Author: Mr Bang

Cancer has a visible effect on the body of those of us battling it (Image: Humphrey Nemar/Daily Express)

Cancer, and the ongoing treatment to keep me alive, has completely ravaged my body. My bowel is riddled with scar tissue, chemotherapy has caused osteoporosis in my spine, and my liver has been close to failing several times.

And every time I walk down the street or get on a bus I worry that people are judging me for how I look.

Since starting chemotherapy last summer I’ve put on at least two stone in weight due to steroids, my face has acquired a very unsexy pinkish red rash, my hair has many shades of grey and is a lot thinner than it’s ever been before, and I have a massive hernia that surgeons might not be able to operate on.

So when I saw the post by outspoken Good Morning Britain commentator Narinder Kaur about Kate, Princess of Wales, on Remembrance Sunday, when she wrote on X: “Genuine question – why has Kate aged so much? Isn’t she only 42? Is she a smoker? It’s the only explanation,” you can see why I was absolutely furious.

I’m on cycle 30 of my chemotherapy and, as a “lifer” in the cancer day unit I’ve witnessed as both men and women come to terms with how the disease has changed how they look.

None of us have had to do this under the spotlight that the Princess of Wales has had to endure. And, quite frankly, none of us look as good as she does after her treatment for cancer.

Princess Kate was questioned over her apparent ageing (Image: PA)

As she stood on the balcony overlooking the Cenotaph Princess Kate looked solemn and she looked cold. That’s it.

I don’t know what version of events Narinder Kaur was watching but I think everyone in my day unit would agree that what Ms Kaur said was despicable.

As her harsh words began to unravel she tried to justify herself by saying she was just asking about ageing.

I’m a child of the 1980s and was always taught it was rude to ask a woman her age. So genuine question, as she would say, why did Ms Kaur think that it was acceptable to post about ageing?

Instead of trying to justify herself by saying that her brother didn’t age during his cancer battle, why didn’t she appreciate that everyone with the disease is different?

Just because her brother looked a certain way, it doesn’t mean that everyone with cancer will look like that.

I’d love to look the way that I did before cancer (I’d especially like to be as thin as I was when I was 15) but I don’t have that luxury.

Instead, I’ve tried to come to terms with my disease-ravaged body, so when people like Ms Kaur question Princess Kate’s appearance it makes it more difficult for cancer sufferers like me to accept the way I am.

So here’s some advice for Narinder Kaur: Next time you have a “genuine question” about the way someone looks, just ask someone close to you instead of using it as a way to generate clicks and engagement on your social media accounts.

Fighting cancer is a tough enough battle both mentally and physically without being in the public eye, so it’s best to think before doing your best to be outspoken.

Princess of Wales recording her message announcing her cancer diagnosis (Image: PA)

Express Reporter Robert Fisk during cancer treatment (Image: Robert Fisk)

Queen Camilla was forced to miss last weekend’s Remembrance events due to a chest infection but the Palace says she will attend some engagements this week.

Queen Camilla is set to return to work today (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla will make her first public appearance later today, after Buckingham Palace revealed she was ill with a chest infection.

Last Tuesday, it was revealed that Her Majesty had pulled out of a number of scheduled engagements because of the seasonal bug. Doctors advised a short period of rest at home.

The Palace later advised that following doctors’ advice she would not be attending Remembrance events, which included the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening and the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph.

But the Queen is due to return to royal duties today, as she hosts a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the authors and books shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. The event has been cut short to accommodate Her Majesty’s recovery.

On Wednesday she will also attend a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate those who work in the television and film industry, but she will not join the King at the global premiere of Gladiator II that evening.

The Queen will not join the King on his birthday on Thursday, where he will be opening the first Coronation food hub at an undisclosed location.

Though Camilla is cutting down on her schedule, it is understood that there is no cause for concern beyond doctors’ guidance.

Her medics are just safeguarding her health to minimise any chance of a setback.

“Following doctors’ guidance to ensure a full recovery from a seasonal chest infection, and to protect others from any potential risk, Her Majesty will not attend this weekend’s Remembrance events,” the Palace said in a statement on Saturday.

“While this is a source of great disappointment to the Queen, she will mark the occasion privately at home and hopes to return to public duties early next week.”

Later today, the Queen will celebrate those shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.

Literacy has long been a key part of Camilla’s work, as a book lover herself she is keen to champion the value of reading and education.

The Booker Prize is the leading literary award in the English-speaking world and has rewarded and celebrated world-class talent since it was launched in 1969.

The winner, who will be announced during a ceremony tonight at Old Billingsgate in London, receives £50,000 and the six shortlisted authors are also awarded £2,500 each.

The shortlisted titles and authors for this year’s prize are: James by Percival Everett, Orbital by Samantha Harvey, Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner, Held by Anne Michaels, The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden and Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood.

Previous winners include Margaret Atwood, Paul Luynch, Bernardine Evaristo and Douglas Stuart.

With a US pressure group lobbying for Prince Harry’s US visa to be revoked, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be in for a difficult time under new President Donald Trump

The couple face a difficult few months with mounting pressure to re-examine Harrys’ visa (Image: Getty)

The surprise re-election of Donald Trump is sending shockwaves through America’s liberal society, but two California residents that may be feeling the pain of Kamala Harris’s loss most keenly are Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle.

Royal expert Jennie Bond, who was the BBC’s royal correspondent for well over a decade, has shared her opinions on what she believes could be a “squeaky bum time” for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

She points out that that Trump is the kind of man that carries a grudge, and he took great offence when Meghan called him “divisive and misogynistic”.

Jennie adds that, even though they have stepped back from official royal duties, Harry and Meghan are still bound by the protocol that forbids royals from commenting directly on political matters.

There’s little love lost between Meghan and Trump (Image: Getty)

With some of her comments about Trump, Meghan has come close to crossing that line and, Jennie stresses, “Any disparaging remarks or political interventions by either of them risk embarrassing the King.”

Jennie, writing in the i newspaper, adds that Harry will be anxious about moves to revoke his US visa: “A conservative American think-tank called The Heritage Foundation has been trying to force the publication of Harry’s visa documents.

“It argues that his admission in his book Spare that he has used a variety of drugs should bar him from living and working in America.”

Meghan has been rumoured to make her own bid for the White House someday (Image: Getty)

While the Sussexes stopped short of endorsing any candidate, VP harris did thank Meghan (Image: Getty)

The only positive for Harry, is that Trump is not that well-disposed towards the Heritage Foundation, as they are also investigating his own family background by forcing the release of immigration records of his wife’s late mother.

As a result, the President may not be particularly motivated to listen to their pleas at this time.

Prior to Trump’s electoral victory in 2016, Meghan announced that she would consider emigrating to Canada if Hillary Clinton lost out to him. She didn’t make good on her threat.

But now, as Jennie points out, the Sussexes have reportedly secured themselves a second home in Portugal, which might just come in handy if the worst should happen and they are forced out of the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were criticised by a royal commentator who called them out on their “bad judgements”.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have been having “sleepless nights in Montecito” after Donald Trump’s victory at the US election last week, as a series of “bad judgements” have been “catching with them”, according to a royal commentator.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not made any comment following Mr Trump’s election win. However, Harry’s visa arrangements have come back into the spotlight following a row that sparked earlier this year after a think tank requested his immigration records be made public due to his revelations about past drug use in his memoir Spare.

US-based journalist Lee Cohen was critical of the couple and said that while Mr Trump may not prioritise Harry’s visa records, his election should “give cause for anxiety” to the Montecito couple.

He told GB News: “It seems like divine justice or karma that the fortunes of the Sussex bosses have taken such a turn.

“Over the past year, bad behaviour and bad judgements have been catching up with them.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were criticised by a royal expert (Image: Getty)

“Now, with Donald Trump’s historic landslide last week, I imagine there have been some sleepless nights in Montecito.

“Whether it’s Portugal, Canada, Montecito or Frogmore, wherever the Sussexes drop anchor, they seem to wear out their welcome.

“I don’t know if this [Harry’s visa] will be Donald Trump’s first priority, but it certainly should give cause for some anxiety in Montecito.”

Earlier this year, the US President-elect hinted he could intervene regarding Prince Harry’s visa “if he lied” about taking drugs in the past.

Donald Trump was re-elected as US President last week (Image: Getty)

The Duke of Sussex opened up on his past use of drugs in his memoir Spare.

Harry’s immigration records remain private after a judge in Washington DC ruled that his visa application should not be made public following requests by US think-tank The Heritage Foundation.

 

In a powerful and emotional statement, Prince William has reportedly opened up about his late mother Princess Diana’s tragic death, claiming to know the person behind the car accident that took her life. According to sources, William tearfully admitted that he has long harbored knowledge of the individual who allegedly orchestrated the circumstances leading to the fatal crash. However, he expressed a painful restraint, explaining that he is unable to publicly expose this person, which has left both the royal family and the public stunned.

 

 

Princess Diana’s death in 1997 remains a point of intrigue and speculation, with numerous theories arising over the years regarding the true cause of the accident in Paris. While official investigations concluded that the crash was a tragic result of reckless driving by the chauffeur and the relentless pursuit by paparazzi, conspiracy theories have persisted, with some believing there was a hidden agenda behind Diana’s untimely demise. Now, William’s alleged remarks suggest that he may have personal insights into what happened that night, hinting at unresolved feelings that he has been carrying since his mother’s death.
Prince William reportedly became emotional as he spoke about this mysterious figure whom he believes played a role in Diana’s fate. He is said to have struggled with the desire for justice for his mother while feeling restrained by factors that prevent him from going public. These confessions have raised questions about royal protocols and the burdens that come with being in the public eye. Many have speculated that this reluctance to reveal the individual’s identity may be tied to maintaining stability within the royal family or preventing additional turmoil.

The news of William’s revelation has drawn an outpouring of sympathy and support from the public, who have long admired Diana and empathized with the challenges her sons faced in the aftermath of her death. Supporters have taken to social media to express their heartbreak over William’s predicament, with many rallying behind him and Prince Harry for their strength and resilience over the years.
This candid admission has also reignited public interest in Diana’s legacy and the lingering questions surrounding her passing. While William may never feel at liberty to reveal all that he knows, his words have added a new layer of depth to the mystery of Diana’s death. The world continues to mourn her loss and now sympathizes more deeply with the heavy burdens carried by her children, who have sought to honor her legacy despite the many challenges they face.

An insider has revealed that this festive period will see Meghan Markle launch a major charm offensive, as the Sussexes’ popularity begins to drop.

This festive period will see Meghan Markle launch a major charm offensive – insider (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle is set to launch a major charm offensive in the hope of rebuilding connections in Hollywood, an insider has claimed.

An insider told Closer Magazine a “lonely” Duchess of Sussex will plan to strengthen her friendships this festive season. They said: “Meghan has been meticulously curating gift packages filled with a selection of all her favourite things – and of course, plenty of her jam – to send to the who’s who of Hollywood.

“While there is no doubt it’s about promoting her American Riviera Orchard brand, it’s also about spreading goodwill and trying to remind people of her softer side. With Christmas around the corner, Meghan sees it as the perfect time to try to rebuild connections and is determined not to start 2025 surrounded by negativity.”

They added she has been feeling “increasingly lonely” and wants to concentrate on “strengthening friendships”.

Since the soft launch of her brand ‘American Riviera Orchard’, in March 2024, Meghan has sent samples in the form of jam to Hollywood’s biggest power players.

The insider said: “She’s sending them out to all her friends and acquaintances, and is willing to spend a fortune and a whole lot of time because she sees it as an investment in her relationships.”

However, as in many new businesses, the duchess’s launch has suffered many setbacks, with the latest one in September reportedly involving “irregularities” with its trademark and its registration to the US Patents and Trademarks Office – the agency responsible for granting US patents and registering trademarks.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not spent Christmas Day at Sandringham since 2018, the same year they got married.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are probably going to spend Christmas in America (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are no longer senior working members of the Royal Family, but this does not mean they are banned from Christmas at Sandringham.

The couple, who last spent Christmas with the Royal Family in 2018, have opted to spend the festive season overseas for the last five years, especially since they relocated to the US in 2020.

While they could return to the country for the festive season, this is unlikely to happen for a number of reasons, with one being the ongoing rifts between the Duke of Sussex and some members of his family, including his brother Prince William.

Another reason for their absence is the ongoing concerns Harry feels about his family’s security, particularly his wife Meghan Markle. The prince had once vowed that he would not bring his family to the UK until the issue of security was sorted.

However, should the Royal Family still invite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Christmas at Sandringham? Let us know what you think by voting here or in the poll below.

When talking about the upcoming festive period, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “The idea of them spending Christmas with the Royal Family is rather terrifying. Not everyone is lucky enough to relax during the festive season, and if the Sussexes were there no one could.”

While they may not have yet had an invite to Sandringham, the family were invited to spend Christmas elsewhere in the UK.

According to a source, the Duke of Sussex was invited to bring his wife and children to Althorp House, the childhood home of Princess Diana, Harry’s mother.

Earl Charles Spencer, Harry’s close uncle, lives in the property and is believed to have invited the duke for the holidays. However, it is expected that the couple will instead stay firmly put in America over the holiday season

Prince Harry has reportedly been invited to stay with his uncle this Christmas (Image: Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Members of the Royal Family expected to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the King and Queen Camilla include Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

Prince Edward and his wife Duchess Sophie are also expected to be present for the Christmas celebrations, along with Princess Anne.

Prince Andrew is also likely to attend the Royal Family’s Christmas celebrations if the feud over Royal Lodge is resolved.

The Duke of Sussex paid tribute to veterans, reaffirming his “lifelong admiration and appreciation” for their “service and sacrifice”.

Prince Harry paid tribute to veterans on Armistice Day (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry has issued a rare statement to honour veterans this Armistice Day.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, reaffirmed his “lifelong admiration and appreciation” for their “service and sacrifice” in a rare statement on Monday, marking Remembrance Day in the UK and Veterans Day in the US.

The duke, who served in the army for 10 years and fought in Afghanistan, praised veterans’ for having played a “vital role in defending the values of liberty, freedom, and security”, saying: “These values bind us together and have shaped you as leaders and role models.”

The prince wrote: “My Fellow Veterans, As we mark both Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, I reaffirm my lifelong admiration and appreciation for the service and sacrifice you and your families have made – both in times of conflict and peace.

“You have played a vital role in defending the values of liberty, freedom, and security. These values bind us together and have shaped you as leaders and role models.

“At a time of global uncertainty, remember the unity and purpose that defined your service, and do not hesitate to put that into action in your communities. That same spirit should guide all of us in facing today’s challenges.

“Your example and morality demonstrate that true power lies in our ability to unite and confront the obstacles before us.”

The duke continued: “As you continue to serve – making valued contributions to communities, colleagues, households and and all those we love – my hope is that our commiunities will continue to serve your needs too. Your contributions do not stop because you no longer wear the uniform, and the collective sense of appreciation for what you have done for your countries should not stop either.

“Let today be a reminder that the true message of gratitude is not in words alone, but in our actions and our ongoing efforts to build a world worthy of the sacrifices that those before us have made – and to protect it for generations to come. To all those who have served – past and present – I offer my deepest respect and thanks. Your service had made a lasting, positive impact for our communities, our nations, and our share futures. I am honoured to stand with you.”

Prince Harry did not attend Remembrance events in the UK with the Royal Family (Image: CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As he is no longer a senior working member of the Royal Family, the prince did not attend The Cenotaph service with other Royals on Sunday.

The service saw the King and Prince William lay wreaths and stand in remembrance.

It is believed Harry marked Remembrance Day privately at his Montecito home with his wife Meghan Markle and their two children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

EXCLUSIVE: One royal expert shared why he believes Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to be snubbed from the Sandringham gathering this year.

Meghan and Harry pictured at Sandringham in December 2018 (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to face a royal Christmas snub for one “terrifying” reason, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

It has been reported that Harry and Meghan have not received an invite to spend Christmas with the Royal Family at the Sandringham estate – an annual tradition also previously upheld by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Although they are not expected to be there, Mr Fitzwilliams said just the idea of it is “rather terrifying” due to how it would likely affect other members of the Royal Family.

He told Express.co.uk: “The idea of them spending Christmas with the Royal Family is rather terrifying. Not everyone is lucky enough to relax during the festive season, and if the Sussexes were there no one could.”

This year would mark the sixth Christmas that both Harry and Meghan have spent apart from the royals should the Sussexes not travel to the UK for the holidays. They last spent time at Sandringham in December back in 2018 – just seven months after they tied the knot in Windsor.

To mark their son’s first Christmas back in 2019, Meghan and Harry took Prince Archie, then aged seven months, to Vancouver Island.

By Christmas 2020, the family had moved to the US – where they now reside in Montecito, California.

Recently speaking to GB News, Charlotte Griffiths – who is the Editor at Large at the Mail on Sunday – claimed that, if Christmas in the UK were an option for the Sussexes, it would likely see only Harry travelling.

She said: “I do think Harry is going to come over to the UK more and more. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he came over at Christmas, but he will be coming on his own.

Harry and Meghan are thought to have not been invited to Sandringham next month (Image: GETTY)

“I think there’s no way Meghan will come over. It might be that they spend Christmas in Portugal and he nips over to see the family.

Discussing Sandringham, she appeared to agree with Mr Fitzwilliam’s comment that the family would not be able to relax with Harry and Meghan present.

She added: “I don’t think he’s usually invited to Balmoral. They don’t feel they can relax when he’s at Balmoral with them, so I don’t think he’ll pop up there.”

Royal expert and historian Richard Fitzwilliams believes it is “unlikely” that the Duke of Sussex will appear at this poignant yearly event as a working royal ever again.

Prince Harry is ‘unlikely’ to attend the Remembrance Day service ever again (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry is “unlikely” to ever make another appearance at the National Service of Remembrance held at the Cenotaph every year, according to a royal commentator.

As the King stepped out alongside other senior members of the Royal Family at yesterday’s service, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle were noticeably absent once again. The couple, who got married in 2018, announced their plans to step back from royal duties in 2020 and have since been living in the US with their two children. This move led to the Duke of Sussex having to relinquish his military patronages and renounce the right to wear his military uniform at events.

Discussing Harry, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News: “I quite honestly think that it’s probably unlikely that we will see him at The Cenotaph again. On the other hand, the Sussexes are unpredictable and so is life, so who knows? Of course, this is tremendously unfortunate, and when they stepped down the senior working royals, that was their decision to go to California, and that means that he can’t wear a uniform, and it means he has no military patronages.”

He added: “Clearly, it is upsetting, and I think he will unquestionably miss it. The main commemoration is obviously tremendously moving, and he will clearly in a sense wish he were part of it.”

While the King – who will celebrate his 76th birthday later this week – was present at Sunday’s service, Queen Camilla was absent due to a chest infection.