King Charles and Queen Camilla are facing an embarrassing snub by leading Australian politicians ahead of their tour of the country.
As the couple prepares to kick off their nine-day visit Down Under on Friday (18 October), every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21, reports suggest.
The King is set to deliver a speech at the event to recognise Australians for their achievements in the arts, culture, sports and health.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan is the latest representative to snub the invitation, whilst other politicians have given excuses such as “schedule clashes” and “election campaign duties”.
Meanwhile, the reality of marrying into the royal family has been revealed by Zara Tindall’s husband, who described the experience as “pretty easy”.
Mike Tindall, 45, made the revelation in his new book, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby, following Meghan Markle’s claims that marrying into the firm was far from plain sailing.
“Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal Family was pretty easy for me,” he wrote. “They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple really.”
Meghan, 43, cited several issues that came with royal life, including press intrusion, when she and Prince Harry chose to give up their positions as working royals in 2020.
Key Points
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King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘snubbed’ by Australian leaders ahead of tour
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Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
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King Charles taking two doctors on overseas trip
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Meghan Markle tells teenagers she’s ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’
Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
07:00 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-royalist activists are selling “farewell tour” merchandise ahead of King Charles’ visit to Australia this week.
Charles and Camilla are set to kick off the first royal visit to the country in over a decade on Friday – but their anticipated arrival has sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the royal’s “farewell tour” as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.
Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.
A T-shirt, featuring the royal trio in aviator sunglasses, is retailing for 34 AUD on the campaign group’s website, finished with the description: “Alright legends the stage is set… Let’s wave goodbye to royal reign! Grab this killer t-shirt to support the campaign and help take the republic movement to the main stage.”
Royal aide reveals late Queen was a ‘gutsy’ driver who left passengers with white-knuckles
06:00 , Athena Stavrou
One of Queen Elizabeth’s most trusted aides has revealed the late monarch was a “gutsy” driver who loved speed behind the wheel.
In her first interview about her 18 years as one of the royal’s most trusted confidantes, former communications secretary Samantha Cohen recalled spending summers with the Queen at her Scottish estate Balmoral.
She told The Sunday Times: “She loved hosting everybody for summer, allocating the rooms and checking them herself.”
The aide said her children, who would stay with her in a lodge near the castle for the summer, would often look up at breakfast and see the Queen riding by on her horse.
She also revealed the monarch had a taste for speed behind the wheel as she drove around the remote Scottish estate.
“She was gutsy,” Ms Cohen said. “She would drive her cars fast around Balmoral.”
Prince George’s culinary ambitions revealed
04:00 , Athena Stavrou
Prince George has declared he’d like to run a pizza parlour before becoming King, it has been claimed.
The young royal – who is third in line to the throne – reportedly shared his culinary ambitions whilst on a trip to a cafe in Norfolk.
The owner of Wiveton Hall, a 17th-century Jacobean mansion, told the Mail Online that the prince expressed his enthusiasm when he was shown the wood-fired pizza oven on the estate.
He reportedly said: “That’s what I want to do when I grow up!”
King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘snubbed’ by Australian leaders ahead of tour
02:00 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles and Queen Camilla are facing a humiliating snub by leading Australian politicians, as they gear up to begin their tour of the country this week.
As the couple prepare to kick off their nine day visit down under on Friday, every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21.
Charles is set to deliver a speech at the event to recognise Australians for their achievements in the arts, culture, sports and health.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan is the latest representative to snub the invitation, whilst other politicians have given excuses such as “schedule clashes” and “election campaign duties”.
Watch: James Middleton shares how sister Kate helped him with depression in first TV interview
Tuesday 15 October 2024 00:01 , Athena Stavrou
Meghan Markle tells teenagers she’s ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’
Monday 14 October 2024 22:00 , Emma Guinness
Meghan Markle candidly spoke to teenagers about her experiences with being bullied online at a recent event.
On October 2, the Duchess of Sussex, 43, visited the Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, which is the “preeminent girls’ leadership organization equipping girls to reach their full potential,” according to the company’s official website. Her appearance came to help the organization with a digital wellness program, Social Media U, which has received financial support from Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archwell Foundation.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Larissa May, the co-founder of #HalfTheStory – an advocacy group that’s working with Girl Inc. – shared how Meghan spoke to children about her personal experiences with online bullying.
“We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” May said.
Read the full story here:
Meghan Markle tells teenagers she’s ‘one of the most bullied people in the world’
Duchess of Edinburgh: ‘Human catastrophe’ in Sudan and Chad cannot be ignored
Monday 14 October 2024 20:00 , Athena Stavrou
More attention is needed on the “desperate” humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the Duchess of Edinburgh said on a visit to the neighbouring country of Chad.
Speaking at a reception on Saturday, the first day of her three-day visit to Africa, Sophie said she hoped to “shine a light” on the situation at the border, where hundreds of refugees are crossing every day to escape the civil war in Sudan.
She said: “Whilst the world and its attention is being focused very much on other conflicts around the world, the humanitarian crisis being faced by the people of Sudan, which is landing on Chad’s shores, cannot be ignored.
“So I’m here to try and help continue to shine a light on what needs to be done, on the work that is being done, but to ask for more to be done.”
The duchess, who spent a day in Adre, at the border with Sudan, thanked the people of Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world, for the support they are offering to refugees.
She added: “Really, my job here this next couple of days is to learn more about the issues and to see for myself at the border what is happening so that I may take that message back to the United Kingdom and in my travels more widely to try to create more focus, more attention on the situation that is happening here in Chad as a result of what’s happening in Sudan.”
What is the situation in Chad and Sudan where Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting?
Monday 14 October 2024 18:30 , Athena Stavrou
The Duchess of Edinburgh has travelled to Chad in central Africa to raise awareness of the situation in the neighbouring country of Sudan. She visited Adre, on the border of the two countries, where hundreds of refugees are crossing daily to flee conflict.
Here is a look at what is happening in the region:
Civil war broke out in April 2023 after a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
As well as the violence, those living in the country are facing extreme shortages of food, water, medicine and fuel.
According to the UN refugee agency, Sudan is the world’s largest hunger crisis, with over half of the country’s population – nearly 26 million people – facing high levels of acute hunger.
Since the start of the conflict, 870,000 refugees and returnees have crossed the border from Sudan into Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world.
The border crossing in Adre, which reopened to aid in August, sees hundreds of people cross every day.
More than 220,000 people are living in refugee camps in Adre, mostly women and children.
The war in Sudan is having a disproportionate impact on women and girls, including through conflict-related sexual violence.
The UN estimates 6.7 million people are at risk of gender-based violence in Sudan. The Duchess of Edinburgh said during her discussions with women, she was told of “devastating” experiences and of rape being used in exchange for food or water.
Sophie moved to tears after meeting refugees in Chad fleeing civil war in Sudan
Monday 14 October 2024 17:30 , Athena Stavrou
The Duchess of Edinburgh was moved to tears after she met refugees fleeing to Chad to escape the civil war in Sudan and heard their “devastating” experiences of sexual violence.
Sophie became the first member of the royal family to make an official visit to the central African country when she spent three days there, including one at the border with Sudan, before leaving on Monday afternoon.
At a hospital centre in Adre, near the border, the duchess hugged five survivors of conflict-related sexual violence after hearing what they had been through.
Sophie, 59, was in tears as she spoke to the media following the private meeting.
She said: “People are having to exchange food and water for sex, for rape. That is violence that is being enacted through conflict. It is being used as a bargaining tool.
“These women have no option but to leave. And, even then, they’re lucky if some of them can get away because some of the villages and towns that they come from they can’t even leave their houses any more. If they leave their houses they get killed.”
She added: “What they do to the children is… I can’t even use the words.”
One of the women who Sophie met said afterwards she had fled the city of Geneina, in the west Darfur region of Sudan, after thousands of people were killed in a matter of days.
The woman said her family had been threatened with death and rape if they left their home, while her teenage son and brothers were among men who were rounded up and taken away.
She described seeing bodies piled up in the street “like a wall”.
Royal gift list row: Republic’s statement in full
Monday 14 October 2024 16:08 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has called for “full disclosure” of gifts handed to King Charles and other royals after annual lists have not been published for four years.
Responding to the news, first reported in the Observer, Republic’s Graham Smith said: “If politicians are being lambasted for failing to declare gifts, the same should apply to the royals.
“It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government. And we need to know if official gifts are being handed over to the state or surreptitiously kept for personal use.
“Charles and senior royals have access to government papers, can have secretive meetings with ministers and the prime minister and they have leverage to pressure government to do favours for them and their friends. So it’s vital we know what gifts they’re receiving.
“The royals have form when it comes to blurring the lines between what’s theirs to keep and what’s an official gift. So full disclosure is needed on what’s been received and where those gifts are now.
“There’s usually a good reason why billionaires and Saudi businessmen give gifts, because something is expected in return. So we need full disclosure, not just of royal gifts but also royal lobbying.
“If we demand high standards from politicians, we must demand those same standards from the royals.”
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
King Charles to take two doctors on overseas trip
Monday 14 October 2024 15:25 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles is reported to be bringing two doctors with him on his upcoming trip to Australia and Samoa.
While the monarch, 75, will “pause” his cancer treatment during the visit, the presence of the medical professionals will allow him to continue to be monitored closely, a palace source said according to The Times.
Hugo Vickers, historian and author, added: “I’m sure that the medical team has been consulted and will look after the King and make sure that he doesn’t overwork, as we know he has a propensity to do. I’m sure he wouldn’t be undertaking the trip unless he was fit enough to do it.”
Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
Monday 14 October 2024 15:00 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-royalist activists are selling “farewell tour” merchandise ahead of King Charles’ visit to Australia this week.
Charles and Camilla are set to kick off the first royal visit to the country in over a decade on Friday – but their anticipated arrival has sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the royal’s “farewell tour” as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.
Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.
A T-shirt, featuring the royal trio in aviator sunglasses, is retailing for 34 AUD on the campaign group’s website, finished with the description: “Alright legends the stage is set… Let’s wave goodbye to royal reign! Grab this killer t-shirt to support the campaign and help take the republic movement to the main stage.”
William makes plea for new Jason Bourne film during Bafta visit
Monday 14 October 2024 14:15 , Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has pleaded with director Paul Greengrass to make a new Jason Bourne film as he celebrated young creatives in the film, television and gaming industries.
William clasped his hands together and told the film-maker “another Bourne, another Bourne” when he visited Bafta’s offices in central London last week to meet students benefiting from a Bafta bursary in his name.
Greengrass is also a champion of Bafta’s bursary which funds practical support such as buying equipment or paying for driving lessons to enable workers to get to a film set.
After meeting William, the director said about making a new instalment of the Bourne franchise: “Not for me, they need somebody younger, I’ve done my bit. But I hope they get somebody great and young to do it, I think they’re in the process.”
Greengrass directed the second film in the series, The Bourne Supremacy in 2004, The Bourne Ultimatum three years later and Jason Bourne in 2016, the final film in the franchise starring Matt Damon in the lead role.
What are royal gift lists?
Monday 14 October 2024 13:51 , Athena Stavrou
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However, it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2019.
It included a 24 carat gold-plated horse comb from President Borut Pahor of the Republic of Slovenia and three gifts the late Queen Elizabeth II received from Donald Trump during his presidential visit.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, has insisted: “It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government.”
Under rules reviewed in 2003, gifts received during official duties such as state banquets or royal tours are classed as an official gifts. Those given by someone a royal knows in a personal capacity are considered private.
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
King to host Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace – recap
Monday 14 October 2024 13:25 , Athena Stavrou
The Emir of Qatar is to pay a state visit to the UK hosted by the King, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Charles and the Queen will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, to London on December 3.
They can expect to be feted with a traditional ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade and a grand state banquet at Buckingham Palace during the two-day incoming state visit.
Charles has visited Qatar eight times as the Prince of Wales and met the Emir at the Cop28 summit in Dubai in December. The Qatari leader and Sheikha Jawaher also attended the King’s coronation in Westminster Abbey, and the late Queen’s funeral.
The Qatari royal family is one of the richest in the world, with a reported fortune running into the billions.
Sheikh Tamim, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from the Sandhurst military academy. He set up Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2005, which owns the French football team Paris Saint-Germain.
Qatar – one of the richest Gulf states – is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war and the ruling Emir is likely to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks at Downing Street during his stay.
Dine like a King in Charles’ favourite room at Scottish mansion
Monday 14 October 2024 12:50 , Athena Stavrou
Want to dine like a King? Diners are going to be given the chance to experience an 18th century feast in the King’s favourite room at Dumfries House.
Charles takes most of his evening meals in the Pink Dining Room while staying at the Scottish stately home in Ayrshire.
Now his charity, The King’s Foundation, is offering a new private dining experience, allowing members of the public the opportunity to enjoy a three-course meal, authentic to the 1700s and served by a traditional butler, in the royal chamber.
Guests will eat at the King’s table – but not in the presence of the monarch – beneath the 35kg Murano glass floral chandelier, which was painstakingly reassembled after being found in the basement in more than 100 pieces nearly 20 years ago.
Menus will be based on 18th century dishes, such as poached salmon, fish soup, and manchet bread for starters, followed by roasted venison and beef, parmentier potatoes and a juniper sauce, and lemon and pistachio syllabub, bread and butter pudding, and apple and almond trifle for dessert.
Watch: Behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team tackle renovation
Monday 14 October 2024 12:10 , Athena Stavrou
Sir Trevor McDonald says Prince Phillip’s driving was ‘slightly mad’
Monday 14 October 2024 11:43 , Athena Stavrou
Sir Trevor McDonald has recalled how Prince Phillip’s driving as “slightly mad” when he was given a tour around Sandringham years ago.
The veteran broadcaster described his car journey with the then Duke of Edinburgh whilst filming the 2008 documentary The Duke: A Portrait of Prince Phillip.
“I am not allowed to say this publicly, but I thought his driving was slightly mad,” he told Cheltenham Literary Festival.
“I remember he was extraordinarily generous in giving me his time like this. But he put me in this super duper thing we are driving around, it was around Sandringham so there was nothing in his way and he would stop to wave to people who worked there and so on.
“But then we drove into a puddle of mud and he went ‘how did this bloody thing get here, why can’t I get this out’, and I thought I mustn’t say ‘because you just put it in there’.”
Monday 14 October 2024 11:20 , Athena Stavrou
As the King gears up to begin his nine-day tour of Australia this week, his arrival is expected to be met with a wave of both support and opposition.
Every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend his royal reception in Canberra during the trip, and anti-royalist groups have launched a campaign dubbing the trip a royal “farewell tour”.
The republican movement calls for an end to the monarchy’s role in modern Australia – but what is the royal family’s connection to the country?
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, with the King acting as its head of state. However, the monarch does not have a role in the day-to-day running of Australia and appoints the governor-general, who is their representative, on the advice of the prime minister.
The Australian Constitution gives certain powers to the governor general to act on behalf of the King, such as giving Royal Assent to laws passed in parliament.
Prince George’s culinary ambitions revealed
Monday 14 October 2024 10:49 , Athena Stavrou
Prince George has declared he’d like to run a pizza parlour before becoming King, it has been claimed.
The young royal – who is third in line to the throne – reportedly shared his culinary ambitions whilst on a trip to a cafe in Norfolk.
The owner of Wiveton Hall, a 17th-century Jacobean mansion, told the Mail Online that the prince expressed his enthusiasm when he was shown the wood-fired pizza oven on the estate.
He reportedlysaid: “That’s what I want to do when I grow up!”
Campaigners demand ‘full disclosure’ of gifts to King Charles and royals after four-year silence – ICYMI
Monday 14 October 2024 10:00 , Athena Stavrou
Over the weekend, campaigners called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However, it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2020.
Recent delays in sharing details of presents received by royals have been attributed to a challenging few years for the family, including the pandemic, the change of reign and high-profile state occasions such as the coronation, The Independent understands.
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has hit out at the delays, insisting: “If we demand high standards from politicians, we must demand those same standards from the royals.”
Australian anti-monarchists sell ‘farewell tour’ merch ahead of visit
Monday 14 October 2024 09:21 , Athena Stavrou
Anti-royalist activists are selling “farewell tour” merchandise ahead of King Charles’ visit to Australia this week.
Charles and Camilla are set to kick off the first royal visit to the country in over a decade on Friday – but their anticipated arrival has sparked debate about the monarchy’s role in modern Australia.
The Australian Republican Movement (ARM) has branded the visit as the royal’s “farewell tour” as they campaign to separate the Commonwealth country from the monarchy.
Retro style satirical posters, T-shirts and beer coasters have been created with Charles, Camilla and Prince William on them, encouraging Australians to “wave goodbye to royal reign”.A T-shirt, featuring the royal trio in aviator sunglasses, is retailing for 34 AUD on the campaign group’s website, finished with the description: “Alright legends the stage is set… Let’s wave goodbye to royal reign! Grab this killer t-shirt to support the campaign and help take the republic movement to the main stage.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla ‘snubbed’ by Australian leaders ahead of tour
Monday 14 October 2024 09:00 , Athena Stavrou
King Charles and Queen Camilla are facing a humiliating snub by leading Australian politicians, as they gear up to begin their tour of the country this week.
As the couple prepare to kick off their nine day visit down under on Friday, every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21.
Charles is set to deliver a speech at the event to recognise Australians for their achievements in the arts, culture, sports and health.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan is the latest representative to snub the invitation, whilst other politicians have given excuses such as “schedule clashes” and “election campaign duties”.
King Charles to ‘pause’ cancer treatment for royal tour to Australia starting this week
Monday 14 October 2024 07:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
The King is to pause his cancer treatment during his high-profile tour to Australia next week.
Royal doctors gave Charles, 75, permission to briefly halt the weekly cycle in order to fly around the world for his key visit Down Under, followed by a state visit to Samoa in the South Pacific.
Charles and Queen Camilla will arrive in Australia on 18 October, with stops in Sydney and Canberra during their six-day visit.
King to ‘pause’ cancer treatment for Australian tour
Melania Trump reveals she is pen pals with King Charles
Monday 14 October 2024 06:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Melania Trump has revealed she is pen pals with King Charles after the pair bonded over their passion for environmental conservation.
The unexpected friendship between the monarch and the former fashion model, who is married to Donald Trump, was revealed last week in her memoir, Melania.
The former First Lady, 54, explained that after their first meeting in New York in 2005, the pair reconnected in 2019 during a state visit to the UK, by which point Trump was in the White House.
Melania Trump reveals she is pen pals with King Charles
In pictures: Princess of Wales’ surprise appearance to meet Southport victim’s with Prince William
Monday 14 October 2024 03:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
The Princess of Wales has ramped up her return to public duties by making a surprise joint appearance with Prince William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport attacks.
Marking their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment, the couple privately met the families in Merseyside last week.
The Princess, 42, is said to have attended because she wanted to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” the couple later said in a joint statement.
Sarah Ferguson describes Kate in two words as princess makes first public appearance after cancer treatment
Monday 14 October 2024 00:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Sarah Ferguson described the Princess of Wales in two words as Catherine made her return to work following her cancer treatment
The Duchess of York called the Princess “brave and courageous” as she made her first public appearance on Thursday (10 October), after finishing her chemotherapy treatment.
Kate joined the Prince of Wales to meet with families of victims of the Southport Taylor Swift dance class tragedy.
The Duchess told Channel 5 News on Friday: “It’s such a brave and courageous move and it is so wonderful to see.
“It will inspire and help those poor families. That’s what we should be looking at, courage and courage and courage.”
Sarah Ferguson describes Kate in two words as princess returns to public life
Recap: Campaigners are demanding ‘full disclosure’ of gifts to King Charles after four-year silence
Sunday 13 October 2024 21:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Campaigners have called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.
Recent delays in sharing details of presents received by royals have been attributed to a challenging few years for the family, including the pandemic, the change of reign and high-profile state occasions such as the coronation, The Independent understands.
Read the full story:
Campaigners demand ‘full disclosure’ of royal gifts after four-year silence
ICYMI: The King ‘greatly saddened’ by death of Alex Salmond
Sunday 13 October 2024 19:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
The King said he was “greatly saddened” by the sudden death of Scotland’s first SNP first minister Alex Salmond, aged 69.
The monarch led tributes after news of the politician’s death broke on Saturday afternoon from a suspected heart attack during a trip to North Macedonia.
King Charles said in a message issued by Buckingham Palace: “My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Alex Salmond.
“His devotion to Scotland drove his decades of public service.
“We extend our deep condolences to his family and loved ones at this time.”
Mr Salmond served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 and was leader of the SNP on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
The Alba party said it understood he had suffered a heart attack, although there will be a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.
Former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond dies aged 69
Royal aide reveals late Queen was a ‘gutsy’ driver who left passengers with white-knuckles
Sunday 13 October 2024 17:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
One of Queen Elizabeth’s most trusted aides has revealed the late monarch was a “gutsy” driver who loved speed behind the wheel.
In her first interview about her 18 years as one of the royal’s most trusted confidantes, former communications secretary Samantha Cohen recalled spending summers with the Queen at her Scottish estate Balmoral.
She told The Sunday Times: “She loved hosting everybody for summer, allocating the rooms and checking them herself.”
The aide said her children, who would stay with her in a lodge near the castle for the summer, would often look up at breakfast and see the Queen riding by on her horse.
She also revealed the monarch had a taste for speed behind the wheel as she drove around the remote Scottish estate.
“She was gutsy,” Ms Cohen said. “She would drive her cars fast around Balmoral.”
What are royal gift lists?
Sunday 13 October 2024 15:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However, it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2019.
It included a 24 carat gold-plated horse comb from President Borut Pahor of the Republic of Slovenia and three gifts the late Queen Elizabeth II received from Donald Trump during his presidential visit.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, has insisted: “It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government.”
Under rules reviewed in 2003, gifts received during official duties such as state banquets or royal tours are classed as an official gifts. Those given by someone a royal knows in a personal capacity are considered private.
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
Royal gift list row: Republic’s statement in full
Sunday 13 October 2024 13:30 , Amy-Clare Martin
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has called for “full disclosure” of gifts handed to King Charles and other royals after annual lists have not been published for four years.
Responding to the news, first reported in the Observer, Republic’s Graham Smith said: “If politicians are being lambasted for failing to declare gifts, the same should apply to the royals.
“It is vital that the public knows about any possible conflicts of interest or attempts to curry favour with royals, as they have direct access to the highest levels of government. And we need to know if official gifts are being handed over to the state or surreptitiously kept for personal use.
“Charles and senior royals have access to government papers, can have secretive meetings with ministers and the prime minister and they have leverage to pressure government to do favours for them and their friends. So it’s vital we know what gifts they’re receiving.
“The royals have form when it comes to blurring the lines between what’s theirs to keep and what’s an official gift. So full disclosure is needed on what’s been received and where those gifts are now.
“There’s usually a good reason why billionaires and Saudi businessmen give gifts, because something is expected in return. So we need full disclosure, not just of royal gifts but also royal lobbying.
“If we demand high standards from politicians, we must demand those same standards from the royals.”
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course.
King Charles facing calls for ‘full disclosure’ of royal gifts after four-year silence
Sunday 13 October 2024 11:28 , Amy-Clare Martin
Campaigners have called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
However it has emerged King Charles and his family have not shared such a list since 2019.
Recent delays in sharing details of presents received by royals have been attributed a challenging few years for the family, including the pandemic, the change of reign and high profile state occasions such as the coronation, The Independent understands.
Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic has hit out at the delays, insisting: “If we demand high standards from politicians, we must demand those same standards from the royals.”
Buckingham Palace has said the list will be published in due course. Read the full story:
Campaigners demand ‘full disclosure’ of royal gifts after four-year silence
ICYMI: Inside Buckingham Palace’s £360m renovation
Sunday 13 October 2024 09:27 , Amy-Clare Martin
The royal family has shared a behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace as a 780-strong team undertake a £360 million refurbishment of the historic building.
As part of the palace’s reservicing programme, work is taking place in the basement, replacing old electrical cabling with brand new cables under the floors and throughout the iconic palace.
In a new video, released by the royal family this week, workers can be seen pulling some of the 25,000 metres of cable through the basement.
The vast amount is equivalent to the weight of 12 elephants and runns the length of 250 football pitches.
Behind-the-scenes at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team undertake £360m refurb
James Middleton shares how sister Kate helped him with depression in first live TV interview
Sunday 13 October 2024 04:00 , Alexander Butler
James Middleton shares how Kate helped him with depression in first live TV interview
King Charles shows off his dance moves with rugby star at glitzy palace reception
Sunday 13 October 2024 02:00 , Alexander Butler
King Charles shows off his dance moves with rugby star at glitzy palace reception
Sarah Ferguson describes Kate in two words as princess makes first public appearance after cancer treatment
Sunday 13 October 2024 15:09 , Amy-Clare Martin
Sarah Ferguson described the Princess of Wales in two words as Catherine made her return to work following her cancer treatment
The Duchess of York called the Princess “brave and courageous” as she made her first public appearance on Thursday (10 October), after finishing her chemotherapy treatment.
Kate joined the Prince of Wales to meet with families of victims of the Southport Taylor Swift dance class tragedy.
The Duchess told Channel 5 News on Friday: “It’s such a brave and courageous move and it is so wonderful to see.
“It will inspire and help those poor families. That’s what we should be looking at, courage and courage and courage.”
Sarah Ferguson describes Kate in two words as princess returns to public life
Prince William didn’t attend Paris Olympics over Kate chemotherapy fears
Sunday 13 October 2024 00:01 , Alexander Butler
Prince William didn’t attend Paris Olympics over Kate chemotherapy fears
Palace ‘checking in daily’ on teenage cancer patient who shared emotional embrace with Princess Kate ‘
Saturday 12 October 2024 22:00 , Alexander Butler
Palace ‘checking in daily’ on teenage cancer patient who ‘inspired’ Princess Kate
Royal family share behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team undertake £360m renovation
Saturday 12 October 2024 20:00 , Alexander Butler
Behind-the-scenes at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team undertake £360m refurb
Kate and William meet families of Southport victims in first joint engagement since end of cancer treatment
Saturday 12 October 2024 18:00 , Alexander Butler
Kate and William meet Southport victims’ families in first job since cancer treatment