Royal news - live: Kate calls Harry after ‘worrying signs’ in fresh development over William feud

The princess is claimed to have phoned Harry on his milestone birthday and arranged a ‘thoughtful’ gift

Prince Harry reveals Archie and Lilibet are his phone lock screen

The Princess of Wales has been said to have been the driving force behind the royal family’s unexpected birthday wishes for Prince Harry after spotting “worrying signs”.

Harry, who recently turned 40, received warm wishes from Buckingham and Kensington Palace on the milestone despite his ongoing estrangement from his family.

The princess is now claimed to have encouraged the move after completing her cancer treatment as “this is not the time for resentment”.

A source told Bella magazine: “Kate was very much the driving force behind Harry’s birthday wishes, as she slowly makes good on her vow to restore some kind of peace and forgiveness between the estranged royal and his family before it’s too late.”

The insider claimed that the public wishes were accompanied by a phone call from the princess and a “thoughtful” gift for Harry.

This comes amid fresh claims that Meghan Markle is a “demon boss” who would show “psycho moments” after current and former members of her staff defended her behaviour.

An insider told The Daily Beast: “There were definitely bad, even psycho moments. I saw people being berated in person and over the phone, made to feel like s**t.”

A second former staffer labelled the duchess a “narcissist” and said “getting her staff to praise her in magazines only confirmed it.”

Key Points

• Kate Middleton the ‘driving force’ behind Harry’s olive branch
• Meghan Markle dubbed a ‘demon’ by ex-staff member
• Prince Harry’s US visa to remain private, judge rules
• Harry pays tribute to Princess Diana at charity event in New York
• Anti-monarchists claim royal family costs ‘half a billion a year'

[24 September 2024 15:00 · Emma Guinness]

Former royal head security gave warning about Mohamed al-Fayed

The former head of royal security has claimed that he warned the late Queen Elizabeth II about Mohamed al-Fayed before Diana and her sons went on holiday with the businessman.

Allegations of abuse have surrounded the former Harrods owner since the mid-90s, but the extent of his alleged depravity has not been revealed until recently.

Dai Davies told Sky News: “This was a man who I would be concerned [about] if a relative of mine was going on holiday with him, let alone the future king and his brother and their mother, Princess Diana.”

He added: “I was horrified because I was aware of some of the allegations even then that were going around.

“I was aware that he had tried very hard to ingratiate himself with the Royal Family and obviously knowing, as I did, the reputation he was alleged [to have] then, I was concerned, and I took the opportunity to inform the Royal Family.”

Mr Davies claims that he was simply told that “Her Majesty is aware” in response to his concerns, but they were never acted upon.

Fayed has been accused of rape and sexual abuse by more than 30 former Harrods employees.

Mohamed Al Fayed on Tottenham Court Road in 2006. (PA Archive)

[24 September 2024 12:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry reveals what gives him ‘hope’ at New York event

The Duke of Sussex has admitted that the younger generation give him “hope” while attending The Diana Awards in New York.

Established in honour of the late princess, the event recognises the achievements of young people who are making a significant difference in improving the lives of others.

Harry, who recently turned 40, said: “I have said it before years ago and I’ll say it again. The younger generation is what gives me hope. The courage you have gives me hope.

“Every one of us needs courage to move the dial in this world, probably more than ever

“We need to listen and act on what you say because it is your future that will be stolen and that is unacceptable.”

I love this for the Diana Awards recipients. It is much more intimate despite the video conference because all the recipients are able to have a more personal interaction w/Prince Harry w/o an audience. Harry is keeping his mom’s legacy alive.❤️ pic.twitter.com/FhS2S6ZmSf

— Queens R. Made (@QueenRMade1) March 15, 2024

[24 September 2024 11:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry says Diana would want Angola to ‘finish’ job of clearing landmines

Prince Harry has said that the late Princess Diana would want Angola to “finish” the job of clearing landmines.

Harry, 40, made the revelation at an event by The Halo Trust, a landmine charity his mother personally supported, in New York yesterday.

“The Halo Trust’s work in Angola meant a great deal to my mother,” he said.

“Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take seriously.

“I think we all know how much she would want us to finish this particular job.”

The duke saw the efforts being made by the Angolan government to solve the problem first-hand in 2019 when he followed in the footsteps of his mother through a cleared minefield.

At the time, a further £45m worth of investment into similar landmine clearings had been announced.

[24 September 2024 10:00 · Emma Guinness]

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.

[24 September 2024 09:53 · Emma Guinness]

Anti-monarchists claim royal family costs ‘half a billion a year'

An anti-monarchy group has claimed that the true cost of the British royal family is “half a billion a year”.

According to Republic, the royals cost the taxpayer £510m a year, and the group has slammed this expense as unnecessary amid Labour’s bid to cut back on public spending to combat national debt.

This comes as the profits from the Crown Estate exceeded £1.1 billion, resulting in an increase of £45m to the Sovereign Grant, which is reportedly going to be used to finish ongoing renovations at Buckingham Palace.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “If (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves thinks tough decisions are needed in these difficult times, she needs to start with the royals.

“We’re being told the Budget will be painful.

“Well if that’s true, the cuts must start at the top.

“How can we talk about cutting the winter fuel allowance while wasting half a billion pounds on the royals?

“How does the Government defend this rhetoric of painful decisions when the royals cost us enough to pay 18,000 NHS nurses?

“The Sovereign Grant is spiralling out of control, set to rise by another £45 million a year.

“Yet the true cost of the monarchy is well over half a billion pounds.”

Republic have held several demonstrations in front of members of the royal family. (AFP via Getty Images)

[24 September 2024 09:22 · Emma Guinness]

Harry pays tribute to Princess Diana at charity event in New York

The Duke of Sussex took the opportunity to honour Princess Diana at an awards ceremony in New York.

Harry, 40, attended The Diana Awards yesterday as part of a visit to the city which will see him undertake several high-profile philanthropic engagements.

Set up in honour of the late princess, the awards recognise the achievements of young people who are making a difference in the lives of others.

Harry said: “I applaud you, certainly at your age, to be on this stage, to have the confidence that you do and to be able to speak as clearly and as passionately as you do.”

He added: “I know that my mum would be incredibly proud of you guys… the way that you do it, your activism, your compassion, those two things are so true to how my mum led her life and what she believed in. And the way that you do it is incredible, so thank you.”

Prince Harry paid tribute to the young people being honoured at The Diana Awards. (Reuters)

[24 September 2024 09:13 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry’s US visa to remain private, judge rules

A judge has ruled that the Duke of Sussex’s US visa application will remain private following an investigation into its contents after revelations about prior drug taking.

Harry, 40, admitted to taking several illegal substances in the bombshell 2023 memoir Spare, including cocaine and magic mushrooms, raising questions about whether or not he had lied on his application.

US judge Carl Nichols ruled: “The public does not have a strong interest in disclosure of the duke’s immigration records.

“Like any foreign national, the duke has a legitimate privacy interest in his immigration status.”

This comes ahead of the November presidential election, which could see Donald Trump return to the White House. He previously said he would treat Harry like any other citizen should he have lied on his application.

A judge has ruled that Prince Harry’s US visa is to remain private. (AFP/Getty Images)