Royal news – live: William and Kate release unseen wedding photo to mark anniversary as Harry to return to UK
Prince and Princess of Wales to celebrate ‘very differently’ this year, royal expert claims
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William and Kate have released an unseen picture to mark their wedding anniversary as they celebrate “very differently” while the Princess of Wales continues her cancer treatment.
The couple shared a black and white photo of themselves smiling on their wedding day in an X/Twitter post captioned: “13 years ago today!”
Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy for an undisclosed cancer, married future king William in 2011 after eight years of dating.
Speaking on their 13th wedding anniversary, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: “This year will be very different from previous years as Catherine is undergoing preventative chemotherapy after recovering from abdominal surgery.”
Their anniversary comes one day before King Charles is set to return to work for the first time since announcing his own cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Revealing that the King has made “progress” with his treatment, the palace said he would be making a public visit to a cancer treatment centre on Tuesday.
His public engagement will come just days before his son Prince Harry returns to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games next week.
The prince’s visit will be his first since he saw his father for 45 minutes in February and the first since his sister-in-law Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis.
Royal expert wants ‘nonsense’ claims about King’s health to stop as he returns to a work
A royal expert has called for “nonsense” claims about King Charles’s health being in decline to stop ahead of his return to work tomorrow (30 April).
The king, 75, is in fact doing so well that doctors have reportedly been left “impressed” by his progress.
However, his public appearances will be “scaled back” to give him the best possible chance of recovery from his undisclosed form of cancer.
“There have been claims in some media outlets that the king is not doing well in his cancer battle,” royal expert Katie Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight.
“I think the announcements out of the palace and… the king’s imminent return to public duties should stop such nonsense in its track, quite frankly.
“My sources have been telling me that the king has been responding very positively to his medical treatment, that his medical team are very pleased with his progress. I think that the news that we hear out of the palace really supports all of that, because he’s coming back to work.”
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 14:30
Kate Middleton described William ‘supportive’ ‘through the bad times’
The pair, who today (29 April) celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary, opened up about their eight-year-long courtship in their 2010 engagement interview.
In the poignant interview, Kate describes Will as a “loving boyfriend” who is “very supportive of me through the good times and also through the bad times”.
This is something that has sadly been required of the Prince in recent weeks and months as he supports his wife through her cancer diagnosis.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 14:00
Kate is working behind the scenes
Kate Middleton is reportedly working when she can despite her cancer diagnosis, it has been claimed.
“The couple are working behind the scenes,” he said. “I have been told by a source who is in regular, almost daily contact with the couple that they are putting in days work, especially William – and Kate when she is able to.
“The abdominal surgery, apart from being very painful, was emotionally draining for Kate.
“The couple had to come to terms with all of this even before the cancer announcement. William has stepped up to the plate, ensuring his family and his family are confidently moving forward.”
The expert added that the couple, who celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary today, are keeping a low profile to protect their children from the spotlight at this difficult time.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 13:35
William and Kate release unseen wedding photo to mark anniversary
William and Kate have released an unseen picture to mark their wedding anniversary.
The couple shared a black and white photo of themselves smiling on their wedding day in an X/Twitter post captioned: “13 years ago today!”
Athena Stavrou29 April 2024 13:16
Kate and William facing their ‘greatest challenge’ so far
But royal author Christopher Andersen believes that Kate and Will are equipped with everything they need to weather the storm of the Princess and King’s cancer diagnoses.
“This is obviously the most bittersweet anniversary William and Kate have ever experienced,” Andersen told Fox News Digital.
“Their marriage is stronger than ever, they have three beautiful children – and now they are facing the greatest challenge of their married lives.”
He added: “It’s hard to think of any marriage stronger than theirs or built on a more solid foundation.
“William and Kate are certainly more equipped emotionally and in every other way to handle whatever life throws at them – and with the dual diagnoses of Kate and the king, life has thrown them a lot.”
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 13:15
Prince William’s return to work
While visiting “Surplus to Supper”, a food waste charity, he received “Get Well Soon” cards for both the Princess of Wales and the King.
He looked visibly touched by the gesture of kindness.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 12:30
The King’s poignant Tuesday itinerary
A palace source said they want to highlight how the illness “doesn’t just affect those who have cancer, it affects all those around them.”
The source added: “Though every patient is different, one of the things they hope to demonstrate and witness is how people can go on living a full life during treatment, not just after it.
“Cancer can be a scary word but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience.”
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 12:20
Harry’s rushed February visit
Prince Harry’s last visit to the UK was a quick one, with the fifth in line to the throne admitting he “jumped on a plane” as soon as he learned of his father’s cancer diagnosis.
He later told ABC News that he was “grateful” for the time he spent with King Charles – a reported 45 minutes.
“I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can,” he said.
While it was hoped that Prince Harry might attempt to mend his difficult relationship with Prince William during the February visit, the pair did not see each other.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 12:12
Harry’s return to the UK
Prince Harry is reported to be giving a thanksgiving speech at St Paul’s Cathedral on 8 May to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
He founded the event in 2014 to give injured, sick and disabled military veterans a chance to showcase their sporting talents.
It is not yet known whether he will be joined by his wife, Meghan Markle, at the London event – or his children, Archie and Lilibet.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 12:04
Kate and William’s anniversary
The Princess of Wales admitted to going “bright red” the first time she spoke to Prince William in the hallway of a university dorm in 2001.
But she pushed past her self-confessed embarrassment to form a friendship with the then-third in line to the British throne.
This friendship turned romantic after the pair moved into a shared house together in 2002.
However, it was not until 2004 that the pair went public with their relationship and were photographed on a ski trip together in Switzerland.
A tabloid headline at the time read: “Finally… Wills gets a girl”.
While the pair briefly split in 2007, they soon reconciled that same year and dated for a further three years before William popped the question in Kenya in 2010.
Their wedding in April 2011 was watched by an estimated 163 million viewers.
The pair tied the knot at a packed Westminister Abbey service, which included famous faces like Sir Elton John and David Beckham.
Emma Guinness29 April 2024 11:58