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.
Prince and Princess of Wales highlight importance of parental wellbeing
This World Mental Health Day, the Prince and Princess of Wales have highlighted the importance of parental wellbeing.
They did so by sharing a video from Kate’s Early Years project, which sees members of its Business Taskforce discuss the subject.
“It is vital that we look after the mental health and well-being of parents and carers because this has a significant impact on the children that they are raising,” a contributor said.
You can watch the video below:
Members of the @EarlyChildhood Business Taskforce including @IKEAUK, @IcelandFoods and @Lego_Group highlight parental wellbeing is vital in helping them to be their best selves at work and at home.https://t.co/EFItkEJbjo
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2024
Kate and William’s visit a ‘massive boost’ for Southport
The Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to Southport today has been described as a “massive boost” to those affected by July’s atrocity.
Former chief constable Andy Rhodes, who is involved in The Royal Foundation’s Blue Light Together programme, said: “To have somebody clearly as passionate and genuine about supporting them and their mental health to come and speak to them is a massive boost.”
He also said the future king and queen “genuinely listened” to the people they spoke to.
He added: “It was quite emotional. It is still raw for people.”
Prince William praises Southport emergency workers
Prince William has praised the emergency workers who attended the Southport stabbings and stressed the importance of them taking care of themselves.
The heir to the throne, 42, described them as “true professionals” and said they had endured a “bumpy few months”.
He said: “The first thing we thought about was actually how on earth you guys are going to handle having seen what you’ve seen.
“So please take your time, don’t rush back to work, do whatever you need to, talk about it, give your superiors a hard time if they are not letting you have that time to decompress because it’s so important you have those moments.”
Princess of Wales hugs bereaved Southport families
The chief fire officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has revealed that the Princess of Wales hugged the families bereaved by the Southport stabbings.
Phil Garrigan said he had a “really lovely fleeting conversation” with both Kate and William.
He added: “The Princess of Wales broke off and came back into the building to give a hug to the people who responded because she could see the emotion in them and could see it was difficult for them to relay their feelings and to say how impactful events have been.
“I think that just shows a really caring side and is very, very touching for them.”
It is believed that the visit was planned as a solo engagement for William, but Kate, who has recently finished chemotherapy, wanted to attend to show her support as well.
Prince and Princess of Wales carry out first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment
The Prince and Princess of Wales have carried out their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment today.
They visited Southport to privately meet with the bereaved families of the Southport attacks, as well as the dance teacher who was present and first responders.
Kate, 42, is said to have wanted to attend to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.
Duchess of York ‘so moved’ by Kate’s cancer video
The Duchess of York has said that she was “so moved” by the recent video announcing that the Princess of Wales has completed her chemotherapy treatment.
Sarah, 64, who has also recently experienced cancer, told ITV’s This Morning that she loved how Kate is “showing the world what it is to really look after yourself”.
“I think that’s extraordinary, what’s she doing,” she added, describing the video, which featured Prince William and the Wales children as “just incredible”.
William and Kate mark World Mental Health Day
The Prince and Princess of Wales have revealed the organisations that have inspired them for World Mental Health Day (10 October).
Taking to Twitter/X, they wrote on the official Kensington Palace account: “A #WorldMentalHealthDay thread with people who’ve inspired us and resources that could help you or those you know who may be struggling.”
The couple then recommended organisations including YoungMindsUK to any young people who are struggling, MindCharity, as well as the Matrix Project in the West Midlands.
A #WorldMentalHealthDay thread with people who've inspired us and resources that could help you or those you know who may be struggling ⬇️
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 10, 2024
Duke of Edinburgh speaks of ‘deep and sincere’ affection for Queen Elizabeth II
The Duke of Edinburgh has opened up about the Maltese people’s “deep and sincere” affection for his late parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Edward, 60, made the revelations at the residence of the High Commissioner on a four-day trip to the country to mark the 60th anniversary of its independence.
The late Elizabeth and Philip lived in Malta between 1949 and 1951, during the early part of her marriage to Philip, who was stationed there as an officer in the Royal Navy.
Prince Edward said: “The other thing that comes across so strongly is the very deep and sincere affection that so many people on this island have for my parents and that very special time that they had here with their young family, and it was lovely to visit the villa where they stayed during that time.
“The number of people who have said, ‘Have you been to the villa and are you going to go and see it?’, it obviously means a great deal to everybody here.”
Prince William makes plea for new Jason Bourne film at Baftas
Prince William took the opportunity to personally request a new Jason Bourne film during a visit to Bafta’s offices in central London.
He jokingly made the request to director Paul Greengrass, clasping his hands together and saying “Another Bourne, another Bourne”.
The visit was made to celebrate the work of young people in the film and creative industry and the prince met with those who had received a bursary in his name as part of the visit.
Princess of Wales quietly uploads new picture of herself and Prince William
The Princess of Wales has quietly uploaded a new picture of herself and Prince William to the official Kensington Palace Instagram account - featuring an outtake from their Paris Olympics video.
It is now the cover for the account’s August Instagram Stories highlight and features the pair in blue polo shirts.
The video itself was initially uploaded two months ago and saw the couple congratulate Team GB for their efforts at the Paris Olympics and express their personal enjoyment of the event itself.
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