The Duke of York’s military titles and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen, Buckingham Palace has said. Prince Andrew, 61, will also stop using the style His Royal Highness in an official capacity, a royal source said. It comes as he faces a US civil action over sexual assault allegations – claims he has consistently denied. A source close to the duke said he would “continue to defend himself” against the case brought in New York by Virginia Giuffre. But the source insisted a judge’s ruling on Wednesday that the civil action could proceed was “not a judgement … Continue reading Update: Prince Andrew loses military titles and use of HRH

Prince Andrew is to face a civil case in the US over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17. Virginia Giuffre is suing the prince, claiming he abused her in 2001. His lawyers said the complaint should be dismissed, citing a 2009 deal she signed with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But a New York judge ruled the case could continue. The prince has consistently denied the claims. Buckingham Palace said it would not comment on an ongoing legal matter. The motion to dismiss the lawsuit was outlined in a 46-page decision by Judge Lewis A Kaplan of … Continue reading Prince Andrew to face civil sex assault case after US ruling

Inventing puddings and planting trees are just some of the things Britons are invited to do for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, events to mark her 70th anniversary on the throne that culminate in a “blockbuster weekend of celebrations” in June. The 95-year-old, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, will add another milestone when she marks her Platinum Jubilee in February, with the government planning four days of celebrations from June 2-5. Buckingham Palace said Britons aged 8 and over were encouraged to apply for a baking competition to find the “perfect Platinum Pudding recipe” dedicated to the queen, while some … Continue reading Buckingham palace unveils plan for queen’s Jubilee celebrations

A man has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after being found in the grounds of Windsor Castle with a crossbow, police have said. The Metropolitan Police said a 19-year-old man from Southampton was arrested at about 08:30 GMT on Christmas Day. It said the man was stopped “within moments” of entering the grounds and he did not enter any buildings. He was searched and a crossbow was found, police said. The man is now “in the care of medical professionals”. He had initially been arrested on suspicion of breach or trespass of a protected site, and possession of … Continue reading Man found with crossbow at Windsor Castle sectioned

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have issued the first photograph of their daughter Lilibet on their festive card. The image shows Meghan raising Lilibet in the air as she sits alongside Prince Harry, who is holding their two-year-old son Archie on his knee. Lilibet, who was born in June, is dressed in a white baby gown. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are wearing jeans in the image taken this summer by Alexi Lubomirski at their home in Santa Barbara, California. The photo of Lilibet is the first time she has been seen in a publicly released image. The … Continue reading Harry and Meghan release first photo of Lilibet

Prince Charles has responded via a spokesperson to claims made in a new book alleging he wondered out loud about the skin tone of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby.  According to Page Six, journalist Christopher Andersen’s forthcoming book details a conversation said to have been overheard by a “well-placed source” between Charles and Camilla on the day of Harry and Meghan’s engagement.  An excerpt from Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry and Meghan claims that Charles and Camilla were discussing the couple when Charles reportedly asked: “I wonder what the children will look like?”  The … Continue reading OMG: Prince Charles denies claims he questioned complexion of Harry and Meghan’s baby

Barbados is about to cut ties with the British monarchy, but the legacy of a sometimes brutal colonial past and the pandemic’s impact on tourism pose major challenges for the Caribbean island as it becomes the world’s newest republic. Famed for its beaches and love of cricket, Barbados will this week replace its head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, with her current representative, Governor General Sandra Mason.Barbados is enduring economic turmoil caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has exposed overreliance on tourism Ceremonies on Monday evening into Tuesday will include military parades and celebrations, as Mason is inaugurated as president, … Continue reading Barbados to become a republic, replacing British queen

Japan’s former princess Mako has arrived in the US with her new “commoner” husband, Kei Komuro, after leaving the royal family. There was minimal pageantry as the college sweethearts, who wed last month, left from Tokyo airport on Sunday morning. They will rent an apartment in New York where Mr Komuro works at a law firm. Under Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a “commoner”. The pair were heavily guarded by police and airport security as they strolled through the departure terminal. They passed about 100 journalists who were there to witness them leave, … Continue reading Japan’s former princess Mako arrives in New York after giving up title

Japan’s Princess Mako has married her college sweetheart Kei Komuro – thus losing her royal status. Under Japanese law, female imperial family members forfeit their status upon marriage to a “commoner” although male members do not. She also skipped the usual rites of a royal wedding and turned down a payment offered to royal females upon their departure from the family. She is the first female member of the royal family to skip both. The couple are expected to move to the US – where Mr Komuro works as a lawyer – after marriage. The move has drawn inevitable comparisons … Continue reading Love Wins: Japan’s Princess Mako finally marries commoner boyfriend Kei Komuro

Queen Elizabeth 11 spent Wednesday night at a hospital while undergoing “preliminary investigations,” according to a Buckingham palace spokesperson, after abruptly canceling a planned trip to Northern Ireland this week. The 95-year-old UK monarch entered the hospital on Wednesday and returned to Windsor Castle on Thursday, the spokesperson’s statement read. “Following medical advice to rest for a few days, The Queen attended hospital on Wednesday afternoon for some preliminary investigations, returning to Windsor Castle at lunchtime today, and remains in good spirits.” She had been due to attend a church service in the city of Armagh on Thursday marking the … Continue reading Queen Elizabeth II spent a night at the hospital for ‘preliminary investigations’

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001 but it has always been assumed that it could not apply to the crown as there would have to be an heir to the throne. Now caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte has made clear any king or queen could also marry a person of the same sex. Mr Rutte said it was all about “theoretical situations” but the next queen could marry a woman. “Therefore the cabinet does not see that an heir to the throne or the king should abdicate if he or she would like to marry a … Continue reading An Aberration: Dutch crown princess could marry woman and be queen – Rutte

London’s High Court has ruled that the will of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband to Queen Elizabeth, will remain sealed for 90 years to maintain the monarchy’s “dignity.”Prince Philip Judge Andrew McFarlane of the court’s family division ruled that Philip’s will shall remain sealed “and that no copy of the will should be made for the record or kept on the court file,” keeping with a royal convention that has been place since 1910. However, as Reuters reported, McFarlane also ruled for the request “to exclude the value of the estate from the grant of probate.” “The … Continue reading Court rules Prince Philip’s will to remain sealed for 90 years