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Category: UK
March 31, 2025
News
UK

Britain Enacts ‘Two-Tier’ Justice System, Prioritizing Bail for Ethnic Minorities.

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❓What Happened: New Ministry of Justice guidelines prioritizing ethnic minority, transgender, and female suspects for bail in Britain have sparked debate over “two-tier” justice.

👥 Who’s Involved: Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, and the Sentencing Council.

📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, guidelines effective from Tuesday following publication of new guidance in January.

💬 Key Quote: Robert Jenrick criticized the opposition, saying, “Labour tried to hoodwink the public that they opposed ‘two-tier justice,’ but this proves they are peddling it.”

⚠️ Impact: A move to amend the guidelines is in progress, with potential legal changes expected. However, officials acknowledge the guidelines will still be implemented as planned.

IN FULL:

Britain’s Ministry of Justice has enacted new sentencing guidelines prioritizing bail for ethnic minorities, transgenders, and women. The guidelines, issued in January, instruct judges and magistrates to consider the potential “trauma” experienced by suspects from minority backgrounds, fueling more accusations of two-tier policing and justice.

Robert Jenrick, Shadow Justice Secretary for the Conservative Party, criticized the move, stating that the endorsement of a potentially biased judicial framework undermined claims of impartiality. “Labour tried to hoodwink the public that they opposed ‘two-tier justice,’ but this proves they are peddling it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice maintains that these guidelines were initially introduced under the previous Conservative government, pledging to reassess current court procedures to ensure equitable judicial practices.

Critics have labeled the guidance as creating a two-tier judicial system, one that would favor minorities over white men in particular. The current leftist Labour Party government has already been accused multiple times in the recent past of supporting two-tier policing, with native Britons treated far worse than their migration-background counterparts.

During riots last year following the murder of three children in Southport, England, many protestors were sentenced to years in prison. Meanwhile, police made excuses for Muslim counter-rioters in Birmingham and the relative lack of police presence, claiming they thought the Muslim community could police itself.

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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March 31, 2025
Education
UK

Toddler Expelled From Nursery Over Alleged Transphobic Behavior.

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❓What Happened: A nursery-aged child was suspended from a state school, accused of transphobia, leading to significant backlash.

👥 Who’s Involved: Britain’s Department for Education, the Sex Matters advocacy group, and the Free Speech Union.

📍 Where & When: United Kingdom, during the 2022-23 academic year.

💬 Key Quote: Helen Joyce criticized the suspension, calling it “insanity” and accused teachers of imposing adult beliefs on children.

⚠️ Impact: A rise in suspensions related to alleged transphobia and homophobia has been noted, stirring public debate about gender ideology in education.

IN FULL:

The suspension of a nursery-aged child accused of transphobia from a British state school has ignited debates among educators, parents, and free speech proponents. The child, according to data from the Department of Education, was suspended during the 2022-2023 academic year for “abuse against sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Helen Joyce, advocacy director at Sex Matters, sharply criticized the suspension, labeling it “insanity.” Joyce argued that such punitive measures reflect the extreme nature of gender ideology, emphasizing that young children should not bear the brunt of adult beliefs and concepts. She contended this occurrence is not isolated, with further data revealing that 94 pupils faced similar disciplinary measures for supposed transphobic or homophobic behavior.

The figures highlight an increase in such suspensions, escalating from 164 cases in 2021-22 to 178 in 2022-23. The categorization of these offenses began in the 2020-21 academic year, painting a year-on-year rise in incidents.

Lord Toby Young—director of the Free Speech Union—expressed exasperation at the ideological rigidity and extremism that would lead educators to punish toddlers for perceived gender bias. “I would have thought that if your ideology is so rigid it justifies you punishing toddlers for not complying with it, that’s a powerful argument for discarding it in favor of something less dogmatic,” he said in a recent media interview.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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March 31, 2025
Culture
Religion
UK

Britain’s State Broadcaster Just Aired an Eid Ceremony for the First Time.

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❓What Happened: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcasted a live Eid service from a mosque on British terrestrial TV for the first time.

👥 Who’s Involved: The BBC host Jason Mohammad, Firecracker Scotland, Amplify Consulting, Daisy Scalchi, and Aaqil Ahmed.

📍 Where & When: Bradford Central Mosque, during the morning of Eid.

💬 Key Quote: Daisy Scalchi stated, “This feels like it is absolutely the right moment to be doing something loudly and proudly, celebrating this key moment in the calendar.”

⚠️ Impact: This marks a historic broadcast, as Islam continues to gain cultural dominance despite widespread anti-mass migration protests, sometimes aimed against mosques, last year.

IN FULL:

The BBC, funded by a compulsory television license, has made history by airing a live Eid service from a mosque on British terrestrial television for the first time. The program, Eid Live, was broadcast from Bradford Central Mosque. The city’s demographics have been transformed by Islamic immigration in recent decades.

The broadcast was part of the BBC’s ongoing Faith and Hope season, designed to promote “inclusive” programming. As part of the celebration, an additional show, Celebrity Eid, will bring together prominent Muslim figures and non-Muslims later in the day.

Daisy Scalchi, responsible for religious content commissioning at the BBC, expressed surprise that such a broadcast had not occurred earlier. The initiative is part of a broader BBC effort to enhance religious output, and Scalchi highlighted collaborations with departments like BBC Children’s and BBC Sounds to enrich their religious programming. Firecracker Scotland, in collaboration with Amplify Consulting, is producing the Eid content.

Bradford is currently being celebrated as the UK City of Culture—a controversial decision, with Bradford having been a hotbed for so-called “grooming gangs,” comprised primarily of Muslim men who drug, rape, and pimp mostly white working-class girls.

Image by Time Green.

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March 31, 2025
Crime
Immigration
UK

‘Turkish’ Barber Shops Raided in Drug Money Laundering Crackdown.

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❓What Happened: Authorities in the United Kingdom have conducted raids on several barber shops allegedly involved in laundering drug money. Tens of thousands of pounds have been seized.

👥 Who’s Involved: The National Crime Agency (NCA) is spearheading the operation with support from local police, immigration officials, and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

📍 Where & When: Raids occurred over the past month across multiple British towns and cities.

💬 Key Quote: “Intelligence linking the use of barber shops, as well as other cash-intensive businesses, to money laundering and other criminality has risen in recent years,” noted an NCA spokesman.

⚠️ Impact: The raids aim to curb criminal activity linked to organized crime through increased scrutiny of cash-intensive enterprises such as barber shops.

IN FULL:

British authorities have launched a series of raids on “Turkish” barber shops suspected of money laundering and other illicit activities. Led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the operations have recovered tens of thousands of pounds from various shops across the country over the past month.

Barber shops, most often labeled as “Turkish” but managed by individuals of different nationalities, are being scrutinized for their cash-only operations. These shops reportedly serve as fronts for money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal employment of migrants. In some instances, inspectors have observed a discrepancy between the declared earnings and the customer activity, noting that multiple barber shops on the same street were reporting high income despite appearing empty.

The proliferation of barber shops in Britain has been noteworthy, with over 750 outlets opening last year alone. There are currently more than 18,000 barber shops across the country, a 15 percent rise since 2018. Intelligence linking cash-intensive businesses like barber shops to organized crime has recently increased.

The growing preponderance of barber shops, vape shops, phone repair stores, and other questionably viable businesses on British streets, usually run by migration-background operators, and the likelihood they are fronts for criminal enterprises has become a significant talking point among the online right.

In 2022, Hewa Rehimpur, a former London barber involved in a human smuggling network, was apprehended for trafficking offenses. This pan-European ring allegedly trafficked thousands of migrants to the United Kingdom on small boats across the English Channel. Rehimpur is now serving an 11-year sentence in Belgium following his extradition and trial.

Image via National Crime Agency. 

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March 31, 2025
Health
UK

1 in 4 Brits Are Now ‘Disabled.’

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❓What Happened: The number of people in the United Kingdom reporting disabilities has surged, alongside an increase in severe mental health conditions.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Labour Members of Parliament (MPs), the Department for Work and Pensions, and mental health charity Mind.

📍 Where & When: The United Kingdom, with recent statistics released and policy changes announced this week.

💬 Key Quote: “This Government is increasing investment in mental health care by an extra £320 million in real terms,” a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman stated.

⚠️ Impact: Changes to disability benefits are projected to place 250,000 more individuals into relative poverty despite overall spending increases on disability benefits.

IN FULL

A significant rise in self-reported disabilities has been recorded in the United Kingdom, with one in four Britons now identifying as disabled. The increase is largely attributed to an escalating crisis in mental health, a situation compounded by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Recent statistics reveal that two million more people now report substantial impairments—either physical or mental—that affect daily life.

The developments follow Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement of substantial modifications to the welfare system. The aim is to secure £5 billion (~$6.4 billion) in savings by 2030. As part of the plan, disability benefits will see significant cuts. Universal credit health benefits for future claimants are set to be halved by 2026 and subsequently frozen until the end of the decade. Protests have emerged from both charities and more than 150,000 individuals facing the loss of their carers’ allowance.

Some MPs from the governing Labour Party are voicing strong opposition to these cuts. Government calculations suggest 250,000 more people may enter into poverty as a result of the austerity measures. Meanwhile, disability benefit expenditures are forecast to soar, rising from £36 billion last year to £59 billion in the next five years, despite the cost-saving strategies.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions highlights a 40 percent increase over the last decade in those deemed to have disabilities, with 16.8 million people currently classified as such. Approximately 5.8 million individuals possess mental health conditions severe enough to qualify as disabilities. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has highlighted concerns over “overdiagnosis” of mental health issues.

Image by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street.

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March 29, 2025
1A
TECH
UK

UK Govt Tries to Force Foreign Companies to Curtail Free Speech.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The United Kingdom’s (UK) government is enforcing its Online Safety Act 2023 globally, targeting foreign platforms like Gab and Kiwi Farms to comply with its online safety standards. Gab refuses to comply, facing potential penalties.

👥 Who’s Involved: The British government; U.S. social platform Gab and forum Kiwi Farms; the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom); Gab CEO Andrew Torba; the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer; and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍 Where & When: The enforcement has started internationally in 2023; a specific notice was sent on March 26, 2025, for Gab to reply bizarelly by March 16.

💬 Key Quote: Gab’s statement declares, “We will not pay one cent,” emphasizing the refusal to comply with UK demands.

⚠️ Impact: The UK’s law attempt sets a precedent that could affect global platforms, leading to potential international trade retaliation and impacting the future of free expression online.

IN FULL:

The British government’s Online Safety Act 2023 is extending its reach beyond the country’s borders by asserting compliance demands on foreign-based platforms. Notable among these platforms are Gab and Kiwi Farms, both vocal advocates of free speech.

Critics argue that this campaign, under the guise of “online safety,” represents a form of government control over thought. The National Pulse previously reported that U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance called out Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to his face for the “infringements on free speech” in the United Kingdom, as he pledged he would do in an exclusive interview with Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, in February.

Gab, an American company dedicated to First Amendment rights, is directly challenging the UK’s demands. The British Office of Communications (Ofcom) has threatened significant penalties against Gab, potentially amounting to £18 million (over $23 million USD) or 10 percent of worldwide revenue, for non-compliance with British regulations. In response, Gab has approached the United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and the Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking trade-related actions against the UK.

Gab CEO Andrew Torba has made the company’s position clear by publicly rejecting the demands. “We will not comply. We will not pay one cent,” Torba wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added, “We will defend our UK users’ right to speak freely and reject any law that compels censorship.”

A notice from Ofcom to Gab, issued on March 26, 2025, gave an impossible deadline of March 16, which Gab used to underscore its criticism of the oversight’s perceived arbitrary nature.

On a similar note, Kiwi Farms, known for its unmoderated content, has responded by cautioning UK visitors about the potential loss of privacy. The site warns users that British authorities could monitor their online actions without IP masking services like Cloudflare. It advises using VPNs or Tor and explicitly states its rejection of foreign censorship.

Supporters of free speech have criticized the Online Safety Act as part of broader efforts to control dissent online. Gab warns that yielding to such efforts could risk similar impacts across U.S. tech companies.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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March 28, 2025
UK

Farage Launches Local Election Campaign With Themes of Deportations, DOGE, and Tax Cuts.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Nigel Farage launched Reform UK’s largest-ever local election campaign, announcing a full slate of candidates across the country for the May 1st vote, and torching both the Conservative Party and Britain’s bloated public institutions.

👤 Who Was Involved: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, party chairman Richard Tice, and a packed crowd of supporters. Targets included the Conservative Party, the civil service, Net Zero agenda, teaching unions, and the Labour opposition.

💬 Key Quotes:

  • “We genuinely are the party of the working man and woman.”

  • “There will be no more work from home for anybody in the civil service.”

  • “We will… go to war with the left-wing teaching unions.”

  • “Steel is not just an ordinary commodity. It is a vital strategic asset.”

  • “Only Reform can fix it.”

📉 Fallout: Farage confirmed Reform’s intent to leave the European Court on Human Rights (ECHR), repeal the Human Rights Act, and stop illegal immigration. He pledged to scrap inheritance tax on farms, raise the income tax threshold to £20,000, and gut the public sector—starting with the civil service’s remote work culture. He also promised to abolish Net Zero, citing the collapse of British steel production as proof of its failure.

📍 Where: Birmingham, England.

🧭 Significance: Farage positioned Reform UK as the only credible opposition to Labour and declared the Conservatives unfit for purpose. With bold tax pledges, anti-globalist rhetoric, and sweeping reforms, he laid the groundwork for a political insurgency aimed squarely at Britain’s ruling class.

IN FULL:

At a raucous rally in Birmingham, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled what he called the “most ambitious launch ever for a local election campaign,” confirming the insurgent party would field a full slate of candidates across the United Kingdom for the May 1st vote.

Farage confirmed Reform will contest the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, all six mayoralties, and all local races—up from just 12 percent of seats last year.

“Be in no doubt,” said Farage, “we are standing everywhere.”

The speech quickly escalated into a broader attack on the political status quo, with Farage hammering both Labour and the Tories as weak, wasteful, and ideologically captured. He expressed outrage that “five and a half million people… have been denied their vote” due to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s authoritarian cancellation of elections, but declared that Reform would “concentrate on the cards we have been dealt.”

Farage reaffirmed the party’s signature platform: withdrawing from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), repealing the Human Rights Act, deporting foreign criminals, and ending illegal migration. He also doubled down on economic nationalism, warning that the departure of British billionaire Lakshmi Mittal—and projections that half a million top taxpayers will leave by 2028—spells disaster.

“If the richest leave, the poorest have to pay more,” Farage said, outlining bold tax reforms, including eliminating inheritance tax on family farms and raising the income tax threshold to £20,000, calling it “vital” for working Britons.

“I reiterate that on the national stage we are the only party that will leave the ECHR, repeal the Human Rights Act, genuinely stop the boats and deport foreign criminals. I confirm that on taxation we will remove inheritance tax on farms and in so doing save British family farms.”

– Nigel Farage, March 2025.

Anticipating media backlash over how to fund it, Farage introduced a new acronym for the UK, mirroring Elon Musk’s efforts in America: DOGE—“no more work from home for anybody in the civil service.” He insisted that the public sector must be dramatically reduced.

Farage then turned fire on Net Zero carbon energy policies, calling them a “ludicrous, self-defeating act of economic unilateralism.” He cited the near-certain closure of Scunthorpe’s steelworks—Britain’s last primary steel plant—as evidence of national decline.

“Steel is not just an ordinary commodity. It is a vital strategic asset,” he declared.

The rally took a cultural turn as Farage slammed the National Education Union and what he called its “Marxist boss,” accusing it of “poisoning the minds of young people.” He vowed to “go to war with the left-wing teaching unions” if Reform enters government.

Positioning Reform as the true opposition, Farage declared: “We have massive opportunities here to replace the Conservative Party as the party of opposition to the Labour government.”

“You’ll wake up on May 2nd very surprised by how well we’ve done.”

Armed with 3,000 FOI requests and data on local government debt and waste, Farage’s closing line was blunt: “Local government in Britain is broken. Only Reform can fix it.”

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March 28, 2025
News
UK
War
World

Britain’s Prime Minister is Trying to Derail Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: European leaders discussed the need for progress on a ceasefire in Ukraine and opposed easing sanctions on Russia.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Vladimir Putin, leaders from the UK, France, Germany, NATO, and the EU.

📍 Where & When: Talks took place in Paris, with military strategy discussions occurring in London.

💬 Key Quote: “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” Sir Keir Starmer said.

⚠️ Impact: Increased international pressure on Russia to engage seriously in peace talks and potential deployment of European forces if an agreement is reached.

IN FULL:

According to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European leaders have agreed on the necessity of imposing a deadline for Russian progress toward a ceasefire in Ukraine. The decision follows a significant meeting in Paris, where France, Germany, and the United Kingdom vowed to bolster their support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Starmer emphasized that European allies must maintain pressure on Russia, dismissing any immediate options to lift sanctions. “We should be setting a framework and a deadline of delivering real progress,” he said, without specifying a concrete timeline. He stressed the urgency for advancements “in days and weeks, not months and months.”

The meeting and Sir Keir’s remarks come amid an ongoing pause in hostilities in the Black Sea, arranged through US-brokered discussions in Saudi Arabia. Top military officials from the UK, France, and Germany plan to visit Ukraine to strategize on deploying alleged peacekeeping troops in the country.

“Now is not the time for lifting sanctions,” Starmer noted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described sanctions as essential tools for leveraging Russia into serious negotiations.

French President Macron outlined the potential formation of a “reassurance force,” composed of European troops. “These reassurance forces were what was proposed by the French and British not to keep the peace… it’s not about monitoring the forces on the contact line,” Macron stated.

Current fighting continues in Ukraine, with Russia claiming that Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted the regions of Bryansk and Kursk. Moscow has stated these strikes violated an agreement to a ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street. 

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March 28, 2025
Media
News
UK

State Broadcaster Offers ‘Support’ to LGBT Staff Following Trump’s Election.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: The BBC issued a support notice for staff impacted by events following the election of U.S. President Donald Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: The BBC, particularly its LGBTQ+ staff members, received the message from the BBC Pride Board.

📍 Where & When: The notice was issued by the BBC shortly after the 2024 U.S. Presidential election results.

💬 Key Quote: “Our Pride network is here to listen and act, and you can also access confidential assistance through the Peer Support Network or the Employee Assistance Program.” — BBC memo.

⚠️ Impact: The BBC is attempting to support staff morale and provide a safe environment for discussion and support, focusing on diversity and inclusion.

IN FULL:

Following Donald J. Trump’s election as President of the United States, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) issued an emotional notice to LGBT employees. Issued by the BBC Pride Board, the announcement tried to comfort those who may have been distressed. Additionally, the message declared the corporation’s ongoing dedication to fostering a workplace that values diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.

“If you need someone to talk to or require additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our Pride network is here to listen and act, and you can also access confidential assistance through the Peer Support Network or the Employee Assistance Program,” the memo states. Further initiatives were announced to staff, including opportunities for community engagement and dialogue so staff could share their thoughts.

The memo is unsurprising from the BBC, which has a history of liberal and left-wing bias, breaching guidelines over 1,500 times in its coverage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

It is unknown whether similar memos to the BBC Pride memo were issued following the many sexual exploitation cases involving BBC employees and presenters in recent years. Last year, for example, top BBC news anchor Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to child pornography charges. He was the broadcaster’s highest-paid news anchor at the time.

Image by Matt Cornock.

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March 27, 2025
UK

King Charles Hospitalized, Cancels Upcoming Engagements.

IN BRIEF:

❓What Happened: King Charles was admitted to the hospital as part of his ongoing cancer treatment, leading to the cancellation of upcoming engagements.

👥 Who’s Involved: King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and medical staff.

📍 Where & When: London, admitted on March 27, 2025, and returned to Clarence House the same day.

💬 Key Quote: Buckingham Palace stated that the King experienced “temporary side effects that required a short period of observation” and that he is “working away as usual.”

⚠️ Impact: Engagements in Birmingham have been postponed to ensure the King’s continued recovery and well-being.

IN FULL:

The United Kingdom’s monarch, King Charles, 76, was briefly admitted to a London hospital today for observations related to his ongoing cancer treatment, leading to the cancellation of scheduled engagements. According to sources, this hospital visit was routine and tied to his treatment program, and the King is now back at Clarence House. Buckingham Palace emphasized that King Charles is in “good form” and continues his duties, although engagements in Birmingham on the following day have been postponed as a precaution to safeguard his recovery.

The King has been dealing with health issues since being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer over a year ago, managing a full schedule of public activities despite his medical condition. Buckingham Palace stated that the King experienced “temporary side effects that required a short period of observation” and that he is “working away as usual.” They added that King Charles intends to remain transparent about his health status while observing medical privacy.

Recently, King Charles had been observed carrying out various public engagements, including hosting dignitaries and unveiling commemorative plaques, while also continuing his cancer treatment. His recent activities included visits to exhibitions and state events at Buckingham Palace and Somerset House.

Buckingham Palace assured the public that the King’s traveling arrangements to and from his medical appointments remain unchanged and understated the temporary nature of the side effects experienced. The Queen did not accompany the King to the hospital, consistent with past occurrences of routine medical visits.

Charles’ medical team advised that the best course of action was to postpone upcoming events, a decision made after consultative discussions among the King, his staff, and medical experts. The canceled events included public and ceremonial duties, which the King hopes to reschedule.

Looking forward, no major disruptions to His Majesty’s schedule are anticipated. However, adjustments may be made to manage his workload as the King prepares for an upcoming state visit to Italy, ensuring that his recovery remains a priority during his engagements.

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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