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Royal news live: Kate Middleton set for biggest engagements since cancer battle as Camilla returns to duties

Kate implored people not to ‘judge or criticise’ those suffering from addiction

Athena Stavrou
Saturday 30 November 2024 16:00 GMT
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Princess of Wales shares behind-the-scenes glimpse of Christmas carol concert

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The Princess of Wales is due to face her biggest engagements since stepping away from public duties to receive cancer treatment, as her carol concert at Westminster Abbey is due to go ahead.

Kate, is expected to be joined by her family, husband William and three children for the annual event, which is filmed as part of a special programme on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve

The Queen is set to return to her official duties, after having stepped away for several weeks due to a chest infection.

Camilla will attend the Entente Littéraire Prize Ceremony with Madame Macron next week to celebrate Franco-British literary talent and the special connections between the two countries.

The scheduled appearance comes after she was forced to cancel a number of engagements, including the Rememberance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Royal Variety Performance.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales has channeled Princess Diana as she delivered a powerful message urging the public to not “judge or criticise” those suffering from addiction.

As the Princess of Wales, Diana was renowned for her work to tackle stigmas among the most vulnerable in society, a sentiment echoed by Kate ahead of Addiction Awareness Week.

Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will bring a new series to Netflix in December, revealing the “grit behind the glamour” in the high-stakes world of polo.

The five-part series will debut globally on December 10, following elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.

A trailer for the series titled Polo, executive produced by Harry and Meghan, was released on Thursday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the “fast-paced and glamorous world of polo”.

In a statement, Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.

“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”

It has been produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions, having previously released three documentaries with Netflix as part of a multimillion-pound deal with the streaming giant.

Prince Harry and Meghan attend a polo tournament together
Prince Harry and Meghan attend a polo tournament together (REUTERS)
Holly Evans30 November 2024 16:00

In pictures: Christmas comes to Highgrove, the King’s favourite residence

Table decorations at Highgrove
Table decorations at Highgrove (PA)
Staff at Highgrove Gardens prepare place settings in the Garden Room
Staff at Highgrove Gardens prepare place settings in the Garden Room (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
A tree being directed ahead of the royal residence welcoming the public
A tree being directed ahead of the royal residence welcoming the public (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Holly Evans30 November 2024 14:24

Princess of Wales to delight royal fans with appearance at carol service

Despite her battle with cancer over the last year, the Princess of Wales is due to return to royal duties to host her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.

She is expected to be joined by her husband William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as well as community leaders and performers.

Kate has only returned to the public eye on a handful occasions, including the Rememberance Day service in November and the Trooping the Colour parade.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children at last year’s Christmas carol service organised by Kate (Aaron Chown/PA)
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children at last year’s Christmas carol service organised by Kate (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)
Holly Evans30 November 2024 13:45

Earl Spencer gushes over new partner

Earl Spencer has gushed over his new partner, “brilliant archaologist” and Nordic Person of the Year, Dr Cat Jarman.

The brother of the late Princess Diana met Professor Jarman, who is also the co-host of a podcast he produces, on his own family estate in 2021, as she searched for the remains of an ancient Roman villa for a Channel 4 documentary.

“I’m too old for hearts and flowers stuff, but the best way to describe it is that with Cat, I can be myself,” Earl Spencer told MailOnline.

“She knows who I am. Who I really am. I don’t have to pretend to be something I am not. And she brings out the best in me.”

(@charles.earl.spencer/instagram)
Holly Evans30 November 2024 12:43

Sophie offers support to Yazidi genocide survivor as she pays tribute to bravery

The Duchess of Edinburgh has warned that the devastation of conflict-related sexual violence continues long after the guns fall silent, as she offered a comforting hug to a Yazidi genocide survivor.

Sophie was pictured with her arm around Awaz Abdi who was captured and enslaved by so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq a decade ago when she was just 10 years old.

The pair met when the duchess visited The Women Who Beat Isis travelling photography exhibition at the Foreign Office in London on Wednesday.

Read the full article here:

Sophie offers support to Yazidi genocide survivor as she pays tribute to bravery

The duchess visited The Women Who Beat Isis travelling photography exhibition which focuses on the strength and courage of the survivors.

Holly Evans30 November 2024 11:30

Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet

Meghan Markle is embracing the magic of the holidays, thanks to her children with Prince Harry.

In an interview with Marie Claire, the 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex reflected on how her children — son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three — are reaching the age when the festive season feels even more special.

“I love the holidays,” Meghan shared enthusiastically. “Archie and Lilibet are now three and five, so every year it gets better.”

Read the full article here:

Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with kids

Duchess of Sussex gushes over the holiday season, despite keeping this year’s festivities ‘pretty low-key’

Holly Evans30 November 2024 10:45

Kate says do not ‘judge or criticise’ addicts ahead of Addiction Awareness Week

The Princess of Wales has urged the public to change its attitude towards those dependent on drink or drugs – saying “addiction is not a choice”.

Kate highlighted how every addict is a “human being, with a story of their own” and “it is not our place to judge or criticise” in a written message to mark Addiction Awareness Week.

In a bid to tackle the stigma associated with the issue, she called on everyone to support charities helping addicts and their families by changing the “way we think about and consider the many people coping with addiction”.

And by listening or providing a shoulder for someone to cry on the “misunderstandings” faced by many can be broken down.

Kate is patron of the Forward Trust, an addiction charity, and her involvement in the awareness week comes a few months after the princess announced she was returning to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.

She has made a few official appearances, joining senior members of the royal family for the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and travelling with the Prince of Wales to Merseyside to meet the bereaved families of the Southport stabbings.

The Princess of Wales issued the message ahead of Addiction Awareness Wees (Danny Lawson/PA)
The Princess of Wales issued the message ahead of Addiction Awareness Wees (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire)
Holly Evans30 November 2024 09:15

Battersea rescue dogs needing homes head to Highgrove for footstool photoshoot

Rescue animals from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home took part in a festive photoshoot at the King and Queen’s country estate Highgrove.

Percy, Darcie, Elspeth, Harper, Missy and Shadow, who are all looking for new homes in time for Christmas, were invited to Gloucestershire, travelling from the charity’s Old Windsor Centre.

They posed on a new range of bespoke footstools, crafted and upholstered using recycled curtains from Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle by students and community groups working with Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation.

Read the full article here:

Battersea rescue dogs needing homes head to Highgrove for footstool photoshoot

The King’s Foundation welcomed the six dogs, who helped showcase a new furniture project using recycled royal curtains.

Holly Evans30 November 2024 07:52

Prince Louis revealed to have a passion for the drums

The Prince of Wales joked that Prince Louis’ drumming practice has left him taking drastic action.

William told celebrity musicians about his son’s musical aspirations have as he thanked them for supporting a wildlife charity.

He told the group about his youngest son, who is renowned for his cheeky personality that: “My youngest is learning the drums, that’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears.”

William went on to say “I’m interested in different eras of music” and “music is such an important part of my life”.

(Getty Images)
Athena Stavrou30 November 2024 06:00

Meghan Markle requests extension for lifestyle brand trademark application

It looks as though Meghan Markle’s lifestyle brand may be still be months away from launching, as lawyers for the duchess request an extension for her trademark application.

Meghan originally soft-launched her brand American Riviera Orchard back in March with prospective customers told to join a waiting list to keep them updated on products, thought to include jams and other lifestyle goods.

However, the brand, has suffered a series of setbacks in the months since, meaning they are yet to begin trading.

Her inititial trademark application was refused by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in September, noting that American Riviera was a “common nickname” for Santa Barbara.

She was given three-months to address the issue, with lawyers now filing a request for another three month extension.

(Tracy Robbins/Instagram)
Athena Stavrou30 November 2024 04:00

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