December 13, 2025 • 9 mins
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.
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Hear our new show "Crown and Controversy: Prince Andrew" here.
Check out "Palace Intrigue Presents: King WIlliam" here.
👑 Follow our hit series Crown and Controversy! 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" here and get the full season as a premium subscriber now.
👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Callaroga Shark media now, Hello and welcome to the palace.
Intrig g. I am your host. Mark Francis Andrew mount Batton,
Windsor made a rare appearance at a royal family event,
attending the christening of his granddaughter Athena at Saint James
Palace in London. The former Duke arrived alone in a
(00:24):
range rover at a side entrance to the palace grounds
shortly before eleven in the morning. His former wife Sarah
arrived separately earlier in the day. Both were seen leaving
the service around midday. The low key christening appeared to
be limited to close friends and family, with no senior
working royals in attendance. It marked Andrew's first appearance at
(00:44):
a royal ceremony since the funeral of the Duchess of
Kent at Westminster Cathedral in September. He was photographed riding
privately in Windsor Great Park last month, but has otherwise
remained largely out of public view. Among the guests were
Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who drove into the
palace together, as well as musician James Blunt. Archwell Productions
(01:09):
has announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will
serve as executive producers on Cookie Queen's, a new film
set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in twenty
twenty six. Directed by Elisa Namias, the documentary follows the
Girl Scouts during the annual Cookie Season, examining what the
filmmakers describe as the joys, pressures, and challenges faced by
(01:33):
one of America's most recognizable youth organizations. The project has
a personal connection for Megan, who was a Girl Scout herself,
with her mother Doria serving as her troop leader. In
a statement, the Duchess said, when we first viewed the
early footage of this documentary, it was immediately something we
wanted to be involved in. The creative point of view,
(01:53):
the edgy yet humanizing tone and tenor of the directing,
and the glimpse behind the scenes into such a nostalgia
and also modern tradition of gold scale Cookie Season are
absolutely irresistible. Cookie Queen's will screen in Sundance's Family Matinee section,
which highlights independence films intended for audiences of all ages.
(02:16):
A specific premier date has not yet been confirmed, and
it has not known whether the Duke and Duchess plan
to attend the Sundance Film Festival, runs from January twenty
third through February second in Park City, Utah. Royal expert
Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digital Meghan has frantically tried
to build a wholesome, family oriented brand in twenty twenty five,
(02:38):
it would be in her best interest to show her
elderly father, who had just lost a limb, some compassion. Otherwise,
every time we see Megan and Harry lovingly engage with
wounded vets and Invictus, we will ask ourselves why they
couldn't show Meghan's father the same compassion. Right now, she
is simultaneously promoting a holiday special centered on family. At
(02:59):
the very least, Thomas should be allowed to meet his grandchildren.
Talk TVs, Mark Dolan commented on the relationship between Thomas
and reported Caroline Graham. This is an eighty one year
old man. He's lonely. He's in a foreign country, thousands
of miles away. He's got his son's Thomas Michael Junior.
But he's got major issues too. He's got health problems,
(03:20):
he's broke, and he's not been able to be at
the hospital. Twenty four to seven. So Caroline has filled
the gap, and what is her reward a subtle attack
from the ruthless Sussex public relations machine, throwing shade at
the Mail on Sunday for running his story, and therefore
that is by definition an attack on Caroline Graham, who
is really a dear friend of Thomas Michael. This is
(03:41):
a nightmare for Megan and it is a public relations
disaster because she's trying to rehabilitate herself in the world
of Hollywood. She's got her ailing business empire as ever,
which is basically a bit of honey in a couple
of flower sprinkles. It's turned into a bitter war of words,
and all Thomas Michael gets from Meghan is one of
her creepy calligraphy letter when you're dying and your last
(04:02):
hope is to meet your daughter, and you get some correspondence.
I think that's a little slap in the face, given
that Meghan knew Thomas Mirkle was fighting for his life.
If that's not a wake up call, then you can't
jump on a plane or call him. Then nothing will change.
Megan would have to have an entire personality transplant. She
has to develop some empathy, of which she has shown
(04:22):
precious little. British Vogue has released its first ever fifty
Best Dressed list, positioning it as a defining snapshot of
the figures who shaped an elevated British style over the
past year. At the center of that conversation is Catherine,
the Princess of Wales, who's carefully considered wardrobe and heritage
led approach to fashion have secured her place as one
(04:43):
of the most influential dresses in the country. Keith's inclusion
is widely seen as inevitable. Her ability to balance contemporary
trends with tradition has set a clear benchmark for royal style.
In twenty twenty five, she appears among a select group
described as eternal influences, alongside Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss,
(05:05):
Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham, figures whose impact on British
fashion has endured for decades. What has drawn equal attention, however,
is a notable omission. Meghan Michael does not feature on
the list, despite a year of highly curated public appearances
and visible efforts to reassert her fashion credentials, including a
widely publicized appearance at Paris Fashion Week, the Duchess of
(05:28):
Sussex was overlooked in favor of figures such as Cynthia Arrivo,
Kira Knightley and Mary Barry, a decision that has not
gone unnoticed given the stature of the list within the
British fashion industry. For Meghan, who has worked to rebuild
her profile in the style world, missing out on one
of British fashion's most significant new honors is a conspicuous absence.
(05:50):
By contrast, the Princess of Wales's placement reinforces her position
within an elite tier of cultural taste makers whose influence
remains consistent and defining. Her inclusion alongside Victoria Beckham is
seen as particularly apt given Catherine's frequent choice of the
designer's tailored pieces and elegant dresses. Earlier this year, the
(06:11):
Princess stepped out in a head to toe look from
the Beckham label, a move widely interpreted as a subtle
show of support during the launch of Beckham's Netflix series
More palac In just a moment. Sir Roger Daughtry has
been knighted by Prince William in recognition of his extraordinary
(06:31):
contribution to music and charity. The Who frontman received the
honor on Wednesday, marking a career that has spanned more
than six decades, from the band's explosive early days with
My Generation through to their recent Farewell tour. Alongside his
musical legacy, the knighthood also acknowledges Daughtry's long standing commitment
to charitable work, particularly his tireless support of Teenage Cancer
(06:54):
Trust now eighty one. Daughtry was characteristically modest about the accolade,
choosing to frame it as recognition for the cause he
has championed for years, rather than a personal triumph. He said,
for a kid like me achieving this, it's a dream,
reflecting on a journey that began on the streets of
post war London and led to global fame and induction
(07:15):
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With the honor,
Sir Roger joins a selected group of knighted music icons,
including Paul McCartney, Mick Jaggerin Elton, John William made a
surprise appearance at a Christmas celebration in Windsor, joining the
Welsh Guards at their barracks for a festive gathering as
Colonel of the regiment. William was photographed laughing with officers,
(07:36):
many of whom were wearing green and blue paper party hats.
During the visit, William helped serve Christmas dinner, spend time
with members of the First Battalion, and shared a few
festive drinks. He also visited the Sergeant's mess, where he
spoke with junior ranks and heard about their experiences since
returning from a recent training exercise in Kenya. Forest Lodge's
(07:56):
generous footprint, including a self contained flat within the property,
has prompt speculation about how the additional space could be
used by Kate and William. Rather than being reserved for
long term family arrangements, it is thought the separate accommodation
is intended primarily for visiting guests. Catherine's parents, Carol and
Michael Middleton, live less than an hour away, but could
(08:18):
occasionally choose to stay over at night. The same would
apply to close friends traveling from London, who could make
use of a quiet bolt hole in the countryside without
disrupting family life in the main house. Such arrangements are
far from unusual among royals and high profile figures. Harry
and Meghan, for example, are believed to have a separate
guesthouse at their Montecito home, which is said to be
(08:39):
used by Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland when she visits from
her home roughly two hours away. Privacy and security around
Forest Lodge have also been significantly enhanced. A substantial wooden
fence has been installed to close off surrounding woodland and
green space, with additional trees planted to further shuel the
grade to listed Georgian house from public view. CCTV cameras
(09:03):
monitor the perimeter and the no fly zone above the
property has been expanded to include not only helicopters and
hot air balloons, but also drones which had previously been
able to approach close enough to take photographs. Access within
Windsor Great Park has also been altered when entrance route
has been permanently closed for security reasons, a move that
reportedly caused frustration among some local residents. According to the Sun,
(09:26):
the closure came without prior notice, with an official order
stating due to the pending designation of part of the
Great Park as an exclusion area, access via Cranbourne Gate
will permanently cease and there you have it. Fl like
to email us addresses the Palace Intrigue at a gmail,
a dot com. Please followus on Spotify, Apple at the
applicant Choice and leaves a massive review from joining the
(09:47):
show by Mark Francis Mean Thanks to John McDermott, this
is Palace Intrigue and good terms
Callaroga Shark media now, Hello and welcome to the palace.
Intrig g. I am your host. Mark Francis Andrew mount Batton,
Windsor made a rare appearance at a royal family event,
attending the christening of his granddaughter Athena at Saint James
Palace in London. The former Duke arrived alone in a
(00:24):
range rover at a side entrance to the palace grounds
shortly before eleven in the morning. His former wife Sarah
arrived separately earlier in the day. Both were seen leaving
the service around midday. The low key christening appeared to
be limited to close friends and family, with no senior
working royals in attendance. It marked Andrew's first appearance at
(00:44):
a royal ceremony since the funeral of the Duchess of
Kent at Westminster Cathedral in September. He was photographed riding
privately in Windsor Great Park last month, but has otherwise
remained largely out of public view. Among the guests were
Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, who drove into the
palace together, as well as musician James Blunt. Archwell Productions
(01:09):
has announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will
serve as executive producers on Cookie Queen's, a new film
set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in twenty
twenty six. Directed by Elisa Namias, the documentary follows the
Girl Scouts during the annual Cookie Season, examining what the
filmmakers describe as the joys, pressures, and challenges faced by
(01:33):
one of America's most recognizable youth organizations. The project has
a personal connection for Megan, who was a Girl Scout herself,
with her mother Doria serving as her troop leader. In
a statement, the Duchess said, when we first viewed the
early footage of this documentary, it was immediately something we
wanted to be involved in. The creative point of view,
(01:53):
the edgy yet humanizing tone and tenor of the directing,
and the glimpse behind the scenes into such a nostalgia
and also modern tradition of gold scale Cookie Season are
absolutely irresistible. Cookie Queen's will screen in Sundance's Family Matinee section,
which highlights independence films intended for audiences of all ages.
(02:16):
A specific premier date has not yet been confirmed, and
it has not known whether the Duke and Duchess plan
to attend the Sundance Film Festival, runs from January twenty
third through February second in Park City, Utah. Royal expert
Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digital Meghan has frantically tried
to build a wholesome, family oriented brand in twenty twenty five,
(02:38):
it would be in her best interest to show her
elderly father, who had just lost a limb, some compassion. Otherwise,
every time we see Megan and Harry lovingly engage with
wounded vets and Invictus, we will ask ourselves why they
couldn't show Meghan's father the same compassion. Right now, she
is simultaneously promoting a holiday special centered on family. At
(02:59):
the very least, Thomas should be allowed to meet his grandchildren.
Talk TVs, Mark Dolan commented on the relationship between Thomas
and reported Caroline Graham. This is an eighty one year
old man. He's lonely. He's in a foreign country, thousands
of miles away. He's got his son's Thomas Michael Junior.
But he's got major issues too. He's got health problems,
(03:20):
he's broke, and he's not been able to be at
the hospital. Twenty four to seven. So Caroline has filled
the gap, and what is her reward a subtle attack
from the ruthless Sussex public relations machine, throwing shade at
the Mail on Sunday for running his story, and therefore
that is by definition an attack on Caroline Graham, who
is really a dear friend of Thomas Michael. This is
(03:41):
a nightmare for Megan and it is a public relations
disaster because she's trying to rehabilitate herself in the world
of Hollywood. She's got her ailing business empire as ever,
which is basically a bit of honey in a couple
of flower sprinkles. It's turned into a bitter war of words,
and all Thomas Michael gets from Meghan is one of
her creepy calligraphy letter when you're dying and your last
(04:02):
hope is to meet your daughter, and you get some correspondence.
I think that's a little slap in the face, given
that Meghan knew Thomas Mirkle was fighting for his life.
If that's not a wake up call, then you can't
jump on a plane or call him. Then nothing will change.
Megan would have to have an entire personality transplant. She
has to develop some empathy, of which she has shown
(04:22):
precious little. British Vogue has released its first ever fifty
Best Dressed list, positioning it as a defining snapshot of
the figures who shaped an elevated British style over the
past year. At the center of that conversation is Catherine,
the Princess of Wales, who's carefully considered wardrobe and heritage
led approach to fashion have secured her place as one
(04:43):
of the most influential dresses in the country. Keith's inclusion
is widely seen as inevitable. Her ability to balance contemporary
trends with tradition has set a clear benchmark for royal style.
In twenty twenty five, she appears among a select group
described as eternal influences, alongside Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss,
(05:05):
Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham, figures whose impact on British
fashion has endured for decades. What has drawn equal attention, however,
is a notable omission. Meghan Michael does not feature on
the list, despite a year of highly curated public appearances
and visible efforts to reassert her fashion credentials, including a
widely publicized appearance at Paris Fashion Week, the Duchess of
(05:28):
Sussex was overlooked in favor of figures such as Cynthia Arrivo,
Kira Knightley and Mary Barry, a decision that has not
gone unnoticed given the stature of the list within the
British fashion industry. For Meghan, who has worked to rebuild
her profile in the style world, missing out on one
of British fashion's most significant new honors is a conspicuous absence.
(05:50):
By contrast, the Princess of Wales's placement reinforces her position
within an elite tier of cultural taste makers whose influence
remains consistent and defining. Her inclusion alongside Victoria Beckham is
seen as particularly apt given Catherine's frequent choice of the
designer's tailored pieces and elegant dresses. Earlier this year, the
(06:11):
Princess stepped out in a head to toe look from
the Beckham label, a move widely interpreted as a subtle
show of support during the launch of Beckham's Netflix series
More palac In just a moment. Sir Roger Daughtry has
been knighted by Prince William in recognition of his extraordinary
(06:31):
contribution to music and charity. The Who frontman received the
honor on Wednesday, marking a career that has spanned more
than six decades, from the band's explosive early days with
My Generation through to their recent Farewell tour. Alongside his
musical legacy, the knighthood also acknowledges Daughtry's long standing commitment
to charitable work, particularly his tireless support of Teenage Cancer
(06:54):
Trust now eighty one. Daughtry was characteristically modest about the accolade,
choosing to frame it as recognition for the cause he
has championed for years, rather than a personal triumph. He said,
for a kid like me achieving this, it's a dream,
reflecting on a journey that began on the streets of
post war London and led to global fame and induction
(07:15):
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With the honor,
Sir Roger joins a selected group of knighted music icons,
including Paul McCartney, Mick Jaggerin Elton, John William made a
surprise appearance at a Christmas celebration in Windsor, joining the
Welsh Guards at their barracks for a festive gathering as
Colonel of the regiment. William was photographed laughing with officers,
(07:36):
many of whom were wearing green and blue paper party hats.
During the visit, William helped serve Christmas dinner, spend time
with members of the First Battalion, and shared a few
festive drinks. He also visited the Sergeant's mess, where he
spoke with junior ranks and heard about their experiences since
returning from a recent training exercise in Kenya. Forest Lodge's
(07:56):
generous footprint, including a self contained flat within the property,
has prompt speculation about how the additional space could be
used by Kate and William. Rather than being reserved for
long term family arrangements, it is thought the separate accommodation
is intended primarily for visiting guests. Catherine's parents, Carol and
Michael Middleton, live less than an hour away, but could
(08:18):
occasionally choose to stay over at night. The same would
apply to close friends traveling from London, who could make
use of a quiet bolt hole in the countryside without
disrupting family life in the main house. Such arrangements are
far from unusual among royals and high profile figures. Harry
and Meghan, for example, are believed to have a separate
guesthouse at their Montecito home, which is said to be
(08:39):
used by Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland when she visits from
her home roughly two hours away. Privacy and security around
Forest Lodge have also been significantly enhanced. A substantial wooden
fence has been installed to close off surrounding woodland and
green space, with additional trees planted to further shuel the
grade to listed Georgian house from public view. CCTV cameras
(09:03):
monitor the perimeter and the no fly zone above the
property has been expanded to include not only helicopters and
hot air balloons, but also drones which had previously been
able to approach close enough to take photographs. Access within
Windsor Great Park has also been altered when entrance route
has been permanently closed for security reasons, a move that
reportedly caused frustration among some local residents. According to the Sun,
(09:26):
the closure came without prior notice, with an official order
stating due to the pending designation of part of the
Great Park as an exclusion area, access via Cranbourne Gate
will permanently cease and there you have it. Fl like
to email us addresses the Palace Intrigue at a gmail,
a dot com. Please followus on Spotify, Apple at the
applicant Choice and leaves a massive review from joining the
(09:47):
show by Mark Francis Mean Thanks to John McDermott, this
is Palace Intrigue and good terms
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