Royal news - live: William laments ‘brutal’ 2024 calling it hardest year of his life after King and Kate’s cancer battles
The King and Prince William’s future deaths given new codenames
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Prince William has spoken candidly about the most difficult year of his life after his father and wife both went through their battles with cancer.
Asked by reporters how his year has been ahead of the Earthshot prize in Cape Town, the Prince of Wales replied: “Honestly?
“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
William who took time off Royal duties as his wife went through preventative chemotherapy, added: “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.
“But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”
According to the royal commentator Robert Hardman 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.
Family Feud reveals the most common fact Americans know about Prince Harry – and it’s not flattering
King ‘cuts financial ties to disgraced Prince Andrew after refusal to move out of home’
Brooklyn Beckham praises Prince William – after ignoring mention of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince William reveals secret love of wild animals in funny Robert Irwin clip
King Charles severs financial ties with Prince Andrew - ICYMI
King Charles has instructed the royal purse-keeper to “sever” Prince Andrew’s annual £1 million allowance, according to royal writer Robert Hardman in a new book serialised by the Daily Mail.
The keeper of the privy purse was “instructed to sever [Andrew’s] living allowance” after the Duke of York refused to move out of his 30-room mansion the Royal Lodge into the smaller, nearby Frogmore Cottage.
“’The duke is no longer a financial burden on the King,’ confirms one familiar with the situation,” Mr Hardman writes.
“’He claims to have found other sources of income related to his contacts in international trade, sufficient to cover all his costs - which would be a welcome outcome for all parties if that turns out to be the case.
“’But as to whether this funding can be relied upon in the long term is another matter.’”
Former Johnson aide dubbed ‘Party Marty’ honoured at Windsor Castle
A former prime ministerial aide who arranged a bring-your-own-booze garden party during coronavirus restrictions received an honour at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
Martin Reynolds was dubbed “Party Marty” after the revelations emerged about the May 20 2020 gathering in the Number 10 garden.
Mr Reynolds, who was principal private secretary to Boris Johnson, was made a Companion of the Order of Bath for public service.
Appearing before the UK Covid-19 Inquiry last October, Mr Reynolds apologised when asked about the party.
He told the inquiry he was “deeply sorry” for “my part in those events and for the email message which went out that day”.
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.
William: I hope my children are proud of Earthshot bid to ‘repair’ planet
The Prince of Wales has said he hopes his children are “proud” of the work of his Earthshot Prize, which champions solutions to “repair” the planet.
In a BBC interview ahead of the Earthshot awards ceremony in Cape Town, William also revealed his family is eco-conscious and minimises their effect on the environment – just like other households.
William said they recycle, reduce their water use and turn off the lights when leaving their home, ahead of his Earthshot Prize awards ceremony being hosted by Cape Town.
The heir to the throne said he hoped his children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – and the Princess of Wales would be would watching the awards being screened online later on Wednesday.
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 Harry and Meghan Markle may have cause for concern about their new life in Montecito.
Trump’s victory coincides with a precarious visa battle for the Sussexes, which may be complicated by their strained relationship with the president.
The Republican has previously weighed in on Prince Harry’s US visa application, which has come under scrutiny after Harry admitted in his memoir Spare to using cocaine, smoking marijuana, and experimenting with magic mushrooms as a teenager.
Read the full story here:
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
Charles’ ‘pen pal’ back in the White House
Melania Trump is once again the First Lady of the US after her husband, Donald Trump, secured a second term in office.
Earlier this year, the former fashion model revealed an unlikely friendship between herself and the monarch in her memoir, Melania.
She explained that after their first meeting in New York in 2005, the pair reconnected in 2019 during a state visit to the UK, by which point Trump was in the White House.
“The evening’s state banquet was a formal and elegant affair. I was seated next to Prince Charles, and it was an absolute pleasure to reconnect with him,” Melania wrote. “Our paths had crossed many years ago in New York City. This time we engaged in an interesting conversation about his deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation.”
She added: “Our friendship with the royal family continues and we exchange letters with King Charles to this day.”
What happened with the royals during Trump’s last presidency?
The royal family plays a key part in the UK-US special relationship, and Donald Trump is well known for his love of the monarchy.
During his last term, Trump visited the UK on a grand state visit, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
He boasted he had “automatic chemistry” with late Queen and said: “I really got to know her because I sat with her many times and we had automatic chemistry, you will understand that feeling.”
But author Craig Brown, in his new biography A Voyage Around The Queen, has since claimed that the monarch found Mr Trump “very rude”.
She is said to have “particularly disliked” the way he “couldn’t stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting”.
In 2018, Mr Trump joined the Queen for tea at Windsor Castle. As they inspected a Guard of Honour, the president walked along before standing still in front of the Queen, meaning she had to navigate her way around him so they could walk side by side.
At the state visit a year later, he was treated to a full programme of pomp and pageantry, with a ceremonial welcome and a glittering ballroom banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Charles inspected a Guard of Honour with Mr Trump on the lawns of the royal residence, dined with him at the banquet and had tea with him, Mrs Trump and the then-Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House.
Mr Trump, who is known for his extreme hand-holding, appeared to deliver a fist bump to Elizabeth II in the Palace gardens, but it was more likely an unusual clench of her hand. He tweeted the London trip had been a success, adding: “The Queen and the entire Royal family have been fantastic.”
Will Trump meet the King?
As Donald Trump makes a dramatic return to the White House, it is expected he and the King will meet eachother once again.
President-elect Trump was already feted with a grand state visit to the UK, hosted by the Queen in 2019, making it unlikely he will be invited to make a second one.
Precedent for second-term US presidents who have already made a state visit appears to be tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle, as was the case for George W Bush and Barack Obama.
But nothing should be ruled out when it comes to Mr Trump and the King and Queen could instead be invited to America by Trump.
Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers are invited to visit the King on the advice of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, so any decision ultimately lies with the Government.
Mr Trump and the King, as the Prince of Wales, have met several times, although not since Charles acceded to the throne in 2022, with Mr Trump’s first term as American leader ending in 2021 - but they appear to be on friendly terms.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments