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King Charles to resume public duties after 'progress' in cancer treatment

LONDON — Britain’s King Charles III will resume public duties next week for the first time since his cancer diagnosis almost three months ago, Buckingham Palace announced Friday.

Charles “will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation,” the palace said in a statement. The palace also revealed that the king’s medical team is “very encouraged” by the progress of his recovery but did not disclose any further details.

Joined by Queen Camilla, the king will visit an unnamed cancer center Tuesday and meet medical specialists and patients.

“This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements his majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead,” the palace said in a statement. He will also receive Japanese Emperor Naruhito for a state visit in June.

Ahead of the anniversary of Charles’ coronation May 6, he and the queen “remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year,” the statement added.

Charles, 75, has been restricting himself to private duties since being diagnosed in February with an unspecified form of cancer . Doctors discovered the cancer after the king was hospitalized with an enlarged prostate, although the palace says that he does not have prostate cancer.

The king’s “treatment program will continue” and “doctors are  sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far,” the palace said Friday. “It is early to say” how much longer the king’s medical treatment will last, it said, but his medical team is "very encouraged by the progress made so far and remain positive about the king’s continued recovery.”

Though Charles is resuming duties, “it will not be a full summer program” and “will remain subject to doctors’ advice,” it said, adding that he “is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise.”

The king’s shocking diagnosis has heralded a fragile period for Britain’s royals.

Kate, the Princess of Wales, revealed last month that she, too, was being treated for cancer . Weeks of speculation over her health and whereabouts were only fueled when her team posted a photo that had been manipulated by the princess.

Kate, 42, is receiving what her team described as preventive chemotherapy . But both she and Charles have declined to specify either what type of cancer they have or details about their prognosis.

Their convalescence has left the royals somewhat shorthanded.

Shorn of their widely popular talisman, Queen Elizabeth II, after her death in 2022, the family is also down some would-be workhorses in Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, as well as Prince Andrew.

Kensington Palace said that Kate would return to the public eye after Easter, although that public holiday has come and gone with little sign of the princess.

Unlike Kate, who has not made an official public appearance since late December, Charles returned to the public eye at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor last month. “You’re very brave to stand out here in the cold,” he told members of the crowd as he greeted well-wishers on what was a chilly day.

Nevertheless, the king has been frustrated with the length of time his recovery is taking, according to his nephew Peter Phillips.

The saga has also highlighted a disconnect between the royals’ expectation of privacy and demands by the public for information and accountability from the institution they help fund.

The king has received some praise for revealing his cancer diagnosis at all, a level of candor that was markedly absent when it came to royals past. Charles’ grandfather King George VI died from a lung cancer that was kept from the public, press and perhaps even the monarch himself.

Charles said he wanted to go public about his treatment to encourage other men to get themselves checked. And the page for “enlarged prostate” on the website of Britain’s National Health Service received 11 times more traffic following his announcement, the National Health Service said.

However, some doctors and other medical commentators questioned the wisdom of keeping the specific type of cancer secret: How are people supposed to get themselves checked out for a disease that has myriad different forms and symptoms?

Charles’ swift diagnosis and treatment have also highlighted the dilapidated state of the NHS itself, a taxpayer-funded institution that’s historically been a source of pride for Brits, thanks to it being universally free at the point of access. Years of budget cuts mean the NHS is creaking, and waiting times and survival rates for cancers across the board have slipped in comparison with other countries.

Alexander Smith is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital based in London.

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King Charles to Return to Public Duties as Palace Shares Major Update on His Health amid Cancer Treatment

The King, 75, will visit a cancer treatment center with Queen Camilla as the palace says he is "greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties"

Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.

King Charles is gearing up for a return to public-facing royal duties after revealing his cancer diagnosis in February.

Buckingham Palace shared an encouraging update about the monarch's health on April 26, announcing that King Charles, 75, will visit a cancer treatment center to meet medical specialists and patients with Queen Camilla , 76, on April 30. It's understood that the center has not been directly involved with the King's medical care.

The palace added that the outing will be the first of several engagements planned for the King in the coming weeks, including hosting a state visit at Buckingham Palace for the Emperor and Empress of Japan in late June.

After beginning cancer treatment, King Charles postponed public duties but continued to work behind the scenes and undertake meetings including small audiences at Buckingham Palace . However, a royal source previously told PEOPLE that the monarch's desire to work was "wholly undiminished" with his nephew Peter Phillips revealing in an interview that his uncle was "frustrated" by his limitations .

Buckingham Palace/PA Wire 

“He is always pushing, his staff and everybody and his doctors and nurses to be able to say, 'Actually, can I do this? Can I do that?' " Peter said. “So the overriding message would be that he's obviously very keen to get back to a form of normality. And he's probably frustrated that, recovery is taking a little longer than probably he would want it to."

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that King Charles' cancer treatment will continue, but "doctors are sufficiently pleased with the progress made so far that The King is now able to resume a number of public-facing duties."

Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The King will continue all official state business and select audiences in addition to adding public outings to his agenda, but he will not have a full summer schedule, according to the palace. His appearance at Trooping the Colour , the annual celebration and parade marking the British monarch's birthday in London, on June 15 is still unconfirmed, in addition to other highlights on the royal calendar such as Royal Ascot in June and palace garden parties in May.

"Any public-facing engagements will be announced nearer the time in the usual way and will remain subject to doctors’ advice," the palace spokesperson said.

"His Majesty is greatly encouraged to be resuming some public-facing duties and very grateful to his medical team for their continued care and expertise," the spokesperson added.

Hollie Adams - WPA Pool/Getty 

The latest health announcement was accompanied by a new portrait of King Charles and Queen Camilla, taken to mark the first anniversary of the coronation approaching on May 6. The snap was taken in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on the morning of April 10, the day after the couple's 19th wedding anniversary , by portrait photographer Millie Pilkington.

Pilkington also got behind the camera last year to snap the official birthday pictures of Kate Middleton and Prince William 's three children, Prince George ,  Princess Charlotte  and  Prince Louis . She also snapped the image of the Prince of Wales surrounded by his sons and daughter that was released last year to celebrate Father's Day.

King Charles was most recently seen spending time with Queen Camilla in Scotland. On April 21, what would have been  Queen Elizabeth 's 98th birthday, the couple were photographed in a car after attending church at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle, where the royal family traditionally gathers in the summer months.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?  Sign up for our free Royals newsletter  to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The sovereign  made his first major public appearance since his cancer revelation at Easter. After attending a church service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla and other members of the royal family, he greeted well-wishers outside by shaking hands and wishing them a happy holiday.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

A royal source told PEOPLE last month that King Charles was " progressing well " in his cancer treatment and there is an "amplified confidence" amid the sophisticated treatment receiving.

"He is positive, the doctors are optimistic," the source said.

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King Charles Will Return to Royal Duties With a Visit to a Cancer Center

By Erin Vanderhoof

Nearly three months after announcing a cancer diagnosis , King Charles III is getting ready to return to royal duties. On Friday, Buckingham Palace announced that he would return to public engagements next week, and his first event will be a trip to a medical clinic focused on cancer with Queen Camilla.

“His Majesty The King will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis,” the palace statement read. “To help mark this milestone, The King and Queen will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center next Tuesday, where they will meet medical specialists and patients. This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead.” These engagements will include a state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, set to take place in June.

The announcement came alongside the release of a new official portrait of the couple on their 19th wedding anniversary on April 10. Taken by Millie Pilkington, it shows the king and queen walking in the gardens at Buckingham Palace. The palace statement also mentioned the upcoming anniversary of King Charles’s 2023 coronation and thanked the public for their support since the big event. “As the first anniversary of The Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year,” it read.

The king said that he would be taking a break from public duties when he announced his diagnosis with an unspecified form of cancer on February 5. The cancer was discovered during a workup for a procedure to treat benign prostate cancer at the London Clinic, though Vanity Fair confirmed at the time that the king was not suffering from prostate cancer. Though the king did not conduct any public engagement while he was undergoing outpatient treatment, he did continue to receive his daily red box delivery of government papers and also hosted small meetings at Buckingham Palace.

Earlier this week, V.F. reported that king had planned to resume public duties as soon as next month and that his treatment was going well “At the moment HRH is doing very well and responding very well to treatment,” the source said. “He is very keen to get back to public-facing duties before June if he can. He is doing well but is frustrated more than anything else that he has had to take time off. He is being a good patient but not always a patient one.”

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How Manchester celebrated royal visits to the city over the years

Henry Hochland takes a look back at the many popular visits to the city by the Queen and other members of the family

• 11:23, 24 OCT 2016

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Royal visits have always been a time of celebration in Manchester.

Crowds turned out in force to welcome William and Kate , the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to the city last week – and it was just the same in the 1950s and early 1960s.

Even rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of well-wishers waiting to greet the Queen when she visited the region in October 1954. Umbrellas were the order of the day in Albert Square, Manchester, as our photograph shows.

It was raining too on Coronation Day on 2nd June, 1953, but again Manchester celebrated in style. City streets were decked out with flags and bunting. Prams and pedestrians in Pinnington Road, Gorton North, gave way to tables laden with post-war treats. It certainly helped that sweet rationing had been lifted a few months before.

Many districts of Manchester were still recovering from war damage at the time of the Coronation, but community spirit ensured streets looked their best for the big day.

Matters were more formal when the Queen Mother, then the Queen, re-opened the Free Trade Hall in November 1951 after it was damaged in the Manchester Blitz of 1940. King George VI did not attend what was a landmark occasion. The Free Trade Hall was Manchester’s premier concert venue until the construction of the Bridgewater Hall in 1996. Readers will have fond memories of the bands that played there.

Radiance and warmth shine out of the photograph of the Queen waving goodbye to Manchester in March 1965. During her time in the city, the Queen visited Manchester Grammar School and the Mather and Platt works.

Also pictured is Princess Margaret, complete with fur coat and hat, on her visit to Manchester in 1953.

Pictures like these and many more like them from the M.E.N. archive are now available in a new book that aims to capture the spirit of Manchester in the post-war years. Around Manchester in the 1950s, by local author Clive Hardy, contains more than 160 pages focusing on every aspect of life in Manchester from music to football, from trains to planes and automobiles, from work to fun and leisure, from the movies to the magic of Belle Vue.

Around Manchester in the 1950s, published by Manchester-based business iNostalgia, normally retails at £19.99 plus P&P, but M.E.N. readers can purchase it at the special price of £14.99 plus P&P. Just go to inostalgia.co.uk to place your order.

As a special bonus, for one week only, iNostalgia will give you the chance to record your name, or the name of a friend or loved one, in a dedicated section of the new book. So if the 1950s are special to you and you want to preserve that memory by seeing a name in print, just fill in your name on the website.

• Around Manchester in the 1950s (ISBN 978-1-84547-242-9) by Clive Hardy, 160pp, publishes in November for £19.99 plus P&P.
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King Charles III is returning to royal duties after his cancer diagnosis

Lauren Frayer

Britain's King Charles III (center), next to Queen Camilla, waves as they arrive at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on March 31. Hollie Adams/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Britain's King Charles III (center), next to Queen Camilla, waves as they arrive at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on March 31.

LONDON — King Charles III is returning to royal duty.

In a statement sent to journalists Friday, Buckingham Palace said the king "will shortly return to public-facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his recent cancer diagnosis."

It did not say Charles has been cured or whether he has finished his treatment. It has never disclosed what type or stage of cancer he was diagnosed with. He began unspecified treatment in early February.

King Charles is being treated for cancer

To help mark what it called a "milestone" of his return, it said King Charles and Queen Camilla will make a visit next Tuesday to a cancer treatment center, where they'll meet with medical specialists and patients. "This visit will be the first in a number of external engagements His Majesty will undertake in the weeks ahead," the statement said.

The palace added that the king and queen will host the emperor and empress of Japan for a state visit to Buckingham Palace in June.

Princess Kate's cancer triggers public shock, sympathy — and shame on the tabloids

King Charles began cancer treatment just weeks before his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, did the same. She began chemotherapy in late February, but her diagnosis wasn't made public until last month, after months of tabloid scrutiny about her whereabouts, and the publication of a family photo the princess says she altered. The palace has not disclosed the type or stage of her cancer either.

Charles' reign began with the September 2022 death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II , who was on the throne longer than any other British monarch. Charles' coronation happened eight months later, in May 2023.

Friday's statement from Buckingham Palace concludes: "As the first anniversary of The Coronation approaches, Their Majesties remain deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year."

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Prince Harry returning to UK for first time since visiting King Charles following his cancer diagnosis

The Duke of Sussex is due to visit the UK in May for the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time.

Sunday 28 April 2024 13:07, UK

Prince Harry is returning to the UK next month for the first time since his rushed visit to see the King after his cancer diagnosis. 

The Duke of Sussex will attend a ceremony on 8 May marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games .

The service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral is the first major event he has attended in Britain for some time.

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It is not known if any other royals will be in attendance at the service, or if the Duchess of Sussex or the couple's children will be in the UK.

Harry made a brief trip to the UK in February, spending about 45 minutes with his father , who had just started treatment for cancer.

Read more: Prince Harry officially declares US his new home King Charles to return to public-facing duties

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The duke is expected to provide a reading at the event, which marks a decade since the inaugural Invictus Games in London in 2014.

The games were founded as a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

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Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.

Representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.

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Memorable visits Queen Elizabeth II made to Manchester during her reign

In good times and bad, Queen Elizabeth II always made time to visit the people of Manchester

During her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II always made time for Manchester.

The monarch made a number of memorable visits to the city during her record-breaking reign, which saw her spend seven decades on the throne – the longest of any reigning monarch in British history.

Celebrating Manchester’s historic moments and offering her sympathies in tough times, from walking the infamous Coronation Street cobbles to visiting injured children who had been hospitalised by the Manchester Arena attack, the late Monarch was always on hand to mark some of the city’s key moments with a kind word or a friendly wave.

Acting as a stabilising and reassuring presence for many years, she could be relied upon to join Mancunians for celebrations on important occasions and support and to commiserate with us whenever tragedy has struck.

The Queen last visited Greater Manchester just a year ago but she paid many a visit over the decades. She was dearly loved – and will be greatly missed by people across Ashton, Droylsden and Failsworth. She promised to serve the nation and she kept that word throughout her life. pic.twitter.com/EJLqdyeK5k — Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) September 8, 2022

Following the Queen’s passing on Thursday 8 September, we take a look back at some of the most memorable visits she paid to Manchester over the years.

Do you have a special memory of the Queen visiting Manchester? If so please get in touch at [email protected] , we’d love to hear your stories.

The Manchester Arena Attack

Her Majesty meets Evie Mills, aged 14, from Harrogate, her mum, Karen and dad, Craig at the hospital in Manchester. pic.twitter.com/DK14fFRGQS — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 25, 2017

Following the attack at Manchester Arena in 2017, Her Majesty visited young victims in hospital who had been injured at the Ariana Grande concert and spoke with staff treating victims of the explosion.

On a visit to Royal Manchester children’s hospital, she described the event as “very wicked” and whilst speaking with hospital clinicians, doctors, nurses and porters added that: “the awful thing was that everyone was so young. The age of them”, echoing the thoughts of shocked locals.

The Commonwealth Games

#royal #flashback "JULY 25, 2002: England captain David Beckham and Kirsty Howard hand the Queen's Jubille baton to Queen Elizabeth II after its final leg around the city of Manchester stadium at the opening of the Commonwealth Games. pic.twitter.com/yCOmZ4FUyO — Mace (@RoyaleVision) July 25, 2021

Her Majesty visited the city many times to celebrate positive moments, including the Commonwealth Games in 2002 – something of a momentous occasion for Manchester.

During the opening ceremony at the City of Manchester Stadium, she was handed the Jubilee Baton by none other than David Beckham and Kirsty Howard after its final leg had been completed.

The opening of Manchester’s Metrolink

17 July 1992: HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Manchester Metrolink and six-year old Pip was one of the local school children chosen to greet Her Majesty at the local tram stop. I mean, she didn't actually *get off* the tram but I'm still counting it as a meeting. pic.twitter.com/aZgRA2lD5P — Pip (@pipmadeley) September 8, 2022

The Queen visited the city in the summer of 1992 to open Manchester’s Metrolink and unveiled a plaque on St Peter’s Square, meeting a group of local school children as part of her visit.

A stroll down the Coronation Street cobbles

Royal history. The Nation’s history. Queen Elizabeth II visiting the cobbles of Coronation Street in 1982 and 2021. #CoronationStreet #ERII #Corrie pic.twitter.com/gVI655RBWU — Corrie Art (@CorrieArt) September 8, 2022

In her most recent visit to Manchester in 2021, Queen Elizabeth re-visited the famous Coronation Street cobbles and popped into the one and only Rover’s Return pub to mark the soap’s diamond jubilee.

Her Majesty travelled to Manchester for a tour of the studios, having last seen them in 1982, and was astonished to hear that the iconic cobbles were the very same ones she had walked on during her last visit, despite the set having been moved.

Manchester United’s FA Cup win in 1963

Manchester United Noel Cantwell receives the FA Cup from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1963 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/N5taDZUVNy — 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐰𝐨 (@Class_NinetyTwo) September 9, 2022

Technically this was not a visit made by the Queen to Manchester as the final FA Cup match was held at Wembley Stadium, but this was an important moment nonetheless as the Queen presented the season cup to the club in the summer of 1963.

A huge supporter of many sports including football, a number of events have been called off following her passing out of respect for the late Monarch.

Marking 50 years of the Heinz Factory

Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth on reaching her #PlatinumJubilee with 70 years of dedicated service to our wonderful country. 👑 We are sharing this fond memory of her majesty at our Wigan factory celebrating 50 years since it opened & her 57th year on the throne. #HM70 pic.twitter.com/Xy21Y3sUnU — Heinz (@HeinzUK) June 3, 2022

Queen Elizabeth II visited Wigan’s Heinz Factory in 2009 to mark the anniversary of the official opening of the plant 50 years ago.

The Wigan factory is the largest food processing plant in Europe and the largest of Heinz’s factories around the world. As part of the visit a new Heinz packing operation was opened and started by the Queen.

A visit to Harpurhey’s Youth Zone

From the MEN today. The Queen visits Harpurhey. The car came up Rochdale Rd and stopped outside McDonald’s for the Youth Zone visit. Royal Harpurhey. pic.twitter.com/GLqAAugP9C — Pat Karney (@patkarney) June 1, 2022

In 2013, she visited Harpurhey’s Youth Zone for a guided tour of the building’s boxing facilities.

As the Monarch left, she was surprised by hundreds of people who had flocked to meet her outside of the facility on Rochdale road.

Do you have a special memory of Queen Elizabeth II that you would like to share? If so, please get in touch at [email protected] .

Feature image – Tiwtter / Flickr

If you’re looking for a fun new way to spend a night out or thinking about getting into running but maybe haven’t quite found the right way in for you just yet, this new Manchester run social that starts and ends with a good old-fashioned party might be right up your street.

Run The Streets MCR is a community-led and charity-driven fitness and social event that recently launched in Manchester and has already developed a bit of a cult following in the space of only a couple of months.

The concept is simple: it’s a running social where you can meet new people whilst getting your yards in, just not quite as you know it. Instead of people turning up for a 5k and then heading home, the fun carries on at a host venue where people can keep chatting and mingling whilst having a boogie.

And the best part is that not only is it more of a causally paced, low-pressure jog and crucially social-first, but it’s all for a good cause too.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Run The Streets MCR (@runthestreetsmcr)

How it began and the purpose behind the event

Started out by East Manchester locals and lifelong mates, Liam Parker-Worsley and Sarah Edwards, (‘Sezzle’ to those who know her among the Manc running circles), Run The Streets started out as a running social concept at its very core but has now become truly bigger than the sum of its parts.

While the ‘run and rave’ idea has been done before, this particular event is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester and after facing some serious obstacles to get it off the ground and plenty of adversity at the very first hurdle – for lack of a less punny phrase – they’ve managed to turn it into a force for good.

After pivoting the model at the start of 2024 to be completely non-profit, the monthly event is now helping bring people together for a good time, from the tarmac to the tiles, all whilst raising money for the likes of The Running Charity (TRC).

Not only do all the proceeds from the super affordable tickets – we’re talking the same price you’d pay for a decent pint in town these days – go straight back into running the next social, but they also help fund the chosen charity for that month.

Be it national causes like TRC, which recently received huge support from the incredible ‘ Hardest Geezer ‘s run across Africa, or charities strictly local to Manchester, everyone involved is striding towards a goal – quite literally.

Offering a different kind of night out

Speaking to The Manc , co-creator Sezzle says the mission statement is simple: “Everyone’s welcome and you can meet new people whilst running but at the same time we’re giving back to the community.

“We’re supporting local charities, artists and DJs, as well as local running clubs who want to get involved. Essentially, it’s just about bringing people together, which is what run clubs do, but we’re also in a big city and not everyone wants to go out and just drink at a bar all night.

“You want to keep fit, it’s good for your mental health , but you also still want to be social and enjoy yourself. Run The Streets is that Mancunian through and through but everyone’s invited.”

Sober for five months now, she acknowledged that outlets like this are crucial, insisting: “I don’t want to stop going out and having a good time or meeting new people, so this is a way that you can still go out on a Friday night and enjoy a party atmosphere with no pressure to drink”.

The ‘by Manchester for Manchester’ ethos

Her partner in crime Liam echoed that party-run description, reiterating that whilst people can still get a bit boozy if they like, it’s all about “providing an alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to drink and want to be included but might have felt a little alienated otherwise”.

A fellow Tameside native, he explained how Run The Streets has already partnered with zero-alcohol brands like Clean Break for their inaugural event back in March and now alcohol-free favourite Lucky Saint for their sophomore social this month.

They’ve also already managed to get sports brands involved in the event, offering giveaways, running shoe try-ons and more, most notably hosting the Fight Day 5k across the city centre in partnership with Matchroom Boxing .

“It’s not about the financial aspect for us”, says Liam, “we only charge for tickets to sustain the event and pay for the talent, hiring spaces and so on… It might be different venues, different charities etc., but as long as we focus on core issues to Manchester with a cultural element that’s important to us, we’re happy with that”.

Sez couldn’t agree more, adding: “At the end of the day, we’re Mancs, we’ve watched the city grow into what it is today. When it comes down to it everyone knows about the Manchester spirit, it’s a hard-working area and there’s such a community to this place – we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.

“We look out for each other. That’s how it’s always been.”

Roots in the running and wider Greater Manchester community

Chatting with Tom Lewis, founder of Manchester’s annual 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness and Chairman for the Run The Street’s official host club, Manchester Road Runners , he said that they became interested because they “really liked the idea of sponsoring different charities every month”.

Confessing that it felt like “a natural crossover” given MRR’s size and ethos, as well as their own non-profit work with the British Heart Foundation and Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity , he said the “overall response from the first event was incredible – everyone just loved it”.

“There were people dancing on the streets as they saw us come past and there were so many videos on social media. That sort of stuff can really help get people into running who wouldn’t necessarily consider it in the first place.”

“I think it’s going to grow really quickly; the first event sold out and I think the next ones will too, definitely. It’s great to see what just a random group of friends can accomplish when we come together.”

This massive Manchester running club where jogs finish at the pub is the best

Liam himself couldn’t speak highly enough of the Castlefield -based group, insisting that “me and Sez find a lot of happiness and solace” at MRR.

While they are affiliated with others like KOKO (Keep On Keeping On’s Manchester arm) and Stretford Run Club that they want to help promote, the hope is that events like this might help people who run but don’t attend a club might give them a try in the future.

Regular ambassador and volunteer at both organisations, Natasha Barclay – who herself is over a year into her own sobriety journey – described the flagship event as “such good fun, really welcoming” and filled with plenty of people who had never even run before.

Nat also urged people not to be scared if they’re first-timers to run socials or running full stop, reassuring that “no one gets left behind; even if you can’t really run, you’ll always make it back, have a good time and meet others in the same boat”.

She went on to add: “Run The Streets MCR is all about giving back to the running community which I think can often get overshadowed by social media and certain brands. The spirit can sometimes get taken out of it but this run social puts its straight back in whilst helping Manchester business and DJs.”

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When we asked the guys to sum this whole experience up in three words or less that weren’t ‘rave and run’, they came up with some pretty telling answers too. “Community, soul and fun”, “alternative Friday fun” and our personal favourite: “Simply for Manchester”.

It’s also worth reiterating that these guys have done it completely off their own backs and are doing so on an entirely voluntary basis on top of their full-time jobs, sometimes juggling two or three different roles. It’s been built over countless late nights and dinner hours, all for the love of running and the city.

The second ever Run The Streets MCR running social and party kicks off this Friday, 26 April from 7pm at Joshua Brooks, with a light 5k around our lovely city centre starting at 7:30pm before heading back to the venue for more tunes, dancing, glowsticks and general good vibes from 8pm onwards.

You can grab the last few remaining tickets HERE and we hope to see a few of you there on the night.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester,  subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE .

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Run The Streets MCR

Soho House Manchester is surely one of the city’s most hotly-anticipated (and long-awaited) new openings.

The luxury members’ club has been slowly transforming the Old Granada Studios in the city centre into a multi-storey hub that will include restaurants, bars, bedrooms, event spaces, a gym, and – notably – a rooftop pool.

At one point, its grand opening was locked in for 2022 – but now we’re in 2024 and still no official opening date has been announced.

But there’s good reason for that – you cannot rush perfection. And you can expect perfection when annual membership costs close to £3,000.

We may still be looking at the same set of artist impressions for Soho House Manchester, but after a whistle-stop tour of several other of their UK locations, we finally have an idea of what to expect from their first venture north.

One thing you’re guaranteed to find is attention to detail. 

Not one inch of Soho House is overlooked when it comes to their design – every corner, nook and cranny has been considered and made beautiful.

Every site is different from the last, lifting inspiration from the building it takes over and the history of the local area.

For example, White City House, constructed within the iconic, circular former BBC HQ, has collages of nostalgic programmes, analog TVs stuck to the walls, and mid-century modern furniture that tastefully nods back to the building’s most significant era.

But then you head to the very first Soho House location, tucked in a tall townhouse in the heart of bustling Soho, and it’s all about elaborately patterned wallpapers, plump colourful cushions, chintzy curtains.

With Soho House Manchester taking shape inside Old Granada Studios, we can expect a nod to our city’s broadcasting heritage, probably some 1960s-inspired interiors (this building held the Beatles’ first television performance in 1962), and hopefully not a Hacienda stripe in sight…

You want another example of attention to detail? Every Soho House even has its own stripe , used on its towels and stationery and other items dotted around the spaces. For Manchester, it’s going to be a navy and ochre wave pattern.

So while there are similarities between every location, this is far from being a copy-and-paste brand.

The same applies to the customer service. It’s quite remarkable to sit and watch how staff at each House will greet members by name at just a glance, very much like that scene in The Devil Wears Prada but I can’t see a panicked Emily Blunt whispering in anyone’s ear here.

Another recurring feature at Soho House will be total privacy. There’s a strict no-photos policy that means even the most A-list of guests (yes, including Harry Styles) can relax and enjoy the space without the fear of having their picture sold to a tabloid.

If you whip out a phone, you’ll be told politely but firmly not to take photos or videos… not that many people even try. The application process to become a Soho House member is rigorous, so once you’re in, almost everyone plays by the rules.

And it really is private. One does not simply walk into Soho House, even if you do have cash to spend. In fact, the only way you can set foot into these hallowed halls without being a member is to be invited as a guest of an existing member.

Memberships are generally offered to those working in the creative industries, so you’re never more than a few metres from artists, music industry bigwigs, actors, dancers, writers, designers and more.

Inside any one house, you probably will spot a famous face or two (on our trip to Soho Farmhouse I clocked a legitimate Hollywood A-lister), but you might not notice – they’ll be treated the same as every other guest, and will be relaxing safe in the knowledge that they’re not about to be pestered for a selfie.  

Restaurants for Soho House Manchester haven’t been confirmed yet, but our tour of existing locations included several signature restaurants that would be very welcomed in our city.

We could get Pen Yen, a vibrant Japanese restaurant; or Little Berenjak, a sister site for the Persian restaurant in London that is so popular, it’s nigh-on impossible to get a table.

One thing we’re sadly not likely to experience here in Manchester is the peace and tranquility enjoyed at Soho Farmhouse, where features include a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs sunk into the lake, pretty green bikes you can cycle around on, and cosy rooms built into wooden cabins or ‘piglet’ style huts.

But if you sign up for the ‘Every House’ membership, you can at least pay it a visit.

But what is on the cards for us is a rooftop pool with sunbeds and a bar; an enormous gym space (Soho House has said this is a priority, and after seeing how busy the gym at White City House is, I can see why), fitness studios; a steam room and sauna; a ninth-floor late-night bar and live music space; casual lounge areas serving food and drink; a formal restaurant; an events space with a bar and DJ booth; 23 bedrooms of varying sizes; and an 80sq metre two-bedroom private apartment. Phew.

Set to be the first Soho House site in the north, it will join other UK sites across London, in Oxfordshire, in Somerset, in Windsor and in Brighton.

An exact opening date for Soho House Manchester is expected to be confirmed soon.

Soho House Manchester – memberships and application process

The full membership gains you access to all 41 Soho Houses globally, and costs £2,950.

But if you want to just use Soho House Manchester, that will cost £1,925.

There are cheaper memberships available for under-27s.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to supply a headshot, information about your work and industry, links to your online profiles, and several other titbits about yourself.

It helps if you already know a couple of existing Soho House members who can refer you, too.

And you must confirm that you’ll abide by the house rules, which you can see here .

Soho House Manchester memberships are open now and you can apply here .

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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New details of Prince Harry's visit to UK revealed

The duke of sussex will attend a special service at st paul's cathedral in may.

New details of Prince Harry's upcoming visit to the UK have been revealed.

The Duke of Sussex will be returning to London for a Thanksgiving service held on 8 May at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games which he founded in 2014.

And in a post shared by the Invictus Games' official Instagram account on Sunday, it has been revealed that actor Damian Lewis will also be in attendance.

Alongside a throwback image of Prince Harry, 39, cheering on a competitor, the Invictus Games' social media team penned: "The Invictus Games Foundation will celebrate 10 years of changing lives and saving lives with a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8th."

It continued: "We will be joined by our Patron, Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, actor Damian Lewis and members of the worldwide Invictus Community to mark the occasion."

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An official statement also revealed that Harry will give a reading while actor Damian, best known for starring in Homeland and Band of Brothers , will recite the poem, Invictus. Also attending will be representatives from across the Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community.

Meanwhile, members of the community, supporters, and beneficiaries have been selected to provide readings as part of the Service, led by The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul's.

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured and sick military personnel and veterans across the globe, by giving them the challenge of competing in sporting events similar to the Paralympics. Find more details in the video below... 

While not known if Harry's wife Meghan Markle will also be in attendance with their two children Prince Archie , four, and Princess Lilibet, two, his family are unlikely to accompany him on this particular trip, according to royal experts .

Harry's upcoming visit will mark the first time he's visited the UK since flying over to see his father King Charles following his cancer diagnosis in February.

Upon arrival, Harry was driven straight to Clarence House, where he stayed for 45 minutes, spending time with his father, who had delayed his own journey to Sandringham to see his younger son.

The short reunion was the first meaningful time father and son had spent together since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Although Harry attended his father's coronation last May, the two are thought to have only had limited contact since then amid the fallout around the Duke's eye-opening memoir Spare.

HELLO! understands that Charles, 75, personally notified his younger son Harry of his shock health news before announcing it to the world via a Buckingham Palace statement.

The statement in part read: "During The King's recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer."

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A Senate committee has called for a royal commission into Australia's COVID response. Here's why it's not happening

A Senate committee has recommended a royal commission to examine Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the community, including of lockdown and quarantine measures.

It recommended the scope also include contact tracing, the procurement of vaccines and medical supplies, and the capacity of a range of systems to respond — including health, aged care, housing and domestic violence services.

The Senate's legal and constitutional affairs committee said it was vital to consider the response and "imperative" that lessons are learnt.

"The committee considers that there is an overwhelming case for the establishment of a COVID-19 royal commission," the report said.

"The Australian people deserve to have a better understanding of why specific pandemic response measures were adopted and to convey their views on the costs and benefits of each of those response measures, especially given the level of disruption some of those measures had on their lives."

The Senate committee was made up of seven senators, with Coalition members — including its chair Liberal senator Paul Scarr — and the only Greens representative supporting further inquiry.

David Shoebridge said Australians deserve a royal commission, given their sacrifices during the pandemic.

"A royal commission has the independence needed, including the power to compel answers from often unwilling governments, to give the public confidence that its final report and any recommendations will be credible and unbiased," Senator Shoebridge said.

Government members of the committee — including deputy chair Nita Green — did not support the recommendations of the report, pointing to an existing 12-month inquiry into Australia's response already underway.

They said they are also confident in the independent panel and broad scope of the COVID-19 Response Inquiry.

"This is significantly earlier than a royal commission would have reported, thereby allowing Australia to learn the lessons of the COVID-19 response and improve our preparedness for future pandemics earlier than a royal commission would have permitted," the dissenting report said.

"Labor senators note that, in recent times, some royal commissions have taken many years – up to half a decade – to report."

Why isn't a royal commission happening?

In Australia, royal commissions are only established in rare and exceptional circumstances.

They have the power to summon witnesses to give evidence, produce documents, penalise those who fail to attend a hearing or give information, and can issue search warrants.

It's understood that the former Morrison government had examined a royal commission into the COVID-19 response, but sources have told the ABC it did not proceed because it became clear that states would not co-operate by providing the necessary Letters Patent.

A Letters Patent is a formal document that outlines the terms of reference and appoints a commissioner to conduct an inquiry.

Professor Scott Prasser is the Director of the Institute for Public Policy at Australian Catholic University and appeared at the Senate committee inquiry.

Mr Prasser suggested that because "Commonwealth royal commissions can only be conducted if the subject matter of the inquiry lies within the field of Commonwealth power, any such joint commission requires state support".

But he said that there are examples of joint Commonwealth-state royal commissions where not all states have participated, suggesting the federal government could "put pressure on the states to join".

When asked why a royal commission into the COVID-19 response would not be held, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said the government had been advised on what kind of inquiry to hold.

"Quite frankly, a royal commission can take more time and is normally headed by a judge," Mr Albanese said.

"What we've appointed is three experts… The advice that we've received is that this is the best form of inquiry."

12-month COVID-19 inquiry underway

Late last year, the federal government announced a 12-month inquiry into the government response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be led by economist Angela Jackson, epidemiologist Catherine Bennett and public administration expert Robyn Kruk.

The inquiry can still call witnesses and examine the response of governments during the pandemic, but it does not have the same powers as a royal commission.

The scope of the inquiry will cover COVID-19 responses since the pandemic began in January 2020, including governance and key health response measures, as well as advice for dealing with future pandemics.

However, decisions made solely by state and territory governments in response to the pandemic — including lockdowns and border closures — are not in the scope of the inquiry.

The inquiry will also consider the findings of previous relevant state and territory COVID-19 inquiries and reviews.

The federal COVID inquiry is due to respond at the end of September.

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