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I made banana bread with Meghan Markle's secret ingredients, and it was delicious

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final banana breadPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are absolutely bananas about … bananas. First, there was the cuddly bananas Instagram post, then the former royal chef's tales of the prince's longtime banana love, and apparently Meghan loves bananas with her oatmeal.

On Wednesday the Duke and Duchess of Sussex further showed their affinity for the popular fruit, and impeccable guest etiquette, when Markle brought a homemade banana bread to one of the stops on the couple's Royal Tour of Australia.  

In addition to the bread, they also brought along Fortnum and Mason tea to visit the Woodleys, who run a local farm in the regional city of Dubbo. The unexpected gift was reportedly a hit with other attendees. The duchess is believed to have baked it overnight in the kitchen of the Admiralty House, where they are staying during the first stop of the 16-day tour.

Markle is tight-lipped about her exact recipe but she did share two of her secret ingredients — chocolate chips and ginger. I was curious about the unexpected combo, so naturally, I had to try it myself.

Pinterest led me to a five-star recipe for Elise Bauer's banana bread which I added some Markle magic to.

I rounded up all my ingredients and tools before starting the process

Believe it or not, this seemingly innocuous task is very important to me because there's nothing worse than getting halfway through and realizing you're missing baking soda or the right dish. The beauty of this recipe is that no fancy mixer was needed — just a bowl and a spoon. I'm sure Meghan would approve.



This recipe had a secret ingredient of its own

The first step called for mixing melted butter with the bananas. I was a bit thrown by this method because I'm used to whipping my butter and sugar into a creamy, light concoction. But supposedly this is the secret to the great flavor so I decided to trust the process.



The riper the banana, the better

If all you have are yellow, firm bananas then, you can use those with a bit of a trick. But typically overripe, spotted bananas are best. They crush easily into a paste and are sweeter. Because of this inherent sweetness, I usually opt to use less sugar when baking with fruit. This recipe ranged anywhere from a cup to a half cup. I erred on the side of caution with the half cup.



Flavor the egg first

Next, I mixed in the eggs and vanilla extract. I like to keep my wet ingredients together so I combined the two before pouring it into the mixture. It also helps distribute the vanilla flavor better. Or at least I think so.



Add a dash of ginger

One of Meghan's secret ingredients was ginger. Because we don't have exact measurements I shaved off a teaspoon of fresh ginger. The root tends to be pungent and a bit spicy so a little goes a long way.



Time for secret ingredient number two

I'm not a chocolate lover so I would never think to add chocolate chips to banana bread. But hey, this is all about Meghan. I threw in a 1/3 cup of milk chocolate chips and a bit of cinnamon before folding flour into the batter. Cinnamon was nowhere in this recipe so let's just say that was a secret ingredient of my own.

When I was satisfied that all ingredients were properly mixed I put it through the spoon test — I stuck the spoon in the center to stand. It did not fall over, which meant my mixture was oven ready.



My mixture was ready, but I was not

I totally forgot to preheat the oven. After I hurriedly cranked it up to 350 degrees, I buttered a 5x9-inch loaf pan. I usually put a dollop of butter on a napkin to evenly and easily grease my pan. Also, no messy fingers. By the time I got all the batter into the dish, the oven was hot and ready.



It looks pretty good!

I let it bake for an hour before testing. When I stuck my skewer in, a.k.a a large knife, it came out with a bit of mixture on it so I left the bread in an extra 15 minutes. The chocolate will obviously melt, so that's not the best indicator of doneness.

 



The verdict?

Honestly, it was amazing. I could have done without the chocolate but my flatmates vehemently disagree. One of my fears was that the chocolate would overpower the banana but that was not the case at all. Both featured prominently.

The ginger added a faint hint of spice and paired well with the cinnamon. The real MVP was the buttery flavor infused throughout and in the slightly crunchy brown crust.

This was low fuss but pretty awesome, a perfect recipe for the duchess. 

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.




Meghan Markle took a break from designer clothes to wear a $56 maternity dress from ASOS

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Meghan Markle Prince Harry ASOS dress

  • On Sunday, Meghan Markle arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, wearing a black dress.
  • The dress retails for $56 and is part of ASOS's maternity line.
  • This is one of the many elegant maternity looks she's worn on the current royal tour.

On the current royal tour, Meghan Markle has been wearing some very memorable maternity looks.

As she and Prince Harry visited Australia, Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga, she turned heads with her vibrant dresses and daring silhouettes, including a bright blue dress and a patterned sheath with a thigh-high slit.

But Markle kicked off the pair's visit to New Zealand with one of her simplest looks thus far. The mom-to-be touched down in Wellington on Sunday wearing a black dress paired with a plaid Karen Walker trench.

She wore the piece for her first event of the day, a welcome ceremony and a wreath-laying observance at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

The dress retails for $56

ASOS wiggle dressMany outlets quickly identified that the dress was from ASOS.

The "Maternity wiggle mini dress" retails for $56, making it one of Markle's most affordable royal tour dresses thus far. The minimal black dress features fitted shoulder details and a subtle skirt pleat. The dress also comes in a nonmaternity silhouette.

Markle completed the tailored look with Sarah Flint pumps with a tortoiseshell heel. Her signature bun highlighted a stunning pair of Maison Birks Muse drop earrings.

This isn't Meghan Markle's only look from the tour that is now out of stock

meghan markle dress thigh high slitLike several of the affordable garments Markle has previously worn, the dress is currently sold out.

The striped Reformation dress Markle wore during the Australia leg of the royal tour also quickly sold out.

With three days left in the royal tour, there are still plenty of maternity looks to keep an eye out for.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

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10 special ways the royal family celebrates their birthdays

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Royal Family queen's birthdayBirthdays can be one of the most special days of the year, especially when you're royalty. 

Members of the British royal family probably don't celebrate their birthdays the way you'd expect— in particular, the queen's birthday comes with some extra special celebrations.

Here's how members of the royal family typically celebrate their birthdays.

They traditionally get the day off.

According to Hello!, royals traditionally have the day off on their birthday, meaning they generally don't have any formal appearances or meetings to attend.  



But they don't always follow that tradition.

When Meghan Markle turned 37 in August, she spent the day celebrating the wedding of Prince Harry's close childhood friend, Charlie van Straubenzee, as per Town & Country's reports.

And, in 2018, Prince William spent his birthday attending the opening ceremony of the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Northampton.



Sometimes they commission special cakes.

In 2016, "Great British Bake Off" champion Nadiya Hussain received the honor of baking the queen's 90th birthday cake. 

"A couple of weeks ago, I just got a phone call to say, ‘Hey, would you like to do this?'" Hussain told NPR before the big day.

"And my initial reaction was 'no,' because I was so afraid of getting it horribly wrong. And then it dawned on me that I can't say no to the queen. So once I got over the nerves, I thought, well, actually this is such an honor, how can I possibly say no?"

She said she decided to bake a fairly simple cake with orange drizzle. 



In the past, some royal birthday cakes have reportedly been pretty unique.

Princess Diana was known for her sense of humor and it seemingly applied when it came to ordering cakes. Her former head chef, Darren McGrady, said he found an extra special custom cake in the family's fridge on Prince William's 13th birthday.

"I came into work that morning and went down to the refrigerator, opened the door and I was just confronted with the biggest pair of boobs I've ever seen in my life," McGrady told Hello! Magazine. "The Princess had ordered a boobs cake for William's 13th birthday."



Most royal birthday celebrations are usually low-key.

It's not unusual for royal family members to spend their birthday having a private celebration at home. 

Typically, the queen spends her birthday privatelyAnd as per E!'s reports, Kate Middleton has spent some of her birthdays having a quiet celebration at home. Prince William has also spent some of his birthdays in private, as per Vanity Fair. 



Milestone birthdays might call for a little extra celebration.

Prince Charles' birthday isn't until November, but the Prince of Wales attended an early birthday celebration in May— it was an extravagant, 300-guest gala in his honor. The celebration also recognized his avid support for the arts. 

Some of the performers at the gala included Stephen Fry, Dame Judy Dench, and Sir Kenneth Branagh, according to Express.

Read More: 17 surprising things you probably didn't know about the royal family



You can expect to hear a gun salute on the queen's birthday.

The British army commemorates the queen's birthday each year with a gun salute. 

According to the official royal website, during midday, there is "a 41 gun salute in Hyde Park, a 21 gun salute in Windsor Great Park and a 62 gun salute at the Tower of London."

 



The ruling monarch typically celebrates their birthday twice per year.

The royal family's website explains that although the queen was born in April, her birthday is typically celebrated in public on the second Saturday in June.

According to BBC, it's partially due to the good weather associated with that day. King George II started this tradition in 1748 because his birthday was in November, which is not known for great weather.

He decided that June would be a better time to celebrate a birthday, thus the tradition for a public birthday celebration for monarchs began. 

 



Trooping the Color also commemorates the queen's special day.

For the queen's June birthday celebration, the streets are filled with waving flags, men on horseback, and plenty of fanfare for the Trooping the Color parade.

The royal family attends on horseback or in carriages. As per the official royal website, the parade concludes with the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the Royal Air Force fly past. 

 



In the past, the queen's birthday included a concert extravaganza.

For her actual 92nd birthday this year, the queen attended a concert extravaganza at the Royal Albert Hall. The diverse list of performers included Shawn Mendes, Sting, Shaggy, and Kylie Minogue, representing many countries of the Commonwealth.

The celebration aired on BBC and the music from the celebration was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.



13 queens who are reigning around the world right now

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queen elizabethThere are still a number of places around the world where royals reside, even if they're not technically ruling over countries. Although many nations do not follow a monarchy, there are still quite a few queens and queen consorts around the world.

This list only includes current reigning monarchs with the term "queen" or "queen consort" within their royal title. But, it is worth acknowledging that there are many women married to royal rulers who aren't technically considered queens themselves, as well as female rulers of nations who do not have a queen title.

Here is a list of the current reigning queens around the world. 

Queen Margrethe II is Denmark's first queen.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark is Denmark's very first female monarch. She is currently 78 years old. Though she is the first female monarch of solely Denmark, according to the BBC, her ancestor Queen Margrethe I ruled over a combination of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway back in the late-14th and early-15th centuries.

Queen Margrethe II married her husband, Prince Henrik in 1967 and became queen on January 14, 1972. Prince Henrik died earlier this year.

Queen Margrethe II celebrated 40 years on the throne in 2012, and will one day pass the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik.



Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving British monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving British monarch and has ruled over the commonwealth nations for over 60 years.

Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne when her father died on February 6, 1952, but didn't have her coronation ceremony until June of 1953. The next in line to the British throne is Prince Charles of Wales.

Read more: Queen Elizabeth's purse makes a cameo in her latest royal portrait — and the reason why is super relatable



Queen Letizia is part of the Spanish royal family.

Queen Letizia is the wife of King Felipe VI of Spain. Before she joined the Spanish royal family, she was a journalist and then a news anchor. According to Vogue, when she was a journalist she covered the United States presidential election in 2000.

She married then-prince Felipe VI in 2004. Together, the couple has two children: Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia. Princess Leonor is the heir to the throne.



Queen Máxima is married to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.

Queen Máxima is married to King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The couple married in 2002 and have three daughters, Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia, and Princess Ariane.

 



Queen Silvia is married to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.

Queen Silvia of Sweden met her husband, King Carl XVI Gustaf, at the Munich Olympics in 1972. The two were married in 1976 and have three children: Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine.

Prior to joining the royal family, Queen Silvia worked at the Argentinian consulate in Munich and with the organizing committee for the Munich Olympic Games.



Queen Sonja is married to King Harald V of Norway.

Queen Sonja is married to King Harald V of Norway. The couple married in 1968 but didn't become king and queen until 1991. They have two children, Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Princess Mӓrtha Louise.



Queen Nanasipau'u rules in Tonga.

Queen Nanasipau'u is married to King Tupou VI of Tonga. Her title is queen consort.



Queen Mathilde used to be a speech therapist.

Queen Mathilde is married to King Philippe, King of the Belgians. Before her marriage to King Philippe, she worked as a speech therapist.

The couple has four children: Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriël, Prince Emmanuel, and Princess Eléonore. Princess Elisabeth is the Duchess of Brabant and the first in line in the order of succession.



Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso has three children.

Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso is the queen of Lesotho. She is married to King Letsie III. The two have three children: Princess Senate, Princess ‘Maseeiso, and Prince Lerotholi. The young prince is the heir to the throne.



Queen Rania has four children.

Queen Rania married then-prince Abdullah bin Al Hussein of Jordan in 1993. The couple has four children: Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem. Prior to joining the royal family, Queen Rania worked in finance and information technology.

 



Queen Jetsun Pema is the world's youngest living queen.

Jetsun Pema is queen consort of Bhutan and she is the youngest living queen. She took the throne at 21 years old when she married King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan in 2011. 

The now-27-year-old previously studied at Oxford University, and she and her husband have a son named Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck. 



Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk is the queen mother of Cambodia.

Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk was the queen consort of Cambodia from 1952 to 1955 until Cambodia abolished their monarchy.

The monarchy later returned to Cambodia, and Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk regained her title of queen consort from 1993 to 2004, until her husband King Norodom Sihanouk passed away.

She currently holds the title of queen mother of Cambodia, as her son King Norodom Sihamoni currently holds the Cambodian throne. 



Queen Saleha is the queen of Brunei.

Pengiran Anak Saleha is the queen of Brunei. She is married to the Sultan of Brunei and the two have six children together. Her firstborn son is the Crown Prince of Brunei.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.



A woman called Meghan Markle a 'fat lady' during a royal outing, and her response was surprisingly sweet

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meghan markle mayhew dog charity

  • Meghan Markle on Wednesday visited animal-welfare charity Mayhew.
  • She was introduced to a care-home resident named Peggy McEachrom, who told her, "You are a fat lady."
  • The Duchess of Sussex laughed and replied, "I'll take it!"
  • Twitter users were quick to point out that in many African and Caribbean cultures, calling a pregnant woman fat is a compliment.

If you haven't heard that Meghan Markle is expecting a baby in April, we can only assume you've been living under a rock.

The Duchess of Sussex is now sporting quite the baby bump — and she's absolutely rocking it.

One woman phrased her approval of the bump in a way that surprised some when she met Markle on a royal outing.

meghan markle mayhew belly

During a visit to animal-welfare charity Mayhew in London on Wednesday, Markle was introduced to a group of women, including a care-home resident named Peggy McEachrom.

After shaking Markle's hand, McEachrom told her, "God bless you," and added, "You're a fat lady."

The Duchess of Sussex — and the rest of the room — burst into laughter, and she replied, "I'll take it!"

Read more: Prince Harry called himself 'a feminist' during a visit to a women's charity, and hugged or shook the hand of everyone there

A few royal correspondents caught the moment on camera and posted the exchange to Twitter.

ITV News royal editor Chris Ship shared a comment from a Twitter user who told him that calling someone a "fat lady" is a compliment among many African and Caribbean people.

Another Twitter user added: "HRH MM demonstrated cultural sensitivity. In Africa, calling a pregnant woman fat is a BIG BIG complement [sic]."

The duchess is now a patron of Mayhew. During her visit she learned about how the charity helps its patrons through pet therapy.

Mayhew is one of Markle's four new patronages, all of which tap into her past experiences and passions, including animals, the arts, women's equality, and education.

Join the conversation about this story »

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People in Malaysia are being threatened with prison for tweeting mean things about their royal family

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Former Malaysian King Sultan Muhammad V

  • People in Malaysia are being warned that criticizing their monarchy could land them in jail.
  • Three people were arrested this month under the colonial-era Sedition Act for allegedly tweeting that the country should get rid of the royal family.
  • The government pledged to abolish the Sedition Act last year, before changing course and deciding they would apply it more harshly instead.
  • It said it needed to "protect" the country's rulers from insults.
  • Human rights activists say this could further curb freedom of expression in the country.

People in Malaysia are being threatened with prison for criticizing their monarchy on social media, with the government considering introducing harsher penalties for them.

This month alone, police arrested two men and one woman on charges of tweeting comments that were allegedly insulting to Sultan Muhammed V after he abdicated as the country's ruler on January 6.

The Twitter handles given in the police statement are no longer active, though screenshots circulated on Twitter showed the three people suggesting the abolition of the monarchy.

"Let's not have royals anymore," one tweet said, according to screenshots, while another tweet said "F--- royals."

kuala lumpur

The men and woman were arrested under the country's Sedition Act, which was introduced in 1948, when Malaysia was under British colonial rule.

The act currently bans any act, speech, or publication that criticizes the government or the rulers of Malaysia's nine states, also known as sultans. It carries a maximum punishment of three years in prison for first offenders.

Human rights activists have accused the government of expanding the scope of the law in recent decades, the BBC reported.

Inspector-General Tan Sri Mohamed Fuzi Harun warned people to avoid criticizing Sultan Muhammad V, who served as king — or Yang di-Pertuan Agong — because they could "trigger a negative perception towards the country's Royal Institutions."

The arrests come after the Malaysian government promised to curtail the Sedition Act last May, then decided to restore the law later that year.

Read more: A YouTuber is facing criminal charges for shading a Miss Universe dress designed by a Thai princess because in Thailand it's illegal to insult the monarchy

Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad during an interview with Reuters at his office in Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 22, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

Then-candidate Mahathir Mohamad had promised to curtail the strict, colonial-era laws before he won the general elections in May 2018, the South China Morning Post reported.

Gobind Singh Deo, the communications and multimedia minister, said in October that the cabinet decided to suspend the act and was preparing a bill to repeal it completely.

But when violent protests broke out in December over the proposed relocation of a temple, the government decided to restore the law instead.

Now it's even proposing introducing a new law criminalizing insults to the government and monarchy, with heavier punishments. It's not clear what these punishments will be.

Malaysia former King Sultan Muhammad V

On January 10, legal affairs minister Liew Vui Keong said the government is considering amending current law, or introducing new ones, to "protect" the country's rulers from insults, the Malay Mail reported.

He said the changes could bring in heavier punishments for "irresponsible" people that insult the country's royals, the newspaper reported.

"We are looking into probably the punishment side, because at this moment, the punishment section for certain offenses against the monarchy is a bit on the low side," he said.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said that this would threaten freedom of expression in Malaysia.

"Malaysia's government is not only delaying revoking abusive laws, but is even considering enacting new laws that curtail human rights," Robertson said.

"The proposed law on the monarchy would add to the laws already restricting free expression in Malaysia," he said.

Join the conversation about this story »

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Here's everything you need to know about Emperor Naruhito, who has taken over the throne in Japan after the country's first abdication in 200 years

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japan naruhito

  • Japan has a new Emperor. 
  • Naruhito, 59, has succeeded his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who is abdicating due to health concerns.
  • Naruhito is a keen historian, water transportation researcher, and environmental activist. He also spent two years studying at Oxford University, and wrote a memoir about it.
  • He and his wife, Masako, have been beset with illness and pressures to produce a male heir.
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne in a ceremony on Wednesday, issuing in a new era for the first time since his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, took over the throne 30 years ago. 

Akihito, 85, said he wanted to step down due to health concerns — the country's first abdication in some 200 years.

Naruhito inherited the Imperial regalia of sword and jewel of seals as part of his first official duties on Wednesday. He is now the nation's 126th Emperor.

The 59-year-old, who was educated in Tokyo and Oxford, is a keen historian, water transportation researcher, and memoirist. He has spoken out on environmental issues for decades.

He and his wife, Masako, have also openly discussed their struggles with mental health and the pressure to produce a male heir — providing the traditionally conservative Japanese society a rare, frank glimpse into their lives.

Scroll down to learn more about Naruhito and his family, and what his reign could look like.

This is Emperor Naruhito, who took over the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 1.

Naruhito is now the country's 126th emperor.



He was born in Tokyo in February 1960 as the eldest son to then-Crown Prince (now Emperor) Akihito and his wife Michiko — making him the natural heir to the world's oldest monarchy. Here are Naruhito's parents on their wedding day.



Akihito, who had been emperor since 1989, announced his plan to step down in December 2017. It was Japan's first abdication in 200 years.

Akihito, 85, has undergone heart surgery and been diagnosed with prostate cancer in the past.

He hinted of his wish to abdicate in a 2016 speech, saying: "When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now."

He added that if an emperor died on the throne, Japanese society could come "to a standstill."



Earlier this month Akihito performed a sacred ritual to confirm his resignation to the Shinto gods and put the succession process into motion.

Japan's Shinto religion emphasizes rituals and rites as a means to communicate with spiritual beings.

The sacred ritual involved the country's imperial treasures: a sword, a jewel, and a mirror.

Read more: Japan's outgoing emperor performed a sacred ritual with a mirror, sword, and jewel as part of his abdication



Naruhito grew up in Tokyo and received a bachelor's degree in History at the city's private Gakushuin University aged 22.



A year later he moved, by himself, to the UK to enroll in a postgraduate course at Oxford University's Merton College, where he studied the history of transportation in the River Thames for two years.

This was the first time anyone in the direct line of succession to Japan's throne studied outside the country, The Japan Times reported.

Source: Merton College, Oxford



He recorded his time in Oxford assiduously, which culminated in his 1993 memoir "The Thames and I: A Memoir of Two Years at Oxford."

The book details his daily life in Oxford, travels around the UK and Europe, and anecdotes about a crown prince trying to fit into student life. Naruhito called this period the "happiest time" of his life, The Japan Times reported.

Naruhito almost flooded his student dorm while doing laundry for the first time in his life, The Japan Times reported the book as saying.

According to Nippon.com, Naruhito also recalled telling his Oxford friends about the similarities between the Japanese words for "Your Highness" ("denka") and the word for "electric light" ("denki") — resulting in his friends calling him an electric light instead of your highness.

Hugh Cortazzi, the former British ambassador to Japan who translated the book from Japanese to English, told The Japan Times the memoir "reveals the Crown Prince's charm, modesty, sense of humor and conscientious dedication to his studies and will enhance his international image."



He later returned to Tokyo, eventually getting another Master's degree from Gakushuin University. There he met Masako Owada, an Oxford- and Harvard-educated aspiring diplomat, reportedly at a tea party for a Spanish princess in 1986.

Source: BBC



Naruhito pursued Masako relentlessly, despite her reportedly refusing his marriage proposal twice because she didn't want to jeopardize her diplomatic career. She finally accepted in December 1992, and they married in 1993.

According to People magazine, shortly after she accepted Naruhito's third proposal, the crown prince said: "You might have fears and worries about joining the Imperial household. But I will protect you for my entire life."

Source: People, BBC



Their marriage hit some lows. In 1999 Masako — who had been facing pressure to produce a male heir to the Japanese throne — suffered a miscarriage. The royal couple blamed the media frenzy around her pregnancy.

TV companies hired helicopters to follow Masako's car when she traveled to the hospital for checkups, The Telegraph reported.

Naruhito called the relentless coverage "truly deplorable," The Telegraph reported, and Masako said a year later: "To be frank, it is a fact that the overheated coverage in the media from such an early period disturbed me."



Masako started withdrawing from public life shortly after the miscarriage. Months later she announced that she suffered from stress-induced depression, with royal family officials saying that it was to do with the trauma of the miscarriage.

Source: The Independent



But in 2001, Masako became pregnant again and gave birth to a girl, Aiko, later that year. As Japanese law forbids girls to inherit the throne, there was still pressure on Naruhito and Masako to produce a male heir.



The Japanese government tried to ease some of the pressure by trying to change the laws on male primogeniture. In January 2006, then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said he would submit a bill to allow females to inherit the Japanese throne later that year.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations



However, later that month, Naruhito's younger brother, Fumihito, announced that he and his wife Kiko were pregnant with a son, Hisahito — easing pressure from the Japanese government to change the laws and on Masako to have a son.

With his father's succession, Hisahito is now second in line to the throne.

Aiko, at this point, is not eligible to ascend the throne.

Source: Council on Foreign Relations



Princess Aiko, now 17, has followed in her parents' footsteps in pursuing her education overseas. Though she attends school in Tokyo, she went to summer school at England's prestigious Eton College by herself in 2018.

She also plays the cello and competes in basketball games at school, The Associated Press reported, citing Japan's Imperial Household Agency.



Naruhito has become Emperor on May 1, though his official enthronement ceremony won't be until October 22.

Leaders from 195 countries have been invited to join the four-day celebration, which will include a ceremony and a banquet, Japan's NHK broadcaster said.



The Japanese government gave everyone a one-off holiday of ten days, from April 27 to May 6, to celebrate Naruhito's ascension to Emperor. A lot of citizens are worried about having extra chores, childcare, and stock market turmoil during that time.

Read more: Japan is giving everybody 10 days off to celebrate getting a new emperor — and a surprising number of people aren't happy about it



As emperor, Naruhito does not have any political powers. He will instead be responsible for ceremonial duties, such as greeting state leaders. Here, his parents meets US President Donald Trump in March 2018.



As it is, Naruhito has already met a handful of foreign dignitaries already. Here he is with his parents meeting former US President and First Lady Ronald and Nancy Reagan in 1989...



... at a banquet with Princess Anne, the daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, in Tokyo in 1991 ...



... with then-President and First Lady Bill and Hillary Clinton in Tokyo in 1993 ...



... with Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, in Kyoto in 1997 ...



... and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Tokyo this February.



Naruhito has appeared to show some of his political and social views in the past. He has long spoken out about environmental issues, particularly on the global access to clean water — a result undoubtedly influenced by his studies.

Kenzo Hiroki, a former land ministry official who knew Naruhito through their work, told the Asahi Shimbun the Naruhito's interest in clean water issues came after he saw women and children line up to fill their pots with water during a visit to Pokhara, Nepal, in 1987.

"I imagine that he then began to think about poverty, education, environmental and other global issues stemming from problems relating to water," Hiroki told the Japanese newspaper.



Naruhito and Masako have also made yearly visits to the Tohoku region in northeastern Japan, which was struck by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

At least 15,000 people died as a result of the earthquake and tsunami, according to Japan's National Police Agency.

Source: The Japan Times



Emperors should "always be close to the people in their thoughts, and share their joys and sorrows," Naruhito said in 2017.

Source: The Japan Times



Masako, who is now Empress, previously said in a surprisingly frank statement that she felt "insecure" about her upcoming role, but that she wants to "devote myself to the happiness of the people."

"Even though I feel insecure about how helpful I will be when I think about the days ahead, I want to devote myself to the happiness of the people so I will make an effort to that end," she said in a statement last December, cited by Agence France-Presse.

"I am delighted at the fact that I can perform more duties than before as I have tried to improve my physical condition," she added, referring to her illness.

But her doctors warned that she remains vulnerable to fatigue, especially after large ceremonies, AFP reported.



In Japan, each new reign comes with a new name. Naruhito's era is called "Reiwa" (令和), which can be roughly translated to "pursuing harmony."

The name of the new era signifies the rebirth of culture as people "beautifully care about each other," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said earlier in April.

Akihito's era was called "Heisei" (平成), which roughly translates to "peace everywhere."

Read more: Japan names new era as Emperor Akihito prepares to step down



The king of Thailand married his bodyguard in a lavish surprise ceremony where he poured sacred water on her head

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Thai King marriage ceremony

  • King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand married his personal bodyguard and longtime partner on Wednesday.
  • The wedding took the country by surprise because the royal palace had never acknowledged the couple's relationship.
  • Footage of the ceremony showed Gen. Suthida Tidjai, now known as Queen Suthida, bowing before the king before signing marriage documents in an ornate room filled with gold.
  • Suthida was also seen having sacred water poured on her head, the BBC reported.
  • Before joining Vajiralongkorn's security detail, Suthida worked as a flight attendant on Thai Airways. She later became a general in Thailand's army.
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

The king of Thailand married one of his personal bodyguards and promoted her to queen in a lavish surprise ceremony on Wednesday.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 66, married Gen. Suthida Tidjai, 40, the deputy head of his security detail and long-term partner, the Thai royal family said in a statement.

The wedding was a surprise because the palace had never acknowledged the couple's relationship, Reuters reported.

thai king queen

Vajiralongkorn — who inherited the throne after his father, King Bhumibol, died in 2016 — is also known as King Rama X, signaling that he is the 10th monarch of the royal house of Chakri.

The marriage took place lawfully and in the righteous royal tradition, the statement said. The general will now be known as Queen Suthida.

The king "has decided to promote General Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayudhya, his royal consort, to become Queen Suthida and she will hold royal title and status as part of the royal family," the statement said, according to BBC and CNN translations.

The ceremony took place in Bangkok in the Ampornsathan Throne Hall, a large room filled with ornate mirrors, statuettes, and a golden shrine.

Footage of the wedding showed Suthida kneeling and bowing to the king alongside other attendees, before sitting on the throne beside him to sign marriage documents. As part of the ceremony, the king poured sacred water on Suthida's head, the BBC reported.

The surprise marriage came three days before Vajiralongkorn's long-awaited official coronation, which is this Saturday to Monday.

The coronation is taking place three years after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne because the country went through a mourning period for King Bhumibol, whose royal cremation was in 2017, The Guardian reported. The newspaper said the coronation is expected to cost at least $30 million.

thai king rama queen suthida marriage

Thailand is extraordinarily reverent to its monarch, and people can be imprisoned for up to 15 years if they are found to have insulted the monarchy.

The country's strict lèse-majesté laws forbid people to insult, defame, or threaten any member of the royal family. Suthida is now protected by those laws.

Read more: A YouTuber is facing criminal charges for shading a Miss Universe dress designed by a Thai princess because in Thailand it's illegal to insult the monarchy

Before joining then-Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn's bodyguard unit in 2013, Suthida worked as a flight attendant for Thai Airways.

In December 2016, shortly after ascending the throne, Vajiralongkorn made her a full general in the Royal Thai Army.

This is Vajiralongkorn's fourth marriage. He has been divorced three times and has seven children.

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best photo from every year of Prince Philip's royal career

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prince philip retirement

  • It's Prince Philip's 98th birthday on June 10.
  • To celebrate, Business Insider rounded up the best photo from every year of his royal career.
  • The Duke of Edinburgh carried out 22,219 solo engagements and 637 solo visits overseas before retiring from public service in 2017.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Prince Philip turns 98 on June 10.

Before officially retiring from public service in 2017, the Duke of Edinburgh carried out 22,219 solo engagements and 637 solo visits overseas since he left active military service in 1952. 

In retirement, the Duke is reportedly enjoying more leisure time at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk — he is an avid carriage driver and enjoys oil painting.

Read more: Prince Philip met the royal baby before the Queen after 'bumping into' Harry and Meghan in Windsor Castle

His Royal Highness' career will be remembered equally for his sharp wit as he will be for his gaffes, which have often left the nation laughing or reeling. 

The Prince's prolonged service has won him support from both sides of Parliament — Jeremy Corbyn applauded his "clear sense of public duty" and Theresa May praised his "steadfast support" to the Queen. 

Philip's lengthy career, marked by hundreds of visits to far-flung corners of the British Empire, has unsurprisingly produced some remarkable royal photography.

Here are the best images from each of his years as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

SEE ALSO: The 23 best candid photos from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding

1947: Prince Philip began his journey as a British Royal when he married into the country's royal family after a five-month engagement to his distant cousin, Elizabeth. He was 26.



1948: The couple had their first child, Prince Charles. In this picture, he sleeps in the arms of his mother, then Princess Elizabeth, after his Christening at Buckingham Palace.



1949: Philip spent many of his younger years in the Royal Navy, meaning family time was precious. He spent much of 1949 stationed in Malta as the first lieutenant of the destroyer HMS Checkers, the lead ship of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet.



1950: Two years after the birth of Prince Charles, Elizabeth and Philip gave birth to their second child, Princess Anne.



1951: The family's first home was Clarence House, located just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace in central London. The family can be seen playing in its gardens in this photo.



1952: Despite his active naval career ending in 1951, he was promoted to commander of the Royal Navy in 1952.

Source: The British Monarchy



1953: During the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Philip bowed to his while while more than 27 million people in Britain watched on television.

Source: Royal.uk



1954: This photo shows the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during an official visit to HAMS Australia, flagship of the Australian Navy. The royal couple went aboard during their visit to Cairns, Queensland.



1955: Throughout his career, he has been involved with more than 780 organisations.

He has also been a loyal supporter of his wife, attending events around the world with her for more than 60 years.



1956: In 1956, the royal founded the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. The scheme is still running 61 years later and aims to instil within young people a "sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities," by encouraging them to take part in charity work and outdoor activities.



1957: It wasn't until 1957 that Philip was formerly made a British prince. That same year, he completed a round the world tour aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Here he is feeding penguins during a visit to the Antarctic.



1958: Here, Prince Philip is handing a pen back to Levi Milley after signing an autograph. Milley was one of 12 men who survived nearly a week trapped in a mine in SpringHill, Nova Scotia in 1958.



1959: Philip and Elizabeth's children grew up meeting some of the world's most powerful leaders. President Eisenhower visited Balmoral Castle in 1959, where he was photographed patting Princess Anne on the shoulder as her father looked on proudly.



1960: Prince Andrew, the couple's third child, was born in 1960. In this photo, he laughs as he holds hands with his father, Prince Philip, and his sister, Princess Anne, during their summer holiday at Balmoral Castle.



1961: The royal couple made their first visit to the Taj Mahal in India in January 1961. He also became UK President of the World Wildlife Fund the same year.



1962: The royals have been a regular fixture at Ascot, one of the biggest events in Britain's horse racing calendar.



1963: In 1963, the couple went on a three-month tour of Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.



1964: People often don't realize that the royal is also a qualified pilot, having racked up nearly 6,000 flying hours over the past five decades. He's also the patron of the Guild of Air Pilots.



1965: Philip attended the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, along with fellow British royals and dignitaries from overseas.



1966: The Queen and her husband visited St. Lucia in 1966. This was also the year he famously proclaimed "British women can't cook."

Source: The Telegraph



1967: The following year, he made an equally dubious gaffe. When asked whether he would like to visit the Soviet Union, he replied: "I would like to go to Russia very much, although the bastards murdered half my family." This is a reference to his German heritage.



1968: Britain celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the RA Fin style. Here, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride past a number of Bloodhound missiles on display during their visit to the Royal Air Force Base at Abington, England.



1969: Prince Philip joined a patient's group therapy session when he visited the National Addiction and Research Institute in Chelsea, London. The prince spent 20 minutes with the patients discussing their problems.



1970: Queen Elizabeth II read her speech in the House of Lords alongside her husband for the State Opening of Parliament in 1970.



1971: The late Sir Roger Moore met the Duke of Edinburgh at an auction dinner in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain, at the Savoy Hotel in 1971.



1972: In 1972, Philip and Elizabeth travelled to France and took part in remembrance services.



1973: Prince Philip talked to his wife before the new Sydney Opera House complex. Left is Frank Barnes., General Manager of the Opera House and right is Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of New South Wales.



1974: He received a traditional Maori welcome when he arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, to open the 10th Commonwealth Games. In this ancient Maori challenge, the feather is thrown at the feet of the Duke, with the chant, "do you come as friend or foe," by picking up the feather the Duke was accepted and welcomed.



1975: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted by Emperor Hirohito of Japan at the entrance of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 7, 1975.



1976: The royal couple laughed as the young girl stood next to them was reluctant to hand over a bouquet of flowers during their royal visit to Luxembourg.



1977: The Queen and Philip visited New Zealand. In this photo, the couple attend the State Opening of Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, wearing their sashes and Royal Orders.



1978: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were followed by their sons Prince Andrew, left, and Prince Edward, as they entered the stadium before the start of the 11th Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.



1979: This family photo was taken in the ground of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Elizabeth and Philip were joined by their sons (l-r) Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, and Prince Edward.



1980: The Royals made a historic visit to meet Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in October 1980. It was the first state visit to the Vatican by a British monarch.



1981: Philip's first son, Prince Charles, married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. An estimated 750 million people watched the ceremony worldwide.



1982: The Queen looked surprised after her husband, Prince Philip, pointed that they should be going another way as they drove through the crowd of athletes and officials during the Closing Ceremony of the 12th Commonwealth Games. The crowd forced them to make another lap around the stadium.



1983: The couple has met every sitting US president — bar Lyndon B. Johnson — since Elizabeth ascended to the throne. Here they're pictured with former President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in San Francisco.



1984: The Royal family, along with Lord Spencer, attended Prince Harry's Christening in December 1984.



1985: The Queen, Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, Princes William and Harry, and the Earl of Wessex at the Trooping the Colour.



1986: The couple paid a state visit to China, making the Queen the first British monarch to ever do so.



1987: Philip held a news conference in Washington D.C. in May 1987, to announce a World Wildlife Fund Campaign to end illegal wildlife trade. The global organisation has also named an award after him — The Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award — which recognizes "highly meritorious contributions to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources."



1988: Prince Philip was greeted by children of the British School in Holland. He was visiting the Netherlands for the celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, when Prince William III of Holland ousted King James II from the English family.



1989: Philip was greeted by a worshipper at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur after he stepped in for the queen who was unable to attend the service because of a chill. In the background is a plaque in honour of the royal couple.



1990: The prince had the honour of delivering the Rafael M. Salas Lecture at the United Nations' headquarters in New York. Named in honour of Mrs. Salas' — pictured below— late husband, Rafael was the first head of the United Nations Population Fund.



1991: President George H. Bush escorted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the field at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, before the Orioles played the Oakland A's. This was the first baseball game the monarch had ever watched.



1992: Here, Prince Philip emerges from the channel tunnel near Calais, France, after becoming the first member of the royal family to use the rail line connecting England and France — one year before it welcomed its first fare-paying passenger.



1993: The Duke of Edinburgh chats with Diana, Princess of Wales, at a banquet he is hosting in honour of the Queen, at the Dorchester Hotel, London.



1994: This was the first ever visit to Israel by a member of the royal family. Philip flew to the country to participate in a ceremony honouring his mother for saving Greek Jews during WWII. In this photo, Prince Philip jokes with British veterans.



1995: Queen Elizabeth II looks up toward the sky as Prince Philip, left, and Prince Charles look on during memorial services to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day in London on August 19.



1996: Prince Philip caused outrage across the country on December 18, particularly in Dublin, the scene of that year's primary school massacre, when he suggested that cricket bats were potentially just as dangerous as guns.



1997: Philip and his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, walk through a sea of flowers left by the public outside Buckingham Palace in memory of Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in August that year.



1998: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip greet Tony Blair and his wife Cherie at Buckingham Palace in London on the second day of the Asia-Europe meeting. The three days of meetings were dominated by discussions on how the Asian economic crisis was being handled.



1999: The Queen and her husband were welcomed to Ghana by the sound of drums and reggae music, where they met the 13 regional chiefs and eight Queen Mothers of Ghana.



2000: Prince Philip bids farewell to Former President Nelson Mandela. Prince Philip and Prince Edward went to see young offenders enrolled in rehabilitation programs in South Africa.



2001: Jordan's Queen Rania smiled with Prince Philip during arrival ceremonies in Windsor. The King and Queen of Jordan were on an official State Visit to England at the time.



2002: A year of glorious highs and sad lows — The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee, it was also the year the Queen Mother passed away.



2003: Then-US President George W. Bush visited Britain with his wife Barbara in 2003. The couple can be seen walking with the royals along the west terrace of Buckingham Palace.



2004: A memorial fountain dedicated to the late Princess Diana was unveiled in Hyde Park, London. The House of Windsor buried the hatchet with the aristocratic family of Diana earlier that week, almost seven years after her brother savaged the royals in his funeral eulogy.



2005: A National Service of Remembrance was held for the Victims of the London Bombings at St. Paul's Cathedral in central London. The service, where candles were lit to represent the four sites in London bombed on July 7, was also attended by Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair.



2006: Prince Philip visited the Queen's Royal Hussars in Basra. He told the troops that most people in Britain had "a great deal of sympathy for those of you at the sharp end who are trying to do your best to make life civilized and tolerable for the locals."



2007: Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary. They marked the occasion with a special thanksgiving service held at Westminster Abbey.



2008: Prince Philip and France's then-first lady Carla Bruni laughed as they stood with Queen Elizabeth and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a review of the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle in Windsor.



2009: Prince Philip speaks to well-wishers during his visit with Queen Elizabeth to Newcastle, northern England.



2010: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the ninth inauguration of the General Synod at Westminster Abbey, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.



2011: Prince Philip has spent his life supporting veterans and the armed forces. Here, he talks with soldiers and their relatives of the 2 Close Support Battalion RE ME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) after the Operation Herrick Medal Parade at the Saint Barbara's Barracks in undefined, Lower Saxony. Some 150 soldiers were awarded for their deployment in Afghanistan.



2012: This brilliant photo captures Philip, Elizabeth, and Charles laughing as they watch the Braemer Gathering in Scotland as competitors participated in a sack race.



2013: Prince Philip was presented with New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, by his wife, Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace in London. He also celebrated his 92nd birthday that year.



2014: The couple laughed after bidding farewell to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Windsor Castle. The Irish President and his wife Sabina left Windsor at the end of a four day State Visit to Britain, during which they stayed at the castle as guests of her majesty.



2015: Philip played a vital role in saving Britain's engineering sector in the 1970s by creating a national engineering academy. He told the BBC in 2015 that after WWII, Britain was "completely skint — it seemed to me that the only way we were going to recover was through engineering."

Source: BBC



2016: The Duke of Edinburgh Award celebrated its 60 anniversary in 2016 — arguably the most successful venture of any current royal. The Queen also celebrated her 90th birthday in style with the Patron's Lunch street party, pictured below.

Source: The Telegraph



2017: After 65 years of public service, the prince retired from public life. Public appearances had become increasingly rare — but here he attends the annual garden party at the Palace of Hilarity's in Edinburgh.



2018: Though officially retired, Prince Philip made appearances at a number of events in 2018. His grandson Prince Harry's wedding, for instance, was not something he was likely to miss.



2019: 2019 has been another year of weddings for Prince Philip as his granddaughter Princess Eugenie of York tied the knot with Jack Brooksbank, as did Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston. In this photo taken at Lady Gabriella's ceremony, Philip's grandson Prince Harry appears to have made him cackle to the point of tears.

Read more: All the ways Princess Eugenie's wedding broke from royal tradition

Charles Clark contributed to an earlier version of this story.



14 photos that prove Prince William and his son Prince George look exactly alike

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It's been six years since Prince George made his debut on the steps of St. Mary's Hospital in London, and he's been amusing the world with his memorable facial expressions and adorable outfits ever since. 

As it turns out, he's following in his father's footsteps. Prince William may be the parent now, but Prince George looks and acts just like he did when he was that age.

Here are 14 photos that show how strong the resemblance is.

Prince William was first introduced to the public outside of St. Mary's Hospital in London.

Princess Diana broke with royal tradition and had Prince William at the hospital instead of at home.



When Prince George was born, Prince William held his son on those same steps.

They also posed on the steps of the hospital when their other two children were born.



Prince William enjoyed playing with plastic baby toys on a ring.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana posed with a six-month-old Prince William at Kensington Palace.



Prince George liked stuffed animals.

What baby doesn't?



Prince William's confused expression when met with photographers was adorable.

Prince William was photographed in Kensington Palace at six months old in 1982.



Prince George also didn't seem to understand why people wanted to take his picture.

He's since become more accustomed to cameras.



Prince William wore red shorts and a white shirt with red embroidery in 1984.

He walked hand-in-hand with royal nanny Barbara Barnes.



Then Prince George wore a nearly identical outfit in 2015.

The prince wore the red and white ensemble to his sister's christening in 2015.



Prince William shook his headmistress' hand when his mother dropped him off at Wetherby School.

Prince William shook the hand of Frederika Blair-Turner, the headmistress of Wetherby School, on his first day in 1989.



Prince George gave the head of Thomas's Battersea the same cordial greeting when Prince William accompanied him on his first day.

Prince William reportedly works out with the other moms at Prince George's school after drop-off.



The two princes also have a penchant for appearing royally unimpressed.

While vacationing in Majorca, Spain, in 1987, Prince William lounged on the steps of the Spanish royal palace.



Royal life is probably more fun as an adult.

He's already perfected a world-weary glare.



Prince William joined his parents on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour in 1988.

Prince Harry stole the show.



Prince George also attends Trooping the Colour.

Prince George joined the rest of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for this year's parade.



A hotel near Buckingham Palace is now serving $200 cups of tea that are fit for a queen

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Afternoon Tea at the Rubens at The Palace

 

Someone call Queen Elizabeth because this sounds like royal highway robbery to us.

But if you want to sip tea (and spend money) like a queen with a Royal Treasury at her disposal, there's probably no better spot to go than the Rubens at the Palace, a hotel near Buckingham Palace that looks out on the Royal Mews.

The swanky five-star hotel offers a rare tea blend, called Golden Tips, for £500 ($620) per pot, which is about $200 per cup, according to CNN. While the tea is from the highlands of Sri Lanka and "hand-picked by expert tea-pluckers" (side note: expert tea-plucker sounds like resume gold), it's no Twinings, which is rumored to be the queen's fave (how commonplace of you, Your Majesty!).

 

The tea leaves of this fancy overpriced refreshment are silver-hued when they're picked. They're then sun-dried on a velvet cloth, turning them to a shiny yellow color (we refuse to say gold again).

Read more: You've been stirring your tea all wrong, according to a royal butler — here's how to do it right

The hotel does have some royal history that may make you feel like you're on the set of "The Crown." Since it's located directly opposite Buckingham Palace, The Rubens used to serve as a debutante hotel for young society-climbers looking to rub elbows with royalty. 

So, while it may seem ridiculous to shell out two Benjamins for a cuppa, you're in drinking view of the Royal Mews, which is where the royals' cars (and horse-drawn carriages) are kept. If Queen Elizabeth (or any other royals) happened to be leaving the palace that day, you may even see them get driven through the gates and onto Buckingham Palace Road.

Or you could always just grab a pint at a nearby pub and wait for your prince charming to whisk you away from your acting career (*cough, Meghan Markle, cough*) and live happily ever after. Either or.

Join the conversation about this story »

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Meghan Markle shares never-before-seen pregnancy photos as she promotes UK charity that helps unemployed women

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meghan markle

  • Meghan Markle shared never-before-seen pregnancy photos as she promotes a UK-based charity, Smart Works, a non-profit organization that helps unemployed women get back into the workforce.
  • The Duchess of Sussex announced that she will be launching a workwear brand to help support the charity, which include brands such as Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw, and Misha Nonoo.
  • Alongside her workwear project, Markle is also the guest editor for the September issue of British Vogue.
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

Meghan Markle shared never-before-seen pregnancy photos as she promotes a UK-based charity that helps unemployed women in their efforts to get back into the workforce.

The duchess shared the photos of her "quiet" visits to the charity Smart Works on the Sussex Royal Instagram account, with the caption saying she "was moved by the impactful work being done" to equip women with the skills and attire they need to feel "job-ready."

"Throughout her visits she noticed that while the donations were plentiful, they were also notably a combination of mismatched items and colours which weren't always the right stylistic choices or sizes that didn't necessarily 'suit' the job at hand: to make a woman feel confident and inspired as she walked into her job interview," the caption reads.

"As a result, launching this autumn, The Duchess will be supporting a collective to help equip the women of Smart Works with the key workwear essentials they need as they enter into the workplace."

Spotlight on: Smart Works We are proud to be supporting a very special initiative this autumn for @SmartWorksCharity! After quiet visits to Smartworks over the last year, The Duchess was moved by the impactful work being done by this non profit organisation that helps women into the workforce, equipping them with both the skills and clothes they need to feel job-ready. Throughout her visits she noticed that while the donations were plentiful, they were also notably a combination of mismatched items and colours which weren’t always the right stylistic choices or sizes that didn’t necessarily “suit” the job at hand: to make a woman feel confident and inspired as she walked into her job interview. As a result, launching this autumn, The Duchess will be supporting a collective to help equip the women of Smart Works with the key workwear essentials they need as they enter into the workplace. This initiative is supported by four generous brands who share the vision to empower the women of Smart Works to look and feel 💯 as they bravely venture in to what can often be a daunting environment for those who have been out of the job market. The brands have come together to work towards this united force for good, “[reframing] the idea of charity as community,” as The Duchess writes in a piece for this month’s British Vogue. They will follow the 1:1 model where an item from the collection purchased is an item shared with a woman of Smart Works because “not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story; it reminds us we are in it together.” For more information on how you can be part of another woman’s success story visit @smartworkscharity. Special thanks to: @JohnLewisandPartners, @MarksandSpencer, @MishaNonoo, @InsideJigsaw for supporting this very special organisation. And to find out more, read the September issue of @BritishVogue and stay tuned for more exciting updates this autumn. Photo©️SussexRoyal

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jul 31, 2019 at 9:03am PDT on

 

Read more: Meghan Markle said appearing on the cover of her Vogue issue would have been 'boastful,' even though Kate Middleton did it 3 years ago

In addition to being the guest-editor for the September issue of British Vogue, Markle also announced that she is planning on launching a workwear collection to support Smart Works.

She said she is working with four brands to create the collection who, according to the caption, "have come together to work towards this united force for good": Marks & Spencer, John Lewis & Partners, Jigsaw, and Misha Nonoo.

"They will follow the 1:1 model where an item from the collection purchased is an item shared with a woman of Smart Works because 'not only does this allow us to be part of each other's story; it reminds us we are in it together,'" Markle wrote in a piece for this month's British Vogue, as written in the caption.

Read more: Meghan Markle is launching her own clothing line, and for each item bought another will be donated to charity

Markle gave birth to her and Prince Harry's son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor on May 6 of this year.

Join the conversation about this story »

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The best photos from every single year of Prince Harry's remarkable life

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Prince Harry turns 35 on Sunday, September 15, just four months after welcoming his first child, baby Archie, into the world.

While His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales is certainly still young, he's already had a pretty incredible life, which is only set to continue as he and Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex gear up for their first royal tour with Archie.

High-profile relationship and family life aside, Prince Harry has long travelled the world — both for pleasure and as part of his charity efforts.

Read more: Here's how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's new son is already changing the dynamic of the royal family

His life hasn't been without its share of hardship, however. He and brother Prince William both struggled with their mental health after the death of their mother, Princess Diana, in 1997.

To commemorate his birthday, we've found the best photos from every single year of Prince Harry's remarkable life. Scroll down to take a look.

SEE ALSO: This is why Harry is called Prince of Wales, not England

Harry was born on September 15, 1984. Here he is with his mother, Princess Diana, and brother, Prince William.



AGE 1: Harry with Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince William, Diana, and his father, Prince Charles, at the Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca on July 9, 1986.



AGE 2: The Princess of Wales holds Prince Harry at the Royal Palace, Majorca, Spain on August 9, 1987.



AGE 3: Prince Harry waves to photographers on his first day at a nursery school in Notting Hill on September 16, 1987.



AGE 4: The family take a bike ride on June 1, 1989 around the island of Tresco, one of the Scilly Isles.



AGE 5: Harry helps bury Princess Diana's legs in the sand on Richard Branson's Necker Island in the British Virgin Island, April 1990.



AGE 6: Prince Harry at the wheel of a Second World War fire engine in London on October 25, 1990.



AGE 7: Leaving the Natural History Museum after a dinosaur exhibition on April 13, 1992. Charles and Diana separated later this year, but stayed married.



AGE 8: With family friend Harry Soames on Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World in Florida on August 26, 1993.



AGE 9: With Diana at Silverstone racetrack on July 10, 1994.



AGE 10: Harry looks on as Prince William signs the traditional entrance book at Eton College on his first day of school on September 6, 1995.



AGE 11: On February 17, 1996, Harry joins his father for the anthems during the Wales v Scotland game in the Five Nation Championship at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Charles and Diana divorced this year.



AGE 12: Prince William and Prince Harry bow their heads as their mother's coffin is taken out of Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997 following her funeral service. The princess was killed on August 31 in a car crash in Paris.



AGE 13: The family of three spend their first Christmas without Diana.



AGE 14: Prince Charles and Harry sit on a chair-lift in the Swiss resort of Klosters in January 1999.



AGE 15: Will and Harry with their cousin Peter Phillips, son of Britain's Princess Anne, gather after the Royal family attended a Christmas Day church service in Sandringham, Norfolk.



AGE 16. Princes William and Harry share a joke as they celebrate the 101st birthday of the Queen Mother, their great grandmother.



AGE 17: Harry walks behind the Gun Carriage bearing the coffin of the Queen Mother on April 9, 2002.



AGE 18: Prince Harry plays with Rosie and Jenny, the dogs owned by Andrew Gailey — the housemaster of the Manor House — in March, 2003 at Eton.



AGE 18: Harry performs in "Much Ado about Nothing" In March 2003 at Eton College, England.



AGE 18: Prince Harry carries a suit and a bin bag full of belongings as he leaves Eaton College on June 12, 2003.



AGE 19: Prince Harry holds an Echidna called 'Spike' in front of Sydney harbour on September 23, 2003.



AGE 20: Prince Harry made headlines in January 2005 for arriving at a friend's birthday birthday dressing in a Nazi outfit — just weeks before the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.



AGE 20: Prince Harry holds a child from one of the projects being helped by the Lesotho Fund, in Lesotho.



AGE 21: Harry looks on at his passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy on April 12, 2006 in Sandhurst.



AGE 22: Prince Harry kisses then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy during the ICC Cricket World Cup on April 8, 2007 in St John's, Antigua.



AGE 22: William and Harry speak on stage at the close of the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007 in London.



AGE 23: Here, Harry attends a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at the Holy Trinity Church on May 5, 2008 in Windsor.



AGE 24: Prince Harry pays his respects after laying a wreath at Ground Zero, the site of the former World Trade Center on May 29, 2009 in New York City.



AGE 24: The Prince is sprayed with champagne by a Sentebale teammate after they triumphed over the Blackwatch team during the 2009 Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic on May 30, 2009 on Governor's Island in New York City.



AGE 24: Prince Harry shares a joke with Prince William and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as they arrive for Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2009 in London, England.



AGE 25: Harry greets a herd boy as he visits the Herd Boys School on June 16, 2010 in Semongkong, Lesotho.



AGE 26: Prince Harry skis with the Walking with the Wounded team before setting off to the North Pole by foot on March 29, 2011 in Spitsbergen, Norway.



AGE 27: Prince Harry poses with Usain Bolt on March 6, 2012 in Kingston, Jamaica.



AGE 28: Harry, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William play with wands on the Harry Potter set at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden on April 26, 2013.



AGE 29: Harry attends Free The Children's global youth empowerment event, We Day, at Wembley Arena on March 7, 2014.



AGE 30: Harry is presented with a sword and shield as he meets traditional Omani Dancers during a visit to Oman in November 2014.



AGE 30: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry attend at the annual Chelsea Flower show at Royal Hospital Chelsea on May 18, 2015 in London, England.



AGE 31: U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Prince Harry in the Oval Office of the White House on October 28, 2015 in Washington, DC.



AGE 32: Harry meets nine-year-old patient Kyrique McKenzie at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on November 30, 2016 in Bridgetown, Barbados.



AGE 33: Prince Harry appears with then-fiancée Meghan Markle on November 27, 2017, the same day the couple announced their engagement to the world.



AGE 33: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, share their first kiss after marrying at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018.



AGE 33: The new Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for an official wedding photograph with the royal family in The Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018.



AGE 33: The newlyweds wave as they leave Windsor Castle after their wedding on May 19, 2018 to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House, hosted by the Prince of Wales.



AGE 33: In July, Meghan and Harry shared a kiss — and a trophy — after a successful Sentebale Polo 2018 match at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Windsor.



AGE 33: Less than two weeks ahead of his 34th birthday, Harry goofs around with the Riverside School Choir at the annual WellChild awards in London.



AGE 34: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle give the world a look at their first child, baby Archie, who was born on May 6, 2019.



AGE 34: The royal family poses for a photo after Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is christened at Windsor Castle on Saturday, July 6.



AGE 34: The royal couple delight fans with their most intimate family photo yet, released after baby Archie's christening.



We tried a $1,000 Royal Etiquette Class

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  • INSIDER's Emily Christian tries a $1,000 etiquette course at the Plaza Hotel.
  • The course promises to teach you the graces of a duchess. 
  • Emily finds out why the class is being frequented by young professionals. 
  • Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories.

The following is a transcription of the video. 

Emily Christian: I think this is, like, it's really a finger thing, because it's too far away now.

Myka Meier: OK, so now it's...

Christian: It's...

Meier: OK, go.

Christian: I'm so sorry, that was, like, the worst thing I could have done.

Today I'm at the Plaza Hotel to take a etiquette class. And, let me tell you, I am not the most graceful person. I'm a messy eater, I've never walked in heels before, and I would not know how to conduct myself at a formal dinner. So we're gonna see if this class can truly give me a full etiquette makeover today, and I can walk out of here ready to have dinner with the Queen.

Meier: Etiquette is simply respect. That's all it is. If you really deconstruct everything, and the core of what it is, it's just simply respect.

Christian: A private etiquette course at Beaumont Etiquette taught at the Plaza Hotel can cost over $1,000 and promises to teach you all the graces of a duchess in just a few hours. Etiquette is something that seems so old-fashioned to me, but this school's founder, Myka Meier, says business is booming, and maybe not for who you'd think. While Myka has worked with members of England's royal family, today her clients are mostly young professionals willing to dish out a month's rent to learn manners. So I wanted to pay her a visit to learn why.

Meier: It's more relevant now than ever before, because we communicate mostly electronically now. So we're losing some of those soft skills that are still important when you meet somebody face to face.

Christian: At this point, I was a little more nervous than confident that I could pull it off, but the time had finally come to see if I could be at least a little bit graceful for a day. Meier: In front of you here we've got, this is just a very simple, one-course table setting. You have your water glass, which is always directly above your knife.

Christian: Oh.

Meier: Then you have your bread plate on your left. So you put your index to your thumb on both sides. This is a lowercase B for bread.

Christian: OK.

Meier: The right is a lowercase D for drinks.

Christian: Oh.

Meier: So, if you put it down, your bread plate's always on your left and your drinks will always be on your right. So, the moment you get to a restaurant, you want to take that napkin off of the plate, and then just gently, to the side, just unfold it, and then refold it in half so that the seams are both down, like that, and then the crease faces toward you. Excellent.

Christian: Oh no, mine looks terrible.

Meier: No. You never go down to your napkin, because it looks like you're kind of, like, hiding something under the table. So just open here, and you bring the napkin up to your face, and then, oh, just the inside.

Christian: Oh.

Meier: Hold the inside. And you're actually putting all of your stains in the inside of the napkin. We just dab, dab, dab, and then you close the napkin so all the stains stay contained in the inside of the napkin.

Christian: Wow.

Meier: Now, at the end of the meal, then we would pinch in the middle and we would leave it to the left of the place setting to show that we were finished with the meal, we are done, we are not coming back to the table. Never do that. So, if you take nothing away from this course, I want you to remember this. So, in American dining, we often hold cutlery like this, and we cut, cut, cut, and we rest our knives, and then we switch, and then we eat. At the moment I would say in business or in any formal social situation, I want you to elevate and switch to what we call continental dining. So, the blade faces up, perfect, so you're holding with your thumb, your index is out, wrap and twist, and then, keeping the prongs down, they go into your mouth. So this is break, I'm taking a break, and then when I'm finished with my meal, to signify to the server I am finished, then prongs are up, and then handles are at four o'clock. If it has a stem you hold it by the stem. You never want to heat the liquid inside the glass.

Christian: I always just, I just stick my hand right on there, the full thing. Also, this is heavy.

Meier: And also for fingerprints, right? And then when you're drinking, you're drinking from the same point of the glass every single time, so that you avoid that lip ring. And then back down directly over the knife.

Christian: And I'm guessing you don't go, aah. Meier: Oh, we'll see about that. But, typically speaking, the lower to the stem we hold, the more sophisticated a holder becomes. Beautiful.

Christian: What about, is this, like, the most sophisticated? Meier: Whatever it is you're drinking, we never go past 45 degrees. OK, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up. See, so you pretty much get...

Christian: OK, that's enough.

Meier: right, and so you just don't wanna go. Crew member: Have you ever done that at the bar?

Christian: Yes, absolutely, I have done that, at a bar, and at dinner, and at all over town, really, I've been going like this.

Meier: So what you would do, you would take your tea, and then it's not clockwise or counterclockwise, it's actually just 12 o'clock to six o'clock, and then, making no noise, I want you to pinch through and support. Perfect, and when you're sipping you sip down, you look down into the tea. Arms up, one down, two down. OK, now I want you to go ahead and try it again. You have to keep the napkins, and don't do this in public, ever. Go ahead and take another sip of your tea.

Christian: How...?

Meier: Beautiful, now take that sip, see, you're nice and in.

Christian: I'm very hungry, so my first instinct is gonna be just to kind of tear into it, but I know that's not what we're here to do.

Meier: So as much fun as it is to put everything on your plate at once, that's not the correct etiquette.

Christian: That's what I'd do.

Meier: I know. And you always let your guests choose first. One thing with any kind of communal food to remember is that you never take straight off and put it into your mouth. So you should take a bite that's not overly large. Like, the whole goal of afternoon tea is to stay social. You can take up to four bites before you break again.

Christian: So you only take four bites of food, and then you break.

Meier: Exactly.

Christian: OK.

Meier: And that's just to not eat too fast.

Christian: I eat so fast.

Meier: It's normal, it's very normal. Christian: I don't think I breathe when I eat, normally. [Emily mumbles] Meier: Some modern-day icons of etiquette, I think, easily the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, I think are constantly, we see them, you know, very polished and respectful to everybody and everybody that they work with. I think Michelle Obama is a really great example of etiquette.

Christian: Now that I knew how to talk the talk, it was time to learn to walk the walk, quite literally.

Meier: And now, I would like you to put on heels.

Christian: Uh-oh, OK.

Meier: So we're gonna, don't be scared, I'll walk you through everything.

Christian: I've never walked in heels, not a single time. This was truly the final test of whether or not this class could really give me a royal makeover.

Meier: Go ahead and just give me your first attempt, straight through and back.

Christian: And we're off.

Meier: OK, all right. What I'm gonna do for you, because you're not comfortable wearing heels, I'm going to give you something to do with your hands to help you, and it also helps with balance at first, too. So now I'm just, you can put that to your side or in front, it can be whatever you want, and if you're an awkward heel person, always hold something, because then you're almost not, like, teeter-tottering, or you actually have something to hold your balance. So go ahead and, now, with your new technique, a little bit larger stride, nice, rolled-back shoulders, hands, fingers together, and come on right toward me. Much better.

Christian: That felt better.

Meier: Night and day.

Christian: Maybe I wasn't going to be a pro at the heels right away, but Myka had given me the confidence that I could become an etiquette expert with practice.

Meier: Now a quiz, pop quiz. OK, queen's pose. Duchess slant. Cambridge cross. Sussex slant. Beautiful.

Christian: Yay! I'm basically a royal now. It's not a big deal.

Meier: Practically, right?

Christian: While I opted for their most exclusive and intensive class, Beaumont Etiquette offers many different options, including a group course for $150. By the end of the class I realized why young people are so eager to learn Myka's techniques. Something that sounded outdated to me at first became a skill I could use in my office to be more professional and even with my friends, just to show respect.

Meier: And the whole goal of our courses is that when they leave, they leave more confident than when they walked in. OK. OK, never lick your fingers, never lick your fingers.

Join the conversation about this story »

50 incredible photos of royal tours throughout history

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princess diana sydney

  • One of the earliest photographs of a British royal tour is from 1900 when Queen Victoria visited Dublin, Ireland.
  • In the early 1980s, "Diana fever" swept across the world as Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Australia, Tokyo, New Zealand, and more. 
  • Recently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made headlines while touring Pakistan in traditional garments that paid homage to the country's history.
  • From 1900 to 2019, here are 50 incredible photos of British royal tours through the years.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

British royal tours — complete with pomp and circumstance — have been a tradition for multiple generations.

Photographs of royal visits date back to 1900 when Queen Victoria paraded through the streets of Dublin, Ireland, greeted by throngs of well-wishers. 

While Princess Diana drew seemingly never-ending crowds as she and Prince Charles drove through Tokyo, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also recently made history by participating in local traditions in Pakistan. 

Read more: Every time Kate Middleton paid tribute to Pakistan with her royal tour wardrobe

As the royal family continues to modernize, royal tours provide an excellent benchmark for how members of the monarchy choose to present themselves to the world. 

From 1900 to 2019, here are 50 incredible photos of British royal tours throughout history.

1900s: One of the earliest photographed royal tours was in 1900 when Queen Victoria visited Cork, Dublin, and Belfast.

Source: Irish Times



1927: The Duke and Duchess of York, who would later become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth I, attended an official function in Sydney, Australia, during their five-week tour of the country.



1939: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth waved as they departed on a train following their 1939 royal tour of America.



1947: Princess Elizabeth met with a local mayor during the Royal Tour of South Africa.

She became Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, marking the beginning of her 67-year long reign.

Source: The Royal Household



1954: Queen Elizabeth's 1954 tour is remembered as one of the most ambitious royal tours of all time.

Intended to introduce the new queen to her subjects, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Bermuda, Jamaica, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Tonga, and more during the six-month trip.

Source: Tatler



1957: Queen Elizabeth II was escorted to the White House by a motorcade during her tour of the United States.



1957: Queen Elizabeth was greeted by Mamie Eisenhower and President Eisenhower on the steps of the White House.

Royal tours are intended to strengthen relationships with the visited countries as well as inspire policy changes.



1959: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are pictured during their Canadian royal tour.

In the 67 years that Queen Elizabeth has reigned, she has gone on over 100 royal tours throughout the Commonwealth and has completed many state visits as well.

Source: Wikipedia



1961: During her Commonwealth tour of India, Queen Elizabeth rode through the Jaipur palace in an elaborate howdah on the back of a decorated elephant.



1961: Queen Elizabeth also traveled to Pakistan. She is pictured waving as she is driven through the streets of Karachi.



1966: During a tour of New Zealand, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother waved to children holding Union flags.

Royal tours can be planned by the UK government or follow an invitation from the visited country.

Source: Town and Country



1970: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, met with students and residents during a royal tour of New Zealand.



1982: The Queen's royal tour of the South Pacific began in Brisbane, Australia, and ended on the island of Fiji. Upon Queen Elizabeth's arrival in Fiji, she was greeted by thousands of villagers and officials.

Source: United Press International



1983: Princess Diana and Prince Charles broke royal protocol during their March 1983 royal tour by taking their son, Prince William, along with them on the trip.

Source: Tatler



1983: One of the most notable photographs from the tour is this photo of Princess Diana and Prince Charles visiting Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock.

Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge would later recreate the iconic photograph during their visit in 2014.

Source: Tatler



1983: Princess Diana was met with an exceptionally warm reception during the couple's tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Source: Tatler, Town and Country



1983: Known as the people's princess, Princess Diana brought a modern sensibility to the royal family.

She was always eager to meet with people of all ages and backgrounds while traveling through the Commonwealth and other countries.



1986: In what was at the time referred to as "Diana fever," nearly 100,000 people cheered for Prince Charles and Princess Diana as they drove through the streets of Tokyo.

Source: The New York Times



1986: In Kyoto, Prince Charles admired the peaceful garden of an imperial villa and painted a watercolor of the beautiful scenery.

Source: The New York Times



1992: Princess Diana and Prince Charles' trip to India in 1992 is still remembered today.



1992: During their stay, the Princess of Wales met local children, visited the Taj Mahal, and attended a banquet given by President Ramaswamy Venkataraman.

Source: ABC News



2010: Queen Elizabeth has only completed three royal tours in the past nine years. She visited Canada in 2010, Australia in 2011, and Malta in 2015. However, Queen Elizabeth has completed multiple state visits.



2011: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, began their first official royal tour as a married couple by traveling to Canada and California.



2011: Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, watched dancers as they arrived at Zanzibar International Airport on November 8, 2011, in Tanzania.

They have been married since 2005.



2012: In September 2012, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Singapore Botanical Gardens as part of their Diamond Jubilee tour, a celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 60th year as the reigning monarch.



2012: While visiting a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee tour, Kate donned a traditional headscarf.

Read more: Every time Kate Middleton paid tribute to Pakistan with her royal tour wardrobe



2012: They also traveled in a traditional canoe during a visit to Tavanipupu Island in Honiara, Guadalcanal Island.



2012: The Duchess of Cornwall was presented with a traditional necklace during a visit with Prince Charles to Borea Village in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.



2012: While touring Adelaide, Australia, Charles and Camilla held koala bears and met with local citizens and dignitaries.



2013: When Prince Harry paid a visit to the United States he was photographed playing volleyball with British soldiers in Colorado Springs, Colorado.



2014: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in New Zealand for their first official royal tour with Prince George.

This marked the first time since Princess Diana's death that a child had been brought on a royal tour.



2014: Duchess Catherine met with local children while in Blenheim, New Zealand.

While Princess Diana undeniably played a part in modernizing the British monarchy, Prince William and Duchess Catherine have similarly helped to create a positive front-facing image for the royal family.



2014: While visiting the country, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed themselves by traveling on a Shotover Jet over the Shotover River.



2014: During their tour of Australia, Prince William and Kate recreated a photograph of Prince Charles and Princess Diana while visiting Ayers Rock.



2016: In March 2016, Prince Harry visited Nepal for the first time following the country's 2015 earthquakes.

While in Nepal, Prince Harry met with President Bidya Devi Bhandari and earthquake victims.

Source: The Royal Household



2016: Kate and William watched traditional dancing while on a royal visit to India and Bhutan.



2016: In their first royal tour as a family of four, Prince William and Duchess Catherine arrived in Victoria, Canada, with their two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.



2016: While traveling with their children, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a party for military families in Victoria, Canada.

Before retiring from the Royal Air Force in 2013, Prince William served more than seven years.

Source: The New York Times



2017: During a tour of Poland and Germany, Duchess Catherine and Prince William made pretzels while visiting a German market in Central Square in Heidelberg, Germany.



2018: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, set out on their first official royal tour as a married couple in October 2018.

Their May wedding was watched by an estimated 29 million viewers in the US alone, according to Nielsen.

Source: The Sun, Nielsen



2018: The Duke and Duchess' casual fashion looks and relaxed approach showed a stark contrast to royal tours of the 1950s and earlier.



2018: While visiting New Zealand, Meghan Markle performed a traditional greeting, the Hongi, with the governor-general of New Zealand.

For 16 days, the couple toured Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand.

Source: The Sun



2018: While visiting the University of the South Pacific during the tour of Fiji, the Duchess of Sussex gave a speech on the importance of women's education and inclusion in university faculties.

Source: Town and Country



2019: While expecting their first child, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle toured Morocco.

Prior to the trip, a Kensington Palace spokesperson told People, "The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to the visit which will highlight the vital roles that girls' education and youth empowerment are playing in, and shaping, modern Morocco."

Source: People



2019: Prince Charles, who is expected to become the next king, paid a visit to Northern Ireland, along with his wife, Camilla.

According to the BBC, "hundreds of people lined Belfast streets as the royal couple was greeted by the new Sinn Féin Lord Mayor of Belfast, John Finucane."

Source: BBC



2019: During their first royal tour following the birth of their son Archie, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Cape Town, South Africa.



2019: One stop on the royal couple's tour was Auwal Mosque, the oldest mosque in the country.

Source: Auwal Masjid



2019: While visiting South Africa, the royal couple also met with Nelson Mandela's widow, Graca Machel.

Queen Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela reportedly had a "warm friendship" — he even reportedly called her by her first name.

Source: ET, Independent



2019: During the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's most recent royal tour to Pakistan, they both made headlines with their fashion choices.

Prince William's sherwani coat marked the first time a male member of the British royal family has worn traditional Pakistani clothing.

Source: Insider



2019: The following day, Duchess Catherine wore a traditional headpiece while Prince William wore a Chitrali hat.

Princess Diana also wore a Chitrali hat during her visit to Pakistan in 1991, showing that while some aspects of today's royal tours are completely different than those of the past, others remain the same.




Everything we know about Thailand's eccentric King Rama X, who married his bodyguard, gave his dog a 4-day funeral, and is legally immune from bad press

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thai king Maha Vajiralongkorn

  • Little is known about the royal family in Thailand, which has strict laws forbidding people to defame the King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his family.
  • But tensions in the royal court came to light this week when the king abruptly stripped his royal consort — and long-term girlfriend — of all her titles, accusing her of plotting against the queen.
  • Maha Vajiralongkorn has also been photographed cycling in a crop top in Switzerland and Germany, and reportedly gave his dog a four-day funeral.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Thailand's royal family, compared to the constantly spotlighted British monarchy, is extremely secretive. The country has strict laws that forbid citizens and the Thai press from insulting and reporting on embarrassing details about the family.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn, officially known as King Rama X, was crowned in May 2019, almost three years after the death of the previous king, his father Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thanks to restrictions to the Thai press, relatively little is known about Maha Vajiralongkorn.

What we do know, however, is that he was educated in Britain and Australia, is an enthusiastic cyclist and pilot, and has been married four times. On Monday, the palace also announced that his royal consort — and longterm girlfriend — had been plotting against the queen.

Scroll down to find out more about Thailand's secretive, bicycle-loving king.

Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun was born in 1952 as the second child and only son of then-King Bhumibol and his wife, Queen Sirikit.

Though he wasn't immediately named Crown Prince, he was widely expected to be his father's successor. His birth was seen as a great relief to the Thai royal family at the time, which had been anxiously awaiting a son.

Vajiralongkorn stands for "adorned with jewels or thunderbolts" in Thai.



Though he was officially named Crown Prince in 1972, aged 15, he actually spent much of his childhood outside Thailand. He was sent to school in England from ages 13 to 17, before enrolling at military college in Australia until 1976.

He attended prep school at 13 before moving on to the prestigious Millfield boarding school, where he finished at 17.

He then attended Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Canberra, Australia. He graduated in 1976.

He struggled to keep up at school in England and Australia, blaming his upbringing in the Thai palace, the BBC reported.



After graduation he joined the Thai army, where he served as an officer and worked for most of his life. He is a qualified pilot on both civilian and military aircraft, and flies his own Boeing 737 when he travels overseas, the BBC reported.

He has received military training in Thailand, the UK, US and Australia, the BBC said.

Source: The New York Times, BBC



After the death of his father King Bhumibol in October 2016, Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne as His Majesty King Rama X — meaning he is the tenth monarch of the royal house of Chakri.



However, Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation only took place three years later because he wanted the country to mourn his father first.

Maha Vajiralongkorn "deemed it appropriate to allow a period of time for the people to pay their respects to the late King," Thailand's National Legislative Assembly said in an October 2016 announcement.



The long-awaited coronation, which took place in May 2019, was a spectacular event. Some 1,300 people and elephants paraded near Thailand's Grand Palace for six-and-a-half hours, according to the South China Morning Post.

Source: South China Morning Post



The entire procession reportedly cost the government $31 million. Earlier in the day, Maha Vajiralongkorn also wore a 7.3-kg (16-pound) crown topped with an Indian diamond, SCMP reported.

Source: South China Morning Post



Three days before the coronation, Maha Vajiralongkorn married his longtime partner and personal bodyguard in a surprise ceremony.

The wedding was a surprise because the palace had never acknowledged the king's romantic relationship with General Suthida Vajiralongkorn before.

Footage of the wedding showed Suthida kneeling and bowing to the king before sitting beside him to sign marriage documents inside the ornate Ampornsathan Throne Hall in Bangkok.

Part of the ceremony also involved the king pouring sacred water on Suthida's head, according to the BBC.

This is his fourth marriage.

Read more: The king of Thailand married his bodyguard in a lavish surprise ceremony



The king's marriage to Suthida cemented her position as Queen. She joined him on the palace balcony during his ascension festivities.



In July, the king also bestowed the title of Royal Noble Consort to Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, a former army nurse believed to be another longtime girlfriend.

Footage from the ceremony also showed the king splashing water on Wongvajirapakdi's face at the ceremony.

She is the first person to be formally granted the role since 1921.

Queen Suthida sat beside her husband during the occasion.

Source: Insider



In August, the Thai royal household gave a glimpse of what life is like there by releasing rare photos of Wongvajirapakdi wearing a crop top and piloting a plane.

The Thai royal palace's official website crashed after those photos were released, Reuters reported.

Read more: Thailand released rare photos of the king's royal consort flying a plane and shooting an assault rifle



Tensions between Wongvajirapakdi and Queen Suthida came to light in October, however, when the king accused Wongvajirapakdi of plotting against the queen.

Wongvajirapakdi wanted to be queen herself, and tried to stop the king from marrying Suthida, a palace statement said.

The king tried to ease tensions between the two women by giving Wongvajirapakdi the title of royal consort — an approach that appeared not to have worked.

Despite her new rank, Wongvajirapakdi "did everything to make herself equal to Queen Suthida" and disobeyed the king and queen, Channel News Asia reported, paraphrasing the palace.

Wongvajirapakdi's actions became public in October when the king announced that he had stripped her of all royal and military titles for disloyalty.

Read more: The King of Thailand abruptly stripped all royal titles from his 34-year-old consort, who is accused of plotting against the queen to take her place



On top of this the king has a reputation for womanizing, having fathered seven children by three women. He has had numerous acrimonious divorces in the past.

His mother, Queen Sirikit, reportedly once described her son as "a little bit of a Don Juan" in the early 1980s.

She also suggested that her son preferred spending his weekends in the company of beautiful women over carrying out his formal royal duties, the BBC reported.

Source: The Guardian, BBC



Unproven rumors have also circulated that he was previously involved in illicit activities, though no details or specifics have ever been released.

According to The Guardian, Maha Vajiralongkorn directly addressed the rumors in a meeting with journalists in 1992, saying: "Do I look like a mafia boss type? I tell you, if I were, I would have been a millionaire by now."



Maha Vajiralongkorn is likely shielded from those rumors in Thailand, which has strict lèse-majesté laws, which forbid people to insult, defame, or threaten any member of the royal family.

He even jailed the parents of his third wife, a lady-in-waiting named Srirasmi, under those laws by accusing them of abusing their connections with him, the BBC and The Sun reported.

Read more: A YouTuber is facing criminal charges for shading a Miss Universe dress designed by a Thai princess because in Thailand it's illegal to insult the monarchy



Despite his important role in Thailand, he doesn't seem to spend a lot of time in the country. He reportedly spends most of his time in Germany, and according to Bild newspaper has a home in Bavaria.

He has a home on Lake Starnberg, southern Germany, Bild reported.



He's a keen cyclist, and has regularly led mass biking events in Bangkok in the past. Here he is at the "Bike Un Ai Rak" or "Bike Love and Warmth" event in December 2018.



His daughter Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana has also taken part in these events in the past.



He's even been seen cycling in a crop top around Switzerland ...

Source: Luzerner Zeitung, Bild



And in even fewer clothes in Germany.



The eccentric king is also known for his love for dogs. When his pet poodle Foo Foo died in 2016, he gave him a four-day-long Buddhist funeral ceremony.

He used to dress Foo Foo up as an air chief marshall and take him to formal events, The Guardian reported.

Source: The Guardian, The Sun



One of Napoleon's heirs just married an Austrian countess, who is descended from Napoleon's second wife. Check out the lavish reception in the medieval palace where the French emperor himself once lived.

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Jean-Christophe Napoleon

Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon Bonaparte married Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-Zinnberg over the weekend, Harper's Bazaar Australia reports.

The French prince is a descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte; Prince Jean-Christophe currently works as a private equity professional at The Blackstone Group in the United Kingdom, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The royal's marriage to Countess Olympia has made headlines throughout the world, as it was revealed that his Austrian bride is the great-great-great niece of Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria — also known as the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. 

Still, Jean-Christophe stressed that this union is out of love, not history. 

"It's a story of love rather than a nod to history. When I met Olympia, I plunged into her eyes and not into her family tree," Jean-Christophe said in an interview after their engagement, according to the Daily Mail.

Read more: Napoleon's heir helped recover a $1.1 million family jewel after a thief stole it from his car without realizing its value

The pair met when Olympia was studying abroad in Paris during her college years at Yale. They became engaged in May 2019 and married at the Les Invalides in Paris — which also, ironically, happens to be the burial site of Napoleon

Keep reading for a closer look into the lavish wedding and to learn more about the couple and their families' history. 

SEE ALSO: Princess Beatrice is engaged to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Here's everything we know about the property tycoon and single dad descended from Italian aristocracy.

DON'T MISS: The 10 richest royal families in Europe, ranked

Prince Jean-Christophe, 33, and Countess Olympia, 31, married on October 19 in a lavish ceremony in Paris.

Source: Vogue Australia 



The wedding ceremony was held at Les Invalides in Paris and was attended by royal guests, including Princess Beatrice of York.

Source: Harper's Bazaar AU



The countess wore a gown by Oscar de la Renta with white pumps — and of course, a diamond tiara. Perhaps most notably, her engagement ring contains a 40-carat diamond from the crown of Eugenie de Montijo, Napoleon III's wife and the last empress of France.

Source: Harper's Bazaar AU, Vanity Fair



The reception was held at the Château de Fontainebleau, a medieval palace that Napoleon had restored and refurbished during his time as Emperor.

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Source: Instagram, Napoleon.org



Jean-Christophe is a descendant of military general Napoleon Bonaparte, the first emperor of France. Napoleon Bonaparte was known for implementing Napoleonic Code, also known as French Civil Code, and leading the Napoleonic Wars, which lasted from 1803 to 1815. In 1815, Bonaparte was forced to abdicate power, and was exiled to the island of Elba.

French Civil Code "forbade privileges based on birth, allowed freedom of religion, and stated that government jobs must be given to the most qualified."

The Napoleonic Wars allowed for the French empire to expand into other countries such as Italy, Sweden, and Spain.

Source: Biography.com

 



But a year later, in 1816, Napoleon fled back to Paris and returned to power — only to abdicate once more, after his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo. He was then exiled to the island of St. Helena, where he later died.

Source: Biography.com



Countess Olympia, meanwhile, is the great-great-great niece of Archduchess Marie-Louise, the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Marie-Louise, a member of the house of Hapsburg, was the eldest daughter of Francis I of Austria and a niece of Marie-Antoinette, the former queen of France.

Source: Britannica, Vogue Australia 



Historians generally agree that Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie-Louise were in a loveless marriage, in a political union that aimed to end conflicts between France and Austria.

After Napoleon's death, Marie-Louise married twice and is now buried in Vienna.

Source: Britannica, Vogue Australia 



But now, nearly 200 years later, the House of Hapsburg and Imperial House of France are unified once more, this time in a decidedly loving ceremony. As Jean-Christophe said, the relationship between himself and his now-wife is "a story of love," rather than a "nod to history."

That said, the French prince did admit that the two were later "able to smile at this historical coincidence."

Source: Harper's Bazaar AU, Daily Mail



The king of Thailand fired and dismissed 6 palace officials for 'extremely evil' conduct

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FILE PHOTO: Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida attend the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony in central Bangkok, Thailand, May 9, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

  • Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has dismissed six palace officials for "extremely evil" conduct in a shake-up that come days after the sacking of the king's royal consort.
  • The six included a woman, a senior police official and two royal guards, all of whom worked in the palace.
  • Former Royal Consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her titles in an extraordinary announcement on Monday, just months after the king made her his royal noble consort - the first such appointment in almost a century.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has dismissed six palace officials for "extremely evil" conduct, a palace announcement said on Wednesday, in a shake-up that come days after the sacking of the king's royal consort.

The six included a woman, a senior police official and two royal guards, all of whom worked in the palace.

Two separate announcements published in the official royal gazette accused the six of severe disciplinary misconduct that caused harm to the royal service, and said they had been fired and stripped of all their official ranks.

"The king has ordered their dismissal from royal service ... because of their severe disciplinary misconduct and deeds that are considered extremely evil," one of the announcements said.

Reuters was unable to reach the six officials for comment.

Former Royal Consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her titles in an extraordinary announcement on Monday, just months after the king made her his royal noble consort - the first such appointment in almost a century.

A palace statement on Monday accused her of being "disloyal" and conducting a rivalry with Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, who married King Vajiralongkorn in May just days before his elaborate coronation.

Sineenat's whereabout since her dismissal are not known.

The Wednesday statements did not directly link the six sacked officials to Sineenat's dismissal.

Since taking the throne following the death of his revered father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016, Vajiralongkorn has proved to be an assertive constitutional monarch, taking more direct control of royal affairs and the crown's vast wealth, and transferring two military units from the Royal Thai Army to his personal control.

Public criticism of the king or the royal family is illegal under Thailand's strict lese majeste laws, with insults to the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Alex Richardson)

SEE ALSO: The king of Thailand abruptly stripped all royal titles from his 34-year-old consort, who is accused of plotting against the queen to take her place

Join the conversation about this story »

One of Napoleon's heirs just got married in a medieval palace. Here's a closer look inside the lavish Château de Fontainebleau, home to kings and emperors for 700 years.

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Palace of Fontainebleau

For nearly seven centuries, the Palace of Fontainebleau has served as a dwelling for French kings. It is, as reported by Le Francofil, the only royal palace to have stayed in continuous use for that long. 

The palace can trace its roots back to the 12th century. Over time, it became a popular hunting lodge for French kings, but by the 15th century, the fortress was falling into ruins. It wasn't until the 16th century that Francis I came along and transformed the medieval hunting fortress into the Renaissance château it is today.

Read more: One of Napoleon's heirs just married an Austrian countess, who is descended from Napoleon's second wife. Check out the lavish reception in the medieval palace where the French emperor himself once lived.

Since then, the property has been renovated by every king who has lived there, making the palace a reflection of over 700 years of evolving French art and architecture. It's no wonder why Jean-Christophe, Prince Napoléon, and Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-zinneberg chose this location for their lavish wedding reception. If anything, they were just following in the footsteps of their ancestors

Keep reading for a look inside the stunning château and to learn more about one of France's most prized palaces. 

SEE ALSO: Napoleon's heir helped recover a $1.1 million family jewel after a thief stole it from his car without realizing its value

DON'T MISS: The 10 richest royal families in Europe, ranked

Château de Fontainebleau is one of the largest royal residences in France.

It traces its roots back to the 12th century, and for centuries had been a popular hunting ground for French Kings. It is the only French palace to have stayed in continuous use for nearly 700 years, having been used by every French king from 16th century Francis I to 19th century Emperor Napoleon III.

Source: Le Francofil, Very Frenchy, Château de Fontainebleau



In 1169, Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, consecrated the chapel in the palace. As reported by the New York Times, Saint Louis (Louis IX) founded a convent at the palace in 1259.

Source: New York Times



The palace had been falling into ruins until the 16th century, when Francis I had it refurbished. He was inspired by the Italian Renaissance, and, according to Very French, instructed his architects to built a "New Roma."

The palace has 1,500 rooms, and spans 300-acres.

Source: Very Frenchy



This gallery pictured below was named after Francis I.

Per the New York Times, the gallery is 200 feet long and features the work of popular Italian artists. According to Britannica, the artwork specifically created for the palace came to be known as School of Fontainebleau — an art movement dedicated to the mixture of Italian and French art styles.

Source: New York TimesBritannicaUniversity of Notre Dame



But today, most know the palace best as the home of Emperor Napoléon I, who also renovated the property during his reign.

The conqueror's embellishments ranged from tearing down an entire wing of the château to built a larger courtyard, to placing an "N" on the iron gates at the entrance of the palace.

Source: New York Times



The palace was also the place where Napoléon finally abdicated the throne. The Times reports that once the emperor was exiled to St. Helena, he referred back to the palace as "a house of the ages" and "the true abode of kings."

Source: New York Times



With centuries of stories in its walls and a whopping 1,500 rooms, every aspect of this palace has been touched by history.

In 1831, Emperor Napoléon III, nephew of Napoléon I, decided to build a new theater in the palace. He hired Hector Lefuel to design a 400-seat theater, inspired by Marie Antoinette's Trianon theater at the Palace of Versailles.

Source: Château de Fontainebleau



Some of France's greatest architects, including Philibert Delorme, Ange-Jacques Gabriel, and André Le Nôtre, also worked on the palace over the years.

It has embellishments from Henri II, his wife, Catherine de Medici, and his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. The palace also has a Turkish boudoir, built in 1777 for Marie Antoinette.

Source: New York Times



Louis XIV — also known as the Sun King, who ordered the construction of the Palace of Versailles — is the one who also ordered the expansive gardens at Château de Fontainebleau, which, as the Times reports, are among the largest in all of Europe.

Source: New York Times



In October 2019, Jean-Christophe, a descendant of Napoléon I, married Countess Olympia von und zu Arco-zinneberg, a descendant of Napoleon's second wife, Marie Louise.

They had their lavish wedding reception at the palace, where their descendants had lived nearly a century before.

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The celebration turned out to be a beautiful ode to love and a respectful nod to history.

Read more: One of Napoleon's heirs just married an Austrian countess, who is descended from Napoleon's second wife. Check out the lavish reception in the medieval palace where the French emperor himself once lived.



Princess Diana's former butler says seeing Meghan Markle battle with British tabloids is like 'witnessing history again'

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princess diana and paul burrell

  • Princess Diana's former butler and close confidant Paul Burrell told Insider watching Meghan Markle's battle with the media feels like "witnessing history again" because of its impact on Prince Harry.
  • "He doesn't want to go through that again," Burrell said of the prince's grief over losing his mother and his determination for his wife to not have the same relationship with the press.
  • Markle is suing Associated Newspapers and claiming misuse of private information, infringement of copyright, and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018. Harry has filed a separate lawsuit against the owners of The Sun and The Daily Mirror over alleged phone hacking
  • Burrell has also filed a lawsuit against The Daily Mirror for alleged phone hacking.
  • Burrell will be featured in a documentary about Diana's relationship with her stepmother Raine Spencer, airing October 28.  
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Princess Diana's former butler and longtime confidant Paul Burrell, 61, told Insider that he sees parallels between the way Meghan Markle has been treated by the British tabloids and Diana's well-known struggle with the media.

"I do see parallels in that I see Harry being hurt because of it," Burrell said. 

Burrell said watching Meghan's struggle with the press feels like 'witnessing history again' because of its impact on Prince Harry

However, he made clear he thinks Diana and Markle's experiences are different, pointing out that Diana was frequently physically harassed by members of the press.

"I was with Diana when she was hounded by the media," he said. "Literally packs of photographers [...] chasing her like an animal."

Many blame the paparazzi for Diana's death in 1997, as an aggressive group of photographers on motorcycles were chasing her vehicle just prior to the accident.

princess diana

While the Duchess of Sussex isn't physically harassed in the way Diana was, according to Burrell, she is subject to digital harassment, with British tabloids in particular reporting negative stories about her regularly.

Burrell referred to their treatment of Markle as "digital abuse."

The Duchess of Sussex recently said she was struggling with the British media's treatment of her in an emotional interview. Burrell believes Markle's emotional state is impacting Harry, particularly because of what happened to Diana.

"His heart was broken when his mother died, as was William's, and he's never really recovered from that," Burrell said.

prince harry princess diana

Harry was 12 when his mother died.

Markle and Harry are both currently suing British publications

The duke and duchess have both recently filed lawsuits against UK-based tabloids.

Meghan is suing Associated Newspapers and claiming misuse of private information, infringement of copyright, and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018. The lawsuit specifically refers to the publication of a private letter Meghan wrote to her father.

Harry has filed a separate lawsuit against the owners of The Sun and The Daily Mirror for alleged phone hacking. The case is believed to be related to incidents from the early 2000s.

Burrell thinks the lawsuits are Harry's attempt to prevent history from repeating itself. "He doesn't want to go through that again," Burrell said, referencing Diana's death. 

Harry and Meghan on tour

He believes Harry is effectively telling the media "Don't you dare do what you did to my mother to my wife."

Burrell is also suing a British tabloid for alleged phone hacking

Burrell recently filed a lawsuit against The Daily Mirror over alleged phone hacking, according to The Guardian, one of the publication's Harry is also suing.

"Before the princess's death and after, I had a mobile phone," Burrell told Insider. "I don't have one today. And that's because the media were hacking my mobile phone, alongside Harry's." 

Burrell was unable to specify the details of his allegations because the lawsuit is ongoing, but he believes his phone was hacked because of his close relationship with Diana. 

diana and paul skitch

Speaking of the media, Burrell said, "If they wanted to know a story about Diana, where would they go? Who was the closest source? Well, her son, and her closest confidant, of course, would be targets."

He also said Diana warned him about phone hacking before her death, though he and others brushed her claims off as "nonsense" at the time.

Burrell is featured in an upcoming documentary about Diana's relationship with her stepmother, Raine Spencer

The documentary, "Princess Diana's 'Wicked' Stepmother," will air on the Smithsonian Channel on October 28, and it explores the tumultuous relationship between the princess and Raine.

Burrell is featured in the documentary, speaking on the duo's reconciliation, which he witnessed while in service as Diana's butler.

Burrell served as Queen Elizabeth II's footman before entering Diana's service. He worked for her until her death, and they were also good friends. He thinks of himself as Diana's "jack of all trades."

Burrell wrote a memoir about his 10 years of service to the princess called "A Royal Duty" in 2003. 

a royal duty

Prince William and Prince Harry were upset about the book at the time, releasing a statement condemning its publication: "We cannot believe that Paul, who was entrusted with so much, could abuse his position in such a cold and overt betrayal. It was not only deeply painful for the two of us but also for everyone else affected."

The full statement is available on The Guardian

Today, Burrell is an artist and a florist. You can find out more about him on his Instagram.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Meet Meghan Markle, the American actress who's about to become British royalty

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