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Elizabeth II Announces Camilla Will Be Queen At Platinum Jubilee 

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II announced at her historic Platinum Jubilee that the Duchess of Cornwall will be known as Queen Camilla when Charles becomes King. When Charles and Camilla married in 2005, she initially took on the title “Princess Consort,” despite having the right to the title of Queen. At the time, the choice was made out of respect for Charles’ first wife, Diana. 

It’s expected that the Queen consulted her direct heirs, Charles and William, before making this decision. The announcement suggests that the family agreed that the British public would be ready to accept Camilla as Queen. 

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As Queen Elizabeth approaches the 70th anniversary for her accession to the throne, she also laid out her vision for the royal family’s transition into the next phase of their reign. 

“I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.” 

“When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me; and it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service,” the Queen stated. 

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The monarch is the only individual who can define royal titles, however, the breakdown of Charles and Diana’s union in the 90s led to some complications when it came to the future of the throne. 

Diana famously stated that there were “three” individuals in the marriage between her and Charles, the third being Camilla, who Charles later confessed to having an indiscretion with during the end of his marriage with Diana. 

As time progressed, Camilla began to be seen in a different light to the public, and this recent announcement confirms her role in the family’s future. 

“As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service. I have a sense of hope and optimism for the year ahead. I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign,” she shared.

The monarch ended her message by stating she looked forward “to continuing to serve you with all my heart and hope this jubilee will provide an opportunity for people to come together after the difficulties of recent years.”

Royal Family Faces Pressure To Respond To Harry And Meghan Interview

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Buckingham Palace is currently under pressure to respond to the heavy allegations of racism following an interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan. The most shocking revelation of the interview was that the couple revealed a member of the family asked about how dark the skin tone of their child would be while Meghan was still pregnant.

Prince Harry made Oprah, who was running the interview, clarify that neither the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh made the remark regarding Archie’s skin tone, however, they also refused to clarify who actually said it, leaving the other royal family members open to suspicion. Meghan told Winfrey that concerns over Archie being “too brown was a pretty safe assumption,” but her and Harry refused to identify who said it, claiming it would be “very damaging” if they did.

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Meghan also suggested that her son’s mixed-race status is what led to him being denied the title of prince; something that is automatically given to any grandchild of a sovereign, which is what Archie is. The couple claimed that racism in general was a “large part” of their decision to leave Britain, and while the UK was not bigoted, the UK press and tabloids were.

Keir Starmer is the labor leader within the palace who claimed the “race and mental health issues raised by Meghan were bigger than the royal family, and should not be put to one side. There is no place for racism in our society.”

Meghan also made shocking claims that during her short time in the palace, she became extremely depressed and suicidal. “I just didn’t want to be alive any more.” Asked whether she had contemplated suicide, she replied: “Yes, this was very, very clear, and very scary. Though I begged for help, and asked to go somewhere to seek help, I was told I couldn’t, that it wouldn’t be good for the institution.”

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Harry then went on to criticize his own father, who stopped taking calls from his son after the couple announced their departure as working royals, which also led to the couple being cut off financially. When asked about if the royal family had apologized at all for any of what the couple has endured within the past few years, Harry claimed they hadn’t, because they felt unsupported.

Harry also clarified that the two of them never “blindsided” the Queen as the media heavily suggested, and instead informed her last year of their intent to quit. He claimed to have too much respect for his grandmother to ever just leave without a warning.

Royal author and historian Robert Lacey claims the repercussions from this interview “would reverberate for a long time because this is more than just a criticism of someone’s personality. This is a first-hand testimony to a dysfunctional family. It’s probably the most damning condemnation of the royal family and how they operate I’ve ever heard.”

So far, the palace and royal family members have yet to respond to the interview beyond seeing what the tabloids have said of it, which has so far been fairly split down the middle, surprisingly.

U.K. Wants To Delay Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Oprah Interview From Airing

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Commentators in the UK are calling on CBS to postpone airing the Oprah interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in which it’s expected that the two will expose and attack the abuse within the royal family that Markle, and Harry’s mother Diana, endured within their time in the palace. UK residents are also claiming the interview should be postponed out of respect for Prince Philip who is currently hospitalized with an infection. 

Philip is 99 and recently was moved to a specialist heart hospital to help beat the infection. Sources close to the royal family claim that they are “pretty appalled at the idea of the interview.” Oprah herself has claimed that Meghan says some “pretty shocking things” throughout the interview. 

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Penny Junor is the author of the novel Prince Harry, Brother, Soldier, Son, who spoke with the media recently about how although she supports Harry and Meghan and wants the interview to air, they should consider postponing airing it while Prince Philip is in the hospital because it will give the media the perfect opportunity to spin the interview onto Meghan and Harry. 

“Anything could hijack this interview. Philip is ill, he is 99 and could die at any time. They were not to know he would get ill but it could be seen to be the wrong time.”

Junot went on to explain that she doubts they’ll “postpone the interview, after all the control is in the hands of CBS and Oprah.” Robbery Lacey is the historical consultant for The Crown who also spoke with the media expressing the opposite viewpoint about the interview: “I think it would be a marvelous turnaround for Harry’s image if he took the brave step of cancelling the whole thing this weekend, or if that’s not practical, postponing it at least.” 

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Critics responded to Lacey’s claims and explained that it really is out of Harry’s control, mentioning that Harry’s image among his family is obviously one of the last things he’s concerned about now. Richard Fitzwilliams is a royal commentator who also expressed that he believed the interview should be postponed. 

“Oprah is their friend and neighbor and would undoubtedly comply if asked and the gesture would I am sure be appreciated by the royal family. If an interview has been extended, as this recently has, it can also be postponed, as this undoubtedly should be.” 

A TV industry insider working for CBS recently claimed that “CBS has already sold millions of dollars worth of advertising around this interview, but the bosses are aware of the delicacy of the Duke’s health. They have no loyalty to the royal family, although some feel as though they do to Harry and Meghan. For it to run if Philip’s condition worsened would be like setting off a diplomatic bomb.”

The interview is currently projected to air on CBS this Sunday, March 7th at 8 p.m. PT/ET.

Kensington Palace

Prince Harry & Wife Meghan Step Back As Senior Members of British Royal Family

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Just twenty months ago millions of royal fans around the world stopped what they were doing, grabbed their snacks and sat down to watch as Suits actress Meghan Markle married her prince and became part of the United Kingdom’s Royal Family. Following her marriage to Harry – sixth in line to the throne – many expected exciting news from the couple, with royal experts everywhere announcing the start of a new phase in the future of the royals.

However things could not be more different for the couple today. Following on from the fall out of Markle’s family – including her father not attending her wedding at Windsor Castle and her half-sister selling stories to media outlets around the world – the Windsor’s have seen a very different side to married life than the majority of us would.

Following accusations of racism from some of the world’s press as well as “untruths” being reported about Markle, many felt that their refusal to show off new-born Archie in the “traditional” manner was a snub to all of those who had supported them. A documentary last year highlighted just how bad the couple felt things had become, with a tearful Markle admitting she was finding things hard and Harry seemingly confirming his fall out with brother William.

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This was swiftly followed by lawsuits against several media outlets in the UK, as well as the announcement of their six-week sabbatical – including staying away from the traditional Christmas family gathering at the Queen’s residence in Norfolk, Sandringham. Therefore it comes as no surprise that they have decided to step away from senior royal life. What has been a surprise is the way they have dealt with the issue.

It has been claimed that they did not consult the Queen nor Prince Charles (Harry’s grandmother and father) regarding their decision, a move that not only is a major breach of protocol but has allegedly left a mood of ‘disappointment’ within the family.

The decision, made after “many months of reflection and internal discussions,” was announced via their Instagram account and confirmed they will be working towards becoming financially independent. Current rules dictate that they are unable to earn income in any form meaning they are funded by their country’s taxpayer as well as money from Prince Charles’ Duchy of Cornwall estate. By stepping down as senior royals they will no longer be entitled to the money from the state however they will still need security which poses the question as to who pays for it.

Prince Harry has made it clear that he is unhappy with the way the world’s media have been treating his wife, comparing it to the treatment that he feels ultimately killed his mother Diana, Princess of Wales in August 1997 when he was only twelve years old. The effect of losing his mother at such a young age – along with the circumstances of her death as well as the fact he believes neither he nor brother William should have had to follow their mother’s hearse as it made it’s way to Westminster Abbey, London for her funeral – has clearly impacted his mental health, something he has only been able to talk about recently.

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Watching him open up in his interview in Africa it was clear to see that he is a troubled man. He clearly feels that stepping away from the public eye at this time will give his new wife and baby the freedom that he so craves. However he has maintained his determination to fully support Her Majesty The Queen and continue to “honor our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.” It is believed he will continue to work with his foundation The Invictus Games, an organization that works with military personnel that were wounded, injured or sick (WIS) throughout or as a result of their service.

The Sussex’s are also looking forward to working on their new charity, although it is unclear as yet what this may be.

Stepping back from being senior royals means they will be able to raise their son in both the UK and in North America with royal commentators speculating that they may move to Canada where they recently spent their Christmas break and where Markle spent seven years while filming her role as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits. She also has many friends still living in the country and the couple made a visit to meet Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK Janice Charette to say thank you for their recent trip.

With Prince Andrew recently being stripped of his role in the Royal Family, after his alleged involvement with pedophile Jeffery Epstein, and now Prince Harry stepping down it could be the start of the new look, slimmed down family that many have spent years calling for. A portrait was recently released with The Queen and three of her heirs to the throne, Princes’ Charles, William and George, and it could be that this is the new look of the monarchy.

Royal Crest

Queen Elizabeth II to Deliver Christmas Message

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The U.K. is currently embroiled in a major political controversy as the newly-elected Conservative government works to finalize the country’s departure from the European Union. The decision to leave the E.U., known as Brexit, has proved to be one of the country’s more controversial political changes, as the decision led to years of fierce government debate and a historical election in which the Conservative Party gained near-total control of the government for the first time in decades. It is in this context, alongside numerous personal issues relating to the royal family, that Queen Elizabeth II will deliver her yearly Christmas message to the nation.

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Though the message is prerecorded, it will not broadcast until tomorrow, Christmas Day. However, Buckingham Palace released some excerpts from the transcript, revealing that the queen will refer to 2019 as a “quite bumpy” year. It’s not clear as of yet what exactly the queen is referring to, but there are a number of reasons why the year may have felt rough for the queen. The excerpts also reveal that the queen will mention the fact that this year is the 75th anniversary of D-Day and will deliver a general theme highlighting the importance of reconciliation and unity.

Early this year the queen’s husband, the 97-year-old Prince Philip was involved in a car crash that injured two women, leading him to apologize and relinquish his driver’s license, and generating a public debate about older drivers. While the royal family makes every effort to avoid getting directly involved in political matters, some U.K. government functions require the queen’s participation; for instance, this summer the newly-elected Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked the queen to suspend Parliament before his request was ruled unlawful by the U.K. Supreme Court. But perhaps the most controversial event involving the royal family this year was the aftermath of a disastrous interview between Prince Andrew and the BBC, during which he failed to adequately explain the nature of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, leading him ultimately to step down from his public duties, an extremely rare decision for a member of the royal family.

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Right after the queen recorded her Christmas message, her husband was admitted to a hospital in London, where he spent four days, giving the queen a stressful end to an already-stressful year. While the queen generally does not get into specifics about political situations in her country during her Christmas address, she is likely to allude to the political turmoil that Britain underwent in 2019 and its effects on citizens. In this time of intense political conflict, the queen is likely to focus on reconciliation, stressing the importance of unity after an election that virtually guaranteed Brexit and ensured Conservative party rule for the next five years. The queen will say that “small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.”

Because the queen follows a principle of remaining neutral with respect to politics, it’s not exactly clear which specific events she is referring to by stressing the importance of mutual understanding and harmony, but it’s not hard to imagine she’s talking about Brexit, which has polarized the nation. The address will be broadcast on the BBC at 3 p.m. local time tomorrow, Christmas Day. The address was filmed in Windsor Castle, in the Green Drawing Room, as the queen sat beside family photos. Notably, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their 7-month old son Archie were not present among these photos, further suggesting a rift in the royal family that has been reported in tabloids over the past several months.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana Is Being Honored At New York Fashion Week

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Princess Diana has become one of the largest style icons of the 20th century. So when Tory Burch announced that her New York Fashion Week Show at the Brooklyn Museum would honor the late Princess, fans and fashion experts alike were ecstatic. 

Diana quickly gained the same icon status as Audrey Hepburn when it came to their ability to use fashion as a form of art, expression and elegance. Diana’s style was so much more than just bold colors and patterns that shook the British media, it was impactful, clean, and just as philanthropic as she was. 

Princess Diana casually dressed in a sweatshirt with the British Lung Foundation logo

In an interview with Page Six Magazine after the show, Burch said that she wanted “to be careful not to be too literal, because she’s clearly a style icon but that’s not what was so interesting to me. What was interesting was Diana’s humanitarian work, her fearlessness, her being a mom that protected her family and just how strong of a woman she was.”

Burch wanted to capture the essence of Diana, not just the pieces of cloth she wore, which included well known items such as her linen dresses with rope sashes, wool sweaters with a bold sequined collar or silk twill skirts in every color. She used garments like those and many other exemplary Diana pieces to build a collection that was inspired by the 80’s and infused with English garden florals and most importantly the Princess’s spirit. According to Vanity Fair, Diana’s style is still so enamoring to the public still to this day because of the way her outfits were able to capture her message. “Diana developed a very glamorous regal style for overseas trips, for example, that paid homage to the host nation.” 

This method has been continued and adopted by the world’s current most powerful women leaders, such as Michelle Obama, and the late Princess’s daughter-in-law Kate Middleton. Wearing clothing garments with the purpose of honoring the country she was in was a fashion moment that has never been publicized the way it was with Diana. She created a movement of understanding and respecting aspects of different cultures when you’re engulfed in the culture itself. She set a standard of empathy and understanding, all just with the way she chose to present herself. 

The Princess of Wales at Aintree racecourse for the Grand National, 3rd April 1982

“Cheerful, colorful clothes, because she wanted to convey approach-ability and warmth. She didn’t wear gloves because she liked to hold people’s hands. She would sometimes wear chunky jewelry so that children could play with it, and she never wore hats to children’s hospitals after a while, because she said you couldn’t cuddle a child in a hat,” said Eleri Lynn, curator of the “Diana: Her Fashion Story” collection at Kensington Palace, in an interview with Vanity Fair.

Every detail, no matter how small, had a direct intention from Diana herself. These elements were also what allowed the world to get to know Diana and who she was. When she was still alive, technology was nowhere near what it is now. She couldn’t just log onto Instagram, post a picture with the hashtag #OOTD and an explanation of why she was wearing what she was, and frankly, do we actually think she would? However, even though a lot of the world never really heard from Diana directly, the photos posted in magazines of her numerous iconic fashion moments truly spoke volumes to the world. Her ability to communicate with a simple handbag and statement necklace was unmatched to any other fashion figure. 

“She did clearly have fun with fashion,” Lynn continued in the same interview with Vanity Fair, “and she took risks . . . and experimented with her style. She was the first member of the royal family to be photographed wearing trousers to evening events. But she often teamed that with tuxedo jackets and bow ties—that’s quite the bold, fun look that you don’t necessarily expect of a princess.” 

Princess Diana at the Serpentine Gallery, London, June 1994.

Diana broke barriers not only with her looks, but with her work, and the clothing just acted as the cherry on top. She was one of the first major public figures to sympathize with victims of HIV and AIDS, famously telling the world to “shake their hands,  and give them a hug, Heaven knows they need it.” Her work in philanthropy was truly changing the entire world and how it thought, because she was married into the Royal Family, aka the most conservative/traditionally valued/ powerful groups in the world, and yet dressed in ways that contrasted those values, and spoke up with determination in ways a Princess never has. 

When her life was cut short it truly was a tragedy for the entire world. We lost one of the most powerful voices of a generation. People think that her being remembered as a style icon greatly reduces the amount of work Diana actually contributed to changing the world but it’s actually the opposite. When we get a greater understanding of her fashion choices, why she made them, and how out of character they were for a Princess, it’s easier to see that her clothing had just as much to do with her impact as she did. However, the clothes weren’t her, they were secondary additions working to further emphasize the presence and power that was Princess Diana.