By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER

Updated: 11:20 BST, 22 August 2026

A passenger’s laptop has caught fire on an American Airlines flight, possibly burning multiple people on the plane, according to air traffic control audio.

“Cabin fire in the back of the airplane,” the pilot said in audio obtained by the BBC’s US reporting partner CBS News. “The flight attendants are trying to put it out now.”

“I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft.”

One passenger was treated and released after American Airlines Flight 2398 – coming from Atlanta, Georgia – landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas on Friday, the airport told CBS News.

The airline said in a statement that the flight landed safely “after reports of smoke from a customer’s device during landing. We thank our crew for their professionalism and swift response to quickly contain the device.”

The BBC has reached out to the airport and the airline for more information.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium batteries, including laptop batteries, are capable of overheating, external “as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, or improperly packed”.

The FAA recorded , external58 verified lithium battery air incidents so far this year involving smoke, fire or extreme heat. In the last 20 years, the highest number of incidents was related to battery packs, with 84 cases related to laptops.

Lithium batteries must be stowed in carry-on baggage only, the US regulator says.

In May, a UK-bound EasyJet flight from Egypt was diverted to Rome after a power bank was found to be charging in a passenger’s luggage in the hold of the aircraft. The flight was rescheduled for the next day.

The UK’s aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority has said power banks are causing a growing number of serious issues on flights worldwide, and urged more awareness as portable chargers carry “serious risks” of overheating or catching fire.

There was a notable lack of food for the hard-working BBC sport production staff in their shiny new studio at their Salford HQ during the World Cup this summer.

Sustenance would have been expected without question for both on-screen staff and those grafting behind the scenes, during the unsociable hours they were required to work as the tournament was broadcast from the other side of the Atlantic.

The decision not to feed behind-the-scenes staff, made by the BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, infuriated those left hungry. Their anger was compounded, say sources at the broadcaster, by the fact that Kay-Jelski could be seen unashamedly tucking into his own meals, brought to his desk by Deliveroo (and paid for by him, the corporation insists).

Factor into this that Kay-Jelski, 41, earns between £275,000 and £279,999 – a significant rise on the £245,000 for which his role was advertised two years ago – and it’s perhaps understandable why he has become ‘extremely despised’ by many at the corporation. 

‘There are many working on BBC sport who simply do not like how Alex is behaving,’ says just one disgruntled insider. ‘It was pretty much impossible to get food at 1am in Salford during the World Cup.

‘There are suggestions that he has had some huge pay rises since he has been in the job and it has really irked a lot of people.’

The ill-feeling towards Kay-Jelski, who joined the corporation in June 2024, replacing the long-serving Barbara Slater, is now threatening to derail BBC Sport’s crown jewel, Match of the Day, back tonight for the start of the football season.

Sources tell me a ‘civil war’ has broken out on the programme as both its presenting and punditry teams and those working behind the cameras have been left ‘at the end of their tether’ over what they consider to be their boss’s ambition to take the BBC’s sports coverage in a different direction.

Alan Shearer has reportedly had a fall-out with the BBC’s director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, which has led to his appearances on the show being cut back

‘The view inside Match of the Day is that Alex’s ego has grown out of control,’ says my insider. ‘His decisions and attitude have left a lot of people very angry and upset. He has never worked in television before and had turned up here wanting to make changes while earning an absolute fortune.

‘Some are convinced he wants to change BBC sport from a traditional, terrestrial model into something more YouTube-like. It has caused an internal mutiny.’

When approached by the Daily Mail, a BBC spokesman said: ‘We do not believe this to be true.’

Murmurs of unrest at Match of the Day appeared earlier this week and were quickly shut down by Kay-Jelski and the BBC’s PR team.

Despite their protestations, his staff have been coming forward in their droves to brief against Kay-Jelski in their bid to ‘save’ the BBC’s sports coverage.

Meanwhile, I can reveal that he and his longest serving pundit, Alan Shearer, have had a huge fall-out which has culminated in the former England striker cutting back on his Match of the Day appearances to just one a month – or even less.

Their row began at the end of April when Shearer was enraged Kay-Jelski didn’t tell him Match of the Day was nominated for the Sports Journalism Awards. 

Shearer demanded to know why he wasn’t told the show he had worked on for 20 years had been shortlisted (he only found out after the ceremony that it had won programme of the year), nor was he invited.

He was further irritated that not one of Kay-Jelski’s management team called or texted to congratulate him.

Kay-Jelski, I’m told, hit back at Shearer, insisting very few people attended due to cost cutting.

Shearer was also spitting feathers that during their row, Kay-Jelski accused him of ‘whining’.

‘Alan was staggered that Alex behaved like this,’ says my Match of the Day insider. ‘It wasn’t just about him, but others too who he feels should have been involved in such an achievement.

‘The whining remark really got to Alan, he didn’t like it at all. He took the view, and still does, that he and other members of the team should have been told about the show’s success. Alan understands cost-cutting, but a WhatsApp would have cost nothing to send.

‘While Alan and Alex agreed to move on from the row, Alan is no fan of Alex’s. Now he doesn’t really want to be on the show as much as he did previously.’

Alan, say sources, isn’t alone. Fellow pundit Micah Richards has also requested to reduce his appearances to ‘the bare minimum’. One idea was that he did only FA Cup games, but it’s not yet known if that has been agreed to.

While the BBC confirmed Shearer and Richards would be cutting back their hours, a spokesman said it had nothing to do with any issues between them and Kay-Jelski.

They would not comment, however, on any fall-out with Shearer.

Micah Richards has requested to reduce his appearances to the ‘bare minimum’

Mark Chapman is reportedly not a fan of Kay-Jelski either

Regarding the Kay-Jelski situation, Gabby Logan ‘keeps her head down and tries to keep the peace’

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Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman is also reportedly not a fan of Kay-Jelski either, while the ever-professional Gabby Logan ‘keeps her head down and tries to keep the peace’.

The third host, Kelly Cates, is said to be much admired by Kay-Jelski and therefore there is no animosity on her part.

There are also fears that a couple of senior production staff are so unhappy they might walk away.

‘We are talking about highly experienced staff who have dedicated their lives to Match of the Day,’ says the source.

‘There is one adored employee who is on the cusp of quitting over all of this and if that happens it would be absolutely devastating.’

It was Kay-Jelski who put together the new-look Match of the Day last year after Gary Lineker left following controversy over an anti-Semitic social media post.

He was certainly a wild-card choice to replace television veteran Barbara Slater.

Educated at the fee-paying University College School in Hampstead, north London, he began his journalism career at the Daily Mail as a trainee sub-editor. He later moved to The Times where he created a stir with his vocal pro stance on trans athletes in women’s sport.

Six years later he arrived at the BBC where he has won a reputation among his colleagues as ‘woke’.

He was also behind the deeply unpopular decision to cull Football Focus, the legendary Saturday lunchtime show which has been running for 48 years.

Kay-Jelski’s more junior colleagues are also somewhat bewildered that, unlike so many behind-the-scenes staff who have to work full-time in Salford – and therefore live there – he commutes from London and is said to be there for around three days per week.

His popularity waned further earlier this year when he took the controversial decision to cover the initial rounds of the World Cup, held in the US, Canada and Mexico, from Salford.

This meant Gabby, Mark and Kelly were presenting against fake backdrops of the cities where matches were being played. Their rivals at ITV hired a stunning studio with views of Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge in the background. Lineker, meanwhile, also had a lavish loft apartment in Manhattan to host his podcast The Rest is Football, which was screened on Netflix.

Talking of Lineker, sources tell me he is being ‘very supportive’ of his former colleagues at Match of the Day, ‘meddling’ that will surely enrage Kay-Jelski, who oversaw his departure from the show. ‘Say what you like about Gary and his politics, but he does care about his old colleagues,’ says the insider. ‘Gary isn’t Alex’s biggest fan, as you can imagine.’

Neither are those involved in the women’s football world.

The Women’s Football show, which airs highlights of matches in the Women’s Super League, was culled after 13 years, leaving many inside the corporation furious.

Instead there are rumours that a new project will be created for iPlayer made by the former production company of Alex Scott, former Lioness and host of the now defunct Football Focus.

‘Alex [Kay-Jelski] seems to want to take it all in a direction of social media and YouTube,’ says my source. ‘It’s as if he has a vision away from television. And it is terrifying for the older viewers.’

In response to this point, a BBC spokesman said: ‘The strategy isn’t broadcast versus digital – it’s both. We’re protecting the quality and distinctiveness of our flagship programmes, with Match of the Day at the heart of that, while also making sure they reach audiences wherever and however they choose to consume sport.’

Another source tells me there is much chatter that a decision to cast the UK’s most watched sports YouTuber John Nellis on the forthcoming series of Strictly could be part of a long-term plan to lure him into the BBC sport family – along with his 20 million followers.

Then there was the matter of a legal complaint from Oasis after Kay-Jelski ordered a celebrity version of their hit Wonderwall, featuring the likes of Claudia Winkleman, which was played during the World Cup.

However, the rights were not secured, leading to the band’s lawyers demanding it was removed. ‘Alex dug his heels in and didn’t want to take it down,’ a source says. ‘It caused a lot of issues before finally it was removed.’

Instead of the usual excitement this weekend at the return of Match of the Day, there is, I’m told, dread among staff.

‘The beginning of the football season was always something so special,’ says a show source. ‘This year it all feels very miserable.’

And as for any food for behind-the-scenes staff… well, again, there won’t be any.

An opportunity to move to Scotland’s ‘jewel of the Highlands’ is available with a popular hotel looking to hire two people on a permanent basis. The positions have been described as an “exciting new challenge” for anybody wanting to make a fresh start with their other half.

The Plockton Inn is a characterful hotel and restaurant in the Wester Ross village of Plockton, featuring 26 guest rooms in a popular destination amongst both tourists and locals. Plockton is often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Highlands’ due to its beautiful views over Loch Carron.

The hotel, restaurant, and bar is currently seeking a management couple to take the helm and deliver “an exceptional experience for guests”. According to the job listing on HiJOBS, the full-time and permanent positions at The Plockton Inn come with a “competitive joint salary”.

READ MORE: Job opportunity on Scotland’s ‘Balamory island’ with accommodation and meals provided

READ MORE: This popular Scottish attraction was named the ‘worst tourist trap’ in the UK

As well as the competitive salary, the successful applicants will receive employee discounts for themselves, family, and friends. There is also the potential for bonuses based on financial and business performance, with an “opportunity to live and work in one of the most beautiful locations in the Scottish Highlands”.

Responsibilities will include leading, developing, and motivating the hotel team and ensuring that standards of service and hospitality are consistently maintained. You will also be expected to oversee the operational and financial performance of the business, as well as help drive revenue and manage costs.

Other day-to-day tasks the successful applicants will be expected to carry out are helping with recruitment, training, and team development. Additionally, you will foster strong connections with guests and the local community, and work alongside the wider team that owns The Plockton Inn.

Those applying for the positions should be experienced hospitality professionals who enjoy being involved with every aspect of the operation. You should have previous experience working at a hotel or inn, as well as very strong leadership and people management skills

Other desirable attributes include good commercial awareness, the ability to deliver strong financial results, and a real passion for food, service, and hospitality. Candidates should also have the confidence to make tough decisions, as well as high organisational skills and the ability to thrive in a busy environment.

When not working at The Plockton Inn, there is no shortage of picturesque walks to head out on in the area. One of the most popular beauty spots is the nearby Coral Beach, which is a picturesque and secluded bay that features unique sand made from calcified seaweed.

There are also various activities that you can take part in on Loch Carron itself, including wildlife cruises where you can spot marine like like dolphins and seals. There is also the opportunity for water sports, sailing, kayaking, and more.

The HiJOBS website states: “We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic management couple to take the helm at the Plockton Inn. We are open to applications from two experienced hospitality managers or a General Manager and Head Chef partnership.”

The job listing adds: “If you are an experienced hospitality couple ready to take on an exciting new challenge together, we would love to hear from you.”

Marcus Rashford could make his first competitive Manchester United appearance since December 2024, while there are expected to be debuts for new signings Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Benjamin Sesko is pushing to return from injury, though it will be a little while before fans see Carlos Baleba in action. Hull are already battling selection issues as they embark upon their first top-flight campaign for a decade, with a raft of absentees including new signings Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano and Joe Gelhardt, plus Charlie Hughes.

The police investigation into whether Lord Peter Mandelson shared confidential information with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein is feared to be on the brink of collapse.

Reports claim the probe into the former foreign secretary has stalled without the US authorities granting access to the unredacted Epstein files.

According to The Telegraph, neither the Department of Justice nor the FBI has responded to requests from the Metropolitan Police for the documents.

Scotland Yard detectives initially made the request under an informal agreement to share information between law enforcement agencies. This was later escalated to a formal request for mutual legal assistance (MLA), but it could take up to a year to access the documents and there is no guarantee the DoJ will release them.

The Met is investigating claims the Labour grandee passed on market-sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary. The 72-year-old, who was sacked from his post as ambassador to the US last year and resigned from the House of Lords in February, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and his properties were searched after the DoJ released 3 million documents relating to the late billionaire.

However, some information in the exchanges had been redacted to protect victims and avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations.

The arrest followed a tip-off from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, that he could flee to the British Virgin Islands.

Scotland Yard previously confirmed it was seeking further details from law enforcement partners, including in the US, with reports in March claiming that Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was due to press the US authorities on the issue during a visit to Washington.

It is now feared that the investigation could collapse without access to the unredacted documents. Although there is hope a sufficient case can be built by interviewing former politicians and officials, the files are understood to be crucial to the probe.

Reports have suggested that the Trump administration is hesitant to hand over any files that could cause damage to the president’s reputation or risk future scandals, however US officials have insisted they are simply following established legal procedures.

A DoJ spokesman told The Telegraph: “The department of justice has not refused to assist any jurisdiction investigating potential criminal conduct related to Jeffrey Epstein.

“Both US and UK authorities follow established and legally required procedures for sharing information and evidence, and those processes ensure that any co-operation adheres to applicable laws that govern international evidence sharing and protects the integrity of ongoing matters.”

The Metropolitan Police was approached for comment.

Stanhope, in Weardale, sits at the heart of the Durham Dales and is surrounded by rolling hills, open moorland and the River Wear.

Stanhope Castle (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The town is a popular base for walkers and visitors exploring the North Pennines, while its traditional stone buildings and riverside setting have also earned it a reputation as one of the area’s most scenic places.

Some visitors have described spending time in Stanhope as being “like stepping back in time”.

Riverside walks and stepping stones

One of the town’s best-known attractions is the set of stepping stones across the River Wear.

The large stones allow walkers to cross the river when conditions are suitable and have become a popular spot for photographs.

Riverside paths also run through the area, giving visitors views of the surrounding countryside and easy access to the centre of Stanhope.

The town’s historic buildings, stone bridges and traditional streets add to its old-fashioned feel.

Gateway to the Durham Dales

Stanhope is well placed for exploring Weardale and the wider North Pennines.

The surrounding countryside includes moorland, wooded valleys and walking and cycling routes, attracting visitors throughout the year.

Stanhope sign (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Durham Dales Centre is also based in the town and provides tourist information as well as shops, local crafts and refreshments.

Stanhope is often used as a starting point for trips further into the dale, with several scenic villages and countryside routes nearby.

Historic landmarks

The town has several notable historic attractions.

St Thomas the Apostle Church is one of Stanhope’s most recognisable buildings and has origins dating back to the medieval period.

Weardale Railway, Stanhope (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Inside the church is a font made from Frosterley marble, a local limestone known for containing fossilised coral.

Another unusual landmark is Stanhope’s fossil tree, which is around 320 million years old.

The fossilised remains were discovered in a nearby quarry and are now displayed in the town, providing a reminder of the area’s geological history.

Stanhope Castle is another prominent building and forms part of the town’s historic centre.

Weardale Railway

Visitors can also explore the area on the Weardale Railway, which runs through the valley.

The heritage railway offers journeys through the County Durham countryside and links several communities along the route.

It has become another popular attraction for people visiting Stanhope and the wider Weardale area.

Popular with visitors

Stanhope has also gained attention on social media, with visitors sharing photographs and videos of the stepping stones, river and surrounding hills.

Its combination of countryside, history and traditional architecture has helped make it a popular destination for day trips.

The name Stanhope is believed to come from Old English words relating to stone and a valley, and is commonly interpreted as meaning “stony valley”.

For visitors looking for a quieter day out in County Durham, the town offers riverside walks, historic landmarks and easy access to some of the region’s best-known countryside.

With its traditional streets and peaceful setting, it is easy to see why some visitors have compared Stanhope to “stepping back in time”.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty has taken drastic action as his family feud continues to rumble on

Adam Ramsay-Peaty is reportedly confronting another “crisis” following his family rift and is taking ‘time out’ from swimming. The Olympian returned to the pool for the Commonwealth Games before competing in the European Aquatics Championships, where he finished fifth in the 100m breaststroke and fourth in the mixed medley relay.

He also missed out on qualifying for the 50m breaststroke semi-final in the same championships. Discussion has centred on both his performances in the pool and his escalating dispute with his family.

The situation originated last year, when his parents were disinvited from his wedding to Holly Ramsay. Months later, the rift continues, with Adam recently appearing to allude to the speculation surrounding his swimming career.

The Ramsay family, including parents-in-law Gordon and Tana Ramsay and wife Holly Ramsay, have been backing him as he weighs up his options following a difficult spell in the swimming heats.

A source told The Sun: “But to have built himself back up again after the disappointment in Glasgow, only to crash out in Paris, is beyond brutal. The pressure on him as a triple Olympic champion and world-record holder is huge, and this year he also had the pressure of knowing what success in the pool would do for his profile outside of it.

“To have fallen short on such a prominent stage has been crushing for him and he is taking some time out. There has been a complete blackout around him for the past week and he is being supported by the close-knit circle around him who will help him work out where he wants to go from here. There is also lot of thought going into how he and Holly now handle this publicly.”

In a recent interview, Adam stood firm on his principles amid the family dispute. He said: “I’ve got very tough skin that has been built quite aggressively over this last six months especially. But for me, it doesn’t really matter, to be honest.

“I know what my values are. I know what my morals are. I know my principles,” he insisted. I can look myself in the mirror and be at peace with myself, knowing the person I am.”

Steering the conversation back towards swimming, he added: “I think a lot of athletes try and seek that as much as they can. But at the end of the day, no matter what way we look at it, it’s two lengths of a swimming pool. We’re just trying to do it as fast as we can.”

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Elsewhere during his BBC Breakfast appearance, Adam responded to presenter Naga Munchetty’s suggestion that people did like him, acknowledging that while some may not, he strives to improve himself each day.

He said: “Sometimes I don’t feel like [people do like me], to be honest. But I’m just me. I try and be a little bit better than I was yesterday. And if people agree with that, then fine. If people don’t, then that’s also fine.”

Everywhere you look the influence of one figure overshadows Prince Harry’s shock homecoming to Britain. It is there in both the element of surprise and in its breathtaking chutzpah. 

And it is there in Harry’s certainty that, whatever the consequences, it was the right thing to do.

That figure, of course, is Princess Diana whose memory has become a lodestar for Harry. Indeed, as the decades have passed – next year Harry (and let’s not forget Prince William) will be marking the 30th anniversary of her tragic death.

But for Harry, rather than diminishing with time, his mother’s influence is growing. The audacity of the announcement and the timing was guaranteed to grab the attention of the country and to shake his own family out of their high summer drowsiness at Balmoral.

How reminiscent it was of Diana’s revelation that she had secretly recorded a television interview with BBC’s Panorama programme, a broadcast that even now, 31 years later, continues to reverberate with the Royal Family.

Harry gave his father three days’ notice of his and Meghan’s intentions to relocate from California. 

Diana announced news of her interview eight days after it had been shot and a week before its screening. It blindsided everyone.

For both mother and son, each announcement was a fait accompli, not subjects for discussion but matters of fact.

Like Diana, Harry is banking on the British public’s capacity for forgiveness. Pictured: Martin Bashir interviews Princess Diana in Kensington Palace for the television program Panorama

Here, too, Harry, like Diana, has made another calculation – but in the Duke of Sussex’s case it is infinitely riskier.

It is the issue of forgiveness and that for all his past mistakes he can rely on the British public’s sense of fair play – or at least mercy.

Diana escaped unscathed from the Panorama fiasco, despite massive establishment anger over her airing of dirty laundry in general and her criticism of her then husband Prince Charles’s ability to become an effective monarch.

It barely dented her image, and her popularity – especially among women – soared with a public who identified with her dramatic account of how her marriage had been destroyed by the presence of Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Queen.

Like Harry, the princess also collaborated with a tell-all book, about the unhappiness of her life with Charles and difficulties with being a member of the Royal Family.

Again, whatever the truth of the matter, the public sided with a young woman they judged had been cruelly treated by cold and hostile in-laws.

There are, however, some essential differences that Harry would be wise to consider. Diana never broke with the royals and, whatever her frustrations about public duty, continued to be a much-valued and effective working member of the family.

Harry quit and was scathing about the country and institution he walked away from. His and Meghan’s departure was littered with accusations of racism and resentment with attacks that blighted the last months of the lives of both of the prince’s grandparents, the Queen and Prince Philip.

Was Harry’s head turned during his brief visit to Britain in July when he impressed during engagements with a public that was briefly swayed by his natural charm, a reminder of the carefree pre-Meghan days? 

Until this point, both his and Meghan’s popularity had been on the floor, with approval ratings only marginally better than the disgraced former Prince Andrew.

Remember too, that however deep her dissatisfaction with the royals, Diana did not make ad hominem attacks on wider family members as Harry has.

King Charles reportedly desires family unity, recognising from his own past media controversies that public perception can recover over time. Pictured: Prince Charles, Prince William, Catherine, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Christmas Day service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate in December 2018

Rumors indicate Harry is planning a documentary about Diana for the 30th anniversary of her death, a project unlikely to involve William. Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan attend The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 05, 2020 in London

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The rift between Harry and William is deeper and strategically more damaging for the monarchy than any of Diana’s quarrels, which largely were patched up.

One other key factor is the lack of any sign of regret from Harry. He may see himself as the returning prodigal son but without any measure of repentance, that return looks distinctly shaky.

For her part, Diana did have regrets and admitted mistakes. She acknowledged she went too far in some of her remarks to reporter Martin Bashir, an interview, remember, that we now know she was tricked into.

It is not just the confessional of the book and broadcasting where Harry is following his mother’s footsteps, but also in her unpredictability. 

The princess had an uncanny ability to divine the public mood on matters of national importance. Her decision to attend a Remembrance Sunday service in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, six years after the IRA’s Poppy Day bomb killed 11 people, was just such a moment.

She and Charles had visited the town in the aftermath of the 1987 attack, and she kept up a long correspondence with the families of the victims of terror and of other tragedies. And she chose unfashionable causes to champion.

But while this guaranteed her huge support, it did not make her popular within the Royal Family, whom she was repeatedly accused of upstaging. This eventually was to chip away at her confidence.

I understand that Harry has told friends he feels his late mother’s presence, that she is guiding him and that she comes to him.

This undoubtedly is affecting. Diana’s death has cast a long shadow over Harry’s life and the poignancy of him following the coffin at her funeral, aged 12, is seared into the national memory.

But Harry is not the sole custodian of the princess’s legacy. It is shared with William. He too, overwhelmed by sadness, was part of that funeral party. Both brothers have acknowledged their mother in aspects of their lives. 

Their daughters Charlotte and Lilibet share Diana as a middle name; their wives wear her jewellery; and their Spencer family cousins are woven into their lives as godmothers to their children.

Weddings and christenings have included references to the mother they lost. And both princes continue to cite her influence. But Harry is far more public about it and has sought ownership of that legacy in a way William never has.

Should Harry now attempt to stake further claims on his mother’s inheritance it is unlikely to be welcomed by William.

Rumours abound that part of the reason for Harry coming home concern his plans – thought to be well advanced – to make a documentary about Diana for screening next year. Friends and family have been approached but it is not clear whether they include William or indeed whether he would even consider it.

Ten years ago, the brothers joined forces to contribute to two documentaries on their mother for the 20th anniversary of her death. The idea of co-operating together on such a project today seems scarcely credible.

So, can there ever be a reconciliation? William was outraged by the claims of racism which, according to Harry and Meghan, had sprung from family discussions about the likely skin colour of their unborn son Archie. 

The rift between Prince Harry and Prince William remains severe, with no direct contact reported in four years

Unlike traditional royal upbringing, Harry has kept his family dynamic and children largely guarded, shielded from official public duties, red-carpet obligations, and British media exposure

Claims which were broadcast to the world in the Sussexes’ Oprah interview. The brothers are not thought to have spoken for four years. 

When they were forced to come together – with Catherine and Meghan – to meet wellwishers at Windsor after Queen Elizabeth’s death, the Princess of Wales confided to a family member that it was the ‘hardest thing’ she’d ever had to do.

No wonder William looked grim-faced as he emerged at the wheel of a car at Balmoral yesterday. If anyone has been blindsided, it is him and Kate. 

With talk of a rival court emerging around his brother, William has every reason to fear that all the work he has done to stabilise the monarchy in the wake of both Megxit and the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal may be disrupted.

Can he rely on assurances that there will be no gradual return to public duties by the Sussexes? And what about red carpet events? With Meghan apparently set on resuming her acting career, there will surely be glamorous public-facing engagements that could diminish coverage of his and Kate’s working lives.

Then there is the crucial issue of trust. William needs to be certain that private family matters are not leaked to US networks and Sussex-friendly magazines.

Despite the public notion of a Royal Family doing everything together, they lead largely separate, self-contained lives, only coming together on set-piece occasions.

And one is already looming. What will happen at Christmas? Having been deprived of the company of his Sussex grandchildren for years, the King will surely want them at Sandringham. Don’t be surprised if William exercises his right to spend this Christmas with his Middleton in-laws.

At the same time, Harry may be inclined to take another page out of his mother’s playbook. 

After her separation from Charles, Diana spent the bare minimum of time with the Royal Family at such gatherings, arriving late on Christmas Eve and leaving after church on Christmas Day. Time – just – for her to see the joy on her sons’ faces when they opened their presents.

For Charles, Harry’s homecoming may be mixed: thrilled to have his entire family back in Britain but wary too. He has found the family breach sad and exhausting. As he told a friend: ‘My mother had 70 years to look after her family, I don’t have that luxury.’

No one knows more about the vicariousness of popularity than the King. As Prince of Wales, he was mercilessly criticised for his treatment of Diana and lampooned for his cranky views. But as King he has become a much-loved figure.

‘He will have told Harry that we in Britain will forgive and forget,’ says one close figure. ‘Don’t forget he too wrote a book criticising his parents, made a television programme, and admitted adultery. All that now is in the past.’

Whether the public will extend that same courtesy to his son remains to be seen.

It’s true that the monarchy has survived other family crises. But the reintegration of Harry and Meghan may be its toughest test yet.