King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour following an apparent snub from Australian officials ahead of his arrival on Friday.
The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla.
This rare honour was given the go-ahead by the New South Wales government at an estimated cost of around £50,000.
As the couple prepares to kick off their nine-day visit Down Under on Friday, every single state premier has turned down invitations to attend their royal reception in Canberra on October 21, reports suggest.
The Princess of Wales, meanwhile, has shared a touching message to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week on social media.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace channels, she shared a picture of a candle and a heartfelt message offering her “love, strength and hope” to those affected by baby loss.
“Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss,” she wrote.
“Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected. #WaveofLight C”
Key Points
- King Charles to begin historic Australia tour today
- King Charles to be given rare honour to mark arrival in Australia
- Prince William praised for ‘incredible’ anti-homelessness initiative
King Charles to begin historic Australia tour today
08:38
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to begin his eight-day tour of Australia and Samoa today.
The monarch’s first visit to Australia since taking the throne has been compared to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s historic 1954 tour of the country.
Dr George Gross, royal historian and visiting research fellow at King’s College London, said: “This is a tour of significant firsts. Although King Charles III has travelled to Australia many times, this will be his first visit there as sovereign and the first tour to the country by a reigning monarch since 2011.
“It will also be the King’s first official overseas tour since his cancer diagnosis, his first to a Commonwealth realm and, while visiting Samoa, he will lead the first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting of his reign.
“It is notable too that he is visiting Australia in the year after his coronation, as this echoes the 1954 tour by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II following her coronation in 1953.”
The visit will be Charles’s 17th visit to Australia in his lifetime.
King Charles’s Australia visit to be met with UK anti-monarchy protests
06:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to be met with anti-monarchy protests when he arrives in Australia with Queen Camilla on Friday.
Alongside protests from people within Australia, Graham Smith, the chief executive officer of the UK-based anti-monarchy group Republic, said he was travelling down under “to challenge the royal PR machine”.
Mr Smith said: “I’m in Australia to talk about why the UK should ditch the monarchy and to challenge the royal PR machine.
“I’m not here to tell Australia to become a republic, but to talk to Australians and the British press about the growing republican movement in the UK and the huge failings of the British monarchy.
“The message is simple: Charles does not speak for us, he does not represent us, he should go home.”
Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
03:00
Emma Guinness
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s premium event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
Watch the full event here. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
King Charles’s first visit to Australia in 1966
Friday 18 October 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
Though not an official tour, the then-Prince Charles did visit Australia to study for six months when he was a teenager in 1966.
The trip, which saw Charles spend two terms at a boarding school campus in Victoria, was described by the prince, then 17, as “the best” experience of his educational life.
Now, almost six decades later, this week’s visit will mark King Charles’s 17th trip to Australia.
Royal family anticipates King Charles’s first visit to Australia as monarch
Thursday 17 October 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
The royal family has anticipated King Charles’s upcoming visit to Australia on Friday – his first as a reigning monarch.
An official statement read: “70 years ago, in 1954, Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning British Sovereign to visit Australia.
“Tomorrow, The King will arrive for his own first visit as Sovereign, accompanied by Queen Camilla.
“During the visit, The King will follow in his mother’s footsteps - seven decades on - by addressing Parliament in Canberra.”
The statement was accompanied by footage from the late Queen’s visit, which showed the enormous crowds that had gathered to welcome her and Prince Philip to Australia.
Prince Harry rides waves as he shows off surfing skills in California
Thursday 17 October 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke of Sussex tried his hand at riding waves at a “surf ranch” in California, video posted on Wednesday, 16 October shows.
Prince Harry navigated the waters at Kelly Slater’s facility in Leemore, which is more than 100 miles from the sea.
Professional surfer Raimana Van Bastolaer posted footage of the royal’s endeavours on his Instagram account.
Van Bastolaer said: “In Tahiti, we still call you Prince Harry.
“But at Surf Ranch, it’s my brother. It was an honour to have you surf with me and Kelly Slater.”
Diana’s nieces support Prince William in London
Thursday 17 October 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
Prince William was supported by the late Princess Diana’s nieces at last night’s Centrepoint Awards in London.
Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer were all in attendance at the event, which recognised the achievements of young people working to help the homeless.
Kitty, Amelia and Eliza are all the daughters of Earl Spencer, 64, Diana’s younger brother.
William, who has also recently launched his own Homewards project to tackle homelessness, has been a patron of the charity since 2005.
Centrepoint provides support and accommodation to people aged 18 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness in the UK.
Prince William celebrates Centrepoint Award winners
Thursday 17 October 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
Prince William has praised the winners of the Centrepoint Awards following last night’s ceremony in London.
The charity, of which William, 42, is a patron, provides support and accommodation to young people aged 18 to 25 who are affected by homelessness.
The awards recognised those making notable contributions in this area.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, the heir to the throne wrote: “The @centrepointuk Award winners and finalists have overcome so much and achieved incredible things in leadership, education and their communities. Congratulations to you all!”
King Charles to begin overseas visit tomorrow
Thursday 17 October 2024 11:12
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to begin his eight-day overseas tour of Australia and Samoa tomorrow.
The monarch, 75, who will be accompanied by Queen Camilla, is reported to be temporarily pausing his cancer treatment for the trip.
Charles will arrive in Sydney, Australia, tomorrow, where he and the queen will have the honour of watching a special show on the Sydney Oprah House, which will be illuminated by images from previous royal tours.
Prince William praised for ‘incredible’ anti-homelessness initiative
Thursday 17 October 2024 10:31
Emma Guinness
The Prince of Wales has been praised for his “incredible” work in attempting to end homelessness in the UK following yesterday’s Centrepoint Awards.
William, 42, who is the charity’s patron, presented an award to 26-year-old Zoe at the British Museum event, who said she had been left inspired by the recognition.
Centrepoint provides support and accommodation to young homeless people aged between 18 and 25 in the UK.
“It’s been kind of surreal. It was really nice to meet the Prince of Wales. He was actually genuine and he actually wanted to speak to us. It was nice,” Zoe, whose surname remains private, said.
“It was surreal [to win an award],” she added. “I think it’s given me a lot of push to think about the future as well and the kind of things that I want to do.”
Praising William’s anti-homelessness initiative Homewards, she said: “I think what he’s doing is actually incredible. I don’t think there would be many people in his position that had the power to do what he’s doing. I think he’s actually really pushing for it.
“I really hope (it can bring hope to others). I think it does for me and I think it does for quite a lot of people. Hopefully we’ll get to where we want to be and where he wants to be as well.”
Prince William says he needs support to tackle homelessness
Thursday 17 October 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
Prince William has called upon the British public to support his efforts to end homelessness.
Admitting that he likes a “challenge”, he has admitted that this is one area where change cannot be made without people coming together on a large scale.
The revelation was shared in a new clip ahead of the release of the royal’s new ITV documentary about the subject, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness.
“I like a big challenge, I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own,” he said.
The programme follows the prince during the first year of his anti-homelessness initiative, Homewards.
Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
Thursday 17 October 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?
These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s premium event on the future of the royal family.
Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.
Watch the full event here. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Expert reveals touching possibility for Kate’s Christmas card
Thursday 17 October 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has speculated about the contents of the Princess of Wales’s Christmas card for 2024.
Biographer Ingrid Seward said that the card will almost certainly feature Kate, 42, with her and Prince William’s three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, six.
She told the Mirror: “[It will] definitely be with family as right across the board that is what has been traditionally sent.
“I imagine that it will be cuddly picture of her with her arms around her children.”
King Charles celebrates cultural relations between the UK and Italy
Wednesday 16 October 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles has attended a concert celebrating the cultural relationship between the UK and Italy.
The monarch, who is patron of the London Symphony Orchestra, took in the hour-long performance of Rossini’s ‘The Barber of Seville’ overture, Paganini’s First movement from Violin Concerto No 1, and Puccini’s ‘Crisantemi’ for String Orchestra.
The engagement comes just days before the monarch is due to travel overseas for a nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa.
Pictured: William speaks at Centrepoint awards
Wednesday 16 October 2024 20:44
Jabed Ahmed
Prince of Wales calls for ‘systemic change’ to end homelessness
Wednesday 16 October 2024 20:39
Jabed Ahmed
The Prince of Wales has called for a movement that creates “systemic change” to end homelessness in the UK.
William made the comments on Wednesday evening as Centrepoint, the homeless charity he supports as a patron.
Speaking at the Kensington Palace event, which was hosted by broadcaster Claudia Winkleman, William said: “I am inspired by the ambition and commitment of all the award winners and nominees this evening. You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.
“What inspires me the most about the young people here this evening, is that they have not only overcome homelessness to achieve their personal ambitions, but they are also all contributing to the communities in which they live… be that through teaching, fundraising or volunteering.
“While homelessness is of course a complex societal issue, I passionately believe that it can, and should, be ended.”
William said he believed this required “a movement that creates systemic change” which “focuses on prevent rather than management” and “ensures all young people have truly affordable options to live and thrive independently”.
Prince William arrives at British Museum ahead of the Centrepoint Awards
Wednesday 16 October 2024 19:59
Jabed Ahmed
William has arrived at the British Museum ahead of the Centrepoint Awards.
The Prince of Wales met with the young finalists and was laughing and joking with them as he made his way around the groups.
An orchestra played Adele’s Skyfall in the background.
Wednesday 16 October 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
Prince William says his only agenda is to “desperately try to help” tackle homelessness.
The heir to the throne, 42, made the revelation in his upcoming ITV documentary, which follows the first year of his anti-homelessness project, Homewards.
The interviewer asked: “There will be some people who might question whether you’re the right person to lead this project and its efforts to end homelessness. How would you respond to that?”
William replied: “I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all.
“I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need.
“And I see that as part of my role, is that, why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people where I can?”
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness will air on 30 October at 9 pm ITV and ITVX and STV and STV Player.
Duchess of York celebrates ‘recovery and growth'
Wednesday 16 October 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of York took a moment to celebrate her “recovery and growth” as she marked her 65th birthday yesterday.
Sarah, who joined the royal family upon her 1986 wedding to Prince Andrew, wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for all of your wonderful birthday wishes!
“I’m feeling incredibly grateful to be here every day, to smell the flowers, to read and write, and to be able to see my daughters and my grandchildren.
“It has been an extraordinary, full year - a year of recovery and of growth - and I just feel so lucky.
“Thank you again to all of you who made it so and who took the time to send me birthday wishes.”
King Charles’s Australia visit to be met with UK anti-monarchy protests
Wednesday 16 October 2024 16:30
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to be met with anti-monarchy protests when he arrives in Australia with Queen Camilla on Friday.
Alongside protests from people within Australia, Graham Smith, the chief executive officer of the UK-based anti-monarchy group Republic, said he was travelling down under “to challenge the royal PR machine”.
Mr Smith said: “I’m in Australia to talk about why the UK should ditch the monarchy and to challenge the royal PR machine.
“I’m not here to tell Australia to become a republic, but to talk to Australians and the British press about the growing republican movement in the UK and the huge failings of the British monarchy.
“The message is simple: Charles does not speak for us, he does not represent us, he should go home.”
Royal fans can now dine at King Charles’s table
Wednesday 16 October 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
Visitors to Dumfries House in Scotland can now dine in the very same spot as King Charles, where they will be able to experience an 18th-century feast in his favourite room.
Charles takes most of his evening meals in the Pink Dining Room while staying at the Scottish stately home in Ayrshire.
Now his charity, The King’s Foundation, is offering a new private dining experience, allowing members of the public the opportunity to enjoy a three-course meal, authentic to the 1700s and served by a traditional butler, in the royal chamber.
Guests will eat at the King’s table – but not in the presence of the monarch – beneath the 35kg Murano glass floral chandelier, which was painstakingly reassembled after being found in the basement in more than 100 pieces nearly 20 years ago.
Menus will be based on 18th-century dishes, such as poached salmon, fish soup, and manchet bread for starters, followed by roasted venison and beef, parmentier potatoes and a juniper sauce, and lemon and pistachio syllabub, bread and butter pudding, and apple and almond trifle for dessert.
King Charles delighted by knitted cake stand
Wednesday 16 October 2024 14:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles was visibly delighted when he was gifted a knitted cake stand to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his charity’s textiles programme.
Charles, 75, accepted the gift in Ayrshire, Scotland where the King’s Foundation set up Future Textiles in 2014.
The programme, which exists in several forms, has now expanded across the UK and was established to address the skills gap in the UK’s textile industry.
Jacqueline Farrell, education director at The King’s Foundation, said: “Initially, Future Textiles benefitted secondary school-age pupils by introducing them to the beauty of making and ensuring they understood the technical sewing and craft processes that are so vital to responsible fashion design and manufacturing.
“Due to the incredible support of the industry and our partners, the programme grew rapidly and now offers a huge range of courses ranging from day workshops and weekly community groups, to full-time courses which provide students with the skills needed to start their own businesses and gain employment in the industry.”
King Charles marks 120 years of London Symphony Orchestra
Wednesday 16 October 2024 13:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles has marked the 120th anniversary of the London Symphony Orchestra by attending a special performance at the Guildhall in London.
The monarch, 75, who is patron of the organisation, enjoyed an hour of classical music on Tuesday (15 October), which simultaneously celebrated the UK’s relationship with the Italian city of Genoa.
Following the performance, the King met with officials and the 57th winner of the prestigious Premio Paganini international violin competition, Simon Zhu, 23.
Historic ultra-marathon winner to be honoured at Windsor Castle
Wednesday 16 October 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
Historic ultra-marathon winner Jasmin Paris is set to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) at Windsor Castle.
Ms Paris, 40, from Midlothian, Scotland, will be honoured by the Prince of Wales after completing some of the world’s toughest races.
This includes the gruelling 100-mile Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, which she became the first woman to complete in March of this year, crossing the finish line with 99 seconds to spare from its 60-hour cut-off.
Prince William wishes new England coach good luck
Wednesday 16 October 2024 10:44
Emma Guinness
Prince William has sent his best wishes to the newly announced England head coach, Thomas Tuchel.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, the heir to the throne, 42, wrote: “Exciting times for @England, with a generation of talented players and a new manager taking the reins.
“Thomas, wishing you the best of luck, we’re all behind you! W.”
King Charles to be given rare honour to mark arrival in Australia
Wednesday 16 October 2024 09:59
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to be given a rare honour at Sydney Harbour as he kicks off his nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa on Friday.
The white sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up for four minutes with images from previous royal visits to mark the arrival of the monarch and Queen Camilla.
This tribute was given the go-ahead by the New South Wales government at an estimated cost of around £50,000.
King Charles last visited Australia in 2018, when he opened the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Princess of Wales sends ‘love, strength and hope’ to those affected by baby loss
Wednesday 16 October 2024 08:39
Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales has sent a message offering “love, strength and hope” to those affected by baby loss for Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account yesterday (15 October), Kate, 42, shared a picture of a candle and wrote: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss.
“Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected. #WaveofLight C”
In pictures: Princess of Wales’ surprise appearance to meet Southport victim’s with Prince William
Wednesday 16 October 2024 06:00
Emma Guinness
The Princess of Wales has ramped up her return to public duties by making a surprise joint appearance with Prince William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport attacks.
Marking their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment, the couple privately met the families in Merseyside last week.
The Princess, 42, is said to have attended because she wanted to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” the couple later said in a joint statement.
Meghan Markle a ‘warm and considerate’ person to work with
Wednesday 16 October 2024 03:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex has been praised as a “warm and considerate” person to work with by her former bodyguard.
Steve Davies, who worked for the duchess in Toronto during the early part of her relationship with Prince Harry, told InTouch magazine: “My wife and I got invited to the wedding, that’s how close we became,” he said. “I would work with her again, not a problem at all. She was a good person to work for, and she still is a good person.”
“[Meghan] gets a bad rap for being a not very good person to work with, that she was this evil person in the Royal Family.
“The staff at Buckingham Palace [said they] couldn’t stand working for her,” he said before adding: “[But] nobody had a bad word to say about her [in Toronto].
“Even with the pressure that she was under, she was warm and considerate all the time.”
Earl Spencer reveals new relationship after marriage breakdown
Tuesday 15 October 2024 21:00
Emma Guinness
Earl Spencer has revealed that he is in a new relationship with a “brilliant” archaeologist months after announcing his third marriage had come to an end.
Announcing the news, he explained that they had met when Cat Jarman came to dig up a lost Roman villa on the Earl’s land.
The pair subsequently began a popular history podcast with Reverend Richard Coles called The Rabbit Hole Detectives.
The late Princess Diana’s brother told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “Cat Jarman, who is my partner now actually. She’s a brilliant archaeologist.
“It sounds like an Alan Partridge title, but she is Nordic Person of 2024, which is usually handed out to someone like Sven-Goran Eriksson or a composer to be Nordic Person of the Year.”
Earl Spencer was most recently married to Karen Gordon between 2011 and September of this year.
Prince William reveals how Diana inspired new homelessness documentary
Tuesday 15 October 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
Prince William has revealed how the late Princess Diana inspired his new ITV documentary about homelessness.
Explaining his motivations for making the show, which follows the launch and first year of his Homewards project, the heir to the throne, 42, said: “I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness.”
The documentary is set to explain how homelessness can potentially be ended in modern Britain.
The release date for Prince William: We Can End Homelessness has yet to be announced.
The Prince’s Trust formally changes its name
Tuesday 15 October 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles’s longstanding youth charity, the Prince’s Trust, has formally changed its name to the King’s Trust today.
The charity’s chair, Alison Brittain, described the change as heralding a new, “exciting” chapter for the charity, which was established almost 50 years ago in 1976 when Charles was still the Prince of Wales.
She added: “As the King’s Trust continues to work for young people in the UK and around the world, we are as committed to supporting young people to build the skills and confidence they need for work and ultimately a brighter future.”
The change was marked by a new logo featuring a white crown in front of a red background. The charity’s name was also changed on official channels.
Kate and William’s crucial parenting motto revealed during community football visit
Tuesday 15 October 2024 15:30
Emma Guinness
Prince William has revealed a key parenting principle embraced by himself and Kate Middleton – never returning home empty-handed.
He made the revelation while on a visit to a football event held by the NFL Foundation in London this morning, where he was gifted a football for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
William said: “That’s very kind. Never go home empty-handed, that’s a crucial motto of being a parent.
“They will love that.
“We’re going to do some practice together, let’s see how many windows I can smash.”
Prince William raises awareness of UK’s NFL Foundation
Tuesday 15 October 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
The Prince of Wales has shown young people today that they do not need to live stateside to enjoy American football in the UK.
William, 42, did so by attending an event held by the NFL Foundation, which provides inclusive access to the sport to young people aged 12 to 20.
He even had a go at being a quarterback himself and was praised for his impressive throw in a non-contact version of the sport.
The official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account wrote: “@NFLFLAG is fast-paced, inclusive, and designed to inspire and engage young people, developing their confidence and supporting them to reach their full potential.”
Prince William attends NFL event and shows off ‘unbelievable arm’
Tuesday 15 October 2024 14:27
Emma Guinness
Prince William has today shown off his “unbelievable arm” as he tried his hand at American football at an NFL event supporting deprived young people in the UK.
Youngsters shouted “what a throw” when the heir to the throne, 42, showed off his skills at the event at Kennington Park hockey pitch, south London, this morning.
Reacting to William’s role as a quarterback in the non-contact version of American football, Phoebe Schecter, GB women’s flag football captain, said: “Honestly, Prince William was great – his arm strength is unbelievable, when he let that first ball rip I couldn’t believe it.
“Honestly I think if we had better receivers around we would have had multiple touchdowns happening, but his ability to take control of the offence, going into a completely unfamiliar territory really, calling the cadence, receiving the ball, doing a hand-off at one point, making those tactical decisions – it was phenomenal.”
The event was hosted by the NFL Foundation UK, which gives young people aged 12 to 20 opportunities to try out the sport.
King Charles reveals key life skills everyone should have
Tuesday 15 October 2024 13:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles has revealed the two “fundamental” skills he believes everyone should learn to lead a more sustainable life – sewing and hemming.
The monarch, 75, has a longstanding passion for environmental protection and said that being able to sew and hem can help to dramatically reduce an individual’s clothing waste.
His comments came while celebrating the 10th anniversary of the King’s Foundation’s textile programme.
Director of education, Jacqueline Farrell, said the monarch is “passionate” about sustainable approaches in the clothing and fashion industries and this underpins every programme they offer.
Ms Farrell told The Telegraph: “At the heart of our teaching, His Majesty is keen that participants are equipped with fundamental skills that preserve the life of our clothes, such as simply
