Palace sources deny that Boris Johnson was asked to give Harry ‘pep talk’ – live

A royal biographer has explained why so many who met the late Queen Elizabeth II found themselves acting so strangely.

Craig Brown told an audience at the Henley Literary Festival – with which The Independent has joined as its exclusive news partner for the second year in a row – about how even the most composed and famous people often found themselves “discombobulating” as they met the monarch.

His biography, A Voyage Around the Queen, paints a picture of the Queen using tales from those who met and knew her during her 96-year life.

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Speaking at an event to mark 25 years of theScottish Parliament on Saturday (28 September), the monarch suggested that the late Queen Elizabeth II “chose” to spend her last living moments there due to her well-known love for the royal family’s countryside residence.

Charles highlighted his mother’s adoration for Scotland, especially since the Balmoral estate was where she spent her summers as a child and later in life with her husband, Prince Philip.

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I have not always felt great sympathy for Prince Harry. The dramatic departure from home; the tell-all interview with Oprah; and the commercialisation of his royal status. All have made it harder to feel for a guy who has been through some terrible times, and whose marriage has put him at odds with his family in a way that is genuinely saddening.

However, the news that Harry was forced to endure a “manly pep talk” from Boris Johnson at the peak of the crisis that ultimately led him to quit Britain has removed any sense of conflict. I now stand with the Duke of Sussex, beyond question.

Unusually, the revelation of this meeting has not come from the chatty prince, but rather from the former prime minister – the latter presumably hoping his memoir might get even vaguely close to Harry’s Spare in terms of sales figures.

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Royal commentator Maureen Callahan told GB News: “He still has tenuous connections with a few friends of his and William’s back in the UK. But he also knows that time is running out.

“Charles is being treated for cancer. He’s an old man. If he does not make his way back into good graces with Charles while he has the chance, he’s never going to have that chance with William.

“But William won’t have it now. He won’t have it at all. William will be the next King, also.”

The King has been urged to swap his suit for “more of an island vibe” when he joins world leaders at a major Commonwealth summit in Samoa next month, according to reports.

Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has called for those attending the meeting to dress comfortably, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

The King is head of the Commonwealth and for the first time will preside over the gathering of presidents and prime ministers as head of state, during the event hosted by Samoa which will also be attended by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

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Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

Writing in his 2023 memoir Spare, which is being released in paperback for the first time next month, Harry recalled her less than enthusiastic response.

As a direct heir to the throne, Harry was obliged to seek the monarch’s permission to marry.

He wrote: “I stood completely still, as motionless as the birds in my hands. I stared at her face, but it was unreadable. At last, she replied: ‘Well, then, I suppose I have to say yes’.”

Harry managed to see the bright side though, adding: “She’s saying yes, you muppet! She’s granting permission. Who cares how she words it, just know when to take yes for an answer.”

The monarch shared his statement alongside a photograph of the pair speaking at the Pride Of Britain awards at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in October 2016.

“My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith,” said Charles.

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A woman has said she gave the King a hug as he visited Holyrood “because of him being unwell”.

Yvonne Macmillan, 59, from East Renfrewshire, chatted to Charles as she attended a special ceremony to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament.

The King was diagnosed with cancer in February this year, and underwent treatment shortly afterwards.

He has now returned to public duties, with Mrs Macmillan telling the PA news agency: “I asked him if he was feeling better and if I could give him a hug. I actually said to him: ‘Can I hug you?’

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Her busy schedule was shared on the official royal family Twitter/X account in a post that read: “This week, The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Surrey, engaging with local initiatives.

“At Hale Community Centre, The Duchess met community groups and admired artwork by Creative Response.

“At Mane Chance Sanctuary, The Duchess helped groom and feed horses with @DofE Award students.

“At Parity for Disability, The Duchess joined students for sensory activities and cake decorating.”