Author: Mr Bang

Future King William reached out to his grandmother for ‘assurances’ ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018 – and he made a very telling request

Prince William ‘sought assurances’ from the Queen ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, according to a royal author.

Harry and Meghan tied the knot in May 2018 – less than two years after they first met. It was widely reported at the time that members of Harry’s family had concerns about how fast their relationship had developed. And it even prompted William to reach out to his grandmother for a special – and significant – guarantee.

In his own contentious memoir, Spare, Harry recalled significant tension with his brother during the planning of his wedding. And in Catherine, The Princess Of Wales: The Biography, author Robert Jobson alleges that the relationship between the two brothers deteriorated further before the 2018 wedding.

He wrote: “By the time William was confirmed as best man, the relationship had worsened. I have been told that still concerned about the match, he’d sought assurances from the Queen that Harry’s bride would not be wearing any of Princess Diana’s jewellery, even though his own wife was allowed to wear it. Despite sharp digs and thin skins on both sides, the wedding at Windsor in May 2018 was a spectacular success. In public, the Royal Family were all smiles, though privately they were at daggers drawn.”

Although Meghan did not wear any of Diana’s jewellery during the wedding ceremony, she famously wore her aquamarine cocktail ring to her evening reception along with her Stella McCartney halterneck dress. Meghan has also worn several of Diana’s pieces including a Cartier bracelet and butterfly earrings over the years.

Less than two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan sensationally quit their royal roles and the UK for a new life in America – and their relationship with William and Kate now appears to be at rock bottom.

Harry and wife Meghan have been critical of the monarchy; in their infamous Oprah interview , their Netflix show, interviews, and in his memoir Spare. In the Netflix docuseries, Harry claimed his brother left him “terrified” when he began “screaming and shouting” at him during the infamous Sandringham Summit. And in Spare, Harry claimed that a physical confrontation took place between him and William at Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace in 2019.

And according to one royal expert, future king William has decided to completely ‘cut ties’. On recent trips back to the UK, Harry has not met with his brother and they did not sit together at King Charles’s Coronation. According to Jobson’s book, as far as William is concerned “there is no way back” when it comes to Harry.

In his 60 Minutes interview in January 2023, Harry was asked if he “Speaks to William now? Do you text?” He replied: “Currently, no. But I look forward to… I look forward to us being able to find peace.” The interviewer pressed on how much time it had been, to which Harry added that it had been “a while.”

The ongoing tension between the British royal family and Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, has taken a new turn, as reports suggest that King Charles has effectively given up on making amends with his younger son and his wife.

Since their dramatic departure from the UK in 2020, the Sussexes have repeatedly attacked the royal institution through a series of high-profile interviews, the Netflix documentary “Harry & Meghan,” and most recently, Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare.” These public airing of grievances have left the reigning monarch, King Charles III, deeply “hurt,” according to a new book by royal historian and author Robert Hardman.

In his latest work, “Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story,” Hardman provides a fascinating insight into the King’s perspective on the ongoing rift with his son and daughter-in-law. The author claims that Charles has tried to listen and find a resolution, but has now reached a point of resignation, focusing instead on his duties as the new sovereign.

“Of course, the King is extremely sad about Harry and Meghan, but there is a sense of exasperation, that he has done what he can and now he is King, there are many more things to think about,” Hardman writes. “He has tried listening. Now he just says: ‘I don’t want to know what the problem is. I’m just getting on with my life.’”

This sentiment reflects a marked shift in the King’s approach, as he appears to have abandoned any further attempts at reconciliation with the Sussexes, who have continued to level criticism against the royal family.

The tensions between the Windsors and the Sussexes have been further exacerbated by recent reports of a rift between Meghan Markle and King Charles himself. Royal expert and commentator Angela Levin revealed that Meghan was “very upset” about the King’s decision to sell his own brand of jam, allegedly feeling that he was encroaching on her territory.””

However, Levin dismissed this notion, stating that it is “not in his nature” for the King to intentionally undermine his daughter-in-law. She suggested that the reported incident was likely an overreaction on Meghan’s part, further highlighting the delicate and strained relationship between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.

The ongoing saga continues to captivate the public’s attention, with the King’s apparent resignation from seeking reconciliation marking a significant development in the complex and deeply personal conflict that has gripped the House of Windsor.

 King Charles dropping a bombshell on his own son, Prince Harry, essentially telling him and his kids to step aside from the royal successi…

King Charles dropping a bombshell on his own son, Prince Harry, essentially telling him and his kids to step aside from the royal succession. Because Charles just took it to a whole new level. Imagine this: King Charles, looking all regal, steps up to the mic. The whole world’s watching, probably expecting some bland speech about unity or whatever.

But nope, our boy Charles decides to go full soap opera on us. He drops the bomb that he’s removing Harry and his entire family from the line of succession. Can you imagine the collective gasp heard around the world? It was probably loud enough to wake up the corgis in doggy heaven.

Little Archie and Lilibet, those adorable munchkins who probably thought they had a shot at being the next Disney prince and princess? Yeah, they’re out too. Talk about harsh. Archie, who was probably dreaming of one day ruling over his own Lego kingdom in Buckingham Palace—sorry, kiddo, dreams over. And little Lilibet, who might have been practicing her royal wave in the mirror? Well, she can wave goodbye to that princess title.

I gotta say, Charles didn’t pull any punches. He basically said, “Harry, you’ve been a royal pain in the crown jewels, and I’m not having it anymore.” Okay, maybe not those exact words, but you get the gist.

And can we talk about the timing for a second? I mean, the ink on Queen Elizabeth’s obituary was barely dry, and Charles is already making moves that would make Cersei Lannister proud. Talk about not letting a crisis go to waste.

And poor Meghan—remember when she thought she was going to waltz in and modernize the monarchy? Yeah, that plan backfired spectacularly. Now she’s probably sitting in her Montecito mansion wondering if she can return that tiara to Amazon for store credit.

Harry and Meghan have been airing more dirty laundry than a 24-hour laundromat. From that Oprah interview—let’s be honest, it was more dramatic than all seasons of “The Crown” combined—to Harry’s tell-all book (more like tell-too-much), they’ve been pushing royal patience to its limits.

And Charles? Well, he’s not exactly known for his warm and fuzzy demeanor. That man’s been waiting longer to be king than most of us have been alive. You think he’s going to let his rebel son and his Hollywood wife mess that up for him? Please.

But here’s where it gets really interesting, folks. This isn’t just about family drama (though let’s be honest, that’s the juicy part). This is about the future of the monarchy itself. Charles is basically saying, “It’s my way or the highway,” and that highway leads straight out of the line of succession.

Think about it—for centuries, the royal family has been this untouchable institution. Sure, they’ve had their scandals (looking at you, Henry VIII), but they’ve always managed to keep it together, more or less. But now, Charles is shaking things up like a bartender mixing a royal-themed cocktail.

On one hand, you’ve got to admire the guts. He’s barely warmed the throne, and he’s already making big moves. It’s like he looked at the royal rulebook and said, “Nah, I’m going to write my own.” But on the other hand, you’ve got to wonder, is this the beginning of the end for the monarchy as we know it?

I mean, if the king can just decide to kick out his own flesh and blood, what’s next? Will we see Prince Andrew working the drive-thru at McDonald’s? Actually, that might be an improvement.

And let’s not forget about the public reaction. The Brits love their royal drama, but this might be a bit much even for them. I can just imagine the headlines: “King Charles to Harry: You are not the prince of my heart” or “Archie and Lilibet: From royals to regular Joes.”

But here’s the real question: What does this mean for Harry and Meghan? They’ve been playing the victim card pretty hard, and this just gives them a whole new deck to deal from. I can see the Netflix documentary already: “Exiled: How we lost our crowns but kept our dignity.” Spoiler alert: They didn’t.

And what about those kids? Archie and Lilibet are innocent in all this. One day, they’re potential heirs to the throne, and the next, they’re just regular kids with really, really famous parents. Talk about an identity crisis waiting to happen.

As King Charles looks to redefine the monarchy, Duchess Sophie and her husband Prince Edward are reportedly at the center of significant changes involving royal residences and family dynamics. Recent reports indicate that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are potential candidates to move into Royal Lodge, the current residence of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. This shift would mark a notable change, as King Charles is said to be eager to reassign the property. The king aims to relocate the Duke of York to Frogmore Cottage, previously the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, Prince Andrew, who’s resided at Royal Lodge since 2003, is reportedly reluctant to leave his 30-room mansion, citing a 75-year lease and the estate’s historical significance as reasons for staying.

Sources suggest that Sophie and Edward could take over Royal Lodge, with Sophie described as a serious contender for this role. An insider told Women’s Day magazine that Sophie and Edward’s potential move has complicated the situation, prompting King Charles to address his plan openly. This has led to a tense atmosphere, with rumors of a possible intervention by Prince William if the issue is not resolved soon. Royal author Gareth Russell has also noted that while The Prince and Princess of Wales might seem like a natural choice, they’ve shown little interest in moving, making the Edinburgh couple a more viable option.

King Charles’s intentions extend beyond just reshuffling residences. The king is reportedly concerned about ensuring that Queen Camilla has a secure home for the future. As a result, he wishes to establish a stable residence for her in Windsor, potentially involving Sophie and Edward as caretakers of Royal Lodge. This plan reflects the king’s desire to provide for Camilla’s well-being after his passing. Prince Andrew’s desire to keep Royal Lodge as an inheritance for his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, has added to the complex dynamics. The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson were allowed to remain in Royal Lodge following the Duchess of York’s cancer diagnosis in 2023. Nevertheless, the king’s push to finalize the relocation underscores the ongoing tensions within the royal family.

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s involvement in royal affairs extends beyond property matters. Sophie reportedly faced a snub from Meghan Markle, despite her attempts to offer support as a fellow outsider who joined the royal family in 1999. Sophie hoped to mentor Meghan, who was navigating her new royal role. According to a source, Sophie and Meghan had an extensive conversation where Sophie offered valuable advice on transitioning into royal life. Sophie found Meghan engaging and offered her support but was surprised when Meghan didn’t reciprocate or follow up. The Duchess had hoped for a return invitation to Frogmore Cottage, where Meghan and Harry were residing at the time. Some royal commentators suggest that Meghan may have felt that she didn’t need additional guidance, relying instead on Prince Harry.

This sentiment was echoed by commentator Kinsey Schofield, who noted that Meghan’s rejection of Sophie’s mentorship opportunity might have been a missed chance for learning. The queen had recommended Sophie as a mentor for Meghan, believing that she’d be an ideal guide through the complexities of royal life. Meghan’s decision to decline this offer and rely on Harry instead may have deprived her of valuable insights. According to Schofield, Sophie’s genuine intention to assist Meghan was overlooked, marking a missed opportunity for both women to build a supportive relationship. Duchess Sophie is becoming an influential figure in the evolving royal landscape. Her potential role at Royal Lodge and her past attempts to support Meghan Markle highlight her significant, albeit complex, involvement in the monarchy’s future.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Outraged as Chef José Andrés Joins Prince William for Major Public Embarrassment

It looks like Chef José Andrés, known for his humanitarian work, has officially distanced himself from Harry and Meghan, opting instead to align with a more prominent royal figure: Prince William. Andrés, who was once close with the Sussexes, has now joined Prince William’s Earthshot Prize board. Previously, Andrés was seen as the Sussexes’ golden boy, with their support pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into his organization, World Central Kitchen. The relationship was once celebrated with the enthusiasm of a high school romance, with Harry and Meghan praising him as a long-time friend and partner, and Andrés referring to them as dear friends who bring hope and empathy to every community. It all seemed very idealistic—until now.

Now, the celebrity chef is standing alongside Prince William and Sir David Attenborough for Earthshot, a prestigious initiative that awards $5 million prizes to innovators addressing climate change. This move comes in contrast to Harry’s previous dismissal of Earthshot in 2020, when he mocked small-scale awards and claimed they made little impact. Ironically, this is the same Harry who has accepted awards himself for relatively minor achievements, while Harry and Meghan have been lauded for their own award-giving efforts, which may or may not be effective.

William’s Earthshot Prize is making real strides in saving the planet, unlike the Sussexes’ more symbolic gestures, such as distributing drums to a school in Colombia. Earthshot is empowering genuine innovators with tangible solutions, and Andrés has clearly chosen to be part of this impactful endeavor.

So, what does this shift mean for Harry and Meghan? In a word: humiliation. A reputation management consultant suggests that Andrés’s defection highlights the shifting power dynamics between the two royal brothers. While Harry and Meghan struggle to maintain relevance, William is securing prestigious allies. This change stings especially since Andrés was heavily promoted by the Sussexes during the pandemic. Faced with the choice between staying with Harry and Meghan in California or teaming up with the future King of England, Andrés chose the more promising option.

Chef Andrés, known for his hands-on approach and dedication to real results, contrasts sharply with the often performative philanthropy of the Sussexes. Despite their public displays of support for Andrés’s projects, there’s little evidence of their behind-the-scenes involvement. Andrés clearly values alignment with Earthshot, which promises meaningful environmental change, over the Sussexes’ more superficial efforts.

Ultimately, Andrés has made a smart and calculated move, aligning with a program that reflects his own values and is likely to generate positive publicity for both his organization and William’s cause. Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan are left scrambling for new allies as yet another friend departs for greener and more royal pastures.

King Charles is “keener than ever” to have a normal relationship with his estranged grandchildren, sources say.

King Charles wants to be fully involved with all of his grandchildren, says source (Image: Getty, Netflix)

King Charles is “committed” to building a normal relationship with his estranged grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as the monarch “values family above everything”, sources have claimed.

The King’s relationship with his younger son, Prince Harry, may be frostier than it used to be after the latter’s explosive claims against the Firm since his sensational exit and move to the US in 2020, however, he is “keener than ever” to be as involved as he can be with Archie and Lilibet after telling friends he is “not content” with only seeing on video calls.

Charles has only seen the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a handful of times and his granddaughter only once.

A source told the Mirror: “The King is absolutely committed to being present in all of his grandchildren’s lives.

“He values family above everything and whatever the course of his ­relationship with his son he would never be content with just seeing his grandchildren on the odd video call.”

Meanwhile, royal author Ingrid Seward claimed family “has always been important to the King” and added that it’s “sad” he doesn’t see more of his grandchildren from across the pond.

She said: “Family has always been important to the King. He remembers his own somewhat fragmented childhood as his parents were always busy doing their duty.

“It is a great sadness to him he doesn’t see more of Archie and Lilibet.

“That is why he will never break ties with Harry. He does not want a FaceTime relationship with his son’s children.

 

King Charles has only seen Princess Lilibet in person once (Image: Netflix)

“He wants to know them and be involved with their lives while they are still young enough to be able to learn from his wisdom.

“His cancer has made it all the more poignant to him as he knows that he won’t be around forever.”

Following one of his trips back to the UK this year in February and after the only time he was granted a meeting with his father, Prince Harry

Meghan Markle is wanting to raise Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as true Americans and expose them to little royal influence.

Meghan wants to raise Prince Archie Princess Lilibet as true Americans – says expert (Image: Misan Harriman and Getty)

An insider has called Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s Californian upbringing ‘disappointing’.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have now made their base in Montecito following their departure from the Royal Family in 2020, and although they are regularly spotted out at engagements for the Invictus Games and other charities, their family life in the Golden State is generally kept under wraps

But an insider said the couple have different ideas on parenting – with Meghan wanting to raise them as true Americans and expose them to little royal influence.

Hugo Vickers called their upbringing “disappointing” as it appears they don’t know about their bloodline and are both missing out on royal events.

The young royals don’t know about their bloodline (Image: Getty)

He told The Sun: “There’s going to come a point when they realise that they are actually cousins to the British Royal Family, and that they could have taken part in all the sort of things that Prince William’s children take part in.

“And you know they don’t, even, as far as I can see, know, their cousins at all, and that surely must be quite tricky and disappointing really, for them.”

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, has not been on UK soil since 2022 and made no attempt to return throughout 2023 and, so far, this year either.

It has also “never been confirmed” whether Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have ever met Princess Lilibet.

King Charles has only seen Princess Lilibet in person once (Image: Netflix)

Although it was previously reported that she visited the UK in 2022 – and celebrated her first birthday at Windsor’s Frogmore Cottage – it has never been reported whether the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children have met her as the meeting may have happened behind closed doors.

King Charles has not seen Archie or Lilibet since June 2022, when Harry and Meghan brought them over for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend and they haven’t met Meghan Markle’s father, either, who only lives 70 miles away.

Hugo said: “It’s really up to Prince Harry to make the effort. If he wants his children to meet him [Charles], he should make the effort to bring them across.

“Simple as that. The King would, I’m sure, always make time for him if he did that, but there doesn’t seem to be a great willingness to do so.”

Prince Harry reportedly wants to spend more time in his home country despite the fact his wife Meghan Markle does not want to return.

Prince Harry wants to spend more time in the UK (Image: John Nacion/Getty Images)

Prince Harry is “desperate” to return to his home country despite this being against his wife’s wishes, a royal expert has said.

According to OK!, expert Phil Dampier said the duke, who turned 40 earlier this month, wants to spend more time in the UK, especially over recent months and since his father King Charles’ cancer diagnosis earlier this year when the duke flew back to the country alone.

Mr Dampier said Harry was “desperate” to find some new meaning to his life and would have to fly solo even if meant being without Meghan, who doesn’t want to come back to the UK.

Phil said: “He’s turned 40 and must be asking himself what the future holds. I think he’s desperate to find some new meaning to his life and that seems to involve branching out on his own more.

“He clearly wants to find some causes he can get involved in and give his life some purpose. Meghan doesn’t want to come back to this country, so he will have to fly solo.”

EXCLUSIVE: Sources have hit back at “ludicrous” claims the Sussexes’ charity Archewell has hidden charity funds in a ‘missing millions’ scandal.

Sources close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have rubbished the ‘missing millions’ claim (Image: Getty)

Sources close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have hit back at “ludicrous” claims the couple’s charity Archewell has hidden charity funds in a ‘missing millions’ scandal.

MailOnline claimed today that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given two grants of more than £4.5 million ($6 million) over the last two years – but both are missing from the charity’s latest 990 tax return.

However, Archewell told the publication that the records, which declared $2,000,911 in the latest return, are correct and the money will appear on the next tax return.

Express.co.uk launched its own investigation this morning and has found that the Sussexes’ records are 100% correct.

Fidelity Charitable’s 990 captures grants they made from July 2022 to June 2023.

The Archewell Foundation’s 990 captures all donations received from January to December 2022.

All donations received in 2023 will appear on The Archewell Foundation’s 990 as standard at the end of this year.

“It’s so unfair to do this to a charity when they have done everything correctly,” said a source. “The claims are ludicrous because they [the Sussexes] have always been upfront and transparent about their finances.

“Something like this can be very damaging especially as it’s extremely misleading.”

Prince Harry flew into London this weekend for his appearance at the WellChild awards tomorrow, September 30.

However, fears for the Duke’s security in the UK have been amplified after his team banned the charity from publicising Monday’s event location.

According to a source, the 40-year-old’s team told WellChild that they were not allowed to inform the public or even those outside of a close-knit circle the location of this year’s event due to fears the Duke could become a target.

“Harry is still very concerned about his security in the UK and his team have asked that the location not be shared with anyone until the day of the event,” said the source. “It’s one thing for Harry to come over last minute for a funeral or to see family, but completely different when the event is publicised and in the public domain.

“He [Harry] could become a target so the team has ensured that the location only be known on a need to know basis.”

The update comes after Prince Harry’s shock revelation in his memoir Spare that he killed 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.

Prince Harry appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show during his recent solo trip to New York (Image: Getty)

The source says it is this boast which has increased security concerns ahead of his trip to the United Kingdom.

“The reason why Harry has become such a security concern is due to comments he’s made about the Taliban,” said the source. “Because of those comments, he will always be a target. That’s something he only has himself to blame.”

Prince Harry is set to continue with his legal fight against the Home Office over his security.

It is understood that a two-day hearing will go ahead on April 8 or 9 next year in the latest dramatic twist to the Duke’s three-year legal battle with the British government.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been approached for comment.

Prince Harry was spotted entering a tattoo parlour on New York City’s Lower East Side during a solo trip to the area, which also included a skit with Jimmy Fallon

Prince Harry has been pictured visiting a tattoo parlour in New York City during a trip to the Big Apple, sparking suggestions he got inked after his 40th birthday.

The Duke of Sussex was in the city for a series of solo appearances at events linked with UN General Assembly High-Level Week. During his visit from his home in California, he was seen going to East Side Ink, a tattoo shop on the Lower East Side which is a favourite among A-listers, with several of his minders and a police officer.

The Duke spent about an hour in the tattoo shop, according to reports. The shop is a favourite of many A-list celebrities including Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans and Jeremy Renner.

Prince Harry with his security detail outside a tattoo shop popular with celebrities in New York City ( 
Image:
New York Post/MEGA)

Prince Harry was in the tattoo shop for about an hour, it was reported ( 
Image:
New York Post/MEGA)
Shop owner Josh Lord told the New York Post: “I can’t confirm or deny anything. “We treat all our customers as if they were royal, because to us they are. We always honour their privacy. From everything I’ve seen he seems like a phenomenal guy. Personally I have never spoken a bad word about him. Good luck to him and all his ventures.”

The Duke’s visit is said to have been as part of an upcoming project and he was only inside the parlour to film a segment for a stunt.

Harry’s trip concluded with an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon where he was filmed screaming and swearing as he navigated a haunted maze with the TV host. The experience featured a cast of actors who jump out when least expected, making it a spooky experience.

The prince’s team outside the shop in the Big Apple ( 
Image:
New York Post/MEGA)

The shop is a favourite among celebs ( 
Image:
New York Post/MEGA)

However, there was one awkward moment when an actress playing a zombie failed to know who Harry is. After he walks her by, she is shown asking a colleague, “Who was that?”

However, when her colleague tells her it’s ” Prince Harry ” she puts her hand up to her mouth in shock, appearing not to believe that she had just jumped out and scared the younger son of King Charles .

At another point in the segment, Harry joked that one of the other actors looked like Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. “Is that Michael Buble? Good job, buddy,” Harry said. At the end of the walk, Harry pretended to throw a punch after being frightened by an actor who popped up behind him.

Prince Harry has been New York City this week for a number of events without Meghan Markle ( 
Image:
New York Post/MEGA)

The segment broadcast on US network NBC saw swear words bleeped out as Harry, who had a camera strapped to his chest, appeared jumpy while wandering through the maze.

arry made a number of appearances at events connected with UN General Assembly High-Level Week, including a star guest feature at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on Tuesday. A source close to the couple has denied that this shows them growing apart – and instead said they had always planned to keep their own separate public profiles ever since leaving the Royal Family.

The insider told Hello: “Harry and Meghan have consistently pursued solo ventures in connection with their individual interests, but remain deeply committed to their joint efforts through Archewell. Together they have exciting projects in the pipeline, all driving forward their shared mission for positive global impact.” One of their recently launched initiatives is the Archewell Foundation’s Parents Network, a “purpose-driven movement for change to safeguard against online harms”.