Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee latest: ‘Secret wish’ for Camilla to take new title of Consort as Harry told of news

Prince William 'was reluctant' to marry Kate for years

According to a royal expert, despite Prince William and Kate Middleton falling in love after meeting at St Andrew's University and his family wanting him to propose, William had some reservations.

In her book, The Making of a Royal Romance, royal expert Katie Nicholl claims William vowed he would never be pressured into marriage before he was ready.

She claims he learnt from the mistake his parents made in their relationship and was determined he wouldn't do the same.

She writes: "He was aware his father had been pressured into marrying Diana because she was deemed the suitable bride.

"He was reluctant to bow to similar pressure and vowed not to be hurried at the altar. He made his feelings clear, telling a journalist in an off-guard moment that he had no plans of getting married any time soon."

But William soon realised that Kate was 'The One' and proposed with his late mother's engagement ring.

Thomas Markle Jr says ‘money changed’ Meghan

THOMAS Markle Jr said "money changed" his half-sister Meghan - and her marriage to Prince Harry is "next on the chopping board".

The 55-year-old told pals on Australia's Celebrity Big Brother that the Duchess of Sussex was "cold" to her ex-husband - and now Harry is next.

He admitted that he and his half-sister Meghan used to be close, but "money changed her" after she moved to Canada for work.

Markle Jr told his Celebrity Big Brother Australia housemates: "That's the big thing now, what happened to her?

"No one can figure it out. Money changed her I guess and fame went to her head really bad."

He said that he has "no idea" how Meghan bagged a royal husband - and that he believes Prince Harry is "next on the chopping board."

How Prince Charles turned Camilla into future Queen

This is an article by Duncan Larcombe, Former Sun Royal Editor

IT was a significant intervention by his mother 17 years ago that finally convinced Prince Charles it was time to take the biggest gamble of his life.

And an announcement by the Queen this weekend showed how spectacularly that gamble has paid off.

The register office ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005 was low-key, with the Queen declining to attend and the guests limited to family only.

But Charles had finally got his way, and to the Queen and Prince Philip’s enormous relief, the public loved it.

In the nervous months that followed, it seemed the impossible had happened.

The Duchess of Cornwall was being accepted as the family’s newest recruit.

So how did Camilla go from being Public Enemy No1 into a consort admired by millions?

Read more here.

Recap: The Queen's statement on her accession

In a statement to mark her accession over the weekend, the Queen told the nation: “I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.

“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.

“And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”

The shock announcement by the Queen, 95, came as she celebrates exactly 70 years on the throne.

Royal sources said it is her wish for Camilla to be known as Queen Consort as recognition for her hard work and the happiness she has brought her son.

William is ‘supportive’ of Camilla becoming Queen

The Duke of Cambridge is "respectful" of the Queen's decision, despite "family rows" in the past, sources say.

And now it has been claimed that although the relationship was not easy at first, Prince William would have discussed the matter with his father and given his blessing. 

"The duke is supportive," a source told the .

Another source added: "None of this can have been easy for him."

"There were huge family rows in the early stages of Charles and Camilla's marriage as everyone found their feet. William didn't have the best relationship with his father back then.

"But he sees that Camilla had made his father happy and it is something he has come to terms with.

"His relationship with the Prince of Wales is better than it ever has been.

"He is not particularly close to his stepmother but they get on perfectly well and are quite the blended family now."

The source added that William respects Her Majesty's judgement "more than anything in the world".

'Camilla’s risen above royal circus fray with grace & duty'

This is an opinion piece by Piers Morgan.

I’ve known Camilla for over 20 years, and we’ve always got on oddly well which may be down to the fact that we grew up in next door East Sussex villages - she in Plumpton, me in Newick just a mile down the road - and of course, we’re both massively misunderstood and unfairly maligned public figures!

The real Camilla’s a smart, warm, incredibly down-to-earth, and gregarious person who’s not only terrific company but can make you laugh out loud with her dry dead-pan wit.

Nobody other than the Queen better epitomises this philosophy than Camilla who’s been subjected to more abuse, ridicule, and savage media criticism than any other member of the Royal Family following all the fall-out from her affair with Charles, yet who has never once publicly responded to it.

Unlike the pathetically self-serving Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who endlessly whine, sue, trash their families, play the victim, and fleece their royal titles for crude commercial gain, Camilla’s risen above the often viciously unfair fray with a grace and dignity, and a keen understanding of royal duty, that says so much about her character.

Read the article in full here.

CBeebies 'proud' to have Kate on

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children’s and Education said: “I couldn’t be more proud to have The Duchess read a CBeebies Bedtime Story as we mark the 20th anniversary of our CBeebies and CBBC channels.

"It’s such a special and relevant tale and perfectly represents this years’ Children’s Mental Health week theme. I can’t wait to see her deliver her own take on such a classic story and I’m sure our audience can’t either.”

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark read by The Duchess of Cambridge will air at 6.50pm, Sunday 13 February and it will remain on BBC IPlayer.

CBeebies and CBBC celebrate 20 years on air on Friday 11th February.

Kate Middleton to appear on CBeebies

KATE MIDDLETON will help send kids to sleep by appearing on CBeebies to tell a bedtime story she reads to her three children.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, is the first member of the royals to take part in the CBeebies Bedtime Story - which has previously featured megastars such as Tom Hardy, Reece Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds and Dolly Parton.

Wearing a comfy roll-neck sweater, jeans and sitting cross-legged, she will read a shortened version of The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark.

The popular children's book is about an owl who is scared of the dark and her reading will be broadcast to mark Children’s Mental Health Week Sources close to the Duchess revealed she fell in love with the book growing up.

And as a mother has treated princes George, 8, and Louis, 3, and six-year-old Princess Charlotte, to the bedtime reading.

A source added: "The duchess personally selected the book because it chimes with children's mental health week.

"The theme of the week is growing together and the book is about an owl who overcomes their fear of the dark.

"She enjoyed reading the book as a child and reads it to her three children now."

William and Kate 'to inherit Windsor Castle'

It's believed that William and Kate will ultimately inherit Windsor Castle as their home when Prince Charles moves into Buckingham Palace.

The pair have lived and worked at Kensington Palace since 2017.

The couple also have Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, given to them by the Queen.

Charles won't move until he is King

An insider, who said Charles won't move until he is king, told the Mail: "There is no question about it.

"HRH's view is that you need a monarch at monarchy HQ. This has never been in doubt.

"Just like the Queen, it will effectively be in the 'flat above the shop'. He feels it is right, just as the Queen does, to work out of Buckingham Palace."

Prince Charles to ‘move into Buckingham Palace as king’

PRINCE Charles will move into Buckingham Palace as king - and William may move to Windsor Castle with Kate, insiders claim.

The Prince of Wales, 73, is said to be planning to move to the Palace when he takes the throne because he believes a "monarch should reside at a HQ".

The Prince of Wales is "firmly of the view that it's the visible symbol of the monarchy in the capital and therefore must be his home," reports the .

It was once believed that the official London residence would be more like a "working hub" and be opened up to the public.

But according to sources, the heir to the throne will move into the Palace himself.

He currently lives with Camilla in Clarence House - the former London residence of the Queen Mother in Westminster.about:blankabout:blank//imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.496.0_en.html#goog_1303569241

Buckingham Palace was first used as the official London residence for British monarchs in 1837 by Queen Victoria.

What Prince Harry REALLY thinks about Camilla

In the years before, it seems safe to assume that Prince Charles had at times found the task of building a bond between his lover and his younger son presented an enormous challenge.

Now we know Harry’s bombshell autobiography is about to hit the shelves – and given the strained relationship he continues to have with his father after his self-imposed exile in the US – some will be expecting more than a brief mention of Camilla’s role in his life.

Harry’s mother Diana didn’t only hate Camilla, she blamed her for ruining the royal fairy tale.

Now that this same woman will ultimately be Queen Consort may well pick at scars which Harry has had since his boyhood.

Read the article in full here.

Queen to host a Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle 

Sources close to her say it is possible that today The Queen may hold her first audience or call with PM Boris Johnson since mid-December.

The Palace announced the Queen is to host a Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle on March 2 — just eight days before Prince Andrew's planned deposition.

The monarch will also appear at The Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey on March 14.

She will return to the Abbey to lead her family and the country in a service of remembrance for her husband, who died last April aged 99.

The Sun revealed on Sunday that the Queen was ending her enforced break caused by a health scare.

Andrew to appear alongside The Queen next month

THE Queen will appear alongside Prince Andrew at a remembrance service for Prince Philip.

Royal sources confirmed the Duke of York is expected at the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on March 29.

It will come just days after Andrew, 61, is due to give his witness statement to US lawyers in his sex abuse case.

But Prince Harry has not confirmed if he will fly back from California to join other royals.

Buckingham Palace yesterday said Her Majesty will immediately “be resuming her normal duties”, which include audiences, credentials and privy council meetings — but some may be virtual audiences.

The historic crown encrusted with 2,800 diamonds

CAMILLA is to be given a historic crown encrusted with 2,800 diamonds when Prince Charles takes the throne and she becomes Queen Consort.

The jewelled headgear features a hefty 105-carat Koh-i-Noor stone given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856.

It was made for the Queen Mother, then Queen Elizabeth, for her husband King George VI’s coronation in 1937.

And it boasts a platinum frame set with thousands of diamonds, many from Victoria’s Regal Circlet, as well as one of the world’s largest jewels.

The Koh-i-Noor diamond had been successively mounted in the crowns of Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary, and was once again reset for this crown.

The Turkish stone was a gift from Sultan Abdul Medjid as a gesture of gratitude for British support during the Crimean War.

The crown, which weighs 510g and was designed by Garrard & Co, is currently on display at the Tower of London but will be placed on Camilla’s head for Charles’ coronation when he becomes King,  reports.

New Jubilee anthem has been composed

A new Jubilee anthem has been composed in honour of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

The Platinum Record, which was announced to mark the monarch’s historic Accession Day, will be released on the Queen’s 96th birthday in April.

The two-part composition features renowned soprano Lesley Garrett and West End baritone star Rodney Earl Clarke, along with the London Community Gospel Choir.

Garrett said: “There has never been a greater need for a song to unite us all than now.

“Covid and its chaotic aftermath has touched every one of us, throughout the Commonwealth and the wider world.

“For 70 years our Queen has been there, the one sure and steadfast rock in our unpredictable world.”

The first track, The Four British Nations, by composer Olga Thomas, is an Elgar-inspired creation featuring state trumpets, and chants and shouts of “Vivat”, “Regina”, and “Elizabetha”.

The second is titled We Thank You From Our Hearts and heralds the monarch as the “mother of this nation”.

It features sounds from around the world including Caribbean steel drums and the didgeridoo of Australia, as well as Hindi, Maori, and Swahili chants referencing the Queen.

Post Office launches new 50p coin to mark Platinum Jubilee

A new 50p coin to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee is being released at Post Office branches from Monday.

Some 1.3 million coins are being made available on "limited release" at UK post offices from February 7.

Its maximum mintage of the coins has been fixed at 5,000,070 in a further nod to the Queen's 70 years on the throne.

Post Offices in Windsor and close to Sandringham were among the first branches to receive the new coin.

Postmaster Umesh Sanghani, who has run Dedworth Green Post Office in Windsor for 23 years with wife Rashmita, said: "We have had many customers coming into our Post Office to check that we are going to get the special 50p coin.

"They don't want to miss out on this souvenir. I am a Royalist. It is amazing that the Queen has reached her 70th anniversary. I am really looking forward to the celebrations this year."

Nick Read, chief executive at the Post Office, said: "We are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee year and that our 11,500 Post Offices across the whole of the United Kingdom will exclusively start the circulation of this special 50p coin today.

"Postmasters are at the heart of their local communities and have been throughout our 360-year history. I have no doubt that this will be a real honour and privilege for Postmasters and their teams."

Camilla highlights domestic abuse (continued...)

Camilla has been speaking out to highlight the issue of domestic abuse for a number of years, and NHSE said she will visit a centre this week to meet survivors of sexual assault to hear more about their experiences and the care they receive through SARCs.

As part of the campaign, which is supported by organisations and charities including The Survivors Trust, SafeLives and the Male Survivors Partnership, a short video raising awareness of the help offered by specialist centres has been released.

NHSE said despite official figures showing that domestic abuse and sexual assault had increased in the pandemic, the number of people receiving help from SARCs halved after the first lockdown compared to 2019.

Laura Currer, chair of the national NHS England sexual abuse and assault services lived experience group, said: "I know from experience how hard it can be to seek help in these situations, but after I was assaulted I will never forget the kind, caring and compassionate staff at SARCs who were there to hold my hand during one of the worst moments of my life.

"They explained the whole process to me, and gave me the space and autonomy over my body that my attackers had taken away, and I will be forever grateful.

"I urge anyone who needs support, no matter when it took place, to come forward - you are not alone, and the wonderful teams at SARCs are there to help 24/7."

Camilla and Theresa May back campaign urging abuse survivors to seek help

A new campaign, supported by the Duchess of Cornwall and former Prime Minister Theresa May, has been launched to encourage victims and survivors of sexual and domestic abuse to come forward for help through the NHS.

It comes on the first day of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week and is backed by a £20 million boost to specialist services, NHS England (NHSE) said.

The campaign aims to highlight the support offered at dozens of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) in England, while the NHS is also creating two new clinical lead roles for domestic violence and sexual assault.

NHSE said the 24-hour centres offer confidential specialist, practical, medical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused - no matter when it happened.

Welcoming the campaign, Mrs May said victims of sexual assault and abuse need to know "the NHS is there for them".

She said: "Sadly incidents of domestic abuse and sexual assault increased during lockdown and the extra funding for services for victims of abuse and sexual violence is much needed.

"Dedicated domestic violence support for the NHS and integrated care systems is particularly welcome as local medical care plays an important role in identifying abuse and supporting victims."

Queen still hard at work

Palace aides yesterday released footage of the Queen at her desk reading government papers — showing that she is fit and ready to return to duties.

Filmed last Wednesday, it reveals a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Queen still hard at work in her seventh decade on the throne.

The Queen is seen in an armchair in The Saloon at Sandringham signing ­government papers from her Red Boxes — of which she has dealt with thousands during her reign.

She is seen remarking on “very kind” comments from US President Joe Biden when she received the Ruth Bader ­Ginsburg Women of Leadership award back in December.

'She looked marvellous'

Courtiers were thrilled after she appeared sprightly on her feet at a Sandringham reception this weekend — giving them confidence to push on with the diary planning.

They intend for her to start travelling again for public events in March ahead of her 96th birthday in April.

Royal biographer Penny Junor said: “I have not been panicking about the Queen’s state of health because before she stepped back she had a schedule of someone who was 65 not 95. She was just overdoing it.”

Ms Junor said Her Maj had been looking “healthy and radiant”, adding: “I have not been thinking it was the end.

“The footage from her Sandringham party she looked marvellous.

“I hope she doesn’t overdo it as most 95-year-olds are sedentary.”

How did George VI die?

Princess Elizabeth, then aged 25, was in Kenya on a royal tour when she learned of her father George VI's death.

The King, who was ill with lung cancer and other ailments, had ignored doctors' advice to see his daughter off from London Airport on January 31.

Elizabeth and her husband Philip planned to travel to Australia after a week in Kenya.

But on the morning of February 6, the King was found dead from a coronary thrombosis in his bed at Sandringham in Norfolk. Philip broke the news to his wife.

Who was Queen Elizabeth II's father?

The Queen's father was George VI, who was born on 14 December 1895.

He was King of of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death on 6 February 1952.

The Queen succeeded her father on the same day.

Royal news you may have missed

In other news her Majesty confirmed Camilla WILL become Queen when Charles takes the throne.

And Queen on "sparkling" form as she tackles cake to celebrate 70 years on the throne, saying "I’ll just put a knife in".

Plus Prince George’s godmother gives him "hilariously inconvenient" presents in honour of Princess Diana.