The gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump searched online for a member of the Royal family days before his attempt on the former president’s life, FBI investigators have said.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was killed after opening fire on the former president on Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania.
His electronic devices were subsequently seized and revealed that he had Google searched several public figures leading up to the incident, including Christopher Wray, the FBI director.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have ended a 64-year royal tradition by giving their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet new surnames.
The change was reflected on a new version of their website, updated this week, which says the children’s surname is Sussex and not Mountbatten-Windsor.
“It reflects the fact the family have, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time,” a source told The Times.
This brings to an end a 64-year tradition introduced by Queen Elizabeth, which saw her and Prince Philip’s male line descendants take the name.
Key Points
- Trump shooter researched royal family member, FBI reveals
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle break royal tradition with children’s new surnames
- Secret meaning behind Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon dress revealed
- King Charles writes to Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- King Charles and Queen Camilla pulled from Jersey engagement over ‘false alarm’
Meghan Markle ‘furious’ with King Charles over business rivalry
10:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex is allegedly “furious” with King Charles for launching a new Highgrove product ahead of the official launch of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Meghan, 42, has already teased that it will sell products including strawberry and raspberry jam and now the monarch has seemingly competed with his daughter-in-law by releasing the new Highgrove Royal Estate Honey.
“She is trying to establish herself as a lifestyle mogul but now she’s competing with a royal rival,” a source told New Idea magazine.
“She had no idea [about this] and now suddenly, as she sees it, there’s a glut of his products on the market. She’s one step away from calling Charles about the clash but Prince Harry is holding her back.”
Trump shooter researched royal family member, FBI reveals
09:04
Emma Guinness
The FBI has revealed that the man who attempted to assassinate former president Donald Trump researched a member of the royal family in the days leading up to the incident.
Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, reportedly google searched an unidentified royal on one of his electronic devices, it has been revealed.
Other public figures searched on the late Crooks’s devices include Christopher Wray, the FBI director and Merrick Garland, the attorney-general.
He also had photographs of Trump and President Biden and had kept a record of scheduled appearances from Trump and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Crooks was killed after opening fire on the former president at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Four of ten Americans against Prince Harry’s award
09:00
Emma Guinness
A new poll has found that just four of ten Americans disagree with ESPN’s decision to give Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, recently received the honour for his work with the Invictus Games, despite intense backlash over his receipt that saw tens of thousands of people sign a petition against it.
The late Mr Tillman’s mother, Mary, also disagreed with the choice and said she could not understand why the award for veterans was being given to such a “controversial and divisive” individual”.
Now, a new poll by Redfield and Wilton found that only 21 percent of Americans were in favour of Harry receiving the award, while 41 percent said they “didn’t know” how they felt about it.
This left just 38 percent of the 1,500 respondents, who agreed with the decision to give the duke the honour.
The award is reserved for veterans who have made an impact through sport in a similar way to the late Pat Tillman, who gave up his professional football career to serve in the wake of 9/11.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle launch updated website
08:00
Emma Guinness
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have updated their website this week and notably ended a 64-year royal tradition with their children’s surnames.
They revealed that Prince Archie and Princess Lilbet have taken the surname Sussex, a noted change from the use of Mountbatten-Windsor which was given to the late Queen Elizabeth’s descendants from 1960 onwards.
The children took the surname following King Charles’s coronation in May 2023.
A source told The Times: “The reality behind the new site is very simple – it’s a hub for the work the Sussexes do and it reflects the fact the family have, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time.
“That’s a big deal for any family. It represents their unification and it’s a proud moment.”
Prince George ‘very popular’ at school
04:00
Emma Guinness
Ahead of Prince George’s 11th birthday next Monday (22 July), an insider has revealed he is “very popular” at school.
They also said that little “fuss” is made of the fact that he will one day be king.
“He’s very popular and has a lot of friends, and there’s very little fuss made about who he is,” they told Vanity Fair.
King Charles reveals new Labour government’s plan for the UK
02:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles has outlined the plans of the new Labour government in the second King’s Speech of his reign.
“The era of politics as performance and self-interest above service is over,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said via the speech. “The fight for trust is the battle that defines our political era.”
Notable points included the government’s commitment to ending zero-hours contracts and ending conversion therapy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Prince Harry’s ‘perfect way back’ into the royal family
Thursday 18 July 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has speculated that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could win the favour of the royal family again through their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
This comes after it was claimed that King Charles is “considering” a trip to the US to see his youngest grandchildren.
“If Harry did want a way back in, he could use the excuse that despite his personal beef with King Charles, he wants his children to have a relationship with their grandfather, it would be the perfect way back wouldn’t it?” Kinsey Schofield said, as reported by the Express.
Prince George’s surprising nickname
Wednesday 17 July 2024 22:00
Emma Guinness
Prince George reportedly has a very British nickname that originated in his school playground.
The eldest of the Wales children, who turns 11 next week, is reportedly known as PG by his classmates and this allegedly morphed into PG Tips after the famous British tea brand over time, the Mirror reports.
According to the outlet, those close to the young prince affectionately refer to him as just “Tips”.
Princess Anne ‘can’t remember a thing’ about horse accident
Wednesday 17 July 2024 20:00
Emma Guinness
Princess Anne “can’t remember a thing” about an incident with a horse that saw her recently hospitalised.
The Princess Royal, 73, suffered a concussion and minor injuries because of the incident, which is speculated to be consistent with a kick from a horse.
On her return to public duty last week at the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) National Championships, she told Helena Vega Lozano, RDA UK’s chair: “I can’t remember a single thing about it.”
Prince Harry prompted to publish ‘sensational’ new material
Wednesday 17 July 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry has been urged to release “sensational” new material in a paperback edition of his 2023 memoir Spare.
As reported by the Daily Mail, there is a keen interest in an updated version of the book, which caused a storm upon its release in January of last year.
This was, in part, the result of the Duke of Sussex’s drug-taking admissions, which have led to an ongoing review of his US visa application.
Queen Camilla to celebrate remainder of birthday ‘privately'
Wednesday 17 July 2024 17:00
Emma Guinness
A royal insider has speculated that Queen Camilla will celebrate her 77th birthday privately after this morning’s State Opening of Parliament.
The queen consort was born Camilla Rosemary Shand on this day in 1947.
King Charles’s former butler Paul Burrell told the Express: “I think privately, the King will give her a party at Clarence House or Birkhall and they’ll have people go up to Scotland. He likes to give her jewellery. I think he’ll give her something special. He may have had something commissioned for a birthday.
“He’s very spoiling, the King, and he will make sure that all attention is on Camilla. He likes to remind her that she’s Queen. He likes to remind her that this is given by him for her service over the years to him, and this is his reward to her.”
Prince Harry could share ‘really personal details’ in new interview
Wednesday 17 July 2024 16:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry could provide further insight into life in the royal family through his interview on the new ITV documentary Tabloids on Trial.
Set to air on 25 July at 9 pm on ITV1, the new programme will explore the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing fight against British newspapers who allegedly used subterfuge methods to gain information about his personal life.
Rachel Bowie said on the podcast Royally Obsessed: “I am curious to see how personal – you can’t get any more details, like the Anderson Cooper interview he did for Spare – I feel like it could wade into that territory.
“This might bring to light really personal details from Harry because I know he’s had to talk about that before.”
Princess Anne absent from State Opening of Parliament
Wednesday 17 July 2024 15:30
Emma Guinness
Princess Anne was notably absent from the State Opening of Parliament this morning.
The Princess Royal, 73, is currently having a phased return to duty after she was recently hospitalised with a concussion and minor injuries.
While she does not remember exactly what happened to her, her injuries have been reported to be consistent with a kick from a horse.
Anne, widely considered to be one of the hardest-working members of the royal family, has already attended over 200 engagements this year.
Meghan Markle 'cannot understand why people don’t admire her work’
Wednesday 17 July 2024 15:00
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly upset by the initial social media reactions to her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
With the help of her celebrity friends and influencers, she teased some of its products including jams and dog biscuits.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror: “Meghan was in tears when the brand launched and her new jam was widely mocked for being expensive and nothing special.
“She has reached the point now where she thinks that anything and everything she does will be unfairly criticised. Like her husband, she feels that people are unfairly picking on her - she cannot understand why people don’t admire her work.”
Kate and William to join King Charles for summer holiday
Wednesday 17 July 2024 14:00
Emma Guinness
An insider has claimed that Prince William and Kate Middleton will join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral this summer.
The Aberdeenshire castle, which recently opened previously unseen areas to the public for the first time, will end its tours at the start of August when the royals are set to arrive.
An insider told the Express: “It will be a rather low-key affair this year where everyone will meet to just relax and unwind.”
“Harry and Meghan will not be joining the rest of the Royal Family in August,” the source added.
Queen Camilla ‘most similar to the late Queen'
Wednesday 17 July 2024 13:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has claimed that Queen Camilla is the “most similar” member of the royal family to the late Queen Elizabeth.
Citing her respect for protocol, Camilla, who turns 77 today, has been described as “a great figure for the Royals to follow.”
Royal expert and body language expert Darren Stanton told The Express: “Camilla seems to be the most similar to the late Queen out of every member of the Royal Family. In terms of her levels of respect for Royal protocols and how she carries herself, Camilla is seen as a very important member.
“She is Charles’s closest confidante, rock, and a great figure for the Royals to follow. It’s clear from when she is interacting and being out and about with various members of the Royal family, she is highly respected.”
Anti-monarchy protests coincide with State Opening of Parliament
Wednesday 17 July 2024 12:00
Emma Guinness
Anti-monarchy protestors have made their feelings known at this morning’s State Opening of Parliament.
Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, the group behind the protest, said it was “weird” that the “least democratic aspects of our political system” continue.
“Our parliament is opened by a king wearing a crown while sitting in the Lords,” he said.
“It is just weird we continue with this pantomime that celebrates the worst, least democratic aspects of our political system.”
King Charles lays out new government’s priorities
Wednesday 17 July 2024 11:38
Emma Guinness
King Charles is laying out the priorities of the new Labour government in the second King’s Speech of his reign.
These include “stability” as one of the cornerstones of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s new economic policy and the new government’s commitment to “wealth creation” to overcome the cost of living crisis.
King Charles to outline new Labour government’s plans
Wednesday 17 July 2024 11:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles is set to outline the plans of the new Labour government in his King’s Speech this morning.
The speech, which is not written by the monarch, is set to be delivered in a neutral tone to remain in line with the royal family’s political impartiality.
After the speech in the House of Lords, MPs will retreat to the House of Commons to discuss its contents.
Campaigners arrested ahead of State Opening of Parliament
Wednesday 17 July 2024 10:55
Emma Guinness
Ten members of the campaign group Youth Demand have been arrested for conspiracy to cause public nuisance ahead of the State Opening of Parliament.
King Charles is expected to give a speech at around 11:30 this morning.
Prince William and Kate Middleton wish Queen Camilla happy birthday
Wednesday 17 July 2024 10:36
Emma Guinness
The Prince and Princess of Wales have sent their good wishes to Queen Camilla on her 77th birthday.
Taking to Twitter/X, the couple wrote on the official Kensington Palace account: “Wishing Her Majesty a very Happy Birthday!”
This message was accompanied by a picture of the Queen Consort smiling next to a basket of flowers.
Queen Camilla to attend State Opening of Parliament on 77th birthday
Wednesday 17 July 2024 10:00
Emma Guinness
Queen Camilla’s 77th birthday coincides with the State Opening of Parliament today (17 July).
According to reports, she is set to arrive at the House of Lords with King Charles as part of a carriage procession before the monarch delivers the second King’s Speech of his reign.
As reported by the BBC, the king is expected to give his speech around 11:30 this morning.
‘Royal rival’ appears ahead of Meghan’s lifestyle brand launch
Wednesday 17 July 2024 09:00
Emma Guinness
A new “royal rival” is allegedly threatening the upcoming launch of Meghan Markle’s new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Following the Duchess of Sussex’s decision to tease its products, which include raspberry and strawberry jam, sales of King Charles’s Duchy jam have skyrocketed.
Now it’s been claimed that the Highgrove estate has released even more products on the back of this recent success.
“She is trying to establish herself as a lifestyle mogul, but now she’s competing with a royal rival,” an insider claimed to New Idea.
“[Meghan] had no idea and now suddenly, as she sees it, there’s a glut of his products on the market.”
But while it’s been speculated that the existence of Meghan’s brand has resulted in new products from the Duchy, this has been dismissed by royal expert Jennie Bond.
“I absolutely refuse to buy into suggestions of a petty rivalry between Meghan’s products and the release of new products from the Highgrove estate,” Bond told OK! magazine.
Meghan Markle fears new Netflix show could flop
Wednesday 17 July 2024 08:34
Emma Guinness
The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly anxious ahead of the release of her new Netflix cooking show.
According to an insider, the former actress believes it will be a “disaster” if the show, which recently finished filming, is not well-received.
The as-yet-untitled show is part of her and Prince Harry’s $100 million deal with the streaming service, which is up for renewal next year.
“You can just imagine the kind of pressure it’s putting on her and by extension Harry. If this show flops it will be a total disaster, and she knows it,” a source told Closer magazine.
“She’s on tenterhooks waiting for it to come out and the stress it’s causing her is being felt by everyone around her, especially Harry.”
Queen Camilla turns 77
Wednesday 17 July 2024 08:00
Emma Guinness
Today marks Queen Camilla’s 77th birthday.
The Queen Consort was born Camilla Rosemary Shand at King’s College Hospital in London in 1947.
She grew up between the city and her family home in East Sussex and was described as an avid reader.
This is something that the Queen has proceeded to champion since her coronation in May last year, visiting various primary schools to encourage children to develop their literacy.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say they’re ‘shaping the future'
Wednesday 17 July 2024 05:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have launched a new updated version of their website this week.
The couple described themselves as “shaping the future through business and philanthropy”.
They said they are achieving this mission through The Archewell Foundation, Archewell Productions and several ventures and patronages they have lent their support to.
This comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as working royals in 2020, citing a press intrusion and a desire to live a more independent life.
King Charles urges Gareth Southgate to ‘hold head high'
Wednesday 17 July 2024 02:00
Emma Guinness
King Charles extended his good wishes to Gareth Southgate after the England team lost against Spain in the Euros final.
The England manager subsequently stepped down from his role on Tuesday (16 July).
The monarch wrote: “Mr. Gareth Southgate O.B.E.
“Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high.
“All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near - and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.”
Prince William’s 'broken childhood made him tough’
Wednesday 17 July 2024 00:00
Emma Guinness
A royal expert has speculated that Prince William has grown into a “tough” man because of the trauma he suffered early in life.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said that the heir to the throne, 42, is particularly resolute and once he makes a decision, he sticks to it.
“William has always been a strong character,” she told OK! magazine. “I think his broken childhood made him tough and resolute.
“He now has the reputation of being stubborn and, once his mind is made up, he sticks to his decision.
“Obviously, as heir to the throne, his word carries a lot of weight in the family and I think it’s true that he has been prepared to take a tough stand on a number of issues, including Andrew and Harry.”
Harry and Meghan snubbed by Prince William’s new celebrity friend
Tuesday 16 July 2024 22:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly snubbed by Prince William’s newest celebrity friend, American footballer Travis Kelce.
The heir to the throne won over the player at his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s London concert and he proceeded to describe him as “the coolest”.
But despite being invited to the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, where Prince Harry was honoured for his work with the Invictus Games, Kelce, whose team the Kansas City Chiefs were nominated, did not attend.
An insider subsequently said a meeting between the Sussexes and the player would have been “interesting”.
“Travis is like the most sociable, happy-go-lucky, kind person in any room and is sure to want to say hello to the Prince and interact with the Sussexes,” the source told The Sun.
“That is his style, and honestly he is one of the biggest names in US sport. For Harry, it could be a potentially awkward encounter given that Travis spoke so warmly about and praised William.”
This is why Prince Louis missed Wimbledon and the Euros
Tuesday 16 July 2024 20:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Louis was notably absent from Wimbledon and the Euros final this weekend and it turns out that this was likely because of his age.
As reported by People, neither Princess Charlotte nor Prince George were allowed to attend Wimbledon until they were eight years old.
The tournament also has strict rules about excessive noise from spectators and the young prince, who is six, has a reputation for misbehaving at public events.
While Prince George was also able to attend the Euros in Germany with his father, the news outlet noted that George, who turns 11 next week, has only been able to attend football games in recent years too.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to use children’s royal titles branded ‘surprising’
Tuesday 16 July 2024 18:00
Emma Guinness
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to use Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s royal title on their new website has been described as “surprising”.
The couple stepped down as working royals in 2020, citing press intrusion and a desire to live a more independent life, and subsequently moved to California, where they still live.
But their connections to the British monarchy were apparent in a new updated version of their website, which was launched yesterday (15 July).
Harry’s detailed biography read: “Prince Harry lives in California with his wife Meghan, and their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
Meghan’s similarly noted: “Meghan lives in California with her husband and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.”
The Mirror reports that a royal source described this as a “surprising” decision.
