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

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.

The engagement announcement read: “The engagement is announced between Lieutenant Colonel Jonny Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Thompson of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Olivia Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Lewis OBE of Primrose Hill, London.”

You can read the full story below:

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

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.

“We need the expertise of everybody,” Lord Bird said during their meeting in episode one.

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.”

To which Lord Bird replied: “I hope you mean that,” before jokingly adding: “Sorry, I’m jumping in.”

Donald Trump’s son, Eric, has attacked Meghan Markle describing the Duchess of Sussex as “pretty unpopular”.

A row between the Trumps and the Sussexes was ignited in 2016 after Meghan described the former US president of being “divisive” and misogynistic” during an interview on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore.

Three years later, the Republican candidate replied by saying: “I didn’t know she was nasty,” and attempted to dismiss the comment.

In 2020, Trump slammed Meghan again and said: “I’m not a fan of hers. I wish a lot of luck to Harry, he’s going to need it.”

Now, his son has hit out at Harry. He told the Daily Mail: “Kate, I think she conducts herself so incredibly well and has been such a rock in the next generation of the family.

“And William, obviously I don’t really think has made a misstep.

“And yet, you look at this one black sheep [Harry] who doesn’t exactly know where he is, led by a wife who’s pretty unpopular, both here and over where you are.”

Donald Trump’s son, Eric, has attacked Meghan Markle describing the Duchess of Sussex as “pretty unpopular”.

A row between the Trumps and the Sussexes was ignited in 2016 after Meghan described the former US president of being “divisive” and misogynistic” during an interview on The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore.

Three years later, the Republican candidate replied by saying: “I didn’t know she was nasty,” and attempted to dismiss the comment.

In 2020, Trump slammed Meghan again and said: “I’m not a fan of hers. I wish a lot of luck to Harry, he’s going to need it.”

Now, his son has hit out at Harry. He told the Daily Mail: “Kate, I think she conducts herself so incredibly well and has been such a rock in the next generation of the family.

“And William, obviously I don’t really think has made a misstep.

“And yet, you look at this one black sheep [Harry] who doesn’t exactly know where he is, led by a wife who’s pretty unpopular, both here and over where you are.”

It is a place where the Queen has brought a number of friends and relatives – returning a total of seven times.

Eschewing her hectic day-to-day schedule, it is at the Soukya health retreat in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru that Camilla is said to be a devotee of yoga, embracing the ritual and championing the food.

Arpan Rai reports from the Soukya retreat where the King and Queen have found a home away from home in Bengaluru, India.

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.”

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.”

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.