Queen Elizabeth news – Her Majesty, 95, looks happy & healthy as she’s seen for FIRST TIME since health fears grew
THE Queen looked all smiles today as she held her first in-person engagement at Windsor castle for nearly a month today.
, also the head of the British armed forces, held an audience with outgoing army general Nick Carter.
The monarch, 95, was pictured standing, smiling and shaking Carter's hand as she handled the official engagement with ease.
It comes the day after the Queen's son Edward read a speech on her behalf to the Church of England's national assembly.
After missing the Remembrance Sunday service at the weekend, the was due to appear in person at the Synod, but her appearance was cancelled last week - the first time she has missed the appointment in her 72 year reign.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest news and updates...
No place in politics
One palace aide told that the Royal Family has “no say” in American politics.
“Campaigning is important, but there’s a difference between campaigning on ‘issues’ like the environment and mental health, and aligning yourself with policies,” they said.
“The Duchess of Sussex doesn’t have the right to have a more powerful voice [on the issue] than any other mother in America.
“She should not be playing in politics.”
Explained: Why the Queen never needs a passport to travel
THE royal family have lots of extra perks when it comes to travelling – as well as more rules to follow.
Here are some of the royal travel secrets which members are aware of when leaving the country.
The Queen is the only person who doesn’t need a passport to travel – as they are issued in her name.
The Royal Family website explains: “As a British passport is issued in the name of Her Majesty, it is unnecessary for The Queen to possess one.”
This will change to Prince Charles when he becomes King.
Fergie’s evidence
Reports claim that Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson could be called to give evidence in a US lawsuit accusing him of raping a teen sex slave.
Lawyers for Virginia Roberts Giuffre say they are seeking formal interviews with two “witnesses” in the UK in the coming weeks.
The Duke of York also faces attempts to force him to give a deposition – recorded questioning by lawyers that forms part of a civil lawsuit.
Details emerged in a brief hearing in New York yesterday when District Judge Lewis Kaplan set a provisional date for a court showdown next September.
The blockbuster trial would overshadow the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, palace aides fear.
Virginia, now 38, filed a lawsuit in August accusing the prince of forcing her to have sex at Ghislaine Maxwell’s London home when she was 17.
'If I could turn the clock back I would'
Meghan's brother went on to say that the letter he sent previously was 'possibly the biggest mistake of my life' and that he wishes his sisters family the 'most loving' life possible.
"Meg, if I could really turn the clock back, I would truly tell you that I am so, so proud of you and truly I am so happy for you and Harry. And I love you.
"You are my little sister, my family and you always will be. Now you have found the love of your life and started a family of your own.. couldn't be more proud of you.
"The last several years of my life, I have grown and learned a lot more of myself and I must say that what I did to you with that letter is quite possibly the biggest mistake of my life.
"I truly hope you and Harry find it in your hearts somehow to accept my sincere apology because this is the real Tom Markle Jr. I truly love you guys and I want you to know that about me.
'I wish you Megan, Harry, Archie and Lily the happiest, most loving life possible. Sincerely, your big brother, Tom."
Meghan Markle’s brother Thomas issues surprise apology
MEGHAN Markle's half-brother Thomas has written another letter, from the Big Brother house, apologising for sending a "mean" note before the Royal Wedding.
Back in 2018, Thomas Markle Jr, 55, penned a letter calling Meghan a "jaded, shallow, conceited woman" and branded the upcoming wedding as a"fake fairy tale."
Big Brother contestant Luke Toki was tasked with convincing Thomas to write another letter to the Royals to apologise for the bombshell 2018 note where he warned Prince Harry his "shallow" sister will "ruin his life."
Thomas agreed to do so and admitted that the previous letter "came from a very dark and hurt part of my heart."
He wrote: "Dear Meghan and Harry, the first thing I want to say to both of you is that I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart for the awful mean letter that I wrote to you prior to your wedding.
"And I want both of you to know it did not come from the real person that I am but came from a very dark and hurt part of my heart… I am not a mean person at all, and I have more love inside me to give than anything."
Harry’s ban
PRINCE Harry will be banned from wearing military uniform when he dishes out awards to forces heroes next week.
The war veteran — who served two tours in Afghanistan — will help hand out five prizes on board a warship in New York.
But he can no longer wear uniform as he was stripped of his honorary military titles when he quit royal duty for California.
Harry will instead have to wear black tie but can pin his four medals on his suit at the gala a day before Veterans Day.
Idris Elba: Meg & Harry are ‘a lot of pressure’
The Luther actor, 49, provided the musical entertainment at the couple’s nuptials at Windsor in May 2018 – and says that Meg, 40, took the reins when it came to song choice.
Speaking to the Elba said: “Meghan had sent me a playlist, so I knew what she wanted already.”
Elba, who has also performed for A-listers such as Madonna, admitted that the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was his most “high pressure gig.”
Asked which of his sets had been his most stressful, he said: “This wasn’t at the community hall — the reception, this was a big, big deal.
“They’re (Meghan and Harry) good friends and I wanted to make sure they had a great time, so there was a lot of pressure.”
The actor previously revealed that their set list included Whitney Houston’s “I Want to Dance with Somebody” and several hip hop hits.
Speaking to BBC Radio 1Xtra Idris said: “Meghan sent me a playlist with some bare tunes on it.”
‘Fake royal tours’
A royal expert claims that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are aiming to go to places such as Australia, Japan and other parts of the United States after visiting New York.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, royal commentator Neil Sean has claimed that more of these engagements are on the horizon, reported the .
“According to a very good source, Harry and Meghan are planning even more, shall we say, ‘fake royal tours’ in 2022,” he suggested.
“Apparently they are looking to tour Australia, Japan and back to certain areas of the United States.”
Sean also suggested that Harry and Meghan are “not that popular right now” and that “maybe they’re hoping to reignite their once popularity in far-flung places.”
Royals charity skyrocketing
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Royal Foundation charity experienced a surge in funds after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left.
Daniela Esler, a commentator who regularly writes about the Royal Family has said that the Cambridge’s Foundation saw its figure “skyrocket and nearly doubled” to £11.78million in 2020.
Ms Esler said: “[It is] staggering given that other major British charities faced significant downturns in their fundraising during the pandemic.”
After Queen gone ‘more countries will disappear from Commonwealth’
A royal biographer has claimed that more countries will follow Barbados and “disappear from the Commonwealth” after the Queen is gone.
Norman Baker, author of “…And what do you do? What the Royal Family don’t want you to know”, told Express.co.uk: “There is, of course, a great deal of respect for the Queen and nobody wants to particularly upset her, given her age and everything else.
“And so some of the concern about the way the monarchy operates has been suppressed in order not to offend the Queen, but it’s there and I think it will manifest itself after she goes.
“I think, for example, we saw Barbados disappear off the commonwealth, I think other countries may well follow suit after the Queen goes.”
Queen's horse wins £24k
The Queen's horse, King's Lynn won the Wentworth Stakes this weekend whilst Her Majesty was in Sandringham.
It was yet another triumph at the races on Saturday when her horse won the race in Doncaster securing a prize of £24,385.
The Queen is known for her love of horses and was recently inducted into the official hall of fame for British flat racing.
Buckingham Palace Champion trees
Buckingham Palace have revealed that the gardens within London have registered 24 National Champion Trees.
The gardens within the grounds of Buck Palace are a ‘haven’ for biodiversity.
All champion trees are ‘exceptional’ examples of their species.
Among the 24 trees include a Juneberry tree given to the Queen on her 85th birthday as well as a rare Rotterdam Oak Tree which was planted by Her Majesty in 1989.
Royal emergency
The royal family are reported to have a surprising item within their emergency supplies.
Sometimes they will have an emergency blood supply while travelling abroad.
Royal expert Duncan Larcombe said they would have their own bag of blood as part of the emergency medical kit “just in case something happens.”
Gordon Rayner, who attended more than 20 royal tours, said their doctor would have the back up supply in case there is a shortage when they need it.
Princess Diana’s iconic ‘revenge dress’ moment is recreated for The Crown
THE Crown fans have been given their first glimpse at the recreation of Princess Diana’s iconic ‘revenge dress’.
Actress Elizabeth Debicki is taking over the role from Emma Corrin for the fifth season of the hit Netflix drama, which will document the breakdown of Diana’s marriage to Prince Charles.
One scene will recreate the moment when Diana attended a dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens in 1994 in a daring black mini dress.
The Christina Stambolian dress had a short hemline, sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder detailing and Diana teamed it with a pearl and gemstone choker.
The moment was significant as Diana attended the event on the same night a programme was broadcast which saw Prince Charles admit he had been unfaithful to her after their marriage had “irretrievably broken down”.
Camilla ‘hasn’t stopped talking about’ Joe Biden, 78, ‘breaking wind’
PRESIDENT Joe Biden reportedly broke wind “loudly” while gassing with Camilla Parker Bowles at the COP26 summit.
The Duchess of Cornwall “hasn’t stopped talking about” the 78-year-old’s “long fart” as it was “impossible to ignore”, it’s reported.
An insider told the the royal was taken aback when she heard the American president break wind as they chatted at the climate change event in Glasgow.
“It was long and loud and impossible to ignore,” the source told the outlet.
“Camilla hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
The Duchess, 74, travelled to the Scottish city with Prince Charles for a reception at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery on Monday, where she met and made small talk with Biden – who hours earlier appeared to doze off during the opening speeches.
Prince Harry to head to New York
PRINCE Harry will head to New York this week to honour veterans ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The non-working royal was embroiled in controversy surrounding tributes last year after he was not allowed to have a wreath laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph.
The war veteran — who served two tours in Afghanistan — will help hand out five prizes on board a warship.
But he can no longer wear uniform as he was stripped of his honorary military titles when he quit royal duty for California.
Queen's big event next weekend
The Queen still “intends” to spearhead the Royal Family’s tributes at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Day on Sunday, despite cancellations to her royal engagements recently.
If she attends, this will be her first outing in weeks, following the cancellation of trips across the UK.
Remembrance Day, which falls on November 11, will be a Thursday this year – but official commemoration takes place on the closest Sunday to that date.
On Saturday night, prominent royals will also attend the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.
However, will not be present at Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.
Roya Nikkhah, the Royal Editor at The Times, wrote: “Most senior members of the royal family, except the Queen, will also attend the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday night.”
Hey, big planners…
According to a royal biographer, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly ended up planning their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey “years in advance.”
Royal biographer Andrew Morton made this claim while speaking to CTV’S Your Morning.
CTV’S Your Morning is a Canadian breakfast television program.
There Andrew admitted: “They were planning the big Oprah interview several years before it actually happened.”
Will Harry ditch his Netflix deal?
Prince Harry is being urged to ditch his £100million Netflix deal after his late mothers pal has ditched the show as an advisor.
Jemima Khan, 47, Diana’s close confidante, has left the show after she was helping in an advisory role, however she felt her friends story was not being “told as respectfully or compassionately as I had hoped” and asked for her contributions to be cut from the show.
It will be interesting to see whether he will stand his ground and refuse to work with Netflix after the controversial depiction of Princess Diana.
Royal rejection
Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, the Queen’s granddaughter, looks set to reject the chance to become a working royal when she turns 18 tonight as she plans to focus on something else.
The daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, can now choose from today whether to become HRH, take a title and become a working royal.
But the teenager who is 16th in line to the throne is set to put off the decision as she plans to go to university.
Insiders say Louise is instead planning to continue her studies rather than become a working royal.
In June last year mum Sophie Wessex said: “She’s working hard and will do A-levels. I hope she goes to university. I wouldn’t force her, but if she wants to. She’s quite clever.”
Read more here.
‘What’s more important? Money or defending his mum?’
Following the controversy of how Diana has been portrayed in the new Netflix season of ‘The Crown’ a royal author has blasted Harry’s silence.
Angela Levin, author of Harry: A Biography of a Prince, has said: “Harry has remained absolutely silent about Netflix.
“He should tear the deal up and make a stand for his mother.
“What’s more important? Money or defending his mum? It’s astonishing he can’t find his voice on this.”
The Crown’s fifth series — screened in November next year — will focus on Diana’s final years before her death in a Paris car crash in 1997.
The Crown’s screenwriters in backstage bust-up over Princess Diana’s portrayal
THE screenwriters who tackled the romantic entanglements of Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown have been involved in a backstage bust-up over her portrayal in the new series.
Jemima Khan, a close front of Princess Diana‘s, was brought in to help Peter Morgan – the Netflix series creator – write the script detailing the last years before her death in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
However, she has now revealed that she pulled out of the project after claiming that the portrayal of Diana’s story was not being handled “as respectfully or compassionately as I had hoped”.
Khan and Morgan were briefly linked romantically, but broke up earlier this year.
She said she was asked by Morgan to help write the forthcoming fifth series in 2019.
Before taking to the script role, Khan revealed: “It was really important to me that the final years of my friend’s life be portrayed accurately and with compassion, as has not always happened in the past”.
When did Princess Diana die?
Princess Diana – Diana Frances Spencer – died on August 31, 1997, after suffering fatal injuries in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel in Paris.
The tunnel is located in the heart of the French capital next to the River Seine.
Her companion Dodi Fayed and driver and security guard Henri Paul were also killed in the crash.
Diana’s bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived with horrific injuries.
What was Princess Diana’s ‘revenge dress’?
On June 29, 1994, the princess wore a little black dress to a dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens.
It featured a plunging neckline and thigh-high split – and was a sexier look than she had ever stepped out in before at an official function.
The royal, then 33, had deliberately chosen to wear the frock on the same night that her estranged husband, Prince Charles, admitted to adultery during their marriage in a TV interview.
According to her biographer Andrew Morton, she had been planning on wearing a Valentino number, but was left irritated when they sent out a premature press release.
She initially feared the LBD – by designer Christina Stambolian – was “too daring”.
But her eventual wardrobe choice was a triumph – and the next day her glamorous image made the cover of national newspapers, including The Sun.
What happened to the ‘revenge dress’?
Just two months before she was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997, the princess requested that the frock be sold in a charity auction, with proceeds benefiting cancer and AIDS-related organisations.
A total of 79 pieces belonging to the her were put up at Christie’s in New York – including her ‘Elvis’ and ‘Travolta’ dresses.
The ‘revenge dress’ was sold for $69,000 – approximately £122,000 – according to .
In 2017, it was exhibited at the Museum of Style in Newbridge, County Kildare for their exhibition Diana: A Fashion Legacy.