The UK press is dominated by a fresh dispute between the Royal Family and Earl Spencer, triggered by claims in his upcoming memoir that King Charles stated Princess Diana would be “forgotten soon enough” following her death in 1997. The Daily Mail has published an exclusive extract from Spencer’s book, Swan Song, alleging the then-Prince of Wales directed a “stream of anger” toward the earl after he insisted the young Princes William and Harry should not walk in their mother’s funeral procession.
Buckingham Palace issued an official rebuttal, describing the move as “highly unusual” and stating that the “pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.” The Sun drew parallels to the royal family’s previous response to Harry and Meghan, headlining the row with “Recollections may vary…again,” while the Times warned the controversy could deepen perceptions of a monarchy crisis.
In other national news, the Independent and Daily Mirror reported on the heartbreak surrounding the disappearance of three-year-old Noah Woods from a playground in Brantham, Suffolk. Police confirmed that a child’s body was recovered from a nearby pond following the search for the toddler, who went missing on Tuesday after becoming separated from a relative.
On the economic front, the Daily Express highlighted warnings from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who argued that Britain is “paying the price” for Labour’s economic management as inflation rose to 3.1%. Meanwhile, the i Paper reported that Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged the government would not risk living standards in the upcoming Budget, with economists suggesting capital gains tax increases are likely.
Internationally, the Financial Times reported that the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in over three years, defying pressure from President Donald Trump to lower borrowing costs. In domestic affairs, the Guardian revealed leaked plans to “double up” prisoners in single-occupancy prefabricated cells to address overcrowding in England and Wales.
Elsewhere, the Metro and Daily Star covered the death of Nicholas Brandram, the suspect in the nine-year-old “Putney Pusher” case, who was found dead at his home. The newspaper also noted he was a direct descendant of Queen Victoria. Finally, the Mail reported on outrage among parents in Somerset after a new headteacher suspended 25 pupils in the first week of term, with critics comparing the school’s regime to a military base.
Double-bunking prisoners is desperate. The overcrowding crisis is clearly spiraling out of control again.
Is anyone else surprised the Fed actually resisted Trump’s pressure this time? That’s a notable shift.
Poor Noah. Thoughts are with his family during this unspeakably tragic time.
Earl Spencer seems determined to sell books at any cost. Palace’s rebuttal was surprisingly sharp for them.