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Teenage photographer Liz Hatton – who inspired the Princess of Wales after pursuing a photography bucket list while facing a rare form of cancer – has died, her mother has announced

A young cancer patient who met the Princess of Wales after pursuing a photography bucket list has sadly died.

Liz Hatton passed away aged just 17, less than a year after being diagnosed with incurable desmoplastic small round cell tumour. Only 12 cases are found a year and and doctors said the inspirational teenager from Harrogate had six months to three years to live, depending on the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Her mother Vicky Robayna has now paid tribute to her “incredible daughter” and the “kindness, empathy and courage” she showed. She added that there was now “a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill”.

She stated: “Our lovely Liz died in the early hours of this morning. She remained determined to her last. Even yesterday she was telling me that I had better get nurses sorted so she could do more things. She went out in a blaze of glory with almost everyone she cared about seeing her for the last time at her exhibition last week.”

Liz and guests attending the Liz Hatton photography exhibition in London ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Liz, had written a bucket list of things she wanted to achieve, including getting her pictures published in magazines. She hit the headlines when she got a hug from the Princess of Wales after being given permission to shoot behind the scenes of an investiture at Windsor Castle.

Liz was joined at the investiture by her mother, stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo, and afterwards she was invited to have tea with the Waleses. She said of meeting the royals at the time: “I never thought I would get to do anything as massive as this. When I did my bucket list I just put some ideas down. I didn’t even think any of these things would happen.”

Last month she worked alongside press photographers at the premiere of Venom: The Last Dance. She was even snapping away on the red carpet of the Royal Variety Show last Friday.

Ms Robayna has offered her thanks to those who helped the teenager fulfil her dreams in her final months and those who liked and supported her work, adding: “You ensured Liz’s last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end.”

Liz alongside the press photographers during the UK Premiere of “Venom: The Last Dance” ( 
Image:
WireImage)

Liz hugging the Princess of Wales
She asked people to share one of Liz’s photos in tribute, under the hashtag LizHatton, and also to support the family’s mission to fund research into Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, which has no charity specialising in the disease in the UK. Vicky has set up a fundraising page with a goal of raising £100,000.

Kate, who herself was treated for cancer this year, and William, in a personal message earlier in the autumn, described Liz as a “talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both”.

As part of her bucket list, she went on to photograph comedian Michael McIntyre, circus performers, the Royal Ballet, models from the Storm Model Agency, the London Air Ambulances from a helipad, hotel doormen, the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and joined acclaimed British photographer Rankin to lead a fashion shoot.

Rankin previously paid tribute to her skill, telling the BBC: “The photos Liz has created… are really sophisticated images… She understands that it’s a creation.” He added: “It’s been a real privilege actually, watching her. I’ve been pretty redundant. She did exactly what an experienced photographer would do. Got involved, gave people directions, almost became the captain of the ship.”

Liz fulfilled what her mother described as her “biggest wish”, spending two days with Los Angeles-based portrait photographer David Suh, who flew from the US to work with her. Her project culminated in her own photography exhibition in London this month, showcasing her work.

Ms Robayna had revealed two days ago that Liz had become increasingly tired and how they were due to be celebrating Christmas early as a family at the end of this week, adding: “We know our time is short now.”

The former Harrogate Grammar School student had launched her own website devoted to her photography. It tells how she began taking photographs as soon as she could walk, saved to buy her first “real” camera aged nine and, at 11, chose her secondary school because they offered photography as a course.

She took GCSE photography and began her A-level to refine her skill. Taking photographs also helped Liz cope with her constant pain. “Every time she picks up her camera and focuses on new and exciting shoots it helps to distract her from the constant pain that she feels every second of every day. When taking photographs, the rest of the world doesn’t seem to matter as much,” the site said.

Queen Camilla recently suffered a very upsetting loss in the build-up to Christmas – and her husband King Charles’s Highgrove home will include a special tribute

King Charles’s country retreat Highgrove has been decked out for Christmas with festive decorations and twinkling lights – and this year it will also include a touching tribute following a recent loss for the royal family.

Among the tree ornaments is an embroidered motif of Beth, Queen Camilla’s beloved Jack Russell, who sadly died on 18 November, leaving the Queen ‘heartbroken.’ Beth, 13, had to be put down after it was discovered that she had cancer. It was a devastating decision for Camilla, who had adopted her as a puppy in 2011 from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home when Beth was just 12 weeks old.

Announcing the sad news on social media, Buckingham Palace posted: “A sad farewell to Beth, the Queen’s much-loved companion from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties or curled up by the fire.” In the wake of Beth’s passing, Charles and Camilla have made the big decision to welcome another dog into their home.

The King confirmed the news during his solo appearance at the Royal Variety Show on 22 November. Queen Camilla was unable to attend because she was experiencing “lingering post-viral” symptoms from a recent chest infection. Amanda Holden, who hosted the event with Alan Carr, later said: “We mentioned Her Majesty and we wished her well and I gave condolences for the doggy.”I felt for her, I really felt for her when that happened. He said ‘we’re going to get a new one’.”

It’s likely that the new dog will also come from Battersea; the Queen is a patron of the animal charity where she first adopted Beth, alongside her other Jack Russell dog, Bluebell. Meanwhile, fans are now able to get their hands on the Christmas decoration made in Beth’s likeness, alongside a second depicting Bluebell, from the official Highgrove shop. Costing £12.95 each, they show the dogs wearing bandanas embellished with crowns, and were introduced in September as part of a long-planned addition to the Christmas range – before news of Beth’s illness was known, via Hello.

Dogs have been loyal companions to many members of the royal family; Camilla’s were so dear to her that her Bruce Oldfield Coronation gown featured emblems of Beth and Bluebell in gold embroidery. Of course, the late Queen was also a known animal lover, and had a love of corgis that stemmed all the way back to her childhood. Having first shared a corgi puppy with her sister Princess Margaret, the monarch received Susan, the first corgi of her own, for her 18th birthday in 1944. Her bond with the dog was so strong that she even took her on her honeymoon with Prince Philip in 1947 and she would go on to have more than 30 corgis during her lifetime, all of which she bred from Susan.

The Queen’s corgis famously went wherever she went – from palace to palace, and on helicopters, trains, and in limousines. At Christmas at Sandringham they reportedly each had their own stocking, filled by the Queen herself. Princess Diana is said to have coined the phrase “a moving carpet” to describe the jumble of dogs that would precede the monarch when she entered a room. The Queen, meanwhile, is said to have called them “the girls” and “the boys”. In all her years of breeding, the monarch never sold any of her puppies. All stayed with her, or were given to breeders, relatives or friends.

Prince William was among the guests at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Wednesday and he spoke about his family whilst at the annual awards ceremony this week

It has been revealed by Prince William this week that his youngest child Prince Louis has been learning to play the drums, though he made a teasing remark about his son.

Prince William, 42, spoke about his family whilst at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Wednesday. He’s the royal patron of the charity Tusk, which annually honours conservation efforts in Africa with the awards ceremony.

He was joined at the Savoy Hotel by the likes of the Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood and Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler, whom he met at a reception ahead of the ceremony. Prince William said there was “a lot of creativity” present and joked that they had enough to start a band.

Prince William went on to discuss his son Prince Louis, six – who is the youngest of his three children with Princess Kate – nurturing a potential musical talent himself. Teasing over it, Prince William said: “My youngest is learning the drums that’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears.”

As previously reported, in his speech at the ceremony, Prince William warned that the event is a “reminder that our planet continues to face terrifying environmental concerns”. He hailed the winners on the evening for reminding “us of the importance of living at peace with nature”.

Prince William was among the presenters at the Tusk Conservation Awards 2024 in London this week ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Prince William also mentioned his children, sharing a vision for the future that he wants Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George to inherit. He said: “I want my children to live in a world where swallows still migrate, gorillas still live in the cloud forests of Uganda and rhinos still roam the arid rangelands of Namibia.”

He also said: “It is only through a collaborative approach, under the guidance of indigenous and local communities, that we can foster lasting and meaningful change. I believe we are the lucky ones. We live in a world in which incredible wildlife exists and I want that for the generations that follow.”

He spoke about his family, which includes wife Princess Kate (centre left) and their kids Prince George (left), Prince Louis (centre) and Princess Charlotte (right), at the event ( 
Image:
Getty Images)Speaking at the event on Wednesday night, King Charles III ‘s eldest son said that now was the time to support those working to protect wildlife and the environment. Addressing guests at the awards ceremony, he said: “Rainforests the size of countries are disappearing. And one million species are at risk of extinction mostly due to human activity.”

Prince William continued with a further message for those listening to his speech. He added at the event: “Now is the time to support those globally that work to prevent future generations from becoming disconnected from nature, we must invest in the natural world around us and understand the value it has for us all, both now and in the future.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have recently been making more and more solo public appearances – and a PR crisis management expert has weighed in on why this might be the case and how they can ensure success in 2025

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle look set to make very important public appearances next week.

But rather than appearing side-by-side, the once inseperable pair are going solo yet again with events that are coasts apart. Next Wednesday (December 4), Meghan is expected to appear at a glitzy Hollywood party honouring her celeb pal Tyler Perry. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in New York, Harry will be at The New York Times DealBook Conference.

The surprising diary decision is just the latest in a string of solo appearances for the couple; a marked difference from just two years ago when Meghan once likened herself and her husband to salt and pepper as they always “move together”.

The couple in a rare joint apperance in a video message last month ( 
Image:
archewell_sussex_ /Instagram)
The Sussexes’ professional distance has increased since they embarked on a joint tour of Colombia in the summer. Sources close to the couple say it shows their new “twin-track approach” with Harry focusing on his charity endeavours and Meghan on her entrepreneurial projects and business, such as her brand, American Rivieria Orchard.

But could there be a more strategic reason for more separate public appearances? According to PR and crisis expert Ed Coram-James, it could be all down to a bid to save their brand. And he has a stern warning for the couple.

The CEO of marketing agency Go Up told the Mirror: “Meghan and Harry’s brand has been tainted beyond repair. The relentless media backlash, fuelled by their misguided PR moves, has left them in a position where joint branding is no longer viable. Harry’s attempts to reclaim his reputation after stepping back from royal duties are overshadowed by his relationship with Meghan, whose own controversies — be it with her family or her public opinions — have made them a lightning rod for criticism.

Meghan in a solo appearance on the red carpet at a charity gala ( 
Image:
Getty)
“If Meghan and Harry want to make 2025 their year, they should focus on what they do best and take a break from their joint projects. Meghan should lean into her strengths — her acting career, her philanthropic work, and her brand as a trailblazer for women’s rights.

“She could easily tap into Hollywood again, using her acting experience, without the baggage of being a Duchess. Acting offers her the opportunity to shape her image, far from the royal narrative that has been forced upon her. A carefully constructed acting comeback could help her rebuild a fanbase and create a new, more positive legacy.

“Harry, on the other hand, should double down on his work with veterans and conservation. He’s been genuinely committed to these causes, like his beloved Invictus Games, long before all the royal drama, and they continue to resonate with people. His role as a war veteran and conservation advocate provides authenticity, which is something the public values.”

Meghan is gearing up to launch her brand American Rivieria Orchard next year, while Harry’s Invictus Games will take place in February in Vancouver and Whistler in Canada. And Ed believes there is a simple way forward for the couple if he were to advise them – and how they can achieve their professional goals.

He explained: “Beyond business, Meghan is already making strides in the philanthropic space. We saw her success with the Archewell Foundation and her ongoing work around gender equality, mental health, and racial justice. She needs to double down on these areas but with less spectacle. More grassroots work, fewer headlines. If she avoids overexposing herself — a la Netflix or Spotify deals — and focuses on deeply meaningful work, Meghan could carve out a legacy that stands the test of time.

“As for Harry, his best path forward might be to establish more independence from Meghan in terms of his public and professional life. He’s the only one who can salvage his career and legacy. By staying true to his work with veterans, conservation, and mental health, Harry could leave the toxic circus behind.

“Let’s face it — his association with Meghan will always be seen as a liability in the eyes of many. He needs to go solo and focus on causes that matter to him, leaving the stories about his marriage and Royal Family behind.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are said to be standing firm when it comes to moving away from California, after they made a decision over their son Archie’s schooling

The relocation of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s close friend Ellen DeGeneres to the UK this month has sparked speculation about whether the Royal couple would follow suit and return to Harry’s homeland. However, according to former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond, the pair are standing their ground on remaining in California and have no plans to relocate to the UK or elsewhere. This decision is reinforced by their recent choice to enrol their five year old son Archie in a Californian school, indicating that the family is now firmly settled in the US. “I don’t think they have any plans to move from California,” Jennie revealed to OK!.

She added: “They seem to love their life there…Sun, sea and freedom have a lot to offer. Meghan loves being close to her mother, who plays a big part in their lives. The children are settled and Harry has said he now regards the United States as home, and when he does come back to the UK he spends the shortest possible amount of time here before flying off again.”

Meghan and Harry are said to be settled in California and are building roots in the state ( 
Image:
Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)
Although Ellen’s move may be a disappointment for the couple, Jennie anticipates potential holidays for the friends. “I’m sure they’ll miss Ellen…but maybe they will stay with her if they ever come visiting. But that’s not going to happen while Harry remains in litigation over security. So…I don’t foresee any move from California…except to holiday in their Portugal home,” she said.

Ellen and her wife, Portia De Rossi, reportedly fled the US following Donald Trump’s election triumph, much like Meghan and Harry, who are also believed to be dissatisfied with the electoral outcome. However, they aren’t letting it drive them away, according to Jennie, who shared: “The Sussexes are living in a very liberal, Democratic part of the United States – and in one of the most expensive and protected areas of California. So I think they can live a life pretty cocooned from Trumpite America. They will obviously not be happy with the result of the election, but I doubt if it is enough for them to uproot their family and move elsewhere.”

They have also made the decision to enrol their children, currently Archie, in school in the US. ( 
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Netflix)

The couple will celebrate their fourth Christmas in the States next month. Meghan recently gave a sneak peek into their holiday spirit when chatting with Marie Claire, saying, “I love the holidays. [The children] are now three and five, so every year it gets better. At first, I think as a mom with children you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet. But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”

Harry and Meghan shocked fans when they quit royal life in January 2020 – but it was another Sussex announcement that is said to have made the late Queen especially angry

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the late Queen as “angry as I’d seen her” over one of their major announcements, according to a palace staffer. The Sussexes quit royal life in January 2020, less than two years after their wedding. The following June they welcomed their second child, a daughter they chose to name Lilibet Diana. The moniker certainly raised eyebrows amongst royal fans. Lilibet was the Queen’s affectionate nickname stemming back to when she was a young girl. It’s thought it came about because the young Princess Elizabeth was unable to pronounce her own name properly.

‘Lilibet’ was only used by a handful of people closest to the Queen; her parents King George VI and the Queen Mother, her late sister Princess Margaret, her husband Prince Philip, and a few close friends. As such, there was speculation at the time about whether Harry and Meghan had sought prior permission from Her Majesty. The BBC said it had been told by a source at the palace that the Queen had not been asked, while other publications stated that when she was called by the couple, she did not feel in a position to say ‘no’.

However, a spokesperson for the Sussexes insisted that the couple would not have used the name had the Queen not been ‘supportive’. A statement said, “The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement – in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called. During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”

But, according to author Robert Hardman in his book Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, one member of staff “privately recalled that Elizabeth II had been ‘as angry as I’d ever seen her’ in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter ‘Lilibet’, the Queen’s childhood nickname”.

“The couple subsequently fired off warnings of legal action against anyone who dared to suggest otherwise, as the BBC had done. However, when the Sussexes tried to co-opt the Palace into propping up their version of events, they were rebuffed. Once again, it was a case of ‘recollections may vary’ – the late Queen’s reaction to the Oprah Winfrey interview – as far as Her Majesty was concerned. Those noisy threats of legal action duly evaporated and the libel actions against the BBC never materialised.” The Queen was able to meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet before she passed away – despite the fact the Sussexes live in the States. But she wanted to ensure it was a private family affair.

In June 2022, Harry, Meghan and their children travelled to London to attend the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and it was during this visit that the monarch was able to meet her namesake for the first time. According to multiple reports, Harry and Meghan had requested they be allowed to bring a photographer into Windsor Castle to capture the sweet moment. But the Queen was firm in her decision and they were told, unequivocally, ‘no’.

Following Harry and Meghan’s controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey , there were fears any photos of the Queen and Lilibet taken by the couple’s photographer would be shared by them with American TV networks. An insider told the Sun: “An insider said: “Harry and Meghan wanted their photographer to capture the moment Lilibet met the Queen. But they were told no chance. It was a private family meeting.”

Sarah Ferguson was all smiles at Heathrow Airport as she jetted off for a pre-Christmas break amid family tension – and there was no sign of Prince Andrew joining her

Sarah Ferguson has jetted off on a festive trip as ‘concern’ mounts for Prince Andrew.

The Duchess of York, who still lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor with her ex-hubby, has previously described their relationship as that of the “happiest divorced couple in the world”

However, Fergie was flying solo as she jetted off the Austrian capital of Vienna, for a spot of seasonal cheer. The picturesque city is famed for its Christmas markets, which attract visitors year after year.

This comes amid an ongoing feud between King Charles and Prince Andrew, with the monarch having reportedly cut financial ties to his younger brother.

Andrew was nowhere to be seen as Sarah jetted off ( 
Image:
sarahtheduchess/TikTok)

It’s understood to be a tense time for the York family ( 
Image:
sarahtheduchess/TikTok)

Taking to TikTok, mum-of-two Fergie shared a clip taken at Heathrow Airport, accompanied by the following caption: “Heading off to Vienna to kick start Christmas. Absolutely love this time of the year and seeing all the joy on peoples faces.”

The Duchess told followers: “It’s Monday and I decided that we need to get the Christmas spirit going. “Heathrow Airport on my way to Vienna. And what am I doing in Vienna? I am going to see [the] Christmas fair.”

Appearing excited for the travel adventures ahead, Fergie continued: “The airports are just so exciting. It’s a new adventure, new day, new journey. Let’s go.”

Prince Andrew is said to be at odds with elder brother King Charles over Royal Lodge ( 
Image:
REX/Shutterstock)
This comes at a supposedly tense time for the York clan. Daughters Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34, are said to be worried about their father, Prince Andrew, who spends most of his time shut away in the “crumbling” £30 million lodge, five years after his controversial Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis shattered his reputation.

A source told HELLO!: “The girls take the grandchildren to visit him most weekends. They are spending far more time with him now than they have done in recent years. They are quite close to their father; they seem to be quite protective towards him.”

After the Duke of York seemingly refused to move out of the 30-bedroom Royal Lodge, where he and Fergie have lived since 2004, King Charles reportedly withdrew his £1 million living allowance. This has been viewed as an attempt on King Charles’ part to publicly distance himself from Prince Andrew, whose friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has attracted controversy.

The Yorks married in the summer of 1986 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

The marriage didn’t last, but they’ve remained good friends ( 
Image:
WireImage)In an updated version of his book Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, published November 7, royal author Robert Hardman claimed that Charles chose to cut off Andrew financially after being encouraged to do so for months by his advisors.

Following months of alleged infighting behind palace walls, the King is said to have ordered the Keeper of the Privy Purse to cut the disgraced Duke of York’s annual personal allowance, as well as his private security.

A source told The Times: “If Andrew can pay for his own upkeep with legitimate means, then it is not an issue. But the King’s patience has run out when it comes to funding his brother’s lifestyle in a way that does not fit his status.”

Sarah and Andrew married in the summer of 1986 and divorced ten years later in 1996 – four years after their initial separation. Although they’re no longer a couple, they have remained on good terms and even spend Christmas together.

Prince Andrew’s reputation took a battering after his Newsnight interview, but Fergie has stood by him ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
As well as daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the former spouses have also welcomed grandchildren Sienna, August, and Ernest. Amid the apparently heated royal row, Sarah spoke with Bella magazine about how she herself deals with family conflict. She revealed: “The three C’s: communicate, compromise, compassion. Family is the most important thing.”

In a 2018 interview with the Daily Mail in 2018, Fergie spoke of how “united” the York family will always be, despite the trials and tribulations they’ve weathered over the years. Clarifying that she was “divorced to” Andrew, not divorced from him, Fergie explained: “We’re the happiest divorced couple in the world. We’re divorced to each other, not from each other.

“My duty is to him. I am so proud of him. I stand by him and always will. The way we are is our fairytale.” The Duchess continued: “The Yorks are a united family. We’ve shown it.”

According to Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame, the Duke wanted Buckingham Palace to wait to announce the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death as he wanted to be with the family

Prince Harry “begged” the Royal Family to hold off announcing important news to the world, an author has claimed.

According to Omid Scobie’s book, Endgame, Prince Harry wanted Buckingham Palace to wait to announce the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death, as he wanted to be with the Royal Family at the time the news was released.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death was officially broadcast to the world at 6:30pm on September 8 2022, just before Prince Harry was able to arrive in Aberdeen and make his way to Balmoral. However, in his book, Omid claims the statement was due to be released earlier but Prince Harry had begged the release to be delayed.

Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, along with their wives, visited Windsor Castle to see floral tributes left for the late Queen ( 
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Getty Images)
The Prince’s plane was forced to circle the airport before landing due to stormy weather, reports the Express. The extract reads: “When Harry’s plane finally touched tarmac twenty minutes later, he received a text from Meghan urging him to call ASAP followed by a breaking news alert via the BBC News app with the announcement of the Queen’s death.”

The Palace did agree to wait for Harry to arrive, but eventually they decided to announce the news without him. A spokesperson for the King said in a statement: “The public was only informed after every family member had been informed.” The newspaper also quoted a source saying that the King was “adamant” that all members of ‘the Firm’ had to be informed of the monarch’s death before the palace broke the news.

Members of the Royal Family had rushed to Aberdeenshire on the day if The Queen’s death, to be by her side at Balmoral. The Duke of Sussex was scheduled to appear at a charity award ceremony in London on September 8, but had to cancel his plans to rush to his grandmother’s bedside.

Just days after her death, Prince Harry and his brother Prince William along with their wives, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, were reunited to view floral tributes which has been left outside Windsor Castle. The was the first time that all four members of the family appeared in public together, since the Queen’s thanksgiving in June 2022, as part of her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

Prince Harry and Prince William were last seen together at a memorial service for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, back in August 2023. Harry has also visited the UK to see his father, King Charles, in February of this year and again for the Invictus Games, an international sporting event held for wounded and ill members of the armed forces veterans, in May.

Princess Charlotte clearly adores her dad Prince William – but she was left so upset by one of his decisions that she burst into ‘floods of tears’, the future King admitted

There’s no doubt that Prince William is a devoted dad to his three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

But he has admitted that one of his decisions actually left his daughter in “floods of tears”. In August 2024, William surprised fans by debuting a new beard in a video alongside Princess Kate, as they praised the achievements of the nation’s athletes at the Paris Olympics. And it seems here to stay, much to the delight of fans who have been quick to praise the Prince’s rugged new look. Princess Charlotte, however, had a very different reaction to William’s facial hair.

William was asked about his stubble at the end of a four-day visit to Cape Town in November. He admitted: “Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears the first time I grew a beard, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back. I thought, hang on a second and I convinced her it was going to be okay.”

When one of the reporters told the Prince that his new facial hair gives him a laid-back, ‘relaxed’ look, William expressed surprise. “It’s interesting you say that, because I couldn’t be less relaxed this year, so it’s very interesting you’re all seeing that,” he said about the past 12 months, which saw both his wife, Princess Kate, and father, King Charles, diagnosed with cancer. “But it’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going,” he said.

It comes after Prince Harry famously claimed that William was ‘jealous’ of the fact he was allowed to have a beard at his 2018 wedding. Writing in his tell-all memoir Spare, Harry said: “And yet I now dared to make another ask – Granny, please, may I, for my wedding, keep my beard? Not a small ask either. A beard was thought by some to be a clear violation of protocol and long-standing norms, especially since I was getting married in my Army uniform. Beards were forbidden in the British Army.”

When William found out he was granted permission, Harry said he “became livid” and claimed his older brother said: “You put her in an uncomfortable position, Harold! She had no choice but to say yes.” According to Harry, William would not let the issue drop, with the argument continuing for more than a week. It reportedly culminated with William ordering Harry to shave it off.

The Duke claimed he responded by saying: “For the love of God, Willy, why does this matter so much to you? ‘Because I wasn’t allowed to keep my beard.’ Ah, there it was. After he’d come back from an assignment with Special Forces, Willy was sporting a full beard, and someone told him to be a good boy, run along and shave it. He hated the idea of me enjoying a perk he’d been denied.”

The Princess of Wales will host her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey this week – and honoured guests have received a sweet letter penned by the Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales has encouraged people to “turn to love, not fear” in a sweet letter written to guests of her upcoming Christmas concert.

Kate, 42, has made only a handful of public appearances in 2024 after a difficult year in which she underwent major abdominal surgery in January and then was diagnosed with cancer. Her chemotherapy treatment ended in September and she has begun to make a gradually return to royal duties.

Next week is her annual festive event at Westminster Abbey, which she has been working towards. Honoured guests, who include survivors of the Southport stabbings earlier this year, were sent special letters written by Kate, MailOnline reported. She wrote: “I am so delighted you’re able to join this Carol Service. I wanted to write and share my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done to provide comfort and hope to those who need it the most.

The letter written to guests

Kate during last year’s concert ( 
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Getty Images)
“Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. It is a time for celebration and joy, but it also gives us the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness – so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about.

“The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences.

Kate in her video she posted earlier this year talking of her cancer ( 
Image:
BBC Studios via Getty Images)

“Above all else it encourages us to turn to love, not fear. The love we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving and love that brings joy and hope.

“It is this love which is the greatest gift we can receive. Not just at Christmas, but every day of our lives. Love something we can offer one another. Gentle words or a receptive car, an arm around an exhausted the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”

Kate’s invitation to the child survivors of the Southport stabbings comes after the she made a surprise visit with her husband William to meet the bereaved families of the victims in Southport last month. The royal couple met privately with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, as well as the children’s dance teacher.

Kensington Palace said Kate, who honoured the war dead at Remembrance events earlier this month, wanted the theme of this year’s carol service to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.