Meghan Markle has posted nine new photographs of Prince Harry with her and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to celebrate his 42nd birthday today.

The Duchess of Sussex uploaded the images to her Instagram account with the caption: ‘He’s simply the best. Happy birthday, my love’, along with a heart emoji.

The pictures show Harry on outdoor adventures with his family and their labrador Pula. He is seen kissing Lilibet in one and carrying her bicycle in another.

The duke is also shown driving a quad bike down a track with Lilibet and Archie in the back, sat either side of a Marks & Spencer bag as their dog follows behind. 

The montage is accompanied by an excerpt from Noah Reid’s song ‘Simply the Best’, a cover of the Tina Turner classic which featured in TV show Schitt’s Creek. 

It comes as the Sussexes were revealed to have already moved Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, to a new school after the family relocated from the US on August 26.

The children had only just started classes in England, but they will now join another school after the lengthy journey was said to have caused issues for the security team.

The decision was taken amid reports that both the Sussexes will receive an official risk assessment following their return, in light of their changed circumstances.

Harry holds hands with Lilibet as they go skiing together, in another image posted by Meghan

Harry drives a quad bike with Lilibet and Archie in the back as their dog Pula follows behind

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Harry plays archery with Archie in another one of the nine images shared by Meghan today

Harry looks out at a lake with Lilibet, in a photo released today to mark his 42nd birthday

Meghan wrote alongside the montage: ‘He’s simply the best. Happy birthday, my love’

The Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which makes decisions about royal security, is said to have met last week. 

Harry is waiting to hear about the Risk Management Board’s threat assessment and Ravec is expected to decide whether they should get taxpayer-funded security. 

A source close to Harry and Meghan told People that settling the children ‘has been, and remains, their focus. Everything else will fall into place when the time is right’.

They added: ‘There is a lot to do. They have just moved halfway across the world and it’s been really busy getting the kids settled. Their focus has been on that, and will remain on that, for the time being. They are happy to be back.’

In January 2020, Harry and Meghan had announced they intended to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family, become financially independent, still support Queen Elizabeth II, but split their time between the UK and North America.

But the late Queen ruled at the Sandringham Summit, which was convened to resolve the Megxit crisis, that the couple could not be half in and half out.

On Sunday, Meghan shared another video montage on Instagram of the family’s outings back in the UK to the tune of Wham!’s Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.

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Last week Harry and Meghan were said to have been ‘surprised’ by a formal letter sent by the Lord Chamberlain under the direction of the King to senior stakeholders in the Government and military, which described them as ‘private citizens’. 

The duke and duchess are reported to prefer the term ‘public figures’. Team Sussex, who got an hour’s notice of its release, did not have time to clarify any points.

A source close to the Sussexes blamed the Lord Chamberlain’s letter for Uganda’s decision to pull out of the duke’s 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham.

Uganda’s military chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba said the country had withdrawn from the competition because of ‘that Harry-Meghan nonsense’, and that it would ‘not participate in anything’ that does not have the King’s ‘approval’.

But the King’s private secretary Sir Clive Alderton then phoned General Kainerugaba to smooth over relations – and it was later revealed they would participate after all.

Charles was said to have been ‘moved’ by the military leader’s ‘sensitive consideration’ of what His Majesty’s opinion might be on the event.

Tinseltown’s finest put their best sartorial foot forward at the Peacock Theatre’s red carpet, with the newly-married Zendaya looking resplendent in a plunging custom Prada gown dripping in crystals, while Selena Gomez went for gold in a strapless gold chainmail Louis Vuitton dress, which gave a nod to the Emmy statuette.

Newly issued DWP guidance explains what claimants need to know about the system’s rules

The Department for Work and Pensions has explained the rules surrounding a particular aspect of Universal Credit. The DWP update, released on Friday, September 11, came after a question raised in Parliament.

A senior minister has provided a response – but it has also highlighted an issue some claimants may not be aware of. The enquiry concerned payments for Universal Credit claimants and the effect this might have on debt.

Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, asked the DWP what assessment it had made of the potential impact on Debt Management and debt recovery of making advance payments to Universal Credit claimants before the conclusion of their assessment period.

In response, Stephen Timms, Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities), The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, said on: “New Claim Advances give customers the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their Universal Credit award. Advances are not considered a loan so no interest is charged, nor any enforcement action taken, however Advances are recoverable.

“They are ordinarily repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit awards over an agreed repayment period of up to 24 months. Customers must repay their advances over a maximum period of 24 months.”

So what are New Claim Advances? The gov.uk website says that if you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs before you get your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.

The amount you can get depends on your circumstances. The most you can get is the amount of your first estimated payment. You must usually pay back the advance within 24 months.

You usually start paying it back out of your first payment. If you cannot afford your advance repayments, you can ask for your repayments to be delayed for 3 months.

The government says that if you’re no longer claiming Universal Credit you’ll still need to pay back your advance. If you move to another benefit, the deductions will usually continue from your payments. If you move off benefits, you’ll get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage money you owe.

You can pay back what you owe in full or set up monthly repayments. Officials say that if you want to discuss your repayments you can call DWP Debt Management. For further information, visit the relevant gov.uk web page.

What to do if your Universal Credit advance claim is rejected

The Money Helper website has provided guidance for those whose applications are declined, noting several potential reasons why an advance payment may not be approved – for instance, if you live with family or friends, have enough money or savings to last until your next payment or haven’t had your ID checked at a Jobcentre Plus. The site says: “If you’re unhappy or think there’s been a mistake, you can ask the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to reconsider the decision. This means someone else will look at your application.”

The site also warns Universal Credit claimants of another issue they may encounter. It says that if someone you don’t know offers to apply for Universal Credit or a free government loan for you, it’s a scam. The site warns: “They’ll want to take some of your money as a fee and get your ID and bank details. If they apply on your behalf using false details, this can also be classed as benefit fraud and might mean you have to pay a large fine or be taken to court.

“You might see adverts online or receive cold calls from someone claiming to work for Jobcentre Plus.” If you are targeted, you can report it to Report Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

The Money Wellness website reported in 2024 that debt levels were considerably higher amongst those claiming Universal Credit (UC) compared with those receiving so-called legacy benefits such as Income Support, according to DWP data.

It noted that the average outstanding debt owed by UC claimants stood at £4,754 — with almost one in five owing at least £10,000.

The suburb is conveniently located near Peterborough city centre

A further 180 homes could be built in a Peterborough suburb to complete the “missing piece” of a development. Work is ongoing to build new homes in Hampton Woods, Peterborough.

The development forms part of the wider Hampton community, which also includes Hampton Hargate, Hampton Vale, Hampton Green, Hampton Beach, Hampton Water and more. Hampton Woods is the latest development area of the Peterborough suburb.

The latest application to build another 180 homes is the final part of the development, with applicants Stantec describing the homes as the “missing piece” of Hampton Woods.

The applicant said: “Hampton Woods is envisioned as a distinctive and accessible continuation of the wider Hampton community, shaped by its strong relationship with the surrounding landscape and natural features; framed by woodland, Beeby’s East Lake and green spaces.

“A landscape-led approach underpins the vision, with linear green and blue corridors, structural tree planting and active travel routes connecting homes, streets and public spaces. The village green forms the heart of the community, anchoring the neighbourhood and the intersecting green spaces.

“Together, contemporary buildings, streets, landscape, and infrastructure will create a sustainable, attractive, and well-connected village that fosters a strong sense of place, community pride and long-term resilience.”

A village green is proposed in the plans, which the developer syas will be a “focal point” of the neighbourhood. The aim is to offer an “open, social space including a play area framed by development, leisure routes and trees”.

The homes on site will be designed to promote zero carbon living through EV charging spaces, low energy lighting, efficient appliances, low carbon communal heating and more. Hampton Woods is a “modern extension” that forms part of the wider Hampton community and is close to the city centre.

It’s near to London Road, providing direct links to Peterborough, and is “within easy reach” of the Fletton Parkway (A1139), Hampton roundabout and the A1.

The applicant concluded the latest plans for 180 homes is the “final parcel of the Hampton Woods village”.

Fenland District Council extended a street-drinking ban in Wisbech but residents said there is still public drinking ‘all the time’

A street-drinking ban in a market town has been extended despite concerns that it is not being enforced. Fenland District Council approved extending the public space protection order (PSPO) for Wisbech town centre which was due to expire next week.

98 per cent of those surveyed supported extending the PSPO which was first introduced in 2017 and previously renewed in 2020 and 2023. The order grants the police and council officers powers to seize alcohol in public spaces where antisocial behaviour has been an issue.

Cllr Steve Tierney, of Wisbech South, said that the order is not being enforced and residents say they see public drinking “all the time”.

The Conservative councillor said: “Indeed in the areas covered by PSPOs, there are people drinking every single day – pretty much all day.

“What worries me about this is we tell people we have created a rule, and then nobody enforces it, and it creates an idea that the law can just be ignored. That’s something which then spreads and spreads to other parts of the area and could give people a very dim view.”

The PSPO covers a number of areas in Wisbech, including Tillery Park and St Peter and Paul Church. In the report, almost everyone surveyed said they still saw alcohol being drunk in areas covered by the order – just under 89 per cent.

But 98 per cent said they feared antisocial behaviour would get worse if the order was not renewed. Respondents said many people are “scared to visit the town centre because of the drinking” and called it a “blight” on the community.

Cllr Tierney, who said he would support the extension, said: “The police I know are hugely stretched, they have only got so many people, they will tell you how they just don’t have the time to do this all the time. I get that and I don’t know the solution but it still worries me that we are introducing these policies and then the public can plainly see we aren’t enforcing it.”

According to the police, who supported the order’s extension, alcohol-related crime had fallen by 41 per cent since it was introduced. The extension of the PSPO was approved by Fenland District Council’s cabinet on Monday (September 14).

Maybe we need to explore why that might be.

Since UNESCO first started giving WHS to sites of special cultural and natural significance around the world, in the 1970s, almost half of sites on the list are in Europe (that includes the UK for those who may have forgotten).

So our continent is well represented and the list includes many European cathedrals and historic cities.

You could argue that we simply missed the boat and should have applied for York to get World Heritage Status back in the 1980s when Durham and Canterbury applied and succeeded.

We do have 33 World Heritage sites in the UK, including Stonehenge, Fountain’s Abbey, Greenwich, Jodrell Bank, and Saltaire.

Truth is the UK has hardly participated; the country’s never hosted a World Heritage Committee’s annual meeting and has only sat on the committee once (2001 to 2005).

We must learn to make friends and show that we’re interested in promoting World Heritage sites across the world instead of being grumpy that no one notices us.

Maybe York could host a World Heritage Committee meeting!

Christian Vassie

Blake Court,

Wheldrake

Recommended reads:

York has it all so why no World Heritage status? – letter

‘Four-month wait for a sharps box collection – is this right?’ – letters

‘York’s tourist tax should vary by hotel rating’ – plus footpath woes and immigration

‘York’s Clifford’s Tower mound is an accident waiting to happen – put a fence up’

Could York be known as City of Iron?

Sheffield is known as the city of Steel and York could be known as the City of Iron.

It was great to see York Bid repainted iron in the city centre and hopefully other parts of the city will follow.

Sadly, there is much iron in disrepair – Bootham Park railings and a special piece of iron on Holgate from the Walkers Iron Foundry in Walmgate on Holgate Hill.

Timothy Wynn Werninck

Dodgson Terrace

Acomb

York

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Do CCTV photos really help solve crimes?

The Press frequently publishes photographs of people the police believe can help with their enquiries into crimes.

How often are these successful in solving the crimes?

R.Shenton

Connaught Way

York

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Party donations – grow up and get over it!

Two crypto billionaires have decided to donate considerable amounts to the Reform party (£36m each).

All the other parties are having a tantrum and stamping their feet angrily.

Now they are going to try and stop this donation, presumably as not being fair.

Oh dear, Diddums!

Angela Rainer, during an interview, refused to answer the question as to whether or not Labour would have accepted the donation.

It seems like it’s not only stamping feet because they haven’t been given a share, but teddy’s ears have also been pulled off.

Grow up and get over it.

Mick Horsman

Moorland Road

York

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Farage the benevolent?

With £72m in the bank, will Mr Farage be following the example of President Trump and be giving $5,000 (£3,700) to everyone in the country if he wins the next election?

D M Deamer

Penleys Grove Street

Monkgate

York

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