Princess Charlotte, 10, channels her mother Kate's polo chic style as she attends men's Wimbledon final
As the 2025 men's singles final got underway at the All England Club, Prince William and Princess Kate arrived in the royal box accompanied by two of their three children, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, ten, for one of the most notable events in the British sporting calendar.
Young Charlotte, often dubbed her mother's 'mini', stepped out in a charming white summer dress with delicate frill detailing at the hem and black v-line stitching, an ensemble that appeared to pay homage to a similar look worn by Kate three years ago.
Back in 2022, the Princess of Wales turned heads at the Guards Polo Club in Egham, where she was supporting Prince William at a charity match.
For the occasion, Kate wore a sleek ankle-length white dress with sharp black detailing by one of her go-to British designers, Emilia Wickstead.
She accessorised the outfit with Camilla Elphick flats, stylish Finlay & Co sunglasses and statement earrings.
Charlotte's Wimbledon outfit echoed the same elegant combination of white and black, albeit in a more youthful, age-appropriate style.
The subtle nod to her mother's past outfit did not go unnoticed by fans, who praised the sweet sartorial tribute.
At the polo event in 2022, Kate was seen smiling and laughing with friends, and even the family dog Orla, as she cheered on William from the sidelines.
Today, the Wales family once again presented a united front at a high-profile sporting event, with Charlotte following in her mother's stylish footsteps.
The Princess of Wales beamed as she arrived at the All England Club for the men's Wimbledon final this afternoon - and she was accompanied by her tennis-mad children.
Mother-of-three Kate Middleton has been patron of the All England Lawn and Tennis Club, also known as the AELTC (which organises the day-to-day running of the prestigious tournament), since 2016.
While she has brought George and Charlotte to the sporting event, Prince Louis, who is known for his cheeky antics during spectator events, was absent.
Louis, who turned seven in April, last delighted royal fans with his funny facial expressions and adorable beaming smile, showing off his new adult front teeth, at Trooping the Colour in June.
The Princess looked radiant in a blue dress as she arrived at the All England Club for the second consecutive day this afternoon - after presenting the trophy at the women's final on Saturday.
Kate also wore her ' Wimbledon bow' - a brooch featuring the tournament's iconic colours - which it's believed she has worn every time she has visited Wimbledon.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Princess Charlotte and Prince George as they arrive on day fourteen of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships
She debuted her green and purple bow back in 2017, when she paired it with a white, short-sleeved dress.
More than just a mere accessory, the Princess' go-to Wimbledon brooch is actually a symbol of royal patronage, gifted to her from the Queen Elizabeth II.
The women's 2025 final saw Iga Swiatek beat Amanda Asiminova 6-0, 6-0 in a match that lasted just under an hour.
Kate appeared overwhelmed upon arrival at the Royal Box on Centre Court and was welcomed by a huge chorus of cheers and a standing ovation.
It was reminiscent of the reception she received last year, when she chose the tennis tournament as her first solo outing after taking time away from public duty while being treated for cancer.
Today's final sees Jannik Sinner take on Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz - of whom Princess Charlotte is known to be a fan.
Charlotte delighted fans last year with her animated reactions as she watched her favourite player win the coveted trophy.
Throughout the nail-biting match, the young royal winced, cheered, and beamed, as she watched the players compete for the prestigious title.
Prince William, Catherine Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arriving at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships today
The couple's youngest child, Prince Louis, did not attend the event with his family today
Kate took over the role of patron in 2016 from the late Queen who had held the position for 64 years.
The accessory is worn by members of the Committee of Management during the Fortnight – the Main Board of the AELTC and representatives of the LTA. It signifies their responsibilities as the Committee governing the tournament.
The Patron has always traditionally been given a Committee bow in recognition of her role, which is why the Duchess has chosen to wear it when visiting The Championships.
Other individuals also given an honorary Committee bow are the Chief Executive.
The present colours of dark green and purple were introduced in 1909 as the club's previous colours, blue, yellow, red and green, were too similar to those of the Royal Marines.
The royal was praised for her Wimbledon outing yesterday, after she consoled the tearful runner-up Amanda Asiminova who was thrashed by Iga Swiatek in the most one-sided Wimbledon final since 1911.
Kate placed her hand on the American's arm and told her to 'keep your head high' following the 23-year-old's 6-0, 6-0 loss on Centre Court in just 57 minutes.
Anisimova had to briefly leave the court following her humbling at the hands of an inspired Swiatek, 24, as she recorded a double bagel scoreline in the women's final - the first in 114 years and for only the second time in the tournament's history.
The Oscar winner displayed her ageless good looks and taut complexion as she kept her eyes on the court
She styled her long auburn tresses straight
Anisimova broke down again as she mentioned how her mother had flew in from America that morning to watch her.
Anisimova said meeting Kate 'was the positive of today' and told how she had been 'really kind'.
Speaking after the match, she said: 'It was such an honour to meet her.
'I wasn't sure if she was going to come out today, if she was going to be there, so it's just really nice to see her.
'She definitely had a few things to say that were making me emotional again.'
A tearful Anisimova wiped away tears during her post-match interview on court as she praised Swiatek and said she had 'run out of gas a bit today'.
She was playing in her first Wimbledon final and said 'she would never forget this experience'.
'Thank you for being here and breaking the superstition of not flying in - it isn't why I lost here,' she joked.
Anisimova: 'I know I didn't have enough today but I will keep putting in the work and I hope to be back here one day.'
A victorious Swiatek, the first Polish woman to win Wimbledon, also offered words of encouragement to Anisimova.
'First I want to congratulate Amanda for an amazing two weeks. You should be proud of the work you are doing and I hope we will play more finals her,'' she said.
'I didn't even dream, for me it was way too far. I feel like I am already an experienced player after winning the Slams before but I never expected this one.
'This year I really, really enjoyed it and feel I improved my form here.
'I am always going to remember the opening of champagne bottles between serves! It is a sound that will keep me away at night!'
The only ever time there has been a 6-0, 6-0 scoreline in a Grand Slam final was in 1988 when Steffi Graf beat Natasha Zvereva in the French Open.
For her appearance yesterday, Kate donned a custom Self-Portrait white ensemble. The two-piece outfit featured a high collared, military-style belted top and a flowing midi skirt.
Kate has worn designs from Self-Portrait on a number of occasions, including a 2023 Wimbledon appearance, where she wore a similar two-piece outfit, but that time, in green.
She finished the ensemble with a pair of Gianvito Rossi suede slingback heeled pumps in cream, and Anya Hindmarch's Neeson Small Square Tote bag in cream, which retails for £950.
Her jewellery included a gold Halcyon Days bracelet and Cartier earrings.
She also gave a sweet nod to her husband Prince William, wearing what appeared to be her Cartier Bleu watch, which Prince William gave her as an anniversary gift in 2014.
Last year also saw Carlos Alcaraz in the final, which he won, beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
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BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
BBC salaries list: Which stars are missing, and why?
The BBC's annual report will be published later, with Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball likely to top the star salaries list for the last time. The pair have occupied the top two slots on the rankings every year since 2020, but both have recently exited their respective left the Radio 2 Breakfast show in December, three quarters of the way through the financial year, while Lineker recently stood down from the BBC sooner than planned after reposting a controversial Instagram reel about Mills has taken over the Radio 2 breakfast show (Ball now hosts Saturday afternoons), while Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan are the new faces of Match of the Day. Their new salaries are all expected to appear in full next there are plenty of other stars who make huge sums of money from the BBC whose names never appear on the list, due to the criteria used to compile a result, the corporation's salary disclosure is far from a complete picture of what top talent at the BBC earn. Why are some names missing from the BBC salary list? The BBC publishes the names and salaries of stars and executives who earn above a certain threshold (currently £178,000) every year. But while there are many stars the BBC employs directly, the corporation also contracts a large number of production companies, including the corporation's own commercial arm, BBC Studios, to make some of its programmes. The stars who are subsequently employed by those production companies are not directly employed by the BBC, and therefore not on the salaries BBC Studios is a commercial organisation, not underpinned by the licence fee, it is in competition for business with the BBC, streaming services and other a result, its salaries aren't included, so that there is a level playing field for it to compete in the commercial make things more complicated, some shows which air on the BBC are not solely funded by it. Industry, for example, is a co-production with HBO, while the last series of Doctor Who was partly funded by Disney+.That means it's not necessarily the case that the salaries of big stars associated with these shows are funded exclusively from licence fee money. Which stars do not appear on the salaries list? It would be almost impossible to come up with a full, exhaustive list, but here are a few examples of names who are absent, in no particular Clark is missing, despite hosting a weekly Radio 2 show, covering the Eurovision Song Contest, fronting an Italian travel series with his friend Robert Rinder, and his special one-off interview programmes with Cher and Mariah fellow X Factor graduate Stacey Solomon is also not listed, even though she fronts Sort Your Life Out and appears on her own reality TV series with husband Joe Brydon would be included on a more comprehensive list for hosting Would I Lie To You?, as well as his role in Gavin & Stacey's Christmas special, and his new job fronting the corporation's forthcoming competition format Destination Would I Lie To You? co-star Lee Mack would also be listed if directly employed by the BBC, thanks to his role as team captain, as well as for writing and starring in sitcom Not Going Mitchell would also have made the list, not just due to his role as the show's other team captain, but also for BBC work such as his lead acting role in drama popular Friday night panel show, Have I Got News For You would also see team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop appear on the list. On one tetchy exchange on Have I Got News For You in 2019, then-MP Johnny Mercer suggested Hislop earned £20,000 per episode - a figure Hislop did not dispute. Other stars who do not appear include Alan Carr (Interior Design Masters), Alison Hammond (Florida Unpacked and Alison Hammond's Big Weekend), Jools Holland (Later) and Dannii Minogue (I Kissed A Boy). Quiz show hosts as a breed are generally nowhere to be seen. Ross Kemp does not appear for Bridge of Lies, nor does Sandi Toksvig for Coren-Mitchell does not appear for Only Connect, while Sue Perkins is absent for Chess Masters: The Endgame (she also hosts Radio 4's Just A Minute).The weekday edition of Pointless would almost certainly land Alexander Armstrong on the list if compiled differently, along with his Pointless Celebrities co-star Richard Osman, who also fronts BBC Two's House of Games. Romesh Ranganathan hosts a variety of programmes for the BBC, including a weekend Radio 2 show, The Weakest Link and his Misinvestigations series, but is unlisted. The huge number of high-profile actors who appear in BBC dramas and comedies are missing, include Sherwood (starring Lesley Manville and David Morrissey) Mr Loverman (Lennie James), Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis), Ludwig (Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin), and The Responder (Martin Freeman).Other popular BBC dramas and comedies not eligible to appear on the list include The Gold, Rebus, This City Is Ours, Blue Lights, Mrs Brown's Boys, and the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, written by and starring James Corden and Ruth who appear in continuing dramas such as Death in Paradise, Waterloo Road, Casualty, EastEnders and Call The Midwife also do not Morning Live presenters Michelle Ackerley and Gethin Jones are absent, as are the stars of Homes Under The Hammer, Bargain Hunt, The Repair Shop and Saturday Kitchen. There are some other stars who fall into a middle category - those who do appear on the list, but only for some of their BBC work. For example, Vernon Kay is listed for his weekday Radio 2 show, the most popular radio programme in the if he co-hosts an episode of The One Show, his fee for that is not included in his published Lauren Laverne does not have her One Show appearances included, but she appears for hosting Radio 4's Desert Island Discs and her BBC Radio 6 Music One Show's other presenters, such as Alex Jones, Roman Kemp, Clara Amfo, Angellica Bell, Ronan Keating, Alex Scott and countless others also wouldn't be listed - although some appear for other BBC presenters such as Clive Myrie, Fiona Bruce, Evan Davis and Amol Rajan are listed for their work on news programmes, but not for the entertainment and documentary formats they also front. As we reported last year, one name who would potentially be at the very top of a more complete list is Michael McIntyre. He is effectively the corporation's equivalent of ITV's Ant & Dec, hired to front Saturday night shows throughout the year such as The Wheel and his Big Bradley Walsh would likely feature for anchoring Gladiators and Blankety Blank, while Graham Norton would appear for commentating on Eurovision and his BBC One chat Winkleman is another of the corporation's biggest names, as the host of Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors, arguably the BBC's biggest new hit of recent years. She also filled in for Norton on his chat show this year. Top Gear may have been rested, but its former lead anchor Paddy McGuinness now fronts a Sunday programme on Radio 2, and also took over from Gregg Wallace as the host of Inside The former Top Gear co-star Freddie Flintoff has similarly gone on to front Field Of Dreams following the motoring show's Wallace may have been sacked, but until his departure he would have appeared on a more comprehensive list for the huge number of MasterChef episodes he fronted, as would his co-star John big name associated with Strictly is missing, with Tess Daly, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all Apprentice has been one of the BBC's biggest hits for two decades, but the star responsible for its success, Lord Sugar, does not have his salary listed. His assistants Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell don't the BBC's other big business-based show, Dragons' Den, does not list the salaries for its investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BBC 'told John Torode to resign and blame mental health issues' after 'racism allegation' and he REFUSED: MasterChef star reveals he too was ruled against alongside co-host Gregg Wallace
John Torode was asked to resign from MasterChef by the BBC and blame mental health after he was accused of misconduct, it has been claimed. Gregg Wallace 's co-presenter came out last night to admit an allegation of using racist language had been upheld against him - but denied all wrongdoing. It has now emerged Mr Torode reportedly refused to quit when urged to stand down over the weekend. A source told The Sun the MasterChef star, 59, was asked by the BBC and production company Banijay to pretend he had mental health issues. Taking to Instagram last night, Mr Torode, who has hosted the BBC1 cooking show with Wallace since 2005, said he was 'shocked' by the allegation which stated he 'used racial language' in a social situation. A source close to Mr Torode told The Sun the presenter was at drinks after filming when he is alleged to have used an inappropriate racial term. It is claimed the witness said Mr Torode apologised instantly and 'was mortified' and he 'didn't use the term as a slur'. No one complained at the time, but the incident had been brought up during Wallace's inquiry, the source said. Mr Torode to Instagram to say: 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion' The source went on to explain 'shockingly' Mr Torode was only made aware of the incident two weeks ago and was informed on Friday it would be upheld. Mr Torode was reportedly called by The BBC on Thursday night, followed by an email on Friday, asking him to step back and he was told to have his answer by Monday. The source said: 'They ambushed him, and it was suggested he quit due to the stress and scrutiny of the furore around the show. 'Obviously he was absolutely shocked and appalled and told them quite firmly he didn't have any mental health issues. To try to use mental health as a get-out clause seems incredibly low — and is also deeply unfair to those with genuine mental health trauma. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star.' Mr Torode said in last night's social media post: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.' Mr Torode went on to say he had 'absolutely no recollection' of the incident and did 'not believe it happened'. He added: 'I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' The allegation is understood to have been upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of Mr Torode's former co-presenter Gregg Wallace. It comes after Wallace hit out at the BBC as the probe upheld more than half of the complaints of inappropriate behaviour against him, with the presenter warning he 'won't be the last' to be cancelled. The report into Wallace's behaviour on the cooking show upheld 45 out of 83 complaints made, including one count of 'unwanted physical contact', leaving the BBC to admit it 'could and should have' acted sooner on the MasterChef host. The damning investigation also found that two complaints about the behaviour of 'other people' were upheld. While apologising for any 'distress' he caused, Wallace has taken aim at the MasterChef broadcaster, which he claims has valued 'protecting its legacy' over 'protecting people'. Warning that it was 'dangerous' to be a 'working-class man with a direct manner' in the world of broadcasting, he said he 'won't be the last' to face cancellation. The presenter said: 'In the end, the BBC left me exposed to trial by media and the damage it leaves in its wake. 'To those who've shown kindness, thank you. It mattered. This has been brutal. For a working-class man with a direct manner, modern broadcasting has become a dangerous place. I was the headline this time. But I won't be the last. 'There will be more casualties if the BBC continues down this path, where protecting its legacy matters more than protecting people. For my part, with full legal support, I will consider my next move.' Patrick Holland, CEO of MasterChef production company Banijay, said he was 'extremely sorry' to those who had been impacted by Wallace's behaviour and added that the report makes the star's 'return to MasterChef untenable'. Wallace's statement, supplied to the PA news agency before being published on Instagram, noted that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' anyone and that he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused'. He said his 'late autism diagnosis' - which he received while he stepped back from MasterChef at the end of last year - has helped him to understand how he communicates and how he is perceived. He said: 'For eight months, my family and I have lived under a cloud. Trial by media, fuelled by rumour and clickbait. None of the serious allegations against me were upheld. 'I challenged the remaining issue of unwanted touching but have had to accept a difference in perception, and I am deeply sorry for any distress caused. It was never intended. 'I'm relieved that the Banijay report fully recognises that my behaviour changed profoundly in 2018. 'Some of my humour and language missed the mark. I never set out to harm or humiliate. I always tried to bring warmth and support to MasterChef, on screen and off. 'After nearly 20 years on the show, I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread. I also accept that more could have been done, by others and by myself, to address concerns earlier. 'A late autism diagnosis has helped me understand how I communicate and how I'm perceived. I'm still learning. Banijay have given me great support, and I thank them.' Wallace's fiery statement comes just days after he said he would 'not go quietly' in a post which has since been deleted from his Instagram page. The BBC said the investigation into a 'substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct' over 19 years highlighted behaviour that falls below the corporation's values. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC,' a spokesman added. 'We accept more could and should have been done sooner.' The corporation would not confirm whether they will broadcast the series of MasterChef they filmed with him last Autumn. A spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Downing Street welcomed the fact the BBC had 'severed ties' with Wallace, adding: 'We're clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.' The seven-month investigation, conducted by law firm Lewis Silkin, heard 83 allegations from 41 complainants against Wallace, all relating to his time on the cookery programme. It also found that 10 standalone allegations were made against 'other people', from 2012 to 2019, with two claims, relating to swearing and racist language being upheld. The majority of the allegations against Mr Wallace (94 per cent) related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018. Only one allegation was substantiated post 2018. The majority of substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour. A smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated. One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the allegations against Gregg Wallace were 'horrendous and appalling', and she welcomed the BBC's decision to end its association with the MasterChef presenter. The investigation team found evidence that during the period from 2005 to 2024, six complaints were raised with the production company and 6 with the BBC (four of which had also been raised with the production company). However, the investigator found that 'there was a tendency to address the concern informally on a case-by-case basis and not therefore consider each issue as additive to any prior allegations or to matters which had been observed by senior members of staff'. More formal action was taken by the production company in 2015 and the BBC in 2017. Wallace was diagnosed with autism during the time of the investigation and the report found that this was 'highly relevant' in the context of the findings. They said: 'Mr Wallace's neurodiversity diagnosis is considered highly relevant in the context of the findings made, particularly regarding his use of humour as a 'masking' technique and his difficulty in reading social cues. 'Mr Wallace accepts that his diagnosis may help to explain some of his actions, but he does not wish to hide behind it.' The categories of allegations were separated in seven categories which included inappropriate comments (jokes and innuendo), sexually explicit comments, being in a state of undress, sexualised comments made to or about someone, culturally insensitive / racist comments, bullying, unwanted physical contact. The majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, however, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language, being in a state of undress and unwelcome physical contact were also substantiated. Out of the 45 upheld complaints, 27 occurred between 2005 to 2011, 17 from 2012 to 2018 and just one from 2019 to 2024. Overall, the report concluded that 16 sexually explicit comments, 12 inappropriate comments, two sexualised comments to or about someone and four culturally insensitive/racist comments were made. One incident of unwelcome physical contact and three incidents of being in a state of undress were also substantiated. While, seven cases of bullying were upheld. Prior to 2016, the investigation found that there was little or no formal training or clear escalation procedures in place, leading to underreporting of inappropriate behaviour. It also added that concerns were not always flagged to Wallace meaning he was 'not necessarily aware that his behaviour had caused offence'. The report found that many contestants felt unable to speak out on MasterChef because 'their desire to do well in the competition, meant that they were unlikely to complain or allow their reactions to show.' Karen Baxter, the head of investigations at Lewis Silkin, who conducted the report did find that after the BBC warned Wallace about his behaviour in 2017 that he did change his behaviour. She said: 'There is evidence which shows that Mr Wallace took some proactive steps to modify his behaviour, seek guidance from colleagues on his choice of language, and to remove himself from work-related social situations.' Patrick Holland, CEO Banijay UK said: 'In earlier years, specifically prior to 2016 where the vast majority of these issues arose, it is clear that escalation procedures were not as robust as they should have been, and awareness of policies and procedures were lacking particularly amongst freelance staff. ' A spokesman for the BBC said: 'We welcome the publication of the findings by Lewis Silkin, following the investigation into the conduct of Gregg Wallace. 'In light of these findings, Banijay UK and the BBC have agreed Mr Wallace's return to MasterChef is untenable. The BBC has informed Mr Wallace we have no plans to work with him in future. 'The investigation details a substantial number of allegations of inappropriate conduct spanning 19 years. This behaviour falls below the values of the BBC and the expectations we have for anyone who works with or for us. 'Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour - both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner. 'We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace's behaviour. 'Lewis Silkin's findings include two further allegations which were upheld, relating to other individuals. The BBC takes these findings very seriously and we have asked Banijay UK to take action to address these issues, which is underway. This will be completed as a priority. 'The BBC will not be commenting further at this stage, but we are clear we expect the highest standards of respect at work to be upheld on the production. 'At this stage we are not going to make a final decision on the broadcast of the series that was filmed last year. We know this is disappointing for fans of the show and those who took part and at the appropriate time Banijay UK will consult further with the amateur contestants. 'In April the BBC published a detailed response to an independent review of workplace culture, which reinforces expectations around behaviour and that we will act more decisively when standards are not met. This also requires all TV production partners to align with the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) standards. 'We want to reaffirm, there is no place for the abuse of power, unacceptable behaviour or language at the BBC, or shows made for the BBC.' John Torode, The BBC and Banijay UK have been contacted for further comment on the 'mental health' allegation and whether Mr Torode had been asked - and refused - to step down.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
King Charles and Prince Harry aides 'peace summit' part of 'charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image'
A meeting between King Charles and Prince Harry 's senior aides came amid a charm offensive by the Sussexes to turn around their negative public image, the Mail understands. Harry and Meghan's new chief of communications, Meredith Maines, met with Tobyn Andreae, the King's communications secretary, at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) a three-minute walk from Clarence House, the monarch's London residence on Wednesday. Also present was Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussexes' PR team in the UK. Images of the rendezvous raised hopes of a reconciliation between Harry, 40, and his father, 76. The extraordinary summit came after Ms Maines, who is head of Harry's household in Montecito, California, flew to the UK earlier in the week for a series of meetings alongside Mr Maguire, their new 'UK and Europe communications manager'. These included British business and charitable partners, as well as a host of London-based press and television journalists. Their itinerary suggests that the couple - Harry in particular - are launching a new charm offensive on the UK in a bid to turn around their negative public image. The Mail understands it was subsequently suggested that a meeting with Buckingham Palace's director of communications, Mr Andreae, might be possible while Ms Maines was in the UK. This is not as surprising as it might initially seem. The extraordinary summit came after Ms Maines, who is head of Harry's household in Montecito, California, flew to the UK earlier in the week for a series of meetings alongside Mr Maguire, their new 'UK and Europe communications manager (pictured) Even after the Sussexes' acrimonious departure from the Royal family, tentative 'lines of communication' were kept open between the palace press office and the duke and duchess' PR team on occasional matters of importance. However in recent years these have all but dwindled out in the wake of Harry's repeated and increasingly vitriolic attacks on his family, as well as the institution of the monarchy. His latest, with the BBC, in which he blamed his recent decisive defeat in the British courts over his ongoing security in the UK on an 'establishment stitch-up' and insensitively raised the issue of how long his father has to live, went down extremely badly in royal circles. While understandably wary, it is understood that the palace believed a tentative meeting was sensible in the circumstances - if only to re-open those channels once again with yet another new Sussex PR team, following another series of enforced departures both in California and the UK. There was 'considerable surprise' and a 'weary resignation' amongst senior courtiers to see details and pictures of Wednesday's meeting, which was such a closely-guarded secret, published in the media at the weekend. Senior officials on all sides have repeatedly declined to say whether Prince William's team at Kensington Palace were aware that the meeting was going ahead, even if they were not represented. One source stressed to the Mail that the relationship between father and son was 'inevitably different' to that of the siblings. It has also been noted that while angry and not wishing at present to make any sort of personal overtures to his brother, William has on a number of occasions over the years made magnanimous gestures of kindness towards him, despite huge provocation, including inviting Harry and Meghan to meet mourners and collect flowers at Windsor Castle following the death of Queen Elizabeth. A source said the summit was only the 'first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction' Harry is next due back in the UK in September for the annual WellChild events, raising the prospect of meeting his father for the first time in 18 months. The 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is another opportunity for a public reconciliation. The Duke is said to have sent email invitations to Buckingham Palace in the hope that it will give the King sufficient time to fit the event into his busy schedule. While the meeting was significant, it is understood it was largely to 'open a channel of communication' after Harry said in a BBC interview his father would not speak to him, and to discuss how to avoid media clashes and conflicts around calendar dates. Harry and Meghan are said to be frustrated after the meeting was caught on camera in pictures published by the Mail on Sunday. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex denied leaking details of the rendezvous.
