Prince William 'delighted' rugby legend Kevin Sinfield is to be knighted
GB News' Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker has provided his exclusive insight into Prince William's delight that a rugby legend has been knighted, the Royal Family being set to miss the funeral of one of the late Queen's closest companions, and the King and Queen are heading to Scotland early for an event.Sign up for the GB News Royal Newsletter to get the latest analysis straight to your inbox.
Prince William 'delighted' rugby legend Kevin Sinfield is to be knighted
The Prince of Wales is "delighted" Sir Kevin Sinfield is receiving a knighthood in The King's Birthday Honours List, it is understood.The rugby legend and fundraiser for motor neuron disease research is being knighted for services to rugby and the MND community.The Prince of Wales has formed a close bond with Sir Kevin, who helped fundraise and raise awareness of MND with his late friend Rob Burrows CBE, before he died from the disease.After surprising the former Leeds Rhinos players with CBE's for their efforts in January 2024, Prince William fulfilled a promise to officially open the newly-built Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease.Lindsey Burrow, widow of the late Rob, said: "On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood. We are all delighted for him and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient.""Kevin did so much for Rob, but also the whole MND community with raising awareness and funds to support families and aid research. I know he has said he is dedicated to supporting the MND community for however long it takes to find a cure, and that means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner.""As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and so many people will be pleased to see him get this recognition."The King has formally approved more than 1,000 recipients from across the UK to receive royal recognition in The King's Birthday Honours List, published today.Dame Helen Mirren, who portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 Academy Award-winning film The Queen, has received one of the country's most prestigious honours for services to drama.She becomes a Companion of Honour, joining only a small number of members for her exceptional achievement in the arts.Meanwhile, five of England's Lionesses, Michelle Agyemang (this year's youngest recipient of an honour, aged just 20), Jessica Carter, Chloe Kelly, Hannah Hampton, and Lauren James, become Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).England's Women's football squad won the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 tournament, defending their title from 2022.The co-founders of Aardman Animations, known for stop-motion animated films Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, have been awarded Knighthoods.The Prince of Wales is 'delighted' Sir Kevin Sinfield is receiving a knighthood in The King's Birthday Honours List, it is understood | GETTYSir Peter Lord and Sir David Sproxton founded Aardman Animations in Bristol in 1972, focusing on clay animation techniques, which also led to the creation of the famous children's character Morph.Author of The Gruffalo, Dame Julia Donaldson, and former Children's Laureate and author of the Noughts & Crosses series, Dame Malorie Blackman, have both been awarded Damehoods for services to literature.Beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury has become a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the beauty and cosmetics industry, alongside acclaimed film composer Patrick Doyle for services to film.Emmerdale actor Lisa Riley has been awarded an MBE for services to drama and charity.Hundreds of members of the public have been awarded honours for supporting their communities up and down the country.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who makes recommendations to His Majesty about who should be awarded honours, said: "Across the UK, people are quietly changing lives and strengthening their communities. This Honours List is a chance to recognise them."Beauty entrepreneur Charlotte Tilbury has become a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the beauty and cosmetics industry, alongside acclaimed film composer Patrick Doyle for services to film | PA"Their dedication shows how lasting change is built - through compassion, resilience and a commitment to others."It speaks to the decent, hopeful country we are proud to be, and on behalf of the whole nation, I want to say thank you."The oldest recipient in The King's Birthday Honours List this year is 101-year-old Pauline Hough, who is receiving a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to theatre and the community in Nantwich.Also awarded MBE's for Services to the Alleviation of Hygiene Poverty for co-founding the charity The Beauty Banks are TV presenter Sali Hughes and beauty PR expert Jo Jones.Ms Jones said: "All of us have been in the position where your hot water has gone on the blink or you've been camping or something and, and you just are desperate for a wash and you can't because you don't have access to it and you just feel gross."You withdraw from people, because you feel like they're judging you, and how it makes you feel mentally, physically, emotionally, it's how you show up in the world."We [The Beauty Banks] give people products, so they are able to just show up in the world to be clean, like the rest of us."And it just people are struggling to buy food, then unfortunately, things like Shower Gel [is not affordable]."Fostering children, fundraising to improve services for special educational needs, and supporting the NHS with blood bank drivers are among other areas being recognised.The King's Birthday Honours List is published ahead of His Majesty's Birthday Parade, known as Trooping the Colour, on Saturday which will see the best of Britain's Armed Forces put on a magnificent display of traditional pomp and pageantry through central London.
Royal Family set to miss funeral of one of the late Queen's close companions
The funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks, one of the late Queen's most trusted friends, takes place today at Brightwell Baldwin Church in Oxfordshire.The late Queen's former bridesmaid and lady-in-waiting died aged 97 on 5th June.Her daughter, India Hicks, wrote on social media: "My mother died peacefully today."Whilst there is no tragedy in the death of a 97-year-old who has lived a full life I know grief will be unavoidable, lurking around waiting for me, but today I am simply grateful that she was my mother. And through the prism of a crowded and remarkable past, she made incomparable company, carrying her memories lightly, and always with humour."My mother maintained right up to the end, the impeccable style, sharp mind, and effortless charm that made her not only a cherished institution, but truly the last of her kind."Due to Lady Pamela's funeral taking place on the same day as The King's Birthday Parade, senior members of the Royal Family are unable to attend.Instead, the King is to be represented at the funeral by the Duke of Abercorn.The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duke of Kent, are being represented by Lady Helen Taylor.Lady Pamela Hicks died earlier this month | GETTY
King and Queen heading to Scotland early for special event
The King and Queen will travel to Edinburgh, ahead of the traditional Holyrood Week, earlier than usual to join MSPs at the opening of the new Scottish Parliament.His Majesty is expected to give an address when he formally opens the new Parliamentary term on Saturday, June 27, following last month's Holyrood election.The National Theatre of Scotland and the National Youth Choir of Scotland are expected to perform for Their Majesties during the event.Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson said: "The start of a new Parliament is all about optimism, hope and a renewal of what the Parliament means to the people of Scotland."Their Majesties’ support for this institution has been steadfast."It’s an honour to have the King and the Queen join us at the start of that journey alongside people from across Scotland, who are at the centre of our plans to commemorate this milestone."I look forward to celebrating the very best of Scotland, reflecting on our heritage, acknowledging our traditions, but most importantly with a focus on our future."The King is expected to be welcomed at the official start of Holyrood Week just days later in the forecourt of Holyrood Palace.The Lord Provost will offer him the ceremonial keys of Edinburgh, welcoming him to his "ancient and hereditary kingdom of Scotland", during a special event known as the Ceremony of the Keys.
