Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Most of Wednesday’s front pages feature photographs of the Queen at the memorial service for her husband, Prince Philip, at Westminster Abbey. For the tabloids – the royals’ decision to allow Prince Andrew to have a central role in the memorial service has caused friction between members of the family.
The Met Police issuing fines to individuals over the PartyGate scandal and the ongoing war in Ukraine are popular lead stories for the broadsheets.
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Prince Philip’s memorial service: Queen’s tearful goodbye
Queen of broken hearts” is the headline for The Sun. The paper says the decision to allow Prince Andrew to escort the Queen is her “public show of support” for Andrew – he recently settled a civil case over sexual abuse allegations.
The Daily Mail reports on an ‘insider’ who reportedly told them of the royal family’s dismay at Andrew’s central role – and a “strong sense of regret” after he put himself “front and centre” as the world watched.
The Daily Express talks of a “Royal fallout” over the Queen’s “forgiving gesture” to allow Prince Andrew to escort her by the arm. It reports that both Prince Charles and Prince William were “said to feel uneasy” about the decision.
And the Mirror says that while the Queen was paying a tearful farewell to her beloved Prince Philip, Prince Andrew was worming his way back into the limelight. “The pain… and the stain,” is its headline.
Partygate: No 10 fines issued – threat to PM’s leadership
The Guardian and the i both lead with the No 10 party fines. The Guardian says the fines issued to 20 individuals over the parties are a “renewed threat” to the PM’s leadership. Whilst the i describes Boris Johnson as being “in denial” over the issue, as he “still does not accept that lockdown laws were broken”.
Ukraine war peace talks
The Daily Telegraph, The Times and The Metro all report on the ongoing Ukraine war.
The Daily Telegraph says Russia has given up on the “conquest of Kyiv”. Russian President Vladimir Putin has “failed in his plan”, adds the paper.
The Times reports on the development “raised the prospect of direct ceasefire negotiations” between Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, but added the two sides were “still far from an agreement”.
The Metro also reports hopes of peace have been boosted after Russia “vowed to scale back its military onslaught” as part of the first in person peace talks for nearly three weeks. The paper reports Mr Zelensky has indicated he would be willing to agree to a “declaration of neutrality and give up hopes of joining Nato”.
