo, Prince Charles wears his school uniform. He became the first heir apparent to the British throne to attend school rather than have a private tutor. [File: AP]Prince Charles arrives at London Airport from Glasgow on April 2, 1964, at a time when he was a student at Gordonstoun School in northeast Scotland, which his father, Prince Philip, also attended. [File: AP]An 18-year-old Prince Charles leaves Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth in a state coach on October 31, 1967, for the opening of parliament. It was the first time the prince took part in the ceremony. [File: AP]Queen Elizabeth II crowns her son the Prince of Wales during his investiture ceremony on July 1, 1969, at Caernarfon Castle in Wales. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is seated at the right, and British Home Secretary James Callaghan stands next to the prince. [File: AP]Prince Charles and Tricia Nixon, daughter of US President Richard Nixon, discuss baseball at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC, on July 18, 1970, during a trip the prince made to the US capital with his sister, Princess Anne, after they had visited Canada with their parents. [File: AP]Prince Charles walks with Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines, in Katmandu on February 24, 1975, at the coronation ceremony for Nepal’s King Birendra. [File: AP]Prince Charles drinks from a freshly cut green coconut at Haripur village, which he visited during a one-day trip to Bhubaneswar, India, on December 4, 1980. The prince is wearing a marigold garland, which was given to him by villagers. [File: Santosh Basak/AP]Prince Charles wed Diana, Princess of Wales, on July 29, 1981. The couple appeared with his parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London after their marriage at St Paul’s Cathedral. [File: AP]Charles and Diana take home their firstborn son, Prince William, from St Mary’s Hospital in London on June 22, 1982, the day after his birth. [File: John Redman/AP]Charles and Diana made their second trip to Australia together in 1985 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the state of Victoria, named after Charles’s great-great-great-grandmother. [File: AP]Charles greets models wearing clothing from a local designer during a tour of Soweto, South Africa, on November 3, 2011. [File: Kim Lubbrook/pool/AP]Charles speaks after a performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra at St James Palace in central London on December 12, 2011. [File: Lefteris Pitarakis/pool/AP]After preparing for the crown his entire life, Charles was king on April 28, 2023, when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police presented him with a horse named Noble as he accepted the role of commissioner-in-chief of the police force at Windsor Castle. At the age of 73, he had become the oldest person to ever assume the British throne when Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. [File: Andrew Matthews/pool/AP]
On what would have been her 97th birthday, a new photograph of thelate Queen was made public.
The former monarch can be seen grinning with some of her grandkids and great-grandchildren in the never-before-seen photo, which was taken by the Princess of Wales.
Last summer at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, the family posed for a photo as a unit.
In addition to Mia, Lucas, and Lena Tindall, Savannah, and Isla Phillips are present with the Queen, as well as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Standing at the back are the Queen’s grandchildren Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex – the son and daughter of the now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Recognising the Queen’s birthday on Instagram earlier, Buckingham Palace wrote: “Today we remember the incredible life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 97th birthday.”
“When Her Majesty was born in April 1926, Princess Elizabeth and her family did not expect that she would one day become Queen. Following the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII in 1936, her father acceded to the throne.
“When King George VI died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 25. Her Majesty went on to be Britain’s longest reigning Monarch – the only one in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.”
Balmoral was one of the Queen’s favourite places and she is said to never have been happier than when staying there.
After her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947, the couple spent their honeymoon at Birkhall – a hunting lodge on the Balmoral estate.
Image:Queen Elizabeth II and Liz Truss during audience at Balmoral
The Queen then usually stayed at the main property annually from August and September, and into October.
She travelled to the private residence on July 21 2022, and for the first time in her reign appointed a new prime minister there on Tuesday 6 September – two days before her death on 8 September.
The procession’s route is much shorter than anticipated, according to the royal officials who have just announced it.
The newly crowned King will travel 1.3 miles from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, passing via Trafalgar Square before turning and proceeding down The Mall directly to his royal residence.
In contrast, Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 procession took a winding five-mile path past Trafalgar Square onto Regent Street, Oxford Street and Park lane, allowing huge crowds of wellwishers to see her.
The Gold State Coach passing Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant last year (Picture: PA)
Unlike his late mother, who covered more ground by travelling in a loop, Charles will travel home along the same route taking him to Westminster Abbey ahead of the ceremony.
The shortened route will drastically reduce the number of people able to get a direct view of the monarch, although those who make it will likely get to see him twice.
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Even some who camp out may struggle to nab a good spot, reports suggest.
According to The Telegraph, organisers have ruled out using a ticketing or ballot system for spectators, advising wellwishers to simply ‘plan in advance’.
Those who miss out will be able to watch the procession at any of 30 special outdoor screenings taking place across the UK.
They include Cardiff Castle, Belfast City Hall and Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens.
Charles’ wish for a pared-back, cheaper ceremony have led to a number of other differences from the last coronation, including a much smaller number of invited guests from the House of Lords and Commons.
Elizabeth rode the entire route in the 260-year-old Gold State Coach – which is suspended on leather straps – and famously described the bumpy experience inside as ‘horrible.’
Charles and Camilla instead travel to the Abbey in the more modern and comfortable Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which has shock absorbers, before completing the procession in the Gold State Coach.
Many elements of the ceremony remain rooted in tradition, such as the appearance of an ivory sceptre in the hands of Camilla the Queen Consort.
This is despite Charles’ longstanding campaign as Prince of Wales to end the illegal trafficking of animal parts like rhino horn and elephant tusk.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: ‘As with any historical collection of its size, it is to be expected that the Royal Collection includes items that contain ivory as this reflected the taste at the time.’
On invitations to the coronation on May 6, the title “Queen Camilla” will formally be used for the first time.
The Queen Consort title has been used up until now to refer to the King’s wife in official papers and public releases.
She has been using the title since since Queen Elizabeth II passed away in September of last year. In a letter she wrote to her during the Platinum Jubilee, the late monarch suggested she adopt it.
Both Charles and Camilla will be crowned at the ceremony in a month’s time, although the King’s coronation will be the grandest element of the day.
The official invitation, released publicly yesterday, is heavily decorated with symbolic flowers and an appearance from the legendary figure of the Green Man.
Each of the British wildflowers on the letter’s edges appear three times, referencing Charles’s position as the third King with his name.
Invitees are asked to attend by the Earl Marshal, a role currently filled by Edward William Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, who is in charge of overseeing the big day.
Further details about the coronation have been emerging as it draws nearer, with Buckingham Palace revealing nine-year-old Prince George will have an important role as one of eight Pages of Honour.
The full invitation features flowers, insects, birds, heraldic beasts and the Green Man at the bottom (Picture: Buckingham Palace/PA)
Meanwhile, the White House is reported to be sending First Lady Jill Biden to attend the ceremony in the place of her husband President Joe Biden.
His absence follows historical precedent, as no US president has ever attended the coronation of a British monarch.
However, at the end of last month the Telegraph quoted a source as saying there ‘may still be some efforts under way to see if Biden can be persuaded to come to the coronation’.
The most significant question mark, however, concerns the attendance of Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
It is believed that the couple have received the ornate invitation already, but they have not given any indication of whether it has been accepted.
One scenario that has been floated involves Prince Harry coming along to the ceremony while his wife stays in California to look after their three children.
Matters are complicated by the fact their eldest son Archie has his fourth birthday on May 6, the same day as the coronation.
Royal staff are reportedly working on the assumption the pair will be attending.
The silver Royal Victorian Medal has been given to the pallbearers who escorted the Queen’s casket in honour of the significant part they played in her funeral.
Last September, countless people watched as eight Grenadier Guards in full uniform carried Her Late Majesty’s lead-lined coffin into Westminster Abbey before transferring it to St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where she was laid to rest.
Lance Sergeant Alex Turner, Lance Corporal Tony Flynn, Lance Sergeant Elias Orlowski, Guardsmen Fletcher Cox, Guardsman James Patterson, Lance Sergeant Ryan Griffiths, Guardsman Luke Simpson, and Guardsman David Sanderson slowly ascended the chapel’s steep steps without disturbing the Imperial State Crown or the orb and sceptre placed on top. Some reported holding their breath.
The soldiers were named as recipients of honours under the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of their service to the Queen, as part of a special set of Demise awards.
The eight pallbearers carrying the Queen’s coffin out of Westminster Abbey after her State Funeral (Picture: PA)
Awards under the RVO are in the King’s gift and are bestowed independently of Downing Street to people who have served the monarch or the royal family in a personal way.
The unit had a close connection with the Queen – as the serving monarch she held the position of company commander and made a personal review of the company every decade.
After watching them carrying out their duties in some of the most poignant moments of the Queen’s funeral, Tory former minister Eddie Hughes said: ‘I held my breath for every step… These lads are amazing.’
Fellow Tory MP Tom Hunt said at the time: ‘I can’t imagine how hard and emotionally challenging it must have been to have carried Her Late Majesty’s coffin just once.
‘They’ve done it time and time again this week. With billions watching. They’ve done Her Late Majesty and the country proud.’
Carla Lockhart, Upper Bann’s DUP MP, said: ‘Amidst the pageantry and occasion, eight young men silently went about their duty.
‘The weight of the world on their shoulders, the glare of the world on them, but they were flawless.
‘They did themselves, their families and our country proud. Thank you.’
The late Queen’s closest adviser, Angela Kelly, has also been recognised by the King alongside other royal aides, and many who played important roles during her funeral.
The honours list also featured RAF flight crew who transported the Queen’s coffin from Scotland to London, senior managers from the household and Government, and the late Queen’s stud groom Terry Pendry, who held the reins of the monarch’s pony Emma as the funeral cortege entered Windsor Castle.
Ms Kelly, the late Queen’s personal assistant, adviser and curator, worked for the monarch for more than 25 years and was made a Commander of the RVO.
Ngozi Fulani, the head of a charity, resigned due to the abuse she received following her argument with Lady Susan Hussey about race.
A organization she started to aid Afro-Caribbean women experiencing domestic abuse, Ms. Fulani stated she is temporarily stepping down from her position as CEO.
“When you consider that this incident was supposed to be about violence against women and girls, the Palace hasn’t stepped in, even though I believe they could have.
‘So, what I’ve had to do, I’ve now temporarily stepped down as CEO of Sistah Space.
‘I’m announcing that now because the service users and the community can’t access us properly.
‘This whole thing has cost us a fortune because we had to pay our own PR to stop the press from coming up, it was horrible.’Ngozi Fulani slams latest Palace apology following Susan Hussey race row
Lady Susan was a senior lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth II and is Prince William’s godmother Lady Susan Hussey was seen using the staff entrance at Buckingham Palace in February
The race row made headlines since last November, when Lady Susan, who was a close friend of the late Queen and is Prince William’s godmother, repeatedly asked Ms Fulani where she was ‘really from’.
Ms Fulani said she felt ‘violated’ after Lady Susan refused to accept her answer that she was British.
Lady Susan later apologised in person to Ms Fulani for the distress her comments had caused and resigned from her honorary role, but was reportedly seen back performing royal duties last month.
Ms Fulani said she and her family received ‘horrific online abuse’ from those who felt Lady Susan was being treated unfairly in the aftermath of going public with what happened.
She said: ‘Incidents like this not only cause emotional harm to those involved but do also have wider repercussions within the community.
‘I have experienced first-hand what happens when a black woman faces adversity and has to overcome additional barriers when trying to report it.’
Royal Mail has unveiled the final set of stamps honouring the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth gave her blessing to the Flying Scotsman-themed Special Stamps collection before she passed away.
It will be the final set to feature Her Majesty’s silhouette before the new King Charles-themed stamps become available on April 4.
Stamps include London North Eastern Railway poster artwork from 1920s and 1930s
The Queen’s silhouette has been in constant use on Royal Mail’s Special Stamps since 1968 and for more than 50 years the programme has commemorated anniversaries and celebrated events related to UK heritage and life.
Stamps feature a close-up of the train at Shildon, Durham, as well as at London’s Victoria Station
The images feature the train in various locations across the country, such as in a blizzard at Heap Bridge on the East Lancashire Railway or steaming through the town of Blyth in Northumberland.
A further four stamps were released in a miniature sheet that show images of the Flying Scotsman and London North Eastern Railway (LNER) poster artwork from the 1920s and 1930s.
The train is pictured in a blizzard at Heap Bridge on the East Lancashire Railway
The stamps will be available to pre-order from Feb 28 on Royal Mail’s website, while the collection goes on general sale from March 9 priced at £17.70.
The other images on the stamps include the Flying Scotsman in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, crossing the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick-upon-Tweed and as a close-up at Shildon, Durham, as well as at London’s Victoria Station.
Four stamps show images from London North Eastern Railway poster artwork
David Gold, the director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said: “Flying Scotsman is a national treasure of engineering and design that conjures up the golden age of steam travel.
“This remarkable locomotive epitomisesthe romance of rail travel and is loved by people all over the world. We are honoured to mark this landmark milestone with a set of Special Stamps.”
Images of Flying Scotsman were chosen from amongst hundreds of period photographs
Royal Mail worked closely with Bob Gwynne, the associate curator at the National Railway Museum, to select the images featured on the stamps. They were chosen from among hundreds of period photographs.
A couple in Warwickshire, England, found a letter from King Charles to his “granny” when they were cleaning up their attic over the holiday break.
“Hello, Grandma.” I’m sorry to hear you’re sick. The letter, beautifully handwritten on lined notepaper from Buckingham Palace and dated March 15, 1955, when the King was six years old, reads, “I hope you will be better soon.”
On the reverse, there are doodled circles and colorful kisses with the words “Lots of love from Charles.”
It was discovered inside an envelope addressed from Queen Elizabeth II to the Queen Mother, providing a “three generation run,” Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers and who is responsible for the sale of the letter, told CNN Thursday.
Finding the letter, which Hanson estimates could fetch as much as £10,000 ($12,000) at auction, left the couple “gobsmacked” as they sifted through their loft.
“It had belonged to my late grandad Roland Stockdale,” the seller, a 49-year-old farm manager who has not been named, said in a statement.
“My wife said ‘wow, look at that!’ We were pretty gobsmacked but we weren’t sure whether anyone would be interested in it.”
Stockdale worked for the Metropolitan Police where he was part of the Queen’s personal protection force during the 1950s after he had left Carlisle, northern England, and his previous job as a farm worker, the seller added.
Stockdale’s folder containing the letter had “been gathering dust” in various attics for “30 to 40 years” as it was passed around family members following his death.
“I have absolutely no idea how he came to have the letter written by King Charles when he was a boy,” the seller said. “It’s one of many things he kept.”
Citing postcards and birthday greetings that Stockdale received from the Queen and Queen Mother, Hanson hypothesized that “these keepsakes were gifted to the officer” since he “was clearly so highly regarded.”
The couple found other royal memorabilia in the folder, including an invitation to a dance at Balmoral Castle, a note signed by the Queen Mother, gift tags signed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, as well as a copy of the Queen’s 1956 Christmas broadcast.
It has been reported that London hotels are already raising their rates by up to two-thirds in anticipation of King Charles III’s coronation in May.
On the historic day on Saturday, May 6, according to Trivago CEO Axel Hefer, hotel rates in the city have increased by more than 60% year over year.
As compared to last year at the same time, the average cost of lodging has already reached £254 for those trying to make a last-minute reservation.
Interest is huge as it’s the first ceremony of its kind since Queen Elizabeth IIwas crowned in June 1953.
Prices are going up in the capital by up to two thirds (Picture: Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
As hotels increase their prices to capitalise, Trivago says many visitors may plan to avoid London during the event, explaining ‘given the very high prices, people would rather avoid traveling to the UK capital on the day of the coronation.’
Booking data shows search is actually down for London on the day, compared to the weekends before and after.
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Searches for London are also down 8% compared with the same day last year.
King Charles III and The Queen Consort visiting Brick Lane this week (Picture: PA)
Mr Hefer said that, while coronation day is an extreme example in terms of prices this year, the accommodation site is seeing hotel prices continue to rise generally across the board.
He said hotel prices are rising by low single digits to high single digits this year, on top of increased prices in 2022.
Travellers are combatting the higher prices by switching to cheaper destinations, such as Istanbul, Morocco and Portugal, as well as domestic staycationing, while also beginning to book shorter stays.
The company has also seen trends of holidaymakers opting for lower star ratings on hotels and cheaper accommodation to help bring down costs.
Buckingham Palace has revealed that the contentious Koh-i-Noor diamond won’t be displayed during the coronation.
Instead, Queen Mary’s Crown, which has been removed from the Tower of London and resized for the May 6 coronation, will be used to crown Camilla, the Queen Consort.
An existing crown will allegedly be “recycled” for a coronation for the first time in “recent history.”
There will also be diamonds added from Queen Elizabeth II’s jewellery.
After testing positive for COVID this week, Camilla, who will be crowned alongside the King at Westminster Abbey, was forced to postpone her public appearances.
Image caption,The Koh-i-Noor diamond, used in the Queen Mother’s crown, won’t be used for Camilla’s coronation
Ownership of the Koh-i-Noor, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, has been disputed, and there were concerns about a diplomatic row with India if it had been used.
India has made several claims to be the rightful owner of the diamond, which was used in the coronation of the Queen Mother.
Instead, Buckingham Palace says Camilla will be crowned with Queen Mary’s crown – and claims its re-use is in the “interests of sustainability and efficiency”.
In a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II, the crown will be reset using diamonds from her personal jewellery collection, using diamonds known as Cullinan III, IV and V.
These diamonds were worn by the late Queen in brooches and were taken from the Cullinan diamond, discovered in South Africa.
What we know about the Coronation long weekend so far:
Saturday 6 May: Coronation service in Westminster Abbey; coronation carriage procession; Buckingham Palace balcony appearance
Sunday 7 May: Concert and lightshow at Windsor Castle; Coronation Big Lunch street parties
Monday 8 May: Extra bank holiday; Big Help Out encouraging people to get involved in local volunteering
Although it is far from being the largest or most flawless diamond in the world, the Koh-i-Noor’s storied history has marked it out as perhaps the most controversial.
Competing theories and myths about the origins of the stone stretch over many years but historians agree it was taken from India by Nader Shah, an Iranian ruler, in 1739.
Through plunder and conquest it changed hands several times before being signed over to a British governor-general in 1849 following the annexation of the Punjab.
The circumstances in which it was signed over to the East India Company, which had conquered vast swathes of the Indian subcontinent, by a defeated boy king, are disputed.
It was reputedly a “gift” but Anita Anand, a BBC journalist who has co-authored a book on the Koh-i-Noor, said: “I don’t know of many ‘gifts’ that are handed over at the point of a bayonet”.
The King is modifying the royal family’s web pages, which his mother, Queen Elizabeth, was previously using.
King Charles III is updating communication methods that Queen Elizabeth II previously used.
King Charles released two statements on Thursday using the official accounts of the British royal family on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. The messages featured a new graphic. Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing in September 2022, Charles, then 74, took charge of the @RoyalFamily social media accounts.
The new graphics, which can be seen in news feeds, have white backgrounds with navy text watermarked with the British royal coat of arms.
Until now, King Charles had been making statements with the same navy graphic that Queen Elizabeth used. The old design featured large white text with a small royal coat of arms in the lower left corner.
Following his mother as monarch, Charles has used his royal signature, “Charles R.” The “R” stands for “Rex,” which means “King” in Latin. During her record-breaking reign, Queen Elizabeth would sign official communications as “Elizabeth R” — the “R” meaning “Regina,” or “Queen.”
The new graphic isn’t the only way King Charles is refreshing the royal family’s social media pages. In the fall, the sovereign’s office started a series called “The Royal Week,” sharing photos and short summaries on the latest engagements of the King, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate Middleton and the rest of the working royals.
Last week, Charles’ office started the clock for the countdown to his coronation in May.
“100 days to go until the Coronation!” the palace tweeted, sharing a recap of “what to expect” over the three-day weekend.
As PEOPLE previously reported, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be crowned in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on May 6. “The Service will reflect the Monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry,” courtiers said.
Following the service, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by members of the royal family for the larger Coronation Procession back to Buckingham Palace, where they will all appear on the iconic balcony for the first time since the accession.
King Charles and Queen Camilla. ANDREW MILLIGAN/GETTY
The following day, the Coronation Concert will be broadcast live from Windsor Castle. The event will feature “global music icons and contemporary stars,” supported by a world-class orchestra and dancers. Free pairs of tickets will be made available to the public via national ballot, and the concert will also be attended by volunteers from some of the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations.
Synchronized with the concert, “Lighting up the Nation” will see iconic locations across the U.K. illuminated with projections, lasers and drone displays.
Also on May 7, citizens across the U.K. will gather with neighbors for the Coronation Big Lunch. Originally conceived by the Eden Project, the event is intended to “boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.”
Monday, May 8, was announced as a bank holiday by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November. U.K. citizens are invited to participate in the Big Help Out, a volunteering initiative
A new website for the upcoming coronation of the King and Queen Consort was unveiled on Monday by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.
The launch date was a poignant choice — Feb. 6 is the Accession Day of the late Queen Elizabeth II and marks three months until the coronation of her eldest son on May 6.
A scroll around the new site, titled “Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort,” features details on the upcoming ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the festive events planned for the three-day bank holiday weekend. Getty
In another fun update, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport also released a “Coronation Celebration Playlist” on Spotify. The two-hour mix is eclectic, starting with “Come Together” by The Beatles and mostly features British groups and artists. The 27-song playlist includes Coldplay, David Bowie, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Harry Styles, Queen, Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Sam Ryder, the Spice Girls, The Kinks, The Who and Tom Jones. In a fitting touch, the mix closes with “King” by Years & Years.
Buckingham Palace announced in October 202 that the coronation of King Charles, 74, and Queen Camilla, 75, would be held on the first Saturday in May. The royal couple will be crowned in a religious ritual by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey and will step out with other members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following the service.
The following day, people across the U.K. are encouraged to get together with neighbors for Coronation Big Lunch parties. Originally conceived by the Eden Project, the event is intended to “boost community spirit, reduce loneliness and support charities and good causes.”
That evening, the Coronation Concert will be broadcast live from Windsor Castle. Though the performer lineup has yet to be announced, the palace has previously said the concert will welcome “global music icons and contemporary stars” supported by a world-class orchestra and dancers.
Free pairs of tickets will be made available to the public via national ballot, and the concert will also be attended by volunteers from some of the King and Queen Consort’s charity affiliations. Synchronized with the show, “Lighting up the Nation” will see iconic locations across the U.K. illuminated with projections, lasers and drone displays. King Charles and Queen Camilla. Andrew Milligan/Getty
The celebrations wrap with a bang on Monday, May 8, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared a bank holiday. U.K. citizens are invited to participate in the Big Help Out, a volunteering initiative, and give their time to good causes.
Due to the Covid pandemic, Jaswant Singh Chail, a resident of Hampshire, was detained on Christmas Day 2021 while the late monarch was residing at Windsor.
Chail, 21, earlier entered a guilty plea to three charges at the Old Bailey.
He is the first person to be found guilty of treason in the UK since 1981.
Chail, from North Baddesley, near Southampton, also admitted making threats to kill and possessing the loaded weapon in the castle.
Image caption,The Queen had been staying at Windsor, rather than spending Christmas as usual on her Sandringham estate
He was spotted by a royal protection officer in a private section of the castle grounds just after 08:10 GMT on 25 December 2021.
The officer was at a gate, leading to the monarch’s private apartments.
Chail had climbed into the grounds using a nylon rope ladder, and had already been there for about two hours.
He was wearing a hood and a mask, and was described as “like something out of a vigilante movie”.
The officer took out his Taser, and asked him: “Morning, can I help, mate?” Chail replied: “I am here to kill the Queen.”
The protection officer immediately told Chail to drop the crossbow, get on his knees, and put his hands on his head. Chail complied and then said again: “I am here to kill the Queen.”
Image caption,Jaswant Singh Chail climbed into the grounds using a nylon rope ladder
The crossbow was found to be loaded with a bolt and the safety catch was off.
Chail was also carrying a handwritten note, which read: “Please don’t remove my clothes, shoes and gloves, masks etc, don’t want post-mortem, don’t want embalming, thank you and I’m sorry.”
In a video posted on Snapchat minutes before he entered the castle, Chail said: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry for what I’ve done and what I will do. I will attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family.
“This is revenge for those who have died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It is also revenge for those who have been killed, humiliated and discriminated on because of their race.”
Chail is currently inBroadmoor Hospital, where he appeared in court via a remote video link.
The Queen’s doctors expressed concern for her health on September 8, 2022, and her family hurried to her side in Balmoral, including Prince Harry, who just so happened to be in the UK with Meghan Markle for a number of events to promote charities. However, Queen Elizabeth passed away prior to his arrival.
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry admits his family did not inform him of the development. He had to find out online.
“When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this,’” Harry reportedly writes. “I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.”
He promptly arrived at Balmoral to join the other royals, and he stayed in the UK to take part in the recognized days of mourning.
“Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren,” Prince Harry said in a tribute to his grandmother in September, referencing the Queen’s words: “Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.”
He concluded,”I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III. Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace.”
King Charles is set to include a tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in his first Christmas message as monarch.
An image of Charles delivering his speech, which is due to be broadcast on Christmas Day at 15:00 GMT, shows the King in St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
In her final Christmas message, the late Queen spoke of “passing the baton” to the next generation.
And her son’s first Christmas Day message will remember her legacy.
This will be the first televised annual royal Christmas Day broadcast not to be presented by the late Queen, who appeared in the first TV message in 1957.
The photo of the King shows him recording this year’s message in the chapel where a committal service was held during the Queen’s funeral in September.
Both his mother and father, Prince Philip, are buried in the George VI Memorial Chapel within St George’s Chapel.
The picture, released by Buckingham Palace, shows King Charles standing in front of a Christmas tree with plastic-free, recyclable decorations and arrangements of holly and ivy in the background.
This year sees the King and Camilla the Queen Consort return to the tradition of spending Christmas in Sandringham, Norfolk, after concerns about Covid and Queen Elizabeth’s health kept the Royal Family in Windsor last year.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are among the senior royals expected to be with King Charles for Christmas.
In her 2021 Christmas message, the Queen gave a highly personal tribute to her “beloved” Prince Philip, who died in April of that year.
Image caption,Queen Elizabeth presented the first televised Christmas message in 1957
The King’s Christmas Day broadcast continues a tradition going back 90 years.
The first royal Christmas broadcast was a live radio speech in 1932, delivered from Sandringham by George V, with the script written by the author Rudyard Kipling.
In 1957, Elizabeth II delivered the first televised message, saying that it was a technological landmark that “television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day”.
The message became part of many families’ Christmas celebrations and the first televised broadcast in 1957 set a familiar pattern.
The national anthem was followed by the monarch speaking directly to the camera, with a speech that included Christmas greetings, a religious lesson, support for the Commonwealth, a round-up of the royal year and a moral message for the times.
In 1957 it meant a warning about values in public life, criticising a culture of “self-interest”.
The timing of the Christmas broadcast was originally set for 15.00 GMT as best for reaching the most countries in different time zones around the world.
The Bank of England has unveiled the new design for banknotes that feature the image of King Charles.
The only change to the current designs of the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes will be the portrait, which will go into circulation in the middle of 2024.
The King’s portrait will appear on new notes on the front and in the transparent security window.
After the new notes start to circulate, old notes will still be accepted in stores.
Beginning in 1960, Queen Elizabeth was the first and only monarch to be depicted on circulating Bank of England banknotes. The monarch is not shown on the notes that Scottish and Northern Irish banks have issued.
There are about 4.5 billion individual Bank of England notes worth about £80bn in circulation at present.
The King’s cypher will also appear on the notes
The Bank of England said that, following guidance from the Royal household, the new notes would only be printed to replace worn notes or to meet increased demand, in order to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change.
Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said he was “proud” of a “significant moment” with the new design.
Fifty pence coins bearing the image of King Charles III have already entered circulation via post offices across the country.
An estimated 4.9 million of the new coins are being distributed to post offices – about half of the total number earmarked for circulation – to be given in change to customers.
The new King Charles 50p coins have already entered circulation
Coins carrying the image of the late Queen will still be accepted in shops, in the same way as banknotes.
For anyone taking part in a family Christmas quiz this year, it is worth remembering that, in ascending order, the reverse side of current polymer Bank of England banknotes feature Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing.
Cash use has become far less frequent when compared to debit cards, owing primarily to the use of contactless payments and then accelerated by the Covid pandemic. The buying power of specific coins and banknotes have also been diluted by rising prices.
However, there is still keen interest from consumers and collectors about the images used on cash.
Collectors will be particularly excited to get their hands on the lowest serial numbers of the new King Charles banknotes when they appear.
The UK may have been blanketed in snow this week, but the image on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Christmas card suggests otherwise.
The photo, which was shared on the royal couple’s official social media accounts, shows them on a sunny family walk with their three bare-legged children: Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4.
Kensington Palace, the couple’s official home, tweeted the photo on Tuesday with a Christmas tree emoji and the message: “Sharing a new family photo for this year’s Christmas card!”
Dressed in jeans and sneakers, the royal couple are pictured walking alonga parkland path, hand-in-hand with their children.
The casually color-coordinated image sees Prince George, who is second in line to the throne, dressed in a blue polo short and navy shorts, alongside Princess Charlotte in a short denim jumpsuit and Prince Louis in denim shorts and a striped, short-sleeved shirt.
Shot earlier this year in Norfolk, eastern England by award-winning photographer Matt Porteous, the Waleses’ image was released less than 48 hours before the final three episodes of Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex’s docuseries hit the streaming service.
Earlier this week, King Charles III issued the first official Christmas card of his reign.
Chosen by the King and Camilla, Queen Consort, the photo was taken by Sam Hussein at the Braemar Games in Scotland on September 3, five days before Queen Elizabeth II died and when Charles was still the Prince of Wales.
It features the couple looking at each other, with the King in profile wearing a beige suit and striped tie and Camilla in a green hat and jacket.
Two royal Christmas sweaters were made by London-based Notjust Clothing, and they’re sure to please any royal lovers on your list this year.
The socially minded retailer’s 2022 Christmas collection include two British-made items: a commemorative Queen Elizabeth II style ($44) and a holiday-themed take on Princess Diana‘s famous black sheep sweater ($44).
The black sweater honoring the late monarch features a white illustration of a young Queen Elizabeth wearing her tiara along with a snowflake pattern and the words “Merry Christmas.”
On the back, the design says “1926 – 2022” above a festive Corgi wearing a Christmas hat and the message “Thank you for everything Ma’am.”
For Diana fans, Notjust has taken the late Princess of Wales’ famous black sheep sweater and given it a Christmas look, replacing the sheep with holiday reindeer — and of course, like the princess’ design, one of them stands out in bold black amongst a parade of white reindeer.
The sweaters are crafted from acrylic yarn made from recycled waste and, according to the brand, half of proceeds will go to youth sports charities Football Beyond Borders and Bloomsbury Football.
A representative for the brand — which has raised more than $100,000 for charity since 2017 — said Notjust chose to help organizations that “use the power of football to change the lives of young people” amid this year’s World Cup.
Princess Diana famously rocked her black sheep sweater to several polo matches in the early 1980s, causing women around the world to rush to copy the playful look.
The style has remained so popular over the years that in 2020, Warm & Wonderful re-released the iconic sweater ($295) in its original red, along with pink, baby blue and green shades.
While neither Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth are with us this holiday season, fans can represent the late royals at their celebrations.
Arsenal and Manchester City will now play on February 15, 2023, in the Premier League.
On October 19, the two clubs were scheduled to square off in a key game as both squads were engaged in an early-season title fight.
However, the match had to be moved to make room for the Arsenal’s Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven, which had been postponed following the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The team led by Mikel Arteta is looking to maintain their lead going into their match as a result of the club’s confirmation of a new date.
“Our home Premier League clash with Manchester City has been rearranged for Wednesday, February 15,” read a club statement.
“The game was previously arranged for October 19 but was postponed to allow us to fulfil our Europa League commitments.”
Our home @premierleague fixture with Manchester City has been rearranged 👇
The title race between Arsenal and City this year has produced an intriguing picture of the two teams, especially since Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant before returning to north London, has raided his old squad for fresh players.
The Gunners have added two players who have been among their top performers this season in Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who will help them face difficulties both at home and in Europe.
Camilla, the Queen Consort, is discontinuing the practise of having ladies-in-waiting and will instead be assisted by “Queen’s companions.”
In addition to modernising the title, the six female assistants will be required to attend less frequently than the previous role required.
Honorary positions entail assisting the Queen Consort at public events.
Unlike the ladies-in-waiting, this role will not require any correspondence or administration.
Replacing the role of lady-in-waiting will bring an end to a feature of court life that dates back to the Middle Ages, with such close personal helpers to a Queen often coming from aristocratic families and, over the centuries, becoming embroiled in court intrigue.
The new “companions” will be a more occasional and informal position, supporting the Queen Consort at official engagements and not involved in replying to letters or day-to-day planning.
They don’t receive a salary but their expenses will be covered.
This symbolic change of direction will be put into practice next week, when the Queen Consort hosts a reception for campaigners against domestic violence and violence against women.
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics on Friday showed that 2.4 million adults in England and Wales, 1.7m women and 700,000 men, had suffered from domestic abuse in the previous year.
Queen Camilla has campaigned to raise awareness about domestic violence and for the first time her Queen’s companions will be with her at the Violence Against Women Girls reception at Buckingham Palace, rather than ladies-in-waiting.
The first companions include some longstanding personal friends – the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Jane von Westenholz, Lady Katharine Brooke, Sarah Troughton, Lady Sarah Keswick and Baroness Chisholm, a former Conservative whip and Cabinet Office spokeswoman in the House of Lords.
A palace source says that Baroness Chisholm, who has been sitting on two select committees as a Conservative, has become a non-affiliated peer.
The Queen Consort, aged 75, has also appointed Major Ollie Plunket as her equerry, who acts as a personal assistant.
The former ladies-in-waiting who served the late Queen Elizabeth IIwill now help King Charles to host events at Buckingham Palace and will be known as “ladies of the household”.
Following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles will lead the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph for the first time as monarch.
At 11:00 GMT, the United Kingdom will observe two minutes of silence to pay tribute to the war dead.
Remembrance Sunday was one of the most important royal engagements in the late Queen’s calendar.
The King, politicians, and religious leaders will lay wreaths at the central London memorial.
King Charles’ ring of poppies will incorporate a ribbon of racing colours in a tribute to the ones used by the late Queen and his grandfather King George VI.
During his time as Prince of Wales, King Charles represented the late Queen at the last five Cenotaph services and laid a wreath on her behalf, as she watched from the Foreign Office balcony that overlooks Whitehall.
The beginning of the silence will be marked by Big Ben striking 11 times at 11:00.
The bell has been largely silent for five years after it was dismantled and repaired in a renovation project. While it has run for events such as New Year’s Eve and the late Queen’s funeral, its tolling on Sunday will mark its official return to use.
IMAGE SOURCE, PA MEDIA Image caption, King Charles III will lay a wreath for the first time as monarch
The service, led by the Bishop of London, will also feature a march past by 10,000 Royal British Legion veterans, representing 300 different Armed Forces and organisations between them.
Among those taking part will be World War Two veterans – fewer in number as each year goes by – and those who have served in more recent conflicts.
To commemorate 40 years since the Falklands War, 400 members of the South Atlantic Medal Association will also take part.
A further 10,000 members of the public will line Whitehall to watch the service.
Along with King Charles, Camilla the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, will attend the service.
IMAGE SOURCE, REUTERS Image caption, Queen Elizabeth II saw Remembrance Sunday as one of her most important engagements of the year
The event will also be attended by senior members of the government.
Speaking ahead of the service, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace commemorated the fallen and also paid tribute to those fighting for Ukrainians’ freedom.
Mr Sunak said: “This year more than ever, we are reminded of the huge debt of gratitude we owe those who lay down their lives to protect their country.
“As we fall silent together on Remembrance Sunday, we will honour the memories of the men and women we have lost and pay tribute to the brave soldiers of Ukraine as they continue their fight for freedom.”
His words were echoed by Mr Wallace, who said Remembrance Sunday was a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by our veterans and service personnel around the world.
“We must never forget those who gave their lives in defence of our values and our great nation,” he said.
“All of us will also be thinking of those brave Ukrainians who are fighting for their very own survival to defend freedom and democracy for all, just as the UK and Commonwealth soldiers did in both world wars.”
More than 100 Falklands War veterans and family members of those who died in the war will take part in a remembrance service and parade in the capital Stanley on Sunday.
They made the 8,000 miles (12,900km) journey via a special flight arranged by the Ministry of Defence, with many of the veterans making an emotional return to the Falklands for the first time since the war with Argentina broke out in 1982.
Over the past few days the veterans, along with mothers, wives and children of those who died, have visited the battlefields where British forces fought, with some shedding tears and placing crosses at cemeteries for fallen comrades and family members.
On Saturday, members of the Royal Family attended the annual Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
On Friday, the UK held another silence on Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War One in 1918.
Queen Elizabeth II‘s service and duty have been commemorated at the annual Festival of Remembrance in London.
The event at the Royal Albert Hall, part of a weekend of tributes to war dead, was attended by the Royal Family.
King Charles and his siblings, Princess Anne and the Earl of Wessex watched as a video of their mother was played.
The late Queen enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a teenager towards the end of World War II.
This year’s event also marked 40 years since the Falklands war, with footage of contributions from those who served.
The Royal Family will also take part in a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph when a two-minute silence will be held at 11:00 GMT.
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA
As tributes were paid to the late Queen, a clip of her was played in which she spoke of the “tremendous contribution” the Armed Forces had made to Britain’s “standing and reputation” throughout the world during her reign.
Hosting the annual Royal British Legion event, BBC newsreader Huw Edwards said Elizabeth II had symbolized “completely” service and duty – which he described as the “watchwords” of military life.
The late Queen was the longest-serving commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces – a position held by the monarch – and was also the patron of the Royal British Legion, a charity that provides support to veterans and their families.
Elizabeth II considered Remembrance Sunday one of the most important engagements in her calendar.
The UK’s longest-reigning monarch lived through World War II as a teenager. At the age of 18, she enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service – a branch of the Army for women – in February 1945 and trained to become a military truck driver and mechanic. The late Queen was the first female member of the Royal Family to serve in the Armed Forces. However, the war ended before she could be assigned to active duty.
Also in attendance on Saturday evening were Camilla, the Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Countess of Wessex, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra.
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA Image caption, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was joined by his wife, Akshata Murthy, at the event
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA Image caption, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was joined by his wife Victoria at the festival
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer represented the two main political parties at the landmark London venue.
The evening was opened with a rendition of I Vow To Thee My Country by actor Luke Evans, and also saw performances by Andrea Bocelli and Hallelujah by EastEnders actress Shona McGarty.
The Chelsea Pensioners, among the oldest retired members of the Army, received applause as they took their seats.
The Royals joined the crowd to sing Jerusalem after the remembrance book, which contains the names of British war dead was brought into the venue. One of those who brought it into the hall was Captain Dmytro Donskoi, defence and air attache for Ukraine.
It ended with a rendition of God Save The King and three cheers, after which Charles waved to the crowd who applauded as the Royal Family left.
On Sunday, senior members of the Royal Family will pay tribute to the fallen when they take part in a service of remembrance in central London, where they will lay wreaths at the Cenotaph – along with senior politicians and faith leaders – and observe a march past by 10,000 veterans.
The Duke of Sussex’s memoir will be published on 10 January, his publisher Penguin Random House has said.
The book by Prince Harry – which will include his own account of his decision to give up royal duties and move to the US – will be titled Spare.
Random House said: “As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling – and how their lives would play out…
“For Harry, this is his story at last.”
Some of the proceeds from the book will be used to support British charities, including Sentebale and WellChild. The publisher confirmed this was in the form of two donations of $1.5m and £300,000 respectively to the two named charities.
Spare, the title of Prince Harry’s memoir, is presumably a nod to the phrase that monarchies need an “heir and a spare”.
Prince William is the heir and Prince Harry will tell his version of his life in that ambiguous territory of the “spare”, the younger royal sibling unlikely to ever be on the throne and therefore looking for their own sense of purpose.
This book, a guaranteed best-seller before a page has been printed, promises “raw, unflinching honesty”, and the cover shows a steely-looking Prince Harry.
But it will also have to be a delicate balancing act. Much has changed since this book was first announced. Queen Elizabeth II has died, his father is King, Camilla is Queen Consort. The book itself is now later than expected.
There will be more of an appetite for tell-all tales, rather than therapy speak about self-discovery. But how many bridges will be burned by saying too much? How many of the incendiary grievances raised by Prince Harry and Meghan in the Oprah TV interview will get another rerun?
Who will he spare in the process?
When the deal for Prince Harry to write his story was announced in 2021, the prince promised he would reflect “the highs and lows” and be “accurate and wholly truthful”.
That theme is picked up in the publicity statement for the book, which says: “With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.”
The book will be published on the same date worldwide and it will be available in 16 languages.
Former NASA astronaut James McDivitt, actor Robbie Coltrane, actress Angela Lansbury, comedian Judy Tenuta, rapper Coolio, U.S. solicitor-general Kenneth Starr, who investigated former President Bill Clinton, jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, Queen Elizabeth II, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, actress Anne Heche, Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, singer Olivia Newton-John, author David McCullough, Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell and “Star Trek” actress Nichelle Nichols are among the notable deaths of 2022.
James McDivitt
Former NASA astronaut James McDivitt, who commanded the Gemini IV and Apollo 9 missions, died at the age of 93 on October 13, 2022. McDivitt died peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family and friends in Tucson, Ariz. Photo by NASA
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Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane attends the world premiere of “Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince” in London on July 7, 2009. Coltrane died at the age of 72 on October 14, 2022 after being in poor health for two years. Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Angela Lansbury, one of the 2000 Kennedy Center honorees, arrives for the 2010 Kennedy Center honorees Artist’s Dinner at the United States Department of State in Washington on December 4, 2010. She died October 11, 2022 at age 96. Photo by Ron Sachs/Pool/UPI
Judy Tenuta attends a private gala to celebrate the opening of “Back To The Future Trilogy: The Exhibit” to pay tribute to all three films at the Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles on December 5, 2019. The comedian died October 6 at age 72 following a battle with ovarian cancer. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Coolio, real name Artis Leon Ivey Jr., attends the “London Party” at the Spencer House in St. James’s Place in London on February 18, 2006. Coolio died on September 28 at the age of 59 after he was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a friend’s house. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Kenneth Starr, a former federal judge, U.S. solicitor and independent counsel who investigated former President Bill Clinton, speaks in Washington on June 30, 2004. Starr died on September 13 at age 76 due to complications from surgery. Photo by Michael Kleinfeld/UPI
Grammy-award winning jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis toasts the 150th anniversary celebration of the Steinway piano in New York City on March 5, 2003. Lewis died September 12 at age 87. Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II speaks to victims families after dedicating a wreath of flowers at the site of the September 11 001 World Trade Center attack during her visit to New York in 2010. The queen died September 8 at age 96 after a 70-year reign. Pool Photo by Lucas Jackson/UPI
Bernard Shaw (R), a pioneer Black broadcast journalist who was a staple at CNN, holds the ACE award at the Academy of Cable Excellence Awards next to presenter Shelley Duvall. Shaw died September 7 at age 82 of complications from pneumonia. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev speaks to a crowd at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., on May 6, 1992. Gorbachev died at age 91 after a severe prolonged illness, Russian state media said. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
South African actress Charlbi Dean attends the photo call for film “Triangle of Sadness” at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 22. Dean died August 29 at age 32 from an unexpected illness. Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson talks to head coach Hank Stram on the sidelines during a game in 1971. Dawson died August 24 at age 87. Photo courtesy of the Kansas City Chief
Wolfgang Petersen
Wolfgang Petersen arrives at the Tribeca Film Festival screening of his new movie “Poseiden” at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York in 2006. The director died on August 16 at age 81. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Actress Anne Heche attends the premiere of Netflix’s “The Unforgivable” at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles on, November 30, 2021. The actress died on August 14 at age 53. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake is applauded by the audience at the end of the presentation of his Spring-Summer Men’s fashion show in Paris, June 25, 2009. The fashion designer died after battling cancer on August 9 at age 84. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI
Olivia Newton-John performs at the All-Star Concert at the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles on November 27, 2016. The “Grease” star died on August 8 at age 73. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
Author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “John Adams,” David McCullough arrives before a screening of the HBO miniseries based on the book at the Cannon Building on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2008. The bestselling author and historian died August 7 at age 89. Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI
Former Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully takes the mound to deliver the ceremonial first pitch before the Dodgers game against the Houston Astros in the MLB World Series Game 2 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on October 25, 2017. The announcer died August 3 at age 94. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI
Bill Russell attends the NBA Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., on June 24, 2019. The Hall of Fame member died July 31 at age 88. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Actress Nichelle Nichols attends the premiere of “Sharknado 5: Global Swarming” at The LINQ Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on August 6, 2017. Nichols died July 30 at age 89. Photo by David Becker/UPI
Paul Sorvino arrives outside at the premiere of Burnt at MoMA in New York City on October 20, 2015. The “Goodfellas” actor died at age 83 on July 25. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
David Warner appears in in the Roundabout Theater Company’s Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw’s “Major Barbara” in New York City on August 7, 2001. The actor died at age 80 on July 25. Photo by Joan Marcus/UPI
Ivana Trump arrives on the red carpet at the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-Grammy Gala and Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jay-Z in New York City on January 27, 2018. The ex-wife of former President Donald Trump died at age 73 on July 14. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Tony Sirico arrives for “The Soprano’s” cast party held on board Steve Forbes’ Highlander yacht and benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Chelsea Piers in New York City on June 14, 2007. The actor died at age 79 on July 8. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos (R) is escorted past a military honor guard by Chinese President Hu Jintao during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on December 17, 2008. The leader died at age 79 on July 8. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a farewell party for Shigeru Yokota, father of Megumi Yokota who was abducted by North Korea in Tokyo on October 24, 2020. The leader was shot at a campaign event on July 8. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
James Caan arrives at a photo call for the film “Blood Ties” during the Cannes International Film Festival in France on May 20, 2013. The actor died at age 82 on July 6. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson participates in OTAs in Owings Mills, Md., on June 7, 2022. He died June 22 at the age of 26. Photo by Joey Pulone/Baltimore Ravens Photos
Marion Barber III
Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III rushes for 6 yards in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., on October 8, 2007. He died June 1 at age 38. Photo by Jerome Davis/UPI
Dean of the College of Cardinals Angelo Sodano says a mass for the election of a new pope at St Peter’s basilica on March 12, 2013, at the Vatican. Sodano died May 27 at age 94. File Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI
Andy “Fletch” Fletcher of Depeche Mode performs in concert at the Stade de France near Paris on July 1, 2017. The British musician died on May 26 at age 60. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Ray Liotta arrives on the red carpet at the “Marriage Story” New York Premiere at Paris Theater on November 10, 2019. The American actor died in his sleep on May 26 at age 67. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Greek composer Vangelis Papathanassiou greets fans at the end of his historic concert, taking place at ancient Athens’ Temple of Zeus, in Athens, Greece, on June 28, 2001. The Greek Oscar-winning composer died on May 19 at age 79. Photo by Simela Pantzartzi/EPA
Mickey Gilley
Mickey Gilley arrives at the Academy of Country Music Awards held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 19, 2015. The singer died on May 8 at age 86. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta delivers his final public address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington on July 6, 2006. Mineta died May 3 at age 91. File Photo by Eduardo Sverdlin/UPI
Naomi Judd arrives for the 2008 CMT Awards at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville on April 14, 2008. The country singer died April 30 at age 76. File Photo by Frederick Breedon/UPI
Actor Robert Morse arrives at the Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on August 25, 2014. The actor died at age 90 on April 21. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Gilbert Gottfried arrives on the red carpet at the “Beauty And The Beast” New York Screening at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on March 13, 2017. The actor died on April 12 at age 67. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (L) greets Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins after an NFL game at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., on October 6, 2019. Haskins, who is now signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died April 9 at age 25. File Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Former Dallas Cowboys player Rayfield Wright thanks the fans during a special halftime celebration at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on October 23, 2006. The football player died on April 8 at age 76. File photo by UPI
Bobby Rydell performs in concert at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on March 9, 2008. The singer died on April 5 at age 79. Photo by Michael Bush/UPI
Estelle Harris poses for pictures at the premiere of “Brother Bear” at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City on October 20, 2003. Harris died at age 93 on April 3, 2022. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Tom Parker of “The Wanted” performs during the band’s showcase in Tokyo on May 19, 2013. The singer died on March 30 at age 33. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
Taylor Hawkins of the band Foo Fighters performs at the Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on August 9, 2008. The drummer died March 25 at the age of 50. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI
Madeleine Albright arrives at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Hilton in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2016. The former Secretary of State died on March 23 at age 84. Photo by Molly Riley/UPI
Cast member William Hurt attends the premiere of “The Incredible Hulk” in Los Angeles on June 8, 2008. The Oscar-winner died on March 13 at age 71. File Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI
Odalis Perez (45) of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Nationals Park in Washington on May 23, 2008. Perez died at age 43 on March 11, 2022. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI
(L-R) Ja’net Dubois, Johnny Brown, BernNadette Stanis, Jimmie Walker and Ralph Carter, castmembers in the television series “Good Times,” appear backstage with the show’s creator Norman Lear (4th-L) after the show was honored with the Impact Award at the fourth annual TV Land Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., on March 19, 2006. Brown died March 2 at the age of 84. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Actress Sally Kellerman attends the premiere of “Grandma” in Los Angeles in 2015. Known for roles including Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the 1970 “MASH” movie and for her role in “Brewster McCloud,” Kellerman died February 24 after suffering with dementia. She was 84. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Ivan Reitman attends the world premiere of “Father Figures” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on December 13, 2017. The director and producer behind hits like “Ghostbusters” and “Stripes” died February 12, 2022, at the age of 75. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
Cheslie Kryst arrives at the premiere of “Like A Boss” at SVA Theater in New York City on January 7, 2020. Kryst, the 2019 winner of the Miss USA pageant, died January 30, 2022 at age 30. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Manfred Thierry Mugler attends the world premiere of the show “Yma” at the Friedrichstadt Palast in Berlin on September 2, 2010. The designer died at the age of 73 on January 23, 2022. Jens Kalaene/EPA-EFE
Louie Anderson
Louie Anderson attends the Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 9, 2018. The comedian died after a battle with cancer at age 68 on January 21, 2022. Photo by Gregg DeGuire/UPI
The newest member of the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, and winner of the 1968 Masters Tournament Bob Goalby, has a laugh with fans during induction ceremonies in Frontenac, Miss. on April 23, 2018. The professional golfer died at age 92 on January 20, 2022. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Meat Loaf arrives for the “An Evening with the Celebrity Apprentice” presented by the Academy of Television Arts and Science at the Florence Gould Hall on April 26, 2011 in New York City. The singer died at age 74 on January 20, 2022. UPI /Monika Graff.
Former Delta State University center Lusia Harris, shown in the 1970s. The basketball player died on January 18 at age 66. Photo by Delta State University Athletic Communications
Gaspard Ulliel
Gaspard Ulliel arrives on the red carpet before the screening of the film “Sybil” at the Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France, on May 24, 2019. The French actor died on January 19 at age 37. Photo by David Silpa/UPI
Andre Leon Talley arrives for the Ebony Magazine breakfast party at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on September 5, 2007. The fashion icon died on January 18 at the age of 73. Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/UPI
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles McGee (C), a decorated veteran of three wars and former Tuskegee Airman, receives a congratulatory sendoff after visiting with 436 Aerial Port Squadron personnel at Dover Air Force Base to help celebrate his 100th birthday in Dover, Del., on December 6, 2019. McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen members, died on January 17 at the age of 102. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Veronica “Ronnie” Spector stands at the podium during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in New York City on March 12, 2007. Spector, who is known for leading the 1960s pop group the Ronettes, died after a brief battle with cancer on January 12 at the age of 78. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Bob Saget arrives at the premiere of “The Big Short” at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on November 23, 2015. The actor and comedian, known for “Full House” and hosting “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” died on January 9 at the age of 65. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Sidney Poitier arrives at the premiere of “The Wedding Date” in Los Angeles on January 27, 2005. The Oscar-winning actor and activist died on January 7 at the age of 94. Photo by Francis Specker/UPI
Director Peter Bogdanovich attends the premiere of “It Chapter Two” at the Regency Village Theatre in the Westwood section of Los Angeles on August 26, 2019. The Oscar-nominated director, known for “The Last Picture Show” and “Paper Moon,” died on January 6 at the age of 82. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Reeves watches his team play against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco on November 19, 2000. Reeves, who has four Super Bowls under his belt, died on January 1 at the age of 77. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI
King Charles III is selling some of the racehorses inherited from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Her late Majesty was an ardent racehorse breeder as well as a racegoer and rider.
On Monday, Tattersalls auction house in Newmarket announced the sale of 14 of Queen Elizabeth II’s “brood mares.”
They include Just Fine, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who oversaw more than 100 royal winners, and Love Affairs.
Tattersall’s spokesman Jimmy George said: “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. Every yearthey would sell horses.
“The Queen had brood mares of her own, she would breed them and sell them. You can’t keep them all.”
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, The Queen, an avid racegoer and rider, also bred horses from her stud at Sandringham
Mr Georgesaid the sale of the Queen’s horses did not symbolise the end of the Royal household’s connection with racing.
He said: “Every year owners sell stock. His Majesty is just doing what owners do.”
It was from her father, King George VI, that the Queen inherited the Royal Stud, a racehorse breeding centre at Sandringham that produced many of her winners.
Her racing manager John Warren previously said horses were a “tremendous getaway” from other duties and her support had been a major boost for British racing.
“I’m sure if the Queen had not been bred into being a monarch she would have found a vocation with horses. It was just simply in her DNA,” he said.
The year was 1956, and there was much fanfare and anticipation for Queen Elizabeth’s first visit to Nigeria.
The young monarch was just a few years into her reign and making a highly anticipated visit to the West African country, which had yet to become a republic.
Ahead of her arrival, famed Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu received a royal commission to commemorate her visit with a statue, which made him the first African artist to create an official portrait of a member of the royal family.
He began working on the sculpture the following year, visiting Buckingham Palace in London for several sittings.
“In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II sat for Enwonwu for a large bronze sculpture,” noted the Royal Collection Trust, which oversees the art collection of the British royal family.
Ben Enwonwu working on the bronze sculpture of the queen [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
In all, Queen Elizabeth sat for Enwonwu 12 times, eight of which were at Buckingham Palace, according to the Ben Enwonwu Foundation’s website.
The rest of the sittings took place at a private studio belonging to Sir William Reid-Dick, Enwonwu’s colleague at the Royal Society of British Artists.
During this time, Enwonwu “finished a portrait bust and a sketch model of the sculpture,” according to the foundation.
Ben Enwonwu and HM Elizabeth II looking at his sculpture of the queen [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
‘African features’
Enwonwu completed the sculpture in 1957 and raised some eyebrows at the time for depicting the queen with fuller lips. His son Oliver said that it was part of Ben Enwonwu’s signature style to “Africanize” his subjects.
“Some of the rave reviews that the sculpture received was that the artist depicted the queen through his African eyes, the work had African features, which was characteristic of his work,” Oliver Enwonwu told CNN.
Oliver, also a renowned artist, described the queen’s sculpture as one of his father’s greatest works.
“My father was very proud of it. It was one of his masterpieces that showed his dexterity as an artist,” he told CNN.
“At the time, it (Enwonwu making a sculpture of the queen) was a big deal because he was an African artist. But he was the most famous in the Commonwealth at the time so it was very easy that he would be given the nod,” Oliver added.
Unveiling of the statue in Nigeria [Credit: Courtesy Oliver Enwonwu/The Ben Enwonwu Foundation]
While the sculpture later ended up in Nigeria, Queen Elizabeth acquired the bust and, according to the Royal Collection Trust, had another Enwonwu sculpture as well as a number of his paintings.
The bronze of the queen was later placed at the Nigerian parliament building ahead of preparations for the country’s independence from Britain in 1960.
The work now resides in the Nigerian national museum.
An influential African artist
Enwonwu has come to be known as one of Africa’s greatest modernists.
His portrait of Nigerian princess Adetutu “Tutu” Ademiluyi, dubbed the “African Mona Lisa,” sold for over $1.6 million (£1,205,000) at a London auction in 2018.
Born in 1917, Enwonwu has been described as the most influential African artist of the 20th century.
He had become an eminent artist even before his royal commission, and in 1954, was given a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award by the queen for his services to art.
Enwonwu earned a scholarship in 1944 from Shell West Africa and the British Council to study fine art in the UK after a successful solo exhibition. He received a classical education at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and attended Oxford University. Enwonwu later returned to Nigeria to become a lecturer.
He was appointed Nigeria’s first professor of art by the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University, in 1971 and received a National Merit Award from the Nigerian government nine years later.
He died in 1994 at the age of 77.
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Ahead of season 5’s debut on Nov. 9, Netflix finally debuted a fiery trailer for the new episodes of The Crown, giving audiences an extended look “a house divided” as Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s divorce takes center stage on creator Peter Morgan’s historical drama about the royal family.
Picking up in the early 1990s, the series will focus on the “most visual” era of the royals as they navigated newfound attention surrounding the Palace, which included many headline-grabbing events and scandals of the time.
“That’s the amazing thing about playing these people at this time, because in the journey of The Crownso far out of all the seasons, this is the most visual content we have of the royal family,” said Elizabeth Debicki, who makes a stunning transformation into Diana as the trailer shows her struggling in her marriage to Charles, which many have said always included a third person, Camilla Parker-Bowles.
As per tradition of the Emmy-winning series, a new cast has taken over the key roles, with Debicki now portraying the late princess after Emma Corrin originated the role in season 4 and Dominic West following in Julian Baring and Josh O’Connor’s footsteps as Charles, who was recently named king following his mother’s death in September.
Joining them is Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Claudia Harrison as Princess Anne, Olivia Williams as Charles’ longtime friend and eventual second wife as well as Jonny Lee Miller as John Major, Salim Daw as Mohamed Al Fayed and Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed.
The trailer, set to a haunting version The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” also teases other notable moments from the early ‘90s, including Diana’s “revenge dress” to her controversial, sit-down interview with reporter Martin Bashir to the fire that broke out in Windsor Castle, which offers a fitting allegory to what is happening with the family at that time.
While Charles and Camilla’s “tampongate” was not seen here, it is another wild moment that West confirmed would be depicted in season 5. “I remember thinking it was something so sordid and deeply, deeply embarrassing [at the time],” he shared in a recent interview.
“Looking back on it, and having to play it, what you’re conscious of is that the blame was not with these two people, two lovers, who were having a private conversation,” he continued. “What’s really [clear now] is how invasive and disgusting was the press’s attention to it, that they printed it out verbatim and you could call a number and listen to the actual tape. I think it made me extremely sympathetic towards the two of them and what they’d gone through.”
Echoing that sentiment about the press, Debicki has said that “in the ‘90s everything had started to be filmed and also it was the birth of the 24-hour news cycle, so there’s just this incredible amount of content that we have access to.” And as a result, “Diana was the most photographed person in the world at that time.”
Of course, no matter how much Diana and Charles’ marriage is depicted this season, there’s no forgetting that this series is always about the queen, and how she managed to maintain her reign and family’s place in the ever-evolving British consciousness.
Following Emmy-winning turns by Claire Foy and Olivia Colman, Staunton is tasked with portraying Her Majesty in her later years until the series closes out with season 6. “I’m greatly honored,” Staunton previously told ET about being approached by creator Peter Morgan and his team to complete “the last lap” and finish out what the other two actresses started before her. “I don’t want to let the air go out of the balloon and I really have to bring it home. I would love to do that for all the people who have gone before me.”
In a later interview, she acknowledged the fans who were excited to see her join the franchise, saying, “Let’s just hope that works out for them because I’ve done it. Nothing I can do about it now!”
Sir John Major has slammed The Crown’s reported depiction of Charles attempting to force the Queen’s abdication during his presidency as “damaging, malicious fiction.”
The next season of the Netflix show is expected to include footage of the then-Prince of Wales, Dominic West, briefing Sir John (Jonny Lee Miller) against the Queen in an attempt to depose her.
According to The Mail on Sunday the writers suggest that in 1991, Charles believed his mother, who was 65 at the time, was making the same mistake as Queen Victoria by not letting her younger heir take over.
A spokesperson for Sir John told the paper: “Sir John has not co-operated in any way with The Crown. Nor has he ever been approached by them to fact-check any scripted material in this or any other series.
“There was never any discussion between Sir John and the then Prince of Wales about any possible abdication of the late Queen Elizabeth II.”
The spokesperson said that if such scenes are broadcast, “they should be seen as nothing other than damaging and malicious fiction. A barrel-load of nonsense peddled for no other reason than to provide maximum – and entirely false – dramatic impact”.
Kwarteng was fired on Friday, October 14 as a result of fallout from a mini-budget he delivered. Kwarteng was the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom for only six (6) weeks.
The budget has since prompted market instability and a rebellion among UK Conservative parliamentary members.
The Ghanaian, who was born in Britain, confessed in a statement made public after his dismissal that he knew even before accepting the position that he could not follow in the footsteps of those who came before him and that he would need to take more extreme measures.
“You have asked me to stand aside as your Chancellor. I have accepted.”
“When you asked me to serve as your Chancellor, I did so in full knowledge that the situation we faced was incredibly difficult, with rising global interest rates and energy prices. However, your vision of optimism, growth and change was right.
“As I have said many times in the past weeks, following the status quo was simply not an option,” he wrote in a statement.
“For too long this country has been dogged by low growth rates and high taxation – that must still change if this country is to succeed.
“The economic environment has changed rapidly since we set out the Growth Plan on September 23. In response, together with the Bank of England and excellent officials at the Treasury we have responded to those events, and I commend my officials for their dedication.
“It is important now as we move forward to emphasise your government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. The Medium-Term Fiscal Plan is crucial to this end, and I look forward to supporting you and my successor to achieve that from the backbenches.
“We have been colleagues and friends for many years. In that time, I have seen your dedication and determination. I believe your vision is the right one. It has been an honour to serve as your first Chancellor,” he wrote.
Kwasi Kwarteng’s six-week tenure as the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the UK has been dogged with a few major incidences, including the British press calling him out for smiling during the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
British Prime Minister to announce tax cuts:
Meanwhile, it is expected that Prime Minister, Truss will hold a news conference in due course, as speculation builds that the government could reverse more of the tax cuts announced in its mini-budget.
Earlier, a No 10 Downing source told the BBC that Truss thought the chancellor was “doing an excellent job”
The PM faces growing calls from within her party to rethink her economic plans, with one Tory MP telling the BBC: “It’s checkmate, we’re screwed”, the BBC further reported.
Kwasi Kwarteng became the first black person to become UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) following his appointment by UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on September 6, 2022.
Kwarteng was born Akwasi Addo Alfred Kwarteng in Waltham Forest, East London, in May 1975 to Ghanaian parents, Alfred and Charlotte, who had both immigrated to the United Kingdom a decade earlier as students.
His parents, who went on to become an international economist and a barrister respectively, sent him to an expensive private prep school that produced numerous Cabinet-level politicians. He then attended the famous Eton college — a production line for British leaders including Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
As if to demonstrate the bold claim made by the nation’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, that “the African is capable of managing his own affairs,” preparations for the queen’s arrival in Ghana began in earnest in November 1959.
And when Nkrumah’s government realized that she would enter the nation through its primary airport, it immediately set aside some money to clean the runway at the Accra Airport (now Kotoka International Airport).
This was contained in an old Ghana Times newspaper clipping in GhanaWeb’s possession, with the headline, “Queen’s aircraft may land on new runway.”
The April 1959 story, written by de-Graft Sampson, stated that the government was bent on ensuring that the runway at the airport was in good shape to receive the monarch of the country that had, until two years before, been its colonial master.
“The Ghana National Construction Company are to undertake one of the biggest projects under the second Five-Year-Development Plan, with the reconstruction of Accra International Airport, expected to take about 15 months to complete.
“The extension work for which Government has made available the sum of £G3 million, will be carried out in two stages, Mr. M. Boren, the G.N.C.C. sole consultant engineers and contractors told me,” the report stated.
The report explained further that the first stage of the expansion project would involve the upgrade to the runway at the airport.
And this was to be done before Queen Elizabeth II’s visit later that year.
“Mr. Boren further told me that the construction of the new runway, taxiways and the approach roads are expected to be completed before the Queen’s visit in November this year,” it added.
The report added that the second phase of the project was to look at the extension of air travel facilities to some other regions in the country so that they could benefit “directly from Ghana’s internal air service.”
Read the full newspaper report in the photo clipping below:
See the video of Queen Elizabeth II’s historic visit to Ghana in 1961:
The Ghana Times reported on Thursday, April 2, 1959, about the itinerary that Queen Elizabeth II was to use during her visit to Ghana in November of that year.
With the headline, “Itinerary of Queen’s visit out,” the report detailed all the things the monarch was to do in the country.
One of those activities was for her to participate in the State Opening of Parliament in the morning of November 13, but the most intriguing aspect of this report was on how Ghana’s president, Kwame Nkrumah, would vacate his official residence at Government House (the Christiansborg Castle) for the queen.
This was announced by Kojo Botsio, Chairman of the Planning Committee and Minister of External Affairs when he met the press.
“Disclosing this at a press conference at the Ministerial Conference Room…, Mr. Kojo Botsio, Chairman of Planning Committee and Minister of External Affairs, said that the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will be in Ghana from Thursday, November 12 to Saturday, November 28.
“Mr. Botsio said the Prime Minister, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is personally in charge of the whole arrangement for the Queen’s visit. He said that the Queen had informed the Government that the expenditure in connection with her visit should not be too expensive.
“During Her Majesty’s 17-day visit, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah will take up residence at Flagstaff House, while the Queen occupies Government House, Osu,” the newspaper report said.
A recent report claims that King Charles III’s coronation has been scheduled.
The date of Charles’ coronation will be June 3 at Westminster Abbey in London, according to Bloomberg, which cited U.K. sources.
However, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told the Evening Standard that any reports on the coronation date are “pure speculation.”
Sources told the London newspaper that a date for the coronation had not been decided and added that any reporting of the date should be taken “with a massive pinch of salt.”
According to Bloomberg, anonymous government officials said that plans for the coronation have centered on June 3, though discussions are ongoing as to which other dates could be proclaimed official holidays.
As the king’s coronation is a state event, the date on which it takes place will be observed as a bank holiday. Since June 3 of next year falls on a Saturday, Friday, June 2 could potentially be proclaimed a bank holiday.
If the coronation is officially set for June 3, King Charles III’s ceremony will take place almost 70 years to the day after his mother Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953.
Coronations usually take place a year after the death of a monarch in order to allow for a period of mourning as well as to provide enough time for the planning that such a massive public event entails.
The late monarch was 25 at the time of her coronation while Charles was just four-years-old.
After the queen’s death on Sept. 8, Charles immediately ascended to the throne. He was officially proclaimed king by the Accession Council of the United Kingdom on Sept. 10.
Charles’ wife Camilla will be crowned Queen Consort at his coronation. Photo by Andrew Milligan – Pool/Getty Images
While Elizabeth’s coronation was attended by 8,000 guests, attendees of Charles’ ceremony will be limited to 2,000, due to safety and health concerns.
The monarch has also reportedly expressed a wish that the coronation is more inclusive of other faiths and communities to better reflect the nation’s diversity.
Due to the queen’s advanced age, preparations for the event have been underway for years, under the code name “Operation Golden Orb.”
It marks the start of a brand-new chapter. At a global gathering for his United for Wildlife non-profit, Prince William gave his first speech as the heir apparent to the British throne, paying tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Speaking at London’s Science Museum, the prince of Wales addressed 300 global leaders from the private sector, philanthropists, and conservation organizations, as well as law enforcement representatives, who had all gathered to tackle the critical issue of wildlife crime around the world.
He also praised the wildlife advocacy first championed by his father, King Charles III, andlate grandfather, Prince Philip.
“Our natural world is one of our greatest assets,” he said. “It is a lesson I learned from a young age, from my father and grandfather, both committed naturalists in their own right, and also from my much-missed grandmother, who cared so much for the natural world. In times of loss, it is a comfort to honour those we miss through the work we do. I take great comfort from the progress we are making to end the illegal wildlife trade.”
Illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching has long been at the forefront of Prince William’s work. Since launching the nonprofit in 2012, William, in his role as president, has overseen efforts to convene leading wildlife charities to create a global movement with the aim of bringing an end to issues such as the rapid escalation of the illegal wildlife trade and why it must be addressed as a serious organized crime.
“It is, of course, a difficult mission that we commit ourselves to,” he said at the Oct. 4 summit. “The challenges often cited in fighting wildlife crime include the lack of a coordinated international response … the lack of strong criminal justice … corruption and insufficient resources. But we set out to reverse that.”
“We set out to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime face an international response as powerful and coordinated as any other serious and organised crime,” he said. “To bring their sinister operations out of the shadows and to ensure that communities are equipped, empowered, and supported to protect themselves and their natural world. And everyone here is playing a significant role in helping us do so.”
King Charles III has a nickname for his daughter-in-law Meghan Markle, and it is…strange, to say the least. The royal family has been in the news a lot lately due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II last month. But the mourning period is over, and it’s time for some royal gossip.
Royals expert and journalist Katie Nicholls wrote a book called The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown, which came out Tuesday, October 4. It shares all the juicy details on the late queen’s successor, King Charles III. According to Nicholls, the king—who was apparently jealous that Kate Middleton’s style was more of a media magnet than his good deeds— gave the Duchess of Sussex the nickname “Tungsten.”
“Charles reportedly nicknamed his future daughter-in-law ‘Tungsten’ because of her toughness and resilience,” Nicholls wrote in the book, per a report from Entertainment Tonight.
Tungsten, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is “the chemical element of atomic number 74, a hard steel-gray metal of the transition series. It has a very high melting point (3410°C) and is used to make electric light filaments.” It’s a weird thing to call someone, but it is a compliment to Markle, especially considering all she’s been through since she began dating Prince Harry.
Nicholls writes in The New Royals that Charles first noticed Markle’s tungsten-level toughness at her first joint appearance with Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton during the Royal Foundation Forum in February 2018.
The Danish Queen hasexpressed regret for depriving four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, but she has not changed her mind.
Queen Margrethe II said she wanted the monarchy in “keeping with the times”, that her decision had been a long time coming, and that it would “future-proof” the institution.
But she “underestimated” her family’s reaction “and for that I am sorry”.
The initial decision was announced last week, to begin next year.
“The titles of prince and princess that they have held up until now will be discontinued,” the initial statement said. “Prince Joachim’s descendants will thus have to be addressed as excellencies in the future.”
Prince Joachim – the younger son of Queen Margrethe – said he was upset by the change.
“It’s never fun to see your children being mistreated like that,” he told Ekstra Bladet. “They find themselves in a situation they do not understand.”
His wife, Princess Marie, said her youngest child had been bullied at school following what she called the “short-notice” announcement.
In an interview, the couple also saidMargrethe had not spoken to them since the changes were announced. One grandchild, Prince Nikolai, said his family were “shocked” by the decision.
From the beginning of 2023, Joachim’s four children – Prince Nikolai, 23, Prince Felix, 20, Prince Henrik, 13, and Princess Athena, 10 – will be known by the titles Count and Countess of Monpezat instead of Prince and Princess.
The palace said this was a “natural extension” of the Danish monarch’s desire to slim down the monarchy.
“Her Majesty The Queen wishes to create the framework for the four grandchildren to be able to shape their own lives to a much greater extent,” last week’s statement said.
But following what Margrethe described as “strong reactions” to her decision, she apologised in a new statement for underestimating the reaction.
“No one should be in doubt that my children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren are my great joy and pride. I now hope that we as a family can find the peace to find our way through this situation,” she said.
Queen Margrethe II’s oldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, is first in line to the throne. His four children will keep their titles.
His wife, Crown Princess Mary, supported the Queen, saying “change can be difficult and can really hurt. But this does not mean that the decision is not the right one”.
The Danish monarch, 82, tested positive for Covid-19 after attending the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II– who was her third cousin.
While production of Season 6 of “The Crown” was briefly paused after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Season 5 is still on track to start November 9.
When the popular series returns to Netflix, Imelda Staunton will take over the role of the Queen from Olivia Colman who portrayed her in Seasons 3 and 4 of the royal drama.
Claire Foy portrayed Queen Elizabeth II the first two seasons of the show.
According to Netflix’s description, Season 5 centers around the Queen “approaching the 40th anniversary of her accession.”
“Setting off on Britannia for her annual tour of Scotland’s Western Isles, she reflects on a reign that has encompassed nine Prime Ministers, the advent of mass television and the twilight of the British Empire,” the description reads. “However, as a new decade enters its stride, the old certainties are no longer guaranteed.”
The collapse of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s marriage is also a major storyline.
Dominic West plays Prince Charles, Elizabeth Debicki plays Princess Diana and Jonathan Pryce plays the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, in the upcoming season.
In the first of two profiles of the front-runners for the position of president of Brazil, Katy Watson questions if incumbent Jair Bolsonaro is, as his supporters claim, a wonderful leader or someone who despises democracy.
Wherever Jair Bolsonaro goes, he likes to stir controversy – but few were expecting him to do so on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. As world leaders flew to the UK to mark her passing, President Bolsonaro saw an opportunity to do some campaigning.
While British mourners accused him and his fans of lacking respect in a period of mourning, he was undeterred.
“We’re on the right path,” he told his supporters from the balcony of the Brazilian residence, saying Brazil did not want to discuss the legalisation of abortion or drugs, with cheers from the crowd in response. And he repeated his often-cited slogan: “God, homeland, family and freedom”.
Another familiar mantra at his campaign events is the chant: “Mito, mito, mito.”
He is, to his fans, a “myth” – a legendary leader – and they are convinced their man will be re-elected in October.
Despite polls showing his main rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in the lead, nothing will deter Mr Bolsonaro’s greatest supporters from believing the president, who has himself denounced the polls as a lie, is the only man to lead the country.
Pastor Laura Almeida, at the Mustard Seed Ministry in the northeastern city of Recife, is one of his most committed fans. Standing in front of her Sunday congregation, she sings his praises.
“We’ll vote for Bolsonaro because he is God,” she tells her members. “He defends the same principles as us in accordance with the word of God.”
Image caption, Pastor Laura Almeida says she believes that President Bolsonaro is the saviour who will ease the people’s suffering
After the service, she explains her thinking to me.
“Whenever people are suffering, when they believe in an all-powerful creator, I think God raises up a saviour,” she says.
I ask her if that saviour is President Bolsonaro. “Yes,” she replies. “Today in Brazil, I think that’s him.”
Mr Bolsonaro sings from the same song sheet as many evangelicals. He preaches the importance of family, he is vehemently against abortion and he is known for his homophobic comments.
And it was congregations like Laura’s that got him elected in 2018.
“Evangelicals are growing in Brazil,” says Prof Vinicius do Valle, Director of the Evangelical Observatory information service in Brazil. “They are now about 30% of the population – only two decades ago, it was about 15% so they are increasing very quickly and it’s changing the way we do politics here.”
But it is not the same way that the church has traditionally been involved.
“The Catholic Church played a democratic role in the past decades,” says the professor, referring to the Church speaking out during the military dictatorship. “But that hasn’t happened when it comes to evangelical churches. They are playing a role in Bolsonaro’s election and against democratic institutions in Brazil – we see ministers calling people to go to protests against democratic institutions.”
Mr Bolsonaro does not separate politics from prayer. His campaign language is littered with religious references. Even lifting himself up to a godly status.
He hit this year’s campaign trail in Juiz de Fora, the city where he was stabbed in 2018 – the place where, in his own words, he was “born again”.
Image caption, Gilson Machado describes the president as an “old uncle”
But in the north-east of Brazil, he has a tough job on his hands to convince voters he is the man for them. This is not Mr Bolsonaro’s natural stomping ground. In fact, it was the only region where he lost in 2018.
The poorest region in the country, it is where Lula was born and with which he has been associated for all of his political careers. For that reason, it has become the ultimate challenge for President Bolsonaro to gain ground here.
Gilson Machado is an affable local politician. A former tourism minister under Mr Bolsonaro, he is perhaps most well-known – or infamous – for his love of playing the accordion. Now, he is running for senate in Pernambuco, but he is also head of Mr Bolsonaro’s national campaign in the north-east and is a great friend of the president.
“He’s an old uncle and he likes football, he doesn’t drink, he loves his family, he’s a Christian and he’s a hard, hard worker,” he says. “He’s the man for the world – the biggest right-wing president of the world right now.”
In such a polarised political contest, it is surprising the three remain friends. So many relationships have fallen foul of politics in Brazil these past few years.
“What makes you a Bolsonarista [a Bolsonaro supporter] is when he speaks directly to your heart, to your soul,” he says. “Bolsonaro freed this voice from all these people you see in the streets screaming ‘Mito!’.”
Geraldo says he is going to vote for Lula. Mitchell shakes his head.
“Bolsonaro lost a great opportunity to be seen as responsible and confront this pandemic in an intelligent way,” Geraldo says, criticising how he behaved during the pandemic. “I don’t think he has the emotional intelligence for this.”
Kalina though, is on the fence after having voted for Bolsonaro in 2018.
“I am totally against [Lula’s] Workers’ Party, but I don’t think Bolsonaro was a good leader,” she says. “He has not listened, and with that, he lost my vote. Those who support Bolsonaro do so no matter what, independently of what he does.”
After the service at Westminster Abbey, Household Cavalry Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams was one of those who escorted the late monarch’s coffin as it was driven by a gun carriage down Whitehall and along the Mall.
A teenage soldier who took part in the Queen’s state funeral has been found dead at his barracks.
Household Cavalry Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams was among those to escort the late monarch’s coffin as it was carried by gun carriage through Whitehall and down the Mall following the service at Westminster Abbey.
The Army has confirmed that the 18-year-old, from Bridgend, South Wales, died on Wednesday at Hyde Park Barracks in Knightsbridge.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
He was believed to be one of the newest recruits to the Household Cavalry.
An Army spokesman said: “It is with sadness that we can confirm the death of Trooper Jack Burnell-Williams on 28 September 2022 at Hyde Park Barracks.
“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and friends at this difficult time and we ask that their privacy is respected.”
The case has been referred to the coroner.
Sharing a picture and tribute on Facebook to her son, known as Jak by his family and friends, his mother Laura Williams, 42, wrote: “Never ever thought I would be saying this but we as a family are all heartbroken with the sudden passing of our wonderful son Jak Williams.”
The case has been referred to the coroner.
Sharing a picture and tribute on Facebook to her son, known as Jak by his family and friends, his mother Laura Williams, 42, wrote: “Never ever thought I would be saying this but we as a family are all heartbroken with the sudden passing of our wonderful son Jak Williams.”
A 50p coin with King Charles’s picture will go into widespread circulation in the coming weeks, according to newly disclosed coins bearing his likeness.
The commemorative £5 Crown and 50p, both of which include a carving of the King by British sculptor Martin Jennings, were initially seen to BBC News.
The monarch is now facing left, the opposite direction from his predecessor, on the coins, keeping with centuries of custom.
As with previous British kings, and unlike the Queen, he wears no crown.
King Charles personally approved the effigy and was understood to be pleased with the likeness.
The coins will be sold to collectors by The Royal Mint from early next week. The 50p coin will be available for general use well before the end of the year, distributed according to demand by banks, building societies, and post offices.
They will co-circulate with coins featuring the late Queen, so those 27 billion coins will still be accepted in shops.
Anne Jessopp, chief executive of The Royal Mint, said that coins generally lasted for 20 years, so both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles coins will be in circulation together for many years to come.
From the start of next year, coins from the 1p to the £2, which we use in day-to-day life, will be minted carrying the same image of King Charles. They will be sent out when needed to replace damaged and worn older coins and to cover any extra demand.
“People should not worry if they have coins with the Queen on. We will keep those coins in circulation,” Mrs Jessopp said. “We are seeing people moving to different forms of payment, but people really like to use coins as well for lots of different reasons.”
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA Image caption, King Charles personally approved the design
The official portrait was designed to give an accessible look to the King, and the same is true of the inscription.
Previous British monarchs have been denoted on the inscription using the Latin version of their name. However, the new coins say Charles III rather than Carolus.
The full inscription surrounding the effigy reads “CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022”, shortened from Latin, which translates to “King Charles III, by the Grace of God, Defender of the Faith”.
The reverse of the new £5 coin shows two new portraits of the Queen, charting her journey from a young monarch to a long-standing head of state.
On the 50p coin, the reverse is a copy of the design used on the 1953 Crown struck to commemorate the Queen’s coronation.
IMAGE SOURCE,PA MEDIA Image caption, The reverse of the two coins commemorate the late-Queen
King Charles’s portrait is the first coin design undertaken by Martin Jennings, but his public sculptures include poets John Betjeman, in St Pancras Station in London, and Philip Larkin in Hull.
He used photographs to come up with the design, rather than the King sitting for a specific portrait.
“It is the smallest work I have created, but it is humbling to know it will be seen and held by people around the world for centuries to come,” he said.
The coins will be struck at The Royal Mint’s site at Llantrisant, south Wales, where the official coin maker – and Britain’s oldest company – moved to accommodate the decimalisation process in 1967.
Before decimalisation, it was common for people to carry coins featuring different monarchs in their pockets.
A memorial coin range to commemorate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth, including the £5 Crown, will be put on sale by The Royal Mint on Monday.
What is the Royal Mint?
It is one of the oldest companies in the world, striking its first coin in the late 9th Century, during the reign of Alfred the Great
The Mint was based inside the Tower of London for most of its existence, but since the late 1960s its home has been Llantrisant in Rhondda Cynon Taf
The current facility was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 December 1968, just in time for the massive task of replacing the billions of coins in circulation ahead of decimalisation
There are more than 27bn coins in circulation in the UK, with the Mint issuing around one billion new coins every year – although this figure does fluctuate.
Separately, people are being urged to check whether they have any paper banknotes at home, as they will be withdrawn from circulation by the weekend.
Shops are permitted to no longer accept £20 Adam Smith and £50 notes featuring the portraits of Matthew Boulton and James Watt from Saturday.
In addition to these Bank of England banknotes, paper £20 and £50 notes issued by Clydesdale Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland will also be withdrawn on the same date.
The paper £20 notes issued by Bank of Ireland, AIB Group, Danske Bank, and Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland will also be taken out of circulation.
Anyone who misses the deadline should still be able to exchange the old notes at their bank.
Queen Elizabeth II died of old age, extracts from her death certificate published by the National Records of Scotland published on Thursday, September 29, 2022, reveal.
The document was signed by her daughter, Princess Anne.
The certificate noted that the Queen died aged 96 at 15:10 BST in Balmoral Castle in Scotland on 8 September, 2022.
The death was recorded on 16 September by the Registrar General for Scotland.
Her death certificate also bears the name of her father, King George VI, and mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
A statement from Buckingham Palace stated that “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.”
A state funeral was held for the late Queen on September 19, 2022.
Hundreds of thousands of people gathered to catch a glimpse of the Queen’s funeral procession, while guests from around the world took their places in the Westminster Aabbey.
A bell in Westminster Abbey tolled 96 times, counting out the years of Queen Elizabeth II’s long life.
Five hundred heads of state and foreign dignitaries were in London for the ceremony. All heads of state and royals arrived at the Westminster Abbey via a bus with the exception of the US president, Joe Biden, to the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The White House demanded that Biden travels via a six-car motorcade for “security reasons”.
They joined King Charles III and the Royal Family in the congregation at the Westminster Abbey funeral.
At the funeral, the Dean of Westminster paid tribute to the Queen’s “lifelong sense of duty”.
The black burial stone has been set into the floor of the George VI Memorial Chapel, where the monarch was buried.
The stone is engraved in memory of the Queen, her parents, and her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.
It replaces a previous slab dedicated to George VI and the Queen Mother.
The fresh stone now reads “George VI 1895-1952” and “Elizabeth 1900-2002” followed by a metal Garter Star, and then “Elizabeth II 1926-2022” and “Philip 1921-2021”.
At the announcement of Kwasi Kwarteng as the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom (Minister of Finance), many celebrated him because true to their predictions, he was handed over the job.
For many others, including Ghanaians across the world, it was another feather in the cup of its people breaking barriers in other parts of the globe.
And while the job of the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not expected to be any easier on the British-born Ghanaian, many did not quite anticipate that so early into his reign, there would be some major, negative happenings.
Kwasi Kwarteng under fire for smiling during Queen’s funeral
On Monday, September 19, 2022, people from all walks of life attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at the Westminster Abbey in London.
Per GhanaWeb’s checks, four Ghanaians were formally invited to the event for different reasons. Ghana’s First Couple were in London for the event as were two other personalities with Ghanaian parentage who are British.
Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, a one-time equerry of the Queen was in attendance, escorting the cortege on its last journey from the Westminster Abbey to the Royal Vault. The fourth Ghanaian was Kwasi Kwarteng.
Kwarteng, who is British-born but of Ghanaian ancestry, and the current UK Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister), was also in attendance.
He, however, courted controversy on social media after he was captured in a viral video smiling at a point during the ceremony – specifically when a two-minute silence had been declared for the memory of the queen.
Angry social media users – especially on Twitter – called for his head for desecrating what was a solemn occasion for the nation.
Others also alleged that Kwarteng was smiling at himself because he was most likely picking a personal call and had been told something that gave him cause to smile at a rather off time.
Kwarteng, as a senior member of Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government, had a prominent seat at the venue of the service.
When Kwasi Kwarteng delivers his mini budget on Friday all opposition MP’s should coke up, wipe their brows, sway uncontrollably, and laugh like the laughing policeman. pic.twitter.com/mxPRaQ3aNG
British MP suspended for calling Kwasi Kwarteng ‘superficially’ black
In the most recent instance, a British Member of Parliament (MP) from the Labour Party, Rupa Huq, has been suspended by her party for alleged racist comments she made against British-born Ghanaian MP, Kwasi Kwarteng.
According to news.sky.com, the party suspended Rupa Huq for describing Kwasi Kwarteng as a “superficially” black man, pending investigations.
The report indicated that the suspended MP made racist comments against the chancellor in an audio recording posted online by the Guido Fawkes website.
“Superficially he is a black man. He went to Eton, I think, he went to a very expensive prep school, all the way through, the top schools in the country.
“If you hear him on the Today programme, you wouldn’t know he is black,” Rupa Huq was quoted to have said by news.sky.com.
The Labour Party condemned the remarks by the MP and urged her to apologise.
Rupa Huq in a post on social media indicated that she had contacted the UK finance minister to apologise to him in person for the comments she made.
“I have today contacted Kwasi Kwarteng to offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies for the comments I made at yesterday’s Labour conference fringe meeting.
“My comments were ill-judged and I wholeheartedly apologise to anyone affected,” the post she shared read.
Background on Kwesi Kwarteng:
Kwasi Kwarteng became the first black person to become UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) following his appointment by UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, on September 6, 2022.
Kwarteng was born Akwasi Addo Alfred Kwarteng in Waltham Forest, East London, in May 1975 to Ghanaian parents, Alfred and Charlotte, who had both immigrated to the United Kingdom a decade earlier as students.
His parents, who went on to become an international economist and a barrister respectively, sent him to an expensive private prep school that produced numerous Cabinet-level politicians. He then attended the famous Eton college — a production line for British leaders including Boris Johnson and David Cameron.
Sir Sam Jonah, KBE, has revealed the circumstances under which the British knighthood was conferred on him by Prince Charles (now King Charles III) instead of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II.
In an interview on the BBUM show, a personality profile programme on Ghana Television (September 25), the former Ashanti Goldfields CEO said it was a privilege to have been invited and honoured by the British Royal Family.
Jonah was knighted by Prince Charles in 2003, a ceremony that is ordinarily undertaken by the Queen herself. He explained how an equality important engagement took the Queen away hence the duty was placed on her son.
“I had the privilege to be knighted by Prince Charles in 2003, it was quite an experience, I was fortunate I took my entire family with me, which was very unusual. Because usually they would ask you to come with your spouse.
“I was fortunate because what happened was, that same day, the reason why I was not knighted by the Queen was that, the Queen was hosting President Putin to a state lunch and therefore it fell on Prince Charles.
“Therefore, Prince Charles said, bring your entire family and so I took my entire family,” he added.
In his view, the new King is a “hugely understated and underappreciated person,” adding that he has a commanding presence, unenforced authority and he is a delight to be with.
He said he felt hugely privileged and fortunate for one hour meeting his family had with the new monarch at the Buckingham Palace.
In June 2003, Jonah became the first Ghanaian to be knighted in the 21st century when he was presented with an honorary knighthood (KBE) by the then Prince of Wales, in recognition of his achievements as an African businessman, a leading business executive from the Commonwealth, and an international public figure.
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