Author: bang2

Meghan Markle channeled the fashion prowess of Princess Diana as she recreated her late mother-in-law’s iconic blazer ensemble upon her return to Los Angeles. 

The Duchess of Sussex, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, arrived back in the US on Monday after an 18-hour flight home from their three-day trip to Nigeria.

Mother-of-two Meghan sported a sophisticated, 90s-inspired outfit as she landed at Los Angeles International Airport, typing quickly on her phone as she walked.

The actress-turned-royal donned a khaki linen and wool mix blazer from Loro Piana, called the Jamilla, which retails for around £2,900.

Underneath her jacket, the Duchess wore a cashmere and silk mix sweater – the Takao Jumper – also from Loro Piana, which costs £990.

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Meghan sported a sophisticated, 90s inspired outfit as she landed at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday – similar to one Princess Diana wore

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In the autumn of 1994, the late Princess of Wales was snapped shopping in Knightsbridge sporting a very similar ensemble

Meghan co-ordinated the ensemble with a pair of £815 Chris canvas and leather slippers from Yves Saint Laurent in the gold brown colour way.

She then tied it the ensemble together with pair of fitted, cropped white jeans – a style she has favoured multiple times in the past.

But eagle-eyed royal fans may notice how similar the outfit is to one famously worn by Princess Diana while out shopping in London.

In the autumn of 1994, the late Princess of Wales was snapped shopping in Knightsbridge sporting a chic blazer and white trousers.

She opted to wear a pair of oversized sunglasses, a cream turtleneck with a jade green blazer and an ivory and brown back elegantly slung over her shoulder.

She paired this with a brown belt and some white skinny jeans, along with shoes that look almost identical to the flats worn by Meghan.

This isn’t the first time the Duchess has channeled her mother-in-law. During the tour in Nigeria, Meghan looked to her for inspiration when choosing her accessories.

Meghan sported chunky gold earrings from Lanvin, her AURate collar necklace and an array of dazzling bracelets, as well as her wedding rings.

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Meghan Markle has seemingly paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana as she joined Prince Harry on a ‘three-day royal tour’ in Nigeria

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The jewels resembled those worn by Diana when she visited the country in 1990 with her then-husband Charles, just two years before they separated

The jewels resembled those worn by Diana when she visited Nigeria herself with her then-husband Charles, just two years before they separated.

Meghan added a bit more glamour by wearing Diana’s gold Cartier Tank Française watch.

The gold £17,800 watch was worn by Diana at a number of occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

Meghan is known to be a fan of the elegant timepiece and splurged on her own two-tone version back in 2015 when Suits was picked up for a third season.

Meghan has been gifted several items from Diana’s collection. They include Diana’s butterfly earrings and gold bracelet which she wore on their Australian tour in 2018.

Yet the watch is a favourite and she has been spotted wearing it often. The watch had been gifted to Diana by her father on her 21st birthday.

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On May 10, Meghan was spotted wearing the AURate collar necklace with a chic white suit

Harry and Meghan were spotted arriving in Los Angeles on Monday after a marathon 18-hour flight from Nigeria amid a row over their charity’s operating status in California.

The couple, were pictured being whisked away by a car at Los Angeles International Airport’s ‘Private Suites’ facility.

The Duke and Duchess have called the semi-royal tour ‘fantastic’ and said it will be the ‘first of many memorable trips’ – which included a moment where Meghan hailed Nigeria as ‘her country’ after a DNA test suggested she was part-Nigerian.

They landed back in the United States a few hours before Californian authorities confirmed a ‘delinquency’ row involving their charitable endeavour, the Archewell Foundation, had been resolved following confusion over an unprocessed cheque.

California’s Department of Justice listed the charity, which brought in around $9million (£7.1million) less in donations in 2022 than it did the year before, as ‘not in good standing’ because of an alleged failure to pay a $200 renewal fee.

Meghan Markle is known for her chic style, which has evolved significantly since she and Prince Harry stepped down as working royals and moved to California to start a new life together.

But as she and the Duke of Sussex carry out ‘quasi-royal’ duties including their tour of Nigeria and events marking the Invictus Games, a new trend appears to be emerging in Meghan’s outfits as she dons trousers, skirts and dresses that appear altogether too long for her.

Instead of tailoring her maxi outfits so they perfectly match her 5ft 6in frame, the Duchess often wears clothes that no doubt add to her chic style, but also drag along the floor as she walks.

It might seem an odd miss in the otherwise incredibly stylish Duchess’s repertoire – but a celebrity style expert has suggested Meghan’s perceived oversight may actually be a very deliberate decision on her part in order to create a particular illusion.

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Meghan Markle wears a long ruffled dress as she visits Lightway Academy last week in Abuja, Nigeria

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In Lagos, Meghan donned a Carolina Herrera Silk Overlay Column Gown in ‘taxi cab’ yellow

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It seems Meghan has always been a fan of long floaty dresses as she donned this striped garment when she visited Sydney in 2018

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Celebrity stylist Rochelle thinks Meghan wears longer outfits that cover her feet to look taller than she is. Above: Meghan in September 2022, Germany

During Meghan and Harry’s ‘quasi-royal’ tour of Nigeria, the Duchess showcased several examples of very long clothing.

One such outfit came in the city of Abuja, where she opted for an aptly-named Windsor dress in blush silk, which retails for £1,106.

Its California-based designer, Heidi Merrick (one of the Duchess’s favourites) actually offers a slightly altered version of the frock for petite customers via its tailoring service.

However as Meghan danced the afternoon away at the Wuse Lightway Academy, she appeared not to have opted for the tailored version of the frock and instead donned a version which skimmed the floor as she bopped to Jump Up, Turn Around.

Similarly in Lagos, the former senior working royal chose to wear a Carolina Herrera Silk Overlay Column gown in ‘taxi cab’ yellow.

Meghan was all smiles as she soaked up the sun in the 30-degree weather and visited the Lagos State Governor’s Office.

And yet again, she wore a lengthy vibrant and flamboyant ensemble that dragged along the grass lawn.

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told Femail that the Duchess likely wears long clothing that covers her feet because it gives the illusion of height.

She said: ‘Long dresses and trousers, depending on body type, can help to elongate the body and shape.

‘They can make you look taller and depending on the styles can help to define areas of the body you either want to highlight or cover up.’

When the royal couple spent a week in Frankfurt last summer to attend the Invictus Games, Meghan wore an all-brown ensemble on a day that saw them both watching events and attending a NATO meeting.

This was made up of a chocolate-coloured blouse and creased taupe trousers that trailed along the floor.

She stood next to Prince Harry – who is a whopping 6ft 2inches in height – and although she barely came up to his shoulder, Rochelle says she appears taller because of her outfit choice.

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Meghan Markle is pictured in a long ballgown at the Variety Power of Women Los Angeles

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Dating back to 2019, Meghan wore long black trousers that trailed along the floor in Edinburgh

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Meghan Markle sported a pair of creased brown trousers during her trip to Germany last September with Harry

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The Duchess has worn long ensembles throughout the years including on her trip to Morocco in 2019

She said: ‘Looking at Meghan, I feel that these styles make her look taller and highlight her silhouette. I feel it makes her look taller.

‘I feel that she knows her body and the things or items that work for her best and is tapping into that with her looks.’

In 2018, during Meghan’s trip to Edinburgh with Harry, she proudly donned a pair of lengthy, flared black trousers which were too long for her despite wearing a pair of heels.

As the Duchess was busy greeting people who braved the unpredictable Scottish weather to see the former royals, the slacks were pulled along the wet concrete, gathering dirt on the bottom of them.

In 2018 during her visit to Sydney, the mother-of-two was pictured walking along the sand in a black and white striped maxi dress and the following year during her visit to Morocco with Harry, Meghan donned a large cobalt patterned frock.

It’s no secret that her wardrobe is different from Kate’s, with Rochelle noting that the Princess of Wales opts for more traditional pieces of clothing.

She said: ‘Meghan has more of trendy edge when it comes to her style. Kate is very classic and chic in her fits and style with traditional pieces thrown in.

‘With Meghan, I feel she is very much herself and has elements that really showcase her personality and personal style.

‘With off the shoulder tops, shorts, co-ords and racer back tops, she doesn’t hide what she likes and what works for her.’

While Kate tends to wear more fitted dresses and tailored trousers, Meghan’s style is dubbed more relaxed and personal.

Meghan and Prince Harry were flown around Nigeria for free by an airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the US. 

Dr. Allen Onyema, founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, provided the Sussex’s with free flights during their three day tour of Nigeria to celebrate 10 years of Harry’s Invictus Games.

However DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that he is also a wanted man in the US, facing multiple charges linked to millions of dollars worth of alleged fraud set down in a federal indictment filed in November 2019.

Stanley Olisa at Air Peace said the Sussexes were given the ‘complimentary flights’ by the CEO, along with ‘everything they wanted’ becasue ‘they are royals‘.

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Meghan and Prince Harry were flown around Nigeria for free by an airline whose chairman is a fugitive wanted in the US

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Dr. Allen Onyema, founder of Nigerian airline Air Peace, provided the Sussex’s with free flights during their three day tour of Nigeria to celebrate 10 years of Harry’s Invictus Games (left dresses in navy)

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Meghan was left thrilled as she was presented with a painting by her adoring young fans

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Harry’s Nigeria Unconquered team ended up losing 21-25 to the Chief of Defence staff squad with all the players being wounded military personnel

The indictment accuses Onyema of allegedly ‘using his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive to launder more than $20million from Nigeria through US bank accounts’.

There is no suggestion that either Harry or Meghan were aware of Onyema’s history before they met him.

Mr Olisa told the Mirror: ‘The planes were chartered. It was just the royals and their entourage. They were not flying with other passengers. We understand that they are royals so we gave them top-tier treatment on board. They were given everything they wanted. It was an exclusive experience. And we flew them back to Abuja in the evening. Everything was complimentary.’

He added: ‘The chairman of Air Peace gave Prince Harry and his wonderful wife Meghan free flights to Lagos and back as part of his contribution to the successful hosting of the couple.’

In total the couple and their entourage flew 664 miles on a 120 seat plane creating around 12 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The average annual carbon footprint for one person per year is about four tonnes.

This whooping figure has left some angry at the Sussex’s for being hypocritical, as it 2019, while still working royals, the pair launched the Travalyst initiative.

He spent three years as the public face of the initiative to encourage the tourism industry to become more sustainable – despite a furore over his use of private jets.

Like his father King Charles, who has spoken out for more than 50 years on issues such as sustainability and climate change, Harry has also been a vocal champion of environmental causes.

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In total the couple and their entourage flew 664 miles on a 120 seat plane creating around 12 tonnes of carbon emissions

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Onyema is accused of using his status as a prominent business leader to launder more than $20million from Nigeria through US bank accounts

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Harry hears as he urges on the Invictus athletes – as Meghan looks delighted beside him

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Meghan is pictured stodd next to five other female dinner guests as she attended a lunch with Minister of Defence in Abuja Nigeria

During the visit the couple visited a local charity and met with military leaders, injured soldiers and school children, all of whom welcomed them smiles and enthusiasm.

Robert Murphy, the agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta field division said: ‘Allan Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the US banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt.’

The indictment goes on to allege that Onyema set up various ‘innocent sounding multi-million-dollar asset purchases which were nothing more than alleged fronts for his scam’.

It states that Onyema is the founder and chairman of several organizations across Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited.

Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, has also been charged along with Onyema.

Both men were charged on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud and three counts of credit application fraud. However it is understood that they deny the claims.

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Speaking to The Mirror , author Tom Quinn remarked that the whistlestop 72-hour visit ‘confirmed the worst fears’ for the Duke of Sussex ‘s family

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Harry – who at times appeared concerned – continually cast a vigilant eye towards his wife as their US and American security team tried to keep control

This comes after it was alleged that King Charles was ‘absolutely furious’ that the trip had taken place anyway.

Author Tom Quinn said: ‘Everything you might expect from an official royal visit was there – the receptions, the visits to schools and charities, to wounded soldiers and the disabled.

‘Meghan and Harry’s speeches and their whole attitude has been designed to give the impression that they are still fully paid-up royals and William and his father King Charles don’t like it one bit.’

Mr Quinn said that Harry and Meghan appear to have ‘gone rogue’, adding ‘for Charles and William, it’s as if Meghan and Harry are saying, ‘We don’t need your permission to be working royals – we will do it on our own terms whenever and wherever we like’.

Royal expert Michael Cole told MailOnline that although the couple were on ‘a private visit by two royal personages’, they ‘exploited their royal status to the very limit and in every way, trying to give the impression that it was the real thing’.

He said that although the Sussexes’ trip ‘wasn’t a state visit, an official visit or a royal tour’, it seemed like a ‘tour proposed by Buckingham Palace and sanctioned by the British government’.

He added that the couple ‘succeeded to such an extent that they will return to California well satisfied with their three days in Nigeria’.

Despite this disapproval the Sussexes now have ‘other trips planned for the remainder of the year’ and hope to ‘share more details in the coming weeks’.

The insider added: ‘It is definitely possible they could return to Africa for more tours after that.’

The Sussex’s and Air Peace have been approached for comment.

It was a packed day of royal engagements that kept the King from meeting Prince Harry during his whistle-stop visit to the UK.

Now I can reveal that one of the items of business which kept the monarch from seeing his son was rewarding the senior peer who masterminded both his Coronation and his mother’s funeral.

Eyebrows had been raised when the Duke of Norfolk was apparently overlooked in the New Year Honours, given his pivotal role in making both occasions such successes.

But on May 7, at a private meeting in Buckingham Palace, the King presented him with a silver gilt Coronation Cup, continuing a 300-year tradition.

The 18th Duke tells me the gift has taken pride of place on the mantelpiece in his medieval family home, Arundel Castle in West Sussex.

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Eyebrows had been raised when the Duke of Norfolk (pictured) was apparently overlooked in the New Year Honours

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The presentation was one of several meetings Charles had on the day Harry landed in London

‘After the Coronation, the King wrote a wonderful letter saying thank you, adding that a gift would be on its way,’ the Duke, 67, revealed. ‘I am absolutely delighted with the Coronation Cup.’

Monarchs have gifted gilded cups to their Earls Marshal – holders of the hereditary office responsible for major ceremonial state occasions – since George II’s Coronation in 1727, overseen by the 8th Duke of Norfolk.

George III, George IV, William IV, George V, George VI and Elizabeth II continued the tradition.

But all seven cups were stolen in 2021, when a burglar broke into Arundel Castle with a hammer and grabbed £1 million worth of antiques. No one has ever been convicted and police believe it unlikely the items will ever be found.

The presentation was one of several meetings Charles had on the day Harry landed in London.

The next day, while his son was at St Paul’s Cathedral, the King held a garden party and several meetings including with the Prime Minister and, reportedly, David Beckham.

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On May 7, at a private meeting in Buckingham Palace, the King presented the Duke of Norfolk with a silver gilt Coronation Cup

Prince William is set to be an usher at the Duke of Westminster’s ‘society wedding of the year’ – but King Charles won’t attend amid rumours of tension over past Queen Camilla ‘snub’… and Harry isn’t even invited

By Charlotte Griffiths and Nathan Kay and Cameron Roy

Prince William is set to be an usher at his friend the Duke of Westminster’s wedding but King Charles won’t attend amid rumours of tension over a past Queen Camilla ‘snub’.

Prince Harry is also expected to miss the event over worries his attendance may cause family awkwardness which could overshadow his friend Hugh Grosvenor, and his bride-to-be, Olivia Henson’s big day on June 7.

The King and Queen will miss the ‘society wedding of the year’, over claims they have not forgotten about what happened at the 2004 wedding of Hugh’s sister.

They turned down their invitations at the time to Lady Tamara Grosvenor and Edward van Cutsem’s wedding, which was held at the same venue as the duke’s upcoming wedding: Chester Cathedral.

Camilla Parker Bowles, as she was then, had been told that she would not be allowed to sit with Prince Charles and would instead be seated several rows back and be made to arrive separately.

This was because of royal protocol since Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the ceremony, along with Princes William and Harry.

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Prince William is set to be an usher at the society wedding of the year when his close friend the Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor gets married to Olivia Henson next month. Pictured: The couple’s official photo released to mark their engagement

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Prince William will be among the groom’s party, but the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend

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Prince Harry is not on the guest list for his friend’s marriage to ‘avoid any royal tensions overshadowing the big day’. Neither he nor his wife Meghan Markle will attend, despite Grosvenor being so close to Harry that he is a godfather to the couple’s five-year-old son Prince Archie

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The wedding of Lady Tamara Grosvenor, and Edward van Cutsem. The King and Queen chose to turn down their invitations to the 2004 wedding

Tensions were heightened by reports that Emilie van Cutsem, the groom’s mother, and Camilla had fallen out after each is alleged to have criticised the behaviour of the other’s children.

Charles ultimately excused himself from the event with just days to go, saying he had to visit Warminster barracks to meet the families of soldiers serving in Iraq. Camilla was described as ‘otherwise engaged’.

According to royal author Sarah Bradford, Camilla was so infuriated that she told Charles the status quo was no longer acceptable. Their own engagement was announced three months later.

The King, who is Grosvenor’s godfather, is still undergoing cancer treatment and will be travelling to France the day before the ceremony next month with the Queen and Prince William to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Another aspect of the upcoming wedding that has been the talk of the town for months is why Prince Harry may have turned down an invitation from his old friend.

Now friends of the Royal Family think they have solved the mystery, claiming that Prince Harry refused to attend when he discovered his brother William had been given a prominent role.

Tonight the Sunday Times reported that the Prince of Wales will be an usher at the duke’s wedding to Olivia Henson.

The Mail on Sunday understands that his son Prince George is set have a prominent role too, as he is the duke’s godson. The attendance of King Charles, who is the duke’s godfather, is yet to be officially confirmed or denied.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla are not expected to attend the wedding

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Chester Cathedral where the duke’s wedding is set to take place next month

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After the wedding service at Chester Cathedral, guests will then enjoy a grand reception at nearby Eaton Hall (pictured)

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Prince Harry and Prince William at the wedding of Edward van Cutsem and their friend’s sister Lady Tamara Grosvenor at Chester Cathedral in 2004

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Harry and Meghan have already been excluded from next month’s wedding. Hugh is believed to have felt the Sussexes’ appearance could cause tensions with the Royal Family

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The Prince and Princess of Wales and their elder son, Prince George, who is Hugh’s godson, are invited to the wedding. However, Catherine is not expected to attend because she is undergoing cancer treatment

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Olivia and Hugh announced their engagement on April 23, 2023, after two years of dating. Pictured vising charities in Chester earlier this month

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The late Queen is pictured with the late Duke of Westminster Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, who died suddenly in 2016

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Pictured: Harry and Meghan with Archie in 2019

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The releationship between Harry and William is understood to be under strain in recent years. Pictured: The brothers in 2021 at an unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana

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Prince William, pictured with Grosvenor in 2004, was at one point in the running to be the Duke’s best man

Friends of King Charles use late Queen’s famous ‘recollections may vary’ phrase as they raise eyebrows over claims monarch ‘refused to find space in his diary’ to see Prince Harry while in the UK

It was the phrase famously used by the late Queen when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle criticised the royals in their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.

Now, the words ‘recollections may vary’ have returned three years later, with a friend of King Charles III using it to deny claims that he ‘refused to find space in his diary’ to see his son Harry during the estranged royal’s three-day visit to Britain last week.

A war of words has now broken out among sources close to Charles and Harry over what actually happened, after the Duke of Sussex flew into London for three days of events related to the Invictus Games including a service at St Paul’s Cathedral.

In the days before Harry’s visit, he was reported to have been keen to see his father – with sources close to the Duke insisting he had asked for the meeting in advance.

But those close to the King suggested the monarch did not know of this request or an invitation to the service, which Harry is said to have extended to senior royals.

Known as ‘Huey’ to friends, the 33-year-old duke is one of very few to remain close friends with both William and Harry.

Friends have suggested the Prince of Wales was first asked in December to be an usher at the wedding at Chester Cathedral next month. At one stage, he was even said to have been earmarked as a best man.

Harry was said to have been ‘put out’ by the news because he had always regarded himself as being closer to the duke – who is also godfather to the Sussexes’ first-born, Prince Archie.

Last night, a well-informed source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘William was asked to have a prominent role in the wedding and that’s what triggered Harry to decline an invitation. Apparently he [Harry] was put out by the request when he thought it should have been him.’

Referencing the lack of public details about the occasion, the source added: ‘Both the Palace and Hugh’s people decided to hold dear the operational part of the wedding once the leak about Harry not attending made the papers.’

Last year, it was claimed that Prince Harry had been ‘snubbed’ from the wedding, but a source close to the Sussexes was at pains to explain to US publication Page Six that both Meghan and Harry had in fact received invitations, but had jointly decided to decline.

Neither Harry nor his wife Meghan Markle will attend the wedding, which is expected to have 400 guests, despite Grosvenor being so close to Harry that he is a godfather to the couple’s five-year-old son Prince Archie.

Prince William will be among the groom’s party, but the Princess of Wales, who is receiving cancer treatment, is not expected to attend.

Grosvenor, known as ‘Hughie’ to his friends, and Henson, were introduced by mutual friends in 2021.

The couple have insisted on a ‘strictly no-gifts policy’ for their guests, according to The Sunday Times.

The Duke inherited his £9.3billion fortune when his father Gerald Grosvenor suffered a sudden heart attack while out on a country walk and died aged 64 in 2016.

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Prince William (R) is greeted by General Timothy Granville-Chapman (2R), Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster (2L) and John Peace (L) as he arrives to attend the official handover of the newly built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre

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A close friend of the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Westminster is godfather to his eldest son Prince George (Grosvenor pictured  in 2018 second from left with then PM Theresa May, far left, Bahrain’s Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, second from right, and Prince William, far right)

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Once dubbed Britain’s most eligible bachelor, Hugh was educated at £6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire

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The Duke of Westminster and his fiancée had a busy start to the month as they carried out a very regal string of engagements in Chester, where they are due to exchange vows this summer

Images from earlier this month showed the couple (left) being mirror images of William and Kate (pictured right in 2022), who are crowd-favourites when it comes to public engagements

He inherited 300 acres across the affluent London areas of Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as estates in Oxford, Scotland and properties around the globe. This includes his current residence at Eaton Hall, the 10,872-acre family estate.

After the wedding service at Chester Cathedral, guests will then enjoy a grand reception at nearby Eaton Hall.

The following day they will host a second, smaller reception at Eaton Hall for close family and friends, but further details of both receptions are being kept secret.

Sustainability will be a key feature of the wedding, with all food, flowers and products used for the wedding locally sourced where possible.

The following day they will host a second, smaller reception at Eaton Hall for close family and friends, but further details of both receptions are being kept secret.

The city of Chester is also bracing itself for the celebrations, with thousands of people expected to line the streets.

Some shops, restaurants and cafés near the cathedral will be closed on the day for access and security.

A spokesman for Kensington Palace said the Prince of Wales is attending the wedding in a private capacity, and said it does not comment on events during his private time.

A representative for Prince Harry was also contacted for comment.

Earlier this month, the engaged couple visited several local charities in Chester helped by the Westminster Foundation – showcasing their charisma and drawing comparisons from the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Grosvenor, who is known to be publicity-shy and has always maintained a low profile despite his extreme wealth, is known to be ‘incredibly excited’ but ‘nervous’ about the wedding.

Olivia and Hugh announced their engagement on April 23, 2023, after two years of dating.

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Hugh Grosvenor attends the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle with Charlie van Straubenzee at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018

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A life-long friend for each of the brothers, Hugh Grosvenor is thought to be the only pal both chose to mentor their children. Pictured: At the wedding of Harry’s school friend Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks in 2018

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Grosvenor, who is thought to own more land than the King, has an estimated net worth of £9.42 billion and has a long history with the royal family – with his late father Gerald acting as King Charles’ own godfather. Pictured: With his mother in 2018

Raised at Eaton Hall, Cheshire, Hugh Grosvenor was privately educated at Ellesmere College before obtaining a BSc in Countryside Management from Newcastle University.

After his graduation, Grosvenor worked in estate management at the food and agriculture company Wheatsheaf Group, an investment business based in the Eaton estate and owned by the Grosvenor Group.

Afterwards, he held an account manager position at sustainability company bio-bean, which turns coffee-related waste into bioproducts such as biofuels and logs.

The future Duchess of Westminster also comes from a wealthy background. Olivia descends from the Hoare banking family as well as the Marquesses of Bristol and the Dukes of Rutland, according to the Telegraph.

The outlet also says her uncle is the Grand Master of Scottish freemasons and her father is stockbroker Rupert Henson.

Read More

Who is Hugh Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster?

Olivia reportedly also has a 29-year-old brother who works in asset management and a 26-year-old sister who’s in a brand relationships role.

She is also said to speak Spanish and Italian after completing a Hispanic Studies and Italian degree at Trinity College in Dublin.

Much like the Princess of Wales, Olivia is understood to have attended the elite Marlborough College, and before that was at the equally revered Dragon School in Oxford along with fellow alum Emma Watson.

She worked at Daily Dose LDN and No1 Rosemary Water before landing a role at Belazu – a B Corp ingredients brand – where she is currently a Key Account Manager, in 2019.

Close friends with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke is the youngest of Prince George’s godparents.

He has previously represented the country at Olympic Skeet Shooting competitions both internationally and in the UK.

Hugh previously dated property and recruitment consultant Harriet Tomlinson, but the couple, who met at £6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire, split in 2020.

The Duke also supports the rehabilitation of wounded or injured members of the Armed Forces and donated £2.5million to the Health Service when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, but said he was so ‘humbled’ by the work of doctors and nurses he wanted to give another £10million.

This was the headline, four months before Meghan married Harry: ‘Why I’m proud to be a Meghanomaniac…we need some Markle sparkle!’

Let’s quote the piece: ‘The first I knew I was smitten was when Meghan used the term ‘my rescue pups’ on national, prime-time TV to describe her beloved dogs Guy and Bogart … Meghan Markle, my goodness, even her initials are delicious: MMMMMM!’

The write-up, in YOU Magazine, goes on, about Harry: ‘My, has he gone up in our estimation! He has swollen in stature, eclipsed even his brother!, to become one half of a super couple we hope will eclipse even George and Amal. He has chosen a woman who has read every single tome ever written by Toni Morrison. Now, that’s class.’

I wrote that piece. And this one, on their wedding day – May 19, 2018 – in the Mail: ‘”You look amazing.” So mouthed Harry as he looked up to drink in his bride. He was echoing what every woman in the land was yelling at the screen as Meghan emerged from her Rolls-Royce. The dress is simple: who needs embellishment when you have that face?’

Prince Harry tells Meghan ‘you look amazing’ as she walks down aisle

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Meghan Markle arrives for her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, May 19, 2018

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‘You look amazing’ mouthed Harry as he looked up to drink in his bride. Above: Meghan and Harry in St George’s Chapel on their wedding day

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I had cooled a little, as one does in any marriage, by 2019. It was Bananagate, when Meghan, still a working Royal, visited sex workers in Bristol, scrawling positive mantras on fruit. ‘Was she signing her autograph?’ I wrote. ‘Would she get ink on the £1,500 Oscar de la Renta? No, Meghan. These women are not “loved”, they are not “special”. I’d have more admiration if, when she’s finished doing up that “cottage” in Windsor … she were to open its doors as a refuge instead. That would show these women they are loved. That would prove they’re special.’ Ouch!

Meghan and Harry celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary today, and boy how times and public opinion have changed! Words amongst the millions published jump off the page: ‘I’m not okay’, ‘Silent or Silenced?’, ‘Dog bowl’, ‘Near catastrophic car chase’, ‘We are not a racist family.’ And on and on. Note these are merely utterances from the royal family themselves, apart from America’s honorary queen, Oprah, who formed a perfect O of surprise as Meghan accused the Royal family of speculating over Archie’s skin colour.

I’ve had a ringside seat, watching how opinion of the couple in the press (and overwhelmingly on social media) has plummeted. I have written many, many pieces, trying to support her, swimming against a tide that resembles the now-polluted sea in Devon. One of my most recent expressed my real concern that the comments on X could provoke self harm or even suicide. How any human, if they read merely a scattering of the online abuse of Meghan, could survive such attacks is beyond me. The comments are unrepeatable, but the most anodyne include highlighting, with arrows, the difference in the colour of Meghan’s face compared to her scalp.

Of course, Meghan can be tone deaf: on the recent non-Royal visit to Nigeria she sported a Cartier watch, and backless and almost frontless dresses. She appeared to turn away from a woman mid-conversation. Rude!

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The crowds plus the sunshine made the happy couple  glow as they greeted the crowds

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The crowds turned up in their thousands to witness this glorious day. Above: Meghan arriving for the ceremony

And Harry? Well, he never quite morphed into George Clooney, a sort of roaming elder statesman with added testosterone (Harry still has his fans online; one post had a video of him lifting off, in full combat gear, in his Apache helicopter to fight, you know, the actual Taliban, alongside last week’s footage of William, in suit and tie, stood NEXT to a helicopter, receiving yet another gift – colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps – from his dear old dad). William did then of course get in the aircraft and fly it away, although that’s a small detail for Harry’s fans.

But today, whose team am I on? The past six years have been a rollercoaster, a series of disappointments, glimmers of hope. But I have to reveal (and I know I will now get a barrage of abuse; after my piece begging people to stop bullying Meghan, there were a flurry of posts on X, saying I have ‘no moral compass’ and ‘am a former bankrupt’) that the sight of Harry at St Paul’s, attending the service to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games, made me side with him, despite the fact he has often allowed himself to resemble a cash cow being pulled along roughly by a ring through his nose.

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The sight of Harry at St Paul’s, attending the service to celebrate 10 years of the Invictus Games, made me side with him

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Harry smiled and blew kisses to his ‘loyal’ blood family, the Spencers. Above: Harry embracing his uncle Earl Spencer in St Paul’s

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Meghan can be tone deaf: on the recent non-Royal visit to Nigeria she sported a Cartier watch, and backless and almost frontless dresses

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At the same time as Prince Harry’s service, King Charles held a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

Harry cut an elegant figure as he mounted the steps in a perfectly fitted suit. He smiled and blew kisses to his loyal ‘blood family’, the Spencers. What a happy, handsome, dashing lot they are, a family, not a Firm. While at the same time, down the road, King Charles hosted yet another dreary Garden Party (along with the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester) to which we, the lowly subjects who can’t afford a hat, were not invited.

No wonder Meghan merely touched down, dragonfly fashion, at Heathrow en route to Africa.

The Royal Family, sans Catherine, has never looked so old, tired and, yes, frankly boring, despite Camilla doing her stoic, uncomplaining best. I’m reminded, not in a good way, of the quote from Bridget Jones’s Diary, uttered by purple-faced Julian: ‘The earrings measuring just over a centimetre, in a lovely mock gold. The exact replica of those worn at Wimbledon in 1993 by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Kent.’

These satellite royals are, literally, a punch line.

Enlisting Beatrice to inject some glamour and youth will not help. We’re not interested! Charles and William, be the bigger men. Give Harry and Meghan the best anniversary gift they could imagine. Welcome the Firm’s biggest assets back into the fold.

The British High Commissioner said the Sussexes will not be representing the UK in Abuja during their 72-hour tour which will see them promote the Invictus Games.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been criticised for their trip to Nigeria (Image: Getty)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been hit by stinging criticism that their trip to Nigeria is an “unofficial royal tour”.

The British High Commissioner said the Sussexes will not be representing the UK in Abuja during their 72-hour tour which will see them promote the Invictus Games.

But many observers have noted that the trip bears many similarities to a traditional royal tour.

Richard Montgomery, the country’s high commissioner to Nigeria, is keen to dispel any illusions the pair are on official business.

He told the news agency of Nigeria: “It’s great that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Nigeria, which I understand is at the invitation of Defence Headquarters.

The Sussexes are currently visiting Abuja (Image: Getty)

“But they are visiting in a private capacity, not an official one. So, the British High Commission is not involved in arranging or facilitating their programme. They are not representing the work of His Majesty’s Government on this visit.”

The pair flew overnight to Nigeria with British Airways, with their plane slightly delayed after the scheduled pilot went sick and a replacement had to be scrambled.

The Sussexes were seated in the first class section of the Boeing 777 and were kept apart from other passengers by a curtain for what was their first visit to Nigeria.

 

When they arrived in Nigeria just before 5am today, other travellers were held back while the couple were escorted off and the Sussexes exchanged smiles with cabin crew as they left.

Nigerian officials met them at the airport, Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International, and they were taken out of a side door onto the jetty and into a waiting blacked-out minibus.

Meghan was wearing black trousers and a brown jacket, while Harry walked behind in a black jacket and trousers and open-necked shirt.

 

Prince William divulged how his wife, Princess Kate, was recovering when asked by concerned locals on the Isles of Scilly.

Prince William visits the Isles of Scilly (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate is “doing well”, according to her husband Prince William. The Prince of Wales made the two-word admission during a visit to the Isles of Scilly today (May 10).

Confirmation that the Princess is indeed recovering from her cancer treatment cements why William proceeded with a two-day trip to the South West, leaving Kate and the children behind in Windsor.

But with his young family never too far from his mind, he spoke about Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, being “very jealous” of his trip to Cornwall. He admitted he will likely bring his children back later this summer.

He had the conversation earlier today at St Mary’s Community Hospital on the Isles of Scilly, where a new health and social care facility is being built. It was his first visit to Cornwall since he inherited the title Duke of Cornwall from his father when he became King.

During some of the last public engagements in the South West before William returned to his family, he was given a letter by matron Lynda McHale that had been penned by her granddaughter.

 

Prince William gave an update on Kate on his second day of visits to the South West (Image: Getty)

It wished Princess Kate and King Charles well with their respective cancer recoveries. This week has marked a positive turning point for the monarch, who has been given the green light by medics to carry out an increased schedule of engagements.

Both Kate and Charles have been receiving treatment for cancer – both types have not been disclosed – but Kate’s is “preventative chemotherapy”, which she personally revealed back in March.

The Princess has not yet resumed public duties, with no fixed date of when she intends to do so as she recovers privately.

Prince William’s two-day stint was viewed as an encouraging sign that he was able to leave home, given reports he has been supporting his family while Kate undergoes her therapy.

 

Despite being his wife’s rock during hard times, he also managed to make youngsters smile in Cornwall yesterday (May 9) as he visited Newquay to learn about water safety.

One boy, nine-year-old Phoenix, asked the 41-year-old to sign his plaster cast. The King obliged but admitted it wasn’t something he should normally do.

It has been a busy week for the royals, with King Charles and Queen Camilla stepping out for events, while Prince Harry also flew to Britain from California for a short Invictus Game celebration service.

The Duke of Sussex did not see his brother nor his father during the trip, but instead met wife Meghan for a connecting flight to Nigeria at London Heathrow. The pair are now embarking on their own unofficial tour after the Duchess uncovered her Nigerian heritage.

EXCLUSIVE: One royal expert believes that King Charles will agree to meet with Prince Harry soon – but only if two conditions are met.

The King will likely meet with Harry – but on two conditions (Image: GETTY)

King Charles will likely get a meeting with Prince Harry scheduled into his diary soon, claims a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex flew into London on Tuesday, ahead of his appearance at St Paul’s Cathedral the following day.

Harry, however, didn’t stay in the UK for very long and is now already in Nigeria promoting the Invictus Games with Meghan Markle.

Earlier this year, Harry settled questions over whether he would be meeting his father during the short visit, confirming that they would not be meeting due to the King’s “full schedule”.

As Harry’s special ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the Games came to an end, the King hosted his first annual Buckingham Palace Garden party on the same day, May 8.

The 39-year-old did add, however, that he would be prepared to arrange a meeting in the future and “hopes to see him soon”.

Speaking about whether Harry will meet his father soon, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “I would have thought one is likely to be planned, given that King Charles has a serious illness, though he is displaying amazing energy in his engagements.”

He added that, the King would likely base his visit on two conditions – that it is “private” and “planned beforehand”.

Despite a trip possibly in the works, Mr Fitzwilliams added: “However after this week, when according to Harry’s spokesperson, his commitments precluded a meeting, the King has sent a clear sign that any future visit is likely to be beneficial only if it’s private and planned beforehand without the accompanying media circus which we’ve just seen.”

Despite Meghan remaining in the US whilst Harry was in London, the mother-of-two also flew into Heathrow ahead of their shared flight to Nigeria.

Prince Harry was in the UK on May 8 for an event in London (Image: GETTY)

It was originally thought that Meghan would meet Harry in the African country but, instead, she flew to London so they could travel there together.

To kick-start their visit in Nigeria, Meghan and Harry were pictured on the morning of May 10 at the Lightway Academy with the GEANCO Foundation – which provides critical health care and education services across the country.

Attending the inaugural mental health summit, Meghan and Harry urged the young people in attendance to stay on top of their mental health.

As well as sharing that her son Archie loves construction, Meghan gave a rare update on their daughter Lilibet – who will turn three at the start of June.

Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in a lavish Royal wedding in 2018, but it was her second time saying ‘I do’ as she previously married Trevor Engelson in Jamaica in 2011

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry radiated joy on the day of their nuptials, celebrated in the presence of hundreds of friends and loved ones.

The happy couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were married on Saturday, 19 May 2018 at St George’s Chapel situated in Windsor Castle.

Meghan was a vision of elegance in a simple white Givenchy wedding gown as she gracefully made her way down the aisle towards her groom, Harry.

Millions across the globe tuned in for the spectacle which boasted a star-studded guest list including Victoria and David Beckham and Amal and George Clooney.

However, the ceremony starkly contrasted Meghan’s first marital union with Trevor Engelson.

Inside Meghan’s two very different weddings before sixth anniversary with Harry (Image: GETTY)

The former Suits actress was in a relationship with film producer Trevor for a span of seven years until they wedded in Jamaica in 2011.

The pair exchanged vows in front of approximately 100 close family and companions, a stark difference to the sizeable 600 guests who attended the Royal wedding.

Post the Jamaica ceremony, claims emerged from Meghan’s father Thomas Markle Snr that the newlyweds had presented attendees with an unconventional gift – party bags filled with marijuana.

He alleged a petite bag of the illegal substance was handed to guests in a fabric pouch accompanied by a personalised message from the bride and groom.

“It’s illegal, but it’s no big deal in Jamaica. It’s almost customary down there. I don’t smoke weed and to the best of my knowledge neither does Meghan,” he revealed to the Daily Mail.

Meghan and Trevor split after just two years of marriage (Image: GETTY)

Thomas is believed to have been present at his daughter Meghan’s first wedding to Trevor, where he walked her down the aisle on a Jamaican beach.

However, he was notably absent from Meghan’s Royal wedding to Harry due to health issues, as confirmed by an official statement.

The nuptials between Meghan and Trevor were held at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, with the couple reserving all 55 rooms of the luxury resort.

Their wedding invite charmingly read: “Cheers to love, cheers to laughter, cheers to happily ever after.”

At Meghan’s initial wedding, her childhood friend Ninaki Priddy served as Maid of Honour. The pair had been inseparable since they were two years old, but their friendship waned after Meghan secured her role on Suits.

Iconic actor Idris Elba DJ’d Harry and Meghan’s Royal wedding (Image: NETFLIX)

The rift between reportedly deepened over Ninaki’s disapproval of how Meghan ended things with Trevor. In a 2017 interview with The Daily Mail, Ninaki expressed her dismay, stating: “The way she handled it, Trevor definitely had the rug pulled out from under him.”

Meghan and Trevor’s love story ultimately came to an end after two years of marriage, largely due to the strains of a long-distance relationship. Following their separation, Meghan returned her rings to Trevor via post.

Trevor has since found love again with Tracey Kurland, a nutritionist and heiress.

When Meghan became royalty by marrying Prince Harry, she was bestowed with the title of Duchess of Sussex by the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Their nuptials reportedly racked up a staggering £32million bill, predominantly for security measures.

The Sussexes will be celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday (Image: GETTY)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex offered fans a glimpse into their wedding day through their Netflix documentary series, Harry & Meghan. Reflecting on the moments before walking down the aisle, Meghan recounted entering a “really calm space”.

Meghan expressed her surprise at her own tranquillity, saying, “I don’t know how I was so calm,” and shared her simple pre-ceremony wishes: “All I wanted was a mimosa, a croissant and to play the song Going to the Chapel.”

She described the entire experience as utterly “surreal”.

The Royal couple’s ceremony featured performances by The Kingdom Choir and Elton John, with actor and DJ Idris Elba spinning tracks at the reception. The festivities were capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.

 

The Royal wedding in 2018 was a very different affair compared to Meghan’s first marriage (Image: GETTY)

In a bold move, Meghan also spoke about the speech she delivered at her wedding, which raised eyebrows. On her Netflix series, she divulged: “On to the crux of why I wanted to speak tonight. First of all, it’s been a while. But mostly I wanted to share a story, a story that I wrote about the man that I love and the way that we met. Let’s call this a modern fairy tale.

“Once upon a time there was a girl from LA, some people called her an actress, and there was a guy from London, some people called him a prince. All of those people didn’t fully get it, because this is the love story of a boy and girl who are meant to be together.

“They meet on July 3 2016 in London and they giggle endlessly, so the next day they have their second date and he brings her cupcakes because it’s the fourth of July, a bittersweet celebration he says, ironic really, her country’s independence from his country, yet in this moment they know they don’t want to be independent of each other.

Meghan and Harry’s Netflix documentary shed more light on the happy day (Image: NETFLIX)

“And after a month of long-distance courtship, they settle into the quiet of Botswana, and amidst whatever momentary worries that creep in, they look at each other and think ‘Whatever world, we’re in’. They would love and garden and travel and laugh and rack up more air miles than any couple could have.

“And when the tides were rough, they squeezed each other tighter. ‘Nothing can break us’, they’d say, for this love, she was a fighter.”

Meghan added that “above all, love wins” as she described Harry as her “treasure”.

An AI tool was used to bring an extra layer to this story.

Harry and Meghan’s wedding reception was meant to be for a select few, but some very familiar faces made their way to be royal bash.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in 2018 (Image: Getty)

When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, the world was watching. However, when the couple hosted their wedding reception following the must-see ceremony, broadcast on TV, the event was supposed to be a more lowkey affair.

However, despite only the couple’s “inner circle” being invited to reception, some famous faces were reportedly at the event.

George Clooney is said to have whisked Meghan around the dance floor as well as dancing with Princess Kate. Although, according to Daily Mirror, Fergie turned the chance to boogie with one of the world’s most handsome men.

James Corden is believed to have compered the royal celebration, even hosting a dance-off between Prince William, Prince Harry and the future King, Charles.

Frogmore was the venue for the bash (Image: Getty)

A source told the Sun: “James ­Corden did his best to entertain and it went down an absolute treat.

“He even compered a dance-off between Harry, Charles and William.

“Everyone was laughing because it’s something no one expected.

“Meghan and her mum also joined in. Then everyone danced, which really kicked off the party.”

The event was hosted at the stunning Frogmore House and had around 200 guests.

 

George and Amal Clooney at the wedding ceremony (Image: Getty)

Despite his dancing antics with many of the royal ladies, George Clooney’s wife Amal attended the occasion. Idris Elba was also there, as was Tom Hardy.

Serena Williams reportedly took one of the boozy games played at the party – beer pong – very seriously.

The game, which requires players to throw a ping pong ball into cups of beer, was played “like it was tennis” by the US superstar, according to a reception insider.

Sir Elton John is also said to have serenaded the attendees with a rendition on the piano.