Rory McIlroy: 'More Motivated' Than Ever After Masters Win Rory McIlroy said he feels "more motivated" than ever as he prepares for a busy stretch of tournaments following his second consecutive Masters title. The world’s No. 2-ranked player, who slipped the green jacket for a second time after becoming just the fourth player in 90 years to win back-to-back Masters, emphasized that his focus remains on future challenges. The six-time major champion is set to compete in the PGA Championship next week and the U.S. Open in July, with this week’s Truist Championship at Quail Hollow serving as his first event since the Masters. McIlroy, 37, described his post-Masters break as "less hectic" than the previous year, noting he spent much of his time at his home in Jupiter, Florida. He briefly visited New York with his wife, Erica Stoll, and attended a White House state dinner for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. However, he opted against traditional post-win celebrations, such as returning to Northern Ireland to mark the occasion. His parents, who had already traveled to the U.S. to witness his Masters triumph, skipped last year’s event to avoid any perceived bad luck. The golfer also chose to minimize media obligations, prioritizing time with his daughter, Poppy, for tennis lessons. "I gave myself a good 10 days to enjoy myself and then thought I needed to get back on the range and start to practice," McIlroy said. This approach allowed him to recharge mentally and physically ahead of the upcoming tournaments. The Truist Championship at Quail Hollow holds special significance for McIlroy, as it marks his first PGA Tour victory 16 years ago and includes four career wins on the course.#rory_mcilroy #queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #eric_stoll #truist_championship

King Charles III's State Visit to the U.S.: 9/11 Memorial, Congressional Address, and Kohinoor Diamond Discussions King Charles III and Queen Camilla concluded their third day in New York City as part of their state visit to the United States, with a focus on commemorating the 9/11 attacks, engaging with local leaders, and reinforcing the U.S.-U.K. alliance. The royal couple arrived at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, where they joined former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the museum’s chairman, to lay a bouquet of white flowers at the memorial pools. The event drew crowds eager to meet the royals, with Mayor Zohran Mamdani greeting Charles and Camilla after the ceremony. While details of their private conversation remained undisclosed, Mamdani later expressed his hope that Charles would consider returning the Kohinoor diamond, a historic gem with deep symbolic significance for India and Pakistan. The Kohinoor diamond, part of the British crown jewels, has long been a point of contention. Mamdani, who attended the 9/11 memorial event, stated he would “probably encourage” Charles to return the diamond, which has been a symbol of colonial exploitation for many Indians and students of imperialism. The diamond, believed to have been discovered in South India in the 13th century, was previously set in the crowns of British queens. Pakistan also has historical claims to the gem, adding to its complex legacy. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter, maintaining its stance on the diamond’s status as a British artifact. Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla split for separate events. Queen Camilla traveled to midtown Manhattan for a literacy initiative at the New York Public Library, where she participated in an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of A.A.#new_york_city #queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #9_11_memorial #kohinoor_diamond

King Charles III and Queen Camilla Visit 9/11 Memorial in New York Amid State Visit King Charles III and Queen Camilla concluded the third day of their U.S. state visit with a somber visit to the 9/11 Memorial at One World Trade Center in New York City. The royal couple, accompanied by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, attended a ceremony honoring the victims of the 2001 terror attacks. Bloomberg, who oversaw the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site during his tenure from 2002 to 2013, escorted the royals to one of the reflecting pools, where they laid white flowers and observed a moment of silence. Current New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill also joined the event, though no private meeting between Mamdani and Charles was confirmed. The visit marked the culmination of a four-day trip that began with a state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump. During the dinner, Charles delivered a speech emphasizing the enduring alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom. He humorously referenced a controversial remark by Trump from January 2020, when the former president suggested that European leaders would be speaking German if not for U.S. intervention in World War II. Charles quipped, “Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French,” to a visibly amused Trump. This lighthearted exchange followed Charles’s address to Congress, the second time a British monarch had ever spoken to the U.S. legislature. Trump’s role in the state visit extended beyond the dinner. The former president hosted a closed-door meeting with Charles in the Oval Office, a gesture that drew attention amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and the U.K. over Iran’s nuclear program.#new_york_city #queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #911_memorial #one_world_trade_center

New Charity to Honor Queen Elizabeth II's Legacy on Centenary of Her Birth A new charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust, is being launched to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, coinciding with the centenary of her birth on 21 April. The initiative, backed by a one-time government grant of £40 million, will be chaired by businessman Sir Damon Buffini and will have King Charles III as its patron. The charity aims to restore shared community spaces, reflecting the late monarch’s lifelong dedication to public service and her belief that “everyone is our neighbour.” The Queen, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 96, would have turned 100 on 21 April. The centenary is being marked with a series of events, including a global digital memorial where people can share personal memories of her reign. The King and Queen Camilla will visit the British Museum to review plans for a national memorial in St James Park, London, designed by architect Sir Norman Foster. Later that day, they will host a reception at Buckingham Palace, where guests will receive birthday cards from the King. The Princess Royal will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park, London, as part of the commemorations. Buckingham Palace has also announced that award-winning historian Dr. Anna Keay will author the official biography of the late monarch. Dr. Keay expressed gratitude for the King’s trust and access to the Queen’s personal and official papers, stating she will strive to “do justice to her life and work.” The Queen Elizabeth Trust will focus on revitalizing underused buildings and green spaces, while also providing communities with the skills and training needed to organize local events.#queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #queen_elizabeth_ii #sir_damon_buffini #sir_norman_foster

British Royals Showcase Royal Jewels at State Banquet for Nigerian Leaders King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening for President and Mrs. Tinubu of Nigeria, marking a historic occasion. The event was the first time in nearly a century that a British monarch had welcomed a Muslim head of state during Ramadan, with the iftar banquet following a tradition last seen when King George V hosted the King of Afghanistan in 1928. Queen Camilla opted for a classic gala look, donning a white gown paired with the sash and star of the Order of the Garter and the King’s Royal Family Order. Her jewelry included the late Queen’s Belgian Sapphire Tiara, Cartier bracelets from the Queen Mother’s collection, and a diamond serpent necklace inherited from her grandmother, Sonia Keppel Cubitt. The most notable pieces were her sapphire and diamond earrings, believed to be from the George VI Sapphire Parure. These earrings, designed for pierced ears, raised questions about whether they were adapted for Camilla’s preference for clip-style jewelry. The late Queen’s 1961 dinner for President and Mrs. Kennedy, where she wore the same earrings with a coordinating necklace and bracelet, highlighted the historical significance of the Victorian-era set. Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, echoed the blue tones of her order sash by wearing sapphire and diamond fringe earrings from the Queen Mother’s collection. She also donned Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a piece commissioned by Mary in 1913 and later worn by Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. The choice of tiara, paired with Diana’s earrings for the morning’s welcome ceremony, was interpreted as a subtle tribute to William’s mother and grandmother.#nigeria #queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #windsor_castle #tinubu

Princess Kate and Queen Camilla Don Royal Tiaras at Nigerian State Dinner Princess Kate and Queen Camilla made a striking appearance at the Nigerian State dinner in the United Kingdom, both wearing tiaras for the first time this year. The event, held at Windsor Castle on March 18, marked a lavish welcome for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, first lady Oluremi Tinubu, during the country’s first state visit of 2026. The royal couple was joined by their husbands, Prince William and King Charles, in a display of formal elegance. Kate, 44, chose the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a piece she has worn multiple times since joining the royal family in 2011. The tiara, heavily adorned with diamonds and featuring a pearl wreath above its base, was originally commissioned for Queen Mary in 1913. It passed through Queen Elizabeth’s collection before being gifted to the late Princess Diana, and later inherited by Kate. The princess first wore it in 2015 and has since relied on it for formal occasions. For the event, she paired the tiara with a forest green pleated dress, which included billowing sleeves, a high neckline, a blue sash, and a bejeweled clutch. Queen Camilla opted for the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, accompanied by matching earrings. The ornate piece features large blue gemstones set against a diamond backdrop, sourced from the late Queen Elizabeth’s collection. This marked Camilla’s first tiara appearance of the year, adding to the royal family’s opulent presentation. The state dinner coincided with ongoing scrutiny of the royal family following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, on suspicion of misconduct in public life.#princess_kate #queen_camilla #nigerian_president_bola_ahmed_tinubu #first_lady_oluremi_tinubu #prince_william