The Queen leaves lockdown: Monarch goes on first engagement outside a royal residence for seven months as the 94-year-old and Prince William both go without masks for visit to Novichok laboratory

The 94-year-old monarch was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge at Porton Down laboratory The pair spoke to those involved in identifying the nerve agent following the Novichok incident in Salisbury

Today's engagement is time Her Majesty has ventured from a royal residence and so-called 'HMS Bubble'

By AMIE GORDON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 21:11 AEDT, 15 October 2020 | UPDATED: 22:27 AEDT, 15 October 2020

 

The Queen is today carrying out her first public engagement outside of a royal residence in seven months, since before the coronavirus pandemic gripped the nation.

The 94-year-old monarch was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down near Salisbury to meet scientists providing vital support in the UK's response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The royal pair were also being introduced to staff involved in the rapid response to the Novichok poisoning attack in Salisbury in 2018.

It is the first time the Queen has ventured from a royal residence, outside of her household of reduced staff - dubbed HMS Bubble - to carry out her duties as head of state since before lockdown. 

Her Majesty flew to the site in a helicopter, while Prince William arrived by car.

The Queen knighted Captain Sir Tom Moore for his fundraising in July in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she also watched a mini socially-distanced Trooping the Colour for her official birthday in June.

She spent lockdown at the Berkshire residence for her safety, but has been busy behind closed doors, carrying out telephone audiences, video calls and dealing with her red boxes of official papers.

 
 

The Queen donned a blush pink coat as she ventured out of her 'HMS Bubble' today, for a trip to the Energetics Analysis Centre at Porton Down science park near Salisbury

 
 

The 94-year-old monarch, wearing a Stewart Parvin old rose cashmere coat teamed with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge

 
 

The Queen and Prince William saw displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter intelligence, a demonstration of a Forensic Explosives Investigation and met staff who were involved in the Salisbury Novichok incident

 
 

The Duke of Cambridge asked questions about forensics work during the visit this morning 

Heightened safety precautions were taken ahead of the visit to protect the Queen against coronavirus.

All 48 people who were due to come into close contact with the monarch and the duke were tested for Covid-19 by Dstl.

Small groups of those taking part in the royal visit were arranged two metres apart for social distancing.

The Queen also arrived separately from William.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: 'Specific advice has been sought from the medical household and relevant parties, and all necessary precautions taken, working closely with Dstl.' 

But the Salisbury engagement comes amid a resurgence of the virus, as the country battles a second wave and stricter restrictions for some areas. 

The Queen, whose eldest son the Prince of Wales contracted a mild form of coronavirus, delivered two rare televised addresses to the nation just weeks apart during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She reassured the country that the virus would be overcome, telling those in isolation: 'We will meet again.'

In another speech to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, she told how the message at the end of the war in Europe was 'never give up, never despair'.

The Queen was last at an official public engagement outside of a royal residence when she joined the royal family for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.

It was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's final public appearance before they quit as senior working royals for a new life in the US.

The monarch travelled to Balmoral for her private summer break and then spent a few weeks in Sandringham before returning to Windsor on October 6.

 
 

Prince William and his grandmother signed a guest book and as she took her turn, the Queen joked: ‘Well, it proves we’ve been here, doesn’t it?

 
 

The pair spoke to those involved in identifying the nerve agent following the Novichok incident, and those who worked on the decontamination clean-up operation

 
 

They were treated to demonstration of a Forensic Explosives Investigation with explosives detection dog, Max

 
 

The Queen, William and Dstl Chief Executive Gary Aitkenhead (right) viewed a demonstration of a Forensic Explosives Investigation with a model explosive device in a vehicle

 
 

The Queen and William were greeted by Dstl's chief executive Gary Aitkenhead for a tour of the Energetics Enclosure to see displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter-intelligence

The Queen and William were greeted by Dstl's chief executive Gary Aitkenhead for a tour of the Energetics Enclosure to see displays of weaponry and tactics used in counter-intelligence.

They were also shown the £30 million state-of-the-art Energetics Analysis Centre to meet counter-terrorism staff and see a demonstration of a forensic explosives investigation.

The pair then spoke to those involved in identifying the nerve agent following the Novichok incident, and those who worked on the decontamination clean-up operation.

As she signed the guest book she joked: ‘Well, it proves we’ve been here, doesn’t it? 

Russian intelligence has been accused of being behind the attempted nerve agent assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury.

Dawn Sturgess and her partner Charlie Rowley fell ill in nearby Amesbury months after the attack, and Ms Sturgess later died after coming into contact with a perfume bottle believed to be linked to the case.

Military teams spent 13,000 hours on the clean-up. They took 5,000 test samples from across Salisbury and nearby Amesbury during the 355-day operation.

In recognition of their work, the duke was presenting the Army's Headquarters South West with the Firmin Sword of Peace for going above and beyond their normal duties in the community.

[I feel HM has lost some weight in Lockdown.]

 

LOL!

 

 

Thailand is in 'dangerous territory' and faces a 'full-blown crisis', expert warns, as anti-royal protesters face off with police a day after defying the king with three-fingered salutes 

Thai protesters have defied police and returned to the streets, demanding reform of monarchy and country Crowds faced off with riot officers in central Bangkok just hours after state of emergency was declared Activists gave police three-fingered salute, the same defiant gesture faced by the country's king Wednesday Analyst warned defiance of monarch means country faces 'full-blown crisis' and is in 'dangerous territory'  

By CHRIS PLEASANCE FOR MAILONLINE  and WIRES

PUBLISHED: 21:34 AEDT, 15 October 2020 | UPDATED: 22:00 AEDT, 15 October 2020

Thailand has entered 'dangerous territory' and is facing a 'full-blown crisis', an expert has warned, after anti-monarchist protesters openly defied the king with three-fingered salutes.

Marchers returned to the streets of Bangkok on Thursday despite a state of emergency being declared overnight, a day after confronting King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suditha as they passed through the capital in a motorcade.

Protesters want the prime minister - a holdover from the military junta - to resign and a new constitution put in place, but it is their defiance of the country's usually-revered monarch that has caught international attention.

Images of protesters standing alongside the royal limousine and raising Hunger Games-inspired salutes - a symbol of defiance to an authoritarian regime - are highly provocative in a country where people typically sit or lay down in the presence of the king. 

'What seemed to be a low-boil stalemate that the Prayuth government was managing with reasonable success has now... become a full-blown crisis,' said Michael Montesano, of the ISEAS-Yusof Isak Institute in Singapore. 

'Unlike even 48 hours ago, the country is in dangerous territory now.' 

Images of protesters standing alongside the royal limousine and raising Hunger Games-inspired salutes - a symbol of defiance to an authoritarian regime - are highly provocative in a country where people typically sit or lay down in the presence of the king. 

'What seemed to be a low-boil stalemate that the Prayuth government was managing with reasonable success has now... become a full-blown crisis,' said Michael Montesano, of the ISEAS-Yusof Isak Institute in Singapore. 

'Unlike even 48 hours ago, the country is in dangerous territory now.' 

  

The text of the emergency declaration said it was needed because 'certain groups of perpetrators intended to instigate an untoward incident and movement in the Bangkok area by way of various methods and via different channels, including causing obstruction to the royal motorcade.'

The protest Wednesday in Bangkok's historic district, not far from glittering temples and royal palaces, was the third major gathering by student-led activists who have been pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable - and legal - language by publicly questioning the role of Thailand's monarchy in the nation's power structure.

Thailand's royal family has long been considered sacrosanct and a pillar of Thai identity. King Maha Vajiralongkorn and other key member of the royal family are protected by a lese majeste law that has regularly been used to silence critics who risk up to 15 years in prison if deemed to have insulted the institution.

The protest - held on the anniversary of a 1973 student-led uprising against a military dictatorship - was complicated by the presence of royalist counter protesters who had gathered both to show support for the government and to greet the royal family as they traveled to and from a religious ceremony in the area.  

Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri announced Thursday morning that the prime minister had ordered police to take strict action against those who obstruct a royal procession or otherwise insult the monarchy.

Keeping order will be facilitated by the new emergency decree for Bangkok, which bans unauthorized gatherings of more than five people and gives authorities other powers they deem needed to prevent unrest, including detaining people at length without charge. 

It also outlaws the news that distorts information or could cause a 'misunderstanding.'

Thailand is already under a national state of emergency as part of its efforts to fight the coronavirus, and it was not immediately clear how the new decree was different.

One change is that police said they will install checkpoints around Bangkok for security purposes.

Protesters were undaunted and said they would gather again in a Bangkok shopping district Thursday afternoon.

Deputy police spokesman Col. Kissana Phathanacharoen warned that calling for such a protest or attending one was against the law.

'You cannot say that they are not aware of the order. We are making it clear,' Kissana said at a news conference. 

Human rights group Amnesty International criticized the crackdown. Its deputy regional director Ming Yu Hah urged Thai authorities to 'engage in constructive dialogue with the protesters.'

'The scale of today's early morning arrests seems completely unjustified based on yesterday's events. The assemblies were overwhelmingly peaceful. 

These moves are clearly designed to stamp out dissent, and sow fear in anyone who sympathizes with the protesters' views,' the group said in a statement.

The protest movement was launched in March by university students, but quickly put on hold as Thailand was gripped by the coronavirus pandemic. It came back in July, when the threat from the virus eased, and since grown in size.

The movement's original core demands were new elections, changes in the constitution to make it more democratic, and an end to intimidation of activists.

The protesters charge that Prayuth, who as army commander led a 2014 coup that toppled an elected government, was returned to power unfairly in last year's general election because laws had been changed to favor a pro-military party. 

The protesters say a constitution promulgated under military rule and passed in a referendum in which campaigning against it was illegal is undemocratic.

The movement took another stunning turn in August, when students at a rally aired unprecedented criticism of the monarchy and issued calls for its reform. Airing their grievances in direct language normally expressed in whispers, the speakers criticized the king's wealth, his influence and that he spends much of his time in Germany, not Thailand.

Conservative royalist Thais accuse the protest movement of seeking to end the monarchy, an allegation its leaders deny.

Nevertheless, analysts say the incident with the royal motorcade may harden positions.

It 'is not just unprecedented but will be shocking for many,' said Kevin Hewison, professor emeritus from the University of North Carolina and veteran Thai studies scholar. 

'Yet it is reflective of how a new generation of protesters sees the monarchy and military-backed regime as intertwined and that political reform demands reform of the monarchy as well.' 

 

King Vajiralongkorn is paying a rare visit to Thailand from Germany - where he spends most of his time living among a harem of wives - to mark the fourth anniversary of his father's death. 

 

© @Copyright HELLO! Hello! Magazine

 

Princess Eugenie paid tribute to her "dear mumsy",  Sarah, Duchess of York, in a touching Instagram post to mark Sarah's 61st birthday on Thursday.

The royal shared a series of sweet photographs of her mother to mark the occasion, including several taken in the garden at the family's Windsor home, Royal Lodge.

Eugenie also included a recent mother-daughter selfie, as well as an adorable photo of Sarah with both daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, dressed in matching floral dresses, taken in 1992.

READ: Princess Eugenie looks beautiful in unseen wedding photo shared by Zac Posen

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WATCH: Sarah Ferguson thanks fans for birthday wishes

Eugenie captioned the carousel of snaps: "Happy Birthday to my dear mumsy… You are one of a kind. There were too many pictures to choose from that show how completely unique you are."

I thought she could have picked a nicer photo of her Mum.  

 

Prince Philip had an 'emotionally intimate' relationship with author Daphne Du Maurier and visited her 'full of doubts' before his wedding to the Queen, royal expert claims 

The history of Prince Philip (pictured) is explored by royal expert Ingrid Seward in her latest book. She claims he had been 'full of doubts' before marrying the Queen but that their marriage has been largely happy. Philip's childhood is also examined in Prince Philip Revealed (inset), exploring how he became distant from his parents.

Although he was marrying the world’s most eligible heiress, Seward claims Philip was full of doubts about what he was getting into.

Shortly before the wedding, he went to stay in Cornwall with the beautiful novelist Daphne du Maurier. Their relationship was ‘emotionally intimate’ though not sexual but, at the end of the weekend, he told her: ‘I don’t want to go back, I want to stay with you.’ Du Maurier told him not to be silly: ‘Your country needs you.’

There were a few happy, carefree years for the young couple but, after King George VI died in 1952, Philip gave up his naval career to become full-time consort to the new queen. He fumed at the archaic way things were run at Buckingham Palace: ‘Philip was constantly being squashed, snubbed, ticked off,’ according to his friend Mike Parker. 

Most woundingly of all, his children had to take the name Windsor, rather than Mountbatten.

 

Prince Philip was allegedly unhappy with the way Buckingham Palace was run when he first married the Queen. Pictured: Prince Philip visiting the Mediterranean fleet

When it comes to fatherhood, Philip’s record is decidedly patchy. The Queen’s cousin Margaret Rhodes told Seward that the Duke was wonderful with small children: ‘It was when they grew and developed their own personalities that Philip seemed to lose interest.’

The Duke was determined to toughen up his sensitive son and insisted he be sent to Gordonstoun, the hearty Scottish school that Philip had attended. Charles absolutely loathed it. By the time Charles left Gordonstoun, he had learned to put on a brave face but ‘the little boy who cowered when his father raised his voice still lurked under the surface’.

Father and son are now much closer and Philip thoroughly approves of Camilla.

He was a much better father to Princess Anne, his favourite, who is as tough and fearless as he is. No one could fault Prince Philip’s commitment to his role. 

   

Prince Philip Revealed by Ingrid Seward (S&S £20, 384pp)

By the time he retired from royal duties in 2017, aged 96, he had undertaken more than 22,000 solo engagements and 637 overseas tours.

The Queen has called him ‘my strength and stay’ and Seward paints a picture of a largely happy marriage.

When her husband is in a rage about something, the Queen, like many wives, simply tunes out.

In the public mind, Prince Philip is characterised by his notorious gaffes. He appears to have a particular dislike of the Welsh singer Tom Jones. ‘What do you gargle with, pebbles?’ he asked, going on to call him ‘a bloody awful singer’.

Seward trots briskly through all the women Prince Philip is rumoured to have had an affair with, chiefly actresses or aristocrats.

While she concedes he has a roving eye, she asserts there isn’t ‘a shred of evidence of a physical relationship ... but the stories will never go away’.

Seward tries to be scrupulously fair about the Duke of Edinburgh but concludes he is ultimately ‘unknowable’.

When asked by Fiona Bruce on his 90th birthday if he had been successful in his role, he replied: ‘I couldn’t care less.

 

 

Mary's first born is a young man.

 

 

Portrait of a future King: Princess Mary of Denmark's eldest son Christian looks dashing in official pictures released for his 15th birthday

Official snaps shared to mark Prince Christian of Denmark's 15th birthday The teenage royal looks smart in a blue blazer, crisp shirt and beige trousersPrince Christian was to spend the special day with his family, court explained 

By CLAIRE TOUREILLE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 18:38 AEDT, 16 October 2020 | UPDATED: 18:42 AEDT, 16 October 2020

 

The royal family of Denmark has released new pictures of Princess Mary and Prince Frederik's son on the occasion of his 15th birthday.

Prince Christian, who is the eldest of the couple's four children, celebrated his birthday yesterday, and the new portraits show he's rapidly turning into a dapper  young prince. 

The grandson of Queen Margrethe II and the eldest son of Frederik, the heir to the throne, Christian will one day be King of Denmark.  

 

Pictured of teenage Danish Prince Christian, the eldest son of Prince Frederik and Princess Mary, were released today to mark his 15th birthday 

 Christian pictured with his mother Princess Mary of Denmark in 2019, when he was 14-years-old 

In the pictures shared by the royal palace, the teenager cut a stylish figure in a set of four pictures, two of which were shot in black and white. 

In the first picture, the young prince wore a green shirt open over a white t-shirt.

 

the teenager sported a stylish blue blazer jacket over a crisp white buttoned up shirt with beige trousers.

 
 

The teenage royal cuts a stylish figure in a blue blazer and beige trousers in the snaps released to mark his birthday

The Prince looked comfortable, his hands in his pockets. 

Another picture, this time in black and white, saw the Danish royal pose like a true model, looking to the side, his hands on the buttons of his blazer.  

While he kept a serious demeanour in the pictures in colour, the Danish royal seemed to relax and let loose in the last black and white picture, showing off his playful smile in a natural shot. 

 In the black and white pictures, Christian shows on his playful side and flashes his happy smile   

Like a model! Christian posed like a pro in his birthday pictures, looking poised in his smart blazer 

The teen, who is set to take over his grandmother's throne in the future after his father, looked poised and relaxed in his birthday pictures. 

While he was styled ' his Royal Highness' from birth, he received the Count of Monpezat in 2008 after his grandmother the Queen granted him the title. 

The palace revealed the young prince would be spending his big day with his family.  

Last month, his parents, who married in 2004, marked the anniversary of meeting one another. 

The couple met in a pub, watching the Sydney Olympics in Australia in 2000 and entertained a long distance relationship for a year before Mary eventual

are now sharing four children: Christian,  Princess Isabella, 13, and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, nine. 

Mary is set to become the first Australian-born Danish queen when Frederik ascends the throne. 

 

 

Welcome to the family! King Philippe of Belgium enjoys a 'warm' meeting with half-sister Princess Delphine as the pair 'get to know each other' after she was finally recognised as Albert II's love-child

 

Meeting between king and Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg Gotha occurred on FridayTook place at Castle of Laeken in Belgium and was said to be 'warm' and 'special'Joint statement revealed pair had taken opportunity to get to know each otherDelphine, 52, is now officially recognised as former king Albert II's daughterEndured lengthy legal battle to prove her paternity which culminated this month 

By HAYLEY RICHARDSON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 03:55 AEDT, 16 October 2020 | UPDATED: 06:47 AEDT, 16 October 2020

King Philippe of Belgium has met his half-sister Princess Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg Gotha for the first time - after she was finally recognised as former king Albert II's daughter following a lengthy legal battle.

The monarch said it was a 'warm meeting' which took place at the Castle of Laeken on Friday October 9.

Artist Princess Delphine, 52, formerly known as Delphine Boël, is thought to be the result of an 18-year affair between the former monarch, 86, and Belgian aristocrat Sybille de Selys Longchamps, 79, that began in the 1960s.  

In a joint statement shared to the Belgian royal family's Facebook page, Philippe, 60, and Delphine - who shared a photograph of them socially distanced - said: 'This extensive and special conversation gave us the opportunity to get to know each other. 

 King Philippe of Belgium (right) has met his half-sister Princess Delphine de Saxe-Cobourg Gotha (left) for the first time - after she was finally recognised as former king Albert II's daughter following a lengthy legal battle

 

 

 

 

Princess Eugenie has been given an incredible new patronage and it's related to a condition that is close to her heart.

The Queen's granddaughter, 30, who is pregnant with her first child, has become royal patron of the Scoliosis Association UK.

In a touching statement, the charity said: "HRH Princess Eugenie's own personal story has been an inspiration to many of us and our families who are affected by scoliosis. 

READ: Princess Eugenie praises 'completely unique' Sarah Ferguson in sweet birthday message

 

"We know that she will not only relate to the work that SAUK does in supporting those with scoliosis and their families and raise awareness of scoliosis, but also help to raise the profile of the charity and expand its appeal and its message."

Stephanie Clark, co-founder and chair of SAUK, says: "I am absolutely delighted and grateful that Princess Eugenie is to be our Royal Patron.

"Her bravery and experience makes this a very personal decision, and will continue to offer encouragement to the many people of all ages who are struggling to come to terms with their scoliosis."

Eugenie with her spine doctor Jan Lehovsky in 2014

Eugenie had life-changing surgery on her back at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital when she was 12 years old. She had titanium added to her spine to rebuild it as a result of a curvature.

The royal wore a low-back on her wedding day to Jack Brooksbank in October 2018 to proudly show her scoliosis scar.

Eugenie previously spoke about how her wedding dress was created by Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos.

MORE: Princess Eugenie looks beautiful in unseen wedding photo shared by Zac Posen

© Provided by Hello! eugenie-scar-wedding-dress

Eugenie proudly showed her scoliosis scar on her wedding day

Speaking to The Telegraph, Eugenie said: "After one or two initial meetings where I said I wanted to show my back and scar, we had a fitting and in their first attempt at the shape and design of the dress, they got me and the vision in one."

She added: "From there, we realised that the back of the dress was the centre point and a veil would take away from the scar and the beautiful design they had created."

The royal has been encouraging her followers to proudly share photos of their own scars, some of which she has re-posted on her Instagram Stories.

 

 

 

 

Spanish Royals.

All three women opted to wear their hair in high ponytails, while Letizia opted for natural make-up with a hint of brown eyeshadow and mascara.

Meanwhile King Felipe dressed up his brown check blazer and blue shirt with a floral patterned tie in shades of pink and maroon.

 
  
  

The young princesses, who clearly take after their stylish mother (left), looked trendy in oversized coats. Pictured left: Princess Leonor and right: Princess Sofia

 
 

Queen Letizia of Spain with her daughter Princess Leonor during their visit to Somao today

 
 

All three women opted to wear their hair in high ponytails, while Letizia opted for natural make-up with a hint of brown eyeshadow and mascara

 
  
  

Leonor, 14, right, opted for a chic grey houndstooth blazer with black trousers and white trainers. Sofia, left, sported a cosy long padded green gilet over a white turtleneck jumper and completed her outfit with wide leg khaki trousers and white sneakers

 
 

Princess Leonor of Spain waves to royal fans during the tour. The Princesa de Asturias awards have had reduced crowds this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic

 
 

The occasion saw Princess Leonor (pictured beside her mother and sister during their tour) deliver her second speech of the week, in which she praised the town for its natural beauty and preservation of its history

Palace shares photos from Prince Philip's expedition to Antarctica - http://a.msn.com/01/en-au/BB1acTwy?ocid=se2

Palace shares photos from Prince Philip's expedition to Antarctica © Provided by Daily Mail MailOnline logo

Buckingham Palace have shared rare photographs of Prince Philip including from his expedition to Antarctica in the 1950s to mark Prince William's new patronage from his grandfather.

The Duke of Edinburgh, 99, is seen with Adelie penguins at the Penguin Rookery Base, near Adelaide Island, Antarctica, in 1957, in the first of four images revealed in a recent Instagram post on the Royal Family's account.

 

They were shared to celebrate the Duke of Cambridge, 38, taking over from Prince Philip as patron of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), which aims to empower communities to protect local bird species and their natural habitats.

Prince Philip's fascination with birdwatching began in 1956 during a voyage on the Royal Yacht Britannia between New Zealand and Antarctica when he started to photograph and identify native seabirds.

© Provided by Daily Mail Buckingham Palace have shared rare photographs of Prince Philip including from his expedition to Antarctica in the 1950s (pictured) to mark Prince William's new patronage from his grandfather

In a second image shared on the post yesterday, Adelie penguins, which are native to Antarctica and named after a French explorer's, are captured in a picture taken by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.

The third snap showed the certificate designed by royal and the artist Edward Seago to mark the Royal Yacht Britannia’s crossing of the Antarctic Circle.

During the duke’s world tour between 1956 and 1957, he became the first member of the Royal Family to cross the Antarctic Circle, which means he is entitled to join 'The Order of the Red Nose', a group celebrating those who have completed the feat.

This trip and a second across the central Pacific in 1959, inspired Philip’s book Birds From Britannia, published in 1962.  

Meanwhile, the final image shared on the post captured Prince Philip in 1963 with the celebrated British ornithologist Sir Peter Scott, and Minnie, a Bronze Winged Duck. 

© Provided by Daily Mail Prince Philip in 1963 with the celebrated British ornithologist Sir Peter Scott, and Minnie, a Bronze Winged Duck (pictured)© Provided by Daily Mail The Duke of Edinburgh photographed Adelie penguins (pictured) at the Penguin Rookery Base, near Adelaide Island, Antarctica, in 1957

The British Trust for Ornithology aims to empower communities to protect local bird species and their natural habitats in order to ensure they are preserved for generations to come, whilst also working to promote the benefits of the natural world on our health and wellbeing. 

Through its network of volunteers, the BTO gathers data to build upon our understanding of the natural world, providing a solid evidence base that supports informed decision-making and conservation action.

The Duke of Edinburgh has been Patron of the BTO for over thirty years, and is a lifelong ornithology enthusiast. 

Dr Andy Clements, BTO Chief Executive, said: 'I am delighted that The Duke of Cambridge has become our Patron, following on from his grandfather who worked so tirelessly on our behalf. 

'We hope that we will be able to support The Duke’s strong interest in protecting the environment through our evidence-based work around environmental issues in the UK.' 

© Provided by Daily Mail A certificate (above) designed by royal and the artist Edward Seago to mark the Royal Yacht Britannia¿s crossing of the Antarctic Circle

Prince William has also followed in the Queen’s footsteps to become the figurehead of Fauna and Flora International (FFI).

Established in 1903, Fauna & Flora International is the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organisation and the Queen has held the role of patron for almost seven decades.

FFI focuses on protecting biodiversity, which underpins healthy ecosystems and is critical for the life-support systems that humans and all other species rely on. 

It protects threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and that enhance human well-being. 

Operating in more than 40 countries worldwide, FFI is also a founding member of United for Wildlife, and was recently announced as Global Alliance Partner of The Earthshot Prize.

Prince William launched his £50million Earthshot Prize earlier this month, which aims to recognise solutions, ideas and technologies which 'repair the planet'.

Read more

 

 

I hope he gets outed out!

Inside the court of King Bling: He's got $55billion, has had four wives and orders courtiers to crawl on their knees. Oh, and he made his pet poodle a chief of the air force. No wonder the Thai people are rebelling against their head of state 

There are many reasons why King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand may not inspire unwavering respect from his 70 million subjects. To begin with, there is his penchant for wearing teeny-weeny crop tops, very low-slung jeans and enormous fake tattoos. Then there is his messy love life - the 68-year-old is on his fourth wife, whose company he shares with his official concubine, recently back in favour after a brief and brutal hiatus. And there is his bizarre obsession with his late poodle Foo Foo, whom he liked to dress in full Royal Thai Air Force regalia, including 'paw mitts', and seat at official dinners. Maha also regularly insists that courtiers crawl on their knees towards him, orders anyone out of h

    

There are many reasons why King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand may not inspire unwavering respect from his 70 million subjects. To begin with, there is his penchant for wearing teeny-weeny crop tops, very low-slung jeans and enormous fake tattoos

 

Camilla Parker Bowles, 73, donned a statement leopard print face mask paired with a smart monochrome outfit as she chatted with volunteers of The Pepper Pot centre in Ladbroke Grove.    

The royal delivered brownies for food parcels to be given to members of the centre, a charity set up to support African and Caribbean older people in west London, and to hear about support offered to them during the coronavirus pandemic.  

 Camilla donned a statement leopard print face mask paired with a smart monochrome outfit as she visited The Pepper Pot Centre in west London The royal packed brownies for food parcels to be given to members of the centre, a charity set up to support African and Caribbean older people in west London

She wore a stylish white blouse with peplum sleeves underneath a chic black sleeveless blazer, paired with a diamond encrusted horse shoe brooch. 

The Duchess paired her monochrome outfit with a matching black overcoat, black tights and black leather boots. 

 

 Camilla is pictured holding brownies baked at Clarence House which will be delivered to members of the African and Caribbean community in west London The center was set up by the late activist Pansy Jeffrey, who was working at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in the 1907s. Camilla is pictured chatting with a chef at the centre 

The drop-in centre for recently retired, redundant or disabled members of the elderly African Caribbean community was set up in Ladbroke Grove, nearly 40 years ago.

 

The centre was established by the late activist Pansy Jeffrey, who was working at the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in the 1970s. 

She set up the charity after hearing tales of hardship faced by the early Caribbean settlers who had come to London to furnish the labour market in the 1950s and the 1960s, and on retirement found themselves isolated and lonely in a foreign country. 

 The culturally sensitive drop-in centre was set up for recently retired, redundant or disabled members of the elderly African Caribbean community. Camilla is pictured chatting with volunteers at the centre 

'How is he?' 'Dead!' Lady Pamela Hicks, 91, reveals the VERY awkward phone call her father, Lord Mountbatten, made to the Queen after a maharaja he'd just had lunch with 'died at his feet'

The Queen's former lady-in-waiting Lady Pamela Hicks had to stifle a smile when she recounted the story on her daughter India Hicks' Instagram. The 91-year-old royal raconteur revealed how the Indian royal had suddenly dropped dead at her father's feet following a lunch at Broadlands, the family home. (Pictured: Lady Pamela Hicks, with the Queen in 1954. Inset: Lord Mountbatten)

I wonder what the Queen is thinking about the future of the monarchy with William as she looks at him?