REVEALED: Prince George's BIG NEWS | Palace Confidential

What secret tribute did Harriet Sperling make to honour the late Queen at her wedding?What is Prince George's big news?Is there a risk Andrew will show up at a family occasion this weekend?And why is Harry's return to the UK being called absurd?We have a fascinating show for you this week.Hello and welcome to Palace Confidential, your trusted source for all Royal news.

My name is Luke Blackwell and on the panel today are the Mail's Royal Editor, Rebecca English, the Paper's Senior Editor -at -Large, Richard Kaye, as well as Diary Editor, Richard Eden.What a trio, welcome to you all.Now, the Palace Confidential channel is getting so close to the 550 ,000 subscriber mark, and we would love to get there.So if you don't already, please click that subscribe button.It's free, it's easy, and it will mean you never have to miss another one of our brilliant videos.Right, let's get to it.

The big story from the weekend was the wedding of Peter Phillips, the son of Princess Anne, to Harriet Spurling.Rebecca, eye -catching turnout.Pretty much every royal you'd expect to be there was there.

Yes, and the ones that weren't, we'll be talking about, I suspect, as well, because they were conspicuous by their absence.But there was a fantastic turnout because, of course, we all through as families go through our weddings and our christenings eras, and they kind of got out of that now.So it was actually nice to have a royal wedding.So it was led by the king, the queen.We had the Prince and Princess of Wales.Princess Royal there obviously because it was her son Peter Phillips getting married and some of the more junior Royals as well.

I would have liked to have seen the children personally but I got the impression it wasn't really a children's sort of wedding.But it was a really lovely event and the smiles on their faces, the heavens opened but they were clearly determined that it wasn't going to rain on their parade.

For certain people once you start inviting the children the wedding doubles, triples in size.Exactly.So you have to rule that in.Ritchie KayeA couple who we weren't sure were going to be, who were, were Beatrice and Eugenie.Were you surprised to see them there?

Not really, because I think we know that they are still going to be welcome at family events, and this essentially was a family event.And in fact, we saw very little of the interaction between members of the royal family, didn't we, Rebecca?We saw arrivals and a few departures, but no one wanted to overshadow the bride's big day.I guess there was some speculation about whether they would stay away, because there's been so much.controversy surrounding them, and it still is, that they may have been some kind of distraction.But I think the way they were welcomed by Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall, Peter's sister and brother -in -law, showed how much that they are still valid and valued members of the family.

Big hugs.

And the kiss from William as well.We saw that and I remember writing a piece a couple of months ago when there was a lot of naysaying about I spoke to some people close to William and there was all sorts of talk that he was trying to... delve into their finances.He wanted to keep them at arm's length.And I spoke to someone who said very simply, he's just not that mean.You know, he's not a cool man.He loves them.

So I thought that they had, they were displaying nerves.And there's a lot of fiddling with umbrellas.Their husbands were constantly brushing their hair and smoothing their tailcoats, but only to be expected.

I thought it was very interesting, actually, there was a lip reader that the Mail Online used.And I think you saw Beatrice at one point saying, hold my hand, hold my hand to her husband.So I think that showed that they wanted to put on that united front for the cameras.

And maybe needed some reassurance.

Yeah.

Now Richard, of course, another one of the absentees was Prince Harry.Did we ever really expect to see him there?

What's fascinating, actually, is I still haven'testablished whether Harry and Meghan were invited or not?You know, some people have stated that they weren't, but it's very unclear.And that's the problem with Harry and Meghan now, is they sort of, they're in that kind of netherworld between, you know, royal families and the outside, where I suspect there was a bit of back and forth about, you know, would they come, certainly he's become distant from his cousin, Peter Phillips, to whom he was once close.But the fact is they weren't there.And if they were there, I mean, wow, that would have been front page headlines.

Instead of beautiful pictures of the bride, Harriet Spurling, you would have seen Harry and Meghan.And that's the sort of thing that probably everyone wanted to avoid.

I spoke to someone from the Palace on the Friday and said, look, have you heard that they're absolutely not going?The assumption was that Harry and Meghan wouldn't be.And they said, well, I haven't heard anything, but the assumption is, you know, and anyway, it's somebody else's PR problem.I was like, well, it'll be your PR problem if they do turn up tomorrow.So, you know, and then they came back and said, yeah, pretty sure they're not going.But the same as you, I couldn't nail down whether they were actually invited or whether or not invited or disinvited.

It was really unclear.

And it was the fact that Harry had attended the funeral of his uncle, Robert Lord Fellows.previously that made us think, oh maybe they will turn up, but that was much more private.We didn't learn about it until after the event.

It is really fascinating isn't it?I want to turn away from the guest list for a moment Rebecca, because I know a lot of viewers want to talk about the dress.What was your view on what she wore?Because I know some people were speculating before, I think you said correctly before, you thought she would wear white.She did in the end.What did you make of that?

So it's Amelia Wickster dress.I love the dress itself, although I thought the neck was a little bit high.This is when the Richards look at me utterly blankly and go, what is she talking about?But I love the dress itself.For me,I thought the veil and the tiara was probably a bit OTT for a country church wedding, which is what it really felt like.

But you know what?It's her big day.She wanted a dazzle, and she did, and she looked really happy, so good for her.

I'll tell you what I found absolutely fascinating.Some people, it seems to be particularly women of older generations, have said to me, that's ridiculous, her wearing a white dress with a veil because she's a divorcee, the same as Megan was criticised a bit.Sometimes younger women, you know, they've said, well, kind of, who cares for her?It's a sort of new start.And they just like the tradition of a white wedding dress.

A new start and also a regular attendee at the church in Kemble where they married.She's part of the Christian community there.She's very devoted to her faith.And I think that all played into how she wanted to be as a bride on the big day.

And of course, we know she was married before, but we don't know what kind of wedding it was.I mean, it could have been a registry office wedding, and this was her chance to dress up in a beautiful frock with all the trimmings and just, you know, really enjoy it and feel really, really beautiful for a day.So, as I say, I think live and let live on that.

And there was a little message in the bouquet.

There was, the flowers actually at the church were stunning, they had this archway of English summer blooms and it was all, King Charles, Uncle King Charles had been very pleased, it was all seasonal, it was all very eco -conscious.So that was a really stunning backdrop to the wedding and there was a beautiful bouquet which had Lily of the Valley in it, which was Queen Elizabeth's favourite flower and we understand that was a nod to Philip's grandmother who obviously wasn't there.

And the mother of the groom, her outfit caught the eye, didn't it?Particularly the hat.

Well, Princess Anne, God love her, was wearing a hat that was 45 years old.

Only 45 years old!

Yeah, she has worn older stuff.I've written about stuff she's worn that's older.years old.But she wore it to Zara Tindall's, Zara Phillips's, her daughter's christening in 1981.I mean there's lots of people that talked about the sentimentality of it, I really think it's just Princess Anne going, right I want a yellow hat, that one will do, nothing wrong with it, I might as well wear it.But she is the Queen of the Royal Rewear, Princess Anne.

Very, very good.You would love to visit her wardrobe, wouldn't you?Can you imagine?It must be huge.

Well, and I've also said I'm really envious of the fact that she still fits into the stuff she did 50 years ago.There's not a lot of women, me included, that could say that.And you know, uniforms never need tweaking from what I hear.

Takes after her father.Prince Philip was just the same.All old suits, all old uniforms.

And quietly took a little bit of pride in that, I think, as well.

I'm sure Princess Anne was there till the bitter end, but the King wasn't.He had to depart early, Richard.Tell us about that.

No, well, he and Queen Camilla chose to rush off.They flew by helicopter to Epsom Downs race course for the Derby, you know, on the highlights of the racing season.For people like me, I was delighted because it shows their enthusiasm for horse racing.Last year at the Derby, it was quite a surprise.There were no royals there at all.And this was an event which, I think it's pretty much one of the oldest sporting events in Britain.

And it was really keenly supported by Queen Elizabeth.So they definitely missed the royals last year.King and Queen, who are patrons of the Jockey Club, wanted to show their support, so I think they enjoyed the wedding ceremony, but then wanted to sort of show their responsibilities to racing as well.

And I was told actually he'd accepted the invitation to the Derby before Peter's wedding, and he was really keen not to disappoint because he'd committed to it, so I do wonder if they might have actually worked the wedding, the timing of the wedding, around the timinghad to leave for the Derby.

Interesting because Richard Cain is a reminder he's king first and foremost that that trumps family effectively.

It does and very often he has to cut out these domestic events to go and do national events and I think it was important that he went this year there was criticism last year that for the first time no member of the royal family was on Epsom racecourse and it's a reminder how important racing is not just the royal family, but to the rural economy.It's the second most popular sport after football in the United Kingdom.And having that royal imprimatur is really vital.It's never really been quite the same from when the Derby moved from a Wednesday.It was always on the first Wednesday in June, and then they moved it to a Saturday.And it has never had quite that same level of royal support since.

Interesting.Now, this was the topic of our poll last week.We asked, is it right that the King and Queen are due to leave Peter Phillips' wedding to attend the Epsom Derby?Now, the majority of you agreed with the decision.28 % of those said no, they should stay for the reception.23 % said yes, it is right and great that they are supporting racing.

While 50 % of you took the diplomatic route saying yes, but they should stay for a drink with the newlyweds.We're not quite sure if they managed a quick toast.But for your chance to vote in these polls and to be kept up to date with what Rebecca and the Richards and all our royal experts are writing about the royal family, you need to sign up to our free palace confidential newsletter.There's a QR code on screen for you now to scan with your phone camera, just turn on the camera on your phone, hover it over that black and white thing on screen, then click the link that pops up.Alternatively, we'll put a link in the description below for you to click.Rebecca, the King is out again today.

He's been extremely busy.June always is, to be fair.What's he doing?

Yeah, really big day for the King.He's in Grimsby on the east coast of the UK.He's there for a community day, so really promoting community cohesion, which has been a golden thread running through his entire career as a working royal.And then, which I think is really appropriate because it's the first day of the World Cup, he's going to Grimsby Town FC.

For our foreign viewers, they're not a big football team.

No, they're not a big football team, but they're appreciative of the royal support nonetheless.And I think there's going to be a football shirt moment when he actually she gets a Charles or a KC3 football shirt given to her, which is a bit of a hardy annual in the royal calendars.But a really important, what we call a Royal Away Day.

And it will raise the question of which football team does King Charles support?

I'll be honest, I don't think he's massively into Burnley.He ostensibly supports Burnley, but I don't.I listened to a very funny conversation between him and David Beckham when they met.first met at St James's Palace and the King was being really jolly and asking questions but you could really tell that it was not familiar territory for him.

William has also had a busy couple of days engagements hasn't he?

So on Wednesday he was out highlighting the use of AI and how it can benefit his Homewoods project, which is to eradicate homelessness in the UK.So that was a really quite fascinating event and we hear a lot about the negative side of things like AI, which scares the hell out of me, I'm going to be honest.But also he's looking at the positive ways of using it.And then today as we're filming, he's up in Norfolk, a really interesting job in his own backyard actually.He's in Amner, where obviously him and Catherine have their country home.And they've actually co -funded an initiative there to support local people's mental health.

They've already had 2 ,400 people seek help from it, so they're there to promote that.And then another eye -catching engagement withthe local blood delivery service, which have managed to raise funds for a vehicle that they've dubbed Prince William, and he's going to be out doing a blood delivery.

Just for blue blood, is it?

Very good, Richard writing headlines already.For any blood, and I should say when we're talking about the whole mental health thing, given the fact that his uncle Andrew is on the Sandringham Estate, who knows who might be taking advantage of those services?

Well to be fair we have known that William and Catherine have both expressed concern privately about their uncle Andrew's mental health.

William in particular actually, from what I hear William in particular has been really quite concerned about him.

Keeping it in the family, a bit of help there.Richard Eden, back to you.You have reported on a development where another of our future monarchs will go to school.

Yes, this is the news, goodness I hope it's right now or I'm going to be quite embarrassed but I was told that they have decided that Prince George will definitely follow in the footsteps of his father Prince William and his uncle Harry and go to Eton College in September.He did his common entrance exams at Lambrook, his current school, last week and apparently that was all all fine, and so it should be announced shortly.It's certainly what I've been told, so fingers crossed I've got that right.But it'd be an interesting choice, it's a very academic school, it's obviously probably the most famous school in Britain, frankly.Perhaps even the world.

Sorry, Rebecca, I was going to come to you actually, because it's a story you've covered quite a lot here on this programme, where he's going to go to school.We've seen reports of them visiting places all over really, mixed schools, single sex schools, North London now to Berkshire, they obviously took this decision very seriously.

And they took this decision seriously as parents because having spoken to William and Catherine and those close to them over a period of many years, theyare very adamant that those children are at the centre of their world and if people throw brickbats at them for not doing as many rural duties as they would like them to because they want to be there for them, to drop them off at school and to pick them up, so be it.They're willing to take the flak for that because they want these children to have happy, healthy and as normal a life as they can given the position to which they're born.So they've really taken it seriously, they've looked at a lot of different places.I think I first wrote my story that he was going to eat in about five or six years ago.

All right, you got there first, you got there first.

I mean, it was always on the cards.I think that was always their starting point, but they were obviously looking you know, other possibilities.I think some of the ones they've been looking at are ones for Charlotte as well.I think they've examined the possibility of co -education, but someone said to me they really want to find the right school for each child, which I think indicates they might not necessarily go to the school.They've had a very happy time at Lambrook where all three children have been together, but that might not be the route they're taking in the future.

Richard Kaye, Is it fair to say it's a safe choice?

I think it is. I mean, it's their local school.It's in the shadow of Windsor Castle.They live in Windsor Great Park as a family, so George isn't going to be far away.And it's safe because it's a boys' school.And I think that's one of the principal concerns that they had as parents, that in the era of smartphones, every pupil's got one.who wouldn't want to get a photograph of George perhaps getting a chaste kiss or otherwise with his first girlfriend.

I mean, it's inevitable.It's human life.It's what would happen.And I think it just does remove one area of probability for them.

You think back to when Harry and William were growing up, and they had paparazzi that had that problem to an extent.they didn't have the smartphone you know it wasn't that everyone had one it's a different world even from then.

They didn't actually have paparazzi because there was a very good agreement in place yeah and their education they were they were pretty much left alone.

There was a photo on the first day wasn't there?

That's fair enough and they'll be the same with George.But they didn't have that you know, that menace of smartphones at all.

No, it's intrusive.I mean, it's a conversation, it's a really interesting topic, conversation, because it's something I often have at the press office, because historically people see the press, the media, as the baddies, but Richard's absolutely right.Right up through their education, William and Harry were very, very largely ring -fenced.And actually a lot of the stories that appear now that I have conversations with palace press offices about is because someone has snapped a picture of a member of the royal family on their phone or done a video of them out in a restaurant or some pictures that went around of William and Catherine with their children in a local pub.having Sunday lunch, and we asked, you know, they're all over the internet, can we use them?And they said, look, we would ask you not to.

And because we have a respectful relationship, we haven't.But it's the kind of citizen journalism that's actually, I think, the biggest threat to them living as normal life as possible.Actually, not the media now.

And it's not just that.I mean, the fact is, we knew far more about Prince Charles's education as a young boy.People find that hard to believe, but in the 60s it was a much more deferential time, media attitudes towards the royal family, but there are far more stories came out about his progress through his various schools than we ever knew about William and Harry at Eton.

And you didn't, I mean I know from talking to you before Rebecca, you'll get stories, I'm sure you had to say, you'd hear stories but you wouldn't run them if it was about them at school.You might tip your tip off.

We absolutely didn't.it was quite strictly patrolled.

It's interesting and presumably as well with Eton we talk about they've dealt with the security aspect before right so they know about having police in the school.

Indeed they're used to having high net worth individuals there or the children of high net worth individuals but obviously they're very used to having heirs to the throne and so they are set up for it they're used to having familiar seeing police bodyguards who will inevitably be there with George on some sort of rotator system.And if Richard's story turns out to be right, and I'm sure it is, I suspect that George will end up in the same boarding house that his father and uncle Harry were in because it has the security measures already in place.

Makes sense, well you'll want to watch, certainly very interesting.Now the issue of security, Richard Eden, will be back at the fore when Prince Harry visits the UK next month.You've written about this for Mail Plus today, tell us a little bit about what you've said.

Well it's an important visit next month, really important for Harry and he's kind of elevated its importance because what it is is to promote the Invictus Games which are going to be held in Birmingham in July 2027.So he's holding a series of events to publicise that and create a bit of momentum behind those games.And he stated publicly he was hoping to bring his wife Megan and perhaps his children to come with him.But the big sticking point has been security.And after he lost his appeal against the automatic right to have taxpayer -funded security, he said, oh, I can't envisage being able to take my family to Britain in those circumstances.So it's now difficult for him to come without that changing.

And we heard rumours.that in January the committee that decides these things was going to decide whether that security would be renewed or not but we haven't heard what's happened.

Six months later it's not a short time.

And it sounds like that's because there's a sticking point and that is that the civil servants involved have said it wouldn't be a popular move that taxpayers Wouldn't want to be paying for them to have this automatic right so they can just come and go as they please So it's going to be very interesting to see what happens and it seems that In the last time he was here, it was done as they'd previously agreed, a case -by -case basis, so when he's on certain official duties, there was police protection, I understand.

Is that correct?

Yeah, so you need to read my article to find out what I've learned.But Harry's definitely coming, and it remains to be seen if Meghan will, and it remains to be seen if he will meet the King as he did last September during that visit.

I'd be surprised.I mean, look, I may eat my words, but I'd be surprised if he brought Meghan and the children until the security issue is absolutely nailed on.Because he has, as you rightly say, he's put that there absolutely foremost as the biggest issue to him being able to build bridges with his family.And he's built an entire public discourse around it.So for the fact that hasn't been decided, which I think is embarrassing for him.

It could mean he just never comes back.He may never come back if that's never resolved.

Let's be clear, this is ridiculous.I mean, this is a woman in Megan's case who has been flown over to France for Paris Fashion Week.They've been in the Middle East, they've been in Colombia, they've been in Nigeria.You know, come on.I mean, you know, we have a few crime problems here in London, but I wouldn't say we're, you know, Nigerian or Middle Eastern levels of danger.So I think that the situation is absurd and it's all connected with Harry's pride, I would say.

Well it's a very good read as always with Richard's articles.We'll put a link to that in the description below.Always check the description I should say as well because we always put links to what our brilliant writers are writing for the Mail and it gets you a chance just to see what they've been up to during the week as well between shows.Now, before we get to the comments, I want to have a quick word on our Palace Confidential live event this week.It was our first in the UK and we wanted to thank those of you who came out to see us and enjoy some afternoon tea in the process.We had visitors from across England, a couple from Scotland and one viewer who had even flown in from Canada.

That was quite impressive, wasn't it?What's your highlight, do you think, Rebecca?

I just think meeting the people that watch the programme.I really, really enjoyed that.I mean, it's always nice to do it over a glass of champagne or something non -alcoholic afterwards as well.But what I always say about this programme is that reporting in the royal sphere with social media can be very negative.It is a bit of a cesspit.But the one thing I love about Palace and the whole YouTube community is it's a really positive community.

So it was just really Lovely hearing from and I think they seem to join the fact that we said on the whole pretty much ask us anything And we'll try and answer it for you well they do say in journalism never read the comments but actually we break that here because we always read the comments because we have so many so many brilliant ones here and I'll mention a couple in just a second but I did want to say to keep an eye on our channels for more live events we do hope to get back out on the road again soon to do so just make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube channel click that button it's that easy it doesn't cost you anything and also why not sign up to the newsletter so you won't miss the chance next time it comes along.We'll put a link to the newsletter in the description below as well as I mentioned earlier.Now, on to the comments after our discussion on Royal Wings.Melinda Flick had this question.She asked, reprivate royal wills?Is that only the monarch that has this privilege, or does it apply to monarch, children of the monarch, and then stop at that level?

Nosy minds would love to know.Not only nosy minds, or maybe I just am.I'd like to know too.Rebecca, what's the answer?

Well, it's not a very satisfactory answer, because it's one of these ones.They make it up as they go along.But essentially, our view is absolutely right.It's not just the monarch.It is the children, the grandchildren.It's the senior working royals.

Say, for example, I can't ever see their someone like Peter Phillips's will would work.be sealed, you know, hopefully many years from hence when he kind of leaves this mortal coil, unlike other royals.But it's really fascinating.But his mother, for example, Princess Anne, her will probably would be sealed.Her will would be sealed, I think.And I think what's interesting, there was a recent court battle in the UK about this because there were media organisations and individuals trying to get Prince Philip's will unsealed.

They failed, which I think is unsurprising.But a number of wills under a 90 year rule were unsealed.I mean, they're not people we'd be massively interested.We're talking about kind of Edwardian minor royals.But even then, these wills which are held by the President of the Family Division in the High Court, they said, OK, I'll have a look at it.I see if I think there's anything that concerns me.

Then somebody else who's concerned with them could have a look at it.So it's almost like kind of writing in class and putting your arm over your homework so no one can see it.It's a very, very secretive process and it's not massively regulated either.They kind of make it up as they go along.

Richard Kaye, it is worth, for those who might have missed the discussion last week, in Britain everyone's wills are largely open.

Yes, I mean a will is a public document like a marriage and a death and there is an official record and most wills are virtually open.of all the rest of us are published and are available but it's interesting because it's not that long that the monarchy have been hiding away details of their wills I think it dates from about 1910 so just before the first world war and before that they were open like everybody else's and of course it has led to lots of questions about what have they got to hide and I think it does cut across this whole issue of transparency and the monarchy and opening it up and why can't we know everything about how they're funded and their own funds.They're entitled to their privacy, of course, but a lot of people have always been deeply suspicious about what the monarchy have sort of sorted away for themselves, which some people think, often wrongly, that they're ours rather than theirs.So that's why there's always been this sort of controversy.area over Wales.

The one thing I would say, I was thinking about this as I was driving in today.Look, I think it may well change at some point in the future, but you do wonder how exciting it's going to be.I remember, do you remember the Guardian newspaper fought a long campaign to get Prince Charles's infamous Black Spider memos published.And they actually won over that because the big idea behind it was that he was overreaching his constitutional position, he was lobbying ministers.And when those documents came out, They were so dull.I always remember the one that made me laugh so much is his writing, I think to maybe one of the head of the fisheries going, about the, as he said it, the plight of the poor old Patagonian toothfish.

That was one of his big infamous black spider memes.

Well that might be dull to you, but it's interesting to the Patagonian toothfish.

It will reassure them that the future King of England had a stake in ensuring its survival.but it just was that it was the epitome to me of how they were actually a very damp squib at the end of the day.

One thing might be worth reminding people of course the late Princess Diana's will was published and it didn't have any great secrets in it but it was a revealing moment I think it had she still been Princess of Wales At the time of her death, it would almost certainly have been sealed.

And wasn't there some controversy over it, because she put down a letter of wishes, that she wanted items.

No, that's a whole different story about the letter of wishes referred to items or perhaps money that she may have wanted to go to her godchildren.And it was interpreted in one way, and there was a big storm about whether the godchildren had been properly recognised under the terms of the will.

It's all fascinating stuff and it's that balance between the mystery of monarchy and a bit of openness which sort of stops these conspiracy theories but that, Melinda, was a very good question.I hope we've answered it for you.Now on to some more comments and earlier this week we put out an episode of Palace Fashion hosted by our very own Rebecca English featuring Royal Fashion Designer Amanda Wakeley and the male's Claire Chiesotti.A lot of you love that show.Diane Wheatley echoed the sentiments of many of you and she wrote Congratulations, Rebecca, you knocked this interview out of the park.It's one of the most enjoyable programs I've watched in ages.

It was so interesting and so much fun and so informative.I really enjoyed you showing what fashion brands are available and what price, also where to find them.The ladies were a joy to listen to, replying to your questions.This really was one of the best Palace Confidentials.How about that?

Oh, yes, that's nice.

Who are we to disagree?

And I always say that these programmes are only as good as the people you have on and the people you speak to, and Amanda and Claire really know their stuff.

It was a really fun watch, and do you know what I think a lot of people enjoyed, was that episode featured pictures from your own wedding day.

Oh, don't!

So if you missed that, stick around to the end of this show, it will play straight after.The discussion also turned to cross body bags, or purses as they're known across the pond.This prompted this Great comment from Karen Stoddart who said, I refer to cross -bodies as my hands -free drinking device.

That was my hands -down favourite comment, that really was.

Sorry, so you put your glass balancing on her bag, it means she's got your hands free.You've got two hands, you can hold a bottle and a glass.

I gather you've never held a handbag while you've been out drinking, Richard.Where's your handbag?

I've held my wife sometimes.We've held her glass as well.But anyway, there's a, you know, fashionable and practical here.Sticking with fashion for a moment and to a part of a show that should probably have its own fanfare.That's right.It's time for Sockwatch.

Richard Eden, what are you wearing this week?

Yes, these are sent in by a very kind viewer from Canada, as you will tell from the design of the sock.You can't miss them, Richard.Joanne Demers, or I hope I pronounced that correctly, or Demers, sent them in.Lovely, very proud Canadian in Ontario, if I remember rightly.The famous maple leaves.Thank you very much for those.

They're absolutely handsome.I can see them from right away across the room.Brightly shining there.Now, a few of you have been asking.Thank you again, Joanne.If you want to send Richard some socks, you can drop us an email.

Palace at mailplus .co .uk.and we'll let you know how to go about it.I'm really enjoying this.

I notice you're not even trying to compete today.

I can never compete.I can't see them from here.They think they sort of tone with the burgundy shoes.Some of the problem is sometimes the colours get mixed up and people think I'm wearing different ones.There was a comment last week saying my socks were too pale.I'm not taking that one to heart.

I notice Richard Kaye wisely doesn't enter the fray, just a more sober, darker colour.

I just think Richard, he's realised, Luke's realised, that the battle is lost today.Peacock wins the day.

You can't compete with these can you?

No you can't.Difficult though it is, we must move on from Sockwatch.And last week, the National Audit Office released details of the Royal Family's living arrangements, including how much rent was being paid by whom and to whom.It came out just after our last show, very annoyingly, didn't it, that story?We did have a bit of a response from Richard.Eden on the channel, if you want to look back at that.

But here are just a couple of the headlines.Both Andrew Mountbatten -Windsor and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie, were generating income from renting out properties on their estates to staff.Now, a lot was talked about that, Rebecca, but you were quick to point out the detail in there that referred to Andrew's daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Yeah, I stuck to my guns on this because I knew everyone would go with Andrew and the fact that he was able to rent out these properties on Royal Lodge and pocket the money, he didn't go to the Crown Estate.Same with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.But I thought that Beatrice and Eugenie's story was a very relatable story because I think, as Richard Kaye mentioned earlier on, it goes back to this issue of transparency and why it's so important.And buried away in this National Audit Office, which, just to remind our viewers, was sparked because our parliamentarians were so outraged over the whole Royal Lodge scandal that they've demanded questions about who's in what property, how that's funded, what money comes from taxpayers, what money doesn't come from taxpayers, and that's something they'll be investigating in the coming months.But I noticed buried away in there, it basically admitted that...and Eugenie, who've been living in royal residences for almost 20 years, have never paid their rent personally.

It's always been there.Rent has been charged, but it's been paid for firstly by their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and that is a arrangement that's been inherited by the King who has agreed to honour it.And not only that, they're saying because their properties, Princess Beatrice's apartment at St James's Palace and Eugenie's home, Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace, are within a security cordon and can't be rented out generally.without a lot of security checks being done, that they only pay 60 % of what's considered the market rent.And sometimes even that hasn't been charged.With Eugenie's property, it's been as low as 50%, 55%.

And I think, as someone, you know, myself personally - And they determine market rent as well.And they determine market rent.Same with the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.There was a In a way I think that's more outrageous.There was a huge hoo -ha because it emerged they were only paying £69 a week for their Kensington Palace apartment.There was a huge outcry in the early noughties about that and it was announced that from 2010 they would pay their own market rent value of about 120 ,000 a year.

And then it was just suddenly decided, without that being announced, that Queen Elizabeth would pay that.And it was only actually this year they decided to look at the situation again.And so none of this has come, this is what I should stress, this has all been paid for by either Queen Elizabeth or the King out of their personal fortune, which largely comes from the Duchy of Lancaster and other investments.But I think, you know, I don't think I mean, I've been paying, I don't know about you gentlemen, I've been paying my own rent or my own mortgage since I was 21.I definitely don't have a silver spoon in my mouth.And I think there will be people who will ask, well, Beatrice and you should

have got good jobs, they've got husbands who've got businesses or good jobs themselves, why aren't they paying this money or at least contributing towards it themselves?And I think it does raise questions about transparency and the kind of this royal kind of slush fund of money going to and from.

Richard, Kate, I mean it's There is a valid point that a lot of these properties, there are very few people in the UK who are security vetted and could live that close to the royal family and could afford to live there.It's a very small number.But do taxpayers have rights to be a bit annoyed by this?

I think they do.There are, as you say, very few people who would meet the criteria.But there are some.The head of the army, various military chiefs, people involved in security themselves who have understandably higher levels of security protecting them they could live and they have done.The head of the army for example lived in what was part of Princess Diana's old apartment for several years in the early 2000s.So it has happened but yeah I think the public have got a right to be concerned and it goes back to the whole issue of status and Andrew's determination that his daughters were were HRHs, they were blood royals, they were granddaughters of Her Majesty the Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth, and he was determined that they should enjoy the kind of status that he had had growing up as the son of the Queen.

And it is part of the ongoing Andrew saga, frankly, it's one of the reasons why he got into so much trouble over the years.He feels slightly sorry that Beatrice and Eugenie have been sort of shoved into the spotlight because of this.But on the other hand, I think the public does have a right to be concerned about it.Rebecca's absolutely put her finger on it.They're both married to successful men with business careers.homes of their own away from the palaces.

Surely that should be enough and if they want to have a home at one of our palaces then they should contribute to it.

What do you think should be the answer Richard Eden?

Well I think in the future certainly Beatrice and Eugenie and other non -working members of the royal family will have to pay their own way.They won't enjoy these sort of privileges and I was told that's something which Prince William believes too.So this is an arrangement which won't last in the future into his reign certainly.

I think actually when I asked the palace about this that they said that it These financial arrangements are constantly kept under review, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see quite a serious change in that in the next year.As I say, it's not... effectively costing taxpayers any money, but I just think it's one of those things the palace needs to get their ducks in a row about.

The key point is we, as monarchists, we want the monarchy to retain the public's faith and I think the way to do that is to show that it's using money sensibly and even in the case of Duchy of Lancaster, yes it sort of clusters the monarch's private income, But it comes with the job.It's inherited.There's no inheritance tax.So they're enjoying benefits that other people don't.And that money should be used responsibly in a way that people would understand, I think.

And is it not also an answer that we tend to find these things out at moments of crisis?You mentioned the Kents just now, that scandal in the early noughties.I remember that.And now we have this flurry of headlines.If things were a little more open, a little more consistent, you know, they think they're under review, but surely they should review how open it is as well, that surely we should be seeing this more regularly, so there aren't any nasty surprises and we don't get any shocks.

I think you're right, Luke, and it's this kind of word that's often bounded around in PR situations.but it's true it's optics and it's how things look and this is where I think the courtiers need to look a bit further down line see where the elephant traps are.I mean admittedly the poor King has had so much to deal with since he acceded the throne he's had a lot of things to do with in terms of his brother but also his own health so I understand it's probably you know down on the on the list of things he needs to sort out but But I think once it's been raised, they need to be quite alive to this now.

Richard, Kay, because it's not, you know, like we said, Charles is very busy, he's got a million things to do, but presumably courtiers could be looking at...

Proposals to make this they could but but court is natural instinct is to cover up and not to reveal they don't like shining lights on on these rather obscure traditions and That is part of the problem stuff You have this feeling constantly and we've it's you touched on the Kent's in the early 2000s.I remember the story well everything has to be dragged out into the light and It has been like that for many years and you know, they're they're Maybe things are changing, maybe Rebecca's right, and there's a little bit more openness, but a little bit more would be even more welcome.

The Palace did make a point, actually, in their official statement to the report, saying, you know, this is in line with our actual MO of transparency.We welcome the report.Whether that was said through slightly gritted teeth, I don't know.But I think, you know, you guys know this journalistically.You can have an argument about a story, then you'll speak to someone the next day and you go, what do you make of it?Do you think what I've written was fair?

And the attitude that came out from the Palace was like, yeah, that was fair enough.And you know you've hit the nail on the head then, so.

Very interesting.Now, I want to go back to the Yorks just for a moment, Rebecca, because next week, another big royal week, it's Ascot.Do you think the Yorksisters will be there?

I think there's a good chance Beatrice will be there.I mean, usually Blesser is in the latter stages of her career.as we saw at the Phillips wedding and it's going to be very hot in the UK next week so Royal Ascot is going to be and it's baking it's like a little sun trap that place and I I mean, I've covered Royal Ascot, I remember doing one week when I was pregnant and I vowed I would never do that again because you're on your feet a lot and it is very, very hot.So I'd be surprised if we see her there but, you know, I might be wrong.Beatrice, I mean, look, you can still attend as a member of the Royal Family in the Royal Enclosure but in a private capacity.She doesn't have to be standing there in the paddock doing, you know, kisses on the cheek of the king and the queen.

I'll be honest, I don't know, so it's difficult to predict, but I wonder from their point of view if it's something that they might see if they shied away from something like that, that it would be the writing on the wall for any semi -public event.

You ask that question and I just immediately think back to, I think it was the year before last, when the King greeted Sarah Ferguson with an extravagant kiss on her hand.I think that was two years ago, wasn't it?Yeah, you think, gosh, haven't times changed?But for me, what would be fascinating is, are Beatrice and Eugenie invited to take part in the Royal Procession?

Well, there you are, because that is the question for newsletter readers this week.Should Beatrice and Eugenie be allowed to ride in the Royal Procession of carriages at Ascot next week?I think you may have even come up with this question, Rich, didn't you?How would you answer it?

Well, I mean, because if they do, I mean, that would be hugely symbolic because, look, we saw them at the wedding.That was, as discussed, that was the king showing that they're still part of the royal fold.But if they took part in that carriage procession, that would be, I would say, almost sort of provocative in a way.I personally would be surprised if that was the case.

It'd be a very public putting of an arm around their shoulders, wouldn't it, if that was the case?that is a semi -official event.The King and the Queen attend every day in an official capacity as opposed to attending a private family wedding.

And there's also, Richard K, an added stain on the good name of Royal Ascot now involving their father isn't there?

There is, poor old Ascot.In 2002, the year of the late Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee, an allegation has surfaced that Andrew who was there, actually he went with his brother, I remember going and covering it myself, Prince Charles, and there anyway, there's an allegation that has arisen from a waitress who was engaged and was apparently waiting on the Royals in some capacity and she has made some claim about his behaviour and his conduct.We don't know what the allegation is or what it involves.I was slightly surprised by it when I heard about it because my understanding of how the Royal Box works which is inside the Royal Enclosure is certainly under the late Queen.She brought all her staff down from Windsor Castle because it's a huge, massive wee.She's based at Windsor.

Most of her staff from BP Buckingham Palace would move down to Windsor for the wee.And she took them and they were all there to attend on the Royals and their guests who came for tea.But this would appear to be someone who was not connected to the Royal household at all.

And you can move around at Ascot, can't you?

You can, you can move around and the royal family love, as Rebecca knows well, going from the roiling box through the royal enclosure down to the parade ring to see the horses, to see the unsaddening enclosure, talking to the jockeys, trainers, especially the Queen and Princess Anne, they love doing that and the King does to a certain extent.And there are all sorts of other distractions for the younger members of the royal family.Many of the London clubs have a presence on the course now and sometimes they stop in there for tea or a drink.

It's a fantastic affair.I think all of you will be there next week, so we hope to hear some insights from there.Before we get to ASCA, however, it is Trooping the Colour, one of the big events on the Royal Calendar coming up this weekend.Rebecca, for those who don't know, explain a little bit about what Trooping is.

Yeah, to be fair, people are sometimes a bit confused.Why do they have a birthday celebration that's nowhere near their birthday, particularly in the King's case, because his birthday is in November.But obviously it is the official celebration of the monarch's birthday.and the reasons are back in the midst of time I think about 260 years ago when a lot of monarchs were having their birthdays in the winter and it was not a good time of year to hold events so June was held as something fingers crossed in the UK that the weather would be better and it reinforces their links with the military because it's a display of military pomp and pageantry and it's one of the highlights of the royal calendar.We see the monarch, we see not just the senior working royals but we also see the Historically we've seen some of the non -working Royals and we also get to see the children as well.So it's one of the real, you know, we're diving them all opportunities every year to be able to see the people that the public are really interested in seeing.

Although Richard, that has gone down hasn't it over the recent years.We were once treated to this enormous crowd of people and now it's a little fewer.

Yeah, I mean, going back to 2002, we were just talking about it, the Queen's Golden Jubilee, and that balcony was festooned with royals, possibly sagging at the corners.I mean, it was a great spectacle.We were saying that ourselves, weren't we?And it's a shame in many ways, but, you know, needs must.They're determinedto present this slightly slimmed -down image for the royal family.

It's all to do with austerity that came in over the last few years, and money -saving, of course.And that's the way it is.But it is still a fabulous occasion, and I'm sure we will see the Wales children on display on that balcony, and lots of cheeky grins and waves.coming up.

And the extended families still get to go, don't they?They're often behind the curtains having lunch.

Yes, I was going to say, because our live event this week took place next to the Mal, and as Robert Hartman pointed out, he said, oh, it's the best free show there is to come down and watch the parade of the carriages.

I have to say, a couple of years ago when Buckingham Palace opened up some more of the estate rooms and the rooms you don't normally expect to the public, I got an early press view and I got the chance to go and stand on that balcony myself.It's really narrow.It's so much smaller than all the years I've been looking at it from this way up.When you come in through that room and the doors are open.That is a trip hazard, that, especially with children.I didn't realise, you know, since then I've kind of watched it almost with my fingers in my mouth, thinking, God, I hope no one goes over that.

It's really shocking when you see it.

As Richard Eden, who was echoing Robert Hardman there, said, Trooping the Colour is a fantastic way to see the royal family as they parade down the Mall with all the pageantry you might expect for such a big occasion and then up to Buckingham Palace for the flypast and of course that time on the balcony a real great one for Royal Watchers if you're in and around London this weekend.But for now that sound of course marks the time in the show that we mark an unsung hero in or around the Royal Family.This week it's poignant as it's someone who has recently left us.Richard Kaye who am I talking about?

We're talking aboutLady Pamela Hicks.Lady Pamela was the daughter of the late Earl Mountbatten, very close links with the royal family as we all know and particularly close to her late majesty Queen Elizabeth.She was a bridesmaid at her 1947 wedding and famously she was with the Queen, well she wasn't then the Queen, she was with Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in in Kenya at the very moment that the young princess learned that her father had died and she was therefore Queen.So she's someone who has been there every step of the way with the last reign.She was a lady -in -waiting to the Queen for many years and someone whom the royal family were extremely fond of.

A real piece of history there, we're losing a real ringside seat to it all.Rebecca?We have a potential clash with the funeral and Trooping the Colour, a real clash.

It is a clash, yes.It's at three o 'clock on Saturday, the funeral service, and unfortunately Trooping obviously is one of the biggest days in the royal calendar.So, on behalf of viewers, I have checked with Buckingham Palace and no senior members of the royal family will be able to go because they are already committed to Trooping sadly.So the King is going to be represented by the Duke of Abercorn and the Edinburgh's and the Duke of Kent are going to be represented by Lady Helen Taylor.So there will be family members there but not the senior family members.And I think if it hadn't been Trooping, if it had been any other day, they would have loved to have gone.

Richard, it does sound like she didn't want a fuss made, doesn't it?Also, there's the question of could there be an appearance by a certain Andrew Mountbatten -Windsor?

Oh gosh, I mean, yes, certainly from what Lady Pamela's daughter India was saying, she made quite specific instructions about, she didn't want, didn't really want a lavish funeral, she didn't want a sermon or a eulogy, just lots of jolly hymns I think was what she said.And interestingly she didn't really want a memorial service either so be interesting to see whether they do that.Yes I mean Andrew, Prince Andrew as he then was, attended the funeral of Lady Pamela's sister and in the run of things you might expect him to attend this.

Because it is a private family occasion you would say.

And he won't be at Trooping of the Colour will he?So you do wonder if he'll put an appearance, but again, I imagine he won't.He kind of knows he's not wanted anymore.

It would not be the best bit of PR.We talked about optics earlier, Rebecca.It would not be the best move, perhaps, to be seen.

It's definitely the kind of thing he should recuse himself from.

Wise words there now, but rest in peace to Lady Pamela Hicks.

Truly an end of an era actually, isn't it?

Amazing life.Yeah, extraordinary.We'll stay with the topic of Trooping the Colour for a moment as we thought we'd look back to some of the most memorable moments there over the years.Enjoy these.That was a real trip down memory lane wasn't it?Now a reminder that up next is the latest episode of Palace Fashion with Rebecca looking at dressing for royal weddings and how you can incorporate their style into your own.

So go on, treat yourself and click here for that.Just time now though to say thank you to Rebecca and the Richards, Kay and Eden and to you at home for watching.We'll see you soon.Goodbye.