Latest news with #PalaceConfidential
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Prince George milestone highlights 'worrying' Royal Family protocol issue
In a conversation about Prince George's 12th birthday, royal experts discussed whether a certain protocol that applied to Prince William when he was the same age would also apply to George Prince George turning 12 has highlighted a "worrying" problem with one aspect of Royal Family protocol, an expert has claimed. In a chat about the young prince's celebrations on a recent episode of Palace Confidential, royal experts weighed in on what was described by host Jo Elvin as an "interesting bit" of protocol around travel. They discussed whether George, who turned 12 on Tuesday (July 22), would follow in his father's footsteps and no longer travel with him, a royal protocol that reportedly occurred when Prince William passed the same milestone. Richard Eden, diary editor for the Daily Mail, said he had learned this from a "former pilot of royal helicopters". He explained that it was implemented to secure the line of succession, but it would be "interesting" to see if it also applied to George. When asked if the royals planned to continue this, Rebecca English, royal editor for the paper, told the Palace Confidential podcast that she'd spoken to the palace, but got the "impression" that the family "won't be changing" their travel arrangements. Jo then chimed in to note that she had been aware of the protocol when she was a child, as Richard shared his thoughts on why the fact wasn't more common knowledge. He pointed out that they "don't like talking" about security or their travel plans, but went on to highlight what may happen in the event of a tragedy, despite it not being a "tasteful discussion". Richard continued: "But I have to say, you know, I mean it's not a very, sort of, tasteful discussion, but it's the future of our Royal Family, and I personally find it very worrying. You know, look, after the Wales family, we have Harry and Meghan." He added: "The fact is that, you know, Prince Harry and Meghan could be on the throne, and that's something which would be a threat, I would say, to the future of the monarchy." In the UK, the line of succession is regulated by both descent and Parliamentary statute. Prince William, being the oldest of current monarch King Charles ' two sons, is the first in line to the throne. William and Kate have three children - George, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, seven - so they're next in line in this order (descending by age). However, sitting in fifth place is William's brother Prince Harry. In the event that the Waleses were unable to take the throne, Harry would be next in line, followed by his own children, Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, and then Charles' younger brother, Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Meanwhile, to mark Prince George's birthday, Kensington Palace released a new photo of him. Unveiled on social media, the snap (which shows a smiling George) was accompanied by a message from his parents. The message, which also featured a birthday cake emoji, read: "Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George!"
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The 'worrying' royal protocol Prince William and Prince George will NOT follow, according to experts on Palace Confidential
Prince George turned 12 on July 22 - an important milestone for the future king in more ways than one. On the latest episode of Palace Confidential, the Mail's panel of experts discussed the new royal protocol the young prince faces - and the reasons why he and his father Prince William will not be following it. Citing a former royal helicopter pilot, Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, said: 'When Prince William reached the age of 12, he stopped travelling with his father so they had separate flights. Obviously, that is to guarantee the line of succession. 'It will be very interesting to see whether that's the case with George and William because we know they have travelled together either via plane, helicopter or car.' But this is when Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, who has been covering the royal beat since 2004, interjected. 'I spoke to the Palace this week,' she said, 'and they were like "Well, it's kind of news to us." 'I get the impression that the family won't be changing their travel arrangements at all.' Jo Elvin, who hosts the hit YouTube show as well as making regular appearances on ITV's Lorraine, was puzzled by the Palace's response. 'I remember being a kid and my father telling me about that as a bit of royal protocol,' she said. 'It's weird.' 'Yeah,' Richard said. 'They don't like talking about security and talking about travel arrangements. 'But I have to say, I mean, it's not a very tasteful discussion, but it is the future of our royal family and I personally find it very worrying. 'Look, after the Wales Family, we have Harry and Meghan!' he exclaimed. 'I'm sure this isn't true but there were some rumours that Meghan had said something about "we're only one plane crash away from being on the throne." 'I am sure she didn't as it's a very tasteless comment but the fact is, Prince Harry and Meghan could be on the throne and that is something, I would say, would be a threat to the future of the monarchy.' Pleading to the Wales Family, he said: 'Come on, even though it's not great for the environment, please put George on a separate flight and a separate helicopter from his father.' 'My understanding is that he would still be able to travel with his mother,' Jo added. To which Rebecca replied: 'Yeah, but as I say, I don't think the family will change their travel plans at all.' This does not seem to align with the wishes of King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II - both of whom expressed their concerns about the Wales Family flying together. 'Not only do they travel together,' Richard explained, 'Prince William, who is a qualified helicopter pilot, actually flies the helicopter. 'According to Robert Jobson's book, the King didn't like William flying the whole family and urged him to stop. 'It is something that Queen Elizabeth expressed her concerns about as well. I think she was always keen to make sure that she did travel separately from the heir-to-the-throne Charles. 'It is a matter of some importance, I would say,' he added. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added important historical context as to why this rule was followed so ardently by the late Queen. The experienced royal commentator told MailOnline that the bizarre rule was established following a string of tragic deaths in the family involving aircrafts. 'The unexpected can happen, as with Prince William of Gloucester's tragic death in 1972, though this was in a competition,' Richard said. 'Prince George, Duke of Kent also died in a plane crash in 1942, which has become controversial. 'Prince Philip's sister, Cecile, died in a plane crash in 1937, giving birth to a stillborn child,' he added. These tragedies have only served to reinforce the Royal Family's belief in ensuring the heirs travel separately. Richard noted that a similar policy exists across the pond where the President never travels by plane with the Vice-President. Whilst this new royal protocol may be one that the Wales Family choose not to follow, it is just one of many rules George and his siblings are subject to. These include always travelling with a change of black clothes should a member of the family die unexpectedly. This rule was introduced after King George VI died while Elizabeth was in Kenya and she did not have any black clothes. The children also face limits on what they can and can't wear with the girls expected to wear dresses and the boys must wear shorts. On top of this, they can never eat shellfish while on a royal tour to avoid food poisoning.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Should Harry and Meghan move back to the UK? Have your say in the Palace poll
You've read the headlines and heard our experts' opinions - but what do YOU think? Have your say on the biggest royal story of the week by answering our poll below. You'll find the final results in our brilliant newsletter, Palace Confidential. Want more of the Mail's unrivalled royals journalism, straight from some of the world's leading experts on the monarchy? Now, you can make sure you're always in the know, by signing up to our brand new weekly newsletter: Palace Confidential. Sign up here. We'll bring together the most knowledgeable voices, gorgeous photography and exclusive insider commentary to expose the truth behind polished public appearances, and reveal the very human drama at the heart of this extraordinary institution. You'll have the chance to ask our Royal Editor, Rebecca English, and other top journalists anything you've always wanted to know about the monarchy.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal experts try Meghan Markle's rosé wine on PALACE CONFIDENTIAL - and the results may surprise you
Meghan Markle released her wine on July 1 and it was met with sell-out success. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, took to Instagram to announce that her 2023 Napa Valley rosé, made in California, quickly sold out in under an hour. As Ever customers were able to purchase three bottles of the 'thoughtfully curated' for $90, six bottles for $159, and 12 bottles for $300. Luckily, the Palace Confidential team got their hands on a bottle, allowing the Mail's Royal experts to try it for themselves on the latest episode of the hit YouTube show. Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, was the first to take a sip - and it didn't take long for him to screw up his nose. 'It's sort of sweet at first but with a bitter aftertaste,' he said. 'Now Richard,' replied a sarcastic Luke Blackall, who hosted this week's show. 'I don't know what you could be talking about.' 'Genuinely,' Richard insisted. 'It does have quite an unpleasant aftertaste.' After taking a sip, Luke turned his attention to Charlotte Griffiths, the Mail on Sunday's Editor-at-Large. 'It's quite strong, isn't it?' he asked her. 'It's 14.5 per cent which is quite a lot for a rosé.' 'I don't actually drink,' replied Charlotte. 'So I will have one sip and be completely sloshed because I have no tolerance left and it's 14.5 per cent!' Raising the glass to her lips and taking a small sip, Charlotte said: 'Oh god, I've missed that. Maybe I will take up drinking again. It's been about five years!' Going into more depth, she said: 'That is strong and fine. It's fine. 'I could see myself putting that on the table. All my friends would refuse to drink it but I think it makes an elegant addition to a table. 'Who doesn't love a glass of frosty cold rosé?' To which Richard replied: 'I think if it was £5, you might think "great" but I think it's about $30 a bottle.' 'And you have to buy three,' Luke added. 'I think they only come in sets of three.' 'I would certainly be giving away the second two as a gift, I think,' Richard quipped. Charlotte, who has been reporting on the royals - and running in their circles - for 15 years, said that her biggest gripe was with the wine bottle itself. 'I don't think it's a very fancy bottle,' she said. 'It's not very stylishly designed.' 'Are you saying we should or shouldn't judge a bottle by its cover?' asked Luke. 'I judge the bottle by its cover,' Charlotte said. 'I think it needs an upgrade. A taller neck and more elegant foil. 'Love is in the detail,' she added, quoting the Duchess in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. Jan Moir, a much loved columnist at the Daily Mail, also had a taste of Meghan's wine. In an exclusive clip featured on Palace Confidential, Jan said: 'This just isn't any old rosé, this is the Duchess of Sussex rosé. 'According to the blurb, she "thoughtfully curated and thoughtfully crafted" herself. Now, I don't imagine she was tramping the grapes up in the Napa Valley. 'What is astonishing to me is that the alcoholic content of this wine is 14.5 per cent,' Jan said. 'In Scotland, we would call this "Wreck the Hoose Juice". 'It's very, very strong for a rosé. Most European rosés are only 12.5 per cent,' she added. 'If you take something like Whispering Angel, which is not just the bestselling rosé in America, it's the bestselling rosé in the world, I think, and that's only 12.5 per cent.' Pouring it into a glass not unsimilar to the one Meghan used in her promotion pictures, Jan said: 'It looks like rosé. It smells like rosé.' After taking a sip, she delivered her verdict: 'I want to be honest with you, it's a bit too sweet for me. 'It's quite fruity. She says it's got notes of "minerality" in it but I don't get that,' Jan said. 'I get stone fruit. It's a bit plummy. 'As I said, it's just not my favourite style of rosé. A lot of people do like it but I prefer the paler ones from the Mediterranean because that's the kind of person I am.'
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Is King Charles right to hold 'peace talks' with Harry and Meghan? Have your say in the Palace poll
You've read the headlines and heard our experts' opinions - but what do YOU think? Have your say on the biggest royal story of the week by answering our poll below. You'll find the final results in our brilliant newsletter, Palace Confidential. Want more of the Mail's unrivalled royals journalism, straight from some of the world's leading experts on the monarchy? Now, you can make sure you're always in the know, by signing up to our brand new weekly newsletter: Palace Confidential. Sign up here. We'll bring together the most knowledgeable voices, gorgeous photography and exclusive insider commentary to expose the truth behind polished public appearances, and reveal the very human drama at the heart of this extraordinary institution. You'll have the chance to ask our Royal Editor, Rebecca English, and other top journalists anything you've always wanted to know about the monarchy. Sign up to Palace Confidential now, and never miss a Royals story.
