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

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.

Details of the King’s “holistic” approach to his cancer diagnosis have been revealed by the palace.

The King has been receiving treatment as an out-patient for an undisclosed form of cancer since early February, and initially postponed all public-facing duties, continuing to work behind the scenes, and returned to events with the public in late April.

Maintaining a work schedule after his diagnosis has been an important part of Charles’s holistic approach to his cancer, and during the recent trip with his wife he maintained a busy schedule for the benefit of “mind and soul” while the doctor on the trip looked after the body.

A palace official said about the large number of events the King attended during the recent tour: “It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis.

“And he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul, and this combination works very well on a visit like this, because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged and then the doctor is here to make sure that his body is properly looked after, you’ve got what makes for very successful visit in in these circumstances.”

In Prince William’s We Can End Homelessness documentary, the 42-year-old is asked whether he is the right man to be leading the charitable programme, given his privilege.

“I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all,” the prince said.

“I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need, and I see that as part of my role.

“Why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people where I can. And I like a big challenge, I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own.”

The former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair has given a withering assessment of Meghan Markle, claiming she is “flawless about getting it all wrong”.

Tina Brown, who led the magazine from for eight years until 1992, is no stranger to ranting about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, having previously dubbed the couple as being “addicted to drama” and branding their exit from the royal family as a “disaster”.

You can read Ms Brown’s full verdict below:

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.

Tonight, Princess Kate and Prince William are set for a special family evening with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as they enjoy their half-term break from school.

The young royals are expected to go trick-or-treating once again.

The couple has previously shared in this festive tradition, with neighbour Jay Rutland recalling a friendly Halloween visit from Kate and the kids last year.

The Prince of Wales has hit back at critics over his homelessness project.

William responded to those questioning whether he is the right person to tackle the issue, given his privileged upbringing, in the first part of his new ITV documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness.

William said: “I think everyone having a right to a safe home benefits us all.

“I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need and I see that as part of my role, why else would I be here if I am not using this role properly to influence and help people while I can.”

Prince William has shared his new documentary We Can End Homelessness, displaying his new campaign against homelessness.

In the documentary, William visits the same homelessness charity which his mother first took him and Harry to when he was 11.

“Homewards. A programme that commits to working with six locations across the UK over the next five years, to show that it is possible to end homelessness,” he said in a video shared on X.

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.