Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1725250049

Royal family news: Harry ‘asks ex-aides about returning from US’ as King to host first Starmer Balmoral visit

Strategy to ‘rehabilitate’ Duke of Sussex could involve partial reinstatement to royal fold, sources reveal

Tara Cobham,Barney Davis
Monday 02 September 2024 05:07
Comments
Meghan Markle shares the moment from royal life that ‘changed everything’

Support truly
independent journalism

Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.

Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.

Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.

Louise Thomas

Louise Thomas

Editor

Prince Harry has sought advice from his former British aides about plotting a return from the US that could involve a partial reinstatement to the royal fold, sources have revealed.

In what has been described as the initial stage in a strategy to “rehabilitate” him, The Mail on Sunday reported the Duke of Sussex has been seeking help from advisers he had when he was a working royal amid increasing alleged issues with American-based PR firms.

A key aim of the claimed move would be for Harry to repair his relationship with his father – although the sources stressed he and his wife Meghan Markle are not looking to make a permanent return to the UK.

It comes as the King is hosting Sir Keir Starmer at Balmoral for his first official weekend at the royal retreat as prime minister.

Sir Keir and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer are following convention and spending a few days at the Scottish home of Charles and Camilla.

Meanwhile, the duke flew from the US to join the Prince of Wales at the funeral for their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, 82, at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun reported.

However, a local resident told the newspaper the brothers sat apart at the back of the church and did not speak to each other.

1725127253

Recap: Meghan Markle reveals how daughter Lilibet ‘found her voice’

Meghan Markle has revealed how her three-year-old daughter Lilibet, who she shares with husband Prince Harry, has “found her voice.”

The 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex made the sweet comment about her youngest child while onstage at an Afro women and power event in Cali, Colombia, as part of her and Harry’s four-day tour of the country. While speaking at the panel, she opened up about the female role models in her life – including her mother, Doria Ragland.

“For me, I find inspiration in the strong women around me, of course, my mother being one of them,” she said. “So much of how I approach things is less about the fight and more about how we show up in a space and wash things over with love and kindness and generosity.”

Amber Raiken reports:

Meghan Markle reveals how three-year-old daughter Lilibet has ‘found her voice’

‘Some of the role modeling I certainly try to do as a mother is to encourage our daughter,’ Meghan says

Joe Middleton31 August 2024 19:00
1725123653

Join our event on the British Monarchy’s personnel crisis

The future direction of the monarchy is on a knife-edge, amid the passing of the late Queen, tense relationships, and a shrinking inner circle bolstered by an unprecedented health crisis.

Less than two years into his tenure as monarch, King Charles III announced his cancer diagnosis, reducing his public duties to recover. The Princess of Wales is also unable to carry out public duties, dealing with her own cancer diagnosis.

The number of working royals has been steadily shrinking since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back in 2020, and Prince Andrew was stripped of his titles and patronages due to U.S. civil action over sexual assault allegations.

In this exclusive event for The Independent, Assistant Editor Vicki Harper and a panel of royal experts will analyse the current state of the shrinking Royal Family, look back at how we got here, and explore the potential next moves for “the firm” to stay relevant.

Find out more here:

Is the shrinking Royal Family on the brink of collapse? Join our event

Our expert panel will explore the diminishing inner circle of the Royal Family – and discuss the potential next moves for “the firm” to stay relevant

Joe Middleton31 August 2024 18:00
1725120053

Today marks anniversary of death of Diana, Princess of Wales

Today marks the anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

In the early hours of 31 August 1997, the princess died in hospital after being injured in a motor vehicle accident in a road tunnel in Paris.

Her partner, Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the Mercedes-Benz W140, Henri Paul, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Their bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived with serious injuries.

Joe Middleton31 August 2024 17:00
1725116430

Recap: Cate Blanchett recalls being asked by Prince Philip for help fixing DVD player

Cate Blanchett has opened up about her experience of having lunch with the late Queen Elizabeth II, and one unexpected request she received from Prince Philip.

On Wednesday August 7 the Lord of the Rings star appeared onWatch Watch Happens Live with Andy Cohen when she explained what happened when eating at Buckingham Palace. After being asked why she was invited, the actress and producer admitted she had no idea.

“I do not know. The head of the fire brigade was there and Helen Fielding – not the novelist – the scientist, was there,” she told Cohen.

Brittany Miller reports:

Cate Blanchett recalls being asked by Prince Philip for help fixing DVD player

‘I did not help him, I’m not technical,’ the actress said

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 16:00
1725112830

William and Harry both attended uncle’s funeral in Norfolk, reports say

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex both attended the funeral of their mother’s brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes, it has been reported.

Harry flew from the US to join William at the service at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, on Thursday, The Sun said.

The newspaper said that the brothers made a discreet appearance and sat apart at the back of the church.

Ted Hennessey reports:

William and Harry both attended uncle’s funeral in Norfolk, reports say

The service took place at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, it has been reported.

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 15:00
1725109230

Recap: Meghan praises ‘inspirational’ women in her life

Meghan gives Lilibet update after speaking Spanish to Colombia crowd

The Duchess of Sussex gave an update on her toddler, Lilibet, after speaking in Spanish to a crowd in Colombia. Meghan appeared as a panelist at the "Afro Women and Power" event in Cali on Sunday, 18 August. Prince Harry and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland watched on from the audience. After introducing herself in Spanish, a language she says she learned 20 years ago while in Argentina, Meghan provided an update on her vocal three-year-old daughter. "She has found her voice and we are so proud of that," Meghan said.

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 14:00
1725105630

Recap: Kate doesn’t want family drama after cancer treatment, claims royal author

Kate doesn’t want family drama after cancer treatment, says author of new royal book

The Princess of Wales does not want any drama within the royal family following her cancer treatment, a royal author has claimed. Robert Jobson - author of the new biography Catherine, the Princess of Wales - explained how the princess is keen to leave any drama in the past. “She is someone who solves problems and rises above the drama,” Jobson said in an interview with Good Morning America on Wednesday (31 July). Jobson explained how Kate had sorted previous “moments of friction” between King Charles and Prince William. The royal author added: “After going through treatment like this you don’t want to do drama anymore and I think that is something she has experienced.”

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 13:00
1725102030

Recap: Watch as Meghan Markle shares moment from royal life that ‘changed everything’

Meghan Markle Shares The Moment From Royal Life That ‘Changed Everything’
Tara Cobham31 August 2024 12:00
1725098430

Recap: Meghan Markle reveals how daughter Lilibet ‘found her voice’

Meghan Markle has revealed how her three-year-old daughter Lilibet, who she shares with husband Prince Harry, has “found her voice.”

The 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex made the sweet comment about her youngest child while onstage at an Afro women and power event in Cali, Colombia, as part of her and Harry’s four-day tour of the country. While speaking at the panel, she opened up about the female role models in her life – including her mother, Doria Ragland.

“For me, I find inspiration in the strong women around me, of course, my mother being one of them,” she said. “So much of how I approach things is less about the fight and more about how we show up in a space and wash things over with love and kindness and generosity.”

Amber Raiken reports:

Meghan Markle reveals how three-year-old daughter Lilibet has ‘found her voice’

‘Some of the role modeling I certainly try to do as a mother is to encourage our daughter,’ Meghan says

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 11:00
1725094830

Join our event on the British Monarchy’s personnel crisis

The future direction of the monarchy is on a knife-edge, amid the passing of the late Queen, tense relationships, and a shrinking inner circle bolstered by an unprecedented health crisis.

Less than two years into his tenure as monarch, King Charles III announced his cancer diagnosis, reducing his public duties to recover. The Princess of Wales is also unable to carry out public duties, dealing with her own cancer diagnosis.

The number of working royals has been steadily shrinking since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back in 2020, and Prince Andrew was stripped of his titles and patronages due to U.S. civil action over sexual assault allegations.

In this exclusive event for The Independent, Assistant Editor Vicki Harper and a panel of royal experts will analyse the current state of the shrinking Royal Family, look back at how we got here, and explore the potential next moves for “the firm” to stay relevant.

Find out more here:

Is the shrinking Royal Family on the brink of collapse? Join our event

Our expert panel will explore the diminishing inner circle of the Royal Family – and discuss the potential next moves for “the firm” to stay relevant

Tara Cobham31 August 2024 10:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in