Sarah Ferguson still considers Prince Andrew family – see her sweet tribute

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew proved just how close they are on Friday when they attended Royal Ascot with their daughter Princess Beatrice, and Sarah has since paid a touching tribute to them. The mother-of-two revealed that she still considers Andrew her family, taking to Instagram to share a lovely photo of the three of them sharing a joke on the day. “Great day with my family @ascotracecourse @hrhthedukeofyork#Beatrice @princesseugenie #royalascot#racing,” she wrote next to the photo. Sarah’s choice of words delighted her fans, who often comment that they would like her and Andrew to get back together. “Lovely to see you out together as a family,” one wrote, while another said: “Get back together you two!” A third added: “Perfect shot to the world how divorced parents can and do raise happy children, congratulations on being an amazing mum.”

Other photos from the day saw Sarah adjusting her ex-husband’s lapel as they happily chatted away, and Sarah and Beatrice curtsying with the Queen made her entrance in the parade ring, with the 58-year-old holding onto her eldest daughter’s hand to aid her balance. Sarah looked fabulous in a navy Roland Mouret fitted dress for the occasion, which she teamed with a Philip Treacy hat and shoes by Rene Mancini. Beatrice, meanwhile, looked lovely in a dove-grey dress by The Fold, styled with Russell and Bromley heels and a pink box bag by Pop and Suki.

Princess Eugenie was not in attendance on Friday, but had attended Ascot throughout the week with the royal family, turning heads in the process with her stylish outfits. Although rarely seen out altogether, royal fans are anticipating Eugenie’s wedding in October. While Andrew and Sarah sat apart at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s wedding due to royal protocol, it is thought that when it comes to their own daughter’s special day, they will be united.

Sarah gave a revealing insight into her bond with Andrew in an exclusive interview with HELLO! last year. “A table can’t stand on three legs, really, so you have the Duke and I, and the two girls. We’re a family unit and we lead by example. We support each other emotionally and we support each other health wise. At least every two weeks we sit down and communicate, the four of us.” She continued: “I think the one thing I’ve done incredibly well – although I say it myself – is that I’m a really good mum. And I think my girls shows that.”

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It’s a boy! The Duchess of Cambridge has safely given birth to a son

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have welcomed a new baby boy into their now family of five.

At 11:01 on Monday, 23 April, the Duchess gave birth to the new little Prince. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz.

The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well.

The new Prince joins big brother, Prince George (4) and big sister, Princess Charlotte (2).

The Duchess of Cambridge went into labour in the early morning hours and was admitted into the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hosptial on St George’s Day before 6 am. Kensington Palace announced around 8:30 this morning that Her Royal Highness had been admitted to hospital with the Duke of Cambridge at her side.

Her Majesty The Queen was the first to be notified of the birth. From there Kensington Palace tweeted out the news and an easel with all the birth details will be placed outside of Buckingham Palace before the end of the day.

The name of the new baby will be announced in a few days time.

Prince Philip to retire from public duties at age of 96

The Duke of Edinburgh will retire from public engagements in the summer at the age of 96, a decision that Buckingham Palace said had the full support of the Queen. Shortly after the news was announced, Prince Philip was on duty, and on customary form , joining the Queen at St James’s Palace for a service and lunch for the Order of Merit.

Tributes to the longest-serving royal consort in British history, who will turn 96 on 10 June, followed the announcement, first made to royal staff in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace on Thursday. The prime minister, Theresa May, said Philip had been a “steadfast support” to the Queen, while the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, an avowed republican, praised his “clear sense of public duty”.

The Duke of Edinburgh awards, which he set up in 1956 and are now the world’s leading youth achievement awards across 141 countries, were highlighted as one of his most striking achievements. An aide stressed it was not a medical decision. “The duke decided this is the right time. He’s nearly 96 and most people will have retired 30 years earlier.”

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “In taking this decision, the duke has the full support of the Queen. Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying the Queen.

“Thereafter, the duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.”

It added: “Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagement with the support of members of the royal family.” The announcement was made as the autumn diaries of the royals are being drawn up to give a clear signal of Prince Philip’s intention to the hundreds of organisations he is associated with. Philip, who famously describes himself as “the world’s most experienced plaque unveiler” has undertaken 22,191 solo engagements and given 5,493 speeches in almost seven decades as the Queen’s “strength and stay”. He has never taken the official title of Prince Consort, despite it being offered. He has one of the royal family’s busiest diaries, last year carrying out official meetings and visits on 110 days.

t means the Queen, whom the Philip has affectionately nicknamed “cabbage”, will attend more solo engagements, or be accompanied by younger members of the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced in January they were moving from Norfolk to London, with William giving up his job as an air ambulance helicopter pilot in the summer with the intention of taking up more royal duties.

Prince Philip will spend more time at Windsor, enjoying leisure time. He is still an active carriage driver, though he no longer competes, and was seen driving his cart and horses through Windsor as recently as March. He also loves oil painting, and the outdoors. His barbecues are legendary, as the former prime minister David Cameron attested on Twitter.

He will continue his association with the more than 780 organisations he is patron, president or a member of, though no longer play an active role by attending engagements. His particular fields of interest include scientific and technological research, industry, the environment and sport. He has authored 14 books.

Tributes poured in from the charities he supports. The conservation charity WWF said he was “a true champion of the environment”, while Muscular Dystrophy UK wished him “a well deserved and happy retirement”.

Book Aid International said the duke’s support had been “a privilege and an honour”. The dean of the chapel royal in Scotland, the Very Rev Prof Iain Torrance, thanked “our witty and eagled-eyed Duke of Edinburgh” for his “unstinting” promotion of organisations across the country.

The Eccentric Club in London said it looked forward to continuing its relationship and wished him “a most eccentric and delightful ‘retirement’”.

In recent years he has been admitted to hospital on a number of occasions for abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery.

Acknowledgement that he was thinking of retirement came on his 90^th birthday, when he stepped down as president or patron of more than a dozen organisations and told the BBC in an interview: “I reckon I’ve done my bit,” adding: “It’s better to get out before you reach your sell-by date.”

Seen as a moderniser, who chaired the royals’ Way Ahead Group, Philip was instrumental in abolishing the practice of debutantes being presented at court, and in instituting informal palace lunches drawing people from different walks of life together.

On his marriage, he effectively gave up a promising naval career, which could have seen him become first sea lord. It was curtailed in 1951 with the failing health of his father-in-law George VI. When on his 90^th birthday, the Queen bestowed on him the title Lord High Admiral, titular head of the navy, it was seen as an affectionate tribute.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, was among those who praised the duke not just for his seven decades of royal duties but also “his time fighting for Britain during the second world war in the Royal Navy”. Philip was mentioned in dispatches for courage during the Battle of Cape Matapan.

Over his 70 years at the Queen’s side – they celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary in November – he has seen the popularity of the royal family fluctuate, and his sense of humour sometimes translated into “gaffe-prone prince” headlines. It seems not to have bothered him.

He once told biographer Gyles Brandreth that the adulation of the royal couple in the early years of the Queen’s reign was so unbelievable “it could have been corroding”. “It would have been very easy to play to the gallery, but I took the conscious decision not to do that. Safer not to be too popular. You can’t fall too far,” he said.

While many paid tribute to Philip, the shadow business minister Chi Onwurah tweeted: “Congratulations to Prince Philip on retiring in financial security at a time of his choosing from a job he enjoys #forthemanynotthefew #waspi,” referring to the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign.

Guardian