Royal news live: Friend says Harry and Meghan are in ‘extraordinary situation’ as duke prepares to return to UK

Prince Harry is returning to the UK alone at the end of September

The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life this year

Prince Harry’s friend and fellow mental health advocate Bryony Gordon has said that he and Meghan Markle are an “ordinary couple” in an “extraordinary” situation.

The writer opened up about her almost decade-long friendship with the Duke of Sussex for his 40th birthday, telling the Daily Mail that people are often “disappointed” by the truth when they ask about the couple.

She said: “There are no airs or graces with them, no desire to do anything other than protect their children from an increasingly digital world that likes nothing more than seeing the worst in people.

“A world that forgets that no matter how high profile a person is, they’re just doing their best, like everyone else.”

This comes as Harry is set to return to the UK at the end of September for the WellChild Awards without Meghan Markle.

The Times reports the Duke of Sussex is believed to be making the brief visit to his home country without his wife and children.

He recently told ITV that he will not bring Meghan to the UK because he fears “a knife or acid attack”.

Harry will attend the London-based event in his capacity as patron for the charity, which provides support to seriously ill British children and young people.

Key Points

• Friend says Harry and Meghan are in an ‘extraordinary’ situation
• Prince Harry to return to UK later this month
• Harry ‘unlikely’ to see King Charles on UK visit
• Harry and Meghan launch new campaign ahead of US election
• Princess of Wales returns to work after cancer treatment

[15 September 2024 17:13 · Barney Davis]

Prince Harry has no intention of returning to royal family - friend

In a report by the BBC for the Duke of Sussex’s 40th birthday, senior royal correspondent Daniela Relph said that reports of Harry making a sensational return to the royal family were wide of the mark.

According to the royal correspondent, a friend of Harry’s said that although he would like to come over more for work, he would not relocate to the UK.

“Why would he give up everything he’s achieved there to return here? His life is now in America,” the source said.

Britain Prince Harry (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

[15 September 2024 15:38 · Barney Davis]

Prince Harry will feel ‘delighted’ after surprise birthday greetings from Prince and Princess of Wales

Prince Harry is said to be delighted after William and Kate shared an earlier post from the royal family on X, adding: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams tolf the Express: “The Palace had a policy of only recognising the birthdays of working royals on social media. This marks a change but it is a special occasion. It is a sensible move that naturally begs the question, are tensions easing?

“It is in everyone’s interest to have reconciliation and that, if it happens, it will almost certainly take a long time. Mutual trust will need to be restored.

“However the obvious first step is to cease all hostilities.”

He added: “It would build on the pleasure Harry must surely feel in having his special day marked unexpectedly on social media by the royal family.”