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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry undertook this month a whirlwind tour to Nigeria, during which they visited charities and promoted their non-profit work.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry visited Nigeria. (Image: GETTY)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s high-profile visit to Nigeria has been described as a “have your cake and eat it” situation by a royal commentator.

The 72-hour, whirlwind trip to West Africa undertaken this month by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was hailed by some commentators as a success for the California-based couple.

The trip was said to be deeply personal for both Meghan and Harry. During their meetings, they were able to continue their work around the Invictus Games, the Duke’s paralympic-style event for ill and wounded veterans and military personnel, and women empowerment.

Moreover, Meghan was able to explore her heritage, two years after she revealed during her podcast series Archetypes to have discovered through genealogy tests to be 43 percent Nigerian.

Speaking at an event on women in leadership, the Duchess said: “Every single moment that I hear anyone talk about what it means to be a Nigerian woman, it is the most flattering thing to be in that company.”

 

Meghan Markle was able to explore her heritage during the trip. (Image: GETTY)

Nevertheless, the trip also included aspects – such as a formal welcome and official dinner – clearly reminiscent of a royal tour and also had “all the marks of a presidential visit”, according to royal commentator Emily Andrews.

And, as the pair are neither US politicians nor working members of the Royal Family, the trip showed how Meghan and Prince Harry are trying to get the best of both the royal world they left behind and their current private entrepreneurial lives, Ms Andrews suggested.

She wrote in Woman magazine: “As with everything Sussex-related, it was a ‘have your cake and eat it’ situation.

 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their senior royal roles in early 2020. (Image: GETTY)

“Back in 2020, they made it extremely clear to the late Queen, Charles and William that they did not want to be working royals and would earn their own money instead.

“Yet this tour followed the tried-and-tested royal playbook that was previously so heartily rejected by the Sussexes. But this time, it was on their own terms.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their senior royal roles in early 2020.

 

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games (Image: GETTY)

A royal photographer claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were keen not to share details of Prince Archie’s birth straight away.

Queen Camilla first saw Archie on a photographer’s phone. (Image: GETTY)

Queen Camilla first saw Prince Archie via “a royal photographer’s phone” after his birth in May 2019, it has been revealed.

Royal photographer Arthur Edwards claims that he was the first person to show Queen Camilla a picture of her step-grandson in 2019.

Having taken pictures of the Royal Family since the 1970s, Mr Edwards spoke of Meghan and Harry’s approach to introducing their then-newborn son to the world.

At the time of the birth, Mr Edwards said that he was on a royal tour in Germany with some of Harry’s relatives, including the Queen.

Speaking to the Sun, he said: “I remember showing Camilla in, I think, Munich the first pictures of Archie that were taken by the press.

Queen Camilla was in Germany at the time of Archie’s birth in 2019. (Image: GETTY)

“I showed her on my phone, and that was the first time she saw him. It was difficult times.”

Speaking of Archie’s birth, Mr Edwards added: “We were led to believe that she had gone into labour at two o’clock when the baby had been born many hours earlier. We were led to believe it was going to be a home birth and it was in a hospital. The whole thing was just stage-managed to suit them.”

Unlike fellow royals, Meghan and Harry chose to not pose for photographs outside of the hospital following the birth of their son – with the now-mother-of-two previously revealing the reason behind their decision.

Speaking on the Sussexes’ Netflix docuseries in 2022, Meghan said: “…I had been really worried going into that labour because I am older and I didn’t know if I would have to have a C-section. I had a very long-standing relationship with my doctor and that is who I trusted with my pregnancy. And they said, ‘Right, but she is at Portland Hospital and the steps are at this hospital (the Lindo Wing)’. And I said, ‘OK, we could do a photo call in front of Portland Hospital’.”

Two years after Archie’s birth, Meghan gave birth to Princess Lilibet – who will celebrate her third birthday next week – in June 2021.

Camila is an avid reader, and we have a feeling, that when she picks a book for her book club, readers may pick it up to read, just like Oprah’s book club from back in the day.

Oprah Winfrey launched her book club twenty years ago, and it’s still running, but now she has some fresh competition with Queen Camilla and her newly launched The Queen’s Reading Room podcast.

The Queen’s Reading Room just announced its latest pick, the 2017 novel Pachinko by Min Jin Lee with Camilla describing the story as a “really powerful presentation of women’s resilience and grit in the face of adversity.”

Camilla is an avid reader, which is apparent in her review of the book: ”Pachinko is an expansive, multigenerational epic which offers a fascinating insight into life for Koreans in Japan in the 20th century. A moving and memorable read.”

In addition to enjoying reading, Camilla encourages the importance of reading as Patron to the National Literacy Trust, Book Trust, First Story, the Wicked Young Writer Awards and Beanstalk.

When Oprah’s book club first kicked off, and she would announce a new book, it was almost promised to become a New York Times Bestseller, so, needless to say, authors were very keen to make the list.

Camilla has been a lifelong reader and knows her stuff, and we have a feeling her opinion will mean a lot to readers, which could easily translate into sales.

Camilla took the stage at an event in East Sussex, celebrating literature (Image: Getty)

Camilla’s review is already having an impact on the author, with Ms Lee turning to X and sharing her excitement, writing:

“Her Majesty recommends. She read my second novel. Am honoured. In London right now researching and interviewing for the revision of my third novel, and Her Majesty’s generous remarks feel like a miracle. Grateful.”

Set in early 1900s Korea, the story follows a teenage girl, who meets a wealthy stranger, and soon learns she’s pregnant. When it turns out her new lover is married, she turns her attention to a minister, who is making his way to Japan. Her decision to leave her home and reject her son’s powerful father triggers a chain of events that carry on for generations.

One royal expert believes that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be invited to spend time at Balmoral this summer but claimed that Queen Camilla disapproves of the situation.

King Charles could invite Prince Harry to Balmoral this summer. (Image: GETTY)

King Charles could be set to extend a major olive branch to Prince Harry by inviting him to spend time at Balmoral this summer, a royal has claimed.

Harry may travel to the UK with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

Although he believes King Charles may extend an invite to his youngest son, royal expert Tom Quinn said that he is certain Harry will decline the invite.

Unlike her husband, Mr Quinn claimed that Queen Camilla is “dreading” the thought of Harry and Meghan being at Balmoral with the family.

Speaking to the Mirror, the expert said: “King Charles will issue the traditional invitation to Harry and Meghan to spend part of the summer at Balmoral, but safe in the knowledge that Harry and Meghan will make their excuses and decline.”

 

Harry and Meghan could travel to Balmoral with their children this summer. (Image: GETTY)

He added: “Relaxing at the 50,000-acre private estate might be just the place to let bygones be bygones, but Camilla will be dreading anything that threatens the calm her husband needs to continue his recovery from cancer.”

Speaking of Harry’s ongoing feud with Prince William, Mr Quinn suggested that this could prevent Harry from accepting the offer – although the Duke would “love to see” his sister-in-law. He explained: “Harry would love to see Kate and his expressions of concern for her are deeply felt but he knows that he can’t see Kate without seeing his brother so it’s not going to happen.”

Discussing the potential that the couple will turn down the invite, he added: “Meghan and Harry feel that turning up at Balmoral will put them on the back foot as it’s very much Royal Home turf.

“And Meghan won’t want to go back on her public insistence that she will never return to the UK – she’ll only do it if she gets the apology she has always demanded unless something really dreadful happens.”

Since stepping back as working royals in 2020, Meghan and Harry reside in California with Archie and Lilibet.

Meghan Markle ‘irritated’ at Prince Harry after realising what he’s really like

Meghan Markle has been spotted out and about without her husband recently, enjoying a ski trip with her gal pals and dining at a swanky restaurant with a top TV executive.

Meghan Markle isn’t happy with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle has become “irritated” at Prince Harry after realising he’s not the “charismatic figure” she thought he was, according to one Royal expert.

The Duchess of Sussex has been spotted out and about without her husband recently, enjoying a ski trip with her gal pals and dining at a swanky restaurant with a top TV executive.

Royal author Tom Quinn has suggested these solo appearances come after Meghan became annoyed at Harry for “playing second fiddle” to her.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said the couple are going through a tough time and suggested Meghan has only just realised what Harry is really like.

Tom said: “Meghan and Harry are going through a really stressful period right now.

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)
“Meghan has realised Harry just isn’t the sort of campaigning charismatic figure, she thought he was.

“She would like him to do more in his own right not just as her partner.”

Tom then suggested fans can expect more solo appearances from the former Suits actress.

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He explained: “We will see more of her attending events alone because she’s realised that when Harry appears to be just tagging along and agreeing with her it is not always a good look.

“The Royal commentator pointed out that Harry’s role seems to have changed since he’s been with Meghan.

Harry is ‘playing second fiddle’ to his wife (Image: Getty Images for 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala)
Tom said: “The irony is that Harry hated playing second fiddle to William and now he’s playing second fiddle to Meghan and she is getting irritated about it.

Harry joined his wife in Austin, Texas, last night and the couple enjoyed some time together on Thursday as they went out for a fancy meal at SoHo House.

According to one diner, the couple seemed to be in great spirits. “Harry was very animated throughout the dinner. They were super low key and seemed happy to be around the upbeat vibes at the lively venue,” they told People magazine.

Later today, Meghan will join journalist Katie Couric, actress Brooke Shields and diversity equity and inclusion consultant at Peoplism, Nancy Wang Yuen for a talk at SXSW Festival. It has also been announced that Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast, will moderate the session.

The talk will focus on “how the ubiquitous nature of social media is creating an often dangerous environment which has led to serious mental health issues for teenage girls in particular,” according to the festival description.

Meghan Markle’s ‘baby brain’ slur to Kate Middleton resurfaces as Duchess calls out postpartum bullies

It was revealed in Prince Harry’s memoir Spare that Meghan Markle told Kate she had ‘baby brain’, to which the Princess of Wales hit back that they were ‘not close enough’ to discuss her ‘hormones’

Meghan Markle claimed Kate Middleton had “baby brain” after Prince Louis’s birth (Image: Daily Mirror)

Meghan Markle gave an inspiring feminist speech as she championed new mothers at South by Southwest Festival in Texas.

However, since the rousing talk – an excerpt of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare of her telling Kate Middleton she had “baby brain” has resurfaced reports the Mirror.

During the keynote speech, where she appeared alongside journalist Katie Couric, actress Brooke Shields and diversity equity and inclusion consultant at Peoplism, Nancy Wang Yuen and Errin Haines, host of The Amendment podcast, Meghan expressed empathy for new mothers.

The Duchess claimed it was a “really vulnerable time” that is “dizzying” and “messy” while claiming “there is a lot of work to be done supporting moms.”

However, according to the Duke of Sussex’s bombshell memoir, Kate and Prince William reportedly believed Meghan wasn’t as sympathetic to Kate following her pregnancy.

Whilst penning Spare, Harry revealed Meghan told Kate she had “baby brain” after giving birth to Prince Louis, which did not go down well with the Princess of Wales.

“You talked about my hormones. We are not close enough for you to talk about my hormones!” Kate reportedly told her, demanding an apology.

Kate Middleton claimed she and Meghan Markle were ‘not close enough’ for her to be talking about her ‘hormones’ (Image: Getty Images)
Harry told how Kate was so angry that she gripped the chair until her knuckles turned “white.”

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The Duke of Sussex claimed that William pointed at Meghan and told her that her “rude” comment was not appropriate in Britain.

In response, Meghan told her brother-in-law to “take your finger out of my face.”

It comes as Meghan appeared at SXSW Friday and advocated for new mums.

“My husband and I, our foundation the Archewell Foundation, helped to fund it because from our standpoint—and certainly from mine—it felt vital to see the information,” Meghan she said during her speech.

“It’s just always loved understanding women and our stories and our lives experiences and our shared experiences. I was really curious to see what the report would uncover.”

“The way we see ourselves is reflected accurately or sometimes to our disservice, inaccurately,” she added.

“From a philanthropic standpoint there is obviously a lot of work to be done supporting moms. You can start with paid leave.”

She then emphasised the importance of representation and how “vulnerable” being a new mum is.

“When you’re a new mom, it’s a really vulnerable time. The effect that social media can have on new mothers, even just the lack of sleep because they spend all this time scrolling, but it can also be really dizzying for them to see this portrayal of motherhood that looks so perfect when we all know it’s not perfect. We all know that it’s messy. I’m fortunate in that, among the privileges I have in my life, I have an incredible partner.”

She then went on to praise Harry, who was sitting in the front row, while calling to protect new mothers.

“My husband is such a hands-on dad and such a supporter of me and my family. That I don’t take for granted. That is a real blessing. But a lot of people don’t have that same level of support,” she continued. “So I think for us, it’s about putting safeguards in so women, and moms especially, can not feel like they’re even more vulnerable when they go online.”

Piers Morgan blasts Meghan for ‘exploiting’ her royal title as Diana was being honoured at event

Piers Morgan has hit out at Meghan Markle after she launched her new brand this week, American Riviera Orchard, saying it was ‘poor timing’.

(Image: Getty)

Piers Morgan slammed Meghan Markle’s “poor timing” after she launched her new brand on Instagram, American Riviera Orchard, on the same day Princess Diana’s memory was being honoured.

Morgan tweeted: “Meghan Markle launching her new royal-title-exploiting business flogging garlic spreads on the same day Princess Diana’s memory was being honoured just about sums her up. It stinks.”

The launch coincided with the Diana Legacy Award, which featured a video appearance from Prince Harry. Her new business venture marks the Duchess of Sussex’s first social media post since 2020.

She appears to have dozens of lifestyle and homeware products in the works, though nothing is on sale just yet, reports the Express.

Meghan’s new brand was announced with a series of nine Instagram post making up a gilded crest using her own calligraphy. Although the account already has well over 300,000 followers, some commentators have criticised the timing of the launch.

Others have even suggested the duchess could be in breach of her strict deal with the Royal Family. Associate editor of the Mirror Russell Myers claimed the business could be breaking the Sussexes’ commercial agreement with the family after their decision to drop their Royal duties in 2020. “If you sign up for info on Meghan Markle’s new business venture, you’ll be notified about ‘products’,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).

“Clear breach of the agreement by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to not profit off their royal titles, is it not? Watch this space.”

Meghan Markle ‘made brutal comments’ about sister-in-law Kate Middleton’s royal wedding

Meghan used to run a blog called The Tig, where she mentioned the 2011 royal wedding.

The Duchess of Sussex mentioned the ‘endless conversation about Princess Kate’ and the ‘pomp’ around the royal wedding
Meghan Markle made some comments in her old blog The Tig about Prince William and Princess Kate’s wedding years before she met her husband, Prince Harry.

The Duchess of Sussex used to run her lifestyle blog and in an old post, she mentioned the “endless conversation about Princess Kate” and the “pomp” around the royal wedding when the now Prince and Princess of Wales were tying the knot in 2011, writes The Mirror.

After interviewing Princess Alia Al-Senussi, who is a member of Libyan royalty, Meghan wrote in her blog: “Little girls dream of being princesses. I, for one, was all about She-Ra, Princess of Power.

“For those of you unfamiliar with the ‘80s cartoon reference, She-Ra is the twin sister of He-Man, and a sword-wielding royal rebel known for her strength. We’re definitely not talking about Cinderella here.

“Grown women seem to retain this childhood fantasy. Just look at the pomp and circumstance surrounding the royal wedding and endless conversation about Princess Kate.”

Kate and William got married in 2011 (Image: Getty Images)

However, at that time, Meghan didn’t know that seven years later she would be having a royal wedding of her own. Sharing her thoughts in her controversial interview with Oprah in 2021, Meghan said she went into the royal family “naively” when she started dating Harry in 2016 and they went on to get married two years later on 19 May, 2018.

Speaking during the explosive interview, Meghan said: “I didn’t grow up knowing much about the royal family. It wasn’t something that was part of conversation at home. It wasn’t something that we followed.

Little did Meghan know that she would be marrying into the royal family seven years after writing about Kate and William’s wedding in her blog (Image: Getty Images)
“I didn’t fully understand what the job was. So much so, in fact, that Meghan admitted that she had to swiftly perfect the art of curtsying before she met Queen Elizabeth II for the first time at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.”

It comes as Kate has been at the centre of public attention and was forced to issue a public apology for digitally editing a photo of herself and her children released to mark Mother’s Day last week.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘wrestling guilt’ over Kate’s cancer news, expert claims

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made a number of shocking allegations against Kate and William in recent years.

Harry and Meghan are likely to be feeling regretful about Kate feud after cancer news an expert claims (Image: Kirsty O’Connor/PA Wire)

Prince Harry is likely to feel regretful with him and Meghan Markle wrestling “conflicting emotions” after Kate Middleton announced her cancer diagnosis, an expert claims.

The Princess of Wales publicly revealed she had been diagnosed with the disease in a televised video message on Friday evening and is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wished her and her family “health and healing” which they hoped she would be able to carry out “privately and in peace.”

Since the Sussexes’ exit from the Firm back in 2020 and their relocation to the US, Harry and Meghan have publicly aired allegations and grievances against the monarchy and some of the most senior members of the Firm, specifically William and Kate.

Kate Middleton publicly announced she had been diagnosed with cancer in a televised video message on Friday evening

It’s now been revealed by ITV’s royal editor Chris Ship, that Harry “has reached out to his brother” after learning of Kate’s diagnosis amid their ongoing feud, the Mirror reports.

According to royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, this could finally open the doorway to healing between the two estranged brothers.

She told the Mirror: “This is the Princess of Wales’s hour, her pain, her health. But the messages from many of Kate and William’s family are a reminder of cancer’s long reach. The King’s deep love and pride shone through in his message for his ‘beloved’ daughter-in-law.

“Kate’s brother, James’s reminder of past mountains they have climbed was another lump-in-the-throat moment. And then of course there was Harry and Meghan, who wrote: ‘We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace’.

“Immediately the internet naysayer jumped on this message with accusations of hypocrisy and anger, wishing they would ‘just shut up’.

“The inference was the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had no right to express sympathy given previous criticism Harry and Meghan have lobbed in the Princes and Princess of Wales’s direction.”

She continued: “This is a predictably unforgiving, naïve approach to family relations. Sibling arguments and tensions are as old as life itself, but when the chips are down – when cancer comes knocking – that is when we remember what really matters.

“Harry is no different from the rest of us in that respect.”

Tessa added that the duke will be feeling “desperately sorry” for both his brother and sister-in-law.

The Sussexes’ have publicly aired their grievances against Kate and William since their exit from the Firm in 2020 (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
She explained: “The Duke of Sussex is a man in tune with his emotions, a man who grew up from the age of 12 without a mother.

“He knows this isn’t about him, it’s about Kate and the gravity of her condition. He will feel desperately sorry and worried for his brother and sister-in-law, and yes, probably regretful too.

“Right now Harry (and to an extent Meghan) will be wrestling with all sorts of conflicting emotions: guilt, love, even loneliness, miles from their British family.

“The Duke will need space to come to terms with what is a massive shift in priorities on the other side of the Atlantic, in a family that he ultimately loves, but has been estranged from.

“This is a time for healing. Apparently, there has been private contact between the brothers and sisters-in-law which is a good sign.

“Ultimately they need each other. Our Royal Family is stronger together.”

Piers Morgan hints Meghan and Harry leaked story about private message to Kate Middleton

Piers Morgan has questioned how Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s private message to Kate Middleton in the wake of her cancer diagnosis was made public.

Piers Morgan made the suggestion on social media (Image: No credit)

Piers Morgan has suggested that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s team leaked claims the couple have reached out privately to Prince William and Kate Middleton following Kate’s unexpected cancer announcement.

The ex-Good Morning Britain host, who previously mentioned hearing “alarming things” about Kate before she publicly shared her cancer news last Friday, appears to have taken a jab at the Sussexes as reactions continue to pour in regarding the Princess of Wales’ health situation.

Kate, 42, revealed last Friday that tests conducted after her surgery on January 16 showed the presence of cancer. In her video statement confirming her diagnosis, which was recorded in Windsor on Wednesday, Kate spoke about “an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family”.

“In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous,” Kate said in the video released on Friday night. “The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she said.

After Kate’s message was shared, Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, also expressed their support for Kate and the family. “We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” the couple stated, reports the Mirror.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly learned of Kate Middleton’s cancer news via her public video message (Image: Getty Images)
Following this, ITV’s Royal editor Chris Ship revealed that Prince Harry, who lives in California with his wife Meghan, “has reached out to his brother”. On Twitter, he said: “Prince Harry has reached out to his brother, Prince William after learning of Kate’s cancer. Harry and Meghan have both been in touch with their brother/sister-in-law but did so privately. It not clear if that was a phone/video call or some messages of support.”

On Sunday night, American magazine People reported their understanding “that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have privately reached out to the Prince and Princess of Wales amid Kate’s cancer diagnosis.”

Sharing their report on Twitter, the magazine wrote: “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Privately Reached Out to Kate Middleton and Prince William After Cancer Announcement.”

Piers, 58, quote-tweeted People’s original post and added: “If it was done ‘privately’ then how do you know?” The broadcaster added an emoji of a face with a monocle.

It’s believed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not informed about Kate’s cancer diagnosis before the news was made public on Friday night. Reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex found out about Kate’s preventative chemotherapy at the same time as everyone else.

An insider told the New York Post that Harry and Meghan “had no idea” about Kate’s health when the news came out. The source said: “They had no idea, and only learnt of the news around the same time the rest of the world found out. This goes to show the irreparable damage they have caused. The trust has been broken and the royal family is OK distancing themselves from them.”