Author: bang2

Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer shared an insight into Prince Harry’s long-standing obsession with his public perception.

Prince Harry’s “biggest fault” was apparent long before he met his wife Meghan Markle, according to a royal expert. Express.co.uk’s royal correspondent Richard Palmer spoke on this week’s Royal Round Up about a tour he took with the Duke of Sussex to the US before 2016, where his obsession with media scrutiny became clear.

 

On that trip Harry was reportedly “pouring over” press coverage of the event, in particular the public’s comments about him.

Mr Palmer told Pandora Forsyth: “I think one of Harry’s biggest faults actually is that he does pay an overt amout of attention to what is written about him and his wife.

“That’s always been the case, I can remember being on a tour to the US with him, we went to Colorado and went to see the Warrior Games.

“It was a really interesting tour, but he did say at one point during that trip that he’d been looking at a story in Heat magazine, actually I think one of his biggest fans might have been writing for them.”

Prince Harry has always been too focussed on press coverage, according to a royal commentator (Image: Getty)

The Duke of Sussex has been worried about media attention since before he even met Meghan (Image: Getty)

He added: “We were all saying, ‘why are you worrying what’s being said in these gossip magazines’?

“Maybe we lacked a bit of self-awareness because we, I think, newspaper reporters and broadcasters, specialist royal correspondents felt that we were doing more checking and trying to make sure that what we wrote was true.

“Now I think he just lumps everybody in together in the media.

“He used to spend a lot of time pouring over the comments from the public in online stories.”

Harry and Meghan have faced a lot of public scrutiny throughout their relationship (Image: Getty)

Richard Palmer said that people in the spotlight need to have a “hard skin” (Image: Getty)

The royal expert highlighted the need for “people in public life” to have a “hard skin”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were this week mocked in an episode of US cartoon comedy series South Park.

The episode features the characters the Prince and Princess of Canada, a young royal couple who move to a small town in search of privacy while at the same time drawing attention to themselves non-stop.

The outfit the princess wears, a white hat and pink off-the-shoulder dress, are remarkably similar to what Meghan wore for the Trooping the Colour in 2018.

Harry and Meghan at Trooping the Colour in 2018 (Image: Getty)

They then embark on a ‘We want privacy’ tour to France, Australia and India.

Prince Harry’s memoir Spare is also parodied in the show, except in cartoon form it is titled Waaagh.

On the show the prince character says to an interviewer: “We just want to be normal people – all this attention is so hard.”

Watch The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show in the video player above

MEGHAN sparked “Meg Mania” and was adored by Brits but has fallen so “far” since the early days, a royal expert says.

Jack Royston said the nation went “crazy” when the Duchess stepped out for her first Royal duties at the end of 2017.

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MEGHAN sparked ‘Meg Mania’ and was adored by Brits but has fallen so ‘far’ since the early days, jack Royston saysCredit: Getty

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Mr Royston told The Sun how the nation went ‘crazy’ for the Duchess but it’s all changed since thenCredit: The Sun
But despite a dream start and a May 2018 wedding to Harry, The Sussexes quit the firm a year and a half later.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent said: “The whole of the beginning of 2018 she had her first big introduction to the UK.

“We were calling it Meg Mania at the time because everyone was going crazy.”

But Mr Royston says he struggles to get his head around how despite the warm welcome, Meghan’s time in The Firm ended in disaster.

He said: “It was just so random for me to look back on that time, when she was so adored in Britain, and see how far she has fallen in terms of the way they are viewed in this country.”

After quitting the Royal Family in January 2020, the Sussexes moved to Canada before settling in $14.5 million mansion in Montecito, California.

Reflecting on their departure, Mr Royston said it would be wrong to suggest the couple were “hated” by Brits.

He explained: “If you were to listen to the way Harry and Meghan talk about it, you would’ve thought everyone hated them.

“But actually people loved Harry and Meghan.

“They lined the streets on those early Royal jobs in Cardiff and Brixton – I was there for all of those.”

Mr Royston praised the Sussexes for giving “a lot” while on engagements for the family, adding they would “throw themselves into it”.

“They were good value”, he added.

NIGERIA TOUR

The Sussexes are currently on the second of a three tour of Nigeria.

The pair touched down in the capital Abuja on Friday morning to promote the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada.

After watching a sitting volleyball match in the capital Abuja – Harry was invited to have a go himself.

The event – which sees injured servicemen and women compete in a range of athletics events – was founded by Prince Harry and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

The Sussexes began their “faux-Royal tour” with a visit to Lightway Academy, a primary and secondary school in the capital.

On Saturday, Harry showed off his competitive side at an Invictus Games sitting volleyball event – just days after Prince William also tried his hand at the sport.

It came as the pair visited Nigeria’s defence HQ on Friday to meet military wives and senior officials.

Harry was gifted a portrait of his mother Princess Diana by the Nigerian government, as well as a painted picture from his 2018 wedding to Meghan.

If you were to listen to the way Harry and Meghan talk about it, you would’ve thought everyone hated them

Kack Royston, Chief Royal Correspondent At Newsweek

He later visited a military hospital in war torn Kaduna, around 200km north of Abuja.

The region has seen horrific fighting between nomadic Fulani herdsman and farmers, as well as an insurgency by Boko Haram Islamists.

While at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, the Duke shook hands with around 50 wounded soldiers and asked one bed-ridden hero if he’d named his prosthetic leg.

While holding the hand of another man, Harry asked: “Are they helping you? Are you feeling better?”

The 39-year-old was given a “big gown” and hula cap as a going home present from Kaduna governor Uba Sani.

Source claimed the King had agreed to let his distant son stay in a royal residence for the trip – but the offer was turned down.

PRINCE Harry jetted to the UK for a three-day stay last week but didn’t meet with his cancer-stricken dad King Charles.

Instead, the Duke of Sussex released a statement saying the monarch’s busy schedule prevented a reunion – and an expert has claimed it sent a message to Charles.

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Prince Harry visited the UK last week for three days but didn’t meet with his familyCredit: Reuters

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Prince Harry’s spokesperson released a statement about how the duke couldn’t meet with Charles due to ‘His Majesty’s full programme’Credit: PA

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Prince Harry flew to Nigeria with Meghan Markle following his UK tripCredit: Reuters
Prince Harry arrived last Tuesday and left on Thursday evening, and his spokesperson confirmed: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston said the message was carefully worded.

The royal expert told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “This was a very delicately worded statement and Harry isn’t always delicate.

“Sometimes he’s a bit of a bull in a china shop, but this was actually probably perfectly worded.

“It said just enough so that we all knew that it was Charles who had prevented the meeting or at least the palace side that had prevented the meeting, and that Harry had wanted to meet his father but it also did keep the tone warm and positive.

“So he said basically due to his schedule, but also got in there ‘and other priorities’.”

Jack claimed King Charles had a busy schedule on Wednesday hosting the famous Buckingham Palace Garden Party, he didn’t on Tuesday, which could have been a window for a reunion.

He continued: “But Charles did, in Harry’s view, clearly have some other priorities but Harry didn’t put the boot in, he didn’t put venom in the statement.

“He just made sure that people knew that he had wanted the meeting, and that it was the palace side who had stopped it from happening.”

Prince Harry travelled on Tuesday from his Montecito mansion in a whirlwind three-day visit for the glitzy Invictus event at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8.

Harry and Charles last reunited at Clarence House in February for their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months.

The prince flew to the UK alone without Meghan or their children Archie and Lilibet.

Harry did not see his brother Prince William – but had been “keen” to see his dad while visiting.

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Newsweek’s Chief Royal Correspondent Jack Royston spoke to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson in our Royal Exclusive showCredit: THE SUN

A timeline of Prince Harry’s family feud

In 2018, the Sun told how “simmering tension

The first hints of friction reportedly came after William was introduced to Meghan when she was staying at Kensington Palace.

Once she’d returned home to Canada, William and Harry sat down for a brother-to-brother chat.

He knew Harry was already head-over-heels for her but it has been claimed he advised him to take it slowly.

The younger prince reportedly didn’t take too kindly to the advice, with one royal source saying he “went mental”.

Then in June 2019 Harry and Meghan officially split off from the charity they shared with William and Kate.

The Royal Foundation will be divided between the Sussexes and Cambridges as the couples focus on their own separate charitable endeavours.

Prince William and Prince Harry first established the Royal Foundation in 2009 before Kate joined two years later shortly after their engagement was announced.

The trio would often appear together at events and the Foundation had huge successes with projects like the Invictus Games for injured veterans and the mental health Heads Together campaign.

The Royal Foundation said the decision was made following the conclusion of a review into its structure – but added both couples will continue to work together in the future.

Harry and Meg were living in close proximity to Kate and Wills within the Kensington Palace estate, but they switched to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor before baby Archie was born.

The move further increased rumours of a fallout.

Harry, 39, also hinted in his ITV documentary “Harry and Meghan, An African Journey” that he and his brother had grown apart.

In 2021, Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.

Harry then jetted back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace. But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.

In 2022, just before their grandmother the Queen died, sources claimed Kate acts as a “peacemaker” between the brothers.

Harry claimed his brother “knocked him to the floor” during an argument about Meghan, in his memoir.

In Spare, Harry said William branded Meghan “rude” and “difficult” during a row.

Harry alleged William “grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and … knocked me to the floor”.

He said he was left with a visible injury to his back following the argument in 2019 at Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where he was living at the time.

In January this year, Harry flew in to be with Charles after the monarch’s shock cancer diagnosis.

Harry flew back to the US the following day – without seeing Wills.

William has been stung by his brother’s attacks and has not spoken to Harry since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

This follows Harry slamming his family in his bombshell Spare memoir, and criticising the royals in their Harry & Meghan documentary.

Charles, 75, resumed public duties last week for the first time since beginning cancer treatment.

Sources claimed the King had agreed to let his distant son stay in a royal residence for the trip – but the offer was turned down.

Prince Harry’s statement about meeting up with King Charles

A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

“The Duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Harry is understood to have stayed in a hotel during his visit.

As reported by the Sunday Times, insiders close to His Majesty alleged it would have been more practical to arrange a meeting between the father and son should Harry have opted for a royal residence.

However, friends close to the duke insist he did his best to arrange seeing Charles before the long-awaited trip.

Following his UK trip, Prince Harry flew to Nigeria with Meghan Markle for a three-day visit in an effort to get the country to host the Invictus Games in 2029.

Harry and Meghan, who is of Nigerian descent, met with service members and their families, and participated in traditional cultural activities.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Africa for their three-day visit on FridayCredit: AFP

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Royal experts hailed their Nigeria trip as an ‘old-school royal tour’Credit: Reuters

King Charles is set to attend the Trooping of Colour ceremony next month, however, he won’t be following a beloved royal tradition.

King Charles will not be riding on horseback this year (Image: Getty)

King Charles will take part in the Trooping the Colour ceremony next month but will inspect the soldiers from a carriage, it is understood.

Charles, who is currently undergoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer, is expected to conduct the review of troops on June 15 from an Ascot Landau carriage with Queen Camilla by his side.

The monarch was given the all-clear to return to public duties in April after a short break, however, Buckingham Palace said that any future engagements involving the King “will be adapted where necessary” to accommodate his recovery.

It has also been reported that Charles may watch the military parade from a podium instead, having travelled there by carriage like his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Last year, Charles became the first monarch in more than 30 years to take part in Trooping the Colour on horseback.

King Charles riding on horseback during Trooping the Colour 2023 (Image: Getty)

The late Queen last rode out for the parade in 1986.

Trooping the Colour is held every year as an official birthday event for the monarch, even though Charles’s actual birthday is on November 14. It dates back centuries and became an annual event from 1760.

It is one of the biggest military ceremonies of the year, featuring around 1,600 parading soldiers, 400 musicians, and more than 200 horses, and is usually wrapped up with an RAF flypast over Buckingham Palace, watched by the Royal Family from the Palace balcony.

The year’s event will be taking place next month amid the General Election campaign.

It is unclear whether Princess Kate will attend this year’s celebrations (Image: Getty)

It is unclear whether the Princess of Wales, who is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, will attend the birthday celebrations.

However, Buckingham Palace today announced that she will not be taking the royal salute at the Colonel’s Review, one of the traditional Trooping the Colour rehearsals, on June 8.

Many were hoping that Princess Kate, who has been absent from royal duties since December as she currently undergoes treatment for a type of cancer, would make a royal return for this year’s birthday celebrations for King Charles, but after the latest update, such a prospect seems highly unlikely.

Prince Harry has been slammed following a lack of transparency over his US visa application and the question of whether he received special treatment.

Prince Harry has been labelled “America’s ultimate Nepo baby” by US-based royal commentator Kinsey Schofield as the row over his visa application rumbles on.

The conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation brought a case against the Duke of Sussex some months ago asking for deatils of his American visa application to be made public, following revelations in his memoir Spare that he had previously taken drugs.

Such an admission would normally prevent a visa in the US from being granted, leading to questions over whether he lied in the application or was given a pass due to his royal status.

The Department of Homeland Security has since argued that the documents should not be released in order to avoid a negative perception of Harry, with the Biden administration requesting that the information remain confidential.

Speaking to Kevin O’Sullivan on TalkTV, Ms Schofield called on the Prince to be “honest” as that is the only way to make the issue disappear.

Prince Harry has been labelled a ‘Nepo baby’ (Image: Getty)

She asked the US law enforcement authorities: “Why are you going above and beyond to protect this man, who is America’s ultimate Nepo baby?”

Ms Schofield later added: “Did he lie or was he given special privilege? It’s not a hard question to answer. This story dies when they’re honest with us.

“Then we won’t be talking about it consistently. We will let it go, just be honest.”

Harry’s memoir Spare was written by a ghost writer based on the Prince’s recollections, with the nature of the book suggesting it would not be admissible as factual evidence in court.

Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 (Image: Getty)

Professional ghost writer and author of So Good They Call You a Fake Joshua Lisec spoke to Express.co.uk about the possibility for inaccuracies in the book, including possible exaggerations of drug use.

He explained that the nature of the memoir is not to present an entirely factual account of a person’s life, but should instead “read like a novel”.

Mr Lisec added that the structure of a memoir is often changed from a chronological account to one which makes the story more “interesting and commercially viable”, even if it is not exactly what happened.

 

Spare was hugely commercially successful (Image: Getty)

Mr Lisec emphasised that the nature of a memoir means there is less fact-checking involved than there would be if someone was writing a biography on a famous figure.

John Bardo, a lawyer for the Biden administration speaking in the Prince’s defence, hit back that the memoir cannot be used as evidence as the story may have been embellished.

He said: “The book isn’t sworn testimony or proof that the Duke of Sussex did in fact take illegal drugs. Saying something in a book doesn’t necessarily make it true.”

 

Prince Harry recalled an awkward encounter with Prince William and King Charles after Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021.

Prince William and King Charles had a brutal one-word response for Prince Harry when he returned to the UK to mourn the loss of the patriarch of the Royal Family.

The Duke of Sussex travelled back to Windsor in April 2021 to attend the socially distanced funeral of his grandfather Prince Philip, leaving a heavily pregnant Meghan Markle at home in California.

During his visit Harry recalled in his memoir Spare that he request a chat with his estranged father and brother, just weeks after the infamous Oprah Winfrey aired.

While waiting for them to arrive for the meeting Harry said he was anxious they would not turn up, but eventually saw them approaching with a “grim, almost menacing” look.

As they greeted each other Harry referred to them affectionately by his names for them, “Willy” and “Pa”, to which they responded with a single “painfully tepid” word – “Harold”.

Prince Harry had a tense exchange with Prince William and King Charles (Image: Getty)

The Duke was nicknamed Harold by his family, even though his full name is actually Henry.

In Spare Harry wrote: “At last, I saw them. Shoulder to shoulder, striding towards me, they looked grim, almost menacing. More, they looked tightly aligned. My stomach dropped.

“Normally they’d be squabbling about one thing or another, but now they appeared to be in lockstep – in league. The thought occurred: Hang on, are we meeting for a walk…or a duel?

“I rose from the wooden bench, made a tentative step towards them, gave a weak smile. They didn’t smile back. Now my heart really started thrashing in my chest.”

Charles with his two sons in happier times (Image: Getty)

He continued: “Deep breaths, I told myself. Apart from fear, I was feeling a kind of hyper-awareness, and a hugely intense vulnerability, which I’d experienced at other key moments of my life. Walking behind my mother’s coffin. Going into battle for the first time. Giving a speech in the middle of a panic attack.

‌”There was that same sense of embarking on a quest, and not knowing if I was up to it, while also fully knowing that there was no turning back. That Fate was in the saddle.

“OK, Mummy, I thought, picking up the pace, here goes. Wish me luck. We met in the middle of the path. Willy? Pa? Hello. Harold. Painfully tepid.”

Harry and William have found it difficult to patch things up (Image: Getty)

In Spare, which was published in January 2023 to huge commercial success, Harry divulged many behind-the-scenes details of life as a royal.

But, as he later told The Telegraph, there was so much material he had to omit several stories about his family relationships.

The Prince said: “It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.

“There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”

Prince Harry shared a moving gesture with Princess Charlotte as they said their final goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II.

Prince Harry and Princess Charlotte shared an emotional exchange at the late Queen’s funeral. (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry made a touching gesture to Princess Charlotte moments before they said their final farewell to Queen Elizabeth II at the late monarch’s committal service. The Duke of Sussex was sat next to his niece for the sombre occasion, with Harry and Charlotte sharing an emotional exchange.

Footage shows Charlotte re-arranging her hat just before looking towards her uncle Harry, who briefly glances up, catches his niece’s eye and smiles at her.

Charlotte and her brother, Prince George, attended the committal service and State Funeral at Westminster Abbey, where 2,000 people gathered to mark the late Queen’s passing.

Prince William and Princess Kate flanked George and Charlotte, who it had been decided should attend while younger brother Prince Louis remained at home.

Kate held Charlotte’s hand as they took part in a procession, with the State Funeral ceremony held at the Abbey and the Committal Service taking place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

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Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended the funeral while Prince Louis stayed at home. (Image: Getty)

William and Kate sit with Princess Charlotte and Prince George at the committal service. (Image: Getty)

At one point as the late Queen’s coffin was carried past the younger Waleses, Charlotte could be seen prompting her older brother to bow, which he swiftly did.

Ahead of the service, Harry lined up outside the chapel with King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, William and Peter Phillips, following the coffin into St George’s in a show of unity.

Since the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, relations between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family have become even more strained after several claims and allegations were made by Harry and Meghan towards the Windsors.

Royal commentators have claimed Harry is not only estranged from his brother but also from the Waleses’ children.

Royal author Tom Quinn told the Mirror Harry has become completely estranged from George, despite them both sharing similar interests.

Prince Harry was sat between Meghan Markle and Princess Charlotte (Image: Getty)

Relations between Prince William and Prince Harry have soured in recent years. (Image: Getty)
 

William has said George is a potential pilot in the making, following not just in his father’s footsteps but also Harry’s.

Mr Quinn told the Mirror: “William’s hints that his son George might follow in his footsteps and become a pilot will certainly remind Harry of everything he is missing.

“After all Harry was himself a helicopter pilot and would love to entertain his nephew with tales of his own time in the air.

“It’s a sad reminder that he has no relationship at all with George.”

A delighted Princess of Wales was cheered by a 60,000-strong crowd as she watched England defeat Argentina 27-10 in the Rugby World Cup in France. 

Kate stood in the stands and appeared in good spirits as she chatted with Bill Beaumont, the chairman of World Rugby, ahead of the match at the Stade de Marseille.

The royal mother-of-three opted for her trusty £1,945 white Alexander McQueen blazer and matching trousers which has become a staple in her public appearances.

She complemented her suit with a dazzling jewellery set she first wore for Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015 – including her pair of £3,750 Mappin & Webb ‘Empress’ Diamond Carriage Earrings and matching £2,000 Empress Mini White Gold & Diamond Pendant Necklace.

Sweet footage from the event showed the crowd erupt into rapturous applause and cheers for Kate when she was shown on the stadiums. Kate appeared surprised and delighted with the reaction.

Kate, who is patron of the Rugby Football Union, watched the match without husband William, who is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union.

William will attend Wales’ opening match against Fiji in Bordeaux on Sunday.

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A delighted Princess of Wales was cheered by the 60,000-strong crowd as she watched England win against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup in France

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The Princess of Wales beamed and looked elegant in a white ensemble as she watched England play against Argentina in the Rugby World Cup in France

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The mother-of-three is becoming famed for her sartorial elegance as well as being the wife of the heir to the throne

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She opted for her trusty £1,945 white Alexander McQueen blazer and matching trousers which has become a staple in her public appearances

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The princess laughed and joked with officials from World Rugby ahead of the match

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Kate stood in the stands and appeared in good spirits as she chatted with Bill Beaumont, chairman of World Rugby, before the match at the Stade de Marseille, France

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Catherine, Princess of Wales and Patron of the England Rugby Football Union (RFU) shakes hands with Alex Mitchell of England in the dressing room following their victory over Argentina

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Kate speaks to Alex Mitchell in the dressing room following England’s victory over Argentina

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Kate shakes hands with Owen Farrell of England in the dressing room following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Argentina

Yesterday, the Princess of Wales was revealed as being a fan of cold-water swimming at night – and she also discussed how she plays ‘beer pong’ with Mike Tindall.

The royal sporting revelations came to light with the release of a special Rugby World Cup edition of the former England international’s podcast: The Good, the Bad and the Rugby.

In the 50-minute episode, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Anne, the Princess Royal – who are patrons of Welsh, English and Scottish rugby, respectively – talk to Tindall, husband of Anne’s daughter Zara, and co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne in the green drawing room at Windsor Castle.

The recording, which was filmed on Wednesday, revealed some of the sporting secrets of the Royal Family.

As patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, it’s no surprise Kate loves to play the sport in her spare time – and sometimes even recruits her husband as her opponent.

The Princess said she believes her competitive streak comes from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. She said: ‘If I asked both my parents “Who is the most competitive?”, they would sit down for a long time arguing who is the most competitive and who is the most sporty.’

William also discussed the important lesson he hopes his children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, will learn while playing team sports.

Talking about the skills you gain from ‘those early years of playing team sport’, he said: ‘Learning to lose, which I think we’ve got to concentrate more on nowadays.

‘I think people don’t know how to lose well. Talking about our children particularly, I want to make sure they understand that.

‘I think it’s really important from a young age to understand how to lose, and why we lose, and to grow from it and what you learn from that process.

‘But also to win well, and not boast. There’s so many life lessons that help us all through life, in friendship building, in relationship building, workplace, that you gain from those early years of playing team sport.’

It was then the turn of Kate to explain why she loved team sports, with Mike joking: ‘I’m not going to say you’re really competitive… [but] I’ve seen her play beer pong.’

An animated Kate replied: ‘I’m not competitive at all,’ before explaining that her parents had always encouraged her to get involved in sports.

She went on to say that her and William never manage to finish a game of tennis, giggling as she added it becomes a ‘mental challenge between the two of us’.

During the discussion at Windsor Castle, father-of-three William, 41, recalled the ‘only time I’ve ever cried when watching sport’ – and also revealed the important lesson he hopes team sports will help teach his three children.

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Kate shakes hands with Jamie George of England in the dressing room following the team’s victory last night

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The Princess of Wales first wore her £2,000 Empress Mini White Gold & Diamond Pendant Necklace at her daughter Princess Charlotte’s christening on July 5, 2015

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The Princess of Wales cut an elegant figure in an all-white ensemble as she watched England play against Argentina

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The princess, as patron of the Rugby Football Union, cheered on England as the team swarmed to victory

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Her husband will be in Bordeaux on Sunday to watch Wales compete against Fiji

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Both the Princess of Wales and her husband are enthusiastic sports fans and regularly congratulate British teams on their social media channel

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The Princess of Wales pictured meeting with Sir Bill Beaumont CBE, Chair of World Rugby, before the start of the match

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The Princess of Wales pictures arriving at her seat in the Orange Velodrome in Marseille

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The princess looked on keenly as England led the first half of the match against Argentina

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The Princess of Wales sand the national anthem alongside other World Rugby officials prior to the Rugby World Cup France

He admitted that he’d shed a tear when watching his cousin, Zara, 42, compete, saying: ‘The only time I’ve ever cried when watching sport was when Zara won I think it was the European championship.

‘I was down in Exmore at the time camping. We were all huddling around the phone watching it. She was there she was blubbing away the flag was going up. I was in pieces.’

Kate added: ‘I can remember because you came back and said I’ve never been so proud of anyone.’

Elsewhere, Princess Anne recalled the early days of her daughter’s equestrian career, in which she won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics.

Recalling what would happen if she tried to offer her advice, keen horse rider Anne said: ‘If I made a comment I was usually told I was a dinosaur.’

William, meanwhile, recalled the 2012 London Olympics and the ‘coming together of a nation’.

He said: ‘It was phenomenal and I think Chris Hoy at the velodrome was one of my all-time favourite moments – we were both there shouting and yelling – it was this cauldron of noise and it was just so exciting.’

The prince continued: ‘The Paralympics particularly, that was a huge moment for disability sport taking off and it obviously got bigger and bigger since then.’

Kate commented: ‘In 2012 I was absolutely gutted to miss Andy Murray’s game when he won his gold medal against Federer.’

Gushing about the benefits of sport for children, Princess Anne made reference to ‘giving up trying to catch’ William.

‘We’ve all played catch games since we were this big,’ she said. ‘We played a bit of badminton, we swam, polo, literally everything. My team sport was lacrosse.’

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Catherine, Princess of Wales, also seemed to see the fun side as she attended the recording of a special episode of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast

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Mike Tindall, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the recording of a special episode of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, on September 6

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Kate Middleton had a pleasant chat with Mr Beaumont as they watched Saturday’s match

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The duchess was clearly delighted as England began to overtake Argentina in the game

It comes as an exclusive MailOnline poll revealed the Prince and Princess of Wales are increasingly popular with the British public, many of whom already want King Charles III and Queen Camilla to start gradually handing over power to them or even to abdicate over the coming year.

Charles III appears to be viewed as a caretaker monarch – but the institution still enjoys the backing of the majority of Britons who believe he has had a good first year on the throne and deserves public support and money.

A year after the Queen’s death, most people believe the monarchy will go on strong for decades and in a further boost to the King almost two thirds (60%) are in favour of him speaking out publicly on issues that ‘matter to him’, such as climate change.

The comprehensive new poll on the state of the monarchy carried out for MailOnline by Deltapoll asked more than 2,000 people how they view the Royal Family, its members and the work the institution does in the UK and abroad.

The survey shows that William is viewed as a King in waiting, with growing numbers hoping his father will hand over the reins before he dies after the Princess of Wales took an iron rod approach to his younger brother Harry and his uncle Prince Andrew.

And 41 per cent now believe the crown should have skipped a generation to William when the Queen died – up from 35 per cent in March. The polling came weeks after the Prince of Wales was revealed as the United States’ most admired public figure ahead of Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

But despite William’s growing popularity and influence, there is plenty of positive news for Charles, who has been mourning his mother in Scotland this week.

Just 23 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of a republic compared to 62 per cent who say Britain should remain a monarchy.

Another 53 per cent said they believed Britain would still have a monarchy in 50 years’ time.

Sarah Ferguson has discussed the most important part of maintaining good family relationships – with a clear message to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it’s been claimed.

Sarah Ferguson sent a clear message to Meghan and Harry last week, it’s been claimed. (Image: GETTY)

Sarah Ferguson spoke of the importance of supporting one another at the Cannes Film Festival last week – one royal expert claims it’s a subtle signal to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Sarah – who was previously married to Prince Andrew – said that “forgiveness” is the most important part of maintaining family relationships.

In what has been dubbed a clear message to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid their ongoing royal feud, the 64-year-old said: “I think family unity is key… I think the key to life is that we all support each other.

“And also forgiveness is a great thing. I think forgiveness of yourself and forgiveness of others.”

Sarah’s comments came after she was asked whether she was supporting King Charles and Princess Kate following their cancer diagnoses.

Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior working royals in 2020. (Image: GETTY)

Sarah – who is the mother of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie – has recently undergone treatment for both breast and skin cancer in the past year.

Speaking to The Mirror, royal expert Tom Quinn said that Sarah’s “forgiveness” comment was a “clear reference” amid the ongoing feud.

He told the publication: “[It was a] clear reference to Meghan and Harry’s ongoing feud with Prince William and King Charles.

“But the Duchess [of York] has her own well-publicised family difficulties to deal with – she has never stopped trying to persuade the senior royals to rehabilitate her former husband Prince Andrew and when she talked about unity and the need for forgiveness, she no doubt also had her husband in mind.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the decision to step down as senior working royals at the start of 2020 and now reside in California with their children.

Buckingham Palace has been inundated with ‘tens of thousands’ of get well soon cards and gifts for the Princess of Wales, following her brave admission that she is undergoing cancer treatment.

It is understood that the correspondence team at the palace have been ‘so touched’ by the love and affection shown to Kate, 42, who recorded an emotional video message revealing she had embarked on a course of preventative chemotherapy.

The princess has withdrawn from public life to concentrate on her treatment and recovery, as well as protecting her young family.

But the outpouring of support for the princess continues- and palace staff have received thousands and thousands of cards, letters and gifts from members of the public offering their support and good-wishes.

The sheer volume of correspondence has at times been difficult for the team to cope with. But staff do aim to reply to all the writers, eventually.

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Buckingham Palace has been inundated with ‘tens of thousands’ of get-well-soon cards and gifts for the Princess of Wales

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In a normal week the Palace can expect up to 1,000 letters, but what they have experienced since March has significantly surpassed that

Although the Prince and Princess of Wales have their own private office at Kensington Palace, all letters to members of the Royal Family are dealt with by the Court Post Office.

In a normal week the palace would expect to receive up to 1,000 letters each week from members of the public with various queries or messages of good wishes for individual royals.

But what they have experienced since the disclosure of the princess’s health issues has significantly superseded that.

Kate was unexpectedly taken into hospital at the start of the year for major abdominal surgery. She remained in The London Clinic for two weeks before going home to recuperate.

In March, following a period of intense global speculation about her health, the princess herself confirmed that while her condition had not been thought to be cancerous at the time, doctors had subsequently discovered evidence of the disease.

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Kate was recently revealed as the ‘driving force’ behind a new report calling on businesses to introduce more family-friendly working practices. Pictured with her family on Christmas day 2023

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Kate with Louis and Charlotte in May 2023 as they helped renovate and improve the 3rd Upton Scouts Hut in Slough

She made clear that she needed to focus on both her recovery but also supporting her young children at a difficult time, asking for her family to be given time and space while she completed her treatment.

Although there has been no official update on her health since, The Mail understands that the princess has been seen out and about more with her family in recent weeks, which will be taken as a positive sign by many.

However earlier this week Kensington Palace stressed that she very much still needs time and space to recover.

Speaking at the launch of a landmark report by her early years ‘business taskforce’, a Kensington Palace spokesman stressed that the news should not be viewed as her returning to work.

A senior royal aide added: ‘The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force. She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it.

‘This is a clear commitment she has made that throughout her life of public service that this will be focus. That will continue when she returns to work.

‘But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now. She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.’

Kate’s cancer battle in her own words: The Princess of Wales’ emotional video statement in full

I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery.

It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.

In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.

As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to

George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.

As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits.

Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.

We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.

At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.