Prince Harry was in London a few weeks ago to attend the 20th WellChild Awards, a ceremony he never misses and an organization of which he has been patron for 17 years. It was a rare opportunity to return to Harry’s native land, and, even more notably, a long-awaited reunion with his father, King Charles III, whom he had not seen for 19 months. The meeting, held at Clarence House, lasted just 50 minutes: a “private tea” between father and son, the first step to mending the relationship between the monarch and his second-born son, which has been beyond tense since Harry’s dramatic 2020 departure from the U.K. and his position as a senior working royal.
But the fact that this meeting took place does not change the Firm’s official position: “Any suggestion that the prince might return in a more formal capacity has been rejected,” The Independent reported. There is no question of a half-hearted return to the family, or an “à la carte” role. A royal source quoted by the paper confirmed that King Charles is toeing the line set by his mother, Elizabeth II: “The King has been absolutely clear in upholding his late mother’s decision that there can be no ‘half-in, half-out’ public role for members of the family.”
A decision that seems to suit the 41-year-old prince perfectly. Now settled in California with wife Meghan Markle and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, Harry is cultivating a life away from the palace, a life he says is fulfilling.
This does not mean, however, that family tensions have been laid to rest. In an interview with the BBC last May, Harry expressed a desire for appeasement: “I don’t know how much time my father has left. He doesn’t want to talk to me anymore because of these security issues, but it would be nice if we could get together.”
These security issues are at the heart of a dispute between Harry and the British Home Office. Since he renounced his status as an active member of the royal family, he is no longer entitled to police protection—a decision he is contesting. After two days of hearings and an appeal earlier this summer, the verdict remains unchanged: his request for a reassessment of the security arrangements has been rejected. “I don’t want history to repeat itself,” he insisted to the BBC, referring to the fatal accident involving his mother, the late Princess Diana. “I think there’s a lot of other people out there, the majority, that also don’t want history to repeat itself. But through the disclosure process, I’ve discovered that some people do want history to repeat itself, which is pretty dark.”
Yet the door to appeasement doesn’t seem completely closed. According to the Mail on Sunday, “tentative” discussions are taking place between Buckingham Palace and Prince Harry’s staff, with a goal of a possible rapprochement. A joint public appearance could even be in the cards, according to the newspaper. Is the familial hatchet about to be buried?
The royal family has welcomed Donald Trump to Windsor Castle for his historic second state visit, with both the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and Queen Camilla opting Wednesday to wear highly poignant brooches for the occasion.
Kate Middleton adorned her monochrome burgundy look with an heirloom brooch featuring Prince of Wales Feathers, in recognition of her title and position within the royal family. The brooch features a diamond-encrusted Prince of Wales Three Feathers emblem encircled with more diamonds, with emeralds and rubies dotted throughout, royal authority The Court Jeweller noted. The brooch has historically been worn by the woman married to the Prince of Wales. On this outing, the Princess chose not to wear the additional single emerald drop that can be added to the piece.
The Princess of Wales adorned her monochrome burgundy look with an heirloom brooch featuring the Prince of Wales Feathers.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Prince of Wales Feathers brooch has been worn a number of times by Queen Camilla, including to Cheltenham Ladies’ Day in 2012, despite Camilla never using the title of Princess of Wales on a formal basis. It was also sported by the late Princess Diana, although she preferred to wear it as a pendant on a necklace. It brought sparkle to her ensemble for an outing to the Royal Festival Hall in 1996, and on an outing to the Royal Opera House in 1982 that was recreated in The Crown. The late princess also wore the necklace on a state visit to Austria in 1986.
The brooch also has a fascinating royal history, notes The Royal Watcher. It was given to Queen Alexandra as a gift for her wedding to King Edward VII in March 1863.
Princess Diana on a state visit to Austria in 1986.
It’s easy to imagine cutlery clinking, chandeliers sparkling and two icons staring at each other. On June 5, 1961, John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy dined with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. It wasn’t a state banquet, but instead a highly formal dinner in the midst of a European tour. All accounts agree on one thing: the evening was anything but carefree, with extraneous guests shunned and personal sensitivities ruffled. In his book Q: A Voyage Around the Queen, British journalist Craig Brown meticulously recounted the waltz of the evening that Camelot came to Buckingham.
According to Brown, Jackie Kennedy had requested the presence of her sister, Lee Radziwill, and her brother-in-law, Polish Prince Stanislaw Albrecht Radziwill, at the dinner. Initially considered undesirable because the former had already been divorced once and the latter twice, Elizabeth II finally relented and extended the invitations after “much hesitation.” However, the sovereign’s strong position enabled her to exact revenge in her own way. According to writer Gore Vidal, a close friend of Jackie Kennedy, the monarch deliberately withheld invitations from Princess Margaret and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, whom the American first lady had expressly asked to meet. The result, Brown wrote, was an evening of “dreary platitude” that left the first lady unimpressed. “No Margaret, no Marina, no one but every Commonwealth agriculture minister they could find,” she was quoted as saying.
Yet it was in the midst of this staid ceremony that a moment of connivance between the two women is said to have arisen. The Queen is said to have asked Jackie Kennedy about her recent tour of Canada, leading the first lady to confide how “exhausting” it was to perform for hours on end, and Elizabeth II, “looking conspiratorial,” according to Brown, replied: “With time, you become astute, you learn to take it easy.” The line alone sums up a royal philosophy of public survival: Allowing yourself a side exit, a detour, an airlock—in short, keeping your breath to last. According to Vidal, Jackie found the exchange with the sovereign “rather laborious.” When Vidal later reported the phrase to Princess Margaret, she reportedly retorted, with acid phlegm: “But that’s why she’s here.”
Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy on June 5, 1961 at Buckingham Palace
Bettmann / GettyImages
This little sound bite says a lot about the era and the contrast the two iconic women embodied. On the one hand, there was Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, who had then only recently moved into the White House and was astonishingly modern. On the other, a monarch in a woolen suit, crown on her head, who had reigned over traditions for the past decade. Should this be seen as a rivalry? Not necessarily, as their relationship continued without public drama. Jackie Kennedy returned to see the Queen in 1962, and after JFK’s assassination, Elizabeth II honored the late President’s memory in the presence of Jackie and the children. But Elizabeth’s simple advice has endured through the ages, applicable to many public figures, precisely because it sheds light on the intimate mechanics of charisma. Grace isn’t just magnetism, it’s also technique. And at Buckingham, as at the White House, it’s an essential survival skill.
Nikolaos of Greece and Chrysi Vardinogianni live very discreetly in Athens, and rarely make public appearances. The son of Constantine of Greece is dedicated to the world of photography and last February, shortly after his wedding to the wealthy Greek heiress, he presented some of his photographic work at the Tsoukala Stefanidou Gallery as part of NOMAD 2025 in St. Moritz.
“Through his work, Prince Nikolaos continues to explore the dialogue between nature, abstraction, and perception, inviting viewers into a world where materiality and emotion merge seamlessly,” the gallery said in a release.
The prince has a public profile on Instagram, where he shares photos and messages celebrating important days, like March 25, when Greek Independence Day is celebrated. “Happy Greek Independence Day! On this important day, we honor our national heritage with pride, gratitude and hope for a better future,” he wrote last year in the caption of a video of his country’s flag.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
His wife, too, is rarely seen at public events. She made her debut alongside the Greek royal family last April at an event of the Association of Athenians, one of the oldest and most important institutions in Athens, which celebrated the 130th anniversary of its foundation. She toured the Association with her husband, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law Paolo, then enjoyed the presentation of the Association’s Gold Medals to three distinguished personalities of the city by members of the royal family.
Nikolaos of Greece and Chrysi Vardinogianni were married on February 7, 2025 at the Church of St. Nicholas of Rangava, the oldest temple in Athens. Queen Sofia and the Infantas Elena and Cristina attended the family event as a few of the approximately 100 invited friends and family members.
When Prince Harry and his father, King Charles III, recently met in London, royal watchers wondered whether a reconciliation was on the horizon, and with it, a new leaf for the ruler’s second son. However, Harry recently gave an interview containing some searing insights into his past and family, in addition to commenting on some of the recent years’ controversies around him.
Harry, who turns 41 Monday, sat for an interview with UK media outlet The Guardian, which has been critical of the monarchy and even, in a 2000 editorial, advocated for its abolishment. In 2023, within weeks of Charles’ coronation, the paper also published an investigation into the monarch’s finances.
The Guardian followed Prince Harry on every step of his surprise trip to Ukraine last week. He was invited by Superhumans, an organization that provides prosthetics and rehabilitation programs to soldiers and civilians injured in the conflict.
The trip to Kyiv was partly for Invictus Games business: The veteran-focused sports foundation has taken center stage in Ukraine since the first team participated three years ago. Harry and his colleagues met with injured veterans and their families, as well as those working in the veteran space, and were confronted with shocking figures and stories: more than 130,000 people with serious wounds, often facial mutilation or disability, and a war that seems endless.
Prince Harry in Kyiv
Anadolu/Getty Images
The Guardian‘s account of traveling with Prince Harry shows a man deeply immersed in his role as an ambassador for the Invictus Games Foundation, and committed to understanding the conflict in the Ukraine. The story begins with a description of the journey to Kyiv, an overnight ride from Medyka to the Polish-Ukrainian border that. Though he was traveling on business, the interview also shows another, more informal side of Harry’s personality. He reveals that he doesn’t like to pose for photographs and isn’t fond of cycling, joking that he has “a bony ass.” He boxes for exercise instead: “Hitting the hell out of a bag,” he told the paper, helps him relieve stress.
According to the article, Harry was jovial during the train ride, walking around in socks and cracking dad jokes. In public, however, he maintains a confident voice and natural charm with strangers. When alone, he speaks softly, listens, and asks questions about people and politics.
Prince Harry has denied airing dirty laundry in his book, Spare, and said “my conscience is clear” during a new interview in Ukraine.
The Duke of Sussex’s comments came days after a private tea with King Charles III, which was seen as a positive sign for hopes of reconciliation.
“I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public,” Harry told The Guardian. “It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear.”
Prince Harry speaks with young people who are involved with The Diana Award on September 11, 2025, in London. Prince Harry speaks with young people who are involved with The Diana Award on September 11, 2025, in London. Aaron Chown – Pool/Getty Images
Why It Matters
No confirmation has emerged of what was discussed during Charles and Harry’s tea but the pervasive view among commentators has been that it is important for long-term hopes for peace that no details leak.
And none have, though the Guardian interview featured a defense of Spare‘s incendiary royal bombshells that included a description of Queen Camilla as “dangerous.”
What To Know
Harry spoke out during an interview with The Guardian that was predominantly about his visit to Kyiv to promote the work his Invictus Games Foundation is doing to help soldiers wounded in the war. The trip was a surprise addition to his four-day U.K. visit and the rest of the media were not told in advance for security reasons.
“I know that [speaking out] annoys some people and it goes against the narrative,” Harry said. “The book? It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected.”
Guardian journalist Nick Hopkins wrote that “being called stubborn slightly rankles with him.”
“It’s not stubbornness, it is having principles,” Harry said. He repeated a mantra he has outlined before that “you cannot have reconciliation before you have truth.”
However, he must also have known that the royals are not free to speak their truth about a conflict that has now been running seven years.
For example, Prince William‘s perspective has been that Meghan Markle bullied palace staff at the private office the two couples shared at Kensington Palace.
We know that only because of leaks, which Harry has argued are immoral and aspects of his interviews. William has never given his account in his own words.
In Spare, Harry acknowledged that: “More than once a staff member slumped across their desk and wept.
“For all this, every bit of it, Willy blamed one person. Meg. He told me so several times and he got cross when I told him he was out of line.”
What Harry Said About Meghan
Harry described how Meghan told him telling the truth “is the most efficient way to live,” adding: “She said, ‘Just stick to the truth.’ It is the thing I always fall back on. Always.
“And if you think like that, who would be stupid enough to lie? It takes up too much time and effort.”
In March 2021, they told Oprah Winfrey they were married in secret by then Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby in their back garden, prior to their May 2018 St. George’s Chapel wedding which had a global TV audience of millions.
The comment prompted Welby to clarify the St. George’s Chapel wedding was indeed the legally binding ceremony and he would have been “committing a serious crime” if he had signed the marriage certificate knowing it was not.
And a former spokesman for Elizabeth, Dickie Arbiter, asked for an apology after he was misquoted in Spare as saying Harry and Meghan could expect “no mercy” after they quit royal life.
The comment had in fact been said by journalist Sir Trevor Phillips as a warning about how conservative Brits might react to the couple’s exit. Arbiter did not get his apology and nor was the passage altered in the book.
Harry’s uncompromising, one sided view of notions like truth, lies and accountability may sound warning sirens about whether reconciliation is possible in the long-term.
Harry and Charles’ Relationship
Whatever risk Harry might have taken with the hard-line position in his Guardian interview, he did also make it clear his relationship with his father is important to him. Over the next year, “the focus really has to be on my dad,” he said.
It is slightly unclear what he means, as their professional lives are entirely separate and they live in different countries.
Hopkins, though, noted: “Harry won’t talk about his father, but he seems to suggest he wants, and needs, to see his father more often.”
It is not clear when his next visit to Britain would be, though he has a high-profile lawsuit against the Daily Mail and its sister titles set to go to trial early next year.
Assuming he does not settle out of court, he will likely have to testify in person in London. Making time to see his father alongside such a high-profile and controversial court appearance might be significantly harder to engineer than his 55-minute visit to Clarence House on Wednesday.
Harry gave his Guardian interview during a visit to Ukraine where he visibly welled up talking about the very real conflict with Russia and the very literal injuries inflicted on thousands of soldiers who have returned from the front lines.
He hopes his Invictus Games initiative will show those veterans a path to rehabilitation through sport, though some of his advice on the ground may have some relevance closer to home too.
“You will feel lost at times, like you lack purpose,” he said during a panel discussion at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, “but however dark those days are, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“You just need to look for it, because there will always be someone—a mother, father, sibling, friend, or comrade—there to pick you up.”
“Don’t stay silent,” he said. “Silence will hold you in the dark. Open up to your friends and family, because in doing so you give them permission to do the same.”
However, opening up for Harry, Charles and William may mean reopening old wounds.
Do you have a question about Charles and Camilla, William and Princess Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Next stop: Kyiv. After his visit to London, during which he saw father King Charles III for the first time in nearly 19 months, Prince Harry headed straight to the Ukraine for a previously unannounced trip. The Guardian reported that the Duke of Sussex traveled to the Ukrainian capital city for philanthropic reason: He and several members of his Invictus Games foundation met with servicemen and women wounded since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Harry co-founded the Invictus Games in 2014 with the hope of supporting war veterans and wounded soldiers through community and sport. Three years later, the Ukrainian team competed in the Invictus Games for the first time. Harry pledged in an interview with the Guardian to do “everything possible” to help Ukrainians affected by the fighting.
“We can continue to humanize the people involved in this war and what they are going through,” he continued of his goals. “We have to keep it in the forefront of people’s minds. I hope this trip will help to bring it home to people because it’s easy to become desensitized to what has been going on.” One of his objectives, he said, is to provide assistance to all regions of the country for the re-education of soldiers, a plan he will discuss with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and veterans. He also plans to visit the National Museum of the History of Ukraine During the Second World War on the trip.
Last April, Harry made surprise visit to the city of Lviv with a delegation from his foundation, during which he visited the Superhumans Trauma Center, which treats soldiers and civilians affected by the war. He had already met the facility’s director, Olga Rudnieva, in the United States. He met with Rudnieva on his first visit, and she invited him for this second trip. “I bumped into Olga in New York,” he said. “It was a chance meeting and I asked her what I could do to help. She said, ‘the biggest impact you have is coming to Kyiv.’ I had to check with my wife and the British government to make sure it was OK. Then the official invitation came.”
“In Lviv, you don’t see much of the war. It is so far west. This is the first time we will see the real destruction of the war.”
The Duke of Sussex has fond memories of the Ukrainian team’s participation in the Invictus Games: “It was remarkable. Every one of the participants had a journey to get to those games, but nobody from any of the other competing nations was going back to war. That is why the Ukrainians stood out. Everyone felt an immense connection to them. Some of the competitors were being pulled off the battlefield and were going back to the battlefield. It means so much to us, because it means so much to them.”
Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova, praised Prince Harry and Invictus’s commitment to the veterans: “It’s thanks to our relationship with the Invictus Games Foundation that we established, and continue to develop, the role of sports in recovery in Ukraine and why it’s included in the veteran policy strategy.”
The late Duchess, Katharine, was the oldest member of The Firm. She was married to Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, and the couple shared three children (George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews; Lady Helen Taylor; and Lord Nicholas Windsor), alongside ten grandchildren (including Lady Marina).
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
After Buckingham Palace announced the Duchess of Kent’s death to the public on Friday, Marina shared a message on her Instagram page, writing, “Rest in peace my amazing and beloved Amama, we will miss and love you so much always. And thank you to everyone who has sent such kind and touching messages, sending lots of love to all.”
Others were quick to comment on the post, including Flora Vesterberg, who wrote, “Love you! We’ll all miss her.” Meanwhile, Marina’s brother, Edward Windsor, Lord Downpatrick, commented a series of yellow and white hearts on the post. Alongside the moving tribute, Lady Marina also shared a handful of images of her grandmother, including a previously unseen photograph of the Duchess relaxing in a pair of dark jeans and a white shirt.
Lady Marina is thought to have been so close to her grandmother that she even chose to announce news of her own engagement on the anniversary of her wedding to Prince Edward.
Buckingham Palace shared news of Katharine’s death on Friday with a statement reading, “It is with deep sorrow that Buckingham Palace announces the death of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent.
“Her Royal Highness passed away peacefully last night at Kensington Palace, surrounded by her family.”
King Charles III’s monarchy is in its deepest popularity slump ever recorded by a major research charity in 42 years of polling—eclipsing the downturn of the Princess Diana era.
In 1983, 86 percent of U.K. adults thought the royal family were important compared to 51 percent in 2024, according to the British Social Attitudes survey released by the National Centre for Social Research on Thursday.
At the same time, support for abolishing the Monarchy has risen from 3 percent to 15 percent during that time. Those who felt it was unimportant but who stopped short of backing abolition rose from 10 percent in 1983 to 31 percent in 2024.
Newsweek has contacted Buckingham Palace. The royals never comment on polling as a matter of policy.
King Charles III attends the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, in Scotland, on September 6, 2025. King Charles III attends the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, in Scotland, on September 6, 2025. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Alex Scholes, research director at the National Centre for Social Research, said in a statement: “British Social Attitudes has been tracking views on the monarchy for over 40 years, and the latest data show just how much opinion has shifted.
“Support for the monarchy is now at its lowest level since our records began, with more people than ever questioning its future.”
There is stark data showing a collapse among diehard monarchists, with 64.6 percent saying it was “very important” to continue having a monarchy in 1983 compared to 24.1 percent in 2024, another record low. The previous low, of 27.1 percent, was recorded in 2006—the year the Operation Paget report, a criminal investigation on conspiracy theories surrounding Princess Diana’s death, was released.
A further 26.7 percent felt it was “quite important” while 20 percent said “not very important” and 11.2 percent went for “not important at all.” An additional 15 percent wanted to to scrap it altogether.
“When asked to choose directly, a majority of the public still prefer to keep the monarchy over moving to an elected head of state,” Scholes added.
“This tension, between declining importance and continued preference, will be crucial in shaping debates about the monarchy’s role in the years ahead.”
Interestingly, when the pollsters gave respondents fewer options, support for abolishing the monarchy more than doubled.
Asked simply “do you think the U.K. should continue to have a monarchy, or should it have an elected head of state instead?” 58 percent said they wanted to keep the royals but 38 percent wanted to elect a head of state.
Among 16-24-year-olds, republicans (67 percent) outnumbered royalists (30 percent) by more than double when the question was phrased that way.
There have been other dips for the monarchy over the years, including during the era Princess Diana’s messy divorce from Charles and after her death in a 1997 Paris car crash.
However, even during the 1990s the percentage who felt it was important to continue to have a monarchy did not drop below 60 percent.
That figure dropped to 59 percent in 2003 but otherwise 2021 and 2023 are the only other years below 60 percent.
Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, told Newsweek: “The monarchy is in very serious trouble and in my view it’s a matter of when not if it’s abolished.
“The support has been sustained by elements of nostalgia, conservatism and the Queen [Elizabeth II]. In this age of tumultuous politics, and getting further and further away from the days of deference, and the queen no longer being there, people are rapidly losing interest.
“At the same time, it’s been rocked by multiple scandals that put it on the wrong side of most people’s values.”
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
The bride’s choice of dress was decidedly 1960s in style. Designed by John Cavanagh, on the recommendation of her future mother-in-law, Princess Marina, it featured a round neck with fitted sleeves, as well as a full skirt with a 15-foot train. There were some concerns that the dress was too awkward and heavy to maneuver, with the bride reportedly practicing her curtsy multiple times. She borrowed a diamond and pearl tiara from her mother-in-law’s collection, one that had belonged to her husband’s grandmother, Queen Mary. The same tiara was later loaned to Katharine’s daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, on her wedding day in 1992.
The wedding of the Duke of Kent to Katharine Worsley at York Minster
Keystone/Getty Images
Guests at the wedding included the late Queen, as well as the Queen Mother, the Duke of Edinburgh, King Charles III (then Prince Charles), and Princess Anne, who served as a flower girl. There were also royals from Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, and Norway in attendance. It was at this wedding that the future King Juan Carlos of Spain would meet his royal bride, Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark, too.
The Duchess of Kent’s train is adjusted on arrival at Hovingham Hall, after her wedding ceremony at York Minster.PA Images/Getty Images
The wedding reception was held back at the bride’s family seat, another touching nod to where the couple first met.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent shared three children, Lord Nicholas Windsor, Lady Helen Taylor, and George, Earl of St Andrews, as well as 10 grandchildren, including Lady Amelia Windsor, Lady Marina Windsor, and Cassius Taylor.
Queen Camilla once fought off a man who tried to grope her on a train by taking off her shoe and hitting him “in the nuts with the heel,” according to a new book.
The queen told former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the man had attempted to take advantage of her when she was a schoolgirl, according to Power and the Palace by former royal correspondent Valentine Low.
An extract, serialized in U.K. broadsheet The Sunday Times, quoted Camilla telling Johnson: “I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.”
Queen Camilla visits a rape crisis center in Crawley, England, on October 17, 2019. Queen Camilla visits a rape crisis center in Crawley, England, on October 17, 2019. Tristan Fewings – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Why It Matters
In adult life, Queen Camilla has supported sexual assault victims, doing so for more than a decade. She has visited numerous sexual assault referral centers (SARCs) across the U.K.
What To Know
According to Low, Camilla described the encounter to Johnson during a meeting at Clarence House in 2008, when the Conservative Party politician was the mayor of London.
Low quoted Guto Harri, Johnson’s communication’s director at the time, who said after their conversation: “Boris was raving about her. They obviously got on like a house on fire. He was making guttural noises about how much he admired and liked her.”
He added that the pair had a “serious conversation” about an experience Camilla had “when she was a schoolgirl.”
“She was on a train going to Paddington,” Harri said, “she was about 16, 17 and some guy was moving his hand further and further.”
When Johnson asked what happened next, Camilla replied: “I did what my mother taught me to. I took off my shoe and whacked him in the nuts with the heel.”
“She was self-possessed enough when they arrived at Paddington to jump off the train, find a guy in uniform and say, ‘That man just attacked me,’ and he was arrested,” Harri added.
Harri told Low that Camilla’s ordeal as a teenager had fueled her commitment to helping sexual assault victims and that she gave her backing to Johnson’s own plans to open three new rape crisis centers in London to supplement one that already existed.
“I think she formally opened two out of three of them,” he said. “Nobody asked why the interest, why the commitment. But that’s what it went back to.”
Camilla has spent years advocating for sexual abuse survivors and personally wrote to Gisèle Pelicot, a Frenchwoman whose husband drugged her so that he and hundreds of strangers could rape her in a campaign of abuse that spanned more than a decade.
What People Are Saying
The Acting Your Age Campaign in the U.K. released a statement on Instagram: “The revelation in Valentine Low’s new book, about Queen Camilla, has again put violence against women & girls on the map. This is vital.”
A palace source told Newsweek in May: “She [Camilla] was tremendously affected by the Madame Pelicot case in France and that lady’s extraordinary dignity and courage as she put herself in the public eye because, as she rightly put it, why should she be made to feel like a victim or hide away in shame?”
What Happens Next
Power and the Palace is scheduled for release in the U.K. on September 11 with Headline Publishing Group.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, William and Kate, Meghan Markle and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Whenever a camera is pointed at her, Kate Middleton thinks of Prince Philip. Before his death, the husband of the late Queen Elizabeth II gave the royal several pieces of advice on how best to cope with the media frenzy surrounding the royal family. He knew better than anyone: marrying a future king or queen is no mean feat.
Princess Kate’s every move is scrutinized by the public and immortalized by a camera, wielded by a palace photographer, a journalist, or a commoner, a smartphone held at arm’s length. According to biographer Gyles Brandreth’s 2021 book, Philip: The Final Portrait, the Duke of Edinburgh gave Kate a piece of advice that shaped her approach to the public.
“If you think the attention is on you personally, you’ll end up in trouble,” Philip told her, per Hello!. “The focus is on your role, what you do, what you support. It’s not focused on you as an individual. You’re not a celebrity. You represent the royal family. That’s all.”
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh watch a carnival parade as they attend The Patron’s Lunch celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday on The Mall on June 12, 2016 in London, England.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
This lesson in humility has paid off, as Prince William’s wife is now the most popular member of the royal family, hailed for her discretion, elegance, and devotion to the causes she holds dear. Philip himself was full of praise for Kate Middleton, commending her sensible and level-headed character, according to Brandreth.
The advice he gave her also enabled her to adjust her behavior with the media. The key? Never look at the lens, and stay focused on the person you’re talking to, no matter how many recorders are nearby. While Prince Philip was always known for his attentiveness to the youngest members of the family, it seems that Kate was particularly touched by their exchanges. So much so that royal experts see similarities in their very different backgrounds: “Kate shines in her own light, but she knows her place in the royal family. She never tries to overshadow her husband,” Penny Junor, a royal family biographer, told the Daily Mail. “I think Kate is a bit like Prince Philip, who has always supported Queen Elizabeth II.”
There are also whispers that Kate and William are inspired by the longevity of Elizabeth and Philip’s marriage as they look toward the future. Their elders enjoyed 73 years of marriage, until the Duke of Edinburgh’s death on April 9, 2021 at the age of 99. The Queen passed away on September 8 of the following year, aged 96.
Kate Middleton is one of the world’s most watched, commented on, and admired personalities, not least for her impeccable sense of style. She has become one of the world’s most elegant style icons, a champion for British designers and an advocate of responsible consumption. Her looks, through their provenance or hues, often convey powerful messages that require meticulous behind-the-scenes work to prepare.
Until recently, this task has fallen to Natasha Archer. For 15 years, the Briton traveled the world at Kate’s side, planning her outfits, some of which have become iconic. A witness to major family events and royal tragedies, she ultimately became her confidante. But in mid-July, she announced that she was stepping down from her position to concentrate on launching her own fashion design firm. The big question remains: who will succeed her?
The British media are largely convinced that the future queen’s stylist will be Virginia Chadwyck-Healey, nicknamed Ginnie by friends. A former market editor at U.K. Vogue, she’s no stranger to grappling with both fashion and public relations. Today, while continuing to write about style for the Telegraph and Sky News, she also advises private clients through her styling firm, VCH Style. She encourages her clients to “embrace the need for less” and “shop better,” according to her website, a philosophy that fits in perfectly with Kate’s personal fashion ethics.
Virginia Chadwyck-Healey
Dave Benett/Getty Images
The daughter of a Lord, Chadwyck-Healey has moved in the same circles as the princess for many years. Like Kate, she studied art history at St Andrews University. Also like Kate, she met her future husband Oliver there—the couple were invited to the royal wedding of Kate and Prince William in April 2011. And like Kate, she now lives with her three children in Berkshire, west of London.
Beyond her CV and her proximity to Wales, Chadwyck-Healey has a third major asset: she has already been Kate’s stylist. In 2019, while Natasha Archer was on maternity leave, royal fans spotted a subtle change in style in Prince William’s wife. The journalist was the reason. “Ginnie is Catherine’s secret weapon,” a royal source told the Daily Mail. “She has made a big difference to the Duchess’s wardrobe for public engagements and has helped give her a whole new sense of confidence.” Catherine was said to be “impressed” and “very grateful” for Chadwyck-Healey’s help.
Fans of royal fashion are even more convinced of Chadwyck-Healey’s frontrunner status since Carole Middleton’s appearance at Wimbledon. She wore a loose-fitting striped dress, the result of a collaboration between Chadwyck-Healey and the Beulah London label, which Kate is particularly fond of. And we all know that the most discreet clues about royal fashion often speak the loudest.
Carole Middleton
Karwai Tang
For the moment, nothing has been confirmed. The Telegraph also highlighted the possibility of another contender, Jamie Earlam, who, according to her LinkedIn page, is currently the personal clothing assistant to the Wales family. Will Kate Middleton buy Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey’s expertise, or will she surprise us by choosing an unexpected candidate? The answer can’t be far away.
Athena shares a middle name with her older sister and the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She weighed just 4lbs and 5oz when she was born, since she was born prematurely, but is “healthy”.
Announcing the birth, a post on the Royal Family’s social media said: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter, Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi, born on Wednesday, January 22, at 12:57pm.
Princess Beatrice’s baby news is the exact boost Royal Family needs – but it’ll remind the king of a sad reality, expert says
“The baby was born weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.
“The King and Queen, and other members of The Royal Family have all been informed and are delighted with the news.
“Princess Beatrice and Mr Mapelli Mozzi would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care.
“Her Royal Highness and her daughter are healthy and doing well, and the family are enjoying spending time together with Athena’s older siblings, Wolfie and Sienna.”
Kate, the Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance Sunday since she announced she had completed chemotherapy and would return to some public duties.
Kate and her husband, Prince William, were seen Sunday attending church with King Charles III and Queen Camilla near their royal Balmoral estate in Scotland.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
Kate, 42, announced on Sept. 9 that she had completed treatment six months after revealing she had an undisclosed type of cancer. Her announcement came six weeks after Buckingham Palace announced that the king was being treated for cancer.
In a video announcing her progress, she said the path to full recovery would be long and she would take it day by day. She said she would undertake some limited engagements through the end of the year.
While she stepped away from most public duties during her treatment, Kate made two appearances earlier this year. First, during the king’s birthday parade in June, known as Trooping the Colour, and most recently during the men’s final at Wimbledon in July, where she received a standing ovation.
Britain’s royal family has publicly wished Prince Harry a happy birthday, their first such message since 2021 to mark the milestone of his turning 40.A post was shared on X and Instagram with the message: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”It was accompanied by an image of Harry smiling and a birthday cake emoji.An hour later, the post was shared by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, who added their own message: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”The public well-wishes could come as a surprise with Harry known to be estranged from his brother and having difficult ties with his father, King Charles III.Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been living in California since 2020 after stepping down as working members of the British monarchy.Since then relations have been strained, in particular over the release of Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ which among other bombshells saw Harry call William his “arch-nemesis” and allege he was attacked by him.Interactions between Harry and other senior royals have been scant: Harry visited Charles following the King’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year but spent just 45 minutes in his company. He also briefly returned to London to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games but did not see any of the Windsors during the whistle-stop visit.Harry is thought to be spending his 40th with the Duchess of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. He is then understood to be taking a trip with close friends.This week Harry told the BBC in a statement he was “excited” about the milestone, in contrast to turning 30 when he felt “anxious.” He continued: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”The duke also touched upon how fatherhood has changed him, saying: “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
Britain’s royal family has publicly wished Prince Harry a happy birthday, their first such message since 2021 to mark the milestone of his turning 40.
A post was shared on X and Instagram with the message: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
It was accompanied by an image of Harry smiling and a birthday cake emoji.
The public well-wishes could come as a surprise with Harry known to be estranged from his brother and having difficult ties with his father, King Charles III.
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have been living in California since 2020 after stepping down as working members of the British monarchy.
Since then relations have been strained, in particular over the release of Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ which among other bombshells saw Harry call William his “arch-nemesis” and allege he was attacked by him.
Interactions between Harry and other senior royals have been scant: Harry visited Charles following the King’s cancer diagnosis earlier this year but spent just 45 minutes in his company. He also briefly returned to London to mark the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games but did not see any of the Windsors during the whistle-stop visit.
Harry is thought to be spending his 40th with the Duchess of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. He is then understood to be taking a trip with close friends.
This week Harry told the BBC in a statement he was “excited” about the milestone, in contrast to turning 30 when he felt “anxious.” He continued: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
The duke also touched upon how fatherhood has changed him, saying: “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
UK media have jumped on a Sunday morning message from the British Royal Family wishing Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, as a sign of a slight thawing in the chill between London and Montecito.
Harry turns 40 today and the Royal Family’s official social media account posted a message, along with a picture of the smiling prince. This is a contrast to last year, when no reference to the prince’s birthday was made. Prior to that, the date had been marked every year.
The Times of London newspaper reports that no personal message from William and Kate, Prince and Princess of Wales, is expected, following a two-year silence between the two brothers. However, King Charles – who is on holiday on Scotland this week – may choose to mark the day with a special mention. Royal reporters’ pens remain poised in the UK for such an occurrence.
Harry did not meet his father on his recent trip to the UK for a family funeral, nor did he speak to his brother William who attended the same service for their uncle by marriage. Harry did see his father in London in February of this year, with a short meeting after a dash from Los Angeles following the King’s announcement that he was being treated for cancer.
The Times reports that some royal insiders feel that bridges need to be built for the sake of the British monarchy. It quotes one royal source commenting: “They have to reach an accommodation. This standoff can’t go on and on. People will get impatient with the fact that nobody’s trying to mend this.”
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 6, 2024
Princess Kate message
Kate penned a message posted to Prince and Princess of Wales’ official X – formerly known as Twitter – account.
She said: “Delighted to welcome @DwayneFields as the new UK Chief Scout.
“The Scouts is such an incredible organisation, teaching #SkillsForLife and making a huge difference to young people across the country.”
Kate signed off the message: “Looking forward to working with you! C.”
Despite being known publicly as Kate, she is known in official capacities as her full name Catherine.
Royal fans were delighted to hear from the wife of Prince William as she continues to receive treatment.
One commented: “Nice to hear from you Princess of Wales. Hope to see you soon!”
Looking forward to working with you! C.
A second wrote: “The Scouts are an amazing organisation. Good luck to the new Chief Scout. Also it’s lovely to hear from the Princess of Wales. Sending love.”
A third penned: “Love to see mummy C is doing well, can’t wait to have you back, we continue to pray for complete healing.”
Meanwhile, a fourth penned: “We love to hear from Catherine. Perfect healing to you, HRH Princess of Wales.”
Kate started volunteering for the Scouts shortly after marrying Prince William in 2011.
Kate is joint President of the Scouts Association (Credit: INFphoto.com)
Scouts boss praises Kate
The CEO of the organisation, Matt Hyde, praised the Princess of Wales following her cancer diagnosis.
He told the Mirror in April: “She’s totally charming and very good at putting people at ease. As you imagine, whether you’re a scout leader or a young person, when you’re meeting the [Princess of Wales] some people are in awe or starstruck.
“She’s fantastic at asking the right questions and listening to people. She’s naturally good at engaging with people of all ages.
“She really does bring the best out of young people and she really wants to hear their stories.”
Kate first volunteered for the Scouts when she was living on the Isle of Anglesey and, in 2020, spoke about her love of the organisation.
Kate was praised by the Scouts CEO following her cancer diagnosis (Credit: Cover Images)
On joining Prince Edward as joint President of the Scouts, she said: “For many children and young people, The Scout Association plays a key role as they build relationships and develop the skills they need to succeed in later life.
“When I volunteered with the Scouts on Anglesey eight years ago, I was struck by the huge impact the organisation has on inspiring young people to support their communities and achieve their goals.
“I am delighted to be joining the Duke of Kent as joint president of the association and look forward to working with Scouts across the country as they strive to make a positive difference to our society.”
Taylor Swift issued a statement on Instagram Tuesday expressing her “horror” and “shock” after three children died following a mass stabbing Monday at a Swift-themed dance and yoga class in Southport, England. Several other children are injured or in critical condition after the attack, as well as two adults.
“The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously, and I’m just completely in shock…” Swift wrote on her Instagram Stories Tuesday. “The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. These were just little kids at a dance class. I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”
According to Merseyside Police, the law enforcement responsible for the seaside town of Southport, a 17-year-old male suspect has been arrested after allegedly walking into a two-hour Taylor Swift Dance and Yoga workshop for elementary-aged kids with a knife and stabbing several attendees. Three girls, ages 6, 7, and 9 years old, have died as a result of their injuries, police confirmed.
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
Signed “W&C,” the Waleses wrote, “As parents, we cannot begin to imagine what the families, friends and loved ones of those killed and injured in Southport today are going through.”
“We send our love, thoughts and prayers to all those involved in this horrid and heinous attack,” they continued. “Thank you also to the emergency responders who, despite being met with the most horrific scenes, demonstrated compassion and professionalism when your community needed you most.”
Swift continues on the European leg of her long-running Eras Tour, and will return to London for a second series of shows at Wembley Stadium in mid-August.
A representative for Taylor Swift did not immediately respond to Vanity Fair’s request for comment.
She added: “I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.”
The Princess of Wales at Trooping the Colour 2024
Samir Hussein
Of her hope to return to work, she said: “My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home.
“I’m looking forward to attending The King’s Birthday Parade this weekend with my family and hope to join a few public engagements over the summer, but equally knowing I am not out of the woods yet.
“I am learning how to be patient, especially with uncertainty. Taking each day as it comes, listening to my body, and allowing myself to take this much needed time to heal.
“Thank you so much for your continued understanding, and to all of you who have so bravely shared your stories with me.”
