Fragile Royal Family ‘would crumble without Kate Middleton’ as Harry ‘may target Camilla in book’

Royal writer says Princess Diana ‘deserves sympathy’

A royal biographer has said that Princess Diana “deserved sympathy” despite her “flawed personality” as she was a sufferer of mental illness.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Hodgson, who wrote the book ‘Charles: The Man Who Would Be King’ said: “There was really no nice Princess Diana. 

“There was either a very deviant personality, a very flawed personality, or there was somebody who was mentally unwell.” 

“Diana was definitely somebody who did suffer from borderline personality disorder which meant that she wasn’t always totally responsible for her actions. 

“It’s not the sort of mental illness that can be cured by the taking of various drugs. 

“My book comes to the conclusion that you should give Diana the benefit of the doubt and say that she was actually somebody who was unwell.”

Caribbean tours branded an ’embarrassment’

The Caribbean tours of Prince William and Kate Middleton, as well as that of Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward have been branded an “embarrassment” by political activist and commentator Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.

Dr Mos-Shogbamimu said that Royal tours, should aim to address issues raised by activists – such as reparations for slavery, and claimed that the Royals’ recent tours did not do this. 

Mos-Shogbamimu said: “If the purpose of the trip is what we’ve seen which is basically a continuation of representing the legacy of the British Empire, then absolutely yes these tours should just end.

“Quite frankly these royal tours that we’ve seen to date are an embarrassment to the British monarchy.

“However if the royal tour was one that speaks to what many of these Afro-Caribbean nations are seeking to address, which is truth, reconciliation and justice, then you need to get on board those tours and make them work.”

Prince William ‘let down’ by Megxit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited Britain with contrasting expectations from Her Majesty, argues royal author.

Geo TV reports that Tina Brown in her new book shares insider-perspective about Harry and Meghan

“They thought it would force the Royal Family to respond by saying… ‘OK, Harry and Meghan, what do you want? We’re going to give you what you want’.” 

Royal author Robert Jobson earlier said that William felt “let down” and “wasn’t sure if he could ever fully trust his brother again”.

He added in a lengthy column for Daily Mail: “In the Sussexes’ televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan claimed that Harry, in a conversation with a member of the Royal Family while Meghan was pregnant, had been asked how dark his son’s skin might be. Given that his wife was bi-racial, the implication was that this was a racist remark.”

Sussexes ‘loving speculation’ around Jubilee attendance

According to a royal expert, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “loving the speculation about whether they’ll come for the Jubilee”.

Richard Eden, the diary editor at the Daily Mail, told MailPlus’ Palace Confidential: “I really get the impression that Harry and Meghan are loving all the speculation about whether they’ll come for the Jubilee or not.

“What should be the wonderful celebrations of the Queen’s amazing long reign, instead it’s sort of become this saga or will-they-won’t-they-come?”

How to watch the Platinum Jubilee Beacons near me

Jubilee Beacons are going to be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and British Overseas Territories.

There will also be Jubilee Beacons lit up in the capital cities of all Commonwealth nations.

Beacons are being lit at thousands of locations across the United Kingdom, if you want to attend your local ceremony in person you can find your nearest beacon lighting event or other Platinum Jubilee events on the government website.

The lighting of the Principal Beacon on Thursday, June 2, 2022 is set to take place at around 9pm, with other beacons set to be lit together at 9.45pm.

Crowds will undoubtedly gather at Buckingham Palace to watch the event, or there will be large television screens showing proceeding at other locations, like the Royal Parks, in London.

There are three different types of beacon being lit on June 2, 2022.

What are the Platinum Jubilee Beacons?

A beacon is a fire or light that is usually lit up high as a warning, signal or as a celebration, beacons are similar to small bonfires.

There is a long royal tradition associated with lighting beacons for celebratory purposes.

Although used for communication in the past, lighting beacons is now a purely ceremonial act.

In this instance, lighting beacons across the country and the Commonwealth represents the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and symbolises unity.

People in countries with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state are being asked to take part in this tradition, to gather together and thank her for her seven decade-long premiership.

Kate and William ‘can save monarchy’

Kate and Prince William are the “only thing that can save the monarchy” when Prince Charles becomes king, a royal expert has claimed.

In an interview with the Express, Royal commentator and PR expert Kinsey Schofield said: “I do want to see them [Kate and William] a lot more because I think that they are the future of the monarchy.

“I think that they are the only thing that can save the monarchy because I do think that there is going to be pushback when Charles becomes king, and as long as Prince William is on the horizon, there is hope. He is coming. He is next.”

Anne and Kate have ‘different approaches’ to royal duties

A commentator has made the claim that Princess Anne and Kate Middleton have “different approaches” to royal duties.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams highlighted how the Princess Royal completes more engagements under the radar, while the Duchess of Cambridge takes on fewer but is more involved with them.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: “It’s very interesting because they have different approaches. The Princess Royal does vast numbers of engagements.

“Catherine fewer but she concentrates, this is what the Cambridges seem to be doing, not quite so many patronages but doing more for the ones they take on.

“Also Catherine is so high profile, the world’s most glamorous royal couple, she and William. Whereas Princess Anne prefers a low profile and does a tremendous amount of hard work. Both of them have totally different styles.”

In pictures: Prince Andrew pictured driving along the Long Walk at Windsor Castle

PRINCE Andrew turned up for his granddaughter’s christening – his second public appearance since settling his sex abuse lawsuit.

The Duke was seen in his £220,000 Bentley after the service for Princess Beatrice’s seven-month-old girl Sienna.

The car’s DOY plate appeared to be a defiant message to York councillors who this week stripped him of the freedom of the city.

They have also called for him to relinquish his Duke of York title in the wake of his out-of-court settlement with American accuser Virginia Giuffre in February.

Andrew, 62, returned to Royal Lodge, Windsor, in the car. Earlier he was joined at St James’s Palace in London by his ex-wife, Beatrice’s mum Sarah Ferguson, 62.

Harry facing ‘staff mutiny’ in US

A staff revolt is taking place among employees at the coaching company Prince Harry is working for, according to reports.

Express.co.uk reports that the Duke of Sussex, who is living in California with Meghan Markle, was appointed chief impact officer at mental health firm BetterUp last March.

But the Silicon Valley company is facing a mutiny with staff supposedly furious about a proposed payment restructure, which coaches claimed was essentially a “sneaky pay cut”.

One coach said to the Daily Beast: “This is the way capitalism I suppose works. But for a company [whose] mission is to help empower people throughout the world… They’re not walking the walk.”

None of the coaches were clear about Harry’s role at the company, according to the website.

Prince Harry feud ‘an irrelevance’ to the Royal Family, suggests expert

Prince Harry’s dispute with the Royal Family “is an irrelevance” due to Prince Charles’ wish to have a slimmed down monarchy, royal biographer Howard Hodgson said to Express.co.uk.

Mr Hodgson said that the future king has a long-term plan to cut down the monarchy, meaning a likely recalibration of what it means to be working as a royal.

Therefore Harry was likely to have taken on a less central role regardless of the argument.

Mr Hodgson said: “Charles thinks the Royal Family has the best chance of survival by going straight down the line and not out sideways, all over the place.

“So for Harry, they think he’s a bit of an irrelevance.”

The Royals: This mansion was so expensive not even Queen’s cousins could afford it

Financial reasons forced the Queen’s cousins to leave their private 40-bedroom mansion.

Bristol Post reports that the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester previously lived in Barnwell Manor, Northamptonshire, a Grade II listed building with 12 acres of ground.

Prince Henry bought the mansion in 1938, but in 1995 it was declared that Princess Alice, the late Duchess of Gloucester and widow to Henry, her son, daughter-in-law and their children would be leaving the home to live in an apartment at Kensington Palace.

But for The Queen’s cousins – Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, and his wife the Duchess, Birgitte van Deurs – exiting Barnwell Manor wasn’t a choice.

The Independent reported that the Duke is sustained financially by the Queen from the Civil List at £175,000 a year which, joined with the Duke of Gloucester’s earnings from farming, was not sufficient to preserve the four hundred year old manor.

Prince William ‘let down’ by Megxit

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited Britain with contrasting expectations from Her Majesty, argues royal author.

Geo TV reports that Tina Brown in her new book shares insider-perspective about Harry and Meghan

“They thought it would force the Royal Family to respond by saying… ‘OK, Harry and Meghan, what do you want? We’re going to give you what you want’.” 

Royal author Robert Jobson earlier said that William felt “let down” and “wasn’t sure if he could ever fully trust his brother again”.

He added in a lengthy column for Daily Mail: “In the Sussexes’ televised interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan claimed that Harry, in a conversation with a member of the Royal Family while Meghan was pregnant, had been asked how dark his son’s skin might be. Given that his wife was bi-racial, the implication was that this was a racist remark.”

William and Kate broke one royal tradition

Following on from Prince William’s and Kate’s wedding 11 years ago, the royal couple broke one royal tradition.

The Daily Mirror reports that instead of celebrating their honeymoon immediately, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decided to delay it.

It was an unexpected move at the time and Clarence House said that William would return to work at his RAF Search and Rescue base in Anglesey, North Wales, just four days after the wedding.

But they travelled to the Seychelles 10 days after the wedding.

They then took a helicopter to the small North Island where they stayed in a villa.

When will the winner be announced?

The date is yet to be announced for the TV special.

The finalists were chosen on March 14, 2022 and invited to Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly location to bake their recipe for the judges.

A winner is set to be announced on the BBC special, airing in mid-May.

They will have a special role to play in the Queen’s Jubilee events.

What is the Platinum Pudding Competition?

The Platinum Pudding Competition is a competition run by prestigious department store Fortnum & Mason.

Entries have now closed and the judges have whittled down the thousands of puddings down to just five finalists.

They will battle it out on a one hour BBC documentary, where the winner will be announced.

When defining a pudding, the competition rules said: “Steamed or baked, layered or rolled, a pie or crumble, a cake or tart, the Platinum Pudding Competition is open to interpretation.”

Camilla teams up with Mary Berry

The Duchess of Cornwall has teamed up with Dame Mary Berry to judge The Big Jubilee Lunch.

They will also be picking the winner of the Fortnums national Pudding Competition.

Who will attend the Big Windsor Lunch?

Everyone is invited to bring their table along to the Big Windsor Lunch as organisers hope to break the world record for the longest ever picnic table.

Nearer the time there will also be the option to reserve spaces on the long table. Once the tables are full, picnic-goers will be encouraged to add their own tables or picnic blankets to the surrounding area.

Aside from the record attempt, the Big Windsor Lunch aims to allow people from different communities and backgrounds to come together and celebrate the Queen’s jubilee together in a unique and exciting atmosphere.

People living locally to Windsor are encouraged to bring their own picnic tables or blankets, and to and to watch the national Platinum Pageant together on the big screens.

Bunting and Union Jack flags are also encouraged for those attending the Big Windsor Lunch, as well as picnic food favourites.

When is the Big Windsor Lunch at Windsor Castle?

The record breaking picnic attempt is taking place in Windsor during the extended Bank Holiday weekend on Sunday, June 5, 2022, with festivities’ kicking off at 12.30pm.

The Big Windsor Lunch is part of National Thank You Day.

The long table will be running all the way from Cambridge Gate towards the Copper Horse

Those in attendance will be expected to stick to the Commonwealth theme for the Sunday Celebrations as part of the four-day festivities.

What are the types of beacons?

Thousands of community beacons will be lit by communities and charities all over the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

Commonwealth Beacons

Fifty-four commonwealth beacons will be lit in all the capital cities of the Commonwealth.

Principal Beacon

The main beacon, known as the principal beacon, will be lit at 9pm.

How to watch the Platinum Jubilee Beacons near me

Jubilee Beacons are going to be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and British Overseas Territories.

There will also be Jubilee Beacons lit up in the capital cities of all Commonwealth nations.

Beacons are being lit at thousands of locations across the United Kingdom, if you want to attend your local ceremony in person you can find your nearest beacon lighting event or other Platinum Jubilee events on the government website.

The lighting of the Principal Beacon on Thursday, June 2, 2022 is set to take place at around 9pm, with other beacons set to be lit together at 9.45pm.

Crowds will undoubtedly gather at Buckingham Palace to watch the event, or there will be large television screens showing proceeding at other locations, like the Royal Parks, in London.

There are three different types of beacon being lit on June 2, 2022.

What are the Platinum Jubilee Beacons?

A beacon is a fire or light that is usually lit up high as a warning, signal or as a celebration, beacons are similar to small bonfires.

There is a long royal tradition associated with lighting beacons for celebratory purposes.

Although used for communication in the past, lighting beacons is now a purely ceremonial act.

In this instance, lighting beacons across the country and the Commonwealth represents the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and symbolises unity.

People in countries with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state are being asked to take part in this tradition, to gather together and thank her for her seven decade-long premiership.

Kate and William ‘can save monarchy’

Kate and Prince William are the “only thing that can save the monarchy” when Prince Charles becomes king, a royal expert has claimed.

In an interview with the Express, Royal commentator and PR expert Kinsey Schofield said: “I do want to see them [Kate and William] a lot more because I think that they are the future of the monarchy.

“I think that they are the only thing that can save the monarchy because I do think that there is going to be pushback when Charles becomes king, and as long as Prince William is on the horizon, there is hope. He is coming. He is next.”