Rebecca Deacon, former private secretary to the Duchess of Cambridge to be given Royal Victoria Order

Last year, Royal Central broke the news that the Duchess of Cambridge’s private secretary would be stepping down from her role.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed: “After a decade of service to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, Rebecca Deacon will be stepping down as private secretary to the Duchess of Cambridge. She plans to leave the household in the summer. Their Royal Highnesses are incredibly grateful for all the hard work and support Rebecca has provided over the past ten years and wish her well in the next phase of her career”.

Rebecca Priestley, née Deacon left her position after marrying Adam Priestley at St James Place at the Chapel Royal when Her Majesty granted her permission to do so. The Duchess of Cambridge was a guest at the wedding.

The chapel is exclusive to the royal family and those in connection with it, in 2013 the Duchess of Cambridge’s eldest child, Prince George was christened in the chapel.

Now that Rebecca has officially left, having taken over by Catherine Quinn, she will be given the Royal Victoia Order next week on 11 October at an investiture ceremony held at Buckingham Palace.
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Those who have received the honour have served Her Majesty or the monarchy.

Before starting an impressive career working for a list of British Royals, Rebecca upheld a normal educational path, studying English at Newcastle University. Miss Deacon has worked for the British Royal family for more than ten years.

The regal list of work that Rebecca has conducted includes; working closely with Sentebale – Prince Harry’s charity to holding a position of producers assistant for the making of the concert for Diana in 2007.

She has been Kate’s Private Secretary for five years, having taken up the position on 2012.

The senior role includes looking after the diaries of the Duchess of Cambridge both public and private and when there are royal events or tours the private secretary will carry gifts for the royals and bouquets of flowers.

Catherine Quinn, Rebecca’s replacement, has previously worked as associate dean for administration and chief operation officer at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Catherine holds an MBA from the same school.

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Prince William says the UK should look for new trade deals

Prince William has told business leaders that the United Kingdom should look ahead to the future and ramp up efforts to strengthen its trading relations around the world.

Speaking at Lancaster House to launch the 2018 International Business Festival in Liverpool, the Duke of Cambridge announced his patronage of the event – which will bring together businesses from all over the world – before moving to stress the need to explore new trading opportunities.

“As we look to the future, we all recognise just how important it will be that we work to build connections with trading partners all around the world – strengthening links with old friends and creating new opportunities.

“The UK’s prosperity relies on its wealth of innovative and ambitious small and medium-sized businesses. Whenever I have had the chance to meet the people who run such enterprises, I have been struck by their ingenuity, drive and commitment. They demonstrate the best qualities of our national character.”

William also called on British firms to invest in developing a skilful generation through training and mentoring and help them find new opportunities to thrive.

“We know that one of the major challenges for business is access to a skilled workforce. The International Business Festival has a vital role in encouraging businesses to become further involved in the training and mentoring of young people in enterprise.”

Welcoming the statement, Max Steinberg, Chairman of the International Business Festival, said that the royal efforts would be “a huge boost to our presence in key international markets, helping us to attract even more delegations to Liverpool next June.”

The Prince’s comments are likely to be interpreted as a reference to trade deals that the UK look to clinch with Commonwealth and other countries after Brexit. His trips to Poland and German in June were referred to in the press as ‘charm offensive’ that the UK government is using as ‘soft power’ to explore post-Brexit opportunities.

In Germany, the Prince said the two nations wanted to establish a friendship that would last a lifetime.

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Duchess of Cambridge is Feeling Better, Says Prince William

Prince William revealed that his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge has been feeling better since her third pregnancy was announced in early September.

Prince William was attending a reception and award ceremony for the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund, of which he recently became Patron, and spoke to an elderly woman about Catherine’s condition.

“She’s been feeling better, thank you,” the Prince told the woman, Iris Orrell.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum for the third time, a severe form of morning sickness. She previously suffered from the condition during the early stages of her pregnancies with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Prince William further questioned Orrell, who told him she’d also suffered severe morning sickness during her three pregnancies, about the toll.

“Did it get worse with each one?”

Some pundits wondered whether he was asking because the Duchess’s case was also more severe this time.

Prince William also revealed that Catherine had tried eating ginger biscuits to soothe her stomach but “there’s not much ginger can do to stop that. We’ve done all that.”

Prince William has spoken about Catherine’s pregnancy on several engagements this month, and a couple of weeks ago, a young boy named Archie Weatherall gave him an avocado during a visit to a swimming pool in Wallesey, Merseyside, as a gift for the Duchess to help soothe morning sickness.

Weatherall gave Prince William the avocado because his mother was also suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum and hoped it would work on Catherine as well.

“I’ve never been given an avocado before,” Prince William told the boy as he accepted the gift – wrapped in a green ribbon, too.

At the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund reception, Prince William also met a young girl sporting a cat ear headband and quipped that Princess Charlotte would love it.

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Duchess of Cambridge Sends Message of Support for SportsAid Week

The Duchess of Cambridge has sent a message of support as SportsAid Week begins.

SportsAid is a charity that helps young athletes pursue their goals to become Olympians, Paralympians, and world champions via financial support. Founded in 1976, the charity helps young people at the “very start of their journey towards becoming the next generation of sporting heroes.

“The most talented young athletes throughout the United Kingdom show great levels of commitment and dedication as they aim to bring sporting success to our country in future years. The early part of this journey is a challenging one. Many of the athletes are still in education and reliant on their family for all the support a young sportsperson needs to allow them to train and compete,” reads the beginning of the Duchess’s message.

“SportsAid supports over 1,000 athletes every year from more than 60 different sports, and as Patron, I am very proud of the impact SportsAid has on these young people, helping to relieve the different pressures they each may face, while also giving them the self-belief and motivation to continue to pursue their ambitions.

“This year’s SportsAid Week will be an exciting few days and a great opportunity for everyone to show their support for our next generation of athletes.”

SportsAid Week is a new initiative for the charity, started last year to mark its 40th anniversary. All told, the charity raised £40,000 for its youth athletes. In the 2016-17 year, SportsAid helped 1,106 athletes between the ages of 12 and 18. Combined, 150 SportsAid alumni won medals at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics last summer.

Famous SportsAid alumni include Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Mo Farah, and Dame Katherine Grainger.

SportsAid Week kicked off 25 September and wraps up 1 October.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of SportsAid since 2013.

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Prince William remains tight-lipped after he is asked about a potential Harry & Meghan marriage

The Duke of Cambridge was forced to react to the news of his brother’s relationship with Meghan Markle after the topic came up in conversation during a visit to Milton Keynes.

During a visit to William Cowley Parchment Makers, the company’s general manager told the Duke: “If Prince Harry marries Meghan then his certificate will be in our vellum.”

Prince William avoided commenting but opted for an awkward laugh before moving the conversation along.

Speaking afterwards, Paul Wright who spoke to the Duke said the Prince laughed, but it was a “nice laugh.”

The Queen must give formal consent for a royal marriage, and this consent is made in a calf-skin document called the “instrument of consent”.

The document is made in Milton Keynes by William Cowley Parchment Makers.

Paul Wright said: “Any member of the royal family needs the permission of the Queen. It’s called the instrument of consent.

“There were instances where members of the royal family were marrying prostitutes – you can’t have that.

“We’re very lucky because we’re the only ones in the world so it could never be anyone else.

“It’s also certain acts of Parliament but not all acts of Parliament.

“If you do it on paper if you’re really, really lucky you get about 350 years – with this we’re talking 5,000 years plus.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first official appearance together in public at the Invictus Games on Monday.

Attending a wheelchair tennis match, Harry and Meghan arrived hand-in-hand at the venue and watched the sporting action from the stands.

The fifth-in-line to the throne and his actress girlfriend spoke to some of the athletes and those who were also spectating the tennis.

After the event came to an end, Meghan shook the hands of children who were spectating in nearby seats.

This appearance is significant as it marks the first time Prince Harry has taken his girlfriend of 18 months to an official event.

It will further spur rumours that the pair will soon become engaged.

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MP for Kensington brands the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as "ridiculous"

The newly elected and first ever Labour Member of Parliament for Kensington has given some serious criticism towards the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Emma Dent Coad made history when she became the first Labour MP to be elected in Kensington, the UK’s richest constituency. With a slim majority of just 20 votes, she won the Kensington seat after the general elections in June. It is no secret that the Labour MP is a convinced republican.

On Monday she attended a pro-republican event entitled “Reigning in the Monarchy” in London. There she spoke of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the most famous residents of Kensington. In a conversation with delegates, she said about the monarchy: “The system is ridiculous,” adding “We should not be funding them.”

After some comments on the monarchy in general, Ms Dent Coad also targeted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who live in Kensington Palace. The MP thought it was absolutely “disgusting” that the Duchess of Cambridge bought jumpers at the cost of £150 each, saying: “That’s a food bill for a family of four.”

She called this “absolutely outrageous,” before commenting that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are ridiculous.

After criticising the monarchy and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, she also attacked the BBC.

Ms Dent Coad said that the BBC “is a piece of the whole propaganda machine” which produces “sickeningly gratuitous coverage of anything royal”. Instead of being neutral, she added that the BBC is “very heavily directed by right-wing politics and the monarchy”.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge recently moved permanently to their apartment at Kensington Palace in the heart of the borough. Their Royal Highnesses are said to be taking on more official engagements in the future, and therefore the permanent move to Kensington was said to be necessary.

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The Duke of Cambridge reveals that Prince George is "fed up" with school

Despite only being two weeks into his educational journey, it appears Prince George is already fed up of school having found it heavy going.

During a visit to Milton Keynes, the Duke of Cambridge told a fellow parent: “I just dropped George off and he didn’t want to go.”

Prince William, who drops George off to school every day, hinted that like many parents, getting the four-year-old into school in the morning is no easy task.

The Duke was speaking to 31-year-old Louise Smith who chatted to the Prince after he came over to meet her two young children.

She said: “It was really exciting meeting William. He told me he’d just dropped Prince George off at school and he didn’t want to go. Sounds a bit like mine really.”

The Duke of Cambridge spent Tuesday in Milton Keynes to celebrate the town’s 50th anniversary.

Prince George attends the £18,000 per year Thomas’s School Battersea and was dropped off by his father on his first day earlier this month.

The young Prince is known as George Cambridge to his classmates. Thomas’s Battersea’s motto is “be kind” and requires that students “not just to tolerate but to celebrate difference, including faith, beliefs and culture.”

In addition to traditional subjects, George will be taught French, ballet, drama, art, and physical education at the fee-paying independent school.

George’s mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, has said in the past that she does not think her son “has any idea what’s going to hit him” as he begins school.

Maud Windsor, the daughter of Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, also attends Thomas’s Battersea. She is the granddaughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

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A Book Review, Princess Diana Survivor

The last few months have seen the publication of many books and articles and airing of lots of TV shows about Diana, Princess of Wales who died twenty years ago this past August. These shows and articles usually examine Diana’s final days and explain what effect her death and funeral had on both her close family and the country in general. Diana Survivor is rather different to many of these publications, firstly because it is a novel and secondly because, in the book, Diana wakes up in Paris after surviving the car crash.

The book, by author Dean Dudley, was first published three years ago, but a special edition for the anniversary of Diana’s death has recently been released. The author says that the book was created for “everyone who still misses Diana and wonders what might have happened if she had lived”.

Although the book is not entirely historically accurate, because real stories have been intertwined with fiction, it has been well researched. The story tracks Diana’s progress as she recovers from her accident and snippets of information come back to her from the past as she regains her memory. Through these flashbacks, the author has managed to tie in stories from Diana’s youth, her marriage to Charles and also fictionalised accounts which make the book more entertaining.

Whilst the book is funny and gripping, it is also easy to forget that the story is about Diana, Princess of Wales at times, as the life that the Diana in the book leads after waking up from her accident is rather different to what we are used to. Diana’s life in the book is rather far-fetched and the way she writes her diaries, whilst entertaining and engaging, can also seem unlikely as there is a lot of sexual content and explicit language. If this were a supposedly true historical account, then portraying the Princess in such a light could be deemed disrespectful, but Dean Dudley gets away with it by making it clear that it is a work of fiction.

As a story, the book is an engaging read. The tale is full of unexpected events and twists; from Diana giving birth to the child of Dodi al-Fayed and moving to the USA to a dark plot involving terrorism and kidnap in the wake of the 9/11 attack. If you are looking for an accurate or academic portrayal of Diana’s life, then this book is not for you. If, however, you are a fan of Diana's who has always wondered what might have happened if she had lived, then Diana Survivor offers the glimpse into a what may have been that many people have been thinking about.

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Duke & Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to host World Mental Health day event

The Duchess of Cambridge was last seen publicly in August viewing a tribute garden for the late Diana, Princess of Wales at Kensington Palace. It would be her last public engagement before the announcement of her third pregnancy was announced earlier this month. Catherine again is suffering from severe morning sickness, which has forced her to cancel previously scheduled events.

Kensington Palace today announced that the Duchess, alongside the Duke and Prince Harry, will make her first public appearance since the pregnancy announcement at an event held at Buckingham Palace on October 10th for World Mental Health Day.

This is the next step in the royal trio’s campaign centred on ending the stigma surrounding mental health in the UK. Earlier this year, the three royals attended the London Marathon in support of mental health.

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day, which is held every year in October, is to showcase mental health in the workplace. Mental health professionals will have the opportunity to discuss the need for improvement of services and how services can assist those in need.

The Mental Health Foundation, with the assistance of UNUM, has released a free ebook discussing how mental health can be managed in the workplace.

The book description, in general reads: “It looks at safeguarding staff wellbeing, addressing problems before they become severe, and supporting staff when issues do emerge. It’s not about becoming an expert in mental health – it’s about spotting the signs that something might be wrong. It will signpost the right support and resources and offer suggestions for putting strategies in place to support good mental health.”

The event at Buckingham Palace will honour those in the mental health sector throughout the UK who have dedicated their lives to changing the conversation surrounding care and mental illness. It will recognise the hard work, dedication, and progress made by those professionals who have made efforts to raise awareness over the past several years.

The royal trio will also thank those who continue to provide support to people going through difficult times in their lives.

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Duke of Cambridge Attracts Controversy over Drugs Comment

Prince William attracted some controversy earlier this week when he asked whether drugs should be legalised while on a visit to Spitalfields Crypt Trust.

“Can I ask you a very massive question - it’s a big one - there’s obviously a lot of pressure growing in areas about legalising drugs and things like that. What are your individual opinions on that?” Prince William asked three people who have benefitted from the Trust’s work.

“I know it’s a big question, but you seem like the key people to actually get a very good idea as to, you know, what are the big dangers there - what are the feelings?”

Heather Blackburn, one of the people he asked, said, “Most of the people I’ve known in recovery, 95% had massive trauma and terrible stuff happen to them and using drugs to cope, and then you get put in prison, you don’t get the facilities and the actual help you need, you get punished…it’s going to do even more harm, I think.

“You can’t just say, you know, ‘drugs are illegal’ or ‘now we can all go and do drugs’, because it doesn’t stop the fact we’re a nation of people hurting, and we can’t undo all that overnight. It takes a long period of time,” said Grace Gunn, a recovering alcoholic.

The third person questioned said that he didn’t think drugs should be legalised.

Prince William thanked the impromptu roundtable, saying, “Talking to you and being here it feels like a question I had to ask, I appreciate your honesty.”

While the Duke’s comments attracted controversy, it also drew comments from both sides of the debate.

Transform, a pro-legalisation pressure group, released a statement saying, “We are delighted that Prince William has the courage to ask one of the most crucial questions of our time.”

The Home Office also commented, “This Government has no plans to decriminalise drug misuse.”

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The Duke of Cambridge jokes about his hair

Prince Willam joked about his receding hairline Tuesday morning as he kicked off a visit to a charity café in Shoreditch.

“I don’t have much hair,” he said to hairdresser Taz Kabria. “I can’t give you much business.”

Prince William was greeting the hairdressers who work next door to the café when he made the quip about his hair.

Jokes about the Prince’s hair aren’t new fodder for the Royal Family. While on their first overseas tour to the United States in 2011, the Duchess of Cambridge joked that they were late to the BAFTA Brits to Watch event because “William had to do his hair.”

The Duke of Cambridge was visiting the Spitalfields Crypt Trust, which is a charity that provides “holistic recovery service to those dealing with complex drug and alcohol addictions, and often homelessness,” per the Royal Family’s website.

The Duke visited two of Spitalfields Crypt Trust’s social enterprises: Paper & Cup, a café and bookshop; and Restoration Station, a vintage furniture and refurbishment shop.

Spitalfields Crypt Trust was founded in 1965. The Trust offers a range of services for support for recovering addicts in areas including mental health, physical health, employment, housing, careers and personal relationships.

The Duke was given three wooden owls – one for Prince George, one for Princess Charlotte, and one for the new baby - when he visited the Restoration Station.

Rhys Pritchard, the manager of Restoration Station, joked that there were three toys so no arguments would ensue. Prince William replied, “Thank you very much, yes we don’t want arguments.”

Prince William also chatted with a midwife during his visit, wishing her all the best and then joking, “I may see you sooner than you think.”

The Duchess of Cambridge recently announced that she was pregnant with her third child and is suffering from severe morning sickness – hyperemesis gravidarum – the same as she had when she was pregnant with both Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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The Duchess of Cambridge stars in new mental health campaign for children

The Duchess of Cambridge has lent her support to a new mental health campaign in the form of a video message for the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (AFNCCF).

The centre’s new ‘You're Never Too Young to Talk Mental Health’ features the Duchess, who is Royal Patron of the charity which offers a mental health assessment and treatment programme.


In the video, the Duchess says: “As parents, we all want our children to have the best possible start in life. Encouraging children to understand and be open about their feelings can give them the skills to cope with the ups and downs that life will throw at them as they grow up.

“It’s important that our children understand that emotions are normal, and that they have the confidence to ask for help if they are struggling.

“This is why I am proud to support the ‘You’re never too young to talk’ mental health campaign by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, which is being rolled out across primary schools this Autumn.

“The campaign’s resources are excellent tools to support parents. They demonstrate how we can help children express their feelings, respond appropriately, and prevent small problems from snowballing into bigger ones.”

The new campaign by AFNCCF aims to give parents and teachers free resources to support children learning about their mental health.

The campaign features an animated film co-produced by children & teachers, with the Duchess giving an introduction.

The Duchess of Cambridge became Patron of the Anna Freud Centre last year and has visited the charity many times since.

The centre is one of the partner charities of Heads Together, a mental health initiative by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and their namesake foundation.

Bringing the stigmas associated with mental health out of the dark is one of Catherine’s main focus points. Many of her patronages and engagements reflect this, and she takes a particular interest in young people’s mental health.

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The Duke of Cambridge to attend the world premiere of Blue Planet II

On Wednesday, 27 September Prince William will join Sir David Attenborough and composer Hans Zimmer at the British Film Institute IMAX cinema in London for the world premiere screening of the BBC’s Blue Planet II.

The special screening aims to celebrate the show’s potential to inspire future generations of marine conservationists and will see school children from Lionel Primary School in Brentford in attendance alongside specially invited guests. The Duke of Cambridge will join the children in the cinema’s foyer before the screening as they explore interactive marine-themed learning activities and take part in experiential quizzes. Prince William will also see a live demonstration of the breathing apparatus used for underwater filming and some of the special technology which was used to film the series, such as the Megadome camera.

Prince William will then join the invited audience to watch the premiere of the Blue Planet II prequel as well as the opening episode. The five-minute series prequel will be globally launched and simulcast at midday on Thursday, 28 September and features a unique musical collaboration between Radiohead and Hans Zimmer. The first episode of the series will be broadcast on BBC One before the end of the year and promises to take viewers on a revelatory journey into our oceans. The episode will be 50 minutes in duration with an additional 10-minute ‘making of’ feature.

A generation after the original broadcast of The Blue Planet in 2001, the BBC returns to the watery depths for the new series, which is a culmination of four years’ work and 125 expeditions across 39 countries on every continent and across every ocean. As cutting-edge breakthroughs in science and technology continue to transform our knowledge of what goes on beneath the waves, Blue Planet II is set to reveal otherworldly places and extraordinary new animal behaviours in the final frontier.

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Demand for lentils soar after they appear on Prince George's £18,000 per year school men

Demand for lentil has soared over the past week according to farmers, and it is all because they feature on the menu of Prince George’s £18,000 per year school.

Despite only being four-years-old, the young Prince seems to have successfully influenced more people to eat their greens than even the likes of Jamie Oliver!

Puy lentil producers have reported a sudden boost in demand for the crop after it was reported that Thomas’s School Battersea would be offering this on the school menu.

Speaking to L’express newspaper, a spokesperson for Lentil firm Sabarot said that they believe the sudden increase in demand is down to Prince George, with people wanting to eat the same food as him.

On his first day at school, Prince George was offered a meal of either lamb ragout with garlic and herbs, pork stroganoff with red peppers or smoked mackerel on a bed of puy lentils.

Prince George is known as George Cambridge to his classmates. Thomas’s Battersea’s motto is “be kind” and requires that students “not just to tolerate but to celebrate difference, including faith, beliefs and culture.”

In addition to traditional subjects, George will be taught French, ballet, drama, art, and physical education at the fee-paying independent school.

George’s mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, has said in the past that she does not think her son “has any idea what’s going to hit him” as he begins school.

Maud Windsor, the daughter of Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, also attends Thomas’s Battersea. She is the granddaughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

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'Super fan' behind stalking of Prince George; "He would have been safe"

The woman who was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary at Prince George’s new school was a super fan of the Royal Family.

According to her mother, 40-year-old Louise Chantry is in love with the fairytale aspect of their lives.

Chantry who was previously a holistic healer has also been convicted of hotel fraud.

Rona Crawford, Chantry’s mother, spoke to The Sun about the incident.

“She wouldn’t have done any harm to George,” Crawford said.

“He would have been safe with her.

“She just loves the royal family and loves kids.”

Adding on that the Cambridge family “represent the ideal family life she would like to have”.

“People were very much in love with Diana when she was alive, this is similar. It’s a fairytale. It’s a fantasy.”

Chantry was charged with £100 fine after unpaid hotel bills and has a hard time finding work.

“She’s been under a lot of stress,” her mother explained, Chantry recently split with her husband of six years.

“She has no children herself. She wants stability, a home she is happy in.

“I’m very sad this has happened, it’s a horrible incident.”

On a visit to a hospital in Liverpool, when asked about the incident, Prince William said: “It’s been a very interesting week.”

The woman was arrested at 14:15hrs on Wednesday, 13 September relating to an incident the day previously when an individual gained access to its premises.

In a statement issued, the Metropolitan Police say that the woman was arrested in the vicinity of the school and remains in custody.

The statement reads: “We are working with the school, which is attended by His Royal Highness Prince George, to review its security arrangements after the incident.

“Police were alerted and officers attended immediately after the issue came to light.

Police are part of the protective security arrangements for the Prince and we will continue to work closely with the school, which is responsible for building security on its site.”

According to media reports, royal protection officers had been alerted when a woman entered the school unannounced on Tuesday afternoon.

Louise Chantry has been released on bail until a hearing in October.

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Prince William speaks out about Prince George's 'school stalker' incident

The Duke of Cambridge has spoken for the first time about an incident which occurred earlier this week where an alleged stalker was arrested for gaining access to Prince George’s new school.

On a visit to a hospital in Liverpool, when asked about the incident, Prince William said: “It’s been a very interesting week.”

Scotland Yard revealed on Wednesday that a 40-year-old woman had been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary at Thomas’s Battersea School.

The woman was arrested at 14:15hrs on Wednesday, 13 September relating to an incident the day previously when an individual gained access to its premises.

In a statement issued, the Metropolitan Police say that the woman was arrested in the vicinity of the school and remains in custody.

The statement reads: “We are working with the school, which is attended by His Royal Highness Prince George, to review its security arrangements after the incident.

“Police were alerted and officers attended immediately after the issue came to light.

Police are part of the protective security arrangements for the Prince and we will continue to work closely with the school, which is responsible for building security on its site.”

According to media reports, royal protection officers had been alerted when a woman entered the school unannounced on Tuesday afternoon.

She had fled when challenged by staff, however, returned for a second time at 2.15pm.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson has confirmed that they are aware of this security breach.

The issue of security at Prince George’s new school was raised before he started, with concerns that the appropriate measures were not in place.

As reported last week by Royal Central, a local resident took it upon herself to test the future king’s school and the school’s security, or lack of, was “astonishing”.

Sarah Burnett-Moore, 54, filmed herself walking throughout the school after the gate and main entrance door were left open. A surprising find considering Prince George will be at the school starting Thursday.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Burnett-Moore said: “I could have walked in with an IED and set it to go off on Thursday.

"I live just 200 metres from the school and myself and lots of neighbours are worried about the security implications as the Prince’s presence will make the area a target for attacks".

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Prince William on Princess Charlotte: "She's going to be trouble when she gets older"

The Duke of Cambridge has been speaking about his two children on a trip to Liverpool today.

During a visit to Aintree Hospital, one patient asked how the Duchess of Cambridge and the two children are doing.

The second-in-line-to the throne replied: “She’s doing very well, thanks.

“George started school, so it’s been a very interesting week.”

Speaking of his youngest child, two-year-old Princess Charlotte, William said: “She’s going to be trouble when she gets older. All fathers say that to me, watch out for the little girls.”

“But they’re all very well, thanks.”

The Duchess of Cambridge is currently at Kensington Palace after she was forced to cancel her planned engagements due to a severe case of morning sickness.

Her illness resulted in Kensington Palace being forced to announce earlier than planned that the Duke and Duchess are expecting their third child.

Although a due date has not been revealed, it is expected the baby will arrive in the Spring.

The Duke of Cambridge began his visit to Liverpool at Aintree University Hospital where he formally opened the new Urgent Care and Trauma Centre (UCAT). This new unit, which serves a catchment area of 2.3m residents in the North West, opened in January 2017 following a £35m redevelopment.

Following on from the opening, Prince William visited Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Life Rooms in Walton. This community hub has helped over 16,000 people and challenges the stigmas associated with mental health.

On his final stop, the Duke visited Wallasey for a series of activities in the pools at Guinea Gap Leisure Centre. This engagement merged three related organisations of which he is Patron of – the British Sub-Aqua Club, English Schools Swimming Association and Swim England.

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The Duke of Cambridge visits McLaren Production Centre

Britain’s McLaren Automotive currently produces some of today’s top sports cars and luxury vehicles. Ever since successful Formula One driver Bruce McLaren first introduced his M1A race car in 1964, McLaren Automotive has grown astronomically into one of Britain’s finest vehicular production companies of the age.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge made a pit stop at McLaren Automotive’s location in Woking on Tuesday to tour their iconic facilities and meet with the individuals who keep the production centre working on daily basis. The facility itself is said to embody the very spirit of the company itself which is home to the innovation necessary that is then built into each road car bearing the McLaren name.

“I am a car enthusiast. I don’t know very much about cars, but I like speed,” the Duke of Cambridge said.

During the tour of the McLaren Automotive Production Centre, His Royal Highness was shown a life-size replica of one of McLaren’s cars made exclusively of legos, of which His Royal Highness was clear to convey that young Prince George would be delighted to see.

Upon viewing the facility’s thorough manufacturing process, the Duke was introduced to many of the faces behind the company who work at various stages of the production of a McLaren vehicle from world-class engineers to the apprentices who are just beginning the process of learning what it takes to make a McLaren. His Royal Highness also met with a number of women employed by McLaren Automotive. The company currently possesses a history of broadening their scope of employment for the female population.

His Royal Highness was given a complete tour of the facility’s factory floor before he was honoured with the task of placing the final touch of the McLaren emblem on the latest 720S model car before it enters worldwide distribution.

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The Duke of Cambridge meets survivors of football child abuse

The Duke of Cambridge, who is the president of the Football Association (FA), has met with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse at the Sporting Chance charity in Liphook, set up by former England football captain Tony Adams. The charity is specifically set up for those affected by non-recent sexual abuse in football.

The Duke of Cambridge said: “We have been very good at tackling things like racism and such in football and the fact that we are now seen to be leading the way in football, and mental health is fantastic.

“I’ve always felt those young men get put into the situation where they have amazing feet, their skill with the ball is unquestionable, but everyone forgets about the rest of the body, they forget about the head, they forget about how they have been brought up, about what they have been through.”

The Duke of Cambridge said that too little had been done to prevent tragedies such as the suicide of former Wales manager Gary Speed and problems suffered by stars such as Aaron Lennon. The “mental well-being” of under pressure players and managers should be protected more.

Reports of non-recent childhood sexual abuse became public last year, and the FA approached Sporting Chance to set up a special support service. Tony Adams said: “It’s great that he [Prince William] is showing an interest in what we do and it’s fantastic that we can cement the partnership we’ve got with the FA.”

Ian Ackley, a survivor of abuse he suffered as a child, described The Duke of Cambridge’s visit as “hugely significant”.

He said: “I’ve been wanting to speak to anyone and everyone for a long time and in the last eight-nine months we’ve come a long way.

“To be able to sit and have an audience with the Duke is just something I couldn’t ever have imagined.”

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Woman arrested following incident at Prince George's new school

Scotland Yard says that a 40-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary at Prince George’s new school.

The woman was arrested at 14:15hrs on Wednesday, 13 September relating to an incident that occurred at Thomas’s Battersea School the day previously when an individual gained access to its premises.

In a statement issued, the Metropolitan Police say that the woman was arrested in the vicinity of the school and remains in custody.

The statement reads: “We are working with the school, which is attended by His Royal Highness Prince George, to review its security arrangements after the incident.

“Police were alerted and officers attended immediately after the issue came to light.

Police are part of the protective security arrangements for the Prince and we will continue to work closely with the school, which is responsible for building security on its site.”

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Prince William says how Prince George would love a life-size Lego car

He may be the future king, but Prince George is just like every other four-year-old.

On Tuesday, the Duke of Cambridge toured McLaren's design and production centres in Woking, Surrey where he got an up close view of the 280,000 Lego-brick version of the 720s road car. Upon viewing it, Prince William exclaimed: "Wow! My son would love this!"

Adding on: "My son's very into Lego, and he'd love this: it's incredible!"

For the ‘big kids', Prince William got to take a seat in the real version of the car.

"I am a car enthusiast," the Duke of Cambridge said. "I don't know very much about cars, but I like speed."

Although, despite his modesty, he did understand one of the biggest selling features of any car- cup holders.

"The key question is: does it have a coffee cup holder? It's a fast car, but does it have a coffee cup holder?"

In a comprehensive tour of the site's innovative design area and production floor, the Duke was also given the opportunity to put the finishing touches on another model of the £210,000 720s, fitting its iconic badge to the front bonnet.

A former Air Ambulance pilot, Prince William was able to draw on his past experience from flying to the supercars.

Chief executive Mike Flewitt gave the Duke his tour of their facilities. Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said: "A lot of his knowledge is actually from aircraft, and he was drawing parallels with what he knows from helicopters, aeroplanes and that side of the world."

One future owner of the £210,000 720s will have an extra special feature as Prince Wiliam fitted the badge to the front bonnet.

@KensingtonRoyal/Twitter

From the glamour of the showroom, Prince William spoke to the assembly staff and McLaren's star Alex Machin.

At only 17-years-old, Machin is the Manufacturing Magazine Awards apprentice of the year.

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Prince Charles comments on Prince George's first day of school

Prince Charles has commented on Prince George’s first day at school.

Prince George started at his new school on Thursday.

While speaking to ITV News about Prince George’s first day at school, Prince Charles joked when asked if he had any advice for the young prince. He said “Course not! He wouldn’t take it from me at that age.”

Prince Charles said that at “that age you don’t worry quite so much about going to school than when you get a bit older.”

Prince George looked nervous as he walked into the grounds of his new school. The Duchess of Cambridge wasn’t there to be with him as she is suffering from morning sickness. This follows the announcement that the Duke and Duchess are expecting their third child.

Prince Charles, talking about Prince George, said: “Poor old thing. He’s been left there to have to get on with it. When the parents go away is always the problem.”

He said that he would be “interested to hear how he get on.”

He also added “It’s good for you, in the end, I suppose. It’s character building.”

Speaking later on in the day, the Duke of Cambridge said that Prince George had a “good day” and that it was a “nice school”, Prince William joked that he was pleased that another parent had problems and that it was not just him.

Prince George is attending Thomas’s Battersea, a private school which is just a 30-minute drive from Kensington Palace.

The school costs a massive £17,604 a year. However, this is likely to come out of the Duchy of Cornwall rather than from the tax payer.

The Duchy of Cornwall is a collection of investments of land. Prince Charles voluntarily pays tax on the Duchy income which in turns supports the Prince of Wales and his family.

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Prince George wasn't the only royal starting at Thomas's Battersea

Maud Windsor with her father Lord  Frederick Windsor

While the eyes were all on the future king starting his education at Thomas's Battersea, another member of the royal family went mostly unnoticed starting her year off at the same school.

Maud Windsor, daughter of Lord Fredrick Windsor and Lady Sophie of Windsor, was all smiles as she entered the school with her father.

The four-year-old was dressed in the same smart uniform as Prince George, only swapped out with a skirt rather than shorts and a red ribbon in her hair. Maud will be in the same class as Prince George.

Maud Windsor was dropped off by her father Lord  Frederick Windsor

Maud's mother was likely at home with her one-year-old sister, Isabella.

Born on the 15th of August 2013 to Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, Maud Elizabeth Daphne Marina is the first grandchild of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, first cousin twice removed of Her Majesty the Queen. She was born at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles. Her parents were based in Los Angles at the time, so Lady Sophie was able to pursue a career in acting.

If it weren't for her distant cousin, Prince George, her attendance at the school would have likely gone by without a blink of an eye.

Prince George was dropped off by his father, the Duke of Cambridge, and looked rather nervous as most four-year-olds are on the first day of school.

Prince George was dropped off by his father the Duke of Cambridge

His mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, was unable to join him as she is suffering from the crippling morning sickness that plagued her first two pregnancies. Kensington Palace announced that Catherine was expecting her and William's third child on 4 September. She was forced to pull out of a planned engagement that afternoon and a joint appearance the next day with Princes William and Harry due to the morning sickness.

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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge release photo of Prince George's first day at school

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge release photo of Prince George's first day at school

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a released a new photograph to mark Prince George's first day at school.

In the photo, Prince George is stood beside his father outside the doors of Kensington Palace.

The two princes are holding hands, as they were early on Thursday morning when William dropped his son off at school for the first time.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share a photograph of The Duke and Prince George at Kensington Palace this morning. The image was taken shortly before Prince George left for his first day of school at Thomas's Battersea.

Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to share this lovely picture as Prince George starts school, and would like to thank everyone for all of the kind messages they have received."

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Prince George begins first day of school

Prince George begins first day of school

Prince George has started his first day of school this morning at Thomas’s Battersea dressed in his school uniform of a navy v-neck jumper, matching shorts, and long red socks with his black shoes. His father, the Duke of Cambridge, accompanied his nervous looking son as he arrived.

His mother, the Duchess of Cambridge, was unable to join him as she is suffering from the crippling morning sickness that plagued her first two pregnancies. Kensington Palace announced that Catherine was expecting her and William’s third child on 4 September. She was forced to pull out of a planned engagement that afternoon and a joint appearance the next day with Princes William and Harry due to the morning sickness.

Kensington Palace confirmed this morning that Her Royal Highness would not accompany her husband and son to Thomas’s Battersea saying, “Unfortunately The Duchess of Cambridge remains unwell, and will not be able to accompany Prince George on his first day of school.

“The Duke of Cambridge will drop off Prince George this morning as planned.”

The four-year-old royal greeted the Head of Lower School, Helen Haslem, with a handshake while his father held onto his backpack. She then grabbed George’s left hand and walked him into the school with Prince William. William then stayed with George for around 40 minutes while he got settled into his classroom.

Prince George will be known as George Cambridge to his classmates. Thomas’s Battersea’s motto is “be kind” and requires that students “not just to tolerate but to celebrate difference, including faith, beliefs and culture.”

In addition to traditional subjects, George will be taught French, ballet, drama, art, and physical education at the fee-paying independent school.

Catherine has said in the past that she does not think her son “has any idea what’s going to hit him” as he begins school.

Ben Thomas, the principal of the group of Thomas’s London Day Schools, said today that “there won’t be any special treatment at all” for Prince George. He added, “In fact what his parents would like for him, as any parent would like for their child, is they have a wonderful, fulfilling and private childhood in a place which is secure.”

Thomas explained, “Our aim for him, as well as for all of our pupils, is to provide a safe and secure and happy environment where he feels supported by a kind and loving community. That’s all we will be trying to achieve for him.”

Maud Windsor, the daughter of Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor, also began today at Thomas’s Battersea. She is the granddaughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

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The Duke Of Cambridge Lays Wreath In Memory Of PC Keith Palmer, Who Was Killed In Terror Attack

The Duke of Cambridge laid a wreath in the Police Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum on Wednesday in memory of the police officer killed in the London terror attack.

PC Keith Palmer was stabbed by a terrorist last week as he was guarding the Palace of Westminster.

On the wreath, Prince William left a message which reads: “For PC Keith Palmer, and all those who have served our community so valiantly, your legacy is our way of life.”

The second-in-line to the throne signed the message off with his signature.

The Duke of Cambridge was at the National Memorial Arboretum to officially open the new Remembrance Centre.

When opening the centre, he was acting in the capacity of Patron of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal.

Forming part of The Royal British Legion, the National Memorial Arboretum has fostered pride in the UK year round since 1997 when it became the nation's centre of Remembrance. The 'living and lasting memorial' stands proudly as a place to honour the fallen and recognise the service and sacrifice of every man and woman who devotes their lives to the defence of UK freedom.

The 'living and lasting memorial' stands proudly as a place to honour the fallen and recognise the service and sacrifice of every man and woman who devotes their lives to the defence of UK freedom.

The Remembrance Centre project received support from many individuals and organisations including lead supporters The Royal British Legion, Staffordshire County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Rolls Royce and the Westminster Foundation. The new Centre features a cloistered courtyard garden, three new exhibition galleries and a larger restaurant and

The new Centre features a cloistered courtyard garden, three new exhibition galleries and a larger restaurant and a shop for visitors.

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Duchess Of Cambridge To Conduct Solo Visit To Luxembourg In May

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Luxembourg on 11 May at the request of the Foreign Office, Kensington Palace has announced.

She will attend the commemoration of the 1867 Treaty of London (also called the Second Treaty of London), which reaffirmed the personal union between the Netherlands and Luxembourg under the House of Orange-Nassau and reaffirmed the neutrality of Luxembourg, which was established by the First Treaty of London.

To ensure Luxembourg's neutrality the westward fortifications of Luxembourg City were to be demolished and never to be rebuilt. Their neutrality was especially important after the Luxembourg crisis erupted when French Emperor Napoleon III attempted to buy Luxembourg from King William III.

An independent Luxembourg was of paramount importance to Prussia. The personal union between the Netherlands and Luxembourg ended in 1890 when Queen Wilhelmina ascended the Dutch throne. Luxembourg still knew, which barred women from the throne and as such, Queen Wilhelmina could not become Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. An older branch of the House of Nassau inherited Luxembourg.

The personal union between the Netherlands and Luxembourg ended in 1890 when Queen Wilhelmina ascended the Dutch throne. Luxembourg still knew salic law, which barred women from the throne and as such, Queen Wilhelmina could not become Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. An older branch of the House of Nassau inherited Luxembourg.

The Duchess of Cambridge's visit to Luxembourg is added to a schedule of other European engagements, including an official visit to Poland and Germany in July, which she will visit with her husband, the Duke of Cambridge,  at the specific request of the Foreign Office. The couple recently returned from a two-day visit to Paris. They are not the only British to visit Europe, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are visiting Romania, The Papal See and Austria.

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