Prince Harry reportedly has no plans to return to the UK and insists that he has “no interest” in leaving his new life in America.
The Duke of Sussex, who turns 40 this month, moved to California with his family after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
While it has been widely rumoured that he misses his old life, it has now been claimed that Harry has an “amazing” set of new friends in the US and several exciting projects on the horizon, sources told The Telegraph.
It comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales prepare their children to return to school after enjoying their summer break at Balmoral.
Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are all pupils at Lambrook School in Bracknell and will return for the Michaelmas term on Wednesday (4 September).
As George, 11, approaches the end of his time at prep school, it is understood that he may follow in his father’s footsteps and attend Eton College when he turns 13, as opposed to his mother’s preferred choice of Marlborough College, an insider claimed to the MailOnline.
Key Points
- Prince Harry responds to UK return rumours
- Harry ‘asks ex-aides about returning from US’
- King hosts Prime Minister and his wife at Balmoral for the weekend
- Harry and William attend uncle’s memorial – but sit apart and ‘don’t speak to each other’
Steve Irwin’s son Robert becomes ambassador for Earthshot Prize
16:00
Emma Guinness
The late Steve Irwin’s son Robert has become an ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.
William, 42, established the prize in 2021 to recognise people who are making an impact in protecting the environment and gives them £1m to help support their work.
Irwin said: “The Earthshot Prize is a beacon of hope for all of us who care about the environment and about our ability to ensure a liveable future for ourselves and future generations.
“Healthy oceans, ecosystems and species equal a healthy planet, and the Earthshot Prize recognises the importance of investing in and helping grow solutions that protect these critical resources.”
Queen Camilla gives update on King Charles’s cancer treatment
14:49
Emma Guinness
Queen Camilla has given a rare update on King Charles’s health on an engagement to a cancer treatment centre today.
When asked if the monarch’s was doing okay, the queen consort replied: “Yes, he’s doing very well.”
Charles announced that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer earlier this year after undergoing a routine procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Queen Camilla opens cancer centre
13:32
Emma Guinness
Queen Camilla was all smiles as she opened a cancer treatment centre in Bath this afternoon.
She spoke to patients at the Dyson Cancer Centre and even posed for a picture with a wellwisher on her first engagement since the royal family’s summer break at Balmoral.
As part of this afternoon’s schedule, the queen consort also visited Stonegate Farmers, a new packing facility for free-range and organic eggs in Lacock.
Princess of Wales ‘super excited’ to return to work
13:00
Emma Guinness
An insider has claimed that the Princess of Wales is “super excited” to return to work when she is well enough to do so.
Kate, 42, was forced to take a step back from her duties this year after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer.
The insider told Life & Style: “[She] can’t wait to reconnect with the public and get back in the swing of things as far as taking on more engagements and attending meetings and helping out with royal business.
“She’s so looking forward to getting away from things revolving so much around medical procedures and doctors’ visits.”
Queen Camilla returns to duty to open new cancer centre
11:52
Emma Guinness
Queen Camilla has been photographed arriving at the Dyson Cancer Centre at Royal United Hospitals Bath.
She wore a green dress for the occasion, having recently returned from Balmoral, Scotland, where the royal family enjoyed their summer break.
This will undoubtedly be a poignant visit for the queen, whose husband, King Charles, and daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, are currently battling the disease.
Harry and Meghan’s Colombia trip dubbed ‘wasteful spending'
11:03
Emma Guinness
A politician has slammed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent trip to Colombia as an example of “wasteful spending”.
According to reports, the four-day visit was designed to “illuminate Colombia’s role as a beacon of culture and innovation”.
While the trip’s exact costs are not known, the security costs are understood to have been covered by the vice president’s office after Francia Marquez invited the couple to Colombia.
Maria Fernanda Cabal, a right-wing senator, claimed through his office: “Did you know that the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cost Colombians a total of $244,245,305 (£44,419.26)?”
New bill enables Crown Estate to invest more in green energy
10:00
Emma Guinness
The Crown Estate will have more powers to invest in green energy through a new bill, a Treasury minister has told parliament.
Consisting of assets owned by the royal family, the Crown Estate is made up of large areas of land in the UK. It serves several purposes, including paying the Sovereign Grant, which funds the king’s official duties.
Now, the previous 1961 law governing the estate has been updated for “the 21st century” and with the public good mind.
Lord Livermore said: “The purpose of this Bill is to bring legislation governing the Crown Estate into the 21st century.
“Existing limitations on the Crown Estate’s powers have meant it has had to generate capital for its investment by selling its assets. That is neither desirable nor sustainable.
“And under current legislation, the Crown Estate is constrained in its ability to support sustainable projects and to preserve our heritage for generations to come.
“These are the reasons why this Bill is necessary and why the Crown Estate has asked successive governments for these reforms.”
Prince Harry responds to UK return rumours
08:51
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry has insisted that he has “no interest” in returning to the UK after it was widely claimed that he was considering a move back into the royal fold.
Sources told The Telegraph that he has “amazing” new friends in America and several exciting projects on the horizon.
The Duke of Sussex, who turns 40 on 15 September, moved to California in 2020 with his family after stepping down as a working royal.
This comes after The Mail on Sunday reported that Harry had contacted friends “from his old life” to discuss a possible return.
Royal family’s ‘right approach’ to Prince Harry’s memoir
06:00
Emma Guinness
Ahead of the release of the paperback edition of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare, it has been claimed that the royal family have had the “right approach” to the bombshell memoir.
One of its most shocking claims is the allegation that Prince William physically attacked his younger brother when they got into an argument about Meghan Markle.
Former BBC royal correspondent Rebecca English said on Palace Confidential: “I mean, they pretty much have ignored the fact that Spare had been published.
“It’s like don’t listen, don’t make a fuss, don’t give into it, just let it through, it’ll blow away and harmony will restore itself.”
Harry wrote: “[William] grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me.
“I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out.”
Meghan Markle claims wearing an earring is a ‘powerful’ thing to do
03:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex has explained why wearing an earring is “one of the most powerful things that I’m able to do”.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Meghan, 43, said she always tries to highlight designers who deserve more attention when the “global spotlight” is on her.
She told the news outlet: “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.”
Kate and William ‘more popular' than King Charles
Tuesday 3 September 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
The Prince and Princess of Wales are more popular than King Charles, a new YouGov poll has revealed.
While the monarch has a favourability rating of 63%, almost three-quarters of the British population have a positive view of the future king and queen (74–75%).
Princess Anne, the poll showed, had a similarly high level of popularity and 71% of respondents said they had a positive view of the woman often described as the hardest-working royal.
King Charles ‘favourable’ to six in ten Britons
Monday 2 September 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
A new YouGov poll has shed light on King Charles’s popularity almost two years after he ascended to the throne.
According to the poll, six in 10 Britons have a positive view of the monarch (63%), with YouGov noting “[this] gives the King an overall net favourability rating of +34, something many politicians would be deeply envious of.”
King Charles was officially crowned last May.
Prince George’s time at prep school coming to an end
Monday 2 September 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
Prince George will return to the Bracknell prep school he attends with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for one of the last times on Wednesday (4 September).
George, 11, according to an insider, is set to attend Eton College and follow in his father Prince William’s footsteps when he turns 13, the MailOnline reports.
The insider said this will be against the preferred choice of the Princess of Wales, who wanted George to attend Marlborough College, where she was educated.
Schoolboy tries on prize-winning crown in front of King Charles
Monday 2 September 2024 16:00
Emma Guinness
A schoolboy proudly showed off his prize-winning crown in front of King Charles as the monarch visited a flower show in Scotland.
The royal family are currently on their summer break at the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
Oliver, eight, from Portlethen, near Aberdeen, said: “He asked if it fits just perfectly for my size and if I would like to try it on.
“It was good. It was unusual with me wearing one and him not wearing one.”
The winning crown was made of silver cardboard, purple tissue paper and golden tinsel and displayed at the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen’s 200th-anniversary show.
Prince Harry consulting former aides from ‘old life' about UK return
Monday 2 September 2024 14:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex is consulting aides “from his old life” as he plans a return of some sort to the royal fold, it has been claimed.
According to insiders, while Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are not planning to permanently relocate to the UK, the duke does wish to return in some capacity as he “misses” his old life.
“Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates,” a source told the MailOnline.
“He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working.’ In short, he is rethinking the way he operates.’”
The couple moved to California in 2020 after stepping down as working royals.
Prince and Princess of Wales prepare for September milestone
Monday 2 September 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
The Prince and Princess of Wales are currently preparing for a September milestone as they enjoy the last days of their summer break at Balmoral.
This Wednesday (4 September), Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will all return to the Lambrook School in Bracknell.
Fees at the prestigious public school vary from between £5,434 and £7,968 a term, depending on age.
Wool from King Charles’s sheep used in new fashion collection
Monday 2 September 2024 11:00
Emma Guinness
Wool from the sheep owned by King Charles in Scotland has been used for new clothes inspired by none other than Queen Victoria’s watercolours.
The collection consists of 13 pieces created with wool from sheep who live at the King’s Foundation HQ in Dumfries, Scotland.
A portion of the sale of the clothes, designed by graduate fashion students, will be donated to the foundation’s charitable work.
Jacqueline Farrell, education director at the King’s Foundation, said: “Inspired by the natural world, this year’s artisans have worked tirelessly to develop and hand-craft a unique capsule collection that will stand the test of time.”
She added: “Everything we do here at the King’s Foundation is inspired by His Majesty King Charles III’s vision of harmony, promoting traditional skills and providing holistic, collaborative training for the fashion and textiles professionals of tomorrow.”
Prince Harry ‘feels overshadowed’ by Meghan Markle after Colombia tour
Monday 2 September 2024 10:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex “feels overshadowed” by Meghan Markle after the couple’s recent faux-royal tour of Colombia.
An insider has now claimed that Harry is attempting to “reconnect” with friends in the UK and longs for aspects of his old life as a working royal.
“Harry is feeling more and more isolated in California, which is why he has been reconnecting with old friends back home,” the source told The Sun.
“The Colombia trip also really highlighted how Meghan is comfortable stepping into the spotlight, while Harry cuts a very sulky, unhappy figure in the background.
“He wants to carve out a way back into royal life back in the UK and is seeking counsel from old friends and associates.”
William and Harry both attended uncle’s funeral in Norfolk, reports say
Monday 2 September 2024 07:30
Barney Davis
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both attended the funeral of their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, it has been reported.
Harry flew from the US to join William at the service at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun said.
The newspaper said that the brothers made a discreet appearance and sat apart at the back of the church.
A local resident was quoted by The Sun saying William and Harry kept their distance and did not speak to each other.
Harry and his wife, the Duchess of Sussex, moved to the US in 2020 after they stepped down from royal duties.
The princes did not meet when Harry spent time with the King at Clarence House after news of his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Harry published his memoir Spare last year, in which he accused William of pushing him into a dog bowl in a row over Meghan. It was also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks.
Further tensions between the royal brothers can be traced back to the early period of Harry’s relationship with Meghan, when his then fiancee had a falling-out with the Princess of Wales in the run-up to their wedding.
Lord Robert, Queen Elizabeth II’s former private secretary, died earlier this month aged 82. He was married to Lady Jane Fellowes, the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Six in ten Britons have positive view of the King, but William and Kate remain Britain’s favourite royals
Monday 2 September 2024 06:30
Barney Davis
The royal family can take some comfort in the knowledge that their popularity with the British public remains solid, with King Charles still popular two years after acceding to the throne.
According to a YouGov poll six in ten Britons (63%) have a favourable opinion of Charles III, against only three in ten (29%) who hold a negative view of the reigning monarch. This gives the King an overall net favourability rating of +34, something many politicians would be deeply envious of.
More popular are heir apparent Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales. They are Britain’s favourite royals, with three-quarters of Britons (74-75%) having a favourable view of the couple, and disliking the two a minority view (13-16%).
Sir Keir’s weekend with King Charles
Monday 2 September 2024 05:30
Barney Davis
Sir Keir Starmer has been staying with King Charles at Balmoral this weekend, enjoying his first official stay at the royal residence as prime minister.
King Charles III is hosting Sir Keir and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer, in line with a long-held tradition that UK prime ministers visit the monarch at the Scottish castle for a few days towards the end of summer.
Little detail about Sir Keir’s visit to Balmoral has been shared by either No 10 or the Royal Family.
The trips tend to take place shortly before MPs return from their summer recess - with this year’s recess due to end on Monday.
King Charles pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
Monday 2 September 2024 03:30
Barney Davis
King Charles has released a statement offering his condolences to the people of Aotearoa after the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia.
Buckingham Palace released the following statement: ”My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the death of Kiingi Tuheitia.
“I had the greatest pleasure of knowing Kiingi Tuheitia for decades. He was deeply committed to forging a strong future for Māori and Aotearoa New Zealand founded upon culture, traditions and healing, which he carried out with wisdom and compassion.
“I remember with immense fondness meeting Kiingi Tuheitia many times, including when Her Majesty and I were hosted so warmly and graciously at the Tuurangawaewae Marae in 2015, and then again during our meeting at Buckingham Palace last year. 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.
“Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne. (A mighty Totora tree has fallen.)
“My wife and I extend our deepest condolences to Kiingi Tuheitia’s whaanau and friends and all those who will mourn his loss. Our special thoughts and prayers will be with you at this most difficult and heartbreaking of times.”
It was signed ‘Charles R’.
Kiingi Tuheitia was elected to the Māori throne on 21 August 2006 and held several important roles, including patron of Te Matatini, the largest Māori cultural festival. He also represented the Māori people at King Charles III’s May 2023 coronation.
Following tradition, the next Māori monarch will be chosen with an election.
XR activist suggests King would be at Windsor camp if he wasn’t monarch
Monday 2 September 2024 01:30
Barney Davis
One of the Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists who have set up a camp in Windsor has said she thought the King would “probably be here” and “up for doing some camping” if he was not the head of state.
Tents, stages and speakers were set up in Windsor Home Park on Friday morning ahead of an “action-packed” weekend of activities.
Activist Marijn van de Geer, 41, said of Charles: “I reckon if he wasn’t the King he’d probably be here. I think he’d probably be quite good at giving some talks and trainings. He’s quite an outdoorsy person, he’d probably be up for doing some camping, it’s a shame he’s the King because he obviously can’t be here.
“As an individual he has spoken out a lot about the environment. He was well ahead of his days at the time when he was talking about it and everyone was laughing at him.
“This is 100 per cent not an attack at the King. Extinction Rebellion UK does not have any plans to storm Windsor Castle, any hotels, nor cause public disruption.”
Schoolboy tries on prize-winning cardboard crown in front of the King
Monday 2 September 2024 00:30
Barney Davis
A schoolboy donned his prize-winning cardboard crown in front of the King as the monarch visited a flower show.
The King laughed as Oliver Keith tried on the homemade creation of silver cardboard, purple tissue paper and golden tinsel at the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen’s 200th anniversary show in the city’s Duthie Park.
He questioned the eight-year-old on the fit and how long it took him to make the third-prize winning entry before asking him if he would like to try it on.
Laura Paterson reports:
Recap: William revealed Kate romance during classic British drinking game
Sunday 1 September 2024 23:30
Barney Davis
Prince William’s ex-girlfriend “unwittingly” revealed his relationship with Kate Middleton during a fateful game of Never Have I Ever with friends, a new biography has revealed.
The now heir to the throne, 42, met his future wife while studying at St Andrew’s University in Scotland and the pair started out as friends.
However, over time, romance blossomed and it was initially “shrouded in secrecy” because of William’s position within the royal family.
My colleague Emma Guinness reports:
Harry and Meghan ‘keen’ to do more faux-royal tours
Sunday 1 September 2024 22:30
Barney Davis
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.”
Prince Harry’s ‘telling’ decision to not alter Spare
Sunday 1 September 2024 21:30
Barney Davis
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.
Recap: Meghan ‘would never want someone else to not be believed’
Sunday 1 September 2024 20:00
Tara Cobham
Recap: Watch as King Charles meets first responders of Southport knife attack
Sunday 1 September 2024 18:00
Tara Cobham
Join our event on the British Monarchy’s personnel crisis
Sunday 1 September 2024 17:00
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 US 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:
ITV to air documentary about Queen’s domestic violence campaigning
Sunday 1 September 2024 15:00
Tara Cobham
The Queen was followed over the course of a year for a documentary looking at her work raising awareness of domestic violence.
ITV announced it has commissioned Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which will air later in 2024.
Film crews were given exclusive access to Camilla, who has worked for many years to highlight the problem of domestic abuse, and she will be shown in never-before-seen private meetings with survivors.
Laura Elston reports:
Camilla named as patron of the Rifleman’s Association
Sunday 1 September 2024 14:00
Tara Cobham
The Queen has deepened her association with her father’s beloved regiment by becoming the first patron of the Rifleman’s Association this week.
Camilla is Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles and is now the figurehead of its association, which enables serving soldiers, veterans and their families to remain part of the regimental family, offering friendship, support and help.
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 has personal links to The Rifles through her late father Major Bruce Shand.
Two Battalions of The Rifles form part of the celebrated 7th Infantry Brigade, otherwise known as the Desert Rats, with whom Major Shand served.
Major Shand was awarded the Military Cross in 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, and again in 1942 for his efforts in North Africa and was later wounded and taken prisoner while fighting in North Africa.
He died in June 2006 aged 89.
Charles ‘profoundly saddened’ as New Zealand’s Maori King Tuhetia dies aged 69
Sunday 1 September 2024 13:00
Tara Cobham
New Zealand‘s Maori King Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII died on Friday morning surrounded by his wife and three children. He was 69.
The monarch was admitted to a hospital, where he underwent heart surgery just days after the 18th anniversary of his coronation.
“The death of Kiingi Tuheitia is a moment of great sadness for followers of Te Kiingitanga, Maoridom and the entire nation,” spokesperson Rahui Papa said in a statement.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports:
Harry ‘asks ex-aides about returning from US’
Sunday 1 September 2024 11:30
Tara Cobham
Prince Harry has sought advice from his former British aides about plotting a return from the US that could involve a partial reinstatement to the royal fold, sources have revealed.
In what has been described as the initial stage in a strategy to “rehabilitate” him, The Mail on Sunday reported the Duke of Sussex has been asking advisers he had when he was a working royal for help amid increasing alleged issues with American-based PR firms.
The claimed move would be made with a view to Harry repairing his relationship with his father – although the sources stressed he and his wife Meghan Markle are not looking to make a permanent return to the UK.
Harry and Meghan in no rush to tell children about royal heritage, claims friend
Sunday 1 September 2024 09:00
Tara Cobham
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in no rush to tell their children about their royal heritage, a family friend has claimed.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly wish for Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, to be loved for who they are rather than for their relation to the British monarchy.
The source told US Weekly: “They’ll have those conversations in due time.”
In an update on the two young royals, they added: “They’re so well-mannered.
“Archie is sweet and curious and playful, and Lili is vibrant and happy.”
King hosts Prime Minister and his wife at Balmoral for the weekend
Sunday 1 September 2024 07:55
Tara Cobham
The King is hosting Sir Keir Starmer at Balmoral for his first official weekend at the royal retreat as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer are following convention and spending a few days at the Scottish home of Charles and Camilla.
Last summer, former prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife spent the weekend at the monarch’s Aberdeenshire home and went to church with the royal couple.
Prime minis
