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Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

March 09, 2026
Kate Middleton and Prince William Join King Charles at Biggest Royal Gathering Since Ex-Prince Andrew's Arrest

Kate Middleton and Prince William stepped out with King Charles for the first time since ex-Prince Andrew's arrest in February

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  • The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9

  • The King was also joined by Queen Camilla and other royals for the annual service

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamshowed their support forKing Charlesat the biggest public gathering of royals since the former Prince Andrew was arrested.

On March 9, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in London, the couple's wedding day venue in April 2011. They arrived in coordinating blue ensembles, with Kate wearing a Catherine Walker coat and matching hat.

They joined King Charles,Queen Camilla,Princess Anneand her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester for the service.

Prince Albert of Monaco also joined the congregation.

Inside, the royals greeted each other warmly, including acurtsy and a kiss on the cheekfor King Charles from his daughter-in-law, Princess Kate.

Kate Middleton and Prince William attend Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage

In other years,Andrew Mountbatten-Windsormight have attended. But, after hestepped back from royal dutiesin the wake of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2019, he did not attend many official royal engagements. However, he continued to join the royals at family events such as funerals and holiday church outings.

In October 2025, King Charles announced that he was stripping Andrew's royal titles and honors. In addition, Andrew would have to give up his lease at Royal Lodge, the residence where he's lived for many years.

Then came the bombshell news ofAndrew's arrest on Feb. 19, his 66thbirthday, at his temporary home of Wood Farm at the royal family's Sandringham estate in Norfolk, over allegations of misconduct in public office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

At Westminster Abbey on March 9, anti-monarchy protestors gathered outside the service with signs alluding to Andrew's scandals. Some held letters that spelled out "What did you know?" while another read "Charles, what are you hiding?"

Inside, the 1,800-strong congregation at the Commonwealth Day service heard an address from former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, who is a Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador, while dancer Oti Mabuse gave a reflection. There was also a poem from Selina Tusitala Marsh, the inaugural Commonwealth Poet Laureate.

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Geri Halliwell-Horner attends the Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty

There was also the world premiere of the Commonwealth Symphony, composed by Rekesh Chauhan and a collaboration between the Royal Ballet School and Sapnay Entertainments Ltd., which unveiled a cross-cultural partnership between classical ballet and Bollywood.

The service brought together government representatives, young people and leaders from the creative community, showcasing how the Commonwealth — which comprises the U.K. and the family of 55 other nations and 2.7 billion people — can harmonize its diverse voices.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

The theme is said to have been inspired by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 theme of Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth.

A traditional Scottish Ceilidh band and the Melodians Steel Drum Orchestra also contributed their unique talent to the service.

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Queen Camilla arrives at Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

Although the BBC traditionally broadcasts the Commonwealth Day service, the network did not do so this year for the first time since 1989. Instead, an episode ofEscape to the Country,a long-running reality TV show that follows prospective homeowners leaving city life,aired.

"Our decision not to broadcast the Commonwealth Day Ceremony in the same way we've done in previous years reflects the difficult choices we have to make in light of our funding challenges," the BBC said in a statement, perHello!magazine. "We can confirm BBC News plans to cover the service across its platforms, including the BBC One bulletins and rolling news channel."

Prince Albert of Monaco arrives to Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty

King Charles also releases a message in honor of Commonwealth Day, withthis year's addressfocusing on being a "force for good" amid the world's challenges.

"We join together on this Commonwealth Day at a time of great challenge and great possibility," the King says in a preview of the full speech released over the weekend. "Across our world, communities and nations face the increasing pressures of conflict, climate change and rapid transformation. Yet it is often in such testing moments that the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth is most clearly revealed."

Kate Middleton attends Commonwealth Day service on March 9, 2026Credit: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

He continues, "Working together, we can ensure that the Commonwealth continues to stand as a force for good — grounded in community, committed to the kind of restorative sustainability that has a return on investment, enriched by culture, steadfast in its care for our planet, and united in friendship and in the service of its people."

Read the original article onPeople

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U.S. "likely" responsible for bombing of girls' school in Iran, per early U.S. assessment

March 09, 2026
U.S.

The U.S. may be responsible for the bombing ofa girls' school in Iranthat killed 168 people, many of them children, on Feb. 28, sources told CBS News.

CBS News

The preliminary U.S. assessment suggests that the United States is "likely" responsible for the deadly attack but did not intentionally target the school and may have hit it in error, possibly due to the use of dated intelligence which wrongly identified the area as still part of an Iranian military installation, a person briefed on the preliminary intelligence told CBS News.

Israel's military was also not operating in the area, two sources told CBS News.

An additional source familiar with the ongoing inquiry told CBS News that investigators believe the U.S. military may have been responsible because it was operating in the area while Israel's military was not, though no final conclusions have been reached.

And an Israeli government source told CBS News that Israel was not behind the attack and its military was not operating near the school.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told CBS News in a statement that the "investigation is ongoing," and "There are no conclusions at this time, and it is both irresponsible and false for anyone to claim otherwise."

CBS News has confirmed the school building was located in close proximity to two sites controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Minab, a city in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan.

Footage filmed from a parking lot showed black smoke billowing from a damaged building adorned with murals featuring drawings of crayons, children and an apple. The CBS News Confirmed team geolocated the video to a building in Minab. Iranian media identified the building as the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school.

Iranian state media said at least 168 people, including schoolgirls ages 7 to 12, were killed in the strike which occurred last Saturday, on thefirst day of the war. Saturdays are regular school days in Iran.

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Alist publishedin Iranian state media from authorities in Iran's Minab county claimed to show the names of 57 of those killed.Human Rights Watch has saidat least 48 of those names appear to be children, according to their birthdates on the list, along with their school principal and teachers.

Iranian state media said 168 people were killed in a strike on a school in Minab, southern Iran, on the first day of the war. Damage is seen in this photo from March 5, 2026.  / Credit: Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images

Without providing evidence, President Trump said Saturday that the U.S. believes the bombing "was done by Iran" and cited information that he had seen.

"We think it was done by Iran, because they're very inaccurate with their munitions, they have no accuracy whatsoever, it was done by Iran," Mr. Trump said aboard Air Force One after attending thedignified transferof six U.S. soldiers who were killed in an Iranian strike in Kuwait on March 1.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Central Command have both said an investigation was ongoing and did not echo the president's assertions.

Questioned about the incident in aCBS News "60 Minutes"interview that aired Sunday, Hegseth said "unlike our adversaries, the Iranians, we never target civilians," and "it's being investigated, which is the only answer I'm prepared to give."

The New York Times and Reuters were first to report that the U.S. may be behind the fatal bombing.

Source: Havana Syndrome investigation is "a massive CIA cover-up" | 60 Minutes

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Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

March 09, 2026
Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

After just over two years on the job,Ohio State University President Ted Carterhas resigned from the university after he disclosed an inappropriate relationship to the board of trustees.

USA TODAY

Carter, 66, resigned over the weekend after a rare three-hour executive session for the board on March 7.

Carter told trustees in advance of that meeting that he had an inappropriate relationship with "someone seeking public resources to support her personal business," according to a university statement. He offered to resign and the board accepted.

"The Board was surprised and disappointed to learn of this matter and takes the situation and its potential impact on the university very seriously," Ohio State Board of Trustees Chair John Zeiger said in a letter accepting Carter's resignation. "We respect your decision and appreciate your cooperation in supporting an orderly leadership transition."

The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, asked the university to clarify the nature of the relationship that led to Carter's resignation. It did not share additional information.

Trustees have consistently praised Carter during his short tenure for providing steady leadership and being an ambassador for the university's land-grant mission and vision. In August,trustees approved a 4.5% merit raise, totaling $51,233,bringing Carter's new base salary to $1,189,733, as well as a $398,475 bonus, about 35% of his base pay.

In a statement sent to the campus community March 9, Carter said he "made a mistake in allowing inappropriate access to Ohio State leadership."

"I believe we have made much progress during my time at Ohio State, and I'm sorry I'm not able to remain your president longer," Carter said. "The students, faculty and staff at this university are among the very best in the world, and the Education for Citizenship 2035 strategic plan has Ohio State poised to succeed for years to come."

Carter said he and his wife, Lynda, are leaving Ohio State with "gratitude and appreciation for this wonderful community."

"It has been an honor to serve as this university's 17th president, and we wish the university ongoing success," he said.

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Carter officially began his two-year tenure at Ohio State in January 2024.He succeeded former OSU President Kristina Johnson, who stepped down following two years at the helm in May 2023 in a sudden resignation that revealedconsternation with the board of trustees.

Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr. speaks to reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 after the Ohio State University Board of Trustees named him the school’s 17th president. Carter resigned from the position on March 7.

His initial contract was set to run through Dec. 31, 2028.

Before coming to Ohio State, Carter served as president of the University Nebraska system. The bulk of Carter's career was spent in the United States Navy.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and the Navy Fighter Weapons School − also known as Top Gun − and studied at the Navy Nuclear Power School, the U.S. Air Force Air War College, the Naval War College and the Armed Forces Staff College. He led the Naval Academy as its longest continuously serving superintendent since the Civil War.

Carter spent much of his first year at Ohio State on a "listening and learning" tour, speaking with hundreds of students, staff, faculty and other university stakeholders to craft his 10-year strategic plan. That plan − Education for Citizenship 2035 − was introduced in November 2024 and officially launched in July 2025.

His plan included rolling out multiple new scholarships, investments in six specific colleges,an AI Fluency initiativeand a $100 million initiative to attract top faculty to Ohio State.

Ohio State did not immediately announce who would step in as interim president. Zeiger said in a statement to the campus community that the board will share a transition plan later this week. In his statement, Zeiger called on all Buckeyes to help the university succeed during the transition and into the future.

"Our collective dedication to advancing Ohio State's standing as one of the nation's premier public universities is unchanged. The current strength and momentum of Ohio State and its collective leadership team make us highly confident that our momentum will continue to be strong. You play a critical role in that mission, and we will share additional information about the transition in the coming days."

Higher education reporter Sheridan Hendrix can be reached at shendrix@dispatch.com and on Signal at @sheridan.120. You can follow her on Instagram at @sheridanwrites.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch:Ohio State President Ted Carter resigns over inappropriate relationship

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