royal calendar for 2023, with a whole host of experts and those whole host of experts and those who can give you insight into the royal family with me throughout the show is former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph, india. mctaggart but before all that, here is your latest news

headunes. headlines. >> good evening. this is the latest from the gb newsroom . latest from the gb newsroom. storm garrett set to batter britain overnight bringing strong wind, rain and snow. the met office has issued several yellow weather warnings from midnight into the early hours on thursday. gusts between 50 to 70mph will sweep across the country, with high ground and exposed coasts being hit the hardest . most of england and hardest. most of england and wales will see torrential rain, whereas the peaks of scotland and the northern isles are likely to see some snow . a man likely to see some snow. a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in croydon. 27 year old michael patrick afonso pesutto died after being attacked and stabbed by a group of men in thornton heath on tuesday, the 19th of december. the investigation is ongoing and a 22 year old remains in custody . 22 year old remains in custody. the met police are appealing for anyone with information to come

forward . four people have been forward. four people have been held in a murder probe after a man was stabbed in east london today. the met police say officers were called to reports officers were called to reports of a stabbing on cranworth street in hackney. a 49 year old man was found with stab wounds and later died from his injuries . two men, aged 49 and 42, and two women aged 35 and 44, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody . labour has been warned custody. labour has been warned to stay away from traditional boxing day foxhunt parades ahead of the next general election , of the next general election, countryside campaigners have told the party to end what they call its running attack on rural communities. they say sir keir starmer risks igniting a toxic culture war if his party repeats past attacks on rural life. fox hunting was banned in england and wales in 2004. however, labour has vowed to crack down on all hunts this. and queen camilla has hosted afternoon tea

at windsor castle for a girl with a brain tumour. the little girl, who spent most of her life on chemotherapy , sang on chemotherapy, sang a christmas song and gave the queen a handmade ring when she was invited. olivia taylor has a brain tumour which has left her blind, but she leapt up to say hello. your majesty , as she met hello. your majesty, as she met queen camilla. the seven year old also tried her very first cup of tea, which was poured by the . queen. this is gb news the. queen. this is gb news across the uk on tv in your car, on digital radio and on your smart speaker by saying play gb news. now it's back to a royal year with cameron walker . year with cameron walker. >> welcome back to a royal year with me, cameron walker. now i've promised a panel and we've got a stellar panel for you. we

have former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph , correspondent at the telegraph, india mctaggart. welcome to you both. happy christmas. thank you. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. so >> merry christmas. so grant, first of all, what has been your highlight of 2023 in the royal calendar? >> i think the highlight has to be the coronation, but from a personal point of view, when we saw them actually leaving the abbey after the coronation i felt really proud and kind of took to them when i was took me back to them when i was with even with them and thinking, even when for them, you when i worked for them, you wondered what it would be like that day when see them that day when you'd see them leave actually leave the abbey and actually witnessing it, and seeing it made proud and made me feel really proud and lucky to had the time being lucky to have had the time being around them. >> did seem surreal? >> did it seem surreal? >> did it seem surreal? >> it did actually, yes, it really did, because i'm sure that seen over the that we've all seen over the years there's been there's been images a crown. images of him wearing a crown. there's been television programmes, but to actually see him the him wearing the crown on the imperial says he left imperial crown, she says he left the abbey was was extraordinary. it very surreal. it was very surreal. >> very india, what >> very surreal. india, what about you? >> mean, similar obviously >> i mean, similar obviously covering coronation covering the coronation was an immense a immense privilege. once in a generation, but think generation, but i think my actual was to

actual real highlight was to interview william interview prince william in singapore. which was singapore. wow which was obviously a very exciting . yes, obviously a very exciting. yes, i did it on behalf of the sort of press pack that had travelled there to his trip , but it there to cover his trip, but it was an amazing experience and i also went on tour with him to new york to poland as well. new york and to poland as well. so quite few foreign trips. so quite a few foreign trips. >> you stay us? but >> do you stay with us? but we've mentioned the coronation of course, the first time in 70 years a hugely historical event. george pierce has the highlights. >> on saturday, 6th of may, king charles the third was crowned in a historic ceremony at westminster abbey. first cemented in british tradition in 1066, event was given 1066, the event was given a modern twist the king as the modern twist by the king as the vip guest. list of world leaders and princes were for the and crown princes were for the first time joined by community heroes difference heroes who make a difference to people's lives. 20 million britons in their britons tuned in to their television sets, and thousands more lined the streets of the capital their king capital as their new king and queen prepared ceremony. queen prepared for the ceremony. eight the passing eight months since the passing of elizabeth of his mother, queen elizabeth ii, witnessed a new ii, the world witnessed a new monarch following her footsteps. after years, longest after 70 years, the longest reign in british history, the

royal family as well as tv royalty, took their seats the royalty, took their seats in the abbey eagerly awaited abbey as they eagerly awaited king queen camilla king charles and queen camilla to in the iconic diamond to arrive in the iconic diamond jubilee state prince harry jubilee state coach prince harry also made an appearance to support after support his father after stepping down as a working royal. flew alone, leaving royal. he flew alone, leaving wife meghan markle children wife meghan markle and children archie at home in archie and lilibet at home in california. the duke of sussex donned special or donned no special robes or uniform. wore his military uniform. the wore his military medals with pride. the archbishop led the archbishop of canterbury led the religious his majesty religious service as his majesty was to the people and was presented to the people and swore an oath govern the swore an oath to govern the united of great britain united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland. he was then handed sovereign's then handed the sovereign's sceptre with the rod of sceptre with cross the rod of eqtu sceptre with cross the rod of equity mercy, and finally equity and mercy, and finally the all saint the most important of all saint edward's the prince of edward's crown. the prince of wales, heir to the throne, pledged the pledged his allegiance to the king on his father's king with a kiss on his father's cheek. king charles's consort, who has been faithfully by his side , was crowned side for decades, was crowned and as britain's new and anointed as britain's new queen, abbey after queen, leaving the abbey after the ceremony, king charles and queen wore robes of queen camilla wore robes of estates as the coronation processions largest processions wore. the largest number processions wore. the largest numbwinston churchill's since winston churchill's funeral , as since winston churchill's funeral, as the since winston churchill's funeral , as the crowds cheered funeral, as the crowds cheered for their reigning monarch. the

third carolean era had well and truly begun in pierce truly begun in georgia. pierce gb news is joining me now is gb news presenter nigel farage, who was sat with me for three four hours on coronation day itself. >> no, six hours, six hours. it was a six hour broadcast. >> wow. i had ten minutes out. yes well, i had at 1:00, yes, i left. you were david starkey? yes. no, david and i did six hours with you chopping in and chopping out. from a broadcasting perspective , it was broadcasting perspective, it was a huge challenge. um, i'm really nervous. really nervous doing anything. i thank goodness i had david with me. you know, whose historical of historical knowledge of everything. edward everything. that's edward the second. unparalleled second. he's almost unparalleled . a huge honour to . and it was a huge honour to do. obviously, alastair stewart would it. he was the would have done it. he was the grand of gb news. he'd grand old man of gb news. he'd had bad medical diagnosis. had a bad medical diagnosis. this asked at the this i was asked at the last minute to come and do it. honoured do so. an honoured to do so. an extraordinary day, beautiful extraordinary day, a beautiful day, day that when i'm 60, day, a day that when i'm 60, nearly. i'd never seen coronation. >> well, it's a it's a historical day historical moment for the country. big historical

day. >> a small anti—monarchy demonstration , but really very, demonstration, but really very, very small. huge crowds, great love, a very different feeling. i think the weather didn't help very much. no. and you mentioned anti—monarchy protests . anti—monarchy protests. >> yeah. of course, a few of them were arrested, one of which is now taking legal action against metropolitan police. well, do you think well, i mean, do you think police are heavy handed or do you think it was necessary to ensure small ensure there was a small anti—monarchy protest? >> clamped down on >> the police clamped down on it. no idea whether it it. they had no idea whether it would spread more widely to me. not it the not a huge issue. it was the culmination, really, six culmination, really, of six months, months . months, extraordinary months. you mean, the death of you know, i mean, the death of the queen was the most extraordinary thing. the queen's funeral the funeral was the most extraordinary global event. yeah. and i was there on the pitch, the gb news pitch by canada gate , uh, watching this canada gate, uh, watching this incredible military procession. i mean, something that london had not seen since the death of churchill in 65. the coronation did different. still very significant . it somehow , to be significant. it somehow, to be honest. not quite the same

historical import and i'm not being unfair to charles or camilla, who, to be fair, have done their best in their first yeah done their best in their first year. not a bad first year. i would say. >> what do you think was your single standout moments of the whole day? >> i think the big standout was the balcony appearance . how the balcony appearance. how could it not be? i mean, there is something over the last 100 years of absolute magic about our royal family appearing on that balcony at moments of great national celebration . national celebration. significance. marriages jubilees, coronations , ones, v—e jubilees, coronations, ones, v—e day, whatever it may be. and i thought , i day, whatever it may be. and i thought, i thought charles and camilla, there they were on the balcony . we had a direct view , balcony. we had a direct view, an unencumbered direct view from where we were. >> i remember wearing their crowns , um, looking very happy crowns, um, looking very happy and i couldn't quite get into my mind. >> he was a very ancient, historic picture , taking place

historic picture, taking place in 21st century britain, and somehow it seemed to work. >> the coronation certainly gave something to celebrate, didn't they? >> gave something very unique and very magnificent. and i mean, know , there are mean, you know, there are monarchies the netherlands monarchies in the netherlands and and but they're all and denmark and but they're all you know, bicycling monarchies. i mean, grandeur gone out i mean, the grandeur is gone out of all of them. and we somehow kept some that hard left kept some of that and hard left hate , but most of us love it. hate it, but most of us love it. >> nigel, thank you so much for joining see you soon. merry joining me. see you soon. merry christmas. and to you. now earlier month, earlier this month, the telegraph list of telegraph released its list of 2023 hardest working royals . now 2023 hardest working royals. now guess who came out on top ? yep, guess who came out on top? yep, that's right, princess anne, the princess royal, as she has done for a number of years now, 457 engagements in 2023 followed closely by his majesty the king, 425, in third place was the duke of edinburgh, 297, followed by the queen 233, now close to the middle or slightly further towards the bottom. the prince

and princess of wales, 172 for the prince of wales , and 123 for the prince of wales, and 123 for the prince of wales, and 123 for the princess of wales. we're rejoined by my panel now former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph, india mctaggart , um, india. there's mctaggart, um, india. there's been a lot of criticism of the prince and princess of wales for being quite far down the list, beanng being quite far down the list, bearing in mind they are the next king and queen. >> yes, you're right there has been. but what i will say , and been. but what i will say, and this something he made very this is something he made very clear singapore when we clear to me in singapore when we spoke, that their approach is spoke, is that their approach is going to be completely different. as princess and prince they going prince of wales, they are going to on legacy to focus much more on legacy impact projects. these are long time passion projects. these are things where they really want to actually make a difference. he actually make a difference. he actually said to me, you know, my have done brilliant my family have done a brilliant job highlighting these job highlighting all these different the years. different causes over the years. you have many you know, they have many patronages it's brilliant patronages and it's a brilliant sort ability the royal sort of ability of the royal family go across britain and family to go across britain and indeed around the world and, and highlight of the most highlight some of the most wonderful charities. >> hardest working

>> yes, hardest working doesn't necessarily number of necessarily mean number of engagements, although i'm not for minute suggesting that for one minute suggesting that princess a hard princess anne is not a hard working royal, she absolutely is. just clear . is. let me just make that clear. um, king and queen um, grant the king and queen very up and the duke very much up there, and the duke of edinburgh taking on lot of of edinburgh taking on a lot of dufies of edinburgh taking on a lot of duties that perhaps late duties that perhaps the late queen would have yeah. queen would have done. yeah. >> you know, during >> and even, as you know, during the end of the queen's the end of the late queen's life, uh, in recent years, she was passing things on that was passing things on at that point same with her late point as same with her late husband, prince philip. so husband, prince philip. and so they've these on they've obviously taken these on and it's and embraced it. it's interesting. these interesting. i mean, these figures quite figures obviously quite important. the average person will and decide will look at those and decide who reading that, who they think reading that, who's i say one that's who's did i say the one that's not working as hard and as you mentioned, it's not quite as simple that. you know, these simple as that. you know, these are kind overall are just kind of overall numbers. doesn't mean what's numbers. it doesn't mean what's going private going on. also in private there's lot of things they do there's a lot of things they do that even hear that probably don't even hear about as well. carry about as well. so they carry a lot of engagements. but princess anne quite impressive because anne is quite impressive because i believe she's 73 and, you know, almost, almost double prince of wales's know, almost, almost double princand of wales's know, almost, almost double princand yet, of wales's know, almost, almost double princand yet, obviously, es's know, almost, almost double princand yet, obviously, is's know, almost, almost double princand yet, obviously, i think age. and yet, obviously, i think together, when you together, you know, when you combine numbers, combine those kind of numbers, she's she's a of

she's she's doing a lot of engagements. but she's amazing. i she's an amazing i mean she's quite an amazing character we character and still has time. we often locally , still often see her locally, still doing shopping, so she's got doing her shopping, so she's got time this and still time to do all this and still carry on with her own. her own private as well. private life as well. >> she has lots >> yes, she has lots of admiration, i around the admiration, i think, around the country for the moment. both. thank very, very much. uh, thank you very, very much. uh, but to be but next we're going to be discussing the rise of discussing perhaps the rise of protests anti—monarchy protests. remember those big yellow signs will debating monarchy will be debating is the monarchy losing stay

radio. >> welcome back to a royal year with me, cameron walker. now the royal family have had some pretty large scale royal events in the last year, and some believe that it's a bit outdated , particularly in a cost of living crisis. now, republican protests appear to have stepped up a gear since the late queen's death, but polls in general show that the public continue to support the monarchy . here's support the monarchy. here's madeline collier with the

details . details. >> chants of joy disrupted by chants of hatred . and this year chants of hatred. and this year saw plenty of patriotism and adoration for the royals . but adoration for the royals. but within the fanfare , there were within the fanfare, there were those prepared to go. the extra mile to share their ambitions for a britain without a monarchy. not my king. a recent poll from 70 uk suggests support for the monarchy has dipped to just over a half, and whilst tens of thousands gathered in support of may's coronation anti—monarchy demonstrators took their opportunity to voice their distaste. >> britain's head of state should be elected by the people and, based on merit, not inherited and not without the consent of the public. >> the metropolitan police were criticised for arresting 64 people that day, including the boss of a public, graham smith.

the anti—monarchy is now taking legal action. >> well, they said that it was , >> well, they said that it was, um, suspicion of being in possession of equipment to lock on, but, um, we weren't in possession of any such equipment and we deny everything that they've said. >> members of republic were also thrown out of buckingham palace after successfully staging the first ever anti—monarchy protest inside the building, bright yellow signs were a visible presence at 2023 royal engagements across the country, but engagements were outnumbered by union flags and royal well—wishers. although king charles stoically continues his duties, his efforts might not be enough to make him ever anyone's king. madeline collier. gb news so is the british monarchy out dated? >> joining me now to debate this topic is royal historian and broadcaster rafe heydel—mankoo , broadcaster rafe heydel—mankoo, and the chief executive of republic, graham smith . um, republic, graham smith. um, graham, first of all, you

mentioned in that there you were arrested on coronation day by a metropolitan police officer, and you are now bringing legal action. where are you up to with that? well, we've applied for a judicial review. >> so that's where we're up to. we don't have an answer on that. and we're waiting hopefully fairly the new year. fairly early in the new year. we'll an answer on that. and we'll get an answer on that. and uh, the expectation is that we'll successful because we'll be successful because i think the case is pretty strong. but we'll have to wait and see what and why. what the court says and why. >> you feel that the british >> do you feel that the british monarchy should exist monarchy should not exist anymore? mean, it is an anymore? well i mean, it is an institution that falls well short of the standards we short of the standards that we expect institutions. expect of public institutions. >> been a lot of >> um, there's been a lot of talk about the sort of standards we politicians in we expect of politicians in recent the monarchy recent years. uh, the monarchy is secretive. um, it's is highly secretive. um, it's not too far to say it's not going too far to say it's corrupt in the sense of, um, abuse public office for abuse of public office for personal which not an personal gain, which is not an accusation criminality, accusation of criminality, although uh, there although there are, uh, there have cases such uh, have been cases such as, uh, cash honours accusations cash for honours accusations which have been which still raise questions about the conduct of royals . uh, but conduct of royals. uh, but profoundly, the crown is a

central part of our constitution and our constitution is really not very good. it centralises a lot of power in the hands of prime minister. it leaves us without proper checks and balances, and it leaves us with a state not willing to a head of state not willing to act independently of government. >> rafe. it appears the >> rafe. it appears that the monarchy has a few long terme challenges, as it does, but we mustn't overestimate this. >> be clear here. >> i mean, let's be clear here. republicanism is the biggest political modern political failure in modern british even at the british history. even at the monarchy's darkest moments , monarchy's darkest moments, republicans have been able republicans have never been able to more than quarter to convince more than a quarter of nation that it's in their of the nation that it's in their interest to abolish the stability monarchy for an stability of monarchy for an uncertain republic. you know, the standard for all of for the gold standard for all of for all pulses will tell you the gold standard is the ipsos mori annual poll. that's been conducted every year for 30 years since 1993. the question they ask, should britain become a republic or remain a monarchy? in 1993, it was 69. in october of this year it was 66. ipsos mori has said that is the single most consistent answer they've had to any question in over half

a century of polling, and it matches the same similar poll taken back in 1969 because the british public are clear , the british public are clear, the old adage still applies if it ain't broke, don't fix it. mature nations that are successful don't tamper with their constitutions unless it's really necessary . yeah, well, it really necessary. yeah, well, it is necessary. >> it's very obviously >> and it's very obviously necessary. had necessary. i mean, we've had constitutional we've constitutional crisis. we've just avoided under boris just about avoided under boris johnson. he chosen not to johnson. had he chosen not to resign, there would have been almost no way getting rid of almost no way of getting rid of him, because person who him, because the only person who can is the monarch. and can sack him is the monarch. and the was anywhere to can sack him is the monarch. and the seen. was anywhere to can sack him is the monarch. and theseen. um,nas anywhere to can sack him is the monarch. and the seen. um, our anywhere to can sack him is the monarch. and the seen. um, our constitutione to can sack him is the monarch. and the seen. um, our constitution is o be seen. um, our constitution is absolutely straits in absolutely in dire straits in terms being lacking terms of being lacking accountability and checks and balances in terms of polling. there has been a significant shift. i mean, the ipsos mori poll is one poll which asks a very particular question , but very particular question, but lots of other pollsters are showing significant drops showing a very significant drops in support for the monarchy from sort of 80 plus down to 50 plus. i mean, 52. a more recent i mean, 52. in a more recent poll. so there is clearly me and a lot of us in just the republican view, there are a lot of academics and pollsters are

saying there is a significant drop in support for the monarchy. and we're now over a third of people saying they want monarchy. and we're now over a thigetf people saying they want monarchy. and we're now over a thiget rid aople saying they want monarchy. and we're now over a thiget rid ofile saying they want monarchy. and we're now over a thiget rid of it. saying they want to get rid of it. >> graham, what's the if you don't we get rid of monarchy, don't if we get rid of monarchy, let's tomorrow, what is the alternative? >> well, the alternative is very simple. i mean, most of our neighbours do this. it's a parliamentary republic, you know, and the idea that a republic is somehow unknown republic is somehow an unknown quantity because quantity is nonsense, because ireland it very ireland does it very successfully. does successfully. iceland does it very . germany, very successfully. germany, finland, states, you finland, the baltic states, you know, these very stable, know, these are very stable, prosperous, democratic countries which rank far higher than britain does in all of the international indices on things like democracy and equality and fairness. well if i can just come back that point. come back on that point. >> yeah. so it's important to remember that there are very few constitution the remember that there are very few consti less n the remember that there are very few consti less than the remember that there are very few consti less than 20. the remember that there are very few consti less than 20. tithey world less than 20. and yet they make up majority of the top make up the majority of the top 20 nations the world, 20 nations in the world, according to un's human according to the un's human development which marks according to the un's human devqualitynt which marks according to the un's human devquality of which marks according to the un's human devquality of life. which marks according to the un's human devquality of life. britain marks according to the un's human devquality of life. britain yourks the quality of life. britain you know, belgium, the netherlands , know, belgium, the netherlands, uh, japan, sweden , denmark, uh, japan, sweden, denmark, canada, australia, new zealand . canada, australia, new zealand. no one would say that those are backward nations, that they're

antiquated, that they're being held being monarchies. held back by being monarchies. in , those are those are the in fact, those are those are the world's socially world's most socially progressive countries. so they're not a hindrance. and rather than giving up an institution is recognised institution that is recognised around the world that symbolises our thousand year history and our thousand year history and our constitution and so brilliantly, know, we are we brilliantly, you know, we are we are world's second soft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation's second soft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation .. second soft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation . inecond soft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation . in and soft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation . in a large ft brilliantly, you know, we are we are nation . in a large part of power nation. in a large part of thatis power nation. in a large part of that is because of our monarchy. to abandon for a grey to abandon that for a grey suhed to abandon that for a grey suited politician or suited former politician or whoever become whoever would become a president, to me to be, president, seems to me to be, you know, to be for the birds, because frankly, the world because quite frankly, the world doesn't attention the doesn't pay attention when the president germany has president of germany has a grandchild. president of germany has a gra that ld. president of germany has a gra that is i mean, none of that >> that is i mean, none of that is true. i mean, the fact is that the it's not a majority in the top 20 and we're not in the top political stability. top 20 of political stability. >> 20. >> it's 12 of 20. >> and we and, you know, there are just as many republics in the top ten of all of these indices than there are monarchies. reason why monarchies. and the reason why some monarchies are, some of these monarchies are, are the monarchies have are they're the monarchies have survived stable. survived because they're stable. they're because they're not stable because they've got a monarchy that doesn't monarchies doesn't work. and monarchies historically have been catastrophic for countries like

italy, greece , uh, italy, spain, greece, uh, cambodia, thailand , you know, cambodia, thailand, you know, they are not a good institution. and the idea that we are going to hang on to this thing where we are worried about whether or not our head of states grandchild is famous around the world is nonsense. >> sorry, a word to you >> sorry, a final word to you young people particular in young people in particular in polling, to be less polling, appear to be less favourable towards the monarchy. what does monarchy need to what does the monarchy need to do improve that? if anything, do to improve that? if anything, if do that? yeah. if they can do that? yeah. >> are one real long >> so there are one real long tum challenge two things. tum challenge are two things. firstly, immigration, because 10 million this country million people in this country were and don't were born abroad and they don't have cultural or have the same cultural or emotional to the emotional connection to the monarchy, don't really monarchy, and they don't really have grounding in the have any grounding in the history constitution. and history or the constitution. and also have issue also similarly, we have an issue with today, with with young people today, since that's what's since 2016. that's what's remarkable. have just remarkable. they have just become most radicalised left become the most radicalised left wing demographic we've ever seen. completely out of kilter with five years older with those even five years older than so and it's not just than them. so and it's not just on monarchy, it's on support on the monarchy, it's on support for free speech or love of nafion for free speech or love of nation and a whole raft of issues. the monarchy needs to issues. so the monarchy needs to really but it's really address that. but it's

doing the doing such good work in the king's and the prince of king's work and the prince of wales's really address wales's work really do address many of the issues that are close to the king's heart. >> briefly come back that. >> briefly come back on that. >> briefly come back on that. >> it's not just young >> i mean, it's not just young people over last 12 people polls over the last 12 months show everybody months that show that everybody under a majority under the age of 40, a majority or less than a majority, support the monarchy. that's not true. support across board is support across the board is falling, and for group falling, and 60% for every group apart serious apart from the young, serious long and it will. long time trouble. and it will. it's matter when, not it's now a matter of when, not if will lose its majority if it will lose its majority support across country, and support across the country, and it will be abolished. all right. >> need agree to >> so you need to agree to disagree on that one. we're not going to change constitution going to change the constitution today, but moving on now, prince william today, but moving on now, prince willianthis it's his project this year. it's his attempt to try and demonstrate that homelessness can ended that homelessness can be ended within five years, making it rare , brief and unrepeated. i'm rare, brief and unrepeated. i'm joined now by former royal butler to king charles the third, grant, harold and royal correspondent the telegraph, correspondent at the telegraph, india mactaggart grant come india mactaggart grant just come to you first, prince william . to you first, prince william. this has been a long time coming. perhaps mother, this has been a long time comingreally aps mother, this has been a long time comingreally got mother, this has been a long time comingreally got him nother, this has been a long time comingreally got him into er, diana, really got him into helping those who were homeless and vulnerable. >> absolutely. i mean, think

>> absolutely. i mean, i think a lot of what he does and a lot of his duties and what he's involved in is thanks to her, because obviously i spent a lot of time around. his mother got involved some of the projects involved in some of the projects she was involved and she was involved in, and even though young age, though he was a very young age, he's taken that to he's obviously taken that to heart and that's it's almost kind of. on her legacy by getting these getting involved in these projects. >> and w.- >> yeah. and india, this is something he, prince william talked in talked to you about in singapore, didn't he? it's one of legacy projects he of those legacy projects he wants to have tangible impacts on. >> absolutely. this is a huge one this is what he one for him. this is what he described his life's work, described as his life's work, what wants be, his life's what he wants to be, his life's work. a five year project. work. it's a five year project. it's across six locations in the uk the aim of eradicating uk with the aim of eradicating homelessness sort using homelessness. he's sort of using his convening power , which is his convening power, which is obviously royal obviously unique to the royal family to bring these family to bring all these charities and local authorities, etc. together . and he said, etc. together. and he said, i really want to actually focus on the wraparound services around homelessness. i want to build the homes. i want to focus on the homes. i want to focus on the mental health work. i want to education and to focus on education and skills. actually is skills. so he actually is really, passionate about really, really passionate about this one. and as grant says,

this one. and as grant says, this is because, you know, he was first the passage was first taken to the passage by diana when he was 11 years by by diana when he was 11 years old. this is very much a old. so this is very much a continuation of his mother's legacy as well as his own. now >> grant, you think king >> and, grant, do you think king charles of his son? >> totally. >> totally. >> i mean, i'm sure we all remember king charles when, as prince involved in prince of wales got involved in so many projects and at the time, people would say that, you know, should be know, these things should be involved good idea? involved in is this a good idea? there lot of jokes, a lot there was a lot of jokes, a lot of about it, and now of humour about it, and now people kind of look and think, wow, what a, you know, you summed you that almost kind of visualise and visualise the future and his sons much kind copying sons very much kind of copying that. and i have no doubt he'll be him. and be extremely proud of him. and again, prince william be extremely proud of him. and agai one prince william be extremely proud of him. and agaione day prince william be extremely proud of him. and agai one day want nce william be extremely proud of him. and agaione day want his william be extremely proud of him. and agaione day want his children will one day want his children to take on his legacy of what he's it's very he's he's doing. so it's very different, it? as you and different, isn't it? as you and you mentioned that the royal family, if get involved in family, if they get involved in behind something, everybody gets behind it. and that's something i of that i think they're aware of that power. that's an amazing power. and that's an amazing thing that that for, thing that they use that for, for, the good to help other for, for the good to help other people, fantastic people, which is fantastic indeed. perhaps it's going to be

>> and perhaps it's going to be more than a spotlight in more than shining a spotlight in the terme. have the long terme. we'll have to wait see. another couple wait and see. but another couple of who continue to make of royals who continue to make headunesis of royals who continue to make headlines is the duke and duchess of sussex for good, headlines is the duke and du

listening to gb news radio. >> welcome back to a royal year. now, the duke and duchess of sussex continue to make headunes sussex continue to make headlines despite no longer being working members of the royal family, now prince harry's explosive memoir, spare , was explosive memoir, spare, was published in january. didn't make him particularly popular in the polls , but he has had a the polls, but he has had a victory of sorts in his case against mirror group georgia pierce reports. >> prince harry and meghan markle have continued to dominate the british headlines in the last year , since stepping in the last year, since stepping down as working royals in 2020. in december 2022, harry and meghan released the first of many netflix projects with a fly on the wall documentary about

their life in california. in their new life in california. in their new life in california. in the six episode series, the couple spoke about their time as working monarchy, working members of the monarchy, including scathing including their scathing opinions other royals. opinions of other royals. despite mixed reviews, the series was streaming success, series was a streaming success, breaking multiple netflix records. the sussexes also produced other projects for netflix and spotify , including netflix and spotify, including hean netflix and spotify, including heart invictus, a film by heart of invictus, a film by prince harry focusing on his invictus games. in january this yean invictus games. in january this year, harry continued to rock the royal rift as he released his page tell all memoir his 416 page tell all memoir spare. in his own words, the duke of sussex recalled what it was growing up the royal was like growing up in the royal family, describing as living family, describing it as living in his brother prince william's shadow, prince shadow, and accused the prince of physical attack. of wales of a physical attack. >> grabbed collar, >> he grabbed me by the collar, ripping necklace and he ripping my necklace and he knocked to the floor. i knocked me to the floor. i landed on the dog's bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces into me. among pieces cutting into me. among many revelations, including his past use work in the past drug use and work in the military, harry branded military, prince harry branded queen for queen camilla dangerous for forging connections with the british press order to british press in order to improve british press in order to imfbuckingham palace and >> buckingham palace and kensington palace have not commented on the allegations, as the a best seller,

the book became a best seller, selling over 1.4 million copies. the fastest selling non—fiction book of all time, in may. this yean book of all time, in may. this year, sussexes revealed they year, the sussexes revealed they were in a near were involved in a near catastrophic car after catastrophic car chase after attending an award ceremony in new york. a spokesman for the royal branded ordeal royal couple branded the ordeal a pursuit by highly a relentless pursuit by highly aggressive but some aggressive paparazzi. but some eyewitnesses disagree. the duchess of sussex had delivered an acceptance speech at the ceremony collecting an ceremony after collecting an award her spotify podcast, award for her spotify podcast, archetype prince is still archetype. prince harry is still dragging several newspaper publishers courts publishers through the courts over unlawful over alleged unlawful information gathering, as well as the government his as the government over his security uk. this month , security in the uk. this month, harry said it was a great day for truth when judge ruled he for truth when a judge ruled he was of unlawful was a victim of unlawful information by mirror information gathering by mirror group , awarding him group newspapers, awarding him more than £140,000 in damages to end a turbulent year for the sussexes. omid scobie released his second royal biography , his second royal biography, endgame, in which senior members of the royal family were rocked once again by a fresh set of allegations and claims. meghan and disclose and harry are yet to disclose any in the book, any involvement in the book, which has received widespread

backlash appearing name backlash after appearing to name two in connection two senior royals in connection with first brought with an allegation first brought to light by sussexes in to light by the sussexes in their with oprah their interview with oprah winfrey. where there were alleged conversations and concerns son archie. concerns about their son archie. the is set to see more the next year is set to see more projects in the pipeline for the couple. will deliver them couple. but will it deliver them stateside? and will the stateside? success and will the royal with the sussexes royal rift with the sussexes continue? pierce gb news continue? georgia pierce gb news prince harry had a victory of sorts this month , winning more sorts this month, winning more than £100,000 worth of damages from mirror group newspapers , from mirror group newspapers, who, a judge has ruled did make him a victim of unlawful information gathering. >> in june. grant will prince harry see this as a bit of a victory? >> he will, i think , as you >> he will, i think, as you know, said all the way along that it's not great. all these legal battles and court cases that keep coming up. and i think historically the queen was only ever involved in two legal cases in her whole reign or her lifetime . and seems to be a lifetime. and it seems to be a kind regular occurrence kind of regular occurrence at the moment with with prince harry and the duchess of sussex.

and it's not ideal. and i'm sure of, you know, there's going to be other cases, possibly. and they always win, but they might not always win, but it still it really it isn't. i still find it really unfortunate. i don't see anyone being a winner in these kind of situations, because i think it's embarrassing for them and for the royal family. embarrassing for them and for the andal family. embarrassing for them and for the and prince ly. embarrassing for them and for the and prince harry had some >> and prince harry had some pretty words in there pretty strong words in there outside via his lawyer outside of court via his lawyer david sherborne, calling the david sherborne, calling on the metropolitan police to investigate potential criminal charges market charges and on the stock market to what we have seen and to reflect what we have seen and sort tank certain stocks, so sort of tank certain stocks, so to speak. >> but i think for him, he did view it as victory. you know, view it as a victory. you know, he i feel vindicated. i he said, i feel vindicated. i feel happy with result . he feel happy with this result. he actually, you know, said that he, know, slay dragons. he, you know, to slay dragons. he knew he was going get he knew he was going to get a bit was well bit burnt, but this was well worth um, think, you worth it. um, so i think, you know, his point of view to, know, from his point of view to, to found that 15 out of 33 to have found that 15 out of 33 articles were the product of unlawful information gathering by mirror group newspapers was was a big deal. okay. >> india grant, thank you very much. for now. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> joining me now is the daily express roundup host express royal roundup host pandora talk the pandora forsythe to talk the rest harry and meghan

rest of the harry and meghan drama welcome drama of 2023. pandora welcome them. um, spur for his memoir. yeah a lot of juicy detail in there. >> a lot of juicy detail, a massive success for him . the massive success for him. the fastest non—fiction book of all time in the uk. brilliant but but of course, dealing with the consequences off the back of that quite a year for him in terms of family relations. yeah, absolutely. >> because of course he accuses his brother in the memoir of his own brother in the memoir of physically attacking him, something that kensington palace is not talking about. no. >> and does seem to a >> and that does seem to be a theme throughout all the royal revelations year. they revelations this year. they they're quiet. but they're keeping very quiet. but on single front and not on on every single front and not feeding into the drama that harry and meghan are bringing to the royal family and i thought this year perhaps it would have been more of a quiet one, but apparently not. this is what's to in 2024. don't quite to come in 2024. we don't quite know yet, but what more stories are there really to tell? >> so something which didn't go particularly well for the duke and duchess, perhaps from a pr

perspective, is that what their spokesperson described as a near catastrophic car chase? but it didn't turn out to be that, to according nypd officials, new york police department officials did it. >> no. and there does seem to be lots of speculation about various claims which are made in the book. and bear in mind , as the book. and bear in mind, as you said, we haven't heard from the royal family on this either. so we are very much hearing one side of the story. i can imagine, though, for harry, anything related to car chases would be extremely traumatic for him. if we put ourselves in his shoes. if we can, i can totally appreciate that. but as you said , when people come back and say, ah, hold on a second, this isn't all quite making sense, then you know , how does that look from know, how does that look from harry's perspective ? lviv when harry's perspective? lviv when he keeps on telling these stories and perhaps aren't all quite adding up ? quite adding up? >> no. and i suppose you look at the us, perhaps social media and just the ridicule they had from family guy and south park, those

two sitcoms which have taken the mick out of them a little bit, haven't they? so it's not looking great for 2024. also in terms of their brand, are they trying to be a very serious brand working with charities and really trying to sort of take the royals front in terms of getting exposure on these really important getting exposure on these really imfbutint getting exposure on these really imfbut then having yourself >> but then having yourself thrown into sitcoms in the us because of course they can do that now because they're not working. senior members of the royal do need royal family, and they do need to financially to become financially independent. will independent. and with that, will come opinion. and unfortunately , come opinion. and unfortunately, it won't always be positive. pandora for the moment, thank you so much forjoining us here on gb news. >> speak again soon. now in january, princess of wales january, the princess of wales launched incredibly launched a project incredibly close her shaping close to her heart. her shaping us campaign aims raise us campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, and she has an advisory panel with her royal foundation. and i'm pleased to say that a member of that panel is here with me now, ed van kerr, who is the co—founder of reach academy in

feltham. and on that advisory panel feltham. and on that advisory panel, ed, welcome to gb news. thank you much. first of all, thank you so much. first of all, just explain me the just explain to me about the importance of childhood importance of early childhood development why you think development and why you think the princess has such a passion for it . for it. >> yeah. what we've learned over the last years is much more the last 20 years is much more about impact of those about the impact of those earliest years and the way the brain how important brain develops and how important those relationships that those initial relationships that children have. so when we talk about having healthy adults, when about having when we talk about having healthy what's healthy young people, what's critical to that is having a really positive start in the first few years of life. and i think the princess of wales has realised through the work that she's around homelessness, she's done around homelessness, around mental around drugs, around mental health, quite how important this penod health, quite how important this period of is. and so it's period of life is. and so it's become a real passion for her. >> and you've been in several meetings of meetings with the princess of wales. you about wales. what strikes you about her? she genuinely interested her? is she genuinely interested and wanting to make a difference? yeah completely. >> obviously her >> obviously she's got her own personal experience of bringing up , but over up her own children, but over the last five years, she's really immersed herself in understanding the research and the detail about about about

what matters. and how this works scientifically. but also she's built really strong relationships with practitioners and parents all over the country, and she's been able to see it firsthand. and the impact of that kind that of of that kind of that kind of nurturing support that you can provide that make provide in communities that make a difference. a real difference. >> what exactly is needed? >> and what exactly is needed? because, course, princess because, of course, the princess can't be political, can she? can't be too political, can she? so exactly can do and so what exactly can she do and what going happen? what impact is going to happen? >> one of the one of the >> i think one of the one of the opportunities with this is parents. don't always parents. people don't always realise how important this penod realise how important this period is. i think we're period of life is. i think we're very about very focussed on thinking about teaching our children to read, making sure they're numerate, but actually we don't always know as a society what's important in this period. and so the awareness raising that the shaping us campaign done shaping us campaign has done specifically and then the work of the princess more generally, i is really important to i think is really important to create understanding in create an understanding in society of the importance of this period life, which this period of life, which i think time could well shift think over time could well shift the way resources are allocated and the way government is thinking about this well .

thinking about this as well. >> and just briefly, what do >> and ed, just briefly, what do you think? there's lots talk , you think? there's lots of talk, of course, but actual action is perhaps needed. what action is neededin perhaps needed. what action is needed in the long terme? i think that i think that there's a lot evidence that a lot of evidence that investment in in the earliest years has much greater impact than investment later on. >> so we're much better off spending a pound on supporting babies and parents than we are necessarily on building more prisons. for example . and so prisons. for example. and so overall, i would be encouraging investment to happen earlier in education. we invest more in secondary than we do in primary, more in primary than we do in early years. and ideally we would switch that around. and i think what the opportunity is here is to build public understanding build understanding of that, to build pubuc understanding of that, to build public of public understanding of the importance that time, importance so that over time, this political issue. this isn't a political issue. this of those things this is one of those things that's and always that's important and not always urgent. so the more that urgent. and so the more that people are aware of the importance of this, the more that can positive that we can create positive change in communities. we can also to influence the also then start to influence the way government is allocating resources okay

resources as well. okay >> litvinenko, thank you very much. a merry christmas to much. and a merry christmas to you. coming up, you. thank you. coming up, prince has taken america prince william has taken america by really by storm, but does he really have the makings of a global

>> hello. thank you for being a big part of gb news >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year. >> from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas, happy christmas , merry christmas, christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , merry christmas, merry christmas here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas . >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> welcome back to a royal year. now post—pandemic , the king and now post—pandemic, the king and queen have embarked on several successful state visits, including kenya, germany and

france. and while in france, the king became the first british monarch in history to address the french senate . and i'm the french senate. and i'm delighted to say eric becquet, a french senator, joins me now. eric, welcome to gb news. how significant was it that the king addressed the french senate from the chamber? >> well, it was a great honour for the french senate. king charles the third chose the senate to talk to the members of parliament of the national assembly and the senators, and he chose the senate, which was a great occasion , of course, for great occasion, of course, for all parliamentarians of france to hear that speech. >> and how important is that relationship between france and britain and strengthening it ? britain and strengthening it? and how does the king contribute to that ? to that? >> well, indeed, it was an important moment. seven days, seven years after the brexit, that the british people chose , that the british people chose, which i respect. of course, it was essential for the monarch to show that the relationship between france and great britain is still fundamental in the

european continent . britain is european continent. britain is not part of the eu again today, but they are still a neighbour. they are still an important nafion they are still an important nation and it's essential for france and the united kingdom to cooperate on central issues . cooperate on central issues. >> and i believe you had the chance to meet his majesty after his speech in the senate. what was that like? what did he say to you? >> well, it was great opportunity for me as you may know, i used to be an english teacher. i taught english for 30 years, so i had to the chance to shake hands with the monarch, exchange words, uh, exchange a few words, uh, telling him that i tried in my whole career to teach the queen's english. english which made him smile a little wonderful . wonderful. >> thanks so much, eric. because french senator , thanks for french senator, thanks for speaking to me. >> bye bye. >> okay, bye bye. >> okay, bye bye. >> prince william's >> now, prince william's popularity appears to be going from to strength. but from strength to strength. but not just here in no he not just here in britain. no he appears be becoming very appears to be becoming very popular the world, popular around the world, particularly america , with particularly in america, with some him as a global

some dubbing him as a global statesman. so will he help out the british government in their quest for soft diplomacy ? quest for soft diplomacy? madeleine collier has more. the last year has been one of great change and even greater challenge. >> 2023 saw the future king's evolution on the international stage, with a calendar full of diplomats engagements, embracing global challenges like climate change and the war in ukraine. many royal watchers have suggested prince william is carving out his own identity as a future modern monarch. he proved a hit in new york for his earthshot prize summit that americans like to have that sense of. >> we could be better, we could be doing more. and he kind of embodies that. so he was also dubbed the most popular public figure in america, according to a gallup poll, beating figure in america, according to a gallup poll , beating both a gallup poll, beating both president biden and trump. >> show the prince has clearly won over americans of all stripes . stripes. >> and these days, that is, we

all know, no small feat . all know, no small feat. >> prince william took the earthshot prize award ceremony to singapore in search of solutions to repair our planet £1 million prizes were given out to five winners from around the world, and he stated hope does remain the light of optimism is burning bright in our earthshot finalists and memorably declared the next ten years the most consequential decade in history. the prince of wales also used his influence to emphasise britain's support for ukraine unannounced , the prince paid a unannounced, the prince paid a visit to poland to speak to british and polish troops stationed just outside the ukrainian border. stationed just outside the ukrainian border . william also ukrainian border. william also visited a shelter and spoke to a number of refugees , using his number of refugees, using his platform to highlight their plight. his visit to an lgbtq+ restaurant in poland's capital, warsaw, quietly contributed to his strategy of statesmanship to

human rights groups have called out what they see as polish authorities hatred , rhetoric authorities hatred, rhetoric against the community. despite heavy criticism for carrying out far less engagements than a number of working royals in 2023, william chose to focus on fewer causes to create real impact for the future. it's understood prince william and his wife, catherine are also paying his wife, catherine are also paying more overseas visits on behalf of the british government in the new year, with feet firmly planted on the world stage, his influence as future king could do wonders for brand britain . madeleine collier gb britain. madeleine collier gb news is joining me now. >> is american journalist and royal expert kinsey schofield. welcome and a merry christmas to you . you. >> thank you so much, cameron. i you know, nothing i love more than the royals at christmas time. so great to talk to you . time. so great to talk to you. >> absolutely. kinsey. let's

talk prince william and his absolute storm. but he created in new york city surrounded by royal fans on his trip. >> absolutely right. i mean, how fun is it to see for me, the royal family in the states and with prince william specifically , just an enormous line of people lined up to see him outside of that firehouse cheering , screaming, everyone cheering, screaming, everyone having their own personal stories about why they love him or relate to him and his family. and he's a rock star here in the united states. and, you know, there was the joke about him in those . what was it? the waiters those. what was it? the waiters like he had on the when he was in the water and all of the internet, like collectively losing their mind about how handsome he looked in that situation. so is this prince william being a global statesman , then a recent gallup poll, as we heard in that beat there, suggests that he is the public figure most likely to unite america. >> that's a huge , you know, bit >> that's a huge, you know, bit

of information for him. >> isn't that so bizarre that we look to prince william ? i mean, look to prince william? i mean, one of the most likeable characters , especially with how characters, especially with how polarising our politics have become. i think it's because he's a calming figure. become. i think it's because he's a calming figure . he's he's a calming figure. he's a mature figure. we've seen him handle kind of chaos under pressure , and we like the pressure, and we like the reaction . um, you know, there's reaction. um, you know, there's been a lot of negative attention on him and his family over the last several years. and to watch the way that he handles it. and it is that never complain , never it is that never complain, never explain. there's a maturity in that. there's a calmness in that . and bizarrely, there's a kind nessin . and bizarrely, there's a kind ness in that. and i think that americans really admire that about him. >> can see we look forward to seeing what he gets up to in 2024. thank you so much for joining me. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> well, as you've heard, it's been a pretty busy 2023 for the royal family. but what on earth does 2024 have in store? i'm

rejoined by my panel . a former rejoined by my panel. a former butler to king charles ii, grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph, india mactaggart grant, first of all, what on earth's going to happenin all, what on earth's going to happen in 2024? >> i have no idea. but the way i see it is this year has been a bit of a, i suppose, a kind of honeymoon period for the new king. and queen. but as you know, it'll be business as usual. carry on next year we'll have the same. we'll have more overseas trips, state visits, uh, official duties , uh, obviously official duties, behind events going behind the scenes events going on. will be business on. so it will just be business as only surprise is as usual. the only surprise is if suddenly, any if they're suddenly, um, any royal pregnancies or anything like which i doubt. like that, which i doubt. but youwatch this space. uh, india >> watch this space. uh, india grant mentioned a honeymoon penod grant mentioned a honeymoon period being over there for the king and queen. do you think the real is yet to come? real test is yet to come? >> i think in many ways, maybe because obviously we had the build the coronation, we build up to the coronation, we had monumental event. um, had the monumental event. um, and , there's and next year, there's not something sort of all go something to sort of all go around like that at all. so i think we're going to see them go to the commonwealth. obviously there frayed ties

there are sort of frayed ties there. australia or there. um, probably australia or new canada as well. um, new zealand, canada as well. um, so i think he's he's definitely going to focus on, on being more overseas and sort of flexing his soft muscles, as it soft diplomacy muscles, as it were . were. >> there were certainly a lot to keep eye grant, india, keep an eye on. grant, india, thanks so much forjoining me throughout this entire show. really time. really appreciate your time. of course, much to get course, there is so much to get through in 2024. you can keep right to date gb right up to date here on gb news. i'm cameron walker, gb news. i'm cameron walker, gb news correspondent. news is royal correspondent. merry christmas and happy merry christmas and a happy new year. yeah >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news . on gb news. >> hello there , i'm greg >> hello there, i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your latest gb news weather. we've got storm garrett on the way after what has been a fairly calm boxing day. it does turn very unsettled . expecting some very unsettled. expecting some travel disruption over the next 24 hours. storm garrett is going

to move in tight isobars, indicating very strong winds across the country. some heavy rain and blizzards across scotland as well. this evening time dry across the north—east of the uk. but further south and west, rain quickly piling in, turning heavy as we move into the early hours. the winds picking up too, with gales around the coast generally mild tonight as the temperatures rise and the cloud and the rain moves in some icy stretches across northern scotland as the rain bumps into the colder air across the higher ground of scotland. we will see this turn to snow and with strengthening winds we could see some blizzards developing 6070 mile an hour. gusts are possible and the rain heavy across much of the uk, leading to spray on the roads and some local flooding. very mild temperatures 1213 celsius but wind gusts 40 to 50 miles an hour 60 to 70 around the coast. it will feel cooler than this thursday. it remains unsettled . thursday. it remains unsettled. further blustery showers across the uk . some of these heavy, at the uk. some of these heavy, at times gusty winds for all, some

brighter spells at times in between those showers moving through and temperatures generally around , if not generally around, if not a little above average for the time of year, then it stays unsettled right through into the weekend . weekend. >> looks like things are heating up boxed boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. this is farage at large christmas special live from birmingham . birmingham. >> please welcome your host nigel farage. evening, everybody. >> i'm here live in birmingham with an audience that they're wildly enthusiastic .

wildly enthusiastic. >> we're going to have a great show. we'll talk local birmingham politics. we're going to give out some christmas pnzes to give out some christmas prizes to people doing great work in the community. >> and we're going to have local lad legendary lad roy woods, a legendary figure whose record 50 years ago, i wish he could be christmas every day. >> and he'll be on that stage with his band playing it later. >> all of that comes after the . news >> good evening. this is the latest from the gb newsroom storm garrett set to batter britain overnight, bringing strong wind, rain and snow. the met office has issued several yellow weather warnings from midnight into the early hours on thursday. gusts between 50 to 70mph will sweep across the country with high ground and exposed coasts being hit the hardest. most of england and wales will see torrential rain, whereas the peaks of scotland and the northern isles are likely to see some snow