Royal family news latest: Prince Harry reveals how Archie and Lilibet have changed him ahead of 40th birthday
Duke of Sussex says becoming a father has given him new perspective on life
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Prince Harry has spoken of his excitement at turning 40 on Sunday, as he plans to celebrate with his family in California before heading away on a break with his closest friends.
He told the BBC: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
The Duke of Sussex added that becoming a father to his two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, had given him a “fresh perspective on life” and made him more committed to making the world a better place.
Reports suggest that Meghan Markle may return to the UK after receiving an invitation to Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer’s house for Christmas.
Meanwhile, their 11-year-old nephew Prince George is following in his father’s footsteps by learning to fly, with reports suggesting he took his first flight on the final day of his summer holidays.
The future king reportedly “loved” his maiden flight, while Prince William and Kate watched him from the runway on the White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead.
Harry remains estranged from his brother, the Prince of Wales, highlighted by the siblings reportedly not talking at a family funeral last month.
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King Charles gets ‘unexpected' group hug
King Charles received an unexpected group hug when he hosted New Zealand’s female rugby team at Buckingham Palace last night.
The monarch, 75, also took the opportunity to express his regret that he would be unable to visit the country when he tours Australia next month because of his ongoing health concerns.
“Thank you, @blackferns, for dropping into Buckingham Palace during your end of year tour!” the royal family wrote on their official Twitter/X account.
“Last night, The King welcomed the Black Ferns rugby team ahead of their match against the Red Roses at Twickenham this weekend and received an unexpected group hug in return!”
Thank you, @blackferns, for dropping into Buckingham Palace during your end of year tour!
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 12, 2024
Last night, The King welcomed the Black Ferns rugby team ahead of their match against the Red Roses at Twickenham this weekend and received an unexpected group hug in return! 🌹 v 🖤 pic.twitter.com/07V6Br8dYB
Meghan Markle debuts new $30,000 diamond necklace
The Duchess of Sussex wore what appeared to be a brand new $30,000 diamond necklace while attending a bookshop opening with Prince Harry in California.
Hello! magazine reports that Meghan wore the “18k Fortuna Tennis Necklace with Diamonds in Yellow Gold’ from Logan Hollowell – a piece that sets its wearer back $30,000 (£23,261).”
It has been said that the necklace could have been a birthday present from Harry. The former actress turned 43 on 4 August.
The jeweller wrote of the piece: “Introducing the 18k Fortuna Tennis Necklace with Diamonds, a divine embodiment of luck and fortune inspired by the Roman goddess herself. Fortuna, the goddess of fortune and luck, serves as the muse for this exquisite piece, seamlessly blending elegance with the whims of fate.”
Prince Harry ‘is not even the spare to his wife’, biographer claims
A royal biographer has claimed that the Duke of Sussex “is not even the spare to his wife” after analysing the couple’s recent quasi-royal tours of Colombia and Nigeria.
Harry, who turns 40 this weekend, famously penned a 2023 memoir about his status as the “spare” in the royal family.
As reported by the Sun, biographer Angela Levin said: “You could say Harry is not even the spare to his wife. He’s almost nothing.
“She [Meghan] treats him horrendously. If you look at the filming of them in Colombia and Africa, he is not asked anything. He’s pushed out of the way.”
Watch back our event: What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?
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 gives rare health update
King Charles has given a rare update on his ongoing battle against cancer while meeting New Zealand’s female rugby team at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The monarch, 75, expressed his regret that he would be unable to visit the country too when he travels to Australia in October for a five-day tour.
“I am extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor’s orders. But I hope there will be another excuse before too long,” he said.
“But in the meantime, give my love to New Zealand, please, and New Zealanders, we get lots of nice Kiwi coming here in this part of the world as well, so we are very lucky indeed.”
Charles also appeared to impart some wisdom he gained in his later years, telling the women: “I hope you make the most of your time in the team because you don’t stay young for very long, as I discovered, it all goes quicker than you think,” as reported by the Express.
Prince Harry reveals the ‘best gift’ he has ever had ahead of milestone birthday
The Duke of Sussex has revealed the “best gift” he has ever been given ahead of his 40th birthday on Sunday (15 September).
Harry is understood to be having a “low key” celebration with his family at their home in California.
He told PEOPLE ahead of the milestone: “The best gift I’ve ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids.
“I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad.”
Harry will ‘involve’ King Charles in 40th birthday celebrations
An insider has claimed that Prince Harry will involve King Charles in his 40th birthday celebrations this weekend despite his strained relationship with the royal family.
Harry, 39, last saw his father following his diagnosis with an undisclosed type of cancer in February.
The insider told News International: “Harry could send a video of Archie and Lilibet’s celebrations to King Charles.”
Another source added: “King Charles still loves his estranged son even after Harry’s claims against the royal family. He will send a private message to the Duke on his big day.”
The duke is reported to be having a “low key” celebration with his family in California on the big day itself (15 September) before enjoying a “weekend getaway” with friends.
Prince Harry’s unusual birthday treat
New details have emerged about Prince Harry’s alleged birthday getaway with friends in California.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, will celebrate his milestone 40th birthday on Sunday (15 September) and is said to be having a low key celebration with his family.
This will be followed by a “weekend getaway” with friends, with a source telling The Express that the group will travel to the Cold Spring Trail in California.
“The Cold Spring Trail has lots of streams and pools which people regularly take a dip in,” they said. “But there are also lots of snakes and other wildlife to contend with, like large cats.
“Harry and his friends will truly experience the outdoors as they take on one of the long hikes. Let’s hope he’s taking an experienced guide with him.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Australia
King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Australia next month on an official visit.
“The King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa, and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 18th v 26th October 2024,” an official statement read.
🇦🇺🇼🇸 The King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa, and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 18th - 26th October 2024.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 10, 2024
👇 Click to read more.
Meghan Markle’s bookstore speech interrupted by Oprah Winfrey
The Duchess of Sussex’s speech at a bookstore opening in California was interrupted by none other than Oprah Winfrey.
Meghan, 43, was speaking about the “safety” she felt in bookstores when the star, 70, arrived late and began looking for her seat in the front row.
Footage of the awkward moment was later shared to Instagram by journalist Elizabeth Holmes.
Ms Holmes said: “She came in so quietly that I didn’t even realise, I am sat there studiously filming and then all of a sudden it’s like Oprah right there, and she is like ‘sorry’ and I am like no you never need to say sorry. Anyway, surreal.”
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