From naughty to 40 - happy birthday Harry
The Duke of Sussex says he's looking forward to the future
Happy birthday Prince Harry, who turns 40 today. He has no problem hitting the milestone, he says. “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” the Duke of Sussex told the BBC. “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
He’s celebrating his big day with his family, he says, before going away with some close friends. And he spoke about how important his kids are to him. “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” he said in a statement released by one of his spokespeople. “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
Kerry wrote about Harry’s 40th for The Sunday Telegraph this week and says while there has been persistent rumours Harry is unhappy and wants to return to the UK, most royal commentators think that untrue. “There’s simply no way on earth that Harry is ever coming back,” the UK Telegraph’s Michael Deacon stated this week, adding, “a rapturous royal rapprochement is inconceivable.”
“The Duke of Sussex is not planning a permanent move back to the UK,” added BBC royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, saying he and Meghan are “unlikely to want to give up on the philanthropic and business projects that they have built.”
And while he does seem to be often snapped looking unhappy – “My goodness if you see images of him on the Colombia visit he generally looks increasingly miserable,” royal reporter Richard Eden said - Harry’s perfectly fine, according to Royal News reporter Brittani Barger. “I think the reports of Harry having a mid-life crisis are overblown,” she said. “By most accounts, he seems to be very happy in California and is doing what he loves.” He’ll also no doubt be cheered by the news he is about to inherit £8 million from the second-instalment of a trust fund set up by the late Queen Mother.
As for hopes of a reconciliation, it’s not looking likely, say experts. Harry attended the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, the late husband of his aunt Lady Jane Fellowes, Diana’s sister, last month, but did not speak to his brother, also there. He stayed with his uncle Earl Spencer at Althorp. However, Brittani remains hopeful. “I think there’s a chance of reconciliation,” she said, “before it’s too late.”
Kate’s personal message moves the world
The best news this week came courtesy of an intensely personal film, that if you’re anything like us, you’ve watched repeatedly. In a remarkable three-minute video released by Kensington Palace on Monday, Catherine announced her chemotherapy has finally ended after an “incredibly tough nine months”. It goes without saying that we are truly delighted and relieved for her.
The video shot in Norfolk last month by Will Warr, the couple’s favourite filmmaker, focuses heavily on the importance of family, love and the healing power of nature. We see William and Catherine, a pair never knowingly given to PDAs (public displays of affection) as we’ve never seen them before: lovingly tactile, kissing and cuddling; with George, Charlotte, Louis at the centre of their world. In fact, this film ranks as one of the most intimate glimpses of the royals ever seen.
While Catherine admits her illness has given her a “new perspective on everything, the film is also a clear sign that the Princess is looking to the future. She plans to make a gradual return to royal duties, but “doing what I can to stay cancer-free is now my focus.”
“This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved.”
So, when will we see Catherine again? Subject to how she feels, the princess is expected to attend a few engagements this year, likely to be Remembrance Sunday and hosting her annual Westminster Abbey carol concert. In Wales on Tuesday, a day after the video release, William was a voice of caution when thanking well-wishers in Llanelli, saying: “it’s good news but there is still a long way to go.”
For now, we’ll let Catherine have the last word. Her final emotional message that concluded the video: “To all those who are continuing their own cancer journey - I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness can come light, so let that light shine bright.”
For George, the skies the limit
Under the watchful eye of William and Catherine, their heir has taken to the air on his first flying lesson, continuing a family tradition of dashing royal pilots. It emerged this week that the 11-year-old prince has had his first training session during the last month.
Taking off in a dual-controlled light aircraft, called a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, from White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire, George is said to have been in the air for an hour. He’s following in his father’s footsteps; William is a trained helicopter pilot and flew for the RAF East Anglia Air Ambulance for three years until 2017.
Other royal pilots include Prince Philip who trained at the same airfield as his great grandson, George. The duke was 31 when he began his flying lessons in 1952. In May 1953, he was awarded his ‘wings’ in a private ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Charles spent four months training in the RAF in 1971, and Andrew was a helicopter pilot/war hero in the 1982 Falklands war.
The King gets a hug, as protocol changes
Proof royal protocol is fast changing, came with the video of the King giving the New Zealand female rugby team a group hug, on Wednesday. When Charles chatted to the players at Buckingham Palace, they mentioned they wanted to give him a hug. “Hug?” he replied, “Why not?”, then roared with delight as he was enclosed in a scrum. Perhaps he can get more hugs when the King heads Down Under next month, visiting Australia and Samoa, his first visit to a Realm as monarch.
It’s a joyful moment and that, along with the Princess of Wales’ recent video, plus Prince William’s new beard, are being cited as examples of how fast the Royal Family is disbanding with old protocol, for a more natural, down-to-earth, approach. Whatever it is, we love it.
New statue of Elizabeth causes a right royal row
We’re sure the Queen would have seen the funny side to the indignation surrounding the latest sculpture of herself, unveiled on Wednesday.
Standing steadfast in wellies, a headscarf and accompanied by two of her beloved corgis alongside Prince Philip, you can find the bronze statues by Belfast artist, Anthony ‘Anto’ Brennan in Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland and make your own mind up. A local councillor, Vera McWilliam, is not a fan, telling the BBC: “We have to be honest, it does not resemble the Queen in any shape or form.”
This week, the Cabinet Office announced that a national memorial to Elizabeth II will be created in St James’s Park, close to Buckingham Palace. As yet, the form the new monument will take has not been decided. Fingers crossed, Mr Brennan does not apply.