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.
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William wears Taylor Swift style friendship bracelet made by daughter
The Prince of Wales has been spotted wearning a Taylor Swift-style friendship bracelet made by his daughter while on his trip to South Africa.
William was seen sporting the accessory as he he attended Earthshot+ in Cape Town.
He was wearing a blue and white bracelet made by Princess Charlotte on his right wrist, with the word “Papa” spelled out by four of the beads.
Such tokens of love and friendship have made a comeback thanks to fans of US singer Taylor Swift who have been exchanging the hand-made jewellery.
Camilla’s chest infection: How the royals’ health troubles stacked up in 2024
The royal family’s health blows have led to one of the most personally challenging years for the Windsors.
News of the King’s cancer – undisclosed in its form – came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January.
Online conspiracy theories began to escalate about Kate’s health, with the princess in the end delivering a bombshell video message to the nation in March revealing she was undergoing chemotherapy after post-operative tests showed she also had cancer.
There was a further health blow for the royal family in late June when the Princess Royal, now 74, was rushed to hospital after being struck by a horse while out walking on her Gatcombe Park estate.
Sarah, Duchess of York meanwhile was diagnosed with malignant melanoma skin cancer, just months after facing breast cancer. She later said her treatment had been successful.
Charles, who made an appearance at church on Easter Sunday, returned to public-facing duties in April by visiting a cancer centre in London, while Kate announced she had finished her chemotherapy course in a heartfelt video in September. Kate is hoping to join the royal family at the annual Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in honour of the war dead on Sunday – an important fixture in the royal family’s calendar – but her attendance is yet to be confirmed.
Camilla too has pledged to be there after pulling out of the annual Field of Remembrance opening at Westminster Abbey on Thursday due to her chest infection.
Prince of Wales tells Robert Irwin his favourite African animal is the cheetah
The Prince of Wales has revealed his children regularly quiz him about his love of African wildlife as he visited one of the continent’s most picturesque spots.
He was questioned by Robert Irwin, the son of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin, about his favourite African animal as they walked up the hill and a short video of the chat was posted on social media.
When William was asked about his favourite African animal during a trek to the top of Cape Town’s Signal Hill, he replied the cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal.
The prince said: “It’s a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly. I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah…Yeah, I love cheetahs. Fantastic animals.”
Irvin, an ambassador of the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize replied: “Cheetahs ok. Very cool, very cool…It’s chameleons for me. The unsung hero. I love them.”
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