Royals
Hilary Mantel’s sympathy for the royals
Hilary Mantel has got into hot-water over a piece she has written about monarchy for the London Review of Books. There has been consternation over Mantel’s statement that the Duchess… Continue reading
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Pippa’s exclusive office Christmas party tips
Bestselling author Pippa Middleton has written this week’s Spectator diary*, in which she takes on her critics directly: ‘I have been much teased for my book, Celebrate. Lots of journalists… Continue reading
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The Hippy King
Last month I brought you news that Prince Charles was blocking Freedom of Information requests to ensure that his communications with government ministers remain hidden. Word is that the contents of these… Continue reading
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Prince Charles’ letters covered up again
It is no secret that the Prince of Wales is a plant-whispering greeny; but the precise nature (and bias) of his ministerial lobbying is to remain secret. Republic, the gloriously self-important… Continue reading
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The Duchess of Cambridge’s dignity
Mr Steerpike is no Middleton fan, but it has to be said that the Duchess of Cambridge has maintained her composure remarkably well in the wake of topless photos of her appearing in the… Continue reading
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Pippa Middleton cashes in
Mr Steerpike was overcome with joy when he read the press release from Pippa Middleton’s publishers. It told him that her forthcoming book Celebrate will be a ‘useful, practical and… Continue reading
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Even more excitement for the Queen
Her Majesty the Queen must wish it was Diamond Jubilee year absolutely every year, such fun is she having. Watching Cheryl Cole duet with Gary Barlow must have been three… Continue reading
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Ethnic minorities celebrated the Jubilee too
The Diamond Jubilee — a historic occasion when British people from a variety of races, religions and cultures united to thank the queen for her sixty years of service and… Continue reading
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God save the Queen
It was beautiful and a bit strange this morning, sitting in St Paul’s Cathedral with the rest of the congregation, waiting for the Queen to make her entrance for the… Continue reading
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The Jubilee concert: 8/10 for cheering the nation up
‘Ten years ago, if you’d been asked what Gary Barlow would be running now, you’d have said a Little Chef off the A32.’ This, from Lee Mack, was one of… Continue reading
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The View from 22: Greece is burning
The upcoming Greek elections will push the nation into a confrontation with the European authorities, reports Faisal Islam, the economics editor of Channel 4 News, in his cover feature for… Continue reading
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From the archives: Britain’s new Queen
To mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne in 1952, here is the leader that appeared sixty years ago on our front cover. It was… Continue reading
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Gove’s Royal yacht proposal in full
This morning’s Guardian scoop about Michael Gove’s suggestion that the nation should present the Queen with a new Royal yacht for the Jubilee is the talk of Westminster. But the… Continue reading
69 CommentsYet more questions for News International to answer
The phone hacking controversy first began to come to public attention because of a story in The News of the World about Prince William’s knee in 2005. Now, the Royal… Continue reading
25 CommentsAn historic moment
There is something incredibly resonant about the images of the Queen arriving in the Republic of Ireland this afternoon. You have probably heard the facts by now — that she… Continue reading
12 CommentsA princely marriage
There are some things that Britain does better than any country in the world, and we saw one of them today. Two particulars will have jumped out at the tens… Continue reading
67 CommentsThe Royal Wedding around the world
So we’ve seen the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. How was the Royal Wedding celebrated – by expats and locals alike – around the world? In Afghanistan, British troops celebrated with… Continue reading
6 CommentsFrom the archives: the marriage of Charles and Diana
It is just under thirty years since Prince William’s parents, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, were themselves married in St Paul’s Cathedral. Below are two Spectator articles relating… Continue reading
3 CommentsThe Royal Wedding: across the web
Here is a selection of articles on the Royal Wedding from around the web. For those, like me, who wouldn’t know an Empire Line if it slapped them in the… Continue reading
15 CommentsStreet party … in Tirana
Wedding-themed street parties are underway not only in Britain, but wherever Brits are living. I’m in Tirana in Albania where the British Embassy is hosting a street party at the… Continue reading
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