Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh Current Events 1: December 2002-April 2004
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Gog_Magog
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What is that thing on Phillip's leg? It looks almost like a small sheath for a dagger. 
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Gog_Magog
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Hahaha I feel stupid I didn't think of it earlier... It seems pretty obvious in retrospect...
Jacqueline
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Hmmm......I don't know if I would have referred to Her Majesty as "a poor little rich girl." 
Tuesday December 31 7:55 PM EST
Queen was poor little rich girl when she came to throne, records show
LONDON (AP) - Contrary to popular belief, the Queen did not inherit a vast sum of money from her father, King George VI, records released Wednesday showed.
The Queen asked the British government in 1972 to review its annual payment to the royal household. The government commissioned a report on the matter, one of a number of records the Public Record Office has declassified. "It is quite clear that, far from being 'the richest woman in the world,' the Queen is not, in terms of disposable assets, even the richest person in the U.K.," the 30-year-old report said.
It said her "private fortune" was considerably smaller than the combined assets of The Beatles, who were enjoying huge success at the time.
It did not disclose the assets of either but suggested the Queen did not inherit a vast sum of money after King George VI died in 1952.
The document said the Queen's inheritance was smaller because of the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936.
When Edward renounced the crown to marry U.S. divorcee Wallis Simpson, George was unexpectedly thrust onto the throne but as the younger son did not automatically receive some of the vast private estates owned by their father.
"King George VI was the second son of King George V and, as a younger son came to the throne unexpectedly," said the report.
"He had, therefore, to purchase from his elder brother, King Edward VIII, the private estates of Sandringham and Balmoral out of his inheritance."
Consequently, when Elizabeth ascended to the throne, she did not inherit vast savings.
"The only private money available to the Queen was that which came from her father," said the report.
"There is no private fortune in investments descending from a long line of earlier sovereigns and considering the general rise in prices, the Queen has not been able to accumulate a vast fortune in savings in recent years."
By 1970, royal spending far exceeded the equivalent of about $1.8 million Cdn the government gave the royal household annually to carry out public duties. The shortfall came out of the Queen's personal resources, or privy purse, the report said, and recommended more than doubling the annual payment to the equivalent of about $4 million.
Today, the government pays the Queen the equivalent of about $20 million a year to enable her to carry out royal duties. Buckingham Palace accounts, which are published annually, indicated the Queen also receives an annual private income worth about $15 million from the Duchy of Lancaster, on which she pays tax.
Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/030101/6/r4yz.html
Tuesday December 31 7:55 PM EST
Queen was poor little rich girl when she came to throne, records show
LONDON (AP) - Contrary to popular belief, the Queen did not inherit a vast sum of money from her father, King George VI, records released Wednesday showed.
The Queen asked the British government in 1972 to review its annual payment to the royal household. The government commissioned a report on the matter, one of a number of records the Public Record Office has declassified. "It is quite clear that, far from being 'the richest woman in the world,' the Queen is not, in terms of disposable assets, even the richest person in the U.K.," the 30-year-old report said.
It said her "private fortune" was considerably smaller than the combined assets of The Beatles, who were enjoying huge success at the time.
It did not disclose the assets of either but suggested the Queen did not inherit a vast sum of money after King George VI died in 1952.
The document said the Queen's inheritance was smaller because of the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936.
When Edward renounced the crown to marry U.S. divorcee Wallis Simpson, George was unexpectedly thrust onto the throne but as the younger son did not automatically receive some of the vast private estates owned by their father.
"King George VI was the second son of King George V and, as a younger son came to the throne unexpectedly," said the report.
"He had, therefore, to purchase from his elder brother, King Edward VIII, the private estates of Sandringham and Balmoral out of his inheritance."
Consequently, when Elizabeth ascended to the throne, she did not inherit vast savings.
"The only private money available to the Queen was that which came from her father," said the report.
"There is no private fortune in investments descending from a long line of earlier sovereigns and considering the general rise in prices, the Queen has not been able to accumulate a vast fortune in savings in recent years."
By 1970, royal spending far exceeded the equivalent of about $1.8 million Cdn the government gave the royal household annually to carry out public duties. The shortfall came out of the Queen's personal resources, or privy purse, the report said, and recommended more than doubling the annual payment to the equivalent of about $4 million.
Today, the government pays the Queen the equivalent of about $20 million a year to enable her to carry out royal duties. Buckingham Palace accounts, which are published annually, indicated the Queen also receives an annual private income worth about $15 million from the Duchy of Lancaster, on which she pays tax.
Link: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/030101/6/r4yz.html
Jacqueline
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Canadian plot to oust Queen thwarted
SECRETS OF 1972
FRANK O’DONNELL
fodonnell@scotsman.com
A PLOT by the Canadian government to abolish the monarchy and replace the Queen with a president was thwarted when she refused to accept a proposal curtailing her powers.
Files released by the Public Record Office reveal how an uncertain political climate in Canada and the Queen’s reluctance to agree to five measures reducing her role scuppered any official bid from being made.
A confidential briefing paper detailed new information - which, it claims, may have been withheld by Canadian ministers - threatening her trip in 1973 to the Commonwealth Conference.
The letter, typed and signed by Hugh Overton, at the North American Department of the Foreign Office, warned that the Queen’s presence "might add fuel to this domestic controversy".
He wrote: "Our information is that, as a result of the elections, the Royal connection and the role of the Queen in Canada are again becoming the subject of more active domestic political interest.
"There is a distinct possibility, in my view, that a visit by the Queen to Canada at the time of the Commonwealth Conference, as Queen of Canada and head of the Commonwealth, might add fuel to this domestic controversy, and hence involve Her Majesty to some extent in Canadian domestic policies."
The letter concluded: "These are straws in the wind. But they show that there is at least a risk of the Royal question becoming a matter of controversy in Canada over the next few months."
In a reply dated 15 December, 1972, Sir Peter Hayman, the British High Commissioner in Canada, refers to a leaked document sent to the Montreal Gazette, putting forward plans to hand over five functions performed by the Queen to the governor-general.
Although the Queen was said to have accepted four of these proposals, she allegedly refused to relinquish her hold on a fifth - "a relatively minor one played by the Queen in Canadian external affairs".
As a result, the then prime minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, decided against pursuing the matter because of the detrimental impact such a move could have on his leadership, which had only survived the federal elections by the most slender of margins.
But in March 1973, Sir Peter noted: "Meanwhile, there is a gradual tendency to get rid of ‘Royal’ symbols: the Royal cipher is slowly disappearing on post boxes and mail vans; the head of a former prime minister, Sir John A Macdonald, has replaced the head of the Queen on ten dollar bills. There is a gradual tendency, much to the indignation of some Canadians, to play Oh Canada more frequently than God Save The Queen, although both are usually used."
Official papers have also revealed the chaotic nature of the Queen’s visit to Kenya in 1972 when the Royal motorcade that swept through the streets of Nairobi resembled a "nightmarish motor rally". Cars racing three abreast jockeyed for positions as the Queen returned for the first time to the country where she had learned of her father’s death 20 years earlier, in 1952.
According to confidential documents, the "tumultuous" four-hour stop-over trip to Kenya bordered on the "chaotic" as Kenyan authorities refused to curb the enthusiasm of some present.
"Although the Queen and president Kenyatta in the lead car arrived at the airport safely, though somewhat faster than intended, the rest of the motorcade resembled a nightmarish motor rally. Fortunately no-one was injured," the transcript of events concluded.
Secret files also reveal that the Queen’s private fortune was only a fraction of the assets amassed by the Beatles during the first 20 years of her reign.
A confidential report on the Civil List, commissioned in 1972 after the Queen appealed for the government to review the annual amount paid to the monarchy, also revealed the true extent of the money troubles which almost crippled the Palace.
A draft copy of the review process, sent to the Cabinet, said: "The only private money available to the Queen was that which came from her father.
"King George VI was the second son of King George V, and, as a younger son, came to the throne unexpectedly.
"He had therefore to purchase from his elder brother, King Edward VIII, the private estates of Sandringham and Balmoral out of his inheritance.
"Furthermore, as savings made by the late king during the war years from his Privy Purse were paid back to the government at the time of the then Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, the sum inherited by the Queen was not a large one.
"There is no private fortune in investments descending from a long line of earlier sovereigns, and, considering the general rise in prices, the Queen has not been able to accumulate a vast fortune in savings in recent years."
The document concluded: "It is quite clear that, far from being "the richest woman in the world", the Queen is not, in terms of disposable assets, even the richest person in the UK.
"Her ‘private wealth’ would form a fraction of that disclosed recently in the courts as the collective assets of the Beatles."
At the time, the Queen’s request for a review was widely characterised as a pay rise.
The report noted that by 1970 the Royal household was spending £270,000 in excess of the annual Civil List expenditure.
The report added: "Total Civil List expenditure exceeded the statutory figure of £475,000 during 1962 and, from that point, the surplus accumulated by the Royal Trustees was drawn down to meet the increasing deficits in each subsequent year."
The report insisted that there was "no foundation" for suggestions which claimed that the Queen owns private funds amounting to £50 million.
It was finally recommended that an annual sum of £980,000 be put aside each year from 1 January 1972, for the salaries and expenses of the Royal household.
Link: http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=832003
SECRETS OF 1972
FRANK O’DONNELL
fodonnell@scotsman.com
A PLOT by the Canadian government to abolish the monarchy and replace the Queen with a president was thwarted when she refused to accept a proposal curtailing her powers.
Files released by the Public Record Office reveal how an uncertain political climate in Canada and the Queen’s reluctance to agree to five measures reducing her role scuppered any official bid from being made.
A confidential briefing paper detailed new information - which, it claims, may have been withheld by Canadian ministers - threatening her trip in 1973 to the Commonwealth Conference.
The letter, typed and signed by Hugh Overton, at the North American Department of the Foreign Office, warned that the Queen’s presence "might add fuel to this domestic controversy".
He wrote: "Our information is that, as a result of the elections, the Royal connection and the role of the Queen in Canada are again becoming the subject of more active domestic political interest.
"There is a distinct possibility, in my view, that a visit by the Queen to Canada at the time of the Commonwealth Conference, as Queen of Canada and head of the Commonwealth, might add fuel to this domestic controversy, and hence involve Her Majesty to some extent in Canadian domestic policies."
The letter concluded: "These are straws in the wind. But they show that there is at least a risk of the Royal question becoming a matter of controversy in Canada over the next few months."
In a reply dated 15 December, 1972, Sir Peter Hayman, the British High Commissioner in Canada, refers to a leaked document sent to the Montreal Gazette, putting forward plans to hand over five functions performed by the Queen to the governor-general.
Although the Queen was said to have accepted four of these proposals, she allegedly refused to relinquish her hold on a fifth - "a relatively minor one played by the Queen in Canadian external affairs".
As a result, the then prime minister of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, decided against pursuing the matter because of the detrimental impact such a move could have on his leadership, which had only survived the federal elections by the most slender of margins.
But in March 1973, Sir Peter noted: "Meanwhile, there is a gradual tendency to get rid of ‘Royal’ symbols: the Royal cipher is slowly disappearing on post boxes and mail vans; the head of a former prime minister, Sir John A Macdonald, has replaced the head of the Queen on ten dollar bills. There is a gradual tendency, much to the indignation of some Canadians, to play Oh Canada more frequently than God Save The Queen, although both are usually used."
Official papers have also revealed the chaotic nature of the Queen’s visit to Kenya in 1972 when the Royal motorcade that swept through the streets of Nairobi resembled a "nightmarish motor rally". Cars racing three abreast jockeyed for positions as the Queen returned for the first time to the country where she had learned of her father’s death 20 years earlier, in 1952.
According to confidential documents, the "tumultuous" four-hour stop-over trip to Kenya bordered on the "chaotic" as Kenyan authorities refused to curb the enthusiasm of some present.
"Although the Queen and president Kenyatta in the lead car arrived at the airport safely, though somewhat faster than intended, the rest of the motorcade resembled a nightmarish motor rally. Fortunately no-one was injured," the transcript of events concluded.
Secret files also reveal that the Queen’s private fortune was only a fraction of the assets amassed by the Beatles during the first 20 years of her reign.
A confidential report on the Civil List, commissioned in 1972 after the Queen appealed for the government to review the annual amount paid to the monarchy, also revealed the true extent of the money troubles which almost crippled the Palace.
A draft copy of the review process, sent to the Cabinet, said: "The only private money available to the Queen was that which came from her father.
"King George VI was the second son of King George V, and, as a younger son, came to the throne unexpectedly.
"He had therefore to purchase from his elder brother, King Edward VIII, the private estates of Sandringham and Balmoral out of his inheritance.
"Furthermore, as savings made by the late king during the war years from his Privy Purse were paid back to the government at the time of the then Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, the sum inherited by the Queen was not a large one.
"There is no private fortune in investments descending from a long line of earlier sovereigns, and, considering the general rise in prices, the Queen has not been able to accumulate a vast fortune in savings in recent years."
The document concluded: "It is quite clear that, far from being "the richest woman in the world", the Queen is not, in terms of disposable assets, even the richest person in the UK.
"Her ‘private wealth’ would form a fraction of that disclosed recently in the courts as the collective assets of the Beatles."
At the time, the Queen’s request for a review was widely characterised as a pay rise.
The report noted that by 1970 the Royal household was spending £270,000 in excess of the annual Civil List expenditure.
The report added: "Total Civil List expenditure exceeded the statutory figure of £475,000 during 1962 and, from that point, the surplus accumulated by the Royal Trustees was drawn down to meet the increasing deficits in each subsequent year."
The report insisted that there was "no foundation" for suggestions which claimed that the Queen owns private funds amounting to £50 million.
It was finally recommended that an annual sum of £980,000 be put aside each year from 1 January 1972, for the salaries and expenses of the Royal household.
Link: http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=832003
Jacqueline
Courtier
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2002
- Messages
- 754
Prince Phillip is Royal Family's hardest working member
Prince Phillip was the busiest member of the Royal Family in the last 12 months.
He even carried out more engagements during the Jubilee year than the Queen, it has emerged.
Prince Philip carried out 578 engagements at home and abroad during 2002 while the Queen completed 545, a survey in the Times newspaper shows.
Some 487 engagements were in the UK while 91 were overseas, the survey showed, compared with 69 the previous year.
The Queen completed 471 duties in Britain and 74 abroad, an increase from just 15 in 2001.
It is the first time in six years Prince Phillip's total is higher than his wife's, although his score can be explained by his presence with the Queen at celebrations marking her 50 years on the throne.
Tim O'Donovan, a retired insurance broker from Datchet, Berkshire, has been publishing the unofficial table since 1979 and said this year's results show the support Prince Phillip has given the Queen.
"Aged 81, he shows no sign of adopting a more relaxed life, which must be a relief to the many organisations who enjoy his patronage, interest and enthusiasm," he wrote in The Times.
According to the list, the Duke worked harder than his daughter, the Princess Royal, who has long enjoyed the reputation of being the hardest-working member of the Royal Family.
She carried out 569 engagements in Britain and abroad last year, a fall from 655 in 2001.
Story filed: 10:09 Wednesday 1st January 2003
Link: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_734999.html
Prince Phillip was the busiest member of the Royal Family in the last 12 months.
He even carried out more engagements during the Jubilee year than the Queen, it has emerged.
Prince Philip carried out 578 engagements at home and abroad during 2002 while the Queen completed 545, a survey in the Times newspaper shows.
Some 487 engagements were in the UK while 91 were overseas, the survey showed, compared with 69 the previous year.
The Queen completed 471 duties in Britain and 74 abroad, an increase from just 15 in 2001.
It is the first time in six years Prince Phillip's total is higher than his wife's, although his score can be explained by his presence with the Queen at celebrations marking her 50 years on the throne.
Tim O'Donovan, a retired insurance broker from Datchet, Berkshire, has been publishing the unofficial table since 1979 and said this year's results show the support Prince Phillip has given the Queen.
"Aged 81, he shows no sign of adopting a more relaxed life, which must be a relief to the many organisations who enjoy his patronage, interest and enthusiasm," he wrote in The Times.
According to the list, the Duke worked harder than his daughter, the Princess Royal, who has long enjoyed the reputation of being the hardest-working member of the Royal Family.
She carried out 569 engagements in Britain and abroad last year, a fall from 655 in 2001.
Story filed: 10:09 Wednesday 1st January 2003
Link: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_734999.html
Jacqueline
Courtier
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2002
- Messages
- 754
Monday, 13 January, 2003, 13:15 GMT
Queen undergoes knee surgery
The Queen is recovering in hospital after a minor knee operation.
She had surgery lasting 45 minutes on Monday morning at King Edward VII hospital in London.
Doctors removed a torn cartilage in her right knee after giving her a general anaesthetic.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the operation went very well.
She is expected to be "fully active again within a few weeks", said the spokeswoman.
The Queen, 76, who was admitted on Sunday evening, is expected to leave hospital on Tuesday morning.
"Her Majesty will rest at Sandringham over the next two weeks and will then resume a limited programme of engagements," said a Palace spokeswoman.
She injured her knee on the Friday before Christmas when walking on uneven ground during a private visit to Newmarket.
The operation follows a scan on the troublesome knee last week at King's Lynn Hospital, near the Queen's Norfolk estate.
The surgery was performed by the Queen's orthopaedic surgeon Roger Vickers, with her physician Richard Thompson in attendance.
Members of the Royal Family are being kept informed of the Queen's progress.
Staff at the hospital, which is being guarded by police, have refused to comment on the Queen's condition.
BBC royal correspondent June Kelly said: "The Queen has always enjoyed very good health.
"We know that she had this accident before Christmas and was walking with a stick at times over the Christmas holiday."
Buckingham Palace said it was not yet clear whether the Queen's engagements would have to be amended as a result of the operation.
Her first scheduled official engagement is on 29 January, when she is due to be presented with commemorative Jubilee Gates by members of the Armed Forces at Sandringham House.
Wisdom tooth
The Queen has rarely been forced to cancel engagements due to ill-health.
In January 1994, the Queen wore a plaster cast after breaking her left wrist when falling off her horse on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
But she was not required to remain in hospital on that occasion.
It is thought she was last admitted in July 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth extracted at the King Edward VII.
Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, recently dismissed reports he had suffered a head injury.
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2653403.stm
Queen undergoes knee surgery
The Queen is recovering in hospital after a minor knee operation.
She had surgery lasting 45 minutes on Monday morning at King Edward VII hospital in London.
Doctors removed a torn cartilage in her right knee after giving her a general anaesthetic.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said the operation went very well.
She is expected to be "fully active again within a few weeks", said the spokeswoman.
The Queen, 76, who was admitted on Sunday evening, is expected to leave hospital on Tuesday morning.
"Her Majesty will rest at Sandringham over the next two weeks and will then resume a limited programme of engagements," said a Palace spokeswoman.
She injured her knee on the Friday before Christmas when walking on uneven ground during a private visit to Newmarket.
The operation follows a scan on the troublesome knee last week at King's Lynn Hospital, near the Queen's Norfolk estate.
The surgery was performed by the Queen's orthopaedic surgeon Roger Vickers, with her physician Richard Thompson in attendance.
Members of the Royal Family are being kept informed of the Queen's progress.
Staff at the hospital, which is being guarded by police, have refused to comment on the Queen's condition.
BBC royal correspondent June Kelly said: "The Queen has always enjoyed very good health.
"We know that she had this accident before Christmas and was walking with a stick at times over the Christmas holiday."
Buckingham Palace said it was not yet clear whether the Queen's engagements would have to be amended as a result of the operation.
Her first scheduled official engagement is on 29 January, when she is due to be presented with commemorative Jubilee Gates by members of the Armed Forces at Sandringham House.
Wisdom tooth
The Queen has rarely been forced to cancel engagements due to ill-health.
In January 1994, the Queen wore a plaster cast after breaking her left wrist when falling off her horse on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
But she was not required to remain in hospital on that occasion.
It is thought she was last admitted in July 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth extracted at the King Edward VII.
Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, recently dismissed reports he had suffered a head injury.
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2653403.stm
Jacqueline
Courtier
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2002
- Messages
- 754
Her Majesty has left the hospital after knee surgery....
Queen convalesces at Sandringham after operation
13th January 2003
The Queen was today convalescing at her Norfolk estate after an operation to remove torn cartilage from her right knee.
She is expected to spend the next two weeks at Sandringham where she will undergo daily physiotherapy.
Walking with a stick, the Queen left the King Edward VII Hospital, central London, this morning wearing a grey, designer trouser suit to cover her bandaged knee.
She was escorted by two nurses to a waiting Range Rover for the journey to Norfolk.
Earlier doctors and a physiotherapist had seen the Queen at the private hospital where on Monday she had "keyhole" surgery lasting 45 minutes.
The Queen smiled as matron Caroline Cassels escorted her down the steps of the hospital entrance and nursing sister Maria Crowley presented her with a posy.
Police protection officers had been at the hospital since the Queen, 76, was admitted on Sunday evening for the surgical procedure which was carried out under general anaesthetic.
Buckingham Palace said the operation went "very well" and the Queen was expected to be "fully active again within a few weeks".
The operation was necessary after the Queen wrenched her knee walking on uneven ground during a private visit to Newmarket on the Friday before Christmas.
A scan last week at King's Lynn Hospital, near Sandringham, revealed the torn cartilage and doctors recommended surgery.
The Queen had been experiencing some discomfort over the Christmas and New Year period and resorted to walking with a stick.
"It's all gone to plan and Her Majesty will rest, with the Duke of Edinburgh, at Sandringham over the next two weeks and will then resume a limited programme of engagements," said a Palace spokeswoman.
There were currently no house guests at Sandringham, she added.
This morning, as the media waited outside, the Queen's dresser Angela Kelly, arrived with a designer trouser suit, by Peter Enroni, for the journey to Norfolk.
It was unusual to see the Queen in public wearing trousers.
During her two-night hospital stay, members of the Royal Family were kept informed of the Queen's condition but she received no visits.
The successful operation was performed by the Queen's orthopaedic surgeon Roger Vickers, who was assisted by Adrian Fairbank and anaesthetist Robert Linton. The Queen's physician Richard Thompson was in attendance.
It was a rare hospital stay for the Queen who, it is thought, was last admitted overnight in July 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth extracted at the King Edward VII.
In 1994, after a fall from a horse, she visited hospital for an X-ray. An injured arm was set in plaster but the Queen was not required to remain in hospital.
The Palace said the Queen would have to minimise time spent standing so it might be necessary for investitures early in the year to be performed by another senior Royal, probably the Prince of Wales.
The Queen's son and heir underwent a similar cartilage operation at the same hospital, also on his right knee, in March 1998 to repair a sports injury.
The first engagement on the Queen's official diary is on January 29 when she is due to be presented with commemorative Jubilee Gates by members of the Armed Forces at Sandringham House.
On January 31, she is due to visit Chelmsford, Essex, to mark the 50th anniversary of the East Coast floods.
Link: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/art...20&in_page_id=2
Queen convalesces at Sandringham after operation
13th January 2003
The Queen was today convalescing at her Norfolk estate after an operation to remove torn cartilage from her right knee.
She is expected to spend the next two weeks at Sandringham where she will undergo daily physiotherapy.
Walking with a stick, the Queen left the King Edward VII Hospital, central London, this morning wearing a grey, designer trouser suit to cover her bandaged knee.
She was escorted by two nurses to a waiting Range Rover for the journey to Norfolk.
Earlier doctors and a physiotherapist had seen the Queen at the private hospital where on Monday she had "keyhole" surgery lasting 45 minutes.
The Queen smiled as matron Caroline Cassels escorted her down the steps of the hospital entrance and nursing sister Maria Crowley presented her with a posy.
Police protection officers had been at the hospital since the Queen, 76, was admitted on Sunday evening for the surgical procedure which was carried out under general anaesthetic.
Buckingham Palace said the operation went "very well" and the Queen was expected to be "fully active again within a few weeks".
The operation was necessary after the Queen wrenched her knee walking on uneven ground during a private visit to Newmarket on the Friday before Christmas.
A scan last week at King's Lynn Hospital, near Sandringham, revealed the torn cartilage and doctors recommended surgery.
The Queen had been experiencing some discomfort over the Christmas and New Year period and resorted to walking with a stick.
"It's all gone to plan and Her Majesty will rest, with the Duke of Edinburgh, at Sandringham over the next two weeks and will then resume a limited programme of engagements," said a Palace spokeswoman.
There were currently no house guests at Sandringham, she added.
This morning, as the media waited outside, the Queen's dresser Angela Kelly, arrived with a designer trouser suit, by Peter Enroni, for the journey to Norfolk.
It was unusual to see the Queen in public wearing trousers.
During her two-night hospital stay, members of the Royal Family were kept informed of the Queen's condition but she received no visits.
The successful operation was performed by the Queen's orthopaedic surgeon Roger Vickers, who was assisted by Adrian Fairbank and anaesthetist Robert Linton. The Queen's physician Richard Thompson was in attendance.
It was a rare hospital stay for the Queen who, it is thought, was last admitted overnight in July 1982 when she had a wisdom tooth extracted at the King Edward VII.
In 1994, after a fall from a horse, she visited hospital for an X-ray. An injured arm was set in plaster but the Queen was not required to remain in hospital.
The Palace said the Queen would have to minimise time spent standing so it might be necessary for investitures early in the year to be performed by another senior Royal, probably the Prince of Wales.
The Queen's son and heir underwent a similar cartilage operation at the same hospital, also on his right knee, in March 1998 to repair a sports injury.
The first engagement on the Queen's official diary is on January 29 when she is due to be presented with commemorative Jubilee Gates by members of the Armed Forces at Sandringham House.
On January 31, she is due to visit Chelmsford, Essex, to mark the 50th anniversary of the East Coast floods.
Link: http://www.femail.co.uk/pages/standard/art...20&in_page_id=2
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K
Kathy
Guest
I don't think I have ever seen the Queen in 'dress' slacks!! She look absolutely lovely and (I hope she won't mind me saying this) kinda reminds me of my grandmother a bit in this picture.
Kathy
Kathy
Y
Yuna
Guest
Oh ! I didn't know that. I hope that it is much better now.
Mandy
Majesty
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Polfoto 03-04-2003 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with Danny Goodall, Design Manager of Dudson Ltd, looks at the centre piece of the Queen's Dessert Service, a gift to her from the ceramics industry and the people of Stoke on Trent, at Windsor Castle, Windsor.
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Queen Scolds Royal Snapper For Not Wearing His MBE.
16 MAY 2003
The Queen left a group of photographers in fits of laughter at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Thursday.
Her Majesty was passing by the gathered press pack when she noticed tabloid photographer Arthur Edwards, to whom she awarded an MBE last week. Arthur was left red-faced, however, after the Queen berated him for not having his medal with him.
"Why aren't you wearing your medal?" the monarch jokingly demanded. "You are supposed to wear it all the time." Her comments provoked roars of laughter among Albert's fellow snappers.
At the Buckingham Palace ceremony during which he was presented with his MBE, the 62-year-old veteran photographer said: "I cannot tell you how proud I feel. "This is a day I will always treasure. I might have been photographing the Queen for nearly 27 years but nothing compares to this."
From Hello.
Royal snapper Arthur was obviously overjoyed with his MBE at the Buckingham Palace presentation ceremony
From Hello.
When she happened upon the snapper at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Queen jokingly demanded to know why he wasn't wearing his newly acquired honour
16 MAY 2003
The Queen left a group of photographers in fits of laughter at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on Thursday.
Her Majesty was passing by the gathered press pack when she noticed tabloid photographer Arthur Edwards, to whom she awarded an MBE last week. Arthur was left red-faced, however, after the Queen berated him for not having his medal with him.
"Why aren't you wearing your medal?" the monarch jokingly demanded. "You are supposed to wear it all the time." Her comments provoked roars of laughter among Albert's fellow snappers.
At the Buckingham Palace ceremony during which he was presented with his MBE, the 62-year-old veteran photographer said: "I cannot tell you how proud I feel. "This is a day I will always treasure. I might have been photographing the Queen for nearly 27 years but nothing compares to this."
From Hello.
Royal snapper Arthur was obviously overjoyed with his MBE at the Buckingham Palace presentation ceremony
From Hello.
When she happened upon the snapper at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, the Queen jokingly demanded to know why he wasn't wearing his newly acquired honour
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sara1981
Heir Apparent
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Arthur Edwards been photographer for Royal Family in his life he takes pictures of late Princess Diana and Queen 2, Prince William he enjoyed taking pictures of Royal Family.
that why Queen gives him for honour.
Sara Boyce
that why Queen gives him for honour.
Sara Boyce
Is 5ft 5 1/2 short? Maybe there was a misprint (if you can have that online) but HELLO! online called QE2 'diminutive' standing a mere 5ft 5 1/2 inches....surely she is shorter than that. By anyone's standards 5' 5 1/2" is above average in height.
QUEEN'S A POET, AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IT
May 22 2003
By Jane Kerr, Royal Reporter
THE Queen has revealed she is a secret poet at heart.
The first known example of her work has emerged in a visitors' book at the Queen Mother's former residence.
Clearly impressed with the hospitality she received while on holiday in Scotland, the Queen came up with a 16-line ditty to show her appreciation.
The royal verses are hand-written in a book at the Castle of Mey on the west coast of Scotland, which is to be opened to the public for its first full season this weekend.
The Queen's poem was written after a short stay at the castle before leaving for Balmoral, her own Scottish estate.
A staff member is believed to have copied the poem, complete with a mistake in spelling the word splendour, into the visitors' book, adding that it is a message to "HM Queen Mum" from "HM Queen".
Last night, the Queen's poem won praise from the Poetry Society, of which the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion is vice president.
Jules Mann, the Society's director, said: "It's refreshing the Queen turns to poetry to express her feelings.
"We often think poetry is something which happens in times of grief or stress, but it's lovely to hear when someone is moved to write of a happy occasion.
"I think it also shows Her Majesty has a sound knowledge of how to write a poem."
As a child, the Queen is known to have had regular poetry lessons, as part of the curriculum ordered by her grandmother Queen Mary.
A book by the Queen's late governess Marion Crawford noted Queen Mary's instructions: "Poetry - half an hour a week. Do they learn poetry by heart? Rather an old-fashioned practice, too, and often grossly overdone."
The Queen stayed at the 16th century castle once, for three days in August 1987, when the poem was stuck in the visitors' book.
A Palace spokesman said: "It does appear to be a poem the Queen created, although it doesn't look like her handwriting.
"She was on a private visit to the castle at the time."
__________
THE QUEEN'S POEM
Although we must leave you,
Fair Castle of Mey,
We shall never forget,
Nor could ever repay,
A meal of such splendor*,
Repast of such zest,
It will take us to Sunday,
Just to digest,
To leafy Balmoral,
We are now on our way,
But our hearts will remain
At the castle of Mey.
With your gardens and ranges,
And all your good cheer,
We will be back again soon
So roll on next year.
* As it was written in the visitor's book by a member of staff
From The Mirror.
May 22 2003
By Jane Kerr, Royal Reporter
THE Queen has revealed she is a secret poet at heart.
The first known example of her work has emerged in a visitors' book at the Queen Mother's former residence.
Clearly impressed with the hospitality she received while on holiday in Scotland, the Queen came up with a 16-line ditty to show her appreciation.
The royal verses are hand-written in a book at the Castle of Mey on the west coast of Scotland, which is to be opened to the public for its first full season this weekend.
The Queen's poem was written after a short stay at the castle before leaving for Balmoral, her own Scottish estate.
A staff member is believed to have copied the poem, complete with a mistake in spelling the word splendour, into the visitors' book, adding that it is a message to "HM Queen Mum" from "HM Queen".
Last night, the Queen's poem won praise from the Poetry Society, of which the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion is vice president.
Jules Mann, the Society's director, said: "It's refreshing the Queen turns to poetry to express her feelings.
"We often think poetry is something which happens in times of grief or stress, but it's lovely to hear when someone is moved to write of a happy occasion.
"I think it also shows Her Majesty has a sound knowledge of how to write a poem."
As a child, the Queen is known to have had regular poetry lessons, as part of the curriculum ordered by her grandmother Queen Mary.
A book by the Queen's late governess Marion Crawford noted Queen Mary's instructions: "Poetry - half an hour a week. Do they learn poetry by heart? Rather an old-fashioned practice, too, and often grossly overdone."
The Queen stayed at the 16th century castle once, for three days in August 1987, when the poem was stuck in the visitors' book.
A Palace spokesman said: "It does appear to be a poem the Queen created, although it doesn't look like her handwriting.
"She was on a private visit to the castle at the time."
__________
THE QUEEN'S POEM
Although we must leave you,
Fair Castle of Mey,
We shall never forget,
Nor could ever repay,
A meal of such splendor*,
Repast of such zest,
It will take us to Sunday,
Just to digest,
To leafy Balmoral,
We are now on our way,
But our hearts will remain
At the castle of Mey.
With your gardens and ranges,
And all your good cheer,
We will be back again soon
So roll on next year.
* As it was written in the visitor's book by a member of staff
From The Mirror.
Queen's Literary Thank You Goes on Display.
23 MAY 2003
The Queen's poetic talents will soon be going on display when the Castle of Mey, the late Queen Mother's home, is opened to the public at the weekend. The 16-line ditty, which she wrote as a thankyou after a three-day visit in 1987, will be on show in the castle's guest book.
A spokesman has revealed that the poem was relayed from the royal yacht Britannia after her stay at the Highland retreat. "Before the Britannia was decommissioned, there was a tour of the Western Isles before the Queen was taken round to Aberdeen for her holiday at Balmoral," he said. "The ship would lie off Scrabster and she would meet the Queen Mother for lunch at the Castle of Mey."
It has been noted that Her Majesty misspelled the word "splendour", but Professor John Kerrigan of the English literature department at Cambridge University says, "technically it's as competent as anything by Bob Dylan". The poem is "a cheerful piece of doggerel", he said, "with an airy informality which does the author - so often thought grand - some credit".
Poetry Society director Jules Mann was also pleased by the verse: "We often think poetry is something that happens in times of grief, but it's lovely to hear someone is moved to write about a happy occasion."
The monarch's literary contribution to the guest book was as follows:
Although we must leave you,
Fair Castle of Mey,
We shall never forget,
Nor could ever repay,
A meal of such splendor,
Repast of such zest,
It will take us to Sunday,
Just to digest.
To leafy Balmoral,
We are now on our way.
But our hearts will remain
At the Castle of Mey.
With your gardens and ranges,
And all your good cheer,
We will be back again soon
So roll on next year.
From Hello.
23 MAY 2003
The Queen's poetic talents will soon be going on display when the Castle of Mey, the late Queen Mother's home, is opened to the public at the weekend. The 16-line ditty, which she wrote as a thankyou after a three-day visit in 1987, will be on show in the castle's guest book.
A spokesman has revealed that the poem was relayed from the royal yacht Britannia after her stay at the Highland retreat. "Before the Britannia was decommissioned, there was a tour of the Western Isles before the Queen was taken round to Aberdeen for her holiday at Balmoral," he said. "The ship would lie off Scrabster and she would meet the Queen Mother for lunch at the Castle of Mey."
It has been noted that Her Majesty misspelled the word "splendour", but Professor John Kerrigan of the English literature department at Cambridge University says, "technically it's as competent as anything by Bob Dylan". The poem is "a cheerful piece of doggerel", he said, "with an airy informality which does the author - so often thought grand - some credit".
Poetry Society director Jules Mann was also pleased by the verse: "We often think poetry is something that happens in times of grief, but it's lovely to hear someone is moved to write about a happy occasion."
The monarch's literary contribution to the guest book was as follows:
Although we must leave you,
Fair Castle of Mey,
We shall never forget,
Nor could ever repay,
A meal of such splendor,
Repast of such zest,
It will take us to Sunday,
Just to digest.
To leafy Balmoral,
We are now on our way.
But our hearts will remain
At the Castle of Mey.
With your gardens and ranges,
And all your good cheer,
We will be back again soon
So roll on next year.
From Hello.
Bomb risk to Queen walk
By PAUL THOMPSON
Royal Correspondent
FEARS of a suicide bomb attack on the Queen have forced her to cancel a walkabout.
She was due to meet visitors outside Buckingham Palace to boost British tourism.
But security chiefs have ruled it too risky while London is on high alert for terror strikes.
A source said last night: “It does not take a genius to work out the Royals would be a very significant target.”
A 3ft high ring of concrete was put up to protect Parliament from car bombers. Other tourist landmarks will get similar barriers.
Police presence at Heathrow was strengthened and 150 extra cops were on the streets.
Scotland Yard has armed undercover squads for the first time and given them orders to shoot-to-kill suspected suicide bombers.
Osama Bin Laden’s henchman Ayman al-Zawahiri this week urged strikes on Britons.
From the Sun.
By PAUL THOMPSON
Royal Correspondent
FEARS of a suicide bomb attack on the Queen have forced her to cancel a walkabout.
She was due to meet visitors outside Buckingham Palace to boost British tourism.
But security chiefs have ruled it too risky while London is on high alert for terror strikes.
A source said last night: “It does not take a genius to work out the Royals would be a very significant target.”
A 3ft high ring of concrete was put up to protect Parliament from car bombers. Other tourist landmarks will get similar barriers.
Police presence at Heathrow was strengthened and 150 extra cops were on the streets.
Scotland Yard has armed undercover squads for the first time and given them orders to shoot-to-kill suspected suicide bombers.
Osama Bin Laden’s henchman Ayman al-Zawahiri this week urged strikes on Britons.
From the Sun.
Alexandria
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www.ibl.se - I think the Queen and Prince Phillip are in Scotland or Wales here. I couldn't resist. The picture is quite funny. What in the world must the Queen be thinking when presented with this goat?!
Attachments
The picture do look hilarious.The goat is the mascot of the Royal Welsh Regiment. Maybe they would like Queen Elizabeth II to ride on the goat!
The Queen do look good in her dress. So with Prince Philip he looks healthy in this picture..
sara1981
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCE PHILIPS !
FROM
SARA BOYCE
FROM
SARA BOYCE
Alexandria
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www.corbis.com - 10/6/03, WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM ---
1.A bust of Queen Elizabeth ll wearing a tiara made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband paid their first visit to Legoland as part of a day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Who knew you could make a queen out of lego!
2.A bust of Prince William made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Not as handsome as the real deal!
3.A Lego bust of Prince Philip. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Wonder what Phillip thinks of this?!
4.A portrait picture of the Queen at her coronation made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
5.A Lego model of the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles watching Trooping the Colour. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
6.On her first visit to Legoland Queen Elizabeth ll admires the Lego replica of her home, Buckingham Palace, complete with Gold State Coach and Guardsmen. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
The real Queen at the lego Buckingham Palace. Check out the gold carriage, too!
7.A Lego model replica of the Imperial State Crown. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
This is pretty good for lego. But it still doesn't compare to the stunning real deals Danjel, Julia, Fireweaver, et. al. post in the royal jewels thread.
1.A bust of Queen Elizabeth ll wearing a tiara made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband paid their first visit to Legoland as part of a day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Who knew you could make a queen out of lego!
2.A bust of Prince William made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Not as handsome as the real deal!
3.A Lego bust of Prince Philip. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
Wonder what Phillip thinks of this?!
4.A portrait picture of the Queen at her coronation made entirely of Lego. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
5.A Lego model of the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles watching Trooping the Colour. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
6.On her first visit to Legoland Queen Elizabeth ll admires the Lego replica of her home, Buckingham Palace, complete with Gold State Coach and Guardsmen. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
The real Queen at the lego Buckingham Palace. Check out the gold carriage, too!
7.A Lego model replica of the Imperial State Crown. The Queen and her husband are spending the day touring London and Windsor to promote tourism in Britain. They started their day at Legoland. --- Photo by Tim Graham/Corbis Sygma
This is pretty good for lego. But it still doesn't compare to the stunning real deals Danjel, Julia, Fireweaver, et. al. post in the royal jewels thread.
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Last edited by a moderator:
sara1981
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that cool lego !
Sara Boyce
p.s. Her Majesty the Queen will like it!
Sara Boyce
p.s. Her Majesty the Queen will like it!
Alexandria
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1.Polfoto 11-06-2003 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with representatives of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment who presented a Golden Jubilee gift on behalf of the Regiment, at Buckingham Palace.
2.www.ibl.se - Queen Elizabeth at the Queen's Cup, Guards Polo Club, Windsor, Britain. 15 June 2003
3.Polfoto 22-06-2003 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II presents The Royal Windsor Cup to Tony Pidgley, captain of the winning team Cadenza at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
2.www.ibl.se - Queen Elizabeth at the Queen's Cup, Guards Polo Club, Windsor, Britain. 15 June 2003
3.Polfoto 22-06-2003 Britain's Queen Elizabeth II presents The Royal Windsor Cup to Tony Pidgley, captain of the winning team Cadenza at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor.
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Queen's Snub to Camilla over Palace
by RICHARD KAY and STEVE DOUGHTY, Daily Mail
27th June 2003
The Queen has refused to pay the cost of fitting out a private suite
for Camilla Parker Bowles.
Her decision, revealed yesterday, shows that a certain coolness
remains between her and Prince Charles over his partner.
It means the Prince will have to fund the decoration and furnishing
of Mrs Parker Bowles's two-room suite at Clarence House from his own
pocket.
The decision that the public purse will not bear the charges stems
from a deep anxiety to demonstrate that Camilla, who remains
unpopular with a high proportion of the population, is not being
treated to a lavish lifestyle by the taxpayer.
It is also a powerful sign that, for all the talk of reconciliation
with her son over the issue, for the Queen, Mrs Parker Bowles remains
an outsider.
Unusually, Palace officials volunteered the information about who
pays without prompting. The news was slipped out as, for the second
year running, the Palace published accounts breaking down the main
areas of royal spending.
A senior source said: "It was an amicable agreement between
Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, and it was felt the taxpayer
should not pay for the decoration of these rooms."
Two months ago the Mail disclosed that the refurbishment even
included a room to be set aside for Camilla's father, Major Bruce
Shand.
Designer for Princes' rooms
Under the deal Buckingham Palace has met the basic cost of renovating
Camilla's two rooms, including rewiring and plumbing. But it has not
paid for fixtures and fittings such as taps, curtains and wallpaper.
Renovated:
Clarence House
The rooms are part of Charles's seven-bedroom private quarters, which
also include accommodation for Princes William and Harry. Charles has
hired fashionable interior designer Robert Kime to carry out the work
on them, which will cost him £1.6 million.
Yesterday Mrs Parker Bowles spoke at a memorial service for Linda
Edwards, founder of the Osteoporosis Society, of which she is
president. The appearance was a demonstration of her increasingly
prominent public profile and growing status as she becomes more
comfortable in her role as royal companion.
But a major question remains over her relations with the rest of the
Royal Family, and in particular the Queen.
'Unnecessary humiliation'
Friends of Camilla reacted angrily to the Palace's release of
information about the bills, seeing it as an unnecessary
humiliation. "It is extremely odd," one said. "If nobody was asking
questions, why has someone decided to talk about it?" The issue will
revive old tensions between St James's and Buckingham Palace.
Earlier this year Mrs Parker Bowles confided to friends that she
feared she was being "frozen out" by some of Charles's staff,
although St James's Palace flatly denied it.
The Clarence House refurbishment is slated to cost £4.4m, but at
least £500,000 more will be spent on essential renovation in future.
In return for the public money, many of its rooms will be open to the
public in August.
Royal spending released
The spending is part of total taxpayer funding of the monarchy of
£36.2 million last year - a rise of 2.5 per cent.
Alan Reid, the Queen's Treasurer and Keeper of the Privy Purse, said
the annual bill for the Royals to each of the Queen's subjects is
around 60p.
He said: "Efficiency in terms of value for money is important.
However, it is not necessarily our aim to have the cheapest monarchy
possible - quality is also important."
Civil List expenditure - money spent directly on running the Queen's
household - was up from £8.15 million to £9.75 million.
One major increase in costs shows the Queen's determination to
modernise. She spent £182,000 on computers and information systems.
Officials predict that by next year the cost of maintaining
Kensington Palace will be met from rents, as more apartments are let
on the open market.
Only one area of royal expenditure was unaccounted for in yesterday's
figures - security.
It is estimated at up to £30 million, but the Government does not release details.
------------------------------------------------------------
Funny Editorial
Aberdeen Evening Express, June 24, 2003
A Simple Mistake?
You've got to pity those poor guards who are getting a hiding over security at Prince William's 21st birthday party. They were faced with a loud person in a beard and a dress blagging their way in for a glass of wine.
How were they to know it wasn't Camilla Parker Bowles?
B
by RICHARD KAY and STEVE DOUGHTY, Daily Mail
27th June 2003
The Queen has refused to pay the cost of fitting out a private suite
for Camilla Parker Bowles.
Her decision, revealed yesterday, shows that a certain coolness
remains between her and Prince Charles over his partner.
It means the Prince will have to fund the decoration and furnishing
of Mrs Parker Bowles's two-room suite at Clarence House from his own
pocket.
The decision that the public purse will not bear the charges stems
from a deep anxiety to demonstrate that Camilla, who remains
unpopular with a high proportion of the population, is not being
treated to a lavish lifestyle by the taxpayer.
It is also a powerful sign that, for all the talk of reconciliation
with her son over the issue, for the Queen, Mrs Parker Bowles remains
an outsider.
Unusually, Palace officials volunteered the information about who
pays without prompting. The news was slipped out as, for the second
year running, the Palace published accounts breaking down the main
areas of royal spending.
A senior source said: "It was an amicable agreement between
Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, and it was felt the taxpayer
should not pay for the decoration of these rooms."
Two months ago the Mail disclosed that the refurbishment even
included a room to be set aside for Camilla's father, Major Bruce
Shand.
Designer for Princes' rooms
Under the deal Buckingham Palace has met the basic cost of renovating
Camilla's two rooms, including rewiring and plumbing. But it has not
paid for fixtures and fittings such as taps, curtains and wallpaper.
Renovated:
Clarence House
The rooms are part of Charles's seven-bedroom private quarters, which
also include accommodation for Princes William and Harry. Charles has
hired fashionable interior designer Robert Kime to carry out the work
on them, which will cost him £1.6 million.
Yesterday Mrs Parker Bowles spoke at a memorial service for Linda
Edwards, founder of the Osteoporosis Society, of which she is
president. The appearance was a demonstration of her increasingly
prominent public profile and growing status as she becomes more
comfortable in her role as royal companion.
But a major question remains over her relations with the rest of the
Royal Family, and in particular the Queen.
'Unnecessary humiliation'
Friends of Camilla reacted angrily to the Palace's release of
information about the bills, seeing it as an unnecessary
humiliation. "It is extremely odd," one said. "If nobody was asking
questions, why has someone decided to talk about it?" The issue will
revive old tensions between St James's and Buckingham Palace.
Earlier this year Mrs Parker Bowles confided to friends that she
feared she was being "frozen out" by some of Charles's staff,
although St James's Palace flatly denied it.
The Clarence House refurbishment is slated to cost £4.4m, but at
least £500,000 more will be spent on essential renovation in future.
In return for the public money, many of its rooms will be open to the
public in August.
Royal spending released
The spending is part of total taxpayer funding of the monarchy of
£36.2 million last year - a rise of 2.5 per cent.
Alan Reid, the Queen's Treasurer and Keeper of the Privy Purse, said
the annual bill for the Royals to each of the Queen's subjects is
around 60p.
He said: "Efficiency in terms of value for money is important.
However, it is not necessarily our aim to have the cheapest monarchy
possible - quality is also important."
Civil List expenditure - money spent directly on running the Queen's
household - was up from £8.15 million to £9.75 million.
One major increase in costs shows the Queen's determination to
modernise. She spent £182,000 on computers and information systems.
Officials predict that by next year the cost of maintaining
Kensington Palace will be met from rents, as more apartments are let
on the open market.
Only one area of royal expenditure was unaccounted for in yesterday's
figures - security.
It is estimated at up to £30 million, but the Government does not release details.
------------------------------------------------------------
Funny Editorial
Aberdeen Evening Express, June 24, 2003
A Simple Mistake?
You've got to pity those poor guards who are getting a hiding over security at Prince William's 21st birthday party. They were faced with a loud person in a beard and a dress blagging their way in for a glass of wine.
How were they to know it wasn't Camilla Parker Bowles?
B
Windsor Castle prank - four arrests
29th June 2003
Femail.co.uk
Four pranksters were arrested as they tried to break through security
at Windsor Castle after a night out on the town, say Scotland Yard.
The four men, all in their early 20s, made their failed attempt as
two journalists claimed they had breached security at the royal
residence and just days after a comedian gate-crashed Prince
William's 21st birthday party.
Officers of the Metropolitan Police Royalty Protection unit and
Thames Valley Police caught the men trying to get into the Castle
grounds from the north terrace. They were arrested and taken for
questioning at Maidenhead police station while the area was searched.
Scotland Yard said the three 23-year-old men and the fourth, aged 22,
appeared to have been carrying out "an ill-conceived prank at the end
of a night out in Windsor".
There was no breach of the secure area and the men were later
released.
But police warned the public not to attempt such pranks at protected
locations as they could be injured or arrested and detained.
The Sunday Mirror reported that security was breached again at
Windsor Castle just five days after a stand-up comic gate-crashed
Prince William's birthday party.
Its reporter James Saville and a photographer said they were allowed
into the area around the royal residence in Berkshire without
security checks being made after they told staff they were picking
someone up.
Scotland Yard denied it amounted to a security breach at the castle
and stressed that no members of the Royal Family were inside during
the incident.
Comic Aaron Barschak prompted an investigation into security at the
castle after he walked into William's party last Saturday, later
claiming he kissed the Prince on both cheeks.
29th June 2003
Femail.co.uk
Four pranksters were arrested as they tried to break through security
at Windsor Castle after a night out on the town, say Scotland Yard.
The four men, all in their early 20s, made their failed attempt as
two journalists claimed they had breached security at the royal
residence and just days after a comedian gate-crashed Prince
William's 21st birthday party.
Officers of the Metropolitan Police Royalty Protection unit and
Thames Valley Police caught the men trying to get into the Castle
grounds from the north terrace. They were arrested and taken for
questioning at Maidenhead police station while the area was searched.
Scotland Yard said the three 23-year-old men and the fourth, aged 22,
appeared to have been carrying out "an ill-conceived prank at the end
of a night out in Windsor".
There was no breach of the secure area and the men were later
released.
But police warned the public not to attempt such pranks at protected
locations as they could be injured or arrested and detained.
The Sunday Mirror reported that security was breached again at
Windsor Castle just five days after a stand-up comic gate-crashed
Prince William's birthday party.
Its reporter James Saville and a photographer said they were allowed
into the area around the royal residence in Berkshire without
security checks being made after they told staff they were picking
someone up.
Scotland Yard denied it amounted to a security breach at the castle
and stressed that no members of the Royal Family were inside during
the incident.
Comic Aaron Barschak prompted an investigation into security at the
castle after he walked into William's party last Saturday, later
claiming he kissed the Prince on both cheeks.
Royals get upset over Church and parties
Weekend news review
Michael Hann
Monday June 30, 2003
The Guardian
The Queen, reported the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, is not amused. In
fact, she "is 'deeply concerned' by the escalating rift in the Church
of England over the appointment of an openly homosexual priest as
Bishop of Reading". Although she does not feel it appropriate to
intervene, according to the paper, she "is anxious for an early
resolution to the controversy". Do not, however, expect any royal
interference in the appointment. As the constitutional historian Lord
Blake explained to the paper: "The Queen has really no option but to
confirm the appointment of a bishop. It would be inconceivable in
this day and age that she should try to block it."
Royalty was also on the mind of the Mail on Sunday, which split its
news pages between the evil works of Alastair Campbell and the
activities of the Queen's children and their friends. Scoop one:
Prince Andrew is "captivated" by by a "beautiful 32-year-old Texas-
born divorcee", a neurologist named Melanie Walker. Scoop two: "the
real reason why the Queen refused to pay for the refurbishment of the
rooms which Camilla Parker-Bowles will use at Clarence House" is that
she chose the bedroom the Queen Mother had used. A "Palace source"
told the paper: "A lot of people felt the Queen Mother's bedroom
should have been left as it was as a mark of respect." Scoop three:
at a party last summer, Prince William "stripped to his boxer shorts,
performed a raunchy dance routine in a feather boa - and crowned the
party night by diving into a castle moat". None of that would be an
issue had not one of the guests taken photos, which have now appeared
in the Australian press.
From gilded youth to, well, gilded youth. "Britain's top public
schools," said the Sunday Times, "are facing an official inquiry into
allegations that they have been operating illegal cartels to fix
fees". The office of fair trading is to launch an investigation
into "claims that dozens of top schools, including Eton, Westminster
and Harrow have secretly colluded on the amounts they charge". The
maximum fine for price fixing is five years' jail, with a maximum
fine of 10% of turnover for three years. "For a wealthy school like
Eton, this could total £10m".
Also in the Sunday Times, more ignominy heaped on the late Philip
Larkin. Newly discovered tapes reveal, said the paper, that the
poet "spent his final years in an alcoholic stupor marked by a racism
and self-loathing that went far beyond what had previously been
reported". The tapes were recently discovered by a Channel 4 team in
the Larkin archive and include him "singing racist doggerel, urged on
by his long-term girlfriend and fellow alcoholic Monica Jones". One
tape features the couple singing, to the tune of
Lilliburlero: "Prison for strikers/ Bring back the cat/ Kick out the
niggers/ What about that?"
The Independent on Sunday examined the recent cases involving mothers
tried for murder after their babies had died. "A national shortage of
pathologists trained in investigating child deaths is leading to
mothers being wrongly accused of murdering their babies, according to
experts." There are currently only 40 or so paediatric pathologists
in Britain, said the paper. "This shortage has meant that, when
investigating unexpected infant deaths, some coroners are basing
inquest verdicts on evidence provided by forensic pathologists who do
not have paediatric training and who focus instead on foul play."
One possible reason for the lack of paediatric pathologists is "the
decision of many to leave the profession following the negative press
received after the Alder Hey and Bristol hospital scandals, in which
babies' organs were used for research without their parents'
knowledge". Bristol, for example, used to have three paediatric
pathologists, and now has just one part-timer.
Weekend news review
Michael Hann
Monday June 30, 2003
The Guardian
The Queen, reported the Sunday Telegraph yesterday, is not amused. In
fact, she "is 'deeply concerned' by the escalating rift in the Church
of England over the appointment of an openly homosexual priest as
Bishop of Reading". Although she does not feel it appropriate to
intervene, according to the paper, she "is anxious for an early
resolution to the controversy". Do not, however, expect any royal
interference in the appointment. As the constitutional historian Lord
Blake explained to the paper: "The Queen has really no option but to
confirm the appointment of a bishop. It would be inconceivable in
this day and age that she should try to block it."
Royalty was also on the mind of the Mail on Sunday, which split its
news pages between the evil works of Alastair Campbell and the
activities of the Queen's children and their friends. Scoop one:
Prince Andrew is "captivated" by by a "beautiful 32-year-old Texas-
born divorcee", a neurologist named Melanie Walker. Scoop two: "the
real reason why the Queen refused to pay for the refurbishment of the
rooms which Camilla Parker-Bowles will use at Clarence House" is that
she chose the bedroom the Queen Mother had used. A "Palace source"
told the paper: "A lot of people felt the Queen Mother's bedroom
should have been left as it was as a mark of respect." Scoop three:
at a party last summer, Prince William "stripped to his boxer shorts,
performed a raunchy dance routine in a feather boa - and crowned the
party night by diving into a castle moat". None of that would be an
issue had not one of the guests taken photos, which have now appeared
in the Australian press.
From gilded youth to, well, gilded youth. "Britain's top public
schools," said the Sunday Times, "are facing an official inquiry into
allegations that they have been operating illegal cartels to fix
fees". The office of fair trading is to launch an investigation
into "claims that dozens of top schools, including Eton, Westminster
and Harrow have secretly colluded on the amounts they charge". The
maximum fine for price fixing is five years' jail, with a maximum
fine of 10% of turnover for three years. "For a wealthy school like
Eton, this could total £10m".
Also in the Sunday Times, more ignominy heaped on the late Philip
Larkin. Newly discovered tapes reveal, said the paper, that the
poet "spent his final years in an alcoholic stupor marked by a racism
and self-loathing that went far beyond what had previously been
reported". The tapes were recently discovered by a Channel 4 team in
the Larkin archive and include him "singing racist doggerel, urged on
by his long-term girlfriend and fellow alcoholic Monica Jones". One
tape features the couple singing, to the tune of
Lilliburlero: "Prison for strikers/ Bring back the cat/ Kick out the
niggers/ What about that?"
The Independent on Sunday examined the recent cases involving mothers
tried for murder after their babies had died. "A national shortage of
pathologists trained in investigating child deaths is leading to
mothers being wrongly accused of murdering their babies, according to
experts." There are currently only 40 or so paediatric pathologists
in Britain, said the paper. "This shortage has meant that, when
investigating unexpected infant deaths, some coroners are basing
inquest verdicts on evidence provided by forensic pathologists who do
not have paediatric training and who focus instead on foul play."
One possible reason for the lack of paediatric pathologists is "the
decision of many to leave the profession following the negative press
received after the Alder Hey and Bristol hospital scandals, in which
babies' organs were used for research without their parents'
knowledge". Bristol, for example, used to have three paediatric
pathologists, and now has just one part-timer.
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