Royal
Royal
HM Queen Noor of Jordan's mother has died.
Doris Halaby, the mother of the queen and the grandmother of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashem, Princess Iman and Princess Raya, died on Christmas day on Friday (25.12.15) in the US.
Doris - known as Doris Carlquist before she married the queen's father Najeeb Halaby in Washington D.C. on December 24, 1945 - was of Swedish descent and had three children, including daughter Lisa Halaby, who would later become Queen Consort of Jordan upon her marriage to King Hussein of Jordan in 1978; son Christian; and daughter Alexa.
Doris and Najeeb - a Syrian Christian born in Texas - divorced in 1977 and Queen Noor's father went on to marry twice thereafter.
Najeeb was also an aviation expert and died in 2003 at the age of 87.
Queen Noor is the first American-born queen of an Arab country when she married King Hussein of Jordan in 1978 and took the name Noor al-Hussein or "Light of Hussein."
Queen Noor of Jordan’s mother has died
HM Queen Noor of Jordan's mother has died.
Doris Halaby, the mother of the queen and the grandmother of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Hamzah, Prince Hashem, Princess Iman and Princess Raya, died on Christmas day on Friday (25.12.15) in the US.
Doris - known as Doris Carlquist before she married the queen's father Najeeb Halaby in Washington D.C. on December 24, 1945 - was of Swedish descent and had three children, including daughter Lisa Halaby, who would later become Queen Consort of Jordan upon her marriage to King Hussein of Jordan in 1978; son Christian; and daughter Alexa.
Doris and Najeeb - a Syrian Christian born in Texas - divorced in 1977 and Queen Noor's father went on to marry twice thereafter.
Najeeb was also an aviation expert and died in 2003 at the age of 87.
Queen Noor is the first American-born queen of an Arab country when she married King Hussein of Jordan in 1978 and took the name Noor al-Hussein or "Light of Hussein."
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles has paid tribute to the "personal sacrifices" of the armed forces.
The 67-year-old royal sent a festive message through Forces TV and BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Services) Radio, in which he praised their "professionalism" and "cultural sensitivity", as well as speaking of his admiration of those who protect the country in the face of "great danger".
He spoke of his admiration for those who face "great danger" to protect the country.
He added: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to send you all a Christmas message, for while many of the current news headlines around the world appear rather grim, they have reminded us all of the vital importance of the armed forces.
"Sometimes it would appear that there is no real threat facing Britain and that therefore defence can perhaps seem somewhat irrelevant.
"However, the extent of current global deployments of the UK's armed forces only goes to highlight the continued, essential role of the armed forces in today's society."
Charles also thanked the families of service personnel stationed out of the UK, saying their "loyalty and constant support are such a crucial part of the remarkable selflessness of the whole military family".
He ended his message by saying: "I can only wish you all the happiest possible Christmas and send you a sincere and heartfelt thank you for your continued service and personal sacrifice.
"I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that this is hugely valued and appreciated."
Almost 23,000 military personnel are stationed or deployed abroad over the festive period, including more than 3,000 on operations.
Prince Charles thanks armed forces
Britain's Prince Charles has paid tribute to the "personal sacrifices" of the armed forces.
The 67-year-old royal sent a festive message through Forces TV and BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Services) Radio, in which he praised their "professionalism" and "cultural sensitivity", as well as speaking of his admiration of those who protect the country in the face of "great danger".
He spoke of his admiration for those who face "great danger" to protect the country.
He added: "I am delighted to have this opportunity to send you all a Christmas message, for while many of the current news headlines around the world appear rather grim, they have reminded us all of the vital importance of the armed forces.
"Sometimes it would appear that there is no real threat facing Britain and that therefore defence can perhaps seem somewhat irrelevant.
"However, the extent of current global deployments of the UK's armed forces only goes to highlight the continued, essential role of the armed forces in today's society."
Charles also thanked the families of service personnel stationed out of the UK, saying their "loyalty and constant support are such a crucial part of the remarkable selflessness of the whole military family".
He ended his message by saying: "I can only wish you all the happiest possible Christmas and send you a sincere and heartfelt thank you for your continued service and personal sacrifice.
"I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that this is hugely valued and appreciated."
Almost 23,000 military personnel are stationed or deployed abroad over the festive period, including more than 3,000 on operations.
Royal
Ant and Dec have confessed they got a "bit over familiar" with Prince Charles when filming an upcoming TV documentary with the British royal.
The presenters joined the heir-to-the-throne to make 'When Ant and Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' to recognise the landmark date for the prince's charity.
Although the cheeky pair were told what royal protocol to follow, they admit they "grabbed" and "slapped the Prince of Wales during filming as they were getting on so well with him.
Ant, 40, said: "Protocol wise, we did occasionally forget stuff ... I did find myself getting a bit over familiar and grabbing His Royal Highness and slapping him on the back a bit - I had to keep stopping myself."
Ant also thinks Charles, 67, had some trouble understanding his 'Geordie' accent when they made the documentary, and he seemed to understand Dec much better.
The star - who, like his friend Dec, is from Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England - revealed: "We had no issues with his accent, but I think he may have had a few with mine. I would ask him a question and sometimes he would just smile. Then Dec would ask the same question and get a full answer."
Dec, 40, insists it was a privilege for him and his 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' co-host to get to meet Charles and get to see for themselves the work the Prince's Trust does with young people all over the UK and the importance of the charity to the senior royal.
Dec said: "We were genuinely surprised at how much the Prince's Trust means to him on a very personal level. We saw him with people he'd met through the Trust.
"He just talks to them and makes them feel relaxed. He knows all their stories, he remembers all these little details."
The 90-minute documentary also features Charles' sons Prince William and Prince Harry speak at length to Ant and Dec about their father and recall stories from their youth and the influence he's had on them now they're adults.
'When Ant & Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' will air on January 4 at 9pm on ITV.
Ant and Dec with Charles when making documentary
Ant and Dec have confessed they got a "bit over familiar" with Prince Charles when filming an upcoming TV documentary with the British royal.
The presenters joined the heir-to-the-throne to make 'When Ant and Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' to recognise the landmark date for the prince's charity.
Although the cheeky pair were told what royal protocol to follow, they admit they "grabbed" and "slapped the Prince of Wales during filming as they were getting on so well with him.
Ant, 40, said: "Protocol wise, we did occasionally forget stuff ... I did find myself getting a bit over familiar and grabbing His Royal Highness and slapping him on the back a bit - I had to keep stopping myself."
Ant also thinks Charles, 67, had some trouble understanding his 'Geordie' accent when they made the documentary, and he seemed to understand Dec much better.
The star - who, like his friend Dec, is from Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England - revealed: "We had no issues with his accent, but I think he may have had a few with mine. I would ask him a question and sometimes he would just smile. Then Dec would ask the same question and get a full answer."
Dec, 40, insists it was a privilege for him and his 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' co-host to get to meet Charles and get to see for themselves the work the Prince's Trust does with young people all over the UK and the importance of the charity to the senior royal.
Dec said: "We were genuinely surprised at how much the Prince's Trust means to him on a very personal level. We saw him with people he'd met through the Trust.
"He just talks to them and makes them feel relaxed. He knows all their stories, he remembers all these little details."
The 90-minute documentary also features Charles' sons Prince William and Prince Harry speak at length to Ant and Dec about their father and recall stories from their youth and the influence he's had on them now they're adults.
'When Ant & Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust' will air on January 4 at 9pm on ITV.
Royal
Britain's Princess Michael of Kent is "so excited" to be spending Christmas at home.
The 70-year-old royal spent the festive season in America last year with her son Lord Freddie Windsor, his wife Sophie Winkleman and their two-year-old granddaughter Maud and admits it "didn't feel right" being on the beach, so she is pleased they will all be at her London house this year.
She said: "My son and his wife have just come back to London from Los Angeles.
"I'm so excited to have Christmas here. They couldn't come back last year as my son is a banker and had to work.
"Because of Thanksgiving, where they have a long holiday, they couldn't have a holiday a week later, so we went there and it was such a different experience in LA.
"We ended up going to the beach and it just didn't feel right.
"I would much rather have Christmas in London.
"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."
And the author can't wait for Sophie and Freddie to welcome their second child into the world next month.
She added in an interview: "I'm sure I'll be just as besotted with the second one, which is due on my birthday in January. It already feels like I have one and a half grandchildren."
Princess Michael of Kent at home for Christmas
Britain's Princess Michael of Kent is "so excited" to be spending Christmas at home.
The 70-year-old royal spent the festive season in America last year with her son Lord Freddie Windsor, his wife Sophie Winkleman and their two-year-old granddaughter Maud and admits it "didn't feel right" being on the beach, so she is pleased they will all be at her London house this year.
She said: "My son and his wife have just come back to London from Los Angeles.
"I'm so excited to have Christmas here. They couldn't come back last year as my son is a banker and had to work.
"Because of Thanksgiving, where they have a long holiday, they couldn't have a holiday a week later, so we went there and it was such a different experience in LA.
"We ended up going to the beach and it just didn't feel right.
"I would much rather have Christmas in London.
"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."
And the author can't wait for Sophie and Freddie to welcome their second child into the world next month.
She added in an interview: "I'm sure I'll be just as besotted with the second one, which is due on my birthday in January. It already feels like I have one and a half grandchildren."
Royal
Britain's Princess Anne has declared Noah's Ark Zoo Farm's Elephant Eden attraction in Wraxall, North Somerset officially open.
The 65-year-old royal was greeted by a crowd of school children from St Nicholas Chantry Primary School in Clevedon and Twickenham Primary School who waved flags when the princess arrived at the new tourist attraction last week.
Anne spoke with the zookeepers and went on her own private tour of the 20-acre elephant enclosure, before unveiling a plaque.
Speaking to the crowds, she said: "I appreciate the amount of effort which has been put in to understand elephants and the care they need.
"Thank you for what you have achieved here and to the Bush family for finishing what they set out to do here.
"As more and more people become increasingly detached from the natural world, farms and places like this are really important to maintain education and understanding. I would like to say a big thank you for what you provide for future generations."
The £1.6million habitat is the largest elephant enclosure in the UK and features a massive elephant home, 20-acres of land and even has warm showers.
It is large enough to have six adults and two baby elephants, but currently houses two bull elephants named Janu and M'Changa.
Noah's Ark owner, Anthony Bush, commented: "It is an amazing honour to welcome the Princess Royal here.
"She is especially welcome due to her lifelong love of animals and we are most grateful to her for fitting us into her busy schedule."
Princess Anne opens Elephant Eden in North Somerset
Britain's Princess Anne has declared Noah's Ark Zoo Farm's Elephant Eden attraction in Wraxall, North Somerset officially open.
The 65-year-old royal was greeted by a crowd of school children from St Nicholas Chantry Primary School in Clevedon and Twickenham Primary School who waved flags when the princess arrived at the new tourist attraction last week.
Anne spoke with the zookeepers and went on her own private tour of the 20-acre elephant enclosure, before unveiling a plaque.
Speaking to the crowds, she said: "I appreciate the amount of effort which has been put in to understand elephants and the care they need.
"Thank you for what you have achieved here and to the Bush family for finishing what they set out to do here.
"As more and more people become increasingly detached from the natural world, farms and places like this are really important to maintain education and understanding. I would like to say a big thank you for what you provide for future generations."
The £1.6million habitat is the largest elephant enclosure in the UK and features a massive elephant home, 20-acres of land and even has warm showers.
It is large enough to have six adults and two baby elephants, but currently houses two bull elephants named Janu and M'Changa.
Noah's Ark owner, Anthony Bush, commented: "It is an amazing honour to welcome the Princess Royal here.
"She is especially welcome due to her lifelong love of animals and we are most grateful to her for fitting us into her busy schedule."
Royal
Britain's Prince Charles' Duchy Originals has been forced to buy back shares from his charity following a change in Gift Aid regulations.
The food company, which sells food such as soups and biscuits through upmarket retailer Waitrose, saw an increase in profits by two per cent after royalties from products sales were boosted by 2.2 per cent to a total of £3.15 million and gave its entire profits to the prince's charitable foundation.
However this year, the charity had to hand back £1.8 million due to changes in guidance by accountancy watchdog ICAEW on donations from charities trading subsidiaries which came out in 2014.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales [ICAEW] now says it's illegal for a company to hand over charitable donations worth more than its profits available for distribution under accounting rules.
Duchy Originals joins a number of charities who receive funds from trading divisions and may have to hand back some donations.
According the Guardian newspaper, The Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation were able to counteract any losses in 2015 because the reversal of Gift Aid payments made by Duchy Originals had been balanced by the repurchase of shares from the charity.
Prince Charles charity hit by Gift Aid change
Britain's Prince Charles' Duchy Originals has been forced to buy back shares from his charity following a change in Gift Aid regulations.
The food company, which sells food such as soups and biscuits through upmarket retailer Waitrose, saw an increase in profits by two per cent after royalties from products sales were boosted by 2.2 per cent to a total of £3.15 million and gave its entire profits to the prince's charitable foundation.
However this year, the charity had to hand back £1.8 million due to changes in guidance by accountancy watchdog ICAEW on donations from charities trading subsidiaries which came out in 2014.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales [ICAEW] now says it's illegal for a company to hand over charitable donations worth more than its profits available for distribution under accounting rules.
Duchy Originals joins a number of charities who receive funds from trading divisions and may have to hand back some donations.
According the Guardian newspaper, The Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation were able to counteract any losses in 2015 because the reversal of Gift Aid payments made by Duchy Originals had been balanced by the repurchase of shares from the charity.