Author: bang1

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have big plans this Valentine’s Day and are due to embark on a three-day Canada trip.

But instead of this just being a romantic getaway for the parents-of-two, the focus of the visit is to celebrate Harry’s Invictus Games – and we could see a number of public appearances.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to fly to Canada this week to celebrate one year away from the 2025 Invictus GamesCredit: Getty

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The trip is expected to start on February 14 and the event lasts three daysCredit: PA

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Last week, Prince Harry jetted 5,000 miles from LA to London to be by his father’s side following his shock cancer diagnosis.

Prince Harry only saw King Charles for 30 minutes, but broadcaster Robert Jobson exclusively told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson that an extended meeting would only end up delving into stressful topics which would hinder the King’s recovery.

He said: “You don’t want his blood pressure going up. The King’s not very well, whatever type of cancer it is, he’s undergoing treatment.”

Harry departed the UK just 26 hours after arriving – and later shocked fans as he took to the stage during the 2024 NFL Honors in Las Vegas.

There he made a joke-heavy speech as he handed out a “Man of the Year” award – without mentioning his father.

Meghan remained in California during Harry’s UK trip, but the pair are expected to spend February 14-16 at the One Year to Go festivities, ahead of the 2025’s Invictus Games.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s trip will start on Wednesday, according to People, and will kickstart the one-year countdown to the next sporting event.

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for international wounded, injured, and sick service personnel and veterans.

The Vancouver Whistler games – which are due to take place between February 8 – 16, 2025 – are to be the first winter sporting event in Invictus history.

Events will include alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skeleton, wheelchair curling, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby.

The 2025 event will be held in British Columbia, Canada, and will see up to 550 competitors from around 25 nations take part in the sporting challenges.

This week, Meghan and Harry could take part in activities at the Participating Nations Winter Training Camp.

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They are expected to also meet with members of the Invictus community, including team managers, coaches, and competitors.

It hasn’t been confirmed whether they will bring their two kids, Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, to Canada.

The games have previously been held in London 2014, Orlando 2016, Toronto 2017, Sydney 2018 and the Netherlands 2022.

Harry said in a statement: “The Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 will offer a global platform to expand the range and profile of winter adaptive sports.

“With deep respect, I’m also pleased to share that the Games in Canada will be held in partnership with the First Nations, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation with indigenous communities.”

This follows Harry creating a five-episode, behind-the-scenes documentary called Heart of Invictus, which aired on Netflix as part of the Sussexes’ brand deal.

Last week, the Duke of Sussex was pictured arriving at London Heathrow at 1.30pm on Wednesday – just 26 hours after landing at 12.30pm on Tuesday.

It is believed Harry stayed in a hotel on Tuesday rather than a royal palace following a brief reunion with King Charles.

Following Harry’s visit, Charles looked happy with the reunion as he was pictured for the first time since the Palace announced his cancer diagnosis last Monday.

You don’t want his [King Charles’] blood pressure going up. The King’s not very well, whatever type of cancer it is, he’s undergoing treatment

Royal Author Robert Jobson On Prince Harry’s 30-Minute Meeting With King Charles

William and Harry have not spoken for more than a year, it is understood, and they didn’t meet up during Harry’s transatlantic dash to London.

Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “I don’t think anyone was surprised that Harry didn’t meet his brother William on his whistle-stop visit to the UK.

“They are as far apart as ever and William’s priority is to look after Kate as she recovers from abdominal surgery and to step up his royal duties to cover for the King.”

The Prince of Wales instead “remains focused” on looking after wife Kate Middleton, who is currently recovering from abdominal surgery.

Dad-of-three Wills is helping out as Kate takes extended leave from public duties until after Easter.

Prince Harry’s tense visits to Britain since Megxit

Relations between Charles and Harry were previously feared by some to be fractured beyond repair amid the fallout over their royal row.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun in December: “Charles and Harry’s relationship was at an all-time low before but this may have fractured it beyond all repair.

“It could spell the end game for them.”

Hopes of a reconciliation had been raised after Harry called Charles to wish him a happy 75th birthday last month and sent a video of the King’s US-based grandkids Archie, now four, and Lilibet, two.

And now, Harry has jetted back from the UK following his first face-to-face meeting with Charles for 16 months.

Here’s a look inside their fractured relationship since Megxit.

January 2020 – Harry and Meghan make their ‘Megxit’ flight, leaving for Canada, eventually setting up home in California, USA.

March 2021 – Harry and Meghan give their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey where Harry accused his dad of cutting him off financially.

July 2021 Harry jets back to UK to join William in unveiling a statue to their mother Princess Diana in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

But sources claimed William didn’t want to attend the memorial amid their ongoing rift.

Pals said at the time: “William was still furious. He had taken the view that he’d only give so much. He just didn’t want to go there [with Harry].”

September 2022 – Harry jets to the UK for Prince Philip’s funeral. Meghan Markle, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was unable to attend due to doctor’s orders not to fly.

A pal of Harry’s tells Omid Scobie Harry met the Queen privately ‘at least twice’ and spoke with Charles and William after the Westminster Abbey service.

Kate acts as a “peacemaker” between William and Harry as they share a private chat.

September 2022 – The duke claimed he found out Queen Elizabeth had died in an online news alert.

He jetted to Balmoral without Meghan, and claimed in Spare that she was told she should not attend by Charles.

Harry travelled on a separate flight to his brother William – who travelled with the rest of the family.

The duke wrote in his memoir: “When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: ‘Call me when you get this.’ I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.”

Harry and Meghan were sat behind Charles at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

March 2023 – Harry is told King Charles is “too busy” to see him while he’s in the UK for a privacy hearing, according to reports.

The Duke had jetted to the UK to attend a four-day preliminary hearing at the High Court in London regarding his battle with publisher Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over allegations of unlawful information gathering.

It was the first time the Prince was back on home soil since the Queen’s funeral.

Harry flew back to the US once the hearing was over.

April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London

The Duke travelled alone to attend the ceremony on May 6.

Harry headed straight back to the US following the coronation in Westminster Abbey.

He did not appear to speak to his brother William or sister-in-law Kate Middleton at the ceremony – taking a backseat and sitting in the third row at the ceremony.

September 2023 – Prince Harry visits the UK for the annual WellChild Awards, a charity of which he has been patron for 15 years.

But the Duke is not thought to have met his father, as the King had “no time” in his diary to see his son, it was reported.

January 2024 – Harry flies to be with Charles after the monarch’s shock cancer diagnosis.

The two have their first meeting for more than 16 months at Clarence House, lasting half an hour.

Harry does not meet William and flies back to the US the following day.

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Prince Harry and Meghan at the 2023 Invictus GamesCredit: Reuters

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It hasn’t been confirmed if Archie or Lilibet will attend the Canada tripCredit: NETFLIX

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Prince Harry flew to the UK yesterday to see King Charles after his shock cancer diagnosisCredit: LNP

THE ANNOUNCEMENT of Archie’s birth was “stage managed to suit Harry and Meghan”, according to a royal expert.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, photographer Arthur Edwards MBE said that he remembers getting excellent pictures after the births of several other royal babies.

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Harry and Meghan with their newborn son in Windsor Castle, May 8, 2019Credit: AFP

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Harry, Meghan and Archie during their royal tour of South Africa in September 2019Credit: Getty
But he told the programme’s host Matt Wilkinson that on the big day in May 2019, the media were “led to believe” that Meghan had gone into labour at two o’clock when in fact the child had already been born.

He said: “When the baby was born, when Archie was born, that was another, in my view, disaster – I knew we were not going to get a picture of [Archie].

“Everybody was hoping we would get pictures.

“I mean obviously when William was born and Harry was born and George and Charlotte and Louis, we got great pictures outside the hospital, I remember.

“And William and Catherine especially, they made such an effort to show the whole world their new baby.

“Harry’s baby Archie was almost teething before we found out he was born, you know.

“We were led to believe that she had gone into labour at two o’clock, when the baby had been born many hours earlier.

“We were led to believe it was going to be a home birth and it was in a hospital.

“The whole thing was just stage managed to suit them.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their son in May 2019 – just a year after tying the knot in their whirlwind romance.

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Meghan had initially wanted to give birth to Archie at Frogmore Cottage while attended by an all-female midwife team.

But she was forced to go to London’s private Portland Hospital to deliver the child, who weighed 7lb 3oz when he arrived on May 6 2019.

Harry and Meghan announced the name of their first child as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

The biography Finding Freedom revealed how the couple shared the news with the delighted Royal Family – naturally telling Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip first.

The explosive book, which was released in 2020, then claimed the proud new parents shared the news with Harry’s dad Prince Charles and brother Prince William – sending a photograph of the little boy who became the seventh-in-line to the throne.

Delighted Meghan and Harry then sent a message to the special cousins-only royal WhatsApp group to spread news of baby Archie’s birth.

But the biography claimed Meghan did not tell her estranged dad Thomas Markle.

Archie’s birth and the announcement

Meghan initially wanted to give birth to Archie at Frogmore Cottage while attended by an all-female midwife team.

But her dreams of a home birth were dashed as she was forced to go to London’s private Portland Hospital to deliver the tot, who weighed 7lb 3oz when he arrived on May 6 2019.

A source told Page Six: “Meghan’s plan was to have a home birth with Archie, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans.

“In the end, her doctors advised her to go to hospital and all she was interested in was about delivering Archie safely.”

Harry and Meghan didn’t want to announce where or when Archie was born, but agreed to a photo call in the grounds of Windsor Castle after his birth.

Queen Elizabeth II also wanted to officially announce Archie’s arrival with a note displayed on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace as a mark of her affection.

Beaming Harry told the press: “It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever have possibly imagined.

“How any woman does what they do is beyond comprehension. But we’re both absolutely thrilled.

“We’re both absolutely thrilled and so grateful for all the love and support from everybody out there, it’s been amazing, so we just wanted to share this with everybody.”

Harry and Meghan announced the name of their first child as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Archie, short for Archibald, is a name of German origin and means “bold or brave”. Harrison is of English origin — and means “son of Harry”.

The hyphenated surname Mountbatten-Windsor is in keeping with a royal tradition established by the Queen to differentiate her direct descendants from the rest of the House of Windsor.

But the choice of Archie Harrison surprised royal watchers, with some hoping Harry would include Spencer as a nod to mum Princess Diana’s maiden name.

Baby Archie’s birth has widely been reported to be one of the reasons the couple left the Royal Family – with Harry and Meghan wanting to protect their son from the scrutiny and give him a normal life.

Even while they were part of the Firm, Meghan made sure Archie’s christening on July 6 2019 was a “completely private affair” at the Queen’s Chapel in Windsor Castle attended by just 22 guests.

While she came under attack for breaking tradition and not allowing the media or the public a glimpse of baby Archie on his special day, Meghan didn’t care, according to the authors of Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.

Instead, it claimed Meghan asked her mum Doria Ragland to message her 76-year-old dad with the news of his grandson.

Authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand then reported that the duchess asked her mother not to tell her if her dad, who lives in the US, replied.

Mr Edwards added that he was not staying in Windsor at the time.

He said: “There was a Royal tour to Germany with the King and Queen and I went with them and couldn’t get away from Windsor quick enough.

“I remember showing Camilla in, I think Munich, the first pictures of Archie that were taken by the Press Association, showing her on my phone.

“And that was the first time she saw him, you know, so it was difficult times.

“I have to say though, you know, that first year, Meghan, that working with her on the road, I mean, you know we went all over the country, she was incredible.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their son in May 2019Credit: The Mega Agency

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Arthur Edwards said he remembers getting excellent pictures after several royal births
“I was saying I thought she was a great asset to the family.

“I kept asking the Palace if we could have a meeting with her – you know, people who cover the Royals, to have a meeting with Meghan like we did with Catherine.

“And you know, introduce ourselves and let her get to know who’s writing about her photographing her.

“And I was assured it was going to happen but it never did.

“And then pretty soon she’d made her mind up that they were going, and that was it.”

Mr Edwards also mentioned the interview the pair did with Oprah Winfrey, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a series of shocking allegations.

The pair sparked a race row by alleging an unnamed member of the Royal Family spoke about “how dark his (Archie’s) skin might be when he’s born”.

During the Oprah interview, Meghan also said she was prevented from seeking mental health support when she was in crisis.

Mr Edwards said: “I knew that the Queen would be seething, I knew that the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles would be seething, it would be so unfair because one thing they are not is racists. They are not.

“I’ve been with the King all over Africa, all over South America, I’ve never seen – only just engaging and enjoying the company of these people.

“So, you know, in no way would he be like that. He’s just a – it’s just an unfair thing to say.

“But, you know, she delivered it like an actress delivered it, and Oprah responded going ‘wow’.

“It was awful.”

MEGHAN Markle has a staggering jewellery collection – but have you ever noticed the £15,000 “push present” piece that Prince Harry gave to her?

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, is said to have inherited numerous items from Princess Diana’s collection, but that hasn’t stopped her husband being generous with her too.

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Meghan Markle is thought to wear a sapphire pinky ‘push present’ from HarryCredit: Rex Features

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Meghan wears a Jessica McCormack ring that is ‘set with a 0.94 carat heart cut sapphire’Credit: Jessica Mccormack

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The Princess of Wales is said to have been given a diamond band as a push present from Prince WilliamCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Following the birth of their son Archie, who is now four, the Duke of Sussex reportedly bought Meghan a sapphire pinky ring.

According to Grazia: “Meghan Markle has several [pinky rings] in her collection, including a blue sapphire heart by Jessica McCormack, believed to be a ‘push present’ after Archie was born.”

We saw Meghan wear the exquisite pinky ring as she attended Wimbledon in July 2019.

The heart-shaped item is from Jessica McCormack’s Signature collection and is said to be “set with a 0.94 carat heart cut sapphire handcrafted in blackened 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold”.

However, it’s not the only item rumoured to be Meghan’s “push present” from Harry.

Some fans thought Meghan’s “third wedding ring” is a special gift to celebrate Archie’s birth.

Alongside Meghan’s gold banded three-stone engagement ring, which includes two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection, and her plain gold wedding band, the Duchess often wears another gold ring.

Some fans speculated that a pair of £10,000 diamond earrings – that the duchess wore to the Lion King premiere – had been given to her following Archie’s birth.

Push presents have “become a tradition in the royal family” over the years, according to royal etiquette expert Myka Meier.

Prince William is reported to have given Kate Middleton a £1,000 white gold eternity ring after the birth of their first son, George, which she wears on her wedding finger.

And he didn’t stop with that – as after Princess Charlotte’s birth, William is thought to have given his wife a pair of Kiki McDonough earrings.

What is a push present?

A push present is the name for a gift given to a woman by her partner, spouse or father of the baby, to congratulate her for giving birth.

Even though some women may have a c-section, a “push” present literally refers to the act of giving birth.

The present is intended to be a thank you and compensation for all the months of hard work that goes into a pregnancy.

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Myka told Fabulous before Archie’s birth: “Traditionally the push present, or gift given to celebrate the birth of a child, would be given bedside on the day of the birth from the father to the mother.

“I think Prince Harry will get Meghan a custom piece of jewellery, perhaps with the date of the birth or initials of the new royal baby to make it extra special.

“From the beginning of their relationship, they have used jewellery to keep close, with the duo wearing matching bracelets while Meghan was in Toronto and Prince Harry was in London.

Meghan Markle has several [pinky rings] in her collection, including a blue sapphire heart by Jessica McCormack, believed to be a ‘push present’ after Archie was born

Grazia

“Meghan is known to love jewellery as well, gifting it herself to her closest friends to show thanks on various occasions.”

“I believe Prince Harry will give a piece of keepsake jewellery that will publicly be worn the week of the birth. I think it will be gold, the Duchess’ favourite metal for jewellery, and likely a necklace or bracelet.”

Myka shared that push presents are typically given by a dad to a mum “to thank her for her sacrifice, to show appreciation for the labour, and congratulations for the baby’s arrival.”

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Kate’s gorgeous, classic ring is worth £1,400

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The delicate ring could be easily missed next to Kate’s sapphireCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Fans also speculated that Meghan’s £10,000 Nikos Koulis  earrings for the Lion King premiere could be a push presentCredit: Getty – Contributor

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Numerous stars are loving the pinky ring trend, including Blake LivelyCredit: Getty

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Victoria Beckham also showed off her pinky ring in her Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty

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Meghan also had a third band, which some people thought could be a push presentCredit: Alamy Live News

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have touched down in Canada, just days after launching their major rebrand.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have always been open about their love for the country – and even fled there during Megxit.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle escaped to a £11million mansion in Canada as they pulled away from the royalsCredit: Goff

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The pair are now back in the country – which is a place they’ve openly said they lovedCredit: Getty

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Amid Megxit in 2020, the couple stayed on Vancouver IslandCredit: Goff

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Meghan and Harry have today arrived in Vancouver to launch next year’s Invictus GamesCredit: Getty
Just days ago the pair were fiercely criticised for launching a new website as part of their rebrand, with one royal expert slamming them for “cashing in” on their royal ties.

Meghan today broke her silence on the new site, ignoring critics while she boasted about its design.

She and Harry then arrived at Vancouver’s Rockies Ski Resort to launch next year’s Invictus Games.

The couple beamed as they made their way across the ice to meet veterans – with the prince boasting a smile ear to ear as he gave sit-skiing a go.

While in Canada, he is expected to tell crowds how much the country means to the royal duo, according to The Telegraph.

Harry fell in love with the “pace of life” on Vancouver Island when he and Meghan moved into a £11million mansion there after quitting as royals.

At the time it was said the Mille Fleurs home near Victoria, British Columbia would have cost more than £100,000 to rent.

The idyllic bolthole has stunning views and boasts eight bedrooms and two private beaches.

The couple called the spot home in the months after Megix, spending their first Christmas with baby Archie there.

The French country-inspired mansion sits on its own, kept private by dozens of trees and mostly surrounded by water.

The home itself is well-lit, with sunshine pouring in from a glass roof in one room.

It has massive wooden beams, with beautiful chandeliers hanging from them, and the kitchen boasts two marble-top islands.

There’s also a formal dining room, a panelled office with a fireplace, and massive two-storey living room.

It opens to a chef’s kitchen with pizza oven, a games room with wet bar, a media room and a wine tasting room.

The house is framed by beautiful flower-filled gardens, which stand out against the grey-stoned home.

It doesn’t seem the sort of place a royal couple would go.

With a whopping 11,416sqf space, the home also has a 2,349sqf guest cottage – which boasts three beds and two bathrooms.

One local, who did not wish to be named, told The Sun in 2020: “I was very surprised to hear they were staying there because it’s always been a mystery about who actually owns it.

“It doesn’t seem the sort of place a royal couple would go.”

The mystery over the property’s ownership raised concerns over the couple’s acquaintances as they seek “financial independence”.

It was later revealed a controversial Canadian billionaire with links to the Clintons owned the home.

Locals on the island first spotted Harry and Meghan around December 18, 2019 enjoying hikes and jogs — with the pair even stopping to take a selfie for another couple on New Year’s Day.

The estate agent who sold the Canadian mansion said at the time: “It’s a beautiful property, it’s one of the nicest ones on the island. It has great privacy.

“I think the current owner’s done quite a renovation.”

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The home boasts eight bedrooms and two private beachesCredit: Goff

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The couple were said to have spent their first Christmas in the mansion with baby ArchieCredit: Goff

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The house has a sprawling kitchenCredit: Goff

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have changed Archie and Lilibet’s names as they move to “unify” the family, a source has claimed.

The children had been known as Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, first coined by the late Queen and Prince Philip surnames.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were said to have rebranded to ‘unify’ their familyCredit: Alexi Lubomirski

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Archie’s last name has now changed to Sussex, a source claimedCredit: Netflix

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The insider said Lilibet’s surname had also changed from Mountbatten-WindsorCredit: Netflix

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Meghan and Harry were all smiles yesterday as they were seen for the first time since their new website launchedCredit: i-Images

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Harry tried out sit-skiing while he and Meghan launched next year’s Invictus GamesCredit: Getty
But since the King’s coronation, the children are now as Archie and Lilibet Sussex.

News of the change coincides with the couple launching their new website Sussex.com, which sources say was a bid to “unify” the family.

But Harry and Meghan have been fiercely criticised for the site, with one royal expert slamming them for “cashing in” on their royal ties.

The children will both go by the last name Sussex in a “proud moment” for the family which represents their “unification”.

An insider told The Times: “The reality behind the new site is very simple — it’s a hub for the work the Sussexes do and it reflects the fact the family have, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time.

“That’s a big deal for any family. It represents their unification and it’s a proud moment.”

Archie and Lilibet’s names have been controversial for the Sussexes.

When Archie was born in May 2019, he was seventh in line to the throne and – although he was a great-grandchild of the monarch – he was not a first-born son of a future king, so was not automatically a prince.

In their shock interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan hinted that Archie not getting the title of prince automatically was a point of contention.

She said: “All the grandeur around this stuff is not really important to me.

“But in those months when I was pregnant, all around same time: we have in tandem he won’t be given security, a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Oprah had asked Meghan: “How do they explain to you that your son, the great grandson of the Queen, wasn’t going to be a prince?

“You certainly must have had conversations with Harry about it and had your own suspicions as to why they didn’t want to make Archie a prince.”

But sources claimed the couple “didn’t want any titles for their children” and had told the Royal Family so – but went to moan to Oprah about their son’s lack of one anyway.

Another source told the Telegraph Meghan and Harry “never raised an issue” and that the Duke of Sussex had been “adamant” that Archie “should be raised without titles Harry’s cousins Peter and Zara Phillips”.

It reflects the fact the family have, since the King’s coronation, the same surname for the first time

Then, fresh claims alleged Meghan and Harry rejected an Earl title for Archie because it contained the word “dumb”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided against the title Earl of Dumbarton for their son because they allegedly feared it would attract unfortunate nicknames.

Last year it was revealed Meghan and Harry intended to use prince and princess for both kids in formal settings as Charles was now King, calling it the kids’ “birthright”.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.

“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”

Yesterday Prince Harry tried his hand at sit-skiing as wife Meghan watched on during their visit to Canada.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are in Whistler, British Columbia, to mark one year until the Invictus Games are held there in 2025.

The pair made their way across the snow hand in hand, while hugging and greeting people on the way.

During the the Valentine’s Day outing, Harry, 39, was given a demonstration of how to sit-ski while Meghan, 42, waited for him at the bottom of the slope.

The couple – who donned wool hats and snow boots – chatted and joked around as they with groups of sit-skiers, standing skiers and visually impaired athletes.

Among those they spoke with was Canadian para alpine sit-skier Alex Cairns.

Born with Spina Bifida, the 32-year-old competed at his first Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.

He and Meghan are tomorrow expected to attend a wheelchair curling demonstration in nearby Vancouver.

How Archie and Lilibet’s names have changed over time

Archie was born in May 2019, he was seventh in line to the throne so was too far down the line of succession to be given the title of prince.

Although he was a great-grandchild of the monarch, he was not a first-born son of a future king or queen, so was not automatically a prince.

In their shock interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan hinted that Archie not getting the title of prince automatically was a point of contention.

She said: “All the grandeur around this stuff is not really important to me.

“But in those months when I was pregnant, all around same time: we have in tandem he won’t be given security, a title and also concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Oprah had asked Meghan: “How do they explain to you that your son, the great grandson of the Queen, wasn’t going to be a prince?

“You certainly must have had conversations with Harry about it and had your own suspicions as to why they didn’t want to make Archie a prince.”

But sources claimed the couple “didn’t want any titles for their children” and had told the Royal Family so – but went to moan to Oprah about their son’s lack of one anyway.

Another source told the Telegraph Meghan and Harry “never raised an issue” and that the Duke of Sussex had been “adamant” that Archie “should be raised without titles Harry’s cousins Peter and Zara Phillips”.

Then, fresh claims alleged Meghan and Harry rejected an Earl title for Archie because it contained the word “dumb”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex decided against the title Earl of Dumbarton for their son because they allegedly feared it would attract unfortunate nicknames.

Last year it was revealed Meghan and Harry intended to use prince and princess for both kids in formal settings as Charles was now King, calling it the kids’ “birthright”.

A spokesperson for the Sussexes said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.

“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”

But the couple were said to be keen to allow Archie and Lilibet the chance to decide for themselves whether to drop or keep using the titles when they get older.

The youngsters became prince and princess when the King acceded to the throne, but remained a plain “master” and “miss” on the Buckingham Palace website for six months.

However, the change was updated on the Royal Family website in May – naming the youngsters as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

As the children of a sovereign’s son, Archie and Lili are automatically a prince and princess and now have an HRH style if they choose.

But the couple were said to be keen to allow Archie and Lilibet the chance to decide for themselves whether to drop or keep using the titles when they get older.

The youngsters became prince and princess when the King acceded to the throne, but remained a plain “master” and “miss” on the Buckingham Palace website for six months.

However, the change was updated on the Royal Family website in May – naming the youngsters as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

As the children of a sovereign’s son, Archie and Lili are automatically a prince and princess and now have an HRH style if they choose.

The couple came under fire this week just hours after launching Sussex.com, which they had dubbed a “one-stop-shop” for fans to get “personal updates”.

The late Queen banned the couple from using ‘SussexRoyal’ after they stepped away from royal duty four years ago.

The Queen ordered the pair to mothball it in the January 2020 exit settlement, when Meghan and Harry stopped being senior members of the royal family.

Couple to come ‘under fire’ over royal crest

By Matt Wilkinson

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry are set to come under fire for using their royal coat of arms in their US-based rebrand.

The Duchess of Sussex worked closely with the College of Arms in London to create the design, Kensington Palace said at the time it was first revealed after their royal wedding in May 2018.

The crest – which harks back to their royal life despite walking away to live in the USA – has a blue shield representing the Pacific Ocean and rays symbolising sunshine of California

The lion relates to the Duke of Sussex and a songbird supporting represents Meghan.

Beneath the shield is California’s state flower the golden poppy and Wintersweet and was also depicted on the duchess’ wedding veil.

The three quills illustrate the power of words and communication.

The royal crest has barely been used by the couple before.

And a royal expert tonight slammed the Sussexes for “cashing in” on the crest.

Angela Levin told The Sun: “They are cashing in on their royal connections that they say they hate so much.

“Queen Elizabeth II would be furious because they promised they wouldn’t do that.

“They should be stopped from using a title that they spent years insulting

“They left the Royal Family because they didn’t want anything to do with it but now realise they can use Sussex rather than Archewell.

“Four years after they left they are trying to be royal and also setting up the ‘Office’ of Prince Harry and Meghan, it is so hypocritical.

“It is pathetic, they couldn’t use SussexRoyal so they have found a way round it.

But the new site still links back to the Sussex Royal website.

Visitors to that site see a notice that reads: “This site was established in 2020 and sets out the work streams of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex prior to their move to the United States.”

A link then takes the pair back to Sussex.com.

Meghan yesterday broke her silence on the new Sussex.com, ignoring critics while she boasted about its design.

She and Harry were then snapped with smiles ear-to-ear as they met veterans on the ice to launch next year’s Invictus Games.

The prince took a hands-on approach, giving sit-skiing a go while Meghan watched on with a smile.

They hugged and shook hands with dozens of people in their first appearance since the rebrand.

The couple had been labelled “pathetic” for using their royal crest on the new site, despite no longer being part of The Firm.

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The couple met with veterans today as part of the games launchCredit: Getty

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Meghan was all smiles as she chatted away to people todayCredit: James Whatling

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Harry beamed as he jumped into one of the sit-skiisCredit: Getty

A ROYAL author has claimed that nobody would be interested in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex if it wasn’t for their Royal links.

Royal editor Ingrid Seward exclusively told The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson that the pair haven’t stopped using their royal titles to bolster their career since moving to California.

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Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry always use their royal links to cash in says royal author Ingrid SewardCredit: The Mega Agency

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The Queen banned the couple from using the title SussexRoyal but they have re-branded their new website as ‘Sussex’Credit: Getty

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The Sun’s royal editor speaks to royal author Ingrid Seward for the latest updates
Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan Markle, 42, quit their royal duties back in 2020 amid simmering tensions betwenn them and other family members.

Their departure was coined as Megxit after the couple started a new life in California, something Harry has claimed he had no choice but to do due to security concerns for his family.

Since leaving, the pair have struck up a number of lucrative deals from their infamous Netflix documentary to launching a podcast.

Why don’t they just keep out of it and try and live on their own merits, I think they would get a lot more respect if they did that

Ingrid Seward

Now the duo have undergone yet another re-brand as they launched a new website to promote their work, referring to themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and as environmental campaigners.

Asked if they were using their royal names to cash in, Ingrid claims: “They never stopped using their royal links, ever.

“No one would be remotely interested in them if it wasn’t for their royal links.

“But at least they are aware of that.”

She says that despite wanting to leave the royal family and their duties, they still wanted to keep the bits they liked.

“That’s why I just find it hypocritical,” she adds.
There’s also some controversy about them using the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and saying it’s a family name,” she explains.
“It’s not a family name actually -it’s a title which was given to them by the Queen.”

Instead of raking in new deals with businesses, the royal author says they should focus on ‘getting by ‘with their ‘living on own merits.’

“Why don’t they just keep out of it and try and live on their own merits, I think they would get a lot more respect if they did that,” she adds.

Ingrid also touched on the couple ditching their Archewell website and replacing it with Sussex.com to share “personal updates” with fans.

The royal author says: “I don’t think it’s breached the terms of Megxit, I think it’s walking a very thin line.”

They have also been criticised for not consulting the Royal Family first, after the Queen had banned the couple from using ‘SussexRoyal’ when they stepped away from royal duty four years ago.

Now, the pair have hit back with a representative of the couple telling The Mirror: “We’ve heard time and time again that certain opportunities are make or break for the couple.

“They’re still here. They’re still working and pursuing what they believe in, despite constantly being challenged and criticised.

“This couple will not be broken.”

Ingrid also touched on whether she though their new website was a good idea considering King Charles’ cancer diagnosis and Princess Katherine recovering from abdominal surgery.

“They’re timing is always bad, but obviously they’ve done it now because they are going to Canada for the Invictus Games and really want to promote themselves,” she explains.

But she thinks Prince Harry should have thought about waiting instead of focusing on ‘them.’

The couple are currently visiting Vancouver for an Invictus Game event as news of their new website caused controversy.

The couple have spent their time getting ski lessons at Vancouver Whistler 2025 One Year to Go celebrations ahead of the event for wounded service personnel next year.

Meghan was spotted taking snaps of Harry as he trained for the skeleton bobsledding as they joined a training session.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently in Canada for the one year to go celebrations for Invictus 2025Credit: Getty

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The couple’s new website called ‘Sussex’ has sparked controversy

MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry undertook a three-day tour of Nigeria last weekend and certainly didn’t leave empty-handed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given over 20 special gifts during their visit and they were able to take them home after no longer having to follow royal protocol.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex undertook a three-day trip to Nigeria at the weekendCredit: Reuters

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The couple went gifted many presents during the trip, including traditional clothesCredit: Getty

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Meghan received an artwork when visiting a volleyball matchCredit: AFP
The couple were showered with an array of presents, including jewellery, artwork and clothing.

Usually royal protocol means family members can’t accept some gifts given to them during visits.

The official royal policy states that gifts from individuals not known to the royals are to be refused “where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself”.

Gifts that can be accepted are flowers, food and books, if they cost less than £150.

It adds: “In all cases, and particularly on official overseas trips, organisations and individuals should be discouraged from offering extravagant gifts, i.e. gifts of high monetary value.

“Whilst always remaining sensitive to local custom, Households should explore alternative gestures of goodwill during preliminary discussions about engagements.”

In terms of gifts offered by commercial enterprises in the UK, they should “normally be declined, unless they are offered as a souvenir of an official visit to the enterprises’ premises, to mark a Royal marriage or other special personal occasion.”

The policy states: “When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of The Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.”

All presents that are accepted by the Royal Family are logged on a strict record, with many being housed under the Royal Collection or placed on a loan with a reputable organisation.

While Prince William and Kate Middleton will have to follow the strict guidelines for any royal tours they carry out, Meghan and Harry have more freedom.

The couple stepped back as senior working royals in 2020, and now live in California with their two kids, Archie, five, and Lilibet, two.

Therefore, the Nigeria trip was in a private capacity, despite many experts hailing it as a “faux royal tour”.

During the trip, Harry was gifted two paintings – one of his late mum, Princess Diana, and another of him and Meghan.

He also was given clothing, including a traditional Nigerian waistcoat and a Hula cap.

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Meghan stunned in a pair of gifted coral drop Nigerian earringsCredit: Reuters

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Meghan received flowers from an adorable young girl at one eventCredit: Reuters
Meanwhile, Meghan was given a bouquet of roses by a young girl and a wildlife drawing.

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex watched a volleyball match take place, they were then given traditional scarves that boasted the colours of the Nigerian flag.

They also got complete Nigerian outfits and personalised T-shirts which read “Harry Dreams Big” and “Meghan Dreams Big.”

Rules on royal gifting

THE guidelines and procedures are designed to promote uniform practice throughout the Royal Households with regard to gifts defined as official.

Gifts offered by commercial enterprises in the UK should normally be declined, unless they are offered as a souvenir of an official visit to the enterprises’ premises, to mark a Royal marriage or other special personal occasion. When gifts are accepted, the consent of the Member of The Royal Family should be contingent upon the enterprise undertaking not to exploit the gift for commercial purposes.

Gifts offered by private individuals living in the UK not personally known to the Member of The Royal Family should be refused where there are concerns about the propriety or motives of the donor or the gift itself. Gifts in this category may be accepted in the following categories: Flowers, foodstuff and other consumable items (within reasonable quantities); Copies of books presented by the author, provided the subject matter is not controversial; and, Other items of small monetary value, i.e. items costing less than £150.

Source: Royal.uk

Meghan received a shawl to match her gorgeous, yellow Carolina Herrera gown on the final day of the tour.

She also was given some beautiful traditional Nigerian coral drop earrings and the Sussexes also got some wooden beaded necklaces.

One other gift they received was a large mirror that featured a painting of the couple on the back.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who had been on what they labelled an “unforgettable” trip to Nigeria, were snapped back home today.

As the couple left Nigeria they expressed their “deepest gratitude” for the communities’ “tremendous hospitality”.

They jetted back to the United States after they watched a charity exhibition match at Lagos Polo Club.

Harry and Meghan spent three days in the West African country, meeting with locals and leaders.

While there they unveiled a partnership between their Archewell Foundation and the non-profit Giants of Africa, which aims to empower young people through sport.

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell brand was heralded as the start of a new era for the Sussexes – for both their professional and charitable goals.

But the organisation has been beset by difficulties, including a storm this week that saw its charity arm cleared after being reportedly declared delinquent.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell brand has been beset by difficultiesCredit: AP

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The charity arm was cleared this week after being reportedly declared delinquent.Credit: BackGrid
The Telegraph reported Archewell had been ordered to stop raising funds after a mix-up showed it as failing to submit records and pay a bill.

It was alleged it had been slapped with a delinquency notice and banned from raising or spending or raising money until it paid the fees.

The Sussexes’ team claimed the documents were filed and the cheque sent but it wasn’t processed on time.

And in a statement on Tuesday night, California’s Department of Justice later confirmed the charity is “current and in good standing”.

Archewell was created with huge fanfare in 2020 as a mix of for-profit and not-for-profit businesses when the couple stepped down from the Royal Family.

Its charitable arm was to focus on fund-raising and supporting projects around the world, while the business side of things concentrated on media productions.

The accounting mix-up has now been resolved, but this isn’t the embarrassing event to hit the Archewell brand since it was formed.

PR expert Mark Borkowski says the couple may have “over-promised” what they could deliver when they launched Archewell – particular given the intense scrutiny they are under as one of the most famous couples in the world.

And he says they need a success soon to limit any damage this latest PR storm has on their brand.

“As an organisation it was possibly over-promising at a time when it was trying to message the world this exciting new horizon of their brand,” Mark explains.

“We have seen all the time that they have used the media, or floated stories through commissaries in the media which have come to haunt them.

“If you are so high-profile, probably some of the most famous people in the world, everything you say gathers attention particularly across socials.

“So messaging hasn’t been right and obviously the complications of setting something up that is so big has been a challenge.”

Dream dented

Things started off well for the Sussexes and Archewell. In 2021 the charity was gifted donations totalling £10.3m, and they had signed mega-bucks deals with streaming giants Spotify and Netflix.

But last year the charity arm reported a massive hit, with donations dropping by £8.7million compared to the previous year.

Next Archewell faced a staffing crisis with five key executives leaving within the space of 14 months.

The mass exodus saw manager Bennett Levine stepping down, following president Mandana Dayani who quit after just 18 months.

Head of audio Rebecca Sananes left her position in December 2022, while Fara Taylor – who was the head of marketing – and Ben Browning – the head of internal content – stepped down from their roles last year.

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Catherine St-Laurent was the director of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell foundation but left after a yearCredit: LINKEDIN
Mark believes the couple may have struggled to find people who shared their vision – and help them to deliver the goods.

“People have always said that there was a drive and determination to achieve, and of course your focus can upset people who probably don’t buy into your vision,” he explains.

“I think that has been the heart of the issue again – that their drive means it is probably a difficult match to find people with the same sort of considerations that they have for what they are trying to build.”

‘Toe-curlingly cringey’

The main money-makers for the couple’s Archewell Productions were the deals with Spotify and Netflix, rumoured to be worth more than £100million in total.

The Duke and Duchess were lined up to host and produce podcasts for Spotify, with Meghan interviewing several celebrity guests including her tennis ace pal Serena Williams for the Archetypes series.

The much-talked about podcast was described as “toe-curlingly cringey” by one critic, and the Sussexes and Spotify announced last year that they had parted ways by mutual agreement.

Bill Simmons, a senior Spotify exec, later cast doubt on that version of events after he labelled the couple “f***ing grifters. On his self-titled podcast he said: ‘The F***ing Grifters.’ That’s the podcast we shoulda launched with them.

“I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry to try and help him with a podcast idea. It’s one of my best stories.”

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Meghan’s podcast was described as ‘toe-curlingly cringey’ by one criticCredit: Alamy

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Their documentary series was more of a success, but other Netflix projects have raised eyebrowsCredit: Netflix
The couple’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan was hailed a success, but their two other projects Heart of Invictus and Live to Lead were seen as distinctly underwhelming.

And the couple’s recently rebranded website sussex.com ominously makes no mention of their mega-bucks partnership with the streaming giant.

Despite this, Mark Borkowski says signing Meghan and Harry was a huge coup for both streaming services, generating millions of dollars worth of publicity.

“For all the deals they have done, those channels have got huge amount of publicity from booking them,” he says. “So they have used them and they have used the noise that is generated through having them.

“But we all know that creating content is difficult, it is a challenge. I think there was a sort of naivety in what they thought they could deliver.

“It is always about having a great team. There were lots of comparisons with the Obamas and people like that. But they have clearly had challenges in the teams they have had a round them to deliver the content.”

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The couple have faced ridicule in the US, particularly on shows like Family GuyCredit: BackGrid

Questionable ideas

The couple’s next two films for Netflix are going to be a cooking and gardening show featuring Meghan, while the second programme will take an in-depth look at Harry’s favourite sport Polo.

However, some critics argue Archewell Productions would have to come up with some content with much wider-appeal if their Netflix deal is to continue.

Mark believes the couple are “scrambling around” and need to make their next steps a success to avoid any further tarnishing of their brand.

He says: “Polo might be niche and elitist, but if it gives an insight into a world….

“Who would have thought farming would be such an interesting thing and then you have Jeremy Clarkson?

They keep throwing stuff against the wall and things don’t stick. Everything they do is under intense scrutiny

“I wouldn’t underestimate the topic, but it is whether they have the skillset, the storytelling and the narrative to engage people. It comes back again to what I said – their problem is that expectations are so high and they never manage expectations.

“They don’t have the ability to manage expectations because of how they set their course back when they split and went to California.

“I think they set the bar too high, and clearly there was a belief in that but I think if they came back and looked at these things again I don’t think they would do the same thing over again.

“Unfortunately when you are the most famous couple in the world, there is no sympathy. They are scrambling around and all the time in the backs of their heads they have the idea that they have to succeed.

“They keep throwing stuff against the wall and things don’t stick. Everything they do is under intense scrutiny, which someone launching a similar business would not be under and then perhaps have more chance of making it work.

“The challenge they face is that they need a success. As soon as someone has a success then lots of things are wiped away. They are in desperate need of a success, and if they don’t one there is damage. They need something fast.”

However, a royal expert has claimed the couple may be opting for a lowkey occasion this year due to one key reason.

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Today is the six-year wedding anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of SussexCredit: AP

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The couple are thought to be celebrating in a lowkey way at the £12million Montecito mansion

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Ingrid Seward said they could celebrate in a pretty spot in the gardenCredit: AFP
Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told Fabulous: “Well, they’ve got the problem that they don’t want to be photographed and seen.

“Most couples will go out and have the most wonderful dinner somewhere.”

The royal expert said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may opt to celebrate at their £12million mansion in Montecito, California – but with a romantic twist.

Ingrid continued: “I think it’s possible, because Meghan is quite inventive, that she might maybe find a really pretty spot in their garden and decorate it. That would be an artistic thing.

“Make it all beautiful with candles and roses.

“She is quite like that. She loves putting candles everywhere.

“So instead of actually being in the house, they would be outside of it because the problem is being in your own home, you’re jumping up and down and getting things all the time.”

She added that Meghan may set up the romantic scene as a “surprise to Harry.”

She continued: “I think that she will still want to make a big deal of it because there’s so much focus on their state of their marriage.

“I don’t think they’ll do anything in public but I would have thought in private they might make just a sort of romantic gesture to each other.

“Harry’s very, very much in love with Meghan.

“Whatever else we say about him, he loves her very much and I think he’d want to do anything to make her happy.”

Former Royal butler Grant Harrold – who worked for King Charles for seven years – also predicted the Sussexes will celebrate in private.

As reported by the Mirror, he explained: “Celebrations will probably be behind closed doors, maybe a dinner party with some friends or maybe just the two of them.

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Meghan and Harry tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on May 19, 2018Credit: Splash News

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We got a glimpse of their beautiful garden en in this photo released for Archie’s second birthdayCredit: The Duke & Duchess of Sussex / BEEM

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The family often make the most of their large garden, and Prince Harry previously took Archie on a slip n slideCredit: Netflix

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Meghan previously gushed about their home saying it is a ‘calm and healing’ abode to raise their kidsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
“Maybe they’ll recreate that roast chicken dinner they had on the night they got engaged at their cottage in Windsor.”

He shared how Harry was “always very romantic” and on dates would be a “true gentleman.”

Grant also added that Meghan and Harry’s wedding anniversary could be an opportunity for an “olive branch” between them and Harry’s family.

Grant explained: “Typically, the Royal family do acknowledge wedding anniversaries, we usually see social media posts so it’ll be interesting to see if that happens this year. If they don’t, once again it goes to show the ongoing division. If it does happen, then I see that as an olive branch.”

MEGHAN MARKLE’S STUNNING GIVENCHY WEDDING DRESS

Meghan Markle stunned onlookers as she arrived at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, ahead of her nuptials to Prince Harry, in a stunning bespoke gown by Givenchy, created by British designer Clare Waight Keller.

The former Suits actress chose to work with Clare Waight Keller “for her timeless and elegant aesthetic, impeccable tailoring, and relaxed demeanour”.

Meghan wanted to “highlight the success of a leading British talent who has now served as the creative head of three globally influential fashion houses – Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and now Givenchy”.

Meghan and Clare worked closely together on the design, which featured a graphic open bateau neckline that gracefully frames the shoulders and emphasises Meghan’s slender waist.

Meghan and Harry tied the knot on May 19, 2018 in front of 600 guests at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

It’s estimated that the occasion cost £32m – covering everything from the cost of security and catering to Meghan’s stunning dress.

Watching on was a star-studded crowd of hundreds including the Clooneys, the Beckhams and Elton John – who performed at the lunchtime’s reception.

A gospel choir sang American soul singer Ben E. Kings 1960s hit Stand By Me to the couple, who had earlier been given their new titles as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

And they were later able to meet the rapturous crowds of more than 100,000 people as they were taken through Windsor in a carriage.

The Royal Wedding was not the first time Meghan has said, “I do”.

Meghan was previously married to film producer Trevor Engelson who is most famous for the 9/11 romance movie Remember Me, starring Robert Pattinson.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just returned from a tour around NigeriaCredit: EPA

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We saw a sneak peek inside their office during their Harry & Meghan documentaryCredit: Netflix

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Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have their own fairy tale playhouse in the grounds of the family’s £12million mansion in CaliforniaCredit: Alexi Lubomirski

DAVID BECKHAM’S return to Major League Soccer has seen interest in the sport Stateside sky-rocket.

When Goldenballs first crossed the Pond to join LA Galaxy in 2007, it was more like a superstar taking a step into the great unknown.

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David Beckham will return to MLS as a club owner after setting up new franchise Inter MiamiCredit: AFP or licensors

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Beckham spent five years at LA Galaxy, winning the MLS Cup twiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

David Beckham will return to MLS as a club owner after setting up new franchise Inter MiamiCredit: AFP or licensors

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Beckham spent five years at LA Galaxy, winning the MLS Cup twiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Had Becks called it quits a year in, it would have been devastating.

Anyone at the LAFC vs LA Galaxy 3-3 derby draw at the Banc of California stadium last month will confirm the atmosphere was a match for anything in Europe.

LAFC are a great example to Beckham’s Miami side as they only played their first league game in March 2018.

Now ex-Swansea boss Bob Bradley has them top of the Western Conference by a huge 16 points, thanks to goal-mad ex-Arsenal kid Carlos Vela.

Inter Miami will join MLS from next season, 13 years after the England legend joined LA GalaxyCredit: Instagram
Through well thought-out guerilla marketing — the club spread the word by sending selected fans into bars to engage with potential fans — LAFC have built up a passionate backing, tapping heavily into LA’s football-mad Latino population.

The sight of thousands of fans in their trendy black kit, standing in the “3252” — the name of their north stand — singing non-stop for 90 minutes is a sight to behold.

Actor Will Ferrell is one of a few famous club investors and president Tom Penn has a theory on why celebs are getting involved in MLS.

Co-owner Penn said: “Because it’s cool and it’s on a rocketship. They see where franchise club valuations are going and they see the massive opportunity in this media market.

“With the star performance of Vela and the attention that’s gathering, the momentum is so appealing.

“Long-term, we’d love to part of the global football conversation.”

Beckham has visited LAFC many times to learn how they grew so fast.

He has picked a city that had an MLS side before in Miami Fusion, which dissolved in 2002, and some feel it is tough to succeed in Florida.

Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson said: “Winning over the fans is going to be a challenge and trying to build a hardcore fanbase.

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David Beckham has visited LAFC – co-owned by Will Ferrell -in the hope he can replicate their fast growthCredit: Splash News
“I was sceptical about Atlanta if you’d told me two years later they’d be averaging 55,000 at a game. I’m not sure that can happen in Miami.

“The weather is a challenge. You can swim through that humidity.”

Yet Penn disagrees, arguing: “I see it as a huge advantage. Miami is better than New York City due to manageable nature of the climate.”

There is no doubt soccer, as they call it, is growing in the land of baseball, gridiron and basketball — it is now the No 2 sport for under-35s.

Clubs like Portland and LAFC have been tapping into the South American market for talent and it has improved the overall quality.

Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani is also being sensationally tipped to join Becks’ Miami side.

Lionel Messi is understood to be the long-term stellar target for the league — rather than Cristiano Ronaldo — but the fact either are mentioned proves the huge ambition for serious growth by the time the US co-hosts the 2026 World Cup.

Paulson said: “This is now a soccer nation. People forget that the 1994 finals still hold the record attendance for the World Cup.

“When we get to the next one, we’ll blow everything out of the water.”