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Royal news live: King Charles given military honours on first day of landmark Australia visit

The visit is King Charles’s first tour of Australia as king

Athena Stavrou,Alex Croft
Saturday 19 October 2024 11:45
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Related video: 700 drones light up Sydney sky during Vivid Sydney

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King Charles has been appointed to multiple honorary ranks in Australia’s armed forces within hours of arriving for his first visit as King.

He has been appointed as Australia’s admiral of the navy, field marshal of the army and marshal of the air force, the defence chief said on Sunday.

The 75-year-old arrived in Sydney on Friday evening in his first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer.

With no official events scheduled for Saturday, Charles and Queen Camilla were seen by local media walking around the historic harbour foreshore residence Admiralty House, Reuters reported.

In a statement, chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston said: "The Sovereign serves as an example of service, and His Majesty’s appointments are symbolic of the Royal Family’s longstanding dedication and relationship with the nation.”

Camilla and Charles will participate in a navy fleet review on Sydney Harbour next week. Australia’s navy has been known as the Royal Australian Navy since 1911, with its vessels carrying the title of His Majesty’s Australian Ship.

It is the first trip to Australia by a reigning monarch in more than a decade.

1729352745

Report: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly buy vacation home in Portugal

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly purchased a vacation home in Portugal.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided to add another house in addition to their California property, according to multiple outlets. This would be their first home in Europe since 2023.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for the Sussexes for comment.

There is also the opportunity to acquire a Golden Visa, which is a citizenship program that allows people to earn legal rights in a country through investing in their economy. To qualify for a golden visa, applicants typically need to meet minimum investment requirements in real estate, government bonds, or other approved assets.

Read the full report:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly buy vacation home in Portugal

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex currently reside in California

Brittany Miller19 October 2024 16:45
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Video: King Charles arrives in Australia for first time as monarch

King Charles and Queen Camilla make their first visit to Australia since the coronation.
Alex Croft19 October 2024 14:40
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King Charles given military honours hours after touching down in Australia

King Charles has been appointed Australia’s admiral of the navy, field marshal of the army and marshal of the air force, the defence chief said on Sunday.

He was bestowed the titles within hours of arriving for his first Australia trip as King and his first major foreign trip since being diagnosed with cancer.

“The Sovereign serves as an example of service, and His Majesty’s appointments are symbolic of the Royal Family’s longstanding dedication and relationship with the nation,” said chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston in a statement.

Charles and Camilla will join a navy fleet review on Sydney Harbour next week. The vessels in Australia’s navy carry the title of His Majesty’s Australian Ship.

Alex Croft19 October 2024 12:37
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Princess Anne attends performance by world’s oldest riding academy

The Princess Royal attended a performance in London by the world’s oldest riding academy.

Eight riders and up to 26 horses from the Spanish Riding School carried out perfectly synchronised routines set to classical Viennese music on Friday evening.

The Vienna-based academy has been practising classical horsemanship for more than 450 years, and performed tonight to a horse-enthusiast and former Olympic rider in Princess Anne.

She joined model Lady Victoria Hervey, influencer Chuggs Wallis and thousands of fans to view the spectacle at the OVO Arena Wembley.

Radio and TV presenter Nicki Chapman, who hosted the show, said: “Hosting the opening night of the prestigious Spanish Riding School tour, with The Princess Royal in attendance, was an absolute honour.

“It’s been eight years since the Lipizzaner horses and their incredibly talented riders last visited the UK, and sharing the magic with both the Princess Royal and the British public made the evening all the more unforgettable.”

The Princess Royal attends the opening night of the Spanish Riding School tour at OVO Arena Wembley
The Princess Royal attends the opening night of the Spanish Riding School tour at OVO Arena Wembley (Matt Alexander/ PA Media Assignments)
Alex Croft19 October 2024 10:34
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Prince William reveals ‘crucial motto of being a parent’ to George, Charlotte and Louis

The Prince of Wales has shared the simple parenting motto he and the Princess of Wales use to keep their young children happy at an engagement.

William, 42, made the revelation while attending a game hosted by the NFL Foundation UK in London on Tuesday, where he was gifted a football for Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

Expressing his appreciation for the gift at the Kennington Park hockey pitch, he said: “Oh, that’s very kind. Never go home empty handed! That’s a crucial motto of being a parent.

Prince William reveals crucial parenting motto during community football visit
Shahana Yasmin19 October 2024 07:30
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A history of royal tours Down Under: From a young Queen Elizabeth II to Harry and Meghan’s baby joy

The royal family has been regularly touring and visiting Australia since the late 19th century, with the country playing host to several key moments in their history.

As King Charles prepares to undertake his first official tour of Australia and Samoa as monarch, The Independent takes a look back at the most memorable royal tours in recent history.

The King, 75, will arrive in Sydney tomorrow with Queen Camilla, where the couple will be honoured by a special light show displaying images of previous royal tours on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

From a young Queen Elizabeth to Harry and Meghan’s baby joy: Royal tours Down Under

King Charles’s first visit to Australia as monarch will begin on Friday

Shahana Yasmin19 October 2024 07:00
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King Charles arrives in Australia for first time as monarch

King Charles and Queen Camilla make their first visit to Australia since the coronation.
Shahana Yasmin19 October 2024 06:30
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Sarah Ferguson becomes first British royal on TikTok with poignant cancer video

Sarah Ferguson has become the first member of the British royal family to join TikTok.

The Duchess of York, 65, made her debut on the platform with a poignant video reflecting on her breast cancer diagnosis.

Ferguson how she felt “total abject fear” when she received the medical news and recalled not being able to speak as she drove between hospitals.

“I just shut down, I went back into [a] little girl. It was easier not to ask for support and just to deal with it because that’s what I’m used to, that’s what I was taught,” she admitted.

Sarah Ferguson becomes first British royal on TikTok with poignant cancer video

Sarah Ferguson has become the first member of the British royal family to join TikTok. The Duchess of York, 65, made her debut on the platform with a poignant video reflecting on her breast cancer diagnosis. Ferguson how she felt "total abject fear" when she received the medical news and recalled not being able to speak as she drove between hospitals. "I just shut down, I went back into [a] little girl. It was easier not to ask for support and just to deal with it because that's what I'm used to, that's what I was taught," she admitted.

Emma Guinness19 October 2024 06:00
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Behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace £360m renovation

The royal family have shared a behind-the-scenes look at Buckingham Palace as a 780-strong team undertake a £360 million refurbishment of the historic building.

As part of the palace’s reservicing programme, work is taking place in the basement, replacing old electrical cabling with brand new cables under the floors and throughout the historic building.

In a new video, released by the royal family this month, workers can be seen pulling some of the 25,000 metres of cable through the basement.

The vast amount is equivalent to the weight of 12 elephants and runs the length of 250 football pitches.

Behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace as 780-strong team tackle renovation
Emma Guinness19 October 2024 00:00
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Prince William all smiles on pub visit

Prince William was all smiles as he took the opportunity to visit The Warren House Inn in Devon.

A post on the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account explained that according to local legend, the pub fire has been alight since it opened in 1845.

Emma Guinness18 October 2024 21:00

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