Royal news live: Sarah Ferguson’s sweet tribute to ‘dear friend’ Diana on birthday of late princess
The Duchess of York took to Instagram to write a moving tribute to Princess Diana
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Sarah Ferguson has paid tribute to her “dear friend” Princess Diana on what would have been her 63rd birthday.
The Duchess of York took to Instagram to write a moving tribute to her former sister-in-law.
She wrote: “Happy birthday to my dear friend, Diana. You were a pillar of light and love. And what a legacy you have left behind. I will forever remember our laughter and the kindred, kind spirit I found in you.
“I am sure you are watching over us always. Rest in peace my friend.”
Fergie shared a photo from September 1990 as the pair commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain at Buckingham Palace.
It came as Wimbledon officials were hoping the Princess of Wales could appear during the tournament as it begins today.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” an official told Telegraph Sport.
How David Beckham got ‘revenge’ on Prince Harry for Meghan Markle snub
Youngest ever artist to paint late Queen now takes on Harry and Meghan
How to pre-order Kate Middleton’s new biography
Royal family’s summer retreat of Balmoral opens to the public
Princess Anne’s husband thanks hospital for concussion treatment after she returns home
American footballer takes aim at Prince Harry for sport award
A former NFL player has criticised the decision to award the Duke of Sussex the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games.
Pat McAfee, who previously worked for the network running the ESPY awards, ESPN, said: “Why does the ESPYs do this?
“I don’t know anything about him except for the South Park episode and what I have learned from The Crown.
“But like, did his people know like ‘You publicly put me up for this award’. You’re just asking basically every person that considers themselves American like saying ‘This is bulls***’.
“Especially at a sports award type of thing… I assume he knew that. They didn’t expect that?”
This comes as the mother of Pat Tillman himself, Mary, said that there were “far more fitting” potential recipients.
Balmoral Castle public tours sell out
Balmoral Castle opened its doors to the public for the first time today and tickets to see behind-the-scenes of the royals’ Scottish retreat have already sold out.
Following the announcement of the tours, tickets sold out within just 24 hours.
The tours will take place from today (1 July) until King Charles and Queen Camilla’s return on 4 August.
Tickets were priced at between £100 and £150 – a price that also includes afternoon tea.
The tours will involve relatively intimate groups of 10 people, with a limit of 40 visitors per day.
Those visiting the Aberdeenshire castle have been promised a chance to “travel through time” and enjoy “a historical journey through several of the beautiful rooms within Balmoral Castle.”
Fergie pays emotional tribute to late Princess Diana on her birthday
To mark Princess Diana’s 63rd birthday Sarah Ferguson took to Instagram to write a moving tribute.
“Happy birthday to my dear friend, Diana,” the Duchess of York wrote.
“You were a pillar of light and love. And what a legacy you have left behind. I will forever remember our laughter and the kindred, kind spirit I found in you. I am sure you are watching over us always. Rest in peace my friend.”
She added a photo of the two women on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, taken in September 1990 as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Phones banned on new tours of Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle opened its doors today to give the public a never-before-seen insight into the royal Highland residence.
But those who attend the tours, which sold out in less than 24 hours, will banned from taking their mobile phones inside.
In a bid to keep the residence pristine, those on the 45-minute tours will also have to wear dust covers over their shoes, the MailOnline reports.
The tours will take place from today until King Charles and Queen Camilla’s return to the Aberdeenshire residence in August.
Princess Diana remembered on her birthday
Royals fans have been taking to social media to pay tribute to Princess Diana on what would have been the late royal’s 63rd birthday.
The hashtag, "Princess of Wales", began trending on Twitter (X) because so many people were acknowledging the occasion.
One fan wrote: “1 July 1961. Diana Spencer (later Princess of Wales), was born in Park House, Sandringham. She was the 1st wife of Charles, then Prince of Wales, and mother of Prince William and Prince Harry.
“Her activism and glamour made her an international icon.”
The title has now been passed to Diana’s daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton.
Prince William reacts to Euros rollercoaster
Prince William has taken to Twitter (X) to share his reaction to last night’s rollercoaster Euros game for England.
“Emotional rollercoaster! Let’s go @England! Quarter finals here we come! W,” he shared, alongside a repost from the team itself announcing their qualification for the quarter-finals.
The heir to the throne, who is president of the FA, flew out to Germany last month to support the team in person.
Emotional rollercoaster! Let's go @England! Quarter finals here we come! W https://t.co/4KaJkJcWAa
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 30, 2024
Petition launched to stop Prince Harry receiving military award
A petition has been launched asking sporting network ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give the Pat Tillman Award to Prince Harry.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the honour for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick or injured service people.
“Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude,” the Change.org petition reads.
“He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills.
“The Prince also allegedly targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover.
“More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticised as self-centered.”
The petition currently has over 28,000 signatures.
Household cavalry horses bolt through London again
Military horses belonging to the Household Cavalry have once again thrown off their riders and galloped through London.
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were conducting the exercise with six horses and five soldiers when a horse that was being led rather than ridden was spooked by a bus.
Today’s incident comes after military horses were similarly spooked earlier this year by noise from a building site, resulting in dramatic scenes as they ran through the capital covered in blood.
The horses involved in the April incident are all expected to make a full recovery and returned to duty at last month’s Trooping the Colour.
Meghan Markle spotted ‘filming’ in Los Angeles
Following increasing rumours that Meghan Markle could be returning to her showbiz roots, the actress was apparently seen “filming” in Los Angeles.
She was spotted by a TikTok user who shared footage of the actress appearing to wear a tracksuit on the platform.
“POV: You casually see Meghan Markle on your Beverly Hills city trail morning walk,” they wrote, adding: “Spotted near Alfred’s in Beverly Hills…”
Reacting to the clip, some fans suggested that the Duchess of Sussex, 42, could be modelling for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park sporting label.
The two women are known to be longstanding friends.
@whattodoinla Spotted near Alfred’s in Beverly Hills…☕️ Do we think it’s really her?🫢 #celebritysighting #losangeleslife #celebrities #meghanmarkle #beverlyhills #celebs ♬ xoxo gossip girl - <3
Royal box appearances on day one of Wimbledon
Several famous faces are set to appear in the Royal Box at this year’s Wimbledon tournament, with a star-studded first day.
Notable names on the list of attendees include David Beckham and his mother Sandra, as well as Sir David Attenborough and his daughter Susan.
While there are no members of the royal family on the list today, it is hoped that the Princess of Wales will make an appearance at the tournament.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments