Palace Intrigue : Kate Middleton - Meghan & Harry - Prince Andrew - Royal Family gossip

Zero Percent: Dead Dogs, Trump Jokes, and Email to Dying Father" The week in Royal news with Mark Francis

Harry's Colbert appearance crashes spectacularly—audience BOOS him after Trump "elected a king" joke. PR expert: "The jokes land like a man reminding you of punchline that expired three years ago." Deep Crown: "There's a desperation now that wasn't there even a year ago. He's become a man arguing with institution that's simply moved on without him." Meghan's Netflix holiday special opens to ZERO PERCENT on Rotten Tomatoes—critics call it "unfathomable," "quite mad and a little bit sad," Daily Mail awards zero stars citing viewers saw dead dog Guy (died January 2025) proving show filmed last year, not this season as claimed. Tom Sykes: "The message is 'we are done' and the medium is a passing shot of her elderly beagle padding mournfully through frame like ghost of contracts past." Thomas Markle saga deepens—Meghan's "outreach" was EMAIL to address he hasn't checked in five years. Hospitals confirm no calls received. Samantha tweets: "Houston, there's been no contact. Time to stop the PR BS." Express: "She didn't do what any normal person would do and give her dad a call—that would mean she'd actually have to speak to him." Kate hosts 1,600 guests at Westminster Abbey for carol concert celebrating "love in all its forms"—William delivers Bible reading, Kate Winslet performs, contrast with Meghan's 0% disaster couldn't be starker. Andrew attends granddaughter's christening—first royal event since title stripping, arrives alone. British Vogue names Kate to "Eternal Influencers" list—Meghan conspicuously absent despite Paris Fashion Week push. William knights Roger Daltrey, serves Christmas dinner to Welsh Guards. Royal Mews relocating from Buckingham Palace to Windsor—monarchy's center of gravity shifting. Plus: Zero phone calls to dying father, zero self-awareness, and the week the numbers told the story. Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palace-intrigue-presents-king-william/id1842585117] 👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861]Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.  👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/palaceintrigue/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepalaceintrigue/] or click the links to start your royal journey!

Plans for Royals in USA 2026, Royal Money Questions, and a Few Psychic Warnings

King Charles and Queen Camilla have been invited to Washington, DC for a State Visit in April at President Trump’s request, though the King’s health may determine whether he travels. William and Kate are expected to visit the United States in July for America’s 250th anniversary, while Harry and Meghan are not expected to take part in any commemorations. Questions are again being asked about royal finances as scrutiny turns to Prince Edward’s long-term lease of Bagshot Park. Charles donates £50,000 of his own money toward urgent roof repairs at West Newton Church, a site closely linked to Queen Elizabeth the Second. A Brazilian self-styled “Living Nostradamus” offers dramatic predictions about royal health, family reconciliation, and even Meghan’s relationship with Netflix. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor prepares for an eventual move from Royal Lodge and faces uncertainty over where the late Queen’s corgis will live. Princess Anne hosts a Christmas tea for veterans, earning praise from guests aged 100 and older. And Mike and Zara Tindall shut down speculation about appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, confirming they’ll instead spend Christmas at Sandringham — though perhaps avoiding certain family members. Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palace-intrigue-presents-king-william/id1842585117] 👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861]Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.  👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/palaceintrigue/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepalaceintrigue/] or click the links to start your royal journey!

King Charles Shares “Good News” on Cancer as Andrew’s Epstein Shadow Returns

King Charles the Third delivers his most hopeful health update since announcing his cancer diagnosis in early 2024, revealing in a prerecorded video message that his doctors will reduce the intensity of his treatment schedule in the new year. The Palace stresses he did not say he is cancer-free and did not disclose the type of cancer, describing the next stage as a “precautionary phase” after what it calls an “exceptionally” strong response to treatment. Our royal insider Deep Crown reads the Palace language as deliberate, balancing public reassurance with constitutional stability, while The Telegraph’s Hannah Furness writes that the King’s illness has made the monarchy feel more human than ever. The Daily Mail’s Rebecca English adds a vivid behind-the-scenes moment from early in the diagnosis, including Charles’s famously dry reaction to the news. After the break, House Democrats release a new batch of photographs from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, reviving scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, with Tom Sykes arguing the scandal keeps mutating and that allowing a York family christening in the Chapel Royal sent the wrong message about Andrew’s place in royal ceremonial life. Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palace-intrigue-presents-king-william/id1842585117] 👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861]Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.  👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/palaceintrigue/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepalaceintrigue/] or click the links to start your royal journey!

Andrew Returns for Baby Athena as Meghan Markle Gets More Side-Eye

Prince Andrew makes a rare public appearance for granddaughter Athena’s christening at Saint James’s Palace, arriving discreetly and separately from Sarah Ferguson, with Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank and even James Blunt among the guests. Meanwhile, Archewell attaches itself to Cookie Queens, a Girl Scouts documentary heading to Sundance 2026, as Meghan’s former Girl Scout ties are highlighted in the announcement. The weekend’s Sussex chatter continues with fresh commentary on Meghan and Thomas Markle, plus a new style-world datapoint: British Vogue’s first “50 Best Dressed” list crowns Catherine as an “Eternal Influencer” while Meghan is left off entirely. Also: Prince William surprises the Welsh Guards at a Christmas gathering, and new details emerge about security upgrades and guest arrangements at Forest Lodge. Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palace-intrigue-presents-king-william/id1842585117] 👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861]Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.  👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/palaceintrigue/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepalaceintrigue/] or click the links to start your royal journey!

Crown and Controversy - 10. New Responsibilities

On Saturday wevel be sharing epsiodes of Crown and Controvery's first season.  You can listen to  Season 2 in the Crown and Controversy feed [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861] AND you may also like Crown and Controversy: Norway. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-norways-royal-rebels/id1839279426] William and Kate embark on their first major royal tour to Canada and California, where Kate faces intense global scrutiny as she debuts on the international stage. The new Duchess's natural warmth and impeccable fashion choices win over crowds from Ottawa to Los Angeles, while palace officials monitor her successful performance with relief. Hollywood royalty meets actual royalty at glamorous receptions, but the couple's most meaningful moments come during visits with disadvantaged communities. As they return to Britain, William and Kate have established themselves as the monarchy's new golden couple, ready for the responsibilities that lie ahead. Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here. [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/palace-intrigue-presents-king-william/id1842585117] 👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy/id1816047861]Season 1 and 2 are fully available now for everyone. Season 3 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 3 BEFORE REGULAR LISTENERS as a subscriber! Hit that "UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING" Banner on the top of the Apple player. AND listen to Crown and Controversy "NORWAY'S ROYAL REBELS" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crown-and-controversy-prince-andrew/id1839279426] here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.  👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/palaceintrigue/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thepalaceintrigue/] or click the links to start your royal journey!