Awkward Royal Christening Ahead as Andrew Steps Back Into the Spotlight Today

0:03 Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I'm your host, Mark Francis. We'll have some interesting family dynamics today. Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson are due to attend the christening of their granddaughter Athena at the Chapel Royal in Saint James Palace. It will be the first major royal gathering since Andrew relinquished his titles and honors. A source told The Daily Mail Beatrice has of course invited her father, but things are not warm between them. However, She's worried about him. He's going through a low ebb with his mental health and she recognizes that he dotes on his grandchildren and it would be cruel to deprive him of the chance to attend the christening. Athena is the second daughter of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edward Ampellimozzi, and as the child's grandfather, Andrew is likely to have a prominent role on the day. Princess you Genie and her husband Jack brooks Bank are expected to join the family for what will be a private christening ceremony, while the King is understood to have been invited, he is not expected to attend despite having no official engagements listed for the day. Princess Anne will also be absent as she is duet the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Kemberley, Berkshire. Prince William has paid tribute to doctor Ian Douglas Hamilton, the renowned conservationist and founder of Save the Elephants, following his death at the age of eighty three. In a message shared on Kensington Royal

1:36 Instagram account, William wrote, I am so sad to hear of the passing of Iron Douglas Hamilton, a man who dedicated his life to conservation and whose life's work leaves a lasting impact on our appreciation for and understanding of elephants. The memories of spending time in Africa with him will remain with me forever. My thoughts go out to Iron's family, especially his wife Oria and children Sabah and Doo Doo w. Douglas Hamilton, a longtime ambassador for TUSK, was regarded as one of the world's leading elephant researchers. His pioneering work in East Africa helped expose the scale of poaching and the threat it posed to elephant populations, shaping global conservation efforts for decades. I hope I pronounced his name correctly.

2:23 Prince William celebrated a significant milestone on Tuesday as he marked twenty years as patron of Centre Point. The Prince of Wales visited the Homelessness Charities and new offices in London, continuing the work once championed by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. William was presented with a giant purple cake by baker Juliet Sea before meeting staff and young people who have been involved with the organization over the years. He also contributed to a new Wall of Hope mural co designed by artist Lonrey olgoke Mbe. Homelessness has long been the central focus for the Prince, and in twenty twenty three he launched his Homewards initiative, aiming to demonstrate that ending homelessness is achievable, making it rare, brief and unrepeated.

3:08 Kate is said to be taking full charge of her wardrobe for royal engagements for the first time, with people reporting that Catherine's growing confidence has led her to step out independently on the Fashion Front Following her recent return to public life. Kate has long collaborated with Natasha Archer, her former assistant and stylist, on outfit choices for major appearances, but after Archer left her role earlier this year to establish her own fashion consultancy, the princess reportedly chose not to appoint a new stylist. A source told the magazine Kate has always been very involved in choosing her outfits for royal engagements, but now she is so confident she knows exactly what suits her and what doesn't. Prince Harry and six other public figures pursuing a thirty million pound privacy claim against the publisher of The Daily Mail have been formally warned about their financial risks of continuing their joint legal action. In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Judge David Cook and Mister Justice Nicklin stressed that the claimants, including Prince Harry, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, Sir Elton John and Sadie Frost, must have the clearest possible understanding of the potential cost consequences as legal fees continue to rise.

4:24 They cautioned that the group could face a multimillion pound bill if they lose the case, and that the financial burden could increase significantly if only some of the claimants succeed. The court heard that all seven are collectively insured for fourteen point one million pounds to cover Associated Newspapers costs should they all lose, but each has only two point three five million pounds of individual insurance. If the group splits, with some withdrawing or losing their individual claims, those remaining could be left liable for a far larger share of the publisher's legal fees. The judges said it is imperative that the parties, and in particular the individual claimants have the clearest possible understanding as to the consequences of the way in which this litigation is being conducted. If that means the individual claimants need to reassess their at cover, that can only be in their own best interests. Legal costs in the case have already been labeled manifestly excessive and disproportionate, with earlier estimates approaching thirty eight point eight million pounds. The claimant's accused Associated Newspapers of unlawful information gathering, including alleged phone hacking, intercepting, voicemails, bugging calls, and blagging confidential details. Associated vigorously denies the allegations, calling them lurid and simply preposterous. A nine week trial is scheduled to begin in mid January, with a further preliminary hearing set for December eighteenth. Rob Shooters Shooter Scoop is reporting that

5:54 Prince Harry is quietly laying the foundations for what sources describe as a fully functioning royal court in Britain, one that could ultimately rival the structure around Prince William. According to the publication and insider claims, he's been playing the long game. Harry wants legitimacy. He wants to operate in the UK on his own terms, meetings, charitable work, high level engagements without being treated like a guest in his own country. Another source said the move is about far more than security arrangements. This isn't just about security. It's about creating a separate royal ecosystem. He's building a court and he's doing it carefully. One source put it bluntly, William has his court. Harry wants his. This isn't about a return to the family. It's about competing with them.

6:38 A further insider suggested that recent legal efforts around security may be only the beginning. The security decision is just the first domino. Once it's in place, Harry can quietly expand his influence without anyone really noticing until it's too late. Well, Palacing just a moment. The royal family appears to be shifting its center of gravity away from London, with Windsor increasingly emerging as the monarchy's operational base. The Sunday Times reports that the Royal Mews, the department charged with all royal transportation from state cars to the historic carriage collection and stables of working horses, will relocate from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle in the new year. The Mews has been based at Buckingham Palace since the late eighteenth century, but the move reflects the reality of modern royal life.

7:30 Buckingham Palace has not served as the primary royal residence since the late Queen Elizabeth settled at Windsor during the pandemic in twenty twenty. The London landmark remains in the midst of a significant renovation, and King Charles and Queen Camilla, when in the capital continue to live at Clarence House. Sources close to the monarch say the couple are very comfortable there, with one adding I know he's no fan of the Big House, as he calls the Palace. He doesn't see it as a viable future home or a house that's fit for purpose in the modern world. Another source noted that it is certainly true that Camilla doesn't want to live at Buckingham Palace and that Prince William agrees that the palace is not suitable for modern family life. The Prince and Princess of Wales have made a similar choice.

8:11 William and Catherine moved into their long term home, Forest Lodge in Windsor only weeks ago and planned to keep it as their family base even once William eventually ascends the throne. Against that backdrop, shifting the Royal Mews out of central London and into Windsor is seen as a practical step. The department oversees around thirty horses, the state coaches and the Royal motor Fleet, and its staff, including coachmen, grooms and chauffeurs, live in accommodation adjacent to the stables and carriage houses. The Mews plays a central role in royal ceremony, providing the carriages used for state visits, trooping the colour, royal weddings and major pageantry. Windsor Castle itself has also taken on an expanded ceremonial role, while Buckingham Palace remains under refurbishment. Recent months of seeing the castle host state visits, receptions and banquets reinforcing its growing prominence in the Royal calendar, and they have it would like to email us addresses The Palace Intrigue at a gmail dot com. Please follow us on Spotify, Apple or the Apple for your choice, and leaves a nice review from enjoining the show Mink Francis my thanks to John McDermott, this Palace Intrigue and good times