Royal news - live: Prince William calls 2024 ‘brutal’ after King Charles and Kate Middleton’s cancer battles
Queen Elizabeth referred to worst year as ‘annus horribilis’
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Your support makes all the difference.The late Queen Elizabeth branded it her “annus horribilis”, but Prince William had his own more blunt description for the hardest year of his life.
Speaking from South Africa ahead of presenting the Earthshot prize in Cape Town, the Prince of Wales called 2024 “brutal” and “dreadful” following cancer battles for both his wife, the Princess of Wales, and his father, King Charles.
Asked by reporters how his year has been, he replied: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
William who took time off Royal duties as his wife went through preventative chemotherapy, added: “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.
“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
In 1992 the late Queen gave a speech marking 40 years on the throne, in which she conceded the royal family had had an “annus horribilis”. It came the marriages of three of her children ended and there was a fire at her beloved home, Windsor Castle.
William: 'I don’t like the responsibility that goes with being heir to throne’
The Prince of Wales has said he does not like the added responsibility that now comes with being heir to the throne.
Speaking at the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town he said: “Do I like more responsibility? No.
“Do I like the freedom that I can build something like Earthshot? Then yes. And that’s the future for me. It’s very important with my role and my platform, that I’m doing something for good. That I’m helping people’s lives and I’m doing something that is genuinely meaningful.
“So, the Earthshot is a culmination if you like of all that put together.”
Queen to attend Gladiator II premiere after cancelling engagements with chest infection
The Queen is set to attend the glitzy global premiere of Gladiator II next week despite falling ill with a chest infection.
Buckingham Palace announced the King and Camilla will meet the stars of the blockbuster, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal, and director Sir Ridley Scott.
The royal couple will settle down to watch the screening of the highly-anticipated sequel at the Royal Film Performance in London’s Leicester Square next Wednesday evening.
Camilla, 77, who this week was forced to pull out of engagements after catching a seasonal illness, will also join Charles as they host a special reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the UK’s television and film industry earlier in the day.
The King and Queen will welcome guests including directors, actors, TV presenters, stunt performers and costume designers.
King ‘deeply touched’ by gift as he shares view on birthdays as he ages
The King has revealed his approach to birthday celebrations as he acknowledged his “advancing years” ahead of turning 76.
Charles wrote personally to thank the Military Wives Choirs for their gift of a new single in his honour, saying he was “deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute”.
He expressed his “warmest possible gratitude for your very kind early birthday present” in the form of the choirs’ song, November Sunday, which was released last week.
The monarch added, in a nod to reaching a “certain age”: “While those of us of a certain age may feel the need for any such birthday celebrations is in inverse proportion to our advancing years, I am nonetheless deeply touched by your wonderfully thoughtful tribute.”
The King also told how he experienced the “joy” of being in a choir at school and the bonds of friendship it nurtured.
And he praised the group for their steadfast support for loved ones who serve in the military, and for one another.
Charles reaches his 76th birthday on November 14 after a personally difficult year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.
Queen to return to royal duties this weekend, Palace confirms
Buckingham Palace has issued a new update about Queen Camilla’s health following her chest infection.
The Queen was initialing told to rest by doctors, missing key royal engagements ahead of Remembrance Day today and a reception for Olympic and Paralympic athletes with the King.
But doctors now believe she can return to her royal engagements from next week.
Camila is expected to host a reception showcasing authors shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. The Palace also announced that she could try to attend this weekend’s Remembrance celebrations.
Prince William hires Beckhams’ head of PR
The Prince of Wales has hired David Beckham’s former public relations chief to work for his Homewards charity.
Victoria Shires, who worked for the football star’s DB Ventures for three years, is now the new head of communications of his documentary.
She told the Daily Mail: “It’s been a great first few weeks at the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.”
Ms Shires previously worked with ITV for three years, where William’s two-part documentary called ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness” was broadcast.
The PR boss added: “It’s been lovely to have launching that as my first project here.”
Brooklyn Beckham praises Prince William, calling him ‘sweetest guy’
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham has shared details about his famous family’s relationship with the British royal family.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Monday (November 4), one fan asked Brooklyn how much time he spent with the royals as a child.
The fan also pointed out that his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, have had a friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in the past.
Read the full story below:
Brooklyn Beckham praises Prince William – after ignoring Harry and Meghan mention
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham described the Prince of Wales as ‘the sweetest guy ever’
Watch: Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction
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What Donald Trump’s presidency could mean for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid US visa row
As Donald Trump secures his second term as US president, Prince Harryand Meghan Markle may have cause for concern about their new life in Montecito.
Trump took to the stage in Florida in the early hours of this morning to address the nation, celebrating his “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after being widely projected to sweep through key swing states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
His victory coincides with a precarious visa battle for the Sussexes, which may be complicated by their strained relationship with the president.
Read the full story below:
What Trump’s presidency could mean for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid visa row
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Kate ‘back training at the gym’ and set to resume royal duties
The Princess of Wales is reportedly preparing to return to royal duties and has been “back at the gym” following her cancer diagnosis.
Robert Jobson, author of Catherine: The Princess of Wales, claimedKate could return to the public life.
He told Hello: “From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well. She is back training at the gym and doing all the things she wanted to do.
“I do think that we will start to see a lot more of her, and that she will carry out engagements as well as continuing to work behind the scenes.”
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