The Princess of Wales has not been ruled out of making an appearance at Trooping the Colour – the King’s official birthday celebrations – in a few weeks, but it all hinges on how she is feeling amid her cancer treatment

It is the thrilling finale to a highlight in the calendar and used to see hordes of royals pack on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

But at Trooping the Colour this year, the palace balcony for the magnificent RAF flypast may look sparse in contrast. Following tradition from the last two years, it is believed that King Charles will only ask working royals to join him for the climax of his birthday celebrations.

It would mean no place for the likes of younger royals Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and of course, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who will no doubt remain at home in California. And amid the slimmed-down family appearance, it could be that the most popular member of the Firm also won’t be there

Some of the royals on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Trooping the Colour 2023 ( 
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The Princess of Wales, 42, is having preventative cancer treatment, and her appearance at Trooping has not been confirmed. However, she is understood to be considering making an appearance if she is feeling well enough. Kensington Palace confirmed the Princess would not be officially taking part in the final dress rehearsal for the King’s birthday celebrations on June 8, but did not rule out her attending the main event a week later.

Royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop believes Kate is “British royalty at its best” and her decision on whether she will attend will inevitably lead to ‘futile’ questions about Harry and Meghan as they are now “out of the picture”.

She told the Mirror: “Whether [Kate] will make a balcony appearance on the big day on June 15 remains the great unknown. My hunch is she will give us a wave, but if she doesn’t (entirely her prerogative) questions about Harry and Meghan are bound to surface. These are futile, even in 2022 the Sussexes were out of the picture, glimpsed briefly at a window and not invited on the balcony.

Harry and Meghan at Trooping the Colour in 2019 ( 
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Getty Images)
“This year that balcony cast will have even slimmer pickings if the Princess of Wales stays away. In which case might it be time to review the role of non-working royals? All those cousins Eugenie, Beatrice, and Zara – who have long behaved with hallmark loyalty would surely relish the prospect of standing shoulder to shoulder with their King. After all, isn’t that what families are for?”

Meanwhile, Tessa added that this year’s Trooping the Colour will show how much has changed for the Royal Family – even in the space of just one year. She explained: “2024 is not royal service as usual. And nor should it be.

“Our most glamorous royal player, like her father-in-law and King, has cancer and health must come first. But let’s not pretend Kate won’t be missed at Trooping the Colour. The King’s official birthday parade ties us back through time to centuries of pomp and ceremony. No one does that better than the Princess of Wales who in the last decade has owned the stage as Britain’s most eye-catching stateswoman.

“The last Trooping the Colour I attended was that bittersweet summer of 2022, the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Too frail for Horse Guards Parade, Her Majesty popped out on the balcony.

“It was the climax to a great day which saw Charles, then Prince of Wales, on horseback and a Disney moment when, in a pop of colour, Princess Catherine fluttered by in a horse-drawn carriage. The crowd gasped. This was British royalty at its best.

“Much can change in two short years. The new King will be present for his birthday parade, but won’t review the troops on horseback. There are limits when undergoing cancer treatment at age 75.

“Likewise for the Princess of Wales, things look very different in 2024. She has climbed the ranks, and with her new honorary role as Colonel of the Irish Guards ordinarily, she would have taken the salute. But these are not ordinary times. Kate won’t attend the Colonel’s Review (Trooping’s rehearsal on 8 June).”

Meghan Markle has been snubbed by a popular British designer who voiced their admiration for Kate Middleton but said they would not want to work with the Duchess of Sussex

Meghan Markle has been brutally snubbed by an A-list designer after they refused to work with her.

Famed British fashion icon Julien Macdonald has openly admitted his preference for the Princess of Wales over Meghan after being quizzed on who he would like to collaborate with. The designer was in attendance at the Fragrance Foundation Awards in London when he opened up about the Royals he dreams of dressing.

Julien – who was once crowned British Fashion Designer Of The Year – didn’t hold back when he gave his take on who he wouldn’t work with either. He slammed Meghan as he admitted she is not on his style list, despite her love of fashion and her huge lifestyle following who draw inspiration from her outfit choices when she hits public events.

Julien brutally snubbed Meghan ( 
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Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Meghan is often praised for her fashion looks ( 
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Anadolu via Getty Images)
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “Kate’s amazing… I’d love to dress her in one of my dresses. I’ve got a great relationship with Camilla, the Queen. She’s incredible.” He was then asked if he would like to see Meghan wearing one of his designs to which he promptly replied: “No, I prefer Kate and Camilla.”

Julien also admitted that Camilla will ask him for style advice when they encounter one another as he added: “She does every now and then. When I see her at different events, I always say, ‘You look really nice, Camilla’, and she’ll say, ‘Do you like it? Oh, I’m glad you approve’.”

The scathing comment comes after celebrity stylist Rochelle White previously pointed out the differences between Kate and Meghan’s individual style. She compared Meghan’s fashion choices to the more traditional styles seen being worn by Kate, as she pointed out that the Princess of Wales opts for a more classic theme to her styling, with fitted dresses and tailored trousers while Meghan takes a more relaxed and personal approach to her fashion looks.

Julien said he would ‘prefer’ to see Kate in his designs ( 
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She explained how “Meghan has more of trendy edge when it comes to her style,” and noted that on the other hand “Kate is very classic and chic in her fits and style with traditional pieces thrown in.”

Rochelle went on to describe how “with Meghan, I feel she is very much herself and has elements that really showcase her personality and personal style,” adding that the Duchess clearly likes “off the shoulder tops, shorts, co-ords and racer back tops, she doesn’t hide what she likes and what works for her.”

‘Insulted’ Kate Middleton has ‘closed her mind’ to healing Harry and Meghan rift – expert

The ongoing rift between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the Prince and Princess of Wales has become a subject of intense scrutiny and analysis. According to royal experts, the situation has reached a point where Prince William and Kate Middleton have seemingly closed their minds to the possibility of reconciliation in the near future.

Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, suggests that Kate, coming from a happy and united family, initially believed the rift could be mended. However, after Prince Philip’s funeral, where Kate was seen encouraging William to engage with Harry, a heated argument ensued, dashing hopes of reconciliation.

Bond further states that Kate has been deeply hurt and insulted by the accusations and remarks made by Harry and Meghan in Harry’s memoir “Spare” and subsequent interviews. This includes Harry’s claims of Kate stereotyping Meghan and details of a disagreement over bridesmaids’ dresses that left Meghan in tears.

Another royal expert, Katie Nicholl, echoes similar sentiments, stating that Harry’s “snide remarks” about Kate have ruined their bond and broken a major royal rule of staying silent on family matters. Nicholl claims that Kate is “very disappointed” by Harry’s attacks, leading to a complete breakdown of their relationship.

The experts suggest that William and Kate, as a strong team, have concluded that the rift with Harry cannot be fixed in the foreseeable future. They have decided to move forward with their lives and duties, effectively closing their minds to the possibility of immediate reconciliation.

“While Kate and Harry used to be very, very close, there’s been a complete breakdown of that relationship. I don’t think Kate does angry. I think it is more a case of feeling very disappointed, very let down and feeling hurt knowing that she had no right of reply – and Harry knew full well she had no right of reply.

“I do know that William was very angry that Harry had drawn Kate into it when he felt Kate was blameless throughout. She acted very much as the peacekeeper, she tried to get the brothers back on an even keel and for Kate to be dragged into this mucky saga was upsetting for her and certainly did infuriate William.”

 

How Meghan considers herself the next Princess Di

The comparison between Meghan Markle and Princess Diana is a tired and reductive narrative that does a disservice to both women. Markle’s entrepreneurial endeavors and public persona should be evaluated on their own merits, not constantly measured against the legacy of her late mother-in-law.

The incessant scrutiny and dissection of Markle’s every move through the lens of Diana’s life is a shallow and lazy form of analysis. It reduces two complex individuals to mere caricatures, stripping them of their unique identities and experiences. This obsession with drawing parallels between the two women is a disservice to their individuality and the nuances of their respective journeys.

Markle’s decision to launch a lifestyle brand should be viewed as a personal and professional choice, not a calculated attempt to emulate or capitalize on Diana’s legacy. To suggest that her timing is a deliberate ploy to align with The Diana Award ceremony is a cynical and unfounded assumption. It undermines Markle’s agency and autonomy, reducing her to a mere pawn in a narrative she did not create.

Furthermore, the constant comparisons perpetuate a harmful and outdated notion that women, particularly those in the public eye, must be pitted against one another. This narrative fuels a toxic cycle of competition and judgment, rather than fostering an environment of mutual respect and support.

Markle’s journey is her own, shaped by her unique experiences, values, and aspirations. To constantly measure her against the legacy of another woman is not only unfair but also perpetuates a narrow and limiting perspective on what it means to be a public figure, a woman, and a member of the royal family.

Instead of fixating on superficial comparisons, it would be more productive to engage with Markle’s work, advocacy, and personal choices on their own terms. Evaluate her brand, her philanthropic efforts, and her public persona through the lens of their own merits and impact, rather than reducing them to mere echoes of a bygone era.

Ultimately, the constant comparisons between Meghan Markle and Princess Diana are a disservice to both women and a reflection of a society that struggles to view women as multidimensional individuals. It is time to move beyond this reductive narrative and embrace the complexities and nuances of their individual journeys.

 

The heartbreaking reason William and Kate want to reconcile with Harry and Meghan

The estrangement between Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle has been a source of concern for many, but there is hope for reconciliation. According to reports, the future king and queen are open to mending fences, driven by a desire to ensure their children have a relationship with their cousins. This sentiment is echoed by Harry and Meghan, who also want their children to be close to their royal relatives.

The upcoming Invictus Games ceremony presents an opportunity for the brothers to reconnect, but sources suggest a face-to-face reunion is unlikely at this time. The relationship remains strained, with Harry expressing a desire to sit down with William, but the timing is not right.

Despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. King Charles is reportedly eager to rebuild his relationship with Harry, a wish that William understands, even if his priority is protecting his family from stress. The situation is delicate, but the potential for healing exists.

Ultimately, the desire for reconciliation stems from a shared belief that family bonds should transcend differences. By keeping an open mind and focusing on the well-being of the younger generation, there is a chance that the rift can be mended, allowing the cousins to forge lasting connections and the adults to find common ground.

Meghan Markle’s announcement ‘crushed’ King Charles as he had ’20 minutes’ to process it

Prince Harry is set to return to the UK next week but Meghan will not be joining him.

 

 

Charles is open to a meeting with Prince Harry next month – but not Meghan (Image: Getty Images)

It seems that history is repeating itself as Prince Harry is set to return to the UK next week for a special Invictus Games event at St Paul’s Cathedral whilst Meghan Markle will stay at home with their children in the US.

This mirrors last year when Harry attended his father’s Coronation, and his wife remained at home celebrating their son’s fourth birthday.

 

It’s said that it was ‘a blow’ Charles when he found out about the developing relationship between his son and Meghan Markle back before they were married and had two kids together.

According tothe Mirror, the then Prince of Wales was “crushed” when he was told about the romance and that it was going to be made public just 20 minutes after he’d found out, two royal authors have said.

Charles had been preparing to meet the King of Bahrain and had been on something of a delicate tour in the Persian Gulf sovereign state in November 2016 when the news was delivered.

Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand said his team had spent months organising the tour, hoping it would be “covered significantly” by the media.

 

 

But he was then “crushed” when his tour was overshadowed by Harry and Meghan’s relationship.

The authors claim that Harry gave his dad just 20 minutes’ notice before releasing a statement that confirmed his relationship with Meghan – and then he had a go at the media to boot.

In Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family, they say: “It was a critical moment that had been in the works for months.

“A statement from Kensington Palace condemning the Press and, in the same breath, confirming Harry’s new girlfriend would all but eliminate coverage of Prince Charles’s tour of the Gulf.”

The Mirror also reports the writers said: “The team at Clarence House, which had spent months putting together Prince Charles’ tour in the hopes that it would be covered significantly, was crushed.”

 

Meghan Markle breaks down in tears AGAIN in latest bombshell Netflix trailer documentary

Meghan Markle broke down in tears numerous times in the latest trailer for her £88 million Netflix documentary which was released today.

 

In a one-minute clip that will horrify courtiers, Harry airs the incendiary claim that insiders ‘leaked and planted’ stories about them, describes royal life as a ‘dirty game’ and – after footage appears showing his mother, Princess Diana – talks about ‘the pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution’.

In one section, the Duchess of Sussex can be seen in floods of tears, wiping her face with her hands while Prince Harry looks on.

In another moment, apparently filmed at the couple’s $14 million mansion, the royal mother-of-two can be seen looking up at the camera with tears in her eyes.

 

It’s for the first time footage of the Duchess crying has been released from the documentary ahead of it’s airing this week.

The first trailer saw Meghan in tears on a number of occasions.

Harry and Meghan dropped the second trailer for their bombshell Netflix documentary containing yet more barbs against the Royal Family, with the duke ominously threatening to ‘reveal the truth’ about their experience.

In one section, one person describes the couple’s experience as ‘about hatred, about race’ as a scene flashes up of an exasperated Harry, 38, holding a hand to his face as Meghan – who is seen heavily pregnant with their daughter, Lili – passes behind him.

 

The behind-the-scenes Netflix docuseries will debut on December 8, Netflix confirmed today.

In today’s teaser clip, Harry narrates: ‘It’s really hard to look back on it now and go ‘what on earth happened?’

‘There’s a hierarchy of the family, you know, there’s leaking, but there’s also planting of stories. It’s a dirty game.

‘The pain and suffering of women marrying into this institution, this feeding frenzy. I was terrified, I didn’t want history to repeat itself.

 

‘No one knows the full truth. We know the full truth.’

Billed as a Netflix global event, the streaming giant announced Volume I would be released on December 8 while Volume II will air on December 15.

The Royal Family have tried to put a brave face in recent days by insisting they would not be ‘blown off course’ by the documentary.

Contrary to claims that there are behind-the-scenes ‘crisis talks’ and plans to ‘hit back’ at yet another barrage of claims and accusations, senior royals plan a very much ‘business as usual approach’.

‘We are not going to be blown off course by squalls from across the Atlantic,’ a royal source told the Daily Mail witheringly.

 

The Mail on Sunday reported yesterday how the King and Queen Consort are ‘wearied’ by the constant attacks from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Buckingham Palace sources said that there was ‘mounting frustration and exhaustion’ at the barrage of complaints that Harry and Meghan relentlessly and publicly make about their alleged treatment by members of the Royal Family.

 

 

The late Queen famously made clear that ‘recollections may vary’ over many of the couple’s claims – and that view has not changed.

Throughout the royal households there is a sense of ‘here we go again’ over the series.

But there is hope among the family that the ‘Sussex squall’ will blow itself out by the time the series ends and Harry’s upcoming memoir is published in January.

‘It’s likely to be a difficult few weeks but really after that what on earth more can they have to say?’ another insider asked.

‘It’s all going to start to become very “end of the pier” show if they are not careful, hawking around the same complaints on talk shows and documentaries.

‘Surely a time will come when even they realise they have got to get on with their lives? The rest of the family certainly want to.’

Indeed the King and the Queen Consort have a busy week ahead with several significant and long-planned engagements. Tomorrow the monarch is in Luton meeting community leaders and voluntary organisations who promote inter-faith harmony, something he has been promoting for 50-plus years.

At Luton Town Hall, he will be reunited with Festus Akinbusoye, Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, who was previously supported by his Prince’s Trust.

His Majesty will also visit the newly built Sikh Guru Nanak Gurdwara, speaking to volunteers and learning about their programmes for the community.

On Wednesday, the Queen Consort will invite seriously and terminally ill children from Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity to decorate the Clarence House Christmas tree.

She holds the magical event each year, personally serving up sausages and mash for the youngsters and this year has arranged a surprise visit from Father Christmas and his reindeer. ‘Their Majesties are getting on with what’s important,’ a source added.

Royal sources told The Mail on Sunday that Charles and Camilla were ‘not worried but wearied’ by the continued outbursts from the Duke and Duchess.

Since quitting as working royals and moving to California, they have criticised the Royal Family in interviews, including a high-profile show with Oprah Winfrey, and recorded the Netflix series.

Meghan Markle’s Touching Moment With King Charles Goes Viral

Meghan Markle’s relationship with her father-in-law, King Charles III, has become the focus of a new viral video after footage from the royal’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry resurfaced on TikTok.

Meghan’s relationships with members of the royal family were pulled into focus in 2020 after the duchess stepped down as a working member of the monarchy alongside Harry and moved to the U.S. 

Meghan joined the royal family upon her marriage to Harry at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, Berkshire, in England, on May 19, 2018. The couple met in 2016 and became engaged a year later. In 2024, they will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary, and together they have two children: Prince Archie, 4; and Princess Lilibet, 2.

Little is known about Meghan’s relationship with her father-in-law, the king. In her 2022 Netflix docuseries, she described Charles as “charming,” but she did not attend his May 2023 coronation in London with husband Harry; it happened to take place on her son’s fourth birthday.

Uploaded to TikTok by user @europeanroyals_ on March 28, one of Meghan’s most-touching exchanges with Charles has gone viral, spotlighting the moment the then-Prince of Wales walked her down the aisle at her wedding.

 

Captioned “Meghan Markle walking down the aisle to marry Prince Harry,” the video has been viewed over 215,000 times on the platform so far. It features footage of Charles and his future daughter-in-law walking arm in arm as they approach the high altar at St. George’s Chapel where Harry was waiting.

 

The decision for Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle was an unusual one and received widespread coverage at the time. It followed a highly publicized set of events, which saw Meghan’s own father, Thomas Markle, miss the high-profile event following a paparazzi collaboration and medical emergency.

The father of the bride traditionally walks her down the aisle at her wedding. In Markle’s absence, there was speculation that Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, would step in to fulfill the role.

 

However, on the day, Charles met his future daughter-in-law halfway through her walk at the chapel and guided her to Harry. 

The viral clip has received in excess of 11,200 likes and over 140 comments, many of which have praised the royals and their interaction.

“The love the King shows Meghan is so special,” wrote one TikTok user.

“This was such a touching moment with the king. You can tell he liked Meghan. I’m sad she didn’t go to the coronation,” posted another, with a further comment reading: “Gorgeous wedding. The best royal wedding of all time.”

Main picture: The Duchess of Sussex smiles in the Netherlands, April 15, 2022. And (inset) with King Charles III at the royal wedding, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, Berkshire, England, May 19, 2018. The now-monarch walked… Samir Hussein/WireImage/Dominic Lipinski/ – WPA Pool/Getty Images

It was in the 2022 Harry & Meghan docuseries that Meghan revealed she personally asked Charles to walk her down the aisle at her wedding.

“Harry’s dad is very charming,” she told viewers, before going on to note her own father’s absence.

“I said to him, like, ‘I’ve lost my dad in this.’ So, him as my father-in-law was really important to me,” Meghan said.

“So, I asked him to walk me down the aisle, and he said yes,” she added. “The whole thing was surreal.”

Charles has made few public comments about Harry and Meghan since their split from the monarchy. However, in his accession speech, given in the days after he became king, he made a touching reference to the couple.

“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas,” Charles said.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? We’d love to hear from you.

Prince Harry says Meghan is ‘so similar to’ Princess Diana: ‘She has the same confidence’

The Duke of Sussex said his wife and late mom have the same “compassion” and “empathy”

Prince Harry sees a lot of similarities between Meghan Markle and Princess Diana. The Duke of Sussex spoke on Netflix’s new documentary series Harry & Meghan about his wife having the same confidence and empathy as his late mother.

“So much of what Meghan is and how she is, is so similar to my mom,” Harry said. “She has the same compassion. She has the same empathy. She has the same confidence. She has this warmth about her.”

©WireImage/Getty Images

Prince Harry said Meghan has the same confidence as Princess Diana

The Duke added, “I accept that there will be people around the world who fundamentally disagree with what I’ve done and how I’ve done it, but I knew that I had to do everything I could to protect my family. Especially after what happened to my mom. You know, I didn’t want history to repeat itself.”

In one scene in the series, Meghan is seen holding, presumably, son Archie Harrison up to look at a photo of Princess Diana, saying, “That’s your Grandma Diana.”

Harry’s mother passed away in 1997, twenty years before Harry and Meghan got engaged in 2017. During their engagement interview—which Meghan referred to as an “orchestrated reality show” on the Netflix series—the Duke revealed that he designed Meghan’s engagement ring with little diamonds from his mother’s jewelry collection “to make sure that she’s with us on this, on this crazy journey together.”

Discussing having Diana’s stones in the interview, the Duchess said, “I think everything about Harry’s thoughtfulness is, and the inclusion of that and obviously not being able to meet his mom, it’s so important to me to know that she’s a part of this with us.”

Harry admitted at the time that he believed his mother and Meghan would have been “thick as thieves.” He said, “I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, you know, so excited for me,” adding that Diana probably would have been “best friends with Meghan.”

Meghan Markle ‘won’t set foot in the UK ever again’ despite Prince Harry’s hopes for May

Meghan Markle has been a huge supporter of The Invictus Games since she started dating Prince Harry and attended her first Games in in Toronto in 2017 but her appearance at a London ceremony hangs in the balance

Meghan Markle is thought to have already given her verdict on a trip to the UK in May – and it’s not looking good, according to a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex will return to his homeland at the beginning of May as he attends a celebration of ten years of the Invictus Games. His visit is set to include a special service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8 but Meghan’s attendance at the event is still ‘to be confirmed’.

Meghan is always at Harry’s side for Invictus events, holding his hand, waving to crowds and hugging participants as she brings her brand of friendly American charm to proceedings. But Harry might be forced to ride solo to the next batch of events for the international multi-sport event first held in 2014, for wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

Meghan Markle is usually at Prince Harry’s side for Invictus events (
Image:
WireImage)

“I’m of the opinion that Megan won’t set foot in the UK ever again,” Charles Rae, former royal correspondent for The Sun said. “I just don’t think she wants her to have anything to do at all with this country.”

Rae said he initially saw Meghan enjoying being a part of the royal family but claims she changed her mind. “I don’t believe that she she understood the pecking order of the royal family. You’ve got the monarch, you’ve got the the the Prince of Wales And then you’ve got everyone else under that she wanted to be the star and that I think it was that simple that she thought she just picked up her toys and decided to go off to America.”

Meanwhile, Prince Harry is thought to be having “sleepless nights” over his upcoming visit to the UK next month. “Harry and Megan are having sleepless nights about what they should do when Harry visits the UK later this year – he will have to do something to acknowledge the huge difficulties his family is going through, but he won’t want to do or say anything that seems to imply anything less than wholehearted support for his permanently aggrieved wife,” royal expert and author Tom Quinn told us.

The last time Harry visited the UK it was to meet with his father King Charles after his cancer diagnosis but Meghan stayed in Montecito, California, with their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. It’s thought she will swerve a visit to the UK once again next month.