Royal news – live: Palace sources deny that Boris Johnson was asked to give Prince Harry ‘manly pep talk’
The princess announced that she had completed chemotherapy earlier this month
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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.
King Charles marks 25th anniversary of Scottish Parliament
The King has marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, saying it has more than “thrived”.
Charles and the Queen, during their visit to Holyrood on Saturday, were met by presiding officer Alison Johnstone and deputy presiding officers Liam McArthur and Annabelle Ewing.
The royal couple then greeted Holyrood’s party leaders: First Minister and head of the SNP John Swinney, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Green co-leader Lorna Slater and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton
Addressing the chamber on Saturday, the King said: “This place has not just thrived, but in doing so has borne witness to the enduring relationship between Parliament, the Crown and the people of Scotland.”
Buckingham Palace ‘did not ask’ Boris Johnson to intervene with Harry and Meghan
Boris Johnson was not asked by Buckingham Palace to try and persuade Prince Harry to stay in the UK, despite the former prime minister’s claims in his new book.
In a section serialised by the Daily Mail, Johnson claims he was asked to give the Duke of Sussex a “manly pep talk” to convince him to remain part of the working monarchy, which he described as “totally hopeless”.
He alleged that officials from the palace and Downing Street made the request in the belief it might encourage the Duke to change his mind.
However, The Telegraph understands this was not the case, and there was no specific request from the palace for such an intervention to take place.
Prince Harry ‘attempting a gradual re-entry’ to royal fold
Following the Duke of Sussex’s decision to step down as a working royal in 2020, it has been claimed that he is “attempting a gradual re-entry” to the fold.
Harry, 40, is currently in New York promoting several charitable causes on a visit not dissimilar to those undertaken by working royals.
Royal commentator Maureen Callahan told GB News America: “I think what’s happening here is that Harry is attempting to make a very soft, gradual re-entry.
“The paperback of his memoir is coming out next month, and he pulped the extra chapter of additional new information. It seems like a very small but meaningful steps to try to make his way back into the fold.”
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.
Harry and Meghan slammed for refusing to publicly back Kamala Harris
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have come under fire for failing to use their platform to publicly back Kamala Harris in the upcoming US election.
While the couple have been encouraging unregistered voters to sign up and use their voices, they have not publicly endorsed a candidate in the presidential race.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “I don’t know why they won’t publicly back Kamala Harris.
“I only wish they would. They are trying to use their platform for good causes and in the view of any sane person it would surely be an excellent cause to try and persuade people that Trump is a danger to the civilised world.”
James Middleton reveals how Princess of Wales helped him with depression
James Middleton has opened up about how his older sister, the Princess of Wales, helped him through depression.
Mr Middleton, 37, is promoting his new memoir about the subject, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, which was published yesterday (26 September).
He told ITV’s Lorraine: “To open up to my family was a very challenging step, so initially I went into therapy, and at the right time my family got involved and I was very fortunate, because they did have to be patient with me.
“It was challenging for them to see me suffer but they understood a lot more than I actually thought.”
James Middleton shares how Kate helped him with depression in first live TV interview
James Middleton has shared how his family, including sister Catherine, Princess of Wales has helped him with his depression. The 37-year-old author spoke openly about how the Middleton family supported him with his mental health problems, when he appeared on ITV’s Lorraine show on Thursday (26 September). Mr Middleton said: “To open up to my family was a very challenging step, so initially I went into therapy, and at the right time my family got involved and I was very fortunate, because they did have to be patient with me. “It was challenging for them to see me suffer but they understood a lot more than I actually thought.”
Boris Johnson claims royal family asked him to convince Harry to stay in UK
Boris Johnson has claimed in his upcoming memoir that the royal family asked him to convince Prince Harry to stay in the UK.
The Daily Mail, which is serialising the memoir, claimed that the pair had a “manly pep talk” ahead of Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from the royal family in 2020.
A friend told the publication: “He [said he] thought they were a great asset to the UK and it was a real shame they were leaving when they were doing such great work,” the friend said.
“It was a man-to-man conversation, they were totally alone. But Harry wasn’t for turning – he was unpersuadable by that point.
“Boris succeeded in delivering Brexit, but even he couldn’t stop Megxit.”
Princess of Wales attends ‘inspiring’ ballet performance as return to duty continues
The Princess of Wales attended an “inspiring” ballet performance yesterday as she continues her gradual return to duty after completing chemotherapy.
Kate, 42, was forced to step back from her work after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer earlier this year.
Praising the performance of Giselle at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on Twitter/X, the princes wrote: “Congratulations and thank you to @ENBallet and @Sadlers_Wells for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle. Creativity at its best! C.”
Congratulations and thank you to @ENBallet and @Sadlers_Wells for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle. Creativity at its best! C pic.twitter.com/YbnMd7j9Pi
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 26, 2024
Prince Harry makes surprise appearance with Jimmy Fallon
Prince Harry yesterday made a hilarious surprise appearance on The Tonight Show that saw him swear and scream his way through a haunted maze with Jimmy Fallon.
The New York-based attraction, based on Fallon’s nightmares, featured several terrifying rooms filled with actors who brought Halloween to life for the pair a month early.
The Tonight Show’s YouTube page said: “Brace yourself for 10 spine-chilling rooms that bring Jimmy’s worst nightmares to life with sinister characters and scares around every corner. Enter if you dare!”
James Middleton provides update on Princess of Wales’s health
James Middleton has provided an update on the Princess of Wales’s health now that she has completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Her younger brother, 37, is opening up about his life and family following the release of his new memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life.
Speaking on the TODAY program, he said: “She’s doing ok. It’s not for me to share on her behalf, you know, how everything’s going.
“But she’s getting all the right support and focus that she needs. And like anything, it takes time to process.”
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