British Royals

Up-to-date news, info and analysis on the British Royal Family

Posts Tagged charles

Royal News Bits: March 28, 2010

Mar 28

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William | No Comments

Prince Harry is offered chance to fly fearsome Apache helicopters

Prince Harry may return to Afghanistan now that he has been judged talented enough to fly Apache helicopters. The 25-year-old Prince is said to have impressed his instructors so much during his helicopter pilots’ training course that he has been given the option of flying either Apaches or the Lynx utility helicopter.

Only the most talented trainees are offered the chance to fly Apaches, which are each worth £35 million: just 2 per cent of those who embark on the Army Air Corps’ helicopter pilots’ training course end up flying the strike aircraft.

Article: The Telegraph





Prince Charles visits British troops in Afghanistan

Prince Charles laid a wreath at a memorial at the main UK base at Camp Bastion and visited a forces hospital. The prince also travelled by helicopter to a forward operating base in Nad Ali involved in a major offensive against the Taliban, Operation Moshtarak.  [ Article: BBC News ]

Frustration over trip revealed. A frank, high-level memo which lays bare the “frustration” felt over the Prince of Wales’s trip to Afghanistan has been leaked in Whitehall, causing embarrassment to senior figures in the Foreign Office. [ Article: The Telegraph ]

William & Kate will wed in time of Rugby World Cup

Just another speculation on Prince William, Kate Middleton and their future. Palace officials have earmarked next year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand as the perfect “honeymoon” for a new princess. Kate and William are under intense pressure within royal circles to finally name the day. William’s first official foreign visit to Australia and New Zealand earlier this year was a massive success.

And a royal aide revealed: “Everyone was amazed at how well he was received. There is a long tradition of new royal couples visiting the important Commonwealth countries as soon as possible. This would be a great opportunity if the timing holds together.”

William & Kate are said to be reluctant to wed in 2012, which would coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And 2013 is considered unlucky. So could it be next year? [Article: Daily Star]

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Republic Talk on the Royal PR Machine

Mar 9

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William | 1 Comment

Here’s an insightful opinion from Emily Hill, a reporter on the Londoner’s Diary of the Evening Standard. She questions the often unreasonable and inconsistent privacy demands the Royal Family imposes on the press, and how she believes their popularity will continue to diminish over time.

“What I do want to talk about is the simultaneous claim that the Royals ought to retain their incredibly privileged position in society – their posthumous ability to shut down the telly schedule and so on – WHILST we RESTRAIN our unhealthy desire to read about their private lives – as we are constantly told we ought to do. Post Diana there’s been a concerted palace campaign against paparazzi photographs taken of the royals. Especially its junior branches.”

“In the coming years I think that the royals’ relationship with the media is only going to become more fraught. Prince Charles is deeply unpopular with many. Prince William has recently returned from Australia where 58% of Aussies want him to be the next king – compared with only 30% who want Charles. Unless Kate Middleton – or a future girlfriend of William’s in a Di mould – can bring back the Di factor I really think the monarchy itself will soon die a death – and afterwards it won’t halt the television schedule.”






Opinion: Emily Hill

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Royal News Bits: February 6, 2010

Feb 7

Posted by britishroyals in Prince Andrew, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice | No Comments

Weekend roundup: the rest of the royals…. [click here for William & Kate news]

Poster boy Prince Harry

Poster boy Prince Harry

Harry: A Prince Among Gay Men

Prince Harry has become a gay pin-up, with flattering internet photos getting many a pulse racing. With his washboard stomach and strawberry-blond good looks, Harry is one of Google’s most searched-for male celebrities. Article: Express UK

Virgin on Royalty: Richard Branson’s Children’s Social Alliance with young Royals

Holly and Sam Branson — children of Virgin tycoon Richard Branson — part of William & Harry’s close circle of friends since childhood.  Dave Clark, who works for Sir Richard, dates Princess Beatrice.  His nephew, Otto Brockway, is reportedly Princess Eugenie’s new boyfriend.  This article explores the Bransons’ network with the young royals. Article: Daily Mail

Princess Beatrice to Run a Marathon

Beatrice is to become the first royal to run a marathon and will have a bodyguard in tow. The 21-year-old is taking part in April’s London Marathon, which is sponsored by Sir Richard Branson as part of his Virgin team.  Article: Daily Star

The Prince of Wails

Prince Charles expressed how he suffers “unbelievable abuse” every time he voices an opinion. The Royal – a passionate supporter of classical architecture, rainforests and organic food among other causes – bemoaned the fact that he was criticised “every time I open my mouth”. Article: The Sun

Camilla Enjoys Taste of Life on Set of Coronation Street

The Duchess of Cornwall pulled a pint at the Rover’s Return during a visit to the set of Coronation Street to mark the programme’s 50th anniversary.  Article: Times UK

Laptop, Phone & a Vacuum: The Perks of Air Miles Andy

Prince Andrew may not officially receive a salary for his work as Britain’s special trade ambassador – but at least the job does come with a few perks. He received more than 100 presents in the course of his duties last year, according to a gift list obtained by the Daily Express.  Article: Daily Express

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News Bits: Jan 27, 2010

Jan 27

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince William, The Middleton Family | No Comments

Prince Charles bills Kate Middleton’s family for holiday

Prince Charles made Kate’s family pay for their Christmas holiday at historic Restormel Manor in Cornwall.  Regular winter rates would be around £3,000 a week.  The property is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, whose income pays for Charles’ public, charitable and private activities.  A royal source told The Sun: “The Middletons paid for their stay like anyone else booking a holiday there.” This is the holiday when the Middletons were photographed playing tennis, and Kate — using the Queens lawyers — took legal action.

Article: The Sun

Prince William starts RAF Search & Rescue Training in Anglesey

Wills has returned from a Royal tour of Australia to spend 8 months at the Anglesey airbase with the Search and Rescue Training Unit.  He will be staying at the officer’s quarters with other trainees, and will be trained with Sea King helicopters.  “This will see him training over the mountains of Snowdonia and off the coast of North Wales. He will probably remain at the base until August or September, at which point he will receive his first posting.”

Article: North Wales Daily Post

Prince Charles hits out at ITV; won’t ski at Klosters this year

Prince Charles has attacked ITV bosses for axing the South Bank Show after 32 years. Speaking in front of a star-studded crowed during the South Bank Show Awards, he insisted the popular show had been ‘the most important beacon of arts that the country has had’.  [Article: Daily Mail]. Clarence House has also confirmed that Prince Charles won’t be skiing at Klosters this year.  Rumours say he was advised by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to cut on expenses during the recession, though Clarence House denies it.  [Article: The Telegraph]

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Prince William Awarded his Wings as Kate Middleton Looks On

Jan 15

Posted by britishroyals in Kate Middleton*, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince William | 2 Comments

**Updated** Prince William has been awarded his wings as a fully-fledged helicopter pilot during a graduation ceremony in RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.  The Ministry of Defence says he passed with “flying colours.”    Prince Charles, stepmum Camilla and girlfriend Kate Middleton were present to mark the occasion.

Prince William successfully completed year-long Advanced Rotary Training at RAF Shawbury after training on twin-engined Griffins to become a full-time pilot with the Royal Air Force’s Search and Rescue Force (SARF). He will start additional training in Anglesey, North Wales, where he will be taught to fly Sea King helicopters, after he returns from his first official overseas trip to New Zealand and Australia later this month. Wills is expected to serve in the Falklands this year as part of his training, will become an operational pilot in 2011 and undertake a three-year search and rescue tour of duty.

Prince Charles, who awarded Wills his wings, said in a speech: “‘But today is a day, I think, of great pride for all of the parents, not to mention the girlfriends. We all know how hard our sons have worked in between all the other activities that we don’t know about.”

Kate Middleton got to her feet and applauded her prince.  Pictures show them seated side by side and sharing laughs and whispers.

According to The Sun, after the ceremony, Wills arranged for Kate and the girlfriends of three fellow recruits to take a 15-minute flight in a Griffin Bell 412, the helicopter he trained in. He did not pilot the aircraft, but saw it off. And when it returned, he dutifully carried out the steps and opened the door.  Kate is said to have “loved it.”  See the video of William assisting Kate and the ladies off the chopper

William & Kate during his graduation ceremony

William & Kate during his graduation ceremony

Articles: The Telegraph | Daily Mail | Metro UK | The Sun
Belga Pictures: Wills & Kate 1 | Wills & Kate 2 |  Wills & Kate 3 | Wills & Kate 4 | Wills & Charles | Charles & Camilla
Pictures: Getty Images
Videos : BBC UK | Wills assisting Kate after the chopper ride

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Christmas 2009 for the Royals

Dec 25

Posted by britishroyals in HM The Queen & Duke, Peter Phillips, Prince Charles & Camilla, Prince Edward, Prince Harry, Prince William, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Sophie, Zara Phillips | No Comments

Christmas 2009 went according to tradition, with the Royal Family attending the Christmas Day service at Mary Magdalene Church, greeting people lined up in the streets to meet them, and returning to Sandringham House for lunch. The Queen’s Christmas message was then broadcast in the afternoon.


The Queen’s Christmas Message

Transcript: Read the Queen’s Christmas Message

The whole family was there for the church service. Pictures show Prince William and cousin Zara Phillips linking arms, the Queen receiving flowers from children, William hugging a church regular, Zara & Autumn (visiting with husband Peter Phillips) in killer heels, plus a host of Philip Treacy hats. Security is reportedly significantly tighter this year.

Article: Daily Mail
Pictures: Getty Images

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