William & Kate news - live: Prince’s godmother quits Palace role in racism row as couple begin Boston visit

With their three-day visit to Boston, focused on Prince William’s initiative to find the environmental entrepreneurs of a new generation, supplemented with trips to an anti-poverty program, child development researchers and local flood defenses, the couple hope to demonstrate that they aren’t the last remnants of a dying institution. Instead, Americans will see the younger face of a monarchy that is tackling important issues as it seeks to remain relevant in modern, multicultural Britain.

The visit comes less than three months after the death of Elizabeth, whose personal popularity dampened criticism of the crown during her 70-year reign. King Charles III, William’s father, has made clear that his will be a slimmed-down monarchy, with less pomp and ceremony than its predecessors.

“I think this is less about saving the Earth and more about saving the royal family,’’ Boston University professor Arianne Chernock, an expert in modern British history, said. “To be honest, we’ve seen Charles as king and his first months in that position trying to feel his way, find his way towards being a more relevant, more modern monarch. And I think we see something similar happening with William and Kate.’’

The Prince and Princess of Wales are making their first overseas trip since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September

Here she is pictured at the Prince of Wales’s confirmation in 1997.

When the royal family travels overseas, security is the top priority, and planning will have started months out from the Prince and Princess of Wales’s trip to Boston.

In the US, the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is responsible for the protection of Prince William and Princess Catherine during their three-day trip to Massachusetts, their first visit to America since 2014.

Agents from the DSS spoke with ABC News about the role of the agency and the process of arranging security for the royal couple.

“We are the law enforcement and security arm of the US Department of State and we protect the secretary of state, foreign dignitaries who are visiting the United States, foreign ministers, former heads of state, members of the royal family, in this case, as well as US citizens, athletes, corporate sponsors,” Andrew Wroblewski, the deputy assistant secretary and assistant director of the US Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) for domestic operations said.

Mr Wroblewski, who in the past has served on various protective details, said the agency has been working with the UK to firm up William and Kate’s schedule and protection strategy.

“So, whenever the Diplomatic Security Service has a visiting foreign dignitary, what we do is we assess the threat against that dignitary in the United States,” he explained.

“We have our Threat Investigations and Analysis Directorate, they’ll actually look at all source reporting from open source to classified intelligence. And we’ll make it a determination on whether or not we need to protect that person and at what level we need to provide protection.”

Matthew O’Brien who, as the assistant special agent in charge of the Boston DSS field, will be leading coverage for the visit, told ABC News preparations began in September.

The operation spans multiple jurisdictions and involves 11 law enforcement agencies, from local police to state police and the federal government.

“I’m confident in the plan we’ve we’ve built,” he told the network. “I will say that we cannot do anything without our state and local partners.”

Journalist Omid Scobie, the co-author of the 2020 book Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family, notes Buckingham Palace has been quick off the mark to respond to the allegations of racism as the Prince and Princess of Wales head to the US on their first overseas trip since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

He tweeted: “A speedy response from the Palace, who have a history of silence or denial for incidents regarding race. Lessons finally learned? Or is this just not wanting anything to overshadow the Wales' Boston visit. Arriving in the US amidst another race scandal wouldn't be the best start.”

A Black charity boss has called for anti-racism training in royal workplaces after the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting resigned for making offensive remarks during a Buckingham Palace event.

Ngozi Fulani, of Sistah Space, Britain’s leading domestic abuse charity for Black women, said she had not yet received an apology from the Palace after the “traumatic” encounter which saw Lady Susan Hussey ask her what part of Africa she was from.

“This is bigger than one individual. It’s institutional racism,” Ms Fulani told The Independent.

Exclusive: “This is bigger than one individual. It’s institutional racism,” Ngozi Fulani told The Independent

This comes as Lady Susan Hussey, the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting, resigned and apologised after she made “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” by asking Ngozi Fulani, a prominent Black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse, where she “really came from”.

Ngozi Fulani, founder of Britain’s leading domestic abuse charity for Black women, says she was left “traumatised” after she was asked racially offensive questions about her heritage at the event.

Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, detailed the conversation on Twitter, describing it as a violation’

The ceremony itself will be presided over by a starry lineup of presenters including the Prince and Princess of Wales themselves, Sir David Attenborough, American actors Rami Malek, Catherine O’Hara, Shailene Woodley and Daniel Dae Kim and British radio and TV personality Clara Amfo.

Joe Sommerlad explains the intention of the prize and how it was conceived.

Fifteen finalists in contention for five £1m grants in Boston as Prince William’s environmental honours are handed out for the second time

The Princess of Wales today backed our On The Breadline Christmas appeal in partnership with the Evening Standard to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis.

In a heartfelt message, she thanked our readers and partners for supporting our “incredibly important” appeal, which she said is making a real difference to those in need.

The Independent’s Royal Editor Robert Jobson reports.

On The Breadline: ‘The money raised will make a real difference to communities and families’