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Lady Gabriella Windsor, whose husband Thomas Kingston’s inquest was held earlier this week after his tragic death in February, joined the Princess of Wales for her carol concert at Westminster Abbey

Lady Gabriella Windsor has bravely joined the Princess of Wales for her emotional, annual Christmas Carol Concert.

The daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, whose husband Thomas Kingston died earlier this year, arrived for the service at Westminster Abbey alongside Kate’s sister Pippa and mum, Carole. The festive event comes just days after an inquest was held into Mr Kingston’s sudden death.

The inquest found that he had died from a shotgun wound after suffering an adverse effect to medication prescribed by his doctor. During the inquest at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, Lady Gabriella, 43, said people need to be warned about the effects of medications used to treat mental health conditions or more people could die.

Lady Gabriella makes her way into the Abbey ( 
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At the carol concert tonight, Lady Gabriella, who married financier Mr Kingston in 2019, wore a festive green coloured coat with chic gold earrings. She was also joined by her parents Prince and Princess Michael of Kent as well as other royals including the Duchess of Edinburgh, a pregnant Princess Beatrice and Zara Tindall.

It comes as Kate is making a gradual return to public events after completing her cancer treatment and joined William and their children at Westminster Abbey for her annual Together at Christmas carol service. The royal couple walked into the historic Abbey where they married in 2011 with Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, aged six.

The young royals had stopped at a “Kindness Tree” outside the Abbey’s great west door and hung messages on its branches in dedication to someone has supported them during their lives in keeping with the service’s theme of love and empathy.

William and Kate with their children at the service ( 
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The royal children were introduced to the Dean of Westminster, Dr David Hoyle when they first arrived with their father William. The 1,600 guests have all supported others, whether friends or family, helped individuals through their work or volunteered.

The order of service for the event paid tribute to these community stalwarts and others: “This Carol Service is dedicated to those who have shown love, kindness and empathy to others in their communities. “They have inspired, counselled, comforted, and highlighted how love unites and connects us all.” Christmas trees inside and outside the abbey were from Windsor Great Park and donated by the King.

Festive wreaths adorned with red ribbons and bows were made and donated by Fantasy Greens, a UK-based company, and the abbey was transformed with a Christmassy red-and-green colour scheme. Outside the gothic church in central London were foliage and trees collected from woodlands to create a natural, forest-like feel. After the service, all the trees and wreaths will be donated to local charities to enjoy over Christmas.

Among the celebrities who gathered in the 1,600-strong congregation were Strictly star Amy Dowden, TV presenter Kate Garraway, Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra, and Giovanna and Tom Fletcher.

The Princess of Wales at one point appeared to emulate King Charles III during her appearance at the annual Christmas Carol in Westminster Abbey, a body language expert has told The Mirror

Princess Kate inadvertently hinted at a massive change in her life during a key royal appointment today, a body language expert has said.

The Princess of Wales, 42, was among the first senior royals to arrive at the annual Christmas Carol service held at Westminster Abbey this evening, appearing initially solo before she was joined by her husband, Prince William, and three children. The younger royals joined after visiting the “kindness tree” on which Prince Louis could be seen leaving a message for the late Queen and Prince Philip. The message read: “Thank you to granny and grandpa because they have played games with me.”

Princess Kate came with no such message, but body language experts who have carefully studied her body language have noticed subtle changes to her composure that speak volumes. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Judi James said she appears to have “changed her body language rituals” and even appeared to emulate the King.

Kate chats to performers ahead of the service ( 
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Ms James started with the Princess’ arrival, saying she emerged with a “radiant” smile before cementing her place as the “leader of the event”. She said: “Kate’s smile on her lone arrival was classic Kate, a radiant, perfect Duchenne smile that threw a warm and grateful-looking connecting tie-sign to the fans outside.

“Her lack of a bag to carry suggested confidence as she has at times used her bags as barriers when she has been feeling vulnerable. Here she just touched the fingers of both hands together or gesticulated as she spoke to again suggest confidence and to define her role as leader of this event.”

Kate arrived with a stunning smile, Ms James said

Ms James said Kate appeared “emotional” during the event ( 
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When she entered the service, the expert added, she expressed an all new “dimension” to her behaviour, with Ms James catching the Princess’ emotion at attending alongside other cancer survivors. She continued: “But when she was greeting the guests inside, we saw a new dimension to Kate’s body language rituals.

“She has always been politely animated but here she was much more openly expressive and emotional with her facial expressions. This is a very moving service for Kate, with other cancer sufferers attending, and that seemed to reflect in her animated expressions that ranged from nose-wrinkled, dimpled laughter to a much more empathetic and concerned look, with steepled brows and the saddest eye expression accompanying a kind mouth smile.”

Kate arrived alone before she was joined by her family ( 
Image:
PA)Ms James added that, at one point during the service, she appeared to mirror King Charles III. She said: “At one point she even seemed to be mirroring her father-in-law, arching her back slightly and performing the kind of playful chuckle that is Charles’s signature look when he is meeting guests.”

Despite this, the strongest mirroring came from Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, 11, Ms James suggested. She said: “The strongest mirroring though came between William and George. The father and son have famously adopted mirrored poses but it’s usual that, with age, the tendency can decline.

“Here the opposite seems to be true though, with each mirroring the other now, sitting or standing in identical poses for much of the time.”

In a touching moment that left Princess Catherine visibly in tears as King Charles made the heartfelt decision to honor her father Michael by giving him a new title.

According to a source, the king surprised attendees with the announcement of Michael Michael’s new title during the royal gathering at Buckingham Palace King Charles spoke fondly of his contributions Michael for the royal family and his unwavering support for his daughter throughout her life Michael, a former flight dispatcher and businessman known for his steadfast support and love for my daughter. As a guiding force in Princess Catherine’s life, his steadfast presence and commitment to his family played an integral role in her journey.

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Especially during her transition to royalty after she married Prince William. Easter reports revealed that Michael and Carol had gone to Windsor to live. with her as a princess while she was recovering, as grandparents to George Charlotte and Louis, it is not surprising that Michael Allway had a special bond with his grandchildren, he He was also spotted at a low level hanging out with his son-in-law, Prince William. He always maintained a humble attitude, preferring to stay out of the spotlight, but his dedication to his family has never wavered as a are the parents of the future Queen and strong supporters of the royal family.

The question of whether they will receive official Royal titles when their daughter becomes Queen, according to one royal expert, said the decision to give Michael the title of Earl of Buckleberry was a testament to King Charles’s recognize his contributions to the royal family and his dedication to his daughter which symbolizes the importance of family as well as the deep respect and affection that King Charles had for the middle class. The title of Earl of BU berry was not only a recognition of Michael’s loyalty and suppor

t but also a tribute to the family’s roots in the recovering Princess Catherine. The treatment was deeply moved by the announcement, her eyes filling with tears as she expressed her gratitude to King Charles.

She expressed deep gratitude and spoke warmly of her father’s love and guidance throughout the years, emphasizing how much this honor has meant to their family as Earl of Wales. Buckleberry Michael will have the opportunity to become more deeply involved in philanthropic and public service efforts, leveraging his new platform to make a positive impact on society. His role will also allow him to take a more active part in Royal Family events and engagements that strengthen the relationship between the Windsor and Windsor families. News of this new title was met with widespread joy and excitement not only by Royal enthusiasts but also by the public, who admire the family for its down-to-earth nature and strong family values. strong.

This gesture by King Charles not only highlights the close relationship between the royal family and the middle class but also emphasizes the importance of family values in the monarchy and confirms the title of Earl. Buckleberry for Michael is an important and meaningful honor that recognizes his dedication and the values that the family holds dear. It serves as a reminder of the respect and admiration they hold. each other as well as the importance of acknowledging those who have played an important role in their lives. As Michael receives his new title, he will continue to be a pillar of strength and support for his daughter.

Sophie Winkleman, best known as Peep Show’s Big Suze has arrived at Princess Kate’s annual Christmas carol concert – and fans may not realise just how close the actress is to the Royal family

Actress Sophie Winkleman, best known for playing ‘Posho’ Big Suze in Peep Show, has arrived at Princess Kate’s annual Christmas carol concert.

Although she played an upper-crust character in the hit Channel 4 sitcom, fans may be surprised to learn just how closely linked Sophie is to the Royal family. Indeed, her marriage to Lord Frederick Windsor, son of Prince Michael of Kent, brought her into the same social circles as William and Kate – and their children even play together.

Sophie, who attended Royal Ascot back in June, arrived at Westminster Abbey with Lord Frederick and their children, looking festive in a smart tartan coat. But how exactly did the actress get on playdate terms with the Prince and Princess of Wales? Here, the Mirror looks at Sophie’s surprising royal link…

Actor Sophie will be attending Princess Kate’s annual carol service ( 
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Sophie, who more recently appeared in the BBC medical drama This Is Going To Hurt, wed Lord Freddie, a financial analyst, at Hampton Court Palace in 2009, and they have two daughters, Maud and Isabella. The couple joined Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the second carriage at the Procession, behind the King and Queen’s.

Lord Frederick, 45, is the son of Prince Michael of Kent, who is the Queen’s cousin. His father, Prince George, was the younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI. The actress has previously said she was welcomed into the clan with open arms, particularly by the Queen and King Charles.

Sophie and her husband on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2017 ( 
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Speaking to The Times, Sophie, 44, said: “I’ve been incredibly welcomed with open arms by all of them… They’d never tell me off at all if I wanted to play some [racy] role.” Following their wedding, the couple moved to the US so that Sophie could further pursue her acting career and Maud, 10, was born while they were living in California.

The couple later moved back to the UK and welcomed their second daughter Isabella, eight, in 2016. Sophie became the new royal patron of Children’s Surgery Foundation and later became the first female patron of School-Home Support.

She was a guest at the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as well as at the 2019 wedding of her sister-in-law Lady Gabriella Windsor. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Sophie revealed that she sang at Lady Gabriella’s wedding. The talented soprano said: “I sang one of my sister-in-law’s favourite songs, Will You Love Me Tomorrow. There were a few tears but I’m not sure if it was because they were moved or wanted me to stop!”

The couple pictured at the christening of their daughter Maud in 2013 ( 
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Her children are very close in age to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ kids – and Sophie has spoken in detail about her daughter Maud’s close bond with Prince George. In an interview with Hello, she said: “We were invited to tea at Kensington Palace just before Princess Charlotte was born. Maud and George got on very well… He is a very clever, articulate little boy and was speaking long before other toddlers his age.”

George and Maud both started at Thomas’s school in Battersea on the same day in September 2017. Speaking about her name, Lord Freddie told Hello! in 2013: “We liked the idea of an old-fashioned English name, and there are a couple of Princess Mauds in my father’s family from a hundred years ago – one was the youngest daughter of Edward VII who ended up being Queen of Norway, and another a grand-daughter of Edward VII by his daughter Princess Louise. It’s also a beautiful, elegant name, and it was always our first choice.”

Maud was also pictured next to Princess Charlotte when they both served as bridesmaids at Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank on October 12, 2018. Due to their lowly ranking in the line of succession, we rarely see Lord Freddie, Sophie, Maud or their youngest daughter, Isabella, at royal events.

Peep Show fans were gutted when the star didn’t turn up at the King’s Coronation in May 2023. Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to lament: “Disappointed we never saw Big Suze”. Sophie was, however, present at the Queen’s state funeral in September 2022.

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Sophie’s Peep Show character, Big Suze, was Jeremy’s ex-girlfriend who was mentioned in the second episode of the show but does not appear until the third series. In the show, Mark starts falling in love with the incredibly posh woman and Jez wants to rekindle their romance, but she starts going out with Alan Johnson.

Big Suze’s poshness is often played for laughs in Peep Show, with Mark once commenting: “God, she’s so posh, that I, Mark Corrigan, who was privately educated until dad’s British Aerospace shares went kaput, could be her bit of rough.” Her ‘Big’ nickname comes from her height, but in an interview on the Podcast Secrets of the Pharaohs, Sophie explained that show creators Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong initially alluded that Big Suze may have been ‘big’ in the past but she is no longer so.

Ahead of tonight’s service, Kate wrote a heartwarming letter addressed to the 1,600 Abbey carol goers, including royal family members, telling them: “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times”.

A message included with the order of service, which features artwork by illustrator Charlie Mackesy, reads: “This Carol Service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other. Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.”

The festive event will be broadcast as part of the programme Royal Carols: Together At Christmas, which will be screened on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve. It will feature three films about the stories of individuals and organisations who have inspired, counselled and comforted others during times of need.

A book from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s unofficial biographer Omid Scobie made a number of bombshell claims.

Prince Harry was not informed about the late Queen Elizabeth’s declining health, it was claimed (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry was not informed about the late Queen Elizabeth II’s declining health and had “no idea” that the royals were preparing to say their goodbyes in her final hours, a bombshell book has claimed.

The monarch died aged 96 on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle with her death officially announced to the world at 6.30pm – just hours before the Duke of Sussex was able to touch down in Aberdeen.

But Endgame – the explosive book from Harry and Meghan Markle’s unofficial biographer Omid Scobie – claimed Buckingham Palace kept him in the dark about the Queen’s rapidly declining health.

Scobie wrote: “The Sussexes had no idea that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queen’s final hours and the first days of the monarchy’s new era – until the duke’s phone started ringing.

“An unknown number. He usually ignored those.”

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022 aged 96 (Image: Getty)

According to the author, it was Meghan who urged her husband to accept the call, which was his father King Charles telling him they were on their way to Balmoral to meet Princess Anne, who was already by the Queen’s side.

Charles then urged his son to rush to Scotland as soon as possible.

Just months later in January 2023, Harry’s memoir Spare was released and in the book, he claimed the King told him not to bring Meghan because it “didn’t make any sense” – leaving the Duke extremely frustrated.

He wrote: “Regretful, [King Charles] stammered that he simply didn’t want it to fill up with people.

Prince Harry claimed King Charles told him not to bring Meghan because it ‘didn’t make any sense’ (Image: Getty)

“Nobody’s wife was going, not even Kate, he told me, so Meg shouldn’t either.”

By the time Harry’s plane landed, the prince recalled getting the news that his grandmother had already died.

“When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this’”, he wrote.

“I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.”

Prince Harry raised eyebrows when he was seen visiting a tattoo parlour in New York earlier this year – and a new video has revealed exactly what went down during his hour-long visit to the shop

Prince Harry set tongues wagging when he was seen visiting a New York tattoo parlour just days after marking his 40th birthday.

Back in September, he was spotted entering East Side Ink, a tattoo shop on the Lower East Side which is a favourite among A-listers, with several of his minders and a police officer. It came during his trip to the Big Apple, where he spoke at several events connected to the United Nations General Assembly. It sparked rumours that he was celebrating his landmark birthday with a tattoo – and the reason for his visit has now been revealed in a jaw-dropping promotional video for Harry’s Invictus Games.

Harry appears to scream in pain as he gets the tattoo

The clip shows the Duke of Sussex grimacing in pain as he appears to be given a shock neck tattoo by US music star Jelly Roll. In the sketch, the country singer and rapper jokes that Harry has agreed to be given his first tattoo.

Jelly Roll – who has been announced as the first headliner at the closing ceremony of the event next year – tells Harry: “Do you know, I could not believe it when they called me and told me Prince Harry wanted to get a tattoo today and he wanted me to give him his first tattoo?” However, the duke appears to have heard nothing about the deal.

“No, no, no, why are you wearing a glove?” Harry asks. Jelly Roll replies: “We are giving you a tattoo about the Invictus Games.” The duke says he wanted to ask Jelly Roll “to do” the games, not to tattoo him. Jelly Roll says he will only play the games if Harry lets him give him his first tattoo.

Prince Harry in a new video for his Invictus Games
The duke agrees and asks the music star – known for his own collection of body art – to tattoo his “lower back” or his “a**”. Jelly Roll suggests he tattoos Harry’s neck instead. “Trust me, man, you wouldn’t want nobody else doing this,” he tells the duke. He then tattoos ‘I am Jelly Roll’ on Harry’s neck, and tells him: “I’ll see you in Vancouver!”

Harry travelled solo to launch the programme for the event, due to be held in Vancouver and Whistler in February. Harry, a former British Army captain, launched the Invictus Games in 2014 as an international sports tournament for injured and wounded service personnel and veterans. In February, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex officially kicked off the countdown to the 2025 winter games at an event in Whistler. The games will feature the debut of winter sports including Nordic skiing, wheelchair curling, snowboarding and alpine skiing.

During his trip to Vancouver this week, Harry went to Canadian football’s Grey Cup final and also met children at the Seaforth Armoury, where he launched the Invictus Games schools programme.

And just yesterday, he visited Seaforth Armoury in the Canadian city, where he gave a heartfelt speech about courage as he launched the Invictus Games school programme. There he was seen hugging children who had come out for the event as well as taking part in a game of sitting volleyball.

In a surprising turn of events, Prince William and Prince Harry have reportedly joined forces to expel Queen Camilla from the palace, fueled by newly surfaced evidence related to their mother, Princess Diana. This dramatic development has sent shockwaves through the royal family and raised questions about the stability of the monarchy.

The relationship between the brothers has often been a subject of intense public interest, especially in the wake of Harry’s departure from royal duties and his move to the United States. However, the emergence of this evidence seems to have rekindled a bond between William and Harry, united by their shared desire to protect their mother’s legacy. Sources close to the royals suggest that the evidence presented points to troubling interactions involving Camilla and the circumstances surrounding Diana’s life and untimely death.

As the details of this evidence began to circulate, it reignited old wounds for both princes. Diana, who was often portrayed as the “People’s Princess,” was beloved by the public but faced immense scrutiny and pressure from the royal institution. In the years following her tragic death in 1997, rumors and speculation about her relationship with Camilla have persisted, painting a picture of rivalry and betrayal that has never fully faded. Many believe that Camilla’s relationship with Charles played a significant role in the strain on Diana’s marriage, leading to a breakdown that was highly publicized and deeply painful for the royal family.

With the weight of this historical context, William and Harry’s decision to act against Camilla appears to be driven by a desire to honor their mother and rectify perceived injustices. Reports indicate that the brothers met privately to discuss their shared concerns, and they concluded that taking a stand against Camilla was necessary for their family and for Diana’s memory. This unprecedented alliance signifies a pivotal moment for the brothers, as they put aside past grievances in pursuit of a common cause.

The potential consequences of this alliance are far-reaching. For Camilla, being expelled from the palace would not only impact her role within the royal family but also affect her public image. Once regarded as a controversial figure, she has worked hard to establish herself as a respected member of the monarchy. However, this new alliance between William and Harry could threaten her position and lead to significant changes within the palace hierarchy.

The public reaction to these developments is likely to be mixed. Many royal watchers and fans of Diana may view William and Harry’s actions as a noble effort to protect their mother’s legacy, while others may criticize the brothers for their confrontational approach. The monarchy has long been a symbol of stability, and such internal conflicts could create a sense of uncertainty among the public, who often look to the royal family for unity and continuity.

Additionally, this incident raises broader questions about the future of the monarchy itself. As younger generations of royals grapple with their roles in a changing world, the handling of family disputes and the preservation of historical legacies become increasingly relevant. William and Harry’s actions may set a precedent for how personal and familial grievances are addressed within the royal context.

In conclusion, the reported alliance between Prince William and Prince Harry to kick Queen Camilla out of the palace amid evidence related to Princess Diana is a significant moment in royal history. This development not only highlights the enduring impact of Diana’s legacy but also underscores the complexities of family dynamics within the royal family. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the monarchy will navigate this crisis and what it means for the future of the institution.

Prince Harry has found himself at the centre of a row over his US visa with Donald Trump previously suggesting he could deport the Duke – and now the new US president-elect has made a move that could prove pivotal in the row

Prince Harry’s US visa row could take a new turn after a key ‘concerning’ move by new president-elect Donald Trump.

During his election campaign, Trump was outspoken in his opinion of the Sussexes with scathing words about them. And it appears the result of the election could prove to be life-changing for Harry and Meghan as the president-elect once suggested he would deport the Duke of Sussex from the country.It comes after Harry found himself in the centre of a row over his visa, which allows him to live in California. After admitting to using marijuana, cocaine and psychedelic mushrooms in his controversial memoir Spare, a lawsuit from the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation argued that the US Government should release records about the Duke’s visa US application to show whether his drug use was disclosed. Prolific drug use can lead to applications being rejected.

Prince Harry has found himself in a row over his US visa ( 
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And now Trump’s latest move in appointing controversial South Dakota Governor Kristi Neom as head of the Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of immigration, should “concern” Harry, according to the Daily Mail. Ms Neom is known to be a no-nonsense politician, who has been a long-term loyal supporter of Trump. She faced a huge backlash after releasing her memoir, when she revealed she shot dead her family dog after it became ‘untrainable’ and ‘dangerous’.

Earlier this year, Trump raged at the Biden administration for maintaining the privacy of Harry’s immigration application in order to “protect Harry.” He told the Express US : “I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.”

Trump with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem ( 
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Days later he was also challenged on this stance on Harry during an interview with Nigel Farage on GB News. Mr Farage asked if there would be any “special privileges” for the prince, and the now president-elect said: “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”

Digging deeper, Mr Farage asked: “Appropriate action? Which might mean…not staying in America?” Mr Trump responded: “Oh I don’t know. You’ll have to tell me. You just have to tell me. You would have thought they would have known this a long time ago.”

In September, a judge made a ruling in the case saying that Harry’s visa documents should remain private. However, the Heritage Foundation has made another court filing saying it was not granted access to private submissions made to the judge by the Biden administration.

The lawsuit was originally brought by the Heritage Foundation after a Freedom of Information request for the Duke’s records was rejected by the Department for Homeland Security (DHS). In his bombshell memoir, Harry confessed that cocaine “didn’t do anything for me”, adding: “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.” He also recounts an experience with magic mushrooms, saying: “I stared at the bin. It stared back. ‘What-staring? ‘ Then it became… a head. I stepped on the pedal and the head opened its mouth. A huge open grin.”

US visa applications specifically ask the individual about current and past drug use, which can have a detrimental impact on the progress of the application. Prolific drug use can lead to applications being rejected, however, immigration officers use their discretion against a range of factors.

Prince WIliam met with several homeless and former homeless women in Newport today where he was with the Nelson Trust, as one woman told him she wants to use her experiences to help others

Prince William praised the courage of a woman who turned her life around after being made homeless as a teenager saying: “I’m not sure I would have come out the other side like you”.

The Prince of Wales took his crusade to end homelessness on the road today, travelling to Newport to hear about the city’s efforts to tackle homelessness, particularly among vulnerable women. William met several women who had found themselves homeless before coming into contact with the Nelson Trust, a women’s support service working across Wales, Bristol and surrounding areas.

Among them were five women helping to raise awareness of the issues and have taken part in a special photography series called “Women of Newport”. Rebecca, 32, a care assistant who told the Prince she was living on the streets at 16 before attempting suicide following the deaths of both her partner and her father.

The heir met with several women affected by homelessness ( 
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She said she had no support when she was growing up but was proud of who she was today, focused on her two young daughters and “making happiness without money”. She told the Prince she now wanted to use her experiences to help other “lost teenagers”.

William was clearly impressed with her attitude, telling her she should be “so proud” of herself. “You seem like a force of nature Rebecca,” he said.

“We need more Rebeccas in the world. You have been through more things than most people go through in their entire lifetime. I’m not sure I would have come out the other side like you.”

William said she wants to be a “disrupter” to homelessness ( 
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The future king also said he wanted to play the role of “disruptor” in his fight against homelessness as he encouraged those working in the sector to “throw the paperwork up in the air”. William, 42, told a group of business leaders and charity representatives he wanted them to throw off the “shackles” of their experience and take a different approach.

“I say that not to belittle you,” he said. “But it’s, how do we break it down, give you the freedom to think differently and try new things? I can be the slight disruptor here and say to you all to think very differently, outside the box, because this is unique, what you’re doing… let’s be really ambitious and almost throw the paperwork up in the air and see how it lands.”

Rebecca said afterwards that the Prince’s comments had made her feel “it was all worthwhile”. She said: “I wouldn’t change a thing for me to be where I am today.

William during today’s visit to Homewards Newport ( 
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“He’s moved me to the point where I feel like I could do anything now. He’s given me that boost of confidence I needed, because I do struggle with confidence and esteem but I can’t believe how much today has lifted my morale.”

Newport is one of six pilot locations the Prince is aiming to put a path towards ending homelessness by mid-2028 through his ambitious Homewards initiative. Women’s homelessness has been identified as a key priority in the city due to rising numbers, specifically among those who face multiple issues such as trauma, poverty and domestic abuse.

The Prince earlier made a private visit to a women’s support service to speak to victims of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation before joining local women who have experienced homelessness. He was joined by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and a Homewards advocate who experienced homelessness as a teenager in Newport.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton during today’s visit ( 
Image:
Getty Images)Ms Cohen-Hatton said afterwards they had had several “powerful” conversations. “I think hearing about people’s experiences helps inform how he can direct Homewards to help,” she said. “One of the questions the Prince was asking throughout was how Homewards is making a difference and how it can help with the pinch points and the gaps.”

Women are often more susceptible to experiencing “hidden homelessness” than men, as they are less likely to rough sleep due to safety fears, resulting in sofa surfing, or sleeping on public transport.

The Prince’s visit coincided with the release of a report compiled by the Homewards Newport Coalition which identified specific local issues and made specific recommendations to help prevent women’s homelessness.

Queen Camilla has pulled out of tonight’s Royal Variety Performance due to ‘lingering post-viral symptoms’ following her chest infection, Buckingham Palace has said

Queen Camilla will not be with Charles at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance due to ‘lingering post-viral symptoms’ following her chest infection.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following a recent chest infection, The Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest.

“With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.”

The Queen had returned to royal duties this week, joining the King and the Prince of Wales for the annual diplomatic reception on Tuesday night and attending events on Wednesday and Thursday.

But due to the length and lateness of the performance tonight, her doctors have advised that she stays at home to avoid overstretching herself.

The Queen yesterday at the Commonwealth essay competition ( 
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It is understood that the Queen will remain in London tonight but will move to Sandringham for the week ahead, as was always planned. This week medics had been closely monitoring her recovery from the nasty chest infection and were taking each engagement as they came.

But today she is said to be feeling a little under the weather today and a royal source told the Express that Camilla is “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments, and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on’. She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon.”

Yesterday the Queen congratulated “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” teenage essay prize winners by comparing them to the young author of Mary Poppins at the Commonwealth essay competition.

She has hosted the Commonwealth’s oldest writing competition for a decade and this year’s theme was “our common wealth”. Four youngsters aged between 13 and 16 – from Malaysia, Singapore and Uganda – were presented with certificates by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. The competition received a record-breaking 34,939 entries from 54 Commonwealth countries.

Queen Camilla will not attend tonight’s Royal Variety Performance ( 
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PA)Camilla said the work by the winners and runners-up reminded her of a statement by the author of Mary Poppins: “A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader.”

She said Pamela Travers was describing writing that “by some strange magic, makes the reader part of the story”, and added “This is definitely true of our wonderful finalists: thanks to your talents, your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth.”

Camilla added: “Now, if Mary Poppins were here, I wonder if she would be telling me to hurry up with a brisk ‘spit spot’ so that we can get on to the prize-giving. I will therefore end by saying that there is just one word to describe you all – but I might need some help from Gyles to get it right. You are utterly supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”