Royal news – live: Kate makes latest public appearance on return to work and Harry in surprise US TV outing
The princess announced that she had completed chemotherapy earlier this month
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The 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.
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.
The pair hilariously took on a horror-themed maze based on Fallon’s own nightmares that saw the duke scream and swear on several occasions.
The maze was a light-hearted break from an otherwise important trip for the Duke of Sussex, 40, who has spent this week promoting several important causes.
This has included The Diana Awards, set up in memory of the late princess, which shine a spotlight on young people making an inspiring difference in the lives of others.
Meghan Markle defended by former Archewell COO
Following claims that the Duchess of Sussex is an unpleasant person to work for, she has been defended by the former Archewell COO, Mandana Dayani.
She described the allegations against Meghan Markle as a “profound injustice” and described her and Prince Harry as “kind, decent, caring people”.
She told Us Weekly: “Part of the profound injustice of having to speak publicly on this in light of these endless and damaging narratives is that so much of the kindness, mentorship, and support that Prince Harry and Meghan share with others happens quietly behind closed doors.”
Ms Dayani added: “Throughout every global crisis, their first question was always: ‘How can we help?’ Whether they were veterans, women, refugees, animals in harm, they both showed up. Never asking for anything in return.”
James Middleton says Kate and William’s mental health work helped him 'move forward’
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been praised for their mental health work by James Middleton amid the release of his new memoir.
Explaining the backstory of Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, to ITV’s Lorraine, Kate’s younger brother, 37, admitted that he found it very difficult to talk to his family when he was struggling.
He added: “I initially went into therapy and, at the right time, my family got involved. I was very fortunate they did because they did have to be patient, they had to sit on the sidelines and really watch and see me suffer.
“It was very challenging for them too because all they wanted to do was help, of course, and then when the timing was right, and I think timing was so important, they came in, and they understood, and they were able to understand a lot more than I actually thought.
“I recognised that the work that both Catherine and William have done in mental health and that helped me move forward.”
Meet Ella is available from today.
Princess Anne witnesses burial of WW1 soldiers
Princess Anne has today witnessed the burial of two WW1 soldiers over 100 years after their deaths.
A statement on the official royal family Twitter/X account read: “Today, The Princess Royal witnessed the burial of two First World War soldiers who died at the Battle of Loos in 1915.
“The burials marked the inauguration of an extension to the Loos British Cemetery in Northern France, which will provide a fitting resting place for the casualties – most of whom came from Scottish regiments – whose bodies were discovered during a local construction project.
“Her Royal Highness, who is President of the @CWGC was joined by serving soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland.”
Today, The Princess Royal witnessed the burial of two First World War soldiers who died at the Battle of Loos in 1915.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 26, 2024
The burials marked the inauguration of an extension to the Loos British Cemetery in Northern France which will provide a fitting resting place for the… pic.twitter.com/6ZOeTnD1Lo
UK’s first black Olympian says she ‘feels like trailblazer'
The UK’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil, has said she “feels like a trailblazer” after being honoured with an MBE for services to athletics.
Speaking to PA News Agency after the investiture at Windsor Castle, she said that her biggest achievement was representing the United Kingdom.
She said: “I won medals at the European Games, and I stood on the podium and watched the Union Jack flutter in the breeze.
“That was for me and for my country, and I felt very, very proud of that.”
Ms Neil first competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when she was just 18 years old, participating in the women’s 100 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay teams.
Investitures return to Windsor Castle
Inspirational individuals are once again being honoured by investitures at Windsor Castle following a brief summer break.
Celebrating their return, the royal family said in a statement yesterday (15 September): “After a short summer break, we’re back to celebrating those who have been recognised for their work and talents.
“At Windsor Caste today, The Princess Royal presented honours to: Sir Alan Bates, Founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.
“Britain’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil MBE, for services to athletics.
“Author, Monica Ali CBE, for services to literature.
“Theatre producer and owner, Lounica ‘Nica’ Burns CBE, for services to theatre.”
🎖️INVESTITURES ARE BACK! 🎉
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 25, 2024
After a short summer break, we’re back to celebrating those who have been recognised for their work and talents.
At Windsor Caste today, The Princess Royal presented honours to:
📮Sir Alan Bates, Founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.… pic.twitter.com/Cd5w04FSig
Harry and Meghan ‘extremely unlikely’ to return to UK for Christmas
A royal expert has said it is “extremely unlikely” that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend Christmas in the UK after being invited to celebrate the event with the Spencer family.
Harry, 40, has been vocal about his ongoing security concerns for his family since he and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “Well, if an offer has indeed been made — which seems quite logical – and if they accepted, it would fly in the face of everything Harry has said about security.
“He has repeatedly said he believes it’s unsafe to bring his wife and children to the UK without a guarantee of official security.”
She added: “That situation is extremely unlikely to change at all, and certainly not before Christmas. So I think it would be very odd indeed if the family suddenly fetched up here. It would surely mean that Harry was going to abandon his legal appeal against the ruling?
“Therefore, I do not think that we shall be seeing them in the UK for Christmas, or indeed anytime soon.”
Meghan Markle praised for being a ‘kind’ employer
Following several reports about the Sussex’s apparent struggle to retain their employees, their staff have spoken out in their defence.
This follows claims made to The Hollywood Reporter that described the Duchess of Sussex as a “dictator in high heels”.
Catherine St-Laurent, a former chief of staff, told Us: “The time I spent working with Prince Harry and Meghan was incredibly meaningful to me.”
Similarly, Ashley Hansen, the couple’s global press secretary, added: “Meghan would personally reach out to my husband daily to make sure that we both were OK and had support,” she explained of the time she took off to have surgery.
“It meant so much to him and even more to me. You don’t realize how much that kind of kindness and thought means until you need it.”
Queen Camilla personally supports The Independent’s domestic abuse campaign
Queen Camilla has personally supported The Independent’s campaign to build a home for women fleeing domestic abuse.
The queen consort, 76, made a generous, private donation to the Brick by Brick appeal, which, in conjunction with Shelter, aims to raise £300,000.
Addressing the campaign, the queen said it is “vital in providing a lifeline to those at their lowest ebb” and added that she will “take a keen interest as the plans evolve” for the project.
At the time of writing, the project has raised £100,750.
Be a brick, buy a brick and donate here or text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15.
Prince Harry addresses possible return to royal duty
Ahead of the release of the paperback edition of Spare, an interview from the time of its initial release has resurfaced where Prince Harry addresses the possibility of a return to working royal life.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, stepped down from his previous role with his wife Meghan Markle in 2020 and the pair moved to California.
At the time of stepping down, the couple cited privacy concerns and a desire to live a more independent life as their reasoning.
Harry told Good Morning America last January: “No. I don’t think it is ever going to be possible.”
”Even if there is an agreement or an arrangement between me and my family, there is that third party that is going to do everything they can to make sure that isn’t possible.
“Not stopping us going back, but making it unsurvivable.”
Prince Harry says we need to ‘listen’ to young people
The Duke of Sussex has said that we need to “listen” to young people’s voices at The Diana Awards in New York.
Set up in memory of the late princess, the event honours young people who are making a significant difference in the lives of others.
Harry, who turned 40 this month, said: “The courage that you have gives me hope because every single one of us need courage in order to really move the dial and create positive change in today’s world, probably more so now than ever.
“So thank you to you guys for giving me, and probably a lot of other people, in this room, hope, and now we need to listen, constantly listen, and then act on the advice and the vision that you have, because otherwise it’s your future that’s being stolen from you and that is unacceptable.”
The duke is in the Big Apple alone for a series of high-profile engagements in aid of several charitable causes.
Watch live: Prince Harry speaks about mental health with Diana Award recipients
Watch live as the Duke of Sussex discusses mental health as he makes a speech as part of the 14th Concordia Annual Summit in New York on Monday, 23 September.
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