December 2, 2025 • 8 mins
Prince William is reportedly set to avoid Christmas lunch with the King for the third year running, as insiders insist there’s “no controversy”—just a difficult year for the Waleses. Meanwhile, Kate’s interior design eye is on full display as Forest Lodge takes shape, complete with a dining table big enough for 24. But holiday harmony hits a snag when Charles pushes plans for a two-million-gallon manure lagoon near Anmer Hall, leaving locals—and likely the Waleses—holding their noses. We preview a packed week of royal duties, from William’s tech stop to the German state visit to Kate’s Christmas carol service. Plus: William’s “better wife” quip in Wales, his surprise pub lunch (and £25 tip), and King Charles finally stripping Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his last remaining honours as Tina Brown reveals the palace’s fears about what Andrew might do next.
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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 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):
Caloroga Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I
gave your host Mark Francis. In The Royalist, Tom Sykes
reports Prince William's planning on skipping Christmas Lunch with Charles
once again, making it three years in a row. A
source told The Royalist William and the family will do
(00:23):
their duty and go to church with big smiles pasted on,
but they are not expected for Christmas Lunch at the
Big House. It has been an extremely difficult year for
William and Catherine Royalist source as a friend of the
King who shut down the notion of a controversy. Of
course William is invited. Of course he's free to do
his own thing without anyone being remotely upset. Kate stopped
(00:45):
by Marina Mills in September as part of a round
of engagements with local artisans. The family run workshop in
Cuxton has a long history of providing hand printed furnishings
for royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, making
it entirely plausible that she may have selected ideas or
samples during her visit. According to Mayol Online, Forest Lodge,
(01:07):
the new home the Wales family recently moved into is
expected to feature an expansive antique dining table large enough
to seat twenty four guests. As William and Kate planned
to remain at the property even when William eventually becomes king,
the piece is expected to serve as a central gathering
point for family dinners and celebrations For many years. Kate's
(01:28):
interest in interiors has been shaped over the course of
several moves through royal homes, supported by her background in
art history from the University of Saint Andrews. Her eye
for design even earned praise from Prince Harry in Spare.
Reflecting on the decor, Harry wrote, the wallpaper a ceiling trim,
the walnut bookshelves filled with volumes of peaceful colors, priceless
(01:49):
works of art, magnificent like a museum. Another royal controversy
is brewing. Why does the King want to place manure
next to one of the homes of William and According
to the Express, His Majesty's proposal would see a pull
sized lagoon designed to hold more than two million gallons
of liquid manure, placed less than a mile from Amner Hall,
(02:11):
the Georgian property given to the couple by Queen Elizabeth.
The project is said to form part of wider agricultural
plans for the estate. Fortunately, this is just the royals
holiday place and not their main residence. The suggestion has
caused considerable concern among local residents. One neighbor told The
Daily Mail, We're all used to farmyard smells around here,
(02:32):
but this lagoon will be enormous. Everyone is worried it
will create a massive stink. Goodness knows what William and
Kate think about it. It is a bit ironic that
the landowner responsible for the plans is William's father, the King.
It's a busy week for William, who spent Monday visiting
a leading technology company and highlighting the role innovative industries
(02:52):
play in Britain's future. The war for retention heats up
this week, with both Megan's holiday special tomorrow and William
and Kate help helping the King host the German President
and his wife during their state visit. Then on Friday,
it's Kate's fifth annual Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey.
While Prince William is expected to take part in the
concert presentation, Kensington Powerace has not confirmed which other royals
(03:16):
will attend. In previous years, the Prince and Princess of
Wales have brought their three children, and members of the
Princess's own family have joined them as well. Westminster Abbey's
choir will lead the congregation in many of the traditional carols,
and guests will be welcomed by eight young musicians from
the charity Future Talent, founded by the late Catherine, Duchess
of Kent and Nicholas Robinson. Organizers say the theme for
(03:39):
this year is Love in all its forms. In a statement,
Kensington Palace said the service will bring people together to
celebrate love in all its forms, whether it's love within families,
through friendships across communities, or even through powerful moments of
connection with strangers. In a world that can often feel
fragmented and disconnected, love is the four that reconnects us
(04:01):
all spanning generations, communities, cultures and faiths. The Palace added,
as we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of
the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative
power of investing in one another with compassion, presence and joy.
William praised the support he receives from Catherine the Princess
(04:21):
at Wales during a visit to North Wales, remarking them,
behind every average man there is an even better wife.
Prince William made the comment during an engagement at Youth Shards,
where he met young people involved in the community project
and heard how the initiative helps them cope with challenges
at school and feelings of isolation. Scott Jenkinson fifty two,
(04:41):
the founder of Youth Shareds, guided the Prints through the
center's weekly activities, which included cooking, gaming, podcasting and three
D printing. William then spoke with mister Jenkinson and his
wife Sean about the role of a supportive partner. Were
you there with Scott when he turned his life around?
He asked Sean, after hearing of Scott's earlier struggles with
(05:02):
homelessness and addiction. He has done well to turn his
life around. Sean replied he has, he really has. Scott added,
with my wife behind me, you know that. William nodded
and said, this is it. Behind every average man, there
is an even better wife. Later in the day, William
took part in the comedy workshop led by Welsh comedian
Kerrie Prichard McLean. The Prince of Wales made an unannounced
(05:26):
stop at a country pub in wilt Chair, setting in
for a working lunch and leaving behind a twenty five
pound tip. William popped into the Walnut Tree Inn, where
his three security officers took seats at one table, while
the Prince joined five colleagues at another. Two regulars Gary
and Nick eventually approached the Prince to request a photograph.
He agreed, posing with Lisa James, the member of staff
(05:48):
who had looked after his table. The pub's owner, William
Friend James said the party's bill reached two hundred and
fifty pounds, with the Prince adding a ten percent gratuity.
He explained, we took a booking about a week ago
for no people on two separate tables, but didn't know
who it was, so everyone was a bit shocked when
the Prince of Wales walked in. According to mister friend James,
(06:08):
the Prince chose a homemade burger with fries and a lemonade,
while others ordered dishes, including the pubs pie and sea bass.
He added that although security initially declined a photo request,
the Prince later agreed when approached privately, saying it was
a great pleasure to host him. The group remained for
around ninety minutes, with the security team settling the bill
(06:29):
before leaving more palacy just a moment. Andrew Mount Batton
Windsor has now been formally stripped of his final remaining
royal honors, as the King confirmed the cancelation of his
last titles amid continuing delays to Andrews's departure from Royal Lodge.
(06:49):
The announcement published in the London Gazette confirms that the
King has ordered Andrew's appointments to the Order of the Garter,
long regarded as Britain's most prestigious order of chivalry, to
be canceled. His membership of the Royal Victorian Order has
also been revoked. The entry reads, the King has directed
that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mount Patten
(07:11):
Windsor to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble
Order of the Garter, dated twenty third April two thousand
and six, shall be canceled and annulled, and that his
name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.
A second entry reads, the King has directed that the
appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mount Patten Windsor to
be a Night Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
(07:31):
dated nineteen February twenty eleven, shall be canceled and annulled,
and that his name shall be erased from the Register
of the said Order. Andrew had previously agreed to relinquish
his Garter membership. His coat of arms had already been
removed from Saint George's Chapel at Windsor. With these honors
now withdrawn, the disgraced former royal retains just one formal distinction,
(07:52):
his rank of Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy. Although
the government has pledged to remove that honor at the
King's request, it has not yet been acted upon. Royal
biographer Tina Brown has shed new light on the king's
private worries about his younger brother, writing, Charles, I am
told is not looking to punish his pampered brother to
the point he says that he can't cope. If Charles
(08:14):
were not to pay his brother's bills and ensure a
certain level of comfort, then he may only have one
thing left to do. Andrew would have only his secrets
to sell. William is demanding Andrew be given a limit
in line with the living expenses of a commoner, since
that is what he is now. Andrew scoffs at the
idea of that, and they have it. Fact. Email us.
(08:35):
He addresses the Palace intric at Gmail, on dog com,
please follow us on Spotify, Apple, Facebook, Instagram and all
the social media hubs. I Mark Francis my thanks to
John McDermott. This is Dallast intrigue and good terms.
Caloroga Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Pallace Intrigue. I
gave your host Mark Francis. In The Royalist, Tom Sykes
reports Prince William's planning on skipping Christmas Lunch with Charles
once again, making it three years in a row. A
source told The Royalist William and the family will do
(00:23):
their duty and go to church with big smiles pasted on,
but they are not expected for Christmas Lunch at the
Big House. It has been an extremely difficult year for
William and Catherine Royalist source as a friend of the
King who shut down the notion of a controversy. Of
course William is invited. Of course he's free to do
his own thing without anyone being remotely upset. Kate stopped
(00:45):
by Marina Mills in September as part of a round
of engagements with local artisans. The family run workshop in
Cuxton has a long history of providing hand printed furnishings
for royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, making
it entirely plausible that she may have selected ideas or
samples during her visit. According to Mayol Online, Forest Lodge,
(01:07):
the new home the Wales family recently moved into is
expected to feature an expansive antique dining table large enough
to seat twenty four guests. As William and Kate planned
to remain at the property even when William eventually becomes king,
the piece is expected to serve as a central gathering
point for family dinners and celebrations For many years. Kate's
(01:28):
interest in interiors has been shaped over the course of
several moves through royal homes, supported by her background in
art history from the University of Saint Andrews. Her eye
for design even earned praise from Prince Harry in Spare.
Reflecting on the decor, Harry wrote, the wallpaper a ceiling trim,
the walnut bookshelves filled with volumes of peaceful colors, priceless
(01:49):
works of art, magnificent like a museum. Another royal controversy
is brewing. Why does the King want to place manure
next to one of the homes of William and According
to the Express, His Majesty's proposal would see a pull
sized lagoon designed to hold more than two million gallons
of liquid manure, placed less than a mile from Amner Hall,
(02:11):
the Georgian property given to the couple by Queen Elizabeth.
The project is said to form part of wider agricultural
plans for the estate. Fortunately, this is just the royals
holiday place and not their main residence. The suggestion has
caused considerable concern among local residents. One neighbor told The
Daily Mail, We're all used to farmyard smells around here,
(02:32):
but this lagoon will be enormous. Everyone is worried it
will create a massive stink. Goodness knows what William and
Kate think about it. It is a bit ironic that
the landowner responsible for the plans is William's father, the King.
It's a busy week for William, who spent Monday visiting
a leading technology company and highlighting the role innovative industries
(02:52):
play in Britain's future. The war for retention heats up
this week, with both Megan's holiday special tomorrow and William
and Kate help helping the King host the German President
and his wife during their state visit. Then on Friday,
it's Kate's fifth annual Christmas Carol service at Westminster Abbey.
While Prince William is expected to take part in the
concert presentation, Kensington Powerace has not confirmed which other royals
(03:16):
will attend. In previous years, the Prince and Princess of
Wales have brought their three children, and members of the
Princess's own family have joined them as well. Westminster Abbey's
choir will lead the congregation in many of the traditional carols,
and guests will be welcomed by eight young musicians from
the charity Future Talent, founded by the late Catherine, Duchess
of Kent and Nicholas Robinson. Organizers say the theme for
(03:39):
this year is Love in all its forms. In a statement,
Kensington Palace said the service will bring people together to
celebrate love in all its forms, whether it's love within families,
through friendships across communities, or even through powerful moments of
connection with strangers. In a world that can often feel
fragmented and disconnected, love is the four that reconnects us
(04:01):
all spanning generations, communities, cultures and faiths. The Palace added,
as we approach the Christmas season, we are reminded of
the power of togetherness. The evening will highlight the transformative
power of investing in one another with compassion, presence and joy.
William praised the support he receives from Catherine the Princess
(04:21):
at Wales during a visit to North Wales, remarking them,
behind every average man there is an even better wife.
Prince William made the comment during an engagement at Youth Shards,
where he met young people involved in the community project
and heard how the initiative helps them cope with challenges
at school and feelings of isolation. Scott Jenkinson fifty two,
(04:41):
the founder of Youth Shareds, guided the Prints through the
center's weekly activities, which included cooking, gaming, podcasting and three
D printing. William then spoke with mister Jenkinson and his
wife Sean about the role of a supportive partner. Were
you there with Scott when he turned his life around?
He asked Sean, after hearing of Scott's earlier struggles with
(05:02):
homelessness and addiction. He has done well to turn his
life around. Sean replied he has, he really has. Scott added,
with my wife behind me, you know that. William nodded
and said, this is it. Behind every average man, there
is an even better wife. Later in the day, William
took part in the comedy workshop led by Welsh comedian
Kerrie Prichard McLean. The Prince of Wales made an unannounced
(05:26):
stop at a country pub in wilt Chair, setting in
for a working lunch and leaving behind a twenty five
pound tip. William popped into the Walnut Tree Inn, where
his three security officers took seats at one table, while
the Prince joined five colleagues at another. Two regulars Gary
and Nick eventually approached the Prince to request a photograph.
He agreed, posing with Lisa James, the member of staff
(05:48):
who had looked after his table. The pub's owner, William
Friend James said the party's bill reached two hundred and
fifty pounds, with the Prince adding a ten percent gratuity.
He explained, we took a booking about a week ago
for no people on two separate tables, but didn't know
who it was, so everyone was a bit shocked when
the Prince of Wales walked in. According to mister friend James,
(06:08):
the Prince chose a homemade burger with fries and a lemonade,
while others ordered dishes, including the pubs pie and sea bass.
He added that although security initially declined a photo request,
the Prince later agreed when approached privately, saying it was
a great pleasure to host him. The group remained for
around ninety minutes, with the security team settling the bill
(06:29):
before leaving more palacy just a moment. Andrew Mount Batton
Windsor has now been formally stripped of his final remaining
royal honors, as the King confirmed the cancelation of his
last titles amid continuing delays to Andrews's departure from Royal Lodge.
(06:49):
The announcement published in the London Gazette confirms that the
King has ordered Andrew's appointments to the Order of the Garter,
long regarded as Britain's most prestigious order of chivalry, to
be canceled. His membership of the Royal Victorian Order has
also been revoked. The entry reads, the King has directed
that the appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mount Patten
(07:11):
Windsor to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble
Order of the Garter, dated twenty third April two thousand
and six, shall be canceled and annulled, and that his
name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.
A second entry reads, the King has directed that the
appointment of Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mount Patten Windsor to
be a Night Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
(07:31):
dated nineteen February twenty eleven, shall be canceled and annulled,
and that his name shall be erased from the Register
of the said Order. Andrew had previously agreed to relinquish
his Garter membership. His coat of arms had already been
removed from Saint George's Chapel at Windsor. With these honors
now withdrawn, the disgraced former royal retains just one formal distinction,
(07:52):
his rank of Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy. Although
the government has pledged to remove that honor at the
King's request, it has not yet been acted upon. Royal
biographer Tina Brown has shed new light on the king's
private worries about his younger brother, writing, Charles, I am
told is not looking to punish his pampered brother to
the point he says that he can't cope. If Charles
(08:14):
were not to pay his brother's bills and ensure a
certain level of comfort, then he may only have one
thing left to do. Andrew would have only his secrets
to sell. William is demanding Andrew be given a limit
in line with the living expenses of a commoner, since
that is what he is now. Andrew scoffs at the
idea of that, and they have it. Fact. Email us.
(08:35):
He addresses the Palace intric at Gmail, on dog com,
please follow us on Spotify, Apple, Facebook, Instagram and all
the social media hubs. I Mark Francis my thanks to
John McDermott. This is Dallast intrigue and good terms.
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