Author: bang2

  • Prince Harry is to blame for missing commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day because he’s the one who burnt bridges with his family, a royal expert claims.

    Prince Harry is to blame for missing commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day because he’s the one who burnt bridges with his family, a royal expert claims.

    King Charles, Prince William and Queen Camilla all joined crowds to mark the day the world remembers fallen heroes and veterans of World War II on Thursday, but there was one person noticeably missing – Prince Harry.

    Prince Harry is the only member of Royal Family to have fought on the front line twice
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    Prince Harry is the only member of Royal Family to have fought on the front line twiceCredit: AFP

    Prince William attended the official international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day
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    Prince William attended the official international ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of D-DayCredit: Getty
    Katie Nicholl told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show how it would’ve been a “hard” and “pretty stomach-clenching moment” for him to watch the two days of commemorations and know he wasn’t a part of it.

    Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, the royal commentator explains that Harry’s fought in Afghanistan and is the only member of Royal Family to have fought on the front line twice, so on another parallel universe, he would’ve been there.

    “Every time we cover the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, if there’s anyone that’s earned the right to be there and to lay a wreath, it’s Prince Harry because he fought for his Queen and his country in Afghanistan twice,” she says.

    “And I can only imagine, and we was talking about how happy is out in Montecito and I believe he is, he’ll be watching those D-Day commemorations.

    “He was a soldier for a big part of his life as we know through the Invictus community and I think it’s a pretty stomach-clenching moment for him where it’s that realisation that despite what he did, he wasn’t a part of this because he’s not a part of the working class Royal Family.”

    It’s a pretty stomach-clenching moment for him where it’s that realisation that despite what he did, he wasn’t a part of this because he’s not a part of the working class Royal Family

    Matt goes on to note how the reality of Prince Harry being absent for the D-Day commemorations is simply the repercussions of him burning bridges with the royal family, to which Nicholls agrees.

    “They are, they are,” she says.

    “Currently, we don’t know whether he did anything in Montecito, but if he did, he didn’t do anything publicly.

    “And you’ll remember that one Remembrance Sunday when him and Meghan were photographed laying a wreath and that backfired on them so badly.

    “So I think they’ve learned from things like that so it must’ve been a hard moment for him to watch these two days of commemorations in Normandy and in Britain and know that just like being a solider, he wasn’t a part of it.”

    Matt goes on to point out how Prince William made a surprise stop in Arromanches to meet veterans on the D-Day 80th anniversary.

    The royal was visiting the D-Day museum, which wasn’t meant to be an event for the press of public, when several veterans of the Gloucestershire Regiment in the Army saw him go in and were keen to meet him, to which he happily obliged.

    PRINCE William offered an update on Princess Kate’s health as he chatted warmly to veterans after today’s D-Day commemorations.

    The Heir joined his father, Queen Camilla and other leaders alongside war heroes in a moving anniversary event in Portsmouth.

    King Charles and William both took to the stage to pay tribute to the veterans and their families.

    Afterwards, William revealed Kate was feeling “better”, adding: “She would’ve loved to be here today.”

    In a sweet clip that showed Prince William bending down to chat with a 95-year-old veteran he was asked: “I was going to ask you is your wife getting any better?”

    William revealed she was well, before adding: “I was reminding everyone her grandmother used to work at Bletchley Park.

    “She had a lot in common with some of the ladies here who never spoke about anything until the very end.”

    William spoke to a Bletchley Park codebreaker about Princess Kate’s grandma Valerie, who also helped to break the Enigma code.

    He said: “My wife’s grandmother did the same sort of thing as you. Catherine only found out at the end of her life.”

    The Prince spoke to other veterans, too – thanking them for their service and telling them how special it had been.

    He said: “I found it very moving, all the stories and letters, even now 80 years later.”

    When one hero said “thank you”, the Prince of Wales replied: “No, we are here to thank you.”

    William said: “We are here to say a big thank you and to all your colleagues and friends who didn’t make it back.”

    “I love that spontaneity about the Prince of Wales and I think we’ve both been on tours and visits when he’ll make a detour,” Nicholls explains.

    “He’ll spot someone in the crowd or he’ll see a post and he’ll be drawn to it – and he’s not afraid to go off-piste when it comes to his schedule some times.”

    The Prince of Wales paid tribute to the courageous D-Day heroes who ran into the “fury of battle” on Normandy beaches.

    He laid a wreath and honoured 14,000 Canadians who stormed Juno Beach 80 years ago today.

    Meanwhile, King Charles also made a powerful and emotional D-Day speech as he praised D-Day veterans at the UK’s commemoration event in Ver-sur-Mer, France, saying we “must stand together to oppose tyranny.

    He added: “It is with the most profound sense of gratitude that we remember them and all who served at that critical time.”

    King Charles III laying wreath during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative event
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    King Charles III laying wreath during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion’s commemorative eventCredit: Getty

    King Charles also made a powerful and emotional D-Day speech to commemorate the 80th anniversary
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    King Charles also made a powerful and emotional D-Day speech to commemorate the 80th anniversaryCredit: Getty

    Prince Harry would've found it 'hard' to watch the two days of commemorations and not be a part of it
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    Prince Harry would’ve found it ‘hard’ to watch the two days of commemorations and not be a part of itCredit: Getty Images – Getty

  • PRINCESS Kate send a heart-warming letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for missing the Colonel’s Review amid her cancer recovery.

    PRINCESS Kate send a heart-warming letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for missing the Colonel’s Review amid her cancer recovery.

    The regiment – of which the royal is Colonel-in-Chief – shared a video on X this morning showing the note being read out to troops as they prepared for today’s precursor to Trooping the Colour.

    The Princess continues to recover from cancer
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    The Princess continues to recover from cancerCredit: The Mega Agency

    The Irish Guards posted a video on X of soldiers being read Kate's message
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    The Irish Guards posted a video on X of soldiers being read Kate’s messageCredit: X/irish_guards

    Soldiers listened in silence to the heartfelt message as they prepared for the ceremony
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    Soldiers listened in silence to the heartfelt message as they prepared for the ceremonyCredit: X/irish_guards

    The letter Kate sent to the Irish Guards
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    The letter Kate sent to the Irish GuardsCredit: X/irish_guards
    She said her role as Colonel “remains a great honour”, adding: “I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.”

    The Colonel-in-Chief would typically take the salute at the review, which took place this morning.

    It is a major hint that she will miss the main ceremony on June 15 entirely – though there is a chance she could watch it from the Buckingham Palace balcony and not take an active role.

    Her letter said: “I wanted to write and let you know how proud I am of the entire Regiment ahead of the Colonel’s Review and Trooping the Colour.

    “I appreciate everyone trooping this year has been practicing for months, and dedicating many hours to ensuring their uniforms and drill are immaculate.

    “Being your Colonel remains a great honour, and I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review.

    “Please pass my apologies to the whole Regiment, however I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon.

    “Please send my very best wishes and good luck to all involved. Quis separabit.”

    In the X post, the Irish Guards said: “The Irish Guards were deeply touched to receive a letter from our Colonel, Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales this morning.

    “We continue to wish Her Royal Highness well in her recovery and send Her our very best wishes. Quis Separabit.”

    With the ceremony marking King Charles’ official birthday, Kate would’ve taken a key role.

    The Colonel’s Review is identical to The King’s Birthday Parade or Trooping the Colour, with the exception that some additional mounted officers ride on the latter.

    Taking part were 1,400 soldiers of the Household Division and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, including 400 musicians from the Massed Bands, all of whom will paraded on Horse Guards.

    It also included 250 soldiers from the Foot Guards who lined the processional route along The Mall.

    Kate uploaded a video to Instagram in which she bravely announced she was undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer.

    In January it was confirmed she would be cancelling all royal engagements to undergo major abdominal surgery.

    Palace sources insisted the Princess would continue to rest and recover until given the all-clear by her doctor.

    Timeline of Kate’s health battle & recovery

    JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery

    JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery

    JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside

    JAN 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week

    JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital

    FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health

    MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate

    Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo

    Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William

    Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor

    Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport

    Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior

    MAR 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis

    Members of the Household Cavalry took part in the Colonel’s review rehearsal
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    Members of the Household Cavalry took part in the Colonel’s review rehearsalCredit: Reuters

    The event is a precursor to the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15
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    The event is a precursor to the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15Credit: Reuters

    Over 1,400 soldiers take part, with 250 sold from the Foot Guards taking part in the Review
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    Over 1,400 soldiers take part, with 250 sold from the Foot Guards taking part in the ReviewCredit: Rex

    Kate's personal royal crest could be seen on the back of the letter in the video
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    Kate’s personal royal crest could be seen on the back of the letter in the videoCredit: X/irish_guards

    Kate would usually play a key role in the Trooping the Colour ceremony
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    Kate would usually play a key role in the Trooping the Colour ceremonyCredit: The Times

    Kate during her first visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards
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    Kate during her first visit to the 1st Battalion Irish GuardsCredit: AP

    The Princess of Wales sits with the officers of the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot
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    The Princess of Wales sits with the officers of the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in AldershotCredit: The Times

    Kate announced on Instagram she had cancer
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    Kate announced on Instagram she had cancerCredit: BBC STUDIOS

  • Prince Harry can appeal High Court security ruling after police protection row

    Prince Harry can appeal High Court security ruling after police protection row

    Back in February Prince Harry lost his case against the Home Office following their decision to strip him of his level of taxpayer-funded police protection.

    Prince Harry has been given the green light to appeal the case he lost in the High Court against the Home Office, although it is still unclear whether he will do so.

    The Duke of Sussex first took legal action in February 2020 when the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) decided he should receive a different degree of protection to other members of the Royal Family.

    Just a few weeks earlier Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down as working members of the Firm, leading to his security being reviewed.

    In a judgement from February this year High Court judge Peter Lane rejected the Duke’s claims that the decision was unfair and ruled that the Home Office and Ravec’s decision would stand.

    But now Harry has been told he can appeal the verdict at the Court of Appeal, according to an order from Lord Justice Bean dated May 23 2024.

    Prince Harry waves

    Prince Harry can appeal the High Court ruling on his security (Image: Getty)

    In his 52-page ruling Sir Peter argued that lawyers representing the Duke of Sussex had made “an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process” during the High Court case.

    He added: “The ‘bespoke’ process devised for the claimant in the decision of February 28 2020 was, and is, legally sound.”

    Sir Peter accepted the decision of Sir Richard Mottram, Ravec’s former chairman, and argued that he would have come to the same conclusions back in 2020 even if he had been presented with Harry’s argument then.

    The Home Office delegates responsibility for security arrangements of the Royal Family to Ravec, who also handle security for other important overseas guests.

    Harry and Meghan seated wearing sunglasses

    The Sussexes are no longer working royals and as such receive a different level of protection (Image: Getty)

     

    Following the ruling earlier this year a spokesperson for Harry said: “The Duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.

    “In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis.

    “The Duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis.

    “The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”

    Prince Harry enters St Paul's Cathedral

    Security concerns continue to plague Harry while he is in the UK (Image: Getty)

    Security concerns are said to be the reason why Harry refused to stay in a royal residence when he was in the UK for the Invictus Games 10th anniversary service last month.

    Instead of accepting King Charles’s offer he reportedly opted for a hotel, as he did when he flew to London for a last minute visit in February this year.

    As a result Harry was not able to meet with his father or any other members of the Royal Family while he was over here, as the King was hosting a garden party at the same time as the Invictus service.

  • Prince Harry ‘homesick and wants to return’ as royal expert suggests key motivation

    Prince Harry ‘homesick and wants to return’ as royal expert suggests key motivation

    The Duke of Sussex has been granted the right to appeal the High Court ruling that downgrades his level of personal security when he visits the UK.

    prince harry meghan markle

    Harry and Meghan have lived with their children in Montecito, California since 2020 (Image: Getty )

    Prince Harry’s ongoing legal battles may indicate he is eager to return to his homeland in the UK, a royal expert has claimed.

    The Duke of Sussex has been granted the right to appeal against the dismissal of his High Court challenge regarding changes to his personal security when visiting the UK.

    The dispute stems from a February 2020 decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) to modify the level of taxpayer-funded protection he receives.

    Commentator Kevin O’Sullivan highlighted the financial toll of Harry’s legal actions in his TalkTV show, saying: “He’s already spent a million pounds on all of this. He’s had to pay the Home Office’s legal expenses, that was half a million, and his own expenses, that will cost him another half a million.”

    Kinsey Schofield, who was a guest on the show, replied: “To me, it proves my argument that Harry is homesick. He wants to come home. He wouldn’t be fighting this so much if he was so blissfully happy in the United States of America.”

     

    Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meet with the Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on May

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were recently in Nigeria (Image: Getty )

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to California in 2020 after deciding to step down from their roles as working royals. However, documents filed for Harry’s eco firm, Travalyst, reveal that he claims to have been a US resident since June 29 of the previous year.

    Despite not being a working royal anymore, Harry has been embroiled in a legal battle with the High Court over the level of taxpayer-funded protection he would receive after he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as working royals.

    In February, the High Court ruled that the decision was lawful and dismissed Harry’s case.

    Then in April, the court denied him permission to challenge the ruling in a higher court. However, the Court of Appeal has now agreed to hear his challenge following a direct application from Harry’s lawyers.

     

    Schofield criticised the prince’s actions, describing them as “the most expensive hissy fit I’ve experienced in my life. He wants working royal security.”

    She said: “It does feel specifically with Meghan not coming to several of the last visits, and Harry refusing to stay at the palace, it’s almost like they’re trying to prove their point that it’s not safe enough for them”, Schofield said.

    “They’re the most immature adults I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life. It feels like they’re creating this distance to punish somebody and to prove some point.”

     

  • PRINCE Harry has won the right to appeal against a High Court ruling dismissing his bid for more security.

    PRINCE Harry has won the right to appeal against a High Court ruling dismissing his bid for more security.

    The Duke of Sussex previously lost his legal fight against changing his government-funded UK security.

    Prince Harry has been given the green light to appeal
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    Prince Harry has been given the green light to appealCredit: Getty
    He claimed he had been treated “less favourably” than other royals.

    Harry, 39, vowed to appeal after losing his case against the Home Office.

    Now it has been ruled he can challenge Sir Peter’s dismissal at the Court of Appeal, according to an order by Lord Justice Bean dated May 23.

    Sir Peter had previously ruled the duke’s lawyers had taken “an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process”.

    He added: “The ‘bespoke’ process devised for the claimant in the decision of February 28 2020 was, and is, legally sound.”

    After the ruling earlier this year, a legal spokesman for Harry said he intended to appeal, adding: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.

    “In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis.

    “The duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis.

    “The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”

    It comes after the Sussexes were stripped of their round-the-clock protection when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

    Harry moaned he was unable to return with Meghan, Archie and Lilibet, “because it is too dangerous”.

    He was allowed security when he stayed at royal residences or attended royal events but had to fend for himself if he wanted to see friends.

    The High Court heard in May last year how Harry had brought a case against the Home Office and the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec).

    He had won the bid to take the Government to court the year prior.

    Harry’s lawyers argued he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision.

    However, Home Office lawyers argued he was no longer part of a group of people whose “security position” was under regular review by Ravec.

    They said rather he was “brought back within the cohort in the appropriate circumstances”

    The findings of the hearing read: “The court has found that there has not been any unlawfulness in reaching the decision of 28 February 2020.

    “Any departure from policy was justified. The decision was not irrational.

    “The decision was not marred by procedural unfairness. Even if such
    procedural unfairness occurred, the court would in any event be prevented from granting the claimant relief.

    “This is because, leaving aside any such unlawfulness, it is highly likely that the outcome for the claimant would not have been substantially
    different.”

    It added: “The court has also found that there has been no unlawfulness on the part of RAVEC in respect of its arrangements for certain of the claimant’s visits to Great Britain, following the decision of 28 February 2020.”

    Harry and Meghan were stripped of their protection when they left the UK
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    Harry and Meghan were stripped of their protection when they left the UK

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘very content’ with Montecito life despite one big regret

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ‘very content’ with Montecito life despite one big regret

    Prince Harry is living ‘a wonderful life’ and one ‘he’s always wanted to live’, a royal commentator says.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘very content’ with life in California, a source says (Image: Getty)

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “very content” with life in California, but the society wedding of the year will bring home to the Duke of Sussex what he has “given up”, a royal commentator has said. Katie Nicholl was commenting ahead of the Duke of Westminster’s wedding at Chester Cathedral.

    Hugh Grosvenor is pals with Harry and Prince William, with the Prince of Wales tipped to take on the role of best man or usher when the Duke of Westminster marries Olivia Henson on Friday (June 7).

    But the Duke of Sussex is not expected to attend the couple’s big day, with claims suggesting Harry decided against going after acknowledging the difficulties his being at the ceremony with his estranged brother William might cause.

    Ms Nicholl, during a discussion on the podcast Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered, said: “It’s got to be moments like this where it will hit home to Harry just what he’s given up, what he misses.”

    Prince William and Prince Harry at the State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II

    Hugh Grosvenor is pals with Prince Harry and Prince William (Image: Getty)

    Hugh Grosvenor at Charlie Van Straubenzee's Wedding

    Prince Harry is not expected to attend the Duke of Westminster’s wedding (Image: Getty)

    The royal commentator said she had spoken to a contact who had spent time with the Sussexes recently, who she claimed had told her Harry is “really happy”, with both he and Meghan “very content and tight as a family unit”.

    Citing her source, Ms Nicholl added: “Harry’s living a wonderful life and a life he’s always wanted to live. And I thought that’s really wonderful to hear – really pleased to hear that – but I’m sure there must be moments like this when he would have just got on a plane, with or without Meghan, and come over for a big society wedding like this, if he and his brother were actually on talking terms.”

    Relations between the siblings have been strained for years, with the brothers believed to have disagreed over the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s future outside the Royal Family and claims made in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series against William.

    Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to the US shortly after. They now live in Montecito with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who celebrated her third birthday on Tuesday (June 4).

    Ms Nicholl went on to say that the royal siblings’ wider friendship circle has been affected by the rift between the Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Lagos

    Prince Harry’s ‘living a wonderful life and a life he’s always wanted to live’ (Image: Getty)

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Nigeria

    Prince Harry would have jetted over for a big society wedding ‘with or without Meghan Markle’ (Image: Getty)
     

    She said: “I’m sure there are split loyalties and when it comes to Hugh Grosvenor… when it comes to that loyalty factor, who does he want at his wedding? He wants William. He wants the future king. And that’s the decision he’s made.”

    Besides Prince William, sources have suggested Prince George will be at the wedding and possibly take on a role. Grosvenor is one of George’s godfathers along with Oliver Baker, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and William van Cutsem.

    There has been speculation King Charles may also attend, given the monarch being a godfather to the Duke of Westminster.

    Ms Nicholl said: “The Grosvenors and the royals go back many, many decades. I would be surprised, given that Charles is a godfather to the groom, if Charles wasn’t there.”

    She noted, however, that with Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot coming up, Charles may not attend, given his cancer diagnosis.

  • QUEEN Camilla has issued an update on King Charles’ health as she urges him to “slow down”.

    QUEEN Camilla has issued an update on King Charles’ health as she urges him to “slow down”.

    The Queen, 76, revealed His Majesty is “doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told”.

    Camilla revealed His Majesty is 'doing fine except he won't slow down and won't do what he's told'
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    Camilla revealed His Majesty is ‘doing fine except he won’t slow down and won’t do what he’s told’Credit: Getty

    Queen Camilla arrived for a reception with authors, actors and lovers of literature attending the the Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace
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    Queen Camilla arrived for a reception with authors, actors and lovers of literature attending the the Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court PalaceCredit: PA

    Determined King Charles travelled to Portsmouth and delivered an eight-minute address despite being in hospital for cancer treatment less than 24 hours earlier
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    Determined King Charles travelled to Portsmouth and delivered an eight-minute address despite being in hospital for cancer treatment less than 24 hours earlierCredit: PA
    The Queen was speaking with author Lee Child at the time during the second annual Queen’s Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace in Surrey.

    The Jack Reacher writer, 69, added that it “sounds to me like a typical husband”.

    Camilla was also met by the chairman of Historic Royal Palaces, Sir Nicholas Coleridge, as well as Vicky Perrin, chief executive of the Queen’s Reading Room, and authors including Harlan Coben.

    Author Sir Ian Rankin also said the Queen told him that “her whole family were fans of my books”.

    It comes after the brave King led D-Day commemorations – despite being in hospital for cancer treatment less than 24 hours earlier.

    The Sun revealed how the Monarch, 75, was in a London hospital on Tuesday but was determined to join veterans the next day and “lead from the front”.

    He made his way to Portsmouth on Wednesday morning and delivered an emotional eight-minute address that evoked tears from listeners.

    His appearance was reduced by 45 minutes, on medical advice.

    But, Charles still found the time to speak to and honour 21 D-Day heroes invited to the televised event.

    The “carefully calibrated” arrangements meant the King was then able to travel on 125 miles to Normandy for 80th anniversary ceremonies.

    There — aided again by Camilla — he gave a heartfelt speech at the British Normandy Memorial where the names of 22,442 heroes who died are etched.

    And His Majesty still has a full schedule ahead.

    He is set to attend the King’s Foundation Awards at St James’s Palace, London, next Tuesday.

    Charles and Camilla are also due to take part in a series of other functions and engagements in the weeks ahead, including a garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, during so-called Scotland week.

    This year it falls in General Election week, so the King must be back on Friday, July 5, to officially ask whoever wins to form a new government.

    It comes after His Majesty bravely opened up about his diagnosis in February this year after the disease was spotted during a his prostate operation.

    In April Buckingham Palace announced the King’s official return to work and outlined his expected summer schedule.

    Speaking of his health, the statement confirmed the King’s medical team are “very encouraged” by progress made so far and remain “positive” about his recovery.

    They also explained how Charles’ schedule will be carefully calibrated to meet his recovery needs and he will be in close consultation with his medical team.

    Despite ongoing treatment, the ‘workaholic’ King is still set to attend the Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London on June 15.

    This is due to be followed by an appearance at Royal Ascot on June 18, and a State visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the end of the month.

    And, a two or three week tour of Australia could be on the cards for the busy King in October.

    Timeline of King Charles’ health battle

    January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with enlarged prostate

    January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’

    January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night

    February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer

    February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement

    February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get well cards

    March 21: Princess of Wales and King have lunch at Windsor Castle

    March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer

    March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and tales part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as KIng had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’

    April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’

    April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands

    April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties

    April 30: The King marked his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen

    May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties

    May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show

    June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK

    Future:

    June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London

    June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle

    June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot

    Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan

    July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland

    October: Two or three week tour of Australia

    Author Sir Ian Rankin also said the Queen told him that 'her whole family were fans of my books' at the event
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    Author Sir Ian Rankin also said the Queen told him that ‘her whole family were fans of my books’ at the eventCredit: Getty

    King Charles saluted the veterans in Normandy
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    King Charles saluted the veterans in NormandyCredit: PA

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘stark reminder’ after new blow to royal peace hopes

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘stark reminder’ after new blow to royal peace hopes

    A leading publicist has claimed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest snub will be a “stark reminder” of their current relationship with the Royal Family.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visit Nigeria's Lightway Academy as Part of Invictus Games Anniversary celebrations

    Reports suggest Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been snubbed from Trooping the Colour (Image: Getty)

     

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been given a “stark reminder” after it was revealed they haven’t been invited to this year’s Trooping the Colour, according to a leading publicist.

    Earlier this week, it was revealed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been left off the guest list for the annual event -marking the second consecutive year they’ve been snubbed.

    Michael Levine explained what this latest snub means for Harry and Meghan’s relationship with senior members of the Royal Family.

    He told The Mirror: “This continued exclusion of Meghan and Harry from Trooping the Colour is a poignant reflection of their ongoing estrangement from the core of the British monarchy.

    “Their absence for the second year running underscores the deep rifts that persist despite the pageantry and tradition that define the Royal Family. It’s a stark reminder that personal conflicts can ripple through the public spectacle even in the most revered institutions.”

    Harry and Meghan at Trooping The Colour in 2019

    Harry and Meghan last attended Trooping the Colour in 2019 (Image: Getty)

     

    The last time Harry and Meghan were seen at the Trooping the Colour was five years ago in 2019, the year before they moved to the USA.

    The latest snub comes after Harry was absent from the wedding of his friend the Duke of Westminster to Olivia Henson in Chester earlier today, where his brother Prince William acted as an usher.

    Earlier this year, sources revealed the Duke of Westminster and Duke of Sussex had reached a “mutual agreement” over his attendance and recognised it would be “difficult” for him to be at the ceremony.

    Speaking to the Express about Harry’s absence from the ceremony, Richard Fitzwilliams said: “Harry’s non-appearance [on Friday] at the wedding of the year [was] inevitable. It should be noted that he and Meghan don’t attend anything comparable in California.

    “He would surely not be human if he did not feel genuine regret as his friendship with Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster reportedly endures, and so many of his friends in his former life were there.”

     

    The Wedding of The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson

    Prince Harry was a notable absentee from the Duke of Westminster’s wedding (Image: Getty)

     

    The royal expert added: “With William being an usher, it is a sad sign of the rift between the brothers that he felt he could not be present.

    “After the extraordinary briefings when he was last in Britain for the Invictus Service at St Paul’s Cathedral, as to whether his father was too busy to see him and if there was enough security at a royal palace which he was reportedly offered, it is clear that the rift in the Royal Family could not be wider.”

    Earlier this year, the Duke of Sussex visited London to attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, a sporting competition he co-founded in 2014.

    While Harry appeared in good spirits as he attended the service, a body language expert said his demeanour shifted as he made his way up to the church.

     

    Speaking to Daily Express US, Judi James said there were some signs that suggested less positive emotions.

    She explained: “His grin and his pace and energy of movement looked like signature Harry from his cheekier and even jauntier days and he even held his hand out in what looked like a steering gesture to motion the clergyman into his own church.

    “But there were also some subtler body language signs of possible wariness and inner anxiety.

    “Like his father’s cuff-fiddling and his brother’s hand-to-waist rituals, Harry’s self-comfort ‘tell’ is the holding of the jacket button to form a partial barrier with one arm, which he was doing here.”

     

  • Meghan Markle’s secret plot to become ‘bigger and better’ than the Royal Family revealed

    Meghan Markle’s secret plot to become ‘bigger and better’ than the Royal Family revealed

    The Sussexes are “unfazed” by anger from the Palace over their recent royal-style Nigeria tour, and Meghan is eyeing up a slew of further high-profile visits, an insider claims.

    Meghan Markle

    Meghan is said to be eyeing up a succession of further tours, despite grumblings from the Palace. (Image: Getty)

    Meghan Markle is “unfazed” by pushback over her recent Nigeria tour with Prince Harry and is “drawing up a new plan of attack” for further overseas trips, a source claims.

    The Sussexes visited the country last month at the invitation of the country’s Chief of Defence, taking part in cultural activities and meeting with service members.

    Insiders claimed King Charles was “angrier than anyone has ever seen him” over the royal-style visit, but a source has told Closer the Duchess of Sussex is orchestrating a plan that will see them established in further Commonwealth nations.

    “Meghan and Harry aren’t surprised that the royals have found fault with their tour of Nigeria, they’re disappointed for sure, but not surprised,” the insider told the outlet.

    “And they’re certainly not going to let their negativity stop them from arranging more tours.

     

    Meghan speaking at the SXSW festival earlier this year

    Meghan speaking at the SXSW festival earlier this year (Image: Getty)

    “As far as they’re concerned, things in Nigeria couldn’t have gone better and it’s really got them excited about all the possibilities.

    “Meghan’s now drawing up a new plan of attack, basically a blueprint of how to put together more tours in the most streamlined and effective way possible.”

    They added that the duchess has “tasked members of her team with submitting ideas on the best places to visit, who they need to reach out to as far as dignitaries and charities as well as what media to recruit for the visits.”

    The purported world tour plan could tie in with their Archewell Foundation, which has a mission statement to uplift and unite local and global communities.

    “Their conscience is completely clear on this plan because they intend to do good wherever they go,” the source said.

    Harry and Meghan at the 2023 Invictus Games Düsseldorf

    Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in January 2020, but have retained their titles. (Image: Getty)

    According to the insider, the pair “don’t plan to limit themselves to the Commonwealth, they want to make this bigger and better than what the royals have done in the past. They’re totally unfazed by any problems this might create with the royals.”

    The duke and duchess stepped down as senior royals in January 2020 and announced they would be splitting their time between the UK and North America, promising to “honour our duty to the Queen [Elizabeth II], the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”

    They said at the time the “geographic balance will enable us to raise our son with an appreciation for the royal tradition into which he was born, while also providing our family with the space to focus on the next chapter, including the launch of our new charitable entity.”

    Prince William was also said to have been angered by the recent trip, but the source said Meghan is “not going to be told what she can and can’t do, especially in regards to charity.”

    “Long before she met Harry she was doing humanitarian work. She worked as a UN ambassador and with World Vision Canada and visited places like Rwanda and India on official missions, so she certainly doesn’t feel she needs the approval of the Royal Family to keep that going,” they said.

    “All she and Harry want to do is help people, but of course from William and Charles’s perspectives what they’re doing is way out of line.”

    It’s thought that Charles and William don’t have any issue with the Sussexes charity work, but with the style of the tours. The source said the trips are “carbon copies of what the royals do,” with the perception that they’re “brazenly trading on the family name after they were specifically told not to.”

    The insider says it doesn’t help that the pair “always seem to time their trips to coincide with one of the senior royal’s engagements, it’s so obvious that they’re trying to capitalise on that for publicity.”

    But they noted that the Sussexes “scoff” at this accusation, adding that so far, all they’ve done is accept offers that have come their way, so to accuse them of orchestrating some publicity grab is pure paranoia.”

    A rep for Harry and Meghan has been approached for comment.

     

  • Royal Family ‘expunge’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with one swift move

    Royal Family ‘expunge’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with one swift move

    The Royal Family have recently deleted a statement Prince Harry released in the early stages of his relationship with Meghan Markle from their website.

    Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

    The Royal Family has reviewed references to Harry and Meghan on their website. (Image: Getty)

    The Royal Family has begun the process of “expunging Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from history” with the latest update to their official website, it’s been claimed.

    In November 2016, the Duke of Sussex released a strongly-worded statement against the press in which he slammed opinion pieces discussing his relationship with Meghan for their “racial undertones”.

    The statement was issued by Kensington Palace just days after their romance became public knowledge.

    The document remained on the Royal.co.uk website for over seven years before it was suddenly removed last week.

    Royal author and expert Tom Quinn exclusively told The Mirror that the Royal Family had long desired to remove the statement and gradually erase the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal history.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

    Harry and Meghan made their public debut a few months after the statement was issued. (Image: Getty)

    Mr Quinn claimed: “Removing Prince Harry’s 2016 statement about Meghan from the Royal website reveals much about how the senior royals are determined to forget the past and Prince Harry’s role in it.

    “The statement was an attack on the press for their portrayal of his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle, which Harry deemed deeply unfair. If Harry wrote the statement, it was heavily influenced by Meghan.”

    Before his romance with Meghan, Prince Harry was considered one of the nation’s most eligible bachelors, having had high-profile relationships with Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas.

    Mr Quinn opined: “Harry’s previous girlfriends had always been subject to huge press speculation and Harry knew this just went with being a royal or being the girlfriend of a royal.

    “He was surprised and delighted when Meghan insisted they should fight back and they have been fighting back ever since.”

    He went on to suggest that the removal of the statement by the royals indicates a larger agenda noting: “The senior royals’ plan is to gradually expunge Harry and Meghan from royal history.

    “They have long wanted to remove the statement, but needed to do it during a quiet time to reduce the chances of Harry and Meghan crying foul and claiming they were yet again being punished.”

    The statement from Harry was issued by Jason Knauf, the former communications secretary at Kensington Palace, following an article in The Mail on Sunday which stated: “Harry’s girl is (almost) straight outta Compton: Gang-scarred home of her mother revealed-so will he be dropping by for tea? “.

    In a heartfelt statement, Prince Harry condemned the treatment of his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, saying: “The past week has seen a line crossed. His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment.

    “Some of this has been very public-the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.

    “Some of it has been hidden from the public – the nightly legal battles to keep defamatory stories out of papers; her mother having to struggle past photographers in order to get to her front door; the attempts of reporters and photographers to gain illegal entry to her home and the calls to police that followed; the substantial bribes offered by papers to her ex-boyfriend; the bombardment of nearly every friend, co-worker, and loved one in her life.”

    He continued with concern for her well-being: “Prince Harry is worried about Ms Markle’s safety and is deeply disappointed that he has not been able to protect her. It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms Markle should be subjected to such a storm.”