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Queen facing Aussie fiver chop


Britain's Queen Elizabeth is facing being axed from the Australian $5 note.
The image of the monarch's face or the country's Parliament House could be replaced on the currency after several Australians launched a campaign to get legendary eye surgeon Fred Hollows' appearance on the bank note.
Fred's widow Gabi, Olympian Cathy Freeman and former Prime Minister Bob Hawke all turned out at the Sydney Opera House today (25.01.16) to mark the beginning of the Get Fred on the Fiver campaign.
Brian Doolan, CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation - which has restored sight to more than two million people - called on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to make the change.
He said: "Famously, during his lifetime, Fred asked Australians to donate $5 towards his work
"Today, we want to mark the legacy of this great Australian by seeing him recognised on the $5 note.
"What better time to recognise a champion of vision? Given the RBA has said it's starting with the first two denominations, the $5 and $10 in the next two years, we think it's an ideal time for them to consider this change."
As well as helping restore the eyesight of those in Australian communities, Fred also worked across the world in countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Australian state leaders call for Queen axe


Britain's Queen Elizabeth could be axed as Australia's head of state after several leaders in the country confirmed their support of the nation becoming a republic.
All but one of the state and territory leaders Down Under put pen to paper on a document calling for an Australian head of state.
Even Western Australia's Colin Barnett, who didn't sign the doc, admitted he supported the idea but didn't think it was the right time.
The Australian Republican Movement initiated the declaration, which simply proposed "Australia should have an Australian head of state", and its chair Peter FitzSimons said the huge support was very significant.
He said: "This is an indication to the Prime Minister.
"The significance of this is, if you want the majority of people from the majority of states [to back a republic in a referendum], well, the premiers and chief ministers are behind you. That's a hell of a start."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was the leader of the republican movement in 1999 when Australians voted against becoming a republic.
What's more, more than 3,500 people have signed a change.org petition calling for Australia to become a republic since Friday (22.01.16).
The document signing occurred yesterday (24.01.16), just one day before Australia Day today (25.01.16), which marks the anniversary of the first British colonists' arrival Down Under.

Princess Stéphanie of Monaco presented with Clown d’Or


Princess Stéphanie of Monaco has been presented with the Clown d'Or at the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival.
The 50-year-old royal was handed the unexpected award by her brother, Prince Albert, during the festival to mark its 40th anniversary.
She said: "Circus is what real life should be like. It's sincerity, feeling, emotions. All real. There are no lies in circus. There are artists working together to give a smile.
"It's a world where people help one another. It's the only show where a family, everyone from children to their grandmothers, can sit together and all be entertained by the same thing. Circus is the magic you should show your children."
Princess Stéphanie also spoke of the love of the circus being in her "genes".
She added to PEOPLE magazine: "There's no recipe for transmitting the love of circus. I think it's in you, in your genes. I got it from my father [Prince Rainier III] and fortunately my daughter has it in hers.
"I think all the acts we have this year are superb, but today, it's important to support animal acts. Animals are the traditional circus. It's what people remember from their childhood.
"You ask people, 'What is the circus?' They'll say, 'Animals, clowns and acrobats!' That's what people want. If you say you don't have animals, they walk away."

Britain’s Duchess of Cornwall opens nursery


Britain's Duchess of Cornwall formally opened a nursery at Aberdeen University yesterday (21.01.16).
The 68-year-old royal - who is a Chancellor of the university - was on hand to open the Rocking Horse Nursery, which aims to give students and staff access to childcare.
A series of tweets on Clarence House's official Twitter account read: "The Duchess is the 11th and first ever woman Chancellor of the university and is making her second visit since taking on the role in 2013.
"HRH has opened the new Rocking Horse Nursery that provides students and staff with childcare support. (sic)"
During her time at Aberdeen University, the Duchess also visited the state of the art facilities including the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory as well as the on-site library.
Images of the Duchess' trip shared on Twitter were captioned: "The Duchess tours the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory here at the University of Aberdeen ... Students show The Duchess their research into renewable energy here @aberdeenuni.
"The Duchess meets students at the university's state of art library which was opened by HM The Queen in 2012. The library is home to rare historic manuscripts, books and archives dating back to the 12th century. The Duchess is shown one of the rarest items from the university's special collection, the Aberdeen Bestiary. This manuscript describes a medieval understanding of the natural world and is a celebration of the artistry of the age. (sic)"

Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman welcome second child


Lord Frederick Windsor has welcomed his second daughter.
The 36-year-old financial analyst - who is the only son of the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent - and his wife, actress Sophie Winkleman, have confirmed the arrival of Isabella Alexandra May Windsor.
In a statement, they said: "Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor have announced the birth of their second daughter, Isabella Alexandra May Windsor.
"The baby was safely delivered at 11.59pm on 16th January 2016 at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital."
The couple - who already have daughter Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina Windsor together - returned from the United States to the UK ahead of the birth and to celebrate Christmas in their home country.
Meanwhile, Princess Michael previously expressed her excitement for the new arrival.
She gushed: "My granddaughter was two in August and I can't wait to play with her. I'm besotted and there will be lots of games. I'm sure I'll be just as besotted with the second one."
If Isabella is anything like her father, she will be causing "chaos" in her younger days as Queen Elizabeth's grandson Peter Phillips previously revealed about Frederick.
He said: "We had a lot of fun and there was a lot of space for kids to run around in, and it wasn't just us - it was the Wales' (William and Harry), Freddie and Ella Windsor, and the Gloucesters.
"So there was quite a gang of us growing up in that age and it was a lot of fun. We caused quite a bit of mayhem and chaos but fortunately I don't think we broke too much!"

Italy’s Palio turns down Queen Elizabeth’s birthday invitation


Organisers of the Palio horse race of Siena have refused an invitation to Britain's Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday celebrations.
The event at Windsor will include 900 horses and over 1,000 participants, with some coming from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Royal Cavalry of Oman but Italy's Palio have turned down the chance to appear.
In a statement, the organising committee said: "The Palio and its historic traditions had the honour of attracting interest from the royal court of the United Kingdom.
"However, for organisational and ethical reasons there were not the right conditions to even address the issue."
Palio is a horse race held in the main piazza in Siena twice a year during the summer where bareback jockeys race against others from rival districts across the country.
Bruno Valentini, Siena's mayor, added: "If you want to see the Palio and really understand it, you have to come to Siena. You'll never see a standard bearer or a drummer outside Siena. They are not circus jugglers but representatives of the contrade who tell a centuries-long history. It is not possible, I'm sorry."
Organisers of the 89-year-old royal's celebrations are disappointed by the outcome but insist there are no "hard feelings".
Jo Peck, the marketing director of the company organising the event, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "We were in discussion with the Palio organisers but unfortunately we couldn't make it work. What we needed didn't fit in with what they could offer. The Palio people felt they couldn't show off the event in its best light. But we don't take it as a sleight. There are no hard feelings."

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth dines with Women’s Insitute


Britain's Queen Elizabeth was "very happy" as she attended the Women's Institute in Norfolk.
The 89-year-old royal attends the event annually during her holiday to her Sandringham estate in East Anglia and this year, she chatted with attendees about family and gardening.
Jackie Cartledge, who sat with the Queen during the meal, said: "She was very happy. She loves coming. She talks about all sorts of things - families and gardening, all sorts of things.
"She likes to hear everyone's views. She makes you feel very at ease which is lovely. She will be back next year. Definitely."
During the meal, the Queen was given a birthday cake as well as a gift of a tree and a plague to celebrate her milestone birthday later this year.
Yvonne Browne, vice-president of the Institute's Norfolk group, told PEOPLE magazine: "We've bought her a sweet chestnut tree and a plaque for it. We presented her the plaque and a photograph of the tree.
"We had a little bit of a joke because when she went to the Albert Hall in London last year [for the Institute's 100th birthday] she had difficulty cutting the cake. I said to her, 'I hope you can cut this, Ma'am.' And the knife went in easily so that was good!"

Britain’s Prince William hates Twitter


Britain's Prince William dislikes Twitter.
The 33-year-old royal isn't a fan of the social media site, according to actress Megan Mullally, who met the Prince during a trip to the United Kingdom.
Speaking on CONAN, she said: "First of all, he's an amazing athlete. He's tall, he's cute, I don't care that he's losing his hair. It doesn't matter.
"He said that he didn't like Twitter because he thinks it is mean. They're watching 'Game of Thrones.'"
Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are reportedly keen to have a "constructive dialogue" with Twitter and Facebook bosses in order to stop cyberbullying.
A royal aide said: "Their role as parents is definitely shaping their perceptions on the issues. As parents themselves they want to speak out and see what more can be done for young people who are victims of cyberbullying and all forms of bullying."
The royal couple have always been strong supporters of stamping out bullying as a result of stigma surrounding mental health.
In a statement released previously, the mother-of-two said: "I feel strongly that young people and parents need to know that they can ask for help.
"Just as with physical health, we need to act early to provide support when a child is faced with emotional difficulties."

Britain’s Prince Charles to visit Western Balkans


Britain's Prince Charles is set to visit the Western Balkans in March this year.
The 67-year-old royal will be accompanied by his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, on the trip where he is planning to visit Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
The Prince of Wales has visited the area many times before but it will be the Duchess' first official visit to the countries.
Meanwhile, Duchess Camilla previously couldn't help but gush about how proud she is to be married to Charles.
Interviewed on 'When Ant and Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' about how she felt following a visit to a Prince's Trust workshop, she said: "I left with a huge lump in my throat. I'm really proud to be married to somebody who aged 27 had the vision to put it together.
"It was an incredible idea then, and he was very young then to think of it, to think of these very disadvantaged young people who'd literally been through hell and back. And to find a way to give them a second chance in life.
"He just has that energy. If we are passionate about something, you can do it. He care so much bout these young people. He does have incredible energy ... He loves it, you can't do something unless you love it."

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