Royal Special: The Passions and Pastimes of the Royal Family

King Charles wanted a 'slimmed down' monarchy, but sources say it’s now so thin that there aren’t enough royals to go around.The situation has become so bad, OK! can exclusively reveal that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are being considered for a number of engagements next year when the Royal Family embarks on a two-year tour of the Commonwealth. A source told us: “Emergency meetings have been held to come up with a solution to fulfil the growing number of royal engagements both here in the UK and abroad.

Like lots of children across the UK this week, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have left the classroom behind them to enjoy their school half-term holiday. And there’s another familiar scenario playing out too as their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, juggle the young royals’ very different focuses.

It was revealed earlier this year that senior members of the royal family are gearing up for two years of worldwide tours in a bid "to keep Commonwealth intact" in a "soft democracy" blitz. Among the most vital visits will be one to Australia, with it being predicted that a tour would be planned for next year to tie into King Charles' appearance at the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Samoa.

take a step back as senior members of The Firm in January 2020.By March of that year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had made their final rounds of royal engagements and moved to Canada — and then onward to their more permanent home in Montecito, Calif.Now, amid Markle, 42, and Harry’s recent public appearances at the Invictus Games last month and visit to New York City for World Mental Health Day earlier this week, the “Suits” star’s alleged last words before officially leaving royal life — uttered quietly to a confidante — have resurfaced.Omid Scobie — co-author of the book “Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan” — reveals in the new biography what Markle’s supposed final words on that difficult final day. “It didn’t have to be this way,” she reportedly learned and whispered tearfully to the journalist.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year aged 96, the late monarch's cousin Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent took her place as the oldest living member of the Royal Family.

The wedding of the decade saw Prince William marry his university girlfriend, Catherine Middleton, in front of a global TV audience of more than 60 million people. While few fans need reminding that their romance started ten years earlier when they were both studying at St Andrews University in Scotland, the couple had a very near miss the year before as they both undertook gap years.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to forge a career away from the Royal Family continues after several of their projects, including their deal with Spotify, fell through. While the couple often appear as spokespeople for causes they are passionate about, there is another career path open to Meghan that is rumoured to be a real possibility for the former actress. A move into US politics has seen Meghan be billed as "an interesting candidate", as she has never been one to shy away from expressing her opinion - whether it was on the controversial Roe V Wade ruling or making her opposition to former US President Donald Trump clear.

King Charles is keen for Prince William and Kate Middleton to increase the number of royal engagements they undertake next year, according to a source. They say the idea would be to lighten the load on more senior members of the Royal Family. Royal insiders have said that in response to a growing interest in the Royal Family among a younger generation, the King is keen to bring William and Kate to the forefront to help build a future the monarch can sustain.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s closeness to Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice has left the Royal Family “worried” that the friendship could cause a “new royal feud” according to reports. Despite moving to the US back in 2020, Prince Harry, 39, is said to have remained close to his two cousins, with one royal expert previously telling OK! that he won’t “burn that final bridge with Eugenie and Beatrice”.

Following Queen Elizabeth's death last year at the age of 96, her cousin Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent became the oldest living member of the Royal Family. Born on October 9, 1935 in Belgrave Square, London, Prince Edward was the son of Prince George and Princess Marina, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. He has led a very interesting life which has included being thrust into his role at a young age, carrying out decades of royal service, heading up one of the most secretive organisations and experiencing religious scandal within his own family.

King Charles' skills with a brush and watercolours have made him a top-selling artist, and other family members have also shown they are quick on the draw. Not only does Charles reign over the country, but he has proven himself to be a king in the art world too, as one of the UK’s most successful living painters.The King’s love of using watercolours first began at Gordonstoun school in Scotland, and signed copies of his work now sell at auction for four-figure sums.

Kate Middleton is an "incredibly successful import into the Royal Family" but she is in a "lonely position", a royal expert said. The Princess of Wales has certainly taken on more responsibilities since the Queen died last year, alongside her husband Prince William, with the royal couple now seeking a CEO for their household.

There are very few people who don’t enjoy a good boogie from time to time, and members of the Royal Family are no exception. From an early age, the late Queen Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret had ballet lessons provided by London’s renowned Vacani School of Dance, which also taught a young Prince Charles years later.

With an exclusive menu prepared by chefs and served by footmen on a silver tray, Queen Elizabeth’s pampered pooches dined every day on freshly cooked meat, vegetables, rice and a special gravy, said to be made from Her Majesty’s own recipe.The late Queen described her dogs as her “family”, and over the course of her life she owned more than 30 corgis. Diana, Princess of Wales, once referred to the monarch’s dogs as a “moving carpet” that would accompany her to meetings with world leaders and prime ministers.

Mirror reported Tuesday.There has been back and forth for a time between Andrew and Charles, 74, on whether or not the former could stay at his longtime home.The king had previously inquired Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, in an attempt to scale down the monarchy.The outlet then noted that the Duke of York’s been “given time to assure his brother he can come up with the necessary funds to carry out much needed repairs” on the Royal Lodge. Andrew has been given a “stay of execution,” despite the repairs on the 30-room mansion needing more than $2 million to renovate.He also reportedly cashed out on more than $200,000 for roof repairs over the summer.Prince Andrew was famously stripped of his royal and military honors by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following his alleged friendship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Fox News.“I just feel that Meghan’s never really embraced the rules and rituals of the royal family,” he explained. “The royal family is very much in the rearview mirror of her life.

After many months of speculation, it appears that the Duke of York will be allowed to keep his home at the 30-room Royal Lodge on the Windsor Estate, rather than relocate to a smaller home, The Mirror reports.The news comes after ongoing reports that King Charles wishes to downsize the number of properties that make up the royal portfolio, it was suggested that Prince Andrew could move into the slightly smaller Frogmore Cottage - the former home of Prince Harry and Meghan.The paper has revealed that Andrew, 63, has been granted a “stay of execution”, despite his annual £250,000 handout being stopped the King and his home needing an estimated £2million in repairs. It has also been claimed that Prince Andrew had paid more than £200,000 for roof repairs over the summer, described by sources as an "interim payment".

It is a huge challenge to name any new royal baby, especially if that youngster is destined to one day be king or queen. Almost every royal name has at least one, if not more, links to previous royals. Whether it is William, George, Henry or Elizabeth, it is important that there are no overriding historical associations which will affect their future.

given the royal titles of prince and princess.Now, one expert on the Sussex saga is speaking out — saying that King Charles, even if well-intentioned, made the absolute wrong decision.Tom Bower, author of “Revenge: Megan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors” told the Express recently that Charles’ made a “terrible mistake” by throwing the royal lifeline to his California-dwelling grandkids — saying that the move could well end up embarrassing and even damaging the sovereignty.By decree, Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2, are now sixth and seventh in line to the British throne, despite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex making the noisiest of exits from the Firm, back in 2020. “Harry and Meghan have undermined the monarchy,” Bower said.

Royal christenings have for years been enormous events and cause for celebration among keen fans.The ceremonies have been held in various locations, such as in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace or in the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace. One location that has only seen two christenings of living members of the Royal Family holds many special memories.The setting in question is St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where both Princess Eugenie and Princess Charlotte were christened.The stunning church may look familiar as it is where the Royal Family gather almost every year for the annual Christmas Day service before heading back to Sandringham House for lunch.