THE QUEEN has 'ruled out using a wheelchair' as she 'still hopes' to attend Prince Phillip's memorial.
The memorial service will take place at the abbey on March 29.
It comes after Buckingham Palace announced she was not fit enough to attend today's Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.
Palace staff feared how “comfortable” she would be travelling to London from Windsor then spending up to an hour at the event.
The Queen has also not been able to walk her beloved corgis due to her frailty.
She has been unable to take them out at Windsor Castle for six months and it is feared she may never again.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Good morning
Good morning, Joe Gamp here signing in to our rolling coverage of the Royal Family.
My colleague Louis Allwood will be with you from 10am.
- Louis Allwood
Queen’s favourite TV show revealed
IT’S no secret that the royals enjoy a night in front of the box with William and Kate said to be a fan of Killing Eve while Princess Charlotte loves the vintage kids show The Clangers.
And there have been a few guesses at the Queen’s favourite thing on the box, from The Bill to Pointless, but now we can finally reveal what Her Majesty puts her feet up to.
The monarch revealed her show of choice in a conversation with BBC Radio 2 editor Phil Jones during their meeting at Buckingham Palace in 2001.
Jones had kept her confession a secret for 21 years after being told that a journalist never ought to reveal their conversations with a monarch.
But having retired in January, Jones shared his “surreal” conversation with the monarch with the New Statesman.
After confessing her love for late Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan, Jones, in a flap over what to say, asked Her Majesty what her favourite programme was.
Revealing her response, Jones writes: “Straightaway, she said: “The Kumars at No 42” and even more astonishingly, proceeded to recite some of the one-liners from the grandma character played by the brilliant Meera Syal.”
Originally aired in 2001 the comedy series centres around Sanjeev Kumar (Sanjeev Bhaskar), an aspiring chat-show host who negotiates celebrity guests visiting his home in Wembley while his family try to join in.
- Louis Allwood
The reason Prince George might have to move schools soon
HE'S been attending the £19,000-a-year St Thomas's School in Battersea for the past four years.
But one royal expert reckons Prince George is in for a big change in the not-so-distant future.
Speaking to OK!, biographer Duncan Larcombe claimed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "eyeing up" schools in Berkshire for their eight-year-old.
After all, the expert said it's "unusual" for children in the Royal Family to only be educated at a single primary and secondary school.
He explained: "William and Harry broke the mould by going to the same school, but if you look at the Queen's children, they were all schooled separately."
While Prince Charles attended Gordonstoun school in Scotland, Princess Anne was sent to Benenden and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were also educated in Kent.
The expert added: "Kate had a traditional co-ed education but it seems to be almost par for the course with the royals that they don't pile all of their children into the same school."
The couple are rumoured to be moving to Windsor and are already thinking ahead to where their three kids might go to school in September.
- Louis Allwood
Will Prince Harry travel to the Invictus Games?
Despite Harry refusing to return for the memorial, it is unclear whether he may travel to Europe for the Invictus Games in Holland next month.
Harry has been back to the UK only twice since leaving for the US in 2020 with wife Meghan.
He returned for Philip’s funeral last April — just days after he blasted his family in a TV interview.
Two months later he was at the unveiling of his mother Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace.
Harry is suing the Home Office after his armed bodyguards were removed.
- Louis Allwood
Harry and Andrew being counsellors is 'not right'
The debate over Harry and Andrew's position as counsellors was reignited after Buckingham Palace announced senior royals future plans.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge will be undertaking several tours in the coming months to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
In March, both royals will be away from the UK for at least one day as Prince Charles visits Ireland and Prince William is in the Bahamas.
Speaking to Palace Confidential, editor Richard Eden said: "Charles would be in Ireland so, obviously, he could come back in an emergency.
"But the fact is, Prince Andrew or Prince Harry, as the law stands, would have to step in and that's not right. That needs to be changed."
- Louis Allwood
Sussexes leaving England could spark rethink among senior royals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal responsibilities in March 2020.
The example that Meghan and Harry have set by parting ways with the Royal Family may have made other senior royals think twice about their role.
Dr Morris, of the Constitution Unit at University College London, told Express.co.uk: “It may have the effect that other members of the Royal Family, the elder members of the Royal Family, will think twice about what roles they wish to take in life."
He continued: “Perhaps we have been unimaginative in developing the careers of the spares, and rely too much on our military careers for that purpose.”
- Louis Allwood
Experts say Harry would have got adequate protection
Experts say he would have got adequate protection at the March 29 event in Westminster Abbey and when he stayed in Windsor.
The Duke's friends, colleagues and representatives of organisations he supported are also said to be attending the service.
Angela Levin, Harry’s biographer, said: “He has snubbed the Duke of Edinburgh but really he is snubbing the Queen.”
She went on: “He has got this all wrong. If he comes over for a royal event he gets police protection. What they won’t do is, if he goes out with his friends he gets security.
"He’ll probably use this same excuse to try to get out of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations."
- Louis Allwood
Meghan’s dad launches YouTube channel
Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle has decided to launch his own YouTube channel.
Thomas’s co-host Karl, 53, said: “Tom wants to do it to put his thoughts out there from the horse’s mouth. He wants to speak about how Meghan and Harry have affected his family. The chat will be no-holds-barred.
“He wants his truth to be out there, just like Meghan’s truth came out a year ago in her Oprah Winfrey interview.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate will 'not forget'
KATE Middleton will 'not forget' the way Meghan Markle previously treated her ahead of what could be an 'awkward' reunion at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan could come to the UK in the summer to take part in celebrations for the anticipated event.
However, a happy family reunion may not be on the cards as royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward, says the Duchess of Cambridge may never forget how she was treated by Meghan.
This is about the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in which Meghan claimed the Duchess made her cry.
Ms Seward told the Mirror: "The Duchess of Cambridge will be cordial to Meghan. She has to – that is part of her job. Her private feelings have to remain just that. Kate will not forget however how Meghan treated her.
"But she knows there is no point in prolonging a feud that has the opportunity of being repaired."
- Louis Allwood
Who takes the Queen's corgis for walks
Aides now take her two corgis and dorgi for daily walks.
A source said: “She is not well enough.
“The Queen usually turns to her beloved corgis in time of crisis and stress and took them out almost every day after Philip fell ill and then died last year.
"They are an enormous source of solace, so it is a real shame.”
- Louis Allwood
Piers Morgan accuses GMB rival Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu of ‘race-baiting’
PIERS Morgan has slammed his GMB rival Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu as “disgusting” after she made a series of allegations claiming that Prince William is “racist”.
The TV firebrand lashed out at the activist after she accused the Duke of Cambridge of being “racist” in a scathing comment piece – accusing her of “race baiting”.
Dr Shola claims that the Duke can’t “claim ignorance” in her explosive piece in The Voice, which also rips into the royal for stating “we are very much not a racist family.”
The activist demands that Prince William be “held to account” for what she feels is “casual racism”, but Sun columnist Piers has hit back at her comments.
Posting on Twitter, Morgan said: “Disgusting race-baiting crap from one of the nastiest, most toxic pundits in Britain.
“The Voice should be ashamed of itself too for fuelling this fake racism nonsense about William.”
- Louis Allwood
What does The Queen’s choice of pooch reveal about her Majesty?
Vet Clare Hamilton has given an insight into how their pets and personalities match up.
Over the years, the Queen is said to have had more than 30 corgis.
Owners of this breed are claimed to crave the spotlight and love exploring the world but can also be stubborn at times.
Clare says: “Corgis’ loveable, sweet nature has made them a most desirable breed.”
- Louis Allwood
Camilla blasts Russia
THE DUCHESS of Cornwall has blasted Russia for launching a “brutal attack” in Ukraine at her International Women’s Day reception.
Camilla spoke of the “heartbreaking conditions” that have been caused due to Russia’s invasion.
The future Queen joined other members of the Royal family in showing solidarity to the Ukrainian people as she invited the wife of the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK to speak at Clarence House.
The event was part of a reception for International Women’s Day, where Camilla spoke about the plight of gender equality and events in Kyiv.
- Louis Allwood
Queen’s favourite TV show revealed
IT’S no secret that the royals enjoy a night in front of the box with William and Kate said to be a fan of Killing Eve while Princess Charlotte loves the vintage kids show The Clangers.
And there have been a few guesses at the Queen’s favourite thing on the box, from The Bill to Pointless, but now we can finally reveal what Her Majesty puts her feet up to.
The monarch revealed her show of choice in a conversation with BBC Radio 2 editor Phil Jones during their meeting at Buckingham Palace in 2001.
Jones had kept her confession a secret for 21 years after being told that a journalist never ought to reveal their conversations with a monarch.
But having retired in January, Jones shared his “surreal” conversation with the monarch with the New Statesman.
After confessing her love for late Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan, Jones, in a flap over what to say, asked Her Majesty what her favourite programme was.
Revealing her response, Jones writes: “Straightaway, she said: “The Kumars at No 42” and even more astonishingly, proceeded to recite some of the one-liners from the grandma character played by the brilliant Meera Syal.”
Originally aired in 2001 the comedy series centres around Sanjeev Kumar (Sanjeev Bhaskar), an aspiring chat-show host who negotiates celebrity guests visiting his home in Wembley while his family try to join in.
- Louis Allwood
The reason Prince George might have to move schools soon
HE'S been attending the £19,000-a-year St Thomas's School in Battersea for the past four years.
But one royal expert reckons Prince George is in for a big change in the not-so-distant future.
Speaking to OK!, biographer Duncan Larcombe claimed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "eyeing up" schools in Berkshire for their eight-year-old.
After all, the expert said it's "unusual" for children in the Royal Family to only be educated at a single primary and secondary school.
He explained: "William and Harry broke the mould by going to the same school, but if you look at the Queen's children, they were all schooled separately."
While Prince Charles attended Gordonstoun school in Scotland, Princess Anne was sent to Benenden and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were also educated in Kent.
The expert added: "Kate had a traditional co-ed education but it seems to be almost par for the course with the royals that they don't pile all of their children into the same school."
The couple are rumoured to be moving to Windsor and are already thinking ahead to where their three kids might go to school in September.
- Louis Allwood
Will Prince Harry travel to the Invictus Games?
Despite Harry refusing to return for the memorial, it is unclear whether he may travel to Europe for the Invictus Games in Holland next month.
Harry has been back to the UK only twice since leaving for the US in 2020 with wife Meghan.
He returned for Philip’s funeral last April — just days after he blasted his family in a TV interview.
Two months later he was at the unveiling of his mother Diana’s statue at Kensington Palace.
Harry is suing the Home Office after his armed bodyguards were removed.
- Louis Allwood
Harry and Andrew being counsellors is 'not right'
The debate over Harry and Andrew's position as counsellors was reignited after Buckingham Palace announced senior royals future plans.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge will be undertaking several tours in the coming months to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
In March, both royals will be away from the UK for at least one day as Prince Charles visits Ireland and Prince William is in the Bahamas.
Speaking to Palace Confidential, editor Richard Eden said: "Charles would be in Ireland so, obviously, he could come back in an emergency.
"But the fact is, Prince Andrew or Prince Harry, as the law stands, would have to step in and that's not right. That needs to be changed."
- Louis Allwood
Sussexes leaving England could spark rethink among senior royals
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal responsibilities in March 2020.
The example that Meghan and Harry have set by parting ways with the Royal Family may have made other senior royals think twice about their role.
Dr Morris, of the Constitution Unit at University College London, told Express.co.uk: “It may have the effect that other members of the Royal Family, the elder members of the Royal Family, will think twice about what roles they wish to take in life."
He continued: “Perhaps we have been unimaginative in developing the careers of the spares, and rely too much on our military careers for that purpose.”
- Louis Allwood
Experts say Harry would have got adequate protection
Experts say he would have got adequate protection at the March 29 event in Westminster Abbey and when he stayed in Windsor.
The Duke's friends, colleagues and representatives of organisations he supported are also said to be attending the service.
Angela Levin, Harry’s biographer, said: “He has snubbed the Duke of Edinburgh but really he is snubbing the Queen.”
She went on: “He has got this all wrong. If he comes over for a royal event he gets police protection. What they won’t do is, if he goes out with his friends he gets security.
"He’ll probably use this same excuse to try to get out of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations."
- Louis Allwood
Meghan’s dad launches YouTube channel
Meghan’s dad Thomas Markle has decided to launch his own YouTube channel.
Thomas’s co-host Karl, 53, said: “Tom wants to do it to put his thoughts out there from the horse’s mouth. He wants to speak about how Meghan and Harry have affected his family. The chat will be no-holds-barred.
“He wants his truth to be out there, just like Meghan’s truth came out a year ago in her Oprah Winfrey interview.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate will 'not forget'
KATE Middleton will 'not forget' the way Meghan Markle previously treated her ahead of what could be an 'awkward' reunion at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan could come to the UK in the summer to take part in celebrations for the anticipated event.
However, a happy family reunion may not be on the cards as royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward, says the Duchess of Cambridge may never forget how she was treated by Meghan.
This is about the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview in which Meghan claimed the Duchess made her cry.
Ms Seward told the Mirror: "The Duchess of Cambridge will be cordial to Meghan. She has to – that is part of her job. Her private feelings have to remain just that. Kate will not forget however how Meghan treated her.
"But she knows there is no point in prolonging a feud that has the opportunity of being repaired."
- Louis Allwood
Who takes the Queen's corgis for walks
Aides now take her two corgis and dorgi for daily walks.
A source said: “She is not well enough.
“The Queen usually turns to her beloved corgis in time of crisis and stress and took them out almost every day after Philip fell ill and then died last year.
"They are an enormous source of solace, so it is a real shame.”
- Louis Allwood
Piers Morgan accuses GMB rival Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu of ‘race-baiting’
PIERS Morgan has slammed his GMB rival Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu as “disgusting” after she made a series of allegations claiming that Prince William is “racist”.
The TV firebrand lashed out at the activist after she accused the Duke of Cambridge of being “racist” in a scathing comment piece – accusing her of “race baiting”.
Dr Shola claims that the Duke can’t “claim ignorance” in her explosive piece in The Voice, which also rips into the royal for stating “we are very much not a racist family.”
The activist demands that Prince William be “held to account” for what she feels is “casual racism”, but Sun columnist Piers has hit back at her comments.
Posting on Twitter, Morgan said: “Disgusting race-baiting crap from one of the nastiest, most toxic pundits in Britain.
“The Voice should be ashamed of itself too for fuelling this fake racism nonsense about William.”
- Louis Allwood
Kate will ‘not forget’ treatment by Meghan Markle
KATE Middleton will ‘not forget’ the way Meghan Markle previously treated her ahead of what could be an ‘awkward’ reunion at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Prince Harry and Meghan could come to the UK in the summer to take part in celebrations for the anticipated event.
However, a happy family reunion have may not be on the cards as royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, Ingrid Seward, says the Duchess of Cambridge may never forget how she was treated by Ms Markle.
This is about the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview where Meghan claimed the Duchess made her cry.
Ms Seward told the Mirror: “The Duchess of Cambridge will be cordial to Meghan. She has to – that is part of her job. Her private feelings have to remain just that. Kate will not forget however how Meghan treated her.
“But she knows there is no point in prolonging a feud that has the opportunity of being repaired.”
- Louis Allwood
Prince Harry will ‘not be negative’ about the Queen
A royal author claims that Harry is going “out of his way” to avoid damaging his grandmother the Queen in his new book.
Friend of the royal couple, and unofficial biographer Omid Scobie says that The Duke’s book will not be “warts and all”.
Scobie told an episode of the Royally Obsessed podcast: “I’ve been told by sources that Harry is going out of his way to make sure there is nothing in there that could be construed as being negative towards the Queen or her reign in any way.”
He added: “I don’t’ think that ‘warts and all’ moment is going to happen.”
The book is tipped to to go on sale later this year.
Source: Read Full Article