The allegations were made in the book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail - and is due to be published next week. In an excerpt from the book about the events following the car crash in 1997, the Earl claims: "The phone rang constantly. Prince Charles caught me as I crossed the landing upstairs. "Unlike my other callers, who were stunned, barely able to articulate their condolences and offers of help, he sounded giddily elated - like a lottery winner, I remember thinking at the time. "He let me know he had informed William and Harry of their mother's death, first thing that morning, in their bedrooms at Balmoral. It all sounded strangely matter-of-fact, given the enormity of the disaster. "Looking back now, I suspect the prince's first reaction must have been to think more of how this event might free him to marry the woman he loved, rather than appreciating the loss of one he did not." Following initial releases from the book on Wednesday, in which the Earl claims that in the days after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, then-Prince Charles told her brother "rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough", Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement. In it, the palace said Charles is "mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason". "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss," the statement adds. Read more from Sky NewsThe Palace denies Charles said Diana would be forgotten "soon enough"Father of Noah Woods, 3, pays tribute to his boy Sky News' royal correspondent Laura Bundock described the statement from Buckingham Palace as a "really remarkable intervention" and a "very robust response". Also in the excerpt released on Thursday, the Earl said that "on the day of [Diana's] wedding she had been in the throes of her eating disorder for five months" - and claimed in her later years that Diana contemplated taking her own life. The Earl also claimed in the book that on the day before Diana's wedding with the then prince, Charles had told her he was not in love with her. The excerpt later goes on to claim that Diana told her brother "my husband is in love with his valet" after telling him she was going to get divorced. Buckingham Palace has not responded to the latest excerpts. Elsewhere, the King and other senior royals continued with public engagements, following the Earl's initial claims. Charles warned tech leaders of the "existential dangers" of AI systems in a summit on Thursday. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

US star Macklemore was dropped as the opening act on Sheeran's Loop tour following pro-Palestine comments he made during a show in New Jersey. On Monday, Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft barred the rapper from performing in the Massachusetts venue, saying he would not "provide a platform for hate speech". Sheeran's reported $2m donation follows Macklemore's earlier pledge to donate his $1m (£750,000) net earnings from Sheeran's upcoming tour to organisations supporting Palestinian people. Macklemore, 43, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had challenged Mr Kraft, who did not allow him to perform at his Gillette Stadium as part of The Loop tour, to match his donation. It is not clear whether Mr Kraft has agreed to give the $2m, or to which organisations or charities the money would go. Sheeran is also yet to publicly confirm his donation. Following the controversy over Macklemore's removal from the tour, Sheeran's other support acts, including Danish band Lukas Graham and Billie Eilish's brother and musical collaborator, Finneas, subsequently pulled out in protest. In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, Macklemore wrote: "With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom. "I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people. And I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth." It was Macklemore's second big announcement of the week, after revealing on Monday that he had been dropped from Sheeran's tour. Kraft: 'I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting' Billionaire Mr Kraft, who is also the owner of the New England Patriots, posted his statement on Gillette Stadium's official X account shortly after Macklemore's statement. The 85-year-old wrote: "I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people. I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting. "Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis." He went on: "Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges." Sheeran: 'I am not complicit' Earlier this week, Sheeran said he was "appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine", and described the "suffering and pain caused on both sides" as a human tragedy in a lengthy Instagram statement. Read more from Sky News:Real Madrid defend Mbappe and Vinicius' shirt stanceAcclaimed playwright and novelist dies aged 77 "I am not complicit," he said. "I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn't mean I don't have them, and it doesn't mean I don't care." Sheeran, who performed his song Perfect for the first dance at Mr Kraft's 2022 wedding, also said that "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine", adding that the rapper's contract for the tour "was with the promoter, not me". In a statement provided to Sky News' US partner network NBC News, Mr Kraft had said the decision on his venues was reached following Macklemore's comments and "a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community". He said: "This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real."

What happens when the keys to Number 10 are handed back? Anne reports from a gathering of former prime ministers - Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer - and reveals what life after power really looks like. Meanwhile, after some football diplomacy with Canadian PM Mark Carney, could it offer a chance for Andy Burnham to unlock closer ties with the EU, or has the reset hit another roadblock?

United led 2-0 after just 10 minutes against Brighton on Wednesday night. By full-time, they had lost 3-2, exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage for a second successive season and been booed off by their own supporters. It was the first time in 50 years United had lost at Old Trafford after going 2-0 up. They had won 143 of the previous 145 matches in which they had established that advantage. They also failed to register another shot on target after Mason Mount's 2-0 goal until the 76th minute. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Man Utd news & transfers🔴Man Utd fixtures & scores | FREE Man Utd highlights▶️Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺 The defeat leaves Carrick under pressure only months after his interim spell was rewarded with the permanent job. He had won 12 of his 17 matches last season, drawing three and losing two, giving him a 70.6 per cent win rate. This season, his record is two wins, one draw and three defeats from six games - a 33.3 per cent win rate. United have now also matched their joint-worst start to a Premier League season after four games, while their Carabao Cup exit has removed an opportunity for silverware. So what is the main issue at Old Trafford? United are being outrun United's lack of urgency on the pitch has been stark, and the numbers match what we're seeing in matches. United rank 14th in the Premier League for distance covered this season, with 449.1km, but their rankings drop sharply when the intensity of those movements is measured. They are 18th for sprints, with 379, 19th for high-speed runs, with 1,364, 18th for sprints per kilometre covered and 19th for high-speed runs per kilometre. That paints a picture of a team covering ground without doing enough of it at the speeds required to press, recover and defend transitions. It was particularly obvious against Brighton. United's nine changes from the side that started the Manchester derby provided some context, with several players coming into the team after spending time on the bench. But Brighton also made six changes, including four players making their first starts for the club. Jamie Redknapp questioned United's physical condition. "They didn't look fit enough," he said. "I don't know if a lot of them do enough. I saw too many players not running back or not looking fit enough." Leny Yoro's recovery for Brighton's third goal was one example. He was jogging back as Brighton broke, rather than sprinting into a position from which he could make a challenge. It is a concern that stretches beyond one night. If United cannot match opponents for intensity, they are left defending larger spaces and spending longer without the ball. Your views Bomer86: "Why are Brighton fitter and faster than Man Utd? What is happening in training that the players are not fit? They were slower to every ball. No desire, no energy after 10 mins." Ossy: "Fitness/intensity and Carrick's inability to read game state and react accordingly is going to be Man Utd's undoing this season." United have spent, but is the squad balanced? This summer United made seven permanent signings, alongside four loan arrivals, while 13 players left permanently and 10 went out on loan. The headline investment has been concentrated heavily in midfield and attack. Around £85m of that spending started against Brighton in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while Carlos Baleba - signed from Brighton for around £70m - was watching from the stands. The broader squad remains one of the most valuable in the Premier League. Transfermarkt values United's first-team squad at £791.2m, the fifth-highest figure among the clubs shown, behind Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. However, concerns remain over whether the distribution of that value has provided Carrick with enough tools to work with. United's forwards account for £317.2m of the squad valuation and midfielders another £249.9m. The defensive group is valued at £193.8m, with the goalkeeper position accounting for the remainder. The defence was already an obvious area of concern before the transfer window closed, yet United went into Wednesday's game with two inexperienced centre-backs in Yoro and Ayden Heaven and limited options at full-back. Your views EmmaRachael: "Why do Man Utd persist in buying quantity instead of real quality." Cheese: "Appalling defence please invest in defensive reinforcements." Gazza D: "United haven't backed Carrick. Desperately need two wing-backs of quality and that is evident in what we've seen with Dalot and Mazraoui." Owners and INEOS: Who built this squad? Supporters have repeatedly questioned the direction of the club, particularly after another transfer window in which significant money was spent but defensive reinforcements remained an issue. United have now cycled through several managers since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, yet familiar complaints about the squad, recruitment and performances remain. That is why Carrick's position can't be judged in isolation. The manager is responsible for the team on the pitch, but the squad he is selecting was built through decisions made at board and recruitment level. Your views S. Prime09: "United had a real chance to build on last season. The transfer window was so important. But we wouldn't spend over £70m. And all our top targets went some other team." Ziggy: "The club has been lacking a clear plan since Fergie left. They don't know what they're doing." Carrick: From interim hero to man under pressure Carrick's interim spell last season was impressive enough to earn him the permanent job. But it is the nature of the performances that has caused concern as much as the results. United have struggled to control games and Carrick has faced questions over his in-game management and team selection. His nine changes against Brighton left him open to criticism when United's performance deteriorated after the early two-goal burst. He accepted full responsibility for United's abject performance after the game. "We can't accept that as a group. I take responsibility for it," Carrick told Sky Sports. "The performance towards the end of the second half, that's on me." Your views Jefft: "I'm so grateful for Carrick getting us into the top four but I said it then, the club should have said thanks but get in an elite coach who tactically has it." Jon S: "At what point do you stop blaming managers and start blaming players? You can't keep swapping manager after manager after manager." United ignored defensive warning signs Wednesday's game exposed perhaps the clearest squad weakness. Yoro and Heaven formed an inexperienced centre-back pairing and Brighton repeatedly found space around them. For the second goal, Luka Vuskovic won the header ahead of Benjamin Sesko, and the ball fell to Pascal Gross, who had space to finish. Heaven failed to anticipate the danger and Yoro could not prevent the shot. For the third, Yoro was again caught behind the play as Brighton broke. Full-back remains another concern, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui facing criticism for their positioning and distribution - and the depth behind the established defensive options remains questionable. Your views John S: "The gaps between Heaven and Yoro were too big, the full backs were beyond poor and the midfield looks average." HN: "Why would you use an inexperienced back line in a must win game? Nothing against playing young players but pair them with experience." No more cohesion in attack Last season, United had a more settled attacking combination with Matheus Cunha on the left, Bryan Mbeumo through the middle and Amad Diallo on the right. Sesko remained an option introduced off the bench. Rashford's return has altered that balance, with supporters questioning whether the change has affected the team's attacking rhythm. The time without a shot on target against Brighton is a major concern: after the early burst, United could not consistently supply Sesko or create enough pressure to prevent Brighton from taking control. Rashford did have a late chance to equalise but saw his near-post effort saved. Your views Dhanyaal: "Last season Cunha on left and Mbeumo on right and Sesko as number 9 was working. Why's he changed it and put Rashford on left?" Platty7: "Rightly or wrongly the major change from last season is Rashford, he hasn't exactly set the world alight." VOTE: What do you think the biggest issue is at Man Utd?

Non-verbal and partially deaf Noah Woods became separated from a relative after visiting a playground in Merriam Close, Brantham, on Tuesday afternoon, Suffolk Police said. More than 24 hours after his disappearance, police confirmed late on Wednesday afternoon that dive teams had recovered a child's body from a lake known locally as Decoy Pond. Helicopters, the coastguard, the fire and rescue service, lowland search and rescue volunteers and other agencies also joined police in the search. The force said Noah's death is not being treated as suspicious but detectives still have a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file for the coroner. On Thursday, Noah's father, Rhys Woods, paid tribute to his son in a message shared on a community Facebook group. He wrote: "As I'm sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah. "There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much." He added: "This was the most heartbreaking outcome for us, we were just hoping that he would be hiding somewhere obvious where someone could find him, that's what we kept telling ourselves the whole time. "With our love and deepest gratitude. From his daddy and mummy and little brother, Noah, you will be loved forever, you will never be forgotten and we miss you so so much, it has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short three years you were with us." Mr Woods also shared a "heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community" and the emergency services who took part in the search. "It seems he has made an impact across the whole nation, you have all taken Noah into you're own hearts, with all the overwhelming help, we were all just trying to bring him home to us safe and sound," he said. Mr Woods added: "The compassion shown by all of you will never be forgotten by us, and brought us comfort and strength at the darkest time of our lives." A fundraiser launched by Good Dads Club has so far raised more than £59,000 towards the family's expenses during this "heart-breaking time". Volunteers who were gathered in a garden area at Brantham Leisure Centre had been brought to tears when Superintendent Tom Pearse from Suffolk police broke the news of their discovery. His own voice cracked as he praised those in attendance for helping in the search. Read more from Sky News:Drug for breast cancer patients available on NHSChelsea chairman leaves club after selling stake Superintendent Pearse said police had been "overwhelmed by the outpouring public support", and the number of volunteers "putting on their boots and helping us search". "As a parent myself, I completely understand why people would want to help and such a response is one that typifies the strong sense of community and the heart-warming nature of Suffolk people that make the county such a special place," he said. "I am sure you appreciate the family now need time, space and privacy and I thank you for your understanding in this." Ipswich Town FC players will wear black armbands this weekend, in memory of Noah. Police released CCTV footage on Wednesday showing Noah's last known movements at the playground. It shows the toddler running and interacting with a piece of play equipment. The massive ground search, which saw helicopters, sniffer dogs and thermal imaging used, was made more difficult because Noah would not have responded to his name if called. Brantham Parish Council said: "Our thoughts are with Noah's family, friends and everyone who knows and loves him at this incredibly difficult time." The leisure centre, which had become a hub for search efforts and the massive community response, will remain open on Thursday to offer support, the council said.

Edwards, 65, admitted a charge of "making" indecent images of children and having 41 photographs on WhatsApp, including seven of the most serious type. He was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, in September 2024. In his latest Substack post, Edwards started by saying: "Today is the day. Two years have gone by since my sentencing at Westminster Magistrates' Court." Edwards noted the sentence handed down by the chief magistrate was six months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, adding that his period of rehabilitation is "officially over". He said in the post that 1,000 men are arrested every month in the UK in relation to accessing indecent images. "It is not surprising that individuals are hardly ever singled out for attention by the press," he added. Read more from Sky News:New breast cancer drug now on NHSStadium owner responds to Ed Sheeran row Edwards continued: "I was never involved in online forums, and a forensic examination of my internet history showed that I had never searched for any of this vile material. "Indeed, had I not been such a highly visible public figure, I might not have faced any criminal charges. "That is not my view, I stress - it is the opinion of some of London's most experienced lawyers, and of former Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff who have made contact with me privately over the past two years." Edwards was best known for presenting the BBC's News At Ten for decades, delivering some of the biggest stories to the public, including Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022. In July 2023, a report by The Sun alleged that a "top BBC star" had paid a teenager for sexual pictures, and days later his wife named him as the presenter at the centre of the scandal. During sentencing, Judge Paul Goldspring said he believed Edwards's remorse was genuine and his mental health could have impaired his decision-making. Edwards resigned in April 2024 and was charged in June 2024 after a Metropolitan Police investigation.

Wandsworth Council is set to increase council tax for a Band D property by £958 - a 94% rise - from April 2027, in response to what it describes as the "financial pressure" of government reforms. The south London borough previously had one of the lowest council tax rates in Britain. However, following the publication of what it calls a "comprehensive" spending review, the Conservative administration says the government's Fair Funding reforms will reduce Wandsworth's funding by £84m a year. Check how much your council tax is set to rise The authority claims the reduction is equivalent to its combined total annual spend on parks, libraries, leisure centres, bin collection and street cleaning. It says that new spending reforms will place "significant additional pressure on essential local services and means the council must make tough choices". 'Savage cuts' Council leader Robert Morritt, who took over the role in July, admitted that increasing council tax was not a decision he "ever wanted us to have to make", but said the announcement was being made now to ensure "local people have the maximum amount of time to adjust". He blamed the increase on "savage cuts from central government" and "a dramatic reduction" in the council's level of reserves. Commenting on the outcomes of the spending review, Mr Morritt said the council was "setting out a clear plan to protect the services residents rely on while tackling the financial challenges facing the council". He said that "difficult decisions" had been taken in a bid to help ensure that services "remain sustainable into the future". Mr Morritt added: "There are difficult choices in this report, but there are also clear priorities: cleaner streets, safer communities, stronger housing services, support for vulnerable residents and action to put the council back on a sustainable financial footing." Read more from Sky News:Baby wards to get 'cot cams' after Letby inquirySupport artists pull out of Ed Sheeran tour Peter Graham, deputy leader of Wandsworth Council and cabinet member for finance, said: "We promised that we'd be honest with residents. "Council tax will need to rise unless government thinks again. And it must think again. "We do not want to do this, and we do not take this decision lightly, but the scale of the financial pressure facing Wandsworth means additional income is now needed to protect the services people rely on." Mr Graham insisted that the council was "fighting" for a "fairer deal", and that Wandsworth should not be "punished" for "running efficient services and keeping council tax low". He added: "Our message to residents is clear: we are on your side, we are making your case, and we will keep fighting for the funding Wandsworth deserves."

Englishman Rai, who dazzled with his approach play, and Lagergren of Sweden posted scores of six-under-par 66 at Wentworth. In windy conditions, 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott also surged up the leaderboard to tie Ryan Gerard, Ludvig Åberg and Nacho Elvira for third with a score of 67. Leaderboard: Rai takes share of lead on day oneLatest DP World Tour headlines, reports and highlightsNot got Sky? Latest SkySports deals or stream with no contract on NOW📺 Race to Dubai rankings leader Patrick Reed was one of 12 players to tie for seventh place heading into day two, with Viktor Hovland, Ryan Fox and Robert MacIntyre joining him as they carded 68s. Jon Rahm endured a tough day on the course and left himself plenty to do to make the cut on Friday, after he posted three bogeys and a double-bogey in his front nine, on his way to a six-over 78. Justin Rose, who struggled with his putting, fought back from going three down through 14 holes, to end his day at one over, thanks to birdies on the 17th and 18th. Rai, who started on the ninth, came out of the blocks firing, carding back-to-back birdies on holes 10 and 11, before doing the same on 13 and 14. "I felt like I got into the round fast and got a couple of birdies early on and continued to just play well throughout the round and keep the momentum going when I was out of position," said Rai, who won the PGA Championship in the USA in May. Scott similarly got off to a fast start and made birdies in clusters, going four under through his front nine. The Australian could have joined Rai and Lagergren at the top of the leaderboard, but a wayward drive on the 17th hole cost him his only bogey of the day before he bounced back with a birdie on the 18th. "I would say that was one of my best rounds, tee to green this year," Scott said. "Not really sure why, just a nice tee shot off the first, kind of calmed any nerves and then went about my business from there. It's a nice way to play Wentworth when there's low stress. "I know I'm going to have to dig deep to hang in there this week." McIlroy comes unstuck late on It was a mixed first day for McIlroy who had a lot to be pleased about despite falling to tied-19th. He began his round on the ninth and recorded birdies on the 10th and 12th, before making further gains on holes 16, 17 and 18. McIlroy's wedges and putting were both excellent during his first 10 holes but his driving let him down, with the 37-year-old missing 10 fairways out of a possible 14 during his round. The Northern Irishman would mix in a bogey and a birdie on the third and fourth holes, before going two over par in his final three holes, notably finding the water on the eighth hole, to end his round on a sour note. "A stumble home is a good way to put it," McIlroy said, reflecting on his closing holes. "I wish I was standing here a couple of shots better. That's what I feel I should be, but overall, I saw some good signs in my game and saw some putts go in, which was encouraging compared to last week. "It's definitely a score I can build on." Who will win the BMW PGA Championship? Watch early featured groups coverage live on Sky Sports Golf on Friday from 7.30am before main coverage commences at 12pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW