Today’s news summary – Paper Talk
Many of Tuesday’s front pages lead with the reaction to Prince Harry’s latest comments on his relationship with the royal family ahead of the release of his memoir Spare. Excerpts of the book were leaked last week before the book hit the stand today.
The former royal has been doing a series of interviews to promote his book. In a US interview, he said he doesn’t think it’d ever be possible for him and his family to move back to the UK and work as royals. Harry has suggested he and Meghan would be open to a half-in half-out deal where the royal work they would take on would be based in the Commonwealth.
Prince Harry’s Spare hits shops
The Independent says it has spoken to a source close to the Royal Family who says reconciliation is “impossible” – and will likely unchanged whilst Harry remains “kidnapped by a cult of psychotherapy.” The source claims the royals fear anything they say will be made public – and they won’t engage as they “don’t recognise the version of events” set out in his memoir.
The Sun and The Daily Express say Harry’s been accused of crossing the King’s red line with his criticism of Camilla. Whilst the Sun quotes a source who says palace staff are loyal to Camilla and this will not go down well.
The Telegraph’s editorial says what it calls Prince Harry’s “self-pitying whinge” has poured more petrol onto a bonfire of resentments. Whilst the Mail focuses on Harry’s claim that he and Meghan can never move back to the UK as working royals because of the media.
The Metro notes Harry’s popularity in the UK has plummeted and that “Britain has had enough.”
NHS pay deal
The i newspaper says ministers are considering a “rejigged” pay deal for NHS workers that could include some backdated pay and could lead to forthcoming strike action being called off. The Mirror says “Work Harder!” next to a picture of an exhausted nurse.
The Financial Times leads on a breakthrough in talks with Brussels over the Northern Ireland protocol. The paper says the atmosphere around the negotiations has changed dramatically since Boris Johson, who negotiated the protocol in 2019 and left office in September.
