Royal Superfans, Pub Plaques and a Pivotal Year Ahead for the Monarchy

Prince William made a personal gesture during the Sandringham Christmas walk by greeting a familiar royal superfan and introducing him to his children, as crowds gathered for the traditional festivities. The moment was also acknowledged by King Charles, who recognised the man’s ever-growing badge collection.

The episode also revisits lighter royal moments, including Prince William’s modest shopping habits, a Windsor pub installing a commemorative plaque after a royal visit, and Kate enjoying a low-key theatre outing with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in Norfolk.Looking ahead, two thousand and twenty six is shaping up to be a significant year for the Royal Family, with health milestones, Prince George’s transition to secondary school, possible overseas travel and growing expectations around the next generation.

We also turn briefly to Norway, where the upcoming trial of Marius Borg Høiby is expected to place renewed scrutiny on Europe’s royal households, as senior members of the Norwegian Royal Family speak publicly about the strain of the case.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calorogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Palace Intrigue, and
wishing you all a very happy new Year. I'm your host,
Mark Francis. Prince William made a point of greeting a
familiar face among the crowds gathered at Sandringham on Christmas Day,
spotting what has been described as Princess Diana's biggest super

(00:25):
fan and introducing him to his children. The Prince recognized
John Lowry, seventy, from Wadsworth in southwest London, calling him
up by name before introducing him to Prince George, Princess
Charlotte and Prince Lewis. Lowry, wearing a hat covered in
royal pins and carrying gifts for the children, wished the
family a merry Christmas and told Prince George Diana would

(00:47):
be proud of you. The children thanked him politely for
the gifts, with Princess Charlotte saying thank you very much.
That so Caine. Lowry's presence was also acknowledged by King
Charles the Third, who remarked on his extensive badge election
while greeting well wishes outside Sandringham estate. You've collected more
badges since last year the King said as he shook
hands with him. Lowry said he arrived at Sandringham at

(01:09):
nine o'clock on Christmas Eve and spent the night on
a fold up chair outside the gates, making him first
in line. On Christmas morning, he told the Daily Mail
it was cold, but I had heat pads inside my
jumper and hand warmers. He also brought Prince William a gift,
a portrait of himself painted in twenty twelve in honor
of Diana, Princess of Wales. The work by artist Rebecca
Francesca Cartwright de Fontenelle, was previously featured in an exhibition

(01:33):
by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. I have met
him several times before, Lowry said of Prince of Wales.
I last saw William at the center Point Homeless Charity
a few weeks ago and told him I would bring
a special gift for him to Sandringham. Celebrity stylist Dean
Aslett has recalled accompanying the Prince of Wales on a
shopping trip, saying he was struck by how modest and

(01:56):
practical the future king's tastes appeared to be. As it
said that during the outing Prince William selected mostly everyday items,
including DVDs and fragrances, and even picked up a small
gift for Queen Elizabeth. Speaking to The Daily Mail, Aslet
described the unusual arrangements ahead of the trip, saying it
started with a call from a special branch. It was
all very cloak and dagger. They called my home number.

(02:18):
I supposed to check I wasn't a member of the IRA,
He added. There was nothing bling about anything William wanted.
It was DVDs, fragrances, little trinkets. Aslet said he was
particularly amused by one purchase intended for the late Queen,
adding I was tickled by that because I was a
doctor who fan too, but you don't think of the
Queen watching it. A popular Windsor pub has marked a

(02:41):
recent royal visit by installing a commemorative plaque at the
table where the Prince of Wales once enjoyed a drink.
The Two Brewers Pub has honored a visit by Prince William,
who stopped by the venue in September alongside actor Eugene
Levy while filming the Apple TV plus series The Reluctant Traveler.
During the visit, the pair shared at pine of inches,
a cider and a guinness inside the small historic micropub.

(03:04):
Since the visit, the pub has seen a surge in interest,
with visitors traveling from around the world, particularly from the
United States, to sit at the table, now nicknamed the
Future King's Corner. In response, the pub has installed a
plaque and displayed photographs to commemorate the occasion. The pub's landlord,
Stewart O'Brien, said it was a pleasure to welcome the Prince,
adding that staff had been amazed by how many people

(03:26):
have since visited the pub just to have a drink
at the Future King's Corner. He described the Prince as
absolutely lovely and said the pluk would allow guests to
hear the story of the royal visit for years to come.
The Two Brewers, one of Windsor's smallest pubs, dates back
to seventeen ninety two, with parts of the building believed
to be even older. Located on Park Street near the

(03:47):
Long Walk and Windsor Great Park, it has a long
history of a stopping point on what was once a
busy stagecoach route between Windsor and London. With just nine
indoor tables, the pub is known for its intimate atmosphere
and its folk on English beer's, traditional wines and seasonal
food source from local suppliers. Twenty twenty six is shaping

(04:08):
up to be a pivotal year for the royal family,
marked by health milestones, major transitions for the next generation,
and the prospect of significant overseas travel. Attention remains on
the health of King Charles the Third, who announced in
December that his cancer treatment would be scaled back in
the new year. Kate also reached a turning point, resuming
a fuller public role, including high profile state visits, while

(04:30):
continuing to pace herself as she balances recovery with family life.
The Prince and Princess of Wales begin twenty twenty six
settled into a new chapter at Forest Lodge in Windsor
Great Park, having moved there in the autumn. Royal historian
Amanda Foreman said the move signals a different kind of lifestyle.
It's very centered on their children. The homes expected to

(04:50):
remain their base even after Prince William eventually becomes king.
One of the biggest changes ahead concerns Prince George. He
turns thirteen on July twenty second, and will begin secondary
school in the autumn, a major milestone for the future king.
Speculation continues over whether he will attend Eaton College, where
his father was educated, or Marlborough College, his mother's former school.

(05:12):
No official decision has been announced. Secondary school may also
bring George his first mobile phone, something William has hinted
could happen, though with limits. Travel is also expected to
feature prominently in twenty twenty six. The Prince and Princess
of Wales have a standing invitation to visit Australia, potentially
where all three children the family has not returned there

(05:35):
since twenty fourteen. The year also marks the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of US independence. In nineteen seventy six,
Queen Elizabeth visit to the US for the bi centennial,
and there are speculation senior royals could attend the commemorative events.
A visit could also coincide with the FIFA World Cup
hosted across North America, with the final schedule for July

(05:57):
nineteen at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. William has long
been a visible supporter of football and of England's national
team across the Atlantic. Prince Harran Megan Markel are also
looking ahead to a busy year. They recently announced the
renaming of their charity to Artwell Philanthropies, signaling an expanded
global focus that will include their children. The organization said

(06:19):
the change would allow the family to broaden their global
philanthropic efforts with meaningful reach and maximum impact. The Duke
and Duchess of Sussex are also continuing their creative work.
Meghan returned to acting in late twenty twenty five with
a small role playing herself in an Amazon MGM film,
and the couple have extended their partnership with Netflix, including

(06:42):
production on a screen adaptation of the novel The Wedding Date.
Taken together, twenty twenty six promises to be a year
of transition for the monarchy, defined by recovery, renewal in
the gradual emergence of the next generation more palacing just
a moment. One story we will be following is the

(07:04):
trial of Marius borg Hoiby, the son of Norway's Crown
Princess Meta Marid from a previous relationship, who faces thirty
two charges, including the alleged rape of four women, domestic
abuse against the former partner, threats acts of violence, and
traffic offenses. He is currently free pending trial. In an
interview with The Times, Crown Princess Meta Marite, Crown Prince Harkon,

(07:27):
King Harold and Queen Sonya addressed the case and the
scrutiny surrounding it. Speaking alongside her husband, Meta Marit described
the strain of the situation, while also rejecting claims that
she had warned her son ahead of his arrest. She said,
I think it's been quite a strain to be accused
of such serious things, which of course I did not do.
The thing that perhaps upsets me most is being criticized

(07:49):
for how we've handled it as parents, that we didn't
take it seriously. I find that hard. She added that
the family had sought professional help for her son, saying,
so it feels a little unfair to claim that we
didn't take the situation seriously, because I think we have.
Being a parent is the most vulnerable thing you can do,
and I think all parents will recognize that there is
an incredible amount of self blame involved. The Crown Princess

(08:13):
said the family had chosen to speak out because of
the intensity of the claims in public speculation. Our view
has always been that this matter must be dealt with
in the legal system. That is where it belongs. Which
to comment on the case itself or on private matters
until the legal system has dealt with it. We can
comment later if it is natural for us to do so,
but I don't think that gives people the right to

(08:34):
make untrue claims. King Harold has said it was not
possible to prepare for the trial, adding now it is
in the hands of the court, then we will take
what comes. Queen Sonia said it's not exactly something you
look forward to. The King also said the family would
attempt to continue with business as usual, while expressing sympathy
for those affected, adding we feel for them and hope

(08:56):
they will be okay and get better after the trial.
Owhige and prosecutors have confirmed that Hoyby will stand trial
on multiple serious charges, including rape and violence and close relationships.
Oslo State Attorney Stirler herricks Bo said the case is
very serious, adding that Hoyby's royal connections would not affect
how the matter is handled, stating that he should be

(09:16):
treated neither more lightly nor more severely than others. The
trial is expected to begin in mid January and could
last around six weeks and there you have it. If
you'd like to email, USHO are just as the Palace
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(09:38):
Wishing you all a very very happy New Year from
everyone here at Palace Intrigue. I'm Mark Francis. Thanks to
John McDermott. This is Palace Intrigue and good terms