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Royal news live: Prince Harry issues internet warning to parents as Kate Middleton ramps up return to duties

‘The smartphone is stealing young people’s childhoods,’ Prince Harry said

Emma Guinness ,Athena Stavrou
Friday 11 October 2024 06:30
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Kate Middleton made a surprise joint appearance with Prince William
Kate Middleton made a surprise joint appearance with Prince William (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

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The Duke of Sussex has spoken out about the dangers of the internet in a conversation with author Jonathan Haidt.

Harry, 42, a passionate advocate of mental health awareness, told Fortune: “The smartphone is stealing young people’s childhoods.”

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said, discussing the potential safety benefits of mobile phones.

“[Parents] want them to have their phone at school in case of emergency, but once, like any kid, you have your phone, even if you’re told you’re not allowed to download that app, kids have a way of working around it.”

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales has ramped up her return to duty by making a surprise joint appearance with Prince William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport attacks.

Marking their first joint engagement since Kate’s cancer treatment, the couple privately met the families in Merseyside yesterday.

The Princess, 42, is said to have attended because she wanted to show her “support, empathy and compassion to the local community”.

“Meeting the community today has been a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting one another in the wake of unimaginable tragedy,” the couple later said in a joint statement.

As well as meeting with the victim’s families, Kate spoke to first responders and the dance teacher who was present at the July attack.

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Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh recreate Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s photographs

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have today not only followed in the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s footsteps but recreated some of their photographs.

The couple are currently on a four-day visit to Malta, marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.

(Aaron Chown/PA Archive/PA Wire)
(Aaron Chown/AP Photo, Max Desfor, Alamy/PA Wire)
Emma Guinness9 October 2024 12:30
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Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's former home

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have paid a poignant visit to the former home of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Malta.

Villa Guardamangia was home to the royals during the early part of their marriage between 1949 and 1951 while Philip was stationed as a Royal Navy officer in the country.

“Visiting Malta is always very special for me. I remember happy days here with Prince Philip when we were first married,” the late queen said.

The duke and duchess followed in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phiip.
The duke and duchess followed in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phiip. (Aaron Chown/AP Photo, Max Desfor, Alamy/PA Wire)
Emma Guinness9 October 2024 12:07
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Prince William wants to ‘challenge’ the narrative around homelessness

Prince William has said that he wants to “challenge” the existing narrative around homelessness in a trailer for an upcoming documentary about the subject.

He is currently tackling the issue through his Homewards project.

The heir to the throne, 42, said: “I think it’s really important that we can try and change, and tackle, the narrative around homelessness.

“People live with it, we see it every day in our lives, that’s something I want to challenge.”

Emma Guinness9 October 2024 11:30
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Prince William could be coming into conflict with Anne’s 'raison d’être’

A royal commentator has speculated that Prince William’s vision for a radically slimmed-down monarchy could affect Princess Anne, widely believed to be the hardest-working royal.

Tom Skyes, royal editor at The Daily Beast, noted that the Princess Royal’s “raison d’être is zooming around the country, squeezing in 500-plus engagements a year.”

He explained: “William has made it very clear he doesn’t see that as the family’s role anymore, preferring a tiny number of limited, high-impact engagements and events to the paternalistic, seen-to-be-believed, helicopter-riding royal attitude of old.”

The princess carried out 172 engagements between January and April of this year – more than double the number of any other working royal.

The numbers of royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony have steadily been reducing.
The numbers of royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony have steadily been reducing. (AFP via Getty Images)
Emma Guinness9 October 2024 11:00
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Duke of Kent celebrates 89th birthday

The Duke of Kent is today celebrating his 89th birthday today (9 October).

He is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and has held his title for over a record-breaking 82 years.

Emma Guinness9 October 2024 10:45
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Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh commemorate war dead in Malta

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have paid tribute to those who gave their lives during the Second World War while on their ongoing visit to Malta.

Alongside a post showing the couple placing tributes into Valletta harbour, the royal family acknowledged the awarding of the George Cross to the Maltese population in 1942.

“In 1942, at the height of the attacks, King George VI awarded the George Cross to the Maltese population in recognition of their resistance, endurance and loyalty,” it was said in a statement.

Emma Guinness9 October 2024 10:30
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Duchess of Edinburgh to read special CBeebies bedtime story tomorrow

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s special reading of a bedtime story to mark World Sight Day will air on CBeebies tomorrow.

She said in a trailer for the programme: “Millions of us need glasses to see the world clearly.

“World Sight Day is a reminder to all of us to take care of our eyes, whether we need glasses or not.

“Our eyes are precious, and our sight is something to cherish and look after. So, let’s remember to take care of our eyes this World Sight Day.”

The duchess is set to read Specs for Rex, written by Yasmeen Ismail – a story about a young lion who is reluctant to wear glasses to school.

Emma Guinness9 October 2024 10:15
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Melania sheds new light on the Trumps relationship with the royal family

Melania Trump has shed light on the royal family’s relationship with the former president and first lady ahead of next month’s presidential election.

This could see Donald Trump enter the White House for a second term after he lost to Democratic candidate Joe Biden in November 2022.

Writing in her new memoir, she revealed that she shares an “ongoing correspondence” with King Charles and explained that she and her husband “truly connected” with the late Queen Elizabeth II on a state visit in 2019, during Mr Trump’s first presidential term.

She proceeded to praise the royals for their hospitality during the visit, revealing that the late queen even gifted her a specially commissioned silver box engraved with the ceiling motifs from the Buckingham Palace music room.

Melania Trump has opened up about her and husband Donald’s experiences with the royal family.
Melania Trump has opened up about her and husband Donald’s experiences with the royal family. (Getty Images)
Emma Guinness9 October 2024 10:00
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King Charles ‘reluctantly’ agrees to eat lunch

King Charles is said to have finally broken his decades-long aversion to eating lunch on the advice of doctors and Queen Camilla.

The monarch, 75, is now reported to be eating half an avocado for the sake of his health as he continues to undergo treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.

A source told the Daily Mail: “With some reluctance, he now has something to eat at lunchtime – a snack, really.

“He now eats half an avocado to sustain him through the day.

“It’s important, particularly if you have got an illness.”

The king has agreed to eat lunch ‘with some reluctance’
The king has agreed to eat lunch ‘with some reluctance’ (PA Wire)
Emma Guinness9 October 2024 09:45
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Duke of Edinburgh meets young people taking part in International Award

Prince Edward yesterday met with young people taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award.

The meeting came as part of a four-day tour of Malta that will see the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh undertake a packed schedule of engagements as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The royal family said on their official Twitter/X account: “The Duke of Edinburgh was also able to tour the new Maltese HQ of @intaward where he met young people taking part in activities as they work towards their bronze, silver and gold awards.”

Emma Guinness9 October 2024 09:30

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