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The King says he has been “reduced to tears” by the “many wonderful messages and cards” he has received since his cancer diagnosis.

The monarch, 75, was speaking to Rishi Sunak in his first face-to-face audience with the prime minister since Buckingham Palace announced he had a “form of cancer”.

“I’ve had so many wonderful messages and cards, it has reduced me to tears most of the time,” the King told Mr Sunak.

King Charles III with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace, London, for their first in-person audience since the King's diagnosis with cancer. Picture date: Wednesday February 21, 2024.
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Pic: PA


The PM said it was “very nice to see you”, prompting the King to joke: “A bit of a gap… I’m afraid.”

“I hear there has been a lot more potential attention on those main, wonderful cancer charities, many of which I have been a patron of for years,” he added.

Mr Sunak replied: “They do a lot of wonderful work.”

The King had been mostly staying at Sandringham, in Norfolk, following his first round of cancer treatment in London last week.

Allowing cameras into King’s usually private meeting with the PM is about showing public it’s business as usual

The fact the King allowed a camera in, albeit briefly, is highly unusual, but of course these are unusual times. What did we see?

Well the King seemed in good spirits, cheerfully greeting Rishi Sunak, and we had an insight into how moved he’s been by the cards and messages of support.

The decision to show us this audience is significant. The King knows, like his late mother once famously said, he has to be seen to be believed. The trouble is his cancer diagnosis means that’s not always going to be possible.

He’s been advised not to carry out public duties, but as we’ve been told, he is continuing with his state business – which includes his weekly audience.

What goes on between monarch and prime minister normally stays inside palace walls. But in another gesture of openness, similar to the King’s decision to share his cancer diagnosis, part of this private meeting was made public.

There is however a danger. These photo opportunities will be subject to intense and possibly intrusive scrutiny. Remember there’s not actually much we’ve been told about the King’s cancer.

We don’t know what the diagnosis is, or what kind of treatment he’s receiving. For now, the image the palace wants us to see is business as usual.

Although most would agree, it’s currently anything but.

On Sunday, the King was spotted smiling and waving to onlookers before attending a service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Buckingham Palace announced on 5 February that His Majesty had been diagnosed with a form of cancer while undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate.

The palace did not release details about the type of cancer or the type of treatment.

Earlier this month, at an event at Salisbury Cathedral, the Queen spoke about her husband’s diagnosis for the first time.

King Charles III waves before Sunday service at Sandringham. Pic: PA
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King Charles waves before a church service at Sandringham last Sunday. Pic: PA

She told Ben Abbott, a critical care paramedic: “He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. That’s very cheering.”

The announcement about his cancer was followed by a rare return to the UK for the King’s youngest son, Prince Harry, who flew over from the US and visited his father.

Meanwhile, Prince William, who has been assisting the King with royal duties, spoke publicly on 8 February for the first time since his father’s diagnosis.

“We really appreciate everyone’s kind messages, thank you,” he said, as he arrived at a gala for the London Air Ambulance Service in central London.

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The King’s treatment as an outpatient started earlier this month.

Buckingham Palace said the monarch had postponed all public-facing duties following his cancer diagnosis, but that he planned to continue with work on his red boxes of state papers.

The palace also said His Majesty planned to switch his weekly audience with the prime minister from face-to-face to over the phone for two weeks.

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UK weather: New snow and ice alerts issued as forecasters warn of more travel disruption

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UK weather: New snow and ice alerts issued as forecasters warn of more travel disruption

An ice alert for the South East and West Midlands is among new weather warnings now in force across the UK.

Wintry conditions caused widespread travel problems on Tuesday and forced more than 200 schools to close.

Forecasters say the difficult conditions will last until Wednesday morning, raising the prospect of a tricky rush hour on the roads and public transport.

The ice alert covers London and most of southern England as far west as Exeter, and as far north as Birmingham, Leicester and Chester, and expires at 10am.

A snow and ice warning also covers nearly all of Wales apart from some far western areas, most of western and northern Scotland and all of Northern Ireland – again until 10am.

The warnings are in force until between 10 am and noon on Wednesday. Pic: Met Office
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The warnings are in force until between 10 am and noon on Wednesday. Pic: Met Office

Another snow and ice warning snakes up the coast from East Anglia to the Scottish border and is in force until noon.

The Met Office has warned some journeys by road and rail could take longer in the morning.

It says drivers should allow extra time and pack items such as a blanket, spade, phone charger, and food and water.

Walkers should also be wary of icy surfaces and cyclists are advised to stick to main roads that are more likely to have been treated.

Temperatures in many places are set to be close to or below zero overnight, while snow accumulations are forecast to range from a couple of centimetres to potentially 10cm or more on higher ground.

Areas above 300m in Scotland could see build-ups of 15-20cm, the Met Office said.

Check the forecast in your area

People play in the snow on the hills of Buxton, Derbyshire. . The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024.
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People play in the snow on the hills of Buxton, Derbyshire. Pic: PA

Snow over the village of Brandon in Durham. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
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The village of Brandon in Durham. Pic: PA

The Met Office’s chief meteorologist, Neil Armstrong, said: “With cold Arctic air firmly in place over the UK, continued winter hazards are likely through much of this week, with further updates to warnings likely in the coming days.”

Monday night saw sub-zero temperatures for much of the UK, reaching as low as -11.2C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire.

Snowfall was also widely reported, with 12cm recorded at Watnall in Nottinghamshire on Tuesday morning.

Horses on the gallops at Sam Drinkwater's Granary Stables, Strensham, Worcestershire. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire
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Sam Drinkwater’s Granary Stables, Strensham, Worcestershire. Pic: PA

By Tuesday afternoon, around 140 school closures had been reported in Wales, around 50 in the West Midlands and 20 in Derbyshire.

There was also a travel headache for thousands of train passengers as National Rail warned of disruption to various routes.

By midday, around 64 of 120 services (53%) planned by East Midlands Railway had been cancelled or delayed by at least half an hour, according to punctuality website trains.im.

Snowy conditions in Carr Gate, West Yorkshire. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024.
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Carr Gate, West Yorkshire. Pic: PA

Figures for other operators included London North Eastern Railway (37%), Transport for Wales (13%), West Midlands Trains (13%) and CrossCountry (12%).

Rail travellers have been advised to check online before setting out and drivers should also plan ahead.

Luton, Bedfordshire
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Luton, Bedfordshire

A view of a snow covered park after the overnight snowfall in Buxton, Derbyshire. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
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Buxton, Derbyshire. Pic: PA

Darren Clark, from National Highways, said: “Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock when ice or snow is forecast, but it is still important to drive to the conditions.

“Keep your distance and reduce your speed, because even in conditions that seem normal, and where the snow is not settling, it can be slippery if ice patches have formed, or where fresh grit has not been worked into the carriageway.

“Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a snow kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.”

A person walks their dog through snow in Warwick. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Tuesday November 19, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
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Snowfall in Warwick. Pic: PA

Brill, Buckinghamshire
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Brill, Buckinghamshire

Wednesfield in the West Midlands. Pic: Phil Bateman
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Wednesfield in the West Midlands. Pic: Phil Bateman

The first amber cold health alert of the season has also been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) covering all of England, except the South, until 6pm on Saturday.

The amber warning is issued when the weather is likely to “cause significant impacts across health and social care services”, including the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among older people or those with health conditions.

UKHSA map showing cold health alerts
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/cold?v=map&type=cold
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An amber cold health alert covers most of England. Pic: UKHSA

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events at the UKHSA, said: “It is vital to check in on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure they are well prepared for the onset of cold weather. Particularly if they are elderly or otherwise at increased risk.”

Yellow health alerts – the second lowest – are in place for the South East, South West and London.

Belper in Derbyshire. Pic: Ben Drane
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Belper in Derbyshire. Pic: Ben Drane

More expected in coming days

The Met Office has warned there could be further heavy rain, strong wind and more snow during the rest of the week as temperatures stay below average

“Further snow accumulations are expected through the week, mostly by night at low levels, in northern Scotland and exposed parts elsewhere,” it said.

Snow and ice at Corgaff in Aberdeenshire. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Monday November 18, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
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Snow and ice at Corgarff in Aberdeenshire. Pic: PA

A dusting of snow at the Glenshee Ski Centre near Braemar in Aberdeenshire. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Monday November 18, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
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A dusting of snow at Glenshee Ski Centre. Pic: PA

Snow and ice surround The Watchers sculpture at Corgaff in Aberdeenshire. The UK is bracing for snow, ice and cold temperatures as up to 20cm of snow could hit the UK over the coming days. Picture date: Monday November 18, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story WEATHER Snow. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
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Snow and ice surround The Watchers sculpture at Corgarff in Aberdeenshire. Pic: PA

Those in the impacted areas have been told power cuts are possible and mobile phone coverage might be affected.

The Met Office said there was also a slight chance some rural communities could be cut off.

Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Pic: Raj Patel
Image:
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. Pic: Raj Patel

Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
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Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire

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Harshita Brella: Woman found in car boot in Ilford died from strangulation – as CCTV of suspect released

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Harshita Brella: Woman found in car boot in Ilford died from strangulation - as CCTV of suspect released

A woman whose body was found in the boot of a car last week died from strangulation, according to a post-mortem examination.

A manhunt is under way for Harshita Brella’s husband, Pankaj Lamba, who police believe has fled the country.

Officers said today that her body was discovered in a silver Vauxhall Corsa.

They believe she was killed on the evening of Sunday 10 November and driven in the early hours from the couple’s home in Corby, Northamptonshire, to Ilford in east London.

Pic: Northamptonshire police
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The body was found in a Vauxhall Corsa. Pic: Northamptonshire Police

Pankaj Lamba.
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Police believe Pankaj Lamba has fled the UK

It’s understood the 24-year-old had been under the protection of a court order for victims of domestic abuse.

Northamptonshire Police said officers began searching for her after receiving a call with concerns for her welfare on 13 November – the day before she was found dead.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Brella’s preliminary cause of death was strangulation, police said.

New CCTV images of Pankaj Lamba, 23, have also been released as the manhunt continues.

Harshita Brella, 24, from Corby. Her body was found in a car in east London.
Pic: Northamptonshire Police
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Ms Brella lived in Corby. Pic: Northamptonshire Police

A view of the property in Skegness Walk in Corby, Northamptonshire, after the death of Harshita Brella, whose body was discovered in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, in the early hours of Thursday. An international manhunt is underway for Pankaj Lamba, the husband of Ms Brella, who Northamptonshire Police have named as the prime suspect in the murder of the 24-year-old. Picture date: Monday November 18, 2024.
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The couple lived at an address in Skegness Walk. Pic: PA

Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell, from the East Midlands major crime unit, said: “We suspect Harshita’s body had been placed in the boot of the vehicle by Lamba before leaving Corby.

“Lamba then abandoned the vehicle in Brisbane Road, Ilford, and made his getaway.”

Northamptonshire Police, the East Midlands major crime unit and the National Crime Agency are working together to try to find him.

Pic: Northamptonshire police
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New CCTV of the suspect has been released

Pic: Northamptonshire police
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Pics: Northamptonshire Police

An inquest into Ms Brella’s death will be opened on 20 November at The Guildhall in Northampton.

Anyone who thinks they might have seen Pankaj Lamba is urged to make contact as soon as possible.

“Any information, no matter how small, may be relevant to the investigation and help us get justice for Harshita,” said DCI Campbell.

People with relevant information can call 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or online at mipp.police.uk

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