Queen Elizabeth news: Game show star 'blown away' after uncovering royal relation to Her Majesty
A GAME show TV star has discovered that she is the 19th cousin to the Queen whilst on the genealogy series DNA Journey.
Anne ‘The Governess’ Hegerty uncovered that her 20-times great grandfather was King Robert the Bruce — and her 19th cousin is the Queen.
Through her mother’s line, Anne is related to a family called Hayes, one of whom married Robert the Bruce’s daughter Princess Elizabeth in 1370.
That links Anne to our present Royal Family and makes the Queen her 19th cousin.
Hegerty said she’d heard this from her grandmother before and didn’t believe it to be true.
The quizzer said: “My aunt said she was a romancer and she’d embroider life a bit, so I always felt that anything from my grandmother had to be taken with a pinch of salt.”
The TV brainbox, who has been a “Chaser”, or quizzer, on the ITV game show since 2010, continues: “My mother was always deeply disapproving of the idea of anyone knowing about their ancestors.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates…
- Louis Allwood
Get involved in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee throughout the year
As the Queen begins celebrating her platinum jubilee this year, there are a number of things to join in with.
Perhaps you're looking to celebrate the monarch's 70 year reign.
The Platinum Jubilee website gives lots of information on what's to come and what we can look forward to throughout the year and in the lead up to the Summer.
Street parties, The Big Jubilee Lunch, Beacon Lighting and the Queen's Green Canopy are just some of the things coming up this year.
- Louis Allwood
The reason the Queen, Camilla and Anne all wore green to the memorial
Many may have noted the Queen, her only daughter and the Duchess of Cornwall wore green to the memorial service.
The same shade of green was worn by all three women during the memorial service which is in line with the late prince's livery.
A livery is a colour associated with a rank or position. Prince Philip's was a shade of dark green known as 'Edinburgh Green'.
- Louis Allwood
Prince Charles travelling around the North East today
The Prince of Wales is expected to visit a number of places in County Durham today.
His trip appears to be centred around farming as he intends to meet with DFAM (Darlington Farmers Auction Market) and UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services).
He'll later visit DFAM's new handling area where he'll view some sheep and cattle.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
From royalty to royalty – June Brown almost tripped when she met the Queen
June Brown, TV royalty and EastEnders star died yesterday at the age of 95.
Dot Branning (neé Cotton) was a TV regular played by June Brown – an EastEnders legend who changed the face of British television.
Almost exactly a year younger than our monarch, she and the Queen met on several occasions, though Brown admitted that when receiving her OBE at Buckingham palace in 2008 she almost tripped.
She mentioned on Radio Times years later that when the Queen told her she was a fan of EastEnders, she was so excited she responded: “I didn’t think you’d see it as it clashes with your dinner.”
- Louis Allwood
Royal get together
Spain's Queen Letizia met with Prince Charles in County Durham as the royal made a visit to the north of England this week.
During the visit, Prince Charles, 73, and Letizia, 49, opened the UK's only art gallery dedicated to Spanish culture.
- Louis Allwood
A look back at Philip's military background as we approach the anniversary of his death
Prince Philip joined the Royal Navy in 1939 when he was just 18.
He graduated from the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth before going on to serve in World War II.
Appointed a midshipman at the start of 1940, Philip served on the battleship HMS Ramillies, later being posted on HMS Kent and HMS Shropshire.
He was later commissioned as a sub-lieutenant before being promoted to lieutenant in July 1942.
Just months later, he became the first lieutenant of HMS Wallace – making him one of the youngest in that position in the Royal Navy at just 21 years old.
He ultimately reached the rank of commander in 1952.
Philip also holds a number of honorary ranks including Captain General of the Royal Marines.
He was appointed Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom in 2011.
- Louis Allwood
US TV host criticised for comparing Will Smith to Meghan
Will Smith, 53, has been under fire all week for slapping comedian, Chris Rock, 57.
Smith won the Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena Williams in the film King Richard.
Megyn Kelly, speaking on GB News, suggested Meghan Markle fabricated the racism she endured from the Royal household and went on to suggest Smith’s acceptance speech is much like Markle’s ‘whining’.
Many took to social media questioning how Kelly managed to bring Markle into the conversation with one user, Andy Snowden, saying: “Even people who dislike Meghan Markle are embarrassed by this comparison.”
- Louis Allwood
Andrew is being lined up to accompany the Queen to the Epsom Derby
PRINCE Andrew is being lined up to accompany the Queen to the Epsom Derby on Platinum Jubilee weekend, reports claim.
The news comes as the duke, who settled a sex abuse case earlier this year, was mired in a fresh financial scandal over the weekend.
The disgraced son of the Queen, 62, will chaperone Her Majesty to the Epsom race meet in June, insiders said.
It is another tip-toe into the limelight following his controversial central role at at Prince Philip’s memorial last week.
Royal expert Natalie Oliveri discussed Andrew’s potential royal return at Epsom Derby on the Australian Today Extra programme.
Ms Oliveri said: “I think it could really backfire for the Royal Family.
“This is not going to be a good look if Prince Andrew does accompany his mother to the Epsom Derby later this year.”
She added: “It will certainly leave a lot of people angry.”
Meanwhile, the Duke has also been linked to a massive money-laundering con.
Turkish multi-millionairess Nebahat Evyap Isbilen alleges banker Selman Turk tricked her out of almost £40million, with £1.1million going to Andrew.
- Louis Allwood
Sussexes' wedding secrets
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's wedding secrets have been exposed after one guest revealed what songs got attendees on their feet during the night.
Idris Elba entertained guests at the Sussexes’ wedding by putting on a memorable DJ set.
BBC’s 1Xtra Rap host Tiffany Calver asked Mr Elba: “What is the vibe of a Harry and Meghan wedding? What tune was the one that got everyone going crazy?“
Elba replied saying that guests “went off” at Whitney Houston‘s I Want to Dance with Somebody.
Back in 2019 he was asked to disclose what songs made the set, but Mr Elba said: “I’m not gonna put their business out like that, that’s not fair. Ask Meghan and Harry.”
- Louis Allwood
Meghan Markle has been slammed
Meghan Markle has been SLAMMED for her “lack of marketability” – as she “wouldn’t have become popular” without Prince Harry.
Royal writer Lee Cohen claims Meghan’s profile was boosted threefold when she married into the Royal Family.
He also chastised the pair for their treatment of the monarchy and publicly criticising The Firm to gain “notoriety”.
Mr Cohen told Express.co.uk: “They’ve earned my scorn because they’ve treated Harry’s family very poorly in all of this. I don’t feel that it’s at all productive for them to be criticising the Royal Family.”
“They got what they wanted. They stepped back, they have the notoriety already.
“They certainly never would have obtained the level of publicity that she currently has if she hadn’t married into this family.”
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
With William's plans to change things up, Kate's set up to take on more responsibility
Kate Middleton has shared she feels a 'wrench' when leaving for tours.
Despite the Duchess making it clear she would rather not travel overseas too much due to the heartache of leaving her children behind, William is determined to do things his way.
As William prepares to take over the Prince of Wales title when his father becomes king, he plans for Kate to take on more solo tours.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Prince Charles is heir to the throne, but who is he really?
The prince of Wales is first in line to the throne and so more than likely to become king.
Father of Harry and William, the 73-year-old was married to Princess Diana in 1981 before divorcing on 1996 a year before her passing.
Now married to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the prince is interested in nature and alternative medicines.
A fan of sports, Charles enjoys polo and football. He is a Burnley Football Club supporter.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
From royalty to royalty – June Brown almost tripped when she met the Queen
June Brown, TV royalty and EastEnders star died yesterday at the age of 95.
Dot Branning (neé Cotton) was a TV regular played by June Brown – an EastEnders legend who changed the face of British television.
Almost exactly a year younger than our monarch, she and the Queen met on several occasions, though Brown admitted that when receiving her OBE at Buckingham palace in 2008 she almost tripped.
She mentioned on Radio Times years later that when the Queen told her she was a fan of EastEnders, she was so excited she responded: "I didn't think you'd see it as it clashes with your dinner."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
The Chase star's link to the Queen
Anne 'The Governess' Hegerty is related to Robert the Bruce and The Queen.
Hegerty is one of the original chasers on ITV's The Chase.
While appearing on DNA Journey, the 63-year-old seems uncaring at thought the Queen may be her 19th cousin via her 20 times great-grandfather, Robert the Bruce.
Hegerty said she'd heard this from her grandmother before and didn't believe it to be true.
The quizzer said: "My aunt said she was a romancer and she’d embroider life a bit, so I always felt that anything from my grandmother had to be taken with a pinch of salt."
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
William insists his future plans aren't an insult to his father
As Charles becomes king, William will inherit the Prince of Wales title.
William is reportedly making plans to shrink the number of staff, have Kate go on more solo trips while he focuses his efforts on a handful of charities.
Royal aides have apparently dubbed this the 'Cambridge Way' as William makes clear this is in no way a snub to his father, Prince Charles.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Prince William and Kate plan to move to be closer to the Queen
While Meghan and Harry have moved thousands of miles away, Will and Kate plan to be closer to the monarch.
The longest reigning monarch moved into Windsor Castle permanently at the beginning of the pandemic.
The couple have been looking at schools for their children in Buckinghamshire and Surrey.
It's thought the couple, who celebrated their 10 year anniversary last year will be moving into Home Park in Windsor.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Meghan and Harry used a supermarket to hide their romance
No one would expect to meet royals in their local supermarket so it's a perfect place to hide.
Meghan Markle, then star of Suits, and Prince Harry are thought to have been dating for 6 months before they were outed.
As they were getting to know each other though, the couple tried their best to remain incognito and meet in places no one would expect them to be in.
One of these places was a supermarket.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Get involved in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee throughout the year
As the Queen begins celebrating her platinum jubilee this year, there are a number of things to join in with.
Perhaps you're looking to celebrate the monarch's 70 year reign.
The Platinum Jubilee website gives lots of information on what's to come and what we can look forward to throughout the year and in the lead up to the Summer.
Street parties, The Big Jubilee Lunch, Beacon Lighting and the Queen's Green Canopy are just some of the things coming up this year.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Camilla's eclectic dream literary dinner party guest list
During a visit to Meta, the Duchess of Cornwall was asked who she would have at her dream dinner party.
Her book club sent in questions and the duchess recorded a video stating which literary favourites she would have at a dream dinner party.
Camilla admitted her choices were an odd mix saying they were an "extraordinary mixture."
She said: “I'd have the Count of Monte Cristo. Then I'd have two rather devious characters to spice up the whole thing.
“I’d have Mrs Danvers, dressed in black, and I'd have Count Fosco from The Woman in White. I think they'd cause quite a lot of trouble and I wanted somebody a bit different.
“Then I'd have a heroine of mine, Elizabeth Bennett. Just a good strong woman to keep the show on the road, so to speak.
“And then I'd have Uncle Matthew from the Pursuit of Love, probably with his entrenching tool to keep everyone under control."
She went on to discuss the importance of literacy for young people as a means to get by in life.
This was all at the offices of Meta, formally known as Facebook.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Prince Charles travelling around the North East today
The Prince of Wales is expected to visit a number of places in County Durham today.
His trip appears to be centred around farming as he intends to meet with DFAM (Darlington Farmers Auction Market) and UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services).
He'll later visit DFAM's new handling area where he'll view some sheep and cattle.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
The reason the Queen, Camilla and Anne all wore green to the memorial
Many may have noted the Queen, her only daughter and the Duchess of Cornwall wore green to the memorial service.
The same shade of green was worn by all three women during the memorial service which is in line with the late prince's livery.
A livery is a colour associated with a rank or position. Prince Philip's was a shade of dark green known as 'Edinburgh Green'.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Is the Queen really okay, though?
Throughout the year, the queen has been changing rapidly before our eyes.
Earlier in the year, it was reported that Prince Charles had COVID-19 and likely was the person to pass it onto the monarch.
Since then her in-person audiences were cancelled before it was announced she would hand off more Royal duties to those around her.
The 95-year-old was seen looking particularly frail during the memorial of Prince Philip, her late husband of over 70 years, as talk turns towards her decreasing mobility.
Its now been announced that the Queen will be conducting more of her duties 'from living room'.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Is the Royal nostalgia enough to distract us from the mess of the last few years?
The Royal Family have taken to Instagram to share a throwback picture every day.
Meghan and Harry set a trend for the Royal Family by getting on social media and it seems it's not only Will and Kate who have copied the couple in a bid to stay relevant.
The Royal Family's tone deaf attempt to appear in touch with reality seems to have backfired somewhat.
Each day for 70 days, the family are posting a throwback image of the Queen to celebrate her 70 years of reign.
Though after the embarrassing trip Will and Kate had to cut short last month after protests, today's image of the Queen stood with Commonwealth heads of state may not have been the most appropriate.
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A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
"Prince Andrew remains a vital part of the British monarchy – what a disgrace"
Many have been taking to social media to voice their discomfort at the Royal family's support for Prince Andrew.
It's been announced that Prince Andrew will accompany his 95-year-old mother, the Queen and longest reigning monarch, to the Epsom Derby in June.
The Queen, who celebrates her 70 year reign this year, was also accompanied by Prince Andrew, accused sex offender and friend of convicted sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, last month during her late husband's memorial service one year after his death.
New information of fraud have come to light in the wake of Selman Turk,a Turkish businessman, winning an apparently fair business-style competition in which 50 entrepreneurs pitched to potential investors.
The public appear to be turning against the prince even more in light of this, and seem particularly confused by the continued support from the Queen.
- Ije Teunissen-Oligboh
Good morning! It's Ije Teunissen-Oligboh bringing you Royal updates today!
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