Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Friday’s front pages are heavily dominated by royal news. Prince William’s comments that walking behind the Queen’s coffin bought back memories of him walking behind his mother’s coffin when he was a boy, is covered in many newspapers.
Prince Harry is allowed to wear his military uniform for the vigil and the latest update from Buckingham Palace on the funeral plans is also featured in several papers.
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Queen’s death – Prince William says procession brings back memories of Diana
The Daily Mail and the Daily Express use the same picture of Prince William and Kate outside the Sandringham estate, where he told people how difficult it was to be in the procession on Wednesday.
The Express adds the quote: “The Queen was like everyone’s grandmother” from William as its headline. Whilst the Metro reports Prince William told a well-wisher who was on the verge of tears: “Don’t cry – you’ll set me off.”
Prince William – the new Prince of Wales and his wife Kate – the new Princess of Wales are also pictured on the front page of the Daily Telegraph. But the paper’s main story is on the Queen’s funeral arrangements after Buckingham Palace released new details yesterday.
The paper reports NHS doctors and nurses will walk in front of the coffin – it was one of the Queen’s wishes that members of the public will be included alongside royals and heads of state. The paper highlights the hopes of Buckingham Palace that the event will be a “fitting tribute to an extraordinary reign.”
The Times says “A service for the World” adding that the state funeral at Westminster Abbey will be the first such service there in 200 years. The paper quotes Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk who says the aim will be to “unite people across the globe and to resonate with people of all faiths.”
The Sun leads with the news that Prince Harry will be allowed to wear his military uniform at a vigil at the Queen’s coffin by her eight grandchildren. The paper says King Charles has given Harry – who served in Afghanistan – permission to appear in uniform for the 15-minute period of reflection. Harry has so far appeared only in morning suits for royal events since he stepped back as a working royal in 2020.
UK politics latest – Truss to lift ban on fracking
Several papers have moved away from royal coverage including the Guardian which leads with a report that PM Liz Truss is to lift the ban on fracking. The paper says the decision is being taken despite a leaked government report suggesting little progress has been made in predicting the risk of associated earth tremors.
The paper says the first drilling licences for extraditing shale gas in nearly three years could be issued next week.
The paper says it has seen a report by the British Geological Survey which admits forecasting fracking-induced earthquakes “remains a scientific challenge.”
A government spokesman tells the Guardian any fracking would be done as “safely as possible.”
Tributes to Roger Federer
Most of the back pages pay tribute to tennis legend Roger Federer who announced his retirement after winning 20 grand slam titles. The Times calls him “the genius of centre court,” and the Daily Mirror marks it the end of “the greatest era in tennis.” The Sun calls him a legend.
The Guardian uses the headline “Goodbye to the Greatest” and the headline for the Express is “Roger and Out.”
