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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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Queen Camilla’s barefoot stroll in Australia is a royal tradition

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.

(Toby Mellville/PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 17:10
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King’s ‘hot equerry’ Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson is engaged

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.

You can read the full story below:

King’s ‘hot equerry’ Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson announces his engagement

King Charles and Queen Camilla could be among the attendees at the wedding of the ‘hot equerry’

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:50
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Meghan Markle rejected ‘golden opportunity’ in Hollywood

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."

Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in Suits season 2
Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane in Suits season 2 (BBC/NBC Universal/Open 4 Business Productions/Christos Kalohoridis)
Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:30
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Prince Harry urged to ‘eat humble pie; to heal family rift

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.”

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 16:05
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Camilla’s son hasn’t been to a Royal family Christmas ‘for various reasons’

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.

Salma Ouaguira30 October 2024 15:45
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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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