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

The first part of the Prince of Wales’ documentary about ending homelessness launched last night

Salma Ouaguira
Thursday 31 October 2024 07:14
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Prince William confronted by founder of The Big Issue in awkward interaction

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Prince William faced an uncomfortable moment during the premiere of his documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, which aired its first part last night.

In the film, the Prince of Wales, 42, was confronted by Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, who challenged him to address the “failed thinking” surrounding homelessness.

Lord Bird bluntly stated he wanted no “b******t” in their discussions, urging the prince to spearhead a new approach through his Homewards programme - an ambitious initiative aiming to end homelessness within five years.

He criticised the fragmented efforts of local authorities, charities, and government departments over the past three decades.

William responded with an invitation for open dialogue, adding: “I’m conscious that it’s a team environment, please do feel free to pile in when you need to.”

The Prince’s goal of ending homelessness has been inspired by his childhood experiences visiting shelters with his late mother, Princess Diana.

On the ITV series, he shared an anecdote about visiting a homeless charity with his mother, Diana, and brother, Harry. The second part of the documentary will air tonight.

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Prince William inspired by Princess Diana to end homelessness

Prince William inspired by Princess Diana in personal mission to end homelessness

Prince William has revealed how his mother Princess Diana inspired him to end homelessness as he shared unseen family footage of a charity visit. A new ITV documentary shows William visiting the same homelessness charity where his mother first took him and Harry when he was 11. William says: “I had never been to anything like that before and I was a bit anxious at what to expect. But Mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone. “I remember thinking if no one has a home everyone would be really sad but it was incredible how happy an environment it was. I remember having good conversations, playing chess and chatting. That’s when it dawned on me that there are other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do. Prince William: We Can End Homelessness airs 30th and 31st October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:25
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Meghan Markle could release ‘new memoir’ in next career move

Speculation is swirling around Meghan Markle’s potential next career move, with some royal experts suggesting she may release her own memoir.

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said she could make new revelations about her time in the Palace to “monetise her truth”.

He told Talk TV: “A part of me wonders if, similar to Jada Pinkett Smith, Meghan’s going to wait to reveal her truth until she finds a way to monetise it.

“Jada did that with her book, and Meghan has technically already done that with the Netflix series.”

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:00
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ICYMI: New book reveals how high society and British intelligence smeared Wallis Simpson

A new book investigates whether the scandalous stories surrounding Wallis Simpson’s time in China were the product of society gossip or an orchestrated effort by the British establishment to sabotage her relationship with the future Edward VIII.

Dubbed the “China Dossier”, this collection of rumours accused Simpson of affairs, connections to gangsters, and risque behaviours, but author Paul French argues in Her Lotus Year that none of these claims had any factual basis with Simpson.

Instead, they appear to have been drawn from unrelated incidents in 1920s China, and possibly amplified by figures in British intelligence.

French’s research suggests that the tales were carefully constructed to tarnish Simpson’s reputation, showing the lengths to which the establishment may have gone to block a royal union with a controversial American divorcee.

“They just wanted to scupper this relationship somehow,” French said.

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 14:40
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Watch: Tom Parker Bowles full interview with Geordie Greig

Watch: Tom Parker Bowles full interview with Geordie Greig
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 14:20
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The £3,000-a-week luxury spa resort King Charles has visited

With 21 deluxe rooms, private gardens and open-air showers, the SOUKYA spa resort looks to be the perfect stop-off for King Charles on his way back from his tour in Australia and Samoa.

The health care centre, spread over 30 acres of scented orchards, is a renowned resort for celebrity clientele, with the likes of Dame Emma Thompson and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu having stayed there.

It’s been reported that King Charles and Queen Camilla have enjoyed morning yoga sessions along with rejuvenation treatments at the £3,000-a-week site.

The Palace issued a statement on Sunday revealing that King Charles will return to regular overseas trips next year as he adapts to living with cancer.

An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.

The yoga hall at the SOUKYA spa resort where King Charles has visited
The yoga hall at the SOUKYA spa resort where King Charles has visited (Sourced/ The Independent)
Alex Ross30 October 2024 14:06
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Government to punish Russian agencies targeting Princess Kate

The government will sanction Russian agencies linked to a disinformation campaign that targeted Princess Kate following her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The disinformation network, known as the Doppelganger group, was formed of six Russian agencies and individuals accused of spreading false rumors about the Princess of Wales in March - shortly after she revealed her health condition.

The Foreign Office described this network as a "vast malign online presence" designed to disrupt democratic processes and create confusion through the dissemination of fake news.

Condemning the actions, foreign secretary David Lammy said: "Putin is so desperate to undermine European support for Ukraine that he is now resorting to clumsy, ineffective efforts to stoke unrest."

The Doppelganger’s operation was first detected by security experts at Cardiff University, who identified the methods used to push false narratives online about the Princess.

In response to the campaign, the Princess of Wales took a firm stance by publicly addressing her diagnosis, quelling the unfounded speculation that had spread across social media.

(Independent TV)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 14:00
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Unseen picture of Meghan Markle posted by former Suits co-star

They played out the couple Mike Ross and Rachel Zane, now Suits actor Patrick J Adams has reminded us all of his friendship with Meghan Markle by posting an unseen photograph of her on Instagram.

The post is to promote the latest episode of his podcast with Sarah Raffery, who played Donna Paulsen in the legal drama series - but it’s also got fans hoping the Duchess of Sussex could be invited for a mini reunion.

One fan wrote: “Keeping my fingers crossed Meghan comes on, love those Suits days.” Another wrote: “I’d sign that petition.”

Alex Ross30 October 2024 13:56
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King to return to full schedule of overseas trips

King Charles is set to return to his normal schedule of overseas tours next year, amid his ongoing cancer treatment.

In an update given by a palace official, it was revealed Charles will fly abroad during the spring and autumn in 2025, provided doctors sanction the travel.

“We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms,” the official said.

An update about the state of the King’s health or his treatment has not been given but the news that Charles will take on more overseas trips suggests his cancer is being managed successfully.

(AP)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 13:40
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Sarah Ferguson claims Princess Kate and William’s wedding triggered ‘great regret’

Royal fans around the world celebrated the marriage of Prince William and Princess Kate during their lavish ceremony in April 2011.

However, a former member of the Royal Family who did not attend the ceremony, Sarah Ferguson, expressed “great regret” at the time.

In a resurfaced interview on the US TV show The Daily, the Duchess of York recalled her own wedding to Prince Andrew at Westminster Abbey on 23 July, 1986.

“I was that bride, and at 25 years old, I went down the aisle of Westminster Abbey,” she said.

Fergie explained that William and Kate’s big day triggered “great soul searching on regret”.

She added: “If I, being me now, could go back to that young girl when I was 24, I would say to her, ‘You know what? I will stick with you. I will stay with you. I’m with you…. You don’t need to run around trying to get everyone to love you. I love you, i.e. yourself, myself’.”

The Duchess continued: “You’ve got me. Listen to me. I will guide you. Listen to your instincts Sarah and be aware of your behaviour and be aware of how lucky you are.

“You’ve got the world. You’ve got the best-looking prince. You’ve got the world at your feet. Don’t blow it.”

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 12:58
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Queen Camilla’s son reveals her kitchen secrets

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.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, the renowned food writer discussed everything from his fondest childhood food memories to the one meal that causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt.

You can read the full interview below:

Queen Camilla’s son reveals her kitchen secrets

Cooking expert Tom Parker Bowles also tells of his mother’s special way of scrambling eggs– and which meal still causes Buckingham Palace to grind to a halt

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 12:30

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