Meghan Markle is yet to fully launch her lifestyle brand American Rivieria Orchard but a PR expert has identified some concerning signs.
The publishing world can’t wait for Meghan Markle’s memoir, says insider (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle is gearing up to officially launch her new lifestyle brand American Rivieria Orchard but a PR expert has identified some ‘major concerns’.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, first teased her new brand six months ago and aside from a few jam jars, not much has been seen since.
It is reported that Meghan is struggling to hire a CEO for the venture, following allegations from former employees, and a PR expert said this is a major red flag for future investors.
“I would have major concerns if I were an investor,” Matt Yanofsky, a PR and brand marketing expert, told The Times. “If I’m an investor, I’m saying to her, ‘you need to find a CEO with a direct business plan that’s going to show profitability, or at least a revenue plan, within the next 60 to 90 days. Otherwise, I’m taking my money out’.”
He added: “I’d be happy to eat my words and best of luck to her, but as of right now, [ARO] seems like it’s the wrong product with the wrong people.”
COMMENT: Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has spoken out about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s unpredictability.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should speak out on the Royal Family, an expert has said (Image: Getty)
We are currently seeing Prince Harry highlight his charitable work, which has considerable merit. This and his ability to communicate with people, especially the less fortunate, was one of the reasons he once held a unique place in the nation’s heart.
Yet there is a contradictory approach in the way the Sussexes support worthy causes and in their attitude to the Royal Family.
They know they are only significant because they are royal. Harry has chosen exile, which is his choice, especially as he was undoubtedly unhappy with aspects of his royal role.
However, it has long been rumoured that he is emotionally reliant on Meghan Markle and that she dominates in their relationship.
They must surely be the only royal couple in the world to monetise their royal connections, as well as attacking the Firm over a period of years.
However, they never face questions about the validity of their accusations.
As if to remind the world of how bitter he still is, the paperback version of his memoir, Spare, is published in Britain on 24th October when King Charles and Queen Camilla will be attending CHOGM in Samoa. This is the monarch’s first visit abroad since his cancer diagnosis and a trip of the highest importance.
Spare was a best seller in hardback, which is also likely to sell well in paperback. Last January Harry revealed that he had cut 400 pages from it as they were too toxic.
This was clearly a threat to the royal family, indicating that one day they might be published.
The interviews he gave promoting it were as ill-judged as its contents. King Charles evicted the Sussexes from Frogmore Cottage, their home in Britain, after he made personal attacks on Queen Camilla.
It is fortunate he has decided not to give further interviews, especially as his recent appearance on ITV and Meghan’s on CBS were controversial.
Prince Harry is on a solo trip to Southern Africa (Image: Getty)
It is, however, a fact that the Invictus Games, his greatest achievement, Sentebale and WellChild, a charity for seriously ill children and their families for which he has just travelled to Britain, all predated his marriage.
It is a tragedy that the once supposedly inseparable brothers cannot be reunited, even in events honouring their mother.Last week Harry attended an event for the Diana Awards in New York.
In March, even though they were based in different continents, Harry and William would not appear in the same room in an event for this charity at the Science Museum in London.Another event in New York was for the HALO Trust, which campaigns for clearing landmines, which was a pivotal part of the Princess of Wales’s legacy.
Harry retraced her steps in Angola in 2019 and praised the progress made since then. This is an excellent cause.
So is Travalyst, which promotes sustainability in travel and tourism, which he founded in 2019. This sector causes high global emissions and a five-year initiative was announced.
Prince Harry was in London for the WellChild Awards on Monday night (Image: Getty)
There was also an event for Africa Parks which conserves protected areas in the continent. Harry is a board member and former President. This charity faces serious accusations of human rights abuses. Whilst they are being investigated, Harry should surely step aside as the human rights organization Survival International has urged.
He is now visiting Lesotho and South Africa, also solo. He co-founded Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006, initially it was established to help HIV/AIDS sufferers. It now has a wider remit to help needy young people and the trip is likely to be a success.
However, reports indicate that the docuseries on polo he is producing for Netflix shows little footage of him. It may be admirable, as the Heart of Invictus documentary undoubtedly was, but few watched.
Polo is an elitist sport, he was surely the draw and it may well flop. Their contract worth $100 million, is pivotal for them, and they will hope it is renewed when it expires next year.
Meghan supports a variety of admirable causes, diversity, gender equality and campaigning against online abuse being prominent.
However, she has just been the subject of an extraordinary expose in the influential The Hollywood Reporter which gave reasons for the bizarrely high turnover of their staff, those who had left, were, it claimed, in “The Sussex Survivors Club”.
The soubriquet Meghan was given was “Duchess Difficult”. She was portrayed as “a dictator in high heels” who “terrifies” those working for her. It was also critical of the couple as “poor decision-makers” who “change their mind frequently”.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Colombia in August (Image: Getty)
Meghan faced accusations of bullying staff when a senior working royal, which she called “a calculated smear campaign”. These were the subject of an inquiry conducted by Buckingham Palace which has never been made public.
In the months to come we will undoubtedly be seeing more of Harry in Britain. He may reappear in the witness stand, in cases alleging unlawful press intrusion.
His appeal against the withdrawal of his automatic police protection may result in the Sussexes being placed in the “other VIP category”.
However, though he may come more often, it is unlikely that Meghan would be a frequent visitor, as she would face such fierce hostility, especially from the press, who once, though she tends to forget this, were universally admiring.
There will continue to be enormous interest on whether Harry will take any steps towards reconciling the rift which has been so damaging, to the royal family and also to the Sussexes. With King Charles and the Princess of Wales both battling cancer, it is a extremely difficult period for the institution.
The royals, with good reason, do not trust them.Harry and Meghan preach “joy”, but despite their admirable charitable work, their unpredictability, which often manifests itself in hostility, gives their actions a Jekyll and Hyde flavour.
If they really believe what they preach, why don’t they say something positive publicly about the royal family? It just might work wonders in helping to heal their rift with it.
Richard Fitzwilliams is a royal commentator, film critic and public relations consultant who has given over 1,500 interviews on television. He was Editor of The International Who’s Who, the standard work of its type, from 1975 to 2001.
Prince Harry has kicked off his solo trip to Southern Africa after a fleeting visit to the UK and joined a bonfire event in Lesotho, where he made an impassioned plea
Prince Harry has begged “people at the top” to “start listening” as he kicked off his solo trip to Africa without Meghan Markle.
After several days in New York last week and a fleeting visit to the UK earlier this week, the Duke of Sussex has now headed to Lesotho for his first trip to Southern Africa in five years. While there, he reunited with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, with whom he co-founded his charity Sentebale.
Set up in 2006, the organisation supports children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana living with, or who are at risk from, HIV. Last night, Harry caught up with Prince Seeiso around a bonfire at a children’s centre in the small country.
Harry meets youth advocates from Botswana at an event in Lesotho(
Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
And there he talked about the impact of his Sentebale charity and made an impassioned plea. During a speech, Harry said: “We’re hitting the targets, not just Sentebale but all of the departments are, and it’s making a massive difference, and it is this surge of energy and optimism and the voice of young people ranging from six to 25 – and the biggest difference of which really needs more work, is when people from the top start listening.”
At the bonfire welcome event, Harry was also greeted by those who support Sentebale and enjoyed a performance from dancers and a choir. Earlier in the day, it emerged he had enjoyed lunch with Princess Senate Seeiso in Lesotho, which is often called the ‘Mountain Kingdom’.
During the rest of his Africa trip, Harry is expected to gather with world business leaders and philanthropists in the region to work towards fostering prosperity in Southern African communities, specifically for young people, with a series of events in Lesotho and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prince Harry with Prince Seeiso, the two co-founders of the charity, Sentebale(
Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
It comes after his brief trip to the London, which saw him appear at the WellChild Awards on Monday night where he paid tribute to the children and teenagers recognised by the charity, who act as carers, fundraisers or just carry on with life as they cope with debilitating conditions.
His brief trip to the UK came after a string of solo outings in New York last week, where he spoke at several high-level summits connected to the United Nations General Assembly and also appeared on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. While at the WellChild Awards, Harry met one of the winners, Scarlett Cripps, who was recognised for her uplifting attitude despite living with a number of complex medical conditions.
On meeting Harry, the 10-year-old gave him a set of crystal hearts – a blue one for himself, a green one for his son Prince Archie, a yellow heart for his daughter Princess Lilibet and a purple crystal heart for Meghan.
And afterwards, Scarlett’s mum, Aby Cripps, revealed: “Scarlett told Harry she filled the crystal hearts with love and whenever he had a bad day or sad day he had to squeeze the heart and it would show him how special he was and make him smile. He said it was a lovely gesture and he hadn’t seen his wife and his children because he was travelling here, so he’ll take it out later and squeeze them and it will remind him of his lovely wife.”
His brief trip to the UK came as relations with his father King Charles and brother Prince William remained strained. And despite travelling thousands of miles from California, it appears that Harry did not see his older sibling or his father, who is receiving treatment for cancer, during his brief stint in the country, as he remained in Scotland following engagements north of the border.
In an emotional scene, the Princess of Wales hugged budding photographer Liz Hatton, 16, who is bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour, at Windsor Castle
The Princess of Wales hugged a young fellow cancer sufferer after she was invited to Windsor Castle to take pictures with Prince William.
In an emotional scene, budding photographer Liz Hatton, 16, who is bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour, was asked by the Prince of Wales to join him at an investiture he was holding to capture participants including legendary cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish, former rugby referee Waynes Barnes and Scottish footballing legend Ali McCoist. Liz, from Harrogate in Yorkshire, has set herself a challenge to take part in as many photography experiences as possible and received a personal invitation from the future King after he found out about her through the London Air Ambulance Charity, of which he is patron.
The Princess of Wales announced last month that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in February. In a personal message on social media, William and Kate said on Wednesday night: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today.
The Prince of Wales held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle
“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. W&C.” Liz described being “over the moon” after meeting the prince and princess at the castle.
“Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she wrote on social media. Despite the meeting with Liz taking place in a private capacity after the investiture, it is the first time the princess has been seen in an official capacity since she announces she would slowly return to duties after nine months away to concentrate on her recovery.
In an emotional audio statement over an intimate video of the princess with husband Prince William and their three children in the Norfolk countryside, the future queen said she was looking forward to returning to duties but admitted “my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes”. Kate, who is expected to appear with other senior royals at the Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph next month in what could be her first official engagement back, wore her hair down with gold earrings, with a dressed in a burgundy trouser suit and beige top and was pictured embracing Liz.
The prince and princess also posed for a group shot with Liz’s family, her mother Vicky, stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo. The teenager began a photography bucket list appeal after being diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January.
Her mum, Vicky Roboyna, said in June doctors have told her daughter she has between six months and three years to live. Liz was invited by the prince to take photos of investiture recipients receiving their honours from William and learn about pictures taken throughout the day.
Some of her images were shared on Kensington Palace’s social media including photos of cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish with the prince, and footballer Karen Carney. Kensington Palace said William found out about Liz through the London Air Ambulance Charity of which he is patron. “Following the investiture both the Prince and Princess of Wales met Liz privately with her family to hear about her day and journey,” a Palace spokesperson said.
Prince Harry is now on his second week of solo engagements in Southern Africa after appearances last week in New York and London without Meghan Markle – and an expert has explained why Harry is carrying out these visits without his wife
Meghan Markle once declared that she and Prince Harry were like “salt and pepper”, insisting, “we always move together” – but it has not been the case in recent weeks.
Firstly, Harry appeared at a charity event organised by Hollywood star Kevin Costner alone with Meghan reportedly sick. Hot on the heels of that, Harry then headed to New York solo for a string appearances including speaking at a summit organised by the Clinton Foundation and appearing on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Earlier this week, he made a fleeting trip to the UK alone to attend the WellChild Awards and has now headed to Southern Africa for a series of visits in Lesotho and South Africa. It has led many to wonder why Harry has been on his travels without his wife – even though the pair headed to Colombia together in August.
Harry at the WellChild Awards on Monday(
Image: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
One PR expert believes there is a strategic reason why Meghan appears to be ‘missing’, especially from Harry’s royal-style outings. Mark Borkowski told The Telegraph that the Sussexes’ “separation of work” has been ongoing for a while now, especially as Meghan works on her new American Riviera Orchard brand.
And he believes the reason behind their solo appearances is because their “star power” as a couple that they believed they might have had when they dramatically quit their royal roles “didn’t work”. He explained: “They had to change the narrative. They need a venture that deflects from the failures. The charity aspect impresses upon everybody that he [Harry] does have value beyond the controversial stuff. It has the effect of separating them from the bad press and the failed content ideas. The punters still have time for Harry.”
Harry did mention wife Meghan while in the UK when he met one of the WellChild Award winners Scarlett Cripps, who was recognised for her uplifting attitude despite living with a number of complex medical conditions. On meeting Harry, the 10-year-old gave him a set of crystal hearts – a blue one for himself, a green one for his son Prince Archie, a yellow heart for his daughter Princess Lilibet and a purple crystal heart for Meghan.
Prince Harry at a bonfire welcome event in Lesotho(
Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
And afterwards, Scarlett’s mum, Aby Cripps, revealed: “Scarlett told Harry she filled the crystal hearts with love and whenever he had a bad day or sad day he had to squeeze the heart and it would show him how special he was and make him smile. He said it was a lovely gesture and he hadn’t seen his wife and his children because he was travelling here, so he’ll take it out later and squeeze them and it will remind him of his lovely wife.”
Meanwhile, Harry arrived in Lesotho in Southern Africa yesterday after his whirlwind trip to the UK and was reunited with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, with whom he co-founded his charity Sentebale.
Set up in 2006, the organisation supports children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana living with, or who are at risk from, HIV. Last night, Harry caught up with Prince Seeiso around a bonfire at a children’s centre in the small country.
And there he talked about the impact of his Sentebale charity and made an impassioned plea. During a speech, Harry said: “We’re hitting the targets, not just Sentebale but all of the departments are, and it’s making a massive difference, and it is this surge of energy and optimism and the voice of young people ranging from six to 25 – and the biggest difference of which really needs more work, is when people from the top start listening.”
At the bonfire welcome event, Harry was also greeted by those who support Sentebale and enjoyed a performance from dancers and a choir. Earlier in the day, it emerged he had enjoyed lunch with Princess Senate Seeiso in Lesotho, which is often called the ‘Mountain Kingdom’.
During the rest of his Africa trip, Harry is expected to gather with world business leaders and philanthropists in the region to work towards fostering prosperity in Southern African communities, specifically for young people, with a series of events in Lesotho and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prince Harry is currently in Southern Africa after travelling from London to Lesotho for a string of engagements with his beloved charity Sentebale – and one expert believes he made a very telling gesture during a welcome event
Prince Harry’s unusual ‘karate chop’ gesture hinted at his true feelings about being on a solo trip to Africa, according to an expert.
After a fleeting visit to the UK, the Duke of Sussex kicked off a visit to Lesotho by joining a chat around a bonfire as he reunited with his close friend and Sentebale charity co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who described the duke as “my younger brother Mohale, the warrior”.
Princess Senate Seeiso, the niece of Prince Seeiso, shared footage in her Instagram stories of Harry speaking passionately about the charity, which supports young people with HIV/AIDs as he perched on a chair by a fire during the night-time gathering.
Prince Harry at a bonfire welcome event in Lesotho(
Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
Harry, in a puffer jacket and dark trousers, described how “stigma is being broken down in this country and also in Botswana”. And body language expert Darren Stanton says it was during this chat that Harry performed the never-before-seen gesture.
He explained: “When we saw Harry sitting by the bonfire speaking about his charity, you could instantly tell how comfortable he felt speaking about what he’s most passionate about. We saw him making a specific hand gesture during his conversation – which we hadn’t seen before.
“We saw him do a karate chop movement, which suggests he felt completely in control and nothing could get in the way of that. His levels of confidence were through the roof, and we have never seen him appear to be so certain of himself. Harry has come on from leaps and bounds in terms of believing in himself and his confidence in what he can achieve independently without reassurance.”
Harry meets youth advocates from Botswana at an event in Lesotho(
Image: Getty Images for Sentebale)
Harry made the solo journey to the tiny mountain kingdom in southern Africa after his brief visit to the UK for the WellChild awards on Monday. Harry’s Sussex.com website recounted the trip under the headline “Lesotho Welcomes Harry Home” and said it “rekindled cherished connections from his childhood”.
Darren, speaking on behalf of Betfair Bingo, added: ” Prince Harry appeared to be on top form during this visit. He spoke with a number of people, and when he did, he leaned in close towards them, showing signs of active listening and giving them his full attention. On one occasion, he purposely lowered himself, which is significant. This means he wanted to show them he respects them and wants to connect with them on a deeper level.
“Harry was also tactile when conversing in many of his one-on-one conversations. He was seen touching their arms while looking directly into their eyeline, which are both examples of him fully engaging and connecting in that moment. Harry had a natural ease and confidence when meeting and speaking with people he never met before.”
Harry spent two months in the kingdom of Lesotho during his gap year when he was 19 in 2004, which inspired him to establish the Sentebale charity two years later, which now also works in Botswana. He came face-to-face with Aids orphans, met other traumatised young people and visited herd boys living a harsh existence looking after cattle in remote mountain areas.
It is his first visit to the country in five years, with his last taking place in 2019, the year he married Meghan Markle. Harry is also due to travel to Johannesburg in South Africa, and take part in a reception with South Africa-based stakeholders and strategic partner Lebec, a women-led finance and philanthropy firm.
The latest picture comes nearly a month after the Princess of Wales released a landmark cancer update in a sweet video of her, Prince William, and the rest of the Wales family
Kate Middleton has been pictured for the first time since she released an update on her cancer diagnosis.
The picture, shared on the Kensington Palace official social media channels, shows Princess Kate embracing an aspiring photographer who inspired Kate and Prince William. The photographer, 16-year-old Liz Hatton, has documented her progress working through a bucket list as she battles a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
A caption under one photo posted on X, formerly Twitter, states: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us.” Kate and William enlisted the teen’s talents to help document an investiture ceremony held at Windsor today, with photos of the event posted online.
Liz was pictured alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales at an investiture
The couple thanked the 16-year-old in another caption posted under a selection of the photos she took of the ceremony that were posted on Instagram. The caption reads: “Congratulations to everyone who received honours at Windsor today! It was a pleasure to have @lizhatton_photography helping us to capture these special moments.”
Liz, from Harrogate, was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumors in January this year, with tumours discovered on both of her ovaries, her omentum tissue, and liver. The rare disease – of which there are only around 12 cases per year in England – is aggressive, and can leave people with just a matter of months to live.
Liz has been told she likely has between six months and three years to live, with the time frame dependant on the effectiveness of the chemotherapy she receives. She has focussed almost solely on photography in the months following her diagnosis, telling Digital Camera World that the craft has “become my focus in life”.
The teenager’s mum, Vicky, went viral on X, formerly Twitter, after she posted Liz’s bucket list, which includes:
Photograph the rehearsal of a major musical
Watch the filming of Would I Lie To You
Have photographs published in as many magazines as possible
Take photographs of the catwalk at London Fashion Week
Photograph circus performers practising their act
Help film a movie
Photograph a music festival
Take photos of the Christmas markets at Tivoli Gardens
Do a photo shoot with professional models
Take photos in a fashion shoot at a big fashion house
Among those receiving awards at today’s investiture were Ally McCoist, the Rangers and Scotland football legend who was made an OBE by Prince William, and cycling great Mark Cavendish, who was made a knight.
In a touching moment that left Princess Catherine visibly in tears as King Charles made the heartfelt decision to honor her father Michael by giving him a new title.
According to a source, the king surprised attendees with the announcement of Michael Michael’s new title during the royal gathering at Buckingham Palace King Charles spoke fondly of his contributions Michael for the royal family and his unwavering support for his daughter throughout her life Michael, a former flight dispatcher and businessman known for his steadfast support and love for my daughter. As a guiding force in Princess Catherine’s life, his steadfast presence and commitment to his family played an integral role in her journey.
Especially during her transition to royalty after she married Prince William. Easter reports revealed that Michael and Carol had gone to Windsor to live. with her as a princess while she was recovering, as grandparents to George Charlotte and Louis, it is not surprising that Michael Allway had a special bond with his grandchildren, he He was also spotted at a low level hanging out with his son-in-law, Prince William. He always maintained a humble attitude, preferring to stay out of the spotlight, but his dedication to his family has never wavered as a are the parents of the future Queen and strong supporters of the royal family.
The question of whether they will receive official Royal titles when their daughter becomes Queen, according to one royal expert, said the decision to give Michael the title of Earl of Buckleberry was a testament to King Charles’s recognize his contributions to the royal family and his dedication to his daughter which symbolizes the importance of family as well as the deep respect and affection that King Charles had for the middle class. The title of Earl of BU berry was not only a recognition of Michael’s loyalty and suppor
t but also a tribute to the family’s roots in the recovering Princess Catherine. The treatment was deeply moved by the announcement, her eyes filling with tears as she expressed her gratitude to King Charles.
She expressed deep gratitude and spoke warmly of her father’s love and guidance throughout the years, emphasizing how much this honor has meant to their family as Earl of Wales. Buckleberry Michael will have the opportunity to become more deeply involved in philanthropic and public service efforts, leveraging his new platform to make a positive impact on society. His role will also allow him to take a more active part in Royal Family events and engagements that strengthen the relationship between the Windsor and Windsor families. News of this new title was met with widespread joy and excitement not only by Royal enthusiasts but also by the public, who admire the family for its down-to-earth nature and strong family values. strong.
This gesture by King Charles not only highlights the close relationship between the royal family and the middle class but also emphasizes the importance of family values in the monarchy and confirms the title of Earl. Buckleberry for Michael is an important and meaningful honor that recognizes his dedication and the values that the family holds dear. It serves as a reminder of the respect and admiration they hold. each other as well as the importance of acknowledging those who have played an important role in their lives. As Michael receives his new title, he will continue to be a pillar of strength and support for his daughter.
Prince Harry is returning to the UK to attend the WellChild Awards (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry this evening reminds the British people of the crucial role that a Royal Family can play in a modern democracy with a constitutional monarchy.
The Duke of Sussex has returned to the UK and tonight will attend the WellChild Awards, which celebrates inspirational stories and qualities of this country’s seriously ill children.
Not even the most ardent anti-Monarchist can have a problem with this. It’s an admirable function for a prince to perform, especially if one concedes a central point of anti-royal types: that the occupants of palaces owe us for maintaining their opulence.
And yet Harry’s attendance is striking precisely because this noble endeavour appears against a backdrop littered with his own idiocy.
That is not to say that attending WellChild is the only useful thing the Duke has undertaken; his Invictus Games can never be taken away from the former soldier. But noticing the good in a man does not mean that we do not see the bad.
What is most incongruous about Prince Harry’s attendance is that he’s behaving precisely as a Royal should. He’s reaching out to the people of this country with an act of kindness.
It is a unifying act, which appears out of place precisely because he has, in the past, sewn such unnecessary division and anger. Rather than assuming that such anger, which often comes from the Press, is the result of journalists’ cruelty, caprice, or even racism, he should consider whether it might have had anything to do with his unbecoming behaviour.
Was it, for example, becoming of a Royal to tell a Sky News reporter “Don’t behave like this” in response to a question? Or was it more becoming of someone not worthy of that station?
Are we expected to respect a man who lectures poorer people about climate change while taking private jets for engagements as trivial as visiting Elton John? We are, by the way, because Sir Elton paid to carbon offset the trip. But it doesn’t seem to occur to the Duke that ordinary people may not have the means to carbon offset their trips abroad. Do without your holiday, peasants, the planet is dying. Flying is only for the rich.
Should we revere, as we did Queen Elizabeth II, a man who writes the following sentence and publishes it in a book?
“There’s just as much truth in what I remember and how I remember it as there is in so-called objective facts.”
This is childish stuff, the sort we constantly hear from political pygmies on social media who genuinely believe there’s such a thing as “my truth” as opposed to the truth.
Perhaps the nadir of Harry’s musings came in his statement that the First Amendment to the American Constitution is “bonkers”. Such a statement betrays an inability to think seriously about the very building blocks of the nation in which he now resides.
It also betrays an ignorance of his country of birth. The Duke, alarmed by the Amendment’s protection of free speech, has clearly never read John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, or John Milton’s Areopagitica.
If we are to have this Duke continue to represent our Royal Family, however unofficially, and if he wants our respect, let us demand from him conduct of the kind he displayed by attending the WellChild Awards, as opposed to that which has been the subject of countless column inches already.
Prince Harry is back in the UK for the WellCHild Awards and is set to make a speech at the event.
Prince Harry is at the WellChild A (Image: Getty)
The Duke of Sussex has been upstaged by a boisterous boy who threw his toys away during an awards night and laughed as Harry picked them up.
The duke met seven-year-old Noah Nicholson who has complex medical conditions when he returned to the UK to honour children, teenagers and their parents who have been recognised with awards from the charity WellChild.
Harry was asked by some of the youngsters whether he had a passport, and received gifts for his own children in the US.
He told one winner at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel: “My award is being here with you guys.”
The WellChild Awards celebrate the inspiring qualities of some of the country’s seriously ill young people and the dedication of those who keep them healthy and happy, including health, social care and education professionals.
Prince Harry returned to the UK to attend the awards. (Image: Getty)
Noah has cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease and other serious health issues, but his mother, Tracey Nicholson, 42, from Grimsby, said he remains happy and positive and lives life to the full.
The seven-year-old brought his prized comfort toys George the cat and Ratty the Giraffe in the shape of a blanket and delighted in throwing them on to the floor.
When Ms Nicholson apologised for her son’s antics, Harry, who is WellChild’s patron, replied: “Don’t apologise, I love it.”
Harry recognised Ratty the Giraffe and called the blanket comforter “lovey”, a name used in American, and said: “Every parent has about six spare.”
At one point Noah, who has brain damage and won the most Inspirational Child aged four to six, grabbed Harry’s beard and made him grin.
Noah’s mother said afterwards: “He’s in constant pain but is always happy and smiley. He’s just a very excitable boy and when he’s around people he just loves it.”
“Nothing ever gets him down, he never cries unless the pain gets the better of him. He’s seriously ill fighting for his life so much, but he’s so happy.”
Anya Olweny, 12, named as Inspirational Sibling, asked Harry if he had a passport: “He said he still has to have one.”
The youngster, from Matlock, Derbyshire, was not fazed by meeting royalty and was recognised for supporting her mother caring for her 15-year-old brother Edward, who was born with a chromosomal disorder, is developmentally delayed and severely short-sighted.
Scarlett Cripps, Inspirational Child 7-11 years old, presented Harry with a set of crystal hearts blue for the duke, green for his son Archie, yellow for his daughter Lilibet and purple for his wife Meghan.
Scarlett’s mother, Aby Cripps, said: “Scarlett told Harry she filled the crystal hearts with love and whenever he had a bad day or sad day he had to squeeze the heart and it would show him how special he was and make him smile.”
“He said it was a lovely gesture and he hadn’t seen his wife and his children because he was travelling here, so he’ll take it out later and squeeze them and it will remind him of his lovely wife.”
It is believed Harry arrived in the UK on Sunday, but it seems unlikely he will meet his estranged brother the Prince of Wales, and doubtful he will travel to Scotland to spend time with the King.
