News
News Royal news live: Kate posts surprise birthday message to Harry days after emotional video on cancer treatment
News
Royal family have offered an olive branch of reconciliation to the estranged Prince as he turns 40
Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world
Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email
The Princess of Wales wished the Duke of Sussex a happy 40th birthday in a message on social media days after her emotional cancer comeback video.
William and Kate shared an earlier post from the royal family on X, formerly Twitter, and added their own message, which read: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”
Some will see the post as a surprise move given the unresolved tensions between the brothers.
Their estrangement has shown no sign of abating, with the duke also having a strained relationship with his father, the King.
A post from the royal family account earlier on Sunday marked the first public birthday message for Harry since 2021.
Harry, who lives in California, spent his birthday on Sunday with the Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
He is then said to be heading away for a gathering with close friends.
King Charles ‘will never completely close the door’ on Prince Harry
Following the royal family’s seemingly surprise decision to acknowledge Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, it has been claimed that King Charles “will never completely close the door” on his youngest son.
Royal expert Rebecca English told the MailOnline: “While angry and determined not to engage with some of Harry’s more egregious accusations, Charles will never completely close the door on his youngest son.”
The Duke of Sussex last saw the monarch following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis in February.
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 13:00
How late Queen Elizabeth II influenced Harry’s unexpected birthday message
The late Queen Elizabeth II is reported to have influenced the royal family’s seemingly unexpected decision to acknowledge Prince Harry’s 40th birthday.
According to several claims, the former monarch set a precedent for acknowledging the birthdays of non-working royals on birthdays ending with 0 on official channels.
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 12:00
Meghan Markle was NOT cropped out of Harry’s birthday image by royal family
The Duchess of Sussex was not cropped out of Prince Harry’s birthday message from the royal family, The Independent can reveal, despite reports to the contrary.
While Meghan, now 43, was included in the original image alongside the duke, the cropped version simultaneously appeared on Getty Images alongside the full photograph in 2018.
This means that the decision to zoom in on Harry and edit the picture was made long before the couple’s relationship with the royal family appeared to sour.
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 11:21
Meghan Markle has ‘reduced grown men to tears’
A bombshell report has claimed that the Duchess of Sussex has “reduced grown men to tears”.
The news comes amid the recent revelation that the Sussex’s chief of staff, Josh Kettler, left the role after three months on what was described as a “mutual” decision.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter: “Everyone’s terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice.
“They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently. Harry is a very, very charming person – no airs at all – but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible.”
Another source added to the publication: “She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders.
“I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears.”
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 11:00
‘No doubt’ Prince Harry will accept multi-million birthday inheritance
Prince Harry is set to receive an estimated £8m from the late Queen Mother for his 40th birthday, and an insider has said there is “no doubt” he will accept the money.
The Duke of Sussex, who turned 40 yesterday, is said to have received a larger portion of the wealth set aside by the late royal because he was never destined to be king.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold told The New York Post: “I’ve no doubt that Harry will accept it… It’s money that’s owed to him, money that’s coming to him.
“I don’t think he will decline the money – it’s inheritance, so it’s his right.”
The Queen Mother passed away in 2002 at the age of 101. She is reported to have placed an estimated £71m in a trust fund for her grandchildren, to be distributed at milestone birthdays.
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 10:00
Meghan Markle cropped out of Prince Harry’s 40th birthday greeting
The Duchess of Sussex was cropped out of the picture used by the Royal Family to wish Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday yesterday (15 September).
The unexpected greeting, shared by King Charles and Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales, marked the first public acknowledgement of the Duke of Sussex’s birthday since 2021.
“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” the post read alongside a picture of Harry taken at a Dublin engagement in 2018, when he was still a working royal.
The original picture also featured his wife Meghan Markle, who he married that year, but she was cropped out for the birthday greeting.
Emma Guinness16 September 2024 08:35
Prince Harry ‘obsesses’ over public image in UK
“Over the years, Prince Harry has studied all the articles written about him,” broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital.
“He still obsesses over his public image here in the UK. He is on a mission to change public perception, desperate to be seen in glowing lights rather than the constant negative PR whirl that surrounds him.
“Prince Harry… is interested in turning his public image around.”
Barney Davis16 September 2024 07:00
King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Australia
King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Australia next month on an official visit.
“The King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa, and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 18th v 26th October 2024,” an official statement read.
🇦🇺🇼🇸 The King and Queen will visit Australia and Samoa, and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) from 18th – 26th October 2024.
👇 Click to read more.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 10, 2024
Barney Davis16 September 2024 06:00
A Northern Irish council has defended a controversial new statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which has been slammed by critics for failing to resemble the former queen.
The bronze statue, which was unveiled on Friday at Antrim Castle Gardens, evoked such strong opinions that some suggested it should be melted down.
A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council told The Independent: “The Council is delighted with the generally positive response to the new Queen Elizabeth II sculpture in Antrim Castle Gardens.
“It acknowledges that art can sometimes spark diverse opinions, but it’s important to emphasise that the sculpture has been warmly received by most who have seen it in person. The statue beautifully captures Her Majesty’s grace and steadfastness, standing as a fitting tribute to her extraordinary life and reign.
“The Council is particularly pleased with how the sculpture complements its surroundings, standing adjacent to the statue of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and accompanied by two lovingly crafted corgis. This thoughtful arrangement has resonated strongly with visitors, who appreciate the personal touch it brings to the memorial, within the Gardens.”
Barney Davis16 September 2024 05:00
Meghan Markle’s popularity soaring amount UK’s Gen Zs
A new YouGov poll has found that the Duchess of Sussex’s popularity in the UK is soaring among Gen Zs.
The poll of 18 to 24-year-olds found that Meghan was seen favourably by 48 percent of respondents, and she has an overall net positivity rating of 18 percent.
To put this into context, Prince William has a net positivity rating of 20 percent amongst this group and the Princess of Wales has a net positivity rating of 23 percent.
Barney Davis16 September 2024 03:00