President Trump attended a high-profile state dinner at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III, bringing together influential global power players, politicians, and tech leaders, highlighting diplomatic ties and showcasing the power dynamics among the world's elite, amid ongoing political tensions and protests.
Prince Harry has officially declared the United States as his "new country" of residence, updating his housing records to reflect the change. Despite this, he still considers the UK to be his "home" and expressed interest in getting American citizenship. However, obtaining citizenship may require him to renounce his royal titles, posing a potential obstacle. Additionally, his past drug use, which he openly discussed in his memoir, could also impact his visa status in the US.
Princess Kate's announcement of her cancer diagnosis has left the British royal family facing two serious health crises, with King Charles III also being treated for cancer. The monarchy, which has been slimmed down by the king, is now strained as the ranks of working royals have been thinned, leaving Queen Camilla and a few others to be the public face of the institution. The royal family's visibility and public sympathy have increased, but the pressure is on a much smaller team to fulfill their constitutional and ceremonial roles.
Despite his cartoonish appearance and outlandish statements, King Charles III has not become a popular subject for internet memes. His problematic past and lack of a strong public persona may be to blame, as well as his gender and the shadow of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. To be memeable, royals have to be likable, which is where the previous queen excelled, but Charles has long been seen as waiting for his mother to give him his time to shine.
CNN host Anderson Cooper was cut off by his British co-hosts after mistakenly claiming that Prince George wasn't in attendance at the coronation and confusing him with his brother Prince Louis. Cooper's blunder was picked up by millions of viewers, who mocked him on social media. Despite being considered part of American royalty, Cooper made the gaffes during the coverage of the British coronation.
King Charles III's coronation has been criticized for being out of touch with his subjects, with the monarch being accused of being willingly manipulated into a more assertive role as head of state than his mother thought right. The move to invite all of his subjects to take a personal vow of allegiance to him, “in heart and voice to their undoubted king” polarized views about the monarchy beyond anything previously seen. The coronation occurs at a time of rising destitution, and the king's personal wealth has soared to almost obscene levels while their own, at best, has barely moved in 15 years. The missteps of the coronation could be just a bump in the learning curve, but calling for blind allegiance not simply to him but to the Windsor “heirs and successors” is a cringe-making demand that reaches back to the vanities of George III.
King Charles III's coronation will feature three crowns, an orb, scepters, golden bracelets, two maces, and five swords. The procession route will be shorter than his mother's, Queen Elizabeth II, but the pomp and regalia will remain. The Gold State Coach, used to transport every newly crowned monarch since King William IV in 1831, will be used after the ceremony. Charles and Camilla will travel to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach, which has power windows, air conditioning, and shock absorbers.
The royal family released two new photos to celebrate Mother's Day in the UK, featuring Kate Middleton and her three children. The photos were taken during a family vacation in Norfolk, England, last summer and were previously used for the family's Christmas card. Kate has effortlessly slipped into the role of Princess of Wales and is seen as crucial to the future of the royal family. She recently made a bold fashion statement at the annual Commonwealth Day service and stepped out in a head-turning new look for her first outing as Colonel of the Irish Guards.