Editorial 10 September 2024
Princess Kate leads Tuesday’s front pages with the news that she has completed her chemotherapy course. Images of the Princess of Wales, Prince William and their children lead all the papers.
The princess announced she is now cancer-free in a highly emotional and personal video.
Tuesday’s Commons vote on the winter fuel allowance is splashed on many papers this morning! Several publications suggest the government will face a rebellion in the Commons whilst others look at union warnings to avoid deep cuts.
‘Princess Kate cancer recovery’
Princess Kate released a personal video – featuring Prince William and their children – telling the public that she has completed her course of chemotherapy and is doing all she can to stay cancer-free. The video gave a highly personal look into royal life and the princess’s cancer journey.
‘Deeply personal’ is how the Daily Mail describes the royal announcement.
The Daily Mail says the video announcing the end of her course of chemotherapy was “deeply personal” and quotes the princess as saying “out of darkness, can come light.”
‘Personal but for the Instagram generation,’ is how The Times describes the video.
In a similar take, the Times calls the video “slick” and “one for the Instagram generation” but says it was highly emotional and praises the princess who was “at her most private and genuine.”
An ‘intimate look at royal life’ says The Sun.
The Sun newspaper leads on the royal news. The paper describes the film as “the most intimate look at Royal life ever.”
‘Message of hope’ is the Mirror’s take on the video.
The Daily Mirror describes the film as “Kate’s message of hope.” It highlights a line in the video where the princess says her focus now is to stay cancer-free and she hopes to return to royal duties soon.
‘New phase’ is the Metro’s take.
The Metro calls the video “moving” as she confirms a new phase of recovery from cancer. The entire front page is dedicated to the royal update, the paper looks ahead at what the news ‘means for her future.’
‘Out of darkness can come light’ – that’s the Express’s take.
The Daily Express is another tabloid leading with images of the royals. It quotes the princess in its headline – “Your kindness is humbling… out of darkness can come light”.
‘Gentle return’ is the Daily Star’s take.
“Smiles better … Princess finishes chemo and talks of hope and appreciation of life,” says the headline. The paper says “she is looking forward to getting back to work and plans to undertake a handful of public engagements.”
‘Renewed gratitude,’ says the Telegraph.
The Princess of Wale’s announcement about her chemotherapy is intended to highlight the princess’s renewed gratitude for the “simple yet important things in life,” says the Daily Telegraph.
‘Commons vote on winter fuel payments’
The looming Commons vote on cutting winter fuel payments for roughly 10 million pensions is featured on many front pages.
‘Dozens to rebel’ says The Times.
The Times reports Tuesday’s Commons vote on a government plan to limit winter fuel allowance for most older people – predicting that dozens of Labour MPs are set to rebel and abstain. The paper quotes one cabinet minister saying the row is already a “massive issue” on the doorstep, and that the government is “at risk of ignoring the danger”.
Reeves speaks to the Telegraph to tell pensioners they are on course for a boost under Labour.
The Telegraph has an article by Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of Tuesday’s winter fuel payment vote in the Commons. She tells pensioners they are on course for a £1,700 boost under Labour. The paper says she revealed internal estimates for state pension rises as she tries to counter a rebellion over the cut.
‘PM defiant’ is the Guardian’s angle.
The Guardian says the prime minister is staying defiant on the winter fuel payment cut – with Keir Starmer set to restate the government’s tough economic message in a speech to the Trade Unions Congress. The paper adds the chancellor faced down would-be rebels in a private meeting on Monday, and restated the move was necessary to help plug a £22bn black hole in the public purse.
‘Prisoners early release’
Several of the papers report on the scheme to tackle overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales. The papers – mostly right-leaning tabloids – lead on the news thousands of prisoners are set for early release.
‘Criminals let out will probably re-offend’ claims the Express.
The Daily Express quotes experts who say the criminals set for release will likely re-offend within a couple of days.
‘Horrible shock for victims’ warns the Telegraph.
The paper leads on a warning from the victims’ commissioner for London who has said some people have not been told their attackers are being freed early from jail. Claire Waxman writes that it could be a “horrible shock” for victims.
‘Unacceptable risk to the public’ says the Mail.
An editorial in the Mail warns that freeing prisoners early poses an unacceptable risk to the public. It says the PM portrays himself as being tough on crime – due to his previous career as a prosecutor – but that this move suggests “the pendulum has swung too far in favour of the criminals, and away from the victims”.
