Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly changing tactics regarding their professional life as their brand image as a couple has dwindled, one PR expert believes.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been leading increasingly separate professional lives lately, with the married couple seen at plenty of events without each other since the duke’s 40th birthday last month.
While the prince went off on a solo tour in New York, the UK and Africa, Meghan stayed home with the couple’s children in their large Montecito mansion, and even spent one night out on a red carpet without her husband by her side.
Although rumours of a personal divide between the pair were squashed, the decision to separate work could have been for commercial reasons.
PR expert Ed Coram James told The Mirror: “Since their marriage, Harry and Meghan have had a distinct brand. That brand is based on a duo. Call it ‘Harry and Meghan’, call it ‘the Sussexes’, call it whatever you like. The fact is that for years they have become synonymous with one another.
“And, since the famous Oprah interview, in which they took a simmering disagreement between themselves and the rest of the Royal Family and essentially declared all-out-war, that brand has been steadily becoming more toxic and thus commercially untenable to the point where not that many major brands are going to be rushing to write them a large cheque based on their brand value.
“When combined, the Sussexes brand is, from a PR perspective, toxic. But, when separate, they have a genuine chance of creating an entirely separate brand, with completely different labels.”
Charles found the visit to Australia and Samoa “the perfect tonic” (Image: Getty)
King Charles and Queen Camilla will resume a full schedule of royal tours next year as Charles found the visits to Australia and Samoa “the perfect tonic” to his ongoing cancer treatment.
A Senior Palace official said the King has “genuinely loved” the nine-day tour and “thrived” on the busy programme of engagements.
They added that it has lifted “his spirits, his mood and his recovery. In that sense, the tour – despite its demands – has been the perfect tonic.”
Charles paused his cancer treatment for his first long-haul trip since his diagnosis in February, and will resume his course upon his return to the UK early next week.
The location of the Spring and Autumn schedules has not been confirmed, as that decision will be made by the Foreign Office. The tour will need to be approved by the Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister – and the King’s doctors – but this the plan is in motion is a reassuring step in Charles’ cancer recovery.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will resume a normal schedule of royal tours next year (Image: Getty)
The Senior Palace official said: “We’re now working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour program for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms – subject to sign off by doctors.
“It is hard to overstate the joy that he takes from duty and service and being in public and seeing those crowds engaging with communities across the spectrum. That really does lift the spirits. You can see that.”
It comes as the King and Queen waved goodbye to Samoa on Saturday morning by attending a farewell ceremony at a village twinned with the UK for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) hosted by the Pacific island.
Villages around the Samoan capital Apia are twinned with each of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth, flying the flags of the countries they have adopted, with street furniture painted in the national colours.
In his impromptu speech Charles said: “We’ve been so impressed by the beautiful way in which all the villages have decorated the roadsides, it is something very special about Samoa.”
He thanked residents for their “wonderful generosity” bringing gifts of food and “other wonderful things”, and said the royal couple would take away “special memories of our time here”.
King Charles and Queen Camilla left Samoa on Saturday morning (Image: Getty)
The King concluded: “I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope that I survive long enough to come back and see you.
Their Majesties arrived at the village in the middle of a downpour, which drenched villagers and elders gathered for the ceremony.
The King was honoured with the chiefly title of To’aiga-O-Tumua by the village’s high chief, as he and Camilla were presented with sacred kava in coconut shells with straws.
“May God bless this kava,” Charles said as he lifted the cup and drank.
The chief told His Majesty: “Your papa, Prince Philip, was here, so thank you for making the time. Your royal visit has lifted our house.”
The wet weather continued as they made their way to the airport and sheltered under umbrellas as they boarded their plane home – ending their tour in the same weather conditions as their arrival at a rain-drenched Sydney.
Camilla went ahead of her husband, who chatted to dignitaries for a few minutes before joining his wife at the top of the steps and they both waved goodbye to the Pacific nation.
A new official portrait of Their Majesties was released on the Royal Family social channels on Saturday night to mark their state visit to Samoa, taken by Getty royal photographer Chris Jackson on a beach on Friday morning.
Accompanying the new pictures, the King and Queen said: “As our visits to Australia and Samoa come to a close, my wife and I would like to thank both nations for the warmest of welcomes and for the countless fond memories we will carry in our hearts for many years to come.
“Even when we are far apart in distance, the many close connections that unite us across the globe and through our Commonwealth family have been renewed, and will remain as profound as they are enduring. Charles R. and Camilla R.”
The Queen is understood to have been an unwavering support to her husband throughout the exhausting tour.
“The King gets great strength from the Queen being there, not least because when she keeps it real,” a senior Palace official said.
Charles and Camilla spent three nights in Samoa where Charles officially opened his first CHOGM since becoming Head of the so-called family of nations.
He packed in a busy schedule of up to 10 engagements in a day, as he was determined to go ahead with the trip despite his diagnosis.
A Senior Palace aide said: “I think it is a great testament to the King’s devotion to service and duty that he was prepared to come this far and he was incredibly happy and very, very determined to do so.”
The King and Queen’s final morning was met with heavy downpours (Image: Getty)
The King also continued to receive important documents in the famous red boxes which had been flown in for him to sort through with his Private Secretary.
But the couple also enjoyed some time for rest and relaxation in the beautiful locations they stayed in, going for short walks and reading. Though one source joked: “The King considers reading his briefs as downtime.”
It is understood that the workaholic King resisted attempts by aides to lighten the schedule, as he believes looking after his “mind, body and soul” is important to his overall recovery.
The senior aide added: “It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis, and he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul.
“This combination works very well on a visit like this, because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged, and then the doctor is here to make sure that his body is properly looked after.
“You’ve got what makes for a very successful visit in these circumstances.”
King Charles gave an impromptu speech on his final day in Samoa (Image: Getty)
The King and Queen are understood to have greatly enjoyed their six days in Australia and four days in Samoa and are keen to travel more of the world next year.
In his speech at a dinner on the last night of his stay, Charles spoke of his lifelong aspiration to visit every country in the Commonwealth.
“It remains a lifelong aspiration to have visited all the countries of the Commonwealth,” he told guests at an official dinner for the Commonwealth Heads of Government.
“Although nowadays it seems to be a race against our rapidly increasing numbers – as well as doctors orders.”
His first viist to Australia since his accession has also been widely hailed as a success, with local press celebrating the visit and Palace aides congratluating a job well done.
Charles made sure he was addressing potential issues and topics head on, with the senior palace aide adding: “It’s very easy to run away from some of these issues. But the King isn’t one for doing that.
“He is always someone who wants to understand before he says anything. He’s a listener more than he’s a talker.”
Queen Camilla burst into a fit of giggles as the torrential rain came down (Image: Getty)
The King is keen to leave a legacy from each of his tours, which is why he launched the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme in Samoa on Thursday.
It will offer fellowships to mid-career professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhDs, to candidates based in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
It has been inspired by His Majesty’s life’s work to create opportunity and to tackle contemporary challenges including climate change and inequality.
“The idea of these tours always is to leave a trace behind,” a senior palace officials said.
“And that was why the king was very keen that those legacy projects should be launched while we were here.”
As the Palace gears up for Spring and Autumn tours next year we can expect more legacy projects to be announced as the King aims to build on his four C’s: climate, community, culture and Commonwealth.
EXCLUSIVE: A royal expert was critical of Prince Harry’s latest move which coincided with King Charles and Queen Camilla’s royal tour.
Prince Harry has been accused by a royal expert of “seizing the limelight” from the Royal Family with his latest move.
The Duke of Sussex’s memoir, Spare, was released in paperback in the UK on Thursday, more than a year and a half after its original release in January 2023.
While the paperback edition contains no new material, its release has coincided with King Charles and Queen Camilla’s royal tour in Australia and Samoa.
Now a royal expert said that Spare’s paperback release will be seen by some as another “example” of the Sussex couple “seizing the limelight”.
Harry and Meghan have been previously been criticised for making announcements or appearances that clash with the royal schedule.
Prince Harry was criticised by a royal expert over the paperback release of Spare (Image: Getty)
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “It is open to question whether Harry chose the date of the release of his memoir, Spare, or whether its publishers Random House, decided on it.
“However, it is inconvenient, to put it mildly, that it is in the middle of a highly significant royal tour for King Charles.
“Some will see this as an example of the Sussexes, once again, seizing the limelight.”
He also noted that the new book features no new material against the royals and that the Duke of Sussex will not be giving any interviews to promote it.
Spare was released in paperback this week (Image: Getty)
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “If he had, the optics, given that the memoir paints the Royal Family in a highly pejorative light, would have been terrible as the King and the Princess of Wales are both battling cancer.”
There is no proof to suggest the release of Spare’s paperback edition was planned around the royal tour or that the duke had any say in it.
The royal commentator continued: “The hardback was a global best-seller, with more than six million copies sold and it was a global number one. The paperback will make it more easily accessible. This is a book which should never have been written.”
King Charles, currently on a tour of the South Pacific including Australia and Samoa, is planning two major overseas tours next year despite his ongoing cancer fight
Royal doctors have green-lit the King’s return to a full programme of events next year, including two major overseas tours.
Charles, despite his ongoing cancer fight, is fully behind plans for high profile tours in the spring and autumn, with Canada one possible destination.
At times, the King, 75, has looked weary during his nine-day visit to Australia and Samoa with the Queen. It came to a close yesterday with a traditional Ava ceremony. The heavens opened in the Samoan village of Siumu as Charles and Camilla were given pink garland necklaces and seated on beige leather thrones.
Charles was honoured with the chiefly title of To’aiga-O-Tumua, as he and Camilla were presented with sacred Ava in coconut shells with straws. “May God bless this Ava,” said Charles as he lifted the cup and drank.
He also delivered a pointed reference to his illness, saying: “I shall always remain devoted to this part of the world and hope I survive long enough to come back again and see you.”
The King has been having weekly cancer treatment since his diagnosis in February. He reduced his usual duties over the summer to rest ahead of his trip Down Under. A Palace official said: “We’re now working on a pretty normal-looking, full overseas tour programme for next year, which is a high for us to end on, to know that we can be thinking in those terms.”
The royals at the farewell ceremony in Samoa(
Image: Getty Images)
Before the tour, the Mirror revealed the King was following a strict new health regime, including “immersing himself in nature” and spending time with loved ones.
Alongside the Queen doing up to 10 engagements a day, the palace source said: “It is also a great measure of the way that the King is dealing with the diagnosis, and he’s a great believer in mind, body and soul. This combination works very well on a visit like this, because he feels that sense of duty so strongly that to keep his mind and his soul engaged.”
During the tour, onlookers remarked how “exhausted” the King looked, as he no doubt battled jet lag and the humid weather in both Australia and Samoa. His condition did appear to improve as he seemed to cope with the time difference and get some down time by reading a “good book” and even swimming with the Queen in Samoa.
Ahead of the tour, the King’s senior aides reached out to representatives of the Australian Republican Movement to assure campaigners that Charles would not stand in the way of nations who, in the future, may choose to cut ties with the monarchy.
Charles undertook engagements with a number of Aboriginal elders and spoke of his respect for their culture throughout the generations.
The palace official said: “It is hard to overstate the joy that the King takes from duty and service, being in public and seeing those crowds. The idea of these tours always is to leave a trace behind, and that was why the King was very keen that those legacy projects should be launched while we were here.
“He has genuinely loved this tour. It has lifted his spirits, his mood and his recovery. In that sense, the tour –despite its demands – has been the perfect tonic.” As they left Samoa, Charles and Camilla posted on social media: “My wife and I would like to thank both nations for the warmest of welcomes and for the countless fond memories we will carry in our hearts for many years to come.
“The many close connections that unite us… through our Commonwealth family have been renewed, and will remain as profound as they are enduring.”
The royal tour of Australia and Samoa was beset by grim weather(
Image: Getty Images)
But in the Australian capital Canberra the King and Queen faced a barrage of insults from Australian Aboriginal senator, Lidia Thorpe. She accused the royals of “genocide” while shouting in a packed Parliament House: “You are not my King”. Palace sources said the monarch had been “completely unruffled” by the incident, which may have been key in the King’s mission to win hearts and minds.
One palace official said Charles had “not ducked” the issues, adding “it is very easy to run away from some of these issues. But the King isn’t one for doing that.” The official said: “He’s been around a long time. As always, kept calm, carried on. He believes free speech is the cornerstone of democracy and so everyone is entitled to their views.”
The reaction won over Australians, who came out in their hundreds to greet the royals throughout the tour, culminating in a crowd of 10,000 outside the Sydney Opera House on their last day in the country.
The royal family have wished the Princess of Wales a happy 42nd birthday, posting a new behind-the-scenes photo of Kate on the King’s coronation day.
Kate, wearing her deep blue Royal Victorian Order mantle edged in scarlet and silver bullion, and crystal and silver thread work leaf embroidery headpiece, is pictured smiling at her newly crowned father-in-law, Charles.
The scene, taken inside Buckingham Palace after the coronation, also features the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh laughing and celebrating with the King, who is wearing the Imperial State Crown, after the historic ceremony.
The image was taken by Chris Jackson of Getty Images, and follows the tradition of releasing new photographs to mark royal birthdays.
Catherine Elizabeth Middleton was born to Carole and Michael Middleton on January 9, 1982, and grew up in Berkshire with siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton.
She met and began dating Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, at St Andrews University, and married him in Westminster Abbey in 2011, becoming the Duchess of Cambridge and also a future Queen.
Just over a year into her new role as the Princess of Wales following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Kate has channelled her energy into her Shaping Us campaign, which aims to highlight and promote the significance of the formative years of a child’s life.
The British monarchy is navigating a period of significant change, particularly following Prince Harry’s relocation to sunny Montecito, California.
As Harry distances himself from royal duties, insiders suggest that he has lost an important role within his family, one that is now being filled by Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Tindall.
Mike Tindall, a former rugby star and 2003 World Cup winner, has reportedly stepped up to assume the mantle of the “fun uncle” for Prince William and Catherine’s children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
His military background and affable nature resonate with the values the monarchy seeks to promote, particularly as the royal family adapts to a changing landscape.
For years, Harry was known for his playful antics and close relationship with his niece and nephews. However, since his move to the U.S., a noticeable gap has emerged in the lives of the young royals, which Mike has more than filled. Sources close to the family indicate that Tindall’s relaxed demeanor allows him to connect with the children in a way that feels both familiar and enjoyable.
Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney are now arch rivals after their explosive Wagatha Christie court case – but Becky has a valid reason to want to watch her rival on ITV’s reality show
Rebekah Vardy might be the arch rival of Coleen Rooney but she has confessed she will tune in to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! to watch the fellow WAG follow in her footsteps.
The 42-year-old mum-of-five is married to footballer Jamie Vardy, 37, and sensationally fell out with 38-year-old Coleen – who is married to 39-year-old Wayne Rooney – in 2019 when she accused her of leaking stories about her to the press. The ladies engaged in a bitter court battle that saw their once close friendship become reduced to ash.
This year, it has been revealed that Coleen will participate in ITV’s long-running reality show, I’m A Celeb, seven years after Becky participated on the show. During her time in the jungle, Becky endured a range of revolting tasks and was the third star to get eliminated from the popularity contest – which was ultimately won by Made In Chelsea star Georgia Toffolo.
With just weeks to go before the 2024 season of I’m A Celeb begins, Becky has reportedly planned to tune in to watch the series – as have her lawyers. A report has claimed she thinks Coleen is a hypocrite for signing up to the show – and could put herself at risk of legal ramifications if she speaks about their bitter trial or makes slanderous comments about Rebekah.
Rebekah Vardy has a valid reason not to miss a second of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! this year(
Image: GC Images)
Rebekah set pulses racing as a contestant on the show in 2017(
Image: REX/Shutterstock)
A source told The Sun: “Coleen was banging on during the trial, claiming she was such a private person, and now she’s going on one of the most watched shows on television. She’s just doing what Becky has already done.” The source then claims: “Becky hopes that she does talk about Wagatha Christie, because it will be a major payday for her.” The Mirror has contacted representatives of both Rebekah and Coleen for comment.
Reality show fans were stunned earlier this month when it was reported Coleen had signed up to be a contestant on the 2024 season of I’m A Celeb. While her salary was not revealed, reports claimed she would become the highest paid star to ever feature on the show – earning more than politician Nigel Farage who was paid a reported £1.5 million to appear on the show last year.
A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: “I’m A Celeb bosses have pulled off a huge coup getting Coleen for the jungle this year and the team are thrilled to have her on board.
“Coleen has a huge fanbase and she won massive plaudits for her classy handling of the Wagatha Christie case. She’s excited to show fans a different side to her and prove she can survive without her creature comforts.” When Becky appeared on the show in 2017, she was reportedly paid £100,000 for her time in the jungle.
Denise Welch has opened up about how she was scammed of thousands of pounds after making a huge error – and is warning others not to do the same
Denise Welch has been scammed of thousands of pounds after making a huge error – and is warning others not to do the same.
The Loose Women star has opened up about being scammed by a phone call, where she lost £2000 when she picked up the phone convinced she was talking to the Barclays fraud squad – but it was actually an impersonator.
Denise appeared on Good Morning Britain today, where she chatted to hosts Ranvir Singh and Ed Balls about her own experiences, hoping that it could help others and stop them going through something similar.
When asked what one thing people should have in their minds if they’re worried about this happening to them, Denise said: “In my opinion, do not give your information to anybody unless you can somehow be 100% sure. Ring them back. Anybody that’s calling you, even though you may have spoken to that person before, say, do you know something? You’ve called me.”
Denise chatted with Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh on Good Morning Britain today(
Image: ITV)
Recalling what happened, Denise explained she was busy at the time she got the phone call and panicked.
She added: “It was a few years ago, it was pre pandemic, and I was rehearsing a show – Calendar Girls: The Musical. We weren’t supposed to look at our phones or take personal phone calls. We all have a sneaky look. And there was Barclays.
“I went out, took the phone call and they said, it’s the fraud squad. They said there was some fraudulent activity going on with your card, and we want to put a stop to it. And I had absolutely zero doubt that I was talking to the fraud department from my bank because it had come up under the headline of Barclays that I had put into my phone.”
Revealing how she was taken in by the man, she admitted it wasn’t until the fifth call when she made the mistake.
She explained: “I was talking to this chap called Michael. I remember him, he was obviously very personable. And I went through, over a series of about four phone calls, all of the information you are duly expected to give. It was my full name, my date of birth, my address and postcode and my mother’s maiden name – again, didn’t hesitate because it said Barclays.
“So over about four phone calls, Michael had become my best friend. He said it was taking a long time to do this because this was a fraud that was potentially going to be bigger than they thought. This is where anybody watching this will be shouting, well, that’s on you. How stupid of you. They then said, on about the fifth phone call, we’re going to have to ask for your four digit pin.”
“Now, even I know that you don’t give your pin away, but because I was talking to the fraud department at Barclays, I did. And the next day, I mentioned this to my husband, who went absolutely spare,” she recalled.
Jane McDonald opened up about her late partner Eddie Roathe in a rerun of Jane McDonald: Cruising USA, which was filmed prior to his passing in 2021.
In one segment of the repeated episode of Jane McDonald: Cruising USA, the former cruise ship singer indulged herself with a chocolate body scrub at the spa.
“This feels wrong,” Jane confessed as the therapist applied the chocolate scrub. “You know what it feels like? It feels indulgent and it feels slightly naughty but also fabulous.
“I have never been smothered in chocolate, saying that we are lucky to get pond cream in the chemist in my day.”
Referring to her late fiance Eddie, she quipped: “My old man is in for a treat, I’ll get the Nutella out when I get home.”
Jane pictured with her late partner Eddie Roathe before he died
Jane’s partner Eddie died at the age of 67 following a battle with lung cancer.
The pair had known each other since their teenage years but reconnected later in life.
Jane and Eddie rekindled their romance in the early noughties and got engaged in 2008.
Jane made a racy admission during the repeat episode
In a past interview, Jane discussed whether she was ready to find love after Eddie’s death.
She told MailOnline: “I’m not bothered. I’m really not. I don’t feel like I need someone in my life to make it fulfilled.”
The Loose Women panel were chatting about accents when Denise Welch was shown a clip of herself in her early twenties, as she compared herself to Antiques Roadshow star Fiona Bruce
Loose Women’s Denise Welch caused a stir on the ITV daytime show this week as she looked completely unrecognisable.
On Monday’s instalment of the programme (July 29), Denise was chatting about accents and how she’s always criticised for sounding “posh” rather than having a Geordie accent. She insisted that despite being from the North East, she’s never had the strong accent.
To prove her point, Denise insisted show bosses show a clip of her aged just 23 – speaking in a very similar way to how she sounds currently, but looking completely different. Denise was presenting a segment at the time, with long blonde curls eased into an elegant up-do atop her head.
Denise Welch looked totally unlike her usual self(
Image: ITV)She said: “Everybody seems to think that because I’m from the North East, I used to talk like Gazza. So whenever I do anything, if I’m on GMB or an interview show, they always say on Twitter or whatever ‘Oh my God, it’s pathetic, she’s completely lost her Geordie accent.’”
She went on to say: “I’ve found a clip, which I think we’ve got, of me when I was 23 where I sound more like bloomin’ Fiona Bruce than I do like Gazza.”
In the clip, Denise told viewers in a very posh accent: “Local radio is one of the most enduring media institutions this country has. All over the nation, an endless flow of news, events, weather, and music streams out and much more.
Denise Welch looked totally unrecognisable in a throwback
“Here in the North East, we’re particularly well off with commercial radio, BBC and community radio all providing their own particular blend of information and entertainment. From first light to through the night, the music keeps on coming.”
Her co-star Judi Love wailed: “Who is she?!” as Denise said: “The proof is in the peas pudding.”
Denise admitted after every TV show appearance she gets comments criticising her accent – something that happened on Monday after starring on Good Morning Britain. She’d chatted to hosts Ranvir Singh and Ed Balls about a phone scam she fell victim to when the tweets flooded in.
The Loose Women panel couldn’t believe the differenceOne viewer questioned: “Why does Denise Welch put on this posh accent?” as another echoed: “Denise Welch has lost her Geordie accent I see…”
Now fans can’t get enough of how much Denise has changed – with one viewer even guessing the throwback clip was made with artificial intelligence. One tweeter commented: “I bet that’s AI of Denise, she does try to speak posh at times, she’s such a liar!”
Someone else said: “Denise with hair, who even is she?”
