William tries out an electric racing car and Kate is all positive energy at Buckingham Palace. Pics: Prince and Princess of Wales Insta
He’s a green-powered royal, so it was fitting Prince William visited the Jaguar TCS Racing HQ in Kidlington, on Thursday and tried out a “fantastic” replica F1 electric racing car. It was a bit of a squash for the prince, who stands at 6ft 3in. “There’s not a lot of room in the legs, is there?” he joked. “Incredible to see the world leading approach to innovation and sustainability in Formula E. A huge well done to the team as they shift towards an all-electric future,” he posted on Instagram.
Catherine was similarly electric at a special reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. This lovely snap of her embracing emotional George Cross recipient, Tony Gledhill, 88, would melt even the hardest of hearts. Tony had recently been widowed and told the princess, his late wife of 67 years had informed him he should go to the palace on his own. According to The Telegraph, she hugged him and said, “We’ll keep in touch? You must, if you want to? Writing? Please do.”
On April 29, they celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary and we can’t help but reflect how far the couple has come. One million people lined the streets of London for their wedding in Westminster Abbey and it was watched by two billion TV viewers around the world.
The newlyweds were determined to do things their own way – something they’ve stuck to – living in privacy in a farmhouse in Anglesey, Wales, while William was stationed there with the RAF; later moving to Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall, Norfolk, after welcoming Prince George in 2013. In 2014, they took the eight-month old with them on a tour of Australia and New Zealand and in 2015, he was joined by sister, Princess Charlotte, then brother Louis, in 2018. They have always made sure to balance their workload with their young family and even more so, after Catherine’s cancer diagnosis in 2024.
Now, looking forward, the couple is all about change and we can expect much more to come. Having moved to Forest Lodge, in Windsor, an eight-bed house they’re dubbing their “forever home”, even after they are monarchs, William told Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveller, “Change is on my agenda. Change for good. I embrace that and I enjoy that change – I don’t fear it.”
What they means, insiders predict, is a smaller-still pool of working royals, which will most likely no longer feature Beatrice or Eugenie and it’s unlikely there will be a full reconciliation with brother Harry, with some pundits even going as far as saying he’ll strip him of his royal titles in the future, like Andrew.
One thing’s for certain – like an electric racing car, we, and William and Kate, are racing into the future.
We’re not going to lie, we always wanted a Blue Peter badge when we were kids, but were never diligent enough to collect milk bottle tops, to snag one. The King was presented with his very own Green Blue Peter Badge on Earth Day, on Wednesday, at Dumfries House in Scotland, for a special edition of the childrens’ TV programme. Given to him by presenter and magician Joel Mawhinney to acknowledge his commitment to protecting nature and his work with The King’s Foundation, we have to admit, His Maj didn’t look like he was exactly thrilled. When Joel said he didn’t have to pop it on right then, he agreed and snapped the box shut with his own flourish. Whoops!
Our beautiful monarch. Pic: Prince and Princess of Wales
On what would have been Her Majesty’s 100th birthday on April 21, Charles released a heartfelt video speech, in which he remembered his “Darling Mama”. As part of his tribute, he recalled: “Millions will remember her for moments of national significance; many others for a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits…. or for that marvellous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life… God bless you, darling Mama; you remain forever in our hearts and prayers.”
During the day, Charles and Camilla, joined by other royals, visited the British Museum to view the final design recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial, while in Regent’s Park, Anne opened The Queen Elizabeth II Garden which opens to the public tomorrow. We’re definitely heading there soon, especially when the sun is shining.
Harry popped up in Ukraine this week, and in an interview with ITV News, he said: “I will always be part of the Royal family and I’m here working and doing the very thing I was born to do.” Maybe with an eye on his father’s visit to the United States starting tomorrow, Harry also called on world leaders to show “proper leadership” to bring an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
As part of the trip, Harry joined the Halo Trust in Bucha, which is working to clear landmines. Diana famously took a trip with the charity to Angola in January 1997. Harry revealed: “I enjoy being able to do these trips and coming to support the people that I’ve met before, the friends that I’ve made. And hopefully bringing attention to issues that, for one reason or another, drop out of the news because something else has popped up.”
Eight really is great! We loved seeing Louis so happy and sporty in the video and a photo posted by his parents to celebrate his big day. It’s wonderful to get a glimpse of Louis growing up into a royal superstar. Like the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘Thank you for all the birthday wishes for Prince Louis. 8 is great!’ The birthday bunting will be staying up for another week at Forest Lodge, Charlotte turns 11 on Saturday!
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