Princes Harry and William have both attended their uncle’s funeral – but sat apart and did not speak to each other, according to reports.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both attended the memorialit has been reported.
The Duke of Sussex flew from the US to join the Prince of Wales at the service for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun reported.
The brothers made a discreet appearance and sat apart at the back of the church, a local resident told the newspaper, keeping their distance and not speaking to each other.
Lord Fellowes, 82, passed away on 29 July. He was married to Princess Diana’s older sister and served as Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary for several years.
It is believed to be the first time that the two brothers have seen each other in public since King Charles’s coronation last May.
Their encounter comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales’s end-of-summer plans were revealed ahead of William’s return to duty on 5 September.
The couple took to social media to share that they are “looking forward to” watching the Paralympic Games.
Key Points
- Harry and William attend uncle’s memorial – but sit apart and ‘don’t speak to each other’
- Prince Harry announces latest solo trip without Meghan Markle
- Princess of Wales makes surprise appearance in Scotland
- Harry and Meghan ‘desperate’ to heal royal rift
Recap: Meghan Markle reveals how daughter Lilibet ‘found her voice’
11:00
Tara Cobham
Meghan Markle has revealed how her three-year-old daughter Lilibet, who she shares with husband Prince Harry, has “found her voice.”
The 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex made the sweet comment about her youngest child while onstage at an Afro women and power event in Cali, Colombia, as part of her and Harry’s four-day tour of the country. While speaking at the panel, she opened up about the female role models in her life – including her mother, Doria Ragland.
“For me, I find inspiration in the strong women around me, of course, my mother being one of them,” she said. “So much of how I approach things is less about the fight and more about how we show up in a space and wash things over with love and kindness and generosity.”
Amber Raiken reports:
Join our event on the British Monarchy’s personnel crisis
10:00
Tara Cobham
The future direction of the monarchy is on a knife-edge, amid the passing of the late Queen, tense relationships, and a shrinking inner circle bolstered by an unprecedented health crisis.
Less than two years into his tenure as monarch, King Charles III announced his cancer diagnosis, reducing his public duties to recover. The Princess of Wales is also unable to carry out public duties, dealing with her own cancer diagnosis.
The number of working royals has been steadily shrinking since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back in 2020, and Prince Andrew was stripped of his titles and patronages due to U.S. civil action over sexual assault allegations.
In this exclusive event for The Independent, Assistant Editor Vicki Harper and a panel of royal experts will analyse the current state of the shrinking Royal Family, look back at how we got here, and explore the potential next moves for “the firm” to stay relevant.
Find out more here:
Harry and William attend uncle’s memorial – but sit apart and ‘don’t speak to each other’
09:19
Tara Cobham
Princes Harry and William have both attended their uncle’s funeral – but sat apart and did not speak to each other, according to reports.
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both attended the memorialit has been reported.
The Duke of Sussex flew from the US to join the Prince of Wales at the service for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun reported.
The brothers made a discreet appearance and sat apart at the back of the church, a local resident told the newspaper, keeping their distance and not speaking to each other.
Lord Fellowes, 82, passed away on 29 July. He was married to Princess Diana’s older sister and served as Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary for several years.
It is believed to be the first time that the two brothers have seen each other in public since King Charles’s coronation last May.
Today marks anniversary of death of Diana, Princess of Wales
09:00
Tara Cobham
Today marks the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
In the early hours of 31 August 1997, the princess died in hospital after being injured in a motor vehicle accident in a road tunnel in Paris.
Her partner, Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the Mercedes-Benz W140, Henri Paul, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived with serious injuries.
Extinction Rebellion stage mass occupation in Windsor Great Park
08:52
Tara Cobham
Extinction Rebellion (XR) are staging its ‘Upgrade Democracy’ mass occupation in Windsor Great Park over the weekend.
The campaign group is calling for the Government to create and be led by a citizens’ assembly on climate and ecological justice.
Activists set up a camp in Windsor on Friday morning, with tents, stages and speakers set up ahead of an “action-packed” weekend of activities, which ends on Sunday.
Watch: Climate protesters wearing Charles and Camilla masks join demonstration in Windsor
07:42
Tara Cobham
Sir Keir Starmer and Lady Victoria to visit Balmoral
06:00
Emma Guinness
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Lady Victoria will visit the royal family in Balmoral.
“The prime minister and his wife received their invitation earlier this month and they accepted,” a source told the Sunday Express.
“The prime minister’s team will update on his diary in the usual way at lobby.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla have Balmoral picnic with grandchildren
03:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles and Queen Camilla have reportedly organised a picnic with their grandchildren as the royal family enjoys their summer break at Balmoral.
An insider told The Express that the activity will take place by a river on the sprawling Aberdeenshire estate in Scotland.
The Wales children will also be joined by Queen Camilla’s five grandchildren from her previous marriage, who are staying at the estate with her son Tom Parker Bowles and her daughter Laura Hopes.
King Charles ‘open to truce’ with Prince Harry
Saturday 31 August 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles is “open to a truce” with his youngest son Prince Harry after seeking spiritual advice.
The pair have not seen each other since February, when the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was announced.
During the Duke of Sussex’s most recent visit to the UK, his father declined to see him, citing his busy schedule.
An insider told the MailOnline: “Faith has always been a part of Charles’s life and something he’s explored, but since becoming King it is playing a more central role.”
They added: “That reliance on faith and quiet contemplation has become a comfort and asset to him and helps him cope with the role as he adapts to being King.”
Duchess of Sussex lives ‘isolated’ life in California
Friday 30 August 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
Meghan Markle lives a relatively “isolated” life in California and keeps her friendship circle small, it has been claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex moved to the state with Prince Harry after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield told Fox News Digitial: “I would describe Meghan’s personal life in California as isolated but structured.
“The qualifications to be her friend are no secret… She typically gravitates towards people that can offer her something, contribute to her personal goals. She also requires trust and privacy.
“Her friend group is small. She is friendly with Montecito locals as you never know someone’s connection or status. Everyone in Montecito has accomplished something significant to be in a position to call it home.”
Harry and Meghan ‘keen’ to do more faux-royal tours
Friday 30 August 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly “keen” to do more unofficial tours after successfully visiting Nigeria and Colombia this year.
Though carried out in their capacity as private citizens, the visits have many of the hallmarks of official royal tours and have been used to promote several charitable causes.
A source told OK! magazine: “Both Meghan and Harry are keen to do more of these tours as that’s what they love doing and what they enjoyed most about royal life.”
Meghan Markle has ‘regrets’ about statements since leaving royal life
Friday 30 August 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex reportedly has “regrets” about some of the things she has said since stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield claims that she particularly regrets accusing unidentified members of the royal family of racism for allegedly speculating about the colour of Prince Archie’s skin ahead of his birth.
“Meghan does regret certain statements that she made,” Schofield told Fox News Digital. “They weren’t received in the way that she had expected and several of her comments have backfired.
“She and Prince Harry deeply regret the royal racist controversy,” Schofield added. “Meghan wanted the takeaway from their Oprah interview [in 2021] to be about her mental health. And I think Meghan regretted sitting down with The Cut [in 2022] because she provided endless commentary for her critics.”
Harry and William’s reunion ‘not the occasion’ to sort feud
Friday 30 August 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
It has been said that Prince Harry and Prince William’s recent reunion at their uncle’s funeral was “not the occasion” for them to sort out their differences.
The brothers reportedly sat at a distance in the Norfolk church as they paid their respect to Lord Robert Fellowes, who died last month at the age of 82.
Royal commentator Claire Pearsall told GB News: “Like most families, you’re always going to have the people you don’t wish to speak with.
“It’s also not the occasion for those two to have some kind of either confrontation argument or great big making up, because you take away from the fact that they were there to celebrate the life of a family member. It wasn’t about them, it was about somebody else.”
King Charles ‘profoundly’ saddened’ by death of Maori King Tuheitia
Friday 30 August 2024 13:40
Emma Guinness
King Charles has said he is “profoundly saddened” following the “shock” death of his decades-long friend Maori King Tuheitia.
A representative for the Maori king Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII confirmed that he passed away at the age of 69 in New Zealand on Friday.
King Charles said in a statement: “I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades.
“He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.
“His death is a particular shock in view of the fact that I had only very recently spoken to Kiingi on the telephone at the beginning of August.”
Estranged Harry and William ‘arrived discreetly’ to uncle’s funeral
Friday 30 August 2024 09:35
Emma Guinness
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex are reported to have “arrived discreetly” at their uncle’s funeral in Norfolk.
Lord Robert Fellowes’s funeral is the first time that Harry and William have seen each other since King Charles’s coronation last year.
They are said to have “kept their distance” and “sat apart at the back of St Mary’s Church after arriving very discreetly.”
The pair’s relationship has deteriorated since Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020 and made a series of damning revelations about his family to the press.
In his 2023 memoir Spare, he claimed that his older brother physically attacked him when they got into an argument about Meghan Markle.
Harry and William ‘reunite’ in secret
Friday 30 August 2024 08:38
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Prince William have “reunited” for the first time this year after the Duke of Sussex secretly travelled to the UK.
The princes, who last saw each other at King Charles’s coronation, reportedly sat at a distance from each other at their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’s funeral in Norfolk.
Lord Fellowes was married to Princess Diana’s older sister, Cynthia, and served as Queen Elizabeth II’s private secretary.
He passed away last month at the age of 82.
Prince Harry’s ‘telling’ decision to not alter Spare
Friday 30 August 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has speculated that Prince Harry’s decision not to add any new material to Spare is not “an olive branch”.
The book is being released in paperback for the first time on 22 October.
Royal historian Tessa Dunlop told the Mirror: “Those who suggest that this paperback release, with no additional material, is an olive branch, are sadly mistaken.
“New material can be conciliatory; Harry might have taken the lead and opened with a different prologue, fore-fronting his regret about how things turned out, and reiterating his good wishes for Kate and the King.”
The memoir was first released in January 2023, notably before King Charles’s coronation and the royal family’s recent health troubles.
Harry and William’s paths to cross next month
Friday 30 August 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Prince William’s paths are set to cross in New York next month.
A representative for the Duke of Sussex confirmed that he will visit the Big Apple for the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week.
Prince William, meanwhile, is speculated to attend the annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, which he was present for last year.
However, as the pair have been on seemingly frosty terms for some time, it is unlikely that they will choose to see each other.
A source told The Sunday Times: “If Prince William does come to New York when Harry is there, it’s likely the brothers will steer clear from one another.”
First female royal to join the military since Queen Elizabeth revealed
Friday 30 August 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
The first female member of the royal family to express an interest in joining the military has been revealed.
Lady Louise Windsor, 20, who is currently a student at St Andrew’s University in Scotland, wrote on her Linkedin that she has an interest in a career in “the military, diplomacy or law.”
“She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving King and country,” a source told The Sun.
“She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it.”
Meghan Markle ‘spends a lot of time just Googling'
Thursday 29 August 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
Following the revelation that the Duchess of Sussex uses her “global spotlight” to highlight designers of her choice, she said she spends a lot of time googling what to wear.
“I spend a lot of time just googling, looking for brands,” she told The New York Times.
“When people are online looking for things or reading things, I’m trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories.”
Kate and William ‘raising eyebrows’ over extensive holidays
Thursday 29 August 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
It has been claimed that the Prince and Princess of Wales have raised eyebrows within the royal family over their lengthy summer holidays.
The Wales family are currently enjoying time away from the public eye in Balmoral, Scotland.
A source told OK! magazine: “William and Kate have made it very clear that their children are their priority this summer holiday. They have blocked off much of the summer so that they can spend time with the children in the UK.”
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer added: “They’re very popular; they’re a huge asset to the UK, but there have been eyebrows raised in other parts of the royal household about the amount of time they’re not doing official engagements.”
Kate, 42, has been largely absent from public life this year as she battles an undisclosed form of cancer.
Royal family ‘moving away from the Sussexes'
Thursday 29 August 2024 16:00
Emma Guinness
The royals are focusing their attention on younger family members now that the Sussexes have departed, it has been claimed.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their former roles as working royals in 2020, citing a desire to lead a more independent life.
A source told the New York Post: “The focus is now on moving away from the Sussexes and highlighting the younger members of the royal family.”
Prince Harry has to ‘show his worth to the world'
Thursday 29 August 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry’s upcoming trip to New York has been described as an attempt by the former working royal to show “his worth” to the world.
A representative for the Duke of Sussex confirmed that he will be in the Big Apple next month for the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week.
Former BBC royal correspondent Michael Cole said: “If you are a member of the Royal Family, you just are relevant. If you’re a semi-detached member of the Royal Family living in California, you have to be on the move to show that you are of some worth to the world, hence the recent trips with his wife to Nigeria and Colombia.”
Queen Camilla’s patronage of Rifle Association ‘a huge privilege’
Thursday 29 August 2024 13:31
Emma Guinness
Following the news that Queen Camilla has become the first patron of The Rifle Association, her support has been described as a “huge privilege”.
The queen consort will now be known as the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles.
The organisation helps veterans, serving soldiers and their families by providing friendship, support and help when needed.
Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes, Colonel Commandant The Rifles, said: “This is a huge privilege for the regiment and highlights Her Majesty’s care, commitment and understanding for the wellbeing of our soldiers and their families.
“We are honoured that she has chosen to offer her patronage to all our Riflemen and their families.”
The queen’s patronage comes after her late father, Major Bruce Shand, served in the regiment.
Harry and Meghan will explain royal roots to children ‘in time'
Thursday 29 August 2024 12:08
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly plan to tell their children about their royal status “in time” so that they can live relatively normal childhoods.
This comes following reports that Harry overruled Meghan when it came to featuring Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in her upcoming Netflix cooking show.
The children will now not be featured.
A family friend told US Weekly: “William’s kids, for example, have way more safety, even though they’re recognisable. And the same doesn’t apply to Meghan and Harry’s children.
“They know the world wants to see [them, but] I would expect them to live smaller lives until that gets sorted, if it ever does.”
“They’ll have those conversations in due time,” the source added of the children’s royal ancestry.
Queen Camilla becomes first patron of The Rifleman’s Association
Thursday 29 August 2024 11:00
Emma Guinness
Queen Camilla has become the first patron of The Rifleman’s Association, it has been revealed.
The announcement was shared on the official royal family Twitter/X account in a post that read: “The Queen has become the first Patron of The Rifleman’s Association.
“The organisation offers a forum for serving and veteran Riflemen of all ranks, along with their families, to stay connected with the regiment, providing friendship, support, and assistance.”
Meghan Markle uses ‘global spotlight’ to sell clothes
Thursday 29 August 2024 10:29
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed that she uses her “global spotlight” to publicise designers she cares about.
Describing it as one of the “most powerful” things she can do, she said that her profile is a great opportunity to highlight creators who are not necessarily getting the attention they deserve.
Meghan, 43, told The New York Times: “Times where I know there is a global spotlight, and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting.
“That’s one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do, and that’s simply wearing, like, an earring.”
Queen Elizabeth II ‘brutally snubbed’ Harry and Meghan
Thursday 29 August 2024 08:00
Emma Guinness
The late Queen Elizabeth II “brutally snubbed” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ahead of their decision to step down as working royals.
Royal author Obid Scobie explained that during her Christmas broadcast, the Sussexes were notably absent from the family photographs on the monarch’s desk – a move that left them “furious”.
“One didn’t have to look further than the family photos displayed during the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day,” the author wrote.
“In the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen delivered her address, viewers glimpsed photos of the [Waleses] and their children, Charles and Camilla, Prince Philip, and a black-and-white image of George VI.”
Animal rights protestor calls on King Charles to ask for ‘plant-based food system'
Thursday 29 August 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
An animal rights protestor who was found guilty of damaging a Buckingham Palace water fountain has called on King Charles to ask the public to adopt a plant-based diet.
Citing the monarch’s passion for the environment, Louis McKechnie, 23, who was yesterday charged with criminal damage for dying the Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain red in 2021, said: “We did this because we think the royal family still has a responsibility to this day to step up and show true leadership.
“If Charles claims to be, you know, a climate-conscious King, he’s got to show it, surely.
“He barks the right stuff, but where is his bite? I’m not seeing it. It starts with calling for a plant-based food system.
“King Charles, that’s our message to him – call for a plant-based food system if you really care about any of the things you claim to.”
Harry and Meghan’s struggle to find staff to work ‘under them'
Thursday 29 August 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has speculated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s issues finding and retaining staff will not be ending any time soon.
This comes amid reports that Meghan’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is struggling to find a CEO.
Kinsey Schofield said: “I do think that they’re going to continue to have a hard time finding people that want to work underneath them. I’m intimidated just thinking about it.
“A source also told Closer magazine that Harry and Meghan are ‘pretty tough’.”
Princess of Wales ‘more fun than the image that is presented'
Thursday 29 August 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales’s true nature is a lot “more fun” than her public persona, royal biographer Rob Jobson has claimed.
This comes after the Duchess of Sussex said that the royals’ “formality on the outside” was also reflected on the inside.
Mr Jobson told OK! magazine: “I think that she’s a lot more fun than the image that is presented.
“The image that’s presented is a bit of an enigma, I think, but she’s a lot more fun. [She] doesn’t really like to let her guard down.”
The biographer added: “She laughs a lot and I think anybody who laughs a lot is obviously somebody who’s got that sense of humour, and someone’s one with themselves, and I think she certainly is that.”
Duke of Edinburgh cheers on Team GB at Paralympics
Wednesday 28 August 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Edinburgh has also shared his good wishes for Team GB as the Paralympic Games begin today.
Prince Edward, who is patron of the British Paralympic Association, wrote on the official royal family Twitter/X account: “To all members of the @ParalympicsGB team heading for Paris, whether athletes, officials or staff, I want to wish you the very best of luck at the Paralympic Games.”
William and Kate wish Team GB good luck at Paralympics
Wednesday 28 August 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their good wishes for Team GB as the Paralympic Games begin today.
Taking to Twitter/X, the couple wrote on the official Kensington Palace account: “Looking forward to another few weeks of incredible sport!
“Wishing the very best of luck to our @ParalympicsGB athletes and all those competing at #Paris2024. W & C”
King Charles rehomes ‘one millionth hen' at Highgrove
Wednesday 28 August 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
An animal charity has revealed that King Charles has rehomed his one-millionth hen at Highgrove.
In a post shared by the official royal family account on Twitter/X, the British Hen Welfare Trust shared a video of the rescue of the former ex-commercial hen.
It read: “His Majesty The King has rehomed our ONE MILLIONTH hen at @HighgroveGarden in Gloucestershire.
“Our millionth hen, named Henrietta by His Majesty, along with 30 feathered friends are settling into their wonderful new home.”
The charity reports to rehome a staggering 60,000 ex-commercial hens a year, and Henrietta had the honour of being their one-millionth rescue.
Protestors found guilty of damaging Buckingham Palace fountain
Wednesday 28 August 2024 16:00
Emma Guinness
Protestors from the climate change group Animal Rebellion have been found guilty of damaging a Buckingham Palace water fountain.
The 2021 incident caused damages to the Queen Victoria MemorialFfountain that cost thousands to rectify when the group dyed its water red.
Louis McKechnie, 23, Christopher Bennett, 27, Riley Ings, 27, Claire Smith, 26, and Rachel Steele, 48, were found guilty at of criminal damage at Southwark Crown Court today.
Mr McKechnie said: “I’m not surprised by the verdict, I don’t feel any guilt for my actions, but I don’t expect the courts to actually be about justice and truth, it’s about maintaining the status quo and it has effectively done that.
“This action was three years ago. Since this action, over the last three years, we’ve reached 1.5 degrees in warming, we’ve hit 40C, and we’ve gone over that several times. Climate emergency has got worse.
“My generation’s in a worse position than we were three years ago exponentially with the climate urgency we’re facing, it’s even more urgent we do something about it now, although there is less that can be done.
“And so, while this is generally the result we expect when we take these actions – you know, I take responsibility and accountability for I did – I feel no guilt, and I think it was the correct thing to do at the time.”
Prince Andrew’s ‘more appropriate’ small home
Wednesday 28 August 2024 14:00
Emma Guinness
Following the news that King Charles has stripped Prince Andrew of his private security at the Royal Lodge, there is considerable speculation about where the Duke of York could live next.
PR expert Ronn Torossian said that Andrew, 64, will have ruled out renting or buying in London because of his financial worries.
He told the Express: “A seemingly more appropriate place would likely be Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, given its isolation and would definitely help keep Andrew away from the public eye.”
The property has five bedrooms and has been described as a “comfortable open beamed cottage two miles from the ‘big house’” – a dramatic difference from the royal lodge, which is a 30-room mansion.
Andrew was given a 75-year lease on the property by the late Queen Elizabeth II for £250 a week in 2003.
Meghan Markle’s new brand struggles to find CEO
Wednesday
