Latest news with #OBEs
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Freddie Mercury's brutal Princess Diana snub at Live Aid that raised eyebrows
When the iconic rock band Queen performed at Live Aid in 1985, Freddie Mercury refused to sit with Charles and Diana in the royal box at Wembley Stadium for one reason Princess Diana charmed millions of people across the world, including celebrities - but Freddie Mercury seemingly had no interest in schmoozing with royalty. In 1985, thousands of people gathered at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid: a charity concert to raise money for those struggling with the famine in Ethiopia. The concert, which was broadcast to more than one billion people around the world, was also attended by royal couple Princess Diana and the then Prince Charles, who watched on from the royal box. One of the day's most anticipated performances came from iconic rock band Queen, who have since gone on to perform for royalty many times. Band members Brian May and Roger Taylor went on to headline the late Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee concert in 2022, and both received OBEs throughout their career. However, during Live Aid, the late Freddie Mercury had no such desire to mix with the royals, opting not to join Taylor and May in the royal box to watch the performance in the company of Charles and Diana. In an interview with The Express, Freddie's close friend and long-term assistant, Peter Freestone, revealed that Freddie simply had 'better' things to do backstage at Live Aid than mingle with the royals. He said: "Even at Live Aid, you see Brian May and Roger Taylor in the royal box. Freddie didn't go. He was more interested in being with friends backstage, talking with Elton John, hanging out with his people. His friends were always the most important to him." Despite choosing not to spend his time with Charles and Diana, there has long been a rumour that Freddie Mercury did have a level of friendship with Diana, with the pair allegedly having a wild night together at a gay bar in South London. According to urban legend, Freddie and Diana struck up a friendship and bonded over their love of the sitcom The Golden Girls, along with celebrities like Rupert Everett and Kenny Everett. Kenny's friend Cleo Rocos said: "The group spent the afternoon drinking champagne in front of reruns of The Golden Girls with the sound turned down and improvising show dialogue with a much naughtier storyline." The evening quickly got wilder, with Diana allegedly wanting to tag along with the rest of the group as they planned to party the night away at a famous South London gay bar, the appropriately named Royal Vauxhall Tavern. According to Rocos, they disguised the princess as a man in a baseball cap, sunglasses and army bomber jacket, as she said: "When we walked in ... we felt she was obviously Princess Diana and would be discovered at any minute. But people just seemed to blank her. She sort of disappeared. But she loved it." Despite the years of rumours over the wild night, Peter Freestone debunked the claims as he told Express: "No, not at all. Maybe Diana went with Kenny but Freddie wasn't there. He never met her."
Scottish Sun
23-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Three disgraced former submarine captains stripped of their OBEs by King over sex & bullying scandals
All three were commanders and led crews of more than 130 ORDER OF DAS BOOT Three disgraced former submarine captains stripped of their OBEs by King over sex & bullying scandals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE disgraced former submarine captains have been stripped of their OBEs by the King. Top brass urged ministers to withdraw the prestigious gongs from the trio over sex and bullying scandals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up One had made an X-rated film on HMS Victorious and a second, nominated for an OBE during his misconduct probe, licked a female officer's ear, blew on her neck and punched her on HMS Vigilant. Both vessels carry nuclear missiles. The third was found guilty of bullying on nuclear-powered attack sub HMS Trenchant. All three were commanders — James Bond's rank — and led crews of more than 130. read more on royal navy PORN LOCKDOWN Fresh Navy sex scandal as major base 'locked down' over revenge porn claims The Navy asked the Cabinet Office Forfeiture Committee to strip the men of their awards and King Charles gave final approval. It comes after former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key had vowed to stamp out intolerable behaviour in the service. But he was suspended last month over an alleged affair with a subordinate and could lose his knighthood or CBE. A Defence source said: 'It used to be understood that you'd lose your honour if you went to jail, but this is different. "These guys are guilty of serious misconduct, but they aren't convicted criminals. "It feels like the forfeiture bar has been lowered.' Breaking the Oath: Affair and corruption in the police force A Navy spokesman said: 'Any allegations of unacceptable behaviour are thoroughly investigated, and those found guilty will face serious consequences.' Only eight other Armed Forces' members have forfeited honours this century, all after criminal convictions. They include at least five paedophiles. 1 First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, who was suspended last month over an alleged affair with a subordinate Credit: Getty Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
South Wales Guardian
14-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Parents of aid worker killed in Afghanistan dedicate honour to women there
John and Lorna Norgrove said they were honoured and surprised to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. The couple were both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland. They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010. The foundation gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan. The couple said: 'We are honoured to have received this recognition of the work being carried out by the Linda Norgrove Foundation. 'We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal – to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan. 'Having put a lot of effort into sponsoring women to study medicine in Afghanistan, we were heartbroken when the Taliban stopped them from attending university. 'We were privileged to have the chance to bring some of them here to Scotland last year to continue their studies at Scottish universities. 'We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.' Mrs Norgrove said news of the OBE came as a 'big surprise'. The foundation worked with both the Scottish and UK governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland last year to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their university studies in Afghanistan. The couple said the charity was set up to help Afghan women and children in their own country and they now plan to focus on that rather than bringing more of them to the UK. They hope the honour will raise awareness about the work the foundation is doing in Afghanistan, where girls and women are living under severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Women have been prevented from working, prevented from having education, they're prevented from going out. 'And the loss of jobs is having a severe effect on family life and how they're managing to cope on an everyday basis.' The couple, who live on the isle of Lewis, said their daughter would have been pleased to know they are carrying on the work that she was doing. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Linda was very, very much for women's rights, and for looking after women, for giving them jobs – anything to do with women and children, she was all for it. 'She would be absolutely delighted that we've been able to help in the way that we have.' Mr Norgrove added: 'She was all for women's education. She particularly thought that you don't only educate a woman, but you also ensure a different life for the woman's children as well, you know? So she thought that was the future.'
Glasgow Times
14-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Parents of aid worker killed in Afghanistan dedicate honour to women there
John and Lorna Norgrove said they were honoured and surprised to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. The couple were both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland. They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010. John and Lorna Norgrove meeting Afghan women as they arrived at Edinburgh Airport last year (Andrew Milligan/PA) The foundation gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan. The couple said: 'We are honoured to have received this recognition of the work being carried out by the Linda Norgrove Foundation. 'We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal – to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan. 'Having put a lot of effort into sponsoring women to study medicine in Afghanistan, we were heartbroken when the Taliban stopped them from attending university. 'We were privileged to have the chance to bring some of them here to Scotland last year to continue their studies at Scottish universities. 'We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.' Mrs Norgrove said news of the OBE came as a 'big surprise'. The foundation worked with both the Scottish and UK governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland last year to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their university studies in Afghanistan. Linda Norgrove died in 2010 (FCO/PA) The couple said the charity was set up to help Afghan women and children in their own country and they now plan to focus on that rather than bringing more of them to the UK. They hope the honour will raise awareness about the work the foundation is doing in Afghanistan, where girls and women are living under severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Women have been prevented from working, prevented from having education, they're prevented from going out. 'And the loss of jobs is having a severe effect on family life and how they're managing to cope on an everyday basis.' The couple, who live on the isle of Lewis, said their daughter would have been pleased to know they are carrying on the work that she was doing. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Linda was very, very much for women's rights, and for looking after women, for giving them jobs – anything to do with women and children, she was all for it. 'She would be absolutely delighted that we've been able to help in the way that we have.' Mr Norgrove added: 'She was all for women's education. She particularly thought that you don't only educate a woman, but you also ensure a different life for the woman's children as well, you know? So she thought that was the future.'
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Parents of aid worker killed in Afghanistan dedicate honour to women there
John and Lorna Norgrove said they were honoured and surprised to be recognised in the King's Birthday Honours. The couple were both made OBEs for services to women and children abroad and in Scotland. They set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in memory of their daughter Linda, an aid worker who was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan and died in an attempted rescue by US forces in October 2010. The foundation gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan. The couple said: 'We are honoured to have received this recognition of the work being carried out by the Linda Norgrove Foundation. 'We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal – to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan. 'Having put a lot of effort into sponsoring women to study medicine in Afghanistan, we were heartbroken when the Taliban stopped them from attending university. 'We were privileged to have the chance to bring some of them here to Scotland last year to continue their studies at Scottish universities. 'We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to leave their homes and families behind to move abroad and continue their studies and careers. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.' Mrs Norgrove said news of the OBE came as a 'big surprise'. The foundation worked with both the Scottish and UK governments to bring 19 female Afghan medical students to Scotland last year to continue their degrees as they were barred by the Taliban from completing their university studies in Afghanistan. The couple said the charity was set up to help Afghan women and children in their own country and they now plan to focus on that rather than bringing more of them to the UK. They hope the honour will raise awareness about the work the foundation is doing in Afghanistan, where girls and women are living under severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Women have been prevented from working, prevented from having education, they're prevented from going out. 'And the loss of jobs is having a severe effect on family life and how they're managing to cope on an everyday basis.' The couple, who live on the isle of Lewis, said their daughter would have been pleased to know they are carrying on the work that she was doing. Mrs Norgrove said: 'Linda was very, very much for women's rights, and for looking after women, for giving them jobs – anything to do with women and children, she was all for it. 'She would be absolutely delighted that we've been able to help in the way that we have.' Mr Norgrove added: 'She was all for women's education. She particularly thought that you don't only educate a woman, but you also ensure a different life for the woman's children as well, you know? So she thought that was the future.'
