Royal family latest – Harry UK return for Princess Diana statue in doubt as expert warns William could be ‘last Monarch’
Prince Harry’s return to the UK for Princess Diana’s statue unveiling is in “serious doubt” amid the so-called royal rift, experts claim.
It was previously thought that William and Harry would unite at the exhibition of their mum’s statue in July – after months of tension between the pair.
Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, told the Sun Online: “I personally don’t think Meghan will return to the UK.
“And there must now be a serious doubt as to whether Harry will come over for the unveiling of a statue for Princess Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday in July.”
Meanwhile, Wolf Hall author Dame Hilary Mantel said the British monarchy is entering its "end game" and the institution may not "outlast" Prince William.
Ms Mantel told the "I think it’s the end game. I don’t know how much longer the institution will go on.
"I’m not sure if it will outlast William. So I think it will be their last big era. I wish the Queen had felt able to abdicate because Charles has had to wait such a long time."
But she said the Queen sees it as a "sacred task" from which she cannot abdicate, although the public sees it as a job you could retire from.
Dame Hilary added: "I wonder if she’s the only person who really believes in the monarchy now, and I’m sure she believes with all her heart."
Recent polls show Britain is broadly in favour of the monarchy with 63 per cent believing it should continue.
Sixty-four per cent believe that the Queen should remain monarch for as long as she lives.
Read our Royal Family live blog below for the latest updates...
KATE AND WILLIAM MAKE 'DELIBERATE MOVE' TO PUT SPOTLIGHT ON KIDS
Kate Middleton and Prince William have made a "deliberate move" to give their children - George, Charlotte and Louis - an "early introduction" to life as a senior royal, it is claimed.
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl said over the last few years they have been introduced to what their future lives could look like as full-time working members of the Royal Family.
She told OK! magazine: "In the last year or so we’ve seen Charlotte and her siblings emerge more onto the public stage – a deliberate move by William and Kate, who initially protected them from the spotlight but are becoming more relaxed now.
"Even back in 2016, when they took George and Charlotte on the official royal tour of Canada, they were giving them both an early introduction to what their parents do, and what their lives may one day look like."
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE USES DIFFERENT NAME AT SCHOOL
Princess Charlotte goes by a different name at her school, London's Thomas's Battersea.
Formally she is known as Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge.
But the six-year-old goes by Charlotte Cambridge to her classmates and teachers.
PRINCESS BEATRICE'S WEDDING CERTIFICATE IN HISTORY BOOKS TODAY
Princess Beatrice's wedding certificate is the last to match that of Queen Victoria and the very last of its kind.
That is because from today, May 4, marriage law in England and Wales has been transferred to an electronic database.
Certificates, which have always been handwritten on the day of the marriage, will now be printed documents sent in the post after the event.
But it makes Beatrice's marriage special because until May 3 there was no provision for mothers to be mentioned in the record - but now up to four parents per person can be added.
So Beatrice's wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020 marks the last major royal marriage where no mother's details will appear on the certificate, according to .
HOW KATE MIDDLETON KEEPS CAMBRIDGE KIDS IN CHECK
Kate Middleton is often spotted out and about with George, Louis and Charlotte - and praised for how well-behaved they are.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, has frequently been admired for how the royal tots conduct themselves in public, and how they rarely put a toe out of line.
Dr Rebecca Chicot, founder of Essential Parent and the author of the , told Fabulous: "Kate is a sensitive and warm mum. This is called an authoritative style of parenting that is now encouraged.
"This is compared to an autocratic parenting that was encouraged in some circles in Victorian times (e.g. children should be seen and not heard)."
Read the full story here of how the duchess uses code words, head taps and tantrum breaks to keep the Cambridge kids in check.
HARRY & MEG 'COULD BE CAST OUT FOR GOOD'
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry risk being "cast out for good" as they have "pushed things too far", according to one insider.
The source claims the Duke of Sussex's fragile relationship with his father Prince Charles could dash any hope of a future official role within the royal family.
They even said it could ultimately result in the Firm severing all ties with the couple forever.
The insider told Best Life: "Everything that has happened since the Duke of Edinburgh's passing has only made matters worse. For every small step forward, there are two backward.
"The Prince of Wales has a vision of what the Royal Family may look like in the future and if things stay the way they are—or worsen—Harry and Meghan may not be part of that picture. The Sussexes may find themselves cast out for good."
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AND THE QUEEN ARE 'TASTEFUL WOMEN'
Princess Charlotte and the Queen are said to be ";practical, classy and tasteful" women due to them sharing the same star sign.
They are both Tauruses, who tend to be honest, good workers who make great friends, according to CafeAstrology.
But people with this sign can also be rebellious - which would certainly fit with Charlotte's cheeky behaviour at some royal events.
BRITISH ROYALS WHO HAVE BIRTHDAYS IN MAY
Several British royals have birthdays in the month of May.
These include: Princess Charlotte (May 2), Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (May 6) and Zara Phillips (May 15).
ARCHIE 'TO REUNITE WITH QUEEN' THIS WEEK
Meghan and Harry's son Archie is expected to reunite with the Queen this week as he celebrates his second birthday.
Archie turns two on Thursday just weeks before he becomes a big brother.
Although he won't be able to see his grandmother face-to-face, he will likely have a video call with Her Majesty to celebrate the day.
The Duke of Sussex has said in the past how much the Queen enjoys speaking with her family over Zoom.
KATE AND WILLIAM'S KIDS 'DON'T NEED CHILDHOOD BOND WITH ARCHIE'
Prince William and Kate Middleton's children "don't need a childhood bond" with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son Archie, according to a royal author.
Ingrid Seward said George, Charlotte and Louis will create a bond with their cousin later in life.
She told Express.co.uk: “I am sure Diana would have wanted her sons’ offspring to be friends as she would have known how difficult it is to form friendships outside the family as people cannot be trusted not to let some indiscretion slip out.
“How cool to have a Californian cousin who is going to be such a dude as Archie.
“So they may not have the childhood bond, which they really don’t need as they have lots of little friends, but they will really appreciate Archie later on in their lives.”
PRINCE LOUIS IS 'ONE TO WATCH'
Prince Louis is said to be "one to watch" as he grows up as his life will differ hugely from his siblings George and Charlotte, it is claimed.
Speaking to Royally Obsessed podcast about Louis' birthday photos, royal author Elizabeth Holmes said: "I was so struck by the fact that he is living his best third child life.
"That bike, those sneakers, that huge smile that only Kate could get. It really warmed my heart.
"Prince Louis will live such a different life than George, and even Charlotte."
She continued: "Charlotte's will be different because she's the only girl. I think [Louis] will be a delight to watch for years to come. He's so cute, but I would have guessed that he is six years old if I didn't know better."
Credit: EPA HARRY'S MENTAL HEALTH TV SERIES WILL AIR THIS MONTH
Prince Harry’s much-anticipated Apple TV+ series will finally air this month after repeated set-backs.
The mental health documentary serial was due to be released last autumn with Harry, 36, working alongside Oprah Winfrey, 66.
Winfrey confirmed the release on The Drew Barrymore Show, alongside psychiatrist Dr Bruce D Perry.
She said: "I want to just say that Dr Perry and I have also, for the past two years, along with Prince Harry and Apple, we’ve been working on this mental health series that’s coming out in May on Apple."
QUEEN 'WON'T BE WORRIED ABOUT MEG & HARRY'S GLOBAL FAME'
Royal fans fear Meghan and Harry's surging popularity in the US could overshadow the Firm following the duke's appearance at the recording of the VAX Live concert.
But thousands dismissed this idea in a poll by Express.co.uk.
The poll, which ran from 1.30pm until 9.30pm on Monday May 3, asked: "Should the Queen be worried about Meghan Markle and Harry's global fame?"
Nine in 10 (91 per cent) said the monarch will not be worried about the couple's worldwide success.
The remaining nine per cent disagreed, while less than one percent were undecided.
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THQ then went bust in 2013 and the console fell into private hands before 32-year-old Donny managed to acquire it for an undisclosed sum in 2017.
Now, IT administrator Donny is looking to get rid of the gold console and has listed the item on eBay for a jaw dropping $300,000.
Pictures of the gaming unit on the eBay listing show the incredibly metallic looking console perched on a red cloth.
The eBay listing is titled as: “24 Karat Golden Nintendo Wii that was made for Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.”
The console comes with one game, ‘Big Family Games’ and one Wii remote control.
WII CONSOLE 'GIFTED TO THE QUEEN' FOR SALE
A die-hard gamer is selling a "24k gold Wii console" that he claims was initially made and gifted to Her Majesty The Queen.
Ebay seller Donny Fillerup has decided to flog his incredibly rare console and is looking for a staggering £214,000 for it.
Donny, who is from Utrecht in the Netherlands, initially bought the console back in 2017 after the company who sent it to Queen Elizabeth, THQ, went bust.
THQ had been attempting to promote their new game "Big Family Games" back in 2009 and sent a gold Wii to Buckingham Palace.
However, the console was returned to the gaming company after being refused by Palace staff.
HARRY ‘WILL BE MET WITH WALL OF ICE’ IF HE RETURNS TO UK
Prince Harry will be met with a “wall of ice” when he returns to the UK again, it is claimed.
Royal author Lady Colin Campbell told talkRADIO she doesn’t think the duke coming back for the unveiling of his late mother Princess Diana’s statue on what would have been her 60th birthday would be a “wise move”.
She said: “It would be a wise move on his part if he did not come back for it, but it would be an even wiser move on his part if he came back and displayed some element of regret for his previous claims and behaviour.”
Lady C added: “He knows that if he comes back he will be met with a wall of ice, not only by the family but by everybody connected to the family and the British public.”
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE 'WON'T HAVE SAME ISSUES AS PRINCE HARRY'
Princess Charlotte will not experience the same issues as Prince Harry, an insider has claimed.
The duke struggled in his royal role as the "spare" to heir to the throne Prince William - but Charlotte allegedly won't have the same problem with her brother Prince George.
Royal expert Penny Junor told People: "It’s not terribly good for your self-confidence. He was always compared to William: William was the good-looking one, the important one, the clever one. Harry was the also-ran. I think that did take a toll on him."
But things are beginning to shift for Charlotte, the first girl with a younger brother to keep her place in line succession after Parliament stopped the line of succession skipping over girls with the post-Succession to the Crown Act in 2013.
A source told Us Weekly: "She’s definitely the biggest character of the three children at the moment."
KATE 'REMOULDING THE MONARCHY'
Royal courtiers who allegedly sneered at Kate Middleton when she joined the royal family are now "bowing the lowest" to the duchess, an expert has claimed.
Historian and author Sarah Gristwood told Vanity Fair: "I'll bet those courtiers who reputedly once sneered about 'Waity Katy' are the very ones bowing lowest now.
"She looks like the person who's going to have to play a big hand in the ongoing remoulding of the monarchy."
HARRY IS A 'ROCK STAR', SAYS US MEDIA
US media has described Prince Harry as a "rock star" following his appearance at the recording of the VAX Live concert.
Mike Sington, from NBC Universal, said on Twitter: "Prince Harry gets his name in lights, as he makes a rock star appearance to a standing ovation in Los Angeles."
And The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner added: "Well, he’s here!
"Los Angeles LOVES Prince Harry tonight — he gets electric reception and standing ovation as he steps out on the biggest stage since moving down the road in Montecito."
HARRY 'FOUND ETON HARDER THAN WILLIAM'
Prince Harry "probably had it harder finding his way" at Eton College than his brother William, it is claimed.
The Duke of Cambridge was said to be "very integrated" at the prestigious private school, while the Duke of Sussex "wasn't".
Speaking to The Cut, a contemporary of the royal brothers, named Jim, said: "William was very integrated. William was a Pop so he was like a homecoming-king type, but Harry wasn’t — I think Harry probably had it harder finding his way.
"The attitude towards them was very matter of fact."
HARRY 'ISN'T SO THRILLED' ABOUT LIFE IN US
Prince Harry "isn't so thrilled" after his life in the US following his interview with Oprah Winfrey, it is claimed.
Charlie Rae, a former royal editor at The Sun, told talkRADIO he thinks the duke "realises he's frozen out" and compared him to a "startled rabbit caught in the headlights" since he left for California.
He said: "He isn't so thrilled about his new circumstances as he wants you to believe.
"Out in the US, Harry looks like a startled rabbit caught in the headlights.
"I believe that this is a problem that will never go away, it will not be solved."
POLL SUGGESTS PRINCE HARRY ‘SHOULD BECOME KING INSTEAD OF CHARLES’
The Duke of Sussex should become King instead of his dad, the Prince of Wales, a survey has been told.
The recent Deltapoll research found that more than half of 18 to 24-year-olds want Prince Harry to be crowned King when his grandma dies as he is the “preferred future monarch”, reports the .
Despite the royal quitting the UK with Meghan Markle to start a new life in the US, 51 per cent of respondents in that age bracket want him to reign as monarch.
Forty-seven per cent of the 1,590 adults polled said they preferred Prince William to be King rather than Prince Charles.
On Australian morning TV show Sunrise, royal commentator Anna Musson said: “Of course you’re going to vote for the person similar to you.”
PRINCE HARRY ‘WOULD BE A HIT AT MOMMY AND ME MEDITATION SESSIONS’
The Duke of Sussex would be a “big hit” at popular LA baby classes favoured by Brits, reckons an expat.
OK! ex-editor-in-chief Sarah Ivens writes in the Daily Mail: “Baby classes are more exciting in LA, [including] at The Cow’s End Cafe, near the beach, always filled with yogi mamas like Meghan who headed upstairs for ‘mommy and me’ meditation sessions.
“Harry would be a big hit with the worn-down Brit mums who gather there looking for a lift during those first few months with a new baby.
“So long as Harry and Meghan have a group of Brits to laugh and cry with, it’ll be the perfect place for Archie to become a big brother.”
QUEEN SENDS HER ‘WARMEST GOOD WISHES’ ON NORTHERN IRELAND CENTENARY
The Queen has sent her “warmest good wishes” to the people of Northern Ireland on the date which many consider to be its centenary.
She referred to “treasured” memories she shared in NI with her late husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and paid tribute to its people.
It’s the 100th year since the Government of Ireland Act came into effect and the formation of the UK as we know it today.
In her tribute, the Queen said: “This anniversary reminds us of our complex history, and provides an opportunity to reflect on our togetherness and our diversity.
“It is clear that reconciliation, equality and mutual understanding cannot be taken for granted, and will require sustained fortitude and commitment. During my many visits to Northern Ireland, I have seen these qualities in abundance, and look forward to seeing them again on future occasions.”
DUKE OF SUSSEX ROCKS AT COVID JAB GIG
Prince Harry got a standing ovation after appearing solo as he joined celebs to film a Covid concert last night – in his first appearance since Prince Philip’s funeral.
The Duke of Sussex was among a bevy of big names taking part in the taping of the Vax Live show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, due to air on May 8.
He said: “Hi everybody. We are at a defining moment in the global fight against Covid-19.
“Tonight is a celebration of each of you here, the vaccinated frontline workers in the audience and the millions of frontline heroes around the world. You spent the last year battling courageously and selflessly to protect us all.
“You served and sacrificed, put yourselves in harm’s way and with bravery knowing the costs. We owe you an incredible depth of gratitude, thank you. We’re also coming together because this pandemic cannot end unless we act collectively with an unprecedented commitment to our shared humanity.”
MORE INFO ON UNVEILING OF PRINCESS DIANA STATUE
It’s previously been claimed that Prince Harry would return to the UK to unveil the Princess Diana statue after chats with his brother at Prince Philip’s funeral “broke the ice.”
The brothers have had frosty relations since Harry sensationally moved to the US and stepped back from royal life in 2020.
But, according to Royal biographer Omid Scobie, the Duke of Sussex is still expected to be at the statue unveiling for Princess Diana at Kensington Palace.
Writing in , he said: “He will join William at Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden for a ceremony that was rescheduled from summer 2020.”
The statue of Diana is set to be revealed on July 1 – on what would have been her 60th birthday.
