Author: bang1

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have called for an urgent change to “keep our children safe” on social media.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said they had heard the “heartache” of parents amid the US Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing regarding online child safety.

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Harry and Meghan said they had listened to parents’ ‘heartache’ over social miedaCredit: Getty

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Harry and Meghan attend The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit at the Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day FestivalCredit: 2023 Getty Images
Harry and Meg said that even the “best parenting in the world cannot keep children safe from these platforms”.

In a statement on their Archewell website, the couple said the issue transcended division and party lines and this is “not the time to pass the buck of responsibility”.

It comes after the chief executives of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media giants gave evidence before the US Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday, in front of parents whose children suffered or died because of online harm.

Alongside their statement, the Duke and Duchess released a clip last night of their appearance at a World Mental Health Day discussion in New York on October 10 last year.

The pair said: “We applaud the bravery and determination of the thousands of parents around the country whose advocacy resulted in this hearing.

“Over the past few years we have spent time with many of these families, listening to their heartache and their hopes for the urgent change that is needed in the online space.

“This is an issue that transcends division and party lines, as we saw today at the Senate hearing. The best parenting in the world cannot keep children safe from these platforms.”

They added: “As one of the fathers shared with us: ‘If love could have saved them, all of our children would still be here’.

“This is not the time to pass the buck of responsibility. It’s the time to make necessary change at the source to keep our children safe.”

Harry and Meghan’s own children are still young, with Prince Archie approaching his fifth birthday in May and Princess Lilibet aged two.

The statement was accompanied by a video of the couple at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit, which focused on mental wellness in a digital age.

They were seen speaking to and hugging parents who shared their experiences.

Stop sending children content you wouldn’t want your own children to see.”

Prince Harry, Duke Of Sussex

Meghan said: “When the car was first invented, there wasn’t a seatbelt. And what happened? People started to get hurt, people started to die. So you started to change the car.”

She added: “Everyone now is affected by the online world and social media – we all just want to feel safe.”

The Duke urged tech bosses to “stop sending children content you wouldn’t want your own children to see”.

“We need to get out of this idea that young kids, there’s something wrong with them. No, it’s the world that we’re allowing to be created around them,” he said.

The Archewell Foundation said it is working with families to provide a support network for those dealing with grief or those whose children have serious mental health conditions as a result of their exposure to harmful online content.

‘BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS’

Zuckerberg, whose company runs Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp, was among those grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee over online harm, as was Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel.

During the Congressional hearing on Wednesday, Republican senator Lindsey Graham told Mr Zuckerberg and other social media bosses: “I know you don’t mean it to be so, but you have blood on your hands.

“You have a product that’s killing people.”

The Facebook founder apologised to parents in the audience who said Instagram contributed to their children’s suicide or exploitation, adding: “I’m sorry for everything you’ve all gone through.”

The Sussexes’ public statement comes at a time when the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales are all away from official engagements.

The King is recovering from treatment on an enlarged prostate and William cares for Kate as she recuperates from abdominal surgery.

Charles, 75, had surgery last Friday at the London Clinic, while Kate, 42, is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter.

With their reported £80million Netflix deal drawing to a close in 2025, and only two projects under their belt, the Sussexes have sparked rumours a contract with rival Paramount Pictures is in the pipeline.

Harry and Meg originally signed a rumoured contract for £80million in 2020 to work together until 2025.

But Meghan has since seen her desired animated series, Pearl, ditched by Netflix while in the development stage.

The pair have their own production company called Archewell Productions which produces their content for the streamers.

However, manager Bennett Levine – who worked on the flop docuseries Harry and Meghan – confirmed he was quitting, after less than two years in the role.

It comes as the Duke and Duchess’ trip to Jamaica to attend the Paramount film Bob Marley: One Love premier last Tuesday raised some eyebrows.

It is understood the “desperate” couple, had been flown out by the media giant on a private Gulfstream IV jet.

Royal experts claimed the pair rubbed shoulders with bosses in a bid to revive Meghan’s failed acting pursuits.

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are “blatantly” after a deal with media giant Paramount just as a key Archewell Productions member has quit, experts have said.

With their reported £80million Netflix deal drawing to a close in 2025, and only two projects under their belt, the Sussexes have sparked rumours a contract with rival Paramount Pictures is in the pipeline.

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Meghan and Harry were snapped at the premiere of the Paramount Pictures film Bob Marley: One Love in JamaicaCredit: Getty

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The visit sparked rumours the couple were trying to nab a deal with Netflix’s oppositionCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Sussexes posed with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and wife Juliet Holness on the red carpetCredit: The Mega Agency

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They also cosied up with Paramount CEO Brian Robbins and wife Tracy JamesCredit: Getty

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The couple are thought to have stayed at the £3,300-a-night Half Moon resort while on the tripCredit: Half Moon
It comes as the Duke and Duchess’ trip to Jamaica to attend the Paramount film Bob Marley: One Love premier last Tuesday raised some eyebrows.

It is understood the “desperate” couple, had been flown out by the media giant on a private Gulfstream IV jet.

They were thought to have stayed in a £3,300-a-night resort while on the luxury trip.

And while in Jamaica the Sussexes took the opportunity to cosy up to Paramount’s CEO Brian Robbins in a bid to revive Meghan’s failed acting pursuits, claimed Royal experts.

Experts now say that Harry and Meghan’s appearance was “blatantly” pushing for a deal with the media giant as their Netflix deal winds to a close.

Royal expert Angela Levin said that the Sussexes were “brutal” with the Royal Family and would have that attitude in their business negotiations.

She says: “What they’re showing is they are not being loyal to Netflix because they’re still signed up to Netflix.

“They haven’t been loyal to the Royal Family, they’ve been brutal and that’s family.”

Levin said it was perfectly normal for Harry and Meghan to bargain and pursue contracts, but: “If they want to move to Paramount they shouldn’t have had this type of exposure, it’s very unsubtle.

“Move quietly with dignity, people see she’s there fluttering her eyes [at the Paramount CEO] because that’s what she likes to do, be slightly flirty.”

“It’s not very nice behaviour.

“Whoever pays the most will get the goods, there’s nothing wrong with that, you just don’t show it to the world.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said he believed a deal with Paramount could be “a distinct possibility”.

He said: “They’ve not done much for Netflix, the only two things were the Harry and Meghan documentary – which of course was widely watched but Heart of Invictus people didn’t watch.”

The couple were spotted chatting to Paramount CEO, Brian Robbins, who lives close to the Sussexes in a £13million Montecito mansion.

It sparked rumours the pair could be forming a deal with the entertainment company – although nothing has been made official.

Mr Fitzwilliams continued: “With the Netflix contract coming to an end in 2025, undoubtedly this is the message it sends.

“What can they offer Paramount? They’re not doing anything substantial that we know.”

If Meghan went back to Suits it would be very ironic, it would be retrogressive, rather comical.”

Richard FitzwilliamsRoyal Expert

The pair have their own production company called Archewell Productions which produces their content for the streamers.

It was launched in 2020 by the Sussexes in a bid to create “programming that informs, elevates, and inspires”.

But now manager Bennett Levine – who worked on the flop docuseries Harry and Meghan – confirmed he was quitting, after less than two years in the role.

It follows a string of staff leaving the company, amid rumours circulating the Duke and Duchess are about to have their Netflix deal scrapped.

In a statement on social media he wrote: “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position at Cinetic Media.”

The Archewell Foundation operated at a £536,357 loss but kept in the black thanks to earlier donations.

A single donation of $10m — 77% of Archewell’s total 2021 income — came from one unidentified wealthy donor.

Archewell claimed it is not unusual for donations to drop off after the first year and say they have $8m in the bank.

Mr Fitzwilliams told The Sun: “I don’t think this is good news at all.

“The fact their manager is leaving, very clearly Archewell you could say is not so well, its accounts for 2022 were singularly unimpressive.”

The Sussexes much-hyped foundation Archewell, revealed a hole in the accounts in December last year after it received almost £9m less in donations than in a previous year.

The expert continued: “Look at their message ‘each of us can change our community, we can all change the world’ – but Harry and Meg aren’t changing the world.

“It could suggest he got a better offer elsewhere, it could suggest they’re difficult to work with – we don’t know that – but it could suggest he didn’t see much future in it – they’ve not done much.

“The Hollywood reporter called them losers, they haven’t done anything for many months, they’ve only made appearances.

“The fact Harry got the Legend of Aviation means nothing in my opinion.

“The fact we’re waiting for them to show they can produce films and television programmes, and possible philanthropic endeavors, or the idea that Meghan might go into politics – none of this is happening.

“They haven’t changed the world they’ve just trashed the Royal Family.”

Meanwhile, reports have circulated that Meghan could have a role in a Suits spin-off.

The Duchess may even land herself in the director’s seat on at least one episode of Suits: Los Angeles.

As reported by Daily Express, Megan’s pal and original creator of Suits, Aaron Korsch has already written some new episodes, as NBCUniversal gives it the go-ahead.

A senior production source claimed there have been contract talks between the Duchess’ agent and the studio giant.

“This is shaping up to be one of the biggest TV deals of the year,” they added.

The insider also claimed execs are “prepared to pay what it takes” to secure the actress.

However, Mr Fitzwilliams believes this would be a “comical” and “backwards” step for the Duchess.

He explained: “That’s going backwards, but we’ve had so many reports she could be doing something and nothing happens.

“It would fit perfectly because if you look at the three charities Harry is known for, he was attached to them before he was married.

“If Meghan went back to Suits it would be very ironic, it would be retrogressive, rather comical.

“You have Southpark and other comedians making fun of them.

“But you shouldn’t write them off because they’re unpredictable, they love surprising.”

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It comes as the couple’s deal with Netflix nears its endCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Sussexes received a warm reception in JamaicaCredit: BackGrid

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They posed for snaps with famous famous during the eveningCredit: The Mega Agency

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Harry and Meghan in a shot from their documentary ‘Harry & Meghan’Credit: AP

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The couple gave an ‘insight’ into their lives in the docCredit: AP

Nigerians are ‘excited’ to welcome their ‘daughter’ Meghan Markle for a royal visit with her husband next month after Prince Harry attends an event in London.

Social media users with links to the country said they were ‘overwhelmed with joy’ and promised a ‘celebration’ to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

It comes after Meghan revealed in 2022 that she found out she was ’43 per cent Nigerian’ following genealogy research carried out ‘a couple of years’ prior.

The couple will head to Nigeria after being invited by the African country’s chief of defence staff, who met Harry last September at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf.

Daniel Egwu, who lives in Enugu in Nigeria, tweeted: ‘I’m excited about this news! Our beloved sister, Meghan and our brother-in-law, Harry are welcome to Nigeria!’

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Meghan signs the Nigeria flag at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf on September 13 last year

Another X user wrote: ‘Harry and Meghan are coming to Nigeria in May! We cannot wait to welcome them! And our good sis is coming home for the first time. We have been waiting since she discovered she’s a daughter of the soil.’

And a third said: ‘Meghan is coming to Nigeria with Prince Harry? Our 43 per cent Nigerian sister? Ah! It’s about to be a celebration! We are about to show off!’

Harry will first attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8, with Meghan not set to join him in Britain.

But the couple will then travel to Nigeria where they are expected to meet service members and their families, and participate in traditional cultural activities.

The Invictus Games was founded as a sporting event for injured and sick military personnel and veterans. Other details about the visit are not yet known.

Meghan’s Nigerian heritage was referenced by Harry at the opening ceremony of the Dusseldorf Invictus Games last September, after Nigeria joined Colombia and Israel in sending their first-ever delegation to the event.

‘We’re really excited to have new nations join us. Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria,’ Harry told the crowd at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

‘Now, I’m not saying we play favourites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year!’

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Also during the event, Meghan was seen hugging a competitor and describing her as ‘my Nigerian sister’, before being introduced to further members of the team and the defence chief, who gave her a nickname – Amira Ngozi Lolo.

Amira is a warrior princess from a legend, Ngozi means ‘blessed’ and Lolo is ‘royal wife’. She was told she could use the name whenever she visits the country.

Meghan and Harry were also serenaded in a group huddle, as one Nigerian led them in a chant of ‘Gbosas’, which roughly translates as ‘kudos’.

Derek Cobbinah, who helped co-ordinate Nigeria’s debut in the 2023 competition, told Hello! magazine at the time that Meghan was ‘deeply touched’ by the nickname and that she was hoping to organise a family trip to the country.

‘She said she couldn’t wait to visit Nigeria for her mum and the kids,’ he revealed. ‘She’s always welcome to visit Nigeria and other African countries.’

The revelation of Meghan’s Nigerian heritage came on an episode of her Archetypes podcast in 2022 after she did a genealogy test ‘a couple years ago’.

She vowed to ‘start to dig deeper into all this’ during her discussion with comedians Issa Rae and Ziwe Fumudoh.

During an episode focused on the ‘angry black woman’ trope, Meghan said: ‘I just had my genealogy done a couple years ago.’ Ziwe responded: ‘What? What are you?’

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The family tree of Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland which goes back to 1830 in Georgia, USA

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Family tree for Meghan’s estranged father Thomas Markle which goes back to 1732 in the US

And the Duchess replied: ‘Forty-three percent Nigerian. I’m going to start to dig deeper into all this because anybody that I’ve told, especially Nigerian women, are like ‘What!”

No further information has been given about how Meghan is linked to Nigeria through her ancestry, although her fascinating family history has previously been reported.

In 2017, the Daily Mail worked with experts who revealed her African-American slave ancestry, and those on her father’s side who emigrated from England and Ireland.

Meghan’s earliest known ancestor on her mother Doria Ragland‘s side is Richard Ragland, a slave born in 1830 in Jonesboro, Georgia – with records currently going back no further than that.

There is also no one known on her estranged father Thomas Markle‘s side with any links to Nigeria.

In Nigeria in recent days, local newspapers have reported that the country’s Defence Headquarters were ‘honoured’ and ‘delighted’ after Harry and Meghan had accepted the invitation to visit.

It will be their first visit to Nigeria as a couple.

Harry is to return to the UK for the first time since his visit to see the King after his cancer diagnosis in February.

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Meghan holds a Nigeria flag at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf on September 13 last year

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Meghan greets Glory Essien, competing for Nigeria at the Games in Dusseldorf last year

The Duke is expected to give a reading at a service of thanksgiving marking a decade since the inaugural Invictus Games London in 2014.

The service is scheduled two days after Harry’s son Archie celebrates his fifth birthday. Actor Damian Lewis is set to recite the Invictus poem during the service.

Representatives from Invictus Games participating nations, including members of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veteran community, will also be in attendance.

Harry and Meghan moved to the US in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties.

This is the moment Prince Harry beamed as he announced the birth of son Archie five years ago today – just months before Megxit.

Today the Californian-based royals will be celebrating their eldest child’s fifth birthday at their Montecito home.

In a gushing video, a very happy Duke of Sussex announced to the world that their little boy had been born at 5.26am on May 6 2019, weighing 7lb 3oz.

Reassuring the public that both mother and baby are ‘doing well’ he said being at the birth – which he joked was ‘his first’ was ‘absolutely incredible’, adding: ‘How any woman does that, what they do is beyond comprehension.’

Little did the British public know that only seven months later, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would step down from their role as senior royals before departing to Canada in March 2020.

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This is the moment Prince Harry beamed as he announced the birth of son Archie five years ago today – just months before Megxit

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Little did the British public know that only seven months later, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle would step down from their role as senior royals before departing to Canada in March 2020

In the year’s that followed, their has been considerable fallout between the couple and the rest of the royal family following on from the couple’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan as well as the Duke’s memoir Spare.

Despite this, King Charles, who last saw his second son in January after Harry flew over following his father’s shocking cancer diagnosis, is set to reach out to Archie to wish him a happy birthday, a royal expert claimed.

Tom Quinn said that despite all the unease between the UK-based royals and the couple, who now permanently live in the Californian enclave with their two young children, the monarch is ‘desperate’ to have a relationship with Archie and Lilibet.

‘If he makes an ordinary telephone call to Harry it means he can have a quick word with Archie without the need to talk to Meghan,’ Mr Quinn told the Mirror.

Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born at 5.26am in a room adorned with electric candles and a picture of Princess Diana.

Initial pictures released two days later showed him being introduced to the late Queen and Prince Philip – his great-grandparents – and Doria Ragland, his grandmother.

Speaking from Windsor on the day his son was born, Prince Harry delightedly said that Archie’s birth was ‘the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.’

‘We’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful to all the love and support of everybody out there, it’s been amazing so I just wanted to share this with everybody,’ he said five years ago today.

‘Still thinking about names but, yeah, the baby is a little overdue so we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it – but that’s the next bit.

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Prince Archie, who turns five today, seen with his parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and his younger sister Lilibet in 2021

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Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor weighed 7lb 3oz and was born at 5.26am in a room adorned with electric candles and a picture of Princess Diana

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Archie is seen sitting on his father’s shoulders in an image that was revealed in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary

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Archie walks along the beach with his mother and their pet beagle, Guy

‘We’ll be able to see you in two days’ time as planned and be able to share it with you as a family and share it with you guys and so everyone can see the baby.’

‘I haven’t been at many births, this is definitely my first birth – it was amazing, absolutely incredible and as I said, I’m so incredible proud of my wife and as every father and parent would ever say, your baby is absolutely amazing, so this little thing is absolutely to die for so I’m over the moon.’

Because of the royal rift, however, Archie only spent the first five months of his life within the UK, meaning that the US feels like ‘home’ for the young boy, as his father said previously.

Details of Archie’s gilded life with his younger sister Lilibet, two, were revealed in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary series last year.

He was seen chasing seagulls at the beach, helping his parents pick oranges in the garden and playing with his two beloved family dogs – Labrador Pula and a Beagle called Guy.

Archie was previously revealed to be attending pre-school and is set to start full-time education when he turns six. He could also be enrolled in kindergarten in the autumn now that he is five.

When Meghan was in labour at the private Portland Hospital, Harry revealed that he used the laughing gas meant for his wife to calm his nerves, and said the couple’s bodyguards delivered them a takeaway Nando’s.

The pair also listened to songs by German artist Deva Premal, who turned Sanskrit mantras into music, during the delivery.

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Archie plays with a toy grand piano in an image that was revealed in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary

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Archie with his mother Meghan on his first birthday in 2020. He turned five today

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Archie with his mother during her royal tour of South Africa with her husband Prince Harry

When the contractions quickened, Meghan hopped in a bathtub to deliver the baby and had an epidural to help with the pain of labour.

Harry said he held Meghan’s hand as she pushed to deliver Archie, and revealed she had a complicated birth, describing his son’s head as being ‘tangled’.

Once Archie was born, both his parents wept with joy. His first home was Frogmore Cottage near Windsor Castle.

A clip from the Netflix series showed him gazing up to his father from a baby rocker, whilst a photo showed him gazing up at his nanny Lorren Khumalo, who had wrapped him in a yellow and brown cloth – traditional in Zimbabwe.

Another emotive clip of the young royal showed Archie reaching to touch a photo of his late grandmother Princess Diana on his nursery wall in Frogmore Cottage.

Meghan was hear saying: ‘Who’s that? Hey grandma.’

In October 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan announced that they would be taking six weeks off royal duties for some ‘family time’ with their newborn.

They travelled to Canada, staying for a period on Vancouver Island.

By January the follow year, however, the pair said they would ‘step back as senior members of the Royal Family’ splitting their time between the UK and North America.

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Harry and Meghan show baby Archie to his great-grandparents, the late Queen and Prince Philip, and his maternal grandmother Doria Ragland

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Archie on the day of his christening in July 2019 with his parents and (from left to right) Queen Camilla, King Charles, Doria Ragland, Lady Jane Fellowes, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales

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Baby Archie seen in the arms of his grandmother Doria Ragland as she sits alongside Meghan and Harry at Frogmore Cottage

By March 2020, just before the pandemic sent many parts of the world into lockdowns, the couple and their young son had moved to Los Angeles.

In July that year, they moved into their Santa Barbara home, in Montecito, which reportedly cost them $14 million.

The home is close to their celebrity friend Oprah Winfrey, as well as other showbiz stars such as Ellen DeGeneres, Katy Perry and her husband Orlando Bloom.

Harry and Meghan’s 11-bed mansion sprawls over 20 acres of land, between the Santa Ynez mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

On June 4, 2021, the family welcomed Archie’s younger sister Lilibet, who will turn three in less than a month.

In an interview with The Cut magazine, Meghan told how Archie enjoyed pretending to be a doctor with a toy stethoscope and said one of his favourite things to eat is a quesadilla.

Other footage from the Netflix series shows the young royal showing off his musical talent, tinkling away on a tiny piano.

He is also seen calling a sunset ‘beautiful’ and watching a hummingbird with his father.

‘We won’t get a chance to be this close to hummingbirds ever again,’ Prince Harry told his son.

Despite asking his toddler to stay quiet and watch the wildlife, the toddler then exclaimed: ‘I’ve got a dirty foot mama because I was with you!’

When his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, Archie and Lilibet remained in California and were cared for by their maternal grandmother, Doria Ragland, and their nannies.

Prince Archie is not believed to have spent any birthdays with his British family.

Before Archie’s arrival, Meghan had a glitzy New York shower hosted by Serena Williams at The Mark, a plush uptown hotel.

Guests including Amal Clooney and Gayle King enjoyed a flower-arranging class.

The five-day celebration, which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, provoked criticism when it emerged that Meghan had flown to New York on a private jet.

The is the moment Prince Harry chuckles as he is asked whether he is happy to be home during his whistle-stop trip to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex will give a speech at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games after he was ‘snubbed’ by his father following his arrival in the UK.

He was captured leaving an event in Central London yesterday strolling towards a black Range Rover.

The smartly dressed prince smiled as he said hello and waved at onlookers. Walking with a black folder under his arm, he nervously chuckled as he was asked if he was happy to be home. He dodges the question and says in response: ‘Nice to see you.’

It comes after Harry admitted that his father King Charles was too busy to see him this week.

After weeks of speculation about a reunion, his spokesman announced stiffly that a meeting ‘will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme’.

Harry tried to put a brave face on the situation, saying he understood his father’s position and ‘hopes to see him soon’. But the news will have come as a crushing blow to the prince, who told US television in February he hoped Charles’s illness could ‘reunify’ the Royal Family.

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Prince Harry waves at onlookers as he walks with a black folder under his arm yesterday. Asked if he was happy to be home he nervously chuckles and says in response: ‘Nice to see you’

While Harry was just three miles – or a 25-minute drive away – on an engagement in east London yesterday, Charles met the prime minister of the Republic of Fiji at Buckingham Palace, before retiring to Clarence House.

Today he again has meetings at Buckingham Palace in the morning before attending the first royal garden party of the season in the afternoon, followed by his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a Privy Council meeting well into the evening.

His spokesman said: ‘In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

‘The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’

Royal aides have repeatedly declined to comment on anything to do with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for fearing of triggering yet another war of words across the Atlantic.

However, just hours after Harry’s statement, palace officials blithely announced a new joint engagement for Charles and his eldest son William.

It is one of dozens of official engagements being planned for the 75-year-old monarch in the coming months after his doctors gave him the all-clear to undertake more public work once again while continuing his cancer treatment.

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King Charles III leaving Windsor Castle yesterday

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Prince Harry at the Honourable Artillery Company in London yesterday

Tomorrow he is expected at an as-yet unannounced engagement outside London. It is not believed that Harry was encouraged to put out a statement himself because there is little in the way of communications between the palace and his people.

But it no doubt became clear the continued speculation about family relations would continue to overshadow the work he has come here to do.

The 39-year-old prince, who remains fifth in line to the throne despite quitting royal duties and the UK, is in London for several days for engagements centred around the Paralympic-style Invictus Games, which he founded in 2014 for injured service personnel.

Yesterday he attended an event to mark the legacy of the games and today will give a reading at a St Paul’s Cathedral service to mark the event’s tenth anniversary. Media close to the Sussexes had suggested he also ‘fervently’ wished to see his father while he was here.

Harry has travelled alone, apart from his personal security guards, after claiming he does not feel safe bringing his family to the UK amid a continuing row with the Home Office following its decision to strip him of his round-the-clock Metropolitan Police protection when he left Britain.

He managed to fly into the country unobserved and his arrival came to light only when media favourable to the Sussexes were tipped off that he was attending a private panel discussion with TV presenter Louise Minchin at the Honourable Artillery Company.

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Prince Harry onstage at an Invictus Games event yesterday

He was said by sources to have had further sessions in the afternoon – including meeting business chief Sir Keith Mills, the former Invictus Games chairman – followed by a private dinner.

It has not been confirmed whether he came in on a scheduled, commercial flight, or flew by private jet from his home in California, or indeed where he is staying.

However it is not believed to be in a royal residence. Harry has as no official home in the country after being asked to leave Frogmore, his and Meghan’s Windsor home.

He is understood to have been staying in hotels or with friends during his occasional visits.

According to reports, he plans to remain in the UK until tomorrow before flying to Nigeria where he will meet up with his wife for a quasi-royal tour, ostensibly to highlight the Invictus Games as well.

Harry had not seen his father in person for 17 months before insisting he would fly to London in February after news of his cancer diagnosis was publicly announced.

The King, who had been in London and undergoing treatment for his undisclosed form of cancer, was about to leave to recuperate at Sandringham and was able to see him only for around half an hour.

Speaking to the Loose Women panel this Wednesday, Frank Skinner remembered an awkward moment that made him somewhat bond with Princess Anne as she was rewarding him with his MBE

Awarded with an MBE for his services to entertainment, Frank Skinner has another reason to remember his big day and it involves Princess Anne.

The comedian, 67, was on the set of Loose Women this Wednesday, April 24, one year after receiving the prestigious award from the Princess Royal. But when Christine Lampard questioned him about the encounter, Frank admitted he’d been so impressed by the only sister of His Majesty King Charles III, that he was disoriented.

“I’ve met a few in my time”, Frank remembered, referring to the numerous royals he had bumped into during his 37-year-long career. “But when you meet Princess Anne, I’m thinking ‘wow it’s princess Anne.’” He then quipped: “I wonder if I can get my hair that high.”

Frank Skinner told the Loose Women panel about an embarrassing experience with Princess Anne as she was awarding him an MBE for his services to entertainment
Frank explained that he had shared an awkward but hilarious moment with the Princess during the investiture ceremony, which took place at Buckingham Palace. “I’m looking at her and I’m getting my MBE so she says ‘thank you very much’”, Frank detailed. But the confusion quickly got to him as Princess Anne pinned his medal onto his jacket, prompting Frank to ask: “Do I not get my MBE?”

While she is known to be strong-willed, immensely private and one of the most hard working royals, Princess Anne is also reputed for her own flawless sense of humour. Frank was thus stunned when an amused Princess played along with his perplexed behaviour. “She said: ‘well you’re already wearing it – do you want another one?’”

This then prompted Frank to reply: “Could you get another one?”, before telling Christine Lampard, Brenda Edwards, Coleen Nolan and Olivia Attwood that Princess Anne was obviously joking. “I’d been so distracted she could have put anything on me (…) I wouldn’t have noticed,” he added.

But this was his second awkward encounter with a royal as, weeks prior to receiving his MBE, Frank told Lorraine host Ranvir Singh about another embarrassing experience with Sophie Wessex, Duchess of Edinburgh and wife of Prince Edward.

In December 2022, reports claimed that Frank had been shocked by the royal when she allegedly criticised his performance at the Royal Variety event, the Three Lions with David Baddiel, telling him “not to give up his day job.”

At the time of their interaction, Frank had tried to explain he’d battled his way through the performance to which Sophie Wessex reportedly claimed he was clearly “not used to live audiences” before shooting him an awkward look as he argued back. He recalled his experience on Absolute Radio.

Thankfully, tensions were quickly squashed when Sophie Wessex wrote Frank a heartfelt apology letter. Speaking to Ranvir in early April 2023, Frank then said: “I think it was just a misunderstanding.” He had then detailed that Sophie Wessex’s letter was a handwritten Christmas card. “It was handwritten, really lovely, polite and I thought this is one of the greater things about the posh, they know how to do manners. I’m a big fan of hers now, she’s my favourite.”

ITV’s Loose Women star Stacey Solomon has shared a series of snaps from a ‘magical’ time as she says she’s ‘gutted’ it had come to an end – and doesn’t care ‘what anyone says’…

Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon enjoyed a family break over the Easter holidays (
Image: Instagram/@staceysolomon)

Prince Harry put on a brave face today as he left St Paul’s Cathedral alone following a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The estranged royal, who was met with cheers from the crowd, beamed as he shook hands and joked around with dozens of people who had lined up to greet him.

The Duke of Sussex kept up with his cheery demeanor despite knowing King Charles was being joined by other senior royals just two miles away for a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

It comes after the monarch told his youngest son that he was too busy to see him during his fleeting visit to the UK before Harry heads to Nigeria where we will be reunited with his wife, Meghan Markle.

No members of the royal family made an appearance at the Duke’s anniversary service today, with Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester all joining the King.

The only working royals missing from the garden party were the Prince and Princess of Wales – William had conducted an investiture in Windsor earlier in the day, while Kate is not undertaking public duties due to her health – along with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, who are both carrying out fewer engagements due to their increasing frailty.

Meanwhile his cousin, Zara Tindall was seen at the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire snapped running with her horse ahead of day one of the Badminton Trials.

While members of the royal family were notably absent from the Invictus Games Service, Harry’s uncle the Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes – the younger brother and elder sister of Princess Diana – were in attendance.

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Prince Harry put on a brave face today as he left St Paul’s Cathedral alone following a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

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The estranged royal, who was met with cheers from the crowd, beamed as he shook hands and joked around with dozens of people who had lined up to greet him

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The Duke joked around with one enthusiastic royal fan who had her arms outstretched with two phones to try and get the best shot of Harry

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Harry arriving at St Paul’s Cathedral for a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games

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The Duke of Sussex remains estranged from many family members after a string of attacks on the Royal Family in recent years

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Prince Harry speaks to guests and members of the clergy as he arrives for the event at St Paul’s to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla, stand with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (right) and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (left) for the Buckingham Palace garden party today

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King Charles III speaks to guests attending the garden party at Buckingham Palace today

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Guests attending the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla listen to the National Anthem at Buckingham Palace today

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King Charles III speaks to guests attending the garden party at Buckingham Palace today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla, stand with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (right) and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (left) for the Buckingham Palace garden party today

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King Charles III speaks to guests attending the garden party at Buckingham Palace today

Other notable guests included his cousin Louis Spencer, the Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty and his lawyer David Sherbourne. Former army officer Mark Dyer, who helped mentor Harry, was also there.

As he left the cathedral on a balmy evening in the capital, the Californian-based royal greeted large crowds.

He was heard asking two fans from New York what had brought them to the UK. When they responded they were here for a wedding, the Prince jokingly asked it was ‘in there?’ referring to St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Duke joked around with one enthusiastic royal fan who had her arms outstretched with two phones to try and get the best shot of Harry.

‘Why have you got 2 phones?’ he laughed, ‘it doesn’t make sense!’

Hundreds of people had joined the crowd that was tightly guarded by police officers.

Shouts of ‘we love you Harry’ could be heard as the Prince did his walkabout, while others screamed with excitement until Harry got into a Land Rover and drove off.

It is not known where Harry is staying while in Britain as he now has no official home after being asked to leave Frogmore Cottage.

He is expected to stay in the UK until tomorrow before flying to Nigeria where he will meet up with Meghan for a quasi-royal tour that is also expected to highlight the Invictus Games.

Throughout the service, Harry gave a reading from 1 Corinthians 12 4-11.

Actor Damian Lewis, 53, meanwhile read out the Invictus poem with the service being conducted by William Ernest Henley.

An emotional reading was also given by Michelle Turner who is the UK Invictus Games Team vice-captain. She read a personal poem about how the games had helped her recovery and impacted her family.

At the end of the reading she tearfully said: ‘Thank you Invictus, for giving me my life back.’

Today’s service comes after it was revealed Charles was not able to fit time into his schedule to see his son in London – despite just being two miles apart at different events.

The King, who also had meetings this morning, will later attend his weekly audience with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this evening followed by a Privy Council meeting.

Harry has other Invictus events to attend today, following his attendance at a summit at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters yesterday. As he left that, Harry was asked whether he was ‘happy to be home’, and simply replied: ‘Nice to see you.’

The Duke of Sussex has flown into London for the Invictus engagements and there were hopes that he would see the King.

Damian Lewis gives impassioned reading of the Invictus poem at event

:Prince Harry arriving at the Invictus Games Service at St Pauls Cathedra

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Harry is greeted as he arrives at St Paul’s for the Invictus Games service this afternoon

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The ceremonial event marks the tenth anniversary of the games

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The Duke of Sussex arrives at The Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service at St Paul’s Cathedral

Prince Harry waved to veterans and royal watchers as he arrived at the ceremony

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Former Army officer Mark Dyer, who acted as the duke’s mentor, playing the role of a supportive big brother figure for Harry after Diana’s death, arrives at the ceremony

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The 9th Earl Spencer can be seen smiling and gesticulating as he walks up the steps to the historic English landmark

Princess Diana ‘s younger brother Charles Spencer and older sister Jane Fellows arrives at St Paul’s Cathedral ahead of the ceremony

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Britain’s Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer (L) and Akshata Murty, wife of Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, arrive to attend the ceremony

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David Sherborne, Britain’s Prince Harry’s lawyer, arrives at St Paul’s this afternoon

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Guests attending the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla speak to guests at Buckingham Palace this afternoon

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Guests attending the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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The King and Queen Camilla walk to meet guests at Buckingham Palace today

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Guests attending the royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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Zara Tindall was not at the service instead attending the 2024 Badminton Horse Trials

But a spokesman for Harry said yesterday that the monarch’s ‘full programme’ meant the get-together would not happen.

Harry is also not expected to see his estranged brother Prince William who held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle this morning.

William continues to balance work with looking after his three children while his wife Kate undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer and recovers from serious abdominal surgery in January.

Tomorrow, William will fly to Cornwall for further official engagements – and the King will meet staff and families of the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering in Surrey.

Then on Monday there will be a rare joint visit for Charles and William, as the King officially hands over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to William at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, where Harry previously learnt to fly.

Today, the King’s attendance at the garden party with other royals today was a clear sign of solidarity for Charles, 75, who has been given permission to carry out more forward-facing public duties by doctors amid his own ongoing cancer battle.

While the monarch continues to undergo treatment, each engagement is being carefully calibrated to balance his desire to meet as many members of the public as possible with his health.

Aides are particularly keen he is protected as much as possible from picking up any colds or bugs.

Although there are 8,000 guests present today, the event was deemed appropriate as it takes place outside on the palace lawn.

It is likely, however, that interactions will be carefully monitored, or the amount of time the King spends meeting and greeting the public slightly shortened.

Guests began to file in from 3pm in order to enjoy the tea tents and palace grounds amid glorious sunshine and balmy temperatures.

Londoners and tourists react to Prince Harry’s return to the capital

Guests gather for a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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Guests await the royals at the garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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Guests gather for a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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Guests gather for a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

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Guests await the royals at the garden party at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon

The King and the royal party arrived, as usual, at 4pm on the terrace from The Carnarvon Room.

They stood for the National Anthem, played by one of the two military bands present, before being escorted by the Yeoman of the Guard down to the lawn.

There was also a spontaneous round of applause for the King after the National Anthem had concluded.

While the bands continued to play a selection of music, the royal party then circulated among the guests through ‘lanes’ which are cordoned by top hatted ushers.

Each senior royal normally takes a different route and random presentations are made so that guests have an equal chance of speaking to a member of the royal family.

The meet and greets normally last around an hour as the party makes its way towards the Royal Tea Tent, close to the palace lake, to meet further guests and VIPs.

Camilla wore a dress by Fiona Clare, a hat by Philip Treacy and a heart-shaped diamond brooch which previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

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King Charles III waves to onlookers as he leaves Clarence House in London this morning

The first garden party was held by Queen Victoria in June 1868, who declared the afternoon ‘splendid and not too hot’… quantities of people on the lawn whom I had to recognise as I went along… it was very puzzling and bewildering’.

While garden parties historically took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, they have since evolved into a way of recognising and rewarding public service.

Sponsors such as Lord Lieutenants, Government departments, charities, the military and faith groups nominate guests who have served their organisations or communities to be send a coveted invitation.

The King undertook official engagements both yesterday morning, as well as this morning, at Buckingham Palace.

He is also likely to have seen his medical team at some point, as well as undergoing his regular cancer treatment.

Harry has travelled to the UK to commemorate the Invictus Games milestone with those who have been involved with the paralympic-style tournament and mark the decade-long support competitors have received.

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Prince Harry visits the Honourable Artillery Company headquarters in London yesterday

During the service at St Paul’s today, Harry will give a reading and actor Damian Lewis will recite the Invictus poem.

Charles and Harry last met soon after the King announced his cancer diagnosis in February and his son rushed from America to see his father.

That was the first time Harry had seen his father in person for 17 months, and they had a half-hour meeting before Charles left London to recuperate at Sandringham following treatment.

But this time, a spokesman for Harry said: ‘In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

‘The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.’

Just hours after Harry’s statement, palace officials announced a new joint engagement for Charles and William.

It is one of dozens of official engagements being planned for the 75-year-old monarch in the coming months after his doctors gave him the all-clear to undertake more public work once again while continuing his cancer treatment.

Yesterday, Charles met the prime minister of the Republic of Fiji at Buckingham Palace, before retiring to Clarence House – three miles away from Harry’s event.

Harry now lives with his wife Meghan Markle and children Archie, who turned five on Monday, and Lilibet in a £12million mansion in Montecito, California.

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Harry an Invictus Games event at the Honourable Artillery Company in London yesterday

The Duke and Charles’s relationship had been strained during the period the duke stepped down as a working royal and moved to America with his wife, but after the meeting in February Harry suggested the King’s cancer diagnosis could lead to a reconciliation with his father.

In a Good Morning America interview at the time, it was suggested a family illness could have a ‘reunifying effect’, and when Harry was asked ‘Is that possible in this case?’ he replied: ‘Yeah, I’m sure.’

Harry has travelled alone to Britain, apart from his personal security guards, after claiming he does not feel safe bringing his family to the UK amid a continuing row with the Home Office following its decision to strip him of his round-the-clock Metropolitan Police protection when he left Britain.

Yesterday, Harry was in London attending a summit that reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games which stages sporting events for wounded, sick or injured veterans or serving military to aid their recovery.

He told delegates at the event, held at the Honourable Artillery Company’s headquarters on the edge of the City of London: ‘Sometimes you… look back and go ‘Look at what we’ve done’.

‘But also given the state of the world, there is so much more to do and I think a lot of uncertainty – but what we’ve created is a global community.’

The duke, who was joined onstage by Sir Keith Mills, the former Invictus Games Foundation chairman, said whenever he was asked how long Invictus will last, his reply was ‘as long as it’s serving a purpose’.

He added: ‘The root cause of the problem is conflict and I can’t fix that.

‘So we will always be here to be able to spread the message, tell the stories, change the perspectives and help as many people as humanly possible, because Invictus transcends borders, transcends politics.’

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Prince William makes Mary Earps an MBE at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle today

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Film director Sir Ridley Scott is made a Knight Grand Cross at Windsor Castle by William today

Harry flew into the UK unobserved and his arrival was revealed when it emerged he was attending the panel discussion yesterday.

It is not known where Harry is staying while in Britain – where he now has no official home after being asked to leave Frogmore Cottage.

He is expected to stay in the UK until tomorrow before flying to Nigeria where he will meet up with Meghan for a quasi-royal tour that is also expected to highlight the Invictus Games.

Harry was inspired to found the global tournament after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.

He went on to stage the inaugural games in London’s Olympic Park in 2014 and the tournament has been held across the globe from Orlando and Sydney to Dusseldorf in 2023, with the 2025 event being hosted in Vancouver and Whistler.

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Charles met with Fiji’s PM Sitiveni Rabuka at Buckingham Palace yesterday while Harry arrived

He also said that he would be spending yesterday evening having dinner with former Invictus Games Foundation trustee Guy Monson.

Harry tried to locate the Old Etonian in the audience at the event, asking: ‘Guy Monson, are you here? No? … Well, we’re having dinner at his place later.’

Mr Monson, 61, is chief investment officer of the £18billion investment fund Sarasin and Partners and a trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation.

The Prince said that Mr Monson had been with him at the first Invictus event ten years ago and ‘basically never left his seat’.

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King Charles III and Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in September 2022

Johnny Mercer, minister for veterans’ affairs, attended one of the final sessions of the day yesterday and praised the work of the Invictus delegates in supporting competitors, adding: ‘The power of sport in recovery has been well known for a long time, but your determination to take it to the next level has been unmatched.

‘I cannot adequately express to you here today the sheer power of what you have done. You have reached into the darkest recesses of their lives when they have literally nowhere else to turn, and you have transformed their existence.

‘Yes, it is about sports, but then again, it’s not really. It’s about a common humanity. Man’s conduct to fellow man – you set the standard for humility, for courage, for determination, the absolute resolve never to quit.’

Prince Harry’s ‘lack of body engagement’ during his walkabout in London gave him ‘the option of a face-saving exit’ if he had a bad reception, an expert said today.

The Duke of Sussex greeted crowds as he left St Paul’s Cathedral alone yesterday following a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The estranged royal, who was met with cheers from well-wishers, beamed as he shook hands and joked around with hundreds of people who lined up to greet him.

And body language expert Judi James told MailOnline that he clearly marked the walkabout as ‘brief and impromptu via his body language announcement rituals’.

These included ‘bending towards the crowd and hunching his shoulders to avoid giving the impression that this was a scheduled event’, the psychologist added. She also said that he showed ‘signals of inner anxiety’ both before and after the service.

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Prince Harry meets members of the public outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London yesterday

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The Duke of Sussex waves to fans as he leaves St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday after the service

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Prince Harry waves to well-wishers outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London yesterday

And Ms James pointed out that Harry ‘stands away and leans in from a distance rather than making it more of a royal, immersive form of greeting and chatting’.

By JUDI JAMES

Harry has clearly marked this walkabout after the service as brief and impromptu via his body language announcement rituals, bending towards the crowd and hunching his shoulders to avoid giving the impression that this was a scheduled event rather than a quick pop across to register his ongoing popularity.

He stands away and leans in from a distance rather than making it more of a royal, immersive form of greeting and chatting and his lack of body engagement probably gives him the option of a face-saving exit if his reception is less than warm.

Harry’s wreathed grin with eye crinkling suggests he might be excited and relieved to meet fans in the UK although his signals of inner anxiety that were visible on the way into the service he are still on display here and might even have increased.

Harry’s hand to waist gesture on his way into the service was a barrier ritual masking as a buttoning of his jacket.

On his way out though he is placing his hand flat across his stomach and even switches hands when he goes to do handshakes with the crowd.

At one point his left hand also pulls his jacket across and he starts to fiddle with the buttonhole.

This placing of the flat of the hand across the stomach is a barrier ritual he shares with his brother William. Combined with the buttonhole fiddling it implies a desire to self-comfort.

For Harry it is linked to deeper emotions too as he has used it in the past when he has been speaking about his mother.

Judi James is a psychologist and body language expert 

She said his ‘lack of body engagement probably gives him the option of a face-saving exit if his reception is less than warm’.

Ms James added: ‘Harry’s wreathed grin with eye crinkling suggests he might be excited and relieved to meet fans in the UK.’

As Harry left the cathedral around 6pm yesteday, he greeted the crowds and was heard asking two fans from New York what had brought them to the UK.

When they responded that they were in Britain for a wedding, the Prince jokingly asked whether it was ‘in there’ – referring to St Paul’s.

The Duke joked around with one enthusiastic fan who had her arms outstretched with two phones to try and get the best shot of Harry.

‘Why have you got two phones?’ he laughed. ‘It doesn’t make sense!’

The crowd was tightly guarded by police officers, and shouts of ‘we love you Harry’ could be heard while others screamed with excitement until Harry got into a Range Rover and was driven away.

Earlier, Harry arrived at St Paul’s just before 5pm for the service which was also attended by close relatives of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales and a mentor who supported him after her death, along with hundreds from the ‘Invictus family’.

Analysing his arrival, Ms James said there were ‘signals of inner anxiety that were visible on the way into the service’ which were ‘still on display’ by the time he did the walkabout afterwards, and ‘might even have increased’.

She said: ‘Harry’s hand to waist gesture on his way into the service was a barrier ritual masking as a buttoning of his jacket.

‘On his way out though he is placing his hand flat across his stomach and even switches hands when he goes to do handshakes with the crowd. At one point his left hand also pulls his jacket across and he starts to fiddle with the buttonhole.’

She added that the ‘placing of the flat of the hand across the stomach’ is a ‘barrier ritual’ which he shares with his estranged brother Prince William.

Ms James continued: ‘Combined with the buttonhole fiddling it implies a desire to self-comfort. For Harry it is linked to deeper emotions too as he has used it in the past when he has been speaking about his mother. ‘

Among the guests for the service were Diana’s siblings Lady Jane Fellowes and Earl Spencer, and former army officer Mark Dyer, who acted as the duke’s mentor, playing the role of a supportive big brother figure for Harry after the princess’s death.

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Fans take photographs of Prince Harry as he greets well-wishers at St Paul’s yesterday

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Prince Harry shakes hands with fans who waited to meet him outside St Paul’s yesterday

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Fans take photographs as Prince Harry shakes hands outside St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday

Other notable guests included his cousin Louis Spencer, the Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty and his lawyer David Sherbourne.

Crowds had gathered around crash barriers to see the Harry’s car pull up, and Harry acknowledged them with a wave as he strode up St Paul’s steps before being warmly greeted warmly greeted by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett.

The St Paul’s Cathedral service to recognise the Paralympic-style competition the royal founded began as a few miles away Charles met guests at the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.

The monarch and his son have not met during Harry’s brief UK visit due to the King’s ‘full programme’, said Harry’s spokesman in a statement on Tuesday.

There have been reports of issues of trust but the statement had a conciliatory tone and mentioned how the duke hoped to ‘see him soon’.

Harry was inspired to found the global tournament after attending the Warrior Games in Colorado in 2013 and seeing how injured American military personnel thrived on the challenge of taking part in competitive sports that aided their recovery.

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Prince Harry greets members of the public yesterday outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London

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Police officers watch over crowds waiting to meet Harry outside St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday

He went on to stage the inaugural games in London’s Olympic Park in 2014 and the tournament has been held across the globe from Orlando and Sydney to Dusseldorf in 2023, with the 2025 event being hosted in Vancouver and Whistler.

Read More

Revealed: What Prince Harry said to a fan on her honeymoon during surprise walkabout after Invictus Games event

The St Paul’s congregation of just over 1,000 people gave a standing ovation after ex-RAF servicewoman Michelle Turner, husband John and daughter Maya each read verses of a poem that described their experiences following Mrs Turner’s medical discharge, after a tropical disease she caught while on deployment affected her heart.

Mrs Turner, Team UK captain for the 2018 Games, told the guests: ‘Wounded, injured, sick, and now with no career: consumed by insecurities, the pain and the fear.

‘Our lives were upside down, how could it be, that the little girl I was meant to protect, was now looking after me.’

At the end, after her voice broke with emotion as she said ‘Thank you Invictus for giving my life back’, the congregation stood and applauded.

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Prince Harry waves to fans who waited to meet him outside St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday

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Prince Harry hugs his uncle Earl Spencer and aunt Lady Jane Fellowes at St Paul’s yesterday

The Dean of St Paul’s echoed her words in his sermon when he said the Invictus Games Foundation, which organises the competition, was ‘ … not only changing lives through sport but quite literally by saving lives’.

Harry later joined some of the Invictus community for a private reception in the cathedral’s crypt and it is thought he will travel today to Nigeria, for a tour of the African country with his wife Meghan.

The King is in Surrey for a military visit today and Prince William is in Cornwall for official engagements.

Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Engineers, will visit the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering in Minley, before speaking to members of the 8 Engineer Brigade, which is the centre’s deployable unit.

Coleen Nolan, who is best known these days as a favourite on ITV’s Loose Women, has named her ‘work bestie’ – and fans of the show are over the moon

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan has revealed who her ‘work best friend’ is as they reunited on Tuesday after some time apart.

The TV star, 59, took to Instagram to post a wholesome video of herself and her co-star Ruth Langsford having a dance-off – before the pair headed to the famous panel to discuss the trending topics of the day. Dressed in a royal blue shirt and black trousers, Coleen was dolled to the nines in the video alongside Ruth, 64, who looked equally as chic in a pale pink suit.

Coleen and Ruth looked over the moon to be reunited with one another as they danced to viral TikTok song Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell. The video saw the Loose Women stars waltz up and down the corridors of the ITV studios before bumping into one another – much to their delight. They then broke out into dance before walking arm-in-arm to the panel together.

Alongside her video, Coleen revealed that Ruth was her ‘work bestie’ as she penned: “When you reunite with your work bestie.” In the comment section, Ruth replied: “LOVE this woman.”

Coleen posted the video on Instagram

Ruth used her best acting skills for the video

In the comment section, fans of Loose Women rushed to gush over Ruth and Coleen’s friendship. One commented: “A great friendship clearly, you can’t beat it.” Meanwhile, another echoed: “I love you both. Wish I could be a Loose Woman.”

Someone else wrote: “You two together on the show are fab.” While another fan of Coleen and Ruth quipped: “What a pair of lovely loonies you two are.”

The Loose Women reunion comes after Ruth revealed her worst fear when it comes to husband Eamonn Holmes. Ruth, 64, said she is bothered about the thought of Eamonn dating a younger women if they were to ever split – but she couldn’t stomach him seeing someone her age.

The pair remain one of the strongest couples in showbiz but the TV couple often wonder what life would be like if things did take a turn for the worst. Ruth recently shared her fears on Loose Women – and she doesn’t seem concerned about the idea of him swapping her for a younger model.

Coleen and Ruth confirmed that they are besties

The co-stars danced in the hallway of ITV studios
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Explaining her thought process on the matter, Ruth said: “See I think, people go, ‘Oh, you’d hate it if you were dumped for a younger woman’.

“I go, ‘No, I would hate it because…’ then I could do the whole cliché thing, ‘Oh, Eamonn is such a cliché, he’s going with a 25 year old, how sad.’ But then I think ‘No, the worst thing for me is if he went off with someone the same age’. I think that is harder than being dumped for someone younger. That’s my worst fear.”

The couple first met in 1997 when their mutual friend, TV presenter Sally Meen, introduced them in London, while Eamonn was a GMTV host. Just two years prior, Eamonn had split from his first wife, Gabrielle Holmes, who is the mother of his three eldest children, Declan, Rebecca and Niall.

The TV couple first met in 1997 ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

In 2010, Eamonn made a rather impromptu proposal in an unusual manner after spotting some men flirting with Ruth at Cheltenham Races. “We were at the races in a box with some people and I’d had a few drinks and had won a bit on the horses and was having a lovely time,” explained Ruth on Loose Women in 2018.

“Eamonn had gone out to the loo and when he came back, there were men in the box with us flirting and chatting to me, and he said: ‘I don’t like that, them flirting with my wife.’ And then he went: ‘Actually, she’s not my wife. She should be my wife.’ We had been together 14 years by then. ‘Why is she not my wife? Why haven’t I done this?’”