Royal news - live: Kate calls Harry after ‘worrying signs’ in fresh development over William feud
The princess is claimed to have phoned Harry on his milestone birthday and arranged a ‘thoughtful’ gift
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The Princess of Wales has been said to have been the driving force behind the royal family’s unexpected birthday wishes for Prince Harry after spotting “worrying signs”.
Harry, who recently turned 40, received warm wishes from Buckingham and Kensington Palace on the milestone despite his ongoing estrangement from his family.
The princess is now claimed to have encouraged the move after completing her cancer treatment as “this is not the time for resentment”.
A source told Bella magazine: “Kate was very much the driving force behind Harry’s birthday wishes, as she slowly makes good on her vow to restore some kind of peace and forgiveness between the estranged royal and his family before it’s too late.”
The insider claimed that the public wishes were accompanied by a phone call from the princess and a “thoughtful” gift for Harry.
This comes amid fresh claims that Meghan Markle is a “demon boss” who would show “psycho moments” after current and former members of her staff defended her behaviour.
An insider told The Daily Beast: “There were definitely bad, even psycho moments. I saw people being berated in person and over the phone, made to feel like s**t.”
A second former staffer labelled the duchess a “narcissist” and said “getting her staff to praise her in magazines only confirmed it.”
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Prince William calls for the protection of the natural world
The Prince of Wales has called for urgent protection of the natural world during an appearance at the UN General Assembly in New York.
He said in a video message to world leaders: “Thankfully, in 2022 the world adopted the Biodiversity Plan in Montreal and committed to transformative action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
“But, we now have just five years to deliver on our collective promise.
He added: “We must act to save our rivers, oceans, savannas, mangroves and forests, as well as the communities that protect and live alongside them.
“We must act with urgency to protect at least 30% of our land, inland waters, and ocean by 2030.”
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Meghan Markle defended by former Archewell COO
Following claims that the Duchess of Sussex is an unpleasant person to work for, she has been defended by the former Archewell COO, Mandana Dayani.
She described the allegations against Meghan Markle as a “profound injustice” and described her and Prince Harry as “kind, decent, caring people”.
She told Us Weekly: “Part of the profound injustice of having to speak publicly on this in light of these endless and damaging narratives is that so much of the kindness, mentorship, and support that Prince Harry and Meghan share with others happens quietly behind closed doors.”
Ms Dayani added: “Throughout every global crisis, their first question was always: ‘How can we help?’ Whether they were veterans, women, refugees, animals in harm, they both showed up. Never asking for anything in return.”
James Middleton says Kate and William’s mental health work helped him 'move forward’
The Prince and Princess of Wales have been praised for their mental health work by James Middleton amid the release of his new memoir.
Explaining the backstory of Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life, to ITV’s Lorraine, Kate’s younger brother, 37, admitted that he found it very difficult to talk to his family when he was struggling.
He added: “I initially went into therapy and, at the right time, my family got involved. I was very fortunate they did because they did have to be patient, they had to sit on the sidelines and really watch and see me suffer.
“It was very challenging for them too because all they wanted to do was help, of course, and then when the timing was right, and I think timing was so important, they came in, and they understood, and they were able to understand a lot more than I actually thought.
“I recognised that the work that both Catherine and William have done in mental health and that helped me move forward.”
Meet Ella is available from today.
Princess Anne witnesses burial of WW1 soldiers
Princess Anne has today witnessed the burial of two WW1 soldiers over 100 years after their deaths.
A statement on the official royal family Twitter/X account read: “Today, The Princess Royal witnessed the burial of two First World War soldiers who died at the Battle of Loos in 1915.
“The burials marked the inauguration of an extension to the Loos British Cemetery in Northern France, which will provide a fitting resting place for the casualties – most of whom came from Scottish regiments – whose bodies were discovered during a local construction project.
“Her Royal Highness, who is President of the @CWGC was joined by serving soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland.”
Today, The Princess Royal witnessed the burial of two First World War soldiers who died at the Battle of Loos in 1915.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 26, 2024
The burials marked the inauguration of an extension to the Loos British Cemetery in Northern France which will provide a fitting resting place for the… pic.twitter.com/6ZOeTnD1Lo
UK’s first black Olympian says she ‘feels like trailblazer'
The UK’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil, has said she “feels like a trailblazer” after being honoured with an MBE for services to athletics.
Speaking to PA News Agency after the investiture at Windsor Castle, she said that her biggest achievement was representing the United Kingdom.
She said: “I won medals at the European Games, and I stood on the podium and watched the Union Jack flutter in the breeze.
“That was for me and for my country, and I felt very, very proud of that.”
Ms Neil first competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics when she was just 18 years old, participating in the women’s 100 metres and 4 x 100 metres relay teams.
Investitures return to Windsor Castle
Inspirational individuals are once again being honoured by investitures at Windsor Castle following a brief summer break.
Celebrating their return, the royal family said in a statement yesterday (15 September): “After a short summer break, we’re back to celebrating those who have been recognised for their work and talents.
“At Windsor Caste today, The Princess Royal presented honours to: Sir Alan Bates, Founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.
“Britain’s first black female Olympian, Anita Neil MBE, for services to athletics.
“Author, Monica Ali CBE, for services to literature.
“Theatre producer and owner, Lounica ‘Nica’ Burns CBE, for services to theatre.”
🎖️INVESTITURES ARE BACK! 🎉
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 25, 2024
After a short summer break, we’re back to celebrating those who have been recognised for their work and talents.
At Windsor Caste today, The Princess Royal presented honours to:
📮Sir Alan Bates, Founder of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance.… pic.twitter.com/Cd5w04FSig
Meghan Markle dubbed a ‘demon’ by ex-staff member
The Duchess of Sussex has been described as a “demon” by a former staff member amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sussex’s apparent struggle to retain their employees.
Revealing that they worked for the couple during their time as working royals, the source told The Daily Beast: “There were definitely bad, even psycho moments.
“I saw people being berated in person and over the phone, made to feel like s**t.”
The comments come after Meghan was praised in a separate report in US magazine, where current and former employees spoke of her kindness as a boss.
Another former employee, who worked for the former actress before she married Prince Harry in 2018, said: “I always thought she was a classic narcissist, and getting her staff to praise her in magazines only confirmed it.
“She’s lovely when things go her way but a demon when they don’t.”
Kate Middleton the ‘driving force’ behind Harry’s olive branch
The Princess of Wales is said to have been the driving force behind the royal family’s recent olive branch to Prince Harry on his 40th birthday.
As a result of the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing estrangement from his family, it was expected by many that the occasion would not be publicly acknowledged.
But it was on both the official Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace social media accounts, with an insider claiming that Kate, 42, also phoned Harry on his birthday and sent a “thoughtful” gift.
They told Bella magazine: “Kate was very much the driving force behind Harry’s birthday wishes, as she slowly makes good on her vow to restore some kind of peace and forgiveness between the estranged royal and his family before it’s too late.
“She told William in no uncertain terms that this is not the time for resentment, they needed to show the world that love and family are front and centre of their values, but more importantly she wanted Harry to have this message on his big day.
Harry’s relationship with the royals has steadily deteriorated since he stepped down as a working member of the family in 2020.
Harry and Meghan ‘extremely unlikely’ to return to UK for Christmas
A royal expert has said it is “extremely unlikely” that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will spend Christmas in the UK after being invited to celebrate the event with the Spencer family.
Harry, 40, has been vocal about his ongoing security concerns for his family since he and Meghan Markle stepped down as working royals in 2020.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: “Well, if an offer has indeed been made — which seems quite logical – and if they accepted, it would fly in the face of everything Harry has said about security.
“He has repeatedly said he believes it’s unsafe to bring his wife and children to the UK without a guarantee of official security.”
She added: “That situation is extremely unlikely to change at all, and certainly not before Christmas. So I think it would be very odd indeed if the family suddenly fetched up here. It would surely mean that Harry was going to abandon his legal appeal against the ruling?
“Therefore, I do not think that we shall be seeing them in the UK for Christmas, or indeed anytime soon.”
Meghan Markle praised for being a ‘kind’ employer
Following several reports about the Sussex’s apparent struggle to retain their employees, their staff have spoken out in their defence.
This follows claims made to The Hollywood Reporter that described the Duchess of Sussex as a “dictator in high heels”.
Catherine St-Laurent, a former chief of staff, told Us: “The time I spent working with Prince Harry and Meghan was incredibly meaningful to me.”
Similarly, Ashley Hansen, the couple’s global press secretary, added: “Meghan would personally reach out to my husband daily to make sure that we both were OK and had support,” she explained of the time she took off to have surgery.
“It meant so much to him and even more to me. You don’t realize how much that kind of kindness and thought means until you need it.”
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