Royal news - live: Hopes for Kate Wimbledon appearance as update provided on Princess Anne
The princess said she hopes to attend a few engagements this summer
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Wimbledon officials remain hopeful that the Princess of Wales could make a surprise appearance at this year’s tournament to hand out the trophies.
Kate Middleton, 42, has only made one public appearance this year, at Trooping the Colour, because of her ongoing treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
Debbie Jevans, the All England Club’s chair, said: “We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority.
The club said that they do not currently have a replacement if the princess does not attend.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne is said to be “recovering slowly” after she was recently hospitalised after being kicked by a horse.
The Princess Royal, 73, suffered a concussion and minor injuries as a result of the incident on her Gatcombe Park estate.
“Anne is receiving home rehabilitation,” a source close to the situation told The Express. “Tim and Zara are helping coordinate the medical visits and make sure she has everything she needs.
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Royal family to enjoy summer holiday in Balmoral after 'one heck of a year’
King Charles and Queen Camilla are said to be hoping to gather with their close family at Balmoral after “one heck of a year”.
The castle opened its doors to previously unseen areas of the royal Scottish residence this month.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “It’s been one heck of a year for the Royal Family so far and nothing would please the King more than to have his close family gathered together in the peace of Balmoral for a time to take stock together, mark the passing of an incredibly difficult few months and look to the future.”
Her comments are almost certainly a nod to the family’s ongoing health concerns, which began in January of this year when Kate, 42, was admitted to hospital for “planned abdominal surgery”
It later emerged that she had cancer after the King revealed that he had also been diagnosed with the disease in February.
Bond added: “If [Late] does go, I’m sure the whole family will want to surround her with love, support and renewed strength.
“She, meanwhile, will want to make the summer months as fun and carefree for the children as she possibly can after everything she’s been through.”
Lenny Henry all smiles in Wimbledon’s Royal Box
Comedian Lenny Henry appeared to be having a great time as he enjoyed the Royal Box at Wimbledon today.
His appearance at the tournament comes amid continued hopes that Kate Middleton could appear later this week to present the All England Club trophies.
The princess said she hopes to attend a few events this summer if she is feeling well enough.
King Charles drops patronage after pressure from animal rights activists
King Charles has declined patronage of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association and the National Flying Club.
While the roles were previously held by the late Queen Elizabeth, the Monarch, who has taken on a number of her patronages, has decided not to continue to support the sport.
Paul Naum, treasurer of the National Flying Club, has now speculated that it could bring an end to the institution.
“I should think in about 18 months or two years they will probably dismantle it,” he said, admitting that he was “disappointed” by the King’s decision.
“We’ve always had a member of the royal family as our patron and we’ve always been proud of it. It’s a working man’s sport, and it’s taken that privilege away.”
The sport has increasingly come under pressure from animal rights activists who argue that the sport is cruel because it can result in the deaths of the birds.
Royal expert claims Prince Harry will return to duty ‘alone'
The Duke of Sussex will return to duty “alone” within the next decade, a royal expert has speculated.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers said a return to working royal life would be “very nice” for Harry, who stepped down from his role with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020.
“I think he’ll come home. If he comes home, it will be very nice for him, because he won’t particularly want to. He’s quite angry, I think,” Vickers told The Sun.
When asked if Harry would return alone, the royal biographer said: “Yes, I do [think he’ll come alone].
“The King, as I have mentioned before, has left the door wide open for him to do that. And he was doing such a good job before… he looked so happy. Usually, you’re happy when you’re doing your duty, and you’re doing it for other people, and you’re putting things into life.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla to mark 25th anniversary of the Sendd
King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sendd in Wales.
The King and Queen will arrive on Thursday (11 July) to a Guard of Honour from the Royal Welsh, which will mark the first time the Monarch has seen the soldiers since he was appointed their Colonel-in-Chief on St David’s Day.
Once inside the parliament, the royals will meet with politicians.
Alongside several other happenings including poetry readings, the King will make a speech to mark the anniversary of the building which first opened its doors in 1999.
Meghan Markle ‘in tears’ after new lifestyle brand mocked
The Duchess of Sussex was said to be left “in tears” after the products from her new lifestyle brand were widely mocked online.
Meghan, 42, soft-launched products from American Riviera Orchard through her celebrity friends and influencers - namely, jams and dog biscuits.
But royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror that the reaction to the luxury lifestyle brand knocked the former actress’s confidence.
“Meghan was in tears when the brand launched and her new jam was widely mocked for being expensive and nothing special,” he said.
While it is not known how much the jams will retail for, the packaging suggested that it would be a luxury, limited edition item.
Princess Anne ‘slowly recovering’ at home
Princess Anne is said to be “slowly recovering” at home after spending the best part of a week in hospital after being kicked by a horse.
The Princess Royal, 73, was forced to take a temporary step back from her work after the incident which left her with a concussion and minor injuries.
It took place as she walked around her Gloucestershire estate on 23 June.
Her children are reported to be helping her as she receives “rehabilitation” at home.
“Anne is receiving home rehabilitation,” a source told The Express. “Tim and Zara are helping coordinate the medical visits and make sure she has everything she needs.
“Zara is taking an active role in helping her mother recover from the accident. The Tindalls live a stone’s throw away [on the Gatcombe Park estate], so Zara is always on hand to pop over to make sure Anne has everything she needs.”
It is not currently known when she will return to her duties.
Princess of Wales hints at Wimbledon appearance
The Princess of Wales has seemingly hinted that she could appear at Wimbledon this week.
Officials have said they remain “hopeful” that Kate, 42, can attend the tournament but stressed that her “health and recovery is the priority.”
She revealed that she is watching the events of the tournament closely on Twitter (X), where she sent her good wishes to Andy Murray upon his retirement.
“An incredible #Wimbledon career comes to an end. You should be so very proud @andy_murray. On behalf of all of us, thank you! C”
Kate is the chair of the All England Club and typically presents the trophies at the event.
Wimbledon officials remain “hopeful” that the Princess of Wales could attend this year’s tournament as it enters its second week.
Kate, 42, has only made one public appearance at Trooping the Colour this year as she undergoes treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
However, she said she hoped to attend “a few engagements” this summer if she is feeling well enough.
All England Club chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport: “We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority.
“We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.
“I don’t know who would present the trophies as an alternative – that’s something to consider nearer the time if necessary.
“We’re staying flexible. When we hear we’ll then think about what’s the right thing to do.”
Prince Harry ‘stunned’ by ongoing award backlash
Prince Harry is said to be “stunned” by the ongoing backlash to his receipt of an award for veterans, which he is due to receive on 11 July.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick or injured service people.
But tens of thousands of people have signed a Change.org petition “[calling] into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.”
This includes Mr Tillman’s mother, Mary, who said she could not understand ESPN’s decision to give such a “controversial and divisive” individual the award.
It was created in honour of her late son, who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2004 after giving up his professional footballing career to serve in the wake of 9/11.
The award is given to veterans who have similarly made an impact through sport.
Sources told The Telegraph: “This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.”
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