MEGHAN Markle is risking her popularity in the US after effectively telling the Queen "where to stick her crown", a royal expert claims.
When Meghan and Harry fled Britain for Canada and then the US, their popularity was at its peak with millions of Americans taking their side in the emerging royal rift, according to expert Daniela Elser.
But while the Royal-bashing may have scored them points in the early rounds, the "novelty" of having the pair living in LA, Elser says.
"When they landed in Los Angeles in March last year their value as a highly bankable, rare commodity was peaking. Their brand was on the ascendant," she wrote for News.com.au.
"They’d told the sovereign where she could stick her crown, something Americans have had a penchant for since the War of Independence, and were eager to make a name for themselves in the commercial world.
"They might have been ready and open for business but the nation was not. Fast forward to this year and with the US reopening and life returning to normal and something of the novelty value of a real-life Duke and Duchess in Tinseltown’s midst is no longer quite what it once might have been.
Read our Meghan and Harry live blog below for the very latest updates...
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE OF WALES RECALLS FIRST PARACHUTE DROP
The Prince of Wales has recalled his first parachute drop almost 50 years ago in Dorset, “initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines”.
Charles, 72, was speaking as he presented new Colours to the Parachute Regiment at a ceremony at Merville Barracks in Colchester, Essex.
The prince was 23 years old when he completed his first parachute drop on July 29 1971 from an Andover aircraft into Studland Bay, Dorset. He was training as a jet pilot during a four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force at the time.
Upon his appointment as Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment in 1977, the prince requested to join a parachute training course at RAF Brize Norton in 1978.
Addressing soldiers, veterans and families on Tuesday, he said: “I find it hard to believe that it’s been 44 years since I became your Colonel in Chief and nearly 50 years since I made my first parachute drop, initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines, into Studland Bay, Dorset, where I was pulled out of the water by the Royal Marines.”
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE ‘HANG OUT WITH THE JET-SET LA RICH SET IN MALIBU AND BEVERLY HILLS’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are hanging out with the jet-setting “rich set” in Malibu and Beverley Hills, according to a report.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been spending time with a string of Hollywood stars in California.
A source told the Mail on Sunday that the Duke had been spending with the “LA rich set” while in California, including the “owners of big companies, jet-set types with private planes.”
The source added: “He spends time in Malibu, Montecito and Beverly Hills.
“Harry seems really relaxed being the star in the room. He’s usually the only famous person at the parties he goes to, and it seems to suit him that he’s the one everyone flocks to.”
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE ‘WILL MISS HER BIG BROTHER’ IF GEORGE GOES TO BOARDING SCHOOL BUT IS A ‘LITTLE LEADER’, EXPERTS SAY
PRINCESS Charlotte “will miss” her big brother if George goes away to boarding school, Royal experts have said.
But the “independent and outgoing” princess, six, who is a “little leader”, will ultimately be fine without her big brother beside her, they added.
With George set to turn eight later this month, the same age William was when he left London to board, speculation is mounting that the young prince could follow family tradition.
Both George and Charlotte currently attend Thomas’s Battersea, which goes up to the age of 13.
But Princes William and Harry both moved to Ludgrove School, Berkshire, from the age of eight – before studying at Eton.
- Joseph Gamp
EXPERTS CLAIMS CHARLES WILL BE FORCED TO ADOPT A ‘MAFIA BOSS’ MENTALITY
Prince Charles will be forced to adopt a mafia boss mentality to avoid granting one of Prince Philip’s final wishes, a royal expert claims.
Philip was widely reported to have desired his youngest son, Prince Edward, to inherit the title of Duke of Edinburgh when he passed away.
But Charles is understood to be extremely reluctant to do so as it goes against his long-stated desire to slim the Royal Family down to just a few essential members – leaving no place for Edward and his family.
As a result Charles is going to have to channel Michael Corleone in The Godfather and separate business and family matters in order to see out his vision for the monarchy, according to Richard Kay in the Daily Mail.
“For all the talk of changing times, Charles’s difficulty is appearing to go against his father – and his mother’s – wishes,” Kay writes. Perhaps, in the end, he will rely on that old mafia phrase: ‘It’s not personal, it’s just business,” he added.
- Joseph Gamp
WHEN WERE PRINCE PHILIP AND THE QUEEN LAST AT SANDRINGHAM TOGETHER?
The Queen and Phil were last together at the cottage in September before returning to Windsor Castle for lockdown.
Philip lived in the cottage near the coast after retiring in August 2017 as the Queen carried on working at Buckingham Palace.
He spent his days in Norfolk reading history books and biographies painting watercolours and entertaining friends and family.
His most regular visitor was Last Penny Romsey who shared his passion for carriage riding and was one of the mourners who attended his funeral in April.
Horses were also spotted being led around Commodore yard, where the process of breaking in yearlings takes place.
- Joseph Gamp
ECO-WARRIOR
Harry’s alleged use of the SUV comes despite him speaking out against the dangers of climate change in the past.
Earlier this year, the Duke warned the issue must be tackled “at the source” and said it was “pretty depressing” that the US was “either on fire or underwater”.
He told the 'The Me You Can't See: A Path Forward' podcast that the world needed a “reckoning moment” after the pandemic, stressing that he believed climate change was one of the most two pressing issues in the world alongside mental health.
In 2019, he told a group of youngsters at the SSE Arena in Wembley to “wake up” and act “on the damaging impact our ways of living are having on the world”.
But it was reported that the Duke hired a private helicopter just two days before the event, with charity Friends of the Earth urging him to “consider less carbon-intensive modes of travel”. Meg and Harry also sparked claims of hypocrisy in 2019 when seen boarding a £20,000 private jet to stay in Elton John’s French villa that same year.
- Joseph Gamp
QUEEN SPOTTED AT SANDRINGHAM AS SHE RETURNS FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PRINCE PHILIP’S DEATH
THE Queen has been spotted at Sandringham as she returns for the first time since Prince Philip’s death.
The monarch, 95, flew into her Norfolk home on Friday evening and is expected to stay there until tomorrow.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
ECO-WARRIOR PRINCE HARRY ‘USING ULTRA-EXCLUSIVE VIP AIRPORT SERVICE & GAS-GUZZLING CHEVROLET’ TO JET IN STYLE
PRINCE Harry is using an ultra-exclusive VIP airport service which whisked him away in a gas-guzzling Chevrolet during his trip from London to LA last month, according to a report.
The Duke of Sussex – a passionate advocate for environmental causes – has reportedly been making use of The Private Suite, which is described as “the most VIP way through the airport”.
Members sign up for £3,250 a year and fork up another £2,500 per trip – but can exit the plane on their own private stairs before other passengers.
They are then picked up in a private SUV and taken to a private terminal where they can collect their luggage and move through passport control all in isolation, the Mail on Sunday reports.
On the Private Suite’s website, the company describes itself as a “private airport experience”, writing: “PS reimagines the airport experience for the seasoned and discerning traveller.”=
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE OF WALES RECALLS FIRST PARACHUTE DROP
The Prince of Wales has recalled his first parachute drop almost 50 years ago in Dorset, “initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines”.
Charles, 72, was speaking as he presented new Colours to the Parachute Regiment at a ceremony at Merville Barracks in Colchester, Essex.
The prince was 23 years old when he completed his first parachute drop on July 29 1971 from an Andover aircraft into Studland Bay, Dorset. He was training as a jet pilot during a four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force at the time.
Upon his appointment as Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment in 1977, the prince requested to join a parachute training course at RAF Brize Norton in 1978.
Addressing soldiers, veterans and families on Tuesday, he said: “I find it hard to believe that it’s been 44 years since I became your Colonel in Chief and nearly 50 years since I made my first parachute drop, initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines, into Studland Bay, Dorset, where I was pulled out of the water by the Royal Marines.”
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE HARRY DESCRIBED AS A 'BALLER'
Another source described Harry as a “baller” – a slang term for someone who doesn’t mind flaunting their wealth.
The pair are close friends with Oprah Winfrey – who they gave a sensational interview to back in March – as well as Brit comedian and presenter James Corden.
George and Amal Clooney were also among the A-listers to attend Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
And David and Victoria Beckham, who moved to the US from Britain, were also guests – with Becks saying him and Harry “speak as friends”.
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLE ‘HANG OUT WITH THE JET-SET LA RICH SET IN MALIBU AND BEVERLY HILLS’
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are hanging out with the jet-setting “rich set” in Malibu and Beverley Hills, according to a report.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly been spending time with a string of Hollywood stars in California.
A source told the Mail on Sunday that the Duke had been spending with the “LA rich set” while in California, including the “owners of big companies, jet-set types with private planes.”
The source added: “He spends time in Malibu, Montecito and Beverly Hills.
“Harry seems really relaxed being the star in the room. He's usually the only famous person at the parties he goes to, and it seems to suit him that he's the one everyone flocks to.”
- Joseph Gamp
MEGHAN MARKLE’S PAL PRIYANKA CHOPRA HAS AWKWARD RUN-IN WITH KATE & WILLS
Last Saturday, the Baywatch actress, 38, attended the Women’s Singles Final and was seated just two rows behind her friend’s brother and sister-in-law in the Royal box.
After the match, the actress went up to the Centre Court balcony to enjoy a drink with a friend.
As she walked over to her table, the actress was faced with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
However, Priyanka appears not to acknowledge the royal couple and turns her head away from Kate – who was pictured looking directly at her.
She then sits with with her back to William and Kate as they continued chatting to other guests.
The apparent snub came after Priyanka failed to clap for the couple when they arrived at the match.
- Joseph Gamp
HARRY ‘MADE HIMSELF CLEAR OVER CHRISTENING’
The princes even issued a joint statement, despite the strains between them – although they did not give a speech at the ceremony.
The brothers are believed to have been speaking over text again – raising hopes for a reconciliation after the Sussexes gave an explosive interview to Oprah in March.
During the chat, they alleged a senior royal had made racist comments about their son Archie’s skin colour – while Meghan claimed Kate made her cry over bridesmaids’ dresses.
And tensions were doubtless inflamed after the Duke of Sussex went on to discuss his family in further interviews.
- Joseph Gamp
EXPERTS CLAIMS CHARLES WILL BE FORCED TO ADOPT A 'MAFIA BOSS' MENTALITY
Prince Charles will be forced to adopt a mafia boss mentality to avoid granting one of Prince Philip’s final wishes, a royal expert claims.
Philip was widely reported to have desired his youngest son, Prince Edward, to inherit the title of Duke of Edinburgh when he passed away.
But Charles is understood to be extremely reluctant to do so as it goes against his long-stated desire to slim the Royal Family down to just a few essential members – leaving no place for Edward and his family.
As a result Charles is going to have to channel Michael Corleone in The Godfather and separate business and family matters in order to see out his vision for the monarchy, according to Richard Kay in the Daily Mail.
“For all the talk of changing times, Charles’s difficulty is appearing to go against his father – and his mother’s – wishes,” Kay writes. Perhaps, in the end, he will rely on that old mafia phrase: ‘It’s not personal, it’s just business,” he added.
- Joseph Gamp
TEARFUL SOPHIE WESSEX REVEALS PRINCE PHILIP'S DEATH LEFT A 'GIANT-SIZED HOLE' IN THE ROYAL FAMILY
Tearful Sophie Wessex reveals Prince Philip’s death left a ‘giant-sized hole’ in the Royal Family
- Joseph Gamp
THE MEANING BEHIND MEGHAN MARKLE’S NEW ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ NETFLIX TV CHARACTER’S NAME
As part of the Sussexes’ £112million deal, Meghan will be an executive producer on the show which has the working title ‘Pearl’ – and the name has a very special meaning. It turns out that Meghan has named her main character after herself, as the name ‘Meghan’ means ‘Pearl.’
Royal fans were quick to pick up on the connection, with one saying: “I wonder if this story is about Meghan’s childhood and will be an insight into her life.”
The show has been described as a family series that centres on the adventures of a girl who is inspired by a variety of influential women.
Meghan and Harry, the founders of Archewell Productions, announced the project yesterday.
The Prince will also act as the show’s executive producer, alongside Elton John’s husband David Furnish, Carolyn Soper, and Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Liz Garbus, Amanda Rynda and Dan Cogan.
- Joseph Gamp
HACKINGHAM PALACE
THE Queen has stepped up defences against hackers after learning the Royal Family is a high-risk target.
Her Majesty, 95, has relished engagements via video call in lockdown and chats to grandson Harry and wife Meghan in the US.
Her cyber security experts say in a report there is now a high rather than medium risk of unauthorised access to Royal Household data.
The warning, written by Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, is thought to refer to crooks in China and Russia.
It warns the effect of hacking would be: “Reputational damage, penalties and/or legal action against the Household or members of staff.”
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
MEGHAN STARTED WORKING WITH NETFLIX TWO YEARS BEFORE MEGXIT
MEGHAN Markle started working on her £112million Netflix series with David Furnish while still in the UK – two years BEFORE Megxit, it’s been claimed.
The pair were reportedly in discussion with the streaming giant in 2018, while Meghan and Prince Harry were living in Kensington Palace.
Read more here.
- Joseph Gamp
PRINCE OF WALES RECALLS FIRST PARACHUTE DROP
The Prince of Wales has recalled his first parachute drop almost 50 years ago in Dorset, “initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines”.
Charles, 72, was speaking as he presented new Colours to the Parachute Regiment at a ceremony at Merville Barracks in Colchester, Essex.
The prince was 23 years old when he completed his first parachute drop on July 29 1971 from an Andover aircraft into Studland Bay, Dorset. He was training as a jet pilot during a four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force at the time.
Upon his appointment as Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment in 1977, the prince requested to join a parachute training course at RAF Brize Norton in 1978.
Addressing soldiers, veterans and families on Tuesday, he said: “I find it hard to believe that it’s been 44 years since I became your Colonel in Chief and nearly 50 years since I made my first parachute drop, initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines, into Studland Bay, Dorset, where I was pulled out of the water by the Royal Marines.”
- Joseph Gamp
ROYAL FAMILY NEWS: THE LATEST
- Kate Middleton and Prince William lead birthday tributes to the Duchess of Cornwall as she turns 74
- A royal expert says the Queen is back with a “real burst” following her beloved husband’s death
- Charles is reportedly “adamant” that Camilla will be crowned Queen Consort
- And the Prince of Wales ‘will make his brother Edward the Duke of Edinburgh – but not for eight years’
- Elsewhere, a commentator claims Meghan and Harry’s Emmy nod is “farcical” as they “spouted complete untruths” to Oprah
SARAH FERGUSON REVEALS WHAT DIANA WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF MEGHAN MARKLE AND KATE MIDDLETON
The Duchess of York has revealed why Princess Diana would have been “so proud” of the women in her son’s lives.
Ferguson, 61, was once a close friend of Diana’s, sparking the relationship in their early teens.
During a conversation with People, she said: “If she were sitting with me right now, I know she would say, ‘I am so proud of both of my boys and the wonderful wives they have chosen
“Because each has got her own voice.
“And she would be just like me, obsessed with her grandchildren. Because that’s what she loved. Diana adored my girls. She adored the boys. This would be her haven. Her heaven.”
- Joseph Gamp
MEGHAN MARKLE’S PAL PRIYANKA CHOPRA HAS AWKWARD RUN-IN WITH KATE & WILLS
Last Saturday, the Baywatch actress, 38, attended the Women’s Singles Final and was seated just two rows behind her friend’s brother and sister-in-law in the Royal box.
After the match, the actress went up to the Centre Court balcony to enjoy a drink with a friend.
As she walked over to her table, the actress was faced with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
However, Priyanka appears not to acknowledge the royal couple and turns her head away from Kate – who was pictured looking directly at her.
She then sits with with her back to William and Kate as they continued chatting to other guests.
The apparent snub came after Priyanka failed to clap for the couple when they arrived at the match.
- Joseph Gamp
HARRY ‘MADE HIMSELF CLEAR OVER CHRISTENING’
The princes even issued a joint statement, despite the strains between them – although they did not give a speech at the ceremony.
The brothers are believed to have been speaking over text again – raising hopes for a reconciliation after the Sussexes gave an explosive interview to Oprah in March.
During the chat, they alleged a senior royal had made racist comments about their son Archie’s skin colour – while Meghan claimed Kate made her cry over bridesmaids’ dresses.
And tensions were doubtless inflamed after the Duke of Sussex went on to discuss his family in further interviews.
- Joseph Gamp
BEST TIPS FOR SPRUCING UP YOUR HOME – COURTESY OF THE QUEEN’S CLEANER
Want your home to be fit for royalty? The Queen’s cleaner has revealed her secret tips for keeping palaces pristine at all times.
If it’s good enough for Her Majesty, it is good enough for us mere mortals.
Speaking to the Mail, Barbara Allred, who was head housekeeper at Sandringham for a decade, said: “When you’re working for the top, standards have to be 110 per cent, not just 100 per cent.”
Here are her top cleaning tips here.
- Joseph Gamp
SARAH FERGUSON REVEALS WHAT DIANA WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF MEGHAN MARKLE AND KATE MIDDLETON
The Duchess of York has revealed why Princess Diana would have been “so proud” of the women in her son’s lives.
Ferguson, 61, was once a close friend of Diana’s, sparking the relationship in their early teens.
During a conversation with People, she said: “If she were sitting with me right now, I know she would say, ‘I am so proud of both of my boys and the wonderful wives they have chosen
“Because each has got her own voice.
“And she would be just like me, obsessed with her grandchildren. Because that’s what she loved. Diana adored my girls. She adored the boys. This would be her haven. Her heaven.”
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