https://www.scmp.com/rss/325759/feed Royal families live some of the most privileged lives on the planet. Keep up to date with the latest news from the Windsors in Britain to the Grimaldis of Monaco. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak has dropped his legal bid to serve the remainder of his corruption sentence under house arrest, closing off a closely watched appeal tied to his 2024 royal pardon. Najib, 72, is serving a six-year jail sentence in Kajang Prison after his original 12-year term for the misappropriation of 42 million ringgit (US$10.6 million) from SRC International was halved by the Pardons Board in 2024. SRC International was formerly a unit of 1MDB, the state fund at... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3351542/malaysias-najib-drops-appeal-serve-1mdb-linked-prison-sentence-under-house-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3351542/malaysias-najib-drops-appeal-serve-1mdb-linked-prison-sentence-under-house-arrest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 07:30:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The state visit by Britain’s King Charles to the US would take place as planned, Buckingham Palace said on Sunday, following a shooting at a Washington media gala. The incident late on Saturday at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association came less than 48 hours before Charles and Queen Camilla begin a four-day state visit to the United States. The palace said Charles was “greatly relieved” that Trump, the first lady Melania and other guests were unharmed and later on... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351501/king-charles-us-state-visit-go-ahead-planned-after-washington-media-gala-shooting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351501/king-charles-us-state-visit-go-ahead-planned-after-washington-media-gala-shooting?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:29:52 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Britain’s King Charles heads to the United States on Monday with transatlantic tensions over the Iran war and the Epstein scandal’s long shadow threatening to intrude on the landmark visit. Both Buckingham Palace and the British government have said the four-day trip will honour the historic relationship between the two countries as the US marks 250 years of independence. Charles’ first US state visit as monarch comes at the request of the UK government and US President Donald Trump and would be... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351216/trump-says-king-charles-visit-could-absolutely-repair-us-uk-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3351216/trump-says-king-charles-visit-could-absolutely-repair-us-uk-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:21:40 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Malaysia’s king said he would select a new anti-corruption chief, the first official confirmation that current head Azam Baki’s term will not be renewed when it ends next month. “I will determine who is the best candidate to lead the MACC from now on,” Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor, the current monarch, said in a social media post on Thursday, referring to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. He added that “there is no need for any party to politicise the matter”. Representatives for the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3351092/malaysias-king-pick-best-candidate-head-anti-corruption-agency?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3351092/malaysias-king-pick-best-candidate-head-anti-corruption-agency?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:58:43 +0000 Reuters Reuters Britain’s King Charles will have tea and a private meeting with ⁠President Donald Trump during his US state visit later this month, as the UK government hopes his “soft power” can heal a damaging rift between the allies caused by the Iran war. The monarch and his wife Queen Camilla head across the Atlantic on April 27, a four-day trip ostensibly to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain but one that now has far greater significance amid a growing spat between Trump and ‌Prime... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350114/britains-king-charles-charm-trump-state-visit-overshadowed-us-uk-rift?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3350114/britains-king-charles-charm-trump-state-visit-overshadowed-us-uk-rift?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:27:55 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar The British royal family stepped out for an Easter service last weekend, and royal watchers are buzzing over the appearance of one young man in particular. James, Earl of Wessex, was spotted sharing a warm conversation with Catherine, Princess of Wales, ahead of the service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. He is the 18-year-old son of Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. A lovely interaction between the Princess of Wales and James, Earl of Wessex, at St George’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3349587/meet-prince-harry-and-williams-cousin-james-earl-wessex-who-was-easter-service?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3349587/meet-prince-harry-and-williams-cousin-james-earl-wessex-who-was-easter-service?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre,Sumnima Kandangwa Vincenzo La Torre,Sumnima Kandangwa This year marks the centenary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth. The late British monarch, who died in 2022, is the subject of an exhibition focusing on her style – which opens today. Held at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style” is the largest exhibition ever to pay homage to the queen’s fashion legacy, showcasing nearly 200 items of her clothing, starting from her childhood to the ensembles she wore for diplomatic engagements around the world, many of them... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3349658/queen-elizabeths-style-legacy-honoured-new-buckingham-palace-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3349658/queen-elizabeths-style-legacy-honoured-new-buckingham-palace-exhibition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in Africa to honour his late mother, Princess Diana, has sued him for defamation after he stepped down as a patron last year. Sentebale, which supports young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho, filed suit last month in London’s High Court, according to court records reviewed Friday. Online filings show Harry and his friend, Mark Dyer, a trustee at the charity, are being sued for either libel or slander. No documents were available. Disagreements... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349711/prince-harry-sued-african-charity-he-set-honour-princess-diana?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349711/prince-harry-sued-african-charity-he-set-honour-princess-diana?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:44:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse King Charles III will visit the United States in late April, Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday, despite some calls for the trip to be cancelled or delayed amid the Iran war. Confirmation of the monarch’s first state visit to the US comes at a rocky time for the so-called US-UK “special relationship”, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly criticising Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s reticence over the US-Israel war against Tehran. The trip by the king and Queen Camilla would “celebrate the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3348570/king-charles-pay-state-visit-us-late-april-amid-iran-war-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3348570/king-charles-pay-state-visit-us-late-april-amid-iran-war-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:55:02 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A former nurse made history on Wednesday when she was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury, the first woman to lead the centuries-old mother church of the world’s 85 million-strong Anglican community. Sarah Mullally, 63, formally steps into the role after an abuse scandal led to the departure of her predecessor. The former midwife was formally installed in the historic ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England in front of around 2,000 people including heir to the throne Prince... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347909/ex-nurse-enthroned-first-female-archbishop-canterbury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347909/ex-nurse-enthroned-first-female-archbishop-canterbury?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:49:24 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse King Harold’s legendary 200-mile march across England to the Battle of Hastings in 1066 is a “myth” that likely never happened, according to research published on Saturday. In arguably the most famous battle in English history, the Anglo-Saxon leader was defeated by William the Conqueror, who became the first Franco-Norman king of England, at Hastings on October 14, 1066. The decisive clash, which marked the start of the Norman conquest of England, is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, set to be... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347447/king-harolds-200-mile-uk-march-battle-hastings-1066-myth-says-research?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347447/king-harolds-200-mile-uk-march-battle-hastings-1066-myth-says-research?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:33:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit said in an interview broadcast Friday that she was “manipulated” by convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whom she accused of extorting others. A commoner who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Mette-Marit’s name appears multiple times in Epstein documents released by the US Department of Justice earlier this year. The files revealed an unexpectedly close friendship between the pair and raised questions in Norway about whether Mette-Marit can become... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347382/norway-crown-princess-says-she-was-manipulated-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3347382/norway-crown-princess-says-she-was-manipulated-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:16:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Spain’s King Felipe VI has been invited to the 2026 World Cup in Mexico by President Claudia Sheinbaum, the royal palace said on Wednesday, signalling a thaw in relations between the two countries. Diplomatic relations have been strained since 2019, when the Mexican government demanded that the Spanish crown apologise for the abuses committed during the conquest and subsequent colonisation of the Americas in the 16th century. Sheinbaum excluded the king from her inauguration in October 2024... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3347089/mexico-invites-spains-king-world-cup-sign-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3347089/mexico-invites-spains-king-world-cup-sign-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 23:34:04 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Spain’s monarch said on Monday the Spanish conquest of the Americas included “much abuse” and “ethical controversies”, striking a conciliatory tone amid a years-long row between Spain and Mexico over colonial-era abuses committed by the Spanish crown centuries ago. King Felipe made the remarks while speaking with Mexico’s ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz, during a visit to a museum exhibition in Madrid about the role of women in pre-Columbian Mexico. About the centuries-old Spanish conquest,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3346823/spains-king-acknowledges-much-abuse-conquest-americas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/3346823/spains-king-acknowledges-much-abuse-conquest-americas?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:53:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A photograph of Britain’s former prince Andrew and veteran politician Peter Mandelson sitting in bathrobes alongside late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was unearthed on Friday in previously published documents. The image is believed to be the first known photograph of the two men with Epstein. They are both currently engulfed in scandal in the UK over their ties to their mutual friend. The undated photograph, first reported by ITV News, shows King Charles’ disgraced brother and Britain’s former... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346566/uks-andrew-and-peter-mandelson-pictured-bathrobes-jeffrey-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346566/uks-andrew-and-peter-mandelson-pictured-bathrobes-jeffrey-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:04:36 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Documents released on Wednesday by the British government show officials believed there was a “reputational risk” to appointing Peter Mandelson as the US ambassador because of his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The concerns were raised in a document sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson to the role, seen as vital to establish a good relationship with the administration of US President Donald Trump. The document also spelled... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346267/uk-pm-starmer-was-warned-reputational-risk-appointing-mandelson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3346267/uk-pm-starmer-was-warned-reputational-risk-appointing-mandelson?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:50:35 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa In the latest episode of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, viewers got a look into John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s secret 1996 wedding ceremony in Cumberland Island, Georgia. When JFK Jr. and Bessette tied the knot, details of the wedding were sparse and only revealed later in the 2024 book, JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography by RoseMarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil. The nuptials took place in a small Baptist church on Cumberland Island with a short guest list... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3345725/who-was-anthony-radziwill-polish-royal-cousin-john-f-kennedy-jr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3345725/who-was-anthony-radziwill-polish-royal-cousin-john-f-kennedy-jr?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 10:00:12 +0000 dpa dpa Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the royal line of succession over his “deplorable” links to Jeffrey Epstein. The former duke was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with the paedophile financier while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Carney said: “I certainly think his actions are deplorable and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345792/canadas-carney-wants-andrew-removed-uk-line-succession-over-epstein-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3345792/canadas-carney-wants-andrew-removed-uk-line-succession-over-epstein-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 05:00:13 +0000 Wee Kek Koon Wee Kek Koon You must have seen that photograph of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of the British king, attempting to hide in the back seat of a car, eyes reddened by the camera flash, looking like a pathetic rodent moments before it is turned into roadkill. In response to the former prince’s arrest, King Charles said in a statement: “The law must take its course.” British law enforcement is finally initiating formal legal proceedings against Andrew for alleged wrongdoing. It may have taken far too long,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3344712/after-andrews-arrest-how-high-born-criminals-were-treated-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3344712/after-andrews-arrest-how-high-born-criminals-were-treated-ancient-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:15:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The UK government said on Tuesday it supported the release of documents on ex-prince Andrew’s past role as a trade envoy, hours after a veteran politician was quizzed by police in the widening Jeffrey Epstein scandal. US authorities last month published millions of files related to the late sex offender Epstein, containing revelations that have rocked British political and royal circles. It has ramped up pressure on Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to release its own vetting... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344511/uk-eyes-releasing-files-arrogant-andrew-clean-away-epstein-scandal-stain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344511/uk-eyes-releasing-files-arrogant-andrew-clean-away-epstein-scandal-stain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:34:28 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre King Charles’ appearance at the fall/winter 2026 show of British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker dominated headlines at London Fashion Week. While this is not the first time a royal has shown up at a London Fashion Week event, King Charles attended Coker’s show hours after the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Prince Andrew was detained on Thursday and questioned over allegations that he sent confidential government... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3344286/london-fashion-week-2026-simone-rocha-chet-lo-erdem-and-tolu-coker-king-charles-front-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3344286/london-fashion-week-2026-simone-rocha-chet-lo-erdem-and-tolu-coker-king-charles-front-row?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:35:27 +0000 Reuters Reuters London police officers assigned to King ⁠Charles’ younger brother ⁠Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were instructed to provide ⁠security for a dinner party at Jeffrey Epstein’s residence in New York in 2010, British media reported on Sunday. The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, cited emails from the Epstein files that ‌appear to detail arrangements for Mountbatten-Windsor to stay with the late convicted sex offender in December 2010, along with his two protection officers from London’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344277/uk-protection-officers-instructed-guard-2010-epstein-dinner-party-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344277/uk-protection-officers-instructed-guard-2010-epstein-dinner-party-reports-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:12:16 +0000 Reuters Reuters Slumped in the back seat of his Range Rover, a visibly shaken man once referred to ⁠as the “Playboy Prince” stares ahead of him ⁠as the car leaves Aylsham police station in ⁠Norfolk, England. The photo, taken by Reuters photographer Phil Noble, went viral when it was published late on Thursday. It shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, after he was released from police custody following a day of questioning over allegations he sent confidential government... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344186/andrews-downfall-how-viral-photo-disgraced-ex-prince-was-captured?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344186/andrews-downfall-how-viral-photo-disgraced-ex-prince-was-captured?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:16:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters Britain’s government will consider new legislation to remove the former prince Andrew from the line of royal succession once the police investigation into his ties with Epstein is over, a UK official has said. Any changes to the line of succession – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is eighth in line to the throne – would require consultation and agreement with other countries where King Charles ‌is head of state, the official, who asked not to be identified, said on Friday. The former prince was... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344185/uk-consider-removing-ex-prince-andrew-royal-line-succession?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344185/uk-consider-removing-ex-prince-andrew-royal-line-succession?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:27:00 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Until Thursday morning, it had been nearly four centuries since the arrest of a senior British royal. On his 66th birthday, the late Queen Elizabeth’s favourite son was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office. By evening, the former prince was released from police custody. But the ongoing investigation will unpick years of lurid allegations about Andrew’s ties to the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein that have heaped embarrassment on his brother, King Charles. The arrest of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344093/first-royal-arrest-centuries-presents-existential-crisis-uks-most-powerful-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344093/first-royal-arrest-centuries-presents-existential-crisis-uks-most-powerful-family?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 05:53:52 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Britain’s typically pro-royal public welcomed the arrest of the former prince Andrew, whose friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has turned him into an outcast. Some on Thursday appeared delighted that police were holding King Charles’ brother, arguing it sent the right message that the royal family was not above the law. US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, called the arrest “very sad”. “I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family.... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344051/uk-public-cheers-ex-prince-andrews-arrest-trump-calls-it-very-sad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344051/uk-public-cheers-ex-prince-andrews-arrest-trump-calls-it-very-sad?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:42:45 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The former prince Andrew was arrested and held for hours by British police Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein, an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once sought to shield the royal family from embarrassment. It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal was placed under arrest, and it underscored how deference to the monarchy has eroded in recent years. King Charles, whose late mother lived by... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344019/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-was-arrested-suspicion-misconduct-public-office?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3344019/andrew-mountbatten-windsor-was-arrested-suspicion-misconduct-public-office?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:22:37 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall A bizarre, previously unreported incident involving a naked man at Japan’s Imperial Palace during a new year’s celebration has raised questions about the emperor’s security as the royal household prepares for his birthday audience on Monday. The breach occurred on January 2 but only came to light this week, when the magazine News Post Seven published an account of the episode. An official from the Imperial Household Agency confirmed to This Week in Asia that a security incident had taken place... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3343918/naked-intruder-exposes-gaps-japans-royal-security-enormous-failure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3343918/naked-intruder-exposes-gaps-japans-royal-security-enormous-failure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A defiant British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to move on Tuesday from fevered speculation about his future after fighting off strident calls to resign over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Following a day of drama on Monday, the Labour leader told a meeting of government ministers that they were “strong and united” after he vowed not to depart office just 19 months into a five-year term. Starmer’s position had looked precarious on Monday when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demanded his... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343103/starmer-claims-uk-government-united-amid-calls-quit-over-epstein-fallout?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343103/starmer-claims-uk-government-united-amid-calls-quit-over-epstein-fallout?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:48:51 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Britain’s King Charles is ready to “support’’ UK police examining claims that the former prince Andrew gave confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace said on Monday. The statement came after Thames Valley Police said Monday that they were “assessing” reports that the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010. The department, which serves an area west of London that includes Mountbatten-Windsor’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342973/uk-police-assess-claims-ex-prince-andrew-sent-sensitive-trade-records-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342973/uk-police-assess-claims-ex-prince-andrew-sent-sensitive-trade-records-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:55:35 +0000 Bloomberg,Agence France-Presse Bloomberg,Agence France-Presse More than three dozen former lawmakers of a pro-democracy party in Thailand face a lifetime ban from politics after the nation’s anti-corruption agency found them in breach of ethical standards over a failed bid to amend the royal insult law. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) said on Monday that 44 former lawmakers from the now-dissolved Move Forward Party had “failed to uphold and maintain the democratic system of government with the king as head of state” by submitting a petition... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342963/double-blow-losing-thai-reformist-party-44-members-face-lifetime-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342963/double-blow-losing-thai-reformist-party-44-members-face-lifetime-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:55:24 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq has resigned after an investigation was launched into her ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the foreign ministry said on Sunday. Mona Juul, who played a key role in the secret Israeli-Palestinian negotiations which led to the Oslo Accords of the early 1990s, is among several high-profile Norwegian figures swept up in the latest Epstein file release. “This is a correct and necessary decision. Juul’s contact with the convicted abuser Epstein has... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342855/senior-diplomat-resigns-norway-investigates-epstein-links?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342855/senior-diplomat-resigns-norway-investigates-epstein-links?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 19:53:27 +0000 dpa dpa The former British ambassador to the United States and former government minister Peter Mandelson is facing demands to hand back the payoff he received after being sacked as US envoy. The senior Labour Party figure was sacked over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, but anger in Westminster has intensified after the latest release of documents which indicated he leaked information to his friend while he was a government minister. Allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer said... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342820/mandelson-epstein-scandal-demands-grow-ex-envoy-repay-us75000-severance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342820/mandelson-epstein-scandal-demands-grow-ex-envoy-repay-us75000-severance?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Feb 2026 08:19:50 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit said on Friday she “deeply regretted” her friendship with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the embarrassment it has caused the royal family. A commoner who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Mette-Marit’s name appears in new Epstein documents released a week ago by the US Justice Department. The documents revealed an unexpectedly close friendship between the two and raised questions in Norway about whether Mette-Marit can become queen. “I deeply... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342728/norways-crown-princess-apologises-over-epstein-ties-amid-royal-embarrassment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342728/norways-crown-princess-apologises-over-epstein-ties-amid-royal-embarrassment?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:12:00 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, battling for his political future, apologised on Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing disgraced Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Starmer issued the wide-ranging apology after being dogged for days by the decision, following fresh allegations about Mandelson’s cosy ties to late sex offender Epstein which emerged in newly released files last Friday. The latest crisis to hit Starmer’s struggling government has left many doubting his judgment and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342550/starmer-apologises-after-mandelson-epstein-ties-spark-uk-political-storm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342550/starmer-apologises-after-mandelson-epstein-ties-spark-uk-political-storm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:50:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The son of Norway’s crown princess admitted Wednesday to a life of excess attributed to a “need for recognition”, but denied committing rape as he took the stand in tears. Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s 29-year-old son from a relationship before her 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is on trial in Oslo district court accused of 38 crimes, including four alleged rapes and assaults against ex-girlfriends. He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious offences. He faces up to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342408/norway-crown-princesss-son-makes-tearful-admission-excesses-need-recognition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342408/norway-crown-princesss-son-makes-tearful-admission-excesses-need-recognition?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:42:35 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The son of Norway’s crown princess pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to four counts of rape at the opening of a trial that has embarrassed the royal family. Marius Borg Hoiby, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s 29-year-old son from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, stood and muttered a negative response when asked to enter a plea to the four counts of rape. Clad in green trousers and a green jumper, wearing bold glasses and earrings, Hoiby remained expressionless as his trial got... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342257/norway-royals-son-pleads-not-guilty-four-counts-rape-amid-epstein-link-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342257/norway-royals-son-pleads-not-guilty-four-counts-rape-amid-epstein-link-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:46:08 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof The sultan of Pahang in Malaysia has urged the public to view royal pardons with “calmness of emotion” and not as “a political gift”, in what analysts describe as a pointed reminder that clemency is a constitutional process, amid a furore over a decree supposedly extended to ex-prime minister Najib Razak. According to Najib, the supplementary royal decree, or “addendum”, would allow him to serve the remainder of his reduced prison sentence at home. The Kuala Lumpur High Court dismissed his bid... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342205/najibs-house-arrest-row-malaysian-sultans-comment-royal-pardons-stirs-debate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3342205/najibs-house-arrest-row-malaysian-sultans-comment-royal-pardons-stirs-debate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:54:30 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Does Lily Allen have a new man in her life? Just last year the singer released the scathing tell-all album West End Girl after a messy and public separation with Stranger Things actor David Harbour. The former couple had been married for four years before splitting in 2025. Many of the tracks in Allen’s hit album hint that the break-up was due to Harbour’s infidelity. Since then, it seems that the “Pussy Palace” singer, 40, has happily moved on with new boyfriend Jonah Freud, 28. The pair were... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342080/who-lily-allens-new-boyfriend-jonah-freud-sigmund-freuds-great-great-grandson?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3342080/who-lily-allens-new-boyfriend-jonah-freud-sigmund-freuds-great-great-grandson?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 03:37:47 +0000 Reuters Reuters Britain’s former US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, received money from Jeffrey Epstein and ‍leaked a confidential government briefing to him, newly released files appeared to show, renewing scrutiny of his conduct in public office. Late on Sunday, Mandelson left the Labour Party to prevent “further embarrassment”, after he was fired from his envoy role last year after revelations about his connections to the late convicted sex offender. He said he had no recollection of any payments after the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342145/uks-starmer-demands-mandelsons-removal-house-lords-amid-new-epstein-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342145/uks-starmer-demands-mandelsons-removal-house-lords-amid-new-epstein-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:59:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press The eldest son of Norway’s crown princess has been arrested, just before his trial opens on charges including rape in a case that has been an embarrassment to the royal family, police said on Monday. Marius Borg Hoiby was arrested on Sunday evening and is accused of assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order, police said in a statement. They requested four weeks’ detention on grounds of risk of reoffending. His lawyers could not immediately be reached for comment. On... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342143/norwegian-scandal-deepens-crown-princess-son-arrested-trial-amid-epstein-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342143/norwegian-scandal-deepens-crown-princess-son-arrested-trial-amid-epstein-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:04:56 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Britain’s former prince Andrew, called late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein a “legend” and the “brother I have always wished for”, according to newly released documents. While the friendship between Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – who was stripped of his royal titles last October – and Epstein has been in the spotlight for years, the latest emails released by US authorities appear to shine a new light on the extent of Ferguson’s ties. “I have never been more touched by a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342141/sarah-ferguson-called-epstein-brother-and-legend-new-emails-reveal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342141/sarah-ferguson-called-epstein-brother-and-legend-new-emails-reveal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 12:54:29 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Norway’s crown princess, whose son goes on trial on Tuesday on rape charges, has found herself embroiled in another scandal after newly unsealed files revealed her unexpected friendship with late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The latest scandal has even raised questions about whether Mette-Marit, a commoner who married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, could still become queen one day. Her name appears at least 1,000 times in the millions of new Epstein documents released by the US Department of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342063/latest-epstein-files-dump-reveals-embarrassing-friendship-another-royal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342063/latest-epstein-files-dump-reveals-embarrassing-friendship-another-royal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 06:14:25 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Former British ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson quit the Labour Party Sunday, seeking to avoid causing it “further embarrassment” after newly released US documents revived scrutiny of his connection to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson, 72, who was sacked as Britain’s ambassador to the United States last year over his ties to Epstein, allegedly received several payments from Epstein in the early 2000s, according to documents released on Friday by the US Department of Justice... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342020/sacked-uk-ambassador-mandelson-has-no-recollection-us75000-payments-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3342020/sacked-uk-ambassador-mandelson-has-no-recollection-us75000-payments-epstein?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 17:09:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Norway’s future queen from a previous relationship, was initially welcomed into the royal family, but now, facing trial accused of four rapes, he has become a liability. The 29-year-old, who was born before his mother Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby married Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, goes on trial in Oslo’s district court on Tuesday accused of 38 counts, including four rapes and assaults against ex-girlfriends. He was arrested on August 4, 2024, suspected of assaulting... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341987/how-marius-hoiby-went-living-norway-royal-familys-gilded-cage-alleged-rapist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341987/how-marius-hoiby-went-living-norway-royal-familys-gilded-cage-alleged-rapist?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 07:49:56 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A fresh cache of files released on Friday related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein contains documents that refer to numerous high-profile figures. US President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Britain’s former prince Andrew are among those making headlines after being named in the documents. Here are key details about some of the others mentioned, none of whom has been accused of wrongdoing: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates In a draft email... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3341970/who-else-epstein-files-billionaires-celebrities-and-norways-crown-princess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3341970/who-else-epstein-files-billionaires-celebrities-and-norways-crown-princess?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 20:30:50 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Britain’s former prince Andrew was again engulfed by the Epstein scandal on Saturday, after newly released files included photographs of him kneeling on all fours over a woman lying on the floor. The images were among millions of new documents disclosed Friday by the US Justice Department from the Jeffrey Epstein files, which also featured the late sex offender proposing in 2010 that the then prince meet a Russian woman. That was two years after the disgraced US financier had pleaded guilty in... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341967/uks-ex-prince-andrew-dogged-again-epstein-scandal-new-photos-surface?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3341967/uks-ex-prince-andrew-dogged-again-epstein-scandal-new-photos-surface?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:56:36 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Spain’s king and queen visited on Tuesday the site where two high-speed trains collided at the weekend, killing 42 people, as a second deadly rail accident overshadowed the start of national mourning. The country’s deadliest rail accident in more than a decade took place late Sunday when a train operated by rail company Iryo, travelling from Malaga to Madrid, derailed near Adamuz in the southern Andalusia region. It crossed onto the other track, where it crashed into an oncoming train heading to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340615/spains-royals-visit-deadly-train-crash-site-country-mourns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340615/spains-royals-visit-deadly-train-crash-site-country-mourns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:45:33 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s king has issued a blunt warning to officials, saying his “hunt for the corrupt” will reach all levels as the country reels from a corruption scandal inside the armed forces that has implicated senior ranks. A former army chief and dozens of other officers and civilians have been arrested in recent weeks as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) seized 52 million ringgit (US$12.8 million) in cash, gold, cars and luxury watches. The anti-corruption body also froze 80 bank... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340423/malaysias-king-vows-wider-hunt-corrupt-military-scandal-engulfs-top-ranks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340423/malaysias-king-vows-wider-hunt-corrupt-military-scandal-engulfs-top-ranks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:00:10 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s record on legal reforms has come under scrutiny after a journalist was detained under a colonial-era Sedition Act for asking a “sensitive question” linking the Gaza crisis to the treatment of ethnic Chinese in the Malay-majority country. Rex Tan, 31, a journalist for local news site Free Malaysia Today (FMT), was arrested early on Saturday morning after he asked the question at a public debate five days earlier in Kuala Lumpur. Tan is being investigated... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3340390/malaysian-reporters-sedition-arrest-casts-doubts-anwars-reform-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3340390/malaysian-reporters-sedition-arrest-casts-doubts-anwars-reform-record?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:04:18 +0000