Prince Charles, 72, has spent nearly his entire life as King-in-waiting, as his mother, Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for more than 68 years. He will ascend the throne following the death of the Queen, but royal fans have called on the Prince of Wales to abdicate immediately.
Royal fans have urged Prince Charles to pass the crown to his eldest son Prince William, 38, who is second in line to the throne.
They took to Twitter to make the claims, hitting out at the senior royal for his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles while married to Princess Diana.
The scandal has re-entered the public debate following the release of the latest season of The Crown, a TV show which offers a dramaticised account of the modern history of the royal family.
One person wrote: “He was the heir. The country’s need should have come before his. If the country has preferred Diana that’s who you learn to love. #CharlesAbdicate #SuccessiontoWilliam”
Another user fumed: “Prince Charles you better abdicate and never be seen again!!!”
While commenting on Charles’ treatment of Diana, a third wrote: “The way Charles treated her and disrespected her was disgusting.
Prince Charles has been urged to ditch his claim to the throne, by furious royal fans (Image: Getty)
“He never deserves to be King. When the queen does die, he should abdicate and f**k off with his mistress. William should be next in line, that man doesn’t deserve a single moment on the throne.”
Several other fans called for a petition on Charles’ abdication.
One person wrote: “Petition to abdicate Prince Charles from the throne, he ain’t gonna be my damn king.”
A second agreed: “If anyone creates a petition to abdicate Charles from the throne it will blow up.”
The fury aimed at Prince Charles is thought to come from his depiction in the latest series of The Crown.
Charles’ affair with Camilla is heavily played out, and the heir to the throne is depicted as treating his wife Diana cruelly.
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6.14pm update: Sarah Ferguson unveils cute face masks inspired by her Budgie the Little Helicopter books
The Duchess of York’s new face masks will support her charity Sarah’s Trust, which “introduces philanthropists to causes that need funding”.
It comes after she also launched a range of brooches in tribute to a friend, who died from cancer earlier this year, to raise money for the charity. Earlier this year Sarah said that coronavirus was a warning from “Mother Nature”.
On her Instagram Sarah, who is also affectionately known as Fergie, posted the line of masks for children aged two and above.
The range of face coverings depicts characters from children’s shows including the Duchess’s very own ‘Budgie’, costing £12 per mask.
The Duchess wrote: “Wearing a facemask promotes a sense of community solidarity and collective effort in fighting diseases like Covid-19.
“But they can appear frightening to young children; getting a child to wear one can be challenging for many parents.
“My child-friendly patterns are fun, colourful and appeal to children, helping to brighten their day.”
5.56pm update: Camilla continues to block cruel Netflix trolls as she speaks out on violence to women
In a video posted on Clarence House’s page, Camilla marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
In a series of tweets, Clarence House detailed Prince Charles’ wife’s dedication to the important cause and included a link to the couple’s website about Camilla’s work to tackle domestic violence. But only Twitter accounts followed by Clarence House or anyone mentioned in the tweets could reply.
The move suggested the duchess was keen to avoid giving trolls a platform to criticise her in light of recent negativity directed at her and Charles prompted by the release of the fourth series of Netflix’s The Crown.
In the video, Camilla said: “The 25th of November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
“It’s a day when we are reminded that worldwide one in three women and girls experience physical and sexual violence in their lifetime, more often than not by somebody very close to them.
“Today gives us all the opportunity to remember those who have suffered and those who tragically have died as a result of these heinous crimes.
4.27pm update: Meghan Markle miscarriage: Earl Spencer offers sympathy to Harry and Meghan after sad news
Charles Spencer appeared on ITV’s Lorraine this morning, just hours after an article penned by Meghan about the loss of her child was published by a US newspaper.
During an interview with host Lorraine Kelly, the Earl sent his well wishes to his nephew and wife in the wake of the tragic news.
Lorraine said: “I am sure you will want to join us, all of us here, in wishing all our love to Meghan.
“And of course, to your nephew Harry because today we just found out the news she had a miscarriage. It is just terribly sad, isn’t it?”
Earl Spencer replied saying: “I can’t imagine the agony for any couple of losing a child in this way. It’s so very, very sad.
“And of course, I totally agree with you, all thoughts with them today.”
Meghan and Harry have been inundated with support (Image: GETTY)
3.49pm update: Royal Family set for ‘difficult decade after loss of 3 stars’ leaves monarchy ‘dwindling’
Republic is an organisation that campaigns for the abolishment of the monarchy and for Queen Elizabeth II to be replaced by a democratic, elected head of state.
Graham Smith, the organisation’s CEO, told Express.co.uk that Prince Andrew withdrawing from duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping back from royal life and the prospect of the Queen dying in the next 10 years will leave the monarchy with only a few recognisable members.
“Meghan and Harry have left, the Queen is withdrawing more and more due to her age and she is likely to die before the end of the decade.
“What you are left with is the only recognisable royals as Charles, William and Kate.”
3.12pm update: Prince Philip’s passion for UFOs and aliens exposed – Duke collected books for decades
It has been revealed the Duke spent last summer reading The Halt Perspective – a 2016 book by retired US Air Force Colonel Charles Halt and ex-West Midlands detective John Hanson. It details British UFO sightings including the Rendlesham Forest incident.
claims Prince Philip’s private secretary Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell wrote a letter to Mr Hanson, in which he stated the book would be “read with close interest over the summer”.
The secretary also referenced another book called ‘Haunted Skies: The Encyclopaedia of British UFOs’ also by Mr Hanson.
Brigadier Miller-Bakewell reportedly said that book would “make a most welcome addition to his library”.
Meghan Markle has been praised for opening up on her experience of miscarriage (Image: Getty)
2.30pm update: Meghan Markle praised for brave confession over miscarriage – ‘Thank you Meghan’
Meghan Markle has been publicly praised by authors, social media users and charities for bravely speaking about her miscarriage.
The Duchess of Sussex received widespread praise for sharing a personal and painful confession and shining a light on a topic many find difficult to speak about.
Author Matt Haig, who was featured by the Duchess in the Vogue issue she co-edited in September last year, wrote on Twitter: “To people saying: ‘why is Meghan Markle sharing her story if she doesn’t want negative media attention?’
“It is very simple: there is a difference between sharing your own pain, and having others cause it.
“You have a right to your own truth. And a right to tell it. My wife went through a miscarriage two years ago.
“We were in Australia and felt alone. It was so traumatic. To grieve a future that wasn’t there. It also felt difficult to talk about. A strange taboo.
“It is so healthy and healing when anyone talks about this topic so openly.”
Professor Kate Williams, of the University of Reading, wrote on Twitter: “‘When one person speaks truth, it gives licence to all of us to feel the same’ — beautiful, powerful, personal essay on miscarriage and loss by the #DuchessofSussex #MeghanMarkle.”
1.40pm update: Queen’s Christmas: Monarch predicted to follow Danish counterpart’s ‘stripped down’ plans
Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas plans are yet to be unveiled by Buckingham Palace – but the stripped-down celebrations announced by another monarch prompted one royal expert to suggest the British head of state may follow suit.
Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II has announced she will spend the Christmas festivities privately with one of her sons and his family.
A statement issued by the Danish palace read: “HM The Queen will celebrate Christmas this year at Schackenborg Palace together with TRH Prince Joachim and Princess Marie and TH Prince Nikolai, Prince Felix, Prince Henrik and Princess Athena.”
The heir to the throne, Prince Frederik, will spend the holidays with his wife Mary and children.
The statement added: “The Crown Prince Couple will celebrate Christmas together with their four children, TRH Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, at Frederik VIII’s Palace at Amalienborg.”
This announcement prompted royal author Phil Dampier to predict what Queen Elizabeth II and her family may decide to do following the Government’s announcement regarding the easing of lockdown measures over the Christmas period.
He wrote on Twitter: “A slimmed down Christmas for the Danish Royals. Suspect it will be the same for the British Royal Family.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are now living in the US (Image: Getty)
12.33pm update: Kate Middleton body language shows speech ‘training’ – first ever delivery looked ‘forced’
Kate Middleton, 38, joined the Royal Family in 2011 and throughout the past nine years in the family, Kate has perfected her speeches and built her confidence at different events.
Throughout the ongoing pandemic, Kate has had to turn to virtual events and has posted videos on the families Instagram account on many occasions.
Analysing her body language in her recent videos, body language expert Judi James explained that there are signals that she has had training.
Judi said: “I would hazard a very strong guess that Kate has had some training, especially for recent appearances in delivery and body language when she has been presenting straight to camera in the style of a professional TV presenter for things like her photographic competition.
“The advice to ‘just be yourself’ is less than useless for appearances like this as the pose itself isn’t one in a normal repertoire.
“The trick is to learn how to look as though you are being your natural, authentic self but under the pressure of the camera. The word ‘just’ doesn’t apply as it takes a lot of hard work to achieve.
“Kate’s first speech as a royal showed signs of coaching but the techniques, like doing long pauses at regular intervals, suppressed her authentic personality and made her delivery look forced.”
11.52am update: Princess Anne celebrated after huge charity milestone
Princess Anne has celebrated a huge milestone with a charity close to her heart.
Princess Anne, who is known fondly as the hardest-working royal, became president of Save the Children 50 years ago.
This milestone has a been publicly marked by the charity, which shared on Twitter a message and a video celebrating the relentless support the Princess Royal has given this organisation.
They wrote on the social media platform: “A lot has changed in the last 50 years – and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne has been with us to see it all.
“To celebrate The Princess Royal’s 50th anniversary as our Patron & President, we would like to say thank you for everything she has done for children.”
11.08am update: Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo spotted in errand outing
Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, were seen out and about in London in a lockdown shopping trip.
The couple, who got married in July, were photographed as they walked to a Waitrose supermarket in the capital.
Both Beatrice and Mr Mapelli wore black face masks with their smart casual outfits.
Beatrice donned a flowy midi skirt and flat shoes, and wrapped up in a black coat and tan scarf.
Mr Mapelli sported a pale blue shirt, a navy cardigan and navy chinos with some dark trainers.
Meghan Markle has revealed she had a miscarriage in July (Image: Getty)
10.37am update: Meghan Markle praised for helping other mothers open up on grief
Meghan Markle , 38, has bravely shared her account of suffering a miscarriage in July in a piece for the New York Times.
Royal editor Chris Ship appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the article. He praised Meghan for the honesty of her piece.
He said: “It is a very tragic account where she writes quite powerfully about her and Harry’s heartbreak.
“She relates a lot of it to the loss many people have felt this year around coronavirus.
“We haven’t seen a great deal of them out in public.
“We haven’t seen them that much in public so I suppose it’s easy to keep something like this private, much easier than it would have been in the Royal Family.
“Meghan’s probably using this as an opportunity for other women to talk about miscarriage in such an open way.”
/life-style/life/1364360/meghan-markle-miscarriage-news-new-york-times
10am update: Has your view of Prince Charles changed due to The Crown?
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, have faced a barrage of abuse since the latest series of The Crown was released, with royal insiders lining up to condemn Netflix for its unfair portrayal of the couple. Has your view of Prince Charles changed due to The Crown? VOTE HERE.
The fourth series of the fictionalised drama based on historical events includes the love triangle of Prince Charles, Princess Diana and Camilla Parker Bowles in the 1980s.
The show depicts a lovelorn Diana as she desperately tries to make her doomed marriage work, despite Charles longing to be with Camilla instead of her.
The Crown implies Charles and Camilla had an affair throughout his marriage to Diana.
So much so, the depiction has sparked a flurry of criticism of Prince Charles and Camilla, who married in 2005, with US streaming giant accused of “exploiting the Royal Family for financial gain”.
9.33am update: Meghan Markle praised for opening up on her experience of miscarriage
Meghan Markle has been heavily praised by royal fans for opening up on her experience of miscarriage.
One person wrote: “#MeghanMarkle has bravely written about her miscarriage in July. This is more common than people know. I know numerous friends who have suffered from this loss “
Another user said: “Powerful article by Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex. Loss is a pain so common but not always fathomed.”
A third said: “My heart hurts for Meghan Markle and Harry…unimaginable pain for them both it’s so so sad.”
The couple have received floods of well wishes and condolences for their loss.
British line to the throne (Image: Express)
9.19am update: Prince Harry broke down in tears at hospital after Meghan Markle’s devastating miscarriage
Prince Harry was devastated by the news his wife was having a miscarriage, as Meghan Markle bravely opens up on the experience.
Writing in an opinion piece of the New Year Times, the Duchess speaks out on the couple’s heartbreaking experience of loss.
She said: “Hours later, I lay in a hospital bed, holding my husband’s hand. I felt the clamminess of his palm and kissed his knuckles, wet from both our tears.
“Staring at the cold white walls, my eyes glazed over. I tried to imagine how we’d heal.”
8.47am update: Meghan Markle miscarriage: Duchess opens up on ‘unbearable grief’ with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle has opened up about suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage earlier this year.
She said the tragedy occurred while she was changing baby Archie’s nappy in July.
She said: “I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right.
“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”
8.08am update: Mike Tindall pays tribute to French rugby player
Mike Tindall, the former England rugby captain, has shared his condolences after hearing French rugby star Christophe Dominici had died.
The royal wrote on Instagram: “Very sad news! Thoughts with his family! As a 13 he was one of those players that concerned me a lot defensively. Proper French flair!! #rip”
The former France rugby union wing Christophe Dominici died at the age of 48.
He played 67 times for his country and helped France to knock New Zealand out of the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the cause of his death.
