Harry and Meghan Markle news – live: Prince makes first public appearance since crisis, as Andrew ‘faces security downgrade’

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Rugby League World Cup becomes first global sporting tournament to launch a Mental Fitness Charter

Prince Harry has made his first public appearance since he and Meghan Markle announced their intention to step back from their roles as senior royals.

The Duke of Sussex announced the Rugby League World Cup draw at Buckingham Palace, of which he is patron. In a video promoting the tournament’s new Mental Fitness Charter, the prince said it would help challenge “grin and bear it” culture.

Meanwhile, reports suggested that the Home Office was weighing a Scotland Yard recommendation to “downgrade” Prince Andrew‘s round-the-clock security, although the final say reportedly lies with Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel.

It comes days after the Windsors held crunch talks at Sandringham. In a rare official statement, the Queen said the royal family “respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life”, split between the UK and Canada.

However, an editorial in Canada’s largest newspaper stirred controversy as it insisted the couple should not use the country as a “halfway house” while still part of the royal family, claiming it could endanger the country’s constitution.

Key Points

• Prince Andrew 'could lose round-the-clock security'
• Harry and Meghan 'can't use Canada as halfway house'
• Duke to make first public appearance since crisis
• Meghan's father could give evidence against her in court

[16 January 2020 09:57 · Andy Gregory]

Hello, and welcome to The Independent's royal family live blog, days after Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back from their roles as senior royals.

[16 January 2020 10:23 · Andy Gregory]

Prince Harry is due to announce the draw for the Rugby League World Cup at midday.

It is his last scheduled engagement before he and Meghan begin a "period of transition" to their new roles.

[16 January 2020 10:28 · Andy Gregory]

Harry promotes mental health charter

The Duke of Sussex has spoken in a video published this morning, which promotes the Rugby League World Cup's new Mental Fitness Charter.

“The perception of rugby league is that you need to be tough. You can't show your feelings, you need to grin and bear it," the prince says.

“But something like the Mental Fitness Charter will help us make real progress in getting rid of the stigma associated with mental illness, and remind people that it is not just about being physically fit but, more importantly, mentally strong.”

It is the first global sporting tournament to launch such an initiative, and will see 8,000 young rugby league players and their families have the option to attend mental health awareness workshops. Coaches will also be given training on how to develop their own mental fitness workshops outside of the tournament.

[16 January 2020 10:30 · Andy Gregory]

While Meghan is not thought to have taken part digitally in the family summit, she made her first public appearance yesterday as she visited a women's centre in Canada.

[16 January 2020 10:56 · Andy Gregory]

Meghan Markle's father 'could testify in Mail on Sunday' legal case

Thomas Markle has agreed to be a witness for the newspaper after his daughter launched legal action over an article featuring parts of a private handwritten letter she wrote to her father in August 2018, court documents filed by the paper revealed on Tuesday.

The duchess is seeking damages from Associated Newspapers for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act.

The publisher's document alleges: "The claimant's real claim in this action is transparently not that the defendant has processed her personal data without consent, which all media publishers do on a regular basis, but that she does not like the effect of what the defendant has published because she considers it to be unflattering."

[16 January 2020 11:17 · Andy Gregory]

Harry and Meghan cannot use Canada as 'halfway house' while senior royals, country's largest daily newspaper says

An editorial in The Globe and Mail has urged Justin Trudeau to stop the couple from moving to Canada, claiming their residence in the country could harm its delicate constitutional balance. 

Canada still recognises the royal family as its monarch, yet it is a highly symbolic, virtual relationship. The royals have only representatives in Canada, who perform duties like opening parliament and giving royal assent to new laws.

"The Sussexes are working out their own personal issues, and Canadians wish them the best of luck," the editorial said. "Canada welcomes people of all faiths, nationalities and races, but if you’re a senior member of our Royal Family, this country cannot become your home.

"The government should make that clear. There can be no Earl Sussex of Rosedale and no Prince Harry of Point Grey. Canada is not a halfway house for anyone looking to get out of Britain while remaining a royal."

[16 January 2020 11:29 · Andy Gregory]

Prince Andrew 'could be stripped of round-the-clock police protection'

The Home Office is recommending a major downgrade of the Duke of York's security in the wake of his forced withdrawal from public life, senior sources have told the Evening Standard.

The final decision lies with Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel, following a review by the Met Police, in which "conclusions have been reached and recommendations made”, the paper was told.

Prince Andrew's fate reportedly lies in PM's hands. Credit: Chris Jackson/- WPA Pool/Getty Images 

[16 January 2020 11:37 · Andy Gregory]

The Duke of Sussex has joined rugby league players from across the globe at Buckingham Palace as he hosts the Rugby League World Cup 2021 draw.

The duke, who wore a suit, smiled and joked when he was welcomed by the RLW2021's chief executive officer Jon Dutton and its non-executive director Stuart Cain in the palace gardens, according to PA.

Harry is due to announce the draw at midday.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images 

[16 January 2020 11:45 · Andy Gregory]

The duke is set to begin the draw in 15 minutes. You should be able to watch live below:

[16 January 2020 12:16 · Andy Gregory]

Meghan visits Justice for Girls charity in Vancouver

On Tuesday, Meghan was pictured in Vancouver visiting the Justice for Girls group, which advocates for social justice for young women, focusing on issues such as violence, poverty and racism, Olivia Petter reports.

The organisation tweeted two photographs from the occasion, showing the 38-year-old drinking hot beverages with the group’s young members.

During the meeting, Meghan is said to have spoken about climate change and empowering young women.

Credit: Handout / Justice for Girls / AFP 

The photographs of Meghan at the charity come after it was revealed she had paid a visit to another women’s organisation the same day - the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, which provides a “safe space for women and children” in the area.