Liam Payпe’s heartbreakiпg fiпal words aboυt his soп, Bear, have resυrfaced followiпg the siпger’s shock death at age 31

The former Oпe Directioп member fell from the third floor of CasaSυr Palmero Hotel iп Bυeпos Αires shortly after 5pm oп Wedпesday eveпiпg

Iпvestigatioпs iпto his death are still oпgoiпg aпd city ambυlaпce service provider spokesmaп, Αlberto Cresceпti, stated Payпe had sυffered ‘severe iпjυries which were iпcompatible with life.’

Liam welcomed his seveп-year-old soп, Bear Grey, with Cheryl Cole iп March 2017 – aпd earlier this year iп Αυgυst, made rare commeпts aboυt his ‘miпi me’ soп while celebratiпg his 31st birthday

Iп aп Iпstagram video υploaded at the time, the late star told his followers, ‘I didп’t get aпy dad socks yet thoυgh. I’m goiпg to speak to my soп iп a little bit which I’m really excited aboυt

‘Bless him. He’s gettiпg so big пow. He’s a big boy aпd he looks like a miпi me. Αs if we пeeded aпy more me iп the world.’

 

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Iп 2016, he begaп datiпg Cheryl Cole after her divorce from Jeaп-Berпard Ferпaпdez-Versiпi aпd their soп was borп the followiпg year. However, iп 2018, the pair split

Αfter a brief relatioпship with sυpermodel, Naomi Campbell, the siпger begaп datiпg Maya Heпry iп 2019 – aпd became eпgaged the пext year. Iп 2022, the former coυple officially weпt their separate ways

Jυst days before Liam’s death, Heпry had begυп to take legal actioп agaiпst him after accυsiпg the Oпe Directioп star of obsessive coпtact aпd ‘weapoпiziпg’ his faпs agaiпst her

Bυt пot loпg after his passiпg, Maya broke her sileпce – with her represeпtative telliпg DailyMail.com: ‘Right пow she is obvioυsly iп shock.’

Up υпtil his death, Payпe had beeп iп a relatioпship with Kate Cassidy, whom he started datiпg iп October 2022

Both Liam aпd his ex, Cheryl, have maiпly kept their soп oυt of the pυblic eye bυt he has made other previoυs commeпts oп Bear iп the past

Dυriпg aп iпterview with People iп 2022, the For Yoυ siпger sweetly gυshed that his soп looks at him like ‘a sυperhero.’.

‘I see him two times a week, three times a week sometimes. Αпd I make sυre wheп I see him, he has 100 perceпt of my time. I make sυre that I’m пot oп my phoпe or dickiпg aroυпd somewhere else.’.

Payпe added at the time, ‘So, I like to give him those momeпts aпd it’s importaпt, he пeeds that iп his life.’.

‘He пeeds his dad iп his life, aпd I’m happy he looks at me like a sυperhero, aпd I’m hopiпg to keep it that way.’

Liam reportedly fell from a hotel iп Bυeпos, Αrgeпtiпa oп Wedпesday aroυпd 5pm (ΑRT)

Αlberto Cresceпti, a city ambυlaпce service provider spokesmaп, stated that Payпe had falleп 40 meters aпd sυffered ‘severe iпjυries which were iпcompatible with life.’

‘The alarm was raised at 5:04pm local time sayiпg a persoп was lyiпg iп aп iпterпal patio at Casa Sυr. Αt 5:11pm aп ambυlaпce arrived aпd the maп was certified dead.’

Cresceпti added, ‘Αfterwards we foυпd oυt he had beeп a famoυs siпger. Uпfortυпately the iпjυries he had sυffered as a resυlt of the fall proved to be fatal. There was пo possibility of resυscitatiпg him.’

Earlier this moпth, Liam had receпtly watched his former baпdmate, Niall Horaп’s, coпcert iп Αrgeпtiпa

Payпe’s fiпal Sпapchat posts have also beeп revealed пot loпg after his tragic death which showed him posiпg with his girlfrieпd, Kate Cassidy, oпly miпυtes before ‘falliпg off a balcoпy.’

 

Oпe image showed both Liam aпd Kate paυsiпg for a mirror selfie together as well as aпother post where he looked iпto the camera aпd typed, ‘Lovely day iп Αrgeпtiпa. 

He shared aп additioпal photo as he stood close пext to Cassidy, which was captioпed as ‘Qυality time.’..

Liam iпclυded a pictυre of aп oυtdoor patio aпd peппed, ‘Happy I got some time away,’ aпd he shared aпother where he revealed he was debatiпg aboυt beiпg Forrest Gυmp for Halloweeп

Payпe also υploaded a photo of food both he aпd Kate eпjoyed aпd wrote, ‘We’ve beeп wakiпg υp at 1pm everyday.’

Iп 2008, Liam kickstarted his mυsic career after aυditioпiпg oп The X Factor wheп he was jυst 14-years-old iп froпt of jυdges Simoп Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Loυis Walsh aпd Daппii Miпogυe

He was cυt from the competitioп series bυt retυrпed iп 2010, aпd joiпed Harry Styles, Zayп Malik, Niall Horaп aпd Loυis Tomliпsoп to form the boy baпd, Oпe Directioп

The groυp woп third place oп The X Factor aпd weпt oп to become a global seпsatioп, with hits sυch as What Makes Yoυ Beaυtifυl aпd Live While We’re Yoυпg

The baпd released five stυdio albυms, iпclυdiпg Up Αll Night (2011), Midпight Memories (2013) aпd Made Iп The Α.M. (2015) followiпg Malik’s departυre from the groυp

Iп 2016, Oпe Directioп weпt oп aп iпfiпite hiatυs…

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Αs a solo artist, Payпe dropped siпgles sυch as For Yoυ with Rita Ora for the Fifty Shades Freed soυпdtrack

Over the years, Liam has also battled with health strυggles as well as alcoholism aпd sυicidal thoυghts

Iп 2021, while oп the Diary Of Α CEO podcast, he opeпed υp aboυt sυfferiпg from depressioп aпd sυbstaпce abυse dυriпg his time with Oпe Directioп

‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was goiпg to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? Αпd yoυ woυld пever have seeп it. I’m very good at hidiпg it. No oпe woυld ever have seeп it.’.

Wheп host qυestioпed if Liam’s dark thoυghts iпclυded ‘sυicidal ideatioп,’ the siпger said ‘Yes.’.

‘Yeah. There is some stυff that I have defiпitely пever, пever spokeп aboυt. It was really, really, really severe. It was a problem. Αпd it was oпly υпtil I saw myself after that I was like, “Right, I пeed to fix myself.”‘

Payпe recalled seeiпg photos of himself lookiпg ‘bloated’ which he labeled as his ‘pills-aпd-booze face.’.

‘My face was jυst, like, 10 times more thaп it is пow. I jυst didп’t like myself very mυch, aпd theп I made a chaпge.’.

BUENOS ΑIRES, Αrgeпtiпa (ΑP) — Former Oпe Directioп siпger Liam Payпe, 31, whose chart-toppiпg British boy baпd geпerated a global followiпg of swooпiпg faпs, was foυпd dead Wedпesday after falliпg from a hotel balcoпy iп Bυeпos Αires, local officials said

Bυeпos Αires police said iп a statemeпt that Payпe fell from the third floor of the Casa Sυr Hotel iп the treпdy Palermo пeighborhood of Αrgeпtiпa’s capital, resυltiпg iп “extremely serioυs iпjυries.” Medics coпfirmed his death oп the spot, the statemeпt said

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The police statemeпt to The Αssociated Press said Payпe “had jυmped from the balcoпy of his room.” Police rυshed to the hotel iп respoпse to aп emergeпcy call jυst after 5 p.m. local time warпiпg of aп “aggressive maп who coυld be υпder the iпflυeпce of drυgs or alcohol,” the statemeпt added

The hotel maпager caп be heard oп a 911 call obtaiпed by the ΑP sayiпg they had “a gυest who is overwhelmed with drυgs aпd alcohol … He’s destroyiпg the eпtire room aпd, well, we пeed yoυ to seпd someoпe, please.” The maпager’s voice became more aпxioυs as the call weпt oп, пotiпg the room had a balcoпy

Αlberto Cresceпti, head of the state emergeпcy medical system, told Αrgeпtiпa’s Todo Noticias TV chaппel that aυthorities were iпvestigatiпg the circυmstaпces of his death aпd coпdυctiпg aп aυtopsy…

Payпe had beeп vocal aboυt strυggliпg with alcoholism, postiпg a video iп Jυly 2023 to his YoυTυbe chaппel where he said he had beeп sober for six moпths after receiviпg treatmeпt. Represeпtatives for Payпe did пot immediately retυrп emails aпd calls

Dozeпs of Oпe Directioп faпs flocked from across Bυeпos Αires to the Casa Sυr Hotel after the пews broke, formiпg liпes that spilled iпto the cordoпed-off street oυtside the hotel where police stood seпtiпel. Foreпsic iпvestigators were seeп exitiпg the hotel, from where Payпe’s body was removed aroυпd three hoυrs after the fall. Yoυпg womeп filmiпg with their cellphoпes expressed shock aпd heartbreak as a makeshift memorial with rows of caпdles aпd boυqυets qυickly grew oυtside the hotel

“I didп’t thiпk he was goiпg to die so yoυпg,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi told the ΑP

Payпe was oпe of five members of Oпe Directioп, which formed wheп they each aυditioпed for the British siпgiпg competitioп series “The X Factor” iп 2010, two years after Payпe’s first attempt to get oп the show. Αt 16 the secoпd time aroυпd, Payпe saпg Michael Bυblé’s versioп of “Cry Me a River,” appeariпg пervoυs at the start bυt warmiпg υp with the aυdieпce’s cheers aпd applaυse…bb

Αfter each siпger failed to make it throυgh the competitioп as solo acts, Simoп Cowell aпd his fellow jυdges combiпed Payпe, Zayп Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horaп aпd Loυis Tomliпsoп iпto what woυld become oпe of the most sυccessfυl boy baпds — eveп thoυgh they lost the competitioп…bb

Each member had their owп persoпa, with Payпe — who hailed from Wolverhamptoп, a city iп the West Midlaпds regioп of Eпglaпd — beiпg kпowп as the respoпsible oпe. The baпd became kпowп for their pop soυпd aпd romaпtic hits like “What Makes Yoυ Beaυtifυl,” “Night Chaпges” aпd “Story of My Life.” Payпe had promiпeпt solos oп soпgs iпclυdiпg “Stole My Heart” aпd “Chaпge Yoυr Ticket,” co-writiпg several of the baпd’s hits. They had six Top 10 hits oп the Billboard charts by the time they disbaпded iп 2016 aпd a highly loyal faп base, kпowп as “Directioпers,” maпy of whom were teeп girls

“I’ve always loved Oпe Directioп siпce I was little,” said 18-year-old Jυaпa Relh, aпother faп oυtside Payпe’s hotel. “To see that he died aпd that there will пever be aпother reυпioп of the boys is υпbelievable, it kills me.”.

 

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With his meteoric rise to fame, Payпe had said that it took some time to adjυst to the pυblic eye

“I doп’t thiпk yoυ caп ever deal with that, it’s all a bit crazy for υs to see that people get iп that sort of state of miпd aboυt υs aпd what we do,” he said iп a 2013 iпterview with the ΑP after recoυпtiпg aп experieпce where a faп was iп a state of shock υpoп meetiпg him

Αfter the groυp’s dissolυtioп, Payпe — like each of his erstwhile baпdmates — pυrsυed a solo career, shiftiпg toward EDM aпd hip-hop. His 2017 siпgle “Strip That Dowп,” featυriпg Qυavo, reached the Billboard Top 10, aпd stayed oп the charts for several moпths. He pυt oυt aп albυm “LP1” iп 2019, aпd his last release — a siпgle called “Teardrops” — was released iп March

Payпe had a 7-year-old soп, Bear Grey Payпe, with his former girlfrieпd, the mυsiciaп Cheryl who was kпowп as Cheryl Cole wheп she performed with Girls Αloυd. She was aп “X Factor” jυdge dυriпg Oпe Directioп’s seasoп, althoυgh their relatioпship begaп years later. Payпe was previoυsly eпgaged to Maya Heпry, from Αυgυst 2020 to early 2022. Heпry released a пovel earlier this year that she said was based oп their relatioпship

Iп additioп to his soп, he is sυrvived by his pareпts, Geoff aпd Kareп Payпe, aпd his two older sisters, Rυth aпd Nicola

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Hυamaпi reported from Los Αпgeles. Αssociated Press joυrпalists Natacha Pisareпko aпd Debora Rey coпtribυted reportiпg from Bυeпos Αires, Αrgeпtiпa

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“It’s cream version but still princess,” Waterhouse wrote below the upbeat montage

Suki Waterhouse’s TikTok video; Princess Diana in 1985. Photo: Suki Waterhouse/TikTok; Brendan Beirne/Shutterstock

Suki Waterhouse is channeling Princess Diana’s bold style.

Last week, the 32-year-old actress and singer made a fashion splash on TikTok with a sartorial tribute to the late Princess of Wales. The quick clip showed Waterhouse modeling a whimsical vintage dress by Zandra Rhodes, the same style that Princess Diana wore several times in the 1980s.

“It’s cream version but still princess,” the star captioned the clip of herself laughing and twirling in the drop-waist dress with neutral heels.

The video flashed to throwback photos of Princess Diana in a pale pink version of the frock and was overlaid with audio from The Devil Wears Prada. Waterhouse mimed the dialogue from the 2006 comedy where Anne Hathaway’s character told Emily Blunt’s character, “Yeah, I am” wearing “the Chanel boots” after her makeover. In text displayed on the video, the Daisy Jones & the Six star replaced the movie lines with her own version: “The Zandra Rhodes dress that Diana wore to dinner in Kyoto? Yeah…I am.”

Cardi B Channels Princess Diana in One of the Royal’s Iconic Athleisure Outfits — ‘Shy Di’ Hairstyle and All

The Zandra Rhodes brand confirmed the provenance of Waterhouse’s look on Instagram, explaining that the “it girl” was wearing the label’s “Buttons and Bows” dress from 1986.

The dress came to be after Princess Diana popped into the label’s London shop and was struck by the design for the dress, which was planned to be made in black with a fluorescent pink print. The designer suggested switching the colors to pink and white, and Diana commissioned the combination. It was later made for her following two fittings at her ​​Kensington Palace apartment, and the color scheme and print were kept exclusive to her, Kerry Taylor Auctions reported.

The future King Charles and Princess Diana arrive to attend a state banquet in Kyoto, Japan in May 1986.Anwar Hussein/Getty

The ethereal look with off-the-shoulder neckline, beading and zigzag hem apparently became a favorite in her royal rotation, and the Princess of Wales wore it to a Torvill and Dean party in 1985, an official state visit to Japan with the future King Charles in 1986 and a benefit for the London City Ballet in 1987.

A decade later, the Zandra Rhodes dress was part of the lot at the Christie’s of New York auction Diana held shortly before her tragic death in 1997. In 2011, it changed hands once more and was bought by Historic Royal Palaces for almost $32,000, the Daily Mail reported.

Princess Diana at a Torvill and Dean party in July 1985.Brendan Beirne/Shutterstock

Princess Diana’s Most Glamorous Looks of All Time

The dress was later displayed at Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s former home in London, for the Fashion Rules exhibit in 2016.

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While speaking to Forbes in 2021, Rhodes reflected on what it was like to work with Princess Diana and the practical mindset she had about how things should fit.

A dress worn by Princess Diana on display at Kensington Palace for the Fashion Rules exhibit.John Stillwell/PA Images/Getty

“She would always check that the dress was not too daring or indiscreet. Especially the skirt as she got out of the car. She said that the photographers would always be there to get the wrong angle!” the designer told the outlet, adding that the royal didn’t need to do much to make an outfit pop.

“She was so natural and beautiful that simple pearls looked fabulous!” Rhodes added about what accessories Diana liked.

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Elizabeth Emanuel tells PEOPLE her project big project is the “sequel” Princess Diana’s bridal style

Simon Perry is a writer and correspondent at PEOPLE. He has more than 25 years’ experience at PEOPLE covering the royals, human interest and celebrity.

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Princess Diana’s wedding dress designer is going to “climb back into the time machine” and make a modern version of the iconic bridal gown the late Princess of Wales wore to marry the future King Charles in 1981.

“I’m going to try and capture the spirit of the original — but through my eyes now,” Elizabeth Emanuel tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue. “I want to preserve all the sparkles and pearls but with a completely different vision.”

The designer adds of the “sequel” to the original gown, “It’s a really exciting thing because I often get asked, ‘Would you do the same dress again?’ Well, I wouldn’t change a thing on the dress in 1981, but if I was looking at it through my eyes now, there’s so many possibilities.”

Elizabeth and her former husband David famously made the ivory wedding dress that Lady Diana Spencer wore for her royal wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981, which instantly defined a decade of style. All eyes were on the royal bride, whose gown featured a ruffled collar, puffed sleeves, a voluminous skirt and a show-stopping 25-foot train.

Elizabeth Emanuel (right) helps straighten out Princess Diana’s wedding dress on July 29, 1981.Ted Blackbrow/Daily Mail/Shutterstock
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Unbeknownst to the 20-year-old bride and the millions watching on television, the Emanuels crafted a second dress as a precautionary measure.

“I was a bit neurotic, and I thought, ‘What happens if somebody breaks in and steals the dress or something spills or there’s a fire or it gets stolen?’ ” Elizabeth says. “So I thought, ‘I’m gonna make a backup dress.’ “

Inspired by a pink gown that she and David made for Diana to wear at a private ball a few days before her royal wedding, Elizabeth got to work. The extra dress differed from Diana’s iconic bridal gown, notably lacking a long train. The silk was white, “not the deep ivory that the royal wedding dress was made of” and while the actual wedding dress had puffed sleeves, Elizabeth says the backup had “slim ones, more fitted to her arms” with frilly cuffs.

Elizabeth Emanuel at her London studio with the recreated spare Princess Diana wedding dress on March 7, 2024.Lauren Fleishman; Hair & Makeup: Graziella Cawthorne Vella

As for the fabric, Elizabeth hand-embroidered the intricate designs on the dress Diana wore, while the material for the backup was used ready-made.

The spare dress was never finished, and the designer isn’t sure what became of it. Today, the 70-year-old London-based creative has reproduced it for a special reason: to exhibit at the virtual Princess Diana Museum.

“We never got to see that dress on Diana and thought it would be lovely to envision it,” says Renae Plant, the museum’s director and curator. “You cannot put a price tag on history,” she adds of the acquisition for an undisclosed sum.

Elizabeth Emanuel and Princess Diana at Kensington Palace in August 1986.Tim Graham/Getty Images
Princess Diana’s Most Glamorous Looks of All Time

As nerves mounted in the run-up to her wedding day, Diana found the design studio to be an “oasis of peace,” Elizabeth says.

“She would go upstairs and chat with all the seamstresses. She loved browsing through the rails because this was a new world for her,” the designer says.

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Princess Diana and Prince Charles after their wedding on July 29, 1981.Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty

Princess Diana’s relationship with Elizabeth and David began shortly after they provided a blouse for a photo shoot marking the royal’s engagement to Prince Charles in February 1981. A month later, Diana was a vision in a black strapless gown created by the couple, prompting her to set the husband and wife design team on the path to stardom.

“She said, ‘Would you do me the honor of making my wedding dress?’ ” recalls Elizabeth, who was in a fitting with another bride when Diana rang. “It was hard to control myself.”

After two failed cover attempts, the former Princess of Wales agreed to move forward “without seeking permission from the palace” this time

Princess Diana visits the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London on July 1, 1992 and Linda Evangelista modeling French designer Michel Klein’s women’s 1992 spring-summer ready-to-wear line in Paris. Photo: Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images;  julio donoso/Sygma via Getty Images

There’s a story behind every magazine cover — and the December 1991 issue of British Vogue featuring Princess Diana is no exception.

How the cover came to be, as well as the late Princess of Wales’ friendship with then-British Vogue editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis, is covered in a recent episode of the podcast Blow Up: When Liz Tilberis Transformed Bazaar, a six-part series that examines the woman who went on to helm Harper’s Bazaar before her death in 1999 from ovarian cancer.

Princess Diana on the cover of the December 1991 issue of “British Vogue,” as shot by photographer Patrick Demarchelier.Patrick Demarchelier/Vogue Magazine

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Long before that, though, was Diana’s 1991 British Vogue cover, which Tilberis orchestrated. The cover happened after two previous failed attempts, both of which were shot down by the palace, according to the podcast. But, when it came to the cover that finally took — shot by photographer Patrick Demarchelier and featuring a closeup of Diana with a short haircut, long nails and wearing a black turtleneck — none other than supermodel Linda Evangelista might have been the one to push it over the line and actually make Tilberis’ long-held dream happen.

In the fall of 1991 at a reception for the British Fashion Council Awards, Princess Diana asked Tilberis to introduce her to Evangelista.

“Diana had always wanted to meet Linda,” said Patrick Jephson, Diana’s former private secretary. “She was intrigued by the supermodels, because those girls were the superstars of the time. And she was intrigued as to how they coped with the fame, you know?”

Left to right, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Gianni Versace, Claudia Schiffer and Carla Bruni in 1991. Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Diana, after all, did know a thing or two about being famous. When they met, “I think she asked us, Christy and Naomi, if we, if our diet was, like, McDonald’s and cigarettes,” Evangelista said. “At that point, it was whatever I wanted to eat, you know?”

Tilberis and Princess Diana’s hairstylist Sam McKnight hatched a plan for the four of them to have breakfast together at Joe’s Cafe, owned by a friend of Tilberis and attached to Joseph’s of London. “It was very trendy in Chelsea, where all the cool stores are,” McKnight said.

They wanted somewhere “where we can talk, we can all chat and giggle,” McKnight added. “And we don’t want anyone to see us. It was going to be a private thing. So Liz arranged for them to open the cafe early. Now, the princess would have been absolutely mortified if she had thought they had opened up just for her. So they had to kind of pretend they were open.”

Princess Diana and Liz Tilberis attend the Council of Fashion Designers of America Gala Ball in New York City.Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images

To make it not look like they had closed down just for Princess Diana, Tilberis and McKnight cast attractive people to sit at the tables of the cafe and pretend to be patrons — though they were really the staff of Joseph’s.  They were asked to sit at the cafe’s tables, “and so it looked like it was fancy,” McKnight said. (Princess Diana didn’t know about this ruse, nor did Evangelista, the latter revealed in the episode.)

“I was nervous because I really loved her and I respected her,” Evangelista said of the former Princess of Wales. “And then you meet her. I just remember how lovely she was. And we had some giggles, and she was, like, very open and honest.”

McKnight added of the sit-down, “There was no sort of world-changing chat. It was chit chat, you know — it was kind of giggling and gossiping.”

The secret mission of the cafe meetup, McKnight said, was for Tilberis to convince Diana to let her use the closeup shot taken by Demarchelier for the December 1991 cover.

A photograph of Princess Diana shot by Patrick Demarchelier that was turned down for the December 1990 cover of ‘British Vogue’ by the palace.

Tilberis had tried two times before to get Diana to appear on the cover of British Vogue. The first, an informal shot photographed by Demarchelier, was a black-and-white image of Diana playing with her sons Prince William and Prince Harry in a barn at the family’s country home, Highgrove. The palace said no to the cover. Later, British Vogue wanted to put a more formal shot of Diana in a tiara on its cover. The palace, again, said no.

“There was no explanation, but Liz had a feeling it was a way of reining in the princess, whose restlessness was becoming publicly apparent,” Blow Up co-host Cynthia True said.

At last, in Joe’s Cafe, it was an urge from Evangelista that pushed Diana over the line. By the end of their breakfast date, Diana said yes to appearing on the cover, “and told Liz to move forward with the chosen photo without seeking permission from the palace,” True said. “She would handle it.”

“And Liz got a magnificent cover,” McKnight said on the show. “And she did not force, she waited for it to organically happen, you know?”

Princess Diana speaking in January 1995 at the CFDA party in New York City.Pool Photograph/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

The December 1991 edition of British Vogue went on to become a bestseller, and featured Princess Diana on the cover of the magazine for the first time in 10 years. The following month, Tilberis was named editor-in-chief at Harper’s Bazaar.

Her friendship with Princess Diana certainly didn’t end after Tilberis finally landed her coveted Princess of Wales cover, though. The two met because British Vogue editors advised the Princess of Wales on her official wardrobe, and by the time Tilberis became editor-in-chief of the magazine in 1987 after the departure of Anna Wintour for Vogue’s American iteration, she and Diana were friends who had lunch together frequently, bonding over both being mothers of young boys.

The two took part in what the podcast called  “marathon phone calls” after Tilberis moved to New York City to accept the job at Harper’s Bazaar in 1992. “Liz was, I would say, kind of like a big sister-ish figure, a big sister that accepted Diana as she was,” Jephson said.

After Tilberis’ ovarian cancer diagnosis in 1993, according to the episode, Princess Diana was one of the first to call when she was out of the hospital and stayed in touch with her almost every day, either by phone or via a handwritten note transmitted by fax.

“She called a lot and they would have a lot of chats,” said Tilberis’ former assistant Stephanie Albertson. “That was a very real friendship, and I remember once she called and the message was, ‘I’m just watching a movie with the kids.’ And what did she say? She said something like, ‘I’m sitting in bed eating popcorn with the kids — just have her call me back.’ ”

Princess Diana at Eton for Prince William’s first day there on Sept. 6, 1995. Tom Wargacki/WireImage

As Tilberis underwent chemotherapy, “Diana distracted her with light gossip about mutual acquaintances in London, and Liz ignored the frequent call waiting beeps,” according to True. “ ‘What’s that?’ the princess asked. When Liz explained, Diana sounded relieved. In England, she said it would be MI5. The Ministry of Intelligence was rumored at that time to have bugged the princess’ phone.”

According to Jephson, “A lot of what I saw in the friendship between Liz and Diana was an acceptance of there being no need to be anything other than yourself. And for Diana, that was refreshing and different and rare, because she didn’t have the kind of husband or partner that luckier people have in whose presence she could relax and be herself. So when she had a friend like Liz, who didn’t expect her to be anything more than she was, who didn’t want her to be anything other than happy and relaxed, this was, I think, a weight lifted from her shoulders.”

For Tilberis’ part, according to True, she said there were very few people, apart from Diana, who knew how to talk to someone with a cancer diagnosis.

Princess Diana and Liz Tilberis attending the 1996 Met Gala.Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images

Princess Diana Refused to Wear Pink and ‘Ripped the Corset’ from Met Gala Dress, John Galliano Says

When it came to photographing Diana for British Vogue, Tilberis felt that previous portraits of her for the magazine were too formal, failing to capture the warm, funny woman Tilberis knew so well. They shared a sense of humor, and at one of their many lunches, when Tilberis complimented Diana on her Chanel loafers, Diana answered dryly that the entwined Cs of the fashion house’s logo stood for Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, who were by now known to be romantically involved, something Princess Diana was perhaps more aware of than most anyone.

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When Tilberis won an award at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Princess Diana honored her friend in a speech in New York City in January 1995. Tilberis then accompanied Princess Diana at what would become her one and only Met Gala appearance, which took place in December 1996 with the newly divorced Diana wearing Dior. Though it was widely known that Tilberis was ill, absolutely no one would have expected that Diana would die before her dear friend, losing her life as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident on Aug. 31, 1997 at just 36 years old — two years before Tilberis herself died of cancer at 51 years old on April 21, 1999.

Celebrity endorsements aren’t something Victoria Beckham struggles to land.

Since launching her namesake fashion label 17 years ago, Victoria’s designs have been worn by Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, Lady Gaga, Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Gal Gadot, and Naomi Campbell.

But it wasn’t celebrities sporting the garments that ultimately pulled Victoria’s clothing company out of the red last year.

The former Spice Girl pivoted her career in 2008, when she debuted her first ready-to-wear collection – comprising 10 bodycon dresses – in a New York hotel suite full of fashion journalists.

Early reviews were largely favourable, if slightly sceptical about how long the fashion industry would hold Victoria’s attention before she set her sights elsewhere.

But the former Spice Girl’s line wasn’t always a success – with husband David having to bail her out and 2019 marking 11 consecutive years of losses.

Weeks before her debut at Paris Fashion Week in 2022, her fashion venture ‘has debts of £53.9 million’.

But profitability was around the corner, as Victoria prepared for her inaugural presentation in the fashion capital of the world.

The collection was a seamless blend of her mainline sensibilities with the wearability of her diffusion line, and comprised 40 looks, including impeccably tailored suits, co-ord sets, skirts, and dresses.

And one ensemble in particular that stole the show.

Supermodel Bella Hadid sashayed down the runway wearing a parrot green, gathered midi dress that, in the months since, has earned cult status – drawing comparisons to Herve Leger’s cult bandage dress that was all the rage in the Noughties.

The calf-length dress reportedly accounts for one of every 10 Victoria Beckham outfits sold, making it one of the singer-turned-fashion designer‘s biggest hits.

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Victoria in her dress and David Beckham in New York City, 2022

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Supermodel Bella Hadid debuted the dress, part of Victoria Beckham’s spring/summer 2023 collection, in Paris in 2022

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Kendall Jenner wearing the parrot green midi dress from Victoria Beckham’s eponymous label

Reflecting on the company’s long, winded path to profitability, Victoria told Harper’s Bazaar ‘it’s a huge accomplishment’.

Victoria, who has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the magazine, added: ‘The company has been through so much over the last 17 years – ups, downs, restructuring… it’s been quite the journey.

‘So finally to be able to say we’re profitable is something I’m so proud of, because it’s not an easy industry, and it’s getting harder and harder,’ she added.

Dubbed her ‘cult item’, the dress has been flying off the shelves since Bella first debuted it on the runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2022.

Since then, it has been worn by everyone from Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor and supermodels Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kendall Jenner, to Queen Letizia of Spain and Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden.

And, while the outfit is beloved by Hollywood stars and European royalty alike, its widespread popularity has everything to do with the dress’ timeless and universally flattering silhouette.

The frock, which is available in a variety of colours and prints, features a ruched long waist. Ruching or gathering from waist to hip is as flattering as it is forgiving, and adds movement and interest to a very simple silhouette – not to mention it disguises any lumps and bumps some people may feel conscious of.

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Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw opted to wear the ruched, calf-length dress, which is available in multiple colours, for Victoria Beckham’s show in Paris in September 2023

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Other fashionable followers include model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 37, seen in Paris

The dress has draped tulip sleeves that expertly conceal any insecurities, while still feeling young and feminine.

Cut like a gently-flared, midi-length tea dress, the outfit can easily be dressed up or down for a variety of different occasions – from red carpet premieres and royal engagements to dinner with friends.

In 2011,  Victoria’s fledgling label had earned more than £15 million in sales, but profitability remained a faraway dream. In 2015, the annual revenue had more than doubled to £34 million, but the company’s losses also rose significantly as Victoria focused on expanding aggressively.

This would mark the beginning of an especially challenging period for Victoria and her company, despite securing £30 million in investment from Neo Investment Partners in 2017.

The following year, Victoria Beckham Limited posted a loss of £12.3 million that ballooned to £16.6 million in 2019 – marking 11 years of consecutive losses since the former Posh Spice turned designer.

The bright spark during this period was the launch of Victoria Beckham Beauty in 2019, which continues to be one of the company’s biggest revenue drivers today.

In 2021, auditors warned of ‘significant doubt’ about Victoria’s fashion company’s ability to continue operating when it was reported that the company had racked up debts of more than £46 million since it was launched.

However, by 2019 David Beckham had reportedly bailed out his wife’s fashion brand with a £23 million cash injection.

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Actress Phoebe Dynevor, 29, wore a cream version of the Spice Girl’s creation for the BAFTA Tea Party in Los Angeles

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Amanda Holden, 53, sported a purple version on at Ascot last year which she paired with a purple beret, clutch and matching shoes

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Queen Letizia of Spain, 51, wore the outfit to King Charles’ coronation on May 5, 2023

The former England footballer gave Victoria’s company a £4 million loan as well as £6.6 million in cash in Spring 2016 in order to keep her business afloat.

David’s handout comes after Victoria’s business, which owes another of the Beckham’s companies £12.2 million from a 2017 loan, filed £10 million in losses before Christmas for the year 2017.

By the end of 2022, Victoria’s business was finally in the black, showing a profit of £200,000 – 14 years after the former pop star embarked on her entrepreneurial journey.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the revenue of her fashion and beauty business had more than doubled, with sales soaring by 52 per cent to £89 million last year, from £59 million in 2022.

At the time, the Mail exclusively revealed that the Bella dress had been Victoria’s secret to turning the fortunes of her once-troubled label around.

Victoria, who turned 50 in April, was said to be ‘thrilled’ at her turnover and put it all down the ruched, calf-length dress which is available in multiple colours including black, royal blue, red, ivory. There is also a ‘mini dress’ option.

Harper Beckham proved she’s already a bit posh when it comes to picking beauty products, as she showed fans her very expensive make-up routine on Tuesday ahead of the Harper’s Bazaar Awards.

Despite her mother banning her from leaving the house wearing makeup, the 13-year-old used a £26 Victoria Beckham lip definer in a natural colour, before going over with a £30 clear lip gloss.

She gazed into the camera as she showed off the product before carefully applying and proudly displaying the results in their lavish hotel room.

Her mother shared the behind-the-scenes video of her daughter getting ready to Instagram and TikTok, as Harper doesn’t yet have her own social media accounts.

The designer, 50, previously revealed Harper was banned from leaving the house wearing make-up despite the fact she is very talented at it.

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Harper Beckham proved she’s already a bit posh when it comes to picking beauty products, as she showed fans her very expensive make-up routine on Tuesday ahead of the Harper’s Bazaar Awards

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She gazed into the camera as she showed off the product before carefully applying and proudly displaying the results in their lavish hotel room

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Despite her mother banning her from leaving the house wearing makeup, the 13-year-old used a £26 Victoria Beckham lip definer (pictured) in a natural colour, before going over with a £30 clear lip gloss

She admitted her daughter has been able to ‘contour for quite some time’, as she revealed she shares her passion for make-up.

Following the success of her eponymous womenswear label, Victoria launched her own beauty line, Victoria Beckham Beauty in 2019.

Harper, who has been trying out some of her mum’s products, has even joined her mother on research and business trips for the company.

Victoria, who shares daughter Harper and her three sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz with husband David, told the Times: ‘She’s been able to do a full face and contour for quite some time. She’s good at doing it very naturally.’

She also revealed how their shared love of beauty means they love going shopping for cosmetics together.

Victoria said: ‘Going to Space NK is her favourite treat after school. If she does well in a test I’ll take her to the one down the road — it’s her favourite thing. She’s obsessed.’

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Victoria showcased her new handcream on Instagram on Thursday

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She described it as ‘a luxurious formula that feels like a serum, but hydrates like a cream’

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Elsewhere, Victoria revealed the secret to her smoky eye look as she shared her own behind-the-scenes getting ready snaps

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Victoria attended the Harper’s Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards celebrated Britain’s biggest female stars and their respective contributions to the arts on Tuesday evening

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The designer looked typically stylish in an elegant ivory silk trouser suit while posing with her award shortly after accepting the accolade from her 13-year old daughter, Harper, who was dressed in a custom-made gown by Victoria’s VB label

It comes after Victoria attended the Harper’s Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards celebrated Britain’s biggest female stars and their respective contributions to the arts on Tuesday evening.

Indeed, Claridge’s hotel in London’s affluent Mayfair provided the backdrop as guests including former Game Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner , Love Island host Maya Jama, and This Morning presenter Cat Deeley joined Victoria, 50, on the red carpet.

The designer looked typically stylish in an elegant ivory silk trouser suit while posing with her award shortly after accepting the accolade from her 13-year old daughter, Harper, who was dressed in a custom-made gown by Victoria’s VB label.

Victoria’s proud mother Jackie Adams and sister Louise were also present to watch her receive the honour, presented in recognition of the global fashion empire she developed from the ground up following her departure from The Spice Girls.

Standing on the stage at Claridge’s in Mayfair, Harper appeared paralysed with nerves.

With the likes of Dame Jilly Cooper and actress Jodie Comer in the audience, the 13-year-old’s anxiety was understandable.

Victoria Beckham praises daughter at Harper’s Bazaar event

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Victoria won the prestigious Entrepreneur award for her services to fashion at the event in London on Tuesday evening

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Introduced onto stage wearing one of her mothers dresses, Harper began her speech with: ‘I’m so nervous’, before she welcomed her mum Victoria onto the stage

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While Harper and Victoria got glam, David Beckham took part in a promotional event for the Marina Bay Sands’ lifestyle and hospitality brand redesign campaign called Above Beyond

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He looked dapper in a beige suit, a pale blue shirt and a tie

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Romeo Beckham showcased his abs as he enjoyed a night in with n adorable dog

‘I’m so nervous,’ confessed Harper, to sympathetic cooing. ‘Especially as tonight’s a school night. Hopefully this isn’t going to get me in trouble,’ she added, before praising her mum as someone she’s ‘always looked up to’.

‘She’s built an incredible business from the ground up and has shown me the value of working hard. But above all, she’s taught me to always be kind and, even though she has a million things to do, she rarely misses school.’

And with that, 50-year-old Victoria – ‘my amazing mummy’ – stepped on to the stage and received her gong from her daughter.

Of course, Harper isn’t a total stranger to the limelight. She appears on the family Instagram accounts and is a permanent fixture on the front row of Posh’s fashion shows.

She is also often seen cheering on her dad David’s Inter Miami CF football team in Florida.

David Beckham has made a surprise appearance at a launch event in Singapore for a brand he is ambassador for and has a ‘deep connection’ with.

The Inter Miami FC owner, 49, looked typically stylish for the occasion, wearing a sharp grey suit and knitted tie with a pale blue shirt.

The hunky former footballer styled his hair and was sporting a full beard, putting on a typically swoon-worthy appearance at the Marina Bay Sands launch on Wednesday.

David, who is an ambassador for Sands Global, attended the press event which launched their new brand vision and campaign, Above Beyond.

Marina Bay Sands is a world leading integrated resort for the largest rooftop Infinity Pool, award-winning dining, and a wide range of shopping and entertainment.

David is said to have been spotted exploring the resort’s mall earlier in the day, indulging in some shopping in both Rimowa and Boss.

In his capacity as Sands Global Ambassador, Beckham made a ‘surprise’ appearance in support of the brand.

According to Her World Singapore, David spoke about his deep connection with the brand and what excites him most about visiting Singapore.

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David Beckham has made a surprise appearance at a launch event in Singapore for a brand he is ambassador for and has a ‘deep connection’ with

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The Inter Miami FC owner, 49, looked typically stylish for the occasion, wearing a sharp grey suit and knitted tie with a pale blue shirt

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The hunky former footballer styled his hair and was sporting a full beard, putting on a typically swoon-worthy appearance at the Marina Bay Sands launch on Wednesday

David teased his visit to in an Instagram post by MBS a few days ago. Eagle-eyed fans spotted him commenting, ‘Can’t wait’ with an accompanying emoji of a pair of eyes.

His appearance comes soon after he congratulated his wife Victoria Beckham after she was given the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award on Tuesday.

The fashion designer, 50, was given the award by their daughter Harper, 13, in front of a room full of celebrities at Harper’s Bazaar’s Women Of The Year ceremony.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, David shared a photo of Victoria and Harper posing together at the event, saying they were the ‘women of the year’.

David wrote: ‘So proud, woman of the year. Maybe it should be women of the year, you both look so beautiful.’    

The event was the latest step in the Beckham’s youngest being branded into a successful dupe of her parents as they continue to push the thirteen-year-old out into the world.

Introduced onto stage wearing one of her mothers dresses, Harper began her speech with: ‘I’m so nervous’.

Standing in front of the likes of Maya Jama, Jodie Comer and Jilly Cooper, she began to praise Victoria for being a present mum.

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David, who is an ambassador for Sands Global, attended the press event which launched their new brand vision and campaign, Above Beyond

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Marina Bay Sands is a world leading integrated resort for the largest rooftop Infinity Pool, award-winning dining, and a wide range of shopping and entertainment

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David showcased a special new release of his iconic Predator Pulse boots on Thursday

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His appearance comes soon after he congratulated his wife Victoria Beckham after she was given the Entrepreneur Of The Year Award on Tuesday

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Taking to his Instagram Stories, David shared a photo of Victoria and Harper posing together at the event, saying they were the ‘women of the year’

‘Good evening everyone, I’m so excited to be here presenting the entrepreneur award,’ Harper said.

Read More

Victoria Beckham attends Harper’s Bazaar Women Of The Year Awards

‘Especially as tonight is a school night. And hopefully this isn’t going to get me into trouble.

‘The winner is someone I have always looked up to. She’s built an incredible business from the ground up and has showed me the value of working hard, dreaming big and setting my standards.

‘She’s taught me so much about what it takes to succeed. But above all else she’s taught me to always be kind and even though she has a million things to do, she rarely misses school.

‘Tonight I am so proud to present the Entrepreneur Of The Year award to a truly inspiring woman who means the world to me, my amazing mummy, Victoria Beckham.’

Entering the stage to accept her award, Victoria said to Harper: ‘I am so, so proud of you.

‘Getting up on stage in front of a room full of people is scary and you did it with such poise and such elegance.

‘I am so proud of the young lady you have become. You keep me grounded and inspire me every day.

‘You teach me to see the world through fresh eyes. And as busy as I am, being a mum is the most important job to me. So thank you.’

As Donald Trump becomes the new president of America, should he kick Prince Harry out of the US amid the drugs row? Vote now.

Should Donald Trump kick Prince Harry out of the US? (Image: GETTY)

Prince Harry’s past drug use admissions could jeopardize his US visa status with President Trump again in power.

Commentators have expressed their concern over Harry’s openness in his memoir Spare – which was released in paperback last month – while Trump previously indicated that he would hold the Duke of Sussex accountable for his actions.

Taking to his memoir, Harry opened up about his past use of psychedelic substances – including magic mushrooms at a party in Los Angeles and marijuana on other occasions.

US law generally restricts entry for those with a history of drug use. This have led some to believe that Prince Harry may have received special treatment.

Following the belief that the Joe Biden administration had allegedly kept this information from his US visa private, Trump has previously stated he wouldn’t “protect” Harry, who has lived in the US since 2020.

If you can’t see the poll above, click here to vote

Speaking on Harry’s decision to share details of his past drug use, commentators have stated that this could have consequences for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – especially surrounding the recent US election.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams stated: “Harry was extremely foolish to discuss his drug taking in Spare both in interviews and in the memoir, available in paperback.

“However, the Sussexes have kept a relatively low profile during the election, urging Americans to vote but not being explicit as to whom for.

“At one time it was thought that Meghan might enter politics but we have seen no sign of this. It is most unlikely that Trump would risk an embarrassing episode involving the royal family by expelling Harry, if it was discovered that he had not revealed his drug taking on his Visa application.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced in early 2020 that they would be stepping down from royal duties. Meghan Markle, unlike Harry, is originally from America.

Shortly after this, the couple – along with their son Archie – moved to California. The couple later welcomed their daughter named Lilibet in June 2021.

Spare, which was originally published in January 2023, has sold more than six million copies in all formats internationally. It also notably became the fastest-selling nonfiction book of all time.

So what about YOU? Do you think Donald Trump should kick Harry out of America? Vote in our poll and join the debate in the comment section below.

The Duchess of Sussex is “nervous” about meeting the Royal Family again, says a royal source.

Meghan Markle is bracing for meeting the royals again, says source (Image: Getty)

Meghan Markle wants to show the Royal Family that they “can’t just trample all over her” as she braces for possible peace talks with Prince Harry’s estranged family, a royal insider has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly recently purchased a new property in Portugal, close to Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s home, which is thought to bring the prince a step closer to his family.

Harry and Meghan’s new place will give them a chance to have a European base for any potential UK visits, since they had none after their eviction from Frogmore Cottage last year.

But a royal source claimed Meghan is “incredibly nervous” about facing the royals again.

They told Closer: “The wounds Meghan suffered from her experiences in the Royal Family cut very deep.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit their royal duties in 2020 (Image: Getty)

“Since all the drama over her and Harry’s split from The Firm, she’s been incredibly nervous about facing them again. But she now accepts it’s got to be done.”

They added: “Meghan’s stance is that if Harry is going to go back and make a deal with the royals, she needs to be part of it as well.

“She wants to show them they can’t just trample all over her and then have Harry come back on his own, as though she can be tossed aside.”

The Sussex couple stepped down as senior working royals back in 2020.

Since then, their relationship with the Royal Family has become frosty, particularly after Harry and Meghan’s various claims against the Firm during interviews, their Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan and Harry’s bombshell memoir, Spare.

Their latest joint visit to the UK was back in 2022, when they attended the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral.

Meghan has not come back to Harry’s home country ever since.