Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh spent the day immersed in the Isle of Wight’s creative heartbeat on Thursday, touring cultural hubs across the island that stretched from galleries to grassroots initiatives.

Beginning at Quay Arts in Newport he was joined by Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon as he explored exhibitions and met local arts organisations. 

Groups including Shademakers, The New Carnival Company, and IW Open Studios spoke with him about the growing range of artistic activity taking shape across the region.

Wandering through exhibitions by Andrew Dutton, Del Seymour, and Ian Whitmore, the Duke engaged with artists and heritage groups featuring work rooted in island life and identity. 

The visit also took him inside the Anthony Minghella Theatre, where attention turned to the “CAN YOU HEAR US?” programme, a creative community initiative delivered with Creative Island and Creative Lives.

The project is designed to support local expression through micro-grants, funding everything from craft workshops and music sessions.

Running from March to October 2026, it aims to amplify community voices and encourage wider participation in the arts.

During the visit, Edward met participants from a broad mix of groups, including Young Farmers, the IW Indonesian Community, In Focus, and HMP Isle of Wight, hearing how creative projects are helping people connect.

The itinerary continued beyond Newport, with further stops planned at Ventnor Exchange, Ventnor Arts Club, Brading Youth Club, and Brading Roman Villa.

He is expected to meet museum representatives and present the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at the village hall.

Pakistani actors Ramsha Khan and Khushhal Khan on Friday confirmed their marriage on Friday, saying they were “incredibly grateful” to be stepping into a new chapter together.

The newlyweds made the announcement in a joint post on Instagram, showing Ramsha wearing a red outfit, while Khushhal donned a black attire.

However, their faces were not visible in any of the picture shared in the post.

“Bismillah, with full hearts, we’re so happy to share that we’re married, Alhamdulilah. We feel incredibly grateful to be stepping into this new chapter together,” they wrote in the caption of the post.

“To everyone who has supported us and shown us love along the way, thank you. It truly means more than we can put into words. As we celebrate this moment, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy,” the post read.

Ramsha and Khushhal also thanked fans and well-wishers “for being part of our journey” and for always “sending us so much love”.

Royal family released a statement personally penned by the Queen after facing a devastating loss.

On April 17, Queen Mary of Denmark expressed her immense gratitude towards her well-wishers for sending their support after her father’s death.

For the unversed, Denmark’s royals announced the death of Mary’s father, John Dalgleish Donaldson, on April 12. He passed away at the age of 84.

Sharing an emotional message, Queen Mary wrote, “My heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming number of messages, flowers and warm thoughts regarding my father’s death.

“The enormous amount of empathy has touched us deeply and means more than words can say. HM The Queen.”

Earlier, Queen Mary revealed that her heart is very heavy after his father departed from the world.

In a heartfelt note, she expressed that the love and gratitude her father imparted will always stay with her as she bids him farewell.