Meghan Markle was accused of shouting at staff during her time in the Royal Family, insiders have denied the allegations but Prince William allegedly raised the issue.
Meghan Markle reportedly issued a blunt seven word reply over Prince William’s concerns. (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle reportedly didn’t shy away from addressing “concerns” within the Royal Family, an expert has claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex reportedly found herself at the heart of royal tensions soon after she began her romance with Prince Harry, with royal author Robert Lacey alleging in his explosive book Battle of the Brothers that she ruled her staff by intimidation.
Lacey also claimed that Prince William harboured fears about Meghan “stealing his beloved brother away” and was deeply troubled upon hearing reports of her alleged conduct with staff.
Confronted with these issues of alleged bullying, Meghan is said to have issued a blunt response.
“It’s not my job to coddle people,” Meghan allegedly replied per Lacey’s account. Meghan’s inner circle has staunchly defended her, countering that such allegations were inconsistent with her true character.
Meghan Markle’s inner circle – and her PR team – has hit back at bullying allegations. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
One insider told Bazaar how the accusations had affected Meghan, adding: “I hate to say it, but find me a woman of colour in a senior position who has not been accused of being too angry, too scary… in the workplace.”
A spokesperson for Meghan Markle fiercely refuted the allegations at the time, stating: “Let’s just call this what it is – a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. We are disappointed to see this defamatory portrayal of the Duchess of Sussex.”
The statement continued: “It’s no coincidence that distorted several-year-old accusations aimed at undermining the Duchess are being briefed to the British media shortly before she and the Duke are due to speak openly and honestly about their experience of recent years.”
Meghan and Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California. Since then, their relationship with the Royal Family has become increasingly strained, with numerous explosive claims made against various royals.
In their Netflix docuseries, Prince Harry detailed the deterioration of his relationship with his brother, Prince William. He claimed that William had left him terrified after an intense argument during the Sandringham summit.
He continued to criticise his family in his explosive memoir, Spare, released in early 2023.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s reconciliation with Kate, William is ‘100% possible’: Harry is ‘offering help’
Could a royal reconciliation finally happen?
It seems as though Prince Harry is not shying away from offering help to the royal family as King Charles III and Kate Middleton undergo their respective cancer treatments.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to be hoping for a temporary return to the UK’s royal fold, and have reportedly reached out to the Prince and Princess of Wales to make it happen.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not shying away from offering help to the royal family. WireImage
“A reconciliation with Harry and Meghan is totally possible, 100%,” the King’s former butler, Grant Harrold, exclusively told The Post.
“I can believe, without any doubt, that Harry will be in touch with Kate and William and offering his help — whether they accept it or not is a very different matter, but I honestly believe Harry would have reached out personally and Meghan.”
“Sadly, it’s times like this that brings families together and blood is thicker than water,” added Harrold.
While they want to help the struggling royal family at a time of great emotional distress, it’s believed that the Sussexes are only interested in returning as working royals “on their own terms.”
The Post revealed in February that Charles had been toying with the idea of having Harry back on a temporary basis, despite the Duke being kept at arm’s length from ongoing succession talks.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly heard from the Sussexes following Middleton’s cancer announcement. Bav Media/Shutterstock
But it soon emerged that Prince William was reportedly “blocking” Harry’s return to the royal fold in a desperate bid to protect his ailing wife.
Harrold’s hopeful comments echo a similar sentiment expressed by royal commentator and historian Richard Fitzwilliams, who said the current situation could provide the “perfect opportunity” to mend the royal rift.
“This is a dread situation, a major operation followed by cancer,” he said this week. “There is always sometimes in the most awful and serious thing sometimes opportunities come as well . . . one must hope there is as much positivity as possible that’s what she is spreading with the message like that.”
The Sussexes are reportedly only interested in returning as working royals “on their own terms.” Getty Images
“This is also an opportunity for the trolls and the evil people spreading malicious rumors to be silenced,” Fitzwilliams added.
Following the Princess of Wales’s shock cancer announcement Friday, Harry and Meghan said they hope for privacy for the Middleton as she undergoes treatment.
“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” the pair said in a statement.
The royal family was forced to undergo a major reshuffle as the King and the Princess of Wales undergo cancer treatment. MEGA
It’s understood that the duo, who quit royal life in 2020 and hightailed it across the pond to Montecito, Calif., made contact with the Prince and Princess of Wales “privately” following Middleton’s announcement.
Still, it appears as though the Waleses made a conscious effort to keep the Sussexes out of the loop regarding the health woes, sources told The Post.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met with people and discussed topics they’re passionate about during their Nigeria visit.
Prince Harry and Meghan visited Nigeria earlier this week. (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took the opportunity to fully immerse themselves with the vibrant culture and hospitality of Nigeria during their recent visit.
Despite the formalities, Harry was keen to engage with locals and advocate for issues and causes close to both his and Meghan’s hearts.
Speaking to PEOPLE, he said: “These trips are about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us. And being able to be on the ground, to us, is what it’s all about.”
Meghan echoed her husband’s sentiments, stating: “It’s really meaningful. Just being able to connect to people…that’s what makes it special.”
Prince Harry and Meghan met locals in Nigeria. (Image: Getty)
The theme of connection was also evident as Harry made a heartfelt visit to a military hospital in Kaduna, where he met with service members recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty, reports the Mirror.
In moments reminiscent of Princess Diana’s empathetic engagements in Africa, Harry spent time conversing with the veterans at the facility, encouraging them with the words “Be Strong”.
Harry, drawing from his military background and passion for sports, inspired veterans during a visit to a military hospital.
He shared with the press: “That experience of knowing what life, post-injury, is like gives people so much hope. And hope, hope, hope is a huge part of this.”
Harry and Meghan visited projects close to their hearts. (Image: Getty)
In a touching extension of their visit, Harry and Meghan also spent time at Nigeria Unconquered, a charity linked to Harry’s Invictus project, which champions the recovery and rehabilitation of injured service personnel through adaptive sports.
The couple’s compassionate engagements follow Harry’s solo trip to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The 39-year-old Royal returned to British soil to honour the event’s legacy and support its athletes in the adaptive multi-sport event.
Amidst hopes of a family reconciliation, Harry’s visit did not include a meeting with King Charles, who is currently facing a health challenge.
Due to prior commitments, the King was unable to meet his son, leading to speculation about the ongoing Royal rift.
Meghan Markle has not been back to the UK since September 2022, when she attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Meghan Markle’s real reason for not returning to the UK may be due to her extremely low levels of popularity in this country, according to a YouGov poll.
Data collected by the market research company between May 1 and May 2 this year showed that the Duchess of Sussex was disliked by 65 percent of those surveyed, with 45 percent saying their view of her was “very negative” and 20 percent claiming it was “fairly negative”.
In contrast only four percent said they were “very positive” about Meghan, although slightly more, 18 percent, said they felt “faitly positive” about her.
This comes as the Duchess once again avoided coming back to Britain with her husband Prince Harry this week, making it almost two years since her last visit.
The Duke was in London to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, but Meghan opted to stay home in California with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan Markle’s popularity has sunk very low (Image: Getty)
Overall Meghan’s net approval rating in May had dropped to minus 43, down five points from April when her approval rating was minus 38.
The data shows a clear divide in age, with younger generations such as millenials likely to have a more positive view of her than boomers, who are a few decades older.
Amongst the over 65’s just one percent said their opinion of Meghan was “very positive”, while a staggering 82 percent said they thought “very negatively” of her.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have just returned from a visit to Nigeria (Image: Getty)
Based on 2021 census data for the UK, Newsweek suggests that this means only around 110,000 boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) have a positive view of the Duchess.
The data shows that a younger a person, the more likely they are to have a positive opinion of Meghan, but even then the negatives outweigh them.
Amongst those aged 18-24, who would be part of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012), 36 percent said they viewed her positively and 40 percent had a more negative view.
Younger Brits have a slightly more positive view of Meghan (Image: Getty)
Out of those surveyed who are part of Gen Z, nine percent viewed Meghan very positively, in comparison to 20 percent who said their opinion of her was “very negative”.
Prince Harry is slightly more popular than his wife, as his net approval rating among 18-24 year olds is plus six, even though his “very positive” percentage of respondents remain in single figures across all ages.
Harry was greeted with cheers from the assembled crowds when he arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral last Wednesday for the Invictus Games ceremony, even though no other members of the Royal Family joined him.
Known as the People’s Princess because of her nurturing and compassionate nature, as well as love for the ordinary citizens, Lady Di will forever be remembered as the woman who changed Britain and the Monarchy
This incredible Princess rose to prominence upon her engagement to Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son and heir apparent to the British throne. Ever since the world learned of her, she was under the spotlight. The paparazzi followed her every move, and according to many, pushed her to her death.
The following photos show a different side of Diana and remind us once again why we all loved her so much.
A ski trip with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Unlike the rest of the engagement rings of the British royals, which are custom made, Diana’s 12-carat sapphire ring surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold was ordered from a Garrard jewelry collection catalog. Upon her passing, the ring went to Kate Middleton after William proposed to her with it. On her wedding day, Diana was so excited and even confused that she called her future husband Philip Charles Arthur George instead of just Charles Philip.
According to her brother Charles Spencer, Diana had a hard time wearing the tiara at the beginning because it caused her headaches.“In the evening we all went to a sort of semi-private party and she was there and I just remember she had a cracking headache also since she wasn’t used to wearing a tiara all morning,” he said in an interview. As much as it was very special, Diana’s wedding dress caused her some trouble as the designers of the 25-foot train failed to take into an account how challenging it would be to walk in. When she entered the carriage, Lady Di’s dress slightly crushed and appeared wrinkled as a result. When asked whether they were in love with each other shortly after their engagement, Charles replied, “Whatever ‘in love’ means,” to Diana’s “Of course.” Diana is shown the sketches of her gown which were later torn apart in case someone wanted to get a peek. The wedding gifts Charles and Diana received were perfectly unique. The Reagans, for one, gifted them a handcrafted porcelain centerpiece and an engraved Steuben glass bowl. They also received gloves made of 100-year-old silk and a timepiece set with diamonds and sapphires, among the rest.
CopyAMP code Once the wedding took place, it was exposed with the public that Charles and Diana shared a common ancestor in Henry VII of the Tudors. They were 16th cousins once removed. Charles and Diana are photographed on their honeymoon. A lip reader said at the time that during their conversation, the newlyweds said, “The honeymoon was the ideal time to catch up on sleep…” This photograph was taken in 1980, before Diana became a Princess. Diana on her trip to Angola in 1997 where she visited landmine victims. With her son Harry, wearing matching outfits as he points out his tongue to the crowd. Princess Diana pictured with her stepmother whom the media dubbed “wicked stepmother” because of her turbulent relationship with Diana.She was dubbed “The People’s Princess” because of her love for her people, her generosity, and her big heart. Diana is pictured in Australia’s Northern Territory, at Alice Springs. Accompanied by her husband, Princess Diana leaves the hospital after giving birth to her first son, William. One of the most famous photos of Prince Charles and Princess Diana taken at Buckingham Palace right after they announced their engagement on Sunday, February 24, 1981.
Charles and Diana first greet the crowds as a married couple.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are determined to win back favour with King Charles but he “just wants peace”, a source has claimed.
The Sussexes have been estranged from the Royal Family ever since their decision to step back and relocate to California in 2020, with Harry missing out on seeing his father when he was in the UK last week.
Insiders say while the King still loves his son the entire issue causes too much drama for him, as a source told The Mirror: “Harry’s made his bed.
“I’m an advocate for protecting your peace, and if this young man is bringing the drama, then good on King Charles for giving him the space he needs to grow. King Charles just wants to have his peace… He doesn’t want to argue.”
In spite of hopes that Harry and the King would be able to meet while both were in London, His Majesty’s busy schedule apparently made this impossible.
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King Charles wants a break from the Harry and Meghan drama (Image: Getty)
Hanisha Sethi
Meghan Markle dances to her favourite song in Nigeria in adorable viral moment
Meghan Markle hit the dance floor while in Nigeria and her fans are showing their appreciation over on TikTok.
Prince Harry and Meghan were in Nigeria for three days promoting the Invictus Games. The royal couple were invited by the country’s chief defence minister, as the nation is considering hosting the games down the road.
While the visit was jam-packed with events to promote the games and the wounded soldiers it supports, there was time for Meghan to let her hair down and do a little shimmy on the dance floor on the second night in Nigeria at a reception hosted in Abuja, the country’s capital.
Harry and Meghan were presented with gifts during the reception (Image: Getty)
Hanisha Sethi
King Charles unveils first overseas trip since cancer diagnosis for poignant anniversary
King Charles has unveiled his first overseas trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year as he makes a visit for a very poignant anniversary.
Alongside Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family, he will visit France to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.D-Day refers to the Normandy Landings when Allied troops invaded Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War. The largest seaborne invasion in history took place on June 6, 1944, and led to the liberation of now-West Europe from Nazi control. This led to thousands of fatal casualties as British, US, and Canadian troops landed by air and sea and moved inland.
King Charles and Camilla will make an overseas trip to mark the commemorative event (Image: Getty)
Hanisha Sethi
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie ‘avoided Prince Harry’ over Royal Family concerns
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie likely missed Prince Harry’s Invictus event in London last week to avoid causing tension within the Royal Family, a royal commentator has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex is known to be close to his two cousins, and he even chose to introduce them to Meghan Markle before any other family member.
Earlier this month, Harry returned to the UK for a brief visit to attend the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games in London.
The two daughters of Prince Andrew did not attend the event, nor did any other member of the family.
The Duke of Sussex is known to be close to his two cousins (Image: Getty)
Hanisha Sethi
Mike Tindall reveals what Zara’s birthday celebrations were really like in sweet insight
Mike Tindall has shared a sweet insight into how he and Zara Tindall celebrated the royal’s 43rd birthday.
Princess Anne’s daughter marked her special day on Tuesday, May 14, with husband Mike telling Good Morning Britain the couple enjoyed a “lovely day”.
Asked by GMB co-host Kate Garraway how they celebrated, Mike said: “We had a lovely day. She had to ride in the morning, but then we went out for lunch and then we just hung out all day and had a few friends over in the evening. It was a very, very nice day.”
Zara Tindall turned 43 on Tuesday, just days after competing at Badminton Horse Trials 2024 (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Late Queen’s Elizabeth’s cheeky snack before breakfast that Prince Louis would love
The late Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a special snack with her breakfast that her great-grandchildren would also likely enjoy.
Every morning the Queen would enjoy a small helping of biscuits, Chocolate Bath Olivers, according to a former royal chef.
Darren McGrady told MyLondon: “She is absolutely a chocoholic. Anything we put on the menu that had chocolate on, she would choose, especially chocolate perfection pie.”
Huntley and Palmer’s website boasts of their Chocolate Olivers as: “Rich, dark chocolate, generously enrobed around a crisp slow-baked biscuit, Chocolate Olivers are the ultimate biscuit indulgence, made using a patented recipe from the 1930s, which includes hops and malt, with the thickest, richest dark chocolate.”
The late Queen loved chocolate biscuits (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Mike and Zara Tindall spark royal fan frenzy in matching bright pink golf outfits
Mike and Zara Tindall appeared to mirror Barbie and Ken as they dressed in head to toe pink while playing golf.
In a post on X Mike said: “I finally convinced Zara to stop practising her putting and have a photo with me!” The pair were both dressed in fuschia pink golf gear, with Zara wearing white trousers.
The pair are both former sports professionals, with Mike once playing for the England Rugby Team and Zara winning a silver medal for Team GB equestrian at the Londonm Olympics.
Now it seems their interests have extended to golf.
The Tindalls have been playing golf (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Real reason Prince Harry didn’t stay in UK royal residence on flying visit to London
Prince Harry was reportedly invited to stay in a royal residence by King Charles when he was in the UK but declined the offer, contrary to previous beliefs.
Speaking on this week’s Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden admitted that it was “very unclear as to what happened” due to conflicting reports from the respective camps.
Mr Eden said: “The King has made clear that if Harry wants to stay at a royal residence he’s always welcome but who knows how those sort of negotiations are organised.
“What we do know is that Harry turned down that offer, if it was there, and he stayed in a hotel by all accounts when he was in this country.”
Prince Harry did not meet with King Charles in London (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Prince William and Princess Kate tease new film as they mark Mental Health Awareness Week
Prince William and Princess Kate have shared a new video to their social media channels to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.
Posting a 14-second trailer to their social media pages, the pair said: “This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek we’ve brought together the inspirational Sam Stables from We Are Farming Minds and the brilliant Farmer Will for a very special film.
“Spending a day together on Sam’s farm in Hereford they chatted about mental health in the farming community, finding support and the Duchy of Cornwall’s Mental Health Strategy. Watch the film on YouTube from 12.30pm BST today.”
Princess Kate has made a return of sorts (Image: PA)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
King Charles ‘won’t be rolling out red carpet’ to reconcile with Prince Harry
King Charles “won’t be rolling out the red carpet” for Prince Harry whenever he returns to the UK, a royal commentator has said.
A friend of Prince William’s told The Daily Beast: “William wouldn’t dream of telling his father what he can or can’t do in relation to his other son.
“But what is true is that Charles’s absolute priority is the unity of the monarchy, and given the extent of William’s animosity to Harry, Charles can hardly roll out the red carpet and invite Harry and the kids to stay at Balmoral for the summer holidays—however much he would like to.”
King Charles is more keen to reconcile than Prince William (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Nigeria trip ‘sends key message to Palace’
The success of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s trip to Nigeria has reminded the Royal Family what a “half in half out” arrangement for the Sussexes could have looked like.
Matt Wilkinson, royal editor of The Sun, told podcast, Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered: “I think the Sussexes would have wanted to have done tours like this if they had stayed.
“That would have been their aim. They would have liked to have gone away on their own terms to a Commonwealth country and maybe [the trip to Nigeria] was them sending a message back to the Royal Family, saying, ‘Look what we could have done if we had got that half in, half out deal. We can go to these countries, draw a crowd, be popular and represent the UK’.
“They weren’t representing the UK, the Government or Royal Family or any British causes. They were just representing themselves.”
Harry and Meghan were denied a “half in half out” approach (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
King Charles urged to stop Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s latest ‘dangerous’ move
King Charles has been urged to put a stop to any more of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tours without any of the appropriate security measures in place.
Richard Eden told Palace Confidential this week: “Harry made a comment about this [trip], it could be the first of many…I’ve been hearing mutterings in diplomatic circles here that there is great concern about this.
“It’s very dangerous. You’ve got Harry and Meghan potentially visiting countries without that control that we have, any trips by royals are organised by the Foreign Office.”
He added: “It’s all monitored, you make sure that they’re not being used, but in this case Harry and Meghan are open to being manipulated by foreign governments who may not have the interests at heart of Britain or America.”
Security concerns over Nigeria have been raised (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Prince George’s £10bn godfather who is richer than Charles, William and Harry combined
Prince George’s godfather Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster, is worth a staggering £10.127 billion and has appeared in The Sunday Times Rich List 2024.
The publication states that the 33-year-old has retained his position as the wealthiest person in the country under 40.
The list charts the wealth of the “350 richest people” in the UK and is based on identifiable wealth, including land property, other assets such as art and racehorses, or significant shares in publicly quoted companies – but it excludes bank accounts.
The Duke is a billionaire (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
King Charles visibly moved by touching display of support amid ongoing cancer battle
King Charles paid a visit to The Royal Opera House on Thursday night as he paid tribute to outgoing musical director Sir Antonio Pappano.
Sir Antonio said: “He was just so generous in his praise, and genuinely so, and that means everything, he loves music.
“He knighted me, and I’ve done several events at Buckingham Palace over the years where he’s been the engine for those things, and of course, I conducted at the Coronation, so we’ve done quite a few events.”
He said about the gala: “These kinds of programmes are almost impossible, with so many different pieces from one to the other, but the feeling that everybody wanted to be here, we had a full house, the King was here.”
King Charles went to the opera (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Prince Harry could return to UK without Meghan Markle for heartbreaking reason
Meghan Markle is apparently not keen for her children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to travel to the UK, even with Prince Harry.
The youngsters have limited contact with their grandfather King Charles or their extended family, with them reportedly “desperate” to see each other.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told The Mirror: “”Archie loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle and Meghan was worried that a magnificent shepherd’s hut or similar extravagant present will only increase Archie’s growing interest in his royal connections.
Meghan wants to protect her children (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
Meghan Markle’s ‘old-school regal’ body language on ‘royal tour’ with Prince Harry
Meghan Markle’s body language on her and Prince Harry’s recent trip to Nigeria reflected an “old-school regal” style, according to an expert.
She observed: “Meghan’s body language is old-school regal here with a dignified-looking straight back and minimum movement as she listens graciously to the stories they are being told.
“She keeps her body facing front and upright at the table, only turning her head to one side to listen.
“Her closed-lip smile looks gracious and she uses micro eye-blink gestures to encourage them to continue their stories and to register understanding or empathy.
“Her one important gesticulation here comes when she raises her hands and wrings them together, again to suggest some form of empathy.”
Meghan wowed in Nigeria (Image: Getty)
Catherine Meyer-Funnell
M&S £40 red dress is similar to Princess Kate’s iconic Alexander McQueen Ascot look
Princess Kate wore a stunning red maxi dress by her favourite Alexander McQueen for Royal Ascot last year.
For another option shoppers trying to recreate Princess Kate’s Ascot look could try New Look’s red V-neck, three-quarter length sleeved dress which is priced at £29.99.
Kate in red Alexander McQueen at Royal Ascot (Image: Getty)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry relocated to Montecito in California with their young family in 2020.
Meghan Markle has made a telling statement about what life is really like in California with Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The couple have now made their base in Montecito following their departure from the Royal Family, and although they are regularly spotted out at engagements for the Invictus Games and other charities, their family life in the Golden State is generally kept under wraps.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just returned from a three-day trip to Nigeria, where Meghan lifted the lid on her home life and described it simply with four words: “We’re doing just great.”
She told: “[We’re] happy to be watching our family grow up and evolve. Of course, I’m happy. We’re really happy.”
Speaking about her and Harry’s trip to Nigeria, which has a personal place in her heart, the Duchess said: “It’s really meaningful. Just being able to connect to people…that’s what makes it special.”
Meghan Markle has opened up about life in Montecito (Image: Getty)
Meghan revealed in an episode of her podcast Archetypes that she is 43 percent Nigerian, making the visit a particularly poignant one for her.
She spoke on Sunday, which also happened to be Mother’s Day in the US, about how important it was for her to learn about her heritage so that “I’m able to share it with my children.
“That’s such a special thing as a mother to know you can do.”
The couple’s first engagement upon their arrival in Abuja was a visit to the Wuse Lightway Academy, where they spoke with the schoolchildren about the importance of looking after one’s mental health.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a historic trip to Nigeria (Image: Getty)
The Duchess later told the publication: “I always reflect back on myself as a young girl and the type of inspiration that I wanted to see in other women.
“I hope in some small way I can be a part of that for a lot of these young girls especially. I saw myself in them. I see the potential in all of these young girls — and, by the way, in these young boys as well.
“It’s what we see in our own children — to give them that promise and excitement for their futures.”
The Sussexes celebrated Archie’s fifth birthday earlier this month, with his little sister Lilibet set to turn three in June.
The couple spoke to Nigeria’s schoolchildren (Image: Getty)
At one point in the tour Meghan went solo as she co-hosted a Women in Leadership panel event alongside the director-general of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while Harry was at a military hospital in Kaduna.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala shared her admiration for Meghan, saying: “She’s a role model for young women. She’s a woman who is not in an easy position, and people are looking to see how is she managing and navigating this.
“That’s one of the things she brings: inspiration. You can see in spite of that, she’s a cheerful, warm personality, and everybody in the room took to her.”
There was a moment in February this year when Princess Anne stepped out in a familiar purple checked coat.
It was a regular day for the Princess Royal, back-to-back engagements including visits to a therapy group and a shawl factory in Nottingham in England’s Midlands.
The velvet coat — the hue of Scottish heather — had belonged to her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, a favourite worn in private and twice in public. It’s not a dressy piece, Her Majesty was seen teaming it with trousers and her trademark headscarf, while Anne opted for a skirt and knee-high boots.
Of course, this is the sort of thing we all do. A poignant way to keep a loved one close while also recycling old and, in the late Queen’s case, extremely well-made clothes (the piece was designed by Elizabeth II’s dressmaker Angela Kelly). It’s also very Princess Anne, quietly respectful, no-nonsense, practical — and one reason she continues to poll as the UK’s most popular royal from the King’s generation.
The 2024 Ipsos poll, which annually measures attitudes to the Royal Family in Britain, showed Anne three percentage points ahead of her brother the King, with the Wales family members topping the poll. This was one percentage point higher than Anne’s figures the previous year and a recognition of how vital she is to Charles’ reign.
Last week Princess Anne, pictured here at an Easter service this year, carried out six engagements — more than any other royal.(Pool: Hollie Adams via Reuters)
A hardworking royal
The Princess Royal is regularly described as the most hard-working royal, based on the tally of her annual engagements — 457 in 2023 according to the Court Circular, compared to 425 carried out by the King. While this is not an entirely accurate workload analysis — much is done by King Charles and Queen Camilla aside from engagements — it does give a clear indication of just how much of the often mundane public service toil Anne takes on.
Since the King stepped back from public-facing duties to undergo cancer treatment, Anne has been even more in evidence. Last week she carried out six engagements — more than any other royal — and next week there are a further nine scheduled.
There’s no great fanfare to Anne’s work, which usually sails under the radar. She’s rarely trailed by a media pack and travels with a tiny staff retinue, often just security and one aide.
I have interviewed Princess Anne twice, including at a photo shoot on her Gatcombe Estate farm, and travelled with her on her last major visit to Australia to open the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2022.
In person, she is warm, down to earth and eager to get on with the job. She has a quick, dry sense of humour and hits the ground running, never fading. “It’s quite frenetic but for quite short spaces,” she told me. “There will be quite a lot of flying in between. You just learn to pace yourself. I can now sleep in any form of transport, which does help.”
At the Easter Show, she strode through the grounds checking out the animals and meeting local farmers. She was completely in her element.
The royal juggle
It’s no surprise, this is very much Princess Anne’s manner. “I’ve never been a city girl. I may have been born within the sound of Bow Bells but definitely never my scene,” she told me for an Australian Women’s Weekly interview to mark her 70th birthday, in which she talked with fervour about her own farm in Gloucestershire.
“London was to me school days … weekends were at Windsor … where there was a farm, mostly dairy but there were pigs and chickens as well. My background … was always on the farm.”
Princess Anne views cattle during a tour the Royal Easter Show in 2022. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Fitting in royal work with running her farm is a juggle, but like her mother and the King, the public service side of her job is non-negotiable. “We as a family see ourselves as there to support [the monarch],” she said in a 2023 interview with CBC in Canada, ahead of her brother’s coronation. “What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way in which it can convey continuity … service and understanding the way that people and communities want to live their lives.”
Anne was very close to both parents and from her mother says she learned that the job is all about “the way you treat people, with respect for individuals”. On engagements, she is happiest chatting with regular folk who I’ve noticed warm to her quickly. “You just find people with stories to tell,” she says.
Her daughter Zara Tindall, who lives nearby on Aston Farm on the Gatcombe Estate, says she can’t see her mother ever slowing down or retiring. She’s probably right, but Princess Anne is on the record criticising the reduced number of working royals now available to call on, something that has become more apparent with the family’s current health issues.
“I think the ‘slimmed-down’ [monarchy] was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment,” she told CBC in 2023. “I mean, it doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing.”
The comment caused a few raised eyebrows, but there is no sign that the King is about to call on the likes of Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice or recall Prince Harry and Meghan from the US to swell the ranks with an injection of youth.
‘A very mixed blessing’
When the Queen was crowned, Princess Anne was second in line to the throne. Today she is 17th behind many non-working royals and both of her younger brothers.
At the end of 2022, Anne and her brother Prince Edward were added to the list of Counsellors of State who can be called on to fill in for the Monarch if he is ill or overseas, but the succession line remains with Prince Harry and Prince Andrew and their children ahead of the Princess Royal.
Some Brits have told me they would feel more comfortable seeing Princess Anne higher up, but it will never happen. In a hierarchical monarchy, the outmoded gender rule that put male heirs ahead of females was changed when the Succession to the Crown Act was passed in 2013, but it doesn’t apply retrospectively.
While it must be galling, Anne has taken this gender inequality on the chin, saying she’s always felt she was treated as “an honorary man” in other parts of her life — notably in her chosen sport of horse-riding in which she was an Olympian.
The Princess Royal did however famously ensure that her own children were not given titles. This allowed them independence to make their own way and not be indentured to a life of royal work as their mother had been.
“I think even then [when I made the decision] it was easy to see that it [a title] was a very mixed blessing,” Princess Anne told me when I interviewed her in 2020. “And in my case because I was female, no advantages at all, really.”
Princess Anne commented that she did not think a ‘slimmed-down’ monarchy was a good idea following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure.
Princess Anne took a swipe at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when she was interviewed by Adrienne Arsenault last year about plans for a more ‘slimmed-down’ Royal Family.
The Princess Royal did not appear to be in favour of the idea, perhaps understandably so as she has been taking on even more royal duties so far this year.
She said the plan to have fewer working royals had come about when there were “a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment”.
Two of the “few people” she is referring to are likely to be Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who stepped down as working royals in 2020 and moved to the US.
Another likely candidate is Prince Andrew, who was forced to quit his position after questions emerged surrounding his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Princess Anne has dismissed the idea of having fewer working royals (Image: Getty)
The loss of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in quick succession also had a knock-on effect on the number of working royals, particularly as they kept up with their duties as much as they could even in their nineties.
A number of other working royals, such as the Duke of Kent and Duke of Gloucester, are quite elderly and having to take a step back.
The Princess, who gave her honest opinion on the King having a slimmed-down monarchy, said: “It changes a bit. I mean, it doesn’t sound like a good idea from where I’m standing, I have to say.
“I’m not quite sure what else, you know, we can do.”
The Princess will likely keep up her duties for a little while longer (Image: PA)
Anne was then asked whether there were “conversations about relevance” of the monarchy, to which she replied: “There will be, everywhere. It’s not a conversation that I would necessarily have.
“I think it’s perfectly true that it is a moment where you need to have that discussion. But I would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long-term stability that is actually quite hard to come by any other way.”
When asked about her role now her older brother Charles is King she answered: “We as a family see ourselves there to support that role.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to quit left a hole (Image: Getty Images)
“What we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy and the way in which it can convey continuity, of not just interest, but of service, of understanding, the way that people in communities want to live their lives.
“And I think so often we get the chance to see communities and the people who do things really well and are very generous with their time in a way that, if you look at the media, you tend not to get that impression.”
Princess Anne is frequently named as one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, undertaking the most engagements each calendar year.
Princess Anne is famous for her no-nonsense attitude and her steadfast dedication to duty. But just like any mother, her children have joked about her ‘most annoying’ habit, which they revealed in a documentary to celebrate her 70th birthday in 2020.
Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter has represented many important causes over the years, whether that be Save The Children, helping those with disabilities or supporting carers. She also raised her two children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, to understand that they would have to work in the future regardless of who their grandmother was.
Peter and Zara previously paid tribute to their mother in an interview to mark her 70th birthday in 2020. The interview saw them joke about being too afraid to ask her to slow down, as well as reveal the one trait she has that they find “annoying”.
The pair joked about their mother’s “most annoying” habit -Credit:Getty
Sitting next to one another, Zara – who celebrates her 43rd birthday on Wednesday 15 May – said: “She’s like a sponge, it’s unbelievable, the information that’s stored in her brain. It’s incredible. Quite annoying, as well.” Peter then replied: “It is quite annoying, yes.”
The pair then spoke of their own children and how they enjoy dropping them off with their mother.
Princess Anne is also a doting grandmother to Savannah, Isla, Mia, Lena and Lucas -Credit:Getty Images
Peter has two daughters, Savannah and Isla, with his ex-wife Autumn Phillips and Zara has three children, Mia, Lena and Lucas with husband Mike Tindall.
“She loves seeing them ride, she loves having them around for Sunday lunches, doing all the sorts of stuff we used to do as kids. She now takes them to do this sort of things,” Peter said. “We quite like leaving them on Sundays. We’ll say ‘We’ll pick them up later, bye’,” Zara joked.
Princess Anne’s daughter has spoken before about her thoughts on not having an official title like her other cousins. She said: “I’m very lucky that both my parents decided to not use the title and we grew up and did all the things that gave us the opportunity to do.”
Zara has praised her mother’s decision -Credit:2022 Sebastian Frej/MB Media
Other famous faces to feature in the documentary included Lord Sebastian Coe who praised The Princess Royal’s instrumental effort in securing London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics. He said: “The Princess Royal was on the big committee and her contribution was seismic and it was always to the point, she doesn’t always suffer fools gladly and she doesn’t speak for the sake of speaking.
“I do remember after a rather long-winded interjection by one of the committee members she had actually forgotten to turn her microphone off and she did manage to utter the immortal words ‘I think this person is probably the most stupid person in world sport’.
“This echoed absolutely around the room and she never flinched, it was as though it had never happened and we just moved on but it is probably one of my favourite moments.”
A ski trip with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. 
Unlike the rest of the engagement rings of the British royals, which are custom made, Diana’s 12-carat sapphire ring surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold was ordered from a Garrard jewelry collection catalog. Upon her passing, the ring went to Kate Middleton after William proposed to her with it. 
On her wedding day, Diana was so excited and even confused that she called her future husband Philip Charles Arthur George instead of just Charles Philip. 
According to her brother Charles Spencer, Diana had a hard time wearing the tiara at the beginning because it caused her headaches.“In the evening we all went to a sort of semi-private party and she was there and I just remember she had a cracking headache also since she wasn’t used to wearing a tiara all morning,” he said in an interview. 
As much as it was very special, Diana’s wedding dress caused her some trouble as the designers of the 25-foot train failed to take into an account how challenging it would be to walk in. When she entered the carriage, Lady Di’s dress slightly crushed and appeared wrinkled as a result. 
When asked whether they were in love with each other shortly after their engagement, Charles replied, “Whatever ‘in love’ means,” to Diana’s “Of course.” 
Diana is shown the sketches of her gown which were later torn apart in case someone wanted to get a peek. 
The wedding gifts Charles and Diana received were perfectly unique. The Reagans, for one, gifted them a handcrafted porcelain centerpiece and an engraved Steuben glass bowl. They also received gloves made of 100-year-old silk and a timepiece set with diamonds and sapphires, among the rest. 
Once the wedding took place, it was exposed with the public that Charles and Diana shared a common ancestor in Henry VII of the Tudors. They were 16th cousins once removed. 
Charles and Diana are photographed on their honeymoon. A lip reader said at the time that during their conversation, the newlyweds said, “The honeymoon was the ideal time to catch up on sleep…” 
This photograph was taken in 1980, before Diana became a Princess. 
Diana on her trip to Angola in 1997 where she visited landmine victims. 
With her son Harry, wearing matching outfits as he points out his tongue to the crowd. 
Princess Diana pictured with her stepmother whom the media dubbed “wicked stepmother” because of her turbulent relationship with Diana.She was dubbed “The People’s Princess” because of her love for her people, her generosity, and her big heart. 
Diana is pictured in Australia’s Northern Territory, at Alice Springs. 
Accompanied by her husband, Princess Diana leaves the hospital after giving birth to her first son, William. 
One of the most famous photos of Prince Charles and Princess Diana taken at Buckingham Palace right after they announced their engagement on Sunday, February 24, 1981. 
