Royal news – latest: Coronation preparations step up after Charles …

Eleanor Noyce,Peony Hirwani and Kate NgUpdated April 3, 2023, 6:04 AM

King Charles III and the Queen Consort's coronation is just over a month away, with preparations throughout the UK getting into full swing for the big bank holiday weekend. The ceremony will take place on Saturday 6 May, and Britons are being given a bank holiday on Monday 8 May to continue the celebrations. A coronation concert will be held on Sunday 7 May, and will feature performances from "global music icons and contemporary stars".

The monarch has just returned from Germany for his first state visit since ascending the throne. The three-day visit has been hailed as a success as he became the first monarch to address the German parliament, the Bundestag. While he remains in the country after his High Court Hearing, Prince Harry is not expected to see his father, the King, or his brother, the Prince of Wales, as relations among the family remain strained after he released his tell-all memoir, Spare.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have indicated that they have received email correspondence from Buckingham Palace about attending the coronation, but have not disclosed any details about whether they will be among the other guests.

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King to visit York to distribute Maundy money for first time as monarch

04:30 , Kate Ng The King is to hand out Maundy money for the first time as a monarch when he carries out the ancient ritual in York. Charles and the Queen Consort will attend the Royal Maundy Service in York Minister on 6 April.

During the Maundy Thursday event, the King will present 74 men and 74 women with specially-minted silver coins to the value of 74p - signifying Charles's age - to thank the pensioners for their service in local communities.

King to visit York to distribute Maundy money for first time as monarch

Prince Harry not expected to see Charles or William as he makes surprise return to UK

02:30 , Kate Ng The Duke of Sussex has made a surprise return to the UK for the first time since the late Queen's funeral - but is not expected to meet with the King or the Prince of Wales. His trip - for a High Court hearing in London in his claim against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information-gathering - will be seen as demonstrating the strength of his determination over the legal action.

Prince Harry not expected to see Charles or William as he makes surprise return to UK

King becoming 'frustrated old man' over attitudes to climate emergency

Monday 3 April 2023 00:30 , Kate Ng

The King has described how he is becoming "a frustrated old man" over attitudes to the global climate emergency. A life-long environmentalist, Charles said the world must rely on the younger generation if we are to avert an environmental catastrophe in the next few years.

King becoming 'frustrated old man' over attitudes to climate emergency

Prince Andrew in 'despair' that King Charles has not shared ?650million inheritance

Sunday 2 April 2023 23:30 , Kate Ng Prince Andrew is "in despair" that the King has not shared out their mother's inheritence, according to reports.

King Charles was the sole beneficiary of the Queen's ?650million estate, under a 1993 agreement meaning no inheritance tax was owed. The King's siblings Princess Anne, 72, and Prince Edward, 59, as well as Prince Andrew, 63, inherited nothing from the Queen, and are said to share "some resentment" because of this.

Prince Andrew in 'despair' that King Charles has not shared ?650million inheritance

WATCH: Prince Andrew determined to not leave Royal Lodge residence

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:30 , Kate Ng

Expert predicts how the royal family will spend their first Easter without the Queen

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:30 , Kate Ng This Easter Sunday will be the first that the royal family will spend without Queen Elizabeth II, after her death last September.

Royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward believes that it will be a happy celebration instead of a sombre time as they reflect on the years past.

Expert predicts how the royal family will spend their first Easter without the Queen

Harry and Meghan's children now known as Prince and Princess on royal family's website

Sunday 2 April 2023 19:30 , Kate Ng Buckingham Palace has updated the royal family's website to reflect the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's children's new titles of Prince and Princess. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, who are sixth and seventh in line to the throne respectively, are now named Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex on the site.

It comes after the couple's daughter was formally referred to as Princess Lilibet for the first time when their spokesperson confirmed she had been christened last week in California.

Harry and Meghan's children now officially known as Prince and Princess

King Charles III coronation: Everything we know about 2023 ceremony

Sunday 2 April 2023 18:30 , Kate Ng Need a refresher on when King Charles III's coronation will be and what the itinerary for the weekend is? Look no further:

When is the coronation of King Charles III?

Succession's Brian Cox says Meghan's marriage into royal family is a 'fairytale gone horribly wrong'

Sunday 2 April 2023 17:30 , Kate Ng

Brian Cox has claimed that Meghan Markle's marriage into the royal family is a "fairytale that went horribly wrong". In a new interview with the Radio Times, the Succession star said that he understood why Meghan was attracted to marrying into the royal family, due to its "fairytale" image. Ellie Muir reports:

Brian Cox says Meghan's royal marriage is a 'fairytale gone horribly wrong'

Will Camilla be crowned Queen at King Charles' coronation?

Sunday 2 April 2023 16:30 , Kate Ng

The title of Queen Consort Camilla, who was previously the Duchess of Cornwall is expected to change following King Charles' coronation. Find out how:

Will Camilla be crowned Queen at King Charles' coronation?

Camilla impresses with fashion choices on state visit to Germany

Sunday 2 April 2023 15:30 , Kate Ng The King and Queen Consort recently visited Germany on their first trip to the country since Charles' reign began.

A regal wardrobe was required for the string of high profile engagements, and Camilla wowed the crowds with her outfits.

Camilla impresses with fashion choices on state visit to Germany

King's inaugural state visit boosted by Germany's warm welcome

Sunday 2 April 2023 14:30 , Kate Ng Completing a major milestone for the first time can be daunting even for a King but the inaugural state visit of Charles's reign appears to have been a success. It did not begin in auspicious circumstances, with the first leg to France postponed after days of protests against President Emmanuel Macron's pension age reforms culminated in violent scenes from Paris to Bordeaux.

King's inaugural state visit boosted by Germany's warm welcome

Everything you need to know about Queen Consort Camilla's family tree

Sunday 2 April 2023 13:30 , Kate Ng The Queen Consort will be crowned alongside her husband, King Charles III, at the highly anticipated coronation ceremony on 6 May. The royal, 75, is expected to be crowned Queen instead of Queen Consort after the coronation, with the coronation edition of the Bible reportedly dropping the title in its commemoration message.

As the nation prepares for the major ceremony - the UK's first coronation since the late Queen Elizabeth II's in 1953 - many people are interested in learning more about the new monarch's wife and her family tree.

Everything you need to know about Queen Consort Camilla's family tree

Paul O'Grady once tried to convince Queen Elizabeth II to adopt a rescue corgi

Sunday 2 April 2023 12:30 , Kate Ng The late Paul O'Grady once attempted to persuade Queen Elizabeth II to adopt her own rescue corgi when she visited Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, it has been revealed. Ali Taylor, a friend of O'Grady and head of behaviour at the animal charity, said that the actor comedian had such a passion for rescue dogs that he tried to get the late monarch to take one home to Buckingham Palace with her.

Paul O'Grady once tried to convince Queen Elizabeth II to adopt a rescue corgi

King Charles praises Queen's Green Canopy scheme after 3 million trees planted

Sunday 2 April 2023 11:18 , Kate Ng

King Charles III has offered his "heartfelt thanks" to people involved in the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC) after the initiative announced it has planted more than three million trees. The scheme was launched in May 2021 to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and was extended after her death in September last year to allow people to plant trees in memoriam.

King Charles praises Queen's Green Canopy scheme after 3 million trees planted

Friends close to Prince Andrew rubbish reports he is planning to write memoir

Sunday 2 April 2023 09:00 , Kate Ng Friends close to Prince Andrew have hit out at reports that he is planning to write a memoir.

On Sunday, a number of newspapers claimed that the Duke of York was in talks to produce a tell-all autobiography, following the success of Prince Harry's book 'Spare'. However, friends of his family have taken the unusual step to make his views known following the reports.

Was Prince Charles's School Boarding School Experience as Awful as The Crown Depicts?

King Charles takes on new title previously held by Queen Elizabeth II

Sunday 2 April 2023 07:00 , Kate Ng King Charles III has been appointed colonel-in-chief of the Corps of Royal Engineers, a title previously held by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace announced the news on Tuesday 28 March, with the position hailed as a "long-standing tradition" in the royal family that began with King Edward VII in 1904.

King Charles takes on new title previously held by Queen Elizabeth II

Queen 'deeply saddened' by death of fellow dog-lover Paul O'Grady

Sunday 2 April 2023 05:00 , Kate Ng Camilla has shared her sadness at the news that TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died aged 67. The Queen Consort shared a special bond with the late star, and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Queen 'deeply saddened' by death of fellow dog-lover Paul O'Grady

Meghan Markle wins Gracie Award for her Archetypes podcast

Sunday 2 April 2023 03:00 , Kate Ng

The Duchess of Sussex has received a Gracie Award for her work on her Archetypes podcast. The 48th annual Gracie Awards honoured Meghan Markle as one of its digital media national winners for her Spotify podcast, which sees her speaking to various famous women about the stereotypes they face.

Meghan Markle wins Gracie Award for her Archetypes podcast

King becoming 'frustrated old man' over attitudes to climate emergency

Sunday 2 April 2023 02:00 , Kate Ng The King has described how he is becoming "a frustrated old man" over attitudes to the global climate emergency.

A life-long environmentalist, Charles said the world must rely on the younger generation if we are to avert an environmental catastrophe in the next few years. On a boat ride around Hamburg's sprawling harbour to view a state of the art electrolyser site, which helps generate power, the King said the world must realise the need to move towards more sustainable practices.

King becoming 'frustrated old man' over attitudes to climate emergency

WATCH: King Charles and Queen Consort conclude Germany visit with war remembrance, beer and Beatles

Sunday 2 April 2023 01:00 , Kate Ng

Sarah, Duchess of York: I made endless wrong decisions - but it's got me to where I am today

Sunday 2 April 2023 00:00 , Kate Ng The ex-wife of the Duke of York offers her views on Harry and Meghan, the King, and looking after the late Queen's corgis.

Sarah, Duchess of York: I made endless wrong decisions - but it's got me to where I am today

Harry told Queen: 'We can't afford private security until Meghan and I earn our own money'

Saturday 1 April 2023 23:00 , Kate Ng

The Duke of Sussex sent an email claiming that he and his wife could not afford their own security until they could earn their own money, court documents have revealed. The message has been disclosed in papers as part of Prince Harry's bid to rule that the publishers of the Mail on Sunday libelled him with an article about his quest for police protection when he and his family visit the UK.

Harry told Queen: 'We can't afford security until Meghan and I earn our own money'

Prince Harry blames royal family for delay in hacking suit

Saturday 1 April 2023 22:00 , Kate Ng Prince Harry blamed the royal family for a delay in bringing a phone hacking lawsuit against the publisher of The Daily Mail as lawyers for the newspaper argued that the case should be thrown out because he didn't file it soon enough.

The Duke of Sussex said "the Institution" -- a term he has used in other contexts to refer to the inner workings of Buckingham Palace -- had prevented him from learning sooner about the activity of The Daily Mail and related publications by withholding information about phone hacking by other tabloids.

Prince Harry blames royal family for delay in hacking suit

Prince Harry not expected to see Charles or William as he makes surprise return to UK

Saturday 1 April 2023 21:00 , Kate Ng The Duke of Sussex has made a surprise return to the UK for the first time since the late Queen's funeral - but is not expected to meet with the King or the Prince of Wales. His trip - for a High Court hearing in London in his claim against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over allegations of unlawful information-gathering - will be seen as demonstrating the strength of his determination over the legal action.

Prince Harry not expected to see Charles or William as he makes surprise return to UK

William and Harry's treehouse features in Highgrove exhibition staged for King

Saturday 1 April 2023 20:00 , Kate Ng

The King has commissioned a new exhibition telling the story of how he transformed the gardens of his country home Highgrove - including behind-the-scenes sketches of Princes William and Harry's treehouse. The then-Prince of Wales had the wooden hideaway, with its pointed, thatched roof, built for his young sons at his Gloucestershire retreat in the 1980s.

William and Harry's treehouse features in Highgrove exhibition staged for King

'Disappointment' that King's visit to France had to be postponed, experts say

Saturday 1 April 2023 19:00 , Kate Ng There may be high level disappointment that the King's first state visit has had to be postponed, royal experts have said.

Charles and Camilla were due to begin a four-day trip to France last week but after a night of violent nationwide demonstrations that led to hundreds of arrests and police officers being injured, the trip was shelved.

'Disappointment' that King's visit to France had to be postponed, experts say

'Paranoid' Prince Harry lost friends over 'unlawful' newspaper stories, court hears

Saturday 1 April 2023 17:00 , Kate Ng Prince Harry suffered from "suspicion and paranoia" and lost friends because of newspaper articles, a court heard on Monday, as he launched his campaign to reform the media with a surprise appearance in London. The Duke of Sussex flew 5,500 miles from his new home in California to attend a High Court hearing as the Daily Mail's publisher bids to throw out claims against its titles, including accusations of phone-hacking.

Alastair Jamieson has the full story:

'Paranoid' Prince Harry lost friends over 'unlawful' newspaper stories, court hears

The fascinating history behind the throne King Charles will sit on at his coronation

Saturday 1 April 2023 16:00 , Kate Ng King Charles III ascended the throne following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, last September. His coronation takes place more than 70 years after Elizabeth was crowned on 2 June 1953.

During the crowning and anointing parts of the ceremony, which are said to be the most sacred parts, King Charles will sit upon the 700-year-old Coronation Chair. Read all about the history of the Coronation Chair here:

The fascinating history behind the throne King Charles will sit on at his coronation

Coronation Concert: Everything you need to know about King Charles's musical celebration

Saturday 1 April 2023 15:00 , Kate Ng King Charles III's coronation is less than two months away, with a Bank Holiday weekend full of celebrations fast approaching.

Curious about what will take place during the musical celebration of the day?

Find out below:

Everything you need to know about King Charles's coronation concert

Originally published April 3, 2023, 5:45 AM