The monarch and his wife prepared to cheer on Treasure in the Betfred Oaks at 4.30pm, rated eighth favourite by bookmakers at odds between 18/1 and 26/1.

They attended Epsom’s Ladies Day as fellow racegoers looked forward to seeing a royal runner bid for Classic glory after Treasure was declared for the Group 1 Oaks.

The prize money for today’s race totals £541,035 for the top six positions out of the 12 runners. A first prize of £311,905 will go to the winner – then £118,250 for second, £59,180 for third, £29,480 for fourth, £14,795 for fifth and £7,425 for sixth.

The owner normally receives about 75 per cent of a race’s prize money, while the remaining 25 per cent is generally split between the trainer (10 per cent), the jockey (10 per cent) and then the final 5 per cent to stable staff and racing charities.

Also today, Charles and Camilla presented a trophy after the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup, a race they watched from the stands which was won by 9-4 chance Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore, with 7-4 shot Emily Upjohn finishing fourth.

Treasure was bred by Elizabeth II and is a daughter of stallion Masterscraftsman and Shimmering Light, which was placed for the late monarch in two races in 2017.

Trainer Ralph Beckett said they ‘decided to have a go at the Oaks as the ground should be in her favour’, adding that he had been ‘very pleased with her progress’.

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare to present the trophy to Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore after they won the 3/10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon. Pictured left is Holland Cooper’s founder and managing director, Jade Holland Cooper

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King Charles waves to the crowds during his appearance at Epsom Downs Racecourse today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the trophy to jockey Ryan Moore after he won the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup with Luxembourg on Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare to present the trophy to Luxembourg ridden by Ryan Moore after they won the 3/10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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The Jockey Club director Sandy Dudgeon with King Charles III at Epsom this afternoon

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Queen Camilla arrives at Epsom Racecourse with Charles this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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Treasure on the way to winning on her racecourse debut at Nottingham on October 18, 2023

The handler also described Charles, 75, and Camilla, 76, as ‘such enthusiastic owners and it is great to be training such a nice filly for them who is running in a Classic’.

The race set off after a rendition of the national anthem, which was sang as the King and Queen watched on.

The King’s horse Treasure started off strong, settling in third position and standing out from the all brown pack in grey.

But he struggled to keep up with a strong pack and finished in eleventh place.

Elizabeth II landed five Classics in all, with Carrrozza her first Epsom Oaks heroine in 1957 before Dunfermline in 1977.

Dunfermline was the last to carry the royal colours to victory in a British Classic.

The horse won not only the Epsom Oaks but also the St Leger at Doncaster in what was Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee year.

Charles and Camilla enjoyed a memorable first Flat season last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot before finishing third in the St Leger.

Treasure won on her racecourse debut at Nottingham in October last year before finishing fourth behind stablemate You Got To Me in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her reappearance three weeks ago.

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the trophy to jockey Ryan Moore after he won the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup with Luxembourg on Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse today

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The Jockey Club director Sandy Dudgeon with King Charles III at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles waves to the crowds as he attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles watches on at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles waves to the crowds as he attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla during the presentation for the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup on Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the trophy to trainer Aidan O’Brien after Luxembourg won the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup on Ladies Day at Epsom today

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the trophy to jockey Ryan Moore after he won the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup with Luxembourg on Ladies Day at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles waves to the crowds as he attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III presents the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles III presents the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom Racecourse today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon for Ladies Day

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King Charles waves to the crowds as he attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

Mr Beckett was initially keen to wait until the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot with Treasure.

Read More

Ryan Moore on Luxembourg in the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup and his other three rides at Epsom – with City of Troy out to prove his worth in the Derby

But a subsequent change of heart means she will join You Got To Me and the first and third from the Cheshire Oaks, Forest Fairy and Seaward, to give him a formidable quartet as he goes in search of a third victory in the race.

‘We had been thinking Treasure was more a filly for Royal Ascot this time last week, but with the way the ground is now at Epsom, we decided to have a go at the Oaks as the ground should be in her favour,’ said the Kimpton Downs handler.

‘I have been very pleased with her progress since her reappearance at Lingfield. The King and Queen are such enthusiastic owners and it is great to be training such a nice filly for them who is running in a Classic.’

Mr Beckett added: ‘It will be very exciting to have a runner in a Classic for the King and the Queen.’

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III smiles following the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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The Jockey Club director Sandy Dudgeon with King Charles III at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III smiles following the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III smiles following the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III smiles following the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III smiles following the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III looking at the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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Queen Camilla watches the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla present the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup today

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King Charles watches the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles attends Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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Queen Camilla arrives at Epsom Downs Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the grandstand on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs today

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III presents the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles arrives at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III presents the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Camilla watch the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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King Charles watches the 3.10pm Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom today

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King Charles III smiles after the Holland Cooper Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon

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King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

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Queen Camilla arrives at Epsom Racecourse this afternoon on Ladies Day

John Warren, racing adviser for Charles and Camilla, is excited by the prospect of seeing the famous colours on show in the Oaks once more.

On the reasoning behind the decision to run at Epsom, he told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast: ‘I think it was the piece of work she did on Saturday.

‘Ralph had never discounted her completely out of the Oaks because luckily there is a decent gap between the Oaks and the Ribblesdale this year.

‘It’s three weeks or 20 days or whatever, so the plan was in principle to go there (Royal Ascot), but with Ralph having such a good form line with the lovely fillies that he has in his yard at the moment, he was sort of getting the impression that she was just becoming a late burn as it were.

‘She’s a big, rangy filly, who did well as a two-year-old to win on her only start in very deep ground. She didn’t do it overly impressively, but did win well enough.

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A racegoer on Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse today

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A group of racegoers shelter under their umbrellas after they arrive at Epsom today

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Racegoers arrive for Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today as rain falls

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Racegoers pose for a selfie on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey this mornign

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Hold onto your hats, ladies! Racegoers were left battling the windy weather at today’s event

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Glamorous guests showcase their fashion prowess at the racecourse in Surrey today

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Armed police officers on Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey this morning

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Two racegoers looked less than satisfied with the British weather as rain starts to fall in Surrey

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Racegoers on Ladies Day of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse today

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Glamorous racegoers don all their finery to descend on Epsom Racecourse this morning

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Ladies Day is the chance for racegoers to show off their style and creative flair at Epsom today

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Racegoers arriving for Ladies Day on the opening day of the Epsom Derby Festival today

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Two women beam as they pose with their cans of drink at Epsom Downs in Surrey today

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Two women pose with their hats during the Derby Festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse  today

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Racegoers arrive for Ladies Day at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey today as rain falls

‘This spring she has developed into a pretty imposing, impressive, physical. And as she started to mature in the spring, Ralph started talking about Oaks trials rather than novices or what have you so she’s progressed really well.

‘She’s unexposed and is one we are very much looking forward to and in particular on that little piece of work she did. It was only over six furlongs, so what can you say in real terms? But she worked impressively enough on Saturday, so Ralph thought with three weeks before the Ribblesdale, why not give it a go?’

Warren feels underfoot conditions will suit Treasure, who will be ridden by James Doyle, but admitted to having doubts about whether her stamina will stand up to the test of the mile and a half.

He added: ‘I think we’ve been looking forward to watching the weather forecast very closely because she won on heavy and her action would make you think that she will probably enjoy a bit of cut in the ground.

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles watch at Epsom Downs Racecourse on June 2, 1993

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Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales with Princess Anne at Epsom on June 4, 1986

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Elizabeth II leading in her Epsom Oaks winner Carrozza with Lester Piggott on June 7, 1957

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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles at the Epsom Derby with the Royal Family in 1979

‘If you take the favourite (Ylang Ylang) out of it, who is very high-class, a lot of the remainder are not dissimilar to her in that they are young and unexposed horses who are just maturing and I guess there’s always hope when you see something.

‘She looked as if she was going to give them a good run for their money at Lingfield, but then just fell in a bit of a heap and I think she really needed that race.

‘We’re realistic to know that it’s an open race and she’s a 16-1 shot or whatever she is, but the biggest concern is whether she is a genuine stayer or not.

‘In the 14 family members that make up her immediate family, only two in the third generation, Darshaan and Dubawi’s dam, stayed a mile and a half at that level, so she’s not particularly bred to be a proper galloper over a mile and a half.

‘That was the only thing at Lingfield as when she looked busy she then just slightly tailed off a bit in the last 150 yards. Was it a matter of the complete fitness or was it a matter of not being a proper, genuine, staying mile-and-a-half filly?’

Prince Harry was seen laughing with veterans during his whistle-stop trip to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in a newly released video.

The Duke of Sussex spent three days in Britain at the beginning of the May as he attended a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The event was attended by Harry, as well as senior figures from the Invictus Games Foundation, wounded veterans who have taken part in the sporting event and famous faces such as actor Damian Lewis, MP Johnny Mercer and former triple jumper Jonathan Edwards.

In a video released by the foundation on Saturday night which gives viewers a look at what happened behind closed doors after the service, the father-of-two was seen laughing and joking with attendees.

The Duke was also seen giving a speech from the pulpit in St Paul’s in which he quoted a verse from the Bible, saying: ‘To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.’

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Prince Harry was seen smiling and laughing with veterans at a reception after the Invictus Games Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8

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The Duke of Sussex appeared in good spirits as he spoke with attendees on the 10th anniversary of the games on May 8

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Prine Harry waves and peaks to members of the public as he leaves the service at St Paul’s Cathedral on May 8

In the footage, actor Lewis can also be seen giving a reading of Invictus by English poet William Ernest Henley, a work which has been closely linked to the sporting event founded by Harry.

‘It matters not how straight the gait, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,’ Mr Lewis said.

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.’

Harry was the only member of the Royal Family to attend the service, with King Charles hosting the first annual garden party at Buckingham Palace – attended by other senior members of The Firm – across the capital at the same time.

The Duke had been in good spirits when he arrived earlier in the day, waving and smiling at the crowd outside the cathedral before warmly greeting the Dean of St Paul’s the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, exchanging words with his uncle Earl Spencer and sitting next to his mentor Mark Dyer.

In the service Harry read a passage from Corinthians 12 ahead of a sermon.

He said: ‘To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues.’

Upon leaving the event he took the opportunity to do an impromptu walkabout, speaking to and joking with members of the public who were waiting outside.

In all Harry spent three nights in the capital without seeing any family members before meeting his wife, Meghan, at Heathrow airport and flying onto Nigeria for a quasi-royal tour.

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Harry was seen speaking to his uncle, Charles Spencer, after arriving at the service on May 8

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The Duke also shared a joke with the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, upon his arrival

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The prince was in London for three days during his whistle-stop trip to the UK, before leaving on to go on a tour of Nigeria with his wife Meghan Markle

Despite the time spent in the capital, Harry did not meet with any members of the Royal Family with a row breaking out after a spokesman for the Prince suggested his father King Charles was ‘too busy’ to see him.

Harry is said to have turned down an invitation by the King to stay at a royal residence when he visited the UK earlier this month because he had ‘security concerns’.

He is said to have declined his father’s offer because it did not come with any taxpayer-funded personal security provision, which would leave him staying in a ‘visible location with public entrance and exit points and no police protection’.

Instead he chose to stay at a hotel – presumably with members of the public – because it meant he ‘could come and go unseen’, claimed The Telegraph.

The newspaper further maintained that the Duke of Sussex ‘remains devastated’ about the withdrawal of his automatic right to police protection which is still battling the Home Office over through the British courts.

He now has to give the Metropolitan Police 28 days’ notice before coming to the UK if he wants to apply for security provision, with each request assessed on an individual basis by Ravec, the committee which oversees the protection of royalty and public figures.

While it has not been revealed where the King offered Harry a room, St James’ Palace is a strong possibility.

Princess Beatrice has a permanent apartment there, while Princess Anne has a suite of rooms – and a parking place – she uses when staying in London.

Other members of the Royal Family use it on an ad hoc basis.

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On the same day that Harry was at St Paul’s Cathedral, King Charles and other royals were at a garden party at Buckingham Palace

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King Charles appeared to be on good form as he spoke to guests at royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8

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A row had broken out after a spokesman for Harry suggested Charles, pictured here mingling with guests at the garden party on May 8, had been ‘too busy’ to see Harry during his time in Britain

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After his trip to the UK, Harry jetted off to Nigeria with his wife Meghan Markle where they were pictured attending a polo fundraiser event in Lagos on May 12

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared to enjoy their quasi-royal tour of the country as they met with officials

Moreover it is situated directly adjacent to Clarence House where the King stays when in London.

It would have allowed father and son a place to meet in relative privacy and is guarded round-the-clock by a ‘ring of steel’.

Do you think it’s reasonable for Harry to refuse to see his family due to security risks?

Yes

No

In fact all royal residences – whichever one Harry was offered – feature armed guards at entry and exit points, unlike any London hotel, and boast the most sophisticated security systems in the country to protect working members of the family.

Buckingham Palace has consistently declined to comment on anything to do with Harry and his father.

But a spokesman for the prince chose to issue a statement when he came to London at the beginning of May for a service to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

It strongly suggested that while Harry was keen to meet his father, the King was effectively ‘too busy’ to see him.

However it has since become clear that while His Majesty did indeed have a packed programme of engagements that week, the King had made conciliatory overtures that would have enabled him to see his son.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment at the time, while a request for comment was put to the Sussexes UK spokesman.

Meghan and Harry’s Netflix show has slumped to 211 on the streaming platform’s global chart while ‘Beckham’ is No. 1 with 3.5 times the viewing figures 
The royal couple’s one-time close friendship with Victoria and David Beckham has similarly soured

It’s enough to spoil the duchess’s latest batch of strawberry jam.

New figures released by Netflix and obtained by DailyMail.com show that not only has viewer interest in Meghan and Harry fallen off a cliff, the couple has been well and truly eclipsed by the popularity of their former friends, David and Victoria Beckham.

Engagement figures for 2023, released last week, reveal that the Beckhams’ eponymous documentary hit the top spot for global viewing with a whopping 43.9million views between July and December last year.

In that same period Harry & Meghan’s Limited Series Volumes I and II, limped in with just 1.9million views and 12.6million total views across the year.

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When it first aired in December 2022 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s docuseries was an instant hit, giving Netflix its biggest debut with 81.6million hours viewed in the first four days. But, after an initial frenzy, figures began a steady slide as millions of viewers lost interest

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‘Beckham’ was a show that left viewers uplifted by the Beckham’s family life, relationship and work ethic. Fans raved at the couple’s ‘resilience,’ and marveled at Beckham’s self-effacing grit and ambition

When it first aired in December 2022 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s docuseries was an instant hit, giving Netflix its biggest debut with 81.6million hours viewed in the first four days. But, after an initial frenzy, figures began a steady slide as millions of viewers lost interest and the series lost traction well before the sixth episode aired.

The show has now slumped to 211 on the streaming platform’s global chart while ‘Beckham’ is No. 1 with 3.5 times the viewing figures and 208.5million hours viewed in the first two months alone.

The disparity is perhaps due in part to the fact that fans who had tuned into Harry and Meghan’s docuseries hoping for insight and intimacy were instead left tired by their relentlessly, ‘woe is me’ tone. Viewers complained about the couple’s self-absorption and the fact that for all their enviable privilege they seemed to do nothing but bemoan their lot.

In stark contrast ‘Beckham’ was a show that left viewers uplifted by the Beckham’s family life, relationship and work ethic. Fans raved at the couple’s ‘resilience,’ and marveled at Beckham’s self-effacing grit and ambition.

This was a couple viewers could get behind, where Harry and Meghan were a couple viewers could leave behind.

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David Beckham’s documentary has amassed a record breaking 3.8million viewers, Netflix’s largest UK audience this year

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Netflix reportedly paid £88 million ($100million) for Harry and Meghan’s bombshell docuseries as part of a multi-year deal with the streaming giant

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Engagement figures for 2023, released last week, reveal that the Beckhams’ eponymous documentary hit the top spot for global viewing

 In recent months there has been increased speculation that Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, could lose the $100million deal that they inked with Netflix back in 2020.

Aside from their flagging docuseries the couple’s much-vaunted Netflix deal has so far only produced two shows which, the latest figures show, have struggled to generate any interest at all.

‘Heart of Invictus,’ released in August 2023 and covering Prince Harry’s games for wounded warriors wheezed across the line with just 300,000 views in 2023.

‘Live to Lead,’ released in December 2022, about inspiring world leaders and featuring interviews with Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Gloria Steinem garnered just 800,000 views.

And when it comes to bang for their buck the Sussex’s with their $100million deal are a long way from keeping up with the Beckhams whose 43.9million views cost Netflix a comparatively modest $20million.

Coincidentally that is the size of the Spotify deal that Harry and Meghan lost when it fell apart in 2023 with just 12 episodes of Meghan’s ‘Archetypes’ podcast to show for it.

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The row is believed to have heightened when the Sussexes allegedly accused the Beckhams of leaking stories about them to the press – while royal biographers claimed Meghan ‘didn’t like the footballer’s friendship with Prince William’

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Victoria produced a custom-made white coat and dress for Meghan in 2019 which she wore during her last appearance in Westminster Abbey in March that year (pictured)

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Here, FEMAIL breaks down how the relationship fell apart – from wedding invitation snubs and disagreements over designer clothing to fears of an upstaging

Speaking at the time Spotify’s Head of Podcast Innovation and Monetization, Bill Simmons, famously described the couple as ‘grifters,’ saying, ‘I wish I had been involved in the ‘Meghan and Harry leave Spotify’ negotiation. ‘ The F***ing Grifters.’ That’s the podcast we should have launched with them.’

Now, sources are speculating that their Netflix deal may be about to go the same way with Meghan’s cooking and lifestyle show and Harry’s documentary about polo being described as ‘padding,’ by some, while others ask what they have left to share now that their relationship with the rest of the royal family is all but over.

Harry and Meghan’s one-time close friendship with Victoria and David Beckham has similarly soured. The former Spice Girl turned clothes designer and her husband were guests at the Sussex’s wedding back in May 2018.

Meghan often wore Victoria’s designs with the older woman opening her little black book of UK stylists to her when she first set up home in the country.

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Meghan’s strawberry jams launched  in April. Pictured, a basket sent to Kelly McKee Zajfen

Later, according to biographer Tom Bower, David, 49, and Victoria, 50, offered the couple refuge in their Los Angeles home when they were looking for a place in the States.

But according to Bower a telephone call from Harry to the former Manchester United star left Beckham ‘furious’ and effectively ended the once warm friendship.

According to Bower the royals were concerned that close friends were leaking stories about them to the press and Meghan particularly suspected Victoria. Harry called and repeated this accusation to Beckham and the rest, and the friendship, is history.

Now, to rub salt into the wounds of the Beckhams’ soaring popularity in the face of the Sussex’s decline, Beckham has probably spent more time with King Charles III than Harry has this year, as the former England captain has been announced as the newest ambassador to the King’s Foundation.

The King and the former footballer are now reportedly ‘bee-keeping buddies’ who have exchanged pots of honey from their respective hives in Highgrove and Oxfordshire as well as bee-keeping tips.

We are used to seeing royal women in formal skirts, expensive gowns or, from time to time, even jeans. 

Yet even today, leather, is likely to raise an eyebrow or two.

It was Princess Diana who first led the way when she wore bright scarlet trousers for a theatre outing in 1987.

Leather has slowly and stylishly been infiltrating royal wardrobes ever since…

Diana, Princess of Wales

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Princess Diana made a memorable entrance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1987 – thanks to her striking leather trousers

Always one to break the mould, Princess Diana made a memorable entrance at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End in 1987 – thanks to her striking leather trousers.

For a performance of Phantom of the Opera, the royal paired her vibrant trousers with a voluminous bomber jacket, showcasing her distinctive style.

Queen Letizia of Spain 

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Queen Letizia of Spain has reached for her Hugo Boss leather trousers on three occasions. Above: During an outing in Barcelona in November 2022

A staple in Queen Letizia’s wardrobe, these Hugo Boss trousers have been worn by her on three separate occasions.

Made from genuine leather, they incorporate a flattering high waist and a slim, cropped leg.

The rich berry hue offers a welcome splash of colour, without being overly conspicuous.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

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Meghan Markle impressed in a pair of form-fitting leather trousers at a 2016 Suits event in New York

Meghan Markle is known for her appreciation of leather in its various forms, ranging from biker jackets to pencil skirts.

In 2016, she impressed at a Suits event in New York, wearing a pair of form-fitting leather trousers.

She completed her polished ensemble with nude lace-up heels and a swipe of red lipstick.

Charlene, Princess of Monaco 

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Princess Charlene showed off her edgy flair in Philip Plein trousers at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards gala

Princess Charlene of Monaco demonstrated her edgy flair at the 2017 Princess Grace Awards gala.

For the occasion, the royal chose faux leather Philip Plein trousers, a Prince of Wales checked bustier and classic court shoes.

To finish her outfit, she draped a double-breasted blazer across her shoulders.

Princess Eugenie 

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Princess Eugenie exuded glamour as she arrived at Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill in 2020

After employing stylist Olivia Buckingham, Princess Eugenie quickly transformed into a style maven.

The royal showed off her newfound glamour during an excursion in Notting Hill in 2020.

Her outfit featured a pair of faux leather leggings, which proved perfect for the swanky location of Casa Cruz restaurant.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

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Queen Maxima of the Netherlands lived up to her style reputation at the meeting of NLgroeit at Centraal Beheer

Beloved for her bold fashion choices, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands did not disappoint in this plum-coloured ensemble.

She teamed a Zara polka dot blouse with cropped leather trousers, completing the look with suede court shoes for a meeting in 2019.

Zara Tindall 

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Zara Tindall paired sleek leather trousers with a suede trench coat for a visit to the races in April

Zara Tindall was the epitome of chic during a recent visit to Cheltenham Racecourse.

The daughter of Princess Anne opted for sleek leather trousers, paired with a suede trench coat by Fairfax and Favor.

Adding a touch of sophistication, she accessorised with a Camilla Rose Millinery headband, LK Bennett boots and an Aspinal of London bag, resulting in a flawless aesthetic.

Princess Lilibet Diana is celebrating her third birthday today (June 4), and fans think she is a spitting image of one member of the Royal Family.

Princess Lilibet turns three today (Image: Social media)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ringing in a special milestone today (June 4) as their darling princess turns three.

Born in sun-kissed California in June 2021, Princess Lilibet got her namesake from the late Queen Elizabeth II, hailing her roots while adding a sweet nod to Harry’s beloved mum with Diana as her middle name.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex threw a birthday bash for their little one at their swank Montecito abode, Santa Barbara, just last weekend. It was reportedly an intimate gathering, attended by their friends and relatives based stateside. The Royal Family, however, were not in attendance.

Eager followers will undoubtedly want to get an insight into the birthday party, anticipating Meghan and Harry to roll out some photos. An earlier sneak peek into their home life and Lilibet’s first birthday via their Netflix docuseries saw fans spot a striking resemblance between the baby girl and a particular Royal Family member.

Secluded celebrations took place at Frogmore Cottage where photographer Misan Harriman earned himself a coveted spot on the select guest list. Snaps from the heartwarming celebration showed the birthday girl looking oh-so-adorable in a chic bow-adorned hairstyle and her special day dress.

This morning (June 4) has seen a flurry of social media activity with thousands pouring in their well-wishes for the young princess. One fervent Royal fan mentioned in a tweet about the noticeable similarity in looks between the cherubic Princess Lilli and her late grandmother.

They penned: “Happy Birthday Princess Lilli. You look so much like your grandmother, Princess Diana.” People on X seemed to agree with the sentiment, with one saying: “I am convinced Lilibet will grow up to look just like Diana.”

Another chimed in: “Lilibet looks 100% like her grandma (Princess Diana).” Another added: “Archie looks like Meghan and Lilibet looks like Diana’s family.”

One other wrote: “The only granddaughter that resembles the late Princess Diana is Princess Lilibet of Sussex. Princess Lilibet inherited her grandmother blue eyes, face shape and smile.”

During a visit to the Lightway Academy in Abuja, Meghan Markle gave an intimate portrayal of her daughter Lilibet’s personality, ahead of her third birthday. Engaging in a discussion about mental health, the Duchess of Sussex said: “Our daughter, Lili, she’s much, much tinier than you guys. She’s about to turn three.

“Just a few weeks ago, she looked at me and saw her reflection in my eyes. She said ‘Mama, I see me in you’. Though she meant it quite literally, I took those words in a far different vein. And though I do see me and you in her words, as I look around this room, I also see myself reflected in all of you.”

The Princess of Wales is considering making an appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Trooping the Colour ceremony, it was claimed today.

Royal officials confirmed yesterday that Kate will not attend the Colonel’s Review on June 8 – which is the traditional rehearsal for Trooping the Colour, held on June 15.

But the Daily Mirror reported that the Princess is understood to be considering walking onto the famous balcony in a fortnight’s time if she is feeling well enough.

Kate, 42, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, would have been due to take the salute on June 8 in normal circumstances in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

But she continues to stay away from public royal duties during her chemotherapy while resting at home, and will only return when doctors give her the all-clear.

Lieutenant General James Bucknall, former commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, will be the inspecting officer on Kate’s behalf for the Colonel’s Review.

Buckingham Palace also revealed yesterday that King Charles III will travel in a carriage with Queen Camilla on June 15 and will not be on horseback.

Charles, 75, will conduct the review of soldiers at his official birthday parade from an Ascot Landau carriage with Camilla, which is understood to be an adaptation based on doctors’ advice while the monarch continues to have treatment for cancer .

It comes after the Army removed a claim made in March on its website that Kate would be appearing at Trooping the Colour and had begun selling tickets – which caused confusion after Kensington Palace said it had not confirmed her attendance.

It comes after the Army removed a claim made in March on its website that Kate would be appearing at Trooping the Colour and had begun selling tickets – which caused confusion after Kensington Palace said it had not confirmed her attendance.

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2023 — (From left) Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour on June 17, 2023

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The confirmation comes after the Army removed a claim made in March on its website that Kate would be appearing at Trooping the Colour (pictured) and had begun selling tickets

Tickets had gone on sale via the Army website in March advertising Kate reviewing a ‘practice’ parade for the first time on June 8 in her role as honorary colonel of the Irish Guards

MailOnline understands the attendance of other Royal Family members at Trooping the Colour events will be confirmed nearer the time of each one.

Trooping the Colour: 1,400 soldiers and 200 horses at parade for Sovereign’s birthday

Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for more than 260 years.

The parade sees more than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians join each June in a display of military precision and fanfare.

Crowds line the streets with flags as the parade travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, with Royal Family members on horseback and in carriages.

A royal salute greets the Sovereign as they arrive at Horse Guards Parade before they inspect the troops, wearing the ceremonial uniform of red tunics and bearskin hats.

The escorted Regimental Colour, or flag, then travels down the ranks of soldiers, with the commanding officer directing the soldiers with more than 100 words of command

The Foot Guards march past the Sovereign before heading back to the Palace at the head of the soldiers.

The display finishes with a flypast by the Royal Air Force which is watched by royals from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. There is also a 41-gun salute fired from Green Park.

During Trooping the Colour, which takes place on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall, the King will carry out the review of the Guardsmen and officers from the carriage.

The change from last year’s ceremony, where Charles inspected the troops on horseback, reflects earlier Buckingham Palace briefings where it was highlighted that each engagement by the King would be reviewed and adaptations made when advised by doctors.

Earlier this year on March 5, the Ministry of Defence removed a claim made on its website that Kate would attend events to mark Trooping the Colour.

Tickets had gone on sale via the Army website advertising Kate reviewing a ‘practice’ parade for the first time on June 8 in her role as honorary colonel of the Irish Guards.

It also announced that Charles would be reviewing his own official birthday parade on June 15 at Horse Guards.

But within minutes of the tickets going on sale, there were warnings that the MoD may have ‘jumped the gun’.

Kensington Palace sources made clear that they were ‘not consulted’ on the MoD announcement and said that any confirmed attendance by the Princess would be made ‘only’ by themselves.

Buckingham Palace also confirmed at the time that planning for future engagements was continuing despite the King’s cancer treatment, yet stressed that changes could be made nearer the time depending on his health.

The confusion added to a sense of unease around the Royal Family at that point, over fears that two of its most senior members would be largely out of action for substantial periods.

This also came before Kate revealed in an emotional video on March 23 that she was undergoing treatment for cancer.

At that point, Kate was recuperating from what was described as ‘planned abdominal surgery’ and it was seen as unlikely that she would return to duties until after Easter.

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review, the final rehearsal of Trooping the Colour, on Horse Guards Parade in London today

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review in London today

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review in London today

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review in London today

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review in London today

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Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major’s Review in London today

Until her cancer announcement, her absence from public events and the scant detail given about her condition and recuperation had led to wild social media conspiracy theories about what might be wrong with her.

On Tuesday, the Army confirmed that Trooping the Colour will go ahead despite the upcoming General Election – confirming the Daily Mail’s story the previous week.

The celebration traditionally involves the royal family gathering on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a display of pomp and military pageantry.

Usually the monarch rides down from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade via The Mall to inspect the troops. He then rides back to the palace for the traditional balcony appearance with the wider Royal Family and flypast by the RAF.

Queen Elizabeth II attended the event in a carriage after 1987.

Last week, the Royal Family postponed engagements ‘which may appear to divert attention or distract from the election campaign’ after Rishi Sunak last week called a surprise summer General Election for July 4.

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Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, presents his credentials to King Charles, accompanied by his wife Deepthi Bogollagama, during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in London today

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King Charles III and Queen Camilla, pictured in a carriage at Royal Ascot on June 24, 2023

But they have continued with garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the King and Queen’s D-Day 80th anniversary appearances in Portsmouth and Normandy in June are expected to go ahead as scheduled.

Today, Charles met Rohitha Bogollagama, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, as he presented his credentials at Buckingham Palace in a private audience along with his wife Deepthi Bogollagama.

Yesterday, Charles and Camilla went a tour of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in London, where they met former students including David Harewood, Cynthia Erivo and Daniel Mays.

On Tuesday, the British Army announced that almost 1,000 soldiers and around 240 horses from the Household Division will perform a ‘khaki rehearsal’ of the parade in London today.

The rehearsal will take place on Horse Guards Parade in front of an audience of more than 1,000 people as a test for soldiers and horses who have yet to rehearse publicly.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, the Brigade Major of the Household Division, will confirm the troops are of the required standard before they perform at The Major General’s Review on Saturday, The Colonel’s Review on June 8 and Trooping the Colour on June 15.

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2023 — Glorious scenes down the Mall during Trooping the Colour in London on June 17, 2023

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2022 — William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022

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2021 — Trooping the Colour was held at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen on June 12, 2021

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2019 — William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019

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2017 — Philip speaks to William and Kate at Trooping The Colour in London on June 17, 2017

The Army said the Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, has been chosen to troop their colour, which means the regiment will march its ceremonial flag through the ranks at the King’s official birthday event.

The Band of the Irish Guards with the Pipes and Drums will march the troops onto the parade ground, led by regimental mascot Turlough Mor, an Irish Wolfhound also known as Seamus.

The music is set to have a ‘distinctly Irish theme’, including Celtic folk tunes and new music composed for the parade.

The annual Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British sovereign for more than 260 years.

Charles marked his first Trooping as King last year, riding onto Horse Guards in Whitehall as the nation’s head of state six weeks after his coronation.

During the celebrations, Charles and Camilla waved from the Buckingham Palace balcony as thousands of well-wishers in The Mall sang the National Anthem and gave three cheers.

The King and Queen were surrounded in 2023 by the family’s core group of working royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.

Also on the balcony were the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

On what would have been her 88th birthday in January, Charles Spencer paid a loving tribute to his mother.

The historian, 60, remembered Frances Shand Kydd with ‘love and gratitude’ as he took to social media to post a selection of newspaper cuttings – including one announcing the birth of his sister Princess Diana.

But the life of Frances, who died 20 years ago today, was a particularly tragic and complicated one – not least the relationship with her daughter.

She had a troubled marriage with Diana’s father – the future eighth Earl Spencer –  which ended in divorce after she fell for wallpaper tycoon Peter Shand Kydd.

Her four children were left in the care of their father after a fierce custody battle when Diana was seven.

The bitter split led to a complex relationship with her youngest daughter. As her brother previously recalled: ‘Diana used to wait on the doorstep for her, but she never came.’

His mother was not, he said, ‘cut out for maternity’.

When Frances said in an interview months before her daughter’s death that it was ‘absolutely wonderful’ she had been stripped of her HRH title after her divorce from the then Prince Charles, Diana never spoke to her again.

Frances spent the last of her days living alone in Seil – one of Scotland’s Slate Islands – where she remained after her second husband left her for a younger woman.

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Princess Diana and Frances Shand Kydd, pictured in 1989, had a complicated relationship

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Frances (right) wed at just 18-years-old to to 30-year-old ‘Johnnie’ (left) in 1954 – with her daughter, Princess Diana, going on to eerily mirror this in her own marriage

Frances was born into the regal world of the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on January 20, 1936.

Socialising in royal circles from a young age – her father, Maurice Roche, was friends with King George VI and her mother, Lady Ruth Remoy, was a lady in waiting to the Queen Mother.

In 1954, when she was just 18, she married 30-year-old Edward ‘Johnnie’ Spencer.

The couple had their first two daughters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, in 1955 and 1957 respectively.

Their desperate wish for a son was granted in 1960, but little baby John died just hours after being born.

By the time Diana arrived the following year, Frances’s marriage had become strained after her several pregnancies had failed to produce a male heir to Althorp.

The birth of Charles in 1964 failed to cure Frances’s relationship ills and in 1967 she fell for married wallpaper tycoon Peter Shand Kydd.

In 1969, her divorce was finalised and Frances went on to marry her lover. Having earned the nickname ‘the bolter’, a blazing custody battle commenced with John.

In the early days of the separation, Diana and her brother lived with their mother, whilst Sarah and Jane attended boarding school.

They eventually all went back to live with their father after Frances’s custody attempts proved unsuccessful and she moved to Scotland with her new husband.

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Earl Spencer walks behind his mother’s coffin at her funeral at St Columba’s Cathedral in Oban, Scotland

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Prince William (second left) and Prince Harry (centre) attending their grandmother’s funeral, June 10, 2004

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Frances (left) had a troubled marriage with Edward John Spencer (right), who she married in 1936

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The couple had two daughters within a few years, pictured here holding Sarah after her christening in Westminster Abbey in 1955

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However, the marriage between Frances and Johnnie (pictured) continued to break down and ended in flames in 1967 after she fell for the married Peter Shand Kydd

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Princess Diana did not speak to her mother after she did an interview with Hello! magazine before she tragically died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997

Earl Spencer previously opened up about the impact his mother’s absence had on his and Diana’s childhood – including how his sister would wait for her return.

He recalled: ‘While she was packing her stuff to leave, she promised Diana she’d come back to see her. Diana used to wait on the doorstep for her, but she never came.’

He added: ‘Our father was a quiet, constant source of love, but our mother wasn’t cut out for maternity… she couldn’t do it. She was in love with someone else, infatuated really.’

Earl Spencer still felt able to unveil a portrait of his mother to mark what would have been her 85th birthday in 2021.

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Princess Diana (left) and Frances (right) attending the wedding of Charles Spencer, Frances’s youngest child

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Frances with her youngest daughter Princess Diana at Wimbledon in 1993

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Frances pictured with Princess Diana, Harry and William in 1989

Princess Diana married Prince Charles in 1981 but Frances avoided the limelight that her youngest daughter brought and quietly ran a gift shop in Seil.

In 1988, her second husband left her for a younger woman after almost 20 years.

Frances found solace in religion. She converted to Catholicism at the age of 58 and devoted her life to the Church.

It was after Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996 that Frances returned to the spotlight with an interview with Hello! magazine.

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Frances pictured on holiday with Princess Diana (left), Prince Harry and Prince William on Necker Island in 1990

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Frances (left) pictured on a beach on Necker Island  in 1990 with her daughters Princess Diana, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale

She said in May the following year that it was ‘absolutely wonderful’ that Diana, now no longer a member of the Royal Family, had lost her HRH title.

The interview raised £30,000 which went towards building a prayer house on Iona, but this charitable act was not enough to repair the damage caused to the relationship with her daughter.

In a surprising twist through the grief, she went on to form a close friendship with the priest who kept vigil over Diana’s body after she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

Doctors at Paris’s Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital had fought to save the Princess’s life but were unable to.

Father Yves-Marie Clochard-Bossuet was the duty chaplain on the night Diana passed away.

He watched over her body for ten hours before Prince Charles and Diana’s two sisters arrived.

He went on to write to Frances after his cousin had told him about her strong Catholic faith.

He previously told the Mail: ‘And so I wrote to her a very formal letter giving all the details [of the day of Diana’s death]. I wanted to tell her mother the nurses who had taken care of her had done things very well.

‘There was nothing to complain about [even if] it was a hospital room and not in Buckingham Palace. And I told her that I had prayed and had stayed until the arrival of Prince Charles.’

Although he was not expecting a response, Frances replied a few days later.

‘She thanked me, because I was the first to give information directly to her,’ he said.

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Frances (centre) pictured at Princess Diana’s funeral at Westminster Abbey with her daughters Jane (left) and Sarah (right)

Frances came to Paris to meet him and the pair developed a bond.

She would return to the French capital twice a year to meet him and take him out to dinner.

Fr Clochard-Bossuet added: ‘Frances Shand Kydd] told me she often went for a walk at night in London [in the days after Diana’s death] to where there were flowers for her. She also spoke to me a lot about [William and Harry]. She adored them.’

Frances continued to live a quiet life after Diana’s death and developed Parkinson’s Disease and brain cancer.

She passed away aged 68 on June 3, 2004 at her home in Scotland. Her funeral on June 10 was attended by her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry.

The MoS can reveal that, three months on, The London Clinic remains under investigation and the case has not yet been referred to Scotland Yard, despite Health Minister Maria Caulfield stating in March that police had been asked to look at it.

Bosses at the hospital launched a probe after it was claimed at least one staff member had attempted to access personal details about Kate following her planned abdominal surgery in January.

It is a criminal offence for any NHS or private healthcare staff to access the medical records of a patient without the consent of the organisation’s data controller.

Now several data specialists have told this newspaper that, if the breach occurred, staff could have been caught through a ‘decoy’ tactic used by private hospitals that often have high-profile clients.

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The Princess of Wales was receiving private medical care at The London Clinic when staff were accused of attempting to access her personal details following planned abdominal surgery

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The London Clinic remains under investigation . It is a criminal offence for any NHS or private healthcare staff to access the medical records of a patient without consent

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Health Minister Maria Caulfield has called for the case to be investigated by the police

To protect the health data of VIP patients, hospitals often store it in a file under a fake name.

A ‘decoy’ file is then created under the celebrity’s real name. This contains false information and is regularly checked by bosses to see if any wayward staff have opened it without permission.

If a breach is suspected, hospitals are required to launch their own inquiry while the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) investigates whether management did anything wrong. But this process is laboriously slow.

Sam Smith, of health data privacy group MedConfidential, said: ‘It’s disappointing but sadly normal that three months on there is no update about the investigation.’

He said data breaches were ‘unfortunately common’, adding: ‘It’s rare that people find out when a data breach has happened, even rarer that they can get the evidence to prove it, and if they do, the process is still very slow.’

Tom Llewellyn, a partner in commercial litigation and data protection at Ashfords law firm, said: ‘It might take years for action to be taken against the individuals.’

He highlighted a similar case last year when a former NHS secretary was fined £648 for accessing the medical records of more than 150 patients – four years after the breaches took place.

Last month, a hospital doctor was struck off three years after reading the health data of a woman he met on a dating app in 2021.

The London Clinic has provided no update since the suspected breach of the Princess of Wales’s health data was reported.

The ICO told the MoS: ‘Investigations into reported data breaches can be highly complex and our expert team must be given adequate time to make their enquiries.

To protect the integrity of a live investigation, we will not provide regular updates on its progress to those not directly involved until its conclusion.’

The Met Police confirmed they were ‘not aware of any referral’ about the breach.

Kensington Palace said: ‘This is a matter for The London Clinic.’

Meghan Markle will be called Princess Henry if she loses duchess title: royal expert

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Princess Henry reporting for duty.

Meghan Markle would be known as Princess Henry if she loses her title as the Duchess of Sussex, according to a royal expert.

Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty Magazine, told The Royal Beat that it’s unlikely Meghan, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, will be stripped of their royal titles by King Charles III, even though they quit their royal duties in 2020.

Meghan Markle at the South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Texas on March 8, 2024. Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP
“I don’t think anything will happen to the titles because, if they lose their titles, Harry is still a prince of the blood and Meghan instead of being the Duchess of Sussex, [would] be Princess Henry,” Seward said, according to The Mirror.

“That really would [confuse the Americans],” she added. “I think [it’s] probably best just to leave it because it looks unkind, it looks unnecessary.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after announcing their engagement in November 2017. EPA

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in May 2018. AP
Prince Harry was born Prince Henry Charles Albert David, but he obviously goes by Harry. So, if Meghan lost her title as Duchess of Sussex, she would technically be called Princess Henry, since it’s royal tradition that a princess takes an official title with her husband’s name.

The same rule applies for Kate Middleton, who was technically known as Princess William — but is referred to as the Princess of Wales or the Duchess of Cambridge — when she married Prince William in 2011.

However, as Seward pointed out, Harry and Meghan will likely be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex forever.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge in April 2024. AP
“The Queen gave them the titles, let them keep them – they’re going to be ‘H and M’ anyway,” she said.

“I think the best thing is to leave them, ignore them, and let them get on with it – which is really what the Palace and the Royal Family are doing.”

Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior working members of the Firm in 2020, and they now live in California with their two children.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Nigeria on May 10, 2024. Anadolu via Getty Images
Royal author Tom Quinn recently claimed that Charles, 75, and William, 41, “have had lengthy discussions about stripping” the couple of their royal titles.

However, he doesn’t believe the king and his heir will make the move.

“They are terrified this would backfire and make the situation worse,” Quinn told The Mirror last month. “The last thing they want is to give the renegade royals something else to complain about.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Nigeria on May 11, 2024. Anadolu via Getty Images
“William and his father know that even without their royal titles Meghan and Harry would carry on traveling the world as if they were royals and most people in the world will still welcome them,” the expert further asserted.

Critics have accused Meghan and Harry of leveraging their connection to the UK crown through the titles while forgoing any of the duties or work commitments that royal life requires.

None of the members of the royal family have a speaking relationship with Meghan and Harry.

The Sussexes lost the trust of Harry’s relatives after they divulged countless insider details about the Firm with the release of several highly publicized projects, including Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare” and their Netflix doc.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not joined other senior members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace since their dramatic departure.

Meghan and Harry haven’t joined senior royals on the balcony since stepping down. (Image: Getty)

The annual Royal Family outing marking the sovereign’s official birthday is one of the most anticipated events on the royal calendar.

However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been noticeably absent from this eagerly-awaited moment right after Trooping the Colour since their dramatic departure from the Firm in 2020.

While they did attend the traditional parade and flypast marking the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee two years ago, they remained away from the public eye and the balcony.

The pair have been excluded from the popular tradition under a ruling issued by Elizabeth II restricting balcony appearances to working royals only.

However, the late Queen made an exception and allowed a lesser-known, non-working royal to join her and the rest of the family as she celebrated her final official birthday.

 

The Queen made an exception to the rule by allowing Sir Timothy Laurence to join her (Image: Getty)

Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence was spotted taking in the stunning display alongside the then-Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall as they marked the special occasion.

Sir Timothy is the second husband of Princess Anne, the late Queen’s only daughter, and he often accompanies his royal wife on her numerous engagements in the UK and abroad.

The former naval commander didn’t receive a royal title upon his marriage to Anne in 1992. Her first husband Mark Phillips didn’t receive one either.

The Princess Royal also refused official titles for her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, when they were born.

Sir Tim has maintained a low profile following his marriage to Anne but he is believed to hold a special place in the Royal Family.

He played a crucial supporting role as Anne escorted her mother’s coffin back to London after she died at Balmoral in September 2022, joining her on her six-hour car ride from Aberdeen to Edinburgh.

 

Sir Timothy often accompanies Princess Anne on official duties. (Image: Getty)

Sir Tim was also with her on the flight from Scotland to London before he joined senior male members of the Royal Family walking behind the late Queen’s coffin at her funeral.

Over the years, he became a familiar face at Royal Family events including garden parties at Buckingham Palace and the races at Ascot.

Sir Timothy served in the Navy until retirement in 2010 and has since pursued several interests, including cricket.

In April he was appointed Club President of Kent Cricket for 2025. He once served as captain of the school cricket team while a student at New Beacon Prep Sevenoaks School.

He served as chairman of the English Heritage until 2022 and vice chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Sir Timothy met Princess Anne in 1987 while he was serving as an equerry to the late Queen. The Princess Royal was still married to her first husband but confirmed the Palace announced they separated in 1989 before divorcing a few months before her wedding to Sir Tim.