By BBC News
Staff
The Times says the Queen’s absence was “keenly felt” at Friday’s service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral.
But it suggests she will at least have had the “solace of missing the latest episode of the Sussex soap opera”, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared together for the first time at a major royal event in over two years.
The Daily Mail says Prince William and Prince Harry were “finally reunited”, but notes the two “estranged brothers” were still “painfully distant”.
“Together… yet apart” is the Mirror’s headline – published along with photographs of both royal couples – who it says appeared “ill at ease” and failed to acknowledge each other as they sat at opposite sides of the cathedral.
“Legs it” is the headline on the front page of the Sun, which claims Prince Harry and Meghan “snubbed” a party for royals and VIPs after the service, dashing back to Windsor instead.
The Telegraph points out that, for a monarch with a lifelong love of horse racing, the Archbishop of York’s address being “peppered with references to horses” was perhaps “the ultimate compliment” for the Queen. “Thank you for staying the course”, is the headline.
The Guardian says the symbolism of a great state service of thanksgiving for an absent monarch was not lost beneath the “imposing dome” of St Paul’s.
The Daily Express’ royal author Rachel Trethewey writes it was like “a West End play, but without the leading lady”, while the Financial Times sees it as a “reminder of an institution in transition”.
Meanwhile, the i reports that Conservative MPs have been warned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s allies they risk losing the next general election if they oust him. They believe Mr Johnson is the only Conservative politician who can retain the Leave-voting former Labour constituencies that the party swept up in the 2019 election.
It quotes a senior government source as saying: “If you chuck Boris, you blow the Red Wall apart.”
The online-only Independent reports that food banks expect a further surge in demand from struggling families this summer, unless the government expands support for parents over the school holidays. It says one charity in Liverpool was now considering whether it would have to cap the number of people who it can help.
The paper reports ministers have committed an extra £500m pounds to a household support fund, which allows councils to give out crisis payments, and £200m into the holiday activities and food programme.
And the Financial Times reports on what it describes as a “sobering reality” for drinkers, saying the maximum price for a pint in London is now £8, as pubs struggle to cope with spiralling inflation.
According to a survey of thousands of bars and pubs, the average price across the country is just under £4 – a rise of more than 70% since the 2008 financial crash.
The Daily Mail says it’s almost enough to make you want to cry into your beer. But there’s better news if you live in Lancashire where a pint can be bought for just £1.79.
