Good evening. The Prince and Princess of Wales are on the first full day of their US tour, but it was a one-minute trailer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's new Netflix show that has caused frustration. Our royal correspondent breaks it down, frame by frame. But, first, the headlines...
Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines
Scottish turmoil | Mutinous SNP MPs have forced Ian Blackford to quit as the party's Westminster leader in a major challenge to Nicola Sturgeon's authority and independence strategy. The loyal ally of the First Minister today announced that he would not re-stand for the post. Scottish political editor Simon Johnson reports on the clear favourite to be appointed the new Westminster leader next week.
- Ukraine | 'Massive attack imminent' amid high Russian activity
- State banquet | Biden hosts Macron after tensions erupt
- Blow for Sunak | Tory voters 'turning to Reform UK', poll shows
- Giant mudslide | Motorway wiped out by torrent – pictures
- Watch | Angry pedestrians hurl abuse at Just Stop Oil protest
The big story: Sussexes threaten to derail royal visit
On day one, a royal racism row back home threatened to derail the Prince and Princess of Wales's visit to the US. On day two, it was Harry and Meghan.
But the royal couple appeared determined to keep the show on the road as they turned out for the first engagement of the day at Greentown Labs, a climate tech hub, today.
The first full day of the trip was designed to focus on communities and local people across Boston. However, the royal couple and their Kensington Palace aides were caught unawares by the release of the first trailer for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Netflix documentary.
While the racism row involving the Prince's godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, on Wednesday was considered unfortunate timing and beyond anyone's control, the release of the slick, dramatic trailer, is likely to have been months in the planning.
Victoria Ward, our royal correspondent in Boston for the trip, reports that it is understood to have caused frustration in the Wales camp as they battle to keep the focus on the upcoming Earthshot Awards and the carefully planned engagements scheduled throughout the day.
The first trailer for the Sussexes' Netflix documentary speaks volumes about what the couple have to say and how they want to be seen.
Viewers are left in no doubt that the six-part series will be dramatic. It will offer revelations about the Royal family, the pain the couple have endured and give an insight into their personal lives.
The brief clip contains many, never-before-seen images of the couple together alone, on holiday, at home and crucially, away from the media. We break down the trailer, frame by frame, to ascertain what viewers can expect.
'I didn't want royal aide to quit'
The woman at the centre of a Buckingham Palace racism row has insisted that she did not want a senior lady-in-waiting to step down.
Lady Susan Hussey resigned yesterday after "interrogating" a black, British-born domestic violence campaigner by repeatedly asking where she was "really" from at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort.
Ngozi Fulani, the director of the east London charity Sistah Space, described the encounter as being "like an interrogation".
It led to the end of a long career for Lady Hussey, 83, who served as Queen Elizabeth's lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years and is a godmother to the Prince of Wales.
Meanwhile, a former chief crown prosecutor today revealed that Lady Hussey asked him about his "heritage" too at the same event.
Princess's sartorial diplomacy
There is no style guide to navigating dress codes on overseas royal trips.
But, if there were, senior fashion editor Tamara Abraham says that the Princess of Wales (along with her longtime stylist Natasha Archer) could probably write it.
She says that, in her 11 years as a working royal, the Princess has mastered the art of sartorial diplomacy. Tamara explains what she is telling us through her wardrobe choices in Boston so far.
Comment and analysis
- Robert Taylor | Sunak's only hope of winning next election
- Con Coughlin | Vladimir Putin's axis of evil is crumbling fast
- Ben Marlow | Cull of puffed-up tech unicorns has only begun
- Michael Deacon | Young are the real victims of cancel culture
- Jemima Lewis | We shouldn't be so uneasy about our customs
World news: China's zero-Covid policy on brink
China has signalled that quarantine and testing requirements will be relaxed and a vaccine push for elderly people will be rolled out, in a sign that President Xi Jinping's zero-Covid policy may be on the verge of collapse. The move to loosen restrictions that have continued long after the rest of the world opened up come after protests calling for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedom. Meanwhile, the man who led calls for Xi Jinping to step down has not been seen since he was arrested on Sunday. Eva Rammeloo has our dispatch from Shanghai.
Thursday interview: 'Rock'n'roll is an endangered species'
Razorlight imploded at the height of their fame – now re-formed, and with a greatest-hits album being released soon, frontman Johnny Borrell tells Chris Harvey what happened. Read the interview
Sport briefing: England's stunning first day in Pakistan
England's attacking brand of cricket reached new heights as centuries from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook powered the visitors to the highest run total ever on day one of a Test in Pakistan. Nick Hoult has our report from Rawalpindi and Scyld Berry's analysis details the unprecedented onslaught. In Qatar, Croatia and Belgium drew 0-0. Read our match report and all our World Cup coverage.
Editor's choice
- New drug | 'Alzheimer's left us bereft – now a medical trial gives us hope'
- Virtuous veggies | The six British 'superfoods' growing right under your nose
- Alpaca attacks and tipsy ponies | Confessions of a rural party-goer
Business briefing: Rising cost of going electric
Electric cars will cost as much to run as petrol vehicles once green motorists are hit by a fresh wave of government tax rises. New figures have shown that plans to force electric vehicle drivers to pay road tax from 2025 will make them as expensive to run as petrol cars. In retail, high street retailer Next has secured a last-minute deal to buy Joules, after gazumping the South African group behind Hobbs and Whistles.
Tonight starts now
Reimagining parties | After a three-year hiatus, the work Christmas party is back. For proof, look no further than David Beckham, who missed England's match against Wales to fly home from Qatar and attend his wife Victoria's company do at her store in central London. And, this December, it will be greener and meaner than ever as companies look to signal their eco-consciousness while also quietly cutting back amid soaring inflation. From sober Gen Z employees to TikTok etiquette, Rosa Silverman explains how to navigate the post-pandemic festive bash.
Three things for you
- Watch | TV: The English, BBC Two, 9pm – and more listings
- Review | 'A pioneering Othello – but woeful verse-speaking'
- Book | Travel: Rise of Italy's hamlet hotels – and five of the best
And finally... for this evening's downtime
'I realised my feelings were normal – I wasn't going crazy' | Action for Children is one of four good causes supported by this year's Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal. Yolanthe Fawehinmi reports on the pioneering scheme that is teaching school children CBT techniques to help them master their moods.
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