Palace releases new portrait of King and Queen as their Samoa journey ends

There aren’t any plans to host weddings for members of the general public at King's Balmoral Property, a spokesperson for the royal residence stated.

The weddings are talked about in plans that a consultant of the Aberdeenshire property had housed within the Queen's Constructing, within the grounds close to Balmoral Citadel.

Plans state the venue “could also be used for weddings, dinners, conferences and related occasions”, which it stated could be “uncommon year-round”.

However a spokesperson for the property stated: “There aren’t any plans for Balmoral to host weddings as a business enterprise.”

It’s understood that the property has had the capability to host capabilities and occasions, each private and non-private, for numerous years.

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Mike Tindall, the late queen's grandson-in-law, says the queen's life was “not like an episode of Downton Abbey.”

The World Cup-winning rugby participant, who’s married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall, revealed what the Queen was like behind closed doorways of their joint guide 'The Good, The Dangerous and The Rugby – Unleashed', revealed alongside with the podcast co-hosts. James Haskell and Alex Payne.

“I'm generally requested if the Queen did informality like 'regular' individuals, and the reply is sure,” Tindall stated.

“Her life wasn't like an episode of Downton Abbey, with meals at lengthy tables and everybody dressed of their greatest each evening, and Zara and I usually watched the races along with her on tv, as I'm certain many individuals do. studying This they did with their grandmother.

“Lunches have been additionally relaxed, particularly in Scotland, the place a picnic was usually held within the open house of the Scottish Highlands.

“There’s a nice photograph of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures precisely what these afternoons have been like: members of a close-knit household who cherished one another dearly and spent treasured time collectively. “Sure, there may be a whole lot of drama across the royal household, however deep down they aren’t very totally different from everybody else,” he added.

Because the King's historic journey to Australia and Samoa involves an finish, right here's a take a look at one of many strangest moments from the royal tour.

The King was left in “disbelief” after a topped alpaca, wearing a go well with and gold bow tie, sneezed as he went to say howdy on Monday.

The animal was calmly ready with its proprietor amongst tons of of well-wishers to fulfill the King exterior the Australian Warfare Memorial in Canberra when it made the social gaffe.

Robert Fletcher had introduced his nine-year-old alpaca, named Hefner as a result of his mom was referred to as Playgirl, to fulfill the King.

However when Charles stroked its nostril the animal sneezed and people round it laughed.

Fletcher stated afterward: “I used to be capable of shake his hand after which Hefner sneezed. The King simply stared in disbelief. However that's who Hefner is. In any case, he’s an alpaca.”

The King has stated he hopes to “survive lengthy sufficient” to return to Samoa as he returns to the UK.

Charles and Queen Camilla ended their four-day state go to to Samoa by visiting a twinned village with the UK, because the Pacific nation hosted a serious Commonwealth summit.

Following his historic speech on the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Authorities Assembly (Chogm) on Friday, the King and his spouse participated in a cultural welcome as friends of Siumu village the next day.

He informed his friends: “I’ll at all times stay dedicated to this a part of the world and hope to outlive lengthy sufficient to return again and see you all.”

From touching commemorative occasions to historical homecoming ceremonies, the King and Queen's tour of Australia and Samoa had all of it.

Crowds flocked to the well-known Sydney Opera Home to see the monarch make his first go to to Australia as King, along with his spouse Camilla. It featured the most important crowd of the tour, with greater than 6,000 individuals competing for the perfect spot to see the couple.

Within the capital, Canberra, the temper was very totally different because the couple paid their respects on the Australian Warfare Memorial throughout a shifting wreath-laying ceremony. There have been moments when formalities have been forgotten, together with Charles being hugged by a well-wisher throughout his go to to the Nationwide Indigenous Middle of Excellence in Sydney.

Some encounters have been extra uncommon, from an alpaca in a crown and bow tie who sneezed when the King stroked its nostril, to the Queen attempting to persuade a parrot to speak.

Royal excursions generally have controversial moments and when Charles was obtained by MPs in Canberra, Senator Lidia Thorpe accused him of “genocide” in opposition to First Nations.

In Samoa, the King confirmed off his personal tackle native vogue throughout welcome ceremonies.

Charles swapped his trademark tailor-made go well with for a short-sleeved white jacket and pants he designed himself as he was honored with a brand new title, sipped a symbolic drink and obtained a pig to have a good time the opening day of his state go to to Peaceable. nation.

The itinerary was designed to present the King, who has been receiving most cancers remedy for a lot of the yr, intervals of relaxation. A day of relaxation was allotted after the couple first arrived in Australia and the King appeared engaged, relaxed and in good spirits all through the abroad go to.

Charles and Queen Camilla wrapped up their four-day state go to to Samoa on Friday as they boarded their airplane again to the UK.

Earlier than leaving, the King and Queen visited a city twinned with the UK after which took shelter below umbrellas as they boarded their airplane dwelling in pouring rain.

Camilla walked forward of her husband, who chatted with the dignitaries for a couple of minutes earlier than becoming a member of his spouse on the prime of the steps and so they each stated goodbye to the Pacific nation.

Charles and Queen Camilla concluded their four-day state go to to Samoa by visiting a city twinned with the UK.

The cities round Apia, Samoa's capital, are twinned with every of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, flying the flags of the international locations they’ve adopted and with road furnishings painted within the nationwide colors.

In his impromptu speech, Charles stated: “We’re so impressed by the gorgeous approach all of the villages have adorned the roadsides – it’s one thing very particular in Samoa.”

He thanked residents for his or her “fantastic generosity” in bringing items of meals and “different fantastic issues”, and stated the royal couple would take away “particular reminiscences of our time right here”.

When the couple arrived, it started to rain and soaked villagers and elders gathered for a ceremony during which they drink a drink constructed from powdered kava root, which suggests unity.

Carlos and Camilla have been offered with pink garland necklaces earlier than sitting on beige leather-based throne-style chairs.

The king was honored with the first title of To'aiga-O-Tumua by the excessive chief of the village, whereas he and Camilla obtained sacred kava in coconut shells with straws.

“God bless this kava,” Charles stated as he raised the cup and drank.

The boss stated to Charles: “Your dad, Prince Philip, was right here, so thanks for taking the time. Your royal go to has elevated our home.”