Royal news - live: Prince William’s awkward interaction with homelessness campaigner in moving documentary

The Princess of Wales recently connected with Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, both of whom are cancer survivors.

Koirala, who has overcome stage IV ovarian cancer, received a heartfelt letter from the Princess of Wales congratulating her on her recovery and return to work.

She said: “I wanted to reach out to HRH The Princess of Wales to send my good wishes. I am deeply heartened to receive such a warm response from her.

“I want to use my voice to not only support cancer patients but also to raise awareness about the need for equitable healthcare access and the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. Having faced cancer myself, I know how isolating and challenging the journey can be, and I believe it is essential that we all play a part in changing that reality for others.

Kate, now cancer-free and back to her royal duties, has not revealed the specific type of cancer she faced, which needed major abdominal surgery earlier this year.

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.

The view of the monarchy in the UK remains overwhelmingly positive, writes Alan Rusbridger. But the public deserve full transparency on the family’s staggering wealth.

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The Passage, a homeless centre in central London where William volunteers, has said his visits “feel like he is coming home”.

The Prince of Wales has been supporting the centre since he was 11, when his mother, Princess Diana, took him there with Prince Harry in 1993.

The shelter’s director Mick Clarke said: “We see him as the real person. When he comes, he is very relaxed, very chilled.”

Mr Clarke said there is a familial bond between the Prince and the centre, adding: “People who have lived with homelessness are very good at instantly sussing whether someone is straightforward and authentic or not, and Prince William just seems very comfortable.

“You can see his shoulders drop as soon as he walks in. It feels like he is coming home.”

William has praised his late mother, Diana, for inspiring his commitment to addressing homelessness in a new two-part documentary series, which chronicles the first year of the Prince Homewards programme.

The documentary focuses on six locations significantly affected by homelessness, including Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Lambeth in London, Newport in Northern Ireland, and Sheffield.

Tom Parker Bowles has lifted the lid on the cooking of his mother, Queen Camilla, and the meals they ate at home while he was growing up.

Describing Camilla as a “good, basic cook”, he said she perfected slow-cooked scrambled eggs (always on the Aga) and roast chicken – but steered clear of all spice and curries.

Never following a recipe, she relied on “very, very simple food” while providing meals for Tom and his sister Laura at their home near Chippenham in Wiltshire.

Queen Camilla made a keynote appearance earlier this week as she and King Charles toured the streets of Sydney, opting to remove her heels for a relaxed walk back to Admiralty House.

The 77-year-old monarch, fresh from a six-day visit to Samoa, embraced a more casual look, shedding her shoes and enjoying the warm pavement.

While this move may have surprised some, it aligns with a trend among high-profile royals.

Notably, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has also gone barefoot on several occasions, first making headlines when she did so in 2012.

Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson, affectionately dubbed the ‘hot equerry’, has announced his engagement to Olivia Lewis, his girlfriend of 18 months.

The announcement, first reported in The Times, has sent ripples through royal circles, as admirers of the dashing equerry come to terms with his impending nuptials.

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Meghan Markle reportedly turned down a “golden opportunity” that could have earned her millions, according to industry experts.

The Duchess of Sussex, who played Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama Suits from 2011 to 2019, previously earned nearly £40,000 per episode ($50,000) before stepping away from acting following her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

The show recently gained renewed popularity, amassing 57.7 billion minutes of viewership on Netflix last year, and is set to expand into a "major franchise" with its upcoming spin-off, Suits: LA.

But Hollywood insiders have criticised Meghan's refusal to return for the new series, which was reportedly written with her in mind, suggesting that she may have missed a lucrative opportunity.

Media finance analyst Mike Raia said: "This could become the costliest decision of her life and one that she may bitterly regret in years to come."

Prince Harry has received a three-word ultimatum to repair his strained relationship with the royal family, according to royal commentator Rupert Bell.

Mr Bell suggested that the Duke of Sussex must "eat humble pie" after his brother, Prince William, extended an olive branch in his upcoming ITV documentary about homelessness, set to air tonight.

During a discussion with royal podcast host Kinsey Schofield on her YouTube channel, the royal expert claimed that it would be "odd" if William did not mention Harry in the context of the documentary.

Critics are debating whether any reference to Prince Harry represents a gesture of reconciliation from William, especially given their tense relations since Harry stepped down as a working royal in 2020.

Mr Bell said: "They looked after each other, and that’s what’s so sad about it.”

Tom Parker Bowles, stepson of King Charles and Queen Camilla, has revealed that he and his children have yet to join the royal family for their traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham.

In a candid interview with People, he said: “We are married in; we are not the royal family.”

Despite his close ties to the royals, he explained that various commitments, including as his job and his children’s schooling, have prevented them from attending the festive celebrations.

“I find everyone incredibly nice and friendly, and we’ve known them all for a long time. It does seem natural,” he added.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have fostered a blended family since their marriage nearly 20 years ago.

Bowles added that his children, Lola, 17, and Freddy, 14, have grown fond of their step-grandparents, affectionately referring to them as “Gaga and Uppa.”

His younger son even participated in the coronation ceremony, serving as a page alongside Prince George.