Pressure

VERDICT: (Four stars out of five) Thunderously good

The story at the heart of this absorbing film is true, or mostly true, but if it weren’t you’d think it had been machine-tooled to appeal to a British audience. After all, it focuses on two of our three great preoccupations: the Second World War and the weather. Only the Royal Family is missing.

Adapted by David Haig from his own stage hit, it stars Andrew Scott as Group Captain James Stagg, the doughty Scottish meteorologist who advises General Dwight D Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) not to launch Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France, on Monday, June 5, 1944.

That is the date Eisenhower has designated as D-Day and even a short postponement could be calamitous. Such a colossal military enterprise cannot possibly be kept secret from the Germans for much longer. But Stagg’s analysis of the available data has convinced him that a major storm, brewing in the Atlantic, is heading for Normandy.

To launch the invasion in such conditions, with waves possibly as high as 15ft, will be even more disastrous than delaying. He suggests waiting until June 18, by which time the weather should be calmer.

At command headquarters in Hampshire, Eisenhower and other top brass are aghast, especially the truculent General Bernard Montgomery (Damian Lewis, pronouncing his Rs as Ws with twemendous gusto), who almost blows a gasket.

A fortnight’s delay is unthinkable. The invasion will fail. ‘Do you want to be personally wesponsible for losing this war, Captain Stagg?’ rages Monty. The question, not that he has any chance of pronouncing it, is rhetorical.

So, the title of the film, and the play before it, is neatly ambiguous. High and low pressure systems are exerting almost intolerable stress on Stagg, compounded by conflicting advice from a meteorologist in the US camp, Colonel Irving Krick (Chris Messina) who, preferring to predict the weather by examining patterns going back as far as 1904, declares confidently that it will be fine on June 5.

Damian Lewis as the truculent General Bernard ‘Monty’ Montgomery, who ‘pronounces his Rs as Ws with twemendous gusto’

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Krick pompously adds that he accompanied Eisenhower through North Africa and got his forecasts right every time. To which a modern-day response might be to invoke Caroline Aherne’s immortal Mediterranean weathergirl in The Fast Show, who – as she slaps fat suns on the map – proclaims: ‘Scorchio! Scorchio! Scorchio!’ Stagg merely notes dryly that Krick was lucky to be operating in such ‘stable’ conditions.

It’s easy to see why all this unfolded so compellingly on the stage. It is inherently theatrical rather than filmic, and, heaven knows, dialogue about millibars and cumulus clouds does not necessarily get the pulse racing.

And yet, even if a sub-plot about Stagg’s lovely wife going into labour at the height of the drama seems a little confected, and even though we all know the outcome of D-Day (which in the event was postponed by just 24 hours after Sir James correctly anticipated a break in the storm), director Anthony Maras makes a thoroughly decent job of turning the story into a bona fide thriller.

It opens arrestingly, too, and very cinematically, with overhead shots of dead and dying American troops, victims of Exercise Tiger, the catastrophic April 1944 rehearsal at Slapton Sands in Devon in which more than 700 men perished.

Six weeks later, Eisenhower is still haunted by the memory. But should that make him more or less reliant on Stagg’s advice? He prepares two statements, one to announce a triumph, the other a disaster.

For real events like this to be stirringly recreated, the acting and writing must be spot-on. They are. Scott is reliably splendid as the reserved, rather charmless Stagg, ably supported by Fraser, Lewis, Messina and Kerry Condon as Eisenhower’s confidante Kay Summersby, his Irish personal secretary and, it was strongly rumoured, lover.

Historians are divided on that. What is not in doubt, incidentally, is Eisenhower’s height, and Stagg’s. In the film the general towers over the captain. In reality it was the other way round. Stagg’s older son Peter, born in 1941, inherited from his father what in the circumstances we might call his altitude. At a mighty 6ft 10in, he played rugby union for Scotland and the British Lions. What a family. What a tale.

Pressure opens in cinemas tomorrow

The 2026/27 season is shaping up to be another eventful one for Welsh rugby

The 2026/27 season is upon us and it promises to be every bit as eventful, and potentially more consequential, than the one that preceded it.

Once again, however, events away from the field are likely to command as much attention as those on it, with the Welsh Rugby Union embarking on a major restructuring of the professional game.

For Steve Tandy’s Wales, meanwhile, there is little respite. With the Rugby World Cup now just a year away, every game takes on added significance as preparations intensify for the tournament in Australia.

The professional game and Wales Women will provide their own storylines, too, ensuring there will be no shortage of intrigue throughout the year.

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These are the issues, personalities and developments likely to dominate Welsh rugby over the season ahead.

A new WRU chair

The WRU is closing in on the appointment of a new chair to replace Richard Collier-Keywood, with a successor expected to be in place by November.

Whoever gets the job will inherit one of the most difficult briefs in Welsh rugby. The professional game is facing a period of upheaval, with the WRU intent on reducing the number of professional teams from four to three.

WalesOnline has spoken to several potential candidates who were told they would need to accept that direction as part of the job.

But the chair is the most influential voice on the WRU board, and it will be fascinating to see whether the person appointed reaches the same conclusions once they are through the door and have had time to assess the situation for themselves.

Will the new chair seek to move people on and inject fresh thinking into key leadership positions? And how will they handle the inevitable turbulence as the WRU attempts to reshape the professional game over the next six months?

Let’s not forget they are likely to have the same independent non-executive directors on the board. This is a critical appointment.

There will also be a new chair of the Professional Rugby Board, with former Harlequins director of rugby Mark Evans one name in contention.

WRU announce what side will be cut

The uncertainty surrounding Welsh rugby has been dragging on for what feels like a lifetime. But by the end of this season, we should finally have some clarity over which side will be cut or whether the answer will instead be a merger in west Wales.

The WRU has issued one East licence, one Central licence and one West licence. Unless the Ospreys and Scarlets find a way to merge, that leaves one of the two clubs facing the prospect of disappearing altogether, barring a late change of heart from the governing body.

There is, however, another scenario that may be more plausible than many realise: the WRU could decide to dispense with both the Ospreys and Scarlets and create an entirely new professional team, based in west Wales and playing out of Parc y Scarlets and a redeveloped St Helen’s.

Workshops involving the WRU and its four professional clubs are due to begin in December, with a final decision expected in March.

That timetable should be treated with a degree of caution. The WRU has not always covered itself in glory when it comes to meeting self-imposed deadlines.

Even so, by the end of the season we should have a much clearer idea of what the future holds for professional rugby in Wales and which clubs, if any, will be left standing.

Toxic debates and legal challenges

Whatever outcome the WRU ultimately settles on, the battle is likely to become even more toxic before it gets better. There is a great deal of pain ahead for Welsh rugby supporters; that much seems certain.

If either the Ospreys or Scarlets is forced out of the professional game, it is difficult to imagine the matter ending without a legal fight. Neither ownership group is likely to surrender its position without an almighty battle.

And the arguments will not be confined to boardrooms and courtrooms. Expect the debate around the future of Welsh rugby to become increasingly bitter, with former players, influential administrators and other prominent voices entering the fray.

The next six months could be among the most divisive Welsh rugby has seen.

Steve Tandy’s moment of truth

This was always going to be a difficult job for Steve Tandy, who inherited a Wales side at an all-time low.

There were significant improvements in performance during the Six Nations, offering some encouragement, but those gains were followed by comprehensive defeats against Argentina and South Africa in the summer.

Tandy has sought to create a positive narrative around his tenure, talking about connections, culture and building for the future. It is an approach not dissimilar to that taken by Steve Hansen during his time as Wales coach.

Hansen regularly spoke about focusing on performance rather than results, although that message was often misunderstood by the Welsh rugby public.

Tandy is now finding out that, ultimately, results are what determine the mood around a national team.

Katie Holmes looked totally smitten with much-younger love Jason Bard Yarmosky as the pair holidayed in Lake Como recently.

Holmes, 47, who first achieved fame as Joey in US teen drama Dawson’s Creek in the Nineties, went Instagram official with her artist boyfriend, 39, last month – and the actress packed on the PDA with her partner on a yacht.

The star showed off her incredible bikini body in a sparkling bandeau bikini top, paired with string bottoms, as she hugged Yarmosky while smiling.

Her boyfriend, who wore black swimming trunks, returned her affection by placing a hand on her thigh.

Later, Holmes was seen planting a passionate kiss on her partner as she emerged from the sea after a dip.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Holmes for comment and has yet to hear back. 

Holmes, 47, who first achieved fame as Joey in US teen drama Dawson’s Creek in the Nineties, went Instagram official with her artist boyfriend , 39, last month – and the actress packed on the PDA with her partner on a yacht

Holmes was married to Tom Cruise from 2006 to 2012 and had Suri, 20, but the father and daughter are estranged and have reportedly had no contact for more than a decade. She then had a private, six-year romance with fellow actor Jamie Foxx from 2013.

But last month Holmes went Instagram official with her new beau as she reposted images that Yarmosky had shared to his own account. 

Also that same month, Holmes was joined by Yarmosky at designer Michael Kors’s 45th anniversary dinner in East Hampton, New York. 

She dressed for the occasion in a vibrant purple dress while the artist opted for a long-sleeved black shirt and black trousers. The pair cozied up together as they took photos at the glitzy event. 

The actress also shared a sweet 39th birthday tribute to her boyfriend last week on Instagram. 

A photo captured the pair looking smitten as they took part in karaoke together on stage. She also shared a picture of a round cake topped with lit candles. 

‘Happy Birthday to the best of the best…,’ she wrote in the caption, followed by a red heart emoji. 

Back in July, Holmes initially fueled romance speculation as she was spotted holding hands with Yarmosky in the Hamptons.

The star was accompanied by the artist as they attended the premiere of The Invite in East Hampton.

The star showed off her incredible bikini body in a sparkling bandeau bikini top, paired with string bottoms 

Holmes showed off her flawless figure as she relaxed at sea

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The new couple looked smitten as they spent the day together 

The actress showed off her pert behind as she relaxed at sea

The couple looked happier than ever as they took in the scenic sights

Holmes planted a kiss on her new love on holiday

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The pair dove off the boat as they enjoyed their vacation

The pair both pointed at something in the distance 

Holmes showed off her toned frame as she took in the sights

The pair were seen holding hands during the day

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The couple stared into one another’s eyes as they relaxed

The couple hugged as they took in the scenic sights

Yarmosky leapt off the boat during the day

Holmes looked smitten as she chatted with her beau

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Yarmosky glanced over at the camera while wearing a green cap and shades on the boat

Holmes was sitting at a table outside as they explored the area of Lake Como on the getaway

Last month in August, the pair went Instagram official with their romance as she reposted images that her beau had shared to his own account

Also in August, Holmes was joined by Yarmosky at designer Michael Kors’s 45th anniversary dinner in East Hampton, New York

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The actress also shared a sweet 39th birthday tribute to her boyfriend last week on Instagram

The pair were seen arriving at the theater ahead of the screening and sweetly held hands as they stepped through the entrance.

Holmes and Yarmosky flashed big smiles on their faces as they were greeted by an individual in a lighthearted moment.

An eyewitness told People at the time that the NYC-based artist ‘was whispering in her ear, and she was laughing, they seemed very easy together and there was a smile on her face all night.’

Holmes and Yarmosky later made an appearance at an after-party that same evening and mingled with close pals, per the insider.

The pair have also been spotted on other outings together in New York City.

A source told TMZ that Holmes first crossed paths with Yarmosky at a Tribeca Festival dinner in NYC in June.

The actress’s new romance with the artist comes nearly four years after her split from Bobby Wooten III.

It was recently revealed that Holmes’s daughter Suri Cruise has yet to be introduced to the star’s new boyfriend as both she and Yarmosky take the romance very slowly.

‘Things are still pretty new between Katie and Jason, and they’re intentionally taking it slow,’ a source claimed to Page Six in July.

A source told TMZ that Holmes first crossed paths with Yarmosky at a Tribeca Festival dinner in NYC in June. Above, in August in East Hampton, New York 

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It was recently revealed that Holmes’s daughter, Suri Cruise, has yet to be introduced to the star’s new boyfriend, as both she and Yarmosky take the romance very slowly

Holmes and Yarmosky have not taken ‘any major steps in the relationship yet’ and are ‘still in the dating phase for now.’

The insider added that the pair are ‘seeing where it goes.’

Their nearly ten-year age gap also ‘doesn’t bother’ Holmes and ‘hasn’t been a factor in their relationship whatsoever.’

Suri is a student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, and will occasionally be seen spending time with her famous mom out in NYC.

Global head of football Edu has left Nottingham Forest after just over a year at the City Ground.

The former Arsenal midfielder has not attended a games since February and his exit, with his contract believed to have been terminated, has been expected.

His position came under the spotlight after a falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked last September, the first of four managers at Forest last season.

Nuno hinted at internal tensions and said at the time his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had changed.

Edu is not expected to be replaced, with Forest’s chief football officer George Syrianos assuming his responsibilities.

Appointed in July 2025, Edu’s remit included Greek side Olympiacos and Portuguese club Rio Ave, who are also owned by Marinakis.

He arrived after six years at Arsenal, where he became the club’s first sporting director in 2022, having won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups as a player with the Gunners.

He brought Mikel Arteta to Emirates Stadium, who delivered the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years last season.

Edu’s departure comes after former Olympiacos vice-president Theodore Giannikos was appointed chief executive last week.

He replaced Lina Souloukou, who stepped down from the role at the City Ground at the end of last season.

Khloe Simmonds confessed to spinning a web of lies

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A woman has been brought to justice after they were found to have made up serious allegations against several men in a seven year period.

Khloe Simmonds, a pre-op transgender woman, claimed to have been seriously sexually assaulted and raped by men between 2018 and 2026. The 26-year-old, who was referred to with female pronouns in court, wasted hundreds of hours of police time to bolster the false accusations and present themself as a victim.

At the height of the offending, Simmonds was responsible for 2.5% of all rape and serious sexual assault allegations in Harrow. They have now been sentenced for eight counts of perverting the course of justice over allegations made and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison.

Harrow Crown Court heard how several of the men accused of rape were arrested and detained for a short period of time before being released. Sentencing Simmonds, His Honour Judge John Lodge said: “You repeatedly made false allegations of rape between July 2018 and January 2026. This was a sustained pattern of conduct, not isolated incidents.”

The judge said Simmonds’ conduct had an impact on the number of resources that should have been available to investigate cases involving “genuine victims of serious crime”. Simmonds initially attended the sentencing via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs, west London, but subsequently returned to a cell and refused to observe.

Prosecutor Ben Temple told the court that in the summer of 2018, Simmonds claimed an Afghan national had held a knife to her throat and orally raped her. The man was identified, arrested, detained and spent 88 days under police investigation, the court heard.

He denied the allegation and instead stated that it was Simmonds who had made advances towards him which he had rejected. In February 2022, Simmonds met a chef on the dating site Grindr and invited him to their flat.

The court heard that after drinking with the defendant, he decided to leave because he felt uncomfortable. After he left, Simmonds called 999 alleging she had been raped and implied that he had drugged her by placing something in her drink.

The man was arrested outside his home address and told police that while at the flat, he went to the lavatory and upon returning, found that his beer smelt of whisky. In his victim impact statement, he described the arrest process as “humiliating”, adding that he spent 20 hours at the police station.

The court heard that the following month, Simmonds had spent the evening on a date and subsequently caught a taxi home. Upon arriving home Simmonds called 999, claiming they were raped by the cab driver.

However the police obtained data from the vehicle and found that it had never travelled less than 25 miles per hour and had not stopped. Mr Temple said this data “annihilated the allegation” and Simmonds was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of public justice.

The court heard Simmons admitted making up the allegations. In a victim impact statement, the taxi driver said he found the ordeal “traumatic”.

In June of that year, Simmonds matched with a musician on Grindr and the pair subsequently drunk alcohol and ended up at Simmonds’ home address. He felt tired and asked if he could rest on Simmonds sofa.

The court heard there was no sexual contact between them and he fell asleep. While he rested, Simmonds called the police and claimed that the man had orally raped her.

He was arrested but insisted there had been no sexual contact, telling police: “I am an innocent man.” In a victim impact statement, he said: “I find it deeply distressing that an innocent person could be subjected to such a traumatic process because of a deliberate lie.”

Simmonds also claimed to have been raped by an unknown male on three occasions in November last year, and also falsely claimed she had been raped on three separate occasions by an unknown male between December 2018 and February 2022. In January, Simmonds claimed she had been raped on a bench by a man she had met that evening.

The court heard that she had approached a group of strangers to say that she was in an “abusive situation” and asked for “help”. However, the man was quickly exonerated as footage showed no such assault had happened, the court heard.

The defendant also claimed she had been raped by her ex-partner in November last year. Dominic Benthall, mitigating, said Simmonds has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, and suffered longstanding issues of alcohol dependency.

“There is plainly, or was plainly, at the time an underlying mental health difficulty,” he said. Simmonds previously pleaded guilty to eight counts of tending and intending to pervert the course of public justice.

By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER and LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER and JACK HARDY, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 18:10 BST, 7 September 2026 | Updated: 18:11 BST, 7 September 2026

The family of a three–month–old girl who died while camping have said the death took place when ‘children and parents joined grandad for a night fishing at the pond’.

In a statement they also asked for the public to stop speculating about the ‘traumatic’ death as they ‘don’t even know the details or circumstances ourselves’.

The baby, who was camping with family in Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, went into cardiac arrest at around 8.45am on Saturday and was pronounced dead by paramedics shortly after.

Two men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of murder. 

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The family told Chase TV: ‘We as a family appreciate the community concerns and well wishes for this tragic event that happened where the children and parents joined grandad for a night fishing at the pond.

‘As everyone can understand it is a traumatic time for everyone involved and we would ask for some privacy at this difficult time without speculation while Staffordshire Police do their job, as we as a family don’t even know the details or circumstances ourselves.’ 

In the latest announcement, police confirmed a 42–year–old man and a 30–year–old woman from south Staffordshire, a 20–year–old woman from Wolverhampton and an 18–year–old man from Walsall have been arrested. All four have since been bailed with conditions.

Officers cordoned off a fishing lake in the Wyrley and Essington canal nature reserve over the weekend and investigators remain there today.

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A tent was set up in a wooded area near a pond off Strawberry Lane, near the village of Great Wyrley in Staffordshire

Officers and an air ambulance were called following reports that a child had gone into cardiac arrest at around 8.45am on Saturday

Drone images from the scene show at least four tents and camping chairs positioned next to each other, close to fishing platforms. 

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Today, the police cordon had been lifted at the scene where the family were camping and floral tributes to the baby girl had been left at the foot of a nearby tree. 

A woman claiming to be the baby’s grandmother visited the scene with two relatives this afternoon.

She claimed that the infant and her parents had only been staying in the tent for one night, although the family were joining the child’s grandfather who had been camping in the area for several nights by that stage.

The flowers and a toy bunny rabbit appear to have been left by relatives, with one attached note saying: ‘Baby girl, I’ll look for the brightest star in the night sky. Nanna loves you.’

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Police appeared to have removed the tent where the family were staying, but just feet away the burnt–out husk of another tent – apparently pitched overnight – had been abandoned alongside a pile of litter.

One witness said she had directed paramedics towards the area over the weekend. Another local, who regularly cycles through the area, told the Daily Mail that he believed some people had been camping by the fishing lake for several days.

The grass below where a tent had been pitched appeared to be faded, suggesting it had been covered for some time.

Detective Inspector Josh Lee, from Staffordshire Police’s child protection team, said: ‘I want to assure the local community that we are working around the clock to investigate the circumstances of this tragic incident, which has understandably caused concern.

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‘While we can confirm that all four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, we are still working hard to obtain further evidence and we are keeping an open mind as to the circumstances of the death at this very early stage, which we are treating as an isolated incident.

‘All four people were arrested at the scene of the incident and have been released on bail.

‘While we fully understand that speculation into the nature of this incident is likely to take place, we’d ask people to follow this page for factual, accurate updates as our investigation unfolds and to avoid sharing unconfirmed and speculative claims online.’

Previously Robert Duncan, district councillor for Cheslyn Hay, said: ‘I know how deeply upsetting news like this is for our community. 

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‘It’s important that we allow the emergency services the space they need to complete their work with dignity and care.

‘As soon as the full and confirmed details are formally shared with me, I will provide a further update to residents. 

‘Until then, please avoid speculation and allow the family and responders the privacy and respect they deserve.’

The plans would ‘transform’ the ‘neglected site’

Plans to revive a “derelict” shop site have been slammed over safety concerns following the death of a pedestrian outside a similar store. A new Co-op shop in Mill Road in Isleham. is set to open, despite concerns over traffic and parking.

The shop would be relocated from the current store in West Street, and previous plans were withdrawn earlier this year after concerns were raised around heritage impact, transport and highway safety. The applicant, Co-operative Food Group Limited, revised the plans and changed the design and orientation of the shop and access from Mill Street.

The proposal, submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council, sought full permission for the shop and outline permission for two bungalows to the back of the site. It also included 13 parking spaces – including one accessible space and one parent and child bay.

Justin Lloyd, agent for the applicant, told the council’s planning committee that the former Pattersons Stores site, which was demolished in 2023, has “fallen into a derelict and deteriorating condition”. He said the new build would transform a “neglected site” into an “attractive landscape development” and create a “larger, more modern shop, with improved parking”.

Cllr Julia Huffer, district councillor for Fordham and Isleham, said everyone in the village is “desperate” to see a “new and improved store” but raised “safety concerns”. She accused Cambridgeshire County Council’s highways department of ignoring residents’ concerns around traffic and said a similar situation had happened before the Co-op opened in nearby Fordham.

The Conservative councillor said: “When trying to leave the car park I frequently take my life in my hands – it’s a regular occurrence. We were assured by the highways department that the road past the Co-op in Fordham was a quiet B-road and sufficient braking space was available.

“However, following the death of a resident knocked down while trying to cross the road three months after the new store opened, the parish council applied for a pedestrian crossing.”

She said this was refused by the county council which said there was not enough braking space for a crossing as “traffic coming round the corner comes too quickly”. Cllr Huffer said: “I fear that a similar situation is likely to happen in Isleham and this is completely unacceptable.

“Residents know more about the everyday traffic conditions in their village than any highways expert or traffic management expert and we need to listen to their concerns.

“I seriously fear for the health and safety of the residents in Isleham if the same things happen in Isleham that have happened in Fordham.”

She also claimed residents in Limestone Close were concerned the bungalows would overlook their properties and said the fencing “resembles a prison camp”, asking for it to be made more appealing.

Isleham Parish Council strongly supported the move to relocate the current store which they said is a “vital facility” for the village. Richard Radcliffe, chair of the council, told the committee the scheme would be a “significant enhancement” to the current shop and reiterated their “strong and long-standing support”.

The council approved the application by nine votes to two, adding the condition that an updated transport assessment be provided to consider parking and speed restrictions on Mill Street to make the road safer.

Prince Harry was seen today for the first time since he and Meghan Markle returned to the United Kingdom – only hours after King Charles insisted the Sussexes are still not working royals.

The Duke, 41, was pictured smiling at Tower Bridge Studios – the central London premises where Diary of a CEO and The Apprentice are filmed – on Monday afternoon. 

The studio’s Instagram page posted: ‘Thank you Prince Harry for choosing Tower Bridge Studios! It was an absolute pleasure to have you in our studios and signing our wall. We look forward to welcoming you back again.’ 

It came on the same day that the King shared a letter of guidance to ‘senior stakeholders’ in the government, military and those who represent the Royal Family around the country. 

Charles said that Harry and Meghan’s titles are in abeyance and they should not be treated as working royals. He also advised that ‘security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities’. 

The guidance was sent out under the King’s instructions by his most senior official, the Lord Chamberlain.

Royal officials have made clear it is sent in ‘full accordance’ with the Sussex family’s stated wishes to remain private citizens while in the UK, and in keeping with what became known as ‘the Sandringham agreement’ – ‘which still stands’.

The letter, which confirms Harry and Meghan cannot use their HRH titles, has been shared with the Duke and Duchess. 

It reads: ‘Following the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to relocate to the UK, we have received a number of requests for guidance. To help avoid doubt or confusion, the King has directed that the following information be shared.

‘It is well known that in January 2020 the Duke and Duchess stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign, and are no longer working members of the Royal Family. 

‘This position, distinct from the state and royal duties undertaken by the working Royal Family, and with the personal latitude it brings the couple in respect of financial independence and protection of their privacy as they would wish, will continue to be fully respected.’

The Duke was seen signing a wall at Tower Bridge Studios in central London, where The Apprentice and Diary of a CEO are filmed

Harry and Meghan at a David Foster Foundation event in Canada on August 7

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend The Braemar Gathering in the Highlands on Saturday

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King Charles with Harry at Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth II’s death in September 2022

William, Harry, Meghan and Charles at a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in 2019

The letter – which was sent to relevant senior stakeholders across Government, the military and Lord Lieutenancies by the Lord Benyon, the Lord Chamberlain, who represents the Royal Household – continues: ‘It follows that there is no change to the current status of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their styles as His and Her Royal Highness remain in abeyance and are not used. 

‘The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity. In short, their position is akin to private citizens with commercial and charitable interests. 

‘Any specific questions from official and State organisations about the courtesies which should be extended to the Duke and Duchess, and particularly where recourse to public funds may be required, should be directed to Buckingham Palace. Any operational security issues should continue to be directed to the relevant police authorities.

‘All correspondence and administrative questions relating to the couple should be sent directly to their office, which will continue to operate separately from the Royal Household.’

Officials have insisted there is nothing controversial or new around the letter’s contents, which simply make clear ‘the continued position for the benefit of all parties’.

However, the fact that the Palace needed to send the letter out in the first place demonstrates the level of confusion and consternation Harry and Meghan’s sudden to return to the UK has caused.

It will also be seen by some as a determined effort to put the couple in their place after sources close to them have repeatedly briefed out to favoured media in recent weeks their plans to undertake more charitable duties back in the UK.

The Sussexes returned to Britain a fortnight ago with their two children for what has been described as an ‘extended’ stay. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are believed to be starting at a British school this week. 

The wider issue of a framework for security provision remains for the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) to determine, a source stressed.

Officials could not be pinned down as to how many people the letter had been sent to, particularly in government, aside from saying ‘a select few at an appropriate grade of seniority’. 

Lord Lieutenants act as the personal representative of the monarch on in their assigned county or area. There are currently 98 across the UK.

The new kit is inspired by the team of 1876

Cardiff Rugby and Cardiff RFC have unveiled a new kit to mark their 150th anniversary.

The special kit, which has been made in collaboration with Macron, is based on the strip worn by Cardiff’s pioneering team of 1876. The all-black kit even features the original skull and crossbones logo famously captured in the iconic image of inaugural captain TS Donaldson Selby.

The new shirt will be worn for the visit of Ulster on December 5, which is the closest date to the anniversary of Cardiff‘s first competitive fixture. That first game saw Cardiff take on Newport RFC at Wentloog Marshes on December 2.

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Cardiff RFC will take on the same opponents in a Super Rygbi Cymru fixture, which will happen after the BKT United Rugby Championship clash in what they hope will be a fitting occasion in the capital.

The club called up on a few Cardiff legends to help launch the new kit, including Sir Gareth Edwards, and Steve Ford, who declared it “brilliant” and “absolutely beautiful”.

Former Wales captain Sam Warburton was also impressed. “All black. Sexy all black,” he said, before then declaring the kit “naughty”.

“It’s good to see Cardiff rugby embracing a true colour,” was the verdict from former All Black Xavier Rush, who said he’d buy one before proclaiming it his “favourite ever Cardiff jersey”.

As well as the skull and crossbones design taking centre stage in striking white, there are a few other interesting details.

Inside the collar, a gold tape reads “CELEBRATING 150 YEARS” and “YMLAEN CAERDYDD”.

The kit will be completed with all black shorts and socks, while a cotton long-sleeve jersey is also expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The club have already released their home and alternative strips, with the traditional blue and black colour-scheme featuring heavily.

The home jersey features a traditional quartered design, while the alternate kit is predominantly white with blue and black shoulder, sleeves and side panels.

Cardiff begin their URC campaign away to Welsh rivals Scarlets on September 26.

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