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After Princess Diana‘s tragic death in 1997, it was only natural for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to choose a personal item of hers as a reminder of their mother.

Harry reportedly selected Diana’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William opted for her Cartier Tank Française watch.

In 2010, it is believed the brothers swapped items, so William could use the ring to propose to Kate Middleton. Later, Harry gave the luxurious timepiece to Meghan Markle.

However, in his bombshell biography Spare, released last year, the Duke of Sussex branded these reports ‘absolutely rubbish’.

Instead, Harry claimed William was already in possession of their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate, so he was never asked to give it up.

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One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, the Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost £28,000 and is now valued at upwards of £300,000

Additionally, Harry said he was unaware of William’s intention to marry Kate until the engagement was publicly announced.

‘Soon after we returned to Britain the Palace announced that Willy was going to marry. November 2010,’ the Prince wrote.

‘News to me. All that time together in Lesotho, he’d never mentioned it.

‘The papers published florid stories about the moment I realised Will and Kate were well matched, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and thus decided to gift Willy the ring I’d inherited from Mummy, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a bonding moment for all three of us, and absolute rubbish: none of it ever happened.’

Harry went on to deny ever asking for the piece of jewellery after Diana’s death and wrote: ‘I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give. He already had it. He’d asked for it after Mummy died, and I’d been more than happy to let it go.’

One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, the Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring, was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost £28,000 and is now valued at upwards of £300,000.

The ring, inspired by Queen Victoria‘s sapphire brooch from 1840, which she wore as her ‘something blue’ on her wedding day, symbolised marriage, family and love.

When presented with various options, Diana and Charles reportedly selected this ring together, as it complemented her blue eyes.

The choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring.

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William presented his fiancée Kate with the 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by fourteen solitaire diamonds, which was crafted by Garrard

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After Diana’s death, it was reported that Harry requested to keep his mother’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William selected her Cartier Tank Française watch

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Kate has been proudly wearing Princess Diana’s ring for almost 14 years

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In his bombshell memoir, Spare, Harry alleged that William was already in possession of their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate – so he was never asked to part with it

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Diana’s choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring

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In another twist, Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, told the Mirror that he was present when the brothers selected the items to remember their mother by.

Paul claimed: ‘Harry said to me, “I always remember holding Mummy’s hand and that ring hurting me because it was so big”.

‘And that’s why, when the boys came to Kensington Palace, I said to them, you must take something of your Mother’s. You must take something to remind yourself of your time here at Kensington Palace and your mother’s life.’

The former royal employee claimed that William asked to keep Diana’s Cartier watch, which had been a present from her father on her 21st birthday, while Harry chose her engagement ring, which has now been worn by Kate for almost 14 years.

What’s more, Paul says that William was ‘happy with the arrangement’.

Diana wore her beloved Cartier Tank Française on several occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

At the time, the yellow gold watch was priced at £17,800. Harry later gave it to Meghan, who has worn it countless times, often stacked with a Cartier Love bracelet.

It is a clear favourite from her inherited collection.

Birmingham City play host to Wrexham in one of League One’s most hotly-anticipated clashes of the season

David Beckham and Tom Brady speak prior to a game between the Inter Miami and the FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Image: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Traditionally, this evening’s clash between Birmingham City and Wrexham might not seem the likeliest place to spot a A-list star, but these are strange times we live in.

The Blues host the Red Dragons in an eagerly awaited League One contest that is expected to draw a bumper crowd to St Andrew’s, with both teams having their sights set on promotion to the Championship come the end of this season.

Driving the plans behind the scenes for positive change at the respective has included a sprinkling of stardust, with Birmingham owner Tom Wagner and his Knighthead Capital team bringing on board one of American sport’s most famous faces in former NFL star Tom Brady.

This evening’s opponents, Wrexham, have had their fortunes turned around by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the popular Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ having seen the club’s popularity on the other side of the Atlantic grow significantly.

READ: Blues announce partnership with $59b company to kickstart ‘defining era’

READ: David Beckham set to add to Tom Brady stardust at Birmingham City

Famous faces from sport and entertainment have started to become more commonplace when it comes to investing in football, with Will Ferrell an investor in Leeds United alongside basketball stars Russell Westbrook and Larry Nance Jnr, while actor Michael B. Jordan has a stake in Bournemouth. Across the pond, the likes of Natalie Portman and Eva Longoria both have investments in teams that compete in the both men’s and women’s football.

David Beckham, English football royalty, is expected to be in attendance for the clash this evening.

Since retiring, the 49-year-old ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star has become an active investor with a diversified portfolio, with one of his main deals being that of acquiring an ownership stake in MLS side Inter Miami, playing a significant role in bringing Lionel Messi to America.

Brady and Beckham are said to have grown close and, according to US magazine Life&Style, are on the lookout for investment opportunities that they can enter together.

A source told the magazine: “There’s talk of everything from a fashion line to sports equipment and an alcohol brand. The idea of buying an NFL team together is even on the table.”

Beckham already has a minority ownership stake in an EFL side through his 10% of the ‘Class of 92’ owned Salford City. Him taking any kind of ownership stake in Birmingham is highly unlikely.

However, Brady is understood to want to play an active role in Birmingham’s growth and not just be a passive investor, and business collaborations with Beckham could have a line back to the Blues in an indirect way.

Leveraging the Birmingham brand through Brady and Beckham’s friendship, and unique positioning among the American sporting public, with Brady one of the country’s all-time sporting greats and Beckham having had huge popularity since being a driving force for Inter Miami and the ‘Messi effect’, is something that could be done.

In the same way that Reynolds and McElhenney have been cute in terms of bringing on board major sponsors through association, a Brady and Beckham alliance could also have a significant impact when it comes to bringing on board new commercial partners or other forms of investment.

Brady’s long-standing history with the NFL, and the potential of NFL team ownership in the future, means that the prospect of a link-up between the two entities could be on the cards. With the NFL to open itself up private equity investment, Wagner and Knighthead Capital have been weighing up options for an NFL investment, with the Las Vegas Raiders mentioned as a potential target.

Making the most of relationships that allow for the club to cut through in major markets like the US will be an important tactic for the Blues moving forward, with Knighthead Capital’s investment thesis being one of a long-term view.

On the face of it, famous faces being in attendance may seem to be something of a sideshow that may detract from the importance of what happens on the pitch, but in making football club’s stand out in the crowd and maximise a golden opportunity, especially in the US where the ‘soccer’ market is enjoying something of a boom, means that for those that can pull on such levers, they will see the value in doing so.

imon Jordan couldn’t resist a sly dig at David Beckham’s beloved Inter Miami following the England legend’s trip to watch Birmingham City with Tom Brady

David Beckham (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

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Simon Jordan couldn’t resist a sly swipe at David Beckham after the former footballer described Birmingham City’s St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park as the best atmosphere he has witnessed ‘for a long time’.

Beckham was one of the celebrity guests in attendance at the home of the Blues on Monday night to witness Chris Davies’ side defeat fellow League One promotion hopefuls Wrexham. The third tier match was given that extra layer of glamour owing to the fact both teams have been boosted by wealthy US financial backing in recent seasons.

Representing the visitors in the stands was actor Rob McElhenney, with co-owner and fellow star of the screen Ryan Reynolds watching from afar. For the hosts, the Knighthead Capital Management were in attendance, which includes seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.

READ MORE: Alan Shearer urges David Beckham to make big Birmingham City decision

READ MORE: Birmingham City agree mega new deal after Delta Airlines announcement

He was sat alongside Beckham for the occasion, who then one night later was seen making a surprise appearance on CBS’ coverage of the UEFA Champions League. Talking to the likes of Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards, he admitted: “I’ve not seen an atmosphere like that for a long time.”

But unbeknownst to him, this statement would open up the door to a witty jibe from talkSPORT pundit Jordan, who via X responded: “That’s probably true given he’s regularly watching #InterMiami,” followed by a winking tongue-out emoji.

Since retiring, the England legend has taken a similar path to Brady’s in that he has taken to club ownership in football, or ‘soccer’, as is coined in the United States. After years of planning, his Inter Miami franchise entered the MLS in 2020 and have since gone on to become one of the biggest names commercially in the sport.

This is owing to the fact they have been manager to attract a series of Europe’s former top talents reaching their final years, the greatest being Lionel Messi, then his former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba. Previously Gonzalo Higuain and Blaise Matuidi have also played for the club, whilst former Lionesses manager Phil Neville was for a time their coach.

But the US league is still to challenge the history and following of the English game, perhaps now even down to Birmingham in the third tier with internationally recognised names like Brady bringing a new spotlight to a team with desires on one day returning to the Premier League.

Harry and Meghan announced they were quitting royal life in January 2020, less than two years after tying the knot. And it could have been exactly what Meghan wanted all along, according to an expert

Meghan Markle could well have got exactly what she wanted by marrying Prince Harry and promptly leaving the royal family, according to an expert.

The former Suits star was warmly welcomed by the Queen and other royals once she started dating Harry. But less than two years after their 2018 wedding, the couple shocked fans with the news they were quitting royal life.

They subsequently moved to Canada, returning for certain engagements – including the Commonwealth Day service in March 2020. And there is one photo capturing Harry and Meghan walking behind the royals that speaks a thousand words.

It’s a significant image; not only is it the last photo showing Meghan and the late Queen together, but the tensions between family members is quite clear. “Look how angry, really, Harry looks here at the back,” Richard Eden noted on YouTube, pointing to the Duke’s stern expression as he leaves Westminster Abbey behind his father and older brother. “The others are trying to put on very neutral expressions, but he looks angry and bitter.

The expert pointed to this photo of Harry and Meghan, noting their differing expressions ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

“Everyone looks pretty unhappy essentially, apart from, I dare say, Meghan. Look at the expression on her face. She seems kind of pleased really, as if maybe she’s got what she wanted.”

The royal commentator continued: “You know there were people at the time who said, you know, perhaps that’s what Meghan wanted. She married into the royal family, she’s got her prince, and now she’s taking him back to America. So maybe that accounts for her expression”.

Meghan and Prince Harry announced they intended to “step back as senior members of the Royal Family” and split their time between the U.K. and North America on 8 January 2020.

“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” they said in a statement. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”

Days later, Harry, his father Charles and his brother William met with the Queen at Sandringham to discuss Harry and Meghan’s announcement in what became known as the ‘Sandringham Summit’. After the 90-minute discussion, the Queen released a rare and emotional statement.

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family,” she said. “My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family.

“Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.”

The monarch also announced there would be a “period of transition” as they fully fledged out their new roles. It was later confirmed that there would be a one-year probational period, after which the royal family will revisit the agreement.

Then, in February 2021, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the couple would not be returning to their royal roles. Meghan and Harry lost their patronages and Harry lost his honorary military appointments, which were subsequently redistributed “among working members of The Royal Family.”

They were also stopped from using their His/Her Royal Highness titles – although they retained them, along with their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.

“While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family,” the Buckingham Palace announcement said.

Harry and Meghan’s popularity in the UK and the US has plummeted in the wake of their public criticisms of the royal family – and now a new poll has placed Meghan even further down the list

There was a time when Meghan Markle was seen as a very welcome addition to the royal family, with the late Queen believing that the former actress would “be a breath of fresh air and a great asset to the Monarchy”.

But less than two years after the Sussexes’ wedding, Meghan and Harry quit royal life – and have since gone on to make a series of blistering attacks on his loved ones. Their comments have proved controversial and divisive, and it has led to a rapid decline in their popularity in both the UK and the US, where they now live.

Now a new YouGov poll has revealed that Meghan has dropped even further down the rankings, and has fallen behind a barely-seen royal. The latest quarterly data compiled by the polling agency shows the Duchess of Sussex is 17th on the list of the most popular Royal Family members based on the size of her fanbase.

Meghan was liked by 23 percent of Brits and known to 99 percent, putting her one place behind Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, who is liked by 25 percent but only known to 56 percent.

So who is Princess Alexandra? She was born on 25 December 1936, as the only daughter of the late Prince George, Duke of Kent (King George VI’s younger brother) and the late Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. She has two brothers – Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, 87, and Prince Michael of Kent, 80.

The Honorable Lady Ogilvy is still a working member of the royal family and was very close to her late cousin, Queen Elizabeth II, supporting Her Majesty at a great many engagements over the years.

At the age of 11, she took on a starring role as one of Princess Elizabeth’s bridesmaids at her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947, and Princess Anne was one of her bridesmaids when she married businessman Sir Angus James Bruce Ogilvy at Westminster Abbey in London 24 April 1963.

Alexandra and Angus welcomed two children together – James and Marina Ogilvy, born in 1964 and 1966 respectively. Sadly Angus died at the age of 76 on 26 December 2004, after spending three months in hospital with cancer-related illnesses. His death came a day after his wife’s 68th birthday. His funeral took place at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in January 2005, and he is buried in the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore.

Princess Alexandra has lived at Thatched House Lodge in Richmond, London since 1963 and she also has use of a grace-and-favour apartment at St James’s Palace in London, via Hello. She continues to appear at major royal events and was featured in the King and Queen Camilla’s official coronation photographs, placed in between the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been criticised over their reputations as activists in a new documentary, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, which airs on TV tonight

Meghan Markle has been slated for ‘not being an asset’ to Montecito in a new bombshell documentary.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the focus of a new film, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, which is scheduled to air on Germany’s ZDF network tonight. Award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald spoke to the couple’s Montecito neighbours, royal experts and former acquaintances to explore Prince Harry’s struggles within the Royal Family and his life now in California.

The film touches on how Harry has “always struggled” with his role as a ‘reserve’ and why he remains in the spotlight despite quitting his royal responsibilities in 2020. Ahead of the prime-time special, the Mirror takes a look at the biggest bombshells to come out – from Harry making himself a ‘target’ to Meghan distancing herself from the local community…

Harry was told to pipe down about his family by a fellow veteran ( 
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SplashNews.com)

Harry blasted for ‘whinging’

In the film, Harry is blasted by a former solider for ‘whinging’ about his family feud in his memoir Spare and his Netflix series, the Mail Online reports. Veteran soldier Ben McBean, who shared a flight home from Afghanistan with Harry in 2008, did not hold back from slamming the Duke over his choice to air his disputes with William and Charles in the public eye.

McBean, who lost his left arm in a landmine blast and had his right leg amputated above the knee, says: “I just thought, with him kind of whinging about his family and he was saying something about his brother pushing him over or something like that, I was just like, ‘Mate, just leave it out’. You and your brother had a little fisticuffs…but family’s family, you know.”

He went on: “If one of my friends fell out with his partner and started posting things on social media and saying my ex is this and that, I’d have told him to shut up as well.’”

Bad-mouthed by neighbour

One of the couple’s neighbours in Montecito, Richard Mineards, also features in the film talking about the expensive lifestyle the Sussexes enjoy. He says: “It doesn’t come cheap. I mean… most houses are about eight or nine million dollars.”

Mineards went on to criticise Meghan for not being an asset to the local community. He says: “I personally don’t think that Meghan is an asset to our community… She doesn’t really go out or get involved with the community. Harry has to a certain extent, because he’s quite jolly… but Meghan doesn’t seem to get seen anywhere… And you don’t see him either.”

One of the couple’s neighbours criticised Meghan for not being an ‘asset’ ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

‘Carefully orchestrated’ trips

Dai Davies, a former Head of Royal Protection and a Divisional Commander in the Metropolitan Police, lashes out at Harry for only mixing with wealthy personnel on the couple’s ‘carefully orchestrated’ trips abroad. He says: “In Colombia, although there are very rich people there, the vast majority, 85 percent or 90 percent, are very poor.

“And what I’ve noticed of these tours, he mixes with the upper classes. He doesn’t really, apart from carefree orchestrated areas where he mixes with so-called the ‘normal people’ – well they’re not. These are carefully orchestrated campaigns as far as I can see… I look quite dispassionately at the evidence and the evidence I’ve seen is, it’s all about Harry and Meghan.”

Harry ‘made himself a target’

Davies also accuses Harry of making himself and others a target by disclosing how many Taliban fighters he had killed. He says: “In his book, Spare, for him to disclose, as he did, that he had killed a number of Taliban was, in my opinion, totally unwise, because I was aware, as indeed he was, that the Taliban and various groups had put a price on his head.”

“And really, I think that price still remains, which could form a basis for him saying, well, I need security. If you open your big mouth, as he has collectively, that book, not just on that, but given away all kinds of secrets, then it’s not surprising that some people might regard you as a potential target.”

A former Head of Royal Protection dubbed the couple’s visits as ‘carefully orchestrated’ ( 
Image:
SplashNews.com)

Royal expert Jack Royston, from the podcast The Royal Report, accuses the couple of ‘bordering on corruption’ in their dealings with Hollywood. He criticises Harry and Meghan for wanting to be ‘half in and half out’ of the Royal Family as he says: “If you have a situation where Harry and Meghan are earning huge amounts of money in Hollywood trading off their reputations, but then they’re also bolstering their reputations by working for the Queen – they’re able to present themselves on the world stage as being these working members of the royal family who are also available for a price.

“That is a huge compromise to demand off the monarchy. If they were to be perceived to be promoting their commercial projects while representing the Queen, then that’s also… starting to border on corruption there because they should never be using the monarchy as a platform.”

Reality of the Archewell Foundation

Filmmaker Grunewald highlights how the amount of donations for the Archewell Foundation has fallen in recent years and criticises the organisation of the couple’s foundation. She says: “The amount of donations has fallen drastically in one year: from $13million in 2021 to $2million in 2022. According to their own documents, Harry and Meghan only work one hour a week for the Archewell Foundation.” Last year saw an increase of $3m to $5m (£4m), however it still sits at $8m (£6.4m) below the first year’s income.

Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer are the twin daughters of Charles Spencer, Princess Diana’s younger brother. And they channelled their famous aunt at a major fashion event in London

Princess Diana’s nieces, Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer, certainly turned heads as they walked the red carpet at the 2024 British Fashion Awards.

The striking twins, daughters of Diana’s younger brother Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, were perfectly coordinated on the night. But it was their choice of gowns that really got people talking.

Both sisters opted for off-the-shoulder black sheath dresses, but with different necklines and accessories. Amelia’s gown featured a v-neckline and slim off-the-shoulder sleeves. She completed her look with a glittering diamond choker, matching diamond bracelet, diamond rings, and diamond drop earrings.

Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer both attended the 2024 Fashion Awards ( 
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Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Princess Diana wore her ‘revenge dress’ when she stepped out at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994 ( 
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Her twin, meanwhile, wore a velvet gown with a straight neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves. Eliza also accessorised with an array of diamonds – including a choker, identical bracelet, a diamond ring and diamond cuff earrings – and just like her sister, wore her blonde hair styled up in a sleek bun.

Royal fans were quick to point out similarities between the Spencer girls’ gowns and the infamous ‘revenge dress’ worn by their late aunt, Princess Diana. Style icon Diana stepped out for a gala at the Serpentine Gallery in London in 1994 wearing a fitted, black, off-the-shoulder dress with an asymmetrical hemline and chiffon train that flowed behind her.

The revealing ensemble was unusual for a member of the royal family – but that wasn’t the only reason it made headlines. Diana wore the dress on the same night that then-Prince Charles confessed on national television that he had been unfaithful to her.

Diana had actually commissioned the Christina Stambolian gown in September 1991, before her marriage had completely imploded. During a shopping trip in Stambolian’s boutique, Diana picked up a few pieces and then told the designer, “I want a special dress for a special occasion. It doesn’t matter if it is short or long. It has to be something special.” She also decided it would be black.

Two dressmakers then crafted the hand-stitched gown with a flirty mini train, which would then sit in Diana’s wardrobe unworn for three years. Prior to her appearance at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, it leaked that the Princess was going to wear Valentino. So instead, she wore the-soon-to-be-notorious revenge dress made by Stambolian.

Royal fashion commentator Elizabeth Holmes told Town & Country that Diana used the dress to both assert herself and her new independence. “Diana was known for wearing pieces that would wow,” she explained.

“She knew how a show-stopping piece could feel to wear — and watch. The revenge dress was both thrilling for royal fans and all but guaranteed her place in the newspaper, where space was finite. Embracing fashion-forward styles helped her get that spot on the front page time and time again.”

The Princess of Wales is taking part in her biggest and most significant royal event since she finished cancer treatment by joining Prince William to welcome the Emir of Qatar and his wife at the start of their state visit to the UK

A beaming Princess of Wales has made her biggest appearance since her cancer treatment ended by playing a key role in the Qatar state visit to the UK today – with Prince William offering a supporting hand to his wife.

Kate, 42, who recently finished treatment following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year, joined William to welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher for the start of the huge royal event. The royals posed for traditional welcome pictures before William and Kate accompanied the guests to nearby Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall where the King and senior members of the Government were waiting and a ceremonial welcome was staged.

The princess was pictured smiling in a fitted burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a Sahar Millinery hat alongside William and the VIP guests inside the residence in London. Kate, wearing a pearl necklace that once belonged to the late Queen, and with her hair in a low chignon, was seen in conversation with Sheikha Jawaher.

William places a protective hand on Kate’s shoulder ( 
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Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
But despite Kate being back for the ceremonial welcome, Queen Camilla was missing after suffering significantly diminished reserves of energy following her chest infection. Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, which she contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa.

But she will join the royal party this afternoon at Buckingham Palace for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife and will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir.

It is also hoped that the Queen will be able to view a display of Qatari artefacts after lunch in the palace’s picture gallery with her husband, the Waleses and the Emir.

William and Kate beamed widely at the state visit ( 
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Max Mumby)
More than 900 soldiers, including nearly 200 Army musicians and 100 members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery turned out at Horse Guards in honour of the guests. For this State Visit the format has been adjusted slightly to allow The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to play a more visible role, and for the Emir to both see the world class troops on parade but also to hear them from within Buckingham Palace.

A Guard of Honour, formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with The King’s Colour and the Band of the Regiment waited to greet the royal guests, with William placing a supportive hand on Kate’s back. They were joined by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and a Sovereign’s Escort, under the command of Major Thomas Stewart, The Life Guards.

William and Kate with King Charles and the Qatari guests during the ceremonial welcome ( 
Image:
Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

The King, who arrived ahead of his guests, was received at the Royal Pavilion by Sir Kenneth Olisa, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. The Silver Stick in Waiting, Brigadier Mark Berry, and the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, Colonel Guy Stone, were also present.

The soldiers performed a Royal Salute and a trumpeter played as the procession of the Emir passed through the grand arches of the ancient Horse Guards Building, travelling with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

As they were welcomed by the King at the Pavilion gun salutes were fired across London. The 76-year-old monarch then made a number of presentations before inviting the emir to inspect the Guard of Honour as the Qatari national anthem is played.

William was on hand to support Kate ( 
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Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock)

The event is part of Kate’s gradual return to the spotlight ( 
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The royal party then departed Horse Guards in a spectacular carriage procession, accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry.

Charles travelled in the Irish State Coach with the Emir and Sheikha, while Kate and William followed in the Australian State Coach with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Four other carriages carrying dignitaries formed the procession, which travelled down the Mall, past the Queen’s gardens and into the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. More pomp and pageantry awaited the Emir, as they arrived at the Palace to a second Guard of Honour and a rendition of both the British and Qatari national anthem.

William and Kate were thrilled to greet fans ( 
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SWNS)
State visits are considered the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between two sovereign states, and it is a huge honour for all those taking part.

After lunch, visiting heads of state traditionally view a small exhibition of items associated with their country’s relationship with the UK and Kate will be among the royal party joining the Emir and his wife in the palace’s picture gallery for the event.

However, Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by the King in the palace’s ballroom that evening, although William and Camilla will be there. The princess announced in September the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in a deeply personal video with her family and said her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.

Kate with Sheikha Jawaher, the wife of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani ( 
Image:
PA)
The princess had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February, with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month following his cancer diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate. She has made a few official appearances, joining senior members of the Royal Family for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and travelling with the Prince of Wales to Merseyside to meet the bereaved families of the Southport stabbings.

William previously he was looking forward to getting back to royal duties with his wife by his side, after a ‘brutal’ year where the princess and his father the King were both diagnosed with cancer. In a wide ranging interview, William said they both wanted to evolve their roles with a focus on “helping people”.

A royal source said: “The Princess is feeling positive about the future and very much looking forward to representing the royal family at the state visit and beyond. Her work has always been a great tonic to her as she continues to concentrate on her recovery moving forward to the end of the year and beyond.”

As the Prince and Princess of Wales joined together for a rare joint appearance today for the Qatar state visit to the UK, Prince William was seen placing a protective-looking arm on his wife’s back – but one expert believes it had a secret meaning

The Princess of Wales was able to count on her husband Prince William for support as she made a striking return to royal duties today.

Kate wore an eye-popping maroon coat, with matching hat and heeled boots as she and the Prince of Wales welcomed the Emir of Qatar and his wife on a state visit to the UK today. Kate has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer-free”.

After greeting the Qatari guests at their hotel, William and Kate accompanied them to Horse Guards Parade where they met King Charles for a ceremonial welcome before heading back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession.

William places an arm on Kate’s shoulder ( 
Image:
Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
While carrying out duties at Horse Guards, William was seen tenderly placing a seemingly supportive hand on his wife’s back as dignitaries shook hands. However, according to body language expert Judi James, the gesture actually took on a “different slant”.

She told the Mirror : “His hand on Kate’s back can be seen as supportive, but it actually looks more like a symptom of the affectionate and slightly flirty truncated hugs he’s been showering her with since their video update showed them as a truly tactile and flirty couple in private.

“His touch on Kate’s shoulder is more about showing polite priority, which could in turn reflect her power and strength signals here. It registers full attention when she speaks, which means both love and respect.”

William and Kate share a joke at Horse Guards Parade today ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
To mark the occasion today, Kate opted for a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, a matching hat by Sahar Millinery and Gianvito Rossi boots. The colour was a nod to the national hue of Qatar and Kate also gave a nod to the late Queen by wearing a necklace and earrings once belonging to her.

And according to Judi, everything about Kate’s look screamed “I’m back in business” as a “royal rock”. She explained: “The razor-sharp tailored shoulders are a power option, as are the killer boots that match her outfit, to create a solid block of burgundy, a regal colour associated with strength and a desire to stand out rather than stand back.

“The brimless matching hat and the hair swept up into an immaculate chignon offers Kate no hiding place in terms of ducking behind her hair or a brim. This revealing option is clearly chosen to allow her to present what is a radiant smile to her fans and to the world, with not one micro-gesture of anxiety or nerves.”With the addition of the pearls Kate has perfected the same levels of regal presence and elegance as she did in the iconic photograph taken at Philip’s funeral, where she first emerged looking like the perfect future Queen. The slightly reflective eye expression we have seen since her illness has gone here and her eye smile, with one brow slightly raised, suggests a sense of fun and full engagement. Her poise in tailored coat dress involves her arms often hanging relaxed at her sides in a look of increased confidence.

“She seems to want to make meeting her an upbeat experience and also a status one too as she looks every inch the warmly hosting future queen here. Like any good host, she seems to want to make the event go well rather than call too much worried attention to herself and her recovery.”

A new documentary, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, risks threatening the progress Prince Harry has made at mending his broken relationship with the Royal Family

Prince Harry’s thawing relationship with the Royal Family risks going ‘back a peg’ amid the release of a new documentary, a royal expert tells The Mirror.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the focus of a new film, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, which is scheduled to air on Germany’s ZDF network tonight. The documentary, produced by award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald, promises to reveal fresh revelations about the couple’s lives in the US after they quit their royal responsibilities in 2020.

Four years ago, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle relocated to California with the Duke telling Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview that he and Prince William were on ‘different paths’. Harry then shared potentially damaging stories about his older brother and father, King Charles, in his memoir Spare, further dividing the royals.

The Royal Family’s relationship has been turbulent in recent years ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
But in recent times, there have been signs of their frosty relationship thawing, royal commentator Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror – and this new film has the potential to further divide them. Mr Larcombe said: “It’s hard to say if the documentary will impact Harry’s relationship with the royals because there are signs that things might be thawing.

“It’s been quite a long time now since Harry and Meghan have dropped any bombshells. Since Harry’s book Spare came out in January, it’s been a relatively quiet time and he’s kept his mouth shut. Since then, he’s met up with his dad – albeit very briefly. It would be a real shame if the documentary put those possibilities of a thawing in the relationship back a peg or two.”

Mr Larcombe went on: “I think any documentary that continues the criticism of Harry and Meghan’s modus operandi is going to be damaging. It’s in Germany so it’s probably not going to make a big storm over in the US. But it’s still a major blow for a couple who have seen their popularity plummet like a stone falling in a well since they left the UK.”

The documentary comes as Meghan and Harry’s 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.

It is 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”. Now, 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.

Their solo public appearances are set to continue this week. Meghan is expected to appear at a glitzy Hollywood party honouring her celeb pal Tyler Perry tomorrow (December 4), meanwhile, thousands of miles away in New York, Harry will be at The New York Times DealBook Conference.