All articles tagged with #monarchy
Thailand's King Rama X and Queen Suthida arrived in Paris for the Thai monarch's second state visit to France since his ascent, with a state banquet at the Élysée Palace where Suthida wore a Thai-inspired ensemble and a historic diamond necklace echoing Queen Sirikit, underscoring renewed diplomatic ties between the two nations.
King Charles III became the first British monarch to publish his personal taxes, reporting £12.9m in income and capital gains for 2024-25, as Buckingham Palace undergoes a £369m, 10-year renovation. The king and Queen Camilla will reside at Clarence House for the remainder of his reign to boost public access and more tours, while Prince William also released his tax figures (£7.76m).
Norway’s parliament is weighing a constitutional amendment to let Princess Ingrid Alexandra serve as regent if both the king and heir are unable to rule, a move aimed at preventing a potential leadership gap. The proposal would exclude Prince Sverre Magnus and requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority; a November vote could set Ingrid on a path toward the throne. Critics say the change is narrowly tailored to current circumstances and may not address future succession, while supporters see it as prudent preparation for the monarchy’s continuity.
Oslo court has sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to four years in prison on two counts of rape plus other offences, after a trial that covered incidents from 2018 to 2024. He was acquitted on two other rape counts and convicted of domestic abuse, traffic violations and threats. Prosecutors had sought seven years; the defence urged around 18 months for the non-rape charges. Høiby has been in custody since February, and the verdict amplifies scrutiny and embarrassment for Norway’s royal family.
King Charles III marked his official birthday with the Trooping the Colour parade: a Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade procession and a balcony appearance to view the Red Arrows flypast with Queen Camilla. The royal line-up included Prince William as Colonel of the Welsh Guards, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Catherine, and Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with around 400 musicians. Crowds lined The Mall alongside anti-monarchy protesters as dignitaries including Prime Minister Keir Starmer watched the spectacle.
The King’s Speech, read aloud by the monarch yet written by the government, marks the state opening of Parliament and sets out the new session’s proposed legislation. The article explains the ceremonial proceedings (royal procession, regalia, and the Black Rod ritual), the monarch’s neutral constitutional role, and how bills become law, while noting the political backdrop of Labour’s recent election losses and the ongoing push on the Representation of the People bill to lower voting age to 16.
Netflix is developing a The Crown prequel that will cover six monarchs—from Queen Victoria’s death through the marriage of Princess Elizabeth in 1947—set to include Victoria, Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII, George VI, and Elizabeth II, with Peter Morgan returning to write and casting slated to begin next year, a high-risk, high-reward move that aims to tell a past story with present-day resonance.
At Buckingham Palace for the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, all 11 senior working royals posed for a rare formal portrait—featuring surprise attendees Princess Alexandra and the Duke of Kent—alongside centenarians at the reception; Princess Anne’s husband was absent, and the lineup ranges from King Charles and Queen Camilla to Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, highlighting the monarchy’s ongoing duties and marking the first such gathering since the coronation three years ago.
King Charles III announced a first U.S. state visit to Washington from April 27–30 to celebrate and deepen UK–US ties, including a White House banquet and a possible joint address to Congress; the trip comes amid renewed tensions as Trump criticizes the UK over Iran policy, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeking to keep Britain from being drawn into the conflict. After the U.S. visit, Charles will travel on to Bermuda.
The BBC reportedly won’t televise this year’s Commonwealth Day service, with only a small royal turnout, a move experts attribute to Ex-Prince Andrew’s scandals and ongoing royal tensions, signaling potential shifts within the royal establishment.
Reports say King Charles is weighing an abrupt abdication in favor of Prince William, citing health concerns and fallout from his brother Andrew’s arrest. Insiders claim the move could shield the monarchy’s legacy amid a palace scandal, with William expected to be crowned this summer to steer attention away from the controversy. The story centers on Globe’s coverage of Andrew’s arrest and potential palace cover-ups, and notes that these claims are based on insiders and may be unconfirmed.
As Nepal gears up for its March election, former king Gyanendra’s public appearances and royalist rhetoric spotlight a lingering but limited appeal for a constitutional monarchy, with a small party pushing for Hindu-state restoration while critics say the monarchy remains obsolete in a secular republic, despite nostalgia among some voters and ongoing political volatility.
Journalists camp outside Wood Farm near Sandringham for days hoping to glimpse Prince Andrew, who never emerges and whose detention episode looms in the background, as photographers chase dramatic shots and locals offer mixed views of the Windsors; the piece paints a portrait of a clinging royal-media spectacle set on Sandringham with plans for Andrew’s future at Marsh Farm.
Prince William is reported to have pressed King Charles to draw a hard line on ex-Prince Andrew, urging a firm, public stance after Andrew’s arrest and amid renewed scrutiny; William and Kate are said to back the king’s approach and prioritize the monarchy’s future, while Andrew faces an allegation of Misconduct in Public Office (which he denies).
UK lawmakers approved publishing confidential documents related to Prince Andrew’s 2001 appointment as trade envoy after a fiery debate urging greater royal accountability. The government backed the move, noting some papers may be delayed until police investigations conclude, as Andrew faces Epstein-related allegations and Peter Mandelson faces misconduct inquiries. The development fuels broader discussions about the monarchy’s role and future reforms, even as Buckingham Palace distances the royal family from the scandal.