Health announcements about King Charles III and Kate mark a departure for the tight-lipped UK royals

LONDON — The double health announcements from the United Kingdom’s royal family — on Kate, the Princess of Wales’ abdominal surgery and King Charles III ‘s prostate treatment — have put a spotlight on the private lives of senior royals. Details of royal health are always a tricky issue in the U.K., because members of … Read more

Abdication in our age: a look at royals who have retired in recent years

Queen Margrethe II will become Denmark’s first monarch to abdicate in nearly 900 years when she hands over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik, on Sunday. Margrethe always maintained during her 52-year-reign that she wouldn’t quit, but back surgery and other ailments left her unable to undertake as much as she could in … Read more

Denmark to proclaim a new king as Queen Margrethe signs historic abdication

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Thousands of people will gather in downtown Copenhagen on Sunday to witness a historic moment in one of the world’s oldest monarchies. Around 2 p.m. (1300 GMT), Queen Margrethe II will sign her abdication and about an hour later her eldest son will be proclaimed King Frederik X on the balcony of … Read more

Neo-Nazi podcasters sent to prison on terror charges for targeting Prince Harry and his young son

LONDON — A neo-Nazi podcaster who called for the deaths of Prince Harry and his young son received a prison sentence Thursday along with his co-host Thursday. The sentencing judge in London called the duo “dedicated and unapologetic white supremacists” who encouraged terrorism. Christopher Gibbons and Tyrone Patten-Walsh espoused racist, antisemitic, Islamophobic, homophobic and misogynistic … Read more

Shirley Bassey and Ridley Scott are among hundreds awarded in UK’s New Year Honors list

LONDON — Singer Shirley Bassey, director Ridley Scott and Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for England’s women’s soccer team, were recognized Friday in the U.K.’s New Year Honors list, which celebrates the achievements and services of more than 1,000 people across the country. Bassey, 86, who is already a dame — the female equivalent of a … Read more

King Charles III’s Christmas message reflects a coronation theme and calls for planet’s protection

LONDON — LONDON (AP) — King Charles III reflected his coronation theme of public service Monday in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging. In a prerecorded video shot with him standing beside a Christmas tree in Buckingham Palace, the king spoke of the message … Read more

King Charles to deliver second Christmas speech

The King will deliver the second Christmas speech of his reign from a Buckingham Palace room decorated with a living Christmas tree. It is the first time a living tree has been used as part of the backdrop for Charles’ annual festive address to the nation and Commonwealth. Charles, like Queen Elizabeth, writes his Christmas … Read more

Prince Harry claims vindication in court victory as judge finds British tabloid hacked his phone

LONDON — LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s phone was hacked by journalists and private investigators working for the Daily Mirror who invaded his privacy by snooping on him unlawfully, a judge ruled Friday, delivering an historic victory for the estranged royal who broke from family tradition to take on the British press. Phone hacking was … Read more

King Charles pays light-hearted tribute to comedian Barry Humphries at Sydney memorial service

CANBERRA, Australia — King Charles III paid a light-hearted tribute to the late Barry Humphries at a state memorial service Friday in Australia, recalling his own apprehension when the comedian’s alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, played a prank on him a decade ago. Video of the prank during a Royal Variety Performance in London in … Read more

Prince Harry ordered to pay Daily Mail publisher legal fees for failed court challenge

LONDON — A judge ordered Prince Harry on Monday to pay nearly 50,000 pounds (more than $60,000) in legal fees to the publisher of the Daily Mail tabloid for his failed court challenge in a libel lawsuit. The Duke of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers Ltd. over an article that said Harry tried to hide … Read more