Entertainment

Central Asian tensions to colour pope's Kazakhstan trip

Pope Francis heads to Kazakhstan next week, despite an injured knee, for a visit likely to be dominated by tensions in the Central Asian region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.. Authoritarian President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 69, is an ally of Russia, though there have been tensions between the two countries since Moscow launched the invasion of Ukraine in February.

Wide open race for Venice film fest prizes

The race was wide open ahead of awards night in Venice on Saturday, after a festival featuring a dark Marilyn Monroe biopic, an imprisoned Iranian director and a morbidly obese Brendan Fraser.. Venice is seen as a launchpad for Academy Award campaigns, eight of the last 10 Best Director Oscars having gone to films that premiered at the festival.

Was Queen Elizabeth II a media-savvy monarch?

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation -- broadcast live for eight straight hours by the BBC in 1953 -- was the first major event of the television age.. - 'Innate reticence' - But the queen was less than enthusiastic about letting the cameras behind the curtain to peek at the Windsors' private lives.

Canada admired its queen, but not so much the monarchy

Canadians were attached to Queen Elizabeth II right to the end, but their relationship with the monarchy has been increasingly strained and experts believe her death on Thursday will reignite debate over its future.. New Canadian citizens are required to pledge their "allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, to her heirs and successors."

Princess of Wales: from commoner to future queen

The Princess of Wales has proved a model royal since joining Britain's most famous family, making poised public appearances while avoiding the harsh criticism doled out to her sister-in-law Meghan.. Kate has since given little away about her experiences in joining the royal family, unlike her sister-in-law Meghan, who married William's younger brother, Prince Harry, in 2018.

Crown Jewels: The royal family's precious gems

The Crown Jewels form the centrepiece of the royal coronation, and symbolise the pomp and history of the British monarchy over the centuries.. - St Edward's Crown - Crown jeweller Robert Viner made it in 1661 for the coronation of king Charles II, after the previous medieval crown was melted down by parliamentarian rebels in 1649 during the English Civil War.

'Lost King' keeps British royals center-stage at Toronto festival

From "The Queen" to "The Lost King," which had its world premiere at the Toronto film festival Friday, Stephen Frears has built much of his storied career directing movies about the British monarchy.. "Here we are at the premiere of our movie 'The Lost King' on the day when the world is coming to terms with the lost queen," co-writer Jeff Pope told AFP on the red carpet.

Charles III to be proclaimed king after vowing 'lifelong service'

Britain's Charles III will officially be proclaimed king in a ceremony on Saturday, a day after he vowed in his first speech to mourning subjects that he would emulate his "darling mama", Queen Elizabeth II. The 73-year-old automatically became monarch upon the queen's death Thursday, but an Accession Council ceremony at St James's Palace early Saturday is a constitutional formality to recognise his sovereignty. . The council will first meet without Charles at 10:00 am (0900 GMT) inside St James's Palace to proclaim him.

Royal funerals: pomp, pageantry and sometimes privacy

Funerals for senior royals since World War II have tended to be very public affairs, with pomp, pageantry and popular fervour.. She was much loved as a symbol of resistance to the Nazi enemy during World War II. Over four days, more than 200,000 people filed past her coffin paying their respects.

Emmy nominees in key categories

Here is a list of the nominees in key categories for the 74th Emmy Awards, which will be handed out in Los Angeles on Monday.. HBO's "Succession" topped the nominations list with 25, followed by "Ted Lasso" and "The White Lotus" at 20 each.