Latest news with #Prince'sTrust
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
King Charles 'really ill' says Joanna Lumley as she shares health insight
Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has opened up on King Charles' cancer battle as she praised the future monarch for his 'extraordinary' legacy. King Charles has been praised as "exceptionally brave" amid his health battles, after his cancer diagnosis in February last year. Dame Joanna Lumley has gave an insight on the monarch, who she described as being "really ill" in a new interview. The Absolutely Fabulous icon, 79, who is known for being a passionate royalist, heaped praise on Charles. Dame Joanna was honoured with her damehood three years ago by Princess Anne, for her services to drama, entertainment, and charity. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she revealed: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." However Joanna's admiration for the King dates back many years, as she expressed Charles already had made his mark and a lasting legacy long before he took the crown, according to reports in the Mirror. She stated: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" After meeting both Charles and Queen Camilla in person previously, Joanna described the monarch as a "golden, fabulous person". The actress claimed she believed that the media had championed Diana during the royal pair's marriage troubles, observing that "so much mud was flung" at Camilla Parker Bowles, who has now became Queen. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna was awarded an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before claiming her Dame title 27 years later. Dame Joanna expressed that finding out the news through a letter left her in tears, as she reflected on the overwhelming moment she will never forget. The 2022 honours marked the last New Year's awards handed out by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her sad passing nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Giving insight into the late Queen, she commented: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." Joanna published her book A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II back in 2021. She told Jonathan Ross that it included stories from people who had met her throughout her reign, from figures like Winston Churchill to children who gave her flowers on the street. One story came from rock star Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'". Meanwhile, Joanna has also been in the spotlight recently after expressing support for assisted dying, stating she wouldn't want to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Joanna Lumley says King Charles 'really is ill' as she shares rare health battle insight
Joanna Lumley has shared her deep admiration for King Charles and offered a rare insight into how the monarch is handing his health battle after being diagnosed with cancer last year Absolutely Fabulous legend Dame Joanna Lumley, a devoted royalist, has showered King Charles with glowing praise - describing the monarch as being "exceptionally brave". The 79-year-old actress, who received her damehood three years ago, offered the glowing tribute while discussing Charles' ongoing health struggles, following his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." Yet Joanna's deep respect for Charles stretches back decades, as she insisted he had already established an extraordinary legacy well before ascending to the throne. She declared: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" Having encountered both Charles and Queen Camilla personally, Joanna described the latter as a "golden, fabulous person". The veteran performer claimed the press had backed Diana throughout the Royal couple's marital troubles, noting that "so much mud was flung" at the woman then known as Camilla Parker Bowles. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna received an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before securing her Dame title 27 years later. She revealed discovering the news through a letter left her in floods of tears during an unforgettable moment that proved completely overwhelming. The 2022 honours were the final New Year's awards distributed by Queen Elizabeth II before her death nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Offering a glimpse into the late monarch, she remarked: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." In 2021, Joanna released a book titled A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. She explained to Jonathan Ross that it featured stories from individuals who had encountered her throughout her reign - ranging from figures like Winston Churchill to children who presented her with flowers on the street. One tale came from rock legend Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'" Meanwhile, Joanna has also attracted attention recently after voicing support for assisted dying - stating she wouldn't wish to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
Mint
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Luke Evans recalls King Charles' surprising link to Vlad the Impaler
Actor Luke Evans has shed light on how he met King Charles in his 2025 memoir 'Boy from the Valleys: My Unexpected Journey'. The incident, which took place back in 2014, at Prince's Trust gala dinner held at The Savoy Hotel in London, led the actor to learn some "fascinating" royal family history, reports People. The actor, who had been named an ambassador for the charity, which the King founded in 1976 to support disadvantaged youth, was meeting the monarch for the first time. The meeting also saw the two exchange what Evans describes as 'a good, strong handshake' before the King casually inquired about his latest project, which had a Vlad the Impaler connection. Evans had just wrapped Dracula Untold when he met the King. He portrayed Vlad the Impaler, the brutal 15th-century Romanian ruler who inspired Bram Stoker's iconic vampire in the film. But little did he know that the King would reveal a distant family link to the real-life Dracula himself. When Luke mentioned his role as Vlad the Impaler in Dracula Untold, 'the King's eyes lit up,' Evans wrote. The royal then said, 'I will tell you an interesting story. I am actually related to Vlad Tepes.' To Evans' surprise, 'he then proceeded to talk me through his entire lineage, all the way back to the 1400s,' and added, 'He told me he now owns a number of properties in Romania, where Vlad was ruler.' Charles then smiled, saying, 'Yes, and not a lot of people know it.' "I noticed he had stayed a little longer with me than he had with other guests, probably because we had this fascinating thing to talk about," Evans wrote. In his memoir, Evans has also shared his first impression of meeting King Charles, noting the monarch's rare ability to truly engage. "Charles makes you feel as if he's genuinely interested in what you have to say, which is remarkable when you consider he has to do this several times a day," Evans wrote. "You imagine he'd become robotic, just going through the motions every time, but he really seems to engage," he added. Evans also expressed deep pride in being part of 'a fantastic institution.' For those unaware, long before his conversation with Luke Evans, King Charles had publicly claimed a distant link to Vlad the Impaler during a 2011 TV special focused on forest conservation in Romania. 'The genealogy shows that I am descended from Vlad the Impaler,' he said, adding, 'So I have a bit of a stake in the country.' Luke Evans' memoir Boy from the Valleys, released in the US on April 22. Through distant royal ancestry, King Charles claims to be descended from Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century Romanian ruler who inspired the legend of Dracula. Evans said King Charles was genuinely engaged in conversation. The memoir is titled Boy from the Valleys: My Unexpected Journey.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Leona Lewis and Myleene Klass receive honours from King Charles in investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle
Leona Lewis and Myleene Klass have been honoured in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. X Factor winner Leona has been made an OBE for services to music and charity whilst presenter and singer Myleene has received an MBE for services to women's health, miscarriage awareness and charity. Leona, 40, won the third series of The X Factor in 2006 and went on to achieve success with singles including Bleeding Love, Run and Better In Time. The British singer-songwriter from Islington, north London, became a seven-time Brit award nominee and was nominated three times for a Grammy award. She has also carried out charity work with a number of organisations including the Prince's Trust, the Teenage Cancer Trust and WWF. Myleene, 47, has campaigned for paid bereavement leave to be extended to those who experience a miscarriage. The mother of three suffered four miscarriages and has spoken openly about the psychological effects of baby loss on women. She is an ambassador for the pregnancy and baby charity Tommy's and fronted the Bafta-nominated documentary Myleene Klass: Miscarriage And Me in 2021, in which she met women around the UK to hear their experiences. Myleene has said she is 'so proud' of how far she had come and reflected on how she had battled back 'from a very dark place'. Talking to the BBC earlier this year she said: 'When I think back to how all of this started, it all came from a very dark place, and I certainly didn't have it in mind to become a campaigner at the time. 'Anyone who has experienced baby loss will know how personal and difficult it is to vocalise this level of trauma.' Myleene has championed changes to the Women's Health Strategy, advocating for earlier support for women rather than waiting until they have experienced three miscarriages. Her efforts have focused on improving miscarriage care and raising awareness about the emotional and heartbreaking toll of baby loss. The musician has used her platform to push for government reforms and has played a key role in ensuring baby loss is addressed as a critical health issue. She added: 'If you suffered three heart attacks you wouldn't only be offered support after the third one and so it shouldn't be the same with baby loss'. The former Hear'Say singer's work has been widely praised for its impact on breaking the silence around miscarriage and offering hope and support to other women.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Top Small Business Grants in the UK: A Busin Assist Guide to Kickstarting Your Venture
Explore the top small business grants available in the UK for startups and entrepreneurs. Busin Assist's expert guide helps you find funding opportunities to launch and grow your business in is a major challenge for startups. Raising startup funding from investors, grants, and loans after UK company formation is a crucial step toward business growth. While businesses must repay loans and investments, grants, on the other hand, do not need to be repaid. Grants are tailored to provide small businesses with financial support to streamline their starting process and enhance performance. A grant can be awarded by the government, a foundation, or another company. Grants are, however, not free money since they have terms that must be met before your business is awarded. While government grants are available, getting a grant for small business can be challenging. This guide will give you an overview of grants that could work for your business, not forgetting tips on how startups can navigate the complex process of getting small business grants. An overview of small business grants A small business grant is a financial award given to entrepreneurs to kick-start their business. These grants are awarded to startups helping entrepreneurs launch their businesses seamlessly. In the UK, the grants can come from the government and private organisations to support UK businesses and to help the economy flourish. There are different types of grants that small businesses can benefit from. Some grants can come in the form of tax relief or training on how you can maximise your profit margins. These grants include: Direct grants These grants are provided in cash to assist businesses in pursuing specific initiatives. The amounts can vary significantly, from several hundred pounds to a maximum of £50,000. If the funds are utilised as per the stipulated spending and timeline criteria, repayment is not required. Instead, investors generally acquire an equity interest in the business. Resource and training grants Government entities, local authorities, and private organisations provide targeted resource and training grants, frequently designed for specific demographics or needs. Examples include business startup grants for individuals over 30 in the UK and grants for veterans to facilitate their transition into civilian life. It is important to seek out UK business grants that may be beneficial, utilising both online resources and personal networks. Tax relief Tax reliefs can enhance your profit margins. For instance, the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) assist companies in securing funding by providing tax incentives to their investors. Regional grants These are financial assistance programs that are aimed at businesses located in particular regions or sectors experiencing economic difficulties or potential growth. Prince's Trust grants Development awards of up to £500 are available for UK residents aged 16 to 30 who seek financial assistance for training purposes. Forestry Grant Scheme Financial assistance is available for companies that establish new woodland areas or engage in the sustainable management of current woodlands. Additionally, various government grants are accessible to startups in the UK, including Innovation grants, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and the New Enterprise Allowance. Tips for small businesses to get grants Research There are many grants available. You can research UK government grants on a searchable database, while for other grants, you can look into funding directories. Check your eligibility Every grant has its own terms and guidelines. Entrepreneurs have to read and understand the terms of the grant to see if it aligns with their business objectives. Fashion startups cannot apply for grants that focus on tech businesses. Check your funding Some grants will want to match the amount you're willing to invest, so if you're seeking a grant of £10,000 then make sure you have a matching amount available. Have a great business plan The awarding organization for the grant will require a comprehensive business plan, similar to other funding types, and if your business is already operational, you should provide evidence of your current business status. Apply early You have a better chance of receiving a grant if you apply when a scheme first launches. Make sure you include all the required information and address all the questions. Explain clearly why you need the grant and how you will use it. Focus on the grant use Grants are typically allocated for particular initiatives, such as the acquisition of IT equipment or the financing of broadband installation. It is essential to utilize the application to demonstrate how these resources will contribute to the expansion of your business and provide advantages to others, rather than focusing solely on the IT equipment in question. Grant reporting If you are awarded a grant, you will need to prepare reports and documentation to show how the grant funds were spent. Competition Many innovation competitions can help small businesses get funding. In conclusion, getting a small business grant can be a complex process, but this guide can streamline it. After forming a UK company, you can easily apply for a grant to finance your startup and launch smoothly. To enhance your chances of success in the application process, it is essential to prepare a well-detailed and current business plan, have a defined budget plan, financial statements, and a detailed explanation of how your business meets the criteria for the small business grant. Government grants, including those offered by the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies and the Scottish Parliament, are accessible to businesses in the UK. For entrepreneurs looking to form a UK company, it is advisable to start with the Business Finance Support Finder, which offers valuable resources. The Welsh government has a list of grants available through its Business Grants website and also Enterprise Ireland provides funding opportunities for a range of businesses, from small companies to larger organisations. There are also other alternatives to small business grants such as loans, crowdfunding, angel investors, investors, equity finance, and funds from family and friends. Form your UK company seamlessly with BusinAssist and kickstart your business effectively. They help businesses who want to tap into the UK market. Overseas businesses can incorporate their business using a London virtual office and operate remotely. If you have any queries about UK company formation, you can contact BusinAssist at [email protected].
