Kate and Wills are back to work
The Wales' attend a very moving meeting
Catherine made a surprise visit back to work this week, when she accompanied Prince William to Southport, on Thursday. The pair met bereaved families of the three children killed in a stabbing, this July. They spoke to emergency personnel who attended the attack and fire chief Phil Garrigan told the BBC, “she could see the emotion in them”, giving some a hug.
The Princess of Wales is making a slow return to work following her chemotherapy course for her cancer treatment, but it was great to see the Wales’ back together again.
Afterwards, they posted on Instagram, “A heartfelt thank you to the people of Southport for talking about your experiences and honouring the young lives lost. In the face of tragedy, this community’s strength and resilience has been a powerful reminder of the bonds that unite us. As the healing continues, take comfort in the incredible support around you. Each shared memory, act of kindness, and moment of unity brings hope for the future and ensures that those lost are never forgotten.”
Charles and Camilla return to Oz
It’s wizard news the King is well enough for his first major overseas tour, to Australia and Samoa, on Friday. Kerry wrote a piece for The Sunday Telegraph this week, how Australia has long had Charles’ heart, ever since he attended school there. “Every time I come back to this country I find I feel more deeply about it and about the people … it has engraved itself upon a part of my soul,” he said, previously. Here are some of his key visits:
1966: Charles attends school: His love affair with the nation began when he attended Australia’s Timbertop, for two terms. The experience had a profound effect on the 17-year-old, who later described it as, “by far the best part” of his education.”
1979: The kiss in the surf: When 30-year-old Prince Charles went for a swim at Perth’s Cottesloe Beach, he never expected bikini-clad model Jane Priest, 26, to run into the waves and plant a smacker on his cheek.
1983: Charles and Diana’s first tour: When the newlywed toured Australia with his 21-year-old bride and nine-month-old baby Prince William, one million Aussies lined the streets and Diana later said, “I realised the demanding role I now found myself in.”
1994: Gunman fires at Charles in Sydney: Whilst giving a speech, 23-year-old protestor David Kang fired two blanks from a starting pistol, before being bundled to the floor. Prince Charles stood by, afterwards being dubbed, “His Royal Coolness”.
Sophie and Edward’s emotional time in Malta
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s four-day trip to Malta this week was ostensibly to mark the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence. However, we bet the most poignant moment for Edward was the tour of Villa Guardamangia, the former home of his parents from 1949 to 1951, when they were enjoying life as a young married couple, while Philip was serving on HMS Magpie.
Edward and Sophie’s tour of the large townhouse in Valletta, the capital of Malta, was poignant for another reason – it was the first time a member of the Royal Family had been able to step inside since Elizabeth and Philip, the former Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, had to leave in 1951 to take up more royal duties due to George VI’s failing health.
The house fell into disrepair until it was bought by the Maltese government in 2020, and now has £10 million of funding to restore and rebuild it to its former glory. It is destined to become a museum and entertaining space. According to the Telegraph, Edward said the tour was “brilliant”, and had taken a ‘moment to himself on the rooftop balcony’, wandering over to look at the Mediterranean, the same view his parents would have cherished.
The late Queen returned to the island many times, including for her 60th wedding anniversary, but was never able to see inside her former home. In 1992, when being driven past, she asked for the car to be slowed down to see it.
“Visiting Malta is always very special for me,” Queen Elizabeth II said in Malta in 2015, when she was there for a Commonwealth meeting, in what became her final visit. “I remember happy days here with Prince Phillip when we were first married.” She was then given a painting of Villa Guardamangia, saying, “Oh look, Guardamangia, that’s very nice to have” and adding that it “looks rather sad now”.
How lovely then that after all these years Elizabeth and Philip’s “happy” home is being restored for many more to enjoy. Just like they did.
Fergie follows a royal tradition at Corrie
Coronation Street, the longest-running TV soap opera in the world, has had many royals walking down its famous cobbles over the years. This week saw the Duchess of York doing the same and pulling pints at the Rovers Return - all in the name of breast cancer awareness.
Standing behind the bar, Sarah also remembered the late Queen, whose final visit to Corrie was in July 2021: “We ought to drink a pint to my wonderful mother-in-law. She really loved her time here.”
Sarah visited the ITV Studios on Wednesday with one of the show’s stars, Sally Dynevor (who plays Sally Metcalfe), after their trip to the Manchester HQ of Prevent Breast Cancer, of which they are patrons. Both women have experienced breast cancer, with Sarah receiving a diagnosis last year and Sally in 2009.
The Duchess later posted on Instagram: “Sally and I are both breast cancer survivors and spoke about our shared mission to beat the disease with Prevent Breast Cancer. Thank you all for your hospitality and allowing me behind the curtain at one of the world’s oldest and most iconic soap operas.”
Tune in to the Secrets of The Royals
Finally, it’s here! From tomorrow you can listen or watch our new podcast, Secrets of The Royals. The first series is on the tragedies which befell the Royals, with lots of forgotten stories and insights. We hope you enjoy it. You will be able to listen to the podcast on Substack, as well as Spotify and Apple and watch us on YouTube. Let us know what you think.