Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated1727955695

Royal news – live: Kate Middleton’s touching conversation with cancer teen who has weeks left to live revealed

William and Kate met Liz and her family after the ceremony on Wednesday

Emma Guinness
Thursday 03 October 2024 07:41
Comments
Prince Harry laughs as young boy pulls his beard at WellChild awards in London

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

The teenager with a rare form of cancer who met the Princess of Wales as she returned to duty on Wednesday has revealed what was said during their touching conversation.

Photographs of the meeting show Kate, 42, who recently finished chemotherapy, hugging Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate after she was invited to photograph the investitures on Wednesday.

Liz has described getting a hug from Kate as “really special” as she revealed what they spoke about during their “genuine” and “lovely” half-an-hour chat.

“There was nothing about them that suggested they were superior,” she told The Mirror. “They were just really human to be honest and really natural. There was never a moment of awkwardness. It was normal to talk to them. They talked a lot about my photography.”

She added that Kate talked a “little bit” about her own love of photography and she asked about what camera she uses.

Kate and Prince William later said on social media: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today.

“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. W&C.”

1727812820

Prince William celebrates exhibition highlighting homelessness

Prince William has celebrated the success of his Homewards initiative’s art exhibition.

In a post shared by the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, the charity wrote: “Thank you to everyone who visited & supported Homelessness: Reframed at @Saatchi_gallery.

“Over 47,000 visitors came to see the exhibition that aimed to improve understanding & inspire optimism that homelessness can be ended, this is just the start of our work.”

Homewards was set up with the aim of eradicating homelessness in the UK.

Emma Guinness1 October 2024 21:00
1727802020

Boris Johnson claims late Queen Elizabeth II was secretly battling cancer

Boris Johnson has claimed in his upcoming memoir that the late Queen Elizabeth II was secretly battling cancer in the leadup to her death.

“Her doctors were worried that at any time she could enter a sharp decline,” Johnson wrote in Unleashed.

“She seemed pale and more stooped, and she had dark bruising on her hands and wrists, probably from drips or injections.”

The former prime minister added: “As Edward Young explained to me later, she had known all summer that she was going, but was determined to hang on and do her last duty: to oversee the peaceful and orderly transition from one government to the next.”

The Independent has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Queen Elizabeth II welcoming the then-newly-elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace (Victoria Jones/PA)
Queen Elizabeth II welcoming the then-newly-elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Archive)
Emma Guinness1 October 2024 18:00
1727792771

Princess Beatrice pregnant with second child, Palace announces

Buckingham Palace has announced that Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child.

The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, 36, and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi will be welcoming their new arrival next spring.

They already share a daughter, Sienna, three, and Mr Mapelli Mozzi has a son from a previous relationship, Wolfie, eight.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.

“His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.”

The child will be 11th in line to the throne.

Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child, due in the spring.
Princess Beatrice is pregnant with her second child, due in the spring. (PA Wire)
Emma Guinness1 October 2024 15:26
1727791220

Prince Harry explains why he will not bring Meghan Markle to the UK

The Duke of Sussex explained earlier this year why he will not bring his wife Meghan Markle to the UK.

Harry, 40, attended the WellChild Awards in London yesterday, but his spouse was notably absent.

Speaking to ITV’s Tabloids on Trial, he said that he will not risk bringing her to the UK as he fears a “knife or acid attack” inspired by negative tabloid stories.

Meghan, 43, last stepped out in public in the UK for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022.

It has been over two years since Meghan publicaly appeared in the UK.
It has been over two years since Meghan publicaly appeared in the UK. (AP)
Emma Guinness1 October 2024 15:00
1727784020

Prince William celebrates new helicopters with David Beckham

Prince William has today celebrated the unveiling of the London Air Ambulance’s new helicopters with none other than David Beckham.

A series of images of the pair posing with the vehicles and their crew was shared to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account.

Emma Guinness1 October 2024 13:00
1727780420

Prince William to celebrate London Air Ambulance’s new fleet

Prince William will attend an event celebrating the introduction of the London Air Ambulance’s new fleet.

The Prince of Wales, 42, is set to view the helicopters themselves and meet with their crew following a successful fundraising effort to introduce two new vehicles.

Praising the success of the Up Against Time appeal on Twitter/X, William, a former air ambulance pilot himself, wrote: “Fantastic News! This is going to have a life-saving impact.

“A huge thank you to everyone who donated W.”

Emma Guinness1 October 2024 12:00
1727771108

Prince Harry praises ‘little legends’ at WellChild Awards

The Duke of Sussex took the opportunity to praise the “little legends” being honoured at the 2024 WellChild Awards as he gave a brief speech at the event.

Harry, 40, has been a patron of the charity which supports and celebrates seriously ill young people and their carers since 2007.

Harry said: “Thank you for your courage, your perseverance, your kindness and of course your humour. And thank you for being you and uplifting all those around you.

“The WellChild Awards is an event that never fails to inspire me.

“The stories of young people who battle against the odds, living lives filled with medical procedures, hospital stays and endless appointments, remind us all of the strength of the human spirit.

“For many of us, it is a daily life we can hardly imagine, and yet somehow, the young people I meet are always smiling and every room they walk into seemingly lights up with warmth and positivity.”

The duke, who lives in California, travelled to the UK especially for the event.
The duke, who lives in California, travelled to the UK especially for the event. (AP)
Emma Guinness1 October 2024 09:25
1727769844

Prince William to step out in London today

Prince William is set to step out in London today following Prince Harry’s triumphant appearance at the WellChild Awards in the city last night.

The heir to the throne, 42, will be visiting a 2023 finalist of his Earthshot Prize, ENSO, which specialises in creating sustainable tyres for electric vehicles.

This will see him meet with the company’s CEO, Gunnlaugur Erlendsson, to discuss the progress it has made over the past year.

William visiting ENSO, the 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist, in 2023 (Kate Green/PA)
William visiting ENSO, the 2023 Earthshot Prize finalist, in 2023 (Kate Green/PA) (PA Archive)
Emma Guinness1 October 2024 09:04
1727769598

Adorable moment youngster grabs Prince Harry’s beard

Prince Harry proved that he has a natural affinity with children at yesterday’s WellChild Awards when a young boy grabbed his beard.

In response, the duke, who recently turned 40, simply burst out laughing.

Harry was attending the event in his capacity as patron for the charity, a role he has held since 2007, and gave a brief speech as he presented an award.

The event celebrated the achievements of seriously ill children and their carers.

Prince Harry bursts out laughing as young boy grabs his beard at charity event

Prince Harry burst into laughter when a young boy grabbed his beard at the WellChild charity event. The Duke of Sussex met with children, teenagers, and their parents at the WellChild Awards at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Monday (30 September). In a rare royal event in the UK honouring the achievements of youngsters battling serious conditions, Harry had conversations with children and their families, joking with them and answering questions. Seven-year-old Noah Nicholson, from Grimsby, who has complex medical conditions, met with Harry and proceeded to grab his bead and cheeks in a touching moment.

Emma Guinness1 October 2024 08:59
1727758800

‘Rather ugly’ statue of Prince Philip removed

A statue of the late Prince Philip that was described as “rather ugly” by a local councillor has been removed.

The controversial artwork, known as the Cambridge Don, was located outside an office building in Cambridge and had been moved to the spot without the correct planning permission in 2023.

“The statue was erected without planning permission and was in breach of planning control like anything erected without the correct permission,” a spokesperson for the council said.

“Given its size and location in the New Town and Glisson Road conservation area, it would have been unlikely to receive planning approval even if it had been sought because it would have contravened national and local planning policies.

“As we have said throughout this process, it’s frustrating that the council has had to spend time and money to achieve this outcome, but the inspector’s decision makes it very clear that planning policies are in place for a reason and should be respected.”

The late Duke of Edinburgh was the vice-chancellor of Cambridge University and the 3,000kg work was said to represent him in his role.

Emma Guinness1 October 2024 06:00

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in