Royal news live: Kate spotted in public for first time since chemotherapy as Harry arrives in New York alone
The Princess of Wales will be undertaking light duties for the remainder of the year
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The Princess of Wales has been photographed in public for the first time since announcing that she has completed chemotherapy.
Kate, 42, was seen being driven to church yesterday (22 September) by Prince William on the Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
In a poignant video announcing the end of her treatment, the princess said she would be returning to light duty until the end of the year.
Expected engagements include the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall and the princess’s annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has arrived in New York alone for a series of engagements to promote his philanthropic projects.
The Duke of Sussex, 40, attended a high profile, glitzy dinner hosted by the World Health Organisation over the weekend in aid of survivors of childhood violence.
Other notable attendees included Queen Mathilde of Belgium, but Meghan Markle was absent.
Royal expert Phil Dampier told The Sun: “It is significant that he is doing so much on his own now. They are living more separate lives as it looks like Harry is trying to carve out what exactly his future is.”
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Harry’s relationship with royal family ‘not defrosting'
A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry’s relationship with the royal family is “not defrosting” following their seemingly unexpected decision to wish him a happy birthday.
The Duke of Sussex, who celebrated the milestone yesterday, had the occasion marked by both King Charles and Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales on social media.
Royal expert Tom Bower told the MailOnline: “William and Kate’s surprise birthday wishes to Harry do not signal a step towards reconciliation. Rather it shows that the Waleses don’t want to be criticised as churlish.
“Being diplomatic costs them nothing and avoids criticism. The King understandably has congratulated his son but there’s no evidence of defrosting their relationship.”
Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex! https://t.co/ZKJbYDmV6L
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 15, 2024
Princess Anne to attend prestigious horse event after hospitalisation
Princess Anne will attend a prestigious horse event after a recent accident left her hospitalised.
The Princess Royal, 73, suffered a concussion and minor injuries as a result of the June incident on her estate, which is believed to have been caused by a kick from a horse.
But on 18 October, she will join the audience at the Spanish Riding School’s opening show at OVO Arena Wembley, marking their first tour of the UK in eight years, according to a press release.
The release added: “Arriving in the UK adorned with dazzling white deerskin saddles, gold bridles, luxurious velvet saddle pads, and iconic uniforms, eight riders and up to 26 horses will present performances on the tour, showcasing perfectly synchronised routines to the sound of classical Viennese music.”
Anne herself is an experienced horsewoman and previously rode the school’s horses alongside her mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1969.
King Charles ‘will never completely close the door’ on Prince Harry
Following the royal family’s seemingly surprise decision to acknowledge Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, it has been claimed that King Charles “will never completely close the door” on his youngest son.
Harry, who turned 40 yesterday, has had an increasingly strained relationship with the firm since stepping down as a working royal in 2020.
Royal expert Rebecca English told the MailOnline: “While angry and determined not to engage with some of Harry’s more egregious accusations, Charles will never completely close the door on his youngest son.”
The Duke of Sussex last saw the monarch following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis in February.
How late Queen Elizabeth II influenced Harry’s unexpected birthday message
The late Queen Elizabeth II is reported to have influenced the royal family’s seemingly unexpected decision to acknowledge Prince Harry’s 40th birthday.
According to several claims, the former monarch set a precedent for acknowledging the birthdays of non-working royals on birthdays ending with 0 on official channels.
🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! pic.twitter.com/sAlSiV9EaZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 15, 2024
Meghan Markle was NOT cropped out of Harry’s birthday image by royal family
The Duchess of Sussex was not cropped out of Prince Harry’s birthday message from the royal family, The Independent can reveal, despite reports to the contrary.
While Meghan, now 43, was included in the original image alongside the duke, the cropped version simultaneously appeared on Getty Images alongside the full photograph in 2018.
This means that the decision to zoom in on Harry and edit the picture was made long before the couple’s relationship with the royal family appeared to sour.
🎂 Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today! pic.twitter.com/sAlSiV9EaZ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 15, 2024
Meghan Markle has ‘reduced grown men to tears'
A bombshell report has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex has “reduced grown men to tears”.
The news comes amid the recent revelation that the Sussex’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, left the role after three months on what was described as a “mutual” decision.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter: “Everyone’s terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice.
“They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently. Harry is a very, very charming person – no airs at all – but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible.”
Another source added to the publication: “She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders.
“I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears.”
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