Dec. 12, 2025
Awkward Royal Christening Ahead as Andrew Steps Back Into the Spotlight Today
Family tensions rise as Andrew and Sarah Ferguson prepare to attend the christening of granddaughter Athena — their first major royal gathering since Andrew lost his titles. Beatrice is said to be “worried” about her father’s fragile mental state, even as relations remain strained. William pays tribute to conservation legend Iain Douglas-Hamilton, then celebrates twenty years with Centrepoint. Kate reportedly takes full control of her royal wardrobe for the first time. Harry faces warnings over the soaring financial risks of his £38 million privacy case. Meanwhile, Rob Shuter claims Harry is quietly building a “rival royal court” in Britain. And in a major operational shift, the Royal Mews is set to leave Buckingham Palace for Windsor as the monarchy’s center of gravity continues to move out of London.
Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:12.480
Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I'm
2
00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:16.879
your host, Mark Francis. We'll have some interesting family dynamics today.
3
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:20.239
Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson are due to
4
00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:24.000
attend the christening of their granddaughter Athena at the Chapel
5
00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:27.320
Royal in Saint James Palace. It will be the first
6
00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:31.559
major royal gathering since Andrew relinquished his titles and honors.
7
00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:35.200
A source told The Daily Mail Beatrice has of course
8
00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:38.759
invited her father, but things are not warm between them. However,
9
00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:41.240
She's worried about him. He's going through a low ebb
10
00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:43.880
with his mental health and she recognizes that he dotes
11
00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:46.640
on his grandchildren and it would be cruel to deprive
12
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:49.920
him of the chance to attend the christening. Athena is
13
00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:54.039
the second daughter of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edward Ampellimozzi,
14
00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:56.840
and as the child's grandfather, Andrew is likely to have
15
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.399
a prominent role on the day. Princess you Genie and
16
00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:02.759
her husband Jack brooks Bank are expected to join the
17
00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:06.719
family for what will be a private christening ceremony, while
18
00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:08.640
the King is understood to have been invited, he is
19
00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:12.120
not expected to attend despite having no official engagements listed
20
00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:15.159
for the day. Princess Anne will also be absent as
21
00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:19.280
she is duet the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military
22
00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:24.959
Academy Sandhurst in Kemberley, Berkshire. Prince William has paid tribute
23
00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:29.760
to doctor Ian Douglas Hamilton, the renowned conservationist and founder
24
00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:32.239
of Save the Elephants, following his death at the age
25
00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:36.079
of eighty three. In a message shared on Kensington Royal
26
00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:38.719
Instagram account, William wrote, I am so sad to hear
27
00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:41.879
of the passing of Iron Douglas Hamilton, a man who
28
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.920
dedicated his life to conservation and whose life's work leaves
29
00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:50.519
a lasting impact on our appreciation for and understanding of elephants.
30
00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:53.079
The memories of spending time in Africa with him will
31
00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.159
remain with me forever. My thoughts go out to Iron's family,
32
00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:00.760
especially his wife Oria and children Sabah and Doo Doo w.
33
00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:05.359
Douglas Hamilton, a longtime ambassador for TUSK, was regarded as
34
00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:09.120
one of the world's leading elephant researchers. His pioneering work
35
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:12.800
in East Africa helped expose the scale of poaching and
36
00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:17.159
the threat it posed to elephant populations, shaping global conservation
37
00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:22.280
efforts for decades. I hope I pronounced his name correctly.
38
00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:26.680
Prince William celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday as he
39
00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:29.879
marked twenty years as patron of Centre Point. The Prince
40
00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:33.719
of Wales visited the Homelessness Charities and new offices in London,
41
00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.080
continuing the work once championed by his mother, Diana, Princess
42
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.280
of Wales. William was presented with a giant purple cake
43
00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:43.439
by baker Juliet Sea before meeting staff and young people
44
00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:45.960
who have been involved with the organization over the years.
45
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:49.240
He also contributed to a new Wall of Hope mural
46
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:55.240
co designed by artist Lonrey olgoke Mbe. Homelessness has long
47
00:02:55.240 --> 00:02:57.280
been the central focus for the Prince, and in twenty
48
00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.479
twenty three he launched his Homewards initiative, aiming to demonstrate
49
00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:06.360
that ending homelessness is achievable, making it rare, brief and unrepeated.
50
00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.080
Kate is said to be taking full charge of her
51
00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:14.000
wardrobe for royal engagements for the first time, with people
52
00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:17.560
reporting that Catherine's growing confidence has led her to step
53
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:21.560
out independently on the Fashion Front Following her recent return
54
00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:25.759
to public life. Kate has long collaborated with Natasha Archer,
55
00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:29.919
her former assistant and stylist, on outfit choices for major appearances,
56
00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:33.199
but after Archer left her role earlier this year to
57
00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.159
establish her own fashion consultancy, the princess reportedly chose not
58
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:40.919
to appoint a new stylist. A source told the magazine
59
00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:44.080
Kate has always been very involved in choosing her outfits
60
00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:47.560
for royal engagements, but now she is so confident she
61
00:03:47.639 --> 00:03:51.080
knows exactly what suits her and what doesn't. Prince Harry
62
00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.759
and six other public figures pursuing a thirty million pound
63
00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:58.280
privacy claim against the publisher of The Daily Mail have
64
00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:01.759
been formally warned about their financial risks of continuing their
65
00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.680
joint legal action. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Judge
66
00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.240
David Cook and Mister Justice Nicklin stressed that the claimants,
67
00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:14.439
including Prince Harry, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, Sir Elton John
68
00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:19.240
and Sadie Frost, must have the clearest possible understanding of
69
00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:23.639
the potential cost consequences as legal fees continue to rise.
70
00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:26.879
They cautioned that the group could face a multimillion pound
71
00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:29.920
bill if they lose the case, and that the financial
72
00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:33.959
burden could increase significantly if only some of the claimants succeed.
73
00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.680
The court heard that all seven are collectively insured for
74
00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:41.720
fourteen point one million pounds to cover Associated Newspapers costs
75
00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:44.560
should they all lose, but each has only two point
76
00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.600
three five million pounds of individual insurance. If the group splits,
77
00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:52.160
with some withdrawing or losing their individual claims, those remaining
78
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.519
could be left liable for a far larger share of
79
00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:59.759
the publisher's legal fees. The judges said it is imperative
80
00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.000
that the parties, and in particular the individual claimants have
81
00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.959
the clearest possible understanding as to the consequences of the
82
00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:08.959
way in which this litigation is being conducted. If that
83
00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.560
means the individual claimants need to reassess their at cover,
84
00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:18.519
that can only be in their own best interests. Legal
85
00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:22.000
costs in the case have already been labeled manifestly excessive
86
00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:26.360
and disproportionate, with earlier estimates approaching thirty eight point eight
87
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:32.000
million pounds. The claimant's accused Associated Newspapers of unlawful information gathering,
88
00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:36.959
including alleged phone hacking, intercepting, voicemails, bugging calls, and blagging
89
00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:42.279
confidential details. Associated vigorously denies the allegations, calling them lurid
90
00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:45.839
and simply preposterous. A nine week trial is scheduled to
91
00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:49.519
begin in mid January, with a further preliminary hearing set
92
00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:54.199
for December eighteenth. Rob Shooters Shooter Scoop is reporting that
93
00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:57.160
Prince Harry is quietly laying the foundations for what sources
94
00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:01.360
describe as a fully functioning royal court in Britain, one
95
00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:05.839
that could ultimately rival the structure around Prince William. According
96
00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:08.560
to the publication and insider claims, he's been playing the
97
00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:11.519
long game. Harry wants legitimacy. He wants to operate in
98
00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:15.399
the UK on his own terms, meetings, charitable work, high
99
00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:18.079
level engagements without being treated like a guest in his
100
00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:21.480
own country. Another source said the move is about far
101
00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.000
more than security arrangements. This isn't just about security. It's
102
00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:28.519
about creating a separate royal ecosystem. He's building a court
103
00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:32.240
and he's doing it carefully. One source put it bluntly,
104
00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:35.519
William has his court. Harry wants his. This isn't about
105
00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:38.399
a return to the family. It's about competing with them.
106
00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:42.680
A further insider suggested that recent legal efforts around security
107
00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:46.560
may be only the beginning. The security decision is just
108
00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:49.160
the first domino. Once it's in place, Harry can quietly
109
00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:54.399
expand his influence without anyone really noticing until it's too late. Well,
110
00:06:54.399 --> 00:07:01.160
Palacing just a moment. The royal family appears to be
111
00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.959
shifting its center of gravity away from London, with Windsor
112
00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:09.360
increasingly emerging as the monarchy's operational base. The Sunday Times
113
00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:12.800
reports that the Royal Mews, the department charged with all
114
00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:17.199
royal transportation from state cars to the historic carriage collection
115
00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:20.639
and stables of working horses, will relocate from Buckingham Palace
116
00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.399
to Windsor Castle in the new year. The Mews has
117
00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:26.759
been based at Buckingham Palace since the late eighteenth century,
118
00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:29.920
but the move reflects the reality of modern royal life.
119
00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.160
Buckingham Palace has not served as the primary royal residence
120
00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.560
since the late Queen Elizabeth settled at Windsor during the
121
00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:39.199
pandemic in twenty twenty. The London landmark remains in the
122
00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:42.800
midst of a significant renovation, and King Charles and Queen Camilla,
123
00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:45.839
when in the capital continue to live at Clarence House.
124
00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.759
Sources close to the monarch say the couple are very
125
00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.439
comfortable there, with one adding I know he's no fan
126
00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:53.720
of the Big House, as he calls the Palace. He
127
00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.959
doesn't see it as a viable future home or a
128
00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.120
house that's fit for purpose in the modern world. Another
129
00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:01.959
source noted that it is certainly true that Camilla doesn't
130
00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.399
want to live at Buckingham Palace and that Prince William
131
00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:09.040
agrees that the palace is not suitable for modern family life.
132
00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:11.399
The Prince and Princess of Wales have made a similar choice.
133
00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:14.680
William and Catherine moved into their long term home, Forest
134
00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:17.560
Lodge in Windsor only weeks ago and planned to keep
135
00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:21.360
it as their family base even once William eventually ascends
136
00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:25.279
the throne. Against that backdrop, shifting the Royal Mews out
137
00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.279
of central London and into Windsor is seen as a
138
00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:31.279
practical step. The department oversees around thirty horses, the state
139
00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:35.080
coaches and the Royal motor Fleet, and its staff, including coachmen,
140
00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.799
grooms and chauffeurs, live in accommodation adjacent to the stables
141
00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.919
and carriage houses. The Mews plays a central role in
142
00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:46.679
royal ceremony, providing the carriages used for state visits, trooping
143
00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:51.080
the colour, royal weddings and major pageantry. Windsor Castle itself
144
00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:54.159
has also taken on an expanded ceremonial role, while Buckingham
145
00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:58.120
Palace remains under refurbishment. Recent months of seeing the castle
146
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:02.399
host state visits, receptions and banquets reinforcing its growing prominence
147
00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.240
in the Royal calendar, and they have it would like
148
00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.120
to email us addresses The Palace Intrigue at a gmail
149
00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.480
dot com. Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the
150
00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:13.159
Apple for your choice, and leaves a nice review from
151
00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:16.080
enjoining the show Mink Francis my thanks to John McDermott,
152
00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.480
this Palace Intrigue and good times
1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:12.480
2
00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:16.879
3
00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:20.239
4
00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:24.000
5
00:00:24.079 --> 00:00:27.320
6
00:00:27.480 --> 00:00:31.559
7
00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:35.200
8
00:00:35.240 --> 00:00:38.759
9
00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:41.240
10
00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:43.880
11
00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:46.640
12
00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:49.920
13
00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:54.039
14
00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:56.840
15
00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:00.399
16
00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:02.759
17
00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:06.719
18
00:01:06.719 --> 00:01:08.640
19
00:01:08.680 --> 00:01:12.120
20
00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:15.159
21
00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:19.280
22
00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:24.959
23
00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:29.760
24
00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:32.239
25
00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:36.079
26
00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:38.719
27
00:01:38.760 --> 00:01:41.879
28
00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:45.920
29
00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:50.519
30
00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:53.079
31
00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.159
32
00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:00.760
33
00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:05.359
34
00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:09.120
35
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:12.800
36
00:02:12.840 --> 00:02:17.159
37
00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:22.280
38
00:02:23.240 --> 00:02:26.680
39
00:02:26.759 --> 00:02:29.879
40
00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:33.719
41
00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.080
42
00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:40.280
43
00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:43.439
44
00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:45.960
45
00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:49.240
46
00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:55.240
47
00:02:55.240 --> 00:02:57.280
48
00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.479
49
00:03:01.520 --> 00:03:06.360
50
00:03:08.039 --> 00:03:10.080
51
00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:14.000
52
00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:17.560
53
00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:21.560
54
00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:25.759
55
00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:29.919
56
00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:33.199
57
00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.159
58
00:03:37.199 --> 00:03:40.919
59
00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:44.080
60
00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:47.560
61
00:03:47.639 --> 00:03:51.080
62
00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:54.759
63
00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:58.280
64
00:03:58.400 --> 00:04:01.759
65
00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.680
66
00:04:05.759 --> 00:04:09.240
67
00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:14.439
68
00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:19.240
69
00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:23.639
70
00:04:24.199 --> 00:04:26.879
71
00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:29.920
72
00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:33.959
73
00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.680
74
00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:41.720
75
00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:44.560
76
00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.600
77
00:04:48.600 --> 00:04:52.160
78
00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.519
79
00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:59.759
80
00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.000
81
00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.959
82
00:05:05.959 --> 00:05:08.959
83
00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:12.560
84
00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:18.519
85
00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:22.000
86
00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:26.360
87
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:32.000
88
00:05:32.319 --> 00:05:36.959
89
00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:42.279
90
00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:45.839
91
00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:49.519
92
00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:54.199
93
00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:57.160
94
00:05:57.199 --> 00:06:01.360
95
00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:05.839
96
00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:08.560
97
00:06:08.600 --> 00:06:11.519
98
00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:15.399
99
00:06:15.480 --> 00:06:18.079
100
00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:21.480
101
00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:25.000
102
00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:28.519
103
00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:32.240
104
00:06:32.519 --> 00:06:35.519
105
00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:38.399
106
00:06:38.720 --> 00:06:42.680
107
00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:46.560
108
00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:49.160
109
00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:54.399
110
00:06:54.399 --> 00:07:01.160
111
00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.959
112
00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:09.360
113
00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:12.800
114
00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:17.199
115
00:07:17.279 --> 00:07:20.639
116
00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:23.399
117
00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:26.759
118
00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:29.920
119
00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.160
120
00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:35.560
121
00:07:35.600 --> 00:07:39.199
122
00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:42.800
123
00:07:42.920 --> 00:07:45.839
124
00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.759
125
00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:51.439
126
00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:53.720
127
00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.959
128
00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.120
129
00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:01.959
130
00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.399
131
00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:09.040
132
00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:11.399
133
00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:14.680
134
00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:17.560
135
00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:21.360
136
00:08:21.439 --> 00:08:25.279
137
00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:27.279
138
00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:31.279
139
00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:35.080
140
00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.799
141
00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.919
142
00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:46.679
143
00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:51.080
144
00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:54.159
145
00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:58.120
146
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:02.399
147
00:09:02.879 --> 00:09:06.240
148
00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:09.120
149
00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.480
150
00:09:11.480 --> 00:09:13.159
151
00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:16.080
152
00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:18.480
