Royal news - live: Prince William’s awkward interaction with homelessness campaigner in moving documentary
The first part of the Prince of Wales’ documentary about ending homelessness launched last night
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Your support makes all the difference.Prince William faced an uncomfortable moment during the premiere of his documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which aired its first part last night.
In the film, the Prince of Wales, 42, was confronted by Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, who challenged him to address the “failed thinking” surrounding homelessness.
Lord Bird bluntly stated he wanted no “b******t” in their discussions, urging the prince to spearhead a new approach through his Homewards programme - an ambitious initiative aiming to end homelessness within five years.
He criticised the fragmented efforts of local authorities, charities, and government departments over the past three decades.
William responded with an invitation for open dialogue, adding: “I’m conscious that it’s a team environment, please do feel free to pile in when you need to.”
The Prince’s goal of ending homelessness has been inspired by his childhood experiences visiting shelters with his late mother, Princess Diana.
On the ITV series, he shared an anecdote about visiting a homeless charity with his mother, Diana, and brother, Harry. The second part of the documentary will air tonight.
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Inside the King’s ‘holistic’ approach to his cancer diagnosis
Details of the King’s “holistic” approach to his cancer diagnosis have been revealed by the palace.
The King has been receiving treatment as an out-patient for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February, and initially postponed all public-facing duties, continuing to work behind the scenes, and returned to events with the public in late April.
Maintaining a work schedule after his diagnosis has been an important part of Charles’s holistic approach to his cancer, and during the recent trip with his wife he maintained a busy schedule for the benefit of “mind and soul” while the doctor on the trip looked after the body.
A palace official said about the large number of events the King attended during the recent tour: “It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis.
“And he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul, and this combination works very well on a visit like this, because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged and then the doctor is here to make sure that his body is properly looked after, you’ve got what makes for very successful visit in in these circumstances.”
I have no agenda other than helping those in need - Prince William
In Prince William’s We Can End Homelessness documentary, the 42-year-old is asked whether he is the right man to be leading the charitable programme, given his privilege.
“I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all,” the prince said.
“I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need, and I see that as part of my role.
“Why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people where I can. And I like a big challenge, I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own.”
‘It is possible to end homelessness’ says Prince William
Prince William has shared his new documentary We Can End Homelessness, displaying his new campaign against homelessness.
In the documentary, William visits the same homelessness charity which his mother first took him and Harry to when he was 11.
“Homewards. A programme that commits to working with six locations across the UK over the next five years, to show that it is possible to end homelessness,” he said in a video shared on X.
King to embrace overseas tours despite cancer battle
The King will return to regular overseas trips next year as he adapts to living with cancer.
Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn, the traditional periods for official foreign royal trips, provided doctors sanction the travel.
The development comes after the King’s recent tour of Australia and Samoa with the Queen he was “determined” to carry out and which was a “perfect tonic” for the head of state, said a senior Buckingham Palace official.
The palace official added: “We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms.”
An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.
Read the full story here:
King to embrace overseas tours despite cancer battle
Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn, subject to doctors’ approval.
Princess Diana biographer issues withering Meghan Markle verdict
The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair has given a withering assessment of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “flawless about getting it all wrong”.
Tina Brown, who led the magazine from for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having previously dubbed the couple as being “addicted to drama” and branding their exit from the royal family as a “disaster”.
You can read Ms Brown’s full verdict below:
Princess Diana biographer issues withering Meghan Markle verdict
Tina Brown previously accused Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as being ‘addicted to drama’
Kate Middleton sent touching letter to actor with cancer
The Princess of Wales recently connected with Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, both of whom are cancer survivors.
Koirala, who has overcome stage IV ovarian cancer, received a heartfelt letter from the Princess of Wales congratulating her on her recovery and return to work.
She said: “I wanted to reach out to HRH The Princess of Wales to send my good wishes. I am deeply heartened to receive such a warm response from her.
“I want to use my voice to not only support cancer patients but also to raise awareness about the need for equitable healthcare access and the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Having faced cancer myself, I know how isolating and challenging the journey can be, and I believe it is essential that we all play a part in changing that reality for others.
Kate, now cancer-free and back to her royal duties, has not revealed the specific type of cancer she faced, which needed major abdominal surgery earlier this year.
Beatrice and Eugenie supported Sarah Ferguson through cancer battle
Sarah Ferguson has opened up about her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, playing a crucial role in her battle with cancer.
Diagnosed with melanoma in early 2024, the Duchess of York revealed how her family has helped her navigate the difficult moments since her diagnosis.
She told Hello: "My children, the joy of being a grandmother, writing my children's books, and working on my next novel have been my lifelines.
"Writing is my escape. I write in longhand with a fountain pen in my study, and the stories just flow. I love to explore my imagination, inspired by nature."
In January, Ferguson announced she had been diagnosed with a melanoma. A spokesperson explained that her dermatologist had removed several moles for analysis during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, with one being identified as cancerous.
Recently, Princess Eugenie shared an emotional birthday tribute to her mother on her 65th birthday, posting a series of photos that captured their close bond.
The images included moments with Eugenie's son, Ernest, as well as family photos featuring Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah together.
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The royals’ finances are shrouded in mystery: they need to open the books
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‘Feels like he’s coming home’: William’s connection to homeless centre
The Passage, a homeless centre in central London where William volunteers, has said his visits “feel like he is coming home”.
The Prince of Wales has been supporting the centre since he was 11, when his mother, Princess Diana, took him there with Prince Harry in 1993.
The shelter’s director Mick Clarke said: “We see him as the real person. When he comes, he is very relaxed, very chilled.”
Mr Clarke said there is a familial bond between the Prince and the centre, adding: “People who have lived with homelessness are very good at instantly sussing whether someone is straightforward and authentic or not, and Prince William just seems very comfortable.
“You can see his shoulders drop as soon as he walks in. It feels like he is coming home.”
William has praised his late mother, Diana, for inspiring his commitment to addressing homelessness in a new two-part documentary series, which chronicles the first year of the Prince Homewards programme.
The documentary focuses on six locations significantly affected by homelessness, including Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Lambeth in London, Newport in Northern Ireland, and Sheffield.
Queen Camilla’s son reveals her kitchen secrets
Tom Parker Bowles has lifted the lid on the cooking of his mother, Queen Camilla, and the meals they ate at home while he was growing up.
Describing Camilla as a “good, basic cook”, he said she perfected slow-cooked scrambled eggs (always on the Aga) and roast chicken – but steered clear of all spice and curries.
Never following a recipe, she relied on “very, very simple food” while providing meals for Tom and his sister Laura at their home near Chippenham in Wiltshire.
Queen Camilla’s son reveals her kitchen secrets
Cooking expert Tom Parker Bowles also tells of his mother’s special way of scrambling eggs– and which meal still causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt
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