November 21, 2025 • 9 mins
New reporting highlights a surge of public interest in Prince William, from praise of his athletic appearance during recent engagements to a growing fascination with the fashion choices he shares with other senior royals. Coverage also explores Catherine’s influence behind the scenes, King Charles’s push to streamline palace operations, and fresh historical research challenging long-held assumptions about the Tudor succession. Additional stories examine the Princess Royal’s steady popularity, a new portrait of King Charles in Country Life, and the unveiling of an AI-generated royal portrait.
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👑 The Palace Intrigue Social Hub is Live! Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram or click the links to start your royal journey!
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 is fully available now for everyone. Season 2 has new episodes every Sunday on the regular feed. GET THE FULL SEASON 2 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):
Calarogu Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I
am your host, Mark Francis. The Daily Mail tells us
how Prince William got so hot at forty three. The
male explains adoring female fans couldn't get enough of Prince
William in Brazil recently, as social media was full of
(00:24):
praise for the sexy Royals athletic physique following a sweaty
game of volleyball on the Kerber Cabana Beach. Tanned and
sporting a trimmed beard, the father of three was also
notably looking to be in great shape as he whizzed
around the sandy terrain to get the bowl over the net,
proving that being in his forties hasn't slowed him down
one bit. It's perhaps of no surprise given the heir
(00:46):
to the throne comes from a history of rigorous military
training and a myriad of activities including rowing, swimming and polo.
The Royal opened up about his diet in twenty twenty
two during a trip to Cornwall's New ky Orchard. He
explained he he has a healthy start of the day
by eating two eggs and whole milk toast with butter,
adding that he enjoyed apple juice and a cup of
tea with milk and sugar alongside it, admitting he was
(01:09):
trying to cut down on sugar. Willim then revealed that
he had a rubbish sandwich for lunch that day, while
enjoying fish and mushrooms for dinner. He says he doesn't
drink coffee so drinks two or three cups of tea
a day, as well as well as enjoying snacks like
bananas and chocolate biscuits or brownies. GQ noticed when it
comes to ioware the Royal family have a clear favorite
(01:31):
British brand Finlay. Prince William was recently spotted wearing the
brand's Marshall sunglasses in Brazil for the Earth Shot Prize,
while Prince Harry owns the same pair in the same
smoke shade. Catherine, Princess of Wales prefers Finlay's Henrietta and
Vivian styles, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex helped crash the
brand's website in twenty seventeen when she wore its Percy
(01:54):
frames to the Invictus Games founded in London. In twenty twelve,
Finn Lay has become the go to label for royals
thanks to its understated design, classic shapes and British craftsmanship,
stylish without being showy. As one fashion observer put it,
the brand fits the royal formula, quietly, polished and just
likes enough. Even Prince Anne has her own twist on
(02:17):
the theme, famously sticking to her practical wrap around Oakley's
whether it's a summit in Rio or a country event
in Gloucestershire. The Windsor's taste in sunglasses, like their wardrobes,
is all about subtle sophistication. As the wife of the
heir to the throne and mother of a future king,
Princess Catherine has become one of the most influential figures
(02:38):
in the modern royal family, a role that one royal
expert says goes far beyond ceremonial duties. Speaking to Fox News,
digital commentator Ian Pallam, Turner described the Princess of Wales
as a power behind the throne, dedicated to supporting King
Charles and Prince William in saving and securing the future
of the royal family, and her own determined destiny to
(03:00):
become Queen Palinturna, said a smiling face to the camera,
a steely resolve in private, she desires to protect the
destinies of her husband, Prince William and their oldest son,
Prince George, while doing her part in saving the Royal brand.
I believe there was not much love lost between Kate
and Andrew, who allegedly spoke shamelessly about her to William,
creating an angry confrontation between uncle and nephew to a
(03:23):
point where Andrew's fate was sealed. Kate has blossomed media wires.
Her skills in promoting that public persona are legendary, so
like a fearsome Tigris protecting her brood. The issues befalling
Andrew and how that could cause a real upset in
the royal evolution would find her most determined to ensure
his demolition. King Charles is tightening the purse strings at
(03:45):
Buckingham Palace, reportedly ordering sweeping cutbacks to what he views
as an overstaffed royal household. According to the Daily Mail,
the King has grown frustrated with what he considers wasteful
spending and too many layers of management, with one insider
saying he lost his temper when nothing changed but eventually
they got the message. There have been staff cutbacks that
(04:05):
started straight away. The buzz phrase in the household now
is value for money. Charles is said to believe the
palace has become top heavy with too many advisers to advisers,
and has told senior courtiers that such inefficiency stops now.
A source said the king felt the palace was being
run like a hotel, and not a very good one,
(04:25):
with too many extended family members coming and going over time.
That is all going to change. A Royal source added
properties will be let at commercial rates going forward, and
in some cases to people outside the family, though security vetted.
Of course, As another insider put it, the King isn't
running a housing association for distant relatives. This isn't about
financial cuts. It's about getting value for money and efficiency.
(04:48):
Sometimes less, truly is more. In his substack, Royal insider
deep Crown Rights, we're watching a king who spent decades
waiting for the throne now refusing to seed an inch
of space to his air. The cancer diagnosis should have
clarified things, should have prompted some honest conversations about transition
and succession planning. Instead, it's mate Charles More determined to
(05:11):
prove he's still fully in command. Every investiture, every audience,
every photo opportunity becomes a statement, I'm not going anywhere.
William meanwhile, it's trying to carve out a distinct role
for himself, forward looking, environmental, meritocratic, and keeps getting undermined
by his own family. Earthshot is genuinely impressive work, the
(05:32):
kind of project that would define a modern monarchy's relevance.
But it requires sustained attention and media focus, neither of
which were possible when your father's scheduling David Beckham's knighthood
for the exact same news cycle more palace in just
a moment. A new analysis of four hundred year old
(05:52):
manuscripts has upended one of the most accepted stories in
British history that Queen Elizabeth the First named James the
six of Scotland as her successor on her deathbed. Historian
Tracy Borman writes that newly examined sections of William Camden's
and Nales, long considered the definitive account of Elizabeth's final hours,
show that Camden's original text was heavily rewritten after her death,
(06:16):
likely under pressure from King James himself. Advanced imaging has
revealed that entire pages were pasted over, replacing sections that
suggested Elizabeth never named a successor at all, and that
James may have even plotted against her in her final years.
If true, this means the peaceful Tutor to Stuart transition
was anything but, and that the version passed down for
(06:38):
centuries was royal propaganda. Borman argues that james claim to
the throne was far weaker than history has suggested. James
carefully stage managed arrival in England masked deep resentment that
would later erupt in the Gunpowder Plot and ultimately the
English Civil War. Borman concludes that the discovery not only
(06:59):
rewrites tu toor his way, but also offers a timely
warning even four centuries ago, those in power were rewriting
the record to control the story. King Charles has appeared
on the cover of Country Life magazine, marking his transformation
of the Sandringham Estate gardens into a showcase of restored
beauty and environmental mindfulness. The portrait, taken by photographer Millie
(07:21):
Pilkington at the King's personal request, shows Charles in a
relaxed pose, leaning on a shepherd's crook and dressed informally
in an open necked pale shirt, beige trousers and brown
swede shoes. The article details the King's personal touch across
the estate, from the new sundial and topiary gardens to
a revised maze inspired by his childhood memories of Queen
(07:42):
Alexandra's ornamental garden. Last year, the main lawn was converted
into a climate friendly topiary garden designed to better with
stand shifting weather patterns. A new four hundred guard magnolia
walk now stretches across the grounds, featuring hundreds of varieties,
many of which are the King's personal favorites. The magazine
notes that the scale, the speed, and the importance of
(08:02):
what he has already achieved cannot be over emphasized. The
private estate, home to five generations of British monarchs for
over one hundred and fifty years, remains a cherished royal
retreat and the setting for the family's traditional Christmas gatherings.
Queen Elizabeth called it one of her happiest places, and
George the Fifth famously described it as the place I
(08:23):
love better than anywhere else in the world. A new
portrait of King Charles, titled Algorithm King has been unveiled,
created not by a human but by Ida, the world's
first ultra realistic robot artist. The humanoid machine, designed by
British art dealer Aiden Miller and built in Cornwall, uses
(08:43):
advanced AI algorithms and a robotic arm to paint the
monarch in oils. Ida also relied on cameras in her
eyes to capture visual data for the composition. The piece
was exhibited at the United Nations AI for Good Summit
in Geneva, displayed alongside her earlier portrait of Queen Elizabeth II,
creator for the Late Monarchs Platinum Jubilee in twenty twenty two.
(09:05):
Speaking at the event, I had have said, presenting my
portrait of His Majesty, King Charles the Third is not
just a creative act. It's a statement about the evolving
role of AI in our society and how artificial intelligence
is shaping the cultural landscape. And there you have it.
If you'd like to email us or addresses the Palace
intric at gmail dot com, please follow us on Spotify,
Apple or the Apple of You are Chosen leaves a
(09:27):
nice review from joining the show. I'm Mark Francis my
thanks to John McDermott. This is Pallas intriguan. Good terms
Calarogu Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue. I
am your host, Mark Francis. The Daily Mail tells us
how Prince William got so hot at forty three. The
male explains adoring female fans couldn't get enough of Prince
William in Brazil recently, as social media was full of
(00:24):
praise for the sexy Royals athletic physique following a sweaty
game of volleyball on the Kerber Cabana Beach. Tanned and
sporting a trimmed beard, the father of three was also
notably looking to be in great shape as he whizzed
around the sandy terrain to get the bowl over the net,
proving that being in his forties hasn't slowed him down
one bit. It's perhaps of no surprise given the heir
(00:46):
to the throne comes from a history of rigorous military
training and a myriad of activities including rowing, swimming and polo.
The Royal opened up about his diet in twenty twenty
two during a trip to Cornwall's New ky Orchard. He
explained he he has a healthy start of the day
by eating two eggs and whole milk toast with butter,
adding that he enjoyed apple juice and a cup of
tea with milk and sugar alongside it, admitting he was
(01:09):
trying to cut down on sugar. Willim then revealed that
he had a rubbish sandwich for lunch that day, while
enjoying fish and mushrooms for dinner. He says he doesn't
drink coffee so drinks two or three cups of tea
a day, as well as well as enjoying snacks like
bananas and chocolate biscuits or brownies. GQ noticed when it
comes to ioware the Royal family have a clear favorite
(01:31):
British brand Finlay. Prince William was recently spotted wearing the
brand's Marshall sunglasses in Brazil for the Earth Shot Prize,
while Prince Harry owns the same pair in the same
smoke shade. Catherine, Princess of Wales prefers Finlay's Henrietta and
Vivian styles, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex helped crash the
brand's website in twenty seventeen when she wore its Percy
(01:54):
frames to the Invictus Games founded in London. In twenty twelve,
Finn Lay has become the go to label for royals
thanks to its understated design, classic shapes and British craftsmanship,
stylish without being showy. As one fashion observer put it,
the brand fits the royal formula, quietly, polished and just
likes enough. Even Prince Anne has her own twist on
(02:17):
the theme, famously sticking to her practical wrap around Oakley's
whether it's a summit in Rio or a country event
in Gloucestershire. The Windsor's taste in sunglasses, like their wardrobes,
is all about subtle sophistication. As the wife of the
heir to the throne and mother of a future king,
Princess Catherine has become one of the most influential figures
(02:38):
in the modern royal family, a role that one royal
expert says goes far beyond ceremonial duties. Speaking to Fox News,
digital commentator Ian Pallam, Turner described the Princess of Wales
as a power behind the throne, dedicated to supporting King
Charles and Prince William in saving and securing the future
of the royal family, and her own determined destiny to
(03:00):
become Queen Palinturna, said a smiling face to the camera,
a steely resolve in private, she desires to protect the
destinies of her husband, Prince William and their oldest son,
Prince George, while doing her part in saving the Royal brand.
I believe there was not much love lost between Kate
and Andrew, who allegedly spoke shamelessly about her to William,
creating an angry confrontation between uncle and nephew to a
(03:23):
point where Andrew's fate was sealed. Kate has blossomed media wires.
Her skills in promoting that public persona are legendary, so
like a fearsome Tigris protecting her brood. The issues befalling
Andrew and how that could cause a real upset in
the royal evolution would find her most determined to ensure
his demolition. King Charles is tightening the purse strings at
(03:45):
Buckingham Palace, reportedly ordering sweeping cutbacks to what he views
as an overstaffed royal household. According to the Daily Mail,
the King has grown frustrated with what he considers wasteful
spending and too many layers of management, with one insider
saying he lost his temper when nothing changed but eventually
they got the message. There have been staff cutbacks that
(04:05):
started straight away. The buzz phrase in the household now
is value for money. Charles is said to believe the
palace has become top heavy with too many advisers to advisers,
and has told senior courtiers that such inefficiency stops now.
A source said the king felt the palace was being
run like a hotel, and not a very good one,
(04:25):
with too many extended family members coming and going over time.
That is all going to change. A Royal source added
properties will be let at commercial rates going forward, and
in some cases to people outside the family, though security vetted.
Of course, As another insider put it, the King isn't
running a housing association for distant relatives. This isn't about
financial cuts. It's about getting value for money and efficiency.
(04:48):
Sometimes less, truly is more. In his substack, Royal insider
deep Crown Rights, we're watching a king who spent decades
waiting for the throne now refusing to seed an inch
of space to his air. The cancer diagnosis should have
clarified things, should have prompted some honest conversations about transition
and succession planning. Instead, it's mate Charles More determined to
(05:11):
prove he's still fully in command. Every investiture, every audience,
every photo opportunity becomes a statement, I'm not going anywhere.
William meanwhile, it's trying to carve out a distinct role
for himself, forward looking, environmental, meritocratic, and keeps getting undermined
by his own family. Earthshot is genuinely impressive work, the
(05:32):
kind of project that would define a modern monarchy's relevance.
But it requires sustained attention and media focus, neither of
which were possible when your father's scheduling David Beckham's knighthood
for the exact same news cycle more palace in just
a moment. A new analysis of four hundred year old
(05:52):
manuscripts has upended one of the most accepted stories in
British history that Queen Elizabeth the First named James the
six of Scotland as her successor on her deathbed. Historian
Tracy Borman writes that newly examined sections of William Camden's
and Nales, long considered the definitive account of Elizabeth's final hours,
show that Camden's original text was heavily rewritten after her death,
(06:16):
likely under pressure from King James himself. Advanced imaging has
revealed that entire pages were pasted over, replacing sections that
suggested Elizabeth never named a successor at all, and that
James may have even plotted against her in her final years.
If true, this means the peaceful Tutor to Stuart transition
was anything but, and that the version passed down for
(06:38):
centuries was royal propaganda. Borman argues that james claim to
the throne was far weaker than history has suggested. James
carefully stage managed arrival in England masked deep resentment that
would later erupt in the Gunpowder Plot and ultimately the
English Civil War. Borman concludes that the discovery not only
(06:59):
rewrites tu toor his way, but also offers a timely
warning even four centuries ago, those in power were rewriting
the record to control the story. King Charles has appeared
on the cover of Country Life magazine, marking his transformation
of the Sandringham Estate gardens into a showcase of restored
beauty and environmental mindfulness. The portrait, taken by photographer Millie
(07:21):
Pilkington at the King's personal request, shows Charles in a
relaxed pose, leaning on a shepherd's crook and dressed informally
in an open necked pale shirt, beige trousers and brown
swede shoes. The article details the King's personal touch across
the estate, from the new sundial and topiary gardens to
a revised maze inspired by his childhood memories of Queen
(07:42):
Alexandra's ornamental garden. Last year, the main lawn was converted
into a climate friendly topiary garden designed to better with
stand shifting weather patterns. A new four hundred guard magnolia
walk now stretches across the grounds, featuring hundreds of varieties,
many of which are the King's personal favorites. The magazine
notes that the scale, the speed, and the importance of
(08:02):
what he has already achieved cannot be over emphasized. The
private estate, home to five generations of British monarchs for
over one hundred and fifty years, remains a cherished royal
retreat and the setting for the family's traditional Christmas gatherings.
Queen Elizabeth called it one of her happiest places, and
George the Fifth famously described it as the place I
(08:23):
love better than anywhere else in the world. A new
portrait of King Charles, titled Algorithm King has been unveiled,
created not by a human but by Ida, the world's
first ultra realistic robot artist. The humanoid machine, designed by
British art dealer Aiden Miller and built in Cornwall, uses
(08:43):
advanced AI algorithms and a robotic arm to paint the
monarch in oils. Ida also relied on cameras in her
eyes to capture visual data for the composition. The piece
was exhibited at the United Nations AI for Good Summit
in Geneva, displayed alongside her earlier portrait of Queen Elizabeth II,
creator for the Late Monarchs Platinum Jubilee in twenty twenty two.
(09:05):
Speaking at the event, I had have said, presenting my
portrait of His Majesty, King Charles the Third is not
just a creative act. It's a statement about the evolving
role of AI in our society and how artificial intelligence
is shaping the cultural landscape. And there you have it.
If you'd like to email us or addresses the Palace
intric at gmail dot com, please follow us on Spotify,
Apple or the Apple of You are Chosen leaves a
(09:27):
nice review from joining the show. I'm Mark Francis my
thanks to John McDermott. This is Pallas intriguan. Good terms
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