Royal news - live: William and Harry’s childhood home could have surprising future as royal funeral plans upgraded
The King and Prince William’s future deaths given new codenames
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Your support makes all the difference.Prince William and Harry’s childhood home, Highgrove House, may have an unexpected future, a royal author has revealed.
The 18th-century estate near Tetbury, Gloucestershire, serves as a private retreat for Charles and Camilla, acting as a sanctuary for the King.
With William and Harry reportedly “not showing great interest” in the property, a royal source has suggested it could one day be transformed into a “Museum of King Charles III.”
In his biography book ‘New King, New Court, Charles III, The Inside Story’ royal author Rupert Bell has also uncovered the Palace’s new funeral plans for the King.
According to the royal commentator, the King’s valedictory arrangements have been upgraded to Operation London Bridge, similar to those of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Prince of Wales’s funeral plans, previously called ‘Operation Clare Bridge’, have also been granted a new codename: ‘Operation Menai Bridge’, a reference to a structure linking Anglesey to North Wales.
Duchess Sophie’s praised for ‘funny’ reaction after being hit with golf ball
The Duchess of Edinburgh has been praised for her “funny” reaction after being hit on the head by a golf ball.
The incident last Tuesday happened when Sophie was playing mini golf as part of a visit to Legoland as patron of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Photographer Tim Rooke, who captured the moment, said the Duchess “laughed” and “found it funny.”
He told Hello: “The Duchess was playing adventure golf, going around with the kids. She hit the ball, and it bounced straight up in the air. You could see her watching it, and it just sort of whacked her.
“She laughed; she found it funny – she’s a good sport. You can see the guy behind her in the picture was in hysterics.
“She doesn’t mind a photo like this going around – what she cares about is raising awareness of the charity. She is really good at these events; she always makes everyone feel quite special.”
What we know so far about the Queen’s chest infection
The Queen has been forced to withdraw from her engagements and is resting at home after being diagnosed with a chest infection.
Chest infections – an infection of the lungs or large airways – are common, especially after a cold or flu during autumn and winter. Most chest infections are mild and clear up on their own, others can be severe and sometimes even life threatening.
A number of groups can be at higher risk of developing serious chest infections, these include babies and very young children, people who smoke and people with long-term health conditions.
Queen Camilla used to be a heavy smoker – a habit her husband Charles loathed – but she gave up many years ago.
The main types of chest infections are bronchitis and pneumonia. According to NHS Inform, most bronchitis cases are caused by viruses while most pneumonia cases are due to bacteria.
If The Queen has been diagnosed with a bacterial chest infection, then she will be treated with antibiotics.
Watch: Prince William provides update on Kate’s health
ICYMI: William confirms bracelet is Taylor Swift ‘relic’ made by daughter
Prince William has confirmed speculation that the friendship bracelet he wears that made by his daughter was part of a movement by Taylor Swift fans.
He said: “Well, this is a… I think, a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for.
“She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised to wear it and try not to lose while I was out here.”
The prince has been wearing a blue and white bracelet on his right wrist with the words “Papa” printed on four of the beads.
The bracelets are tokens of love and friendship that are said to have made a comeback thanks to Taylor Swift fans who have been exchanging the handmade jewellery.
Full story: King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’
The King is cutting financial ties to the disgraced Duke of York after he refused to move out of his home, a royal writer has claimed.
In what is a new low in the brothers’ relationship, Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million “living allowance” has been withdrawn by Charles, according to a new book by Robert Hardman.
The move will be seen as another step the monarch has taken to publicly distance himself from his younger brother following his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Read the full story below:
King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Andrew after refusal to move out of home’
Duke of York’s annual £1 million ‘living allowance’ withdrawn by Charles in claimed new low in brothers’ relationship
ICYMI: King regrets not visiting Fiji on royal tour
King Charles has revealed he regrets not vosotong Fiji on his recent royal tour of Australia and Samoa.
Charles visited the region in October but the tour was pared down on doctors’ advice due to the 75-year-old monarch’s recent cancer diagnosis, with trips to New Zealand and Fiji removed from the plans.
He spoke to the High Commissioner of Fiji during an international sustainability conference at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
The monarch told Jovilisi Vulailai Suveinakama: “I felt so bad we couldn’t get to Fiji [on the royal tour], the doctors wouldn’t let me.”
The King welcomed business leaders and climate organisations to Buckingham Palace for the event, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Environment Secretary Steve Reed.
Prince William shares touching Kate update following her cancer treatment
Prince William has issued a touching health update on his wife, Kate, after the princess finished her cancer treatment.
The Prince of Wales described Kate as “amazing” as he spoke to reporters in South Africa ahead of tonight’s Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town.
She’s doing really well thanks. Hopefully she’s watching tonight and cheering me on,” he said. “She’s been amazing this whole year and I know she’ll be really keen to see tonight be a success.”
Kate has been largely out of the public eye as she underwent preventative chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
In September, she revealed she had completed her treatment and was focusing on “staying cancer free” in a heartfelt video featuring herself, William and their three children.
What Donald Trump’s presidency could mean for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid US visa row
As Donald Trump secures his second term as US president, Prince Harryand Meghan Markle may have cause for concern about their new life in Montecito.
Trump took to the stage in Florida in the early hours of this morning to address the nation, celebrating his “unprecedented and powerful mandate” after being widely projected to sweep through key swing states, including North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
His victory coincides with a precarious visa battle for the Sussexes, which may be complicated by their strained relationship with the president.
Read the full story below:
What Trump’s presidency could mean for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid visa row
Trump has personally commented on Prince Harry’s US visa application
King Charles 'in good spirits' despite cancer diagnosis
King Charles has been “in good spirits” after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
In his biography book ‘New King, New Court, Charles III, The Inside Story’ royal expert Rupert Bell said that the 75-year-old monarch, who recently embarked on a six-day visit to Australia, remained positive despite his ongoing treatment.
He said: “Those who feared that the King’s cancer might presage a return to what some once called the ‘Eeyorish’ moods of his middle years were happy to be proved wrong.
“‘There has been nothing Eeyorish since his diagnosis,’ says a close friend.
“‘Being King is a suit that fits him well. There is a sense of fragility now, of course, which is sensible, but he is in good spirits.’”
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