Harry and Meghan issue defiant statement as King Charles unveils official portrait

The King has unveiled the first full official portrait of himself since the coronation, which includes a detail Charles suggested be added.

The portrait, by British artist Jonathan Yeo, was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales' 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022.

The portrait, which was unveiled on Tuesday afternoon at Buckingham Palace, shows Charles wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was appointed colonel of the regiment in 1975.

The 'Megmania' witnessed during the Sussexes' tour of Nigeria suggests their project – being 'half in, half out' royals – had merit, says Sean O'Grady:

It may not have been an official “royal visit,” but anyone watching the coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex visits Nigeria, in aid of the Invictus Games and his charitable foundation, they could have been forgiven for thinking so.

The couple has some celebrity and fame, and no one, at least outside of palace circles, seems all that concerned about whether the couple are classified as “working” or “non-working” royals: “Megmania” In any case, the crisis gripped this part of West Africa. Harry is a prince, his wife is a duchess, his father is the king and head of the Commonwealth, and no alienation or information can alter that. In Lagos State she was welcomed by a prince.

The former royals have been on a PR tour of Nigeria, but it was the Duchess of Sussex revealing she was “missing her babies” that gave them the push. Carolina Brown over the edge. You wouldn't see the late Queen doing it…

clearly harry and meghan They are excellent parents and are extremely proud of their children. But as a proud mother, who also has to travel away from home, the idea of ​​missing my children (while true) is not something I sing and dance much about, especially when I'm at work.

The King has become patron of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), following in the footsteps of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Reigning monarchs have traditionally served as figureheads for the life-saving charity since its founding in 1824, with George IV being its first patron.

The announcement, which coincides with its 200th anniversary, comes after a major review of more than 1,000 royal patronages by the Royal Household following the death of the late Queen.

Author Dame Jilly Cooper has described receiving a royal honor from the King as “orgasmic”.

The 87-year-old also named The Common Years as her favorite work she has written, after being made a dame for her services to literature and charity on Tuesday.

She is primarily known for her Rutshire Chronicles, which focus on scandal and adultery in upper-class society and on an aristocratic character called Rupert Campbell-Black.

The Duke of Kent joined the last surviving widow of the lifeboat disaster to lay a wreath in memory of the five men who died.

Edward, cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and president of the RNLI, paid tribute at Fraserburgh lifeboat station, Aberdeenshire, with Pat Owen, whose husband James Buchan died in the Fraserburgh lifeboat disaster more than half a century ago.

Fraserburgh's lifeboat, the Duchess of Kent, capsized due to gale-force winds on 21 January 1970 while escorting another ship to safety.

Prince Harry spoke movingly about mental health while visiting a school in Nigeria on Friday, telling students there was “no shame” in having a bad day.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, spoke about the grief he has suffered in his life and told young people that it is okay to acknowledge difficult feelings.

“There is no shame in being able to recognize that today is a bad day,” he said.

“If you woke up this morning feeling sad, if you left school feeling stressed, if you lost a loved one in your family that you usually turn to or talk to, all of these things can make you believe that they are not for you. conversation.

“We are here today to tell you that is not the case.”

The presenter and former presenter of Capital Radio's Breakfast Show has become known as a strong advocate for men's mental health in recent years, fronting awareness campaigns and documentaries.

His 2021 film Our silent emergencywhich explores the pressing issue of young men's mental health and the prevalence of male suicide, was met with praise and is now being shown to children in schools.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation is no longer listed as “delinquent” on the California Registry of Charities and Fundraising Organizations.

On Monday, the charity was listed as “delinquent” and a delinquency notification letter was sent to the foundation on May 3 for “failure to file required annual reports and/or renewal fees,” but on Tuesday the status of the Archewell Foundation had changed. has changed to “current”.

The letter warned that an organization listed as delinquent is prohibited from “soliciting or disbursing charitable funds” and “its registration may be suspended or revoked by the registry.”

On Tuesday, a statement from the California Department of Justice said the Archewell Foundation is “current and up to date.”

A spokesperson for the California Department of Justice said: “After being in contact with our Registry of Charities and Fundraising Organizations, the organization is up to date and up to date.”

The PA news agency understands that the problem arose from a payment that was thought to have been sent but was not received. However, new records show that the required payment was sent last year and delivered on time.

The Archewell Foundation said after investigating that it found that payments were made “promptly” and that all documentation was submitted “without errors or irregularities.”

British artist Jonathan Yeo had four sessions with the King for his new portrait, starting when Charles was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and then at Clarence House. The last session took place in November 2023 at Clarence House.

Yeo worked from drawings and photographs he took of the King, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sessions.

He said: “It was a privilege and pleasure to be commissioned by The Drapers' Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty the King, the first to be revealed since his coronation.

“When I started this project, His Majesty the King was still His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and, like the butterfly I painted floating over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the role of the subject in our lives has transformed. public.

“I do my best to capture the life experiences etched on each model's face. In this case, my goal was also to reference the traditions of royal portraiture, but in a way that reflects a 21st century monarchy and, above all, communicate the deep humanity of the subject.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.”

Yeo has also previously produced commissions for Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Camilla, Sir Tony Blair and Lord David Cameron.