Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

A little ray of hope in a year of turbulence

- BY RUSSELL MYERS ROYAL EDITOR

AFTER the most tumultuous of years, the announceme­nt by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that they are expecting their second child will no doubt be celebrated in all quarters.

Just a few weeks ago, towards the end of last year, Meghan bravely revealed she had suffered a heartbreak­ing miscarriag­e last summer.

The honesty with which she shared the agony she and husband Prince Harry had endured undoubtedl­y helped so many others who have suffered the anguish of losing a child.

Since the couple’s bombshell decision to step down as senior royals last January to seek “financial independen­ce” and a new life for themselves and son Archie, their every move has been analysed and debated by those they left behind.

Meghan’s court battles against a British newspaper have been the subject of nervousnes­s in the Palace.

Last week she won a High Court victory over the publicatio­n of a private letter to her estranged father Thomas.

But only now does it become clear why she had insisted last year on a delay of any trial for nine months.

Prince Harry has longed for a close family of his own, away from the spotlight and the pressure of the institutio­n he felt weighed on him.

Just looking at his and Meghan’s beaming smiles in an official photograph published last night, it is clear the future is looking bright for this burgeoning family.

One can only wish them all the happiness in the world after they sacrificed so much to set out upon their uncharted path.

Rotting shellfish and Amsterdam eclipsing London as Europe’s top share trading centre are two massive Brexit blows, so no wonder Keir Starmer is under mounting pressure to speak out.

When Boris Johnson’s ovenready lies are inflicting heavy economic damage, the Labour leader’s radio silence is frustratin­g even loyal MPS.

These are not teething troubles, but the result of foolishly erecting trade barriers with 27 valuable neighbours. Brextremis­t minister Michael Gove is busy crashing the plane with his assertion that this is the turbulent stage when a plane takes off and we’ll soon be enjoying a G&T and peanuts – ignoring the fact that form-filling kept the drinks trolley at the airport.

Senior Labour MPS recognised Starmer was right to focus on Covid but, after ordering his MPS to back Johnson’s bad deal, they fear he is now compromise­d.

The party won’t win back red wall seats by excusing Johnson for the Brexit lies now destroying their communitie­s.

miles is the total distance between Larne and Portpatric­k

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 ??  ?? PRESSURE Sir Keir Starmer
PRESSURE Sir Keir Starmer

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