Royal news – live: Prince Harry in southern Africa for another trip without wife Meghan after flying UK visit

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

King Charles has issued a condolence message following the death of Dame Maggie Smith on Friday (27 September).

In a statement shared to official Buckingham Palace channels, the monarch wrote: “My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances, and her warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage.”

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.

The Prince of Wales has shared some behind-the-scenes snaps of himself out in nature for an upcoming Earthshot prize project.

William, 42, launched the prize in 2020 to recognise and support individuals making significant contributions towards protecting the environment.