Royal news – live: King Charles to ‘pause’ cancer treatment as Meghan Markle debuts surprise new look

The Prince of Wales has stressed the many benefits of swimming after a visit to a newly reopened community pool.

Taking to Twitter/X following the visit to Birtley yesterday, Kensington Palace shared pictures of the royal and wrote: “From the Olympics and Paralympics to community pools like this across the country, swimming is an activity with so many physical, mental and social benefits.”

The pictures featured William touring the pool and learning more about its impact on the local community.

The Duchess of Edinburgh will appear on CBeebies to read a special bedtime story marking World Sight Day on 10 October.

Sophie, 59, will read Specs For Rex by Yasmeen Ismail – an important story about what happens to a young lion who does not want to wear glasses to school.

The royal said in a trailer for the upcoming program: “Millions of us need glasses to see the world clearly.

“World Sight Day is a reminder to all of us to take care of our eyes, whether we need glasses or not.

“Our eyes are precious, and our sight is something to cherish and look after. So, let’s remember to take care of our eyes this World Sight Day.”

A key member of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s staff has left her job to set up her own consultancy firm – and the Sussexes are set to be her first clients.

Ashley Hansen has served as the couple’s global communications chief for two years during a particularly tumultuous period that saw the release of Harry’s bombshell 2023 memoir Spare as well as the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III to the throne.

She is reported to be continuing to work for the royals on a part-time basis, overseeing their communications department as she expands her portfolio through her new Los Angeles-based consultancy.

Prince William has revealed that he did not attend the Paris Olympics this summer because of fears that he could contract Covid and pass it on to the Princess of Wales.

The heir to the throne, 42, made the revelation when he met Olympians Adam Peaty and Tom Dean, and Paralympians Maisie Summers-Newton and Louise Fiddes, in Gateshead yesterday (3 October).

He said: “I was so keen to come but, I have to say, after reading someone’s interview about Covid I decided, because my wife was obviously having chemo, that I didn’t want to risk bringing Covid home.”

William then referred to Mr Peaty’s own positive Covid test during the games, adding: “So Adam very kindly reminded me that was still a thing. But we watched the whole thing. We were glued to it every day.”

A young cancer sufferer who was invited to Windsor Castle to photograph yesterday’s investitures said she was “over the moon” to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, was later described as an inspiration by the couple.

“Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she later wrote on X.

King Charles has sent a message of condolences to the president of Nepal following the devastating floods which have hit the country.

He wrote: “My wife and I were heartbroken to see the devastating effects of flooding and landslides in Nepal over the weekend.

“Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to Nepal, not least through the Gurkhas and their outstanding contribution to the British Army. Together with the British public, we send our deepest condolences to those who have so tragically lost their loved ones, and who continue to be affected.”

Over 200 people are believed to have lost their lives in the flooding and landslides.

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.

Royal family well-wishers have expressed their delight that the Princess of Wales is slowly but surely returning to her duties.

Kate, 42, is in the midst of a gradual return to work after completing cancer treatment following her diagnosis earlier this year.

She was photographed this week hugging fellow cancer sufferer, Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, who was invited to photograph the investitures at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Praising the princess, one fan wrote: “So lovely to see HRH easing back into engagements.”

“Great to see Kate, looking beautiful and classy as ever,” added a second while a third praised: “This is beautiful to see you using your story to help others.”

Prince William has today paid tribute to one of the last survivors of the Empire Windrush, Alford Gardner, who passed away on Tuesday.

Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, he wrote: “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Alford Gardner, one of the last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush.

“I was delighted to spend some time with him last summer and hear his story. As a leading figure in the Caribbean community in West Yorkshire, he changed the lives of so many with his courage and positivity.

“He leaves behind a legacy for us all to be proud of and will be remembered for his warmth, his courage, and of course his unwavering love of cricket! W”

Queen Camilla has toured the building work on the new King Charles III Sacristy, which will transform the entrance of Westminster Abbey for future visitors.

The queen consort, 77, viewed the foundations of the £13m project that will allow members of the public to enter the historic building like royals.

Mr Dean, the Abbey’s Surveyor of the Fabric, said: “This building will be transformational. At the moment 10% of our area in the Abbey is wasted, with storage and items all over the place.

“We’ll be able to get all of that stuff in our new building, all the detritus and visitor clutter, and people buying tickets and picking up tickets and sound guides, all of that will move into the new building.

“But, most importantly, we’ll be rebuilding a part of the building that was intended by Henry III, his great rebuilding of the Abbey, on its original 13th-century footprint.”

Reacting to the work, Camilla said: “I can’t wait to see the final version.”