Royal Family news today — King Charles ‘surprised’ at huge workload as monarch ‘has no time to see Harry’ during visit
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ALMOST one year into his reign as monarch, sources claim King Charles is "surprised" at the huge workload the role requires.
Charles is known by those close to him as a complete workaholic, but even this seasoned royal has been shocked by the workload required to be King.
A source told The Times: "I think the red boxes and [extra] duties have come as an unexpected burden on his time. Queen Camilla is absolutely integral. Without her you’d be looking at a very different person, in terms of his happiness, which is vital to the success of the whole mission.";
This comes as Prince Harry is due to visit the UK today to attend the annual WellChild Awards, a charity of which he has been patron for 15 years.
But the Duke of Sussex is unlikely to meet with his father, as the King has "no time in the diary" to see his son, the Mail Online reports.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news and updates...
Prince Harry tells harrowing war story
Prince Harry has told of the moment he decided to launch the Invictus Games.
During his time as a soldier, Prince Harry saw injured soldiers on the trip back to the UK.
This heartbreaking moment showed Harry the true effects of war and led the Duke to eventually launch the Games for wounded soldiers.
Heart of Invictus shows Ukraine before Russia's brutal invasion
In the first episode of Prince Harry's Heart of Invictus, we see the eastern border of Ukraine in the months before Russia's invasion.
Despite what many believe, soldiers were still repelling Russian forces before Putin officially launched his invasion.
These forces make up Ukraine's Team Invictus.
Invictus Games 'saves lives', says Prince Harry
Prince Harry, speaking in Heart of Invictus, said the Games has the ability to save lives.
"Thank you for bringing my dad back," one person told him.
Prince Harry talks being a dad and a soldier
On a hike with two fellow soldiers, Prince Harry discusses the hardship of being a soldier while having a family.
One veteran tells the harrowing story of being shot while his wife was pregnant.
David Weisman went on to captain the UK at the 2016 Invictus Games.
'To being the best version of yourself'
Prince Harry's latest doc opens with a speech from the duke himself.
He said the Invictus Games allows veterans to show "the best versions of themselves."
He also told crowds at the 2022 Invictus Games he would be proud if his son Archie grew up to be like them.
Heart of Invictus opens with a content warning
Prince Harry's latest Netflix doc opens with a content warning to viewers.
The five-episode docuseries contains depictions of war and mental health struggles.
Prince Harry's latest Netflix doc releases in the UK
The new Netflix series covers the injured and ill military veterans who take part in the Paralympic-style Invictus Games.
The show’s official synopsis as stated on Archewell Productions website reads: “Heart of Invictus is a multi-episode production that will spotlight a group of extraordinary Invictus Games competitors from around the globe—members of the military community who have experienced life-changing injuries or illnesses—on their road to Invictus Games The Hague 2020, which is now taking place in 2022, due to necessary rescheduling from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Prince Harry helped found the Invictus Games in 2014 and has played a key role in its operation since.
Prince Harry surprises veterans and their families at premiere for his Heart of Invictus series as it’s released today
Prince Harry surprised cinema goers at the California premiere of his latest Netflix series.
The Duke of Sussex joked with fans and veterans at the release of his latest project - Heart of Invictus.
Harry appeared at the showing at a cinema in Chula Vista in San Diego county on Monday night, reports Hello!.
After the screening he posed for pictures with viewers and wellwishers after speaking to the crowd.
He joked: "Nice to see you all. It's nice of you to dress up for the occasion. [No] Suits and ties?"
Who are Meghan's siblings?
The Duchess of Sussex has two half-siblings through her father's side; Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jnr.
The siblings are from her father's previous marriage to Roslyn Markle.
Meghan's parents, Thomas Markle Sr and Doria Loyce Ragland, divorced when she was six years old.
Neither of her parents remarried after the end of their relationship.
How to visit the Princess Diana memorial fountain
Visitors can find the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park, London, close to her Kensington Palace home.
Throughout the year, opening times to visit the memorial differ.
- April - August: 10am - 8pm
- September: 10am - 7pm
- March and October: 10am- 6pm
- November - February: 10am- 4pm
The area may be closed off during extremely cold or severe weather conditions, so it is important to keep this in mind when visiting.
The memorial has a path which is suitable for wheelchair users and registered assistance dogs are also permitted into the area.
Visitors are free to sit on the edge of the memorial and refresh their feet in the water as they reflect - but are asked to not walk on the memorial itself.
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry move to the USA?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they would be stepping back from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family back in January 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie spent six weeks in Canada between November 2019 and January 2020.
They left Archie with a nanny to briefly return to the UK to sort a deal for their relinquishing of royal responsibilities, before heading back to Vancouver Island.
Yet, the coronavirus pandemic pushed up their plans to settle, moving to Malibu in Los Angeles in March to avoid the borders between USA and Canada closing for all non-essential travel.
How Will and Kate show their affection
The Prince and Princess of Wales are famed for their royal romance, but how do the pair show their love for each other while on public appearances?
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, body language expert Darren Stanton said: “They show their affection with prolonged eye gazes as well as giving each other little back touches to reassure each other when they’re on an outing together.
“Kate is often seen looking deeply into the eyes of William and that shows the strong trust they have with one another,” he added on behalf of .
“It’s less contrived and forced when we see them being loving with each other.”
What is Heart of Invictus about?
The new Netflix series covers the injured and ill military veterans who take part in the Paralympic-style Invictus Games.
The show’s official synopsis as stated on Archewell Productions website reads: “Heart of Invictus is a multi-episode production that will spotlight a group of extraordinary Invictus Games competitors from around the globe—members of the military community who have experienced life-changing injuries or illnesses—on their road to Invictus Games The Hague 2020, which is now taking place in 2022, due to necessary rescheduling from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Prince Harry helped found the Invictus Games in 2014 and has played a key role in its operation since.
The docuseries launches on Netflix on Wednesday.
King Charles to reduce Royal Household staff
King Charles is planning to let go of an estimated one in five of his middle-management staff as he and Queen Camilla believe there are too many workers doing the same job.
It’s said that the King is aware of the financial burden the amount of staff hired has on the taxpayer and hence why will make cuts in Buckingham Palace, Sandringham, Windsor Castle and Balmoral.
“There is a real feeling that the staffing at all the palaces is too heavy. There are far too many assistants to assistants. The King and Queen would prefer to pay people proper wages top to bottom but have less people,” an insider told the Daily Mail.
They added: “For instance, there are chefs for them and chefs for the staff. Why, they ask, can’t there be one lot of kitchen staff for everyone?”
Where is the Invictus Games 2023?
This year, the sixth version of the Invictus Games will be held for the first time in Düsseldorf, Germany, and is set to take place on Saturday, September 9 – where the opening ceremony will set off an exciting week in the sports world.
The huge event, hosted at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, will conclude a week later on Saturday, September 16.
The city, together with the German Armed Forces, will welcome around 500 competitors from 21 nations – as well as family members and friends to compete in ten disciplines.
The games have previously been held in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018 and the Netherlands 2022.
Prince Harry is ‘more himself’ without Meghan Markle, commentator claims
Prince Harry is reportedly “more himself” in public appearances without his wife.
Talk TV royal editor Sarah Hewson said: “When you look at Harry’s recent endeavours in Tokyo, he’s more relaxed. He’s very protective over Meghan.
“When you see them out together, he’s much more guarded but when you see him on his own, you get a glimpse of the old Harry again,” she told Sky News.
What are the Invictus Games?
The Invictus Games use competitive adaptive sport to aid recovery for international wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.
The Games should run over approximately one week, for up to 550 competitors, with the nine core sports and flexibility for additional activities and competitions, including esports.
Sporting events at the Games include wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and indoor rowing.
In 2023, 21 countries including Israel, Colombia and Nigeria will take part in the tournament – which will also see Rita Ora sing at the closing ceremony.
The first ever Invictus Games took place in March 2014 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Meghan Markle is ‘planning an acting comeback’
Meghan Markle is famously known for her role as Rachel Zane on Suits and now insiders speaking to Life & Style Magazine claimed that she’s “planning an acting comeback.
Insiders said: “Suits is such a hit in reruns that Meghan’s being told there’s a demand from fans to see her act again. She’s excited. She’d gotten a bunch of offers over the last five years, but turned them down because she really was trying to embrace royal life and, later, forge a new path behind-the-scenes in Hollywood with Harry.
“But now that’s all changed. With other opportunities drying up, she’s actively looking for roles and talking to some big-name directors and producers. Harry is 100 percent supportive of all of it. Acting is what Meghan knows and what she’s always loved.”
The insiders added how Meghan is even aiming for an Oscar in the future as they added: “She’s tackling her comeback very strategically. While she’d love to land a new TV part, Meghan really wants to sink her teeth into a dramatic film role. She thinks an Oscar could be in her future.”
Royal expert weighs in on Meghan Markle snubbing UK visit
Royal expert Tessa Dunlop believes Meghan Markle thinks the UK “doesn’t deserve her” as it seems she won’t be attending the WellChild charity gala with Prince Harry on September 7.
“Apparently she is not gracing London with her presence. On this occasion, I suspect Meghan’s no-show in London says more about her antipathy towards Britain, than the couple’s relationship,” Dunlop told The Mirror.
She added: “We don’t deserve her, at least so she probably thinks.”
Why was Prince Philip not King Philip?
The reason Philip did not become King when he married the Queen stems from parliamentary law.
The law relating to succession doesn’t relate to bloodline – only gender.
The spouse of a ruling king or queen is known as a consort.
When Prince Philip married the queen in 1947 he was also given three other titles:
- Duke of Edinburgh
- Earl of Merioneth
- Baron Greenwich
In 1957, the Queen made him an official Prince of the United Kingdom.
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry move to the USA?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they would be stepping back from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family back in January 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie spent six weeks in Canada between November 2019 and January 2020.
They left Archie with a nanny to briefly return to the UK to sort a deal for their relinquishing of royal responsibilities, before heading back to Vancouver Island.
Yet, the coronavirus pandemic pushed up their plans to settle, moving to Malibu in Los Angeles in March to avoid the borders between USA and Canada closing for all non-essential travel.
Harry’s new Netflix doc shows he ‘hasn’t forgotten what is important to him’
Prince Harry‘s new docu-series Heart of Invictus will land on Netflix on August 30.
PR expert Mayah Riah believes this series is “for the greater good” as it’s trying to bring more attention to the athletes competing and “it’s most definitely not about” the Duke.
“This documentary without doubt will show Harry at his best as Invictus Games is his baby. It’s something close to his heart with his time in the military. I believe it’s important that he has done this documentary, as it shows despite moving to the States, he hasn’t forgotten what is important to him,” she told The Mirror.
Riaz added: “Harry will also be keen to showcase those competing and it’s most definitely not about him. He realises he has a platform to bring awareness to games and this documentary is for the greater good.
“Let’s not forget, there is a long-term working relationship with Harry and Netflix. He wants to show that he is able to take part in a variety of documentaries for all audiences.
“I suspect the tone of the Invictus Games will be heartwarming and emotional. But also hugely inspirational. There will be a lot of substance to the documentary too.”
Harry’s new Netflix doc shows he ‘hasn’t forgotten what is important to him’
Prince Harry‘s new docu-series Heart of Invictus will land on Netflix on August 30.
PR expert Mayah Riah believes this series is “for the greater good” as it’s trying to bring more attention to the athletes competing and “it’s most definitely not about” the Duke.
“This documentary without doubt will show Harry at his best as Invictus Games is his baby. It’s something close to his heart with his time in the military. I believe it’s important that he has done this documentary, as it shows despite moving to the States, he hasn’t forgotten what is important to him,” she told The Mirror.
Riaz added: “Harry will also be keen to showcase those competing and it’s most definitely not about him. He realises he has a platform to bring awareness to games and this documentary is for the greater good.
“Let’s not forget, there is a long-term working relationship with Harry and Netflix. He wants to show that he is able to take part in a variety of documentaries for all audiences.
“I suspect the tone of the Invictus Games will be heartwarming and emotional. But also hugely inspirational. There will be a lot of substance to the documentary too.”
How many times has Meghan Markle been married?
Meghan Markle has been married twice.
Her first marriage was to Trevor Engelson.
Meghan and Trevor separated just two years after their wedding and were divorced in August 2013 – five years before Meghan started her new life with Prince Harry.
Her second marriage to Harry took place on May 19, 2018.
The couple wed in a royal wedding at St George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.
How new photos of Prince Andrew with Kate and William show Firm is ‘undivided’
The Royal Family appeared “undivided” as they arrived in Balmoral last week.
Disgraced Prince Andrew was pictured alongside senior royals in a telling show of family unity that came after the King welcomed the Duke of York back to Balmoral, the royals’ Scottish estate.
Andrew being pictured alongside the likes of Prince William and Kate Middleton shows that the Royal Family is “undivided”, sources have said.
“Safe to say it’s a holiday where the entire family has been invited, the entire family are participating and the entire family are included,” they told .
“Anyone looking for a family-divided angle will be sorely disappointed.”