Newspaper headlines: 'Obscene' energy profits and King still 'relaxed'

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By BBC News
Staff
Reuters

Prince William pours a beer during a visit to the Dog and Duck pub in Soho

A number of Friday's front pages feature pictures of the Prince and Princess of Wales, who on Thursday took a break from rehearsals for the Coronation to visit a Soho pub.

The Metro says the prince "pulled a rather foamy pint", but the Daily Mirror dubs his wife the "Princess of Ales".

The Daily Express carries comments from the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, who has said that the King remains "relaxed" despite the "huge burden" of the Coronation. "Whilst... there's a lot for him to do, he doesn't give the sense of a man who's really anxious," the dean said.

Under the headline "China's Coronation insult to Britain", the Daily Mail says a "furious row" has broken out about a decision by the Chinese government to send Vice-President Han Zheng to the event in place of President Xi Jinping. The paper says Mr Han has overseen Beijing's recent crackdown on political freedoms in Hong Kong and quotes Lord Patten, the last British governor of the territory, saying the move shows China doesn't give "two hoots" about the UK.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the King will tonight host a reception for foreign royalty and dignitaries at Buckingham Palace before he retires for an early night. The paper says Prince Harry is expected to arrive in London soon, having recently held peace talks with his father, but that he will return to California within 24 hours.

Some Labour MPs have told the Guardian that they are against the party's decision to ban constituency branches from affiliating with the anti-monarchy group, Republic. Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell says that the level of "control freakery... borders on farce".

Tory officials have told the Financial Times that the range of photo ID that voters can present at polling stations is likely to be widened following yesterday's local elections in England. The paper says the requirement to show ID might have reduced participation.

PA Media

The Daily Mirror brands quarterly profits of £7.6bn posted by energy company Shell as 'obscene'

The Times reports that the government has drawn up plans to let thousands of prisoners out on day release to help tackle labour shortages. Those released on licence will be offered apprenticeships in areas such as construction, haulage and hospitality. The paper says it is hoped the scheme would boost economic growth and low reoffending.

On its front page, the Daily Mirror describes as "obscene" the quarterly profit of £7.6bn posted by the energy company Shell. In an editorial, the paper says the profits are not the result of enterprise, endeavour, and innovation, but the spoils of Vladimir Putin's illegal war in Ukraine.

And finally the Daily Star says royal lookalikes are cashing in ahead of the Coronation, with demands for appearances up 50%. It says that prices for a two-hour appearance by one impersonator of the King start at £1,308.