Meghan Markle recently spoke about royal life in an interview with The Cut magazine.

Meghan and Harry’s rift with the Royal Family is deepening. Most recently, in a 6,400-word magazine article, Meghan took a series of explicit swipes at the Royal Family, warning that she could ”say anything” now that she was out.

Meghan Markle also revealed that Harry felt he had “lost” his father, Prince Charles, when he stepped down from royal duties. Meghan told The Cut magazine: ”Harry said to me, ‘I lost my dad in the process’. ‘It doesn’t have to be the same for them as it is for me, but it was his decision.’

Meghan and Harry’s rift with the Royal Family deepens as the duchess gives interview to The Cut

A source close to Prince Charles said he would be devastated if Harry felt their relationship had been lost, adding that the Prince of Wales loved his two sons very much.

Prince Charles is concerned about their relationship and would be sad if Harry wanted to abandon his father.

“There seems to be some confusion in some headlines about this quote from The Cut’s interview,” journalist Omid Scobie, who co-wrote a flattering biography of the Sussexes and is close to the couple, told The Cut. When asked about the confusion over the duchess’ comments, the magazine declined to comment.

In another statement from Meghan, the duchess revealed the couple were forced to leave the UK to do what they love.

Another harsh statement by Meghan is that she was forced to leave the UK to do what she wanted to do.

Harry and Meghan are now unlikely to visit the Queen at Balmoral when they return to the UK next week due to security concerns. The couple have also faced criticism in Meghan’s new Spotify podcast, which was released last week.

Harry and Meghan are unlikely to visit the Queen during their flight to the UK unless security issues are resolved.

From her tensions with Prince Charles to her constant battle with the paparazzi, The Princess tells the story of Princess Diana’s public life through real-life archival audio and footage

Princess Diana. Photo: VINCENT AMALVY/AFP

01of 10

Life in the Spotlight

Tim Graham Photo Library

Just before their wedding, Prince Charles and Princess Diana sat down for a joint interview and spoke about the glare of the royal spotlight.

“If you don’t try to work out in your own mind some kind of method for existing and surviving this kind of thing, you would go mad, I think. In the end, you do get used to it,” Charles says before turning to Diana and asking: “Don’t you find that after the last six months you’re beginning to get used to it?”

Diana quietly responds, “Just.”

02of 10

The Wedding

Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Anwar Hussein/Getty

As Princess Diana and Prince Charles leave their wedding ceremony, a commentator says, “Usually fairy tales end here with the phrase ‘and they lived happily ever after.’ ” While footage shows celebrations throughout the U.K., including dancing and popping champagne in the streets, we know now that Princess Diana never got her storybook ending. The couple seemed to know something was amiss at the time too — as they pulled up to Buckingham Palace in their carriage, they were completely silent with no loving interactions or cheerful expressions expected of newlyweds.

03of 10

Diana’s Popularity

Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

During a 1983 tour of Australia, overwhelming crowds gathered everywhere that Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited. But it was clear that they were there to see Diana — as one commentator noted in the documentary, “You can’t give pictures of him away, but Diana is very big news everywhere.” Prince Charles recognized that he was playing second fiddle to his new wife, asking photographers, “Am I in the way?”

“Charles doesn’t like the fact that she’s a superstar, and he isn’t,” another commentator notes.

04of 10

“Trapped”

Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Charles. Diana Archive/Getty

In an interaction between the royals and members of the media, Prince Charles talks to a young Prince William as Princess Diana looks on glumly. As Prince William peers through a video camera lens, Charles tells his son, “The people in there, look at them…trapped.” The irony of the statement is not lost on viewers.

05of 10

Diana’s Loneliness

Princess Diana. Anwar Hussein/Getty

While Prince Charles “continued to live like a bachelor” despite being a husband and father, Princess Diana was clearly feeling isolated in her royal life. During a 1992 visit to the Taj Mahal, a monument built by a man to pay tribute to his wife, Princess Diana ironically posed for photos alone — and it spoke volumes about the state of the couple’s marriage at the time.

Diana looks uneasy as she’s being photographed on a bench in front of the Taj Mahal, putting on her sunglasses as she stood. She then walked over to another bench and sat with her back towards the photographers in a moment of solitude.

“So she’s just sitting there, is she?” one cameraman is heard asking.

“Thinking about her marriage,” says another.

06of 10

Dodging Paparazzi

Princess Diana. Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty

After Princess Diana and Prince Charles announced their separation, paparazzi climbed on ladders and ran into traffic to capture Diana on everyday outings, such as going to the gym and attending Prince William and Prince Harry’s school events. As Princess Diana tried to escape them, her car is shown speeding away — an ominous foreshadowing of her tragic death just a few years later.

07of 10

William and Harry Run from the Cameras

Princess Diana. Princess Diana Archive/Getty

The documentary intercuts Princess Diana’s 1993 speech, in which she announced she would be reducing her public appearances, with shots of her and her sons avoiding paparazzi. Both Prince William and Prince Harry are seen running away from the cameras and shielding their faces with hats.

“When I started my public life 12 years ago, I understood the media might be interested in what I did. I realized then their attention would inevitably focus on both our private and public lives,” Diana said in her speech. “But I was not aware of how overwhelming that attention would become, nor the extent to which it would affect both my public duties and my personal life in a manner that’s been hard to bear.”

However, she was again met with criticism: “It’s very Diana, isn’t it, to call a press conference to announce that she wants to be left alone,” said one commentator. “Very in character.”

08of 10

Coming Into Her Own

Princess Diana. Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Following her divorce, Princess Diana focused on charities and causes with special meaning to her, from homelessness to HIV/AIDS. “Good work and associating one’s self with good voluntary causes, that, I think, is the sort of direction that the Princess of Wales see herself moving in,” one commentator said before adding, in a now-ominous statement: “She has 20, 30, 40 years of active public life ahead of her. So people who think this is the end of something, you’re misunderstanding. This is the beginning of something.”

09of 10

The Crash

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP

Home video showed a group of friends playing Uno as the news that Princess Diana was involved in a car crash in Paris unfolded on television. Although the men were making light of the coverage, the mood quickly shifted and they all fell silent when it was announced that Diana had died. The scene reflects how Princess Diana had become a source of entertainment for many, and it wasn’t until her untimely death that there was concern for her as a person.

10of 10

William and Harry in Mourning

Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles. Tim Graham Photo Library

Prince William and Prince Harry, just 15 and 12 at the time, had just lost their mother. However, in the days following her death, they played the roles of consolers to members of the public. In the documentary, the grieving brothers are seen shaking hands and greeting people gathered outside Kensington Palace.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are also shown viewing the public memorial to Diana outside the palace. In one tense moment, a woman calls out: “Take care of the boys.” Philip then curtly responds: “That’s what we’ve been doing.”

The exchange reflects the public criticism at the time that the Queen hadn’t been doing enough to comfort her subjects in the wake of Diana’s death.

The eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham is an aspiring chef an recently launched his own hot sauce brand

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham (Image: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty I)

Brooklyn Beckham has addressed the criticism that ‘nepo babies’ often face. The eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham, 25, has been accused on several occasions of leveraging nepotism to advance his career.

However, the aspiring chef, hot sauce brand owner, entrepreneur and photographer has set the record straight. After his recent feature on the cover of Grazia magazine, he told the publication: “Obviously I am one. But I couldn’t help how I was born, at all.”

While he acknowledges why the public might be annoyed by ‘nepo babies’, Brooklyn said he tries to disregard the ‘rubbish’ people say rather than dwell on it. He added: “There’s always going to be people that say rubbish.

Read moreKate Garraway gets excited as she shares ‘really really good’ job offer amid huge debt

“But as long as you do something that makes you happy and you’re kind to people, that’s all that matters. I’m always gonna get it, no matter what I do. And I’m fine with that.

“It makes me work harder, because I’m like, I’m gonna prove these people wrong.”

Brooklyn has been in the spotlight since the day he was born, following the path of his famous parents Posh and Becks. Last month, the former model announced the launch of his new hot sauce brand.

Brooklyn married Nicola Peltz, an actress and model by profession, in April 2022. She first became known in the entertainment industry due to her family. Her mother Claudia Heffner is a renowned model and her brother Will Peltz is an actor.

David was on the BBC ceremony to present an award as Oppenheimer, Emma Stone and Cillian Murphy were the night’s big winners.

David was on the BBC ceremony to present an award as Oppenheimer, Emma Stone and Cillian Murphy were the night’s big winners.

BAFTAs 2024 viewers blasted David Beckham for “pandering to Americans” as he presented an award. David was on the BBC ceremony to present an award as Oppenheimer, Emma Stone and Cillian Murphy were the night’s big winners.

The 48-year-old retired sportsman was jokingly introduced as “an up and coming” football star by host David Tennant before taking to the stage. But during his speech, Beckham- the former Manchester United star – used the word “soccer”.

A fan replied on Twitter/X saying: “‘that might be true in football, or soccer-‘ DAVID BECKHAM YOU ARE ON THE BAFTAS DON’T YOU DARE PANDER TO THE AMERICANS!!!” A second said: “David beckham calling football soccer at a British awards show.”

READ MORE Aldi issues emergency notice to shoppers and offers them immediate refunds

Another commented: “David Beckham it’s a British awards show, you don’t need to mention soccer #EEBAFTAs.” And a fellow fan said of the ex-Real Madrid, Los Angelex Galaxy, Paris Saint Germain star said: “Don’t say soccer, Dave. Pandering to the Americans #DavidBeckham #BAFTAs.”

The Bafta fellowship went to Samantha Morton, who dedicated her award to “every child in care today, or who has been in care, or who is suffering, or who didn’t survive”. During the event, the former England captain was seen laughing as he shook hands with Prince William who attended the event as president of Bafta.

And Beckham also posed with Michael J Fox backstage. Becks wrote: “I cannot believe I got to meet Michael J Fox. Also a little starstruck to meet so many talented people that I’ve watched on the big screen at Bafta.” Fox had everyone up on their feet as he came on stage in a wheelchair to present Best Film.

The Back to the Future star – who has Parkinson’s – was cheered as he took the final steps to the podium to announce Oppenheimer’s success

Duchess Sophie’s ‘gentle’ dig at Oprah and Meghan Markle

Sophie hit out at the bombshell TV special in her own very understated way – whilst still managing to navigate royal protocol.

 

The Royal Family motto is never complain, never explain.

 

So it’s little wonder that frontline royals made little comment on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired in 2021.

But the American TV special was littered with allegations which took aim at the Firm, with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex claiming they’d not been supported as they struggled with their mental health.

 

Harry also claimed his brother Prince William and King Charles were “trapped” inside the monarchy – and seemed to criticise his father’s parenting in subsequent interviews.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Edward’s wife, made her own subtle dig at the Sussexes’ appearance on the TV show in a very understated way.

 

Sophie and Edward joked by claiming “Oprah who?” when asked whether they had sat down and watched the Sussexes’ CBS chat.

Sophie then added: “Yes, what interview?”

This was followed up when Sophie then admitted there was “no reason to know who” the US chat show legend was.

 

She was criticised at the time by some on social media as the 59-year-old visited the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2013.

Sophie visited the course and its students in Meyerton, South Africa, as part of a week-long visit to the country with her husband Edward.

Sophie’s remark came up after the couple were quizzed about a moment when Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had a long conversation with Oprah – but was unaware of who she was during their chat.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Sophie defended the Archbishop, adding: “You know, if you’re not into chat shows, there’s no reason why you should know who she is.

“Certainly not in this country, anyway.”

During the same interview, Sophie discussed Harry’s return to the UK following the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, so he could attend the funeral.

But Sophie said it was “nice” to see the Duke of Sussex and the pair had a “lengthy chat” upon his return.

It appears that relations between the brothers are as frosty as ever – snubbing an opportunity to put on a united front.

 

The pair attended the Diana Legacy Award event to pay tribute to their late mother – but the Duke of Sussex joined remotely from Montecito in California while the Prince of Wales delivered a speech in person to mark the charity’s 25th anniversary.

THEY STOLE MY CHILD! Meghan Roar As Lilibet’s Real Parents Finally Show Up Demanding Back Their Child

In a surprising twist of events, Sussex finds itself embroiled in a contentious battle as the true biological parents of Lilibet have come forward, demanding the return of their child.

The saga began when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocate to the United States.Their announcement of the birth of their second child, Lilibet Diana, in June 2021 was met with widespread excitement. Check my comment for more

 

Lilibet’s Real Parents Demand Custody in Shocking Turn of Events

In a surprising twist of events, Sussex finds itself embroiled in a contentious battle as the true biological parents of Lilibet have come forward, demanding the return of their child.

The saga began when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made the decision to step back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocate to the United States.

Their announcement of the birth of their second child, Lilibet Diana, in June 2021 was met with widespread excitement.

 

However, a recent report by the Mirror Daily has cast a shadow of doubt over the circumstances surrounding Lilibet’s birth.

 

Contrary to the narrative put forth by Harry and Meghan, the birth certificate of Lilibet reveals a startling revelation.

It discloses that she was actually delivered at a private clinic in Los Angeles and her parents are identified as John and Jane Doe, pseudonyms used to represent the surrogate couple who carried and gave birth to the child on behalf of Harry and Meghan.

The Mirror Daily report alleges that Harry and Meghan entered into an agreement with the surrogate couple, compensating them $1.5 million in exchange for full custody and parental rights of Lilibet.

The surrogate couple, believed to be of Spanish-American descent, have now expressed a change of heart and are seeking legal recourse to reclaim their child.

Their claims suggest that they were misled and coerced by Harry and Meghan, who allegedly concealed their true identities and intentions.

Furthermore, the couple asserts that the naming of the child as Lilibet infringed upon their privacy and dignity, breaching the terms of their agreement.

Legal proceedings have been initiated by the anonymous surrogate couple, challenging the custody of Lilibet and aiming to establish regular contact and visitation rights with the child.

While Harry and Meghan have refrained from directly addressing the allegations, sources close to them have conveyed their distress over the situation.

They are contemplating legal action against the Daily Mirror for defamation, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding Lilibet as their own.

Amidst the unfolding controversy, public opinion remains divided on the matter.

Supporters of Harry and Meghan view them as victims of a malicious scheme, while critics accuse them of orchestrating a deceitful ploy.

 

The implications of this revelation extend beyond the personal realm, sparking speculations about the future dynamics between Harry, Meghan, and the royal family.

Key questions loom large, including the potential repercussions on the monarchy’s reputation and stability.

Will Harry and Meghan reconcile with their respective families or contemplate a return to the United Kingdom?

The uncertainty surrounding Lilibet’s status within the royal lineage underscores the complexities of this intricate saga.

As the narrative unfolds, the unresolved queries surrounding Harry and Meghan’s royal journey continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Piers Morgan takes aim at Meghan once again as he shrugs off record-breaking Ofcom complaints

The former Good Morning Britain presenter pointed out that none of the Government-related complaints against him were upheld.

Piers Morgan shrugged off a record amount of Ofcom complaints. (Image: pixel8000)

Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan has shrugged off the record number of Ofcom complaints that he received during his time on the show.

Back in March, Piers stormed out of the studio after an on-air spat about Meghan Markle with weatherman Alex Beresford which led him to later quit the ITV show and thousands of people to complain to Ofcom.

The 56-year-old pointed out that none of the Government-related complaints against him were upheld, writes The Mirror.

Piers then referred to Meghan as “Princess Pinocchio” as he suggested that complaints made against him for remarks he made about her wouldn’t be upheld either.

Over 54,453 people flocked to Ofcom to complain about the presenter after Piers suggested that he didn’t believe the Duchess of Sussex when she said she felt suicidal during her explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

It overtook Diversity’s Black Lives Matter performance on Britain’s Got Talent as the most complained about moment ever.

Oprah Winfrey interviewing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Image: Getty Images)
Piers also bagged the sixth, seventh and 10th places after his interviews with Helen Whateley MP and Victoria Atkin MP.

Sharing an article revealing he had nabbed four spots in the top 10 most complained about moments, Piers tweeted an emoji wearing sunglasses.

He then tweeted a BBC article about the complaints, suggesting that Ofcom had seen “unprecedented” numbers of complaints with Piers attributing to a large portion of them.

Piers stormed off the ITV set back in March (Image: PA)
Piers wrote in response: “What this doesn’t say is that NONE of the Govt-related complaints against me were upheld, and I don’t expect the complaints relating to Princess Pinocchio to be either. How can @Ofcom possibly conclude I must believe a proven liar…?”

Ofcom confirmed in the report that “in many of the cases above, [they] did not find the issues warranted an investigation”.

A spokesperson added: “We’re a nation of TV lovers, and it’s kept us entertained and informed like never before during lockdown. From time to time viewers see things that trouble them, and that’s where we come in.”

In a jaw-dropping twist that feels straight out of a soap opera, the Markle family has once again sparked a media firestorm. This time, the drama has reached new heights as Thomas Markle casts doubt on the very existence of his royal grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet. Speaking through his daughter, Samantha Markle, the older Markle has added a surreal layer to the already tumultuous story of estrangement and accusations.

Could it be true? Are the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—the Sussexes, who sought freedom from royal life—nothing more than figments of the imagination or products of deception?

The bombshell emerged during an interview on *Outspoken* with Dan Wootton, where Samantha Markle declared herself the “Arbiter of Truth.”

According to her, Thomas Markle shares her belief that Meghan’s children might not exist, or if they do, they may have been born via surrogacy—a fact that the Sussexes allegedly concealed. “He doesn’t believe that there are kids,” Samantha said wit

h chilling certainty, suggesting that Meghan’s secrecy surrounding Archie and Lilibet is part of a grand manipulative game. She accused Meghan of using the alleged children as pawns, keeping them out of the public eye as a means of control.

Thomas Markle’s claims only added fuel to the fire. In Samantha’s retelling, Thomas described seeing pictures of Archie that appeared suspiciously lifeless, with bandages obscuring his face. He noted that the child didn’t move or blink, prompting him to say, “Every newborn I’ve ever seen moves, blinks, makes a noise.” To the Markles, the supposed secrecy surrounding Archie and Lilibet’s births is part of a larger scheme.

Samantha didn’t hold back, accusing Meghan and Harry of manipulating public sentiment to secure their children’s place in the royal line of succession. “If they used a surrogate, they should have been honest,” Samantha argued. “There’s no legal or ethical reason to hide it. This was all about deception and control.”

Recently, other members of the Markle family have made hard-hitting statements against the Sussexes, especially Meghan. In an interview with *The Daily Mail*, Samantha remarked, “What Meghan did to the royal family was nothing new. She did it to her own family and many other people, including her parents.

I knew that my dad had suffered, but I thought she’d stop at the Queen.” Samantha, who once considered Prince Harry a victim, now believes he played an equal role in alienating the royal family through his memoir *Spare*.

Samantha said, “Meghan has no idea what she’s missing out on. Because when my dad goes, it’ll be too late. Believe me, I know you can’t get back that time. It leaves a hole in your heart.” She added, “When my father passes away, I hope that she can feel and remember that he loved her more than life itself. Or she’ll never be able to look in the mirror.”

While Samantha wants Meghan to reach out to her father, she made it clear that she herself doesn’t want to reconcile with Meghan. “If you accept an olive branch, you’re asking to be hurt again. I think that’d be weird. It’d be hard to trust that she was doing it for the right reason,” she said. “What makes me sad now is that there were so many missed opportunities for love and real family.”

 

Though Prince Harry recently visited Africa alone, it was once a place he used to help solidify his relationship with Meghan Markle – as well as several of his previous girlfriends.

Early in their blossoming romance, Harry invited Meghan on a trip to Botswana in 2017. They stayed ‘in a £1,500 deluxe tent at the Meno a Kwena safari camp,’ Tina Brown claims in her 2022 book The Palace Papers.

However, the royal biographer tells how Prince William was quick to point out to his ‘starry-eyed’ younger brother: ‘You do realise this is the fourth girl you’ve taken to Botswana?’

King Charles‘s younger son had asked a number of romantic interests to accompany him on a trip – including actress Cressida Bonas, who, Ms Brown writes, ‘passed the Africa test on a successful vacation together in the Okavango Delta [in Botswana]’.After visiting several times for charity work, the southern African nation became a favourite place of Harry’s, ‘especially when trying to impress a girlfriend’, Andrew Morton wrote in his 2018 release, Meghan: A Hollywood Princess.

 

+15
View gallery

Prince Harry and Prince William are pictured with a cheetah during a visit to the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana in 2010

+15
View gallery

Meghan Markle pictured on the trip to Botswana in 2017. This image was first shown on the couple’s Netflix series Harry & Meghan

He also took television presenter Natalie Pinkham there, reportedly in 2004.

Harry visited again the following year, this time with his on-and-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy, and they are said to have made annual trips there during their seven years together.

While none of these relationships worked out, Harry’s African getaway with Meghan became particularly memorable – for it was where the couple deepened their relationship.

With ‘breath-taking views across the dark-blue waters of the nearby Boteti River’, according to Mr Morton, Harry and Meghan enjoyed long walks, safaris and used the time together to get to know one another.

The Duke of Sussex has returned to the continent many times since, with and without his wife.

Harry and Meghan embarked on their first Royal tour abroad together in 2019. With their son Archie, who was five months old at the time, they visited Cape Town, Angola and Malawi, and undertook a short working visit to Botswana, between September 23 and October 2.

They brought along a camera crew from ITV to film a documentary with Tom Bradby – Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.

Harry returned to Angola to see first-hand the legacy of his mother Diana, whose visit to Huambo in 1997 helped raise awareness of the threat posed by landmines to communities and livelihoods.

However, though the couple’s trip was focused on helping tackle issues in Africa, the documentary also brought to light their own struggles.

At one point during filming Mr Bradby asked Meghan how she was doing. The Duchess responded by saying that ‘not many people have asked if I’m okay’ – in reference to her struggles with the media.

In October this year, Harry visited Lesotho and South Africa. The trip included a meeting with Lesotho prime minister Sam Matekane and a series of engagements relating to his beloved charity, Sentebale, which helps young people living with HIV and Aids.

+15
View gallery

Actress Cressida Bonas, who Harry also reportedly took to Botswana, pictured in London in 2014

+15
View gallery

Television presenter Natalie Pinkham is said to have travelled to Africa with the Prince. She is  pictured in London in 2006

Harry first visited Lesotho aged 19, during a gap year in 2004. He spent two months there and the experience had a lasting impact on the young prince.

The royal did volunteer work and met children who had been orphaned due to the Aids epidemic. In 2006, he co-founded Sentebale with Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso in an effort to continue his mother’s work on the issue.

In July 2008, Harry returned to Lesotho to help build a special needs school as part of a project supported by Sentebale.  At the time, the Thuso Centre was the only school of its kind in the country, the BBC reported.

The duke said: ‘Everything here is just so positive and fantastic. This is the only mentally handicapped school within Lesotho and once the project is finished we hope to make another in the centre and one in the south.’

He was accompanied by 20 of his colleagues from the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals regiment, who assisted with the project.

Two years later, in June 2010, Harry embarked on his first joint tour with his brother, Prince William. They combined promoting their charity and humanitarian interests with supporting England, who played Algeria during the FIFA World Cup in Cape Town.

+15
View gallery

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attending a reception in Johannesburg in 2019

+15
View gallery

The prince traces his mother’s footsteps and walks through a minefield in Angola in 2019

+15
View gallery

Harry with his wife, Meghan Markle, in Cape Town during their Royal tour in 2019

The brother’s kicked off their six-day tour of southern Africa in Botswana and visited the Makelodi Nature Reserve. They were photographed with an 8ft-long African Rock Python wrapped around their shoulders and Harry playfully pointed its head at William.

The pair then travelled to Lesotho and trekked three miles on ponies to visit schools and orphanages at Semonkong, located at a height of 8,000ft.

Both wore knitted grey blankets to tackle the cooler temperatures and Harry held two-year-old orphan Bokang Rapostane on his knee as they watched a play about Aids and HIV.

Harry, who was demonstrating the work of his charity Sentebale, said: ‘This was a fantastic chance to show William what Sentebale is all about – the vulnerable children. I’m just happy to have him here with me.’

The two princes also played football with orphaned teenage girls from Semonkong Children’s Centre.

Harry returned to Lesotho again in 2013 with Prince Seeiso, touring projects that Sentebale had been supporting.

He visited the Kananelo Centre for the Deaf and St Bernadette’s Centre for the Blind.

During his trip, Harry participated in a sign language lesson and was taught several phrases by 14-year-old Nandos Chabalalan including the words for family, father, mother, brother, sister and baby.

+15
View gallery

Harry teases William by holding the head of an African Rock Python towards his brother in Botswana in 2010

+15
View gallery

The prince hugging a young child in Lesotho during his gap year visit in 2004

+15
View gallery

Harry explaining the school-building project to journalists, including the Mail’s Rebecca English (far left), in Lesotho in 2008

+15
View gallery

Prince Harry playing with a child in Lesotho, Africa during his visit in 2008

Later on, he put on a Paddington Bear apron and got stuck in with baking ‘fat cakes’, a local doughnut-style delicacy.

Harry also flew to Johannesburg in neighbouring South Africa for the first Sentebale Gala Dinner.

It marked the launch of a £2.4million fundraising campaign to build the first permanent centre for children and young people infected with, or affected by, HIV and Aids in Lesotho.

Two years later, Harry attended the opening of Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho – a facility that works with his charity, Sentebale.  He was photographed dancing with children and Prince Seeiso.

During the visit Harry delivered a speech looking back on the charity’s achievements.

 

 

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is frequently compared to Grace Kelly, the iconic American actress who became Princess of Monaco. Both women captured the world’s imagination with their beauty, talent, and eventual transition from Hollywood to royalty. While they lived in different eras, the striking similarities between Meghan and Grace reveal a shared narrative of love, resilience, and reinvention in the face of tradition.

From Hollywood Spotlight to Royal CourtGrace Kelly was already a celebrated film star when she met Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1955, leaving behind a successful career to marry him and embrace her role as a European royal. Decades later, Meghan Markle would make a similar choice, stepping away from her acting career after her role on Suits to marry Prince Harry. For both women, this decision marked a drastic shift, trading the independence and glamour of Hollywood for the duty-bound life of royalty.

 

Their journeys from Hollywood to royalty transformed their lives but also brought challenges. Grace had to adapt to a life of diplomacy, leaving behind her acting career and adopting a new role as Monaco’s princess. Similarly, Meghan left the familiarity of her career and home in the United States, facing the demanding and traditional life of British royalty.

Bridging Cultures: The American Princesses

As American women entering European royal circles, Meghan and Grace both introduced a fresh perspective. Grace brought a touch of Hollywood sophistication and glamour to Monaco, helping put the small principality on the global stage. Likewise, Meghan’s American background, paired with her modern, progressive ideals, brought diversity and change to the British royal family, attracting a new, younger audience.

Their cultural differences sometimes caused friction with traditional royal circles, but both Grace and Meghan found ways to adapt while staying true to their values. Grace became a beloved figure in Monaco, known for her grace and commitment to philanthropic work, and Meghan, too, has focused on social issues, using her platform to promote causes close to her heart, from mental health to racial justice.

Challenges Within Royal Life

Both Meghan and Grace faced unique pressures in royal life. Grace was said to have struggled with the isolation of royal life in Monaco, which contrasted with the vibrant Hollywood lifestyle she had known. Likewise, Meghan has spoken openly about the personal and mental health challenges she faced within the British monarchy, describing moments of loneliness and feeling misunderstood.

Their struggles reflect the complexities that come with marrying into royalty. While Grace had to navigate the expectations of Monaco’s people and the demands of royal etiquette, Meghan encountered intense media scrutiny in the UK, often amplified by her background and race.

Defining Their Legacy Through Philanthropy

Grace Kelly found purpose in her royal role through her philanthropic work, championing the arts and social causes, which helped endear her to Monaco’s people. She created the Princess Grace Foundation to support emerging artists, securing her legacy as a patron of culture and charity.

Meghan, similarly, has carved out her own path through her charity work. Together with Prince Harry, she founded the Archewell Foundation, focusing on humanitarian projects that align with her progressive values. From promoting gender equality to supporting mental health initiatives, Meghan has used her influence to bring about social change, cementing her role as a modern-day philanthropist.

Challenging Royal Norms

Both Grace and Meghan challenged traditional royal norms in ways that set them apart. Grace’s glamorous, American style was unlike anything seen in European royalty, influencing royal fashion for years to come. Meghan, known for her modern style, broke several fashion protocols of the British royal family, choosing outfits that reflect her personality rather than sticking to conservative royal expectations.

Moreover, Meghan’s openness about issues like mental health and systemic racism has helped destigmatize these topics, breaking with the monarchy’s traditionally reserved stance. Like Grace, Meghan has taken bold steps that challenge the status quo, showing that a royal title doesn’t have to mean sacrificing individuality.