Like many, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have spent more time at home than ever in the past year, completing many of their royal duties via Zoom.
The majority of their video conferences are set up with a very neutral, decor-free background, but that was not the case for their most recent virtual engagement.
A video call arranged by Hospice UK was filmed from a previously unseen part of their Anmer Hall home, where the family have been isolating during the UK lockdown.
Very traditional decor choices can be clearly seen in the background of the video. There are decorative plates on the wall, a photograph of Prince George, a large metal-framed mirror and a number of plants, including an orchid.
The couple sat on a cream sofa with floral decorative cushions in shades of black and white. A small framed painting is visible on the grey wall behind them.
The call with frontline workers was released on Saturday, January 16. In the video, the couple discuss bereavement and the charity's Just 'B' initiative, which "provides a listening ear for those coping with the loss of colleagues, loved ones, and people they care for".
Watch an extract from the conversation here:
The family has given plenty of glimpses at the exterior of their Norfolk home, including their annual Christmas card image, which showed Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, sat with their children on bales of hay in front of stacked firewood at Anmer Hall.
Earlier in the year, the couple and their three children, Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2, clapped for carers outside their front door as part of the BBC's Big Night In in April.
The family of five stood in front of a large, old wooden doorway with decorative brickwork and two well-groomed bushes framing the entrance.
The Norfolk manor is the royal family's country home, however their official residence is London's Kensington Palace.
In 2016, photos from inside their Kensington Palace apartment were shared when then-President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited the family. Prince George, who was 2 at the time, was also in the photographs.
One photo shows the royal toddler sat on a rocking horse by the window, talking to his mother, while Prince William spoke to President Obama and Michelle Obama talked to Prince Harry.
A second photo showed off more of the royal decor, with a large fabric ottoman, grand piano and an ornate side table all visible. More contemporary window seats can also be seen in the background of the photo of Prince William speaking to President Obama.
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
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OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
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Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
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Infiniti QX80 specs
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Director: Majid Al Ansari
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
