PRINCE Charles will axe several royals after the Queen's death as part of his plan to streamline the Monarchy, it is claimed.
While the future king is understood to have long favoured a slimmed-down Royal Family, his exact plans have never been publicly disclosed.
One thing is for sure – the days of second and third cousins of the monarch living opulent lives off taxpayer money are already long gone thanks to diligent royal restructuring work the Queen carried out during her reign.
But Charles is said to be plotting to take that to its logical next step, as thanks to the Queen having four children all of whom have large families themselves, the Royal Family actually grew considerably during her reign.
He now plans to cut it down to just six key members,casting those who don't make the cut adrift according to friend of the royals Gyles Brandreth.
"I think that going forward we are going to see, we are going to go back to a much slimmed down [monarchy]," he told the Express.
"We will have the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and we will have Princess Anne… We will also have Prince Edward, who is going to become the new Duke of Edinburgh," he added.
"Then we will have William and Catherine for the next generation."
If Giles is correct this stripped-down senior Royal Family will cut out Charles' disgraced brother Prince Andrew as well as his son Prince Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan Markle.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Alice Peacock
QUEEN OUTLINES PLAN FOR NATIONAL RECOVERY FROM PANDEMIC
The Queen has said the Government's priority is to "deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before".
Addressing Parliament from the throne in the House of Lords this morning, she said: "My Government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth, and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services".
"My Government will protect the health of the nation, continuing the vaccination programme and providing additional funding to support the NHS."
While there was no specific legislation, "proposals on social care will be brought forward", she said.
Setting out Boris Johnson's programme, she said the Government would build on the success of the vaccination programme to "lead the world in life sciences" while there would be the "fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development".
- Alice Peacock
THE QUEEN LEAVING WINDSOR FOR PARLIAMENT THIS MORNING
- Alice Peacock
PLANS CONFIRMED IN THE QUEEN'S SPEECH
- A new online harms bill to keep kids safe online and slam Facebook and Google if they break the rules
- Extra cash for the army
- Fresh plans for a post-Covid crackdown on obesity
- Extra help to buy homes with a planning bill to rip up red tape and ground rents to be banned for new homes
- Lifetime deposits for renters moving home
- Protecting animals' feelings in law – with proposals to force cats to get microchipped and new legislation to meet eco goals
- Ripping up the Fixed Term Parliaments Act so the PM of the day can call an election when they want
- Fresh plans for voters to take ID to the polls in future
- Levelling up and extra skills for the North – with new plans for lifetime loans
- A new NHS bill to reform and update the health system
- Immigration laws to stop people crossing the channel in small boats
- New measures to crack down on foreign spies
- Alice Peacock
QUEEN DONS LILAC FOR STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
- Alice Peacock
QUEEN'S SPEECH UNVEILS JOHNSON'S PLANS FOR FREE SPEECH, VOTING
Her Majesty has marked the beginning of the parliamentary session by delivering the Queen's Speech, which sets out the Government's legislative plans.
The speech has combined interventionist economics with openly populist moves in topics such as free speech, policing and voter ID.
The Queen announced the list of planned new bills in a relatively minimalist ceremony with only 74 people, in the Lords chamber.
She began by saying the overall aim was to "level up opportunities" across the UK.
“My government’s priority is to deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before,” she said.
“To achieve this, my government will level up opportunities across all parts of the United Kingdom, supporting jobs, businesses and economic growth and addressing the impact of the pandemic on public services.”
- Alice Peacock
PHILIP ACCOMPANIED THE QUEEN AT THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT IN 2019
- Alice Peacock
QUEEN'S FIRST OFFICIAL CEREMONY SINCE PHILIP'S FUNERAL
Her Majesty has set off to Parliament today for her first official ceremony since Prince Philip's funeral.
The monarch, 95, will attend the State Opening of Parliament today as she continues to mourn the loss of her beloved husband of 73 years.
The Queen was seen in her car leaving Windsor this morning as she made her way to the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster.
Today, the monarch marks the beginning of the parliamentary session by delivering the Queen's Speech – which sets out the Government's legislative plans.
Her Majesty will not be wearing ceremonial robes or a crown at the State Opening of Parliament – which will be a "Covid appropriate" event.
- Alice Peacock
ALAN CARR MAKES DIG AT MEGHAN
Alan Carr shocked viewers on his new series ITV Epic Gameshow after he made a joke about Meghan.
Each week contestants take on a different classic gameshow, with the latest show seeing participants playing Bullseye.
When profession darts player Fallon Sherrock was asked to provide a nickname to play under she replied: “The Queen of the Palace.”
Carr fired back: “I think that’s the nickname Meghan had her heart set on – and look how that turned out.”
- Joseph Gamp
WHAT DID MEGHAN SAY IN HER MOTHER’S DAY MESSAGE?
Meghan Markle made a generous Mother’s Day donation to homeless mothers.
In a video message she said: “Today, we are thrilled to have the support of Archewell Foundation, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Procter & Gamble, who are donating diapers, cleaning supplies, and other essential items to ensure that the moms and babies at Harvest Home are celebrated all throughout the year.”
“As a mum, and an expectant mom, I deeply appreciate the significance of community support, safe and accessible pregnancy resources, and trusted guidance in a nurturing setting,” Meghan said.
“These ingredients are essential to not just our physical health, but our mental well-being, and I commend you for leading a compassionate community that lives these values.”
Meghan continued: “Thank you for all you do for the women and mothers who are turned away elsewhere, at no fault of their own.”
- Joseph Gamp
WHEN WILL DIANA’S STATUE BE UNVEILED?
The statue will be unveiled on what would have been the 60th birthday of Princess Diana, who died in 1997.
Harry’s pregnant wife Meghan, 39, is expected to stay in the US. The Queen is also unlikely to go.
Another source said: “She feels this is William and Harry’s event and would not want to overshadow them.”
- Joseph Gamp
WHAT TIME IS THE QUEEN’S SPEECH TODAY?
The Queen is to make her annual speech today, where she will outline the political agenda of the Government.
It is the centrepiece of the ceremony marking the official opening of Parliament, for another parliamentary year.
As is tradition, the reigning monarch will deliver the speech from the House of Lords.
The key elements of her speech is expected to take place between 11am and 12:30 pm and normally lasts about 10 minutes.
Poignantly, it will be Her Majesty's first official appearance in public in her role as head of state, and first engagement outside of Windsor Castle, since Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died.
- Joseph Gamp
WILLIAM AND HARRY FEUD HAS BEEN RUMBLING ON FOR OVER A YEAR
Prince William and Harry have been arguing for the past year and a half, according to a Royal experts.
ITV News journalist Tom Bradby says the brother’s relationship has taken more than a year for things to get to the fraught place they are now.
“It used to be quite a straightforward thing, right, because they weren’t arguing and life was simple,” Bradby explained to The Times.
“And then it just slowly descended into something that was difficult personally and publicly—really over the past year and a half.”
- Joseph Gamp
MEGHAN SLAMS ‘SURGE IN GENDER BASED VIOLENCE’
Meghan Markle has slammed the “surge in gender-based violence” and “new obstacles that “have reversed so much progress for women in the workplace”.
She claimed the world is at an “inflection point for gender equity”, and told viewers that “women, and especially women of colour, have seen a generation of economic gain wiped out”, while speaking via video message for the Vax Live concert.
The duchess added: “But if we work together to bring vaccines to every country and continent, insist that vaccines are equitably distributed and fairly priced, and ensure that governments around the world are donating their additional vaccines to countries in need, then we can begin to fully rebuild.
“Not only to restore us to where we were before, but to go further, and rapidly advance the conditions, opportunity, and mobility for women everywhere.”
- Joseph Gamp
HBO MAX DELAYS SERIES OVER PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH
HBO Max has delayed its animated series The Prince over the death of Prince Philip.
The satirical show was expected to air in spring this year and is thought not to portray the senior royal in a good light.
HBO Max confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that it has delayed The Prince debut. “We were saddened to learn of Prince Philip’s passing and will adjust plans for the series debut,” a rep confirmed. “A new date will be announced at a later time.”
- Joseph Gamp
HARRY AND MEGHAN ARE 'THRILLED TO BE WELCOMING BABY GIRL'
The Sussexes are delighted over the impending birth of their baby girl.
Meghan Markle 39, spoke about the birth by video message at the Vax Live concert.
She said: “My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter.
“It’s a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world.
“When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who must be given the ability and the support to lead us forward.”
- Joseph Gamp
PHILIP'S 992 PATRONAGES WILL NOT BE PASSED DOWN TO OTHER ROYAL FAMILY MEMBERS
Prince Philip’s 992 patronages WON’T be passed down to other Royals amid plans to “slim down” the monarchy, Meghan Markle’s pal has claimed.
Finding Freedom author Omid Scobie said that many of the Duke of Edinburgh’s patronages could be retired as working royals take on more significant roles in fewer charities.
There are over 2,800 organisations in the UK which have a royal patron.
Prince Philip, who died last month, was associated with 992 different organisations either as patron, president or honorary member.
You can read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
MEGHAN AIDE ‘TRIED TO PROTECT HER FATHER FROM MEDIA INTRUSION’
The Duchess of Sussex’s former communications secretary “led extensive efforts” to defend her reputation and “protect her father from media intrusion”, according to a letter sent to the Mail On Sunday’s lawyers.
Jason Knauf “repeatedly” spoke to Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle and directly contacted media organisations to “object to intrusions into Mr Markle’s privacy” from 2016, his lawyers said in a letter last month.
Mr Knauf also advised that “a reference to Mr Markle’s ill-health be included” in a letter sent by the duchess to her father in August 2018, which his solicitors described as “only a very minor suggestion”.
But Mr Knauf “did not suggest any specific wording” and “did not draft, and has never claimed to have drafted, any parts of” the letter to Mr Markle, his lawyers Addleshaw Goddard said.
Mr Knauf, who now works as the chief executive of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, has been dragged into his former employer’s High Court battle with the publisher of the Mail On Sunday.
- Joseph Gamp
QUEEN SPOKE TO ARCHIE OVER ZOOM ON HIS BIRTHDAY
Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the move to the US last year with their son Archie, it’s believed the family have kept in regular contact with the Queen via Zoom.
And not missing out on the Archie’s second birthday this week, the 95-year-old monarch is said to have marked the occasion speaking with her great-grandson over video chat.
And according to sources, the young royal, who now has quite the vocabulary, “speaks with a distinct American accent” just like his mum Meghan, Mirror reports.
Since Meghan and Harry moved to California last year, royal fans haven’t seen much of their son Archie.
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE CHARLES TOOK AN IMMEDIATE SHINE TO MEGHAN WHEN THEY FIRST MET
Charles took an immediate shine to Meghan when they first met.
They both shared a passion for holistic medicine, and Charles was reportedly impressed with Meghan’s interest in British military history.
Charles even walked Meghan down the aisle at her wedding after her dad Thomas was unable to attend.
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCESS DIANA'S PANORAMA INTERVIEW TO FEATURE IN THE CROWN SEASON 5
Andrew Morton, the author of Diana’s 1992 biography, thinks his book and the late royal’s bombshell Panorama interview will be depicted on The Crown.
The Crown Season 5 will show “the drama behind the making of my book,” he is quoted as saying.
Morton, who consults on the series, told Insider.
Elizabeth Debicki will portray Diana in seasons 5 and 6 following Corrin’s performance in season 4.
- Joseph Gamp
EXPLAINED: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE QUEEN'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT TODAY?
HER Majesty the Queen will officially open Parliament for a fresh session today, and will let the nation know Boris Johnson's agenda for the next 12 months.
It's one of the major events in the political year as the PM's plans finally get earmarked to become laws.
The Queen, 95, will come to deliver her key-note address in one of her first major engagements since the death of her husband, Prince Philip.
But the occasion will be pared down over Covid, and will only feature a few dozen people in the room with Her Majesty.
Everyone who will go will have to test negative beforehand, and wear a mask.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
WHO IS PRINCESS MICHAEL?
Princess Michael of Kent, 75 – who was often called Princess Pushy – is married to the Queen’s paternal cousin Prince Michael of Kent.
She is a member of the British Royal Family of German, Austrian, and Hungarian descent, who was born in Karlsbad, Germany, which is now located in Czechia.
Born in 1945, her father – who was a Nazi party member – divorced from her mother a year later and she moved to Australia in 1950, where she was educated.
She then headed to London to study History of Fine and Decorative Art.
Princess Michael was an interior designer before becoming an author, who penned a number of books on European royalty.
Read the full story here.
- Joseph Gamp
WATCH: WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE QUEEN'S SPEECH TODAY?
What can we expect from the Queen’s Speech?
- Joseph Gamp
HBO MAX DELAYS SERIES OVER PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH
HBO Max has delayed its animated series The Prince over the death of Prince Philip.
The satirical show was expected to air in spring this year and is thought not to portray the senior royal in a good light.
HBO Max confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that it has delayed The Prince debut. “We were saddened to learn of Prince Philip’s passing and will adjust plans for the series debut,” a rep confirmed. “A new date will be announced at a later time.”
- Jon Rogers
HOW DOES ROYAL SUCCESSION WORK?
The rules of royal succession have changed significantly in recent years.
Leaders of 16 British Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Jamaica) voted in 2011 to alter the centuries-old tradition to include daughters as well as sons.
Previously daughters could only inherit the throne if there were no living sons.
This system, which dated back 300 years, is based on the rules of primogeniture which gives preference to the firstborn male heirs of a king or queen.
This change in royal succession means Princess Charlotte, as William and Kate’s daughter, is ahead of her younger brother.
Source: Read Full Article
