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Oleksandr Usyk is set to lose his title as undisputed heavyweight champion of the world despite beating Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian defeated the Gypsy King in a blockbuster clash on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, winning via split decision after the judges scored the fight 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.

It meant that Usyk unified the heavyweight division after taking the WBC title off Fury, which was added to his WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles.

However, the Ukrainian is set to be stripped of the IBF title in the coming weeks, with the 37-year-old instead focusing on a contracted rematch with Fury, which is expected to take place around October.

This is because Filip Hrgovic, Usyk’s mandatory challenge for the IBF title, won’t wait for that rematch to take place, meaning the IBF belt will be vacated by Usyk and then up for grabs when the Hrgovic takes on Daniel Dubois in June of this year.

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Oleksandr Usyk is set to lose his world title despite beating Tyson Fury on Saturday night

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Usyk defeated the Gypsy King via a split decision after an impressive display in Saudi Arabia

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The victory meant the Ukrainian became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world

Tearful Oleksander Usyk misses father after ‘historical’ win

Whoever wins in that June bout is then expected to face Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September.

This means that by the time of Usyk and Fury’s rematch, the victor of that bout will not be the unified world champion as they will be missing the IBF crown.

It would then be up to the winner whether they would try to reclaim that to unify the division again.

However, speaking after the fight, the issue of losing the IBF title didn’t seem to be something that Usyk was particularly bothered about.

The Ukrainian was tired after he endured an extra long build-up to the fight with Fury when the original date of the contest of February 17 was postponed due to the Gypsy King suffering a nasty cut above his eye in training.

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Usyk will have to vacate his IBF belt as the mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic, won’t wait for his rematch with Fury, with the Croatian set to take on Daniel Dubois next month

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The winner of Dubois (pictured) or Hrgovic is then expected to take on Anthony Joshua

Usyk sent to HOSPITAL with a broken jaw after beating Tyson Fury

‘I don’t think about boxing now, please,’ Uysk said when asked about running it again with Fury.

‘My camp started in September 2023, I worked for nine months. I missed Happy New Year, I missed my son’s birthday, I missed my other son’s birthday, I missed my daughter’s birthday and then the birth of my daughter.

‘I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight, now I’m happy and I want to go back home.’

Let me address the elephant in the room, sympathy for Tyson Fury this morning is thin on the ground.

I always love the Brit to win but there is a growing amount of people who follow our sport that are happy he didn’t. And you have to ask, why is that?

There is a responsibility that comes with being a world champion and how Tyson and his entourage conduct themselves in the build-up to a fight leaves me cold. It’s thuggish, it’s rude and it can’t be excused as big fight showmanship any more.

Like it or not, British sports fans are still viewed around many parts of the world as hooligans and the antics shown by people close to Tyson do nothing to dispel that.

They are representing our sport, our country, they are part of him, a world champion. Yet it comes to a point where I find myself saying ‘You’re a great fighter but you know what? This is not on, we’ve had enough.’

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Sympathy for Tyson Fury is thin on the ground following his defeat by Oleksandr Usyk

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An over confident Fury showboated when he was nowhere near the finish line

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All his showboating did was give Usyk a chance to step back and consider a different approach

Tyson’s story as an underdog, who has battled his mental demons to get back on the road to recovery and rise to being a champion is a bestseller. It has warmed the hearts of people who don’t necessarily follow boxing.

He has made enough money now for his family and all his descendants to live comfortably for life but what’s it worth when you tarnish a legacy in this way?

People are scared to criticise for fear of being insensitive because of Tyson’s mental issues. That shouldn’t excuse his behaviour.

Like many fighters, he can spiral into depression. You can often feel alone.

Muhammad Ali, Anthony Joshua so many more have had to conquer it. But that doesn’t mean you let standards drop. Tyson is a clever man; he can surely see it. Nobody is telling him to put this behaviour in check.

My trainer Brendan Ingle used to say to me, boxing at its worst can be ‘a dirty, rotten prostituting game’ and at its best can be the greatest sport in the world.

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Fury has lost to the man he once described as a ‘gap-toothed, blown up middleweight’

Tyson is the entertainment but around him it is a money making business masquerading as sport.

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Johnny Nelson (pictured) insists there is a responsibility that comes with being a world champion and how Tyson and his entourage conduct themselves has left him cold

He has lost to the man he once described as a ‘gap-toothed, blown up middleweight’ and he shouldn’t have done because he had gained control.

Whether it was down to complacency or fitness, Tyson shouldn’t have allowed Oleksandr Usyk back in after round seven.

He was having great success on the front foot, jabbing, finding the uppercut, leaning in but he overcooked the boxing against ‘the boxer’ then showboated when he was nowhere near the finish line.

You showboat to say, ‘I’m better than you, I’m in control’, all it did was give Usyk a chance to step back and consider a different approach.

Tyson’s head will be fried this morning just watching how he got clipped and hurt so badly in round nine.

It was worse than his knockdown against Deontay Wilder because he had gone. The referee did him a favour because his body was limp, it was like trying to hold water in your hand.

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John Fury caused controversy in the build-up when he headbutted a member of Usyks’ team

John Fury HEADBUTTS one of Usyk’s team

I told you all on Saturday that I had a dream where Tyson was telling me he had won and that it was in controversial circumstances.

I deciphered that as him winning the fight, but I may have to fine tune how I read my dreams from now on.

However, you saw the fight though, it was a heart on the line achievement for Usyk and the best man won.

Putting politics aside, the money of Saudi Arabia is the reason such big fights are happening and it is the reason we will see more opportunities for Tyson, Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

I know Tyson says he will take the contracted rematch, but I do question whether they are only words. He will be devastated by this loss.

Once he has digested it and the fall-out, I wonder if he’ll have the motivation.

Maybe my words will motivate him but if he comes again, I just hope he does things the correct way for a champion.

The cruellest cut of all is that the odds against Tyson Fury ever becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world are now far longer than the slenderest of margins by which Oleksandr Usyk beat him to all that glory in their apocalyptic duel in the Saudi desert.

The new wearer of all those burnished belts required stitches alongside his right eye. The fallen King of the Gypsies suffered internal laceration of the nostrils.

If ever an epic of the prize-ring demanded a sequel it is this phenomenal fight for the ages.

Yet even if Fury were to win a rematch in October — even if that return to arms actually takes place — one of the four jewels will be missing from Usyk’s crown.

The IBF will shortly strip him of their championship so as to respect the right of another of their highly ranked heavyweights — namely Filip Hrgovic, in case you have never heard of him — to make his oft delayed challenge for a world title.

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Oleksandr Usyk secured his legacy by beating Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night

Oleksandr Usyk ready to go home after victory against Tyson Fury

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He became the first undisputed heavyweight champion for a quarter of a century

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Usyk joined all-time great Evander Holyfield (pictured) in ruling the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions in his career

Tyson Fury ready for a rematch after losing against Usyk

After waiting a quarter of a century for a successor to Lennox Lewis as the supreme ruler of its highest domain, boxing will have its undisputed champion for a fortnight. Only boxing could make it up.

Usyk will not fret. His place in the pantheon of all-time greats is assured. Like only one other mighty warrior before him — the rightly nicknamed Real Deal Evander Holyfield — he is now an undisputed champion of both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.

It is the ultimate achievement in the hardest game. Add to these distinctions an Olympic gold medal — which the man himself regards as his noblest prize — and he sits now in the company of Ali and Robinson, Louis and Leonard among the immortals.

To Fury goes the honour of his role in hallmarking Usyk’s triumph by way of unforgettable combat, for which it was a privilege to be in attendance.

Forgive him that remark made in the immediate slough of despond which suggested the decision of the judges was coloured by empathy with Ukraine’s horrifying war with Russia. Later in a long, long night Tyson nodded in assent as his promoter Frank Warren demurred on his behalf.

Although he does still think he won the fight. He can let go. His legacy is secure in his own winning of all the heavyweight titles, albeit not at the same time but over two reigns as champion, in defiance of his mental health afflictions.

Exactly where the travelling man journeys from here is undecided. The Saudi contract commits him to adding another mother-lode to the ballpark £100million he will bank from his first defeat.

Yet as Sunday dawn rose the Arabian sands were shifting. Not towards the seemingly eternal mirage of that Brit-buster finally becoming reality in Anthony Joshua’s planned September return to Wembley in search of world title redemption after twin beatings by Usyk.

That date is set by the IBF for the winner of Hrgovic v Daniel Dubois here in Saudi on Saturday week and Warren confirms: ‘That is too soon for Tyson after this gruelling fight. He must be with his family after all these weeks in training camp. He also needs time to consider what to do next. If he chooses to retire I would support him wholeheartedly.’

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Usyk will likely have to give up his IBF title to allow Filip Hrgovic (pictured) to have a shot at it, making Fury’s chances of ever becoming undisputed champion slimmer

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Hrgovic is due to take on Britain’s Daniel Dubois on June 1 in Saudi Arabia

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Anthony Joshua is due back in the ring in September, but is unlikely to face Fury

Usyk is moved to tears as he talks about his supportive late dad

Would he? Even in the anguish of losing his undefeated record —which he hid behind matter-of-fact acceptance post-fight — Fury said: ‘I don’t do this for the money. I do it because I love boxing.’

Whether his wonder-woman wife Paris loves him doing it quite so much, we wait to discover. For Usyk there is no option but to respect both his contract and his moral obligations to his sport to imprint a second edition with his lightning fists, his twinkling feet, his indomitable courage, his double PhD in the Noble Arts of technical ring excellence and Napoleonic tactical genius. This is the master of his generation, a maestro of all time.

Perhaps above all, he has will-power which defies comprehension by we mere mortals. Usyk was so far behind in this fight of two diametrically opposite halves that any even slightly lesser mortal would have given up the ghost. All six rounds in arrears on my card.

Fury had emerged from the bloated sloth of recent past as a slimmed down reincarnation of his prime. Unbelievable athletic agility for a monster of a man. Remarkable speed and variety of punch. Overwhelming belief, too, as he not only picked off Usyk from all angles and hurt him with his power but taunted him in an effort to demoralise with outrageous show-boating for such an immense occasion.

Usyk knew that if he did not win the seventh all would be lost. By super-human effort he did just that. Then again, and again.

The ninth was the crucible. When relentless assault by withering left hands was joined in the affray by a sonic right, the Gypsy King slumped semi-senseless against the ropes. For the record the American referee administered an eight-count, correctly, for him being held up by the ropes, not for being dropped to the canvas. Either way, 10-8 to Ukraine.

Fury, heroic as ever under extreme duress, bravely regained his footing. But he continued to ship punishment. By the end of the eleventh they were even, or as good as, and as he made his last stand the judges gave him the final round.

Their split decisions: 115-112 and 114-113 to Usyk, 114-113 to Fury. Your correspondent scored the 12th even, thus calling it a draw. When such an epic contest is this close, no one can complain about it going one way or the other by a whisker.

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Fury tried showboating to unsettle Usyk but it didn’t bother the Ukrainian

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Usyk stuck to his task and rocked Fury in the ninth round with a huge overhand left

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Fury fell into the ropes on multiples occasions and was eventually given a count by the referee which proved decisive on the scorecards

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After losing for the first time Fury must decide whether he wants a rematch or if he’ll sail off into the sunset

Klitschko and Shevchenko laud ‘historical’ win for Ukrainian Usyk

Never mind ‘Fight of the Century’, this was a classic for ever, taking its place in the litany of the greatest ever. Such is the psychological and emotional stress of such conflict that Usyk wept for his lost father, who he feels has visited him. Shed tears without embarrassment.

He also revealed the contents of a note he had kept secret in his pocket all week. In it he asked Jesus: ‘If I am deserving of this victory, grant it unto me. If so the victory will be yours. You are the great one, not me.’

Fury also prays. For success if worthy but for safe passage for himself and his opponents in this most perilous of sports. But Usyk answered the power of not one higher calling but two.

‘This,’ he said, ‘is for God and my country. Slava Ukraini.’

TODAY marks one year since Charles became King and his regal Coronation was televised around the world.

While the day is undoubtedly a momentous memory in his mind, the anniversary will be “bittersweet” for King Charles, claims a royal author.

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Today marks one year since the coronation of King Charles and it’ll be ‘bittersweet’, claims a royal authorCredit: Getty

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May 6 is also the date of Archie’s birthday, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son turning five todayCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

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King Charles has ‘only met Lilibet once, and Archie just two or three times’, claims Phil DampierCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Phil Dampier claims the monarch will not only be thinking about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, but also his grandson Archie, who celebrates his fifth birthday today.

The royal expert told Fabulous: “It’s a bittersweet day for the King when he marks the anniversary of his Coronation as it’s also Archie’s birthday.

“I’m sure it breaks Charles’s heart that his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet are growing up on the West Coast with American accents and yet he hardly knows them.

“Harry and Meghan may arrange occasional zoom calls but it’s not the same as seeing them in person.”

Phil added that King Charles is a “doting grandad” to Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, five, but added: “I’m sure he’d love to have the same relationship with his other two.

“It’s a very difficult situation.

“Charles probably compensates for not seeing them by showering love on George, Charlotte and Louis, but obviously it would be better for all concerned if the rifts were healed and some kind of normal family relations resumed.”

Harry’s UK return

The royal author pointed out that Prince Harry will be in the UK for the Invictus Games tenth anniversary this week – as he attends a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday May 8.

Phil claimed: “No-one knows if Harry is going to see his father but it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t.

“It would surely be an opportunity for Meghan to also bring the children so they could see him, but I doubt it will happen.
Charles will never let Harry back as part-time royal – but reconciliation with William will be even tougher, says expert
“The King has only met Lilibet – who was named after his mother the late Queen – once, and Archie just two or three times.

“Of course we must not forget Meghan’s father Thomas Markle, who has never met  either of them, or even his son in law Harry.”

King Charles has officially returned to public royal duties, 11 weeks after announcing he has cancer.

Last Tuesday, the monarch, 75, swapped stories and held hands with patients as he visited a cancer treatment centre with the Queen, 76.

I’m sure it breaks Charles’s heart that his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet are growing up on the West Coast with American accents and yet he hardly knows them

Phil DampierRoyal Author

When asked about his health battle and recovery, His Majesty understandably said it was a “bit of a shock” to be given his cancer diagnosis.

Phil pointed out that Charles may not be able to see Harry if his health isn’t up to it.

He claimed: “The King is still restricting the people he sees close up because of his condition and of course last time they met it only lasted less than half an hour.

“People who have been travelling on long-haul flights often pick up bugs so the medical advice might be that they don’t meet.”

Timeline of King Charles’ health battle

A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Future:

May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties

May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show

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

June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London

June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle

June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot

Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan

July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland

October: Two or three-week tour of Australia

As well as any heartache over Prince Harry and grandson Prince Archie, Phil said the Coronation anniversary will be poignant, with Charles thinking about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

He added: “I’m sure the King will be thinking of his mother on the day.

“At each major step of his reign he will tend to think what she would have done and learn from her wisdom, even though she is no longer with us.

“It doesn’t mean he will always do exactly the same thing, and he will have his own style, but he will always remember her ways because why not learn from the most successful monarch we have ever had?

When was King Charles’ coronation?

KING Charles was crowned in a historic ceremony watched by millions on May 6, 2023.

Formal celebrations began with a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

His Majesty’s coronation in Westminster Abbey was 70 years after his mother the Queen was crowned.

There was then a procession of the newly-crowned King and Queen back to Buckingham Palace, which took around 30 minutes.

Following this, they received a salute from the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Armed Forces in the Buckingham Palace Gardens.

The royal family later appeared on the infamous Buckingham Palace balcony for the flypast.

“As always, Camilla will be there to bolster him up and calm him down when required.

“She has been a magnificent support in recent months and I’m sure he would be the first to say he would have struggled to cope without her.”

The Coronation service took place on May 6, 2023, and was watched by millions worldwide.

Charles, who promised to pledge his life to his country in a solemn oath alongside Queen Camilla, has over the years expressed a desire to bring the Royal Family into the modern age.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now live in California, after stepping down as senior royalsCredit: Getty

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Charles has only met his grandkids on the Sussex side a handful of timesCredit: Netflix

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Phil said Charles will be thinking about his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II tooCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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The coronation was watched by millions around the globeCredit: Getty

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King Charles is said to rely on Queen Camilla and she’s been a ‘magnificent support’Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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Charles is said to ‘shower love on George, Charlotte and Louis’Credit: Alamy

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Prince Harry attended the Coronation of King Charles, but Meghan didn’t fly overCredit: Getty

Prince Harry and Prince William have been embroiled in a bitter family feud since before the Duke of Sussex stepped down.

Prince Harry described his difficult relationship with William in his book Spare (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry’s feud with Prince William has reached such a bitter stage that the California-based royal now “doesn’t exist” for his brother, according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex first shared insight into their difficult relationship after noting they were on “different paths” during his last official royal tour to South Africa in 2019.

Since then, Harry has further dismantled assumptions about their bond – offering a scathing assessment of their relationship in his memoir Spare.

The Duke and the Prince of Wales have mostly kept their distance from each other over the past four years, with their last joint appearance at the King’s Coronation in 2023, albeit they sat two rows apart.

Royal expert Jenny Bond has dismissed speculation about a possible reunion between the pair as she claimed William “has no room” right now to focus on reuniting with his brother.

Prince William took a break from duties after his wife was diagnosed with cancer ear (Image: Getty)

Speaking to Times Radio, Bond said: “I don’t think William gives Harry a thought. I think as far as William is concerned, Harry doesn’t really exist.

“I think William has enough pressure on his heart and his head with his wife undergoing cancer treatment and his father, and the big job, and his kids, I don’t think he’s got room in his soul to worry about his estranged brother.

“For all intents and purposes, William has disowned Harry.”

The Prince of Wales has come under considerable pressure since the start of the year as both the King and Kate, the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer within weeks of each other.

He took a temporary leave from duties to be by his wife and children’s side but has since resumed official engagements at a reduced pace.

Asked whether William and Harry could bury the hatchet sometime in the future, Bond claimed that the Prince of Wales can be “stubborn” and could hold a grudge against his brother for a long time still.

Prince William ‘sent Harry message with Prince George photo’ – and he took it to heart

She continued: “William is very stubborn, he’s very obstinate. And once he’s set his mind on something, it’s going to be very hard to dissuade him from that course of action.

“I really hope, as years go by, they will mature into thinking blood is thicker than water but I think time can be a great healer but can also entrench your positions.

“So much that we have no expectations now when Harry comes over, we don’t really talk about whether he might meet William.”

KING Charles may not have seen his grandson Archie on his fifth birthday, but that didn’t stop him from sending him a sweet ‘homemade’ gift.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle likely marked Archie’s birthday on Monday 6th May stateside, where the young royal has lived since 2020 following their decision to step back from royal duties.

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Prince Archie celebrated his fifth birthday on Monday 6th MayCredit: Netflix

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It’s thought Prince Charles may have gifted his grandson one of his own watercolour paintingsCredit: AFP
But despite living across the pond, King Charles is thought to have sent his grandson a card and small present, according to royal expert Tom Quinn.

“There has even been talk that he will send one of his own watercolour paintings to Archie as a present as Meghan loves homemade gifts and dislikes extravagant expensive presents,” he said, speaking to The Mirror.

“But King Charles and his team are desperately worried that whatever the King sends to his grandson may be misinterpreted by Harry and Meghan.”

There has even been talk that he will send one of his own watercolour paintings to Archie as a present as Meghan loves homemade gifts and dislikes extravagant expensive presents

Tom QuinnRoyal Expert

Tom went on to recall the occasion Charles famously gifted Prince George a hand-made swing which has the young royal’s name engraved on the seat.

However, he claims Prince Harry told him “repeatedly” that such a present was “too grand” for Archie.

Prince Charles is an avid fan of watercolour paintings and has previously given royal fans a sneak peek inside his Scottish study that he shares with wife Camilla Parker Bowles.

Your Prince Harry and Meghan Markle questions answered

In 2020, appearing in a video message through his charity, The Prince’s Trust, he offered a glimpse of a beautiful watercolour painting of Balmoral castle that was hung on the wall.

The Scottish castle has been in the Royal Family since 1852, has over 50,000 acres of land, 52 bedrooms and is estimated to be worth a whopping £155 million according to Business Insider.

Tom also suggests the King could’ve reached out to his youngest son to organise a video call for his grandson’s birthday.

Despite noting how King Charles “dislikes new technology,” the royal author claims he’s eager to remain in touch with his grandchildren who live in Montecito, California, so he may well have called Prince Harry to wish Archie a Happy Birthday.

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Meghan Markle’s popularity is in the gutter – her monetisation of royals was last straw, warns expert after damning poll
Tom claims that Charles has been asking about video calling, but according to his aides, he’s not very comfortable with the idea.

“If he makes an ordinary telephone call to Harry it means he can have a quick word with Archie without the need to talk to Meghan, a prospect that fills him with dread,” he continues.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, royal commentator Ingrid Seward revealed the likely way Archie, who was born at the Portland Hospital in London, could’ve marked his fifth birthday.

King Charles and his team are desperately worried that whatever the King sends to his grandson may be misinterpreted by Harry and Meghan

Tom QuinnRoyal Expert

“As Archie has no cousins in California, he will invite his school friends – possibly the entire class. And the cool locals with kids and the Hollywood set,” she claimed.

“The party will be themed possibly Superhero which is popular with that age group.

“The food will be all gluten-free or possibly a choice, and there will be a themed birthday cake.”

She went on to say how Archie’s birthday cake could’ve been made by Meghan.

It comes after sources close to the family revealed she baked her son a lemon cake using fruit from their garden for his fourth birthday last year, the Express reported.

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Prince Archie has lived in the US since 2020Credit: Getty

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Meghan may have baked son Archie a cake to celebrate his fifth birthdayCredit: Netflix

Leading businesses have endorsed Princess Kate’s prioritisation of early childhood in a bid to deliver a rallying call to fellow business leaders across the country.

Princess Kate is ‘excited’ by a new landmark early childhood report (Image: PA)

The Princess of Wales is said to be “excited” by her business taskforce’s new report that claims greater focus and investment in early childhood could generate at least £45bn for Britain.

Leading businesses have endorsed her prioritisation of early childhood and joined her movement in a bid to deliver a rallying call to fellow business leaders across the country.

Kate, who has taken a step back from royal duties while she undergoes chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer, has seen the report by the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood (RFBTEC) and been briefed on its contents.

The importance of early childhood has become Kate’s “life work”, having spent more than a decade championing the issue. She established the Taskforce in March 2023 to galvanise business action on early childhood.

Since then, Taskforce members Aviva, The Cooperative Group, Deloitte, Iceland Foods, IKEA UK and Ireland, The LEGO Group, NatWest Group and Unilever UK, have worked together to identify the scale of the opportunity and the role that business can play.

SWritten “for business by business” the landmark report sets out how a greater focus on early childhood would create a happier and more productive workforce today, and transform the health and wellbeing of the UK economy and society for generations to come.

It details how investing in early childhood could generate at least £45.5 billion in value added for the national economy each year.

This includes £12.2bn from equipping people with improved social and emotional skills in early childhood, £16.1bn from reducing the need to spend public funds on remedial steps for adverse childhood experiences and £17.2bn from supporting parents and caregivers of under-fives who work.

The report, titled ‘Prioritising early childhood for a happier, healthier society’, identifies five areas in which business have the opportunity to make the greatest impact.

Firstly, businesses should build a culture that prioritises early childhood and help families access the basic support and essentials they need.

Princess Kate is currently taking time out while she undergoes cancer treatment (Image: PA)

They should also offer parents and caregivers greater support, resources, choice, and flexibility with their work and prioritise and nurture social and emotional skills in children and the adults in their lives.

Finally, businesses should support initiatives which increase access to quality, affordable and reliable early childhood education.

Emma Franklin, a Director at Deloitte, who has been heavily involved in the work of the Taskforce, said: “These game-changing areas provide a broad framework for business to consider what actions they could take in any or all of these areas to really shift the dial.”

It is hoped that the report will be used as a blueprint for businesses, as those involved were keen to stress that even small changes can have a huge societal impact.

The Princess has been kept fully updated on the progress of the report during her recovery, with a Kensington Palace spokesperson saying early childhood continues to be a “huge priority” for her.

 

Christian Guy, Executive Director of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, added: “I know, having briefed The Princess on this, that she is enormously grateful to the members of the Taskforce who have made such fantastic progress on this work over the past year.

“She feels passionately about the transformational impact of getting this right together, both for the current generation and for many more to come.

“I know that she is keen to encourage all businesses, no matter what their size or purpose, to join us on this journey and is looking forward to seeing momentum grow in the coming months.”

The report is not an indication that Kate is returning to royal duties, as she will only resume her work when she is cleared by her doctors.

When she revealed her cancer diagnosis in March she appealed for “time, space and privacy” for her and her family.

Alongside the report, the Taskforce members have committed to taking action on the issue and several have announced new initiatives as part of the first tranche of action.

For example, the LEGO Group is donating 3,000 LEGO® Education Build Me “Emotions” sets, supported by training materials, to early years providers in the UK, helping children to explore emotions in a fun and engaging way.

Throughout the rest of this year, The Centre for Early Childhood and Taskforce members will be speaking to business leaders across the UK to encourage businesses, large and small, to join this movement.

PRINCE ARCHIE turns five today and he will likely be celebrating with his family in Montecito, California. 

The Sun spoke exclusively to royal commentator Ingrid Seward about how Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, could be celebrating their oldest child’s birthday.

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It’s believed Meghan baked Archie a lemon cake for his fourth birthdayCredit: Netflix

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Archie might’ve moved on from loving dinosaurs, as seen in the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, to superheroesCredit: NETFLIX

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Prince Harry and Meghan are likely to celebrate their son’s birthday in CaliforniaCredit: Mega
She claimed: “As Archie has no cousins in California, he will invite his school friends – possibly the entire class. And the cool locals with kids and the Hollywood set.

“The party will be themed possibly Superhero which is popular with that age group.

“The food will be all gluten-free or possibly a choice, and there will be a themed birthday cake.”

Archie’s birthday cake could very well be made by Meghan.

For his fourth birthday last year, according to sources close to the family, she chose to bake her son a lemon cake using fruit from their garden, the Express reported.

She added: “Games will be arranged with an entertainer or a group of entertainers – everyone young in LA that isn’t an actor is a party entertainer!

“They might arrange for a themed adventure around the garden or something like a woodland theme with cowboys and Indians or a superhero theme.

“They might bring in exotic animals and make an upmarket petting zoo for the kids. Llamas. Miniature ponies etc – talking parrots or tame monkey.”

The expert suggested: “There will be a complete ban on all plastics and a request for no plastic presents. The glasses and plates will be bamboo or something similar.

“Kids of five love dancing so most likely will have a disco.
Harry and Meghan are beset by problems, everyone is bored of their relentless moaning about the way they’ve been treated
“There will be party bags for the kids and champagne (or wine) and beer for the parents possibly an after barbeque for the close friends.”

Ingrid went on to add: “These parties cost a fortune. Even parents with ordinary incomes spend a lot.

“It can cost £30 a head in the UK just for the entertainers!

King Charles with give him a toy from Hamleys and Queen Camilla will have chosen it.

Ingrid Seward

“Not like the old days of Smarty Arty and pass the parcel which it was like when Harry was five.

“The girls will probably wear their party frocks and favourite outfits for the boys. It is more casual than here obviously, but kids like dressing up.

“They might be given what are called bee bombs which are like little hand grenades and when you throw them they hit the ground and flower seeds fly out.”

As for possible presents, Ingrid opined: “As I said no plastic…Fancy wooden toys, books.

Your Prince Harry and Meghan Markle questions answered

“Maybe a five-year-old size jeep or tractor but could not be plastic – have to be made of metal or wood. Very expensive as it would have to be custom made.

“I am sure some of the LA parents will try and outdo each other on presents.

“But not the royals. They are pretty parsimonious as far as presents go.

“It’s hard to find nonplastic presents for small children so it is anyone guess.

“The Harrods toy department hardly exists anymore so it will be something from Hamleys for King Charles to give him I would imagine. Queen Camilla will have chosen it.

“Also the godparents will be giving presents and sending from the UK.”

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Ingrid believes King Charles will send his grandson a present from Hamleys, which Queen Camilla will have chosen.Credit: PA

KING Charles would get a real “boost” if Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their children went to visit him, it has been claimed. 

Chris Ship, ITV’s Royal Editor, has told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive Show, how it would be “quite something” if the family reunited.

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King Charles has met Prince Archie, but not Princess LilibetCredit: GETTY

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Chris said it would “boost” the King’s spirits if he could see his grandchildrenCredit: Splash

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Chris Ship (left) on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive YouTube showCredit: THE SUN/YOUTUBE
Chris told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “The relationship is very difficult within that family.

“I think yes, it would be a lot easier if Meghan weren’t there.

“But she is still the King’s daughter-in-law, and they have two children which are the King’s grandchildren.

“You would hope they would all see each other.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if they did bring the kids and they all went to see Grandad because that would really give him the boost?

“Just imagine if Harry and Meghan came over with the children and he got to see them, or one of them, for the very first time – that would be quite something.”

It has been confirmed that Prince Harry won’t meet his father King Charles during his whistle-stop UK trip this week.

A spokesperson for Harry, 39,  announced the news, saying: “It unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

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

Prince Harry arrived in London today ahead of a special event marking 10 years of the Invictus Games, which is taking place at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Meghan Markle, 42, will not be in attendance, but there is a possibility she might be flying in and out of the UK ahead of the couple’s Nigeria trip at the end of the week.

In an interview recorded before today’s news announcement, Chris said: “He’s [Harry] not here for a long period of time, he’s only here for a couple of days before going to Nigeria – where incidentally, Meghan is going to Nigeria, we’ve been told.

“But she’s not at the St. Paul’s Cathedral service?

“What I haven’t been able to work out yet, and it might come out in due course, is whether Meghan’s going to be in the UK at all.

“I’d imagine she could fly via London to get to Nigeria.”

This is yet to be confirmed by the Sussex’s team, with Chris saying: “So they’re telling us ‘No, she’s not going to be at St. Paul’s Cathedral, but they’re not saying anything to us when we ask ‘Is she going to be in the UK at all?’”

Why isn’t Meghan attending the Invictus Ceremony with Harry?

Meghan has attended several other Invictus Games events over the last year alongside Harry so it’s unusual as to why she isn’t going to this one.

Chris referenced the last time Meghan and Harry visited St. Paul’s Cathedral was for the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee Service in June 2022.

He said: “They got booed,” to which Matt confirmed: “Yes, they did.”

“Going back there, I can see why Meghan may not wish to accompany Harry to that event.”

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Meghan and Harry back in February in Canada for Invictus Games One Year To Go EventCredit: GETTY

FROM the moment he was born, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have done everything to protect their young son, Archie.

But few know the lengths Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went to prevent the young royal from being teased, reportedly rejecting a rather specific royal title.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly rejected a rather specific royal title for ArchieCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed they didn’t want to deny their children their ‘birthright’Credit: Alexi Lubomirski
Archie’s cousins Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will hold senior titles in the future, such as the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and possibly the Duke of York or Duke of Cambridge.

However, this is not true for several of the late Queen’s great-grandchildren, including Archie and his sister Lilibet.

Despite initially being styled as Master Archie Harrison Mountbatten Windsor, in March 2023, Harry and Meghan revealed they didn’t want to deny their children their “birthright”.

Archie soon became known as Prince Archie of Sussex, but he could’ve ended up with a different title.

Harry and Meghan were given the titles “Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” “Earl and Countess of Dumbarton,” and “Baron and Baroness Kilkeel” by the late Queen when they tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on 19 May 2018.

As Archie is in the royal line of succession, he was given the option of being named “Earl of Dumbarton” – a subsidiary of his dad’s official title.

However, the royals reportedly turned it down through worry that it could result in bullying because it contained the word “dumb.”

“They didn’t like the idea of Archie being called the Earl of Dumbarton because it began with the word ‘dumb’ [and] they were worried about how that might look,” a source told The Telegraph.

A second source added that it wasn’t just Meghan that was concerned and that it “also bothered Harry.”

Due to rules set out in the 1917 Letters Patent by King George V, Archie and Lilibet are both allowed to use princely titles as they’re the grandchildren of The King.

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Meghan & Harry should take Archie & Lilibet to meet cancer-stricken Charles – it would give him huge boost, says expert

ALL ABOUT ARCHIE

Prince Archie Mountbatten-Windsor was born at the Portland hospital on May 6, 2019, in London.

His birth was shortly followed by his younger sister, Princess Lilibet, on June 4, 2021.

There has even been talk that he will send one of his own watercolour paintings to Archie as a present as Meghan loves homemade gifts and dislikes extravagant expensive presents

Tom QuinnRoyal Expert
Archie, who has lived stateside since 2020, following Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back from royal duties, recently celebrated his fifth birthday.

According to royal expert Tom Quinn, King Charles could well have sent his grandson a card and small present to mark the occasion.

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“There has even been talk that he will send one of his own watercolour paintings to Archie as a present as Meghan loves homemade gifts and dislikes extravagant expensive presents,” he told The Mirror.

“But King Charles and his team are desperately worried that whatever the King sends to his grandson may be misinterpreted by Harry and Meghan.”

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Archie recently celebrated his fifth birthdayCredit: Netflix