The Princess of Wales has been largely absent from public life this yearGet the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the worldSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailSign up to our free Morning Headlines emailPrince Harry has spoken of his excitement at turning 40 on Sunday, as he plans to celebrate with his family in California before heading away on a break with his closest friends. In a statement to the BBC, he said: “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”He added that becoming a father to his two children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, had given him a “fresh perspective on life” and made him more committed to making the world a better place. Meanwhile, his 11-year-old nephew Prince George is following in his father’s footsteps and is already learning to fly, with reports suggesting that he took his first flight on the final day of his summer holidays. The future king reportedly “loved” his maiden flight, while Prince William and Kate watched him from the runway on the White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead. King Charles has given a rare update on his health while meeting with New Zealand’s female rugby team at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The monarch, 76, who announced that he had been diagnosed with an undisclosed type of cancer in February, expressed his regret that he would be unable to visit New Zealand too when he travels to Australia and Samoa next month.Key PointsShow latest update 1726214172Prince George takes his first flying lesson Prince George is reportedly already learning to fly and took his maiden voyage on the final day of his school summer holidays.According to The Sun, the future king “loved” his first flight, which took place on the White Waltham Airfield near Maidenhead.Reports suggest The Prince and Princess of Wales watched the 11-year-old take off from the runway with an instructor and come back to land safely just under an hour later.All three royals were then said to have relaxed at the airfield’s clubhouse before returning to their Windsor home. An eyewitness told the newspaper: “George is only 11 years old but it is the right time to start. The Royal Family has a proud tradition of flying and it looks like George is next in line.“His parents watched George take flight from the safety of the ground but he flew with an instructor and loved it.”Prince George is said to have ‘loved’ his first flying lesson (Princess Of Wales)Holly Evans13 September 2024 08:561726212704Prince Harry reveals he is ‘excited’ about milestone 40th birthdayThe Duke of Sussex reaches his milestone 40th birthday on Sunday.In a statement to the BBC, Harry said he was “excited” about reaching the milestone, saying: “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40. “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”The prince also spoke about the importance of his children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.“Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” the prince said in a statement released by his spokesperson.“Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”Prince Harry says he is ‘excited’ for 40th birthday (REUTERS)Holly Evans13 September 2024 08:311726203600Meghan Markle ‘doesn’t regret anything’Royal author Ingrid Seward said that the former actress is good at sticking by her decisions, regardless of the consequences.She told GB News: “I don’t think Meghan regrets anything. She doesn’t seem to regret the fact that she never speaks to her own father, I still find that very strange.”“She doesn’t seem to regret the fact that her first marriage failed. She doesn’t seem to regret that she’s upset the Royal Family,” Ms Seward added. “I don’t think she’s a girl that has regrets. I think that she’s very strong and very determined.”A royal expert has claimed that Meghan Markle does not experience regret in life. (Meghan Markle/Instagram)Emma Guinness13 September 2024 06:001726192800Netflix teases new Prince Harry documentaryHarry, 39, has been a keen player of the sport for years.“POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport,” the streaming giant said in a statement.“From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December.”POLO is a new documentary series that follows elite global players and offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the fast-paced world of the sport. From Archewell Productions and Boardwalk Pictures. Premiering this December. pic.twitter.com/92vu4xYW8u— Netflix (@netflix) September 9, 2024 Emma Guinness13 September 2024 03:001726182000Harry and Meghan ‘have to monetise royal connections to survive’“[The royal family], understandably, don’t trust him,” Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital. “Expect more ‘quasi-royal’ overseas tours as these seem successful. Meghan’s upcoming Netflix program is pivotal, as they desperately need the contract, which expires next year.”“Their future is in the US, not the UK,” he added. “But they obviously have to monetise their royal connections to survive.”Harry and Meghan recently completed their second unofficial tour of the year to Colombia.Harry and Meghan recently visited Colombia to ‘illuminate’ the county’s role ‘as a beacon of culture and innovation’. (via REUTERS)Emma Guinness13 September 2024 00:001726171235Prince William stresses the importance of ‘multi-national relationships’ in international defencePrince William has today stressed the importance of “multi-national relationships” in international defence while giving a speech to graduates at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell.“I do want to take this moment though, to highlight not only the importance of your achievements to date, but also that of the roles you will play in supporting the futures of your countries’ air forces.“I say ‘your countries’, as I know that in addition to our newest Royal Air Force officers on parade today, there are also officers from Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan and Uganda.“Multi-national relationships are key to international defence, security, and peace.“The relationships you have formed through training will be key in allowing you to achieve success in future roles, and enhancing the security of all our nations.”William is a graduate of the Lincolnshire base himself and received his “wings” in 2008. William gestures as he walks across the airfield at RAF Cranwell in 2008. (AP)Emma Guinness12 September 2024 21:001726160435King Charles thanks New Zealand rugby team for ‘healing’ hugKing Charles thanked the female rugby team from New Zealand for surprising him with a hug at Buckingham Palace yesterday. “I much appreciated this chance to meet you and have such a warm hug from most of you,” he said before adding, “very healing”.During the meeting, the king expressed his regret that he will not be able to visit New Zealand anytime soon “on doctor’s orders.”Thank you, @blackferns, for dropping into Buckingham Palace during your end of year tour! Last night, The King welcomed the Black Ferns rugby team ahead of their match against the Red Roses at Twickenham this weekend and received an unexpected group hug in return! 🌹 v 🖤 pic.twitter.com/07V6Br8dYB— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 12, 2024 Emma Guinness12 September 2024 18:001726153235King Charles meets President of the Federal Republic of NigeriaYesterday’s engagements also saw the king meet with New Zealand’s female rugby team at the palace, who gave the monarch an unexpected group hug. Emma Guinness12 September 2024 16:001726149635Prince William warns of ‘future threats’ during RAF speechPrince William has warned of the likelihood of the UK facing “future threats” during a speech at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell today. The heir to the throne, 42, said: “We live in a time of change and uncertainty, and you, as the future of the Royal Air Force, are the ones who will ensure that we are able to adapt and face future threats.”William is himself a former search and rescue pilot. Prince William and his father, the then prince of Wales at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire after William received his RAF wings from his father (Rui Vieira/PA) (PA Archive)Emma Guinness12 September 2024 15:001726147355Prince Harry ‘obsesses’ over public image in UK“Over the years, Prince Harry has studied all the articles written about him,” broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “He still obsesses over his public image here in the UK. He is on a mission to change public perception, desperate to be seen in glowing lights rather than the constant negative PR whirl that surrounds him.“Prince Harry… is interested in turning his public image around.”Harry’s last public visit to the UK in May was in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)Emma Guinness12 September 2024 14:22