Royal news live: Kate Middleton sends touching letter to actor with cancer as William breaks silence on Harry

WorldEntertainment
30 Oct 2024 • 4:48 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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The Princess of Wales sent a touching message to a leading Bollywood actress following her treatment for cancer.

Manisha Koirala, who is in remission from stage four ovarian cancer, received a heartfelt letter from Kate congratulating her on her recovery and return to work.

“I wanted to reach out to HRH The Princess of Wales to send my good wishes. I am deeply heartened to receive such a warm response from her,” she said.

Kate, now cancer-free and slowly returning to her royal duties, has not revealed the specific type of cancer she faced, which needed major abdominal surgery.

In a message earlier this year, she acknowledged the complexities and fears associated with the cancer journey.

Meanwhile, Prince William publicly mentioned his brother, Prince Harry, for the first time in eight years.

He shared a poignant childhood memory of their mother, Princess Diana, taking them to visit a homeless shelter, marking a rare moment of reflection on their relationship.

“She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11, I think probably at the time, maybe 10,” he said.

Key Points

  • Kate Middleton sends touching letter to actor with cancer
  • King Charles and Queen Camilla in Bengaluru for private wellness retreat
  • King’s ‘hot equerry' Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson is engaged
  • Prince William breaks silence on Harry in touching tribute to their mother Diana

Inside King Charles’ restorative break at exclusive Indian resort

09:08

Salma Ouaguira

King Charles has taken a restorative break at the exclusive SOUKYA resort in Bangalore, India, after his extensive tour of Australia and Samoa.

The 75-year-old monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, spent three days at the renowned wellness centre, which is popular for its yoga, Ayurvedic treatments, and holistic approach to health.

According to reports, the King took this mini-break to recover from the 35-hour journey back from the Commonwealth tour.

Queen Camilla had previously visited the same resort at the start of their recent travels.

SOUKYA, run by Dr. Issac Mathai, who has been the King's holistic health consultant for many years, is known for its celebrity clientele, including Dame Emma Thompson and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The resort offers a quiet environment surrounded by lush gardens and organic farmland, where guests take part in daily yoga sessions, rejuvenating treatments, and healthy vegetarian meals.

During their stay, the royal couple enjoyed in a range of wellness activities, including morning yoga, meditation, and unique treatments such as 'shirodhara,' which involves oil being dripped onto the forehead for relaxation.

Sarah Ferguson claims Princess Kate and William’s wedding triggered ‘great regret'

08:47

Salma Ouaguira

Royal fans around the world celebrated the marriage of Prince William and Princess Kate during their lavish ceremony in April 2011.

However, a former member of the Royal Family who did not attend the ceremony, Sarah Ferguson, expressed “great regret” at the time.

In a resurfaced interview on the US TV show The Daily, the Duchess of York recalled her own wedding to Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey on 23 July, 1986.

"I was that bride, and at 25 years old, I went down the aisle of Westminster Abbey," she said.

Fergie explained that William and Kate’s big day triggered “great soul searching on regret”.

She added: “If I, being me now, could go back to that young girl when I was 24, I would say to her, ‘You know what? I will stick with you. I will stay with you. I’m with you…. You don’t need to run around trying to get everyone to love you. I love you, i.e. yourself, myself’.”

The Duchess continued: “You’ve got me. Listen to me. I will guide you. Listen to your instincts Sarah and be aware of your behaviour and be aware of how lucky you are.

“You’ve got the world. You’ve got the best-looking prince. You’ve got the world at your feet. Don’t blow it.”

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King Charles and Queen Camilla in Bengaluru for private wellness retreat

08:30

Salma Ouaguira

Charles and Camilla have landed in India on a four-day private visit after their tour in Australia and Samoa.

The couple are on a retreat at Soukya Health and Wellness Centre in Bengaluru’s Whitefield seeking wellness treatments before they go back to their busy schedule.

This marks the King’s first visit as a monarch to India since his coronation in 2023.

Inside the no-frills health retreat Charles and Camilla can’t keep away from

08:11

Salma Ouaguira

It is a place where the Queen has brought a number of friends and relatives – returning a total of seven times.

Eschewing her hectic day-to-day schedule, it is at the Soukya health retreat in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru that Camilla is said to be a devotee of yoga, embracing the ritual and championing the food.

Arpan Rai reports from the Soukya retreat where the King and Queen have found a home away from home in Bengaluru, India.

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Pictured: Prince Ann gives academic MBE for work with suicide prevention

07:00

Salma Ouaguira

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Watch: Prince William recalls first visit to homeless shelter with mother Diana

06:00

Salma Ouaguira

Pictured: Christopher Powell awarded Member of the Orde

05:00

Salma Ouaguira

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Government to punish Russian agencies targeting Princess Kate

04:30

Salma Ouaguira

The government will sanction Russian agencies linked to a disinformation campaign that targeted Princess Kate following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The disinformation network, known as the Doppelganger group, was formed of six Russian agencies and individuals accused of spreading false rumors about the Princess of Wales in March - shortly after she revealed her health condition.

The Foreign Office described this network as a “vast malign online presence” designed to disrupt democratic processes and create confusion through the dissemination of fake news.

Condemning the actions, foreign secretary David Lammy said: “Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine that he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to stoke unrest.”

The Doppelganger’s operation was first detected by security experts at Cardiff University, who identified the methods used to push false narratives online about the Princess.

In response to the campaign, the Princess of Wales took a firm stance by publicly addressing her diagnosis, quelling the unfounded speculation that had spread across social media.

Prince William breaks silence on Harry in touching tribute to their mother Diana

04:00

Salma Ouaguira

Prince William has mentioned Prince Harry publicly for the first time in years, as he recalls a childhood memory in his upcoming documentary.

The Prince of Wales recounted the time his mother, the late Princess Diana, took him and his brother to visit a homeless shelter more than 30 years ago.

He said: “My mother took me to The Passage. She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11, I think probably at the time, maybe 10. I’d never been to anything like that before, and I was a bit anxious as to what to expect.”

The mention of Harry is believed to be the first in six years. The last time William spoke about hus brother publicly is thought to be in 2018 when the pair were interviewed at Royal Foundation Forum.

Previously unseen pictures have also released as part of the documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, showing William as a child on the visit.

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King to return to full schedule of overseas trips

03:30

Salma Ouaguira

King Charles is set to return to his normal schedule of overseas tours next year, amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

In an update given by a palace official, it was revealed Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn in 2025, provided doctors sanction the travel.

“We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms,” the official said.

An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.

Prince William inspired by Princess Diana to end homelessness as he shares unseen family footage of charity visit

03:00

Salma Ouaguira

Prince William has revealed how his mother Princess Diana inspired him to end homelessness as he shared unseen family footage of a charity visit.

A new ITV documentary shows William visiting the same homelessness charity where his mother first took him and Harry when he was 11.

William says: “I had never been to anything like that before and I was a bit anxious at what to expect. But Mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone.

“I remember thinking if no one has a home everyone would be really sad but it was incredible how happy an environment it was. I remember having good conversations, playing chess and chatting. That’s when it dawned on me that there are other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do.

Prince William: We Can End Homelessness airs 30th and 31st October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player

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Queen Camilla’s son reveals ‘we had no food spice growing up’

02:30

Salma Ouaguira

Cooking expert Tom Bowles has revealed the meals he ate at home with Queen Camilla.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, the renowned food writer discussed everything from his fondest childhood food memories to the one meal that causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt.

He said: “We had no spice whatsoever in our upbringing. We didn’t have curries.

“The only spice in the house might’ve been a tiny old dusty tin of curry powder for some disgusting coronation chicken occasionally and a bottle of old Tabasco for a Bloody Mary. That was the only spice.”

But when Parker Bowles moved onto prep school however, he realised just how bad some food can be, describing the breakfast provided as a “study in sadism” with “ice hockey puck eggs” that tasted of fish and “scummy flaps of bacon”.

King’s ‘hot equerry’ Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson is engaged

02:00

Salma Ouaguira

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, known as King Charles’ equerry, is engaged to Olivia Lewis.

Thompson gained attention on social media following King Charles’ accession in September 2022, particularly with a viral TikTok video.

He was also featured during the coronation in May 2023, where a video of him assisting the King garnered significant views.

The Times announced the engagement, saying: “The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Olivia Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lewis OBE of Primrose Hill, London.”

King facing urged to ‘fully disclose’ royal gifts by campaigners

01:30

Salma Ouaguira

Campaigners have called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.

Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.

Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.

Beatrice and Eugenie supported Sarah Ferguson through cancer battle

01:00

Salma Ouaguira

Sarah Ferguson has opened up about her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, playing a crucial role in her battle with cancer.

Diagnosed with melanoma in early 2024, the Duchess of York revealed how her family has helped her navigate the difficult moments since her diagnosis.

She told Hello: “My children, the joy of being a grandmother, writing my children’s books, and working on my next novel have been my lifelines.

“Writing is my escape. I write in longhand with a fountain pen in my study, and the stories just flow. I love to explore my imagination, inspired by nature.”

In January, Ferguson announced she had been diagnosed with a melanoma. A spokesperson explained that her dermatologist had removed several moles for analysis during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, with one being identified as cancerous.

Recently, Princess Eugenie shared an emotional birthday tribute to her mother on her 65th birthday, posting a series of photos that captured their close bond.

The images included moments with Eugenie’s son, Ernest, as well as family photos featuring Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah together.

Harry and Meghan buy home in Portugal close to cousin Eugenie

00:30

Salma Ouaguira

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly bought a home in Portugal close to Princess Eugenie.

Their home is reportedly just an hour’s drive south of the capital’s on Portugal’s west coast, between Comporta and Melides.

The is a popular holiday destination for the wealthy, thanks to it being away from bursting touristic beaches. Eugenie and her husband also own a home in Melides, just south of Lisbon.

The Duke of Sussex has always had a close relationship to his cousins, Eugenie and her sister Princess Beatrice. He remained in contact with them since stepping down as a working royal and moving to the US in 2020.

ICYMI: Commonwealth nations adopt 1st ocean declaration as former British colonies seek reparatory justice

00:00

Salma Ouaguira

Commonwealth countries have adopted their first ocean declaration during their summit held for the first time in the Pacific island nation of Samoa as calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for reparatory justice for the trans-Atlantic slave trade grew louder:

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— Associated Press

Unseen pictures from William, Harry and Princess Diana’s trip to homeless shelter

Tuesday 29 October 2024 23:30

Salma Ouaguira

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Were Wallis Simpson rumours orchestrated by the British establishment?

Tuesday 29 October 2024 23:00

Salma Ouaguira

Were the scandalous stories surrounding Wallis Simpson’s time in China were the product of society gossip - or an orchestrated effort by the British establishment to sabotage her relationship with the future Edward VIII?

This is the question discussed by author Paul French in his new book Her Lotus Year.

Dubbed the “China Dossier”, the collection of rumours accused Simpson of affairs, connections to gangsters, and risque behaviours, but French argues that none of these claims had any factual basis with Simpson.

Instead, they appear to have been drawn from unrelated incidents in 1920s China, and possibly amplified by figures in British intelligence.

French’s research suggests that the tales were carefully constructed to tarnish Simpson’s reputation, showing the lengths to which the establishment may have gone to block a royal union with a controversial American divorcee.

“They just wanted to scupper this relationship somehow,” French said.

Voices: The royal family’s finances are shrouded in mystery – it’s time to open the books

Tuesday 29 October 2024 22:30

Salma Ouaguira

The view of the monarchy in the UK remains overwhelmingly positive, writes Alan Rusbridger. But the public deserve full transparency on the family’s staggering wealth.

Read the full story:

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King takes great strength from Camilla as she ‘keeps it real’

Tuesday 29 October 2024 22:00

Salma Ouaguira

The King “genuinely loved” and “thrived” on his tour tour of Australia and Samoa as it lifted “his spirits, his mood and his recovery, a Buckingham Palace said.

“In that sense, the tour, despite its demands, has been the perfect tonic,” a palace official said.

He went on to say the monarch takes great strength from the Queen being there, not least because she “keeps it real”.

Australia was a significant visit for Charles as it was his first to the country as King and in Samoa he opened a major Commonwealth summit.

Pictured: Cameraman and Marine Conservationist Douglas Allan given OBE

Tuesday 29 October 2024 21:30

Salma Ouaguira

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Inside the King’s ‘holistic’ approach to his cancer diagnosis

Tuesday 29 October 2024 21:00

Salma Ouaguira

Details of the King’s “holistic” approach to his cancer diagnosis have been revealed by the palace.

The King has been receiving treatment as an out-patient for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February, and initially postponed all public-facing duties, continuing to work behind the scenes, and returned to events with the public in late April.

Maintaining a work schedule after his diagnosis has been an important part of Charles’s holistic approach to his cancer, and during the recent trip with his wife he maintained a busy schedule for the benefit of “mind and soul” while the doctor on the trip looked after the body.

A palace official said about the large number of events the King attended during the recent tour: “It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis.

“And he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul, and this combination works very well on a visit like this, because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged and then the doctor is here to make sure that his body is properly looked after, you’ve got what makes for very successful visit in in these circumstances.”

Pictured: Princess Anne gives OBE to children’s book author Joseph Coelho

Tuesday 29 October 2024 20:30

Salma Ouaguira

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Queen Camilla’s son reveals her kitchen secrets

Tuesday 29 October 2024 20:00

Salma Ouaguira

Tom Parker Bowles has lifted the lid on the cooking of his mother, Queen Camilla, and the meals they ate at home while he was growing up.

Describing Camilla as a “good, basic cook”, he said she perfected slow-cooked scrambled eggs (always on the Aga) and roast chicken – but steered clear of all spice and curries.

Never following a recipe, she relied on “very, very simple food” while providing meals for Tom and his sister Laura at their home near Chippenham in Wiltshire.

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King to embrace overseas tours despite cancer battle

Tuesday 29 October 2024 19:30

Salma Ouaguira

The King will return to regular overseas trips next year as he adapts to living with cancer.

Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn, the traditional periods for official foreign royal trips, provided doctors sanction the travel.

The development comes after the King’s recent tour of Australia and Samoa with the Queen he was “determined” to carry out and which was a “perfect tonic” for the head of state, said a senior Buckingham Palace official.

The palace official added: “We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms.”

An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.

Read the full story here:

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Princess Diana biographer issues withering Meghan Markle verdict

Tuesday 29 October 2024 19:00

Salma Ouaguira

The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair has given a withering assessment of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “flawless about getting it all wrong”.

Tina Brown, who led the magazine from for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having previously dubbed the couple as being “addicted to drama” and branding their exit from the royal family as a “disaster”.

You can read Ms Brown’s full verdict below:

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Pictured: Princess Anne gives OBE to BBC presenter Nicholas Owen

Tuesday 29 October 2024 18:30

Salma Ouaguira

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Kate Middleton sends touching letter to actor with cancer

Tuesday 29 October 2024 18:00

Salma Ouaguira

The Princess of Wales recently connected with Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, both of whom are cancer survivors.

Koirala, who has overcome stage IV ovarian cancer, received a heartfelt letter from the Princess of Wales congratulating her on her recovery and return to work.

She said: “I wanted to reach out to HRH The Princess of Wales to send my good wishes. I am deeply heartened to receive such a warm response from her.

“I want to use my voice to not only support cancer patients but also to raise awareness about the need for equitable healthcare access and the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Having faced cancer myself, I know how isolating and challenging the journey can be, and I believe it is essential that we all play a part in changing that reality for others.

Kate, now cancer-free and back to her royal duties, has not revealed the specific type of cancer she faced, which needed major abdominal surgery earlier this year.

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Watch: Diddy’s former publicist reveals rapper was ‘obsessed’ with Prince Harry and Prince William

Tuesday 29 October 2024 17:30

Salma Ouaguira

Prince William breaks silence on Harry in touching tribute to their mother Diana

Tuesday 29 October 2024 17:00

Salma Ouaguira

Prince William has mentioned Prince Harry publicly for the first time in years, as he recalls a childhood memory in his upcoming documentary.

The Prince of Wales recounted the time his mother, the late Princess Diana, took him and his brother to visit a homeless shelter more than 30 years ago.

He said: “My mother took me to The Passage. She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11, I think probably at the time, maybe 10. I’d never been to anything like that before, and I was a bit anxious as to what to expect.”

The mention of Harry is believed to be the first in six years. The last time William spoke about hus brother publicly is thought to be in 2018 when the pair were interviewed at Royal Foundation Forum.

Previously unseen pictures have also released as part of the documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, showing William as a child on the visit.

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King’s ‘hot equerry' Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson is engaged

Tuesday 29 October 2024 16:44

Salma Ouaguira

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, known as King Charles’ equerry, is engaged to Olivia Lewis.

Thompson gained attention on social media following King Charles’ accession in September 2022, particularly with a viral TikTok video.

He was also featured during the coronation in May 2023, where a video of him assisting the King garnered significant views.

The Times announced the engagement, saying: "The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Olivia Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lewis OBE of Primrose Hill, London."

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Pictured: Former Tory MP Sir Philip Davies made Knight Commander

Tuesday 29 October 2024 16:40

Salma Ouaguira

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Watch: Tom Parker Bowles full interview with Geordie Greig

Tuesday 29 October 2024 16:20

Salma Ouaguira

Beatrice and Eugenie supported Sarah Ferguson through cancer battle

Tuesday 29 October 2024 16:00

Salma Ouaguira

Sarah Ferguson has opened up about her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, playing a crucial role in her battle with cancer.

Diagnosed with melanoma in early 2024, the Duchess of York revealed how her family has helped her navigate the difficult moments since her diagnosis.

She told Hello: "My children, the joy of being a grandmother, writing my children's books, and working on my next novel have been my lifelines.

"Writing is my escape. I write in longhand with a fountain pen in my study, and the stories just flow. I love to explore my imagination, inspired by nature."

In January, Ferguson announced she had been diagnosed with a melanoma. A spokesperson explained that her dermatologist had removed several moles for analysis during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, with one being identified as cancerous.

Recently, Princess Eugenie shared an emotional birthday tribute to her mother on her 65th birthday, posting a series of photos that captured their close bond.

The images included moments with Eugenie's son, Ernest, as well as family photos featuring Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah together.

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‘Feels like he’s coming home’: William’s connection to homeless centre

Tuesday 29 October 2024 15:40

Salma Ouaguira

The Passage, a homeless centre in central London where William volunteers, has said his visits “feel like he is coming home”.

The Prince of Wales has been supporting the centre since he was 11, when his mother, Princess Diana, took him there with Prince Harry in 1993.

The shelter’s director Mick Clarke said: “We see him as the real person. When he comes, he is very relaxed, very chilled.”

Mr Clarke said there is a familial bond between the Prince and the centre, adding: “People who have lived with homelessness are very good at instantly sussing whether someone is straightforward and authentic or not, and Prince William just seems very comfortable.

“You can see his shoulders drop as soon as he walks in. It feels like he is coming home.”

William has praised his late mother, Diana, for inspiring his commitment to addressing homelessness in a new two-part documentary series, which chronicles the first year of the Prince Homewards programme.

The documentary focuses on six locations significantly affected by homelessness, including Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Lambeth in London, Newport in Northern Ireland, and Sheffield.

ICYMI: New book reveals how high society and British intelligence smeared Wallis Simpson

Tuesday 29 October 2024 15:20

Salma Ouaguira

A new book investigates whether the scandalous stories surrounding Wallis Simpson’s time in China were the product of society gossip or an orchestrated effort by the British establishment to sabotage her relationship with the future Edward VIII.

Dubbed the “China Dossier”, this collection of rumours accused Simpson of affairs, connections to gangsters, and risque behaviours, but author Paul French argues in Her Lotus Year that none of these claims had any factual basis with Simpson.

Instead, they appear to have been drawn from unrelated incidents in 1920s China, and possibly amplified by figures in British intelligence.

French’s research suggests that the tales were carefully constructed to tarnish Simpson’s reputation, showing the lengths to which the establishment may have gone to block a royal union with a controversial American divorcee.

“They just wanted to scupper this relationship somehow,” French said.

Pictured: Princess Anne makes Sir David Davis Knight Commander

Tuesday 29 October 2024 15:00

Salma Ouaguira

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Government to punish Russian agencies targeting Princess Kate

Tuesday 29 October 2024 14:40

Salma Ouaguira

The government will sanction Russian agencies linked to a disinformation campaign that targeted Princess Kate following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The disinformation network, known as the Doppelganger group, was formed of six Russian agencies and individuals accused of spreading false rumors about the Princess of Wales in March - shortly after she revealed her health condition.

The Foreign Office described this network as a "vast malign online presence" designed to disrupt democratic processes and create confusion through the dissemination of fake news.

Condemning the actions, foreign secretary David Lammy said: "Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine that he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to stoke unrest."

The Doppelganger’s operation was first detected by security experts at Cardiff University, who identified the methods used to push false narratives online about the Princess.

In response to the campaign, the Princess of Wales took a firm stance by publicly addressing her diagnosis, quelling the unfounded speculation that had spread across social media.

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King to return to full schedule of overseas trips

Tuesday 29 October 2024 14:20

Salma Ouaguira

King Charles is set to return to his normal schedule of overseas tours next year, amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

In an update given by a palace official, it was revealed Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn in 2025, provided doctors sanction the travel.

“We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms,” the official said.

An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.

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In pictures: Princess Anne holds investitures ceremony at Windsor Castle

Tuesday 29 October 2024 14:00

Salma Ouaguira

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Queen Camilla’s son reveals ‘we had no food spice growing up’

Tuesday 29 October 2024 13:40

Salma Ouaguira

Cooking expert Tom Bowles has revealed the meals he ate at home with Queen Camilla.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, the renowned food writer discussed everything from his fondest childhood food memories to the one meal that causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt.

He said: “We had no spice whatsoever in our upbringing. We didn’t have curries.

“The only spice in the house might’ve been a tiny old dusty tin of curry powder for some disgusting coronation chicken occasionally and a bottle of old Tabasco for a Bloody Mary. That was the only spice.”

But when Parker Bowles moved onto prep school however, he realised just how bad some food can be, describing the breakfast provided as a “study in sadism” with “ice hockey puck eggs” that tasted of fish and “scummy flaps of bacon”.

Tory politicians to be knighted by Princess Royal at Windsor Castle

Tuesday 29 October 2024 13:20

Salma Ouaguira

Three Conservative politicians will be knighted by the Princess Royal.

Former Tory ministers Sir David Davis and Sir Gavin Williamson and ex-backbencher Sir Philip Davies will receive knighthoods for their public service at Windsor Castle.

Sir Gavin, 48, who was twice sacked as a Cabinet minister and oversaw the exams fiasco during the coronavirus pandemic, was recommended for the honour by Boris Johnson in 2022.

The Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge MP’s knighthood was widely criticised after a series of gaffes he made as education secretary, including confusing footballer Marcus Rashford with England rugby star Maro Itoje.

He was sacked from the role in September 2021, having previously been axed as defence secretary after an inquiry into a leak from the National Security Council.

Sir David, 75, the MP for Goole and Pocklington, notably served as Brexit secretary during Mrs May’s period as prime minister.

Former Shipley MP Sir Philip, whose wife is former minister Esther McVey, will be knighted on the recommendation of Rishi Sunak.

He held the Yorkshire seat from 2005 until the general election earlier this year.

They are among 130 people being recognised by Anne.

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Watch: Prince William recalls first visit to homeless shelter with mother Diana

Tuesday 29 October 2024 13:00

Salma Ouaguira

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