Royal news live: Prince Harry issues internet warning to parents as Kate Middleton ramps up return to duties
‘The smartphone is stealing young people’s childhoods,’ Prince Harry said
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The Duke of Sussex has spoken out about the dangers of the internet in a conversation with author Jonathan Haidt.
Harry, 42, a passionate advocate of mental health awareness, told Fortune: “The smartphone is stealing young people’s childhoods.”
“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said, discussing the potential safety benefits of mobile phones.
“[Parents] want them to have their phone at school in case of emergency, but once, like any kid, you have your phone, even if you’re told you’re not allowed to download that app, kids have a way of working around it.”
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales has ramped up her return to duty by making a surprise joint appearance with Prince William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport attacks.
Marking their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment, the couple privately met the families in Merseyside yesterday.
The Princess, 42, is said to have attended because she wanted to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” the couple later said in a joint statement.
As well as meeting with the victim’s families, Kate spoke to first responders and the dance teacher who was present at the July attack.
King Charles honours ‘extraordinary’ Auschwitz survivor
King Charles has paid tribute to “extraordinary” Auschwitz survivor Lily Ebert who passed away peacefully today at the age of 100.
Ms Ebert lost her mother, younger sister, and brother to the gas chambers and went on to tell her story in a bestselling memoir, Lily’s Promise: How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live.
The monarch met Ms Ebert in 2022 when a portrait of her was unveiled.
Charles, 75, said in a statement: “It was with the greatest sadness that I heard this morning the news of Lily Ebert’s death.
“As a survivor of the unmentionable horrors of the Holocaust, I am so proud that she later found a home in Britain where she continued to tell the world of the horrendous atrocities she had witnessed, as a permanent reminder for our generation – and, indeed, for future generations – of the depths of depravity and evil to which humankind can fall, when reason, compassion and truth are abandoned.
“Alongside other Holocaust survivors, she became an integral part of the fabric of our nation; her extraordinary resilience and courage an example to us all, which will never be forgotten.”
Duchess of York hoping for Coronation Street Cameo
The Duchess of York has said that she would like to make a cameo appearance onCoronation Street after a visit to the set today.
She made an appearance at the Rovers Return alongside Corrie star Sally Dynevor after they toured the nearby Prevent Breast Cancer charity headquarters in Manchester.
The duchess said: “Coming on the cobbles is quite a huge moment.”
While there, she met the executive producer of continuing drama Iain MacLeod, the soap’s assistant producer Verity MacLeod, and Matt Cleary, director of production.
She joked: “I’ve got to bamboozle you three to allow me to do a cameo.”
Duke of Kent is treated to birthday bagpipe perfomance
The Duke of Kent was treated to a special birthday bagpipe performance at Kensington Palace today in honour of him turning 89.
A statement posted to the official royal family Twitter/X account read: “In celebration of The Duke of Kent’s Birthday today, three pipers from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, of which His Royal Highness is Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, performed for The Duke at Kensington Palace.”
The duke is the oldest working member of the royal family.
In celebration of The Duke of Kent’s Birthday today, three pipers from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, of which His Royal Highness is Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, performed for The Duke at Kensington Palace. 🎈 pic.twitter.com/44FC8XSTH6
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 9, 2024
Duchess of York opens up about cancer experiences
The Duchess of York has opened up about her recent cancer battle while on a visit to a cancer charity centre with Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor.
Sarah, 64, was diagnosed with breast cancer, like Ms Dynevor, after a routine mammogram last year before being diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer just months later.
During the visit, Sarah, who is now in remission, spoke to staff and patients and stressed the importance of speaking openly about the illness.
She said: “I think a lot of people are frightened to talk. They’re frightened that they don’t know where to go or what to do.”
The duchess added: “What I noticed today was I had a few private conversations with patients and they couldn’t get over that I was here having had a mastectomy, and that I said, ‘I’ve had a mastectomy. Here I am’.
“One of them in particular said, ‘Oh, so it wasn’t as frightening as you being led to believe?’.
“And I said, ‘No, it’s OK, just get good lymph drainage in after the operation’.
“I think that’s crucial because it is nothing worse than that fear.
“I had that fear as soon as I was diagnosed, I had that fear of death. You think it’s a death sentence. It’s not.”
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh recreate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s photographs
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have today not only followed in the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s footsteps but recreated some of their photographs.
The couple are currently on a four-day visit to Malta, marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's former home
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have paid a poignant visit to the former home of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Malta.
Villa Guardamangia was home to the royals during the early part of their marriage between 1949 and 1951 while Philip was stationed as a Royal Navy officer in the country.
“Visiting Malta is always very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married,” the late queen said.
Prince William wants to ‘challenge’ the narrative around homelessness
Prince William has said that he wants to “challenge” the existing narrative around homelessness in a trailer for an upcoming documentary about the subject.
He is currently tackling the issue through his Homewards project.
The heir to the throne, 42, said: “I think it’s really important that we can try and change, and tackle, the narrative around homelessness.
“People live with it, we see it every day in our lives, that’s something I want to challenge.”
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 5, 2024
🎬 Coming soon to @ITV and @ITVX pic.twitter.com/Lvj6M3hi1J
Prince William could be coming into conflict with Anne’s 'raison d’être’
A royal commentator has speculated that Prince William’s vision for a radically slimmed-down monarchy could affect Princess Anne, widely believed to be the hardest-working royal.
Tom Skyes, royal editor at The Daily Beast, noted that the Princess Royal’s “raison d’être is zooming around the country, squeezing in 500-plus engagements a year.”
He explained: “William has made it very clear he doesn’t see that as the family’s role anymore, preferring a tiny number of limited, high-impact engagements and events to the paternalistic, seen-to-be-believed, helicopter-riding royal attitude of old.”
The princess carried out 172 engagements between January and April of this year – more than double the number of any other working royal.
Duke of Kent celebrates 89th birthday
The Duke of Kent is today celebrating his 89th birthday today (9 October).
He is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and has held his title for over a record-breaking 82 years.
Wishing The Duke of Kent a very Happy 89th Birthday today! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/FsIQnRpimV
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 9, 2024
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh commemorate war dead in Malta
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have paid tribute to those who gave their lives during the Second World War while on their ongoing visit to Malta.
Alongside a post showing the couple placing tributes into Valletta harbour, the royal family acknowledged the awarding of the George Cross to the Maltese population in 1942.
“In 1942, at the height of the attacks, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the Maltese population in recognition of their resistance, endurance and loyalty,” it was said in a statement.
Their Royal Highnesses commemorated the bravery of the people of Malta during the Second World War, casting a wreath into Valletta harbour which suffered relentless aerial attacks by the Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 8, 2024
In 1942, at the height of the attacks, King George VI… pic.twitter.com/zZC4ZUbcm0
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