King of the United Kingdom and the 14 Commonwealth realms
Prince Harry has visited the UK this month for charity and Invictus events and has met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove. The meeting has allowed Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, to see their grandfather for the first time since 2022. The trip has followed his loss in a High Court privacy case and a dispute over state-funded security for his family.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has opened in Glasgow, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla attending. The event features a time-travel Tardis entrance, a garden stage, 74 nations parading, and a rotation of Scottish cultural moments amid budget constraints.
The US has removed tariffs on Scotch whisky following the King and Queen’s state visit, a move hailed as a boost for Scotland’s whisky industry and its jobs. The move also sees US bourbon and casks entering the UK tariff-free, while ministers warn other UK goods face new levies. Readers are updated on the latest shift in transatlantic trade relations.
Mary Davidson Smith, a resident of Care UK’s Murrayside care home in Edinburgh, has received thousands of birthday cards for her 105th birthday, including one from King Charles. Cards arrived from as far as Singapore after the home’s appeal. She celebrated with a family day and afternoon tea, and a reunion with a traditional Korean hanbok outfit at the National Museum of Scotland.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has opened The Mad King, a Game of Thrones prequel, in Stratford-upon-Avon. The 3h45m production brings younger versions of familiar figures to the stage with a 36-strong cast and innovative puppetry. Reviews are mixed on pace and poetry, but the project aims to broaden GoT’s reach beyond devoted fans.
Prince Philip arranged for the 12th‑century Norman tub font to be moved to Gordonstoun in 1962 when Charles started there, saving it from obscurity. It stood in the school chapel before being returned to St Michael’s Church, Upton Cressett. Custodians say the font’s journey has become a local legend and a symbol of historic preservation.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have welcomed their third child, a baby girl born in Lisbon on Aug. 3. The couple is taking time to decide on a name as details emerge, following previous births of August and Ernest. The royal family has been informed and is delighted by the news.
Radio Caroline has apologised after pre-recorded death announcements were broadcast in error on May 19. Ofcom has ruled the incident breached accuracy and correction rules, describing it as a very significant inaccuracy on a matter of high public interest. The station has reprimanded the staff member involved and moved obituary files off the studio desktop.
Harry and Meghan have returned to Britain after more than six years away, announcing plans to live outside London with their children enrolled in British schools. The couple’s UK comeback follows a high-profile departure and ongoing public tensions with the royal family, including Harry’s security debate and Charles’s health status.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have planned a move from California to a private, non-royal home outside London later this month and have enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in British schools for September. King Charles has been told and has welcomed the chance to see his grandchildren; the couple will remain non-working royals.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to settle at a private, non-royal residence outside London. The King has been informed and is welcoming more time with his grandchildren. The couple, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020, are pursuing private life in Britain while maintaining their U.S. presence.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have signaled they will relocate to a private residence outside London this month. They have maintained ties to the UK after leaving royal duties in 2020, while discussions over security arrangements and the family’s role remain unsettled.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have relocated from California to Britain for an extended period with their children, Archie and Lilibet. They will not reside in a royal residence and will remain non-working royals, pursuing private ventures while their children attend a new school in September.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to Britain with their children, reasserting ties with the royal family while preserving their non-royal status. They plan to live at a private residence outside London and will continue to leverage their UK-based charitable work and commercial ventures.
A High Court costs ruling in London has ordered Prince Harry and other claimants to pay a substantial interim sum to Associated Newspapers, following a long-running case over alleged unlawful information gathering by the Daily Mail publisher. The decision accompanies ongoing moves by Harry and Meghan to return to the UK.
Ethel Caterham has become the oldest living person in April 2025 after the death of a 116-year-old. She credits avoiding arguments as key to her longevity and has shared moments from her life, including meeting King Charles and experiences across decades in the UK and abroad. She currently resides in Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey.
The president has announced a trip to Ireland for Sept. 12-13, where he will attend events with embassy staff and officials, and visit Trump-owned golf properties. AP, New York Post and Independent note the trip underscores how official travel can intersect with family business interests, including LIV Golf ties and potential political signaling.
A baby girl born in Lisbon has been named to honor family members and reflect English-Portuguese roots. Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have welcomed their third child, announced on social media, with the baby weighing 3 kilograms.
Charles’s autumn itinerary has been outlined, starting with a state visit to the Bahamas on Oct. 27, followed by Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, concluding Nov. 4. The trip highlights the Commonwealth’s ties and the King’s role as head of state in 14 countries outside the UK.
King Harald V has died at Oslo University Hospital at 06:35 on Friday, Aug. 28, aged 89. Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII and will take the oath before parliament on Tuesday. Norway has declared national mourning; tens of thousands have left tributes at the royal palace and a funeral date is set for Sept. 9.
King Harald V has died at 89. Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII, pledging the motto “All for Norway.” Mourners gather at Slottsplassen as the royal household enters a period of mourning; a state funeral date has not yet been announced, and Haakon is set to address the nation in coming days.
A memorial service in Heaton Park, Manchester, recalls the 2025 attack on the synagogue that killed Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby. Officials include Chief Rabbi Mirvis and Communities Secretary Rayner. Attendees stress resilience amid rising antisemitism and call for action to address core problems.
The 70-metre Bayeux Tapestry has opened at the British Museum and has drawn huge public demand and sell-out timed tickets. The loan from France followed a private preview attended by King Charles III and President Emmanuel Macron; the museum expects about 1 million visitors before the exhibition ends in July 2027.
Princess Diana’s black Christina Stambolian evening dress, worn in 1994 as a public response to Charles’s affair, is returning to Sotheby’s for auction with a conservative estimate around $200,000. The item will tour displays in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York ahead of a December sale, with portions of proceeds benefiting NHS Lothian Charity.
Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces has reaffirmed participation in Prince Harry’s Invictus Games after Buckingham Palace clarified that the King has no objection, following Uganda’s initial withdrawal amid tensions over the Harry-Meghan coverage. The reversal follows a call between Uganda’s CDF and the King’s private secretary, signaling a diplomatic resolution.
Jamaica has filed a petition asking King Charles to refer three questions about transatlantic slavery to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. The move, backed by Caribbean leaders, seeks to determine the legality of slavery under English law, whether it constituted a crime against humanity, and whether Britain has a duty to provide redress. The petition follows a long-running campaign for reparations and artefact repatriation.
The King has reiterated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain private citizens since returning to Britain last month. A royal letter confirms they will not use HRH titles, their charitable work is private, and security decisions rest with police authorities. The Home Office panel is assessing taxpayer-funded protection as the family settles in.
The King has stated that Harry and Meghan remain private citizens after their return to Britain, with the couple continuing their charitable work in a private capacity. Officials say there is no change to their royal status, while security and duties decisions remain under government review as the Sussexes settle their family back in the UK.
Reform UK has received two large donations totaling £72m from crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne. The money is aimed at expanding the party’s reach with more staff, targeted campaigning and stronger policy preparation, while police investigations into donor rules and questions of influence mount. The donation surge raises questions about the role of money in politics as campaigns gear up for upcoming byelections and local elections.
Two crypto billionaires have donated 72m to Reform UK, triggering a debate over caps on overseas and domestic political contributions as Parliament considers the Representation of the People Bill. The government is pushing to tighten rules while reform argues donations are legal. The story is developing as Lords debate the bill.
Trump has announced the removal of a 10% tariff on Irish whiskey following requests from Shane Lowry, Ireland’s prime minister, and other Irish officials. The move comes as part of a broader revision of tariffs on European spirits. Details on timing are still being clarified.
A collection of reports shows political leaders and scientists urging rapid, deployable climate solutions as El Niño intensifies extreme weather. The UK’s aid cuts and new energy projects are framed within a push for scalable, community-driven climate action.
Under Buckingham Palace during a decade-long reservicing, workers uncover artefacts and documents, including a 1949 whist drive ticket and 1966 Great Train Robbers coverage, alongside details of Queen Elizabeth II’s 1977 diplomatic reception. The project aims to replace ageing infrastructure, with fire risk from VIR cabling identified and removed.
Pantheon Regeneration plans to restore peatlands from Virginia to Florida, blocking ditch networks to raise water levels, reduce carbon emissions, and sell credits to fund conservation; the project seeks to protect biodiversity and defend large coastal and inland peat systems from degradation.
Aliko Dangote has opened a month-long IPO for Dangote Petroleum Refinery, offering roughly 3% of the company to retail investors from 14 September with minimum purchases of 10 shares. The sale will fund plans to double capacity to about 1.4m barrels per day and expand listings outside Africa, while critics warn of concentration of ownership and valuation risks.
Prince Harry and Meghan have moved back to the UK with Archie (7) and Lilibet (5). The children have switched schools due to security concerns tied to their daily commute. A government security panel is reviewing whether taxpayer-funded protection will continue now that the family resides in Britain.
Earl Spencer’s Swan Song excerpts accuse King Charles of saying Diana should be forgotten soon after her death. Buckingham Palace has rejected the claims, calling grief a factor in memory. The memoir also details Diana’s funeral tensions and other personal disputes amid a week of royal engagements and AI talks.
The monarch has convened a summit in Scotland with leaders from Nvidia, OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind to discuss guiding AI development towards safety and human benefit. He has urged a shared set of principles and international cooperation, stating that AI must remain in service of humanity while addressing existential risks.
The UK prime minister heads to New York for the UN General Assembly to press for closer UK-US cooperation on AI, Ukraine air defences, and safeguarding critical infrastructure, while managing a complex relationship with President Trump. Talks follow a string of calls and a cautious but optimistic tone about the special relationship.
Charles Spencer’s new book alleges a heated argument with Charles over Diana’s funeral plans in 1997; Buckingham Palace replies by noting the pain of fraternal grief can cloud judgment; the dispute comes as Diana’s legacy remains a touchstone for the monarchy.
GB Energy has emphasised ongoing investment and job creation in Aberdeen, with a target of 10,000 new roles by 2030, while a public reception at its Marischal Square HQ highlights government backing and local impact amid debate over direct job numbers.
The King and Queen Camilla will travel to the Bahamas, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda for CHOGM, with a focus on addressing colonial legacy and the call for reparations. While government has not backed reparations, the royals will acknowledge the darkest days of slavery and renew commitment to addressing past wrongs.
The London court is set to hold a private hearing as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor challenges Thames Valley Police over searches of his homes linked to his Epstein ties. He has denied wrongdoing and is pursuing a judicial review to quash the warrants used during his February arrest.
The Parti Québecois has formed a minority government in Quebec after the provincial election, ending a decade-long wait for power. Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon vows to pursue a referendum on independence after Trump leaves office, while Ottawa and provincial rivals plot how to shape national unity amid new tariffs and economic strain.