Royal family news latest: King Charles gives health update as Prince Harry ‘still obsesses’ over public image
The monarch announced his cancer diagnosis in February
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King Charles has given a rare update on his health while meeting with New Zealand’s female rugby team at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The monarch, 76, who announced that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February, expressed his regret that he would be unable to visit New Zealand too when he travels to Australia and Samoa next month.
The “subtle adjustments” were made so the monarch has time to rest during the five-day tour. Charles told the team: “I am extremely sorry I can’t come to New Zealand in later October because of doctor’s orders. But I hope there will be another excuse before too long.”
The monarch then encouraged the team to “make the most” of the opportunity, “as you don’t stay young for very long, as I discovered,” the Express reports.
This comes amid the claim that Prince Harry “obsesses” over his public image in the UK, despite moving to the US in 2020 after stepping down as a working royal.
Broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News: “He still obsesses over his public image here in the UK.
“He is on a mission to change public perception, desperate to be seen in glowing lights rather than the constant negative PR whirl that surrounds him.”
Statue of Queen Elizabeth II slammed for resemblance to late monarch
A statue of the Queen Elizabeth II has been slammed by visitors for failing to resemble the late monarch.
She was depicted alongside her late husband Prince Philip and beloved corgis.
Unveiled in Northern Ireland’s Antrim Castle Gardens on Saturday (7 September), one local visitor said: “Whoever signed that off needs their eyes tested. It’s not good.
“I would take it away,” they added, the BBC reports. “It doesn’t do anything in memory for Her Majesty, so definitely I would remove it.”
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/09/11/10/Queen-Elizabeth-II-Sculpture-%286%29.jpg)
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/09/11/10/Queen-Elizabeth-II-Sculpture-%285%29.jpg)
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Prince William wants marriage to Kate to ‘last forever'
A British photographer has claimed that Prince William once told him that he took his time proposing to the Princess of Wales as he wanted the union to “last forever”.
Arthur Edwards told The Sun: “Once William told me the reason he and Kate took their time getting engaged was because he wanted to make sure his marriage would last forever.”
The future king and queen famously split for a few months in 2007 when William felt unable to propose because of his age before quicky reconciling.
![The Wales family (Will Warr/Kensington Palace)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/09/11/08/f262ca2af4925c3f4d14362d12060c4cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzI2MDkyNjcz-2.77410667.jpg)
Kate Middleton swaps Princess Diana ring for eternity ring in cancer free announcement
The Princess of Wales appears to have poignantly chosen to wear an eternity ring in the video announcing she is cancer free.
Kate, 42, wore the silver band instead of her sapphire engagement ring that once belonged to Princess Diana in the joyful video with her family.
Royal fans have now suggested that this was a deliberate choice to reflect a “fresh start” for the princess now that her chemotherapy has come to an end.
It was also suggested that the ring was changed due to chemotherapy-related weight changes the princess may have experienced.
For those wondering about the Princess of Wales’s ring, what I think it is, is a temporary replacement for her larger sapphire ring. With chemo, people’s weight tend to fluctuate therefore ring sizes change, I imagine she doesn’t what to get the OG ring resized (as it’s priceless pic.twitter.com/Mpn5NcwgMD
— Simon (@simon_RFB) September 10, 2024
Harry ‘frightened’ by possible outcome of UK security battle
The Duke of Sussex is “frightened” by the potential outcome of his ongoing battle to have his taxpayer-funded security in the UK reinstated.
According to reports, this is a matter of the utmost importance for Harry, who turns 40 this month, as he wishes to return to the UK more often.
A Palace insider told People magazine: “Harry is frightened and feels the only person who can do anything about it is his father, [but it is not in] Charles’s hands.”
This comes after Donald Trump said that he would treat Harry like any other citizen should he be reelected and it emerges that the duke lied on his visa application, which is currently under review.
![Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, waves as he arrives to the Royal Courts of Justice, Britain’s High Court, in central London on 7 June, 2023.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/02/05/GettyImages-1258498767.jpg)
Netflix reveals details of Sussex’s latest show
Netflix has finally shared a title and release date for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s new series about polo.
Alongside teaser images from the show, the streaming giant wrote: “POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport.
“ From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December.”
POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport. From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December. pic.twitter.com/92vu4xYW8u
— Netflix (@netflix) September 9, 2024
Inside Charles and Camilla’s upcoming Australian tour
King Charles and Queen Camilla are preparing for the monarch’s first tour of Australia since becoming king.
The couple will visit Sydney and Canberra for five days of engagements in October that include a fleet review of the Royal Australian Navy ships in Sydney harbour as well as a community barbeque with those making an impact in their local area, the MailOnline reports.
It is the first time that Australia will have hosted a reigning British monarch since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2011.
![King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive for the State Opening of Parliament (Chris Jackson/PA).](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/07/17/11/5c405f9e68f21957722a4564b48f2f91Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzIxMjk5Mzk5-2.76871902.jpg)
Prince Harry’s 40th birthday plans revealed
The Duke of Sussex plans to have a “low key” celebration with his family when he turns 40 this weekend.
An insider told Hello! magazine that the occasion will then be marked by a “weekend getaway” with friends.
Prince Harry was born on 15 September 1984.
![Prince Harry is reported to be having a quiet birthday celebration with his family in California.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/08/18/22/Colombia_Harry_Meghan_Visit_18002.jpg)
Prince William greets royal well-wishers in Wales
Prince William took the opportunity to greet royal well-wishers in Wales today and provide an update on the Princess of Wales’s health.
“It’s good news, but there is still a long way to go,” he said of yesterday’s revelation that Kate is now cancer free.
The heir to the throne, also 42, added: “She is better, and thank you.”
Meghan Markle slammed for ‘tasteless’ decision on late queen’s anniversary
The Duchess of Sussex has been slammed for appearing at a book club event with Oprah Winfrey on the anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
As reported by the Express, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam described the California appearance as a “dreadful mistake”.
He said: “I think it was an absolutely dreadful choice of venue to appear at, especially on a very special anniversary.
“I mean, we all know that when Meghan and Harry gave the interview on Oprah, which is infamous.
“Although they didn’t plan this, by the time the interview aired, Prince Philip was in hospital. We know that he died shortly afterwards.
“We also know that the interview was like exploding a nuclear weapon in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace.
“What is remembered is that the Queen’s comments. ‘Some recollections may vary’ sums it up very well. But that was absolutely tasteless place to be seen.
“We know that Meghan and Oprah are friends, but to be seen in a place which brought back memories of that interview on that anniversary is just extraordinary.”
![Meghan Markle and Camilla, Queen Consort, at the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.](https://static.independent.co.uk/2022/09/19/16/SEI126085816.jpg)
Prince William celebrates Air Ambulance Week
Prince William, himself a former air ambulance pilot, has been celebrating Air Ambulance Week today.
Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, the heir to the throne wrote: “Air Ambulance Week is the perfect time to say thank you for everything Air Ambulance charities across the country do in saving lives.
“Supporting these brilliant charities up and down the country helps them in their vital work – today, tomorrow and every day.
“Great to catch up with the Wales @Air_Ambulance team on base today!”
Air Ambulance Week is the perfect time to say thank you for everything Air Ambulance charities across the country do in saving lives #AAW2024
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 10, 2024
Supporting these brilliant charities up and down the country helps them in their vital work - today, tomorrow and every day.
Great to… pic.twitter.com/CldvQsCFYP
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