Chris Balster

"I try all things, I achieve what I can."

[The Mellon Heads - LOTR Podcast @mellon_heads]

Pope Leo XIV speaking about JRR Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings after quoting Gandalf in his first encyclical

[Majesty Magazine (& Joe Little) @MajestyMagazine]

NEW: The King has appointed two new members to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle: Professor Sir James (Jim) McDonald, one of Scotland's most distinguished engineers and university leaders, and Sir James MacMillan, one of the today’s most performed composers.

[Chris Balster @ChrisBalster]

'Ethel W. Parker of Nantucket and Local Fishing Fleet' by Deryck Foster, 1980.

[Today in History @TodayinHistory]

To continue the celebration of Museum Week, here is another one of my favorites!

Galleria Colonna in Rome 🙌🏼

[The Wonder of Tolkien @TolkienWonder]

“If you really want to know what Middle-earth is based on, it's my wonder and delight in the earth as it is, particularly the natural earth...and I also was born with a great love of trees."

- Tolkien (1966 Interview)

[The Army in London @ArmyInLondon]

Rain couldn't stop them: Britain's finest complete final dress rehearsal ahead of The King's Birthday Parade. Not a step was missed. Not a note was wrong. The rain didn't stand a chance. @BritishArmy @GrenadierGds @HCav1660

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

Today we remember the men and women involved in the great crusade and the largest amphibious operation in history.

Crew of @HMSDragon took time during operations in the Arabian Sea to pay a traditional flight deck tribute to all those involved in #DDay and Operation Neptune.

[Chris Balster @ChrisBalster]

The Blood Ship (1927).

[NASA @NASA]

This spiral galaxy, recently observed by @NASAHubble, is in the middle of a cosmic journey that will take it hundreds of millions of years. Learn more: https://t.co/ebWeGyWicp

[DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm]

A group of U.S. states, including California and New York, are preparing to file a lawsuit to block Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros.

(Source: https://t.co/xccvUHUH4s)

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

For the first time in history, The King, as Sovereign and Captain General of the @RoyalMarines, has presented new Colours to 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando Royal Marines at Windsor Castle.

It is the first time that four Commando units have received new Colours concurrently.

Addressing troops on parade and their guests, His Majesty said:

“It is now twenty-five years since my father, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, presented new Colours to the Royal Marines, and so it gives me immense pride and pleasure to be able to do so once again today.”

[Alastair Bruce @AlastairBruce_]

Lady Pamela Hicks died today

GtGtGrandDaughter of Queen Victoria.

She accompanied her parents, Lord and Lady Mountbatten, when they were the last Viceroy and Vicereine of India.

… and was with Elizabeth II in Kenya, when she became Queen.

She lived and served through an extraordinary life - another school friend of my late mother’s has been gathered.

[Pop Base @PopBase]

‘The Truman Show’ was released 28 years ago today.

[DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm]

Antony Starr says that AI in movies is horrible.

“‘AI] is coming no matter what’ bla bla bla… Recent movies have proven that people want human stories. Not big ridiculous VFX-driven nonsense

Ever tried to go to an Al movie premiere? The cast are horrible and they hate their human fans.”

[Gurkha Brigade Association @Gurkha_Brigade]

The Royal Artillery (RA) and the Brigade of Gurkhas were honoured to welcome His Majesty King Charles III as the Inspecting Officer for the official formation parade of The King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA) on 4 June 2026.

His Majesty was received with a 21‑gun salute before being presented with a traditional mala flower garland. Children of Gurkha families then stepped forward to offer flowers to the King, adding a warm and personal touch to the occasion.

In his address, His Majesty celebrated the establishment of the British Army’s newest regiment and expressed his pride in witnessing the formation of the KGA in his role as Captain General of the Royal Artillery.

See the full article on our website: https://t.co/ywk3eFjfku

#Gurkha #RoyalArtillery #Nepal #Soldier #Army #BritishArmy #TheKing #KingCharles

[DiscussingFilm @DiscussingFilm]

Steven Spielberg says that John Williams' score for ‘DISCLOSURE DAY’ is more subtle than his previous scores.

“He said ‘this time I’m going to write music not to lead the film, I’m going to write music under the film to give it the slight nudge forward.’”

[WikiVictorian @wikivictorian]

A woman staring at the sea in front of Cliff House, San Francisco. Photographed in 1900.

[PA Media @PA]

Camilla celebrates founding of the Royal Hospital Chelsea

[ArtNouveauDeco @NouveauDeco]

The Art Nouveau "Hagabadet" spa from 1906 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Designed by architect Wilhelm Klemming.