Royal news live: King Charles jokes about ‘sands of time’ as he gifts hourglass to local Australian parliament

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s arrival in Australia has been celebrated by the country’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Sharing a picture of himself with the royals today, he wrote in a statement: “A warm welcome back to Australia.

“Their Majesties have a deep regard for Australia, and this visit will be an opportunity to showcase the very best of our modern and dynamic nation.

“Over the next few days, King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet with Australians at events in Sydney and Canberra.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla have met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his wife Jodie Haydon.

The royals arrived in Sydney earlier today to begin their historic six-day tour of the country – the couple’s first visit as king and queen.

Their arrival was celebrated with a spectacular light show on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have thanked Australia for their “special welcome” as they kick off their six-day tour of the country.

A post on the official royal family Twitter/X account read: “Thank you for the special welcome, Australia!

“The King and Queen have touched down in Sydney to begin their visit to Australia.

“The visit marks His Majesty’s first visit to a Realm as Sovereign.”

This was accompanied by a picture of the Sydney Opera House, which was lit up with images from previous royal tours for the occasion.