Royal news – live: Palace sources deny that Boris Johnson was asked to give Prince Harry ‘manly pep talk’
He described the intervention as ‘totally hopeless’
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Sources close to Buckingham Palace have denied that Boris Johnson was asked to give Prince Harry a “manly pep talk” to convince him not to step away from royal duties in January 2020.
The former prime minister claimed in his new book Unleashed that officials from the palace and Downing Street had asked him to intervene, which he described as “totally hopeless”.
However, sources familiar with these meetings have told The Telegraph that no such request as made.
This comes as Prince Harry made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon as he visits New York alone for a series of philanthropic engagements.
Meanwhile, Princess of Wales has continued her gradual return to work after completing chemotherapy by visiting an “inspiring” ballet performance in London.
Kate, 42, later praised the performance on official Kensington Palace channels, where she described the performance of Giselle at Sadler’s Wells Theatre as “creativity at its best”.
Other upcoming engagements for the princess include the National Service of Remembrance in Whitehall and her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster, which she has already attended a meeting for.
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 virtual 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.
If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
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 virtual 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. If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.
Queen Elizabeth’s blunt response to Prince Harry marrying Meghan Markle
Prince Harry said that the late Queen Elizabeth II had a very blunt response when he asked for her permission to marry Meghan Markle.
Writing in his 2023 memoir Spare, which is being released in paperback for the first time next month, Harry recalled her less than enthusiastic response.
As a direct heir to the throne, Harry was obliged to seek the monarch’s permission to marry.
He wrote: “I stood completely still, as motionless as the birds in my hands. I stared at her face, but it was unreadable. At last, she replied: ‘Well, then, I suppose I have to say yes’.”
Harry managed to see the bright side though, adding: “She’s saying yes, you muppet! She’s granting permission. Who cares how she words it, just know when to take yes for an answer.”
King Charles praises Maggie Smith’s ‘warmth and wit’ in touching tribute to late film star
King Charles III has praised the late Dame Maggie Smith for her “warmth and wit” after the actor’s death at the age of 89.
The monarch shared his statement alongside a photograph of the pair speaking at the Pride Of Britain awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in October 2016.
“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” said Charles.
Read the full article here:
King Charles praises Maggie Smith’s ‘warmth and wit’ in touching tribute to late star
The monarch remembered Smith as a ‘national treasure’
Holyrood guest gives King a hug at event to mark 25 years of Scottish Parliament
A woman has said she gave the King a hug as he visited Holyrood “because of him being unwell”.
Yvonne Macmillan, 59, from East Renfrewshire, chatted to Charles as she attended a special ceremony to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament.
The King was diagnosed with cancer in February this year, and underwent treatment shortly afterwards.
He has now returned to public duties, with Mrs Macmillan telling the PA news agency: “I asked him if he was feeling better and if I could give him a hug. I actually said to him: ‘Can I hug you?’
Read the full article here:
Holyrood guest gives King a hug at event to mark 25 years of Scottish Parliament
Yvonne Macmillan said she had hugged the King, who was diagnsoed with cancer earlier this year, ‘because of him being unwell’
Duchess of Edinburgh carries out engagements in Surrey
The Duchess of Edinburgh was busy this week with a series of community engagements in Surrey.
Her busy schedule was shared on the official royal family Twitter/X account in a post that read: “This week, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Surrey, engaging with local initiatives.
“At Hale Community Centre, The Duchess met community groups and admired artwork by Creative Response.
“At Mane Chance Sanctuary, The Duchess helped groom and feed horses with @DofE Award students.
“At Parity for Disability, The Duchess joined students for sensory activities and cake decorating.”
This week, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Surrey, engaging with local initiatives.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 27, 2024
🎨 At Hale Community Centre, The Duchess met community groups and admired artwork by Creative Response.
🐴 At Mane Chance Sanctuary, The Duchess helped groom and feed horses with @DofE Award… pic.twitter.com/pbyKFh0ZtP
Taxpayer-funded grand to monarchy to rise by £45m
The taxpayer-funded grand to the monarchy is set to rise by £45m - a raise being funded by soaring profits from the Crown Estate.
The money is said to be used for ongoing renovations to Buckingham Palace.
The raise will see the Sovereign Grant increase from £86.3m for the years 2024 to 2025 to £132m for the years 2025 to 2026.
King Charles is the ‘loveliest man in the world’, says Camilla’s son
Queen Camilla’s son, the food critic Tom Parker-Bowles, has revealed his thoughts on spending time with his mother and King Charles in a column with the Telegraph.
Recounting his day as part of their weekly My Saturday, which sees celebrities recount their favourite weekend rituals, Mr Parker-Bowles said he was more likely to see the royal couple during the week, and often visits for a cup of tea.
“I know some people might visit their family for a bite to eat on a Saturday, but I don’t tend to nip down for lunch at Buckingham Palace and Clarence House as my mother is usually in the country at weekends now,” he said.
“Charles, who genuinely is the loveliest man in the world, and I’m not just being oily, knows so much about food and loves his food, as does my mother,” he added.
King warns of climate change dangers as he marks 25 years of Scottish Parliament
Prince Harry screams and swears his way through surprise Jimmy Fallon appearance
Prince Harry unexpectedly showed up on Jimmy Fallon’s US talk show – and his appearance left him screaming and swearing.
Harry was invited to walk through a “haunted” maze with the host, and the result was broadcast on Thursday night’s episode of The Tonight Show (26 September).
Based on Fallon’s nightmares, the maze is a New York-based attraction set to feature several rooms filled with actors jumping out at attendees.
Read the full article here:
Prince Harry screams and swears his way through surprise Jimmy Fallon appearance
Harry participated in comedic segment that saw him walk through ‘haunted’ maze
Charles says Scotland has ‘uniquely special place’ for royal family
The King said Scotland “has always had a uniquely special place” in the hearts of his family.
He said: “We are all, at the end of each day, united by our love of Scotland, because of its natural beauty, of course, but also because of its strength of character, based, as it is, on the extraordinary diversity of its peoples, whose range of ideas, skills, energy, passions and frequently deeply held beliefs never cease to inspire.
“From the central belt to the north Highlands, across the islands in Ayrshire, in the Borders, the cities, towns and villages, all the coastal communities, who I wonder, could not fail to be moved by this complex Caledonian kaleidoscope?
“Speaking from a personal perspective, Scotland has always had a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself.
“My beloved grandmother was proudly Scottish, my late mother especially treasured the time spent at Balmoral, and it was there in the most beloved of places, where she chose to spend her final days.”
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