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Prince Harry had recently said he cannot return to the UK with his family as he feels he can’t guarantee their safety due to the armed royal protection no longer being available

New letters have revealed the Queen did want Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “effective security” – putting the royal couple’s story into doubt, say reports.

The notes between Queen Elizabeth II’s most senior aide and the then Cabinet Secretary, shown in court, show how the monarch considered it “imperative” that they kept “effective security”. Sir Edward Young wrote to Sir Mark Sedwill, explaining that keeping the Sussexes safe was “of paramount importance to Her Majesty and her family”.

But Harry is challenging the decision to downgrade his publicly-funded security detail after he quit as a working royal in 2020. In a statement read out on his behalf in court, Harry said he felt “forced” to leave the UK after the security downgrade.

The narrative of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been into doubt ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan have maintained a narrative that they were cut off by the Royal family. In his autobiography Spare, Harry says he was “desperate” to keep his security and begged his family – including the late Queen – to continue armed police protection. He says he told them: “Look. Please. Meg and I don’t care about perks, we care about working, serving – and staying alive”. Harry says he was facing “total abandonment”.

And, in a statement read out in court this week, Harry wrote: “It was with great sadness to 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.

New letters said Queen Elizabeth II thought security was crucial for the Sussexes ( 
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Getty Images)
“That cannot happen if there is no possibility to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I can’t put my wife in danger like that, and given my experiences in life I’m reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm’s way too.”

But in January 2020, at the time of their Megxit departure, the Sussexes said they “chose” to leave rather than were “forced”. A statement back then read: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.

“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.”

Kate Middleton is ‘getting taste’ of Meghan Markle’s ‘painful’ Royal Family experience

Kate Middleton is “getting a taste” of Meghan Markle’s “painful” attacks from her time with the Royal Family.

In recent weeks, social media has been rife with speculation over the whereabouts of the Princess of Wales following the announcement of her abdominal surgery that she underwent earlier this year. Kate underwent a procedure at The London Clinic, with her recovery time due to end at the end of March.

Apparently wanting to squash any speculation, Kensington Palace released an image of the Princess of Wales and her three children. It then emerged that there were several doctored areas of the sweet snap, with a “kill notification” soon issued by photo agencies, leading to a global backlash

And now, royal expert and author Tom Quinn has weighed in on the scandal, with him saying that the Princess of Wales is likely experiencing what the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle “had to put up with” when she joined the British Royal Family after marrying Prince Harry in 2018

Kate Middleton is definitely getting a taste of what Meghan Markle had to put up with when she first joined the Royal family,” Mr Quinn told The Mirror in an exclusive chat. He added that the Princess is currently facing “huge amounts of speculation about her and some of it painful”, which is what Meghan endured.

Meghan and Harry famously stepped back from their senior roles within the Royal Family in 2020, with them then making the move from Windsor in England to Montecito in California. The couple have since spoken out about the difficulties they faced while living in the UK and carrying out their duties as senior working royals

Despite more revelations in Omid Scobie’s Endgame which hit shelves this week, King Charles is said to refuse even contemplating stripping Harry and Meghan’s Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles

The King will never strip Harry and Meghan of their royal Sussex titles despite the ongoing feud, sources say.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have retained their official titles since stepping down from royal duties in early 2020. The couple’s relationship with the King and the Waleses has turned acrimonious following several bombshell interviews and revelations in that time.

The latest came this week with the publishing of Omid Scobie’s latest book, Endgame, which details claims of Kate’s frosty reception of Meghan. The 42-year-old author did not interview the Duchess for his latest work, but is said to share many mutual friends with the couple.

But while relations remain frosty, King Charles is said not to even contemplate removing their royal titles which they were bestowed by the late-Queen on their wedding day in 2018. Their HRH title prefixes were removed however after they stepped down nearly four years ago.

The source told MailOnline the King is “not a punitive man” and would “never want to humiliate” his son and daughter-in-law. And while Buckingham Palace is “considering all options” on how to respond to the ongoing saga, demoting them is not on the table with Charles as monarch.

“That is just something that would not be considered,” the source said. Were they to lose their Sussex titles, they would still be entitled to use Harry’s title as Prince, while Meghan would be able to call herself Princess Henry – Harry’s Christian name.

Royal author Mr Scobie meanwhile has defended the book after the Dutch version appeared to reveal names of family members who made comments about Prince Archie’s skin colour. He has claimed this was not an error on his part and has refused to apologise for the mistake, which resulted in copies being pulled from shelves in the Netherlands.

Breaking News: Lilibet receives touching birthday gift from King Charles despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal feud

 

 

King Charles has given his granddaughter Princess Lilibet a special gift for her third birthday, according to a royal expert.

The toddler enjoyed a private birthday bash at her home in Montecito, attended by family and friends alike over the weekend. However, no members of the Royal Family were present at the celebrations, amid an ongoing feud between the Sussexes and the firm.

Despite the recent tension, the King was still keen to reach out to his granddaughter to mark the special occasion.

Royal expert Tom Quinn said: “King Charles had no intention of completely ignoring Lilibet’s birthday so he has sent a gift along with a message

Whilst the content of the gift is unknown, Lilibet can expect an even grander gift from her grandfather once the feud between the family dies out.

Quinn told The Mirror: “He gave Prince George a beautiful hand-made wooden swing with George’s name carved on it and he has plans to give something similar to Lilibet but not this year. And not unless and until the family feud dies down.”

Born in California, the three-year-old was named after Queen Elizabeth’s family nickname, whilst her middle name, Diana, “was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, the Princess of Wales”.

Her parents have tried to keep herself and her brother Archie, five, out of the limelight ever since they stepped down as working royals and settled in the US.

The only insight into the children’s birthdays the public has seen has been from the Sussexes’ docuseries, Harry & Meghan, released in 2022 on Netflix. In the six-part series, footage from previous parties held for Archie and Lilibet can be seen.

Quinn reported that the bash over the weekend was attended by stars such as Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, who are neighbours of Harry and Meghan. However, no invites was handed out to the Royal Family.

He said that one of Harry’s friends claimed that the Duke did not invite them because he did not think they would come anyway.

The relationship between Harry and the rest of his family has been strained since he and Meghan released a Netflix series and sat down for an interview with Oprah criticising aspects of the Royal Family.

Harry also made several claims against the royals in his tell-all memoir which continued to drive a wedge between the already feuding family.

A recent trip to the UK undertaken by Harry did nothing to improve soured relations. The Duke spent three days in Britain last month to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, however no members of the Royal Family were in attendance.

However, whilst there were plenty of famous faces to be seen, members of the Royal Family were noticeably absent, as the King held a garden party at Buckingham Palace the same afternoon. King Charles was joined by Camilla, Prince Edward, the Duchess of Edinburgh and Princess Anne at the royal residence.

King Charles and his youngest son last met in February, days after it was announced that the monarch had been diagnosed with cancer

Reconciliation between Kate Middleton and Prince Harry appears very unlikely, expert says

Kate’s absence from Harry’s London trip signals ongoing feud

It seems like a reconciliation between Kate Middleton and Prince Harry is just wishful thinking, according to a royal expert. The Duke of Sussex, 39, made a trip to London this week to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, marking his first visit since learning about his estranged sister-in-law’s cancer diagnosis in March.

However, hopes for a royal reconciliation were dashed when Harry’s representatives confirmed that he would not be meeting with his family, specifically King Charles, due to the king’s busy schedule. Additionally, no members of the royal family attended the Invictus celebrations at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles for seven years when he was the Prince of Wales, expressed his skepticism about a royal reunion. He told The Post, “I always used to say I think there is a possibility, but as time goes on and the more we hear and see, I’m thinking that a reunion between them is more and more unlikely. I always thought Kate would have been the one between them that would have broken that because she had a good relationship with Harry.”

Harrold continued, “However, as time goes on, I think that happening is becoming less and less likely.” He emphasized that the chances of a reconciliation are diminishing over time.

Meghan Markle’s co-stars ‘do not want to work with her again’ according to Suits fans

The cast of Suits had a mini reunion at the Golden Globes last weekend without Meghan Markle who starred as Rachel Zane in the hit legal drama for seven seasons.

Meghan Markle starred in the hit legal drama Suits as Rachel Zane for seven seasons of the show (Image: Nigel Parry/USA Network/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Meghan Markle was noticeably missing from the Golden Globes last weekend as the rest of her former Suits co-stars had a mini-reunion at the star studded ceremony.

The former actress shot to fame on the legal crime drama in which she played Rachel Zane for seven seasons of the hit show, becoming a Hollywood name before she met Prince Harry.

The duchess gave up her acting career once she became a member of the Royal Family but has become more focused on their production company Archewell Productions since the Sussexes’ shock exit from the Firm in 2020, the Mirror reports.

Her co-star and love interest in Suits, Patrick J. Adams shared his thoughts about the likelihood of Meghan returning to acting during an interview with E! News host Keltie Knight on the red carpet.

Patrick turned the question back around to Keltie, saying: “You heard that rumour? She told you that directly?”

The Suits cast had a mini reunion at the Golden Globes last week but Meghan Markle was nowhere to be seen (Image: Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images)

Keltie was forced to awkwardly admit that she had “made up” the rumour that Meghan would act again as she asked: “But would you ever team up again?”

Staying loyal to his former co-star, Patrick said: “I think Meghan’s a fantastic actor, so we’d be lucky to have her back in the industry.”

Amid rumours of a Suits reboot, the actor added: “Yes, let’s go, I’ll do it again!”

However, fans were not as convinced as they were quick to brand Patrick’s enthusiasm to work with Meghan as fake.

One took to social media to write: “From the guy’s reaction, it is a rumour. It is obvious the cast don’t want to work with Meghan again.”

Another echoed: “The cast obviously don’t like her. They don’t group chat with her. Period.”

This referred to a previous interview with Gina Torres, who played Jessica Pearson on the show, confirmed that she didn’t even have Meghan’s phone number.

Patrick also spoke about the recent rise in popularity of the show that ended in 2019.

Suits fans believe that Patrick J. Adam’s interview on the red carpet confirms he does not want to work with Meghan again (Image: Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images)

Suits went on streaming services such as Netflix and Peacock last year and the viewership was off the charts, meaning a possible reboot to the show is now in the making.

Fans believe it could follow Patrick and Meghan’s characters as they live their lives in another American city.

The characters of Mike Ross and Rachel Zane both left in the seventh season of the show as they got married and took up jobs in Seattle.

The show continued on for another two seasons before it came to an end in 2019.

In an explosive new book detailing the final hours before the Queen’s passing, Omid Scoobie claims it was Princess Eugenie who came to Prince Harry’s aid as he was ‘kept in the dark’

It was Princess Eugenie who told Prince Harry just how dire the situation with the late Queen’s health was on 8 September last year – according to an excerpt from an explosive new royal book, Endgame, which is due to be released later this month.

The shocking excerpt by royal biographer Omid Scoobie, published in People magazine, reported that Eugenie informed Harry that it was “time” on the day the late Queen died when no one else in the family was answering his calls or texts.

Desperate Harry could not get hold of his elder brother William or his father, now King Charles – who, the excerpt claimed, doesn’t usually have a mobile phone with him.

Instead, it was his cousin who got in touch to discuss the situation with their grandmother’s failing health. The book reads: “Princess Eugenie reached out to Harry to see if he had any more information about their grandmother. She had heard from another family member that it was ‘time’ but knew little more.”

The author, who is also friends with Meghan and Harry, claims that William ignored Harry’s attempts to organise travel arrangments to Balmoral, Scotland, where the Queen had been staying as her health deteriorated.

Instead, the Duke of Sussex had to travel alone, and while unable to contact anyone during his flight up to Scotland, his team entered into negotiations with Buckingham Palace to delay the release of the announcement that the Queen had died until Harry had been informed.

Will you read the new royal bombshell book? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Princess Eugenie has long been understood to be the family member who is still closest to the Sussexes since they stepped back from life as working royals in 2020 and moved across the Atlantic, with People Magazine reporting in August of this year that Harry is “still the best of friends” with both Eugenie and her sister Beatrice.

Recently, Harry and Meghan were reported to have enjoyed a minibreak in Portugal, in an area where Prince Andrew’s younger daughter is said to split her time. Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank married only a few months after Meghan and Harry in 2018 and have visited the Sussexes in California, and Harry sat in the same row as his cousin during King Charles’s Coronation.

Endgame, which will be released in full later this month, has been described on Amazon as “a penetrating investigation into the current state of the British monarchy”. The book’s description has added: “An unpopular king, a power-hungry heir to the throne, a queen willing to go to dangerous lengths to preserve her image, and a prince forced to start a new life after being betrayed by his own family.”

Palace insiders tore into author Omid Scobie over a string of claims he made about the pair’s fractious relationship during a difficult time for the Royal Family

Royal courtiers were last night said to be furious over the revelations about Princes ­William and Harry’s feud which erupted as the Queen lay dying.

Palace insiders tore into author Omid Scobie over a string of claims he made about the pair’s fractious relationship during a time of personal grief for the Royal Family. The writer, who was previously briefed by Meghan for another of his books, alleges William ignored Harry’s calls as he ­desperately tried to get to the late Queen’s bedside.

He said there was “no proof” Charles phoned his youngest son during his gran’s dying moments. And Omid’s book, Endgame, says of William: “He feels he has lost Harry and doesn’t want to know this version of him.” Scobie also said the Prince is convinced his brother has been brainwashed by an “army of ­therapists” in America.

Details about Harry’s feud with William are highlighted in the book ( 

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A Royal insider said: “It appears no matter what happens behind closed doors, even in a time of such pain and grief, that where the Royal Family are concerned it will one day emerge. Nothing is off limits with William and Kate appearing to be this author’s number one target. It only takes a few months for the knives to come out again and the wounds to be opened up.”

By having an excerpt of his book published, Scobie overshadowed Kate’s launch of a conference on her campaign for children and their families yesterday. Royal fans speculated details from the book had been timed to mar Kate’s work, a point regularly levelled at the Sussex’s over events.

During the King’s 75th birthday on Tuesday, rare pictures of the Duchess out with a friend were released. And Meghan revealed she was pregnant with her first child as Princess Eugenie wed in 2018. Highly personal details about the Queen’s death last year outlined in the book could only have come from someone present.

Will you read the new royal bombshell book? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

US-based Harry, 39 and Meghan, 42, had coincidentally been on a rare trip to the UK. The book claims Harry was told by Charles to go to Balmoral ­immediately as the Queen’s final hours neared. It says: “Harry sent a text message to his brother asking how he and Kate planned to get to ­ Scotland and whether they could travel together. No response.”

Scobie claims a source said: “William ignored him. He clearly didn’t want to see his brother.” The Sussexes got their own flight there. The book, out next week, claims Harry learned of the Queen’s death publicly while in the air. It states: “The Palace claimed Charles tried to call Harry (sources later told me there was never any proof of this).”

Endgame paints Harry as a constant victim, saying he was snubbed from a family gathering at Birkhall on the night the Queen died on September 8. It states: “William says he no longer even recognises his own brother, a source said.” And the book claims the Prince “refuses to even properly talk with” Harry. But the Duke is quoted as saying: “I’m ready to move on past it. Whether we get an apology or accountability, who knows? Who really cares at this point?”

Meghan Markle was bestowed a new ‘title’ after her recent trip to Nigeria joined by husband Prince Harry and this has left royal fans divided.

Meghan Markle’s statement after receiving a new “title” following her Nigeria tour with Prince Harry has left royal fans divided.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the West African nation last month to champion mental health initiatives for soldiers and empower young people as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

During her trip, Meghan was bestowed the traditional Yoruba name ‘Adetokunbo’ by Olowo of Owo, the Yoruba King of Owo.

Following this, the duchess released a letter in which she said she will “treasure” the title – which means ‘the crown returns from over the sea’ – adding she regards Nigeria as her “home”.

Meghan said: “Thank you for your warm welcome to Nigeria. I am deeply humbled by your blessing of the traditional Yoruba name, Adetokunbo.

 

Meghan Markle made a statement about her newest ‘title’ and some fans are not impressed (Image: Getty)

“I treasure the name and appreciate your trust in me to carry it with grace and dignity.

“Our visit to Nigeria was important to many reasons, not least because it gave us an opportunity to explore and understand my heritage, which extends to our children.

“We look forward to coming back home one day soon.”

However, Meghan’s words did not sit well with some royal fans, while others fully supported Prince Harry’s wife.

One user wrote on X: “It’s cool that Meghan’s embracing her Nigerian heritage. Representation matters, and it’s nice to see someone in the spotlight acknowledging.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited Nigeria for three days (Image: Getty)
 

Another one disagreed: “Embracing? Nah. Just attempting to be relevant.”

A third one added: “Good to know she loves Nigeria her made up homeland from whence she did not come. If H is told to exit the USA they can return to Nigeria as promised, where she can bond with her letter writing family of prince & princess’s.(sic)”

Lastly, a fourth one commented: “Those who are confident & humble don’t have to advertise their titles.

“Meghan Markle is pretentious & fake”.

 

Princess Anne is in Normandy to mark the 80th D-Day anniversary (Image: PA)

Princess Anne has become the first member of the Royal Family to arrive in France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day, as she has unveiled a statue of a World War II Canadian Royal Regina Rifleman in Normandy.

Having served as Colonel in Chief of the Regiment since 1982, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence were welcomed by veterans at the event before joining them afterwards for a private ceremony.

Upon arriving for the unveiling Anne received a Royal Salute on the Parade Ground before she was invited to inspect the front rank of the Parade.

The Princess gave a speech in English and French while at the unveiling paying tribute to the Regimeny, saying: “How fitting it is on this 80th anniversary of the landing and the commencement of the Battle for Normandy, that this statue has been unveiled in honour of the Regina Rifles who sacrificed so much for the cause of liberty and freedom.

“To the current serving members of the Regiment. I congratulate you on a magnificent parade and for your continued service to the Regiment. May your time here in France inspire you and renew your commitment to the Regiment and the amazing history created by those who have gone before, and who we honour today through this statue.”

This event kicks off a busy afternoon and evening of engagements for Anne, as she honours not only those of the Canadian Regiment but all those who were involved in the military operation.

Later on both she and the Vice Admiral will visit Bayeux War Cemetery to lay a Cross of Sacrifice as a mark of respect, with the Princess also holding the position of President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Princess Anne inspects the regiment (Image: PA)

Normandy veterans and representatives from France will stand alongside the Princess at a Royal British Legion Service of Commemoration to be held at the Cemetery.

This evening a service of remembrance will be held at Bayeux Cathedral, as is tradition every year, before the procession moves back to the Cemetery for a vigil.

The procession to the Cemetery will be led by an international group of pipers from France, Germany and the United Kingdom as a show of solidarity.

Princess Anne was welcomed at a reception (Image: PA)

During the procession three torches of commemoration will also be held aloft, representing France, Germany and the Commonwealth each handing over responsibility for the memories and lessons from the war to the next generation.

Once at the Bayeux Cemetery the vigil will begin, with the Princess Royal due to give an address to remember the eve of D-Day before she lays a posy at the Grave of an Unknown Soldier.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William have been in Portsmouth today for celebrations on this side of the English Channel, before travelling to France tomorrow.

Princess Anne unveiling the statue in Normandy (Image: PA)

Both Charles and William were decked out in their military medals for the occasion, with the King delivering an impressive and emotional speech.

He said: “The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation.”

Addressing the crowd, the monarch said: “Today we come together to honour those nearly one hundred and sixty thousand British, Commonwealth and Allied troops who, on 5th June 1944, assembled here and along these shores to embark on the mission which would strike that blow for freedom and be recorded as the greatest amphibious operation in history.

 

“Those who gathered here in Portsmouth would never forget the sight. It was by far the largest military fleet the world has ever known. Yet all knew that both victory and failure were possible, and none could know their fate.”