The King and Queen are set to host Hollywood star Stanley Tucci for a black tie dinner to celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove on Friday evening.
Charles and Camilla invited the renowned foodie and the Italian ambassador to the UK to enjoy a feast of sustainable food, ahead of their trip to Italy and the Vatican in April.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
Meanwhile, the Duke of York has faced another embarrassment, as a school named after him decided to rebrand to something less “controversial”.
Prince Andrew School – the only secondary school on the remote British overseas territory of St Helena – is asking its students to suggest something more “neutral”.
The decision stems from “recent public controversy” and “negative media coverage”, a statement from the government of St Helena said.
Key Points
- King and Queen to host Stanley Tucci
- School named after Duke of York to rebrand
- King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican
- Legal battle over Harry's US visa documents reopens
- Who is Stanley Tucci?
Edward tells new Gurkhas they are ‘soldiers in British army but sons of Nepal’
10:05
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Athena Stavrou
The Duke of Edinburgh told new Gurkha recruits to be proud of being a “soldier in the British army but a son of Nepal” as he attended their attestation ceremony.
Edward and his wife Sophie met the two per cent of young Nepalis who passed the gruelling and highly competitive selection process to become part of the elite Brigade of Gurkhas.
The duke and duchess looked on as the 274 recruits – selected from more than 13,000 applicants – took the oath of allegiance, saluting a portrait of the King and touching the Union flag.
In a speech at the Gurkha base in Pokhara, Edward said: “Thank you for choosing to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army, and thank you for swearing allegiance to His Majesty today.
“You are joining a regimental family with strong traditions and a reputation for loyalty, service and courage.
“Gurkhas have served the crown for over 209 years. This now becomes your heritage and your responsibility to uphold.”
Who is Stanley Tucci?
09:18
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Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen have invited Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci for dinner at Highgrove this evening.
The Italian-American actor and author is best known for his roles in the hit films Devil Wears Prada, Lovely Bones, The Hunger Games and Conclave.
He has earned numerous accolades, including six Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Tony Award.
King and Queen celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove dinner with Stanley Tucci
08:47
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Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen will join Hollywood star Stanley Tucci for a black tie dinner to celebrate Italian cuisine at Highgrove on Friday evening.
The pair have invited the Italian-American Devil Wears Prada actor and well-known foodie and the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, to Charles’s Gloucestershire estate to enjoy a feast of sustainable Slow Food.
The menu has been created by renowned Italian chef Francesco Mazzei and inspired by Tucci, who fronted the TV series Tucci – The Heart Of Italy.
Created using entirely British ingredients blended with Italian culinary traditions and local flavours, the dishes aim to embody the principles of Slow Food.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican.
Pictured: Royals on official engagements on Thursday
07:00
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Athena Stavrou
Meghan thanks Billie Eilish for heartfelt gift to LA wildfire victim
06:03
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Athena Stavrou
Why Prince Harry's visa case is back in court, and will he be deported from Trump's America?
05:00
,
Athena Stavrou
Five months after the matter was seemingly closed, a lawsuit fighting to make Prince Harry’s private US visa records public reopened in court on Wednesday.
The Duke of Sussex admitted he had previously taken drugs during his teenage years in his 2023 book, Spare, prompting a right-wing US think tank to suggest he had lied on his documentation or could have been given special treatment by Joe Biden’s administration.
Here is an explanation about what the case is about, and why it has been reopened:
Prince of Wales meets Blue Peter Earthshot competition winners
04:01
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Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales has met the winners of a Blue Peter competition asking young environmentalists to submit sustainability-focused ideas.
William presented the children with certificates at a special reception held at Windsor Castle, and they also created eco-friendly bird feeders together themed around his Earthshot Prize.
Jack Whitehall drops ‘post-Meghan’ revelation about Prince Harry
02:24
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Athena Stavrou
Jack Whitehall has said Prince Harry “dropped” him after he met Meghan Markle.
Much like Piers Morgan claimed Markle “disappeared” from his life after she started a relationship with the royal, British comedian Whitehall has said he was once “good friends” with Harry in his single days.
Whitehall would regularly party with Harry and, in 2015, “offered up services as his royal wingman” while presenting the Royal Variety Performance.
But one year later, Harry’s life would drastically change when he met Suits star Markle, whom he married in 2018. Whitehall was not invited to the wedding.
Read the full story here:
King and Queen to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican
01:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The King and Queen are to pay state visits to Italy and the Vatican, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.
The major spring tour, which has long been trailed in the media, will take place in early April and coincides with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary.
They will meet Pope Francis at the Vatican and celebrate the Catholic Church’s Pilgrims of Hope jubilee year.
In Italy, the couple will visit Rome and the north-eastern city of Ravenna, known for its early Christian mosaic artwork.
Charles, 76, is forging ahead with regular overseas trips this year as he adapts to living with cancer.
The development emerged at the end of the King’s long-haul visit to Australia and Samoa, which was described as the “perfect tonic” for the monarch.
King pledges to lend his watercolours to Polish cultural centre in London
Thursday 6 February 2025 23:34
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Athena Stavrou
The King has said he will loan a leading Polish cultural centre some of his watercolours after a plea from its gallery to exhibit his work.
Charles was reminded of a request made 15 years ago during his last visit to the Polish Social and Cultural Association (POSK) in west London to display his art.
The monarch visited the cultural centre in Hammersmith on Wednesday to show his support for the UK’s Polish community.
When Charles arrived, Joanna Ciechanowska, an artist and manager of POSK’s gallery, asked him: “Have you brought your paintings, your beautiful paintings, to us?”
The King, who was being shown a small painting exhibition by Polish-born actor and set and stage designer Felix Fabian, replied with a smile: “No, sadly not,” then joked: “I’m not sure they’re that good.”
After touring the exhibition, Charles told Ms Ciechanowska: “I’ll try and keep up my painting and you’ll have to exhibit them here,” but he confessed: “I haven’t done any of Poland.”
School named after Duke of York to rebrand
Thursday 6 February 2025 22:03
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Athena Stavrou
A school named after the Duke of York is set to be rebranded to something less “controversial”.
Prince Andrew School – the only secondary school on the remote British overseas territory of St Helena – is asking its students to suggest something more “neutral”.
The decision stems from “recent public controversy” and “negative media coverage”, and has been approved by Buckingham Palace, a statement from the government of St Helena said.
Head teacher Phil Toal said: “While we respect history, we must also be mindful of how past associations impact the present and future.
“Choosing a new name allows us to honour the contributions of our students and community without the burden of controversial ties.”
The new name is expected to be chosen by the end of February, and will be launched at the start of the next academic year in September.
Furore erupted in 2019 over Andrew’s friendship with convicted US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He stepped away from his public role and later paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.
Pictured: Camilla meets staff supporting sexual assault victims
Thursday 6 February 2025 21:00
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Athena Stavrou
Camilla hails efforts of health staff in supporting sexual assault victims
Thursday 6 February 2025 20:00
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Athena Stavrou
The Queen has praised the “brilliant” efforts of health workers and other staff supporting sexual assault victims at a specialist centre she officially opened.
Camilla launched the purpose-built Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Exeter after touring the building, and following a private meeting with a survivor described the “difference” the service had made to her life.
She told the staff assembled for a plaque unveiling marking her visit: “You do a brilliant job I think, you shouldn’t go unrecognised.
“All of you working together do make such a difference to so many women, children and men over the country.”
Anne ‘fills in blanks’ on return to intensive care unit
Thursday 6 February 2025 19:01
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Athena Stavrou
The Princess Royal has told how her return to the intensive care unit where she was treated after her horse-related accident was really useful for “filling in the blanks.”
Anne met medical crews who were involved in her care as she visited the ICU at Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
The princess said: “You’ve been filling in the blanks, which partly, from my perspective, is really useful to know what happened because I seriously don’t have any idea and, sadly, I don’t have huge memories of being in here either. I just know I was really well looked after so thank you.
“But whatever you did, it seemed to work… the recovery being relatively straightforward, thankfully. That isn’t always true so I’m really grateful.
“I’m also grateful in a weird sort of way that I remember nothing because that has huge advantages you can just carry on.”
The 74-year-old princess, who was on her way to see her chickens on her Gatcombe Park estate when the incident happened last June, has no memory of what followed, but is thought to have been struck by a horse’s head or legs.
After the accident, an air ambulance and emergency services were dispatched to Anne’s Gloucestershire home and, following medical care by the crew, the princess was taken by road 30 miles to Southmead.
Pictured: Princess Royal returns to intensive care unit she was treated
Thursday 6 February 2025 18:02
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Athena Stavrou
Anne returns to hospital to thank staff for her care after horse accident
Thursday 6 February 2025 17:07
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Athena Stavrou
The Princess Royal has returned to the hospital where she was treated after her suspected horse-related accident to thank medical teams for their care.
Anne arrived at Southmead Hospital in Bristol on Thursday to reunite with doctors and nurses who looked after her, and tour the building.
The King’s sister has described how “every day is a bonus” after she suffered concussion and minor head injuries in the accident last June.
The 74-year-old princess, who was on her way to see her chickens on her Gatcombe Park estate at the time, has no memory of what followed, but she is thought to have been struck by a horse’s head or legs.
After the accident, an air ambulance and emergency services were dispatched to the scene at Anne’s Gloucestershire home and, following medical care by a crew, the princess was rushed 30 miles away to Southmead by road for tests, treatment and observation.
She spent five nights in the major hospital after the accident on June 23 and did not return to public royal duties until almost three weeks later after rehabilitation support at home.
Pictured: William meets young farmers
Thursday 6 February 2025 16:23
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Athena Stavrou
Prince of Wales discusses rural isolation with young farmers
Thursday 6 February 2025 15:54
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Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales said it is important to break down any “taboos and stigmas around mental health” as he met young farmers to discuss rural isolation and loneliness.
William was visiting a farm where he took part in a roundtable event hosted by the Farm Safety Foundation, a charity working to address attitudes and behaviours to farm safety and poor mental health in future farmers.
“I love the countryside and I love farming as well,” he told young farmers.
“And I am conscious that it’s an area that needs maybe a little bit of support and understanding that there is access and support out there for young farmers, as well as making sure we are breaking down any taboos and stigmas around mental health.
“Because I think in the farming world it’s maybe not talked about as much as in other sectors – and yet we know it exists.”
Nepali woman who met King in 1998 gives Sophie gift and thank you card for him
Thursday 6 February 2025 15:13
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Athena Stavrou
A woman who met the King at a Nepali shelter in 1998 has given the Duchess of Edinburgh a handmade gift and “thank you card” for him more than 25 years later.
On the second day of her royal tour Sophie spoke to survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence at Maiti Nepal – an organisation Charles also visited in 1998.
With the cushion was a picture of Ms Shrestha meeting the King and a card thanking him for the money he raised for the refuge.
The note read: “Your Highness King Charles, I hope you are doing well. When you visited Maiti Nepal in 1998 I was just five years old. I don’t remember much but this photo of us fills me with warmth.”
As she received the cushion, Sophie told Ms Shrestha: “That’s beautiful, you’re very clever. I shall give that to him with your love. He’ll be very happy to get it.”
Earlier in the visit, as she greeted the women who live at the refuge in Kathmandu, Pampha Adhakari and Pusba Thapa said they also remembered meeting the King during his visit.
The duchess said: “Well, he’s still the same.”
Team UK head for Invictus Games in Vancouver
Thursday 6 February 2025 14:45
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Athena Stavrou
The Royal British Legion's Team UK have begun their journey to Vancouver to take part in this year’s Invictus Games.
The team were pictured at Birmingham Airport on Thursday as they prepared to depart for the seventh annual games in Canada.
Prince Harry, a former British Army captain, launched the Invictus Games in 2014 as an international sports tournament for injured and wounded service personnel and returned veterans.
Aga Khan helped the late Queen enjoy ‘one of her most enjoyable’ racing moments
Thursday 6 February 2025 14:18
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Athena Stavrou
The King’s racing manager has said the late Aga Khan’s influence to continue to be felt for “many generations to come” in the racing world.
The renowned owner-breeder died on Tuesday evening at the age of 88, and was a long-standing friend of the late Queen.
The pair shared a passion for racing that saw him gift a filly for her 80th birthday.
That filly was Estimate, who went on to win the 2013 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, sparking famously joyous scenes in the royal box as she triumphed.
Racing manager John Warren has ranked that day as one of the late Queen’s “most enjoyable” on a racecourse.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Warren said: “Three days before the late Queen died, we sat and watched the video of the 100 years celebration of the Aga Khan Studs.
“Her Majesty remarked how amazing he was, along with his scientific approach to breeding and rearing stock and, of course, Estimate’s success in the Gold Cup gave the Queen one of her most enjoyable day’s racing.”
Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh meet elderly Gurkha veterans and widows
Thursday 6 February 2025 13:35
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Athena Stavrou
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have met elderly Gurkha veterans and widows during a visit to a Gurkha Welfare Trust Centre, in Pokhara.
The couple toured the Veterans Residential Home, on day three of their trip to Nepal.
Rare letter to Elizabeth I from possible love interest sold for £32,700
Thursday 6 February 2025 12:40
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Athena Stavrou
A rare signed letter to Queen Elizabeth I from her lifelong friend and possible love interest, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, has been sold for £32,700 – four times more than the estimated price.
The document contains an enigmatic reference to an unspecified great matter of state, said to bear directly on the Queen’s life.
The earl also apologises in the letter for his elusiveness during his recent journey across the Midlands of England.
His marriage in 1578 to Lettice, dowager countess of Essex, who Elizabeth loathed, is believed to have contributed to his absence and he was forced to keep his marriage half-hidden as a result.
The statesman and Queen had known one another since childhood and although he had failed to win her hand in marriage, they remained close friends until his death.
Experts at Lyon & Turnbull, the auctioneers who sold the letter on Wednesday, traced just two other autographed letters from the earl to Elizabeth.
Visit marks William's continued interest in farmer's mental health
Thursday 6 February 2025 12:18
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Athena Stavrou
On Wednesday, Prince William is set to discuss loneliness with two groups to discuss mental health and loneliness.
The visit is intended to highlight William’s commitment to supporting those in farming communities.
In 2023, the Duchy of Cornwall and William launched a new mental health strategy for Duchy tenants designed to prioritise farmers’ mental health and de-stigmatise the issue within the sector.
When it launched, it stated its ambitions to provide mental health care and support via a multi-layered approach. This included the ability to talk to trained staff via a dedicated wellbeing service, as well as staff and farmer training and hosting social events.
Full story: DC judge opens door to unsealing some documents in Prince Harry's US visa battle
Thursday 6 February 2025 11:46
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Athena Stavrou
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A judge in Washington, D.C. has indicated that he may be willing to unseal some documents in Prince Harry’s U.S. visa application.
The sealed records showing Harry’s visa status have been viewed by Judge Carl Nichols, who said during a hearing Wednesday that he wanted "maximum disclosure as long as it doesn't violate privacy,” according to the Mirror.
"I'm not foreclosing the possibility that there might be some possible relief” concerning revealing at least some documents, he added, requesting that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) put forward suggestions for redactions or “continued withholdings.”
Read the full story here:
Edward and Sophie joke together and hold hands on trip to Nepal
Thursday 6 February 2025 11:19
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Athena Stavrou
Sophie and the Duke of Edinburgh are currently on a six-day official royal tour of the Nepal to celebrate its close ties to the UK.
On the second day of their trip, the couple held hands as they toured the Godawari National Botanic Garden.
The Duke of Edinburgh joked with his wife as he planted a tree in a Nepali garden, next to two that were planted by his parents almost 40 years ago.
The duke said: “Gosh they’ve done very, very well,” as he was shown the trees from his parents’ previous visit.
The duchess encouraged her husband as he picked up a spade and filled in the hole for the new tree, saying: “Keep going, darling.”
William to visit second group to combat loneliness
Thursday 6 February 2025 10:49
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Athena Stavrou
After a roundtable with young farmers, William will visit the Carnoustie and Monifieth Men’s Shed in Carnoustie to hear how the organisation is helping people build a sense of community and learn new skills.
The group was founded in 2015 and is run by local volunteers who meet weekly to take part in a range of activities such as woodwork, crafting and gardening.
William will tour the site and hear from members how the Men’s Shed has enriched their lives by helping them to form friendships and engage in creative and purposeful learning activities.
He will then be invited to take part in a woodwork activity with some of the members to gain further understanding of some of the skills people can learn.
Prince William to discuss loneliness with young farmers
Thursday 6 February 2025 10:47
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Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales is to visit Angus to highlight two community-led organisations helping to tackle rural isolation and loneliness.
William, known as the Duke of Rothesay north of the border, will first attend a roundtable in Carnoustie hosted by the Farm Safety Foundation, a charity working to address attitudes and behaviours to farm safety and poor mental health in future farmers.
The event will focus on the theme of combating loneliness and rural isolation and will be attended by young farmers from the local area who are part of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs.
Legal battle over Harry's US visa documents reopens
Thursday 6 February 2025 10:46
,
Athena Stavrou
Five months after the matter was seemingly closed, a lawsuit fighting to make Prince Harry’s private US visa records public was reopened in court on Wednesday.
The Duke of Sussex admitted he had previously taken drugs during his teenage years in his 2023 book, Spare, prompting a right-wing US think tank to suggest he had lied on his documentation or could have been given special treatment by Joe Biden’s administration.
The Heritage Foundation launched a legal battle against Department for Homeland Security (DHS) to obtain his application. But in September 2024, the case was closed when a judge ruled that Harry’s application would remain private.
But on Wednesday Judge Carl Nichols, said during a hearing that he wanted "maximum disclosure as long as it doesn't violate privacy.”
Nichols said he was “not 100 percent sure how I want to proceed,” and that he would notify the parties “in due course”.
