Royal news live: Unseen Meghan Markle picture sparks debate as King Charles enjoys ‘holistic’ Indian Spa break
Meghan Markle’s co-star on Suits, Patrick J Adams, has shared an unseen image of the Duchess of Sussex while promoting a podcast with another star of the legal drama
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An unseen photograph of Meghan Markle has been shared by her former Suits co-star Patrick J Adams, triggering a debate on social media on whether she’ll join a mini reunion of the show’s actors.
Adams and Markle played out an on-screen couple Mike Ross and Rachel Zane on the long-running legal drama series - and had a strong friendship away from the cameras with Adams invited to the Sussexes’ royal wedding in 2018.
Now, Adams has posted 10 behind-the-scenes images from the filming Suits, including a black and white image of Meghan, in a post on Instragram promoting a podcast episode.
The Sidebar podcast is co-hosted by Adams with Suits actress Sarah Rafferty, who played character Donna Paulsen.
The social media post immediately got fans asking Adams to also invite the Duchess of Sussex, who quit Suits ahead of marrying Prince Harry onto the show. One person commented: “Invite Meghan please!”.
The online debate comes as King Charles enjoyed an Indian spa break while on his way home from his tour of Australia and Samoa.
The King, who is receiving treatment in his battle with cancer, stayed at the SOUKYA resort in Bengaluru in India which describes itself as a “holistic health destination to restore your body’s natural balance of mind, body and spirit”.
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William recalls first visit to homelessness charity with his mother 30 years ago
Prince William breaks silence on Harry in touching tribute to their mother Diana
Prince William has mentioned Prince Harry publicly for the first time in years, as he recalls a childhood memory in his upcoming documentary.
The Prince of Wales recounted the time his mother, the late Princess Diana, took him and his brother to visit a homeless shelter more than 30 years ago.
He said: “My mother took me to The Passage. She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11, I think probably at the time, maybe 10. I’d never been to anything like that before, and I was a bit anxious as to what to expect.”
The mention of Harry is believed to be the first in six years. The last time William spoke about hus brother publicly is thought to be in 2018 when the pair were interviewed at Royal Foundation Forum.
Previously unseen pictures have also released as part of the documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, showing William as a child on the visit.
King to return to full schedule of overseas trips
King Charles is set to return to his normal schedule of overseas tours next year, amid his ongoing cancer treatment.
In an update given by a palace official, it was revealed Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn in 2025, provided doctors sanction the travel.
“We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms,” the official said.
An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.
Queen Camilla’s son reveals ‘we had no food spice growing up’
Cooking expert Tom Bowles has revealed the meals he ate at home with Queen Camilla.
In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, the renowned food writer discussed everything from his fondest childhood food memories to the one meal that causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt.
He said: “We had no spice whatsoever in our upbringing. We didn’t have curries.
“The only spice in the house might’ve been a tiny old dusty tin of curry powder for some disgusting coronation chicken occasionally and a bottle of old Tabasco for a Bloody Mary. That was the only spice.”
But when Parker Bowles moved onto prep school however, he realised just how bad some food can be, describing the breakfast provided as a “study in sadism” with “ice hockey puck eggs” that tasted of fish and “scummy flaps of bacon”.
King’s ‘hot equerry’ Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson is engaged
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, known as King Charles’ equerry, is engaged to Olivia Lewis.
Thompson gained attention on social media following King Charles’ accession in September 2022, particularly with a viral TikTok video.
He was also featured during the coronation in May 2023, where a video of him assisting the King garnered significant views.
The Times announced the engagement, saying: “The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Olivia Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lewis OBE of Primrose Hill, London.”
King facing urged to ‘fully disclose’ royal gifts by campaigners
Campaigners have called for “full disclosure” of gifts received by the royal family after it emerged King Charles has failed to publish an annual list for four years.
Unlike MPs, members of the royal family are not required to declare gifts, donations and hospitality on a public register of interests.
Nevertheless, they began publishing an annual list of official gifts received by the royal household following scrutiny of jewellery given to Queen Camilla by a Saudi royal in 2007.
Beatrice and Eugenie supported Sarah Ferguson through cancer battle
Sarah Ferguson has opened up about her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, playing a crucial role in her battle with cancer.
Diagnosed with melanoma in early 2024, the Duchess of York revealed how her family has helped her navigate the difficult moments since her diagnosis.
She told Hello: “My children, the joy of being a grandmother, writing my children’s books, and working on my next novel have been my lifelines.
“Writing is my escape. I write in longhand with a fountain pen in my study, and the stories just flow. I love to explore my imagination, inspired by nature.”
In January, Ferguson announced she had been diagnosed with a melanoma. A spokesperson explained that her dermatologist had removed several moles for analysis during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, with one being identified as cancerous.
Recently, Princess Eugenie shared an emotional birthday tribute to her mother on her 65th birthday, posting a series of photos that captured their close bond.
The images included moments with Eugenie’s son, Ernest, as well as family photos featuring Beatrice, Eugenie, and Sarah together.
Harry and Meghan buy home in Portugal close to cousin Eugenie
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly bought a home in Portugal close to Princess Eugenie.
Their home is reportedly just an hour’s drive south of the capital’s on Portugal’s west coast, between Comporta and Melides.
The is a popular holiday destination for the wealthy, thanks to it being away from bursting touristic beaches. Eugenie and her husband also own a home in Melides, just south of Lisbon.
The Duke of Sussex has always had a close relationship to his cousins, Eugenie and her sister Princess Beatrice. He remained in contact with them since stepping down as a working royal and moving to the US in 2020.
ICYMI: Commonwealth nations adopt 1st ocean declaration as former British colonies seek reparatory justice
Commonwealth countries have adopted their first ocean declaration during their summit held for the first time in the Pacific island nation of Samoa as calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for reparatory justice for the trans-Atlantic slave trade grew louder:
Commonwealth nations adopt 1st ocean declaration as former British colonies seek reparatory justice
Commonwealth countries have adopted their first ocean declaration during their summit held for the first time in the Pacific island nation of Samoa as calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for reparatory justice for the trans-Atlantic slave trade grew louder
— Associated Press
Unseen pictures from William, Harry and Princess Diana’s trip to homeless shelter
Were Wallis Simpson rumours orchestrated by the British establishment?
Were the scandalous stories surrounding Wallis Simpson’s time in China were the product of society gossip - or an orchestrated effort by the British establishment to sabotage her relationship with the future Edward VIII?
This is the question discussed by author Paul French in his new book Her Lotus Year.
Dubbed the “China Dossier”, the collection of rumours accused Simpson of affairs, connections to gangsters, and risque behaviours, but French argues that none of these claims had any factual basis with Simpson.
Instead, they appear to have been drawn from unrelated incidents in 1920s China, and possibly amplified by figures in British intelligence.
French’s research suggests that the tales were carefully constructed to tarnish Simpson’s reputation, showing the lengths to which the establishment may have gone to block a royal union with a controversial American divorcee.
“They just wanted to scupper this relationship somehow,” French said.
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