Royal news – live: Kate ‘out and about’ again as palace insider says ‘wounded’ William fears second Harry book

The King has reportedly been “encouraged” by his February meeting with Prince Harry remaining private as the familial rift remains.

The duke cleared his schedule in February to fly across the Atlantic to see his father following his shock cancer diagnosis.

While the meeting lasted less than an hour, royal insider Robert Hardman believes it could have benefited their somewhat tumultuous relationship.

“But I think there can be a kind of normalising, and I thought it was telling that when the cancer diagnosis came through back in February, Prince Harry came straight over,” the author said.

“People said why didn’t he stay longer, why didn’t he talk to his father, I mean there is so much to be worked through, but this was absolutely not the moment to have some sort of summit with Harry about all of Harry’s grievances.

“But I think the fact he came was important, the fact he was received was important, I think what encouraged people at the palace and encouraged the king was the fact that afterwards, we didn’t then read about it or hear about it. It remained private.”

King Charles is “unhappy” with the situation between himself and his son Prince Harry, an expert has said.

Royal author Robert Hardman said that the monarch finds the distance between the pair “unsettling” and would like to live in co-existence.

“Like any parent, yes, he definitely finds [the situation] unsettling, it makes him unhappy,” he said.

“There he is, he’s got two sons, one he hardly sees, and two grandchildren he’s barely ever seen and yes, I think he would like some sort of modus vivendi. Clearly they can’t come back to royal life. I don’t think they want to. After all that’s happened it wouldn’t work.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis “would not be exempt from National Service”, it has been revealed.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced his radical plans to bring back National Service for 18-year-olds as part of the general election campaign and it has very limited exceptions.

The party confirmed to The Telegraph that the royal children will be expected to participate.

Sunak said: “National Service schemes in countries around the world show just how fulfilling it is for young people.

“We want to make sure Britain’s future generations can get the most out of National Service, that’s why we’re looking into ways it can open doors they wouldn’t otherwise get in work or education.

“Only the Conservatives will take the bold action required to deliver a secure future for the next generation.”

Royal author Robert Hardman has said that Prince Harry may release a second book, further wounding his brother Prince William.

“The problem that exists is at the moment, there is still a trust issue. People are still very wounded, particularly Prince William, that these intimate private childhood family moments all spilled out in Harry’s book,” he said.

“They’re not particularly negative, I think Charles comes out of the book pretty well, William comes out of it very well, even Queen Camilla comes out of it OK. It’s not what Harry said, it’s the fact that he said it, and he gave away so many secrets. And he was effectively at the time of the Queen’s death, you know, he was taking notes.

“And if you do read that book, and as I said it’s amazing, but if you get to the bit about his wedding to Meghan, it boils down really to about 4 or 5 pages. Now as an author that says to me one thing and one thing only: part two might be on its way.”

King Charles has become the new patron of The Fire Fighters Charity following a review of patronages by the Royal Household.

The role was previously held by Queen Elizabeth from 1953 until her death in 2022.

Sherine Wheeler, chief executive of The Fire Fighters Charity, said: “The patronage of the late Queen, over almost seven decades, reflected the high regard in which our fire and rescue services – and those who work for them – are held by the Royal Household.

“So, I am delighted that we can continue to honour this legacy under the patronage of His Majesty The King.

“We extend our deep gratitude to him for his continued support and dedication to our work to ensure all those in the fire and rescue services community live healthy and happy lives.”

The charity provides support to those in the UK fire services community.

The Princess of Wales has been inundated with ‘tens of thousands’ of get-well-soon cards after her cancer diagnosis was revealed, palace officials say.

The palace’s correspondence team is now said to have been ‘so touched’ by the outpouring of love for Kate that was shown after she told the world about her health concerns in March.

The Mail Online said the Court Post Office - which deals with letters to the royal family - has experienced a much higher level of letters sent to her since March.

The Princess of Wales has reportedly been ‘out and about’ more with her family in recent weeks as she continues to undergo cancer treatment.

Kate, 42, has kept a low profile since she received her diagnosis in January and has not carried out any official royal duties this year.

The Mail Online has reported that while she has been venturing out once more, the palace has stressed that she still needs time and space to recover.

William and Kate are reportedly uneasy over the growing closeness between Harry and Meghan and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Royal author Tom Quinn was quoted as saying by The Mirror: “For William and Kate an alliance between Harry and Meghan and Beatrice and Eugenie is a huge worry.”

He said: “Although Harry and Meghan have little sympathy for Prince Andrew, they’ve kept in regular contact with Beatrice and Eugenie who have always been free of any associations with Meghan’s angry, bitter time in the UK.”

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Princess Beatrice praised the Duchess of York‘s parenting as she read an award-winning book to primary school pupils in south London last week.

The 35-year-old paid tribute to Sarah Ferguson, describing how she “grew up with an incredible mum” and reflecting on the importance of storytelling for young people as she met children at West Thornton Primary School in Croydon.

The duchess has written books for children such as the Budgie the Little Helicopter series.

Beatrice, the royal patron for the Oscar’s Book Prize, read When Dinosaurs Walked The Earth by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Zehra Hicks, which topped this year’s shortlist.