Royal Family LIVE: Meghan Markle will not join Prince Harry at WellChild Awards

The Duchess of Sussex will not be joining her husband, Prince Harry, at the WellChild awards ceremony in London this evening. 

The event is held in celebration of the achievements and resilience of seriously-ill children and their families.

Meghan has not been seen at a public event since the Sussexes returned to the UK late in August. 

Prince Harry has been a patron of the charity for 18 years, playing an important role in assisting WellChild to raise both awareness and funds. 

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Prince Edward took part in a Litter Pick with the Spelthorne Litter Pickers Group on Sunday to mark World Clean-Up Day, at Hengrove Park in Ashford, Surrey.

The Duke of Edinburgh joined young volunteers and local community groups for the litter pick, which is part of an initiative organised by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

Edward's outing comes as his son, James, Earl of Wessex, prepares to begin university. The 19-year-old will study Rural Land & Property Management at Royal Agricultural University. Induction for new students began this week. 

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Become a HELLO! VIP to read our latest story on how Prince William and Prince Harry are navigating fresh family turmoil amid shocking revelations made in Earl Spencer's new memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. 

As revelations surrounding Princess Diana's death bring the past trauma back into the spotlight, the brother's remain anchored by an enduring code of duty. 

Read the story here. 

Charles Spencer's claim about King Charles

One of the most startling claims from Diana's brother concerned King Charles' reaction to Diana's death. The Earl wrote: "I assumed the pause signalled an effort to bring himself under control, but then he unleashed down the phone what I have always taken to be his pent-up contempt for Diana, and his horror that the world was so bowled over by her death. 'Rest assured,' he hissed, 'we'll forget her soon enough!'"

In response, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."

HELLO! VIP members enjoy full digital access to every issue of HELLO!, including exclusive royal features, special editions and our complete magazine archive. 

Images of King Harald's final resting place have been released by the Royal Court of Norway. 

The late Norwegian monarch's sarcophagus has been laid in the crypt of the palace church in Oslo, alongside those of his parents, King Olav and Crown Princess Märtha, and his grandparents, King Haakon VII and Queen Maud.

Harald V passed away on 28 August aged 89. In a statement, the Norwegian royal household said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Rikshospitalet on Friday, August 28, at 06:35.

"He leaves behind his wife, Queen Sonja, 89, and children, Crown Prince Haakon, 53 and Princess Martha Louise, 54."

Harald V reigned for 35 years, from 17 January 1991 until his death.

His stone coffin was designed by the firm Snøhetta, architect Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, and cost an estimated 20 million NOK (£1.6 million) after being commissioned in 2024.

Following Harald's death, his son Haakon is now King, with Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra now heir. 

More details about King Harald's final resting place here. 

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It's an exciting week for James, Earl of Wessex, as induction for new students at Royal Agricultural University, where the 18-year-old will study Rural Land & Property Management.

James enrolled in university straight after completing his A-levels, forgoing a gap year. 

The decision was confirmed in a statement by Buckingham Palace. 

"Having achieved the grades he needed, The Earl of Wessex will be going to the Royal Agricultural University to study Rural Land & Property Management. He will head straight there without taking a year out," the Palace said. James' three-year degree will focus on estate management, rural business, and consultancy.

The young royal will leave his family home, Bagshot Park, for life in the Cotswolds. Undergraduates often spend their first year living at university halls.

James' exciting new chapter comes just months after his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, graduated from the University of St Andrews with an English degree. 

Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie beamed alongside their daughter in her graduation portraits, taken at the University House following the ceremony in July. 

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Princess Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, has offered his view on the rift between his nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry.

During an in-depth interview with the BBC ahead of the release of his bombshell book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, the 62-year-old set the record straight. 

"I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry’s side. Well, I’m on my deceased sister’s sons’ side, both of them, he told interviewer Laura Kuenssberg. 

“And if either of them wanted anything, then I’d be equally there for them. And I never get involved in one camp or the other, except as a benign figure, I hope."

Speaking about William and Harry, who are reportedly not in contact, Charles said: "I hope one day it's resolved. But I don't know all. I certainly don't know what’s been done in the finer detail and so I would feel intrusive if I got more involved than to say of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other."

Read the full story here. 

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WellChild is a national charity that works with seriously ill children and their families. 

Prince Harry has been a patron of the charity for 18 years, playing an important role in assisting WellChild to raise both awareness and funds. 

This year's WellChild Awards will take place in London on 21 September. The ceremony celebrates the inspirational achievements of seriously ill children and those who care for them.

In July, Harry visited Birmingham Children's Hospital during his visit to the UK, and met families benefiting from the charity's specialist support programmes. 

The 42-year-old said at the time: "It is always a privilege to spend time with the children, families and professionals at the heart of WellChild’s work."

He added: "Over the past 18 years as Patron of WellChild, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the extraordinary impact these nurses have had on thousands of children and families across the UK. 

"I have seen the difference specialist nursing support can make, from empowering families with the confidence to care for their children at home, to helping children have the opportunity to live their best lives, surrounded by those who love them most."

Harry continued to champion WellChild from across the pond after moving to the US in 2020. 

Speaking to HELLO! at the awards last September, the Prince discussed his two children, saying: "I think once you become a parent yourself, everything changes.

"It's emotional enough not being a parent and seeing what these families go through, but then when you have your own kids or when you're expecting your own kids, that's when it really hits you." 

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Good morning and welcome to the beginning of another busy week of royal news! We'll be keeping you up to speed on all the latest royal updates from across the globe, so stay tuned!

What's on today's agenda?

Prince Harry will attend the annual WellChild Awards ceremony taking place in London today. 

Meanwhile, Princess Anne will visit NFU Mutual South Cotswolds to open its new offices in Wiltshire.

Elsewhere, James, Earl of Wessex, is preparing for an exciting new chapter. Induction begins for new students at Royal Agricultural University today, where James will study Rural Land & Property Management.