BREAKING NEWS: King Charles has just sent Prince Harry a very clear message – and William is next
King Charles has just sent Prince Harry a clear message
September always has that fresh start feel to it. After enjoying the hot summer months, some time off work and away from the office, September 1 signals the start of a new term. It’s not just us ordinary workers who go back to work feeling (hopefully) refreshed, but the Royal Family too.
The King’s last public engagement was on August 18 and the Wales family’s was on August 1 when all five of them visited the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. They enjoyed some time together at Balmoral, as well as separate holidays abroad. Typically, engagements don’t start up until much later in the month, but this year the royals readied themselves into action from the word go.
From Wednesday, the King and Queen undertook nine public engagements between them, and the next few weeks are set to continue at a similar high pace. The Prince and Princess of Wales will return to duties this week as their three children start the new school term – with Prince George flying the nest to Eton, a sharp reminder to his parents that he’s growing up. The sharp return to normality serves an important purpose this year.
With the return of Harry and Meghan on British shores, the working members of the Royal Family have a point to prove: ‘This is what service is, this is duty and we are the ones respectfully serving Crown and country’.
It’s a return to the Palace’s tried and tested policy when the Sussexes are concerned: keep calm and carry on. Their focus remains unchanged and any unwelcome distractions from the familiar circus will simply be ignored.
Queen’s surprise
Queen Camilla takes part in Letters Live 2026 (Image: Getty)
What a lovely surprise the audience at a packed-out London show got when the Queen appeared on stage to read a letter. Camilla performed in Letters Live at the Royal Festival Hall, an event known for its mystery line-ups of stars who read monologues from real correspondence. Some audience members gasped and a deafening applause broke out as the Queen arrived on stage.
Camilla read a letter from the late Queen Mother to poet Edith Sitwell in which she thanked Ms Sitwell for sending her an anthology of poems to help her as she grieved the death of her husband King George VI. In the note, dated September 15, 1952, the Queen Mother, Charles’s maternal grandmother, wrote that she found solace in the poems as she mourned the King, who had died that February.
Actor Olivia Colman, one of the other performers on Thursday night, told the Queen she “did a great job” – I’m sure the captivated audience would agree!
King’s new note
The new banknote is vertical (Image: Getty)
The King is front and centre of Canada’s new $20 banknote, as he becomes the first new monarch to appear on a Canadian note in more than 70 years. The note also forms part of Canada’s new vertical series, enabling the note’s designers to avoid squishing both the monarch and the iconic Vimy Ridge Memorial on the back
Canada is the first Commonwealth country to put the King on its banknotes outside of Britain since his ascension to the throne. He features on coins in New Zealand and Australia, but Australia has already ruled out putting the King on their notes. The notes will enter general circulation from February.
Pastures new
King Charles’s equerry is stepping down (Image: Getty)
Many royal fans will be saddened by the news that Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Thompson will be hanging up his royal boots at the end of the year. The King’s assistant, dubbed the “hot equerry” by fans for his handsome looks, will leave the British Army and conclude his role within the royal household.
He has an impressive 22 years of military service and has worked with the royals for the last seven years. Best of luck to Johnny in his future endeavours in the private sector! His familiar face will certainly be missed by many, not least the King and Queen.
