Queen Elizabeth, 95, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is having moderate symptoms, although Buckingham Palace stated on Sunday that she expected to undertake light duties this week.&nbsp;

"The queen has today tested positive for COVID," the Palace said. "Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week."

"She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines," the Palace said.

Charles, the heir to the throne, walked out of an event earlier this month after getting coronavirus for the second time.

According to a royal source, he only met the queen a few days before.

The queen's health has been in the limelight since she spent a night in hospital last October for an unidentified sickness and was subsequently recommended to rest by her doctors.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished her a speedy recovery on Sunday.&nbsp;

"I'm sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from COVID and a rapid return to vibrant good health," he said on Twitter.

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I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1495383017786945536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Watch | Is Queen Elizabeth II the longest-ruling monarch?

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Queen Elizabeth, 95, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is having moderate symptoms, although Buckingham Palace stated on Sunday that she expected to undertake light duties this week.

Queen Elizabeth, 95, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is having moderate symptoms, although Buckingham Palace stated on Sunday that she expected to undertake light duties this week. "The queen has today tested positive for COVID," the Palace said. "Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week." "She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all appropriate guidelines," the Palace said. Charles, the heir to the throne, walked out of an event earlier this month after getting coronavirus for the second time. According to a royal source, he only met the queen a few days before. The queen's health has been in the limelight since she spent a night in hospital last October for an unidentified sickness and was subsequently recommended to rest by her doctors. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished her a speedy recovery on Sunday. "I'm sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from COVID and a rapid return to vibrant good health," he said on Twitter. I’m sure I speak for everyone in wishing Her Majesty The Queen a swift recovery from Covid and a rapid return to vibrant good health. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 20, 2022 × Watch | Is Queen Elizabeth II the longest-ruling monarch?

Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19: Buckingham Palace

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and receiving medical attention, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday (20 February).

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) and receiving medical attention, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday (20 February). The Palace further informed that the 95-year-old Queen is experiencing mild symptoms but expects to continue light duties this week. "The queen has today tested positive for COVID. Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week," the Palace said. Not just Covid, the health of the Queen remained in the headlines after the world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch spent a night in the hospital last October for an unspecified ailment. ALSO READ | Queen Elizabeth II tests positive for COVID-19: Buckingham Palace A few days ago, Elizabeth said that she could not move much as she carried out her first in-person engagement since Charles tested positive. If we talk about Covid, before Queen, several other members of Britain's Royal Family have had Covid throughout the pandemic. Here's a list: Prince Charles Recently, 73-year-old Prince Charles pulled out of an event after contracting coronavirus for a second time. A Palace source said he had met Queen Elizabeth II just days before. Charles, who is Prince of Wales and the heir to the throne was forced to self-isolate after testing positive. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall Just days after Prince Charles' contracted Covid, his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall also contracted the Covid virus on February 14. She has made any public appearances since. The 74-year-old caught the virus for the first time. On the other hand, her husband Prince Charles contracted Covid for the second time. A Clarence House spokesman said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating. We continue to follow government guidelines." ALSO READ | Chinese New Year parade returns to San Francisco after COVID-19 hiatus Prince William Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge had tested positive for coronavirus in 2020 April, British media reported citing Palace sources. Prince William had contracted the virus at the time when his father, the Prince of Wales had also tested positive. However, the news of William testing positive for the virus was not made public but sources claimed that he had been 'hit pretty hard' by the virus and there were times when he had struggled to breathe. Sir Timothy Laurence Sir Timothy Laurence, who is the husband of Princess Anne, had tested positive for Covid in December 2021. As per reports, the 66-year-old had isolated with his wife at their country estate in Gloucestershire's Gatcombe Park. Charles Spencer Charles Spencer, who is Princess Diana's brother revealed that he had Covid back in September 2020. WATCH | Is Queen Elizabeth II the longest-ruling monarch? ×

Queen Elizabeth II tests Covid positive: List of British Royals who previously tested positive for coronavirus

A British politician has said that he will raise the issue of Prince Andrew's case in the country's parliament to seek assurances that public money will not be used to pay for the sexual assault lawsuit settlement.&nbsp;

As per a US court filing, Prince Andrew and his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Giuffre's lawyer David Boies wrote that they "have reached an out of court settlement". The financial terms were not revealed.&nbsp;

As per media reports, Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to help Andrew settle the case by "personally making a £2million donation to Giuffre's charity".&nbsp;

Now, Andy McDonald, who is a British Labour politician and Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough has said that he would raise the issue next week when MPs return to Westminster after their half-term break.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/well-as-you-can-see-i-cant-move-is-queen-elizabeths-health-failing-453977">'Well, as you can see, I can't move': Is Queen Elizabeth's health failing?</a>

He told BBC Two’s Newsnight: "This is a person of very high profile involved in a case where his position of authority and privilege has been allegedly abused and it is an enormous sum of money."

He added, "We don't know the precise figure but there is a risk that this will be at the public's expense so we need to have that resolved. We need to know exactly where this money is coming from."&nbsp;

McDonald said that he is going to take the opportunity to raise the issue in parliament because "the issue isn't going to go away" until people have that "information and receive assurances" that public money is not going to be used to settle the settlement.&nbsp;

The settlement states that UK's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-queen-elizabeth-ii-abdicate-reports-suggest-sensitive-planning-underway-for-prince-charles-coronation-451215">Will Queen Elizabeth II abdicate? Reports suggest 'sensitive' planning underway for Prince Charles' coronation</a>

Previously, Giuffre claimed that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17 and a minor under US law after meeting him through the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein.&nbsp;

Andrew has not been criminally charged and has denied the allegations and the settlement means the civil case will not go to a jury trial.&nbsp;

It also means Andrew, 61, will no longer be questioned under oath by Giuffre's lawyers, who had been due to travel to London next month.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A British politician has said that he will raise the issue of Prince Andrew's case in the country's parliament to seek assurances that public money will not be used to pay for the sexual assault lawsuit settlement.

A British politician has said that he will raise the issue of Prince Andrew's case in the country's parliament to seek assurances that public money will not be used to pay for the sexual assault lawsuit settlement. As per a US court filing, Prince Andrew and his accuser Virginia Giuffre have settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed sum. Giuffre's lawyer David Boies wrote that they "have reached an out of court settlement". The financial terms were not revealed. As per media reports, Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to help Andrew settle the case by "personally making a £2million donation to Giuffre's charity". Now, Andy McDonald, who is a British Labour politician and Member of Parliament for Middlesbrough has said that he would raise the issue next week when MPs return to Westminster after their half-term break. ALSO READ | 'Well, as you can see, I can't move': Is Queen Elizabeth's health failing? He told BBC Two’s Newsnight: "This is a person of very high profile involved in a case where his position of authority and privilege has been allegedly abused and it is an enormous sum of money." He added, "We don't know the precise figure but there is a risk that this will be at the public's expense so we need to have that resolved. We need to know exactly where this money is coming from." McDonald said that he is going to take the opportunity to raise the issue in parliament because "the issue isn't going to go away" until people have that "information and receive assurances" that public money is not going to be used to settle the settlement. The settlement states that UK's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York will make a "substantial donation" to a charity established by Giuffre that supports sex trafficking victims. ALSO READ | Will Queen Elizabeth II abdicate? Reports suggest 'sensitive' planning underway for Prince Charles' coronation Previously, Giuffre claimed that she had sex with Andrew when she was 17 and a minor under US law after meeting him through the late US financier Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has not been criminally charged and has denied the allegations and the settlement means the civil case will not go to a jury trial. It also means Andrew, 61, will no longer be questioned under oath by Giuffre's lawyers, who had been due to travel to London next month. × (With inputs from agencies)

Prince Andrew's sexual assault case to be raised in UK parliament as reports say Queen to help pay settlement

test - Prince Andrew's sexual assault case to be raised in UK parliament

Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades after she had acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father King George VI.&nbsp;

She received greetings and wishes from all over the world as she marked the historic date quietly at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England where her father died.&nbsp;

In a landmark address marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, the Queen said that she wants Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as 'Queen Consort' when Prince Charles becomes King.&nbsp;

The announcement further quantifies the speculations that&nbsp;whether the longest-serving British monarch will abdicate to let her son take over.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/britains-camilla-from-public-shaming-to-queen-elizabeths-consort-in-waiting-450974">Britain's Camilla: From public shaming to Queen Elizabeth's Consort-in-waiting</a>&nbsp;

On the day when the entire country was celebrating, there were reports that the Queen might step down in favour of her son Prince Charles.&nbsp;

Important to note that Queen has said in the past that she will never abdicate and will stay in the role her entire life.&nbsp;

The Daily Star&nbsp;reported citing a military source&nbsp;that "sensitive" planning for Prince Charles' coronation is underway.

The report also added that there's a "working plan" for Charles to be crowned, which might take place as early as 2023.&nbsp;

"We are shaping a military event that will need approval from the palace nearer the time," the source added.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-queen-elizabeth-ii-begins-celebrations-to-mark-70-years-on-throne-450792">Queen Elizabeth II begins celebrations to mark 70 years on throne</a>&nbsp;

The source added, "Our role is the ceremonial presentation and to make sure we are ready for whatever date is ­decided. We have lots of contingencies in place – but this will be special."&nbsp;

"On current direction we have been told to make contingency plans for a coronation parade – that means we need to make sure the military can ­deliver what we plan. Delicate matters regarding the date for the coronation will be made by the Palace and the Queen’s office," the source added.&nbsp;

The source said that any event of such magnitude will ­require a detailed "military and ­security planning", adding that with the lead on security will be the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Lady Pamela Hicks, cousin of the late Prince Philip, stated otherwise during a&nbsp;virtual event.&nbsp;

During a panel called "70 Years of Duty and Friendship", Hicks was asked about the rumoured abdication.&nbsp;

She replied: "She [Queen] will never abdicate."&nbsp;

"Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicated to her daughter [in 1948], but the Queen was shocked by the idea because she never can, because she has been anointed and takes her religion very seriously," she explained during the virtual event held on February 4.&nbsp;

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Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades after she had acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father King George VI.

Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades after she had acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952, after the death of her father King George VI. She received greetings and wishes from all over the world as she marked the historic date quietly at Sandringham, her estate in eastern England where her father died. In a landmark address marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, the Queen said that she wants Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as 'Queen Consort' when Prince Charles becomes King. The announcement further quantifies the speculations that whether the longest-serving British monarch will abdicate to let her son take over. IN PICS | Britain's Camilla: From public shaming to Queen Elizabeth's Consort-in-waiting On the day when the entire country was celebrating, there were reports that the Queen might step down in favour of her son Prince Charles. Important to note that Queen has said in the past that she will never abdicate and will stay in the role her entire life. The Daily Star reported citing a military source that "sensitive" planning for Prince Charles' coronation is underway. The report also added that there's a "working plan" for Charles to be crowned, which might take place as early as 2023. "We are shaping a military event that will need approval from the palace nearer the time," the source added. IN PICS | Queen Elizabeth II begins celebrations to mark 70 years on throne The source added, "Our role is the ceremonial presentation and to make sure we are ready for whatever date is decided. We have lots of contingencies in place – but this will be special." "On current direction we have been told to make contingency plans for a coronation parade – that means we need to make sure the military can deliver what we plan. Delicate matters regarding the date for the coronation will be made by the Palace and the Queen’s office," the source added. The source said that any event of such magnitude will require a detailed "military and security planning", adding that with the lead on security will be the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police. On the other hand, Lady Pamela Hicks, cousin of the late Prince Philip, stated otherwise during a virtual event. During a panel called "70 Years of Duty and Friendship", Hicks was asked about the rumoured abdication. She replied: "She [Queen] will never abdicate." "Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicated to her daughter [in 1948], but the Queen was shocked by the idea because she never can, because she has been anointed and takes her religion very seriously," she explained during the virtual event held on February 4. ×

Will Queen Elizabeth II abdicate? Reports suggest 'sensitive' planning underway for Prince Charles' coronation

Queen Elizabeth II’s priceless 1937 crown, which contains Koh-i-Noor diamond, will go to Duchess of Cornwall Camilla at her husband Prince Charles’s coronation, said a media report. &nbsp;

Queen Mother’s priceless platinum and diamond crown was actually created for King George VI’s coronation in 1937. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-virginia-giuffre-sex-abuse-lawsuit-britains-prince-andrew-to-give-evidence-next-month-say-reports-450903" hreflang="en">In Virginia Giuffre sex abuse lawsuit, Britain's Prince Andrew to give evidence next month, say reports</a>

The crown of the Queen has 2,800 diamonds. It also features a large stone, which was given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856 as a gesture of gratitude for support of the British during the Crimean War. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The front cross of the crown holds the famous 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond in a detachable platinum mount. Koh-i-Noor had originated in India. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-hands-over-337-ancient-artifacts-to-iraq-451135" hreflang="en">Lebanon hands over 337 ancient artifacts to Iraq</a>

The crown will be given to Camilla as part of her role as Queen Consort when Prince Charles accedes to the throne, which was announced by the Queen recently, said a report of Daily Mail. &nbsp;

In response to the historic announcement of Queen, Charles issued his statement where he expressed sheer gratitude to his mother for her support. He said, "We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Queen Elizabeth II’s priceless 1937 crown, which contains Koh-i-Noor diamond, will go to Duchess of Cornwall Camilla at her husband Prince Charles’s coronation, said a media report.

Queen Elizabeth II’s priceless 1937 crown, which contains Koh-i-Noor diamond, will go to Duchess of Cornwall Camilla at her husband Prince Charles’s coronation, said a media report. Queen Mother’s priceless platinum and diamond crown was actually created for King George VI’s coronation in 1937. Also Read: In Virginia Giuffre sex abuse lawsuit, Britain's Prince Andrew to give evidence next month, say reports The crown of the Queen has 2,800 diamonds. It also features a large stone, which was given to Queen Victoria by the Sultan of Turkey in 1856 as a gesture of gratitude for support of the British during the Crimean War. The front cross of the crown holds the famous 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond in a detachable platinum mount. Koh-i-Noor had originated in India. Also Read: Lebanon hands over 337 ancient artifacts to Iraq The crown will be given to Camilla as part of her role as Queen Consort when Prince Charles accedes to the throne, which was announced by the Queen recently, said a report of Daily Mail. In response to the historic announcement of Queen, Charles issued his statement where he expressed sheer gratitude to his mother for her support. He said, "We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish." (With inputs from agencies)

At Charles’s coronation, Camilla to get Queen Elizabeth II’s priceless 1937 Koh-i-Noor crown

In a landmark address marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said on Saturday that she wants Camilla,&nbsp;Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as 'Queen Consort' when Prince Charles becomes King.&nbsp;

Queen Elizabeth II said that she remains "eternally grateful" for the loyalty and affection she continues to get from people and added that she knows the future King and his wife will get the "same support".&nbsp;

She weighed in on one of the most debated topics so far in her reign, which is the future title of Camilla, when Prince Charles will become the King.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-along-with-queen-elizabeth-these-are-the-worlds-longest-reigning-monarchs-450363#frances-louis-xiv-450344">In Pics: Along with Queen Elizabeth, these are the world's longest reigning monarchs</a>

"It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the Queen noted in a written letter.&nbsp;

Camilla married Charles in 2005 in a civil ceremony and both were divorcees during that time. She was often called the "outsider".&nbsp;

She was constantly targeted after the marriage, both by commoners and the tabloids in the UK, especially in the 1990s when Charles divorced his first wife Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.&nbsp;

IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-the-queen-go-to-prison-heres-a-list-of-british-royals-who-faced-legal-troubles-448046">Can the Queen go to prison? Here's a list of British Royals who faced legal troubles</a>

Throughout British history, the wife of a King typically is given the title Queen Consort.&nbsp;

However, at the time of their marriage, it had been officially decided that Camilla would use the title Princess Consort if Charles were to become King.&nbsp;

But the latest remarks by Queen Elizabeth II will cement Camilla's status as a royal. Camilla now regularly represents the Royal Family alongside Charles during official duties.&nbsp;

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In her message, she references the broadcast she made on her 21st birthday in which she pledged her life’s work to the people of the Commonwealth with the words: 
 
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” <a href="https://t.co/JllEHYEGMu">pic.twitter.com/JllEHYEGMu</a>
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1490083072460607488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In a landmark address marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said on Saturday that she wants Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as 'Queen Consort' when Prince Charles becomes King.

In a landmark address marking the 70th anniversary of her reign, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said on Saturday that she wants Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, to be known as 'Queen Consort' when Prince Charles becomes King. Queen Elizabeth II said that she remains "eternally grateful" for the loyalty and affection she continues to get from people and added that she knows the future King and his wife will get the "same support". She weighed in on one of the most debated topics so far in her reign, which is the future title of Camilla, when Prince Charles will become the King. IN PICS | In Pics: Along with Queen Elizabeth, these are the world's longest reigning monarchs "It is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service," the Queen noted in a written letter. Camilla married Charles in 2005 in a civil ceremony and both were divorcees during that time. She was often called the "outsider". She was constantly targeted after the marriage, both by commoners and the tabloids in the UK, especially in the 1990s when Charles divorced his first wife Princess Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. IN PICS | Can the Queen go to prison? Here's a list of British Royals who faced legal troubles Throughout British history, the wife of a King typically is given the title Queen Consort. However, at the time of their marriage, it had been officially decided that Camilla would use the title Princess Consort if Charles were to become King. But the latest remarks by Queen Elizabeth II will cement Camilla's status as a royal. Camilla now regularly represents the Royal Family alongside Charles during official duties. In her message, she references the broadcast she made on her 21st birthday in which she pledged her life’s work to the people of the Commonwealth with the words: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” pic.twitter.com/JllEHYEGMu — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) February 5, 2022 ×

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wants Prince Charles' wife Camilla to be known as 'Queen Consort'

Britain's Queen Elizabeth the second has started celebrations for the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, the very first platinum jubilee for a British monarch. The queen has used this historic milestone to redefine the future of the monarchy in an announcement to mark the occasion. The queen said that she wants Camilla the duchess of Cornwall to be known as the queen consort

Britain: Queen Elizabeth II wants Camilla to be known as Queen Consort

Britain's Camilla: From public shaming to Queen Elizabeth's Consort-in-waiting

In Pics | Queen Elizabeth II begins celebrations to mark 70 years on throne

Can the Queen go to prison? Here's a list of British Royals who faced legal troubles

Do you want to work in the hospitality sector and think your skills are royalty-worthy?&nbsp; 
 
A part-time housekeeper is needed in one of Queen Elizabeth II's royal palaces.

Applicants for the part-time housekeeping assistant position would be expected to work 20 hours per week at Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse.

They will be paid £9.50, which is the UK's new national minimum wage of $12.95.&nbsp;

"This is your opportunity to use your enthusiasm and interest in hospitality to deliver the exceptional," states the job advert, which was posted on The Royal Household's jobs board.&nbsp;

Queen Elizabeth II's palace in Edinburgh has 289 rooms.

The Royal Household employs hundreds of employees, from gardeners to security agents, but it may come as a surprise that the queen is hiring at the national minimum wage.

After all, Forbes pegs her personal wealth at $500 million, while "the Firm," which she leads, is valued at $28 billion.&nbsp;

The Royal Household's employees, on the other hand, aren't known for their high pay, according to Forbes.

For example, an entry-level IT worker gets around $40,000 per year, significantly less than the average wage for a junior IT specialist in the United States, which is around $51,000.

Based on the quoted hourly compensation, the part-time housekeeper position would pay around $13,000 per year.

The job description states that they will be cleaning and caring for "a wide range of interiors and items, ensuring they are displayed to their very best."&nbsp;

The Royal Household, on the other hand, offers various perks that may make the starting compensation more appealing to applicants.

The employment includes 33 days of paid vacation, compared to around 10 days on average for American workers, as well as a 15% contribution to the employee's retirement account.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Do you want to work in the hospitality sector and think your skills are royalty-worthy? A part-time housekeeper is needed in one of Queen Elizabeth II's royal palaces.

Do you want to work in the hospitality sector and think your skills are royalty-worthy? A part-time housekeeper is needed in one of Queen Elizabeth II's royal palaces. Applicants for the part-time housekeeping assistant position would be expected to work 20 hours per week at Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse. They will be paid £9.50, which is the UK's new national minimum wage of $12.95. "This is your opportunity to use your enthusiasm and interest in hospitality to deliver the exceptional," states the job advert, which was posted on The Royal Household's jobs board. Queen Elizabeth II's palace in Edinburgh has 289 rooms. The Royal Household employs hundreds of employees, from gardeners to security agents, but it may come as a surprise that the queen is hiring at the national minimum wage. After all, Forbes pegs her personal wealth at $500 million, while "the Firm," which she leads, is valued at $28 billion. The Royal Household's employees, on the other hand, aren't known for their high pay, according to Forbes. For example, an entry-level IT worker gets around $40,000 per year, significantly less than the average wage for a junior IT specialist in the United States, which is around $51,000. Based on the quoted hourly compensation, the part-time housekeeper position would pay around $13,000 per year. The job description states that they will be cleaning and caring for "a wide range of interiors and items, ensuring they are displayed to their very best." The Royal Household, on the other hand, offers various perks that may make the starting compensation more appealing to applicants. The employment includes 33 days of paid vacation, compared to around 10 days on average for American workers, as well as a 15% contribution to the employee's retirement account. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'Royal' job: Queen Elizabeth II hiring part-time maid - but it's for minimum wage

He was a dashing helicopter pilot and war hero who captivated millions of Britons during the Falkland Islands War. Royal watchers liked to say he was a favorite of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

These days, however, Prince Andrew, 61, is drawing global infamy and revulsion over accusations that he raped a teenager in 2001.

The prince has repeatedly denied the accusations. But this week, his once-glittering royal life was shattered irreparably after a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that a civil case related to the sexual abuse accusations could proceed.

The reaction from Buckingham Palace was swift and punishing. Just a day later, the prince’s 95-year-old mother stripped him of his military titles and royal patronages. Going forward, the prince will no longer use the title “His Royal Highness,” a symbol of his status as a senior member of the royal family. The Sun, a popular British tabloid, summed it up: Andrew had been “effectively banished.”

Looming over the case is the prince’s friendship with former financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who the accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed had trafficked her to the prince. Epstein committed suicide in prison in 2019.

The case has deeply shaken the royal family, already buffeted by scandal and the rancorous departure of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. The timing could hardly be worse: Elizabeth is poised to celebrate her 70th anniversary on the throne this year, and the monarchy — the symbol and unifier of an often restive nation — has been seeking to burnish and renew its brand for future generations.

Raising questions about class, entitlement and toxic masculinity, the accusations against Andrew have also laid bare the changing face of Britain during the #MeToo era.

And while the monarchy has outlived previous crises — war, abdications, revolutions, murderous kings — the latest one has also underscored how a resilient and venerable institution can still be battered by the bad behavior and poor judgment of its royal members.

Who is Andrew?

Born on Feb. 19, 1960, Andrew attended Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland, his father’s alma mater. He appears to have inherited his father’s adventurous bent and went on to a distinguished military career.

A spare, rather than the heir, to the throne, his busy bachelorhood — linked to actresses and models, among others — was tabloid fodder, earning him the nickname “Randy Andy” and a reputation as a playboy prince.

When he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986, he became the Duke of York. The marriage ended in divorce a decade later amid accusations of infidelity. But the couple, who had two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remained close. They continue to share a home at Royal Lodge, a residence near Windsor Castle.

While as a young man Andrew was known as something of a rake, he earned respect after training as a naval officer and serving as a helicopter pilot during the Falkland Islands War. His appetite for risk was evident in 2012 when, to raise money for charity, he abseiled down the side of the Shard, an iconic London skyscraper, from the 87th floor.

Before becoming ensnared by scandal, Andrew’s royal duties included serving as a trade representative for Britain, a role that brought him into the orbit of the superrich. He was a patron of dozens of charities and had eight British military titles.

Royal watchers had seen him as the queen’s favorite, possibly because of a jokey personality and a substantive military background that have echoes of his father.

Why is Andrew in trouble?

Andrew’s woes are largely the result of his association with Epstein, who was being held on federal sex-trafficking charges when he died, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was recently found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to recruit, groom and abuse underage girls. The accusations against Andrew surfaced in 2015 during a federal lawsuit against Epstein in Florida. One accuser, Giuffre, claimed that the prince had raped her when she was 17.

After a disastrous BBC interview, broadcast in November 2019, in which he tried to explain his friendship with Epstein — and spurred a backlash after characterizing the behavior of the convicted sex offender as “unbecoming” — the prince announced he was indefinitely stepping away from public life. During the interview, the prince said he had “no recollection” of meeting Giuffre.

But he could not explain a widely published photograph taken in London that showed him with his arm around the girl’s waist. He told the BBC that he had no memory of the photograph “ever being taken.” He also made several bizarre claims to deflect his accuser’s charges, among them that he was medically incapable of sweating. Giuffre has asserted that the prince was sweating profusely during one of their meetings.

In August 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew in federal court in Manhattan, New York, repeating her accusations. His lawyers have tried to get the case dismissed, but on Jan. 12, a judge allowed the suit to proceed.

How has the queen reacted?

After the ruling this week in the sexual abuse lawsuit, Buckingham Palace announced that the prince would be relinquishing his military titles and royal charities. In a stinging rebuke, the palace also said the prince would no longer use the title “His Royal Highness.” The palace’s terse statement said that Andrew would “continue not to undertake any public duties” and that he “is defending this case as a private citizen.”

The language of the palace’s announcement appeared carefully calibrated to stave off any efforts by the prince to rehabilitate himself.

The decision to deprive Andrew of his military titles and the honorific “His Royal Highness” puts him on the same footing as his nephew, Harry, who was forced to give up both after he and his wife withdrew from royal duties and moved to Southern California in 2020.

What does this mean for the royal family?

Elizabeth will mark 70 years on the throne in February, which was supposed to offer an opportunity to reframe the royal narrative after three years of unrelenting turmoil. But now the lurid tableau of a sexual abuse lawsuit unfolding in a Manhattan courtroom could cast a pall over her celebrations. There are also deeper, more long-lasting risks for the monarchy as it seeks to remain relevant in the age of TikTok.

The queen remains beloved by the British public for her work ethic and long service; she has been served by 14 prime ministers<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/57596969" rel="nofollow">,</a>&nbsp;beginning with Winston Churchill, and has edged out Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. But members of the younger generation have come of age during a period when the monarchy has been rocked by scandal, and the accusations against Andrew are helping to solidify that perception.

As it is, in multicultural Britain and beyond, some have already felt alienated from the monarchy after Meghan and Harry’s departure. The sense of it being an anachronistic family out of touch with contemporary mores was reinforced during an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in which Meghan, a biracial former actress, raised the issue of racism within the royal family.

The relegation of Andrew to the royal wilderness will also reinforce the royal model of Prince Charles, who will succeed his mother after her death and who has been advocating a streamlined House of Windsor.

What are the next steps in the case against Andrew?

If both sides agree to a settlement, which would bring the lawsuit to an end, Andrew would likely not have to admit any liability or wrongdoing, but he could face sizable financial costs. Under an agreed-upon scheduling order in the lawsuit, lawyers for Giuffre and Andrew must complete legal discovery — the exchange of documents and the taking of depositions of experts — by July 14. If the case goes to trial before a jury, it could lead to the public airing of tawdry and damaging details about the prince that could further undermine the monarchy.

He was a dashing helicopter pilot and war hero who captivated millions of Britons during the Falkland Islands War. Royal watchers liked to say he was a favorite of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

He was a dashing helicopter pilot and war hero who captivated millions of Britons during the Falkland Islands War. Royal watchers liked to say he was a favorite of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. These days, however, Prince Andrew, 61, is drawing global infamy and revulsion over accusations that he raped a teenager in 2001. The prince has repeatedly denied the accusations. But this week, his once-glittering royal life was shattered irreparably after a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that a civil case related to the sexual abuse accusations could proceed. The reaction from Buckingham Palace was swift and punishing. Just a day later, the prince’s 95-year-old mother stripped him of his military titles and royal patronages. Going forward, the prince will no longer use the title “His Royal Highness,” a symbol of his status as a senior member of the royal family. The Sun, a popular British tabloid, summed it up: Andrew had been “effectively banished.” Looming over the case is the prince’s friendship with former financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who the accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed had trafficked her to the prince. Epstein committed suicide in prison in 2019. The case has deeply shaken the royal family, already buffeted by scandal and the rancorous departure of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan. The timing could hardly be worse: Elizabeth is poised to celebrate her 70th anniversary on the throne this year, and the monarchy — the symbol and unifier of an often restive nation — has been seeking to burnish and renew its brand for future generations. Raising questions about class, entitlement and toxic masculinity, the accusations against Andrew have also laid bare the changing face of Britain during the #MeToo era. And while the monarchy has outlived previous crises — war, abdications, revolutions, murderous kings — the latest one has also underscored how a resilient and venerable institution can still be battered by the bad behavior and poor judgment of its royal members. Who is Andrew? Born on Feb. 19, 1960, Andrew attended Gordonstoun boarding school in Scotland, his father’s alma mater. He appears to have inherited his father’s adventurous bent and went on to a distinguished military career. A spare, rather than the heir, to the throne, his busy bachelorhood — linked to actresses and models, among others — was tabloid fodder, earning him the nickname “Randy Andy” and a reputation as a playboy prince. When he married Sarah Ferguson in 1986, he became the Duke of York. The marriage ended in divorce a decade later amid accusations of infidelity. But the couple, who had two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, remained close. They continue to share a home at Royal Lodge, a residence near Windsor Castle. While as a young man Andrew was known as something of a rake, he earned respect after training as a naval officer and serving as a helicopter pilot during the Falkland Islands War. His appetite for risk was evident in 2012 when, to raise money for charity, he abseiled down the side of the Shard, an iconic London skyscraper, from the 87th floor. Before becoming ensnared by scandal, Andrew’s royal duties included serving as a trade representative for Britain, a role that brought him into the orbit of the superrich. He was a patron of dozens of charities and had eight British military titles. Royal watchers had seen him as the queen’s favorite, possibly because of a jokey personality and a substantive military background that have echoes of his father. Why is Andrew in trouble? Andrew’s woes are largely the result of his association with Epstein, who was being held on federal sex-trafficking charges when he died, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was recently found guilty of conspiring with Epstein to recruit, groom and abuse underage girls. The accusations against Andrew surfaced in 2015 during a federal lawsuit against Epstein in Florida. One accuser, Giuffre, claimed that the prince had raped her when she was 17. After a disastrous BBC interview, broadcast in November 2019, in which he tried to explain his friendship with Epstein — and spurred a backlash after characterizing the behavior of the convicted sex offender as “unbecoming” — the prince announced he was indefinitely stepping away from public life. During the interview, the prince said he had “no recollection” of meeting Giuffre. But he could not explain a widely published photograph taken in London that showed him with his arm around the girl’s waist. He told the BBC that he had no memory of the photograph “ever being taken.” He also made several bizarre claims to deflect his accuser’s charges, among them that he was medically incapable of sweating. Giuffre has asserted that the prince was sweating profusely during one of their meetings. In August 2021, Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew in federal court in Manhattan, New York, repeating her accusations. His lawyers have tried to get the case dismissed, but on Jan. 12, a judge allowed the suit to proceed. How has the queen reacted? After the ruling this week in the sexual abuse lawsuit, Buckingham Palace announced that the prince would be relinquishing his military titles and royal charities. In a stinging rebuke, the palace also said the prince would no longer use the title “His Royal Highness.” The palace’s terse statement said that Andrew would “continue not to undertake any public duties” and that he “is defending this case as a private citizen.” The language of the palace’s announcement appeared carefully calibrated to stave off any efforts by the prince to rehabilitate himself. The decision to deprive Andrew of his military titles and the honorific “His Royal Highness” puts him on the same footing as his nephew, Harry, who was forced to give up both after he and his wife withdrew from royal duties and moved to Southern California in 2020. What does this mean for the royal family? Elizabeth will mark 70 years on the throne in February, which was supposed to offer an opportunity to reframe the royal narrative after three years of unrelenting turmoil. But now the lurid tableau of a sexual abuse lawsuit unfolding in a Manhattan courtroom could cast a pall over her celebrations. There are also deeper, more long-lasting risks for the monarchy as it seeks to remain relevant in the age of TikTok. The queen remains beloved by the British public for her work ethic and long service; she has been served by 14 prime ministers, beginning with Winston Churchill, and has edged out Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning monarch in British history. But members of the younger generation have come of age during a period when the monarchy has been rocked by scandal, and the accusations against Andrew are helping to solidify that perception. As it is, in multicultural Britain and beyond, some have already felt alienated from the monarchy after Meghan and Harry’s departure. The sense of it being an anachronistic family out of touch with contemporary mores was reinforced during an explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in which Meghan, a biracial former actress, raised the issue of racism within the royal family. The relegation of Andrew to the royal wilderness will also reinforce the royal model of Prince Charles, who will succeed his mother after her death and who has been advocating a streamlined House of Windsor. What are the next steps in the case against Andrew? If both sides agree to a settlement, which would bring the lawsuit to an end, Andrew would likely not have to admit any liability or wrongdoing, but he could face sizable financial costs. Under an agreed-upon scheduling order in the lawsuit, lawyers for Giuffre and Andrew must complete legal discovery — the exchange of documents and the taking of depositions of experts — by July 14. If the case goes to trial before a jury, it could lead to the public airing of tawdry and damaging details about the prince that could further undermine the monarchy.

The downfall of Prince Andrew: Here's what you need to know

Britain's Prince Andrew will no longer be known as 'His Royal Highness' as he fights a US lawsuit in which he has been accused of sex abuse.&nbsp; 
 
Andrew, 61, is Queen Elizabeth's third child. His royal patronages and military links too were removed on Thursday by the royal family.&nbsp; 
 
In 2019, he was forced to step down from public duties because of his connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and after a disastrous BBC TV interview which the prince had hoped would clear his name. 
Thursday's move by the royal family means he will now lose all his royal connections. 
 
"With the queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. 
 
"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."&nbsp; 
On Wednesday, Andrew's lawyers failed to persuade a US judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit in which Virginia Giuffre accuses him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. 
 
US District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Giuffre, 38, could pursue claims that Andrew battered her and intentionally caused her emotional distress while Epstein - a financier who killed himself in jail in August 2019 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial - was trafficking her.

The prince, the 95-year-old queen's second son, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties. 
 
The judge`s decision means Andrew could be forced to give evidence at a trial which could begin between September and December 2022 if no settlement were reached outside of court.&nbsp;

Andrew's links to Epstein had led to a swathe of damaging media reports, leading the prince to decide to do a TV interview in November 2019 which he hoped would resolve the matter.

It instead led to ridicule and further questions, and as the controversy grew, Buckingham Palace had increasingly distanced itself from the prince, declining to comment and referring all questions to his lawyers. 
 
A royal source said the decision over Andrew came after wide discussions among the other members of the royal family. Now, his military affiliations and patronages would be redistributed to other members of the family. 
 
The decision to strip Prince Andrew of royal title and military affiliations came after an open letter signed by 150 veterans asked the Queen to remove Andrew from his responsibilities amid the scandal.&nbsp; 
 
They called for Elizabeth to take immediate action because her son had been "uncooperative and less than truthful" about his relationship with Epstein, and had brought the armed services he represented into disrepute. 
 
"Regardless of the result of Virginia Giuffre’s civil case against Prince Andrew, his position in Britain's armed forces is now untenable," the veterans' letter said. 
 
The scandal surrounding Andrew comes on the heels of the damage caused after the queen's grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan quit royal duties to forge new careers in Los Angeles, later accusing the royal household of racism. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Prince Andrew will no longer be known as 'His Royal Highness' as he fights a US lawsuit in which he has been accused of sex abuse. Andrew, 61, is Queen Elizabeth's third child.

Britain's Prince Andrew will no longer be known as 'His Royal Highness' as he fights a US lawsuit in which he has been accused of sex abuse. Andrew, 61, is Queen Elizabeth's third child. His royal patronages and military links too were removed on Thursday by the royal family. In 2019, he was forced to step down from public duties because of his connections to convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and after a disastrous BBC TV interview which the prince had hoped would clear his name. Thursday's move by the royal family means he will now lose all his royal connections. "With the queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the queen," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen." On Wednesday, Andrew's lawyers failed to persuade a US judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit in which Virginia Giuffre accuses him of sexually abusing her when she was a teenager. US District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Giuffre, 38, could pursue claims that Andrew battered her and intentionally caused her emotional distress while Epstein - a financier who killed himself in jail in August 2019 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial - was trafficking her. The prince, the 95-year-old queen's second son, has denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex more than two decades ago at a London home of former Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and abused her at two Epstein properties. The judge`s decision means Andrew could be forced to give evidence at a trial which could begin between September and December 2022 if no settlement were reached outside of court. Andrew's links to Epstein had led to a swathe of damaging media reports, leading the prince to decide to do a TV interview in November 2019 which he hoped would resolve the matter. It instead led to ridicule and further questions, and as the controversy grew, Buckingham Palace had increasingly distanced itself from the prince, declining to comment and referring all questions to his lawyers. A royal source said the decision over Andrew came after wide discussions among the other members of the royal family. Now, his military affiliations and patronages would be redistributed to other members of the family. The decision to strip Prince Andrew of royal title and military affiliations came after an open letter signed by 150 veterans asked the Queen to remove Andrew from his responsibilities amid the scandal. They called for Elizabeth to take immediate action because her son had been "uncooperative and less than truthful" about his relationship with Epstein, and had brought the armed services he represented into disrepute. "Regardless of the result of Virginia Giuffre’s civil case against Prince Andrew, his position in Britain's armed forces is now untenable," the veterans' letter said. The scandal surrounding Andrew comes on the heels of the damage caused after the queen's grandson Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan quit royal duties to forge new careers in Los Angeles, later accusing the royal household of racism. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Prince Andrew will no longer be addressed as 'His Royal Highness'

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain was hospitalized with COVID in April 2020, the alarming news bulletin came soon after a televised address by Queen Elizabeth II in which she reassured the British public that after the pandemic ebbed, “We will meet again.”

Stoic, dignified and comforting, the queen’s words helped anchor the country during the fretful days that followed — not the first time the monarchy has acted as a stabilizing force for the government during tumultuous events.

This week, however, both of these grand British institutions pitched simultaneously into crisis. On Wednesday, Johnson admitted attending a garden party not long after he had recovered from the virus, which violated lockdown rules and set off a chorus of calls for him to resign. Hours later, a federal judge in Manhattan rejected a bid by the queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, to throw out a sex abuse lawsuit against him.

On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that it would force Andrew to relinquish all his military titles and the honorific, “His Royal Highness.” He “is defending this case as a private citizen,” the palace said in a terse statement that underscored the finality of the prince’s exile from royal life.

While these cases are about starkly different issues, they both feature privileged middle-aged men under fire for their behavior, raising age-old questions of class, entitlement and double standards.

“Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew,” Alastair Campbell, a former communications director for Prime Minister Tony Blair, said in a Twitter post. “What an image the world is getting of Global Britain.”

Campbell was involved in a now-celebrated episode in which a more stable government helped a monarchy in crisis: In 1997, he and Blair, a popular Labour leader coming off a landslide election victory, persuaded the queen to strike a more empathetic tone in reacting to the death of Princess Diana in a car crash. That defused a growing tide of resentment against the monarch.

“Normally,” Campbell said, “they avoid crises at the same time.”

Commentators said, half in jest, that the legal ruling against Andrew, 61, helped Johnson, 57, because it deflected attention from his grilling in the House of Commons, where opposition lawmakers accused him of lying and demanded that he resign. But both men are at the mercy of forces largely out of their control.

Johnson has asked lawmakers to defer judgment on him, pending the results of an internal investigation into Downing Street’s parties by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. If she determines that Johnson misled Parliament in his previous statements, it will almost certainly cost him his job.

Andrew, by failing to win the dismissal of a suit brought by Virginia Giuffre, faces the prospect of damning disclosures in depositions of him and Giuffre, who claimed he raped her when she was a teenager. She says she was trafficked to Andrew by his friend, convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew flatly denies the charge and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre.

What the two cases have in common, critics said, is a lack of accountability on the part of the main actors.

Johnson, in apologizing for the party, acknowledged the anger that the public would feel “when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.” But he insisted that he viewed the gathering as a “work event” — one that he attended for only 25 minutes — an alibi that placed the blame on his subordinates who organized the gathering.

Andrew has not commented on his legal setback. But he and his lawyers have maneuvered to avoid confronting Giuffre’s accusations at a trial. He scrambled to avoid being served with legal papers in Britain. His lawyers tried to get the case dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and, most recently, on the basis of a settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein.

With so much at stake, especially in a year in which the queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne, royal watchers speculate that Andrew will seek his own settlement with Giuffre. Who would pay that settlement and with what money are already questions being asked by British newspapers.

Buckingham Palace’s announcement that it would remove Andrew’s military titles and deny him “His Royal Highness” suggests he has no path to rehabilitate himself. It is the kind of ruthless action that Conservative Party lawmakers have yet to take against Johnson, despite their frustration with him.

As a constitutional monarch, the queen will steer clear of any questions about Johnson’s political future — or of politics in general. But that does not mean she is without influence. Legal experts say the monarchy, because of its longevity and constancy, can have a moderating effect on the most extreme forces in politics.

“The monarchy acts as a ‘balance wheel,’ in the sense of being an institution that, when political actors have tipped the ship of state too far in one direction, can tip it back in the other,” said Harold Hongju Koh, an American legal scholar who is a visiting professor at the University of Oxford this year.

It is a delicate balance. In late 2019, Johnson came under criticism for asking the queen to approve his government’s suspension of Parliament, a move that Britain’s Supreme Court later ruled unlawful because it was designed to squelch debate over his plans to pull the country out of the European Union.

Unlike in April 2020, when the queen sent an ailing Johnson her best wishes, she is almost certain to remain silent about his current plight. If anything, her disciplined adherence to social distancing rules — captured most poignantly when she grieved alone in a choir stall at the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, last year — is a vivid contrast to the prime minister’s after-work socializing.

For Johnson, the illicit parties are so damaging because they register with the public in a way that other scandals, like the costly redecoration of his apartment on Downing Street or his defense of an ethically challenged lawmaker, do not. The sense of a double standard, once implanted, is hard to shake.

“Most people are not interested in politics, and so many issues which excite the political commentators have no resonance with them. But this is different,” said Vernon Bogdanor, a professor of government at King’s College London. “There are so many people who could not see elderly, ailing or dying relatives during this period,” he said. “They will tell their family and friends.”

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain was hospitalized with COVID in April 2020, the alarming news bulletin came soon after a televised address by Queen Elizabeth II in which she reassured the British public that after the pandemic ebbed, “We will meet again.

When Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain was hospitalized with COVID in April 2020, the alarming news bulletin came soon after a televised address by Queen Elizabeth II in which she reassured the British public that after the pandemic ebbed, “We will meet again.” Stoic, dignified and comforting, the queen’s words helped anchor the country during the fretful days that followed — not the first time the monarchy has acted as a stabilizing force for the government during tumultuous events. This week, however, both of these grand British institutions pitched simultaneously into crisis. On Wednesday, Johnson admitted attending a garden party not long after he had recovered from the virus, which violated lockdown rules and set off a chorus of calls for him to resign. Hours later, a federal judge in Manhattan rejected a bid by the queen’s second son, Prince Andrew, to throw out a sex abuse lawsuit against him. On Thursday, Buckingham Palace announced that it would force Andrew to relinquish all his military titles and the honorific, “His Royal Highness.” He “is defending this case as a private citizen,” the palace said in a terse statement that underscored the finality of the prince’s exile from royal life. While these cases are about starkly different issues, they both feature privileged middle-aged men under fire for their behavior, raising age-old questions of class, entitlement and double standards. “Boris Johnson and Prince Andrew,” Alastair Campbell, a former communications director for Prime Minister Tony Blair, said in a Twitter post. “What an image the world is getting of Global Britain.” Campbell was involved in a now-celebrated episode in which a more stable government helped a monarchy in crisis: In 1997, he and Blair, a popular Labour leader coming off a landslide election victory, persuaded the queen to strike a more empathetic tone in reacting to the death of Princess Diana in a car crash. That defused a growing tide of resentment against the monarch. “Normally,” Campbell said, “they avoid crises at the same time.” Commentators said, half in jest, that the legal ruling against Andrew, 61, helped Johnson, 57, because it deflected attention from his grilling in the House of Commons, where opposition lawmakers accused him of lying and demanded that he resign. But both men are at the mercy of forces largely out of their control. Johnson has asked lawmakers to defer judgment on him, pending the results of an internal investigation into Downing Street’s parties by a senior civil servant, Sue Gray. If she determines that Johnson misled Parliament in his previous statements, it will almost certainly cost him his job. Andrew, by failing to win the dismissal of a suit brought by Virginia Giuffre, faces the prospect of damning disclosures in depositions of him and Giuffre, who claimed he raped her when she was a teenager. She says she was trafficked to Andrew by his friend, convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew flatly denies the charge and has said he has no recollection of meeting Giuffre. What the two cases have in common, critics said, is a lack of accountability on the part of the main actors. Johnson, in apologizing for the party, acknowledged the anger that the public would feel “when they think in Downing Street itself the rules are not being properly followed by the people who make the rules.” But he insisted that he viewed the gathering as a “work event” — one that he attended for only 25 minutes — an alibi that placed the blame on his subordinates who organized the gathering. Andrew has not commented on his legal setback. But he and his lawyers have maneuvered to avoid confronting Giuffre’s accusations at a trial. He scrambled to avoid being served with legal papers in Britain. His lawyers tried to get the case dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and, most recently, on the basis of a settlement agreement between Giuffre and Epstein. With so much at stake, especially in a year in which the queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne, royal watchers speculate that Andrew will seek his own settlement with Giuffre. Who would pay that settlement and with what money are already questions being asked by British newspapers. Buckingham Palace’s announcement that it would remove Andrew’s military titles and deny him “His Royal Highness” suggests he has no path to rehabilitate himself. It is the kind of ruthless action that Conservative Party lawmakers have yet to take against Johnson, despite their frustration with him. As a constitutional monarch, the queen will steer clear of any questions about Johnson’s political future — or of politics in general. But that does not mean she is without influence. Legal experts say the monarchy, because of its longevity and constancy, can have a moderating effect on the most extreme forces in politics. “The monarchy acts as a ‘balance wheel,’ in the sense of being an institution that, when political actors have tipped the ship of state too far in one direction, can tip it back in the other,” said Harold Hongju Koh, an American legal scholar who is a visiting professor at the University of Oxford this year. It is a delicate balance. In late 2019, Johnson came under criticism for asking the queen to approve his government’s suspension of Parliament, a move that Britain’s Supreme Court later ruled unlawful because it was designed to squelch debate over his plans to pull the country out of the European Union. Unlike in April 2020, when the queen sent an ailing Johnson her best wishes, she is almost certain to remain silent about his current plight. If anything, her disciplined adherence to social distancing rules — captured most poignantly when she grieved alone in a choir stall at the funeral of her husband, Prince Philip, last year — is a vivid contrast to the prime minister’s after-work socializing. For Johnson, the illicit parties are so damaging because they register with the public in a way that other scandals, like the costly redecoration of his apartment on Downing Street or his defense of an ethically challenged lawmaker, do not. The sense of a double standard, once implanted, is hard to shake. “Most people are not interested in politics, and so many issues which excite the political commentators have no resonance with them. But this is different,” said Vernon Bogdanor, a professor of government at King’s College London. “There are so many people who could not see elderly, ailing or dying relatives during this period,” he said. “They will tell their family and friends.”

Twin crises for monarchy and government

Daniel Craig matched up to his onscreen character James Bond as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/daniel-craig-matches-up-to-his-character-james-bond-as-he-receives-same-british-honour-441871">he was awarded the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George</a> (CMG) on New Year's eve.&nbsp; 
 
While the honour has been bestowed on the actor for his "services to film and theatre", it seems Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition in order to honour the actor.&nbsp; 
 
In Britain, the honour is reserved mostly for diplomats or spies. Craig's onscreen persona James Bond too has been given the honour in Ian Flemming's books. 
 
The award was part of the Queen's annual New Year Honours list announced on Friday. 
 
Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the producer/caretakers of the James Bond movie franchise were also among the entertainment and media figures recognized on Friday along with Craig.&nbsp; 
 
As per the Royal Family's official website, CMG awards are usually awarded for service in a foreign country "for example the work of foreign service officers and diplomats."

Daniel Craig matched up to his onscreen character James Bond as he was awarded the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) on New Year's eve. While the honour has been bestowed on the actor for his "services to film and theatre", it seems Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition in order to honour the actor.

Daniel Craig matched up to his onscreen character James Bond as he was awarded the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG) on New Year's eve. While the honour has been bestowed on the actor for his "services to film and theatre", it seems Queen Elizabeth II broke tradition in order to honour the actor. In Britain, the honour is reserved mostly for diplomats or spies. Craig's onscreen persona James Bond too has been given the honour in Ian Flemming's books. The award was part of the Queen's annual New Year Honours list announced on Friday. Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the producer/caretakers of the James Bond movie franchise were also among the entertainment and media figures recognized on Friday along with Craig. As per the Royal Family's official website, CMG awards are usually awarded for service in a foreign country "for example the work of foreign service officers and diplomats."

Did Queen Elizabeth break tradition by honouring Daniel Craig with a CMG award?

The UK Prime Minister Borris Johnson may have declared that the country will not go under lockdown till Christmas, but Queen Elizabeth II has decided to call off the traditional Christmas plans at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England amid rise in COVID-19 cases across the UK. 
 
The Queen will stay on at Windsor Castle amidst a surge in coronavirus cases being driven by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-experts-disagree-with-boris-johnsons-plan-of-delaying-covid-regulations-438667">UK experts disagree with Boris Johnson's plan of delaying Covid regulations</a> 
 
On Monday, she took what Buckingham Palace referred to as a 'personal decision' to also call off plans to travel to Sandringham, where members of the royal family traditionally gather for church on Christmas morning. 
 
The 95-year-old Queen had already called off an annual pre-Christmas lunch tradition for the royal family due to the surge in cases.&nbsp; 
 
"It reflects a precautionary approach," Buckingham Palace aides were quoted as saying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/feeling-like-march-2020-heres-how-covid-omicron-is-affecting-entertainment-again-438366" hreflang="en">Feeling like March 2020? Here's how Covid Omicron is affecting entertainment again</a> 
 
This would be the second year in row that the Queen cancelled her traditional Christmas trip to Sandringham and the first without her husband Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021. The couple had spent Christmas together last year at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, south-east England. At that time, there was a surge in Delta variants of COVID-19&nbsp;in the country.&nbsp; 
 
This year, family members are expected to visit the monarch over the Christmas period at the castle and "all appropriate guidelines" will be followed, the palace said. Though it remains unconfirmed which members of the family would be visiting over the course of this weekend. 
 
The change of plan is in response to growing concerns about the pandemic and the Omicron variant, amid calls for limiting contacts during the Christmas festivities. Ahead of Christmas, the Queen generally invites her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to join her at Buckingham Palace in London before she departs for her annual Christmas stay at Sandringham. 
 
This marks the second year when the pre-Christmas and Christmas get-togethers in several households in the UK have been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
It comes as the government said it is monitoring data 'hour by hour' on whether legal restrictions need to be imposed on Christmas gatherings as the UK recorded another daily COVID high of 91,743 infections. 
 
"Obviously, there's considerable uncertainty within the Omicron data we're concerned about the increasing growth in cases, particularly in London," said UK Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay. 
 
With reference to further lockdown measures, he added, "But there is a considerable time lag between those catching the infection and presenting as cases at hospital and of course, that needs to be looked at... Alongside the booster campaign, the increase in treatments, the changes in behaviour as a consequence of Plan B, which will also have an impact on those hospital admissions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-at-work-talking-about-work-boris-johnson-reacts-to-downing-street-garden-party-photo-438627">'People at work, talking about work': Boris Johnson reacts to Downing Street garden party photo</a> 
 
"We're balancing that against the wider economic consequences of any further restrictions which also carry health risks... In terms of the mental health consequences, for example, as well as those wider economic consequences." 
Current Plan B rules for England include COVID vaccine passes for events, face masks in most indoor settings and people being urged to work from home if they can. Other parts of the United Kingdom have similar rules, with Scotland asking people to limit social contact to three households at a time in the run-up to Christmas and Wales closing nightclubs from December 27. 
 
Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that a New Year's Eve celebration event planned at Trafalgar Square will not go ahead because of the surge in Omicron cases in the UK capital. He said the event, for 6,500 key workers and members of the public, was being cancelled "in the interests of public safety".

The UK Prime Minister Borris Johnson may have declared that the country will not go under lockdown till Christmas, but Queen Elizabeth II has decided to call off the traditional Christmas plans at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England amid rise in COVID-19 cases across the UK.

The UK Prime Minister Borris Johnson may have declared that the country will not go under lockdown till Christmas, but Queen Elizabeth II has decided to call off the traditional Christmas plans at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England amid rise in COVID-19 cases across the UK. The Queen will stay on at Windsor Castle amidst a surge in coronavirus cases being driven by the Omicron variant of COVID-19. UK experts disagree with Boris Johnson's plan of delaying Covid regulations On Monday, she took what Buckingham Palace referred to as a 'personal decision' to also call off plans to travel to Sandringham, where members of the royal family traditionally gather for church on Christmas morning. The 95-year-old Queen had already called off an annual pre-Christmas lunch tradition for the royal family due to the surge in cases. "It reflects a precautionary approach," Buckingham Palace aides were quoted as saying. Feeling like March 2020? Here's how Covid Omicron is affecting entertainment again This would be the second year in row that the Queen cancelled her traditional Christmas trip to Sandringham and the first without her husband Prince Philip, who passed away in April 2021. The couple had spent Christmas together last year at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, south-east England. At that time, there was a surge in Delta variants of COVID-19 in the country. This year, family members are expected to visit the monarch over the Christmas period at the castle and "all appropriate guidelines" will be followed, the palace said. Though it remains unconfirmed which members of the family would be visiting over the course of this weekend. The change of plan is in response to growing concerns about the pandemic and the Omicron variant, amid calls for limiting contacts during the Christmas festivities. Ahead of Christmas, the Queen generally invites her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to join her at Buckingham Palace in London before she departs for her annual Christmas stay at Sandringham. This marks the second year when the pre-Christmas and Christmas get-togethers in several households in the UK have been called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It comes as the government said it is monitoring data 'hour by hour' on whether legal restrictions need to be imposed on Christmas gatherings as the UK recorded another daily COVID high of 91,743 infections. "Obviously, there's considerable uncertainty within the Omicron data we're concerned about the increasing growth in cases, particularly in London," said UK Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay. With reference to further lockdown measures, he added, "But there is a considerable time lag between those catching the infection and presenting as cases at hospital and of course, that needs to be looked at... Alongside the booster campaign, the increase in treatments, the changes in behaviour as a consequence of Plan B, which will also have an impact on those hospital admissions. Also read | 'People at work, talking about work': Boris Johnson reacts to Downing Street garden party photo "We're balancing that against the wider economic consequences of any further restrictions which also carry health risks... In terms of the mental health consequences, for example, as well as those wider economic consequences." Current Plan B rules for England include COVID vaccine passes for events, face masks in most indoor settings and people being urged to work from home if they can. Other parts of the United Kingdom have similar rules, with Scotland asking people to limit social contact to three households at a time in the run-up to Christmas and Wales closing nightclubs from December 27. Meanwhile, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced that a New Year's Eve celebration event planned at Trafalgar Square will not go ahead because of the surge in Omicron cases in the UK capital. He said the event, for 6,500 key workers and members of the public, was being cancelled "in the interests of public safety".

Queen Elizabeth II cancels traditional Christmas plans amid Omicron surge

Prince Charles, who is the heir to the British throne, acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" after Barbados formally declared itself the world's newest republic and removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in a solemn ceremony.&nbsp;

The governor-general Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the Caribbean island nation's first president after the Royal Standard flag representing the queen was lowered during the ceremony.&nbsp;

During his speech, Prince Charles said, "From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude."&nbsp;

"Emancipation, self-government and independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides. Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon," he added. He also added that the "creation of this republic offers a new beginning".&nbsp;

IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/barbados-journey-from-being-a-british-colony-to-a-republic-432941">Barbados: Journey from being a British colony to a Republic</a>

The Queen also sent a message to the President and the people of Barbados. "On this significant occasion and your assumption of office as the first president of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and all Barbadians," the Queen wrote.

"Over the years, our countries have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity, and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change," she added.&nbsp;

The English initially used white British indentured servants to toil on the plantations of tobacco, cotton, indigo and sugar, but Barbados in just a few decades would become England's first truly profitable slave society.

Barbados received 600,000 enslaved Africans between 1627 and 1833, who were put to work in the sugar plantations, earning fortunes for the English owners.

More than 10 million Africans were shackled into the Atlantic slave trade by European nations between the 15th and 19th centuries. Those who survived the often brutal voyage, ended up toiling on plantations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prince Charles, who is the heir to the British throne, acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" after Barbados formally declared itself the world's newest republic and removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in a solemn ceremony.

Prince Charles, who is the heir to the British throne, acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery" after Barbados formally declared itself the world's newest republic and removed Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in a solemn ceremony. The governor-general Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the Caribbean island nation's first president after the Royal Standard flag representing the queen was lowered during the ceremony. During his speech, Prince Charles said, "From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude." "Emancipation, self-government and independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides. Your long journey has brought you to this moment, not as your destination, but as a vantage point from which to survey a new horizon," he added. He also added that the "creation of this republic offers a new beginning". IN PICS | Barbados: Journey from being a British colony to a Republic The Queen also sent a message to the President and the people of Barbados. "On this significant occasion and your assumption of office as the first president of Barbados, I extend my congratulations to you and all Barbadians," the Queen wrote. "Over the years, our countries have enjoyed a partnership based on common values, shared prosperity, and close collaboration on a wide range of issues, including recent work on climate change," she added. The English initially used white British indentured servants to toil on the plantations of tobacco, cotton, indigo and sugar, but Barbados in just a few decades would become England's first truly profitable slave society. Barbados received 600,000 enslaved Africans between 1627 and 1833, who were put to work in the sugar plantations, earning fortunes for the English owners. More than 10 million Africans were shackled into the Atlantic slave trade by European nations between the 15th and 19th centuries. Those who survived the often brutal voyage, ended up toiling on plantations. (With inputs from agencies)

'Appalling atrocity of slavery, which stains our history,' says Prince Charles as Barbados becomes a republic

Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. But don't call her an oldie. 
 
The 95-year-old queen has politely declined the honour of being named 'Oldie of the Year' by a British magazine, saying she does not meet 'the relevant criteria.' The Oldie magazine on Tuesday published the queen's response to its suggestion that she follows in the footsteps of former recipients, including former Prime Minister John Major, actor Olivia de Havilland and artist David Hockney. 
 
"Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient," said a letter from her assistant private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker. He ended the letter "with Her Majesty's warmest best wishes." The queen, who was widowed this year, still keeps a busy schedule of royal duties. On Tuesday she held audiences with diplomats and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for global business leaders.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-more-martini-queen-elizabeth-advised-to-cut-down-daily-alcohol-consumption-421737">No more martini: Queen Elizabeth advised to cut down daily alcohol consumption</a> 
 
The Oldie of the Year prize honours people of advanced age who have made a special contribution to public life. The queen's husband Prince Philip, who died in April, received the accolade in 2011 when he was 90. 
 
After the queen declined, this year's Oldie of the Year award went to movie royalty instead: French-American actress and dancer Leslie Caron, 90.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-insists-on-cutting-a-cake-with-sword-391150">Queen Elizabeth insists on cutting a cake with sword</a>

Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. But don't call her an oldie. The 95-year-old queen has politely declined the honour of being named 'Oldie of the Year' by a British magazine, saying she does not meet 'the relevant criteria.

Queen Elizabeth II is Britain's longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch. But don't call her an oldie. The 95-year-old queen has politely declined the honour of being named 'Oldie of the Year' by a British magazine, saying she does not meet 'the relevant criteria.' The Oldie magazine on Tuesday published the queen's response to its suggestion that she follows in the footsteps of former recipients, including former Prime Minister John Major, actor Olivia de Havilland and artist David Hockney. "Her Majesty believes you are as old as you feel, as such The Queen does not believe she meets the relevant criteria to be able to accept and hopes you will find a more worthy recipient," said a letter from her assistant private secretary, Tom Laing-Baker. He ended the letter "with Her Majesty's warmest best wishes." The queen, who was widowed this year, still keeps a busy schedule of royal duties. On Tuesday she held audiences with diplomats and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle for global business leaders. No more martini: Queen Elizabeth advised to cut down daily alcohol consumption The Oldie of the Year prize honours people of advanced age who have made a special contribution to public life. The queen's husband Prince Philip, who died in April, received the accolade in 2011 when he was 90. After the queen declined, this year's Oldie of the Year award went to movie royalty instead: French-American actress and dancer Leslie Caron, 90. Queen Elizabeth insists on cutting a cake with sword

Thanks but no: UK queen turns down 'Oldie of the Year' title

British model Naomi Campbell is joining the international development charity the Queen`s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) as a global ambassador to support young leaders. 
 
The trust, founded in 2018, supports young people pushing for change in their communities across sectors including healthcare, environment and education. 
 
Marking what will be Queen Elizabeth`s 70-year reign in 2022, the charity is launching a Platinum Jubilee Fund for Young Leaders to give more support to 18–35 year-old entrepreneurs across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. 
As a QCT Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador, Campbell`s role will be to boost the profile of the trust`s fundraising campaign as well as promote the work of its young leaders. 
 
"Regardless of where you are from or where you are now, there are young leaders within your community doing amazing work. Sometimes they are not seen and some of them may not even see themselves as ‘leaders’ yet, but they all deserve our support, and access to education and resources," Campbell said in a statement. 
 
"I have been doing the work with empowering young people for over 25 years. This is something very close to my heart and I will continue to do everything I can to uplift the next generation, so they can create a better future for their communities."

One of fashion`s most recognisable faces, Campbell is also known for her charity work, namely in Africa, which she first began with late South African President Nelson Mandela who named her "honorary granddaughter" for her activist work. 
 
Campbell also founded Fashion For Relief in 2005, which hosts catwalk shows to raise funds for causes including victims of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan.

British model Naomi Campbell is joining the international development charity the Queen`s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) as a global ambassador to support young leaders.

British model Naomi Campbell is joining the international development charity the Queen`s Commonwealth Trust (QCT) as a global ambassador to support young leaders. The trust, founded in 2018, supports young people pushing for change in their communities across sectors including healthcare, environment and education. Marking what will be Queen Elizabeth`s 70-year reign in 2022, the charity is launching a Platinum Jubilee Fund for Young Leaders to give more support to 18–35 year-old entrepreneurs across the 54 countries of the Commonwealth. As a QCT Platinum Jubilee Global Ambassador, Campbell`s role will be to boost the profile of the trust`s fundraising campaign as well as promote the work of its young leaders. "Regardless of where you are from or where you are now, there are young leaders within your community doing amazing work. Sometimes they are not seen and some of them may not even see themselves as ‘leaders’ yet, but they all deserve our support, and access to education and resources," Campbell said in a statement. "I have been doing the work with empowering young people for over 25 years. This is something very close to my heart and I will continue to do everything I can to uplift the next generation, so they can create a better future for their communities." One of fashion`s most recognisable faces, Campbell is also known for her charity work, namely in Africa, which she first began with late South African President Nelson Mandela who named her "honorary granddaughter" for her activist work. Campbell also founded Fashion For Relief in 2005, which hosts catwalk shows to raise funds for causes including victims of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan.

Naomi Campbell named global ambassador for Queen's Commonwealth Trust

According to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to the people of North Korea and their leader, Kim Jong Un.

The Queen sent her greetings to the hermit nation on their national day.

The message was sent on behalf of the Queen by the Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, "as has been done previously," according to a spokesperson.

According to the Palace, it is customary for Her Majesty to send messages to other countries on their national holidays.&nbsp;

"As in previous years, HM The Queen has sent a message to the people of the DPRK on the occasion of their National Day," a UK UK's Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) &nbsp;spokesperson added.

On September 9, North Korea observed its national day to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of its founding.

Pyongyang marked the occasion with a military parade at midnight.

The message read, according to North Korean state media KCNA, "As the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my best wishes for the future."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to the people of North Korea and their leader, Kim Jong Un. The Queen sent her greetings to the hermit nation on their national day.

According to a Buckingham Palace spokesperson, Queen Elizabeth II sent a message to the people of North Korea and their leader, Kim Jong Un. The Queen sent her greetings to the hermit nation on their national day. The message was sent on behalf of the Queen by the Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom, "as has been done previously," according to a spokesperson. According to the Palace, it is customary for Her Majesty to send messages to other countries on their national holidays. "As in previous years, HM The Queen has sent a message to the people of the DPRK on the occasion of their National Day," a UK UK's Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson added. On September 9, North Korea observed its national day to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of its founding. Pyongyang marked the occasion with a military parade at midnight. The message read, according to North Korean state media KCNA, "As the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my best wishes for the future." (With inputs from agencies)

Revealed: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un receives a secret message from Queen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week. But the spotlight shone brightest on Queen Elizabeth II, who appeared in public for the first time since burying her husband, Prince Philip, to handle the age-old pageantry.

Squired by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the queen presided over a ceremony she had attended for decades with Philip. Now a widow, and three weeks after turning 95, her voice was firm and steady as she read the Queen’s Speech, in which Johnson’s government laid out an ambitious agenda to “level up” the economically depressed north of England with the more prosperous south.

It was the queen’s 67th opening of Parliament, a reassuring sign of continuity for Britain’s constitutional monarchy after a turbulent period for the royal family. For Johnson, it was a chance to bring normalcy back to politics, after the turmoil of Brexit and a pandemic that paralyzed the country, leaving more than 127,000 people dead.

Johnson signaled that he intended to keep playing a dominant role in the political arena, proposing to scrap a law that restricts his ability to call general elections. With the government reaping credit for Britain’s swift rollout of vaccines and the prospect of a post-lockdown economic boom, Johnson might decide to call an election a year early, in 2023, to take better advantage of the good news.

The government also proposed that voters be required to show photo identification at polling places in general elections, which it defended as a means to prevent fraud. But opposition parties criticized the move as unnecessary, and said it could suppress turnout, particularly among ethnic minorities — an argument often made about voter ID laws that have been passed by several American states.

“Voter ID is a disgraceful piece of chicanery,” said Baroness Rosalind Scott, a member of the House of Lords and a former president of the Liberal Democrats. “Voter fraud is very rare here, so it’s a solution in search of a problem.”

It was one of a handful of right-leaning measures — including a crime bill that would allow police to sharply restrict demonstrations and legislation to protect speech on university campuses — that served as a reminder that, for all its Social Democratic-style spending, Johnson’s party is still conservative.

The policing legislation has ignited angry “Kill the Bill” protests in London and other cities, where demonstrators view it as a way to crack down on legitimate gatherings. In Bristol, protesters lobbed rocks and fireworks at police, which some warned would backfire by stoking public support for the measures.

“Johnson’s going for what’s long been the sweet spot in British politics,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London. “Just to the left of center on economics and public provision; quite a long way to the right on pretty much everything else, especially if it has to do with law and order, immigration and now anything that smacks of political correctness gone mad.”

Much of the speech, however, was on more familiar, conciliatory ground. The government promised to “deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.”

Reading a text prepared by Downing Street, the queen spoke fluently of Johnson’s plans to roll out “5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband” throughout the country. The government will plow money into the National Health Service, a popular measure after it withstood a year of unrelenting pressure from the pandemic and overhaul planning regulations to encourage more construction of single-family houses.

The speech did not directly address perhaps the thorniest challenge facing Johnson: pressure for a second independence referendum in Scotland, where pro-independence parties expanded their majority in the regional Parliament in last week’s election.

The government said only that it would “promote the strength and integrity of the union” — a pledge that is likely to involve pouring more public money into Scotland and putting off the Scottish National Party’s demands to allow a vote.

“The question is, is Boris Johnson right to think that delaying it might help him?” said Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. “This will be the dominating issue of British politics for the next four or five years.”

With strict social distancing rules in place, the ceremony was scaled back and stripped down. The queen was driven from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover rather than a gilded carriage. She shunned the 18-foot velvet cape and imperial crown that she once wore at state openings in favor of a more sensible lilac coat and hat.

The recent death of Philip also lent the proceedings a wistful atmosphere, even though he had turned over the duties of escorting the queen to Charles a few years ago, after his retirement. Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, watched from the sidelines as Elizabeth sat on a carved wooden throne.

Although missing hundreds of jockeying lawmakers and VIP guests, the ceremony still had its share of otherworldly pomp. The crown, which normally resides in the Tower of London, was paraded through the echoing hallways of the Palace of Westminster on a red velvet pillow rather than on the queen’s head.

Lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod, who first had the door slammed in her face as a sign of its members’ independence. Johnson and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said nothing to each other as they walked, single file and masked, to the House of Lords.

Last week’s elections left the Labour Party in disarray, as Johnson’s Conservative Party made further inroads into Labour’s stronghold in working-class districts in the Midlands and the north of England.

Starmer tried to regain his footing in the debate that followed the ceremony, excoriating the government for not introducing legislation to bolster Britain’s care for older people and those with disabilities. Johnson, he said, had promised to do so 657 days ago.

“Failure to act after a pandemic is nothing short of an insult to a whole nation,” Starmer declared.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hoped to use the opening of Britain’s Parliament on Tuesday to galvanize his government’s agenda after a striking series of victories in regional elections in England last week. But the spotlight shone brightest on Queen Elizabeth II, who appeared in public for the first time since burying her husband, Prince Philip, to handle the age-old pageantry. Squired by her eldest son and heir, Prince Charles, the queen presided over a ceremony she had attended for decades with Philip. Now a widow, and three weeks after turning 95, her voice was firm and steady as she read the Queen’s Speech, in which Johnson’s government laid out an ambitious agenda to “level up” the economically depressed north of England with the more prosperous south. It was the queen’s 67th opening of Parliament, a reassuring sign of continuity for Britain’s constitutional monarchy after a turbulent period for the royal family. For Johnson, it was a chance to bring normalcy back to politics, after the turmoil of Brexit and a pandemic that paralyzed the country, leaving more than 127,000 people dead. Johnson signaled that he intended to keep playing a dominant role in the political arena, proposing to scrap a law that restricts his ability to call general elections. With the government reaping credit for Britain’s swift rollout of vaccines and the prospect of a post-lockdown economic boom, Johnson might decide to call an election a year early, in 2023, to take better advantage of the good news. The government also proposed that voters be required to show photo identification at polling places in general elections, which it defended as a means to prevent fraud. But opposition parties criticized the move as unnecessary, and said it could suppress turnout, particularly among ethnic minorities — an argument often made about voter ID laws that have been passed by several American states. “Voter ID is a disgraceful piece of chicanery,” said Baroness Rosalind Scott, a member of the House of Lords and a former president of the Liberal Democrats. “Voter fraud is very rare here, so it’s a solution in search of a problem.” It was one of a handful of right-leaning measures — including a crime bill that would allow police to sharply restrict demonstrations and legislation to protect speech on university campuses — that served as a reminder that, for all its Social Democratic-style spending, Johnson’s party is still conservative. The policing legislation has ignited angry “Kill the Bill” protests in London and other cities, where demonstrators view it as a way to crack down on legitimate gatherings. In Bristol, protesters lobbed rocks and fireworks at police, which some warned would backfire by stoking public support for the measures. “Johnson’s going for what’s long been the sweet spot in British politics,” said Timothy Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University in London. “Just to the left of center on economics and public provision; quite a long way to the right on pretty much everything else, especially if it has to do with law and order, immigration and now anything that smacks of political correctness gone mad.” Much of the speech, however, was on more familiar, conciliatory ground. The government promised to “deliver a national recovery from the pandemic that makes the United Kingdom stronger, healthier and more prosperous than before.” Reading a text prepared by Downing Street, the queen spoke fluently of Johnson’s plans to roll out “5G mobile coverage and gigabit capable broadband” throughout the country. The government will plow money into the National Health Service, a popular measure after it withstood a year of unrelenting pressure from the pandemic and overhaul planning regulations to encourage more construction of single-family houses. The speech did not directly address perhaps the thorniest challenge facing Johnson: pressure for a second independence referendum in Scotland, where pro-independence parties expanded their majority in the regional Parliament in last week’s election. The government said only that it would “promote the strength and integrity of the union” — a pledge that is likely to involve pouring more public money into Scotland and putting off the Scottish National Party’s demands to allow a vote. “The question is, is Boris Johnson right to think that delaying it might help him?” said Jonathan Powell, who served as chief of staff to Prime Minister Tony Blair. “This will be the dominating issue of British politics for the next four or five years.” With strict social distancing rules in place, the ceremony was scaled back and stripped down. The queen was driven from Buckingham Palace in a Range Rover rather than a gilded carriage. She shunned the 18-foot velvet cape and imperial crown that she once wore at state openings in favor of a more sensible lilac coat and hat. The recent death of Philip also lent the proceedings a wistful atmosphere, even though he had turned over the duties of escorting the queen to Charles a few years ago, after his retirement. Charles and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, watched from the sidelines as Elizabeth sat on a carved wooden throne. Although missing hundreds of jockeying lawmakers and VIP guests, the ceremony still had its share of otherworldly pomp. The crown, which normally resides in the Tower of London, was paraded through the echoing hallways of the Palace of Westminster on a red velvet pillow rather than on the queen’s head. Lawmakers were summoned from the House of Commons by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod, who first had the door slammed in her face as a sign of its members’ independence. Johnson and the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, said nothing to each other as they walked, single file and masked, to the House of Lords. Last week’s elections left the Labour Party in disarray, as Johnson’s Conservative Party made further inroads into Labour’s stronghold in working-class districts in the Midlands and the north of England. Starmer tried to regain his footing in the debate that followed the ceremony, excoriating the government for not introducing legislation to bolster Britain’s care for older people and those with disabilities. Johnson, he said, had promised to do so 657 days ago. “Failure to act after a pandemic is nothing short of an insult to a whole nation,” Starmer declared.

In a firm voice, Queen Elizabeth opens her 67th parliament

Queen Elizabeth II will turn 95 on April 21 but unlike in the past, this year's celebration will be a sombre one for the royal family following the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip early this month.&nbsp;

The monarch will not have the usual birthday celebrations this year, several media reports said.&nbsp;

For most royal birthdays, a fresh official portrait of the member is released but this year, no photo will be shared with the press.&nbsp;

Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died at the age of 99, two months short of his 100th birthday.&nbsp;

The death isn't the only reason why the Queen will not have a birthday celebration this year. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of the Trooping the Colour, a June event that usually marks the Queen's birthday.

Sources state that plans are being made for a smaller celebration at Windsor Castle like last year. Who all will be attending the celebration is not yet clear.

Prince Philip was buried on Saturday at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth II will turn 95 on April 21 but unlike in the past, this year's celebration will be a sombre one for the royal family following the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip early this month.

Queen Elizabeth II will turn 95 on April 21 but unlike in the past, this year's celebration will be a sombre one for the royal family following the death of the Queen's husband, Prince Philip early this month. The monarch will not have the usual birthday celebrations this year, several media reports said. For most royal birthdays, a fresh official portrait of the member is released but this year, no photo will be shared with the press. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died at the age of 99, two months short of his 100th birthday. The death isn't the only reason why the Queen will not have a birthday celebration this year. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the cancellation of the Trooping the Colour, a June event that usually marks the Queen's birthday. Sources state that plans are being made for a smaller celebration at Windsor Castle like last year. Who all will be attending the celebration is not yet clear. Prince Philip was buried on Saturday at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth's 95th birthday celebrations to be different following Prince Philip's death

Britain`s Queen Elizabeth returned to royal duties on Tuesday, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in an event to mark the retirement of her household`s most senior official, PA Media reported. 
 
The queen hosted a ceremony as the Earl Peel stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, the report added. 
 
Philip, who had been at the queen`s side throughout her 69-year reign, died at Windsor Castle on Friday, aged 99. His funeral will be held on Saturday. 
 
The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, married Elizabeth in 1947. In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/prince-philip-and-the-queen-a-match-made-of-love-and-duty-376374">Prince Philip and the Queen: A match made of love and duty</a> 
 
In recent years, the queen has reduced her official engagements and passed many royal duties and patronages to Prince Charles, his son William and other senior royals. But she still carries out the most symbolic royal duties, such as the opening of parliament. 
 
The queen`s son, Prince Andrew, said on Sunday that the queen was stoic in the face of a loss she had described as "having left a huge void in her life." 
 
Despite the hole in her life left by Philip`s death, aides and royal experts have long said it would not lead to the queen, the world`s oldest and longest-reigning living monarch, relinquishing the throne in favour of her son and heir Prince Charles.

Britain`s Queen Elizabeth returned to royal duties on Tuesday, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in an event to mark the retirement of her household`s most senior official, PA Media reported.

Britain`s Queen Elizabeth returned to royal duties on Tuesday, four days after the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in an event to mark the retirement of her household`s most senior official, PA Media reported. The queen hosted a ceremony as the Earl Peel stepped down as Lord Chamberlain, the report added. Philip, who had been at the queen`s side throughout her 69-year reign, died at Windsor Castle on Friday, aged 99. His funeral will be held on Saturday. The Duke of Edinburgh, as he was officially known, married Elizabeth in 1947. In pics: Prince Philip and the Queen: A match made of love and duty In recent years, the queen has reduced her official engagements and passed many royal duties and patronages to Prince Charles, his son William and other senior royals. But she still carries out the most symbolic royal duties, such as the opening of parliament. The queen`s son, Prince Andrew, said on Sunday that the queen was stoic in the face of a loss she had described as "having left a huge void in her life." Despite the hole in her life left by Philip`s death, aides and royal experts have long said it would not lead to the queen, the world`s oldest and longest-reigning living monarch, relinquishing the throne in favour of her son and heir Prince Charles.

Queen Elizabeth returns to royal duties four days after her husband's death: Reports

On April 17, as the Birtish royal family comes together to bid final farewell to the patriarch Prince Philip, Meghan Markle will give the event a miss. Meghan is expecting her second child with Prince Harry in July this year and has stayed back in America on the advice&nbsp;of her doctor.&nbsp; 
 
Queen Elizabeth II, according to reports, 'understands why' Harry decided to travel home to the UK alone.&nbsp; 
 
"It was always a given that Harry would return to England for his grandfather's passing," a &nbsp;source told People magazine. The source revealed that the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "were in contact with the Queen," ever since they heard of Prince Philip's death on Friday.&nbsp; 
 
"Meghan expressed condolences. The Queen understands why she can't travel at the moment," the insider added. 
 
Meghan was advised to not travel, the source explained. She is in California with the couple's son Archie who will turn two in May.&nbsp; 
 
Harry arrived at the UK on Sunday following the death of his grandfather. He is reportedly quarantining at the Fogmore Cottage- a place which was his and Meghan's residence before they permanently moved to America.&nbsp; 
 
The trip to the UK for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral marks Harry's first visit home in over a year.&nbsp;

On April 17, as the Birtish royal family comes together to bid final farewell to the patriarch Prince Philip, Meghan Markle will give the event a miss. Meghan is expecting her second child with Prince Harry in July this year and has stayed back in America on the advice of her doctor.

On April 17, as the Birtish royal family comes together to bid final farewell to the patriarch Prince Philip, Meghan Markle will give the event a miss. Meghan is expecting her second child with Prince Harry in July this year and has stayed back in America on the advice of her doctor. Queen Elizabeth II, according to reports, 'understands why' Harry decided to travel home to the UK alone. "It was always a given that Harry would return to England for his grandfather's passing," a source told People magazine. The source revealed that the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "were in contact with the Queen," ever since they heard of Prince Philip's death on Friday. "Meghan expressed condolences. The Queen understands why she can't travel at the moment," the insider added. Meghan was advised to not travel, the source explained. She is in California with the couple's son Archie who will turn two in May. Harry arrived at the UK on Sunday following the death of his grandfather. He is reportedly quarantining at the Fogmore Cottage- a place which was his and Meghan's residence before they permanently moved to America. The trip to the UK for the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral marks Harry's first visit home in over a year.

Queen Elizabeth 'understands' why Meghan Markle is not attending Prince Philip's funeral 

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died two months short of his centenary birthday. While some may have looked forward to the momentous occasion, the Duke himself was not keen on it.&nbsp; 
 
The British royal reportedly told The Telegraph in an interview in 2000 that he had 'no desire' to reach his 100th birthday.&nbsp; 
 
The Telegraph's reporter Gyles Brandreth recalled a conversation he had with Philip when he was 79, in an article he worte in 2019. 
&nbsp; 
"I can’t imagine anything worse," Brandreth claims the late prince told him at the start of the millennium. "’Bits of me are falling off already.’"

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/prince-philip-and-the-queen-a-match-made-of-love-and-duty-376374">Prince Philip and the Queen: A match made of love and duty</a> 
 
The article has resurfaced again following the Duke's death.&nbsp; 
 
Philip died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021. Buckingham Palace broke the news via an official statement on Friday morning. 
 
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the statement reads. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

His funeral will take place on Saturday and will have the royal family in attendance.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/prince-philip-1921-2021-lesser-known-facts-about-queen-elizabeth-iis-husband-376445" hreflang="en">Prince Philip (1921-2021): Lesser-known facts about the Duke of Edinburgh</a>

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died two months short of his centenary birthday. While some may have looked forward to the momentous occasion, the Duke himself was not keen on it.

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip died two months short of his centenary birthday. While some may have looked forward to the momentous occasion, the Duke himself was not keen on it. The British royal reportedly told The Telegraph in an interview in 2000 that he had 'no desire' to reach his 100th birthday. The Telegraph's reporter Gyles Brandreth recalled a conversation he had with Philip when he was 79, in an article he worte in 2019. "I can’t imagine anything worse," Brandreth claims the late prince told him at the start of the millennium. "’Bits of me are falling off already.’" Also see: Prince Philip and the Queen: A match made of love and duty The article has resurfaced again following the Duke's death. Philip died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021. Buckingham Palace broke the news via an official statement on Friday morning. "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," the statement reads. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle." His funeral will take place on Saturday and will have the royal family in attendance. Prince Philip (1921-2021): Lesser-known facts about the Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip reportedly wasn't keen to turn 100: 'Can’t imagine anything worse'

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh: Life in pictures

The mummified remains of 22 ancient Egyptian kings and queens will be paraded through the streets of Cairo Saturday, in an eye-catching royal procession to a new resting place.

Dubbed the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, the 18 kings and four queens will travel in order, oldest first, each aboard a separate float decorated in ancient Egyptian style.

They are being moved from a decades-long residency at the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo for display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.

The new museum, in the south of the capital, opened its doors to limited exhibits from 2017 and will open fully on Sunday, before the mummies go on display to the general public from April 18.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egyptian-mummies-with-golden-tongues-discovered-near-alexandria-361326">Egyptian mummies with golden tongues discovered near Alexandria</a>

Upon arrival, they will occupy "slightly upgraded cases," said Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo.

"The temperature and humidity control will be even better than it was in the old museum," added Ikram, a mummification specialist.

Emblazoned with the name of their allocated sovereign, each of the gold-coloured carriages will be fitted with shock absorbers for the 40-minute journey through Cairo, to ensure none of the precious cargos are accidentally disturbed by uneven surfaces.&nbsp;

Seqenenre Tao II, "the Brave", who reigned over southern Egypt some 1,600 years before Christ, will be on the first chariot, while Ramses IX, who reigned in the 12th century BC, will be at the rear.

Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, the most powerful female pharaoh, will also make the journey.

Beginning at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Saturday, the procession will take place under the watchful eyes of hefty deployments of security forces.

The parade will be spurred on by music and performances from Egyptian artists, all broadcast live on state television.&nbsp;

Discovered near Luxor from 1881 onwards, most of the 22 mummies have lain since the early 1900s in the Egyptian Museum, on the capital's iconic Tahrir Square.

From the 1950s, they were put on display in a small room, one next to the other, unaccompanied by explanatory blurbs.

Ahead of their departure onto Cairo's streets, the mummies will be placed in special containers filled with nitrogen, under conditions similar to their regular exhibition boxes.

In their new home, they will be showcased individually, each next to a sarcophagus,&nbsp;and in some cases, a statue,&nbsp;in an environment redolent of underground royal tombs.

Exhibits will be signposted by a brief biography and, in some cases, copies of computerised tomography (CT) scans.

"The mummies will be shown for the first time in a beautiful way, for education, not for a thrill," another Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass said.

The macabre appearance of the mummies has over the decades put off some visitors.

Among the most prominent was a fellow royal,&nbsp;Princess Margaret, sister to British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.

"I will never forget when I took Margaret to the museum," said Hawass, a former antiquities minister.

"In the gallery was the mummy of Ramses II... (Princess Margaret) closed her eyes and ran away -- she couldn't stand" what she saw before her.

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation was completed in 2010, and "I was planning to open this museum in 2012," Hawass said.&nbsp;

"But because of what happened in Egypt we could not," he added, referring to the country's 2011 popular revolution and subsequent turmoil.

The mummified remains of 22 ancient Egyptian kings and queens will be paraded through the streets of Cairo Saturday, in an eye-catching royal procession to a new resting place.

The mummified remains of 22 ancient Egyptian kings and queens will be paraded through the streets of Cairo Saturday, in an eye-catching royal procession to a new resting place. Dubbed the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, the 18 kings and four queens will travel in order, oldest first, each aboard a separate float decorated in ancient Egyptian style. They are being moved from a decades-long residency at the Egyptian Museum in central Cairo for display at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. The new museum, in the south of the capital, opened its doors to limited exhibits from 2017 and will open fully on Sunday, before the mummies go on display to the general public from April 18. Also read| Egyptian mummies with golden tongues discovered near Alexandria Upon arrival, they will occupy "slightly upgraded cases," said Salima Ikram, professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo. "The temperature and humidity control will be even better than it was in the old museum," added Ikram, a mummification specialist. Emblazoned with the name of their allocated sovereign, each of the gold-coloured carriages will be fitted with shock absorbers for the 40-minute journey through Cairo, to ensure none of the precious cargos are accidentally disturbed by uneven surfaces. Seqenenre Tao II, "the Brave", who reigned over southern Egypt some 1,600 years before Christ, will be on the first chariot, while Ramses IX, who reigned in the 12th century BC, will be at the rear. Ramses II and Queen Hatshepsut, the most powerful female pharaoh, will also make the journey. Beginning at 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) on Saturday, the procession will take place under the watchful eyes of hefty deployments of security forces. The parade will be spurred on by music and performances from Egyptian artists, all broadcast live on state television. Discovered near Luxor from 1881 onwards, most of the 22 mummies have lain since the early 1900s in the Egyptian Museum, on the capital's iconic Tahrir Square. From the 1950s, they were put on display in a small room, one next to the other, unaccompanied by explanatory blurbs. Ahead of their departure onto Cairo's streets, the mummies will be placed in special containers filled with nitrogen, under conditions similar to their regular exhibition boxes. In their new home, they will be showcased individually, each next to a sarcophagus, and in some cases, a statue, in an environment redolent of underground royal tombs. Exhibits will be signposted by a brief biography and, in some cases, copies of computerised tomography (CT) scans. "The mummies will be shown for the first time in a beautiful way, for education, not for a thrill," another Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass said. The macabre appearance of the mummies has over the decades put off some visitors. Among the most prominent was a fellow royal, Princess Margaret, sister to British monarch Queen Elizabeth II. "I will never forget when I took Margaret to the museum," said Hawass, a former antiquities minister. "In the gallery was the mummy of Ramses II... (Princess Margaret) closed her eyes and ran away -- she couldn't stand" what she saw before her. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation was completed in 2010, and "I was planning to open this museum in 2012," Hawass said. "But because of what happened in Egypt we could not," he added, referring to the country's 2011 popular revolution and subsequent turmoil.

Egypt to parade mummified remains of 22 ancient kings and queens

The annual military parade in central London for Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday has been cancelled for a second year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace said Friday. The 'Trooping the Colour' event in June normally features hundreds of personnel from Britain's most prestigious regiments for a centuries-old spectacle of pageantry in front of thousands of spectators.

Last year, because of the health crisis, it was switched to a low-key celebration on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, and the palace said the same was likely again.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/queen-elizabeth-iis-cousin-jailed-for-10-months-for-sexually-assaulting-a-woman-in-scotland-castle-365748" hreflang="en">Queen Elizabeth II's cousin jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman in Scotland castle</a>

"Following consultation with government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that the Queen's official birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London," a statement read.&nbsp;

"Options for an alternative parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered."&nbsp; Elizabeth, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip have for the past year been isolating at Windsor, as their age puts them in a high-risk category for coronavirus.&nbsp;

Philip, who turns 100 in June, this week returned to the castle after four weeks of treatment in two central London hospitals, including a heart procedure. Last year was the first time that Windsor has staged an event to mark a sovereign's official birthday since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of queen Victoria.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/queen-elizabeth-receives-covid-19-vaccine-355663" hreflang="en">Queen Elizabeth receives COVID-19 vaccine</a>

It marked Elizabeth's first official public appearance since Britain went into lockdown in March. She celebrated her actual 94th birthday on April 21 without the traditional gun salute, due to the lockdown.

The double birthday tradition was started by King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a summer celebration as his own birthday was October 30. The monarch's official birthday normally occurs on the second Saturday in June

The annual military parade in central London for Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday has been cancelled for a second year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace said Friday.

The annual military parade in central London for Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday has been cancelled for a second year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Buckingham Palace said Friday. The 'Trooping the Colour' event in June normally features hundreds of personnel from Britain's most prestigious regiments for a centuries-old spectacle of pageantry in front of thousands of spectators. Last year, because of the health crisis, it was switched to a low-key celebration on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, and the palace said the same was likely again. Queen Elizabeth II's cousin jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman in Scotland castle "Following consultation with government and other relevant parties it has been agreed that the Queen's official birthday parade, also known as Trooping the Colour, will not go ahead this year in its traditional form in central London," a statement read. "Options for an alternative parade, in the quadrangle at Windsor Castle, are being considered." Elizabeth, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip have for the past year been isolating at Windsor, as their age puts them in a high-risk category for coronavirus. Philip, who turns 100 in June, this week returned to the castle after four weeks of treatment in two central London hospitals, including a heart procedure. Last year was the first time that Windsor has staged an event to mark a sovereign's official birthday since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of queen Victoria. Queen Elizabeth receives COVID-19 vaccine It marked Elizabeth's first official public appearance since Britain went into lockdown in March. She celebrated her actual 94th birthday on April 21 without the traditional gun salute, due to the lockdown. The double birthday tradition was started by King George II in 1748, who wanted to have a summer celebration as his own birthday was October 30. The monarch's official birthday normally occurs on the second Saturday in June

Queen Elizabeth II's birthday parade cancelled for second year

Bowes-Lyon, who is the son of a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has been jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman at his ancestral home.

Simon Bowes-Lyon, 34, the Earl of Strathmore, pleaded guilty to attacking a woman at Glamis Castle, in Angus, Scotland, in February last year.

Bowes-Lyon, 34, who is a first cousin twice removed of the queen, pleaded guilty last month, saying he was “greatly ashamed of my actions which have caused such distress to a guest in my home.”

“I did not think I was capable of behaving the way I did but have had to face up to it and take responsibility,” he said.

He was sentenced Tuesday at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Glamis Castle, near Dundee in central Scotland, is the childhood home of the queen’s late mother, who was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bowes-Lyon, who is the son of a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has been jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman at his ancestral home. Simon Bowes-Lyon, 34, the Earl of Strathmore, pleaded guilty to attacking a woman at Glamis Castle, in Angus, Scotland, in February last year.

Bowes-Lyon, who is the son of a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, has been jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman at his ancestral home. Simon Bowes-Lyon, 34, the Earl of Strathmore, pleaded guilty to attacking a woman at Glamis Castle, in Angus, Scotland, in February last year. Bowes-Lyon, 34, who is a first cousin twice removed of the queen, pleaded guilty last month, saying he was “greatly ashamed of my actions which have caused such distress to a guest in my home.” “I did not think I was capable of behaving the way I did but have had to face up to it and take responsibility,” he said. He was sentenced Tuesday at Dundee Sheriff Court. Glamis Castle, near Dundee in central Scotland, is the childhood home of the queen’s late mother, who was born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. (With inputs from agencies)

Queen Elizabeth II's cousin jailed for 10 months for sexually assaulting a woman in Scotland castle

Hours before Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to sit down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will appear on TV to address and celebrate the Commonwealth on March 7.&nbsp; 
 
According to reports, the Queen will share her annual message to mark Commonwealth Day, which is on March 8 this year, in a special programme on BBC One that will replace the usual annual service, which has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
Her appearance will come just hours before her grandson Harry and his wife Meghan tell the world about why they left the royal family, in a move that has shocked and angered its remaining members. 
 
Westminster Abbey, where the annual service was to have been held, said Monday the programme will also involve Harry's father Prince Charles, elder brother Prince William, and other senior royals. 
 
Harry and Meghan announced last week the "intimate" interview with the US chat show host, in which they are expected to air their grievances about how they were treated inside the family following their fairy tale wedding in 2018. 
 
Soon after the news of their interview came into light, Buckingham Palace announced the couple had permanently quit royal duties, just over a year after they rocked the monarchy by announcing plans to "step back" from their roles. 
 
The Queen ordered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, to relinquish their honorary titles and patronages following the confirmation that they would not be returning as working royals. &nbsp; 
 
Harry and Meghan quit their roles as senior members of the royal family in March 2020 and relocated to the United States. They have since embarked on several commercial ventures there including lucrative tie-ups with the streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify. 
 
On Valentine's Day earlier this month, the couple announced that they were expecting their second baby together. They are parents to one-year-old Archie.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from AFP)

Hours before Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to sit down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will appear on TV to address and celebrate the Commonwealth on March 7.

Hours before Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to sit down for a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will appear on TV to address and celebrate the Commonwealth on March 7. According to reports, the Queen will share her annual message to mark Commonwealth Day, which is on March 8 this year, in a special programme on BBC One that will replace the usual annual service, which has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Her appearance will come just hours before her grandson Harry and his wife Meghan tell the world about why they left the royal family, in a move that has shocked and angered its remaining members. Westminster Abbey, where the annual service was to have been held, said Monday the programme will also involve Harry's father Prince Charles, elder brother Prince William, and other senior royals. Harry and Meghan announced last week the "intimate" interview with the US chat show host, in which they are expected to air their grievances about how they were treated inside the family following their fairy tale wedding in 2018. Soon after the news of their interview came into light, Buckingham Palace announced the couple had permanently quit royal duties, just over a year after they rocked the monarchy by announcing plans to "step back" from their roles. The Queen ordered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as they are formally known, to relinquish their honorary titles and patronages following the confirmation that they would not be returning as working royals. Harry and Meghan quit their roles as senior members of the royal family in March 2020 and relocated to the United States. They have since embarked on several commercial ventures there including lucrative tie-ups with the streaming platforms Netflix and Spotify. On Valentine's Day earlier this month, the couple announced that they were expecting their second baby together. They are parents to one-year-old Archie. (With inputs from AFP)

Queen Elizabeth to appear on TV hours before Meghan and Harry's tell-all interview to Oprah

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