Is the Princess of Wales off to South America?

IS THE PRINCESS OF WALES OFF TO SOUTH AMERICA?

The Prince of Wales’s Earthshot Prize will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this year, the first time the environmental competition is being held in South America.

Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed if Prince William will be attending (that usually would happen later in the year), but I suspect it is highly likely that he will.

Royal sources previously indicated that the Princess of Wales, who announced she is in remission from cancer in January, would not be undertaking any overseas travel this year.

Officially, Kensington Palace insists Kate continues a “gradual return” to public duties, but I understand her staff have not ruled out her attendance, supporting her husband in Brazil.

If the Princess did attend, it would be her first overseas official visit since undergoing major abdominal surgery and subsequent cancer treatment.

Her Royal Highness last attended the star-studded and glamorous Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Boston in 2022, where her presence was met with huge support from American royal fans.

However, I understand both Prince William and Catherine usually prefer not to leave their children (Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis) for long periods of time, especially when there would be thousands of miles of ocean between them.

It will likely be a few months before we receive confirmation on whether the Prince or Princess plans to attend.

Princess Kate did not attend the Earthshot Prize Awards in 2023 and 2024

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KING CHARLES PLAYS TUNES ON A CARROT – YES, REALLY

King Charles performing in front of hundreds of people, blowing into a carrot, was not on my 2025 bingo card. His Majesty was hosting a reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate community music and invited a number of ensembles to perform.

He was particularly taken with the London Vegetable Orchestra, the UK’s only ensemble to use instruments made of hand-crafted local vegetables, and had a go on one of their carrot recorders.

His Majesty was described as “jolly” and “in great spirits” by guests as he performed the tune ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’.

April Koyejo, from the Royal Opera House, said Charles joked to her in passing that “he hopes they eat the carrots because he wouldn’t want any food to go to waste.”

We know King Charles is an avid supporter of using surplus food and locally-grown organic produce.

Perhaps he will combine this with his passion for music and play the carrot recorder more often.

King Charles playing a carrot recorder during a royal reception

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HARRY DITCHES HIS GRANDMOTHER’S MOTTO

The era of Prince Harry towing the Palace line has long since passed, but his strongly worded statement this week has reinforced how he’s going against his late grandmother’s instincts.

Queen Elizabeth II used the unofficial motto: “Never Complain, Never Explain,” during her reign.

This week, however, the Duke of Sussex has done an awful lot of complaining and explaining.

Following the announcement that the Charity Commission is investigating compliance at his former charity Sentebale, which he co-founded in 2006 to honour the legacy of his late mother and support young people living with HIV and AIDS in southern Africa, Prince Harry put out a strongly-worded statement, appearing to accuse the chairwoman, Dr Sophie Chandauka, of “blatant lies”.

The Prince told us: “What has transpired over the last week has been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal.

“No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.

“On behalf of the former trustees and patrons, we share in the relief that the Charity Commission confirmed they will be conducting a robust inquiry.

“We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign.

“We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.”

Dr Chandauka, who accused Prince Harry and others of bullying and harassment during media interviews last weekend, also said she welcomes the opening of the case and hopes the outcome can “comfort” the public that the charity and its new trustees are “acting appropriately”.

She said an “internal governance review” had begun last year, and that those findings would be shared with the charity watchdog.

Meanwhile, a source close to Prince Harry and the trustees dismissed her ‘bullying and harassment’ claims as a “publicity stunt”.

This incredibly messy, and public, boardroom battle appears very polarised.

It could be many months before the watchdog publishes its findings, and we will see if either side can be vindicated.