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Inside the royal family’s secret ‘Balmoral Test’ that makes or breaks potential brides
A stay at Queen Elizabeth II’s Scottish castle may sound like a fairy tale, but for a royal bride-to-be, Balmoral can quickly turn into a high-stakes audition where every misstep is remembered.
Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, who recently wrote a memoir, “The Royal Insider,” described the “Balmoral Test,” an unspoken assessment where senior royals size up newcomers to determine whether they truly belong within the family’s deeply private world.
“The ‘Balmoral Test’ was cruel,” wrote Burrell. “Outsiders, most importantly potential brides, were brought there like specimens to be inspected by the family to see if they came up to scratch and if they were suitable.”
He noted that the rite of passage has “been this way since Queen Victoria’s day, which is no surprise, as the castle hasn’t changed much either.”
Royal commentator Amanda Matta described it as a silent compatibility test.
“Most modern families would probably recognize that dynamic, where newcomers are vetted against the existing family structures,” she explained.
“The main difference between the ‘Balmoral Test’ and a barbecue at my family home would be the established, highly conservative standards of the extended family. Even in private family moments, hierarchy never fully disappears.”
WATCH: KING CHARLES, PRINCESS DIANA’S HEATED FIGHTS DETAILED BY ROYAL BUTLER
The royals aren’t just looking for impeccable manners, though that’s only the bare minimum. Guests are expected to roll up their sleeves and prove they can handle the grit of country life, with no exceptions.
“You were expected to shoot and hunt,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. “[In the past], there was the fox hunt, which involved foxes being chased on horseback, eventually being caught and torn to pieces by a pack of dogs, with blood everywhere.”
“Camilla was a regular fox hunter, while Diana would find these traditions barbaric,” he said. “I am quite sure both Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton may have been totally dismayed at the carnage, although Kate, being more used to country pursuits, may have endured some of the process. Fox hunting has been banned, but it is alleged that riding with hounds still exists.”
While hunting may no longer top the agenda, potential brides are still expected to tough it out and embrace the rougher side of country life.
“Balmoral remains the monarch’s most private sanctuary,” British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. “It’s as remote and as private as it can be, and approval there by the family signals inner-circle status. It’s all about loyalty to the family and adaptability to their unique unwritten ways.”
“It’s totally country-oriented,” Fordwich stressed. “Those who do best are those who understand rural ways, such as Kate. Walking even in inclement weather came naturally to her. She was instantly at home. Being sporty and athletic, she enjoyed nature and hiking. She still relishes it. In contrast, Meghan reportedly took umbrage at hunting and wasn’t into any of the field sports.”
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“What’s being evaluated isn’t just manners, though ideas of comportment and deference do matter,” said Matta.
“But adaptability is another key point. Balmoral is famously informal by royal standards, but there are still schedules and rhythms that are observed. There are country walks, shoots, fishing expeditions and formal dinners. Newcomers will find themselves assessed on how they can ‘let their hair down’ and interact across generations, while still balancing the Firm’s unspoken rules.”
Matta said that despite Diana’s personal feelings, she ultimately passed the test “with flying colors,” thanks to her aristocratic upbringing. It meant she already knew exactly what the royals were looking for.
“She was perceived as an easygoing, ‘jolly’ presence who thrived in that country-house atmosphere,” said Matta. “Did that early success mask deeper incompatibilities that would later emerge in her marriage to Charles? Sure. Diana would eventually struggle because she was naturally more expressive than the senior royals. But in the beginning, the Balmoral setting rewarded her ability to perform the role expected of her.”
“Her experience highlights that passing the test doesn’t guarantee long-term success in the royal fold,” Matta warned. “The emotional realities of modern royal life can’t be summed up by a shooting weekend.”
British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital that the “Balmoral Test” goes far beyond embracing the outdoors. For guests, especially love interests, it’s about fully grasping royal traditions and etiquette. Every move is quietly observed and silently judged.
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“You don’t simply click your heels three times and, by magic, happily blend in,” said Chard. “Believing in the monarchy is key, along with a dedication to royal duty, understanding hierarchy within the family, and realizing every member has their role to play. Yes, it is a learning curve and, at times, it may be challenging. However, it’s also a prerequisite to a successful, happy life within ‘The Firm.’”
“It only takes one black sheep to create havoc within a family or organization,” Chard continued. “Certain personalities may adapt to royal protocols more quickly than others.
“However, many believe that time and a supportive partner willing to educate, give clear guidance, and help settle the ‘newbie’ into royal family life are key. It also highlights the love and strength of the relationship, preventing the ‘fish out of water’ feeling from creeping in.”
In his book, Burrell pointed out that even men faced judgment behind closed doors.
“Diana wasn’t the first to be scrutinized,” he wrote. “Even Princess Anne brought a cavalry officer called Mark Phillips here to meet the family.”
Famously, Kate passed the test with ease, quickly winning the royals over.
“Her reputation for being down-to-earth and outdoorsy translated well at Balmoral, where comfort in the natural landscape is highly valued,” said Matta.
“She was so well-received that her parents were invited to a shooting weekend the following year. Unlike Diana, Kate’s ‘Balmoral Test’ and subsequent visits might reveal her more durable alignment with the family’s dynamics, both in private and public. She has long been viewed as a royal partner who is willing to ‘go with the flow.’”
These days, the “Balmoral Test” has relaxed. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died in 2022. But the senior royals of today still keep a watchful eye on their guests.
“Any introduction to royal in-laws will naturally become a check on whether you understand the modern monarchy’s need for unity and discretion,” said Matta. “I do really think that the ‘test’ is better understood as a very elevated version of ‘meeting the family,’ where you’re quietly assessed on how well you mesh. It’s not decisive on its own, but it carries the weight of an extended first impression.”
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Paul Finebaum roasts Lane Kiffin for recent comments: “Trying to wipe Ole Miss off the map”
The world of college football is rarely dull. Even with the regular season a few months away from starting, this week has been full of drama.
And most of the most recent drama has been created by LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin, who’s no stranger to making headlines, made several comments that garnered attention in new interviews. The most contentious and controversial being some very pointed criticisms of Ole Miss, his former school.
Specifically Kiffin claimed Ole Miss would lose out on recruits because of supposed concerns over racial diversity on campus and in Oxford.
“‘Hey, coach, we really like you. But my grandparents aren’t letting me move to Oxford, Mississippi.’ That doesn’t come up when you say Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” Kiffin said to Vanity Fair. “Parents were sitting here this weekend saying the campus’s diversity feels so great: ‘It feels like there’s no segregation. And we want that for our kid because that’s the real world.'”
LANE KIFFIN TAKES SHOT AT OLE MISS, CITES RACISM IN RECRUITING GAP WITH LSU IN AWKWARD INTERVIEW
Reactions on social media were immediate and generally dismissive of Kiffin’s claims. And you can add one of the SEC’s biggest supporters to the list of those roasting him for bringing race into the Ole Miss discussion. Even at a new school.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, during a new episode of his “The Paul Finebaum Show,” went after Kiffin and had some thoughts on what motivated him to say what he did.
“An SEC coach at LSU is breaking big news in Vanity Fair,” Finebaum said. “Has to be shaking up Fifth Avenue right now. But it’s Lane Kiffin.
“The most important thing to factor in here, this wasn’t a slip of the tongue. I talked to the writer who did the Vanity Fair piece the other day, Curt [sic] Smith, he said he didn’t even ask Kiffin about the racism aspect, he just started rifting [sic]. This is Kiffin trying to wipe Ole Miss off the face of the Earth, he’s still very bitter at them, even though they’re the jilted lover. He’s bitter at them because they wouldn’t let him coach in the playoffs.
“And he has to recruit against them, he has to coach against them on September 19th, a game that will get a little bit of attention.”
Finebaum then took a minute to address Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s comments, which implied that Ole Miss has an advantage because it’s not a good academic school. “The Sarkisian thing is even more amazing. The fact that any coach is whining and complaining about anything … Steve Sarkisian makes about $12 million a year, and not one person on his roster is going to the University of Texas for their curriculum. They’re going for the money.”
Paul Finebaum, not holding back. And he’s right.
Lane Kiffin is bitter, upset, whatever the adjective, that Ole Miss didn’t let him coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job. But he knew that was going to be the outcome if he decided to leave, and he left anyway. Kiffin then essentially proved Finebaum right in another interview with Wilson Alexander from On3.com.
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“Obviously, I wish the timing was different. There was no way around it,” he said. “Tried to do everything possible to still coach and, obviously, that was [athletic director Keith Carter’s] decision and understandable. Do I still wish that had happened? Yeah, I do. I wish that would have been allowed to happen. Maybe we would have won it all.”
That’s why he’s so upset. He believed Ole Miss had a chance to win a national championship. And he would have that on his résumé, winning a title, especially at a program like Ole Miss. But he has no one to blame but himself for missing out on that opportunity. Even if the LSU job is a better one in the long run.
And he’s right on Sarkisian too. Sark knows the Texas football team isn’t there for academics, or at least, the starters. If any coach is going to complain about putting together a roster, it shouldn’t be the head of arguably the richest program in the country. With a massive NIL budget, classic uniforms, a legendary stadium and history, and a gigantic, devoted fan base.
Credit where credit’s due, Finebaum didn’t pull any punches. Even though the target was based in his beloved SEC.
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Cedric Alexander becomes new TNA X Division champion, crushing Leon Slater’s history-making attempt
All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.
Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company.
The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall.
Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.
Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.
Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the “greatest” X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down.
Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again.
Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA.
Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that “The System always wins.”
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner.
Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.
Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand.
Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show.
The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.
Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.
The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future.
He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past.
“Mike Santana, you’re gone next,” he declared.
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Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up.
“You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion.”
While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana.
Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on “Impact.”
Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was “suspended.” He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA.
Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.
In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head.
“You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist.”
Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title.
A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on “Impact” that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro.
While wearing “Show Stealer” across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.
Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.
It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count.
Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring.
He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory.
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