All articles tagged with #royal household
Norway's King Harald, 87, had a temporary pacemaker fitted at a hospital in Malaysia after falling ill on holiday due to a low heart rate, and is expected to return to Norway in the coming days with the assistance of the Norwegian Government and Armed Forces. He had fallen ill with an infection earlier in the week and is currently resting, with his next official engagement scheduled for March 8.
Meghan Markle claims that two members of the royal household expressed concerns about the skin color of her son, Archie, with one being a member of the royal family and the other a member of the extended household. The names of these individuals were mentioned in private letters to King Charles and are known to Omid Scobie, but UK laws prevent their disclosure. Meghan argues that addressing unconscious bias and ignorance within the royal household is necessary, while the late queen acknowledged the concerns raised and Prince William denied any racism within the family.
Meghan Markle reportedly accused two individuals in the Royal Household of expressing concerns about her son Archie's skin colour in private letters to King Charles III, according to Omid Scobie's upcoming book, Endgame. The book also claims that Harry used his grandchildren as leverage in a dispute over Frogmore Cottage and that a message circulated within the Royal Family advising against trusting Harry after the release of his memoir. The allegations threaten to reignite the 'royal racist' row sparked by Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year.
The British monarchy still maintains a plethora of archaic titles, brocaded uniforms, and feathered headgear, which are described as a "medieval mountain of absurdity" by former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker. The royal household employs a range of unusual job titles, including piper to the sovereign, horological conservator, lord great chamberlain, fendersmith, and warden and marker of the swans. These roles are designed to ease the monarch's passage through life and surround them in an aura of mystique. However, many of these roles are now purely ceremonial and have no real function beyond adding to the pomp and pageantry of the monarchy.
Princess Anne has been appointed Senior Colonel of the Household Division by her brother King Charles, ahead of his coronation on Saturday. The Princess Royal visited Wellington Barracks to meet with officers who will take part in the processions escorting the King to and from Westminster Abbey. As Senior Colonel, Anne will host a traditional dinner for her fellow Household Division Colonels on the eve of the Trooping the Colour ceremony. She will also travel on horseback behind the gold state coach carrying the King and his wife during the coronation procession.
Angela Kelly, Queen Elizabeth's former right-hand woman, has been forced to move out of her grace-and-favour home on the Windsor Estate and had her work-issue mobile phone cut off by King Charles. Kelly, who was the Queen's dresser and confidante for over 20 years, is moving to the Peak District. Friends of Kelly feel she has been treated badly after such loyal and devoted service and say she has become another victim of the King's 'property merry-go-round'. Kelly was recently recognised by King Charles in a special honours awards marking the death of the Queen.