‘Harry could return to royal duties’ &’Alexei Navalny death’
The mysterious death of Alexei Navalny, a prominent Kremlin critic, continues to dominate Sunday’s headlines.
According to reports in The Sunday Times, Russian intelligence officers allegedly visited his prison just two days prior to his death. Human rights activists assert that the FSB (Federal Security Service) disconnected and removed security cameras and listening devices.
The Sunday Telegraph suggests that Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny’s wife, could potentially take on her husband’s role as the Kremlin’s primary adversary. The paper highlights her years of resilience and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom in Russia as qualifications for the position.
The Sun on Sunday’s editorial urges against letting Navalny’s death be in vain. The paper calls for unified action from the West against what it terms Vladimir Putin’s “murderous tyranny”.
Similarly, The Observer says that Putin must be held accountable for his actions and not allowed to kill with impunity. The paper advocates for severing diplomatic ties with Moscow and expelling its diplomats. “Expel its lying, scheming diplomats,” it says, and “send them all packing”.
‘General election in May’
There is speculation inside the papers over when the next general election will take place. The Sunday Mirror claims the government might call the election in May. One former Tory minister is quoted as saying a poll in May would avoid challenges to Rishi Sunak’s leadership and a damaging race to replace him.
The Sunday Times, however, suggests the election is still expected for October or November. The paper also reports that there are predictions that up to 150 Tories could announce they are quitting as MPs if polls continue to suggest Labour is on course for a landslide.
The Sunday Telegraph’s lead reports on what it calls Sir Keir Starmer’s “broadside” towards Donald Trump – the likely Republican candidate for the US elections. Trump has said the US will “not protect” Nato members that fail to meet defence spending targets. The paper says Keir has insisted that, if Labour is elected, Britain will always stand up for its allies “even if others threaten not to.”
‘Is Prince Harry to return to the royal family?’
Several of the tabloids report on the speculation that Prince Harry could temporarily return to royal duties on behalf of his father – amid the King’s cancer diagnosis. It was understood Harry had been willing to help out, but the King rejected the offer.
The Telegraph features a picture of Harry on its front page and says there’s ‘no way back’ for the prince.
The Sunday Express leads with the story. It says Prince William has “quashed any prospect of a royal reconciliation” with his brother.
The Sunday Mirror also leads on the story. It says Prince William remains angry about the public criticism Harry made about the family in recent years and believes he can’t be trusted. The paper says William would “reject any offer” of help made by Harry and that he has told friends there is no way back for him.
The Sun on Sunday also claims royal courtiers are opposed to Harry returning in any kind of hybrid role. It adds that Harry was stopped from joining the King at Sandringham during his last trip to the UK.
THE SUNDAY PAPERS – REVIEWED AND SUMMARISED
The Observer – ‘Ukraine pleads for more arms as Russia seizes front line city’
The Observer reports on Ukraine’s withdrawal from the frontline city of Avdiivka and its plea to the West for more military supplies for its defence against the Russian invasion.
The paper says the withdrawal has handed Russia “its first major military victory since last May” and notes that it comes just days before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. It quotes Zelensky, who has also been in Munich, telling leaders that the “artificial deficit of weapons” in Ukraine was having a direct impact on the frontline.
Sunday Mirror – ‘No way back for Harry’
The Sunday Mirror reports that Prince William will reject any offer for his brother, Prince Harry, to take on royal duties while the King is treated for cancer.
In other news, the front page is claiming that Tory MPs want a May election. It’s believed an earlier election – than the one suggested for October or November, could help the Tories avoid a leadership contest, which could cause even longer-lasting damage to the party.
Sunday Express – ‘Will won’t allow Harry back in family’
Prince William has remained defiant over his brother’s potential return to royal duties, the Sunday Express reports.
The paper says the Prince of Wales has “quashed any prospect of a royal reconciliation” with his brother, the Duke of Sussex.
It follows reports that the duke had signalled he would be willing to return to royal duties temporarily to help support the family while the King undergoes treatment for cancer.
The Sun on Sunday – ‘Harry blocker: There’s no way back for Harry’
“Harry blocker” is the headline of the front page of The Sun on Sunday, as it reports the Duke of Sussex was stopped by royal aides from joining the King at Sandringham during his recent visit to the UK.
The paper also reports that courtiers have ruled out the possibility of the prince returning to royal duties.
The Sunday Times – ‘FSB’s Navalny jail visit day before death’
The Sunday Times says Russian intelligence officers are reported to have visited his prison two days before he died there. Human rights campaigners claim the FSB disconnected and dismantled security cameras and listening devices.
Elsewhere, the post office scandal is still being reported on the front page. The Post Office boss has been told to stall payout so ‘Tories can limp into the election.’
Prince William’s £3m to build social housing in ‘surf town’ also makes the splash.
The Sunday Telegraph – ‘Starmer attacks ‘bad faith’ Trump over Nato’
The Sunday Telegraph reports that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned of the security “risks” of “bad faith politics”, in what the paper suggests is a “barely-concealed rebuke” aimed at Donald Trump over his recent comments about NATO.
The Sunday Telegraph reports that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has warned of the security “risks” of “bad faith politics”, in what the paper suggests is a “barely-concealed rebuke” aimed at Donald Trump over his recent comments about NATO.
Prince Harry is also featured on the front page along with the headline: “Harry has no way back into The Firm.”