Queen Elizabeth news: Her Majesty 'terrified' over William's safety as Charles planning 'slimmed-down coronation'

THE Queen is "terrified" over the line of succession being broken, a source has claimed.

Her Majesty has reportedly urged Prince William not to fly with his family in helicopters over fears it could damage the line of succession. 

The monarch is said to be “terrified” disaster could strike, according to a source close to the Queen.

The source said: "Her Majesty has told close friends and courtiers that she would like William to stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather, as helicopters are not the safest form of transport. It keeps the Queen awake at night and she is understandably very worried.”

Meanwhile, a source has also claimed Charles will have a "slimmed down coronation" when he takes the throne.

"The source said: 'It will be a slimmed-down Monarchy on display throughout. I wouldn't be surprised to see just Charles and Camilla, Kate and William and their children on the Buckingham Palace balcony afterwards'."

Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…

  • Joseph Gamp

    The Queen faces new misery over Prince Andrew’s sex abuse case

    THE Queen faces new Prince Andrew sex allegations torment.

    Her son’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, has been invited to speak at the sentencing of his sex trafficker pal Ghislaine Maxwell.

    The hearing in New York on June 28 threatens to cast a cloud over Platinum Jubilee celebrations that month.

    Last month, Ms Giuffre and Andrew settled out of court on her civil claim that they had sex when she was 17.

    Under the deal’s terms the mum of three, now 38, is said to have agreed to keep quiet until after the jubilee.

    A legal source said: “Maxwell’s sentencing could be the first time we hear from Virginia since the settlement.

    “It will bring the whole affair with Andrew back up again just as he hopes to move on.”

  • Joseph Gamp

    Prince Michael returns his Russian honours amid Ukraine war

    Prince Michael of Kent is returning the Order of Friendship honour amid the current war in Ukraine.

    The honours were received from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2009 for his work on Anglo-Russo relations and is considered one of the highest orders in Russia.

    A spokesman for the prince said: “I can confirm that HRH Prince Michael of Kent is returning his Russian Order of Friendship.

    “There will be no further comment.”

  • Joseph Gamp

    Queen 'will never live in Buckingham Palace again'

    THE Queen will never live in Buckingham Palace again, it is claimed.

    The 95-year-old monarch will instead make Windsor Castle her permanent address after two years "working from home" there.

    She is said to favour it after she and Prince Philip stayed there in lockdown — and he was laid to rest in the Royal Vault at the castle. Buckingham

    Palace is undergoing a tenyear £369million refurbishment to replace wiring, plumbing and heating systems from the 1950s.

    A royal source told the Sunday Times: "The reservicing does not end until 2027. While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term."

    Prince Charles has said he will live at the palace when he becomes king.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Platinum Jubliee: Full list of events REVEALED

    BUCKINGHAM Palace has unveiled the full programme of events and there’s not long to wait.

    With three months to go until the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, one royal expert says it will bring light in a desperately dark time.

    Analyst Jonathan Sacerdoti told the Mirrror : “There is very little doubt that she is looking forward to her Platinum Jubilee enormously. Like most of us, I’m sure she can’t wait.

    “While it certainly doesn’t put away the problems she has had over a past year, she will also know that no time is perfect – the Queen is a very pragmatic person.

    “I think the most important thing is that she is healthy and can enjoy her celebrations with her family.

    “It’s hard to believe it’s less than three months away, and she will be determined to make the absolute most of it.”

    Celebrations will include her Majesty opening her private estates to the public and some of the world’s biggest stars performing outside her iconic headquarters, with a 90-minute show at Windsor Castle.

    There will also be a Platinum Party at Buckingham Palace, with Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton John said to be being lined up to perform.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Harry begged the Queen for a 'better office'

    PRINCE Harry had once ‘appealed’ to the Queen for a better Office after being offered a ‘back room’ in Buckingham Palace after they were asked to leave Kensington Palace.

    The room they were originally offered was described by Robert Hardman as being ‘so small and inadequate’ that Prince ‘rejected it instantly’.

    Robert Hardman told the Mail: “When the Sussexes were told to move their offices out of Kensington Palace, they were initially offered a back office at Buckingham Palace so small and inadequate that Prince Harry rejected it instantly. 

    “Eventually, an appeal to the Queen ensured that somewhere more appropriate was found alongside the Master of the Household’s team on a main corridor. 

    “In May, relations with both the Palace and the press had reached such a low that the couple decided to handle the news of the birth of their baby on their own terms.”

  • Joseph Gamp

    Queen 'would remain head of state in an independent Scotland'

    The Queen would remain head of state in an independent Scotland, the SNP Westminster leader has confirmed.

    Speaking to the PA news agency, Ian Blackford rejected claims an independent Scotland could have a referendum on whether to retain the monarchy.

    SNP policy ahead of the 2014 referendum on independence was to retain the Queen as head of state if Scotland declared independence, although since then many individual members have called for the issue to be decided by a vote in the future.

    In 2020, SNP MP for Glasgow North Patrick Grady did not rule out axing the Queen as Scotland's sovereign during a talk at King's College London, as he claimed "it would be for the people of Scotland to decide this eventually".

    When asked about the prospect of a plebiscite, Mr Blackford said: "The Queen will remain head of state in an independent Scotland."

  • John Hall

    Prince Harry's noticeable change

    ROYAL photographer Arthur Edwards has revealed that Prince Harry changed after meeting Meghan Markle and became 'very very distant' whilst on tours.

    Arthur has toured toured with the British royal family for more than 40 years, taking incredible snaps of the royal family.

    In an interview with news.com.au’s I’ve Got News For You podcast, Arthur Edwards said: "Camilla would always say hello, Kate says hello, William, yeah, they’re all very friendly and so was Harry until he met Meghan, and then he became very very distant and he became almost, well, it was miserable.

    “In fact in the end I didn’t do Harry’s tours. I didn’t do Harry’s tour of Australia, not with Meghan. I didn’t do Harry’s tour of South Africa with Meghan.

    “I just find it very depressing with them. They just hated the media and it was miserable so I ducked out of them and sort of went with Charles to New Zealand and you know places like that.”

  • John Hall

    Queen faces new misery over Andrew’s sex abuse case

    THE Queen faces new Prince Andrew sex allegations torment.

    Her son’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, has been invited to speak at the sentencing of his sex trafficker pal Ghislaine Maxwell.

    The hearing in New York on June 28 threatens to cast a cloud over Platinum Jubilee celebrations that month.

    A legal source said: “Maxwell’s sentencing could be the first time we hear from Virginia since the settlement.

    "It will bring the whole affair with Andrew back up again just as he hopes to move on.”

  • John Hall

    Buckingham Palace under ten year refurbishment

    Buckingham Palace – which has been the official seat of the monarchy since 1837 – is currently going through a ten year £369 million refurbishment to replace wiring, plumbing and heating systems that have been in place since the 1950s.

    Speaking to The Times, a royal source said: “The reservicing does not end until 2027.

    "While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term.”

  • John Hall

    'Windsor is the place the Queen loves'

    Following the reports that The Queen has decided to leave Buckingham Palace for good, a royal expert has said that this moves 'makes sense'.

    Royal author Hugo Vickers told The Sunday Times: “Windsor is the place she loves. She has her memories with Prince Philip there, she has her ponies there and family nearby. It makes sense.”

    Before Prince Philip's death, the monarch spent a large portion of the coronavirus lockdown at Windsor Castle with him there.

    Sources claim the couple “rediscovered the happiness of their early years together” during this time.

  • Louis Allwood

    Prince William faced 'added anguish' after Sussexes tell all interview

    The Sussexes Oprah Winfrey interview shook the royal family but caused 'added anguish' to Harry's brother Prince William.

    According to royal author Robert Hardman, the interview particularly impacted Harry’s older brother William.

    In an extract of his new book, 'Queen Of Our Times: The Life Of Elizabeth II' Mr Hardman wrote: “For Prince William, there was the added anguish of seeing the younger brother whom he had protected (and who had idolised him) now throwing incendiary and, in some cases, unanswerable charges into the public domain, fully aware of their likely impact.

    "‘William,’ says one friend, ‘was as low as I’d ever seen him.’"

    “Since the Oprah interview, the brothers have only met twice — at Prince Philip’s funeral and at the unveiling of the statue of their mother at Kensington Palace.”

  • Louis Allwood

    Prince Harry's noticeable change

    ROYAL photographer Arthur Edwards has revealed that Prince Harry changed after meeting Meghan Markle and became 'very very distant' whilst on tours.

    Arthur has toured toured with the British royal family for more than 40 years, taking incredible snaps of the royal family.

    In an interview with news.com.au’s I’ve Got News For You podcast, Arthur Edwards said: "Camilla would always say hello, Kate says hello, William, yeah, they’re all very friendly and so was Harry until he met Meghan, and then he became very very distant and he became almost, well, it was miserable.

    “In fact in the end I didn’t do Harry’s tours. I didn’t do Harry’s tour of Australia, not with Meghan. I didn’t do Harry’s tour of South Africa with Meghan.

    “I just find it very depressing with them. They just hated the media and it was miserable so I ducked out of them and sort of went with Charles to New Zealand and you know places like that.”

  • Louis Allwood

    Future of Buckingham Palace

    It is thought future king Charles will take up residence in Buckingham Palace, despite being known to prefer living in Clarence House.

    The Prince of Wales is said to be keen that his mother's home remains as "monarchy HQ" when he takes over.

    He also plans to allow greater access for the public at Buckingham Palace and other properties as he heads a new era for the royals.

  • Louis Allwood

    New misery for the Queen

    THE Queen faces new Prince Andrew sex allegations torment.

    Her son’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, has been invited to speak at the sentencing of his sex trafficker pal Ghislaine Maxwell.

    The hearing in New York on June 28 threatens to cast a cloud over Platinum Jubilee celebrations that month.

    Last month, Ms Giuffre and Andrew settled out of court on her civil claim that they had sex when she was 17.

    Under the deal’s terms the mum of three, now 38, is said to have agreed to keep quiet until after the jubilee.

    A legal source said: “Maxwell’s sentencing could be the first time we hear from Virginia since the settlement.

    “It will bring the whole affair with Andrew back up again just as he hopes to move on.”

  • Louis Allwood

    'It was him who taught her how to take photographs'

    It has been reported that The Duchess of Cambridge had learnt how to take good photographs from her grandfather.

    She learned to take pictures when she was a girl and regularly visited her grandfather, Peter Middleton.

    Kate, 40, has become an accomplished photographer and taken control of her family's image to a new level.

    Claudia Acott Williams, curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: "Her grandfather was a very good photographer. When she was a child, he would show her his slides. It was him who taught her how to take photographs."

  • Louis Allwood

    Harry & Meghan advised to ditch attention-seeking stunts

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to only return to the UK for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee if they can "keep it quiet", a royal expert has said.

    Royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti claimed it would "probably be better" if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not return, saying that it would "steal" attention from her.

    Speaking to Us Weekly's Royally Us, Mr Sacerdoti said: "I don't personally imagine Meghan coming to the UK very easily.

    "She may prove me wrong but people here have such a low opinion of her if not of both of them these days that I think she would be very brave to come back to the UK.

    "But I do still say that if they could come back and if they could not be front and centre, keep it quiet but just come back to help celebrate not just for the Queen but for the whole country then that will probably be very nice and it might rehabilitate them somewhat towards the British people.

    "I don't really think that's their style anymore.

    "They don't like to do things quietly, they don't like someone else to be the centre of attention when they're around and I think that where Harry and Meghan go, it's the Harry and Meghan show."

  • Louis Allwood

    'Windsor is the place the Queen loves'

    Following the reports that The Queen has decided to leave Buckingham Palace for good, a royal expert has said that this moves 'makes sense'.

    Royal author Hugo Vickers told The Sunday Times: “Windsor is the place she loves. She has her memories with Prince Philip there, she has her ponies there and family nearby. It makes sense.”

    Before Prince Philip's death, the monarch spent a large portion of the coronavirus lockdown at Windsor Castle with him there.

    Sources claim the couple “rediscovered the happiness of their early years together” during this time.

  • Louis Allwood

    Prince's Harry and Meghan anguish exposed

    According to a royal expert, Prince William was left at his "lowest point" following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's departure from the Firm.

    Royal author Robert Hardman, said that the Oprah interview in particular impacted Harry’s older brother, William.

    In an extract of his new book, 'Queen Of Our Times: The Life Of Elizabeth II' ​​published by Macmillan on March 17, Mr Hardman wrote: “For Prince William, there was the added anguish of seeing the younger brother whom he had protected (and who had idolised him) now throwing incendiary and, in some cases, unanswerable charges into the public domain, fully aware of their likely impact.

    “Since the Oprah interview, the brothers have only met twice — at Prince Philip’s funeral and at the unveiling of the statue of their mother at Kensington Palace.”

  • Louis Allwood

    Queen faces new misery over Andrew’s sex abuse case

    THE Queen faces new Prince Andrew sex allegations torment.

    Her son’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, has been invited to speak at the sentencing of his sex trafficker pal Ghislaine Maxwell.

    The hearing in New York on June 28 threatens to cast a cloud over Platinum Jubilee celebrations that month.

    A legal source said: “Maxwell’s sentencing could be the first time we hear from Virginia since the settlement.

    "It will bring the whole affair with Andrew back up again just as he hopes to move on.”

  • Louis Allwood

    Buckingham Palace under ten year refurbishment

    Buckingham Palace – which has been the official seat of the monarchy since 1837 – is currently going through a ten year £369 million refurbishment to replace wiring, plumbing and heating systems that have been in place since the 1950s.

    Speaking to The Times, a royal source said: “The reservicing does not end until 2027.

    "While ongoing, it is not really a place to stay long-term.”

  • Louis Allwood

    Thanks for reading

    Louis Allwood here, signing off for the evening.

    Thanks for following our live coverage of the royal family.

  • Louis Allwood

    Platinum Jubilee to open US relations

    Royal expert and former adviser of US-UK relations, Lee Cohen, spoke to Express.co.uk about the benefits the Platinum Jubilee has on wider international relations.

    Mr Cohen said it was "ironic" that there is no holiday celebrating America's history with the UK, and believed the Platinum Jubilee could bolster the relationship between the US and the UK.

    Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Cohen was asked what benefits could be seen from the Platinum Jubilee.

    He explained: "The Jubilee is an occasion to celebrate a great person and her achievements. 

    "But it is also a reminder for those who would like to forget, and those who were never taught, that, as Americans our heritage, values, and cherished freedoms were born in England and Britain. 

    "In [the US], we celebrate Irish pride, Puerto Rican pride, and commemorate Black History, LGBT history, and many others.

    "It is ironic, and perhaps telling, that there are no celebrations of our English and British heritage that gave rise to our truly great and unique nation.  

    "I will take the Jubilee as an opportunity to celebrate all that the USA and the Anglosphere owe to our mother country. 

    "The Queen is the living embodiment, not only of that country, but she represents an era through which all of us alive today have lived and thus we are shared celebrants in her momentous anniversary."

  • Louis Allwood

    Meghan Markle faces being quizzed under oath

    Meghan Markle faces being quizzed under oath after half-sister Samantha says she’ll sue over the Oprah interview.

    The duchess could be forced to sit for a legal deposition by lawyers representing her sibling, it’s claimed.

    Samantha alleges Meghan made defamatory statements in the bombshell chat last March.

    And a source close to the case says Meg’s 57-year-old sibling intends to “forensically challenge” every detail of the interview, the Mirror reports.

    Legal reps for the duchess say the suit is “baseless”.

    But if Samantha succeeds, it could mean that Meghan could be asked to name the alleged ‘royal racist’.

    The source told the publication: “Nothing is off-limits if the duchess is deposed.”

    The lawsuit focuses on claims made during the interview, including details of Meghan’s childhood.

  • Louis Allwood

    'Ditch attention-seeking stunts'

    HARRY and Meghan advised to 'ditch attention-seeking stunts' by royal expert.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been urged to only return to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee if they can “keep it quiet”, a royal expert has said.

    Royal expert Jonathan Sacerdoti claimed it would “probably be better” if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not return, saying that it would “steal” attention from her.

    Speaking to Us Weekly’s Royally Us, Mr Sacerdoti said: “I don’t personally imagine Meghan coming to the UK very easily.

    “She may prove me wrong but people here have such a low opinion of her if not of both of them these days that I think she would be very brave to come back to the UK.

    “But I do still say that if they could come back and if they could not be front and centre, keep it quiet but just come back to help celebrate not just for the Queen but for the whole country then that will probably be very nice and it might rehabilitate them somewhat towards the British people.

    “I don’t really think that’s their style anymore.

    “They don’t like to do things quietly, they don’t like someone else to be the centre of attention when they’re around and I think that where Harry and Meghan go, it’s the Harry and Meghan show.”

  • Louis Allwood

    The Queen would 'desperately like to see' Lilibet

    Royal author Brian Hoey, who has written extensively about the royal family, told The Express that the Queen is very keen to meet Lilibet in the flesh.

    Mr Hoey said: "I have heard from people I know within the Royal Household, she really would desperately like to see the baby in this way.

    "I think she would love to, I wonder whether it is going to happen, I would love to think it could" he added.

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