Royal news live: Camilla at Wimbledon amid Kate Middleton return hopes as Harry breaks silence over award row
The Queen took her seat in the royal box wearing a cream linen dress featuring giraffe motifs by Anna Valentine, with a Jack Russell brooch from Van Cleef and Arpels
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Queen Camilla took her seat in the Wimbledon Royal Box today as officials remain hopeful of an appearance from the Princess of Wales on the final day of the tournament.
As patron of the All England Club, Kate, 42, would typically hand out the trophies, but it is not known if this will be possible due to her cancer treatment.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Club Chair Debbie Jevans told Telegraph Sport.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has spoken publicly for the first time since the backlash over his announcement as the recipient of an annual award named after a US war hero.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, who is set to be honoured for his work with the Invictus Games, wished good luck to the UK squad following their selection ahead of a forthcoming winter version of the competition.
“The games present an incredible opportunity for our courageous service personnel and veterans to demonstrate their skills in new challenges,” he said.
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Prince William to visit former army base
Prince William is set to visit his former army base in North Wales today.
This will be the heir to the throne’s first visit since he was made its honorary air commodore in August 2023, a role that previously belonged to his father, King Charles.
RAF Valley in Anglesey is notably where William and Kate Middleton lived as newlyweds until 2013 as he worked as an RAF search and rescue pilot at the base.
On today’s visit, William will meet with the families currently living at the base, take a tour, learn about refurbishment plans and finally present the Prince of Wales Award to the “best-qualified” flying instructor.
Kate Middleton’s Wimbledon replacement revealed
Kate Middleton’s possible replacement at this year’s Wimbledon has been revealed.
While officials are hoping that the Princess of Wales could still attend to present the trophies, they have acknowledged that her health and recovery is her priority.
Now, it has been reported by The Telegraph that Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester could stand in for the princess if she is not well enough to attend.
This comes after Kate said she hoped to attend a few engagements this summer if her health allowed.
Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte ‘great friends'
Following the claim that Princess Charlotte is “taking care” of Kate Middleton, a royal expert has said their relationship mirrors that of Kate and her own mother Carole.
“Kate and Charlotte are great friends and I think to Kate, their bond is very precious,” Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror.
“The mother-daughter relationship is obviously particularly important to Kate because she has such a close relationship with her own mother.”
Seward substantiated her opinion by referring to the pair’s appearance at Trooping the Colour last month, where they seemed close.
Prince Harry award petition reachers 70,000 signatures
A petition calling for American sporting network ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give Prince Harry an award for veterans has reached 70,000 signatures.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, but tens of thousands of people have argued that there are more deserving recipients.
ESPN has defended its decision in light of the controversy, hailing the “incredible” work of the games, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The Change.org petition reads: “Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.
“He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills. The Prince also allegedly targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover.
“More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticized as self-centred.”
Princess Charlotte ‘taking care’ of Kate Middleton
Princess Charlotte is reported to be “taking care” of her mother the Princess of Wales as she continues her cancer treatment.
The young royal, nine, is said to be “protective” of Kate, 42, at this difficult time.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror: “I think that Charlotte is really taking care of her mum. It was quite sweet the way she [Charlotte] stood in front of her [on the Buckingham Palace balcony] and they kept chatting.
“Charlotte seems to be very full of admiration for her mother, which I think is a lovely thing, too.”
Prince Harry ‘needs to think deeper’ about accepting awards, expert claims
Prince Harry “needs to think deeper” about the awards he accepts amid ongoing backlash over his receipt of the Pat Tillman Award, an expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, is set to receive the award for veterans this week for his work with the Invictus Games, but tens of thousands of people have signed a petition arguing that they are more deserving recipients.
“Unfortunately in the last five or six years he has entered a different world, a false world of showbiz premieres, easy money and distorted media interviews and he has lost his common touch,” Royal expert Phil Dampier told the MailOnline.
“He should have realised, or certainly his PR people should have realised, that this award would look out of place and annoy some veterans and their families, and there would be a backlash.
“He needs to learn from this experience and take stock and think much deeper in future about what baubles and prizes he accepts.
“It’s easy to blame Meghan for keeping him away from his old friends and contacts but ultimately it’s down to him.”
Prince Harry held back in memoir to avoid upsetting Prince William and King Charles
Prince Harry reportedly had enough material to write two memoirs but chose to cut down what he said in Spare to avoid upsetting Prince William and King Charles.
The repercussions from Harry’s 2023 memoir are still ongoing as they have led to a review of his US visa application following his revelations about prior drug use.
Donald Trump said that if he is reelected and it emerges that the Duke lied on his application, he will be treated “like any other citizen”.
“It could have been two books, put it that way,” he told The Telegraph.
“And the hard bit was taking things out. There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don’t want the world to know. Because I don’t think they would ever forgive me.”
Concern as Harry and Meghan’s Netflix contract runs out next year
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s $100 million deal with Netflix is set to come to an end next year and this could spell trouble for the royal family, one commentator has claimed.
“Netflix are no longer producing the series of The Crown, as they previously were. They might therefore have less interest in the Sussexes,” Richard Fitzwilliams told the Mirror.
“If they lost this contract, with Archewell, their business and charitable foundation, having so few donors, they might well be in financial trouble.
“Since their exposes of royal life has made megabucks, but little else has made money, the Royal Family better hope that this unpredictable and ruthlessly ambitious couple stays with Netflix.”
The revelation comes amid the news that Meghan has just finished filming a cooking programme for the platform.
Harry and Meghan signed the five-year deal with the streaming service after stepping down as working royals in 2020.
Queen Camilla wants King Charles ‘to be proud of her'
Queen Camilla has been praised for her hard work amid the royal family’s recent health troubles.
As the Queen Consort approaches her 77th birthday, she has been praised for taking on a large number of engagements later in life as “a woman who has never had to knuckle down to a solid career or the slog of a 9 to 5 job.”
“Camilla is certainly rocking it as she approaches her 77th birthday,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine.
“I think she might have surprised herself by enjoying hard work as much as she seems to be doing!
“She is, after all, a woman who has never had to knuckle down to a solid career or the slog of a 9 to 5 job.
“She has shouldered a sharply increased workload and a massive amount of responsibility in the past few months – and is looking and sounding great on it!
“I think part of it is because she so much wants the man she loves to be proud of her, and to pull her weight in their partnership.”
Harry and Meghan’s Canada trip could ‘jeopardise’ the Commonwealth
Concerns are growing ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Canada in February of next year.
According to a source, there are fears about the potential impact any negative statements about the Commonwealth could have on the 56 member states.
The couple are set to visit to attend the the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler in February 2025.
“Harry and Meghan haven’t exactly been very supportive in the past,” the “well placed” source told The Express.
“This trip has been flagged as of great importance over fears that any negative sentiments made about the union during their visit could jeopardise the Commonwealth.
“It’s even been discussed that it might be beneficial to get Harry and Meghan back on side in case there are any incidents that occur while they are promoting the Invictus Games.”
Canada joined the British Commonwealth as an independent state in 1931.
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