Royal
Royal
The British Monarchy costs the taxpayer nearly £334 million a year, according to a new report.
Republic - a campaign group opposed to the Monarchy in the UK - has claimed that the umbrella financial figure is as much as eight times the official figure.
This, the group says, is because of the cost of security and councils' expenses for royal visits, allied to lost income to the Treasury from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.
Graham Smith, the Chief Executive of the campaign group, conceded the report represents "a challenge to spell out the full costs" of having a royal family.
However, the data contained in the report has been widely questioned, with many observes believing the official figures to be a much more accurate reflection of costs.
What's more, supporters of the Queen point out that support for the Monarchy remains strong in the UK and the cost to taxpayers is lower than for alternative political systems elsewhere in the world.
In Italy, for instance, reports suggest the President costs Italian taxpayers in excess of £100 million on an annual basis.
Report claims to reveal ‘true cost of British Monarchy’
The British Monarchy costs the taxpayer nearly £334 million a year, according to a new report.
Republic - a campaign group opposed to the Monarchy in the UK - has claimed that the umbrella financial figure is as much as eight times the official figure.
This, the group says, is because of the cost of security and councils' expenses for royal visits, allied to lost income to the Treasury from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.
Graham Smith, the Chief Executive of the campaign group, conceded the report represents "a challenge to spell out the full costs" of having a royal family.
However, the data contained in the report has been widely questioned, with many observes believing the official figures to be a much more accurate reflection of costs.
What's more, supporters of the Queen point out that support for the Monarchy remains strong in the UK and the cost to taxpayers is lower than for alternative political systems elsewhere in the world.
In Italy, for instance, reports suggest the President costs Italian taxpayers in excess of £100 million on an annual basis.
Royal
David Beckham thinks his grandmother and granddad would have been "proud" of his association with the British royal family.
The 40-year-old retired soccer star attended the Queen's Young Leaders reception - which celebrates emerging business talent - at Buckingham Palace on Monday (22.06.15) and subsequently posted a picture of himself at the event alongside the monarch.
He captioned the image on his Instagram account: "WOW my nan and grandad would have been so proud of this picture... Beautiful evening at Buckingham Palace (sic)"
The star's latest appearance at the royal residence comes seven weeks after the birth of Princess Charlotte, and David and his wife Victoria Beckham were "one of the first" to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the latest addition to their family.
A source said at the time: "There's been a lot of well-wishers, but one of the first to congratulate William and Kate were David and Victoria Beckham.
"The pair got to know each other well at the Olympics in London in 2012 and have stayed firm friends ever since. David jumped on the phone as soon as he heard the news and wished Prince William and Kate well."
David Beckham reveals his ‘pride’ over royal link
David Beckham thinks his grandmother and granddad would have been "proud" of his association with the British royal family.
The 40-year-old retired soccer star attended the Queen's Young Leaders reception - which celebrates emerging business talent - at Buckingham Palace on Monday (22.06.15) and subsequently posted a picture of himself at the event alongside the monarch.
He captioned the image on his Instagram account: "WOW my nan and grandad would have been so proud of this picture... Beautiful evening at Buckingham Palace (sic)"
The star's latest appearance at the royal residence comes seven weeks after the birth of Princess Charlotte, and David and his wife Victoria Beckham were "one of the first" to congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the latest addition to their family.
A source said at the time: "There's been a lot of well-wishers, but one of the first to congratulate William and Kate were David and Victoria Beckham.
"The pair got to know each other well at the Olympics in London in 2012 and have stayed firm friends ever since. David jumped on the phone as soon as he heard the news and wished Prince William and Kate well."
Royal
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly attend this year's Wimbledon tennis championships.
The royal duo, both of whom are 33, are noted fans of lawn tennis and plan to watch the world's best players in action when the event gets under way at the All England Club next week.
The Duke and Duchess were absent from the recently-staged Royal Ascot event, but are set to take their seats in the royal box for this year's much-anticipated championships, where Britain's Andy Murray will be hoping to regain the men's singles crown, the Daily Mail newspaper reports.
Meanwhile, it was claimed recently that Princess Charlotte has been sleeping "through the night" since she was born in May, meaning the Duke and Duchess have been managing to get some much-needed shut-eye.
Geoff Bradley, who attended a tea party with World War II veterans at Clarence House in London, said Prince Charles had let slip that Princess Charlotte is proving to be "much easier" to look after than their first child, 23-month-old Prince George.
Geoff explained: "He [Prince Charles] was saying Princess Charlotte does sleep through the night and it was much easier on mum than Prince George."
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ‘set to attend Wimbledon’
Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly attend this year's Wimbledon tennis championships.
The royal duo, both of whom are 33, are noted fans of lawn tennis and plan to watch the world's best players in action when the event gets under way at the All England Club next week.
The Duke and Duchess were absent from the recently-staged Royal Ascot event, but are set to take their seats in the royal box for this year's much-anticipated championships, where Britain's Andy Murray will be hoping to regain the men's singles crown, the Daily Mail newspaper reports.
Meanwhile, it was claimed recently that Princess Charlotte has been sleeping "through the night" since she was born in May, meaning the Duke and Duchess have been managing to get some much-needed shut-eye.
Geoff Bradley, who attended a tea party with World War II veterans at Clarence House in London, said Prince Charles had let slip that Princess Charlotte is proving to be "much easier" to look after than their first child, 23-month-old Prince George.
Geoff explained: "He [Prince Charles] was saying Princess Charlotte does sleep through the night and it was much easier on mum than Prince George."
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry has penned a letter detailing his sadness at the death of an inspirational five-year-old boy.
The 30-year-old royal handed an award to Carson Hartley last year and was so touched by his "tremendous spirit" that he decided to write a letter to the boy's grieving mother.
The prince wrote: "I was so very sad to hear the tragic news.
"Carson made such an impression on me at the Wellchild awards last year with his warm smile and hugs. He showed so much happiness with such a positive outlook, despite the challenges he faced.
"Carson was a wonderful young boy and I am delighted to have had the chance to meet him.
"I wanted to let you know how sorry I am to hear of your loss and pass to you my heartfelt condolences."
Carson was born 13 weeks premature and suffered a host of health problems during his life, including a heart defect and brittle bone disease.
He passed away earlier this month, but his mother, Kirsty, was thrilled to have received the letter from the prince.
She told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "We were having a really rubbish day and we hadn't been home since Carson had died, but we had to go and drop some things off.
"The letter was behind the door. I opened it not really paying attention but once I saw the royal stamp and the H on the envelope I knew it was important.
"My heart burst with pride, I cried, it was so bittersweet but just reflects exactly what we thought of Harry when we met him.
"He is so nice, genuine and really took an interest.
"I couldn't believe he remembered Carson but like we always said, once met never forgotten."
Prince Harry writes touching letter to grieving mother
Britain's Prince Harry has penned a letter detailing his sadness at the death of an inspirational five-year-old boy.
The 30-year-old royal handed an award to Carson Hartley last year and was so touched by his "tremendous spirit" that he decided to write a letter to the boy's grieving mother.
The prince wrote: "I was so very sad to hear the tragic news.
"Carson made such an impression on me at the Wellchild awards last year with his warm smile and hugs. He showed so much happiness with such a positive outlook, despite the challenges he faced.
"Carson was a wonderful young boy and I am delighted to have had the chance to meet him.
"I wanted to let you know how sorry I am to hear of your loss and pass to you my heartfelt condolences."
Carson was born 13 weeks premature and suffered a host of health problems during his life, including a heart defect and brittle bone disease.
He passed away earlier this month, but his mother, Kirsty, was thrilled to have received the letter from the prince.
She told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "We were having a really rubbish day and we hadn't been home since Carson had died, but we had to go and drop some things off.
"The letter was behind the door. I opened it not really paying attention but once I saw the royal stamp and the H on the envelope I knew it was important.
"My heart burst with pride, I cried, it was so bittersweet but just reflects exactly what we thought of Harry when we met him.
"He is so nice, genuine and really took an interest.
"I couldn't believe he remembered Carson but like we always said, once met never forgotten."
Royal
Britain's Zara Phillips thinks she's lucky to be "normal".
The 34-year-old royal, who is the second-eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, has admitted she welcomes being seen as one of the more down to earth members of Britain's most-famous family.
She shared: "I've been very lucky.
"My parents didn't give us titles, so we've been able to have a slightly more 'normal' upbringing.
"As soon as you've got a title it's very difficult to shed it.
"My brother and I have been very lucky like that, being able to find our own way."
What's more, Zara confessed she doesn't even consider herself to be royal.
She told the Sunday Times newspaper: "Probably not. But then, they're my family, so obviously I kind of am."
This comes shortly after Zara launched her own line of jewellery inspired by her love of horses in collaboration with Australian designer John Calleija.
At the time of the launch, she said: "I am no jewellery designer but I have had a great time working on this with Calleija and I hope everyone enjoys the collection as much as we have enjoyed putting it together."
Zara Phillips: I’m lucky to be normal
Britain's Zara Phillips thinks she's lucky to be "normal".
The 34-year-old royal, who is the second-eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, has admitted she welcomes being seen as one of the more down to earth members of Britain's most-famous family.
She shared: "I've been very lucky.
"My parents didn't give us titles, so we've been able to have a slightly more 'normal' upbringing.
"As soon as you've got a title it's very difficult to shed it.
"My brother and I have been very lucky like that, being able to find our own way."
What's more, Zara confessed she doesn't even consider herself to be royal.
She told the Sunday Times newspaper: "Probably not. But then, they're my family, so obviously I kind of am."
This comes shortly after Zara launched her own line of jewellery inspired by her love of horses in collaboration with Australian designer John Calleija.
At the time of the launch, she said: "I am no jewellery designer but I have had a great time working on this with Calleija and I hope everyone enjoys the collection as much as we have enjoyed putting it together."
Royal
Britain's Prince Harry is reportedly dating Cressida Bonas once again.
The 30-year-old royal has been secretly seeing his on/off girlfriend in recent weeks, but they are making a conscious effort to keep things under wraps for now.
The duo would only announce their status publicly if they were to get engaged and although Prince Harry has recently spoken of his desire to get married one day, it is not on the cards at the moment, according to The Daily Beast.
Reports that Prince Harry and the actress have reunited come shortly after the royal was rumoured to have been flirting with 'Doctor Who' star Jenna-Louise Coleman at a charity polo match in London's Coworth Park.
An eyewitness said at the time: "From their body language it looked like they were really enjoying each other's company.
"Harry sneaked outside with Jenna. He took her by the hand and led her away from the crowd in the sponsor's tent.
"They sat alone and talked as things were winding up inside the party. It was a very flirty, very tactile encounter. She was leaning in to him and he had his hand on her knee.
"They were sitting very close, laughing lots and touching each other."
Prince Harry ‘is dating Cressida Bonas’
Britain's Prince Harry is reportedly dating Cressida Bonas once again.
The 30-year-old royal has been secretly seeing his on/off girlfriend in recent weeks, but they are making a conscious effort to keep things under wraps for now.
The duo would only announce their status publicly if they were to get engaged and although Prince Harry has recently spoken of his desire to get married one day, it is not on the cards at the moment, according to The Daily Beast.
Reports that Prince Harry and the actress have reunited come shortly after the royal was rumoured to have been flirting with 'Doctor Who' star Jenna-Louise Coleman at a charity polo match in London's Coworth Park.
An eyewitness said at the time: "From their body language it looked like they were really enjoying each other's company.
"Harry sneaked outside with Jenna. He took her by the hand and led her away from the crowd in the sponsor's tent.
"They sat alone and talked as things were winding up inside the party. It was a very flirty, very tactile encounter. She was leaning in to him and he had his hand on her knee.
"They were sitting very close, laughing lots and touching each other."
Royal
Stephen Fry doesn't think Britain's Prince Charles would have been "judgemental" about him using drugs at Buckingham Palace.
The 57-year-old comedian admitted last year to using cocaine while at the royal residence, but has claimed Prince Charles would not have barred him from returning to the palace in the future in light of his revelation.
Asked what the royal would have made of the news, Stephen said: "I think it's safe to say he knows I'm naughty."
And although he admitted the prince would have been unimpressed by his behaviour, Stephen insisted he is not "a judgemental, mean, prissy sort of man".
Speaking on 'Desert Island Discs', he added: "I think he'd not be especially pleased at the idea of people doing that in the palace but nor would he leap to point to the exit door and say never return again."
Stephen - who married his 27-year-old partner Elliot Spencer earlier this year - has also previously admitted to taking drugs at a number of other landmarks in Britain, including the House of Lords and the House of Commons in London.
Stephen Fry doesn’t think Prince Charles is ‘judgemental’
Stephen Fry doesn't think Britain's Prince Charles would have been "judgemental" about him using drugs at Buckingham Palace.
The 57-year-old comedian admitted last year to using cocaine while at the royal residence, but has claimed Prince Charles would not have barred him from returning to the palace in the future in light of his revelation.
Asked what the royal would have made of the news, Stephen said: "I think it's safe to say he knows I'm naughty."
And although he admitted the prince would have been unimpressed by his behaviour, Stephen insisted he is not "a judgemental, mean, prissy sort of man".
Speaking on 'Desert Island Discs', he added: "I think he'd not be especially pleased at the idea of people doing that in the palace but nor would he leap to point to the exit door and say never return again."
Stephen - who married his 27-year-old partner Elliot Spencer earlier this year - has also previously admitted to taking drugs at a number of other landmarks in Britain, including the House of Lords and the House of Commons in London.