Jennie Bond: Last News

In the final years of her life, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother was often referred to as 'the best loved royal' thanks to her decades of public service. But behind palace walls, her staff knew her for the clever way she avoided any familial subject she didn't want to speak or know about. It is said the former Queen mastered this ability to such a degree that those closest to her nicknamed her "the imperial ostrich", owing to her fondness for 'sticking her head in the sand' to avoid difficult conversations.

The fallout between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex has been documented in extensive detail, ever since Prince Harry told ITV that he and his brother were "on different paths" during his tour of South Africa in 2019. In the years that have followed, several explosive claims have been made in TV interviews and in Harry's memoir Spare - including an alleged fight at Harry's Nottingham Cottage home and suggestions that William had told his brother that his children were not Harry's "responsibility." Since Prince William lost his brotherly support in Harry, royal experts have expressed their hope that Prince George will not have the same experience as he grows older and further into his role.

With the Royal Family's annual trip to the Balmoral Estate in Scotland only days away, we can expect to see the likes of the King and the Duke of Edinburgh in their traditional Highland dress as they attend events such as the Braemar Gathering. One royal who hasn't been pictured wearing a traditional kilt ever since he was young is the Prince of Wales as he frequently opts for a suit when carrying out duties in Scotland.This apparent aversion to wearing a traditional kilt was recently criticised by Alan Cochrane in The Telegraph who claimed the Prince "should accept wearing one whilst working, and certainly at Balmoral, or while on official duty north of the Highland line." He believes the kilt "should be regarded as part of [William's] uniform." After the comments about William's choice not to wear the traditional garment when he heads north, former BBC royal Correspondent Jennie Bond defended the Prince to OK! The expert quipped: “Give the man a break! Poor William has to obey so many rules and observe so many conventions.

Balmoral in the Scottish Highlands is always a magnet for the royals each August as the extended family gather for their annual staycation. But this year’s get-together will be tinged with sadness – not only is it the first year without Queen Elizabeth II hosting, but it’s where she passed away, just 11 months ago, on 8 September. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond tells OK! that although “it will be especially poignant” she believes that it’s “important for the family to be together at the Castle ahead of the first anniversary of the Queen’s death”.

Fairytale royal weddings don’t happen very often, but when they do there's a touch of magic in the air. Even though 2011 will always be remembered as the year that the Prince and Princess of Wales tied the knot at Westminster Abbey, it was also when Zara and Mike Tindall married after eight years together.

Follow OK! on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@ok_mag Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be on hand to “help” Prince George cope with the “pressure” of being future monarch, a royal expert has claimed. While he may have only recently celebrated his tenth birthday, as the second in line to the throne, Prince George is said to already be beginning to learn the full extent of what lies ahead in his future - and his siblings are reportedly set to have key roles in helping him deal with the “burden”.

Prince William has become noticeably more confident undertaking solo royal duties in recent weeks as he continues to settle in his new role running the vast Duchy of Cornwall estate. As well as this, William recently undertook a solo 48-hour tour of the UK to launch his new homelessness initiative 'Homewards'. Kate Mansey, assistant editor of The Mail on Sunday notes William's confidence, writing: "William seems happier in his own skin - he's really grown into the new role, as Prince of Wales, very quickly.

Much like Prince George, Princess Charlotte has been joining her parents and her grandfather at more public events - offering us the chance to see her interact with crowds. Something that has been noted time and again is how Charlotte appears to be far more confident than her more reserved elder brother.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been dubbed 'oblivious' following claims that the pair's request to "fly back to the US with President Biden on Air Force One" was denied. The couple were reportedly oblivious to the "sensitivities of the situation" after attending Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022.

Follow OK! on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@ok_mag Following on from claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's request to "fly back to the US with President Biden on Air Force One" after attending Queen Elizabeth's funeral was denied, a Royal expert has said the couple were oblivious to the "sensitivities of the situation." The Duke and Duchess, who stepped back as working members of the Royal Family in 2020, wanted to fly back on the famous plane, but supposedly had their request denied by the White House over fears it could harm relations with the Royal Family. Now, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond has said the former royal couple have a "deluded idea of their status on the world stage" and were "insensitive" to put the Presidential couple in that position.

Key members of the royal family are gearing up for two years of worldwide tours in a bid "to keep Commonwealth intact" in a "soft democracy" blitz. While they will be aided by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal, is understood that the King and Queen will prioritise visits to key nations such as Australia, New Zealand and a number of Commonwealth realms in the Caribbean.

Much like his father before him, it is thought Prince George is already beginning to learn the full extent of what lies ahead in his future. As well as learning from his parents, the second in line to the throne is said to be having regular "informal chats" with his grandfather, King Charles, according to royal expert and author Robert Jobson.

With Prince George turning 10 today – Saturday July 22 – how exactly might he be marking his milestone birthday with his family? As the royal children are enjoying their summer holidays, there are a number of possibilities on the table for the young royal's special day - from parties with school friends at home to exciting outings or even a foreign trip. As well as exciting day trips, the Wales family have a number of traditions whenever any of their children celebrate a birthday, including a homemade cake by the Princess of Wales.

It seems like only yesterday Prince George was introduced to the world. Swaddled in his mother’s arms as she posed on the steps of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital, London, just one day after he was born, the newest member of the royal family had no inkling of the future that lay ahead. His life had been prescribed from the moment he was born – destined to one day be King.

As the Princess of Wales celebrates Prince George’s 10th birthday this weekend, royal experts tell OK! the "broody" mum is desperately keen to give him some undivided attention. While he's used to being the centre of attention sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon and the likes, the youngster will get to enjoy some rare down-time with his siblings and devoted parents.The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 41, have reportedly cleared much of their normally-hectic official summer diary to spend quality time with George, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, particularly for this special birthday weekend.

As he has been already, Prince George will be front and centre for many major royal moments in the years to come. As he grows older and gains a firmer grasp on what his future role will involve, he is expected to follow a similar path as his father, Prince William, did.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are gearing up for a bumper summer holiday with their children - starting with Prince George’s 10th birthday party. The Prince and Princess of Wales have cleared much of their work calendar over the next six weeks to spend time with George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, a source exclusively told OK!.The family are due to spend time together at Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, as well as in Mustique - a private island in the Caribbean, the insider added.

Prince George is set to move up to Eton with three “very close” friends from his prep school, a source has exclusively told OK! Prince William and Kate Middleton are keen to ensure the heir to the throne is surrounded by “solid and trusted” pals as he makes the big step up from Lambrook to Eton College, the insider added. Last month, George was shown around the prestigious £45,000-a-year, boys-only boarding school - suggesting he was set to follow in his father’s footsteps by going there. Boys start at Eton aged 13 but parents of prospective pupils have to register an interest three years in advance - as the school is so sought-after.

With the countdown to Prince George's milestone 10th birthday on, there are a number of ways that the Prince and Princess of Wales have carved their own path when it comes to raising their three children. From being thoroughly hands-on parents to taking the royal youngsters out on day trips, Prince William and Kate relish in being able to protect their children's privacy.The normal rules that govern life at home for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis must be especially felt when there is a birthday to celebrate.

Thanks to the Prince and Princess of Wales' passion for protecting their children's privacy and not subjecting them to the same experiences as previous royal generations, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are growing up in circumstances which are as close to normal as could be hoped for. A source recently told PEOPLE that the couple "consciously set out to achieve a sense of normality" for their three children and that "royal families over the generations haven’t had the chance to get those foundations right, but they have." The insider attributes the different upbringings the Wales children have had to the Princess of Wales.