Latest news with #QueenElizabethII
The National
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Timeframe: When Queen Elizabeth bade a fond farewell to the QE2 before it headed to Dubai
This month in 2008, Queen Elizabeth II made a last tour of her namesake cruise liner before its retirement in Dubai to become a floating hotel. The queen, who was 82 at the time, visited the QE2 in the port city of Southampton in the UK, her last tour of the historic ship that she launched 39 years earlier in 1969. Her visit coincided with the 55th anniversary of her accession to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI, in 1952. Dressed in a mauve dress with matching coat and a Philip Somerville hat, the queen was escorted by the last captain of the QE2, Ian McNaught. She also unveiled a painting of the vessel by the artist Robert Lloyd and met four crew members who had served on board when the QE2 was used as a troopship during the Falklands War in 1982. The queen then enjoyed lunch with invited guests. For her farewell meal on the QE2, she was served oak-smoked Scottish salmon with sturgeon caviar followed by medallion of beef tenderloin with dome of bitter chocolate mousse for dessert, the Evening Standard reported. Among the 300 guests who attended the royal send-off was former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. "The QE2 has been a symbol of all that is best about Britain," said Carol Marlow, then managing director of owners Cunard, said at the event. "It is the most famous ship afloat but all things move on and the vessel will now be going to Dubai where it will be admired by generations to come." The QE2 was officially retired from active service on November 11, 2008, when it left Southampton docks and set sail for its final journey to Dubai. Demand was so great for the journey to the UAE that tickets sold out in only 36 minutes. The QE2 was fully booked for its final journey from the US, with about 1,800 passengers paying fares ranging from $25,445 for a duplex grand suite with a veranda, to $2,992 for a single room. Its crew of 1,016 included 107 cooks, four fitness instructors, a DJ and 10 gentlemen hosts. In Dubai, a flotilla of 60 naval vessels and private boats met the 70,000-tonne ship in the Arabian Gulf as she arrived in her new home on November 26, 2008. They were led by My Dubai, a mega yacht owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. An Emirates A380 Airbus and a UK Royal Navy helicopter performed a fly-past in honour of the ship's arrival. However, the QE2's new life as a floating hotel would be delayed by the 2008 financial crisis. On April 18, 2018, a new chapter finally began for the world-famous ship. After more than 1,400 voyages and years of rumours about her fate, she opened her doors to a new generation of guests as a floating hotel at Dubai 's Port Rashid. French multinational Accor took over the management in 2022 and announced large-scale upgrades and renovations. There are now 447 rooms and suites available to book, from entry-level cabins to decadent Royal Suites, which have hosted famous faces such as Joan Collins and the late Nelson Mandela. The QE2's origins and adventures, chronicled in books, photos, uniforms and artefacts, are now preserved in the ship's museum called Travellers' Cove.
Times
6 hours ago
- General
- Times
Late Queen carried cash for bets at the races, ex-aide reveals
For years it was thought that the late Queen did not handle cash, save for a neatly folded banknote in her handbag for the collection at church on Sunday. A former aide of Elizabeth II has now revealed that there was one other occasion when the late monarch carried a stash of the folding stuff: at the races. Ailsa Anderson, the late Queen's press secretary, has revealed that while Her Majesty did not place a bet herself, she was known to hand cash to an equerry who would carry out the task for her. Until now, it was assumed Queen Elizabeth II never carried cash except for a neatly folded note for church Speaking on The Times podcast The Royals, Anderson said: 'It would be done through the equerry.' When asked if she handed over cash she said: 'Yes, absolutely. She didn't place [the bet] herself but the race cards were there.'
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Enjoy laid-back luxury on the Caribbean's most elegant island
When you think of the perfect luxury holiday, you might dream of sinking your toes into pleasingly soft sands while enjoying an exquisite al fresco lunch under a golden afternoon sun, with the promise of the evening not far behind. Or perhaps you dream of wading through sapphire-blue shallows before diving into a deeper kind of blue, then wading back to shore to sip a frosted craft cocktail made with local rum, before retiring to an opulent room with a sea view. But an indulgent, unforgettable escape isn't only about finding an idyllic beach with a bar attached and palatial accommodation. It's also about having authentic experiences that get you up close to the local culture and people – so that you can understand and experience a little of the island life while creating lasting memories. In Jamaica – which arguably has the most distinct culture of all the Caribbean islands – you can achieve all of the above, and more. The lively Caribbean island is known for its swathe of seriously luxurious hotels. Standouts include Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay – the luxury travel brand's first ever Sandals resort that, thanks to its over-the-water villas, beautiful cove beaches and private offshore island, remains a flagship resort today. Close by, the historic Half Moon oozes colonial charm, and counts Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Rainier of Monaco and John F Kennedy among its high-profile past guests. Or, in the pretty little banana port of Oracabessa, check in to the secluded GoldenEye. This laid-back yet luxurious resort with its own beach, coves, and lagoon is centred around the Fleming Villa, where Ian Fleming famously wrote all 14 James Bond novels. While at GoldenEye, why not pay a visit to Firefly? Once the home of English actor, playwright, and composer Noël Coward – and so called because of the glowing creatures he shared the property with at night – it's a mere 15-minute drive away. Don't miss the statue of the theatrical titan sitting in his chair, looking out to one of the best coastal views in Jamaica. From your sumptuous base, you can explore an island rich in history and culture. You might find yourself caught up in a carnival – Jamaica knows how to celebrate and it does so with verve during Rebel Salute (which takes place every January) and July's Reggae Sumfest. Picture colourful costumes and exuberant dancing to top-tier reggae – you won't be able to resist joining in. If you're not visiting during January or July, then worry not, because all over the island, on any given afternoon (just hire a surprisingly affordable private car and driver to whisk you wherever you want to go) you'll find the streets filled with friendly locals grooving to infectious, life-affirming reggae beats that blast out from boom boxes stacked high. Yet while Jamaica may be the birthplace of reggae – Bob Marley, the genre's biggest star, is the island's most famous son – it's also the home of rum. On a private tour of Appleton Estate, the oldest rum producer in the country, you'll discover how the distillery's location – amid a landscape of limestone peaks, verdant forests and gushing rivers – influences the final product. There are also guided (and generous) tastings of Appleton's 17 honey-hued signature rums – including the lethal overproof – so keep an eye on the measures if you wish to accomplish anything else on this day trip. Rum is also king at Floyd's Pelican Bar, off Jamaica's south coast. Made from driftwood and palms, the bar was built by fisherman Floyd Forbes in 2001 after he envisaged it in a dream. Pay a local fisherman to row you to the wonderfully rickety drinking den – dubbed the 'coolest in the Caribbean' – at sunset for a sweet rum punch with Floyd and friends, keeping your eyes peeled for pelicans and dolphins en route. Liquid gold aside, Jamaica is famed for its Blue Mountain coffee: smooth, dark and handsome, it's rated among the best and rarest in the world. Just ask James Bond: in Live and Let Die, Ian Fleming's special agent proclaims Blue Mountain Coffee 'the most delicious in the world'. For a dramatic mini-adventure, you could take a helicopter flight over those rugged mountains enveloped in misty blue air, or more active types could hike or bike through their cool, fragrant woodlands before rewarding themselves with a deliciously reviving cup of Blue Mountain coffee. More of Jamaica's authentic, natural side can be enjoyed by floating along the Rio Grande River (or if you're staying in Negril or Montego Bay, the Martha Brae River), on your own bamboo raft. You'll be piloted by an experienced and knowledgeable captain who will point out former banana plantations, trees groaning with mouth-watering mangoes, and tiny, delicate hummingbirds flitting through the lush greenery. There are stops along the way to swim, too. But this is the island life, and you may prefer to do absolutely nothing, and that's fine too. Be pampered in a tranquil, ocean-front spa like the one at Jamaica Inn – where treatments utilise local ingredients like Blue Mountain coffee and organic coconuts – while listening to waves lap the shore. Or simply relax in a hammock by your infinity pool, or on a beach such as Frenchman's Cove – a small strip of postcard-perfect white sand ringed by miniature forested headlands and flanked by a perfectly turquoise lagoon. Whatever you choose to focus on – wellness, watersports, wildlife, or a little of everything – it's worth knowing that arrivals and departures come with a typically tropical Jamaican twist, with VIP airport lounges Club Mobay and Club Kingston at Sangster in Montego Bay and Norman Manley in Kingston turning what is usually an endurance test into an indulgence – ensuring that your Jamaican sojourn remains irresistible and effortless from end to end.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Royal's special bond with luxury hideaway Birkhall beloved by King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth
His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, traditionally spent Yuletide at Sandringham, remaining on the Norfolk estate until February to mark the death of her father, King George VI, who died on February 6, 1952. But King Charles III and Queen Camilla, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year, chose to spend Hogmanay at Birkhall, their favourite Royal residence. It was at the Scottish lodge, set on the Balmoral Estate, that the couple was infamously snapped in 1990 after the then Prince of Wales injured his back during a polo match – Princess Diana was down in London with William and Harry. It was where Prince Charles proposed to Camilla Parker Bowles: The couple announced their engagement on February 10, 2005, after Charles got down on one knee. 'I'm just coming down to Earth,' Camilla said. It was there that the couple spent their honeymoon, after getting married in Windsor on April 9, 2005, and it was there that the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year after their four-day state visit to Italy. But King Charles III is not the only Royal to have a special bond with Birkhall: His parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also honeymooned there. And the Scottish Lodge isn't just a luxurious love nest: It has been at the centre of some of the most explosive moments in Royal history. Now the Channel 5 documentary Birkhall: A Private Royal Residence, which airs tomorrow (Saturday), reveals the story of the King and Queen's favourite Royal residence. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief of Majesty magazine, told the programme: 'Charles loves it there, Birkhall is definitely his favourite home.' Former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond added: 'I think it's one of his favourite places to be with Camilla, curled up on a settee - well probably she curls up, he probably doesn't curl up - with a glass of whisky by a log fire.' Birkhall sits deep within the Balmoral estate, just six miles from the Firm's beloved Balmoral Castle. It's an 18th-century stone farmhouse set in the shadow of the mountain Lochnagar. With just three floors, it is small for a royal palace – more 'beloved family home' than 'regal royal residence'. But it's been a place for the Royals to escape to for decades. Built in 1715 by Captain Charles Gordon of Abergeldie and his wife Rachel, the secluded house in the Highlands was discovered by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, in 1848 when he took the lease on the Balmoral estate. He thought Birkhall would make the perfect country retreat for his eldest son, Bertie, the future King Edward VII but he stayed there only once finding it too small and pokey. Historian and broadcaster Wesley Kerr said: 'It's a sweet idea that it was for the Prince of Wales, but it was never going to be good enough for him.' On the other hand, Victoria and Albert loved the house and turned it into the equivalent of a Victorian Airbnb for their friends and family. However, it was not until the 1930s that the Scottish Highlands became the Royal's favoured holiday destination – George VI and the Queen Mother, then Duke and Duchess of York, chose Birkhall for their annual summer vacation. Both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret loved the house, which the future Queen described as 'the nicest place in the world' and would cycle into the local village of Ballater to buy sweets. The two sisters, then aged 13 and nine, spent the first four months of World War II at Birkhall, after being evacuated under Operation Pied Piper. When George VI died in 1952, the Queen Mother retreated to Birkhall until Sir Winston Churchill drove over to Birkhall for a private visit and persuaded her to resume public life. 'That meeting is very significant,' adds Kerr, 'and actually we got another 50 years of public service out of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.' The Queen Mum immediately drew up plans to renovate the house, installing a new wing with four new bedrooms and bathrooms, and French windows opening up onto the gardens. She even cheekily put eight carriage and grandfather clocks in the dining room, to wind up guests as they all chimed at different times. 'This apparently used to send her guests crazy because you just get into a conversation,' said Bond. 'Then ding, ding, ding, ding, all over the place. But I think she thoroughly enjoyed her guests' discomfort.' Her sense of humour was also displayed when the architects, led by Arthur Penn, forgot to put a lavatory on the downstairs floor: She held an official opening of the water closet, which was fitted subsequently under the stairs. 'The room was filled with flowers and the Queen Mother pulled the chain,' said Kerr. 'And she said: 'I declare this room Arthur's seat.' 'Arthur's Seat, of course, is a mountain in Scotland, but Arthur Penn had come up with the design.' By the mid-1950s, Birkhall was one of the main stops on the Queen Mother's annual Scottish tour. She embraced country living with gusto and was a keen fly fisher into her eighties. She loved the card game Racing Demon – as long as she won. When the Duke of Atholl demanded a recount, he was never invited again. 'He decided I'm really going to go for this,' explained Seward. 'When it seemed that the Queen mother had won and he knew that he'd won, he demanded a recount. 'Then she lost, and she never invited him back again.' 'Then she lost, and she never invited him back again.' One of the Queen Mother's favourite guests was her grandson, Prince Charles, who was the only person allowed to sleep in George VI's bedroom. 'She taught him about the finer things of life,' said Seward, 'opera, music, painting, drawing. Once he even dreamt that he ran away from Gordonstoun to join Granny. 'At Birkhall, King George's bedroom was on the ground floor, and it was kept as he left it. 'The only person who was ever allowed to sleep in there was Prince Charles. And that was a special honour given to him by his grandmother.' When Charles married Princess Diana, Birkhall became a favourite holiday haunt for Princes William and Harry. But it soon became a place she associated with Camilla. In 1990, nine years into his marriage, he recuperated at Birkhall after he was forced to cancel his engagements after injuring his back in a polo accident. But, instead of inviting his wife and sons to be with him, he chose Camilla. 'He was photographed leaving Birkhall with Camilla,' said Princess Diana's Royal Protection Officer Ken Wharf. 'That was the scandal.' After the Queen Mother died at Royal Lodge, Windsor, on March 30, 2002, Charles inherited Birkhall. It soon became a special place for him and Camilla. 'I think when they land at Birkhall, it's a case of really? Phew! Here we are' added Bond. 'We're going to enjoy one another's company. 'We're going to walk, and we're going to sit, and we're going to read like and have a little drink, and we're going to just be together. And I think it is one of their very favourite places to be.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Joanne Milner Of Garrard On The Ascot Gold Cup, Craftsmanship And Royal Heritage
Royal Ascot Gold Cup Regarded as the oldest jewelry house in the world, Garrard was established in 1735 and with that, comes a rich and storied past. Having been appointed the first official Crown Jeweler in 1843 by Queen Victoria, the house has had strong links with the British royal family ever since. As for exceptional headwear, cue the infamous Imperial State Crown and an array of tiaras that have been worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Anne, and Princess Beatrice on their wedding days, there's also the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, which dates back to 1661 and modified over the years, including the addition of the largest clear-cut diamond in the world in 1910, to more recently, Princes Diana's 12-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamond engagement ring which has been passed onto Catherine, Princess of Wales. Queen Elizabeth II with crown, orb and sceptre, 2 June 1953, (1962). Coronation portrait: the Queen wears the Imperial State Crown, made in 1937 for the coronation of her father George VI, and holds the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, and the Sovereign's Orb, both dating from 1661. The crown, orb and sceptre are part of the Royal Collection at the Tower of London. From "The Crown Jewels in the Tower of London", by Martin Holmes, F.S.A.. [Her Majesty's Stationery, London, 1962]. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images) As well as fine jewels, the house also has ties with Royal Ascot, particularly through crafting its trophies, and the infamous Ascot Gold Cup. This year is a particularly special year, as it sees the combination of two major milestones that form part of The Gold Cup's story, 290 years of Garrard and 200 years of the beloved Royal Procession at Ascot. 'The Royal Ascot trophies are a true expression of Garrard's craftsmanship, combining traditional silversmithing techniques with modern innovation to create something both meaningful and lasting,' says Claire Scott, Design and Development Director at Garrard. ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Queen Elizabeth II holds the Gold Cup and Prince Andrew, Duke of York after Ryan Moore riding Estimate won The Gold Cup during Ladies' Day on day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2013 in Ascot, England. (Photo byfor Ascot Racecourse) On this year's iteration, she says, "it's not only a symbol of sporting excellence, but a celebration of shared history, created to be treasured long after the moment of victory.' Respecting its heritage, while looking to the future, Claire shares, 'At Garrard, we do not replicate the past. We evolve it, using our heritage as a foundation to create designs that are relevant today and respectful of where we have come from.' King Charles III and the Gold Cup during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. Picture date: Thursday June 22, 2023. (Photo by David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images) Royal Ascot is in full swing, and today, on Ladies' Day, the Gold Cup will be awarded. To mark the occasion, Joanne Milner, Garrard's CEO discusses the heritage of this storied jewelry house, craftsmanship, and the future of legacy luxury. Joanne Milner: Garrard is the ultimate example that you can invest in luxury and that it will last forever. As one of the few independent jewellers in the world, and the oldest amongst them, Garrard has the best of both worlds; being one of the most historic luxury brands in the world, while still keeping true to the values of a 'family jeweller'. As such, every Garrard piece is iconic and is built to last forever. It's inspiring to think that in another 290 years people will be walking through our doors, enquiring about a piece of Garrard that we made today. Perhaps they will have just inherited it, and are keen to know its story. And there will be a story for them to discover. That is Garrard's true USP, and it's where I see it shaping our future as a legacy luxury brand. Every piece of Garrard has a genuine and meaningful story that can be brought to life, and can endure – no matter what. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 27: Queen Elizabeth II (wearing 'The Diamond Diadem' made for King George IV by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell in 1820, 'The Coronation Earrings' and 'The Coronation Necklace' made by Garrard for Queen Victoria in 1858) travels down The Mall (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) JM: Garrard's legacy of storytelling is vital to our clients. It is not just the beauty of each of our pieces, it is the meaning behind it. As the oldest jewellery house in the world and the ultimate legacy jeweller, our heritage organically attracts a new generation looking to make their own mark. This combined with the iconic Garrard designs which have consistently proven to stand the test of time, reborn and refashioned for the muses of today, maintains our cultural relevance and enduring appeal. We've observed how the world is returning to heritage luxuries. As lives become increasingly fast-paced and transactional, the authenticity and grounding of heritage brands such as Garrard take centre stage. Our everlasting craftsmanship is what enables pieces to be tailored and redesigned, meaning each piece can act as a living legacy constantly being shaped by the hands it is passed onto. As we look to the future of jewellery and our house, Garrard's heritage and 290 years of refining our craft are our greatest strengths. We are a living, breathing, house – not a museum – whose clients' real-life stories of love, family, beauty, and strength continue to be written. It is a responsibility we take seriously. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 03: Diana, Princess Of Wales As Patron Of The English National Ballet, Attends 'Swan Lake' At London's Royal Albert Hall Wearing A Necklace By Garrard. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) JM: It is a huge privilege to be custodian of the oldest jewellery house in the world. Even now, 10 years since I joined Garrard, I continue to discover new stories from our past. It is my responsibility to make sure Garrard is here in another 290 years from now. Not perhaps my biggest learning, but something I'm constantly working and striving towards, is how to balance Garrard the historic brand with Garrard the business of today and the future. It's a powerful symbiotic relationship. Neither one can grow or survive without the other. My most vital task as CEO is constantly ensuring we're meeting the needs of both. While of course the ideal linear trajectory is rarely achieved, as long as both are moving in the right direction, I am happy! Craftsmanship at Garrard JM: My vision is to set the standard for what a modern heritage brand can be. I really want to focus on our story, and the storytelling inherent in luxury jewellery, which is our greatest asset. In a world of so many trends that come and go, Garrard truly is an iconic constant. A storied world of luxury, our archival vault is home to some of the greatest stories ever told. Founded on the principles of heritage and luxury, our commitment to craftsmanship and design will shape our future. Top of my mind is sustainability, a journey to ensure that every part of our brand and business caters to the next generation of jewellery owners; from altering the exquisite ancestral pieces passed onto them, to creating versatile yet everlasting new icons that can be taken apart and built back up again. It is the principles of longevity and endurance that the great historical luxury houses excel at. There couldn't be a better time than now to call on them. Craftsmanship at Garrard JM: It is both. While the legacy pieces are part of what puts us into a league of our own today, to continue to keep Garrard in this singular position we must continue to be relevant by creating new 'moments' and 'pieces' that will write the next chapter of the legacy. Heritage is at the heart of who we are, but it is the way we reinterpret and evolve that legacy through bold design and modern innovation that truly sets us apart. His Majesty the King's Coronation was a moment that perfectly captured this balance. It is one of my proudest moments since joining Garrard. It beautifully showcased the power and longevity of our brand. Pieces we designed and crafted hundreds of years ago were worn alongside pieces from our current collections. It showed that a Garrard piece of jewellery is as desirable today as it always has been. Our jewellery is for now, as well as forever. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 06: King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) JM: Iconic in every sense, one of my favourite pieces has to be Princess Diana's sapphire and diamond cluster engagement ring. What I love most about this ring is that she chose it herself. There is a personal connection, an emotion, and a self-determined spirit to be admired. ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 24: A Portrait Of Princess Diana Looking Pensive Whilst Visiting The British American Benevolent Society During Her Official Tour Of Argentina. (Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) My other favourite piece is deeply personal. It is my own Garrard piece, a different type of gemstone cluster ring. It features my favourite stone. A sapphire. But not the deep blue most people are familiar with. Mine is a Padparadscha sapphire, a rare variety with an incredible mix of fiery orange and pink hues. It epitomises Garrard's expertise in sourcing the finest and rarest coloured gemstones. And for me, it captures the unique and colourful spirit that we are known for. It is this spirit that will continue to define Garrard for generations. Royal Ascot 2025 runs until Saturday the 21st of June, with the Royal Ascot Gold Cup being awarded today. Royal Ascot Gold Cup
