New Idea Royals 2412

As the King descended the steps of Sydney Opera House (see right!), the atmosphere was electric and he appeared genuinely overjoyed to be back Down Under... but even the bright smile couldn’t hide his exhaustion. And who can blame him? The 24-hour flight from the UK is gruelling, and travelling that distance while still battling cancer would’ve taken its toll. Although Charles has waited a long time to become King, the word from the Palace is that the decision to step down, sooner rather than later, could be taken out of his hands and be dictated instead by the state of his health. And, while nobody denies William can do the top job, does he need more time to prepare? With three young children and Catherine still battling cancer behind…

FERGIE’S LADY GARDEN LUNCH Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, spent her 65th birthday at the Lady Garden Foundation Langan’s Ladies Lunch in London – and looked like she thoroughly enjoyed every second of her special day! The dress code was bright and colourful – to match the motto of the national women’s cancer charity: ‘We are loud and we are bold.’ Sarah smashed the brief with her multicoloured psychedelic-print blouse with a pussybow by Italian brand Pucci, teamed for some photos with white 1960s sunglasses. She was joined by her elder daughter, Beatrice, who had just announced her second pregnancy. The duchess was also pictured having fun with glamorous actresses Elizabeth Hurley, 59, and Dame Joan Collins, 91. It was fitting that Sarah was supporting Royal Marsden Hospital’s Cancer Charity…

Prince William was ostensibly talking about homelessness, but there was a telling line in the recent interview he gave to documentary-makers who were highlighting his charity work. ‘I like a big challenge,’ he revealed. ‘I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own.’ The heir to the throne was being interviewed for a two-part documentary on Britain’s ITV, to mark a year since the start of his drive to end homelessness. But the candid reflection speaks volumes about how he sees himself, not just as the force behind various causes but as the cornerstone of the monarchy’s future. William is right: he can’t do it on his own. Kings and Queens before him have been ably supported by their extended family, but this Prince of Wales faces…

Prince Harry returned to the UK in May for a special service to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games. His father didn’t attend the service, even though King Charles was famously less than 10 minutes’ drive away. Neither did Harry’s estranged brother, Prince William. But Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, and his aunts, Sarah and Jane, all came along to offer their support. ‘I pledge that we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men,’ Charles Spencer promised at his sister, Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997. And Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Baroness Jane Fellowes and Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, all do seem to have stayed close to their nephews. All three attended Prince William’s…

It was a farewell fit for a king when Charles III descended the steps of Sydney Opera House on 22 October for the last public appearance of his whirlwind trip to Australia with Queen Camilla. The couple were greeted by 10,000 cheering fans – more than double the number that had been expected – who had queued for hours under the bright spring sun to catch a glimpse of the royals. Following a rest day after their long-haul journey and evening arrival on 18 October, King Charles and Queen Camilla carried out a jam-packed schedule of engagements over three days in Sydney and Canberra, before jetting out to Samoa to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). ‘I cannot begin to express how pleased we are to be here…

Queen Mary of Denmark surprised Sydneysiders recently when she appeared, unannounced and incognito, walking the coastal path from Bronte to Bondi and taking in the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition with her younger daughter, Josephine. Mary was last in Australia a year ago, on a similarly surprise trip with her children. She was seen, then, on the verge of tears at the airport as she prepared to return to Denmark. This, of course, was just weeks after the story broke of her husband’s ‘private visit’ to Madrid and night out with socialite Genoveva Casanova. Now, Mary’s return to Australia coincides with the first anniversary of that difficult time. She has just undertaken a highly successful solo tour of Brazil (page 18), while King Frederik has been holding the fort at…