Royal news live: Prince Harry veteran award backlash continues as William watches Euros 2024 quarter-final
Harry defended for his ‘incredible’ work with the Invictus Games
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Prince William is in Germany watching England play in the Euros 2024 quarter-final as his brother, Prince Harry, has been defended for the decision to give him an award for veterans.
The heir to the throne, who is president of the Football Association, joined guests in the stands as the England team sang ‘God Save the King’ before kick-off in the match against Switzerland.
A petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give the Duke of Sussex, 39, the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, has surpassed 63,000 signatures.
The late Tillman’s mother, Mary, was among people who believe there are more deserving recipients, but the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has defended its decision, hailing the “incredible” work of the games.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
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King tells Starmer ‘you must be exhausted’ in private audience with PM
The King told Sir Keir Starmer he “must be exhausted” and “nearly on your knees” during a private audience with the Prime Minister on Friday.
Sir Keir was welcomed at Buckingham Palace for a private audience with the monarch on his appointment as Prime Minister.
He swept into the palace just after noon in a chauffeur-driven car and was joined by his wife Lady Victoria Starmer, who works in occupational health for the NHS.
In a video shared by Buckingham Palace, the PM could be seen entering the private audience room where shook hands with Charles.
The King quipped: “You must be exhausted and nearly on your knees.”
Sir Keir responded: “Not much sleep”.
Later in the meeting, the PM highlighted the “quick change around” since the results were first announced, to which the King remarked: “To say the least. And having to get to grips with everything straight away must be quite exhausting.”
Buckingham Palace said: “The King received in audience the Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new administration. Sir Keir accepted His Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.”
Lady Starmer joined the two men towards the end of their meeting, which lasted around 20 minutes, and at its conclusion, the Prime Minister and his wife headed to their new home in Downing Street.
Video: Prince William celebrates England goal
Prince William celebrates England equaliser against Switzerland in Euro 2024
Prince William jumped to his feet as he celebrated England’s equaliser against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final. After a 0-0 first half, Switzerland grew into the game after the restart and broke the deadlock with 16 minutes to go as Breel Embolo was on hand to turn in Dan Ndoye’s low cross. Southgate reacted immediately by bringing on Cole Palmer, Luke Shaw and Eberechi Eze but it was Bukayo Saka who quickly drew England level with a fine strike, cutting inside to fire home with England’s first shot on target.
King ruffles feathers over decision to withdraw royal patronage for pigeon racing
King Charles has been criticised by the pigeon racing community after he dropped his royal patronage for the sport.
The monarch declined to take on two patronages for the Royal Pigeon Racing Association and the National flying club, both of which his late mother held patronages for.
Paul Naum, treasurer of the National Flying Club was critical of the king’s decision and told The Guardian: “We are so disappointed.”
He added: “We’ve always had a member of the royal family as our patron and we’ve always been proud of it. It’s a working man’s sport, and it’s taken that privilege away.”
The decision comes as the association rejected claims by animal rights activists that the sport was cruel.
Prince William to watch Euro match
The Prince of Wales will attend England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Prince, who is the president of the Football Association, will be present to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s team in Dusseldorf as they seek to secure a place in the semi-finals.
He has already attended one of England’s games at the tournament, the group-stage draw with Denmark in Frankfurt.
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Meghan Markle’s cooking programme finishes filming
Meghan Markle’s cooking programme has finished filming for Netflix, the Daily Beast has reported.
A source told the outlet: “It all went well and it is in the can.”
While little is known about the untitled programme, the Duchess of Sussex herself said it will “celebrate the joys of cooking & gardening, entertaining, and friendship.”
Inside King Charles and Keir Starmer’s relationship
King Charles reportedly has a warm relationship with the third prime minister of his reign, Keir Starmer.
The pair met at Buckingham Palace on Friday where the Monarch asked the Labour leader to form a new government.
While Starmer has been recorded saying that at one point he was in favour of the abolition of the Monarchy, he paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth when she passed away.
He told the Commons: “For the 70 glorious years of her reign, our Queen was at the heart of this nation’s life.
“She did not simply reign over us, she lived alongside us, she shared in our hopes and our fears, our joy, and our pain. Our good times and our bad.”
The politician then took the opportunity to praise King Charles as the incoming Monarch.
“King Charles III has been a devoted servant of this country his entire life, he has been a powerful voice for fairness, and understood the importance of the environment long before many others,” Keir said.
“As he ascends to his new role with the Queen Consort by his side, the whole House, indeed, the whole country, will join today to wish him a long, happy and successful reign.”
Princess Anne remains out of action after hospitalisation
Princess Anne remains off duty as she continues her recovery after being kicked by a horse almost two weeks ago.
Following the incident on her Gloucestershire estate, the Princess Royal was hospitalised for five days before being released on Friday.
She suffered a concussion and minor injuries in the incident, with brain and cognition expert Natalie Mackenzie telling The Independent that concussion symptoms should resolve within two weeks.
Veteran award backlash continues
A petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give the Duke of Sussex, 39, the Pat Tillman Award, has surpassed 63,000 signatures.
The award is named after the late Pat Tillman, a former professional American footballer, who gave up his work in the sport to join the armed forces in the wake of 9/11.
It is given to individuals with a “strong connection to sports” who have similarly served their country. Tillman was killed in Afghanistan, where Harry also severed, in 2004.
The late Tillman’s mother, Mary, was amongst the people who believe there are more deserving recipients as she described the prince as “controversial and divisive”.
But the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has now defended its decision in a statement and praised the “incredible” work Harry has done with the Invictus Games, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
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