Royal news live: Harry to return to UK for awards without Meghan as they launch US election voting campaign
The Princess of Wales has completed her first work engagement of the year
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Prince Harry is set to return to the UK at the end of September for the WellChild Awards without Meghan Markle.
The Times reports the Duke of Sussex is believed to be making the brief visit to his home country without his wife and children.
He recently told ITV that he will not bring Meghan to the UK because he fears “a knife or acid attack”.
Harry will attend the London-based event in his capacity as patron for the charity, which provides support to seriously ill British children and young people.
It is believed he will not meet with King Charles while in the UK, as the monarch has an engagement in Scotland at the time.
This comes as the Sussexes launched a campaign encouraging people in the US to use their right to vote ahead of the presidential election.
A statement on the Archewell Foundation’s website read: “Voting is not just a right; it’s a fundamental way to influence the fate of our communities.”
Buckingham Palace says it did not crop Meghan out of Harry’s birthday photograph shared by Kate and William
In Diana’s arms to laughing with William and Kate: Look back at Prince Harry’s life as he turns 40
William and Kate wish Prince Harry happy 40th birthday in surprise public message
Harry at 40 might miss Britain, but the uncomfortable truth is we may miss him more
Harry and Meghan’s latest Netflix project teaser drops just hours after Kate Middleton cancer recovery video
‘No doubt’ Prince Harry will accept multi-million birthday inheritance
Prince Harry is set to receive an estimated £8m from the late Queen Mother for his 40th birthday, and an insider has said there is “no doubt” he will accept the money.
The Duke of Sussex, who turned 40 yesterday, is said to have received a larger portion of the wealth set aside by the late royal because he was never destined to be king.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold told The New York Post: “I’ve no doubt that Harry will accept it... It’s money that’s owed to him, money that’s coming to him.
“I don’t think he will decline the money – it’s inheritance, so it’s his right.”
The Queen Mother passed away in 2002 at the age of 101. She is reported to have placed an estimated £71m in a trust fund for her grandchildren, to be distributed at milestone birthdays.
Meghan Markle cropped out of Prince Harry’s 40th birthday greeting
The Duchess of Sussex was cropped out of the picture used by the Royal Family to wish Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday yesterday (15 September).
The unexpected greeting, shared by King Charles and Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, marked the first public acknowledgement of the Duke of Sussex’s birthday since 2021.
“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” the post read alongside a picture of Harry taken at a Dublin engagement in 2018, when he was still a working royal.
The original picture also featured his wife Meghan Markle, who he married that year, but she was cropped out for the birthday greeting.
🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! pic.twitter.com/sAlSiV9EaZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 15, 2024
Prince Harry ‘obsesses’ over public image in UK
Prince Harry wants to be warmly regarded in the UK after stepping down as a working member of the royal family, an expert has claimed.
“Over the years, Prince Harry has studied all the articles written about him,” broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital.
“He still obsesses over his public image here in the UK. He is on a mission to change public perception, desperate to be seen in glowing lights rather than the constant negative PR whirl that surrounds him.
“Prince Harry… is interested in turning his public image around.”
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.
A Northern Irish council has defended a controversial new statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which has been slammed by critics for failing to resemble the former queen.
The bronze statue, which was unveiled on Friday at Antrim Castle Gardens, evoked such strong opinions that some suggested it should be melted down.
A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council told The Independent: “The Council is delighted with the generally positive response to the new Queen Elizabeth II sculpture in Antrim Castle Gardens.
“It acknowledges that art can sometimes spark diverse opinions, but it’s important to emphasise that the sculpture has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person. The statue beautifully captures Her Majesty’s grace and steadfastness, standing as a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life and reign.
“The Council is particularly pleased with how the sculpture complements its surroundings, standing adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis. This thoughtful arrangement has resonated strongly with visitors, who appreciate the personal touch it brings to the memorial, within the Gardens.”
Meghan Markle’s popularity soaring amount UK’s Gen Zs
A new YouGov poll has found that the Duchess of Sussex’s popularity in the UK is soaring among Gen Zs.
The poll of 18 to 24-year-olds found that Meghan was seen favourably by 48 percent of respondents, and she has an overall net positivity rating of 18 percent.
To put this into context, Prince William has a net positivity rating of 20 percent amongst this group and the Princess of Wales has a net positivity rating of 23 percent.
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.
Meghan Markle ‘doesn’t regret anything'
A royal expert has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex “does not regret” upsetting the royal family.
Royal author Ingrid Seward said that the former actress is good at sticking by her decisions, regardless of the consequences.
She told GB News: “I don’t think Meghan regrets anything. She doesn’t seem to regret the fact that she never speaks to her own father, I still find that very strange.”
“She doesn’t seem to regret the fact that her first marriage failed. She doesn’t seem to regret that she’s upset the Royal Family,” Ms Seward added.
“I don’t think she’s a girl that has regrets. I think that she’s very strong and very determined.”
'Rift between Harry and William still strong’
BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph hs claimed the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry no longer talk as the younger sibling turns 40.
She said in an article for Harry’s birthday: “There is anger, frustration and bitterness that shows no sign of easing.
“Harry’s TV interviews, book and public criticism of the Royal Family has been too much for his older brother and several other senior royals.”
A source told her: “I just can’t see a fix.
“It’s been a long time now and they haven’t found a peace. Their lives are now very separate. It’s sad.”
Prince Harry recalls ‘cold-blooded’ gift from relative in Spare
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry recounted a quirky Christmas Eve at Sandringham Estate when Princess Margaret gave him an odd gift of a tiny pen with a rubber fish wrapped around it.
“Standing before my pile, I chose to open the smallest present first. The tag said: ‘From Aunt Margo’. I looked over, called out: ‘Thank you, Aunt Margo!’,” he wrote.
After unwrapping it, Harry was taken aback and expressed his gratitude to Margaret, who emphasised that it wasn’t just any pen but a special one.
Harry reflected on the gift, noting: “It wasn’t just any biro, she pointed out. It had a tiny rubber fish wrapped around it. I said: ‘Oh. A fish biro! OK.’ I told myself: That is cold-blooded.”
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