King Charles is postponing his summer break to fulfill constitutional duties as Andy Burnham prepares to become Prime Minister. The monarch will receive Sir Keir Starmer's resignation on Monday before formally appointing Burnham, a process known as 'kissing hands'. This will be the fourth time Charles has presided over the ceremony, following Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Sir Keir Starmer.
Constitutional Duties Take Precedence
The King had planned to attend the Sandringham Flower Show on Wednesday before flying to Scotland for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. However, the change in Labour leadership requires him to stay near London. He will also lead a Privy Council meeting to allow the new PM to swear an oath as First Lord of the Treasury and welcome new ministers.
According to royal editor Emily Ferguson, Charles had been looking forward to a few days of peace after the recent Sussex show. Last year, the King and Queen spent late July at Sandringham before traveling to Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate.
Commonwealth Games Preparations
The King will still attend the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow, where he will read the message placed inside a baton during the King's baton relay launch at Buckingham Palace in March. This year, the relay features 74 individual batons representing each participating Commonwealth nation and territory, rather than just one. All batons will reunite in Glasgow for what the chair of Glasgow 2026 promises will be 'something bold, unmistakably Glasgow and unlike anything the Commonwealth Games has produced before'.
Meghan Markle's Emmy Nomination
Meghan Markle's lifestyle series 'With Love, Meghan' has received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lifestyle Series, despite the show being cancelled. Markle expressed gratitude on Instagram, congratulating the crew, producers, and team. She is one of five nominees, alongside reality TV series 'The Motherhood' and 'A Different Breed', which explores competitive canine sports. The awards ceremony will take place in New York at the end of November.
Ferguson noted that Markle's husband Prince Harry rarely appeared on the show, questioning whether he will attend the awards. 'If it were a normal couple, Harry would be there to share in her glory. But the Sussexes are far from normal,' she wrote.
King's World Cup Comment
Following England's World Cup defeat to Argentina, which ended hopes of winning 60 years after Sir Alf Ramsey's victory, the King remarked: 'It's a good day to drown a few sorrows.' England lost after Argentina scored two late goals to reach the final.
Prince George's Milestone Birthday
Prince George turns 13 this week, marking a significant milestone. The Prince and Princess of Wales are preparing for changes as George will attend Eton in September, separating him from his siblings for the first time. He already boards at Lambrook several nights a week. Ferguson noted that George is nearly as tall as his mother and appears more mature in public appearances.
Editor's Note
Ferguson will take a break to cover bowls and para bowls events at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a role she performed at Birmingham 2022. Rebecca Russell will fill in during her absence.
