F1’s class of 2024

While there was zero driver movement between the last race of F1 2023 and the first of F1 2024, expect the next 12 months to be carnage on the driver market…

Astonishingly, not a single driver left their seat after the final race of 2023, with every team remaining faithful to the driver line-ups that took part in the final Grand Prix of 2023. It’s the first time it’s ever happened in Formula 1 but, with plenty of contracts up for negotiation going into 2024, here are the drivers who will all be eager to get their contracts renewed to stay on the grid for F1 in 2025…

Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

With Max Verstappen locked into a deal that takes him close to the end of the decade at Red Bull, Sergio Perez has no such comfort. The Mexican driver, who signed a two-year extension around the 2022 Monaco GP to see him through to the end of 2024, is under significant pressure to keep his place with the team.

Despite his second-place finish in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship, Perez’s inconsistency and inability to exploit the RB19 to its full extent will be a huge concern for Red Bull if the competition is even a little bit closer.

But the good news for Perez is that his fate is in his hands, for now. With Daniel Ricciardo a threatening presence in the AlphaTauri, Perez has been given clear instructions on what Red Bull want to see from him in 2024.

If he can achieve some consistency and keep his nose clean, he’ll have a chance at staying on as Verstappen’s teammate. If not, then time might just run out on his Red Bull career…

Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

The Spaniard is also heading into his last year with Ferrari and, while the same long-term deal hasn’t been mooted as a possibility for Sainz, team boss Fred Vasseur has also indicated a desire to see him stay on at the team beyond his current deal.

Speaking before Christmas at an event for sponsor Estrella Galicia, Sainz said the aim is to have a new deal with Ferrari confirmed before the 2024 season kicks off in Bahrain.

“We have to agree, and we have three months ahead of us to do it,” he said.

“Until the first race of the World Championship. Obviously, I want to renew and I would like to do it for more than a year. I feel perfectly valued by Fred and the entire Ferrari family and as a driver, that is your main priority.”

Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

Ocon signed a new three-year deal with Alpine in the middle of 2021, with the Enstone squad showing their faith in his abilities.

However that partnership will be coming to an end following the conclusion of the F1 2024 season. On Monday July 3, it was announced that the driver and team would be parting ways.

Esteban Ocon teased he will have news “very soon” on his future, so he may well have already secured himself a seat elsewhere. Watch this space.

Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

Gasly has just completed his first season with Alpine and, like Ocon, has to deal with a different management team when it comes to contract negotiation time – although Luca de Meo was part of the board that approved his signing in late ’22, and one of the people who pushed for him.

Gasly is also understood to have a contract option for 2025 meaning that, provided certain performance criteria are met by both sides, an extension is a legal formality.

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Logan Sargeant (Williams)

The American driver was fortunate to survive the winter, having had to wait until after the final race of 2023 to have a contract extension announced.

Having shown flashes of speed, Sargeant proved inconsistent and prone to mistakes – although these weren’t unforgivable in a rookie season.

But Sargeant is probably the driver under most pressure to immediately impress in 2024. Mistakes won’t be tolerated much anymore and, unless Sargeant is able to show promise and keep up with Albon to a far greater extent, Williams are likely to seek a fresh face…

Daniel Ricciardo (RB)

Ricciardo secured a fairytale return to the grid in 2023, having seemingly lost his career in ignominious fashion at the end of ’22 after two tough years at McLaren.

While a broken metacarpal threatened the comeback, he showed enough promise for Red Bull to give him a seat with the sister team for ’24 – a side effect of that being a looming presence to inspire Sergio Perez to pull up his socks.

Ricciardo now has a year in familiar surroundings to further rekindle the flames of a once red-hot career and has made it clear he wants to finish his career with Red Bull Racing. But will he show enough to secure that cockpit?

The main thing he has to worry about for now is doing enough simply to remain with RB (or whatever they will be called by then)…

Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

As with Ricciardo, Tsunoda has to worry about doing enough to convince Red Bull to keep the faith beyond 2024, as Liam Lawson showed immense promise during his few races as Ricciardo’s substitute.

If the gossip is to be believed, Tsunoda was only given the nod over Lawson for 2024 based on Honda’s intervention and insistence – meaning Red Bull already has their eye on the future.

While Tsunoda has shaken off a lot of the inconsistencies that made him unreliable in his first two years, heading into his fourth season with the ‘junior’ squad means it’s now or never for the Japanese youngster.

If Tsunoda fails to match or beat Ricciardo – whose own reputation is less than stellar at present – then the writing is on the wall for Tsunoda to depart F1.

Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1)

Bottas, like Kimi Raikkonen before him, landed on his feet with a lower-pressure gig in the midfield after stepping back from a front-running team.

But, while Raikkonen enjoyed a largely competitive car during his first two seasons with Sauber (then Alfa Romeo), Bottas can hardly say the same.

A smattering of points finishes aside, Bottas and Alfa Romeo (now Stake F1 Team) have had quite anonymous campaigns in the lower midfield, with Bottas hardly trouncing Zhou Guanyu to the extent one might have imagined.

As solid and reliable as ever, Bottas is eager to hang on long enough to get a chance to drive for Audi when they arrive in 2026, but will the Finn be able to do enough to reach that marker? Only a new two-year deal will do…

Zhou Guanyu (Stake F1)

Zhou is in basically the exact same position as Bottas, albeit with more youth on his side – giving rise to the possibility of a lot more potential still to be unlocked.

Zhou has proven a pleasant surprise in the midfield and, had he not had a disastrous start in Budapest in ’23, might have enjoyed a bit more buzz about him heading into the new season.

Having had to be content with the same level of midfield anonymity as Bottas, Zhou needs a strong result to perk things up as the end of his current contract looms.

Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

Having been dropped by Haas once before, before being brought back as the American squad needed a dependable driver behind the wheel after dropping Nikita Mazepin, the Danish driver has needed to prove Haas wrong as to why they axed him.

The glorious start to 2022 is long in the history books, as is the Brazil pole, as Magnussen struggled – and was open about said struggles – to adjust to the VF-23 to achieve the same results as Nico Hulkenberg.

While Hulkenberg was able to pop in some eye-opening qualifying sessions to underline his speed during ’23, Magnussen largely had a season to forget – he needs a big one in ’24 if he’s to get another chance beyond these 12 months.

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice Criticized for Not Supporting Prince Harry Amid New Royal Duties Revelation

 

Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and Zara Tindall have come under fire for not supporting Prince Harry during his recent visit to the UK for the Invictus Games service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8. Fans of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have expressed their disappointment and frustration over the absence of Harry’s cousins, who are known to have close personal ties with him and Meghan Markle.

 

During the event, Prince Harry appeared alone without any immediate family members, as his wife Meghan Markle and their children stayed in Montecito. His father, King Charles, attended a Buckingham Palace garden party, while his brother, Prince William, was busy with an investiture at Windsor Castle. Despite this, Prince Harry was joined by his late mother Princess Diana’s siblings, Charles Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes, who came to show their support.

 

Social media was abuzz with comments from royal watchers criticizing the non-attendance of Zara, 42, Beatrice, 35, and Eugenie, 34. One fan remarked, “Diana’s family attended the Invictus service as support for Prince Harry, whose family didn’t turn up. Not even his favorite cousin Zara. That’s family for you.” Another added, “The absence of Zara Tindall and other members of the Royal Family at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games Service raised questions.”

 

Fans questioned why other non-working royals like Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Lady Louise did not attend the service either. “I don’t care what anyone thinks. It’s shameful how that family didn’t show up, not just for Harry, but the worldwide veterans who participate in Invictus,” another critic posted. There was also mention of Beatrice and Eugenie’s previous visits to Harry in America, including a notable outing to the Super Bowl.

 

However, some royal supporters came to the defense of the princesses, citing possible scheduling conflicts. One user pointed out, “Princess Eugenie lives in the UK and Portugal yes. I said I was sad that neither of the princesses attended.” Another explained, “I think Princess Beatrice was in New York for her own charity commitment but still disappointing. I think though they are supportive of Harry more than the rest of the family.”

 

In contrast, Princess Beatrice is poised to take on a more visible role within the Royal Family this summer, amidst her cousins’ absence at the Invictus Games. With the Princess of Wales recovering at home and King Charles resuming light duties, Beatrice’s increased presence at royal engagements is both timely and significant. At 35, Beatrice, traditionally considered a non-working royal, is expected to participate in several key events.

 

Beatrice is set to join King Charles during the upcoming state visit by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at Buckingham Palace. This event is one of many high-profile engagements on the royal agenda, including Trooping the Colour, a state banquet, Garter Day, the 80th D-Day anniversary, and numerous Buckingham Palace garden parties.

 

The increased involvement of Princess Beatrice comes at a crucial time for the monarchy, which has a limited number of working members. According to reports, King Charles aims to include Beatrice and occasionally her sister, Princess Eugenie, in the cast list for such events. This strategy reflects a broader effort to invigorate the royal presence with fresh faces and maintain public engagement.

 

Beatrice’s past engagements, like her assistance to Queen Elizabeth II during the 2012 Maundy Thursday service, underscore her readiness and enjoyment in her royal role. Her participation this summer is a testament to her commitment to her family’s legacy and public duties, despite maintaining her status as a non-working royal.

 

Currently balancing her professional endeavors in New York with her royal responsibilities, Beatrice’s life is a blend of modern and traditional roles. Her involvement this summer symbolizes a bridge between the old and the new, showcasing her ambition and confidence in fulfilling royal duties.

Prince William Suits Up in Uniform to Take Over King Charles’ Role as Colonel-in-Chief

 

William was officially appointed the new role by his father, King Charles III, last week.
Prince William officially took his position in his new role — and dressed for the occasion.

 

On Monday, the second in line to the British throne was presented with the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps by his father, King Charles III.

The official hand off happened at the Army Aviation Centre in Hampshire, England. The role, which was previously held by Charles for three decades, makes William the official head of the miliary regiment.

 

William, 41, and Charles, 75, were seen posing in front of an Apache helicopter as the king presented his son with the official uniform patch. William then suited up, and got right to work, joining members of the armed forces on base, and speaking with them about their military work. William flew out of the base in an Apache helicopter.

 

William’s new role has a close connection to his younger brother, Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex actively served as part of the military regiment for 10 years, from 2005-2015. During his time in the military, Harry served in Afghanistan twice and was ranked Apache helicopter commander.

 

Last week, royal expert Katie Nicholl told ET that William’s new role would appear as a “slap in the face,” to his estranged younger brother, as he was stripped of his military duties when he stepped away from royal life in 2020.

 

“Yes, he’s over here part of the Invictus community celebrating 10 years, but he’s been stripped of his right to wear his military uniform,” Nicholl said. “And now his brother’s taken over the role that I think Harry would have expected to have come to him, had he still been a working member of the royal family. So, yes, I think the timing does feel poignant. And, yes, I think it’s probably another slap in the face for Prince Harry, and yet another reminder that he’s very much out rather than in when it comes to the royal family.”

 

Charles’ appointment of the role to William comes amid his public battle with cancer. The monarch, who announced his diagnosis in February, has recently returned to public-facing duties. The Prince of Wales is also undertaking solo engagements, as his wife, Kate Middleton, privately undergoes treatment for her cancer diagnosis.

 

William and Charles’ joint outing comes as Harry and Meghan marked their first international tour since stepping away from royal duties. Over the weekend, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex traveled to Nigeria after being invited for a visit by the Chief of Defense Staff.

Harry traveled back home to the U.K. last week in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Prior to his travels, a spokesperson for Harry confirmed that he would not see his family.

 

“In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the U.K. this week, it, unfortunately, will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full program,” a spokesperson for Harry told ET. “The duke, of course, is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.”

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 World Champion, has warned Lewis Hamilton to expect “a very chaotic and political team” when he arrives at Ferrari from Mercedes in 2025.

Hamilton rocked the F1 world in February by announcing that he will join Ferrari on a multi-year contract from next season, bringing an end to his long and successful partnership with Mercedes.

The 39-year-old’s decision came just five months after he signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes, having activated a break clause to leave before the first season of his new contract had officially started.

Hamilton, who won six of his seven World Championships with Mercedes from the start of F1’s V6 hybrid era in 2014, will arrive at a Ferrari team still searching for their Drivers’ World Championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

With Ferrari emerging as the biggest threat to the dominant Red Bull outfit at the start of the 2024 season, Hamilton claimed ahead of last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix that “there’s not been a moment” when he’s questioned his decision to leave Mercedes.

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Villeneuve, whose late father Gilles represented Ferrari with distinction in the late 1970s and early 1980s, reckons Hamilton must be braced for a political challenge at the famous Scuderia in 2025.

He said: “Lewis has seven Championships. He is the greatest of all time with his achievements. And he’s going to the biggest team in history that has the biggest image.

“But also a very chaotic team, a very political team, a very difficult team where the whole of Italy loves you or hates you in five seconds.”

Hamilton’s partnership with 2025 team-mate Charles Leclerc, widely regarded as the fastest driver in F1 today despite remaining on five career wins, is a mouthwatering prospect.

Villeneuve remains unconvinced by Leclerc, claiming Ferrari has tried to “build” the Monegasque into a World Champion whereas Hamilton will arrive with a proven track record.

He explained: “[Hamilton] hasn’t been built. He’s actually won his championships; he’s won his races; he’s achieved it all.

“Which is very, very different than other drivers that have been put in Ferrari without championships, without wins, but where Ferrari has tried to build their image as champions.

“For example, Charles has a built image, but he has not shown it yet. That will be interesting to see the two fight it off.

“How will the one that’s achieved it all compare to the one who’s said to be a champion but isn’t yet?”

EXCLUSIVE: King Charles ‘taking steps to stop Commonwealth inviting Meghan and Harry to visit,’ claims expert

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have just finished a tour of Nigeria and the trip is said to have angered King Charles, who wants to stop them visiting other Commonwealth countries, claims a royal expert.

King Charles has got a new “priority” as he works to stop Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visiting Commonwealth countries, claims a royal expert.

 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have just wrapped up their three-day tour of Nigeria. The couple were visiting the African country to promote the Invictus Games and they met with a number of key figures during the trip.

Royal author Tom Quinn claims the monarch was angered by Harry and Meghan’s trip and is doing everything in his power to stop it happening again. He suggested to The Mirror: “King Charles is in a terrible bind – he would love to strip Meghan and Harry of their royal titles, but fears this will look vindictive.

 

On the other hand, he has to find a way to put a stop to any future trips by Harry and Meghan to other commonwealth countries. That has now become his number one priority.”

Tom suggested the King might use “back channels” in order to “try to block any further invitations to the wayward couple”. However, he admitted that will “prove very difficult”.

 

The royal expert explained why Charles might be unnerved by Harry and Meghan’s visit to Nigeria. He said: “The ultimate fear for King Charles and William is that Meghan’s rebelliousness actually ends up making her more appealing than the understated members of official team royal.

“That’s why she always makes a point of holding Harry’s hand for the cameras, something she knows Willam and Kate would never do.” Tom suggested the monarch will now be making some changes to the Royal Family.

 

He said: “After Nigeria one thing is certain: huge efforts will go into changing the way the Royal Family deals with its role in the Commonwealth. Steps have already been taken via official channels to try to lessen the chance that other Commonwealth countries invite Meghan and Harry to visit.”

 

Meghan and Harry have had a strained relationship with the Royal Family ever since they stepped down as senior royals in 2020. It’s believed the couple will soon be leaving Nigeria and returning to America via a quick stop-over in London, however, it’s thought they won’t be meeting any members of The Firm.

The Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex have been sporting several of their late mother-in-law’s dazzling heirlooms through the years.

Princess Kate and Meghan Markle have acquired quite a few of Princess Diana’s jewellery (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate and Meghan Markle have been keeping Princess Diana’s memory alive in the present day with their “tasteful” jewellery selections, a jewellery expert has claimed.

The late Princess of Wales died in August 1997 but her legacy continues to shine through her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

The princes inherited their mother’s enviable jewellery collection, which included bracelets, watches, earrings and many more.

Thus the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Sussex have in turn been gifted a wide range of dazzling heirlooms from their late mother-in-law.

Now Blake Asaad, the founder of jewellers Goodstone, takes a look at their most precious pieces.

Princess Kate’s engagement ring features a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, originating from Sri Lanka (Image: Getty)

The blue sapphire engagement ring

Probably one of Diana’s most famous pieces of jewellery, the engagement ring features a 12-carat Ceylon sapphire, originating from Sri Lanka which is framed by 14 round-cut diamonds

The sapphire is said to be a deep, royal blue, of AAAA quality, making it amongst the most valuable of its kind.

Mr Asaad said: “Its design resembles Queen Victoria’s sapphire brooch, creating a sense of historical continuity.”

Princess Kate wearing Princess Diana’s double-drop sapphire earrings (Image: Getty)

Earring sets

Both Meghan and Kate have worn various sets of earrings previously worn by the late Princess of Wales.

These include the sapphire and diamond double-drop earrings, the sapphire and diamond single-stud earrings and the Collingwood pearl and diamond earrings

According to the experts, the double-drop sapphire earrings were a wedding gift to Diana from the Crown Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

Kate has worn them many times, including during a Christmas walkabout in 2023.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving their wedding reception (Image: Getty)

The aquamarine ring

Meghan Markle famously wore two rings on her wedding day. The first was a wedding band made of Welsh gold, and the second was Diana’s aquamarine ring.

The duchess was snapped wearing the dazzling piece of jewellery during the wedding reception at Frogmore House, and later during a royal tour of Tonga.

Mr Asaad added: “Diana also owned a matching bracelet, but it’s not known who inherited it.”

 

Meghan Markle attends Salute to Freedom Gala in 2021 (Image: Getty)

The diamond bracelet

Diana’s diamond bracelet was worn by Meghan when she and Harry spoke to Oprah in 2021.

Some of its stones were used in the creation of Meghan’s engagement ring.

According to the jewellery expert, Meghan also wore the bracelet when she attended the Salute to Freedom Gala in New York City.

Special occasions

There were many other occasions when the two royal women donned Diana’s jewellery.

The Princess of Wales wore Diana’s pearl necklace for the late Queen’s funeral, whereas at King Charles’s Scottish Coronation, she wore Diana’s Japanese four-chain pearl necklace and the Collingwood pearl earrings.

Meghan wore Diana’s gold butterfly earrings in Australia, for her first public appearance after announcing her pregnancy.

Mr Asaad concluded: “These stunning accessories have enhanced the natural beauty of these three women during significant occasions while allowing Kate and Meghan to honour the memory of their husbands’ mother. They evoke a sense of history, majesty, and precious memories.”

 

He always stays up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.

And Lewis Hamilton, 36, stood out from the crowd in a purple outfit on Friday and rocked pigtails as she stepped out in Austria ahead of the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix.

The Formula One driver was experimenting with a new do – having previously just pulled his hair back – as he strolled through Spielberg in his colourful look.

Trendy: Lewis Hamilton , 36, stood out from the crowd in a purple outfit on Friday and rocked pigtails as she stepped out in Austria ahead of the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix

His longline shirt featured a neon orange badge above his left cuff and complemented his baggy shorts.

Lewis proved he has expensive taste as he sported Dior trainers which he teamed with spotless white socks.

The racing car driver shielded his eyes from the glorious sun with stylish shades and protected himself from the novel coronavirus with a face mask.

The Formula One campaign continues this weekend as the Styrian Grand Prix takes centre stage in the first of a double-header at the Red Bull Ring circuit in Austria.

Hairdo: The Formula One driver was experimenting with a new do – having previously just pulled his hair back – as he strolled through Spielberg in his colourful look

It comes just a week after the French Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen extended his lead to 12 points over Lewis in what was a thrilling race from start to finish.

Max started the race on pole but immediately handed Lewis the initiative with an uncharacteristic error.

Red Bull outfoxed their Mercedes counterpart with a brilliant two-stop strategy however, which saw the Dutchman overtake a helpless Lewis at the death to claim his third victory of the campaign.

With Red Bull winning three races in a row, they are creeping ahead in both the driver and constructor championships after seven races.

Streetstyle: His longline shirt featured a neon orange badge above his left cuff and complemented his baggy shorts

Nonetheless, the campaign goes on, and it was Mercedes who won both of the two races in Austria last year, an outcome which is less expected this time round.

The Styrian Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, June 27, with the race getting underway at 2pm BST.

The first and second practice sessions will take place on Friday, June 25, with each session lasting an hour.

The final practice session starts at 11am on Saturday morning, before qualifying gets underway on the same day at 2pm.

Back on the track: The Styrian Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, June 27, with the race getting underway at 2pm BST

Lewis Hamilton has been offered the chance to finish his career at Ferrari with the greatest car designer in history, after Adrian Newey plunged Red Bull into further chaos by apparently leaving the scandal-stricken team.

It remains unclear whether Newey, 65, will join Ferrari, the team Hamilton will move to from Mercedes next year.

But despite desperate moves at Red Bull as dusk fell to keep hold of Newey, the game there appears to be up — a massive blow to team principal Christian Horner as he clings to his job after accusations of sending 𝑠e𝑥ually explicit messages to a female member of staff.

Mail Sport understands Newey is disillusioned with the political upheaval at Red Bull. There is a power-play taking place behind the scandal that has convulsed the team in recent months.

It is also believed, though unconfirmed, that Newey and his wife Amanda have been looking to move to Italy.

Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey has reportedly told the team that he wants to leave

It comes with the team’s season overshadowed by allegations made towards Christian Horner

If Newey jumped ship to Ferrari, he would link up with Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season

Red Bull insist Newey is ‘under contract to the end of 2025’.

Newey is known as one of the greatest designers in Formula 1 history and holds the brains behind 13 World Championship titles – six constructors’ crowns and seven for drivers.

Horner was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female employee ahead of the 2024 season.

An internal investigation cleared him of ‘coercive behaviour’ but a bombshell email the next day purported to throw fresh light on the situation.

A day after the internal investigation cleared him, hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some 𝑠e𝑥ual – were spilled to the media and F1 powerhouses, but Red Bull affirmed he would not be sacked and his accuser was suspended.

The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them of a 𝑠e𝑥ual nature.

The anonymous sender copied in leading people in the sport, such as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, as well as accredited media gathered in Bahrain for the scandal-ridden opening race of the season.

His accuser has since appealed the verdict of the investigation which exonerated him.

Newey has been with Red Bull since 2006 and helped them to win 13 titles with his expert designing skills

Horner – pictured with his wife, Geri Halliwell, a former Spice Girl – was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female employee but cleared by an internal investigation

As of March, Newey was reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ to join Ferrari. He is also understood to have an offer from Aston Martin, the team of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Before joining Red Bull, he had success with both Williams and McLaren.

In total, Newey-designed cars have won twelve constructors’ and thirteen drivers’ championships.

Meghan is carefully rebranding as a stateswoman – but where’s the substance? What differentiates her from any other well-educated, well-meaning, left-leaning woman?

 

There have long been rumours that Meghan Markle harbours political ambitions.

From the very early days of her relationship with Prince Harry, royal watchers questioned whether a woman who had called Donald Trump “divisive” and “misogynistic”, before discouraging Americans from voting for him ahead of the 2016 US election, could ever be comfortable as a royal – infamously a position that forbids revealing even the slightest political leaning, let alone actual intervention.

 

For a time, she appeared to accept that royals and politics do not mix but when she and Prince Harry stepped back from their roles and set up home in California, rumours were rife that she was ready to flex her political muscles.

Yet while there have been murmurings and even speculation that a run for the Senate was in the offing, Meghan’s most direct political intervention was a 1,030-word letter she penned to senior Democrats in 2021 where she advocated for parental leave as a “national right”, drawing on her own experience as a mother of two small children, while reportedly cold-calling senators seeking their support on the issue.

 

Those political aspirations seemed to be put on hold while she embraced other enterprises – hosting podcasts, appearing in a Netflix documentary, and most recently, launching a fledgling lifestyle brand. But there are now whispers that a political rebrand of the Duchess of Sussex is afoot.

 

The couple’s recent visit to Nigeria, initially assumed by many (myself included) to be a kind of faux-royal tour, looks like it may have had a very different intent.

 

The three-day, highly publicised trip, which has been described as a “presidential” tour, was stage-managed by Miranda Barbot, a slick PR guru who helped get Barack Obama re-elected, and was on hand to ensure the visit went without a hitch.

 

Royal watchers have speculated that certain events – for example a panel discussion on Saturday when Meghan spoke in front of 50 of Nigeria’s top female leaders from the the worlds of politics, media and business – were designed to show the Duchess of Sussex, not as a “part-time royal” fitting in tours in between commercial commitments, but as a sure-footed stateswoman on the global stage.

 

There’s no doubting that the tour was successful – it was certainly far smoother and better managed than the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Jamaica tour where gaffes included the infamous photograph of the couple interacting with local children through a chain-link fence. Meghan definitely looked the part but – as I come back to again and again with the Duchess of Sussex’s projects – where is the actual substance? What do we know of her political vision? Or her political ability?

 

Success in the world of politics surely depends on the skill with which you can work the system. Meghan’s attempts to infiltrate that sphere have been by no means wholly successful. It was reported that she and Prince Harry requested a ride back to the US on board Air Force One alongside President Joe Biden and the First Lady after the Queen’s memorial service – a request which received an immediate no from the White House.

 

We do know that Meghan is a politically engaged woman. She wrote a letter to Procter & Gamble as a child to complain about a sexist advertising campaign for dish soap which apparently succeeded in getting said advertisement changed. We know that she cares about women’s empowerment and, pre-Harry, she was named a UN Women’s Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership. Do I know exactly what that title entails? No, but it sounds impressive.

 

And here – in my opinion – is the crux of the issue. Meghan certainly can look the part and she has the kind of name recognition and contacts that would be the envy of any would-be politician, but what differentiates her political beliefs and action from those of any other well-educated, well-meaning, left-leaning woman of her age and background?

 

Surely it takes more than looking stateswoman-like on a slick foreign visit to make it in the slippery world of Washington, DC?

Queen Camilla looked stunning during a recent appearance with King Charles and fans gave her the royal seal of approval.

Queen Camilla attended the races on Friday (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla turned heads during a recent appearance at the races with King Charles.

Charles and Camilla spent Friday at Epsom racecourse where, despite the blustery and cold conditions, thousands of racegoers turned out for Ladies’ Day.

The Queen looked every inch the royal she is in a duck egg blue skirt suit by Bruce Oldfield which she paired with Charlotte Elizabeth’s Mayflower crossbody handbag in taupe (£375) and a pair of low heels by Eliot Zed in textured sand (£295).

She accessorised the look with a pair of golden hoop pearl earrings, a statement pearl necklace and the Minoru brooch.

To complete her ensemble, the Queen donned Cornelia James’s leather gloves in biscuit and a Philip Treacy hat.

Queen Camilla wore a duck egg blue skirt suit by Bruce Oldfield (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla was joined by King Charles (Image: Getty)

Royal fans could not get enough of Camilla’s latest appearance, praising the royal for her style choice.

One user wrote on Instagram: “Camila has the perfect style for her age and standing, also always appropriate for the event and engagement.

“She is also not carelessly spending money on new dresses, shoes, coats or jewellery – she is re-wearing many peaces(sic), however styled differently and with a different twist and accent every time which is really smart and shows elegance, class and sustainable thinking! Well done to her and her team of stylists!”

A second one added: “Sassy hat! Always impeccable!”

Another person commented: “She looks great in the suit. The color(sic) and detailing is perfect.”

King Charles watched part of the race through binoculars from the royal box (Image: Getty)
 

Lastly, a fourth chimed: “That’s a beautiful colour on her. Camilla looks fab”.

The royal couple walked into the parade ring in the final moments before the classic was run, to see their horse and chat to its jockey James Doyle and their racing manager John Warren.

The King watched part of the race through binoculars from the royal box, but the Queen was left puffing out her cheeks when their horse, Treasure, finished second from last.