The royal news from all over the world in the GALA ticker: Queen Silvia's little helper revealed +++ Prince William receives a self-painted portrait of a ten-year-old +++ Princess Ingrid Alexandra returns for an important appointment.
Royal news from all over the world in the GALA ticker
December 11, 2024
Queen Silvia's little helper revealed
At 80 years old, Queen Silvia has reached a proud age. Sitting for long periods of time on time-honored golden chairs, like at this year's Nobel Prize ceremony, can sometimes become a feat of strength. But the wife of Sweden's King Carl Gustaf, 78, has taken precautions.
The Swedish royal family entering the Stockholm Concert Hall as part of the 2024 Nobel Prize ceremony.
© Dana Press
In order to cushion the hard cushion of her historic seating, Silvia had a pillow brought for her back. When the royal family moves into the Stockholm Concert Hall at the start of the ceremony to take their seats on the stage – seen in the live stream of the Swedish broadcaster SVT – the light blue detail can be seen for a brief moment. Even when the cameras are filming Queen Silvia from the side, the pillow, which many may not have noticed, flashes briefly from behind her back.
© Dana Press
December 10, 2024
Prince William smiles at portrait of ten-year-old
In his position as Colonel of the 1st Battalion of the Mercian Regiment, Prince William, 42, visited the Picton Baracks in Bulford, Great Britain, on Tuesday and sat down with members of the regiment and the families of the soldiers for a Christmas coffee party. The heir to the throne is in a good mood and also takes time for the children, who give him festive cards and a Santa hat. Above all, a self-painted picture apparently makes him smile.
Daily Mail editor and royal expert Rebecca English witnessed the moment when 10-year-old Carson Heighway presented the portrait to the prince. It shows him in a blue jacket and with a thin fringe of hair. Even his newly acquired beard seems to be visible in the painting. William found it “amusing” and put it in his pocket – presumably to show his family later – she reports, sharing a photo of the, well, almost apt portrait of the 42-year-old.
December 9, 2024
Princess Ingrid Alexandra returns to the royal spotlight for this important event
As the future heir to the throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, has to be introduced into everyday royal work sooner or later – if her parents Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon, both 51, have their way, their eldest daughter will be able to complete her military training in peace and quiet find your own way in life. As the palace announced on December 9th, 2024, Ingrid Alexandra will have an official engagement in Drammen, a municipality south of Oslo, next Friday, December 13th.
The 20-year-old visits the children's and youth ward at the local hospital with her mother Mette-Marit. The occasion is Lucia Day, when people in Scandinavian countries and Italy celebrate Saint Lucia. She lived in Syracuse, today's Sicily, in the third century and shaped her life through charity, help and support for people who were less fortunate than herself. According to legend, Lucia wore a candle on her head and had gifts for her in both hands their fellow human beings.
Today people celebrate Lucia Day with parades and church services while spending time together – including Mette-Marit and Ingrid Alexandra. They visit the hospital in Drammen to meet with children and young people who suffer from chronic illnesses and the clinic is therefore an integral part of their everyday life. A feeling that the Crown Princess, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, can certainly understand – and which attention, togetherness and loving words can certainly cheer up.
Ex-butler reveals: King Charles “hates” this kind of Christmas present
Every year the royals give a little insight into their Christmas traditions. King Charles, 75, Prince William, 42, and other members of the British royal family appear to the public as they walk to church in Sandringham. The monarch and his relatives spend the remaining holidays away from the spotlight. Now Charles' former butler, Grant Harrold, reveals a previously unknown detail about the Windsors' Christmas.
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Harrold told the Mirror: “The king hates it when you give him something extravagant and expensive. He would be embarrassed if someone spent a fortune on him.” He himself was always tempted to give simple but thoughtful gifts. The clerk said he liked to give the king “books about Victorian gardens or honey-based products.” It is known worldwide that Charles is a nature lover, designed his own garden at Highgrove House and has been committed to environmental protection for decades. The king is not the only royal who would find extravagance at Christmas out of place. The entire family appreciates it instead of relying on personal gifts every day. “The royals like to make bargains,” emphasizes the monarch’s former butler.
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Sources used: Dana Press, mirror.co.uk, mdr.de, kongehuset.no, x.com
