The Princess of Wales is set to deliver a heartful Christmas message about the importance of love at her upcoming annual carol service.
Kate has written a letter, featured with the order of service for the event on Friday, for the 1,600 Westminster Abbey carol goers, telling them “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times”.
During the past year, the princess has returned to public duties after being treated for cancer, while the King is still under the care of cancer specialists. The service aims to provide a moment of reflection about the importance of loved ones, especially during difficult times.
Kate is expected to be joined by her family, husband William and three children for the annual event, which is filmed as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve.
The King and Queen did not attend the Together at Christmas carol service in 2023 but have previously.
Her message will say: “This Carol Service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other.
“Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.”
Latest Royal Family News
- Kate’s carol service message revealed with William and kids set to attend
- Kate to return to public duties with annual carol service event
- Queen to return to duties after chest infection
- Kate tackles stigma ahead of Addiction Awareness Week
- Kate’s touching tribute to teen photographer with rare cancer who died aged 17
- Meghan Markle requests extension for lifestyle brand trademark application
Kate’s carol service message revealed with William and kids set to attend
22:05
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales will deliver a heartful Christmas message about the importance of love – “the greatest gift we can receive” – to those attending her annual carol service.
Kate has written a letter for the 1,600 Westminster Abbey carol goers, including members of the royal family, telling them “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times”.
Her message, featured with the order of service for the event on Friday, will say: “This Carol Service is a heartfelt celebration of every one of you, and a reminder that at Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other.
“Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other’s light.”
During the past year the princess has returned to public duties after being treated for cancer, while the King is still under the care of cancer specialists, and the service aims to provide a moment of reflection about the importance of loved ones, especially during difficult times.
Kate is expected to be joined by her family, husband William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, the King and Queen did not attend the Together at Christmas carol service in 2023 but have previously.
Queen Camilla welcomes poetry winners to Buckingham Palace
20:00
Holly Evans
Queen Camilla returned to royal duties after suffering a chest infection by hosting two poetry winners at Buckingham Palace.
A post on the royal family’s social media page read: “Last week, The Queen welcomed 92 year old Colin and 9 year old Avi to Buckingham Palace to hear their @Poetry_Together winning poems.
“The theme of this year’s competition is ‘friendship’ and younger and older communities are getting together all over the country to share their poems over tea and cake.”
Last week, The Queen welcomed 92 year old Colin and 9 year old Avi to Buckingham Palace to hear their @Poetry_Together winning poems. ✍️
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 28, 2024
The theme of this year’s competition is ‘friendship’ and younger and older communities are getting together all over the country to share… pic.twitter.com/mC1kOrNIT5
Watch: Prince William tries flying drone during army live firing exercise
18:00
Holly Evans
Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’
16:00
Holly Evans
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will bring a new series to Netflix in December, revealing the “grit behind the glamour” in the high-stakes world of polo.
The five-part series will debut globally on December 10, following elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
A trailer for the series titled Polo, executive produced by Harry and Meghan, was released on Thursday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the “fast-paced and glamorous world of polo”.
In a statement, Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.
“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”
It has been produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions, having previously released three documentaries with Netflix as part of a multimillion-pound deal with the streaming giant.
In pictures: Christmas comes to Highgrove, the King’s favourite residence
14:24
Holly Evans
Princess of Wales to delight royal fans with appearance at carol service
13:45
Holly Evans
Despite her battle with cancer over the last year, the Princess of Wales is due to return to royal duties to host her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.
She is expected to be joined by her husband William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well as community leaders and performers.
Kate has only returned to the public eye on a handful occasions, including the Rememberance Day service in November and the Trooping the Colour parade.
Earl Spencer gushes over new partner
12:43
Holly Evans
Earl Spencer has gushed over his new partner, “brilliant archaologist” and Nordic Person of the Year, Dr Cat Jarman.
The brother of the late Princess Diana met Professor Jarman, who is also the co-host of a podcast he produces, on his own family estate in 2021, as she searched for the remains of an ancient Roman villa for a Channel 4 documentary.
“I’m too old for hearts and flowers stuff, but the best way to describe it is that with Cat, I can be myself,” Earl Spencer told MailOnline.
“She knows who I am. Who I really am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. And she brings out the best in me.”
Sophie offers support to Yazidi genocide survivor as she pays tribute to bravery
11:30
Holly Evans
The Duchess of Edinburgh has warned that the devastation of conflict-related sexual violence continues long after the guns fall silent, as she offered a comforting hug to a Yazidi genocide survivor.
Sophie was pictured with her arm around Awaz Abdi who was captured and enslaved by so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq a decade ago when she was just 10 years old.
The pair met when the duchess visited The Women Who Beat Isis travelling photography exhibition at the Foreign Office in London on Wednesday.
Read the full article here:
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet
10:45
Holly Evans
Meghan Markle is embracing the magic of the holidays, thanks to her children with Prince Harry.
In an interview with Marie Claire, the 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex reflected on how her children — son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three — are reaching the age when the festive season feels even more special.
“I love the holidays,” Meghan shared enthusiastically. “Archie and Lilibet are now three and five, so every year it gets better.”
Read the full article here:
Kate says do not ‘judge or criticise’ addicts ahead of Addiction Awareness Week
09:15
Holly Evans
The Princess of Wales has urged the public to change its attitude towards those dependent on drink or drugs – saying “addiction is not a choice”.
Kate highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own” and “it is not our place to judge or criticise” in a written message to mark Addiction Awareness Week.
In a bid to tackle the stigma associated with the issue, she called on everyone to support charities helping addicts and their families by changing the “way we think about and consider the many people coping with addiction”.
And by listening or providing a shoulder for someone to cry on the “misunderstandings” faced by many can be broken down.
Kate is patron of the Forward Trust, an addiction charity, and her involvement in the awareness week comes a few months after the princess announced she was returning to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.
She has made a few official appearances, joining senior members of the royal family for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and travelling with the Prince of Wales to Merseyside to meet the bereaved families of the Southport stabbings.
Battersea rescue dogs needing homes head to Highgrove for footstool photoshoot
07:52
Holly Evans
Rescue animals from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home took part in a festive photoshoot at the King and Queen’s country estate Highgrove.
Percy, Darcie, Elspeth, Harper, Missy and Shadow, who are all looking for new homes in time for Christmas, were invited to Gloucestershire, travelling from the charity’s Old Windsor Centre.
They posed on a new range of bespoke footstools, crafted and upholstered using recycled curtains from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by students and community groups working with Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation.
Read the full article here:
Prince Louis revealed to have a passion for the drums
06:00
Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales joked that Prince Louis’ drumming practice has left him taking drastic action.
William told celebrity musicians about his son’s musical aspirations have as he thanked them for supporting a wildlife charity.
He told the group about his youngest son, who is renowned for his cheeky personality that: “My youngest is learning the drums, that’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears.”
William went on to say “I’m interested in different eras of music” and “music is such an important part of my life”.
Meghan Markle requests extension for lifestyle brand trademark application
04:00
Athena Stavrou
It looks as though Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand may be still be months away from launching, as lawyers for the duchess request an extension for her trademark application.
Meghan originally soft-launched her brand American Riviera Orchard back in March with prospective customers told to join a waiting list to keep them updated on products, thought to include jams and other lifestyle goods.
However, the brand, has suffered a series of setbacks in the months since, meaning they are yet to begin trading.
Her inititial trademark application was refused by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in September, noting that American Riviera was a “common nickname” for Santa Barbara.
She was given three-months to address the issue, with lawyers now filing a request for another three month extension.
Full story: William and Kate pay tribute to ‘brave and humble’ young photographer Liz Hatton
01:00
Athena Stavrou
The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their sadness at the death of teenage photographer Liz Hatton, saying it was “an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman”.
The 17-year-old, who died on Wednesday, pursued a photography bucket list after being diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer at the start of the year.
Liz, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, hit the headlines when she was pictured being hugged by Kate at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.
Read the full story here:
Inside the next phase Buckingham Palace’s £369m refurbishment
Friday 29 November 2024 23:00
Athena Stavrou
Buckingham Palace will be undergoing huge upheavals in the coming months as the £369m refurbishment closes some of its grandest rooms.
The palace’s grandest rooms will undergo “phased closures” for renovation, beginning with the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room and the State Dining Room.
This will be followed by the Ballroom, where state banquets are held, and state rooms including the Throne Room and the Green Drawing Room.
Work will be paused during the summer months as the state rooms open to the public as usual.
King Charles makes significant diet change in wake of cancer diagnosis
Friday 29 November 2024 21:00
Athena Stavrou
Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles has revealed that King Charles has made a significant change to his diet in the wake of his cancer diagnosis.
The food critic told Saga magazine that he has reduced his intake of red meat, with the Queen also cutting back on lamb, beef and pork.
He noted that King Charles was “looking again at what, and when, he eats” following “what he’s been through recently”.
He added: “I’m no nutritionist, but I know that food is part of a body’s “medicine”. It knows when it’s having the right stuff.”
On their website, Cancer Research UK states: “Red meat is classed as a probable cause of cancer. This means there is lots of good evidence of a link between eating red meat and some types of cancer, but we need a few more of the best quality studies to be certain.”
Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana with powerful message
Friday 29 November 2024 19:30
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales has channeled Princess Diana as she delivers a powerful message urging the public to not “judge or criticise” those suffering from addiction.
As the Princess of Wales, Diana was renowned for her work to tackle stigmas among the most vulnerable in society and became prominent philanthropic force in her lifetime, using her stature to raise awareness for countless humanitarian issues, from the AIDS crisis to landmines.
In 1987, she famously shook hands with a patient who had AIDS at London Middlesex Hospital, challenging the false belief that the illness could be transmitted by touch.
Much like her late mother-in-law, Kate has strived to tackle stigma as she spoke out ahead of Addiction Awareness Week.
In a written message, the princess highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own”.
In a bid to tackle the stigma associated with the issue, she called on everyone to support charities helping addicts and their families by changing the “way we think about and consider the many people coping with addiction”.
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet
Friday 29 November 2024 18:30
Athena Stavrou
Meghan Markle is embracing the magic of the holidays, thanks to her children with Prince Harry.
In an interview with Marie Claire, the 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex reflected on how her children — son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three — are reaching the age when the festive season feels even more special.
“I love the holidays,” Meghan shared enthusiastically. “Archie and Lilibet are now three and five, so every year it gets better.”
Read the full story:
Queen to return to duties after chest infection
Friday 29 November 2024 17:30
Athena Stavrou
The Queen is set to return to her official duties, after having stepped away for several weeks due to a chest infection.
Camilla will attend the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Madame Macron next week to celebrate Franco-British literary talent and the special connections between the two countries.
The scheduled appearance comes after she was forced to cancel a number of engagements, including the Rememberance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Royal Variety Performance.
Meghan Markle requests extension for lifestyle brand trademark application
Friday 29 November 2024 16:29
Athena Stavrou
It looks as though Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand may be still be months away from launching, as lawyers for the duchess request an extension for her trademark application.
Meghan originally soft-launched her brand American Riviera Orchard back in March with prospective customers told to join a waiting list to keep them updated on products, thought to include jams and other lifestyle goods.
However, the brand, has suffered a series of setbacks in the months since, meaning they are yet to begin trading.
Her inititial trademark application was refused by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in September, noting that American Riviera was a “common nickname” for Santa Barbara.
She was given three-months to address the issue, with lawyers now filing a request for another three month extension.
Anne Boleyn musical coming to former Queen’s childhood home
Friday 29 November 2024 16:01
Athena Stavrou
One of the most dramatic tales in royal history is set to come to come to stage as a musical next year.
As one of the most divisive and well known historical figures, Anne Boleyn’s marriage to Henry VIII changed the course of history as we know it.
Now, her legacy will be played out on stage as a musical next year at none other than her own childhood home, Hever Castle.
Steeped in history, Hever Castle was originally built in 1383 as a medieval defensive castle with a gatehouse and walled bailey, it was transformed in the 15th and 16th centuries by the Boleyn family, who added a Tudor residence within its walls.
Anne Boleyn the Musical will play in a specially constructed 1,800 seat outdoor auditorium in the grounds of the castle from 2 – 30 August 2025, and will tell the captivating story of Anne Boleyn at the very place where her journey began.
Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’
Friday 29 November 2024 15:28
Athena Stavrou
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will bring a new series to Netflix in December, revealing the “grit behind the glamour” in the high-stakes world of polo.
The five-part series will debut globally on December 10, following elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
A trailer for the series titled Polo, executive produced by Harry and Meghan, was released on Thursday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the “fast-paced and glamorous world of polo”.
In a statement, Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.
“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”
It has been produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions, having previously released three documentaries with Netflix as part of a multimillion-pound deal with the streaming giant.
Kate’s touching tribute to teen photographer with rare cancer who died aged 17 - ICYMI
Friday 29 November 2024 15:01
Athena Stavrou
The Prince and Princess of Wales have expressed their sadness at the death of teenage photographer Liz Hatton, saying it was “an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman”.
The 17-year-old, who died on Wednesday, pursued a photography bucket list after being diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of cancer at the start of the year.
Liz, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, hit the headlines when she was pictured being hugged by Kate at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.
William and Kate, who herself was treated for cancer this year, said in a personal message shared on their Kensington Palace social media accounts: “We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away.
“It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.”
The message was signed “W & C”.
Multi-million pound cost of King Charles’ coronation revealed
Friday 29 November 2024 14:29
Athena Stavrou
The cost of King Charles’ coronation has been revealed, with government accounts showing that £72 million in taxpayer money was spent on the event.
An annual report from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that it spent £50.3 million on the coronation. This was alongside the £21.7 million in policing costs for the royal event.
The coronation took place on 6 May 2023, marking the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Around 18 million viewers tuned in to watch the ceremony on the BBC – fewer than the 28 million that watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Read the full article here:
Kate invites child survivors of Southport attack to her carol concert
Friday 29 November 2024 14:02
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing to her annual Christmas carol concert.
Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has invited child survivors of the attack to her festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
It comes after the princess made a surprise visit with her husband William to meet the bereaved families of the victims in Southport last month.
The royal couple met privately with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, as well as the children’s dance teacher.
At the Southport Community Centre they met emergency responders involved in the attack and heard about their experiences.
The princess has set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced in what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year.
Prince Harry’s latest High Court claim could go to trial, judge says
Friday 29 November 2024 13:29
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry’s latest legal claim against the publishers of the Daily Mail could go to trial, a High Court judge has said.
The Duke of Sussex has accused the publisher of allegedly commissioning unlawful activities, including hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, recording private phone conversations “blagging” private records, and even burglaries to order.
At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday High Court judge Mr Justice Nicklin said that it was important to progress the case to an eventual trial.
Read the full article here:
Earl Spencer gushes over new partner
Friday 29 November 2024 13:01
Athena Stavrou
Earl Spencer has gushed over his new partner, “brilliant archaologist” and Nordic Person of the Year, Dr Cat Jarman.
The brother of the late Princess Diana met Professor Jarman, who is also the co-host of a podcast he produces, on his own family estate in 2021, as she searched for the remains of an ancient Roman villa for a Channel 4 documentary.
“I’m too old for hearts and flowers stuff, but the best way to describe it is that with Cat, I can be myself,” Earl Spencer told MailOnline.
“She knows who I am. Who I really am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. And she brings out the best in me.”
Pictured: Royal estates transform into winter wonderlands
Friday 29 November 2024 12:29
Athena Stavrou
Prince Louis revealed to have a passion for the drums
Friday 29 November 2024 12:01
Athena Stavrou
The Prince of Wales joked that Prince Louis’ drumming practice has left him taking drastic action.
William told celebrity musicians about his son’s musical aspirations have as he thanked them for supporting a wildlife charity.
He told the group about his youngest son, who is renowned for his cheeky personality that: “My youngest is learning the drums, that’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears.”
William went on to say “I’m interested in different eras of music” and “music is such an important part of my life”.
Kremlin critic says ‘struggle just beginning’ as he is knighted
Friday 29 November 2024 11:35
Athena Stavrou
A staunch Kremlin critic described as “Putin’s number one enemy” said the “struggle is just beginning” as he was knighted at Buckingham Palace.
Sir William “Bill” Browder was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours after years of lobbying governments to introduce sanctions against human rights violators and kleptocrats.
His company Hermitage Capital Management was once the largest foreign investor in Russia.
The British-American financier and activist was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Thursday for “services to human rights, anti-corruption, and international affairs”.
Sir Bill began his campaign work in 2009 following the death of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow jail after exposing a tax fraud involving Russian officials.
Speaking after the ceremony, he said: “This is an award to recognise the fight that I’ve waged for 15 years for human rights and for justice after the murder of my lawyer Sergei Magnistky in Russian custody.
Detective who was shot while coaching youth football team awarded King’s Police Medal
Friday 29 November 2024 11:06
Athena Stavrou
A detective from Northern Ireland who survived a murder attempt has said he feels “honoured” after receiving the King’s Police Medal.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, who survived a dissident republican murder bid, was presented with the medal by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.
It comes after he was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list earlier this year.
Mr Caldwell was shot a number of times in front of his son by dissident republicans at a sports complex in Omagh, Co Tyrone, on February 22 2023, as he was packing up after coaching a youth football team.
Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, Mr Caldwell said: “I’m feeling very happy, feel very privileged, feel very honoured to be – firstly nominated – and then to receive such a very nice medal from the King.”
Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana with powerful message
Friday 29 November 2024 10:41
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales has channeled Princess Diana as she delivers a powerful message urging the public to not “judge or criticise” those suffering from addiction.
As the Princess of Wales, Diana was renowned for her work to tackle stigmas among the most vulnerable in society and became prominent philanthropic force in her lifetime, using her stature to raise awareness for countless humanitarian issues, from the AIDS crisis to landmines.
In 1987, she famously shook hands with a patient who had AIDS at London Middlesex Hospital, challenging the false belief that the illness could be transmitted by touch.
Much like her late mother-in-law, Kate has strived to tackle stigma as she spoke out ahead of Addiction Awareness Week.
In a written message, the princess highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own”.
In a bid to tackle the stigma associated with the issue, she called on everyone to support charities helping addicts and their families by changing the “way we think about and consider the many people coping with addiction”.
Prince Harry could cite Taylor Swift police escort in legal appeal
Friday 29 November 2024 10:18
Athena Stavrou
Prince Harry could reportedly cite the decision to provide Taylor Swift with a police escort as she performed in London in his own security case against the Government.
The singer was provided with an escort to Wembley Stadium in August after a foiled terror plot forced her to cancel her shows in Vienna earlier that month.
The duke is currently embroiled in his own legal battle against the home office over their decision to remove police protection for him after he stepped down from official duties. Though he lost the case this year, he is due to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal.
The Telegraph has now reported that the duke could use the decision to provide Swift with police protection to bolster his own case.
The Duke’s spokesman declined to comment but a source close to the situation told the newspaper: “The decision to provide a police escort for Taylor Swift has exposed troubling inconsistencies in how protection decisions are reached.”
They added: “The dangers to Taylor Swift were and are real, but so are those faced by Prince Harry and his family.
“There may well be no imminent threat, but there is always risk, risk that can be mitigated by the tactics used by the Met Police on the day.”
Meghan Markle requests extension for lifestyle brand trademark application
Friday 29 November 2024 09:38
Athena Stavrou
It looks as though Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand may be still be months away from launching, as lawyers for the duchess request an extension for her trademark application.
Meghan originally soft-launched her brand American Riviera Orchard back in March with prospective customers told to join a waiting list to keep them updated on products, thought to include jams and other lifestyle goods.
However, the brand, has suffered a series of setbacks in the months since, meaning they are yet to begin trading.
Her inititial trademark application was refused by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in September, noting that American Riviera was a “common nickname” for Santa Barbara.
She was given three-months to address the issue, with lawyers now filing a request for another three month extension.
Late Queen’s aide reveals crisis talks after Boris Johnson’s Covid diagnosis
Friday 29 November 2024 09:08
Athena Stavrou
A top former aide to the late Queen has revealed the crisis talks that took place as Boris Johnson was diagnosed with Covid.
Lord Young of Old Windsor lifted the lid on how he had intervened at the last minute ot stop a face-to-face meeting between the then 94-year-old monarch and the former prime minister, averting potential disaster.
He recounted events from early April 2020 that saw Mr Johnson admitted to hospital with Covid-19, shortly after the imposition of the first lockdown.
He told peers: “I stopped at a bus shelter to take a call from the excellent Martin Reynolds, the principal private secretary to Boris Johnson. We knew that the prime minister had gone into hospital the night before.
“But his protection officers had overheard some consultants discussing how they were going to tell Carrie (his now wife) that he might have to go into ICU and on to a ventilator. Clearly, I had to update the Queen on this.”
Lord Young added: “We had our suspicions, because, just the previous Wednesday, the final face-to-face audience at Buckingham Palace had been scheduled.
“The prime minister considered it his duty to be there to do it face to face and the late Queen considered it her duty too – in a sort of Blitz spirit, ‘Well, I’ve got to die sometime’ attitude – but it really was not the moment for taking unnecessary risks.
“In the end, both participants were so keen to go ahead with it that Martin and I arranged for him to tell the prime minister that the Palace wanted to cancel and for me to tell the Queen that Number 10 had got cold feet, which was very lucky, because, by the end of the telephone call… the prime minister had started coughing.”
The next day he received a call from the then cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill, now Lord Sedwill, that Mr Johnson had tested positive for Covid.
Kate says do not ‘judge or criticise’ addicts ahead of Addiction Awareness Week
Friday 29 November 2024 08:40
Athena Stavrou
The Princess of Wales has urged the public to change its attitude towards those dependent on drink or drugs – saying “addiction is not a choice”.
Kate highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own” and “it is not our place to judge or criticise” in a written message to mark Addiction Awareness Week.
Kate is patron of the Forward Trust, an addiction charity, and her involvement in the awareness week comes a few months after the princess announced she was returning to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.
Kate said in her message: “Everyone suffering from addiction is another human being, with a story of their own, which many of us don’t understand or see.
“It is not our place to judge or criticise, we must take the time to sit by someone’s side, learning the values of love and empathy. Being a shoulder to cry on or an
