PRINCE Charles blasted the Ukraine war as an "attack on democracy" – while the Queen was seen for the first time since her Covid diagnosis.
The Prince of Wales – who previously compared the Russian despot to Hitler – spoke of his "solidarity" for the Ukrainian people.
The future king warned of the threat posed in Eastern Europe to democracy as he spoke in tribute to murdered MP Davis Amess, at a ceremony to mark Southend becoming a city today.
The Prince paid tribute to murdered local MP, saying: “What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy on open society, on freedom itself.
“We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression."
Meanwhile, the Queen was today seen for the first time since testing positive for Covid as Her Majesty returned to work today.
Sources close to Her Majesty, 95, say she has been passed fit after testing positive last month and this morning hosted two virtual audiences.
The monarch met ambassadors from Andorra and Chad via video call.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- John Hall
When will Prince Louis be christened?
Traditionally, a royal baby is christened two to three months after their birth – and this is also the case for Prince Louis.
It has been announced he will be christened on Monday July 9 – and we’re unlikely to see him again before then, according to royal experts.
He will be christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
The venue is The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace in London, which is where his brother George was christened back in 2013.
- John Hall
‘It’s the royal women keeping show on road’
This is a comment piece by Petronella Wyatt
The semi-detached Prince Harry continues his myopic moanathon from Montecito, yet remains a Counsellor of State. Likewise the disgraced Duke of York, who still holds sway over our Queen.
Even Prince Charles’s usually crystalline reputation has been sewered by allegations of cash for honours, which, in fairness, he denies all knowledge of.
Not for the first time in British history, it has been left to the female side, and in particular the Wives of Windsor, to pick up the slack for Queen and country.
The admirable Princess Anne, bonny Kate, the softly shining Camilla, whom I suspect, once fully burnished, will be a flawless ruby in the crown.
And the ever stalwart Sophie Wessex, who quietly goes about her charitable work as Grand President of St John Ambulance, and gave up her birthday to volunteer at an NHS vaccination centre.
We should all go down on our knees and thank Heaven for such a golden harvest of royal women.
Read the article in full here.
- John Hall
Princess Eugenie’s ‘non-regal’ body language
Princess Eugenie has shared a photo promoting her new podcast series for her charity, the Anti-Slavery Collective.
Body language expert Judi James spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk, and analysed the Princess’ body language in the photograph.
Judi said: “There seems to be an emphasis on a non-regal presence here and a more even-handed status approach between the three women who sit with headphones on recording.
“Eugenie looks serious and rather down-to-earth here which is a look that must suit the campaign she is discussing.”
- Joseph Gamp
Queen holding virtual appointments today is seen as an encouraging sign
Queen Elizabeth II resumed public engagements Tuesday after falling ill with Covid, as her son and heir Prince Charles was quoted as saying that she is "a lot better".
Concerns have mounted for the 95-year-old monarch's health since she tested positive on February 20, overshadowing the start of her record-breaking 70th year on the throne.
But a palace statement indicated she was now well enough to hold virtual engagements, hosting the new ambassadors of Andorra and Chad from her home at Windsor Castle.
The queen last week cancelled similar scheduled engagements with new ambassadors as she was suffering from what were described as "mild" Covid symptoms.
A diplomatic reception she was also due to attend on Wednesday this week was cancelled on the advice of Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Buckingham Palace has said it will not give a running commentary on the head of state's health, but news that she is undertaking duties again will be seen as a positive.
- Joseph Gamp
Kate and William plant a tree
During their visit, the duke and duchess also took the opportunity to celebrate an important historical moment as they "planted a tree for the Jubilee" as part of the Queen's Green Canopy, an initiative created to celebrate the monarch's 70-year reign.
Wales holds a special place in Kate and William's hearts after living in Anglesey for several years before moving to Kensington Palace.
Both have spoken fondly about their "immensely special" first home, describing it as "beautiful".
Wills said after moving out in 2013: "This island has been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both.
"Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family.
"I know that I speak for Catherine when I say that I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and as welcoming as Anglesey."
- Joseph Gamp
Kate Middleton beams as she and Prince William enjoy trip to Welsh farm
KATE Middleton and Prince William today visited Wales to celebrate the nation's people and culture.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, laughed as she greeted the goats on a farm near Abergavenny to mark St David's Day.
The royal couple visited Pant Farm, which has been providing milk to a local cheese producer for nearly 20 years.
They then went to Abergavenny Market to see first-hand how important local suppliers are to rural communities.
Fifteen minutes down the road in Blaenavon, the Duke and Duchess attended the Blaenavon Hwb – a community-focused youth centre that helps to support over 600 local young people.
William, 39, and Kate rolled up their sleeves and joined young people to make the teatime treat of Welsh cakes.
- Joseph Gamp
Queen faces pressure to strip Harry of official role
The Queen is under pressure from both the public and Parliament to strip Prince Harry and Prince Andrew of official roles as Counsellors of State.
According to the Parliamentary paper, Prince Harry should no longer be eligible for the role given that the UK is no longer his permanent residence since he stepped back from royal life.
The guidance under The Regency Act of 1937 states that all people who hold this position should be members of the Royal Family and importantly, “must be domiciled in ‘some part’ of the UK’.”
The Regency Act of 1943 added that “if it appears to the Sovereign that any eligible Counsellor will be absent from the United Kingdom or intends to be so absent during the whole or any part of the period of such delegation, then Letters Patent [a legal tool at the Monarch’s disposal] may make provision for exempting that person.”
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Edward takes on new prestigious role
Prince Edward is taking over a key role held for several years by his late father Prince Philip.
The Early of Wessex has been appointed as the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s next president.
Speaking about taking over from his father, the Earl said: “My father was instrumental in helping to develop Royal Windsor into one of the most prestigious horse shows in the world.
“I am honoured to have been invited to become only the fourth President in the Show’s history and will do all I can to maintain the Show’s reputation throughout the equestrian community and beyond; something my father was passionate about.”EditDelete
- Joseph Gamp
Charles tells concerned fan the Queen 'is a lot better now'
Charles was asked about the health of the Queen by Janice Jacom, 64, an admin worker at a local golf course.
She said: "I asked the prince about his mother and he said 'she's a lot better now – it was very mild'. It was a bit worrying as the Queen is getting on a bit but I think she's absolutely wonderful."
Earlier, on behalf of the Queen, Charles presented Southend with the Letters Patent during a ceremony at the Civic Centre which formally granted it city status following the death of MP Sir David Amess.
Sir David, who had served as Conservative MP for Southend West since 1997, was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on October 15 last year.
The 69-year-old had campaigned tirelessly to make Southend a city.
- Joseph Gamp
Camilla enjoys fish and chip lunch in Southend
The Duchess of Cornwall capped her visit with the Prince of Wales to mark Southend-on-Sea becoming a city by having a seaside staple – fish and chips.
Camilla's lunch of cod and chips was accompanied with tartar sauce and a wally – the local word for a gherkin – when she stopped for a bite to eat.
Earlier the Prince of Wales spoke about the war in Ukraine, saying the values of democracy were under attack in the country in the "most unconscionable way" during a ceremony to confer city status on Southend-on-Sea.
Charles famously does not eat lunch so the duchess had a private solo meal at Sands By The Sea restaurant where the couple met charity volunteers, faith leaders and health workers at the end of their visit.
Philip Miller, executive chairman of Stockvale which owns and runs the restaurant and Southend's fun park Adventure Island, said: "The visit was tremendous for Southend. The turnout was brilliant.
"When she came in we offered her cod and chips and she had them in the boardroom. She thoroughly enjoyed them."
- Joseph Gamp
Meghan’s ‘extraordinary’ meeting with Queen before royal exit
A royal commentator has claimed in a documentary that Meghan Markle had a “extraordinary” meeting with the Queen before her and Prince Harry’s bombshell exit from the Royal Family.
The fallout and subsequent events are charted and examined in tonight’s Channel 5 documentary, ‘Harry & Meghan vs the Monarchy’, in which royal experts like Ashely Pearson discusses Megxit.
In the programme, Ms Pearson describes first meeting Meghan had with Harry’s grandmother, the Queen.
She said: “The meeting went extremely well.
“It actually ran over, which is an extraordinary thing for the way the Queen keeps her schedule.
“Meghan was warmly welcomed. Here she is – articulate, bright, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, elegant — what is not to like?”
- Joseph Gamp
William & Kate getting kids involved in farming
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting their children involved in farming, the couple revealed on a day out to Wales to mark St David's Day.
The future Prince and Princess of Wales were visiting a goat farm in Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny, and shared how Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had helped with their animals during half term.
It is thought the family were in Norfolk, where the Prince of Wales has been working to turn the Queen's Sandringham estate into a fully organic operation.
As they toured Pant Farm, where Gary and Jess Yeomans, both 50, produce goats' milk that has supplied a local cheesemaker for the past two decades, William spotted a robot silage sweeper in one of the barns.
Gary explained it could also be used to move feed, and the duchess replied: "That was George's job at half term – moving feed."
William told his hosts the children had been getting involved on the farm and added: "We are trying some Agroforestry as well."
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: Camilla greets crowds in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall greets the crowd during a visit to Southend-on-Sea to celebrate the town receiving city status.
Today, Prince Charles presented letters patent to the mayor of Southend to mark its city status.
It was announced the town would receive city status after the death of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.
NINTCHDBPICT000715615037-1Credit: Getty - Joseph Gamp
When will Prince Louis be christened?
Traditionally, a royal baby is christened two to three months after their birth – and this is also the case for Prince Louis.
It has been announced he will be christened on Monday July 9 – and we’re unlikely to see him again before then, according to royal experts.
He will be christened by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby.
The venue is The Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace in London, which is where his brother George was christened back in 2013.
- Joseph Gamp
Charles addresses Ukraine conflict as he awards Southend city status
Prince Charles today slammed the Ukraine war as he spoke at a ceremony to grant city status to Southend-on-Sea in Essex.
The award comes death of MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed at a constituency surgery last year.
The Heir apparent, 73, said “no-one could have given more” than Sir David “for the values which underpin society we share”.
He continued: “Values which appear all the more precious at this present time when we see, more starkly than for many years, the appalling suffering and devastation caused when the path of violence is chosen. What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself.
“We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression.”
- Joseph Gamp
Princess Eugenie’s ‘non-regal’ body language
Princess Eugenie has shared a photo promoting her new podcast series for her charity, the Anti-Slavery Collective.
Body language expert Judi James spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk, and analysed the Princess’ body language in the photograph.
Judi said: “There seems to be an emphasis on a non-regal presence here and a more even-handed status approach between the three women who sit with headphones on recording.
“Eugenie looks serious and rather down-to-earth here which is a look that must suit the campaign she is discussing.”
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Edward takes on new prestigious role
Prince Edward is taking over a key role held for several years by his late father Prince Philip.
The Early of Wessex has been appointed as the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s next president.
Speaking about taking over from his father, the Earl said: “My father was instrumental in helping to develop Royal Windsor into one of the most prestigious horse shows in the world.
“I am honoured to have been invited to become only the fourth President in the Show’s history and will do all I can to maintain the Show’s reputation throughout the equestrian community and beyond; something my father was passionate about.”
- Joseph Gamp
Who did the Queen receive today at Windsor?
On Tuesday the Queen received His Excellency Mr Carles Jordana Madero, who presented the Letters of Recall of his predecessor and his own Letters of Credence as ambassador from the Principality of Andorra to the Court of St James's.
He was joined by his wife Soraia Maria Valls Pinilla.
She also received His Excellency Mr Kedella Younous Hamidi, who presented his Letters of Credence as ambassador from the Republic of Chad to the Court of St James's.
During the two audiences the Queen wore a green dress with a large brooch and her trademark pearls.
- Joseph Gamp
Prince Charles says Queen is a lot better
The Prince of Wales has revealed the Queen is "a lot better now" following her bout of Covid as she carried out virtual events meeting diplomats.
Charles' comment came during a visit to Essex to formally present Southend with the Letters Patent granting it city status following the death of MP Sir David Amess.
Earlier the Queen was photographed hosting virtual audiences with ambassadors for the first time since her Covid diagnosis.
The head of state's recovery seemed to be progressing as she appeared via videolink from her Windsor Castle home to speak to dignitaries at Buckingham Palace after postponing a number of similar engagements last week.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Meghan’s ‘extraordinary’ meeting with Queen before royal exit
A royal commentator has claimed in a documentary that Meghan Markle had a “extraordinary” meeting with the Queen before her and Prince Harry’s bombshell exit from the Royal Family.
The fallout and subsequent events are charted and examined in tonight’s Channel 5 documentary, ‘Harry & Meghan vs the Monarchy’, in which royal experts like Ashely Pearson discusses Megxit.
In the programme, Ms Pearson describes first meeting Meghan had with Harry’s grandmother, the Queen.
She said: “The meeting went extremely well.
“It actually ran over, which is an extraordinary thing for the way the Queen keeps her schedule.
“Meghan was warmly welcomed. Here she is – articulate, bright, intelligent, well-spoken, beautiful, elegant — what is not to like?”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ‘excited’ for tour next month
In a personal message on their Twitter account, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: “We are so excited to visit Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas next month as we mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
“We can’t wait to meet people in all three countries, celebrate local cultures and understand more about innovative work being done across communities.”
The message was signed off with “W & C”.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
We’ll mint again
Forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn is being celebrated with the launch of £2 coins designed by the Royal Mint.
The singer and entertainer lifted people’s spirits during the Second World War with songs including We’ll Meet Again and The White Cliffs Of Dover.
The reverse design of the £2 coin design features a detailed portrait of Dame Vera, accompanied by her name and the dates denoting the years of her life. The coin also features an edge inscription that reads: “We’ll meet again”.
Dame Vera continued to perform and win new fans long after the Second World War. She died in June 2020, aged 103.
The coin, designed by the Royal Mint’s in-house designers, was originally unveiled as part of a five-coin collection.
Dame Vera’s daughter, Virginia Lewis-Jones, said: “It’s fantastic to see my mother celebrated in this way and to ensure her legacy lives on.
“We’re just so excited and pleased – even more so knowing that Royal Mint coins require approval of Her Majesty the Queen. I’m especially pleased that this coin is available to international collectors. Over the years I’ve always been touched by the sacks of letters we receive from people all over the world who have been moved in some way by my mother’s music, charity work or morale-boosting performances during the war.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Queen is alive and well, despite the rumours
Since it was announced the Queen tested positive for COVID, there have been false headlines and speculation over our longest-reigning monarch.
After finally testing negative, the 95-year-old has seen a number of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
It is said she met with the Cambridges and their three children as the couple decide whether Prince George will break Eton tradition and attend a school in Berkshire in September.
The Queen reportedly also met with Princess Beatrice and her daughter, Sienna.
- Louis Allwood
Queen, 95, has beaten Covid
THE Queen is back to work today after beating Covid.
Sources close to Her Majesty, 95, say she has been passed fit after testing positive last month and this morning hosted two virtual audiences.
The monarch met ambassadors from Andorra and Chad via video call.
She was snapped on screen talking to the Ambassador of Andorra, Carles Jordana Madero, at Buckingham Palace.
She had previously been forced to pull out of several engagements due to "mild cold-like symptoms".
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Diplomatic event postponed due to Ukraine Crisis
It's rare for the Royal family to get involved in political matters so we aren't expecting to find out the Queen's opinion of the ongoing the Ukraine-Russia war.
Due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia though, the monarch has postponed a diplomatic event that was scheduled for tomorrow, 2 March.
Volodomyr Zelenskyy has stayed in Ukraine to fight despite offers to be flown out. Most recently, he contacted Boris Johnson with a list of arms needed to fight the Russians.
The Queen, who tested positive for COVID last week, has been socialising with family this weekend.
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