Heatwave Halts Changing of the Guard, Harry and Meghan to stay at Diana's home?

0:00 Ah Calorougus Shark Media, dall and welcome to Pallace inturg Game your host Mark Francis. One of Britain's most recognizable royal traditions has become a casualty of the country's extraordinary heat wave. The Army announced that the Changing of the Guards ceremonies at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle was canceled for several days this week as temperatures across southern England climbed toward record levels. For many visitors, the ceremony is one of the defining images of Royal Britain, soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats marching through central London to the sound of military bands while crowds land the streets to watch. This week, however, the heat has become too much for even one of the monarchy's oldest traditions. In a statement, the Army in London said, the wellbeing of our soldiers, military working horses and the public who gather in large numbers to watch these events is always our priority.

0:57 While tourists often focus on the spectacle, the reality behind the ceremony is demanding. Even in normal weather. The soldiers wear heavy ceremonial uniforms, including the famous bare skin hats that have become synonymous with royal pageantry. Horses are also involved in several of the ceremonial duties carried out around the royal residences. Wednesdays, King's Lifeguards ceremony at horse Guard's parades still took place, but in a reduced form designed to protect both soldiers and horses. The guard changed without the usual ceremonial elements and much earlier in the morning before temperatures reached their peak. The Army said soldiers standing guard were moved into shaded positions where possible, and are being rotated more frequently throughout the day despite the heat.

1:44 The King saught of his duty, enjoying a day centered on sport, but the most moving moments came not from the cricket bat or the jiu jitsu mat, but from the remarkable stories of resilience he heard from a group of young women forced to flee their homeland. The King began Wednesday at Clarence House, where he welcomed members of the Afghan refugee women's cricket team. The players, many of whom escaped Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in twenty one, spoke candidly about the terrifying journey that brought them to safety. Meeting the team, Charles asked about their escaped from Afghanistan and the challenges they faced leaving the country. Twenty one year old Ferusa Amir told the King, it has been a very difficult and terrifying journey for all of us. There were a lot of Taliban checkpoints. We thought it's going to be the last one, we won't survive anymore, but we made it. The team was originally established during the Afghan Republic, but lost official recognition after the Taliban's returned to power. Women's sport has now effectively banned in Afghanistan, and many of the players were forced into hiding before eventually fleeing the country. Former Australian cricketer Mel Jones helped coordinate a rescue effort that ultimately brought more than one hundred people to safety. Jones explained, there were about one hundred and thirty four people we got out, had a backpack each with their entire lives and had to burn anything that said they played cricket, all their cricket equipment. Today, most of the players live in Australia but are currently in Breton for a series of matches, although they remain unable to compete as an officially recognized

3:14 Afghan national side. Speaking with the players, Charles said, I am so glad you can pursue what you really want to do. There was also a lighter moment during the visit when player Ikille Latifi asked the King for a particularly posh English word, Your Majesty, would you give be a posh word like lavatory? Do you have one for me? She asked. Charles laughed and replied, I think I would need advance warning for that. The King was presented with a hand decorated cricket bat and assigned team shirt before posing for photographs with the players. From cricket, Charles moved on to a very different sporting environment, visiting the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in London to learn more about the work of Riorg, a charity that supports serving military personnel, veterans and emergency service work through martial arts training.

4:02 Because the students trained barefoot on the mats, the King two of the academy wearing blue disposable shoe covers while meeting participants in observing demonstrations. Then came an unexpected gift for the monarch himself. The King was presented with his own white belt, the beginner rank in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Charles appeared delighted by the gesture and smiled broadly as he posed for photographs with members of the academy. More palacing just a moment. There is speculation Harry and Meghan might stay at Allthorpe House, the Spencer family estate in Northampton, shere and the childhood home of Harry's late mother Diana, when they visit the UK. Speculation intensified after the estate announced it would be closed to the public on July tenth and eleventh, dates that coincide with Harry's expected time in Britain. While no connection has been confirmed, royal watchers have noted that Allthorpe would offer both privacy and deep personal significance for the Duke. Diana is buried on an island in the middle of a lake on the estate, a secluded location that has become one of the most meaningful places in Harry's life. The timing may be especially poignant The family's visit is expected just days after what would have been Diana's birthday on July first. Harry estated all thought before. In August twenty four, he reportedly used the estate as a base while attending the funeral of Lord Robert Fellows. The property belongs to his uncle, Charles Spencer, who has maintained a close connection with his nephew over the years. At the same time, reports suggests King Charles has again offered accommodation on a royal estate should Harry, Meghan,

5:34 Artu and Lund wish to accept it. The Times reported Harry and Meghan have yet to respond to the King's offer. In an opinion piece for The Express, Chris Richards writes, the absence of a response is not them pondering the offer. I mean, either way you reply, he was to say, that's so generous. Can we think about it? It can only be the Sussexes once again exposing their personalities, Achilles Hill, their galactic sized ego. Look at their obsession with security when in the UK, this idea that they are simply not safe and must have armed police protection officers. I'm sure that sadly, in the modern world, even the least controversial Hollywood actor or global pop star has bombarded with online abuse and threats. It's despicable that they will be no stranger to it. Yet I can't recall the last time I heard a Hollywood film, style or music icon saying I simply cannot come to the UK without my armed bodyguards because Britain isn't safe of the visit. Royal expert Tom Bauer told The Royalist podcast, I think you can summarize it in two words, desperation and failure. They've run out of ideas and the finances are basically in jeopardy.

6:35 And Megan is someone who is desperate for fame. She's desperate for recognition, she's desperate for money and of course status, and it just seems to her that a visit to the royal family in Britain would restore to her the credibility she once had. I think for Harriet's worse because Harry is isolated in California, he misses his roots, he misses England, and somehow it wants to worm his way back into the affections not only of his own family, but of the British people. He said, we're seeing them effectively crawl on bended knees back to Britain, and they are to be pathetically grateful if the King agrees. A new report is claiming that the visit could include what one commentator dramatically described as an act of war aimed at Prince William. The claim centers on reports that Harry will take part in a one year to Go event for the twenty twenty seven in Victor's Games at Villa Park in Birmingham next month. Under normal circumstances, the choice of venue would seem entirely logical. Birmingham is hosting the next Invictor's Games and Villa Park is one of the city's best known sporting venues. But because Villa Park is also home to Aston Villa Football Club, a team Prince William has supported passionately for decades, some commentators have suggested the venue carries additional symbolism. Speaking on a podcast, commentator jj An Coobi claimed, I have been told and I feel this is a dig at William. Harry is going to make his announcements at Birmingham at Villa Park. Talk TV presenter Mark Donaland appeared equally intrigued by the theory.

7:58 William's great loves are the UK, his family, particularly his wife and children, and the Aston Villa football club he lives and breathes. He's so passionate. I think there's a sense of his second family about that club. If he goes to Villa Park, that's an act of war because Villa belongs to William. It's his property, it's his emotions, it's his backstory, it's his narrative. In many ways, it's one of the few human things that we know about William. They have it hey. All this month, we're encouraging listeners of Palace Intrigue to help spread the word. If you're enjoying this show, tell a friend about us, and, better yet, just share a show with someone who loves the royal family. You know who they are, and be sure to follow Palace Intrigue on Spotify as well as Apple, and you can leave comments on Spotify. I mind Francis many thanks to John McDermot. This says Palace Intrigue and good dinners.