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Kate, the Princess of Wales, will end up “paying the price for much” of the “tumult and change” that happened over the last few years in the Royal Family, according to a royal commentator. Columnist Daniela Elser considered just how much has changed for the Firm since the last Christmas gathering held at Sandringham in 2019. The working Royal Family, she noted, has become sensibly smaller as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have since stepped down. Writing an op-ed for the New Zealand Herald, Ms Elser said: “The loss of the Sussexes from the royal fold dealt the Royal Family not only a serious reputational blow but a hands-on one too.” The fact that Meghan and Prince Harry, much like Prince Andrew in January, have returned their military and royal patronages to the sovereign means “the remaining HRHs are going to be stretched ever thinner”. And, as Kate and Prince William are the only two members of the working Firm currently aged under-50s, it is likely they will need to shoulder much of the patronages, engagements and tours abroad in the future, Ms Elser suggested.
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Kate is one of the Firm’s most prominent members (Image: GETTY)
King Charles III’s first Christmas speech has been leaked online hours before it was due to air in the UK.
As usual Australian broadcasters aired the sovereign’s Christmas address just after 3 pm local time, however, Sky News Australia also published the eight-minute speech to YouTube at 5.15 am UK time, breaking strict protocol.
Broadcasters have an agreement with Buckingham Palace and the BBC that footage cannot be uploaded to the internet before 3.15pm GMT.
The footage must also not be streamed online or over mobile apps.
On radio stations, the speech can only be aired live on FM or AM, with digital stations airing eight minutes of silence to avoid leaks to the rest of the world.
In just over five hours the footage has been viewed more than 113,000 times.
Princess Beatrice, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, arrived at the chapel for the Royal Family’s first Christmas service with Charles as monarch.
She was accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mozzi and her stepson Wolfie.
The couple, who got married in 2020, smiled to the crowd of well-wishers before entering the church.
The Princess is said to be very fond of Wolfie, whom she considers as a “bonus” son.
Beatrice’s husband, also known by family and friends as Edo, is a property developer.
Edoardo made his first appearance, alongside his then-fiancee, at Sandringham for Christmas in 2019.
The pair share a daughter, Sienna, who turned one in September.
Princess Anne was notably absent from the royal family’s annual Christmas church trip in Sandringham, however the Princess Royal had a very good reason for not attending.
This Christmas Day saw the royals walking to the church on their Norfolk estate for their first Christmas without the Queen, who passed away in September.
However Princess Anne did not attend the service as she is reportedly suffering from a cold, according to The Mirror.
Her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall were in attendance, as well the King and Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Many of the royal children were spotted, including young Prince Louis who donned shorts for the occasion despite the wintery season.
The King paid tribute to his mother during his speech while also establishing his own voice and traditions, according to a royal analyst.
He decided to stand to give his speech from the King George VI Memorial Chapel, unlike the Queen who would sit in a drawing room surrounded by photographs of her loved ones.
The King’s choice to deliver the speech in the resting place of his parents was a touching element to his first address.
Charles chose to pay tribute to the Armed Forces and workers in the emergency services in a speech which has led many to question whether this is the beginning of a more politically involved monarch.
Amid the controversial strike action of NHS staff, rail workers, and Royal Mail workers, to name a few, the King praised their “selfless dedication”.
The late Queen’s youngest granddaughter arrived at the service, alongside her parents, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex and younger brother, James.
The 19-year-old, who is in her first year at St. Andrew’s University, arrived at the chapel to join other senior members of the Royal Family for the Christmas service.
The Christmas service is the first since the death of Louise’s beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.
Proud parents Zara and Mike Tindall arrived for the Royal Christmas service on Sunday with their four-year-old daughter Lena in tow.
In a sweet moment captured by cameras, Lena held on to the hands of both of her parents as they made their way to church.
Lena looked a little nervous as she made her way past adoring Royal fans.
Prince Louis got a great reception on his first royal walkabout today, especially when he showed he is just like any other four-year-old.
Lapping up the attention from royal fans in Sandringham after his family’s traditional Christmas Day church visit he almost got left behind.
Well, just like any other child his age, he suddenly had a panicked moment where he thought he was going to be left behind.
Looking round quickly to see where his sister Charlotte was, he ran as fast as he could towards her.
The sweet moment was captured by royal wellwisher Karen Anvil who was one of the members of the public who had gathered to give their best wishes to the family on the first Christmas Day since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September.
James Viscount Severn, the only son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Countess of Wessex joined his parents and elder sister for the Royal Family’s annual Christmas Day service.
The family of four joined other senior members of the family to attend the first Christmas service of King Charles III’s reign and greeted well-wishers lining the streets.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex have largely kept their two children out of the spotlight, opting to try and give them as normal of a childhood as possible.
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King Charles’s first Christmas speech shows how powerless he actually has, a constitutional expert has claimed.
The monarch shared a lot of positivity in his words, which were broadcast on BBC 1 this afternoon, including saying he shared with his late mother Queen Elizabeth II “faith in people” who can touch the lives of others with “goodness and compassion”.
Peter Hunt said on Twitter: “The cost-of-living crisis features in Charles’ Christmas broadcast: ‘….at this time of great anxiety and hardship…for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm…’
“Foodbanks, once remarkable and shaming for a nation, now normalised.”
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Kate and Prince William were all smiles as they walked the brief distance from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church.
The Princess of Wales dazzled in a typically stylish outfit. Walking side by side with her husband and children, Kate was spotted briefly nodding and waving at some of the royal fans who braced the chilly temperatures to catch a glimpse of the Firm members, but stopped to greet one young royal fan in particular.
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King Charles has broken a royal Christmas tradition which his late mother the Queen practised for years when doing her speeches.
The monarch, who acceded the throne after the passing of Her Majesty in September, today addressed the nation in his first ever Christmas speech.
Speaking to millions across the UK, the King hailed “wonderfully kind” Britons as the country is gripped by a cost of living crisis.
However, while the Queen was almost always spotted sitting down for her speech, the King has broken tradition by choosing to stand while giving his address.
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King Charles did not mention his second son and daughter-in-law in his first-ever Christmas broadcast.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didn’t make an appearance either during the eight-minute-long speech written by the sovereign or in the imageries shown on screen as he was delivering it.
The monarch focused his attention instead on the work carried out by working members of the Firm.
Among those shown on screen in various clips were Queen Camilla, seen as she was donating Paddington bears to children, Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Charles mentioned Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, while he was speaking of the charitable heart showcased by many in the UK every day.
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During this morning’s walkabout, the Princess of Wales was pictured greeting a little girl she spotted in the crowd of royal well-wishers.
Kate smiled and chatted with the child, who appeared delighted that the future Queen Consort had stopped to talk to her.
Kate is often dubbed by royal fans as the “Children’s Princess” thanks to her nature with children.
Read the full story here
The first historic speech of the new sovereign tackled the “great anxiety and hardship” many people up and down the country are experiencing this winter.
King Charles did not shy away from acknowledging the many families struggling with the cost of living crisis who are trying to “pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm”.
But he also praised the “wonderfully kind” citizens who have volunteered their time, food or money in support of those less fortunate.
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King Charles III took a moment in his first Christmas address to praise the work of churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and gurdwaras in feeding those most in need this Christmas.
“Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as ourself”, the monarch said.
He also said: “While Christmas is of course a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.
“So whatever you fair, or whether you have none, it is in this life giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others that I believe we can find hope for the future.
“So let us celebrate it together, and cherish it always. With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light.”
King Charles hails faith leaders work in food banks and homelessness (Image: BBC)
King Charles III delivered his first Christmas message on Sunday, paying tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II.
Echoing his mother’s words in her last Christmas message, where she spoke of her grief at losing her husband Prince Philip, Charles said Christmas was “a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones”.
Charles delivered his pre-recorded message standing in St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where the Queen and Prince Philip are both buried.
King Charles III pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth in first Christmas address (Image: BBC)
Prince Louis, the younger son of Kate and Prince William, joined his parents and other members of the Firm this morning.
Holding his mother’s hand, Louis walked from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church for the morning service.
This marked his first-ever public appearance in Sandringham on Christmas Day.
Read the full story here
Prince Louis donned shorts today (Image: GETTY)
Prince Andrew was one of the royals who joined King Charles and Queen Camilla during their walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church this morning.
This marked a rare public appearance for the royal, who stepped back from public duties in mid-November 2019.
Read the full story here
Prince Andrew attended the main service this morning (Image: GETTY)
King Charles and Queen Camilla were welcomed by cheers this morning as they arrived at St Mary Magdalene Church accompanied by several members of their family.
Dozens of royals fans lined up at the premises of the chapel since the early hours of today to be able to catch a glimpse of Firm members.
Their Majesties and their relatives were seen smiling and waving at fans as they were welcomed on their first Christmas without the late Queen.
See more pictures here
King Charles and Camilla led the royals on their walk to the chapel (Image: GETTY)
King Charles is hosting his relatives at Sandringham House today (Image: GETTY)
Kate, the Princess of Wales, has released a “really special” photo of the late Queen.
In a pre-recorded video that was aired during the Together at Christmas on Christmas Eve, the Princess of Wales shared a rare photo of a young Elizabeth with some specially invited guests.
The Princess of Wales can be seen sitting with three members of the public – midwife Carys Hammond, 39, volunteer Akbar Khan, 50, and Ex-Veteran Lionel Digby, 87.
All three were invited as a reward for having gone “above and beyond” to help their communities this year.
The guests are shown sharing special pictures from past Christmas festivities with the Princess of Wales.
Kate then proceeds to delight her invitees by revealing a black-and-white image of a young Elizabeth participating in a Christmas performance.
See the picture here
King Charles and several other members of the Royal Family were spotted by royal watchers on the Sandringham estate.
The monarch appeared in high spirits as he walked next to Lady Sarah Chatto and Earl Snowdon – Princess Margaret’s children.
The King was also in the company of Zara and Mike Tindall and Sir Timothy Laurence.
See pictures here
Columnist Daniela Elser believes the Princess of Wales will be among the royals to “pay the price” for much of the turmoil and changes that happened in the Firm in the past few years and will need to shoulder up much of the work of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
In an op-ed penned for the New Zealand Herald, the commentator said: “The loss of the Sussexes from the royal fold dealt the Royal Family not only a serious reputational blow but a hands-on one too.
“The Duke and Duchesses’ patronages and his military roles can be added to those that Prince Andrew was forced to officially relinquish earlier this year, including such prestigious posts as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards. Factor in too here the more than 50 organisations, including Royal Ballet and the London Symphony Orchestra, who boasted the late Queen as their patron.
“The question isn’t who will take these over but who can feasibly find time to take them on?
“Today, of the remaining working members of the royal family, nearly two-thirds are over the age of 70, with the remaining “staffers” being Edward and Sophie, Earl and Countess of Wessex (58 and 57 respectively), and William and Kate, who are both 40.
“This ageing, reduced working royal family will be expected to shoulder the same sort of workload – all the shaking of hands and planting commemorative trees – as they always have.
“Bottom line, the remaining HRHs are going to be stretched ever thinner.”
Good morning and Merry Christmas from London! I’m Alice, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on the Royal Family this morning. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
Email: alice.scarsi@reachplc.com
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