http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/royals/ en-us Fri, 1 Jan 2010 23:35:56 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419227/posts She may be approaching her 84th birthday, but the Queen is still carrying out official engagements at the rate of more than one a day. Figures compiled by the Daily Mail suggest that she conducted 375 visits, investitures and audiences in 2009 - two decades after most people her age retired. The number is slightly down on the 417 she performed in 2008, largely because she undertook only one overseas state visit last year rather than the normal two. A trip to the Middle East was cancelled at the last minute so the Queen could stay in Britain to greet... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419227/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 23:35:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415720/posts Anger greets Dutch queen's Christmas message Published on 27 December 2009 - 12:08pm Many media experts and internet users have fiercely criticised Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands following her 2009 Christmas message. The queen tackled subjects including virtual communication which she said actually divided people rather than bringing them closer together. Although no names were given, she was taken to be referring to social networks such as Hyves, Facebook, Twitter and to text messaging in general. Internet expert Vincent Everts has told Radio Netherlands Worldwide that the queen doesn't know what she's talking about. He argues the opposite of what... Radio Netherlands Worldwide http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415720/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:27:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415064/posts The Queen's Christmas Message was a sombre one today at the end of a year dominated by the war in Afghanistan and deep economic gloom. "Each year that passes seems to have its own character," she said. "Some leave us with a feeling of satisfaction, others are best forgotten." She described 2009 as "a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn." The Queen, who is the titular head of the Armed Forces, expressed her sadness at the casualties suffered by British forces fighting in Helmand Province of Afghanistan. "I am sure that... The Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415064/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:36:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413152/posts LONDON – A cold alley in central London is a far cry from a palace — but it was the spot Prince William chose to sleep to highlight the plight of homeless British teenagers. ... "I hope that by deepening my understanding of the issue, I can help do my bit to help the most vulnerable on our streets." AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413152/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:39:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409666/posts LONDON — A British medical journal has published findings saying a mistress of 16th-century French King Henry II may have died from consuming too much drinkable gold. When French experts dug up the remains of Diane de Poitiers last year, they found high levels of gold in her hair. -snip- Fox http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2409666/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:58:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406855/posts The Queen is to hand over a substantial part of her public duties to Prince William to help him prepare for the day when he becomes King, according to a confidential document obtained by The Mail on Sunday. Secret papers reveal that plans to ease the strain on the 83-year-old monarch and her 88-year-old husband, Prince Philip, are at an advanced stage. The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favour of her 27-year-old grandson. The information is contained in a briefing note written by... DailyMail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406855/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:10:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406492/posts he Queen is to hand over a substantial part of her public duties to Prince William to help him prepare for the day when he becomes King, according to a confidential document obtained by The Mail on Sunday. Secret papers reveal that plans to ease the strain on the 83-year-old monarch and her 88-year-old husband, Prince Philip, are at an advanced stage. The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favour of her 27-year-old grandson. Stepping back: The move will fuel rumours that the Queen... UK Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406492/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:26:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406336/posts The Queen is to hand over a substantial part of her public duties to Prince William to help him prepare for the day when he becomes King, according to a confidential document obtained by The Mail on Sunday. Secret papers reveal that plans to ease the strain on the 83-year-old monarch and her 88-year-old husband, Prince Philip, are at an advanced stage. The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favour of her 27-year-old grandson. The information is contained in a briefing note written by... Mail on Sunday (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406336/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:02:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404961/posts Wait ’til you hear what the event was. Obama had quite a whirlwind day Thursday – he signed the Nobel guest book, huddled with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, met with King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and delivered an acceptance speech after he was formally presented with the prize. He also joined the king and queen at an evening banquet. But he skipped out on several other activities, including lunch with the king, a news conference at Oslo’s Grand Hotel, CNN’s traditional interview with the prize winner and a “Save the Children” benefit concert, where organizers replaced him with an... Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404961/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:30:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404417/posts Barack Obama has arrived in Oslo to receive his Nobel peace prize amid considerable anger over the White House's decision to cancel a series of events normally attended by the prizewinner. Obama is scheduled to meet the Norwegian prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, and the Norwegian royal family before receiving his medal at a ceremony due to begin at midday. His main speech is scheduled at a banquet tonight. But Norwegians are incensed over what they view as his shabby response to the prize by cutting short his visit. The White House has cancelled many of the events peace prize laureates... guardian.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404417/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:46:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404009/posts Finally some Europeans are angry with Obama—the very ones who are awarding him his Nobel. Katarina Andersson on the president's decision to decline lunch with King Harald and skip his own Nobel exhibit. A day before President Obama receives his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, the president’s treatment of his Norwegian hosts has become hot news across Scandinavia. News outlets across the region are calling Obama arrogant for slashing some of the prize winners’ traditional duties from his schedule. “Everybody wants to visit the Peace Center except Obama,” sniped the Norwegian daily Aftenposten, amid reports the president would snub his... The Daily Beast http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404009/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 21:18:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386208/posts Japan Today http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2386208/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:53:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383631/posts AUSTRALIA'S first Victoria Cross winner in almost 40 years has had a private meeting with The Queen. As Australian soldier Mark Donaldson walked calmly out the gates of Windsor Castle yesterday, he looked like any one of a number of the uniformed troops on duty protecting the Queen's official residence. But an observant British local among a small throng outside the gates noticed the distinctive Victoria Cross among other medals pinned to his chest and exclaimed loudly in a Cockney accent, "'e's got-a full deck 'e 'as", and warm applause instantly broke out for the unassuming 30-year-old Digger known to... Herald Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2383631/posts#comment Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:03:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381794/posts As third in line to the Throne, Prince Harry might be expected to dine on the most exquisite food in the most elegant palaces - not chicken and chips in a fast-food joint in Stevenage. But that's exactly what he enjoyed last week, joining a group of Army friends for a low-key meal at a branch of Nando's near their Hertfordshire base. Staff offered to give him the £14.60 meal for free, but the 25-year-old Prince insisted on paying - although he did ask for the 20 per cent discount the chain offers to military personnel. Richard Thompson, the 24-year-old... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381794/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:23:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381418/posts The Queen today lead the annual ceremony for Britain's war dead in the first Remembrance Sunday not attended by any veterans of World War I. As Big Ben chimed 11am, the queen joined thousands of troops, veterans and civilians in the traditional two-minute silence. The silence was broken by a single artillery blast and the sound of the Royal Marine buglers playing the 'Last Post'. Each year, thousands of poppies are placed in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey to remember all those killed by the war. This year the field also has plots dedicated to those killed in... Daily Mail (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381418/posts#comment Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:19:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374151/posts THE Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme that encourages participation in outdoor activities, believes that one reason young people are attracted to the program is the possibility that they could die in pursuit of the award. In an interview with The Australian yesterday, the Earl of Wessex, who is seventh in line to the British throne, said the program, established in Britain in 1956 and open to people aged between 14 and 25 in more than 120 countries - remains popular with so many because it offers the promise of adventure and the... The Australian http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2374151/posts#comment Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:23:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2370050/posts The heavy clay-laced mud behind the cattle pen on Antoine Renault’s farm looks as treacherous as it must have been nearly 600 years ago, when King Henry V rode from a spot near here to lead a sodden and exhausted English Army against a French force that was said to outnumber his by as much as five to one. No one can ever take away the shocking victory by Henry and his “band of brothers,” as Shakespeare would famously call them, on St. Crispin’s Day, Oct. 25, 1415. They devastated a force of heavily armored French nobles who had gotten... Ny Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2370050/posts#comment Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:38:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370692/posts October 25 is fraught with anniversaries. It marks a turning point in European history that was to later provide one of the greatest speeches ever to emerge from the English language and that has inspired millions for over 400 years. We are speaking here, of course, of the Battle of Agincourt that was fought on the feast of St. Crispin's Day in 1415 when young King Henry V and his army defeated the French army under the command of Constable d’Albret and his 100,000 men Spero News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370692/posts#comment Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:48:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1144043/posts Macbeth's castle unearthed in Inverness garden? LOCAL history enthusiasts believe they have unearthed positive evidence that a former King of Scotland maintained a castle in Inverness. Tradition has persisted that Macbeth had a stronghold at Auldcastle Road in the Crown area of the city - hence the name. Now an archaeological dig by members of the Inverness Local History Forum in the garden of the appropriately-named house Dun Macbeth has uncovered what could be the most important finds to date. Some artefacts, including pieces of medieval glass and what are thought to be whalebone and porpoise or dolphin bones have... Inverness Courier http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1144043/posts#comment Fri, 28 May 2004 19:51:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2354933/posts When Pope Benedict visits this country next year, he is expected to stay at Buckingham Palace as a guest of the Queen. The warmth of her welcome will come as no surprise to the Pontiff, if senior sources at the Vatican are to be believed. According to informants quoted in The Catholic Herald, the Queen has "grown increasingly sympathetic" to the Catholic Church over the years while being "appalled", along with the Prince of Wales, at developments in the Church of England. The usually well-informed newspaper adds that the Queen, who is the Supreme Governor of the C of E,... The Daily Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2354933/posts#comment Mon, 5 Oct 2009 02:23:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2346117/posts "I wish that you love me," says Patricia, Princess of Cardiff, whose mangled English is one of the few notable differences between her character and the real-life Diana, Princess of Wales. Her would-be lover is French President Jacques-Henri Lambertye — drawn, it seems, to closely resemble real-life former President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing...The florid romantic tale, titled The Princess and the President, might have passed largely unnoticed...were it not for the fact that its author is former President Giscard himself...some newspapers have covered the book as though it might be a thinly disguised kiss-and-tell. "Fiction or reality?" Le Figaro asked in... Time http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2346117/posts#comment Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:22:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343847/posts I'm writing this in regards to the increasing sexualization of royalty. Ever since Diana the young royals of Europe have been increasingly subjected to the standards usually held by celebrities. Royalty, like celebrity, is expected to be 'hot, young, sexy," and instead of dignified and doing their duty, they are supposed to have excellent PR. They are now supposed to socialize with celebrities, be on their good side, and prove their 'relevance' in the same manner as celebrities do. News and Views http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2343847/posts#comment Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:58:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2338985/posts Here is a video report on Great Britain's Prince Harry who is about to turn 25 years old, and will inherit his portion of the estate left to him by Princess Diana. It is estimated he will inherit $15 million on Tuesday. Prince Harry has become very popular in Great Britain, especially since his military service in Afghanistan. . . . (VIDEO) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2338985/posts#comment Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:37:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2334184/posts “Kings,” Louis XIV once observed, “should enjoy giving pleasure” and when it came to the fairer sex, he obeyed this precept zealously and often. “They’re all good enough for him, provided they’re women,” his sister-in-law remarked, “peasants, gardeners’ daughters, chambermaids, ladies of quality”; women of every stripe benefited from the Sun King’s sexual largesse. Neither the bonds of matrimony (to the sad, neglected Marie-Thérèse of Spain) nor the intrigues of his “official” mistresses (one of whom, Athénaïs de Montespan, wasn’t above spreading the rumor that a particular rival had scabs all over her body) could deter him from sharing the... The New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2334184/posts#comment Mon, 7 Sep 2009 21:41:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326879/posts A suicide bomber failed in his attempt to kill the prince who heads Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorism campaign, the first attack on a member of the royal family since the start of a wave of violence by Al-Qaeda six years ago. Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the deputy interior minister, was meeting well-wishers on Thursday when a man blew himself up, a ministry spokesman said. Al Arabiya television showed Prince Mohammed, apparently slightly injured, meeting King Abdullah after the attack. Prince Mohammed told King Abdullah that the attacker was a wanted militant who had indicated he was going to turn himself in.... kuwaittimes.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326879/posts#comment Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:25:12 GMT