Latest news with #royal family
Fox News
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert
Prince Harry and King Charles' private aides reportedly held a secret "peace summit" in an effort to restore the broken relationship between father and son. However, several royal experts insisted to Fox News Digital there's one senior royal who will likely never forgive or forget. "The important issue is that Prince William and his representatives were not invited," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. "I feel that this was a warning shot across William's bows that Charles is king – not him. … It may also be a stark warning that Charles will decide what happens during his reign, not William." According to the Mail on Sunday, Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex's chief of staff and communications director, flew from California to London recently to meet with the king's communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae. Liam Maguire, who oversees U.K. press for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, was also present. The informal meeting was reportedly held at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private club located a short walk from Clarence House, the king's London residence. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment. "It is a sign from King Charles that he wants peace with Harry and Meghan and to meet his grandchildren," Turner claimed. Fox News Digital learned that Maines was in London to meet with the U.K.-based communications team, media, stakeholders and senior figures connected to Harry's patronages. It's understood that the visit was routine and part of ongoing planning and engagement. A source told the Mail Sunday that the meeting was only the "first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE WILLIAM NEED AN INTERVENTION TO END FEUD: EXPERT "Everyone just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk," the source added. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that William, heir to the British throne, likely knew of the meeting but chose not to get his aides involved. Experts previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry are not on speaking terms. "The king is still battling cancer and is in his late 70s," said Fitzwilliams. "He wants a relationship with his grandchildren, whom he has hardly met. He is also temperamentally more accommodating than William. But [William] cannot trust the Sussexes. They must know it. The prospect of seeing the Sussexes at royal events would enrage the monarchy's loyal supporters. … Of course, reconciliation is desirable [for the king]. It would, however, come at a price." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California in 2020, citing unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. After their exit, the couple aired grievances in interviews, documentaries and in Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare." In his book, Harry, 40, appears to be tormented by his status as a royal "spare" behind William, 43. He recounts a long-standing sibling rivalry that worsened after Harry began a relationship with Meghan, 43, whom he married in 2018. "From a positive private family stance, some personal healing between father and son would be good," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "King Charles will always love his son, and, in light of the king's ongoing cancer treatment, it could help tidy up the messy fractured relationship. "King Charles is living with cancer, which makes his family situation very sad," Chard noted. "I'm sure he is thinking about his mortality and reevaluating his life. He would not want a family feud tarnishing his positive contributions and memory. I'm sure he will also want to clear up unresolved issues or surprises that could lead to further resentment and conflict between his two sons. "Life is too short for battles," Chard continued. "However, without Prince William's inclusion in the rapprochement, I can't see a positive outcome. It could also cause a wedge between Charles and William despite the king most certainly consulting with William." But not everyone feels that way. "It was a good first step," an insider told People magazine. "There's optimism that it can be taken forward." According to the outlet, it's not known whether Harry and Charles, 76, have spoken recently. In May, Harry told the BBC he wanted reconciliation but that his father wouldn't speak to him. Sources previously told People the king wouldn't respond to Harry's letters or phone calls. "I would love reconciliation with my family," said Harry. "There's no point in continuing to fight anymore." But British royals expert Hilary Fordwich said she wasn't buying the so-called peace summit. "My instincts say that Harry is desperate," Fordwich claimed. "And King Charles loves his son and wants to have a restored relationship. However, this tentative step in any fragile peace process was marred by the leak of the meeting's details and photos. How on Earth was the media there?. … Both sides [have] expressed frustration regarding how such a leak jeopardizes the process, with now suspicions and distrust being resurrected. "Prince William is likely viewing this leak as being true to form for the Sussexes," Fordwich claimed. "It further reinforces his stance that any reconciliation or indeed dialogue with the Sussexes will become public." Chard also wondered how the details of what was supposed to be a private meeting became public so quickly. "The trust line seems to have been overstepped yet again," Chard claimed. "The story broke as the Prince and Princess of Wales received glowing media attention at Wimbledon. This was promptly overshadowed by the leaked reconciliation story. … The PR machine is seemingly in full play. It wouldn't surprise me if everything was filmed and will soon be featured in a new Netflix show. "But … wouldn't it be great if a fairytale reconciliation was in the cards or even a diplomatic agreement to disagree and move on?" Fitzwilliams previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry, once seemingly inseparable siblings, have "less in common than we imagined." "'Spare' made this pretty clear," said Fitzwilliams. "Harry resented the way he was treated as a bit of a joker and the royal wild child. He was also traumatized by the death of his mother, and resentment about security issues stems directly from this. This was very clear in his angry interview recently on the BBC. "William undoubtedly and rightly feels betrayed by Harry as [the interviews and memoir] were so damaging. At the heart of this is the fact that he feels he cannot trust his brother or Meghan ever again."
The National
3 days ago
- The National
Saudi Arabia's ‘Sleeping Prince' dies after 20 years in coma
Prince Al Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, known to millions as Saudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince', has died after spending 20 years in a coma, his family announced on Saturday. The prince, a nephew of billionaire Saudi Arabian investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, had been in a coma since being admitted to hospital following a car accident in 2005. A family statement posted on X expressed "profound sadness and sorrow" over the death of the prince. It said his funeral will take place in Riyadh on Sunday. Videos and photographs of Prince Al Waleed connected to a life-support machine have been shared by members of his family over the years. One showed him covered with a Saudi Arabian flag with the words "Our Country is in Our Hearts". In a video shared by his family five years ago, he was seen moving his fingers, giving hope to wellwishers who had hoped to see him make a full recovery.
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Thai Court to Rule in August on Royal Insult Case Against Thaksin Amid Political Crisis
A Thai criminal court is set to rule next month on a near decade-old royal defamation case against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, raising fresh risks for the head of the embattled political dynasty that controls the country's ruling party. The court set the verdict for 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 22, after Thaksin testified in a trial that wrapped up on Wednesday, according to his lawyer Winyat Chatmontree. The 75-year-old Thaksin was formally charged in June last year for violating the country's lese majeste law, which protects the royal family from criticism, over comments he made to South Korean media in 2015.
Fox News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Prince William's absence at King Charles and Prince Harry's 'peace summit' could be a 'warning shot': expert
Prince Harry and King Charles' private aides reportedly held a secret "peace summit" in an effort to restore the broken relationship between father and son. However, several royal experts insisted to Fox News Digital there's one senior royal who will likely never forgive or forget. "The important issue is that Prince William and his representatives were not invited," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. "I feel that this was a warning shot across William's bows that Charles is king – not him. … It may also be a stark warning that Charles will decide what happens during his reign, not William." According to the Mail on Sunday, Meredith Maines, the Duke of Sussex's chief of staff and communications director, flew from California to London recently to meet with the king's communications secretary, Tobyn Andreae. Liam Maguire, who oversees U.K. press for Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, was also present. The informal meeting was reportedly held at the Royal Over-Seas League, a private club located a short walk from Clarence House, the king's London residence. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Archewell, which handles the offices of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, for comment. "It is a sign from King Charles that he wants peace with Harry and Meghan and to meet his grandchildren," Turner claimed. Fox News Digital learned that Maines was in London to meet with the U.K.-based communications team, media, stakeholders and senior figures connected to Harry's patronages. It's understood that the visit was routine and part of ongoing planning and engagement. A source told the Mail Sunday that the meeting was only the "first step towards reconciliation between Harry and his father, but at least it is a step in the right direction." WATCH: PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE WILLIAM NEED AN INTERVENTION TO END FEUD: EXPERT "Everyone just wants to move on and move forward now. It was finally the right time for the two sides to talk," the source added. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that William, heir to the British throne, likely knew of the meeting but chose not to get his aides involved. Experts previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry are not on speaking terms. "The king is still battling cancer and is in his late 70s," said Fitzwilliams. "He wants a relationship with his grandchildren, whom he has hardly met. He is also temperamentally more accommodating than William. But [William] cannot trust the Sussexes. They must know it. The prospect of seeing the Sussexes at royal events would enrage the monarchy's loyal supporters. … Of course, reconciliation is desirable [for the king]. It would, however, come at a price." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California in 2020, citing unbearable intrusions of the British press and a lack of support from the palace. After their exit, the couple aired grievances in interviews, documentaries and in Harry's 2023 memoir, "Spare." In his book, Harry, 40, appears to be tormented by his status as a royal "spare" behind William, 43. He recounts a long-standing sibling rivalry that worsened after Harry began a relationship with Meghan, 43, whom he married in 2018. "From a positive private family stance, some personal healing between father and son would be good," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. "King Charles will always love his son, and, in light of the king's ongoing cancer treatment, it could help tidy up the messy fractured relationship. "King Charles is living with cancer, which makes his family situation very sad," Chard noted. "I'm sure he is thinking about his mortality and reevaluating his life. He would not want a family feud tarnishing his positive contributions and memory. I'm sure he will also want to clear up unresolved issues or surprises that could lead to further resentment and conflict between his two sons. "Life is too short for battles," Chard continued. "However, without Prince William's inclusion in the rapprochement, I can't see a positive outcome. It could also cause a wedge between Charles and William despite the king most certainly consulting with William." But not everyone feels that way. "It was a good first step," an insider told People magazine. "There's optimism that it can be taken forward." According to the outlet, it's not known whether Harry and Charles, 76, have spoken recently. In May, Harry told the BBC he wanted reconciliation but that his father wouldn't speak to him. Sources previously told People the king wouldn't respond to Harry's letters or phone calls. "I would love reconciliation with my family," said Harry. "There's no point in continuing to fight anymore." But British royals expert Hilary Fordwich said she wasn't buying the so-called peace summit. "My instincts say that Harry is desperate," Fordwich claimed. "And King Charles loves his son and wants to have a restored relationship. However, this tentative step in any fragile peace process was marred by the leak of the meeting's details and photos. How on Earth was the media there?. … Both sides [have] expressed frustration regarding how such a leak jeopardizes the process, with now suspicions and distrust being resurrected. "Prince William is likely viewing this leak as being true to form for the Sussexes," Fordwich claimed. "It further reinforces his stance that any reconciliation or indeed dialogue with the Sussexes will become public." Chard also wondered how the details of what was supposed to be a private meeting became public so quickly. "The trust line seems to have been overstepped yet again," Chard claimed. "The story broke as the Prince and Princess of Wales received glowing media attention at Wimbledon. This was promptly overshadowed by the leaked reconciliation story. … The PR machine is seemingly in full play. It wouldn't surprise me if everything was filmed and will soon be featured in a new Netflix show. "But … wouldn't it be great if a fairytale reconciliation was in the cards or even a diplomatic agreement to disagree and move on?" Fitzwilliams previously told Fox News Digital William and Harry, once seemingly inseparable siblings, have "less in common than we imagined." "'Spare' made this pretty clear," said Fitzwilliams. "Harry resented the way he was treated as a bit of a joker and the royal wild child. He was also traumatized by the death of his mother, and resentment about security issues stems directly from this. This was very clear in his angry interview recently on the BBC. "William undoubtedly and rightly feels betrayed by Harry as [the interviews and memoir] were so damaging. At the heart of this is the fact that he feels he cannot trust his brother or Meghan ever again."
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
William and Kate were probably aware of Harry's 'peace summit' but won't be as keen as the King to reconcile differences, insiders reveal
Prince William probably knew about the secret 'peace summit' between the Sussexes' key aides and the King's communications secretary but will be a 'tougher nut to crack' than his father, MailOnline can reveal today. The photographs published in The Mail on Sunday have been made headlines around the world and raised hopes of reconciliation between the warring royals. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have denied leaking details of the rendezvous between Meredith Maines, Liam Maguire and the King's communications secretary Tobyn Andreae in London on Wednesday. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not have their own representative at the summit at a club close to Buckingham Palace, but will have been made aware, MailOnline's source said today. But there will be fresh 'frustrations' that the meeting was leaked at a time when 'trust' is at an all time low - especially between Harry and William. 'Prince Harry made it clear in May that he was fed up with the fighting and wanted to reconcile with his family, not least because his father hasn't shared his cancer prognosis with him and he just hasn't got a clear picture about His Majesty's health. A first step is getting their offices talking to one another again', the royal insider said. 'Tobyn Andreae is director of communications for the whole royal household so in that sense could be seen to be representing the Prince and Princess of Wales but, in reality, they run their own operation. Many things have been said that probably everyone regrets but if there is reconciliation, it's likely that William and Kate are going to be a tougher nut to crack than the King. 'I'd be surprised if William wasn't aware that it was going ahead. His office and Team Sussex have coordinated in the past, even when the two brothers weren't speaking, over events for the Diana Award or the unveiling of the Diana statue. 'But relations have been increasingly strained even at that level between the Sussexes and both the King's and William's offices'. The source added: 'The first step has to be building trust so I think there's frustration that this meeting was leaked'. Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday It came amid claims that Harry and Meghan are said to be frustrated after a meeting between their chief of communications and an aide of the King was caught on camera. The meeting was at the Royal Over-Seas League near Clarence House – a private members' club, which, somewhat ironically, champions international friendship and of which the King is patron. It is not known whether it was Charles or Harry who arranged the 'peace talks' but pictures of the two sides enjoying drinks raised hopes of a reconciliation. Both Harry, 40, and his father, 76, are said to be keen to reconcile, especially after the King was diagnosed with cancer last year. However, Harry and Meghan are said to have been frustrated that pictures of the extraordinary meeting were published in The Mail on Sunday. Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper. They acknowledged that having the details splashed across newspaper front pages was not an ideal start to what they had hoped would be a new period of peace, The Telegraph reported last night. The King is said to have backed the historic summit with a source close to His Majesty hailing it as a 'significant moment' that could repair the relationship with his son. A source told The Mirror: 'The King has consistently shown he loves both his sons and, as he has done in the past, is prepared to meet Harry when their diaries allow. 'It's not unusual for aides from different households to meet, especially when there is a new influx of staff starting, but this is a significant moment. 'If there is a period of calm and reflection on the part of the duke, then there be a way forward for him to begin along the road of repairing his relationship with his father.' But the source cautioned repairing the relationship with his brother was a 'different matter entirely and one which he will find much harder to repair'. Pictures of the meeting show Ms Maines, carrying a black Louis Vuitton bag, arrive by taxi with Mr Maguire at 3:50pm on Wednesday. Mr Andreae turned up minutes later carrying a gift from Berry Bros & Rudd, the official wine supplier to the Royal Family. The trio were later seen chatting over drinks in the 26C (78F) sunshine on a first-floor garden terrace overlooking Green Park. After ten minutes they resumed their discussions inside. 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'. Sources close to Prince Harry insisted the Sussexes were not responsible for passing details of the meeting on to the newspaper The source told The Mail on Sunday: 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years. There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.' Royal experts suggested the meeting was 'more of a courtesy call' than peace talks. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said she believed it was simply a chance for Ms Maines, who was appointed earlier this year, to meet her British counterpart, respected royal aide Mr Andreae. The Palace refused to comment on whether Prince William was aware of the meeting but royal experts said it was unlikely to have gone ahead without his approval. The 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham is one opportunity for a public reconciliation reportedly being discussed by both sides. California-based Harry is set to next visit the UK in September for the annual WellChild events.
