THE Queen is today celebrating her 96th birthday at Sandringham – with senior Royals rallying around her after Harry's latest interview.
Her grandson the Duke of Sussex released another tell-all interview with US media yesterday – making thinly veiled warnings about "the right people" surrounding Her Majesty.
But the Queen looked happy and relaxed – dressed in a headscarf and sunglasses – as she drove through the Norfolk estate today.
And despite the fall-out from Harry's latest media appearance, other senior royals are paying tribute to the 'inspirational' monarch.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a picture of them with the Queen, and one with the monarch's great-grandchildren.
The Instagram post read: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday today!
"An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it's particularly special to be celebrating in this Platinum Jubilee year."
Meanwhile, Prince Charles shared a series of images of his mother's extraordinary reign, writing: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a particularly special 96th birthday today, as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee year."
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Harry and Meghan to join Queen at last Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour has marked the reigning monarch’s official birthday for over 260 years.
In recent years, the balcony at Buckingham Palace would contain the Queen, Prince Philip, their four children and their partners, their children and their partners and the monarch’s great-grandchildren.
It’s reported that Prince Charles would change this when he ascends the throne. It’s thought that he would only have those in line to the throne i.e. the Cambridges and their children.
The Queen, who turns 96 on Thursday, is therefore keen to have Meghan and Harry attend as it may well be the last one they can.
The monarch’s mobility has also caused her to reduce official responsibilities she can carry out, so this may be her last Trooping the Colour.
- Joseph Gamp
William and Kate questioned if the Queen 'needs protecting'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were questioned about the Duke of Sussex's controversial comment about ensuring the Queen was "protected", as the fallout from his incendiary interview continued.
A broadcaster called out to William and Kate when they left the London headquarters of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) as the organisation announced its fund total for its Ukraine appeal had passed £300 million.
Harry appeared to issue a veiled warning to those closest to the Queen when interviewed by a US network, saying he wanted to make sure his grandmother was "protected" and had "the right people around her".
The duke did not elaborate on whether he was referring to royal aides or members of his own family, but his comments are likely to have deepened his rift with his father the Prince of Wales and his brother William and perplexed palace officials.
As the couple stepped into their chauffeur-driven car a female broadcaster shouted: "Sir, does the Queen need protecting?"
The duke and duchess did not respond and continued into the vehicle before being driven away.
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Harry appears to warn he’ll make sure Queen is ‘protected’
The Duke of Sussex appeared to issue a veiled warning to those closest to the Queen, saying he wanted to make sure his grandmother was “protected” and had “the right people around her”.
Interviewed by a US network, Harry did not elaborate on whether he was referring to royal aides or members of his own family, but spoke positively about seeing the Queen with “some element of privacy” after two years away from the UK.
When asked if he missed the Prince of Wales or Duke of Cambridge, Harry, who is in the Netherlands hosting his Invictus Games, side-stepped the question and said he was focused on the competitors and their families.
His comments are likely to deepen the rifts between the duke and the institution of the monarchy and his family, who until a few years ago appeared to have his backing.
Harry also said he did not know if he will return to the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, saying there are “security issues and everything else”.
- Milica Cosic
Harry’s ‘arrogance knows no bounds’
Royal expert Angela Levin said Prince Harry may keep on attacking the Royal Family to “feel more superior to them”, adding she is concerned about him attending the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Angela Levin said: “Everything’s changed. It’s a nonsense. He’s cut off his family.
“He’s not a member of the royal family now be he’s hanging onto his royal title in a way that makes a nonsense of him saying nothing’s changed.”
Earlier today she said Harry’s claim he is protecting the Queen is “a gross insult”.
She added: “His arrogance knows no bounds.”
- Milica Cosic
Queen Elizabeth II turns 96
Queen Elizabeth II has turned 96 today, receiving a rousing "Happy Birthday" from a military band outside her Windsor Castle home, after a troubled year hit by health concerns.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards, in red tunics and bearskin hats, played the tribute to crowds of onlookers, before a barrage of ceremonial gun salutes across the country.
But the queen — the oldest and longest-serving head of state in the world — marked the occasion with little fanfare, retreating to her Sandringham country estate in eastern England for a short break.
No official engagements have been planned, although royal officials released a photograph of the horse-loving head of state with two of her fell ponies.
- Milica Cosic
Kate and William outing
Kate Middleton and Prince William visited the headquarters of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in London today.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge showed their support for Ukraine as they held conversations with aid workers in Ukraine.
They used the visit to discuss the special appeal launched by the Committee last month. It aims to support those affected by the conflict raging in the Eastern European country.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speak to Saleh Saeed (L), CEO of DEC, and Hannah Richards (R), Director of Communications at DEC. - Milica Cosic
Charles ‘was not happy’ about Harry meeting with Queen
According to a royal expert, Prince Charles has “reached the end of his tether” with son Prince Harry.
Speaking about Prince Charles’ meeting with Harry and Meghan at Windsor Castle, royal expert Robert Jobson has claimed: “Charles was not particularly happy about doing it and he only agreed to do the meeting if nothing was said about him whatsoever on American TV.”
He added: “Prince Charles has reached the end of his tether, they haven’t been in contact and had they have started blurting about that meeting, that would have been the end of it.”
- Milica Cosic
Five times Prince Harry SNUBBED the Queen
PRINCE Harry snubbed the Queen and Royal Family five times in a fresh explosive interview.
The Duke of Sussex, 37, sat down for a brand new tell-all chat on US television while at the Invictus Games.
Here's how Harry spurned the Monarch and his family in his bombshell interview…
- Jubilee uncertainty
- Missing Lilibet
- USA is his new home
- 'Special relationship'
- 'Protective' Harry
Read the article in full here.
- Milica Cosic
Charles & Camilla wish Queen a Happy 96th Birthday
Prince Charles and Camilla have taken to social media to wish The Queen a Happy 96th Birthday.
On their joint Clarence House Instagram, they wrote: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a particularly special 96th birthday today, as we celebrate her Platinum Jubilee year."
They added a celebratory emoji as well as a balloon one at the end of their message.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Clarence House (@clarencehouse)
- Milica Cosic
Queen is immortalised as a BARBIE doll for Jubilee
THE Queen has been immortalised as a BARBIE doll for her Platinum Jubilee.
The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll comes with an ivory gown and blue riband adorned with decorations of order.
Her miniature tiara is based on Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara – famously worn by The Queen on her wedding day.
Her outfit has and medallions on ribbons are inspired by the Royal Family Orders.
The pink ribbon was given to The Queen by her father George VI, and the pale blue by her grandfather George V.
The toy makers say it is to celebrate "the Queen’s extraordinary reign has seen her lead with duty, humanitarian efforts and a life of public service, unifying the nation in celebration, reflection, and community.”
The Queen Elizabeth II Barbie Doll comes with an ivory gown and blue riband adorned with decorations of order - Milica Cosic
Queen pictured looking right as rein
THE Queen shows she’s in fine fettle in a new photo released for her 96th birthday today.
Despite health worries, she posed with two fell ponies last month at Windsor.
She is at Sandringham for her big day.
- Milica Cosic
Kate & William wish Queen happy 96th birthday
KATE Middleton and Prince William have wished the Queen a happy 96th birthday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dubbed the monarch an "inspiration to so many" as they shared touching family snaps.
On the couple's official Twitter account, they wrote: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday today!
"An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it’s particularly special to be celebrating in this Platinum Jubilee year."
- Joseph Gamp
Harry is keen to mend bridges with William
A Royal expert claimed Harry wants to use a mediator to help with his ‘very, very difficult’ relationship with William
It was reported much of the Royal family were hurt by Harry and Meghan leaving the UK for the US, but mainly due to their interview with Oprah Winfrey last March.
Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl revealed Prince Harry has “made it very clear he would like to sort things out with his brother.”
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, she said: “Their relationship is at a bit of a crossroads.”
- Joseph Gamp
Harry doesn’t know if he will attend Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
There has been speculation whether Harry will make a balcony appearance with the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
When asked about returning to the UK for the event with the Queen he told the TODAY show: “I don’t know yet, there’s lots of things – security issues and everything else.
“So this is what I’m trying to do, trying to make it possible that, you know, I can get my kids to meet her.”
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Harry says US is now ‘home’
IN the preview of the full pre-recorded interview, Harry said that the US now feels like home to him.
“Home for me now is, for the time being, it’s in the States. And it really feels that way as well.
“We’ve been welcomed with open arms and we’ve got such a great community up in Santa Barbara.”
Hoda Kotb asked: “So you feel like that’s more home for you?” with Harry replying: “Yeah.”
- Joseph Gamp
Inside Meghan & Harry’s £2,000 a night Hilton suite
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s luxurious hotel suite with its own private lift and extra rooms for all their entourage has been revealed.
The Duke and Duchess are said to have stayed at the plush five-star Hilton Hotel in the Hague during the Invictus Games – where the Royal Suite costs nearly £2,000 a night.
Harry, Meghan, and their entourage are said to have arrived at the swanky hotel ahead of their stint at the Invictus Games this week.
And their bodyguard Christopher Sanchez also has a room booked at the hotel to keep near to the royal couple at all times, it’s been reported.
The pair enjoyed the luxury 1,500sqft living space – fit with a king-size bed, breathtaking city views, and a private terrace.
Meghan and Harry’s Royal Suite room is located at the top of the hotel, and even includes two rainforest showers and a meeting area.
And at the end of their days at the Games, the Sussexes could relax and watch their 37-inch HD television
Onlookers at the Hilton were said to be shocked to see the royal pair at the hotel this week.
But staff at the luxury hotel were briefed about the Duke and Duchess’ stay before their arrival – and were sworn to secrecy.
- Joseph Gamp
‘I feel Diana’s presence every day’
Prince Harry revealed he talks to his son Archie about ‘Grandma Diana’ and has photos of her all around the house.
He told NBC “I feel her presence in almost everything that I do now – especially over the past two years.”
He added that he believes Diana opted to “help” Prince William get his life set up first, before turning her attention to him.
“It feels like she helped my brother out first, now she’s helping me. She’s watching over us,” she said.
- Joseph Gamp
William and Kate were warned against having more children
Before having Prince Louis, the Cambridges were advised to use their platform to encourage smaller families.
According to the Mirror, while on tour in Poland and Germany in 2017, the couple were handed a toy.
George and Charlotte were four and two respectively at the time which led Kate to joke to Will: “We’ll just have to have more babies.”
Having Kids, an organisation contacted the couple via open letter “respectfully” asking the Cambridges to “consider forgoing having a third child.”
The executive director president, Anne Green Carter Dillard, said “the example the British Royal Family sets is extremely influential,” adding that they have the power to “make a sustainable small family.”
Kate gave birth to Prince Louis in 2018.
- Joseph Gamp
Harry and Meghan to join Queen at last Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour has marked the reigning monarch’s official birthday for over 260 years.
In recent years, the balcony at Buckingham Palace would contain the Queen, Prince Philip, their four children and their partners, their children and their partners and the monarch’s great-grandchildren.
It’s reported that Prince Charles would change this when he ascends the throne. It’s thought that he would only have those in line to the throne i.e. the Cambridges and their children.
The Queen, who turns 96 on Thursday, is therefore keen to have Meghan and Harry attend as it may well be the last one they can.
The monarch’s mobility has also caused her to reduce official responsibilities she can carry out, so this may be her last Trooping the Colour.
- Joseph Gamp
Camilla had ’empathy with Diana’
A journalist and royal biographer is expected to reveal the struggles which Camilla faced when “adjusting to royal life and Charles’ schedule”.
Tina Brown is writing ‘The Palace Papers’, which is due for released later this month.
Speaking on the latest episode of Royally US, about the book, hosts Christina Garibaldi and Christine Ross discussed how Camilla began to feel “empathy” for Diana, Princess of Wales.
Ms Garibaldi said: “She [Tina Brown] talks about how Camilla actually had a hard time adjusting to royal life and Charles’ schedule”
Quoting Tina Brown, she said: Punctuality had never been Camilla’s strong suit but Charles expected her to be ready for engagements at his own regimented pace”.
“When she [Camilla] asked him where they were going he would snap ‘haven’t you read the brief?”
- Joseph Gamp
‘Being cheeky keeps me alive’
Prince Harry told NBC that “being cheeky” is a major part of his personality and something he’ll never change.
He admitted that it’s a characteristic his young son Archie shares and that being cheeky “keeps you alive”.
- Joseph Gamp
Harry swerves question on missing Charles and William
The duke has commented in the past about his rift with Charles and how he and William are on "different paths" and have good and bad days in their relationship.
Asked by Hoda Kotb, co-presenter of the NBC News morning show Today, if he missed his father or brother, Harry replied: "For me at the moment I'm here focused on these guys and giving everything I can 120% to them to make sure they have the experience of a lifetime.
"That's my focus here and when I leave here, I go back and my focus is my family, who I miss massively."
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Harry appears to warn he'll make sure Queen is 'protected'
The Duke of Sussex appeared to issue a veiled warning to those closest to the Queen, saying he wanted to make sure his grandmother was "protected" and had "the right people around her".
Interviewed by a US network, Harry did not elaborate on whether he was referring to royal aides or members of his own family, but spoke positively about seeing the Queen with "some element of privacy" after two years away from the UK.
When asked if he missed the Prince of Wales or Duke of Cambridge, Harry, who is in the Netherlands hosting his Invictus Games, side-stepped the question and said he was focused on the competitors and their families.
His comments are likely to deepen the rifts between the duke and the institution of the monarchy and his family, who until a few years ago appeared to have his backing.
Harry also said he did not know if he will return to the UK to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, saying there are "security issues and everything else".
- Joseph Gamp
Royal riders to welcome the Queen as Epsom reveals Derby Day plans
A guard of honour comprised of retired and current royal riders will greet the Queen when she arrives at Epsom on Derby day.
Her Majesty celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year and the Cazoo-backed Classic on June 4 is part of the official celebrations on an extended Bank Holiday weekend.
As well as The Queen's Stand being permanently renamed The Queen Elizabeth II Stand, the Jockey Club is lining up a welcoming party of jockeys who have ridden for Her Majesty during their careers.
Willie Carson, who rode Dunfermline to win the Oaks for the Queen in 1977, will be among those donning the royal silks, along with John Reid, Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and Hayley Turner.
- Joseph Gamp
Harry doesnt know if he will attend Queen's Platinum Jubilee
There has been speculation whether Harry will make a balcony appearance with the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
When asked about returning to the UK for the event with the Queen he told the TODAY show: "I don't know yet, there's lots of things – security issues and everything else.
"So this is what I'm trying to do, trying to make it possible that, you know, I can get my kids to meet her."
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