Harry and Meghan have been joined by world leaders and celebrities in sharing messages of support for the Princess of Wales after she revealed she is receiving treatment for cancer.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shared a message of support for their sister-in-law in a statement, saying: “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace.”
In a personal video, the future queen said she had wanted time to explain to her three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, “to reassure them that I am going to be okay”, following weeks of speculation about her health.
‘We will climb this one with you’
King Charles, who is also currently being treated for cancer, shared a message of support for his daughter-in-law, with Buckingham Palace saying: “His Majesty is so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did.
“Following their time in hospital together, His Majesty has remained in the closest contact with his beloved daughter-in-law throughout the past weeks.
“Both Their Majesties will continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.”
Image: Charles and Kate at the James Bond premiere in 2021. Pic: Chris Jackson/AP
Following Kate’s announcement, her brother James Middleton posted a photo of the two of them together as children, saying the family would rally round.
“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too,” he wrote on Instagram.
James is the younger brother of Kate and their sister, Pippa.
World leaders pay tribute to ‘courageous’ princess
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been joined by other world leaders in sharing a message of support for Kate and the royals.
In a statement shared on X, he wrote: “The Princess of Wales has the love and support of the whole country as she continues her recovery.
“She has shown tremendous bravery with her statement today… I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she’s ready.”
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Home Secretary James Cleverly wished Kate “a speedy and complete recovery and privacy and calm while she does”, while Chancellor Jeremy Hunt described her as “courageous”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the princess has “the love and support of not just her whole family, but the whole nation too” during this “distressing time”.
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Kate’s message
Former prime minister Boris Johnson wished her “all possible strength” and a “full and rapid recovery,” while his successor Liz Truss said her “thoughts are with the Princess of Wales and her family at this very difficult time”.
Humza Yousaf, the first minister of Scotland, said he was “deeply saddened” to hear the news and is “praying for her swift recovery”.
Vaughan Gething, first minister of Wales, said that “all of our thoughts are with you as you continue your treatment”.
Northern Ireland’s leaders, Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly, have both sent messages of support on social media.
Sinn Fein’s Ms O’Neill said she was “very sorry” to hear the news and sent her best wishes.
The DUP’s Ms Little-Pengelly said Kate will be “in the thoughts and prayers of so many across Northern Ireland”.
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Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden wrote on X that he and his wife Jill “join millions around the world in praying for your full recovery, Princess Kate”.
First Lady Jill Biden simply posted: “You are brave, and we love you.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: “In this difficult period you are going through, Brigitte and I wish you a full recovery.
“Your strength and resilience inspire us all.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote: “On behalf of Canadians, I’m sending my support as she undergoes treatment. We’re all wishing her a swift recovery.”
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Kate’s uncle Gary Goldsmith, who recently appeared on the revived Celebrity Big Brother, shared a statement on X saying: “I hope this draws a line over the continued speculation and horrible conspiracies. Let’s give Kate, William & the children time and show some love back.”
He also acknowledged an interview he has given to The Times, saying he was “deeply upset” about the timing.
“As many will have seen, I am featured in Saturday’s ‘Times Magazine’. This interview and shoot was done over a week ago and went to print before I was aware of the sad news regarding my niece Kate,” he said.
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England ‘very upset’ over Kate health
It comes as England football manager Gareth Southgate gave a brief statement after the Princess of Wales’ announcement, sharing his “best wishes to her and her family”.
Mr Southgate has a close bond with the family as Prince William is president of the Football Association.
The Three Lions boss, who was speaking ahead of tonight’s match against Brazil, said: “It was a remarkably dignified statement. We have a close relationship with the family so we’re very upset to hear the news. Hopefully everything goes well.”
‘The princess is a stomper. A real good egg’
Celebrities who have met the princess were also among the thousands of well-wishers showing support online.
Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a picture of Kate on Instagram, writing: “Wales and the World is with you. HRH Princess of Wales. Love to you always.”
Author and broadcaster Giovanna Fletcher, who hosted Kate on her parenting podcast Happy Mum, Happy Baby, in 2020, said “The Princess of Wales has always led with dignity, grace and compassion… I’m thinking of our future queen and hope she can now be left with nothing but everyone’s good wishes as she continues her treatment and surrounds herself with the love of her family.”
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Meanwhile, former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George, now a TV doctor campaigning on mental health issues who hosted a panel discussion with William and Kate last year, said the princess had “left a real impression” when they met for World Mental Health Day.
“I have met so many people who talk about mental health over the years, I have come to learn who talks the talk, and who walks the walk,” he said. “The princess is a stomper. A real good egg.”
Fellow Love Island star Zara McDermott, who now fronts BBC Three documentaries, also worked alongside Kate last year as part of the royal’s Shaping Us campaign – highlighting the importance of early years development.
“Sending HRH Princess of Wales so much strength and love during this time,” McDermott said in an Instagram story.
Image: William and Kate pictured with radio presenter Nadia Jae and Dr Alex George in 2023
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden said the news from Kate had “personally hit me hard”, after she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and received chemotherapy treatment.
She said: “I was lucky enough to meet the Princess of Wales during my treatment who was so kind, supportive and generous of time.
“Sending all my well wishes with treatment ahead and as always to all those affected by cancer.”
Image: Harry and Meghan with Kate and William at Westminster Abbey in 2019
US actress and X-Men star Olivia Munn, who last week revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in the hope it will help others to “find comfort, inspiration and support on their own journey”, also commented on Kate’s social media video.
“Thank you for showing what it’s like to fight with grace and determination for yourself and for your family. Wishing you all the best,” she said.
There was also an apology from Hollywood actress Blake Lively, who had seemingly mocked Kate after she issued a personal apology for manipulating a family photograph, sparking conspiracy theories about her whereabouts.
Referencing a now-deleted Instagram post, Lively said: “I made a silly post around the ‘photoshop fails’ frenzy, and oh man, that post has me mortified today. I’m sorry. Sending love and well wishes to all, always.”
The family of an 80-year-old man say they have “no sympathy” for the children who killed their loved one, as a 15-year-old boy was jailed for seven years and a 13-year-old girl escaped a custodial sentence.
Bhim Kohli was found lying on the ground in Franklin Park in Braunstone Town, near Leicester, on 1 September last year and died the next evening of a spinal cord injury.
He had been following a familiar routine, walking his beloved dog Rocky to the local park, just yards away from his home. But when he arrived at the park, he was approached by teens who attacked him.
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CCTV shows 80-year-old before attack
The jury at Leicester Crown Court heard a girl, aged 12 at the time, had pointed Mr Kohli out to a boy, who was 14 at the time, and who then subjected Mr Kohli to a brutally violent attack.
The 80-year-old grandfather was slapped about the face with a slider shoe and racially abused, before being punched and kicked while on the floor.
Mr Kohli suffered a broken neck and fractured ribs as a result of the attack.
Image: Mr Kohli’s daughter, Susan Kohli
His daughter, Susan Kohli, who found her father lying on the ground following the attack, says it’s hard to find forgiveness for her father’s killers, regardless of their ages.
“Why should they be given grace for what they have done?” asks Ms Kohli. “They chose to attack a defenceless pensioner and for that I cannot give them any of my sympathy.”
Initially, the boy, now 15, told the jury he walked over to Mr Kohli, wearing a balaclava because the girl, now 13, had said Mr Kohli “carries a knife”.
But this was disputed in court, and the attack on Mr Kohli was described by the prosecution as “gratuitous violence against a man who was defenceless”.
While the girl involved never physically touched Mr Kohli, the court heard she had taken a photograph of him in Franklin Park just a week before he was killed.
Image: Kelly Matthews, a senior district crown prosecutor
“If it wasn’t for her, things might have been very different,” said Kelly Matthews, a senior district crown prosecutor, who explained why the girl was also convicted of manslaughter.
“She was the one [who] pointed him out to the boy. Whilst the boy was attacking Mr Kohli, she filmed it. She encouraged him. She laughed, when violence was taking place,” said Ms Matthews.
Image: Police community support officers at the scene in Franklin Park last September. Pic: PA
Ms Kohli says she still cannot understand why anyone, but especially “children of that age”, would want to attack an “old age pensioner”.
“You can see from his physique that he’s a very gentle, frail man. What was going through their heads?” she asks.
“That’s what I cannot get my head around.”
However, she believes the glorification of violence on social media played an element, and says “parents also have a part to play in it” to ensure their children’s social activity is being monitored.
The 15-year-old boy was ordered to serve seven years’ detention, and the 13-year-old girl was handed a three-year youth rehabilitation order by a High Court judge at Leicester Crown Court.
Mr Justice Turner called it a “cowardly and violent attack” on an elderly man who did “nothing to deserve” what happened to him.
He told the boy: “What you did was not one single attack which you immediately regretted, but two separate violent outbursts.”
He added: “I’m sure you regret he died because of what you did to Mr Kohli, but you still say it wasn’t your fault.
“It was your fault and the sooner you realise this, the better.”
He accepted, while the girl had encouraged the boy’s behaviour, she did not know he would use “anything like the level of violence he did”.
Speaking outside Leicester Crown Court after the sentencing, Ms Kohli said she is “angry and disappointed” the teenagers’ sentence does not reflect the severity of the crime.
“The death of my dad has left a hole in our family, a hole that can never be filled because of the actions of two teenagers on that Sunday evening last September,” she said.
“I believe on that day the two teenagers made a choice. The teenage boy chose to attack my dad and the girl chose to film him being attacked. They knew what they were doing.”
She added: “When they are released, they still have their full lives ahead of them. They can rebuild their lives. We can’t.”
A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 16-year-old boy died following a collision between an electric bike, a pedestrian and a car in Sheffield, police have said.
Emergency services responded shortly after 4.50pm on Wednesday to reports of an accident in Staniforth Road in the Darnall area of Sheffield.
South Yorkshire Police said it is understood that a grey Audi drove towards three electric bikes, colliding with one rider.
The car continued to travel following the crash with the electric bike and was further involved in a collision with a pedestrian.
The driver of the Audi failed to stop at the scene.
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Witness recalls giving CPR
Graphic CCTV footage of the incident appears to show the car veer into the opposite carriageway before hitting the 16-year-old pedestrian at speed.
Image: Forensics officers at the scene. Pic: YappApp
Image: Pic: YappApp
The boy was taken to hospital. Despite emergency treatment, he died as a result of his injuries. The boy’s family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
An 18-year-old man, who was the rider of the electric bike, remains in hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.
A 20-year-old man in Kent has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.
Three people, a 45-year-old woman and two men aged 26 and 46, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three remain in custody.
Senior Investigating Officer in the case, Detective Chief Inspector Benjamin Wood, said: “This is a tragic incident in which an entirely innocent bystander, who was going about his daily business, has sadly lost his life. Our thoughts are with the boy’s loved ones, and we remain focused on securing justice for them.
“We know that this incident will have caused concern in the local community, and we have a team of detectives working at pace to piece together the circumstances which unfolded.
“We’re aware of footage being shared online and I’d like to reiterate our message to the public to withhold from speculating or circulating videos which may cause distress to the boy’s family.
“If you have any footage, imagery or information that may help our investigation then please share this directly with us – it may form an important part of our enquiries. We are also keen to hear from the riders of two electric bikes who were in the area at the time of the incident.”
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who led a campaign for the changes, which are also known as Tony’s Law, said on X: “I’m backing Tony as he faces the early release of his abuser – his birth mum.
“Tony lives every day with the pain caused by her crimes as a baby. We must do more to protect children like him.”
Tony has since gone on to be a successful fundraiser for charity – for which he has been honoured by the Royal Family.
Image: The Prince of Wales with Tony, who has raised millions for charity, during a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May. Pic: PA
A statement from the Parole Board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Jody Simpson following an oral hearing.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.”
It added: “Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This was a horrific crime that saw Tony Hudgell mercilessly tortured by his birth parents and our thoughts remain with him and his loved ones.
“Now that the independent Parole Board has directed her release, Jody Simpson will be subject to strict supervision and licence conditions. She faces an immediate return to prison if she breaks the rules.”