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Meghan Markle was concerned to discover that Victoria Beckham ranked higher than her in the social pecking order and had mansions and private jets at her fingertips, a new biography says

Meghan Markle was “irritated” when she found out Victoria Beckham is richer than her, a new biography says.

Tom Bower’s new book – The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power – sheds light on the relationship between the Beckhams and the Sussexes – and where it all went wrong. The former journalist says that the Duchess of Sussex was annoyed when she found out the Beckhams had “considerably more wealth” than herself.

Cracks started to show in the relationship between the famous families in 2018, according to Bower who says that although the Beckhams did secure an invite to Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, they were not invited to the wedding dinner. He also says in spring last year, it became clear that the friendship between the couples was on the rocks when the Sussexes were not on the guest list for Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding – but Prince William and Kate Middleton were.

Meghan thought she ranked above the Beckhams, a new book says ( 

Image:

Anadolu via Getty Images)

But in reality, Posh and Becks have “considerably more wealth” ( 

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Dave Benett/Getty Images)

In the biography – which was released June 20 – Bower says that Meghan had ranked herself above the Beckhams in the social pecking order, and was fuming when she discovered that, despite her place in the Royal Family, Victoria actually scored higher in terms of wealth and fame. He explains: “In Meghan’s celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame. As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order.”

Bower continues: “She was irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself. They owned five homes, had constant access to private jets, invitations to sail on yachts and much more money. And she was soon to be a duchess.”

Things soured between the women after a report leaked that Victoria had offered Meghan makeup advice, the book says ( 

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Getty Images)DON’T MISS

Bower describes how Victoria made considerable effort to be friends with Meghan – despite the fact the Suits star “put on airs” when they first met – because of the longstanding relationship between the Beckhams, Prince Harry and Prince William.

According to the biography, Victoria kindly offered Meghan tips on where to find the best beauty spots in London – but the relationship between the two women soured when The Sun reported that Victoria had given Meghan makeup advice and the Duchess accused the former Spice Girl of leaking the story.

With the news Harry and Meghan are looking to send their children to private school, a leading royal author reveals the decision will have ‘major disadvantage’

Harry and Meghan raised more than a few eyebrows earlier this month when it was revealed that the couple wanted to send their children to a ‘prestigious’ private school with a leading royal author exclusively revealing to The Mirror that the pair’s plans are likely to have one ‘major disadvantage.’

With the ex-Royals reportedly eyeing up a school in the heart of Montecito, the luxury, celebrity Southern Californian enclave where they reside, they were recently called out as ‘frauds’ when fees of £40,000 per year were revealed. Royal commentator, Lee Cohen, slammed the pair for their potential plans, saying: “Their supposed commitment to progressive causes is nothing but a façade. If they’re willing to indulge in this epitome of elitism, there is no advocating for equality.”

Speaking to GB News at the time, Cohen questioned how Meghan and Harry could “justify” their decision to look at private schools when “so many families struggle to afford even the basic necessities,” saying: “Sending their children to such a prestigious institution completely exposes the frauds that Harry and Meghan are. By perpetuating the very systems of privilege that they claim to expose.”

Harry and Meghan raised more than a few eyebrows earlier this month when it was revealed that the couple wanted to send their children to a ‘prestigious’ private school. Credit:EPN/Newscom / Avalon
Following the educational furore, leading royal author and expert, Tom Quinn, has exclusively revealed that the pair’s plans for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will most likely have one ‘major disadvantage.’

Said Quinn: “Harry and Meghan have more than enough money to afford the best schools in California and for all Meghan’s desire to be seen to be helping the poor and the marginalised, she has no intention of providing anything less than the best money can buy for her children.”

He continued: “For the children of celebrities across America, elite schools are the norm – and there is no doubt a private education brings huge advantages as it does in the UK, in terms of connections with other well-heeled and well-connected children.”

However, Quinn was also quick to highlight that the decision would have one major disadvantage: “The disadvantage as we have seen with so many children of celebrities is that it can create expectations for adult life that are not easily achieved – just because your parents are famous doesn’t mean you are going to be famous, but dealing with that can be difficult.”

Harry attended prestigious schools, including Ludgrove preparatory school in Ludgrove, Wokingham, before following his older brother Prince William to Eton College in Berkshire. Meghan attended LA-based private Catholic school, Immaculate Heart High School, after her father won the lottery in 1990, allowing him to fund the nearly £13,000-a-year fees.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s £12million mansion costs hundreds of thousands to upkeep, according to an expert. Thankfully, the Sussexes are not strapped for cash

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry “struggle” to run their £12 million mansion, according to an expert.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex splashed out on their nine-bedroom California dream home after stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The sprawling mansion boasts pretty much every facility you could ever wish for, including a library, office, spa, gym, game room, wine cellar – and 16 baths!

Set on 5.4acres of land, the Sussexes’ estate – where they live with six-year-old Prince Archie and three-year-old Princess Lilibet – is surrounded by stunning gardens, as well as a tennis court, tea house, children’s cottage, pool, and five-car garage. However, according to an expert, maintaining their lavish lifestyle surprisingly comes with quite a lot of work and will cost the couple hundreds of thousands of pounds every year to upkeep.

The couple offered a glimpse into their sleek home in their Netflix documentary ( 

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Netflix)

Eric Bramlett – a realtor and owner of luxury real estate company Bramlett Residential – has shed light on the financial and physical toll running a pad like the Sussexes’ would take on the couple. Speaking to Fabulous, he said: “Managing a $14 million (£12 million) mansion like Harry and Meghan’s in Montecito takes a lot of work.”

Bramlett added that the Sussexes’ mansion would come with “high-operating costs”, probably requiring 10-15 full-time members of staff, such as housekeepers, a house manager, private chefs, groundsmen, and security. The expert said that as well as staff salaries, the couple would also have to foot the bill for utilities, landscaping, maintenance, and security – which could total up to hundreds of thousands every year, not including the cost of big renovations and repairs.

The mansion is surrounded by stunning gardens, as well as a tennis court, pool, and five-car garage ( 

Image:

Google)

Bramlett continued: “It’s like running a small boutique hotel with residential service. The costs pile up quick, but it comes with luxury living.”

Thankfully, money is one thing the Sussexes do not need to worry about. According to reports, the couple have a combined net worth of £48 million, despite stepping down from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and being forced to repay the taxpayer costs for the renovation of Frogmore Cottage, their former Windsor home.

Since moving to the US, the hardworking duo have managed to secure a number of lucrative deals, with the likes of Netflix, publisher Penguin Random House, and Spotify.

Before Meghan married into the Royal Family, she was worth an estimated £3.5 million. The Duchess’ starring role as Rachel Zane in the long-running legal drama Suits saw her earn a jaw-dropping £37,000 per episode.

Harry is also pretty set in terms of financial stability. In 1994, The Queen Mother put away a generous £19 million into a trust fund for her great-grandchildren, including Harry and William. According to a report by The Guardian, the brothers split £6 million of the trust when they were 21, with Harry bagging most of it to “compensate for not becoming sovereign”.

The news outlet also reported that Harry will get his hands on more of the trust fund on his 40th birthday. According to Forbes, the late Princess Diana left her boys almost £8 million after tax, which would see them each receive around £340,000 a year, every year after they turned 25.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry left the Royal Family four years ago before moving to Montecito, California, and now the Duke of Sussex has reflected on their move

Prince Harry has reflected on his decision to move to America as he said he and Meghan Markle left the UK “in fear for their sanity”.

The couple stepped down from the Royal Family back in 2020 before creating a new life for themselves in Montecito, California. They’ve since opened up about life behind Palace walls and admitted it wasn’t always easy.

In his debut memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex reflected on their move to America and revealed why they felt they had to go. Writing about a visit to Frogmore Cottage, he said: “How beautiful it all is, I thought. And also how sad.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the Royal Family four years ago ( 
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Getty Images)
“Once upon a time, this was going to be my forever home. Instead it had proved to be just another brief stop.” Harry had returned to Frogmore Cottage after Prince Philip’s funeral.

He added: “When my wife and I fled this place, in fear for our sanity and physical safety, I wasn’t sure when I’d ever come back. That was January 2020. Now, fifteen months later, here I was, days after waking to thirty-two missed calls and then one short, heart-racing talk with Granny: Harry… Grandpa s gone.”

Harry has since made a number of return visits to the UK. Most recently, he visited London to take part in various engagements related to the Invictus Games

He wrote about the decision in Spare ( 
Image:
Vincenzo Izzo/REX/Shutterstock)
However, Meghan decided not to join her husband. The Duchess of Sussex has made very few return trips to the UK since stepping down from the Royal Family.

Her last return trip was in 2022 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Sussexes brought their two children – Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – over for the special occasion.

Author Omid Scobie has previously written about Meghan’s decision not to come back to the UK. In his book Endgame, Omid said Meghan “never wants to set foot again in England.” He claimed she didn’t want to “dive back into the soap opera of the court”

She grew up in a close knit unit with her cousins Prince William and Prince Harry, celebrating occassions together as well as going on holidays. No wonder Princess Beatrice is not just Prince Harry’s ‘favourite.’

Prince Harry may want to look away after new snaps have emerged of his beloved cousin Princess Beatrice hanging out with Prince William.

Princess Beatrice, whose father is Prince Andrew, looked delighted as she had a laugh with Prince William during the second day of Royal Ascot. It may come as a new blow for Prince Harry as she is said to be his ‘closest cousin,’ who would spend time with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their home in California.

Princess Beatrice looked glam in a pink floral gown which she teamed with a matching floral headband. She beamed as she caught up with Prince William at the annual Berkshire event.

ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 19: Prince William, Prince of Wales and Princess Beatrice of York laugh as they attend day two of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 19: Princess Beatrice of York and Prince William, Prince of Wales speak as they attend day two of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2024 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
It’s not just Princess Beatrice who was enjoying Prince William’s company – but her younger sister Princess Eugenie too. The Mirror reported: “William in particular was in high spirits at the event – one funny incident with Princess Eugenie prompted comparisons with his cheeky youngest son, Prince Louis. At one time, it was thought that Eugenie had ‘sided’ with Harry and Meghan following their fallout from the family – but she and William looked closer than ever and they laughed and hugged.”

The family were out in force with Prince William joined by his cousins Zara and her husband Mike Tindall , Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi , and Princess Eugenie and her spouse Jack Brooksbank.

While the group is known to be close, royal protocol dictates a certain level of formality at public events. Not so this year.

There were warm hugs, moments of real tactile affection and much laughter at the event – a sign that something has shifted within the royal family, according to one expert. “The royals have been under attack from a new, more potent ‘enemy’ though in the shape of Charles and Kate’s illnesses and that seems to have produced a desire to not just re-convene and show unity but to reaffirm those bonds publicly via these tactile behaviours,” Judi James exclusively told The Mirror.

‌”They are congruent and authentic bonding rituals, too, not the kind of show-pony behaviours we get treated to when warring royals are told to play together nicely. These look like an authentic coming together and rounding up of the wagons in the face of recent anxieties.”

She added: “These rituals have nothing to do with any mirroring of Harry and Meghan’s brand of tactile body language. Theirs is only shown between each other or to register support for strangers on their ‘royal’ visits. William’s rituals here are for extended family, which is a different level of bonding altogether.”

The Duke of Sussex has made no secret of his desire for privacy, so it’s little wonder he goes out of his way to stay incognito, says a royal expert

Prince Harry doesn’t have his own home in the UK anymore so he has to do what he can to protect his privacy when visiting, says a royal expert.

The Duke of Sussex detailed the extreme lengths he went to meet up with Meghan Markle in their early days of dating without being detected in his book Spare. And now royal author and expert Tom Quinn has also shed light on Harry’s struggles with security issues when he returns to the UK for visits.

In an exclusive chat with The Mirror, Tom said: “Harry is completely obsessed with the idea that any visit to the UK is fraught with security difficulties – hence his continued legal action to challenge the UK government’s decision not to fund his security.”

Prince Harry has no plans of settling down in UK, confirms royal reporter
Speaking of Harry’s penchant for disguises and going incognito to avoid being hounded, Quinn shared his thoughts on the Duke’s preferences regarding accommodation when he travels to the UK.

Quinn said: “Harry hates the idea of hotels – last time he stayed in a hotel on a visit to the UK he had to leave and arrive virtually in disguise. The problems are even bigger if he plans to stay with friends as he’s convinced, he is always being watched by the media and that they will find out where he’s staying.”

Just earlier this year Prince Harry suffered a huge blow in terms of security when he comes to the UK. Recently, the duke has been locked in a legal battle against the Home Office over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the country. Ravec’s decision came as a result of a change in Harry’s ‘status’ after he stopped being a “full-time working member of the Royal Family “, a judge was told.

Harry’s lawyers had previously told the court that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security. They said a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”.

The ‘heavy’ reason Meghan won’t bring kids to the UK

The court was told that Harry believes his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet cannot “feel at home” in the UK if it is “not possible to keep them safe” there. At a previous hearing of the case, in a written statement, Harry said: “It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home.

“The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”

But earlier this year, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case and concluded Ravec’s approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair. And in another blow this month, a judicial spokesperson said that Harry has lost his initial bid to appeal against the decision.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have contacted Kate Middleton to make peace, a source told Closer.

The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex are now ready to end their feud with the Royal Family, claims the insider.

“Meghan’s desperate to come across as the bigger person and end this feud between them – appearing like some sort of royal saviour could only do her image good. And, despite all their bad blood, her heart does go out to Kate – she can only imagine how hard this situation must be for her,” the insider told Closer while referring to Kate battling cancer.

 

“Meghan’s desperate to come across as the bigger person and end this feud between them – appearing like some sort of royal saviour could only do her image good. And, despite all their bad blood, her heart does go out to Kate – she can only imagine how hard this situation must be for her,” the insider told Closer while referring to Kate battling cancer.

“Meghan has made it clear she’d love nothing more than to move past all the nonsense and find a way towards healing for everyone’s sake. She’s ready to let the anger and bitterness go,” the source said.

The source said Meghan hoped her feelings were reaching Kate and that fixing their relationship would greatly relieve the Sussexes.

“Of course, it’s not really up to her and Harry, all they can do is continue to reach out and offer olive branches,” the source added.

Prince William dances to “Shake It Off” at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in London with Prince George, Princess Charlotte.

Prince William Dances Like No One’s Watching to Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ at Eras Tour in London

The royal was joined by kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte for the concert event

Prince William, Taylor Swift. Photo:

Chris Jackson/Getty;  Scott Eisen/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Prince William can’t stop and won’t stop grooving!

The royal, 42, was spotted dancing along to Taylor Swift’s song “Shake It Off” during the first night of her Eras Tour stop in London on Friday, June 21, as seen in fan-captured footage from the concert.

In the clip, William is seen letting loose in the stands and dancing along to Swift’s tune from her 1989 album while wearing a blue ensemble.

Princess Charlotte, meanwhile, could be seen to her father’s left side, swaying along to the beat as Swift, 34, sang the tune onstage.

Taylor Swift.

John Shearer/Getty

During Swift’s first Eras Tour stop in the U.K., she posed for a selfie with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as seen in a photograph shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account.

In the image, Swift stands alongside the three royals while holding up a phone to snap a photograph of the group. “Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour,” the post’s caption read.

Taylor Swift takes a selfie with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Prince and Princess of Wales/Instagram

In a photo posted on her own Instagram account, Swift shared a snapshot of herself posing with Prince William, Prince George, 10, and Princess Charlotte, 9 — as well as her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. (The photo is the first time she and Kelce, 34, have appeared in a social media post together.)

“Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start 🇬🇧🇺🇸🤝,” the singer captioned her post, referencing Prince William’s birthday.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Taylor Swift/Instagram

While William, George and Charlotte enjoyed Swift’s performance, Prince Louis, 6, likely stayed home with mom Kate Middleton, who has remained largely out of the public eye in recent months as she continues her cancer treatment.

She recently made a special appearance on June 15 at Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of King Charles’ birthday, marking her first public outing with the royals since Christmas.

Swift was previously welcomed to London by the royal guard earlier on June 21, when the band played “Shake It Off” in front of Buckingham Palace.

“Can’t stop, won’t stop groovin’🫡🥁🎺,” the royal family captioned a video of the performance on social media.

 

Meghan Markle required her first husband, Trevor Engelson, to sign a “pregnancy contract” ensuring he would pay for a personal trainer, nutritionist, and nanny if they had a child, a friend told the source.

Markle, then an actress, was focused on maintaining her figure and wanted to ensure she quickly regained her celebrity shape after childbirth.

The contract, an informal document penned by Markle, highlighted her concerns about weight gain and career impact.

 

Both Meghan and Harry made no secret of their desire to have kids in the lead up to the announcement, and now claims have surfaced that Meghan asked her first husband, Trevor Engelson, to sign a “pregnancy contract”.

Whilst the former couple never had any children together, Meghan’s reasoning for the alleged contract was to ensure she could get back into tip-top shape after giving birth, according to the Daily Mail.

A “friend” revealed to the publication that the former Suits actress requested her husband at the time foot the bill for a personal trainer, nutritionist and nanny.

 

“She demanded a personal trainer and nutritionist during and after the pregnancy,” the so-called friend told the outlet.

“Meghan may have only just joined the Royal Family, but she always wanted to be treated like a princess.”

They also added that the alleged contract wasn’t formal, and was just a “handwritten letter that she could hang over his head”.

While it remains to be seen if the claims are actually true, Meghan’s career as an actress may have made her concerned about her appearance, as the industry is notoriously shallow – particularly when it comes to women.

 

Wednesday marked a big day for Prince Harry, as the British royal who currently calls America home turned 37 years old.

 

In honor of that event, Harry’s famous family members celebrated on social media — including his brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.which is the Instagram home of family patriarch Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the birthday greeting accompanied three photos of Harry — one childhood shot where he can been seen smiling alongside his father, another flashback photo of the duo from the opening ceremony of the 2014 Invictus Games and in between those images, a beaming pic of Harry taken just last year.