Royal news live: King Charles’ diet changes amid cancer battle as Beatrice’s plans as working royal revealed
The palace’s grandest rooms will undergo ‘phased closures’ for refurbishment
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Your support makes all the difference.King Charles has had to make changes to his diet in the wake of his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, with the 76-year-old cutting down on his red meat intake.
His wife Queen Camilla’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, has revealed that the royal couple have cut back on lamb, beef and pork, as the king assesses what he eats following “what he’s been through recently”.
Cancer Research UK states that red meat is classed as a “probable cause of cancer”, while Buckingham Palace have not disclosed what type of cancer is affecting the monarch.
Since his diagnosis, his niece Princess Beatrice has increased her public profile as she steps up to support the royal family, although insiders have insisted there is no plan for her to take on official duties.
Recently, she attended the Future Textiles exhibition by the King’s Foundation, and remains one of the four Counsellors of State, with the authority to deputise for Charles if he is absent.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has closed some of its grandest rooms as it undergoes a £369m refurbishment, with ext month’s visit by the Emir of Qatar to be the last state visit to take place for three years.
Princess of Wales carol concert to return on Christmas Eve as Kate hosts first event since cancer diagnosis
Watch: Prince William tries flying drone during army live firing exercise
Princess of Wales shares behind-the-scenes glimpse of Christmas carol concert arrangements
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet
Duchess of Edinburgh named as patron for women’s equality charity
The Duchess of Edinburgh has been named as the new patron for Plan International, a non-government organisation that promotes equality for women and girls across the globe.
In a statement on X, they said: “We’re delighted to announce our new Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh ( @RoyalFamily ). As a champion of women’s rights, The Duchess has witnessed first hand the impact conflict and crisis can have on young women and girls. We look forward to working with The Duchess to raise awareness of the barriers facing girls around the world.”
Prince Edward’s wife Sophie is patron to a number of other charities that promote the end of violence towards women, and has travelled to Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to promote this work.
Real Polo housewives of Orange County: Inside Meghan’s ‘domestic era’
Ahead of the release of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, the former Suits star is busy shape-shifting into the perfect American wife, with her new jam products and ‘polo-mom’ glossiness. It’s a master plan that could make them millions, says Anna Tyzak:
Real Polo housewives of Orange County: Inside Meghan’s ‘domestic era’
Ahead of the release of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show, the former Suits star is busy shape-shifting into the perfect American wife, with her new jam products and ‘polo-mom’ glossiness. It’s a master plan that could make them millions, says Anna Tyzak
Harry’s High Court claim against Daily Mail publisher could face trial in 2026
The Duke of Sussex’s legal claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail could face a trial in 2026, a High Court judge has suggested.
Harry is among a group of high-profile individuals – including Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Sir Elton John – bringing legal action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
They have accused the publisher of allegedly carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities, such as hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, “blagging” private records, burglaries to order and accessing and recording private phone conversations.
ANL firmly denies the allegations and is defending the legal action, previously telling the court that they are “lurid” and “simply preposterous”.
At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, which was attended by Lady Lawrence, judge Mr Justice Nicklin said that it was important to progress the case to an eventual trial.
He said: “My broad objective is we fix a trial date… It will probably start on 14 January 2026.”
The judge continued that the date may change and repeated that it was an “objective”.
He added: “I don’t know what is going to happen in various stages of the litigation… That objective may ultimately be thwarted.”
Watch: Prince William tries flying drone during army live firing exercise
Harry and Meghan’s polo docuseries to highlight ‘grit behind the glamour’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will bring a new series to Netflix in December, revealing the “grit behind the glamour” in the high-stakes world of polo.
The five-part series will debut globally on December 10, following elite global players on and off the field as they compete in the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida.
A trailer for the series titled Polo, executive produced by Harry and Meghan, was released on Thursday, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the “fast-paced and glamorous world of polo”.
In a statement, Harry said: “This series offers audiences an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look into the passion and determination driving some of the world’s elite polo players, revealing the grit behind the glamour.
“We’re proud to showcase the true depth and spirit of the sport — and the intensity of its high-stakes moments.”
It has been produced by the Sussexes’ Archewell Productions, having previously released three documentaries with Netflix as part of a multimillion-pound deal with the streaming giant.
Kate invites child survivors of Southport attack to her carol concert
The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing to her annual Christmas carol concert.
Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has invited child survivors of the attack to her festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The princess has set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced in what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year.
It forms part of her gradual return to public duties after finishing chemotherapy treatment in the summer.
The Palace said Kate wanted the theme of this year’s carol service to celebrate those supporting others in need, with a focus on the importance of love and empathy.
Members of the royal family will gather with the princess as around 1,600 people fill the abbey in London for musical performances by stars including Paloma Faith, Olivia Dean and Gregory Porter.
Multi-million pound cost of King Charles’ coronation revealed
The cost of King Charles’ coronation has been revealed, with government accounts showing that £72 million in taxpayer money was spent on the event.
An annual report from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that it spent £50.3 million on the coronation. This was alongside the £21.7 million in policing costs for the royal event.
The coronation took place on 6 May 2023, marking the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Around 18 million viewers tuned in to watch the ceremony on the BBC – fewer than the 28 million that watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
It’s time for the royal family to come clean on their finances
An investigation has revealed that the King and Prince of Wales’ private estates have struck rental deals with the NHS, schools and the armed forces worth millions of pounds.
It is time for much greater transparency about the royal family’s staggering wealth, writes Alan Rusbridger:
It’s time for the royal family to come clean on their finances
An investigation has revealed that the King and Prince of Wales’ private estates have struck rental deals with the NHS, schools and the armed forces worth millions of pounds. It is time for much greater transparency about the royal family’s staggering wealth, writes Alan Rusbridger
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet
Meghan Markle is embracing the magic of the holidays, thanks to her children with Prince Harry.
In an interview with Marie Claire, the 43-year-old Duchess of Sussex reflected on how her children — son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three — are reaching the age when the festive season feels even more special.
“I love the holidays,” Meghan shared enthusiastically. “Archie and Lilibet are now three and five, so every year it gets better.”
Read the full story:
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with kids
Duchess of Sussex gushes over the holiday season, despite keeping this year’s festivities ‘pretty low-key’
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