Royal navy

The Treasury has signalled there is no new money for defence despite recognising the urgent need to rearm in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine, defence sources have said. At the same time, the sources said a "refresh" of UK defence policy - that was meant to inform the spending plans of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - could be delayed until after the March budget because an initial draft failed to reflect sufficiently the transformed security environment in Europe, where a land war is raging. "It is not very joined up government," according to one source, who was speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The comments came after Sky News last week revealed that a senior US general had told Defence Secretary Ben Wallace that the British Army is no longer regarded as a top level, or "tier one", fighting force following decades of cuts to its size and strength. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video … [Read more...] about Ammunition running out but ‘no new money’ for defence despite war in Ukraine, sources say

Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter With the newest royal expected to arrive in April, the Duchess of Cambridge is now officially on maternity leave, as she prepares for the arrival of her third child. But although we don’t yet know whether a new prince or princess will be joining the family, we do know that Prince William and Kate’s third baby will be a commoner - despite what seems to be a pretty impressive title. According to Town & Country , the newest addition to the royal family will either go by His Royal Highness Prince (name) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or Her Royal Highness Princess (name) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Recommended Everything you need to know about the royal wedding However, although the … [Read more...] about Royal Baby: This is the title Prince William and Kate Middleton’s baby will have, and they’ll technically be a commoner

Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to attend King Charles' coronation - but planners fear it could turn into a "total circus" if their arrival is not well timed. Royal insiders have reportedly confirmed the "working assumption" is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be at the historic ceremony on May 8. The Firm is still said to be feeling raw about the fresh allegations made by Harry in his autobiography Spare, as well as the couple's bombshell Netflix miniseries. But planners for the three-day event, which will see the King officially crowned, say suggestions the Sussexes won't be on the 2,000-strong guest list are far from the truth. Prince Harry's book Spare was released last month ( Image: Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock) Invitations for the 90-minute service at Westminster Abbey are to be sent out this month. Royals, dignitaries and world leaders will pack into the abbey. A source told The Sun : “They will definitely be invited, and we are … [Read more...] about Harry and Meghan ‘to be invited to Charles’ coronation’ despite fears of ‘total circus’

With just 90 days to go until the ­glittering Coronation , preparations are in full swing. There are huge decisions to be made - should the King wear knickerbockers and stockings or stick to a military uniform? And which particular uniform, as he has so many? Perhaps the Royal Air Force Marshall’s one with the easy to open jacket. Because Charles needs to bear his breast so the Archbishop can anoint it with holy oil. But should the public get to see this sacred moment for the first time – or will the monarch be shielded by the golden canopy like his mother in 1953? A new canopy with a transparent top is being made just in case – but then there’s the question of who’s going to carry it…Barons of the Cinque Ports or Knights of the Garter? Prince Andrew has been stripped of his titles and booted from royal life ( Image: AFP via Getty Images) There’d be no shortage of volunteers as hundreds of peers have been writing in claiming an hereditary right to participate. … [Read more...] about ‘Preparation’s strong for Coronation but there’s a dirty great stain on the monarchy’

A woman who claims she took Prince Harry's virginity 'got no virgin vibes off him' and he seemed a far more experienced lover. Sasha Walpole says the pair enjoyed five minutes of passion in a blue Ford Fiesta as the royal's security team searched high and low for him. She said their summer fling in July 2000 was a quick sex encounter between pals. But Harry came across as much more experienced a lover, says Walpole, even though she has been credited with taking his virginity. She gave the impression Harry also knew what he was doing and clearly had some sexual experience beforehand. She also suggested he was not naive and gave no impression he was a virgin Prince Harry and Sasha used to go to polo matches together ( Image: Getty Images) Harry was said to have come across as an experienced lover despite his age ( Image: Getty Images) Sasha said: "At the time I didn’t know he was a virgin — I didn’t think about it then. There were no virgin vibes … [Read more...] about ‘Older woman’ reveals signs Prince Harry was more experienced lover than he let on

The past 12 months have seen sweeping changes for the royal family - not least the for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. Not only did they up sticks from Kensington Palace in London to move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, Prince George and Princess Charlotte started at a brand new school. They were joined by their younger brother Prince Louis at Lambrook School - but despite being royals, the trio are treated like all other children and take part in all lessons. It was the same at George and Charlotte's previous school of Thomas's in Battersea, South London, where the pair enjoyed their early education. Prince George at last year's Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the late Queen ( Image: PA) And while it seems George enjoys class, there was apparently one school activity he took part in that left him "confused and annoyed". His dad Prince William once revealed that his oldest son took part in litter picking sessions, which left his … [Read more...] about ‘Annoyed’ Prince George left ‘confused’ after learning important lesson at school

Prince Harry may be whisked into the UK for a whistle-stop trip for his father's coronation, it's been claimed. The Duke is primed to appear at the huge event which will take place on May 6 - coinciding with Archie's fourth birthday - but without Meghan by his side. Royal insiders claimed his visit will be a 48-hour stay as Meghan stays at the couple's home in California to celebrate their eldest child's big day. It came amid huge speculation over whether the couple will attend or not, with most reports appearing to suggest the ongoing family rift will be put aside and both to receive an invitation. But whether or not both - or even just Harry alone - will accept remains to be seen. Royal insiders have claimed Meghan may stay in California with the couple's children ( Image: Getty Images) Last month's publication of Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, saw him level more accusations against his family, including that his brother the Prince of Wales once pushed him … [Read more...] about Prince Harry ‘WILL’ attend coronation – but in whistle-stop visit ‘without Meghan’

Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank could be set to follow Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’s footsteps across the Atlantic ocean in a shock America move, it's been claimed. Reports claimed that the royal couple were eyeing up following the Sussexes to sunny California after the birth of their second child. A friend of Eugenie and Brooksbank is said to have rumbled them, and admitted that Harry and Meghan have been sending the 32-year-old details of homes close to where they live in Montecito. But there are claims that the couple, who recently announced they were expecting their second child, would prefer homes in the West Hollywood area of LA and plan to rent before taking the plunge to America. Moving to the US wouldn’t be wholly unfamiliar to Eugenie, who spent two years living in New York between 2013 and 2015 when she worked for an auction house. Eugenie is reportedly eyeing up her own Hollywood move ( Image: Getty Images) The Mail reports the … [Read more...] about Princess Eugenie ‘could do a Megxit’ as friends claim Sussexes sending details of US homes

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla will have two brand new thrones made for them to sit on during their coronation ceremony. In keeping with tradition, King Charles will sit in the historic Coronation Chair for the crowning and anointing section of the ceremony, understood to be the most sacred part of the coronation. The Coronation Chair was commissioned by King Edward I in 1296, with Charles to be the 27th monarch to be crowned upon it. It is thought to be the oldest piece of furniture in the United Kingdom that is still used for its original purpose. The Daily Mail report each monarch has their own unique Throne Chair for the enthronement part, as a Palace source confirmed: “There is always a new throne for a new monarch, and this will be no exception.” The pair will have their own new throne each ( Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) During the enthronement, Charles’s new throne will be set upon a raised dais, with Camilla to be crowned alongside him, … [Read more...] about King Charles and Camilla will have brand new THRONES made as coronation details emerge

A woman who says she took Prince Harry 's virginity in a field behind a busy pub has shared a birthday card the Duke of Sussex gave her, using a codename. Sasha Walpole spoke out this weekend, saying she is the "older woman" Harry mentioned in his memoir Spare, which was published last month. The former stable worker at King Charles' Highgrove said the pair, who were pals at the time, had "passionate and sparky" sex which she described as a "wham-bam between two friends". In his book, Harry spoke candidly about losing his virginity at the age of 17, claiming his lover "liked macho horses" and treated him "like a young stallion". Harry pictured at Cirencester Park Polo Club in Gloucestershire in 2001 ( Image: Getty Images) Harry shared details about the moment he lost his virginity as a teenager ( Image: Getty Images) He wrote that his first sexual encounter ended with his bum being slapped - which Ms Walpole still remembers to this day. Speaking … [Read more...] about Prince Harry used secret codename on birthday card for woman who took his virginity