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Royal news - live: Kate Middleton to make poignant return to duty as Prince William opens up on ‘brutal’ 2024

‘Dreadful’ assessment echoes Queen Elizabeth calling her worst year as ‘annus horribilis’

Athena Stavrou
Friday 08 November 2024 10:01
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Prince William provides update on Kate’s health

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The Princess of Wales is continuing her steady return to royal duties as she is set to appear at two remembrance events over the weekend.

Kate - who announced she had finished cancer treatment in September- is to attend both the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The positive news comes as Prince William candidly described the past year as “brutal” and the “hardest” of his life as both his wife and father battle cancer.

Asked by reporters how his year has been, he 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.”

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COMMENT | I was there for Diana & Dodi’s love story – it wasn’t like The Crown

As Mohamed Al-Fayed’s biographer, Mark Hollingsworth witnessed Dodi and Diana’s romance first-hand – and the inside story he tells here is more gripping and surprising than anything portrayed in the hit Netflix show...

I was there for Diana and Dodi’s summer of love – it wasn’t like The Crown

As Mohamed Al-Fayed’s biographer, Mark Hollingsworth witnessed Dodi and Diana’s romance first-hand – and the inside story he tells here is more gripping and surprising than anything portrayed in the hit Netflix show...

Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 05:00
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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

Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 04:30
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Kate ‘back training at the gym’ and set to resume royal duties

The Princess of Wales is reportedly preparing to return to royal duties and has been “back at the gym” following her cancer diagnosis.

Robert Jobson, author of Catherine: The Princess of Wales, claimedKate could return to the public life.

He told Hello: “From what I understand, Catherine is doing very well. She is back training at the gym and doing all the things she wanted to do.

“I do think that we will start to see a lot more of her, and that she will carry out engagements as well as continuing to work behind the scenes.”

(Matt Porteous)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 04:00
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Prince William heckled by anti-monarchy protesters in South Africa

A group of anti-monarchy protesters heckled Prince William during his last day in Cape Town, South Africa on Thursday.

The future King was visiting Kalk Bay Harbour this morning when a group of people shouted “go home now” at him while holding placards that read “William, you have no sovereignty in our country”.

An anti-monarchy protester holds a placard on the day of Britain's Prince William visit to highlight the contributions of the 2023 Earthshot
An anti-monarchy protester holds a placard on the day of Britain's Prince William visit to highlight the contributions of the 2023 Earthshot (REUTERS)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 03:30
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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.’”

Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 03:00
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Watch: Prince William and Robert Irwin discuss favourite animals in Cape Town

Prince William and Robert Irwin discuss favourite animals in Cape Town
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 02:30
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Pictured: Prince William meets South African President in Cape Town

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting Britain's Prince William at the Genadendal, the Official Residence of the President in Cape Town
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meeting Britain's Prince William at the Genadendal, the Official Residence of the President in Cape Town (GCIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 02:00
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Pictured: Duchess of York attends book signing event in Sydney

Sarah Ferguson signs books for supporters during a book signing event at Dymocks bookstore in Sydney, Australia
Sarah Ferguson signs books for supporters during a book signing event at Dymocks bookstore in Sydney, Australia (EPA)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 01:30
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One thing Prince William is trying to teach his children

Prince Willam started his final day in South Africa with a visit to South Africa’s largest naval base in Simon’s Town Harbour.

While joining the rescue team from the National Sea Rescue Initiative (NSRI), he joked that he should wear more kit so he did not get wet whilst asking how choppy the water was.

He told the crew: “We are trying to teach the children to understand currents. The problem with rips is that you don’t know where they are going to appear.”

Prince William (L), Prince of Wales, sails off with volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Initiative (NSRI) near Simon's Town harbour
Prince William (L), Prince of Wales, sails off with volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Initiative (NSRI) near Simon's Town harbour (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 01:00
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‘Stubborn’ Andrew determined to stay in Windsor, says expert

Prince Andrew’s “stubbornness” and “arrogance” has added fuel to the fire in his feud with King Charles over his residence Royal Lodge in Windsor, a royal expert claims.

A row sparked between the brothers after King Charles cut the Duke of York’s from an annual £1 million “living allowance”, according to a new biography book by Robert Hartman.

Commenting on the rift, royal commentator Rupert Bell told Times Radio: “One of the problems that Prince Andrew has is that he is occasionally convinced of his rightness, and he gets himself into hot water with his stubbornness and sometimes his own arrogance has caused him to create these problems.

“He feels like he lost everything and if he loses his house, well then he probably feels that even more has been taken away from him.”

The Duke of York departs Westminster Abbey, London, following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The Duke of York departs Westminster Abbey, London, following the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla (PA Archive)
Salma Ouaguira8 November 2024 00:30

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