Prince Harry: Is the UK Government quietly rehabilitating the Duke of Sussex?

IS THE UK GOVERNMENT QUIETLY REHABILITATING PRINCE HARRY?

This week, Prince Harry visited Angola to highlight continued efforts to rid the country of dangerous landmines, a cause his mother championed just months before her death.

Retracing Princess Diana's footsteps, The Prince walked through one of Africa's biggest minefields as Patron of The HALO Trust.
He also observed HALO's community outreach programme, which warns children how to spot signs of active landmines.

At least 60,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines in Angola since 2008, according to The HALO Trust.

The Duke of Sussex appears to be having a change of tac; he is focusing far more on philanthropy and diplomacy - something he would have done as a working member of the Royal Family.

Not only did he meet with Angola's President Lourenço to discuss demining efforts in the country, he also attended a reception at the British Embassy to meet business leaders.

Ordinarily, the latter would not be headline news, however Prince Harry is now a private citizen, and is not representing his father, the King, in an official capacity.

It is unclear if The Prince was invited by the UK Ambassador to Angola, or if his presence was officially sanctioned by the Foreign Office.
If it was, this marks a significant shift in how the UK Government is treating Prince Harr, suggesting officials could be trying to quietly rehabilitate him.

Last week, we saw senior aides of The King and Prince Harry meeting in central London - a significant sign both sides want to mend the royal rift.
Critics of The Prince have branded his trip to Angola as a publicity stunt, and are unlikely to forgive him for disclosing royal secrets in his memoir and Netflix series.

Others will praise him for shining a light on a dangerous problem, that would not ordinarily make global headlines.
It remains to be seen how Prince Harry attempts to position himself in the eyes of the public ahead of the Invictus Games, to be held in Birmingham in 2027.

Prince Harry's representatives and the Foreign Office have been approached for comment.

KING CHARLES' FIGHT AGAINST KNIFE CRIME

On Tuesday, I was in St James's Palace to watch The King convene senior government ministers to hear from young people affected by knife crime.

His Majesty invited The Prime Minister, Home Secretary and Culture Secretary to the historic venue to discuss how young people can be given better opportunities in Britain.

This is the second year the event has been hosted, and actor and campaigner Idris Elba was on hand as an alumnus of The King's Trust.
As a teenager, Idris Elba was given a grant to the National Youth Music Theatre.

Having become a successful actor, he has since launched an anti-knife crime campaign Don't Stop Your Future.

He told me: "His Majesty was definitely encouraged by the group and the updates. But there's more work to be done. Especially having a solid plan. You know, the government talks about halving knife crime in ten years, and we are yet to see an actual plan."

Several young people and bereaved parents affected by knife crime had the chance to tell The King and his ministers what needed to be done to reduce knife crime.

The King said he was "riveted" to hear from Royal Marine and boxer, Kyle Shaw-Tullin, who was stabbed as a teenager.

Kyle had said getting back in the boxing ring, and having a trainer that encouraged him after the attack, helped keep him out of trouble.

The Prime Minister told campaigners they were "inspirational" and said "I find it really humbling that people that you have been through some of the most horrendous ordeals are able then somehow to turn that around and channel it into work to help other people that they will probably never meet and never know."

I watched His Majesty scribble notes down as he listened to young people's views, clearly interested in what they had to say.

Unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles appears to be more active in social issues of the day.

An anti knife crime coalition is scheduled to convene in the autumn to come up with a "tangible" plan to reduce knife crime.

It is thought King Charles will be watching closely behind the scenes.

IS QUEEN CAMILLA EYING UP A NEW PUPPY?

Is the Queen's new puppy, Moley, about to get a little brother or sister?

Well, if a gorgeous puppy hadn't already been snapped up at a animal rescue shelter, Her Majesty may have taken it home.

As Patron of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Queen Camilla was opening a new dog-friendly garden, which was first unveiled at the Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year.

The Queen said: "I'd have taken him" when she was told the tiny Jack Russell cross had found a new owner.

Her Majesty has adopted three rescue dogs from Battersea over the years, and the Palace released a new photograph of The Queen cuddling Moley to mark the occasion.

It's thought the original plan was to bring Moley on The Queen's official engagement on Monday, but the "hot weather" meant the puppy had to be left behind.