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<b>Prince William spotted selling Big Issue in London</b>

<I>The prince is seen being "humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy" in a street not far from Buckingham Palace.</I>

Prince William has been spotted selling copies of the Big Issue in central London.

The second in line to the throne was in Rochester Row on Wednesday afternoon, not far from Buckingham Palace, standing on the side of the road with a homeless person.

A picture posted on LinkedIn shows the Duke of Cambridge in a red waistcoat worn by Big Issue sellers, and a red cap.

Richard Hannant, a property manager, was on his way back to the office when he spotted the Queen's grandson among a small group of people.

Mr Hannant, 47, said he tried to take a picture from a distance but then realised William was walking towards him.

"He was amazing, he was so friendly," Mr Hannant said.

William asked if he wanted to buy a copy of the magazine. When he said he didn't have any cash, the duke produced a card machine.

Mr Hannant said he was very impressed with Prince Charles's eldest son, who had just played a major part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend.

"I think it's that I thought was most amazing because one is a worldwide event, this is just a low-key (event), literally standing on the side of the road with a homeless person," he said.

"I was quite amazed that he could go from one massive event to such a low-key thing."

Mr Hannant told the duke they share the same birthday - June 21. William replied "happy birthday" and the pair got a picture together.

Mr Hannant's brother-in-law, retired Met Police officer Matthew Gardner, posted his own reflections on LinkedIn.

Mr Gardner said it had been "an honour" for Mr Hannant to have a "private moment with our future king".

William was "humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy", he added.

"These 'silent gestures' often go unrecognised," Mr Gardner observed.

William is patron of Centrepoint, a national charity providing accommodation and support for homeless young people.

The Big Issue is sold by homeless people, the long-term unemployed, and those who need money to avoid debt.

Vendors buy each copy for £1.50 and sell it for £3, keeping the profits.

SKY
 
Good chap, our Duke of Cambridge. He’ll be a fine King if there is still a Monarchy in a decade or so.
 
Im glad I wasnt in the country to witness people celebrating the Royal Jubliee. At the same time in an A&E there is a video where people are told they may have to wait 12 hours to seen, along with relatives told to leave as no space in the waiting area. Meanwhile this degenerate family were showing off all their lavish life in glory with idiotic subjects bowing down to them.

I have a feeling the Queen doesnt have much long left, possibly 12-24 months. Her funeral will also be used to a propaganda.

William and Kate seem reasonable people compared to the rest but once King and Queen they will follow the same path of extreme extravagance even if in their time, the cost of living is harming 10's of millions.
 
The Queen has become the world's second-longest reigning modern monarch.

She has overtaken Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016.

Louis XIV of France remains the longest-reigning monarch, with a 72-year and 110-day reign from 1643 until 1715.

The Queen, crowned in 1953, became the longest-serving British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.

The 96-year-old celebrated her Platinum Jubilee earlier this month, with four days of parades, street parties, and other events held across the UK and the Commonwealth.

SKY
 
James said:
William might be the last King.
Click to expand...

Perhaps.

There are monarchies in Europe which are more equitable and happy than ours. Denmark, Belgium, Norway. It would therefore be a mistake to blame poverty on the Royals. Blame the Tories.
 
Needs to be an all or nothing thing imo.

Keep the parades, the pomp, imagery and the theatre to keep the myth and the industry going.

Making them look and act like average joes but still giving them the prestige of Royals, seems a bit pointless.
 
The charity watchdog is reviewing information about donations to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation amid reports that Prince Charles was handed €3million in cash stuffed into bags by a Qatari sheikh.

The payments were allegedly accepted by the heir to the throne during private meetings between 2011 and 2015, The Sunday Times reported.
 
MenInG said:
The charity watchdog is reviewing information about donations to The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation amid reports that Prince Charles was handed €3million in cash stuffed into bags by a Qatari sheikh.

The payments were allegedly accepted by the heir to the throne during private meetings between 2011 and 2015, The Sunday Times reported.
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The future King of the United Kingdom & the Commonwealth caught taking Arab bungs.

Not exactly a good look.
 
The Prince of Wales accepting bags of cash for his charity "would not happen again", a senior palace source has said.

For the first time, one of Prince Charles's senior aides has responded in detail to the reports that emerged at the weekend that between 2011 and 2015 the prince was handed €3m in cash stuffed into bags by a Qatari sheikh for his charitable foundation.

Speaking about the allegations in The Sunday Times, the aide said: "As we said over the weekend, it was passed immediately to his charities, and it was his charities who decided to accept the money.

"That is a decision for them, and they did so and as they confirmed it followed all of the right processes, the auditors looked at it."

They added: "The Prince of Wales operates on advice. Situations, contexts change over the years.

"For more than half a decade, with the situation as it has evolved, this has not happened - and it would not happen again. That was then, this is now, and they are not the same."

The three lots of money, which totalled €3m, were handed to the prince personally between 2011 and 2015 by Qatar's former prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, known as HBJ.

Does the Commonwealth have a future?

The palace has not denied that on one occasion, he presented the prince with €1m reportedly stuffed into carrier bags from Fortnum & Mason, the luxury food store that has a royal charter to provide the Royal Family with groceries.

Clarence House insists all *correct processes were followed over the donations. The cash payments were deposited into the accounts of the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (PWCF), an entity that bankrolls the prince's private projects and his country estate in Scotland, it added.

Campaign group Republic had demanded full disclosure over the matter, describing the events as "shocking" and saying it raised "serious questions about Charles's judgment" amid other cash for honours accusations.

The senior palace aide went on to stress the Charity Commission has not opened an investigation. On Monday, the charity watchdog did say it was aware of the reports about donations and is looking into the matter.

It said: "We will review the information to determine whether there is any role for the Commission in this matter."

SKY
 
<b>Queen makes third public appearance in four days</b>

The Queen has taken part in her third event in four days during her visit to Scotland.

The monarch, 96, looked on as more than 300 officers and archers from the Queen's Body Guard for Scotland took part in the Reddendo parade.

She smiled and waved as she emerged from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, her official residence in Edinburgh.

She then watched from a chair as the Duke of Rothesay - Prince Charles - greeted members of the parade.

The Royal Company of Archers acts as the sovereign's ceremonial Body Guard for Scotland - a role first created in 1822 during a visit to Scotland by King George IV.

As Princess Elizabeth, the Queen first became acquainted with the Royal Company during a visit to Scotland with her father, King George VI in 1937, during an inspection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

During Thursday's ceremony, members of the Royal Company took off their hats and performed three cheers for the Queen.

The Queen has been in Edinburgh since Monday, when she arrived for the beginning of the Royal Family's annual week in Scotland.

Since then, she has appeared at the traditional Ceremony of the Keys on Monday, before watching a special act of loyalty military parade on Tuesday.

She met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone on Wednesday, but did not attend the annual garden party.

The Queen has been scaling back her public appearances recently due to some mobility issues.

At the end of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, she said she was committed to serving the country "to the best of my ability, supported by my family".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-62001091
 
<b>Commonwealth Games: Prince Charles to speak at opening</b>

The Prince of Wales will give a speech during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next week, Buckingham Palace has announced.

Prince Charles will be representing the Queen, a statement said. He will be accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall.
The event will be formally opened on 28 July at the revamped Alexander Stadium.

Other royals including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to attend the Games, which close on 8 August.
The Queen, 96, has been scaling back her public appearances due to some mobility issues.

At the end of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, she said she was committed to serving the country "to the best of my ability, supported by my family".

Prince Charles's speech will include a message from his mother, which was placed inside the Commonwealth Games baton last October.

The baton was taken on a 294-day tour of all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

During a summit of Commonwealth leaders in Rwanda last month, Prince Charles said he was looking forward to visiting the games.

He said: "In a world currently riven by conflict and division, these games - so aptly called 'the friendly games' - stand as a shining celebration of our unity, our diversity and our pursuit of shared excellence."

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are among other royals expected to watch the sporting action in Birmingham, and to attend events celebrating the efforts of competitors, staff and volunteers.

Prince Edward, who has been the vice-patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation since 1990, will speak during the closing event on 8 August.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62267404
 
The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund accepted a donation from Osama bin Laden's family in 2013, it has emerged.

According to The Sunday Times, Prince Charles met with the al Qaeda founder's half-brother Bakr in London - and allegedly agreed to accept £1m.

The report claims that several of the senior royal's closest advisers urged Charles to return the money.

Clarence House has denied that Prince Charles was personally involved, telling Sky News: "The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund has assured us that thorough due diligence was undertaken in accepting this donation.

"The decision to accept was taken by the charity's trustees alone and any attempt to characterise it otherwise is false."

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund added: "The donation from Sheik Bakr bin Laden in 2013 was carefully considered by PWCF trustees at the time.

"Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including government. The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate."

Osama bin Laden was behind the September 11 attacks of 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people in the US.

The Sunday Times claims that Charles' meeting with Bakr, the patriarch of the wealthy Saudi family, happened two years after Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces in Pakistan.

The newspaper reported that the donation was accepted despite the objections of advisers - one of whom said having the money "would not be good for anybody".

The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund was founded in 1979 and awards grants to UK-registered non-profit organisations for projects in the UK, Commonwealth and other countries.

This is not the first time that PWCF's activities have come under scrutiny.

Earlier this year, The Sunday Times reported that Prince Charles had accepted a suitcase full of cash as a charitable donation from the former prime minister of Qatar.

Three lots of money totalling €3m were handed to the prince personally between 2011 and 2015 by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.

The palace has not denied that on one occasion, he presented the prince with €1m which was reportedly put into carrier bags from Fortnum & Mason, the luxury food store that has a royal charter to provide the Royal Family with groceries.

Clarence House insists all *correct processes were followed over the donations - and a senior palace source later said Prince Charles accepting bags of cash for his charity "would not happen again".

Earlier in July, the Charity Commission said it would be taking no further action over that donation - adding it has "no concerns" about the governance of the prince's charity and that trustees submitted information via a serious incident report.

There was no suggestion those payments were illegal, but anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said it wrote to the Charity Commission to demand an investigation.

SKY
 
MenInG said:
The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund accepted a donation from Osama bin Laden's family in 2013, it has emerged.

According to The Sunday Times, Prince Charles met with the al Qaeda founder's half-brother Bakr in London - and allegedly agreed to accept £1m.

The report claims that several of the senior royal's closest advisers urged Charles to return the money.

Clarence House has denied that Prince Charles was personally involved, telling Sky News: "The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund has assured us that thorough due diligence was undertaken in accepting this donation.

"The decision to accept was taken by the charity's trustees alone and any attempt to characterise it otherwise is false."

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund added: "The donation from Sheik Bakr bin Laden in 2013 was carefully considered by PWCF trustees at the time.

"Due diligence was conducted, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including government. The decision to accept the donation was taken wholly by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate."

Osama bin Laden was behind the September 11 attacks of 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people in the US.

The Sunday Times claims that Charles' meeting with Bakr, the patriarch of the wealthy Saudi family, happened two years after Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces in Pakistan.

The newspaper reported that the donation was accepted despite the objections of advisers - one of whom said having the money "would not be good for anybody".

The Prince of Wales' Charitable Fund was founded in 1979 and awards grants to UK-registered non-profit organisations for projects in the UK, Commonwealth and other countries.

This is not the first time that PWCF's activities have come under scrutiny.

Earlier this year, The Sunday Times reported that Prince Charles had accepted a suitcase full of cash as a charitable donation from the former prime minister of Qatar.

Three lots of money totalling €3m were handed to the prince personally between 2011 and 2015 by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.

The palace has not denied that on one occasion, he presented the prince with €1m which was reportedly put into carrier bags from Fortnum & Mason, the luxury food store that has a royal charter to provide the Royal Family with groceries.

Clarence House insists all *correct processes were followed over the donations - and a senior palace source later said Prince Charles accepting bags of cash for his charity "would not happen again".

Earlier in July, the Charity Commission said it would be taking no further action over that donation - adding it has "no concerns" about the governance of the prince's charity and that trustees submitted information via a serious incident report.

There was no suggestion those payments were illegal, but anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said it wrote to the Charity Commission to demand an investigation.

SKY
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[MENTION=152959]hoshiarpurexpress[/MENTION]
 
BREAKING

The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace says.
 
Prince Charles has cut his trip short and heading to visit the Queen.

This isn't looking good.
 
The BBC appeared to clear its schedule.

Just before the News at One on BBC One, the channel was meant to be airing Bargain Hunt
 
The Earl and the Countess of Wessex are also flying to Balmoral, The Telegraph has been told.

This now means all of the Queen's children are on their way to Scotland.
 
You know its serious when Ginge and Cringe (Harry and Meghan) cancel their plans and head to Balmoral.
 
We will never know if Harry and Meghan were ever forgiven by the Queen.

Hopefully she recovers and this family gets a proper closure
 
James said:
Feels like end times.
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I feel profound sorrow. Actually shed a tear a minute ago.

The nation is not prepared for this. We are going to have a collective nervous breakdown.
 
<b>Queen under medical supervision at Balmoral</b>

The Queen is under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors became concerned for her health, Buckingham Palace has said.

All the Queen's children are gathering at, or are travelling to, her Scottish estate near Aberdeen.

"Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision," a statement said.

The Queen is "comfortable", it added.
It is very unusual for Buckingham Palace to put out a statement like this - it is usually unwilling to provide a commentary on the 96-year-old monarch's medical matters, which are seen as private.

Prince Charles has travelled to Balmoral with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Duke of York and the Count and Countess of Wessex are travelling to the Scottish estate, about 40 miles (64km) west of Aberdeen.

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, was already in Scotland undertaking engagements and is in Balmoral.

The Duke of Cambridge is also on his way, with the Duchess of Cambridge remaining in Windsor with their children on their first full day at school.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were due to attend a charity event in London, are travelling to Balmoral, said a spokeswoman.

Barriers are being placed outside one of the entrances to the estate.

There are clearly pressing concerns for the Queen's health - much more explicitly put than before and without any reference to this only being about difficulties with mobility.

There are also warnings against unfounded speculation, such as that she might have had a fall.

And on Tuesday she was on her feet and photographed smiling as she appointed new Prime Minister Liz Truss.

But from the last-minute cancellation of what would only have been a virtual meeting of the Privy Council - of senior ministers - there is no mistaking the fragility of the Queen's health.

Ms Truss said the "whole country" would be "deeply concerned" by the news.

"My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time," she added.

The Queen appointed Ms Truss as prime minister at Balmoral, instead of travelling to London for the event.

During her 70-year reign the Queen has typically had an audience with her new prime minister at Buckingham Palace.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: "My prayers, and the prayers of people across the [Church of England] and the nation, are with Her Majesty The Queen today.

"May God's presence strengthen and comfort Her Majesty, her family, and those who are caring for her at Balmoral."

News of the Queen's ill-health came as MPs heard details of the government's new plan to help households and businesses with energy costs in the House of Commons.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Nadhim Zahawi entered the Commons and spoke to Ms Truss.

Notes were then passed to the Commons speaker and Labour front bench.

The palace statement came minutes later.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement he was "deeply worried", while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent her thoughts and wishes to the Queen.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford sent his best wishes on behalf of the people of Wales.

The monarch has been on a summer break at her Scottish home since July.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62836057
 
The BBC is reporting there is a flight carrying seven members of the royal household about to land at Aberdeen.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Where is the disgraced Andrew?
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<b>Prince William, Andrew and Edward land in Aberdeen</b>

The plane that's landed in Aberdeen was carrying the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York and the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the BBC understands.
 
My sources tell me she has already passed and that an official announcement will be made tonight.
 
Last week I commented to my cousin, who returns from Australia to Scotland next week to visit family, that this was imminent.

Two things have been obvious to me in recent weeks.

Firstly, the Royal Household has minimised public disclosure of the Queen’s failing health.

Secondly, she was not going to live as long as her mother - Covid has taken its toll. Sadly the UK has effectively chosen its path: to ensure normal life for the under-70’s in a Pandemic, the very elderly have been sacrificed.

The news has come overnight in Australia and New Zealand but people will be shocked: barely anyone remembers life before his reign.

I hope that she is comfortable and that her children and grandchildren are coping. I wish the same to any people about to lose a loved one.
 
Junaids said:
Last week I commented to my cousin, who returns from Australia to Scotland next week to visit family, that this was imminent.

Two things have been obvious to me in recent weeks.

Firstly, the Royal Household has minimised public disclosure of the Queen’s failing health.

Secondly, she was not going to live as long as her mother - Covid has taken its toll. Sadly the UK has effectively chosen its path: to ensure normal life for the under-70’s in a Pandemic, the very elderly have been sacrificed.

The news has come overnight in Australia and New Zealand but people will be shocked: barely anyone remembers life before his reign.

I hope that she is comfortable and that her children and grandchildren are coping. I wish the same to any people about to lose a loved one.
Click to expand...

COVID is devastating for old people. If you are 80+ and have COVID, your chance of dying is high.

Queen Elizabeth is 96.
 
Technics 1210 said:
Can the Queen decide who will be King? Charles or Williams?
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Unfortunately not.

For all my comments in the Patriarchy thread, it is sadly automatic now that Charles will ascend to the throne with Camilla as his Queen Consort. And he, in turn, will be succeeded by George VII.

Mind you, Charles may choose a different name for himself - it’s not automatically Charles. The Queen’s beloved father George VI was actually Albert Frederick Arthur George!
 
sweep_shot said:
COVID is devastating for old people. If you are 80+ and have COVID, your chance of dying is high.

Queen Elizabeth is 96.
Click to expand...

My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your grandfather. I know we have our differences, but I wish you and your family all the best at this time.

This pandemic is far from over. The Queen was clearly genetically prepared to live as long as her mother, and her impending death five years earlier is a clear consequence of Covid.
 
Junaids said:
My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your grandfather. I know we have our differences, but I wish you and your family all the best at this time.

This pandemic is far from over. The Queen was clearly genetically prepared to live as long as her mother, and her impending death five years earlier is a clear consequence of Covid.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

COVID is quite dangerous for old people and those with health conditions (obesity, diabetes, heart illness etc.).

I would be surprised if Queen survives COVID at the age of 96. Odds are not good for her.
 
Junaids said:
This pandemic is far from over. The Queen was clearly genetically prepared to live as long as her mother, and her impending death five years earlier is a clear consequence of Covid.
Click to expand...

This is pure conjecture.

Just because her mother lived for over 100 years, doesn't mean the Queen would too.

Also the Queen has the best of the best medical team with her through out her life.

Blaming Covid is intellectual laziness and dishonesty.
 
Junaids said:
My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your grandfather. I know we have our differences, but I wish you and your family all the best at this time.

This pandemic is far from over. The Queen was clearly genetically prepared to live as long as her mother, and her impending death five years earlier is a clear consequence of Covid.
Click to expand...

I think Phillips death really has made her 'give up'
 
If she has passed they should announce her death.

It will take over the news for 10-12 days when there are real issues for the people of Britain.
 
sweep_shot said:
Thank you.

COVID is quite dangerous for old people and those with health conditions (obesity, diabetes, heart illness etc.).

I would be surprised if Queen survives COVID at the age of 96. Odds are not good for her.
Click to expand...

She already had covid earlier. Why are you assuming this is covid related?
 
Junaids said:
Unfortunately not.

For all my comments in the Patriarchy thread, it is sadly automatic now that Charles will ascend to the throne with Camilla as his Queen Consort. And he, in turn, will be succeeded by George VII.

Mind you, Charles may choose a different name for himself - it’s not automatically Charles. The Queen’s beloved father George VI was actually Albert Frederick Arthur George!
Click to expand...

I don't think he wants to be named King Charles III because of the dictator who was first of that name.

Maybe he will be George VII or William V.
 
Technics 1210 said:
This. She wasn't the same ever since his death.
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He was the love of her life.

That picture of HM, sitting alone in the Church, was iconic. Bodge held parties, while HM did her duty to her people once again.
 
dildilpak said:
She already had covid earlier. Why are you assuming this is covid related?
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I explained myself badly.

I think that Covid weakened her health and left her with enduring physical damage. But like others, I think the loss of Prince Philip had a surprisingly profound effect on her.

We know that they lived apart, and that he spent much of his time with Penny Knatchbull. But I think that he was the Queen’s last connection to her youth, and for all his awful behaviour she loved him.

The Queen was always awfully close to both her dear father George VI and to her younger sister Margaret, as well as the Queen Mother.

The King died in 1952 and her mother and sister died twenty years ago. So Philip was her last link to her youth, and his death seemed to hit her surprisingly hard given that they didn’t even live in the same county.
 
I’m no monarchist, but I thank the Queen for a lifetime of service.

And I’d like to take the opportunity to remember her marvellous father George VI, whose compartment during the war was inspiring then and now.
 
Junaids said:
I explained myself badly.

I think that Covid weakened her health and left her with enduring physical damage. But like others, I think the loss of Prince Philip had a surprisingly profound effect on her.

We know that they lived apart, and that he spent much of his time with Penny Knatchbull. But I think that he was the Queen’s last connection to her youth, and for all his awful behaviour she loved him.

The Queen was always awfully close to both her dear father George VI and to her younger sister Margaret, as well as the Queen Mother.

The King died in 1952 and her mother and sister died twenty years ago. So Philip was her last link to her youth, and his death seemed to hit her surprisingly hard given that they didn’t even live in the same county.
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She is old, people die.

Please stop coming up with crazy conspiracy theories. First you claimed Andrew Symonds killed himself, now this.

The average life expectancy in the UK is around 80, the Queen is 96.
 
Junaids said:
I’m no monarchist, but I thank the Queen for a lifetime of service.

And I’d like to take the opportunity to remember her marvellous father George VI, whose compartment during the war was inspiring then and now.
Click to expand...

George VI? Why not just say William the conqueror. The Royal Family were protected during the war, not like GIV was Rambo on the front line.
 
KingKhanWC said:
She is old, people die.

Please stop coming up with crazy conspiracy theories. First you claimed Andrew Symonds killed himself, now this.

The average life expectancy in the UK is around 80, the Queen is 96.
Click to expand...

I think I can top his looney theory - the Queen lost the will to live after meeting Lizz Truss.
 
KingKhanWC said:
She is old, people die.

Please stop coming up with crazy conspiracy theories. First you claimed Andrew Symonds killed himself, now this.

The average life expectancy in the UK is around 80, the Queen is 96.
Click to expand...
I absolutely did not say that Roy killed himself. I said his life took a dark trajectory after Cricket Australia failed to support him after Monkeygate, and his drinking ended his career and he withdrew to inland North Queensland.

We have seen that in both the USA and UK there has been a substantial decrease in life expectancy during the pandemic, which countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada have not had. Those countries which have failed to control viral transmission are losing the elderly - including the vaccinated elderly - several years earlier than they otherwise would have.

The Queen’s father smoked himself to death but her mother lived to almost 102 years. So dying at 96 for her is somewhat premature.
 
Technics 1210 said:
George VI? Why not just say William the conqueror. The Royal Family were protected during the war, not like GIV was Rambo on the front line.
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You are clearly unfamiliar with our history. He was in Buckingham Palace when the Germans bombed it.

That’s why when he visited the East End after Nazi bombings he was viewed as having been bombed in the same way.
 
Junaids said:
The Queen’s father smoked himself to death but her mother lived to almost 102 years. So dying at 96 for her is somewhat premature.
Click to expand...

You clearly do not understand genetics. Every human shares their mother’s and father’s genes. Just because the Queen’s mother lived past 100, doesn’t mean the Queen would.

Also remember the Royal family have the best medical care in the UK, if not the world.
 
Junaids said:
You are clearly unfamiliar with our history. He was in Buckingham Palace when the Germans bombed it.

That’s why when he visited the East End after Nazi bombings he was viewed as having been bombed in the same way.
Click to expand...

“Our history”? Ohhh, do I detect liberal racism here? Yes I do.

You do not live in the UK, I do, nor were you living in the UK when George IV was alive, neither was I.

Stop living in history books.

As for him visiting the East end AFTER the bombing, HAHAHAHAHAHA, that’s like Bush visiting Ground Zero after 9/11 and claiming he fought the terrorists.

Grow up.
 
Technics 1210 said:
You clearly do not understand genetics. Every human shares their mother’s and father’s genes. Just because the Queen’s mother lived past 100, doesn’t mean the Queen would.

Also remember the Royal family have the best medical care in the UK, if not the world.
Click to expand...

To add, the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, died at the age of 72 - despite her mother living beyond 100!
 
Junaids said:
I absolutely did not say that Roy killed himself. I said his life took a dark trajectory after Cricket Australia failed to support him after Monkeygate, and his drinking ended his career and he withdrew to inland North Queensland.

We have seen that in both the USA and UK there has been a substantial decrease in life expectancy during the pandemic, which countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada have not had. Those countries which have failed to control viral transmission are losing the elderly - including the vaccinated elderly - several years earlier than they otherwise would have.

The Queen’s father smoked himself to death but her mother lived to almost 102 years. So dying at 96 for her is somewhat premature.
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You implied it but now backtracking as we know it wasnt the case.

Lets just wait for the official confirmation. Im no Royal fan but its disrespectful to assume ones cause of death.

I have a feeling there will be announcement very soon.
 
dildilpak said:
Or maybe she was a Johnson supporter & couldnt bear him stepping away
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Unlikely after he lied to her about proroguing Parliament. I think her final goal was to outlast him, see him off. Now her work is done.
 
Junaids said:
Last week I commented to my cousin, who returns from Australia to Scotland next week to visit family, that this was imminent.

Two things have been obvious to me in recent weeks.

Firstly, the Royal Household has minimised public disclosure of the Queen’s failing health.

Secondly, she was not going to live as long as her mother - Covid has taken its toll. Sadly the UK has effectively chosen its path: to ensure normal life for the under-70’s in a Pandemic, the very elderly have been sacrificed.

The news has come overnight in Australia and New Zealand but people will be shocked: barely anyone remembers life before his reign.

I hope that she is comfortable and that her children and grandchildren are coping. I wish the same to any people about to lose a loved one.
Click to expand...

Not just covid related, doctors usually dont recommend any kind of aggressive treatment regime to the elderly. My dad passed away last month from respiratory failure (he was 81) - but in his case the doctors informally advised us that ventilator wouldnt really help due to age related factors after his Blood C02 levels started rising- amd neither did we really press for it as we knew he wouldnt have wanted an invasive procedure. The elderly are more often than not only provided palliative care in most cases and so to think that any govt let the elderly be sacrificed during Covid is horrifying.

The queen is 96- obviously, her body can only take so much more treatment inspite the best medical care available to her. No conspiracy theory in this.
 
Stay on topic please, and bear in mind the benefits of being respectful.
 
Two men have been charged over the alleged assault of a man who heckled Prince Andrew as he walked behind the Queen's coffin in Edinburgh.

Footage showed a 22-year-old man, who has been charged with breach of the peace, shouting at the prince on the Royal Mile on 12 September.

Two men, both 34, have now been charged after allegedly dragging the heckler to the ground.

Police Scotland said a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal.
 
Netflix has added a disclaimer to its marketing for The Crown, saying the show is a "fictional dramatisation", "inspired by real-life events".

It appears under the trailer on YouTube and the show's online page, but not on TV or via a smartphone Netflix app.

Netflix told BBC News the show "has always been presented as a drama based on historical events".

Dame Judi Dench and ex-Prime Minister Sir John Major have raised concerns about the accuracy of the royal series.

The YouTube, online and Twitter description of the series says: "Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign."

Similar language has been used in press statements before, but no previous YouTube trailers have carried the word "fictional".

The BBC has asked Netflix if it has plans for the word "fictionalised" to appear on the streaming service accessed through a TV set and mobile devices, given it already appears online.

This week, Dame Judi became the latest high-profile figure to call for The Crown to have a disclaimer at the start of each episode, to make clear the series is not necessarily true.

The actress, who is close to King Charles and the Queen Consort, said Netflix "seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crude sensationalism".

She added there was a risk that "a significant number of viewers" would take its events as historical truth.

The Oscar winner, who has portrayed Queen Victoria on screen, said suggestions expected to be made in the new series were "cruelly unjust to the individuals and damaging to the institution they represent", especially coming so soon after the death of the Queen.

'Scrutinised and well documented'

Netflix has defended The Crown, saying series five is "a fictional dramatisation, imagining what could have happened behind closed doors during a significant decade for the royal family - one that has already been scrutinised and well documented by journalists, biographers and historians."

The trailer for the new series, which airs on 9 November, was released on Thursday. It suggests the series will focus heavily on Diana, Princess of Wales, and the fallout as she and Prince Charles, as he was then, prepare to divorce.

It includes a recreation of Princess Diana's 1995 interview with Martin Bashir. The real footage will not be shown on the BBC again after an inquiry found "deceitful" means were used to obtain it.

Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, is seen telling Bashir, portrayed by Prasanna Puwanarajah: "I won't go quietly, I'll battle until the end." In real life, Princess Diana did not say that in the interview.

Netflix defends The Crown after John Major rebuke

Dame Judi's comments followed concerns by former prime minister Sir John Major, who said an upcoming scene that is said to include a conversation between him and Prince Charles, as he was then, about the Queen abdicating, was "a barrel-load of malicious nonsense".

BBC
 
Camilla condemns 'pandemic' of violence against women

Camilla, the Queen Consort, has warned of a "global pandemic of violence against women" and called for an end to these "heinous crimes".

She spoke at a Buckingham Palace event highlighting the threat of domestic abuse and violence against women.

Survivors of domestic abuse need to be "listened to and believed", said the Queen Consort.

Campaigners at the event warned that the cost-of-living crisis would increase the numbers needing help.

This was the Queen Consort's highest-profile effort to raise awareness about one her most personal causes, with palace sources saying she feels "passionately" about this issue.

It was against the background of the United Nations' "16 days of activism against gender-based violence" - and during those 16 days, the Queen Consort said, police figures suggested that 3,000 women would be raped in England and Wales.

"Worldwide, more than 2,000 women will be killed by a partner or a member of their own family," the Queen Consort told more than 300 guests at the Violence Against Women and Girls reception.

Across their lifetime, she said one in three women would face domestic violence.

The Queen Consort spoke of the importance of remembering women who had been murdered - but also said she had met women who showed how "victims have become victors".

She recalled a woman with a violent ex-partner who had been sent to prison - and how she was now working to support others who had been living in "permanent fear".

Among those attending the reception at Buckingham Palace were Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, who welcomed the Queen Consort's initiative, saying it was "brave for her to give awareness to something that is somewhat still a taboo".

Olena Zelenska, the first lady of Ukraine, warned of the sexual violence against women that had taken place in her country since the Russian invasion.

Among the guests were campaigners and charities working to support victims of domestic violence.

Sue Harper, head of domestic abuse prevention at Hestia, warned that her charity's refuges were "already seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis and we are concerned that abuse will intensify and increase further".

"Domestic abuse is such a hidden and damaging crime," she said, praising the "unwavering" support of the Queen Consort in highlighting the issue and showing victims that help was available.

There were 2.4 million adults in England and Wales who experienced domestic abuse last year, according to crime survey figures published last week by the Office for National Statistics.

Almost three-quarters of the victims were women, facing abuse that includes violence, threatening behaviour, financial control and coercive behaviour.

Among women, domestic abuse is highest among 25 to 39-year-olds, but for men it peaks among the over-75s.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, told her audience that behind all the statistics were "individual stories of human suffering and heartbreak", but added that with a positive intervention, "there is life after abuse".

This was the first official event at which she was assisted by "Queen's companions", having ended the tradition of a Queen having ladies-in-waiting in attendance.

BBC
 
A member of the British royal family's household has left her role after making “unacceptable and deeply regrettable” comments about race and nationality to a woman at a grand reception at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Ngozi Fulani, who was born in Britain and works for a domestic abuse support group, wrote on Twitter that the royal aide had repeatedly asked her: “What part of Africa are you from?” when she attended an event hosted by King Charles's wife Camilla, the queen consort, on Tuesday.

“We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement.

The incident is the latest to embroil the royal family in allegations of racism, after Charles's youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan made accusations in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

Meghan, in the interview, said one unnamed member of the family had asked, before their son Archie was born, how dark his skin might be.

The allegation clearly stung the monarchy, which promised any such issues would be treated very seriously, and prompted Harry's older brother Prince William, heir to the throne, to remark days later: “We're very much not a racist family”.

Buckingham Palace said the individual concerned in the latest incident, referred to by Fulani as Lady SH, would like to apologise for the hurt caused and had stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

The exchange occurred at a Violence Against Women And Girls reception at the palace, where guests included Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska, Belgium's Queen Mathilde and Jordan's Queen Rania.

In her account posted on Twitter, Fulani, who works for Sistah Space — a group which provides support for women of African and Caribbean heritage who have been affected by abuse — said about 10 minutes after she arrived, the aide approached her and moved her hair to view her name badge.

After being asked a number of times what part of Africa she was from, Fulani said she replied: “I am born here and am British.”

The aide responded: “No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”

Last year, a senior royal source said Buckingham Palace had not done enough on diversity, although it has been endeavouring to boost the number of staff from ethnic minorities.

“We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes,” the palace spokesperson said.

“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”

DAWN
 
Prince William's godmother has resigned from her duties at Buckingham Palace after making "unacceptable" comments at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort.

Lady Susan Hussey, 83, quit after asking Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, where she "really came from" during a reception at the palace on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for her godson the Prince of Wales said it was "really disappointing" to hear what had happened.

"Obviously, I wasn't there, but racism has no place in our society. The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect," the Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

Ms Fulani, who is black, works as an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and described the exchange as a "violation".

She wrote on Twitter that Lady Hussey, who she refers to as 'Lady SH', "approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge" and then insisted on asking her "what part of Africa are you from".

Despite her saying she is British, the aide said: "I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from."

It comes after Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, claimed last year that a member of the royal household raised concerns about what colour skin her son Archie would have before he was born.

The palace responded by saying that "issues raised, particularly that of race" were "concerning" and the matters would be addressed privately.

SKY
 
Dialogue is now taking place between Buckingham Palace and a black British charity boss who was repeatedly asked where she was "really" from during a royal reception, the BBC understands.

Ngozi Fulani was questioned about her background by Lady Susan Hussey at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday - later likening it to "an interrogation".

Lady Hussey has since left her honorary role within the Royal Household.

She has offered her "profound apologies" through a Palace statement.

In the statement on Wednesday, the Palace said they had "reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter" - but the next day, Ms Fulani told the BBC no direct contact had been made.

The BBC now understands dialogue is taking place with Ms Fulani's team - but at this stage no further details are being shared.

Lady Hussey, Prince William's godmother, remains willing to make a personal apology if it would be welcomed, the BBC has also been told.

Ngozi Fulani - pictured on the far left - was one of the campaigners attending a reception which was hosted by the Queen Consort (centre)
Lady Hussey was the late Queen's lady-in-waiting and was seen as a key and trusted figure in the Royal Household for decades.

Part of her latest role had involved helping to host events at Buckingham Palace.

Ms Fulani was a guest at one of these events last Tuesday - a reception representing domestic violence which she attended as part of her work with the charity Sistah Space.

She described how Lady Hussey moved her hair to see her name badge and then repeatedly challenged her to explain where she was from.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday, Ms Fulani said: "It was like an interrogation.

"I guess the only way I can explain it, she's determined: 'Where are you from? Where are your people from?'"

Ms Fulani also rebuffed suggestions that Lady Hussey's remarks had anything to do with her age.

She had been representing her charity, which supports women of African and Caribbean heritage across the UK who have faced domestic and sexual abuse, at the event.

Lady Hussey's remarks overshadowed the Prince and Princess of Wales's trip to Boston.

At the time, a spokesperson for Prince William said "racism has no place in our society".

He added: "The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect."

Ms Fulani's team has been approached for comment about the latest dialogue.

BBC
 
King Charles: Man arrested after reports egg thrown in monarch's direction

A man has been arrested on suspicion of common assault after an egg was reportedly thrown in the direction of the King.

The alleged incident happened while King Charles was on a walkabout in Luton town centre on Tuesday.

Bedfordshire Police said a man in his 20s was detained and is in custody.

The monarch was steered away from crowds by his security staff before continuing to meet members of the public.

The latest incident comes just weeks after a 23-year-old student was arrested after eggs were thrown at the King and Queen Consort during their visit to York.

The royal couple had just arrived in the city on 9 November to unveil a statue in honour of the late Queen at York Minster when four eggs were thrown, all of which missed.

Many of those who greeted King Charles at Luton Town Hall wished him a "Merry Christmas", while some had brought presents to give to him.

The King also met community leaders, including from the Ghana Society, the Royal British Legion and the Luton Town football academy, as well as officially opening the Guru Nanak Gurdwara temple.

Later, the King boarded the DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) - a new airport shuttle which will connect people travelling from Luton Airport Parkway station to the terminal.

The first sign of anything unexpected happening was when the King was suddenly and firmly steered away from the crowd by his security team.

It had been one of King Charles's trademark walkabouts - friendly, close up and with lots of handshakes and a sea of camera phones.

He was getting an enthusiastic reception from hundreds of people gathered on a cold morning outside Luton Town Hall.

There was some kind of flurry in the crowd that seemed to prompt the security scare. I was standing only a few feet away, there was nothing obviously shouted and nothing seemed to land near the King. Although steered, he didn't seem stirred.

A few moments later, the walkabout began again across the square. Most of the people waiting to see him would have been unaware anything had happened.

Even if it gives his security team nightmares, these walkabouts - hands-on and with some joking exchanges - seem to be something that the King really enjoys, more so perhaps than the choreographed lines of dignitaries and official guests.

After some tea drinking and signing a book inside the town hall - with his own pen, not one provided - he went back for some more handshakes with the crowd outside. On a cold day, people were warming to him.

It was also a noticeably diverse crowd. Sally Grant from Dunstable had come wearing an outfit which she said celebrated her Kenyan family background and she wanted to show her support.

The local mayor, Sameera Saleem, said she appreciated the King's visit and his spending so much time with the public. Her dad Raja Saleem was there too, and he told the King that he'd been mayor when the late Queen had visited in 1999. Dynasties were meeting again in the day-to-day business of monarchy.

BBC
 
A meeting "filled with warmth and understanding" has taken place between Prince William's godmother and the charity founder she repeatedly asked where she really came from.

Lady Susan Hussey offered her "sincere apologies" to Ngozi Fulani for her comments and "the distress" they caused her, and pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved.

Lady Hussey, 83, stepped down from her role in Buckingham Palace after the racism row this month, having asked Ms Fulani such questions as "what part of Africa do you come from?"

Ms Fulani, the founder of Sistah Space, and Lady Susan have asked to be "left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both".

A statement released jointly by Buckingham Palace and Ms Fulani said: "A meeting took place this morning, 16 December, at Buckingham Palace between Ms Ngozi Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, and Lady Susan Hussey to address the incident that took place at a Palace reception last month.

"At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.

"Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.

"Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.

"The Royal Households will continue their focus on inclusion and diversity, with an enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space, and ensuring these reach all members of their communities.

"Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.

"They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.

"It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the UN's 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now return to the important work of Sistah Space in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.

"Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been kept fully informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome."

Following the incident, Ms Fulani told Sky News that she felt abused, verbally attacked and "trapped" by the encounter, and described the exchange as a "violation".

"I was not giving the answer that she wanted me to give. And so we could not move on," Ms Fulani said. "And it was when she said 'I knew you'd get there in the end' - that proved to me, you were determined to prove that I had no right to British citizenship.

"Now, that reminds me of the Windrush conversation, where 50 or 60 years on people who were born here, worked here or you know, have given so much, can just be thrown out."

A week after the incident, Ms Fulani revealed that she and staff at her charity had undergone "an extremely difficult time" and received "horrific abuse on social media".

SKY
 
Christmas Without The Queen Would "Feel Very Different": Kate Middleton

Britain's Princess of Wales paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth at a carol service in Westminster Abbey, saying the royal family's first Christmas without the late monarch would "feel very different".

King Charles, accompanied by Queen Consort Camilla, joined his son Prince William, Kate and other members of the family at the service in the abbey, where Elizabeth's funeral was held in September. The carol service took place last week and will be broadcast on Saturday.

Kate, who is William's wife and became Princess of Wales after Charles ascended to the throne, hosted the event and dedicated it to Elizabeth and "all those who are sadly no longer with us".

"So, whilst Christmas will feel very different this year, we can still remember the memories and traditions we shared," Kate said in an introduction to the service. Elizabeth died on Sept. 8 aged 96, after 70 years on the throne.

"Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion," she said.

The family presented a united front at the service on Dec. 15 - the same day that the final episodes of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan's Netflix documentary series were released.

Harry, who stepped down from royal duties in 2020, piled fresh criticism on his family in the series, including accusing his older brother William of screaming at him during a summit to discuss his future.

NDTV
 
Prince Andrew, 62, will no longer be allowed to have an office in the building or to use the palace as a corresponding address. As a result, the few staff retained at Buckingham Palace after the Duke of York stepped down from frontline royal duties three years ago could now face redundancy.

A source told the Sun: "Any presence at the Palace is officially over.

"The King has made it clear. He isn't a working royal. He's on his own."

The Duke is said to have been recruiting for a new communications team in order to improve his damaged reputation and will now be expected to fund his own staff.

It comes as the Duke's treasured former role as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards was gifted to Queen Camilla.

The second episode was full of claims about the pair's relationship with the Queen and the Royal Family at large - but many were quickly disputed by unnamed sources.

Andrew was stripped of a plethora of titles, including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, in January when he was facing a US civil action over sexual assault allegations.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement at the time: "With the Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

The 62-year-old later settled the civil lawsuit with Virginia Giuffre and always denied any wrongdoing.

According to the Sun earlier this month, the Home Office also stripped Andrew of his £3million-a-year, 24-hour armed security.

It is now expected that the Royal Household will pick up the tab.

However, despite the Sun's report, the Duke of York has been invited to the traditional royal Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk this year.

Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also attend for the first time in 30 years.
 
Man admits treason charge over Queen crossbow threat

A man who arrived at Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow and told a protection officer "I am here to kill the Queen" has pleaded guilty to a charge under the Treason Act.

Jaswant Singh Chail, from Hampshire, was arrested on Christmas Day 2021, when the late monarch was living at Windsor due to the Covid pandemic.

At the Old Bailey earlier, Chail, 21, pleaded guilty to three charges.

He is the first person in the UK to be convicted of treason since 1981.

Chail, from North Baddesley, near Southampton, also admitted making threats to kill and possessing the loaded weapon in the castle. He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 31 March.

He was spotted by a royal protection officer in a private section of the castle grounds just after 08:10 GMT on 25 December 2021.

The officer was at a gate, leading to the monarch's private apartments.

Chail, who was unemployed at the time but had worked for the Co-op supermarket, had climbed into the grounds using a nylon rope ladder, and had already been there for about two hours.

He was wearing a hood and a mask, and was described as "like something out of a vigilante movie".

The officer took out his Taser, and asked him: "Morning, can I help, mate?" Chail replied: "I am here to kill the Queen."

The protection officer immediately told Chail to drop the crossbow, get on his knees, and put his hands on his head. Chail complied and then said again: "I am here to kill the Queen."

The crossbow was found to be loaded with a bolt and the safety catch was off.

Chail was also carrying a handwritten note, which read: "Please don't remove my clothes, shoes and gloves, masks etc, don't want post-mortem, don't want embalming, thank you and I'm sorry."

In a video posted on Snapchat minutes before he entered the castle, Chail said: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for what I've done and what I will do. I will attempt to assassinate Elizabeth, Queen of the Royal Family.

"This is revenge for those who have died in the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre. It is also revenge for those who have been killed, humiliated and discriminated on because of their race."

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place when British troops opened fire on thousands of people who had gathered in the city of Amritsar in India.

The death toll is disputed - but hundreds of people were killed and Indian sources put it nearer to 1,000.

Also in the video and apparently referencing the Star Wars films, Chail said: "I'm an Indian Sikh, a Sith. My name was Jaswant Singh Chail, my name is Darth Jones."

Prosecutors said the footage was recorded four days earlier and sent to about 20 people on his contact list 10 minutes before his arrest.

Chail's crossbow was found to be comparable to a powerful air rifle with the potential to cause serious or fatal injury.

Prosecutors said crossbow bolts, a metal file and other items were later found in a hotel room where he had stayed the previous night.

It was also alleged Chail had previously tried to get close to the royals by applying to join the Ministry of Defence Police and the Grenadier Guards.

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met Police's counter terrorism unit, said: "This was an extremely serious incident, but one which the patrolling officers who apprehended Chail managed with great composure and professionalism.

"They showed tremendous bravery to confront a masked man who was armed with a loaded crossbow, and then detain him without anyone coming to harm."

Police said Chail's actions were not treated as terrorism offences but the counter terrorism division was deemed the appropriate team to lead the investigation.

Chail is currently in Broadmoor Hospital where he appeared in court via a remote video link.

It was heard his mental health had improved with treatment and he would have been fit to stand trial.

The Queen had been staying at Windsor Castle for Christmas, rather than spending it as usual on her Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Her Majesty was due to be joined for lunch by the then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Under the 1842 Treason Act, it is an offence to assault the Queen, or have a firearm or offensive weapon in her presence with intent to injure or alarm her or to cause a breach of peace.

In 1981, Marcus Sarjeant was jailed for five years under the section of the Treason Act after he fired blank shots at the Queen while she was riding down The Mall in London during the Trooping the Colour parade.

The last person to be convicted under the separate and more serious 1351 Treason Act was William Joyce, also known as Lord Haw-Haw, who collaborated with Germany during the Second World War.

BBC
 
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