Royal news live: Friend says Harry and Meghan are in ‘extraordinary situation’ as duke prepares to return to UK
Prince Harry is returning to the UK alone at the end of September
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Prince Harry’s friend and fellow mental health advocate Bryony Gordon has said that he and Meghan Markle are an “ordinary couple” in an “extraordinary” situation.
The writer opened up about her almost decade-long friendship with the Duke of Sussex for his 40th birthday, telling the Daily Mail that people are often “disappointed” by the truth when they ask about the couple.
She said: “There are no airs or graces with them, no desire to do anything other than protect their children from an increasingly digital world that likes nothing more than seeing the worst in people.
“A world that forgets that no matter how high profile a person is, they’re just doing their best, like everyone else.”
This comes as 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.
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
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.”
Birthday post doesn’t mean Prince William and Prince Harry are reconciled - expert
Royal expert Tom Bower has claimed the Prince and Princess of Wales’ birthday post to Prince Harry are merely about keeping up public appearances.
Speaking to MailOnline, Mr Bower said: “William and Kate’s surprise birthday wishes to Harry do not signal a step towards reconciliation. Rather it shows that the Waleses don’t want to be criticised as churlish.
“Being diplomatic costs them nothing and avoids criticism. The King understandably has congratulated his son but there’s no evidence of defrosting their relationship.”
King and Queen kept to normal routine visiting church in Balmoral
The King and Queen enjoyed their usual Sunday morning routine in Balmoral after wishing Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday on social media
Charles, 75, and Camilla, 77, went to their regular church service at nearby Craithie Kirk.
It came as Harry enters his fifth decade in what has been a rollercoaster year for the royal family, with both the King and the Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer.
When the King’s shock health news was announced in February, Harry made a transatlantic dash to see him but his meeting with his father was kept to just 45 minutes.
In comments released to the BBC, the duke said “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40”, and described how fatherhood had given him a renewed sense of purpose to make “this world a better place”.
Prince Harry has no intention of returning to royal family - friend
In a report by the BBC for the Duke of Sussex’s 40th birthday, senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph said that reports of Harry making a sensational return to the royal family were wide of the mark.
According to the royal correspondent, a friend of Harry’s said that although he would like to come over more for work, he would not relocate to the UK.
“Why would he give up everything he’s achieved there to return here? His life is now in America,” the source said.
Prince Harry will feel ‘delighted’ after surprise birthday greetings from Prince and Princess of Wales
Prince Harry is said to be delighted after William and Kate shared an earlier post from the royal family on X, adding: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams tolf the Express: “The Palace had a policy of only recognising the birthdays of working royals on social media. This marks a change but it is a special occasion. It is a sensible move that naturally begs the question, are tensions easing?
“It is in everyone’s interest to have reconciliation and that, if it happens, it will almost certainly take a long time. Mutual trust will need to be restored.
“However the obvious first step is to cease all hostilities.”
He added: “It would build on the pleasure Harry must surely feel in having his special day marked unexpectedly on social media by the royal family.”
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