Prince William has spoken candidly about the most difficult year of his life after his father and wife both went through their battles with cancer.
Asked by reporters how his year has been ahead of the Earthshot prize in Cape Town, the Prince of Wales replied: “Honestly?
“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
William who took time off Royal duties as his wife went through preventative chemotherapy, added: “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.
“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
According to the royal commentator Robert Hardman the King’s valedictory arrangements have been upgraded to Operation London Bridge, similar to those of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Prince of Wales’s funeral plans, previously called ‘Operation Clare Bridge’, have also been granted a new codename: ‘Operation Menai Bridge’, a reference to a structure linking Anglesey to North Wales.
Key Points
- Prince William laments ‘dreadful year'
- Charles could turn Royal Lodge into ‘Museum of King Charles III’
- New King Charles and William’s funeral codenames revealed
- Palace reveals date Queen Camilla will return to royal duties
- Prince William heckled by anti-monarchy protesters in South Africa
Prince William laments ‘dreadful year'
23:25
Barney Davis
Prince William has spoken out about his “difficult” year after his father and wife went through their own cancer battles.
Asked how his year has been by reporters, the Prince of Wales replied: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
“So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.
“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
Royal codenames for funeral plans upgraded
23:00
Salma Ouaguira
The King’s funeral plans have been officially upgraded to Operation London Bridge, to copy those of the late Queen Elizabeth, a royal expert has revealed.
In his new book, royal commentator Robert Hardman claimed that the Palace has also come up with new codenames for the Prince of Wales’s future death.
Mr Hardman said: “As Prince of Wales, the King’s funeral plan had been codenamed Operation Menai Bridge, from the great structure linking Anglesey to North Wales. That is now the code for the new Prince of Wales, with the ‘Menai’ designation for all his immediate family in numerical order.
“Prince William’s plans had previously been codenamed Operation Clare Bridge, after the famous crossing over the Cam, during his days as Duke of Cambridge. ‘You need a plan for everything.
“Sadly, we all remember the death of a member of the family who died in Paris without a plan,’ explains one Royal Household veteran, alluding to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997. ‘We are so accustomed, in this country, to these things, solemn and tragic though they are, going really well with no one putting a foot wrong.
“If we suddenly couldn’t do that, there would be a big question about the way this country looks at itself.’”
Charles could turn Royal Lodge into ‘Museum of King Charles III’
22:30
Salma Ouaguira
The Duke of York’s Royal Lodge may have an unexpected future, a royal author has revealed.
The 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park has been at the centre of a rift between Prince Andrew and Charles after the King scrapped his brother’s £1 million-per-year allowance.
With neither William nor Harry “showing great interest” in the property, a royal source has suggested it could one day be transformed into a “Museum of King Charles III.”
Writing in his biography book ‘New King, New Court, Charles III the inside story’ royal author Robert Hardman has shed light on the potential future of the monarch’s favourite retreat.
He said: “Neither of his sons has shown a great interest in taking on their childhood home. As a Duchy of Cornwall property (on a long lease to the King), Highgrove’s future will need to be decided by the current or future Duke of Cornwall. One close ally of the King has made an interesting suggestion.
“Given the King’s personal devotion to the place, and the way in which it encapsulates so much about the man, would it not make an ideal ‘Museum of King Charles III’ in years to come?”
Royal Family praises King’s climate leaders reception
22:00
Salma Ouaguira
Last night, The King brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors at a reception to highlight progress and opportunities for collaboration on international sustainability issues, including climate change and plastic pollution. pic.twitter.com/y0upMgfT88
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 7, 2024
Family Feud reveals the most common fact Americans know about Prince Harry – and it’s not flattering
21:30
Salma Ouaguira
The hit game show Family Feud has revealed what Americans really know about Prince Harry.
During a recent episode of the show, the Hernandez family competed against the Colley family, and they shared a few facts about Harry. In Family Feud, which has been running since 1976, two families guess the most popular answers to survey questions to win cash prizes.
At the start of the recent episode, host Steve Harry asked contestants to say “something that people know about Prince Harry,” with the six correct answers hidden on the board. In response, Fabian Hernandez answered: “He’s married to Meghan Markle.”
Read the full story below:
Duchess Sophie’s praised for ‘funny’ reaction after being hit with golf ball
21:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Duchess of Edinburgh has been praised for her “funny” reaction after being hit on the head by a golf ball.
The incident last Tuesday happened when Sophie was playing mini golf as part of a visit to Legoland as patron of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Photographer Tim Rooke, who captured the moment, said the Duchess “laughed” and “found it funny.”
He told Hello: “The Duchess was playing adventure golf, going around with the kids. She hit the ball, and it bounced straight up in the air. You could see her watching it, and it just sort of whacked her.
“She laughed; she found it funny – she’s a good sport. You can see the guy behind her in the picture was in hysterics.
“She doesn’t mind a photo like this going around – what she cares about is raising awareness of the charity. She is really good at these events; she always makes everyone feel quite special.”
In pictures: Prince William’s visit to South Africa
20:30
Salma Ouaguira
Full story: King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’
20:00
Salma Ouaguira
The King is cutting financial ties to the disgraced Duke of York after he refused to move out of his home, a royal writer has claimed.
In what is a new low in the brothers’ relationship, Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles, according to a new book by Robert Hardman.
The move will be seen as another step the monarch has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Read the full story below:
Royal family accused of levying charges on land that ’doesn’t belong to them’
19:30
Salma Ouaguira
The royal family have been accused in Parliament of levying charges on land that “doesn’t really belong to them”.
The criticism came after a Sunday Times and Channel 4 expose was published on the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which fund the King and the Prince of Wales.
The report revealed that the royals are making millions of pounds a year by charging government departments, councils, businesses, mining companies and the general public via a series of commercial rents and feudal levies on land seized by medieval monarchs.
Lord Berkeley, who questioned the legitimacy of this ownership, said he has seen the effects of this where he lives on the Isles of Scilly, where most the land and nearly a third of the residential buildings are owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.
He said: “We’ve got one example of farmers on the Isles of Scilly, [who] want to see an abattoir built so they don’t have to transport animals to the mainland, which I think is a very good idea.
“The Duchy said, ‘well you can have the land’ – well, many of us think that they don’t own the land anyway, but leaving that to one side – they allocate land to an abattoir, they are then going to charge the farmer for using it.
“Is that right when the land probably doesn’t really belong to them and they’re not contributing to the cost?”
Prince of Wales tells Robert Irwin his favourite African animal is the cheetah
19:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Prince of Wales has revealed his children regularly quiz him about his love of African wildlife as he visited one of the continent’s most picturesque spots.
He was questioned by Robert Irwin, the son of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, about his favourite African animal as they walked up the hill and a short video of the chat was posted on social media.
When William was asked about his favourite African animal during a trek to the top of Cape Town’s Signal Hill, he replied the cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal.
The prince said: “It’s a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly. I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah…Yeah, I love cheetahs. Fantastic animals.”
Irvin, an ambassador of the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize replied: “Cheetahs ok. Very cool, very cool…It’s chameleons for me. The unsung hero. I love them.”
Prince William shares touching Kate update following her cancer treatment
18:30
Salma Ouaguira
Prince William has issued a touching health update on his wife, Kate, after the princess finished her cancer treatment.
The Prince of Wales described Kate as “amazing” as he spoke to reporters in South Africa ahead of tonight’s Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town.
She’s doing really well thanks. Hopefully she’s watching tonight and cheering me on,” he said. “She’s been amazing this whole year and I know she’ll be really keen to see tonight be a success.”
Kate has been largely out of the public eye as she underwent preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In September, she revealed she had completed her treatment and was focusing on “staying cancer free” in a heartfelt video featuring herself, William and their three children.
Prince of Wales announces insurance for rangers who safeguard Africa’s wildlife
18:15
Salma Ouaguira
The Prince of Wales has announced a potentially game-changing new life insurance cover for rangers who safeguard Africa’s wildlife.
William described the workers as “guardians of our planet’s most precious resources” as he outlined the five-year Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative, providing 10,000 rangers working across Africa access to the financial scheme.
The death toll among rangers was significant during the period from June 2023 to May 2024, with 140 losing their lives to a range of factors from animal attacks and occupational accidents to targeting by poachers.
Giving the keynote speech at the start of a two-day summit for his United for Wildlife organisation, which combats the illegal trafficking of animals, the prince said: “Rangers are fundamental if we are to meet our global conservation targets for 2030 and prevent the dangerous tipping points that threaten our planet.
“These people do far more than protect wildlife. They are educators. They are community supporters. And they help regulate the sustainable use of natural resources.”
Buckingham Palace to open up East Wing to visitors outside summer months
18:00
Salma Ouaguira
In exciting news for royal fans, Buckingham Palace has announced it is set to open up its East Wing outside the traditional summer tourist season.
The expanded programme follows the success of this year’s annual summer opening, when it welcomed a record-breaking number of visitors and allowed access to the wing - which includes the famous central balcony - for the first time since it was built 175 years ago.
The 90-minute guided tours, from January to May and costing £90, will offer a more in-depth look at the history of the rooms in the East Wing at a time when the palace is not usually open to the public.
Early in the King’s reign, it was reported Charles planned to give people greater access to the palace all year round.
For the first time, visitors will be able to enter through the palace’s front gates and proceed across the forecourt, just as guests do for official royal events.
Slice of Queen and Prince Philip’s wedding cake sells for more than £2,000
17:45
Salma Ouaguira
A slice of cake from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s wedding has sold at auction for £2,200.
The fruit cake was found under a bed in a suitcase in the original box, along with a presentation card postmarked April 21 1948, auctioneers Reeman Dansie said.
The fully packaged cake in its original state is “very rare” and was expected to gather £500, but was sold over the phone on Tuesday to a Chinese buyer for £2,200.
“It’s incredibly rare because normally, of course, people would have eaten it,” said Jonathan Benson, auctioneer at Reeman Dansie.
It was put up for sale by the family of Marion Polson, an ex-member of the Royal Household who worked at Holyroodhouse from 1931 to 1969 and who later died in the 1980s.
Slices of the cake were gifted to royal staff to mark the wedding of then-Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Prince Philip of Greece R.N. on November 20 1947.
King open to removing word ‘empire’ from OBE honours amid colonial controversy
17:30
Salma Ouaguira
The word “empire” may be dropped British honours as part of reforms reportedly being considered by royal officials.
Under the plans, those with an OBE -Order of the British Empire – may choose to recieve an Order of British Excellence, according to a new biography of the King by author Robert Hardman, which is being serialised by the Daily Mail.
A parallel Order of Elizabeth has also been proposed in remembrance of the late Queen.
However in both cases the colonial-era titles could be retained for those who wanted them.
Read the full report:
Watch: Prince William provides update on Kate's health
17:15
Salma Ouaguira
Camilla’s chest infection: How the royals’ health troubles stacked up in 2024
17:00
Salma Ouaguira
The royal family’s health blows have led to one of the most personally challenging years for the Windsors.
News of the King’s cancer – undisclosed in its form – came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January.
Online conspiracy theories began to escalate about Kate’s health, with the princess in the end delivering a bombshell video message to the nation in March revealing she was undergoing chemotherapy after post-operative tests showed she also had cancer.
There was a further health blow for the royal family in late June when the Princess Royal, now 74, was rushed to hospital after being struck by a horse while out walking on her Gatcombe Park estate.
Sarah, Duchess of York meanwhile was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer, just months after facing breast cancer. She later said her treatment had been successful.
Charles, who made an appearance at church on Easter Sunday, returned to public-facing duties in April by visiting a cancer centre in London, while Kate announced she had finished her chemotherapy course in a heartfelt video in September.
Kate is hoping to join the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in honour of the war dead on Sunday – an important fixture in the royal family’s calendar – but her attendance is yet to be confirmed.
Camilla too has pledged to be there after pulling out of the annual Field of Remembrance opening at Westminster Abbey on Thursday due to her chest infection.
Pictured: South African fans dressed as Royal Family members
16:40
Salma Ouaguira
Family Feud reveals the most common fact Americans know about Prince Harry – and it’s not flattering
16:20
Salma Ouaguira
The hit game show Family Feud has revealed what Americans really know about Prince Harry.
During a recent episode of the show, the Hernandez family competed against the Colley family, and they shared a few facts about Harry. In Family Feud, which has been running since 1976, two families guess the most popular answers to survey questions to win cash prizes.
At the start of the recent episode, host Steve Harry asked contestants to say “something that people know about Prince Harry,” with the six correct answers hidden on the board. In response, Fabian Hernandez answered: “He’s married to Meghan Markle.”
Read the full story below:
The thing Prince William is trying to teach his children
16:00
Salma Ouaguira
Prince Willam started his final day in South Africa with a visit to South Africa’s largest naval base in Simon’s Town Harbour.
While joining the rescue team from the National Sea Rescue Initiative (NSRI), he joked that he should wear more kit so he did not get wet whilst asking how choppy the water was.
He told the crew: “We are trying to teach the children to understand currents. The problem with rips is that you don’t know where they are going to appear.”
Prince Harry needs to ‘rein back’ comments, says royal expert
15:40
Salma Ouaguira
The Duke of Sussex “needs to rein back” in slamming the Royal Family if he wants to gain popularity, royal Expert Phil Dampier has warned.
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Dampier said: “Making documentaries has never really gone well for the royals, particularly Prince Edward when he started making lots of documentaries about his own family. That ended in disaster.
“Harry needs to rein back, and hopefully we’re not going to get any more slagging off the royal family in his documentaries, and he moves into other things.”
William tells Heidi Klum he woke feeling ’emotional’ after Earthshot awards
15:20
Salma Ouaguira
The Prince of Wales has told supermodel Heidi Klum he woke feeling “emotional” and “excited” after his Earthshot Prize awards.
William sat by the waterside in Kalk Bay Harbour in Cape Town with the celebrity and fellow model Winnie Harlow and reflected on his “green Oscars” as they enjoyed a braai or barbecue.
They were joined by celebrities Billy Porter and Tobe Nwigwe, who had also taken part in Wednesday’s ceremony which saw five environmental winners awarded £1 million to develop their ideas to “repair” the planet.
William told the famous Earthshot advocates: “I really appreciate all your support,” and Harlow replied: “It was an honour.”
He added: “I woke up this morning feeling quite emotional and excited.”
Klum, who announced the Fix our Climate category winner, won by an organisation that converts waste heat into energy, said: “I was emotional on the stage.”
In pictures: Prince William meets South African businesses during tour
15:00
Salma Ouaguira
King faces calls to abolish estates which ‘earn millions from NHS’
14:40
Salma Ouaguira
King Charles is facing calls to dissolve his lucrative private estates and refund the cash-strapped NHS after it emerged he is making millions from renting out ambulance parking spaces and sub-standard properties.
The monarch and Prince William have sparked uproar after it was revealed they are benefiting from rental deals with public services – including the armed forces and state schools – on their private estates, the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall.
Read the full story below:
Duchess Sophie’s praised for ‘funny’ reaction after being hit with golf ball
14:20
Salma Ouaguira
The Duchess of Edinburgh has been praised for her “funny” reaction after being hit on the head by a golf ball.
The incident last Tuesday happened when Sophie was playing mini golf as part of a visit to Legoland as patron of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Photographer Tim Rooke, who captured the moment, said the Duchess “laughed” and “found it funny.”
He told Hello: “The Duchess was playing adventure golf, going around with the kids. She hit the ball, and it bounced straight up in the air. You could see her watching it, and it just sort of whacked her.
“She laughed; she found it funny – she’s a good sport. You can see the guy behind her in the picture was in hysterics.
“She doesn’t mind a photo like this going around – what she cares about is raising awareness of the charity. She is really good at these events; she always makes everyone feel quite special.”
What we know so far about the Queen’s chest infection
14:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Queen has been forced to withdraw from her engagements and is resting at home after being diagnosed with a chest infection.
Chest infections – an infection of the lungs or large airways – are common, especially after a cold or flu during autumn and winter. Most chest infections are mild and clear up on their own, others can be severe and sometimes even life threatening.
A number of groups can be at higher risk of developing serious chest infections, these include babies and very young children, people who smoke and people with long-term health conditions.
Queen Camilla used to be a heavy smoker – a habit her husband Charles loathed – but she gave up many years ago.
The main types of chest infections are bronchitis and pneumonia. According to NHS Inform, most bronchitis cases are caused by viruses while most pneumonia cases are due to bacteria.
If The Queen has been diagnosed with a bacterial chest infection, then she will be treated with antibiotics.
Watch: Prince William provides update on Kate’s health
13:40
Salma Ouaguira
ICYMI: William confirms bracelet is Taylor Swift ‘relic’ made by daughter
13:20
Salma Ouaguira
Prince William has confirmed speculation that the friendship bracelet he wears that made by his daughter was part of a movement by Taylor Swift fans.
He said: “Well, this is a… I think, a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for.
“She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised to wear it and try not to lose while I was out here.”
The prince has been wearing a blue and white bracelet on his right wrist with the words “Papa” printed on four of the beads.
The bracelets are tokens of love and friendship that are said to have made a comeback thanks to Taylor Swift fans who have been exchanging the handmade jewellery.
Full story: King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’
13:00
Salma Ouaguira
The King is cutting financial ties to the disgraced Duke of York after he refused to move out of his home, a royal writer has claimed.
In what is a new low in the brothers’ relationship, Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles, according to a new book by Robert Hardman.
The move will be seen as another step the monarch has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Read the full story below:
ICYMI: King regrets not visiting Fiji on royal tour
12:40
Salma Ouaguira
King Charles has revealed he regrets not vosotong Fiji on his recent royal tour of Australia and Samoa.
Charles visited the region in October but the tour was pared down on doctors’ advice due to the 75-year-old monarch’s recent cancer diagnosis, with trips to New Zealand and Fiji removed from the plans.
He spoke to the High Commissioner of Fiji during an international sustainability conference at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The monarch told Jovilisi Vulailai Suveinakama: “I felt so bad we couldn’t get to Fiji [on the royal tour], the doctors wouldn’t let me.”
The King welcomed business leaders and climate organisations to Buckingham Palace for the event, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed.
Prince William shares touching Kate update following her cancer treatment
12:20
Salma Ouaguira
Prince William has issued a touching health update on his wife, Kate, after the princess finished her cancer treatment.
The Prince of Wales described Kate as “amazing” as he spoke to reporters in South Africa ahead of tonight’s Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town.
She’s doing really well thanks. Hopefully she’s watching tonight and cheering me on,” he said. “She’s been amazing this whole year and I know she’ll be really keen to see tonight be a success.”
Kate has been largely out of the public eye as she underwent preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In September, she revealed she had completed her treatment and was focusing on “staying cancer free” in a heartfelt video featuring herself, William and their three children.
What Donald Trump’s presidency could mean for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid US visa row
12:00
Salma Ouaguira
As Donald Trump secures his second term as US president, Prince Harryand Meghan Markle may have cause for concern about their new life in Montecito.
Trump took to the stage in Florida in the early hours of this morning to address the nation, celebrating his “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after being widely projected to sweep through key swing states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
His victory coincides with a precarious visa battle for the Sussexes, which may be complicated by their strained relationship with the president.
Read the full story below:
Royal Family praises King’s climate leaders reception
11:45
Salma Ouaguira
Last night, The King brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors at a reception to highlight progress and opportunities for collaboration on international sustainability issues, including climate change and plastic pollution. pic.twitter.com/y0upMgfT88
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 7, 2024
King Charles 'in good spirits' despite cancer diagnosis
11:30
Salma Ouaguira
King Charles has been “in good spirits” after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
In his biography book ‘New King, New Court, Charles III, The Inside Story’ royal expert Rupert Bell said that the 75-year-old monarch, who recently embarked on a six-day visit to Australia, remained positive despite his ongoing treatment.
He said: “Those who feared that the King’s cancer might presage a return to what some once called the ‘Eeyorish’ moods of his middle years were happy to be proved wrong.
“‘There has been nothing Eeyorish since his diagnosis,’ says a close friend.
“‘Being King is a suit that fits him well. There is a sense of fragility now, of course, which is sensible, but he is in good spirits.’”
Pictured: Prince William joins Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow for lunch in Cape Town
11:15
Salma Ouaguira
William: I miss working in search and rescue
11:00
Salma Ouaguira
The Prince of Wales has admitted he misses his former “life” working in search and rescue as he took to the seas with a lifeboat crew in Cape Town.
William kicked off his final day in South Africa with a visit to Simon’s Town Harbour, home to the country’s largest naval base.
He met volunteers working for the National Seas Rescue Institute (NSRI) to hear about their lifesaving work and asked what inspired them to get involved.
Before donning a life jacket and heading out with the crew, he asked how choppy the water was and joked that he should possibly be wearing more kit so he did not get wet.
William also revealed that he was trying to teach his three children about rip tides and admitted he wished his family had been with him for the four-day trip.
He was asked by a member of the crew if he had ever done search and rescue work, he replied: “I miss this life. Any chance to get back, I’ll take.”
The future King was a search and rescue helicopter pilot based at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales before working as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Prince William heckled by anti-monarchy protesters in South Africa
10:49
Salma Ouaguira
A group of anti-monarchy protesters have heckled Prince William on his last day in Cape Town, South Africa.
The future King was visiting Kalk Bay Harbour this morning when a group of people shouted “go home now” at him while holding placards that read “William, you have no sovereignty in our country”.
Kate ‘back training at the gym’ and set to resume royal duties
10:40
Salma Ouaguira
The Princess of Wales is reportedly preparing to return to royal duties and has been “back at the gym” following her cancer diagnosis.
Robert Jobson, author of Catherine: The Princess of Wales, claimed Kate could return to the public life.
He told Hello: “From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well. She is back training at the gym and doing all the things she wanted to do.
“I do think that we will start to see a lot more of her, and that she will carry out engagements as well as continuing to work behind the scenes.”
COMMENT | I was there for Diana & Dodi’s love story – it wasn’t like The Crown
10:20
Salma Ouaguira
As Mohamed Al-Fayed’s biographer, Mark Hollingsworth witnessed Dodi and Diana’s romance first-hand – and the inside story he tells here is more gripping and surprising than anything portrayed in the hit Netflix show...
