Royal news live: Prince Harry veteran award backlash continues as William watches Euros 2024 quarter-final
Harry has been defended for his ‘incredible’ work with the Invictus Games
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Prince William was in Germany to watch England play in the Euro 2024 quarter-final, while his brother, Prince Harry, has been defended over the decision to give him an award for veterans.
The heir to the throne, who is president of the Football Association, joined guests in the stands as the England team sang ‘God Save the King’ before kick-off in the match against Switzerland.
A petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give the Duke of Sussex, 39, the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, has passed 63,000 signatures.
The mother of Pat Tillman, an American football player who enlisted in the US army, is among critics who have argued there are more deserving recipients, but the sporting network ESPN has defended its decision, hailing the “incredible” work of the games.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
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Prince Harry defended as petition against the prince reaches 50,000 signatures
Princess Anne remains out of action after hospitalisation
Princess Anne remains off duty as she continues her recovery after being kicked by a horse almost two weeks ago.
Following the incident on her Gloucestershire estate, the Princess Royal was hospitalised for five days before being released on Friday.
She suffered a concussion and minor injuries in the incident, with brain and cognition expert Natalie Mackenzie telling The Independent that concussion symptoms should resolve within two weeks.
Veteran award backlash continues
A petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give the Duke of Sussex, 39, the Pat Tillman Award, has surpassed 63,000 signatures.
The award is named after the late Pat Tillman, a former professional American footballer, who gave up his work in the sport to join the armed forces in the wake of 9/11.
It is given to individuals with a “strong connection to sports” who have similarly served their country. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, where Harry also severed, in 2004.
The late Tillman’s mother, Mary, was amongst the people who believe there are more deserving recipients as she described the prince as “controversial and divisive”.
But the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has now defended its decision in a statement and praised the “incredible” work Harry has done with the Invictus Games, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
Prince William to watch Euro match
The Prince of Wales will attend England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Prince, who is the president of the Football Association, will be present to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s team in Dusseldorf as they seek to secure a place in the semi-finals.
He has already attended one of England’s games at the tournament, the group-stage draw with Denmark in Frankfurt.
Prince William’s priorities amid Kate’s cancer battle
A royal aide has opened up about Prince William’s priorities as Kate Middleton continues to battle an undisclosed type of cancer.
The anonymous aide said it has been a “very difficult” time for the heir to the throne and that he is “only human”.
“William is a human being like everyone else, and it’s been a really difficult time for him too,” they said, as reported by Katie Nicholl in Vanity Fair.
“I think what’s important to him is that he’s there to support his wife and his children while continuing with his public duties.”
Meghan Markle has a ‘busy’ autumn ahead
A source close to the Sussexes has claimed they are planning a holiday to a “private island” after a stressful start to the year and because Meghan Markle has a “busy” autumn ahead of her.
This comes after it was reported that she has finished work on her new cooking series for Netflix and after she announced the impending launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
“She knows she’s got a busy autumn coming up with lots of new work commitments so she just wants to concentrate on family and friends this summer as she won’t have as much time for it in the run-up to the end of the year,” the source told OK! magazine.
“Plus it’s her birthday in August, but she’s letting Harry arrange that and surprise her with something as he has always done.”
Taylor Swift ‘at the top’ of royals’ list for celebrity events
The royal family have been bowled over by Taylor Swift and she is “top of the list” for upcoming celebrity events, it has been claimed.
Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all took the opportunity to pose with the American musician after attending her Eras Tour concert.
A source told Closer magazine: “Taylor is very much on the royals’ radar right now, it is not just Princess Charlotte and Prince George that love her, everyone’s raving about her and how talented and charming she is.
“The word is she is going to be top of their list for any upcoming galas or events that involve celebrities.”
Prince William won a lot of praise after the Eras Tour when spectators caught him “dad dancing” to Swift’s song ‘Shake it Off’.
Why Kate’s children never visited her in hospital
A royal expert has provided some insight into why the Wales children reportedly never saw Kate Middleton while she was hospitalised.
The princess’s health troubles began in January when she went into hospital for what was reported to be planned abdominal surgery at the time.
It later emerged that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would be undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
Royal expert Katie Nicholl told Vanity Fair that Kate never had her children visit her in hospital because she “did not want her children to see her in a gown and hooked up to monitors and tubes.”
“She made do with video calls home every day.”
The expert then quotes a friend of the family, who reportedly said: “Things were so normal at home that George was playing a rugby match against another school while Kate was hospitalised.”
Meghan Markle wants ‘sit down’ with royals
An insider has claimed that Meghan Markle wants to sit down with the royal family so that they can resolve their differences.
It is not known exactly when the former actress last saw her in-laws in person, but it could be as far back as the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in September 2022.
“Harry is more willing to move on, let’s just say that,” they told the Express.
“It’s not a case of Meghan being difficult, she genuinely feels hurt and would like some kind of sit down to hash things through – but that’s not something the other side is willing to consider at this time.”
The couple’s relationship with the royals appeared to deteriorate after they stepped down as working members of the family, later accusing the Firm of racist comments and failing to provide Meghan, in particular, with the psychological support she needed.
Prince Harry ‘finds the day long and lonely'
A royal commentator has weighed in on Prince Harry’s new life in America after stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
It comes amid fresh concerns that the Duke of Sussex, 39, could be deported by Donald Trump if he is reelected in November.
The Republican said that he would treat the prince like any other citizen if it emerges that he lied on his visa application about his prior drug use.
Tom Quinn told the Mirror: “During his first six months in the States, Harry found everything new and exciting, but the glamour is definitely wearing off.
“However big your garden, and Harry and Meghan’s garden at Montecito is enormous, there’s only so much you can do when you have no practical skills and you have always paid people to cook, clean and garden for you.
“Harry has never done any of these practical things, so after he’s taken the dog for a walk in the morning, he finds the day long and lonely.”
Harry and Meghan planning holiday on ‘private island'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning a summer holiday on a “private island” where they plan to live in “complete luxury”.
A source close to the couple claimed they want a chance to relax and have fun after a “stressful” year so far with the royal family’s health troubles.
“Meghan wants to get away with Harry and the kids to a remote island so they can just have fun as a family without any outside pressure and be in complete luxury,” they told OK! magazine.
“Archie and Lilibet are at that age now where they can do more adventurous stuff and Meghan has even talked about a trip to Disneyland as she knows they will be well looked after there and how much the children would love it.
“Lili is very into Disney princesses right now and would be in her element.”
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