Royal news live: Samoa hotel set to host King Charles in ‘rush to upgrade’ while Prince Harry in Invictus blow
Duke of Sussex controversially accepted Pat Tillman Award last week
Buckingham Palace confirmed last week the King would be travelling to Australia and Samoa. Initial plans to visit New Zealand and Fiji were cut short on doctors’ advice following His Majestsy’s cancer diagnosis.
Recent reviews of the Samoa hotel, reported by The Telegraph, are mixed with some visitors claiming facilities were “run down and falling apart” or with dated fixtures and fittings and “musty” bed linen.
According to The Sunday Times, the Samoa Hotel has private villas and a tree-lined swimming pool and has a focus on sustainability.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry has suffered a fresh Invictus Games blow in the wake of the Pat Tillman Award controversy after the foundation’s chief executive announced his departure.
Dominic Reid, who has been credited with helping the foundation’s growth globally, stepped down from Invictus after 10 years and six games across three continents.
37 minutes ago
Prince and Princess of Wales hiring new private assistant to boost Welsh relationship
Tip-top communication skills and fluent in Welsh? You may well have a chance of getting a new job at Kensington Palace.
Prince William and Princess Kate are on the hunt to hire a new private assistant to join their team.
As they are the Prince and Princess of Wales, until they become king and queen, they are looking for a new secretary to help them improve relations with the Welsh nation.
Kate and William hiring new private assistant to boost Welsh relationship
The salary has not been revealed for the role with Prince William and Princess Kate’s team
Alexander Butler21 July 2024 16:13
1 hour ago
Kate and William congratulate Anne on return to duty
The Prince and Princess of Wales took the opportunity to congratulate Princess Anne on her return to duty.
She returned to work last Friday after being hospitalised following a kick from a horse that left her with a concussion and minor injuries.
Taking to Twitter/X, the couple described the Princess Royal, 73, as a “super trooper” and added “so great to see you back so soon! W & C x”.
Anne is widely considered to be one of the hardest-working members of the royal family and has undertaken over 200 engagements this year.
The Princess Royal visited the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire last week
The Princess Royal visited the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire last week (Getty Images)
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 15:04
2 hours ago
Recap: Prince and Princess of Wales hiring new private assistant to boost Welsh relationship
Prince William and Princess Kate are on the hunt to hire a new private assistant to join their team.
As they are the Prince and Princess of Wales, until they become king and queen, they are looking for a new secretary to help them improve relations with the Welsh nation.
According to the job ad, their new assistant private secretary will organise the couple’s engagements within Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and help maximise their impact “across constituent parts of the UK”.
They are looking for applicants who speak Welsh and bring a strong understanding of Wales’s communities, affairs, government and business.
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 14:04
3 hours ago
Meghan Markle’s former friend claims Prince Harry ‘fit plan’ for UK fame
A former friend of Meghan Markle has claimed that she pursued Prince Harry in a bid to become famous in the UK.
The friend, who said they were “ghosted” by the former Suits star, said the actress focused her sights on the UK because she was not happy about how her career in the US was going.
Lizzie Cundy told the Daily Mail that Meghan asked her: “Do you know any famous guys?” before adding “I’m single and I really love English men.”
After the now Duchess of Sussex met Prince Harry, Cundy reached out to congratulate her and was allegedly ghosted.
Meghan Markle, centre, and Prince Harry, right, arrive at the ESPY awards on Thursday, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Mark J Terrill/AP)
Meghan Markle, centre, and Prince Harry, right, arrive at the ESPY awards on Thursday, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (Mark J Terrill/AP) (AP)
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 13:04
4 hours ago
‘Inspirational’ aid worker Simon Boas dies of cancer just hours before he was due to meet the King
An “inspirational” aid worker who wrote about dealing with his terminal cancer has died just hours before he was due to meet King Charles.
(Jersey Overseas Aid)
Simon Boas, executive director of Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), was set to meet the King and Queen Camilla this week during their official visit to Jersey.
A statement from JOA’s chairman Carolyn Labey said Mr Boas, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in September, died peacefully in Jersey surrounded by his family, aged 47.
When his condition worsened just days before the royal visit, the King sent him a personal letter, telling him what an inspiration he had been.
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 12:04
5 hours ago
Trump assassination attempt ‘saved’ Prince Harry from Pat Tillman award backlash
Prince Harry was saved from further backlash over his controversial Pat Tillman award due to the focus moving to Donald Trump’s assassination attempt, a PR expert has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex, 39, was given the honour for his work with the Invictus Games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick or injured service people.
It is named after the late Pat Tillman, a former American footballer who gave up his career to serve in the US military in the wake of 9/11. He was subsequently killed in Afghanistan in 2004.
However, the Prince faced criticism after claims he is not deserving of the award, including from Mr Tillman’s mother, Mary.
Days later the media storm was curtailed as focus was diverted to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, according to PR expert Eric Schiffer, chair of Reputation Management Consultants.
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 11:04
6 hours ago
Recap: King appears to snap at aide to help Queen in the heavy rain
King Charles III appeared to snap at an aide to help a struggling Queen Camilla as she attempted to put on her coat in heavy rain during the couple’s visit to Jersey on Monday, 15 July.
The monarch, 75, watched on as his wife, who turned 77 on Tuesday, tried to put her arm through an extra layer of clothing while holding a perspex umbrella.
Charles tried to help Camilla before looking visibly annoyed and gesturing for assistance from staff.
King appears to snap at aide to help Queen struggling in heavy rain
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 10:10
7 hours ago
Samoa hotel handed £85,000 to upgrade rooms for King’s visit
A Samoa Hotel has been handed £85,000 in government funding to upgrade its room ahead of a visit from King’s Charles this year, according to reports.
His Majesty is set to stay on the island during this Commonwealth tour in October.
The hotel reportedly has a focus on sustainability in keeping with the King’s eco-friendly interests.
Reviews of the lodges are mixed, according to The Telegraph, with some recent visitors claiming while staff are friendly the facilities are a bit run down, with musty bedlinen and rattling air-con.
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 09:07
8 hours ago
Recep: Kate Middleton releases new statement about royal work after Wimbledon return
Kate, 42, has been largely absent from duty this year as a result of her ongoing battle against an undisclosed form of cancer.
In the new statement, which was released in honour of the Natural History Museum’s new gardens, the princess, who is its patron, spoke of the healing power of nature.
The statement read: “I am hugely supportive of the Museum’s commitment to create a special space which encourages people of all ages to reconnect with nature and learn more about how we can protect our natural world.
A new portrait of the princess surrounded by nature was released to announce her return to public life last month
A new portrait of the princess surrounded by nature was released to announce her return to public life last month (Matt Porteous)
“I know the power of nature to support our development and well-being, both by bringing us joy and helping to keep us physically, mentally and spiritually healthy. I hope these gardens will be inspiring and transformative for the thousands of people who visit.”
Addressing her health the Princess of Wales said, “there are good days and bad days”.
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.”
Rebecca Thomas21 July 2024 08:31
9 hours ago
Prince Harry ‘very upset and emotional’
Prince Harry was “very upset and emotional” when he saw the Princess of Wales’s return at last month’s Trooping the Colour, a royal insider has claimed.
Kate, 42, had remained out of the public eye since Christmas Day after being diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer.
“Harry was very upset and emotional when he saw the footage of Kate [Middleton] at Trooping the Colour,” the insider told Page Six. “While he has managed to connect with her on a few occasions, it’s not nearly as often as he’d like.
“He would have dearly loved to have been there if only to congratulate and support Kate in person on what must have been a tough day for her.”
Alexander Butler21 July 2024 07:00
