Norway's King Harald stabilizes after weekend health concerns
Norway's King Harald's health deteriorated over the weekend but he is now stable.
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Monarchy
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Harry and Meghan seek UK return as 'private royals-plus'
Sources tell The Sunday Times (via Page Six) that Harry and Meghan hope to return to the UK as 'private royals-plus'—private but publicly visible at family events—yet the plan hinges on acceptance by William and Kate and isn’t expected to be permanent; their stint could last six months to a year and would be closely watched for monetization, with Canada or Australia floated as alternative arrangements.
Car dealer turned prince: DNA confirms Belgian royal lineage
A 26-year-old Belgian car salesman, Clément Vandenkerckhove, was legally recognized as the son of Prince Laurent after a paternity DNA test. He becomes a prince with equal inheritance rights to Laurent’s private estate but will not receive a royal allowance or perform official duties, and he may choose to adopt the Laurent family name or keep his own as he joins the royal family.
Liechtenstein adopts gender-equal throne succession
Liechtenstein will switch from male primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, meaning the throne will pass to the first-born child regardless of sex. The change applies to descendants of Hereditary Prince Alois and Hereditary Princess Sophie and does not affect the current heir for now, as Alois emphasizes choosing the best prepared leader for the principality.
Royal Tension Mounts as Charles Grapples with Harry’s Bold Request
A report alleges King Charles is facing an explosive warning tied to Prince Harry’s big request, highlighting rising strain within the royal family and potential implications for the monarchy’s future.
Japan enshrines male-only imperial succession, sidelining Princess Aiko
Japan’s parliament revised the Imperial House Law to keep the throne in the male line, allowing distant male relatives to be adopted as heirs; Princess Aiko remains ineligible to ascend, while the changes also permit princesses to retain royal status after marrying commoners, a move aimed at stabilizing a shrinking imperial family but triggering debate over tradition versus modernity.
Japan codifies male-only succession as imperial line tightens
Japan formalized male-only succession under a revised Imperial House Law, allowing adoption of distant male relatives and permitting princesses to keep royal status after marrying commoners. Critics warn the move preserves a narrow, aging male line and discriminates against women, with the current line expected to pass from Emperor Naruhito to his brother and then to his 19-year-old nephew Hisahito, before reaching a 90-year-old uncle, highlighting the monarchy’s precarious future.
Japan's throne dilemma: should women ever become emperor?
Facing a shrinking male-only Imperial line, Japan is weighing a plan to revive former collateral branches to widen the pool of male successors, while a push to let a female emperor faces stiff opposition from the ruling party and traditionalists—even as polls show many Japanese support gender-inclusive leadership.
Queen Suthida Dazzles in Historic Diamond Necklace at Élysée State Banquet
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.
Charles Breaks Silence on Taxes as Palace Refurb Shifts Home Base
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 eyes a regent in Ingrid Alexandra as constitutional reform advances
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 hands four-year sentence to crown princess's son in rape case
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.
Charles III's Official Birthday Celebrated with Trooping the Colour and Red Arrows Flypast
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.
King’s Speech Opens Parliament with Government’s Agenda in Focus
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’s Crown Prequel to Span Six Monarchs from Victoria to Elizabeth II
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.